Reading Today, October 12, 2022

of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

MPs consider options for RBH

BERKSHIRE’S MPs have visited the Royal Berkshire Hospital to consider its long-term future

The special briefing, hosted by The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, discussed the three options for redevelopment of the hospital.

The MPs were Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East, and Conservative’s Theresa May, MP for Maidenhead, James Sunderland, MP for Bracknell and Laura Farris, MP for Newbury.

Alok Sharma, Reading West MP, Sir John Redwood, MP for Wokingham and a representative for John Howell, MP for Henley, attended remotely.

The three options being considered for its future are; a full rebuild on its current site; a partial rebuild with new facilities for vital services; and an entirely new hospital built on a separate location, either in South Reading or Shinfield.

MPs could visit some of the clinical areas, meeting staff to hear first-hand the issues and challenges in delivering

modern health care in an ageing facility.

Steve McManus, chief executive of the Trust, said: “A new hospital is vital for the health and care needs of the local population but these needs can’t be met without significant investment.

“We are delighted that our MPs are so positive about their visit and supportive of our ambition to modernise our hospital and services.”

Mr Rodda is calling for more investment in the NHS and believes improving the hospital facilities is an important part of this.

He said: “There is a strong case for rebuilding the hospital, either on the existing site or in a new one and I am working with other local MPs to urge

the Department of Health to increase spending on the RBH.

“I also believe residents, patients and NHS staff should be involved in discussing the hospital’s future and that services should be accessible.”

Mr Rodda also expressed his desire for the hospital to remain in Reading and, if on the same site, the facade kept.

He added: “There would need to be a full consultation, and transport links and accessibility would need to be considered carefully.”

A preferred option for the redevelopment, officially named Building Berkshire Together, has not yet been decided.

A consultation is taking place, where comments can be submitted on the Building Berkshire Together website.

The Trust has moved to the next stage of planning which involves submitting an Outline Business Case to the government, due in the coming months.

n For more information, visit: buildingberkshiretogether.co.uk

Taxi fares will increase by £1 after cllr vote

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

READING’S taxi fares will increase by £1 following a vote by councillors at a meeting last week.

It means the starting charge will be £3.60 during the day (6am to 10pm) and £4.60 at night (10pm to 6am).

It was also agreed to add wording to the cab drivers fare chart warning passengers that go outside the borough that they will likely have to pay for drivers’ feees, such as the congestion charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone in London, and drop off fees for airports.

The ‘soiling charge’ for vomiting or making a mess was increased to £70 inside and £25 outside a cab.

The meeting considered an alternative proposal from drivers. One, Imran Ali, said the the Reading Taxi Association (RTA) fare increase was “unfair and disproportionate”.

Instead, they wanted to start fees at £3 during the day and £4 at night, while increasing fees on the road.

Currently, customers are charged 20p for every 133 yards. The drivers wanted to change that to 121 yards in the day and 139-121 yards at night.

Some of the drivers who supported the alternative fare increase are also members of the RTA, but disagreed with its proposal.

The alternative was considered at a Reading Borough Council licensing applications committee meeting on Tuesday, October 4.

Cllr Paul Woodward (Labour, Church), chairman of the committee, said negotiating fare increases should be undertaken through a trade union like the RTA, rather than through individuals.

“It’s not the responsibility of this committee to tell you how to organise. You just have more heft and weight as an organisation,” he said.

Fellow Labour members agreed with Cllr Woodward.

Tony Page (Labour, Abbey), lead councillor for transport, said: “If other organisations come forward, they will be consulted. I’ve found the RTA a

responsible organisation that does consult.

“We don’t always agree, we’re not always able to deliver, but the benefit of working with an organisation is that they provide a valuable source of information on the trade.”

Cllr John Ennis (Labour, Southcote) said the alternative proposals should ideally have been proposed at an RTA meeting. The committee approved the proposal, with the option of a review in six months.

Cllrs Doug Creswell and Louise Keane, both Green members for Katesgrove, voted against.

The committee agreed a criteria for obtaining a Hackney Carriage Vehicle licence.

Although there are many drivers with a Reading Borough Council Hackney Carriage Drivers licence, which allows a holder to drive a cab, there are only a certain amount of drivers who possess a vehicle licence.

These licence holders can hire out their cabs to those with cab driving licences.

Teenager sexually assaulted

A TEENAGER walking along a Reading road has been a victim of sexual assault and police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened around 1am on Saturday, October 8.

The victim, a woman in her late teens, was on London Road, when she was grabbed from behind. The attacker touched her chest over her clothing.

The victim’s shouts for help were heard by members of the public nearby.

Thames Valley Police said the offender is a mixed race man, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build.

He is thought to be in his thirties to early forties, with light brown eyes, black curly hair and a short, dark beard that was pointed at the bottom.

He was wearing dark clothing including a slim puffastyle jacket.

Investigating officer

Detective Constable Rachel Belsher, based at Reading police station, said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident to please come forward.

“Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference 43220451662.

“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.”

Tea and coffee at women’s group

A COMMUNITY GROUP is holding a weekly warm drink social.

Utulivu Women’s Group meet every Tuesday for fun activities over tea or coffee. Visitors can access the organisation’s Community Wellbeing Hub, RG30 1AF, via the number 15, 15a, 16 or 17 buses.

The get-togethers take place from 11.30am-1pm and are supported by Mojato Media and Acre-Reading.

n Contact: admin@utulivu.co.uk

Your wording

BookFace hits the Rising Sun Arts Centre for Chapter 13

Fears homes at Central Pool would block light

PLANS to replace a Reading town centre swimming pool with flats has prompted concern from one neighbour who fears she could completely lose daylight into her living room if the build goes ahead.

Reading Borough Council held an informal consultation in the spring on its plan to build new affordable homes, sheltered living for retirees and an elderly day care centre where the Central Pool once stood.

Dr Marie Arndt, who lives in neighbouring Allison Court, is worried that one of the new buildings would leave her without daylight.

“I have a lot of reservations about how the matter has been handled,” she said.

“I went to a consultation meeting in May, which I only knew about because somebody I know told me about it.

“At the meeting I was informed by a man from the planning department that if the existing plan went ahead one of my living room windows would be completely blocked from natural daylight.”

Although she raised the issue with councillors Tony Page, Muhammed Ayub and Karen Rowland, all Labour representatives for the Abbey ward Dr Arndt lives in, she claimed that she hasn’t received a response.

The council has revealed that an application and consultation on the plan is imminent.

The project would involve building affordable housing and flats, supported living apartments, sheltered housing for over 55s and an elderly day centre on the pool site, which was demolished in 2018.

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

Neile Wright, organiser of the event and volunteer at the Rising Sun, said: “BookFace is an event that I started about 14 years ago and have been organising ever since.

“I broke my wrist, so it almost didn’t happen, so this year it was a one-day event, and it went really really well.

“All the stall holders and creators were really happy, with a few new people we have this year, as well as some regulars.”

BookFace sees amateur publicists create zines and printed media on a small scale available for sale from a wide range of creators, on a wide range of themes and topics.

“It’s such a different sort of diverse range of things that people have made, from one off handmade books to zines, to micro books that we had for the first time.

“And then we had Dennis and Jack showing their sketchbooks and had their work – they were doing a demo too, and they’ve got quite different styles.

“I think Larry Watson sold out of his comics and had to reprint, they were so popular!”

The event also saw publications from LisaMarie Gibbs, including her ongoing series of drawings created at bus stops around Reading.

“Her new book, Sad Girls at Bus Stops, is really good, so I bought a copy of that.

“In fact, I bought something from most of the stores, but as an organiser you can’t see as much as you’d like to.”

On its thirteenth “chapter,” Neile said that BookFace is always looking for new contributors.

“If there’s any artists or makers that hadn’t taken part before, I’d be interested to hear from them.

“We’re on Instagram, so get in touch, because it’s always good to find new people who want to get involved.”

n BookFace can be found on Instagram at BookFaceArts.

A Reading Borough Council spokesperson said: “An initial period of consultation took place in May, and the council has used comments to develop its proposals.

“In terms of concerns on loss of sunlight and daylight, the design team has developed the proposals to minimise any impact on the surrounding properties and take into account issues raised during the consultation period.

“The council will be writing to adjoining residents shortly with an update on the proposals and will be feeding back on concerns raised.”

They added: “A further consultation event will take place where residents will have an opportunity to see the revised plans and provide feedback..”

THE RISING Sun Arts Centre once again welcome creators, poets, and amateur publishers for its annual BookFace Chapter.

Richard Conway Jones showcases some of his work at The Rising Sun’s BookFest Pictures: Dijana Capan

Reading-based Ollie also performs as drag act Sheer Obsession, performing regularly at The Rising Sun Arts Centre

Lisa-Marie Gibbs spent the last three years drawing sad girls at Reading bus stops in Reading for her series, Sad Girls at Bus Stop

Anne Nolan with On the Ground and in the Gutter

Items from the Riley Museum; Mary Riley passed away in 2021, but her work is still available and shown by friends; Mary would always attend Book Face and give it her support

Lil Meeps creates visual art focused on mental health and wellbeing Philip and Timothy from ZAP Publishing

JMA to hold football trials

TALENTED FOOTBALLERS will have the chance to try out for one of Reading’s most prestigious sports programmes.

John Madejski Academy, Whitley, is holding football trials for Year 11, with a view of joining in September 2023.

Successful candidates will enrol in the school’s Under 19 football performance programme, which supports students in both football and academic studies.

The trials take place from 10am-noon on Wednesday, October 26 at 125 Hartland Road, RG2 8AF.

n For more information or to apply, contact: mbutcher@ johnmadejskiacademy.co.uk

Nearly new sale

A SCHOOL is hosting a sale in aid of a charity for young parents.

Crosfields School, Shinfield Road, will be holding a nearly new sale, raising funds for NCT.

There will be bargains on offer for pre-loved, nearly new maternity, baby, toddler and young children’s clothes, toys, books and equipment.

The charity runs these sales to support local NCT community groups as well as national projects.

The sale takes place from 11.15am-12.30pm on Sunday.

n For more information, visit: www.nct.org.uk

Council FOI request compliance remains ‘stubbornly low’

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg,today

READING Borough Council is struggling with compliance of Freedom of Information requests as it continues to tackle under-performance, according to a complaint.

A recent Audit and Governance meeting saw the council’s performance on the requests described as “dissapointing.”

A complaint was upheld against the council in 2019, when an internal audit maintained that the council had not met the necessary level of timely responses.

The Information Commission Office sets a target of 95% of requests to be responded to within 20 working days, though it is a legal obligation that all should receive such a response.

Michael Graham, assistant director of legal and democratic services at the council, said the figures for first quarter of 2022 are “disappointingly and stubbornly low.”

He also said that while reported figures of 58% overall compliance were found to be inaccurate, the actual figure of

63% was “still rubbish.”

He explained that colleagues in charge of auditing the council’s FOI performance recommended an action plan.

This has been signed off by the council’s management team, and is “already underway.”

Mr Graham said: “We are communicating with all services across all parts of the council directly, and colleagues are picking up any issues and concerns about how the [Freedom of Information] policy is operated.”

“They are bringing with them the new, improved policy and procedure.”

“We also have a comms plan in place, which is about publishing and keeping FOI compliance high up on the agenda for staff internally.”

Mr Graham explained that the council also had a new reporting mechanism which would keep assistant directors at the council informed of under-performance in given areas of service.

He said that this would help with targets, which includes aims to reach acceptable levels of compliance, as would their annual governance statements.

“We propose to be coming back to January’s committee to give an update.”

Cllr Clarence Mitchell said that while he “appreciates the difficulty in getting on top of this,” there was a particular shortfall with regards to requests to children’s services.

“For Brighter Futures for Children particularly, they’ve only had 32 requests so far, compared to 38 last year and yet the backlog has nearly doubled,” Cllr Mitchell said. “I’d like to hear some reassurance that that is going to be focused on as a priority.”

Mr Graham said that the request cases presented to BFfC were “probably the most difficult,” due to their sensitive and often historical nature.

New machine learning systems would be among the methods used to make the process cheaper and faster.

“We’re very hopeful that we will be able to make some serious inroads as soon as we can get that software implemented.”

The meeting’s chair, Cllr Josh Williams, said that updates were expected to be seen in the next meeting, in January.

Rotary helps ReadiFood get food parcels ready

PANGBOURNE Rotary Club undertook their annual visit to the Readifood Food Bank earlier this month to help with its operations.

Run by Faith Christian Group, the foodbank in Boulton Road arranges for emergency food parcels to go out those who need them.

Around 20 members of the club helped staff unload and sort food donations into their relevant hoppers, ready to be placed into food parcels the next day.

This tradition has been going on for five years and is really enjoyed by the Rotary members who take part, as well as being

Phone firm appeals mast

ONE of the biggest mobile networks in the UK has appealed against a refusal for a 5G mast it wanted to install near a playing field.

Earlier this year, Hutchison, the owner of the Three mobile network, submitted a plan to build a 15m mast with 5G capabilities in front of Emmer Green Playing Fields, at the junction of Grove Road and Kidmore End Road.

But Reading Borough Council’s planning department refused, saying it would detract from the visual amenity and appearance of the surrounding area. They added that Hutchison had failed to provide evidence whether the mast could be placed anywhere else.

The firm has appealed

New bid to add extra apartments

THE owner of the former Three mobile offices in Reading has applied to add 72 apartments to the building.

The application relates to Great Brighams Mead in Vastern Road and a similar plan was rejected by the council’s planning department.

The building’s owners Kings Oak Miami has submitted a new plan that would add storeys to the building. Of the new apartments, 36 would be

the decision, which will be considered by the Government’s planning inspectorate.

A Three spokesperson said: “5G rollout is vital for residents and business of Emmer Green.

“We want to offer the local area a great network experience and our planners determined that a new site was required to deliver it.

“An appeal to the Planning Inspectorate is part of the planning process.

“The Inspectorate will reach its independent view.”

Last week, residents campaigning against the mast met at The Black Horse pub immediately opposite the planned site to discuss their plans.

one-bedroom and 36 would be two-bedroom.

In June 2021, permission was granted to convert Great Brighams Mead from offices into 110 apartments. If this plan is approved, the building could host 182 apartments.

Architects have drawn up plans which allow for the retention or the removal of the building’s clocktower.

The refused plan would have removed the clocktower.

The application can be seen at Reading Borough Council’s planning portal, searching for application 221479.

appreciated by the Food Bank.

A club member said: “It’s really satisfying to be able to roll our sleeves up and directly help the charity instead of simply raising funds.”

More information on Readifood and ways to donate is available at: https://readifood. org.uk.

n If you are interested in doing good and having fun and finding more about Rotary please contact membership@pangbournerotary. org.uk

Brian Davies, The Rotary Club of Pangbourne

Tea and a song

A BERKSHIRE organisation that specialises in musical education, is opening Singing Cafes.

The community events offer sessions at different locations around the borough.

All the events include singing followed by tea, coffee and biscuits.

There are different cafes tailored to older people, those with dementia, or those with Parkinsons.

Community Singing Cafe For Older People meets at Berkshire Maestros Reading Music Centre RG30 4EZ.

It opens weekly on Thursdays from 10.15am until 11am.

Parkinson’s Singing Cafes open at Our Lady Of The Peace, Earley RG6 7DA, and at The Open Learning Centre, Bracknell RG12 7GR.

Sessions at both places take place fortnightly on Fridays in Earley at 1.30pm to 2.30pm, and at Bracknell from 11am to noon.

Dementia Memory Lane Singing Cafes take place at Berkshire Maestros Reading Music Centre, and also at The Cornerstone, Wokingham.

Monthly sessions at both locations are on Fridays from 10.30am until noon.

n People should pre-book places at: Victoria.Rowland@ AgeUKBerkshire.org.uk

n For more information contact: hello@berkshiremaestros.org.uk

HELPERS: Members of the Rotary Club of Pangbourne helping at ReadiFood

The big fair-well: Carters returns to Prospect Park for the final time EXCLUSIVE

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg,today

CARTERS Steam Fair, a touring collection of vintage attractions, is saying farewell with its final hurrah in Reading from this weekend.

After 45 years of touring its collection of authentic steam rides and side stalls, Carters is concluding its last tour with a visit to Prospect Park.

Joby Carter has maintained and toured the collection after taking over from his parents, John and Anna Carter, who began it when they bought the Jubilee Steam Gallopers.

Mr Carter said: “It’s all I’ve ever known.

“We started when I was born, right when I was a year old –every summer we went all in working at the Fair, and then it got bigger and bigger and bigger.

“So I’d always lived in wagon, though I live in a house now, as well as the wagon.”

Mr Carter says that his experiences were “extremely unusual, as life experience goes – we’re showmen”.

He continued: “There were families who’d been doing it for generations as we came into it.

“And it was a time when people weren’t really coming

into it – I’m second-generation when most are fifth, sixth, or seventh generation from families which started in Victorian times.”

Carters has a unique collection of faithfully restored rides, some well over a century old.

Mr Carter says that there’s a reason their Fair keeps to itself.

“If you take our dainty vintage equipment, and stick it next to a modern ride, it can’t compete – it’s a bit like taking a beautiful 1930s Formula One car to a race.

FINAL WHIRL: Carters Steam Fair will return to Reading’s Prospect Park for its big finale, which runs until October 30. The fair is led by Joby Carter Picture: Dijana Capan/ Dvision Imahes

it was his online teaching which helped him through the pandemic while the Fair wasn’t travelling.

Since the lockdowns, Mr Carter said that it’s been an incredible year for the Fair.

“We’ve had people from the continent, people visit especially from Australia, and people really make the effort to visit us.

“We knew people would be sad that we were stopping, but we didn’t know that they’d be this upset. Maybe they assumed we’d go on forever.”

More than 100,000 people visited in six months of its return tour in 2021, and he said that some even “lined the streets” during its farewell tour this year.

“I’d really want a trust or a private individual to recognise that it’s of national importance, if they can actually give it a better home than me.”

Mr Carter said that waving goodbye to the collection will be tough: “We were touring and did a road run up to Maidenhead, and the streets were lined like we’ve never seen them lined before.

“There was a kid who made this banner that said ‘thank you for the memories’ and I was really moved by it.

“We were welling up.”

Due to the collection’s age, as well as meticulous upkeep, maintenance, and preservation, he said that we “may never see the likes of it again in a green field.”

Support for gender violence

A COMMUNITY GROUP is inviting women to attend an upcoming information session.

Utulivu Women’s Group will hold a remote gender-based violence awareness event on Friday, October 14.

The community ambassador awareness training will help those who attend share the information they pick up on the day with others.

The group is supported by Reading Borough Council, ROSA and the National Lottery Fund.

All are welcome to attend the free event, with the Zoom link emailed to visitors.

The session takes place from 10am-1pm.

n To register, contact: admin@utulivu.co.uk

Laptop theft

“To look at it, you’d die it was so beautiful, but it couldn’t actually go as fast as today’s Formula 1 cars. But it’s authentic; there’s no strip lights or plastic cap lights, it’s so beautiful, and basically looks like a film set, which is why we’ve been in so many films.

“It’s a beautiful place to be.”

Part of the beauty of the collection is the authentic, manual paintwork on the attractions, which Mr Carter himself specialises in.

He’s taught the art of sign writing for 15 years and said

Now that he’s taking some more time with his family and his art ventures, Mr Carter says he has no intention of splitting the collection up.

“I have been inundated with people that want to buy things individually – attractions, side stalls, even the wagons.

“There’s stuff around the periphery that I would have sold off anyway, but the collection comes as a package.”

He said he’s looking for somewhere that the collection can be kept safe and hopefully still bring joy to the public too.

For now, he is seeking a new home for the collection, and has high hopes for it once it has moved on.

“We want to make it educational – what kid wouldn’t want to learn about the industrial revolution by riding on a vintage, restored funfair?

“Especially if that might mean it goes on forever.” n Carters Steam Fair is at Prospect Park on Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, and during half-term week from October 22-30. For more details, log on to: carterssteamfair.co.uk

A THIEF broke into a Reading home and stole hi-tech gear.

The incident happened between Monday, October 3, and Wednesday, October 5, at an address in South Street.

Thames Valley Police say the burglar forced the lock on a window to gain access. Once inside they took a television and a laptop.

Anyone with information, dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage is asked to call 101, quoting reference: 43220447314.

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Alehouse rocks

A READING pub held a double celebration on Saturday as it served up its 10,000th different beer.

The Alehouse opened as The Hobgoblin in September 1993 – although readers with long memories may remember it as London Tavern. Since then it has served a wide range of real ales, ciders and perries from breweries near and far.

And last weekend, it was an extra special beer that was on tap.

Carl Mellors, the current landlord, helped Finchamsptead-based Elusive Brewing to create Hi-Score, a 6% IPA.

The beer will be available on special occasions at the Broad Street pub over coming months.

The first was on Saturday night, as the pub celebrated Mr Mellors’ seventh anniversary in charge.

He said: “It was certainly a day to remember.

“Lots of people came in to try and the beer and to celebrate the anniversary, which is always a popular event.”

He was also impressed with his brewing, saying Hi-Score “turned out really nice”.

Now, the pub has started work towards its 20,000th pint.

“Beer 10,001 was New Dawn, which somehow seemed appropriate,” Mr Mellors said. “We’ve started the journey with a new dawn, which is very pleasing.”

Mobile health clinic ready to do the rounds

A MOBILE clinic will bring health services right to people’s doorsteps this autumn.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is launching its Health Bus to reach communities which typically see lower uptakes of healthcare.

It will be staffed by a team who will deliver immunisation services to school-aged children.

Karen Cridland, director of children services, said: “Immunisations are the cornerstone of public health and help to save lives. We know some communities do not access vaccination services in traditional ways.

“The Health Bus will enable us to reach children and families who do not

routinely access mainstream services and provide a high quality service close to home.”

The Health Bus will be a mobile health clinic, providing localised services within these communities and information on immunisations, particularly flu vaccines.

The vehicle itself features state-ofthe-art facilities, adhering to infection control standards and health and safety requirements.

There is also a private curtained area for people wishing to speak to a clinician in confidence, as well as a ramp for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues.

At the rear, a couch, table and chairs are suitable for consulting and

treatment, but can easily convert to a sensory area to enable those experiencing anxiety to access services in a calming space.

Moving forward, the mobile clinic will complement its immunisation provision with promotion on a number of issues such as infant feeding, smoking cessation, healthy lifestyles, dental hygiene, mental health and sexual health education.

Through its service, participating staff will provide education on early identification of symptoms for conditions such as respiratory illness, breast cancer or bowel cancer, as they say early intervention can help reduce long term health costs.

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Police liaison team given award from Reading Pride

EXCLUSIVE

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

THE FAMILY Liaison Team at Thames Valley Police has been honoured by Reading Pride with aLocal Heroes Award.

During Reading Pride, awards are given to individuals and organisations for their work and support of the community.

The Local Heroes Award is awarded in the memory of David Wails, James Furlong, and Joe Richie-Bennett, who were killed in the Forbury Gardens attacks in June 2020.

