Reading Today, April 27, 2022

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Meet the party leaders

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WHY BREWERY FACED THE AXE P3

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JUBILEE BOOST FOR READING CHARITIES Arts funding for groups to use to celebrate Queen’s milestone

EXCLUSIVE

By JAKE CLOTHIER news@rdg.today ORGANISATIONS across Reading are set to receive an arts boost to aid their plans for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

Funds allocated by the UK Community Foundations on behalf of the Arts Council will be used to help community with their celebrations.

More than £660,000 has been distributed to 107 voluntary and

community organisations across the southeast, including five in Reading.

Reading Mencap will receive £3,765 to fund a free community performance event at the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin in Reading’s town centre.

At this event, the Reading MenCap choir will be performing, with a drama production by the performing arts club and in collaboration with Progress Theatre.

The event will also mark the Diamond Anniversary of the charity, celebrating 60 years of its work in Reading.

Mandi Smith, CEO of Reading Mencap, said: “Our event is inspired by this special time in our nation’s history and in our charity’s history.

“We will be looking back and also looking forward to what is possible in the future.

“It will also serve to showcase to the wider community the amazing work Reading Mencap does, the services we offer and the needs of those with learning disabilities.

“We look forward to welcoming the local community to our event.” n Continued on page 33

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Photo contest for town twin

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HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email Email news@wokingham.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Daniel Blackham, Jake Clothier, Ji-Min Lee, Emma Merchant Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk.

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

READING Borough Council is calling on budding photographers to take part in a photo competition marking 75 years of town partnership with Düsseldorf.

The two were officially twinned in 1977, and now they are celebrating the partnership with the chance to win a trip to the German city.

The competition is focussing on the theme of the four Bs: beer, biscuits, bulbs, and bricks, each of which Reading is historically famous.

Amateurs and professionals are invited to capture the elements of the theme across Reading.

The winning work will form part of the celebrations when representatives from Düsseldorf will travel to Reading in June.

The partnership is the longest between a British town or city and one in a combatant or “enemy” country.

Louisa Dean, Reading Borough Council’s head of communications, said: “The special connection between our two cities began with our former Mayor Phoebe Cusden, who initiated the exchange of young people in 1947.

“Phoebe Cusden is still highly

CCTV released following indecent exposure

CONTEST: How can we celebrate the link-up with our German neighbours using photographs? Picture: Wikiemedia Commons regarded by Düsseldorf and her endeavours to help and support the city have never been forgotten.

“This year we mark the 75 anniversary of this special relationship – the perfect opportunity to celebrate the long history of our friendship and cooperation, built up and supported by the Reading Düsseldorf Association.”

As well as representatives from Düsseldorf visiting in June, representatives from Reading will visit the city for reciprocal events.

Düsseldorf will also hold a competition, with the winners

winning a visit to Reading.

Celebrations will take place in Düsseldorf from Friday-Sunday, June 10-12, and in Reading two weeks later, from Saturday-Sunday, June 25-26.

You can enter your photographs in the competition by posting them to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the hashtag #b4friendship.

Alternatively, you can email photograph entries to communications@reading.gov.uk.

The deadline for entries is Friday, June 24.

n For more information, visit: www. reading.gov.uk

Nearly 9 in 10 offered first choice primary

By JAKE CLOTHIER news@rdg.today ALMOST nine in 10 Reading parents were offered their first preference of primary school for their child this year.

School places were offered on Tuesday, April 19, to children due to begin school this September.

Brighter Futures for Children, which delivers education services in Reading, has released its figures for which preferences it was able to offer.

Eighty-nine per cent of parents have been offered their first place choice.

Though this is around 1% down from 2021, pupil numbers have increased by more than 2%.

Deborah Glassbrook, executive director of children’s services at BFfC, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer so many Reading families a place for their child in one of their three preferred primary schools this year.

“And almost 90% have been offered their first preference.”

BBfC’s figures show that 6.5% of children were given their second preference, meaning only one in 20 was given a third preference or lower.

Only one in 50 pupils were offered a divert option, or a school that was not on their list.

Across England, 92% were given their first preference, with Reading trailing by just over 2%.

A significant drop in pupil numbers overall meant that local authorities were able to make a higher proportion

of first-preference offers in England.

However the number of pupils applying in Reading increased from 1800 in 2021 to 1844.

Ms Glassbrook said: “It is such an exciting time for families when their children start primary school and we send our very best wishes to them for their big day in September.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our wonderful primary schools in Reading for all their amazing hard work over the last two challenging years.”

There were also 148 pupils who applied for transfer from infant to junior school before the deadline this year.

Reading only has two schools where this is necessary, but all 148 were given their first preference.

THAMES Valley Police has released a CCTV image of a man officers would like to speak to as he may have vital information regarding an incident of exposure in Henley.

The incident occurred at 8pm on Tuesday, April 19, in Remenham Lane, Aston, Henley. A man was seen to be inappropriately touching himself in public.

Investigating officer PC Helen Craven, based at Bracknell police station, said: “We would like to appeal to anybody who recognises the man in this image to please get in touch as we believe he may have information in connection with this incident.

“You can get in touch by either making a report online or by calling 101 quoting reference number 43220169288.

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

Attempted burglary in Coley A THIEF attempted to break into a Coley home.

The incident took place sometime between 6pm on Monday, April 18, and 12.30pm on Tuesday April 19.

Thames Valley Police said the burglar tried to gain access to the property in Bath Road by smashing glass on the front door.

Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage is asked to contact the police via 101, or online, quoting reference number: 43220167585.

READING TODAY Family Notices Your wording

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Send your forms to: Family notices, Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please enclose payment by cheque, made out to The Wokingham Paper Ltd. Payments may also be made by card over the phone.

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Brewery celebrates Easter with an axe ... but not to grind

By Phil Creighton news@wokingham.today A WEEKEND of beer and fun was held at a Reading brewery over Easter weekend.

Meadow Road-based Phantom Brewing Co held the event to celebrate the launch of several new beers.

As well as street food and the chance to sample the new drinks, the company also offered entertainment including axe throwing and a cinema.

The fun started with a cheese and wine evening, held in conjunction with Stanlake Park and the Grumpy Goat.

As well as the beers brewed on site, the company offered some from Ukraine. All profits from their sale went back to our European country.

On Good Friday, the brewery held a cocktail night, with a bit of help from Reading town centre cocktail bar Milk. This was to help celebrate the launch of a new chocolate stout Phatom was trying.

Brewer Matt Crook said: “It was a small batch that kind of fitted within Easter theme. It is a 4.1% session chocolate stout.

“We like to do experiments on things and mess

Graham (left) of Flying Iron Co. and Alistair and Karim in the background

Matt Crook from Phantom Brewery in Reading, celebrating the launch of four new beers Pictures: Dijana Capan/DVision around to see what we can do.”

On the Saturday, it launched Alien Reproduction, based on an ale it brewed last year and was 8%.

To celebrate people were able to throw some axes and enjoy Greek street food.

Easter Sunday was more relaxed, with movies shown on a big screen and barbecue available.

“We really enjoy doing weekends like this, “ Mr Crook said. “We’re out there, having fun.”

Samaritans welcome £1,000 donation

By DANIEL BLACKHAM news@rdg.today

A READING charity has received a welcome boost to its finances after welcoming a donation of £1,000.

The Reading Samaritans were granted the funds by the John Sykes Foundation as part of its Covid-19 Relief Fund initiative.

The charity is a recognised branch of the national Samaritans charity and offers support to those experiencing distress or despair, including those who may be at risk of suicide.

They provide a range of services including a confidential telephone and email service, and face-to-face support.

The grant of £1,000 will be used to support continuous development for existing volunteers by hosting several training sessions featuring external speakers Elizabeth Hayes, trustee and branch coordinator at Reading Samaritans, said: “Continuous development is an important part of training, and helps volunteers to remain up to date with best practice.

“We have been unable to hold inperson training during the pandemic

but with this grant we plan to hold sessions on several topics of concern to many of our callers.

“These topics will include self-harm, bereavement and trauma to be held off site at larger venues to enable social distancing.”

The charity currently has 97 volunteers with more undergoing initial training through the first half of this year.

Prior to the pandemic, the Reading Samaritans typically delivered 12 continuous development sessions each year.

However, due to social distancing, and the need to focus on delivering basic training, no in-person sessions have taken place.

All volunteers are expected to complete at least one ongoing training session, provided by the branch, which is monitored to ensure all fulfil this requirement.

Ms Hayes says delivering the training is crucial to retaining volunteers for the long term.

She said: “Providing engaging and relevant ongoing training is an important part of volunteer retention - we have had a decrease in overall

volunteer numbers during the pandemic as we have not been able to replace volunteers due to decreased training capacity for new recruits.

“It is therefore essential that we provide good quality training, to ensure we can maintain capacity within the branch to deliver our services within the local community”.

Following the presentation of the cheque John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees at the John Sykes Foundation, said: “During these very difficult times the John Sykes Foundation has been aware of the increased needs of local charities due to the increased workload combined with a lack of funding from their usual sources.

“We are delighted to present a cheque for £1,000 to Reading Samaritans to help them support people in need across the town and deliver the relevant training to the volunteers.”

For more information on Reading Samaritans, visit: samaritans.org n To learn more about the John Sykes Foundation, or to apply for one of the Covid-19 Relief Fund grants, visit: johnsykesfoundation.org

BLUEBELL WALKS RUSHALL FARM, BRADFIELD BACK LANE, BRADFIELD, RG7 6DL - SIGNPOSTED FROM A340

Two Weekends!

23rd and 24th & 30th April and 1st May

11am - 5pm

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English Bluebells 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

www.msreading.org.uk

A registered charity in England and Wales (1139257) and Scotland (SC041990) and a company limited by guarantee (07451571)

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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Launchpad asks children to make a splash for cash

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today A CHARITY is hoping its supporters will splash out this summer … by getting in the pool.

FAIR’S FAIR: Reading Mayor (second from left) Cllr Rachel Eden at the New Beginnings spring fair on Saturday, pictured with Isabelle Six (Organiser & Trustee), Ben Bryant (Staff member) and Sophie Kimber (Trustee) Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision

Fair adds funds to cafe PEOPLE leapt into action to help a town centre charity on Saturday, as it held is first-ever spring fair.

New Beginnings, based in the former Queens Arms pub in Great Knollys Street, organised the event to raise much-needed funds for its work.

It works to alleviate poverty and financial hardship across the town, offering support, clothing and meals to those who need it, as well as practical support.

There were a range of stalls for visitors to enjoy, including a bottle tombola, bric-a-brac, cakes and books.

Children could take part in a treasure hunt, and there was a barbecue and an afternoon tea to enjoy.

The event was opened by the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden.

A spokesperson for New Beginnings said: “It was

a great success.

“This was the first fair we had organised and we raised a total of £2,400.”

Proceeds will go towards its all day cafe.

This is a free service for the community to enjoy, with hot and cold drinks provided, along with a selection of biscuits and cakes, as well as a chance to chat and enjoy a friendly face.

The project is looking for volunteer drivers. n For more details, log on to: https://newbeginningsreading. org/

Launchpad, which aims to tackle causes of homelessness in Reading, is asking youngsters aged eight to 16 to swim 68 lengths of a swimming pool across the month of June.

This is the charity’s first fundraising challenge aimed at the age group, and the length total has been chosen to reflect the number of people that the charity supports each month.

The lengths can be completed in any pool, be it at school, a leisure centre, part of their swimming lessons or even, if they have one, at home.

And children don’t have to do all 68 lengths – the number is set by themselves. The only caveat is they must complete the challenge by the end of June.

To help children prepare for the challenge, Reading Borough Council’s leisure centre partner Better is offering a free swimming session at one

CHALLENGE: The Swim 68 logo Picture: Launchpad Reading of three pools in the area. And when they sign up, participants will also receive a special Launchpad silicone swimming hat and a swim tracker poster to tick off the lengths as they go.

The charity can wait for people to dive in and get behind the challenge.

Its head of marketing and fundraising, Kirsti Wilson, said: “We help 68 people in Reading get back on their feet every month – and our services do this in lots of different ways.

“We give rough sleepers a safe place to sleep in our supported housing and our teams also help anyone in the community who is worried about losing their home.

Launchpad 135 is our work and life skills centre and it offers people who were homeless the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence and get back into work.

“By taking part in this new and exciting challenge, children and young people in Reading will raise vital funds to ensure we can continue providing these vital services for local people in need. We are delighted to be working with Better, and local schools and parents in the area, to encourage eightto 16-year-olds to take on the challenge, make a splash for cash and help homeless people.

“And we can’t wait to see the youth of Reading sporting our bright orange swim hats.”

Launchpad are asking each swimmer to raise a minimum of £150 – either by filling out sponsorship forms or via JustGiving. If just 100 children take on this challenge, they could raise as much as £15,000 to support the charity’s work with people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

n For more details, or to sign up, log on to: launchpadredading.org. uk/swim68

Autism Berkshire teams up with Jelly to bring the arts to Prospect Park AUTISM Berkshire has teamed up with arts charity Jelly to bring the arts to Prospect Park.

After being awarded £7,800 of funding from the Let’s Create Jubilee Fund, the charities have announced a series of workshops.

Autistic children and their siblings will be invited to take part in art workshops to inspire their creativity.

Their work will then be incorporated into a new artwork for the Prospect Park Pavilion.

The art will be part of the pavilion’s current £500,000 refurbishments, which will also see an accessible play and activity hub added.

Autism Berkshire’s chief executive officer, Jane Stanford-Beale, said:

“We would like to thank Berkshire Community Foundation and Arts Council England for giving autistic children the chance to play a part in creating a piece of art that will serve as a fantastic permanent reminder of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and the borough council for their backing for the project.”

The Let’s Create Jubilee Fund is administered by UK Community Foundations on behalf of the Arts Council, and supported by National Lottery players.

It is being distributed to community organisations across the south to support a range of events and activities celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

Darren Henley, the chief executive of Arts Council England, said “The fund is a wonderful example of our ambition to give everyone the opportunity to participate in and experience the arts, culture and creativity.”

Autism Berkshire and Jelly are two of a number of community organisations in Reading which have been given jubilee funding, including Thames Hospice and the Reading Refugee Support Group.

It is the leading autism charity in Berkshire, supporting people with autism through specialist services, training, and activities. n For more information, visit: www.

AutismBerkshire.org.uk

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

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LGBTQ+ rights groups criticise uni’s conversion therapy lecture

By JAKE CLOTHIER Queer correspondent

LGBTQ+ organisations have criticised Reading University for hosting a lecture by Dr Holly Lawford-Smith on Monday, amid a protest on campus.

Rights advocacy groups across Reading and Berkshire submitted an open letter to Reading University, including Reading Pride, Club FOD, and Support U. Dr Lawford-Smith was invited to speak to law students on campus by Rosa Freedman, professor of law, conflict, and global development at the university.

The lecture, titled Who put the GI in SOGI, challenged the inclusion of gender identity in the banning of conversion therapy.

She argues that while conversion therapy has been proven harmful and dangerous when used to change sexual orientation, there is no substantial evidence that it is as harmful for gender identity.

The open letter argues that many are concerned that the university could be failing to support its trans students by not putting adequate safeguards in place.

It also noted that conversion therapy “is a practice

DEBATE: The lecture given by Dr Holly Lawford-Smith, which admitted that conversion therapy was harmful in the case of sexual orientation, was criticised by rights advocacy groups Picture: Phil Creighton medical professionals agree causes harm and long-term psychological damage.

“It has a pre-determined outcome- to fix what is perceived as broken.

“But we in the LGBT+ community are not broken.”

The organisations requested that consent for the lecture to take place on campus was revoked and challenged representatives to meet with LGBTQ+ communities and groups to discuss further action.

This was not actioned, and the lecture went ahead.

Dr Lawford-Smith, associate professor of political philosophy at the University of Melbourne, went ahead with the talk, referring to gender identity being included with sexual orientation in conversion

therapy.

It comes just three weeks after a protest was held by the organisations in Reading, which rallied against the government’s failure to include gender identity in its conversion therapy ban.

It also comes two years after the university was ranked in Stonewall UK’s top 100 list of best employers for equality and inclusivity.

Dr Lawford-Smith has previously been criticised for arguing that trans activism creates a “conflict of interest” with women’s rights, though she notes that this is not the case with men’s rights.

In the letter, advocacy groups argued that those “subjected to the torture that is conversion therapy” are not having their

voices heard.

They say: “It is clear that conversion therapy should be banned for all, regardless of sexuality or gender identity.

“There is nothing to fix – except this dangerous culture war which sets out to divide us and which is being given a platform at the University of Reading.”

A spokesperson for the University said: “Academic freedom is written into our Royal Charter, and we are committed to freedom of speech.

“We exist to allow people to further understanding, to explore ideas, and foster discussion, particularly in areas of contemporary relevance.

“The internal academic seminar, organised by the school of law, is focused on the development of new laws on the use of conversion therapy for sexual orientation and gender identity in Australia and the UK.” They explained that the event has been reviewed against their external speaker policy, and those speaking will be obliged to abide by the university’s code of conduct.

“We are committed to providing equal opportunities and non-discriminatory treatment for all, particularly with regards to gender reassignment,

sex or sexual orientation.”

Reading University Students’ Union also released a statement which echoed the open letter.

The statement reads: “RUSU believes in welcoming free speech and allowing students and staff to express their views and engage in conversation.

“We also want to be creating welcoming and safe spaces for all students, “If we or the university choose to hold a talk on such a topical matter, we feel it is important that speakers from both sides of the platform are in attendance to maintain balance, and to have open conversation.”

It explains that the union has also raised concerns with the university about safeguarding and whether “correct procedure” was followed.

In the open letter, Reading Pride, SupportU, and Club FOD acknowledged the need for open debate and freedom of speech.

“We champion freedom of expression, but echo concerns raised by students that both Lawford-Smith and Freedman’s personal opinions, campaigns, and biases should not unnecessarily encroach into lecture theatres.

“We implore the university to do the right thing for its students and for Reading.”

The Light in the Lens Exhibition to open in Green Park next week A NEW exhibition opening in south Reading next week will showcase photographs transformed by light into unique and dramatic pieces writes Ji-Min Lee. Created and supported

by The Photographic Angle, the collection will explore the role light plays in photography, bringing to life characters, wildlife, architecture and more besides.

Each image tells its own, pertinent story through highlights, contrast and lightshadow interaction.

Visitors will be challenged to look deeper than what first meets the eye.

“I am forever chasing light,” The Photographic Angle notes in its social media posts quoting Australian photographer Trent Parke.

“Light turns the ordinary into the magical.”

The exhibition, called The Light In The Lens, will take place at 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park from Wednesday, May 4 to Sunday, May 8.

It is open from 10am to 3pm and entry is free. n For more details, call 0800 0287338 or visit: www. thephotographicangle.co.uk

Become a Shared Lives Carer and change the life of a vulnerable adult We are recruiting carers who can offer support and companionship to help vulnerable adults reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives.

To find out more visit www.reading.gov.uk/adult-care/carers/shared-lives-carers

Could you offer: - Full-time care –

Where the adult lives with you in your home and is treated like family.

Pay varies between £178.94 per week – £299.67 P/W depending on the level of need of the individual you support.

You would also receive Rent and contributions towards utilities and food provisions, approx. £144.98 per week.

- Overnight/respite care –

Where the adult stays in your home for a short period of time to give their permanent carers a break.

Pay varies between £51.80 - £60.00 per night (you would not be required to stay awake during the night).

- Day support –

You would provide support from your home and support an adult to take part in social and leisure activities, out in the community.

Pay varies between £25.90 - £30.00 per half session (3.5 hrs) or £51.80 - £60.00 per session (4 – 6 hrs).

Although carers are self-employed, they are recruited and supported by the Shared ives Scheme.

We offer ongoing training and support to all our Carers: To find out more call: 0118 937 3700 or email: sharedlives@reading.gov.uk

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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 27, 2022

VEGAN FIESTA Pictures: Dijana Capan/Dvision

Vegans get their chance to Spar

Members of the Reading Hunt Sabs held an information stall

Soy Ahoy served a range of tasty vegan meals for people to try Malayan vegan food was a popular choice

Now taking registrations

There were plenty of tempting treats to try

The Vegan Fiesta attracted large crowds

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

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The Reading Vegan Fiesta at Forbury Gardens was run by Sarah and Simon Zeneli from

Stallholders, musicians and campaigners came together in Forbury Gardens for the event which celebrated a meat- and dairy-free diet.

It was organised by Sarah Zeneli, who is also behind a vegan festival which will take place in the town centre in September.

She was thrilled with how it went.

“It was fantastic,” she said. “It was the first time we’d held the fiesta and we weren’t sure how it was going to go, but we had a fantastic turn out.

“Some of the stalls sold out, and the charity stalls raised lots of money as well.”

Ms Zeneli said that it was part of a wider trend of people taking up the vegan lifestyle, and the number of people attending her events – which includes a monthly market in Wokingham town centre – is steadily increasing.

“There is a demand there.

I think everybody knows someone who is vegan, even if they’re not vegan themselves,” she said.

“We have lots of people coming who are vegan, or want to find out more about veganism, or just wanting a good day out.

“They were able to try

Reading Today 23rd April 2022; Reading Vegan Fiesta at Forbury Gardens by Sparkle Vegan Events; the different, amazing vegan products we had on offer. I think they can see how delicious it is, and they won’t be missing out if they have a vegan lifestyle.”

This included people having a vegan day once a week, or cutting back on their meat intake.

The event on Saturday had a welcoming atmosphere Ms Zeneli said.

“I had so many people come up to me, saying how they loved the nice relaxed vibe, and everyone was friendly,” she added.

“We had yoga sessions on the grass, people were sitting and eating the foods they’d bought from the stalls. It was a real family-friendly and relaxed day.

“I think people were just so pleased to have something to

do after covid lockdowns, and to have a nice day out.”

She is now making plans for September’s Vegan Festival and hopes to announce the date for next year’s vegan fiesta.

“We’ve been asked to do more events in central Reading, which is why we launched the fiesta,” Ms Zeneli explained. “Seeing how well this year’s went, and the all the positive comments we’ve received, we’re definitely doing it again.

“We’ll hopefully announce a date for next year, which will probably be around the same time.” n The Sparkle Vegan Festival will take place on Saturday, September 17. For more details, log on to: www. sparkleveganevents.com

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

VEGAN FIESTA

rkle thanks to fiesta

Royal Berkshire NHS Trust given health literacy award

The LILAC award was given to the Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust Library and Services team, left, and chief people officer Don Fairley, right.

