Reading Today, November 23, 2022

Pictures: Steve Smyth

Andre Shorter (5) had chance to try the drums after the RASPO’s performance

Above and right: Members of RASPO Steel Orchestra entertain

Natalie Gray introduces the lights

Sue Brennan serving up tasty donuts and cakes on her stall

Charlette (6) & Elizabeth Parr (9) and Ruby Hancock (6) enjoying the Christmas lights

nuts and action!

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

THERE’S no denying it, the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on.

At the weekend, festive festivities saw the town’s Christmas lights switched-on for the first time this year.

Shoppers heading to Broad Street will be walking in a winter wonderland, thanks to the installation of some Alpine-style huts, offering roast chestnuts, mulled wine, German sausages and other seasonal treats.

And then there’s the lights ... all 400,000 of them, including a ribbon-wrapped slimline tree.

To celebrate, REDA (Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency) arranged for bands to come and play, including RASPO, and singer Natalie Gray.

It’s not the only part of town that is getting ready for Christmas.

Broad St. Mall will this weekend welcome Santa.

The jolly bearded man is taking up residency on Saturdays and Sundays, until December 19, when he will be around daily right up until Christmas Eve.

Places cost £5, and need to be booked.

The shopping centre will also be hosting lantern making workshops on Saturday from 10am and Sunday from 10pm.

The finished beacons of light will be used in the Reading

Lantern Parade, which takes place in Broad Street on Saturday, December 10.

And The Oracle has Christmas crazy golf, while also hosting a Giving Tree until Wednesday, December 14.

Last year, more than 2,000 presents were donated, and organisers are hoping for even more this year.

The donated presents are given to Reading-based charities to share with children who would otherwise go without this Christmas.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Chalk this December 2022 as our storyteller tells his festive tales for little ones

Come and sit back, relax and take in the atmosphere while the kids are entertained in our wonderful setting.

What’s more, accompanying the enchanting chronicles, children can also enjoy a warming and luxurious hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows.

Priced at £9 50 per child with adults going free

If you’ve developed an appetite, we invite you to stay for dinner or visit us prior to the event for a delicious lunch. Chalk

Frederick Ackary (3) enjoying a treat

Natalie Gray singing to the crowds

This year’s Christmas tree comes gift wrapped

A couple of shoppers take a selfie while enjoying the festive atmosphere

The Morton family enjoying the event

Martin Lee with Roasted Chestnuts for sale in Broad Street

Jo, Laney and Jaz serving up refreshments

Newtown appeal to fund gas tower seat

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

FOR years it stood proud and tall over Reading, watching the trains that came in and went out of the station and casting a shadow over Newtown.

Earlier this year, the gastower was dismantled in preparation for the building of new flats.

East Reading residents creating a community garden in a cut through linking Amity Road and Cumberland Road spotted an opportunity to keep a link with the sleeping giant, while also enhancing facilities on the site.

One of the organisers, Leslee Barron, who lives in Newtown, said: “Southern Gas Network kindly agreed to donate one of the girders from the gas tower to create a legacy piece for the community.

“I imagined a bench in the Newtown Community Garden would be a fitting tribute: not realising the girder was six metres long and in two pieces.

“Naturally, the sensible conclusion was, let’s have two benches then.”

A £2,000 grant they received from RG Spaces covered the cost of creating one bench.

“It was a much bigger job than first anticipated,” Ms Barron said.

“This means the second piece of historic steel is sitting patiently on the benches waiting to be given its shot at iconic status.”

That might have been the end of the story, had it not been for another Newtown resident.

Ms Baron said that while she was in the garden, she bumped into Simon French.

“We got chatting, he asked when the second bench was being installed. I explained that we had the steel and the fabricator but not the money,” she explained. “He jumped at the opportunity of making this happen and announced that he’d happily run a crowdfunding campaign to pay for it.

“I am, of course, delighted he’s taking on this challenge and fingers-crossed we’ll reach our target and see the second

bench installed soon which will benefit the community for decades to come.”

Mr French set up a page on gofundme.com to raise £2,500 to ensure the second bench can be constructed, not just from the girder, but from wood off a cedar tree. Bricks has been donated by residents.

“We were very fond of the gas holder, it served as a friendly landmark as you walked home down Cumberland Road,” he said.

“Whether you can afford just a few pounds or more, or even just your good wishes, we are very grateful.

“Once the structure has been put into place, any monies left over will go towards the upkeep of them and to maintain and improve the garden.”

n To support the crowdfunder, search gofundme.com for ‘second bench for Newtown Community Garden’

Royal recognition: Lord-Lieutenant plants tree at Whitley CDA

A COMMUNITY group received a unique present to acknowledge the work it is doing in South Reading.

The Whitley Community Development Association (WCDA) received a visit from HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, James Puxley, who helped plant a tree as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

The Platinum Jubilee campaign has seen ‘special gift’ trees planted at charities, schools, councils and scout groups to increase native tree cover and protect the environment.

King Charles III became the patron of the initiative following the Queen’s passing in September.

Mr Puxley said: “It was a great privilege to come here, it’s brilliant. I’m pleased they’re able to plant a tree which is great for

the environment.”

Around 30 people witnessed the ceremony, including the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, and Church ward councillor Andrew Hornsby-Smith.

Cllr Eden said: “It’s absolutely wonderful. It’s a real honour for Whitley to have been chosen to be one of the places these trees have been given to.

“It’s a tribute to all the residents of Whitley and the work of the WCDA. I hope it will bring much pleasure to everyone in the area as we walk past it.”

After the planting ceremony a plaque was presented to commemorate the tree. The LordLieutenant was then taken on a tour around the WCDA’s facilities and was full of praise for its food surplus, community cafe, Wellbeing Wednesdays initiative and work with CommuniCare.

Curzon Club apartment block plans submitted

AN old unoccupied social club in Reading could be demolished and replaced with a five-storey apartment block, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter

The Curzon Club was part of the Association of Conservative Clubs, but closed in 2020, and put up for sale with an asking price of £695,000.

City Wide Serviced Apartments want to replace it with a five-and-a-half storey apartment block.

Despite it being a prominent character building in Oxford Road, it is not listed.

Artists impressions show a brick and grey-coloured three storey house-like building, hall and extensions.

The Keen Partnership, the planning agents for the applicants, say the new block would ‘blend in’ with more modern buildings in Oxford Road in a development that will “stand the test of time.”

The application description

Ukraine centre’s special visitor

THE UKRAINIAN centre in Reading received a visit last Thursday from a former Upper Bucklebury resident.

The visitor met with volunteers helping refugees settle in the area.

states there will be 35 flats, 33 flats are mentioned in the design access statement and planning statement submitted.

The first to fourth floors of the building would each have seven apartments in them, with the fifth floor having four apartments and the half storey coming with one flat.

They would be a mix of oneand two-bedroom flats, with 30% of them being affordable.

The ground floor would have retail space and a car park.

The plan was submitted in September and can be found by typing reference 221345 into the council’s planning portal.

Earlier this year, City Wide Serviced Apartments submitted an application to determine whether they needed prior approval from the council to demolish the building, which it does.

This application is reference 221005 on the council’s planning portal.

On her arrival, Kate Middleton, was given a traditional Ukrainian welcome gift of bread and salt.

The Princess of Wales, who was born in the Royal Berkshire Hospital just over the road from the Sidmouth Street centre, learnt about its activities and took part in a children’s art session.

Trisha Bennett, the WCDA’s community development coordinator, said: “This is a great memorial to the late Queen and we’re really honoured to be chosen as one of the 350 [places] to receive such an honour.

“A lot of trees were planted, but we got one that was a landmark outside Buckingham Palace.

“We do what we do because we care about our community.

“We want to make a real difference for people. People in this community can make a difference for themselves.

“In communities like this, there’s a real risk of patronising people because they’re less affluent, but actually they’re human-beings and people have had more chances than others in all sorts of ways. That’s what makes the jigsaw so rich really.”

Mayor’s auction

THE mayor is hoping residents will bid generously in an auction to raise funds for Reading charities.

The online event will launch on Monday, November 28, with a chance to view the items that people can bid on between Thursday, December 1, and Sunday, December 4.

Lots include a photoshoot from Viva Photography, a set by The Eric Tildiss Function Band, guided walks, champagne afternoon tea for two at the Roseate and a silhouette portrait session.

Money from the winning bids will go to the Mayor of Reading’s chosen charities, Parenting Special Children, ACRE, and The Duchess of Kent Hospice (Sue Ryder Care).

Cllr Rachel Eden said: “I’m delighted by the wide range of organisations and businesses from Reading and beyond who have already donated lots for this year’s Mayoral charity auction. It really shines a light on what a special place Reading is.

“I encourage everyone to browse the catalogue once it opens.

“All the money we raise will go to three very special charities which is even more reason to bid.”

n To see the catalogue, from Monday, log on to: https:// superstars-auctions.com/ mayorofreadingcharityfund

FROM LEFT: Andrew HornsbySmith, Church ward councillor; Trisha Bennett, WCDA community development coordinator; Cllr Rachel Eden, Mayor of Reading; James Puxley, Lord-Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire; Liz Grugeon, WCDA chair of trustees.

Picture: Ji-Min Lee

The first Newtown bench. A campaign has been launched to fund a second

Family plans eviction fair after being forced to leave home of 26 years

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg,today

ON SATURDAY, a family of seven will be evicted from their house of 26 years.

Nick Garnett, Emma Bowen and their five children were served with a Section 21 no-fault eviction notice, despite having paid over £200,000 to the Mapledurham Estate.

In response, friends, neighbours, artists and performers have decided to throw a resistance fete, to raise funds for the family and to discuss the wider issue of no-fault evictions.

Ms Bowen said: “26 years I’ve cared for this soil. I’ve taught my children to grow veg here, and every year we’ve composted and replenished what we’ve taken. I’ve nurtured this little patch of soil with a great deal more care than the people who own it.

“All around this garden, the soil is bleached white by the intensity of the industrial agriculture that brings money to its owners, and yet we’re the ones being chucked out. How about we chuck them out?”

Nick Garnett is an artist who, among other projects, works with The Annual Daydream

Harvest, a community street art company which provides creative outlets for young people across Reading.

The resistance fete is organised by a new arts collective called Esme Boggart whose goal is to challenge this eviction and the wider impact of eviction in the UK.

The group describes England’s renting market as ‘one of the most unjust in Europe’, claiming that it is the second largest cause of homelessness.

In 2019, 30,813 evictions

were carried out in England and Wales. Although far fewer than the 110,907 claims issued, the discrepancy reflects tenants who moved out, resolved the issue with their landlord or paid overdue rent.

Taking place between noon and 6pm at 2 Pithouse Cottages, Mapledurham Road, the fete will comprise an art sale, featuring pieces created by local creators, all at affordable prices. Visitors are encouraged to drop by when convenient.

They will also be able to enjoy homemade cakes, Punch

and Judy puppets, live music and Ceilidh dancing.

Nick Hayes, author of The Book of Trespass and member of Esme Boggart, said: “What the lords of this land have done to our nature, they have also done to our local communities.

“Just as wildflower meadows were cut down to make way for lines of monoculture, so the brilliant diversity and creativity of our local community is being weeded out for a monoculture of wealth.

“The laws that back the profiteering of a few over the

health and wellbeing of our nature and communities are sick to the core.

“So, today we are standing to assert our right to belong in this land that we call home. Our fete is the first step in resisting the system.”

William Sleeman, agent for the Mapledurham Estate, said: “Both numbers 1 and 2 Pithouse Cottages are in a poor state of repair and last summer the Estate commissioned architects to refurbish the cottages.

“Their advice was that the houses needed so much work, that it would not be possible to do the work with the tenants remaining in the property and it would be necessary to demolish and rebuild the houses.

“Therefore we served notice on the tenants of both houses to gain vacant possession to carry out the repairs.

“We gave a four-month notice period rather than the minimum two-month notice to give more time for the tenants to find suitable alternative accommodation, as we appreciate that it is not easy to find properties to rent.

“Paula Rhiordan in No 1 Pithouse Cottages has found another property and has vacated her house and we need possession of No 2 Pithouse, so that work can commence.”

Windrush service and awards

A READING church is holding a Windrush thanks and praise service on Saturday, December 3.

Tyndale Baptist Church, Cressingham Road, will be recognising those who have contributed to the Windrush generation and their descendants in an awards ceremony.

A full Caribbean meal will be available as part of a luncheon. Tickets must be purchased in advance, with admission costing £5.

The service starts at 2pm with the luncheon and awards kicking off at 3pm. For more information, contact: 079547146245

Beer

and carols

ANGELIC voices ever singing will be lubricated with the help of some beer thanks to a team-up between a pub and its namesake.

The Greyfriars will welcome members of the Greyfriars Church choir for a carol-singing evening on Friday, December 2.

The pub says it is the most fun event in its calendar.

As well as the seasonal songs, there will some seasonal treats such as mince pies.

It starts at 7pm, and entry is free.

For more details, call: 0118 958 0560.

EVICTED: Emma Bowen, Nick Garnett and their five children, three of which appear in this picture, were served with a Section 21 nofault eviction from their home of 26 years despite paying over £200,000 to the Mapledurham Estate.

Picture: Nick Garnett

New Reading school is highly commended

A NEW school that opened in February has been highly commended in an award ceremony for community buildings.

Hamilton School, on Bulmershe Road, replaced Phoenix College on Christchurch Road, and is operated by the Maiden Erlegh Trust.

The £8 million school, part funded by Reading Borough Council and the Department for Education, was celebrated in the Society for Public Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Surveying (SPACES) awards.

Delivered by Reading Council’s Property & Assets Education Development Team, in partnership with Hampshire County Council, the new school is a conversion and refurbishment of a 1970s concrete-framed office building.

The brief was to re-house the school to a purpose-made facility that combines comfort, environmental performance and robustness, in a space which also felt homely and non-institutional.

Ruth McEwan, Reading Borough Council's Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, was delighted.

“Children and young people

at Hamilton School have very challenging events of trauma or personal situations, and complex needs as a result,” she said.

“It was wonderful to see them move into their brandnew home earlier this year.

“Huge congratulations to everybody involved.”

She added: “The creation of a new home for Hamilton School sits within the Council’s wider special educational needs strategy to support some of Reading’s most vulnerable pupils. The strategy will also see an overall increase in the number of Early Years SEN places being offered.”

And Jonathon Peck, Chief Executive Officer, Maiden Erlegh Trust, said it was delighted that students have a building they can be proud of.

“The fact that it was awarded with a special commendation is testament to the hard work put in by the design team and staff that worked on the project,” he said.

“Maiden Erlegh Trust is committed to delivering ‘opportunity, diversity and success for all’ and I would like to thank the huge team of people that worked so hard to get this project over the line."

Company donates £4,000 to provide meals over holidays

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

A CAR rental specialist is helping young people in Reading eat healthily during school breaks.

Select Car Leasing has donated £4,350 over the past two years to support Reading FC Community Trust’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) camps.

The Royals’ free week-long programmes take place in the summer, winter and Easter school holidays and offer a ‘safe environment to care, develop and educate the disadvantaged or at-risk young people within Reading and the surrounding areas’.

The initiative is targeted at children aged between 12-16, from low-income families and who are often on free school meals. Participants are put forward for the camps by their school or council.

A significant part of the camps’ appeal is the access young people have to healthy food, alongside taking part in activities designed to boost physical and mental well-being.

Select Car Leasing have shown their support for the scheme by contributing to the purchase of food.

Dave Evans, general manager of the Reading FC Community Trust, says the HAF Camps can make a significant difference to

the lives of young people.

He said: “The camps allow young people to come and take part in something which they wouldn’t typically be able to do, so it’s great to be able to provide such a service.

“And we don’t just feed the children healthy food at the camps, we also make sure they take part in lots of fun activities, while recognising that not everyone likes football.”

Dave, who is also a coach at the Royals’ academy, added: “When it comes to the food, we often see children on the camps who are slightly wary of what they’re served at the beginning of the week, simply because they’ve never eaten anything like it before, but by the end of the week, they’re wolfing it down.

“Reading FC Community Trust is extremely grateful for the support we’ve received, and continue to receive, from

scheme.”

Select donated £1,600 at the end of last year before adding a further £2,750 this month.

Although the majority of the camps are held at the club’s Indoor Dome, located next to the Select Car Leasing Stadium, there are alternative camp centres in the area, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

According to Dave, these send camps are vital for parents who welcome the opportunity to have free respite care during the summer holidays.

He added: “Parents of SEND children have sent us some lovely letters of thanks, saying they simply can’t find this provision anywhere else in the

county. Not only do the parents have respite care, they also know the child is being fed. It’s definitely a provision that’s needed.”

Following pilot schemes in 2018 and 2020, the HAF camps programme launched last year.

The Community Trust points to research that identifies school holidays as ‘pressure points’ for some families, with parents struggling to afford out-of-school activities for their children. This can sometimes lead to youngsters experiencing social isolation.

To date, 114 participants have accessed 64 hours of physical activity while 1,020 meals have been made available.

The funds supplied by Select come from a scheme whereby for every customer who says they are a Reading FC supporter when they lease a vehicle, the company adds £50 to the cause.

Mark Tongue, Select Car Leasing director, said: “When we learned that Reading FC Community Trust would benefit from financial support in order to run the HAF camps, we jumped at the chance. It was a no-brainer for us.

“As a socially responsible business headquartered in Reading, Select Car Leasing is passionate about supporting local youth initiatives. The HAF Camps scheme is a worthwhile venture indeed, helping countless families negotiate the tricky challenges that often come with school holidays.”

Select, who has been principal partner of Reading FC since June 2021, runs the separate ‘Tickets for Kids’ project, whereby more than 1,000 free tickets are made available each season for youngsters from grassroots football clubs to go and watch the Royals play.

Hospital calls for Christmas gifts

PATIENTS staying at Royal Berkshire Hospital over Christmas will receive presents donated by members of the public.

The hospital’s foundation trust is asking residents to buy and deliver suitable gifts to any of its drop-off points. These can be found in the main reception at Royal Berkshire Hospital, Link Cafe in Tilehurst any of the following libraries: Reading Central, Lower Earley, Caversham, Woodley, Pangbourne and Theale. Presents must be unwrapped so

hospital staff can check, wrap and distribute them.

Organisers have suggested the following as suitable gifts: toiletries, nail polish sets, chocolates, biscuits, colouring books, jigsaw puzzles, games, scarves, hats, gloves and jumpers.

The deadline for presents to be delivered is Wednesday, December 14.

n For more information, contact the Hospital Voluntary Services Team on: 0118 322 7061 or voluntary.services@ royalberkshire.nhs.uk

And staff member Krishna Vangala, said: “We replace the whole menu every day. Once or twice you may get the same dishes, but most of the time it will change.

The

Diners can expect a selection of curries during dinner service, four with meat and four suitable for vegetarians including dhal (lentil) and chana (chickpea) dishes, with a reduced menu for lunch.

Manager, Anjan Vonteddu, said: “We’ve had great support”.

“We’ve got very authentic, regional dishes which we can’t keep in our fine dining restaurant, so those dishes are available at the buffet.

“That’s the reason we chose the buffet, so we can give something different to the people.”

Chilis won permission sell alcohol from 9am to 11pm daily, although at the moment it is open from noon to 2.30pm, and 6pm to 9pm Tuesdays to Sundays.

Select Car Leasing. Every penny of the money donated by Select goes to providing food to the children on the camps. And it makes a real difference to the success of the

Buffet restaurant owners thank customers

IMPRESSIVE: The new Hamilton School in Bulmershe Road

The camps are free and take place during the school holidays. Picture courtesy of Select Car Leasing

THE OWNERS of a new Indian buffet restaurant has praised the support it has received from customers since opening in Reading town centre, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter

Chilis restaurant occupies a unit on the upper level of The Village Mall, previously known as Kings Walk, and launched earlier this month.

Tidings of comfort and joy as Boux Avenue opens

EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT

A NEW designer lingerie store has opened in the Oracle shopping centre.

Located on the first floor, Boux Avenue stocks lingerie, nightwear and lounge wear.

The opening last Thursday was celebrated with a ribbon cutting event, carried out by the team’s chief design and product officer Zoe Price-Smith.

I was invited to view the shop’s range, and to try out their bra fitting service.

I’m not the store’s average customer – she is in her late teens to thirties, whereas I’m old enough to be her mum, and I’ve never stepped into a designer lingerie store before.

Reassurance came from the friendly welcome from the knowledgeable team.

There are plenty of colours and styles to choose from, whether it’s bras, snuggly pyjamas, or warm winter lounge wear that you are after.

At the front of the shop are the trending fashion and winter items, while inside, customers can find the team’s core items, T-shirt bras and special occasion items.

One of these is Molly, a popular plunge bra that comes in eight different colours online, and sells across the company, one every 10 seconds.

“It’s pretty,” says Lizzie Stephens, the group’s digital PR and content manager, “but it’s suitable for everyday wear, and fits well.

“It’s so comfortable that you forget you’re wearing it. We want everyone of every age to feel good about what they are wearing, as well as comfortable.

“So we take our time when fitting our customers.

“We don’t rush them, because we want them to buy something that suits and fits them perfectly.”

Lizzie also tells me a bra hack that’s worth sharing.

She says that when wearing a white top, a white bra will show through conspicuously, whereas a red one won’t.

“A white bra contrasts with the light, so you can see it, but a red one will tone with the skin and is less visible,” she says.

“But it needs to be true red or burgundy, not a pinky fuscia.

“We’ve tested this out and you can see the results on our Instagram reel.”

Boux Avenue is proud of its comprehensive fitting service.

“It’s important to us that the lingerie is fitted to the customer, rather than them trying to fit into the bra,”she continues.

“That’s why we advise people to have a fitting every six months.

“Size can change due to a range of factors including change in weight, hormones, or birth control.”

In the fitting room, three different lighting effects allow customers to view garments by day, dusk and night time.

The experience is fun, and feels like a little bit of me time, but it also turns out to be quite educational.

I learn about sizing, which has always been something of a mystery to me.

And that I’ve been wearing the wrong size bra for decades.

Apparently I’m not alone, as it seems that 80% of women are doing just this.

You should choose a bra that fits with the loosest hook, which allows it to be tightened over time as the elastic changes.

And a bra cup should fit neatly around, without pressing into breast tissue, with the centre of the front band fitting flat against the skin.

