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Man jailed for 20 years for murdering his partner
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT: Santa prepares for busy Christmas • p9
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
Ben Shand will spend at least 20 years in jail for the crime. The 45-year-old, from Crescent Road, was convicted by unanimous verdict of one count of murder at Reading Crown Court on Friday, December 17. The court heard that he took the life of his victim, 34-year-old Beth Aspey, at her home in Laud Close on Friday, April 30. A postmortem revealed that she had died of a blunt force head injury. Although Shand denied murdering Beth, the court heard how the pair had argued on the day of her death, resulting in Shand violently assaulting her. He was charged with her murder on Monday, May 3. Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Dejan Avramovic, of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a tragic incident, which resulted in a young woman being killed by her partner. n Continued on page 6
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RED NOSE REINDEER SPEAKS OUT P16
20 YEARS: Ben Shand is behind bars
AN EARLEY man has been jailed for life after being found guilty of killing his partner in her own home earlier this year.
SPECIAL TWO-WEEK FESTIVE ISSUE
FESTIVE GIFT TO READING
Charity to open doors on Christmas Day to ensure no one goes hungry
EXCLUSIVE
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today A FESTIVE welcome is being extended to people who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day.
The Sadaka charity will be opening the doors to Fairview Community Centre this Saturday to help provide a meal for anyone who needs it – and some company too.
Covid restrictions means there will be some changes to the way in which the charity usually operates, but the hand of friendship is being extended to all who want it. Sadaka’s organisers include Muslims who want to help the Reading community and are giving up part of their festive season to make the event happen. That’s not all, during the year it operates several schemes aimed at helping people in a number of different ways. n Continued on page 10
HOW CAN WE MAKE ROAD SAFER? P6
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HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email Email news@rdg.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Deputy editor • Jess Warren Reporters • James Hastings, Natalie Burton Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Christmas break for Reading Today
Woman stabbed in face and neck during assault in Whitley A WOMAN was stabbed during an assault that took place in Whitley today and police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward. The incident took place around 10.30am on Friday, December 17, at a home in Foxhays Road. Thames Valley Police said that the victim, who is in her 30s, was assaulted by two black men who were wearing hooded jumpers and high visibility tabards. During the attack, she was stabbed in her face and neck, and also had an unknown substance thrown over her. She is currently receiving hospital treatment and is in a stable condition. Police are treating the incident as GBH. Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Laura Corscadden, said: “We are appealing for any witnesses
STABBING: Police are appealing for information
to this incident, or anyone who has information about what happened, to please come forward. “I’d also ask anyone in the local area with personal CCTV or dashcams to check any footage in case it may assist our investigation. “Anyone with information can
contact police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference 43210568398. “Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”
NHS services in Reading under winter pressure By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
PRESSURE: More than 400 people visit A&E some days Picture: Phil Creighton
RESIDENTS are being urged to help reduce pressure on NHS services over the winter.
A campaign run by Berkshire West CCG, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust aims to highlight the different services on offer. It calls on residents to be prepared, and have a fully-stocked medicine cabinet, treat colds and minor illnesses at home, support vulnerable relatives, and get Covid-19 and flu vaccines. The campaign also urges the community to know the right place to go when they need help. Residents have been reminded to only visit the Emergency Department in the case of life-threatening emergencies, using NHS 111 Online for any urgent medical queries. Steve McManus, CEO at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said that many times, more than 400
THIS is the last issue of Reading Today before 2022. Due to Christmas bank holidays, we will be taking a break next week. However, we will be back on sale on Wednesday, January 5, with our first issue for the new year. We will continue to bring you an unbeatable mixture of news, sport and what’s on throughout 2022. We’ve got some great features already planned, and our team will endeavour to bring you the best coverage of Reading borough. A number of new features will be introduced across the year and we will continue to bring the best round-up of events so you can plan your diaries. We’ll also continue with our big name interviews, and enhance our political covergae to help you decide how to vote in May’s elections. Regular readers will note that this issue is slightly smaller than our regular ones. The sporting calendar has been hit by covid-induced postponements, and the local football scene has also paused for the festive season. Rest assured, we will be back to our regular size in January. Place a regular order at your newsagent today.
Police meetings people have arrived at the Emergency Department in a single day. “We will always be there to provide support and help, but would strongly encourage the public to take the actions highlighted in this campaign to help reduce pressure and ensure everyone is able to access the health and social care support they need,” he added. People can also self-refer to Talking Therapies without needing to see a GP. If someone does need to speak to their GP, this can also be done through online and video appointments, as well as face-to-face consultations. Dr Abid Irfan, clinical chair of Berkshire West CCG said that there is
significant pressure on NHS services across Reading, Wokingham, and West Berkshire, including GPs, Emergency Departments, and pharmacies. “We are all working together to provide best possible care we can, but by supporting this winter campaign you can help your local NHS services over the next few months,” he said. Gerry Crawford, regional director, from Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said staff are doing everything they can to make sure help is always there for those who need it most. “You can make a difference,” he added.
THAMES VALLEY POLICE are planning a series of Have Your Say meetings in the new year. Organised by the North Reading Neighbourhood Policing Team, they allow people to raise issues and get crime prevention advice. On Friday, January 7, between 3pm and 4pm outside Caversham Primary School, Hemden Road; On Friday, January 14, between 8pm and 9pm, outside The Weller Centre in Amersham Road; On Saturday, January 22, between 11am and noon outside Emmer Green shops.
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
NEWS | 3
BISCUIT FACTORY SPECIAL Three men charged following Lower Earley kidnapping
Market celebrates the power of the black pound
THUMBS UP: Sista Angela and Charles from RG2 Radio with stall holders at the Black Pound Day market Pictures: Dijana Capan By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today
YOUNG TYCOON: Nariah (5) with young business stall holder Malika (8). She runs Malika’s Beautiful Gems
A FESTIVE market with a difference came to Reading town centre on Saturday.
The Black Pound Pop-up Market was held at Reading Biscuit Factory in Broad Street Mall. There were a range of stalls offering everything from food to clothes, as well as handmade items. There were craft activities for children to get stuck into. Veronica Wynter served fresh food, with a menu packed with traditional Caribbean items such as curried goat, stewed chicken and salt fish patties. One of the youngest stall holders was eightyear-old Malika, who runs Malika’s Beautiful Gems. And to ensure the market had the right vibes, the team from RG2 Radio were on hand to provide some music. The mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, opened the event. The market was held to mark Black Pound Day, a monthly event to aims to address the economic inequalities and imbalances affecting Black businesses and entrepreneurs in the UK and global diasporic communities. It does this by increasing the visibility of black businesses. Founded by Swiss from the So Solid Crew, the event takes place on the first Saturday of the month.
EDUCATIONAL: Black History Activity Books were available to buy
THREE MEN have been charged with several offences after two men were kidnapped in Lower Earley. Gevin Pasha, 20, of Gray Street, Northampton, was charged with two counts of false imprisonment and one count each of conspiracy to blackmail and assault on Tuesday, December 14. Pasha was remanded in custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court the following day, and is due to appear at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday, January 12. Klej Doci, 26, of St Margaret’s Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, was charged with two counts of false imprisonment and one count each of assault, conspiracy to kidnap and conspiracy to blackmail on Wednesday, December 15. Doci was remanded in custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court the following day and is due to appear at Reading Crown Court on Friday, January 17. Garcon Lala, 26, of Eastern Road, Haringey, London, was charged with two counts of false imprisonment and one count each of assault, conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to blackmail and possession of imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of harm on Friday, December 17. Lala was remanded in custody at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, and is due to appear at Reading Crown Court on Friday, January 17. It is in connection with an incident that occurred on Maiden Place, Lower Earley, at around 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 8, and a police presence at a property in Northampton on Monday, December 13. Head of CID Detective Superintendent Ailsa Kent appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident in the car park or has any information to get in touch. Reports can be made to 101 or online using reference 43210561756. Anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
For the latest news, visit
IN THE KITCHEN: Veronica Wynter’s food stall was a hit
FRIENDS TOGETHER: Members of RG2 Radio teamed up for the special market event
4 | NEWS
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Reading rallies round By JAMES HASTINGS news@rdg.today THE people of Reading have been praised for their response to last week’s devastating fire in Rowe Court.
LOVED BY MANY: Beth Aspey
Family pay tribute to ‘an outgoing, vibrant and creative spirit’ following jailing of her murderer THE FAMILY of the woman murdered by Ben Shand said that she was an outgoing, vibrant and creative spirit. On Monday, Shand was jailed for life for the death of Beth Aspey. Reading Crown Court ordered that the 45-year-old from Crescent Road must serve at least 20 years for the crime, which took place on Friday, April 30, at Ms Aspey’s home in Laud Close. The court heard that Ms Aspey died due to a blunt force head injury. Following the verdict, her family released a statement paying tribute to her. “As a family we have been left devastated by the loss of Beth,” it reads. “She had many friends and the
love and energy she gave, touched them all. “Beth was an outgoing, vibrant and creative spirit, with a love of music, dance and art and loved by so many. “Words cannot express the depth of our grief at the loss of Beth and the circumstances in which she lost her life have made it so much more difficult for us to deal with as a family. “Beth will be greatly missed by her family and friends and our fond memories of her will never leave us.” If you have been a victim of domestic violence Thames Valley Police encourage you to report it. If you are in immediate danger, always call 999. Alternatively, call 101.
Killer jailed for at least 20 years n From front page
“Beth was killed in her home, where she had a right to feel secure, and was murdered by her partner, around whom she should have felt safe. “Instead, Shand violently assaulted her, and then tried to cover his tracks by refusing to tell the truth about what had happened.” DI Avramovic continued: “Even
now, Shand has not shown any remorse or taken any responsibility for his actions. “I am pleased for Beth’s family that justice has been served. “I know that nothing can ever bring Beth to all those who loved her, but I hope that now her friends and family can begin the difficult process of moving on with their lives.”
On Wednesday, December 15, around 3am, a block of flats was set ablaze in a suspected arson attack. One person has been confirmed dead and two people are still missing, while four were treated in hospital following the incident. Hakeem Kigundu, 31 and formerly of Rowe Court, has been charged with one count of murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life. He appeared in Reading Magistrates Court on Saturday and at Reading Crown Court yesterday. In the immediate aftermath of the blaze, the community rallied round to support those affected. A team from Reading Street Pastors was on the scene from 7.30am on the morning of the blaze, and English Martyrs Church opened its doors to take care of Rowe Court residents. Members of New Beginnings from Great Knollys Street provided clothes, FAITH offered camp beds, and CIRDIC offered towels and showers. Members of KFC and The Lemon Plaice provided lunches, and members of Blessed Hugh Farringdon’s sixth form offered help and support. St George’s Church, in St George’s Road, was used by the police as a hub. And there was also support from the various Rotary groups, spearheaded by its Pangbourne branch. Marius Hopley from Pangbourne Rotary Club which provided immediate aid to victims including clothes and toiletries, said offers of help from various groups was “magnificent”.
INVESTIGATION: Emergency services were still on scene on Saturday to make the buildings safe Picture: Steve Smyth “The people of Reading sprung into action and it was marvellous to witness,” he said. “All nine Reading Rotary Clubs came together to provide any assistance required. Other groups, from schools to churches, shops to Reading Borough Council were quick to get involved helping in so many ways. “It is at times like this that you witness the wonderful community spirit in Reading. The fire was absolutely terrible and all the more tragic as it happened just ten days before Christmas but the response from people was magnificent.” Reading Borough Council is providing seven residents with emergency accommodation. Other displaced residents are staying with family or friends. The Council is also providing shopping vouchers to cover basic needs including food, clothing and toiletries, as well as mobile phones to those who need them. And there is a pledge from the council to ensure all affected residents will be supported for as long as necessary. The Council and local Councillors have also been
contacted with generous offers of support and donations from the borough’s residents. At this time financial donations have been identified as the best means by which to support the residents affected and displaced by the fire. Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader, said: “As emergency services continue to work tirelessly at the scene, the Council has focused its resources on ensuring that those residents who had to leave their homes, and leave all their possessions behind, are well looked after and supported. “That has involved providing emergency accommodation for those who could not stay with family or friends, as well as food vouchers and mobile phones. We are in direct contact with these residents about both their short and long-term needs, and that offer of help will remain in place for as long as necessary. “As always, Reading residents have responded with warmth and generosity in the face of adversity. “The donations which are of most use to the
displaced residents at this time are financial. I would ask anyone who wishes to make a financial donation to residents affected, to do so via a dedicated webpage. “We are also urging anybody we are not already in touch with – and who may need help or support of any kind – to contact the Council on 0118 9373787 and we will signpost them to the appropriate place.” He added: “We understand from our emergency service colleagues that they will likely remain at the scene for some considerable time yet. I thank them again for their continuing efforts in what must be extremely distressing circumstances. “The thoughts of all Reading’s residents, and indeed everyone at the Council, remain with those who have been affected and their families at this very difficult time.” People who wish to place floral tributes at the scene can do so at the junction of Grovelands Road and Rowe Court. An online Book of Condolence will be set up at a later stage following the police and fire recovery operation. These details will be publicised at the appropriate time. People can make a financial donation online at a dedicated webpage set up for this appeal at www.reading. gov.uk/rowecourt The Council will ensure the donations reach affected residents at the appropriate time. The Council is also aware of other organisations fundraising and will work with those groups to ensure donations reach those affected. Residents not already in contact with the Council but who require help or support can call the Contact Centre on 0118 937 3787, where they will be signposted to the appropriate organisation. The telephone number is available to call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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NEWS | 5
‘Toughest race’ back in new year
after devastating fire
CLOSURES: Entrance to Rowe Court remains restricted. Picture: Steve Smyth
ON THE SCENE: Emergency services worked through the night to tackle the blaze last Wednesday Pictures: Steve Smyth
Fire crews work to make Rowe Court building safe to enter EMERGENCY services remained at a Reading block of flats, following a fire. In the early hours of Wednesday, December 15, a four-storey block of low-rise flats in Rowe Court burned in what is suspected as an arson attack. Specialist teams have been assessing structural damage to the brick and timber building. This included the Aerial Ladder Platform and Incident Command Unit, who worked to extinguish any hot spots from the fire. A spokesperson for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) said: “Following an extensive search, during which all
rescue opportunities were exhausted and confirmed that sadly, if there was anyone else in the building, we do not expect there to be any further survivors.” Police confirmed that one person has tragically died in the fire, and two people have been confirmed as missing. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers. “From the assessment on scene, gaining safe access could take quite some time due to the deterioration in the structure of the building from the fire,” the RBFRS spokesperson added.
“Based on this, we expect to remain in attendance over the coming days.” “This is an incredibly challenging time and we’d like to reassure those affected by this incident, the families of those impacted and the wider community that we are working incredibly hard, alongside colleagues from the Police.” They said that a Fire Investigation will launch once the building is confirmed as safe to enter. “We’d like to thank our residents for their continued co-operation, patience and support and further updates will be provided,” they said.
READING’S runners are under starters orders for the toughest race in the South Chilterns. Entries for the 2022 Woodcote 10k are on track for a record breaking number after this year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic. While people can sign up online until 9am on the day, organisers are advising entrants to do so quickly as numbers are limited to 600. Jerry Wilson, treasurer of the Rotary Club of Pangbourne which hosts the race, said there was a huge interest from enthusiasts after missing out this year. “The vast majority of people were kind enough to donate their entry fee despite the cancellation as a result of the lockdown which enabled us to help the sponsored charities. “The Woodcote 10k is regarded by many as their favourite course and just competing it is regarded as a real achievement. Our limit for entries is 600 and, while we have never exceeded this number, there is a lot of interest as people were sad to miss out on January’s race. “If it looks likely that we are getting close to the maximum, a warning notice will be put on the race website.” Next year’s selected charity to benefit from the race is Parkinson’s UK, although the Rotary Club is continuing its donations to the fight to eradicate polio. Added Jerry: “The only two countries where Polio is still a major health issue are Afghanistan and Pakistan, so it is vital efforts are stepped up to the disease in these countries until it is finally eradicated from the world. “For every pound we raise, it will be matched by twice that amount by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.” The Woodcote 10k takes place on Sunday, January 9, starting at 10.15am from Woodcote Village Hall. Entry is online only at £18, with a £2 discount for affiliated Club runners. The minimum age for runners is 15. n For details, visit: www.woodcote10k.org.uk
6 | NEWS
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
After another collision on King’s Road, what can be done to improve road safety? By Phil Creighton pcreighton@wokingham.today
A CALL to review the speed limit is one suggestion on how to improve safety on a busy main road out of Reading.
Last Tuesday, a motorcyclist and a lorry were involved in a collision on King’s Road. The woman riding the white Yamaha motorcycle was left with life-threatening injuries and transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital where she is receiving treatment. The incident happened close to the junction with Rupert Street around 3.04pm on December 14. Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses. Investigating officer, PC Jennifer Lawrie of the Roads Policing unit based at Three Mile Cross police station, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the woman injured in this collision. “We would like to speak with anyone who has information which could assist with us as we investigate the circumstances of this incident. “If you have dash-cam and were in or around the area at the time, please take a look and share anything significant with police.” Anyone with footage or information is asked to call 101, quoting reference 43210563942. The collision is one of a number of incidents that have taken place on Kings Road in recent months. The road is a major route in and out of Reading, and is one-way to traffic except for buses, taxis and two-wheeled vehicles. Reading Borough Council says it will be pressing the police to look at handing over
BLACKSPOT: A number of accidents occur on Kings Road in east Reading on a regular basis Picture: Phil Creighton speed enforcement powers, which would allow it to be proactive. Cllr Tony Page, Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “Reading Borough Council has not yet received a police report about the incident on King’s Road so cannot comment on the circumstances or cause of the accident. “However, when a report is supplied we always analyse the information and consider any matters of concern that may need addressing. “The Council is aware that speeding remains an issue on this stretch of road as well as many others in the Borough.
