Reading Today FIRST ISSUE October 20, 2021

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

HELLO READING!

RISING SUN’S APPEAL IS FRESH AIR

Welcome to your new newspaper

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today THE FUTURE’s looking bright for a Reading arts venue thanks to generous supporters.

The Rising Sun, on Silver Street, launched a fundraiser so it can make improvements to its main performance space.

With a goal of £10,000, it is nearly halfway there, having raised more than £4,800 so far.

The proceeds will go towards new ventilation enabling it to offer more shows in future.

And a PA and lighting system is also on the cards to improve the quality of concerts and events.

Manager Larry Watson said he has already received a lot of support.

“We are well on the way,” he said.

“Everyone is very relieved to have come this far in such a short time as the timescale for raising the money was very tight.”

Mr Watson added that the arts venue is constantly on the lookout for new helpers: “Rising Sun Arts is solely run by volunteers who do a huge amount of work to put on events here and keep it all going, and we are always welcoming new members.”

Though the arts venue received grants over lockdown, Mr Watson is now looking to build on its space and host more shows.

As well as its monthly open-mic poetry and forum theatre events, Mr Watson also organised a book fair where story lovers could browse artists’ stalls.

The event, ran on Saturday, October 16 and Sunday, October 17, and saw a range of handmade books, illustrators and printmakers. n Continued on page 4

No. 1 90p

THREE PAPERS TV STAR MATT’S IN ONE

HELLO THERE: All smiles as Carters returns • p7

£75,000 WIN WILL HELP HOMELESS

Launchpad’s joy as consumer champion successfully takes on the Chasers

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

HE DID more than alright … Rogue Traders host Matt Allwright helped raise an impressive £75,000 for a Reading charity and it took him less than a minute.

Launchpad, which works with some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents, is delighted with his efforts.

Mr Allwright is a patron to the charity and on Saturday night took

part in the ITV quiz show Beat The Chasers.

In it, he had to take on several of The Chasers – people who answer the questions in the weekday version of the show The Chase.

The Chasers had to answer their questions in 45 seconds, while Matt had a bit longer.

Whichever side had time left on their clock when the other team ran out would take success. n Continued n Continued on page on XXXXXX page 5

News Sport What’s on ISSN 2754-2785 42

9 772754 278509 BOOK YOUR TIMBER FRAME PROJECT FOR 2022 WITH VISION! Our timer frame systems offer money saving solutions for both new builds & extensions. Build strong, fast and energy efficient.

Call us today to see how we can assist with your project!

2

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Hello Reading, we’re

PICTURES: DIJANA CAPAN

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

3

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

pleased to meet you WELCOME to Reading Today, your new newspaper for Reading.

Our aim is to give you an overview of what’s happening across our town. Every week, our team will share news and information from every corner of the borough, telling you what’s happened, why, and what’s about to happen.

There are three papers in every issue – a news section, LEISURE TODAY, to help you make the most of your free time, and SPORT TODAY, giving you a mixture of Royals coverage and grassroots sport.

Reading Today is published by a social enterprise. Its key aim is to provide news for the public, paid for by people buying the newspaper and businesses advertising in it. We also train reporters and boost the local economy.

Every penny spent on our titles goes towards this aim.

Our launch edition is packed with news. We’re sure you agree it’s a great read.

Make sure you place an order with your newsagent to get Reading Today every Wednesday.

Phil Creighton, editor

4 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Jack Frost at bay

Kidnap: appeal for witnesses

WE COVER READING BOROUGH

In print

Order a copy from your newsagent every Wednesday – some even deliver

Online

Our website is updated seven days a week – bookmark it in your browser: rdg.today FACEBOOK & TWITTER: RDG.TODAY

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email Email news@wokingham.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Deputy editor • Jess Warren Reporters • Charlotte King, Laura Scardarella 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.

A WOMAN was kidnapped in Whitley and now police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

The incident happened between 4.15pm and 4.35pm on Sunday, October 10.

Thames Valley Police said that the victim was dragged from one car to another outside a branch of the Co-op on Whitley Wood Road.

The woman, in her 40s, was then driven away. However, she managed to escape uninjured, leaving the car by the Sainsbury’s Local store on Shinfield Road.

A man, aged 37, from Plymouth has been arrested on suspicion of kidnap and released on bail until Sunday, November 7.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Benjamin Rimmer, who is based at Reading police station, said: “I realise this will be a distressing incident for people in the local area.

“We believe this was an isolated incident and there is no wider risk to the public.

READING will keep motoring through any cold snaps this winter. That’s the promise from the borough council.

Last week, the Local Government Association warned that some councils will face difficulties gritting roads due to the shortage of lorry drivers.

In recent months, a number of councils have paused some waste collections due to the problem, and the LGA fears this could be replicated as TAKEN: A woman was kidnapped from outside the Co-op in Whitley Wood Lane. The store temperatures hover above freezing. is not implicated in the incident Picture: Steve Smyth David Renard, the body’s “To help with the investigation we which you think could help with transport spokesperson, said: would like to hear from anyone who this investigation, please contact the “While most councils have been saw anything suspicious in the area Thames Valley Police non-emergency able to keep services running, number 101 or make a report some may find that their around this time.”

He added: “We would also like online using the reference number gritting services are affected in to speak to anyone who either 43210456937. the same way that some have “You can also make a report 100% seen waste collection services witnessed or has dash-cam footage in which a car was driving dangerously anonymously by contacting the impacted. independent charity Crimestoppers or had the passenger door open.

“As they do every year, “If you have any information on 0800 555 111.” councils will be working proactively to plan ahead and ensure that their winter services are resilient.”

And Reading Borough Council thinks it’s ready to go should Jack Frost make an early arrival.

A spokesperson said: “Reading Borough Council’s from them, was watching pornography The passenger who had reported contractor has a full on his phone. the incident to BTP made themselves complement of drivers and Despite trying to hide his phone known and was able to provide more does not envisage any driver shortage throughout the behind a book, the passenger was information.

The officer alighted the service winter season, or having any still clearly able to see the indecent and Valentine was arrested on difficulties delivering the winter footage.

The passenger then noticed the platform for Outraging Public gritting contract requirements.”

Valentine had his hand down his Decency.

BTP Detective Constable Lauren trousers and was masturbating.

Feeling extremely uncomfortable Pace said: “Unwanted sexual after what they had witnessed, the behaviour, such as this incident, is n From front page passenger reported the incident to BTP unacceptable and will absolutely not Rising Sun Arts also took part be tolerated on the railway. by using the discreet text service. in this year’s Are You listening “I’d like to commend the bravery festival, run by music promoter The train was met by officers at of the victim for reporting the Heavy Pop. Reading.

They boarded the train and incident, enabling us to take action The festival raised money for Valentine was asked to leave, so and apprehend Valentine for his Mencap, a charity that works officers could discuss the report with behaviour. with people with learning “Tackling sexual harassment disabilities. him.

While walking through the carriage, is an absolute priority for us, and And Club Velocity will return officers noticed the service had around we take every report seriously. We to Rising Arts with Attila 20-30 passengers on board, some of want everyone to know they can the Stockbroker on Friday, text us discreetly on 61016, whether December 3. whomwere children.

One of the officers escorted something is happening to you at n For more information, log on to Valentine off the train, and the time or has happened to your risingsunartscentre.org another remained to ask if any other recently. No incident is too small n To donate, justgiving.com/ passengers had witnessed anything or trivial. We will always take you crowdfunding/rising-sun-artsseriously.” centre untoward.

Pervert watched porn in packed train carriage

By STAFF WRITER news@wokingham.today A man who watched porn and masturbated on board a busy train service before being caught at Reading station has been given a sexual harm prevention order.

It will last for five years.

David Maxwell Valentine, 32, and of Westerleigh Road, South Gloucestershire, was found guilty of Outraging Public Decency and sentenced at East Berkshire Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 24.

In addition to the order, known as a SHPO, Valentine was given a 36-month community order, ordered to undertake a 35 days sexual offence treatment programme and to pay £85 court fees and a £90 victim surcharge.

The incident took place on a train going from London Paddington to Swansea on Sunday, June 27.

A passenger noticed that Valentine, who was sitting diagonally

Arts centre appeal

READING TODAY Family Notices Your wording

Classification (please tick) n Births n Birthdays n Engagements n Weddings n Anniversaries n Other n Death n In memory

YOUR CONTACT DETAILS Name Address

Advert sizes n 5cm by 1 column – 40 words £30 inc VAT n 3cm by 2 column – 50 words £36 inc VAT Postcode n 4cm by 2 column – 60 words £48 inc VAT n 5cm by 2 column – 80 words £60 inc VAT n 6cm by 2 column – 100 words £72 INC VAT Email n Photo – add £5 inc VAT (email only) DEADLINE IS MONDAY AT 5PM FOR THAT WEEK’S PAPER

Phone number

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

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

NEWS | 5

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Matt Allwright scoops up £75,000 for Launchpad n From front page

Just as in the weekday edition, featuring ordinary members of the public, he was able to chose how much money he could win: he could have chosen £2,000, £12,000 or £50,000, but instead he went for the big prize.

And Mr Allwright had just five seconds left when the Chasers ran out of time, netting him the £75,000 in the process.

On the way, he had to answer questions about cava, British sign language and Coronation Street During the evening, he told host Bradley Walsh about Launchpad: “They do incredible work with very little money. £75,000 is going to change the game for them completely.”

When the clock ran out a jubilant Mr Allwright whooped with delight as the studio erupted in joy. A shower of confetti exploded around him and even the Chasers were pleased for him.

Jenny Ryan, known as The Vixen in the show, said: “You played an extraordinary game, because you did not get fazed by the fact these guys got everything right.

“You played your own

DID IT: Matt Allwright celebrates his success on the ITV quiz show Beat The Chasers game, you staying in your own lane and it paid off. Even a couple of wrong answers didn’t put you off.”

Launchpad, which is based in Merchants Place, said in a tweet that they were “over the moon” that Mr Allwright won the money, calling him a Launchpad legend.

Kirsti Wilson, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Launchpad, told Reading Today: “Everyone at Launchpad was so excited to hear about Matt’s win on Beat The Chasers.

“We are so lucky to have Matt’s support as a Launchpad patron, and his passion for our cause is

genuinely touching.

“Matt really understands the issues, and always goes out of his way to help us. This is just the icing on the cake.”

The charity says that it has seen a sharp rise in the number of people seeking support as a result of the covid, with some facing homelessness because they have been made redundant, are fleeing domestic abuse or have been asked to leave their home after the eviction ban was lifted.

Ms Wilson said: “Our dropin service has recently seen a sharp rise in the number of people in pandemic-related housing crisis, and this

One of the country’s foremost independent girls’ schools from 3-18

amazing donation will help us to continue to support vulnerable people in Reading.

“If you know anyone in Reading who needs housing advice or is at risk of losing their home, please do ask them to contact us. www. launchpadreading.org.uk” The charity is also preparing for the forthcoming Twilight Trail and its Carols at the Abbey event on Wednesday, December 8, which this year takes place in the Abbey ruins.

They will be helped at this event by the Reading Community Gospel Choir and hosted by Danyl Johnson.

Ms Wilson said: “Christmas is often a bleak and isolating time for the people we support but by buying a ticket for Twilight Trail & Carols at the Abbey, you can give the gift of a better Christmas to those who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

“Launchpad provides a lifeline to those in need over the festive season with safe and stable accommodation; legal advice; a drop-in service; and practical support with things like food parcels and mobile phones.” n For more details, log on to launchpadreading.org.uk

ARTIST: Sally Castle signed copies of her book at Reading Museum on Monday Picture: Steve Smyth

Twford artist has book signing success in museum A TWYFORD artist took a trip to Reading Museum for a special book signing on Monday.

Sally Castle used lockdown to illustrate Oscar Wilde’s children story, The Happy Prince.

With Wilde’s connections to Reading Gaol, Sally was set on drawing the story in the town, and readers can spot local landmarks.

Sally said the book signing event went really well.

“We had a steady stream of people coming in and it was so lovely meeting different people saying how much they enjoyed the book,” she said.

“I got inspired in lockdown to

work on a personal project and, after reading Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince and Other Tales and the story seemed like such a lovely thing to illustrate.

Sally said she has added in private jokes linked to Reading, including the Maiwand Lion sculpture.

She added: “I would say this book is more appreciated by adults but I’ve also added in lots of details that children would very much enjoy.”

Key words were also picked out and used to place decorative text alongside the drawing throughout the book. n For more, visit: tworiverspress.com

The Abbey invites you to our forthcoming virtual open events: Junior School - 10 November, 4.30 - 5.30pm Senior School - 8 November, 4.30 - 5.30pm Sixth Form - 3 November, 4.30 - 5.30pm

To register your place, please visit:

www.theabbey.co.uk/events

Abbey Virtuals 265x160.indd 1

07/10/2021 17:25

6 | NEWS

Free talk to explore science and religion A FRESH look at the age-old debate of science and religion is coming to Tilehurst later this month.

Father Andrew Pinsent is both a scientist and a Catholic priest, working for a number of years on the CERN particle project before entering the priesthood.

He now heads up the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at the University of Oxford.

On Saturday, October 30, he will visit English Martyrs Church Hall in Lienbenrood Road to explore his experiences.

The event starts at 7pm and entry is free. n For more details, email: englishmartyrs@ portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Take a seat PROGRESS Theatre is inviting the community to sponsor a seat, as part of its fundraising initiative.

The Reading-based theatre company will be charging £100 per plaque.

The money raised will go towards the venue’s new inclusive facilities.

Applications are open until Tuesday, November 30. n For more information, visit: progresstheatre.co.uk

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Faster broadband but slower roads: install causes buffering BUFFERING: Footpaths and roads have been closed off while the network upgrades and installations take shape Picture: Peter Bowyer

By PHIL CREIGHTON pcreighton@wokingham.today IT’S THE promise of faster internet, but at the moment it’s coming with slower roads.

Residents have been frustrated with roadworks caused by Instalcom installing City Fibre’s new town-wide full-fibre network roll-up, the likes of which haven’t been seen since Telecential installed cable television to Reading in the 1980s.

CityFibre says that by converting the town to full fibre, it can offer gigabit speeds that can allow people to work from home reliably, take advantage of the best streaming services for picture quality, and download movies in seconds.

At the time work started in January, Stacey King, CityFibre’s City Manager for Reading, said that the work was “something to be celebrated”.

“Next-generation FullFibre connectivity can drive innovation and productivity, ultimately giving businesses the platform they need to realise their growth ambitions,” she added. “And it won’t just improve business locally — it will also help businesses take their products or services to an international audience.”

This was echoed by Cllr Jason

Brock, the leader of Reading Borough Council.

“We welcome this private investment by CityFibre into Reading to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose digital infrastructure that will futureproof residents and businesses,” he said.

And while people are excited at the future arriving in their living rooms, the method of delivery is leaving them frustrated.

Construction work is taking place in Reading’s Norcot and Battle area, with the rest of the town to follow. Contactor

Instalcom are working on CityFibre’s behalf, using modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly.

Peter Bowyer, chair of the Oxford Road Safer Neighbourhood Forum, said that the teams are “leaving absolute chaos behind them”.

He added that they had not communicated properly with residents and were working on their own timescales, meaning that residents parking bays had been coned off before the allotted time.

“Oxford Road has been total carnage,” he said, adding that

four-way lights had been in place, and with parking bay suspended for days this meant no one could stop near the shops along the road.

“They’re working their way gradually across town and you’ll understand our pain when it gets to your street.

“I want the council and Instalcom between them to do their best to minimise disruption to residents.”

The situation, he added, had been made worse by the council’s resurfacing programme on Tylers Road last week, and more roadworks

to come on Oxford Road, as work on the new Reading West station gets going.

Reading Borough Council is aware of the issues and promises things will get better.

A spokesperson told Reading Today: “Reading Borough Council met last week with City Fibre and Instalcom to express concerns around the highways issues caused by the rapid deployment of fibre optic cabling through Reading, issues which they are committed to improving.

“Regular additional meetings are scheduled to help coordinate and ease the traffic issues being created.

“The current amount of work in Reading is due to reduce considerably soon and, in the meantime, we thank residents for their patience.”

Stacey King, CityFibre’s City Manager for Reading, said: “We are liaising with Reading Borough Council and Instalcom, our build partner in Reading, to address some concerns that have been raised about our ongoing works in the town.

“We always try to keep disruption to a minimum and are implementing a series of additional training sessions for Instalcom’s construction team to ensure the rollout is delivered effectively and efficiently.

“As we carry out this £58m investment to deliver a townwide full fibre network that will future-proof Reading’s digital future, we want to want to thank residents for their continued patience.”

Fla t ro

of sp ec iali sts

20 YEAR WARRANTY 20 year warranty with BBA approved life expectancy of 35 - 40 years.

EXPERIENCED TEAM Over 25 years' experience in the roofing industry. Our staff are professional, polite and are all fully trained, so no subcontractors, no shortcuts!

FULLY ACCREDITED We are fully certified and accredited by the relevant authorities which makes us accountable for our work.

fic 0118 324 8444 www.rooftekadvance.co.uk roofing@rooftekadvance.co.uk 109 School Road, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5BH

Bring on the smiles: Carters brings its steam fair back to Prospect

One of the popular rides

Carters Steam Fair organiser Joby Carter with one of his hand-painted signs

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today A VINTAGE funfair made its return to Reading with fairground rides, fireworks and candy floss last weekend.

Carters Steam Fair saw visitors gather at Prospect Park to enjoy two whole days of family fun.

Attractions included the set of British Galloper horses and dodgems, which recently featured in an art installations at Somerset House, London.

Fairground owner Joby Carter said it was “really nice” to be providing people with smiles again after so long.

FAIR WE GO: Reading residents flocked to Prospect Park to enjoy all the fun of Carters Steam Fair last weekend. Picture: Dijana Capan / DVision Images The carousel remains a popular ride at Carters

“It was very busy and people kept telling me how much they’d missed us,” he said.

“It’s been so lovely to be back and I don’t think we’ve ever been so appreciated by the community, people are just really pleased to see us again.”

Mr Carter added that for some toddlers this was their first experience.

He said: “Children have missed out on a lot of fun over the last year or so with some not having had the chance to visit a fair yet, so it’s great that we’ve been able to entertain families and bring them together.”

Dating from the 1890s to the 1960s, the vintage fairground

rides have featured in films such as Paddington 2 and Rocketman and TV shows such as Call the Midwife.

During lockdown, when the fair was unable to travel, Mr Carter became a social media sensation, showcases his flair for signwriting and lettering.

More than 3,000 people from across the globe have taken part in one of his courses, and 5,000 copies of his book on the subject have been sold.

“During lockdown I was thrilled to see the interest in these traditional skills, I think we’ve had book purchases from over 40 countries so far,” he added.

Hydro scheme has power A COMMUNITY-POWERED sustainability project came to life in Reading last month.

Reading Hydro, which aims to provide energy “by the people, for the people”, started generating on Friday, September 29.

The project was founded in 2017 by Reading Hydro Community Benefit Society, and has raised nearly £1.2 million in investments.

The scheme aims to “harness the power of the River Thames” by producing hydroelectricity through a generator based by Caversham Weir.

“We’ve installed two Archimedes Screw turbines beside [the] Weir, and built a turbine house to house the generators, gearboxes and control equipment,” it reads on Reading Hydro’s website.

7

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

“We laid a cable under the river to Thames Lido, who will buy most of our electricity.

“The turbines should generate about 320MWh of renewable electricity each year for decades to come.

This is enough to supply the equivalent of 90 average homes.”

The turbine house, based on the bank of the river, has been decorated to act as a community “focal point” for the project.

The building’s mural, which was painted by artist Commando Jugendstil, features drops of water exercising in the gym to create energy.

According to the Reading Hydro team, the project should one day support the local community in multiple ways.

“The income from selling electricity will be used to

operate and maintain the hydro scheme, pay a modest return to shareholders and gradually repay their investment,” the website says.

“After this, any surplus will be paid to a community benefit fund, to support local carboncutting and sustainability projects.”

In a bid to protect the environment from the generator, Reading Hydro’s team has built a fish pass to help creatures move up the river with ease.

It also collected rubbish from nearby View Island.

Residents can visit the generator to learn more about the project, and can also become members of Reading Hydro to play a part in the programme’s future. n To find out more, visit: www. readinghydro.org

A wave and we’re away

Attempted robbery in park THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following an incident in Palmer Park.

At approximately 6pm on Tuesday, October 12, a teenage boy was the victim of an attempted robbery.

According to the force, he was sat on the swings near the children’s play park when he was approached by a man who threatened to steal the boy’s bike, or he would stab him with a broken drinks can.

The boy then hit the suspect with his bike, causing the man to run off near the Pakistan Heritage Centre on London Road.

The offender has been described as a middle-eastern man with dark olive skin, aged in his twenties.

He is believed to be approximately 5ft 10ins tall with brown facial hair on his chin and cheeks.

He was wearing a light grey tracksuit top with dark grey side panels, dark grey or black tracksuit bottoms and a black shoulder strap worn diagonally across his body.

Mark Sainsbury, police staff investigator at Reading police station, said: “We are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to please come forward following this robbery.

“I am particularly interested in speaking with a group of men who were playing volleyball in the park who assisted the victim after the incident.

“You can make a report online or call 101, quoting reference number 43210460613.”

People can also call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to make an anonymous report.

8 | NEWS

Book club is back WATERSTONES in Reading is hosting its Book Club event next week.

The store, on Broad Street, will be inviting people to discuss this month’s chosen book, The Vanishing Half.

Written by Brit Bennett, the novel follows the Vignes twin sisters, who ran away at the age of 16 after growing up in a small, southern black community.

Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter and the other secretly passes for white, which her husband knows nothing about.

The Book Club session takes place on Wednesday, October 27 at 7pm.

n For more details, or to book, call 0118 958 1270.

Circus this week ACROBATS will be walking the tightrope in Radstock Primary’s circus fundraiser.

Friends of Radstock, the Reading-based schools PTA, will host Happy Circus on Friday at 7pm – its first fundraiser since December 2019. Money raised will go towards buying tablets for pupils.

The all-human circus show will feature two one-hour performances, including a 20-minute pre-show in the Big Top. Doors open at 6.30pm and tickets cost £10. n For more information, log on to: radstockprimary.org

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Curtain goes up on Reading’s brand-new theatre space

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today

READING Rep Theatre opened its first production of the season last week, DORIAN.

The world premiere adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray took to the stage after the company hosted a special gala earlier this year.

The event kicked off the season to show off its new premises on Kings Road.

Reading Rep launched a fundraising campaign two years ago, which raised more than £1 million to create the building.

Founding artistic director Paul Stacey said it was an honour to open the doors for the first time in two years.

“Creating theatre is a communal act, and it was a pleasure to bring people together after months of isolation in the way that only live performance can,” he said.

“We can’t wait to welcome our audiences to watch DORIAN, which explores the events that brought Oscar Wilde to Reading Gaol.”

Written by Phoebe EclairPowell, and directed by Owen Horsley, the pair bring a fresh take on the story, which follows Dorian Gray, who sells his soul for eternal beauty.

OPEN: Reading Rep Theatre hosted it’s launch event earlier this year. Picture: Harry Elletson Basil and Henry join him for the ride until it all gets a bit much, and the hangovers make way for murder.

Andro Cowperthwaite, playing the iconic role of Dorian, said audiences can expect a “cutting-edge” world premiere adaptation of the book.

He’ll perform alongside LAMDA graduate Ché Francis, playing Henry, and Nat Kennedy, who’ll be playing the role of Basil.

“This exhilarating, fun, playful and queer adaptation explores what it’s like to be

gay in Oscar Wilde’s time and celebrates queer culture in history,” Mr Cowperthwaite said.

He added that Dorian Gray is a really exciting role to play.

“If people who know the story know that Dorian is a villain, sometimes it’s more exciting playing the villain over the hero,” he said.

There’s an emphasis on age, youth and gay culture throughout the play.

And Mr Cowperthwaite explained that the story of Dorian Gray is relevant today

because it draws on the narratives between those issues.