Chief design and product

Mencap Christmas disco Village to hold festive market

A READING charity is inviting visitors to put their dancing shoes on at its Christmas disco on Friday, December 9.

The South Reading Community Centre on Northumberland Avenue will play host to Reading Mencap’s festive event. The charity provides services for people with learning disabilities and their families.

Attendees will have the opportunity to showcase their moves. Visitors are encouraged to dress up in festive clothes and accessories.

Tickets cost £6, which includes a carer or family member. Each additional guest will have to pay £3 per entry thereafter.

The disco runs from 7.30pm-10pm.

n For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: www.reading-mencap.sumupstore.com

A VILLAGE market will be held in Silchester on Saturday, December 2, and will be packed with Christmas goodies.

The event aims to showcase local producers and businesses.

Items for sale include artisan bread and home-made bakery items, fresh meat and fish, seasonal produce and plants, locally produced preserves, marmalades, jellies and chutneys, local free range eggs, cheese and mustards.

There is also the Silchester Apple Juice to try.

It takes place at Silchester Village Hall, off Pamber Road, between 10am and 12.30pm, and is held on the first Saturday of the month.

n For more information, log on to: www.silchestervillagemarket.org.uk

College students pause to remember

AT 11am on Friday, November 11, Reading College fell silent.

Michael Penny, Chair of Churches Together in Reading and Berkshire and lead chaplain at the college, officiated at the short service.

Student from the Performing Arts Department read various items such as In Flanders Field and students with learning difficulties or disabilities sang, with Makaton signing, ‘We’ll meet again’ – and there were

quite a few tears from staff and students who attended.

At 11am Ashley Moore, from Reading Central Salvation Army, played The Last Post and, after the two minute silence, the Reveille.

officer Zoe Price-Smith said: “We are a small design team.

“Newness and fashion is important to us and our customers, so we follow what happens on the catwalk, and reflect that in the store.

“We turn out about 2,000 designs a year.

“We want to bring sexy back, so 70% of our content is fashion, and we come up with something different every season.

“But our fits are always consistent.

“We always say that if you

feel comfortable underneath, you’ll feel great in what you’re wearing.

“We’re already finalising our collections for next Christmas, but over the course of next year, there will also be Valentine ranges, swimwear and seasonal items.”

Zoe says the store likes to maintain a personal touch, and that their laces and embroideries are nominated.

“That means we secure them from our suppliers, to be used exclusively by us,” she says.

“We take them off the market, so you won’t find them anywhere else.

“This store showcases all of our collections, so it’s a great place to come and see what we have for yourself, or to buy a gift for someone else.

“We’re really proud to be opening here in Reading.”

Lizzie adds: “We’re delighted to be able to open a new store, particularly following Covid.

“And the timing is great, with the opportunity for people to purchase Christmas presents.

“With winter weather coming, we have lots of really soft, cuddly dressing gowns.”

Until Monday, November 28, the shop is offering 20% off everything in store.

And with a welcoming, friendly team to provide bra fittings, customers can be sure of buying lingerie that will fit comfortably, as well as look good.

n For more information about Boux Avenue visit: www. bouxavenue.com

Letterbox used by thieves for entry

A TILEHURST home was targeted by thieves earlier this month.

They gained entry to the Dorchester Court property via the letterbox.

Once inside they stole jewellery and cash.

Now police are appealing for witnesses to the heist, which took place between 10am on Thursday, November 10, and 4pm on Friday, November 11.

Anyone with information, dashcam, doorbell, or CCTV footage that could help police with their investigation is asked to call 101, quoting reference 43220509262.

Help for meat-free Christmas dinner

AS PEOPLE start to think about what to put on their Christmas dinner table, a group advocating for a different approach will be sharing information in Reading town centre.

Members of Vegan Action For Animals will be in Broad Street on Saturday, December 3, between noon and 2.30pm.

They will be able to offer advice about having a turkeyfree Christmas, as well as sharing placards, leaflets and decorations that have information about a vegan lifestyle

READY TO HELP: The team Boux Avenue’s new store at The Oracle offers shoppers a friendly welcome at the store, while finding comfortable and desirable undergarments Picture: Boux Avenue

Watches and cigarettes stolen

WATCHES and cigarettes were stolen from a Whitley home last week.

Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened between 6.30pm and 9.44pm at an address in Whitley Wood Road.

The thieves smashed a glass panel on the back door, allowing them access to the inside, where they took their swag.

Anyone with information, dashcam, doorbell, or CCTV footage that could help police with their investigation is asked to call 101, quoting reference 43220517466.

Christmas fayre

A CHRISTMAS fayre will take place in a Reading church next month.

Emmanuel Methodist Church on Oxford Road is welcoming visitors with some festive cheer.

Stalls will offer toys, games, books, DVDs and gifts. There will be a tombola, a raffle and seasonal refreshments.

The event runs from 10.30am until 1.30pm on Saturday, December 3.

Entry is free.

n For details, log on to: http://www. emmanuelmethodistreading. org.uk

Drivers to be fined for stopping in box junctions

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

DRIVERS will be fined for stopping in box junctions and for other traffic offences in Reading, despite objections from the AA.

Reading Borough Council has won the power to fine drivers for moving traffic offences. This includes going the wrong way down one-way streets, and making banned turns.

The first offence that will be enforced is drivers stopping in box junctions, denoted by yellow hatching on the road surface. This is an offence according to The Highway Code.

During the initial six-month period, drivers contravening this rule will be given a warning. If they have received more than one ticking off, they will then receive a fine.

Fifteen locations have been selected for the pilot. They are: IDR /Mill Lane/ London Street; Oxford Road/ Bedford Road; Oxford Road/ Grovelands Road; Church Road/ Church Street, Caversham; The Oracle gyratory; London Road/Eldon Road; Queens Road (IDR)/Sidmouth Street; Kings

Road/Orts Road/Eldon Road; Cemetery Junction; London Road/Cholmeley Road; London Road/Kendrick Road; A33 at Matalan; Bath Road/Berkeley Avenue; BathRoad/Burghfield Road; and the IDR A33 junction towards The Oracle (Southampton Street) slip road.

Enforcement will staggered so not all yellow boxes will be enforced at the same time.

A report by the council’s parking services manager Helen Taverner states enforcement at the first sites will go live before the end of the year, with all sites being active by April 1, 2023.

The AA objected to the enforcement, saying drivers could be fined unnecessarily.

The grant of the powers was discussed at the council’s strategic environment, planning and transport committee on Wednesday, November 16. It received unanimous support.

Cllr Paul Carnell (Conservative, Caversham Heights)

said: “We, in the party of law and order, fully support this.”

His comment drew laughter from Labour members.

Cllr James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst) said: “As someone who lives in a one-way street I look forward to further roll out in the future.”

Cllr Andrew HornsbySmith (Labour, Church) said drivers regularly ignore the ‘no entry’ sign at the junction of Eastern Avenue and Wokingham Road.

He commented that he once saw 11 drivers flout the ‘no entry’ at Eastern Avenue in two hours.

Introducing moving traffic offence enforcement will be paid for using £450,000 in capital received as part of the Bus Service Improvement programme.

It is understood the other offences, such as going the wrong way down a street and making banned turns, will be enforced at a later stage.

Grassroots clubs can apply for up to £10,000

GRASSROOTS sports clubs are being invited to apply for a £10,000 funding boost as part of a campaign from a brewery.

Greene King is celebrating the first anniversary of its Proud To Pitch In initiative, which sees 10p from every pint of its IPA put into a pot for the clubs to tap into.

Ex-footballer and popular pundit Robbie Savage, a Proud to Pitch In ambassador, has long been a champion of grassroots sports and is supporting the scheme.

He said: “Grassroots clubs are essential for communities up and down the country. They are

A list status (again) for climate emergency plan

WHEN it comes to tackling the climate emergency, Reading is one of the top places in the world.

The borough council’s efforts to take action on reducing carbon emissions has seen it awarded gold standard status in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) A List. It is one of 19 UK local authorities, and there are 122 across the world.

This is the second year in a row it has received this accolade, given to towns and cities that show urgent and impactful climate action, from ambitious emissions reduction targets, to building resilience against climate change.

To join the A list, a local authority must have a citywide emissions inventory and a climate action plan. It must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability assessment

Jazz night makes good Progress

AN EVENING of jazz is coming to a Reading theatre later this month.

The Nat Steele MJQ Quartet will be entertaining audiences with a homage to the Modern Jazz Quartet.

The evening will feature favourite tracks such as Django, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise,

and a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how it intends to tackle climate hazards.

Reading Borough Council says it has made significant cuts in its carbon footprint over the past year, bringing the total reduction to 71.3% in 13 years. And it says the borough is also responding well with a 55% cut in carbon emissions since 2005, the fourth highest reduction out of all 374 local authority areas in the UK.

A delighted Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “To retain and be recognised again as one of only 19 local authority areas in the UK and one of only 122 worldwide is a tremendous accolade in what is considered to be the gold standard in environmental reporting.”

Bags Groove and the fourmovement La Ronde Suite.

It takes place at the Progress Theatre in The Mount on Friday, November 25. Doors open at 7pm, with the music starting halfan-hour later.

Tickets cost £18, £16 for concessions and £9 for under 16s, plus a booking fee.

n For more details, call the box office on: 0118 384 2195, or log on to: www.jazzinreading.com

not only a great social outlet, but grassroots sport is brilliant for mental and physical health.

“Attitudes towards grassroots sports still have a long way to go which is why Greene King IPA’s Proud To Pitch In scheme is so important, and a great opportunity for teams to receive all important funding.”

Grants of up to £3,000 can be applied for across the year

For the £10,000 sum, clubs have until Sunday, December 11, to apply, and the winner will be contacted in January.

n To apply, log on to: www. greeneking-pubs.co.uk/proud-topitch-in/

Witness appeal after Wonderland assault

THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after Winter Wonderland staff were assaulted.

Police say the incident occurred at 5.20pm on Wednesday, November 16, at Winter Wonderland in Hills Meadow.

The victims, two members of staff, were assaulted by three offenders who also stole an umbrella and used it to threaten others and cause criminal damage to a car.

PC Jessica Higgins, investigating officer based at Reading police station, said: “A 34-year-old female, a 37-year-old female and a 36-year-old man have been arrested for assault and criminal damage and are currently in police custody.

“We would like to appeal to anybody who may have witnessed this incident to please get in touch.

“You can get in touch by either making a report online or by calling 101 quoting reference number 43220517520.

“Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

GRANT: Robbie Savage is backing the Greene King campaign to give £10,000 to a grassroots sports club

New Thames Valley Police chief constable to go back to the future

By ANDY MITCHELL Local democracy reporter

THAMES Valley’s new Chief Constable Jason Hogg vowed to take the force back to the future in his opening gambit to the panel that approved his appointment.

The region’s current Deputy Chief Constable, who has held that position since 2019, is set to step up to the top job when current incumbent John Campbell retires at the end of March next year.

The Thames Valley Police & Crime Panel, the body of councillors from across the region who hold Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matthew Barber to account, had to ratify or reject the appointment at a confirmation hearing which essentially acted as the final interview for the PCC’s selection.

Deputy Chief Constable Hogg detailed his “humble beginnings” on a council estate being raised by a single mum, citing “inspirational teachers who believed in me” helping him to gain a place at Oxford University.

During his time as a student, he met with police officers while doing voluntary work in Oxford, inspiring him to apply to join Cleveland Police

upon the completion of his studies.

He became a detective within his six-year stint there and later joined Hampshire Constabulary where he served prior to Thames Valley, a force whose work stood out to him during his early career.

“Thames Valley has a good force but I think we can be much better,” said Deputy Chief Constable Hogg.

“When I joined the police 27 years ago, Thames Valley was very much at the forefront

of innovation and setting the national agenda around policing.

“From my conversations with Matthew, I am very keen to put Thames Valley very much at the forefront of some of the challenges policing faces.

“Having worked in a number of police forces, I can tell you that all forces are not equal in terms of their background, their people and their culture. There is something quite special about Thames Valley Police and its people.

COOK’S TREAT:

From left: Dhanuksha Wickramaratne, Sahmil Fernando and Rashinthe Rodrigo brought their winning menu to Reading’s Coconut Tree on Thursday evening last week. Picture: Ji-Min Lee

Come Dine with Me Roadshow hits the Ding with Coconut Tree visit

FOOD LOVERS were treated to a taste of Sri Lanka on Thursday evening as a Channel 4 hit’s roadshow stopped at Reading last Thursday.

Come Dine with Me: The Professionals winners Rashinthe Rodrigo and Shamil Fernando brought their winning menu to The Coconut Tree, Kings Road, for visitors to enjoy in-person.

The restaurant founders are taking their dishes, and Hopper Station, to eight Coconut Tree branches across the South.

Hoppers are bowl-shaped coconut milk pancakes.

Rodrigo, The Coconut Tree

co-founder, said: “This is a chance to invite people from all over the country to join us at our table and enjoy the uniquely Sri Lankan flavours we’re so passionate about here at The Coconut Tree.

“The best way to understand Sri Lankan flavours is to try them, and you can even take them into your own home with our Hopper kits.

“Come Dine With Me: The Professionals was such a brilliant experience. We’re really proud of this menu, and the other contestants gave us such fantastic feedback.

“Now everyone can try our

winning dishes for themselves. We look forward to sharing our authentic Sri Lankan eats with communities far and wide.”

Visitors were able to purchase their own Hopper kits on the night to test their culinary skills at home.

Rodrigo and Shamil scored 38 out of 40 on the show which aired in July, with recipes which have been passed down the generations.

Highlights from the menu include Egg Hoppers, crispy fried lamb balls and different Sri Lankan classic curries: Dhal, Mango, Chicken and Cashew.

“We are blessed with a hardworking, committed, caring and professional workforce, we don’t always get it right but our recent inspector’s report talked about us having an inclusive and ethical workforce, we are good at understanding our problems and managing performance.

“Hopefully that gives us a really strong basis to meet future challenges, faced with a time when budgets are going to be difficult for all of us, not only for all

police forces but all public sector bodies.”

He also highlighted his background in specialist crime and that he is “one of the few chief officers nationally to have served as a detective at every rank with backgrounds in serious and organised crime, homicide and counter terrorism”.

The panel went into a behind-closed-doors session to make the final decision with the appointment confirmed shortly afterwards.

Carols for Royal Berks appeal

TICKETS have gone on sale for the Royal Berks Charity’s carol service.

Taking place at 7pm on Thursday, December 1, at Reading Minster, it is part of a £40,000 fundraising push to refurbish and soundproof the bereavement suites in the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s maternity unit.

The charity says that one in four pregnancies end in loss or a preterm birth.

The appeal is to ensure that any family that has to go through this can do so in an environment that minimises any additional distress.

n To read more about the appeal, or to book tickets, log on to: www.royalberkscharity.co.uk

Window smashed

VANDALS smash car window in Purley, police appeal for

witnesses

A CAR window was smashed by vandals and police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened to the parked car in Lister Close, Purley at some point on Monday, Nobember 14.

Anyone with information, dashcam, doorbell, or CCTV footage that could help Thames Valley Police with their investigation is asked to call 101, quoting reference 43220512779.

WELCOME: Keith McLean, Chair of the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel, DCC Jason Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber Picture: Thames Valley Police

VOICES OF CHANGE: Breaking barriers, building belief and belonging

THE UK marked Black History Month in October. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of generations who paved the way for two million black people to call this country their home.

As attention shifts, undertones of subtle and overt forms of descrimination persist, while countless victories remain untold.

Through the words of eight individuals representing various social groups within the town’s black community, Reading Today’s Ji-Min Lee explores their lived experiences and views on recent progression.

From Reading’s first female West Indian pastor to a domestic abuse survivor who’s helping young people access help, no two accounts are the same, but a common theme in all is a determination to fight for what is right.

On Wednesday, June 22, Reading Borough Council marked Windrush Day with an event which taught hundreds of children about the pioneers who emigrated from the Caribbean to the UK between 1948 and 1971.

That week, the council also honoured one of those people, its chaplain Una Chandler, for 20 years of service in a ceremony at its central Reading offices.

Una’s story began some 4,000 miles away in her native Barbados, a far cry from the Royal County of Berkshire.

On November 1, 1961, then 17, Una boarded a flight across the Atlantic. With just £2 in her pocket, she made the move at the behest of her partner, John, who was already in England. Landing at Gatwick Airport, Una was excited to get married and start a new life.

She explained: “It was a shock for me, coming over at that age, you never know what to expect really. The weather was something. I explained to my mother I was out and about for work and that my breath was like smoke. She found it

extraordinary and wondered if I was smoking a cigar.

“They were happy times for me personally. Gladly, I got used to my surroundings and soon found myself fitting into the community.”

As a Christian, church had always played a key role in Una’s life. Despite being rejected from traditional services due to the colour of her skin, she found joy in establishing worship opportunities with other members of the town’s West Indian community.

Initially meeting at people’s houses, the group grew and became a focal point for black Christians in Reading – The New Testament Church of God still operates in Caversham today.

After the passing of her late husband, Una’s resolve saw her break barriers in becoming the first female West Indian lay preacher on the Reading and Silchester Methodist church circuit.

She was the only one for 18 years.

On reflection, she said: “I think I’ve opened doors for other people. Since my time, we’ve had a few other Caribbean preachers and some have come to thank me, saying I paved the way for them and that they now have the opportunity to follow on.

“I’m one of those people who’s very determined. I’ve got this spirit about me and, if I want to do things, I take the challenge and I never stop.

“I took it as an opportunity for people who live in villages who had never come into contact with a Caribbean person, so there was me representing my Caribbean people. It broke down that partition.

“I think we’ve been in this country for so many years, served in this country and worked hard, it’s time for us to really stand up now and fight for what is right.”

Her six children have each gone on to achieve success in their own right. Daughter Louise Chandler spoke of her experiences in the marketing, communications and journalism industries.

She explained: “When it comes to representation, I’m very much used to walking into spaces and being the ‘only one’. But now, I think there’s more appetite to talk about it.”

Louise feels that individuals and organisations are beginning to value diversity, citing recruitment as an area where companies are making strides to remove bias.

Figures back her claim, with the number of Black, African and Caribbean people in employment in the UK rising from 633,000 to 949,000 between the fourth quarter 2007 and the fourth quarter 2018, according to Statista.

She said: “I ran my own business for six or seven years. When I used to go to networking events and walk into spaces where it would be mainly white men, I’d get looked at from head to toe. That was probably the cue for me to shy away or walk out and leave, but I wouldn’t.

“I’d take a deep breath and introduce myself, and look them in the eye because I wasn’t about to apologise.

“There was a generation that was maybe a bit apologetic, because that’s what you did to survive, especially in the days of brutality and extreme overt and physical racism, you had to, as we would say, ‘small up yourself’ to survive. But now we have to be unapologetically black.”

Minority ethnic groups have been fighting for equal opportunity for centuries, although

scrutiny has sharpened in recent years through findings from reviews and reports.

According to The Black Footballers Partnership’s Szymanski report, black players make up 34% of the English Football League but only 4% of managers.

In sport, opportunities for minority ethnic professionals in managerial positions are particularly scarce.

Reading Football Club sits at the heart of the town’s identity. For some, trips to Elm Park or the Madejski have held a near-sacred pride of place in their weekly routines for as long as they can remember.

The club’s first team manager is Paul Ince. As a player, the tenacious midfielder enjoyed success at Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan, also earning 53 caps for England.

Ince’s remarkable technical ability and leadership saw him become the country’s first black captain in 1993. He is now one of only three black managers in the Championship, England’s second tier.

In 2008, Ince became the Premier League’s first black manager after spells with Macclesfield Town and MK Dons. In the competition’s 30 year history, there have been just 10 black managers.

Speaking after the Royals’ victory over Hull City, Ince was swift to praise his counterpart, Liam Rosenior, who had recently been appointed manager of the East Yorkshire club.

He said: “First and foremost, I want to congratulate Liam on getting the job. It’s great to see a young, black English manager get the chance to manage at this level.

“My first job was at Macclesfield, bottom of League Two, while other managers were getting higher up, so to see someone like Liam in a position where he’s young and learning, but getting the opportunity to manage this fantastic club and learn to grow. That’s pleasing for me personally.”

Alongside the likes of John Barnes, Ian Wright and Les Ferdinand, Ince is part of a generation of black English footballers who paved the way for the current crop of talent.

One of his beneficiaries is Tyrese Fornah, who signed for Reading on loan from Nottingham Forest in the summer. Born in Canning Town, Fornah was raised just a stone’s throw away from Ince’s hometown of Ilford in East London.

Speaking soon after putting pen to paper with the Royals, the midfielder admitted that his new boss had been a figure of reference to him and many of his contemporaries growing up.

On signing, Fornah explained: “[It was] very straightforward for me because of the gaffer, coming from the same area as me, we’re both East London lads and I can relate to him.

“What he’s done in his career, coming from my area as well, he’s the poster boy, everyone wanted to be like Paul Ince.”

The Royals will look to build on a promising start to the season when domestic football returns after the World Cup, and will rely on strong performances at their home ground, the Select Car Leasing Stadium in Whitley.

Alice Mpofu-Coles is one of three councillors who represent the ward having been re-elected in May’s local elections. She also serves on various equality and inclusion boards across the town and holds a doctorate in human geography.

Her research project investigated the integration of young refugees travelling from Zimbabwe to the UK, exploring how factors such as education, work, relationships, social networks and cultural practices determine identity and participation levels.

The cause is one close to Alice’s heart, having lived out that very experience in 2002.

The Whitley councillor reminisced about her first impressions of Reading, admitting to feeling ‘amazed’ by its diversity. She believes there’s still some way to go before misconceptions about refugees are banished, however.

She explained: “There are so many stereotypes about refugees which are incorrect, people think of something else when I tell them I’m a refugee because I’ve been well-educated and had a successful career. But I came in the same way [as other refugees], why do people differentiate them from me?”

Alice’s professional success has not left her immune to race-based ignorance. As one half of an interracial couple, she spoke about handling subsequent ‘microagressions’.

Throughout her 12-year marriage to her husband, a white British man, she has found that laughing off snide remarks is the best way to maintain peace.

She added: “I have to work hard, I have to constantly prove I am a good councillor. I have to

be at 200%. I am not a person who is allowed to make mistakes, because of my colour.

“Some systems are not made for people like us, so we need to deconstruct them. It is exhausting, I hit the wall most times. Sometimes I wonder if I should give up, but if we put a light in one person, that light can make another light in another person. There will eventually be so many lights around the world.

