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LEISURETODAY PACKED WITH NEWS, BRILLIANT WHAT’S ON PAPERS AND SPORT IN ONE SUPER HoosiersTOM are glad to be backSTRIKES AGAIN SPORT NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US TODAY
20.04.22
Your guide to what’s on
across Reading and Woki ngham
READING
20.04.22
SUMAS SECURE SURVIVAL
BOARS EDGE PAST COUNTY
ROYALS COMPLETE COMEBACK
FINCH TITLE HOPES TAKE A HIT
RIVERMOOR TO PLAY HOST TO SUNDAY CUP FINALS
The band are on the bill for bringing their blend of rock this year’s Fi.Fest, to audiences seeking the sound of the summe r. JAKE CLOTHIER caught up with lead singer Irwin Sparkes to find out more
T
HE HOOSIERS are set to play Berkshire’s Fi.Fest in July, joining Reef and Dodgy at Stroud Farm in Maidenhead.
this much time fretting over what note “If you can’t do it, you value goes where. what there’s a real shortage now, you have got and we think finding “It’s a true luxury and to every band is technical not have crew, and even all of the relishing being able to plug fun with that and make it in and make apparent that infrastructure. some noise with people at you are enjoying that work last, would be “This is government short“You can feel it in the air, disingenuous.” there’s a sightedness, not really understand real appetite for it.” It is this attitude that led ing the band what keeps live music ticking, Formed in Indianapoli to call their s, 2019 compilation album the band Irwin and bandmate Alan But he says that the enjoyment Sharland has spent much of its time Greatest Hit(s), alluding of in North have been part of the Hoosiers to the bands both acts and audiences America. since its will see live most well-known song, Goodbye inception in 2003. music continue. Mr However both band members But Irwin says that this doesn’t A. Just a few years later in 2007, “It’s one of the best things mean originally hail from their they don’t take their work about the UK. first single reached number seriously being in a band five in the is “I think the live music scene when you get to play too. UK charts. has a festival, and you’ve got always been very healthy a good line-up, “We are very serious about in the UK and “The singles lend themselves and you actually want to the it’s always had a huge audience, to be see the other music itself, and we’re really more upbeat, faster tempo dedicated bands, songs, and “But the government was to the craft of good songwritin Al as a co-writer has a natural very g, “We’ve played with Reef slow to get any sort of assistance proclivity a couple of “I think what’s expected for that side. over of bands is times, but I didn’t really know lockdown, and even then hiding under sunglasses what to there’s a lot of “But mine are more melancholy and wearing expect, By ANDY PRESTON question , marks leather jackets, as to how that aid was morose numbers.” “I knew the songs growing apreston@wokingham.today awarded, up, “We’d rather try something Despite this, he says that a little but then you see them and a sense of “I hope a lot of the grass bit braver, maybe that some genuinely humour is still necessary roots people I think they’re one of our TOM MCINTYRE proved for a musician. hate and venues that support best rock and nourish bands to be the that’s okay, “I’d say part of it is a survival bands, hero once again as the when they’re starting out “But if you can be ignored, Royals will still mechanism and part of it then “I do think that’s a band that is being true be able to continue and provide you’re not really doing your needs completed the most unlikely of to who we are, that job, to be seen.” platform.” turnarounds on Easter especially in pop.” “Being in a band is a ridiculous Monday n The Hoosiers will be playing Irwin also notes those who Irwin says that the band at Fi.Fest against Swansea City. proposition, and it’s comical have lost is glad to be in Maidenhead on Saturday, to spend jobs in the industry as a result. back playing festivals such July 9, With the Swans 4-1 in front as Fi.Fest. alongside Reef and Dodgy. just “I’m absolutely no expert, For tickets, before the hour mark in but I know visit: www.fifest.co.uk. a manic
THE Rivermoor Stadium will play host to the Southern Region Women’s Football League Cup Final and the Chairman ’s Cup Finals this weekend.
LAST GASP GOAL COULD KEEP US
Reading City FC’s home will see Premier Division Champion Moneyfields, who completed s the league season unbeaten , go up against runners-up Abingdon United. Moneyfields completed a league double victory over Sunday’s opponents, while Abingdon were the victors when the teams met in the FA Cup earlier in the campaign. The match kicks off at 3pm. The Chairman’s Cup final, which takes place at 11am, will be contested between AFC Bournemouth Developm ent and Abingdon Town. Bournemouth completed the league campaign unbeaten , in Division One on their way to the league title while they face Premier Division Abingdon.
PARK HAS A LOTTA RECYCLED BOTTLE Irwin Sparkes, The Hoosiers’ lead singer, says that he’s glad to be back after some time away. “I’m very much looking forward to getting back to the day job after two un-self-imposed years off. ” He says this is especially so after his experience having children during lockdown. “It’s just all been a lot of that and moving a couple of times and recording, “But myself and Al, coming out of this have never been happier and more enthusiastic about the band. ”
game that had seen three
goals in
the opening 12 minutes, it looked as if the visitors were going to away with the match having run seized control. However, Reading’s new found dogged spirit came roaring back again as they came back from a seemingly hopeless situation to snatch a dramatic point. Goals from Tom Ince and Lucas Joao gave the team hope of clawing
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something back before McIntyre “I should have popped up with a stoppage time goal with the third scored just before for the second time in four goal but one of days to players made a great block their send the Reading fans into on the jubilation line. at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. “It was the right place, right Speaking after the game, time a and similar to my goal on delighted McIntyre said: Friday. “I’ve been “We’ve got ourselves in a Reading fan all my life a position so it’s a where we are a few points dream come true. clear to drag ourselves “It means the world to me out the situation and to play now we need to put it to for Reading. I’m lost for bed.” words. n Match
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Community invited to use new facility built by Proctor & Gamble
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FESTIVAL FEVER IN THE VILLAGE P6
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By JAKE CLOTHIER news@rdg.today IT’S A park that Blue Peter would be proud of ... old plastic bottles have been turned into benches, tables and bins in a brand-new park in south Reading.
It’s all thanks to the makers of Fairy liquid, Proctor and Gamble, with a bit of help from Reading Borough Council. The park has been launched on previously unused land close to P&G’s Innovation Centre and plant on Basingstoke Road. Volunteers from the company used materials made from more than 370,000 plastic bottles to create sustainable seating and tables, as well as benches and bins, so that people visiting the community space will be able to enjoy picnics, take in the views and sit in the sunshine. And the end result, made not with sticky back plastic, but a desire to make the world a better place, has delighted staff at the company. Maneesh Nerurkar, vice president, corporate functions R&D and site leader at the Reading Innovation Centre said: “We began a project to redevelop P&G’s iconic Gillette building on Basingstoke Road almost two years ago. “As an organisation, we’re committed to being a force for good in the communities that we operate in, and spotted an opportunity to rejuvenate the land immediately in front of our site for the benefit of local residents.” n Continued on page 8
CHRISTIANS MARK HOLY WEEK P10
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HELPING THE EASTER BUNNY: Egg run returns • p2-3
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Easter special
with return of Berkshire Egg Run
Anne Merrett
Claire O’Hagan
BLUEBELL WALKS RUSHALL FARM, BRADFIELD BACK LANE, BRADFIELD, RG7 6DL - SIGNPOSTED FROM A340
Two Weekends! 23rd and 24th & 30th April and 1st May
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The Easter Egg Run on Good Friday.
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today BIKERS from across the Thames Valley gathered on Good Friday, April 15, for the annual Egg Run.
Organised by Thames Vale Vultures, the Egg Run sees riders cut a course through Reading to make donations of chocolate eggs for charitable causes. This year, around 340 people rode the route, and donations of eggs reached as many as 1,268. The riders gathered from 11am, and from 12.30pm left Stadium Way, Tilehurst, making their way to the Abbey Rugby Club in Emmer Green. The eggs which were donated by members of the public were then delivered to the Rotary Club and Southcote Children’s Centre for distribution to children around Reading.
Vultures representative Colin Hawkins said that the turnout was even better than first thought. “We were hoping for around 300 bikes and around 1,000 eggs, so we’ve absolutely exceeded our expectations. “Over the last two years people have got used to staying in, so it’s been
fantastic to see, and it gives you a warm feeling, really.” Mr Hawkins was also grateful for the warm, still weather on the day, saying: “everybody loves to ride in the sunshine. He also thanked a man who goes by the nickname Frenchie: “He organised the route, and we couldn’t have done it without him, “And a big thank you goes out to all of our riders, all of those who donated, and everybody who came out to wave to us along the way. “Everybody played their part, and now we’re looking forward to next year.” The Thames Vale Vultures Egg Run takes place on Good Friday every year, and is open to riders of motorcycles, scooters, and quadbikes. n For more information, search for Berkshire Egg Run on Facebook, or visit: www.tvvultures.co.uk
Woodland walks Family fun in the barn Hot and Cold food Home made cakes Free Treasure hunt for kids
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ADULTS £5 CHILDREN/OAP'S £3 UNDER 3'S GO FREE CASH or CHEQUE ONLY
All proceeds from this event will benefit local people affected by Multiple Sclerosis For more information visit
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Motorcylist dies in A33 road collision A 42-year-old man from Reading has died following a road traffic collision on the A33. The incident took place around 7.25pm on Thursday, April 14, and Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses. They said that a red Kawasaki motorcycle was involved in a collision with a number of cars on the A33 southbound carriageway close to the junction with Rose Kiln Lane. The motorcyclist died as a result of the injuries he received. His family are being supported by specially trained officers. Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation. PC Gareth Miles, from the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: "This collision occurred at a time when the A33 was quite busy. "I would appeal to any motorists we have not already spoken to or drivers with dash cam that may have seen the motorcycle prior to the collision to please contact us. “Anyone who has information or dash cam footage can make a report by calling 101 or via the website quoting reference 43220161464.”
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Officers commended at Chief Constable’s awards By JAKE CLOTHIER news@rdg.today EXCEPTIONAL Thames Valley Police officers, staff, and partners were recognised at the latest Chief Constable’s Awards Ceremony.
Forty awards were presented by Chief Constable John Campbell for dedication, commitment and bravery. Among those receiving an award was Detective Sergeant Alice Ashman for her work relating to the tragic death of 10-year-old Kaden Reddick at the Oracle shopping centre in Reading on Monday, February 13, 2017. Kaden died after a queue barrier fell on him at the Topshop store in The Oracle, causing catastrophic head injuries. DS Ashman was the investigating officer from the beginning and worked closely with her fellow officers, the Crown Prosecution Service, Reading Borough Council, which investigated potential health and safety offences, Arcadia’s solicitors, the Oracle and others. The police investigation looked at the offence of corporate manslaughter against Arcadia but after nearly 18
months, the CPS decided there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction. The investigation was then handed to the council to continue under health and safety legislation. Arcadia Group Ltd, Topshop/ Topman Ltd, and Realm Projects were found guilty of failing to discharge a health and safety duty following a trial at Reading Crown Court, which concluded on March 21, this year. Stoneforce Ltd had previously pleaded guilty to failing to discharge a health and safety duty. DS Ashman continued to work on the case, as a file had to be prepared for the coroner for an inquest, which returned a verdict of accidental death in March 2020. She supported the family throughout, even after police involvement ended, clear testament of the positive impact she has had during an unimaginably traumatic time for them. DS Ashman said: “This has been a long and complex investigation and I am grateful receive this award, but my thoughts very much remain with Kaden’s family.” More commendations were presented to Inspector Kelly
RECOGNISED: DS Alice Ashman was the investigating officer to the incident which led to the death of Kaden Reddick at The Oracle shopping centre in 2017 Picture: Thames Valley Police Reed and Detective Constable Claire Furness for their work to establish a hospital navigator scheme in five hospitals in the Thames Valley while seconded to the violence reduction unit between May 2020 and March 2021. The scheme sees emergency department community volunteers support young people when they attended having been a victim or perpetrator of violence. The navigators help them access specialist support within their community, such as mentoring, with the aim of preventing them from becoming involved in violence again in the future. Inspector Reed said: “This is a fantastic recognition for community based problem solving. “The Thames Valley
Hospital Navigator Scheme is an example of partner agencies working together with volunteers, making the communities of Thames Valley safer for everyone.” DC Furness added: “I am really proud to have received this recognition for the work that I have done.” Another officer to receive a Chief Constable’s Commendation was Detective Constable Rosie March for her determination and attention to detail that led to the successful prosecution of a predatory individual who preyed on vulnerable young men. After the case was reallocated to DC March from another officer, she methodically and systematically reviewed it, picking up essential enquiries and working tirelessly to get it to a stage where it could be
Sextortion scam
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presented to the CPS. Throughout this, DC March also managed to build up the family’s trust and confidence with the police. The force said that through her tenacious investigative mind-set, she identified and built a rapport with a number of key witnesses, which in turn encouraged them to share evidence for the investigation. DC March instigated and pursued a successful extradition warrant to bring the suspect back from Spain. After a two-week long trial, Roy Coxhead, formerly of Erleigh Road, Reading, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of indecency with a child, three counts of indecent assault on a male, attempting to commit a serious sexual offence, perverting the course of justice, four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The judge commended DC March for her investigation, saying: “After taking over a difficult investigation at a difficult time, the officers efforts had been exemplary and the court is truly grateful. “Her efforts and work as the officer in charge had been discharged perfectly.” After receiving her award, DC March said: “This was an extremely complicated and demanding investigation which resulted in a dangerous sex offender being sentenced to 18 years in prison. “It is only through the bravery and the determination of the two people who came to the police that we were able to imprison a man who had been offending in the Reading area for upwards of 30 years.”
AS YOU WERE: The last fair in Hills Meadow was the Winter Wonderland back in November Picture: Dijana Capan/Dvision
Fun fair to return to Hills Meadow A FUN FAIR is coming to Reading just in time for the May bank holiday. Launching on Friday, April 22, the event will take place in Hills Meadow Car Park all the way through to Wednesday, May 4. Organisers say their fair dates back 400 years, and there will be more than 150 attractions to enjoy.
And there will be a special party atmosphere on Tuesday, May 3, and the following night, so people can celebrate Eid. The fair will be open from 4pm to 9pm on weekdays, and from noon to 9pm at weekends. Entry is £1, and rides are £1.50 on Fridays. The exception is the dodgems, which will be £2.50 a car.
A THAMES VALLEY man has fallen victim to a sextortion scam, and police are warning people to be on their guard. The victim was contacted on social media network Instagram by someone who he thought was called Jayne who lived in New York. After talking for a week, they started exchanging intimate photos and videos. ‘Jayne’ then demanded £200 or the images would be shared with his personal contact list. This rose to £250 after the scammers said he had been too slow to respond, which he paid. They then demanded a further £350. Thames Valley Police said that he closed his social media accounts. In a statement, the force said: “Do not do, say, write, text, photograph, video anything online or via your phone that you would not be happy for your family, relatives, neighbours, friends, work colleagues, employer and everyone in your contact list to see.”
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Homebuyer demand down – only slightly
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
IT MIGHT not feel like it, but according to new data, homebuyer demand in Berkshire fell in the first quarter of the year – but it was only a marginal reduction compared to other parts of the country.
The latest Homebuyer Hotspots Demand Index by the estate agent comparison site, GetAgent. co.uk, has found a 1.8% drop following the final curtain for the stamp duty holiday in the final quarter of 2021. The Index monitors homebuyer demand across England on a quarterly basis. Current demand is based on the proportion of stock listed as either sold subject to contract or under offer as a percentage of all stock listed for sale. So, if 100 homes are listed and 50 are already sold, the demand score would be 50%. Across England, average homebuyer demand for the first quarter of 2022, sat at 64.3%, down -1.4% on the previous quarter when the stamp duty holiday finally finished. Greater London seeing the largest decline at -5.8%. East Sussex (-3.9%), Devon (-3.8%), Surrey (-3.6%) and
Cornwall (-3.5%) were among those areas to see the largest correction in buyer demand levels in 2022. Bristol remains the hottest spot of the market for current demand, with 79.6% of all homes already sold or under offer. Berkshire has 62% of homes sold or under offer, a drop of just -1.8% on the previous quarter. Founder and CEO of GetAgent. co.uk, Colby Short, said: “The stamp duty holiday spurred an unprecedented level of market activity which has been sustained for the duration of the scheme and it’s fair to say we’re still seeing the market perform extremely well now, despite the final deadline coming in December of last year. “Of course, there was always likely to be some level of natural readjustment and that’s what we’re seeing here, with a slight decline in demand levels during the first three months of this year. “However, we expect to see a sustained level of market activity throughout 2022, even with the escalating cost of living and increasing interest rates. “So, there’s a very good chance that demand will remain consistent and even rebound as the year goes on.”
Garage break-in attempt fails
HAPPY DAY: Louise and Simon Turner at their Easter fayre, held at Beansheaf Community Centre in Calcot on Saturday Pictures: Dijana Capan/Dvision
Hopping good time at Calcot fayre AN EASTER Fayre in Calcot bloomed on Saturday, raising money for cancer research at Beansheaf Community Centre. It featured stands and stalls from local artists and craftspeople, including Leave A Little Sparkle’s resin art, Kathy’s non-alcoholic fruit punch, and DeLoons and Gifts’ candy and confections. Patrons were also given the chance to meet and greet the Easter Bunny, raising £150 for Cancer Research UK. He also judged the Easter bonnet competition. Joint organiser Simon Turner, from Jenny Wren Events, said the Easter Bunny
went down a storm. “He stood outside and waved at the kids in the park, and they all came running towards him,” he said. “They were so excited to take a picture with him, and one girl came back to meet him three times.” Mr Turner also said that he
just had time to sample some of the stalls. “Kathy’s Guinness Punch was great, so I made sure to take home a bottle. “And my wife Louise baked the cakes for the refreshment stall, which were as good as sold out in the end.” Mr and Mrs Turner say that they hope to be able to bring the fayre to Calcot again later in the year. “Everybody went to a real effort, and it was lovely, “We’re looking to put together a Christmas event, and something closer to the summer– perhaps with afternoon tea.”
THIEVES attempted to break in to a Tilehurst garage earlier this month, but failed to gain entry. As a result, they left the Longridge Close home empty handed. However, police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The incident took place between 4pm on Sunday, April 10 and 11am on Monday, April 11. Anyone with any information is asked to call 101, quoting reference number: 43220155734.
Ukrainians to hold Orthodox Easter service THE READING Ukrainian Community Centre is holding an Orthodox Church Easter service. Those who would like to attend are invited to the Easter Liturgy and Blessing which will take place this weekend. The service will be held at English Martyrs Church, Liebenrood Road in Tilehurst. It starts at 12.30pm on Saturday, April 23. The Orthodox Church celebrates Easter at a different time to the Western Church.
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Pancakes and Poetry at Tutu’s TUTU’S Ethiopian table is bringing food and verse to Palmer Park on Saturday. The cafe has teamed up with Dreading Poetry Slam to organise a morning of rhyme and traditional Ethiopian food. Tutu’s serves a selection of traditional stews, both meat and vegetarian, traditional pancakes, soups, sandwiches, and home-made cakes. Dreading Poetry Slam d works to provide a space for poets to meet and share their verse. Poetry in the Park takes place at Palmer Park Lodge, Wokingham Road, on Saturday, April 23, at 11am.
Mayor and James performing at The Retreat
Lunch on the river
THAMES River Cruise is serving Sunday lunch on the river on Sunday, April 24. The cruise will board at Caversham Pier, Thames Promenade, proceeding to the upper reaches of the Thames and back into Caversham. A traditional Sunday lunch will be served onboard. Boarding begins at 12.30pm, departing at 1pm. The cruise will return to Carversham at around 4pm. Tickets are £48 per adult, £35 for children aged 10 and under.
Now taking registrations
n To book tickets, visit www. thamesrivercruise.co.uk
ON SONG: The Village Easter Festival took place in four pubs in Reading, and saw The Sidepiece Function perform at The Weather Station on Saturday Pictures: Dijana Capan/DVision
Be seeing you! Pubs in The Village team up for five-day music festival BACK in the 1960s, Patrick McGooghan’s The Prisoner spent his days trying to escape from The Village, but the opposite happened over Easter weekend as crowds flocked to a five-day music festival. Four pubs, all within walking distance of each other in the Eldon Square Conservation area, joined forces for The Village Easter Festival.
The fun started at The Retreat on Maundy Thursday, before heading to The Weather Station and the Lyndhurst across the weekend. Acts were timed to ensure people could walk between the venues, and included Fleur Stevenson and Hugh Turner, The Mark II, and Paula Riordan. A special after party at the
end of the festival was held at the Polish restaurant and diner Piwinca. At this, Limpopo Groove performed. As well as giving people the chance to say to bands, ‘be seeing you’, the event was an opportunity for visitors to try a selection of real ales and other alcoholic treats.
OPEN 7.30AM TO 6.30PM
EXCLUSIVE
VISIT: The High Sheriff of Berkshire, Willie Hartley Russell (second left) at the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today THE Reading Ukrainian Community Centre has been open to those seeking advice on refugee support.
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Mayor and James entertained at The Retreat
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All smiles while serving at The Weather Station
Representatives from the Home Office attended the centre to provide guidance on how to help with Ukraine’s refugee crisis on Monday, April 4, and Friday, April 8. Dedicated outreach teams have been sent by the Home Office to give face-to-face support with various aspects of immigration issues faced by refugees and those willing to help them, offering visa and safety advice. Anna Janusz-Kent, the centre’s former treasurer, said that the visits had proved useful for those who’d attended. “Because it’s such a fastmoving situation, it’s very useful to speak to someone face-to-face. “So the information is changing, but they have the most up-to-date information.” In the last week, the centre has also been visited by councillors, and the High Sheriff
of Berkshire, Willie Hartley Russell. “We also had members of Reading Borough Council and Wokingham Borough Council, who were able to provide information and education about benefits, and let us know how they’re going to help.” Tony Gresko, the RUCC’s chair, said that the High Sheriff was looking to find out how he could help too. “He’s got a lot of contacts, so he was collecting information to see what he could do, and he’s really lovely.” The Home Office has extended the offer of further similar drop-in sessions, which Ms Janusz-Kent said the centre would very much consider. “Things are evolving – people
are asking different questions today than they were last week, “So if they were to come again, we’d be at a different stage, but everyone we’ve spoken to has been very happy. “They’re not case-workers, but they are able to provide upto-date information, and have access to records which can give useful updates.” The RUCC says, however, that it would like some clearer information regarding the amount of refugees who could be rehomed in Reading. “There could potentially be thousands, and we’re not set up for that, “It would really benefit us to know even roughly how many, so that we can in some way prepare.”