The liaison team continues its work with the families of David, James, and Joe, who gave their blessing for the award to be given.

It was collected on stage at the event by Iain Spencer and members of his team from around the country, who also work with counterparts in the United States as part of their support.

Superintendent Steve Raffield, Reading Local Area Commander for Thames Valley Police said: “To be told the Family Liaison Team was nominated for a Reading Pride Award.

“And then to unanimously win it, the whole team is honoured and taken aback.

“We worked really closely with all the families whose lives were turned upside down by this tragic incident.

“They are all part of this wider community that were also deeply affected, so it is really so very special for us to be recognised in this way.

“It could be said that the members of the team were just doing their job, but to receive this honour for such important and sensitive work is overwhelming and humbling for us all.”

He concluded: “The people of Reading showed courage, community spirit and resilience in the face of terrorism and we thank you all for your continued support and for this award to recognise the Family Liaison Team.”

Tom Price, chief engagement officer at Reading Pride, said: “Reading Pride were honoured to present this award to the Family liaison team in recognition of everything they have done for the victims and families of those affected by the attacks in Forbury Gardens.

“The team work tirelessly to support those involved, and the award was presented in loving memory of David, James and Joe.”

The award was one of three given at this year’s Reading Pride, with Support U’s Jamie Dewson and Oliwia Budzinska receiving the Alice Driver Award for their contribution to domestic and sexual violence support for LGBTQ+ communities.

Jamie Wake was given the Selwyn Jones Award, named in honour of and dedicated to his late partner, for his work as a trustee at Reading Pride and nearly two decades of supporting the community.

Police appeal for witnessesto fatal traffic collision

THAMES Valley police is appealing for witnesses to a road traffic collision which happened in Tilehurst.

At around 10.50am on Thursday, October 6, a silver Mercedes A170 was involved in a collision with two pedestrians in Park Lane, at the junction of Mayfair.

The two pedestrians, a 94-yearold man and an 84-year-old woman, both died at the scene.

Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

The driver of the Mercedes, a man in his eighties, sustained serious injuries and was taken to

hospital where he remains.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Nigel Doyle, of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “We are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed what happened to please come forward.

“We’d also ask anyone with dash-cams who was in the area around the time of the collision to check any footage in case it may have captured something that could assist with the investigation.

“Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference 43220448543.”

CHEERS: Carl Mellors, landord of The Alehouse in Broad Street, celebrates the 10,000th beer to be served in the popular pub –and his seventh anniversary as landlord. Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision images

latest

Connect Reading teams with whatimpact.com to help groups give back

By Jake Clothier jclothier@rdg.today

A CHARITY which connects public institutions, has teamed up with a tech start-up to help other community groups with all aspects of their work.

The partnership between Connect Reading and WhatImpact.com will provide a model for helping organisations in Reading give back by helping planning, matching, and reporting on community projects.

Government legislation updated in March last year requires commissioners of public services to consider “social value” during operations, with government evaluating community impact when awarding contracts.

It also provides a model for streamlining and standardising procurement, but the new partnership has put forward a new model.

Kate Graefe, former assistant director of procurement & contracts at Reading Borough Council, said: “Public sector services are increasingly keen to ensure the incorporation of social value in contracts, measuring meaningful impact.

“Many local authorities use TOM (themes, outcomes, and measures) as a basis for requesting and measuring social value, but this framework monetises social value based on national figures, rather than measuring local impact.

“Truly delivering value also needs a network of connections, to understand local needs and match with social value attained through contracts.”

She continued: “The combination of whatimpact.com’s matching technology overlaid with local knowledge from a local organisation like Connect Reading is an incredible opportunity to ramp up social value impact for Reading.

“This place based approach to

delivery and measurement of social value impact is a significant step forward in supporting Reading Borough Council’s vision, to help Reading realise its potential and ensure that everyone who lives and works here can share the benefits of its success.

Tiia Sammallahti, CEO and founder of WhatImpact.com, said: “True impact, the actual difference being made, will be reported on using our qualitative social impact reporting tool.

“These activity-based impact reports will give local authority procurement departments a clear view on how companies are investing in social value initiatives and the impact they are having.”

Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of Connect Reading, said: “Our vision at Connect Reading is to build a better Reading

Oracle’s super six to open

THE ORACLE is set to receive six new household brands ahead of Christmas.

Pastry and noodle shops, lifestyle brands, and clothing stores are all about to join the shopping centre’s roster of fashion, food, and entertainment brands.

Artisan bakery Gail’s will be opening its first Reading store, bringing its collection of festive hampers and gift boxes just in time for Christmas.

It will be joined by Marugame Udon, a Japanese noodle and tempura bar which is expanding across the UK. The store will see counter-service brought to the site of the former Pizza Hut, with customisable bowls of noodles and tempura.

Lifestyle brand Oliver Bonas is set to open its largest-ever store with its new 3,600 sq ft branch.

Charles Tyrwhitt will bring tailored suits, shirts, bow ties, and formal wear to the shopping centre in October.

Lingerie and nightwear brand

Boux Avenue will bring is in-house design collections to Reading, as well as its bra fitting experiences and dynamic fitting suites.

Giles Mount, leasing manager at Hammerson, said: “The signing of these new brands demonstrates the ‘flight to quality’ we are embracing across the Hammerson portfolio.

“With household brand names being more targeted in their expansion plans, selecting popular destinations in cities with strong growth.

“The Oracle is the premier destination in Reading, and we’re excited to be the first to bring these brands to the region.”

Andy Brigg, general manager at The Oracle said: “We’re always looking at new ways to drive customer engagement.

“Particularly with new concepts and ‘firsts’, so a mixture of international restaurants, heritage and luxury lifestyle brands will enliven The Oracle and generate fresh excitement as we gear up for a busy Christmas.”

for everyone, impacting our local environment, local community and local economy.

“We see this partnership with whatimpact.com as a significant opportunity to put local, impactful social value front and centre in our town.

“The opportunity for businesses to measure impact on a local level will positively impact staff engagement.

She continued: “It also – most importantly – ensures the benefit of volunteering, support and donations can be felt on the ground where it’s most needed.

“We’re confident that our member organisations, from every sector, will find this localised view engaging, empowering and impactful.” n For more, visit: connectreading.org.uk

Uni launches reading and beats study

THE UNIVERSITY of Reading is inviting primary school students to take part in an educational study.

Children aged between seven and 10 will take part in puzzles, reading games and a verbal synchronisation task.

The university’s School of Psychology and Language Sciences’ Reading and Beats study will explore the link between movement timing ability and children’s reading skills.

Participating children will receive a certificate as well as a £15 Amazon voucher.

The study takes one hour and 45 minutes to complete and can be done in one or two sessions.

Sittings will take place at the Psychology building, Earley Gate, RG6 6AL over the October half-term holidays from Monday, October 24, to Friday, October 28.

Those who are unable to attend between 9.30am-5pm should contact organisers to arrange an alternative time.

n For more information or to register, contact Leah Atkinson at l.a.atkinson@student.reading.ac.uk

TEAM UP: Tiia Sammallahti, CEO and founder of WhatImpact.com, and Lorraine Briffitt, CEO of Connect Reading. Picture: Courtesy of WhatImpact.com

Family’s tribute to Neil Morris

‘It left me scarred, scared, nervous, and not wanting to live’

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

FOLLOWING the sentencing of Hakeem Kigundu in connection with the arson at Rowe Court, one of those injured in the fire, Joel Richards, has spoken out about the incident.

After months of some animosity between Kigundu and other residents in the apartment building, he was due to be evicted after his tenancy had lapsed on Wednesday, December 15.

THAMES VALLEY Police has released a statement from the family of Neil Morris, who was murdered in an arson at Rowe Court.

He was 45.

“Neil was a deeply loved son, brother, uncle and a good and loyal friend to many,” the family said.

“He was a talented, creative, loving man who brought fun and laughter to so many.

“He deserved to live a long life full of happiness. His precious life was taken from him in such a horrific way, an innocent victim of a cowardly act of evil.

“No punishment can ever be enough for taking our dearly loved Neil’s life.

“We, Neil’s family have been given a life sentence, we are overwhelmed with grief, our pain and sorrow unbearable.

“There is no escape, we miss him so much and must carry on

somehow without him. Our lives will never be the same, our family will never be complete again.

“Neil was liked and loved by so many. We are all so much richer for having had him in our lives.

“He will live on in our cherished memories, and we will keep him close, locked away in our broken hearts forever.

“Our thoughts are also with the family of Richard and everyone else whose lives have been traumatised by the fire at Rowe Court.

“We would like to express our gratitude to our two family liaison officers from Thames Valley Police who have been a constant support to us through this traumatic time.

“We would also like to thank the investigating officers for their diligence in bringing this case to conclusion and the prosecution team for their valued support.”

Tribute to Richard Burgess

Mr Richards said that on the night of the incident: “I finished worked about nine o’clock that night – I got in, went straight to bed, nothing different, nothing peculiar.

“When I heard this noise from the window, a guy downstairs shouting, so I looked out and said what’s the matter?

“He said ‘this guy has literally set the fire place on fire.’”

Mr Richards said he was then told to jump from the building but refused, intending to help others to escape.

“I said that there’s lots of people in the building, we need to try and save them, and he said ‘I don’t think you’ve got time, because the whole back’s on fire.’

“But I thought ‘okay, well I’ll try anyway.’”

Mr Richards explained how he could see his kitchen beginning to catch fire, and that the ceiling was “almost like marshmallow.”

He detailed how to put a coat on and soaked himself in the shower to protect from the flames and left his home.

“As I was going out, I tripped on something, and I thought straight away I kind of knew what it was – it was a body.

“I tried to grab this person, but the smoke is in my eyes and the petrol fumes, I just kept smelling it.

“So I grabbed him and tried to move him, but my hands were catching on fire, so I though ‘well, I can’t do anything.’”

Mr Richards then attempted to kick through his neighbour’s door to help them escape.

He explained how he helped a man and a pregnant woman jump from the building, but that he had been badly burned in the process.

“I was actually burned and had carbon dioxide in my lungs, can’t really breathe, but I jumped.

“I remember passing out and then waking up and then passing out, and then I saw her jump and he was catching her.”

close to Richard, we talked most days, so you don’t think about the two people you got out,

“You think about the people you didn’t get out, so I saw myself as doing just what anybody would do, but I’ve realised now not everybody would.

“I don’t know why I did, I can’t tell you why – something took over.”

He said that during his five years at living in Rowe Court there was a neighbourly atmosphere: “We did the sugar and toilet rolls, and we all knew each other.”

When Kigundu moved into the complex, the relationships “went sour.”

“Everybody was really apprehensive of this guy, I was from day one because he would just walk past you and just barge you for no reason at all.

“Just hit you with his shoulder, sit in his van with his lights on in your window, for five hours or so, you’re trying to sleep.”

Kigundu was to be evicted from the flats after a number of complaints meant that his tenancy was not renewed.

“That was his eviction day, the 15th of December,” Mr Richards said, explaining: “Me and Richard, we all were counting down as well.

“We’re like, it’d be gone soon, so I was I was happy on the 14th knowing that he was moving out.

“I didn’t think he would sort of try and get revenge this way.”

He said that the thing which bothers him most is the knowledge that Richard was trying to reach him.

“I was just wondering why am I still alive, because I can’t explain it.”

The fire destroyed much of the housing complex at Rowe Court, and Mr Richards says he lost everything he owned.

“Sentimental stuff, my child’s photos, everything I owned, so I had to build from scratch.

“I was left with one photo from my son, which is fortunate, and a driving licence was the only thing recovered from the fire.

“I even had no clothes – I came out [of hospital] with no bank account, and you don’t realise how difficult it is to set up a bank account when you’ve got no ID.

“You’ve got no way of proving who you are and it’s not even an address, because it’s burned down.”

He said that support from the community was instrumental in helping him return to normal life, saying: “I was warmed by it – Katia set up a GoFundMe account,” which he credits with getting him back on his feet.

“Donations from colleagues, and my family – without that you’ve got nothing.”

He spoke of the two men who lost their lives in the fire, saying that Richard Burgess: “liked making films, but was more of a landscape gardener.”

“He was just the nicest guy, but he couldn’t handle the music and the noise all night.

“Neil was very similar, very calm people, and very nice.”

He contrasted this with Kigundu, who Richards recalled being confrontational.

“When everybody was wearing masks and covid he decided to wear balaclava – almost attention seeking, and seemed very sure of himself.

“Very confrontational, aggressive, very abusive when he felt like he smelled like a cigarette smell coming into his flat. He would challenge people, just looking for trouble, just looking to irritate people.”

Following the sentencing, Kigundu was given a whole life sentence with no minimum term.

“For me is a terrorist, he doesn’t have to have a religious belief to be a terrorist, you just have to have a cause and it’s no different for me.”

Mr Richards also said that Kigundu kept voice notes which document the planning of the incident over a number of days.

“He kept his diary, just like what he’s going to do to us, and I think he called it Plan A.

THAMES VALLEY Police has released a statement on behalf of the family of Richard Burgess, aged 46, who was murdered in an arson at Rowe Court.

“Richard was a much loved son, step son and brother. He was a caring and thoughtful person, kind and not judgmental.

“He would often give money to homeless people, begging on the street. He was prepared to go without himself, even though he had very little money to spare.

“He enjoyed simple pleasures –a pint or two in the local with his friends, a game on the PlayStation with his brother, a ride out into the countryside on his bike.

“In fact, he was very interested in the environment and the natural world, exploring much of the South Chilterns, the New Forest and the Isle of Purbeck on his bike.

“He always took time to enjoy the landscape and countryside he was passing through.

“He relished being outdoors, which was reflected in his work as a gardener over the years.

“Richard just wanted to live in peace and quiet, getting on with his life undisturbed. Tragically, he was denied this in a cruel and horrific way.

“He has been taken from us far too soon and will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.”

“I remember lying there and thinking ‘I’m not going to make this.’”

Despite this, he attempted to phone an ambulance and recalls how a lot of people were panicking and stepped over him.

He explained also how he underwent counselling after the event: “It was six months of counselling and therapy.

“It left me scarred, scared, nervous, and not wanting to live, but I was fortunate I had a really good therapist.”

Mr Richards said that he felt guilty for not being able to save more people despite his efforts in helping others escape.

“I had survivor’s guilt because of the people I didn’t save – I didn’t save Richard, I didn’t save Neil.

“And I knew these two people, I was

“The fact that I know where he was, and I know it was my door he was trying to get to – I think that bothered me.

“And you do think like if it was a minute or two minutes earlier could have saved him.”

Mr Richards described his injuries, saying: “I’m fortunate – the burns unit has done amazing. But my whole face was burned and my hair, my ears, the back of my head, everything was burned. You can still see the fading on my hands.”

He was in hospital for a week, with doctors concerned that his injuries would lead to sepsis.

It took a month for him to be able to use his hands again, and had to rely on physiotherapy and help for things like cooking.

“He lost his job and he’d lost his flat, so he thinks it’s we’re directly responsible for that.”

Mr Richards says he is still rebuilding his life.

“I wish that never happened– I had a good life, and now to remember what my life was, it’s very difficult because it hurts to look back.

“You know, pictures of my sons, everything my dad left me – a lot – he left a shoebox full of stuff, and it meant a lot to me, but that’s gone.”

“I’ve got one son, I’m here for him, but I don’t get that feeling when people say you’re really lucky to get out alive, I don’t feel lucky.

“What would have been lucky is if I got everybody out – I don’t think I could feel lucky on my own.”

AFTERMATH: Joel Richards suffered severe burns during the incident, with much of his face and head injured

TRIBUTE: Neil Morris was described as a “deeply-loved son, brother, uncle, and a good loyal friend to many.” Picture: Thames Valley Police, by kind courtesy of the family of Neil Morris

TRIBUTE: Richard Burgess has been described as “a much loved son, step son and brother... a caring and thoughtful person, kind and not judgemental.” Picture: By kind courtesy of the family of Richard Burgess

Arsonist sentenced to life

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

THE MAN who set a block of Reading flats on fire has been jailed for life, with no minimum term.

Following a hearing at Reading Crown Court which concluded on Friday, October 7, Hakeem Kigundu, 32, formerly of Rowe Court, Reading, will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, Kigundu started a fire at the block of flats, which then spread, causing major damage and trapping residents inside.

Two people, Richard Burgess, aged 46, and Neil Morris, aged 45, were killed as a result of the fire, and two further residents were seriously injured.

It was declared a major incident and required a large emergency service presence in response.

CCTV footage and details of a 999 call made by Kigundu himself were seen in court during the hearing, showing him confessing to arson to the call handler shortly before being arrested.

Kigundu also made a series of audio notes before the incident, saying in one of them, dated December 9, that the

actions he was about to take were “warranted.”

The court saw footage of Kigundu filling fuel cans at a number of petrol stations around Reading.

Detective Inspector Sally Spencer, who was the senior investigating officer, said: “Since this happened on the 15th of December, there’s been an awful lot of people affected by this.

“The family and friends of

Neil and Richard, along with people that were injured as a result of being captured within the fire.

“But also everybody that lived within the flats at Rowe Court, all 24 flats, have lost their homes and their possessions and the wider community surrounding it.”

The nature of the incident meant that Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service had to undertake works to secure

the site of the incident before rescue and recovery works could continue.

An initial RBFRS assessment said that “gaining safe access could take quite some time due to the deterioration in the structure of the building.”

Recovery efforts took nearly three months, and concluded in March 2022.

DI Spencer said that the lengthy police efforts in response to the incident: “had a massive impact on people’s lives.”

“There has been a lot of support from people in the community that weren’t directly affected or live at Rowe Court.

“Engagement with the community and any information that they can discuss with us or wish to provide us really helps.

“Whether that’s witnessing a crime or reporting antisocial behaviour or anything that they’re concerned about or providing CCTV, we can’t do anything without them – we cannot take cases to court unless we have the public’s support.”

DI Spencer said that the police investigation had established that Mr Kigundu had acted on animosity created by reasonable complaints from residents at Rowe Court.

She said that while he was living there, he was: “causing antisocial behaviour within the block of flats including noise disturbance.

“Residents had complained about that, politely asking him to not disturb them through the early hours of the morning and the night.

“So I believe that these events have triggered animosity with the occupants of Rowe Court, and he’s then gone on to commit this crime.

“There is nothing that those at Rowe Court could have done to prevent this – this is a man intent on causing fire in a block of flats with intent to to kill people.”

Mr Kigundu pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, two counts of grievous harm, and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

“That Mr Kigundu has pleaded guilty to all offences shows the strength of our evidence and the case that we have presented and that justice will be done.

“And hopefully this will give everybody involved some form of closure to be able to move on with their lives.

“Our thoughts remain with everybody affected, but particularly with the family and friends of Neil and Richard.”

THIEVES have stolen a vehicle in Burghfield Common,

The unknown burglars made off with a one tonne Thwaites dumper truck.

The vehicle was last seen in Clayhill Road between 7.30pm on Monday, October 3, and 7am on Tuesday, October 4.

Thames Valley Police would like to conduct their own bit of magic by bringing the thieves to justice.

Anyone with information, dashcam, doorbell or CCTV footage is asked to call 101, quoting reference: 43220444658.

Dumper truck stolen by thieves Tuesday lunches

A READING church is welcoming members of its community for lunch.

Every Tuesday, Tyndale Baptist Church provides a twocourse meal.

Visitors can enjoy biscuits, coffee or tea before thetreat.

The weekly meet-ups provide a warm and friendly environment for attendees to catch up with friends and family while also meeting new people.

Lunch costs just £3.50 per person and takes place from 12.30pm-2pm.

The church is located at 2-4 Cressingham Road, RG2 7JE. n For more information, visit: tyndalebaptistchurch.org.uk

BEHIND BARS: Hakeem Kigundu has been sentenced to life imprisonment after a two-day hearing at Reading Crown Court which concluded on Friday, October 7. Picture: Thames Valley Police

‘A total mess-up’: CityFibre works cause big delays

By Ji-Min Lee jlee@rdg.today

READING MOTORISTS

expressed their disappointment after roadworks led to delays of over 30 minutes.

CityFibre’s work to install ultrafast broadband on Whitley Street and Christchurch Road added to Reading’s traffic chaos.

One resident said it took her two hours to travel from Spencers Wood to central Reading.

Whitley’s Ernest Ayton, said: “This is Reading Council care for you. People have to use roads to get to work. They’re [a] total mess, the roads system.

“Heads should roll for [a] total mess-up of Reading’s roads system.”

Multi-way traffic signals were put in place which, compounded by weekend M4 closures, led to stand-still traffic entering the roundabout from three directions.

Bus services, including the Emerald 5 and 6 routes, experienced significant delays.

According to one passenger, his journey from Whitley Wood to central Reading

took over an hour.

Elly Brooke, who lives in Shinfield, explained: “We spent two hours just getting from Spencers Wood to Christchurch roundabout, we were going for our Covid jabs.

“Sadly we had to give up.

“There is no communication about such a major roadwork.

“We weren’t told the M4 was going to be shut all weekend either.”

Whitley Wood resident, Roger Millard, was also affected by the works.

Working on King’s Road, he explained the commute was too long to walk.

He said: “This closure, for the benefit of a private company, has made it difficult for me to travel to and from work.

“In addition, the Shinfield Road near The Sportsman is totally closed and there are temporary traffic lights on the diversion near Asda, also for the benefit of a private company.”

The works had been

scheduled to finish on Friday, October 7, however, thanks to pressure applied by Katesgrove councillor Liam Challenger, the completion date was moved forward.

He informed residents that the works were taking place under national rules, stating Reading Borough Council had no power to stop or pause them.

However, after communicating with CityFibre directly, he was reassured that work would be completed by Thursday, September 29.

He said: “I am glad to see that CityFibre completed the works after pressure from us to stop the chaos it caused.

“They need to improve and change their communication and look at how they can minimise disruption across the town.

“We will keep holding them to account on their work.”

CityFibre were contacted for comment, but had not done so as we went to press.

Demand from festivalgoers sees bus supervisor named a Star of the Month

A BUS driver described as ‘an upand-coming rising star’ has been recognised for their work helping music fans get to Reading Festival.

Manisha Gurung, 32, who has worked at Reading Buses for three years, was supervising the final night of Reading Festival shuttle buses, ensuring buses and drivers were in place to meet record-breaking demand as festivalgoers returned home through the night and into the morning.

She also kept in regular contact with Reading Buses central control room, as well as

co-ordinating the boarding of the buses and drivers.

All this meant she was nominated for the Great Knollys Street-based firm’s Star of the Month away.

Her nomination referred to the final night at the festival site as being ‘very challenging,’ but Manisha had made it look easy, being ‘very competent, polite and proficient’.

She was also praised for being part of a team and showing ‘great people skills and positive engagement’ at the company’s recent recruitment day in Broad Street.

The firm’s human resources director, Caroline Anscombe, said: “Manisha is a great team player who really went above expectations during Reading Festival during the early hours of the morning.

“She really is an up-andcoming rising star with lots of positive energy, always helpful and showing kindness towards everyone.”