“Unfortunately, speed enforcement is a police responsibility which receives only occasional attention. “The Borough would like to take over speed enforcement, in the same way as we did parking enforcement 20 years ago, but the Police oppose this even though it ranks as a very low priority for them. We will again press this matter when we meet the Chief Constable and the Police and Crime Commissioner next month.” Green party leader and Park ward councillor Rob White said his party had previously asked for road safety improvements. “Having a section of 20mph on King’s Road, like there is on the Wokingham Road, would
slow traffic down and improve road safety,” he said. “Previously we also contacted the police on this to make sure they were carrying out speed traps – which they were at the time.” He called on the community to add their support to such an initiative. “It would be great to hear from anyone wanting to help campaign to improve road safety on Kings Road. You can contact me at rob@ readinggreenparty.org.uk or on 07985 923938,” he said. “Together we can make a difference.” The Conservatives said if they ran the council they would take action.
Councillor Jane StanfordBeale, the Conservatives’ Shadow Transport Spokesperson on Reading Borough Council, said: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the young woman who was so seriously injured in the Kings Road collision and her family after such a dreadful incident.” She added: “If Reading’s Conservatives were in power on Reading Borough Council we would do our utmost to improve our town’s road safety as swiftly as possible by taking action in several key areas: “We would ensure the highest levels of road maintenance are carried out to prevent accidents, particularly those due to potholes which are
especially dangerous to cyclists, something that’s particularly important given the Council’s stated desire to make Reading as cyclist-friendly as possible. “While making sure that high-quality white lining is maintained on the roads, along with proper street lighting throughout the town, we would also forensically analyse local accident figures to identify any trends and particular locations that need to be prioritised for urgent improvement.” She continued: “Local residents often know exactly where the most dangerous places are and we would listen to them closely when they make suggestions about any changes to roads management that they feel are necessary, for example, over the creation of more School Streets and the provision of safer resident parking. “We would also actively promote close partnership working with Thames Valley Police, our local Safer Neighbourhood Forums and other community groups to bring in improvements such as more Community Speedwatch schemes and the promotion of the Safe Drive, Stay Alive campaign for school children so that they understand the potential consequences of accidents before they even begin to learn to drive. “We would also work handin-glove with TVP to promote action – and the enforcement of penalties – against those drivers who persist in committing drink and drug driving offences.” n What do you think? Reading Today welcomes your views. Email news@rdg.today or write to Reading Today, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS.
Messages of hope for stroke survivors A GROUP of stroke survivors have decorated the Christmas trees in the Acute Stoke Unit of the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, with messages of hope. Members of the Wokingham Stroke Support and Recovery Group made tags featuring words of encouragement to inspire stroke survivors and their families over the festive season. Messages from the group include “One step at a time, but we must keep on stepping” and “Be patient for your progress.” UllaKarin Clark, chairperson of WSSRG explained that it is a tradition which began in 2013. The group wrote messages for a Christmas tree as part of a tree festival at the Bradbury Centre on Rose Street, Wokingham. “When the event was over, the
group arranged to take the trees to decorate the ASU,” she said. “Afterwards, the tags were placed in display cases to be a constant reminder that there is life after stroke and to never give up.” Ms Clark thanked volunteer Peggy Johns, who worked for Stroke Association before her retirement, for organising the activity. “She has ensured that the tradition has continued both in Wokingham and at the Royal Berkshire Hospital,” Ms Clark said. WSSRG meet twice a month at WADE’s day centre on Reading Road. They are a social support group for stroke survivors from the Wokingham area and further afield.
n For more information, visit: stroke.org.uk/finding-support
NEWS | 7
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Mum diagnoses daughter’s rare life-threatening disease
By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today
A READING-based doctor has used her own researches to help diagnose the rare lifethreatening disease that her daughter is facing.
Geneticist Dr Michelle Teng, 45, revealed she discovered Sofia, 11, who struggles to speak and walk independently, has an incurable genetic neurodegenerative condition after putting the youngster through a series of tests. H-ABC – or hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum – is an extreme form of TUBB4a leukodystrophy. This is a neurodegenerative disease which affects the central nervous system. First discovered in 2015, TUBB4a leukodystrophy is caused by a mutation in the TUBB4a gene, it disrupts signals from nerves to the brain. It can lead to significant impairment of motor skills such as walking, sitting up and even swallowing. It is rare, debilitating and life-threatening, and there is currently no cure. Dr Teng was pleased to have found the diagnosis. “After repeated medical tests, we decided that we had
DIAGNOSIS: Dr Michelle Teng with her daughter Sofia 01 to sequence the genome to find out what was really wrong,” she said. “It is only through a combination of genetic sequencing and MRI scans of the brain that H-ABC was identified and diagnosed. “We were very fortunate because I work in the field of genomics. Without putting Sofia through those tests, it would have been impossible to accurately diagnose her.” Patients can also develop seizures, muscle contractions, hearing and speech difficulties,
uncontrollable limb movements and paralysis, while others who have developed motor skills in early childhood can regress. Babies and children who develop the mutation often face an early death. “It took a long while before we got to the answer, but there is a measure of relief that you know at least what you are dealing with, but also great denial because she was such a spritely happy child,” Dr Teng added. “You just think ‘how could
this possibly happen to her?’” She continued: “The international medical team that works with Sofia has been fantastic. We have had incredible support throughout her journey. We are incredibly grateful and lucky.” But now work is being carried out in the hope of developing the world’s first treatment for the condition. Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) therapy, which has previously been used to treat conditions such as Duchenne
muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy, is believed to dramatically improve the quality and life expectancy of leukodystrophy patients. Dr Dan Willams, CEO and cofounder of Oxford-based biotech business SynaptixBio, which is developing a treatment, said it had the potential to modify the disease, increase survival and significantly improve motor skills development. “The new approach provides the potential to stabilise, improve quality of life and extend life expectancy in children suffering from the condition,” he said. “Successful prevention of leukodystrophy progression would be a revolutionary life-saving and life-enriching treatment.” SynaptixBio is aiming to launch clinical trials in 2024. “This project will change people’s lives,” Dr Williams said. “The research and development of a clinically-proven treatment for TUBB4a would be a real game-changer for patients and their families. “There is a real chance to improve the lives of leukodystrophy sufferers. We want to ensure that dream becomes a reality.”
n For more information, visit: www.synaptixbio.com
Opening Hours – Mon-Sat 9am – 5:30pm and Sunday – 10am – 4pm General Enquiries – 0118 338 8760 Restaurant Bookings – 0118 338 8762
www.berkshiregardener.co.uk The Berkshire Gardener, Bath Road, Hare Hatch, Berkshire RG10 9SB
Places open for climate course A CHANCE to learn more about climate justice is coming to Reading in February. RISC is to hold a three-week Zoom course on the pressure issue. The sessions will look at the concept of climate justice through the lens of gender and human rights, with the aim of helping share the knowledge with others. There are 25 places for trainee teachers available and the sessions run from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesdays February 2, 9 and 16. n To book a place or more information, email kirsty@risc. org.uk
Oaklands perform Wriggly Nativity PUPILS at a Crowthorne school took to the stage this month with their nativity. Students at Oaklands Infant School performed the Wriggly Nativity production, working hard towards the show during term-time. Headteacher of the Butler Road school, Hannah O’Neill, said that the show was fantastic, and the children sang really well.
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Where you can recycle your Christmas tree THE big day isn’t even here yet, and already Reading Borough Council is looking to twelfth night. January 6 is traditionally the day when Christmas decorations come down and the festivities come to an end. Of course, given the covid pandemic, some may wish to extend that festive feeling a little longer, and who can blame them. With this in mind, the council is offering a Christmas tree recycling service that runs until Sunday, January 23. Opening on Tuesday, January 4, the collected trees will be chipped by the Council, and used in a range of landscaping schemes across the Borough. Trees can be left at:
n Mapledurham Playing Fields n Clayfield Copse n Hills Meadow n Rivermead Leisure Complex n Kensington Road Recreation Ground n Prospect Park n Meadway Recreation Ground n Tilehurst allotments, Armour Hill n Palmer Park Sports Stadium n Whitley Wood Recreation Ground n South Reading Leisure Centre
Residents are advised not to be alarmed if they see piles of trees as it takes a few days to get around to each location.
Carollers sing with gusto during the outdoor event
SINGING TOGETHER: Carols at the well near The Bell Inn in Aldworth Pictures: Geoff Fletcher
The Revd Grant Fensome with Bethany, aged 4
Christmas carols in Aldworth ... that rings The Bell A CELEBRATION of Christmas took place in Aldworth on Sunday evening. Held outside The Bell Inn, St Mary’s Church invited people to sing a selection of carols in the great outdoors, due to covid restrictions.
The service was introduced by Michael Penny, chair of Churches Together in Reading. The Revd Grant Fensome, vicar of St Mary’s, gave a short Christmas message to those assembled. Carols included Hark The
Sara & Richard Ingrams, the editor of The Oldie The Revd Grant Fensome gave a short address to those assembled
Herald Angels Sing, Away in A Manger, Ding Dong Merrily on High, and We Three Kings of Orient Are. The event finished with a rendition of O Come All Ye Faithful. Pictures: Geoff Fletcher
‘Talk organ donation this Christmas’ By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today THE greatest gift this Christmas could be saving a life.
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Christmas dinner with the extended family is a good time to talk, and a group are hoping you’ll chat about kidneys and hearts over the turkey and tinsel. NHS Blood and Transplant says this time of year presents a good opportunity for conversations about organ donation. It wants families across Berkshire to register their decision and help save lives. It says there are currently 81 patients in Berkshire awaiting a life-saving organ transplant and many of their lives could be saved or significantly improved if a donor is found. And, it adds, every day across the UK someone dies in need of an organ transplant. Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHSBT, said: “Wherever and however people in Berkshire plan to spend this Christmas, we hope that everyone will be able to enjoy the festivities and spend some
much needed time with family and friends. “For many thousands of people across the country, including 44 people in Berkshire, who have had transplants this year, the only reason that they are able to enjoy a happy and healthy Christmas is thanks to the generosity of a donor and their family who so selflessly chose to give the gift of life. “However, there are still thousands of people who are still desperately hoping and waiting for the transplant that will transform their life.” Even though the law around organ donation has now moved to an opt-out system across England, Wales, and Scotland, many are still not aware
that families will still always be consulted before organ donation goes ahead. While families are more likely, and find it easier, to support donation when they already know it is what their loved one wanted, only 42% of the UK population have registered their decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register and just 37% say that they have shared their organ donation decision with their family.
n For more information, or to register your organ donation decision, please visit: www. organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. n NHS app users can also use the service to record, check or update their organ donation decision.
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
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Read on … charity calls for volunteers
Santa is flat-packed and raring to go thanks to IKEA READY FOR YOU: Santa was in IKEA’s Reading branch on Saturday, stocking up for the big day Picture: Dijana Capan
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
A CHARITY that helps the borough’s child get reading is making an appeal for volunteers to go to classrooms once again.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, ABC To Read helped schools by sending reading mentors to assist pupils. But the charity says that not all schools have allowed its teams to return. It is itching to send its helpers back to the classroom so those who need one-to-one support can get it. And the charity is encouraging more schools to come forward to help address any reading gaps for pupils caused by Covid-19. To help, the charity has recently received a grant from Berkshire Community Foundation (BCF). ABC to Read said that in 2019, one in four pupils left primary school unable to read to the required standard. The disruption caused by covid will, they argue, have made this worse. The charity adds that low levels of literacy cost the UK an estimated £81 billion a year in lost earnings and increased welfare spending. The charity’s mentors offer catchup learning to around 500 pupils every year, over 12,000 hours. But it
has vacancies for 40 volunteers. A training session will be held online on Wednesday, February 2. ABC to Read’s CEO Marcia Rowlinson said: “It is absolutely crucial that schools return our volunteers to the classroom so that those already struggling with their reading don’t fall further behind and have access to the support they are entitled to. “We need to address the education gap caused by COVID-19, to improve the future prospects of our local youngsters. “Our volunteers are a critical part of the recovery process at this difficult time, bridging that gap and inspiring a love of reading.” n Schools looking for additional reading support, or people looking to help children get reading can find out more by emailing: abctoread@ btconnect.com
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today SANTA has been very busy making a few house calls ahead of Christmas Eve.
He has been visiting the good boys and girls of IKEA’s Reading store, dropping in for a spot of breakfast with those on the nice list. The event, held in the Calcot store’s restaurant, saw children receive an early present from his happy Elves.
And on Saturday he was in store ready to hear those last-minute requests. Being Santa, it wasn’t all just about giving to those present. He has also been helping with the store’s special giving tree. Set up in the store’s entrance, it features baubles with a gift idea written on it. Running until Thursday, December 23, visitors can take a bauble and return it with the gift that has been written on it, such as a doll’s house, a gift for a boy aged seven, and toiletries.
Alternatively, people can leave a shoe box filled with presents under the tree. The presents will be shared between three children’s homes: Summerfield Residential Care, Viking House and Star Breaks, which help children aged five to 18 who have additional needs and disabilities. IKEA asks that items should be in a new and unused condition, and the store will add some additional gifts. The closing date ensures Santa has time to load them on his sleigh ready for his special deliveries.
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Charity offers Christmas meal for those in need
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Bus company leads the festive drive across town
n From front page
The main way is through providing food and longlife consumables to people struggling financially. Twice a week, it offers a warm meal, as well as a snack pack comprising water, crisps, a cereal bar, fruit and a dessert. It can also offer a bag of groceries including toiletries to help those in need. And, as part of its holistic service, it has a special training programme called Step Up With Sadaka. One-to-one mentors can help boost self-confidence of participants and improve workplace skills and develop personal interests to improve quality of life. Through this, Sadaka mentors can help participants apply for training courses through schemes like New Directions adult education, or from colleges. And the charity also runs creative activities including a monthly book club. Saturday’s festive meal is just part of this desire to reach out and help Reading people. Shazia Fazal, the project’s co-ordinator, said it all began
ALL SMILES: Reading Buses has been leading the festive fun
HELPING READING: Youssef Alla (seated), Chairman of the Sadaka Charity with the enthusiastic volunteers reading to serve meals. Picture: Steve Smyth six years ago: “We started off going out on the streets of Reading handing out food. “We soon realised that there was a huge need for this.” The charity works with supermarkets to share surplus food and, on an average week, help around 90 people.
“A lot of the volunteers are Muslims, and every Christmas we say the least we can do is provide food to those who deserve it. “We are open, come along. “Last year, we had decorations and a sit-down meal. This year it will be a pre-packed meal in takeaway
containers, with disposable cutlery.” This is due to covid, in an effort to everyone safe. The meals will be available from 11.45am to 12.45pm. Fairview Community Centre is on Great Knollys Street. n For more details, log on to www.sadakagives.org.uk
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FESTIVE fun is promised on the buses in the run-up to the big day. Not content with letting Santa drive a bus before Christmas Eve, Reading Buses has relaxed its uniform rules to allow drivers to wear festive hats, jumpers and accessories. To do so, they had to make a donation to the firm’s charity of the year, Sport In Mind. Reading Buses chief executive officer Robert Williams said: “We are encouraging all employees to participate, at least in part, to Festive Fortnight. “We know that having our drivers in Christmas hats, jumpers
and accessories lifts the spirits of our customers as well as colleagues.” A special Christmas jumper day was held on Monday, December 13, for the company’s office-based staff. Mr Williams said that bus users can also make donations. “If seeing one of our employees dressed up raises a smile – or maybe you’ve been driven by Santa himself - then please consider donating to Sport in Mind,” he said. “You can text SIM 2 to 70085 to donate £2 to Sport in Mind – you can donate more or less money by changing the 2 after SIM, e.g. SIM 5 donates £5.”
FESTIVE TUNES: Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band perform in the town centre
Reading brass band says thank you to donors following festive performance AN ENSEMBLE from a Reading brass band entertained Christmas shoppers with festive favourites to raise money for charity earlier this month. Members of Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band performed in Reading town centre on Sunday, December 12, for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice. Matthew Ruel, band
conductor, said that it is a personal cause for many band members past and present who have been cared for and supported by the hospice. “We are very pleased to have raised £200 from our performance,” he said. “The band would like to say a big thank you to Reading’s shoppers who gave so
generously.” Mr Ruel also encouraged people to find out more about the hospice’s work. “They are tireless,” he added. n For more information about Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent hospice, visit: sueryder.org/howwe-can-help/sue-ryder-duchessof-kent-hospice n For more about the band, log on to: readingband.com
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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Donations down, demand soaring: food banks need more gifts
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
banks this Christmas.” And Steve Butterworth, the CEO of Neighbourly, added: “The findings of our latest survey highlight that the continued impact of the pandemic, combined with increased inflation, is being very much felt by communities up and down the country, with charities and local causes feeling the effects too. “We’d encourage anyone who is able to give back in the coming weeks to do so.” Aldi works with Neighbourly to donate surplus food from stores throughout the year.
NEW RESEARCH indicates that foodbanks across the south east will be facing their most challenging Christmas yet, due to rising demand and dwindling donations.