Picture courtesy of Royal Berkshire BHS Foundation Trust

By JAKE CLOTHIER news@wokingham.today THE ROYAL Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the LILAC Conference Information Literacy award.

Simon Williams provided some musical entertainment for the attendees

Sparkle Vegan Events

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‘Fake’ beef and onion pies were available to buy

It was given the award to recognise its library and knowledge services, which collaborated on a pilot project promoting health literacy in over-16s in schools.

Health literacy describes the ability of a person or group to use and understand information and services to make informed decisions about their health.

Figures shared by the trust show that 43% of people in England are considered health illiterate, and rising to 61% when

including lack of numeracy, the ability to read health data.

Victoria Harrison, deputy library and knowledge services manager, said: “We really appreciate the recognition of our project.

“It’s been fantastic to see the impact that our work has had, and the team has gained such an understanding of how we should be targeting health information.

“We’ve already started presenting our learnings to other libraries, and we have more plans for how to develop the project in the future.”

The Royal Berkshire Trust funded the project through a bid to the Health Education Committee.

It aimed to raise awareness of health information in the young people and their tutors alongside raising the profile of health literacy more broadly.

It is also providing training to students and clinicians based on the project’s work, with similar schemes now being developed elsewhere.

Don Fairley, chief people officer at the Trust, said “This award is a great reflection of the dedication and innovation that our library and knowledge services display and of what can be achieved when we work together with other organisations like the Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

“I’m particularly keen to see where this project goes next.”

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The leader interviews 2022 ‘My priority is tackling inequalities. Everyone should share in Reading’s success’

M

Y day one priority for Reading is to really get cracking with targeted work to tackle inequalities in our town - we need to ensure people can share in Reading’s success.”

That’s the promise of the party’s leader Cllr Jason Brock, who is standing for re-election in Southcote on May 5.

“It is unacceptable to me that Reading is the third most unequal place in the country and we need to get to grips with that. For me, that is my entire reason for getting into politics.”

Cllr Brock has led the council since 2019, taking over from Jo Lovelock, and tackling this has been one of his priorities.

In recent times, Reading has mostly had a Labour-run council and there are some concerns that the party has run out of steam. Opposition parties have raised concerns, particularly over the late filing of accounts. Cllr Brock feels that some of this is from opposition parties not understanding how council finances work.

On the accounts “there were technical issues” five years ago which didn’t affect the way the council was run, and new improved systems are coming on stream.

“We’re about to sign off the 2019/20 unqualified accounts, and that will bring

us up to date with every other local authority in Berkshire,” he said, adding that the latest accounts can’t be resolved until the Windsor and Maidenhead council sign off the Berkshire Pension Fund accounts. “(The late filing was) an historic issue, I’m glad we’ve managed to make changes and improvements. But the proof in the pudding is when you see the investments being made across Reading.

“That’s evidence of our competence with finances and prudence over a number of years that’s allowed us to build up to this position.”

He added that the council now has a robust reserves position that allows the council to invest in everything from leisure centres to railway stations, as well as improving road quality.

“Reading has been innovative, and it’s been cautious but ambitious at the same time,” Cllr Brock said. “And that’s allowed us to be in the top third of financially robust local authorities in the country.”

If re-elected, Reading Labour plans to build 300 council homes over the next four years. Is this figure too low?

“It’s a very ambitious target,” Cllr Brock says. “It’s as many as were built in the entirety of the year 2004, across the entire country. But I would like to do more. The government imposes a series of financial restrictions upon local authorities and deprived us of funding over the past decades, taking tens of millions of pounds away from our annual budget - that really constrains our ability to build more, more quickly.”

He added that identifying sites was a problem, but hoped to add to the 300 total in time.

To help tackle the climate emergency, the council has zero-carbon policies in place - Cllr brock says they are “the most stringent requirements in the country”.

“We’re very firm with developers when they apply to us for planning permission that they have to meet those requirements,” he said. “ Ideally, we want as many environmental mitigations built into housing in the borough as possible.”

With new housing comes a need for

more cars on the road. Recent works in Caversham has seen excessive jams across the town, and similar situations occur if the M4 has to close. Is this something we must put up with in Reading?

“In order to mitigate them we need to change people’s travelling habits,” Cllr Brock said. “I entirely acknowledge there is work for us to do as councillors, and as a council, to provide the means for people to make that kind of shift.”

That includes using the funding from the government to enhance Reading Buses’ services “so that it’s fast, affordable and everybody is able to access it wherever they live in the town”.

And cyclists can look forward to schemes to help on Shinfield Road and Bath Road.

“We know that in order to reduce congestion, we need to get people out of their cars, particularly for those shorter journeys, the kind of journeys which are not necessary, and get them thinking about whether they can walk whether they can use the bus whether they can cycle and provide the means to make that as easy as possible,” he said.

He also has hopes that a third crossing over the River Thames could be agreed - finally - with South Oxfordshire Council, ending people using Reading as a rat run.

“We need neighbouring authorities to come on board with us to make that a proper success,” he said.

On the cost of living, Cllr Brock says that Labour was the only party nationally to have a serious policy to tackle the crisis. Locally it had been active by providing energy and food vouchers for those on low incomes, and enhancing the council tax support scheme.

“Those on low incomes will have lower expenditure in the forthcoming year and beyond,” he added. “But these are short-term fixes. We need to ensure that everybody in Reading can share in the town’s economic success.

“We’re announcing a big programme of targeted work in the neighbourhoods that are most in need of support to ensure that residents can access the economic opportunities, employment opportunities and play a full share of the economic success in Reading.”

This includes support and training for apprenticeships and similar schemes.

Also helping residents will be the council’s plans to spend £32 million over several years to retrofit green energy solutions onto its housing stock.

“It’s a big construction job,” Cllr Brock admits. “Residents will see the benefits in lowered energy bills, and it helps the environment. It also sets an example to other landlords.”

Another example the council hopes to set is its rent guarantee scheme, so when people on the housing register are placed with private landlords, the landlords are guaranteed the agreed sum.

“It means we’ve been able to get our housing register down. A few years ago, the housing waiting list was 10,000.

Today, it’s about 4,500. There’s still a lot of work to do, but we’ve made great strides by being innovative.”

Cllr Brock is hoping that in this allout election, where residents have to vote for all seats on the council, they will place their three votes for Labour candidates: “If you look at our plethora of candidates, you will see people from all of Reading’s different communities, we are diverse, and we are representative of Reading. And because of that, we also care passionately about Reading,” he said.

“We’re residents like you, we want to give back to our community. We want to serve you and we want to work with you. And that’s why you can have trust in us.”

He added: “Because Reading is our home, we’re ambitious for it. We’ve taken the town to national and global recognition for its work to tackle the climate crisis. Our economy is booming, despite all the challenges, regularly rated as one of the strongest in the UK. “And only Labour have the candidates to deliver for it, and I hope that your vote for us on Thursday, May 5, because a vote for Labour is a vote for a council that will work with you and work for you and a council that will deliver what is best for Reading.”

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Out with the old, and in with New Door

N

EW DOOR Real Estate is kicking the old habits that many estate agents tend to stick to. It’s a property management company that sets its focus on its clients, not its numbers.

New Door’s Directors Lisa Goddard and Danielle Murray say that their personable approach is what makes business better for their customers. “For us, property management is about sustaining a relationship going forward, and having open lines of communication with our landlords and tenants," Lisa explains.

"We're a boutique firm – but our smaller team doesn't mean we're not able to provide the service you'd expect from larger companies."

Danielle adds the company is "proud to have such a warm, friendly relationship with all of our clients. We’re laid back, but skilled in what we do. Our clients know that we're always just on the other end of the phone."

throat perspective when it comes to property management and sales.

"We're immensely proud of being female-led and by taking a different approach we believe it really sets us apart from your regular big corporate estate agents” explains Lisa. “We took our time to do our research and we were shocked to discover that a staggering 49% of British landlords are in-fact women with only 13% of estate agents companies being owned by women.”

New Door isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to property management. They simply believe it can be done by taking a softer, adaptable approach. They’re also upfront about fees which can often be bones of contention where estate agents are concerned. New Door’s ethos of being open with costs from the getgo means clients are never surprised by hidden, extra or unanticipated costs. With three transparent service levels to choose from, landlords know what to expect from the moment they

New Door shrugs off what some might feel can be at times a cut-

New Door’s Directors Lisa Goddard and Danielle Murray Pictures: Daijna Capan

sign up and there are options to suit everyone’s budget.

From a landlord’s perspective, New Door might feel very different when compared to other property management companies. "It's not always about getting that hard sale; it’s about the bits in between that you can't measure and where we can help landlords on their journey" explains Danielle.

The company also looks to support the community, through sponsorships and other ventures.

They’re passionate about local events and aim to maintain strong relationships within and around their focus areas. “Community and strong partnerships are really important to us" stresses Lisa.

persona of an estate agent can sometimes be construed less positively and they really are passionate about doing everything they can to change this. By looking at properties through the eyes of those who live in or own them, Lisa and Danielle realise that houses are homes and not just bricks and mortar. They’d love to help anyone in or around the Reading and Wokingham areas find happiness with their special places and would love to talk about how that might be possible. � For more information, or to get in touch with New Door, visit them online at www.newdoor.co.uk or call 07359 238 373.

New Door understands the

Call us on 0735 923 8373 www.new-door.co.uk admin@new-door.co.uk

cft

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‘Conservatives will put Reading, Residents would see a its prosperity, its economy, and its ran the council says its people first in everything we do’

A

CONSERVATIVE-RUN Reading Council could sort out the number of homes that have to be built in the town – because they would be better placed to talk to the current government.

Cllr Clarence Mitchell, the leader of Reading Conservatives, said that if they were elected to power on May 5, they would have a better chance of having its voice being considered fairly in Whitehall.

“Traditionally, a Labour Council tends to be somewhat, shall we say, antagonistic towards a Conservative government. As a result, the collaborative discussions that should be taking place often don’t really happen in as the effective way they should,” he said.

The party would want to build more social housing, saying that the 300 homes over four years was “a little unambitious” and if the Conservatives were in charge, that number would be increased.

“Reading has fantastic potential,” Cllr Mitchell said. “It certainly does need more affordable homes, and it needs more family homes as well. The question is where and how, and what level of community support.

“This administration has been in charge for a very long time, and they are showing signs of being somewhat complacent, and frankly tired.”

An example of this, Cllr Mitchell said is how Reading Labour ‘turned on a sixpence’ over plans to build homes on Reading Golf Club. Last year, the scheme was turned down, this a revised proposal was accepted.

“The vast majority of people in the ward, and in the area, opposed it, the sheer scale of the development. By approving it, Labour has made many people in Emmer Green, Caversham and the areas north of the river, absolutely despondent that their views are just not listened to by this administration,” Cllr Mitchell said.

“We would make sure that community support exists for housing.

“We’re not against housing per se, but it has to have community support for it to be a successful scheme that benefits not just those people who are able to live there, but the community they’ll be moving into.”

So if Reading Conservatives have such a strong view on housing, why isn’t it mentioned in their manifesto?

Cllr Mitchell said that the party supports the development of brownfield sites, and they are against unsustainable development.

“All our candidates are more than happy to discuss that in greater detail, as with any of the policy areas that we touch on in our manifesto. It’s not that we’re not including it, it is simply one of many policies that we would want to bring to Reading to improve life for everybody here.

“We will always put Reading, its prosperity, its economy, and its people first in everything we say and do.”

Roads is a topic mentioned in the party’s manifesto, under a section headed transport and infrastructure. The party feels that Reading Labour has taken a

stance that is hostile towards motorists.

“Our vision is for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists to continue enjoying their lifestyle and the way that they choose to get around, we fully support active travel,” Cllr Mitchell said. “We also support the poor car user.

“For too long, most drivers, many of whom are working people that need to get about for their business, tell us that they feel victimised by this council.”

He said this includes cycle lanes being brought in “that frankly don’t work” such as in Sidmouth Street, while more work needed to be done to tackle roadworks, calling for “basic planning” to take place, citing the roadworks in Caversham as a recent example, causing huge tailbacks.

“We would plan that, should we be in charge, important work is done on a realistic basis, such as overnight, at quieter periods, and at weekends.”

Another policy would be working to champion a third bridge over the River Thames.

“As a Conservative-led council, we would be in a much stronger position to negotiate with surrounding Conservativeled councils, for them to understand the rationale behind it, and how it would alleviate the congestion that, frankly, is endemic in Reading, always has been, and it needs to be rectified,” he said.

“In essence, we want to see the car, the driver, being able to cohabitate successfully with all of the other means of transport that we already have.”

On the cost of living, Cllr Mitchell took exception to suggestions that Conservatives don’t care about the issue.

“We are acutely aware of the cost-ofliving crisis that’s facing us all. It is not down to the Conservative government.

The Labour literature that I’ve seen most recently calls it the Tory cost of living crisis, which is an appalling slur. It’s just not true,” he said, pointing out that it was a global set of issues.

Even so, the government had been taking steps to tackle things, such as raising the National Insurance threshold which would make 30 million people better off by £330 a year. Others would be helped by the Council Tax discount, the 5p reduction in fuel duty on petrol, an increase in the national living wage, and changes to the Universal Credit taper.

He added: “Labour is charging residents the highest council tax in Berkshire. Why is that when Conservative-run councils are charging a lower council tax, or lower increases and providing even better services?

“A central plank of our manifesto is that we would always fight for a lower council tax here in Reading. People do not deserve to be charged so much for the level of service they receive.

“We do see the pressures that everyone is facing, I know many people are very, very worried about how they are going to make ends meet. Locally we will do all we can.

The one thing that would be in our power is to make sure your council tax bills come down.”

With council finances, Cllr Mitchell acknowledged that the government had reduced the grant sent to Reading in recent years: “We have to live within the real world - and the real world is that the government is making those cost cuts for efficiency reasons,” he said.

“We would continue to argue for a greater share of the pie, if you like, for Reading. Our scale of our population justifies a larger grant funding, and that’s a discussion that we would have to have with Mr Gove.

“But we also argue that locally money can be spent better. This year, the council presented itself as running a balanced budget with everything is wonderful. The reality is the council was only able to do so because of covid support grants from central government. So, we’re attacked for cutting the monies, but it’s gratefully received to balance the budget, but no credit is given.

“There are an awful lot of assumptions being made about money that will be coming in from various sources in the budget. And that’s why we didn’t support it this year.”

He said new systems being brought into the council would help with its accounts, but the extra auditing fees have amounted to nearly £2 million.

“That’s your money, it’s not the council’s.

That could have gone towards keeping council tax lower,” he said. “Reading needs to manage its finances better rather than saying it’s all central government.”

Cllr Mitchell said that if the Conservatives were elected to run the council on May 6, the first thing he would do would be to take stock of the council’s situation, meeting with senior officers to ensure he had a “complete snapshot”.

“That would be a performance improvement plan to assess where things are working, and where they’re not working. And then we would focus on delivering the priorities that we’ve outlined in our manifesto.”

He added: “If the good people of Reading are generous enough to give us the opportunity to run the council, they can rest assured that we will not rest in making Reading an even better place to live for everyone.”

I

F READING elected a Green-run council, people would see the difference, according to its leader Cllr Rob White.

He said that the Labour-run council has become complacent.

“They don’t listen to residents,” he continued. “People say they only see their Labour councillors at election time.

“In Reading, poverty is going up, Labour isn’t getting to grips with climate change, and they’re failing on bread-and-butter issues like flytipping and graffiti.

“Greens are working hard all year round. We’re knocking on doors, we’re talking to residents to improve the local area.”

And this, he said, has led to some successes: “We have already achieved much as a small group.

We’ve got the council to become a living wage employer, to develop a climate change strategy, and we’ve been standing up for residents against destructive schemes like Labour’s plan to build a road by the Thames.”

But he says there’s more to be done, such as an insulation scheme to cut energy bills, and protecting green spaces.

The party has turned Park Ward into a Green stronghold in recent years, and is currently the thirdlargest on the council, overtaking the Lib Dems.

Cllr White acknowledges that the party is unlikely to win overall control of the council in this year’s election, but hoping to overtake the Conservatives and become the main opposition.

“The Green Party is growing,” he said, adding that he felt the party had a “realistic chance” of seeing it take at least nine seats.

“I see us as a party that’s holding Labour to account and improving their decisions,” he said. “I would love to see us running the council.

“Our manifesto is an indication of our priorities … We will keep working for a greener, fairer town.”

One of the ways the party would seek to do this is by “pushing to sort out the financial mess the council is in”.

“The council has hollowed out the financial team,” he said. “Trying to unpick that and get the accounts signed off is a big job. We can move forward and stop throwing good money after bad.

“Councillors wasted over £1m on accountants to try and sort this problem. That’s money that could have been spent on children’s centres, improve roads, or insulating housing. That money has been wasted.”

Cllr White’s desire for more Green representation also stems from the way in which he feels Labour

conducts itself in council meetings.

“Anyone who’s ever attended a Reading Council meeting will probably have seen a fair amount of rudeness and abuse dished out from Labour councillors. I don’t think Labour listens,” he said.

“I think they have a very arrogant, we know best attitude, and they steamroller through the things they want to steamroller through. However, the more Greens we get elected, the more they have to listen, the more they see that people are fed up with their ‘we know best’ attitude.”

There are 12 pledges in the Green party’s manifesto. Among them are sections devoted to housing – but with Whitehall dictating policy, how feasible is it to be able to fix it?

“It’s definitely an uphill challenge when you’re up against the government,” he said. “We need to be making the case for more affordable and more council housing, because those are the challenges we have in Reading.

“I speak to people all the time that are unfortunately having to move away from the town because they just can’t afford the housing that there is.”

He wanted the council to revert to its previous policy of 50% affordable housing for new developments, rather than 30%.

“We think the council needs to keep making the case to the government and developers to fight tooth and nail for our residents,” he said, adding that the council’s legal team needed to be well resourced to tackle developers with large resources when they lodge planning applications, adding this means “they can put up more of a fight and get the best deal for residents”.

He added: “A Green-run council would do our best to make sure there was affordable housing for our residents.”

For rented accommodation, Cllr White wanted landlords to be licenced.

“The council has been talking about this for years, but every year they talk it’s delayed,” he said. “We think it needs to be brought in as soon as possible because there are many, many rented houses in Reading, some of which are of very poor quality, some of which create problems in the community and local area.

“We think a landlord licencing scheme is a way to drive up the quality of rented accommodation in Reading, it would be a win for people who are renting, a win for the communities.”

The Green party acknowledges that residents do need cars, but more needed to be done to tackle jams.

“Anyone who lives in Reading

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Lib Dems ‘to be a real alternative to the shenanigans in Westminster’

R

EADING’S Lib Dems offer a real alternative to the “grubby self-serving shenanigans” taking place in Westminster right now, according to its party leader, Cllr Meri O’Connell.

knows you have traffic jams all day long,” Cllr White said. “That’s cars and other vehicles kicking out loads of pollution, which people are then breathing in. We think the council needs to invest more in alternatives – in walking, cycling, in public transport.”

This includes giving pedestrians priority at crossings, joining up the cycle network so it was less fragmented, and making public transport more affordable.

“When you’ve made the alternatives to the car more attractive, then more people will use those alternatives,” he said.

For cars, he wanted to see more electric charging points rolled out, especially in terraced streets where residents did not have access to a driveway.

“Unfortunately, the council has been wasting time on schemes like a car park by the Thames,” he said.

“They’ve been wasting money on the road by the Thames - the East Reading mass rapid transit scheme.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent on that scheme, which local people and Wokingham Council objected to. That money is down the toilet.”

He said that cash could have been spent on turning parts of Reading into a low emission zone.

“We could have that it could be happening now, it could be discouraging polluting vehicles from coming through Reading.

It could be raising money for the council. But the council has been prioritising the wrong schemes, unfortunately,” Cllr White said.

On the cost of living, the Greens want to help by insulating more

homes. This, the party feels, would really help reduce energy bills.

“There are already 7,000 homes living in fuel poverty, having to choose between heating and eating,” Cllr White said. “The council admitted this number could be tripling if the correct policies aren’t put in place.”

And the party thinks insulation is better than installing solar panels or heat pumps as “it’s got the best return for your pounds spent … you need to insulate your home first or you’re just sending that heat or energy back out your doors and windows.”

Other priorities for the Greens include investment in local shopping areas. In Park Ward, Wokingham Road is, for example, clogged up with overflowing bins.

“The council needs to be investing more in the district shopping centres rather than just prioritise the town centre,” he said.

As to why people should vote Green in Reading on May 5, Cllr White said: “We’re out knocking on doors all year round, talking to, listening to, and working hard with residents to improve the town.

“We’re out there, and we’re directly having those conversations.

That makes us very, very accountable.

“Ultimately, at the election, people will vote on how they think we’ve done. We’ve always either held or increased our number of councillors. So, I think residents think that Greens are good, and doing a good job.

“I hope that we will have an increased Green group at the elections this year.”

Watch all four interviews in our exclusive election videos at rdg.today

She says that on May 5, voting for Lib Dem candidates in Reading’s local elections should be “something positive”.

“If you really want to send the government a message, if you want them to know that the current two-party system of bickering and vested interests is no longer acceptable, then vote Lib Dem,” she said, adding that in Reading the party offers a good alternative to Labour.

“We’re going to keep pushing for sensible policies that will help Reading play its part in tackling the biggest problems of our age, like the climate emergency and the cost-of-living crisis.

“We want to see better home insulation, reduce fuel costs, and increase tree planting across the borough, making this a warmer, greener, and more sustainable place to live and work.”

On housebuilding, Cllr O’Connell said that Reading has some unique problems, as a lot of big developments were taking place in neighbouring boroughs, right on the borders.

“Here in Tilehurst (her ward seat), we’ve seen West Berkshire Council build on Reading’s boundaries, which is completely legal,” she said. “What that means is the new residents use Reading’s services as Newbury is too far away.

“They’ll use the doctors, the roads, the infrastructure, and consider themselves to be part of Reading. However, we don’t receive any council tax from them, it goes back to West Berks. In effect, it means Reading is subsidising people from other areas.”

The party also wants the council to better manage land used for housing.

“The Lib Dems would always push for Reading to build on brownfield sites,” she said. “We understand why developers don’t want that, as it’s more expensive with the costs of clearing the land first, but these are spaces that are already brownfields, they’re not green open spaces.

“In an urban area like Reading, these green spaces are becoming increasingly precious.”

The party wants Reading to have a balanced housing market, with an increased number of council homes.

“For that, we’d need an increase in funds from the government,” Cllr O’Connell said.