Ms Gurung has been appointed as a relief supervisor as part of the service control team and is already said to be ‘doing a great job’.

Tickets on sale for Reading Lions big firework event

TICKETS are on sale for Reading Lions annual fireworks night.

DEVELOPER Knole Homes has applied to build a four-bedroom home on the garden of a house off Lyefield Court in Emmer Green.

The eastern end of the garden already appears to be built on, as a sketch states there is a ‘site under construction’.

This plan relates to the construction of a two-storey home located closer to Brindles, accessed from a new driveway

Thieves steal mobility scooters

with three car parking spaces.

Inside, there would be a kitchen and breakfast area with a separate lounge, dining room and study downstairs.

Upstairs, two of four bedrooms would be ensuite, there would also be a studio playroom and a family bathroom.

The application can be seen at Reading Borough Council’s planning portal, searching for reference 221294.

Place,

Thames Valley Police

keen to catch

Anyone

The event will be held on Friday, November 4, at Reading City FC’s ground in Scours Lane, off Oxford Road.

Gates open at 5.30pm, where there will be fairground rides, hot food and drink stalls, and a licensed bar.

Face painting will be available, and children are invited to take part in a Hallowe’en fancy dress parade with prizes for the bestdressed.

The display, which is set to music, starts at 7.30pm.

Parking is not available on site, and the Lions encourage people to attend by bus – the Sky Blue 16 and Purple 17 both stop nearby.

Tickets cost £18 for families, £7 for adults and £3 for children. Last year, they sold out in advance. Under fives are free.

more details, log on to:

SUCCESS: Manisha Gurung has been named a star of the month by Reading Buses

Pub’s search for best Bloody Mary is hotly contested

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

SIX TEAMS took on The Retreat’s regular Bloody Mary Contest to find the best original recipe on Sunday.

Di Whitaker, one of the directors at The Retreat, said: “It was really fantastic – the quality of all of them are amazing.

“Even the judges said that they were blown away with the standard of it all and the presentation of them all.

“The judges said how difficult it was choosing a winner, too, in the first three that just all so close but everyone really enjoyed themselves, and it was good fun.”

The contest saw entrants submit their Bloody Mary recipes for judging, with the top three recipes to be awarded with certificates.

“We had quite a lot in,” said Ms Whitaker. “with six teams in the end, which is great, and quite a few watching on.

“Each recipe was really individual with different spins – one of them was Mexican themed, one of them was bright yellow, and one of the one of them had a garlic prawn garnish.

“It was really special stuff going on.”

The Bloody Mary contest has taken place regularly since 2017 and is becoming an annual fixture for the venue.

“It was so lovely for the judges to come along and help us out– they were brilliant.

“A big thanks to all of the teams, as they all did a fantastic job.

“We hope they will come back again next time and there’ll be plenty more to come.”

Dedicated site for traveller communities approved

A DEDICATED site for Travellers and Gypsy communities will be created next to sewage works in Reading.

Earlier this year, the council submitted a plan to make a dedicated site in Island Road, Whitley, bound by the Reading Sewage Works to its right and the Foundry Brook river to its left.

Planners said it would provide a much-needed place for the communities and would help

curb unauthorised encampments elsewhere in Reading.

It was criticised by the Kennet Island Residents Management Company, which represents 3,000 residents.

Adam Boulding told a meeting of Reading Borough Council’s planning committee the site is unsafe, would be incredibly costly to build on due to soil contamination, and would

negatively affect those staying there due to pollution.

“It is too light, too noisy, it is next to a sewage works. It is not next to any education, it is not next to any medical facilities,” he said.

“Every single local business objects, and every resident that I’ve spoken to has objected.”

However, the planning committee approved the site at a meeting on Wednesday, October 5.

It will provide seven pitches for travelling communities, with each pitch able to hold two caravans and two cars, and will come with a

toilet, sink and a shower block.

Additionally, there will be a picnic area and play area.

The plan was approved on a temporary basis, with its use as a Traveller site given permission for 10 years.

The application was approved with 11 members voting in favour, with the nine Labour councillors be joined by cllrs Josh Williams (Green, Park) and James Moore (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst).

Conservative councillors Simon Robinson (Emmer Green) and Paul Carnell (Caversham Heights) abstained.

Terms & Conditions of Employment: Why they really do matter

Recently, we’ve seen an increase in small to medium-sized businesses seeking advice on tightening up their HR infrastructure– including contracts of employment. Here are 4 key reasons why people come to us:

1. They need protection and security for employer and employee alike.

2. They want to avoid a repeat of a situation they now know could have been avoided with the benefit of a specialist’s experience. Free templates are free for a reason!

3.The conversation about the terms has become important at the point of dispute. We know documents support conversations, they don’t replace the need for them.

4. There’s an increase in understanding about discrimination. Terms of employment need to be inclusive for everyone. It’s not difficult to get right, but it’s not difficult to miss something either. It’s worth getting your ideas checked out before committing them to writing you’ll need to rely on later.

The language and tone of typical employment contracts will always be very formal, so they don’t lend themselves towards straightforward conversations. This can become a little confusing for employees and employers. However, while they are unlikely to ever sound friendly, the language can be adjusted to reflect your desired employment relationship and set it off to a good start.

And, from tribunal outcomes and our own experience, we know it isn’t necessarily what’s written down in a contract that gets relied on in a dispute. In making a judgement, a tribunal will place significant emphasis on how a contract is ‘carried out in practice’.

If you’d like to review your HR infrastructure, contact us today to find out about the cost-effective packages we’ve developed specifically for companies with between 11- 75 employees.

WE’LL DRINK TO THAT: Di Whitaker, centre, with the winners of the Retreat’s Bloody Mary contest, Kevin Harrington and Clair Price. Pictures: Steve Smyth

Contestants vy for victory with their Bloody Mary recipes Entrants had to construct their drink in the pub

SEARCH FOR PERFECTION: A contestants works on their entries

The Bloody Mary Contest has taken place annually at The Retreat since 2017

Judges Connie and Andy sample the winning entry, the “Golden Mary” as with Rich, centre, compering

Honest motherhood Anegla

Cometh the tweenager

THE

day this column comes out will be my daughter’s ninth birthday. This feels rather surreal.

Each of her birthdays has felt somewhat surreal, perhaps because I can’t always fathom the fact I actually have a daughter. Let alone one turning seven/eight/… and now nine. Unfathomable.

Still a child, not yet a teenager, and yet conversations - or to be more accurate: conflictsover the last few months might suggest otherwise. They frequently result in me declaring that she is acting like a teenager and could she please go back to being eight and not 15.

This seems to tickle her. She smiles and refers to herself as a “tween.”

“A what?”

I loathe most new terminology, remembering how my Dad used to react whenever I used the world “cool” not referring to the temperature. It’s unsettling. It makes me feel old.

Google kindly provides this definition for the curious word: “A tween is a child between the ages of nine and 12. A tween is no longer a little child, but not quite a teenager. They are in between the two age groups and their behaviour and emotions reflect that.”

I quite agree.

This year, instead of a big party, Maia politely requested a sleepover and meal with four friends. Straightforward enough, and a far cry from the sweaty Monkey Mates parties she had three years running.

(Monkey Mates, a soft play centre in Wokingham with humble and affordable food where young children go to bounce around and parents go to sit and stare at their phones for an hour. They had strong Wi-Fi and loud but uplifting music so I never complained).

I have already been given strict instructions to make myself scarce during the sleepover.

“Can you just.. leave us alone…”

“Well yes... I mean I’m still going to be in the house...”

My daughter’s growing need for just-a-little-bitmore freedom has become increasingly apparent over the last few months. There’ve been a number of occasions where I’ve had to tell her to go back upstairs and change her clothes. Not because she’s come down in a mini-skirt and stilettos, but because she quite frequently dresses for the summer when it is jumper-weather.

“It’s non-uniform day but it’s still school Maia! I can see your stomach. You’ll catch a chill.”

“When I wore it last time you said it wasn’t okay because it was night time. Now it’s daytime. You haven’t actually said why I can’t wear it.”

“Because I can see your belly button.”

“So?” “It’s cold and that top is inappropriate for school.” “Why not?” “It’s just not. Now go upstairs and change please we are late.” “ARGHH FINE MUMMY.”

I can understand her frustrations. It’s just a belly button. We all have one.

The reasons and politics of why I would rather my nine-year-old daughter didn’t wear a top that exposed part of her midriff to school, I have not fully thought through yet. (Which became clear with my abrupt and non-explanatory response: “It’s inappropriate”.)

It’s something I’ve asked friends with daughters about, and an area I will continue to ponder. What is healthy self-expression through fashion and a bit of fun with make-up? And what is too much at this innocent age?

Tweendom. A whole new arena of parenting. Wish me luck.

Reading-based artist to drop her first single, Thought I Needed

EXCLUSIVE

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

Audio time capsule from Whitley pupils

YEAR 6 students across South Reading have created an audio time capsule, reflecting on their memories of lockdown and hopes for the future.

Six Whitley primary schools collaborated with the Rock Academy to explore their thoughts and feelings, using recording equipment to create high quality soundbites.

Through the series of poignant and moving podcasts, pupils discuss the impact Covid-19 isolation had on their lives.

Matt Foster, from the Rock Academy, said: “It’s been a really inspiring experience. The children’s honesty, confidence and communication skills have really shone through, allowing them to create a valuable document of an important time in their childhood.

“Each child presented their thoughts with such consideration and maturity, I can see great things happening for them as they move on to secondary school.”

Sections of the podcasts are introduced by members of staff, and have been edited into themed chapters for each school.

The podcasts demonstrate the contrasting voices and breadth of

stories, ambitions and recollections.

The Rock Academy Foundation is a charitable organisation which looks to educate young people through musical activities, so as to develop their skill set as artists and members of their community.

The project was funded by Aspire2, a Whitley charity which empowers children and families to access non-formal learning and enrichment activities.

Palmer Academy was one of the schools which took part. Kayleigh Billins, a teacher at the school, was full of praise for the experience afforded to her students.

She said: “The children really benefited from creating this podcast and in so many ways. The confidence, excitement and interest was absolutely wonderful to see.”

Students from Ridgeway Primary had the additional opportunity to discuss their work on BBC Radio Berkshire, which they embraced.

Moving forward, Aspire2 and the Rock Academy are looking to progress this project further, supporting children to use recording equipment to independently create their own podcasts for use in their schools and local community.

A taste of Spain in a burger

SPAIN is not the first place you think of when talking burgers, but a restaurant with a branch in Reading is doing just that.

Across October, Honest Burgers in Kings Road is serving a Chorizobased special, part of a partnership with with Brindisa, a specialist in Spanish cuisine for more than 30 years.

It comprises a burger, two slices of chorizo flavoured with smoky hot paprika, salt and spices. Topping the burger off is a double helping of American cheese, confit garlic mayo, shoestring fries, pink pickled onions, and rocket.

Adam Layton, Honest Burgers head of collaboration, said: “We were lucky enough to visit Brindisa’s HQ earlier this year, which was a treasure trove of some of the most delicious ingredients we’ve ever tasted.

“You’ve not tried chorizo until you’ve tried this.”

Harriet Stanford, marketing manager at Brindisa, said: “We’re

thrilled to be collaborating with Honest Burgers on this special. Brindisa has been celebrating authentic Spanish foods for over 30 years, and are delighted to be working with people as passionate about food as we are.”

The Honest Burgers’ Chorizo collaboration is £14, and served with rosemary chips.

A READING artist is about to release their first single after tackling their shyness.

Nikita Jordan, who performs as NKTA, is set to release her first single, Thought I Needed You, on Friday, October 14.

“I’ve always wanted to do music, since I was young,” she said, “but my issue was that I was extremely shy – so shy that I wouldn’t even sing in front of my parents.

“I would find other creative things to do that would allow me to stay in my comfort zone.”

But NKTA said that her family inspired her to continue working on music.

“My family would buy me different parts each Christmas to put together my own little studio and I’d just keep them in the box.

“Because I never thought I would take it seriously, but they never stopped pushing me.

“They believed in me before I even believed in myself – they are the inspiration.”

Her brother was also an integral part of her exploring her passion for music, and she said he was “on her case 24/7.

“Recording me signing and posting it on his Snapchat, even though I was convinced it sounded awful.

“Then he would show me all the responses he would receive.”

She said that releasing music was something she would always do: “I’ve just never known exactly where to start.

“I’d always write songs and they would end up in the bin or never being finished because I wasn’t 100% happy with them.

“I finally found someone that was able to help me in every area I needed help, from writing to structuring and recording.”

While she has posted a number of covers to social media, she said: “This is the first time I’ve actually been over the moon with something I can call my own.”

Previews of the single were posted to social media, showing promotional art and giving a snippet of the song.

NKTA said she drew inspiration from artists such as Summer Walker, Tink, and Rhianna, but also: “Old school artists, like Alicia keys, Mary J Blige and Aaliyah.

“Growing up in a household where I was exposed to all types of genres has enabled me to find myself and create the artist I have become.”

She said that this single “is just the beginning.

“I have so many ideas I want to bring to life, and I already have a second song on the way which I’m also so excited about.

“I feel so much more focused now than I have ever before and have found the best people to work with, so we will see what’s to come next.” n Thought I Needed You by NKTA is due for release on Friday, October 14, and is available to pre-save on Spotify via: www.instagram.com

Epic England fans aged 66 or over could really enjoy the World Cup

THEY say if you can remember the 60s you weren’t really there, but that’s not strictly true, especially if you’re an England fan.

Events in the 1966 world cup are long in the memory of many older readers, and to celebrate November’s event, senior football fans are being offered the chance to win free food and drink in Greene King pubs.

The brewer has teamed up with Sir Geoff Hurst to find fans aged 66 or over who witnessed England’s historic triumph 56 years ago.

Sixty-six fans will be selected and appointed the official Lucky Fan in their local Greene King sports pub, receiving a £100 gift card to fuel them through the winter tournament.

And they will receive a framed certificate as a keepsake and celebration for their ongoing

support of the England team.

Sir Geoff said: “The World Cup is so much more than a football tournament, it’s a moment that unites the country and brings together friends and families in support of our team.

“This competition is a special thank you to reward fans from 1966, letting them enjoy the 2022 World Cup in style at their local Greene King sports pub – plus they may just be the lucky charm we need to see us back to glory.”

Pubs taking part include Bull & Chequers and the Good Companions, both in Woodley, The Sportsman in Shinfield, The Victoria Cross in Whitley, and The White Horse in Emmer Green.

Chris Conchie, marketing controller for Greene King Sports, said: “The

FOR THE FUTURE: Students from six primary schools in Whitley took part in the podcast recordings which documented their memories of the Covid-19 lockdowns Picture: Aspire2

artist

World Cup always brings excitement levels to fever pitch, and we can’t wait to welcome fans through our doors across the country to show their support for England.

“We wanted to give the longestserving England fans something to cheer about as we head towards the World Cup, sharing their first-hand

experiences of one of the greatest sporting moments in England’s history.”

n To nominate a worthy friend or relative, log on to: www.greenekingpubs.co.uk/worldcupcompetition/, selecting their local Greene King sports pub. The closing date is Monday, October 31.

‘I was definitely happierthanks divorce course’

A SEPARATED father of one is urging others to seek the support he had to help overcome the pain of his marriage break-up.

He’s keen to tell people about the benefits of going on a course run by UK charity Divorce Recovery Workshop. The next local course starts at Reading on Friday, November 11.

Emos, a data scientist, said: “DRW’s group setting meant I heard other people’s stories and perspectives. I realised others had gone through similar or worse things. I wasn’t the only one.

“It was a friendly environment where people talked confidentially. I was definitely happier as a result of the course. It altered the way I was looking at things and approaches I was taking.

“We talked about forgiving our former partner – and ourselves. It’s been a slow journey, but things make more sense now.”

He said he was now more confident when talking with his former partner. They were married for four years before they split up.

Emos, 40, says he learned a mindshift to resist his own pressure to get into a new relationship before he was ready.

POETRY CORNER

Think of all the people

Not as fortunate as you

Some struggle to pay their way

When their bills are due

You turn up for a kick about Feels like your heart’s not in it

Well from today please start to play

Then go on and win it

As role models you have a title

So please lead from the front

All our children in their schools

See you sometimes pulling stunts

The likes of Italy and Germany

As warm ups on our way Italy 1- Nil a bitter pill

Are our kits starting to fray?

We are one proud nation

It’s where football began

Reader travel

Market

“I learned to take my time,” he said.

The course members still support each other via their WhatsApp group and also meet ups.

He added: “Guys often don’t open up to others, but I do recommend DRW to them and also to more people from minority groups. I’m of African descent.

“More diversity would help everyone learn more about others and themselves.”

DRW is for people at every stage of divorce or separation, no matter how long ago it was.

Course co-ordinator Seamus Jennings said: “You will be warmly greeted with a cup of tea or coffee.

“Please call me on 07887 800521 for a chat or email info@drw.org. uk. ”

The four-session DRW course is at Brookside Hall, Earley, on Friday evening of November 11, and Saturday daytime of November 12, and then again the following weekend.

The modest cost covers refreshments. n Details are at the website www.drw. org.uk The national helpline is 0333 335 0489.

Departing Sat 26 Nov ‘22

Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere as we stay in the heart of the English Riviera with an included visit to Exeter Christmas Market.

with fine food, crafts, gifts and decorations; this has everything for a perfect pre-Christmas celebration.

Your break includes

Return coach travel from Reading

2 nights at a selected hotel in Torquay with dinner & breakfast

Free time in Torquay

Excursion to Exeter Christmas Market

CHRISTMAS CAROLS on the 92. Squadron Train

Pull your socks up to take the Cup Don’t settle as also-rans

England score a goal

So far it’s 2-1

At least a draw won’t leave us sore Our kids are now having fun

All of a sudden it’s 2-2 Saka’s on with Mount

If they play this way the score will sway

Every second counts

I feel they must have heard us Their hearts pump in their chests Harry Kane through sun and rain

Just proved that we’re the best

To this end I pray Our Lion Hearts can prevail....

Lift the Jules Rimay come final day For our Queen we will not fail

MICKEY BROWN

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

Departing Thu 1 Dec ‘22

us for an exclusive festive event in the company of the historic 92. Squadron, running on the heritage Nene Valley Railway exclusively for our customers on Friday 2nd December. There will be carol singers, mulled wine, mince pies and even a visit from Santa!

break includes

Return coach travel from Reading

Overnight stay at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with breakfast

Exclusive steam train journey with 92. Squadron on the heritage Nene Valley Railway, including mulled wine, mince pies, brass band, carol singers and a visit & gift from Santa

SUPPORT: Emos thanks leaders of a Divorce Recovery Workshop course for helping him cope after his relationship broke down

CHEERS: Sir Geoff Hurst is backing Greene King’s search

England’s oldest

Greene

Letters

Justice is served for Rowe Court

THE SENTENCING last week of Hakeem Kigundu means he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

His arson took the lives of two innocent victims, Richard Burgess and Neil Morris, and injured many.

It was an evil act that will have a long lasting impact on all the residents of Rowe Court, as well as the emergency services that rushed to the scene.

Sadly, a life sentence will not bring Richard or Neil back to us, but we can at least take some comfort from knowing that justice has been done.

Thames Valley Police should be commended for their efforts in getting Kigundu jailed.

Silent Prayer

TRUE

silence… is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment” (William Penn, 1699).

During our Meeting for Worship on Sundays at Wokingham Quaker Meeting House, we always sit for an hour, waiting for inspiration; potentially, in complete silence.

However, when the Spirit moves us, we minister to Friends; in spoken prayer, scriptural reading, personal insight or God-given wisdom.

Waiting in this context is not about anticipation, rather it involves sitting in awareness, bringing our experience to God. This includes awareness of our thoughts and feelings, which creates the opportunity to be free from the power of distractions such as day-dreaming or negative emotions.

That freedom enables a deeper receptivity to God’s presence, peace, love, teaching and joy. Jesus likens such a state of readiness to “servants waiting for their master to return… so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him” (Luke 12:36).

In Quaker Meetings, silence is a collective experience, for Jesus tells us that when we are gathered together in his name, he is with us (Matthew 18:20).

Collective silence can be a surprisingly powerful and intimate experience, and allows for mutual receptivity and empathy for others, in our openness to God. Indeed, Jesus tells us that nothing is more important than that “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength”, and that you shall “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).

Some people find it difficult to sit in silence. The self-awareness that is enabled may be overwhelming, especially if someone habitually avoids difficult feelings. The Quaker experience of silence enables a sympathetic understanding of and support for those who are new to silent prayer.

Quakers also find that periods of silence through private prayer and meditation, are very beneficial and enjoyable.

Indeed, Jesus instructs us: “…when you pray, go into your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:6). This is something we can all do, even if we don’t go to church. A short period of silence is still valuable; even one minute, a few times a day, can enable a transformational relationship with God.

Nicki Sutcliffe from Wokingham Quakers, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

Help the NSPCC

The NSPCC is searching across Berkshire for volunteers who are passionate about child protection to join us in our fight for every childhood.

In 2022 the NSPCC’s ‘Speak out. Stay safe.’ volunteers will be returning to primary schools, helping us to protect a generation of children from abuse and neglect.

Volunteers will deliver ‘Speak out. Stay safe.’ workshops to Year 5 and Year 6 children, that teach them about the different types of abuse and who to speak to.

Our workshops are ageappropriate and memorable and need an energetic and enthusiastic person to deliver them. You’ll work alongside other volunteers to make sure at the end of each session the children feel empowered and know who they can speak out to if they are worried. When you volunteer with us, you’ll get lots of initial training which includes practice sessions, home-study and multiple visits to schools to help you learn the workshop materials.

When you start delivering the sessions, support will be on offer from both your supervisor and other experienced volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering as a ‘Speak out.

Stay safe.’ volunteer and want to find out more about the role, the next step is to contact the Volunteer Recruitment Team at VolunteerRecruitment@NSPCC. org.uk or visit https://join-us. nspcc.org.uk/volunteers/vacancy/ speak-out-stay-safe-volunteerinformation-meeting-london--

From the Chamber Cllr Rob White

south-east/6398/description/

For this role, we can only accept people over the age of 16. Volunteering takes place on weekdays during school hours and we ask for a minimum commitment of two school visits a month. We look forward to meeting you!

Richard Roades, NSPCC Schools Area Coordinator for Berkshire

Get walking for Sue Ryder

As we leave behind the scorching heat of the summer and approach the turn of the season, we start to look forward to crisp autumnal walks with family and friends - taking in the incredible array of colour in our local outdoor spaces.

In my role as a Head of Family Support at Sue Ryder, I have found that for many people who have experienced the loss of a loved one, walking can be a particular help - providing muchneeded time and space to talk, think and reflect.

That’s why I’m writing to encourage your readers to pull on their trainers this October and join us at Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Thames Valley.

Held in the beautiful grounds of Pangbourne College on the 22 October, the 5k walk under the stars is an opportunity to get together with hundreds of others in your local community to celebrate and remember the life of someone special, while also supporting Sue Ryder.