“I’m a councillor for Whitley. Ninety per cent of Whitley is not black, but I am a councillor for the people and I am passionate about them. This is my country as much as it is for my eldest who is 30 and came here when she was nine.”

In describing what her culture means to her, she said: “My culture is my home, and my home is me. As a person who has lived all over the world, I carry my culture with me, it’s embedded in me.

“In Southern Africa, we have the word ‘ubuntu’, which means you are because of other people. You respect the elderly, those in authority and those around you. It’s all about respect. It’s a reminder that you are not alone in what you do, you cannot do things alone.”

Although times are changing, young black men and women still face many of the same challenges their seniors did.

Having occupied various youth worker roles within Reading Borough Council and other agencies since 2001, James Pyle has been wellpositioned to comment on this.

He identified communication as an area where youngsters are not being afforded the same freedom to express themselves.

James said: “In private schools, kids are encouraged to debate, to argue. For a lot of our young people, you get in trouble if you ask questions. In many ways, the school system confuses passion with disruption.

“We need them to use their outspokenness in a good way, in a way that is palatable for all.”

One of the beneficiaries of James’s work is Pride of Reading nominee Kelvin Husbands, founder of Grassrootz network of youth clubs.

Through evening sessions, mentorship programmes and trips, the organisation helps children develop personal skills, establish healthy relationships and raise aspirations.

Kelvin explained: “For me personally, I’ve been inspired by the young people we work with. I’m

37-years-old but they’ve really inspired me to take a risk and be my own boss.

“From a young age, you’re told you have to work for someone else or within the framework of a company, but the reality is when they’re ready to get rid of you, that’s it. This group is doing things for themselves.”

Kelvin has got the next generation of black youngsters focusing on their positive attributes and what it is they have to offer, rather than dwelling on their weaknesses. The mentorship programme gives young black men and women the platform to take on responsibilities they might not be bestowed with in mainstream education.

Confidence is the name of the game for Kelvin, who mentioned one particular girl who was initially reluctant to participate in sessions but was recently able to secure three job offers from four job interviews, largely thanks to the skills and self-belief she has picked up at Grassrootz.

The youth worker reflected on not having many black or male teachers or ethnic minority bosses to serve as role models. Now, the young people who attend Grassrootz have a front row seat to watch a black-owned organisation thrive.

Kelvin takes his responsibility as an example to the group’s youngsters seriously and hopes to continue inspiring the next generation.

Ken Mwaura Gathere is the founder of Reading’s Kenyan Family Fun Day, an annual event which celebrates not only the town’s Kenyan community, but all ethnicities.

In 2014, Ken was overwhelmed by the support he received following his mother’s passing. Inundated by the outpouring of love from neighbours and friends, he wished to thank them but was unable to accommodate everyone in his home.

Instead, he assembled a committee to organise an event at Winnersh Community Centre. Eight years on, and the fun day has become a fixture in Reading and Wokingham’s summer fete season.

He explained: “We felt like as much as we could hold an event among ourselves, we wanted to share it with the community. It started off as a barbecue with parents and their kids, all funded by a group of 40 of us and we hosted around 200 visitors.

“The event has gone from strength to

strength, taking place every summer since 2014, except during the pandemic. Last year we had around 750 people attend.”

Ken expressed his gratitude to the UK for its warm welcome and for the opportunities it has afforded him and his family.

It has not been plain sailing for the Kenyan, who raised the issue of recognition for attainment, particularly among black youngsters.

He said: “You get the sense that sometimes our children have to work harder than the others. I’ve seen it in football with my children, for example.

“When scouts come and pick players to advance to a higher level and the only one not taken is black, you want to believe it’s because he had an off day, and not for any other reason, but you have your feelings.

“It’s the same in schools. To receive the same credit as other children, black children must be exceptional. They cannot just be good.”

Kenyans in Reading Family Funday returns in 2023 on Saturday, August 5.

Ken said: “We want to gather people of all cultures, not only the Kenyan community, to make this event a truly multicultural occasion.”

The importance of belonging is not lost on Jemima McKenzie, inclusion and communities officer at Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU). Her remit involves ensuring students feel supported and welcome.

A challenging three years as a student inspired her to apply for the role.

Jem arrived at the university in 2019, having taken a year out to fund her studies. As the first person in her family to attend university and a survivor of domestic abuse, she was dealing with more than the average 19-year-old.

Also a black female member of the LGBTQ+ community, Jem’s first term was littered with incidents of racism from her peers.

She explained: “I already felt like I didn’t fit in. I was experiencing culture shock. On nights out,

people would give you dirty looks, they wouldn’t look me in the eye, they’d pretend I’m not there.

“That’s something I thought was part racism, part stereotype. My mental health was probably at its worst at that time.”

A combination of Jem’s stoic disposition and a fear of being misunderstood prevented her from taking exceptional circumstances provisions to delay her assessments.

She explained: “I already felt uncomfortable reaching out for help because of the colour, because of my race, because of my sexuality. I already felt different. When I realised I was outside of the usual demographic, it made it really hard to reach out to someone who wouldn’t necessarily understand me.

“Everyone I spoke to was white and appeared to be straight, and that didn’t help me. I didn’t speak about the racism I was experiencing because they would not understand.”

In her current role, she is lobbying for an equality, diversion and inclusion (EDI) counsellor to ensure students of all backgrounds feel comfortable when seeking support. She is also leading a plethora of student-facing initiatives.

Despite coming within a whisker away from dropping out, the adversity Jem overcame, alongside her passion to help others, made her the prime candidate for the role.

She said: “When I found out about the officer roles in first year I never thought I’d do it, it was too much responsibility, I’m not a leader. But the person I was then compared to the person I was in third year were two different people.

“I was confident in my abilities, I knew who I was and I’d found a sense of belonging.

“It wasn’t easy, but I got there.

“I know how difficult it is for so many students, I had the chance to make a change and I want to be that change.

“Everything I went through led to this.” n If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, email: info@mind.org.uk or call them on: 0300 123 3393

Honest motherhood Angela Garwood

A week of worry

WE have not had the best start to the week. (Before I continue, as a warning, I will tell you now this piece involves the mention of certain bodily fluids, nothing too graphic, but I understand if you’re squeamish and would rather not read on.)

My son Leo has a stomach bug and our washing machine is well aware of it.

It all began on Sunday night, in bed with Leo, when I looked over and noticed a dark puddle next to his head. Having ear plugs in means I literally cannot hear a thing, including the sound of my son puking. Of course, the smell alerted me to the presence of the puke before I’d even turned the light on.

Change of bedding and clean up operation round one.

All clean and dry about 30 minutes later, I decide to stay in bed with him in case of the inevitable. Ear plugs back in. I begin to drift off. Judging by the sheer volume of vomit, there couldn’t possibly be anything left in his stomach to bring back up?

Nope. Still plenty. Sure enough, a few minutes later, I detect the whiff.

I turn the light on and remove my ear plugs. He is still mid-puke. (The earplugs work a little too well, had my sense of smell been off, I’d never have known the poor boy was regurgitating at all.)

Change of bedding and clean up operation round two.

A day goes by and Leo manages to keep all his food where it belongs. Though his appetite is small and he’s noticeably clingy.

Then Tuesday arrived and Joel and I began to feel concerned about the dryness of Leo’s, usually sodden, nappies. Dehydration our main worry.

“It’s hard, but I have to tell you to go to A&E,” the GP said. “I mean there is a bit of wee, just not as much as usual...” I say. “Yep, A&E.”

I’m not even sure we need to be here I think to myself as we take up a seat in the packed A&E. I feel a bit silly. It’s a stomach bug.

I got chatting to a woman whose daughter had been hit in the hand with a hockey ball.

“I was just in the middle of a painting when the school called,” she said, referring to her hands, which are covered in paint. She tells me she is an artist and has three daughters.

“Of all the times I’ve been here with them, twice it has saved their lives.”

Leo’s name is called. The nurse asks me a series of questions and says we’re fine to leave.

“If he vomits a lot again, come back,” she said.

I arrived home feeling weary yet comforted. Joel had ordered pizza and I sat down to tuck in. It would be bedtime soon and I could finally exhale.

I’d barely opened the pizza box before being interrupted: “He’s just puked A LOT,” Joel calls from the front room.

I will refrain from describing the horrors of what I walked in on that evening. It was not a scene I wish to remember. Casualties of Leo’s regurgitation include: the sofa, the rug, the doormat and both mine and Maia’s trainers.

Still unsure whether to take the nurse’s words literally, we returned to a rammed A&E.

After about an hour Leo was examined by a doctor and given the all clear to go home.

A mother herself, the doctor assured me I did the right thing bringing him back in.

This, I immediately feel, is something they say to parents who absolutely did not need to bring their children in. But either way I am once again reassured.

72 hours, three clean-up operations, one tired washing machine. All par for the course.

n Angela blogs at The Colourful Kind

Get ready to light up Ding with lantern parade

CENTRAL Reading will be lit up on Saturday, December 10, as residents march the streets of the town with homemade lights.

The Reading Lantern Parade: Dance of the Fireflies will see visitors young and old come together for a fun-filled festive event.

The production company is holding three free lantern making workshops in the lead up to the procession at Southcote Community Hub, Coley Park Community Centre and Whitley Wood Community Centre.

Zsuzsi Lindsay, culture placemaking officer at Reading Borough Council, said: “It’s all about bringing people together to share joy and to share experiences, which is particularly important at a time when things are difficult.

“There’ll be lights and music to celebrate the festive season. The parade will start outside what was the Clas Ohlson building and end in Forbury Gardens.”

Suitable for all ages, the lantern making workshops will help guests make their own willow and paper lantern for the procession.

Each workshop lasts two hours and is supported by professional artists who will guide visitors through the creative process.

Reading Buses will provide discounted travel into the town centre for anybody coming in to take part in the parade with a lantern. Travel vouchers will be distributed to those attending workshops.

The procession itself will follow the glowing fireflies as they dance their way along Broad Street to Forbury Gardens, moving at a slow pace to ensure everyone is accommodated.

Accessible viewing areas will be available in Forbury Gardens.

Reading Lantern Parade is hosted by Reading Improvement Districts, representing business in the town centre through REDA, Beautiful Creatures Theatre, Jelly and AV Events.

It is supported by the council, Reading Buses, 101 Outdoor Arts, Broad Street Mall, Black & White Music Ltd and Blue Collar Food.

The Southcote workshop takes place at 3.30pm on November 25; the Coley Park workshop takes place at 3.30pm on November 28; and the Whitley Wood workshop takes place at 11am on December 3. n For more information or to book a free ticket, search: Beautiful Creatures Theatre on www.eventbrite.co.uk

Near, far, in our Oh what a happy

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@rdg.today

A THEATRE company is performing a show that requires them

Berserk Productions are performing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr, with a cast of around 20 young people aged seven to 17.

“It’s lovely having such a wide age range,”says choreographer Hollie Alexander.

“The older cast members mentor younger ones, some of whom are taking part in their first show with us.”

The stage play remains faithful to the original 1968 film which starred Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes and Lionel Jeffries, along with Benny Hill as the toymaker.

The story is eccentrically magical: Dotty inventor Caractacus Potts, his two children, and his beautiful friend, Truly Scrumptious, go for a picnic on the beach.

There they are drawn into a magical world of castles, pirates, where a car called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, can fly.

A journey to Vulgaria introduces them to the evil Baron Bomburst and his child-hating wife.

They kidnap the professor’s children and steal the car, but the kind village toymaker helps Potts and Scrumptious to plan an elaborate rescue.

A car, of course, usually plays a starring role in this show.

The company have managed to get hold of a rather special one.

“We had lots of trouble finding it,” says Hollie.

The artistic director spent hours online looking, and hours in the theatre as well, measuring the dimensions of the stage with a tape measure, to see what kind of vehicle would fit.

“In the end we put out a casting call for our final starring cast member, and the car appeared, a perfect size and type for this production, so we’re delighted.”

The car is possibly quite a diva, will no doubt enjoy much attention, and has already appeared on

Strictly Come Dancing.

“We think audiences will love it, and will want to take pictures of it,” continues Hollie.

“The children are very excited to welcome it, and actually, some of them don’t realise yet that it can’t fly.”

Until the vintage vehicle actually arrives on stage the cast are rehearsing with tape on the floor to indicate its dimensions.

The production is keeping to the style and genre of the film, with early 1900s costumes transporting the child actors back in time.

“Just now we’re having to imagine everything, but we have a great team of people working on the set, atmospheric lighting, costumes and graphics,” adds Hollie.

“There are plenty of well-known

Sue Ryder invites Thames Valley communities to special winter event to remember loved ones

CHRISTMAS is a time for family gatherings, but if loved ones aren’t there, it can be a difficult time of year.

To help, Sue Ryder is organising a special event to help remember those who are no longer with us, and the special memories they have given us.

The Lights of Love Thames Valley service will take place at the English Martyrs Church in Liebenrood Road on the evening of Thursday, December 8.

It is open to individuals, families and friends so they can collectively celebrate the lives of people who have died.

It will include readings, poems, carols and live music, as well as

a moment for reflection before refreshments and mince pies will be served.

The event is led by Sue Ryder’s Family Support Team and will include carols led by the Vivace Voices choir. There will also be performances from pianist Anita D’Attellis.

It is for anyone who wishes to commemorate a loved one, regardless of when they died or if they were a former patient of Sue Ryder.

The charity said that last year it provided more than 830,000 hours of care to thousands of families across the country, including from its Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent

Hospice in Tilehurst, as well as in Wokingham, Newbury and south Oxfordshire.

The charity also launched its Grief Kind campaign to encourage people to meet grief with warmth and acceptance, rather than shying away from conversations.

Ken Blanton, head of family support for Sue Ryder in the Thames Valley, said: “We recognise that this time of year can be more difficult when you are living with loss, so we hope that people will join our winter Lights of Love event this December to pay tribute to loved ones who are sadly no longer with us.

“When someone dies it can raise a range of emotions and we hope

Lights of Love will give people a small measure of comfort and reassurance that they are not alone.” Due to capacity of the venue, limited spaces are available at Sue Ryder Lights of Love Thames Valley with places available on a first-comefirst-served basis.

n For more information or to register to attend visit sueryder.org/ lightsthamesvalley or contact the Sue Ryder Thames Valley Fundraising Team via email thamesvalley.fundraising@ sueryder.org or call 0118 9550 433.

n For those that are unable to attend the event in person, there is also an online dedication wall available at sueryder.dedicationpage.org/ lightsoflove2022

LIGHTS FANTASTIC: Reading Lantern Parade will take place in the town centre on Saturday, December 10. Picture: Leon Conteras

to somehow get a flying vintage car on stage.

READY TO FLY: Berzerk Productions’ Chitty Chitty

our motor car –time we’ll spend

WHITLEY WAY BACK WHEN

From Dick Whittington to Dorothy: Whitley

showcases its dramatic talents

songs in the show, and they’ll be performed along with some intricate dance numbers.

“They’re great fun, one in particular is called Me Ole Bam-boo, and involves lots of bamboo sticks.”

As if having a vintage car on stage wasn’t enough attraction for the show, Berzerk Productions have also managed to engage the services of a performing dog.

“Simba is probably the most popular member of the cast,” laughs Hollie.

“He belongs to a member of the cast’s mum, and he can play the piano. “He does some fun tricks in the show, and even dances.”

To see a show with a cast of young hopefuls, a flying car and a dog that dances and can play the keys,

audiences should make their way to Woodley.

Berzerk Production’s show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr, takes place at The Oakwood Centre.

Performances are on Thursday, December 15 through to Sunday, December 18.

Shows on Thursday and Friday are at 7pm, with performances on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and at 5pm.

Tickets cost £14.75, concessions are £12.75, and a family ticket (four seats) costs £48.

Audience members will be able to take photos of the car at the event. n For information and to purchase tickets visit: www.berzerkproductions. com or look for the group’s page on Facebook.

RESIDENTS have been left laughing, crying and captivated by productions at a South Reading venue for decades.

This week, we’re taking readers back to the 1940s and 50s, when Whitley Community Centre put on performances which raised the roof.

Shows ranged from plays, comedies, pantomimes, musicals and operas, and included Count your Blessings, Aladdin, Cinderella, Flare Path, Miss Hook of Holland, Dick Whittington, Oliver, Dorothy and Les Cloches.

Whitley resident Annette Paris reminisced about George Jennings, an actor who used to perform pantomimes in drag. She remembered his comedic talents and that he appeared on numerous productions with her late husband.

The museum’s curator, David Turner, was full of praise for the array of performances held, which brought the best out of the ward.

He said: “In my recent research of documents held at the Whitley

POETRY CORNER

As I get older, looking at the reflection that is me It is shocking how the years change you, which is clear to see To look in the mirror at what you thought was you and realise that your perception, is just not true.

That lustrous hair that adorned my head is now just bits of scattered thread From the nose constantly grows hair like brooms for all to see. On the side two ears that adorned my face seem now to take up much more space

The outer covering that we know as skin and which is meant to keep the organs in Is now losing its elasticity Stretched to its limits for all to see

Community Museum it became very clear that Whitley was very lucky to have such talented residents.”

“The museum is lucky to have programmes for all the shows listed here.”

With over 4,600 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.

The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.

It also allows group members to reconnect, with members reacquainting themselves with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.

The museum held a Whitley Way Back When event at the Community Cafe on Northumberland Avenue earlier this year to showcase its photographs and exhibits inperson.

n For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com

The legs that I relied upon with their agility

Have slowed because of arthritic knee

With varicose veins like maps of streets and bunions adorning both swelling feet

The medication prescribed, from the Doctors trip You can’t get into as you have no grip

The only time of comfort is in bed prostrate

And for which most nights is never late.

There was a time when these ailments did not apply

Back when I was a healthy guy Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Amnesia I’m expecting too This is the future for me and for all of you.

We love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Send yours to news@rdg.today

LIVERPOOL & Southport

Departing Mon 20

Return coach travel from Reading

4 nights at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool with dinner & breakfast

2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks

Free time in Liverpool

Excursion to Southport

excursion to Chester (£12pp) Departing Mon 20 Mar ‘23 The beautiful town of Folkestone provides us with the perfect base to discover the highlights of Kent and East Sussex on this five-day getaway, which includes an excursion to Canterbury and visits to the coastal towns of Margate and Whitstable.

FOLKESTONE

Canterbury & Charming Kent

Your break includes

Return coach travel from Reading

4 nights at the Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone with dinner & breakfast

2 for 1 bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks

Entertainment every evening

Excursions to Canterbury, Margate & Whitstable

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Programmes of all listings are held at the Whitley Community Centre. Picture courtesy of Whitley Community Museum

Joe Bicknell

Chitty Bang Bang, is off to a flying start.

Picture: Aundre Goddard

Cooperation from us all is essential

This week, we explore the stories and viewpoints of eight black residents. All share a common desire for a fair society. We agree.

The children that youth workers James Pyle and Kelvin Husbands support would not recognise the social landscape facing Una Chandler when she arrived from Barbados in 1961. The Windrush Generation gave a platform from which future generations could succeed.

Although times have changed, racebased discrimination still persists, with people of colour facing obstacles others may not have even considered.

For example, Reading FC manager Paul Ince enjoyed a successful playing career and was England’s first black captain. He started life as a manager at the bottom of League 2 while many of his teammates were fast-tracked to Premier League jobs.

Louise Chandler’s call for black people to be, in the words of rapper Stormzy, ‘unapologetically black’ is a sentiment shared by all whose words formed the backbone of this article.

Positive change requires cooperation from all, and cannot take place without efforts from every corner of society.

CHURCH NOTES

Don’t look back in anger

NOVEMBER is a month of remembering for various reasons (Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night, Armistice Day, Remembrance Sunday, etc).

It’s also the month I get to celebrate another birthday (hurrah!) and possibly the reason I become more reflective as the year begins to draw to a close and we start another.

“So don’t look back in anger…”

You may (or perhaps not) have heard of that song, sung by Liam Gallagher of Oasis (in 1995). There are many different catalysts for growth. Some I enjoy are reflection and encouragement. As we look ahead to the start of a new chapter in life, whatever that may be. I would also encourage us to look back at the days, weeks and years. Not in anger or regret but thanks for the lessons and wisdoms we have collected – why not try journaling?

For some of us looking back may be unpleasant, so not looking back in anger may mean closure or looking forward to a reset.

Here is a word of encouragement from Hebrews 12:1-2 NRSV: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.”

May this time of reflection support your learning and growth as you forge the path ahead and run your race.

Keep going friends.

The Revd Stephen Ansa-Addo

Send your thoughts to news@rdg.today

Reading Toy Run is Coming

On Sunday, December 4, motor bikes will ride in convoy into Wokingham for their Annual Toy Run in aid of Barnardo’s and other children’s charities.

The organisers want to thank motorists for their patience and apologise for delays that might be experienced from 2pm to 3.30pm, because roads will be closed on the route as the bikes come through.

Roads affected are Whitley Wood Lane, Lower Earley Way between The Black Boy Roundabout and The Showcase cinema.

The A329 Reading Road between the Showcase and Shute End and Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road to High Close School.

These closures will affect traffic on adjacent roads too.

This is the 35th Anniversary of the Toy Run and countless children have benefited at Christmas from the toys and gifts brought by the bikers.

If you can spare time to watch along the route, that would be great!

There will be no bucket collection along the route this year, but if you want to support by donation, there is a Just Giving Page.

Jane Spiller, for The Toy Run Committee

Cost of living help

Here at Royal Voluntary

From the Chamber Cllr Rob White

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: news@rdg.today

We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Service, we are all too aware of the difficulties that many local readers might be facing as we head deeper into another challenging winter.

As a charity, we have recently undertaken research into how the current cost of living crisis is affecting the health and wellbeing of our communities, and the stark findings are a sobering reminder that there are some very vulnerable people out there.

With the support of our friends at Yakult, together we have created the Stay Safe Warm and Well guide, which is a handy booklet full of tips and advice to support people through the challenges of the winter ahead.

I would like to invite your readers to download or order a physical copy of the useful guide, by visiting: royalvoluntaryservice. org.uk/safe-warm-well or by calling us on 0800 731 9197.

The booklet includes vital information such as money saving tips, the latest NHS advice on flu and Covid, how to keep active and eat a healthy diet, how to ensure your home is gas safe, who to call in a power emergency, contacts for mental health support, and where to find essential NHS contact details.

