Wednesday, April 6, 2022
No. 24 90p
BACK IN THE RUNNING 9 772754 278509
ISSN 2754-2785
Fantastic picture special inside
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Reading Half takes to the streets as crowds cheer on the runners
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s return ..
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today RUNNERS from across the country took part in the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday, April 3.
The event celebrated its 40th anniversary this year and returned to its traditional spring date after it was moved to November in 2021, due to the pandemic. The route took runners from Green Park into Whitley, the University of Reading, the town centre, into West Reading and Tilehurst before going through Coley and along the A33. The route ended with a stadium finish at the Select Car Leasing stadium. This year’s race saw 3,602 people finish with James Connor taking victory in the men’s race with a time of 1:05:58. Ed Bovingdon followed on 1:06:45, and Neil Kevern,
representing Bracknell Athletics Club, finished third with 1:06:59 Kate Drew won the women’s race, clocking a time of 1:14:36, nearly three minutes faster than her competitors. Behind her was Sarah Webster on 1:17:24, and Hayley Munn on 1:17:54 Judith Manson, race director, said: “What a wonderful occasion for everyone – even the weather came to the party providing perfect running conditions.
“The buzz of the day was incredible – from the moment our special guests, Sir John Madejski and David Haye set runners off on the start line in Green Park, to the moment the final runner crossed the finish line. “Thank you to everyone who took part, all our wonderful volunteers, partners and charities – we really couldn’t do this without you.” Entries are now open for the 2023 event, which will take place on Sunday, April 2.
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READING HALF MARATHON 2022
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Wednesday, April 6, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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READING HALF MARATHON 2022
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READING HALF MARATHON 2022
On the town STEVE SMYTH captures the moment in Reading
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READING HALF MARATHON 2022
W
ell hello there! Welcome back to another month at DoubleBarrelled – Tilehurst’s favourite family owned microbrewery. Founded by myself Luci and my husband Mike in 2018, we started brewing in our garage in Caversham and now we are the proud owners of a contemporary craft brewery producing some of the Ding’s best loved beers. If you haven’t met us yet (and don’t worry, you will) you can find our delicious Lagers and Pale Ales served in your favourite pubs and restaurants locally and around the country! April is a really exciting month for us at the brewery, spring is well and truly on the way! The days get longer, the sun starts to pop out and our onsite bar - The Taproom - turns into one of Reading’s best beer gardens! Open from 5 – 8.30pm on Friday evenings and from 1 – 8.30pm on Saturdays this is the best place to experience our beers, fresh from the brewery. Kick back, relax and immerse yourself in the Industrial Chic of the Stadium Way industrial estate – with beers to take away and independent street food vendors every weekend this could be your new favourite spot!
Luci and Mike, co-founders
Variety is the spice of life in the beer industry, and whilst we’re always brewing a new batch of our award winning Pale Ale Parka and house Keller Lager Ding, we love producing a wide array of one-off special releases – typically only ever brewed once these beauties need snapping up when you see them! This month we are releasing a very special beer indeed – Ikaru. Brewed to celebrate International Women’s Day this super vibrant Pale Ale was designed, brewed, promoted, sold and served by the amazing women of Double-Barrelled! We are incredibly proud of the ladies who form part of our hardworking team and can’t wait to share the results with you! Expect notes of ripe peaches, juicy tropical fruits and a lick of lemon zest – my mouth is watering just writing this! And even better – this year we are donating 20p from the sale of every can of Ikaru sold to our chosen charity “Choose Love” supporting displaced people and refugees, so not only can you enjoy a tasty beer you can give yourself a pat on the back too! And of course – let’s not forget April’s big “E” word – Easter! We will be open across the bank holiday weekend from Thursday to Easter Monday and can’t wait to welcome you for a few pints in the sun! This Easter we’re showing a spotlight on some of our other favourite producers from around the Ding with a local suppliers showcase. So if beer isn’t quite your thing come and grab a hand crafted gin, an artisan wine or a small batch soft made within the county line!
Entries open for 2023 race By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today ENTRIES for the 2023 Reading Half Marathon are now open.
The event will take place on Sunday, April 2. Entries start at £38 for UK Athletics affiliated members and from £40 for non-members. Entries are also available for the Green Park Challenge, a fun run of just under 3km which takes place at 8.15am on the same day as the half marathon. Entries for the Green Park Challenge start at £15. n For more information, or to book, visit: letsdothis.com
Or if you are staying firmly put at home in a deck chair in the garden why not have cold beers delivered to your door? Our webshop is open 24/7 with next day courier available, or our Friday local delivery service for all spends over £30! Have a fantastic month, and we look forward to catching you up with all things Double-Barrelled next month. Can’t wait that long? Make sure you follow us on our social media channels below or sign up to our mailing list on our website! Cheers!
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Gastower’s role in the fight against Putin’s invasion Trusts: managing wealth, safeguarding needs. Trusts have been around for thousands of years and are a useful mechanism for managing wealth, safeguarding the needs of family members, and even saving tax. A trust is an arrangement by which someone (the ‘settlor’) gives assets to individuals (the ‘trustees’) to hold for the benefit of others (the ‘beneficiaries’). Although the beneficiaries can receive the benefit of the trust assets (which could be capital or income), it is the trustees who have control, and they make the decisions. Trusts can be created orally but are usually written down, recording all the trustees’ powers and duties, as well as the ways in which the beneficiaries can benefit. This benefit could be a right to the income or capital, or a discretionary benefit – a mere potential to benefit (rather than an entitlement). Trusts are set up for a variety of reasons. Some typical scenarios where trusts can be useful are: • Passing assets down to later generations • Paying school or university fees • Protecting vulnerable beneficiaries who struggle to manage their money • Safeguarding assets from creditors, bankruptcy or divorce claims • Saving inheritance tax
Trusts can be created in Wills or through lifetime giving. You may be a settlor of a trust, a trustee or a beneficiary. Modern trusts can operate for a maximum of 125 years, so can be relevant to a family for many generations. The law and the taxation of trusts change over time. It is important that anyone who has involvement with a trust, whether as a beneficiary or a trustee, is kept up to date on issues of compliance and taxation. The most recent development is the introduction of the Trust Registration Service (TRS). This is a central register of trusts which is administered by HMRC and contains information such as who the trustees are, who can benefit from the trust and what assets are in the trust. There is now a requirement that nearly all trusts are registered with the TRS. It is ultimately the responsibility of the trustees to ensure that this has happened, and there are financial penalties if this doesn’t happen. There is a new deadline of 1st September 2022 which will apply to many trusts. The process for registration is not straightforward and therefore action needs to be taken at an early stage. If you need help with an existing trust, or would like to set up a new trust, please get in touch with Catherine at Legacy Law. We are experts on all aspects of trusts and their taxation and we will work hard to ensure that you understand the terms of all documents you put in place, and comply with the relevant legislation.
Call on: 0118 40 50 131 www.legacy-law.co.uk Email at:catherine@legacy-law.co.uk
SALE: Catia Antunes with her hen table
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
HELPING UKRAINE: Leslee Barron with her pictures of the now dismantled gastower Pictures: Mike Swift
BARGAINS were on offer at a table top sale in east Reading on Saturday.
Wycliffe Baptist Church opened its doors to shoppers with the charity event. Alongside bric-a-brac, books and preloved clothes, digital artist Leslee Barron was selling prints, cards and images of the gas tower, which is being demolished. She sold £200 worth of pictures, which has been donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal for Ukraine. Gift aid will add another £50 to the gift. Ms Baron said: “Like many, reading about Ukraine made me feel absolutely useless. I felt I had to do something. “Over a coffee with my friend Penny we decided to raise money by having a tabletop sale, but where? Luckily Catia from Wycliffe Church was organising one. “The money I raised far exceeded my expectations, I even sold one of my gas tower triptychs; there’s still one available, on the wall at Reading Biscuit Factory.” She added: “I would like to thank everyone who bought some of my artwork, canvasses, Alina books and cards, you helped me raise this money for Ukraine. “When I started taking photographs of our humble gas tower I never imagined I would end up being shortlisted photographer of the year 2021 by Historic England, and that that photo would help me raise money for Ukraine.” Also taking part in the event were members of Wycliffe’s SHARE and Coffee and Craft team, which help distribute surplus food among the community, and 10-year-old Gracie Breadman, who sold Easter cakes she had made. n For more, visit: www.lesleebarron.com
FARE SHARE: Laura Finlay, Ali Tamarahani and Kathryn Burgoyne at the Wycliffe Baptist Church table top sale
FLYING THE FLAG: Brenda McGonigle and Penny Dwelly GET AHEAD: Julie Vass with granddaughter Amy Rock (8) selling their bobble hats BAKES: Gracie Breadman (10) selling the Easter cakes she made
Church’s Easter Fete is back Police warning not to take sweets from strangers
THE New Hope Community Church Easter Fete returns on Saturday, April 9. The charity fundraiser will feature stalls, food and drink, and family activities and games. Attendees can take part in activities such as wreath-making and an Easter-themed scavenger hunt. The fete is raising funds for a number of charities, and will also have a donation point for store cupboard items for ReadiFood.
Organisers are still looking for stall holders. Those who would like to hold a stall can book a place by contacting mstrange@hotmail.co.uk, with a£20 stall fee for individuals, or £5 for charities. Attendees are asked to bring cash, as card payments may not be available at all stalls. The Easter fete will take place at New Hope Community Church, York Road, from 10am-3pm this weekend.
POLICE are warning people not to accept sweets from strangers. A message has been circulating on social media messaging platforms claiming to be from Cadbury, offering free chocolate. The link people click on is a Russian originating domain, ending in .ru, and is not connected to the
chocolate-making firm. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “People are well advised not to click on it, as one shouldn’t do on any suspect message. “Any bogus text messages should be forwarded to 7726, emails should be forwarded to: report@phishing.gov.uk”
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MP seeks views over plan to build on The Piggeries By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
OPINIONS: Reading East MP Matt Rodda is looking for residents’ views over a proposal to convert sheds into homes on land in The Chilterns
PLANS to demolish two workshops and build two homes on the land have been opposed by a Reading MP.
Matt Rodda says the proposals for land on the South Oxfordshire border could set a precedent, leading to more homes being built on green spaces in the area. Known as The Piggeries, South Oxfordshire County Council is currently consulting on the plans, which were submitted in the middle of last month. The homes would be built on land close to the Bugs Bottom park, surrounded by trees and have their own private gardens. There would be six parking spaces on site. Residents have been expressing concerns on the planning portal of South Oxfordshire Council. One said that the application site was in an unsustainable location. Being in a quiet country lane, there were no footpaths or street lights. “Given the steepness of Gravel Hill, in both directions, it would also be very difficult to cycle to nearby amenities,” they noted, adding that the
AS YOU WERE: A flashback to 2019, when members of the Thames Vale Vultures collected eggs in Asda Lower Earley ahead of the annual Good Friday bike ride
transport report for the site was “clearly inaccurate”. They also had concerns with the designs of the replacement buildings. The Piggeries, they said, were typical singlestorey farm buildings with corrugated roofs and no large windows. The proposed homes would be up to three-anda-half storeys in places and “out of character” with the surrounding area. Another said that the area around the Piggeries had been subject to flooding and wanted to know how the
development would improve the situation. A third said that in winter, the hill froze for days, while gritting lorries were unable to “negotiate the narrow lane”. Reading East MP Matt Rodda has sympathy with the residents, saying the Piggeries was located in the Chilterns and any development could lead to further such applications being submitted. He has launched a survey on the proposals to find out how other residents feel. “Our countryside is under enormous pressure from
development and I am opposing this application because it could set a precedent for houses to be built in South Oxfordshire right next to the edge of Reading,” he said. “The proposed houses at the Piggeries would develop green land next to Gravel Hill where local residents walk their dogs and enjoy the countryside and I hope the planning inspector will see the importance of protecting this site for our community.” n Mr Rodda’s survey can be seen at: mattroddamp.com/ piggerydevelopment
Runny eggs wanted by bikers for Good Friday
THAMES Vale Vultures is hosting its yearly Egg Run on Good Friday, April 15. The motorcycle owners’ group has appealed for riders and donations of Easter eggs. Riders from across the south of England are encouraged to join the run which will proceed through Reading. The run will begin on Stadium Way, Tilehurst, and end at the Abbey Rugby Club in Emmer Green, where the donations will be presented. In this year’s egg run, the Vultures are aiming for more than 1,000 eggs and 300 bikes.
Eggs will donated to the Rotary Club and Southcote Children’s Centre, who will distribute them to children across Reading The ride will be marshalled so that motorcycles of all kinds may attend the run, including scooters, trikes, and quadbikes. The 2019 Egg Run saw around 6,900 Easter eggs donated. Riders will meet from 11am, and the run will begin at 12.30pm on Good Friday, April 15. n For more information, search for Berkshire Egg Run on Facebook, or visit www.tvvultures.co.uk
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More council homes pledged if Labour wins re-election PLEDGES: Reading Labour has issued a 100-point plan for the town ahead of the local elections
DECIDES
VOTE 2022 READING TODAY
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today READING Labour is pledging to create more council homes if it wins re-election next month.
The party made the promise, and 100 others, which includes provision for key workers and those needing extra-care housing, in its manifesto, launched last week. The project will see the council invest £88 million over four years, with the aim of reducing the housing waiting lists and increase the number of affordable homes to rent. Part of this is a pledge to implement a ‘presumptive yes’ policy for pets in sheltered accommodation, boosting climate emergency measures to save energy, and take firm action against rogue landlords.
Other promises include targeted work to tackle economic inequalities in neighbourhoods, including support for entrepreneurs looking to launch small businesses or self-employment. It also wants to boost public transport, increase the number of electric vehicle charging points, and expand the town’s road resurfacing programme, with £8 million planned for the next three years. Families are promised new play equipment, with more accessible and inclusive items installed. And there will be investment and action to help boost Reading’s activities to tackle the climate emergency. In all, there are 100 promises to Reading residents that Labour would action if it was
re-elected on Thursday, May 5. In the foreword to the manifesto, council leader Jason Brock wrote about the rising cost of living, warning that it will affect everyone living in Reading, including the council. “Labour councillors are doing what (they) can to reduce the impact for those hardest hit,” they warn. This includes more council tax support and a targeted programme of work to help lower-income families share in Reading’s economic success. This year’s local elections sees every Reading seat up for re-election after changes to wards caused by a Boundary Commission review. n Labour’s manifesto can be viewed at: https://readinglabour. org.uk/reading-labourmanifesto-2022
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SIGN HERE PLEASE: Fan Lilah MacCarthy (8) gets her copy of Libby and the Parisian Puzzle signed by Jo Clarke. The author visited Fourbears Books in Caversham on Saturday Pictures: Mike Swift
Jo’s signing brings Paris to Caversham AN AWARD-WINNING book blogger and librarian swapped putting books away for signing them. Jo Clarke visited Fourbears Books in Prospect Street, Caversham on Saturday to meet fans of her latest novel, Libby and the Parisian Puzzle. It is the first book of The Travelling School Mysteries and was published at the beginning of last month. It tells the story of a young mystery-lover who is sent to live with her aunt, who happens to head up a school that travels from country to country. First stop
is Paris, and the chance to foil the thieves behind a great jewel robbery. The signing was a huge success, and Ms Clarke wrote on social media: “Thanks Fourbears Books for inviting me to your lovely bookshop.” And store owner Alex Forbes was equally thrilled. “We were delighted to have Jo Clarke visit the shop and Jo was fantastic with the young readers,” he said. “We are really fortunate to have great authors like Jo in the local area creating thrilling adventures for children to read.”
Police appeal for witnesses to indecent exposure incidents
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to a number of incidents of indecent exposure in Reading. The incidents are reported to have happened between Thursday, January 20, and Thursday, March 17, this year, on the towpath over the Holy Brook near to the footpath that leads to Circuit Lane, Southcote. It has been reported that a man has been seen with his hands down his trousers and exposing himself. A 22-year-old man, from Reading, has been arrested on suspicion of exposure and has since been released on bail.
Investigating officer, PC Alexandra Alewood, based at Reading police station, said: “We are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who may have information about these incidents, to please come forward. “You can report information by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference 43220117212. “Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.” n You can report information online at www.thamesvalley. police.uk.
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Pints and Pets at the Rowbarge THE Rowbarge is opening its doors to some furry friends for a pub-side petting zoo. The pub will be hosting ducklings, donkeys, rabbits and goats. Children will be able to feed
and pet the animals while lunch is served. The Rowbarge has been standing since 1815, and has been a pub since at least 1830. The Easter petting zoo takes place at Station Road pub in Woolhampton, on Easter Sunday, from noon until 4pm.
n To book a table, visit www. BrunningAndPrice.co.uk, or call 01189712213.
Get ready to party as rock ‘n’ roll club marks birthday READING Rock ‘n’ Roll celebrates 31 years of bop, stroll, and jive on Good Friday. A night of live music featuring Rockin’ the Joint will be open to lovers of 1950s-style music and dance. They will also be joined by a DJ, with an ample dance floor. The venue contains a bar and provides hot food, with free car parking facilities. The 50s events have been held regularly since 1991, and 3RS hosts a night on the third Friday of every month. Previous live bands have included Harry and the Hounds, and Stompin’ Steve. Reading Rock ‘n’ Roll’s 31st Birthday takes place at Burghfield Community Sports Association. n Tickets are £12 each, available by emailing: john@rockinrhythm. co.uk, or on the door.
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Selina’s lock leads to a l
Volunteer corner Reading Voluntary Action
By NATALIE BURTON news@rdg.today A READING band discovered that they had the blues over lockdown. And now they have just released their debut album.
TERASURE: Bargains will be up for grabs on Reading’s jumble trails Picture: ResaJoan via Wikimedia Commons
Map out a spring jumble trail
A
GE UK Berkshire is an independent local charity part of the Age UK Brand that provides integrated health and wellbeing services for older people across Berkshire.
Right now Age UK Berkshire is running a Singing Group in Tilehurst on Thursday mornings between 10.30am and 12.30pm. They want an organised, friendly and approachable volunteer to help the sessions run as smoothly as possible. Tasks will include: picking up the keys to the hall, setting up for the group, tidying back up at the end, locking up and returning the keys, also you would be welcome to join in on the singing.
n Compass Recovery College is a mental health and wellbeing organisation based in Reading that provides free workshops and social groups for anyone in the area aged 18 or over who may be affected directly or indirectly by mental health or wellbeing challenges. They are currently seeking more volunteers. Their volunteering roles include supporting the delivery of the current workshops and social sessions, co-producing new workshops and much more. Previous experience in this field is not necessary but volunteers need to demonstrate empathy, hope and positivity to support the recovery journeys of their participants. n Reading Hydro CBS financed, built and operates a community hydropower plant next to Caversham Weir in Reading. Income from the renewable electricity is used to run the plant and repay investment. Any surplus will fund sustainability projects that benefit the local community. Reading Hydro are currently looking for a volunteer with experience of dealing with insurance to provide advice to volunteers on what is and is not covered by the insurance policy, and to also ensure that Reading Hydro maintains appropriate operational, public and employers’ liability, and directors and officers, insurance cover. You will have an opportunity to be involved in a project that is helping reduce climate warming by generating renewable electricity and to help ensure that it operates in accordance with its insurance cover. You will work remotely with other volunteers as part of a team. 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.