Last year Sue Ryder provided over 830,000 hours of care to thousands of families across

the country, including from its Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading, Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire, Palliative Care Hub Berkshire in Newbury and Sue Ryder Wokingham.

The funds raised from this special evening of celebration will help Sue Ryder to create a future where everyone has access to expert compassionate care and support at the end of their life or following a bereavement.

You can sign up online until midnight on Sunday 16th October at sueryder.org/ thamesvalleystarlight. Tickets will also be available on the night.

Ken Blanton, Head of Family Support for Sue Ryder in the Thames Valley

Get Britain moving

To get Britain moving is my statement and the Tories have copied it. They cannot get Britain moving if they are not able or big enough to settle every strike by talking to the unions and paying them inflation rate.

Shutting down ticket offices would be cruel to elderly people and disabled. It makes no sense at all. It is another division between the knows and not the knows.

This country is bad enough with the haves and the have nots.

Victor, Human Justice & Rights, Bracknell

Give the Queen a sainthood

We think the late Queen should be bestowed with a sainthood for her Christian humanity and faultless dedication to duty.

Shirley, Woodley

isn’t delivering.

Time and time again we see Labour councillors wave through new developments with little affordable housing.

Unfortunately, the Conservative government’s policies have also made matters worse.

From the leader Cllr Jason Brock

A site for travellers

REGULAR

readers will be all too familiar with the column inches given over to stories of illegal traveller encampments in the town.

They will also be aware of the inconvenience that illegal encampments can have on local communities.

Last year, there was not one day without an illegal encampment in Reading – mostly on Council land. Enforcement and clean-up bills have cost the Council an estimated £400,000 over the previous five financial years.

The Council last week went some way towards trying to mitigate those impacts when members of the Planning Applications Committee approved plans for a dedicated transit site for travellers. It was the culmination of a lengthy process that began many years ago.

We are often asked why we can’t immediately evict an illegal encampment when it pitches up.

Well, put simply, the necessary legal process is is not as simple and as quick as we would like. Council officers will try to visit an unauthorised encampment within one working day of it arriving to carry out checks and an assessment.

Our next step is then to submit an application to either the County Court or Magistrates’ Court for a court hearing to repossess the land.

After that point, the timings are taken totally out of the Council’s hands, and we must wait on the courts on a hearing date.

Occasionally, Thames Valley Police use a ‘Section 61 notice’ to move an encampment on where they decide it reaches a threshold of causing damage, disruption or distress.

National guidance means every local planning authority should seek to provide sites on which the Gypsy and Traveller community can live, but choosing a suitable site was a far from straightforward task.

The Council evaluated 80 possible sites.The majority were completely unsuitable. Indeed, only two were found to be viable.

A site at the junction of Cow Lane and Richfield Avenue was initially chosen, but this had to be abandoned when it was selected as the site for a new secondary school, the River Academy.

The site at Smallmead was therefore pursued, on a strip of land near to the Household Recycling Centre. Nobody is pretending it is the ideal site, but an ideal site doesn’t exist in Reading.

Green cllrs raise money for tackling homelessness

GREEN Party councillors Doug Cresswell, Louise Keane, Dave McElroy and myself raising money for tackling homelessness

This weekend saw another ‘Big Sleep Out’ event at the Abbey Ruins in support of Reading homelessness prevention charity, Launchpad.

We’re long-standing supporters of the team at Launchpad, an inspiring and committed charity who work hard with our residents in danger of losing their homes.

This year Green councillors have so far raised over £1,000. If you’d like to contribute to the good work that Launchpad do, please take a moment to

visit launchpadreading.org.uk.

There are many ways you can help, from volunteering your time and skills to making donations.

Labour-run Reading Council have delivered just 27% of affordable housing needed in Reading

According to council documents Reading needs 406 new affordable homes delivered every year for residents in need, but Labour councillors have managed just 110 a year on average.

As Doug Cresswell, one of the new Green Party councillors in Katesgrove said on affordable housing, the Labour council just

We need policies designed to deliver for the people of Reading, and politicians willing to see them through.

Greens are the second largest party in Reading

Fortunately, there’s now real, constructive opposition to Labour on Reading council.

Following the local elections in May there are now more Green councillors than Conservatives.

There is a growing team of hard-working Green councillors 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

By Green councillor Rob White, leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council

The site will accommodate up to 14 caravans. It is intended for temporary periods, ranging from a few days up to a maximum of three months at a time. Pitches will include connection for electricity and a serviced sanitary block, while the site will also feature a play area and secure fencing.

The Council will hire a Gypsy and Traveller Liaison Officer to manage the site on a day-to-day basis. As colleagues on the planning committee acknowledged, the operation of the site will be an important factor here, and I’m pleased they have asked for the detail of that to return to them for review before works will be permitted to start.

Detailed scrutiny is always to be welcomed in cases like this.

In the longer term, the needs assessment carried out in Reading further identified the need for a permanent traveller site in addition to the transit site which is now progressing.

We intend to continue discussing possible options for a permanent site with neighbouring authorities to address this future need.

Given the shortage of land supply in the town, the collaboration of our neighbours is necessary if we are to provide a facility that, rightly, should be available in our part of Berkshire.

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

Reading’s unique charity shop that’s been helping for 30 years

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

A READING social enterprise, which is celebrating its 30th year of activity, is helping residents negotiate the cost of living crisis.

Christian Community Action (CCA) has four charity shops across the town, including on Northumberland Avenue, Whitley.

The outlets sell quality clothes, books and bric-a-brac at a fraction of their retail price.

A support centre at the Oxford Road branch helps those in financial need, asylum seekers and refugees get ahold of essential household items, including furniture and cooking utensils.

Whitley branch manager, Jo Kelly, said: “The cost of living crisis is going to hit everybody.

“We have a couple of weeks when it’s really busy, then a couple of weeks when it really slumps, so I think when people get paid they get what they can.

“I make sure there are plenty of blankets out to buy and the warmer tops. If you go into a proper shop, you’re going to be paying £35 for a coat, whereas here it’s a fiver. I even put a few on the pound rail.”

All items are donated directly to the shop, whose motto is ‘renew, rejoice and recycle’.

January will mark 12 years in the job for Ms Kelly, who takes pride in the quality of items on sale.

She explained: “At the end of the day, it’s a charity shop. I believe in old-school charity shops.

“It’s for people within the community who don’t have a great deal of money, that want something decent.

“Just because it’s a charity shop, and people might be on low incomes, doesn’t mean they want to wear rags.”

According to Ms Kelly, prices at some charity shops, particularly in the centre of town, are too high.

As a not-for-profit organisation, CCA puts all of its income back into the communities it serves, with a focus on funding the Oxford Road support centre.

Student discount on food delivery

STUDENTS who have just moved into their digs for the year are being offered a special discount off a food delivery service.

Foodhub has teamed up with University Living, which helps those studying for a degree find the right accommodation.

It includes a number of bases across the Reading area.

Under the partnership, those moving into accommodation managed by University Living can enjoy a £3 discount on a fresher’s feast.

Customers can choose from a wide variety of takeaway or restaurant suppliers.

The offer is for new customers only, ordering via the app or website using the code UNILIVING.

n

READING residents will be treated to a thought-provoking screening and discussion on Friday, October 21.

with members of staff and often bumping into fellow shoppers they know.

Ms Kelly explained: “You get some customers who come in nearly every day. There’s one lady whose house must be absolutely packed with stuff from here.”

“You get new faces, especially when you get mums whose children have just started school come in when they wouldn’t have come in before.

“Because I’ve been here so many years, children from mothers who came here when I first started, they’re now teenagers, so they pop in. I’ve noticed that, which is really nice to see.”

Held at Risc, 35-39 London Street, Abby Martin’s film Gaza Fights for Freedom will be shown.

Through viewing and conversation, organisers hope to inspire a fairer, more sustainable world which recognises and respects the human rights of indigenous people.

Visitors will also have the chance to purchase Zaytoun Fair Trade products, supporting Palestinian farmers.

The event takes place at 7.30pm. A donation of £3 is encouraged, with refreshments being served.

Senior social club

For more details, log on to: foodhub.co.uk

The project assists those who require essential items, providing kitchen starter packs, bedding, tables, chairs and mattresses.

Despite helping those in need, the shop itself is not immune from the cost of living crisis.

Overheads include maintaining the vans which transport items, fuel and the salaries of paid staff.

Ms Kelly fears rising energy prices could have an adverse effect on the organisation’s ability to offer support to those who need it most.

Heading into the winter, she worries that energy bills will put pressure on the shop to break even.

Crumbs! Woodley cafe’s comedy

A NEW comedy night is to launch in a Woodley cafe later this month.

Crumbs, in Library Parade and close to the town’s branch of Lidl, is to host the event featuring four comics who have all appeared on television.

Headlining is Andrew Bird, who has appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News, and provided support to Michael McIntyre, and John Bishop.

Pauline Eyre has supported Shaparak Khorsandi on her tour, while Mike Cox has supported Clinton Baptiste.

The evening is compered by Jonathan Elston.

The show takes place from 7pm on Wednesday, October 26. Tickets cost £12.

Crumbs will be serving cocktails.

details, log on to: wegottickets.com/

Community Larder opens in Whitley

A SOUTH READING organisation is giving residents affordable solutions to the cost of living crisis.

Whitley Community Development Association (WCDA)’s newly-named Community Larder provides quality, fresh food items for a fraction of their retail price.

The Whitley Community Larder is open to everyone

based in the ward, with no referral or financial assessment required.

Visitors can fill a bag with quality, fresh food items from supporters such as Greggs, Morrisons, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and SHARE Wokingham for £1.

It is open from Monday to Friday between 10am-1pm.

Those who cannot come at

these times are asked to get in touch with the organisation to organise alternative arrangements.

The WCDA can be found at 252 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7QA.

n For more information, search Whitley Community Development Association on www.facebook.com

Ms Kelly said: “I assume it’s going to get worse as winter comes in because we’ll have to put the heating on.

“We were told in the managers meeting we were doing okay until the energy prices went up, since they hit, we’ve just been clinging on.”

Sitting in the heart of Whitley and Whitley Wood, the shop is a focal point for the community, with customers regularly dropping in for a chat

The Whitley branch manager encouraged members of the community to come to the shop and have a look around, also calling on those who wish to contribute by volunteering.

Opening hours are 9.30am4.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, closing 15 minutes earlier on Tuesday and Friday.

Closing time on Saturdays is 4pm.

n For more details, or to request help from CCA, call: 0118 951 2336, or log on to: www.ccam. org.uk

A COMMUNITY GROUP is inviting senior residents for an exciting afternoon of food and entertainment.

iCare Senior Social Club will be holding the event at Hexham Road Community Centre on Friday, October 28.

The afternoon will consist of bingo and live entertainment.

Visitors will be able to catch up with family and friends, meet new people and make memories in a welcoming environment.

The event takes place from noon-4pm, with tickets £12.

n To book a place, contact: 07908854274

OPEN TO HELP: CCA’s Whitley charity shop gives residents a cost-effective alternative to high street buying. Picture: Ji-Min Lee

Romans appoints new director

A NEW director has been appointed to the Wokingham office of a property consultancy firm.

Leaders Romans Group has announced Martin Fillery will work within its Shared Ownership team, with a focus on working with housing association clients and expanding the firm’s work in this sector.

Mr Fillery is a member of the National Sales Group, a housing sector membership organisation which promotes shared ownership and housing providers among political and financial audiences, with the aim of ensuring that shared ownership is recognised as the fourth mainstream tenure.

He has previously worked as a sales negotiator/ sales manager for a number of housing associations, including L&Q, A2Dominion and Hyde New Homes. More recently, he built the shared ownership team at Currell alongside Adrian Plant.

Mr Plant said he is delighted to welcome him back into his team: “I’m very excited to be working with Martin again. We are both passionate about helping First Time Buyers realise their dreams of getting on the property ladder and have a great synergy.”

He said Mr Fillery joins the firm “at a pivotal point” for the Shared Ownership division.

“In the past four years we have been very successful in developing a name and a good reputation in the industry, and I’m confident that we can take that to the next level with Martin’s input,” he added.

Builders merchant Selco to offer cost of living payments to

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

A BUILDERS merchant with a branch in Reading has unveiled a £2.5m boost to its staff with the cost of living crisis.

Selco Builders Warehouse, will give 96% of its 3,000-strong workforce a payment of £750 spread over five months. The only people not to benefit are the senior management team.

The scheme will run from November until March, and has been implemented as a direct response to rising energy bills and general inflation.

It sees eligible employees receive £150 per month.

Howard Luft, chief executive of Selco Builders Warehouse, said: “We are living through an unprecedented cost of living crisis and it’s placing pressure on household budgets, from energy to food and fuel to mortgages, up and down the country.

“We wanted to do what we could

to provide additional support to colleagues who, day-in and day-out, give outstanding commitment, dedication and service to the ongoing growth and success of Selco.

“Everyone in the business,

apart from the most senior figures in management, will benefit from these payments which are structured in such a way that they can have a direct impact on the rising monthly bills during the winter months.”

Mr Luft said he hoped this support would aid the company’s workforce and he planned to explore other ways the company could help them.

This has included free breakfasts with locally sourced products every day across the Selco estate, and career development opportunities to its staff with several hundred benefitting from apprenticeship programmes, including the introduction of a Driver Academy to offer employees the chance to retrain to become HGV drivers.

“Our colleagues are undoubtedly the biggest asset of our business and we will continue to invest in them at every opportunity,” Mr Luft said.

As well as offering trade services, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click & Deliver and Click & Collect services and a new app to make life as convenient as possible for tradespeople.

n For more information, log on to: www.selcobw.com

Charity quiz night raises more than £5,000 for hospital charities

A CHARITY quiz night has raised over £5,000 for health charities at Reading’s Royal Berkshire Hospital.

This year, law firm Blandy & Blandy is raising funds for Babies in Buscot Support (BIBS) and the Royal Berks Charity.

As part of its efforts, it hosted the quiz, complete with a raffle and a silent auction, with the star prize donated by Heckfield Place.

Teams came from across the Reading area and included Barclays, Barton Willmore Now Stantec, BDO, Beaufort Financial, Crowe,

Handelsbanken, Haslams

Chartered Surveyors, Hicks Baker, James Cowper Kreston, Kempton Carr Croft, KRE Corporate Recovery, Lichfields, NatWest, Nexus Planning, Quantuma, RSM, Savills, Vail Williams and Vale & West.

The winners were national accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO, who received bottles of English sparkling wine from Stanlake Park alongside their trophies.

Blandy & Blandy’s chairman and partner Nick Burrows said: “We were very pleased to be able to get together with

so many of our professional colleagues from the Thames Valley business community for a really enjoyable evening.

“We were also absolutely delighted that the evening raised over £5,000 for the two charities that we are currently supporting – the Royal Berks Charity and Babies in Buscot Support (BIBS).

“Our thanks go to all those who contributed by taking tables, buying raffle tickets and bidding in our silent auction.”

more details, log on to:

THINKING CAPS ON: Reprecipitates of Babies in Buscot Support (BIBS) and the Royal Berks Charitywith Blandy & Blandy senior associate Louise Nelson (Centre)

SUPPORTER: Howard Luft, CEO of Selco Builders Warehouse

How the Covid-19 Relief Fund has been

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokingham.today

THE John Sykes Foundation has been supporting local organisations who have found fundraising for vital funds challenging due to the pandemic, to enable them to continue their essential work in the local community and further strive to help more people.

The Foundation created a unique fund, in June 2021, to allow local organisations to apply to receive a grant up until April 30, which has now been extended until December 31.

A total of £50,000 has been allocated to the fund, with there being no set limit on each grant amount, however to help as many organisations as possible, each grant is envisaged being £1,000.

Since January, the Charity has awarded a further 11 grants including Autism Berkshire, Chemogiftbags, Whitley Community Development Association, and most recently, Wyfold Riding for the Disabled.

John Sykes, Founder and Chair of Trustees, said: “Myself and the Board of Trustees are delighted to have been able to support a large number of local Charites and Organisations

over the past 15 months who have found fundraising difficult over the pandemic. I am very humbled by the work that is carried out by Reading’s charities and the amount of time and dedication they put into supporting the local community.

“We have taken the decision to extend the deadline to the December 31, 2022. Our grant application process is very simple and quick, can be done online through our website, and we encourage those who are thinking about applying to do so, as we aim to reach more local charities over the next coming months.”

To apply for a grant, please follow this link: https:// johnsykesfoundation.org/covid19-relief-fund.php

Here’s a round-up of some of the most recent supported local charities:

Autism Berkshire

Autism Berkshire is the county’s leading autism charity and provides advice and support services for parents/carers of autistic children and young people, including a Helpline, workshops, a welfare benefits advice service, and various social and leisure activities. They were awarded £1,000 to

supplement two family fun days at the new Prospect Park Pavilion, to enable families to benefit from its improved play and activity facilities.

Jane Stanford-Beale, CEO, said: “Prior to the Covid pandemic, we often received requests for more activities for autistic children during school holidays.

“These requests have started to come in again this year, as families feel more confident about going out and about, but they want places to go that offer a supportive environment, where their children feel happy and safe.

“One party, with a Hallowe’en theme, would be held during the half-term holiday at the end of October, with a Christmas party in December. We would hire staff from the Borough Council’s Reading Play Service to supervise activities for children in the indoor ropes walk and climbing wall, and lay on activities such as art and crafts, overseen by our staff and volunteers, in the meeting room area, along with light refreshments in the café.”

Chemogiftbags

Chemogiftbags is a charity that provides care package bags for breast cancer patients.

They applied for a grant to raise the necessary funds for supplies for their bags.

These items include stuffing for heart shaped cushions, which help relieve discomfort from surgery and chemotherapy, word search books to occupy long hours of

treatment, and wool for their custom blankets.

Lynne Shipton, Founder, said, “Our bags provide support in so many ways. Whether it be a financial aspect as our bags are valued at £100, and at such times when having treatment for cancer it can become a costly time, so we have taken some of that financial burden away by providing items that they will need whilst undergoing chemo.

“They educate, as the bags let people know what they might use, they also relieve some of the anxiety as we have provided a bag full of products so there is no need to be thinking what is required, we have done the thinking for them.”

Enrych Berkshire

Enrych Berkshire were 2022’s first recipient of a £1,000 Grant from the John Sykes Foundation.

The charity has been based in Reading since 2008, assisting disabled adults to access their own chosen leisure and learning activities through a friendly partnership with a likeminded volunteer.

Martin Jeffery, chair and treasurer, added, “Our volunteers support and enable

people with a physical disability to take up, or return to, a hobby, interest, sporting activity, or learning

Opportunity, which they cannot do without some help or support. This support is mainly about giving confidence, understanding, and emotional support, to bring colour to our members’ lives.

“Fundraising has been severely curtailed during the last 18 months because of Covid-19. We have made many applications to trusts and foundations in the last year but have not been successful, mainly because of the enormous increase (sometimes 300%) in the number of applications they are now receiving.”

Hope and Vision Communities

Hope and Vision were established in 2020 and provides specialist supported move-on accommodation for people leaving treatment for addictions. The grant has been used to purchase a year’s supply of Drug Testing Kits.

The charity was established in the middle of the pandemic and currently leases a number of properties in the Reading

Wyfold Riding for the Disabled is the most recent recipient

The Engine Shed helps children, young people and adults who have autism

Reading Samaritans operates a service so vulnerable people have a listening ear

Reading Rockets receive their Covid-19 grant from John Sykes Foundation

helping charities across Reading

established its Rockets Sport and Educational Foundation charity in 2012.

The club were looking for support to pay towards a new set of equipment such as basketball hoops and a scoreboard due to having to change venues for Men, Women, and some Junior games to London Valley leisure centre.

Matt Johnson, Director of Basketball, said: “For us at the Rockets, the support from the John Sykes Foundation has greatly helped us to move our senior games to Loddon Valley – our new home.

“The grant will help us to bring in new floor mounted hoops and a scoreboard and bring excitement to Lower Earley and D1 professional basketball to the local families.”

Reading Samaritans

meaningful communication and physical exertion through active engagement outdoors.

“Being part of a gardening team working towards shared aims helps to create a sense of belonging, camaraderie, and achievement, all of which are found to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

“A further benefit is the potential for reduced demand on secondary mental health services and social care likely to be needed by the beneficiaries.”

The Engine Shed

The Engine Shed are a special interest group for autistic children, young people, and adults, who have been running since 2010.

to provide a safe and warm environment for 12 weeks with refreshments for eight participants to be able to access a group entitled ‘Men’s Shed’.

“They will be able to gain support from each other as well as access services (e.g. health advice, finance/ benefits, housing, etc), with assistance from the Community Development workers at Whitley CDA.”

Wyfold Riding for the Disabled (WRDA)

area working with men who are leaving drug/alcohol rehabilitation, and providing them with somewhere safe to live with a loving and encouraging family community.

Tony Attwood, founder, said: “You often can’t afford to live alone and need to share a home with like-minded people who don’t risk your sobriety.

“If your home isn’t a safe place to live you can relapse, which often leads to reoffending and returning to jail. The men we help have left multiple occupancy treatment centres to move into our family sized homes we rent for them in the Reading area.

“Each new property we take on is renovated by the men already in the programme – there’s a real camaraderie between our residents.

“We do not set an end date on how long men can stay with us - they stay as long as they need to.

“We provide the items needed for basic living - white and electrical goods, curtains, sofas, beds, and bedroom furniture. If the house feels like a home it preserves the men’s self-worth and self-efficacy.”

Parenting Special Children

Parenting Special Children offers specialist support to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including families who foster and adopt.

They applied to the Foundation for a grant to go towards their Community Support Groups that are based in Whitley.

Ruth Pearce, CEO, said, “Three years ago, based on strong evidence for need, Parenting Special Children set up Community Support Groups, providing longer term specialist parenting support via a monthly support group, to families living in Whitley and Southcote.

“The aims of the group are to strengthen and empower families and to reduce isolation for families by providing safe and accessible opportunities for parents/carers and children to come together regularly.

“During Covid due to increased needs of families, the Community Support Team provided weekly Zoom support groups and family events instead of monthly groups as more support was needed. It

has received excellent feedback from families and was a ‘lifeline’ for parents. These families face more challenges than ever, including social isolation, difficulties in accessing local services, lack of information about welfare benefits, and other rights their children could be entitled to and hardships in applying for them, often contributing to practical and financial struggles.

“Our personal experiences, as well as feedback from hundreds of families we work with, tell us that parents/ carers find great comfort and support from having regular contact with others similar. It gives them a collective voice and sense of community. The service will continue to offer support groups for families with similar circumstances.”

Reading Rockets

Reading Rockets are the town’s local basketball club. They were founded in founded in 1997, and have achieved huge success with its Senior, Junior, Academy, and Community development programmes.

The club, now one of the most successful in England,

Reading Samaritans is a recognised branch of the national Samaritans Charity who offers support to those who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide by providing a confidential telephone and email service, and face-to-face support.