“We’d also very much like to see the council’s sticking to its quotas for affordable housing so that when any new developments go up, an increased percentage of those properties need to be as affordable rates.

“Otherwise, you know, when our children grow up, they can’t afford to stay living in the area that they grew up in.”

The party would also seek to tackle the problem of homes being left empty, calling for the owners to pay a premium in council tax to encourage them to put the home back on the market.

On roads, Cllr O’Connell said she had had first-hand experience of the problems caused by the recent roadworks in Caversham, but said the issue – utility companies causing the closures – was a national problem, and required a different approach.

“You travel to other parts of the world, for example, in Canada, they the utilities companies have to hire the road off of the local council, and they pay for how long they are working on it,” she said.

“They pay for how many lanes they close off, how many metres of that lane they close off, they pay different prices depending on what time of day they close it off. So, what you have over there is you have works that take place incredibly quickly. Because otherwise, the utilities companies pay extra for it.”

Such a system could work well over here, she felt.

A low emission zone, one of the party’s manifesto promises, is not a way of penalising motorists, she said.

“There are times when I could have left my car at home, but I take it because it’s convenient, not because I actually need to take it,” she continued.

“Those are the types of journeys that we’re hoping a low emission zone would discourage.

“What it would actually mean is that for those people who do need to use their cars, for whom there isn’t an alternative and would actually be travelling a lot faster and a lot more efficiently. So, it could actually ended up having a very positive effect on those people who need to use their cars.”

The party would also push for 20mph zones in residential areas, aimed to making traffic flow more easily, and see more people confident in cycling.

“It’s gong to feel safer,” Cllr O’Connell explained, saying that people would not make the same errors when they’re travelling at speed.

To help tackle the cost of living, the Lib Dems would boost insulation in Reading’s homes and council properties.

“I get frustrated at the argument that we need more fossil fuels, we need more energy, when actually if we could reduce the amount that we’re using, people’s bills will not just go down in the short term, they will go down permanently,” she said.

Council finances require support from central government, and this is something Reading’s Lib Dems would like to see change.

“I think that councils of all parties have been calling on this current Conservative government to take seriously the problems that local councils are facing, we know that we have to provide certain statutory services, otherwise, we will be in breach of the law, which means that any service that is in statutory service that we don’t have to legally provide is actually in danger at the moment.

“I really, really dislike the way that we have to rely on short term funding streams, for example, the roads at the moment, hopefully you have been seeing they’ve been improving.

“We’re partway through a £9 million three-year grant that we had to improve roads. But what do we do at the end of that three years? How do we maintain the progress that we’ve been made? Or do we just have to wait for another 10 years before some funding comes in, and we see all of our roads go back to the state that they were in in the first place?

“It’s all very short termism.”

To help cashflow, Reading’s Lib Dems would want to sell off surplus council buildings, in a bid to help balance the books.

“These are very peculiar times we’re living in, and I think we’ve only really seen the beginnings of the cost-of-living crisis, I think it’s going to get a lot, lot worse before it gets any better,” she explained.

The party, if elected, would seek to run a red tape challenge, aimed at trying to save money.

“We do have a lot of antiquated roles, we have a lot of hoops that have to be jumped through. And there again, needs to be a very holistic look at these kinds of things. Where where the impacts of how one thing affects another, you know, needs to be looked at as a whole, and streamlines wherever possible,” Cllr O’Connell said, adding some things would not be cut, such as domestic abuse services.

Unsurprisingly, given she belongs to the Lib Dems, she is keen to see a change in political governance.

“I do believe Reading Labour have been there for a very long time - 30 odd years,” she said. “And I don’t think they tolerate challenge. There are only a certain few on the Labour benches that ever raised their voices.

“And in the 10 years, I’ve been doing this, I’ve never once seen any member of the Labour group either abstain or vote against their party whip. And coming from a party that encourages different viewpoints, I find that quite peculiar.

“When I’m given new information, when I’m offered an alternative way of seeing something, you know, I would like to think that I’m open to changing my point of view and coming at it from a new, fresh point of view.

“I don’t think we’ve had freshness and new points of view in Reading for a very, very long time. And that’s a shame.”

12 | NEWS

Volunteer corner Reading Voluntary Action

n Age UK Reading have been working in the local community to help older people since 1976 (Formerly as Age Concern Reading).

Age UK Reading are seeking polite and supportive volunteers with excellent communication and listening skills to help with their Activities and Social Clubs.

Tasks included may be social from: meeting and greeting clients at the door, signing them in, making them feel welcome, supporting clients during activities and lunch clubs, to more hands-on tasks like: helping set up before and clear away between sessions or preparing hot and cold refreshments. n Berkshire Women’s Aid provides support, advocacy and services to those who go to them experiencing domestic abuse.

Right now they are currently seeking female volunteers to join their Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together programme, otherwise known as DART. The programme is a 10-week session group for mothers and their children who have been subjected to domestic abuse.

The focus is on enhancing the mother/child relationship and helping them overcome the adverse effects of abuse.

They want at least two committed volunteers who can attend each week on Tuesday Afternoons from 1pm-4pm, starting from Tuesday, May 10, to Tuesday, July 19. n Citizens Advice Reading have been assisting local people with their problems since 1939.

Their services are free, independent, confidential and impartial.

They are currently seeking more Volunteer Telephone Advisers.

Advisers interview clients over the phone and provide appropriate information, advice and next steps to them.

You will be trained to interview clients, the closing date for applications is Monday, May 9. 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.

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From the operating theatre to life on two wheels A LEADING surgeon is preparing to complete a hat trick of challenges to help fight cancer.

Three years ago, Philip Charlesworth completed the London Marathon before undergoing a two-mile swim in London’s Serpentine last year.

These events raised more than £2,400 for male cancer charity Orchid, and the Children with Cancer charity.

Next month, he will take place in RideLondon, a 100-mile bike ride from London to Essex - and he’s set his sights on collecting at least £10,000 for Prostate Cancer Research.

The three events are collectively known as the London Classics, three gruelling events that push even the strongest of competitors.

And Philip has a good understanding of why his efforts will be worth it: his day job is a consultant urological surgeon for independent cancer care provider, GenesisCare and The Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who specialises in prostate and bladder cancers.

Since completing his surgical training nine years ago, he has seen first-hand the importance of promoting research, carried out by institutions such as Prostate Cancer Research, that contributes to major treatment breakthroughs and innovation.

“I spend most of my week performing stressful and complex operations,” he says.

“I’ve also seen first-hand how important the work of organisations such as Prostate Cancer Research is in working tirelessly with world-leading scientists to deliver vital breakthrough medicines and treatments for those with prostate cancer.

“Due to the nature of my job, exercise is important to me for both my physical and mental health, and what I witness working in this field has been a major motivator

‘A little nugget promises poe

By JAKE CLOTHIER NEWS@RDG.TODAY THE AF Harrold Limited Edition Kid’s Poetry Podcast is back for another series.

to channel that into fundraising attempts. Not only that, but as we know, exercise is proven to help reduce your risk of prostate cancer.”

He adds: “My aim is to raise £10,000 for Prostate Cancer Research – and every penny of support will make a huge difference in raising awareness around the issue and help develop potentially lifesaving treatments, which will improve the outlook for patients and their families.”

Training for the events hasn’t been without its challenges, as Philip fell from his bike at high speed during the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw him fracture his collar bone. This hasn’t hindered him continuing to treat patients, it did mean he had to take a step back from his training regime while he recovered, and he has only recently been able to get back in the saddle – giving him just a few months to progress from 0 to 100 miles.

Philip’s training partner, Graeme Williams, is married to a busy local GP who is also riding in support of Prostate Cancer Research.

The two friends hope to make a difference and raise vital funds for research as well as raise awareness of prostate cancer.

To support Philip in his fundraising, log on to JustGiving. com and search for Philip Charlesworth & Graeme Williams RideLondon 2022

Fun and fresh air

THE NATIONAL Trust has a funfilled summer in store for visitors to its sites this spring.

Both Basildon Park and Greys Court, Henley, are hosting the Trust’s Easter Adventures in Nature.

The event features nature trails around the parks’ estates, with ten activity stations to find along the way at Basildon Park, and a chocolate egg awarded at the end of the Greys Court trail.

Greys Court is also home to the Henley Arts Trail, where local artists’ work inspired by the estate is showcased and available to buy.

The arts trail runs from until Tuesday, May 3.

Greys Court is also hosting a Silent Woodland Walk, where attendees are encouraged to turn off their devices and take a quiet, meditative journey through the grounds.

Led by Deborah Lewis, the Silent Woodland Walk takes place at 10am on Tuesday, May 24; Tuesday, June

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 27, 2022

21; and Tuesday, July 12.

Later in the summer, the estate will hold its jubilee celebrations, featuring selected items from the estate’s collections which have royal connections.

Lawns will also be open for fete games, along with numerous picnic spaces.

Greys Court’s Jubilee celebration takes place from Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5.

Throughout June, it will also host Sculpture Evenings in the Gardens, where pieces by artists in the Oxford Sculptors Group will be on display and available to buy.

As well as the artworks, the walled gardens will also feature live sculpture demonstrations with a drink on arrival.

The estate will celebrate local art in the spirit of one of its arts patrons, Lady Brunner, from Saturday, June 11, to Sunday, July 17.

Sculpture demonstrations will be held from 5.30pm-8pm on Thursday, June 16, June 23, and June 30.

After two series in 2020, children’s author and poet AF Harrold has recorded a third series of collected poems.

Though Harrold himself refers to it as the AFHLEKPopod, which is perhaps fitting as he also describes it as “often absurd.”

Every series of the podcast features 21 episodes, each episode consisting of an original work of poetry, written and performed by AF. The poetry is aimed at children, and with no episode longer than five minutes, he says that it is a neat way to introduce more poetry into children’s lives.

“It’s another resource that children, parents, and teachers can use, wherever there’s a quick five minutes to pop it on, and it’s available all the time.”

Despite admitting he was unsure of podcasts, his own series is not the first time he has dipped into the medium.

Before the poetry podcast, he was a guest on Robin and Josie’s Bookshambles, a literary podcast hosted by comedians Josie Long and Robin Ince.

“I’ve known Robin from live work for yonks, and their setup is far more professional, with a producer and that kind of thing.

“I also like Radio 4’s In Our Time– Melvin Bragg speaking on a random subject every week is marvellous is something I follow dutifully.”

But his podcast is a little different, he says.

“It’s not that sort of thing with guests, it’s not discursive, if anything it feels like an exercise in ego.

“It’s wholly unnecessary and often absurd in only the finest of ways.”

“But it behoves poets to get their

POETRY IN MOTION: ‘The podcast is wholly u work out into the world, and it’s our business to champion things.”

AF says that he is no stranger to putting out his work to others, but notes that it is ultimately up to others to react to it.

“I’ve been kicked out of a bakery for reciting guerilla poetry during Havent Literary Festival– physically ejected from Gregg’s for an unwanted poem.

“I make things, and it’s up to an audience to respond, once its in their heads its their business.”

While he has worked on children’s poetry and literature, AF says that he is reminded of how poetry affected him during his childhood.

“You remember the importance of

Friends smash world record in honour of dad FOUR friends from Reading have broken a world record, raising funds for Sport in Mind.

Peter Crocombe, Liam Bendell, Gus Barton, and Jack Mayhew have run the length of Britain on foot in just six days.

The team, called the Mental Miles, set the world record time for the feat after running in memory of Peter’s father, Paul Crocombe.

Paul, who was described as an inspiring teacher and talented sportsman, lost his battle with mental health in 2020.

To honour him, the team ran in a non-stop relay from Land’s End to John O’Groats, raising more than £35,000 for the mental health charity Sport in Mind.

This is nearly double their original goal of £20,000, which would have provided enough to give support to 3,000 young people for a year through the charity.

Peter Crocombe said he is overcome with the amount of support Mental Miles has received.

“The team and I are so incredibly grateful for all the support shown to us on the road, and via donations.

“It really has been overwhelming.

“To take on this challenge as part of a team of friends, with all the ups and downs that a task of this magnitude entails, it’s safe to say that we are now brothers for life.”

Finishing well ahead of their schedule on Friday, April 1 at 1:27PM, the team managed to climb over 44,000 feet during their journey.

They ran in consecutive, solo 90-minute shifts around the clock Mr Crocombe said: “There were a few challenges along the way, including illness and a snowstorm, but not once did this detract from our goal.

“Together, we set a world record (with plenty of time to spare) and

t of nonsense’ et AF Harrold

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It’s a picnic, and everyone – yes, everyone – is invited to join in

WPR_2022-04-25_ReadingToday_33x2 (1)_Just Go

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VENUE: Christchurch Meadows in Reading Picture: Phil Creighton

unnecessary and often absurd, in the finest of ways.’ Picture courtesy of AF Harrold. the books and poems that got to you before you were 10, the ones that build your personality.

“And we ought to aspire to our own work doing the same.

“The podcast is a little nugget of poetry, which doesn’t last very long so you can dip in, and it’ll make you chuckle or think of somebody, in a way that isn’t a commitment.”

It is just a part of his work to bring poetry to a younger audience, Harrold explains.

“I visit schools, I’ve made videos and songs which are up on my website, and I’ve compiled poetry anthologies for seven-year-olds.

The latter anthology is one of the

things that reminded him of his own influences.

“I loved Lewis Carroll, and later Roger McGough.”

But he says that something small is often all that is needed to inspire, citing an anonymously written poem often attributed to Spike Milligan.

“I think that something like Peas is a nugget of pure sense, and as a child little poems like that just stick.”

Series three of A.F. Harrold’s Limited Edition Kid’s Poetry Podcast has new episodes are available on your usual podcast platform every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

n For more information, visit: www. afharroldkids.com

THE people of Reading have been invited to a party to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, writes James Hastings.

The free event, on Sunday, June 5, will be held at Christchurch Meadows and will include a service of celebration and a picnic.

The Bishop of Reading will join leaders from different churches in the town with music led by the Salvation Army.

The Revd Andy Storch from St John’s Church in Caversham is co-ordinating the event, and said it was open to everyone.

“We know many people will be organising a street party for the Platinum Jubilee but there will be some who don’t have anything planned,” he explained.

“So we say to anyone who wishes to come to the Meadows that you are more than welcome.

“There will be a marquee in case

of rain and toilet facilities but no food available so please bring a picnic and a bottle and enjoy a day of celebration.”

The Diocese of Oxford has provided a grant of £2,500 to help pay for the party with the service starting at 2.30pm on the Meadows.

Mr Storch thanked the diocese adding the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee was a “special and unique occasion.”

“We want to celebrate the Queen,” he said. “How often have we sang God Save the Queen, and God has, so that is something to celebrate. She is someone who has been anointed by God as monarch and she has lived a remarkable life of service and duty.

“Reading is a cosmopolitan town and one way we will mark this is everyone will be invited to recite the Lord’s Prayer simultaneously in any language or dialect they wish.”

POETRY CORNER The Giggles

AND BUT

SUCCESS: The team nearly doubled their original goal for donations, raising more than £35,000 in memory of Paul Crocombe. Picture courtesy of Mental Miles we’ve raised more than we could possibly imagine, and the donations keep rolling in.

“We want to wish a big thank you to everyone who’s supported us, it really does mean the world.”

Sport In Mind is the leading

mental health sports charity in the UK, formed in Reading and working with the NHS to support those experiencing mental health problems through sports and physical activity.

n To donate to Mental Miles’ fundraising efforts, visit www.justgiving.com

YET My mind explodes in noisy squiggles, I sweat. I snort. I’ve got the GIGGLES. Our Teacher growls with rage and pain “WHO has let us down AGAIN !”

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Our Teacher grumbles, starts to glare, I try to concentrate, but there A Spider swings above her hair,

I gulp. I gasp. My body wriggles, I itch, I twitch...I’ve got the GIGGLES. Our Teacher groans, she gazes round, But no one else has made a sound...

I try to stare at feet. And ground,

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My eyes drip tears, my whole face wiggles, I shake, I quake, I’ve got the GIGGLES. It’s like a spell, it’s like a curse, This grim disease is growing worse.

I squeak, I shriek, I need a nurse...

THEN Our Teacher hoots with joyful jiggles.

She howls, she yowls SHE’S GOT THE GIGGLES.

Clare Bevan

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

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30 | VIEWPOINTS

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Letters Helping you make your X easier

THIS WEEK’S paper features not one but four heavyweight interviews.

Last week, we sat down with all of Reading’s political leaders and interviewed them.

You can watch the videos on YouTube – log on to our website, rdg.today, and search for VOTE 2022 and they will come up.

Each interview is around 30 minutes each and covers similar topics.

Sure, they have production values that won’t have Spielberg quaking in his boots, but it is a genuine attempt to help you decide who should run Reading in the year ahead.

This year’s election is unusual because it is an all-out affair.

If YOU decide, Reading could be run by Labour, it could be run by the Greens, it could be run by the Conservatives, or it could be run by Liberal Democrats.

Or, you could force a coalition to be formed, as the Conservatives did with the Liberal Democrats back in 2010.

It’s up to you.

Your vote is precious, and matters.

Each party is setting out its vision for Reading – and each leader is sincere in their desire to give residents their utmost to make our town, hopefully city, a great place to live, work, and play.

These interviews will help you make your choice.

CHURCH NOTES

Hope in challenging times

I

T’S been a tough couple of years, and the challenges continue – who would have expected war in Europe hot on the heels of the pandemic, with climate change threatening the survival of the planet?

And who knows what the future holds as we brace ourselves for rising cost of living, and lots more difficulties besides.

We have learnt to be resilient, and that resilience will need to continue.

One thing we have all realised for sure is that nothing stays the same: change is a part of life.

Except, that is, for God, who stays constant - “for Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” (as we are told in the Bible in the book of Hebrews 13:8).

Life is so complicated these days, isn’t it?

But having recently celebrated Easter, I am so aware that while Jesus does deal with all that spoils our relationship with God – which is why he went to the cross – he doesn’t always take our difficulties away – he comes alongside us in them, if we let him.

Through Jesus’ resurrection he proclaims – “I am with you always”.

The Easter story changes everything, and offers hope to all who are struggling, and, I believe, is worthy of our attention all year round.

The Revd Gill Rowell, Vicar of St Catherine’s Church, Tilehurst, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading

Email news@rdg.today A new conquest

Caversham Park House and Estate which dates back to the Norman Conquest is under threat by land grabbers (developers).

William the Conqueror gifted Caversham Park Manor and Estate to his cousin and it was registered in the Domesday Book as having 2,400 acres.

Then, in the 13th century, King Henry the 3rd granted William Earl of Pembroke ten live does to establish a deer park at Caversham Park. Subsequent owners and visitors included Sir Frances Knollys, Elisabeth the 1st, James the 1st and even Charles 1st was imprisoned at Caversham Park before his execution.

Then followed Lord Craven, Lord Cadogan and Capability Brown.

Major Marsac who had made his fortune in India followed in 1784.

Another visitor was Thomas Jefferson who became President of the United States. In 1838, William Crawshay, owner of the biggest

From the Chamber Raj Singh

Make a difference by voting Conservative

C

OMPETENT leadership and robust policies should always underpin our thriving local communities and their neighbourhoods.

Unfortunately, Reading Borough Council has been run by the same tired Labour administration for most of the last 24 years.

Over its time in office, it’s presided over a catalogue of failures, not least its – still ongoing – accounting fiasco, which has to date cost Reading’s residents well over £1 million in extra auditing fees, with yet further costs to come as officers continue to work to rectify the problems.

The failures by this Labour administration and its complacent leadership style is, in fact, at the heart of deteriorating local services.

Under Reading’s Labour administration, your Council Tax has doubled over the past two decades and is currently the highest in Berkshire; yet they have missed opportunities to offset central government funding reductions with far-sighted financial strategies.

For some councils, returns from prudent policies and investments can successfully generate up to £30m of additional income every year – enough to cover annual spending on adult social care services or those for children and young people.

Current methods to detect and repair potholes here are labour intensive, slow, unsafe and are costly to the local economy and the environment. Investing in the latest technology would help to assess potholes in seconds rather than weeks. Satellite imaging or fitting

ironworks in the world bought Caversham Park. Then, in 1926, King George the 5th and Queen Mary visited the Royal Horticultural Show in the grounds of Caversham Park.

I am appalled that a proposal has been put to Reading Borough Council which seeks to destroy such an important part of our national heritage. What is next? The profit seeking grabbing of the Tower of London and Windsor Castle for “development” – they too are 1,000 years old.

Douglas Wright, Caversham

Rwanda plan is shocking The Government’s scheme to send people seeking asylum 4,000 miles away to Rwanda is shocking, and history suggests this disastrously ill-conceived plan will end badly.

Seven years ago, Israel struck a deal to send refugees and people seeking asylum to Rwanda. The scheme was abandoned. But not before people had suffered serious human rights abuses in Rwanda leaving many to embark on new journeys, controlled by smugglers and other abusers, in search of refuge.

Australia’s infamous “offshoring” schemes with Nauru, Manus Island sensors under Council waste vehicles to inspect the roads as they work are already used by several councils today.

Blackpool Council has fixed 5,145 potholes at a cost of just under £450,000. It would have cost £1.5m using traditional methods, but instead saved £1m of local taxpayer’s cash last year in the process.

To achieve net-zero carbon emissions, many councils are also successfully running cycle hire schemes across the country. However, in Reading, the Labour administration mothballed Readybike in March 2019 at a cost to the taxpayer of around £1.9 million, with many of the bikes being given away - or disposed of and the stands just left redundant; another severe dent in our town’s ambitious plans to meet its climate emergency targets.

It shows that only Conservativeled councils can effectively run environmentally-friendly schemes with the overall strategy and coordination that’s needed.

Another example: A Freedom of Information by the Conservatives revealed that fly-tipping reports from recycling sites – reported on the Love Clean Reading app – showed a huge increase of 1,619% between January 2019 and December 2020. It proves that glass recycling banks are now, unfortunately, acting as magnets for fly-tipping.

To run glass recycling banks costs the Council around £155,000 annually and only brings in around £5,000 each year. Introducing kerbside glass recycling would reduce fly-tipping across Reading.

To improve our environment cost effectively, a Conservative-led Council will scrap the garden waste bin charge, tackle fly-tipping and prosecute those who dump it.

Similarly, the building of cohesive, flourishing communities lies at the core of the Council’s day-to-day business and cuts across a range of different policy areas.

Thames Valley Police, though, has reported a gradual increase in racial hate crime in recent years, along with reports of a rise in hate crimes against transgender people.

and Papua New Guinea also provide a stark warning. The Australian authorities have spent vast sums of money to prop up a cruel project based on deliberately marooning people in isolated locations where predictably - mental illness and cases of self-harm have been rife.