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‘Adrenaline and caffeine’: Captain Michael looks back at University Challenge final SO NEAR: This series marked the first time that a team from Reading had made it to a semi-final as well as a final in the show’s 60-year history.
By JAKE CLOTHIER news@rdg.today
AFTER their performance in the University Challenge final, the first team from Reading University to make it that far are not taking the close defeat too badly.
“It’s been a whirlwind of unforgettable, once in a lifetime experiences,” says team captain Michael Hutchinson. Earlier this month, the team played off against Imperial College London, who hadn’t lost a single match. In the final, ICL closed the game with a lead of just 10 points, a difference of just a single starter question. “I don’t think any of us are that upset, I don’t think any of us really have had that experience,” Michael said. “Everyone’s just really thankful to have been there and for the fact that we were one question away.” The tense final saw the lead change hands a number of times, with Reading catching up after falling behind by nearly 100 points in the opening rounds. However Michael says that while you’re quizzing, the score is not the team’s main focus. “I was running on adrenaline and caffeine, at that point, so
you just work through the questions as they go on, “But you don’t keep track of how many questions you’ve got in a row, “Until we sat there afterwards and our reserve showed us that we’d taken five starters in a row, we were just answering.” Though ICL had previously beaten Reading in a quarter final, the team weren’t afraid of the rematch. “The first time we played them, we were taken aback by how we were only ever
microseconds behind them, “So after our first loss against Imperial, we just practised buzzer questions, so we knew we were in a better state since then.” Reading pulled ahead shortly after Imperial was given a round of questions on drag slang, which they struggled to answer. Michael jokes that he’s glad those questions went to the other team. “I don’t think I’d have done much better, I think we’d have just looked at each other a bit
“Some people tie up learning with school, and they didn’t like school so they don’t like ‘learning’, “A big eye-opener for me was getting to my mid-twenties and realising I love the act of getting into a new topic and learning about it, “Not through the lens of school and having to do it, but because I want to know why the cells in my body do certain things or why black holes happen.” This attitude to learning has led Michael to continue to pursue quizzing, and he’s set his sights on another show. “After the show, I talked to Fatima from ICL, and she got me in touch with last year’s captain from Imperial. blankly,” he adds. “But they after concluding his studies at “The three of us seemed like they were having a Reading University. and a member of Trinity, “As a teacher and stuff Cambridge, good time, and that’s the thing have started with Imperial, they’re a very you learn the most from playing Only Connect online, likeable, amicable team, and I your mistakes, your wrong and we’re talking about think that comes across in the answers. applying for the show at a later moment.” “That’s what I’m trying to tell date.” He says also that it is in these my students – we don’t glorify Applications are now open kinds of moments that you wrong answers enough, both in for the next series of University become better at quizzing. Challenge the classroom and on TV. “That’s, that’s how I’ve The contest is open “We should be happy when always quizzed, I do a lot better we don’t know something, to anyone currently enrolled at in the long run when I do the because we’ve got something to a UK university or university most difficult quizzes.” learn.” college and details are sent This also bleeds through He says that this often comes to the institutions – ask to his job, as Michael became from how we learn during your student union for more Today2021 13thchildhood. and 14th April_130X160mm_MAY_EVENT a Wokingham teacher in September details.
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MEET AND GREET: Bluey and Bingo made an appearance at Broad Street Mall on Saturday much to the delight of their young fans Pictures: Dijana Capan/Dvision
Forget Beatlemania ... here’s Blueymania!
Bluey with fan Harry (4)
THEY were queueing round the block, all in the hope of meeting their heroes. And for some, it was scenes reminiscent to Beatlemania back in the 1960s... only it was for children’s TV sensations Bluey and Bingo. The pair from Down Under were in Reading on Saturday to give an Easter treat to shoppers of Broad St Mall. They took part in special storytimes throughout the day ... and took time to pose for selfies afterwards with their fans. Demand was so high, there were large crowds.
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To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today STORM DAMAGE: Work on securing the roof has completed, but the stage, dressing rooms, and auditorium are all still in need of repair. Picture: Shinfield Players
Shinfield Players raise nearly £5,000 to keep a lid on roof repairs SHINFIELD Players Theatre has reached its goal for funding a full repair of storm damage. The theatre set up a GoFundMe page in order to raise funds to repair damage caused by Storm Eunice in February 2022. It set the goal for £4,000, enough to repair the roof, which was almost entirely ripped off by high winds, and the interior damage caused by the subsequent exposure to rain. However donations have reached £4,950, nearly £1,000 above its target. Members of the theatre posted to social media thanking those who had donated to and shared the fundraising page.
While the roof of the building has now been sealed and repaired, extra costs to make significant improvements can now be covered. Work has now begun on the internal damage, with the stage, dressing rooms, auditorium, and flooring all in need of repair. The extra funds mean that these repairs can be carried out. Until the theatre space is repaired, the company is continuing to rehearse and prepare its musical production, Our House. Performances of the production are due for Friday, September 30, and Thursday through Sunday, October 6-8.
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Reading near bottom of the pile for scores on the doors SCORES ON THE DOORS: Not every restaurant and takeaway in Reading is a five-star venue Stock picture: Andreas Lischka from Pixabay
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today READING is near the bottom of the pile in the South East when it comes to food hygiene ratings.
It has 658 establishments that serve food to the public, and the average score on the door is 4.45, making it 19th out of 22. Only Portsmouth, Slough, and High Wycombe were below it. At the bottom of the pile, High Wycombe had an average score of 4.27, though it did increase its average score from 3.95 in 2019. In top spot is Hastings: it has an average of 4.83. The research by online training provider High Speed Training analysed Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for more than 230,000 food businesses across the UK, and found the average rating in the south east was 4.60 - up from 4.47 three years ago. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) aims to provide customers with information as to how well a business is upholding food hygiene and safety standards, with five
being the maximum rating businesses can achieve. The scores are devised from regular inspections, looking at the standard of food handling hygiene, the physical condition of the premises and facilities and food safety management practices. These ratings are then made available on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website and are usually visible from outside of the premises, often presented in a window near the entrance. High Speed Training’s report also found that more than one in six takeaways (16.89%) across the region scored 3 or below for
their food hygiene rating, while more than 90% of premises scored a 4 or a 5 on their rating. Eilidh Paton, Owner of Alba Food Safety Consultancy and Chartered Environmental Health Officer, said: “Food Hygiene inspections and ratings are extremely important. From a legal perspective, they ensure businesses are compliant, but mostly, they are designed to help businesses provide safer food. “It also gives consumers the assurance that businesses are safe to eat in as they are regularly inspected by
competent officers.” And Richard Anderson, Head of Learning Development at High Speed Training said: “For those customers turning a blind eye when it comes to checking a hygiene rating, we would definitely urge you not to as ignorance isn’t always bliss! “We would always recommend checking hygiene ratings before eating at an establishment so you can make an informed call as to whether you eat there.” n The report can be read at: www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/ hub/food-hygiene-ratingsreport-2022
Covid dashboard ends daily updates
SITE: Unit 2 of the Reading Trade Centre - where Deliveroo hopes to run its Hop service Picture: Google Maps / Local democracy reporting service
Deliveroo applies for alcohol licence for new grocery delivery service The Waterside’s pub garden is perfect for relaxing on a balmy summer evening or meeting friends and family for lunch on a weekend.
Call us on 0118 342 0171 info@watersidewoodley.co.uk www.watersidewoodley.co.uk The Waterside, Fairwater Drive, Woodley, RG5 3EZ
A FOOD delivery service has applied for a licence to add alcohol to its Reading offering, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter. Deliveroo works with restaurants and companies to allow people to order online. A network of cyclists and motorcyclists then deliver to the doorstep. The firm now wants to launch Deliveroo Hop in Reading, which will allow it to deliver fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and snacks and drinks in addition to alcohol. An application has been lodged with Reading Borough
Council for the service, which would be delivered from Unit 2 of the Reading Trade Centre in Rose Kiln Lane, between the hours of 7am and 3am. Users of the food delivery app can already purchase alcohol on it from supermarkets and convenience stores. And Deliveroo is currently running a trial with WHSmith’s Reading branch. The council’s licensing team has launched a consultation and is welcoming views on the Hop service. These can be emailed to: licensing@reading.gov.uk
THE WAY in which covid figures are recorded in Berkshire has changed, following the government’s change of policy, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy repor In 2020, the Public Health for Berkshire Covid-19 Dashboard was launched to monitor coronavirus cases, deaths and NHS triages in each area of Berkshire. On Friday, April 1, the Government announced that Covid-19 would be managed like other respiratory illnesses. As a result, the website was switched to a monthly briefing update. Coronavirus figues including cases, the infection rate, deaths and vaccinations for each area of Berkshire can still be found on the Government website. From now on, figures will only be recorded during weekdays, which is part of the Government’s ‘Living with Covid-19’ plan. This is despite covid rates being among the highest they have been. Earlier this month, parents and carers of children aged five to 11 were able to book them for a covid vaccination for their children, via the NHS website.
Green vision for a fairer, greener and affordable Reading
STANDING: Redlands Green Party candidates Picture; Reading Green Party By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today READING’S Green Party says its priority in the local elections is to create a town that is fairer, greener and more affordable.
The party’s manifesto for the May 5 local elections features 12 points, all aimed at living out that pledge. The group has aspirations for becoming Reading’s secondlargest party in this year’s all-out poll. In recent years, it has overtaken the Liberal Democrats, made Park ward its stronghold and started to expand into other wards. It is hoping it can make additional gains due to May’s all-out ballot, where all 48 council seats are up for grabs. Understandably for a ecominded party, its first priorty is on climate action, pledging to double Reading’s tree cover, boost zero carbon commitments and protecting wildlife. Insulating homes is a top priority for the party, as part of its plan to tackle poverty. It also wants all organisations to commit to paying a Living Wage. Boosting affordable housing in a bid to tackle rough sleeping is a pledge, as is ensuring all landlords are licensed - this goes further than the voluntary
scheme Reading Borough Council launched before the elections. The party wants to boost community initiatives, making it easier for residents to launch play street schemes and street parties. Glass recycling from the kerbside collections will, the party says, help clean-up Reading, while the promotion of reuse groups will promote better waste management. Another key green commitment is to tackle air pollution and congestion by promotion walking and cycling options. And air quality is a priority for schools - to help in the wake of the covid pandemic, the party wants to push for well ventilated classrooms. The party would also prioritise mental health support for children and adults, as well as meals for vulnerable
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households during school holidays. Greens say they would also work to protect budgets aimed at tackling addiction to alcohol, drugs, or gambling. There would be support for carers, including championing Unison’s Ethical Care Charter, pushing for an end to zero-hour contracts and rushed 15-minute care visits. A push for shops to prioritise locally sourced and affordable food is part of the party’s push to support the high street, and the Greens would also champion Reading-based artists and conservation areas to strength culture and protect heritage for the future. In an article in today’s Reading Today, Jamie Whitham says: “Avote for one of the old, tired, parties is a vote for another councillor who will turn up at meetings, never speak, and vote as they’re told. “That’s not how to stand up for people and it won’t change things in Reading. “We hope to win all the seats in Redlands, Katesgrove and Park wards and may be elsewhere. This helps build a fairer, greener, more affordable Reading.”
n You can see the Green Party manifesto at: https://reading. greenparty.org.uk/manifesto/
Meet the candidates online
Head online to rdg.today and find out who is standing in your ward – and what they stand for
Lib Dems’ new start for the Ding READING’S Lib Dems are promising a new start for the town if they win control of the council in the May 5 local elections. The party’s manifesto states it has six aims to improve the way the council is run - it states: “Reading has suffered from a lack of vision and leadership for too long”. Its priorities are building a strong economy; making communities safer; building sustainable communities and services; helping children and young people; health and care for all; and improving local transport. In her introduction to the manifesto, Reading Lib Dem leader Cllr Meri O’Connell said: “We want to make a distinctive shift in power away from the centre, encouraging decentralised decision-making, partnership working and empowerment of communities and individuals. “Others want to do things to you, or do things for you: Liberal Democrats want to do things with.” For the economy, the party says Reading’s future lies in creating and attracting environmentally-friendly industries to the town, which would boost employment. By making Reading’s local economy more self-reliant, the party says, economic growth can prosper. Some of the ways it sees this happening is by
pushing for benefits from Crossrail and the new Green Park railway station; selling off surplus council buildings; and reviewing the free use of council facilities by trade unions. It also wants to introduce a red tape challenge to stimulate ideas for growth, by working with local businesses. The Lib Dems say that many in Reading are concerned about anti-social behaviour and lowlevel crime. To combat this, it wants to introduce Safer Reading Groups, revitalise Neighbourhood Action groups, improve youth services, and tackle crime hotspots with infrastructure improvements. It would aim to hold the Police and Crime Commissioner to account over drug enforcement, the use of 101, human trafficking, and community policing funding. On housing, the party wants to push developers to build the appropriate level of affordable housing - a target of 30% per scheme, it will push to bring empty homes back into use, protect existing parks and green spaces, increase kerbside recycling to include glass, plastics and food waste, monitor air pollution, and tackle littering and fly-tipping with strong enforcement. For sustainable services, the party wants to start with the council, by hiring additional call centre staff.
It will also support schemes such as Berkshire Credit Union and the Citizens Advice. The party plans no changes to libraries, but hopes to expand free services such as evening study times. It says it will aim to get value for money from new and expanded venues such as Rivermead and Palmer Park. The party would also aim to be transparent over council income. Young people and adult social care are both areas where the party is promising support - for example, by keeping youth centres open, and having a longterm plan on school places. On later years, it would aim to tailor services to meet individual needs, help care leavers learn life skills, develop plans for exercise for all ages, and pay carers a living wage. Its plans for transport include establishing a low emissions zone in Reading town centre, boosting car charging points, enhance the cycle network, expand 20mph zones and tackle bad parking. Pavements will be improved and more trees will be planted. Cllr O’Connell said: “The Liberal Democrat proposals for a better Reading recognise that economic, social and environmental issues cannot be separated from each other.” n The manifesto can be read at: https://www.readinglibdems.org. uk/manifesto
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Bluebells walks CHECKENDON Village Hall is open to visitors looking to get in touch with nature on Sunday, May 1. It will provide visitors with information about the numerous woodland walks in Checkendon, which is famed for its spring bluebells and beech trees. A number of circular walks begin at the village hall, ranging from short, two mile walks to over five. Refreshments will be made available, including home-made cakes as well as tea and coffee. Parking is available at the hall and the recreation ground. The hall will be open from 2pm-5pm.
Christians outside St Matthews in Southcote on Good Friday Picture: Steve Smyth
Music date A MUSIC store in Reading is opening its doors to live performance for the first time. Hickies, of Friar Street, is hosting a live lounge, opening up its gallery space for musicians. The store says that it hopes to create a comfortable setting for an audience to experience music. The first event featuring singer/songwriter Clara McHugh, folk musician Sam Brothers, and Henjila. The event is free, though it is necessary to book online, as space is limited. n To book your place in the audience, or to put yourself forward as a performing musician, visit: www.hickies.co.uk
UNITED: The Churches Together service at Forbury Gardens to celebrate Easter Picture: Phil Creighton
Reading churches gather together to remember events of Holy Week CHRISTIANS across Reading took part in special services to mark the events of Holy Week. It was the first time in three years that churches could welcome people to join them in worship to remember the events of the first Easter. A planned Palm Sunday procession in Broad Street had to be cancelled after members of the Salvation Army band caught covid. However, they were able to
play during an open-air service in Forbury Gardens on Easter Sunday. Led by Michael Penny, the chair of Churches Together in Reading, more than 70 people gathered around the bandstand at 8am for an early morning celebration. Hymns included the Easter favourite Thine Be The Glory, and modern classic Shine Jesus Shine. An address was given by the Revd Julie Binney, minister of
nearby Abbey Baptist Church, the venue for hot cross buns and refreshments afterwards. And churches came together on Good Friday for walks for witnesses. In Southcote, they started from Grange URC, walking to St Matthew’s and then Southcote Family Church, for a service. And in Tilehurst, churches walked from their buildings to The Triangle for an open-air act of witness.
Tilehurst church leaders at The Triangle
Michael Penny, chair of Churches Together Reading with the Revd Julia Binney from Abbey Baptist Church
Christians from Tilehurst walk to The Triangle Picture: Churches Together in Reading
P&G puts a lid on waste with ecopark Ready for use ... the new park created on Basingstoke Road by Proctor & Gamble staff
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Improvements were also made to the local wildlife, with volunteers install ecology habitats for bees, birds and bats. The project has worked to increase the biodiversity of the site, planting Oak, Beech, and Hawthorne trees, as well as wild daffodil bulbs. Mr Nerurkar explained: “Reading Borough Council’s parks department played a critical role in bringing the initiative to life. “We also worked with the Reading Tree Wardens, a local organisation of volunteers for the Council who focus specifically on biodiversity, “Our staff partnered with them to identify which tree species were most necessary for increasing biodiversity in the area and then planting accordingly.” Adam Boulding, P&G scientist and project leader, said: “Volunteering on this project has been fantastic. “It’s enabled us to give back to the local community, but also because it’s provided an opportunity for P&G employees to connect with one another, and perhaps work with those outside of their core teams.
He said environmental sustainability was at the heart of the project. “From the use of recycled plastics for the furniture to locally sourced trees to build biodiversity and ecology habitat enhancements, “Even down to the bark chips we’ve used from wood cleared locally after the recent storms.” Frances Martin, Reading Borough Council’s executive director for economic growth and neighbourhood services, said: “Reading Council is really pleased to support P&G on this project, which will have a positive impact on the area.” He said the council recognises the importance of partnership with key organisations, and that the project complements their own work “to increase biodiversity and our response to tackling the
climate emergency.” Mr Nerurkar says that the company is still looking to expand its work in the fields of environmental sustainability. “We’re really proud of the project, but recognise that there is more to do to continue our efforts to be a force for good in local communities.” As well as looking after the park space, he said that the company was keen to partner with local educational organisations. “We’re particularly keen to educate pupils on topics including biodiversity, nature and sustainability, “Additionally, we’re continuing to improve our site in order to benefit P&G employees as well as the local environment – for example, through the provision of onsite electric vehicle charging stations.”
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Reading Fringe loud and proud this autumn
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
AFTER taking a break in 2021 to prepare for the tenth anniversary, Reading Fringe Festival is back, bringing three days packed full of dazzling performances with it.
From Friday, October 28, to Sunday, October 30, the festival will celebrate a decade of creativity by proclaiming: This Is Us, which is this year’s theme. Since it started in 2012, it has brought hundreds of events to venues across Reading, including spoken word, theatre, music, dance, and cabaret. In 2020, it provided a digital platform for audiences and artists, reaching 13,000 households across six continents. Previous years have featured escape rooms, a musical about Sigmund Freud, and live music performed on instruments made of ice. Fringe director Zsuzsi Lindsay said: “We’re so proud of what the festival has achieved in the last ten years, and it was amazing to see so many artists and creatives come together to share their work for us for Reading Fringe Digital.
“Now, as we come back together both in real life and online, we’re really excited about the new stories Reading can share in the next 10 years, and beyond.” Fringe producer Sarah Stuffins said: “We’ve never been away, not really. “All of us have been busy behind the scenes preparing for Fringe ‘22, and I can’t wait to see the brilliant new experiences that we’re going to be bringing to Reading.” The festival has always worked to support creative performance, and in 2020 commissioned two new shows, including Pip and Pearl: Planet Protectors. The show is an interactive family adventure about climate change, and still available to watch online at www. ReadingFringeFestival.co.uk The website will be relaunched later in the spring and this year’s exciting upcoming acts will be confirmed during the summer. n For more information, follow the festival on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or visit: www. readingfringefestival.co.uk
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A taste of France is quite the hit
Victoria Hannah enjoys French street food THERE were queues not over the white cliffs of Dover, but the length of Broad Street over the Easter weekend.
The reason? A taste of France had come to town. Forgetting Brexit for a few days, a host of French food producers and craftspeople set up shop, offering a certain je nais sais quoi for shoppers enjoying the spring sunshine. On offer were French cheeses, breads, pastries, and tartiflettes, creamy chicken, garlic potatoes.
Wines were also available. And with the weather suitable for some al fresco dining, people enjoyed sticking around for some gallic snacks. The event was run by France at Home, who have been bringing French traders from Normandy to the UK since 1994, and it was organised by Reading UK. With so many people enjoying the market, it was an au revoir, but with the hope that we’ll meet again, don’t know when, but we do know where. Pictures: Steve Smyth
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Conquer the Cot help Sue Ryder t
Volunteer corner Reading Voluntary Action
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
FAMILY BUSINESS: Mark Austin (front, middle) is congratulated by the team at Reading Buses on 20 years’ service
Bus driver Mark keeps it in the family for a century
T
HE Spencers Wood Repair Cafe needs your skills. One Sunday afternoon a month they open up the Repair Cafe and invite people to bring in items that they may be able to fix. Of course, they are looking for volunteers that are skilled in fixing computers, phones, electrical items, furniture, bicycles, toys, or repairing clothes. You can join in on a friendly, social environment where you can help transfer your skills and reduce landfill waste. Together we can all try to fix items that might otherwise be thrown away. The service is free, donations are welcome and will go to Spencers Wood Village Hall which is a registered charity. n The Thames Valley Partnership was formed in 1993, and their mission is to help, protect and support people who have had their lives damaged by crime equally and without judgement. Right now, they are seeking more volunteers to join their Early Intervention Team which was built to support young people, to help them channel their energy and time in positive ways and to help prevent them from becoming involved in anti-social behaviour or crime. Volunteers should be patient and great listeners that are able to converse with young people and work with them to identify and engage in opportunities that they will enjoy. n Enrych Berkshire is an organisation that provides people with disabilities extra support to enable them to enjoy hobbies, interests and activities of their choosing. Enrych are looking for a friendly volunteer to help a member who has survived a Stroke. The gentleman is looking for somebody to go out walking with him, for light exercise and to enjoy fresh air. Keep in mind Enrych Berkshire helps a large number of members and, if you check their websites or contact them directly, there may be even more ways that volunteers could help.