“There’s still boundaries that need to be broken down, and what’s important is that those prejudices still haven’t gone away, so putting this in front of today’s audience is so poignant,” he said.

The actor, whose credits include Salome and Dido: Queen of Carthage, for the Royal Shakespeare Company, is proud to be a part of Reading Rep’s first show of the new season.

“It feels very special because

Reading Rep was set up by Paul Stacey, and nearly nine years later he was able to get funding to build this new theatre this year, and just from that sheer fact it’s great to be a part of it” he said.

“This play is going to be bonkers, it’s going to be in your face but it’s also going to be important and touching.

“It’s going to enhance pride in Reading, and that is the vision.”

Performances run until Sunday, November 7.

The theatre will then perform When This Is Over, a throughprovoking play featuring a cast of young actors aged 16-24.

For the festive season, they will turn to Dickens, presenting a new version of his famous A Christmas Carol.

The family-friendly production needs little introduction. Reading Rep will be accompanying the show with a schools project called Dear Mr Scrooge. Six Reading primary schools will be involved in this production, aimed at exploring issues provoked by the play.

A Christmas Carol will be performed from Friday, December 3, through to New Year’s Eve, with relaxed and signed performances on offer. n For more information, call the box office on 0118 370 2620, or log on to: readingrep.com

BOOK IN ADVANCE AND SAVE*

*BOOK ONLINE

and save using Code

ADVANCE21

29 – 31 October Twilight Trail returns this Christmas Wellington College

Crowthorne

RG45 6DY

Purchase direct from the very best makers in the UK See website for full details on booking tickets 12 noon – 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Weekend Admission £5 CIF_Crowthorne_21_160x130.indd 1

06/10/2021 15:28

A FESTIVE light trail will be spreading Christmas cheer in Reading this December.

The Twilight Trail: Biscuit Town will return to the Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens from Friday, December 3 until New Year’s Eve. After making its debut last year, the fully accessible, open-air light trail experience is open to all ages.

Set up by Reading UK, Abbey Quarter BID and sponsored by The Blade, this year’s theme celebrates Reading’s old nickname of Biscuit Town.

Named after Huntley and Palmer’s beginnings in London Street back in 1822, the pair went on to create the world’s biggest biscuit factory.

The lighting will be created by light art pioneers Luminisim, and will include The Lion’s Roar and the Production Line

stepping stones.

And playwright Helen Eastman, from Reading Rep’s The Nutcracker, is also getting involved to create a winter wonderland.

Reading Museum will provide biscuit-related merchandise, and WePop, the team behind Reading’s Après Ski pop-up, will offer food, drink and chalet bars.

And on Wednesday, December 8, homeless charity Launchpad is set to present Carols at the Abbey, as part of the trail.

Also featured will be a special guest performance from BBC’s Gospel Choir of the Year 2019 winners, Reading Community Gospel Choir.

Proceeds from tickets sold for this evening will be donated to Launchpad, to support homeless people in Reading.

The trail comes as part of

FESTIVE FEVER: The Twlight Trail will be lighting up the Reading Abbey Ruins and Forbury Gardens this Christmas.

Picture: Stewart Turkington

Reading UK’s Christmas in Reading Campaign, which is encouraging residents to make the most of the town centre over the festive season.

Reading UK’s Zsuzsi Lindsay said: “We had such a wonderful response to last year’s Trail, so we are delighted to be back even brighter this year.

“With Huntley and Palmers starting off with a small shop and then putting the town on the global map, supplying biscuits to Queen Victoria and Napoleon, they seemed the perfect inspiration – and who doesn’t love biscuits?”

Booking is now open via the What’s On Reading website.

Tickets cost £8 for adults, £6 for children and £26 for a family pass. n For more details, log on to: whatsonreading.com

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

NEWS | 9

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Crumbs! Biscuit Factory brings culture to the Ding

By Laura Scardarella lscardarella@wokingham.

THE READING Biscuit Factory hopes to “work with the community” after it launched its new space in the town centre.

The venue, on Broad Street Mall, opened its doors in the borough in early September and is already proving a hit with customers.

The 14,000 sq ft space includes a three-screen independent cinema, event and workspaces, bar and coffee shop.

Created by the Really Local Group, founder Preston Benson opened the Biscuit Factory with a special launch event.

Mr Benson said the evening was a “big success”, with around 180 people in attendance.

Among those joining in the celebrations were X-Factor’s Tallia Storm and model Hamidah Brinkley.

Now, the challenge is for the Biscuit Factory to become a firm favourite in Reading’s cultural landscape.

“Our biggest priority is to let people know we’re here,” Mr Benson said.

“We are here to work with the community and let them

OPEN: Reading borough mayor Cllr David Stephens at the launch of the Reading Biscuit Factory with found Preston Benson use the space as they want, whether that’s to visit for a coffee, meet with friends, have work meetings or to watch a movie.”

Mr Benson added Reading deserves a place like this.

“We wanted to open in an area our place could benefit from, and we chose Reading specifically because of the quality of culture and leisure in the town,” he said.

“The initial feedback we have had from visitors so far has been incredibly positive.

“Everyone is excited

about the venue, and we want people to know that it is a totally flexible space for people to just come in and enjoy their time here.”

Recent visitor Annie Willmot described the venue as a “bright, relaxed and open” space.

“It feels incredibly versatile, “ she said. “Whether you need a quiet corner to relax when you’re not working from home, want to have a work meeting or meet friends to go to the cinema, it’s the perfect place.”

Audiences can pass the

popcorn while watching a range of films including the new James Bond, No Time To Die, Dune, The Reason I Jump, and The French Dispatch.

Mr Benson said people can expect great films, an enthusiastic team and all sorts of events, morning, noon and night.

“Everyone is welcome,” he said. “We want to have a multitude of activities happening here at the Reading Biscuit Factory, and it would be great to see lots of people coming to us with ideas.”

“From people working, to musicians performing here in the evenings, we really want to put on regular weekly events for everyone to enjoy.”

Films being shown this week include Dune (12a), The Beta Test (15), a National Theatre recording of Romeo and Juliet and The Addams Family 2 (PG).

On Thursday, October 28, Reading Biscuit Factory will host a blind wine tasting workshop, hosted by Berks Fizz.

And a Christmas wreathmaking workshop will take place in early December.

n For more details, visit readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

BIG NIGHT OUT: Guilty Pleasures are one of the big names coming to a new venue launching in the former Reading Post offices

Stay another day: East 17 on line-up for Printworks BIG NAMES will be coming to Reading’s newest venue when it launches next month, including East 17 and Guilty Pleasures.

Market Yard at Printhouse is taking over what was the Reading Post buildings, and the site gets its name from the old printing presses.

The new venue is a far cry from newspapers: it is an entertainment-led food and drinks market with a 1,200 capcity, making it one of the biggest spaces in the town.

There are three rooms and an outdoor terrace, meaning a range of entertainment and attractions can be hosted at any one time.

The site is launching with a weekend of partying to make a name for itself. From Friday, November 12, through to Sunday, November 14, the site will host DJs, live music and entertainment and serve up a variety of street food, with drinks including craft beer from Double Barrelled Brewery.

Organisers say it is a truly unique place to socialise, eat, drink and dance.

One of the first acts on the bill is DJ Yoda, who will play a set on the opening night.

Festival favourites Disco Shed have been booked in for the Saturday late afternoon/early evening session, and Edinburgh-based Glitterbox DJ Natasha Kitty Katt will appear on Saturday night. A special guest — to be announced soon — will be visiting on Sunday, November 14.

Also confirmed are Soul II Soul frontman Jazzie B on Friday, November 19; Guilty Pleasures pop night with DJ Lady Lloyd (from Drag Queens Of London) and the Dream Team dancers on Friday, December 10, and 90s ‘bad boys’ East 17 topping the bill on Sunday, December 19 — no doubt performing their Christmas hit Stay Another Day. The launch plans will see Market Yard will initially open for eight weeks throughout November and December until January 1st adopting a Christmas theme from November 25 and taking Christmas party bookings.

Its initial opening hours are 4pm11pm on Fridays, and noon-11pm at weekends. It will open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from the end of November. n For more details, log on to www. marketyard.co.uk

10 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Plainclothes officer scheme helps thwart night crime

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

THE THAMES VALLEY has seen a drop in night-time offences, following the launch of a plainclothes police officer project.

On Monday, June 21, Thames Valley Police kickstarted Project Vigilant in Reading, Windsor, Oxford and Milton Keynes.

Now, it has reported that stranger rapes and sexual violence linked to the nighttime economy have fallen by 77% and 12.5% respectively since Friday, July 23.

Project Vigilant is a pioneering programme orchestrated by Thames Valley Police that sees a combination of uniformed and plainclothes officers patrol areas outside of clubs, pubs and bars.

It was founded to better identify people displaying predatory behaviour, including sexual harassment, inappropriate touching and loitering.

Detective chief inspector James Senior, the force lead for the scheme, said the latest statistics are “reassuring” .

“It is reassuring to see that [Project Vigilant] is contributing to reducing the number of sexual offences in the night-time economy, ensuring we are able to protect and safeguard our communities,” he said.

“Retaining the public’s trust and confidence in the police is particularly vital at the moment and [this programme] is just one way in which the force is working hard to do this.”

The project sees plain clothed officers alert those in uniform to anybody showing suspicious behaviours.

Uniformed officers then stop those who have been identified and take “positive action”, including arrest if necessary.

So far, 99 people across Reading, Windsor, Milton Keynes and Oxford have been stopped and nine arrests have been made.

“We’ve stopped 99 people

in this time period for varying degrees of predatory behaviour that included unwanted contact towards women and harassment,” DCI Senior said.

“By us taking positive action against this type of behaviour, we’re making it clear that it will not be tolerated.

“Everyone stopped and arrested as part of this initiative is considered for further action or support to address their behaviour.”

Earlier this year, Thames Valley Police was awarded £90,000 by the Home Office to fund a dedicated sergeant to coordinate Project Vigilant, as well as commission an academic evaluation of the scheme by Brighton University.

The study is ongoing and will identify areas where the force can improve engagement with the programme.

“We are committed to continuing this project with our partners in order to make our communities safer and prevent offences from taking place,” the DCI added.

Pop-up reuse shop opens in Smallmead A POP-UP reuse shop is opening at Smallmead Recycling Centre this weekend.

The Reading tip will be host to re3’s first ever shop, giving items a second home.

Located in the car park at the Island Road centre, the popup shop will give residents an opportunity to buy pre-loved items that have been donated by others.

Profits will go to Sue Ryder, a bereavement support charity, and to improve recycling facilities in the area.

Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s lead for neighbourhoods and communities, Cllr Parry Batth, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for environment and leisure, and Cllr Dorothy Hayes, Bracknell Forest Council’s executive member for environment and chairman of the Joint Waste Disposal Board, said in a joint

FOR SALE: The reuse shop will have a range of second hand items.

Picture: Les Chatfield via Flickr

statement that they are proud of re3’s recycling efforts.

“Reducing and reusing waste is our ultimate goal, and this trial event will give us insight into how we can make use of pre-loved goods,” they said.

“We want to open our residents to the idea of starting a reuse revolution and hope that many residents will enjoy browsing items and supporting a good cause at the same time.”

Liam Bould, regional

development manager for FCC Environment, said the business has six reuse shops across the country.

“The trial here in Reading should help us establish if there is an appetite for such a facility here.”

The reuse pop-up shop will be open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. Residents can drop in without needing to book a slot at the recycling centre.

New flexi-ticket offers on the buses FLEXIBILITY and the chance to save money – that’s the promise from Reading Buses as it shakes up its tickets.

It is now offering three different kinds of advance offerings, aimed at changing commuting patterns as more people work from home for part of the week.

The company, which runs a range of services across Reading and Wokingham boroughs, will continue to offer a seven-day ticket offering unlimited travel across the network.

A new daysaver5 is five all-day tickets that can be

purchased on the app, while easysaver10 offers 10 single tickets. There are also 30-day, 90-day and year-round ticket options The company says each option saves at least 20% within the SimplyReading zone.

Reading Buses marketing and PR executive Tom Broadfoot said: “We have listened to customers to give the growing group of hybrid and remote workers control over how they use their tickets – and get the travel they have paid for.

“Our tickets now mean office workers should never have

the feeling of having lost out on what they have paid for. So whether on a bus for work, a night out with friends, or to go shopping, we are aiming to give customers a ticket that fits their life.”

Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer, added: “The new products allow customers total flexibility on their travel.

“Customers can pick the days they travel.

“They will save money, at least 20%, and often more.

“They will only pay for the days they want – no expiry, no catches.”

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Is this the time? Unity another bid to see the

By Phil Creighton pcreighton@wokingham.today READING has long cherished ambitions to be a city and it recently announced its latest bid, to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.

Last night – after Reading Today had gone to press – a meeting of the council considered the official bid document.

This will be submitted to the Government ahead of the closing date of December 8.

The bid aims to highlight different facets of the borough, helping the judging panel to see the town’s many benefits.

They include Reading’s success as the Thames Valley’s economic powerhouse.

Organsiers say the bid will demonstrate how Reading’s success helps the wider region, as well as the UK. The report looks at Reading’s past and future, from its seventh century origins, through to its 2050 vision.

This plan aims to show how Reading would make the most of city status, while also showcasing the town as a hub of the modern knowledge economy.

Reading’s Abbey is a link to the borough’s royal connections, which includes the Royal Berkshire Hospital being the birthplace of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. But Reading is also the last resting place of King Henry I, and it was once ruled by the 1st Earl of Pembroke, William Marshall. He served as a regent to Henry III from his Caversham home.

Under culture, Reading will highlight its modern scene which includes theatres, museums and arts venues, as well as the talent connected with the brough such as Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet and Ricky Gervais. Banksy’s contribution to the Reading Gaol debate – a mural on the prison walls – is also one of the pieces of evidence.

Other cultural considerations include Reading Festival, as well as other festivals such as eading Pride, Reading Fringe, Reading Climate Festival and Reading Thames Festival.

The bid will mention Reading’s stance of climate change, which includes work by the University of Reading, which has been rated first in the UK and second in the world for climate science. This helps spread the news that Reading has a reputation for innovation and is leading the charge to being net zero at home and abroad.

Reading’s diversity is highlighted: there are 67 languages spoken here, and students from 150 nations are at the university, making reading one of the most multi-cultural places in the country.

This international outlook is reflected through its links with to Barbados and twin town Dusseldorf, as well Reading’s status as a city of sanctuary, which was seen with the town offering space for Afghan refugees.

Announcing the bid, Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock said: “The reaction since we announced our intention

CULTURE: A detail from Banksy’s mural to bid back in June has been overwhelmingly positive, and rightly so because this is not the Council’s bid, it is Reading’s.

We have so much to be proud of in our town and this is a perfect opportunity to shout it from the rooftops.

“The report to Full Council lays the groundwork for the official bid document by outlining our credentials and highlighting the key elements which we believe make us a prime candidate for City status, whether that be our resilient economy, our rich

Police awarded £860,000 to tackle viol READY TO ENTER: Police prepare to break into a home Picture: Thames Valley Police

By Charlotte King cking@wokingham.today THAMES VALLEY Police has received hundreds of thousands of pounds to target violent hotspots in the region.

The Home Office has allocated £860,000 to the force as part of a £24 million Serious Violence ‘Grip’ fund.

The money will be used to target known knife crime and serious violence hotspots across the Thames Valley over the coming six months, with specialist officers being drafted in to support neighbourhood teams.

The funding has been split amongst the 18 police force areas with the highest levels of violent crime in the country, in a bid to increase ‘hotspot policing’ tactics.

These include frequent, high visibility patrols in focused areas.

Matthew Barber, police and crime commissioner (PCC) for the Thames Valley, said knifeenabled crime has fallen by 11%

year on year across the Thames Valley – but more can be done. “[It has fallen] thanks to the hard work of our police, partners and with the support of local communities,” he said.

“However, it remains a priority for me that we take strong action against violent offenders,

with a focus on those who carry knives, whether to use in crime or from some misguided belief that it gives some sort of protection.”

According to data from the Home Office, incidences of knife-enabled crime in Reading rose by nearly 5% between

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

NEWS | 11

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

as council prepares Ding become a city

Children can meet authors during half-term festival

By Phil Creighton pcreighton@wokingham.today

A CELEBRATION of reading is coming to Caversham next week, just in time for half-term.

The River Thames Picture: Phil Creighton

Reading Abbey ruins Picture: Phil Creighton history, our wonderfully diverse communities, our vibrant arts and cultural scene or our Royal connections.

“While a successful bid does not in itself bring a guarantee of benefits, we firmly believe we have a clear vision to take full advantage of the opportunities City status could bring. If a positive outcome follows, we are determined that everybody in the town will share in its success.”

Conservative group leader, Cllr Jeannette Skeates, also welcomed the bid, saying that

her party was behind it.

“We are supporting and supportive of it,” she said. “We are working on a cross party basis on this.

“We are very excited to be going forward with it.”

However, not everyone was in favour.

Reading Green Party leader, Cllr Rob White, was more cautious, and felt that the council shouldn’t be sidetracked from navigating residents and businesses safely out of covid-19.

“The main focus of the

council at the moment should be supporting residents through the pandemic and a green recovery that creates jobs, tackles poverty and cuts pollution,” he said.

“As long as the bid for city status doesn’t impact on this main focus we will support it.”

The final decision will be made next year by the Queen, on ministerial advice.

Reading’s Liberal Democrats were contacted for a comment.

n What do you think? Should Reading be a city? Send your views to news@wokingham.today

lent hotspots across Thames Valley

PICKING UP A SCENT: A sniffer dog at work in a Reading home Picture: Thames Valley Police 2019/20 and 2021/21, rising from 207 to 217 reports.

Bracknell Forest and Wokingham saw a 16.7% decrease, with reports falling from 114 to 95.

Since the funding pot launched, the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit has identified 40 serious violent hotspots in its area.

It said the majority are in urban regions near bars, pubs, shops or institutions like

schools and hospitals.

Chief inspector Chris Young, of Thames Valley Police and the Violence Reduction Unit, said the £860,000 will now be used to launch patrols in these locations.

“Over the coming months, officers will be planning and delivering operations using the full range of policing resources to make frequent, high visibility patrols in those hotspot areas,” he said.

“[And they will be] targeting known offenders and those vulnerable to violence and exploitation.”

But he said the buck does not stop with the police.

“Our partners work with us to address the wider causes [of crime] and we also need the help of our communities, reporting crime and passing on information and any concerns about those who may carry a weapon,” he added.

The ‘Grip’ funding will allow the force to carry out these operations separately to its day to day work.

Thames Valley Police is also the first force in the country to trial a new mobile phone app to guide specialist officers towards these violent hotspots.

The programme supports maps and briefings, allowing the force to tell its ‘roaming’ officers which areas to patrol. It can also record time spent in an area to reducing paperwork. If successful, the app may be rolled out further in the future.

The Caversham Children’s Book Festival is running from Fourbears Books in Prospect Street, giving younger readers the chance to meet authors and discover some great new adventures.

It is the bookshop’s first minifestival and events launch with a local lad on a double-header on Monday, October 25.

Poet extraordinaire – and author of Fizzlebert Stump series – AF Harrold will be sharing some of his funny poetry in a session aimed at children six and up. This takes place from 10.30am and 11.30am.

If AF’s name sound familiar, he used to host the Poets Café at South Street.

He is looking forward to coming to the event.

“I’m doubly excited about being a part of this brandnew festival - firstly because it’s always fun sharing poems with actual live audiences in the same room, especially after these interesting times.

Secondly because it’s my first chance to come celebrate Reading’s new independent bookshop, and I can’t help but

POET VISIT: AF Harrold Picture: Alex Genn-Bash love indie bookshops,” he said.

In the afternoon, Iszi Lawrence will be sharing information about the Suffragettes who had a secret weapon and some amazing Spitfire pilots. She will be speaking from 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

On Tuesday, October 26, Tim Tilley will inspire children to create their own mini-forest journal, and explain more about his book Harklights. This is aimed at children aged eight and up, and takes place at 10am for an hour.

Kate Poels will lead a creative writing workshop for budding young authors aged seven and updwards from 10am to 11am on Wednesday, October 27.

Holly Webb, who was one of the speakers at the recent Wokingham Children’s Book Festival, will be appearing on Thursday, October 28, at 10am.

In her hour-long session, she will talk about her children’s

series on cats, including her latest, which looks at how the cats play when the mice – well, museum visitors – are away.

The fun continues on Friday, October 29, with a visit from Mike Facherty, author of Patch Peg’s Pirate Yarns. Fourbears says in its publicity for this session: “Avast ye lubbers, all young pirates come and join our boarding party”. This is aimed at ages four to nine.

And the final session is with Fiona Barker on Saturday, October 30. She will unpack her amazing underwater world of Setsuko, and her friend the whale, in an hour-long event aimed at ages five upwards.

Each session costs £5 per person and children should be accompanied by an adult.

There is an additional event, running in the evening of Tuesday, October 26, for parents and carers, aimed at helping them find some great titles for young readers aged five to 11.

That’s not the only event that Fourbears Books is organising this month.

On Saturday, October 30, Robin Ince will be visiting to sign copies of his latest book, The Importance of Being Interested.

He will be in Caversham from 1.30pm. n For more details, call the shop on 0118 948 1747.

Join our team Extraordinary careers in Early Years

Our colleagues are fundamental to supporting children’s early learning and development. Whether you are qualified or unqualified, working full time or part time, a career in Early Years is massively rewarding.

No two days are the same in our nursery and we want to ensure you are having as much fun as the little people we care for.

£1000 joining bonus

SCAN ME FOR LATEST VACANCIES

www.childbasepartnership.com

12 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Made in Reading inventor talks t Handling Difficult Conversations at Work: 4 Essential Tips

H

OW are you at handling a difficult one to one conversation at work?

No one enjoys having them, but difficult conversations are an unavoidable part of life. In the workplace, if discussions around issues are not managed with care, they can quickly escalate, leading to damaged relationships – and worse.

Here are four important generic tips that will help you to have more meaningful conversations – and find a way through conflict: 1. Make conversations about accountability – not blame The fastest way for a discussion to break down is when one or both parties feel they’re being personally blamed for something that’s gone wrong or isn’t working as it should. It’s vital to discuss accountability to find out what went wrong, not who was wrong.

2. Look for the answer in the whole of the dialogue – not just in part of it A sensitive or complex issue will rarely be concluded in one discussion but will involve a series of communications. This may sound obvious, but it’s relevant because the answer to an issue is most likely to be found within the whole of the collective, sequential dialogue rather than in any single part of it.

3. Ensure consistency across all communications Dialogue between HR and an employee is likely to combine a range of communication formats, including written correspondence, emails, telephone conversations and of course, the discussions that take place in face to face or virtual meetings.

Correspondence needs to match the conversation that happened. Templates are great only as a starting point.

4. Don’t be afraid to be emotionally courageous!

For any discussion to be truly meaningful, emotional courage is required on both sides. By this, I mean the emotional courage to express genuine feelings, ask for help when it’s needed, request clarity on an issue or check a point has really been understood. Without this, a conversation is likely to be one-sided and will probably not lead to a lasting and satisfactory conclusion.

How are you managing difficult conversations in your business?

What happens in your business when you need to have a difficult conversation? Do you and your team have the skills required to manage the process to a successful conclusion – without upsetting relationships or the running of your business?

Call us now for an initial conversation.

Organic P&O Solutions

T: +44 1344 441 043 E: contactus@organicposolutions.co.uk

www.organicposolutions.co.uk

By Jess Warren jwarren@wokingham.today

MATHS WIZARD: Laura Wilson (left) at Grosvenor Casino in Reading

Why Laura knows her 35 times table IT’S AN iconic cinema moment.

Sitting around the card table, Sean Connery is dressed to the nines, Martini close by. He lights a cigarette and utters the immortal words, “The name’s Bond, James Bond”.

For many, this is their experience of a casino. High stakes, preserve of rich people and, well, a bit of a fantasy, so the Grosvenor Casino situated off the A33 in Reading might seem as exotic as the island where Dr No was busy building a secret underground base.