To repeat these failed schemes represents a shameful abandonment of the UK’s responsibility to refugees under the Refugee Convention.

Meanwhile, the Government’s draconian Nationality and Borders Bill is set to criminalise many people seeking asylum in the UK. As we’ve seen from terrible crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine, from tragic drownings in the Mediterranean and the Channel, and from numerous other zones of conflict and persecution, our world needs to provide humane and efficient means for desperate people to seek safety.

To this country’s everlasting shame, Priti Patel’s toxic anti-refugee policies are rapidly destroying our own asylum system as well as setting a terrible example to the world.

Dr Anne M McFarlane, Reading Group Secretary, Amnesty International UK Last year, for instance, an Indian Sikh taxi driver in Tilehurst was slapped and shoved as he drove along the A33 after collecting men in the early hours from the Grosvenor Casino in Reading. One of the men tried to remove his turban and asked him: “Are you Taliban?”

A Conservative-led Reading Borough Council would implement an effective community cohesion strategy to fight such blatant discrimination, working closely with the police and community groups to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, ensuring our streets are kept safe and secure.

Finally, Reading is the third-largest “Tech City” in the UK, with a recent Gartner poll showing that 48% of employees would be likely to work remotely, at least part of the time, post-pandemic. Reading has a younger population profile than many of its neighbouring towns with many choosing to live in, or move to, our town, mainly for its fantastic work and education opportunities, the cost of running a home and its vibrant social life.

Today’s technology sector workers can choose to live anywhere in the country where the cost of running a house is low, where they have access to quality leisure, sports, and swimming pools, where there are better children’s services, where streets are safer, and where parks and open spaces are well maintained all year round, while continuing to work for the same employer. It’s therefore paramount that the Council offers demonstrable value for money for our residents – not saddle them with ever increasing, high Council Tax bills.

Conservative-run Councils have a proven reputation for keeping your taxes low. Your support - by casting your three votes on May 5, for the Conservative candidates - will help us to bring that positive difference to Reading; one that will protect our environment, keep our communities safe and invest your money wisely.

Cllr Raj Singh is the Reading Borough Council Conservative spokesperson on Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure and the party’s candidate for Kentwood Ward

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 27, 2022

From the Chamber Jason Brock

Investing in social care

N

EXT Thursday, May 5, is election day in Reading. As such, I’m entirely certain that you’ve all had leaflets through your letterbox and perhaps even knocks on your door from rosetted candidates.

Understandably, local elections are dominated by what we would call universal issues – the Council services that everyone, in one way or another, accesses.

Consequently, we get less time to talk about the targeted services like social care.

This is a shame, because the delivery of social care services is probably the most life-changing and lifeenhancing thing that Reading Borough Council does.

It’s also around two-thirds of the annual budget, so enormous in scale.

As a unitary council responsible for all local government services (so no split with a county council as in many other parts of England), we are able to take a more holistic approach to social care, thinking carefully about how housing and planning can best complement delivery of care.

Nevertheless, there are huge challenges coming down the track – especially owing to the impact of the pandemic, demographic change (we’re all getting older), and reforms to the structure of the NHS and how it works with councils.

In that challenging context, I’m pleased that Reading Labour are investing in social care services, putting an additional £5 million into the adult budget next year and an extra £1 million into children’s services.

It’s testament to our prudent approach to finances that we’ve been able to make such an investment when it’s most needed, but the sustainability of such services in the medium- and long-term relies on reformation of the funding model nationally. Even now, we’ve had many promises from Government but still no meaningful action.

What makes me really proud, then, is that your Labour councillors have been able to step-up when the Conservatives continue to prevaricate on a vital matter.

Rather than sit on our hands and wait for change, we’ve pushed forward transformation ourselves.

We’re working to promote new ways of delivering care services here in Reading that enhance individual independence. By setting ourselves the task of fostering a personal carer market in the town, and by making simple technologies more accessible to people, we’re beginning to give residents more freedom in making choices about their own care.

It’s an ambitious and long-term project, but some of the results are already very positive.

At the same time, we know that specialised housing provision is needed. Since we know that sheltered and extra-care housing can help people to be more independent and avoid full residential care, we’re investing in building new stock in Reading.

To help those new communities be properly sustainable, we’ve been strategic in where we build these homes so that local services are readily accessible.

None of these innovations is to the detriment of ‘traditional’ care and, in fact, they reduce the pressure on such provision. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve worked with residential care homes to ensure they have the support they need and will continue to do so.

We also fund our voluntary and community sector to ensure that services they are best placed to provide continue to be delivered.

When you go to vote on Thursday, do think about the fact that only Labour in Reading have a comprehensive strategic for social care in the town.

You may not use such services now, and some of us may only need indirect or short-term support at some point in our life. But almost all of us will, one day or another, have a loved one or a close friend who requires substantial support.

We want Reading to be a great place to not only grow up, but a great place to grow old too.

Cllr Jason Brock is leader of Reading Borough Council, and a Labour candidate for Southcote ward

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Church offers bereavement support

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today A READING town centre church is offering support and guidance to those who have suffered from bereavement.

Greyfriars is inviting people suffering from loss and grief to its informal Side by Side compassion café, where they can share their experiences and reflect with and support others.

Complete with tea, coffee, and cake, the compassion café takes place on the last Sunday of every month.

It is also offering a course to help attendees work through grief and loss of a loved one.

The course provides five sessions of video coaching, covering issues of attachment and separation, the impact of bereavement, coping with work, family, and friends, and issues of guilt or anger.

It also covers rites of passage, such as funerals and memorials, engagement with grief, and how to move forward.

These sessions are led

by Jane Oudjian, a trained counsellor who has worked with Curse Bereavement Support.

While its first five sessions are secular and have no connection to faith, it also offers a sixth, optional session where attendees can discuss grief and faith from a religious perspective.

This d session will be led by Yvonnne Richmond Tulloch, who works with the Bishop of Southwark as the officer for clergy bereavement.

The video sessions will be followed by group discussion, were attendees are invited

NEWS | 31

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to share experiences, though contribution is not compulsory.

People of any faith, or no faith, are welcome.

Greyfriars recommends that all five of the sessions are attended, as each builds on topics previously covered.

Course sessions take place on Wednesdays, from April 27 to June 1, from 7.30pm-9:15pm at the Atrium, Friar Street.

The compassion cafe takes place from 2-3pm on the last Sunday of each month, also in the Atrium.

n For more information, or to book your place on the course, visit: greyfriars.org.uk

Hybrid vehicle workshop brings new skills training for technicians READING College has opened up a new skills hub which will be used to give new skills to vehicle technicians.

After Activate Learning was awarded £130,000 by the Thames Valley Berkshire local enterprise partnership, the education and training group installed a brand new workshop.

The hub at Reading College, King’s Road, features industrystandard training equipment, including a hybrid car and training rigs.

The workshop is designed to help existing motor technicians upskill, learning how to maintain hybrid and electric vehicles.

Scott Reilly, Director of Curriculum Design at Activate Learning, said: “In terms of curriculum development, preparing our students to thrive in industries that use emerging technologies and renewable energy put us at the heart of cultivating the best talent to meet the sector’s skills need.

“We are also excited because it offers an opportunity for adult learners to retrain or upskill to improve their career

prospect.

Mr Reilly said that the technology curriculum at Activate Learning is responding to local and national needs.

“Learning environments are being transformed into inspiring industry-level spaces that reflect our highest professional standards and affirms our innovative and outstanding technical learning.”

The new facilities will enable the introduction of a new full-time qualification which includes electric vehicles as a focus, as well as introduce electric vehicle modules to its current courses.

It has also allowed the college to hold two-day courses which provide attendees with a level 2 qualification in the knowledge required to work safely around electric or hybrid vehicles.

The current course runs from April to June.

Alison Webster, Chief Executive of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, said: “The further education and training sector has a valuable role to play in the achievement of our

sustainability goals, so we’re delighted to have funded the new electric and hybrid vehicle skills hub at Reading College.

“Berkshire LEP recognises that a critical part of ensuring the UK meets the local, national and international sustainability goals is to support the provision of training to help people acquire the skills to work in a future green career.

“We are delighted to be able to support the College in and the training the next generation of auto technicians in Berkshire.”

The project is the third of its kind to have been unveiled in recent weeks.

The Thames Valley Berkshire LEP funded both an upskilling workshop at Bracknell and Wokingham College, which was unveiled on Tuesday, April 19, and an applied sciences centre which opened at Reading College back in March.

The enterprise partnership is a multi-sector initiative to drive sustainable economic growth in Berkshire through government and European funding.

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Starlight receives £100k donation

A CHARITY that helps children and young people who have severe illnesses by arranging special events such as visiting pantomimes is seeing stars thanks to a house builder.

David Wilson Homes Southern Counties has received the maximum five stars from the New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey for the 13th year running.

To celebrate, its parent company Barratt Developments donated £100,000 to Starlight.

The money will help it develop its work, which includes story boxes, pantomimes, gaming packages, and playtime activities, both in and out of hospital.

Cathy Gilman, CEO of Starlight, said: “Thank you to Barratt Developments for choosing Starlight for such a significant donation. Their generosity will help us to provide time, space and more opportunities for play for seriously ill children and young people across the UK. And the housebuilder was equally thrilled.

Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director at David Wilson Southern Counties, said: “The high satisfaction rates are testament to the commitment we make to building high-quality houses that our customers are proud to call home. The customer is at the heart of everything we do, and to be rated highly once again means we are maintaining an excellent relationship with our customers.”

The HBF New Homes Survey is one of the largest surveys of its type in the country.

Helping employees affected

by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine

By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today

A RECRUITMENT expert has offered advice for employers to support employees affected by the invasion of Ukraine.

Diana Blažaitienė, recruitment and personnel rent solutions officer for Soprana Personnel International said there are rising levels of stress and anxiety in the workplace due to the war.

Ms Blažaitienė has suggested four steps which employers can take to help their employees deal with the mental health affects of the crisis.

She said that: “Even though my company is based in Lithuania, I know that the people in Ukrainian, Polish and Baltic communities in Reading and Wokingham will be affected.”

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting the mental health of people all over the world, and they bring this to the workplace.”

Her motivation for sharing her

tips comes from direct experience of helping Ukrainians currently living and working in Lithuania.

“Employers should be aware that, for some of their team members, anxiety, stress and depressive moods rise due to constant media updates about the war, not to mention the mental state of those whose family, relatives, or friends are in the war zone or geographically close,” she explained.

“And people are more sensitive as they have not yet recovered from the pandemic.”

Ms Blažaitienė said employees should be supported emotionally, taught to recognize the signs of

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stress in colleagues and to be reminded of resources available to them.

“The first step is for managers to acknowledge that employees will be experiencing various emotions about the situation and not just those who are from Ukraine,” she said.

“Employers should also encourage their staff not to constantly check for social media and news updates, as doomscrolling adds to stress and anxiety levels.

“Instead, businesses should motivate people to focus on what they can do, for example donate to appeals, join a support initiative, becoming a volunteer.”

She also said that work colleagues should take notice of any changes in a person’s appearance, behaviour and mood which are not typical, especially those directly impacted by the war.

Finally, Ms Blažaitienė reminded employers to think about what resources they have available to be able to help employees struggling

with their mental health.

“Maybe the company can offer free counselling sessions, or subscriptions to wellbeing magazines and mobile phone apps, or prepare a list of helpful literature, podcasts, or groups and services in their local area for employees,” she added.

One of those Ms Blažaitienė’s tips have benefited is Sofiia Zavadska.

Ms Zavadska is a Ukrainian who has lived and worked in Lithuania for seven years. Ms. Blažaitienė arranged therapy for Ms. Zavadska and encouraged her to not feel guilty for looking after her own wellbeing.

“I was falling apart during the first week of the war,” she said.

“I had sleepless nights, I was skipping meals and I was panicking to try and reach my family and friends in Ukraine.

“So my team leader told me to work from home, and a colleague redirected my calls to his phone so that my work load could decrease.

“I was so grateful for that.”

Promedica24 recognised at prestigious Home Care Awards 2022 WOKINGHAM and Bracknell live-in care specialist, Promedica24, has received the distinguished High Commendation Award at this year’s Home Care Awards.

The ceremony, which took place earlier this monthl at Birmingham’s National Conference Centre, and is a celebration of excellence amongst UK organisations providing all forms of care at home services.

Promedica24 was recognised by the panel for their innovation and close links to the local community.

In December, the company partnered with The Care Workers’ Charity to launch the inaugural Cards for Carers campaign, which shared messages of gratitude to care workers across the UK. The organisation’s franchise partners, and care managers have also teamed-up with Alzheimer’s Society to become “Dementia Friends”, which aims to raise awareness and understanding of what it’s like living with dementia in communities around the country.

Additionally, in response to sector-wide staff shortages, Promedica24 implemented a new recruitment and retention strategy, which saw the

organisation invest over £2 million into their workforce.

Action taken includes the development of new training courses in association with The Skills Network, increasing pay by more than 30%, and introducing a new wellbeing and benefits programme for their employees. Coupled with its unique carer-patient matching system, Promedica24 continues to provide the benchmark for all live-in care providers.

For the past 18-years, Promedica24 has been delivering live-in home care to vulnerable adults as an alternative to residential care homes. Live-in care provides individuals with 24/7 care from a fully trained carer living in the individual’s own home, ensuring a person-specific plan while in a familiar environment.

Over the last year, Promedica24 and its team of expert carers have championed the live-in care sector, and

despite the COVID-19 pandemic and sector-wide staff shortages, have continued to provide excellent care to their patients across the UK. Paula Beaney, Quality Assurance Director at Promedica24, said: “This award is a testament to our fantastic team of carers, care managers, and franchise owners who have all gone above and beyond this past year and have ensured that everyone we have the pleasure of assisting has received the best care possible.

“Last year remained difficult for the sector, due to the ongoing pandemic and sector-wide recruitment issues.

Nevertheless, our innovation and willingness to invest in our own people has meant that we have successfully met these challenges head-on, continued to provide excellent care, and positioned live-in care as a viable and attractive option to vulnerable adults and their families.”

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Charities receive Jubilee funding n From front page

Autism Berkshire will receive £7,850 towards it’s children’s art workshops, for which it is working in partnership with arts Charity Jelly.

Children on the autistic spectrum and their siblings will be invited to take part, and their work will be used in the ongoing refurbishment of Prospect Park Pavilion.

Thames Hospice will receive £7,894, Reading Refugee Support Group will receive £6,346, and Age UK will receive £4,344 towards their plans for the jubilee weekend.

Wokingham in Need, a Wokingham-based charity, will also receive £2,565 for its celebration.

Overall, more than £30,000 worth of investment has been made in organisations across Reading and Wokingham as a result of the funding.

Hazel Edwards, area director of the south east at Arts Council England, said: “Thanks to the Let’s Create Jubilee Fund, we’re delighted to be able to support so many communities across the South East to put creativity at the heart of their Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

“From a Platinum Jubilee Festival for older and vulnerable people in Reading through to

FUNDRAISERS: Dawn, Anne, Paul, Rita and Sheila at Fair in aid of Alexander Devine Hospice at Grange URC on Saturday for a fair in aid of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Picture: Dijana Capan / DVision

Southcote sale helps hospice CELEBRATE: More than £30,000 of funding has been awarded by the Jubilee Fund in Reading and Wokingham, split across six organisations.

Picture: Nicolette Vos-Neal via Pixabay an exciting multimedia project developed working with people with a learning disability, there will be a huge range of activities to bring communities together.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said “The Let’s Create Jubilee Fund is a wonderful example of our ambition to give everyone the opportunity to participate in and experience the arts, culture and creativity.

“I’m excited to see these projects brought to life in villages, towns and cities across

Police advice to prevent thefts

POLICE have released advice for deterring burglars from entering homes.

As well as using good quality doors, windows, and locks, TVP advises the use of policeapproved forensic ink or paint to mark items like jewellery and electronics.

Forensic solutions can be used to make an identifiable mark, such as part of an address or postcode, only visible under ultraviolet light.

This allows stolen items to be more easily identified by police.

Thames Valley Police also recommend that forensic markings can be used on high-value items, such as antiques, but that specialist advice should be sought in these cases.

They also recommend that valuables are registered on accredited property safety databases. These online databases use serial numbers, photographic evidence and documents as proof of ownership. n Property can be registered for free at: www. immobilise.com. Bikes can be registered with the www.bikeregister.com

the country as our wonderfully creative communities celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”

Jon Yates, the CEO of Berkshire Community Foundation, said: “The Queen’s Jubilee is a unique chance for communities to celebrate but also to create a legacy that will endure into the future.

“We are delighted and so grateful to Arts Council England for the opportunity to support these incredible, imaginative projects and look forward to a vibrant and inspirational summer.”

Bicycle stolen in Calcot

“These things are not quite as supported as they once were, but we’re building it up again.”

As well as the stalls Mr Farmer organied, in aid of the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, there were representatives from other charities including The Stroke Asociation and the Duchess of Kent Hospice.

Mr Farmer said that people enjoyed the event so much, they stuck around.

“People enjoyed the refreshments,” he said. “I heard that people went back and had

A THIEF has stolen a bicycle in Calcot.

The incident took place sometime between 3.45pm and 4.40pm on Tuesday, April 19.

Thames Valley Police said the bicycle was stolen after being

Runners Gear Up for Shinfield 10K

HUNDREDS of runners will take to the roads of Shinfield on Monday, May 2 for Reading Roadrunners’ Shinfield 10K race, writes Ji-Min Lee .

The marshalled course winds through the streets of Shinfield, Ryeish Green and Spencers Wood, starting and finishing at Shinfield Infant & Nursery School.

The race is suitable for beginners and competitive athletes alike, with various prizes available for age-group and local winners.

Runners must collect their race numbers and timing chips from the registration desk in the school hall by 9am on the bank holiday, ahead of the 9.30am start.

Participants can enter online, with entries made by Friday, costing £16 for UKA-affiliated runners and £18 for non-affiliated runners.

In-person entries can be made on the day, subject to availability, and will cost £20 and £22 respectively. n For more details or to enter online, visit: www. readingroadrunners.org/races/shinfield

Man arrested after GBH at bar THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to an assault occasioning GBH in Reading.

A 39-year-old man from Reading has been arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

Between 11.45pm and 12pm on Friday, April 15, the offender is alledged to have attacked a woman in her twenties, with a glass bottle outside Monkey Lounge on Erleigh Road.

A SALE in Southcote on Saturday helped raise much-needed funds for a children’s charity.

Organised by Reading man Paul Farmer, the event took place at Grange URC in Circuit Lane.

Visitors could explore a range of stalls, including a tombola and cake sale, and also enjoy refreshments.

The fundraiser was ecstatic with how well the event went.

“It was very, very well attended and we raised £350,” he said, adding that covid was affecting turn out.

The offender also kicked the victim to the floor. She suffered cuts to the face and neck and was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment, but has since been discharged.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Siobhan Bradley, based at Reading police station, said: “This assault happened in the evening and CCTV shows several witnesses walking past.

“I am confident that

someone will have witnessed what happened so I am appealing to anybody who saw this to get in touch with police.

“I would be particularly keen to hear from anybody who was driving in the area and may have dash-cam footage, or who witnessed the incident and have not yet spoken to police.

“Anyone with information should call us on 101 or make a report online, quoting reference number 43220163323.”

two or three cups of tea and coffee.

“I noticed there were quite a few different churches represented.

“It really couldn’t have gone better.”

Mr Farmer said he was going to take a breather before planning his next fundraising event, but hoped to sign up for the Race For Life in the summer, and then organise a Macmillan coffee morning in the autumn.

“We all do our little bit,” he said. “That’s the important thing.”

left securely in Pincents Lane.

Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage is asked to contact the police via 101, or online, quoting reference number:43220168791.

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South Street’s long-awaited first family festival is finally here

By JAKE CLOTHIER news@rdg.today

STORIES: The Council of the Birds, a show telling the story of a Persion poem through the medium of traditional puppetry, will be among the shows featured at the festival.

Picture: Sigit Adhi Wibowo via Wikimedia Commons

Reading Uni leads climate ambassadors scheme

SOUTH Street has announced its new festival for families and young people, Head in the Clouds.

With support from the Arts Council, the festival is finally hitting the stage after 2 years of delays due to the pandemic.

The festival will feature a wide range of new artistic works, including musical comedy, theatre, and drag cabaret.

Among the productions on show is The Artist, presented by Filskit Theatre.

An interactive show suitable for children aged three and over, The Artist uses projection and clowning to bring the magic of Van Gogh’s Starry Night, the abstract world of Russian artist, Kadinsky, and a pop-art inspired chase full of sounds and shapes.

FATT Projects is also presenting its Palaver Party, where everyone is free to be who they want to be.

Drag and cabaret performers will host a family-friendly disco where music, DIY costumes, party games, sing-a-long, and performances will take centre stage.

Sophie Ross invites new parents to Swings and

Roundabouts, a brand-new comedy musical which follows the ups and downs of the first 12 months of parenthood, including nappies, naps, and noise.

Bucket Club is bringing the Royal Society of Beastologists’ mission to find the world’s mythical creatures to South Street in Catch That Beast!

This year’s annual meeting of Beastologists is in Reading, where they hope to find their latest target, the fearsome Beast of Reading, with the help

of their brand new members.

The Council of the Birds, by Bee in my Beanie, brings an epic Persian poem to life with traditional puppetry.

The story follows a little girl as she crosses the oceans to a place beyond time, where the birds of the world gather together to tell their tales.

All stories are kept by the birds, but what happens if they start to forget?

The festival will also open up taster sessions for the South Street Youth Theatre free of BIRTHDAY VISITOR: Chris King, Julia Roberts, Alok Sharma MP, Sally Pearson and Martin Holmes outside Englobe in Theale. The company is marking its 30th anniversary

charge, available to children in school Years 1-13.

John Luther, artistic director at South Street Arts say: “Having originally planned to launch this brand new festival in 2020, we are delighted to finally unveil Head in the Clouds for Reading’s family audiences.

“We are extremely excited to welcome some of the finest children’s theatre from around the country created by some very special artists and companies.

“We are very grateful to

Arts Council England for their support & hope this festival will become a fixture in Reading’s cultural scene for years to come.”

Taster sessions take place on Monday and Tuesday, May 30 and 31, with a session for Years 1-3 at 10am, and Years 4-6 at 11.15am.

All other shows run at South Street Arts Centre throughout the festival, from Friday, May 27, to Saturday, June 4.

n For more details, log on to: whatsonreading.com

Uni’s new climate scheme THE CLIMATE Ambassadors Scheme is giving school teachers access to climate resources in partnership with universities around the country.