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.
A BUS driver is keeping up a tradition that has been in the family for a century: getting people from here to there. Mark Austin, his Dad, grandfather and great grandfather, have all got behind the wheel, and this month junior is marking his 20th anniversary with Reading Buses. His current daily route includes going past Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge secondary school in Sonning Common - where he learnt all about double algebra, fronted adverbials, and geography. The 50-year-old, who lives in Sonning Common with his wife and daughter, said that Mark, 50, who lives in Sonning Common with his wife and daughter, said his father Geoffrey and his grandfather, also Geoffrey, as well as his great grandfather, all drove for Thames Valley, now part of the Reading Buses family, going back to the 1920s. With this love for buses, it’s no surprise that he wants others to
give it a go. “I would certainly say that the challenge of getting your full bus licence and the satisfaction that comes with the job itself should attract young people and I would encourage more to join,” said Mark. “Bus driving, which I know is in my blood, is enjoyable. I like being out and about, I also like the driving itself and I get a lot of pleasure out of the job which provides good money. “It’s also my mobile office meaning no two days are the same.” Mark is a petrolhead through and through. His hobby involves driving classic cars and motorcycles that he has restored. Caroline Anscombe, Reading Buses HR Director, said: “Mark really does represent a family legacy within Reading Buses and it’s great to celebrate his 20-year service with him. “He is a true testament that driving buses can be a job for life, and is a career that has always been needed, even 100 years ago.”
So that’s why junior is a real eco-warrior in training READING is one of the best places in the country to raise an eco-warrior, according to new research. The area has great outdoor learning facilities, and a great variety of family-friendly naturebased activities. The study, by Bower Collective, places Reading 14th in the country, based on the opportunities for under 15s to visit allotments, buy farm produce, and head to the great outdoors. Four towns in the South East made the top 10, and at least one South Eastern town ranked in the top 10 for every category. Notable results include Oxford placing third in the study which has the third best access to allotments in the UK, with 22 to choose between, and 56 family-friendly nature days out to explore, and 22 local farms to either source fresh produce from or interact with. Woking is also the best place for outdoor learning in the UK, with 29 local organisations . Incorporating ‘outdoor education’
A CHALLENGE has been made to all readers … to undertake a tough walking challenge to help raise funds for the work of the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in Tilehurst. The centre, which offers specialist palliative care and bereavement support, wants people to sign up to its Cotswold Way Challenge – a 100km (60 mile) loop, with stunning views of rolling hills and picturesque villages. It is hoped that 2,000 people will take part over the weekend of June 25 and 26. There are three routes across the two days: the full 100km, 50km, or 25km. For those who want to take part in the full and continuous 100-kilometre route, participants will set out from Cirencester on the Saturday morning and head north into the rolling green hills of the Cotswolds. There is a 2,250M ascent which, while testing your legs, will reward you with some of the UK’s most breath-taking views for miles around. Every 12 -13 kilometres, there are refreshments stops, with a main halfway stop in Wotton, before heading south back towards Cirencester. Individuals challenging themselves to take part in this ultra-event will receive full support and hospitality, including optional accommodation at the basecamp in Cirencester, depending on where you are travelling from and which version of the challenge you choose. Previous participants and sisters Abi Donald and Georgie Cooper took part last year in memory of their mum and aunt. Their aunt, Eve Bentham, was cared for at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice in 2020 and their mum, Alison Duncan, was cared for at Sue Ryder’s Leckhampton Court Hospice in Gloucestershire in 2018.
JOIN THEM: Abi Donald and Georgie Cooper t “It was a wonderful opportunity to share with my sister and for us to have so much time together to talk about our mum and our aunt,” says Abi. “One thing I hadn’t expected was how enjoyable and fun it would be meeting the other people on the walk, all people doing great things for different reasons and different causes. People who raise money through challenges like this are by and large going to be very lovely and a bit mad. “We are just very happy to have raised money for Sue Ryder who helped our family so much. The whole team at Sue Ryder supported us throughout the experience with
Lee hopes fundraiser will inspire others
BIG OUTDOORS: Reading is a great place to raise eco-warriors into a child’s life, promotes environmental awareness and stewardship, and according to research, can significantly reduce stress and boost self-esteem. Reading came seventh for access to allotments, 17th for family-friendly nature days, 19th for outdoor learning organisations, 23rd for access to second-hand childrenswear, and 45th for access to farms.
A TWYFORD pub will be hosting a fundraiser for a mental health charity at the beginning of next month. Regulars of the Waggon and Horses have arranged a day of events on Sunday, May 1, to raise funds for Prospect Park Hospital. The hospital, on Honey End Lane in Reading, is the main NHS site for people in Berkshire with mental health conditions. It has a number of inpatient wards, including provision for people with learning difficulties and a specialist dementia unit. Pub-goer Lee Tennant joined forces with friends David Somner and Richard Burns, the pub’s landlord, to organise the day. Lee chose to raise money for Prospect Park following his own mental health struggles. “I have always struggled with anxiety and depression, but 2020 was the worst year ever,” Lee says.
“Before lockdown, I split with my girlfriend. “I began to self-harm regularly and was having suicidal thoughts.” He tried counselling, hypnotherapy, medication, breathing exercises, running and listening to podcasts on mental health. “Nothing was working and I was at my lowest ebb,” he says. “But in December 2020 I plucked up the courage to tell people how bad I was feeling on social media. “The support I got from my family and friends was mind-blowing and I realised that keeping things to yourself is the worst thing you can do.” Lee credits people checking in on him with saving his life. He trained to become a mental health adviser following the death of a friend who took his own life. And another of Lee’s friends has a family member who is being helped
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
tswold Way, and to (walking) boot
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Mouse runs Reading Half ... and lives to tell the tale Bertie with his Reading Half Marathon finishers’ medal
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Reader travel THE BEATLES TRIBUTE Live in Liverpool
TributetoTheBeatlesLiveinLiverpool_D.pdf
Departing Sun 26 Jun ‘22 Come Together and join us for an outstanding celebration of The Beatles at the iconic Adelphi Hotel! This fantastic evening of entertainment also includes a 2 for 1 bar offer and a live DJ at the hotel, and there is also time to explore bustling Liverpool.
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took part in last year’s Sue Ryder Cotswold Challenge messages of support and thanks. It’s been like having our own fan club. She adds: “Sue Ryder is the most amazing charity which has supported our family with kindness through the toughest of times. Their care allowed our mum and aunt to be surrounded by family at home and in an environment that was safe, comfortable, dignified and full of love.” And Georgia Thornton, community fundraiser at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, says the team are grateful to people like Abi and Georgie who lend their time and effort to raise money in this way “It really does make a huge
difference and we cannot thank our supporters enough – regardless of how much they raise,” she says. “We really hope lots of people are keen to challenge themselves and sign up to the Cotswold Way Challenge. It is a fantastic event and the money raised really does make a huge difference. “All funds raised by participants this year will help us continue to provide the expert care we are so well-known for in the local community, and fill last days with love.”
n Registration is now open. For more details, log on to: ultrachallenge.com/ cotswold-way-challenge
HE is usually found lying on the parish chaise longue with his paws wrapped around a Stinking Bishop. But reports coming out of St Paul’s Church in Wokingham this week, have claimed Bertie the church mouse is a little cheesed off. The reclining rodent announced he has not been this upset since his famous ancestor, Julius Cheeser was stabbed in the back. In an exclusive interview with Reading Today, Bertie waved his right to remain anonymouse as he angrily revealed: “It’s no more Mr. Mice Guy. Sipping weakly from a glass of fine Burgandy, he added: “There I was, ready to take the ol’ MG Roadster for a jolly spin down Wokingham’s beautiful lanes when Rector Richard announced he had signed me up for the Reading halfmarathon.” Bertie told the crafty cleric: “I beg to disabrie!” “It’s for a good cause,” came the reply. “Well, I reckon anything you can do I can do feta.” “Are you taking the micky, mouse?” “I just take the gauda with the bad.” Bertie said Father Richard’s angry stare reminded him of that scary Chinese dictator, Mouse Tse Tung.
However, the pair decided to paws their disagreement while they started a training programme. After several months of gruyeling morning runs, Father Richard was aiming to finish the race in under two hours. Bertie was aiming to finish. “I managed 1 hour 48 minutes and 45 seconds,” smiled the rector. “That was despite carrying a rather rotund rodent through the streets of Reading for most of the route. “I am ashamed to say that Bertie tried to take a short cut down a drain just 200 yards from the start, but his rear end got stuck and that was the end of his race.” The tail ends with the great news that £1,080 pounds was raised in aid of the Royal Berkshire Hospital. “The past two years have been incredibly tough for everyone but the wonderful staff at the Berks have been there throughout helping so many people and I was keen to show the church’s appreciation,” said Rector Richard. Added Bertie: “I wholeheartedly agree. It is a wonderful place and I am delighted to have helped raise so much money. Now, if I can just get an appointment at the vets for my four aching paws.” As told to James Hastings
DON’T tip the flies Who have buzzed round your head, Who swam in your jam Or who danced on your bread.
and the family are so relieved.” Lee, David and Richard are all hopeful that the event is successful at both raising funds for the hospital and encouraging people to talk openly about mental health issues. Tickets cost £7, under 18s are free. There will be a barbecue and raffle from 2pm raffle, and music from rock covers band Wise Monkeys beginning at 7pm. n For more information, follow Waggon and Horses Twyford on Facebook
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(Important advice, inspired by local graffiti!)
at Prospect Park, following severe problems with their mental health. He explains that “their problems began following a sexual assault, and things got so bad that they attempted to take their own life several times.” “Eventually they were sectioned. “They have been in several units, but has made real progress in Prospect Park. “They will soon be moving into assisted living in the community,
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30 | VIEWPOINTS
Doorstep glass is a pain in the ...
GLASS recycling is one of the most important things we can do to help protect the environment. The wonder material that is used to keep our drinks, jams and pickles safe can be recycled infinitely ... if it’s handled correctly. Kerbside pick-up is something people have been calling for for years, so it is pleasing to see political parties call for the service to be started as part of their local election manifestos. The solution has to be the right one. The Government is finally making noises about making the service mandatory. What we can’t have is a knee-jerk reaction after the election to launch any service. If Reading is to have doorstep pick-ups, it has to be on the measure twice, cut once philosophy. It would waste money to launch a scheme only to find it’s not the Whitehall specification. We’re all for it, but it has to be right first time.
CHURCH NOTES
The week of weeks
W
E HAVE just celebrated the week of weeks in the Christian calendar – Holy Week – where we commemorate the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In Holy Week we are called to unite ourselves and follow the way of the cross of Jesus which leads to the resurrection. It is not merely reading about it in the Scriptures or praying about it, but we are called in our own lives to follow the Jesus. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Philippians: “All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing the pattern of his death. This is the way I can hope to take my place in the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have become perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me.” Our life is modelled after the mystery of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. We are certainly living in a period of suffering with the tragic war in Ukraine, poverty, injustice, inequality, and hatred. However, we believe in a God who was in the very midst of the suffering, who experienced poverty and rejection. The Cross is the sign and example of Christ in this very midst. A sign of his compassion and love. Our God is not a distant God, but one who is present in the pain and sufferings of life. At this current period, we are certainty sharing in a lot of sufferings throughout the world and ‘reproduce the pattern of his death’ knowing that the resurrection is in sight. This is our hope, which is firmly based on the historical reality of the resurrection. “Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he is risen.” Christ is risen! Let us run to tomb to encounter the Risen Lord!
Canon Michael Dennehy, English Martyrs Church, writing on behalf Churches Together in Reading
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Letters
Send your thoughts to news@rdg.today Join me at this fundraiser BERKSHIRE’S Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice service reaches a special milestone this year: 15 years since it was founded by Fiona and John Devine in memory of their son, Alexander. He died, aged 10, of a rare brain tumour. By 2009, the first Alexander’s nurse was funded, and by 2012, the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice community service was launched. A year later saw the launch of its capital appeal, which - as early as 2015 - resulting in the start of the building of Berkshire’s first specialist children’s hospice. It also saw the launch of the sibling support and specialist play services. In 2018, the hospice’s doors were opened for daycare and, in 2019, the hospice’s sensory garden and hydrotherapy pool were opened and the symptom management service soon followed. The next year, the accessible playground was built. Last year, the hospice’s specialist overnight respite
We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: news@rdg.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper
care beds and services were established. To date, the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service remains, almost exclusively, dependent on donations. Which is why I have been an independent fundraiser for the charity since 2007. In the last 22 years, to date, £62,865 has been raised for local charities by my supporters and myself. This Saturday, I am organising a spring market at Grange URC hall in Circuit Lane, Southcote between 11.30am and 1.30pm, in aid of the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, as it celebrates its 15th year.
Paul Farmer, Reading
It’s Time for Trodelvy Breast Cancer Now is making an urgent plea to the public to sign our Open Letter in a final bid to see a life-extending drug guaranteed on the NHS. Last year we began campaigning around Trodelvy, an exciting new treatment for people living with incurable triple negative secondary breast cancer.
From the Chamber
Jamie Whitham
Why vote Green in Reading on May 5?
B
ECAUSE Reading has a growing Green presence, we’re winning and we’re growing
Across Reading, you can already vote for experienced councillors and campaigners knowing that they put the community first in places like Katesgrove, Park, and Redlands. You can vote knowing that they can win, and make a difference on the council.
Because the Labour-run council makes costly mistakes, this costs us all Labour councillors have a sorry track record on financial affairs. Recently they returned £500,000 of money to the government that should have been spent insulating Reading homes. Let’s not forget – these are the people who recently signed off their accounts two years late and at an additional cost of £1 million… As our council tax rises and inflation bites, the last thing Reading needs is more compliant Labour councillors to toe the line.
Because voting Green sends a message and
Reading council needs balance A vote for one of the old, tired, parties is a vote for another councillor who will turn up at meetings, never speak, and vote as they’re told. That’s not how to stand up for people and it won’t change things in Reading. We hope to win all the seats in Redlands, Katesgrove and Park wards and may be elsewhere. This helps build a fairer, greener, more affordable Reading. We have a growing presence on Reading council, a Green vote matters in Reading.
Green-run councils are leading the way in dealing with fuel poverty Green-run councils are pioneering initiatives to address fuel poverty. We recognise the urgency of this so we’re leading the way with partnerships that serve the community and local businesses in places like Lewes. It’s a model that would work in Reading.
Because Greens in the room make a difference
Trodelvy has the potential to provide hundreds of women with this life-limiting disease the hope of precious extra months spent with loved ones and doing what matters most to them. On 7 April, we received a devastating blow. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provisionally rejected Trodelvy for routine use on the NHS in England due to the drug not being ‘cost-effective’ – shattering the hope of patients in England who face the prospect of being denied this vital drug in the future, despite its approval in Scotland last month. We’re asking readers to sign our Open Letter calling on the drug company Gilead, NICE and NHS England to find a solution – including Gilead pricing the drug fairly – so this life-extending drug is recommended for NHS use on the NHS. Please sign our Open Letter at: action.breastcancernow.org/ trodelvy-sign-our-open-letter
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 20, 2022
From the Chamber Jason Brock
Funding will help keep Reading’s buses moving
I
REALLY like buses. It’s not a passion – I don’t have any interest in models or vintage vehicles, for example – but I am impressed by efficient, accessible, and affordable public transport.
With Labour’s large majority on the council, you can’t ‘let the Tories in’ in Reading, and with allout-elections, the Green group on the council could be bigger than the Conservative group. You get what you vote for when you vote Green. Even in a ward in which we may not win, every Green vote sends a message: We need air we can breathe and adequate services, not more luxury flats. We need our parks and trees and green spaces protected, not built on. We need an effective plan on fuel poverty and insulation. Go on, vote Green on Thursday, May 5, for a fairer, greener, more affordable town. For more information, visit: reading.greenparty.org.uk
I grew up in a rural area, so the bus provided a means of ‘escape’ to town and helped form a habit of being a passenger that I’ve never left behind. I’ve written before that we are very genuinely blessed with incredible bus provision here in Reading. There are very few urban areas that offer anything to rival Reading Buses in terms of convenience, reliability, quality, and cost. And even fewer places can boast a network as comprehensive as ours. It’s great news, then, that we’ve been provided an opportunity to push this success even further. Reading Borough Council is one of just 31 councils across the country to successfully attract funding – £26 million in total – to develop and deliver our bus service improvement plan over the next three years. Reading Buses, our Council-owned bus company, is one of the few in the UK which remain under local authority ownership and the benefits for the travelling public are plain to see. So much so that passenger numbers place Reading second in the country outside of London for bus trips per head of population. As we now recover from the pandemic, this funding will allow us to entice more people to travel by public transport, with all the benefits for the environment and lower congestion that brings. £16 million of the funding is capital funding and earmarked for bus infrastructure improvements – bus lanes and priority corridors, for example – to help make bus services even more reliable than they already are. It will also help to further the decarbonisation of Reading’s bus fleet, which is already one of the cleanest fleets in the UK. The other £10 million is set aside for direct service improvements. I’m especially keen that we establish integrated ticketing between different bus operators and, hopefully, the train operators in Reading – creating a truly multi-mode urban transport system. I look forward to catching the 15 from Dee Park and changing onto a train from Reading West to Green Park on the same ticket. On that point too, it can be easy to forget that there are several bus operators with services in Reading. Integrated local ticketing between operators and simpler fares, for example, require a high level of co-operation across all bus companies. I want to get to the point where you can simply hop on the next bus to Caversham without worrying whether it’s a Reading Buses, Arriva or Thames Travel service. Investment in our already excellent bus services is an essential component of the Council’s wider strategy to create realistic and affordable travel alternatives for people, encouraging them out of the private car – particularly for shorter journeys – and improving local air quality and building towards our net zero ambitions by 2030. We know we can only do that by making our buses even more attractive option for people.
Cllr Jamie Whitham is a Green Party candidate in Redlands Ward
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council, and Labour party candidate for Southcote ward
Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now Back in 2019, Reading Borough Council declared a Climate Emergency, but only because they were worried about losing councillors to the Green Party (they did anyway). We always stand up for residents, even when we’re shouted down or outvoted, we’re still there, working hard all year round. And we’re making a difference. We finally have a food waste collection. We’ll keep pushing for a kerbside glass collection. We’ve held the council to account for its appalling P&Ostyle fire-and-rehire plan and insisted on the council paying a Living Wage.
Change is coming to Reading Council – help us and be a part of our Green future.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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Time to clean up: Reading near bottom of new clean city survey
Meeting the Easter bunny
Easter-themed craft fun
Perfecting the colouring in
RUNNY EGGS: An Easter Event at Carversham Park Village in the Milestone Centre on Saturday saw youngsters take part in a search for chocolate treats Pictures: Dijana Capan / Dvision
Easter bunny makes it a hoppy day for Caversham youngsters IT WAS a hoppy Easter for youngsters attending an egg hunt in Caversham on Saturday, April 16. Members of Caversham Park Village Social Club organised a fun afternoon of activities to get children in the mood for the weekend of chocolate.
Those attending were able to take part in a number of fun events as well as meeting a life-sized Easter bunny, who invited them to hunt the grounds of the Milestone Centre for the chocolate treats that had been hidden in the grounds.
The event wasn’t just for children. Adults could enjoy the facilities including lunches and drinks from the bar. For more on the centre, and its work, log on to: https://cpva. org.uk/
Teenager inspires charity’s call for jubilee jollies
Children celebrate meeting the Easter bunny as part of the afternoon of Easter-themed activities
NEW research suggests that Reading is not very clean as a town, compared to other big cities. It came 35th out of 39 in a survey by GetAgent. Judging criteria included waste expenditure, the level of air quality, overall cleanliness to reveal the cleanest towns and cities. Top of the pile was Newcastle upon Tyne, which had a clean city score of 8.39, partly because it has invested more than £23 million in waste minimisation expenditure. Telford, known as the birthplace of industry, was second, scoring highly for its recycling rates - 11,918 tonnes were sent for recycling, composting or reuse between April and June of 2020. York was third, and had one of the best air quality scores in the survey. Reading, on other hand, had one of the worst. It spent £7,271,000 on waste disposal and £3,103,000 on recycling. The expenditure was calculated as £39 per person. Overall, out of 10, its clean city score was 3.69, which is less than half what Newcastle received. The full research can be found at: www.getagent.co.uk/ cleanest-cities
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By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today A CHARITY that helps people and their families with end-oflife care is hoping people will remember them during the platinum jubilee weekend.
Sue Ryder, which runs Duchess of Kent Hospice in Tilehurst is asking local communities to organise a celebration and raise funds for its work. This includes ideas such as a Jubilee Jolly being organsied by 13-year-old Sophie and her mother Lee-Ann, which will see her whole street will be coming together to celebrate, connect, and donate to Sue Ryder on Sunday, June 5. Sophie’s mother Lee-Ann said: “Sophie is doing her Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and needs to volunteer, but at 13 it’s difficult to find a charity where she can do this. “Her school said she could organise a charity event instead, and straight away she said she had to do something for Sue Ryder as they cared for her Nanny.