BARGAIN hunters in Reading have a lot to look forward to this Spring. Jumble trails are planned to take place across the borough over three consecutive weekends, beginning on Easter Sunday. It is a simple idea. Stall holders and those interested in taking part as a buyer can register as a trail stop or trail hunter on their neighbourhood’s event page. Maps and details of all the places taking part are sent out in time for people to plan their day. Organiser Aaron Reese said that while it is not a new concept, he hopes that jumble trails will become part of the community calendar. “They are an opportunity to explore new places and meet new people,” he says. “Stalls are set up in front gardens
instead of having to pack a car and head to a muddy field early on a Sunday morning. “And with the squeeze on finances at the moment, I hope they will be a way for people to find bargains as well as make a bit of extra income.” The first trail is on Sunday, April 17, and takes Abbey, Battle, Caversham, Mapledurham, Peppard and Thames wards. Church, Kategrove, Minster, Redlands and Whitley wards to then can be explored on Sunday, April 24. And on Sunday, May 1, the trail will go through Calcot, Westwood, Kentwood, Norcot, Southcote and Tilehurst.
n For more information, visit: jumbletrail.uk or join Reading Jumble Trailers on Facebook.
Sam’s sausages are worth more than a Bird in the Hand IF YOU’RE dining in a Knowl Hill pub, ask for the sausages as it’s an award winner. The head chef of The Bird In Hand scooped the Pub Chef of the Year prize in the International Salon Culinaire contest. Sam Seedhouse wowed judges with a homemade Cumberland sausage, served with sticky braised pancetta, red onion and mustard marmalade with creamed potato. In addition to the prestigious title, Sam also won a trip to Venice. The contest was held at the Excel Centre in London, and aims to celebrate the best of the UK hospitality industry, and provides chefs with a platform to showcase their talents. For the first time in two years, chefs were able to demonstrate their skills and creativity to a prestigious judging panel of more than 70 experienced professional chefs including Michel Roux Jr, Mark Hill, executive chef at the House of Commons and Gary Jones at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Alice Bowyer, head of food at the Liberation Group, which runs the Bird in Hand, said: “We are delighted Sam has won this prestigious award, particularly for his technical skills on this classic pub dish which should be celebrated. “We will be adding it to the meu. “Sam has been quietly building a team of young people into
Selina and the Howlin’ Dogs are regulars on the live music scene across the Thames Valley. They have appeared at events including Wokingham Festival, Marvellous and Reading Beer Festival. Recently, they supported renowned R&B artist Geno Washington. Their self-produced album Blues Revisited is a collection of 13 songs, drawing on the influence the blues genre has had on the band during eight years of playing together. It has already received attention from radio shows including The Blues Show on Bishop FM, The Rock and Blues Show on ABC radio, Blues Corner on Rock Radio, and Blues@. Howlin’ Dogs members Tobi Andersson, Alan Burgin and Mark Peace have been playing together since 2002, when Tobi and Mark answered an advert placed by Alan to be a band. Lead vocalist Selina Arch came on board in 2014. All of the band members have families and full-time jobs as well as playing in the band. Tobi says that the cancellation of live bookings due to lockdowns gave them a chance to listen over their back catalogue. “We have a lot of musical influnces and play a wide range of styles — indie, funk, rock, even a bit of hip-hop — but we noticed that we have a strong blues influence when listening back.” “So this album marries something old, something new and something blues.” Selina explains that the band wanted to find a way of making music together during lockdowns. “Our first project was a video which
LOCKDOWN INSPIRATION: Selina and the Ho released we made using contributions from our communities and our fans,” she says. “The idea to record an album grew from there, because we enjoyed it so much and just wanted to play. “Up until now we had put out singles and EPs, because albums are really time-consuming — lockdowns gave us the time to do it.” The band recorded the album collaboratively online from their
Best of the brunch: The Ding’s top spots are some of the tastiest in the country SUCCESS: Sam Seedhouse with his awards
promising new talent and the food they are sending out at the Bird in Hand is some of the best in our group.”
READING is one of the best places for bottomless brunches in the country, according to a new report. Research shows that Reading outperforms London, Cardiff, Brighton, and Bristol for students who want to have their first meal of the day around lunchtime. And the researchers also ranked Reading venues based on their value for money, range of vegetarian options, and availability of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The Coconut Bar and Kitchen, St Mary’s Butts, was shown to be the best for brunch options for students. The bar won overall for its varied menu and low cost, with the average cost of under £26 for booze and brunch. It was also commended on its
availability of vegetarian options, with nearly 40% of its menu suitable for vegetarians. This was followed closely by Veeno, on Valpy Street, which also had more than a third of its menu suitable for vegetarians. Venues were also assessed for availability of vegan options, with The Roseate Hotel’s Reading Room topping the list. One in four of the venue’s items were vegan-friendly. Friar Street’s Playlist Live was also among Reading’s top brunch venues. It was commended on its requestbased live music entertainment, with a quarter of its menu also suitable for vegans. The report’s ranking considered each city’s number of venues, drinks options, pricing, menu sizes, and
NEWS | 29
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kdown blues lucky 13...
Golfers and pupils unite to help Ukrainians
WPR_2022-04-04_ReadingToday_33x2 (1)_Just Go
Reader travel ROYAL INTERNATIONAL Air Tattoo, Fairford
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Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 2 nights at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with dinner & breakfast Admission to the Royal International Air Tattoo on Saturday, with coach transfer
READY TO GO: Daniel Boyes with some of the aid collected by members of Reading Golf Club, Queen Anne’s School, and the community, ahead of heading off to Poland to donate to Ukrainian refugees
owlin’ Dogs used the covid pandemic to work on their first album, which has just been own homes. Tobi’s home office is also furnished with a drum kit. “At one point I had my head in a wardrobe while singing, for the acoustic effect,” Selina adds. The album was produced entirely by band members, from art work to production and publicity. It is set to be reviewed in specialist magazine Blues Matters. Later on in the year, they are supporting prominent blues artists
Alice Armstrong and Matt Long at The Acoustic Couch in Bracknell. “We’ve been welcomed by the blues community, things are really falling into place,” Tobi says. Selina and the Howlin’ Dogs will play Wokingham Festival in August. Work on their second album is already under way. n For more information, visit: selinaandthehowlindogs.com
BRUNCH TIME: Student options for meat-free brunch are some of the best in Britain, with least one in four items on Reading’s menus being suitable for vegetarians. Picture: Heriberto Aguirre via Pixabay
proximity to universities to determine how much they had to offer students. Bottomless Brunch, who produced the report, noted that brunch allows students to be more flexible with how they socialise with other students. It also noted that the bottomless format allowed students on a budget
to get value for money with food and drink offerings. Though Manchester, Liverpool, Exeter, and Leeds were all ahead of Reading, all were fewer than five points ahead in their overall score. Sheffield was ranked highest of the 15 locations with the largest student population.
A TEACHER has embarked on a charitable excursion in aid of Ukraine. Daniel Boyes, who teaches at Queen Anne’s School, led a small convoy as it began its journey on Friday, April 1. Mr Boyes was joined by other members of The Caversham, home of Reading golf club, to take donations to the border. Pupils, parents, and staff from the school, as well as members of the golf club, donated items to be given to those affected by the crisis. The convoy will be met by a Ukrainian charity at the border in Poland, which will collect and distribute items to cities in the country. Mr Boyes said “I am overwhelmed by the response from everyone at Queen Anne’s School, the local churches and members of The Caversham.” The golf club members raised more than £2,000 to fund the journey, and a further £500 was donated by Queen Anne’s School to help with travel costs. Elaine Purves, head of Queen Anne’s, said “The situation in
Ukraine is shocking to witness, and has left many of us feeling helpless, “The Queen Anne’s community supports Mr Boyes and his colleagues, Paul Blecher, Adam Dandridge, and Niall Ward, in this generous and passionate initiative.” The school’s chaplain was joined by members of the sixth form to help pack and prepare donations at 9am on Friday, last week. The journey was undertaken in two transit vans filled with donations, and was expected to take around 31 hours each way. The school is also continuing to raise funds for Ukraine. A commitment to 50% of ticket sales from the upcoming Scarlett ball going to the British Red Cross Disaster Appeal, and 50% going to Trust House Reading, a charity which supports victims of sexual abuse. Gary Stangoe, general manager of the Caversham, said that it was only the latest of numerous charitable initiatives. “Over the last 20 years or so, our members have raised and donated hundreds of thousands to charities, and any funds left over will go to other charities.”
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30 | VIEWPOINTS
Don’t be proud, if you need help THIS week is the first of the new tax year. The rising cost of living is not an arbitary, in the future concept, it is here now. The energy price cap has lifted, with standing charges doubled for many of us. National Insurance is increasing by 1.25% this month, while the new starting rate won’t come in until the summer. Council Tax has risen tooo. The price of fuel hasn’t really dropped by 5p a litre, has it? And inflation means the cost of everything – milk, bread, pasta – is shooting up. It is going to be a difficult year for many of us. When Money Saving Expert Martyn Lewis says he’s out of tricks to help, you know it’s going to be tough. For some, the doubling of energy bills means the choice will be which meal to cut out. For others, it is going to be a year or two or endless worry. But help is at hand. Groups like Citizens Advice, Readifood, Communicare are all available to offer asistance. Yes, demand for their services are high, but they would rather help you than not. Don’t feel too proud to seek help.
CHURCH NOTES
Preparing for Holy Week
N
EXT week, most Christians will be keeping Holy Week when we remember Jesus’ dramatic arrival in Jerusalem, his death on the Cross, his resurrection on the first Easter Day and the other events of that week.
One point that has puzzled me is that we are told that a vast number of people cheered Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbol of peace, but a few days later the crowd was demanding that he be put to death. How many people were in both crowds? If so, what made them change their minds? The last few weeks I have found events in this country and abroad very challenging. I find myself see-sawing between anger and hopelessness, particularly with regard to Ukraine. I find myself being angry over the loss of life and the destruction of so large a number of buildings. I feel unable to do much that would help to resolve the problem. All I can think of is to pray to God and ask him to bring peace to that country. I have sent a donation to help people there. What else can I do? When I think about Holy Week and the crowd in Jerusalem I cannot help but wonder about my views. I try to keep an open mind, as I have no knowledge of the past history of the situation. How can I avoid changing my views in line with the latest news releases? Overall I have a sense of defeat. All I can think to do is to follow my initial instinct and commend the problem to God and his mercy. This would be true of any of the serious problems that challenge us.
The Revd Peter Grosse, Hon. Assistant Curate, St Mary Magdalen’s Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading
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Letters
From the Chamber
Cllr Jason Brock
Send your views to news@rdg.today Berkshire supporters act over Government’s scrapping of free lateral flow tests for care home visits Your readers may be among those who have already supported Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign1 and written to their MP urging to keep lateral flow tests free for care home visitors. As the Government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan comes into force, all covid rules, including guidance on self-isolation, are dropped. A recent poll by Alzheimer’s Society revealed that 75% of people in the South East were against the scrapping of free tests for care home visitors. Only 14% supported the plans. Now, over 145 supporters in Berkshire, and over 1,870 across the South East, have written to their MP, echoing calls from Alzheimer’s Society to ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, to urgently rethink the decision and keep free testing for care home visitors. With some high street shops now charging up to £12 for a pack of five tests, families are facing costs of up to £733 a month to be able to visit their loved ones in care homes safely. Our Dementia Connect support line (0333 150 3456) has heard from families concerned about paying for tests amid a cost of living crisis. The Government must recognise the disproportionate impact paying for tests will have and although it was announced a small number of care home visitors providing close personal care, will continue to get free tests, we feel this doesn’t go nearly far enough to allow everyone to visit safely. People with dementia have already experienced the devastating consequences of the pandemic and were worst hit, with more than 30,000 dying of Covid-19 – many of whom were in care homes. With over 10,400 living with dementia across Berkshire, families should not be financially penalised for trying to keep their loved ones safe. Support Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign to keep lateral flow tests free for care home visitors at alzheimers.org.uk/ keeptestsfree
Linda Goddard, Area Manager for Alzheimer’s Society Berkshire
Proud to support Mary’s Meals
I’m proud to support Mary’s Meals, a charity which feeds more than two million children in some of the world’s poorest countries every school day. With spring now upon us, it’s an ideal time for your readers to get active to help Mary’s Meals reach more hungry children. The charity’s Move for Meals
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Fun for all this Easter
T
HE school Easter holidays are almost upon us.
Mark Beaumont Picture: Chris Watt Photography campaign allows people to set their own challenge – whether that’s running, hiking or cycling – to raise funds for its work. And with it costing just £15.90 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year, it’s easy for your moves to make a difference. Thank you!
Mark Beaumont, athlete and broadcaster
History lesson In December 1943, the recently liberated Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, hosted a Russian Military Tribunal to consider the German atrocities. The Russian prosecutor reviewed the ‘burning down and destruction of entire towns’, the bombing of hospitals and the shooting and starvation of civilians. The defence that those German soldiers were ‘just following orders’ was rejected and their actions constituted a breach of international law and the laws of any civilised country. The perpetrators were executed as a result. Perhaps there is no Russian history pre-Putin?
David Arnold, via email
Open letter To Will Smith, on behalf of a fan
Dear Will Smith, We know that you love your wife, but do you remember your grandma Gigi’s advice, when you started your nascent rap career? She said that intelligent people don’t need to use offensive
language or profanity to express themselves. You not only let her down with the words that came out of your mouth on Oscar night 2022. But you also let down a lady you’ve most likely never heard of, Ms Serwah or Awula Serwah, who was inspired by you almost 20 years to the day, to set up a small UK voluntary organisation that’s been inputting positively into people’s lives, and urging young people and adults to eschew profanity, or curse words. Beyond The Will Smith Challenge, or BTWSC, launched with a seminar on March 23, 2002 in east London entitled The Uplifting Power of Music & Words, which highlighted the prevalence of questionable lyrics and imagery aimed at the youth. The organisation’s name and eponymous project was inspired by your hit single Freakin It, which threw a challenge to gangsta rappers to come up with a hit song without using offensive language. Subsequent projects, including the current edutainment Music4Causes strand, go further by continuing to encourage prospective young artists and writers to come up with positive themes that uplift, inspire and empower.
Issued by TAOBQ (The African Or Black Question) on behalf of BTWSC, Music4Causes and Akoben Awards For Positive Music. https://TAOBQ.blogspot. com
For teachers and kids, it will be some welcome respite while schools continue to face incredibly challenging and disruptive circumstances – especially owing to covid. For parents, of course, it comes with the challenge of keeping children occupied. As a council, we’ve worked to ensure that there’s plenty going on in Reading. Our Museum at the Town Hall has lots of things for children and parents, including the new Reading FC history exhibition. Our theatres have family-oriented shows, including Fireman Sam at the Hexagon (Sam’s longevity surprises me, as it was my favourite TV programme in the early 90s). And partners around the town have lots of activities too. Everything can be found at whatsonreading. com. We’re fortunate to be able to offer such a diverse programme, but we also know that not everyone is able to access it easily. To try and ensure that access to activities is not restricted, we partner with Brighter Futures for Children to provide funding for a holiday activities programme that offers free Easter activities for those on free school meals. We also keep activities, such as Reading Museum, free of charge to everyone where possible. Naturally, our children and young people need fun outlets for their energy even when it’s not the school holidays. That’s why we’re delivering a new family activity centre at Prospect Park, complete with both mini-golf and a low ropes course. It’s also why we’re putting almost £1 million into renewing playgrounds across Reading, building on the refurbishments that have already taken place. In fact, the consultation for the major new play area at Prospect Park is live now, so do check it out – feedback and opinions are always welcome. Our ability to provide family activities is also the result of prudent decisions over a number of years. During the toughest years of Government austerity – and it now looks like they aren’t going away soon – Labour councillors in Reading went to great lengths to keep every Library branch open (and build many of them up into proper Community Hubs), invest in our Town Hall and museum, and retain our two Council-owned theatres at South Street and The Hexagon. Maintaining these facilities, when other councils cut back similar services, now means we can provide a holistic programme that caters for different groups across the town. South Street, for example, can run shows that have a narrower potential audience than The Hexagon can, while our Libraries continue to provide the popular Rhymetime sessions for younger children across Reading free of charge. Looking forward, we are also committing to bringing back youth workers to support community organisations seeking to set up youth clubs around the town. We know this is important work, and the effects of Conservative funding cuts on the provision of services for teenagers have been one of the most difficult things we’ve had to grapple with. I’m really pleased we’re now in a position to restore some of what has been lost – it’s important that we offer opportunities for everyone in our town, wherever they live and whatever their background.
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council, and standing for re-election in Southcote ward for Labour
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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Plans approved for 620 homes on former Royal Mail sorting depot
NEW POST: The former Royal Mail sorting depot site will become 620 homes after planning approval was granted Picture: Hermes Investment Management TB Bennet
By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter
A DEVELOPMENT with more than 600 homes has been approved for the edge of Reading town centre
The former Royal Mail depot on Caversham Road will be transformed into seven tower buildings and seven townhouses, featuring 620 homes. It is understood there will be two additional buildings reserved for office and community use, with a health centre being proposed as well. The largest of the tower buildings would be 24 storeys, making it one of the tallest in Reading alongside Thames Quarter, Thames Tower and the Hewitt building. At a Planning Applications Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 30, councillors and neighbours raised a number of concerns about the plans. David Neale, chairman of the Bell Tower community association which represents neighbours living west of Caversham Road, said the buildings were “completely out of scale” with those in the surrounding area. Mr Neale said walking next to the new buildings “would
be like walking next to a battleship”. Cllr Tony Page, lead councillor for strategic environment, planning and transport, said the character of buildings east of Caversham Road can be different to those on the west Cllr Simon Robinson, (Conservative, Peppard), was concerned that only 94 car parking spaces were included. He said: “Is that really adequate?” Cllr Page said: “I know Cllr Robinson represents the Jeremy Clarkson wing of
the Conservative party, but among millennials, car usage is plummeting.” Cllr Micky Leng, Labour councillor for Whitley, and Cllr Page both took issue with the number of affordable homes proposed. The plans show 98 homes, 15.8% of the total, would be affordable. This is less than Reading Borough Council’s policy of 30% affordable housing on major developments. A further issue of healthcare in the area was raised. A spokesperson for the ALL SMILES: A warm welcome is being offered to Ding visitors, thanks to the Welcome To Reading scheme Picture: Reading UK
Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is in charge of organising healthcare in Reading, stated they are “not aware of any local need” for a new health centre. Cllr Page said he was “flabbergasted” by the CCG’s response, given the amount of new homes being built. There were also questions over how the plan would be executed, with councillors worried Hermes Property Unit Trust will sell the plans on without enacting them. Barry Kitcherside, planning
agent for the applicants, said this was not a “for sale” planning permission, and that developers were going to deliver the plans. Mr Kitcherside said: “This is not going to be passed under the table, that’s not the desire here. “To achieve financial viability, we have got to deliver the right product.” Although the plan was approved by councillors, many of the details, including the design and building materials, will be laid out in future applications.
Spring
Police sell seized goods COMMUNITY and voluntary organisations are to get a share of more than £100,000 – from the sale of goods seized from criminals. The fund is jointly managed by the PCC and the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police. More than 160 organisations applied to the latest round of the Community Fund, with 25 successful. PCC Matthew Barber said: “I’m delighted to be able to award this funding to community and voluntary organisations, who provide valuable services across the Thames Valley. “A key part of my Police and Criminal Justice Plan is to enable organisations to collaborate and tackle issues facing our communities. “These organisations are all working hard in support of my Police and Criminal Justice Plan priorities for the region.” John Campbell, Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police, added: “This funding will help a number of projects which will contribute to the prevention of crime and protection of the vulnerable, in line with the PCC’s priorities.” Successful recipients have been invited to attend a presentation ceremony on the morning of Thursday, April 21, in Thame, Oxfordshire.