According to a survey by community giving platform Neighbourly – which Aldi partners with to distribute surplus food from its stores –56% of food banks, charities and community causes in the South East are worried about having enough food to support people this Christmas. The company polled more than 600 food banks nationwide and found that 90% in the South East expect this Christmas to be their busiest yet. However, the survey also revealed that 76% of food banks in the region have witnessed a drop in donations in recent months – with the fallout of the pandemic and rising cost of living continuing to impact contributions. And the demand is expected to continue in the new year: the survey revealed that on average, food banks in the South East expect to see a 32% increase over the next three months, with organisations in the area
COLLECTION POINT: Aldi works with Neighbourly to help get food to foodbanks currently supporting an average of 337 people a week. More than 70% say they’ve already experienced an increase in demand since the summer. From tinned foods to festive treats and toiletries, the research also revealed a list of the items that are most needed by food banks over the festive period to help guide supporters. Shoppers can donate food to local charities, food banks
and community groups via the community donation points in many supermarkets, including Aldi stores. Some go to The Trussell Trust-run banks, and some will be for Readifood, Reading’s food bank, which is independent. Mary Dunn, managing director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, called for shoppers to make donations this festive season. She said: “Christmas can be a particularly busy time
ReadiFood to deliver more than 200 Christmas food parcels FESTIVE TREATS: Items such as Christmas cakes have been collected by Readifood to give to its clients this festive season
READIFOOD, Reading’s independent foodbank, is expecting to deliver more than 200 Christmas food parcels to households across the area this festive season. The foodbank will once again be delivering extra items to service users, on top of the basic emergency food parcels. Alison Peyton, ReadiFood manager said that the festive season is a particularly difficult time of year to be experiencing food insecurity as many celebrations involve bringing people together
Top 15 most in-demand items this Christmas
around the table. “We recognise that our service users, just like the rest of us, need a little something extra to make their Christmas celebration special,” she said. The parcels will contain a range of treats to be enjoyed during the festive season, and will be packed in the ReadiFood warehouse by volunteers and corporate teams. Ms Peyton thanked donors who provide food for parcels. She also thanked several organisations who have provided financial support.
These include Reading Audi, who held a collection for Advent calendars, The Gate church, Reading, who secured a grant for the parcels and Waitrose Reading’s Give a Little Love scheme, which funded fuel for delivery vans. “There has also been the wonderful annual delivery of 160 Christmas cakes, donated by the Rotary Club of Pangbourne,” Ms Peyton said. “We are very grateful for the support of so many people.”
n To find out more, visit: readifood.org.uk
for the local charities and organisations we support, but this year is set to be more challenging than ever. “As part of our Christmas campaign with Kevin the Carrot and Marcus Radishford, we have committed to donate 1.8 million meals to good causes in the lead-up to Christmas – and we know that our customers in the South East want to help too. If you feel you are in a position to help, your donation could make all the difference to food
n Tinned food n Festive treats n Toiletries n Tea/coffee n Biscuits and snacks n Breakfast cereals n Juices and soft drinks n UHT milk n Laundry and cleaning products n Dry packaged food n Rice and pasta n Gift items n Cooking sauces n Children’s toys, crafts and games n Sanitary items
Council offices festive closure READING BOROUGH COUNCIL is pausing some services over the Christmas break. Its Civic Offices, in Bridge Street, will be closed to the public from 5pm on Thursday, December 23. They will re-open again at 9am on Tuesday, January 4, by appointment only. The Call Centre will also be closed during the same period. If members of the public need to contact the Council outside of opening hours, they can call the normal out-of-hours number for any emergencies on 0118 937 3737. Its Adult Social Care Teams will be operating an emergency rota over Christmas in order to support vulnerable adults who require urgent assistance between 9am-5pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 29, Thursday, December 30 and New Year’s Eve, with normal service in place from Tuesday, January 4. Residents with an urgent enquiry can call 0118 937 3747. For weekends, bank holidays and out-of-hours emergencies call: 01344 351999. Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC), which provides children’s social care, will be running a reduced service over the Christmas period. For urgent matters outside normal office hours, weekends or bank holidays, call: 0118 937 3641.
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12 | NEWS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today GOING UP: An artist’s impression of the new flats for Broad St Mall
More than 400 flats coming to Broad St Mall MORE THAN 400 flats will be built in Reading town centre. Three towers will be built on top of Broad Street Mall, creating a total of 324 flats. And an 18-storey building with 98 flats and first and ground floor office and retail space was also approved for the site, bringing the total to 422 flats. Changes will also be coming to other areas in the town centre, with changes planned for popular pie shop, Sweeney & Todd. The Castle Street restaurant has applied to become more takeaway-based, with the upper floors of the building being converted into flats. A dining area will retained in the basement. The plan includes a double bedroom and a single bedroom for the first floor flat, and the second and third floors would both have double bedrooms. The Grade II-listed building dates back to the 1800s, and a Planning and Heritage
Statement has been provided as part of the application. Across the river in Caversham, the owner 30 Church Street has applied to convert an upstairs beauty studio into a flat. The building has a Thames Hospice charity shop on the ground floor, a vacant beauty studio on the first floor and a two-bedroom flat on the second floor. The owner hopes to convert the first floor into a one-double bedroom flat. And the second floor would be changed from two bedrooms to one double bedroom, with a new stairway to the second floor flat. In Tilehurst, a plan to build shop and flats in School Road was refused. The plans were thought to be out of keeping with the area and was not a “sufficiently high-quality design”. The developers were hoping to build a three-storey building with undercroft parking spaces.
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Reading shoppers donate toys for Sally Army appeal AROUND THE TREE: More than 30,000 presents have been donated thanks to a festive appeal from The Entertainer. The gifts will be distributed by the Salvation Army Picture: tove erbs from Pixabay
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today THERE will be thousands of smiles on Christmas Day, thanks to customers of a toy shop.
The Reading branch of The Entertainer on Broad Street joined up with the Salvation Army to take part in the national Big Toy Appeal, which aims to provide underprivileged children with a gift to unwrap. Customers were encouraged to pick up an extra toy for the appeal when they visited The Entertainer in store or online. For each of the 12,000 toys donated by a customer, The Entertainer matched their donations as well as extra toys bringing the total number of donations to over 33,000 for the Big Toy Appeal. The Entertainer says that providing Christmas presents for children can place additional pressure on families where budgets are already incredibly stretched - with many families turning to charities like The Salvation Army for support; using foodbanks and other donations to help them through the Christmas period. Covid-19 has had a huge financial impact on many of
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the country’s families. The aim of The Big Toy Appeal is to alleviate some of this strain by providing toys for families in need, so children can have some presents to open at Christmas. Tony Daniels, The Salvation Army’s director of community services, said: “This has been a really challenging year for many families. It is really important to them to give their children gifts at Christmas, and The Entertainer and their generous
customers have helped make that a reality for many families who otherwise would have been denied that joy. “We are very grateful to the Entertainer and their customers for their help in making this happen.” Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman at The Entertainer said: “We are so grateful for the generosity of our customers. “Each year, The Big Toy
Appeal has been able to support even more families, with over 90,000 toys now donated since 2018. “Enjoying the wonder of Christmas should be part and parcel of every child’s life, but the last two years have been among the most difficult that many families will ever face. Thanks to the kindness of our customers, thousands more families will be able to make memories this Christmas.”
Fostering company calls on people to make some magic memories A CALL has gone out for new foster parents to come forward to create some magical moments for children. Orange Grove, an independent fostering agency, says foster parents play a vital role in looking after vulnerable children and young people, and at this time of year is appealing for new fosterers to open their homes to make a difference. Reflecting on their favourite Christmas memories, one foster parent said: “The snow started to fall last Christmas and it was very early morning so I went into the girls’ room with a big snowball saying “It’s Snowing’. “Both jumped out of bed wrapped up and we went outside throwing snowballs, making snow angels and snowmen and laughing. It was our first Christmas together and it was magical.” Marking three years in February, another foster parent shared: “We love Christmas in our family. “We entertain an elf, we bake, we go choose a real tree and we all decorate it, we sing carols and we have a Christmas Eve box which are absolutely crackers. “The look on their faces is worth every minute and on Christmas morning nothing can beat the excited child with presents they really wanted.
HAPPY DAYS: Orange Grove is looking for new foster carers to come forward Sometimes Christmas has not been a happy time for them so it’s lovely to see them realise it can be. “One child was amazed that Christmas lasted all December in our house. “One Christmas Eve we went into the garden with one girl and sprinkled reindeer dust and wished a happy Christmas to her two younger siblings who had been adopted. That brought a tear to all our eyes.” For new foster parents experiencing Christmas for the first time, one foster parent who has been with the Orange Grove team for 20 years said: “Just be mindful that the children are
away from their birth family and it can be a difficult time. Just try your best to involve the children in the festive season and make it as special as you can for them.” Another foster parent shared: “Don’t sweat the small stuff. The children will have some wonderful memories. It won’t be perfect, so don’t burn yourself out aiming for perfection. Sit back and enjoy the fun bits. Remember, smiles are contagious, so put a big smile on your face.” Orange Grove Fostercare looks after 300 children across England. n For more details, log on to: orangegrovefostercare.co.uk/ locations/reading
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Some of the Grumpy Goat’s range of wines and bottled ales
Grumpy Goat owners Charlie and Anne-Marie Beatty at the World Cheese Awards Grumpy Goat 8th birthday celebrations
Grumpy Goat merchanise has been a new addition to the shop’s offering this year
All smiles for the street party
Reading’s Grumpy Goat enjoys a very happy birthday By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today A BIRTHDAY party for Reading’s Grumpy Goat was held in Union Street on Saturday, December, 11.
The cheese and ale shop, owned by wife-and-wife team Anne-Marie and Charlie Beatty, turned eight. The occasion was celebrated with a street party featuring a DJ and guests received festive treats courtesy of the store. For Anne-Marie, the party was a way to thank their loyal customer base. “We have a wide spectrum of customers, including some who have found us since we moved to Union Street in November last year,” she says. “We wanted to thank them for their support in the best way possible given covid, so holding a party in the alley seemed like a good solution.” The Beattys made the decision to move Grumpy Goat from its former home in the Harris Arcade, the shop’s home since 2013, so that they could grow the business. The couple had already gained local and international recognition before the move. They regularly collaborate with breweries such as Tilehurst’s Double-Barrelled and Finchampstead’s Siren Craft. They founded Craft Theory, an annual beer festival held at South Street Arts Centre which showcases the talents of local, national and
international breweries. The couple are also World Cheese Award judges. “We did wonder whether opening a beer and cheese shop on Smelly Alley was the right look,” Anne-Marie jokes. The space in their new premises meant that they could increase the lines of cheese and craft ales they sell, and run in-store tasting events. Anonymous Coffee are now based in the shop, having been forced to find new premises when their former home closed. The pandemic has meant that progress on some of their other plans, such as opening a small bar above the shop, has been slow. But the couple are both driven to get things done, Anne-Marie says.
And lockdowns gave the time and opportunity to develop online tasting events and their website. They also joined a WhatsApp group for independent businesses in Reading to support each other through the period. “It’s still going,” Anne-Marie says.“There’s a real community of indie business in Reading now and the future is really exciting.” In the immediate future, Grumpy Goat plan to hold Dry January tasting events and are exploring the possibility of running fundraising events with a local charity partner. They are also hopeful that Craft Theory will be able to take place again in July. n For more information, visit: thegrumpygoat.co.uk
Despite the weather people partied in the street
The cheese counter in the Union Street store
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14 | VIEWPOINTS READING’S NEW CHAMPION
He’s made the list, he’s checking it... THIS IS, as they sing, the most wonderful time of the year. Even in covid times, the season sparkles with joy, and hope. Sure, 2021 will once again be a festive season where we have to do things a little differently, but we will see happier times again. There have been points across this year where we have sensed some of that. It was great to see Reading Festival back and it didn’t lead to an expected uptick in covid cases across Berkshire. Some of the seasonal events have been able to run as normal – or as near to as possible. The team at Reading Arts should be praised for pulling out all the stops to ensure the pantomime can go ahead, for example. Yes, we still have to be cautious. We don’t know what Omicron will bring. But we do know one thing. Following his visit to Reading last weekend, Santa has the lists, his sleigh is full, the reindeer are ready ... Christmas, let’s fly! A happy Christmas one and all.
CHURCH NOTES
The unexpected guest is here, let’s greet him
T
HIS year, John Lewis’ customary Christmas advert is a tear-jerker entitled Unexpected Guest.
It was released back in November, so I expect most people will have seen it by now. It features an alien, Skye, who crash-lands on earth, seemingly unnoticed by everyone except a young boy called Nathan. Through their brief friendship, Skye is introduced to the mysterious joys of a traditional Christmas. Meanwhile, in Nathan’s family, the preparations and the festivities go on. The tree is decorated, the house festooned with lights, special meals are shared. Most people are unaware that an unexpected guest is among them. With this Christmas season being – we hope and pray – less restricted than last year, it’s all too easy to slip back into the usual frenetic activity. Maybe we’re in danger of forgetting the lesson of last year: that it’s in the warmth of connection with guests (expected or not) that the real joy of the season is to be found. At the heart of the Christmas story, we remember the arrival of an unexpected guest. In an obscure Middle Eastern town, God broke into history. God’s coming as a human child went largely unnoticed amongst the bustle and commotion of a national census in an occupied country, but a few paid attention and paused to worship. In a busy Christmas season, may you find a moment to pause and greet this unexpected guest. In the words of a well-known carol, ‘Come and worship, Worship Christ, the new-born King!’
The Revd Ann Cogle is the curate at Reading Minster Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Christmas greetings From the mayor
Since becoming Mayor last month, I’ve been reminded what a special town Reading is. We were all horrified by the tragic fire at Rowe Court in West Reading but the response from the community to support those affected demonstrates Reading’s spirit. In fact throughout 2021 our amazing charities and volunteers done so much, our public sector workers have gone above and beyond, and businesses have helped our community despite the pressures they face: Reading is a community that stands together in good times and bad: our diversity is our strength. Thank you to everyone who is working over Christmas whether in shops, public services or delivery, I hope you have time to rest and take joy in the season. Of course, our NHS staff and care workers are in the front line: we owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. I was fortunate to receive my booster vaccine earlier this week and the efficient but friendly team, supported by volunteers, were fantastic. Do join the thousands of Reading residents in coming forward for yours. Whether it’s finding the homemade tree ornaments made years ago, or lighting a candle on Christmas Eve in memory of those I miss, for me Christmas is a time of joy but also reflection. If you are a Christian celebrating the birth of Christ, or simply treasuring a restful time; whether your Christmas is crowded with loved ones or you feel an absence, may this Christmas be a season of peace. Cllr Rachel Eden is the Mayor of Reading
From Reading East MP Matt Rodda It feels like only yesterday that I was writing my Christmas message for 2020 – looking back at the year and thinking how much the world had changed as a result of Covid19. I had hoped then that my Christmas message for 2021 might start with a celebration that we had beaten this awful virus life had returned to normal.
From the vicechancellor
Robert Van de Noort
Looking forward, and looking back
A
S 2021 draws to a close it gives us time to not only reflect on the year gone by, but what the year ahead may bring. Looking back on 2021 gives me immense pride when I think of all the achievements of our students, colleagues and our local community, despite some challenging circumstances. As a university, we began the year with students learning online from home, and I am happy to
say we ended it with our first graduation ceremonies for two years. It was wonderful to give our students, and their families, the opportunity to celebrate their academic achievements, even though things looked a little different this year due to enhanced Covid-19 safety measures. It took a huge effort to bring these ceremonies together and I am grateful to all of those involved.
But sadly, we find ourselves still in the grip of the pandemic. So I want to start this years message by thanking everyone who has worked so hard this year to keep us safe. From the NHS staff in our hospitals, the teachers in our schools working in bubbles, the emergency services, the retail and shop workers who keep us fed and the transport staff who have continued to ensure we can get around and to the countless
others – including the hundreds of volunteers in the wonderful community groups and charities across Reading and Woodley - who without fuss or fanfare have done their bit to help our town and their community. 2021 has been a year of contrasts. The Olympics, Paralympics and the world cup brought hope to so many sporting fans around the world and COP26 saw some tentative but positive steps towards a deal to finally tackle the climate change crisis. Yet the murder of Sir David Amess reminded us of the fragility of our democracy and the need for politics to be a better, calmer and kinder place. I was so touched by the messages from constituents following the tragic events in Southend and I thank everyone who go in touch. And we now face the omicron variant, continuing restrictions and more uncertainty about the future for families and businesses. My office has been supporting businesses desperately trying to access support and will continue to do so until this pandemic is over. Christmas, though, is a time to share, to love and to laugh. As we head towards 2022, I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Matt Rodda is the MP for Reading East
Other significant achievements in the year include the launch of our new film and TV studios in Shinfield, our collective work on climate change which has seen us honoured with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize - the highest national honour for a UK institution in higher education, and the publication of our Race Equality Review. We also learnt in December that two of the biggest science superpowers in Reading and Wokingham boroughs will be coming together on the same site, as the European Centre for Mediumrange Weather Forecasts agreed to move its headquarters from Shinfield Road to our Whiteknights campus. The University also supported Reading’s bid for City Status, which was submitted this month by Reading Borough Council, with our work on climate change and sustainability being central to the submission. This is a great example of how town and gown can come together to do more for local residents.