If your readers find the content helpful, we’d like to encourage them to please also share the guide with a loved one, friend, neighbour,

or anyone who might be looking for a little extra support at this time of year.

Thank you, Sam Ward OBE, Deputy CEO at Royal Voluntary Service

Support Mary’s Meals

As a tennis coach, I’ve always been passionate about helping young people achieve their dreams.

That is just one of the many reasons why I’m proud to be a long-time supporter of Mary’s Meals.

This wonderful charity provides 2,279,941 children in 20 of the world’s poorest countries with a daily school meal – helping them to gain an education and hope for the future.

And until 31 January 2023, your readers’ support for Mary’s Meals will go twice as far thanks to its ‘ace’ Double The Love campaign.

During this period, donations to the charity will be doubled by a group of generous supporters, with up to £1.5 million available.

So, for just £15.90, your readers can feed two children for a whole school year.

I do hope your readers will give if they can.

They can find out more at marysmeals.org.uk/double.

Thank you and Happy Christmas.

Katesgrove Green councillor Doug Cresswell tackling bins on pavements

Many Reading roads are plagued with bins on pavements.

Katesgrove Green councillor Doug Cresswell has been working with other Green councillors to tackle this problem especially on narrow roads.

From

the

leader Cllr Jason Brock

Help is available – ask for it

IF you’re anything like me, you will have been adjusting some of your usual behaviours over recent weeks and months in response to rising costs.

Almost all of us will have also been making small changes to our food shopping – maybe seeking out cheaper items and forgoing certain things – and turning the thermostat down a few degrees.

There is little doubt the rise in the cost of living has changed people’s habits. For many, though, it’s a lot more serious than making a few lifestyle adjustments. The choice between heating and eating is very real for an increasing number of people in Reading.

As inflation reached a 41-year high at 11.1%, the Council announced its latest package of support for households who we know will struggle this winter.

These are people who struggle ordinarily, even without the huge rises in energy and food costs.

We have designed a package of Council support which squeezes the most out of the limited funding available and gets help to those who need it the most.

Around 3,800 vouchers, worth £125 each, will be sent to the families of school-aged children who are eligible for pupil premium free school meals, including vulnerable children up to nursery age. Care leavers will receive the same £125 voucher.

While our year-on-year funding pot from the Department of Work and Pensions hasn’t changed despite soaring inflation, changes made to the grant conditions have allowed us to be more flexible.

So rather than send out separate vouchers to help residents with food and with energy costs, we have consolidated the process into one simple cost-of- living voucher for the October 2022 to March 2023 period.

It’s important to say here the same groups of people are being supported as in previous funding rounds.

We hope making one lump sum payment in this way will provide households with more flexibility to budget as they need to.

We know that rising costs are causing extreme worry for some older residents. In response, around 3,700 older residents receiving state pension and who are also on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (or in receipt of housing benefit) will be sent a £100 voucher.

Greens are standing up for decent wages

GREENS condemn the Chancellor’s Austerity 2.0 budget after he announced spending cuts of £30 billion which will impact the poorest the hardest.

The Autumn Statement has left people paying the price for a decade of Conservative economic mismanagement, while those with the broadest shoulders and those profiting from the crisis have been let off the hook.

The Chancellor announced he was sticking to his cash spending plans for the next two years, meaning a 5% real terms pay cut for public sector workers across the country.

Greens would raise money through a dirty-profits tax and a tax on the super wealthy and use it to help people through the cost of living crisis.

We support decent pay

increases that reflect rising inflation and a national minimum wage of £15 an hour.

Redlands Green campaigner Kate Nikulina is standing up for road safety

Green campaigner Kate Nikulina has been working with Redlands Green councillors Dave McElroy and Kathryn McCann for the Redlands 20mph road safety scheme to be reviewed so residents’ concerns can be investigated.

This has now happened and the dangerous buildout near the junction of Redlands Road and Allcroft Road is going to be removed and replaced with speed cushions.

As the second largest party on Reading Council Greens will keep pushing on road safety.

The council is starting to respond in a positive manner agreeing to collect some bins from gardens and put them back there on very narrow roads.

We will keep up the pressure to clean up Reading and make our pavements fit for use.

Greens are the second largest party in Reading Fortunately, there’s now real, constructive opposition to Labour-run Reading Council. Following the local elections in May there are now more Green councillors than Conservatives. Green councillors are working hard and standing up for residents across the town.

If you’re keen on being part of the change in Reading, get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner: reading.greenparty.org. uk/get-involved Green Party councillor Rob White is the leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council

If you are one of 500 or so older residents receiving state pension and pension credit/savings credit, but not on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, you will also receive a £100 voucher to help with bills this winter.

The Council has contact details of all eligible residents and these are continually updated. Letters will be sent to all eligible recipients in the post before Christmas with instructions on how to redeem the cost of living voucher at a post office.

In the new year, around 350 Reading households receiving Housing Benefit and who are on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, but on no other DWP benefit, will receive details of how they can claim a £650 payment per household. This payment brings them into line with those who received £650 from the DWP.

The numbers of recipients for all these packages of support are estimates. The sad fact is that as this cost of living crisis deepens, more and more residents will inevitably become eligible for vouchers and these figures will almost certainly rise.

Whether it’s families struggling to put food on the table or older people rationing their heating, we hope the Council’s vouchers will provide some help.

I’ll take the opportunity to remind residents that if their personal circumstances change, you can check if you are eligible for the Council Tax Support Scheme at any time at: www.reading.gov.uk/council-tax/.

A reminder also that we have collated a whole host of information on support and advice during the cost of living crisis. Please take a few minutes to look at: www. reading.gov.uk/money-matters/.

Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council, and ward member for Southcote

is the minister of Park United Reformed Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading

Judy Murray, British tennis coach

Tilehurst brewery celebrates four years of great beers

Craft fair in Goring to help PTA

A CRAFT fair will be held in a village hall this weekend, giving people a chance to buy some unusual festive presents.

Stalls cover everything from jewellery, art, pottery, candles, photography, prints, plants and knitwear.

Each is from a local craftsperson.

It takes place at the venue on Goring’s High Street, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, November 26, and Sunday, November 27.

Entry is £2, with children getting in free. Proceeds go towards Goring Primary School’s PTFA.

n For more details, log on to: goringcraftfair.co.uk

MERL’s festive fair

A

A tombola raised £290 for Cancer Research.

Double Barrelled Brewery opened its taproom in Stadium Way Industrial Estate back in 2018, and it has been brewing ever since.

To mark the birthday, it held two sessions, one in the afternoon and the other in the evening, so fans could gather for a celebratory toast.

As well as beer, there was street food from Makan Malaysia and KB.eats, while Rum and Donuts helped people on the dance floor.

In a post on social media, owners Mike and Luci ClaytonJones said: “We just wanted to say the biggest THANK YOU to everyone who came down to celebrate our fourth anniversary on Saturday.

“We had an absolute blast and hope you all did too.

“Also huge, huge, huge thanks goes out to our amazing team, who knocked it out of the park, whether in behind the scenes prep or working their magic on the bar.”

They added: “Thank you to all those who have supported

us during these last four years. We think it would be fair to say there’s been a fairrrr few challenges along the way; but days like Saturday help us to remember why we do what we do.”

The team are looking to the future, with expanded opening hours, with the Tap Room now open from 5pm to 10pm on Thursdays, 4pm to 10pm on Fridays, and then 1pm to 10pm on Saturdays, and 1pm to 6.30pm on Sundays.

On Sunday, December 4, it will host a festive market.

n For more details, log on to: www.doublebarrelled.co.uk

The final dozen: £9 million project to resurface roads

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

WORK has begun to resurface

12 Reading roads, bringing to an end a £9 million project to improve surfaces on 467 borough highways over the past three years.

And 47 pavements have been given a makeover, with a further 11 due for some TLC before April next year.

Reading Borough Council says the work will continue, with a further £8 million investment going forward, with an aim of maintaining a higher level of improved road surfaces for the town. Work will begin in mid-February, weather permitting, with up to 39 major roads due to be resurfaced.

As part of its climate emergency plan, the council asked contractors Kiely Bros and Miles Macadam to use recycled aggregates and lower temperature bitumen, and sourcing local tarmac plants, to reduce delivery distances.

And Miles Macadam provided ‘tree whips’ for community volunteers to

plant 350 new branches along PeppaRoad Road, as trees can be effective “carbon suckers” along roadsides.

Reading Borough Council says every tonne of carbon used is offset by two trees being planted around the borough.

So far, work has taken place on Cholmeley Road (Filey Road to London Road), De Beauvoir Road, Alexandra Road (London Road to Erleigh Road), Elmhurst Road, Francis Street (Hill Street to Sherman Road), Somerstown Court (Off Prospect Street), Halls Road.

Tomorrow they will work on Pierces Hill. On Friday, the team will switch to Oakley Road (Kidmore Road to Hemdean Road).

On Monday, November 28, Kings Road between Minster Street and Duke Street, will be the target. The following day sees a four-day project start on Norcot Road between Church End Lane to Broomfield Road.

This will take place between 7pm and 1am nightly.

The final area is two days on Star Road between Lower Henley Road to Gosbrook Road.

The key infor-mation for residents in these roads is: during the works, parking will not be possible and any car left on the road will be removed and given a ticket.

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services and community safety, said the state of the town’s roads was a recurring concern for residents, hence repairing more than 500 roads and pavements.

“It is testimony to the Council’s ability to deliver that we’ve achieved numbers in excess of that goal. It is very much a testament to our ability to keep improving that we’re continuing to propel forward with that momentum through an additional £8m investment for the future,” she said.

A CHRISTMAS shopping event will take place in a Reading museum this weekend.

MERL, the Museum of English Rural Life, is welcoming visitors looking for some special festive present ideas.

The event, between 11am to 3pm on Sunday, November 27, includes some special touches to make it a day to remember.

There will be a performance from the University’s Institute of Education’s children’s community choir.

Entry is free and there is parking available.

n For more details, log on to:

Tom Stobie and Hannah Daniell with their son, Ambrose.

TILEHURST brewery marked its fourth anniversary with a party, and guests turned out in droves to join the celebrations.

CHEERS: Double-Barrelled Brewery held a fourth birthday party earlier this month, and saw fans of its beers flock to its Tilehurst tap room for a day of celebrations Pictures: Steve Smyth

Young wantedplumbers

YOUNG plumbing and heating students and apprentices are being encouraged to enter a contest to showcase their skills.

The HIP Learner of the Year starts with regional heats in January and February, where level 2 and 3 students will be given a practical test. The top performers will go on to a grand final in April.

The contest is sponsored by WaterSafe.

Julie Spinks, director of WaterSafe, said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with the HIP Learner of the Year competition as the apprentices always amaze us with their knowledge and skills.

“They have such pride in their work which is always a high standard, and I can’t wait to see how they get on in the contest – and the future.”

It’s the sixth time WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, has sponsored the skills competition and joined the judging panel for the regional heats and final.

Zoe Tanner, Managing Director at HIP, said: “The WaterSafe team are an excellent fit for us, and we’re pleased to have their continued support. WaterSafe only allows qualified plumbers to become members as they are trained to meet the strict regulations for installing pipes and fittings which supply drinking water.

“As usual, spaces in the competition are going fast, so I’d urge any interested students to speak to their lecturer about getting their applications in now.”

n For further information, including regional heat dates and competition rules, visit hip-magazine. co.uk/learner-of-the-year. Only one student can be entered per college or campus and students must be aged 24 or under at the time of application.

Equity finance markets sees growth in net zero options

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@rdg.today

THE South East equity finance markets have grown in investment value by 59% over the past financial year, with £679m in the first half of this year.

However, early data from 2022 suggests the use of external finance is marginally slowing in the South East as businesses face turbulent market conditions.

The data has been compiled for the Government-run British Business Bank’s second annual Nations and Regions Tracker, which is published today, They say it also finds promising signs for net zero sector investment in the region with a number of future clusters identified, with neighbouring Oxfordshire identified as future net zero cluster.

Since 2011, £6.9bn of equity investment has gone into net zero-aligned UK smaller businesses across 1,307 deals.

The share of deals which are in net zero sectors has grown every year since 2018 rising from 5% in 2018 to 12% in first half of 2022.

Net zero sectors are those that are likely to see growth related

to the net zero transition and include: clean technology, hybrid and electric vehicles, biomass and biofuels, artificial meat and meat substitutes, and smart energy

Every English nation and regions apart from the West Midlands saw an increase in equity investment in 2021, with the South East sharing this growth trend.

During the period, investment value in the region was up 59% to £1.6bn over 268 deals. In the first half of this year, just over £679m over 115 identified deals, however

current economic conditions are likely to see equity markets slowing over the remainder of the year.

Four in 10 businesses (39%) were using external finance in the South East in the second quarter of 2022, broadly in line with the same period at 40% a year earlier.

Core debt products remain the most used and widely available across UK nations and regions.

Steve Conibear, UK Network Director, South and East of England at the British Business: “It is

encouraging to see evidence of a number of future net zero clusters emerging in the region, which is already known as a hotbed of innovation and technology.

“Smaller businesses in the South East continue to show a positive appetite for external finance, be that through equity or wider forms of finance.

“We will continue support these businesses across the South East to access the finance they need and to help enable the transition to a net zero economy.”

Bus firm’s new training vehicle

TRAINEE bus drivers will be taking extra care on their driving lessons: they’ll be doing so in a brand-new vehicle.

Reading Buses has announced it has expanded its driving training fleet, with the introduction of a new single decker bus.

This will help new team members get to grips with handling large vehicles on the streets of Reading, Wokingham, and West Berkshire.

The company has brought in the bus as it seeks to recruit new drivers, particularly for its Newbury & District arm.

For a limited period, the firm will be offering qualified PCV drivers a joining bonus totalling £3,000 as part of a new recruitment campaign to meet growing demand.

And paid training is available to those needing to upgrade their driving licence, provided by the award-winning Reading Buses Academy team.

“With our award-winning training academy now supporting employees joining Reading Buses, Newbury & District and Thames Valley Buses, we felt that the time was right to expand the size of our

training fleet,” Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams said.

“The extra bus will help us out as we look for friendly, caring and confident people who are passionate about customer service to join our amazing team as bus drivers across the Thames Valley.

“Later in the year we are planning to unveil bio-methane fuelled training buses, which may be another national first.”

He added: “For those who are interested in a change of career, full details and how to apply to be a bus driver can be found on our website www. reading-buses.co.uk.”

EN ROUTE: Reading Buses’ new training bus Picture: Reading Buses

GROWTH AREA: Net Zero investments are increasing in the UK

Picture: Pixabay

Royals legend Brian McDermott opens up about his mental health

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

A READING FC legend returned to share his moving story, one which few fans would have fully appreciated before Tuesday night.

In a talk entitled Winning, Losing, Mental Health and Finding Balance, former Royals manager Brian McDermott detailed the highs and lows of his career and his battle with alcohol addiction.

Speaking at Blue Collar, in Reading town centre, McDermott partook in a candid Q&A with an audience including former Reading assistant manager Steven Reid and musician Danyl Johnson.

He said: “It was great, to do the talk at Reading, it was like I was among real friends.

“There was a lovely atmosphere in the room and I had a lovely evening.

“I’ve done the talk a few times, but I haven’t done it to an audience which knows the story, they don’t know my story so much, but they know the story of Reading Football Club, they knew about losing the play-off final and they knew we won against [Nottingham] Forest that night.

“They know the story a lot better than me, a lot of the people in the room.”

McDermott joined Reading as chief scout in 2000 under the leadership of Alan Pardew.

After becoming the under-19 and reserve team coach, he was

appointed interim first team manager following Brendan Rodgers’ sacking in 2009.

The former Arsenal player went on to lead the Berkshire club to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the Premier League by virtue of winning the

Championship in 2012. But despite the highs, McDermott struggled to balance a crippling sense of imposter syndrome with an ever-growing ego, which ultimately led to the breakdown of key relationships.

Losing the 2011 playoff final to Swansea was a particularly difficult moment for the manager, who described drinking every day for three months after the heartbreaking Wembley defeat.

But McDermott is keen to share his story and recovery to help others in similar situations.

He explained: “For me, it’s really important, it’s really empowering.

“The message is: you need to talk. If you need to talk and open up to people, then do it.

“Don’t just keep it within.

“I kept my own stuff within me for 53 years and it didn’t do me any good.

“If I’m having a dark day, I open up and I talk about it. I think that’s really important.”

Glen Dinning, of Blue Collar, said: “It was a special evening.

“Despite many of us knowing his era at Reading so well, Brian told his story as we’ve never heard it before.

“It was full of emotion and we absolutely love having him here.”

Despite only initially scheduling one night, such was the demand to hear from McDermott, Blue Collar decided to add a further two nights. n For more information on future events, search: Blue Collar on www.eventbrite.co.uk

Sing carols and help Launchpad

A CHARITY that helps Reading people with housing and homelessness is preparing to sing of the season at its annual carols by candlelight event.

This year, it will take place in Reading Town Hall on Wednesday, December 14.

The charity’s patrons, Matt Allwright and Danyl Johnson, will host the evening.

There will be performances from the Reading Community Gospel Choir and Bulmershe School choir, readings by special guests, a raffle, and inspiring stories about Launchpad’s work with people in housing crisis - all by candlelight.

The charity, based in Merchants Place, says sales will assist their work in providing housing from some of the most vulnerable residents in the borough this winter.

Vicki Lewis, Launchpad’s fundraising manager, said: “We are often told that Carols by Candlelight is a real highlight of the festive season.

“The Concert Hall at Reading Town Hall will look simply beautiful bathed in twinkly lights and will be the perfect setting for some stunning singalong performances by Reading Community Gospel Choir and Bulmershe School Choir.”

Tickets cost £10 per person, with under threes getting in free.

n launchpadreading.org.uk/carols

Church delights with Christmas Fayre

GRANGE United Reformed Church held its very own Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 12.

The fayre was raising funds for the church, with more than £1,500 raised.

Event organiser Ann Wells said that the funds would help “towards the work of the church, the things that we do and the different people we support.

She explained: “We support lots of charities throughout the

year, so this will really help that as well.”

“It was a really so nice that everybody came together, the church members work together, the public came in and it was a real community event.”

She said also that attendees were keen to help however they could: “The tombola sold right out, and the homemade cakes and preserves raised more than £300 alone.”

Stalls at the fayre also included homemade crafts, gifts, raffle, books, CDs and DVDs, jigsaw puzzles and toys.

There was also a competition to guess the name of the mystery guest, the panda.

Ms Wells said that the church was now looking ahead to their annual events next year.

n To keep up to date with the church’s events, visit: www. grangeurcreading.org.uk

IT’S GOOD TO TALK: The former Reading manager Brian McDermott (left) opened up about his mental health and took pictures with audience members Picture: Ji-Min Lee

FAYRE’S FAIR: Siobhan Antoniou, Ann Wells, and Maddie Harrington from Grange URC at the church’s Christmas fayre, held earlier this month Picture: Steve Smyth

A steam day out to Bath or Gloucester

The Bath & Gloucester Steam Express

Saturday 4th February 2023

From Reading. Enjoy a nostalgic steam journey reliving the Golden Age of rail travel with a choice of destinations – Bath or Gloucester. We shall steam along the Kennet & Avon canal, climb up to Savernake summit and steam on through the attractive Vale of Pewsey and pass the famous White Horse at Westbury. You can choose to visit the Georgian city of Bath, renowned for its fine architecture, magnificent Abbey, Roman Baths, Pump House and small independent shops.

Alternatively, stay on board for Gloucester where you will find the 11th Century cathedral. Gloucester’s historic maritime connections are centred around Gloucester Docks home to the National Waterways Museum.

• Premier Dining £285pp/£870 family – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185pp/£565 family – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £115pp/£358 family – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEI

Steam to Cheltenham or Worcester The Cotswold Venturer

Saturday 18th February 2023

From Reading. Join us for a scenic rail tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswold Hills with a choice of destinations – Cheltenham or Worcester. With our magnificent steam locomotive at the head, our train will travel through the Vale of the White Horse and along the Golden Valley line. You can choose to spend the afternoon at spa town Cheltenham enjoying the fine Regency architecture with its Pittville Pump Room. Alternatively, stay on board for the fine city of Worcester. Set on the River Severn, Worcester’s 12th Century cathedral is the resting place of King John. The final battle of the Civil War between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II took place here and you can also find the Museum of Royal Worcester.

• Premier Dining £285pp/£870 family – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185pp/£565 family – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £115pp/£358 family – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEK

Festival organisers meet with councillors for debriefing session

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

The organisers of Reading Festival have responded to a number of issues that affected this year’s event, particularly concerns over crime, fires and sustainability.

Festival Republic met with Reading councillors for a debrief session.

The event had a mixed record, with progress made on sustainability but the final night was marred by arrests and fires.

After the festival, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) interviewed Leone Cook who suffered burns on the Sunday.

Organisers and emergency services were praised for being reactive to incidents.

Cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) said: “There were a lot of positive actions that we heard with the policing and the fire watches, and all of those things that went into making it a safe festival.

“But it wasn’t perfect, you know that there were issues on the Sunday, that there were a number of removals, thank

goodness the attendees that were removed were this year successfully and carefully taken to ensure they had proper transport home, unlike as we understood last year.”

Thames Valley Police made 37 arrests and ejected 50 people from the site on Sunday.

Cllr Rowland did give representatives an opportunity to respond to claims made over the alleged “chaotic” environment on Sunday.

Melvin Benn, the managing director of Festival Republic, said he would respond to these in a closed session of the meeting which was undertaken

to discuss commercially sensitive information.

There was also unhappiness about the impact of the festival on residents.

The LDRS spoke to a neighbour in Caversham who complained at the time that the smell coming from the site was “awful” and kept her up at night.

She also argued that there is a lack of complaints policy, with the only procedures being the Festival Republic email or informing the council.

Another Caversham neighbour expressed shock when his driveway was used by festivalgoers without

Family light event at The Merl Carol singing in Broad Street

A READING museum is inviting residents young and old to attend a family Christmas event.

Magical Lights will see generations of visitors visit The MERL to enjoy light-based craft activities, which will be inspired by the museum’s collections and gardens. A torchlight trail, lantern making and gallery trail all feature.

Organisers are encouraging visitors to dress according to the weather on the day as the majority of activities take place outdoors.

Parents and carers who are attending as accompanying adults are asked to assist their child throughout the session.