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Help give a warm Reading welcome A SCHEME aimed at making people feel welcome when they arrive in Reading is looking for volunteers to come forward. Run from Reading Station, the Welcome To Reading Ambassador help visitors find local information, directions and help for their onward journeys. The volunteers take turns to staff the information stand inside the station. Now more welcomers are needed for the scheme, which launched last summer and is organised by Reading UK CIC. Alex Brannen of Reading UK, said: “The volunteer
Ambassadors represent our town and all that is great about it, sharing their knowledge of things to do, where to go and how to get there with the thousands of people who pass through Reading Station. “This is a role that suits people who like talking to and helping others and who want to help promote our town.” The volunteers help for three hours a week, and they are paired with another helper. They receive induction training and a uniform. Anyone interested will need to be able to volunteer for three hours, one day a week.
Terry Dixon is a Welcome Ambassador volunteer who enjoys the role. “From helping people on the station with all manner of requests and giving a good first impression of Reading to providing directions and ideas of things to do in Reading, volunteering as a welcome ambassador is rewarding and fulfils an important function of promoting our friendly town to people visiting or just passing through,” they said. n For more details, or to volunteer, log on to: alex@ livingreading.co.uk
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32 | BUSINESS
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association with BUSINESSTODAY InWinnersh Triangle
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 6, 2022
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A business park that is changing
Why people want to return to Winnersh Triangle Business Park
At Winnersh Triangle we put our occupiers at the heart of our business. Frasers Property do regular research with our occupiers at Winnersh Triangle. The latest research was to find out how they were feeling as Covid-19 restrictions eased and offices started to adapt to a new normal. They were keen to see how people felt about returning to work, find out about any new working patterns and if occupiers were keen to get back to the office. Reasons to return to Winnersh Triangle The top reasons for returning to work at Winnersh Triangle were socialising with nearly half (48%) of all respondents citing that this was a key factor in wanting to return. 41% wanting to be able to collaborate and attend in-person meetings again. With The Exchange co-working space as the perfect place for collaboration, it certainly beats trying to get creative on a conference call at the kitchen table! A great benchmark incorporated in the research was to find out how the business park is doing is whether occupiers would recommend Winnersh Triangle as a workplace to others. Over a third of people (33%) scored an impressive 10 out 10 and in total 67% would recommend the business park at over 8 out of 10. Work patterns 43% of people expected to return to the office five days a week, compared to 26% when they were surveyed in May 2021. Threequarters (73%) expect their work pattern to continue as they have been previously, with one-fifth (21%) likely to be back onsite more frequently, which fits with the increase in people wanting to socialise. Our onsite amenities are a key part of the business park and with four cafes, outdoor walking trails, green public space, health promoting events, a state-of-the-art gym facility MOVE HQ, astro turf pitch and wellness hub for a host of fitness classes, it’s no wonder people are keen to get back to the business park. Sustainability Sustainability and biodiversity is at the heart of Winnersh Triangle. Last year we planted over 7000 new bulbs, installed five new bug hotels, four beehives and planted a new native planting area and installed two new bat boxes. In 2021 the business park received a two-star Fitwel accreditation which assesses all site outdoor and communal areas accessible by all occupiers, something in abundance at Winnersh Triangle, which is another great reason for people to return. Rupert Batho, Commercial Director at Frasers Property UK, commented: “Last year was a transformational one for Winnersh Triangle. We adopted a counter cyclical approach to invest within our estate during the pandemic and our commitment for inspiring experiences and creating places for good is paying dividends. This is shown in the occupier survey with people returning to Winnersh Triangle.”
www.winnershtriangle.co.uk
Lucky 13: Housebuilder celebrates top rating BY PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
A HOUSEBUILDER says it’s lucky 13, after receiving the highest rating in a survey of its customers.
David Wilson Homes Southern says it has been given the maximum fivestar rating by the New Home Builders Federation (HBF) annual New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. It is the 13th year in a row that the housebuilder has received this maximum rating. The number of stars is based on customer responses to the question: “Would you recommend your builder to a friend?” More than 90% of David Wilson Homes customers said they would. Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said: “To achieve a Five Star rating demonstrates the commitment of the company to its customers and is a significant achievement.” To celebrate its latest Five Star award, Barratt Developments is donating £100,000 to Starlight, a charity that provides distraction and boxes filled with sensory toys and games to hospitals around the country. Cathy Gilman, CEO of Starlight, said: “Thank you so much to Barratt Developments for choosing Starlight for such a significant donation. “Their generosity will help us to provide time, space and even more opportunities for play in hospital for seriously ill children across the UK.
IN DEVELOPMENT: David Wilson Homes’ Landmark Square development in Wokingham “Thanks to David Wilson Homes, we will be protecting play with important resources like Distraction Boxes, Boost Boxes and sensory trolleys.” And Campbell Gregg, managing director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “We are very proud to have been rated by our customers as a Five Star housebuilder for a record 13 years in a row. “We focus on looking after customers by building high-quality homes using
sustainable methods and materials, so it is always great to hear back from them saying how much they value this, and rate us so highly.” The HBF New Homes Survey is one of the largest surveys of its type in the country and is completed by nearly 50,000 people. David Wilson Homes current developments include Newbury Racecourse and Donnington Heights in Newbury, and Landmark Square in Wokingham.
Siren wins national business award FINCHAMPSTEAD brewery Siren has won a national business award. It was named as the winner of the Marketing Implementation category at the annual Society of Independent Brewers Business Awards, held on Wednesday, March 16. The brewery were awarded the accolade for its eighth anniversary beer festival, The Grateful Eight, which was held online in early April 2021. Siren’s managing director, Darron Anley, said that the award was a validation of the brewery’s strong brand image and desire to try something different during lockdown. “We wanted to find a way to run the best elements of a beer festival online,” he said. “So we looked around for a platform which would enable us to offer different options at the same time. “We found Canapii were a good fit for us, and they are
SUCCESS: Siren’s SIBA award for Best Marketing Implementation Picture: Siren
based just down the road in Grazeley.” Using Canapii’s software, Siren were able to run three simultaneous stages for 800 ticket holders to choose from on the day. Along with the event access code, festival goers also received a box of 10 of Siren’s craft ales, a festival
glass, snacks, and exclusive collectibles. Events on offer as part of the line up included talks on beer label design, guided beer tastings, a cook-a-long and an inter-brewery lip-sync battle. There were chat rooms open alongside each session. Mr Anley said that it “was a very ambitious event” for
Siren to undertake. “It was an unseen and untried format for us, and a step up from usual our online offering at that point. “We wanted it to be accessible and it had to deliver. “On top of the award, people are still telling us how much they enjoyed the online festival a year later.”
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Wednesday, April 6, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Diocese partners with Citizens UK to house Ukrainian refugees
HELP: The Diocese of Oxford is supporting families hosting Ukrainian refugees Picture: Mirek Pruchnicki / Flickr
By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today
THE DIOCESE of Oxford has partnered with Citizens UK to house Ukrainian refugees in the Thames Valley.
It was set up in response to the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme, which requires sponsors to name individuals they wish to help. It is hoped that 50 people who have fled the war-torn nation will be helped by the partnership over the coming months. Associate Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Revd Liz Jackson, is leading the diocese project team. “We want to make sure that we can provide safe places for refugees, and that the support they will need is in place,” she said. “We are carefully matching people with hosts, and we will support hosts too. “Our idea is to house people in clusters, so that there is a community of people going through similar who can be there for each other. “It is important to get this right, they have been through so much.” Following the launch of the diocese’s scheme, almost 400 people registered offering
accommodation or other practical support including language tuition, providing transport and help with paperwork. And Ms Jackson understands the challenges and rewards of having strangers to stay. She has hosted a number of people in her home, including asylum seekers. “It is hard work, but it really opened my eyes to what some
Repair Cafe’s monthly fix
THE REPAIR Cafe is back again for another month’s repairs and refurbishments. This month’s event takes place on Sunday, April 10. Volunteers at RISC offer repairs on electronics and computers, mechanical items, toys, tools, furniture, and even clothes. Anyone with broken items or minor repairs is invited. Repairs are free, though donations are encouraged to help with costs. Repair Cafe is a monthly event held at Reading International Solidarity Centre, London Street. This month’s cafe takes place on Sunday, April 10, from 12.30pm-4.30pm. n For more information or inquiries, contact RepairCafe@TransitionReading.org.uk, or search “RepairCafeRDG” on Twitter.
people experience in their lives,” she explained. “Anglican churches are a presence in the community and often meet people at the point when they are in need. “We get lots of volunteers for all the work we do — some who attend church and some who do not — who just want to love their neighbours.” The diocese will connect volunteers with local host
Discover the real Edible Reading
THERE is a chance to explore a different side of Reading’s history this Friday, April 8. Terry Dixon will lead a two hour food-themed walk through 200 years of the town’s history up to the present day, beginning at 10am. He’ll present the stories of famous and not so famous people, products and manufacturers, Second World War dig for victory initiatives, unique restaurants and cafés, and fascinating facts about Reading. On the way, the walk will be illustrated with photos and maps. At the end of the tour, walkers can enjoy a cream tea at the Centre for Heritage and Family History on the second floor f Reading Central Library. Tickets cost £10 including refreshments.
n For more information or to book, visit: berksfhs.org
Reading Caribbean group cancels carnival for 2022 THE READING Caribbean Cultural Group has announced that Reading Carnival has been cancelled for 2022. In a public notice, the group said that owing to increasing costs, lack of funding, and a shortfall in volunteers. The RCCG said on Wednesday, March 30, that it has been working closely with Reading Borough Council to make sure that the carnival can go ahead in 2023.
It is currently focusing on planning a number of fundraising events and community projects to make this happen. The Reading Carnival is run by volunteers, and has taken place in Reading since 1977. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and last year went virtual for the first time. In the notice, the RCCG thanked the people of Reading for their support,
including artists, stall holders, councillors, and emergency services who had helped the carnival. The carnival has traditionally taken place in Prospect Park in May, while some years have included a procession through West Reading.
n For enquiries, membership, or to volunteer to help with the Reading Carnival, email rccg. cic@gmail.com or search “RCCG Official” on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
families to forge a strong network of support across the area. Citizens UK is working with 20 strategic partners, including the Diocese of Oxford, to link Ukrainians with no connections in the UK with those who have offered accommodation under the government scheme. The situation is rapidly changing, which adds to an already complex operation. Many
refugees are anxious about moving such a long way from home and there are bottlenecks on the UK border. The Diocese of Oxford know the names of the first group of Ukrainians they will help thought the scheme and it is hoped that they will be settled in the Thames Valley by Easter.
n For more information or to register for the scheme, visit: oxford.anglican.org/ukraine
Man jailed for imitation firearm A MAN has been sentenced for possession of an imitation firearm in Reading. Daniel Gale, aged 30, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm while committing a schedule one offence, and possession of an imitation firearm with the intent to cause fear of violence. He was sentenced to a total of four years and seven months in prison at Reading Crown Court on Monday, April 4. Part of this is due to an activation of a suspended sentence for a previous robbery offence committed by Gale. The sentence relates to an incident that occurred on Monday, September 27, last year, when Gale went into Morrisons on Basingstoke Road and attempted to shoplift. When challenged, Gale produced an imitation firearm and threatened the victim. Investigating officer, Detective Constable AmyJane Rogers, based at Reading police station, said: “This was a terrifying incident for the victim who was unaware at the time it was not a real firearm. “The sentence shows the severity of this offence and how seriously it is taken by the courts. “I thank the victim for his bravery in coming forward and for his support throughout the investigation.”
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Man caught with hunting knife jailed for drug offences JAILED: Ruben Bolina was stopped at the junction of Baker Street and Russell Street last July Picture: Thames Valley Police
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today FOLLOWING a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for drug offences in Reading.
Ruben Bolina, aged 21, of Southcote Road, Reading, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, March 29. He pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – cocaine, possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A – heroin, and possession of a knife in a public place. At around 7.30pm on Sunday, July 18, last year, officers observed a suspected drug deal involving Bolina at the junction of Baker Street and Russell Street in Reading. Bolina was seen exiting an alleyway on Russell Street and ran from officers. He was seen throwing a sheathed 15in hunting knife under a parked car prior to being arrested. Three wraps of crack cocaine and heroin were recovered from
his pocket together with two mobile phones and a quantity of cash. Officers also identified a flat on Russell Street believed to have been taken over, or “cuckooed”, by Bolina where they recovered drug-dealing paraphernalia and further cash. Bolina was charged on Monday, July 19, last year. Detective Constable Jon Nicholls, of the Stronghold team based at Reading police station, said: “Thames Valley Police’s Stronghold team will continue to proactively and robustly target and prosecute offenders linked to drugdealing. “Our activity will be both visible and covert aimed
at disrupting and pursuing offenders involved in the supply of drugs. “The information from the public around the drug supply offences in Reading plays an important role in developing intelligence into a proactive investigation. “If you have any information, we would encourage you to report it to us by calling 101 or on our website. “Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website. “You can make an online report at www.ThamesValley. Police.uk.”
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SMOOTH RUNNING: Kevin Pinches with his Star of the Month award from Reading Buses TOP GEAR: Richard Whittle with his Star of the Month award from Reading Buses
Shining stars on the buses: Kevin and Richard rewarded for their work THERE’S no doubt about it, Reading Buses is a place where it likes its stars to shine. Two more of its employees have been rewarded for their outstanding performances. The company, which provides bus services to Reading and the surrounding area, holds the monthly awards to recognise good service. And Woodley-based support services manager Kevin Pinches is one of them. The 49-year-old, who has worked for the Great Knollys Street-based firm for 20 years, was nominated for working diligently to ensure the smooth operation of services during times of planned and unplanned disruption, including the recent storms.
Reading Buses said that he provided regular support and assistance to the control room team, generally helping without being asked, while coordinating service changes in response to the various school closures during high winds. And a member of the public nominated driver Richard Whittle, after a busy journey on the Sky Blue 16 route. They said that the 54-year-old has taken time to help customers who needed it throughout the journey. The customer said: “The driver could see people needed assistance so he got out to assist each time. “This was actioned very swiftly and did not really impact on time. It was a pleasure to
see these actions, and all done naturally. “I think most of the passengers praised the driver on our way off the bus. ” Mr Whittle has worked for the firm for 12 years. Caroline Anscombe, HR Director for Reading Buses, said it was an honour to award the men their stars. “Both Kevin and Richard demonstrate our company values so well,” she said. “Kevin has gone above and beyond in his new role and is respected by colleagues from across the business, while Richard’s excellent customer service and practical assistance, as well as patience and understanding to customers, is a true asset to the company.”
Crafts, cake, Easter Sunday cheese at market celebration GRANGE United Reformed Church is hosting its Easter market on Saturday. The market will feature craft and cake stalls, as well as charity stalls and refreshments. Craft, home-made cakes and preserves, books, puzzles, and bric-a-brac will all be available. The market also includes stalls from the Duchess of Kent Hospice and Thames Valley Animal Welfare. A tombola and a raffle will also be held. Tea and coffee, hot cross buns, and ploughman’s lunches are on sale, and admission is free. The Easter Market takes place at Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane, Southcote, on Saturday, April 9, from 11.30am1.30pm. n For more information, call 0118 956 0380.
AN EARLY morning Easter celebration will take place in Reading’s Forbury Gardens. Churches Together Reading is organising the service, which will be held around the Bandstand from 8am on Easter Sunday, April 17. Michael Penny, the chair of Churches Together, and the Revd Julia Binney, the minister of nearby Abbey Baptist Church, will lead the service. Hymns will be led by the Reading Central Salvation Army band. Afterwards, Abbey Baptist Church will welcome people for refreshments. If wet, the event will be held in the church. n For more details, call the chair of Churches Together in Reading, Michael Penny, on 01491 671357.
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Uni pipped at post in quiz show finals By JAKE CLOTHIER news@rdg.today READING University has missed out on the series title, but makes history by reaching the University Challenge final for the first time.
On Monday, team members Kira Bishop, Sylvian Jesudoss, and Margaret Ounsley, and captain Michael Hutchinson played off against Imperial College London for the final of the 2022 contest. The team had already made history by being the first from the university to make it to the semi-finals, which it went on to win. To cheer the team on, viewing parties were held, with fans gathering in venues such as The Castle Tap, and across the university campus. Reading had lost to Imperial College London in a quarter final by only 30 points, with ICL still yet to lose a game. ICL started strong by taking the first starter for 10, and two bonus questions. Reading followed suit by taking the next starter, and correctly answering all three bonus questions on musical modes. ICL began to pull ahead after taking the next two starter
questions, leaving them with 80 points to Reading’s 25. ICL took one further starter, but missed three questions on North American drag slang. Despite trailing 45 points to 105, Reading closed the gap with three rounds of questions on ribonucleic acid and nude portraiture. Reading pulled ahead as they went into the picture round, leading by 15 points. Imperial then took the lead in a tense final round, after Reading dropped five points on a question about Finnish composer Rautavaara. Imperial also guessed incorrectly, but closed the game with 125 points, beating Reading by just 10 points. The Reading University’s vice chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort, said: “Watching our team’s run to the final has brought so much joy to everyone at the university, and the whole Reading community. “Although the result in the final wasn’t the one we hoped
for, the team’s achievement in getting there has made us all incredibly proud.” Reading University will celebrate the team’s historic performance in the show, with the team taking second place out of the 126 universities and university colleges who applied for this series. Professor Van de Noort added: “Our on-screen contestants and reserves deserve massive credit for how they approached the competition with dignity and a collaborative mindset, “They have made history, and put Reading on the national stage.” After the final round, the series prize was awarded to Imperial College London by Professor Sir Andre Geim. Professor Geim said they were: “Absolutely impressive, both of the teams tonight.” Host Jeremy Paxman noted that there would: “Now be ritual celebrations in the union bar, no doubt.” The final is now available on BBC iPlayer.
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CHEERS: Paul Farmer hosts a DEC Ukraine Appeal coffee hour at All Saint’s Church Hall, Reading. Pictures: Mike Swift
Coffee morning helps Ukraine appeal IT WAS cups away on Saturday, as a coffee morning was held to boost the coffers of the Ukrainian emergency appeal. Kind-hearted fundraiser Paul Farmer organised the event, which took place at All Saints Church in Downshire Square, Reading. There were drinks, cakes and conversation available, with people asked to make donations to the fund, set up by the Disasters Emergency Committee to help people fleeing Putin’s invasion of our European neighbour.
And a bring and buy table was set up to boost the coffers. Mr Farmer, who wore a blue shirt and yellow T-shirt for the event, said: “We raised £320, and I’m ecstatic. “I’m overwhelmed by it, it’s just amazing. “Everyone is aware of the situation in Ukraine and wanted to do their bit to help.” It was also Mr Farmer’s first fundraising event since the covid pandemic. “It’s great to be back, it’s another step towards the new normal,” he said.
“And people made new friends, which was good.” The Reading man’s fundraising will continue later this month. He is organising a spring fair at Grange URC Church in Southcote’s Circuit Lane on Saturday, April 23. There will a tomola, crafts, charity stalls, refreshments and more. Doors open at 11.30am, and entry is free, with proceeds going to a cause close to Mr Farmer’s heart, the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice. “Please save the date,” he said.
Free bus travel for Ukrainian refugees
UKRAINIAN refugees arriving in Reading and Wokingham will be able to travel to their new home thanks to Reading Buses. The company, which runs services such as the Purple 17s, the Lion 4s, and the Claret 21s, is joining a nationwide scheme to make the first days for the new arrivals that little bit easier. Refugees can travel from their port of arrival to their sponsor’s home free of charge, including the Green Line services from London and Heathrow to Reading. Thanks to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre in Sidmouth Street, the region
is expected to welcome a number of visitors in coming weeks. Reading Buses chief executive Robert Williams is looking forward to the company playing its part. “At this incredibly difficult time for the Ukrainian people we are happy to help give them a warm welcome and make their arrival as straightforward as possible,” he said. “Ukrainian nationals will simply need to show the driver their passport and a boarding pass which confirms arrival to the UK within the past 48 hours. They will then be able to travel for free to their destination.”