Elizabeth Hayes, Trustee and Branch Coordinator, said: “The grant of £1,000 will be used to support continuous development for existing volunteers by hosting several training sessions featuring external speakers.

“Continuous development is an important part of training and helps volunteers to remain up to date with best practice and also have opportunities to develop or refresh existing knowledge and skills.

“We have been unable to hold in-person training during the pandemic.

“With this grant we therefore plan to hold sessions on several topics of concern to many of our callers, including self-harm, bereavement, and trauma.”

Ridgeline Trust

The Ridgeline Trust help people living with either physical or learning disabilities or a mental health issue learn new skills, regain lost skills, and improve mental, social, and physical health through horticultural therapy in their beautiful garden in East Reading.

The Trust applied for a grant to enable the Social Prescribing Project to continue on a weekly basis for 14 clients.

Ros Richards, Trustee, said: “Gardening activities bring mental, physical, physiological, and social benefits. Whatever their problems and difficulties, they can all expect to gain social and physical benefits, including a sense of community, friendship, confidencebuilding, and opportunities for

The organisation applied for a grant to raise necessary funds for a new van to continue to deliver the Reading sessions and to meet the demand for additional sessions.

Sarah Snow, Chair and Trustee, advised, “We are constantly asked to take trains to other local venues and over the years have held events at Reading’s special schools, community fetes, and fairs.

“We have been unable to meet demand for all session requests as we are limited by the lack of our own van and the accompanying driver/volunteer time to take on extra sessions.

“Coming out of lockdown, it became clear that the van which the Reading group has relied on for monthly sessions for 10+ years was on its last legs. The van is used to transport our G-gauge trains and the huge track boards.

“The large trains are a key attraction of many sessions; people do not have these at home and attendees enjoy driving them with the dual controls.

“We would like to have our own van to meet the demand for current and additional sessions - and to involve our thriving Reading adult group in volunteering opportunities”.

Whitley Community Development Association

Better know as “WCDA,” the Whitley Community Development Association was awarded a £1,000 grant from the John Sykes Foundation’s Fund to create a new group called the “Men’s Shed,” which will allow participants to exchange and gain skills, share life experiences, and communicate how they have been affected by events and circumstances they have found themselves in.

Imke Wilson, Vice Chair of Trustees, said: “In March 2020, we were hit with Covid-19 and things changed dramatically. The cafe closed along with all projects except for the Food Surplus project, which increased in size.

“The grant will be used

Wyfold Riding for the Disabled (WDRA) is an independent charity that provides horse riding facilities for people with physical or mental disabilities within the South Oxfordshire and Reading areas.

Diane Lee, Chairwoman, commented, “WRDA provides disabled adults and children with the opportunity to ride and/or carriage drive horses to benefit their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

“Our workforce of seven horses and ponies give therapeutic riding and driving sessions to approximately 65 riders and carriage drivers each week.

“The activities take place in our purpose-built riding arena or on the all-weather track, with rides through beautiful woods and parkland.”

The £1,000 grant will be used to secure the day-to-day running of the yard, including purchasing feed.

On hearing the announcement that the charity had been awarded with a grant, Kim Fry said: “Thank you so much to the Foundation for giving us £1,000, which is amazing. Such good news especially as we are using up all our winter feed now as there is no grass due to the heatwaves we have been experiencing!”

From the John Sykes Foundation:

The John Sykes Foundation support a wide range of Reading-based non-profit charities and organisations.

The Trustees are flexible in their consideration of any grant application. The key criteria is that your organisation will provide a direct benefit to individuals or a community within a five-mile radius of Reading town centre.

While the John Sykes Foundation will consider funding for day-to-day expenditure and capital projects, we are primarily seeking to support specific needs, projects and/or activities.

We love to receive grant applications and encourage charities in need to apply. Our deadline has extended to 31st December 2022 so please apply via: johnsykesfoundation.org/ covid-19-relief-fund.php

of a Covid-19 grant from John Sykes Foundation

Parenting Special Children with their covid support grant

Enrych Berkshire’s Martin Jeffrey and Marie Garland receives their Covid-19 grant from John Sykes Foundation

Chemogiftbags provides support for patients who are undergoing cancer treatment

Developer’s bid to reduce number of affordable flats rejected

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

A DEVELOPER’S bid to reduce the number of affordable flats in a ‘dull’ tower in West Reading has been rejected.

Last year, the applicants won approval to build a 26-home apartment block on part of the former Battle Hospital site, off Oxford Road.

It involves building a six-storey block with two commercial units on the ground floor, on a site to the rear of the Curzon Club.

Councillor Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) called the design for the building “quite dull” when it was approved in Janaury 2021.

Stonegate Homes has yet to begin construction and applied to reduce the number of afforable homes from eight to three, consisting of twobedroom apartments and one one-bedroom apartment.

The company had argued that the block would be financially unviable to deliver.

A council planning officer said: “Both the applicant and the council’s valuer agree that the current scheme is in significant financial deficit, and based on the figures provided, it would not be financially viable to build, particularly due to the

increase in build costs since the previous permission was granted.”

Stonegate Homes had attempted to bring the number of affordable housing to zero, but the council’s planning department was able to negotiate them to three affordable units.

The council’s affordable housing policy H3 states that developments of 10 homes

or more should have 30% affordable housing, which the approved application complied with.

Stonegate Homes had submitted financial viability assessment from chartered surveyors Montagu Evans demonstrating that the project would be in financial deficit if the affordable homes were included.

However, Reading Borough

£700,000 grant will help adult learners get to grips with maths

A GRANT aimed at helping people get to grips with numeracy has been awards to Reading Borough Council’s adult learning service.

New Directions is to receive £700,000 to support adults who don’t have maths to GCSE grade C standard.

Awarded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the national Multiply programme, New Directions will deliver more than 176 courses to 1,108 learners over the next three years.

They include innovative numeracy skills programmes delivered with employers, courses aimed at care leavers aged 19 or over, and courses for parents wanting to increase their numeracy skills.

Multiply is a new government-funded programme and the courses are free.

The agency says that good numeracy skills may unlock job opportunities and lead to higher wages or prepare you for further study.

The skills can also help in everyday life, such as helping children with homework and budgeting money.

The Multiply provision across Reading will be directly delivered by New Directions College, alongside additional

commissioned courses by the local further education, voluntary, and community sectors.

Libraries, children’s centres, churches, community spaces and within local services, such as Job Centre Plus, will be the venues for the sessions, to ensure maximum accessibility for learners.

Cllr Ruth McEwan, Lead Councillor for Education and Public Health, said the grant was positive news for Reading.

“I’m delighted New Directions College will have the opportunity to build on its excellent provisions for our local community,” she saded.

“This initiative sits in the context of the Council working to ensure everybody can share

in Reading’s success.

“Good numeracy skills are so essential for everyone as a core life skill.”

She added: “Our ambition is to improve how people understand and work with numbers in everyday life, creating better opportunities and futures.

“We know many people lack confidence with numbers and it can have a negative impact on their daily lives. Improving numeracy needs encouragement, support, and good teaching – and if we are successful in this generous bid, we know we can make a real difference for many people.”

n For more details, or to sign up, visit: www.newdirectionsreading. ac.uk, or call: 0345 842 0012.

Council’s planning committee were not moved by the argument.

Councillor Jan Gavin (Labour, Caversham) recalled that there was the prospect of a health centre being built on the site, which eventually fell through after it was demonstrated that a new health centre was no longer required.

Cllr Micky Leng (Labour,

Whitley) said: “This came in with the full 30% affordable housing and then comes back to us with 11.5%. It’s not the planning authority’s job to protect developers profits, they should provide the affordable housing element that they agreed to.

“It doesn’t bode well for the affordable housing element when we have our new Prime Minister [Liz] Truss who stated in hustings that she viewed affordable housing targets as a ‘Stalinist Whitehall-led initiative.”

Cllr Andrew Hornsby-Smith (Labour, Church) said: “I think if we don’t stick with our 30% on this one our credibility in terms of that policy would be down to zero, because this is just about the ideal situation where it could, and should, be implemented.”

The reduction of affordable apartments was unanimously rejected by the council’s planning committee on Wednesday, October 5.

The future of the development is unclear given evidence that it may be unviable.

The approved plan can still be viewed by searching for reference 201391 on Reading Borough Council’s planning website.

BOMBAY Brothers, an forthcoming Indian restaurant in The Village – the new name for Kings Walk in Reading town centre – has applied to build an extractor fan.

The restaurant will occupy Unit 4 which is on the ground floor of the mall.

The extractor fan will come up from the kitchen to the first floor, where it will eventually leave the building out on to the Thorn Lane car park.

The application can be seen at Reading Borough Council’s planning portal, searching for reference: 221363.

Diner seeks OK for new extractor fan Soccer sessions

A READING CHARITY is inviting youngsters to take part in fun football activities to promote positive mental wellbeing.

Sport in Mind will be holding free, weekly sessions on Mondays during term-time at the astroturf pitches at Palmer Park.

Children aged from nine to 12 are welcome to attend.

The get-togethers serve as an ideal opportunity for young people to exercise while making new friends.

The opportunity is part of the Reading-based charity’s youth activities to help build confidence and self-esteem.

Sessions take place 5pm-6pm. n For more information, contact: 0118 947 9762.

PLAN: A CGI of the 26 apartment block plan to the rear of 362 Oxford Road, Reading, viewed from the south east. Credit: ECE Architecture

HELP: A £700,000 grant will allow Reading Borough Council the opportunity to run adult education classes to help with numeracy Picture: Wokandapix from Pixabay

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Nick wonders What Have We Become?

Next week, Nick Helm is coming to Norden Farm as part of his latest tour. BEN WILLIAMS finds out more

EXHILARATING.’

‘Highoctane.’ ‘Explosively funny.’

That’s just some of the words used to describe Nick Helm’s stand-up shows over the last decade and a half.

Over that time, he has established himself as one of the most thrilling, original and funniest comedians in the country, combining fist-pumping songs with delicate poems and in-ya-face stand-up.

In his new show, What Have We Become?, the panel show regular and star of BBC Three’s Uncle is showing his more sensitive side; tackling lifechanging topics like the pandemic, uncle-hood and Pepsi Max Cherry.

“It’s a really funny show, filled with stuff that I’ve thought about over the pandemic,” Nick says.

“It’s partly a story about personal growth and finding happiness. And partly a love letter to all my fans and audiences in general about how much I’ve missed them and how much we as comedians need them, in case anyone was feeling undervalued.”

What Have We Become? is quite a different show to your previous solo offerings. Did you consciously want the show to have a different tone?

“Yes. In the past my shows have been high-octane mish-mashes of songs, poems, one-liners and stand-up. And although they’re really fun to do, I wanted to do a more streamlined show.

“I wanted to challenge myself and focus more on stand-up, and audiences have been more than happy to go on that journey with me. It’s been liberating, educational, exciting and reinvigorating for me.”

The show focuses on the pandemic. How did lockdown affect you?

“I spent the first year thinking I was fine, but by the end of the year I realised I had fallen into a cycle of bad habits and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

“I was drinking too much, smoking again, eating too much, not exercising –all terrible habits, but I was kidding myself that I was on top of everything.

“Now I’m trying to focus on making my life as happy and good as possible. I’m trying to rebuild myself and leave my bad habits behind.

“I’ve battled with depression for years and it’s not good enough anymore. I’m trying to make my life into

something that I’m comfortable with living.”

The new show comes with a positive message. How do you keep things light when talking about the last two years?

“The last two years have been terrible in many, many ways and everyone has had their own personal version of hell play out. But to only look at the negatives would be a disservice. On a personal level my family have become closer, I’ve had time to deal with my mental health a bit, and have become more energised over my work.

“I feel like politically certain groups, parties and individuals have been exposed even more so for who they truly are, were and always have been and we as a society are finally able to come together again and heal.”

Can comedy help that healing process?

“Stand-up comedy is a big part in doing that. I love people, I love making things work and navigating issues to help people get along better and just going out and meeting people and performing and making people laugh is an incredibly positive thing. How could it not be?

“My intent is to give people a fun, good night out and there’s no need to tear people down to do that. I think I’m trying to describe compassion.”

You tackle politics for the first time in this show. Why did you feel now was the time to share your political opinions?

“I’m not a particularly political comedian, I always try and have some sort of social message or explore the human condition in some way, but politically I don’t feel like I’m enough of an expert to throw my hat in the ring.

“However, some of what’s happened over the last few years is just wrong and has affected everyone.

“I’m really just trying to vocalise how I and a lot of other people have been feeling.”

You’re on screen as yourself in addition to the sitcom roles. What’s been your favourite to do?

“Aside from getting to serenade Susie Dent on Cats Does Countdown, my favourite thing was my own show Heavy Entertainment on BBC Three. I loved doing it and would obviously welcome doing anything like that again.” n Nick will appear at Maidenhead’s Norden Farm on Tuesday, October 18, tickets cost £15. For more details, or to book, log on to norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788997

Your guide

what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Catch The Vortex

THERE’S an opportunity to see an unusual dance performance.

Award winning choreographer Russell Maliphant’s creation, Vortex, is coming to Bracknell.

Maliphant uses his dancers to ‘paint’ a visually rich journey, using movement, light and shadow.

Influenced by the work Jackson Pollock and abstract expressionism, the dance involves a large steel structure.

The event is at South Hill Park Arts Centre.

It can be seen on Tuesday, October 18.

Doors open at 7.45pm.

Tickets cost £16.50 full price, £14.50 for members, and school groups of over 10 cost £9.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 01344 484123.

Congratulations, it’s (almost) Cliff

FANS of Cliff Richard will enjoy a trip down memory lane.

Simon Goodall and the Bourne Again Shadows tribute band takes its audience on a musical journey to the 1950s and 60s when Cliff and The Shadows dominated the British pop charts.

The programme includes Cliff’s classics and The Shadows’ instrumental hits.

It takes place at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell.

The event is on Wednesday, October 19.

Doors open at 7.45pm.

Tickets cost £21, or £19 for members.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 01344 484123

ELO experience show rock and roll is king

THE Electric Light Orchestra

Experience recreates the legacy of the band that between 1972 and 1986 achieved more combined UK and US Top 40 hits than any other.

With a string section, light show and large screen projection, the show promises to transport its audience.

The programme will include many of ELO’s greatest hits, and spans 45 years of music.

The event is at The Hexagon Theatre, Reading.

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell –South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344

Imaginarium

Coleman

14-Sun

The band plays on Wednesday, October 19. Doors open at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £27.

n For more details or to book, visit: whatsonreading.com or call the box office: 0118 960 6060

All four seasons in a single evening

A PERFORMANCE that combines acrobatics, martial arts and classical dance comes to Guildford.

To music based on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the event describes the passing year in relation to the stages of the universe.

Choreographed and performed by James Wilton and Sarah Jane Taylor, the production promises a kaleidoscopic visual feast.

It can be seen at The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

It plays on Tuesday, October 18, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20.

n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 01483 440000

Join Mark at the halfway point

PONDERING about the fragility of existence, stand-up comedian Mark Watson has bought a life expectancy calculator app for £1.49.

At 41, he’s apparently half way through.

This Can’t Be It is described as an evening of pathological overthinking. where ‘spiritual enquiry meets highoctane observational comedy.’

Audiences should head to Guildford’s

THE Handlebards bring their bicycle-powered comedy production of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to Maidenhead.

Described as an exceptional touring production, the show promises drunkenness, frivolity and cross-dressing a plenty.

Duke Orsino is in love with Lady Olivia, who’s not interested.

Shipwrecked Viola thinks her twin brother Sebastian’s dead.

And a bunch of servants plot to make a fool of the butler, Malvolio.

To see the show, audiences should head to Norden Farm Arts Centre.

It takes place at the Courtyard Theatre on Thursday, October 20.

The performance starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £16.

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

Mark Watson is there on Friday, October 21. The show starts at 7.30pm, with seats costing £23.

n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 01483 440000

Hungry, hungry for children’s theatre

VERY young children can enjoy a show that brings to life four of Eric Carle’s stories.

In The Very Hungry Puppet show, children will recognise favourite characters from Carle’s books.

A menagerie of 75 puppets from The Very Hungry Caterpillar; Brown Bear, Brown Bear; 10 Little Rubber Ducks; and The Very Lonely Firefly, will bring the stories to life.

The production for ages one and upwards comes to Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

It plays on Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23.

Performances on both days are at 2pm and 4.30pm.

Tickets cost £18 for adults, £15.50 for children, or £62 for a family of four that includes one adult.

n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 01483 440000

Enjoy the wuthering heights of this Bush

KATE Bush-Ka takes the audience on an immersive journey of performance, with live versions of Kate Bush’s greatest hits as well as her lesser known album tracks.

Lead singer, Kate Smith, bears an uncanny resemblance to the highly original singer, who began her career in 1975.

Smith performs her songs with the addition of authentic costumes and choreography, in a show that is described as a must for Kate Bush fans.

It can be seen at Norden Farm Arts Centre’s Courtyard Theatre, in Maidenhead.

The event is on Friday, October 21, and starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £22.50 n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

Enjoy Schubert’s Swan Song

AS PART of the Conservatoire International Concert Series, AngloScottish baritone Thomas Humphreys and pianist Pavel Timofejevsky perform Schubert’s Swan Song.

The concert is focused on the composer’s final offering to the song world he richly populated.

The Schwanengesang, or Swan Song is a collection of 14 songs that demonstrate Schubert’s genius for melody.

The concert can be heard at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre.

The event is on Friday, October 14.

It starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £16.50, £14.50 for members, and £5.50 for under 18s. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 01344 484123

The Cavern Beatles. Fri 14.

Mercury: The Ultimate Queen Tribute. Sat 15. North Ascot Academy of Performing Arts. Sun 16. Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. Thurs 20. Mum’s The Word. Fri 21. Rise and Fall. Sat 22. Jason Bryne: Unblocked. Sun 23.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

Destiny. Thurs

Until Sat 15. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 13. 10CC.

17.

Worsley. Wed 19. Steeleye Span. Thurs 20. King of Pop. Thurs 20. A Country Night in Nashville. Fri 21. The Black Blues Brothers. Sat 22. Dinosaur Adventure Live. Sun 23.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Pippin. Until Sat 15. Ladies In Lavender. Wed 19-Sat 22. Jazz at the Kenton: Huw Warren plays Brazilian Jazz featuring The Max Wright Trio. Sun 23.

15. Nick Helm: What Have We Become? Tues 18. National Theatre Live: Jack Absolute Flies Again. Wed 19, Sat 22. The Handlebards Twelfth Night. Thurs 20. Kate Bush-Ka. Fri 21. Jo Harrop and Friends. Fri 21. Women In Rock. Sat 22.

Newbury –

The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218

Seann Walsh - Back From

Thurs

16.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494

The

Maidenhead –Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 It Snows in Benidorm (15). Thurs 13, Fri 14. Royal Opera House: Aida. Thurs 13. Strictly Movie Musicals. Thurs 13. Underwater. Sat 15. Windsor and Eton Opera present A Great Night at the Opera. Sat

Work

Newbury –

The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635

Othello.

Reading – South St www.whatsonreading.com 0118

Reading –Progress Theatre

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

Reading –The Hexagon

Reading

Concert Hall

Reading

Reading Rep Theatre

Shinfield Players

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

Sonning – The Mill

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org

the

The Martin Hart

with Stuart Henderson.

Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Enjoy a night out at The Dog & Duck in Emmbrook

Agatha Raisin was a joyful whodunit

IFyou’re a big fan of welcoming watering holes filled to the brim with ravishing refreshments and fantastic flavour-filled fare then the Dog & Duck will be just up your street.

Situated in Emmbrook, the traditional red brick pub and restaurant is bursting at the seams with character, from the herringbone flooring to the oak beamed ceilings.

New landlord and landlady Wesley and Victoria Tunstead took over in April and is now a family-run pub and restaurant.

As soon as you set foot through the porch entrance to the pub you are immediately greeted with a friendly warm welcome.

As well as a stunning and relaxed interior, with a separate dining area, the Dog & Duck has a beautiful beer garden, adorned with fairy lights.

Dogs are welcome and parking spaces are plentiful.

Now that the nights are drawing in and there is a chill in the air, it seemed like the perfect night to enjoy the new autumn/winter menu.

After being shown to our table and seated in the light and airy conservatory area, we couldn’t help noticing the stylish decor, with a quirky, but homely feel.

The Dog & Duck prides themselves on great quality pub food, well done, Victoria says.

“All of our food is of a high quality, fresh, seasonal and locally sourced.”

The drinks menu looked equally impressive, more than 21 speciality gins or you could choose a Brakspear brew or a glass of vino from elegant Rose to crisp dry whites or aromatic deep reds.

For starters, we decided to share.

First up were the Chicken

Wings, coated in sauce of your choice of Barbecue, Piri Piri or Korean, served with celery, £5.95.

It was a good size starter portion of chicken and the piri piri sauce kicked a punch.

Next was the Pan Seared Scallops with Black Pudding and Minted Pea Puree, £7.95.

Hats off to the chef, the scallops were cooked to perfection, the black pudding and mint sauce were the perfect accompaniment.

We also chose the Garlic Bread, smothered in garlic butter, £5.95. The round flat bread was enormous, enough for four to share.

For his main course, my husband chose pie of the day, steamed steak and kidney pie served with chips, seasonal vegetables and gravy, £16.25.

The steak pieces was tender and succulent and served in a rich gravy, encased in a suet pastry. It came with perfectly cooked vegetables while the mash was smooth and creamy.

I opted for the Sicillian

King Prawn Linguine tossed with garlic, anchovies, saffron chilli and lemon, £14.95. I was impressed at the number of king prawns in the dish.

The saltiness of the anchovies with the sweet floral flavour of saffron was a perfect combo. The linguine was “al dente”, just the way I liked it.

Our son chose the 10oz Rump steak with chunky chips, grilled tomatoes, peas, onion rings and a peppercorn sauce, £19.95.

The portion size was definitely big enough to satisfy his appetite. The steak was juicy and tender, the chips chunky and crispy and piping hot.

The presentation was perfect, his plate was totally cleared.

And our daughter tried the Dog & Duck’s Margherita Pizza, £11.25. This was a large, thin sourdough base, hand-stretched, and topped with Mozzarella, sun-dried

tomatoes and baked in a traditional pizza oven.

My husband and myself were too full for dessert. Our children however always seem to have that little bit of space left.

Our son chose the Strawberry Daiquiri Cheesecake, £5.95. It was soft and light on top, however the middle was semi frozen, almost like a strawberry ice cream with a sweet biscuit base, raspberry coulis, strawberries and fresh cream.

It was very much enjoyed.

Our daughter chose a beautifully presented Honeycomb Charlotte, £5.95, an indulgent treat for dessert lovers.

Overall our experience at the Dog & Duck was excellent.

The food was of great quality and fairly priced as were the drinks.

The service was brilliant and the ambience was just perfect.

We will definitely be returning.