The event takes place from 4.30pm-6.30pm on Wednesday, December 21.

Advance booking is required, with tickets costing £4.50 per participating child and free entry for accompanying adults.

n For more information and to book tickets, visit: merl.reading.ac.uk

THE SOUND of Christmas will come to Broad Street in December, thanks to Reading’s churches.

The Reading Central Salvation Army Band is teaming up with Churches Together in Reading to present carol singing in the town centre on Saturday, December 10.

There will be four slots, at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, and 2.30pm.

Choirs will help lead the singing, while the music will come from the band, and shoppers are welcome to join in.

The song list will be favourite and familiar carols that most people will know.

The event takes place outside Marks & Spencer, and organisers say that everyone will be welcome.

n For more details, call the chair of Churches Together in Reading, Michael Penny, on 01491 671357.

Tilehurst Youth Club settles in

BERKSHIRE Youth has teamed up with Tilehurst Parish Council to bring a weekly club to young people in Reading.

The new Tilehurst Youth Club will see weekly sessions for young people in schools Years 7-9 in Calcot.

It features table tennis, table football, and team building activities, which many of the activities youth-led.

It follows a consultation in which the Parish Council surveyed nearby schools, receiving more than 1,000 responses which will help

shape its offerings for young people.

The club is one example of the services responses indicated was needed, and Berkshire Youth has even reported requests extensions to the session’s run-time.

Jessica Kirby, a youth worker with Berkshire Youth, said: “Families are struggling and safe spaces need to be accessible at a reasonable cost.

“We are finding the partnership with Tilehurst Parish Council is working really well and hope to work in

partnership with more parish councils moving forwards.”

Berkshire Youth helps young people, including those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, transition into adulthood by providing services and advice.

Tilehurst Youth Club takes place at The Jubilee Annexe, Calcot, from 7pm–8.30pm on Thursdays.

The first session is free, with a fee of £2 per weekly session applicable afterwards.

n For more information about Berkshire Youth, visit: www. berkshireyouth.co.uk.

permission.

Festival Republic was praised for setting up its first Eco Camp, which will have capacity for 2000 in 2023, and is free to sign up for.

Cllr Glenn Dennis (Labour, Kentwood), who attended the festival, said: “Speaking to some of the camp dwellers, they really did enjoy that.

“I spoke to one of the gentlemen there who wasn’t going to come to Reading Festival this time, he’s been to the festival a few times, but he didn’t like the trashy nature of the camps.

“As an older reveller he just wasn’t up for it, but when he heard about the eco-camp, he said ‘right, let’s give it a go’ and he was absolutely bowled over.”

Victoria Chapman, festival sustainability head, reported that 38% of tents were left behind in 2022, down from 59% in 2021.

She also stressed all bottles are made of recycled plastic, rather than ‘virgin’ plastics.

None of the waste generated went to landfill, with 55%of it being recycled, 12% composted, and a combined 31.30% of it being burnt for energy.

Cllr Doug Creswell (Green, Katesgrove) called sustainability “the elephant in the room” when he asked a

question about the figures.

The issue of safeguarding was also raised, with representatives explaining they operate Ask for Angela, where people use the phrase to bar staff to identify when they are in danger or are in an uncomfortable situation.

A member of staff will then help the person.

Charlotte Oliver, Festival Republic licensing coordinator, said the company is “ahead of the ball” on safeguarding issues.

As well as running ‘Ask for Angela’ the festival also has safe hubs, a Brook Sexual Health & Wellbeing and Safe Gigs for Women tents and a base for Reading Street Pastors.

The presentation also covered operational changes that were made this year.

Noel Painting health and safety events organiser said the campsites on the Wednesday opened at 11am, which was earlier than the 6pm time advertised.

Also, the festival will enact a Challenge 25 policy for the purchase of alcohol in the arena.

The presentation and Q&A took place at a Reading Borough Council’s housing,

interim

for Berkshire Youth

A CHARITY that works with young people has made an internal appointment for its new interim chief executive.

Sarah Emery is to head up Berkshire Youth following the departure of David Seward after 22 years. He stays on in a consultancy role to help the organisation’s plans for future growth programmes.

Berkshire Youth has been working with the National Youth Agency and The Berkeley Foundation to identify a longterm plan in response to the huge growth and demand to support young people.

Mr Seward is passing the day-to-day management of Berkshire Youth to Ms Emery.

Roger Smee, President and Chairman of Berkshire Youth, said: “On behalf of all the Trustees, I would like to thank David for his 22 years supporting our communities, young people and the wider conversation about the importance of youth work.

“We are delighted to retain his talent in the organisation whilst we review our future strategy and search for a permanent replacement.

“Our thanks to Sarah who will lead the organisation on an interim basis.”

n A celebration of Mr Seward’s work will be held on December

READING Festival organisers address concerns over crime, safety and eco-friendliness after 2022 event

CATCH-UP: Reading Festival organisers met with Reading Borough Council councillors to discuss a number of issues

LEISURETODAY

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Spread Christmas cheer with The Muppets

JUST as Die Hard is a Christmas movie, there should be no debate as to which is the best adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

It’s one where the only human cast member is Michael Caine.

Not a lot of people know that he will be back on the big screen this Christmas, for a special restored version featuring newly restored footage.

The full-length Muppet Christmas Carol will be in cinemas from Friday, December 2, complete with When Love Is Gone, a song that was cut from the original movie and feared lost for good, but it was found in 2020, and been reinserted back into the famous tale of a miserly man who wakes up full of Christmas cheer.

As well as Sir Michael, the film features all the Muppets, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo.

Set on Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.

Together with kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, the Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes – and his heart – to the true spirit of Christmas.

The film was originally released in 1992, and has been a firm festive favourite with audiences ever since.

More than 150 cinemas have signed up to screen the film, including Vue and Picturehouse venues.

n For more details, log on to: parkcircus.com/film/120392-TheMuppet-Christmas-Carol

14 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, November 23, 2022

From Glastonbury to Norden Farm

A PAIR of musicians will play a set of original songs and some covers in their concert coming to Maidenhead.

The Carrivick Sisters are one of the UK’s top young bluegrass and folk acts, and have played at Glastonbury.

Much of Laura and Charlotte’s music is inspired by folklore and legends of Devon, the sister’s home county.

The audience can expect to hear them play guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and clawhammer banjo.

The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre, on Friday, November 25.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets costing £16.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

Enjoy a performance by St John’s Chamber

NIGEL Wilkinson will conduct The St John’s Chamber Orchestra, joined by guest pianist Joanna MacGregor.

The programme includes Mozart’s Overture, The Impresario; Beethoven’s Symphony No.8; and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.1

The performance takes place in the Norden Farm Arts Centre, in Maidenhead on Saturday, December 3.

Doors open at 8pm, with tickets costing £20, or £5 for under 18s.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

Flying spiders and other big spiders

FRESH from his BBC Radio 4 series a comedian asks the big questions: Who are we? Where are we going? And how do spiders fly?

The show, Rob Newman On Air, sees him explore the path of humanity from cave paintings to car-free cities.

Newman is said to be able to combine proper scientific argument with dazzling wit.

He explains how dancing in step saved prehistoric humans and how new scientific discoveries may help us take the right steps to a life after oil.

The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Thursday, December 1.

Doors open at 8pm, with tickets costing £17.50.

n For tickets and information log on to:

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell –South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123

Jack and the Beanstalk. Fri 25-New Year’s Eve.

Conservatoire: Cristian Sandrin. Fri 25. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 25. Christmas With Blake. Mon 27.

Christmas Party Nights. Wed 29.

FILM: The Lost King. Fri 25Sun 27. The Gravedigger’s Wife. Tues 29. My Neighbour, Adolf. Wed 30-Thurs 1. Emily. Fri 2-Sun 4.

Camberley –Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600

Beauty and the Beast. Sat 10-New Year’s Eve.

PERCY the Park keeper always feeds the animals in the park where he lives.

But one night he finds them shivering on the doorstep, and they need his help.

One Snowy Night, is a theatre show with songs and animal puppets, suitable for three years and upwards.

It runs twice daily at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, from Tuesday, November 29 through to Friday, December 30, with the exception of Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesday, December 27.

Relaxed performances are on Saturday, December 3 and Wednesday, December 28, both at 11am, and there is a signed show on Wednesday, December 21 at 11am.

Children’s author Nick Butterworth will sign books after both performances on Saturday, December 3.

Show times vary, so it is advisable to check details before booking.

There is also a chance to enter a One Snowy Night Art Competition to win a goody bag and turn on the Christmas Lights with Percy the Park Keeper at Maidenhead Town Hall on Saturday 26 November.

Tickets cost £15, £13 for under 16s, and a family and friends ticket for four people costs £52. Tickets are not required for children under 18 months, sitting on laps.

Younger People With Dementia, YPWD invites people to an evening of singing and live music in Wokingham.

YPWD Harmony Choir and YPWD Surrey Choir will both perform.

They will be joined by ukulele band, Rocket Kings, who with their instruments, singers, upright bass and drummer will perform their original ‘ukepop sound’.

Guest performer, BBC Berkshire’s Bill Buckley, will also sing a solo in the show.

Ticket proceeds will help to provide support and activity-based workshops across Berkshire for people who received a dementia diagnosis under the age of 65. This enables the charity to provide vital services for those in need.

The event takes place at The Whitty Theatre, Luckley School, on Tuesday, December 6.

Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets are £10 per person, and include a Christmas drink and mince pie.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.luckleyhouseschool.org

StageAbility plan to present Cinderella

A PANTOMIME for the whole family promises to kick off Christmas with a festive bang.

With toe-tapping songs, booing, cheering and the usual pantomime chaos, Cinderella is an event suitable for all.

StageAbility will perform at Wokingham’s Whitty Theatre, on Saturday, December 3.

Shows are at 3pm and 6.30pm, with tickets at £15 each.

n For information and tickets log on to: www.luckleyhouseschool.org

Bedtime treats

GUILDFORD is the place for a Christmas story for little ones.

norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

n For Rob Newman’s website visit: www. robnewman.com

All things Blake and beautiful

MALE voice trio, Blake, will celebrate with an evening of song and cheer.

The BRIT award-winning group will take the audience on a festive musical journey.

Their programme includes classic Christmas songs, Let it Snow; The Snowman; and White Christmas; all delivered with rich vocal harmonies.

The evening promises music, funny stories, and a virtual duet with Dame Shirley Bassey.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

An Inspector Calls. Until Sat 26. Jack and the Beanstalk. Sat 3-Jan 8.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000

Death Drop 2: Back In the Habit. Until Sat 26. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 24. Tropicana Nights: The Ultimate Party Night. Fri 25. Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler. Tues 29. Christmas Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 1. Christmas

Cracker Party Night. Fri 2. The Christmas Extravaganza with the Estrellas. Sat 3. That’ll Be The Day Christmas Show. Sat 3.

Henley –Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050

Matilda Jr. Until Sat 26.

Nutcracker. Sun 27. Candlelit Macbeth. Tues 29. Candlelit Frankenstein. Wed 30. Santa Saves Christmas. Sat 3.

Maidenhead –

Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

The Carrivick Sisters. Fri 25. Norden Farm Market. Sat 26.

The Vinyl Fronteir: Another Evening with Martyn Ware (Heaven 17/Human League).

The event takes place at Bracknell’s South Hill Park, on Monday, November 28.

Doors open at 7.45pm, with tickets costing £26.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123

Abba fans night out with super troupers

FANS of the band can hear sounds of the Swedish super troupers in Bracknell. UK-based award winning group, Platinum, perform a show in celebration of Abba. The six-piece tribute band prides themselves on performing live, without the use of any backing tracks. This allows them the freedom to

interact with audiences in a way only possible with a totally unrecorded performance.

Anything else, they say, would be a karaoke show.

Platinum Abba play at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell, on Wednesday, December 7, and again on Tuesday, December 13.

Doors open at 8pm, with tickets available at £25.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123

Bill’s big moment will be a solo success

A CHARITY presents a seasonal show, its first since the pandemic.

An interactive story performance for children up to four years, tells of when a family stays at Granny’s chocolate-box cottage for Christmas.

The children soon discover everything that is exciting about this time of year.

In this imaginative re-telling of the classic tale, The Night Before Christmas, children may even get a peak at Santa.

The traditional story, adapted and told by Hannah Summers, takes place twice at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Wednesday, December 7.

Doors open at 11.30am and 1.30pm, with tickets at £10.50 for an adult and child. And any additional child or adult costs £7 each.

n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01483 440000

market.

Festive

The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Jack and the Beanstalk. Fri 25-New Year’s Eve. A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story with Mark Gatiss. Sun 27-Thurs 1.

The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Rapunzel. Until Sun Jan 1.

–South Street www.whatsonreading.com

0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: Half Moon presents Glisten. Thurs 8-Sat 10. Reading –The Hexagon www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 An Evening with Noel Fitzpatrick. Thurs 24. Joanne Shaw Taylor. Fri 25. Jack and the Beanstalk. Sat 3-Sun Jan 2 Reading –Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Gary Delaney: Gary in Punderland. Sat 26.

Sleeping Beauty. Fri 25-Jan 8.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363

NEXT SHOW: Rules For Living. Thurs Dec 8-Sat Dec 17.

Wokingham –The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247

Wokingham Film Society: The French Dispatch (15). Thurs 1.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838

Ladies Down Under. Tues 29-Sat Dec 3.

Strictly amazing: Top Hat is a true festive feast

Top Hat

The Mill at Sonning Until December 30 0118 969 8000 Millatsonning.com

THE audience at The Mill were in for a treat on the opening night of Top Hat.

The show opened with a dazzle of lights and energy as the cast tapped their way through the famous Puttin’ on the Ritz.

There then followed romance, scandal, humour, and a case of mistaken identity, accompanied or interspersed with a vast array of dance styles.

Featuring other well-known numbers as Dancing Cheek to Cheek and Let’s Face the Music and Dance, many an audience toes were tapping – and it was hard not to sing along.

The show tells the story of the charismatic dancer Jerry Travers, played by former EastEnders star Jonny Labey, who travels to London to perform a show.

He falls in love with the lady from the hotel room below – the very lady whose sleep he disturbs as he practices his tap routines.

A variety of other larger-than-life characters appear in succession, from the

exuberant Italian designer Beddini (Andy Rees), with his superb comic timing and facial expressions, to the hilarious Bates the butler (Brendan Cull), who wouldn’t have been out of place in a pantomime.

As the action moved to Venice, cue a more Latin style of dancing and some most amusing Italian accents as the plot moves from scandal to farce, then a very satisfying Happily-Ever-After.

The tap numbers definitely stole the show: the lightning-quick feet of Jonny Labey left the audience breathless, and the whole-ensemble numbers with feet moving in perfect synchronicity. This was a festive feast for the eyes and ears.

Costume, lighting, staging and music all contributed to a fantastically uplifting evening.

JUDITH CREIGHTON

WriteFest 16 shows Progress is the home of budding storytellers

WRITEFEST has returned to Progress Theatre for its 16th annual event from Wednesday to Friday, November 2-5.

The festival showcases new writing and acting talent by staging a number of short plays together, performed as vignettes with a short introduction by the host.

This year saw six new works, tackling love and loss, abuse and apocalypse. Each short piece makes the most of Progress Theatre’s practical approach to staging and dedication to storytelling.

Paul Gallantry’s An Angel With One Wing was based on the true events which took place in early-mid 1500s Caversham as the dissolution of the monasteries came into effect.

Considering it’s short runtime, the depth of its exploration of the rifts that religious or political turmoil can cause is surprising, especially in how relevant to modern cultural discourse it feels.

Heart of Lightness, by Robert Kibble, saw the last two commuters on a brokendown tube train thrown together by circumstance.

The budding romance which develops is a perfect mix of tender romantic development and light-hearted humour.

Ultimately it is an enjoyable, up-to-date twist on the classic boy-meets-girl story which balances humour and romance excellently.

David Pearson’s Albatross sees two sisters searching for an elusive kraken, setting out to sea to find the mythical creature they were told about by their fisherman father.

Confined to the bowels of a ship, the piece explores the relationship between the sisters almost microscopically.

How Gentle is the Rain, by Philip Mannion, stands out from the rest of the pieces this year in its stark, frank examination of the suffering of women during war.

The piece takes a cautious but important look at the physical and mental horrors that foreign, potentially even domestic, soldiers visit upon women.

Progress regular Juliet England gave a raw and powerful performance as a mother raising girls in a fictional country ravaged by the effects of war.

Debra J Wilson’s Missing sees two wedding guests stumble upon a farmer waiting for his dog as they search for a missing bride.

The two stop atop a hill and sit with him to rest their feet, weary from high-heels, and what follows feels like an almost Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads-esque exploration of character.

The light-hearted and humorous piece compares the lives of the women and the farmer and the relative simplicity or complexity of each in turn effectively.

Finally, Airborne, by David Salisbury, saw an aeroplane co-pilot dealing with an unconscious, ailing pilot on a jet.

As it becomes clear that something deeply disturbing is also happening with the passengers, they are forced to navigate with one of the passenger’s help as the situation becomes increasingly grave.

Both Katie Morton and Chris Moran give excellent performances in an exciting, tense, modern story-in-a-bottle piece which extends far beyond the confines of the story’s small setting.

Overall, WriteFest 16 saw six disparate short stories performed with a love for theatre that Progress continues to demonstrate, making a striking, enjoyable, and poignant display of talented storytelling.

JAKE CLOTHIER

From Prince to a Jack … Carl is so happy to be going down in the world

Looking back at Cinderella, Carl says: “I really enjoyed working with Justin, last time he taught me some Makaton sign language for a song.

Sheer Obssession hosts punk drag night ahead of hiatus

ON SATURDAY, November 12, Sheer Obssession’s regular drag night celebrated punk at The Rising Sun Arts Centre.

The night showcases queer talent from a range of acts.

Sheer Obssession kicked off the evening with a performance of Rebel Girl.

Cairo Ali followed with a piece which explored the history of the punk movement and its crossover and influence on queer culture and drag, and vice versa.

Anita Oui celebrated pop

punk with a performance combining Pretty Rave Girl and Paramore’s Misery Business.

Duac performed to Plastic Bag with a DIY costume created with the use of carrier bags,

Draven lip-synched in a jumpsuit and an orange mullet mowhawk for a highly political performance exploring the anarchy assosciated with punk in a modern context.

The first half was concluded by Mister Frank, who lipsynched to an emotive,

personal mix of punk music.

Cairo Ali returned to the stage to kick off the second half with a routine which mixed the punk theme with a Christmas song, followed with a return by Duac.

Draven also performed Freakshow, this time bringing a horror-clown element to their costume.

Duac gave their third and final performance to Mind Your Own Business, which included a skit asking the audience to stop looking at them.

Anita Oui closed the show with a final lipsync to The Lovecats featuring a hand puppet.

Sheer Obssession annouced that they would be taking a short hiatus from hosting the regular event and that Anita Oui would be taking over their residency at the Rising Sun Arts Centre.

Anita Oui is also set to host their Christmas Karaoke event at Bar 77 on Thursday, December 8.

JAKE CLOTHIER

The last time he appeared in a Hexagon pantomime, he was Prince Charming in the 2019 production of Cinderella. And he’s also been a prince of another kind when he played Aladdin.

Now though, he’s experiencing a cost-of-living crisis of his own, playing Jack Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk.

“I can’t wait, I’m really excited to be back,” he says.

“I loved playing the Prince and Aladdin, they were really fun roles, but I also thought that one day I’ve love to tick Jack off the list of roles, and be the one climbing the beanstalk.

“He’s a bit of a superhero.”

There’s another reason why he’s looking forward to being Jack.

Indeed he is, heroically saving the day after selling Daisy the cow for five magic beans that lead to untold riches … give or take a giant.

“He’s more down-to-earth. Prince Charming was more controlled, but Jack is a fun role. I’ll get to play around a bit more.”

We’re speaking just after his costume fitting, and he jokes that while it is great he might have some trouble fitting in it. But it is a jest, as he spent lockdown devising Mr Move It, a fitness expert for children.

Away from his acting roles, is a fitness expert, helping people achieve their goals.

“I really enjoy working in fitness, and I’m moving into children’s fitness, working with schools and making fitness fun for them,” he explains.

“My background is in children’s theatre and television; pantomime helps join it all together. I enjoy performing to children, you get an instant and honest response.

“It’s very different to adults … I love it.”

“It was something I’d never experienced before, it was great.”

After two years where performing arts has been disrupted by covid, Carl is pleased this Christmas will be more like what we’re used to.

“The world has started to come back to normality, hopefully this year will be a little bit more like it was before pantomime. I did an online panto during lockdown, but I’m very excited to be back.”

And being in Reading for Christmas is a treat for him.

“There are amazing decorations, and the lights are very festive,” he says.

The Hexagon is a special place for Carl.

“The audiences are very loud and responsive, they love to get involved,” he says. “And the stage feels big, the auditorium feels big … it’s very exciting as a performer.”

And with many main cast returning, they are very much like a family.

“They’re a super-high energy cast, full of people who give 110% every day they’re on stage,” he promises. “The script by Justin will be amazing and strong.

“There will be brilliant music, an amazing musical director, great songs, great sets and lots of fun and lots of silliness.

“It’s going to be action-packed.” n Jack and the Beanstalk runs at The Hexagon from Saturday, December 3, through to bank holiday Monday, January 2. Relaxed and signed performance will take place.

n For more details, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to www. readingarts.com

PHIL CREIGHTON

BETTER THAN THE RITZ: Top Hat is at The Mill at Sonning until December 30

Picture: Andreas Lambis

THIS Christmas Carl Tracey is going down in his worldly status – and he couldn’t be happier.

Radio 2 favourite to play Purley

A MUSICIAN who has been praised by BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris is preparing to perform in Purley.

Jane Taylor is to visit St Mary’s Church on Saturday, December 3, as part of a UK tour to celebrate her new album, All The Colours.

She also also perform songs from a forthcoming animation, Mr Claus.

For the evening, she will be joined by Rob Bray (percussion), John Holmes (double bass) and Lizz Lipscombe (violin).

The show starts at 8pm, with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets cost £13.20 including the booking fee.

n For more details, or to book tickets, log on to: villageconcerts. co.uk

Messiah show

A CHAMBER choir and an orchestra are teaming up for a preChristmas cracker.

Tamesis and the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra will present Handel’s Messiah, featuring his famous Hallelujah chorus. It retells key moments of the Christmas story.