Plant-based party planned for Forbury Gardens VEGANS can look forward to a Forbury Fiesta. Takeing place on Saturday, April 23, the fiesta will host hot food and artisan stalls, as well as a charity baking competition and live music. The event is organised by Sparkle Vegan events, who also run the annual vegan festival in September. Now they are introducing
another yearly event for the spring. Reading Vegan Fiesta takes place in Forbury Gardens on Saturday, April 23rd, from 11am-4pm.
n For more information, log on to: www.SparkleVeganEvents.com
Roll up, roll up: Carters funfair returns CARTERS vintage travelling funfair is back at Prospect Park on Saturday, April 9. After a considerably reduced tour in 2021, the vintage fair is returning to Reading. The fair includes a vintage carousel, dodgems, and steam yachts, as well as classic attractions such as the strength test, hook a duck, tin can alley, and a coconut shy. Carters’ collection of vintage amusement rides makes it one of the largest vintage travelling fairs in the world. Its collection features rides from as far back as the 1890s, and even includes original living wagons which have been restored in keeping with traditional style. The fair will be visiting Prospect Park, from Saturday, April 9, to Sunday, April 24. The fair is open from noon8pm Sunday to Friday, and from noon-10pm on Saturdays. Admission is free, though tokens can be prebought online at www. CartersSteamFair.co.uk.
36 | NEWS
No Progress made A DECISION on whether to change parking restrictions on the street next to one of Reading’s theatres has been deferred, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter. Reading Borough Council ran a consultation into bringing in a permit system, as used across the town, on The Mount. Currently, restrictions run between 10am and 4pm, but it has been proposed to change this to permits only between 8pm and 8am. At a meeting of the traffic management subcommittee on Thursday, March 3, Mount resident Niki Haywood said the consultation had been hijacked by cloned responses, with the only non-residents opposing. “The objections have been drummed up from a social media campaign that targeted theatre groups across the UK, people who have never been to the theatre and don’t live in The Mount,” she said. “Local democracy has been hijacked by a social media campaign.” Cllr Tony Page (Labour, Abbey) said the council could approve the restrictions, reject them, or change them. “The consultation was carried out in the normal fashion required by law,” he said. “The sub-committee felt it was appropriate to defer a decision to allow further discussions between residents, us and the theatre.” The next committee meeting is scheduled for June 15.
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Cost of living crisis means Reading workers see real earnings fall £1,300 By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today THE COST of living crisis means that the average earner in Reading will see their real earnings fall by £1,300 over the next 12 months.
That’s the claim from Reading’s Labour party, as the new tax year begins. They say working people will be hit with the biggest tax burden since the 1940s as a result of the Conservatives current economic plans, while living standards are set to plummet at the fastest rate since records began. The group is backing calls from Labour’s Shadow Chancellor for the government to scrap the National Insurance rise, and instead run a oneoff windfall tax on oil and gas producer profits. They say if this action is taken, it could take up to £600 off the energy bills of households struggling with the rising cost of living crisis. Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Labour’s leader, said: “The cost of living crisis is hammering families in Reading. “But all we got from the Chancellor in his Spring Statement was a promise of jam tomorrow rather than the support that is needed immediately – and now we learn that workers in Reading
COSTS: The cost of living is going up and Reading Labour wants the chancellor to do more to help households across the borough Picture: Pixabay are facing a sharp squeeze on their wages, losing £1,300 from their real terms pay packet by next year. “We’ve got to get a grip on spiralling inflation and rising costs that are leaving people worse off. “Not only is it making people worried about paying the bills, but it’s also stopping their spending going back into our local economy, so our businesses and our growth is suffering.” He added: “The Chancellor
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had the opportunity to scrap his unfair tax hike on working people and on businesses. The Spring Statement was the day for him to bring in a one-off windfall tax on oil and gas producers, to take up to £600 off people’s energy bills. It was the day to set out a plan for British businesses. “In failing to do any of these, the Chancellor made the wrong choices for Reading, and for our country.” But Conservative group leader Cllr Clarence Mitchell
said that the Government was providing a series of measures to help with the rising cost of living. “As Conservatives, we are acutely aware that the people of Reading have not only endured the financial privations of the last two pandemic-ridden years, but also now face a cost of living crisis, with higher food and energy prices and an imminent national insurance rise,” he said. “That’s why the Chancellor recently announced a number
of measures to ease the cost burden on our households, including a 5p per litre cut to fuel duty, an increase of £3,000 in the national insurance starting threshold and a forthcoming 1p cut in the basic rate of income tax. The National Living Wage has also risen from this week, putting an extra £1,000 a year into the pockets of full-time workers.” He continued: “Locally, the Government will also be supporting our Council Tax payers with a specific rebate of £150; support that will benefit the people of Reading considerably more than in other areas, given the higher number of homes in Bands A-D – more than 60,000 of them – that we have in our town. “Many of us within our own Party do have concerns over the timing of the imminent national insurance rise – if not the rationale behind it in supporting our NHS and future Adult Social Care provision. “Given the local disparities in entrenched deprivation and fuel poverty that still shamefully exist within Reading, despite the Labour administration’s lengthy time in office and its failure to tackle it, we are committed not to support anything that makes matters worse for Reading’s residents.”
FUNDRAISER: The Flying Banana - the last high speed train - was used to help raise £3.5 milllion by GWR for Action For Children
Train firm helps raise £3.5 million for Action For Children TRAIN travellers have helped raise more than £3.5million for a charity that helps children. Last month, GWR handed over the money to Action For Children, as its four-year partnership comes to an end. Originally due to run for three years, it was extended due to covid, and saw staff at GWR undertake fundraising events, offer advertising space, and volunteering support.
This included a fundraising farewell tour for The Flying Banana, the company’s last high-speed train. Rail enthusiasts turned out in droves to see the train make its final voyage, raising £30,000 in the process. Community Manager for GWR, Emma Morris, said: “To be able to contribute towards this incredible sum of money, knowing the difference it will make to so many young people, is a huge
moment of pride for all of us at GWR”. And Action for Children’s CEO, Melanie Armstrong, said: “Thanks to FirstGroup’s partnership and a shared vision to support vulnerable children and young people across the UK on their journey to better mental health, Action for Children has been able to deliver essential life-changing services during a time when they are most needed.”
News from your clubs, groups and societies. Email your news to: news@rdg.today
INTHECOMMUNITY
STEPPING DOWN: Greg Wilkinson has retired and was thanked by Berkshire Vision CEO Laura Mitchell
Greg retires as charity’s chair
A CHARITY has thanked its outgoing chairman for helping steer it through the past six years. Greg Wilkinson is stepping down from his role with Berkshire Vision, a Reading-based group that provides practical support and activities for people with visual impairments and their families. “I am very proud of what I achieved over the last six years and feel that I am leaving the organisation in very capable hands,” Mr Wilkinson said. “Berkshire Vision is pretty unique in coming out of the whole covid episode as a better organisation. “Our Sight Loss Support Service started just before the first lockdown and has grown through it; befriending has developed a whole momentum of its own; tech buddying has blossomed, and activities for members (both adults and children) are better than ever.” His role will be taken over by Jane Veys, a registered optometrist. Mr Wilkinson said: “With a wealth of experience in education she will take Berkshire Vision to the next level in providing services to our members. “We also have two new trustees, Peter Orr and Andrew Jones who bring additional skills to the board.” The charity’s CEO, Laura Mitchell, said that Mr Wilkinson has made a huge contribution to its work over the past six years, but revealed that it’s not a complete farewell for him. “He’s not leaving us completely and will still be driving our minibuses, making sure everyone gets to take part in our activities programme,” she said. “I look forward to welcoming Jane as our new Chair. She’s ideally positioned to work with us to take Berkshire Vision forward and I’m very much looking forward to working with her.” A leaving lunch for Mr Wilkinson was held last month.
Pangbourne Rotary makes donation to help refugees PANGBOURNE Rotary Club has transferred to the Warsaw City Rotary Club the sum of £2,000 - or 10,800 zlotys - to help them to support the huge influx of refugees arriving in Poland. As in previous emergencies, we find this is the fastest way to get support to the people who need itbypassing bureaucracy hurdles that sometimes exist. Our support locally will focus on welcoming the refugees who arrive in our area. It is thanks to the generosity of the public who support our ongoing fund-raising activities, such as Santa Sleigh, Woodcote 10K, Dragon Boats, Pangbourne and Streatley Art Exhibitions, that make these donations possible. A reminder that our next event is the Pangbourne Art Exhibition from May 6-8. n If you are interested in finding out more about us and want to get involved, email: membership@ pangbournerotary.org.uk
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TOGETHER: The Inner Wheel Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh recently celebrated their belated Inner Wheel Day with a walk followed by a soup lunch.
Inner Wheel Club celebrates its day
T
HE Inner Wheel Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh recently celebrated their belated Inner Wheel Day with a walk followed by a soup lunch.
It was a beautiful Spring morning and 14 of us arrived at our President’s house for a walk through the woods in Calcot. There was a lot of chatter as we are still catching up after the deprivations caused by covid and the daffodils and fresh leaves on the trees were a beautiful back drop to our walk. Members not walking were now at our lunch venue and 20 sat down to a choice of home made soups followed by cheese and biscuits and coffee. Moneys raised will be going to the Ukraine Appeal. We have enjoyed coffee with an Inner Wheel Club member who lives in New Zealand and is here on holiday in Reading visiting her daughter.
A friendly and interesting morning was had by all. On Saturday, May 14, starting at 10.15am, our International lead and her committee have organised a Saturday Brunch at Charvil Village Hall in aid of the Karun School in Trichy, India. We have supported this school for many years and recently we have bought them two sewing machines and paid for a teacher to help both adults and children learn to sew. The tickets are £15 for a quality full English breakfast with all the extras. Please contact Sue Edwards on 0118 934 2883 for tickets, or visit: innerwheelrme.org, or our Facebook page or email iwcrme@gmail.com. We will get back to you. We are a fun and friendly club always looking for new members and new ideas. Please get in touch to find out more about us.
Toni Trathen Club Correspondent
30 years on: end-of-relationship course prepares for new session VOLUNTEERS who help people after relationship breakdowns are celebrating the 30th birthday of charity Divorce Recovery Workshop. Their way to celebrate is highly practical. They’re relaunching the Wokingham and Reading area Divorce Recovery Workshop course in Earley after a two-year break due to Covid. John Kemp, 68, of Wokingham, found the first UK course, at Berkshire College of Agriculture near Maidenhead, life-changing. “I felt my world had come to an end when my 16 year marriage collapsed. The workshop helped me put things into perspective. I needed to work things through, see my future and not look back,” he said. He went on to help set up DRW across the UK. “It’s great that DRW still flourishes, helping some of the thousands affected by divorce and separation every year,” he added. The next course for Berkshire is on Friday evenings of June 10 and 17 and during the day on June 11 and 18 at Brookside Hall, Brookside Close, Earley. John Kemp and the course leaders Seamus Jennings and Julia Green met at the hall last week
to discuss arrangements for the course. Seamus, of Reading, said: “DRW’s courses are for people whose relationship has broken down, whether they’re divorced or separated, and whenever the breakdown was. “All DRW’s volunteer leaders have been on the courses themselves. There’s plenty of free parking at Brookside and you will be warmly greeted with a cup of tea or coffee before every session. A light lunch is also provided. Please call me with any queries.” Topics covered include: Is this really happening to me? Coping with your ex-partner. Assuming new responsibilities.
Letting go and forgiveness. Family matters. Thinking about new relationships. A modest charge covers costs including lunches. Anne of Wokingham said: “After my divorce, I struggled to come to terms with bewilderment, loss, anger, bitterness, and betrayal. It’s a horrible, tough, awful time. DRW showed me a way through. I never imagined I could live life to the full again.” n For details: call Seamus on 07887 800521, email reading@ drw.org.uk or go to facebook. com/readingdrw. n DRW’s website www.drw.org. uk gives tips for going through separation or divorce
Hindus across Reading and Wokingham celebrate Holi HOLI, the ancient Hindu festival which marks the beginning of spring and good over evil, was celebrated with great energy by the local community in Woodford Park last month. Friends, families, and neighbours gathered to celebrate with food, music, dancing and the customary throwing of bright colours to celebrate the concept of Unity in Diversity. This year was extra special as we emerge from lockdown to the victory over the devastating pandemic, with people looking forward to normality. The local branch of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) UK, a charitable organisation hosted the cultural event with children’s performances, tombola game, food, singing and dancing. The children set up food stalls and raised more than £150 for Sewa International charity which is currently raising donations towards Ukraine relief. Organisers said that no Holi is complete without the obligatory colour throwing. The four main colours used were red, blue green and yellow: all with symbolic meaning in Hinduism. Red signifies love and fertility, blue represents determination, green symbolises life and happiness and yellow for knowledge. Guests included community leaders as well as local councillors from Reading and Earley.
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LEISURETODAY LEISURE TODAY
07.04.22
Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
‘I’ll perform until I can’t sing any more’
Later this month, The Christians will be coming to Reading’s SUB89 for a special gig. JAKE CLOTHIER catches up the group’s lead vocalist, Gary Christian, who can’t wait
W
HEN THE CHRISTIANS play Sub89 next week, it will be a first for the band.
“I can’t remember having played there before,” says Gary Christian, who has led the band since 1987, “But we must have!” The show was due to take place in August but was rescheduled due to continued uncertainty with the coronavirus pandemic. But Gary says that the band is ready to feel their way back in. “We tried a few online sessions, but
we just found it too hard,” he explains. “So we’ve got our studio, we got on with writing, and now we’re getting back on track with live gigs, and back on the road.” The band is also playing at Rewind Festival in September. The Christians were on the line-up when it began in 2009, celebrating acts who came to prominence in the 1980s. Gary says that despite fond memories, which include sharing the stage with Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, he doesn’t like to look back too much.
“I prefer to look forward.” “Back in the day, everybody was angsty, and you didn’t meet other bands, or maybe you would’ve been in competition. “As you get older you start to mellow, and that’s human. “And these days its more about connecting with an audience than just getting through it.” He says that enjoying the work is what the music industry should be about. “It’s so much fun being on stage, especially if you’re going full octane and having a laugh, and that’s what we’re doing. “You can’t afford to force it, you have to do what you like doing.” He warns also of the dangers of taking yourself too seriously. “There used to be these nihilists in black clothes, all po-faced and serious,
and I can’t really decry it. “But there’s no need, and most grow out of it. “We’ll play anywhere, because we love it, and we’ll turn up with our Tesco bags and our kit, and if people want to spend money to see us, we make sure we’ll give them 100%.” Gary says that he’ll keep going until he can’t. “People always seem to ask why Keith Richards or Paul McCartney are still playing. “They’re not ready to stop, so why should they? “There’s no time limit- while I still want to do it, I’ll perform until I can’t sing any more.” As well as a more general shift during the last few decades, he notes also that the pandemic has changed the structure of the music industry. “People lost their jobs, lighting techs
and sound engineers, and it’s been really very difficult for everyone, “Right now, there are millions of people who can’t pay their bills. “Even recording doesn’t feel as worth it any more – I don’t go in for Spotify, since the payment for artists is just terrible.” This in particular seems to be one of the reasons that enjoyment is so necessary for an artist. “We were lucky to get our shot, and there’s even more bands just trying to break through. “But I loved the tours, and the audiences are great – if you enjoy it, it’s a big party” The Christians will be at Sub89 on Friday, April 15, from 7.30pm. Reading’s own Tomorrow Bird will be providing support. n Tickets are £28, available from premier.ticketek.co.uk.
14 | LEISURE
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 6, 2022
They’re Havana laugh THE WATERMILL Theatre hosts a world premiere of a new musical for a run which begins on Thursday, April 7 at 7.30pm. Ben Morales Frost and Richard Hough have written and composed Our Man in Havana, based on Graham Greene’s novel. In the midst of the warm, tropical air of pre-revolutionary Havana, Englishman James Wormold lives a quiet life running a modest vacuum cleaner business, and raising his teenage daughter. Just as daughter Milly’s shopping habit reaches new heights, James is made an offer he can’t refuse from the British Secret Intelligence Service. What he lacks in sleuthing experience, he makes up for with imagination. But his life is soon turned upside down when the fictional events of his intelligence reports start to come true. Suitable for an audience aged 10 and up. Three socially distanced performances and an audio-described event with a pre-show touch tour will take place in the course of the run, which ends on Saturday, May 21. Tickets start at £15. n For more details or to book, visit: watermill.org.uk or call the box office on: 01635 46044.
A toad-ally terrific show
A CLASSIC children’s story comes to life on stage at the Kenton Theatre in Henley this Saturday, April 9. Immersion Theatre will perform its adaptation of The Wind in the Willows at 1.30pm and 5pm. Join Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime culminating in a colourful battle to save Toad Hall from the mischievous weasel. The critically-acclaimed company promises a show packed with audience participation, songs, and fun for all the family. Tickets cost £13.50 adults and £11.50 concessions and include a £1 theatre restoration levy. n For more details or to book, call the box office on: 01491 525050 or log on to: kentontheatre.co.uk
King Harry
A FORMER King of the Jungle swings by Reading this weekend. Harry Redknapp will be on stage at the Hexagon at 7.30pm on Sunday.
undergrowth and squish, squelch and play their way through this surreal and funny show. Running time 45 minutes and 15 minutes of free play. All seats cost £9.50. n For more details or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or visit: whatsonreading.com
Royal Women
THE FINAL tickets remain for an evening exploring the scummier side of parenting in Newbury at the end of this month. Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn, also knows as the Scummy Mummies, are back on tour. They reach the Corn Exchange on Wednesday, April 27, and after the year they’ve had they are going out-out. Join them for a big night out of The I’m A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here winner and former football manager will be telling stories from his club and managing career, as well as a few tales from the jungle. Audience members will have the chance to ask Harry questions at the end of the evening. Standard tickets cost £37 and VIP tickets cost £87. The VIP package includes a meet and greet and a signed photo. n For more details or to book, visit: whatsonreading.com or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
A handbag?
THE WINDSOR on Air season at the Theatre Royal continues next week. Oscar Wilde’s classic play The Importance of Being Earnest is the latest work to be adapted as a radio production. Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff wish to marry Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. But the courtship of the ladies is complicated by the double lives led by the two gentlemen. Chaos ensues as Jack struggles to convince Gwendolen’s mother, the intimidating Lady Bracknell,
comedy, songs and filth as they discuss everything from drinking wine at teatime to hiding from the school PTA. The pair have an award-winning podcast which has attracted guests including Jenny Eclair and Dara Ó Briain. Other credits include selling out their entire 25 night run debut at the Edinburgh Festival in 2019, where they also featured in the Top 50 Jokes of the that he is a worthy suitor and the gentlemen’s false identities sees them caught in a trap of their own making. The cast includes Jenny Seagrove, Liza Goddard and Christopher Biggins. Shows are daily from Tuesday, April 12, until Saturday, April 16. Evening performances are at 7.30pm, with matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets from £24. n For more details or to book call the box office on: 01753 853888 or visit: theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Sing again
NORDEN FARM will host three screenings of a film sequel over the next two weeks. The family friendly Sing 2 will show on Tuesday, April 12, at 5pm and Thursday, April 14. A relaxed screening, ideal for families with babies and toddlers or children with additional needs, will take place on Wednesday, April 20, at 5pm. Can-do koala Buster Moon and his all star cast of animal performers prepare to launch their most dazzling stage extravaganza yet. There’s just one hitch. First, they have to find and persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star to join them. Characters in the animated film are
Fringe list. Ellie and Helen welcome everyone along and guarantee to make parents, grandparents and carers laugh. Suitable for an audience of 18 years and above. Tickets cost £20. n For more details or to book, visit: cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 0845 5218218 . voiced by performers from 2016’s Sing, including Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Taron Egerton and Jennifer Saunders. Written and directed by Garth Jennings, rated U. Tickets cost £9 for adults and £7 for under 16s. A family and friends ticket for 4 people is £28. n For more details or to book, visit: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788997.
