AMAZING RESCUE TAKES FLIGHT

ANIMAL RESCUE Owl’s that for a lucky escape

SAFE: Luna the Tawny owl Picture: Tina Cleary Photography HELP: Carly hand feeding Luna the owl

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today

A TAWNY Owl has been rescued from a stretch of the River Thames near Reading.

The owl, nicknamed Luna, was found entangled in a discarded fishing line and suspended from a tree over the icy river at Mapledurham Lock in Purley-onThames.

Photographer, Tina Cleary, noticed the bird when on a family walk and knew she needed to act quickly to save the owl from any further distress.

Ms Cleary said: “We were walking along the river and to our surprise spotted something dangling from the tree, when we got closer we saw Luna in a bit of a mess.

“Fortunately, we managed to retrieve her using a net and, with some help from other walkers, could untie her but she was clearly in shock and couldn’t fly.”

After recovering the owl, Ms Cleary contacted Carly Åhlén of Gabo Wildlife, a self-funded foundation focussed on rehabilitating injured animals such as owls, birds of prey and swans.

Miss Åhlén made the two-hour journey from Kent to collect Luna and diagnosed an injury to the bird’s right-wing.

Tawny owls pair off from oneyear-old and usually remain in a monogamous relationship for life in an established territory so it was imperative Luna made a swift recovery and was returned to the same location she was rescued.

After two-weeks of rehabilitation Luna received the green-light to return home and, after some preflight checks, made the journey back to Berkshire.

Miss Åhlén invited Ms Cleary and her family along to witness the release which took place on the evening of Friday, January 21.

“Luna has warmed all our hearts

Man assaulted with ‘knife’ in GBH as he left Reading branch of Nando’s

and it was really lovely to see her back where she belongs,” said Ms Cleary

Miss Åhlén added: “She flew nice and strong, after disappearing into the tree line for a few moments to focus she then took flight across the river – she looked wonderful.”

On this occasion Luna made a full recovery but Miss Åhlén was keen to stress not all animals get such a lucky escape.

“I urge all anglers to please take home broken fishing lines, snags and weights, you will be helping to prevent the deaths of hundreds of birds and our valuable wildlife too,” she said.

NHS dental care unavailable to many across Reading

DENTISTS across Reading are not accepting new NHS patients.

Of the 14 local surgeries contacted, none would accept new NHS clients but 13 out of 14 were still seeing private patients.

Research by Healthwatch Reading also confirmed that only Friar Street Dental Practice in the town centre would see a person with an emergency dental problem as a one-off.

Mandeep Kaur Bains, Healthwatch Reading chief executive, said: “Every day we are contacted by Reading people frustrated about not being able to see an NHS dentist.”

Many people across Reading are unaware that NHS dentists are not obliged to keep seeing you, especially if you haven’t gone for regular checkups in the past.

With 12 of the surgeries unable to confirm when they would start accepting NHS patients, Ms Kaur Bains is worried people will be unable to get the treatment they need.

She explained: “Many local people are struggling with the high costs of living and tell us they can’t afford to go private.

“While we understand the pandemic has hit dentistry hard, we’re concerned that people with the most urgent and painful problems are struggling to get timely help.”

NHS England has announced £50 million in a bid to alleviate the backlog of patients with the south-east set to receive more than £6 million of funding.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: “Dental practices are still operating at below 100% capacity due to the safety requirements supporting delivery of care.

“This does mean practices are still having to prioritise patients with a particular focus on urgent treatment.”

Whilst NHS England acknowledge access to care is a nationwide issue they are hopeful the funding will allow dental surgeries to offer additional hours to treat patients with an urgent need in the period up to the end of March.

The spokesperson continued: “We are in the process of approaching practices to see if they wish to take part in this scheme.

“We hope that this will help to alleviate the pressure over the few months and we believe there are plans to increase capacity from the start of April, but this remains under review.”

A MAN who was assaulted by an attacker brandishing a ‘bladed article’ in Reading on Friday night was taken to hospital for treatment.

Thames Valley Police said they are treating it as assault occasioning GBH.

The incident took place around 10.10pm on Friday, January 28, at Reading Gate Retail Park.

A man got out of the passenger seat of a white van, approaching a man as he came out of the branch of Nando’s.

The victim, a man in his 30s, was attacked, leaving him with cuts to the face and head. He was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, but has since been discharged.

The attacker got back into the van, which is thought to have black roof bars.