The scheme, launched on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, is providing schools and colleges access to climate experts.

These climate ambassadors will provide free advice and tailored support in developing their own climate plans.

Events such as teacher training days, carbon-cutting consultations with leaders and governors, and fact-checking resources could all be made available to institutions.

The scheme will be open to early-years, primary, and secondary schools, as well as colleges.

Professor Andrew CharltonPerez, a climate scientist from the University of Reading, has led the scheme’s creation.

He said: “We believe that climate change is relevant in every classroom, across all subjects.

“Teachers have told us they would like support from top experts, giving them confidence to help their students learn about climate change with accurate and upto-date information.

n For more information, or to sign up to the scheme, visit: www. stem.org.uk

Traditional Timber Window and Door Specialists

MP helps Theale firm celebrate birthday READING WEST MP Alok Sharma last week helped a Theale-based company celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Specialist remediation contractor Englobe UK, welcomed the MP to its offices where he met with members of Englobe’s staff at their office in his constituency and was introduced to the business.

Englobe has been headquartered in Theale for more than 20 years, and across the UK employs 80 people working on its specialist remediation contracting and enabling projects and five soil treatment facilities.

During the visit, Mr Sharma,

the incumbent COP26 President, learnt that since 2005 Englobe has treated and re-used over 1.5 million tonnes of contaminated soil, diverting this from landfill.

The business has also delivered more than 1,500 projects including Brownfield site reclamations and enabling works, bringing derelict sites back into beneficial re-use for redevelopment.

He said: “It was great to visit Englobe and speak to the senior managers and staff based in Theale. I was delighted to learn about all the environmental and recycling services provided by the company, as well as their social

value programmes for employees.

“I wish all the local employees in my constituency all the best for the future.”

And the visit was appreciated.

Julia Roberts, Englobe UK’s managing director, said: “It was wonderful to be able to show Alok Sharma the ground-breaking and innovative work we are doing here at Englobe. This opportunity allowed us to highlight just some of the significant projects we are working on throughout the UK and our future plans for expansion.

“Meeting Alok was the icing on the cake for the 30th birthday celebrations.”

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FIRST SHOW HOME LAUNCHES AT BURRINGTON ESTATES’ BINFIELD SITE

A

CCORDING to new research, over a quarter (26%) of homeowners are more likely to consider buying a new build property now than they were prior to the pandemic, due to their greater energy efficiency and modern facilities.

Home hunters in Berkshire looking for a fresh start in a new build property should look towards an exclusive collection of luxury properties in Binfield by Burrington Estates.

Purchasers can now book their private appointment to view the beautiful new show home at Tilehurst Green, which has been stylishly dressed by acclaimed interior design company Open Door Interiors.

Tilehurst Green offers a range of two, three and four-bedroom houses in a leafy location at the edge of Binfield’s quiet, quaint village. Perfectly showcasing the quality of properties on offer at the development, The Russell is the stunning new three-bedroom show home available to view, with interiors designed by Open Door.

Steph Clibbery, Senior Interior Designer at Open Door Interiors, comments of the design: “For the design of the show home at Tilehurst Green, we looked at the location of the development – we believe it will appeal greatly to professional parents and families looking for a rural location that

is still commutable to London. The colours used throughout the design are a teal / blue-green blend accompanied by a rust, which was chosen for its earthy quality and ability to beautifully enrich a space, giving a welcoming vibe.”

“As we spend more time at home, it’s important to create a space that feels warm and welcoming. With this in mind, we have designed two home working areas in different rooms within the home. First, we designed a bespoke desk and tv unit in the kitchen, with a second working space in the second bedroom, with the idea it can be used as a study.”

The Russell is a semi-detached family home, featuring the option to configure the living space in a way that best suits the purchaser’s lifestyle. Subject to the build stage, there is the option to separate the downstairs kitchen and dining space from the lounge area to create two separate space, or leave it all as one open-plan room. Upstairs, the master bedroom enjoys an en suite bathroom and fitted wardrobes, whilst two further spacious bedrooms and a family bathroom complete the first floor.

Steph continues: “Within the kitchen, the table easily seats six people. The space is cleverly utilised with the bespoke TV and desk unit which gives extra storage. A plush corner sofa is the perfect place for chilling and socialising

while cooking is taking place. In the WC, we have used a feature Cole & Son wallpaper accompanied by a bespoke bronze mirror wall to make a real feature.”

Steph concludes: “As you go upstairs into the master bedroom, you are both wowed and welcomed by the oversized headboard and a stunning ceiling light, which creates a talking point for visitors. The guest bedroom has a more masculine feel - a feature back wall with bespoke panelling in a deep moody colour, accompanied by black furniture and a black velvet headboard. The third bedroom is designed with a contrast to this, with a more feminine feel. Its feature Black Edition (ROMO) wallpaper speaks for itself, oozing elegance and class.”

Buyers at Tilehurst Green will also be able to reduce their carbon footprint thanks to the many eco features

of the homes. Air source heat pumps generate renewable heat and work in tandem with the energy efficient underfloor heating. All driveways also benefit from electric car charging points.

John Scott, Sales and Marketing Director at Burrington Estates, comments: “The beautiful new show home at Tilehurst Green has been thoughtfully designed to match Burrington Estates’ meticulous attention to detail; offering home hunters a clear idea of the exemplary new build design they can expect at the development.”

Tilehurst Green is within easy walking distance of the many amenities that the sought-after village of Binfield offers, including shops, cafes and pubs, as well as a doctor’s surgery, library, sports pitches and other community facilities. Families are well served by the

area’s excellent range of schools including King’s Academy Binfield, the first all-through school in Bracknell Forest. For a wider range of shopping and leisure facilities, Bracknell town centre is less than three miles away and has benefitted from multimillion-pound investment in recent years to improve its offering. Convenient for commuters and day-trippers, direct trains from Bracknell station into Central London take around an hour to reach Waterloo.

Prices for the homes at Tilehurst Green start from £599,000 for a three-bedroom house. � For further information, please contact Rozzy Carey-Yard at Leaders Romans Group on 01344 753 110.

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READING BOROUGH APPLICATION FORCOUNCIL A SEX LICENSING ACT 2003 ESTABLISHMENT LICENCE. PUBLIC NOTICE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (MISCELLANEOUS

regularly and

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that 7P APERITIVO LTD applied 8th April 2022 toAlistair ReadingLockwood Borough Council Notice on is hereby given that in respect ofwhose the premises known as 7P APERITIVO Thompson registered office is situated at 42 LTD, a room Barnsley, within, 27, Rose Kiln Lane, RG2to Pitt Street, S70 1BB made anReading, application 0JZ for the grant of a premises licence for the Reading Borough Council for the renewal of a sex following: establishment licence at The Lodge, Abattoirs Road, Sale of Alcohol, off the Monday to Reading, RG1 7BL on premises, the 27th April 2022.

Wednesday 09:00hrs to 20:00hrs, Thursday 09:00hrs to 21:30hrs, Friday to Saturday 09:00hrs to 20:00hrs, This application is made pursuant to Section 2 and and Sunday 09:00hrs to 17:00hrs.

Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous All representations made are open to public inspection.

Provisions) Act 1982.

Representations (which must relate to the Licensing Objectives) must be made by 6th May 2022 Any person who wishes to object to the renewal of Any to view this may do so this person licencewishing must give notice in application writing to the at Reading Borough Council by prior arrangement Licensing Team, Reading Borough Council, Civic between the hours of 9am to 5pm please ring 0118 937 Offices, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU, stating in 3762 to make an appointment or via email to general terms the grounds of their objection by 25th licensing@reading.gov.uk May 2022.

Any person wishing to make representation to this application must do so in writing within 28 days of the Dated: 27thasApril 2022above to: Reading Borough application, detailed 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.

Sp ecial rates

PROVISIONS) ACT 1982.

Dated: 20th April 2022

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LEISURETODAY

27.04.22

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Don’t hold back

How lockdown transformed Chris Cleverley

C

HRIS Cleverley is setting off on his spring tour in May, which will see him playing in London, Birmingham, Devon, and Windsor in anticipation of his fourth album.

After the lockdowns, Chris was keen to get out and on stage again.

“It makes such a difference,” he says, “being able to share art in the way that it’s meant to be, with person- to-person interaction.”

He feels that this is especially true of his particular genre, which he describes as alternative folk.

“It’s solo acoustic, it tends to be in kind of more intimate venues, maybe like 50 to 100 capacity, often intently listening and really connecting with the lyrical content and the story behind it.”

“You’re not necessarily having a two way conversation with people, but there’s this subtle kind of interaction

between you and the audience, and you really feed off that.”

Chris admits that this was lost a little during the pandemic, saying: “It was a make or break moment.

“It’s pretty bleak in terms of the prospects for your musical career – at times I thought I could either pack it in or double down.”

Despite choosing to double down, he says the online gigging may not be the way to go for him.

“It was great at that moment in time, it served a purpose, but you can’t cut really tap into the true nature of the performance unless you’re right there in front of the artist.”

He notes that online performances still have a place in music.

“Hybrid performances, which are really cool for people in a more vulnerable position who aren’t able to make it to a show, it’s great for them

to have that option, So suddenly, you’ve got this whole new audience to draw on and a whole new way of spreading art and creativity.”

Instead of focussing on online performance, Chris worked on his third album, Live from the Glass Isle.

The album is a live recording of a set performed on Glastonbury Tor, and something of a departure from his previous two albums.

“I’ve always recorded with a band before, but as a first solo acoustic thing, and it was a live album for for that age of imprisonment.”

The setting for the album became more influential than it first seemed.

“I’d read about this rite of passage where they’d would take a spiral path at Glastonbury Tor, at dawn on the the first of August, the festival of Lughnasadh.

“It symbolised facing this uncertain

period with kind of hope and conviction, so I stayed there overnight, got up at dawn, and took some time there.”

This experience led Chris to create much of the material on his third album, which he performed at foot of the hill.

“I guess most of the songs on the new album have been written pretty much from that point, “So clearly it enabled some kind of headspace for me to tap into and get that creativity out, which wasn’t always the case during that period.”

He says it changed the way he creates.

“I would say it’s probably the most expressive, uninhibited writing I’ve done so far “In terms of the music, it’s branching out into some new genres, different instrumentation, and developing the sound,

He says that it has changed his approach to lyrics, too.

“There’s a lot more challenging themes, things like the displacement of people, the climate emergency, the pervasive nature of artificial intelligence, “I wanted to say what I was feeling about these things and not hold back, not worry about how it might be perceived.”

“Every word should count, every note should count.”

Chris’ spring tour will be the first time he is performing much of the material on his upcoming album, set for release in November.

He will be performing at The Hope, Windsor, on Thursday, May 26. n Tickets are available at www. chriscleverley.com.

JAKE CLOTHIER

14 | LEISURE

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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 27, 2022

The jokes are on South Street

This year marks the 40th anniversary since her passing, and to commemorate, Kick In The Head will be performing a genteel recreation of some of her famous songs and monologues.

They include Stately As A Galleon, School Nativity Play, A Terrible Worrrier and First Night.

The cast aim to delve into some of her most delightful characters, accompanied by a trusted pianist.

As Joyce would have said, “We request the pleasure of your company”, in the company of one of Britain’s bestloved comedians. n Tickets cost £14, and can be purchased by logging on to: wokinghamtheatre.org. uk, or calling the box office on 0118 978 5363.

MATES Rates Comedy is returning to South Street arts centre on Saturday.

Headliner will be Harriet Kemsley, joining her will be Jacob Hawley and Eryn Tett.

The night will be compered by Carl Richard.

Doors open at 7.15pm, with the gags starting at 8pm. Suitable for over 18s, tickets cost £18.50.

The club runs quarterly, so the next night will be Saturday, July 30. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060, or log on to: www.whatsonreading.com

Join Peppa on a road trip

PRE-SCHOOL favourite Peppa Pig is preparing to dazzle Reading with her new show.

Coming to The Hexagon on Wednesday, May 4, and Thursday, May 5, Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever sees the porcine wonder team up with baby brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig for a road trip.

From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice-creams to muddy puddles – there is something for all of the family and their friends to enjoy, including Miss Rabbit, Mr Bull, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe and more.

The show features songs, games and laughter.

Tickets cost £16 for children and £18 for adults, and a family of four is £64. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060, or log on to: www.whatsonreading.com

The folly of war

THE folly of war and those who make it pay is seen through the eyes of Yossarian, a nihilistic pilot convinced his number is up, in a new play from Progress Theatre.

The am-dram group is performing Catch 22, which focuses what happens to ‘Yo-Yo’: every time he reaches his quota of missions, the requirements are increased until he flatly refuses to fly.

He’d like to get out but there’s always a catch...

A satirical play based on the 1961 novel of the same name. The story follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and a number of other characters, stationed on the Italian island of Pianosa.

It is performed by the group at its base in The Mount, Reading from Monday,

A drama out of Henley THE ROYAL Philharmonic Orchestra is to continue its residency in Reading with a visit to The Hexgaon next week.

Joining them will be conductor Kerem Hasan, and pianist Fumiya Koido.

The programme features Beethoven’s Symphony No.3, ‘Eroica’, which captured the Romantic imagination and is filled the spirit of May 2, through to Saturday, May 7. n Tickets cost £12, or £10 for concessions, and can be bought by logging on to www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

Carnal desires of the heart A NEW play exploring the very nature of humanity is coming to South Street next week.

Our Carnal Hearts is described as a show that is a gleeful, thrilling and murky celebration of envy, competitive spirits and all the times we cause others some problems.

Written by Rachel Mars, it features an original score by Louise Mothersole, and is directed by Ruth Darling.

The show also aims to be A joyous confession of everyone we’ve ever wanted to be and everything we’ve ever wanted to own. A place to whoop at our own fragility and delight against our better nature. A toast to our competitive spirits and a rumbling dance for the ugly gutter-tramping parts of our souls.

A show that seeks to prove that envy makes us better. That politicians are

heroism from its grand opening to the final movement’s burst of orchestral brilliance and energy.

Opening the concert, Web er’s magical Overture to Oberon sets the scene for Beethoven’s uplifting Piano Concerto No.4, performed

by Fumiya Koido, winner of the 2019 Hastings International Piano Competition. right. That trampling on our neighbours is the quickest way to the top. That envy is glorious and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Suitable for ages 14 upwards, it takes place on Wednesday, May 4, from 8pm.

Tickets cost £15, or £13 for members. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060, or log on to: www.whatsonreading.com

Sweets for my sweet

THE SOUND of one of the big Merseybeat bands of the sixties will soon be heard in The Mill at Sonning.

Forget the fab four, here’s the story of The Searchers, performed with the help of one of the band’s members.

Spencer James was lead vocalist and guitarist for the band which had hits with Sweets For My Sweet, Sugar and Spice, Needles and Pins, and What Have They Done to the Rain, among many, many others.

For the show on Sunday, May 8, Spencer has teamed up with The 60s Explosion to recreate some of the magic of the band at their pomp, offering a flavour of a Searchers live show and some 60s magic.

AT THE THEATRE 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 EBOS presents: The Boy Friend.

Tues-Sat 7. The Comedy Cellar.

Fri 6.

FILMS: Licorice Pizza. Thurs. The Phantom of the Open. Fri-Sun.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 The Sound of Springsteen.

Thurs. Lost In Music. Fri. The Hollies Story. Sat. Bad Girls: The Musical. Wed-Sat 7. The Muslims Are Coming. Fri 6.

Kerry Godliman. Sun 8.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Ladies of Letters. Until Sat. The Giraffe Who Wouldn’t Bath.

Wed.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Craig Revel Horwood. Thurs.

Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs.

Dreamboats and Petticoats.

Fri. Wilko Johnson. Sat. Calling Planet Earth. Sun. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 5. The Rocky Horror show. Tues-Sat 7.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050

Hot Mikado. Until Sat.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Band of the Household Cavalry: Lunchtime Recital. Thurs.

Maidenhead Music Society presents Elizaveta Tyun and Anastasia Matkovskaia: harmony in the music of Ukraine and Russia. Thurs.

The Vinyl Frontier: The Top 10 Electronic Pop Songs Ever.

Sat. The Bob Dylan Story. Sat. Kingdom of Madness: Classic Magnum. Mon. Danni Nicholls.

Tues. The Bloody Chamber.

Tues-Wed.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

Tickets cost from £17 to £28, and under 18s pay £6. Students can get tickets for £10, and there are discounts for groups of 10 and 20.

There is a pre-concert talk at 6.30pm, in The Hexagon auditorium this is free. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060, or log on to: www.whatsonreading.com

Ian Waite and Vincent Simone. Fri. Sounds of Wales. Sat. Bolshoi Live: The Pharaoh’s Daughter.

Sun. Everything (But The Girl). Thurs 5. London Mozart Platers. Sat 7. Bollywood Brass Band. Sat 7. Imogen Cooper.

Sun 8.

Newbury – The Watermill

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Our Man in Havana. Until May 21.

Reading – South Street

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 South Street Comedy Club. Sat. Our Carnal Hearts by Rachel Mars. Mon. Belshazzar’s Feast.

Tues. Matt Winning: Hot Mess.

Wed. Skylines. Thurs 7.

n Tickets cost £46, and include a twocourse meal before the show. For more details, log on to www.millatsonning.com or call the box office on 0118 969 8000.

A night on the Gyles

ACTOR, author, former MP, raconteur, and expert in the Countdown dictionary corner.

It seems there’s little that Gyle Brandreth cannot do … all while wearing some of the best knitwear ever created.

Now he’s coming to The Hexagon for an evening that will celebrate all things theatrical.

Break A Leg sees Gyles speak without hesitation or repetition (and just a touch of deviation). The Just a Minute regular promises a dazzling evening of wit, wisdom, high drama, low comedy, and hilarious name-dropping.

He will be performing at the theatre on Saturday, May 7. Tickets cost £22. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060, or log on to: www.whatsonreading.com

Re: Joyce

AN EVENING celebrating the comedian Joyce Grenfell is coming to Wokingham on Sunday, May 8.

Reading – The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 We Will Rock You. Until Sat. Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever. WedThurs 5. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Kerem Hasan.

Fri 6. Gyles Brandreth: Break A Leg. Sat 7. The Guilty Feminist.

Sun 8.

Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Berkshire Organists’ Association 100th anniversary concert.

Thurs. NEXT SHOW: Lunchtime Organ Recital. Tues May 9.

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195

A DRAMA out of local people is promised thanks to a new festival coming to The Kenton Theatre.

This year is the 50th Henley Drama Festival, featuring original plays alongside works by famous names.

There will be up to three plays per evening, featuring performances from a dozen local groups, with an awards ceremony on the final evening.

It takes place from Tuesday, May 3, through to Saturday, May 7.

Tickets cost £10, or £6 for under 18s. n For more information or to book, call the box office 01491 525050, or log on to kentontheatre.co.uk

Looking for love

EBOS is back at South Hill Park next week, as it presents its 70th anniversary show, The Boy Friend.

Set against the backdrop of the French Riviera, this romantic spoof of 1920s musical comedies tells the story of English heiress, Polly, who is longing for only one thing: a boy friend.

Polly’s father, convinced that any boy who isn’t wealthy will court Polly strictly for her financial situation, forbids her to engage any potential suitors.

Honouring his wishes, Polly explains to Tony, the messenger boy with whom she’s fallen in love, that she is no rich girl.

This is just the tip of the mistaken identity iceberg, as love proceeds to find its way charmingly through nearly every member of the cast and bring them all to a happy ending.

It takes place from Tuesday, May 3, through to Saturday, May 7. Tickets cost from £19 to £21. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01344 484123, or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

NEXT SHOW: Catch-22. May 2-7.

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

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 Theatre closed due to Storm Eunice damage. NEXT SHOW: The Beauty Queen of Leenane.

June 15-18.

Sonning – The Mill

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Busman’s Honeymoon. Until June 25. The Story of the Searchers.

Sun 8.

Windsor – Theatre Royal

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 The Father. Until Sat 7.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Film Society present Supernova (15). Thurs

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.

Henley Festival fuses comedy, art, and Tom Jones for 40th Anniversary

Tales from the riverbank ... the Henley Festival marks its 40th birthday this summer

T

HE HENLEY Festival is back, celebrating its 40th anniversary with a five day black-tie extravaganza.

This year’s revelry will feature performances from Tom Jones, Boney M, Pete Tong, and The Script.

The Floating Stage will see Craig David perform on Thursday, July 7, followed by Tom Jones on Friday, July 8, and Katherine Jenkins on Sunday, July 10.

It will also be host to some of the biggest names in comedy, with stand up from Jo Brand, Andy Parsons, Milton Jones, Russell Kane, Geoff Norcot, and Maisie Adam.

As well as internationallyacclaimed musicians and comedians, the festival aims to bring visual art to the forefront of its celebrations.

More than 350 works of

art will be on display, including prints and paintings, sculptures and ceramics, fine art, and photography.

Festival organisers have worked with Hollandridge Group art consultants to bring the collection of pieces to its two art spaces, the Ruby Gallery and the Festival Gallery, as well as special installations around the site.

The sculpture garden will be home to more than 30 installations, including stone work

by Paul Vanstone.

One of the installations will feature Sound Intervention’s Luminosi trees, six metre high metal cast trees which transform through moving light patterns, with a gamelan gong accompaniment.

It will also feature sculpture work by Tom Waugh, such as Anonymous and I’m Not A Robot.

Henley Festival has been

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providing music and arts to the community since the charity was set up in 1982.

For its celebration of four decades of work, it has launched a new charity initiative, RISE. Through the RISE scheme, young musicians, comedians, performing artists, and visual artists will be given the opportunity to display their talents across the festival.

The initiative will also provide a work experience programme for “behind the scenes” talent, such as technicians, sound and light engineers, and stage management.

Tickets for general admission are £65 for adults, £55 for those under 18.

Guests are encouraged to dress in black-tie attire. n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: boxoffice. henley-festival.co.uk

JAKE CLOTHIER

On the right tracks: Wokingham Music Club marks 10th anniversary WOKINGHAM Music Club turns 10 years old this month.

The first gig to be arranged

by Stan Hetherington took place at Cantley Lodge Hotel in April 2012.

Since then, the club has grown to run regular live music nights in three venues around Wokingham.

It has attracted the likes of Toyah, Kiki Dee, John Otway and Chris Difford to perform on its stages.

It has also been an adventure for Stan.

“Back in December 2011 when I was thinking about launching this, I had no idea where it would go,” he says.