Be one of The Herd
THEATRE company The Herd is performing a squishy, squelchy show for the very young next week. Slime will leave a trail on stage at South Street at 11am and 2pm on Wednesday, April 13. Slug and Caterpillar are starving, and the only leaf left in the garden is just out of reach. Slug thinks they should work together. Get the leaf, eat the leaf, play a game, be friends. Caterpillar has other ideas. Slugs are gross, they’re covered in slime and they have terrible taste in music. Things get sticky. Little ones aged between two and five can bring their families to enter the
AT THE THEATRE
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 Bracknell Jazz: Trish Clowes - My Iris. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Shrek The Musical. Mon-Mon 18. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 15. FILMS: Coppelia. Thurs. Nightmare Alley. Fri-Sun. Sing 2. Sat-Sun, Wed-Sun 16. Road To Morocco. Mon. Taming The Garden. MonTues. Royal Opera House: La Traviata. Wed. Cyrano. Thurs 14-Sun 16.
Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600
Revenge. Thurs. Lou Sanders: One Word - Wow. Fri. Spontaneous Potter Kidz. Sat. The Wind in the Willows. Sun. BTA Matilda Jnr. Tues-Thurs 14. The Wizard of Oz. Fri 15. The Doris Day Story. Sat 16. Lost Voice Guy. Sun 17.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. Until Sat. The Glee Club. Tues-Sat 16.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Lesley Garrett: A Diva and a Piano. Thurs. Live/Wire - The AC/DC Show. Fri. Showwaddywaddy. Fri. DJ Luck and MC Neat Live The UK Garage Showcase. Sat. Gyles Brandreth. Sun. Madama Butterfly. Mon. The Glenn Miller and Big Band
Spectacular. Tues. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 14. Someone Like you: The Adele Songbook. Thurs 14. The South. Fri 15. That’ll Be The Day. Sat 16.
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Gary In Punderland. Thurs. Beatles Ballet. Fri. The Wind In the Willows. Sat. Rent. Wed-Sat 16.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Suzi Ruffell and Friends. Thurs. The Real Charlie Chaplin (12a). Fri. Ma Bessie and her Pig Foot Band. Fri. Cyrano (12a). Fri-Sat. St John’s Chamber Orchestra. Sat. Family Concertini with YolanDa Brown. Tues. Sing 2 (U). Tues. Jack and the Beanstalk. Wed. Royal Opera House Live: La Traviata. Wed. The Duke (12a). Fri 15-Sat 16.
Steve Waterman: The Latin Connection. Fri 15. The Small Fakers. Sat 16.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Ali and Ava (15). Thurs. The Power of the Dog (12a). Thurs. The Sound of Springsteen. Sat. An Evening with Pam Ayres. Sun. Royal opera Live: La Traviata. Wed. Dinosaur World Live. Tues-Thurs 14. Ben Elton: Warm Up. Sat 16.
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 Bas Jan and support. Thurs. Morgan and West:
Unbelievable Science. Fri-Sat. Poets Cafe. Fri. SLIME by The Herd. Wed. Jackie Oates and John Spiers. Thurs 14. Poets Cafe Online lunchtime. Fri 15.
Reading – The Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 The Sensational 60s Experience. Fri. An Audience with Harry Redknapp. Sat. The Big Comedy Bash. Tues. Steve Backshall’s Ocean. Thurs 14. Fireman Sam Live. Sat 16.
Reading – Concert Hall
THE LIVES of three women from the Tudor court of Henry VIII will be discussed in Reading Central Library next Thursday afternoon. Catherine Sampson will talk about Catherine of Aragon, Anne of Cleeves and Lady Katherine Knollys. Aragon and Cleeves are famous, Lady Katherine Knollys less so. She was part of a family whose name would have been well known in the Reading area, and which is still remembered in street names. All survived the potentially lifethreatening difficulties they faced, largely utilising strategies learned during their childhoods. The talk will explore their lives and their Berkshire connections. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. Tickets cost £5 and include refreshments. n For more details or to book, visit: whatsonreading.com or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
Dive in
A CHILDREN’S television presenter will make a splash in Reading next week. The last few tickets remain for Steve Backshall’s latest show Ocean at the Hexagon on Thursday, April 14. He describes Ocean as a love letter to the most exciting environment on the planet, and a great way to learn more about what needs to be done to save the seas. Steve will use stunts, experiments, props, cutting edge science and big screen footage from his two decades in TV to bring his talk to life. From great whites to great whales, seals to sardine shoals, this is an opportunity for all the family to dive deep into the wonderful world beneath the waves. The show begins at 7pm and tickets are priced from £20.50. n For more details or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or visit: whatsonreading.com
Reading – Reading Rep Theatre
www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 Alby The Penguin Saves The World. Until Easter Monday.
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.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Gwyn Arch: A Celebration. Sat.
www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Still Life. Until Sat. Beyond Faith. Sat. Dire Straits: Money For Nothing. Sun.
Reading – Progress Theatre
Windsor – Theatre Royal
www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Catch-22. May 2-7.
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Pygmalion: Windsor on Air. Until
Sat. The Importance of Being Earnest: Windsor on Air. Tues-Sat 16.
Wokingham – Theatre
www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: The Father. April 28-May 7.
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre
www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Music Club presents Logicaltramp: The Spirit of Supertramp. Fri 15.
Woodley – Theatre
www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOWS: Things We Do For Live. May 17-21. Jazz concert with the Martin Hart Trio. Sat May 28.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Easter holiday fun promised across Reading
T
HEATRES, crafts, arts and activities are promised this Easter holiday across the Reading area, so no-one can say they’re bored.
The two-week Easter break will be the first for two years without any covid restrictions in place. And Reading is rising to the challenge, with a feast of family-friendly activities to enjoy including Eggy Bingo, a visit from Fireman Sam and holiday clubs. Reading’s museum has a special display celebrating 150 years of the football club, while the new portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge, lent to Reading by the National Portrait Gallery goes on show from Thursday (April 7). But there are special activities too. The museum stocks a range of arts and crafts packs in its shop for children to enjoy making at home, while it is promising the opportunity to to play Eggy Bingo with a special trail; a second one is devoted to Berty The Badger. And the Museum is also resuming its Bayeux Tapestry tours. Reading Arts is organised some special shows for children
during the holidays. Herd Theatre presents the squishy, squelchy show Slime on Wednesday, April 13. Shows are for ages 2-5, and take place at 11am and 2pm. They explore the lives of slug and caterpillar. Over at The Hexagon, Fireman Sam Live tells how the firefighter saves the circus in an all-singing, all-dancing, actionpacked show on Saturday, April 16. Known as talented Victorian-styled magicians, Morgan and West are switching to science for their new show. Suitable for ages seven upwards, it aims to offer captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology. They will be at South Street on Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9. Libraries and parks are open for exploring, including the Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins, Caversham Court Gardens or Prospect Park. The latter is hosting Carters Steam Fair. Donna Pentelow, Reading’s assistant director of culture, said: “If you’re looking for something to keep the kids entertained this Easter, I’d thoroughly recommend checking out all the great
LEISURE | 15
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Slime is one of the shows at South Street this Easter activities we have on offer at some of the brilliant venues across Reading - many of which are free or very low cost. “There is a great Easterthemed trail available for kids at Reading Museum and our latest football-themed exhibition is a must-see to learn about the fascinating history of our town’s club. “Thanks to the National Portrait Gallery, we’re delighted to present one of the new portraits of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge in Reading Museum’s Welcome Gallery and I’m really pleased this April
we are once again running our popular Bayeux Tapestry tours. “We are also thrilled to be able to offer some brilliant theatre shows for children from Reading Arts and thanks to our partners BFfC, there are some great opportunities for children and young people with SEND with a programme of Easter short breaks. “This Easter break, there’s something to suit everyone.” n Find out more and book at: www.readingmuseum.org.uk/ whats-on/bayeux-tapestrytours n For more shows and events, log on to: whatsonreading.com
A world class programme at the Watermill
T
HE WATERMILL Theatre has announced its line-up for the rest of the year.
It includes world premieres, a revival of an Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical and a Christmas panto. Paul Hart, artistic director, is looking forward to what the Watermill has in store for audiences. “It is a bumper new season,” he said. Bleak Expectations is a new stage adaptation of the hit BBC Radio 4 comedy written by Mark Evans. Credits for director Caroline Leslie include Trial by Laughter and The Wiper’s Times. It premiers at the Watermill and will run between Friday, May 27 and Saturday, July 2. It will be followed by Camp Albion, a play about environmental activism and the 1996 anti road protest dubbed the Battle of Newbury. Written and produced by a team of associate artists at the Watermill, the production will tour around the region before opening for an 11 day run at the theatre on Wednesday, July 6. A revival of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Jim Steinman’s rock musical Whistle Down the Wind will open on Friday, July 22 and close on Saturday, September 10. The company will feature a company of actor musicians alongside a cast of local young people. Shakespear’s Othello by the Watermill Ensemble and directed by Paul Hart weaves live music into what promises to be a bold new adaptation. Michael Morpergo’s The Sleeping
Sword has been adapted by Tatty Hennessey and will run at the Watermill from Thursday, October 27 until Saturday, November 5. The play weaves a contemporary tale of self-discovery with the ancient legend of King Arthur. The show will have creative access at the heart of it, working with a team of sighted and visually impaired artists, and every performance will feature the use of creative captioning and integrated audio description. This season’s Watermill Youth Ensemble production will be A Monster Calls, based on the best-selling novel by Patrick Ness. It plays from Thursday, November 10, to Saturday, November 12. Rapunzel will then let down her hair in time for Christmas. She will take to the stage, helped by director Lucy Betts, from Friday, November 18 until Sunday, January 1. Associate artistic director for the Watermill, Abigail Pickard Price, said that the team continues to strive to create ambitious work despite the challenges faced by theatres in the UK. “We remain incredibly grateful to our audiences for the support they are showing to live theatre and to the next generation of theatre makers through our fundraising campaign, Nurture.” n For more information on the coming season, or for tickets, visit: watermill. org.uk
16 | LEISURE
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Mates Rates Comedy Club is bringing Live Stand-Up Comedy to Reading W h e t h e r i t i s TV n a m e s o r n u r t u r i n g n ew ta l e n t a t t h e g ra s s ro o t s , i f yo u l ove s ta n d-u p co m e d y, M a te s Ra te s Co m e d y h a s a s h ow fo r yo u ! Fo r m o re i n fo r m a ti o n c h e c k o u t t h e l i n ks be l ow a n d s ca n t h e Q R co d e to bo o k yo u r ti c ke t s .
Fo l l ow u s o n : f: / M a te s Ra te s C o m e d y c: @ M a te s ra te s co m e d y www. m a te s ra te s co m e d y. co . u k
GET TECH SAVVY WITH PRATTS PODS STARTING ON THE 5TH APRIL PROBLEMS WITH YOUR IPAD, PHONE OR LAPTOP? EMAILS NOT SENDING OR SENDING? OR SIMPLY NEED SOME TECH GUIDANCE? CLASSES 2PM EVERY TUESDAY AT WOKINGHAM LIBRARY
0118 304 7777
INFO@PRATTSPODS.CO.UK
Poetry is in the South Street: Poets’ Cafe returns POETS’ CAFE will take place on Friday, April 8. This month’s cafe will feature guests Vic Pickup, Damon Young, David Cooke, and Robin Thomas, and will be hosted by Jez Dyer. There will also be an open mic session where patrons may volunteer to read. It is Reading’s longest-running poetry night, having run for nearly 20 years, and organised by the Reading Stanza of the Poetry Society. Last month’s café was hosted by Susan Utting, who founded the event in 2004. The Poet’s Café takes place at South Street Arts Centre on Friday, April 8, from 8pm. It returns every second Friday of the month. Tickets are £5, or £4 for those who are reading. n Tickets can be bought online at www.whatsonreading.com
An Ellen Kent Production featuring the Ukrainian National Municipal Opera Kyiv
Comedian Mark Steel plays Henley’s Kenton Theatre in June
Mark will make it all alright in Henley
A comedian and award-winning columnist will bring a positive message to Henley in June. Mark Steel performs his new show Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright at Kenton Theatre on Thursday, June 2. Despite feeling as though everything has gone to pot over the last few years, Mark remains optimistic. Mark thinks that not so long ago, it seemed unlikely the UK would vote to leave the EU. There was a reasonable opposition to the Tory Government, Donald Trump was a buffoon who surely wasn’t going to beat Hilary Clinton, and Mark was living the married suburban ideal. But he is determined that every little thing is gonna be alright. The sell-out show Who Do I Think I Am? — now available as an audiobook on Audible— revealed
that his natural father was a world backgammon champion. Now Mark is back on the road with a show that he guarantees will make the world seem even more mental than it really is. The Mark Steel Lectures for the BBC earned him a BAFTAnomination and he is a regular on Have I Got News For You and Radio 4’s The News Quiz. His acclaimed books include Reasons To Be Cheerful and What’s Going On, and his weekly column for The Independent won Columnist of the Year at the Press Awards in 2015. He now writes for the Sunday Mirror and films his columns for The Independent. n Tickets are £16. The performance starts at 8pm.For more information, or to book, visit: kentontheatre.co.uk
a South hill park production
WINNER ‘BEST OPERA AWARD’ LIVERPOOL DAILY POST THEATRE AWARDS
Based on the dreamWorks animation motion picture and the Book By William steig
Book and lyrics by david lindsay-abaire
music by Jeanine tesori
originally produced on Broadway by dreamWorks theatricals and neal street productions
“A Butterfly to cherish” MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Sung in Italian with English surtitles. † Cast subject to change.
Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee, Ukrainian sopranos Alyona Kistenyova and Katerina Timbaliuk from the Odessa Opera together with celebrated Ukrainian mezzo soprano Irina Sproglis†. With an exquisite Japanese Garden and spectacular costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.
SATURDAY 23 APRIL | 7.30pm WHATSONREADING.COM | BOX OFFICE 0118 960 6060
TICKETS £35, £32, £30
georgie Banks as Princess Fiona
Brad Clapson as Shrek
poppy ridell as Donkey
ashleigh Wells as Lord Farquaad
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk
Mon 11 – Mon 18 april 2022 Wilde theatre, South hill park, Bracknell rg12 7pa box office 01344 484123 · Southhillpark.org.uk @southhillpark
/southhillparkartscentre
southhillpark
Registered charity 265656 Please support the future of the Arts
LEISURE | 25
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Wednesday, April 6, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
LIVEMUSIC
To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662
RaW Sounds Today
Needed, from which this song is taken, maybe they will. They have good songs which are well played and they have sing-along choruses so we’ll look forward to checking them out live when they appear on the Wokingham Music Club (WMC) Stage at Wokingham Festival in August – https://tommyhand. wixsite.com/smalltownheroesuk
Chris Hillman
bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday
That Joe Payne – End of the Tunnel
T
HE music community in Reading and Wokingham is a great thing. By working together, we can help dangle some great tunes under your noses.
This week’s top new entry is a classic example of that: a hat-tip to Wokingham’s record store for spotting The Amazons’ new release. The RaW Sounds playlist is a terrific way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and keep dancing – make sure you bookmark the Spotify page. To hear this week’s set, simply head to https://bit. ly/rawsoundstodayand get dancing. There’s also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.
The Amazons – Bloodrush Ian from Wokingham’s Beyond the Download record store alerted us to this new single. We gave it a listen and loved it as it’s another brilliant anthem from this fast-rising band from Reading.
Joe will be returning to headline the WMC Stage at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday with his solo set following a brilliant performance there in 2019 – https://www. thatjoepayne.com/
A Better Life – A Moment of Nothing
The Amazons It’s from their forthcoming third album How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? which is out in September. The band is going from strength to strength and recently played London’s O2 Arena as part of a support tour to Royal Blood. They have their own UK and EU headlining tour later in the year – https:// theamazons.co.uk/
Small Town Heroes – i need u Here’s a new five-piece band that we are sure would like to achieve the success that The Amazons are having and judging by their debut EP, No Filters
This chill-out collective based around local music producer, Phil Daniels, have recently released a brand new video to this track from their acclaimed debut album Take A Deep Breath – https:// abetterlifemusic.com/
Focus – Sylvia Exciting news that legendary rock band, Focus, will be headlining Wokingham Festival this year on August Bank Holiday Monday, August 29. This song is from their Focus 3 album and hit No.4 in the UK singles chart – https://focustheband.co.uk/
The Go Go Cult – Town Called Sorrow Club Velocity celebrated an impressive 19 years
of putting on events with a Birthday Party Gig at the Rising Sun Arts Centre last month, featuring these psychobilly punks – http://www.thegogocult.com/
Wishbone Ash – Sometime World It’s from the band’s classic album, Argus, and Martin Turner Ex-Wishbone Ash returned to Wokingham Music Club on Friday, April 1 to perform the album in full, as well as their Wishbone Four album – https://www. martinturnermusic.com/
Rachel Redman – You Set Me Free Rachel is a singer-songwriter from the area and, she’s recently released this wonderful new single. It’s another well-crafted song with Rachel’s distinctive country-pop feel – https://www.facebook.com/ rachelredmanmusic/
Third Lung – Laura This is the band’s first release of 2022 and they are certainly showing that they can maintain the quality of their previous excellent single releases. It’s from their forthcoming album, Gameplay. We’ll look forward to that. – http://thirdlungband.com/
OSP – Breathe Here’s the debut single from Reading-based rap collective OSP. They were live at Readipop Festival’s Launch Party at Purple Turtle on March 19, along with Brother Zulu and Hatty Taylor – https://www. facebook.com/ospmusicuk
GIG GUIDE Friday, April 8
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Clay Soldiers, Chashing Violet. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Odyssey Live. Plus: All About You. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Trish Clowes - My Iris Details: 01344 484123. GORING – Community Centre, The Old School, Station Road RG8 9HB. Jazz night with Mike Wilkins, Nick Hall, Howard King and Mike Goff. 7.30pm. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk/goringcommunity-jazz-club READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Swamp featuring Morass of Molasses. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennetside RG1. Dolly and the Clothespegs. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. The Sensational 60s Experience: Mike Pender from The Searchers, The Trems, Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, The Fortunes and The Dakotas. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Wakey Blakey and the Ingham-Davison Sextet. Details: www. jazzinreading.com READING – The Rising Sun,
Silver Street RG1 2ST. Nothing Will Change Events, a collective of the alternative of alternative music: Pej and Dr Satso, Viaska, FFO, Masquerader. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Kokoroko. Details: 0118 959 5395. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Mythicals. Details: 0118 942 9606. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Funkin Soul’d Out. £18. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Chestnuts. Details: 0118 977 3706. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Logicaltramp: The Spirit of Supertramp. 7.30pm. £20. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk
Saturday, April 9
BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Paul Tino. Details: 01344 420690. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The lee Aaron Band. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Lexicon. Forest Springs afternoon and evening of live music: North Ascot Academy of performing Arts,
Vocalese, Jen Merchant, James Grant, Abi Powell, The Originals, Here At Last. Details: www. thelexiconbracknell.com BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Tequila Chase. Details: 01344 422622 CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. De Satso. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Viaska and special guests. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Abba tribute.. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Pond House, Oxford Road RG30 1EH. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 958 3664. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – Q-Club, Friar Street. We Are Saturdays/ Jay1. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Echo. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Beyond Faith. Details: 0118 969 8000. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. The Mythicals. Details: 0118 942 9606. WHITLEY – Whitley GrowAllot, Meavy
Gardens RG2 7RD. Food4Families fundraiser: pond dipping, planting seeds, Easter egg hunt, and more. Noon-2pm. £5. Details: https://www. ticketsource.co.uk/ food4families WOKINGHAM – The Rifle Volunteer, Reading Road. The Midnight Rebel Band. WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. The DoubleShots. Details: 0118 979 7402. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Steve Brookes. Details: 01252 870648.