Standing: Jane Rhodes rehearsing as Agatha Crusty. Jane had to stand down at the last moment due to unforeseen circumstances. Director Beth Reynolds stepped in to take the part from the dress rehearsal. As the amateur detective she played it with notebook in hand “taking notes” - when in fact she had the script there for easy reference. She was praised for her performance. Seated from

Jo Davis as Alice, Christine Duggan as Maisie and Emma Cianchi as Eleanor

Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders

Presented by Twyford Drama October 6-8 Loddon Hall

WHOdoesn’t enjoy a Saturday night whodunit with a nod to one of our favourite authors? Although in this case, it was more Agatha Raisin than Christie.

Agatha Crusty (Beth Reynolds, also the director) is a well-known crime fiction author and has come to stay with her sister-in-law Alice (Joanne Davis).

She arrives in the best Miss Marple tradition just as a murder has been discovered by the inconspicuous village hall cleaner Maisie (Christine Duggan).

The police have been summoned.

It appears that Agatha has previously had dealings with Inspector Twigg, ably portrayed by Peter King, and has been somewhat underwhelmed by his detecting abilities.

We learn that there have been a number of recent deaths of committee members which have been deemed accidental… but is a pattern emerging?

The latest fatality is definitely not an accident and with the help of Agatha, the bumbling Inspector Twigg sets about trying to unravel the mystery as only the incompetent can.

On the list of suspects is jobsworth caretaker Harry, played with just the right amount of nonchalance by Mike Higgins.

His characterisation bore a striking resemblance to Ronnie Barker’s Arkwright from Open All Hours,

complete with a brown overall. Sheer genius.

The main suspects are, of course, the other committee, and staff at the village hall.

Once the interviews commence, with Agatha deftly observing and keeping the Inspector on track, we are introduced over the next few scenes to the chair of the committee, Eleanor (Emma Cianchi), the archetypal village spinster with a keen sense of propriety comically illustrated when Mandy (Liz Martin) arrives as the model for a life drawing class which she promptly cancels.

Toby, the simpering vicar (Marc Reid) and the object of Eleanor’s desire, Olivia and Oliver, brother and sister, with both parts played expertly by Caroline Rose-Newport who slipped seamlessly from one role to the other, and Isabella (Pauline Rampton) constitute the others who may be in peril - or have they committed the crime?

PC Lockett (Jac Rampton) provides wet behind the ears support to the Inspector throughout.

So it was a joy to sit back and be swept along by the puns, rhymes, alliteration and good humour, rather like sitting down to a much loved classic episode of Acorn Antiques or The Two Ronnies.

The whole cast provided us with a panoply of well mixed dough which, when gently baked, morphed into a wonderful Agatha Crusty loaf as we tried to determine whodunit?

The team behind the show are now hard at work rehearsing for The Pied Piper of Hamelin, their annual panto. It will be performed at Loddon Hall from January 13-15. Tickets are already on sale. For more information, log on to: www.twyrusdrama.org.uk

CLAIRE WORSFOLD

10oz Rump steak with chunky chips, grilled tomatoes, peas, onion rings and a peppercorn sauce

Russell Howard’s Hexagon date

COMEDIAN Russell Howard is bringing his live show to Reading.

His UK tour in 2023 begins on Thursday, March 16, at The Hexagon, starting a three-month run of shows.

Howard has been hailed as “one of the world’s top comedians” by the Sunday Times, and is currently presenting the sixth series of his TV show, The Russell Howard Hour.

Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday, October 7, priced at £32 each.

Tickets are restricted to 6 per customer, and the show is billed as PG for parental guidance.

n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: www. whatsonreading.com

Concert singers will be hot stuff

A CHAMBER choir is preparing for their autumn concert with a programme filled with fire.

Tamesis will be performing at Queen Anne’s School on Sunday, October 16.

The concert, called Fire Songs and Bright Sparks, will include pieces such as Will Todd’s Fire of Love, Ben Parry’s Flame, and The Bangles’ Eternal Flame.

It takes place from 4pm at the Caversham school and tickets cost £12, £5 for concessions.

n For more details or to book, log on to: www.tamesischamberchoir. co.uk.

Explore Jessica’s identity at South St

Sainsbury Singers prepare for industrial action

THE SAINSBURY SINGERS are preparing to go on strike, and they’re hoping you’ll see them do it.

Everybody Out, Sorry I Love You, and Same Old Story.

The show will be performed by the Sainsbury Singers from Tuesday, October 25, through to Saturday, October 29, at the Leighton Park School theatre.

ACOMEDIC

night that explores sexy and private things is coming to South Street this weekend.

Jessica Fostekew’s Wench is an exploration of identity, with plenty of laughs.

She describes it as a show about sexy things (awkward), private things (oh no) and a woman trying to sit on the face of time to keep it still (hot, right?).

The comic has been on a host

of shows such as Live at the Apollo, QI and on Harry Hill’s Clubnite, and Richard Osman’s House Of Games.

She’s a regular co-host of The Guilty Feminist Podcast, the host and creator of The Hoovering Podcast and also guests regularly on BBC Radio 4’s News Quiz and The Now Show.

Her previous show, Hench, won Best Show and Best Breakthrough Act in the Chortle Awards 2020.

Later this year, she will appear in Real Friends, a Sky show she has co-written and stars in. while a new BBC Radio 4 series, Strong Girls Club, will be broadcast next year.

But for now, audiences can enjoy her show Wench, at South Street in Reading on Friday, October 14, from 8pm. n Tickets cost £16, and can be ordered by calling the box office on 0118 960 6060, or logging on to: www.whatsonreading.com

The amateur group are to stage the British musical comedy show Made In Dagenham, based on the movie, which in turn takes its cues from a moment in history.

Set in Essex in 1968, the show focuses on Rita O’Grady.

She works in the stitching room of car maker Ford’s Dagenham car plant.

When she learns that her pay grade is being dropped to ‘unskilled’, bringing with it a pay cut, Rita leaps into action.

With her friends, they battle against the car maker, and the unions, in a bid to get equal pay.

Songs include Busy Woman,

It’s the latest in a number of productions the group has performed in recent years, including Chess, Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls and Little Shop of Horrors.

Tickets cost £22, £19 for concessions. There is a special four tickets for the price of three on Tuesdays, and a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: sainsburysingers.org.uk/ madeindagenham/

The show must go on: Faustus

AN EVENING of folk music taking place next week will be a poignant tribute to a much-loved musician.

Nettlebed Folk Club had been planning to welcome Paul Sartin with his bandmates in Faustus. But on September 14, he collapsed suddenly shortly before he was due to appear at an event in Oxford.

He was 51.

The band will make an appearance at the folk club on

Monday, October 17, giving audiences an opportunity to remember the talented musician.

Joining Benji Kirkpatrick and Saul Rose will be Joe Sartin, Paul’s youngest son. The 19-year-old will be a support act before joining in a couple of songs at the end for an emotional finale.

The band say Joe is a superb singer and guitarist, and a competent performer, and has performed with them over the years.

A spokesperson for the folk club said: “He wishes to do this to honour his father, and we’re sure he will have plenty of support from family and friends.”

The Nettlebed Folk Club meets from 7.45pm at The Village Club, in Nettlebed’s High Street.

n For more details, or to book tickets, call the box office on: 01628 636620 between 10am and 8pm, or log on to: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

High Voltage concert for re:Charge

A Twyford choir is staging a concert this weekend to help families and others who are facing hard times.

The High Voltage Singers’ big evening, under the banner October Rendezvous, is this Saturday (October 15) at 7.30pm at St Peter’s Church, Furze Platt, Maidenhead SL6 7QU.

The singers will be joined by Sarah and Dave France on flute and piano, and The Young Ones on guitar. There will also be opportunities for audiences to join in.

The singers’ director Jacky Crossman said: “It’s going to be a fabulous evening with High Voltage and our High Voltage band of drums, bass and acoustic guitars and keyboard.

“Plus we have an excellent flautist doing some cracking tunes; The Young Ones, our

University of the

things they need.

of singing for the audience.

group; and

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is

“It will be lovely to see everyone who can make it. Please feel free to share

with your friends, it will be a fantastic night.”

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The suggestion donation on the door is

be

COMEDY NIGHT: Jessica Fostekew’s Wench is an exploration of identity, with plenty of laughs

RaW Sounds Today Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

THIS

WEEK, we have two new entries from some of our favourites.

Rising stars Third Lung head up the hit parade with No Names. We heard them at the resent Loddfest, and boy, are they good.

Also returning is Lonely Robot, released in August and features a very special guest appearance in the video.

The RaW Sounds Today playlist is 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.

Third Lung – No Names

Third Lung played some great live shows in the summer including at Lakefest, Wokingham Festival and the band’s own sold out Loddfest.

Now, we have a new single from their forthcoming debut album, Gameplay. As we have come to expect, it’s another melodic anthem.

GUIDE

Thursday, October 13

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Call of Sirens, Alpha Line. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. HeavyPop presents Courting and Deep Tan. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Friday Night live. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Sham 69.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196

READING - Wild Lime, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic: spoken word, music and vibes. From 6.30pm.

Friday, October 14

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Fleetwood Mac Songbook. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. All About You. Details: 01344 303333.

GORING - Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Road RG8 9HB. Goring Community Jazz Club presents Sarah Jane Eveleigh with Nick Hill, Howard King, Mike Goff. Details www. ticketsource.co.uk/goring-communityjazz-club

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Friday Night live. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Away With The Seas. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Wicked Boy Friday: Crooked Shapes, Twenty 06, Atlas Rise, Bacc

beat combined with Kate Herridge’s powerful vocals. You can see Dakorra live on Friday, October 28, supporting LoneLady, at South Street Arts Centre –https://www.facebook.com/dakorraband

Lilac – Losing Myself (In You)

Lilac are a Reading-based three-piece band comprising Beth on vocals and guitar, Lewis on keyboards, guitar and backing vocals and Olly on Drums. They describe their sound as floral indie which is a great description – https://lilacband.co.uk

Rila’s Edge – Someone New

This is the latest single, released in July, by this Wokingham-based band who recently packed out The Redan. One of our fave releases of the last few months – https://www.rilasedge.com/

Dandy Man – Flat Earth Society

We’ve been lucky enough to hear the full album and can confirm that every track is a killer! We can’t wait until the album launch show at Reading’s Sub 89 on November 10. What a night that’s going to be – http://thirdlungband.com

Lonely Robot – Digital God Machine

Created by the multi-talented John Mitchell in his own Outhouse Studio, Lonely Robot is now on its fifth album.

A Model Life was released in late August and is full of great personal-themed songs recorded with John’s brilliant musicianship, vocals and production.

This song, which was a recent single from the album, is about those sad individuals that go online and troll musicians with insults. Check out the video.

Watch out for the writer of this article acting as

Hanal. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennetside RG1 3DW. BOHO Showcase: The Live Looper, Hattie Taylor and more.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. The Puppini Sisters. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Waiola Fridays.

READING - O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. The Strats. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Bruce Juice. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Chestnuts. Details: 0118 977 3706.

YATELEY – White Lion, Reading Road GU46 7RX. Je’Zell. Details: 01252 890840.

Saturday, October 15

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Foxpalmer and Majanin. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Double Shots. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Solace. Details: 01344 422622.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Swallow. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Davey Dodds. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Fools Gold and Success. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Johny 2 Bad. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Lyndhurst, Queen’s Road RG1 4DG. Live at the Lyndhurst. Details: 0118 950 3888

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. The Skavengers. Details: 0118 935 1009.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Scarlet Vixens: The Pinktober Cabaret. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Q Club, Friar StreetRG1 1DB. Social Saturdays with meet and greet Love Island’s Adam Collard. Details: 0118 957 4705.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Hugh Turner Trio. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Readiophonics. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Lord John Band. Details: 0118 957 6930.

WOKINGHAM - Bond Brews, South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road. Bon Brew Tap Yard party. Noon-6pm. Details: bondbrews. co.uk

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG6 4JZ. Woodley Theatre presents100 Years of Jazz from Buddyt Bolden to Miles Davies and beyond with the Martin Hart Trio. Details: 0748 833 7838.

Sunday, October 16

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Tom McConville. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Club Velocity and New Minds present The Virginmarys and The Pink Diamond Review. Details: www. wegottickets.com/event/545865

READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Loop Presents Volume 1.

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.

one of those trolls. – https://johnmitchellhq.com

Louis and the Shakes – TRAILBLAZR

This band from London played a great set at Third Lung’s Loddfest event in Reading last month and we hear they may be playing a Wokingham gig later this year. – https://www.louisandtheshakes.com

Courting – Jumper

This is a band that plays, or played, depending on when you read this, at Reading’s Facebar on Thursday, October 13. Courting are from Liverpool and have just released their debut album, the excellent Guitar Music – https://courtingband.com

Dakorra – Elevate Me

Here are some guitar riffs over a pulsing electro

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Swinging Big Band. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Monday, October 17

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Faustus. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Tuesday, October 18

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

Wednesday, October 19

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Simon Goodall and the Bourne Again Shadows. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. The ELO Experience. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196

Thursday, October 20

READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Grace Petrie. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Outlook, Kings Road. Jam Night.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Blancmange. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Friday, October 21

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Whitney Houston Tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. China Crisis. Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Solace. Details:

01344 422622.

Here’s Reading-based alt-indie/folk rockers, Dandy Man, with their new single which was recorded at Pyramid Studios in Hurst and is from their forthcoming debut album, Something I Have To Say – https://dandymanmusic.com/

The Wave Machine – So Far So Good

Angus Trott aka The Wave Machine has recently performed at both Wokingham Festival and Loddfest and here’s his new single which is another of his self-penned joyous uplifting songs – https:// linktr.ee/thewavemachine

Elucidate – Crossroads

Elucidate are an alt-rock band from Reading, and this is their latest single which was released in the summer. It’s a good slice of melodic indie pop rock as are their other releases – https://linktr.ee/ ElucidateUK

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Soultrax Live with Anna Nightingale. Details: 01344 457318.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Never 42. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Wild Willy Barrett’s Roaring Touring. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Friday Night live. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Waiola Fridays.

READING - O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents The Power of Three. Details: www. jazzinreading.com

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Nothing Will Change IVMasquerader, S0DDS, The Bourbon Massive. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The James Taylor Quartet. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – Wild Lime, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Ripple Effect. Details: 0118 959 8950.

SHURLOCK ROW – The Shurlock Inn, The Street RG10 0PS. Steve Murano. Details: 0118 230 8315.

WINNERSH – The Pheasant, Reading Road RG41 4LR. The Grafters. Details: 0118 978 4529

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Live music. Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, October 22

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. The Silver Searchers.

Details: 01344 420690.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Spriggan Mist Ghostly Tales. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Hustler. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Crazy Cowboy Festival 8 from noon. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. PIG. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Echo. Details: 0118 957 6930.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Skavengers. Details: 0118 926 5804.

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Straight Eight. Details: 0118 942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Indie City. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. Arachna. Details: 0118 969 3325.

YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Sound Interiors. Details: 01252 870648.

YATELEY - The Royal Oak, Reading Road, GU46 7UG. Soul’d Out. Details: 01252 872459.

Sunday, October 23

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Singers night. 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.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Motown’s Greatest Hits: How Sweet It Is. Details: 0118 969 8000.

A NAME TO NO NAMES: Cams Jurasek of Third Lung at Wokingham Festival Picture: Andrew Merritt

WHAT’SON

Thurs, October 13

BRACKNELL – Garth Hill College, Bull Lane RG42

2AD. Bracknell Cobras Walking Basketball session.

All ages and abilities welcome. 7pm-8pm. £7. Details: 07760 293729.

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ.

Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Bar 77, Kings Road RG1 3BJ. A Nightmare on 77th Street: A drag show by Draven including quiz and prizes for best dressed. From 7.30pm.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Pride. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ.

The Influence of Victorian Mourning on Reading Cemetery, a talk organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY.

Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Double Barrelled Brewery Mark and Gary’s quiz night in aid of Launchpad. 6.30pm. Dark Beer Celebration. Details: doublebarrelled. co.uk

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: Macro group and portrait group feedback events. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: The Duke (12a). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

Friday, October 14

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

READING – New Hope Community Church, York Road. Bell Tower Community Association and Left Foot Forward present community ceilidh. 7.30pm. £5, under 18s £2.50. In aid of association funds.

The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Pride. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe. 8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Central Library, Abbey Square. Extraordinary Life of Charles Ignatius Sancho with Paterson Joseph, a live stream from The British Library. Part of Black History Month. 7pm. Free, booking essential. Details: info@readinglibraries. org.uk

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Dark Beer Celebration. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk

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, Oct 15

CLIVEDEN – Cliveden House, Taplow, SL6 0JF. Cliveden Literary Festival 2022. ‘Probably the world’s best small literary festival.’ Ian McEwen. For tickets and information visit: https:// clivedenliteraryfestival.org

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Colin’s Club Auction. 7pm. Details: 01344 772161.

EMMBROOK – Sports and Social Club, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Comedy night with Matt Richardson, Dinesh Nathan, Josh Baulf, Jonathan Elston. £12. Doors 7pm. Details: laughtercraftcomedy.com .

MAIDENHEAD – St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Road SL6 7QU. Twyford High Voltage Singers October Rendezvous. 7.30pm. Entry by donation, suggested £7. Details: 07780 580598.

READING - Battle Library, Oxford Road. Board games club for teenagers upwards. Noon-2pm. Free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – Great Hall, university of Reading London Road RG1 5AQ. Gin and Rum festival.

12.30pm-5pm or 6.30pm11pm. £15 and booking fee. Over 18s only. Details: ginandrumfestival.com

READING – Kings Meadow, Napier Road RG1 8EJ. Reading Diwali Festival. Noon-6pm. Free entry.

READING - IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com

READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Details: www. phantombrew.com

READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road RG30 2ND. Carter Steam Fair final destination. Noon10pm. Details: www. carterssteamfair.co.uk

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Pride. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: progresstheatre.co.uk.

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Dark Beer Celebration. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk

WOKINGHAM - Bond Brews, South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road. Bond Brew Tap Yard party. Noon-6pm. Details: bondbrews.co.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Sunday, October 16

CAVERSHAM - Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am3pm.

CAVERSHAM – Queen Anne’s School, Henley Road RG4 6DX. Tamesis Chamber Choir: Fire Songs and Bright Sparks. 4pm-6pm. £12, £5 children and students. Details: www. tamesischamberchoir.co.uk

CLIVEDEN – Cliveden House, Taplow, SL6 0JF. Cliveden Literary Festival 2022. ‘Probably the world’s best small literary festival.’ Ian McEwen. For tickets and information visit: https:// clivedenliteraryfestival.org

READING – Dance Studio Reading, Lovelock Road RG30 1DZ. Indoor table top sale in aid of 19-monthold Lola who has PTCD. £7 per table, 50p entry, under 16s free. 9am-2pm. Details: 07710 408473.

READING – Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Railway Records for Family Historians workshop with Richard Marks. 11am-1pm. £10, includes tea and coffee. Details: berksfhs. org

READING – Prospect Park,

Liebenrood Road RG30 2ND. Carter Steam Fair final destination. Noon-8pm. Details: www. carterssteamfair.co.uk

READING – RISC, London Road. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be”. 12.30pm-4pm. Free, donations welcome.

SHINFIELD – Crosfields School, Shinfield Road. NCT Reading nearly new sale: baby, children and maternity clothes and equipment. 11.15am12.30pm.

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Dark Beer Celebration. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – From Elms Field. Wokingham Lions Club presents autumn Wokingham Walk: 5-, 10-, and 15-mile routes. From 9am. Details: www. wokinghamwalk.co.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Minature Railway, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway running. £1.50 per ride, four rides £5. 1.30pm-4pm. Under threes free. Now accepts card payments. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.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

WOODLEY – Willow Bank School, Duffield Road RG5 4RL. Car boot sale in aid of school funds. 11am-1pm. Sellers 10am, £7 per vehicle. 50p buyers.

Monday, October 17

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Bingo night. From 7pm. Free entry members, nonmembers £1. £1.25 per book. Details: 01344 772161.

BINFIELD – Moor Close, Newbold College, RG42 4AN. Arts Society Wokingham presents An illustrated talk on the women patrons of Renaissance art by Nicole Mezey. 7.45pm. Details: www.TheArts SocietyWokingham.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road RG40 3AL. Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session. 7.30pm. Booking essential. Details: https://www. rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Late_Session

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

Tue, October 18

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road RG6 1EY. East Reading Horticultural Society meeting: The Age of the Pyramids with Paulo Scremin. 7.45pm for 8pm. Details: www.erhs.org.uk

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

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Family History Advice Clinic for family and social historians. 11am. Free. Details: 0118 950 9553.

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Comedy Club. Headliner: Carey Marx. £8. 7pm. Details: milkreading.com

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Finches social club for people with or without autism. 7pm-9pm. Drinks and snacks available to buy. Music, and friendship. Details: kingwood.org.uk

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. Details: linkvisiting. org

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Wednesday, October 19

DUNSDEN GREEN – Village Hall RG4 9QG. English Country dancing evening: beginners welcome. £4, first session free. 8pm. Details: 07714 226723.

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org

READING – Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. History of Reading Society presents Sail Making in Reading, a talk by Evelyn Williams and Richard Stainthorp. 7pm. £2 non-members. Details: Historyofreadingsociety. org.uk

READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL. Last Night A DJ Saved My Life: Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton Q&A. From 6pm. Details: www. linktr.ee/blue.collar

READING – The Corn Stores. Thames Valley Wine School presents Whiskey and Chocolate tasting class. 7pm. Details: https:// www.localwineschool.com/ thames-valley/

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Rock Choir taster sessions. 12.15pm. Booking essential. Free. Details: www.rockchoir. com/join/Wokingham_ Morning_Session

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

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents Into The Woods Jr. 7.30pm. £14, £12 concessions. Details: www.starmaker. org.uk/intothewoods

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thurs, October 20

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. Stand and Deliver comedy club. Over 18s only. £8. 7pm Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

READING – Venue to be confirmed on booking. Terry’s - Halloween Reading’s ‘Ghosts & Strange Goings On’ Walkabout: maximum 16 people. £5, child over 10 £1. In aid of PACT and Royal Berks Charity. 5.45pm. Details: www.facebook.com/ terrysreadingwalkabouts

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

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: talk by Simon Roberts. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Main hall, Baptist Church, Milton Road, RG40 1DE. Wokingham Literary Society: The subject will be Diarists: Dorothy Wordsworth and Bridget Jones to name two. 7.30pm. Annual Subscription is £15. Non-members, £2 per meeting. Details: wokinghamliterarysociety. org.uk

£14, £12 concessions.

Details: www.starmaker. org.uk/intothewoods

Friday, October 21

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mates Rates Comedy presents Comedy at the Turtle with Dani Johns, Carl Richard, and Yuriko Kotani. Details: 0118 959 7196

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online. 1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

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

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents Into The Woods Jr. 7.30pm. £14, £12 concessions. Details: www.starmaker. org.uk/intothewoods

Sat, October 22

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Concerts in Caversham autumn festival: Jazz Trio with Sarah Gillespie. 7.30pm. Tickets £22, over 60s £20, and £16 for 16-25s. Under 16s free. Details: 0118 948 3220 or concertsincaversham.co.uk

FINCHAMPSTEAD –California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride RG40 4HU. First Days Pumpkin Trail. Maps £3 from Jackson’s California Lake cafe. Details: 0118 934 2016.