The orchestra will be conducted by Andrew Taylor and the choir by Louise Rapple.

It takes place from 6pm on Sunday, December 4, at St Joseph’s College in Upper Redlands Road in Reading.

Tickets cost £15, and £5 for those in full-time education. n tamesischamberchoir.com

Dogs invited to audition for a role in a Hexagon opera

THE CANINE equivalent of Brad Pitt or Scarlett Johansson is being sought for a new production coming to The Hexagon next spring –and dogs across Reading and Wokingham are being encouraged to pick up the dog and bone to find out more.

Award-winning opera director and producer Ellen Kent is behind a new touring production of a romantic opera La Bohème - not the Barker of Seville - and a critical role in the show is a fourlegged friend who won’t get stage fright.

Puccini’s masterpiece, La Bohème, is based on Henri Murger’s novel Scenes de la vie de boheme. Set in Paris, it focuses on the tragic love between seamstress Mimi and penniless poet Rodolfo.

Ellen says it is one of the most romantic operas ever written, and for the new tour it will be traditionally staged featuring beautiful sets and costumes.

The set reflects the Bohemian art of the period and will include a brass band, snow effects and a full choir and orchestra.

It will be performed in the

traditional Italian with English subtitles … and a guest role for a proud pooch.

“People say never work with children or animals, but I love to do both,” Ellen explains.

“The first time was 20 years ago when my pet cat Holly Go-Lightly was in one of my productions and was an instant hit.

“Since then we’ve had horses, dogs, goldfish and even a golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan on stage.”

This isn’t the first time that Ellen has found a role for man’s best friend.

“Many years ago, when we last

did La Bohème and asked local people to volunteer their pets it was a huge success,” she says.

“We even used a rescue dog once and found him dozens of new owners.

“We’re a nation of animal lovers after all. I’m sure there is plenty of doggie talent out there.”

Applicants need to have a dog that is well-behaved, small, used to people and quiet – and the owner, will need to be prepared to go on-stage in costume to look after them.

Those wanting to audition, should email Anegla Klappa a photograph of the dog: angela@ ellenkent.co.uk

Applications should include a contact number and address as well as the breed, height, weight, age, and name of the dog.

Deadline for entries is Friday, March 24.

The successful dog’s owner will be contacted a week before the performance, which is Thursday, April 13.

And for those who want to just enjoy the show from the seats, tickets are n Tickets for La Boheme, costing £31, £33, or £36, are available from www.whatsonreading.com

One Tonne of Fun coming to Reading’s Just The Tonic

A GIANT tour has been given a gigantic name.

Lloyd Griffith is visiting comedy spots across the country next year with a brand-new show, called One Tonne of Fun.

It will include, he promises, a unique bag of stand-up, with dubious impressions, and a sprinkling of his singing.

Lloyd was recently one of the first people to sing the new anthem (with ‘King’ instead of ‘Queen’) at various football matches around the country.

As a boy, he always wanted to play for Grimsby Town FC, but instead he was able to perform on the pitch before the Grimsby v Crewe Alexandra match, to a packed crowd.

Next year, he will be seen in Nolly, an ITV drama about the famous soap opera Crossroads, playing the part of Paul Henry –the actor who portrayed Benny in the series. Starring Helena Bonham Carter, the mini-series was written by Russell T Davies, directed by Peter Hoar (It’s A Sin) and executive-produced by Nicola Schindler.

And he will be in the Channel 4 comedy Everyone Else Burns. It follows a hyper-religious family navigating their way through the modern world whilst avoiding eternal damnation.

And he’ll be at the Just The Tonic comedy club in Friar Street, Reading, on Thursday, February 9.

n For more details, log on to: lloydgriffith.com

Dervish to perform at folk club

A TOP Irish folk band will be visiting Nettlebed next week, for the latest gig hosted by the village’s folk club.

Dervish has received a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the BBC, a fitting tribute to the band with more than 30 years of recording and performing all over the world.

Described by the BBC as “an icon of Irish music”, the band have played at festivals from Rio de Janeiro to Glastonbury.

They accompanied the Irish president on state visits to Latvia and Lithuania and the prime minister of Ireland on a trade mission to China as Cultural Ambassadors, taking time out to play an impromptu session on the Great Wall of China.

Dervish have a line–up which include some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, fronted by one of the country’s best-known singers, Cathy Jordan.

Renowned for live

performances, with dazzling sets of tunes with stunning interpretations of traditional songs, they will be welcome visitors to the Thames Valley on Monday, November 28.

Nettlebed Folk Club meets at The Village Club, on the village’s High Street. Doors open at 7.45pm.

n The box office is open between 10am and 8pm. For details, or to book, call: 01628 636620 or log on to: www.nettlebedfolkclub. co.uk

Gemma makes debut visit to Reading

A LONDON-based artist is making her debut visit to Reading next week.

Club Velocity and New Mind have teamed up to bring Gemma Rogers to The Face Bar on Wednesday, November 30.

Her debut album, No Place Like Home, was released in July, and been played on BBC 6 Music and championed by Steve Lamacq.

Promoters say she is somewhere between Any Winehouse, Lily Allen, with the wordplay of Mike Skinner and the class of Kirsty MacColl.

Joy Zine said: “Gemma Rogers’ voice is strong and true, packed with estuary inflection and an honesty that is rare in pop nowadays”.

Support comes from Jopy and Uncle Peanut.

Jopy is the brand-new band from Jo of the Keep Cats. The three-piece deal in Thames Valley Shoegaze of the highest order.

While Uncle Peanut, a Reading legend, is a oneman punk rock act.

The show starts at 8pm, and tickets cost £8.

For more details, search for Club Velocity on www.wegottickets.com

PHIL CREIGHTON

The canine equivalent of Brad Pitt or Scarlett Johansson is being sought for a new production coming to The Hexagon

SAVE THE DATE: Lloyd Griffith Picture: Matt Crockett

LIVEMUSIC

RaW Sounds Today

Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw soundstoday

WE’RE all for bringing new talents to your attention, and we’ve got some crackers for you this week.

Eloise Kate is a talent that has been growing her solo career while playing in other bands. And our second new entry is a singer who came to the fore during lockdown.

We think it’s a corker.

These are just two of 10 great tracks to tune into this week.

We’re on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).

It’s an eclectic mix of stuff that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on Spotify.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music.

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

Thursday, November 24

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Heartfakers (the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

BURGHFIELD – The Hatch Gate, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Elvis night with Mike NOva. Details: 0118 983 2059.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Fundraiser for Ukraine - The Highwasters + Rev John H & The Revelations. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Man The Lifeboats.Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk. Noel Fitzpatrick. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Roseate, The Forbury. Heavy Pop presents The Roseate Sessions with Dolly and the Clothes Pegs. Details: whatsonreading.com

Friday, November 25

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Weird Boyfriends and 1 For The Road. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Barry White tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

CROWTHORNE – Crowthorne Sports & Social Club, Wellington Road RG45 7LD. Utter Madness Duo. Details: 01344 773389.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Slightly Plugged Night. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Breaking Bass. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk. Joanne Shaw Taylor. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING - Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Je’zell. Details: 0118 935 4095.

Eloise Kate – Revolve

If you saw Katie Ellwood’s excellent band at Wokingham Festival you’ll have seen Eloise Kate on keyboards.

Eloise Kate also releases her own music and has built up good streaming numbers with her wonderful single releases including this one.

She was special guest recently singing backing vocals live on a song with floral indie faves Lilac.

Their guitarist, Lewis, was also in Katie Ellwood’s band at Wokingham, but not on guitar. He was the drummer – what talented musicians – https://www. instagram.com/eloisekatemusic/

Aine Deane – 19

My daughter Amy is on this single. Well, only briefly.

She and her former-University house mates

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents The Nat Steele MJQ Quartet. Details: www.jazzinreading.com

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Housebase. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. B-Sydes. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. No Good Sons and Redhead. Details: 0118 957 6930

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Wokingham Part 3 Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, November 26

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Alphawave Radio presents Instrinsic, DJ Ratty, J Majik, Chippie and more. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ultra 90s tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. White Light. Details: 01344 422622

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Large Portion. Details: 01344 457318.

CHARVIL – The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Hard Times. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Straighten Out, a tribute to The Stranglers. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Gateway Pub, Greyfriars Road RG1 1PA. A Night for Scotty with music from Danny Tennyson. Details: 0118 959 0376.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Retro Karaoke. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The Chain Gang. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING - Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street. Pushpin.

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Paddington. Details: 0118 935 1009.

READING - Pentahotel, Oxford Road. Soulful Soiree.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Scarlet Vixens Purple Geekshow. King Kuda plus support. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity presents Ben Marwood, Non Canon and Jay Newton. SOLD OUT. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Tequila Chase. Details: 0118 926 5804.

WINKFIELD ROW – Carnation Hall, RG42 7PA. The Supertonics Big Band, plus guest vocalist Sarah Jane Eveleigh. £12. Details: 07739 314261 or www. thesupertonics.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Wise Monkeys. Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Plato and the Bees. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers, Woodley Green RG5 4QP. Lack of Faith. Details: 0118 969 9756.

YATTENDON – Village Hall, Yattendon Road RG18 0UE. The Budapest Cafe Orchestra. Details: www.facebook. com/budapestcafeorchestra

Sunday, November 27

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Sally Ironmonger and Brian Carter. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Jazz with Stuart Henderson, Simon Price and Guests. Details: 0118 376 9159.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Rat Pack at Christmas. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Monday, November 28

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Dervish. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Open mic night Details: 0118 958 0473.

countdown at the beginning of this great song about their Uni days.

Aine became a Tik Tok sensation in lockdown when she wrote some brilliant songs that resonated with her audience and culminated this year in sell out solo shows and a support slot to Sam Smith at the Royal Albert Hall.

Only a loose connection to the local area but she’s so good that I can’t stop playing her songs – https:// www.ainedeanemusic.com/

Man The Lifeboats – Somerstown

Exciting, fun, upbeat folk from a band that visit (or visited depending on when you are reading this) Reading this week to perform live at The Castle Tap in Reading on Thursday, November 24.

This single is taken from their excellent new album, Soul of Albion which is a great example of quality vibrant contemporary folk with strong songs throughout and is well worth checking out – https:// www.manthelifeboats.com/

Spizzenergi – Where’s Captain Kirk?

Here’s a 70s classic from those exciting punk days and it was the first ever Number One on the Indie Chart, It was great to see Club Velocity putting them on live in Reading at The Facebar last Saturday –https://www.spizzenergi.com/

Voodoo Radio – C30 C60 C90 Go

This pop-punk duo from Cumbria were support at Club Velocity’s Spizzenergi show and this is their brilliant exciting cover of the Bow Wow Wow classic

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe: The Tim Shez Band. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Tuesday, November 29

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

Wednesday, November 30

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Club Velocity/New Mind presents Gemma Rogers with Jopy and Uncle Peanut. Details: 0118 959 5500.

Thursday, December 1

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Emma Wilson Blues Band. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Sami Switch presents Milk My Words Christmas party: live music, spoken word and more from Who We Are, Leopard Boy, Cameron Bloomfield, Cam Holmes, Effie, B2B set Osifa, Thomas Jules. £10. 7pm. Details: www. milkreading.com

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Jazz Singers night Christmas special. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Reading Biscuit Factory, Broad Street Mall RG1 7QE. Club Velocity presents An Evening with Dave Robinson, co-founder Stiff Records, tour manager for Jimi Hendrix. 7.30pm. Details: www. wegottickets.com/event/554403

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Wurzels. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – The Rose Inn, Market Place RG40 1AS. Festive music in the Parlour Room: Jack Frank. Booking advised. Details: www. therosewokingham.co.uk/bookings

Friday, December 2

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Slacker, Bacchanal, Missing The Scene. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. George Michael solo tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

– http://www.voodooradio.co.uk/

One Last Day – Out of the Black

The new single from Wokingham rockers, One Last Day, is a powerful anthem with a chorus that sticks in your head and shows that they are quality band that combines power and melody – https:// linktr.ee/onelastday

Mellor – Meet Me by the Ocean

Mellor are a four-piece Reading-based band that has been building a great reputation throughout the indie rock scene. This is from their new album, Problematic Passions – https://linktr.ee/melloruk

Katie Ellwood – Twice

Here’s the aforementioned Katie Ellwood who previewed this new single live in her Wokingham Festival live set – https://www.katieellwood.com/

Doops – Pull Back the Shades

Doops joined the bill at Third Lung’s album launch show at Sub 89 with a great performance. This band from the local area creates moody atmospheric songs with this taken from their Deflections EP –https://www.facebook.com/doopsband/

Glenn Miller Orchestra – Moonlight Serenade

Timeless 1930s music which was performed live on Saturday at the Carnival Hub – https://www. glennmillerorchestra.co.uk/

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Esther Bennett’s Duncan Lamong Songbook. Details: 01344 484123.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Gordon Giltrap. £21. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS. Kitty Mazinsky Quartet at Christmas evening. From 6pm.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Joshfest v2. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The Funky Funks. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING - The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. Jessie Phelps.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Chestnuts. Details: 0118 977 3706.

YATELEY - The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, December 3

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Bye Bye Baby: Jersey Boys. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Lewis and the Sound of the Suburbs. Details: 01344 422622

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01344 457318.

CHARVIL – The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Christmas Carol-oke.

CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. The Cherries. Details: 01344 530615.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Long Tall Texans. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The Chain Gang. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Michael Jackson tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street

RG1 2JR. Sound Jam. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Tribute Night Christmas Special. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – The Queen’s Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. P’Jam. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Salty Dogs. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – St Laurence Church, The Forbury RG1 3EJ. Crazy Diamond, a tribute to the music of Pink Floyd. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Aurie Styla. Details: 0118 959 5395

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Band Substance. Details: 0118 957 6930

RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. The Haystacks. Details: 0118 343 0565.

SONNING COMMON – Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge School, RG4 9LN. South Chiltern Choral Society presents A Christmas Celebration: O Come Emmanuel by Alan Bullard, plus carols. 7.30pm. £15, £12 in advance or £7.50/£6 advance for under 21s. Details: http://www. southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk/ WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. 4th Era. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Sunday, December 4

PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS. Andy Dickens and Al NIchols, Saxes with the Terry Hutchins Quartet. Details: 07500 333743.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington St RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night - Weather or Not. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Rat Pack at Christmas. Details: 0118 969 8000.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Bullfrogs Sunday Session. Details: 07889 226309.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Super Chilled Open Mic with Gemma Foster. 3pm. Details: 0118 977 0918

WONDERFUL: Eloise Kate Picture: Andrew Merritt

Friday, Nov 25

ASCOT – Racecourse SL5 7JX. Ascot Christmas Fair. 9.30am-5pm. £5 advance, £9 on door. Details: www. ukgrandsales.co.uk

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkerley Avenue RG1 6JE. Film screening: Testament: a retelling of the parables in the modern day. £5. 7pm. Details/ booking: fellowscreen.com/ screenings/testament

READING - IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD.

Festive family film night. 5.30pm. Free. Booking essential. Details: www. ikea.com

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL.

Jazz at Progress presents The Nat Steele MJQ Quartet. 7.30pm. £18, £16 concessions, £9 under 16s, plus booking fee. Details: www.jazzinreading.com

TILEHURST – The Avenue Special Needs Academy, Conwy Close. Christmas Fayre: craft stalls, music, games, tombola, refreshments and more. 4.30pm-7pm. Details: .avenue.reading.sch.uk

WOKINGHAM – Market Place RG40 1AS. #LetsEndFemicide vigil. 7pm. Bring a torch.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE

Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH.

Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, November 26

ASCOT – Racecourse SL5 7JX. Ascot Christmas Fair. 9.30am-5pm. £5 advance, £9 on door. Details: www. ukgrandsales.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – The Old Gym, Wellington College. Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra presents an autumn concert: Vaughan Williams London Symphony, Frank Bridge’s The Sea, Britten’s Four Sea Interludes. £15, under 16s free. Details: www. crowthorneorchestra.com

GORING – Village Hall RG8 9AG. Craft fair. 10am-4pm. £2, children free. Details: www.goringcraftfair.co.uk

HURST – Dinton Pastures, Davis Street RG10 0TH.

First Days Glow Walk around Black Swan Lake under starlight. Hot chocolate, hot dogs, mulled wine and glowsticks available. 5pm-8pm. Details: www.firstdays.net/ events

READING – English Martyrs Church hall, Liebenrood Road. Charity Christmas Fayre, in aid of charities including Life, the Children’s society, Knit for peace and 80th. Admission free.11am-1pm. Details: 0118 942 9245.

READING – Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5EX. Whiskey Affair. 1pm-5pm, 6pm-10pm. £9. Booking essential. Details: www. thewhiskeyaffair.co.uk

READING – St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. Reading Haydn Choir’s autumn concert: Little Organ Mass, Faure’s requiem. £15, concessions £13, under 19s £5. Details: www. haydnchoir.org.uk

SWALLOWFIELD – Parish Hall, Swallowfield Street RG7 1QX. Russell Players: Goldilocks, Three Bears and the Detectives. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Details: russellplayers.co.uk

TILEHURST – The Atrium Club, Scours Lane RG30 6AY. Caribbean Invasion –Barbados, Celebrating 56th Year Of Independence. Children’s fun day 1pm6pm. £3 children, £5 adults. Dominoes Competition & Lime. 2pm. £5 entry. Party for adults. 9pm-3am. £10. Details: 07711 291383

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road RG10 9JA. 20 years of Ceroc at Twyford. From 8pm. Details: www.ceroc.com

WOKINGHAM – Holme Grange Craft Village, Heathlands Road. Craft event with live music, Santa’s grotto, Christingle face painter and more. Details: holmegrangecraftvillage. co.uk

WOKINGHAM – WADE, London Road RG41 1EH. Christmas Fair: raffles, tombolas, Christmas gifts, homemade cakes, refreshments and more. Parking at Masonic Hall opposite. 11am-2pm. £1, children free. Details: wadecentre.org.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Christmas light switch-on and carols. 4.30pm5.30pm. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Sunday, November 27

ASCOT – Racecourse SL5 7JX. Ascot Christmas Fair. 9.30am-4pm. £5 advance, £9 on door. Details: www. ukgrandsales.co.uk

CAVERSHAM – Weller Centre, RG4 5NA. Fifi’s

Vision Christmas Market. Free entry. Event includes workshop to make reindeer food. 2.30pm5pm. Details: Fifisvision@ gmail.com

CHARVIL – Village Hall, The Hawthorns RG10 9TR. Charvil Art Group 50th anniversary show. 10.30am-5pm. Free entry. Details: www. charvilartgroup.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – St John the Baptist Parish Church, Waterloo Road, RG45 7NT. Advent fair after the 10am service: tombola, stalls, games, cakes and refreshments. Details: crowthorneparishchurch. org.uk

GORING – Village Hall RG8 9AG. Craft fair. 10am-4pm. £2, children free. Details: www.goringcraftfair.co.uk

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Sunday Alternative:Stories, Why we tell them and why we shouldn’t always listen. Plus Coffee and Catchup. 10.30am. Free. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. MERLy Christmas Shopping Event. 11am3pm. Details: merl.reading. ac.uk

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Comedy at the Taproom with Dane Baptiste. 6.30pm. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk

TWYFORD – Bell Corner. Christmas light switch-on, and launch of Tree of Christmas Wishes. 5.30pm. Details: twyfordtogether. org/upcoming-events

WOKINGHAM – Across town centre. Wokingham winter carnival 2022. 11am-5pm. Stalls, games, food, music, dance, displays, magic and more. Details: https://www. wintercarnival.co.uk/

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –St Sebastian’s Memorial Hall, Nine Mile Ride.

Royal Berkshire Militaria Fair. 9am-noon. £4, under 14s free. Details: www. rb-militariafair.co.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Monday, Nov 28

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Coffee Stop for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts: socialise and take part in English lessons. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: 01344 761725.

EARLEY – Earley CResCent

Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Interview Skills - Free Employability Workshop. 9.30am12.30pm. Details: 0118 921 0555.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, Nov 29

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Wed, Nov 30

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe

Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Thursday, Dec 1

ALDERMASTON – St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. The York Nativity Play. 8pm. Free, but tickets must be ordered in advance. Details: aldermastonnativity.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Advent cream tea. 3pm-4pm. Details: 01344 761725.

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road. Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society presents The Sleeping Beauty. 7.30pm. £10, family tickets £35. Details: ticketsource. co.uk/crowthornecats

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details:

linkvisiting.org

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Sami Switch presents Milk My Words Christmas party: live music, spoken word and more from Who We Are, Leopard Boy, Cameron Bloomfield, Cam Holmes, Effie, B2B set Osifa, Thomas Jules. £10. 7pm. Details: www.milkreading. com

READING – Reading Minster Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Royal Berks Charity Christmas at the Minster. Carols and more. 6pm for 7pm start. £7.50, groups of up to four £25. Under threes free. Details: https://register.enthuse. com/ps/event/Christmas atReadingMinster

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

STRATFIELD SAYE –Wellington Farm Shop, Welsh Lane RG27 0LT. Table arrangement workshop. 7pm-9.30pm. Details: 0118 932 6132.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: folio evening. 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: The French Dispatch (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com Friday, December 2

ALDERMASTON – St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. The York Nativity Play. 8pm. Free, but tickets must be ordered in advance. Details: aldermastonnativity.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – Across high street. Late night shopping evening. 5.30pm-7.30pm.

CROWTHORNE – Methodist Church, Dukes Ride RG45 6LT. Festival of Angels. Details: www.crowthorne methodistchurch.org.uk

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road. Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society presents The Sleeping Beauty. 7.30pm. £10, family tickets £35. Details: ticketsource. co.uk/crowthornecats

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS. Christmas evening: stalls, Santa, and the Kitty Mazinsky Quartet. From 6pm.

READING – The Greyfriars, Greyfriars Road. Christmas Carol evening: mince pies, singing, beer and more. 7pm. Free.

SANDHURST – St Michael & All Angels Church, Lower Church Road GU47 8HN. Sandhurst Silver Band Christmas Concert. 7.30pm. £10, concessions £8. Details: wegottickets. com/event/561952

SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall, Basingstoke Road. Christmas tree lighting ceremony. 6pm-8pm. Details: www.trybooking. co.uk/BYPR

TILEHURST – Park Lane Primary, School Road RG31 5BD. Christmas Bazaar. 3.45pm-6pm. £1.