Sunday, April 10
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Steve Turner. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Primitai. Details: 0118 959 5395. RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. B Side at the Bull.. Details: 0118 343 0565. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Fire Straits: Money For Nothing. Details: 0118 969 8000.
Tuesday, April 12
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music
Tuesdays. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk
Wednesday, April 13
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Open Mic Night. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Sea Shanty session. Details: 0118 958 0473.
Thursday, April 14
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Winter Wilson and support. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Club Reckless v Delight Alternative clubight. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – South Street arts centre. Jackie Oates and John Spiers. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Shonen Knife. Details: 0118 959 5395.
Christians. Details: 0118 959 5395. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Logicaltramp: The Spirit of Supertramp. 7.30pm. £25. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. Midnight Rebels Band. Details: 0118 969 3325.
Saturday, April 16
BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. The TR5s. Details: 01344 420690. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Legends of the Oldskool. Details: 01344 303333. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live
music. Details: 01344 530615. EARLEY – The Seven Red Roses, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 935 4103. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Easter Meets Western: DAP & The Loveable Fraudsters. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Freudian Session and Freinds. Details: 0118 956 8188. 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. Western Rock. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Holy Cowbell. Details: 0118 957 6930. TILEHURST – The Royal
British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. T Roze and Co.. Details: 0118 942 9606. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. The Turn. Details: 01252 870648.
Easter Sunday, April 17
CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Beatles Tribute. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul presents: David Rodigan. Details: 01344 303333. READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Eden Project presents Jess Bays. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.
Good Friday, April 15
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Skaranaga Duo. Details: 01344 303333. BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Rockin’ The Joint: a party to celebrate the 31st anniversary of 3Rs. £12. Details: rock3rs. co.uk CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Victoria Elizabeth. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The
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Friday April 15th 2022 - Doors 7:00pm Advance tickets £25.00
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Sub89 110-117 Friar Street Reading RG1 1EP 0118 959 5395
26 | LEISURE
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WHAT’SON Exhibitions
READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Community Voices A series of displays showcasing responses to The MERL’s collections. Open daily except Monday. Details: 0118 378 8660. READING – Edith Morley building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 6AA. The Ure Museum presents: Discover the beauty of Etruscan pottery. Tuesdays to Thursdays. 9am-4.30pm. Free. Details: 0118 378 6990. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Museum presents Collected: 150 Years of Reading FC. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (Sat 5pm). Free, suggested donation of £5. Details: 0118 937 3400.
Films at Reading Biscuit Factory this week
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Hive (15). Thurs. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (PG). Thurs. Morbius (15). Thurs. The Batman (15). Thurs. The Worst Person In The World (15). Thurs. Ambulance (15). Thurs. X (18). Thurs. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (12a). From Fri. Keep It Cult: Risky Business (18). Fri. Revolution of our Times (15). Sat. Easter In Art: Exhibition on Screen. Sun. Keep It Cult: Mad Max (15). Mon, Good Friday. Royal Opera 21/22 Season: La Traviata. Wed. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk
Thursday, April 7
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS.
Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Dave Tollow Creative Challenge. 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street. Comedy on Tap. 7pm. £17. Details: 0118 978 0389. WOKINGHAM – WADE, Reading Road. Ladies Fashion Show in aid of WADE. £10, includes a glass of wine/soft drink. Details: www.wadecentre. org.uk WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents:Limbo (PG). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
Friday, April 8
EARLEY – 3Sixty University of Reading, RG6 6UR. CosXPo 2022: a celebration of cos play. £35-£15. Under fives free. Workshops, panels and more. Details: cosxpo.com EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, Chain Street. Lunchtime organ recital by Ian Hillier. Free entry, retiring collection. 12.30pm-1.15pm. Details: www.berkshireorganists. org.uk READING – Centre for Heritage and Family History, Second Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Terry’s tours: Edible Reading Walkabout & Cream Tea with Terry Dixon. Ends with a cream tea at the centre. 10amnoon. Booking essential. Details: events@berksfhs. org.uk WINNERSH – Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41
Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Funlkin Souled Out. £18. Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub 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 – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Patti Boulaye’s one-woman show Aretha and Me. £20. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, April 9
BRACKNELL – The Lexicon. Forest Springs afternoon and evening of live music: North Ascot Academy of performing Arts, Vocalese, Jen Merchant, James Grant, Abi Powell, The Originals, Here At Last. Details: www. thelexiconbracknell.com CAVERSHAM – Methodist Church, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and makers’ fair. Free entry. 10am. EARLEY – 3Sixty University of Reading, RG6 6UR. CosXPo 2022: a celebration of cos play. £35-£15. Under fives free. Workshops, panels and more. Details: cosxpo.com EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Village Hall, Emmbrook Road RG41 1JN. SAFE (Saving Abandoned FlyGrazing Equines) Easter
Fair: Tombolas, raffle, Easter crafts and local small business stalls. £1, children free. Noon4.30pm. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Craft Brew, Alberto House, Marino Way. Guided tours of brewery. 1pm-2.30pm. Details: www.sirencraftbrew.com READING – New Hope Community Church, York Road RG1 8DU. Easter Fete plus family-freindly events, games, and more. 10am-3pm. 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 SOUTHCOTE – Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane RG30 3HD. Easter market. Crafts, Homemade Cakes & Preserves, Raffle, Tombola, Books, Jigsaw Puzzles, Bric-a-Brac, plus charity stalls including Thames Valley Animal Welfare and Duchess of Kent Hospice. 11.30am1.30pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 956 0380. TILEHURST – Double Barrelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting. Over 18s only. Booking essential. 1pm. £13.50. Details: doublebarrelled. co.uk WOKINGHAM – WH Smith, Market Place RG40 1AN. Booking signing by Justin Newland: The Genes of Isis. From 10.30am. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Bulmershe School, Woodlands Avenue RG5 3EU. Woodley Concert Band spring concert: Let’s Dance! Music from West Side Story, Glenn Miller, Shall We Dance (from The King and I) and more. 7.30pm. £14, concessions £12, under 16s £5. Details: 0870 321 2186. 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, April 10
EARLEY – Culver Lane Conveience Store, Culver Lane. Dr Bike surgery organised by My Journey Wokingham. Booking essential. 10am-noon. Details: www. myjourneywokingham.com PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Classic car and bike meet. From 9.30am. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be”. 12.30pm4pm. Free, donations welcome. READING – From Broad Street/St Mary’s Butts Junction. Churches Together in Reading presents a Palm Sunday procession. 12.30pm. Palm Sunday celebration until 1.15pm, outside Marks & Spencer. Details: 01491 671357. SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Spencers Wood Village Hall Easter Community Farmers Market. 10am. Details: www.spencerswoodhall. co.uk TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Twyford Singers Palm Sunday concert: Hope! Joy! Celebration! Includes Gloria, Laus et Honor, Stainer’s Crucifixion, Maunder’s Olivet to Calvary. 7pm. £12, under 16s £6. Details: http:// twyford-singers.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Wokingham vegan market. 9am-1pm. Details: www.sparkleveganevents. com WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars
What’s on event submission 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
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, April 6, 2022 £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Monday, April 11
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bike sheds, Wokingham Borough Council offices, Shute End. Dr Bike surgery organised by My Journey Wokingham.Booking essential. 10amnoon. Details: www. myjourneywokingham.com WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
Tuesday, April 12
EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Coronation Hall, Headley Road RG5 4JB. WISE Over-50s Forum: Richard Dolinski to talk about Ukraine. A personal/ family perspective. Also: Cllr Bill Soane (Wokingham Borough Council) will talk about Public Protection. £3. Raffle tickets will be on sale at .50p each. 2pm-4pm. Details: Woodleywise@ gmail.com or: 0118 969 6206.
Wednesday, April 13
EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. MS weekly drop-in. 10.30am-1.30pm Details: 0118 921 0555. ONLINE. Forest management and red squirrel conservation, a talk by Dr Louise De Raad. Hosted by the Berkshire Mammal Group and Cole Museum of Zoology, University of Reading. 7.15pm. Free. Details: berksmammals. org.uk
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. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Thursday, April 14
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Royal Women, a talk by Catherine Sampson. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm-3.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 950 9553. SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org 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. Round 4 Print competition: open judged by Andrew Mills. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk. Good Friday, April 15 BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Rockin’ The Joint: a party to celebrate the 31st anniversary of 3Rs. £12. Details: rock3rs. co.uk CAVERSHAM – New Testament Church of God. Good Friday service. 10.30am. MAPLEDURHAM – St Margaret’s Church. Nine stations of the cross service, largely outside. 11am. READING – Park United Reformed Church, Wokingham Road. Good Friday service. 3pm. READING – Rivermead, Richfield Avenue. Reading Vinyl Collectors Fair. 9am-3pm. £4 before 11am, £3 after. Details: facebook. com search for Vinyl Record Collectors Fair READING – Broad Street. French market. 9am-5pm. Free entry. READING – Outside Reading West Salvation Army, Oxford Road. Good Friday service led by the Salvation Army band. Noon. READING – From Stadium Way. Berkshire Egg Run organised by Thames Vale Vultures. From 11.30am.
SOUTHCOTE – From Grange Church, Ciruit Lane. Good Friday walk of witness from the church to Southcote Family Church via St Matthew’s. Meet at 10am, service at Southcote Family Church 10.30am. TILEHURST – The Triangle. Good Friday walk of witness from churches to the Triangle, short service from noon.
Saturday, April 16
FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Craft Brew, Alberto House, Marino Way. Guided tours of brewery. 1pm-2.30pm. Details: www.sirencraftbrew.com READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk READING – Broad Street. French market. 9am-5pm. Free entry. 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 WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Wokingham craft and gift market. 10am-4pm. Free entry. Details: 07522 523519. 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
Easter Sunday, April 17
READING – The Bandstand, Forbury Gardens. Churches Together in Reading Easter celebration. 8am. With hymns led by Reading Central Salvation Army Band. If wet in Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square. Followed by refreshments in Abbey Baptist. Details: 01491 671357. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Miniature Railway, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Miniature Railway running. £1.50 per ride, four rides £5. 1.30pm-4pm. Under threes free. Now accepts card payments. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
No. 5408
Your weekly puzzle challenge
27
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Wednesday, April 6, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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Quiz Challenge
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1. Which play by Shakespeare has the alternative title What You Will? 2. The sport of lacrosse originated in which Commonwealth country? 3. Mount Elbert is the highest peak of which mountain range? 4. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam had which senior health advisory role in government? 5. What F is another word for a jester and a type of fruity dessert?
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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
MAGIC SQUARE
A WEIRD IDEA, KICK IT
C O Y How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 31 Good; 37 Very Good; 43 Excellent.
Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.
7. What does a fossicker search for in Australia? 8. What is the common flavouring ingredient in spirits such as absinthe, ouzo and raki? 9. ‘Well, my friends, the time has come, To raise the roof and have some fun’ is a lyric from which Lionel Ritchie hit song?
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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
Hard
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7 6 3 4 2 6 8
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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.
YL
7
13 13
11
14 15
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DOWN 2. Affair by a large number of us (5) 3. Nothing in Siam bar possibly is delightful to taste (8) 4. Staggered to see a brightly coloured fish caught (6) 5. Puritan greedy guts right to be detained (4) 6. Right-back taking one group to divide into three (7) 7. Where you can have meals on wheels (6-3) 9. Large bird seen at the funfair (3,6) 11. Commonly cheap restaurant is sold out of temporary framework (8) 13. Maybe US claim South Pacific, for example (7) 15. Finish on one side of the cricket field first? It’s a myth (6) 18. Built up, say, or knocked down (5) 19. I put up with Amazonian People (4)
1
2
2
3
4
5
7
6
6
7
8
8
9
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11 13
12
15
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18 22
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This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.
23
To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
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© Sirius Media Services Ltd
22
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
20
25
21
22 24
25
28
26
27
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29 31
7 3 2 8 6 9 5 1 4
8 6 5 3 1 4 2 7 9
4 1 9 2 5 7 8 6 3
WORD PYRAMID: Best foot forward. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; subtract; divide; add. Total: 6.
SOLUTIONS
6
10 11
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.
3 1 8 4 7 9 2 6 3 5
9 5
E
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.
6
2 5 3 4 8 6 7 9 1
9 3 7 2
2
6 9 7 1 3 5 4 2 8
2 5 4
2 5
9 7 8 6 4 1 3 5 2
1
9
5
9
ACROSS 1. Turkish commanders rejected the story (4) 4. Alleged to have been placed in a wind instrument (7) 8. Second sight a symptom of concussion (6,6) 9. Not interested about a line that had been adopted (8) 10. Shed not to have an inclination (4) 12. A doctor and I are in Georgia or an African country (6) 14. One with a twitch found it vinegary (6) 16. It goes round both poles during the current month (4) 17. Salt needed for cockles and mussels, right? (8) 20. Imagine home as being a cinema (7,5) 21. Recovered on court? (7) 22. Mythological princess performed with nothing on (4)
EQUALISER 2 8 3 5 9 2 2 8 10 3 2 1
3 2 1 5 7 8 9 4 6
4
S
LA
ST
4
21
R
RY
EL
4
19
D
OA
TO
8
3
20
EL
CD
8
2
16
FIVE ALIVE GS
1
15
WORD PYRAMID Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed A through openings in the walls. The W first letter may appear in any chamber. R O
1
12
10. In the TV sitcom Friends, which character works as a palaeontologist?
SUDOKU Easy
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
6. Bristol is famous for making glassware in which colour?
5 4 6 9 2 3 1 8 7
4
4
25
13
9 4 3 1 6 8 7 2 5
12
25
25
15
8 7 6 5 3 2 1 4 9
12
4
26
5 1 2 4 9 7 3 6 8
25
17
12
1 5 7 2 4 9 8 3 6
4
15
6 8 9 3 5 1 2 7 4
22
18
8
2 3 4 8 7 6 9 5 1
14
13
7 9 5 6 1 3 4 8 2
4
3 6 8 9 2 4 5 1 7
14
4 2 1 7 8 5 6 9 3
11
PZ1P5408
CROSS CODE 7
5408
30 31
28. Record-breaking ACROSS (3-4) 2. Circumscribed (7) 29. Metal money (4) 7. Gemstone (4) 30. Ice cream 8. On top of (2,2) holder (4) 9. Tympanum (7) 10. Rudolf ----, Nazi (4) 31. Downward slope (7) DOWN 12. Unruly child (4) 1. Subdue (4) 15. Possession (5) 17. Responds (6) 2. Sediment (4) 18. Place of worship (6) 3. Quagmire (6) 19. Make beloved (6) 4. Small tower (6) 21. Exacting (6) 5. Speechless (4) 22. Nasal cavity (5) 6. State of 23. Utters (4) unconsciousness (4) 26. Auction (4)
10. Equestrian gear (7) 11. Emergency replacement (5-2) 13. Reproduction (7) 14. Playhouse (7) 15. Book of maps (5) 16. Nipples (5) 20. Plunders (6) 21. Lying face upward (6) 24. Sailor’s cry (4) 25. Beach grains (4) 26. Religious order (4) 27. Limp (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Limited; 7 Jade; 8 Up on; 9 Eardrum; 10 Hess; 12 Brat; 15 Asset; 17 Reacts; 18 Temple; 19 Endear; 21 Strict; 22 Sinus; 23 Says; 26 Sale; 28 All-time; 29 Coin; 30 Cone; 31 Descent. Down – 1 Tame; 2 Lees; 3 Morass; 4 Turret; 5 Dumb; 6 Coma; 10 Harness; 11 Stand-by; 13 Replica; 14 Theatre; 15 Atlas; 16 Teats; 20 Rifles; 21 Supine; 24 Ahoy; 25 Sand; 26 Sect; 27 Lank.
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Twelfth Night; 2 Canada; 3 The Rocky Mountains; 4 Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England; 5 Fool; 6 Blue; 7 Gold FIVE ALIVE: from old mine workings; 8 Aniseed; 9 All Night Long; 10 Ross Geller. (1) Across – Globe; Altar; Putty. Down – Grasp; Octet; Early. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Saga; 4 Reputed; 8 Double vision; 9 Borrowed; 10 (2) Across – Skill; Ivory; Sisal. H M B I A V S T P J Q D R Lean; 12 Gambia; 14 Acetic; 16 Inst; 17 Seafarer; 20 Picture Down – Swims; Idols; Loyal. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 house; 21 Rallied; 22 Dido. U E G O N Z C K W X Y L F Down – 2 Amour; 3 Ambrosia; 4 Reeled; 5 Prig; 6 Trisect; 7 NONAGRAM: chert; cherty; chip; chirp; chirpy; chit; Dining-car; 9 Big dipper; 11 Scaffold; 13 Musical; 15 Legend; 18 choir; chop; chore; chypre; cipher; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU cake; arid; kiwi; edit. Rased; 19 Tupi. echo; echt; ephor; epoch; etch; ethic; hector; heir; heriot; hero; heroic; hire; hoer; hope; hoper; hype; hyper; hypo; HYPOCRITE; ichor; itch; itchy; oche; ochre; ochry; other; perch; phot; photic; pitch; pitcher; pitchy; pith; pithy; porch; pother; retch; rhotic; rich; rochet; tech; techy; theory; thorp; thrice; thrip; tich; torch; trophic; trophy.
28 | LIFE
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Healthy snacking for children Ideas
Healthy heart tips
Heart Research UK
N
UTRITIOUS snacking can help children curb hunger throughout the day, as well as provide energy and important nutrients.
Getting children off to a good start with healthy snacking is a behaviour that will stick with them for a lifetime. Here, we share some ideas:
Encouraging Healthy Snacking
By involving children in the preparation or purchase of healthy snacks, you are encouraging healthy snacking as well as independence. The more exposure children have to healthy foods the better.
Have healthy options readily available such as ready-to-eat veggie sticks in a box for when you are out and about, fresh fruit available in a bowl in the kitchen and wholegrain cereal and canned fruit in your cupboards.
Timings Having regular meals at set times, with two or three snacks per day is ideal. Try not to allow snacks too close to mealtimes as this can cause children to fill up. If your child is not eating well at mealtimes, try looking at the amount and type of snacks they are having; they could still be full from their last snack.
Plastic Free Home Dave Lamont
Where possible, try to combine snacks from at least two food groups, for example vegetables and houmous or fruit and sugar-free yoghurt. Other healthy snack ideas include wholegrain foods such as bread, toast and breadsticks. This will provide extra nutrients and be filling for your little one.
Dividing up packaged snacks
If packaged foods are given to children, they may need to be divided up and shared. This is because packaged foods are normally designed for adults. As a general rule, one portion is roughly the amount that a child can fit in the palm of their hand.