But it’s actually a hive of activity and acts as one of the company’s UK key sites, coaching staff to create moments as memorable as Sean Connery’s Bond debut.

Through its Gaming Academy, it trains staff in a range of games over a six-week programme. Part of this includes a safe gambling module designed to help manage those times when lady luck has definitely run out.

Grosevnor says this includes how to identify “potential markers of harm” in customers, and ways in which they can “address player behaviour which may be of concern in terms of safer gambling”.

Jonathan Swaine, who is the managing director of Grosvenor Casinos, says that the company prides itself on creating opportunities for team members to progress their careers.

“When we make a hire, we are committed to giving them the best possible chance to progress and have a career not just a job,” he adds.

Laura Wilson, 33 and “Reading born and bred”, is one such graduate. She joined working in the food and beverages, and took the opportunity to join in the Academy programme ... days before the second lockdown.

“When we realised we were reopening, I completed the training,” she says. “My goodness, it was so hard.

“At the beginning, I found it frustrating because there were certain things my mind wasn’t used to doing: calculations, mathematical stuff, and basically retraining my brain to do things I’ve never done before.

“It was enjoyable at the same time, I love being here, having a focus. This is what I want to do, what I’m going to accomplish.”

But she took to it like a roulette ball to a wheel. Just don’t think the maths is basic stuff, as Laura explains: “Now if you ask me what’s 15 times 35, it’s 525. I can tell you because I essentially trained my brain to know these types of calculations.”

Add in being able to manipulate cards, spin the wheel the right way, cut chips without breaking into a sweat – it’s some skill.

Laura got there with the help of a roll of sticky tape, using it to tape fingers together to help her get those muscle memories in place.

“I love being here, we’re lucky – we’re one big happy family here and I love coming to work.” n For more, visit.grosvenorcasinos. com and www.begambleaware.org

Who gives us pride?

THE Pride of Reading Awards’ organisers are ramping up efforts to make this year’s event, focusing on the town’s Frontline Heroes, a fantastic day.

The awards take place at Reading Football Club on Friday, December 3, hosted by Chris Tarrant who has been involved since the start, 2004.

Said organiser Hilary Scott: “We have lots of great surprises and hope to give our frontline heroes a thank you they deserve.

“The nominations have been superb and we are currently contacting only those who have been shortlisted by our independent panel of judges to invite them to the event.”

Sponsors for 2021 are McDonalds, Reading Football Club, Macbeth Insurance, Broad Street Mall Reading Buses, The Oracle, M&G Real Estate, Qwerty, AB Walker, Green Park, IQVIA, Cream Design, Jacobs Jewellers, Boyes Turner, Roc Search, Berkeley Homes.

WINNERS: The awards were hosted

by Chris Tarrant Supporters include ITV, ITM.AV, Reading Borough Council, BBC Radio Berkshire, Berzerk Productions, Reading FC Conference and Events, Electric Hair, Starlet Dance School, Tesco Portman Road and Malmaison.

n Details can be found at www. porawards.co.uk

READING game inventors have been touring the country with their creation, after picking up praise nationally.

Mark Littlewood is the co-creator of Peruke, a number-based game of tactics and luck.

He says it was inspired by a family holiday in 2014 playing liar’s dice, where his wife was caught out in the first 10 minutes.

Instead, Mr Littlewood wanted to create a game that keeps all players engaged until the end.

He and James Gillham, a colleague at Reading College, where they were both lecturers in fine art, decided to create a game of their own.

The name comes from the term La Perruque, coined by French scholar Michel De Certeau.

It is when the worker uses their lunch breaks and off-cuts to create their own products — which is how the pair created the first few versions of the game.

“We wanted a combination of skill, tactics and luck,” he explains.

“Something simple, and portable too.

“Using dice keeps luck involved, which means you can’t get a huge amount better than your opponents.”

Only slightly bigger than a pack of cards, Peruke fits in a metal tin that can be carried around.

To play the game, each player is given six disks, with holes punched out of them to represent the six side of a die.

Each disk has a target design on one side, and is plain on the reverse.

“We had to work out how to allow the game to end with a simple scoring system,” Mr Littlewood says. “We came with the idea of disks being safe or vulnerable.”

If the disk is plain side up, it is safe.

If target side up, it can be taken by another player on their go.

INVENTOR: Mark Littlewood is the co-creator The game ends when one player loses all of their six discs.

“We looked at it more as an art project,” Mr Littlewood explains. “We had taught some lectures on game theory, and it built from there.

“We made a few versions as we needed to play test them to work out what worked, and what didn’t.”

After taking redundancy in 2015, Mr Littlewood pushed more time and energy into the invention.

“I started making furniture and selling it at markets,” he says. “I thought about taking the games, and they started to become more popular than the furniture.”

In 2019, he created a 200 sets of

Reading as you’ve never seen it before TALENTED artist Sally Castle has created a magical book for children and adults based on a classic story where good deeds are rewarded.

The Twyford-based artists used the quietness of covid lockdown to illustrate Oscar Wilde’s children’s story, The Happy Prince.

She has lettered the Irish writer’s words in a style loosely based on copperplate, written with a pen dipped in Quink. The end result is a beautiful art book edition, with a sketchbook feel.

A professional artist, Sally was born in Reading, the town where Oscar Wilde became the local gaol’s most famous inmate. He was imprisoned there in 1895.

For these reasons her drawings set The Happy Prince story in the town.

Sally went out and about gathering details with her sketch book and camera.

Readers will be able to spot the

local landmarks: the prison and town hall are on the front cover which includes gold foil blocking.

Inside, delightfully, the picture of Wilde’s beautiful Palace of Sans-Souci is in fact the Co-op store at Cemetery Junction. The upper section with its mouldings and window framings inspired Sally to think of it as a palace.

She has other amusing references.

The drawing of Wilde’s lion that roars is of course the war memorial Maiwand lion in Forbury Gardens.

“It started just as a personal project during covid. I’d really wanted to do one of Wilde’s fairy stories. The Happy Prince appealed because it shows good deeds being rewarded. It’s a book adults will buy for children. It just looks so lovely,” she says.

Sally, 68, has worked closely with Reading Museum.

“The book will be launched there and they will have the art work in

LEISURETODAY

20.10.21

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

More than just a day at the races Half-term next week is certainly a time to celebrate. They know just how to do that at Ascot Racecourse: spooky fun, fireworks and racing too. PHIL CREIGHTON looks at what’s in story for visitors next weekend

I

T’S THE season to start getting excited ... and after the past 18 months, we could all do with something that sparkles.

Ascot Racecourse is preparing for a series of special events to mark autumn and the run-up to Christmas, and families are well and truly in mind.

On Saturday, October 30, the Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday returns.

For horseracing fans, there is the

£80,000 Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase . Taking place over three miles, it is a test of stamina for both horse and jockey with several of the previous winners going on to compete in the Grand National.

And for younger visitors, the day coincides with an array of Hallowe’en themed family activities, including a ghost train and a haunted house to explore.

There are also some friendlier rides for younger people.

All are free before 4pm, and £1 after, with proceeds going to help a range of Berkshire charities and schools supported through Ascot Racecourse’s partnership with the Ascot Round Table.

Other activities include a wizard school and potion making, a creepy crawly petting zoo, pumpkin carving and a slime workshop.

In the evening, the racecourse will be ablaze with light thanks to a 20-minute spectacular firework display.

Organisers are promising that more than 20,000 shots will be fired into the air.

Ascot Racecourse is hoping you will save the date for its Christmas event, seven days before December 25.

The Howden Christmas Racing Weekend includes a day of jumps racing including the Grade One

Howden Long Walk Hurdle – one of the most prestigious long distance hurdle races in Britain, won by the likes of Big Buck’s, Thistlecrack and Paisley Park in recent years. The card concludes with the ultra-competitive Betfair Exchange Trophy over two miles worth £100,000 which is always an exciting finale to the day.

And away from the racecourse there is a feast of family fun.

Younger visitors will be able to enjoy festive arts and crafts. They can have their faces painted, there are bubble magicians on hand, and we hear that a certain Father Christmas, along with Mrs Christmas, will be in attendance.

Santa will be tending to his reindeer, while Mrs Claus will invite children to join her round the fireplace for a story.

The theme for the day will be Christmas Round The World, and

activities have a global view. There will be American cookie decorating, Canadian ice hockey shoot-outs, steel pan carollers, and furry mascots from every corner of the planet.

Other fun includes fairground rides and candlelit carol singing, helped by the Ascot Brass Band.

On Saturday, October 30, gates open from 10.30am, with the first race at 12.15pm. The fireworks will be from 6pm. The Christmas raceday is on Saturday, December 18 from 10.30am, with the first races from 12.40pm.

Tickets are on sale and start at £27 for adults. Under 18s go free with a paying adult.

Firework only tickets are available for Saturday, October 30. n For further information and to book visit: www.ascot.co.uk, call 0344 346 3000 or email enquiries@ascot.co.uk

14 | LEISURE

St Agnes Fountain duo at Folk Club A DUO who has played more than 2,500 gigs will be appearing at Nettlebed Folk Club on Monday, October 25.

Chris While and Julie Matthews are members of St Agnes Fountain and also awardwinning singer/songwriters and musicians. Organisers are promising an evening of powerful vocals with guitars and piano.

The set is one of a number of gigs coming up at the club, which meets in the village club in Nettlebed’s High Street.

On November 1, Cara Dillon will appear, followed by Talisk on November 8, Daoiri Farrell on November 15 and, on November 22, Coig. n For more details, call 01628 636620 for tickets or visit www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

Blind tasting WINE lovers can tickle their taste buds at a special tasting at the Reading Biscuit Factory next week.

The new community hub, on Broad Street Mall, will see Berks Fizz host a workshop of blind wine tasting for visitors to enjoy.

The most famous sparkling wines of the world will be on display, including English sparkling against Champagne, Prosecco and more.

This informal evening welcomes everyone, with no previous experience needed. n For more information, log on to readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Half-term treats at South Hill Park

A

WEEK of fun is promised at South Hill Park this half-term, with adventures for all ages to enjoy.

On Monday, there is an hour of magic from Tom Brace.

On Tuesday, Tarzanna is a show aimed at ages three to eight, and is nonverbal so it is especially suitable for people whose first language isn’t English, or they are deaf.

It follows Anna, who doesn’t like the bugs in her garden, she likes to keep things clean and tidy.

But her world is turned upside down when she is magically transported to a rainforest world.

Suitable for all ages and featuring a cast of three actormusicians, original songs, dance and interactive storytelling, Pete Stays Home on Wednesday follows Pete, a happy, social young bear. But when winter comes, Pete must stay inside with his mum. How will he feel when the day to leave his cave finally arrives?

The Snow Queen is on Friday, October 29, helping children have a fun introduction to ballet.

World-record breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo makes mad music with his mouth on Saturday, October 30. And he’s after some help as he seeks to funny sounds,

LAUGHTER: Mates Rates Comedy heads to The Purple Turtle this Friday.

Picture: Nick Byard

Enjoy a giggle thanks to Mates Rates at the Turtle

ON STAGE: Tarzanna is coming to South Hill Park this half-term brilliant noises and cool music.

The South Hill Park cinema is the perfect place to get cosy and enjoy some family films. The line-up includes The Croods 2: A New Age from Fri 22 – Mon 25 Oct, Spirit Untamed –from Mon 25 – Thu 28 Oct. Plus, get in the

spooky Hallowe’en spirit with The Addams Family 2 from Wed 27 – Sun 31 Oct. Family tickets are available on all screenings. n For more details, or to book tickets, log on to www. southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on 01344 484123.

STAND up comedy in Reading returns to The Purple Turtle this Friday.

Mates Rates Comedy has teamed up with the bar, on Gun Street, for a night of laughter, hosted by MC Carl Richard.

And special guest headliner, Slim, will be stepping up to the mic to perform his stand-up set.

After appearing on Channel 4’s Black British and Funny and Russell Howard Hour on Sky One, Slim’s multi-award winning 20 year career has seen him perform

to thousands across the world.

He’ll also be joined at The Purple Turtle by comedian’s Geoff Steel and Ashish Suri.

The show takes place at The Purple Turtle on Friday 22 October between 7:30pm9:30pm (doors open 7:00pm).

Super advanced tickets cost £12.50, advanced tickets cost £15 and to buy on the door is £17.50, subject to availability. n For more information, or to book tickets, log on to: matesratescomedy.co.uk

LAURA SCARDARELLA

Catch Lexicon’s ghostly train THERE’S something spooky at Bracknell this half-term … go there if you dare!

To celebrate school being out, The Lexicon is organising a special train ride through its streets.

And with Hallowe’en just around the corner, the ride has a spooky theme.

The Hallowe’en Express runs from Wednesday, October 27, through to Sunday, October 31.

Riders can join in from outside Marks & Spencer. The train then loops around The Lexicon, travelling down Eagle Lane, along the High Street, turning into

Braccan Walk and back to The Avenue.

To keep everyone as safe as possible, and with covid in mind, it will only be possible for each carriage, which seats six, to accommodate people from the same household.

All carriages will be cleaned in-between each trip.

Sue Boor, head of marketing at The Lexicon says: “We really wanted to do something fun in the town centre that everyone could enjoy.

“The Hallowe’en Express was a big hit in previous years, and

while we are having to operate it a little differently this year, we hope people will enjoy this fun activity.”

The ride runs from 11am to 6pm daily except for Hallowe’en when it stops at 5pm.

Trips cost £1 per passenger, plus a card processing fee, and need to be paid via contactless methods. Money will be donated to The Lexicon Charity Fund, managed with Berkshire Community Foundation [BCF], an independent charity that connects local people with local causes and projects.

Reading Lions to light up skies FIREWORKS will be lighting up the skies in Reading for a special charity fundraiser next month.

Reading Lions, a club which assists the young, elderly and disadvantaged through community projects, is hosting its Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday, November 6.

A funfair, food stalls, drinks will make up the family-friendly event, which takes place on Scours Place, Tilehurst.

And there’s prize’s to be won for the best children’s Hallowe’en costumes.

This year the organisation has partnered with 12 local schools and a scout group.

Each group promotes the event with a unique link and receives a donation to their PTAs from each ticket sold.

All proceeds raised will be used to support people in need and community groups through the Reading Lions charity. n For more information, log on to: readinglions.org. uk

LEISURE | 15

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Hit after hit after hit thanks to Manfred Mann

Justin and Paul are back, oh yes they are

Paul Jones can’t wait to return to The Hexagon next month ... it’s going to be a great night he says, not least because the Manfreds are sharing the stage with Georgie Fame. PHIL CREIGHTON finds out more

T

HE SOUND of the Sixties is, for many of us, the soundtrack to our lives. The songs created by pioneering pop bands have stuck around, used not just on gold radio stations, but on adverts, film soundtracks and in plays.

For 80s children, 5-4-3-2-1 means a chocolate bar. For 90s children, 1-2-3-4-5 is The Spice Girls riffing for the launch of Channel 5. And for 60s children, well, it’s the sound of Ready Steady Go, one of those early pop music shows, from the days when pirates ruled the airwaves.

It’s the work of Manfred Mann, one of many hits including Pretty Flamingo, Mighty Quinn and Do Wah Diddy. All of which have had proven staying power.

The band formed in 1962, and they enjoyed three number one hits in the UK, plus another 13 Top 10 entries. Like The Beatles and The Animals, the band led the British invasion of America and had a great decade.

But they disbanded, not reforming until 1991, for the 50th birthday of bandmate Tom McGuiness. And it is this incarnation that has carried on performing.

One of the leading lights is Paul Jones, who has enjoyed success away from the band as an actor, singer and host – for many years a regular on Radio 2 with a blues show.

Next month, the band will be back at The Hexagon for their Maximum Rhythm n’ Blues show, with special guest Georgie Fame, who had three number ones of his own: Yeh Yeh, Get Away and The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde.

It’s sure to be a great night of music.

Paul said: “Not only is it exciting to think that The Manfreds might actually be able to play together on tour again at last; that the great Georgie Fame will be back with us as well; that our friends and fans, starved of live music from us for so long, will refresh their memories with the real thing once more; but also that these loved, cherished and much-missed venues – and the people who work in and look after them – will once again host us and make us welcome.”

Justin Fletcher is writing and starring in this year’s Beauty and the Beast at The Hexagon, along with co-star Paul Morse. Picture: Reading Arts / Philip Tull

J

USTIN FLETCHER says he is, like most of us, incredibly excited about this year’s Hexagon pantomime.

Paul Jones enjoys performing Picture: Rob Blackman He admits that he had carried on doing the occasional gigs over the past year, as covid circumstances permit, including a few warmup dates.

“Touring is much more intense, I’m really looking forward to it,” he says. “I’m trying to organise myself, so I don’t wear myself out.

“There’s a massive adrenaline boost when you think, oh my goodness, we’re on in five minutes. Having Georgie Fame with us is a big plus and a big excitement. It’s something to look forward to very enthusiastically.”

With gold stations playing Manfred hits very regularly, surely there’s no need to see the band live?

“There’s a really, really quite considerable difference,” Paul says. “Just sitting there, or standing there, close to the actual people who were creating the stuff you’re listening to, it’s a whole different thing.

“I love listening to people’s records because they’re great, they’ve been carefully produced, mixed and mastered.

“That’s the advantage of recording, getting it perfect, get the right sort of sheen on it that you want. That’s really just to compensate you for not having the people there in front of you.

“Nothing replaces having

that close feeling. It’s something you can’t replicate.”

And it’s a two-way street.

Paul says the audiences in the front rows get some eye contact as he sings, and that helps the performances. And he’s learning that he doesn’t have to sing everything. Well, not any more…

“I remember Gerry Marsden saying to the Manfreds, ‘You guys work too hard’. I said, ‘What do you mean? We played the music.’ ‘Yes, he said and you sing it as well’.”

Paul says Gerry encouraged him to sing the first line “and leave the audience to do the rest”. He smiles.

When Paul started in music, he was riding the crest of a wave as Britain shook off the post-war period and discovered its original Cool Britannia. Did he know he was going to be a musician for life?

“Yes,” he says. “I always thought it was a lifelong career.

My early role models were bluesmen and some of them went on working until they’re in their 90s. So I always thought it was forever.”

That’s something that’s to our favour.

The Manfreds have just released 5-4-3-2-1: The Greatest Hits, featuring 20 songs and everyone a winner.

Tracks include Just Like A Woman, My Name Is Hack, Fox On the Run and Sweet Pea,

among others.

The band are looking forward to returning to The Hexagon next month, “a lovely venue to play”, and he’s been to see other acts perform here too. That’s a vote of confidence for Reading’s favourite sixsided venue.

And the show itself? “The music is fantastic,” he promises.

“When you consider how many hits there are between The Manfreds, all the individual Manfreds, Georgie Fame’s hits, we actually cannot get everything into the evening, but we’ll do our very, very best.

“It’s an amazing collection of stuff.”

He adds: “We also permit ourselves to go out on a limb and do things that we haven’t even recorded, or recorded rather obscurely. We just decide that, hey, we’ve never done that, let’s do it. So there will be stuff you’ve never heard us do.

“So, hey, it’s worth it. It’s worth the money, worth the ticket.” n Maximum Rhythm N’ Blues will be at The Hexagon, Reading on Saturday, November 6.

Tickets cost £31.50 or £33.50.

For more details, contact the box office on 0118 960 6060 or log on to www.whatsonreading. com n The band are also at the Wycombe Swan on Wednesday, November 17.

Imagine Theatre’s production of Beauty and the Beast will be his ninth appearance in Reading’s festive show, and the second time he’s appeared in it, but don’t expect the same old jokes – he’s writing the show himself.

Delayed a year due to the pandemic, it follows on from 2019’s Cinderella, which was the first he penned.

“Although I’ve appeared in many pantomimes, I had never written a panto script before, so I was thrilled at the response that Cinderella received,” the CBeebies megastar says.

If you saw it, you’ll no doubt have many fond memories particularly of the slapstick between Justin and his partner in crime Paul Morse, who is returning to play the dame. Just say ‘Balloon’ and many of you will burst out laughing, two years on.

This Christmas, Justin is playing Billy Pastry, a young apprentice at a bakery, with Paul’s dame as his mum.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with Paul again, he is a very generous performer and gets my style of comedy,” Justin says.

Paul says that the pair have worked together so closely that they only have to look at each other to know what the other will do next.

“We’re just raring to go,” says Paul.

“Justin and I want this year to be the biggest pantomime ever.

“After all, we enjoy the fun just as much as the audience … we have a whale of a time and we get paid to do it.”

The laughter matters to Justin, who says: “For me, that’s what pantomime is all about, creating happiness through entertainment.

“There’s nothing better than hearing the sound of families, both old and young, coming together and sharing joy and laughter at the same time.

“Pantomime is such a great shared experience and a perfect platform for this.”

Justin is promising more slapstick fun, and is also sculpting Beauty

around the actors, ensuring the songs, the jokes and the spectacle all sparkle to ensure Reading’s Christmas is the best it can be. His shows have been hugely successful, breaking box office records.

One of the reasons he cares so much is that he is a local lad, seeing pantos at The Hexagon when he was a Young Tumble.

“It means so much to me, especially at the time of year when families come together and visit the theatre to see the pantomime,” he says.

“It’s very rare for shows to appeal to both young and old in equal measures and performing at Christmas has an extra layer of magic.”

Of course, covid means that things will be slightly different this year and for Imagine Theatre’s producer, Steve Boden, that brings an element of sadness. One big change is the lack of a junior ensemble.

“Not being able to have children in Beauty and the Beast breaks my heart, we know that they have had a tough 18 months, but at the tail end of a global pandemic we couldn’t,” he says.

“But we are exploring ways to engage with young people in the Beauty and the Beast audiences, and we will ensure there are auditions in 2022.”

Aside from that, it will be business as usual, he promises.

“We know there is huge demand for pantomime, people are so enthusiastic to be back, Justin and Paul will be back on form. You’ll laugh and enjoy the fun, the spectacle and the music.”

The Hexagon and Imagine Theatre are once again arranging relaxed and signed performances, with covid-safe measures in place.

Steve says tickets are selling fast and “Theatre is safe to return to”.

Paul says: “Everyone is so excited the show, it will have all the best routines, and some old favourites.

Book now to avoid missing out, come along and have a blooming good laugh together.”

Justin adds: “We cannot wait to see you all at The Hexagon this Christmas.

We’ve missed you dearly and cannot wait to welcome you back.”

PHIL CREIGHTON

16 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

A powerhouse of magic

woman’s battle with life will help raise funds for charity.

Three Dot Theatre is producing Wee Rosie at South Hill Park on Saturday, October 30.

It looks at the life of a woman who grows up, becomes a mum, battles mental health and falls off an exercise bike.

Organisers say that the play will make audiences laugh, cry and value time.

The hour-long production takes place from 7pm at the Bracknell arts centre. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01344 484123 or log on to www.southhillpark.org.uk

ON MONDAY, an evening of baffling illusions will come to South Hill Park.

Tom Brace is drawing on his childhood loves, including Roald Dahl, Cluedo a certain 1985 film for the show, called Embrace The Impossible!

The evening fuses comedy with magic and some of his “totally pointless abilities”.

The show is suitable for ages eight upwards and lasts an hour.

Curtain up is at 7pm and tickets cost £16, £13 for under 16s and £52 for a family of four. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01344 484123 or log on to www.southhillpark.org.uk

Forever blowing bubbles

Let’s hear it for the youth

MEMBERS of the Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra will be performing at The Hexagon on Monday.

The group comprises more than 100 of the most advanced and enthusiastic young orchestral musicians within Berkshire.

The orchestra, conducted by John Traill will be performing Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No.2 in this concert.

Tickets cost £17, £12 for concessions and £48 for a family. n For more details, log on to www. whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Sweet night out with Motown hits

AN EVENING of popular music is planned thanks to South Hill Park.

The theatre is hosting How Sweet It Is, The Greatest Hits of Motown on Thursday, October 28.

The live show has been touring for a number of years, such is its popularity.

It promises the slickest choreography, and an amazing band to deliver the best Motown experience you will ever have.