READING - Battle Library, Oxford Road. Board games club for teenagers upwards. Noon-2pm. Free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

READING – All Saints Church, Downshire Square RG1 6NP. Reading Male Voice Choir in concert. 7.30pm. £10. Details: mvc.net

READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road RG30 2ND. Carter Steam Fair final destination. Noon10pm. Details: www. carterssteamfair.co.uk

READING - IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com

HalloWellyWeen: activities between 10am and 4pm, including Wooky Willow Show Tent, Not-So Spooky Show Tent, The Lost Jungle, The Pumpkin Patch, Pop-up Play Village, The Train, Junk Jodie. Details: wellingtoncountrypark. co.uk

SOUTHCOTE - Community Hub, Coronation Square RG3 3QP. Spooky crafts for ages 4-10. 10.30am11.30am. £1. Details: 0118 937 5109.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. An Evening of Entertainment 2022 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support including Selina and the Howlin Dogs, Saxcelerate and Iszi Lawrence. Doors 6pm, show 7pm. £15, £8 children, under fives free. Details: www.ticketsource. co.uk/emmamacedo

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. Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents Into The Woods Jr. 3pm and 7.30pm. £14, £12 concessions. Details: www.starmaker.org.uk/ intothewoods

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, October 23

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Concerts in Caversham autumn festival: Ariel Lanyi, International Concert Pianist. 6pm. Tickets £22, over 60s £20, and £16 for 16-25s. Under 16s free. Details: 0118 948 3220 or concertsincaversham.co.uk

CAVERSHAM - Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am-3pm.

FINCHAMPSTEAD –California Country Park, Nine Mile Ride RG40 4HU. First Days Pumpkin Trail. Maps £3 from Jackson’s California Lake cafe. Details: 0118 934 2016.

RISELEY – Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road RG7 1SP. Wellington Country Park HalloWellyWeen. Details: wellingtoncountrypark. co.uk

READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road RG30 2ND. Carter Steam Fair final destination. Noon-8pm. Details: www. carterssteamfair.co.uk

7.30pm.

WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents Into The Woods

RISELEY – Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road RG7 1SP. Wellington Country Park

SPENCERS WOOD – Across village and Three Mile Cross. Hallowe’en trail in aid of The Willows Support Group. Maps from Budgens Three Mile Cross and Robyn’s Nest, Shinfield. Details: www. justgiving.com/page/ halloweentrail2022

Quiz

What name is given to the point above the origin of an

Who was the first BBC Radio 1 disc jockey to go on air?

Which European country had a secret police force called the Stasi?

Which of the characters in The Wizard

Suffering from cold but otherwise well, although presumably not with this (9,3)

How can anything be left out of this container? (7)

Some will love gannet for not eating meat (5)

the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

letters of the phrase

Check

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Contractually bound to big deal-maker (9)

Permit an obstruction (3)

£1 for the breadwinner, a novice (7)

Staunch ally somehow could accept nothing (5)

Be left to make the noise of oxen – or of bulls (6)

10 Across a marine first have the small band (6)

Pierce headless fish (5)

Hit the drink in harmony (7)

Tower of strength on the water (3)

One existing by the water in the city (9)

Siesta until midnight? (4,2,3,3)

Dress again to go to bed (6)

Having little lumps when our land is cultivated (7)

Insect around the Italian horse (5)

Bird is let out to reveal secrets in gossip (6-6)

He works with the enemy arranging to collar boar (12)

Shakespearean character to return greeting (7)

Noel or a crazy girl (7)

Creditor putting a tax on neckwear (6)

Scottish cattle man (5)

Intrinsically according to most of the group (3,2)

Nutrition and menopause

Healthy heart tip outdoors

THEmenopause is a natural time in a

woman’s life usually occurring between the ages of 45-55 and can last a few months to several years.

During this time changes in hormone levels result in the stopping of menstruation.

Women may also experience a variety of other symptoms such as weight gain, hot flushes, night sweats and poor concentration. Here we outline some nutrition and lifestyle ideas to support you during this phase of life.

Prioritise calciumrich foods

Loss of calcium from the bones is accelerated during menopause, due to the reduction in the hormone oestrogen. Calcium is a mineral associated with healthy bones and teeth.

Aim to eat two to three portions of calcium-rich foods daily to support your bones and protect against osteoporosis. Examples include low-fat milk and yoghurt, fortified plantbased milks, cheese, kale and small fish (including the bones).

Spend time

PlasticFreeHome

David Lamont

Vitamin D is also important for bone health. Getting outside in sunlight for 20 minutes daily between the months of April and October will provide you with lots of vitamin D. If you don’t spend very much time outdoors and are rarely exposed to the sun, speak to your GP about a supplement.

Consume hearthealthy fats

Your risk of cardiovascular disease increases as a result of the menopause, again due to lower levels of oestrogen. Support your cardiovascular system by consuming heart-healthy fats from unsalted nuts and seeds, olive oil, avocado and oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel and trout.

The menopause can be an emotional time for some women, as

changes in hormones can result in mood changes.

Remember to be kind to yourself and get plenty of rest.

Doing relaxing activities like walking in nature can be helpful to ease stress.

Try to maintain the recommended 150

Going green this Hallowe’en

Scary stuff

This time last year we appeared on a local BBC radio station talking about the environmental impact of Hallowe’en.

For example, in the UK alone, Hallowe’en costumes and accessories are responsible for 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste, equivalent to 83 million plastic bottles.

And, shockingly, 90% of the Hallowe’en costumes we buy contain plastic, while half are only worn once.

Now that is frightening.

Here are a few tips for a more environmentally friendly Hallowe’en… Trick or retreat?

First of all, do you really need to pace the streets in search of treats or can you mark Hallowe’en in a different way? Given the situation, not everyone may want spluttering children at their front door in any case.

Enjoy a scary family film with some homemade popcorn or snacks, plan a Hallowe’en-themed day out (many attractions now offer them), get crafting or play some party games?

You could bob for apples and throw in some toffee, share ghost stories, make paper spider’s webs or glass jam jar lanterns and enjoy some quality time together.

When the doorbell rings

If you can, try to hand out chocolate or sweets that aren’t wrapped in plastic or at least aim to cut back on the packaging involved.

The majority of big brand offerings are unfortunately wrapped in plastic, sometimes several times over,

meaning that we use millions of plastic bags and wrappers during Hallowe’en.

Look for plastic-free and Fairtrade/ slave-free options from the likes of Divine or Tony’s Chocolonely, or foil wrapped characters, balls or coins.

Remember to save your foil until you have a tennis ball-sized amount that can be scrunched together to make it more easily recyclable.

Swap chocolate for a piece of fruit or plastic-free, fruit-based snacks from the likes of Freddie’s Farm.

Or buy a large plastic-free box of pick n’ mix and fill individual (ideally recycled) paper bags to hand out.

You might even be able to come up with some good ideas for alternative giveaways – think about what your kids and their friends enjoy… Maybe something useful and plastic-free like a pencil, bookmark or wooden yoyo.

Dressing up

minutes of physical activity per week by doing something you enjoy such as swimming, cycling or dancing.

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-researchuk-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

Volunteer Corner

If you’re hell-bent (no pun intended) on buying Hallowe’en costumes, accessories or decorations, aim to buy ones that you can reuse time and time again.

Or, better still, consider hiring outfits from a local fancy dress shop, or whether you can swap costumes with friends and family members?

Buying second-hand is an option as well.

Alternatively, have some fun making costumes with the kids. Use an old bed sheet, raid your wardrobe for unwanted items or check out a local charity shop.

You could even skip the outfits entirely and simply have fun painting each other’s faces?

The pumpkin

Sixty per cent of Britons who carve a pumpkin at Hallowe’en admit to not eating its inners – obviously, a tremendous waste considering that we get through nearly ten million of them at this time of year.

That results in a potential 28 million tonnes of easily avoidable and unnecessary food waste.

Instead, why not turn your pumpkin into a delicious soup, roast it or make a tasty pie… and only then, pop any leftovers in your food waste collection.

Avoid leaving the leftovers out in your garden or local woods for wildlife to finish off as Pumpkin can be harmful to some animals (for example hedgehogs) and also upset the natural balance.

You can instead dig a big hole and cover it over, leaving the worms to enjoy it.

Or just give the pumpkin a miss altogether.

n Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with more than 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably.

Visit www.theplasticfreehome. com or www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk

ASSISTING

Berkshire Children to Read (ABC to Read) is an award-winning charity that supports children who are struggling to read by finding, training and supporting volunteers to work with them in primary schools around Berkshire.

They are looking for caring volunteers to become reading helpers, boosting students’ confidence and helping them directly in one-to-one sessions outside of the classroom environment to give students the opportunity to catch up.

If you enjoy reading and want to help children gain one of the most essential skills for success in life then please join ABC to Read.

Sign up now for the next volunteer training taking place on Tuesday, October 18.

n Ethical Reading exists to help organisations in Reading and their teams do the right thing by each other, the wider community and the environment and to thrive in the process.

They want additional volunteers in order to provide support to the lead Director with managing internal People and Culture related activities such as internal surveys, updating the volunteer skills database, arranging social events with other volunteers etc.

They will require volunteers to set aside an average of four hours per week.

n Nuclear Information Service is an independent, not-for-profit research organisation.

They investigate the UK nuclear weapons programme and publish accurate and reliable information to stimulate informed debate on disarmament and related issues.

They are currently seeking a volunteer to join their small team to help with a variety of office tasks.

The right volunteer for this role will have to be a confident IT user, comfortable using a range of software packages, and have a good standard of spoken and written English.

Tasks would include: Updating their website, databases and spreadsheets, internet research, preparing mailings and more.

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.

TRICK: Hallowe’en is a time of excess waste Picture: Andreas Lischka from Pixabay

INCE WARNS TEAM: ‘WE’VE GOT TO GO AGAIN’

GAFFER’S BOUNCE BACK CHALLENGE

By ANDY PRESTON

READING FC manager Paul Ince has challenged his team to ‘regroup’ when they face West Bromwich Albion this Saturday.

Ince labelled Reading’s defeat

at Queens Park Rangers on Friday evening as ‘frustrating’ after the Royals missed out on taking a point from Loftus Road after conceding an 84th minute penalty which was converted by Lyndon Dykes.

After the weekend’s action Reading have dropped two places to

fifth in the Championship.

“It would have been nice for them (the fans) to go back with some points. They were unbelievable,” said Ince

“I’m frustrated more than anything and now we’ve got to go again.

“Luckily we’ve got eight days off to regroup.”

The Baggies are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Steve Bruce on Monday due to a poor start, that has seen them win just one league game this season.

report and news on page

ROYALS WOMEN TO FACE TOUGH GUNNERS TEST

READING FC WOMEN face a tricky test against current Women’s Super League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

The Royals have endured a tough start to their 2022/23 campaign which has seen them defeated in all three of their matches so far.

Reading lost out on the opening day in the league away at Manchester United 4-0 before they were edged out 2-1 by Brighton.

Kelly Chambers’ side lost out 2-1 in their first home game against Tottenham in the Conti Cup while they now prepare for their first WSL match at home this season.

Jonas Eidevall Arsenal side, who missed out on the title to Chelsea by just one point last season, have made a faultless start to their campaign.

They have won their opening two league matches which saw them win 4-0 away at Brighton before they dispatched Spurs 4-0 in the north London derby in front of a record breaking WSL crowd at the Emirates Stadium.

Reading were beaten 4-0 when they welcomed Arsenal to the SCL last September.

A brace from Vivianne Miedema and goals from Beth Mead and Jen Beattie gave Arsenal a comfortable victory.

Reading suffered a disappointing injury blow in the first game of the season after promising forward Deanne Rose was forced off and is expected to be on the sidelines for a number of months.

However, there was better news on the injury front after young talent Emma Harries returned to the pitch in the cup tie against Spurs prior to the international break where she made a superb impact off the bench to win a late penalty for her team.

FARA WILLIAMS SURPRISES LAUREL PARK YOUNGSTERS RAMS FACE TOP OF THE TABLE CLASH WITH CAMBS

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

A FORMER Royals star made a surprise appearance on a grassroots pitch in Lower Earley, much to the delight of budding young footballers.

Fara Williams, a pivotal part of the England squad, paid a visit to Laurel Park FC to see how girls have been inspired to take up football after the Lionesses were crowned European Champions.

Since the summer Laurel Park has been running Lionesses Legacy sessions to offer girls who have been inspired by the Lionesses the chance to play football for the first time for free in a fun and pressure free environment.

The visit to the youngsters was part of M&S Food’s Eat Well, Play Well campaign, which looks to inspire grassroots players to make healthier choices with their food.

The scheme is run in partnership with The FA and uses the power of football to help families make healthier eating choices.

Ms Williams was delighted to be taking part.

“The grassroots is where every footballer’s love of the game starts so it was brilliant to visit Laurel Park with M&S, and see first-hand how the Lionesses are inspiring the next generation to take up the game,” she said.

“It was really interesting speaking to the young

players and hearing how the Euros had made them want to play football for the first time.”

She added: “I’m so proud to be supporting the M&S Eat Well, Play Well campaign which is turn is helping kids and their families make healthier choices.

“Nutrition is so important in football, because if you

don’t eat well, you can’t play well.”

Williams had a glittering playing career before she retired in 2020.

Williams has enjoyed a storied career that has spanned 20 years, including making an incredible 172 appearances for England at international level, with 40 goals to her name, first making her debut in 2001.

She has become a household name in football having come through the ranks at Chelsea before moving to Charlton Athletic and then scoring an astonishing 70 goals in 122 games from midfield for Everton.

She then made the move to Liverpool for three years before playing a season at Arsenal.

Williams then transferred to Reading in 2017 and has become a pivotal part of Kelly Chambers’ side. She has made 67 league appearances for the Royals, scoring 25 goals.

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

RAMS vice-captain Drew Humberstone believes Saturday’s National One game with Cambridge (3pm) is one supporters can view as particularly exciting as the joint table-toppers arrive at Old Bath Road with two unbeaten records on the line.

“Cambridge are doing really well at the moment and each year they’ve got better,” said Humberstone.

“They’re a very good side and their forwards especially are excellent – they’ve got a good lineout and maul and it’s another new challenge we’ve got to face.

“A bit like us they’ve retained a lot of players and built on their squad in recent years, and it’s going

to be a huge test.”

“There was a huge effort throughout pre-season and we’re also looking to build on what we’ve done in the previous seasons, and it’s paying dividends.

“Every game bar Esher we’ve scored 40 points so the attacking side of our game is really stepping up and improving, but defensively we’re also questioning some of the points leaked and that’s a good sign there are still things to work on.”

The Oxford University Blue has been returned to his favoured role at inside centre this year having done a sterling job at both fly-half and full-back since RAMS reached National One, but Humberstone modestly stated: “With the quality of the team, I’m always happy to be involved wherever I’m asked and I’d take any position on the pitch.”

n

For more information about the Eat Well, Play Well campaign, log on to: marksandspencer.com/football

Fara Williams visited girls at Laurel Park in Lower Earley as part of M&S Food’s Eat Well, Play Well campaign

Rams RFC vice captain Drew Humberstone

Humberstone charges forward for Rams

ABBEY RESPOND IN STYLE WITH BONUS POINT WIN

By ANNETTE TOMAS sport@wokingham.today

AFTER a heavy local derby defeat to Henley Hawks Women last week, Abbey Women responded in style with a scintillating six-try bonus-point performance over Blackheath Women to record their first win of the season.

Four tries from the everimpressive Alice DentonRice capped off a cohesive team performance, which celebrated skipper Annabel Hawkins’s club honours match in her 60th league game.

Control of the game exchanged hands in the opening quarter multiple times, with Blackheath responding after Alice Denton-Rice’s opening try with two quick scores from their hooker and captain, Alex Zdunek.

It was scrum half Ellie Denton-Rice who brought

the next score, with a quick-witted dummy after a superb break from centre Clara Reynolds, she crossed the line for a try that was the highlight of the afternoon.

With both scores converted, Abbey were back in the lead and in the driving seat.

Good distribution from the resulting scrum from flyhalf

Hannah Skeels found Alice Denton-Rice once more and a third converted try sent the home team into the lead at half-time.

Fullback Pullan had had an outstanding first half, relieving pressure with several well-placed kicks, including one she chased herself and thumped the Blackheath winger into

touch. Winger Hooper had showcased a second strong defensive performance but it was her opposite winger Jess Williams who dove powerfully over the line for her side’s bonus-point try.

Denton-Rice staked her claim to repeat last season’s feat as the league’s top points scorer with a further two brilliant individual try finishes, while she enjoyed a superb day from the tee, converting five of her six conversion attempts.

It was an assured performance with a lot of regular faces back in the fold after last week’s defeat. Gale and Fowler were welcome returns, and Newton continued to show the strong pathway at Abbey, playing in her third 1st XV fixture this season.

Now elevated to sixth in the table, Abbey Women will be looking to take points when they welcome London Irish in two weeks’ time.

Retired Stradivarius to parade at Ascot this Saturday

THE legendary racehorse Stradivarius will be paraded in front of the crowds at QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday after his retirement was announced last week.

The parade will take place after the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes (2pm) and will give fans the opportunity to show their appreciation to the eight-year-old, who will stand at the National Stud from 2023.

Trained by John & Thady Gosden, Stradivarius had a remarkable career that included winning the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup in 2018.

He retires with the most QIPCO British Champions Series wins in its history with 16 – the next best is Frankel with nine.

Anna Kerr, chief executive of the National Stud, said: “We are delighted to have a racehorse of the calibre of Stradivarius joining the roster at the National Stud.

“He has consistently demonstrated many of the attributes of his sire Sea The Stars - consistency, soundness and a

phenomenal temperament.”

Stradivarius’ owner & breeder Bjorn Nielsen said: “He has been a joy to own. He turned up and ran his race every time with marvellous consistency.

“He has been an absolute credit to the Gosden’s and their staff at Clarehaven who managed to maintain his performance and enthusiasm for so long.”

Stradivarius won’t be the only retired superstar on display, with spectators also having the chance to meet two Retraining of Racehorse all-stars in Side Glance and Trip To Paris.

Each now retired and enjoying a second career in showing and dressage, the two all-stars will be based throughout the day on the Motivator Lawn at Ascot – receiving visitors from the public.

RETIRED: Stradivarius Ascot Races

Abbey RFC Women in action Pictures: @rugbygrandad

MOLES THROUGH IN SHOOTOUT, CITYZENS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Combined Counties

Premier North

READING CITY’S 100% record in the league came to an end, but they remain unbeaten after their draw at home to Egham Town.

The Cityzens picked up a clean sheet as the contest ended goalless which means that Reading and Egham are level on points in the table.

City are in fourth position with 16 points from six matches after their superb start to the season.

Cityzens manager Simon Johnson said: “Another point closer to our points target. On another day we score three or four. but to dominate a fixture against a good Egham side, who comfortably beat us last season, shows how far we’ve come as a group.”

FA Trophy third qualifying

round BINFIELD continued their journey in the FA Trophy with a penalty shootout with at Hendon.

After a tense goalless battle after 90 minutes, the tie had to be decided via the penalty spot.

With the score locked at 4-4 in the shootout after five penalties each, Moles keeper Chris Grace made a vital save to give Liam Gavin the chance to put Binfield through with the next penalty in sudden death.

Gavin stepped up to the spot,

sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and rolled the ball down the middle to put the Moles through.

Combined Counties Division One

SANDHURST TOWN are top of the table after their 4-1 win away at Penn & Tylers Green.

Goals from Maison Slade, Josh Smith, James Vass and Ralph Vigrass ensured that the Fizzers soared to the top of the table with 27 points from 11

matches.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA got back to winning ways at home against FC Deportivo Galicia.

Troy Baker opened the scoring after 24 minutes, while James Clark ensured he marked his Boars debut with a goal to double the advantage.

Just five minutes after the restart Eversley were three goals in front when Paras Gill scored.

The visitors pulled a goal back, but the Boars took the

point with a 3-1 success. Eversley manager Matty Angell said: “Great results for the first and reserve sides. First team battled hard against a tough AFC Aldermaston side, good to see James Clark get a debut goal.”

BERKS COUNTY took a point on the road with a stalemate at Molesey.

After a Swords penalty was saved early on, County took the lead only for the game to be levelled up by the hosts before half-time.

FC Showcase (green) v FC BAPCO Pictures: Andrew Batt

Eversley’s

CITYZENS HELD AT HOME

From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

Love refereeyour

RECENTLY

I read an article entitled ‘Why we should love our referees’, written by Craig Fowler who was writing about Scottish referees.

He wrote, ‘If only our national team was as terrible as our referees, we’d be a much more successful football country’.

He was referring to the fact that Scottish referees are regularly appointed to international games by UEFA or FIFA but the Scottish football team, seldom plays in them.

What attracted me, however, was the sub headline ‘ The football rule book is extremely vague when it comes to fouls’.

He wrote, ‘the Laws of the Game tell a referee it’s a foul if a player ’trips, kicks, jumps at, charges. strikes, pushes, or tackles an opponent in a manner which is careless, reckless or uses excessive force’.

You could scarcely get more ambiguous. A group of referees could look at the same incident and have a 50/50 split on whether it constitutes a foul’.

I’ve been at many referees’ meetings where a video of an incident is shown, and there is seldom a unanimous decision among the referees present.

County restored their lead from the penalty spot when Les converted, but the points were shared when Molesey pulled a goal back just after the hour mark.

Berks are in fifth position with 21 points from their opening 12 matches.

WOODLEY UNITED lost out against at Westside in a match that saw them reduced to nine players.

The Kestrels found themselves two goals down at the break and two players down after Jahson and Reuel were both dismissed.

Two more goals from the hosts in the second-half saw them take the points with a 4-0 win.

FOOTBALL

Woodley are in eighth place with 19 points from 11 games.

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division

ASCOT UNITED fell to their first loss of the season away at Eastleigh.

The game was decided by one goal to give Eastleigh the points as Ascot dropped down to third.

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA collected their first three points of the season with an impressive

victory over Carterton.

Lauren Broadhurst netted a firsthalf brace to give the Boars a halftime lead and Rebekah Pantony added two more in the second-half to help Eversley to a 4-0 win.

CAVERSHAM UNITED were involved in their first draw of the season in a goalless contest away at Long Crendon.

Thames Valley Women’s Premier Division

WARGRAVE stormed to an emphatic win over Banbury United.

Wargrave smashed 10 past their opponents to earn a 10-1 win.

ASCOT UNITED RESERVES made it four wins from four with a home success over Haddenham.

Mya Bowler, Amy Cogdon and Darcey Young scored to see Ascot to a 3-0 win.

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K BERKS COUNTY lost out for the second time this season with a 5-1 defeat away at Barton United.