Have an Egg-Stra special eco-friendly Easter…
n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for Heart Research UK’s weekly healthy tips at: www.heartresearch.org. uk/healthy-tips
According to the Retail Data Partnership, Cadbury has a 20% share of the country’s confectionary market at Easter, with the other nine best selling brands being (in order) Nestle, Haribo, Wrigley’s, Galaxy, Kinder, Maltesers, Maynards Bassetts, Swizzels, and M&M’s. No surprises there perhaps. And sadly, no brands known for their ecofriendly or ethical credentials make the list. Luckily, we’ve made you one below… While some of the leading brands have recently re-thought their packaging, including seeking to reduce or eliminate their use of plastic, as we always say at Plastic Free Home, what’s on the inside counts too. Don’t forget to look at the company making the product and it’s ethical and sustainability credentials, the ingredients used and the supply chain involved. As a general rule of thumb, is something seems comparatively cheap, somebody is being squeezed somewhere along the line. When buying Easter eggs, look at whether a product is Fairtrade (or similarly accredited), to help ensure that the chocolate has been ethically grown and sourced, with workers’ rights and pay better protected as part of the supply chain. You may also want to consider whether your Easter eggs are organic, vegan, dairy free or palm oil free, depending on your personal preferences, and, of course, plastic-free. So, the best bit… Our top five recommendations when it comes to eco-friendly Easter eggs are: Divine Easter Egg, Montezuma’s Organic Easter Egg, Tony’s Chocolonely Chocolate Eggs, Traidcraft The Real Easter Egg, and Moo Free Easter Egg. These brands are widely available online, at certain major supermarkets or, better still, often found in zero waste shops and ethical retailers. And, it goes without saying, if you can avoid all of the gimmicks at Easter time, from fancy dress kids will wear once to baskets, bonnets and toys.
A
N ESTIMATED 80 million chocolate Easter eggs are sold annually in the UK.
IN THE GARDEN
Plants that make you smile
T
HE garden really comes alive in April and the number of tasks to be carried out is considerable. Making the best use of the lengthening days is a bonus and, providing the weather stays fair, it can be a brilliant gardening month. In addition to dead-heading spring bulbs, now is the time to get planting so why not think about one or two new additions to your garden that will make you feel really happy. A survey carried out at the Chelsea Flower Show identified the top three plants in the UK that are most likely to put a smile on your face – Lily of the Valley, Sweet Pea and Jasmine – so they might make good additions to you garden this year. Lily of the Valley – can be planted in borders or underneath a tree and they are very low maintenance and easy to grow. They make good ground cover for shady spots and are beautifully fragrant with creamy white bellshaped nodding flowers. Sweet Pea – available in a huge variety of bright and pastel colours with frilly, delicate and often sweetly fragrant flower heads. They work well in a sunny or partially shaded area in fertile well-drained soil. Climbing Jasmine – can be highly scented, with varieties that flower in summer and and winter. All produce pretty flowers and are fairly easy to grow against walls or up trellis. If you want to make the kids happy then there are some fun options for them to plant such as Sunflowers, Snap Dragons and the Four O’Clock Flower. The Sunflower is a real family favourite. If you look at a sunflower, you can’t help but smile. Not only does it remind us of the sun, but its head will track the sun through the sky, and wherever the light is a sunflower will find it.
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Snapdragons are great because they come in a variety of colours and sizes, and also you can pinch the blossoms so they open and shut just like a dragon’s mouth. Snapdragon flowers are specifically designed for bumblebees, which are just the right weight to trip the opening mechanism of the lower lip of the flower to gain access to the nectar. The Four O’Clock Flower, also known as the Marvel of Peru, is a bushy plant with trumpetshaped flowers in shades of pink, yellow or white. The fragrant flowers don’t open until late afternoon, around four o’clock – so good for telling the time. If you are growing your own veg then now is a good time to start sowing tomatoes, so you can enjoy them throughout the summer. To grow tomatoes successfully, you need rich, fertile soil or peat-free potting compost, and a good sunny, sheltered spot. Water regularly and feed regularly once the plants start to flower. Tomatoes are split into two main growing types - bush and cordon. Bush types are usually planted in containers and their stems trail around the edge.
Cordon types are trained to grow tall and are supported by a cane or stake and will require pinching out. Growing tomatoes from seed is best done under cover, into seed trays, then when the seedlings get to 2-3cm tall transplant to small 5cm pots. Keep potting on as they grow in size. They can be planted outside with cane supports once the last frosts have gone, so around May time. For best results, choose trusted varieties like Gardener’s Delight, Money Maker or Sweet Olive. As usual, April really kick starts the gardening season. As the RHS says … Spring is finally in evidence as daffodils and flowering trees start to bloom. Expect the inevitable April showers this month but with sunny days too, when you can turn your attention to the lawn. It’s an exciting month, with indoor-sown seeds well into growth, and it’s also time to start sowing outdoors. Just watch out for frosts. Top three jobs this month – sow hardy annuals, herbs and wildflower seed outside; protect fruit blossoms from late frost; and tie in climbing and rambling roses.
n Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with more than 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably. Visit www. theplasticfreehome.com or www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk
SPORT TODAY
READING
NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US
06.04.22
RAMS’ NARROW DEFEAT
READING CLINCH PROMOTION
PIVOTAL POINT FOR SUMAS
READING SALVAGE DRAW AT TYKES
LAURENT TO THE RESCUE .. LATE GOAL GIVES AGAIN ROYALS A POINT By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
READING FC sent their fans home with a sense of relief after Josh Laurent’s late leveller maintained their gap to the relegation zone.
In a game billed as a six-pointer between two teams desperately fighting to maintain their status in the Championship, hosts Barnsley
came into the contest in serious need of a win to turn their fortunes around. After Carlton Morris opened the scoring for the Tykes after just five minutes, it looked as if Barnsley may be about to cling on to get the points that could have kickstarted their fight for survival. That was until Laurent proved to be the Royals hero once again as he
popped up with his second goal in two games, leaving it late to equalise with just eight minutes of the 90 remaining. Despite being unable to find a winner that may just have condemned Barnsley to life in Leauge One next season, Reading survived a scare deep into stoppage time when Tom McIntyre got his body in the way of a goalbound shot.
The Royals now maintain their five point buffer over Barnsley with just seven games left to play. Reading have two home games to look forward to as they host Stoke City on Tuesday night (report online at rdg.today) before they face Cardiff City. n Full report, reaction and pictures on pages 22 & 23
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THAMES VALLEY KINGS TO HOST FUNDRAISER THE Thames Valley Kings Wheelchair Basketball Club is holding an all day Wheelchair Basketball Fundraiser on Saturday, June 18.
The event, which will take place at the FBC Centre in Wokingham, will be aimed at local businesses and other local groups to help one of the largest wheelchair Basketball clubs in the South to raise much needed funds and experience the sport in a mini-competitive environment. The Kings were founded in 2004 and have seen explosive growth in the last six years expanding from one junior league team. They have added three adult teams, including one in the top division of the British Wheelchair Basketball National League. The Berkshire-based club’s fundraiser will feature a roundrobin tournament and some fun basketball-related challenges. The Kings are looking for people with no experience of playing wheelchair basketball as players from the adult teams will be on hand to show participants the ropes. The tournament is open to teams of five to six people on firstcome-first-serve with a £100 per team entry fee. For more information visit: http:// www.berkshirewheelchairbasketball. co.uk
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18 | SPORT
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Max Hayman hands off former South African international Ashley Johnson
Skipper Robbie Stapley Connor Hayhow on his way to scoring Rams’ third try Pictures: Tim Pitfield
REACTION
Stevie Bryant tries to make something happen for Rams
REYNOLDS PRAISES OPPONENTS FOR DESERVED VICTORY By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds conceded Birmingham Moseley deserved their dramatic 27-26 National One win at Old Bath Road after Rams failed to convert a number of chances to secure a victory of their own.
“All credit to Moseley, they played some good rugby and we probably took too long to get into our defensive sets, giving them two cheap scores in the first half which ultimately cost us,” said Reynolds. “You just can’t do that at this level and give any side freebies. “Attacking and continuitywise there was some really good stuff, and on another day it might have been a comfortable victory, but
it wasn’t and Birmingham deserved it.” When Lewis converted his own try on the brink of half-time it seemed a turning point, with Tonks’ second score also coming against the run of play and also proving crucial in the end. And Reynolds confessed: “(At the end of the first half) there was kind of a 14-point swing when we were knocking on the door five metres out and then we coughed up the ball, they go down the other end and score and it probably gave them the boost of energy they needed. “We’ve got to know when to pull out of (the continuity game). I really like the way we play our rugby; we go for the off-loads and at times it was sublime, we could have sent a couple of players under the posts.
Ollie Taylor led Rams out on his 150th appearance for the side
“At times it can make you pull your hair out (when it doesn’t go to hand) – even though I’ve not got much – and while it can be frustrating, we have to be OK with that as we develop.” He continued: “We had a lot of youngsters in the squad and I was really pleased for Sam Nicholls, I thought he had a really strong game and kicked with composure. “Paul Englezos when he came on was excellent and Max Hayman made a number of bullocking runs around the pitch and made plenty of chop tackles, Vince Everitt in combination with Vooghty was very good at the breakdown. “Axel (Kalling-Smith) coming off the bench and Kieran (Leicester) on the wing were good, we’ve got
lots of changes but we’re fine with that – we’ve got a deep squad with young guys coming through and I’m pleased with where they’re at.” And while the younger generation attracted the DoR’s praise, he also issued a glowing tribute to Stevie Bryant, who made two extraordinary plays at the start of the second half when the home side were under the cosh for the opening five minutes. He said: “Stevie’s still going strong and playing some of the best rugby I’ve seen him play along with Ollie Taylor on his 150th appearance and Robbie (Stapley) whose playing so well. “There was lots of good stuff but it wasn’t to be – sometimes that’s the way it goes.”
Jak Rossiter with ball in hand
RUGBY UNION
RAMS PIPPED BY A POINT IN THRILLER AT BIRMINGHAM By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today RAMS slipped to a 27-26 home reverse against Birmingham Moseley in an entertaining encounter at Old Bath Road.
Rams rallied almost immediately, however, Connor Stapley claiming a bouncing ball in midfield before surging 35 metres towards the line. Moseley suffered a further setback when Ollie Allsopp was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on as Rams attacked some eight metres out. The hosts extended their lead, the returning Tom Vooght going over from close range before Nicholls added the extras for 14-5. Trailing by four points at the break, the visitors moved in front five minutes into the second half
Paul Schroter
as a flowing backs move was well finished by Mason Tonks on the left, Lewis adding the extras to put his side in front. Nicholls made no mistake to nudge his side back in front at 21-17, but the hosts endured another bitter blow 13 minutes from time as Tonks intercepted the ball and ran the length of the pitch to score. Rams hit back again as skipper Robbie Stapley went over at the back of a maul for his fourth try in three games. Birmingham took the lead for the fourth time, though, as the hosts were penalised at the breakdown. And despite a valiant rally from Rams towards the end, they could not fashion a final score as they fell to defeat to the Midlanders for the first time in four occasions.
SPORT | 19
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READING MEN SECURE PREMIER LEAGUE PROMOTION Oxford Hawks Men 2 Reading Men 4 READING Men can look forward to life in the Premier League after they secured promotion with an away win at Oxford Hawks.
Tom Minall celebrates his goal Connor Beauchamp and Nick Parkes
Ryan Crowe scores Pictures: Helen Ritchie
Chris Wyver swipes away from goal
Freddie Newbold in action
HOCKEY ROUND-UP
WIN SEES READING LADIES SECURE LEAGUE TITLE By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Women’s National Division One
READING secured the league title and ended their season with victory over Wimbledon. The 2-1 home success sees them crowned as league champions, finishing six points above second-
placed Sevenoaks. Reading won 13 of their 18 league fixtures which saw them complete the campaign with 43 points having lost just one game all season.
South Central Men’s Division 1 SONNING earned a huge victory on the road by smashing seven past Oxford.
The 7-0 triumph puts Sonning in fourth with two games left to play. They need just two points from their remaining games to overtake Wallingford and secure a third-place finish.
South Central Women’s Division 1 SOUTH BERKSHIRE took a point on the road with a draw against Oxford Hawks 3s. Pippa Longfield and Kelly Hancock were on the scoresheet to help South Berks to a 2-2 stalemate. They are in seventh with one game left to complete the campaign.
South Central Women’s Division 2 SONNING 2s lost out at home to title hopefuls Amersham & Chalfont
The match started in front of a packed crowd, with the usual home supporters being augmented by a large number of Reading supporters hoping to see their team secure at least the draw that they needed to gain promotion back up to the National Premier League. Reading’s initial dominance of possession calmed any nerves, but they failed to make an early breakthrough as chance after chance was squandered as final passes went agonisingly astray and shots were scuffed. Reading eventually won a penalty corner and Connor Beauchamp stepped up confidently, but his fierce drag flick took a deflection onto the post and out for a long corner. As the tension mounted, play was mostly in and around the Oxford circle, and it seemed only a matter of time before the ball would break kindly for a Reading player to open the scoring. The lucky beneficiary was Ryan Crowe, who has been in scintillating form all season and, when the ball broke to him in space in the middle of the circle, he deceived the Oxford defence and struck a fierce reverse stick shot past the diving Oxford keeper low into the corner of the net. 2s. The 1-0 defeat leaves Sonning in seventh on 30 points. They have one game let to play but cannot climb any higher in the table.
South Central Women Thames 1 SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s wrapped up the league title after they beat READING 5s away from home. The 3-1 win for South Berks gives them an eight point lead at the top with one match left to play, but they cannot be caught by any of their rivals. SONNING 3s climbed up to fifth after they earned an impressive win over Wallingford 3s. The 1-0 win against the team in second in the table means that Sonning could finish as high as third
There were few scares for the Reading defenders, but Chris Wyver in goal did have to make a very smart save from Oxford’s first penalty corner, nonchalantly swiping the ball away with his stick as the ball threatened to go past his shoulder into the net. Reading quickly resumed control, and their increasingly slick passing game was rewarded when Freddie Newbold netted their second when the ball broke to him, and he directed his shot out of reach of Oxford’s despairing keeper. Scrappy goals count just as much as elegant ones. Oxford halved the deficit when the ball ricocheted around the circle before being forced over the line by an Oxford forward. Reading’s two-goal advantage was quickly restored, and there was nothing scrappy about their third goal. After Connor Beauchamp had frustratingly been taking a breather for Reading’s second penalty corner, he was back on the pitch when they were awarded their third and he sent an unstoppable rocket past the Oxford defenders’ ears high into the net. In a fitting finale, Tom Minall broke his mini goal drought with an emphatic finish to round off yet another slick passing move. Oxford pulled another goal back following a defensive error in the Reading defence, but the rest of the game was played out without incident with Reading comfortably in game management mode, The final whistle blew to allow the Reading players and coaches to start their celebrations. if results go their way in the final matches.
South Central Men’s Division 2 SOUTH BERKSHIRE were narrowly beaten away from home at Oxford Hawks 2s. The 3-2 defeat leaves South Berks in sixth with one league game left to contest.
South Central Men’s Division 4 SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s title hopes were put to an end after they lost to Aylesbury 2s. The loss means that they drop down to fourth and are now unable to catch the current leaders, Buckingham, with one game left.
20 | SPORT
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SUMAS TAKE VITAL POINT WHILE PA FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
Wokingham & Emmbrook v Burnham Pictures: Andrew Batt By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Combined Counties Premier North WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK moved another point towards safety after they held Burnham to a draw. Both sides battled to find an opener that proved elusive for the first hour after some impressive defending and sturdy goalkeeping from Sean Woodward.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 67th minute through a deflected effort, but the Sumas responded instantly and were only behind for a matter of moments. After James Clark was brought down in the penalty area, Jack Mullan converted from the spot to level the score. The point keeps Wokingham in 16th on 27 points, four clear of 17th Holyport and five points ahead of bottom of the table CB Hounslow, who were both beaten at the weekend.
The Sumas added a point in their fight for safety
READING CITY continued their excellent home form by picking up three points at home to Windsor. The Cityzens went in front after 20 minutes through Joe Waight who finished after being set up by Luis Le Paih. The advantage was doubled for the hosts when Ezio Touray got on the end of Tyler D’Cruz’s delivery and scored. Things went from bad to worse for Windsor when a red card for Liam Baker saw them reduced to 10 players.
Windsor grabbed a goal back from Danny Horscroft in the 66th minute, but City maintained their lead to take the win and move above Windsor into eighth.
Combined Counties Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA’S fourth-placed position is under threat after they suffered a heavy defeat to Kensington & Ealing Boro.
The Boars found themselves three goals behind at the break in a disappointing opening 45 minutes. Eversley got a goal back in the 54th minute through Jamie Griggs’ header but it didn’t inspire a comeback as the hosts went on to score twice more to complete a 5-1 triumph. Eversley are one point ahead of fifth placed Wallingford Town who have four games in hand to play. BERKS COUNTY’S
momentum was halted with a humbling loss to British Airways. The Swords shipped five goals without reply which leaves them in ninth on 47 points.
Thames Valley Premier League BURGHFIELD stretched their lead at the top of the table with victory over Wraysbury. Their 3-1 triumph gives
SPORT | 21
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ANTHERS REACH CUP FINAL
From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith
Referees face oddities in laws
R
them an eight point lead over second placed Finchampstead who have four games in hand to catch up on.
Cup FINCHAMPSTEAD cruised through with an away win against Windlesham & Chobham. They defeated them 5-2 to book their place in the next round. READING YMCA progressed after they eliminated WOODLEY UNITED ROYALS. Nick Reynolds, Andrej Homola and Michael Holder netted to put YMCA through with a 3-0 success.
Southern Region Women’s Premier Division WOODLEY UNITED stay bottom after they lost 4-1 to Winchester City Flyers.
Southern Region Women’s Division One South EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA were edged out 2-1 by AFC Stoneham to keep them at the foot of the table.
Thames Valley Women’s Division One CAVERSHAM UNITED hit five
past WARGRAVE to claim victory. Holly Swan netted a hat-trick and goals from Elle Dorey and Caitlin Levy secured a 5-2 win.
Cup TILEHURST PANTHERS went through to the final after they defeated Mortimer 2-0. Despite going down to 10 players after Charlotte Wheeler was given a second yellow card, the Panthers managed to regroup and still win their cup tie. Two goals from Lydia Vettese put them on their way to the final where they are now just one match away from taking silverware.
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
ROYALS THUMPED BY LEADERS AS WINLESS RUN IS EXTENDED Chelsea Women 5 Reading Women 0
READING FC Women are now seven games without a win in the Women’s Super League after Chelsea moved back to the top of the table.
The Royals defended resolutely but were eventually breached in the 40th minute by Jessie Fleming’s opener. Chelsea added gloss to the scoreline with four more goals in the second-half to secure a comfortable win.
The result leaves Kelly Chambers’ side in eighth in the table with four games left to play Chelsea had plenty of possession as expected in the opening 20 minutes but were frustrated by Reading’s tight defensive structure which limited them from creating any openings. The defensive pressure was ramped up when Moloney did well to catch Bethany England’s powerful header before Tash Harding got in the way of another effort from England. Reading’s resolve was eventually
broken in the 40th minute when Fleming was allowed time to chest the ball down and fire a volley into the corner. Emma Hayes’ side extended their lead early in the second-half when England ran onto Reiten’s cross and connected perfectly to place a volley past Moloney. The Blues punished Bryson after she lost control and gave up possession far too easily which allowed Reiten to charge into the box and put the ball on a plate for Sam Kerr to finish. Rose almost burst away to get
through on goal but was thwarted by Chelsea keeper Zecira Musovic who beat her to the ball by a fraction of a second. The Canadian international again provided a threat when she sprinted down the left only for a defender to clear her eventual cross. Kerr found the back of the net for the second time when she was found free in the box and dispatched the ball into the corner. England secured her brace in stoppage time when she slammed the ball home from the penalty spot to complete the scoring.