The set list features some top-notch music performances including songs by Lionel Richie, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops and The Jackson Five.

The show starts at 7.45pm and tickets cost £28. n For more details, or to book, call the

TONIGHT’S the night for Rod Stewart Well, almost. The night is Sunday, and the singer is Garry Pease.

The entertainer is dropping in to The Mill at Sonning for his Rod Stewart Experience.

He not only sounds like the famous Scottish crooner, but he’s also a lookalike.

During the evening he will perform all of Rod’s greatest hits including box office on 01344 484123 or log on to www.southhillpark.org.uk

Show me the way to Wokingham ONE of the biggest names in music is coming to The Whitty Theatre next week.

Tony Christie is performing for the Wokingham Music Club.

The legendary singer has recorded million-selling albums and singles, performed in some of the world’s biggest arenas, appeared at major festivals such as Glastonbury, and had a career that has lasted five decades.

For his set in Wokingham, he will perform some of his greatest hits, including I Did What I Did For Maria, Walk Like A Panther, Las Vegas, Avenues

Maggie May, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, Tonight’s The Night and Sailing.

There will also some pieces from his Faces days and the Old American Songbook.

Doors open at 6pm, with a twocourse meal before the show.

Tickets cost £47 and include the meal.

On Sunday, October 31, the Mill will welcome The Johnny Cash Roadshow. & Alleyways and the Number 1 single (Is This The Way To) Amarillo.

The show starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £25.

Sadly, the Hank Wangford and Brad Breath show that had been planned for this Friday has had to be cancelled. n For more details, or to book, log on to www.wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

Hello, hello, Bye Bye Baby THE musical phenomenon that is the Jersey Boys will be celebrated with a special appearance by Bye Bye Baby at the Hexagon next week.

The show has been touring for several years now, to sell-out audiences across the country, but it all started right here

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 The Bon Jovi Experience. Thurs.

International Concert Series: Ida Pelliccioli. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Performers Here After Endless Waiting. Sat-Sun. Tom Brace. Mon 25. Tarzanna.

Tues. Pete Stays Home. Wed. Sessions. Wed. The Greatest Hits of Motown: How Sweet It Is. Thurs 28. Wee Rosie. Fri 29Sat 30. International Concert Series: Ryan Drucker. Fri 29.

The Snow Queen. Fri 29. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 29. Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids.

Sat 30. Alfie Moore: Fair Cop Unleashed. Sat 30. Wilde Sundays. Sun 31.

FILMS: Riders of Justice. Thurs.

The Croods 2: A New Age. FriMon. Reminiscence. Sat-Sun. Spirit Untamed. Mon-Wed. The Reason I Jump. Tues. The Addams Family 2. Wed-Sun 31.

Cliff Richard: The Great 80s

Tour. Wed-Sat 31. Freaky. Fri 29-Sun 31.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Wannabe – The Spice Girl Show.

Thurs. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Fri. The Greatest Love of All. Sat. Jason Byrne. Sun. Pop Divas Live. Mon. Omid Djalili: The Good Times Tour.

Thurs 28. Abba Reunion Tribute Show. Fri 29. Casper (PG). Sat 30. Spooky Safari.

Sat 30. Mama’ G’s Story Time.

Sat 30. Goosebumps (PG). Sat 30. Hocus Pocus (PG). Sat 30.

Monster Mash. Sat 30.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Until Sat. Tori Scott: Welcome To The After Party. Thurs.

Who Cares. Sat. Nadiya’s Fast Flavours. Sun. Phil Tufnell: How

Not To Be A Cricketer. Tues.

Being Mr Wickham. Thurs 28-Sat 30. Sessions by Ifeyinwa Frederick. Sat 30.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Until Sat. Jazz In the Round with The Max Wright Trio and Phil Meadows. Wed. The Bubble Show. Thurs 28. The Dong With The Luminous Nose. Sun 31.

High Wycombe – Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. Rays of Rhythm 6. Sat. Jimmy Carr.

Sun. Rhod Gilbery. Mon. Joel Dommett. Tues. The Greatest Love of All. Thurs 28. Simon Evans: The Work of the Devil.

Thurs 28. Tim Vine: Plastic Elvis. Fri 29.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

Clive John is the man in black. The show features many of the artist’s classic tracks Including The Ring of Fire, Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues, Man in Black and One Piece at a Time.

And if that wasn’t enough, The Mill has a comedy night on Monday. n For more details, or to book, log on to millatsonning.com or call the box office on 0118 969 8000. in Reading.

The evening will include incredible four-part harmonies, roof raising falsetto complete with energetic and stylish choreography – all backed by their excellent four-piece band.

The show includes Valli’s greatest hits including: Sherry, December ’63 (Oh What A Night), Grease, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. It takes place on Friday, October 29, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £27. n For more details, log on to www. whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Back on the exercise bike A PLAY focusing on the true story of one

A HALF-TERM treat is coming to the Kenton Theatre on Thursday, October 28 – a celebration of bubbles.

Mr Bubbles is promising an event that features bubbles of all shapes and sizes.

There will be bouncy bubbles, bubbles in bubbles, smoke bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles and even fire bubbles.

Originally a soldier, Eran The Bubble Man became a teacher and an actor. A member of the Magicians Society, he has toured the world … and now he’s coming to Henley.

The show takes place at 2pm on Thursday, October 28.

Tickets cost £13 and £11 for concessions.

For more details, or to book, log on to kentontheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01491 525050.

Sir Ian takes to the orchard

SIR IAN McKELLAN heads up a top-notch cast in Theatre Royal Windsor’s latest production, Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard.

Sean Mathias is directing the show which tells the story of a woman who returns home after a five-year absence.

In that time, her estate, including her beloved cherry orchard, has been auctioned off.

What happens next?

The cast includes Martin Shaw, Jenny Seagrove, Francesca Annis and Robert Daws.

The show has performances until November 13. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01753 853888 or log on to theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horrors. Thurs. Dom Joly: SOLD OUT. Thurs. Sessions.

Fri. Oye Santana. Sat. The Little Prince. Wed-Sun 31. Cliff Richard Live: The Great 80 Tour. Wed. Enrico Tomasson Quartet. Thurs 28. Loyiso Gola. Fri 29. Hundred Watt Club: A Hallowe’en Evening of Burlesque and Vaudeville.

Sat 30.

Reading – South St

Reading – Progress

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 A Little Death. Thurs.

Kaleidoscope. Fri. Haiku Salut Lamp Show. Fri. Anxious. Sat. Tom Stade. Sat. The Elves and the Shoemaker. Wed-Thurs 28.

Nina Conti (tour warm-up). Fri 29. Heavy Pop presents Beat Connection. Sat 30.

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Jazz at the Progress: Andrew McCormack’s Graviton. Fri. NEXT SHOW: Radiant Vermin.

Nov 15-20.

Newbury – Corn Exchange

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Amy Macdonald. Thurs. Anything For Love: The Meatloaf Story.

Fri. Dreamboys. Sat 23. Come What May. Sun. Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Mon. Respect (12a). Wed. NT Live: Follies (12a). Thurs 28.

Bye Bye Baby. Fri 29.

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Pete Firman: Bag of Tricks. Thurs.

Abba Forever. Fri. The Cavern Beatles. Sat. Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids. Sun. Tokyo Rose. Tues-Wed.

Newbury – Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Brief Encounter. Until Nov 13.

Reading – Hexagon

Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Brodsky Quartet. Thurs. Jimeoin: Turn It Up. Sun 7.

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 Dorian. Until Nov 7.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

Johnny Cash Roadshow. Sun 31.

Windsor – Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 The Cherry Orchard. Until Sat Nov 13.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Anne Boylen. Thurs-Sat 30.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Music Box: Songs From The Musicals. Fri, Sat, Tues 26, Thurs 28-Sat 30.

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Film Society: Judas and the Black Messiah (15).

Thurs. Tony Christie Live in Concert. Fri 29.

Sonning – The Mill

Woodley – Theatre

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Top Hat. Until Jan 8. The Rod Stewart Experience. Sun. Comedy Night. Mon. The

www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 Jazz Concert with the Martin Hart Trio and Alan Barnes. Sat 30.

SPORT TODAY

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US!

20.10.21

RAMS DRAMATIC

MARTIN WINS THEALE MASTERS

WINNER

ROCKETS REACH SEMI-FINALS

CLOUD NINE FOR SOUTH BERKS

SWIFTY & WITH STYLE STAR MAN SCORES AGAIN

MARTIN Renton hit his way to victory to be crowned as champion at Theale Golf Club’s Masters Championship, writes Dick Sawdon-Smith.

The contest is really a champion of champions competition only for those who have already won a competition at the club in the past year are entitled to enter.

Not only that, it has to be a Board Competition, that is to say one where the winner’s name is recorded on the club’s Honours Board in the club house.

Although rain was expected, the weather remained dry and warm for October and, with the course in excellent condition, perhaps as to be expected, the scoring was low and close.

Sean Kimmins scored an excellent 68 but missing a four-inch put, cost him the championship and he had to settle for the runners-up position.

Martin Renton, who joined the club after his previous club, Bearwood, was sold to Reading FC for their new training ground, had also scored a 68 and after a countback on the back nine, Martin was declared the winner.

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC’s star man John Swift produced the goods once again as his late winner led the Royals to victory over Barnsley on Saturday.

In a fairly even contest, Swift popped up with a stunning solo effort which saw him trick his way into the box before he sat down Barnsley goalkeeper Bradley Collins and fired the ball into the empty net.

The Royals have relied heavily on Swift this season with his scintillating form seeing him return eight goals and five assists from just 12 league games so far this season.

However, the club will have to pull off a miracle to keep Swift at the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the foreseeable future with his current contract set to expire in the summer.

Swift, 26, has been with the club

since 2016 when he joined from Chelsea and has been linked to a move back to the Premier League for the past couple of seasons, including strong links to Sheffield United last year.

The midfielder has already equalled his tally for his best league goals return for the Royals in a season, where he scored eight in his debut season with the Royals in 2016/17.

Club captain Liam Moore praised

his teammates after they recorded another win.

“We’ve adapted a few things, earlier on in the season I think we were quite open defensively, so we’ve just tightened things up a bit and now we’ve got two clean sheets on the bounce.

“I feel there’s a really good bond being built, the fans could see that we needed them.

“They, as the extra man, really helped us.”

18 | SPORT

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Rams head towards the try line

Mike Phillips at Rams RFC Pictures: Paul Clark Rams sealed a dramatic away victory at Bishop’s Stortford Pictures: Tim Pitfield

Rams evade the tackle of two Bishop players

RUGBY UNION

RAMS SECURE NAIL-BITING VICTORY TO BEST BISHOP’S

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

DIRECTOR of rugby Seb Reynolds reiterated the strength of the league after Rams’ latest nail-biting National One victory in a 21-19 triumph at Bishop’s Stortford.

A breath-taking start saw the hosts take a secondminute lead through Chris Smith before Jak Rossiter’s interception try was converted by Steffan James, only for James Thacker to cross for a score Dan Cole added the extras to as Stortford went 12-7 up inside seven minutes.

A penalty try helped Rams move 14-12 in front before half-time, but a flowing end-to-end move finished by Sam Bryan, again converted

by Cole, pushed the home side back in front midway through the third quarter.

Yet Rams’ forward

dominance fashioned a pushover Robbie Stapley try, converted by starting debutant James on 73 minutes, and with Cole missing a last-play penalty, the away side just clung on to victory.

Reynolds said: “It’s a great league. Fair play to Bishop’s Stortford, they came out with really good intentions to play some rugby and chuck the ball around.

“They caught us out early on when we were maybe still halfway in last week’s game for the first 10 minutes, but we managed to come back into the game and it was just a good match – they had a kick to win it, so there was nice drama for the crowd.

He continued: “They had some really good tactics – they took their time between the whistles and then really played with some nice tempo when the ball was in play, and they caught us out there.

Bishop make an attempt to stop Rams

“They’re a good side – they should have won two weeks ago at Rosslyn Park and they haven’t had many home games, so you could tell they were really up for it and they had good energy, so for us to hold on was really good.”

It was Rams’ first-ever success at Silver Leys and only the second in seven attempts against Stortford, and Reynolds said: “It shows how tough a place this is to come and win – we’d never won here as a club and I’ve also been here with Berkshire Under 20s when we were hammered by Hertfordshire, so it’s a really, really good victory.

“There was maybe a route there which could have made things more comfortable, but teams never lie down and these tight games are what makes this league fantastic.”

“We laid a good platform in the scrum and the maul – James Baker, Jack

Steadman and Ollie Moffitt were outstanding and then Max Hayman and Sean McDonnell-Roberts when they came on continued that and it helped us back into the game.”

Reynolds saved his final word for young Welsh standoff James, though, the Leeds Beckett alumni holding his nerve to land the winning conversion.

He said: “It speaks to Steff’s mentality that he can come into a side which has been going well and winning rugby matches, get thrust in at 10 and then his kick won the game.

“Those kicks from the 15-metre mark are very, very tough because everyone expects you to get them – the ones from the touchline you’re a hero if you get them.

“He was expected to get that and he did, so mentally it was a great effort.”

Rams are hit hard in the tackle

RUGBY UNION

FORMER LION CONDUCTS COACHING MASTERCLASS

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today FORMER British & Irish Lion Mike Phillips was a superstar guest at Rams RFC as he ran a coaching masterclass for the club’s juniors on Wednesday evening.

The scrum-half, who won five caps for the Lions and 94 for Wales, shared some tips with the club’s youngsters during an hour-and-ahalf session.

He said: “It was really good – there are amazing facilities which have blew me away really, perhaps better than most of the clubs I played for.

“It was lovely, the kids were fantastic and they’ve got good skills.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I got to do a lot with them and

Rams RFC

I loved it. It was great to see all the kids so enthusiastic about rugby and was fantastic.”

He continued: “I was panicking a bit about the session because as a scrum-half you have to be so skilful and comfortable with the ball in your hand and that’s what I was trying to do.

“A lot of it they can take away and work on themselves.

“In rugby, if you want to make it to the top you have to be dedicated and I told them when I was a young kid I always had a ball in my hand, constantly throwing it up in the air.

“When you’re comfortable with the ball in your hands – and you see it at international level.

“The best players in the world can off-load when they want which is so important to the game.

SPORT | 19

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

COMBINED COUNTIES FOOTBALL

BASKETBALL

WOODLEY DEALT DEFEAT AT ENFIELD ROCKETS LEAVE CAPITAL WITH

By MARK ROZZIER sport@wokingham.today

Enfield Borough 4 Woodley United 2 WOODLEY UNITED fell to an away defeat in the Combined Counties Division One with a 4-2 defeat to Enfield Borough.

A promising opening start

by United was undone in the fifth minute when poor defending allowed Richard Ennin to receive a pass and shoot past unchallenged against Ethan Giles.

Woodley responded immediately to cries of a penalty when Ben Tegg’s shot hit a defender’s arm but play was allowed to continue.

Borough were quick on the counter attack with Giles using his feet to block a one on one effort and then made a full length save to deny the hosts a second goal.

However, Enfield did double their lead five minutes later when a shot rebounded off Woodley’s

Woodley United FC Picture: Andrew Batt cross bar which saw Rinidie Lokilo-Imponge react first to head home unmarked.

United did well to withstand a period of Enfield pressure that saw a free kick go wide, a goal disallowed for offside and Lokilo-Imponge heading wide.

During this period, the visitors best effort saw Callum Betts shoot wide from the edge of the penalty

area on the turn from an Ayo Roberts cross.

The deficit was reduced four minutes before half-time when Roberts headed inside the far post from a Tahir Carmichael corner.

However, when Carmichael was punished for a foul two minutes later, Ennis was able to restore the two goal advantage from close range. Green was then

required to tip the ball over his cross bar a minute before half-time from a long range shot.

The second half saw a United change of formation which nearly brought dividends when Betts raced clear of the defence before passing to Caleb Lucas who fired over the crossbar.

However, the promising start was undone when a misplaced pass was intercepted by LokiloImponge to beat Giles one on one for Borough’s fourth.

The game began to open and played end to end with Lucas and Anderson causing problems and it was no surprise that Anderson scored United’s second.

Roberts did well to clear a shot off Woodley’s goal line before Anderson headed over from a Ryan Smith in stoppage time.

Woodley United: Giles, Whight, Carmichael, Monteiro (Reid), Richardson, Birkett ( Roberts), Lucas, Tegg, Betts (Larkins), Anderson, Smith Sub not used: Hudell

MAXIMUM POINTS London Lions 70 Reading Rockets 94

READING Rockets took maximum points on their visit to the capital with victory in the league against London Lions.

New signing Tyler Cartaino produced an all-time Rockets performance on both ends to power a commanding league victory which sees the Rockets take their second win from three games this season.

A slow start for the Rockets saw them down 9-5 at the six-minute mark, buoyed by Tyler Cartaino’s early three and layup.

With the Lions tallying just 14 points in a scrappy, defensive quarter, the Rockets’ offensive consistency proved the difference, pushing them to a 44-42 lead at the half.

After a Lions layup levelled the scores, the third period opened with a flurry of turnovers from both sides.

With six points in the opening minute, the Rockets came out ready to seize the game in the fourth quarter.

Tyler top scores for Rockets A Lewis Champion three with four minutes remaining put an end to any thoughts of a comeback, pinning the lead back at an insurmountable 26. With the game settled, youngster Kivuvu was able to showcase his range as the centre stepped out for a three before hitting a free throw to close out the scoring for the Rockets, who emerged 94-70 victors on the night.

National One Rugby returns to Old Bath Road on 30th October 2021 K.O. 3pm 1st XV v Sale FC A range of great food & drink will be available for you to savour. Stay and enjoy our LIVE music after the game.

E tickets can be pre-purchased via our Ticket Office at: Entry is £15 for over 18s for non-season ticket holders, FREE for under 18s.

FREE Park and Ride available for this fixture .

Rams Rugby, Old Bath Road, Sonning, Berkshire RG4 6TQ © RAMSRUGBY 2021

160mmx8 columns (265mm) Sale FC Home 30th October - Wokingham and Reading Paper 22.010.21 copy.indd 1

18/10/2021 14:55:32

20 | SPORT

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

S4K LADIES EXIT BERKS & BUCKS CUP FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Bracknell Royals against Hurst

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Berks & Bucks Women’s County Cup S4K BERKS COUNTY LADIES were knocked out of the cup by Slough Town Ladies.

Slough raced into a 3-0 lead and despite Megan Cox clawing back a goal for the Fawkes, they fell to a 3-1 loss.

Thames Valley Women’s

Sumas against Hanworth Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

Division 3S

WARGRAVE WOMEN DEVELOPMENT are in seventh after they picked up a point against Caversham AFC Women.

Tiny Leahy and Alison Richardson scored to help them to a 2-2 home draw.

Isthmian South Central BINFIELD climbed up to fourth in the table after they hit three past Westfield without reply.

The Moles went in front through Callum Bunting in the 45th minute and just six minutes later he had his brace to extend the lead.

Captain Sean Moore rounded off the scoring to seal three points for Binfield.

Binfield joint manager Carl Withers said: “Pleasing win with goals coming at crucial times during the game, a clean sheet and three points to end a perfect Saturday.”

Combined Counties Premier North READING CITY were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Spelthorne Sports.

The Cityzens went ahead in the 36th minute as Tyler D’Cruz met Mo Davies’ free-kick, but they were pulled back in the second half as the teams shared the points.

Combined Counties Division One

BERKS COUNTY came away with a point in an entertaining eight-goal contest against Hillingdon Borough.

The sides couldn’t be separated in a 4-4 draw to see the Swords in seventh place.

WOOLEY UNITED fell to a 4-2 away defeat at Enfield Borough to get them just one place off the bottom of the table.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA are in ninth as they earned a point on the road in a goalless draw at British Airways.

Eversley manager Matty

Angell said: “Not a lot to separate the teams but thought we had a fantastic second-half pushing for the win but lacked the quality needed in the final third. Clean sheet and players that came in did give us some headaches.”

Thames Valley Premier League FINCHAMPSTEAD remain as table toppers despite suffering just their second defeat of the season against Richings Park.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

SPORT | 21

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

FROM THE MIDDLE

AFTER 3-1 DRUBBING

By Dick Sawdon Smith

VAR and the PGMO

L

Finch have a two-point lead at the top after seven matches.

READING YMCA took the bragging rights over READING CITY U23’s as Andrej Homola snatched a winner in the 89th minute for the visitors to earn their first victory of the season.

Thames Valley Division One HURST extended their winning streak to six consecutive matches with a 2-1 win over Tadley Calleva Reserves.

Ellis Howard and Andrew White got on the scoresheet to keep Hurst at the top of the table.

FC IMAAN LIONS are at the bottom of the table after they were

defeated 4-1 by Maidenhead Town Reserves.

Thames Valley Division Two HURST RESERVES dropped down to 10th after they lost 4-2 to Maidenhead Town A. BERKS COUNTY SWORDS stay winless at the bottom after a 4-1 away loss at Slough Heating Laurencians Reserves. Jake Wilcock netted a consolation goal for Berks in the defeat.

Thames Valley Division Four HARCHESTER HAWKS continued their unbeaten run as they earned

an away point at Henley Town Development.

They are level on points at the top with Saturday’s opponents.

FINCHAMPSTEAD UNITED are in eighth after they lost 4-1 at home to Windlesham & Chobham A. Bracknell & District Sunday League Premier Division: Bracknell Rangers 2-2 Crowthorne Inn, Finchampstead Athletic 0-2 Raglan, Woodley Saints Kits 1-5 Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW Division One: FC Showcase 0-4 Finchampstead Reserves, Freeman Royals 2-5 AFC Dukes, Winnersh Rangers 2-2 Bigshot FC Division Two: Bracknell Cavaliers 1-3 Woodley Saints Tigers, Braybrooke Athletic 2-4 Ashridge Park Royals Division Three: Ashridge Park 3-1 S47

FC, Bracknell Royals 15-2 Bracknell Saint Germain, Bracknell Bisons 6-1 Crowthorne FC, Finchampstead Athletic 4-3 Silver Birch Division Four: AFC Dukes Reserves 12-0 Bracknell Titans, Bracknell Athletic Reserves 0-7 Finchampstead Athletic B, Hope & Anchor 3-4 Wokingham Wanderers

Reading & District Sunday League Division One: Emmer Green 10-1 Woodley Saints Hobnob, Give Back FC 3-3 Berkshire Dons, Reading Kites 3-6 Wayback Wanderers Division Two: Woodley Wanderers Reserves 2-5 Farley Hill, Goring United 15-1 Reading West Division Three: Berkshire Royals 2-1 Hurst, FC Woodley 2-1 Thames Valley Railway, Sanctuary Strikers 3-3 Racing Club de Woko

COMBINED COUNTIES FOOTBALL

SUMAS HOLD ONTO POINT IN GOALESS DRAW AGAINST LEADERS HANWORTH

BY ANDY PRESTON sport@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK earned a hard-earned point as they held league leaders Hanworth Villa to a goalless draw at Lowther Road.

The Sumas are in 16th position in the Combined Counties Premier North.

The hosts created the first big chance of the match as Callum Eagle nodded the ball down to Jake White who was found unmarked in the penalty area, but he couldn’t power his header past the

goalkeeper.

Hanworth created their first shot on goal in the 16th minute but Sumas keeper Aron Kanyai gathered the shot comfortably.

Kanyai was called into action just a few moments later as he made a terrific stop before Charley Tuttle threw his body in front of the ball to prevent the visitors from scoring the rebound.

The away side applied some late pressure but the Sumas stayed resilient to earn a well-deserved point.

Sumas manager Whitehouse said:

“In general it was really good, we followed the game plan we set out which is something we are stringent on every week. “We try and execute it and we fulfilled that today which we were pleased about.

“We did particularly at the end of the game where we were on the back foot a bit.

“But generally we followed the game plan and got what we wanted out of it and got a point against top of the league so we’re delighted.

“It’s something that we discussed last week that conceded three goals and that’s something we wanted

to come away from and be really difficult to play against.

“We feel in that aspect that we are gradually making strides.

This week we got the balance pretty good, created the better opportunities and defended our goal really well.”