He is described as quite tall and wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a dark top.

Police believe he used a bladed article that could have been a knife in the attack.

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

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

“I would be particularly keen to hear from anybody who was driving in the area or parked in the carpark and may have dash-cam footage, or who witnessed the offender getting into or out of the white van.

“Anyone with information should call us on 101 or make a report online, quoting reference number 43220042150.

“Or you can report information completely anonymously by calling the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”

Paedophile pensioner awaits jail sentence

By STAFF REPORTER news@rdg.today

A PAEDOPHILE pensioner has been found guilty of sexual abuse and will be sentenced next month.

David Moyle, 78, appeared at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, January 13.

A unanimous jury found him guilty of two counts of rape, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual activity with a child.

The offences happened between May 2004 and November 2009, in Harrow and Hayes.

Moyle was charged on August 2, 2019, and will be sentenced on Wednesday, March 9.

Moyle is already serving a prison sentence of six years for sex offences that he was convicted of in 2019, that took place in Aylesbury.

Whilst investigating Moyle for the offences that took place in Aylesbury, the Thames Valley Police Child Abuse Investigation Unit made a connection between Moyle and the offences that took place in Harrow and Hayes, and resumed an investigation which had been started by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Investigating officer DC Collette Parker, part of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit based at Aylesbury police station, said: “The horrific manipulation and abuse perpetrated by Moyle has had a significant impact on the victim’s life.

“I would like to thank the victim who has shown great courage, persistence and determination having persevered with the allegation and in her support for the police investigation.

“It has been an extremely traumatic time for her and I hope the unanimous guilty verdicts bring her some closure.

“I would also like to thank prosecuting counsel Ian Hope for his work in securing this conviction.”

DC Parker added: “This sentence reflects the hard work carried out by the Child Abuse Investigation Unit.

“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of childhood sexual abuse to report it to the police.

“We always take allegations of this nature seriously, regardless of how much time has passed and a full investigation will take place.

“Wherever there is sufficient evidence we will seek to bring offenders to justice.”

JURY: Reading Crown Court Picture: Wokingham Today

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CELEBRATION: The Sport in Mind cheque presentation. Reading Buses has raised £4,000 for the charity Picture: Phil Creighton Mental health charity receives £4,000 from Reading Buses

THE POPE is famous for kissing the tarmac when he lands after a flight, but the founder of a Readingbased charity was happier giving a smacker to his favourite bus.

Last Thursday, Sport In Mind’s Neil Harris visited the Reading Buses depot in Great Knollys Street to make a dream come true: he was face-toface with his favourite form of transport.

Chosen by the transport company as its good cause of the year, last Thursday its chief executive Robert Williams was presenting Neil with a cheque for £4,000, raised during a year of pandemic restrictions.

Part of the support from the firm is to create an advertising wraparound across a whole bus, which then spends the year riding around Reading.

And this, Mr Harris said, was invaluable.

“The distinctive sign written bus has significantly increased our profile and the money raised is making a difference to local people’s lives,” he said.

Sport In Mind is a mental health charity that delivers physical activities including walking, dance, gardening and exercise, to help promote mental wellbeing.

The money was welcomed by Mr Harris.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic,” he said. “It’s been really challenging for everyone during these difficult times.

“One of the biggest fundraisers is Reading Buses’ annual open day, but for the past two years they’ve not been able to hold it because of covid. So the fact they’ve raised £4,000 without doing that is just amazing.”

He said that it would make a huge difference to the charity, which has seen an increased demand with lockdowns.

“More people have been struggling mentally,” he said. “We will be able to set up some additional sessions to cater for the needs of those who need it, not just as a result of covid, but generally. So this donation is absolutely brilliant for us.”

The decorated bus has helped the charity reach people who had never heard of Sport In Mind before, and Mr Harris said that people had seen it on the streets and then got in touch asking for support.

“About 30 or 40 people contacted us and sought help as a result, and they wouldn’t have known about us otherwise,” he said. “That’s lovely from our point of view.”

He is so fond of the bus, that he wished he could keep it, not least as it would help with their ongoing fundraising efforts.

And he was very keen to thank Reading Buses for their support over the past couple of years.