“Our neighbours, friends and family are all really supportive – when we are raising money for Sue Ryder they always help, and we are really grateful. The Platinum Jubilee BBQ will be a chance to have a good time with our neighbours. We’re all so busy in our lives and don’t often get to see each other.” Lee-Ann adds that they have received astonishing levels of support from Sue Ryder and wanted to give back. “The hospice is amazing. They cared for my mum. Sue Ryder’s carers are angels in disguise,” she explained. Georgia Thornton,
community fundraiser at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, said the charity was grateful to people like Sophie and Lee-Ann for their initiative, and hoped others would follow suit. “The funds raised will help to ensure we can continue to offer care and support to local residents and their families. We’d love for others to come together and organise their own ‘Jubilee jollies’ to raise muchneeded funds for our hospice,” she said. n For more details, or to offer office, call the fundraising team on: 0118 9550 433, or email: dokh.fundraising@sueryder.org
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A business park that is changing
Flight to quality boosts Thames Valley commerical property By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
The fab five: promotions at Thames Valley law firm
READING-BASED law firm Boyes Turner has announced the promotion of five of its lawyers. There are new roles in the employment, education and clinical negligence teams including one new partner and four senior associates. In the Clinical Negligence team Julie Marsh (pictured) has been promoted to Partner and Sita Soni becomes a Senior Associate. Peter Olszewski and Katie Harris have been promoted to Senior Associate in the Employment team. And Rachael Allison becomes a Senior Associate in the Education team. Boyes Turner’s managing partner Jonathan Grigg said: “One of the best parts of my job is seeing talented people, who’ve worked incredibly hard, achieve promotion. All five of our newly promoted lawyers have shown the ability to provide exemplary support for their clients in some of the most challenging times.” The news of promotions at Boyes Turner comes after the firm has expanded its Community Care and Special Educational Needs practices, with the appointment of James Pantling-Skeet as an Associate Legal Executive. Boyes Turner has offices in Abbey Street in Reading’s town centre, and clients across the world.
THE FIRST quarter of 2022 has seen the Thames Valley’s commercial property activity remain buoyant, according to a real estate property consultancy. Vail Williams says that the demand has been driven primarily by lease events and pent-up demand as businesses seek highquality premises at a smaller footprint. But there are also challenges from external influences such as the war in Ukraine, lingering covid-19 ramifications, rising UK inflation and a shortage of industrial land. This is revealed in the firm’s Thames Valley Property Market Report Q1 2022. Vail Williams’ Reading-based Partner Guy Parkes, one of the report’s authors, said he believed businesses were now planning with more certainty, while investors and developers were readying their assets for market and businesses were looking to make better use of technology to make their workspace leaner and greener. He said: “The workplace is increasingly being recognised as not just a place to do work but also as a powerful tool to bring companies and customers together to enhance collaboration, learning and mentoring, as well as to attract
POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Members of the business space team in Vail Williams’ Thames Valley region, from left, David Barden, Andrew Baillie, David Thomas, Guy Parkes, Kevin Cook and Charlie Nicholson and retain talent. “With this in mind, 2022 could be the year that businesses bite the office bullet and commit to a future workplace strategy to meet their future needs, as well as those of their people and clients/customers.” Companies moving premises were looking to reduce their footprint, taking around two-thirds less space than previously. “A backlog of potentially nearly 3.8m lease events for 2021 and 2.55m sq ft coming up in 2022, could see a tsunami of office moves on their way, and the potential for over 800 transactions this year,” Mr Parkes said. “More than half of tenants will have renewed or extended their leases short term while they took stock during the pandemic. This pent-up demand will certainly force
the pace of office moves in 2022 as companies take the opportunity to right-size and re-calibrate the workplace. “We expect more companies to revisit their accommodation plans to provide the best workplace to attract people, as the war for talent continues – particularly in the growing technology and pharmaceuticals sectors.” And this strategy is changing the marketplace, as Mr Parkes said that recent office deals completed in the Thames Valley revealed occupiers were paying on average nearly 40 % more in headline rents than their previous passing rent yet were taking around 30% less space. “Because occupiers are taking less space but with the same budgets, their money is going much further and they are prepared to
spend more for a better standard of space,” he said. “As a result, office rents in Reading, Reading outskirts, Watford and Windsor are all increasing, reaching £45 per sq ft. Category A+ fitted suites are attracting further premiums.” And demand in the Thames Valley remains strong, with demand for logistics, last-mile delivery, film production and data centre space continuing well into 2022, says report co-author Charlie Nicholson. “The region continues to have its sector-based location pockets – laboratory, technology and R&D space at Harwell Campus, film production in Reading and data centres in Slough with industrial demand for all increasing significantly,” he said. But, he warned, rising inflation impacting on build costs the market will need to see continued increases in rents to sustain the pricing of construction and the purchase of land, which may mean more rental hikes for industrial occupiers this year. He added: “As ever, supply of land for industrial development remains a key challenge in the Thames Valley, putting pressure on both occupiers, landlords, investors and developers. “Industrial land values are continuing to match, and in many areas exceed residential levels.”
Recruitment firm ROC Search fills a truck to help Ukraine A RECRUITMENT agency has responded to the invasion of Ukraine by mobilising its team to provide food and aid to the country. Roc Search, based in The White Building in Reading’s King’s Road, specialises in IT and and engineering roles, collected a truckload of aid in just two days. This has been sent to Poland to help refugees arriving there. It came about after a former company employee, and now managing director of 500 Logistics Limited organised for three truckloads of aid to be sent to a Polish warehouse. He reached out to his friend, ROC Search’s CEO Conor Roughneen, to see if the firm could help fill a fourth truck. A spokesperson for the company said: “Conor had been wanting to organise the sending of aid to help the Ukrainians for a while now, even thinking about getting a van and driving supplies up himself. “When Steve reached out, he jumped at the chance.” The tight timescale meant the company had to pull together, but it already had a head start, as it has
ROC Search in Reading teamed up to help Ukrainian refugees, taking just two days to fill a truck with essential supplies Picture: ROC Search
James Sackley has joined Boyer as a planner
New role at Wokingham’s Boyer for James been a keen supporter of various charity initiatives over the years. “Our employees are wellseasoned in mobilising a charity effort,” the spokesperson said. “We asked our staff if they could donate supplies or money for us to go out and buy supplies. After a few runs to Costco, we managed to pull together countless boxes of food and essentials. “We’re very lucky to have some incredibly generous employees
within the business and everyone pulled together to donate and also help pack all the boxes ready to be shipped out.” The team are now planning another collection for Ukraine, which will go out with 500 Logisitiscs on their next run to Poland. And the team’s efforts are not stopping there. CEO Conor is hoping to house Ukrainian refugees, working with the Reading
Ukrainian Centre to facilitate this. “As a business, we feel we need to do everything we can to help during this crisis, as we are in a good position to do so,” the spokesperson added. “We’d also like to inspire as many others as possible to do the same.” When the firm holds its next collection, it will promote it on social media, so others can contribute.
JAMES SACKLEY has joined Boyer’s Wokingham Planning Team as a planner. He has experience both in the private and public sectors, in both residential and commercial planning work. He will work with the growing Wokingham Planning Team in promoting land for housing development and securing planning permissions across the Thames Valley. The company assists companies with planning, design and development economics projects across the country, and has offices on Nine Mile Ride.
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Wednesday, April 20, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Queen of the desert in the Ding
A queue forms outside the Fair as collectors wait to grab a bargain
Dave Kay looks at an Ivor Biggun
Browsers look for a new disc
TWELVE INCH SPECIALS: The Vinyl revival continued at Rivermead on Good Friday
Rivermead rocks to record fayre Clive Taylor from Tilehurst was one of the stall holders
IT’S NOT only rock ‘n’ roll and I like it. Record fans headed to Rivermead on Good Friday to spin the discs, and discover some rare finds. And there was a bid to be top of the pops ... well, first in the queue. More than 100 stalls were serving vintage vinyl, new releases and unusual merchandise, offering something for everyone. Pictures: Steve Smyth
Homes plan for Caversham Park By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter THE FORMER home of BBC Radio Berkshire could become a retirement complex.
Instead of broadcasting the sounds of popular presenters such as Sarah Walker, Bill Buckley and Phil Kennedy, the Caversham Park site could be converted into homes. Beechcroft Developments Ltd has submitted a plan to Reading Borough Council to convert the mansion, which also houses BBC Monitoring until 2018, into 64 assisted living homes for those aged 55 and over, a new 64 bedroom care home, 61 age-restricted retirement homes, and 33 general market homes, of which 28 would be affordable. And the application includes new buildings on brownfield land that currently houses satellite dishes and existing buildings. The company also wants the land to become a public park, accessible during the daytime. The grounds were originally designed by Capability Brown back in the 1800s.
According to the proposal, just 7.5% of the site would be built on. Beechcroft has adpated the plan following consultation with neighbours. This includes the addition of a perimeter walk around the park, a third croquet lawn, retention of trees and removing a secondary access point that leads on to Peppard Road. Beechcroft managing director Chris Thompson said: “More than 69% of those submitting a feedback form at the public consultation expressed support. “We have listened to the public’s views and have amended our original proposals as a result.” He said that Caversham Park is mainly registered parkland, and the company respected this special designation. “While the area within the red line is 93 acres, the built area will extend to just seven acres, or just 7.5% of the whole site,” he explained.
“Significantly for the local community, this scheme will mean that for the first time in generations, access to the parkland will be available. “Beechcroft sees itself as the custodian of one of the most architecturally attractive buildings within Reading and the glorious parkland.” He added: “This is one of the most exciting planning proposals seen in the borough for many years as it addresses some of the real issues facing Reading. “There is a severe shortage of older persons’ housing, affordable housing, and publicly accessible open space.” Because the Caversham Park mansion is a Grade II listed building, the application is divided into two references on the council’s planning portal. Reference 220409 relates to the plan as a whole, and 220410 relates to works to the mansion. n For more details, or to view the plans, log on to: planning.reading. gov.uk
There was something for all music fans at the Rivermead record fair
THE BISCUIT Factory is hosting a drag night, followed by a screening of the cult classic The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Drag queens Calamity Storm and Cindy le Moist will host an evening of entertainment, which includes a best dressed competition. Attendees are encouraged to wear their most dazzling threads for the chance to win a pair of cinema tickets. Host Cindy Le Moist will see that the audience is suitably warmed up before the film, with comedy and lip-syncing. They’ll be joined by Calamity Storm, who includes a heavy dose of creepiness and unearthly glamour in their drag show, which will also bring some Nina Hagen, Björk, and Liza Minelli to The Biscuit Factory. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is an Australian film which follows the journey of a trans woman and two drag queens as they travel across the Outback in a tour bus named Priscilla. The event is part of the Biscuit Factory’s Keep It Cult season. Drag Night takes place ty the Broad Street Mall, on Friday April 22, from 7.30pm, with the film beginning at 9pm. Tickets are £8.90, with concessions available. n For details, log on to: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk
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Dad recieves apology over social worker’s ‘incorrect assertions’ By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter
A FATHER has received an apology from Reading Borough Council after a social worker made incorrect assertions about his faith and his marriage during a period of turmoil with his wife.
His complaint was sparked when the council received a safeguarding referral about the welfare of his three young children. Problems for the family began during a period of strife between the man and his wife. He decided to leave his family home at the start of 2020, but later raised fears to his children’s school that his wife was physically chastising their children. The school made a safeguarding referral to Reading Borough Council following the father’s concerns. The husband used CCTV that had been previously installed to observe building work to monitor the situation at home. This was then provided as evidence to a social worker who investigated the complaint. The next day, the social worker went to the family home, where they expressed concern about physical chastistement. During the visit, the wife
APOLOGY: Reading Borough Council acknowledges mistakes were made in Mr and Mrs X’’s case said her estranged husband had also smacked their children, and that she would resolve to use different ways to enforce boundaries for her children. She also said she experienced physical and emotional abuse by her husband and his extended family, and that she had ended the relationship as a result of this. The social worker conducted a safeguarding assessment, which concluded that the children were at risk of
Aggravated burglary: man charged FOLLOWING a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been charged in connection with an aggravated burglary in Tilehurst. Gavin Mackie, aged 30, of Josephine Court, Reading, was charged with one count of robbery and one count of possession of a bladed article on Monday, April 11. The charges are in relation to an incident in Tilehurst on Wednesday, March 23 this year, where at around 4.50pm a man with a knife stole a large quantity of cash from a business on School Road. Mackie appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on the morning of Tuesday, April 12, where he was remanded into custody until his next hearing at Reading Crown Court on Monday, May 16.
domestic and emotional abuse. Furthermore, the assessed risks were escalated because of the threat of ‘honour’ based violence. At an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) the children were put under a child protection plan. The father complained to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSO) about the assessment. The husband did complain to the council first, stating that the social worker’s
Man charged with assault
FOLLOWING a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been charged with a number of offences in connection with two incidents on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9. Thomas Lynn-Absolom, aged 18, of Stanhope Road, Reading, was charged on Monday, April 11, with Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a bladed article and affray. The charges relate to incidents in Kings Meadow, Reading, last week. In the first incident on Friday, April 8, a man was seen threatening members of the public with a knife. On the following day, a member of the public was stabbed in the leg. The victim suffered injuries which are not deemed life-threatening or life-changing. Lynn-Absolom was arrested on Sunday, April 10, and charged the following day. He appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 12, and has been remanded in custody to appear at Reading Crown Court on Monday, May 16.
Shopping app to help boost food banks A NEW campaign is launching aimed at cutting down on food waste and helping people who need to access food banks. Stop Food Waste Day takes place on Wednesday April 27, with a goal of reducing the 9.52 million tonnes of food thrown away each year. BankTheFood is behind the #WasteNot initiative, which asks shoppers to donate an item from their weekly shop to a food bank.
One of the aims is to reduce the amount of baked beans and pasta they receive, instead stocking up on other essentials such as toilet roll. An app can be downloaded which will alert shoppers as they arrive at supermarkets. The message will let them know what items their nearest food bank needs. They can then add it to their trolley and donate as they leave. Sally Gunnell OBE supports
the app: “The app is a simple but clever way to make sure that generous food bank donations are targeted.” And Emma Spring, BanktheFood co-founder, explains: “It’s a simple way to genuinely help the people around you who are struggling and who need help now.” For more details, search for Bank The Food on social media or download the app from the Android or Apple app stores.
assessment contained incorrect information, including: n The social worker had incorrectly stated that his wife had asked for a divorce vMade generalisations about his religion that were discriminatory and that were included to reinforce the social workers narrative around ‘honour’-based violence n Failed to include an incident where he had contacted the police about his wife’s behaviour. The issue was handled by
Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), Reading Borough Council’s children’s service company. Although BFfC acknowledged it was wrong to make assumptions about his religion, and resolved to not do that again, the father asked the LGSO to investigate, arguing the council’s assessment was inaccurate and resulted in it wrongly putting the children on a child protection plan. Ultimately, the ombudsman found that the social worker was at fault for making assumptions about his religion, and ruled that BFfC should apologise. However, it was judged that it was right to put the children under a protection plan. The couple are anonymised as Mr and Mrs X, who reunited after the assessment was undertaken. A spokesperson for BFfC said: “We accept the findings of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in this case. “We have written to Mr X to apologise for any avoidable distress caused by assumptions made about his religion in our assessment. “We have already taken action to address the fault identified.”
Reading man arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm A MAN has been arrested in connection with an assault in Reading. It is in connection with an altercation that happened outside the White Eagle Pub, Oxford Road, at around 1am on Sunday, April 10. A man in his late thirties received serious injuries to his head. He was taken to hospital where he still remains in a serious but stable condition. A 40-year-old man from Reading has been arrested on suspicion of GBH. He has been bailed whilst enquiries are ongoing. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Sam Haselgrove, based at Reading police station, said: “We are continuing to investigate this incident in which a man has received a serious injury. “One man has been arrested and has been bailed, while our enquiries are ongoing. “Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 43220153964. “Or if they do not wish to speak to the police they can contact the independent Charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and report 1005 anonymously.”
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Oddfellows enjoy a night at the races for charity
Football brings Reading closer to the Afghan community
THE stakes were high at the Oddfellows Hall in Reading earlier this month when members and guests competed in a nailbiting horse-racing contest.
The friendly society ran the launch event for its new charity of the year, the Dyslexia Research Trust. Members and guests raised money buying horses and betting on them ahead of the races being shown on the big screen via a special DVD game. Winner in The Stamina Stakes Colin said: “We might not have been at the real races but everyone took it as seriously as Ascot. My horse, Bone Idol won by an inch and I’m delighted to have won a cash prize. “Having fun and raising money for charities is what the Oddfellows is all about. We’ve had a great night and were doing something worthwhile at the same time.” New chairman of the Oddfellows in Reading, Mike Scott, invited Dr Sue Fowler and Professor John Stein from the Dyslexia Research Trust along to talk about the important work the Trust does. “I’m delighted we’ve kicked off our year supporting the Dyslexia Research Trust with such a well-supported event,” he said. “One in five children have real difficulties with reading and it so often results in loss of self-esteem. The DRT does invaluable work helping those children who are often very talented but
TOGETHER: Pangbourne Rotary Club organised a football match to allow Afghan refugees to settle in to Reading Pictures: Pangbourne Rotary
SUPPORT: Bob Young also took the opportunity to present a cheque for £4,000 to Helen Randall, Manager of PALS (Partnership for Active Life). just struggle with reading.” Oddfellows Past Chairman, Bob Young also took the opportunity to present a cheque for £4,000 to Helen Randall, Manager of PALS (Partnership for Active Life). This was the Society’s chosen charity over the past two years. The Oddfellows is a not-for-profit friendly society. Everyone is welcome to Oddfellows events, whether members or not.
If anyone feels like they missed out on this event, they’re welcome to go along to future events. We hold meetings in Reading, Woodley, Pangbourne, Tilehurst, Maidenhead, Thatcham and Henley on Thames, get in touch with District Secretary Debbie on: 0118 957 3354 or email: readingdistrict@oddfellowsl. co.uk to find out more. DEBBIE JEX
Cyclists urged to sign up to bike ride CYCLISTS in Wokingham and Reading of every age and ability are being invited to take part in this year’s Maidenhead Rotary Bikeathon. A relatively new event in the cycling calendar, the Bikeathon is growing in popularity and organisers are hoping for a record turn-out this year. Taking place on Sunday, July 10, the Bikeathon has a choice of three different routes - 15, 35 and 62 miles (24, 50 and 100km) - which all start and finish at Maidenhead Office Park in Littlewick Green. The event is organised by the Rotary Club of Maidenhead and proceeds will be donated to Rotary charities. Participants are also welcome to raise sponsorship for their own good cause, if they wish. Organiser Sean Egan said: “The Bikeathon is going from strength to strength and online registration is now open for this year. “It’s not a race and the three different routes cater for all ages and abilities. So whether you are looking for a fun family event, are a regular cyclist or part of a club looking for your next challenge, we have a route for you.” The short ‘family’ route – which is mostly flat – and the medium route follow quiet country roads around the Walthams, Shurlock Row, Binfield and Winkfield Row. The long route heads over to Henley, Christmas Common, then back to Maidenhead via Sonning and Winkfield. While roads will not be closed for the event, all routes will be clearly marked and there will be marshals along the
The Bikeathon caters for everyone from families to serious club cyclists
short route. Refreshment stations are located approximately halfway along each route. Medals will be awarded to all cyclists who complete the event. Registration costs £15 for adults (aged 18 and over), £10 for 12-17-yearolds, and is free for children under 12. Road, hybrid or mountain bikes are all suitable. Electric bikes, child
seats and tag-alongs are all permitted. Bikes should be roadworthy and all participants must wear a helmet. The whole event, including registration, takes place outdoors and any necessary Covid-19 precautions will be observed. n For more details and to register please see www.maidenheadbikeathon.co.uk
FOLLOWING the successful sevena-side match in January, organised by Pangbourne Rotary for the Afghan refugees being housed in the greater Reading area, a follow-up fixture was arranged. Held on Saturday, April 9, between a Pangbourne Development XI, organised by member Mal Sandham, against the Afghan All-Stars. The sun shone, a great time was had by all and the final score was Pangbourne Development 7, Afghan All Stars 5. Thanks too to the Pangbourne team who made this possible. Once again it was great to see the 14 or so accompanying youngsters
who had a kick around before adding great vocal support in the second half. To see the joy, gratitude and fun of the Afghan community-particularly from the youngsters was wonderful. The event was clearly appreciated by the All Stars as the following verbatim quote illustrates. “Good morning sir, I appreciate to you and your team to they are making happy us, they are was very happy to had this football game with you guys. Thank you so much.” To find out more about Pangbourne Rotary email: membership@ pangbournerotary.org.uk
Brian Davies, The Rotary Club of Pangbourne
Masons help Ukraine THOUSANDS of Ukrainian refugees, as well as displaced people still inside Ukraine, will recieve help and support, thanks to a £500,000 donation, raised by Freemasons across England and Wales, including the Thames Valley. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has created by far the largest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War, and more people are fleeing Ukraine for countries to the west every day. As a result, the money raised is being directed to charities working on the ground in Ukraine, as well as organisations helping refugees in neighbouring countries including Poland, Moldova, Romania, and in the UK. The charities, each of which will receive £100,000, are: n The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) – which could help set up a ‘Blue Dot Hub’ to provide a safe space for up to 5,000 children and families on the move every day. Blue Dot Hubs offer critical services such as child-friendly spaces, mother and baby facilities and a crucial family reunification support. n Plan International UK – which could help set up 55 temporary learning spaces in Poland, Moldova and Romania, so children can learn and play in a safe space away from the war. n The Refugee Council – which could help to fund two full-time therapists to provide specialist therapy for hundreds of traumatised refugees. British Red Cross – to fund work with hundreds of Ukrainian refugees
Refugees from Ukraine in Poland being treated via the Red Cross Picture: Courtesy Freemasons in the UK to help them overcome loneliness and isolation and to offer other practical support to help ease them into life in Britain. n UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency – which could help provide essential repairs to severely damaged homes in Ukraine that have been damaged by shelling and conflict. Freemasons contributed to the grant through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales. Les Hutchinson, Chief Executive of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, said: “Freemasons have an outstanding record helping those in need in this country and around the world, but this huge sum to support Ukrainian refugees was raised in record time. “I’m very proud that Freemasons have been able to play such an important part in this essential work.”