“I would never have imagined that I would be on friendly terms with one of my idols Martin Turner, or have Paul Young sitting at my kitchen table singing me happy birthday, because of Wokingham Music Club.”

Stan explains how he was inspired following a trip to Hereford Festival in 2011, and a chance stay at a village pub.

“My wife Jo and I were staying at the Linton Arms near Ross-onWye, and I saw a poster up for a music festival they were running at the pub in June the following year.”

“Tickets were already selling out, that far in advance, and three of the acts on the bill were from my youth.

As you were .. Stan Hetherington has been Wokingham’s Mr Music for 10 years

“And I thought, if a tiny place like this can do it, why can’t I do it in Wokingham?”

The idea for the music club was first discussed on Stan and Jo’s journey home, as Stan had noticed a decline in live music venues in the town centre.

It was an idea he kept revisiting over the following months.

“Eventually Jo go so fed up she told me to either do something about it or drop it,” Stan explains.

“So I called my friend Maurice Monk at Cantley Lodge, and he agreed we could do something there.

“The first acts were Adam Smith and Never the Bride and we had 95 people turn up.”

Stan has experienced the highs and lows of running music venues since the initial gig.

A low point was in 2013, when the members of the band performing outnumbered the audience.

But overall, Stan says that the

club has “gone from success to success.”

It now run events at Emmbrook Social Club, The Whitty Theatre and the Royal British Legion in Winnersh.

Following covid, people who have told him they feel safe at WMC gigs or that it is the first time they have been out for two years. But it has been difficult to predict how well attended events will be.

“It’s been swings and roundabouts,” Stan says.

“But I would not have got involved with this in the first place if I were a pessimist, and the club is in a good position to keep going.

“I do it to support local music artists, and I have had a bloody good time doing so.

“And it has opened doors to opportunities and experiences I can take into my dotage.” n For more information, including upcoming gigs, visit: wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

NATALIE BURTON

16 | LEISURE

Bracknell Ale and Cider Fest returns BRACKNELL’S Ale and Cider Festival is back for its 12th year.

This year’s festival returns during the jubilee celebrations on Saturday, June 4.

It will will hose the usual plethora of beers and ciders, as well as a growing gin tent, numerous street food vendors, and live music throughout the festival.

Acts will be split across the two stages, with the usual main stage as well as an acoustic music stage.

New to 2022, the festival will feature an expanded craft beer bar, supported by Windsorbased bar A Hoppy Place and Ascot Brewing Co, doubling its selection after selling out in 2021.

It is also sponsored by Biltong Emporium.

This year tickets will also benefit local charities, with some of the proceeds going to organisations such as Sebastian’s Action Trust, Thames Hospice, and Thames Valley Air Ambulance.

A new partnership with TicketPass means that 50% of admin fees will be donated.

It will also contribute funds to the Bracknell Rugby Club as one of the club’s biggest annual fundraisers.

Bracknell Ale and Cider Festival takes place at Bracknell Rugby Club on Saturday, June 4, from noon until 10.30pm.

Tickets are £12.50 each until Sunday, May 8, and £15 afterwards. On the day, they are £20.

The festival is offering a discount to members of certain sports clubs in Bracknell, Binfield, and Wokingham, as well as members of CAMRA, with tickets at £5. n To buy tickets, and for a full list of sports clubs eligible for a discount, visit www. bracknellalefestival.co.uk

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

May’s treats at South Hill Park

I

T’LL BE the merry month of May thanks to a Bracknell-based arts centre.

South Hill Park is planning a month of entertainment, with theatre, live music, dance and more.

Local group EBOS are back in action at the start of the month, with a production of The Boyfriend.

Running from Tuesday, May 3, through to Saturday, May 7, it is a romantic spoof of 1920s musical comedies tells the story of English heiress, Polly, who is longing for only one thing: a boyfriend.

On Friday, May 6, Bracknell Jazz brings Sam Braysher to South Hill Park.

A swinging, warm-toned alto saxophonist, he takes interest in interpreting lesser-known items from the Great American Songbook and jazz canon.

Music for Mothers on Sunday, May 8, is a great way to celebrate International Mother’s Day. A vocal ensemble from Surrey will perform comic, joyful and reflective songs in a variety of styles, honouring the multi-faceted role of motherhood.

The Cream of Hendrix oozes the authenticity of musicians well versed in the music of Jimi

Mark Thomas will be at South Hill Park in May Picture: Steve Ullathorne Hendrix and Cream.

Evoking the spirit of the era, this is a show of the highest quality that you will not easily forget so come along on Wednesday, May 11.

On the same day, comedian Mark Thomas brings his show Hit Refresh: 50 Things About Us It combines his trademark mix of storytelling, stand-up, mischief and really, really well-researched material to examine how we have come to

inhabit this divided wasteland that some of us call the United Kingdom.

Celebrated actor and impressionist, Colin Elmer, reprises his role in this new production, Cult Figure: Kenneth Williams, on Thursday, May 12, for a hilarious and engaging evening in the company of a true cult figure.

The dancers of Hawthorne School of Dance present their whole school production,

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Wonderland, dancing you through the decades from the twenties to the noughties from Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15.

Intoto return to the stage with an evening of three diverse and newly commissioned dance works, from the electrifying to the playful and beautiful on Tuesday, May 17.

Wilde Sundays is back on May 22, featuring a Wiltshire Takeover with solo performances from Tamsin Quin, Phil Cooper and Jamie R Hawkins, who collectively perform as The Lost Trades.

With its vibrant melodies, colourful Czech national costumes, superb singers, dancers and orchestra – and sung in English – The Bartered Bride, running from Wednesday, May 25 to Saturday, May 28, will be a highlight for many.

Reflecting on a truly extraordinary life, Henry Blofeld - aka Blowers - recalls his days as a young England hopeful, how an Eton bus knocked him off his stride (and his bike), recoiling from a career in the City to work as a cricket journalist before finding his way into the Test Match Special box.

My Dear Old Things: An Evening with Henry Blofeld on Sunday, May 29, unpacks it all.

And during May, South Hill Park’s cinema will offer twofor-one tickets on its films. n For more details, log on to: southhillpark.org.uk

Big Mac and tries MICHAEL McIntyre is coming to The Hexagon once again.

However this time he is bringing brand new material for a work in progress show.

Host of The Wheel and Michael McIntryre’s Comedy Roadshow, he has won two Chortle Awards and two British Comedy Awards, as well as a BAFTA, and a National Television Award.

In 2018, he became the highest selling artist in the history of the O2 Arena, selling more than 400,000 tickets in total.

He has also made a number of appearances on Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo, 8 out of 10 Cats, The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, and Would I Lie to You. Michael McIntyre is performing at the Hexagon on Tuesday, May 10, at 8pm. n Tickets are £27, limited to four per household, available at: whatsonreading.com – they have already sold out, but returns may be available. For more information, call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

LEISURE | 25

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LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

RaW Sounds Today

COMING SOON: The Mezz are heading to Reading next month

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/ RAWsoundstoday

W

The Mezz – Yesterday You Said Tomorrow

The Mezz are a new indie four-piece band based in Oxfordshire and this is their latest single. It’s a great sing-along melodic indie-rock anthem and well worth a listen.

The band look like they are another talented outfit on the rise and they are currently playing a number of live shows around the country.

Modesty Blue – Sea of Emotion From the sound of the blues we go to the sound of the 80’s 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

E LOVE championing new music, and that’s exactly what we’ve got for you this week.

Topping the playlist is The Mezz, a new indie four-piece.

They’re supporting Split The Dealer next month when they perform at Sub89, and what better way to put you in the mood than listening to one of their tracks?

Just 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 pump up the volume.

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.

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/

The Amazons – Bloodrush Here’s an anthem from this fast-rising band from Reading who recently played at The O2 Arena 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 They will be supporting Split the Dealer at his Sub 89 Reading show on May 13, so this is another good reason to get along to that and watch out for another new single in May too – https://www. themezz.uk/

Rocket Kings – Rendezvous We featured this band in the playlist last year and they have been added to the lineup for this year’s Wokingham Festival so that’s a good reason to remind ourselves of their Everyday Adventures album, released last year.

Here’s the opening track from that album by this five-piece Reading-based ukulele pop band whose infectious upbeat catchy sound will be perfect for a summer festival like Wokingham.

We’ll look forward to seeing them there – https:// www.facebook.com/rocketkings/

In Albion – Burning the Candle at Both Ends Another exciting up-and-coming band who will headlining the next Jamma event on Friday, April 29, at The Purple Turtle. They will also be appearing at Wokingham Festival in August – https://allmylinks. com/inalbionband

Phantom Booth – The World Outside My Door

Here’s a wonderful single from a new band based in Reading and London. They will be appearing live at the impressive Reading Rising event at The Facebar on Sunday, May 8, alongside 11 other bands – https://linktr.ee/phantombooth

Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Slow Train Blues

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 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/

GIG GUIDE 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 – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Rich Meehan Trio. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. UK Subs, The Deckchairs, Who Killed Nancy 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.

Friday, April 29

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. SLACKRR with Jam Jod. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk 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 Spread Eagle, Norfolk Road, RG30 2EG. Fossey Tango. Details: 0118 957 4507.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Highwasters. Details: 0118 957 6930.

RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. Undercovers. Details: 0118 343 0565.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Tequila Chase. Details: 0118 977 3706.

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.

Saturday, April 30

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 – Lola Lo, Friar Street.

Faded Audio presents Kaz featuring Innr, Just Eden 323, G-Glass, Remy J, Kandbie, Leap, Augusta, Jumpa, Pull Up v BBall Audio, Faded bass takeover, Klueless, Factive, Gresha, Sebby P, Sam Orwell. From 1pm.

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. Asylum Affair. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Cool Hand Luke. Details: 0118 376 9159.

WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street RG40 1XH. Sweet Frequency. Details: 0118 978 0389.

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.

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Northern Soul Social Sunday.

2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

TILEHURST – The Plough, School Road RG31 5AW. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 942 7250.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Bullfrog Band. Details: 07889 226309.

May Day holiday Monday, May 2

WINNERSH - The Phesant, Reading Road RG41 5LR. Bootlegs Band.

Tuesday, May 3

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Quirky Corner Unplugged. Details: 0118 969 98978.

SHERFIELD-ON-LODDON – The Four Horseshoes. Equinox jazz night with the Equinox Quintet and Annie Parker. Details: 01256 882296 STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. From The Jam. Details: 01491 681048.

THEALE – Village Hall RG7 5AS. Graeme Hewitt’s High Society jazz band. Noon-2.30pm.Details: 01256 780065.

TWYFORD – Waggon and Horses,High St. Wise Monkeys.

Wednesday, May 4

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. HaJaMaLa. Details: 0118 959 5500.

Thursday, May 5

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Bracknell Blues Club: Siren. Details: www.

theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – South Street arts centre. Belshazzar’s Feast.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

Friday, May 6

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Tony Goff and the Broken Colours, Nick Byrne and Matt Montana.

Details: theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Sam Braysher. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – St Laurence’s Church, Friar Street RG1 1DA. Are You Listening? Warm-up party.

Dirtbag, Swallow, Adam and Elvis, Nobodies Birthday, Disorder DJs. Details: info@ heavypop.co.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Sham69. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WARGRAVE – The George & Dragon. Shawn Lucy. 1pm.

Saturday, May 7

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. 4G. Details: 01344 420690.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. 4Foxsake with Damn Good Liars. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Hustler. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Soul’d Out.. Details: 01344 422622 ACROSS READING. Are you listening? Festival 2022.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Bottle Kids.

Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Gareth Chelley quartet. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Audiotonic. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Turn.

Details: 0118 957 6930.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. BJ Bevy. Details: 0118 979 7402.

YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Soul Night. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, May 8

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Reading Rising III: Presstomego, Defences, Inair, Transients, Allearsavow, Forlorn, Lakeacacia, Skoria, Tether, Mercuryswell, Weaponry, Phantombooth..

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Sue Graves and Hector Gilchrist. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday.

2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Story of the Searchers. Details: 0118 969 8000.

26 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

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 this week

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include The Bad Guys (u). Thurs.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (12a). Thurs. Operation Mincemeat (12a). Thurs.

Compartment No. 6.

Thurs. The Northman (15). Thurs 28. Benedetta (18). Thurs. Downton Abbey: A New Era (PG).

Fri-Thurs May 5. NT LIve: Henry V (15). Tues. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Thurs 5-Thurs May 12. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

Thursday, April 28

ONLINE. Berkshire Family History Society online talk: The Plentys of Newbury, a talk by Ellie Thorne. 2pm. £5, £4 members. Prebooking essential. Details: berksfhs.org 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. 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. 10amnoon. 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. 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.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Craft Brew, Alberto House, Marino Way. Tap Yard bank holiday weekend of fun: street food, events, craft beer and more.. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com 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. 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 presents Saturday market.

9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

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.

Earley – Maiden Erlegh Bowling Club, Beech Lane, RG6 7PT. Open day – come and try bowling, bring flat soled shoes or trainers. 11am to 4pm.

Details http://www. maidenerleghbc.co.uk FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Craft Brew, Alberto House, Marino Way. Tap Yard bank holiday weekend of fun: street food, events, craft beer and more.. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com READING – Prospect Park, Bath Road. Prospect Park Railway public running organised by the reading Society of Model Engineers. From 1pm-3pm. 60p a ride, 10 tickets £4. Traines will run until 3.45pm. Details: prospectparkrailway. wordpress.com READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam.

7.30pm. 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

May Day holiday Monday, May 2

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Craft Brew, Alberto House, Marino Way. Tap Yard bank holiday weekend of fun: street food, events, craft beer and more.. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Across town centre. Wokingham Lions present the WokinghamMay Fayre.

10am-4pm.

Tuesday, May 3

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. 10am-

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:

noon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm.

Details: 0118 978 5363.

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, May 4

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens photography exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm.

Details: 0118 978 5363.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am-

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 27, 2022 2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, May 5

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens photography exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.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 – Wokingham Baptist Church, Milton Road RG40 1DE. Wokingham Literary Society meeting: Diarists: a selection of fact and fiction including Wordsworth and Bridget Jones with Chris Davies, Paul Hammond, Rosemary Hughes and Pat Vokes. 7.30pm. £2 non-members. Details: wokinghamliterarysociety. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm.

Details: 0118 978 5363.

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Exhibition evening at Wokingham Town Hall.

7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk.

Friday, May 6

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens

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

photography exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm.

Details: 0118 978 5363.

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.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, May 7

BARKHAM – Village Hall, Church Road RG40 4PL. Barkham Village Residents Association barn dance.

7pm-10pm. Details: EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Oakwood Forest Church meeting: Beltane. 4pm. Details: oakwoodforestchurch. wordpress.com HURST – Dinton Pastures, Davis Street RG10 0TH. A Date With Nature Monthly Saturday morning walk. £2 donation to RSPB. Meet ing main car park.

9am, event to take around three-and-a-half hours.

Details: ww2.rspb.org.uk MAIDENHEAD – Stubbings House SL6 6QL. Stubbings House open gardens for National Garden Scheme.

Parkland gardens access via retail nursery: large lawn with ha-ha and woodland walks. 60 metre wall of wisteria. 10am4pm. £4, children free.

Details: 01628 825454.

READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens photography exhibition.

10am-3pm. Free entry.

Details: 0800 028 7338.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15am-noon.

Details: www. thamesvalley farmersmarket.co.uk READING – Crunch Comics, Harris Arcade. Free Comic Book day 2022: Each person visiting can collect a free comic from a choice of 30 - plus special offers and events. 10am-4pm.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

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 – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172.

SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church. Lunchtime concert with musicians from The Holt School. Free entry, followed by light lunch.

Retiring collection in aid of church funds. Details: www.loddonreach.org.uk TADLEY – Ambrose Allen Centre RG26 4ER. Tadley & Baughurst Art Club.

10am-5pm.

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 – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. The Father.

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 presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, May 8

MAIDENHEAD – Stubbings House SL6 6QL. As yesterday.

READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. As yesterday.

READING – Jelly, Broad Street Mall RG1 7QE. Sunday life drawing with guest artist Ollie Musson.

11.30am-1pm. £12.

Details: www.jelly.org.uk READING – Richards Hall, The Abbey School, Kendrick Road RG1 5DZ. West Forest Sinfoia: Orchestral Concert. 4.30pm. £15, £5 students and under 18s. westforestsinfonia.org READING – St Bart’s Theatrel, St Bartholomew’s Road RG1 3QA. READ College presents Reading Dance & Theatre Showcase. 10am5pm. £5. Details: www. readcollege.org TADLEY – Ambrose Allen Centre RG26 4ER. Tadley & Baughurst Art Club.

10am-4pm.

WOKINGHAM – From Elms Field. Wokingham Walk 2022. From 9am.

WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Vegan market.

9am-1pm. Details: www. sparkleveganevents.com WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

No. 5411

Your weekly puzzle challenge

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To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, April 28, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

TO SPONSOR THIS SECTION CALL CLAIRE ON 0118 327 2662

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1

19

2 8

20

6

18

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1

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11

1

6

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17

7

24

6

14

20

12

6

24

24

1 9

22

4

11

6

23

7

1

17

20 14

18

6

19

13

23

23

A

14

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

15

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S

R

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

MANY MADE DIVIDEND

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.

2. Marlon Brando played a longshoreman in which classic Hollywood film?

7. Where in the human body are the eustachian tubes?

3. Olympic athlete Hannah Mills is associated with which discipline?

8. The fictional detective Inspector Jacques Clouseau features in which film series?

4. A male horse used for breeding is called the sire; what is the female equivalent?

9. Indian troops annexed which Portuguese colony in 1961?

I

L E

B E T 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: 23 Good; 28 Very Good; 32 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).

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 R through openings in the walls. The A first letter may appear in any chamber.

C T

WL

OI

PO

RO

CA

SH

AS

IA

ML

EA

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

RT

9 1 5 3 9 7 7 3 2 1 8 3 1 4 7 6 1 3 4 4 9 7 1 9 8 5 6

1 8

4 4 1

4

3 9 8

9 3

3 7 5 6 5 9 2 8 7 6 9

4

15

18

A

16

17

19

26

20

21 23

24

ACROSS 1. Lively, like a field of runners perhaps (4,2,5)

DOWN 2. Howling singer returns a collection of books (7) 3. Some of the smile 9. A Zulu leader on the river in eradicated by the sly blue (5) expression (4) 10. A gambler, one who helps in 4.

Iris maybe on the bottle (6) a crime (7) 5.

It is ordinary to be occurring 11. Break off to include king, seven times per week (8) knight and a pawn (4) 6. Beat up a student in part of 12. Girl, we hear, got South Africa (5) learner included as 7.

Member taking rear seat a multilinguist (8) hesitantly (11) 14. Demand money for former 8. Principal character tasting wrong (6) poor cocktail (11) 15 & 18. It’s an almanac of 13. Wave the cereal bowl (8) course! (6,8) 16. Laying it on thickly when I’m 20. Turned puns around (4) removing a post (7) 22. Making certain king leaves, 17. Lone cowboy now a then following (7) Scottish footballer (6) 23. American political group is 19. Defeated one left unusually convening in the desert (5) sore (5) 24. Devil’s chief characteristic, 21. Bigot mostly turned to gold (4-7) desert (4)

C R

R I

A

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.

SY

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

10 10

11

12

13 14

15

18

This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

26

© Sirius Media Services Ltd

3

9

20

To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

2

8

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.

1 5

16

22

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.

16

17

19 21

21

22 23

24 24

25

27 28

29 30

9 7 4 5 3 8 2 1 6

6 8 1 7 4 2 5 3 9

3 5 2 9 1 6 7 8 4

5 6 8 3 7 1 4 9 2

4 2 3 6 5 9 8 7 1

7 1 9 8 2 4 3 6 5

WORD PYRAMID: Aircraft-carrier.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – subtract; divide; add; multiply.

Total: 7.

SOLUTIONS

8 3 6 4 9 5 1 2 7

7

F

7

12

14

EQUALISER 11 12 15 1 2 4 6 2 2 3 1 5

Hard

1 9 5 2 8 7 6 4 3

1 8 9

I

6

10

13

E

KE

LE

5

8

11

32

R

CP

ES

4

10

R

OU

PE

3

22

LD

BM

2

9

FIVE ALIVE FS

1

7

10. Who was the 2021 winner of the TV cooking competition MasterChef?

SUDOKU Easy

1

WORD PYRAMID

C R Y

11

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

6. Which cricketing publication was launched in 1864?

NONAGRAM

6 6

1. Which state declared itself independent on May 14, 1948?

5. The small piece between the two halves of a peanut is called a what?

4

13 1

21

14

7 22

4 4

6

11

7 12

4

1

18

11

6

18 13

11

18

2 4 7 1 6 3 9 5 8

6

23

26

6

4 8 1 5 7 3 9 2 6

24

4

19

5 6 7 1 2 9 4 8 3

18

6

20

9 3 2 6 4 8 7 1 5

15

6

12 6

22

3 5 9 8 6 4 2 7 1

16

11

7 4 6 2 5 1 3 9 8

14

10

2 1 8 3 9 7 5 6 4

11

18

6 2 3 9 1 5 8 4 7

25

12

21 24

1

8 9 4 7 3 6 1 5 2

6

1 7 5 4 8 2 6 3 9

23

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

PZ1P5411

CROSS CODE

5411

ACROSS 1. Part of ear (7) 8. Very enthusiastic (7) 9. Pungent gas (7) 10. Lethargy (7) 11. Throb (7) 14. Headgear (3) 16. Ink stain (4) 18. Seep (4) 19. Land measure (4) 20. French city (4) 21. Adult males (3) 23. Crash-helmet (inf.)

(4,3)

26. Extreme (7) 28. Very many (inf.) (7) 29. Dual (7) 30. Greek epic poem (7) DOWN 1. First prizewinner (8) 2. Desert animal (5) 3. ----- Evangelista, ‘80s supermodel (5) 4. Deciduous shrub (6) 5. Precipitation (4) 6. Capable of being solved (7) 7. Soviet Union (init.) (4)

12.

13.

15.

16.

17.

18.

22.

24.

25.

26.

27.

Blackthorn fruit (4) Those people (4) Army vehicle (4) Reared (4) Inclination (8) Eight-sided figure (7) Former Portuguese currency (6) Express indirectly (5) Yorkshire city (5) Palm fruit (4) Stepped (4)

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Cochlea; 8 Zealous; 9 Ammonia; 10 Languor; 11 Pulsate; 14 Hat; 16 Blot; 18 Ooze; 19 Acre; 20 Nice; 21 Men; 23 Skid lid; 26 Drastic; 28 Umpteen; 29 Twofold; 30 Odyssey.