“A massive thank you for all the help they’ve offered,” he said. “Crucially, it’s been about connecting with all those people that are struggling mentally and have learned about our charity, thanks to seeing the bus go past. That’s an amazing story from our point of view.” Mr Williams said that Reading Buses had been delighted to help. “While it has been a tough year for both ourselves and the charity we are thrilled that our customers and employees have been able to help contribute a significant amount of money to the charity,” he said. “It’s not just about the money; Sport in Mind have benefited from the charity bus roaming around the local area as well as on-board bus screens and various other activity from the company which we hope has raised their profile even higher than it was before. “We definitely wish them all the best in the future.” The presentation of the cheque, at Reading Buses Great Knollys Street depot, was attended by a number of the company’s employees whose efforts had contributed to the success of the year. And the company hopes to announce the return of its annual open day in the near future. n For more details, log on to www.sportinmind.org Fire Authority consults on changing Automatic Fire Alarm response

THE FIRE service is consulting on how it should respond to Automatic Fire Alarms.

The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is called out to an average of 2,200 Automatic Fire Alarms each year, but it said that 99% of these are false alarms.

The service is now asking residents how they should respond to these in lower risk, occupied buildings.

There will be no changes to higher risk buildings such as care homes, hotels, student accommodation and high-rise buildings, where firefighters will be sent immediately.

Chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, Cllr Colin Dudley, said: “We are asking you to consider the two options as part of this public consultation, one which reflects a change to our current policy to help reduce the burden of false alarms and one in which our current policy remains the same.

“No decisions have been made and your feedback will be vital for the decision-making process.”

Cllr Dexter Smith, community risk management plan lead, said that changing the response could save up to 1,300 hours of firefighter time each year.

The consultation ends on Monday, March 28.

The chosen option will be implemented in the summer. n To take part, visit: www.rbfrs. co.uk/your-service/managingrisk/consultation/currentconsultations

More homes, fewer one-beds council asks developers

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today

READING Borough Council has called on developers to build the homes Reading needs.

Despite surpassing their target for new homes in the borough, council leaders have asked developers to focus on building family-sized homes to meet demand.

Government data shows 2,080 homes have been built in Reading over the last three years, against an initial target of 1,598.

However, Cllr Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council leader, is concerned the town’s requirements are not being met and has asked developers to “do the right thing.”

He said: “There will always be demand for small onebedroom flats in a major employment hub like Reading, but the biggest demand we have is for family homes.

“Over the last three years, 43% of new homes built in Reading are one bedroom, but Reading needs more than 50% of its new homes to be of three or more bedrooms, and that demand is not being met by developers.”

Figures published in the government’s Housing Delivery Test show that 51 of 320 local planning authorities failed to deliver at least 75% of the homes needed in their area over the past three years, whereas Reading delivered 130% of its target.

Cllr Tony Page, lead councillor for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: “For a number of years the trend by developers has been to submit applications for small one bedroom flats in Reading.

“While this allows the Council to show up well on rudimentary government spreadsheets, these are generally developments which are not meeting Reading’s core housing needs.”

Reading Borough Council also believe the town is falling short of its needs for affordable housing of more than 400 homes per year.

Cllr Page said: “The council, of course, is not in control of the type of applications we receive from developers and under planning laws good planning reasons are required for refusal.”

He continued: “These latest housing figures show we maintain that control of developments in Reading to an extent.

“Although, we know the widespread use of permitted development rights (allowing changes of use from offices to residential without full planning approvals) in Reading have cost us a lot with the loss of more than 500 affordable homes since 2013.”

NEW HOMES PLEASE:

Reading needs family housing rather than more flats Picture: Reading Borough Council MAKING A POINT: Members of Extinction Rebellion hold their banner before placing it on bridges over the M4 in Shinfield on Saturday Picture: Steve Smyth Climate protesters take to bridges for anti-road building message

A CAMPAIGN aimed at tackling the climate emergency has returned with a message to motorists.

Members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) erected banners over the M4 at Shinfield on Saturday.

They are placed on bridges to raise awareness of their campaign against the Government’s roadbuilding plans, which they say are inconsistent with tackling climate change, and air pollution caused mostly by road traffic is responsible for an estimated 36,000 premature deaths per year.

XR argues that the Government’s Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2) will cost £27.4 billion up to 2025, and the Transport Action Network (TAN) found that National Highways estimates the extra traffic will lead to almost 33 million tonnes of extra carbon emissions.