Even if we don’t reach City Status, this is still a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everything that makes Reading, and the wider area, a great place to live and work. What strikes me is the important role that community has played in these achievements. All of these projects brought together a community of people, both inside and outside the University, working together and towards one goal, which will ultimately benefit an even wider community. As the pandemic takes yet another twist, it is this sense of community that will make us stronger and more resilient to what may lie ahead. As we look ahead to 2022, there will no doubt be new challenges, but also new opportunities. I am confident that by working together we will meet these head on so that we can continue to achieve our goals, for both the University and the towns of Wokingham and Reading. Professor Robert Van de Noort is the Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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Biscuit Town open to all! FESTIVE TRAIL: Biscuit Town is taking over the Forbury this Christmas
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today IT REALLY is lights fantastic. Reading’s Forbury Gardens and Abbey Ruins have been turned into a winter wonderland this month, wowwing visitors with a festive light show like no other.
The Twilight Trail celebrates Reading’s biscuit heritage, using light, sound and smell installations of Luminism are accompanied by chalet bars and global food stalls. On Christmas Eve, the Henley Santa will be visiting ahead of his busy night round. And, thanks to full fibre broadband firm CityFibre, hundreds of charity service users and supporters have been able to visit for free. They include the charities Autism at Kingwood, Berkshire Women’s Aid, Connect R eading, Family Aid and Reading Mencap. Parents And Children Together (PACT) will be using their donated tickets for users of their domestic abuse recovery programme Bounce Back 4 Kids. “We will be passing on this opportunity to see the Twilight Trail to some of our families who are healing from the trauma of domestic abuse,” said a spokesperson for the South Street based charity.
The Christmas story retold, with the help of the animals, at Baptist church
“It promises to be a magical experience and one they can enjoy together and help strengthen the bond between child and parent.” Stacey King, City Manager at CityFibre, was delighted that the company could help. “Christmas is about coming together and spending time at home with loved ones. It’s that feeling of connection that makes the festive season so special,” she said. “CityFibre is building a brand-new broadband infrastructure across Reading as part of a £58m investment which will futureproof the town’s digital future and allow people to stay connected not
just at Christmas, but all year round. “The Twilight Trail is a fantastic event which celebrates Reading’s proud history and encourages people to come together and enjoy spending time in their hometown. “We’re delighted to have donated 250 tickets to local good causes and look forward to meeting people at the event.” In addition, night four of Twilight Trail: Biscuit Town was taken over by homelessness charity Launchpad. Kirsti Wilson, the charity’s head of marketing and fundraising, said: “We are so very grateful to Reading UK and
Abbey Quarter BID for kindly giving the evening over to Launchpad – all proceeds from this special event will help us continue our vital work and give the gift of a better Christmas to people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home in Reading.” Funding for the project came from the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. n Tickets for Twilight Trail: Biscuit Town start from £8, £6 for children and £26 for a family pass, plus a booking fee. For details, log on to: whatsonreading.com
MARY, JOSEPH and the wee donkey were all present at correct in Lower Earley on Sunday. Members of the Baptist Church came together to offer a special experience for families, based on the events of the first Christmas. Visitors were able to meet animals featured in the story, including lambs and donkeys,
as well as chickens and Shetland ponies. A Mary and Joseph were on duty as well. The church laid on seasonal refreshments and allowed people to take part in craft activities. Numbers were limited and the entrance times staggered to ensure the event was covid-safe.
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To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today ANSWERS: Santa’s mate Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Picture: Pixabay
Honest motherhood Angela Garwood
The messy, colourful blur of 2021
H
OW we have reached the end of this year quite so quickly I do not know. 2021 has been a messy, colourful blur to me.
Lockdown, four weddings, and the birth of Joel’s beautiful baby nephew, as with most years it’s been an eclectic mix of the awful, the joyful, and everything in between. We celebrated Leo’s first birthday and watched him grow from a gurgling little bundle to a communicative toddler who repeats “Mum”, “Dad”, “book” and a small handful of other vocabulary. He will shake his head and frown if we offer him something he does not want and stretch out his hand and say “more” if he wants more. He does not yet walk. It seems the more we will him to walk, the less inclined he is to bother. He took a few steps between Joel and I one weekend. We got very excited, sent the video to half our family and thought that was that. This was over a month ago. Not much has happened in the way of independent steps since but if he hears music he likes, he’ll stand on his own and dance along unaided. (His unique dance resembles that of the infamous “twerking” motion.) He loves his walker and will trot up and down the house quite happily with that. We’ve decided to try and forget the walking for now, we know it’ll come in good time, if anything it’s probably been hindered by our incessant cajoling. Neither of us have bothered purchasing him shoes, though some kind of slipper sock might be an idea, the amount he pounds our kitchen floor. Maia has gone from sassy seven-year-old to sassier and even sharper with her tongue, therefore more stressful to discipline, eight-yearold. Paradoxically I adore her for this, as I know it will stand her in good stead later in life. However we can all agree parenting an individual who is basically just a smaller version of you but with far more energy (to fight back), has got to be one of the most relentless, painstaking, patience testing ordeals. And she’s not even nine. I rant to my own mother about this, and receive little sympathy: “She has SO much attitude, Mum,” I grumble. “And where do you think that comes from Angela…” she responds without hesitation. I go to bed some nights feeling I could have been kinder, taken a breath before reacting or just spent an extra 10 minutes with her at bedtime. It seems I am still adjusting to the juggle of two children, and I don’t always get it right. I take comfort knowing she is a bright, hilarious, thoughtful, confident young girl. She’s an amazing big sister to Leo. Seeing them together playing nicely does make my heart smile. It rarely lasts but it makes the hard bits worth it. It has not been an easy year for anyone. The level of uncertainty, the loneliness many vulnerable people have endured, the pressure on the NHS, the list goes on. I am incredibly grateful for the smallest of things, that I know looking back will be the biggest of things. Having a good long chat with my 78-year-old dad, sat happily in his armchair at home, munching on a biscuit. Watching Maia deliver her lines beautifully in her first-ever show. Finally painting the living room with Joel and feeling delighted with the result. Writing a blog post, alone and uninterrupted thanks to Leo’s grandparents. Going clothes shopping with my Mum. Catching up with an old friend. 2022 will be another colourful year no doubt. Despite the current worldly challenges, I look forward to it. For all the smallest of things. n Angela blogs at colourfulkind.com
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Poets Cafe goes but will Taylor
By JAMES HASTINGS news@rdg.today
Christmas with Rudolph AGE: Unknown Works as - Sleigh Puller Employer - Father Christmas Where do you live? My dad came from the Arctic, while mum was born in Warsaw, so I’m a North Pole. I now live at Santa’s house. Marital status? I’m dating a lady reindeer from the dispatch department where Mrs Claus recently persuaded Santa to close the gender pay gap. Do you know how much dough a deer, a female deer can earn nowadays? What makes you happy? When my Scottish cousin, the Monarch of the Glen, sends me a box of that tasty Glasgow Christmas delicacy, deep fried carrot. Burp, pardon! What were your childhood ambitions? To appear on a shortbread tin like my dad and his dad before him. Unfortunately, the casting director didn’t like my very shiny nose so I didn’t get the part. As I only had two A Levels, I feared I’d end up in the zoo or as a background prop in the Daniel O’Donnell Christmas special but thankfully Santa spotted my red nose one foggy Christmas Eve and the rest is history. What do you like/dislike about your job? I love all the children, the winter wonderland and the baby in the stable. Dislikes? Don’t be silly! What one thing would you change about Berkshire? I was so relieved when your Parliament banned hunting with dogs. Every time Santa delivered near Smallmead I was a nervous wreck. What one item would you save from your house? My Christmas joke book. Here’s my favourite. What reindeer game do reindeer
play at sleepovers? Truth or deer! What would you do if you won £1 million on the Lottery? I’d put a little something extra in everyone’s stocking. Which famous person would you like to meet? Bambi. We regularly chat on the antlernet and he calls me Rudy – it’s a term of endeerment. What’s been the best year of your life? That would be 1939 when a lovely, talented man called Robert L. May wrote a song about me, my shiny red nose and Santa. I became instantly famous. Every night was a stag night with fresh hay and hoof manicures on tap. What one thing would improve your life? If I hadn’t signed away my royalties to Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer I’d be rich by now, but I was young, eager for stardom and I didn’t read the small print in the Christmas clause. However, I just adore pulling Santa’s sleigh and I love hearing my song being sung when I fly all around the world. Name the best and most embarrassing things you’ve done. Once I forgot my in-sleigh battery charger and my nose became very dim over a foggy Reading. Luckily, Santa had a spare. The best was when I made up with the girl reindeer who used to make fun of my shiny red nose, you remember, “Olive the other reindeer, used to laugh and call me names.” We’re best pals now. How would you like to be remembered? In every child’s dream and every adult’s memory. Happy Christmas to you all and to all a goodnight! Interview by James Hastings
These jokes are crackers
THE BEST, or maybe worst, Christmas cracker jokes according to one greetings card company have been revealed. The list of groan-worthy festive one-liners has been compiled by thortful.com in an ultimate Christmas cracker jokes index. Thortful say that Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without some beloved traditions, like jamming a novelty paper hat from a cracker on your head, and enjoying a classic cracker lame joke. Their top 10 worst jokes are: Which of Santa’s reindeer have the worst manners? Rude-olph. What do you get when you cross an apple with a Christmas tree? A Pineapple. What goes Oh, Oh, Oh? Santa walking backwards. Why couldn’t the skeleton go to the Christmas party? He had no body to go with. Why was the turkey in the pop group? Because he was the only one with drumsticks.
What do snowmen wear on their heads? Ice caps. What is the best Christmas present in the world? A broken drum, you just can’t beat it. What athlete is warmest in winter? A long jumper. What do you call a Christmas rom-com about bread? Loaf Actually. How does Santa keep track of all the fireplaces he’s visited? He keeps a logbook. And Thortful are asking for jokes which are cheesier than a postdinner cheese board to be added to their to their index. The Christmas cracker joke index can be seen at: thortful.com/ christmas-cracker-jokes
POETRY lovers in Reading have gone international following a link-up with their American twin.
It comes after the town’s Poet’s Cafe which meets in the South Street Arts Centre was forced to hold its monthly readings online due to the pandemic. A group of writers in Reading, Pennsylvania spotted the group on the internet and started to join in. Now there are plans to hold a joint poetry event next spring called Reading to Reading. Vic Pickup, who is part of a new committee running the Poet’s Cafe, described the Transatlantic link as “very exciting.” “When lockdown began, we wondered if an online reading session would work but we were surprised at just how popular it became,” she explained. “Then we started to have people from Europe join in and then the city of Reading in America. It was amazing that poetry from people here in England can now be appreciated by other poetry lovers across the world. “We are currently in the process of organising a special event with our American namesakes. Poetry really is an international language.” Reading in Pennsylvania was established in 1748, and named after its British namesake. It is located in Berks County between Philadelphia and the State capital, Harrisburg. Two of its most famous residents include the singer, Taylor Swift and Pulitzer prize novelist, John Updike. Vic said the online sessions had been so successful the committee planned to keep them going after covid restrictions are eventually ended. They usually meet at South Street arts centre. “Some people are unable to come to
LANDMARK: One of Reading’s attractions is th Wikipedia meetings so online is ideal for them,” she said. “During the pandemic, people have felt a need more than ever to express themselves and that is one reason why our numbers at both events have increased. “We invite a published poet who reads for half-an-hour which is followed by an open mic. “School curriculums tend not to explore creativity very much. Our members range in ages from students to those in their eighties.”
Artist launches print to raise money for Sue Ryder in memory of his daughter AN ARTIST artist is selling a limited edition print to raise funds for two local charities. Peter Driver, who lives in Mortimer, has created the print in memory of his daughter Alice, who passed away in 2019, aged 28. The sale is in aid of Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, where Alice received specialist care at the end of her life, and Reading Refugee Support Group where she was a volunteer. Alice was diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was 19, and in her first year of university. “It was a long journey with lots of treatment, the tumour was slowgrowing but relentless,” Mr Driver said. “We had a wonderful Sue Ryder Nurse who visited Alice at home initially.
“She was cared for at the hospice for the last six weeks of her life. During that time we were able to stay with her in the family room, where we put up bunting and played all her favourite music. “The nurses and care staff were just phenomenal, so wonderful and caring. It was the best possible place for Alice to be and we will always be very grateful for the care she received and for the people who looked after her.” Mr Driver’s prints are made in his studio in Sulhamstead using the woodcut method of printmaking. A design is carved into the surface of a wooden block. Ink is applied, and then the image is transferred to paper using a press. The areas of the wood that are cut away don’t transfer any ink, leaving a pattern.
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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Children in new homes can be sure Santa will pay a visit
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Reader travel HISTORIC YORK & the Dales
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Your break includes
READY: A David Wilson Homes Sales Adviser with a Santa Stop Here sign
his amazing pagoda. No, not our Reading, the one on the other side of the pond Picture: Vic and three other poets, Zannah Kearns, Damon Young and Rika Banerjee have taken over the reins from Claire Dyer who is stepping down after five years. “For more than 25 years, the Poet’s Cafe has been a major part of Reading’s cultural scene,” Ms Dyer said. “It is now co-ordinated by The Poetry Society’s Reading Stanza and we’ve been overwhelmed by the support we received from poets and audiences from all round the globe during and after lockdown.
“I can’t think of a team more qualified or better suited to carrying on the wonderful work of Poets’ Café than Vic, Zannah, Damon and Rika.” She added: “It’s been an honour to be so closely involved with Poets’ Café since I took over from AF Harrold in December 2016, and am super excited to see what happens next. “I obviously won’t be going far, and very much look forward to being part of the open mic and audience in years to come.” n whatsonreading.com
HE’S MADE a list, he’s checked it twice, and he’s carried out a PCR test. Santa is raring to go. And to ensure all good boys and girls who have moved this year aren’t added to the naughty list, a housebuilder is offering a helping hand. Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves have been in their own bubble and recently had their booster to ensure they’re keeping people safe. And David Wilson Homes says it has written to Mr Claus to ensure he stops by for a mince pie at its new developments. Campbell Gregg, managing director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “It’s fantastic news that Santa Claus has been cleared to deliver presents around the world once more. “Having met many of the children who have moved to our new developments, we know for a fact that they will be on Santa’s ‘nice’ list. “We would like to reassure them and their parents that rigorous
steps have been taken to notify Father Christmas about their new address.” Santa will travel an estimated 510,000,000km on Christmas Eve, flying at around 10,000,000 kph in order to make the 233 million stops on his list. Due to the speed at which the sleigh travels, Father Christmas will be at each household for a matter of minutes to drop off his sanitised gifts for youngsters. His first stop is the Republic of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean and, according to NORAD, which is running an online Santa tracker, he will make his way west around the world before arriving in the UK. Campbell added: “Santa has a packed schedule on December 24,, and we’re pulling out all the stops to make sure our brand new homes are on his map. The developments have taken shape since he last flew over, with lots of new families living there, so Santa and his reindeer will have lots to see.”
POETRY CORNER Off-Stage
IN MEMORY: Peter Driver with his wife and late daughter Alice. He has created artwork to sell in aid of Sue Ryder continue to be there when it The print features a wood matters for people in our local grain effect overlaid with the phrase community, and fill last days with “imagine better”, which is about the love,” she said. importance of imagination in making Each print costs £44.96, which the world a better place. includes a £15 donation to each Georgia Thornton, community charity, and an additional woodcut fundraiser at Sue Ryder Duchess of print featuring the phrase “I’m glad Kent Hospice, thanked Mr Driver for selling the prints to raise funds for the you’re alive!” hospice. n For more information, visit: linktr.ee/ “Every pound raised will help us peterdriverstudio
Multi-rainbows curving over, Infront of your face, Does it matter? If mahogany-raven-dove are shown Your reactions are different. Down an alley, A transparent veil flutters, Trembles as the last breath emerges,
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THE BEATLES TRIBUTE Live in Liverpool
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Race names, war games This cannot be tamed! Gold shimmering hair, Shying behind the glare, Must you stare? Crawling in the face of humility, A swipe of her hand Across the victim’s gaze, Misses by an inch, Does she flinch?
Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at a selected hotel in the Leeds area with dinner & breakfast 2 for 1 bar (6pm‑9pm) on selected drinks Excursions to York, Skipton Market & Grassington
From the lips of an innocent soul. Slash marks lay uncovered, A map in another language, A door to another world, A hole in your heart. Unable to wash the grief and sorrow; Pools of blood and lostUnspoken words; Are in the end, Flushed into the mud! By Tayyibah Latif
Send us your poems to news@wokinghm.today
Return coach travel from Reading Overnight stay at the 2‑star Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool with dinner & breakfast (all meals buffet style) 2 for 1 bar (6pm‑9pm) on selected drinks The Beatles tribute act plus a live DJ at the hotel Free time in Liverpool
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
GOING IN: Cllr Graham Hoskin secures the bolt to the first steel strut of the new Palmer Park swimming pool Picture: Reading Borough Council
Going up! New pool starts to take shape By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today THE STEEL frame to Palmer Park’s new pool has started to appear.