Down – 1 Champion; 2 Camel; 3 Linda; 4 Azalea; 5 Rain; 6 Soluble; 7 USSR; 12 Sloe; 13 Them; 15 Tank; 16 Bred; 17 Tendency; 18 Octagon; 22 Escudo; 24 Imply; 25 Leeds; 26 Date; 27 Trod.

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Israel; 2 On the Waterfront; 3 Sailing; 4 The dam; 5 Embryo; 6 Wisden’s Cricketers’ Almanack; 7 The ears; 8 The Pink FIVE ALIVE: Panther; 9 Goa; 10 Tom Rhodes.

(1) Across – Flood; Cheap; Leers.

Down – Focal; Obese; Dopes.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Full of beans; 9 Azure; 10 Abetter; 11 Knap; 12 (2) Across – Swirl; Aspic; Malty.

A Z Q N X E U F V B R W H Polyglot; 14 Extort; 15 & 18 Racing calendar; 20 Spun; 22 Down – Spasm; Impel; Lucky.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Ensuing; 23 Oasis; 24 Arch-traitor.

O K J L S G D Y I T P M C Down – 2 Ululant; 3 Leer; 4 Flagon; 5 Everyday; 6 Natal; 7 NONAGRAM: belie; belt; belter; beryl; betel; bile; Backbencher; 8 Protagonist; 13 Brandish; 16 Impasto; 17 birl; ceil; celeb; CELEBRITY; celerity; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU Ranger; 19 Loser; 21 Gobi. name; avid; mind; celery; celt; creel; eely; eerily; elect; eddy. elite; erectly; leer; leery; leet; liberty; lite; litre; lycée; lyre; lyric; lytic; rebel; reel; relic; relict; relit; rely; reticle; retile; riel; rile; telic; tercel; tile; tiler; treble; trebly; trilby.

28 | LIFE

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Fibre – the lifesaving nutrient Healthy heart tips

Eat your five a day

I

T is well known that eating fibre can prevent constipation, but did you know it can also lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer?

Dietary fibre can only be found in foods that come from plants, such as wholegrain cereals, wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta, brown rice, fruit, vegetables, beans, and lentils.

Here we provide some tips to help you increase the amount of fibre in your diet.

Progress on peat

Frozen, dried and tinned fruit and vegetables all count towards this. Try eating Choose a variety apples and potatoes with their skins still on, Obtaining fibre from a variety of food sources to further increase fibre is a great way to ensure a intake. healthy balanced diet. It is also important to make Add extra vegetables or sure you are drinking enough fluid to help fibre pulses to your function properly. favourite meals

Opt for a high-fibre cereal Look out for cereals that are labelled as “whole grain” or with “bran” or “fibre” in their name. Try to choose plain varieties with no added sugars.

Switch to wholemeal

Instead of white bread, white rice

Beans, lentils and chickpeas can be added to your favourite meals like curries, bolognese, chilli, soups and stews, to bulk them out and add nutrients.

Snack wisely Choose unsalted nuts and seeds, fresh fruit, vegetable sticks or oatcakes.

Some people worry

that if they increase their fibre intake it will cause them to suffer from flatulence (wind).

To avoid this, you should gradually increase the amount of fibre in your diet to allow your body time to adjust.

Good luck.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/ healthy-tips n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.

org.uk/heart-researchuk-recipes-2/ n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook

Helpful advice if you’re planning on buying a home: tips to take the stress out of it

I

T’S ONE of the most stressful things that anyone can do, and with the rising cost of living, also one of the hardest.

But buying a house and making it a home is one of the most rewarding things we can do.

To help, Stipendium, a platform focused around simplifying complex life events such as moving home, has created a guide that it hopes will help save money by avoiding unnecessary expenditures.

Ensure a good credit score A high credit score gives buyers a much better chance of being offered a good mortgage. This can increase the buying budget and lead to a more reasonable repayment plan.

It’s vital to check your score early, well before starting the home search.

If your score is low, there are a number of simple things to do to improve it.

For example, being on the electoral roll can improve the score, while being simultaneously registered at multiple addresses can negatively impact a score.

Improvements can come from taking out a credit card and making small purchases with it, such as a food shop, that are promptly paid off by the end of the month.

Take into account additional fees

On top of the purchase price of a house, there are often additional homebuying costs. These include mortgage arrangement fees, valuations fees, stamp duty, and removal costs. Planning ahead and accounting for all of this early can save money as it means no last-minute

panic which often leads to paying more than necessary.

Consider buying at auction The open market is not the only place to buy a home. Another option is auctions.

This can often be cheaper and faster than the open market, but there are important things to consider.

The first is that auction properties often come with baggage - they might, for example, be dilapidated - so prior research is essential to make sure buyers know what they’re getting and can budget for things like renovations.

Another consideration should be that it’s easy, in the heat of the moment, to get carried away during the bidding process.

Let head rule heart and set, and stick to, a strict maximum spend limit ahead of time.

Mortgage admin There are heaps of admin involved with buying a home of which mortgage applications are probably the most important and complex of all.

Securing a good deal is important, but getting a deal that suits the individual’s situation is even more important.

Mortgage brokers can offer guidance, but that requires extra expenditure.

One great way of saving money is by remortgaging with an existing provider rather than buying a new one. This, of course, is not an option for first-time buyers.

Stipendium says it offers a lifetime of free remortgaging services via its Merge platform.

This includes guidance and advice on the process, with no fees.

Plastic Free Home David Lamont

and white pasta, try switching to wholemeal or granary bread, brown rice and wholemeal pasta.

Heart Research UK

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Choose a good solicitor

A good solicitor or conveyancer will work hard to ensure that the buying process moves quickly and with maximum efficiency.

This can slash the buying timeline by weeks or even months which reduces additional expenses such as having to rent a temporary home while the purchase is completed.

It’s always best to make this choice based on unbiased recommendations and the conveyancer’s proven track record, all of which can usually be found online.

Your estate agent may recommend a particular solicitor, but sometimes this means that they receive a referral fee.

Don’t forget the moving costs It’s common for buyers to completely forget about moving costs. The buying journey is so long and daunting that it’s hard to think of anything beyond signing the contract and then, all of a sudden, it’s time to move and no preparations have been made.

If buyers can handle the moving process themselves, they can save as much as £1,500, but this isn’t always a realistic option.

By planning ahead of time, it’s easier to get quotes from multiple removal firms, thus securing the most reasonable deal.

Next, intelligent packing can save an awful lot of room in the van, thus reducing the price. Cost can also be reduced by dismantling big pieces of furniture ahead of time, reducing the amount of time the removal firm will charge for.

Finally, picking the moving day carefully can also save money. If, for example, movers have young children,

moving on a weekday can avoid having to pay for additional child care that might be required at the weekend.

And moving on a Friday gives the whole weekend to unpack without having to take a day off work.

Christina Melling, CEO of Stipendium, said: “Buying a new home is one of the most expensive and stressful things we do in life.

It can take months of planning and execution, and there’s no limit to how much it can cost.

“With time and money such precious resources, it’s important to cut out any unnecessary, wasted expenditure.

“While planning ahead and making smart, well-informed decisions can go a long way to achieving this, it’s often easier said than done.”

She added: “Hiring the help of professionals who know the process inside and out can take much of this burden away from you, and the added cost this might require is easily negated by the savings it can enable because having insider knowledge on your side means you avoid wasting time and money on things you don’t need or things you didn’t plan for early enough.”

Anyone who knows me will know I spend a good chunk of my time either pottering in our garden or browsing local garden centres.

It has been really pleasing on recent visits, to both independently owned and chain-run garden centres in and around the Borough, to see that progress is finally being made when it comes to eliminating the use of peat in compost.

Those we feel have really been seeking to address the issue over time include Henry Street Garden Centre (Arborfield), Laurels Plant Centre (Spencers Wood), Dobbies (Shinfield), British Garden Centres (Winnersh) and Squires Garden Centres (Wokingham).

You can also buy garden compost made from green waste at the re3 waste and recycling centres (“the tip”) in Reading and Bracknell.

It has been a long-running saga and for decades successive governments had floundered on the subject.

In 2010, the then coalition Government introduced a target to end the sale of peat to amateur gardeners by 2020. Last year, with this target having been missed, the Government unveiled plans to shift that date to 2024, and to ban the use of peat among professionals in the horticulture sector as well.

So, what is the problem with using peat, I hear you ask?

Earth is home to 10 billion acres of peatlands (including bogs and fens) and they are the world’s largest carbon store on land, drawing down more carbon than all of the planet’s forests combined.

Peatlands also provide unique and intensively biodiverse habitats for wildlife, insects and plant life.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), it takes a century for just 10cm of peat to form, from partially decomposed plants, while up to 22 metres of peat can be extracted for use during that same timeframe.

The UK is home to over five million acres of peatlands, placing it among the top ten countries globally by area. These wetlands hold a similar amount of carbon to that collectively found in the forests of the UK, France and Germany.

BBC Gardeners’ World host Monty Don has long campaigned on the issue, accusing producers and retailers of “actively choosing to do harm” and “sticking their heads in the sand”.

WWF UK, The Wildlife Trusts, The Woodland Trust, The RSPB and Plantlife are among the charities who have also lobbied hard.

Our simple view is that the use of peat is wholeheartedly unnecessary and avoidable and that there are suitable, scalable alternatives.

These are generally made from materials such as animal, food or green waste, bark, wood fibre, coir, bracken or sheep’s wool.

At home, we aim to produce our own compost through half a dozen compost bins. But it can be a challenge to generate enough so we sometimes have to rely on the growing number of organic and peat-free brands out there.

If you don’t have a home compost bin, consider adding one to your garden. They are available at a subsidised price via Wokingham Borough Council’s website (as are water butts and other additions).

You can also bag up just your autumn leaves or place them in an old dustbin and come the following year you should have fantastic leafmould compost.

Next time you’re at the garden centre, please do keep this in mind and, if you can, why not get making your own compost?

It’s great fun and free.

SPORT TODAY READING

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US

27.04.22

AFC READING CELEBRATE SUCCESS

FINCH HIT FIELDERS FOR 4

HAMMERED: WOMEN LOSE OUT

ROYALS SURVIVE THE DROP SUMAS SAFE AFTER DRAW

MISSION INCEPOSSIBLE COMPLETE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC’s interim manager Paul Ince said he was ‘overjoyed’ after the Royals’ Championship status was confirmed despite their loss at Hull City.

After their 3-0 defeat, Reading’s survival was confirmed after Peterborough United lost at home

to Nottingham Forest.

“I want to enjoy this moment,” said Ince.

“I want to be able to breathe at last. I want my players to breathe, the fans to breathe.

“They wouldn’t have seen this 11 or 12 games ago where the club was going.

“I’m overjoyed for the fans and the players who will be here next

year that they get to be in the Championship.

“It was about keeping this team in the Championship and that’s what we’ve done.

“I’m proud of the fans, I’m proud of the players. Credit to all my staff.”

Ince then confirmed that he will sit down with the owner to discuss his future at the club.

He continued: “When I first got asked there were a few eyebrows raised because of the time I had been out.

“I love challenges, and this was a challenge.

“I will sit down with the owner and have a conversation.

“We’ve got 12 players out of contract and an embargo. It’s going to be tough.”

PANGBOURNE AND READING YMCA RAPIDS TO MEET IN CUP FINAL PANGBOURNE and Reading YMCA Rapids are set to head-to-head in the BTC Intermediate Cup final on Friday.

The Rivermoor Stadium, Scours Lane, will play host to the cup final where both teams will battle it out to be crowned as cup champions.

Reading YMCA Rapids go up against their fellow Thames Valley Division Three competitors with silverware on the line.

Pangbourne have already enjoyed a remarkable league campaign which saw them crowned as league champions in an unbeaten season.

They won 13 of their 16 league games to race to the league title on 39 points, six ahead of second placed Burghfield Reserves.

A brace from Matthew Thatcher and goals from Joel Burton and Jeilyn Liriano helping them to a 4-0 success.

Reading booked their place in the cup final with a semi-final win over Reading City Development with strikes from Ricky Latham and Brodie Davies.

Pangbourne earned their spot in the final with victory over Burghfield Reserves with goals from Jamie Broadley and Luke Maze seeing them to a 2-0 triumph.

n The match kicks off at 7.30pm.

Entry for adults is £3, concessions £1, and under fives get in free.

18 | SPORT

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Twyford celebrate taking a wicket Pictures: Steve Smyth

Drew Humberstone in action for Rams

CHINNOR 43-40 RAMS

VICTORY SNATCHED FROM RAMS IN DRAMATIC LATE PLAY

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today A MARK Darlington try with the penultimate play of the match helped Chinnor snatch a 43-40 victory at home to Rams in an end-to-end contest which ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous throughout.

Nick Smith’s attempted conversion was held up in the wind, and Rams then hit the front as skipper Robbie Stapley – following his hat-trick in the first encounter – powered over from close range after Connor Hayhow had been stopped inches from the line.

Sam Nicholls slotted the extras against his boyhood club to make it 7-5, but the lead changed hands again as Chinnor grabbed almost a carbon-copy of their first try.

Yet Willie Ryan’s close-range score had Chinnor 19-14 up at the interval, only for Rams to make a dream start to the second half as Bird brilliantly collected his own grubber kick to dive over on the left, Nicholls making it three from three for 21-19.

The home side went back in front with an excellent finish from 30 metres out by left wing Josh Hodson, only for Chinnor to fail to collect the restart and Bird ran in his hat-trick.

Nicholls’ kick hit the left-hand post, and Chinnor then cut the gap to two.

Rams looked like they might hold on, but Darlington – on his 50th cap – snuck over from close range before the hosts retrieved the kick-off and Carter booted it off for a dramatic victory.

Dan Finucane batting for Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s

CRICKET ROUND-UP

OAKS OVERCOME WARGRAVE AS TWYFORD BEAT CROWS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

SEVERAL cricket teams were in warm -action ahead of the imminent return of the league season.

Women’s Club Cup T20 WARGRAVE WOMEN’S first-team took a win in their match at Thame Town Women.

Wargrave batted first and totalled an impressive score from their opener as Poppy Burnyeat was 60 not out, while Ruth Payne contributed 59 runs.

Thame fell 33 runs short of reaching the target set in the first innings as Kaelin Dell and Amy Bennett took two wickets each.

Friendlies WOKINGHAM’S firstteam were in action in a

Captain Robbie Stapley and Tom Vooght in defence Pictures: David Howlett

David McQuitty batting for Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s

friendly fixture as they made the short trip to face WARGRAVE’S first-team.

The Oaks walked away with a 10-wicket victory.

They begin competitive action this coming weekend when they face FINCHAMPSTEAD in the Home Counties Twenty20 Cup. WOKINGHAM 2s also picked up a win in an away friendly as they were hosted

by Farnham Royal.

The Oaks hit 301 runs from 45 overs, losing eight wickets in their innings to set a high chase for their opponents.

Jayden Barson top scored for Wokingham with 64 not out, while Jacob Clark hit a half century from 44 balls.

Billy Rogers collected three wickets as Wokingham bowled Farnham all out on 244 to confirm a 57-run success.

Ahead of their cup

A dropped catch for Wargrave v Wokingham (batting)

fixture against Wokingham, FINCHAMPSTEAD first-team picked up a convincing 10-wicket friendly win over Normandy.

Finch bowled Normandy all out on 189 and then smacked their way to the total without dropping a wicket.

Ben Moffat retired on a half century, while Jed Crerar retired after he notched a century from 59 balls.

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 1s lost out to Checkendon.

Peter Emes picked up three wickets and three maiden overs for Crows as Checkendon finished on 195 from 35 overs.

Ant Avrili top scored for Crows with 85 not out but they fell 22 runs short of the target.

TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE 2s were triumphant up against CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 2s.

Crows batted first and set Twyford a chase of 175 after they were bowled all out after 39.1 overs as Prasanth Chintamaneni picked up three wickets for Twyford.

Ollie Tett top scored for Twyford with 39 on their way to a five-wicket win.

BRACKNELL earned a win as their Sunday side took a 101-run victory over FARLEY HILL. Bracknell batted first and amassed 346 runs from 40 overs, with Zeeshan Mehtab hitting 84 runs not out.

Michael Sheridan impressed with 82 runs for Farley but they fell well short of the target despite only losing four wickets from 40 overs.

WEST READING’S FRIENDLY XI overcame SHINFIELD’S SUNDAY XI. Inshaf Akram totalled 58 to help West Reading to a narrow 12-run win.

Steven Naylor batting for Wokingham Pictures: Steve Smyth

SPORT | 19

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CRICKET

CRICKET

BERKSHIRE SEEK FIRST POINTS

By DAVID WRIGHT sport@wokingham.today BERKSHIRE will be looking to put their first points on the board in the NCCA T20 competition over May Bank Holiday.

They travel down the M4 to Newport to face Wales National Counties on Sunday and then take on Buckinghamshire at Wargrave next Monday.

Berks lost both of their opening Group four matches to Oxfordshire, but were a shade unfortunate in the second.

Put in to bat, Berkshire were soon in trouble, losing half their side for 66 following some sensational catching by the Oxon fielders.

There was a slight improvement from the middle order with Andy Rishton making 40, Josh Lincoln 28 and debutant Jafer Chohan 12, but their total of 143-9 was never going to be enough as the

Cricket stumps Picture: Pixabay wicket became easier to bat on.

Of the seven bowlers used

by Berkshire, Rhodri Lewis took 2-24 off three overs and Luke Beaven 2-28 after four.

Both the spinners also shared four wickets in the second match but were unable to put the brake on Ward who took just 12 overs to bring up his century.

He was eventually

stumped by Dan Lincoln off the Lewis for 130, being the fourth man out with the total on 173 in the 16th over.

Wales’ squad included their new player and assistant coach Greg Smith, the former Derbyshire and Essex all-rounder.

Like Berks, Buckinghamshire lost both of their first two games, going

down to Bedfordshire at Dunstable by eight wickets and then seven wickets.

In the second game, Ed Bragg, hit 56 not out from 25 balls while Alexei Kervezee, the former Worcestershire and Netherlands batsman, made 43 in the Bucks total of 171-6.

Berkshire will not confirm their side until later this week, but Euan Woods is hoping to play after missing the Oxon games due to a hamstring problem.

A week after completing a double over Shropshire, Berkshire Women losttwice to Worcestershire in the ECB County T20 competition at Bromsgrove last Sunday.

Setting a target of 150, they lost the first game by 47 runs with Mia Rogers being run out for 49, while.

In the second game, they needed 166 to win, but were restricted to 124-6 with skipper Ashleigh Muttitt topscoring on 42.

EVERSLEY RARING TO START AHEAD OF NEW CAMPAIGN EVERSLEY Cricket Club are raring to go ahead of the new cricket season where they will compete with numerous sides.

Eversley will be running five Saturday League sides, a friendly Saturday team as well as a midweek t20 team and Sunday friendly team.

Following promotions for the 1st XI and 3rd XI in 2021, both teams have ambitions to at the stabilise their positions alongside the 2nd and 4th teams looking to bounce back from relegation last year out.

All this while giving as much opportunity to the youngsters coming through and recreational cricket in the 5th, 6th XI and Sunday teams.

Around 40% of Eversley’s teams made up from current or ex Colt members.

In addition, the club has 220 active junior members from U7 to U17s with about 15% representing the senior teams as well.

Around 30 juniors are playing representative cricket for either Berkshire and Hampshire and have three Bunbury cricketers in their ranks.

Rob Saunders batting for Eversley 2s Picture: Steve Smyth The club are continuing their partnership with the Chequers as the kit sponsor for their third consecutive season as well as the newly named Chequers end.

They are welcoming all-rounder Kyle Bienefelt from Australia to the Boars for the 2022 season.

National League One Rugby returns for the last time this season to Old Bath Road on Saturday 30th April 2022 K.O. 3.00pm Come and Enjoy a LIVE Band. BARS OPEN from 12.30pm 1st XV v CAMBRIDGE RFC A range of great food & drink will be available for you to savour. Stay and enjoy our LIVE music after the game.

E tickets can be pre-purchased via our Ticket Office at: Entry is £15 for over 18s for non-season ticket holders, FREE for under 18s.

FREE Park and Ride available for this fixture.

Rams Rugby, Old Bath Road, Sonning, Berkshire RG4 6TQ © RAMSRUGBY 2022

160mmx8 columns (265mm) Cambs Home -30th April - Wokingham and Reading Paper 20-21.04.22.indd 1

14/04/2022 09:19:09

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Virginia Water v Wokingham & Emmbrook Pictures: Andrew Batt

SUMAS HELD IN FINAL MATCH, BOARS FACE ANXIOUS WAIT AFTER AWAY VICTORY FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Isthmian South Central

BINFIELD suffered defeat on the final day of the season at home to Chipstead.

The away team edged in front in the 16th minute and quickly doubled their lead three minutes later.

The Moles hit back in the 35th minute through Liam Tack who scored with a spectacular finish to beat the keeper.

But Binfield were unable to grab an equaliser throughout the second-half which meant their debut season at step four ended with a loss.

However, it has been a positive first campaign in the

league for the Moles who finish in eighth.

Binfield co-manager Jamie McClurg said: “Another season over and top eight finish after promotion last season in a very competitive league. Massive thank you all our players, staff, volunteers and fans you have gave us everything. A fantastic group of people to work with and be around.”

Combined Counties Premier North

READING CITY ended the season in style with a 3-2 victory over Burnham.

The win means that the Cityzens finish the season in ninth on 44 points.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK

concluded their season with a clean sheet and a point on the road at Virginia Water.

It was a goalless affair between the teams in 15th and 16th in the table as the points were shared.

Having earned promotion last season, the Sumas will be pleased that they managed to avoid the drop in what was a testing campaign.

Also in their first season under manager Eliot Whitehouse, the Sumas secured their safety a week prior to their final match with a draw against Holyport.

Wokingham end the season in 16th on 29 points, four points above the relegation zone.

Combined Counties Division One

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA concluded their campaign with a 2-1 away triumph at Enfield Borough.

The Boars fell behind just before half-time, but they recovered in the second-half with goals from Connor Allston and Paras Gill to take the points.

Eversley now have a tense wait to see whether they will qualify for the play-offs.

They are currently in fifth, but seventh placed Kensington & Ealing Borough have two games left to play.

Kensington will need to win both of their matches and beat

Eversley’s +30 goal difference to overtake them into the play-offs.

BERKS COUNTY earned three points on their travels to Bedfont & Feltham.

A double from Akem-Che helped the Swords to a 2-1 win.

They are in ninth with three games left to play.