TWYFORD – Across village. Street fayre. 6pm-9pm. Details: www. twyfordtogether.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, Dec 3

ALDERMASTON – St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. The York Nativity Play. 7pm. Free, but tickets must be ordered in advance. Details: aldermastonnativity.co.uk

BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane. South Berks Concert Band Christmas concert. £10, under 16s free. Details: southberksmusic.org.uk

CAVERSHAM – St Peter’s Church, The Warren RG4 7TH. Christmas market. 10am. Details: www. ctmparish.org.uk

CHARVIL – Charvil Village Hall, Park Lane. Christmas singing afternoon for female voices. £10, includes music and refreshments. Details: 0118 934 0589 or suzanneynewman@ btinternet.com

CROWTHORNE –Crowthorne Church of England Primary School, Dukes Ride RG45 6ND. Christmas fair: food, gifts, sweets, games and more. Noon-4pm. Details: 01344 772089

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road. Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society presents The Sleeping Beauty. 2pm and 7.30pm. £10, family tickets £35. Details: ticketsource.co.uk/ crowthornecats

CROWTHORNE – Wildmoor Heath, Crowthorne Road RG45 7PW. Annual sale of Scots Pine Christmas trees harvested by Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust volunteers. 11am-3pm. Details: 01635874381

HURST – Village Hall, School Road. St Nicholas Church

presents its Christmas Fayre. 11.30am-3pm. Stalls, bake sale, cards, decorations, children’s activities and more. Father Christmas arrives at noon.

PADWORTH - Village Hall, Padworth Lane. Jumble sale. 2pm-3pm. Donations 10am-11.30am. In aid of village hall.

EARLEY – Aldryngton School, off Silverdale Road. Christmas Fair: Face painting, stalls, crafts, mulled wine, barbecue, Santa’s Grotto, raffle and more. 11am-3pm.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15am-noon. Details: thamesvalley farmers market.co.uk

READING – Emmanuel Methodist Church, Oxford Road RG30 1EE. Christmas fayre 10.30am-1.30pm. Details: www.emmanuel methodistreading.org.uk

READING – St Bart’s Theatre, St Bartholomews Road RG1 3QA. Dance Reading Festival 22 presents JUMP! 7pm. £6. Details: www.readcollege.org or 0118 966 6275.

READING – Tyndale Baptist Church, Cressingham Road RG2 7JE. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Association in Reading presents Windrush thanks and praise service. 2pm. Luncheon and awards ceremony. Ticket only, £5. 3pm. Details: svgareading. org.uk

SILCHESTER - Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Village market. 10am-12.30pm. Details: 0118 970 0999 or www. silchestervillagemarket. org.uk.

WINNERSH – The Pheasant, Reading Road RG41 4LR. Comedy with headliner Iszi Lawrence, presented by Mates Rates Comedy. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 978 4529.

WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road RG40 1DE. Wokingham Eco-living Christmas Fair. 11am-3pm.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Eastwood Chamber Orchestra concert. 7.30pm. £10, students £5. Details: Www. eastwoodco.org/nextconcert

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS.

Christmas Sing-a-long with The Barberettes and The Baptist Church Choir. 11am-12.30pm. Free, donations towards town mayor’s charity Kaleidoscopic UK. Details: 0118 975 0882.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, Dec 4

ALDERMASTON – St Mary the Virgin, Church Street. The York Nativity Play. 7pm. Free, but tickets must be ordered in advance. Details: aldermastonnativity.co.uk

CALCOT – Kennet Valley Caterpillars Preschool, Holybrook Centre, Carters Rise, RG31 7YT. Christmas event, including Santa’s Grotto. 1pm4pm. Booking for Santa essential. Details: www. kennetvalleycaterpillars. co.uk

CAVERSHAM – St Peter’s Church, The Warren RG4 7TH. Advent carols 6.30pm. Details: www. ctmparish.org.uk

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road. Crowthorne Amateur

Theatrical Society presents The Sleeping Beauty. 2pm. £10, family tickets £35. Details: ticketsource.co.uk/ crowthornecats

READING – St Barnabas Church, Elm Road. Christingle. 4pm. Details: readinggateway.church

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Christmas Art Market. 11am-4.30pm. Free entry. Dreading Poetry Slam. 7.30pm. Free entry. Details: risingsunartscentre.org

READING – St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. Tamesis Chamber Choir and the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra presents Handel’s Messiah. 6pm. £15, students and children £5. Details: tamesischamberchoir.com

SHINFIELD – From Foster Wheeler building, Whitley Wood Road. Toy Run. 1pm. Roads towards High Close School will face rolling road closurest.

STREATLEY – Morrell Room, Church Lane RG8 9HT. Musical Mystery Tour Family Cushion Concert with Simon Mayor and Hilary James. 3pm. £8. Details: www. childrensmusic.co.uk

SWINLEY FOREST. Thames Hospice annual Santa Dash. 9.45am. Details: thameshospice.org.uk

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Reading’s Indie Market. From noon-5pm. Crafts, food, and more. Oh, and beer. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – St Crispin’s Sports Centre, London Road RG40 1SS. Crispin Antique and Collectors Fair. £1. 10am-3pm. Details: 07723 068189.

WOKINGHAM – Corpus Christi Church, Sturges Road RG41 2HE. South

Berkshire Singers Christmas Celebration, with children from St Teresa’s Primary School Choir. £5, in aid of Corpus Christi Africa Fund. Details: southberkshiresingers. org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Market Place RG40 1AS. Antique market. 10am-4pm. Details: acvrevents.co.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Christmas Extravaganza. 10am-3pm. Details: .woodleytowncentre.co.uk

7

number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter

use your knowledge of words to work out which letters

the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number

the main grid and control grid.

Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

1.

The headquarters of the

Open University are in which town? 2. Otello and

Laura Carmichael is best known for playing Lady Edith Crawley in which TV drama series?

P E U

EQUALISER

each

Easy Hard

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

FIVE ALIVE: NONAGRAM: SOLUTIONS

unmet. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – add; subtract; multiply; divide. Total: 4. 6948 723 15 5726 318 49 1839 452 67 9 3 7 5 2 6 1 8 4 2581 947 36 4167 839 52 7 2 5 4 1 8 6 9 3 3612 594 78 8493 675 21 5913 246 78 8469 173 52 2378 561 49 3 1 8 7 4 5 2 9 6 6251 984 37 9746 328 15 4 5 9 2 6 3 7 8 1 1824 795 63 7635 819 24 WORD PYRAMID: Jack-in-the-pulpit. MAGIC SQUARE: clan; lice; ache; need. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Classify; 5 Chic; 9 A la mode; 10 Turin; 11 Lie; 12 Goatee; 15 Point; 17 Drop; 19 Unclad; 22 Pepsin; 24 Tyre; 26 Wurst; 27 Instil; 30 Imp; 32 Inner; 33 Paucity; 34 Hard; 35 Transmit. Down – 1 Clan; 2 Alamo; 3 Shout; 4 Feeler; 6 Heroics; 7 Constant; 8 Steppe; 13 Ail; 14 Eddy; 16 Outweigh; 18 Open; 20 Coroner; 21 Attire; 23 Pat; 25 Ripper; 28 Spurn; 29 Idiom; 31 Cyst. Across – 1 Jericho; 8 Cantata; 9 Satanic; 10 Untwist; 11 Trollop; 12 Yardage; 14 Terrier; 18 Hormone; 20 Calumny; 21 Muzzled; 22 Essence; 23 Derider. Down – 1 Just the ticket;

8. 2 13 15

1. In France I ordered choir to old city (7) 11

Able to give repeated thanks for choral composition (7) 3 13 17

9. 4 8 10 12 16 18 21 23

Did not stand for corrupt Cain being wicked (7) 10. Disentangle confused nitwits (you, see, not I) (7) 11. Slovenly woman had £2 invested in the Scouts (7) 12. Police HQ takes a long time to make measurement (7) 14. Row about stray dog (7) 18. Bodily secretion upset moorhen (7) 20. With no end of luck many contrived slander (7) 21. Prevented from having free speech (7) 22. Distinctive nature of German city church (7) 23. Person mocking jockey after editor returns (7) 14

5 19

10

6 17 18

1. Exactly what is needed by trainee? (4,3,6) 2. Nothing left out of speech allocation (6) 3. A clan interfered with the waterway (5) 4. Hold post and take up space (6) 5. Integral authority? (7) 6. Animal destroyed thin layer (6) 7. He hopes to make money on the stock market (6,7) 13. Colour of agricultural workers’ shirt! (7)

15. Zest for sauce (6)

Organise your kitchen

Healthy heart

out of date and donate any unopened food that you’ve had for more than six months (and don’t anticipate yourself eating in the next few weeks) to a local food bank.

IT probably won’t come as a shock to hear that a tidy, clean, and well-organised kitchen can make healthy eating easier.

Taking the time to practically declutter and organise your kitchen and making a conscious effort to keep it tidy and clean, can make mealtimes run much smoother. When things are in order it encourages us to choose healthier foods rather than ordering takeaways or reaching for quick, unhealthy options.

Organising your kitchen can be a daunting job, especially if you’ve neglected it for some time. Not to worry,

here we share some ideas to get you started.

Clean out the fridge

Start by emptying and cleaning out your fridge.

Discard any old condiments you’ve got that aren’t used and reorganise everything into sections that promote healthy choices.

Such as, keeping your fruit and snackable veggies like tomatoes, cucumber and carrots at the front of your fridge so you can easily see them and reach for them when you’re after a snack.

Empty the cabinets

Empty all your kitchen cabinets, throw away anything which is

Clean out the cabinets and organise everything when putting it back in, making sure the things you use most often are easily reachable.

Using small containers to keep things like herbs and spices together can help keep things tidy.

Unwanted or unneeded items

Lots of us end up with random utensils and kitchen gadgets that we never actually use.

These take up space and make it harder for us to easily find the things we need and use regularly. Gather all your kitchen utensils together in one place and sort out any that aren’t needed.

Similarly, if there are items that are broken or not fit for purpose, plan to replace them –using a frying pan that constantly sticks makes us less likely to opt for a quick, healthy stir-fry, for example.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy,

sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/ healthy-tips n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch. org.uk/heart-research-

Four ways to ensure your driveway stays safe during colder months

WHILE we have had an unseasonably mild autumn - with temperatures warmer than they should have been.

So the colder weather this past week has been a bit of a shock to the system.

But what about when the mercury plummets even further? Icy conditions, snowy weather and other unseasonable surprises could cause all manner of issues, especially with driveways.

To help people prepare, hard landscaping firm Marsalls have prepared four tips that everyone can use ahead of winter.

Fill the joints

If your driveway is made from block paving, it’s vital to keep topping up the joints between the blocks so they stay sturdy.

When you’re refilling, first clean the surface and leave it to dry. Then, scatter the sand across and – using a bristle broom – brush the sand into the joints.

Sweep away any excess sand. Keeping the joints free of moss and weeds is also a good practice to get into.

Regularly clean your driveway

Cleaning your driveway can reduce the need for repairing and replacing paving. During the winter months, clean your paving every few weeks.

Keep it clear of excess leaves during this time to prevent a build-up of dirt and debris.

You can do this by using either a pressure washer or by scrubbing it by hand using soapy water and a stiff bristle brush.

Stay away from grit salt and harsh chemicals

Salt and harsh chemicals can harm the environment and harm any grass near or surrounding your driveway due to runoff.

Salt and harsh chemical use may cause grass and leaves to brown or even die and can also cause damage to your vehicle.

Many de-icing chemicals contain ammonium nitrates and sulphates, which can cause your driveway to deteriorate.

If necessary, a natural de-icing agent such as sand can be used.

The colder months can bring snow and ice onto patios and driveways. Shovelling snow off your driveway is the best way to keep it safe. You’ll have a clear path and are less likely to encounter icy patches where the snow has frozen.

Anna Hampshire, head of marketing at Marshalls, says: “If you’re considering different materials for your driveway, you may be wondering which material would be most suited to the look you want to achieve and doesn’t require too much maintenance.

“Concrete is a hard-wearing, longlasting driveway material choice and can be finished in a surprising number of ways, as the poured variety can be

uk-recipes-2/ n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook/

corner Reading Voluntary Action

Get ready for winter before it arrives

Picture: StockSnap from Pixabay

RIDGELINE Trust helps people to learn new skills, regain lost skills and improve mental and physical health in their beautiful garden in East Reading.

They are currently seeking volunteers to join them as Horticultural Therapy support volunteers!

Tasks include:

n Help encourage clients to carry out gardening activities,

n Support individual clients or small groups to carry out gardening activities under the guidance of the Horticultural Therapists, develop and maintain a relationship of trust and mutual respect with the clients you support and more.

Enrych Berkshire is a registered charity that provides support to people with a disability, helping them get access to leisure, social and learning activities.

Right now they are seeking a volunteer for a quiet gentleman who is using a wheelchair since becoming an amputee.

Help them build confidence in going out and tackle isolation.

Social activities could be watching boxing on the TV in the pub, playing pool or even just going out and getting fresh air, it would help so much.

n Reading Blind Aid Society was formed in 1883 and then changed to Reading Association for the Blind in 1926 and has supported the sight-impaired people of Reading ever since.

Can you help in their kitchen?

They provide homemade soup and a roll for their Sight Loss Social Club members.

stamped with patterns. It has a very long lifespan of four decades or more.

“Block paving allows excess water to drain away from the ground’s surface, which helps to avoid flash flooding. As well as simply looking good, if a small section of a paved driveway becomes damaged, it is relatively easy to repair in isolation.

“Those who like to do their bit for the environment will also find block paving delivers if they opt for a permeable product.

“Whichever material you select for your driveway, the most important fact to remember is that this is what you’ll return home to for years to come. So, take your time, do your research and make the choice that’s best for you.”

n For more details, log on to: www.marshalls.co.uk

Previous experience or training would be helpful, but is not essential, as they can provide what you need to know.

The club provides a safe much-needed social environment for members to chat with friends on Tuesdays and Fridays.

n Take a look at our brand new Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273.

Remove snow and ice manually

CITYZENS HIT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

At contrasting ends of the table heading into the match, it was the Cityzens who maintained their incredible winning run with their 11th league win in 13 matches.

The Cityzens lead the way in Combined Counties Premier North and are the only side that remain unbeaten in the division.

After a closely contested first-half, City went in with a 2-1 advantage.

However, they turned on the style in the second-half to hit four more goals in the second-half before the Sumas clawed back a consolation to see the match end 6-2.

The Sumas are in 18th position, while Reading have a two point lead over Ascot United at the summit. n Full report and pictures on page 18

CHAMBERS: ‘IT’S A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY’

After the tournament kicked off on Sunday, the Royals boss feels this is the ideal time to present a different side of the game.

“The whole experience will be different for fans travelling to those games (in Qatar),” said Chambers.

“We do have a different product to the men’s game with the fan engagement and the closeness we have with those fans.

“It’s something I believe that gets fans through the food with the personal touch. We’ve got to make sure we use this time to grow our attendances as much as possible.

“We need to grab those people and get them through the door. It’s a window of opportunity and we need to grab it with both hands.

“It’s great. It gives fans an opportunity to go to those stadiums, you get higher attendances and can be used as a whole day experience.

“Off the back of the Euros we will get some really big crowds and we hope to see more of that happening.

“All the clubs knew the biggest thing we wanted to change was getting fans in the door and build fanbases as individual clubs.

“The Euros has been an advocate for us to be able to do that and has been a stepping stone to getting people in.”

READING FC Women’s manager Kelly Chambers wants the Women’s Super League to capitalise on attendances during the Men’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

READING CITY took the spoils in their local derby encounter with Wokingham & Emmbrook with an emphatic victory.

CITYZENS STRIKE SIX PAST SUMAS TO TAKE WIN

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Reading City 6 Sumas 2

READING CITY continue their reign at the top of the table after they hit six past Wokingham & Emmbrook.

In a match pitting two sides at contrasting ends of the table in a local derby clash, it was the Cityzens who took the points and maintained their stunning league form in a goal filled contest.

City broke the deadlock after 17 minutes from the penalty spot when Josh Baines finished emphatically as the ball smacked the underside of the bar on its way in.

The Sumas replied just seven minutes later when Jake

Woods drove forward for the visitors and lashed a lethal shot into the bottom corner to level the scores.

The goals kept coming and Reading were back in front in the 31st minute when Eddie Lee latched onto a long ball and rolled the ball past Sean Woodward to finish.

With an hour gone, Sumas were still well in the contest before Reading City found a late flurry of goals to take the points.

Joe Pilling hit a stunning strike on the hour mark to make it 3-1 and added a fourth and fifth through Tyler D’Cruz.

City put the game well beyond doubt with a fifth goal with 10 minutes to go and Joe Waight struck a sixth.

The Sumas clawed back a consolation goal from in

stunning style when Joao Jardim hit a volley to make it 6-2.

Reading are top of the table with 35 points from 13 games as they continued their unbeaten streak having won 11 matches.

The Sumas dropped down a place into 18th and have 11 points from 19 games.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK: Woodward, Williamson, Wright, Maunders, Wilson, West, Linturn, Mead, Jardim, Woods, Bossman

Subs: Gethin-Barkway, Whittaker, Hemlock, Haworth

READING CITY: York, Smith, Donville, Valentin, Veal (c), Coed, Baines, Davies, D’Cruz, Pilling, Lee

Subs: Thomas, Lazarczuk, Basterfield, Weight, Bangura

Goals: Baines 17’, Woods 24’, Lee 31’, Pilling 59’, D’Cruz 64’, 80’, Waight 85’, Jardim 89’

Reading City took the points in a high scoring game against Wokingham & Emmbrook Pictures: Andrew Batt

RAMS COACH PRAISES ‘INCREDIBLE’ RUN WOODLEY LOSE OUT ON AWAY TRIP

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

more explosive power to the squad.

He continued: “It’s gone well. Time is the biggest constraint for us in terms of training sessions, but the coaching team allowing us to continue working on power has been massive.

WOODLEY United’s away day blues continued with a third consecutive defeat on the road.

Having completed a perfect 10 bonus-point wins to start the season, the visitors will look to continue their dream start at Veritas Park.

Southwell said: “To get 10 wins you have to have everything in place, and it’s incredible from the players.

“The hard work the boys put in during pre-season has been key – they knew what we wanted from them, and they did it.

“We’re in our third season at National One – the first we were finding our feet, the second was a bit up and down at times, but now the guys know how to play.”

He continued: “There’s much more diversity in

how we’re scoring points. In the past it’s predominantly been from the forwards being so dominant, but now we’re playing expansively and some of the power and speed in the backs – Axel (Kalling-Smith) with his raw strength, the speed of Jak Rossiter, Birdy (Henry Bird) and Charlie Robson, it’s been huge.

“The pack speaks for itself in terms of how robust it is – we’re at least 50kg less than every other pack – but the ability we have at the set-piece counters that and we’re proud.”

Southwell and fellow strength and conditioning coach Daryl Watson mixed up their pre-season programme, looking to add

“It’s nice to hear a few people saying some of the success with the ball carrying potentially comes down to our suggestions, but ultimately it’s the guys on the field doing it.”

“The Plymouth game was the first time we’ve come under pressure in being behind going into the last quarter, but the guys dug deep.

“Having (captain) Robbie (Stapley) back helped in terms of the leadership, and credit to the guys with their fitness, they stuck at it for the full 80.

“We continued to defend the goal line for the last five minutes and that desire to play the full 80 and win games really shone through.”

As in recent games, United started strongly with Abdul Afolabi seeing an effort blocked in the opening minute and then shooting wide five minutes later after good work from Ed Thomas and Connor Richardson found the front man in a good position to shoot at goal.

Afolabi also saw a header, from a corner cleared of the BA goal line in the tenth minute.

The opening goal came following a corner kick and a spell of pinball in the Woodley penalty area as either side was able to control the ball until Ed Clements shot pass O’Sullivan in the 14th minute.

Hayles saw a shot go wide before James Barnett scored to double the hosts’ lead.

The home player fell to the ground on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area following a challenge and with the ball running free to the right wing, but Barnett jumped to his feet to strike the ball into the Woodley net.

British Airways were reduced to 10 players following the

With no forward threat Woodley were encouraged to attack but chances were still few and far.

The game was reduced to ten a side eight minutes from full time when Woodley substitute Sid Gbla was dismissed for a reckless challenge on British Airways‘ left back as the hosts held on to win.

RUGBY UNION

BRITISH AIRWAYS 2-0 WOODLEY UNITED

dismissal of Clements following an altercation with O’Sullivan.

Woodley were beaten by British Airways Picture: Peter Toft

Rams coaches Joe Southwell (left) and Daryl Watson (right)

RAMS’ strength and conditioning coach Joe Southwell has hailed an incredible effort from the players as they get set to return to National One action at Taunton Titans on Saturday (3pm).

WOODLEY BEAT BOARS, TILEHURST PROGRESS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Southern Region Women’s Division

One North

WOODLEY UNITED moved up to third after they got the better of EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA.

Maddie Sawyer put the Kestrels 1-0 in front in the 21st minute before Woodley wrapped the game up in second-half stoppage time after May Hamblin made it 2-0.

Woodley are on 13 points with four wins from six matches, while Eversley are in seventh with three point from five games.

CAVERSHAM UNITED were on the end of a heavy defeat to Long Crendon.

Tiffany Newland got on the scoresheet to reduce the deficit to 2-1 at the break, but the hosts hit back with four second-half goals to take a convincing 6-1 success.

Caversham are in sixth place

with eight points from eight matches.

FA Trophy second-round

BRACKNELL TOWN flew through to the next round after their away triumph at Tonbridge Angels.

The Robins went in front after three minutes through Darryl Sanders, doubled their lead in the 23rd minute via an own goal before the hosts pulled a goal back on the brink of half-time.

Bracknell restored their lead through Jordan Esprit but Tonbridge quickly replied to make it 3-2.

With 15 minutes left, Joe Grant ensured Bracknell would be going through when he volleyed in at the back post.

Isthmian South Central

BINFIELD dropped to 10th after they tasted defeat to Southall.

The Moles went two goals behind inside 10 minutes.

They recovered to get a goal back when Kai Hobbs halved the deficit in the 69th minute, but the hosts held on to take the points.

Combined Counties

Premier North

ASCOT UNITED kept their sensational run going to move within two points of the league leaders.

Having gone a goal behind after just six minutes, the Yellas responded just a minute into

the second-half when Harry Grant scored from a free-kick.