The Sumas now turn their attentions to cup action as they face Blackfield & Langley in the FA Vase next weekend.

Whitehouse continued: “We’re really excited for that one. The guys really want to get a run going and progress.”

AST week I wrote about some of the trials, past and present, that precede the introduction of most new laws.

I mentioned VAR, which was slightly different because FIFA was determined to use it in the 2018 World Cup, following the obvious error over Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal in 2010.

I only received limited information about the six nations involved in the trials, except from the MLS in America and Canada.

Here it was introduced by England’s former World Cup Final referee, Howard Webb.

What I liked about it was that it stuck to the principle of the instruction of VAR which was ‘clear and obvious’ errors.

For example, if there was a possible offside, and if the referee after viewing the monitor didn’t think it was clear and obvious, he didn’t give it.

Howard Webb’s own view is that if you have to look at the defining replay more than twice, it can’t be obvious.

When it was introduced into the Premier League, the PGMO took a different view.

For instance they decided that the referees would not view the monitor but leave the decision to the VAR and to use a spurious line across the pitch to judge offsides.

When I queried with one PGM referee their decision to judge offside by the nearest foot to the line, he replied, ‘that’s the law Dick’.

But of course it isn’t the law which talks about any part of the head, body or feet (but not including the hands/arms).

So a defender’s head might be nearer than the attackers foot but that wouldn’t count.

Does this sound like clear and obvious or even in accordance with the law?

When FIFA took control of the use of VAR, they immediately instructed Premier League referees to view the monitor on the basis that otherwise it was a breach of the laws, which say the referees decision is final.

The PGMO are now using two lines for offside decisions but say these have improved the accuracy of the system.

If used last year, and this is the PGMO figures, 20 disallowed goals would have instead counted. I rest my case.

22 | SPORT

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

How they rated Man of the match: John Swift

SWIFT’S SOLO MAGIC RESCUES READING 1 BARNSLEY 0

LUKE SOUTHWOOD

Pulled off some very good saves including a few from Cauley Woodrow who was very lively in the first-half.

ANDY YIADOM

Dangerous in attack when he got forward and put in some excellent crosses and made a crucial tackle to prevent a Barnsley break.

LIAM MOORE

Formed a good partnership with Dann in the heart of defence and won some important aerial duels toward the end of the match.

SCOTT DANN

Solid performance from the experienced defender on his 400th league start. Put in some timely tackles and blocks

BABA RAHMAN

Had a fierce effort in the secondhalf that was well saved from the keeper and looked lively down the left throughout.

JOSH LAURENT

Off the pace at times with some mistimed passes when he tried to play Yiadom in down the right.

DANNY DRINKWATER

Calm and composed in the middle to keep possession ticking, and made ome crunching tackles that got the crowd off their feet.

TOM DELE-BASHIRU

Showed excellent footwork in the middle and played some clever through balls forward in attack.

JOHN SWIFT

A moment of magic with his superb solo goal in the 77th minute which was enough to win the game.

Eight league goals already.

OVIE EJARIA

A frustrating afternoon for the midfielder on his 100th Royals appearance. Had a good chance to score in the first-half.

GEORGE PUSCAS

Struggled to get involved in the game and was anonymous for much of it. Hooked off for Azeez just after an hour,

Subs Femi Azeez 6

8 8 7 8 7 6 7 7 8 5 4

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today JOHN SWIFT guided Reading to three points with a superb solo goal to see the Royals beat Barnsley at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Both sides created half chances throughout the match but were frustrated for the opening three quarters of the game as it stayed level.

However, Swift popped up with a moment of magic in the 77th minute as he notched his eighth Championship goal of the season.

There were still a host of injuries for Veljko Paunović to contend with, however he did have the luxury of selecting two natural centre halves as captain Liam Moore and Scott Dann started as the middle pairing.

The visitors nearly had an early sight of goal when Aaron Leya Iseka looked to pull the trigger from just outside the box but Dann slid in and got enough on the ball to not give away a free-kick and snatch the chance away from Barnsley.

Andy Yiadom showed a superb turn of pace down the right-wing to drive into the box against his former club as he won the Royals their first corner of the match.

The Tykes looked a threat on the break as Callum Brittain escaped the challenge of Ovie Ejaria and found Victor Adeboyejo out wide who fizzed in a dangerous low cross that missed everyone in the middle.

Cauley Woodrow tried his luck on two occasions in quick succession as his 30-yard free-kick hit the side netting to the relief of Luke Southwood, before he tested the Royals keeper with a powerful drive that was pushed behind.

Femi Azeez chases the loose ball

Swift celebrates his winner

Josh Laurent moves past his marker

Match stats Reading: Southwood, Rahman, Moore (c), Dann, Yiadom, Laurent, Drinkwater,DeleBashiru, Ejaria, Swift, Pușcaș Subs: Rafael, Ashcroft, Osorio, Camara, Azeez, Clarke, Ehibhatiomhan Barnsley: Collins, Sibbick, Helik, Moon, Brittain, Williams, Palmer, Gomes, Leya Iseka, Woodrow (c), Adeboyejo Subs: Walton, Cole, Frieser, Vita, Hondermarck,Williams, Oduor Goals: Swift 77’

Scott Dann heads towards goal Reading had the ball in the back of the Barnsley net in the 27th minute only to be denied by the offside flag as Dele-Bashiru poked the ball past the onrushing keeper but to no avail as it was ruled out.

Swift showed his precision with a through ball to find Baba Rahman who was fouled just as he was about to enter the box as Brittain was cautioned.

Woodrow continued to look lively in attack for the away side as he sent in an inviting cross for Leya

John Swift netted the only goal o Iseka but he steered the ball high and wide on the volley.

Woodrow continued his personal battle with Southwood but the Royals keeper pulled off another smart stop as he got down low to his right to block the Tykes striker’s free-kick.

Reading’s clearest chance of the half came just two minutes before the break as Swift whipped in a brilliant delivery from the corner that was met by the jump of Dann but Collins made an important

REACTION

PAUNOVIC PRAISES ‘MATURE’ PERFORMANCE READING FC manager Veljko Paunovic praised his team’s ‘mature’ performance as they earned three points against Barnsley.

“It’s a well-deserved win,” said Paunovic.

“The team worked well and were mature.

“Our finishing needs to improve.

“We were chasing a goal in the first-half and scored but it was ruled out (Tom Dele-Bashiru).

“We reviewed it and believe it was onside.”

Paunovic admitted he had concerns after a slow start to the second-half but was pleased with the response of the side after Femi Azeez made his return from injury.

“Barnsley had much more confidence in the second half,” he continued.

“Barnsley have a lot of high intensity runs and sprints.

“In our approach we had to match that and we did. We knew we had to be patient and with our quality and experience we’d have a chance to score “We didn’t start well and they had a few opportunities.

“The relief came after Femi (Azeez) stepped on the field and provided those runs we needed.

“The stretches he (Femi Azeez) made to their defence opened up space and allowed us to create chances.

“You always want competition

and for the players to be on their toes.

“That’ll help the team and give more solutions to the team and options to win.

“Our goal came later than expected but it was a brilliant pass from Dann and an excellent execution from Swift.”

Paunovic was delighted with the performance of Scott Dann who helped the Royals to a clean sheet on his first start for the club.

“Our football intelligence increased with him on the field.

He used his experience and intelligence to help with the pace of the game.”

The Reading boss also provided some latest injury updates on

Junior Hoilett, Andy Rinomhota and how Andy Yiadom passed a late test to start the match “It’s a soft tissue injury for Junior (Hoilett) that will probably require time away from the field.

“He (Rinomhota) will need some time.

“We work with certain guys on a daily basis and he is one of them.

“He might be there or he might not be there for the next game so we will see.

“He’s (Yiadom) a great example.

Three days ago we didn’t think he would make it.

“He had a cut on his foot that healed very well.

“He always gives everything.”

SPORT | 23

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

From the Tilehurst End

ROYALS WITH LATE WINNER

Olly Allen Yiadom heads away the danger

Is Southwood the permanent number one?

L Azees gets forward Dann rises

Baba Rahman puts in a tackle Swift battles to win back possession

of the game to see Reading beat Barnsley Pictures: Steve Smyth

Tom Dele-Bashiru stridesforward

reactionary save to keep the scores level.

Barnsley started the secondhalf strongly as Brittain rattled the frame of the goal with a well connected volley at Southwood’s near post.

They forged another big chance when Adeboyejo exchanged passes with Woodrow in the box but hit a weak shot at Southwood.

Yiadom made a crucial tackle to prevent Adeboyejo from breaking through the middle before Laurent spotted the keeper off his line and tried an optimistic effort from distance. they got on the front foot but Dann got in the way on two Andy Yiadom swings in a cross

occasions with important blocks.

Paunović made his first change in the 63rd minute as Femi Azeez returned to action after injury to replace Pușcaș up top.

Azeez had a big chance to break the deadlock when he was sent through on goal by Swift but he opted to take a couple of extra touches to get the ball onto his left foot that allowed Barnsley to snatch the ball from him.

Rahman tried an effort from distance and hit a fierce strike that took a small deflection on the way through before Collins dove to his left to keep it out.

On the opposite wing, Yiadom

got forward and placed a perfect ball across the face of goal but there was no Reading body there to apply a finishing touch.

But in the 77th minute, Reading’s talisman Swift broke the deadlock with a moment of magic.

He made his way into the box from the left as he drifted past a defender before he feigned to shoot to trick his way past the keeper and converted the ball into the empty net.

Barnsley applied pressure in the closing stages of the game to try and rescue a point but the Royals held on to earn three points and a clean sheet.

PREVIEW

READING LOOK TO CONTINUE STRONG FORM IN BLACKPOOL VISIT READING will be looking to continue their momentum in the Championship when they host Blackpool on Wednesday evening.

The Royals climbed up to seventh in the table after they defeated Barnsley 1-0 on Saturday.

Veljko Paunović’s side has discovered their form and are on a run of five victories from their last six league matches.

Meanwhile, Wednesday’s opponents at the Select Car Leasing Stadium dropped down to 15th in the table after they were beaten 2-1 at Nottingham Forest.

The Tangerines gained promotion to the Championship last season after they were victorious in the League One playoff final and have made a reasonable start to the season.

They are currently on 15 points after 12 matches and have a relatively tight defence having conceded 16 times, three less than Reading despite the gap of eight places in the table.

However, Blackpool have struggled at the other end of the pitch and have scored just 12 times,

while the Royals have netted 18.

Shane Lavery is Blackpool’s top scorer so far this season with five goals to his name in 11 matches.

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley has only been in charge of the club since March 2020 but has transformed the team who finished in third place in League One last season before their playoff triumph.

Reading have a strong record against Blackpool and are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the sides.

The last two games between the teams have been in the FA Cup, where Blackpool earned a replay after a 2-2 draw at the Madejski in January 2020, only to be beaten 2-0 in the reverse tie with goals from Lucas Boye and Jordan Obita.

The last league meeting ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Bloomfield Road in 2015, while Blackpool’s last visit to the SCL saw the Royals run out as 3-0 winners in October 2014 with goals from Glenn Murray and Nick Blackman.

UKE Southwood may have spent much of the last few years wondering whether he would ever get the chance to be Reading’s number one.

The Oxford-born shot-stopper has been at the club since the age of eight and shone on loan at Bath City, Eastleigh and Hamilton Academical.

He was also part of the England Under-20 squad that won the World Cup in 2017.

Yet he did not make his Royals first team debut until the age of 22, against Colchester United in the EFL Cup last year. That’s relatively late compared with other academy graduates.

Few would have blamed him for moving on in search of regular football in the summer, admitting that it just wasn’t meant to be in RG2.

Jack Stacey and Rob Dickie have done so at a similar age in recent years and gone on to have flourishing careers.

Nonetheless, Southwood signed a new twoyear deal in May and made his league debut the following day against Huddersfield Town in the final game of the season.

Reading’s defensive woes at the start of the season were well-documented – 16 goals conceded in the first six matches equalled a Championship record – but it’s important to note that this wasn’t purely down to Rafael.

The Brazilian made errors, but he can hardly be blamed for the way the defence in front of him collapsed so frequently.

But when Rafael suffered a self-inflicted injury to his hand, Southwood took his chance with both of his own hands – and he has not looked back.

In six games, he has conceded just three goals and kept Reading’s first three clean sheets of the season.

It’s also thanks to the rest of the team becoming more solid, particularly due to the introduction of Danny Drinkwater and more recently Scott Dann.

There’s no nervy moments with Southwood – which is rare for someone who in truth is still a rookie – and he has proved his shot-stopping ability with several impressive saves.

He’s also very vocal and excellent at organising the defence in front of him.

Rafael is back from injury but the number one shirt is undoubtedly now Southwood’s to lose. All those years waiting in the wings are finally paying off.

Luke Southwood

24

SPORT |

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

HOCKEY

NINE OF THE TIMES: SOUTH BERKS 6S WIN South Berks shoot at goal

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Men’s Thames 4

SOUTH BERKSHIRE earned their third win in four matches as they beat bottom of the table Newbury & Thatcham 2-1 away from home.

South Central Men’s Division 2 SONNING 2s won their first match of the season as a solitary goal was enough to see off Newbury & Thatcham 2s.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s remain pointless after three matches as

South Berkshire 6s earned a stunning victory The teams fight for the ball Pictures: Steve Smyth they lost out in a seven-goal contest South Central Women’s to Yateley 1s with a 4-3 defeat.

Premier 1

South Berks and Wallingford challenge scored to help South Berks to earn an away draw.

South Central Men’s Division 4

South Central Women’s Thames 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE are in third with three wins from four as they defeated Newbury & Thatcham 3s.

South Berks earned three points and a clean sheet as goals from Mike Longson, Tom Pullen and Sam Coombes won them the match.

SONNING were beaten for the second time this season as they lost 4-1 at Havant 1s.

South Central Women’s Division 1 SOUTH BERKSHIRE added a point to their tally with a 2-2 stalemate against Marlow 2s.

Kelly Hancock and Sarah Kelly

BASKETBALL

ROCKETS RIDE INTO FINAL FOUR OF LLYNCH TROPHY

By JAMIE KING sport@wokingham.today READING ROCKETS held their nerve to progress to the semifinals of the LLynch Trophy at the expense of Loughborough Riders.

Despite dominating large stretches of the game, a frantic finish saw the Rockets escape with a hard-fought home win against a tenacious Loughborough side.

Reading started slow, allowing Loughborough to open up a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.

After a strong defensive possession by the Riders, Meshack Lufile secured a wellcontested offensive rebound for a putback to stop the bleeding.

A trademark block from Meshack injected some energy into the Rockets, who quickly tallied 10 points of their own thanks to a Jaz Bains three and some more buckets inside from Meshack.

FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 1-0 Barnsley

Combined Counties Premier North Sumas 0-0 Hanworth Villa Reading City 1-1 Spelthorne Sports

South Central Men’s Premier 2

SONNING 1s suffered their first loss of the season with a 3-1 defeat away at Staines 2s.

Saturday, October 16

Isthmian South Central Binfield 3-0 Westfield

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 6s enjoyed a stunning all-round display as they hit nine past Wallingford 5s.

South Berks displayed excellence in both attack and defence in their 9-0 triumph The victory puts them up to seocnd in the table with two wins from two.

South Central Men’s Division 1

RESULTS

The Rockets responded well, shoring up their defence and putting points on the board through a deep Lewis Champion bomb. Late free throws from the Riders’ Justin Hedley saw the quarter end 2318 to Riders.

With half-time looming, the Riders responded well through Hedley and Joe Bielak, who each got to the line for easy scores to cut the deficit.

Producing seven points in the final minute, Tyler’s latehalf heroics gave the Rockets a commanding 47-36 lead at the break.

After a Cartaino coast-tocoast layup beat the buzzer, Reading closed out the quarter with a dominant 68-51 lead.

Despite early buckets from Victor Ndoukou, the Riders were unable to close the gap as AJ Basi and Cartiano continued to hit shots from all over the court. With five minutes to go and the match seemingly secure, Harrison Gamble and Greg Wild each

connected from deep to build an 8-0 Loughborough run that took the score to 81-70. With the threat of a comeback a real possibility, Lewis Champion answered with his third three of the night.

With their lead cut to two points and just ten seconds left, the Rockets watched AJ Basi take the tactical foul and step up to the line.

AJ hit both to extend the lead to four in what ought to have been the decisive play of the game. It surely looked that way as Reis Pinnock jumped the passing lane on the Riders’ inbound pass, stealing the ball and taking it to the hoop for a powerful dunk, but an Ndoukou three with two seconds remaining cast Rivermead into uncertainty once again.

With so little time, though, the Riders were unable to turn the ball over and were forced to foul, sending Lewis Champion to the line where he split the free throws to end the game.

SONNING 3s took the points in a local clash at SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s.

Sonning move up to ninth after their first win of the season with a 3-1 triumph, while South Berks are in second despite the loss.

Combined Counties Division One British Airways 0-0 Eversley & California Enfield Borough 4-2 Woodley United Hillingdon Borough 4-4 Berks County Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23’s 0-1 Reading YMCA Richings Park 2-0 Finchampstead Woodley United Royals A-W Wargrave RUGBY UNION National League One Bishop’s Stortford 19-21 Rams

TABLE TENNIS

HOCKEY South Central Premier Division 2 Newbury & Thatcham 1-2 South Berkshire

READING FC A remain top of Division 2 following their 7-3 win over Kingfisher G.

South Central North Division 1 Staines 2s 3-1 Sonning

READING REMAIN TOP WITH KINGFISHER WIN Tony Alleyne, Wayne Alleyne and Mike Childs all defeating Hamid Mohseni and substitute Satej Jaywant but, in turn, each losing to Kingfisher’s Neil Dellar. Although they have played one match fewer, Sonning Sports A climbed to second place after their 7-3 defeat of Kingfisher F, Nick Sears recording a treble, Paul Savage a double and Keith Machin a single while, for Kingfisher, Roger Pritchard won twice and Ajai Kamath won once.

Our Lady of Peace B dropped to third after losing 3-7 away to Sonning Common & Peppard D, with Alistair Richardson, Chris West and Darek Kaminski each winning once while, for the Commoners, Mark Jones, Jon Abbott and Danny Dockree each won twice.

Despite a hard won treble from Clive Gold, Kingfisher E lost 4-6 to Tidmarsh B with Abhay Gore earning his team’s other point after defeating Mike Aistrop 11-9 in his opening set, subsequently losing to Barry Carter in four games, and then to Dale Ballard.

Tilehurst Methodists A recorded their second victory, winning 6-4 against Tidmarsh C, Jes Eassom with one win while team mates Phil Jones and Bill Stamatiou each won twice, which meant that Ian Wu’s fine maximum for Tidmarsh was in vain since Richard Hudson could only chip in with the one win, defeating Jes in the final set.

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Havant 4-1 Sonning South Central Women’s North Division 1 Marlow 2s 2-2 South Berkshire

Sunday, October 17

FOOTBALL Thames Valley Women’s Division One Tilehurst Panthers v Denham United Reserves Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Wargrave Women Development 2-2 Caversham AFC Women Slough Town Ladies 3-1 S4K Ladies

Wednesday, October 20 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading v Blackpool (report online at wokingham.today)

FIXTURES

Saturday, October 23 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Blackburn Rovers v Reading Isthmian South Central Bedfont Sports v Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Spelthorne Sports v Reading City FA Vase Berks County v Burnham Blackfield & Langley v Sumas Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California v Kensington & Ealing Boro Woodley United v Sandhurst Town Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead v Woodley United Royals Reading YMCA v Westwood Wanderers Wargrave v Mortimer Yateley United v Reading City U23’s RUGBY UNION National League One Darlington Mowden Park v Rams South West 1 East Chippenham v Bracknell

Sunday, October 24 FOOTBALL Southern Region Women’s Premier Eversley & California v Winchester City Flyers Thames Valley Women’s Division One Long Crendon v Tilehurst Panthers Wargrave Women & Girls v Carterton Ladies

LEISURE | 25

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

RaW SOUNDS TODAY

BIG FUTURE: Third Lung have powerful musicianship making them a joy to watch

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday

H

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Apache Kites. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Bon Jovi Experience. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Eddie Martin.

Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Amy Macdonald. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mellor. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Britop Acoustic: Mark Morriss, Nigel Clarke and Chris Helme. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Friday, October 22

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Starlite and Campbell Stripped Back. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk CHARVIL – Heron on the Ford, Landsend Lane RG10 0UE. Piston Broke. Details: 0118 934 0700.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Hank Wangford and Brad Breath. £18. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Anything For Love – The Meatloaf Story. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Andrew McCormack’s Graviton. Details: www. jazzinreading.com READING – South Street

Arts Centre, South Street.

Haiku Salut Lamp Show.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Pete & Bas. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Chestnuts.

Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, Oct 23

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Spriggan Mist’s Ghostly Tales 2021. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Andrew Browning as George Michael. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Corsairs. Details: 0118 957 6930.

TILEHURST – The Victoria, Norcot Road RG30 6BP. Nicole and the Papas.

Details: 0118 942 5550.

Sunday, October 24 READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Discovery. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Come What May. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Fret Heads. Details: 0118 958 6048.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Rod Stewart Experience. Details: 0118 969 8000.

Monday, October 25 NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD.

The latest single from a new hard rock band that recently played at the Acoustic Couch in Bracknell (where some of the band is from). Next month they are in Kingston and Addlestone – https://www. facebook.com/OneLastDayOfficial

This local artist has just released a wonderful lyric video for this beautifully chilled track from their Take A Deep Breath album – abetterlifemusic.com

Hank Wangford – Perfect Day

Third Lung – I A Fire They have released a series of great singles, including this one, and are excellent live too as evidenced by their festival sets at Wokingham, Are You Listening? and their own Loddfest.

With powerful musicianship, vocals and a well produced indie sound, Third Lung are destined for large arenas.

Check them out at their two forthcoming Reading gigs. They perform a stripped down set at Jamma’s event at Purple Turtle on Friday, October 29, and

GIG GUIDE

Thursday, Oct 21

One Last Day – Holding onto Nothing

A Better Life (feat. Herica and The Wolf) – Dreaming of the Beach

ELLO and welcome to the new RaW Sounds Today playlist.

For the benefit of new readers, each week we round up 10 great tracks, all with connections to the area.

It could be a local artist, or a big name – like Tony Christie – coming for a gig.

And it’s not just a list of tunes. You can listen to them for free, thanks to our Spotify playlist.

It’s a brilliant way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and have a bit of a boogie in the process.

To tune in, simply head to https://bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday and pump up the volume.

There’s also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap in to. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

from Signals, from which this track is taken – www. theparadoxtwin.com

Nettlebed Folk Club presents: Chris While and Julie Matthews. Details: www.nettlebedfolkclub. co.uk

Tuesday, Oct 26

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Chris Jagger and Friends. Details: 01491 681048.

Thursday, Oct 28

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Thomas Heppell Blues Band and support. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Greatest Hits of Motown: How Sweet It Is. Details: 01344 484123.

Friday, October 29

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Musikissmo. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. George Michael tribute.

Details: 01344 303333.

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Kit Downes.

Details: http://www. concertsincaversham.co.uk READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Bye Bye Baby. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Jamma presents Third Lung. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Manics vs Phonics. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Hallowe’en special:

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Majestix. Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Tony Christie. 7.30pm. £25. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk

Saturday, October 30

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Housework’s Deep Tech and Uplifting House. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. !Daft! Hallowe’en fancy dress party. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Scarlet Vixens Purple Creep Show. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – South Street Arts Centre, South Street. Heavy Pop’s Beat Connection. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Sunday, October 31

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays.

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: singers’ night. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Scouting For Girls. Details: 0118 959 5395.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Johnny Cash Roadshow. Details: 0118 969 8000.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Band of Substance. Details: 0118 957 6930.

their usual set at The Facebar on Friday, November 26 – www.thirdlungband.com

Scouting for Girls – Heartbeat This band gained major recognition for their debut self-titled album in 2007, and have gone from strength to strength since with a stream of indie pop hits such as She’s So Lovely, This Ain’t A Love Song, Elvis Ain’t Dead and Heartbeat.