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

CAVERSHAM UNITED lost out to second placed Carterton in their final match of the league season.

Having taken the lead in the first-half, the Goats were unable to preserve their advantage and conceded before half-time.

Carterton added three more in the second-half to take the win.

Caversham finish the season in sixth on 23 points in their debut season.

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA RESERVES ended their season with a victory over WARGRAVE DEVELOPMENT. Megan Lawrence, Molly Tzanetis and Ellie Messitt were on target for the Boars, while Tina Leahy netted for Wargrave to make it 3-1.

The Boars end the season in ninth on 13 points, while Wargrave finished one place above on 15 points.

SPORT | 21

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FINCH EARN WIN IN TITLE BATTLE WITH BURGHFIELD Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead and Burghfield compete for the ball

Finchampstead celebrate a goal

Finchampstead add to the score

Finchampstead v Burghfield Pictures: Steve Smyth

Callum Vallance strikes at goal Finch strike at goal

FINCHAMPSTEAD picked up a vital victory in their top of the table clash with BURGHFIELD. Finch raced into a four goal lead with goals from Nick Payne, Alex Woodhead, Callum Vallance and Aqeel Butt.

Lewis Butcher grabbed a consolation goal for the Fielders but they fell to a 4-1 loss.

The title race is set to go right down to the wire.

Finch are just one point behind Burghfield with a game in hand and have three league games left.

Meanwhile, current leaders Burghfield have two games to play.

Finch are in action with two consecutive away games.

First they face Wargrave on this evening (Wednesday) before they face Marlow United on Saturday.

Burghfield are not in league action until the following weekend when they host Richings Park.

READING YMCA picked up three points on their visit to Marlow United.

Andrej Hornola netted the only goal of the game which came in the 57th minute as Reading earned a clean sheet on their way to taking maximum points.

The win puts them up to 10th in the table on 28 points and they have five league games left to play.

WARGRAVE moved up the table with an away success against Mortimer.

The victory puts them up to seventh on 31 points with four games to play.

READING CITY U23’s were beaten

heavily at home by Yateley United.

They lost 6-1 which puts them in 12th with three games to complete the season.

Reading & District Sunday League Senior: Englefield Eagles 0-4 Arborfield, FC Sporty 4-0 Burghfield, Tilehurst 0-2 AFC Bradfield One: 116 Exiles 0-5 GC United, Berkshire Dons 2-1 Woodley Saints Hobnob, Burghfield Reserves 1-2 Loxwood Park Rangers, Caversham United 3-1 Wayback Wanderers, Emmer Green 0-3 Give Back, Westwood Wanderers 11-2 Rose & Thistle Two: Calcot Royals 2-4 Barton Rovers, Farley Hill 3-4 AFC Pangbourne Three: FC Woodley 5-1 Racing Club de Woko, Royal Albion 5-2 Burghfield B Four: Give Back Reserves 4-7 Reading United, Hype Train 5-1 FC Whitley Wood, RG6 0-2 Core FC

Bracknell & District Sunday League Premier: William Twigg 3-1 Finchampstead Athletic, Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW 0-4 Bracknell Rangers Two: FC Harmanswater 2-4 Bracknell Athletic, Harts of Bracknell 2-1 Silver Birch, Sandhurst 0-3 Ashridge Park Royals Three: Crowthorne FC 1-5 Bracknell Bisons, SF7 FC 1-1 Bracknell Royals Four: Bracknell Titans 0-8 3M, Hope & Anchor 4-1 Bracknell Spartan

LONDON LIONS 6-0 WOODLEY

KESTRELS ENSURED SAFETY DESPITE LOSS TO CHAMPIONS

By MARK ROZZIER sport@wokingham.today WOODLEY UNITED went down to a heavy defeat having put in a promising first-half shift against league champions London Lions.

Visiting the champions, a young United saw a number of players playing in unfamiliar roles due to unavailability through injury and suspension and can be pleased with a first half display that was competitive and saw the

opening goal scored in the 38th minute.

From the kick off, left back Reece Probert saw a long cross into the Lions penalty area go out of play at the far post which was United’s story of the half that saw chances created

but home keeper Josh Samberg rarely troubled due to off target shots or straight at him.

Equally the hosts were also guilty of wasting opportunities.

The only goal of the first half was scored by Max Kyte who outjumped Caleb Lucas to a Sam Goldberg cross and then react quickest to the loose ball to steer the ball in to the net from close range.

Ten minutes into the second half, the hosts extended their lead when Austin Lipman was allowed to reach the goal line and put a low cross into Woodley’s six yard box where Felix Shalom got between two

defenders to poke the ball over the line.

Probert was immediately called upon to clear the ball from his goal line as Lions began to find their stride with Woodley’s best response being Archie Swell forcing Samberg to save in the 66th minute.

The third goal came after 68 minutes following the visitors’ failing to clear a free kick that allowed substitute Zan Appleson-Fidler to score a poacher’s goal with his first touch of the ball with the fourth three minutes later when Lipman was found

unmarked by Kyte in the penalty area to have an unchallenged dot on goal.

United regained composure but were to concede two further goals in the last four minutes to Lipman and Shalom.

With Bagshot also losing United are assured of Step six football next season with two games remaining and have a cup quarter final to look forward to in May. Woodley United: Gray, Mitreski, Probert, Monteiro (Hudell), Gough, Carmichael, Lucas (Akintola), Brown, Brandao, Besidonne, Swell

22 | SPORT

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How they rated Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney

WINLESS RUN EXTENDS TO EIGHT READING 1 WEST HAM 2

GRACE MOLONEY

Made several exceptional saves, particularly in the first-half when she was called into action far too often to rescue her team.

LILY WOODHAM

Had Reading’s best attempt of the first-half when she showed quick feet in the box to break away from a challenge and get a shot away.

GEMMA EVANS

Had plenty of defensive work to do in the first-half. West Ham got through the middle all too easily for the opener.

DEANNA COOPER

Put in some vital blocks including one on Leon that stopped a certain goal, but could have done better with the opening goal.

FAYE BRYSON

Struggled at times defensively but did better going forward and got on the scoresheet deep into stoppage time.

SANNE TROELSGAARD

Overrun in midfield by a lively West Ham display as the visitors controlled proceedings in the opening hour of the contest.

JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET Not her usual domineering self in the middle of the park. Faced a stern test up against West Ham who had much better of the ball.

TASH HARDING

Wasn’t able to stamp much influence on the game in either box.

Picked up a yellow card early in the first-half.

AMALIE EIKELAND

Worked hard on the wing and had to help out on numerous occasions in defence as Reading were put under constant pressure in the first-half.

RACHEL ROWE

Battled hard in the attacking third to try and press the Hammers when they played from the back. Her pressing led to Woodham’s shot.

DEANNE ROSE

Starved of service for most of the game. Better in the second-half but didn’t get any chances in front of goal.

SUBS Natasha Dowie 6, Tia Primmer n/a

8 7 6 6 7 4 5 5 5 5 5

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC Women’s winless run continued after they were brushed aside by West Ham United.

The Royals have now gone eight games in the Women’s Super League, and nine in all competitions, without victory.

Emma Snerle struck for the Hammers 30 seconds into the second-half before Yui Hasegawa showed great composure to seal the win with four minutes left, despite Faye Bryson’s stoppage time consolation goal Reading are eighth in the table with just two games left to complete the 2021/22 campaign.

Reading came into the match looking to stop their winless run of seven games in the Women’s Super League.

They picked up a point after recovering from 2-0 down in their match against the Hammers earlier in the campaign.

Meanwhile, West Ham were victorious with an extra-time win when the teams met at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the FA Cup. Kelly Chambers’ side were left light on the bench, being able to name just five substitutes with forward Emma Harries being the most recent injury blow after picking up a PCL injury on international duty.

Reading looked to start quickly when Rachel Rowe hassled the West Ham defence who tried to play out from their own box and ultimately forced a corner.

But it was the visitors who set the tempo for the half

Lily Woodham ventures forward

Faye Bryson

Reading manager Kelly Chambers

Match stats Reading: Moloney, Bryson, Cooper, Evans, Woodham, Harding (c). Rowe, Troelsgaard, Vanhaevermaet, Eikeland, Rose Subs: Stewart, Poulter, Roberts, Primmer, Dowie West Ham: Arnold, Cissoko, Fisk, Longhurst (c), Wyne, Brynjarsdottir, Svitkova, Snerle, Hasegawa, Evans, Leon Subs: Moore, Stringer, Walker, Filis, Joel, Cairns, Garrad, Houssein

Yallop,

Goals: Snerle 46’, Hasegawa 86’, Bryson 90+4’

The Royals concede a second goal as they dominated and created plenty of chances.

Their first opportunity came when Kate Longhurst was tripped which led to a free-kick being smacked into the wall from Adriana Leon.

The Hammers found the net in the eighth minute only to be denied by the linesman’s offside flag.

Grace Moloney made an initial excellent stop low to her right to keep out Emma Snerle and when Dagny Brynjarsdottir headed in on

Lily Woodham strikes at goal in R the rebound, she was called offside.

The pressure was relentless from West Ham in the opening 15 minutes of the contest as the Royals were let off when Zaneta Wyne met Katerina Svitkova’s cross but could only hit the side netting.

The best opening of the half fell for Leon when she found herself one-on-one with Moloney, but the Royals keeper came to the rescue again by making a superb save to deny West Ham the opener.

Reading had a break from

HULL CITY 3-0 READING

ROYALS’ CHAMPIONSHIP SURVIVAL CONFIRMED DESPITE DEFEAT READING FC’s Championship safety was confirmed despite an away defeat to Hull City.

The Royals will be playing Championship football once again next campaign after Peterborough United’s home loss to Nottingham Forest condemned them to relegation.

Reading went down late in the first-half after Hull stole possession from Tom Dele-Bashiru and were disciplined by Keane Lewis-Potter’s strike.

Alfie Jones poked in from close range to double the Tigers’ advantage, but with results going Reading’s way, their Championship status was confirmed for another season.

The game got off to a slow start

with no chances created by either side in the opening 25 minutes in a lacklustre contest.

Orjan Nyland reacted quickly to rush off his line and beat Keane Lewis-Potter to the ball as he tried to race onto a diagonal.

The Royals finally created a good opening and had two big chances within a few minutes.

First when Junior Hoilett burst down the right-wing and clipped in a superb cross for Josh Laurent, but with the goal gaping, he headed it straight down the throat of Nathan Baxter.

Hoilett again threatened when he got the ball into the box to find Lucas Joao who spun to get a shot away that soared over the top.

With half-time approaching, the

home side took the lead after they pounced on a Reading mistake.

Tom Dele-Bashiru lost the ball after trying to play the ball out from Reading’s half and his team were made to pay when the dangerous LewisPotter got down the right and smacked a shot into the roof of the net to beat Nyland at his near post.

The restart ensued but the Royals started poorly and found themselves two goals down just seven minutes into the half.

Another chance came and went

for Reading to get back into the game when Baba Rahman fired in a dangerous cross that Brandon Fleming just managed to divert behind for a corner with both Ince and Hoilett lurking for a tap in.

Hull added a third to seal their points as Lewis-Potter netted a third deep in stoppage time.

However, they managed to avoid the Championship drop after Peterborough’s home loss confirmed their relegation just a day after Barnsley and Derby County had already been relegated.

SPORT | 23

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T AFTER HOME LOSS TO HAMMERS Sanne Troelsgaard in possession

From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

OPPOSING PLAYERS SENT OFF FOR SAME FOUL

J Rose races onto the ball Reading fans

Bryson finds a teammate Arnold collects a Reading set-piece

Reading’s home loss to West Ham Pictures: Neil Graham

Moloney prevents West Ham

defending when Rowe’s tenacious work won the ball and Lily Woodham showcased some clever footwork to work some space in the box for a shot that was pushed away at the near post by Mackenzie Arnold.

The half came to a close with Reading surviving another scare when Leon broke into the box with a surging run but saw her effort blocked by Deanna Cooper.

West Ham took a deserved lead just 30 seconds after the restart when they broke forward and found Snerle in the box who unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top left corner to beat Moloney.

West Ham celebrate

Chambers made a positive switch just after an hour when striker Natasha Dowie replaced Sanne Troelsgaard.

Despite an improved spell in the second-half which saw the Royals stop the barrage of attacks West Ham enjoyed in the first-half, they were unable to force a leveller.

Tia Primmer replaced Cooper after the Royals defender picked up an injury with just under 10 minutes to go.

Reading fought to win a couple of corners in the final 10 minutes but West Ham stayed organised to clear.

The Irons consolidated their win

in the 87th minute when Hasegawa receieved a cutback, drifted past two defenders and sunk the ball into the net.

Dowie came close to clawing back a goal in stoppage time but headed straight at Arnold.

Reading did get on the scoresheet deep into stoppage time when Bryson’s strike took a deflection to beat Arnold, but there wasn’t enough time for them to find a leveller.

The Royals have two games remaining in the WSL season.

They travel to face Leicester City next Sunday before they host Manchester City.

PREVIEW

ROYALS HOST ALBION IN FINAL HOME MATCH READING FC are in action at home to West Brom in their final home game of the 2021/22 Championship season.

The Royals secured their Championship safety at the weekend with two games to spare despite their 3-0 loss at Hull City.

Derby County were the first to be condemned to the drop, followed

by Barnsley on Friday night and then joined by Peterborough United on Saturday after they lost to Nottingham Forest.

Despite a turbulent season with points deductions, transfer embargoes and a change in

manager during the campaign, the Royals can now look ahead and begin to plan for life in the Championship again next season.

They conclude their home campaign when they host West Brom this weekend, who will finish in midtbale having dropped out of the play-off picture.

The Baggies made a promising start to the campaign under manager Valerian Ismael having been relegated under Sam Allardyce from the Premier League the previous season.

Looking to bounce back to the top flight at the first time of asking,

things started well for West Brom but quickly began to fade as Ismael’s unique style of play came under criticism as results began to dwindle.

The West Brom hierarchy opted for a change having recently appointed former Reading chief executive Ron Gourlay, who had a controversial spell at the Royals.

With West Brom in fifth at the time, Ismael was sacked and replaced by Steve Bruce.

However, the appointment has not gone to plan and has seen the Baggies fall out of the promotion picture all together where they are

now in 13th with two games to go and unable to make the top six.

When the teams met at the Hawthorns back in December, with Veljko Paunovic in charge of the Royals, Reading were beaten 1-0 after Callum Robinson netted the only goal of the game.

It was a drab afternoon for the Royals who failed to register a shot on target in their defeat.

Reading are winless in their last five meeting with West Brom, last beating them in the FA Cup in 2016.

The Baggies took three points on their last visit to Berkshire, in February 2020.

UST when you think you have seen everything, something happens that makes you think again.

One of those things happened In the League One game, Gillingham v Fleetwood Town a couple of Saturdays ago.

Two opposing players went for the same ball and both received a red card.

Opponents have been sent off at the same time before but it’s more likely for a punch up.

In this case, two opposing players were going after the same ball from a different direction.

The ball was running loose, roughly in the middle of the pitch and one player was approaching it from the right and the other from the left, both at great speed and both stretching out determined to reach the ball first.

After they crashed into one another. one player got up and walked away, while the other remained in a heap at the scene of the collision, quickly surrounded by members of both teams.

The referee, James Linington, was the calmest person around as he made his way to the scene, but to the obvious surprise of his team mates, showed a red card to the player still laying on the ground.

He next walked over to the other player and also showed him a red card.

This was probably unique, so I praise the referee.

I scoured ‘our’ book, which not only contains the Laws of the Game and the VAR Protocol but also several other chapters such as the glossary of football and refereeing terms as well as practical guidelines for match officials.

Nowhere could I find anything remotely like the incident that had occurred.

The referee didn’t have the luxury of checking with the book but I think his actions were guided by a paragraph in its first chapter.

“The Laws cannot deal with every possible situation, so where there is no direct provision in the Laws, the IFAB expects the referee to make a decision within the ‘spirit’ of the game and the Laws”.

The referee saw two players making a tackle with excessive force and endangering the safety of an opponent.

He could have backed out and awarded a free kick to the more injured player, but he thought them both guilty and acted accordingly.

Unfortunately, the video didn’t show how the game was restarted, I would love to know which team the referee gave the free kick to.

Editor’s note: As a long-suffering Gillingham fan, I watched the incident in question, and the free-kick was given to the Gills. In the end, the relegation clash ended in a draw, with both teams remaining in the relegation race.

24 | SPORT

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YOUTH FOOTBALL

RESULTS

RING OUT THE BELLES FOR CUP

Friday, April 22 RUGBY UNION National League One Chinnor 43-40 Rams

Saturday, April 23 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Hull City 3-0 Reading

Isthmian South Central Binfield 1-2 Chipstead Combined Counties Premier North Reading City 3-2 Burnham Sumas 0-0 Virginia Water

AFC Reading Liberty Belles U14’s

AFC Reading Miami Belles U15’s

AFC Reading Dakota Belles U12’s

By Staff Writer sport@wokingham.today THREE of AFC Reading Miami’s side celebrated success in the Berks & Bucks County Cup finals to mark a triumphant season for the club.

AFC Reading Miami Belles U15’s

Up against Childrey FC, AFC Reading Miami Belles U15’s dominated first half hitting both the upright and the crossbar before captain Lucy Giles collected the ball on the edge of the box and fired in a low shot into the bottom left corner.

The second half started with both teams playing attacking football with chances created at both ends. Huge credit goes to the defensive effort of the team to keep out Childrey as they stuck together to claim the cup.

clinical finishing deserted them.

However the half time team talk and reset did it’s job and the second half saw them come out and take control of the match and three goals saw them to a comfortable victory.

AFC Reading Liberty Belles U14’s

AFC Reading Dakota Belles U12’s

AFC Reading Liberty Belles were the first of the club’s three teams in the final against Milton Keynes City FC The first half was fairly even with Liberty Belles creating the greater amount of chances but their usual

Dakota Belles were AFC Reading’s youngest team into a county cup final and it couldn’t have got off to a better start as they took the lead five minutes in.

Shortly after, they added a second to make it 2-0 and started to look

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

KINGS JUNIORS QUALIFY FOR FINALS THAMES Valley Kings Junior wheelchair basketball team made it to the final after a brilliant collecive display in the Elite 8s.

In action cmopetitng against the eight best junior wheelchair basketball teams in the country in the Elite 8s, Kings’ junior side ensured they made it through at the weekend.

Going into the Elite 8s competition after winning their regional qualifying group undefeated, they entered the single elimination knockout tournament as 3rd seeds.

Kings met the Tees Valley Mohawks juniors in the quarter finals and after a hard fought first half, Kings where able to slowly pull ahead in the second half with a solid display and took the win 61-37.

very much in control.

Some dogged defending by Shinfield kept the score at 2-0 until a few mins before half-time Shinfield managed to sneak a goal and it was non stop attacking from Shinfield for the remaining six minutes but Dakota managed to withstand the onslaught.

The second half was end to end and the next goal proved to be crucial as the score went to 3-1 and then 4-1 in quick succession. Dakota saw out the remainder of the game to secure the win.

RUNNING

RUNNERS TO TACKLE SHINFIELD 10K EVENT KEEN RUNNERS are preparing to tackle the Shinfield 10k which takes place on Monday, May 2.

In the semi final, Kings met North Wales Knights in what many consider the game to the finals.

Knights took an early lead but the resilience of the Kings saw them fight back and the teams were 21 all at half time.

Both team sfought valiantly in the second half but it was Kings who opened up a sizable

12 point lead and held on to to take the win by five points, 54-49.

The Junior League final against Walkfield Whirlwinds will take place at the National Championships on May 14th, the game has traditionally been shown on BBC Sport.

Details are however yet to be confirmed.

The race, which starts at 9.30am will be followed by the junior cross country race at Langley Mead at 11.30am.

Entry for both races is still available. The 10k race costs £16 in advance for UKA affiliated runners and £20 on the day, while it is £18 in advance for non-affiliated runners and £22 on the day.

Each runner will be sent their timing with SMS results sent directly to their mobile phone, while the first male and female local finishers will receive a prize.

Meanwhile, the junior race is £5 in advance or £7 on the day and is subject to a limit of 300 runners. All participants will receive a medal while the top three boys and girls in each race will be given a trophy. n For more information, visit www.entryhub.co.uk/2022-shinfield-10k

FIXTURES

Wednesday, April 27

FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Reading YMCA v Yateley United Wargrave v Finchampstead

Thursday, April 28 FOOTBALL Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Kensington & Ealing Boro

Friday, April 29

Combined Counties Division One Bedfont & Feltham 1-2 Berks County Enfield Borough 1-2 Eversley & California London Lions 6-0 Woodley United

BTC Cup final Pangbourne v Reading YMCA Rapids

Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead 4-1 Burghfield Marlow United 0-1 Reading YMCA Mortimer 0-2 Wargrave Reading City U23’s 1-6 Yateley United

Southern Combination Challenge Cup Reading City v Cobham

RUGBY UNION South West 1 East Trowbridge 7-38 Bracknell

Thames Valley Premier League Marlow United v Finchampstead Reading YMCA v Reading City U23’s Wraysbury v Wargrave

CRICKET Friendlies Wokingham 2s (301-8) beat Farnham Royal (244-7) Wargrave 2s (123 all out) lost to Old Basing (320-5) Wargrave Women (153-1) beat Thame Town (120-7) Finchampstead (190-0) beat Normandy (189 all out) West Reading (83-3) beat Yarl (82-9)

Sunday, April 24 FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading 1-2 West Ham

Thames Valley Women’s Division One Carterton 4-1 Caversham United Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Caversham AFC 2-2 Yateley United Eversley & California 3-1 Wargrave Development CRICKET Friendly Shinfield (200-9) lost to West Reading (212-7)

Monday, April 25

FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Marlow United Reading City U23’s v Maidenhead Town

Tuesday, April 26

FOOTBALL Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Bagshot Woodley United v Hillingdon Borough

Saturday, April 30 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading v West Brom

Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Hilltop Cove v Woodley United

CRICKET Home Counties Premier T20 Cup Wokingham v Finchampstead BCM Championship West Reading v Great Kingshill BCL Premier Division Goring on Thames v Waltham St Lawrence West Reading 2s v Shinfield 2s BCL Division 1A Reading United v Earley BCL Division 1B Warfield v Crowthorne & Crown Wood BCL Division 2 Reading United 3s v Mortimer West End 2s BCL Division 3 Earley 3s v Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s RUGBY UNION National Division One Rams v Cambridge

Sunday, May 1

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Leicester City v Reading

Monday, May 2

FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Reading YMCA v Marlow United