BURGHFIELD SMASH 10 TO FLY THROUGH IN BERKS & BUCKS CUP

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Thames Valley Premier League

FINCHAMPSTEAD climbed up to third in the table with an empathic win at READING CITY U23’s.

Goals from James Payne, Nick Payne, Joel Day saw Finch collect the points with a 4-0 win.

Berks & Bucks Charles Twelftrees Trophy

BURGHFIELD made progress in

the cup after they smashed 10 past AFC READING.

A hat-trick from Lewis Butcher and strikes from Rhys Iremonger, Josh Cook, Josh Howell, Elliott Telford, Ollie Brown and Jordan Cox completed the 10-1 triumph.

Reading & District Sunday League

County Cup: Burghfield 6-2 Tilehurst YM, Central Berkshire 1-3 Paggies Bar, FC

Showcase 1-5 FC BAPCO, Mortimer 7-0

Emmer Green, Tilehurst El Partons 1-6 FC

Sporty

Division One: Barton Rovers 0-6 TRBL, Berkshire Dons 0-4 Wayback Wanderers,

Caversham United 3-2 Goring United, GC United 3-2 Burghfield Reserves, Loxwood Park 1-1 Englefield Eagles, Twyford Comets 0-4 Arborfield

Division Two: AFC Pangbourne 0-3 Zone RG, Berkshire Royals 4-2 Give Back Reserves, Burghfield A 2-0 Reading Kites, Hurst 0-5 Barton Rovers Reserves, RDG Athletic 0-2 Rose & Thistle, Westwood Wanderers Development 1-2 Reading United

Division Three: Brothers United 5-0 New England, Farley Hill 3-1 Burghfield B, RE United 5-2 Core, Sanctuary Strikers 2-5 FC Woodley, Southbank 3-4 Caversham AFC, Woodley Saints 3-2 Hype Train

Division Four: 116 Exiles Reserves 3-1 Arbor Athletic, Barton Rovers A 1-10 Richfield Vets, Calcot 2-4 Whitley Wood, Caversham United Reserves 5-4 Allied Community, FC Kensington 1-13 South Reading

Bracknell Sunday League

County Cup: Crowthorne Inn 3-1 Diamond, Datchet 0-3 Bracknell Rangers, FC Showcase 1-5 FC BAPCO, Maidenhead Rangers 0-1 Raglan, Prestige 4-5 AFC Dukes, Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW 1-2 Chalfont

Division One: Ashridge Park Royals 3-1 Bracknell Royals, Bracknell Spartan Vets 5-3 Panthers, Braybrooke Athletic 0-3 SF7, Winnersh Rangers 4-2 Bracknell Athletic

Division Two: 3M 11-0 Silver Birch, Bracknell Bisons 0-2 Harts of Bracknell, Bracknell Cavaliers 3-2 Ashirdge Park, Woodley Saints Tigers 2-5 Crowthorne Division Three AFC Dukes Reserves 5-0 Bracknell Cavaliers Res, Bracknell St-Germain 1-9 Berks United, Harts 4-1 Wanderers, Hope & anchor 2-1 Finch Athletic Reserves, Silver Birch A 2-4 FC Bracknell Saints

I’ve often said in this column that many decisions are subjective and perhaps Craig Fowler has found the real reason.

There are a lot of the Laws which are not spelt out, so it has to come down to the training referees receive.

Let’s take one point Craig makes ‘There isn’t any mention in the Laws of the Game about “playing the ball”, which is one of the most common phrases at all levels of football’.

As an FA referee tutor, I physically illustrated this by acting as a player coming in from the side of an opponent running with the ball. If I played the ball and then the opponent fell over my leg, that would be perfectly fair.

If, however, I made contact with the opponents’ legs before playing the ball, it was a foul.

So was the opponent falling over an outstretched leg after the ball had been played, or was he brought down?

That’s my interpretation of the Law but I’ve never seen it written anywhere, so other tutors may have their own interpretation.

Similarly, I always taught a charge as referring to a shoulder charge, and to be fair it must be shoulder to shoulder and not into the back or chest.

Also, if one of the players lifts an arm it becomes pushing.

But am I right?

None of this is written down, so as Craig Fowler said, there’s always likely to be subjective decisions at fouls.

How they rated

DYKES DOUBLE SEES ROYALS

Joe Lumley

Demonstrated his shot-stopping ability to deny Roberts twice.

Largely succeeded in finding Carroll and Joao from goal-kicks.

Started at wing-back before moving to the right. Steady performance from the skipper, who will not have been 100% fit.

Sam Hutchinson

Fortunate not to concede a penalty after the ball clearly struck his outstretched arm. Received a booking for a poorly timed tackle.

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC dropped into fifth after a double from Lyndon Dykes saw them defeated by Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Allowed Dykes to get the wrong side of him for QPR’s equaliser. Was strong in the air, dealing with most of the balls put into his area.

Tom McIntyre

Did not do enough to avert the threat of Roberts cutting in from the right. Went about his work diligently.

Fantastic once again. Our best outfield player on the night. Showed attacking intent, which allowed Kakay freedom down QPR’s right.

Jeff Hendrick

The pick of the midfield three. Showed discipline out of possession and constantly looked to receive the ball from the defenders.

Tom Holmes Mamadou Loum

Seemed off the pace in the first half. Improved in the second half, but will be disappointed to give away QPR’s penalty.

Struggled to assert himself on the game. Could easily have cost his side a goal when he got dispossessed on the halfway line in the first half.

Andy Yiadom Nesta Guinness-Walker Lucas Joao

Did well to win the penalty to put the Royals ahead, but struggled to get the ball to stick.

Andy Carroll

Dominated the aerial duels once again and was clearly up for the fight. Fortunate not to see red after flying in on Roberts late in the first half.

Hoilett

8 5 4

5 7 4

The Royals went in front when Andy Carroll netted from the penalty spot with his first goal since returning to the club.

Dykes levelled up quickly and despite an improved second-half display from Reading, it was in vain as the Rangers forward netted his brace from the penalty spot after Mamadou Loum fouled Tim Iroegbunam in the box.

6 4

4 6 6

Nesta Guiness-Walker’s throw into the QPR box caused some problems before they managed to block two efforts from Andy Yiadom.

The home team responded with a chance of their own when Illias Chair sprinted at the Reading defence, had options right and left, but opted to shoot as he scuffed a shot wide.

The first big chance of the game came Rangers’ way in the 12th minute when some sloppy defending allowed Tyler Roberts the chance to drive a low effort at goal that was excellently stopped by Joe Lumley.

With Reading on the back foot for the first 30 minutes, Tom Holmes got his body in the way of Roberts’ effort.

There was a huge shout for a QPR penalty when Tim Iroegbunam’s header struck the arm of Sam Hutchinson, but the referee pointed for a corner rather than a penalty.

Hutchinson picked up the first yellow card of the game for a rash

Match stats

QPR: Dieng, Laird, Johanse, Dunne, Paal, ClarkeSalter, Field, Iroegbunam, Roberts, Chair, Dykes

SUBS: Archer, Kayak, Dickie, Amos, Dozzell, Shopido, Adomah

READING: Lumley, Hutchinson, Holmes, McIntyre, Yiadom (c), Guinness-Walker, Loum, Fornah, Hendrick, Carroll, Lucas Joao

SUBS: Ince, Meite, Ejaria, Bouzanis, Hoilett, Mbengue, Abbey

GOALS: Carroll 30’ (pen), Dykes 33’, 84’ (pen)

tackle on the halfway line.

After a disappointing start to the game, Reading took the lead against the run of play when they were awarded a penalty.

Lucas Joao and Tyrese Fornah traded passes and Joao feinted to shoot before his trailing leg was caught by a poor tackle from Ireogbunan, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.

Andy Carroll stepped up to take the penalty and slammed the ball beyond Dieng despite the keeper

diving the right way to score his first goal since returning to the club.

Michael Beale’s team hit back with a quick equaliser when Lydon Dykes stooped down to direct Osman Kaka’s cross low into the corner past Lumley.

Ince was forced to shuffle the pack when Hutchison went off injured and was replaced by Junior Hoilett. Yiadom dropped into the back three, while Hoilett went to right wing-back.

The half could have ended

Ince left ‘frustrated’ after Reading concede late in QPR loss

READING FC manager Paul Ince has challenged his team to regroup and ‘go again’ after their defeat to QPR.

The Royals lost out after Lyndon Dykes slotted a late penalty to put QPR above Reading in the table.

“It wasn’t a game too far when we concede in the 87th minute. I don’t think in the first half we believed we could have won it,” said Ince.

“I don’t know if that was fatigue or tiredness. I wasn’t best pleased and they were told that at half-time.

“Second half we came out and looked like a better team. It’s tough with three games in six days, QPR had the same thing. It’s brutal.

“Lucas [Joao] got it and usually he’s the penalty taker, so whether

they agreed before I don’t know. I just thought if he was taking it, make sure he doesn’t miss it.

“He is so important for us, his fighting spirit. We didn’t have that in the first half, we were very passive.

“Carroll gives us so much so it’s important to keep him fit. It’s always nice as a striker to score and I’m sure he’ll score plenty more for us.

“We’re short as a squad so to play three games in six days is tough, we’re not bloody robots. Klopp said the other day ‘less is more’ because you get better quality. The EFL don’t give a monkeys and neither do Sky and we’ve got to do it again in two weeks time.”

Ince was praising of Joe Lumley

who made some magnificent saves to keep Reading in the game, but was frustrated to lose the game late on.

He continued: “The game wasn’t going anywhere. Joe made some really good saves but I was just disappointed with the penalty.

“The geezer is running 100mph and waiting for contact. We made silly decisions, Junior dives in, Mama dives in. In those games you have to make the right decision.

“We’re normally good at keeping a goal lead, but Nesta doesn’t stop the cross and Holmes got beat and it’s 1-1.

“The fans were unbelievable. Considering the rail strikes, the atmosphere was incredible. It would have been nice for them to go back with some points. I’m frustrated more than anything.

“Hutch was a calf injury, I think it’s the sixth this season. He doesn’t come off for anything, he’s tough.

“Luckily we’ve got eight days off to regroup.”

Andy Carroll leaps to win a header

Three players go down with an injury

The ball strikes Hutchinson’s arm

Joe Lumley watches the ball drift wide Andy Carroll scored but Reading

LOSE LATE AT LOFTUS

in disaster for Reading when Carroll flew into a sliding tackle on Roberts, chopping the winger down. The referee acted quickly to give the Royals forward a yellow card despite the protests from the home crowd and players for him to dismiss Carroll.

Reading started brighter after the restart when Guiness-Walker showed nice footwork on the left to win a free-kick, but the chance was wasted with a poor delivery straight into the clutches of Dieng.

Reading were awarded another free-kick in a promising position when Joao was chopped down by Jake Clarke-Salter, but Carroll

blasted a low effort at the wall.

Lumley was required to make another important stop when a floated cross looked goal bound when Roberts nodded towards goal, but the keeper got down low to make the save.

Rangers countered as Reading were left short at the back, Chair drove at goal and fired a shot looking to pick out the top corner, but Lumley got a hand to it to push it behind for a corner.

Ince made his second switch of the game with a little over 20 minutes remaining which saw Ovie Ejaria replace Fornah.

Reading asserted far more

control in the second-half and went in search of a winner, while Tom Ince replaced Joao with 15 minutes left.

With just seven minutes left to play, QPR were awarded a spot kick when Loum was judged to have fouled Iroegunam.

Dykes tucked the penalty away into the corner to notch his second goal of the game.

Ince forced a decent save from Dieng with a free-kick before the Royals won two corners in quick succession.

Rangers managed their way through four minutes of added time to take the points.

ROYALS LOOK TO GET BACK ON TRACK AGAINST BAGGIES

READING FC will hope to get their form back on track when they host struggling West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The Royals had the chance to soar to the top of the Championship on Friday night against Queens Park Rangers.

Despite going ahead after Andy Carroll’s penalty, two goals from Lyndon Dykes ensured that QPR took the points which saw Reading drop down to fifth in the Championship table.

Meanwhile, Saturday’s opponents have had a shocking start to the season and are

‘There’s plenty to be positive about’

READING FC vice captain Tom Holmes believes there were plenty of positives for the team to take in their late defeat at Queens Park Rangers.

The Royals had the chance to go top of the table with a win but they fell to two Lyndon Dykes goals after Andy Carroll had put them ahead.

“We came here, we silenced the crowd for large spells and there is plenty to be positive about,” said Holmes.

“I thought it was a really good game of football, full of ups and downs.

“Both teams had spells of domination and at the end of the day it was a penalty that decided it when it could have gone either way.

“It’s a tough one to take but nothing to keep our heads too low too long about.”

Holmes had an individually impressive game as he continues to become a pivotal part of Reading’s defence which has seen Paul Ince switch to a three at the back system for much of this season.

Holmes continued: “I didn’t think they threatened too much, other than their goal, in the first-half.

“Then in the second half if they didn’t get the penalty, I didn’t see them scoring and a draw would have been a fair reflection.

“In my opinion it wasn’t a penalty, it was just a coming together, he’s just lent into him, and he has gone down fairly easily which is annoying but over the course of a season we will get given a few of them.

“I think it has been a really positive week, we have had a bit of everything.

“Norwich was a really good marker for us as after going 1-0 down we steadied the ship well after that as in games gone by we haven’t done so well at that so that was a positive.

“If we put in performances like we did today, on average we will win more games than we lose.”

currently in the relegation places after 13 matches.

With increasding pressure building with disappointing results,West Brom sacked manager Steve Bruce on Monday with the club struggling in 22nd position

With an already talented squad, West Brom added more quality in the summer with the arrivals of Jed Wallace, Okay Yokusulu, Martin Kelly and John Swift on a free transfer from Reading.

Swift spent six seasons with the Royals and scored 31 Championship goals in 187 appearances after becoming a pivotal figure in the

team throughout his stay.

After his contract with Reading expired, Swift opted to join West Brom this summer.

Swift has netted two goals so far this season for the Baggies in 13 games, but it has been a faltering star for the team.

They are currently on 11 points in 22ne place and have won just one league game all season.

Their only league win of the season came in August with a 5-2 victory over Hull City, but they haven’t picked up three points since which has seen Bruce and the team come under criticism.

They have drawn more games than any other side in the division (eight) as their winless run stretched to eight games on Saturday after their goalless draw at home to Luton Town.

Their poor run of form has seen them lose in a Midlands derby at home to Birmingham City and they lost by the same scoreline, 3-2, at home to Swansea City.

West Brom won on their last visit to Berkshire with a 1-0 win in April 2022 after Karlan Grant scored the only goal of the game.

Reading defender Tom Holmes Picture: Luke Adams

lost out at Loftus Road Pictures: Steve Smyth

Royals skipper Andy Yiadom

Tyrese Fornah Seny Dieng clutches the ball late on

Carroll converts from the spot

Guiness-Walker gets forward

Reading celebrate Carroll’s goal

Carroll tucks his penalty in the corner

SOUTH BERKS 1S TAKE THREE POINTS

By ANDY PRESTON

South Central Men’s Premier 1

READING 2s lost out on their away trip to Marlow 1s.

The 4-1 loss means that Reading currently sit bottom of the table with one point from their opening four matches.

South Central Men’s North Division 1

PHOENIX READING 1s got the better of READING 3s in their home fixture.

The victory puts Phoenix up to sixth place on four points, while Reading are in 11th with one point from their first three matches.

SONNING 1s added three points to their tally against Oxford 2s.

The 2-1 away win means that Sonning continue their unbeaten start to the season and have seven points to put them in second.

Women’s National Conference West

READING 2s were defeated away at Exe in their first loss of the campaign.

The 4-1 loss means that Reading have three points from two games.

South Central Men’s North Division 2

Goals from Patrick Wall and

Aidan Dias ensured that SONNING 2s defeated Thame 1s 2-1.

Sonning are in fourth with seven points from three games.

South Central Women’s North Division 2

SONNING 2s lost out on their travels to Maidenhead 2s.

The defeat means that Sonning are yet to pick up a point this season after two matches, leaving them bottom of the table.

South Central Men’s Premier 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 1s grabbed all three points in a seven goal contest against Fareham 2s. The 4-3 success means that South Berks are fourth in the table with two wins from their first three matches.

South Central Women’s North Division 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE ensured they took a point away at Oxford 2s.

Both teams took a point in the 3-3 draw as Sarah Kelly, Kelly

Kingfisher keep up their winning ways

IN the top tier, KINGFISHER A continued their winning ways, stamping their authority on the league, by breezing past TIDMARSH A 10-0.

Kingfisher’s Hari Gehlot and Ross Saxby comfortably achieved their maximums.

Tidmarsh’s captain Duncan Groves came close to causing a major upset as he found himself 2-1 up in sets and 5-2 up in points against Martin Adams, but could not convert his advantage, succumbing 11-9 7-11 11-9 6-11 4-11.

KINGFISHER B lost comprehensively 1-9 to KINGFISHER D, whose captain Julian Telford suffered a major calf injury during the match.

He soldiered on to record two wins, narrowly losing out to Phil Mead.

TILEHURST RBL A were elevated to a mid-table position as they completed a 9-1 victory over KINGFISHER C. Keith Winter’s and Marc Brent’s maximums, competently backed up by Jon Willis’ defensive skills proved too strong on this occasion.

Despite Paul Savage winning

the opening encounter with Jason Roberts to give the home side SONNING SPORTS A early hope, the battle for Sonning supremacy was won by SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A 9-1.

In division 2 SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C won a hard fought tussle with KINGFISHER F 7-3, Nigel Maltby, Malcolm Gregory and Brian Meheux each winning twice.

In the KINGFISHER derby the G and E teams drew 5-5.

Clive Gold got a very good maximum for the E team including recovering form 2-1 down to beat Abhay Gore 11-9 in the fifth.

OUR LADY OF PEACE C won a hard fought match against SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D 7-3 with all of their players recording two wins.

OUR LADY OF PEACE B beat TILEHURST METHODISTS A 7-3 in a match which was mired by an injury to Tilehurst’s Jes Eassom.

Division 3 had four interesting games, two finished with a 5-5 draw, whereas the other two were one-sided

victories. Despite TILEHURST METHODISTS B won by a margin of 8-2 against SONNING SPORTS B, all the five set matches were a deciding factor in this match with seven out of 10 games finished 3-2, and Sonning Sports B winning only one of these games.

In the OLOP derby between OUR LADY OF PEACE E and Our LADY OF PEACE F it was the E team who triumphed 9-1.

After winning at TIDMARSH D last week, KINGFISHER H took on TIDMARSH C this time and the Kingfisher team battled to a second 5-5 draw of the season.

Another exciting match was between SPRINGFIELD A and PANGBOURNE WMC Both teams are the strongest candidates for the title thus, this match was very important for both teams. Unsurprisingly the match ended 5-5.

TILEHURST RBL C maintained their winning start in division 4 by getting home at KINGFISHER J 7-3. SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD E won 8-2 at SPRINGFIELD B, and SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD F beat Sonning Sports C 6-4.

RESULTS

Friday, October 7

FOOTBALL Championship

QPR 2-1 Reading

Saturday, October 8 FOOTBALL

FA Trophy third qualifying round

Hendon 0-0 Binfield (4-5 on pens)

Combined Counties

Premier North Reading City 0-0 Egham Town Sumas 1-3 Ascot United

Combined Counties Division One

Eversley & California 3-1 AFC Aldermaston Molesey 2-2 Berks County Penn & Tylers Green 1-4 Sandhurst Westside 4-0 Woodley United

Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23’s 0-4 Finchampstead

Hanock and Anabella Pio netted for South Berks.

South Berks are in second with seven points from three games. South Central Women’s North Division 3

SOUTH BERKSHIRE were defeated 2-1 in their home fixture against Yateley 1s.

Edie Harrison scored for South Berks, but the loss means they are in ninth with four points from three games.

KELVIN STRIKES WINNER IN WATFORD CLASH

READING FC UNDER 21’s picked up three points thanks to Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan’s game winning goal against Watford.

Playing in the Professional Development League at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Noel Hunt’s team got the better of the Hornets.

Among the Watford squad was midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru, who spent last season on loan with the Royals.

Dele-Bashiru was a mainstay in Reading’s first-team for large periods of the 2021/22 season and played 38 times in the Championship, scoring four times.

The only goal of the game came from forward Ehibhatiomhan who raced onto a long ball and showed excellent composure to wrap the ball onto his left foot, beating a defender in the process before dispatching the ball past the goalkeeper.

19-year-old Ehibhatiomhan has made an impression on the first-team and has three league appearances to his name.

He also netted his first senior goal this season in the EFL Cup when he scored against Stevenage in Reading’s 2-1 defeat to the League

Two side.

Reading: Boyce-Clarke, Abdel Salam, Abrefa, Holzman (c),

Berks & Bucks Charles

Twelftrees Trophy AFC Reading 1-10 Burghfield

HOCKEY Women’s National Premier Division Beeston 3-1 Reading

South Central Men’s North Division 1 Oxford 2s 1-2 Sonning

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Amersham & Chalfont v Sonning

South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire 4-3 Fareham 2s

South Central Women’s North Division 1 Oxford 2s 3-3 South Berkshire

Sunday, October 9

FOOTBALL

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Eastleigh 1-0 Ascot United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Eversley & California 4-0 Carterton Long Crendon 0-0 Caversham United Woodley United 3-4 Milton United

Thames Valley Women’s Division One Ascot United Reserves 3-0 Haddenham Harwell and Hendred A-A Tilehurst Panthers Wargrave 10-1 Banbury United

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two Barton United 5-1 S4K Berks County

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

Eversley & California Reserves 4-4 Shinfield Rangers Wargrave Development 1-2 Yateley

HOCKEY

Men’s National Premier Division

University of Nottingham v Reading

FIXTURES

Saturday, October 15

FOOTBALL Championship Reading v West Brom

Isthmian South Central South Park v Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North

Broadfields United v Sumas Reading City v Hilltop

Combined Counties Division One

Eversley & California v FC Deportivo Galicia Cove v Woodley United Sandhurst Town v Molesey Spartans Youth v Berks County

Thames Valley Premier League

Maidenhead Town v Finchampstead Westwood Wanderers v Wargrave

RUGBY UNION National Division One Rams v Cambridge

Regional 2 South Central Reading v Buckingham HOCKEY Men’s National Premier Division Reading v Holcombe

Women’s National Premier Division Reading v Holcombe

South Central Men’s North Division 1 Sonning v Aylesbury

South Central Women’s Premier Division Bournemouth v Sonning

South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire v Amersham & Chalfont

Sunday, October 16

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading v Arsenal

Berks & Bucks Women’s Cup Caversham United v Abingdon United Woodley United v Maidenhead United

Shinfield Rangers v Tilehurst Panthers Wargrave v Wantage Town Burghfield v Caversham AFC

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Oxford City v Ascot United

South Berks 1s in action against Fareham 1s Pictures: Steve Smyth

South Berks 1s on the ball

South Berks celebrate after scoring

The teams compete for possession