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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NOTICE IS HEREBY given that 7P APERITIVO LTD applied on 8th April 2022 to Reading Borough Council in respect of the premises known as 7P APERITIVO LTD, a room within, 27, Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, RG2 0JZ for the grant of a premises licence for the following:
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Sale of Alcohol, off the premises, Monday to Wednesday 09:00hrs to 20:00hrs, Thursday 09:00hrs to 21:30hrs, Friday to Saturday 09:00hrs to 20:00hrs, and Sunday 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs. All representations made are open to public inspection. Representations (which must relate to the Licensing Objectives) must be made by 6th May 2022 Any person wishing to view this application may do so at Reading Borough Council by prior arrangement between the hours of 9am to 5pm please ring 0118 937 3762 to make an appointment or via email to licensing@reading.gov.uk Any person wishing to make representation to this application must do so in writing within 28 days of the application, as detailed above to: Reading Borough Council, Licensing Section, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU. No written representations will have personal details removed unless the licensing authority deems it appropriate to do so. Any request for personal details to be removed should be notified to the Licensing Authority at the time of making the representation. Dated: 20th April 2022
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LEISURETODAY LEISURE TODAY
20.04.22
Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
The band are on the bill for this year’s Fi.Fest, bringing their blend of rock to audiences seeking the sound of the summer. JAKE CLOTHIER caught up with lead singer Irwin Sparkes to find out more
T
HE HOOSIERS are set to play Berkshire’s Fi.Fest in July, joining Reef and Dodgy at Stroud Farm in Maidenhead.
Irwin Sparkes, The Hoosiers’ lead singer, says that he’s glad to be back after some time away. “I’m very much looking forward to getting back to the day job after two un-self-imposed years off.” He says this is especially so after his experience having children during lockdown. “It’s just all been a lot of that and moving a couple of times and recording, “But myself and Al, coming out of this have never been happier and more enthusiastic about the band.”
Irwin and bandmate Alan Sharland have been part of the Hoosiers since its inception in 2003. Just a few years later in 2007, their first single reached number five in the UK charts. “The singles lend themselves to be more upbeat, faster tempo songs, and Al as a co-writer has a natural proclivity for that side. “But mine are more melancholy, morose numbers.” Despite this, he says that a sense of humour is still necessary for a musician. “I’d say part of it is a survival mechanism and part of it is being true to who we are, “Being in a band is a ridiculous proposition, and it’s comical to spend
Hoosiers are glad to be back
this much time fretting over what note goes where. “It’s a true luxury and to not have fun with that and make it apparent that you are enjoying that work would be disingenuous.” It is this attitude that led the band to call their 2019 compilation album Greatest Hit(s), alluding to the bands most well-known song, Goodbye Mr A. But Irwin says that this doesn’t mean they don’t take their work seriously too. “We are very serious about the music itself, and we’re really dedicated to the craft of good songwriting, “I think what’s expected of bands is hiding under sunglasses and wearing leather jackets, “We’d rather try something a little bit braver, maybe that some people hate and that’s okay, “But if you can be ignored, then you’re not really doing your job, especially in pop.” Irwin says that the band is glad to be back playing festivals such as Fi.Fest.
“If you can’t do it, you value what you have got and we think every band is relishing being able to plug in and make some noise with people at last, “You can feel it in the air, there’s a real appetite for it.” Formed in Indianapolis, the band has spent much of its time in North America. However both band members originally hail from the UK. “I think the live music scene has always been very healthy in the UK and it’s always had a huge audience, “But the government was very slow to get any sort of assistance over lockdown, and even then there’s a lot of question marks as to how that aid was awarded, “I hope a lot of the grass roots venues that support and nourish bands when they’re starting out will still be able to continue and provide that platform.” Irwin also notes those who have lost jobs in the industry as a result. “I’m absolutely no expert, but I know
there’s a real shortage now, finding technical crew, and even all of the infrastructure. “This is government shortsightedness, not really understanding what keeps live music ticking, But he says that the enjoyment of both acts and audiences will see live music continue. “It’s one of the best things about being in a band is when you get to play a festival, and you’ve got a good line-up, and you actually want to see the other bands, “We’ve played with Reef a couple of times, but I didn’t really know what to expect, “I knew the songs growing up, but then you see them and genuinely I think they’re one of our best rock bands, “I do think that’s a band that needs to be seen.” n The Hoosiers will be playing at Fi.Fest in Maidenhead on Saturday, July 9, alongside Reef and Dodgy. For tickets, visit: www.fifest.co.uk.
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Ukraine on song in Italian
Tickets cost £20, £18 for concessions. n For more information or to book, call the box office 01491 525050, or log on to kentontheatre.co.uk
PUCCINI’S Madama Butterfly is coming to The Hexagon this Saturday, featuring an international cast. Korean soprana Elena Dee is teaming up with Ukrainian sopranos Alyona Kistenyova and Katerina Timbaliuk from the Odessa Opera, together with celebrated Ukrainian mezzo soprano Irina Sproglis, for a delightful performance. The production features exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. The opera will be sung in Italian, with English subtitles available. Tickets cost £30 to £25, with £2 discount for concessions, and £3 discount for groups. n For more details, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to whatsonreading.com
Yes, Malice intended
THE SOUNDS of The Jam will be heard once again in Reading this Saturday, thanks to a tribute group. A Band Called Malice says its aim is to become the number one choice tribute act to the 70s group that influenced a generation of rockers. The trio aim to take you back to When You Were Young with an evening of singles and album tracks from the Fire and Skill years through to their very last release. And you can be sure they’re aiming high: the band are all big Jam fans. The event takes place at The Face Bar in Reading’s Ambrose Place. n Tickets cost £12.50, and can be bought from whatsonreading.com
Good times are here again
ROYALS fans will be familiar with the music of Neil Diamond … Sweet Caroline means good times mean so much. And that’s exactly what’s promised by The Mill at Sonning on Sunday night, as they welcome a Neil Diamond and Barbra Stresiand tribute show.
Don’t go into the cellar
AN AWARD-WINNING folk quintet is coming to Nettlebed next week. The regular folk club is welcoming Imar for its gathering on Monday, April 25. The Irish/Manx/Scottish rooted group perform songs that are rooted in the shared cultural heritages between the countries. They have released two albums so The evening sees Tony Wright and Julie Coupland, backed by an all-star band, performing some of their greatest hits, including Love on the Rocks, Hello Again, People, Don’t Rain on my Parade and Happy Days Are Here Again. Tickets include a two-course meal before the show. They have sold out, but some returns may be available. n For more details, log on to www. millatsonning.com or call the box office on 0118 969 8000.
Father dear father
WOKINGHAM Theatre is back in action next week, with a new production of The Father. Florian Zeller’s film, adapted by Christopher Hampton, is a tragi-comic mystery, a sobering and realistic family story, and an unsentimental, emotionally intense look at the world through the eyes of a man experiencing dementia, a dramatic illustration of the physical losses which occur along with the mental ones. The play is performed from its
far, and have a wide-reaching fanbase over here and also in the Americas and Europe. Adam Brown (bodhrán), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy(uilleann pipes) and Tomás Callister (fiddle) share a strong background in Irish music; a grounding that underpins many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both Twyford Road theatre from Thursday, April 28, through to Saturday, May 7. n Tickets cost £14, and can be purchased by logging on to: wokinghamtheatre.org. uk, or calling the box office on 0118 978 5363.
A Wilde night out
ONE of Oscar Wilde’s earliest plays will receive a rare performance next week. South Hill Park is the venue for Salome. Set on the terrace of Herod’s palace in 30AD during one of the Tetrarch’s illustrious banquets, it tells the story of Salomé the beautiful and seductive stepdaughter of Herod. Pursued by many in Herod’s court, she offers herself to the mysterious prophet Iokanaan. Rejected, she manipulates her stepfather to exact revenge. The show is performed by the inhouse Studio Theatre Company, from Wednesday, April 27, through to Saturday, April 30. Tickets cost £14.50, or £13.50 for concessions.
AT THE THEATRE Every week, we bring you a round-up of all shows taking place in the region’s theatres. It covers this weekend and next, so you can plan ahead and book tickets to the shows that you want to go and see. As ever, coronavirus means that shows could be cancelled, postponed or rearranged at short notice. Check with theatres to avoid disappointment.
Bracknell – South Hill Park
www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook. Thurs. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. 1, 2 Step Dance Academy celebrates 15 years. Sat-Sun. Feeling The Beats. Wed. Salome. Thurs 28-Sat 30. Mary Rose. Thurs 28. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 29. Back To Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse. Sat 30. FILMS: National Theatre Live: Henry V. Thurs, Wed. The Duke.
Fri-Sun. Paris, 13th District. Mon-Tues. Licorice Pizza. Thurs 28. The Phantom of the Open. Fri 29-Sun May 1.
Camberley – Theatre
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 An Evening With Mark Billingham. Thurs. Frankies Guys. Sat. The Sound of Springsteen. Thurs 28. Lost In Music. Fri 29. The Hollies Story. Sat 30.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 The Man Behind The Mask. Thurs-Sat. If This Is Normal. Fri-Sat. Ladies of Letters. Thurs 28-Sat 7.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 An Audience With Harry Redknapp. Thurs. Paul Merton:
Impro Chums. Fri. Dom Joly’s Holiday Snaps. Sat. Paul Chowdhry. Sat. Twirlywoos. Sun. Sandi Toksvig Live. Tues. Craig Revel Horwood. Thurs 28. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 28. Dreamboats and Petticoats. Fri 29. Wilko Johnson. Sat 30. Calling Planet Earth. Sun 1.
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Fri-Sat. Hot Mikado. Wed-Sat 30.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 The Not So Ugly Sisters. Thurs. National Theatre Live: Henry V. Thurs. Ahmed Dickinson and Eduardo Martin present The Bridge. Thurs. Groove Into The Woods. Fri. Fara. Fri. Matt Forde: Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the
Right. Fri. The Batman (15). Sat. No Jacket Required. Sat. Alvin Youngblood Hart: The Return of the Motivational Speaker. Tues. Band of the Household Cavalry: Lunchtime Recital. Thurs 28. Maidenhead Music Society presents Elizaveta Tyun and Anastasia Matkovskaia: harmony in the music of Ukraine and Russia. Thurs 28. The Vinyl Frontier: The Top 10 Electronic Pop Songs Ever. Sat 30. The Bob Dylan Story. Sat 30.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Charlotte’s Web. Fri-Sat. National Theatre Live: Henry V. Tues. Scummy Mummies. Wed. Bumper Blyton. Thurs. Ian Waite and Vincent Simone. Fri 29. Sounds of Wales. Sat 30. Bolshoi Live: The Pharaoh’s Daughter. Sun.
n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01344 484123, or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk
BRIAN BLESSED can’t keep away from The Mill - he’s returning to direct another play, which opens next week. Busman’s Honeymoon is a murder mystery from Dorothy L Sayers and Muriel St Clare Byrne. It tells the story of Lord Peter Wimsey, an upper crust sleuth, who finds that his honeymoon bliss is shattered when the body of the house’s previous owner is in the cellar. Whodunit? Mr Blessed, who has directed several plays at the Sonning dinner-theatre, said: “Dorothy L Sayers is one of the greatest writers of The Golden Age of British crime fiction. This is her masterpiece. A love story with detective interruptions. “It is enriched with gorgeous characters that bring delightful humour to the story. And the murder method itself remains the most ingenious ever devised by any crime writer.” The play opens on Thursday, April 28, and the run continues until Saturday, June 25, with performances from Wednesday to Saturday, matinees on Saturdays and also Sundays from May 7, and Thursday matinees at the end of the run, on June 16 and 23. Tickets include a two-course meal before the show. For more details, log on to www.millatsonning.com or call the box office on 0118 969 8000.
FOLLOW the yellow brick road all the way to The Kenton Theatre next week to enjoy an am dram performance of The Wizard of Oz. The story needs little introduction: When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and en route, they meet a Scarecrow that needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. The wizard asks the group to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West to earn his help. The fun in Munchkinland takes place from Thursday, April 28, through to Saturday, April 30, with performances nightly, and also a matinee on the Saturday.
A CELEBRATION of the music of Amy Winehouse is coming to South Hill Park next weekend. Back To Black enjoyed a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, and aims to provide a moving and energising journey through the career of the singer. Delivered as a show-cumdocumentary, it is a fascinating insight into her rise to stardom, focusing on the lasting musical contribution the six-time Grammy winner has made. The setlist includes Valerie, Rehab, Me & Mr Jones, Monkey Man, sung by Reine Beau Anderson Dudley. The show is performed on Saturday, April 30, and tickets cost £17.50, £15.50 for concessions and £14.50 for under 18s. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01344 484123, or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk
instrumentation and material. You can hear them for yourself in the intimate settings of Nettlebed Village Hall. The club is running at 80% capacity due to the pandemic. Doors open at 7.50pm. n For more details and tickets, call the box office between 10am and 8pm on 01628 636620, or log on to www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk
Off to see the Wizard
Newbury – The Watermill
Celebrate Amy
Berkshire Organists’ Association concert. Thurs 28.
www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Our Man in Havana. Until May 21. The Boulevards. Sun.
Reading – Progress
Reading – South Street
Reading – Reading Rep Theatre
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Carl Hutchinson. Thurs. Nobodies Birthday single launch party. Sat. South Street Comedy Club. Sat 30.
Reading – The Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Remembering The Oscars. Thurs. Stewart Lee: Snowflake/ Tornado. Fri. Puccini Madama Butterfly. Sat. We Will Rock You. Tues-Sat 30.
Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060
www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Catch-22. May 2-7.
www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. May 11-Jun 5.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Closed due to Storm Eunice – NEXT SHOW: The Beauty Queen of Leenane. June 15-18.
Sonning – The Mill
www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 The Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand Show. Sun. Busman’s Honeymoon. Thurs 28-June 25.
Windsor – Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. Until Sat.
Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 The Father. Thurs 28-May 7.
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre
www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Starmaker Theatre Company presents Shine Again. Fri-Sat. Wokingham Film Society: Supernova (15). Thurs 28.
Woodley – Theatre
www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOWS: Things We Do For Live. May 17-21. Jazz concert with the Martin Hart Trio. Sat May 28.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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Wokingham artists ready to showcase their talents for the Henley Arts Trail
W
OKINGHAM artists will feature prominently in this year’s Henley Arts Trail.
The popular event which supports borough creatives runs from Saturday, April 30, to Monday, May 2, at a host of local venues. More than 10,000 visitors are expected to view the works of 200 artists ranging from paintings to sculpture, along with demonstrations and workshops. Artists will be on hand to welcome guests and show their work with many venues offering refreshments. Among them is Wokinghambased jewellery designer Marianne Hemmet McCaughey who will be based at the Garden Gallery in Twyford. She says: “For the Henley Arts Trail, I have been working on an exclusive interpretation and celebration through jewellery of the extraordinary 20th-century women that were connected to Greys Court. “I will be exhibiting a selection of handmade jewellery including my newest designs that are inspired by ancient Roman and Egyptian jewellery.”
The Garden Gallery in Twyford is one of the venues in this year’s Henley Arts Trail Picture: Henley Arts Trail
Marianne said she is “fascinated by history, art and design.” “Geology has always been a major inspiration for me, and has led to me being lucky to have lived in different parts of the world such as Cairo and Singapore. “I believe there is something deeply personal about jewellery that can give a grounding in an otherwise turbulent world. “Knowing the origin of the stones, how they have been used and what they have meant to people throughout history and today, is deeply meaningful.” The Henley Arts Trail, launched in 2006, was the brainchild of Kirsten Jones, Kate Findlay and Judith Fletcher, with the aim of creating a platform to showcase the creative work of local artists. With the support of other artists and sponsors over the years, the Trail has become something that visitors now look forward to, either to view the latest work of their favourite artists or to see who is new on the Trail... and this year there is a number of newcomers that are a mustsee.
Marianne says the art scene in Wokingham was “incredibly important”. “It is important to both observe, discuss and experience art as well as making it. “There is a thriving artistic scene in Wokingham borough, I have recently started up an artists’ club, meeting monthly in Twyford to connect the artistic community,” she explains. “I was astonished to find nearly 20 artists turning up for our first meeting and future meetings are looking to even better attended.” She adds: “The Henley Arts Trail is a chance for local artists, including those in the northern part of the Borough to exhibit their art. There will also be scheduled talks about the art as well as refreshments and garden seating, allowing for a fun and relaxed visit. “My husband has also been volunteered to make his longtime perfected Scandinavian cinnamon buns which we all look forward to.” n For more information and find out all the venues on the trail, log on to: www.henleyartstrail.com
JAMES HASTINGS
Shrek The Musical is a real feel-good, positive show Shrek The Musical South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Until April 18
South Hill Park is currently performing a new version of Shrek The Musical
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VERYONE’S favourite ogre was back this Easter in South Hill Park’s hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical.
The show’s run included a special gala evening attended by local dignitaries. On arriving, local councillor Emily Blyth, spontaneously tinkled the ivories beautifully in the VIP lounge, where we were warmly welcomed with drinks. A lovely talk with the head of marketing, Margaretha Welsford, and one of the trustees, Mike O’Donovan, gave a real insight into all the incredible work South Hill Park produce, in all facets of the arts and performance. There is something for everyone to have a creative outlet to see or do every week. This production was a real community event, produced by their professional creative team, South Hill Park Presents. It was formerly known as the Wilde Theatre Company. Their shows provide opportunities for local performers to showcase their skills in high-quality pieces of drama and musical theatre. It’s great that it’s also been a
sell-out production for them and richly deserved too. Shrek The Musical is a real feel-good, positive theatrical experience and so uplifting, leaving the theatre with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your swamp… I mean heart. Having watched the original West End production many moons ago, this company did do it justice completely. As the show started, the musical number Story Of My Life was outstanding by the ensemble. Every number they were involved in was slick and en pointe, with impressive choreography from Charlotte Steele. The number Things Are Looking Up also had riotous applause and cheers from the audience. Again a well-choreographed
ensemble piece. Pinocchio, played by Sam Gillet, with his growing nose had some funny lines and caused much laughter from the crowd. He was my guest’s favourite and that’s no lie. Brad Clapson was Shrek, following several years as South Hill Park’s pantomime dame. He has a very strong performance technique, with many audience cheers, whistles, claps and shouts. His well-formed characterisation and true filmstyled vocals were impressive. His great on-stage chemistry with Poppy Ridell’s Donkey helped too, making him a joy to watch. As for Poppy: wow, what a talent. Her energy was infectious and a sensational singing voice to boot. The number with the three blind mice was a standout performance. Definitely the
audience choice award and mine as well. Her costume, complete with hooves, was great as well. Young princess Fiona, played by Sophie Abbott, had a performance style above her years. A well-pitched voice and vocal tone. She then changed magically into a slightly older Fiona … and then changing finally into Georgie Banks, who masterfully finished their opening song that introduces Princess Fiona to the audience. The three of them singing at the end perfectly harmoniously matched. Georgie Banks was superbly cast and owned the stage throughout. Ashleigh Wells as Lord Farquaad had a fabulous entrance and with ideal comedy timing.
Another firm audience favourite that didn’t disappoint. Very funny and well played throughout. The guards that assisted his first scenes had total focus and worked together beautifully. Effective puppetry is used for the dragon, with the three performers sharing the voice and vocals of the character with aplomb. The skeleton “old knights” ensemble was a fun addition too. An audience clap along started act two with real good spirit, leading into a lovely rat tap ensemble number with a full-on Bucks Fizz costume surprise by Princess Fiona. Watching her falling in love with Shrek after a flatulent burp fest was hilarious, but beautifully played. A simply fairytale ending finished off a hugely enjoyable evening of live theatre. A huge well done to all the cast and crew on a fabulous production that had a standing ovation and everyone on their feet dancing. A night of pure theatre, at its best. Cleverly directed by Mark Hooper, the rhythm and pace were flawless. The characters were developed to maximum effect, with some very funny ideas included too. The skateboard horse reversing with a beep sure tickled me. The musical direction by Tim Crumper was solid, with harmonies explored and perfected in every number.
My only criticism, if I had to pick one (which was hard on this occasion) would be that a live orchestra would have been perfect. To be fair all the performers having to work to backing tracks is no easy thing to do. There’s no room for error or mistakes and I noticed none. It was a stunning lighting design by Michael Brenkley and a captivating set design by Victoria Spearing. I couldn’t fault the sound design and operators either, no hiccups at all from Phil Hoegger and Darren Gould. The costumes, with matching wigs and accessories, have been skilfully put together by Naomi Gibbs, a real riot of colour. Not sure if they were hired in, or created especially for the performance, either way, they worked a treat. South Hill Park puts on community productions three times a year in spring, summer and autumn. Cast members often range in age from eight to 80 – no one is too young or too old as long as they come with bags of enthusiasm. If you’d like to get involved in performance, or are interested in joining our backstage team or show bands, get in touch with its head of technical, Gareth Evans, via southhillpark.org.uk To sum it up, the audience absolutely loved it and so did I. Bravo South Hill Park Presents can’t wait for the next one.
Splattyoo, Reading’s honest viewer
16 | LEISURE
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Poetry and melody combine for a night of magical music
A NIGHT of folk and bluegrasstinged tunes are promised at the Concert Hall next month. Multi-instrumentalist Ana Silvera is coming to Reading to celebrate her new studio album, The Fabulist. Recorded with Mercury Prize-winning producer Gerry Diver, the album features songs based on poignant snapshots of time, which she says deftly weave poetry and melody together. Her link up with Gerry is not the first time she has collaborated with others. Over the past decade, Ana has teamed up with notable British contemporaries including Imogen Heap, Olivia Chaney, Jim Moray, Bill Laurance (Snarky Puppy), Maya Youssef, Aidan O’Rourke (LAU) and Alan Hampton (Fiona Apple, Andrew Bird). And she has performed at a host of venues and festivals across the world including SXSW, Royal Opera House (UK) and Iceland Airwaves. Most recently was featured as an official showcase artist for Folk Alliance International, Montreal. Now, she is preparing to visit the Ding. She will be at The Concert Hall on Wednesday, May 11. Tickets cost £16.50. n For more details, or to book, log on to www.whatsonreading.com :or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
Wakey, wakey! Tickets now booking for Frank Turner
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COMING THIS AUTUMN: Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls will bring their tour to The Hexagon in September, tickets have gone on sale
T’S BEEN a long time coming, and we’ve got a bit longer to wait, but Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls will be coming to The Hexagon.