When completed, the sixlane 25-metre pool will be a hub for swimmers. It will also have a 100-station gym, an activity zone for children with party rooms and a cafe and information hub. Last month, work to install the foundations took place and now the frame is going up. Reading Borough Council is using a Vibro Stone Column technique that eschews cement, concrete and steel foundations,
reducing the carbon footprint. The roof will be in place by April, and the pool is expected to open by the autumn. However, the existing gym and indoor sports facilities already in place at Palmer Park will be closed during this phase. The outside stadium, including the track, athletics and velodrome will continue to be in use. Temporary toilet facilities will be provided for the duration of the closure for use by stadium users and members of the public. Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Sport, said: “It is exciting times to see these
improvements and the building of our new pools and leisure centre progressing at pace now. “I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the community pool frame going up at the end of this month which is when residents will be able to see the new facilities really
Christmas chemist rota Details subject to change according to covid situation
Christmas Day
READING – Erleigh Road Pharmacy, Erleigh Road RG1 5NN. OPen 9amnoon. Details: 0118 966 3718. READING – Oxford Road Pharmacy, Oxford Road RG30 1AD. Open Noon4pm. Details: 0118 957 4999. TILEHURST – Tilehurst Pharmacy, School Road RG31 5AR. Open 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 942 7353. WOKINGHAM – Rose Street Pharmacy, Wokingham Medical Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. 10am-1pm. Details: 0118 907 8188. BOXING DAY, Sunday, December 26 BRACKNELL – Boots Pharmacy, The Lexicon, Braccan Walk RG12 1BE. 11am-5pm. Details: 01344 303844. CALCOT – Lloyds Pharmacy, in Sainsbury’s, Bath Road RG31 7SA. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 938 2265. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Day Lewis Pharmacy, Finchampstead Surgery, Finchampstead Road RG40 3RG. 10am-5pm. Details: 0118 973 5455. LOWER EARLEY – Asda Pharmacy, Chalfont Way RG6 5TT. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 987 0300. READING – Boots The Chemist, Broad Street RG1 2AE. 11am-5pm. Details: 0118 957 1135. READING – Boots The Chemist, The Oracle, RG1 2AH. 11am-5pm. Details: 0118 957 7529. READING – Oxford Road Pharmacy, Oxford Road RG30 1AD. Open 8am8pm. Details: 0118 957 4999. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Napier Road RG1 8DF. 10am-4pm. Details: 0345 677 9573. TILEHURST – Asda Pharmacy, Honey End Lane RG30 4EL. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 951 4710. WINNERSH – Lloyds Pharmacy, Sainsbury’s, King Street Lane RG41 5AR. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 977 5276. WOKINGHAM – Rose Street Pharmacy, Wokingham Medical Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. 9am-6.30pm. Details: 0118 907 8188. WOKINGHAM – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco, Finchampstead Road RG40 2NS. 10am-4pm. Details: 0345 677 9724. WOODLEY – Boots The Chemist,
Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. 10am4pm. Details: 0118 969 5253.
Christmas Monday, December 27
CALCOT – Lloyds Pharmacy, in Sainsbury’s, Bath |Road RG31 7SA. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 938 2265. LOWER EARLEY – Asda Pharmacy, Chalfont Way RG6 5TT. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 987 0300. READING – Boots The Chemist, Broad Street RG1 2AE. 11am-5pm. Details: 0118 957 1135. READING – Boots The Chemist, Brunel Arcade, Reading Station RG1 1LT. 9am-5pm. Details: 0118 959 1523. READING – Boots The Chemist, The Oracle, RG1 2AH. 9am-7pm. Details: 0118 957 7529. READING – Oxford Road Pharmacy, Oxford Road RG30 1AD. Noon-4pm. Details: 0118 957 4999. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Portman Road RG30 1AH. 9am-1pm. Details: 0345 026 9558. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Napier Road RG1 8DF. 9am-1pm. Details: 0345 677 9573. TILEHURST – Asda Pharmacy, Honey End Lane RG30 4EL. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 951 4710. WINNERSH – Lloyds Pharmacy, Sainsbury’s, King Street Lane RG41 5AR. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 977 5276. WOKINGHAM – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco, Finchampstead Road RG40 2NS. 9am1pm. Details: 0345 677 9724. WOODLEY – Boots The Chemist, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. 10am4pm. Details: 0118 969 5253. WOOSEHILL – Morrisons, Woosehill Court RG41 3SW. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 979 4288.
Holiday Tuesday, December 28
CALCOT – Lloyds Pharmacy, in Sainsbury’s, Bath Road RG31 7SA. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 938 2265. CROWTHORNE – HA Mcparland Ltd, High Street RG45 7AY. 10am-4pm. Details: 01344 779007. LOWER EARLEY – Asda Pharmacy, Chalfont Way RG6 5TT. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 987 0300. READING – Boots The Chemist, Broad
Street RG1 2AE. 8am-6pm. Details: 0118 957 1135. READING – Boots The Chemist, Brunel Arcade, Reading Station RG1 1LT. 9am-5pm. Details: 0118 959 1523. READING – Boots The Chemist, The Oracle, RG1 2AH. 9am-7pm. Details: 0118 957 7529. READING – Oxford Road Pharmacy, Oxford Road RG30 1AD. Noon-4pm. Details: 0118 957 4999. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Portman Road RG30 1AH. 9am-1pm. Details: 0345 026 9558. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Napier Road RG1 8DF. 9am-1pm. Details: 0345 677 9573. OWLSMOOR – HA Mcparland Ltd, Yeovil Road GU47 0TF. 10am-4pm. Details: 01344 775743. TILEHURST – Asda Pharmacy, Honey End Lane RG30 4EL. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 951 4710. WINNERSH – Lloyds Pharmacy, Sainsbury’s, King Street Lane RG41 5AR. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 977 5276. WOKINGHAM – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco, Finchampstead Road RG40 2NS. 9am1pm. Details: 0345 677 9724. WOODLEY – Boots The Chemist, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. 10am4pm. Details: 0118 969 5253. WOOSEHILL – Morrisons, Woosehill Court RG41 3SW. 9am-5pm. Details: 0118 979 4288.
New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1
BINFIELD – Lloyds Pharmacy, Terrace Road North RG42 5JG. 9am-10.30am, noon-1pm. Details: 01344 868486. CALCOT – Lloyds Pharmacy, in Sainsbury’s, Bath Road RG31 7SA. 8am-6pm. Details: 0118 938 2265. CAVERSHAM – Boots, Church Street RG4 8BA. 9.30am-2pm, 3pm-3.30pm. Details: 0118 9471602. CAVERSHAM – Caversham Pharmacy, Hemdean Road RG4 7SS. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 947 1776. CAVERSHAM – Markand Pharmacy, Henley Road RG4 6DH. 9am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 947 2464. CAVERSHAM PARK – Lloyds Pharmacy, Cavendish Road RG4 8XU. 9am5.30pm. Details: 0118 947 9443. CROWTHORNE – Dukes Pharmacy, Dukes Ride RG45 6DS. 9am-2pm.
beginning to take shape. “We are currently contacting all users of this site to prepare them for the closure from April. “The good news for stadium users is the outdoor facilities are unaffected. “However, to allow for the roof replacement work to be
carried out safely and securely the indoor facilities need to close for the duration of the work.” Work started on the Rivermead site on August 31. The new Rivermead facilities will include a 25m 8-lane competition pool alongside a
combined teaching and diving pool, due to open in spring 2023. Work is also underway to improve the facilities at South Reading Leisure Centre, with improvement works are also planned at Meadway in west Reading, starting in the new year.
Details: 01344 776622. CROWTHORNE – HA Mcparland Ltd, High Street RG45 7AY. 9am-5pm. Details: 01344 779007. CROWTHORNE – Lloyds Pharmacy, High Street RG45 7AY. 9am-5.30pm. Details: 01344 772432. EARLEY – Boots The Chemist, The Parade, Silverdale Road RG6 7NZ. 9am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 926 2146. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Day Lewis Pharmacy, Finchampstead Surgery, Finchampstead Road RG40 3RG. 7am10.30pm. Details: 0118 973 5455. FINCHAMPSTEAD – Jats Pharmacy, Finchampstead Road RG40 3RB. 9am1pm. Details: 0118 973 5455. LOWER EARLEY – Asda Pharmacy, Chalfont Way RG6 5TT. 7am-10pm. Details: 0118 987 0300. LOWER EARLEY – Boots The Chemist, Asda Mall, Chalfont Way RG6 5GA. 8.30am-1pm, 2pm-7pm. Details: 0118 931 1750. READING – Basingstoke Road Pharmacy, Basingstoke Road RG2 0ER. 9am-2pm. Details: 0118 987 5712. READING – Boots The Chemist, Broad Street RG1 2AE. 8am-6pm. Details: 0118 957 1135. READING – Boots The Chemist, Brunel Arcade, Reading Station RG1 1LT. 7am-7pm. Details: 0118 959 1523. READING – Boots The Chemist, The Oracle, RG1 2AH. 9am-7pm. Details: 0118 957 7529. READING – Christchurch Road Pharmacy, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. 9am5pm. Details: 0118 987 1868. READING – Erleigh Road Pharmacy, Erleigh Road RG1 5NN. 9am-5pm. Details: 0118 966 3718. READING – Grovelands Pharmacy, Grovelands Road RG30 2NY. 9am1pm. Details: 0118 957 2389. READING – Lloyds Pharmacy, Tylers Place, Pottery Road RG30 6BW. 9am1pm. Details: 0118 955 1063. READING – Oxford Road Pharmacy, Oxford Road RG30 1AD. 8ammidnight. Details: 0118 957 4999. READING – Superdrug, Broad Street RG1 2AF. 9am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 959 9772. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Portman Road RG30 1AH. 8am-6pm. Details: 0345 026 9558. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Napier Road RG1 8DF. 6.30am-10pm. Details: 0345 677 9573. READING – Reading Pharmacy, Wokingham Road RG6 1LN. 9am-1pm.
Details: 0118 926 2034. READING – Western Elms Pharmacy, Oxford ROad RG30 1AY. 9am-2pm. Details: 0118 958 6502. OWLSMOOR – HA Mcparland Ltd, Yeovil Road GU47 0TF. 10am-5pm. Details: 01344 775743. SANDHURST – Boots The Chemist, Yorktown Road GU47 9BT. 9am-1pm, 2pm-3pm. Details: 01252 7873164. SANDHURST – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, The Meadows, Marshall ROad GU47 0FD. 6.30am-10pm. Details: 0345 2666614. SHINFIELD – Vantage Chemist, Shinfield Road RG2 8HD. 9am-5pm. Details: 0118 987 2850. SOUTHCOTE – Southcote Pharmacy, Coronation Square RG30 3QN. 9amnoon. Details: 0118 957 5619. THEALE – Kamsons Pharmacy, High Street RG7 5AH. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 930 2542. TILEHURST – Asda Pharmacy, Honey End Lane RG30 4EL. 7am-10pm. Details: 0118 951 4710. TILEHURST – Boots The Chemist, Meadway Precinct RG30 4AA. 9am5.30pm. Details: 0118 958 0477. TILEHURST – Overdown Pharmacy, The Colonnade, Overdown Road RG31 6PR. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 942 8990. TILEHURST – Triangle Pharmacy, School Road RG31 5AW. 9am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 942 7523. TILEHURST – Pharmacy, School Road RG31 5AR. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 9427353. TWYFORD – Fields Pharmacy, Longfield Road RG10 9AN. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 934 1222. TWYFORD – Newdays Pharmacy, London Road RG10 9EH. 9am-noon, 2pm-6pm. Details: 0118 934 5750. WARGRAVE – Lloyds Pharmacy, Victoria Road RG10 8AE. 9am-noon. Details: 0118 940 3557. WHITLEY – 277 Pharmcy, Basingstoke Road RG2 0JA. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 872238. WHITLEY – Whitley Wood Pharmacy, Northumberland Avenue RG2 8NY. 9am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 087 2023. WINNERSH – Lloyds Pharmacy, Sainsbury’s, King Street Lane RG41 5AR. 8am-6pm. Details: 0118 977 5276. WOKINGHAM – Boots The Chemist, Market Place RG40 1AT. Details: 8.30am-5.30pm. 0118 978 4294.
WOKINGHAM – Rose Street Pharmacy, Wokingham Medical Centre, Rose Street RG40 1XS. 8am-9pm. Details: 0118 907 8188. WOKINGHAM – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco, Finchampstead Road RG40 2NS. 6.30am-10pm. Details: 0345 677 9724. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Pharmacy, Broad Street RG40 1AU. 9am-1pm. Details: 0118 978 7459. WOODLEY – Boots The Chemist, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. 8.30am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 969 5253. WOOSEHILL – Morrisons, Woosehill Court RG41 3SW. 9am-4pm. Details: 0118 979 4288.
Bank Holiday Monday, January 3
CALCOT – Lloyds Pharmacy, in Sainsbury’s, Bath Road RG31 7SA. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 938 2265. CROWTHORNE – HA Mcparland Ltd, High Street RG45 7AY. 10am-4pm. Details: 01344 779007. READING – Boots The Chemist, Broad Street RG1 2AE. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 957 1135. READING – Boots The Chemist, The Oracle, RG1 2AH. 9.30am-6pm. Details: 0118 957 7529. LOWER EARLEY – Asda Pharmacy, Chalfont Way RG6 5TT. 7am-10pm. Details: 0118 987 0300. READING – Oxford Road Pharmacy, Oxford Road RG30 1AD. Noon-4pm. Details: 0118 957 4999. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Portman Road RG30 1AH. 9am-1pm. Details: 0345 026 9558. READING – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco Extra, Napier Road RG1 8DF. 9am-1pm. Details: 0345 677 9573. TILEHURST – Triangle Pharmacy, School Road RG31 5AW. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 942 7523. WINNERSH – Lloyds Pharmacy, Sainsbury’s, King Street Lane RG41 5AR. 10am-4pm. Details: 0118 977 5276. WOKINGHAM – Tesco Pharmacy, Tesco, Finchampstead Road RG40 2NS. 9am1pm. Details: 0345 677 9724. WOODLEY – Boots The Chemist, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. 10am4pm. Details: 0118 969 5253. WOOSEHILL – Morrisons, Woosehill Court RG41 3SW. 9am-5pm. Details: 0118 979 4288.
BUSINESS | 19
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
association with BUSINESSTODAY InWinnersh Triangle
Got a business story? Email news@wokingham.today
A business park that is changing
New year, new start at law firm
Giving a gift card this Christmas? Make sure it’s a gift that lasts WARNING: Gift cards can make great presents, but they can come with a sting in their tail Picture: Pixabay
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
STAFF at a Reading-based law firm will be ringing in the new when they return to their desks on January 4. Blandy & Blandy, based in Blagrave Street, have announced a number of promotions among its team. Elizabeth Short, who has played a significant role in the success of the firm’s top ranked Wills, Probate, Tax & Trusts team, will become a Partner. The firm says she is an expert in the preparation of complex Wills, estate and inheritance tax planning, the administration of taxable and non-taxable estate and lasting powers of attorney. Gemma Smith, who has had an increasingly prominent role in the firm’s award-winning Commercial Property team, will become a Senior Associate. She has extensive expertise in advising on commercial landlord and tenant transactions, the sale and purchase of freehold and leasehold commercial property and secured lending. In Blandy & Blandy’s senior management team, Patrick Philby and David Lamont have been promoted to director of finance and director of marketing and business development respectively, while Maria Moppett will become head of facilities, recognising the significant contribution that each has made to the firm’s success. Chairman Nick Burrows said: “We are delighted to welcome Lizzie to the partnership and Gemma into her new senior role. Their promotions reflect both their development as lawyers and contribution to the firm. “The promotions in our senior management team reflect the commitment of Patrick, David and Maria to our firm, their expertise and their achievements, particularly in response to the challenges of the last couple of years, which have ensured that the firm has continued to function seamlessly and in a way that has allowed us to continue to provide a highly efficient service to our clients.”
n For more details, log on to www.blandy.co.uk
READING shoppers giving gift cards to family and friends for Christmas are being warned they need to understand the potential risks for buying them - and that includes losing their money if a retailer goes out of business.
Garry Lee, chair of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3’s Southern and Thames Valley Region, says: “Gift cards are really convenient and can be easily bought both in stores and online. “It is vital consumers in Reading understand how they can be affected if the retailer that offers them enters an insolvency process.” If a store enters an insolvency process, and is still trading, or has undergone a pre-pack administration, the vouchers may no longer be valid. “It’s generally a good idea to spend them sooner rather than later, especially as your local store may be earmarked for closure or the situation across the whole organisation may change quickly, if the firm becomes insolvent,” Mr Lee said. Several well-known stores having entered insolvency during the pandemic, while the wider sector is continuing to face severe trading difficulties as the economy has begun to open up again. Mr Lee, an associate director at accountancy firm Smith & Williamson, added: “It is understandably frustrating when a retailer won’t accept gift cards during an insolvency process. “However, the insolvency practitioners in charge of the process are obliged to look after all creditors’ interests according to a strict hierarchy set out in law, and unfortunately customers are just one of many affected creditors.
“On the one hand, accepting them could lose the business more money, but on the other, not doing so could hurt the relationship between the retailer and its customers.” And if a retailer changes hands, it is up to the new owner as to whether they will honour gift cards
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and vouchers issued prior to the administration. “Al may not be lost if a new owner decided not to honour existing gift cards as the purchaser may be able to make a claim to their bank if the card was purchased via a credit or debit card, depending on when the original payment was
made,” Mr Lee said. Financial pressures on retailers can also be increased by the rental payments due to their landlords around December 25, which is one of four Quarter Days in each year on which these bills are due to be settled. WINNERS: Colin Harris, Christie Alaimo, Toby Parkinson, Ray Robinson, Andy Knight and Tim Nutt at the Thames Valley Property Awards
Shanly Homes wins top honour A HOUSEBUILDER has been judged to be the best in the region. Shanly Homes scooped the Housebuilder of the Year honour at this year’s Thames Valley Property Awards, held at Ascot Racecourse on Thursday, December 9. The company, based in Beaconsfield, has been building homes for more than 50 years, and the company says that despite the challenges of Covid-19, it has had a strong year. At the awards, group residential managing director Tim Nutt accepted the award.