The group say they would like to see encouragement for more bus services, and called on people who agree with them to share their concerns with their MP, or the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps. n The Reading area Extinction Rebellion group can be found online at https://www.facebook. com/groups/XRRdg

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THE REMOVAL of plan B measures means that face coverings are no longer be compulsory on Reading Buses.

But the company is encouraging customers to wear a face covering on busy journeys.

“We shall continue to rely on the goodwill of customers to be respectful to each other as face coverings become a personal choice for each traveller,” said Reading Buses chief executive officer, Robert Williams.

He also reassured people that it will continue to be safe to travel by bus.

“Our buses are clean and safe and we encourage customers to open windows to provide extra ventilation,” he said.

“It is worth remembering that there is usually plenty of space upstairs on double decker buses.

“The physical separation of the driver will continue to be in place, with a perspex screen between the driver and customers.

Mr Williams said that more people are now using buses to head to their offices rather than work from home and added: “Government funding to keep services running during the pandemic is being phased out so we look forward to welcoming our customers back soon.” IN THE ROUND: The Atrium at Greyfriars Church offers a listening ear and comfy seats Pictures: Diocese of Oxford

The new centre is a significant upgrade on the previous cafe facilities

There is also a Christian bookshop, the only one in Reading town centre

A NEW coffee shop, bookshop and community space has opened in a Reading town centre church, writes Daniel Blackham.

The open-plan space, called The Atrium, forms the new main entrance to Greyfriars Church, one of the oldest places of worship in the borough.

It houses a gallery displaying work by local artists and what is now the only Christian book shop in the area.

The Revd David Walker, associate vicar at Greyfriars, said: “This project has been 20 years in the making so we are delighted that The Atrium is complete. It offers a light, transparent and welcoming space for everyone in the community.”

He continued: “The entrance is carefully designed to reflect God’s welcome to the world and the light coming out of the building reflects our vision for the space.”

One of the key elements to the new space is offering support to people from across the community.

Mr Walker explained: “We have exciting plans to use The Atrium as a way of building bridges for people from all walks of life to be welcomed in the Kingdom of God.

“This includes being a welcome space for local refugees and the homeless, supporting those visiting the JobCentre across the road and partnering with local Christian charities to provide office space.”

Greyfriars is one of four ‘resourcing hubs’ in the Diocese of Oxford and it is hoped The Atrium will complement the church’s wider plans.

“We have a vision to grow the missional life of the wider church by resourcing congregation plants with people to preach and lead services, support for children and youth ministry, and growing the Kingdom of God beyond the walls of Greyfriars,” Mr Walker said.

The redevelopment has been funded by a series of grants from trusts, the national church, generous donations from the congregation, and a grant from the Diocesan Development Fund.

Opening of the Atrium marks the end of phase one of a two-part project, with the refurbishment and expansion of the existing church centre expected to be completed in 2023. n For more information, please visit greyfriars.org.uk/redevelopment

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By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

JUST when you thought it was safe to go into Reading town centre … a sharp-suited shark strutted his stuff in the street on Friday.

Sid The Shark danced, highfived, waved and kept a two metre distance from people in a bid to raise awareness of loan sharks.

This cuddly creation was a member of the Trading Standards team who took to Broad Street to hand out leaflet sharing information designed to help anyone affected by the unscrupulous money lenders.

Loan sharks are people who offer cash loans with large amounts of interest, without paperwork. In some cases, they threaten people if payments are not made, making the loanee scared of others finding out. They might also take bank and benefit cards, passports or valuables such as a watch.

Tessa Brunsden, from Reading Borough Council’s Trading Standards Team, said: “There are 310,000 households in the UK borrowing from loan sharks, so it’s really important we raise awareness of how to identify them, how people can get help, and also to look for some of the ways they’ll try to trick people to pull them into a debt cycle.”

Using a cuddly character like Sid acts as an ice-breaker for the team.

“People are asking questions of why he’s here, and what we’re doing, we can follow up and give them the information and leaflets with the contact details. Sid is a good way to start a conversation and get people talking to us,” Ms Brunsden said.

“Anyone affected can contact Stop The Loan Sharks, these calls are confidential. They will take people through every step of the process.

“The hardest part might be making that phone call, but once it’s made, they will be helped, taking them through all those difficult steps and help them get out of that debt cycle.” n For more details, call: 0300 555 2222, or log on to www. stoploansharks.co.uk. Text messages can be sent to: 07860022116.

STREETS AHEAD: Sid The Shark in Reading on Friday Picture: Phil Creighton