The musician had been due to perform in February but, you know, covid … He is now due to perform in Reading on Wednesday, September 21, and tickets are now on sale. For the show, he will explore the intersection between the seemingly opposing camps of folk and punk. The group say that this could be a “three chords and the truth” back-to-basics approach or it could be the shared principles of protest and activism, but ever since a certain Woody Guthrieobsessed folkie moved to London, cut his hair and formed The Clash, the relationship has been vital. Frank Turner is said to be very much in the same socially conscious vein as Joe Strummer, along with other political troubadours such as Billy Bragg and Steve Earle. When his punk band Million Dead split in 2005, Turner unplugged and delved into folk and country music for his EP
Campfire Punkrock. The reception led to his 2007 debut album, Sleep Is For The Week. More followed, including the album Love, Ire & Song, and England Keep My Bones, in 2011. And more recently, Be More Kind used the election of Donald Trump as a rallying cry to combat racism and hatred with kindness and compassion. Two years ago, Turner teamed up with long-running punks NOFX for a split release which
An Ellen Kent Production featuring the Ukrainian National Municipal Opera Kyiv
WINNER ‘BEST OPERA AWARD’ LIVERPOOL DAILY POST THEATRE AWARDS
“A Butterfly to cherish” MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Sung in Italian with English surtitles. † Cast subject to change.
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee, Ukrainian sopranos Alyona Kistenyova and Katerina Timbaliuk from the Odessa Opera together with celebrated Ukrainian mezzo soprano Irina Sproglis†. With an exquisite Japanese Garden and spectacular costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.
SATURDAY 23 APRIL | 7.30pm WHATSONREADING.COM | BOX OFFICE 0118 960 6060
TICKETS £35, £32, £30
saw each act cover five of the other’s songs, and last year, Turner announced that a new album, FTHC (Frank Turner Hardcore), was on its way in February. His gig at The Hexagon will no doubt feature some of the songs from this album. Tickets cost £32, and are on sale now. n For more details, log on to: www.whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
PERFORMING AGAIN: The Whiteknights Ensemble will be back in action to raise funds for ReadiFood Picture: Whiteknights Ensemble
Ensemble assembles for charity concert that will help Reading’s foodbank AN ENSEMBLE will assemble once again very soon. It will be the first time since March 2020, and the original lockdown, that wind quintet the Whiteknights Ensemble will be publicly performing. Once again, the group will be sharing their talents to benefit others: proceeds from the concert will go to ReadiFood, Reading’s food bank. And they are asking audience members to bring food which they can then pass on to those in need.
The programme includes pieces by Mozart, Arrieu, Hallam and Poulenc, before ending in a performance of K-J Ankarblom’s Swedish Medley for Sextet. Joining them will be pianist John Sayer. The evening of music takes place from 7.30pm on Saturday, May 28, at the Michael Malnick Centre in Leighton Park School. Tickets cost £10 for adults, and £5 for under 18s. n To order them, search Ticketsource.co.uk for Whiteknights Ensemble.
Be spellbound by Mary Rose BE SPELLBOUND by a reworking of a JM Barrie play at South Hill Park later this month. Conn Artists Theatre Company will perform its version of Mary Rose on Thursday, April 28. Barrie was a prolific novelist and playwright of the late Victorian and Edwardian period. Best known for Peter Pan, his other major plays include The Admirable Crichton, Quality Street and Dear Brutus. Mary Rose tells the story of an old Sussex manor house that is haunted by the ghost of a young woman who once lived there. The action is performed with a cast of five. It interweaves some of Barrie’s stage directions as pieces of narrative, accompanied
by original music and traditional folk songs. The play was written following the first world war and flu pandemic of 1918 to 1920, and was first performed in London’s Haymarket Theatre in April 1920. It is an exploration of love, loss and hope that spans a time period of over 30 years. Actor and producer Ross Muir said that the play is almost the opposite to Peter Pan. “Barrie is exploring the loss that is felt by those of us who have been left behind after someone has gone,” he explains. “And Mary Rose doesn’t realise her life has past and that she’s frozen in time.” This adaptatione is directed by Nick Young, whose credits
include working with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Nick says that Barrie’s understanding of character meant that he wrote “brilliant” stage directions. “We chose a story that we want to resonate with our audience,” he says. “Working from this text has been a really enthralling journey. “We’ve put our own spin on the narrative but stay true to the original text and explore feelings that uplift you with hope.” The performance will begin at 7.45pm. Tickets are priced at £19.50, £16.50 for members, £17.50 concessions. n For more information or to book, visit: southhillpark.org.uk
NATALIE BURTON
Blockbuster offer from South Hill Park UNTIL now, there’s been nothing better than going to the cinema to catch the latest blockbusters. Now you can save money for doing so - and you don’t need to talk to any meerkats to do so. South Hill Park is offering a cost of living crisis special during May. Every movie is available with two tickets for the price of one in its 60-seat digital cinema. And, being an arts centre, the programme doesn’t just include Hollywood’s finest. There are indie films and screenings of livestream theatre.
There are family-friendly pictures, events where babies are welcome, subtitled films, socially distanced seating, dementia friendly, and silver screening sessions, meaning all abilities are catered for. The Bracknell-based arts centre’s cinema programme manager, Chris O’Shea, said: “In my opinion, we have one of the greatest cinemas in the UK. “Not only do we bring fantastic films and live events to the screen which you simply won’t ever see at your multiplex, but we also have a wonderful 60-seater
venue in an amazing setting that is South Hill Park. “The cinema is based in what used to be the dining room of the old mansion house, which offers a unique setting like no other. “For many customers who have discovered South Hill Park’s Cinema, it’s a real hidden gem.” The cinema offer does have a few conditions: it is only on fullprice tickets and does not include live and recorded screenings. n For more details, or to see the programme, log on to: www. southhillpark.org.uk/whats-on/ cinema
LEISURE | 25
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RaW Sounds Today
RECORD: In Albion will be in Wokingham, in Beyond The Download, and in your ears for Record Store Day, which takes place this Saturday
Chris Hillman
bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday
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T’S one of our favourite days of the year on Saturday - Record Store Day.
A day of vinyl treats, limited-edition releases and aural pleasure awaits. Just be prepared to start queuing early as demand is always high. We’re delighted to celebrate the day with one of our tunes this week. In Albion will be at Wokingham’s Beyond The Download on Saturday, and to whet your appetite, head to our Spotify page and tune in. Our playlist is packed with great music, all with a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name). To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and get dancing. There’s 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.
In Albion – Burning the Candle at Both Ends
They describe themselves as a theatrical rock band and have a few special live appearances coming up. On Saturday, April 23, they will be at Wokingham’s Beyond the Download record shop as part of Record Store Day and then they will be headlining the next Jamma event on Friday, April 29, at The Purple Turtle. They will also be appearing at Wokingham
supporting Royal Blood. It’s from their forthcoming third album, ‘How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? - https://theamazons.co.uk/
Small Town Heroes - i need u Here’s a new band with a song from their debut EP, No Filters Needed. They will be live on the Wokingham Music Club (WMC) Stage at Wokingham Festival in August - https://tommyhand.wixsite.com/ smalltownheroesuk
That Joe Payne – End of the Tunnel Joe will be returning to the WMC Stage at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday with his solo headline set following a brilliant performance there in 2019 - https://www. thatjoepayne.com/
A Better Life – A Moment of Nothing
Festival in August so why not have a listen to this excellent single and pop along and see them - https:// allmylinks.com/inalbionband
Phantom Booth – The World Outside My Door
Here’s a wonderful single from a new four-piece band based in Reading and London. It’s a good song with a mellow feel, interesting lyrics and subtle melodies that hook you in. This sounds like a band with a lot of potential so we’ll look forward to hearing more from the band in the future. In the meantime have a listen and try what this song suggests - leave those anxieties behind and check out the world outside your door with Phantom Booth - https://linktr.ee/ phantombooth
Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Slow Train Blues Here’s a song from this band’s debut album, Blues Revisited. Following the launch of the album they have been added to the bill at Wokingham Festival https://www.selinaandthehowlindogs.com/
Modesty Blue – Sea of Emotion From the sound of the blues we go to the sound of the 80s with the new single from Modesty Blue. It’s their second single and is another catchy summer feel pop song - https://www.facebook.com/ modestybluemusic
The Amazons – Bloodrush Here’s an anthem from this fast-rising band from Reading who recently played at The O2 Arena
This chill-out collective based around local music producer Phil Daniels have recently released a brand new video to this track from their acclaimed debut album, Take A Deep Breath - https:// abetterlifemusic.com/
Focus – Sylvia Exciting news that legendary rock band, Focus, will be headlining Wokingham Festival this year on August Bank Holiday Monday, August 29. This song is from their Focus 3 album and hit No. 4 in the UK singles chart - https:// focustheband.co.uk/
The Go Go Cult – Town Called Sorrow Club Velocity celebrated an impressive 19 years of putting on events with a Birthday Party Gig at the Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading on March 25, featuring these psychobilly punks - http://www.thegogocult.com/
GIG GUIDE Thursday, April 21
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Rise of the Machine and support. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook. Details: 01344 484123. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Heir. Details: 0118 959 7196.
Friday, April 22
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. P45, 21st Century Ska, Dead Eyed Smiles, Echo Chambers.. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Bottle Kids. Details: 01344 303333. CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. Frankie’s Guyst. Details: 01276 707600. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Aurora Family CIC presents Marvellous Fridays with Mr Marvellous. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. FM and Grand Slam. Details: 0118 959 5395.
Saturday, April 23
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. The Strats. Details: 01344 303333.
BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. The Right Times. Details: 01344 422622 CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. The Bootlegs Band. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. A Band Called Malice. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Doing It Fluid. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The Chain Gang. Details: 0118 968 1442. READING – Reading Railway Social Club, Station Hill. Damien A Passmore. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Move It. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – South Street Arts Centre. Nobodies Birthday: Single Launch Party. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Paddingtonl. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Wander Beyond Tap Takeover. Details: 0118 958 6048. READING – The Wishing Well, Oxford Road. Gemma Anne. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand Show. Details: 0118 969 8000.
TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Harmonica Lewinsky. Details: 0118 942 9606. TILEHURST – Westwood Farm Social Club RG31 6SL. Audiotonic. TILEHURST – The Victoria, Norcot Road RG30 6BP. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 941 5064. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Blues and Tunes. Details: 01252 870648.
Sunday, April 24
READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Steve Donnelly and Friends. 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.
Monday, April 25
READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Variety open mic. Details: 0118 958 0473. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Dave Kelly. Details: 01491 681048. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. The Grafters. Details: 01252 870648.
Tuesday, April 26
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch,
The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. We Will Rock You, the Queen Musical. Details: 0118 960 6060.
Wednesday, April 27
READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Alabama 3. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Will and the People. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. We Will Rock You, the Queen Musical. Details: 0118 960 6060.
Thursday, April 28
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Chili Rage: Red Hot ChilliPepper Tribute Band. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. The Sound of Springsteen. Details: 01276 707600. EARLEY – Harley-Davidson, Wokingham Road RG6 8HN. Bottle Kids. Details: 0118 334 4300. READING – HIckies, Friar Street. Hickies Music - Live Showcase Featuring: Henjilla, Clara Mchugh, Sam Brothers. Details: www.hickies.co.uk/live-lounge READING – The Roseate, The Forbury. Heavy Pop presents The Roseate Sessions with Matthew Greener and Nicky Booty. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. UK Subs, The Deckchairs, Who Killed Nancy
HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Johnson?. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. We Will Rock You, the Queen Musical. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Anything Goes open mic night. Details: 0118 958 6048.
Undercovers. Details: 0118 343 0565. WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. The Echo. Details: 0118 969 3325. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. We Will Rock You, the Queen Musical. Details: 0118 960 6060.
Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 30
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Double Shots. Details: 01344 303333. CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. Lost In Music. Details: 01276 707600. READING – Bel and Dragon, Blakes Lock, Gas Works Road. Dinner jazz with Fleur Stevenson and Hugh Turner. From 6.30pm. Details: 0118 951 5790. READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street. Sam Solace. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Fiesta Latina. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Jammes presents: In Albion and Sam Handy. Housebase. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. FM and Grand Slam. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Highwasters. Details: 0118 957 6930. RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL.
BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Ear Candy. Details: 01344 420690. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Natural Woman, a Motown tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Musk Maschine: A tribute to Kraftwerk and Daft Punk. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Blue Hayz. Details: 01344 457318 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Back To Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse. Details: 01344 484123. CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. The Hollies Story. Details: 01276 707600. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Undercovers. Details: 01344 772161. READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street. Club FOD: monthly LGBTQ+ night.
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Spriggan Mist and Zeppelin Kids Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Specialized Reading: King Hammond live and direct. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. We Will Rock You, the Queen Musical. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Moderation, Caversham Road RG1 8BB. The Cosmic Pixies. Details: 0118 959 5577. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Scarlet Vixens Purple Peepshow. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Asyulum Affair. Details: 0118 926 5804. WINKFIELD ROW – Carnation Hall RG42 7PA. The Supertonics Big Band. Details: www. thesupertonics.co.uk
Sunday, May 1
READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Neltane Storytelling. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Bullfrog Band. Details: 07889 226309.
26 | LEISURE
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WHAT’SON Exhibitions
READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Community Voices A series of displays showcasing responses to The MERL’s collections. Open daily except Monday. Details: 0118 378 8660. READING – Edith Morley building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 6AA. The Ure Museum presents: Discover the beauty of Etruscan pottery. Tuesdays to Thursdays. 9am-4.30pm. Free. Details: 0118 378 6990. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Museum presents Collected: 150 Years of Reading FC. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (Sat 5pm). Free, suggested donation of £5. Details: 0118 937 3400.
Films at Reading Biscuit Factory
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include The Bad Guys (u). ThursThurs 28. The Northman (15). Thurs-Thurs 28. The Worst Person In the World (15). Thurs. NT Live: Henry V (15). Thurs. Compartment No. 6 (15). Thurs. Operation Mincement (12a). Fri-Thurs 28. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (12a). Fri-Thurs 28. Keep It Cult: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (15). Fri. Benedetta (18). Fri-Thurs 28. Keep It Cult: Don’t Look Now (18). Mon, Fri 29. RFT presents: Amelie (15). Wed. Downton Abbey: A New Era (PG). Fri 29-Thurs May 5. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk
Thursday, April 21
EARLEY – Now Building, Thames Valley Park RG6 1WG. Art Expo: brandnew eco venue featuring watercolour, silver jewellery, ceramics, urban sketching and mixed media. 11.30am-2.30pm. Outdoor cinema, music and more. Details: hereandnow.place EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship
Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org 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. Treasure Hunt in Henley. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Holme Grange Craft Village, Heathlands Road. Easter Holiday activities: Artist’s facpainting. 11am-3pm. Messy Ducklings, booking essential. £6.50 per child, £3.50 per sibling. 11am2.30pm. 0118 977 6715. WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre RG5 4JZ. Mostly G&S presents The Mikado. 7.30pm. £12. Details: www. mostlygands.co.uk
Friday, April 22
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. Drag Night with screening of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. 7.30pm. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk READING – Pentahotel, Oxford ROad. Reading Careers Fair. 10am-2pm. Details: https://www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/ reading-careers-fairtickets-173325881377 WOKINGHAM – Holme Grange Craft Village, Heathlands Road. Easter Holiday activities: Artist’s facpainting. 11am-3pm. Details: 0118 977 6715. WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details:
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk 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. WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre RG5 4JZ. Mostly G&S presents The Mikado. 7.30pm. £12. Details: www. mostlygands.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, April 23
CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Concerts in Caversham presents: Adrienne Black, harpsichordist: JS Bach’s Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, the Italian Concerto, English Suite in A minor. Handel’s E major Suite, ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’, Alan Ridout’s Sonatina, plus pieces by Rameau and Daquin. 6.45pm. Tickets £18-£20, under 16s free. Details: 0118 948 3220. CAVERSHAM – Our Lady and St Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, South View Avenue. Thames Valley Air Ambulance Tribute Audax Cycle Ride 2022: 50km, 100km and 200km routes through The Chilterns. From 9am. Details: www. tributeaudax.uk HURST – Hurst Bowling Club, Church Hill. Hurst Bowling Club open day. Noon-6pm. Free taster sessions, wear flat sole trainers. No experience required. Details: 07917 195722. READING – Tutu’s Ethopian Table, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road. Poetry in the Park. 11am. SOUTHCOTE – Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane RG30 3HD. Spring Fayre in aid of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice: Tombola, Raffle, Crafts,
Charity Stalls, plus Tea and Coffee. 11.30am. Free entry. Details: 0118 958 4131 SWALLOWFIELD – Recreation Ground, Swallowfield Street. Swallowfeld pre-school fete: bouncy castle, stalls, face painting, cake, refreshments, games and more. 1pm-4pm. £1, under 16s free. READING – Forbury Gardens. Sparkle Vegan Events presents Reading Vegan Fiesta: hot food, artisan stalls, charity baking competition, live music and more. 11am-4pm. Details: www.sparkleveganevents. com READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Iota presents The Clothes Swap: Drop between 1pm-3pm. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Queens Arms, Great Knollys Street. New Beginnings Reading spring fair: Raffle, Afternoon tea, BBQ, Bottle tombola, Bric-a-brac, Cake stall, Children’s treasure hunt, Book stall and more. Noon-4pm. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Abbey Quarter tours: explore the heart of medieval Reading led by trained volunteer guides. Ninety-minute tour from 11am. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting. Over 18s only. Booking essential. 1pm. £13.50. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre RG5 4JZ. Mostly G&S presents The Mikado. 7.30pm. £12. Details: www. mostlygands.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut
Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, April 24
HURST – Dinton Pastures, Davis Street RG10 0TH. Dawn chorus walk: an early walk to hear early-morning bird song. £2 donation to RSPB. Meet ing main car park. 5am. Details: ww2. rspb.org.uk READING – Jelly, Broad Street Mall RG1 7QE. Sunday life drawing with guest artist Laura de Moxom. 11.30am-1pm. £12. Details: www.jelly. org.uk READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Sunday Alternative (a celebration of life without faith): Bodies. 10.30am. Iota presents The Clothes Swap: Swap, from 1pm. Tickets from £2.50-£7.50, in aid of Rising Sun Arts Centre. Details: 0118 986 6788. 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
Monday April 25
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org BINFIELD - Newbold College Church, Popeswood Road, RG42 4AN. The Arts Society Wokingham’s monthly lecture ‘The Imperial Easter Eggs of Carl Fabergé’ by Tony Faber at 7.45pm. ++ NOW LIVE STREAM ONLY ++ live streamed via YouTube. Details www.TheArtsSociey Wokingham.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane
Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
Tuesday, April 26
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. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. 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, April 27
BURGHFIELD – The Old Rectory RG30 3TH. Open garden for NGS. Four-acre gardens featuring tulips, a pool garden, woodland area and terraced lawns with mature trees. £5. 10.30am-12.30pm, 2pm4pm. £5, children free. Prebooking essential. Details: ngs.org.uk EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. MS weekly drop-in. 10.30am1.30pm Details: 0118 921 0555. EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Confidence building workshop. 9.30am12.30pm. Free, booking essential. Details: 0118 921 0555. EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse
What’s What’s on on event event submission submission form form Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokingham.today. Please note this service is for community groups,
Name Name
charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.
Address
Date of event: Venue of event: What will happen:
Address
Postcode Email Postcode
Time of event: Contact number for readers:
Send Emailyour forms to: What’s On, Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS
Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. 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 WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Thursday, April 28
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org EARLEY – Harley-Davidson, Wokingham Road RG6 8HN. Bike night from 5pm. Details: 0118 334 4300. READING – The Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Berkshire Organists Association 100th anniversary concert. Daniel Moult performs pieces by Bach, Wesley, Elgar, Widor, Schumann, Liszt and Franck. Preconcert talk 6.30pm, show 7.30pm. Details: www. berkshireorganists.org.uk 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 The Soul of the Creator with Paul Sanders. 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice.The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Supernova (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
Friday, April 29
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge 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. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice.The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, April 30
ACROSS CHARVIL, TWYFORD, WARGRAVE. Henley Arts Trail 2022. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Abbey Quarter tours: explore the heart of medieval Reading led by trained volunteer guides. Ninety-minute tour from 11am. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk READING – South Street arts centre. South Street Comedy Club: Harriet Kemsley, Jacob Hawley, Eryn Tett. 8pm. £18.50. Details: 0118 960 6060. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice.The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, May 1
ACROSS CHARVIL, TWYFORD, WARGRAVE. Henley Arts Trail 2022. CHECKENDON – From village hall, Main Street RG8 0SR. Bluebell Sunday: tea, cakes, woodland walks. 2pm-5pm. Details: 01491 680773. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam. Details: 0118 986 6788 WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674.
No. 5410
Your weekly puzzle challenge
27
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Wednesday, April 20, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662
Quiz Challenge
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5. In rugby union’s 2022 Six Nations Championship, Tom Curry was the captain of which team?
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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
MAGIC SQUARE
MAN HATES CHESTNUT
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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. Guidelines: 31 Good; 37 Very Good; 43 Excellent.
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).
Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.
Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed A through openings in the walls. The R first letter may appear in any chamber. Y M
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ACROSS 2. Reversible part of the apron (3)
DOWN 1. Daughter had fruit that’s spotted (6) 2. Vehicle I left at fork in an 5. Settle on gold carriage (6) active way (6) 7. Swallow up English leader 3. He is in finest order (6) who was flung out (6) 4. Finish on time when making 9. Rose, if upset, becomes cupboard (6) troublesome (11) 10. In France I and my following 6. Skinhead entered repeatedly, struggling in a are about to admit boy (6) hopeless way (11) 11. Sustained on the piano 8. They are not high-fliers in maybe (6) the aviation industry (6,5) 13. Detailed pattern of coma is 10. Crowded mass on first June disturbing (6) morning (3) 16. Plant opening by magic (6) 12. Mineral found in the forest (3) 18. Repairer – up to a point perhaps (11) 14. Concocted story about oriental mollusc (6) 19. East African key Ann cracked (6) 15. Managing to produce a stone? (6) 20. Removed a percentage of the remnant (6) 16. Ostler drunk the alcohol (6) 21. Young lady legalised 17. Ingredients for section (3) cosmetics (4-2)
I
L
I A
T R
O
Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
YR
EQUALISER 12 1 4 2 3 2 4 9 4 1 1 1
Hard
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
4
5
11 11
13
14
26
6
7
7
8
10
11
12 15
16
This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.