“We are delighted to receive the Thames Valley Property Award for Housebuilder of the Year recognising the success of our team, supported by our fantastic contractors and partners in what has been a very challenging year,” he said. “We are committed to creating sustainable, innovative developments that deliver environmental and community value to improve quality of life for people that live and spend time there. “What we have achieved for example at Waterside Quarter in Maidenhead has been pivotal in the regeneration
of the town, creating an attractive and integrated riverside destination for all the community to enjoy.” As well as building new homes, Shanly says it also prioritises making a positive contribution to communities across the Thames Valley. Its Shanly Foundation has contributed more than £25 million to good causes. Its Coronavirus emergency response fund donated almost £185,000 worth of funds to more than 100 local charities and community projects in the Thames Valley and wider area.
LEISURETODAY
Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
Bring an extra plate when you come and hear Mark Thomas’s Christmas special
C
OMEDIAN Mark Thomas is, by his own admission, a little distracted when we talk. He’s busy in his kitchen making a festive treat for his audiences.
“I’m doing the final scoring of my homemade mince pie baklava which the audience get when they come in,” he says. “It’s made with pistachio, almonds, layers of filo pastry, covered in butter individually and then layered up with a vegetarian mince pie filling the middle, all mixed up with orange zest, then put in the oven and cooked for an hour, then finished with a brandy and sugar glaze. “This isn’t a mince pie, it’s an act of love.” You don’t get that at a Jim Davidson gig. Then again, Mark Thomas is not your average comedian. He’s a sublime storyteller with a gift for conveying complex situations in just a few deft strokes. And the sharing of his culinary skills is one part of his new show, An Extra Plate. It’s coming to South Street Arts Centre on Thursday, December 30. He says that he loves Christmas – singles, films, carols, decorations, presents and the food. And he also loves stories. The show features tales such as when his Dad was Santa at the school fair, the Christmas spent alone, the unexpected guests and the broken hearts. But he says the show is also about sharing, celebrating, and finding hope in the darkest times of the year. “What makes Christmas special is the combination of family rituals,” he says. “Every family has their own, a combination of riches unique to families, some common for all of us. “What’s great is that we just take it, we go right, okay, we’re gonna have a good laugh … everything is about being over the top, and going overboard. We’ve had enough of the misery, enough of the winter. “That’s what makes Christmas for me.” And, he adds while washing up the mixing bowl, “it’s about the people about the centre of it. It’s about being with the people that we love. This tradition of sharing and welcoming all are things that press my buttons.” The food is a large part of that. Mark has travelled extensively, meeting people in some of the poorest and deprived parts of the world. One such time was when he stayed in a refugee camp in the Sahara, a shanty town home to 250,000 people since 1974. “People with the least seem willing to share the most,” he says of the hospitality he received, recalling the homes made of tents and mud but full of love. Making a cup of tea was like brewing a coffee but everyone wanted to offer him one. “Once, we walked around the camp early in the morning and this family just invited us in. All they had was flat bread and jam, that was it, but they wanted to share it,” he says.
A similar thing happened to him in Palestine, in a Bedouin village, a shanty town made of corrugated iron, with no running water and no permanent roads, just tracks. “When I’d finished interviews, a family came and sat down on something like a porch, a stoop on a shack like the front of a blues album cover. They sat me down and brought out an art deco cup and saucer to serve coffee. I had to take a photo of it because they were serving their best China to me. “You really get this all over the place. People forget how generous we can be.” He continues: “You have to mount some fierce ideological propaganda to get us to turn against our natural instincts (to help others).” Mark cites lifeboat rescues as an example of communities coming together, putting their own lives at risk to help others in danger. “It’s a brilliant example of how we naturally are as human beings. We do actually go the extra mile, we do care about our communities, we do want to help each other. Those are really great things, they’re not unusual things, they’re common things,” he says. “One of the positives to come out of lockdown is the realisation of how much we need each other … Christmas is an example of tradition, and it gives us a chance to find each other again, to see how we’ve changed. This is a rebellious time; people forget how rebellious Christmas is. You’ve literally had the darkest day of the year, the day with the least sunlight has occurred a couple of days in advance. “It’s the day we decided to have our biggest party, that in itself is a rebellious and wonderful thing.” Mark is looking forward to returning to South Street next week, praising its recent makeover. “It’s one of those venues that really punches above its weight, and I think a lot of people in Reading appreciate it,” he says. “It’s remarkable in what it does, and it’s such a beautiful place. It’s one of my favourite venues.” He’s also aware of its heritage, being Reading’s former job centre. “It’s a gorgeous venue and I’d like to thank that centre for providing me with the means of keeping away from the labour exchange.” He chuckles. But then again, if Mark’s career as a stand-up ever does grind to halt, just one taste of his mince pie baklava and you can tell he could retrain not in cyber, but in cooking. n Mark Thomas: An Extra Plate takes place at South Street Arts Centre on Thursday, December 30 from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £17 or £15 for members. Date, and baklava subject to any change in covid restrictions introduced. For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 960 6060 or log on to www. whatsonreading.com
PHIL CREIGHTON
22.12.21
LEISURE | 21
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Not now apocalypse, A magic night out in Henley with Ben Hart we’re busy
A
MALAWIAN-BORN stand up is going to be busy over the festive season preparing for his new tour.
Daliso Chaponda will be visiting Norden Farm in Maidenhead next year, for the new show Apocalypse Not Now. The comic has performed all over the world, including two previous UK tours and at the Edinburgh, Melbourne, Singapore and Cape Town comedy festivals. He says that the pandemic has felt quite a lot like an apocalypse, who by now should have done a full season at the Edinburgh Fringe, a national tour, and who knows how many more gigs. But he used lockdown to his advantage, gaining new followers online with 200 daily crowdsourced comedy shows. And from his experiences, he has written the new show, which he says is about change not just in the world but also himself. He spent the first two lockdowns totally alone trying not to go crazy. In this show he also talks about his father, who was wrongly accused of a crime, for which he went to trial and was acquitted from. Over a three-year period, when Daliso was in Malawi, he went from golden boy to someone who the locals threw
COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY: Daliso Chaponda is hoping the end of the world can be put off long enough for people to see his new show stones at…. He was condemned by proxy. During that time, he hired a spy, after his father’s office was set on fire, after he realised that his father’s house was bugged – talk about change. He says of the new tour: “Can’t wait to have an actual audience in front of me and make actual people laugh. I am overcapitalising because I’ve been entertaining people on a screen for a year. ACTUAL people. You’ll cry with laughter; I’ll cry with joy. It could get messy.” Daliso shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent 2017, where he reached the final and was Amanda Holden’s Golden Buzzer act.
Last year he performed on The Royal Variety Performance (ITV) with other notable TV appearances under his belt that include three appearances on QI (BBC Two) and is a series regular on the Apprentice You’re Fired (BBC2). His last stand-up show Blah Blah Blacklist received critical acclaim from the Edinburgh Festival and his previous show ‘What The African Said’ sold out a 50 + date UK tour and also received much critical praise. The show will be at Norden Farm on Friday, February 4. n For more details, or to book tickets, call the box office on 01628 788997 or log on to norden.farm
On t saick le ets nO w
the stars of aladdin return Faye EllEn as cinderella
TUNE IN: The Jungle Book is now streaming Picture: Pamela Raith Photography
Beth Bradley as ugly sister Ben Featherstone as Prince charming Paul toulson as ugly sister ‘another christmas cracker of a show’ maidenhead advertiser on aladdin 2019
Fri 26 Nov 2021 — Mon 3 Jan 2022
Wilde theatre, south hill Park, Bracknell RG12 7Pa /southhillparkartscentre
to Book visit southhillpark.org.uk
southhillpark
against the odds and pioneering new magical techniques allowing audiences to be involved from a distance. n He will appear at the Kenton Theatre in Henley on Saturday, March 26. For more details or to book, call 01491 525 050, or log on to: kentontheatre.co.uk
Exorcist and Magic Goes Wrong and Bagdad Cafe at The Old Vic for acclaimed Director Emma Rice. In 2021 Ben created 2 Metre Magic, a show to accommodate social distancing onstage and off and toured the UK extensively continuing to spread amazement
Michael Ayiotis as Buttons
Writer Joyce Branagh Director adam stafford
@southhillpark
SMOKING: Ben Hart is coming to the Kenton Theatre in Henley in March Picture: Matt Crockett www.mattcrockett.com
Enjoy Watermill’s festive show from comfort of own home
A south hill park pAntomime
JacquelinE tatE as Wicked stepmother
A FINALIST from Britain’s Got Talent is looking forward to 2022 he will be visiting Henley’s Kenton Theatre to present his new show Wonder. The multi-award-winning magician is heading back to the stage for an evening of mindblowing and exciting magic. He says the show shines a light on magic, life, the universe and the darkest corners of your imaginations. With the simplest of props, using the objects and minds of the audience, Ben Hart conjures an altogether new kind of magic. Funny, subversive, often dark and always amazing, Ben has established a reputation for always creating wonderfully alternative magic. When he was 16, he was awarded the prestigious Young Magician of the Year award by the Magic Circle and is one of the youngest ever members of The Inner Magic Circle (with gold star) – the highest level of the famous Magic Circle. When not performing magic, Ben invents, writes and directs magic tricks and illusions for TV, theatre and film. His ideas have been performed by some of the top magicians working in the world and he has designed illusions for The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Vic, The Globe, The Hampstead Theatre. He was also the mind behind the acclaimed special effects in the west end productions of The
#shpcinderella
Box offiCe 01344 484123
Berkshire’s Centre for the Arts, Business and Community
Registered charity 265656 Please support the future of the Arts
AS THE nation faces the latest covid measures, a theatre is offering a streaming version of its festive show, ensuring as many people as possible can enjoy the magic of theatre. The Watermill has an on-demand version of its Jungle Book production available until Tuesday, December 28. Filmed live at the Newburybased theatre, it has audio described and subtitled versions, making it accessible for many.
Executive Director Claire Murray said: “School children and families are raving about The Jungle Book’s brilliant songs and beautiful storytelling. “We’re so excited to be able to share the show on demand, so that everyone can now enjoy this festive treat, in their pyjamas if they wish, in the comfort of their own homes.” Tickets to watch The Jungle Book on demand are priced at £15 or £25 for a rental period of three or seven days, Audio described and captioned versions
are also available. The show itself continues until New Year’s Eve, unless covid restrictions change. There are special 5pm Pyjama Performances, so children can attend ‘bed-ready’ on Boxing Day, bank holiday Monday and Tuesday and also on New Year’s Eve. n On-demand passes can be booked online at www.watermill. org.uk/the_jungle_book_vod. n For more details, call the box office on 01635 46044 or log on to www.watermill.org.uk
No. 5393
Your weekly puzzle challenge
22
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
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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
WE’LL REVIVE WET CAR
S H E
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: 36 Good; 43 Very Good; 50 Excellent.
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.
IR
UO
RY
OI
TD
RO
YT
Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
9 3 2 3 4 2 1 7 4 8 9 1 4 8 6 7 8 5 9 6 1 2 6 9 5 8 6 5 2 7 6 8
EA
6 8
1
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B O
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© Sirius Media Services Ltd
4. Was angry when it bubbled up with heat (6)
6. Heard to bend double (7) 7. People in this get plenty of publicity (9)
14. Pet to drink first drop then go back (6)
9. Do these regulations concern public land? (6,3)
16. Gory mess of overindulgence (4)
11. Ross and I can be affected by drowsiness (8)
17. Dealer from Venice? (8) 20. Asterisk by bookish celebrity (8,4)
13. Not such a heavy boat (7) 15. Approached a revolutionary leader in distress (6)
21. Field marshal, perhaps, contains explosive material (7)
18. Behind sailor at the stern of the vessel (5)
22. Place it in the Home Counties (4)
19. Release for nothing (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
2
3
4
5
5
6
7
8 9
10 11
10
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13
16 19
14 20
12
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26
15
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25 22
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This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd. To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
3. The first person in church is a clergyman (8)
5. Shakespearean was one in the past (4)
12. Crude metal left inside hammer (6)
27
28
30
29 24
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34 5 6 8 2 4 7 3 9 1
7 3 4 6 9 1 5 8 2
2 9 1 8 3 5 6 4 7
8 1 7 4 6 3 2 5 9
9 2 3 5 7 8 1 6 4
4 5 6 1 2 9 8 7 3
HARD SUDOKU
Q
19
20
J
3 8 2 9 5 4 7 1 6
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21
1 7 9 3 8 6 4 2 5
6 4 5 7 1 2 9 3 8
P
22
WORD PYRAMID: Double indemnity. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – divide; multiply; subtract; add. Total: 8. MAGIC SQUARE: crew; rave; evil; welt.
C
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B
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SOLUTIONS
13
9. One’s given the runaround in case (8)
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.
LR
2
7
10
8. Limited space for substitute at the altar! (8-4)
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.
7 5
D
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.
1
6
ACROSS DOWN 1. Grip most of the shellfish (4) 2. Going from Honolulu to Naples using this 4. Fashionable port in good airport? (5) order? (7)
EQUALISER 12 3 10 5 4 6 5 7 4 3 6 7
Hard
9 4 3 4
E
AI
SUDOKU Easy
N
EN
RE
5
21
I
HE
SR
NA
4
20
PT
NO
AE
4
10. Deceive the jester (4)
OL
LI
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).
3
19
FIVE ALIVE GP
8
2
10. All members of the dragonfly family have how many wings?
Warhead; 22 Site. NONAGRAM: Down – 2 Luton; 3 Minister; 4 Boiled; 5 Iago; 6 Twofold; 7 egoist; eight; ergo; ergot; ghost; giro; girt; Limelight; 9 Common law; 11 Narcosis; 13 Lighter; 15 Neared; 18 girth; gist; gite; goer; goest; goeth; goitre; Abaft; 19 Free. gore; goriest; gorse; gosh; gosht; goth; gout; griot; grist; grit; grot; grouse; grout; guest; guiro; guise; guiser; gush; gusher; gushier; gust; gustier; gusto; gutsier; huge; huger; hugest; ogre; ogreish; ought; right; RIGHTEOUS; righto; rogue; roguish; rouge; rough; roughest; rugose; shrug; sigh; sight; sighter; sough; sought; stogie; surge; thug; tiger; tough; tougher; toughie; trig; trog; trough; trug; urge. QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Accuracy; 5 Hazy; 9 Recline; 10 Llama; 11 Via; 12 Winnie; 15 Spoon; 17 Drum; 19 Drowse; 22 Tavern; 24 Para; 26 Excel; 27 Whiten; 30 Ira; 32 Isaac; 33 Nullify; 34 Eddy; 35 Pantheon. Down – 1 Awry; 2 Cacti; 3 Reign; 4 Clever; 6 A la mode; 7 Yearning; 8 Plasma; 13 Now; 14 Idea; 16 Adhesive; 18 Utah; 20 Orchard; 21 Splice; 23 Vat; 25 Rwanda; 28 Islet; 29 Exile; 31 Hymn.
K 12 Mallet; 14 Lapdog; 16 Orgy; 17 Merchant; 20 Literary star; 21
FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Blackbeard; 2 Tommy Lee Jones; 3 Harlequin; 4 Tinker Bell; 5 William Shakespeare; 6 Gypsy King; 7 Dua Lipa; 8 Pinchbeck; 9 Brenda Blethyn; 10 Four. (1) Across – Group; Arson; Total. Down – Giant; Onset; Penal. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE Across – 1 Clam; 4 Bristol; 8 Standing-room; 9 Canister; 10 Fool; (2) Across – Pilot; Eyrie; Dryer. Down – Plead; Lorry; Their. 1
E
2
T
3
M
4
Y
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8
12
9. The TV detective Vera is played by which actress?
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 Y through openings in the walls. The T first letter may appear in any chamber. I N
O G R
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
1
11
WORD PYRAMID
U T
1
9
8. Which alloy was named after the 18th century watchmaker who created it as a cheap substitute for gold?
18
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9
7. At the 2021 Brit Awards, who won the British Female Solo Artist category?
17
1
1
24
26
16
8
1
2
15
9
26
14
2
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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
6. World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury goes by what nickname?
N
18
9
1. The 17th century pirate Edward Teach was better known by what name? 2. In the Men in Black comedy sci-fi films, who starred opposite Will Smith? 3. What H is a character in Italian commedia dell’arte and a type of small duck? 4. In J.M. Barrie’s novel Peter Pan, what is the name of the fairy? 5. ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’ is the opening of a sonnet by which writer?