They have been nominated for four Brit Awards and one Ivor Novello Award and they will be visiting Reading to play at Sub 89 on Sunday, October 31.

What a great night of sing-along anthems that will be – www.scoutingforgirls.com

Tony Christie – Avenues and Alleyways Tony is a legendary singer who has recorded million-selling albums and singles, performed in the world’s best-known arenas and festivals and he’ll be at Wokingham Music Club on Friday, October – www.tonychristie.com

The Paradox Twin – Sea of Tranquility Following their recent live tour which included Wokingham Festival, this Reading-based band released their eagerly awaited second album, Silence

me Flying Enter tain

This is the opening song on UK Country/ Americana legend Hank Wangford’s latest album Holey Holey. He’s was due at Wokingham Music Club this Friday, but the show has been cancelled– www.hankwangford.co.uk

In Albion – Earth They performed a great show at local record shop, Beyond the Download’s event in Peach Place Wokingham recently. In Albion describe themselves as a theatrical prog rock band. Here’s their latest single – inalbion.net

Split the Dealer – High Rockets He was No.3 in Wokingham.Today’s Best of 2020 with his Deva St.John duet on the XV single and here’s one of his own singles. Split aka Sam Brett is at The Facebar on Friday, November 26, supporting Third Lung – www.facebook.com/splitthedealer

Deva St.John – Pity Party The other half of that duet mentioned above with the latest of a string of quality singles and it’s a powerful rock pop dance anthem.

Deva will also be at The Facebar on November 26 – https://www.facebook.com/dayvasaintjohn

nt present

MIKE HUGG O B ’A D E IK M PAUL JONES SEND N W O T B O R S S E TOM MCGUINN N CURRIE O IM S D N A E F IF L C S U MARC GUEST AAND THEIR SPECIAL

Saturday 6 Nov 2021

0118 960 6060 whatsonreading.com

26| LEISURE

Catch Aldworth in your living room A VIDEO performance of a Reading concert is available to view until the end of the month.

The Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra teamed up with Berkshire Maestros Camerata for a performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ ‘Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, first performed in 1910 at Gloucester Cathedral.

They had been due to play in Reading’s Abbey ruins but wet weather meant it had to be moved indoors.

The performance was filmed used 360º videography, so it’s possible to move around the orchestra while watching. n To watch the music, log on to whatsonreading.com. It is only available until Sunday, October 31.

Music studio

A NEW MUSIC studio for children opened in Earley last week.

Kindermusik with Sarah, offering weekly music lessons for up to age seven, has set up camp on St Peter’s Road.

The interactive sessions provide the opportunity for parents to connect with their children and others.

They include activities made to improve language, movement, sensory awareness, social-emotional and cognitive development. And the lessons have a focus on promoting musical skills. n For more information, log on to: kindermusikwithsarah.co.uk

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Showbiz legends to go up the beanstalk

S

TARS ARE hoping to dazzle audiences with the power of panto this year.

The Theatre Royal in Windsor is getting ready to stage Jack and the Beanstalk from November, after last year’s show was called off due to covid.

The performance will star regulars Basil Brush, writer Steven Blakeley as the Dotty Dame and comic Kevin Cruise.

It will also feature showbiz icon Anita Harris, who is gearing up to play this year’s baddie, Alice Fillary who played Cinderella last year, and Dreamboats & Petticoats star Elizabeth Carter.

This year, Basil Brush said he’s more eager than ever to get on stage after enjoying rehearsals over the last few weeks.

“I don’t think myself or the entire cast or entire audience have ever anticipated an opening of a pantomime quite as much as this year,” Basil said.

“Last year, after we were dragged off kicking and screaming, and then went for 18 months with no live shows, so I think this year will be something quite spectacular to behold.

“The audiences will be so up for it and so will we.”

The fox, who is looking forward to entertaining audiences with his oh so lovable

ON SHOW: Top Hat has officially opened at The Mill at Sonning and will run until January

BOOM BOOM!: Basil Brush in Aladdin in 2019. He will be in Jack and the Beanstalk this year Picture: Jack Ladenburg for Theatre Royal Windsor puns, said he can’t wait to be a part of Jack and the Beanstalk for the first time.

“Rehearsals are where it all happens,” Basil added.

“We’ve all worked together so much before and we fit together like a family, so we’ve had an awful lot of laughs.

“We’re all bursting with excitement to get back out there with a gigantic BOOM! BOOM!” Anita Harris, who will play Jemima Fleshcreep in this year’s production, said she is also thrilled to see the panto season go ahead.

“It’s wonderful to be back with everybody here at this beautiful theatre,” she said.

“I can’t tell you how excited, and a bit emotional, we are.

“The world is healing and theatre will help to heal, so we hope to lift people’s spirits and let the children have fun.

“They’re even allowed to boo this year, which will be wonderful.”

The curtain will go up on Jack and Beanstalk from Friday, November 26 with final performances on Sunday, January 9.

Tickets are available from £18.50. n For more details, or to book tickets, visit: www. theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

CHARLOTTE KING

Top Hat taps its way to The Mill at Sonning

A TOE-TAPPING musical officially opened at The Mill at Sonning last weekend.

Top Hat will be bringing glitz and glamour to the theatre stage throughout the winter season.

Based on the 1935 film, featuring the world famous dance partnerships, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, the story follows Broadway sensation Jerry Travers who dances his way across Europe to win the heart of society girl, Dale Tremont.

Directed by Jonathan Boyle, the show will see Jack Butterworth take on the starring role of Jerry as he dazzles audiences with an opening Charleston number.

This 1930s show features

Irving Berlin’s classics Puttin’ on the Ritz, Cheek to Cheek, Isn’t This A Lovely Day and Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.

Other cast members include Brendan Cull, Tiffany Graves, Billie-Kay, Paul Kemble and Delme Thomas with an ensemble of Joel Baylis, Charlie Booker, Courtney George, Jinny Gould, Alex Harrison, Connor Hughes, Meg Power and Charlotte Coggin.

Performances will take place until Saturday, January 8.

Tickets are available from £61.50. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 969 8000, or log on to: millatsonning.com

LAURA SCARDARELLA

Sing up for climate emergency CHOIRS of all shapes are sizes are being urged to take part in a COP26 inspired event on Saturday, October 30.

Music Declares Emergency is inviting everyone to take part in a national musical moment in support of action on climate.

The challenge is to take over social media by performing a new version of What A Wonderful World.

It has been arranged by Mark De Lisser, the man behind the stunning performance of Stand

By Me at the wedding of Harry

and Meghan.

There will be major events at cultural landmarks in Liverpool, Bristol, Glasgow, and London, but staying at home is fine.

Performances can be in town squares, a church hall, a skate park, or even a front room. The aim is to create a moment of national unity and celebration.

The event will start at noon on October 30th but, if choirs can’t sing then, they are asked to sing earlier, or later, or the day after.

Even later in the week.

And you don’t have to be a

singer to take part. For example, metal bans could send in their version of the song. Or a hip-hop crew can try out their take. And jazz bands can improvise.

Organisers say COP26 is a vital moment for the climate. The decisions made at Glasgow will affect our environment and our future for generations to come.

Performances can be shared on social media with #SingTheChange. n All the details of how to get involved are at https://www. musicdeclares.net/sing

Ballet with a touch of frost HANS Christian Anderson’s classic fairytale is heading to South Hill Park next week.

Ballet Theatre UK will perform The Snow Queen on Friday, October 29.

The company will retell the story of Gerda and her quest to find her friend Kay. And the Snow Queen has placed Kay under an evil spell, which only Gerda can release him with her love.

She travels across the frozen north to break the Snow Queen’s curse of eternal winter.

Ballet Theatre UK is bringing internation dancers, costumes, stage sets and a magical musical score.

Tickets cost £22 for adults, £21 for concessions, £20 for members, and £13 for under 16s. n For more information, or to book tickets, call the box office on 01344 484 123, or log on to southhillpark.org.uk

LAURA SCARDARELLA

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds In The Kitchen With Freely Fruity

Serves 4 or more as a snack As the family have fun carving their pumpkins, save the seeds and make this toasted moorish snack.

The seeds straight out of a pumpkin are white; inside this shell is the green seed we are used to seeing but the white shell is edible and full of fibre.

Swap the spices for your favourites or try roasting in just oil and dusting in cinnamon and icing sugar once cool for

a sweet snack.

Ingredients n Seeds from one or more pumpkins n Salt n Olive oil n Ground cumin n Chilli powder

Method 1. Place the seeds from your pumpkins into a sieve and while rinsing the seeds thoroughly, discard any remaining pumpkin flesh 2. Bring a pan of

generously salted water to the boil and add the seeds; boil for 5 minutes 3. Drain the seeds and blot between sheets of kitchen paper, leave to dry for a few hours or overnight 4. Preheat the oven to 185°C 5. Line a large baking tray, or two, with baking paper 6. Toss the dry seeds in olive oil, cumin, chilli powder and salt 7. Spread the seeds out in one layer and roast for about 25 minutes 8. Serve once cool or store in an airtight jar for a few days

O

CTOBER is one of the most colourful times of the year.

Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/ freelyfruityuk/

Keeping your laundry clean and green

D

OING the laundry may not seem like a household chore laden with environmental issues but think again.

On 1 July this year, the Government’s new Right to Repair rules came into force. The legislation aims to ensure that appliances such as washing machines, TVs and fridges bought after this date will be cheaper and easier to repair, extending their lifespan by up to a decade.

To help keep your washing machine clean, particularly in a hard water area like ours, check out eco-friendly cleaning solutions from the likes of Ecoegg and Ecozone. And never overfill your machine.

Caught in a cycle

Energy and water Heating water can account for up to 90% of the total energy used by a washing machine during a hot wash cycle.

Consider washing the majority of loads (perhaps with the exception of anything that is particularly dirty, towels and bedding) using the ‘cold wash’ option.

This will use water that is typically between 20°C and 30°C and deliver significant energy and cost savings – typically more than if using the washing machine’s ‘eco mode’.

Lower temperatures are absolutely fine for washing the majority of items and will generally be kinder to your clothes, as well as the colours in them.

Try to avoid doing inefficient small loads but similarly, don’t overfill your machine or you may find that you need to re-wash some items, which, of course, isn’t eco-friendly.

Detergents Many washing detergents and fabric softeners contain all sorts of chemicals and toxins that aren’t great for us or our planet, from 1,4-Dioxane, a human carcinogen to Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS), derived

from petroleum, coconut or palm oil.

Sodium Hypochlorite is essentially bleach and more familiar nasties, including Phosphates and Benzene, may be lurking.

Also, don’t forget the process and footprint involved in producing these detergents, and the typically plastic packaging they normally arrive in.

We use a refillable Ecoegg on everything. If you’d prefer an eco-friendly detergent, we would recommend the likes of Friendly Soap, Bio-D, SESI, Fill, Faith in Nature, Greenscents and Planet Detox.

You will find some of these available, along with many other brilliant products, through nearby zero-waste businesses True Food Co-op, Maya’s Refillables (Woodley, Wokingham and delivered), ArborFill (Delivered from Arborfield) and Handy DIY Store (Crowthorne), as well as through Milk and More and ethical online retailers.

Microplastics Leading research has recently highlighted that microplastic pollution as a result of washing clothes and other items made from synthetic textiles is the primary source of microplastics found in our oceans.

Every time we wash our clothes, fibres are shed and released into the

In the garden

Autumn colour

Plastic Free Home With David Lamont

Let’s begin with the simplest change of all.

We have long been conditioned to constantly wash everything we wear and use. Let common sense prevail and wash things when they look (or if you are brave, smell) like they need it. If you can eek an extra wear or two out of certain items – great.

LIFE | 27

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

water system.

A single load of washing can be responsible for hundreds of thousands of microfibers. Every week it is estimated the over nine trillion microfibers are released through washing in the UK alone.

To combat this major problem, as above, wash your clothes a little less often and on a full load.

Also, consider ordering a filter (these can cost under £50) or a laundry bag or ball (that goes in with the washing), designed to reduce the level of microfibers being washed away.

And, as much as possible buy clothes, towels and bedding that are 100% cotton, ideally organic cotton.

Wool is fine, too, if properly sourced and made. Nylon, Polyester, Lycra and so on are all synthetic materials and derived from forms of plastic.

Drying your clothes If you can, avoid any standalone spin/drying cycles and absolutely avoid using a tumble dryer. An average drying cycle uses around 4kWh of energy and produces 1.8kg of carbon dioxide.

If every household in the UK with a tumble dryer instead dried one load of washing outside weekly, more than a million tonnes of carbon dioxide would be saved in a year.

Clean and fresh Washing machines live longer… if they are looked after and kept clean.

According to research by WRAP, a leading charity focused on reducing waste, the average UK consumer expects their washing machine to last just six years. That’s shocking.

Many sources suggest that on average a washing machine should last nearly twice that long.

Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with over 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably.

Visit www.theplasticfreehome. com or www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk

Many flowers are still blooming, and the leaves on trees and shrubs are beginning to change to fiery colours like red, yellow and orange.

It’s a good time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials, as the soil still has some warmth and will help to get them established.

Try and get evergreens planted by the end of the month.

Dormant roses are now available at local nurseries and garden centres, and are very good value for money.

You can easily create a rose garden for the coming year that will provide beautiful flowers and fragrance from early summer through to autumn.

Before planting, mix in some good quality compost, and make sure the plants are watered well once planted.

It’s also an excellent time to plant conifers. They are cone-bearing seed plants and include cedars, cypresses, firs, junipers, larches, pines, spruces, and yews.

While being practical and useful, conifers are also visually stunning and can transform a garden into something quite magnificent.

They are a wonderful way of adding colour and shape to your outdoor space, especially as many conifers change colour throughout the year.

With several hundred varieties of conifers available in the UK, there is one to suit every type of garden, and they are easy to look after.

They need good drainage and water to get them established but, once growing, will need little attention as they are pretty disease resistant and maintenance free.

In addition to conifers, another way to bring colour to the garden at this time of year is with autumn bedding plants.

One of the most exciting group of plants to brighten up any part of the garden is Heuchera.

Native to North America, they were originally grown for their flowers – dainty spikes of red, pink and white bells.

They carry their plume like flowers high above their crowns of leaves, but gardeners are now mainly interested in their foliage which comes in a variety of colours.

Heucheras grow in full or partial sun, in well composted soil and are fairly pest resistant.

They can be established as ground cover in many garden situations like under trees where grass could struggle.

October is often a time spent clearing up after the summer and preparing for the winter and spring ahead.

Here are some top tips for jobs this month from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) … n Plant autumn colour n Create a bird feeding area n Move tender plants inside or into a greenhouse to protect against frost or fleece n Harvest autumn vegetables n Collect falling leaves n Plant spring flowering bulbs n Prune tall growing roses n Dead head all faded flower heads and remove any parts of plants that have died back

No. 5384

Your weekly puzzle challenge TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

28

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

5384

Quiz Challenge

24

26

6

24

7

19

17

13

11 8

13

23

5

19

25

7

5

13

8

18 5

16

3 20

7

25

18

8

2

8

11

9

23

5 5

18

23

7

6

7

11

7

5

7

3

23

8

8

12

7

19

1

3

7

17

8

24 5

9

13

7

3

23

11 3

17

7

8

23

10

NONAGRAM

19

8

5

11

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

2

3

14

15

16

L

4

5

6

7

8

17

18

19

20

21

T

9

10

11

12

13

22

23

24

25

26

I

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

EVEN TO BEAT OCTAVE

E R E

H R Y How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 19 Good; 23 Very Good; 27 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

AT

UI

SA

AG

DL

HR

AR

DT

RO

YE

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

EA

3 8 5

9 7

4

7

6 3

8 2 4 5 3 7 1 6 8 7 9 3 5 5 4 9 8 1

16

15

16

18

19 20 22

23

R I

DOWN 1. River said to trickle gently (4) 2. Criticise the roofing material (5) 5. Complaining that part was 3. Long-term bitterness first on not ornate (5) the ship (7) 8. Will Mum take everything? 4. Number put on fibrous (5) tissue (6) 5. Position in which to take a 9 & 10. Not relevant sharp catch? (5) elsewhere (7,4,3,5) 6. A church I go with first lady 12. Rebel leader noted to reach (7) another rat, perhaps (6) 7. Ron’s name could have come from a Scandinavian (8) 14. Private chamber often used by tourists (6) 11. Gill has a respite (8) 13. Discussed cricketer involved 17. Very industrious, like a in the action (7) social worker perhaps 15. Do a part exchange with an (2,4,2,1,3) electrical device (7) 21. Strike player who’ll 16. Supported Bill and Kay in retaliate (3,4) bed (6) 22. Italian poet to include the 18. Step found in most airports (5) donkey (5) 19. Stopped without starting to 23. Haggard cyclist? (5) be relaxed (5) 24. In the act was free to have 20. Confident that it is standing out (4) treated with contempt (7)

N

I

A L

O L

I

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.

NT

24

ACROSS 1. Hit song remixed right away (2,5)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

2

2

3

4

5

6

6

7

8

8

9

10

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.

11

11 13

12

15

16

17

13

14

15

18 22

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.

19

This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

23

To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

29

© Sirius Media Services Ltd

1

7

20

25

21

22 24

25

28

26

27

28

29 31

2 4 5 8 6 1 9 7 3

1 5 8 4 7 6 3 2 9

7 3 2 1 8 9 5 4 6

6 9 4 5 3 2 1 8 7

WORD PYRAMID: Millionaires’ Row. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – divide; multiply; subtract; add. Total: 6.

SOLUTIONS

9 1 6 3 4 7 8 5 2

6 4 9 2 3 7 4 1

4 8 9 1 1 5 3

9 6

2

3 8 7 9 2 5 4 6 1

7

5

5 2 3 7 9 8 6 1 4

7

5 1 6 5 8 9 3 6

7

17

EQUALISER 1 8 4 2 3 1 2 7 8 9 5 10

Hard

4 6 1 2 5 3 7 9 8

2

S

EI

SUDOKU Easy

17

E

ME

MN

6

21

IH

EO

14

21

LS

HG

13 15

10. What type of cargo was the fast sailing ship Cutty Sark designed to carry?

EL

5

13

12

FIVE ALIVE GM

4

11

11

9. What makes the planet Venus so bright?

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed R through openings in the walls. The O first letter may appear in any chamber.

W M

4

10

WORD PYRAMID

M T S

7

3

9 10

8. What is the capital city of the South American country Ecuador?

5. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, British gymnast Max Whitlock won gold in which event?

2

8

7. What R is the title of a 2007 Disney Pixar film and a French dish of stewed vegetables?

4. Joe Swash won I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and which other TV series?

7

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

6. What are edible marine crustaceans of the genus Homarus better known as?

3. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn was the debut album for which English rock band?

14

18

13

2. What is the popular name for the human bone known as the clavicle?

11

7 7

1. Herm is part of which group of islands?

13

13

25

8

11

17

3

5

5

8

25

3

6

18

5

8

6

19

7

7

8 7 9 6 1 4 2 3 5

4

23

23

19

21

6 3 7 9 5 2 8 1 4

22

25

24

23

1 2 8 4 3 7 6 9 5

8

7

13

5 9 4 6 8 1 3 2 7

24

17

7 8 9 1 4 3 5 6 2

3

7

4 5 6 2 7 9 1 8 3

10

24

25

2 1 3 8 6 5 7 4 9

11

10

8 7 1 3 9 4 2 5 6

19

3 4 2 5 1 6 9 7 8

7

9 6 5 7 2 8 4 3 1

12

PZ1P5384

CROSS CODE 15

30 31

ACROSS 2. Kansas city (7) 7. Strong cord (4) 8. Select and kill (4) 9. Egyptian ruler (7) 10. Price (4) 12. Engrave (4) 15. Souvenir (5) 17. Concurred (6) 18. Informal (6) 19. Mug (6) 21. Fool’s gold (6) 22. Rubber tree sap (5) 23. Fight (4)

26. Round protuberance (4) 28. Flight company (7) 29. Indication (4) 30. Alcoholic drink (4) 31. Resentment (7) DOWN 1. Game played on horseback (4) 2. Sobbed (4) 3. Pursued (6) 4. Slanting script (6) 5. Dull pain (4) 6. Political alliance (4)

10.

11.

13.

14.

15.

16.

20.

21.

24.

25.

26.

27.

Irritable (7) Top layer (7) Sightseer (7) Pike (7) Beat back (5) Part of a flower (5) Rigid (6) Small and dainty (6) Single entity (4) Come to earth (4) Stitched (4) Arm bone (4)

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Wichita; 7 Rope; 8 Cull; 9 Pharaoh; 10 Cost; 12 Etch; 15 Relic; 17 Agreed; 18 Casual; 19 Beaker; 21 Pyrite; 22 Latex; 23 Duel; 26 Stud; 28 Airline; 29 Sign; 30 Wine; 31 Dudgeon.

Down – 1 Polo; 2 Wept; 3 Chased; 4 Italic; 5 Ache; 6 Bloc; 10 Crabbed; 11 Surface; 13 Tourist; 14 Halberd; 15 Repel; 16 Calyx; 20 Ramrod; 21 Petite; 24 Unit; 25 Land; 26 Sewn; 27 Ulna.

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 The Channel Islands; 2 Collarbone; 3 Pink Floyd; 4 Dancing on Ice; 5 Pommel horse; 6 Lobsters; 7 Ratatouille ; 8 FIVE ALIVE: Quito; 9 Sunlight reflecting off a dense cloud layer; 10 Tea. (1) Across – Glass; Adore; Doyen.

Down – Guard; Agony; Sheen.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 On sight; 5 Plain; 8 Shall; 9 & 10 Neither here nor (2) Across – Metal; Gleam; Treat.

K W L F A M E T B C G U R there; 12 Rodent; 14 Camera; 17 As busy as a bee; 21 Hit back; Down – Might; Theme; Limit.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 22 Tasso; 23 Rider; 24 Derided.

Z Q X D S N J P Y I O H V Down – 1 Ouse; 2 Slate; 3 Galleon; 4 Tendon; 5 Point; 6 Achieve; NONAGRAM: emery; erst; ester; ether; here; heresy; 7 Norseman; 11 Breather; 13 Debated; 15 Adaptor; 16 Backed; herm; mere; merest; merry; meter; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU 18 Stair; 19 Eased; 20 Bold. cave; abet; veto; metre; myrrh; reset; rest; rete; retry; Eton. rhyme; rhymer; RHYMESTER; seer; sere; sheer; sherry; shyer; steer; stere; teres; term; terry; terse; terser; there; therm; three; tree; trey; tyre.

NEWS | 29

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

ng: Peruke game tactics and luck

Caversham school treated Life of to musical takeover Brian

With Brian Hicks

Beer and the Germans

T

HE Munich Beer Festival, the Oktoberfest, is the biggest of its kind in the world with six million visitors over two weeks.

LIVE: Queen Anne’s School students were treated to a special guest visit from a West End performer at their recent music concert

of Peruke, a number-based game of tactics and luck Picture: Jess Warren Peruke in a Hurst workshop, and took them to the UK Games Expo for its official launch.

“I spent six months making the disks,” he explained. “We got a starter stand and sold out completely.”

Mr Littlewood said the event gave Peruke plenty of good feedback, and many game reviewers dubbing it the best dice game of the year.

He is now taking Peruke to different towns and cities across the country.

“I keep selling thousands in Reading,” he said. “I’m amazed at the demand.”

He said sales have mostly been through word-of-mouth, as friends and families enjoy playing their collection,” she says.

“I’ve also devised a route round the town, about three miles long, so people can look for the book’s landmarks. Details of the online map will be published later,” she said.

She has designed covers and illustrated over 40 books for Reading-based Two Rivers Press, the publishers of her latest book. She is a director of the company.

The company say she has “a reputation for original hand lettering and a particular interest in linocut printmaking, environmental lettering and mixed media artwork.”

Her work is on panels at Chatham Place and on the Forbury Square Stone in Reading.