EFEREES are sometimes foxed by oddities in the Laws of the game, by that I mean decisions that can be different for the same offence, when committed at a different time. As an example, take a player swapping with a goalkeeper. This doesn’t happen very often, usually through injury, but is covered by Law three. This says, ‘any player may change places with a goalkeeper if the referee is involved before the change takes place and is during a stoppage in play’. The referee will therefore, be fully aware of the change. However, if the referee spots a change that has taken place without his knowledge, he will issue a yellow card to both culprits. If the game is in progress he will wait until a stoppage, before issuing the cards. Let’s go to the second half of the game with the referee spotting that a change has taken place of which he has not been informed. If on questioning the two players, he discovers that the change was made during the half time interval, then he takes no action, no yellow cards. This would also include half time of extra time if it is being played, and the period between the end of the match and start of extra time. Substitutes are somewhat similar. The Law says, if the competition rules (which referees also have to learn), state that names of players and substitutes have to be given to the referee before the game, there is a list of possible situations. For instance, if the referee discovers that a substitute is actually playing right from the beginning, instead of a player listed, no action should be taken. On the other hand, if a substitute should come on, once the game has started without the referee’s permission, it’s a yellow card for entering the field of play without permission. Unless, that is, the substitution was made during the half time break which makes it OK. I mention all this because at a recent match the referee realised that a player he had just cautioned was a substitute that he had not given permission to come on. Although being told that the substitution took place at half-time, he gave him another yellow card for entering the field of play without permission. This of course, meant a red card and sending off. A team mate objected to the referee, who sent him to the sin bin for dissent. So for 10 minutes that team were down to nine men, which should not have happened. This just shows as I said, how referees, even competent ones, can be foxed by the Laws oddities.
22 | SPORT
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How they rated
LAURENT LEAVES IT LATE AS ROYA BARNSLEY 1 READING 1
ORJAN NYLAND
Despite conceding early, he was barely tested throughout the match. His distribution was lacking with several passes hit straight out of play.
ANDY YIADOM
Coped well after having a strenuous international break that saw him help Ghana qualify for the World Cup
MICHAEL MORRISON
Claimed an assist with a quick thinking piece of play to flick the ball to find Laurent, who found the back of the net
TOM HOLMES
Did OK alongside Morrison but wasn’t tested all that often by Barnsley who sat back after taking the lead.
TOM MCINTYRE
Got his body in the way in the dying moments of the match to stop Barnsley from snatching a winner deep into stoppage time.
DANNY DRINKWATER
Easily his best performance in what has been an underwhelming loan spell. Passed well, broke up play and showed plenty of fight.
JOSH LAURENT
Popped up when it mattered most to slot home from six yards to score his second goal in consecutive matches.
JOHN SWIFT
Went close to scoring on a couple of occasions. Came inches away from bending in what would have been a sensational winner.
OVIE EJARIA
Hasn’t played many minutes and it showed. Looked rusty with his end product which was lacking for most of the match.
TOM INCE
Worked hard for the team and went on a brilliant run in the secondhalf, but he threw himself to the floor and was booked for simulation.
LUCAS JOAO
Marked out of the game well by the Barnsley defence. Limited chances but went close when he spun quickly but was well blocked.
SUBS Tom Dele-Bashiru n/a
5 6 6 6 6 8 7 6 5 6 5
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today JOSH LAURENT bagged a crucial late goal to give Reading a point against relegation rivals Barnsley.
The Royals went a goal down after just five minutes after Lucas Joao was denied a shout for an early penalty and they were punished moments later by Carlton Morris. After a frustrating afternoon, the tension in the away end turned to triumph When Laurent netted in the 82nd minute. The draw keeps Barnsley five points away from the Royals as they marinated their gap from the drop zone by scoring late on. In what was set up as a game between two relegation rivals, the notion of a ‘six-pointer’ had never been more appropriate coming into the clash at Oakwell. Paul Ince made one change from the win against Blackburn Rovers prior to the international break as John Swift replaced the injured Andy Rinomhota, who will miss the remainder of the season. Baba Rahman and Femi Azeez also recovered from injury to return to the substitutes bench, while Orjan Nyland made his third successive start in goal. The Royals team were greeted by a sold-out away end who turned out in force to support the side ahead of their push to fight for Championship survival. Reading made a bright start after Lucas Joao was tripped in the box and wanted a penalty that the referee was never interested in awarding with a big decision going
Tom Ince shields the ball
Danny Drinkwater slides in
Ovie Ejaria beats his man
Match stats Barnsley: Collins, Brittain, Kitching, Andersen (c), Vita, Wolfe, Gomes, Styles, Quina, Bassi, Morris Subs: Walton, Moon, Benson, Palmer, Oduor, Leya Iseja, Adeboyejo Reading: Nyland, Yiadom, Morrison (c), Holmes, McIntyre, Drinkwater, Laurent, Swift, Ejaria, Ince, Joao Subs: Southwood, Thomas, Dann, Rahman, DeleBashiry, Azeez, Ehibhatiomhan Goals: Morris 5’, Laurent 82’
Lucas Joao goes close against the Royals shortly after kick-off. But the positive start didn’t last long and quickly turned to disaster just five minutes in when the Royals conceded yet another early goal. Carlton Morris was afforded far too much time to swivel and strike a shot low past Nyland to score with The Tykes’ first attack of the game. Barnsley’s skipper Mads Andersen picked up the first
The Royals added a vital point in booking of the match which saw him have to play the remaining 80 minutes on a caution after he hauled down Joao. It was far from a free-flowing game that saw plenty of fouls committed by both teams to break up any semblance of attacking play, while John Swift smacked one over the bar with the only presentable chance for the visitors in the opening 20 minutes. With half-time approaching, a chance came the way of Tom Ince
REACTION
INCE PRAISES AWAY SUPPORT AS ROYALS SALVAGE VITAL POINT READING FC interim manager Paul Ince praised the fans’ support and claimed they ‘drove’ his players on to claim a vital point at Barnsley.
“They were unbelievable,” he said, after he watched his side grab a late point in front of a sold out away end at Oakwell. “When you need them to drive you on, they drove us forward and at times it felt like we were at home. The lads responded to them, I was proud of them. “There will be ups and downs, twists and turns, but if we perform then we’ve got a chance. “We’ve put ourselves in a great position. It’s a quick turnaround but we’ve got momentum and have confidence and believe in ourselves.”
The Royals boss was pleased with his team’s performance despite being dumbfounded at the referee’s decision not to award Lucas Joao a penalty just two minutes into the action. He continued: “It’s a stonewaller. You need those decisions to go the right way and I think Keith Stroud is a great referee but decisions like that can cost teams in this league. “How we don’t get it, baffles me. It could have changed the dynamics of the whole game. “We’re fighting for our lives and when you have blatant penalties they have to be given. “They’ve got to get it right. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.” Ince praised the character of his team to respond after going behind
early and was delighted with Danny Drinkwater’s performance. “It’s going to be a battle. We got it down and played at times. “The way Barnsley play, it’s never going to be pretty and we had to battle. “We started really well with a great chance, they had one shot on target and you’re puzzled at how that happens. “The lads need to understand how important structure is. We showed our character and desire to get back in the game. “Sometimes when you go down a goal in a big match, you get
impatient but there was plenty of time. “I said at half-time, be patient, don’t go chasing the game, believe in what you’re doing. “We knew what they were going to do but it’s hard to defend sometimes. You have to earn the right to play. “He (Drinkwater) was unbelievable, you look at him today and say ‘why is this kid not playing in the premier league’? “I felt we should have won it, but it was important for us not to lose the game. “It’s a great clearance from Tommy Mac (McIntyre) at the end.”
SPORT | 23
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ALS PICK UP IMPORTANT POINT John Swift is kept out
Joao competes in the air John Swift
Lucas Joao is pulled back Travelling Reading fans prior to kick-off
a crucial Championship relegation battle at Oakwell Pictures: Steve Smyth
Josh Laurent picks a pass
who had the ball nicked off his toes by Remy Vita who recovered rapidly after Ovie Ejaria’s cross. A frustrating half came to a close with Reading producing far too little in the final third to trouble the hosts and went in a goal down. Ten minutes after the restart, Reading had another appeal for a penalty. This time it appeared to be the correct decision after Tom Ince threw himself to the floor in the box after some slick attacking link up with Swift and was subsequently booked for simulation. Reading did have the ball in the Tom McIntyre celebrates
back of the Barnsley net after Ince was slipped through by Ovie Ejaria but the linesman’s offside flag was raised well before Ince’s shot crossed the line. The Royals threw all they had at a tired Barnsley team with 15 minutes left on the clock but lacked any real quality to open up the hosts’ defence. Paul Ince opted to make his first change in the 78th minute as Tom Dele-Bashiru replaced Ejaria. The Tykes’ defenders put their bodies on the line to prevent an equaliser when Callum Brittain blocked Joao’s effort on goal.
With eight minutes to go, Reading’s persistence paid off to send the away end into jubilation when Josh Laurent crashed a shot into the back of the net, with his second goal in as many games. Reading looked to snatch a winner having got level and came close when Swift bent a shot towards goal that was tipped behind for a corner by Brad Collins. Reading have seven league games left to play and hosted Stoke City last night at the Select Car Leasing Stadium – report online at rdg.today
YIADOM PRAISES SUPPORTERS READING FC defender Andy Yiadom praised the away fans’ ‘great support’ as the Royals picked up a point in their relegation clash at Barnsley.
Fresh off international duty after helping Ghana qualify for the World Cup, Yiadom helped his club side avoid defeat up against his former club. “We’ve got a point on the board, it’s better than a loss and I think we could have got all three points looking at the game overall,” said Yiadom. “But we’ll take the point and we’ve got a home game Tuesday so we’re going to recover and prepare for that. “I think the main thing was to come and not lose, but like I said we could have got three points. “They scored early and we pushed and we managed to equalise. “Apart from the goal they scored, I think we defended well. “Orjan (Nyland) didn’t have much to do and we could have scored a few at the other end.” The Royals fans turned out in force to support their team at Oakwell and it didn’t go unnoticed by Yiadom and the rest of the team. He continued: “The fans were on it. When we were 1-0 down at half-time, they gave us it a bit and we came back out in the second half and got the equaliser. “I think they were pleased and it was great support from them. “These games are massive but we take it a day at a time and we have to do what we have to do to get the points on the board. “I don’t want to get relegated, no one at the club does. “So we’ve got to do everything we can to keep this club in the Championship. “That is what I am going to try and do and that is what all the boys in the changing room are going to do as well.” Yiadom also praised fellow teammate Josh Laurent who scored for the second game running. He said: “He’s (Laurent) scored two in two so he’s doing really well to be fair. “The goal was definitely coming. Tom Ince had a couple of chances, Lucas (Joao) had a shot that was blocked. I really think we could have got three points. “It’s tough coming to a place like this and we got a point which is better than a loss.”
PREVIEW
ROYALS HOST BLUEBIRDS AS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL CONTINUES READING FC have another home test this Saturday against Cardiff City to continue their bid to secure their place in the Championship.
The Royals have picked up form which sees them five points clear of the relegation zone heading into Tuesday night’s game against Stoke City (match report online at rdg. today). A draw away at Bournemouth and a victory at home to Blackburn Rovers was followed up with an important point away at fellow relegation rivals Barnsley at the weekend to help improve the Royals’ survival hopes.
The team from the Welsh capital have little to play for in their remaining games as they sit in mid table in 17th with no chance of making the play-offs, but also with the security of having a sizeable gap between them and the relegation places. They suffered a humbling defeat at the weekend at the hands of bitter rivals Swansea City. Hosting Russell Martin’s side at home, the large home crowd that turned out to watch Cardiff left disappointed after the Swans dispatched four goals past them without reply.
With no midweek game in their schedule, Cardiff have seven games left to play in their campaign. Prior to their defeat to Swansea, they were in fine form which had seen them win three of their last four league games. They earned wins over Derby County and Stoke City at home, in between picking up an impressive away victory at Queens Park Rangers and a goalless draw at home to Preston North End. Reading already boast one league win over the bluebirds this season, which came in October. Former Cardiff player, Junior
Hoilett, netted the only goal of the game, which was subsequently Reading’s only shot on target in the entire match. On their last visit to Berkshire, Cardiff picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at the SCL in April 2021. There were two late goals on that day after Kieffer Moore gave Cardiff the lead from the penalty spot in the 87th minute only to be pegged back by Yakou Meite’s 94th minute equaliser. Reading have an impressive record against Cardiff and are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings which stretches back to 2015.
Andy Yiadom
24 | SPORT
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FOOTBALL
RESULTS
FINCH DRAW PROVIDES TITLE TWIST
Saturday, April 2 Finchampstead striker Callum Vallance
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Thames Valley Premier League The title race took another twist after FINCHAMPSTEAD were held to a draw in an entertaining six-goal contest against WARGRAVE. Callum Vallance scored a brace, while fellow forward Dylan Chaffin also netted for Finch, but Wargrave managed to pick up an impressive point. The draw leaves Wargrave in seventh place after 19 games on 29 points. They can still set their sights on finishing higher up the table with seven matches left to play. They also have two games in hand to play on fifth place Maidenhead Town, who are currently three points above Wargrave. Meanwhile, Finch are now seven points behind pace setters BURGHFIELD who lead the table. However, the title race is set to go down to the wire as Finch still have three games in hand to play.
Reading & District Sunday League Senior Division FC SPORTY extended their lead in the Senior Division after they hit
Combined Counties Division One British Airways 5-0 Berks County Kensington & Ealing 5-1 Eversley & California Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield 3-1 Wraysbury Cup Windlesham & Chobham 2-5 Finchampstead Woodley United Royals 0-3 Reading YMCA
Finchampstead FC Pictures: Andrew Batt six on the road at ARBORFIELD. The victory gives them a six point lead at the top over FC BAPCO, who have three games in hand to catch up on. FC Sporty have won 14 of their 16 league fixtures this season and have been beaten just once. BURGHFIELD SUNDAY climbed up to fifth after they defeated ENGLEFIELD EAGLES 3-0. TILEHURST YM and WOODLEY WANDERERS earned a point each in a goalless draw.
Woodley Saints Hobnob v Hype Train
Division One
GIVE BACK FC continued their charge for the title after they smacked eight past BURGHFIELD RESERVES without reply. The 8-0 win puts them in second, just four points behind leaders Westwood Wanderers with four games in hand. CAVERSHAM UNITED picked up a point which keeps them level on points with WOODLEY SAINTS HOBNOB.
Alex Jenkins gave the Billygoats the lead, but they were pegged back by a late leveller from Daniel Huggins. LOXWOOD PARK RANGERS dealt a heavy defeat to bottom of the table READING KITES with an 8-0 success. BERKSHIRE DONS beat WAYBACK WANDERERS 2-0 away from home, while EMMER GREEN held league leaders WESTWOOD WANDERERS to a 1-1 draw.
TABLE TENNIS
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR FOOTBALL KINGFISHER A CLINCH DIVISION 1 TITLE IN BERKSHIRE 2022 AWARDS NOMINATIONS are now open to vote for this year’s 2022 Football In Berkshire awards.
The awards night, which will be held on Wednesday, June 15, will feature 16 different categories that awards will be distributed for. The awards recognise efforts both on and off the pitch, including volunteer of the season, goal of the season, referee of the season and best website or blog. Co-founder of Football in Berkshire, Tom Canning, said: “The thing we have been trying to focus on is if our content can engage just one person to go down and support their local non-league club and check out what is going on, then we’ve done our job. “It is vitally important that club have volunteers supporting them.
Isthmian South Central Binfield 0-0 Uxbridge Combined Counties Premier North Reading City 2-1 Windsor Sumas 1-1 Burnham
FOOTBALL
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Barnsley 1-1 Reading
“There are some brilliant grounds all around Berkshire that wouldn’t look out of place if they were to be a step or two higher. “I wish that more people would go and support their local teams, and thankfully a lot more people are. “We want everyone to nominate anyone who they believe has done a good job because there are so many great people that make things happen at their clubs. “Supporting your local club is a choice, no one can force you to do it but it’s so incredibly important and helps to build a wider community connection. “It’ll be amazing to be back together, we’ve got a capacity of 150 people and we can’t wait for the event. “There would be no grassroots without volunteers.” Among the awards is Referee of the season, and Tom
highlighted the importance to recognise the important job match officials carry out. He continued: “It’s absolutely crazy what referees have to deal with, for 90 minutes they are the most important people on the pitch they have to put up with such nonsense and rubbish so it’s so important that they are respected and recognised. “We’ve all been guilty of criticising them, but if we all take a step back and realise what an amazing job they do.” The awards night will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter Tom White, and the whole event is sponsored by Eddie Stobart. Tickets for the awards ceremony, at Double Barelled Brewery in Tilehurst, are now on sale. n For more information and to send in your nominations, visit: www.footballinbracknell.co.uk
KINGFISHER A clinched the division 1 title after their two man team of Hari Gehlot and Martin Adams won 7-3 at Tidmarsh A. KINGFISHER C picked up four useful points in their battle against the drop, but still ended up losing 6-4 to club mates KINGFISHER B, Nigel Keedy keeping up his hot streak for the B team with a fine treble. Jason Roberts and Gary Morgan maximums saw SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A close in on third spot after winning 8-2 against relegated TILEHURST RBL A. An Ed Lush treble helped SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C draw 5-5 at KINGFISHER B, Matt Isherwood beating Alan Cummings and Matt Stone defeating Phil Mead 11-9 7-11 11-8 4-11 11-9. KINGFISHER D won 8-2 at SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B, Graham Mendick recovering from 0-2 down to defeat Simon Berry 7-11 8-11 11-3 11-3 11-8 after earlier holding off a good display from Nigel Maltby to win 12-14 11-8 5-11 11-5 11-9. KINGFISHER C picked up four points despite a 6-4 defeat at SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A to ease their relegation fears. TIDMARSH A fought back from 1-3 down to win 6-4 at TILEHURST RBL A, Tony Baker with a good maximum. In Division 2, READING FC A were beaten for the second time this season, losing 4-6 to KINGFISHER F, which meant that title rivals SONNING SPORTS A only needed to win or draw to regain top spot.
RUGBY UNION National League One Rams 26-27 Birmingham Moseley South West 1 East Oxford Harlequins 31-7 Bracknell HOCKEY Women’s National Division 1 South Reading 2-1 Wimbledon 2s South Central Men’s Division 1 Oxford 2s 0-7 Sonning South Central Women’s Premier 1 Oxford v Sonning South Central Men’s Premier 2 Oxford Hawks 2s 3-2 South Berkshire South Central Women’s Division 1 Oxford Hawks 3s 2-2 South Berkshire
Sunday, April 3
FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Chelsea 5-0 Reading Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Winchester City Flyers 4-1 Woodley United Southern Region Women’s Division One South Eversley & California 1-2 AFC Stoneham Thames Valley Women’s Division One Caversham United 5-2 Wargrave Cup Tilehurst Panthers 2-0 Mortimer Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Wargrave Development v Thatcham & Newbury
HOCKEY Men’s National Division 1 South Reading v Canterbury
Monday, April 4
FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead v Wargrave
FIXTURES Tuesday, April 5 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading v Stoke City
Combined Counties Division One Woodley United v Kensington & Ealing
Wednesday, April 6 FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23’s v Maidenhead Town
Saturday, April 9 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading v Cardiff City
Isthmian South Central Chertsey Town v Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Holyport v Reading City Egham Town v Sumas Combined Counties Division One FC Deportivo Galicia v Woodley United London Lions v Berks County Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Marlow United Reading YMCA v Finchampstead Wargrave v Westwood Wanderers Windlesham & Chobham v Woodley United Royals Wraysbury v Reading City U23’s RUGBY UNION National Division One Blackheath v Rams South West 1 East Bracknell v Sherborne
Sunday, April 10
FOOTBALL Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Woodley United v Eastleigh Thames Valley Women’s Division One Caversham United v Penn & Tylers Green Mortimer v Tilehurst Panthers Wargrave v Badshot Lea
Tuesday, April 12
FOOTBALL Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Woodley United Eversley & California v London Lions