6
9
10
20
© Sirius Media Services Ltd
3
10
Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.
To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
2
7
Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.
15
17
22
18
19
22
21
22
23
24
25 27
28 29
30
31 32
7 5 3 4 1 6 9 2 8
2 7 5 6 9 4 1 8 3
4 1 9 3 7 8 5 6 2
3 6 8 5 2 1 4 9 7
9 8 1 2 4 5 3 7 6
6 2 7 1 3 9 8 5 4
5 3 4 8 6 7 2 1 9
WORD PYRAMID: Territorial Army. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – divide; add; multiply; subtract. Total: 5.
SOLUTIONS
1 4 6 9 8 2 7 3 5
9 2
7
R
TO
PT
2
21
R
RS
MO
Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
1 5
E
UR
UG
5
3
T
EL
NL
2
19
FIVE ALIVE PA
1
21
WORD PYRAMID
SUDOKU Easy
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1
6. In the early 20th century, what was considered the greatest port in the world for shipping coal? 7. Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence star in which 2021 apocalyptic black comedy film? 8. In 2019, Kylie Minogue performed in the ‘legend’ slot at which popular festival? 9. Which common household tool shares its name with a cocktail? 10. What is the monetary unit of Paraguay?
8 9 2 7 5 3 6 4 1
23
25
2 6 7 3 8 4 1 5 9
14
8
4 1 9 5 7 6 8 2 3
21
23
17
1
3 8 5 2 9 1 6 7 4
17
17
13
7
6 7 8 1 4 5 9 3 2
6
6
9 2 4 8 6 3 5 1 7
13
4
5 3 1 9 2 7 4 8 6
10
17
6
1
7 4 2 6 1 8 3 9 5
26
1
8 9 3 4 5 2 7 6 1
9
21
13 3
2
1 5 6 7 3 9 2 4 8
14
PZ1P5410
CROSS CODE 24
5410
ACROSS 1. Troubling (9) 9. Strongly opposed (6) 10. Incinerate (4) 11. Against (4) 12. Sleigh (6) 13. Sailor (7) 16. Waterless (4) 17. Resist (4) 18. Haul (3) 20. Hasten (arch.) (3) 21. European mountain range (4)
23. 25. 26. 29. 30. 31. 32.
---- of Man (4) US legislator (7) Believes (6) Female relative (4) Bird’s bill (4) Awaken (6) Litter for the injured (9) DOWN 2. Of the eye (6) 3. Sour (6) 4. Remained (6) 5. Rugs (4) 6. Supposed harmful look (4,3)
7. Tapering nail (4) 8. Lay siege to (9) 13. New York island (9) 14. Hoarfrost (4) 15. Harvests (5) 18. Missing (4) 19. Male donkey (7) 22. Sofa (6) 23. Verse form (6) 24. Discover (6) 27. Graven image (4) 28. Edible fat (4)
FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Bird; 2 A Midsummer Night’s Dream; 3 Papua New Guinea; 4 Grey’s Anatomy; 5 England; 6 Cardiff; 7 Don’t Look Up; (1) Across – Pupil; Louts; Nappy. Down – Pylon; Plump; Lusty. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 2 Bib; 5 Landau; 7 Engulf; 9 Pestiferous; 10 Jeremy; 11 (2) Across – Agile; Pager; Enter. O D S M V I J C R W X G U Tenuto; 13 Mosaic; 16 Sesame; 18 Steeplejack; 19 Kenyan; 20 Down – Ample; Ingot; Error. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Offcut; 21 Gal. E K H N P F Y A Z T B L Q Down – 1 Dapple; 2 Busily; 3 Behest; 4 Closet; 6 Desperately; 8 NONAGRAM: desert; destroy; DESTROYER; deter; Ground staff; 10 Jam; 12 Ore; 14 Oyster; 15 Coping; 16 Sterol; doest; dost; dote; doter; erst; ester; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU 17 Make-up. mast; ache; shun; eyot; oersted; oyster; reset; resort; tent. resorted; rest; rested; restore; restored; rete; retro; retry; rorty; roster; rostered; rote; ryot; sort; sorted; sorter; steed; steer; stere; stereo; store; stored; storer; storey; story; strode; stye; teed; teredo; teres; terry; terse; terser; tody; toed; tore; torr; torse; toyed; tree; treed; trey; trod; troy; tyre; tyred; tyro. QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Worrisome, 9 Averse, 10 Burn, 11 Anti, 12 Sledge, 13 Mariner, 16 Arid, 17 Defy, 18 Lug, 20 Hie, 21 Alps, 23 Isle, 25 Senator, 26 Thinks, 29 Aunt, 30 Beak, 31 Arouse, 32 Stretcher. Down – 2 Ocular, 3 Rancid, 4 Stayed, 5 Mats, 6 Evil eye, 7 Brad, 8 Beleaguer, 13 Manhattan, 14 Rime, 15 Reaps, 18 Lost, 19 Jackass, 22 Settee, 23 Iambic, 24 Locate, 27 Idol, 28 Suet.
28 | LIFE
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Chestnut Chocolate Mousse In the kitchen Merchant Gourmet
T
HIS velvety chocolate mousse uses chestnuts in place of more traditional ingredients to create a really light and airy dessert. If you have any left, top with chocolate eggs for the perfect post-Easter pudding The recipe uses ingredients from popular pules and grains brand, Merchant Gourmet, and are readily available in supermarkets Serves 8 2 hours 30 minutes
Ingredients: n 1 x 180g pouch of Merchant Gourmet Whole Chestnuts n 250ml plant-based milk n 50g caster sugar n Pinch of salt n 200g 70% dark chocolate, roughly chopped n 350ml plant-based double cream n Plant-based chocolate eggs to decorate
Method: Put the chestnuts, milk, sugar and salt in a saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until roughly a quarter of the
milk has evaporated and the chestnuts have softened. Pour the mixture into a heatproof blender and blitz until completely smooth. Tip in the chopped chocolate and blitz again until the chocolate has melted and is fully combined. Decant into a bowl and set aside to cool a little, stirring occasionally to keep it from setting. Whip the cream using an electric whisk until soft peaks form. Gently stir a few heaped spoonful’s of the cream into the chocolate mousse mixture to lighten it, then carefully fold in the remaining cream, retaining the air in it as much as possible. Pour into a large serving dish, or individual pots, then leave in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight to set. Serve with the chocolate eggs on top.
Working from home causes loneliness ... and impacting mental health – survey
Five of the biggest homebuyer turn-offs and what they could cost you
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STATE and lettings agent, Barrows and Forrester, has revealed the five biggest homebuyer turnoffs and how much money each of them can remove from a home’s market value.
7%, or £19,500, off the value of a home.
Dirty, cluttered and smelly
Bad/nuisance neighbours For most people, living next door to nuisance neighbours is a worst-case scenario. Sometimes they make loud noises long into the night; sometimes they’re constantly in the garden partying; and sometimes they’re committing rowdy, even abusive behaviour towards everyone living around them. Sometimes, of course, it’s all of the above and more. Homebuyers will move heaven and earth to avoid moving in next door to bad neighbours, so much so that a property can struggle to even garner buyer interest and the seller ends up having to lower the asking price by at least 10%. With today’s average house price, this means bad neighbours reduce value by £27,376.
Poor upkeep of home’s exterior and gardens Unlike bad neighbours, this one is completely within the control of the seller, so there’s not really any excuse for letting it happen. General disrepair and shoddy appearance have a huge impact on first impressions, completely turning off a buyer before they’ve even stepped inside the property. It is easy to make a home look clean and tidy from the outside, requiring only a broom, a pot of paint, and maybe a rented power washer.
OVERGROWN: Not quite a green and pleasant way to view a home... When it comes to the garden, if it’s overgrown or being used as a dumpsite, buyers are likely to already have a negative opinion of the home before they’ve even stepped foot inside it. Such is the power of this turn-off that it can reduce the value of a home by more than 14%, or £38,600.
Evidence of pets We are a nation of pet lovers, but we’re also fastidious when it comes to cleanliness.
Evidence of pet hair in the carpets and strong odours in the air are big buyer turn-offs and can reduce their perceived value of a home by 4%, or £11,000.
Parking problems A convenient and secure parking space continues to be one of the most important things for homebuyers, so much so that a safe, private space can increase the value of a home by as much as £22,500 while the complete absence of a parking option will strip
It is absolutely essential that sellers clean and tidy their property before inviting prospective buyers to view it. It is easy to do and improves first impressions ten-fold. In the days leading up to a viewing, it’s always good to open the windows for a few hours and let some fresh air in to make sure that the home doesn’t smell musty and to eliminate any odours that the current owners no longer notice but strangers are likely to clock. If a house is not clean and tidy, it can again knock as much as 11% off the potential market value (£11,000). Managing director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, said: “Homebuyers are an understandably picky bunch. They’re looking for their own version of perfection and this can differ wildly from one buyer to the next. So don’t take it personally if they aren’t all as enthusiastic about your house as you once were, or if it takes you a little while longer than expected to sell. “Of course, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your chances of impressing a buyer and securing a sale, as well as plenty of things that can do the opposite. “Presentation is vital and you need to ensure you are presenting the best version of your property that you can, whether it be in the initial photos taken or during the viewing process. “Failing to do so can not only reduce interest and see your home remain sat on the market for far longer, but it can also cost you when you finally do find a buyer.”
I
T MIGHT be two years on from the first lockdown, and we might have this working from home marklarky cracked, but new research suggests that a side effect is increased loneliness. Digital board game group Marmalade Game Studios says that more than three million people are not seeing other people anywhere near as often as they did pre-covid. And nearly one-in-three adults are suffering from being lonely, with one-in-four saying this has had an impact on their mental health. More than half of those who suffer from loneliness say it is because they don’t have many close friends while 28% say it is because they live alone. However, 20% say working from home has added to their loneliness. Mental health is a major issue among those who suffer from being lonely – around twofifths (38%) of those who describe themselves as lonely say their mental health issues add to their loneliness. This, in turn, has an impact on their mental wellbeing. Around 89% who describe themselves as lonely say it has a negative impact on their mental health while 13% say it has no impact. Marmalade Game Studio, which publishes popular digital board games such as Monopoly, Taboo, Cluedo and Jumanji, found 70% of those who describe themselves as lonely speak to an average of three or fewer family members or friends on an average weekly basis. Cristina Mereuta, co-CEO at Marmalade Game Studio, said: “Working from home has inevitably increased as a result of the Covid-19 crisis and while for many it means more time with family, it clearly also adds to isolation for others. “Staying connected with friends and family is important for mental health with one in four adults admitting loneliness has a seriously negative impact on their mental health.” Digital gaming has proved to be important for mental health – 16% of European Union gamers say being able to play games online and connect with others particularly families helped during lockdowns and 42% say playing multiplayer games during lockdown made them happier. Marmalade Game Studio has recently introduced Bubble in-game video chat allowing gamers to add friends and family to group chats, start games from these, and video chat while playing.
SPORT TODAY
READING
NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US
20.04.22
SUMAS SECURE SURVIVAL
BOARS EDGE PAST COUNTY
FINCH TITLE HOPES TAKE A HIT
SUPER TOM STRIKES AGAIN ROYALS COMPLETE COMEBACK
RIVERMOOR TO PLAY HOST TO SUNDAY CUP FINALS THE Rivermoor Stadium will play host to the Southern Region Women’s Football League Cup Final and the Chairman’s Cup Finals this weekend.
LAST GASP GOAL COULD KEEP US UP By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today TOM MCINTYRE proved to be the hero once again as the Royals completed the most unlikely of turnarounds on Easter Monday against Swansea City.
With the Swans 4-1 in front just before the hour mark in a manic game that had seen three goals in
the opening 12 minutes, it looked as if the visitors were going to run away with the match having seized control. However, Reading’s new found dogged spirit came roaring back again as they came back from a seemingly hopeless situation to snatch a dramatic point. Goals from Tom Ince and Lucas Joao gave the team hope of clawing
something back before McIntyre popped up with a stoppage time goal for the second time in four days to send the Reading fans into jubilation at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Speaking after the game, a delighted McIntyre said: “I’ve been a Reading fan all my life so it’s a dream come true. “It means the world to me to play for Reading. I’m lost for words.
“I should have scored just before with the third goal but one of their players made a great block on the line. “It was the right place, right time and similar to my goal on Friday. “We’ve got ourselves in a position where we are a few points clear to drag ourselves out the situation and now we need to put it to bed.” n Match report inside
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Reading City FC’s home will see Premier Division Champions Moneyfields, who completed the league season unbeaten, go up against runners-up Abingdon United. Moneyfields completed a league double victory over Sunday’s opponents, while Abingdon were the victors when the teams met in the FA Cup earlier in the campaign. The match kicks off at 3pm. The Chairman’s Cup final, which takes place at 11am, will be contested between AFC Bournemouth Development and Abingdon Town. Bournemouth completed the league campaign unbeaten, in Division One on their way to the league title while they face Premier Division Abingdon.
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18 | SPORT
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Full-back Dykes goes on a run
Jak Rossiter’s try brought Rams back into the game at 24-21 down Rams’ fly-half Drew Humberstone hands off former England Saxons second row Sam Dickinson Pictures: Paul Clark
RUGBY UNION
REACTION
Tom Vooght with ball in hand
VALIANT RAMS DEFEATED BY INFORM VISITORS CALDY By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
A VALIANT Rams display proved in vain as Caldy made it a sweet 16 wins in a row with a hard-fought 32-21 triumph at Old Bath Road.
A cagey opening 10 minutes saw some big shots put in from both sides, but it was the hosts who had the first opportunity to open the scoring, Drew Humberstone’s attempted 40-metre penalty drifting just to the right of the posts. And it was Caldy who then drew first blood, stripping the ball just outside the Rams’ 22 before man-ofthe-match scrum-half Nye Thomas dived over from close range following a series of pick-and-goes. The division’s top points scorer, Ben Jones, made no mistake with a straightforward conversion, and he then landed another
Caolan Englefield
after hooker Ollie Hearn touched down at the back of a rolling maul. The hosts rallied, though, and hit back with a fabulous score from London Irish loanee full-back Michael Dykes, created by a brilliant break from fellow Exile Caolan Englefield. There were no more scores before the interval as the visitors headed into halftime with a 14-7 advantage, and they moved further ahead seven minutes into the second period as Jones stroked home a penalty. Yet Rams were well up for the challenge and closed the gap to just three points with a penalty try earned following a rolling maul, Caldy second row Tom Sanders yellow carded for his infringement. However, the visitors again showed why they have enjoyed such a stunning winning streak, replying
immediately with a maul try of their own which was finished by the excellent skipper JJ Dickinson. The laser boot of Jones again bisected the uprights for 24-14, but Rams gave themselves hope with a stunning try at the start of the final quarter. Henry Bird collected a hack forward inside his own 22, and after beating several men the ball flowed through the hands before a wonderful back-of-the-hand pass from replacement Ben Henderson set Jak Rossiter free to run in from some 35 metres out. Humberstone was again on target with the conversion as Rams reduced the deficit to 24-21, but the Wirral men again showed their title capabilities by slowing the pace and ensuring their hosts were unable to establish any field position. Caldy nudged themselves further in front when Jones
landed a second penalty with four minutes remaining, and they wrapped up their try bonus-point with the final play of the game when a series of strong carries ended with the ball being swung wide to the right to the prolific Nick Royle to touchdown in the corner. Jones’ perfect copybook was finally blotted as his touchline attempt narrowly failed to hit the target, but it did not detract from a job well done by the away side. RAMS: Dykes, Rossiter, Bryant, Hayhow, Bird, Humberstone, Englefield; Marris, Hayman, Englezos, Schroter, Thomson, C Stapley, Vooght, R Stapley Substitutes: Henderson, Baker, Everitt, Nicholls, Cole CALDY: Gourlay, Royle, Titherington, Barlow, Jones, Hinchcliffe, Thomas; Rushton, Hearn, Higginson, S Dickinson, T Sanders, Crowe, Ridgway, J Dicksonson Substitutes: J Sanders, Clarke, Gerrard, Davidson, Cartmill
Rossiter after scoring his try
REYNOLDS TAKES POSITIVES IN RAMS LOSS By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today RAMS’ Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds saw plenty of positives in his side’s performance despite table-topping Caldy leaving Old Bath Road with a 32-21 National One victory.
He said he was proud of his side. “It was a close and wellcontested game, but you have to credit Caldy,” Reynolds added. “We were very motivated for the game and fancied the challenge – our guys won’t stop and there’s no end-of-season thoughts. “In this league, anyone can beat anyone on their day and you saw that on Friday when Blackheath almost took Sale, and you just have to be on the money every single week.
Dykes touches down
“I thought our guys were great and maybe a couple of decisions didn’t go our way, but they closed the game out very well.” He continued: “When we got back to within three points (at 24-21 down) I felt we would go on and win, but perhaps a couple of breaks didn’t go our way. “But even in defeat, there were definitely some positives to take from the game. “We have confidence now that when Ben Henderson, James Baker and Ollie Cole come back, we can use them as impact players whereas perhaps in previous seasons they’d have been straight back into the starting line-up.” “It’s been a brilliant National One season and it’s fitting that it goes down to that.”
SPORT | 19
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DENTON LEVELLER GIVES MOLES A POINT ISTHMIAN SOUTH CENTRAL
Two Binfield players compete in the air with an opponent By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Binfield 1 Marlow 1
BINFELD secured a late point thanks to an equaliser from Jonny Denton at home to Marlow.
The visitors looked to edge themselves in front with a few early sniffs at goal.
The first of which was well cleared from Denton before Liam Gavin mopped up effectively to make an excellent clearance to deny Marlow breaking on the counter. Both teams picked up an early booking as Moles captain Sean Moore went into the referee’s notebook. Binfield looked to open up Marlow’s back line when
The Moles picked up a point Pictures: Neil Graham
Brandon Curtis threaded through a ball to James Beauchamp but it was well blocked. The deadlock was broken by the away team in the 38th minute through Khalid Simmo. The Moles came close to a leveller before the break but Moore could only direct the ball over the bar from Beauchamp’s cross.
Moore came even closer just minutes after the restart when Marlow keeper Grant made a stunning stop to keep out Moore’s powerful effort. Binfield then struck the post from Curtis who was set up by George. A crucial interception from Joe Gater prevented Simmo from getting through on goal for Marlow as he tried to add to his tally.
Binfield goalkeeper Chris Grace came to the rescue for his side when he dived down low to the bottom corner to keep out a shot. With just under 10 minutes to play, Binfield were finally rewarded when Denton met Ollie Harris’ corner and headed in. The point keeps Binfield in eighth place on 50 points from 34 games.
BINFIELD: Grace, Legg, George, Denton, Gavin, Gater, Harris, Webb, Moore, Curtis, Beauchamp Subs: Thomson-Wheeler, Tack, Valentin, Chamberlain, Duncan MARLOW: Grant, Majekodunmi, Olorunfemi, Rogers, Richards, Bell, Simmo, Welch, Samuel, Mealing, English Subs: Chapple, Campbell, Ovenden, Brown, Romeo Goals: Simmo 38’, Denton 81’
20
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Eversley & California v Hilltop –the Boars enjoyed an impressive win against the promoition hopefuls Pictures: Richard Milam
FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
READING YMCA RAPIDS BOOK CUP FINAL PLACE WHILE BOARS BEAT PROMOTION HOPEFULS By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Combined Counties Division One BERKS COUNTY collected three points on the road at Enfield Borough after completing an impressive turnaround. The Swords were two goals down at the break but recovered brilliantly as a goal from Damian Smith got them back in the contest. Enfield were reduced to
10 players for a straight red card and Berks then levelled through Les Sackey. The comeback was complete when Sackey scored his second to grab a 3-2 victory for County. EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA added three points to their tally with an impressive win over promotion hopefuls Hilltop. The Boars raced into a two-goal advantage when Ben Anderson put them ahead after 12 minutes and Ellis Wint doubled the lead just six minutes later.
Despite Hilltop getting on the scoresheet after an hour, the Boars held on to pick up three vital points. WOODLEY UNITED went down to a heavy home defeat against third-placed Rayners Lane. The Kestrels were just one goal behind after the first-half, but the visitors turned on the style in the second-half as they hit five more past Woodley to earn a convincing win.
Thames Valley Premier League FINCHAMPSTEAD’s hopes of defending their title took a hit after they suffered a 4-1 loss at Yateley United. Callum Vallance netted for Finch, but they conceded four in what was just their fourth league defeat of the entire season. Finch are seven points behind league leaders BURGHFIELD with two games in hand to play. The two top teams in the
division are set to meet this weekend in a game that could play a pivotal role in deciding which team takes the title. READING CITY U23’s moved further away from danger with a crucial success over Mortimer. The Cityzens struck four past Mortimer without reply to collect their fifth league win of the season which puts them five points above their opponents in the table, with two games in hand over them.
BTC Semi-finals
READING YMCA RAPIDS booked their place in the final after they overcame READING CITY DEVELOPMENT. After a goalless first-half at the Cauldron, Rapids fired themselves in front and then wrapped up the cup tie with a second to see them safely through to the final. Rapids will face Pangbourne in the final of the competition after they knocked out BURGHFIELD RESERVES with a 2-0 success.
SPORT | 21
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WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
SUMAS SECURE SURVIVAL, BOARS BEAT BERKS WITH LATE STRIKE Combined Counties Premier North WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK all but secured their safety after they earned a point away at relegation threatened Holyport. In a crunch match up against a fellow side fighting for survival, the Sumas took the lead just after the half hour mark when Jack Webb and Will Shaw sliced open the Holyport defence and Toby Raggett finished the move. The hosts found a leveller 10 minutes into the second-half when they rebounded in from close range after initially striking the crossbar. The points were shared which means that the Sumas have confirmed their step five status barring a dramatic 16-goal swing on the final day. READING CITY shipped three goals without reply in a home defeat to Egham Town. The defeat leaves the Cityzens in ninth position with just one league game left to play.