It’s also on Reading Museum shop items including tea towels and mugs, and most recently biscuits and sweets packaging which include Wilde’s words: “I can resist everything except temptation”. Sally was part of the save Reading Gaol campaign, designing T-shirts for it.

Wilde expert and collector Michael Seeney’s introduction to the book says it is “beautifully written

the game together.

Mr Littlewood is now running Peruke full-time, and has seen interest from a range of companies.

It has also been given the seal of approval by Imagination Gaming, a company that approved games for educational use.

“They go into schools and use the games as teaching aids,” he said. “They play test them, and then give out awards.

“There was such a good response from the children that played it.”

Peruke costs £17.50 and can be played with two to four people.

A CAVERSHAM girls school got a special visit from a former West End performer as part of its recent music making event.

Queen Anne’s School, on Henley Road, hosted a musical takeover, Beat Goes On, in the school hall for the day, thanks to STOMP star, Ollie Tunmer.

The musical performer ran body percussion workshops for the pupils and visiting local junior schools throughout the day.

The students explored rhythm and sound through stomping,

clapping, vocalising and body grooves.

Director of music, John Padley, said the girls were “totally absorbed” by the Brazilian rhythms throughout the day.

“What a brilliant way to start the day,” he said.

“The hands-on experience undoubtedly will have an impact on their learning in the classroom for the rest of the day - a telling reminder of the importance of creativity and music on wellbeing and education.”

n For more information, or to buy a game, visit: www.perukegames.co.uk

BOOK: Pages from Sally Castle’s take on The Happy Prince

and illustrated.”

He adds: “By setting the story in a recognisable town rather than the stereotypical middle-European towns often used as a setting, Sally Castle allows us to see the universal application of Wilde’s moral, and the whole lives up to his wish that we should ‘find in simplicity a subtle strangeness’.”

Sally dedicated her book to her late father Ken Grover, born in Reading, but living in Wargrave at the time of his death last year. The book is inscribed: “He wanted this book to be for his great-grandchildren.”

It is being published at £9.99 on October 21. n It will be available at Reading Museum and by visiting tworiverspress.com

POETRY CORNER: The fall It stood tall once, stately, Proud of its immensity, its age.

Dominating the village green, Over-topping the small cottages Clustered under its widespreading Branches.

It was a king of trees, and stood As though it knew its status.

The seasons turned; from light leaf-green Of spring, through summer, autumn gold To winter cold, and gales.

The tree was lashed and beaten, scourged And whipped, until, giving in to age And feebleness – it fell.

The villagers were proud of it.

‘Bin ‘ere since before the war,’ The oldest gaffer used to say.

‘Firs’ war that was. Me Granpa tells ‘Ow ‘e ‘n’ other lads gathered under it An’ marched off, proud, to beat the Hun. Then crawled back, two by three.

An’ people Met, an’ stiffened up their spines To face a new world under that Ol’ tree.

Villagers mourned its fall. Then, practical, Gathered its branches to dry for firewood.

The last few feet of trunk left standing, Humbled.

Until the Carpenter, in kindly pity, Carved it into patterns of mice and bees, Birds and butterflies, woodlice and beetles, That once had made their home Within its welcome.

Send us your poems to news@wokingham.today

Rosi MB

It has been cancelled for the second year running and should have been in full swing now.

I managed to go to an English version in Richmond instead where many visitors were sporting Bavarian Lederhosen and Dirndl.

German beer is brewed to stringent standards that date back to the Bavarian purity law, Reinheitsgebot, introduced in 1516 by the joint rulers, the brothers Duke Wilhelm IV and Duke Ludwig X. It specified that beer could only be made from water, hops and barley, omitting to mention the yeast.

It was adopted throughout Germany from 1906.

Wheat was later used as well as barley and these beers are mainly brewed in Bavaria as either clear or cloudy versions, the latter with yeast still in it.

Most wheat beers have a non-alcoholic version, which sell well as they are tastier than their barley equivalents.

Bavaria has a very large hop-growing area with what is claimed to be the world’s oldest brewery, Weihenstephan, founded in 1040. It is owned by the State of Bavaria and the brewing department of a local university is based there.

The most popular German beer is Pils or Pilsner. This lager-like beer with a hoppy flavour is named after the Czech town of Pilsen. It was first developed there in 1842, albeit with the help of a German brewer.

The Germans love their beer but are drinking less. Today the Czechs are the biggest beer drinkers in the world, with 189 litres consumed per head of population in 2020.

Germany was in fourth place at 99 litres per head, although consumption was 146 litres when it peaked in 1980.

The UK was 22nd with 70 litres per head.

The Germans are kings of recycling and beer is sold chiefly in bottles that often get reused 30-40 times. The bottles of German beer that are exported have thinner glass. Germans buy their beer mainly in crates of 20, with 500ml or 330 ml capacity. They pay a deposit on the crate, €1.50, and each bottle, €0.08, which they get back when returned.

These can often be inserted into an automated machine which gives a credit note.

Few cans of beer are sold compared with bottles and the deposits are €0.25.

Beer in German supermarkets is about half the price of here but in pubs is about the same.

Water is also mostly sold in crates in Germany.

There are usually 12 bottles of 0.75 litres per crate with a deposit of 15 cents per bottle. There are many drink supermarkets, Getränkemärkte, in Germany that are piled high with crates.

Most Germans are not keen on unchilled beers and regard British draft bitter as too warm. One of the closest German beers to a bitter is Altbier, a dark-brown speciality of breweries in Düsseldorf and the surrounding area.

This is served chilled, usually in distinctive 200ml glasses, and there are several pubs in Düsseldorf that brew their own Altbier.

Breweries in the Cologne area make Kölsch (also the word for the local dialect spoken in Cologne), a light beer that is not as bitter as Pils.

Not much Altbier is sold in Cologne and very little Kölsch in Düsseldorf, mainly due to the longstanding rivalry between these two cities.

I prefer Altbier, as it has a lot of flavour, but I have been influenced by nine years working in Düsseldorf.

30 | VIEWPOINTS

READINGTODAY

READING’S NEW CHAMPION

Needed, now more than ever

A NEW newspaper in the 21st century – but isn’t everything now online? Isn’t print dying?

Local media has taken a buffeting in recent years. The Evening Post, printed locally and despatched in vans from 11am, is a distant memory.

The newspaper sellers who used to line the streets had long since retired.

But the need for quality local news remains the same.

For the past six years, we have provided Wokingham borough with news.

Now, we’re delighted to be with you for Reading.

Our new paper is for you and it’s created by people who live and work here.

Your editor used to help produce the Reading Post, and our team are committed to serving you.

We will hold the powers-that-be to account. We will be on your side. We will report without fear or favour, even when that gives us brickbats rather than boquets.

Above all else, we’re Reading’s new champion. We’re pleased to meet you.

CHURCH NOTES

Together for COP26

A

FEW weeks ago, Archbishop Justin, Pope Francis and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued a powerful and historic joint statement on the environment as part of the preparations for COP 26.

Their joint statement was followed on 4 October by a gathering of faith leaders from across the world in the Vatican and the issuing of a new joint statement by all the world’s religions: Faith and Science: an appeal for COP 26.

The appeal was presented to COP26 President-Designate, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma, and the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Luigi Di Maio Again this is a remarkable common statement issued at a critical time. Leaders from the great faith traditions have recognised the crisis which faces our common home.

Together, the faith leaders have spoken to the whole world appealing for urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; improve financial support for fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The wisdom of the faiths is combined with the insights of the sciences. They call for great ambition at the COP 26 gathering, which is now just days away.

But the faith leaders are not simply asking governments to do something.

They recognise that the followers of religious traditions have a crucial part to play in addressing the crisis of our common home.

So they commit to much more serious action and to recognising our obligation to future generations, to the poorest who are suffering most, and to young people: exactly the course we have set as a diocese.

Please take a moment to read the statement in full, and please continue to pray for COP 26 that it may truly be a turning point for the world.

The Rt Revd Steven Croft is the Bishop of Oxford. This is an excerpt from his blog, which can be read in full at blogs.oxford. anglican.org

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Thank you for getting Picture of the week vaccinated I want to say “Thank You” to the vast majority who have taken the Covid vaccines.

As of this writing, 74% of the total population have received at least one dose. 68% have received two doses.

That’s over 43 million Britons whose actions are protecting the public health.

Those percentages are of the “total UK population” and can never reach 100% because they include children and other ineligible risk groups who rely on the rest of us to protect them.

But we cannot declare success yet, and it is with great sadness that I mention the 100+ people dying every day since late July from this virus mostly amongst the unvaccinated.

They and their families will never return to “normal”.

But we can spare others this pain and we know widespread vaccination is the key to disease control.

There has been so much vaccine misinformation and negativity for reasons I cannot understand.

Real science-backed answers to any question can be found by going to official NHS websites or their surgery.

The vaccines are a wonder of Science, which has spent years preparing for some type of coronavirus.

No steps were skipped in testing the vaccine.

Rather, good planning, a proactive NHS and an extremely motivated population allowed testing to be completed in record time.

The hundreds of millions now vaccinated around the world are proof positive of the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines.

So, my thanks to the scientists and companies who created the vaccines.

My thanks to the NHS, pharmacists and thousands of volunteers who have administered tens of millions of jabs.

My thanks to those vaccinated, those getting boosters and the children and their parents who will be jabbed in the coming weeks.

And my thanks to any unvaccinated who now get jabbed. We should all be proud of doing our part to protect the vulnerable, save the NHS and put this country on the only permanent path to “normal”.

Tom Ross, via email

World Polio Day THIS Sunday is World Polio Day, so what?

We haven’t seen a single case of Polio in the UK in the last 25 years, and systematic global vaccination has reduced case numbers to just 176 and 140 cases in 2019 and 2020, and only in two Asian countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A real vaccination success story.

But it still exists, and is still a global threat. Worldwide Coronavirus lockdowns have meant reduced population movements but our focus shifted away from the End Polio Now campaign, and the world is opening up again.

This is why we should not take our eyes off the ball. This is why Easthampstead Rotary men

Reading’s final gas tower is in the process of being demolished. But here’s a picture of it in happier times as the sun starts to set. We welcome your pictures - email news@wokingham.today and women in recent years have illuminated Bracknell & Wokingham College in purple, planted purple crocus bulbs, and held End Polio Now collections outside our supermarkets.

And we are not alone.

The WHO, GAVI (the global vaccine alliance), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Rotary International continue the fight.

Every pound funded by Rotarians worldwide is tripled by the Gates Foundation.

Moreover, the global vaccination infrastructure is now in place also to fight the Coronavirus.

What can you do? Go to https:// www.endpolio.org/ scroll down and donate what you can afford

Peter von Bergen, Easthampstead Rotary Club

Let Santa work his magic WE all need a touch of Christmas magic this year. That’s why Santa’s workshop is open, and Santa and his elves are busy writing, sealing and posting letters that will put smiles on the faces of children everywhere!

With a letter from Santa, you’ll bring magical tales from the North Pole right to your doorstep. There are eight fantastically festive designs, from traditional Christmas to a North Pole Safari – so there really is something for every child, or even the family pet.

Whichever letter you choose, each

one is more personalised than ever this year. You can add your child’s name, age, hobbies, what they want for Christmas and your very own P.S. message. Plus, it will be addressed and posted directly to your child via sleigh mail – so they’ll feel like they’re at the very top of Santa’s good list!

After sending a massive 170,000 letters last year, we’re looking forward to reaching even more children this year.

And with a donation to the NSPCC, you’ll help Childline be here for children who need someone to listen.

That’s the true spirit of Christmas.

So, what are you waiting for? Order your personalised letter from Santa

by December 14th to make sure yours arrives before Christmas.

To order your letter please visit: nspcc.org.uk/santa

Emma Motherwell, Local Campaigns Manager, NSPCC East of England

Help with Breast Cancer AS a Clinical Nurse Specialist on Breast Cancer Now’s Helpline, I’m acutely aware of the shattering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emotional wellbeing of people with breast cancer.

News of a diagnosis can be a lonely experience, and the pandemic has at times exacerbated this, denying people the chance to be with loved ones.

We’ve seen a sharp rise in calls

to our Helpline and emails to our Ask Our Nurses service from people struggling emotionally – many say the loneliness they’ve felt living with breast cancer during the pandemic has been the hardest emotional impact to cope with, and that it’s negatively impacted their mental health.

As many of us look ahead to a ‘new normal’ beyond the pandemic, we must acknowledge the loneliness legacy facing people who’ve lived with breast cancer through the pandemic and commit to addressing it.

This Breast Cancer Awareness month, we want to remind everyone affected by breast cancer that we’re always with you, in every way we can.

Thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, our Online Support Services are one click away for anyone after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Whether you’re a younger woman, adjusting to life after treatment, or living with incurable secondary breast cancer, our tailored support provides a confidential, safe space to connect with others and access specialist information.

Find out more about Younger Women Together, Moving Forward, Someone Like Me, and Living With Secondary Breast Cancer at: breastcancernow.org/online-services.

Jane Murphy, Breast Cancer Now Clinical Nurse Specialist

Autumn

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

31

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

EXCLUSIVE SHOWROOM APPOINTMENTS

SALE CONSERVATORIES & ORANGERIES

available

BOOK NOW GET AN EXTRA

% 10OFF

EXTENSIONS & SOLID ROOFS

WINDOWS & DOORS

TradeMark have been proudly providing local homeowners with quality home improvements for over 25 years.

Book A PRIVATE Showroom Appointment Now! EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE Showroom Appointments available night or day.

TEL: 0800 30 50 30

WWW.TRADEMARKWINDOWS.CO.UK

32 | BUSINESS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

A business park that is changing

Supporting NHS A COMMUNICATIONS firm is switching its focus to social prescribing in a bid to support the NHS. Content Guru, based in Bracknell, has partnered with Simply Content to help GPs offer more holistic care.

Social prescribing is when patients are referred to support in the community to improve their health and wellbeing.

It offers non-medical treatment, including sports and activities, and has become more popular during the coronavirus pandemic.

Content Guru has been awarded a place on a new NHS scheme and will work with Simply Connect.

Martin Taylor, deputy CEO and co-founder of Content Guru, said: “We look forward to expanding into the emerging field of social prescribing, which is an important part of providing holistic care.

“Together with Simply Connect, we are excited to support the development of services that support ultrapersonalised health and care.

“I hope NHS organisations already using [our] services will take advantage of this new opportunity to add social prescribing to their portfolios, quickly and easily.”

Workshop expands to meet rising demand

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A BRACKNELL workshop has launched a second premises in a bid to meet growing demand.

The Sash Window Workshop, which has been making doors and windows in Berkshire for nearly 30 years, has opened a second workshop next to its original site.

The new, larger premises on Kiln Lane, will now be used to help the team manufacture more timber products.

Richard Dollar, managing director of the company, said he is proud to see how his firm has grown since 1994.

“Having started from nothing with a hand to mouth existence, we are very proud of the success of our business,” he said.

“This success has enabled us to make a £1 million-plus investment this year into new premises, plant and equipment.

“We have always made our own windows and doors in Berkshire, allowing us to closely manage the quality of our products, and most importantly it provides job opportunities locally.”

As part of its expansion, The Sash

GROWTH: The Sash Window Workshop now has a second site Window Workshop has also revealed it is working with a new paint line CEFLA Lab. It chose the line after hosting a series of trials and hopes the partnership will help the team paint more doors and windows.

According to the Bracknell firm, the demand for home improvements has grown during the pandemic.

As part of its £1 million investment, it has installed new machinery. This will help it accurately prepare timber in house.

DOING COPYRIGHT, RIGHT UK publishers invest

£1 BILLION a year creating content like this newspaper

Newspapers

Magazines

Websites This content is protected under copyright law

...uses press cuttings...

...shares articles online...

...you need a licence from NLA media access

royalties publishers Licence fees are paid back to publishers as royalties to help support journalism

DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED A LICENCE? Visit www.nlamediaaccess.com to find out more

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

A REGIONAL education group has appointed a new chief executive.

Activate Learning, which runs a range of school across Berkshire, will see Gary Headland become its new CEO next year.

He will take over from Sally Dicketts in April, who steps down after 18 years at the helm.

She has worked in further education for more than 35 years, and was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Honours List in July 2013.

Speaking about his appointment, Mr Headland said he is “delighted” to join Activate Learning and build upon Ms Dickett’s legacy.

“I am honoured and proud to be invited to lead Activate Learning through the next phase of its distinguished history,” Mr Headland said.

“Activate Learning is a pioneering education group with a global reach, committed to transforming lives through its approach to learning.

“I am very much looking forward to working closely with the Activate Learning team to achieve our shared and compelling vision of achieving far-reaching, progressive change and impact through learning.”

Mr Headland previously worked as chief executive of Lincoln College Group, director at Norfolk Constabulary, and has spent nearly 23 years as a senior Royal Air Force officer.

He served throughout the UK and overseas in Germany, Italy and the Middle East.

Businesses warned to stop junk mail

BUSINESSES in Reading and Wokingham have been warned to put a stop to junk mail or pay the price.

Marie Wilcox, South East chair of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) issued the warning after millions of pounds was claimed in fines.

Figures from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) revealed £1.7 million has been retrieved this year so far against businesses guilty of sending unsolicited marketing emails and texts.

And in October, the ICO issued £495,000 worth of fines to We Buy Any Car, Saga and Sports Direct following 345 million “nuisance messages”.

According to a survey by OnePoll for the CIM, nearly one third (29%) of customers reported hearing from a business they did not give permission to contact them in the past month.

“While not many companies are sending this volume of email and texts, the ICO has sent a clear message that

it will tackle unsolicited marketing, irrespective of whether the messages have been orchestrated by a small business or a leading household name,” Ms Wilcox said.

“Whilst many businesses are aware of the [data protection] rules they often don’t appreciate, if they’re sending direct marketing messages. They must first have people’s consent.

“As this action shows, ignoring the rules can lead to big fines.”

Thames Water launches new training scheme

If your organisation...

...sends articles via email...

The Sash Window Workshop has used a pot of Government funding to support its new facilities.

The family business, which now has a turnover of approximately £7 million a year, started operating from of a pig shed in Ascot in the 1990s.

Today, it has more than 60 employees, working to install doors and windows across London and South England.

Former RAF officer takes the reins at Activate Learning

Supporting journalism

THAMES WATER is launching a pioneering apprenticeship programme in a bid to boost the country’s utility sector.

It is creating a new training scheme within its supply chain, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK. It hopes the programme will increase the number of apprentices within the water industry, and expand the diversity of its workforce.

The shared apprenticeship scheme will offer jobs in the Thames Valley and London.

Successful candidates will get a chance to learn about the company’s infrastructure while gaining a qualification.

Lynne Graham, Thames Water people director, said: “The shared apprenticeship scheme is the next step in our plans to build a pipeline of skills from our communities and education sector, and ensure we have a diverse and inclusive workforce that represents the customers we serve.

“We want to contribute to the creation of a fair society and tackle real challenges, such as digital skill shortages and in-work poverty, and ensure our people receive the right investment in skills development to have successful and sustainable

careers.

“We’re excited to be working with our supply chain to provide these new apprenticeships and offer further access to career opportunities in the water industry to drive social mobility and provide good work for all.”

Thames Water is planning to include a wide range of qualifications, including in Project Management and Electrical Installation.

The first group of 20 apprentices will be in place by March 2022.

n For more information, visit: www.thameswater.co.uk

BUSINESS| 33

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

A business park that is changing

Teaching top tech talent A READING school has launched a new tech centre to train the next generation of digital geniuses.

The South Central Institute of Technology (SCIoT) opened a hub at Reading College at the end of September.

It will now use the site to deliver technical and digital education in a bid to give students skills they will need in employment.

The SCIoT hub forms part of a wider network of centres in Milton Keynes, Bletchley and Oxford.

Alex Warner, principal, said the latest hub marked a “special moment” in SCIoT’s journey: “It feels great to be opening the doors to the new hub at Reading, the first fully developed and built NETWORK AGAIN: Businesses will be able to meet up to share ideas and news Picture: Christina from Unsplash

Wokingham business group plans post-pandemic celebration A WOKINGHAM networking group is gearing up for its first in-person session after launching during the pandemic.

Reccobiz, which is based in Reading, is a family-run firm offering networking and advertising services to Thames Valley companies.

Camilla Medcalf founded it with her husband last year, after spotting a gap in the market.

“We’ve created a LinkedIn for small businesses and sole traders,” she explained. “We were inspired after running our own home improvement business.

“My husband has been in the industry for more than 30 years and used everything from the Yellow Pages to Facebook ads, and realised there was a gap for smaller companies.”

She said the duo decided to create a new networking space for those outside of the corporate world, and has been running virtual meetings ever since.

Now, the company is gearing up for a website relaunch and it’s first face-to-face meeting next month.

“We’re so excited to meet in person,” Ms Medcalf said.

“Hopefully things will continue to open up and we won’t go into a lockdown again.

“During the pandemic, we’ve had no opportunity to launch Reccobiz properly, so now is our chance.”

The owners plan to celebrate the relaunch of their company with an in-person networking session on Friday, November 12.

The time and location are not yet confirmed. n For more information about Reccobiz and it’s regular, online networking group, visit: www. reccobiz.co.uk

New kid on the block at law firm THERE’S A new kid on the block at a Henley law firm Victoria Baker has joined THP Solicitors’ Wills, Trusts & Estates Administration team after a stint as a Partner at a national company.

With more than 13 years’ experience, Ms Baker is an expert in private client work, administration and providing

inheritance advice.

She said she is excited to have joined the Henley team.

“I am delighted to have joined THP Solicitors and am looking forward to meeting my new clients,” she said.

“I think the pandemic has brought home to everyone how important it is to plan your affairs in advance to ensure your wishes are clear for all sorts of eventualities.”

Berkshire salon group wins award A REGIONAL salon group has won a prestigious industry award.

Haringtons, with branches in Reading and Wokingham, received the Marketing Campaign of the Year title at the British Hairdressing Business Awards earlier this month.

The Awards, now in their 23rd year, recognise entrepreneurship across British hairdressing.

Nikki Neal, head of brand

and marketing at Haringtons, said it was “brilliant” to win this year.

“This is our first year doing marketing for Haringtons, and we’ve come along way in that time,” she said.

“We were up against massive competition, so it’s a huge honour to win.”

The salon group won the award for its innovation when attracting new customers.

Judges praised Ms Neal and her team for having a clear

strategy, strong branding and consistency.

Jayne Lewis Orr, executive director of the British Hairdressing Business Awards, added: “Haringtons has demonstrated an exciting and unique approach to marketing, and a brilliant brand strategy.

“From successful campaigns to a clear vision of who their customer is, their success in this area is both admirable and inspiring.”

component of the SCIoT, which already has its first intake of learners,” he said.

“The digital and tech sectors are so important to the UK’s future growth and these state-of-the-art, industrystandard facilities will help to develop and nurture the talent that will drive the sector forward.”

Students studying at the Reading College hub will have access to £1 million facilities, designed to bridge skill gaps and support employers in the region.

It is already offering Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeships in communication, software development and data analysis. n For more information, visit: www.southcentraliot.ac.uk

Sustainability firm seeks manager SUSTAINABLE enthusiasts might be interested in this Wokingham vacancy.

Green Recruitment Company, which advocates for a greener economy through more sustainable energy, is looking for a new strategy manager.

The successful candidate will work alongside

multinational businesses at the heart of Britain’s energy system, with a salary of up to £55,000.

They will help transform energy across the UK to meet the Government’s net zero emissions target by 2050.

n To find out more, contact Tom Brookers at: tom.brookes@ greenrecruitmentcompany.com

Funding success A READING space start-up has raised millions of pounds in funding.

Isotropic Systems, which creates technology to support satellites in orbit, secured more than £27,000 in a financing round last month.

The money will fully fund the development and launch of its revolutionary multi-link antennas, due to launch in 2022.

It is currently developing technology that allows antennas to connect to multiple satellites in multiple orbits.

The company said that this has the potential to “unlock” a global satellite ecosystem to improve connectivity across government, defence, maritime, enterprise and aerospace industries.

John Finney, founder and CEO of Isotropic Systems, said: “We are delighted to announce this new funding, which will bring our game-changing technology to reality within the next 12 months.”