Virginia had the opportunity to restore their advantage when they were awarded a penalty, but Ascot goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown came up with a heroic save.

Ascot turned the game around in the 76th minute when Brendan Matthew latched onto Sean McCormack’s cross and converted.

Ascot have amassed 33 points after winning 11 of their opening 12 league matches.

Woodley United Ladies win over Eversley & California Ladies saw them move up to third Pictures: Andrew Batt

Finchampstead (blue) v William Twigg

Pictures: Andrew Batt

PROGRESS IN 10-GOAL GAME

Combined Counties Division

One

BERKS COUNTY are third in the table after they got the better of Rising Ballers Kensington.

The Swords turned the game around after going 1-0 down with goals from Charlie Oakley and Les Sackey to take a 3-1 success.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA moved above their opponents after taking three points against Molesey.

The Boars broke the deadlock after 37 minutes when Jamie Griggs put his team 1-0 ahead.

Just after the hour mark,

FOOTBALL

Eversley found their second when Ash Howes marked his debut for the club with a goal.

Eversley held out to take a clean sheet and the win to put them up to 11th in the table on 20 points from 14 games.

Eversley manager Matty Angell said: “Great result for my squad yesterday, played some great stuff and worked hard off the ball to limit a side that were on a good run of form.

“Consistency now is the key moving forward.”

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division

ASCOT UNITED picked up

their fourth win of the campaign after defeating Eastleigh in the Community.

A brace from Nicole Brown ensured that the Yellas earned three points with a 2-1 triumph.

Ascot are in third place on 14 points after taking four wins from their opening seven league matches.

Berks & Bucks Women’s Trophy

TILEHURST PANTHERS made it through to the next round after an entertaining 10-goal cup tie with Milton Keynes City.

After taking a 6-4 win in the tie, the Panthers will now play in the semi-finals.

BURGHFIELD STAY IN THIRD, READING YMCA CLIMB TO FOURTH

Thames Valley Premier League

BURGHFIELD maintained their spot in third place after they placed three past Slough Heating Laurencians without reply.

Jasper Rowland, James McClellan and Oliver Brown were on the scoresheet for the Fielders to put them on 18 points from seven games.

READING YMCA climbed up to fourth place after they defeated Westwood Wanderers.

Goals from Sam Tucker and Pele

Hagger saw YMCA collect a 2-1 victory.

They are on 16 points from their first nine matches having won five.

FINCHAMPSTEAD took three more points in a closely contested match against READING CITY U23’s

Dylan Parmar scored the only goal of the game to give Finch their seventh win of the league campaign.

They are on 23 points from their opening 10 matches, only trailing league leaders Yateley United who have won all 12 of their games.

WARGRAVE suffered a narrow

defeat which saw them beaten 4-3 by table toppers Yateley.

Reading & District Sunday

Premier: AFC Bradfield 3-3 Tilehurst El Patrons, Emmer Green 2-4 Give Back

Cup: Mortimer 2-1 116 Exiles, TRBL 3-2 FC BAPCO, Arborfield 1-5 Burghfield Res, Berks Royals 0-0 Reading United (4-3 pens),

United 2-0 Barton Rovers Reserves One

Goring United 2-1 Caversham United

Westwood Wanderers Dev 4-0 Hurst

: Farley Hill 1-0 FC Woodley, Hype Train 5-0 Southbank, RE United 3-0 Caversham

116 Exiles Reserves 1-1 Whitley Wood, Arbor Athletic 2-3 Calcot, Caversham United Reserves 0-4 Richfield Vets, MAC 0-1 Thames Valley Railway, South Reading 8-2 Barton Rovers A

WARGRAVE progressed past BURGHFIELD with a convincing win. They scored four without reply to make it through to the next round.

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4k BERKS COUNTY picked up their first win of the season on the road at Oxford City U23’s.

Kate Stewart netted a brace and Megan Cox was also on the scoresheet to help the Fawkes to a 3-1 win.

The victory puts S4K up to ninth in the table where they have six points from seven games.

From the middle Dick SawdonSmith

BEFORE we get too bound up in the World Cup matches, let me take you back to a recent Premier League game when Crystal Palace were home to Chelsea.

There was one small incident that created a lot of heat.

Chelsea defender, Thiago Silva, deliberately knocked the ball out of Palace’s Jordan Ayew’s path, with his hand.

The Crystal Palace manager, Patrick Viera, felt that he should have been sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity.

The referee however, whilst giving a direct free kick to Palace, only supplemented this with a yellow card.

There are two situations here.

Firstly, a deliberate handball does not in itself mean a red or yellow card.

The penalty for a handball offence is a direct free kick, or a penalty if in the offenders own penalty area.

There are only three occasions when a yellow card should be added and only one when it should be a red card.

The yellow cards come under the heading of Unsporting Behaviour.

These are if a player handles the ball to score a goal (whether successful or not), or if the player makes an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal.

The third one is if a player handles the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack.

A red card would be given if the handball denies a goal or obvious goal scoring opportunity.

So after deciding the handball was deliberate, how does the referee judge whether it broke down a promising attack or denied a goal scoring opportunity.

The Law says for denying a goal scoring opportunity the player is sent off wherever the offence takes place, but it goes on to say, the referee must consider the distance between the offence and the goal and then the general direction of play’.

This usually means going forward but not necessarily.

Consideration must also be given to ‘the likelihood of the attacker keeping or gaining control of the ball’.

If the ball has run too far in front of the attacker for instance, it might mean he is unlikely to score.

Finally the referee must take into account’ the location and number of defenders’.

In other words are there any on-field defenders who could tackle the attacker before he gets into what is obviously a goal scoring position.

Taking this all into consideration, in the Crystal Palace v Chelsea game, the referee obviously felt that Silva’s handball interfered with a promising attack, rather than denied a goal scoring opportunity.

How they rated

JACQUELINE BURNS

Made some useful saves in the first-half, but made an error which effectively ended Reading’s chance of a comeback when she was sent off.

EMMA MUKANDI

Struggled to deal with the threat of Rachel Daly, as did the whole of the Reading defence, as she worked towards her hat-trick.

GEMMA EVANS

Defended strongly and showcased some excellent work when she stopped Alisha Lehmann getting through on goal.

DIANNE CALDWELL

Guilty as the rest of the back line who failed to pick up Daly on a few occasions from corners and the Lionesses star punished them.

JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET

Wasn’t able to stamp her usual authority in midfield as Villa controlled most of the play after the initial good spell from Reading.

LILY WOODHAM

Delivered some nice crosses from set pieces but her teammates were unable to take advantage.

AMALIE EIKELAND

Provided plenty of industry up top, worked hard for her side when they needed her defensively. Had a couple of sights at goal.

TIA PRIMMER

A decent showing in the firsthalf but had to be sacrificed in the second-half after Burns was sent off.

LAUREN WADE

Scored her first goal for the Royals when she was quickest to react to Dowie’s kick, and smashed a volley past the keeper.

RACHEL ROWE

Showed excellent footwork on several occasions. Created a few opportunities for her side but was nullified towards the end.

NATASHA DOWIE

Showed her aerial threat to flick the ball on to set up Wade’s opener. Unlucky to see the ball deflect off her as Daly put Villa in front.

Deanna Cooper 5, Grace Moloney 5, Faye Bryson 6

ROYALS DEFEATED AFTER DALY HITS HAT-TRICK FOR VICTORIOUS VILLA

ASTON VILLA 3

READING 1

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC women’s unbeaten run against Aston Villa in the Women’s Super League came to an end after a hat-trick from Lionesses star Rachel Daly.

The Royals took the lead for the first time this campaign when Lauren Wade found her first goal for the club.

Villa turned the game around with two goals before the break through Daly who then sealed her treble in the second-half after Reading had been reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Jackie Burns was sent off.

Following their defeat at home to Manchester City prior to the international break, Kelly Chambers made three changes to her team to try and ignite them to find more attacking threat.

Natsha Dowie, Tia Primmer and Lauren Wade came into the team as the Royals looked to find their second Women’s Super League win of the campaign.

Villa created the first big opening of the match with two minutes on the clock when Rachel Daly pulled the ball back for Kenza Dali who’s strike at goal whistled just wide of the post.

Playing at Villa Park in front of a bumper crowd, Reading stunned the hosts when they struck early.

With just seven minutes gone,

Lauren Wade was quickest to react from Natasha Dowie’s knock down after Rachel Rowe’s free-kick delivery and she smashed the ball past Anna Leat on the volley from close range.

Villa looked to respond when Alisha Lehmann showed her pace to race onto a long ball, but Royals defender Gemma Evansstyed focused to track her run, block her shot before Daly smacked a shot wide on the follow up.

Reading were defending resolutely to maintain their lead and goalkeeper Jackie Burns twice came out confidently to punch away the danger after two dangerous free-kicks.

Having begun to apply pressure in the final 20 minutes of the half, the home team were rewarded for their efforts with an equaliser in the 37th minute.

After knocking a cross to the back post, Daly was able to guide the ball into the far corner to continue her excellent scoring form since arriving at Villa in the summer.

Reading had a couple of half chances to try and restore their lead when Dowie and Wade both tried their luck from distance, but both shots were comfortably caught by Leat.

On the brink of half-time, the Villains edged themselves in front. Meeting Rachel Corsie’s corner at the front post, Daly flicked the ball goalwards and the ball found the net via a deflection off Dowie.

Reading came out with intent at the start of the second-half and

won a corner 30 seconds after the restart. Lily Woodham put in an inviting delivery but Villa stayed organised to clear.

Villa responded quickly with a corner of their own after Lehmann was played into the right channel and saw her cross put behind by Diane Caldwell.

Daly, looking to complete a hattrick of headers, was first to get to the ball but headed wide of the target this time

Villa missed a golden chance to make it 3-1 in the 52nd minute when Sarah Mayling dug out a cross into the six yard area to find Kirstyn Hanson who nodded over the top of Burns’ goal.

Chambers made her first two changes of the game just after the

Match stats

hour mark when Faye Bryson and Deanna Cooper replaced Wade and Caldwell.

Reading’s task was made significantly harder when they were reduced to 10 players after goalkeeper Burns was given her marching orders.

After Hanson raced through on goal and put the ball past the keeper, Burns raced out of her box and brought the Villa player down, leaving the referee no choice but to send her off after denying a goal scoring opportunity.

The dismissal forced Chambers into another change as substitute goalkeeper Grace Moloney came on to replace Tia Primmer.

Despite being a player down, Reading still pushed on to try and find a way back into the match. A storming run into the box from Lily Woodham was put to a stop by Danielle Turner’s expertly timed tackle

But the game was put beyond doubt when Villa were awarded a penalty kick after Evans fouled Daly in the box.

Daly stepped up to the spot and sent Moloney the wrong way to stroke the ball calmly into the bottom corner to notch her third goal of the afternoon and her eighth of the WSL season.

The defeat leaves Reading just one place above the bottom of the table in 11th with three points from their opening seven matches.

They are back in action on Thursday evening when they host Liverpool at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Amalie Eikeland moves forward for the Royals Reading FC Women slipped to their sixth defeat in seven league games Stock Pictures: Steve Smyth

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

ASTON VILLA: Leat, Mayling, Patten, Turner, Pacheco, Corsie (c), Dali, Blindkilde, Lehmann, Daly, Hanson SUBS: Hampton, Gielnik, McLoughlin, Gregory, Gregory, Goodwin, Mullett

READING: Burns, Mukandi (c), Evans, Caldwell, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Primmer, Wade, Eikeland, Wade, Dowie

SONNING LADIES STRIKE TO SINK SOUTHAMPTON

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Women’s Premier Division 1

SONNING 1s picked up three points after they scored the only goal of the game against Southampton.

The win puts Sonning six points clear of the two teams below them in the table and they have six points from seven matches.

They are now also just one point behind their opponents Southampton who are one place above them.

South Central Men’s Premier 1

READING 2s took a point on the road after their eight goal game ended level at Slough 1s.

The 4-4 draw means that Reading remain in 11th place but move a point ahead of bottom of the table Basingstoke.

Women’s National Premier

READING were on the end of a home loss against Hampstead and Westminster.

The 3-0 defeat leaves Reading in 10th with seven points from their opening nine league matches after suffering their sixth defeat.

Women’s National Conference West

READING 2s lost out at home to Team Bath Buccaneers.

Reading are in seventh place with eight points from eight after losing 3-1 to the league leaders.

South Central Men’s North Division 1

SONNING 1s made it a successful trip to Marlow 2s by hitting four goals without reply.

Sonning are top of the table and stay unbeaten after collecting five wins and two draws.

South Central Men’s North Division 2

SONNING 2s were left with defeat after losing out to Amersham & Chalfont 2s at home. Sonning are on eight points from seven games in seventh position in the table.

South Central Women’s North Division 2

SONNING 2s were dealt their fifth league defeat of the season at Marlow 3s.

The 2-0 loss means Sonning are in 10th on six points from seven games.

ROYALS RETURN HOME TO HOST REDS

READING FC WOMEN are back on home turf when they take on Liverpool on Thursday.

The Royals are currently in 11th place in the Women’s Super League after suffering six defeats from seven games.

The Royals were scheduled to host Liverpool in the opening weekend of the new season, but the fixture was postponed after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, as was the rest of the football calendar.

Liverpool are currently one place and one point above Reading in the table.

The Reds won promotion back to the WSL after topping the Championship last season after winning 16 of their 22 matches to take the title by 11 points.

Matt Beard’s team took a point at the weekend after they snatched

a stoppage time equaliser away at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Liverpool found themselves 3-1 down with just 15 minutes left to play but they managed to claw back two goals to take a point from an unlikely position.

Shanice Van de Sanden got them back into the game in the 76th minute before former Reading player Rachel Furness netted a 92nd minute leveller to make it 3-3.

Liverpool made a spectacular return in their first game back in the top flight after they got the better of defending WSL champions Chelsea.

Having gone goal down after former Royal Fran Kirby scored from the penalty spot, in a game of three spot kicks, it was Liverpool who shocked the odds to win the match after a double from Katie Stengel.

After making a superb start to the season, Liverpool endured a poor run of form that saw them lose five consecutive league matches.

They were beaten at home in the Merseyside derby by Everton before defeats to Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa.

However, they ended their losing run at Brighton and are now one point above the Royals as a result.

Reading currently have an unbeaten record against Liverpool.

In their five meetings, Reading have won four and drawn one.

The teams last met in the WSL in 2019 which saw Reading take three points away from home after Fara Williams scored the only goal of the game.

On their last trip to face Reading

away from home, Liverpool went home with a point after a 2-2 draw in December 2018.

Courtney Sweetman-Kirk put the Reds ahead after 10 minutes before Williams levelled the match.

Another strike from Sweetman-Kirk restored Liverpool’s lead, but again Reading found an equaliser through Williams with six minutes to go to take a point.

Faye Bryson in action for the Royals Stock Pictures: Steve Smyth

The teams locked in a midfield battle

Rachel Rowe (pictured) is Reading’s top scorer this season

Sonning(blue) look to hold strong in defence

Sonning fight to win the ball

Sonning Ladies v Southampton Ladies

Sonning Ladies collected three points in their home fixture

Pictures: Steve Smyth

BODY BUILDERS ENJOY SUCCESS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Having spent the last 12 weeks preparing for the competition which took place on Saturday, November 5 and Saturday, November 13, both women

great success.

Jacquie said: “We have spent the last 12 weeks preparing for the competition which involves a strict nutrition and training regime and are proud of what we have achieved.

“It has been great to prep together and keep each motivated. It goes to show what cna be achieved if you put your mind to it.

“This was a huge line up of experienced athletes and we both feel we brought our best physiques to date.”

Having both won pro cards in last year’s Pure Elite competition at High Wycombe, Jacquie and Denis were able to compete at the Pro Level.

Both women entered multiple categories and placed top three in all of them.

Jacquie finished in second place in Fitness Over 35, while Denise collected third place in the Over 45s.

Jacquie continued: “We have both progressed over the last 12 weeks and this prep has been tough, mainly due to a torn hamstring I have been rehabbing alongside this training.

“I have had to adapt a lot of exercises with my coach and physio to prevent further injury.

“But we made it work and I’m pleased with the look I brought to the stage.”

TABLE TENNIS FOOTBALL

KINGFISHER A EXTEND LEAD

By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today

IN DIVISION 1 clear favourites

KINGFISHER A further increased their lead with a 10-0 win over OUR LADY OF PEACE A Justin Mead, Steve Murgatroyd and Mo Cook having no answer to the Kingfisher trio of Darren Jones, Hari Gehlot and Martin Adams, although Mo and Steve managed to win one game against Hari.

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A climb into second place after the same 10-0 winning score line against their B team, Gary Morgan, Jamie Barlow and Neil Hurford all getting maximums.

The other two matches were much closer affairs. Julian Telford was awarded player of the match as KINGFISHER D also maintained their challenge for runners up with a 6-4 victory but were made to work hard against two-player KINGFISHER C team.

The points were shared when TIDMARSH A met

KINGFISHER B, with all players contributing either one (Lee Calcutt, Martin Pugh and Alan Cummings) or two (Anthony Baker, Simon Barter and Phil Mead) to the 5-5 score line.

The tightness of the match was exemplified when Anthony narrowly lost out on his maximum after being edged out by Martin Pugh 10-12 11-6 10-12 11-9 13-15.

match that was closer than the final score suggests.

TILEHURST METHODISTS A got a good 5-5 draw against TIDMARSH B despite having to play a reserve. Eric Van Looy got another maximum for Tilehurst but was pushed all the way by Barry Carter before winning 11-9 in the fifth.

MOORE DEPARTS

Moore has helped Binfield achieve great success during his time with the club.

RESULTS

Saturday, November 19

FOOTBALL

Isthmian South Central Southall 2-1 Binfield

FA Trophy second round Tonbridge 2-4 Bracknell Town

Combined Counties Premier North Reading City 6-2 Sumas Virginia Water 1-2 Ascot United

Combined Counties Division One

Berks County 0-1 Rising Ballers British Airways 2-0 Woodley United Molesey 0-2 Eversley & California

Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield 3-0 Slough Heating Laurencians Finchampstead 1-0 Reading City U23’s Yateley United 4-3 Wargrave

HOCKEY Women’s National Premier Division Reading v Hampstead and Westminster

South Central Men’s Division 1 Marlow 2s v Sonning

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning 1-0 Southampton

Sunday, November 20

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Aston Villa 3-1 Reading

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Ascot United 2-1 Eastleigh

Southern Region Women’s Division North Caversham United 1-6 Long Crendon Woodley United 2-0 Eversley & California

FIXTURES

Saturday, November 26

Southern League Premier Hendon v Bracknell Town

Isthmian South Central Binfield v Leatherhead

Combined Counties Premier North Ascot United v London Lions Flackwell Heath v Reading City Sumas v Holyport

Combined Counties Division One

Eversley & California v London Samurai Rovers Rayners Lane v Berks County Woodley United v Hillingdon Borough Sandhurst Town v CB Hounslow United

RUGBY UNION National League One Taunton Titans v Rams

Regional 1 South Central Havant v Bracknell

Regional 2 South Central Witney v Reading

HOCKEY Women’s National Premier Division Buckingham v Reading

South Central Men’s Division 1 Sonning v Newbury & Thatcham

South Central Women’s Premier Division Oxford v Sonning

Thursday, November 24

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading v Liverpool Sunday, November 27

HOCKEY Men’s National Premier Division Reading v Exeter University

FOOTBALL

FA WSL Cup Southampton v Reading

Table toppers

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D had a hard fought 5-5 draw against OUR LADY OF PEACE B with Danny Dockree getting yet another maximum for SC&P.

OLOP’s Dave Godfrey had a long night with all of his sets closely fought and going to five including just coming up short against Danny Dockree and Mark Jones.

In another long match second placed SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C had a very late finish against KINGFISHER G in a match they edged 6-4 with Malcolm Gregory getting a good maximum.

TILEHURST RBL B had a 8-2 win over KINGFISHER F in a

In division 3, TIDMARSH C beat TIDMARSH D 6-4 in their inter club derby. Ian Wu was the player of the match with three wins on the night.

OUR LADY OF PEACE F hosted KINGFISHER H and it was Kingfisher H who won 9-1 in a long game. Eyup Odemis claimed a well-deserved player of the match title with his first three wins in the season.

PANGBOURNE WMC saw off SONNING SPORTS B 9-1.

In division 4 SONNING COMMON & PEPPPARD E beat SONNING SPORTS C 8-2. Club mates SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD F also won 8-2 against OUR LADY OF PEACE G

Despite a very good maximum from Mick Mitcham KINGFISHER I lost 6-4 at SPRINGFIELD C

Moore led the side out at Wembley Stadium in the biggest day in the club’s history after they enjoyed a remarkable cup journey to make it all the way to the FA Vase final in 2021.

Led by managers Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg, the Moles fell just short in the final and were beaten in a thrilling 3-2 contest by Warrington Rylands.

He also helped the team to achieve promotion from the Hellenic League Premier Division to move up to Step 4.

Moore had netted seven goals in appearances for Binfield this season and will now play for Hanwell in the Southern Premier League in Step 3.

A statement released by the club reads: “Club captain and striker Sean Moore has informed the club that he will be accepting an offer from Southern Premier League side Hanwell Town.

“Binfield would like to thank Sean for all of his hard work and effort throughout his time with the moles, and wish him well for the rest of the season and beyond.”

Thames Valley Women’s Division One Ascot United Reserves 6-1 Harwell and Hendred

Berks & Bucks Women’s Trophy Milton Keynes City 4-6 Tilehurst Panthers Wargrave L-L Burghfield

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two Oxford City U23’s 1-3 S4K Berks County

Tuesday, November 22

Isthmian South Central Binfield v Tooting & Mitcham

Cherry Red Premier Challenge Cup Reading City v Flackwell Heath

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Eversley & California v Kidlington Youth Woodley United v Penn & Tylers Green Caversham United v Milton United

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

Tilehurst Panthers v Ascot United Reserves Wargrave v Slough Town

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K Berks County v Wycombe Wanderers Reserves

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Burghfield v Caversham AFC Shinfield Rangers v Wargrave Development

BINFIELD FC club captain Sean Moore has departed the club to join Hanwell Town.

WOKINGHAM based personal trainers Jacquie Gee and Denise Read collected seven trophies in the over 40 category in the Pure Elite Bikini Body Building contest.

achieved

Jacquie Gee

Denise Read