Harinder Singh Hunjan for Eversley
Eversley left it late to beat Berks County Pictures: Richard Milam
Ross McKernan nets a late winner for Eversley
Combined Counties Division One The Sumas secured survival at Holyport Pictures: Andrew Batt
The Boars celebrate after scoring The Sumas compete in the air
Wokingham & Emmbrook secured safety against Holyport
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA left it late as Ross McKernan’s sensational strike saw them edge past BERKS COUNTY. The Boars made a quick start and raced into the lead with 11 minutes on the clock when Ellis Wint’s work in the box was finished off neatly by Paras Gill. Berks went down to 10 after Harvey Griffiths was shown a straight red card, but they worked their way back into the game and were level when Les Sackey slotted past the keeper. But the game was won by the visitors in the 80th minute after a
moment of magic from McKernan who unleashed an unstoppable strike that soared into the top corner. Eversley manager Matty Angell said: “Pleased with the teams resolve, we were hard to break down, worked extremely hard and a cracker of a goal from Ross McKernan won it for us. “Still lots to come from this group but the progress has been amazing and a huge group effort from everyone involved.” EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA: Pidgeon, Dickie, McKernan, Gill, Wint, Anderson, Griggs, Frewin, Pantony, Moriarty, Hunjan Subs: Catt, Di Lullo, Appleton, Allston, King
Isthmian South Central BINFIELD collected three points on the road with an impressive away win at Basingstoke. The Moles were put ahead by James Beauchamp just before the break. Joe Gater added a second quickly after the restart before Beauchamp grabbed his second and Binfield’s third of the afternoon. Despite the hosts getting a goal back, Binfield restored their threegoal lead through captain Sean Moore. Binfield co-manager Carl Withers said: “It always looked a tough weekend on paper for our boys playing against sides above us, but to come away with four points from six and confirm a tophalf finish cannot be overlooked in our first season and provides a foundation for next season.” BINFIELD: Grace, Legg, George, Webb, Gavin, Gater, Tack, Denton, Moore (c), Curtis, Beauchamp
SUNDAY LEAGUE FOOTBALL
LEAGUE LEADERS GIVE BACK TIGHTEN GRIP ON TITLE By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Reading & District Sunday League Division One League leaders GIVE BACK FC tightened their grip on the title after an incredible victory
against READING KITES. Richard Witt hit four, while braces from Adam CashinMurray and Moses Wilson helped them to an 11-1 triumph. EMMER GREEN stormed up to second in the table with a stunning home victory over
Rose & Thistle. Green smashed nine past Rose & Thistle without reply which puts them six points behind the league leaders with two games left to play. WAYBACK WANDERERS moved above LOXWOOD PARK
SOUTHBANK moved closer to the two sides above them with a 3-2 away success at AFC PANGBOURNE.
WOODLEY. ROYAL ALBION earned a convincing win over bottom of the table 116 EXILES RESERVES. Kieran Absolom hit a quick hat-trick, while Callum Makepeace and Oswald Manjengwa scored braces to help them to a 9-3 victory. BURGHFIELD B moved further away from safety with a 1-0 victory over THAMES VALLEY RAILWAY.
Division Three
Division Four
BERKSHIRE ROYALS continued their reign at the top with a big away win over FC
READING UNITED moved another step closer towards securing the title after they
RANGERS with a 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Robert Holmes and Connor Bukiej. 116 EXILES and WOODLEY SAINTS HOBNOB played out a goalless draw.
Division Two
defeated CALCOT FC. Braces from Monty Bowles and Leon Cox, as well as goals from Harry Derbyshire, Louis Derbyshire, Kaine Page and Ashley Smith saw them to an 8-0 thrashing. HYPE TRAIN kept their spot in second place after they smacked six past BARTON ROVERS RESERVES. The 6-0 success sees them two points above third-placed GIVE BACK RESERVES with a game in hand to play. GIVE BACK RESERVES kept the heat on in third place with by earning three points on the road at CORE with a 3-2 result.
22 | SPORT
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INCREDIBLE COMEBACK SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Player ratings
READING 4 SWANSEA CITY 4 ORJAN NYLAND
Can’t remember him making a save during the match, but in all fairness the first two strikes were unstoppable.
ANDY YIADOM
Worked tirelessly all game, particularly when Reading were pushing in the second-half. Gave them plenty of impetus.
MICHAEL MORRISON
Looked slow and lethargic at times in the first-half as Swans looked dangerous with almost every attack.
TOM MCINTYRE
Not his finest game defensively but has to get marked up for once again popping up with a stoppage time goal to send the fans wild.
BABA RAHMAN
Didn’t give as much attacking threat down the left as Yiadom did on the opposite flank.
DANNY DRINKWATER
Nice through ball to find Laurent to win the early penalty. Put in some good tackles and was calm in possession most of the time.
JOSH LAURENT
Worked exceptionally hard to win the ball back on numerous occasions. Won the penalty early on after a positive run into the box.
TOM DELE-BASHIRU
Was left chasing shadows in the first-half as Swansea kept the ball at will and controlled the game. Improved later in the game.
JUNIOR HOILETT
Very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when he was denied by the crossbar after a 25-yard hit. Gave away a needless penalty.
TOM INCE
A tidy finish with his volley which gave the Royals hope and ignited the comeback. Worked really hard for the team and put in a shift.
LUCAS JOAO
Calm and collected early on from the penalty spot. Pounced from close range to score his second and knocked the ball down for McIntyre’s winner.
4 7 4 8 5 6 8 4 7 7 8
By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today READING FC took another stride towards Championship safety after they completed an unbelievable comeback against Swansea City.
In a frantic opening to the game with three goals in the opening 12 minutes, Lucas Joao gave Reading the lead from the penalty spot after three minutes. Two stunners from Hannes Wolf and Joel Piroe fired Swansea in front before Piroe added his second from a penalty on the stroke of half-time. The goals kept coming in the second-half and the Royals recovered from 4-1 down to claw the game back to 4-3. With the game headed into stoppage time, Tom McIntyre ensured the unlikely comeback was complete when he smacked the ball past Fisher to make it 4-4. The result leaves Reading seven points above the relegation zone with three games left to play after Peterborough United beat Barnsley. It was a manic start to proceedings as the game blossomed into life quickly on a warm Easter Monday afternoon in Berkshire. There were three goals in the opening 12 minutes which saw Reading strike first. Danny Drinkwater clipped a ball into the box to find the run of Josh Laurent and he was clipped in the box, the linesman waved for a foul after the referee had initially denied the protests for a penalty. Lucas Joao stepped up confidently to the spot and stroked the ball past Andy Fisher to get the game off to a lively start.
Laurent keeps possession
Lucas Joao scores from the penalty spot
The Royals recovered from 4-1 down
Match stats Reading: Nyland, Yiadom, Morrison (c), McIntyre, Rahman, Laurent, DeleBashiru, Hoilett, Ince, Joao Subs: Southwood, Thomas, Halilovic, Barker, Azeez, Meite, Ehibhatiomhan Swansea City: Fisher, Cabango, Naughton, Latibeaudiere, Christie, Downes, Grimes (c), Wolf, Paterson, Piroe, Obafemi Subs: Hamer, Manning, Smith, Ntcham, Joseph, Congreve
Joao bags his second goal of the game
Fulton,
Goals: Lucas Joao 3’, (pen), 70, Wolf 6’, Piroe 12’, 45+2’ (pen), Obafemi 58’, Ince 61’, McIntyre 90+5’
But it didn’t take long for the Swans to hit back and they were level within three minutes of the opener. The ball was worked out wide to the left and Hannes Wolf opened up his body and curled a beauty beyond Orjan Nyland into the top corner. Piroe didn’t pass up his next opportunity which was trickier than the one he missed a few moments prior. He left Nyland helpless in his
Reading completed a stunning co goal as the Swans striker struck his 19th league goal of the season by sending a thunderous shot into the top left hand corner. Tom Ince was the first player to go into the book after he flew in late on Joel Latibeaudiere The Royals came close to creating an opening when the ball dropped for Junior Hoilett who tried to feed Laurent in on goal, but he was denied by the offside flag. Hoilett came an inch away from scoring the game’s third
REACTION
PAUL INCE: ‘THE FANS BELIEVE, WE BELIEVE’ READING FC interim manager Paul Ince hailed his sides ‘belief’ as they pulled off a magnificent comeback against Swansea City.
“The fans believe. We believe. I’m so proud of them today,” said Ince. The Royals completed a sensational turnaround having been 4-1 down as Tom McIntye’s stoppage time goal grabbed a point to make it 4-4. Despite gaining a point, Ince gave a refreshing assessment of his tactical approach to the game. He said: “I think I got it wrong from a tactical point of view. We stood off them too much, we allowed a good team to lift their head and play passes. “I hold my hands up for that, I got it totally wrong.
“We gave a stupid penalty away. I was thinking at half time the lads would be down but the spirit was still there. There was still a belief we could get back in the game.they break away for their fourth and you start to think about goal difference. “The last thing you want to do is get beat six or seven. “There was a sense of belief around the stadium at 4-2. They started to wonder. Two goals are never enough. “You sensed the belief in the crowd and the lift. We had a couple of great chances with Lucas and Junior and once we got the third goal, it was game on.” Ince continued to remain coy on his future and wants to focus on
the remaining games. “It’s about bringing more fans into the stadium. They can go to work tomorrow with a smile on their face . “It hasn’t changed. My job is to see this through. “The lads have been amazing,I’m so proud of them but we are not there yet. “I wont get carried away until the job is done.” Ince was also full of praise for striker Lucas Joao. He said: It’s all hands to the pump. In this situation, you can’t
have any luxury players. I won’t allow that to happen. Lucas has upped his game from a workrate point of view and if you work hard, you get your luck and goals. “We know what a great finisher he is. But when you’re fighting to stay in the league, you have to be accountable and responsible. “When the players see him working as hard as he is, it inspires them to work more as well. That’s the message we’ve been getting across changing the mindset and they’ve taken it on board really quickly.”
SPORT | 23
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From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith
Premier League refs to train with players?
R
Tom McIntyre scores deep into stoppage time
Drinkwater and McIntyre Ince celebrates
McIntyre races away to celebrate Josh Laurent gets past two players
omeback to take a point against Swansea City Pictures: Steve Smyth stunning goal when he was found 25 yards from goal from Joao and his stunning effort dipped, but not quite enough as it bounced off the crossbar. On the stroke of half-time, Russell Martin’s team were given the chance to extend their lead after Hoilett fouled Michael Obafemi in the box. Piroe dispatched the spot-kick low into the bottom right corner to beat Nyland despite the keeper guessing the right way. But the Royals were punished when Swansea had their first sight of goal of the half. Obafemi was allowed far too
The Royals celebrate
Dele-Bashiru
much space to get through the middle and he made no mistake with his finish which he placed powerfully past Nyland. Ince ensured that the deficit was reduced just a few minutes later when he volleyed in from close range after meeting Hoilett’s cross. The chances kept coming when Joao had a sniff at goal when he unleashed a shot on the volley following a free-kick that sailed over the bar. The game took another dramatic twist with 20 minutes left to play as Reading gave themselves hope of completing a comeback when Joao scrambled the ball in from close
range to make it 3-4. Swansea had the chance to wrap the points up in added time but Obafemi’s shot from a narrow angle smacked the crossbar. Deep into stoppage time, Reading completed what looked to have been an impossible comeback at 4-1 down as McIntyre popped up with a goal beyond the 90th minute for the second match running to send the Royals fans into ecstasy. The results means that the Royals are seven points above the drop zone with three games left to play, while Derby County were relegated to League One after their loss at QPR.
PREVIEW
ROYALS AIM TO SECURE CHAMPIONSHIP SAFETY AWAY AT HULL READING FC will be hoping to secure their Championship survival once and for all when they travel to Hull City this weekend.
The Royals took another big step towards safety after their dramatic comeback against Swansea City on Easter Monday thanks to Tom McIntyre’s 95th minute equaliser. Heading into Saturday’s game, Paul Ince’s men are now seven points clear of the relegation zone with just three games left to play. Derby County were relegated to League One following Reading’s late comeback after the Rams were defeated at Queens Park Rangers.
Meanwhile, fellow relegation rivals Barnsley and Peterborough United faced each other at the weekend. The Posh came away as 2-0 victors which leaves Peterborough with a slim chance of survival with three games left to play, but they will have to rely on other results going their way. Meanwhile, Barnsley still have four games left to play but find themselves at the bottom of the table, 11 points behind Reading and needing a miracle to survive. Saturday’s hosts, Hull City, are 19th in the table but well clear of
the drop zone. The Tigers are on 47 points with 13 wins, eight draws and 22 losses in what has been a mediocre season, but one that they will be satisfied with in their first season back in the Championship having won promotion the previous campaign. They stormed to promotion in the 2020/21 season under Grant McCann which saw them win the league with 89 points. However, they opted for a change in management during this season as Shota Arveladze took charge of the club in January after
the club had a change in ownership. The points were shared when the team’s met at the Select Car Leasing Stadium back in December. Reading took the lead on the stroke of half-time through academy graduate Tom Homes. But Hull ensured that they came away with a point thanks to Mallik Wilks’ second-half strike. The Royals have beaten Hull just once in their last 13 matches, which came with a 3-0 win at home in the 2018/19 season. Reading are well overdue an away win at Hull, with their last coming in 1994.
EFEREES in the Premier League may be training alongside the players and even refereeing their training matches, according to Mail Online. Manchester United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who proposed this at a meeting between managers and PGMO referees boss Mike Riley, feels that this would allow the players and referees to breakdown any negative preconceptions. But what about the practicality of such a scheme? First let’s look at how referees train at present, although things might have changed since Mike Riley took over. The arrangement has been that all the PGMO referees are brought together once a fortnight, where they train under the supervision of the sports scientist. They also view videos of some of their games and discuss the decisions made and I know when Ray Olivier was their development officer, he conducted quizzes on the Laws of the Game. The rest of the training is done at home or perhaps a local gym. The PGMO sports scientist issues a list of activities they have to carry out and record by wearing an electronic vest. The results are emailed to the sports scientist who can tell if anyone was slacking, Now the practicalities of the change, Which clubs would the referees be allocated to, would it be the nearest to their home? Take Berks & Bucks only Premier League referee, Graham Scott, who lives in Oxfordshire. His nearest ground would be in Surrey, But of course, not all clubs have a training ground at Chobham in Surrey, where their highly paid players can afford to live. Perhaps Graham could join them there. Have you tried to get to Chobham early in the morning? I have. How about Michael Oliver who lives in Northumberland. If Newcastle fail to avoid the drop, where is he going to train? If the referees were restricted to one club would they ever be appointed to officiate their matches. When Reading gained promotion to the Premier League, their players felt discriminated against, because referees used first names to their opponents but never to them. The FA is very keen on first names, I attended a development day when we were recommended to learn the first name of all the players as it made for better management to say ‘back another four yards Charlie’. rather than ‘back another four yards please.’ But is being pally with players, all it is made out to be? Listen to Italian referee, Daniele Orsato. ‘On the pitch I am serious and gruff, which makes be strict and even tough’. Daniele refereed the 2020 UEFA Nations League final and is likely to be the oldest World Cup referee in Qatar.
24 | SPORT
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SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-1 READING
RESULTS
MCINTYRE GRABS LATE WINNER By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today
Reading 1 Sheffield Wednesday 2 READING took a huge step towards securing Championship safety with a stunning late victory against play-off chasing Sheffield United on Good Friday.
The Royals went ahead through Lucas Joao’s powerful strike but were pegged back by an Iliman Ndiaye equaliser with minutes remaining. Late in added time, the visitors secured a crucial three points through Tom McIntyre’s strike. The home side dominated possession in the opening exchanges but were unable to create any clear-cut opportunities. They could have been reduced to ten men after five minutes when Morgan Gibbs-White made a late high challenge on Ejaria, but he only received a yellow card. Reading grew into the game and took the lead after 18 minutes. Ejaria bypassed the Blades’ midfield with an intelligent pass to Josh Laurent who threaded the ball to Joao. The striker allowed it to run across his body before hammering into the roof of the net past Wes Foderingham. Tom Ince’s effort from the edge
Tom McIntyre scored in stoppage time against the Blades. He is pictured here in the Royals’ game against Barnsley Picture: Steve Smyth of the box forced a good save out of Foderingham after 24 minutes and a few moments l ater Laurent shot into the side-
netting from a tight-angle. Reading came agonisingly close to a deserved second on 33 minutes when Ejaria intercepted a pass and
READING FC WOMEN PREVIEW
ROYALS LOOK TO END WINLESS RUN AS THEY HOST HAMMERS By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today READING FC WOMEN are back in action after the international break when they host West Ham United on Sunday.
In the final chapter of the 2021/22 Women’s Super League campaign, the Royals are looking to stop a rot of seven games without a win when they face the Hammers at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Kelly Chambers’ team are one place behind Sunday’s opponents in eighth but level on points after 19 matches each. West Ham have won six, drawn six and lost seven of their league fixtures and are above Reading with a better goal difference. Having endured a difficult run of games, Reading have slipped down the table having once had lofty ambitions of making the top four.
Reading last won a game in February which came away from home against Everton after late goals from Natasha Dowie and Tia Primmer turned the game on its head after Anna Anvegard’s early opener. When the teams met earlier in the campaign in November, the points were shared thanks to a last-gasp leveller from Emma Harries. The Irons had looked to be in control of the contest after first-half strikes from Lisa Evans and Grace Fisk gave them the advantage. An own goal from AbbeyLeigh Stringer in the 70th minute gave Reading hope and they grabbed their opportunity when Harries popped up with a goal in stoppage time to give Reading a point on the road. However, the Hammers were victors in the team’s most recent meeting at the SCL in February in the FA Women’s Cup. After a goalless 90 minutes, extra-time was needed to
separate the teams and it was Dagny Brynjarsdottir’s 105th minute goal that saw West Ham progress. The Hammers made it all the way to the semi-finals where their cup run was ended by Manchester City at the weekend. Reading full-back Faye Bryson said: “We have three big games to end the season. “We’ve spoken about it as a team, and how the final games are just about getting points on the board. “We want to rediscover the form we had when we went on that amazing run. “We’ve all talked together, addressed the recent dip at the minute, but we’ve shown over the last month we do still have those performances in us. “We know we can compete at the top level as we’ve shown it. “We now prepare hard for the final three games, starting against West Ham, and finish the season as high as we can.”
Friday, April 15 fed it to Joao who turned inside the box but his shot clipped the outside of the post. The hosts tried to force the issue but were reduced to longrange efforts as they struggled to penetrate a stubborn Royals defence. The Blades continued to search for a leveller after the break but again couldn’t find a breakthrough. Reading had appeals for a penalty waved away just before the hour mark as Ejaria appeared to get clipped in the area by George Baldock. Sheffield United continued to increase the pressure and Daniel Jebbison headed over after a cross was whipped in from the left. As the clock ticked into additional time the home side finally found an equaliser. Reading couldn’t clear their lines and John Egan capitalised, setting up Iliman Ndiaye to level. The game appeared to be heading for a draw, but with moments remaining Baba Rahman delivered a free-kick from deep in the Sheffield United half. Michael Morrison won the initial header and McIntyre was the quickest to react, poking the ball into the net sending the travelling fans into pandemonium.
READING FC WOMEN
EMMA HARRIES TO FACE INJURY SPELL READING FC Women were dealt a blow for the remainder of the season after they confirmed that Emma Harries is set for a spell on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury.
Harries picked up ligament damage during the most recent international break while away with England Women Under 23’s which will see her miss the rest of the 2021/22 Women’s Super League campaign. Having had tests and scans back at the club, it revealed that she had ruptured her posterior cruciate ligament and will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The academy graduate has played a pivotal role in Kelly Chambers’ team this season and has made 19 appearances with 14 starts. “I am absolutely gutted to have gotten this injury at this point of the season,” said Harries. “But I’ll make sure that I am better than ever when I can finally return. “I want to thank my family, partner, players and staff for their ongoing support and care.”
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Sheffield United 1-2 Reading
Isthmian South Central Binfield 1-1 Marlow
Saturday, April 16
FOOTBALL Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California 2-1 Hilltop Enfield Borough 2-3 Berks County Woodley United 0-6 Rayners Lane Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23’s 4-0 Mortimer Yateley United 4-1 Finchampstead Thames Valley Division Two Slough Heating Laurencians Reserves 2-0 Twyford & Ruscombe Thames Valley Division Three Pangbourne 2-0 Burghfield Reserves Cup Reading YMCA Rapids 2-0 Reading City Development RUGBY UNION National League One Rams 21-32 Caldy
Monday, April 18
FOOTBALL Combined Counties Premier North Holyport 1-1 Sumas Reading City 0-3 Egham Town Combined Counties Division One Berks County 1-2 Eversley & California AFC Aldermaston 4-1 Woodley United
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 4-4 Swansea City Isthmian South Central Basingstoke Town 1-4 Binfield
FIXTURES
Wednesday, April 20
FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Reading YMCA v Windlesham & Chobham Fichampstead v Reading City U23’s
Friday, April 22 RUGBY UNION National League One Chinnor v Rams
Saturday, April 23 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Hull City v Reading
Isthmian South Central Binfield v Chipstead Combined Counties Premier North Reading City v Burnham Sumas v Virginia Water Combined Counties Division One Bedfont & Feltham v Berks County Enfield Borough v Eversley & California London Lions v Woodley United Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead v Burghfield Marlow United v Reading YMCA Mortimer v Wargrave Reading City U23’s v Yateley United
Thames Valley Division Two Slough Heating Laurencians Reserves v Hurst Reserves Twyford & Ruscombe v Maidenhead Town A
Thames Valley Division Three Burghfield Reserves v Reading YMCA Rapids Thames Valley Division Four Pangbourne Development v Harchester Hawks RUGBY UNION South West 1 East Trowbridge v Bracknell
Sunday, April 24 FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading v West Ham
Thames Valley Women’s Division One Carterton v Caversham United Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Caversham AFC v Yateley United Eversley & California v Wargrave Development
Monday, April 25
FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Marlow United Reading City U23’s v Maidenhead Town