17
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5
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22
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4
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EASY SUDOKU
17
8
14
5 9 4 8 6 3 7 1 2
11
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7
6 1 7 2 9 4 5 3 8
1
22
14
8 2 3 1 5 7 9 4 6
17
11
8
2 6 5 3 1 9 8 7 4
26
12
8
4 8 1 5 7 2 6 9 3
23
17
3 7 9 4 8 6 1 2 5
14
25
1 4 6 9 3 8 2 5 7
1
9 3 8 7 2 5 4 6 1
7
7 5 2 6 4 1 3 8 9
17
PZ1P5393
CROSS CODE 25
5393
31
33
31
35
oneself (5) ACROSS 27. Bleach (6) 1. Correctness (8) 30. --- Gershwin, 5. Misty (4) lyricist (3) 9. Lean back (7) 32. Abraham’s son (5) 10. Pack animal (5) 33. Invalidate (7) 11. By way of (3) 12. ------ the Pooh (6) 34. Whirlpool (4) 15. Item of cutlery (5) 35. Temple to all gods (8) 17. Percussion DOWN instrument (4) 1. Askew (4) 19. Sleep lightly (6) 2. Desert plants (5) 22. Inn (6) 3. Rule (5) 24. Airborne soldier (inf.) (4) 4. Intelligent (6) 26. Distinguish 6. In vogue (1,2,4)
7. 8. 13. 14. 16. 18. 20. 21. 23. 25. 28. 29. 31.
Longing (8) Bodily fluid (6) At present (3) Notion (4) Glue (8) US state (4) Garden of fruit trees (7) Join (6) Large vessel (3) African country (6) Stile (anag.) (5) Banishment (5) Song of praise (4)
O W 6
7
S
8
L
9
I
V
10
F
11
X
12
13
LEISURE | 23
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Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Review: Classic dishes given a contemporary twist at historic pub The Queen’s Oak Church Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4LS
TWIST: Classic pub dishes have been given a modern upgrade at The Queen’s Oak Pictures: Claire Worsfold
C
LASSIC DISHES have been given a contemporary twist at a historic Finchampstead pub.
The Queen’s Oak, formerly known as The White Horse, was re-named after Queen Victoria planted an oak tree opposite the venue. The old building brings a warm welcome, serving up exquisite food with a splendid selection of ales, wines and spirits. Inside, the pub has been refurbished, with the bar surrounded by blooms of hops. Walking through the door, visitors are greeted with a roaring open fire — the perfect way to warm up from the winter weather. The menu has abroad range of dishes, each with a unique twist. It has been curated by landlord Paul Brotherton who trained with Michelin starred chef Raymond Blanc. The restaurant is currently serving its Main Menu, Christmas Menu and a selection of specials. With such variety, it can be difficult to choose. Having placed an order for the family, the first dish to arrive was the panko coated king prawns (£10), with a sweet chilli dip. The serving was plentiful, and prawns perfectly crip. Next came the salt and pepper squid (£4.95), Roquefort blue cheese soufflé (£8.95) and the tuna carpaccio (£11.50). The soufflé was served with a pear and chicory salad and hazelnut dressing. The dish was light and
airy, with well-balanced flavours. The sweetness and bitterness was balanced beautifully in the salad. The carpaccio was served with toasted sesame seeds, with wasabi gently coating the tuna. Also on the plate was a thinly-sliced mouli slaw and crispy wontons, providing a much needed crunch to the fish dish. As dishes were cleared away and main courses began to arrive, diners were once again overjoyed with choice. Guests dined on the thin sirloin steak (£15.96)
with peppercorn sauce and fries. This could be upgraded to parmesan and truffle, or dirty fries for an additional £1.50. The meat was succulent, juicy and tender. One of the specials came next, confit chicken breast with mushroom and chestnut stuffing, creamy leeks with tarragon and fondant potato (£16.95). The presentation was outstanding, with flavours balanced in perfect harmony. Also served up was the pan-fried fillet of sea bass (£17.95), which was accompanied with warm new
potato salad, citrus olives, confit red onions, sun blush tomatoes, crispy fried squid and salsa verde. The extravagant dish surpassed all expectations, which would never tire if ordered again. No doubt guests will return for this dish, which was an explosion of flavour. Fron the children’s menu, a homemade beef burger was dished up with a toasted brioche bun and fries (£8). With diners finding additional space for dessert, two of the pub’s selection were brought to the table. The chocolate delice (£6.95) had a beautiful salted caramel centre, with a burnt white chocolate crumb. And the sticky toffee pudding (£6.95) was an indulgent pudding with its rich toffee sauce, and soft vanilla ice cream. All dishes created throughout the course of the evening were presented beautifully, with a modern twist on pub dining. Lunches are served from noon to 2.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and noon to 5pm on Sundays. Dinner service runs from 6pm to 9pm, Monday to Friday, and starts at 5.50pm on Saturdays.
Claire Worsfold FESTIVE: That Joe Payne Picture: Max Read at The Riverside Hub, Northampton
RaW Sounds Today Chris Hillman
bit.ly/rawsoundstoday
W
E’VE GOT two Christmas songs in this week’s RaW Sounds Today playlist.
These are just a couple of the 10 great tracks in our list, all with connections to the area. You can listen, for free, thanks to our Spotify playlist. The RaW Sounds playlist is a terrific way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and keep dancing. To tune in, simply head to https://bit. ly/rawsoundstoday and get ready to rock. There’s also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap in to. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up. Have a very happy Christmas!
That Joe Payne – O Holy Night Joe played a great headlining set on the Wokingham Music Club Stage at Wokingham Festival a few years ago and since then he has released his excellent ‘By Name.By Nature’ album. He has also just released a new Christmas single and as it’s Christmas week here it is. Get into the spirit with a listen and if you haven’t been to one of Joe’s solo or full band shows yet and experienced his incredible voice in a live
setting it’s well worth making that one of your New Year’s resolutions - https:// www.thatjoepayne.com/
Spriggan Mist – Krampus Here’s a song for the Christmas period with a difference. It’s a song based on the mythical creature who during the Christmas season, traditionally on the night of 5th December, scares children who have misbehaved. Luckily Spriggan Mist are lovely people so don’t be scared, have a listen to this track from their ‘Myths and Legends’ album and their other releases and pop along to their impressive Enchanted Market event in Bracknell in February - https://www.sprigganmist.com/
Damian Carruthers - https://www. facebook.com/rachelredmanmusic
Wille and the Bandits – Solid Ground
Beans on Toast – Humans
Rachel Redman (ft. Damian C Carruthers) – Obvious
Ocean Ruins – Teen Drama
What a great live band this is, as shown by their headlining performance at Wokingham Festival! This is from their new album, ‘When the World Stood Still’ which gets a full January release - https:// www.willeandthebandits.com/
Rachel is a local singer-songwriter who has appeared in our playlist previously and she has just released a new single with talented musician,
Beans has just released his new album ‘Survival of the Friendliest’ and ‘Humans’ is a single from the album. He’s on an extensive UK tour at the moment which included a recent visit to Reading’s Facebar - https://beansontoastmusic. com/ Here’s a melodic alt rock band from Reading who have released a string of singles including this one. If you missed it then, it’s well worth a listen, with its uplifting sing-along chorus - https://www.
facebook.com/OceanRuins
picture-show.com/
Crooked Shapes – Appetite
Valeras – Let Me Go
This three-piece rock band with members from Reading & Wokingham have just released their debut self titled album ‘Crooked Shapes’. This track is their latest single and is one of 9 tracks on the album - https://www. crookedshapes.com/
Reading-based indie rock duo, Valeras, with a single from their four track EP, ‘Tell Me Now’. Following their Sub 89 show they appeared at Wokingham’s Beyond the Download ‘in store’ event on November 27th - https://www.facebook. com/valerasband
Last Picture Show – The Joy and the Wonder
Mordecai Smyth – Sinister Cyclist
Reading-based band, Last Picture Show, are interested in combining visual imagery with their music and that shows with the award winning video they created for this single - http://www.last-
Mordecai’s 2011 album, ‘Sticky Tape and Rust’ on Wokingham based Mega Dodo Records, ‘has been re-issued as a special 10th anniversary 2 CD. Psych pop with clever lyrics - https://www. facebook.com/stickytapeandrust/
24 | SPORT
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
JOHNSON AND TOURAY INSPIRE FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
Reading City FC earned three points with a comeback win over Ascot United Pictures: Steve Smyth By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Combined Counties Premier North READING CITY gave their fans an early Christmas present with three points in their win over Ascot United.
With several games in the football calendar being postponed due to Covid-19, including Reading’s scheduled 150th-anniversary match against Luton Town, the
Cityzens made an exceptional gesture to Royals fans by offering all Reading fans with season tickets and pre-bought tickets to the game, free entry to their match. With an impressive gate of more than 400 fans to watch the match at the Rivermoor, the hosts took advantage of the home support and raced into an early lead. With just five minutes on the clock, Ezio Touray netted to open the scoring. Both teams traded chances,
Reading City put on a performance in front of a large crowd at the Rivermoor
with Joe Pilling going close for Reading when he poked the ball past Ascot goalkeeper Sam Gray but narrowly missed the target. Ascot levelled up the game just after the half-hour mark when Taylor Morgan stroked the ball into the bottom left corner past City goalkeeper Charlie York. Just a few minutes later, Ascot looked to get in front with an audacious effort from the halfway line, but York kept his eye on the ball and punched the ball over the bar.
Ascot made a flying start in the second-half and had overturned the one-goal deficit to get themselves in front when Tom Scott was on hand to rebound the ball into the net after Reading had initially hooked the ball off the line. But the Cityzens hit back just six minutes later when they were awarded a chance to get back on terms from the penalty spot after a handball in the box. City captain Jemel Johnson stepped up to take
responsibility and fired the ball confidently past the keeper. Reading took advantage of the game with the momentum having swung their way, and re-took the lead in the 59th minute when Johnson bagged his second of the match by placing the ball into the far corner. Ezio Touray and substitute Tyler D’Cruz combined with a superb move to work an opening by McCoy headed just wide as the Cityzens searched for a goal to
consolidate the points. Touray then had another opportunity when he got through on goal one-on-one, but he couldn’t convert his chance. But City managed the remainder of the game to take the points. Reading City manager Simon Johnson said: “Great performance to end on before Christmas. “Thanks to Brownlie and Markus Bartely for helping out with a couple of players to get
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
SPORT | 25
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CITY COMEBACK
From the middle
Dick Sawdon Smith
Offences at penalty kicks
A
the game on. Over 400 through the gate as well, amazing support. Thought we were at the Madejski when the third went in.” WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK put in a courageous display but were defeated by league leaders Hanworth Villa. The Sumas defended astutely to keep the table-toppers from taking a first-half lead. Wokingham held out valiantly for more than an hour but were eventually breached when Hanworth got in front in the 67th minute. The hosts doubled their lead with just eight minutes to go to seal the win. The defeat leaves the Sumas in 16th place after 17 matches.
B&B Charles Twelvetree Cup
FINCHAMPSTEAD ended a memorable year for the club by making progress in the cup against Long Wittenham. Finch put four past their opponents to earn a 4-1 victory to book their place in the next round.
Berks & Bucks Women’s Trophy CAVERSHAM UNITED stormed through to the semi-finals after they struck seven past Aylesbury United. Goals from Emma Hopkins and a brace from Stacey Butler gave the Goats a 3-2 half-time lead. Molly Mckeever extended
Caversham’s avantage before a hattrick from Holly Swan saw them safely through to the next round with a resounding 7-2 victory. WARGRAVE also booked their place in the semi-finals after they knocked out Bletchley Shamrocks. A double from Sian Blissett either side of a goal from Isobel Devine-Mcgovern saw Wargrave safely through with a 3-1 triumph.
Thames Valley Women’s Division One TILEHURST PANTHERS suffered a one goal loss away at Carterton. Despite the 1-0 defeat, Tilehurst
remain in second position in the table after 10 matches.
Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA RESERVES smashed eight past Thatcham & Newbury without reply. Ellie Messitt enjoyed a tremendous afternoon in front of goal by scoring five times. Goals from Megan Lawrence, Molly Tzanetis and Amber Hemming added to the score to seal a comprehensive 8-0 victory for the Boars. CAVERSHAM AFC moved up to fourth with a 3-2 win over Goring United.
FOOTBALL
KESTRELS MOVE UP THE TABLE WITH AWAY VICTORY TO END YEAR By MARK ROZZIER sport@wokingham.today
Chalvey Sports 1 Woodley United 2
WOODLEY United completed 2021 by extending their unbeaten run to three games in a match in which they deserved the three points.
The victory moves the Kestrels up two places in the league table to 16th. The sixth minute saw good play by Ciaran Carolan and Jordan Goddard put man of the match Rafa Brandao in on goal for Dennison to
save the forward’s shot. Two minutes later, following a Chalvey free kick a forward got free to beat Ashley East only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. East was called into action when he was forced into a diving save from Michael Croker. United’s good play was rewarded in the 32nd minute when Monterio converted a penalty kick following a foul on Brandao. The second half got off to an explosive start with Brandao fouled in the penalty area and Monterio buried the spot kick in Dennison’s
top right hand corner a minute after the restart. The 52nd minute saw Lucas concede a corner kick, taken by Connor Shingleston which Crocker headed past East to reduce the deficit. This goal galvanised Chalvey as Woodley’s play became erratic and they were forced to defend. The 85th minute saw East concede an indirect free kick which United defended for a corner to be followed shortly afterwards by DeFreitas being dismissed to leave both teams with ten men only
for Chalvey to be reduced to nine players with Max Laschok sinbinned. With Sports pressing for an equaliser, they were vulnerable to the counter attack which saw Dennison deny Archie Swell for a corner and block Monterio when one-on-one to deny the midfielder a hat-trick, shortly before full-time was blown for. Woodley United: East, Gough, Carmichael, Monterio, G Smith, Williams, Lucas (Swell), Goddard, Carolan, DeFreitas, Brandao Subs not used: Reid and R Smith
PENALTY kick should be the simplest affair, after all it’s just two players. The problem for the referee comes when there is an offence committed by the kicker, the goalkeeper, or other players. With many changes to these offences in recent years it can be difficult for even Premier League referees to remember them all. At a recent Premier League match, the referee got it wrong but nobody noticed. From the penalty kick, the ball hit the goalpost rebounding into play but an attacker following up, scored and the referee signalled a goal. It was however clear from the television replay and the VAR who informed the referee, that the attacking player had encroached before the penalty kick was taken. The referee had the kick taken again. The law agrees the goal is disallowed, but says the game should be restarted with an indirect free kick. If the goalkeeper had moved off his goal line before the kick was taken, then it would be correct to retake the penalty kick. However, if the goalkeeper and the kicker commit an offence at the same time, the game restarts with an indirect free-kick to the defending team and the kicker is cautioned. Although feinting to kick the ball is permissible in the run up to take the kick, the kicker must not feint to kick the ball at the end of his run up. It will result in a yellow card and an indirect free kick. Although not spelt out in the Laws, I’m assured by the IFAB that the same penalty applies if the kicker stops at the end of the run up before kicking. Yet I have seen two goals allowed when this happened in Football League matches. A penalty taker can back-heel the ball and score, which I saw in a televised match recently but kicking the ball backwards, away from goal, will result in an indirect free kick to the defending team. There are about 15 offences at penalty kicks plus the regulation introduced in 2019 that crossbars, goal posts and netting must not be moving at the penalty kick. From 2020, goalkeepers who move off the line before the kick is taken, now receive a warning, for their first infringement only, instead of a yellow card, Before inflicting any of these punishments, the referee has to spot the offence. Senior football has neutral qualified assistant referees, and one has the task of watching for the goalkeeper moving off his line and the ball crossing it. This leaves the referee to watch the kicker and for encroachment. At Premier level, VAR is also there to help. At park football however, the referee has to watch all three areas at the same time.
26 | SPORT
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
UNBEATEN RUN ENDS WITH FA WSL CONTI CUP
HOW THEY RATED
LEWES 1 READING 1 GRACE MOLONEY
Made some top draw saves throughout the match to keep Reading in it and performed well in the shootout too.
AMALIE EIKELAND
Unlucky not to have been awarded a goal when her looping cross hit the underside of the bar and looked to have crossed the line.
LILY WOODHAM
Provided a good outlet down the left hand side and held her nerve to strike a good penalty in the shootout that beat the Lewes keeper.
ROBERTS
Helped out in defence adequately, won plenty of duels, but wasn’t able to get forward too effectively when Lewes grew into the contest.
GEMMA EVANS
A dependable performance at the back which saw her make some crucial blocks and tackles, particularly in the second-half.
JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET Would have had a goal of the season contender if her half volley has gone in, but her 35-yard thunderbolt smacked the crossbar.
CHLOE PEPLOW
Had a strong first-half, but was slightly overrun in the second. Unlucky to miss her spot kick that hit the post.
TIA PRIMMER
A rare start for the midfielder who performed well, but wasn’t able to convert her penalty with a tame effort that was parried away.
EMMA HARRIES
Had a couple of sights of goal and forced a decent save at the end of the match and was calm and composed to slot her penalty away.
NATASHA DOWIE
On another night she could have had a hat-trick but was twice denied by marginal offside decisions. Still managed to net Reading’s only goal.
DEANNE ROSE
Hurt the opposition with her blistering pace which opened up some inviting opportunities in the first-half but was quiet in the second.
SUBS Leila Lister 5
8 7 7 BETHAN
6 7 7 6 5 6 8 6
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING WOMEN’s unbeaten run came to an end when they lost in the FA WSL Conti Cup to Lewes Women.
The defeat means that the Royals do not progress from the group stages of the competition. Facing Championship opposition under the lights at the Dripping Pan, Reading came under the cosh early when Lara Miller struck a fierce effort from distance that fizzed over Grace Moloney’s crossbar. The hosts found the net in the tenth minute to take a deserved lead. An initial header was brilliantly kept out at point blank range from Moloney, but Lewes captain Rhian Cleverly was on hand to pounce from close range and poke the ball over the line. The Royals showed attacking impetus to try and rescue a quick equaliser when Deanne Rose showed a clean pair of heels to the Lewes defence, drove down the left wing and delivered a cross to Emma Harries, but she couldn’t convert the cut back which was parried away by the keeper. Reading were then bemused to have not been awarded a leveller when Amalie Eikeland’s intended cross looped up high, bounced off the bottom of the crossbar and appeared to cross the line. But to the bewilderment of the Reading players, staff and fans, the goal was not given despite the appeals. Kelly Chambers’ side didn’t let that decision deter them and they hit back with an equaliser just
Reading forward Emma Harries
Reading goalkeeper Grace Moloney
Amalie Eikeland hooks in a cross
MATCH STATS LEWES: Hartley, Dalton, McKenna, Cleverly, Hack, Cross, Noble, Longhurst, Miller,Logan, Timms SUBS: Plumb, Cousins, Ashworth-Clifford, Hazard, Howells, Umotong, Salgado READING: Moloney, Eikeland, Woodham, Roberts, Evans, Vanhaevermaet, Peplow, Primmer, Harries, Dowie, Rose SUBS: Lister, Stewart, MacDonald, Meadows Tuson
Reading watch on in the penalty shootout
Wild,
GOALS: Cleverly 10’, Dowie 16’
moments later. Eikeland met Lily Woodham’s corner at the front post, nodded the ball onto the post and Natasha Dowie was there to prod the ball over the line. Molomey made a fine stop to keep the scores level as she clawed a goal bound shot away from her near post. Reading thought they had edged in front when latched onto a looped ball into the box and finished from close range, but her celebrations
Reading were eliminated from th were cut short when she was flagged offside. Another marginal decision went against Reading when Dowie got onto the end of Rose’s volley and put the ball in the net, but again she was called offside. The crossbar then came to the rescue of the home side when Justine Vanhaeevermaet unleashed a thunderous effort on the volley from 35 yards out that crashed against the frame of the goal. The second-half saw the hosts
PREVIEW
ROYALS FACE STRUGGLING POSH IN FESTIVE CLASH READING hope to return to action on Boxing Day with an away fixture at struggling Peterborough United.
Last weekend saw the postponement of what would have been Reading’s 150th-anniversary celebrations with a home fixture against Luton Town. However, they were one of several football fixtures that were suspended due to the recent spread of covid-19. Peterborough were one of the only teams not to fall victim to cancellation and were in action against Blackpool Town last Saturday. Darren Ferguson’s team went in front at Bloomfield Road after 11 minutes through Siriki Dembele.
Keshi Anderson had Blackpool back on terms before the break and the Tangerines stole the points with a late flurry when Sonny Carey notched in the 86th minute, before Jerry Yates ensured the points went the way of the hosts with a third in the 90th minute. The defeat leaves Peterborough in a precarious position in the relegation zone on 19 points from 23 matches. They have lost more games than any other team in the Championship (14), and also have the leakiest defence in the entire league having conceded 44. They haven’t had too much firepower up front either, managing to net just 20 goals in their 23 matches.
Meanwhile, Reading sit just one place and two points above the Posh in the standings, with their six-point deduction to account for. The Royals have a better attacking and defensive record than their opponents having scored seven more and they’ve conceded 10 less from one game fewer. Peterborough managed to gain promotion to the Championship last season after an impressive campaign that saw
them finish as runners-up on 87 points, with 26 wins, nine draws, and 11 defeats. Reading met Peterborough earlier in the campaign, in September, and ran out with the points at the SCL. The Royals netted a quickfire double through John Swift and Tom Dele-Bashiru just after an hour to take a two-goal lead. The visitors replied through Nathan Thompson but Dele-Bashiru netted his second to wrap up a 3-2 win in the 88th minute.
SPORT | 27
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SHOOTOUT DEFEAT
From the Tilehurst End Olly Allen Woodham beats her marker
Reading face vital six pointer
R Woodham strides forward
Roberts
Deanne Rose fires in a cross into the middle Eikeland gets forward
he Conti Cup by Lewes Pictures: Neil Graham
Justine Vanhaevermaet
create some strong opportunities, the first of which tested the gloves of Moloney who turned the shot past her post. The teams cancelled each other out for much of the second-half with some organised defending, before Lewes came inches away from snatching a winner in the final minutes of the game. Heidi Logan cut onto her right foot and sent a fierce curling effort over the head of Moloney, but to the goalkeeper’s relief it bounced back out off the bar. With the teams level at the end of 90 minutes, the game had to be decided from the penalty spot. Chloe Peplow stepped up first for Lily Woodham converts her spot kick
Reading and saw her effort tipped onto the post. Lewes converted their first spot kick before Dowie sent her effort low past the keeper. The hosts then smacked the crossbar from their next kick with the teams level at 1-1 after two kicks each. Harries and Vanhaevermaet both successfully converted but were matched by Lewes. Woodham and Eikeland then kept the scoring run going, but
Lewes again held their nerve to send the shootout into sudden death at 5-5. Tia Primmer had her effort stopped by Hartley but Nicola Cousins was denied the chance to win the match for Lewes when Moloney saved. Leila Lister sent her penalty over the bar for Reading and Ellie Hack scored to give Lewes the win. The Royals exit the competition after finishing group D with four points.
READING FC
ROYALS KEEPER SET FOR JANUARY EXIT READING FC goalkeeper Rafael Cabral is poised for a January exit according to reports.
The Brazilian shot stopper has reportedly been told that he is free to leave the Royals in the upcoming transfer window to help resolve the club’s financial situation. Reading have already been deducted six points in the Championship this season for breaching profit and sustainability rules, and are therefore looking to offload players in accordance with
the business plan they agreed to with the EFL to try and resolve their situation. Rafael joined the Berkshire club on a free transfer in the summer of 2019 from Sampdoria and consolidated his place as the first-team goalkeeper since his arrival. He has gone on to make 89 league appearances for the club and was awarded as Reading’s player of the season for the 2019/20 campaign. He began the current season as the first choice keeper,
but has since lost his place to academy graduate Luke Southwood after the Brazilian initially lost his spot after suffering a hand injury. Veljko Paunovic has opted to stick with Southwood despite Rafael’s quick recovery from injury after several impressive displays. Speaking to international outlet Ge Globa, Rafael said: “The club is excellent,but unfortunately right now it’s having this fair play problem where we’ve already lost
six points. “The club has to achieve some goals with player sales, revenue and payroll reduction so that there are no more punishments as far as we know. “So really anything can happen, but I repeat, the club is great.” Rafael’s contract is set to expire in the summer which would see him leave the club as a free agent but there is an expectation that the Royals will look to offload him next month if possible.
EADING travel to Peterborough United on Boxing Day in what could be argued is an early relegation six-pointer. After all, only two points currently separate the Royals, hovering above the bottom three, and Posh, who occupy the final relegation spot, having played one game more. It’s a bit of a strange situation to be in because there has been no real discussion of a relegation battle this year. To use a cliché, perhaps we are sleepwalking towards the drop? Of course the elephant in the room is that our position in the table has been heavily impacted by the six-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules. Add those six points back on to Reading’s tally and we would be 17th – equidistant points-wise between the playoffs and the bottom three. I’ve had friends ask me whether I think Reading will survive this season and I’ve sort of laughed it off and said ‘of course’. But is this naïve? Just by looking at the table, by definition we are in a relegation battle. Just seeing your name underneath the dotted line can be deflating, how would the players cope with that? That is ultimately what this comes down to: whether Reading have enough to get themselves out of trouble. The Royals are a streaky team under Veljko Paunovic, who are capable of promotion form (five wins in six in September and October) but also relegation form (one win in six in two separate periods this season). Over the last six games results have levelled and we have taken 11 points from a possible 18 (two wins, two draws, two defeats), which puts us 11th in the form table. There is quality in the squad, certainly more than there is at Peterborough and Hull for example. When individuals return from injury we will look much stronger indeed. We are also helped by the fact that Derby are pretty much already down and Barnsley look in deep trouble too; it could be the case where there is only one relegation spot left. Fans, and crucially players, probably do need to wise up to the fact that a battle to stay in the division is happening. Blindly turning away from that reality might end up doing more harm than good.
Reading celebrate a goal Picture: Steve Smyth
28 | SPORT
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MOTORSPORT
KARTING STAR SETS SIGHTS ON BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, December 22, 2021
GOLF
MARY TAKES CROWN IN LADIES CHAMPIONSHIP
KARTING racer Maciek Hamera says he has been able to excel in a challenging 2021 despite covid restrictions during the racing season.
The season began in March, where Maciek visited a European circuit for the first time in first round of the Rotax Max European Trophy in Belgium. Competing against the top drivers from around the globe, he qualified third on his European debut. Unfortunately, a bad batch of wet weather tires reduced his ability to challenge for the win. “That race in Belgium was incredible,” said Maciek. “When I came back to the team after qualifying, everybody was clapping for me. “The mechanics, the driver coaches, the team owner, everybody. They had never seen a performance like it for a new driver at the circuit.” Due to Covid restrictions, Maciek could only contend races in the UK for the rest of 2021. However, he was still able to race in the British Kart Championship and the Ultimate Karting Championship, the two most prestigious championships in the UK. He finished seventh in the UKC, coming close to grabbing a podium place at times. He then scored top-five finishes at Larkhall in Scotland, GYG in Wales, and Shenington in Banbury. Maciek continued: “I consider the UKC this year a success, had we been in a slightly different place at a slightly different time we could have finished higher however the speed of my kart was incredible. “Everything is coming together
Maciek on the track Picture: Kartpix IT was a cold winter’s day, when Theale Golf Club ladies set out to challenge for 2021 Club- Ladies Championship.
Races have been confined to the UK due to covid Picture: Stu Stretton Photography
RESULTS
Saturday, December 18
Sky Bet Championship Reading P-P Luton Town
Maciek Hamera behind the wheel Picture: Hellofoto Motorsport Photography now, I have the speed and the experience. “That’s why I will be pushing to become the British karting champion next season. “Sponsorship is the name of the game in car racing now more than ever. I’ve tried extensively this year with all sorts of benefits for companies but unfortunately few
Maciek is looking forward to next year’s challenges Picture: Hellofoto Motorsport Photography
have come forward.” The hard work that was put in paid off and next year it will be maximum attack.” The British Kart Championship turned out to be a frustrating event, with DNFs being caused by unreliability but he remains hopeful of finishing in the top three in the competitions next year.
In the meantime, he has taken up an interest in motorsport journalism on two websites; Downforce Radio and the Virtual Racing Association. He continued: “I love being a motorsport journalist, it allows me to share the emotions I myself feel as a racing driver and explain what really goes on behind the scenes.”
BASKETBALL
ROCKETS MISS OPPORTUNITY AGAINST DEPLETED THUNDER By Staff Writer sport@wokingham.today THE Rockets’ went down to defeat at home to Worthing Thunder in their final match of the year.
Worthing turned up to Rivermead with only six eligible players due to Covid, giving the Rockets a great opportunity to take down one of the top sides in the league. Despite the numerical advantage, an energetic performance by the Thunder saw them emerge unlikely victors on the night by 92-82 as the Rockets failed to capitalise on their greater depth on a disappointing evening for Coach Pearson’s men. The Thunder came out firing,
Fortunately, the weather didn’t worsen, and the game was warmed up with some close scoring. However, Mary Pett turned out a clear winner of the Stableford contest with 35 points. Liz RoystonSmith and Wendy Davies were level at the end of their 18 holes both with 31 points, so it required a countback to decide who was runner-up. That honour went to Liz with Wendy taking third place.
draining a trio of triples in the opening four minutes to open up a 13-4 lead early. An early Reis Pinnock dunk got the Rockets going, and they continued to score inside through Meshack Lufile and Ben Dixon to reduce the deficit to four points. The second quarter opened with a slick underhand scoop pass from Reis Pinnock which split the defense and gave Lufile an easy bucket inside, showcasing the Rockets’ offensive capabilities which had been largely absent in the first period. Cartaino followed this up with a baseline jumper after breezing by a closeout and another midrange make, but his efforts
were matched by Worthing’s Jarred Dixon who tallied five points of his own in the opening exchanges. The Rockets went into the break down 50-31, with a lot of ground to make up in the second half. Taylor’s tough shotmaking was on display halfway through the period, where his turnaround midrange shot extended the lead to a commanding 23 points. Dixon scored a game-high 31 on 52% from the field while playing every second of the game, and his supporting cast all pitched in with big moments of their own. Zaire Taylor’s 23 points came with six assists and four steals in a balanced showing which also
saw him cleverly get to the line for nine free throws, allowing him to generate offense while also giving himself and his teammates more opportunity for rest during the game. The Rockets rallied well behind Cartaino, who finished with 23 points, and Lufile, who had 25, but their late heroics were not enough after a poor first quarter. Their offense showed flickers of the intelligent passing and dynamic drives which propelled many of their victories this year, but they failed to establish any offensive consistency and turned the ball over 20 times to Worthing’s nine and the match ended with a sense of a missed opportunity for Rockets.
Isthmian South Central Guernsey P-P Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Reading City 3-2 Ascot United Hanworth Villa 2-0 Sumas Combined Counties Division One Berks County P-P Bagshot Chalvey Sports 1-2 Woodley United Eversley & California P-P London Lions B&B Charles Twelvetree Cup Long Wittenham Athletic 1-4 Finchampstead RUGBY UNION South West 1 East Bracknell v Windsor
Sunday, December 19 Women’s Super League Manchester City P-P Reading Cup Aylesbury United 2-7 Caversham United Wargrave 3-1 Bletchley Shamrocks Thames Valley Women’s Division One Carterton 1-0 Tilehurst Panthers Thames Valley Division 3S Caversham AFC 3-2 Goring United Eversley & California Reserves
8-0 Thatcham & Newbury Newbury Development 2-5 Wargrave Development Wallingford AFC 1-3 S4K Berks County Reading & District Cup Burghfield 2-3 FC Bentons
FIXTURES
Covid restrictions may see games called off at short notice. Check before travelling Sunday, December 26 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Peterborough v Reading
Monday, December 27
FOOTBALL Isthmian South Central Bracknell Town v Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Ascot United v Sumas Reading City v Tadley Calleva Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Sandhurst Town AFC Aldermaston v Eversley & California
Wednesday, December 29
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading v Fulham
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
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MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE READING SPORT TEAM READING EDITION
22.12.21
KESTRELS END YEAR RACING STAR ON A HIGH TARGETS THE TOP
ROYALS OUT ON PENALTIES
PACKED CROWD FOR BIG WIN
ROCKETS FALL SHORT IN SEMIS
CITYZENS SOAR
JOHNSON DOUBLE SEES CITY COMEBACK By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today A BUMPER crowd watched Reading City take maximum points in an enthralling battle against Ascot United.
In the absence of Championship football at the Select Car Leasing Stadium due to covid, City came up with an initiative to encourage Royals fans to turn out to support their local grassroots club. Reading City offered free entry at
the Rivermoor to anyone that had purchased a ticket for the match against Luton Town, which was due to celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary before it was postponed due to covid. More than 400 spectators came through the gate to watch the Cityzens in their Combined Counties Premier North clash against Ascot. There was plenty of action to keep the crowd entertained, and it was Reading who opened the
scoring with just five minutes gone, thanks to Ezio Touray. The visitors scored just after the half-hour mark which ensured that the teams went into half-time break deadlocked at 1-1. The away team started strongly and scored within three minutes of the restart to take the lead. The Cityzens repsonded quickly when club captain Jemel Johnson squared the game by tucking away his penalty in the 54th minute. Reading then completed the
turnaround when Johnson grabbed his second of the game, which proved to be the final goal of the contest, meaning that City took three points. The win puts Reading up to 12th in the table with 21 points from 18 matches. They are back in action at the Rivermoor on Monday, December 27 in league action against 17th placed Tadley Calleva in their final match of the calendar year.
n Full football round-up on page 24
Having won the tip Meshack Lufile opened Rockets account and Tyler Cartaino opened his personal account on way to a double at half time. Rockets enjoyed a 16- 5 early lead so Newcastle took a time out and ended the quarter with a 9-2 run to leave Rockets with a slender advantage of 25-23. As one of Newcastle’s key players suffered a nose bleed right at the end of the first quarter, the start of the second period was delayed by over 12 minutes waiting for court to be cleaned. This disrupted the momentum, but Rockets remained focused with a 11-3 run where they enjoyed a 36-27 lead. They took a similar advantage to the dressing room at half time thanks to a buzzer beating wide treble from Dixon at 56-43. Sam Toluwase increased Rockets’ lead with the opening possession of quarter three before the first of a barrage of trebles from Newcastle including three back to back as they found their outstanding shooting ability. Cartaino and Meshack Lufile stopped the rot and though Newcastle finished the period with a brace of trebles, Rockets went into the final quarter still 71-66 ahead. Cartaino struck a treble and Lufile a score giving Rockets a 78-68 lead inside the opening three minutes. Newcastle drained trebles from all around the arc with four in a row to level the game on 82. Toluwase edged Rockets ahead again but another Newcastle treble edged Newcastle in front with 38.5 secs left but Rockets had possession. Newcastle capitalised with a four point lead which Rockets couldn’t counter in the remaining 18 seconds.
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READING Rockets suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the semi-finals of the LLynch Trophy to Newcastle in a tense cup encounter.