In total, Isotropic Systems has now received more than £73,000 through investor and customer support, and has expanded its workforce by 40% in the past five months.

COME ONE COME ALL TO THE GREATEST SHOW IN WINNERSH Saturday 30th October 12pm - Late FRESH PIZZA SERVED ALL DAY

D A Y TI M E F a c e Pa i n t i n g P u m p ki n C a r v i ng Fam i ly Frie n dly G am e s S p o o ky T r e a t s B e s t D r e s s ed C o m p e t i t i o n

EVENING Li ve Mus ic Ha llo ween Co ckt ail s F ire Act s Ha llo wee n B eer Pon g Pa rty Ga mes

0118 978 4529

www.the-pheasant-hotel.co.uk 355 Reading Road, Winnersh, RG41 5LR

34 | NEWS

Learn Fairmile history in talk THE HISTORY of Fairmile Hospital will be unpacked in an online talk taking place tomorrow (Thurs 21).

The hospital, close to Cholsey, was launched in 1870, and dispensed care to generations of local people.

Mark Stevens will set the scene and explain how the site ends up in many family trees.

Berkshire Family history Society is holding the online session from 2pm-3.15pm.

Places need to be booked in advance and an email with joining details will be sent out on registration. n For more details, log on to berksfhs.org

BBC returns to The Purple Turtle tonight BBC Introducing Live is returning to The Purple Turtle today (Wed 20).

Working with EM-BEEPEE, the event highlights some of the best musicians on the scene.

On the bill this week is Deva St.John, Bethia, Shaz, Malarkey and Danny Lampo.

The show takes place from 7pm and entry is free.

The Turtle is in Gun Street.

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Union’s knitted chain talks modern slavery EXCLUSIVE

BY PHIL CREIGHTON

news@wokingham.today MORE than 4,000 people who live in the Oxford Diocese are thought to be caught up modern slavery.

To highlight the unseen victims in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, members of Mothers’ Union groups spent the summer knitting and crocheting giant chains.

The final result, produced in collaboration with The Clewer Initiative the Church of England’s response to modern slavery, was unveiled in Reading Minster Church in St Mary’s Butts on Monday – anti-slavery day.

The giant chain was part of an exhibition organised by Maureen Weston, diocesan President of Mothers’ Union. The displays, telling the story of modern slavery – such as force labour, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, and domestic servitude.

Ms Weston said: “AntiSlavery Day provides a perfect opportunity to raise awareness.

“The handicraft project has been particularly well received because it is a way for people to get involved without having to gather in big numbers or attend

VISIBILITY: Mothers Union members with the knitted chain to mark Anti Slavery Day outside St. Mary’s Church on Monday morning Picture: Steve Smyth events. The eye-catching chains have enabled us to raise awareness of the presence of modern victims in slavery to a much wider audience. They are a powerful symbol and we hope that the 1,460 links will help people begin to grasp the true scale and horror of the issue in our communities.”

This view was echoed by Caroline Virgo, director of The Clewer Initiative, who said both it and the Mothers Union are committed to ending modern slavery in the UK. “The craft chain project is a

simple way in which we are attempting to awaken local communities to the horror of slavery and challenge people to find out more about the issue,” she said.

“We are often told by frontline workers in statutory services that any way of getting the message about modern slavery to a general demographic is useful.

“We hope that each chain will result in many conversations about modern slavery and people resolving to take concrete action.”

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Covid PCR testing sites on the move: TWO sites for taking PCR coronavirus tests are on the move – one has already switched location and the other will change next week.

The PCR tests are more reliable that the lateral flow sites and require specimens to be sent to a laboratory for testing.

The site at the University of Reading’s London Road campus closed on Friday, October 15. This has been moved to Whiteknights Campus’ car park 11. This is accessible from the Pepper Lane entrance.

The Prospect Park test site is to close on Monday, October 25, before reopening from noon on Thursday, October 28, at the Battle Street car park.

Reading Borough Council said that the sites will be pedestrian access only, but they are open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm for prebooked appointments only.

Visitors must adhere to social distancing measures and wear a face covering throughout. They are also asked not to travel to the venues by public transport or a taxi.

Residents unable to walk to the sites can request a home testing kit.

Cllr Graeme Hoskin, Reading

Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Health, said: “The Council have worked really hard to ensure residents have local covid testing facilities in place to help combat the pandemic.

“The relocated testing facilities will continue to provide residents in Reading with easy access to testing on their doorstep.

“I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you to residents for continuing to get tested and helping to prevent transmission of the virus in our community.”

And Cllr Hoskin urged residents who had not had their vaccine get one: “It’s important we have as high a vaccination rate here in Reading as possible, especially as we head into the winter months.”

The old sites are closing because they are now needed for new purposes. Propsect Park is to have a new play hub and activity site, while the University is planning a graduation ceremony in the Great Hall.

n To book a test, call 119, log on to the NHS Covid-19 app, or log on to nhs.uk/coronavirus, by calling 119 or via the NHS COVID-19 app

Fostering film hunts for carers A FOSTERING film released last week in hopes to find more foster carers in Reading.

Reading-based charity, Brighter Futures for Children, delivers social care and educational services for children in the area.

The organisation is joining fostering systems across the country for the national release of a new short film called Out There.

Its aim is to help find more foster carers who can provide homes for children and young people.

The film highlights the ways fostering can make a difference to everyone involved, from the

Give your kitchen the WOW factor with new work tops

We can replace your existing kitchen work tops with new quar tz or corian, rejuvenating your kitchen and giving it a fresh new look.

0118 976 2826

www.roktops.co.uk sales@roktops.co.uk

located within the Wokingham Borough

children and young people who live with foster carers, to those who come forward to care for them.

Di Smith, board chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said they always need more people to open their homes and hearts to fostering.

“This project has been a great example of collaborative working to produce a high-quality film that will be a real asset in our campaign to recruit new foster carers in Reading,” she said.

And 34 local authorities have got involved in the project.

Maria Young, director of children’s social care at BFfC,

Explore life and death at museum RESIDENTS can take a journey to the underworld next month at an interactive University of Reading museum event exploring Ancient Greek and Egyptian beliefs about life after death.

The Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology, on the University’s Whiteknights campus, is hosting the event, Live forever, Welcome to the Underworld, on Friday, November 19, from 6pm to 10pm as part of the national Being Human Festival, an annual celebration of the humanities.

There will also be arts and crafts activities and the chance to see real ancient Greek and Egyptian artefacts.

Dr Claudina Romero Mayorga, Ure Museum education officer, said: “In keeping with the 2021 festival theme of renewal, we are recreating the ancient Egyptian and Greek underworlds, which

said: “The time, knowledge and expertise that working as partners has brought to this project can now help the children and young people in Reading.

“Out There captures many of the thoughts and emotions being felt today, particularly as many people have reflected during the pandemic about their life choices and the importance of community support,” she said.

Ms Young added that the film itself demonstrates the benefit of collaborative working. n To watch the film, log on to: readingfostering.co.uk n To get in touch, call the fostering team on 0118 469 3020

EXHIBIT: Explore Ancient Greek and Egyptian beliefs about life after death Picture: UoR were not about death at all, but about regeneration and rebirth.

“This event is a unique opportunity to not only see some of the beautiful items ancient people had placed in their tombs thousands of years ago, but experience first hand the stories depicted on them.”

The 2021 Being Human festival aims to champion the excellence of humanities research in the UK, highlight its relevance today, and showcase how the humanities help people understand themselves, their relationships with others and their challenges.

35

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

Full plans for Shinfield Studios approved by borough council

Theatre date for little ones A CHANCE to introduce babies to the wonders of theatre is coming to South Street this Friday.

Kaleidoscope aims to explore how a baby’s sense of sight develops, thanks to a multi-coloured kaleidoscope.

It is aimed at babies aged between six and 18 months, and sessions last for 25 minutes with a 10-minute stay and play afterwards.

They take place at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Places cost £8 and can be booked by calling 0118 960 6060 or logging on to www. readingarts.com

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

MAJOR plans for more film studio space in Shinfield have been approved by the borough council.

On Wednesday, October 13, the planning committee gave Shinfield Studios permission to expand at Cine Valley, at the Thames Valley Science Park off Cutbush Lane.

The scheme involves building 18 more sound stages and seven workshops for film and television, five offices, and a central hub building which will provide facilities for future employees.

The majority of work will take place in the sound stages, which are large soundproof warehouses where a film set can be constructed, and scenes filmed.

These will be supported by workshops where costumes and props are made.

At the meeting last week, the main concern from councillors were traffic to and from the studio site.

Cllr Carl Doran, Independent councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates, said: “I want to make the point that local people certainly feel the weight of traffic around this location is already high, and it is a bit hidden by the events of the last 18 months, but my concern is for future development on top of this which is certainly possible.

“I think we’re already at the limit for traffic there

DJ Apollo down at the tap

APPROVED: Another 18 sound stages will be built as part of the Shinfield Studios development Picture: Scott Brownrigg and we need to think more constructively about how that’s managed.”

Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hawkedon, asked that a construction phase travel plan be drawn up to keep lorries off Lower Earley Way and on the M4 instead.

Planning officer Christopher Howard said that Lower Earley Way is a “strategic route which is capable of handling HGVs.” The Creative Media Hub

will have 1,375 parking spaces, with 79 reserved for disabled blue badge holders, 154 electric vehicle charging points, 77 of which will be active, 64 motorbike spaces, and 160 cycle spaces.

Parking will be divided between surface parking and a multi-storey car park.

The creative media hub was unanimously approved by the council’s planning committee, which also chose to refer it to the Secretary of State for

Visit the School of Get walking the Life ... in French Coddiwomple AN EXPLORATION of life in the French countryside is the focus for a film being screened by the Pangbourne Twinning Association.

The group are organising a screening of Nicolas Vanier’s School of Life (PG). It tells the story of Paul, an orphan boy taken in by a bohemian couple who live in a forest as gamekeepers.

What is the secret that brought Paul to the countryside? And why is he friendly with a poacher.

The answers are all in the French language film which is screened on Sunday, October 31.

It takes place at Pangbourne Village hall. Door open at 6.45pm, with the film at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6, and drinks will be available. n For more details, call 0118 984 4401

A WALKING challenge is being set in Streatley this weekend.

The Curious Coddiwomple Challenge has three routes through the Chilterns: a five-mile walk, a 10-mile route and, for those with good walking boots, 15-miles.

Organisers say it is a walking challenge like no other, and is self-navigated using route notes.

It is organised by the Pipsticks Walks and Chilterns AONB Autumn Walking Festival.

Places cost £12-£18, and include the route, a quiz and, for finishers, a certificate and badge.

The event runs from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, October 24, and places should be booked in advance to meet covid regulations. n For more details, log on to: www.pipstickswalks. co.uk/curious-coddiwomple

Film theatre open for business READING Film Theatre is back and is screening movies at Reading University again.

On Thursday, they will show I Never Cry, the winner of the CIFF award for Best Film, Emerging Director.

It tells the story of a 17-yearold who sets off from her small city to a new land all by herself, in a bid to reconnect with her estranged father.

Will the Emerald Isle be full of gems? The film is in Polish with English subtitles and has a 15 rating.

Lights go down at 7.45pm, and the usher will want £8.50 for entry or £5.50 for students, with a £1 discount for advance bookings.

Next Thursday, the theatre will screen Stillwater (12a).

Starring Matt Damon, this

tells the story of a Dad on a road trip to visit his daughter.

Nothing ordinary until you learn that she has been jailed for a crime she claims she didn’t commit. Can he earn his daughter’s trust, get to the truth of it all and get to grips with the French justice system?

This film starts at 8pm. n For more details, log on to readingfilmtheatre.co.uk

Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Although planning officer Mr Howard said the referral could delay work on the project by three to six weeks, he argued that it “would be best from a challenge point of view to refer it and go down that process.”

Earlier this year, the committee approved plans for a permanent television studio from the University of Reading, and permission for temporary film studio from Shinfield Studios, which is currently under construction on the University of Reading land.

THE CASTLE TAP is holding a DJ night tomorrow (Thursday).

Hosted by DJ Apollo, the evening will feature a mixture of funk, soul and Motown tunes.

The emphasis is on vinyl releases rather than streaming.

Called Soul Sessions, the fun starts at 7pm and entry is free.

The Castle Tap is an independent craft beer pub based in Castle Street, a short walk from Reading’s town centre. n For more details, call 0118 958 0473.

, .

.- 7

! $ ,

-

$

.

-/ 0 - 1 '$ 2 0 - 1 '$ 0 ' 3) 4

0

, # , $

5

'$ 6, 7 # - * 5 - ) $ 5 # - 8 $ 5 - $ 5 9 " 6, : $ , ;

$

, $ 3* 4

,

, ;

! " # $ % & '$ ( $ % ) *%+

36 | NEWS

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Plasma centre FROMTHECOURTS aims to boost donors up from 40% capacity PLASMA donors are being urged to come forward in Reading, after around 140 appointments are going empty every week.

The donor centre, on Kings Road, is at just 40% capacity each day.

And the NHS is reaching out to social media and public places as part of its campaign to get more volunteers.

Paula Ussher, Reading Plasma Donor Centre manager, said plasma is a “powerful, lifesaving part of our blood”.

“Since donation restarted we’ve had many fantastic people come in to donate but we still see too many empty chairs every day,” she said.

“We need your help.”

Plasma is used to make medicines full of donor antibodies which fight infections.

The medicine, immunoglobulin, is used to strengthen the immune systems of people with life-threatening diseases.

Ms Ussher added: “In the next few months, we need thousands more people to start donating at our donor centre.

“Plasma donation is safe and easy, it doesn’t take long, and you will help save and improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the country.”

The campaign, headlined “the medicine in you”, will emphasise that for some patients there is no alternative treatment is available.

The campaign is also being heavily featured on radio stations across the area, as fewer residents have come to the Reading centre than initally hoped. n To donate, call 0300 123 23 23, or log on to: blood. co.uk/plasma

n A READING man who stole a set of keys pleaded guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on August 4.

Mills Douglas McGillivray, also known as Miles David King, had originally pleaded not guilty at a summary trial on July 13.

The 49-year-old from Hatford Road had been accused of taking the keys while at a BP filling station on Rose Kiln Lane.

McGillivray was ordered to pay £371.40 compensation, and undertake up to 25 days’ of activity as determined by a rehabilitation officer.

No order for costs was made due to the amount of compensation.

n A TILEHURST man who assaulted a special constable in Reading had been given a six-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Warren Stokes, 40 and from Fellmet Avenue, pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place on September 13 last year.

He was also guilty of using threatening/abusive words or behaviour and assaulting a man.

He also spat on a police officer during the coronavirus pandemic.

For this he was given a four-week jail sentence, making the total suspended sentence 10 weeks.

Stoke was ordered to pay £50 compensation. n AN EARLEY man who assaulted a man has been fined £346 and ordered to pay £100 compensation.

Kamran Hussain, 32 and from

Wokingham Road, pleaded guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on August 4.

The incident took place in Reading on January 7.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £35 to victim services. n A WOMAN who was caught in possession of a weapon designed to discharge a noxious liquid has been given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Paulina Sikorska, 30 and from Church Street in Theale, was stopped in Reading between November 25 and 26 with the weapon, which could discharge capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, two substances found in peppers, which can cause analgesic effects similar to ketamine.

This was contrary to section 5(1) (b) and schedule 6 of the Firearms Act 1968.

She was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £22 to victim services. n A WOODLEY man who failed to stop his car when police ordered him to has been banned from driving for a year.

Jagjit Gill, 43 and from Reading Road, was pulled over by police on Noevmber 26, 2019, on the same road.

Police found that his vehicle’s front tyres were unroadworthy as the cord was exposed.

A test found that Gill was driving while under the influence of Delta-9-Tetrahyrdocannabinol, a form of cannabis.

He had pleaded not guilty to this third offence, but magistrates disagreed and he was fined £500 for this offence.

Gill must also pay £500 costs and £50 to victim services, at a rate of £100 per month. n A READING man who was found guilty of carrying a knife on Reading’s Oxford Road was ordered to undertake a drug rehabilitation order.

Ryan Paul Mikosz, 26 and from Russell Street, was stopped by police on February 10 this year.

He pleaded guilty of carrying an Auto Lock locking knife when he appeared at Reading Magistrates on April 13. He was sentenced at a sitting held on August 5.

He must pay £85 costs and £95 to victim services.

Deductions will be made from his benefit

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Courts in recent weeks to cover the fine at a rate of £20 per month. n A READING man who drove a car while under the influence of drugs has been banned from driving for 24 months.

Jayden Anthony Carter, 24 and from Kensington Road, was stopped in Cheshunt on November 21 last year. A test found traces of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and MDMA (ecstasy) in his bloodstream. There were also traces of Benzoylecgonine (BZE), a cocaine body-breakdown product.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on August 6.

Carter must undertake 60 hours of community service, pay costs of £85 and £95 to victim services. n A CROYDON man who damaged a hotel reception and assaulted a man has been given a fourmonth jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Ahmad Khalifi, 25 and from Bridge Place, was at the Mercure hotel in Reading on June 19 last year when he damaged two computer monitors, a reception worktop and glass panels in doors and windows.

The total damage was £4,380.

He assaulted his victim by beating him and also using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

For each sentence, he was given a four-month sentence.

He must pay £150 compensation to his victim, £100 to victim services and undertake 150 community service.

No order for costs was made and he can repay at a rate of £20 per month. n A SHINFIELD man who refused to give a blood specimen when requested by police has been jailed for four months.

Iftkhar Bashier, 49 and from Bookers Hill, was given porridge after committing multiple breaches of a previous court order and some offences while released on bail.

He had been stopped in Wokingham on July 7 when he declined to give the blood sample.

For this, he was ordered to pay £150 costs and £128 to victim services and banned from driving for two years.

He was also guilty of driving without a licence on November 23 last year on Western Elms Avenue in Reading; driving on Beresford Road on January 22 in Reading; and on Kings Road, Reading on January 13 this year. n A READING man has been ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service after being stopped while in possession of Class B drugs and a knife.

Robert Srebrzynski, 35 and from Oxford Road, was topped by police on March 16, on Reading Road in Reading.

A search revealed he had a quantity of amphetamine on his person as well as a Stanley knife.

In addition to the community service, Srebrzynski was ordered

to pay £95 to victim services. No order for costs was made due to his lack of means. n A COMMUNITY order has been made on a Reading man after he harassed a woman.

Philip George Clover, 62 and from Winslet Place, carried out the harasment during dates in May, despite being ordered by police not to do so.

He was ordered to undertake a rehabilitation activity and banned from contacting his victim or an address relating to them. This order is in place until August 9, 2026.

Clover was also fined £60, and ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 to victim services at a rate of £10 per fortnight. n A MAN lodging with The Salvation Army has been ordered to have treatment for drug addiction after stealing from a Reading store.

Richard James Hiscock, 26 and staying at the Willow Street hostel, pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates Court to stealing three bottles of alcohol worth £69 from Sainsbury’s in Friar Street on January 18.

He also stole two bottles worth £60 on January 14, also from the same store. For this he was ordered to pay £60 compensation.

Hiscock also pleaded guilty to assaulting a man on January 14.

For this he was ordered to pay £50 compensation. n A READING woman who committed a series of offences while under court orders not to reoffend has been jailed for eight weeks.

Chloe Salone Keates, 26 and from Waylen Street, appeared at East Berkshire Magistrates Court on August 11 where she pleaded guilty to: n Stealing meat worth £109.44 from Marks & Spencer in Broad Street, Reading on January 5 n Stealing hair straighteners worth £140 from Boots in Broad Street, Reading, on January 7 n Stealing hair straighteners worth £69.99 from Superdrug in Reading on January 7 n Stealing meat worth £137.75 from Marks & Spencer in Broad Street, Reading on January 7.

No order for costs was made due to Keates’ limited means, but she must pay £128 to victim services. n A TILEHURST man who burgled a cash and carry in the town has been given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Daniel Steven Barrett, 41 and from Kentwood Hill, pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place on February 7.

For the offence, he was ordered to pay £10 compensation and £85 costs, at a rate of £10 per fortnight.

At the same hearing, on August 11, he was also found guilty of stealing beer to a value unknown from a Co-op in Reading.

For this, he was committed to prison for two weeks, suspended for 12 months.

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 READINGTODAY.ONLINE WPR_2021-10-18_TheWokinghamPaper_33x2 (1)_Just Go

WorcesterObserver

Reader travel

INTHECOMMUNITY

& Bristol Christmas Market BristolChristmasMarket&HistoricBath_D.pdf

TOGETHER: The team made up of University of Reading students, and community partners from the council and police on the walkabout in Reading.

Come and enjoy this enchanting Christmas Market in the twinkling city of Bristol. Nestled in the city centre and with a range of traders providing a variety of seasonal offerings in chalet style stalls, there is plenty to get you into the festive spirit!

Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham Overnight stay at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with breakfast Visit to Bristol Christmas Market En-route visit to Bath

2 Days by Coach

only £99

Single Supplement £30

LEEDS CHRISTMAS SHOPPER & York St Nicholas Fayre

Departing Fri 10 Dec ‘21 Enjoy fabulously festive scenes and Christmas shopping aplenty as we head to York’s award-winning St Nicholas Fayre. Browse the traditional stalls and listen to the festive choirs and brass bands as you enjoy some of the tempting food and drink on offer.

Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham 2 nights at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with dinner & breakfast Excursion to Haworth & Leeds En-route visit to York St Nicholas Fayre

Students say hello to their new neighbours STUDENTS from the University of Reading got to know their neighbours as part of a new initiative.

The University offered pupil tenants a free lunch if they took the time to introduce themselves to people on their street.

Around 200 residents living in private accommodation were visited by students on Wednesday, October 6, to create a sense of community in the town.

The walkabout event was part of the University’s Community Action Partnership initiative, which supports the University’s contribution to the area.

Students were offered the chance to win vouchers for a free bagel on campus.

And information packs were handed out, including a range of agencies on hand across Reading to help residents.

Sheldon Allen, a student community champion at the University of Reading and co-ordinator of the event, said: “It is important that we as students, and as a University, listen to our neighbours to create strong and positive relationships.

“As well as offering support and guidance to students, this event was a chance for us to get out into the wider community and meet Reading residents face to face, giving them an opportunity to raise concerns as well as hear first-hand the positive contributions students bring to the town.”

Sarah Gardner, community relations manager at the University of Reading, said: “This initiative was just one of many that the University runs to start conversation’s with the Reading community in order to strengthen our relationship.

“We are extremely pleased to work hand in hand with local partners to offer the best support we can for residents, and students who may be renting private housing for the first time in their lives.”

Ms Gardner added that the key part of this event was to “foster positive relationships” between students and their neighbours.

She said: “We recognise that the University has a large presence in Reading, and it’s important that we work with partners to have a positive local impact.”

The event was attended by representatives from the University, Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU), Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police.

Lions plans prostate test day

3 Days by Coach

THE READING Lions Club is hosting its annual Prostate Cancer Awareness event next January.

Taking place at the Rutherford Cancer Centre Thames Valley, in Shinfield, the club will also be offering a free prostate PSA test.

The PSA test is a blood screening that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen in the blood.

Its aim is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and to spot early detection.

The event will run from 8am until 6pm on Saturday, January 15 with half an hour slots available to choose from.

Online pre-registration is advised to secure a place on the day. n To register, log on to: therutherford.com

only £129

Single Supplement £60

Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

For more information, or to book, please call

03332 342 527 Quote WPR

or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

News from your clubs, groups and societies.

Email your news to: news@wokingham.today

REVIEW: Virtue Gymnastics

HISTORIC BATH

Departing Sat 4 Dec ‘21

SOCIETY | 37

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

V

IRTUE Gymnastics invited me to a oneto-one session last Wednesday, and I was more than impressed by my experience.

When first stepping into the building, gymnastics coach Celine Payne welcomed me in and showed me around, including where the main facilities were.

She made me feel instantly at ease as I felt slightly nervous at the fact that I hadn’t stepped foot in a gymnasium in over 15 years.

At first glance, the whole space felt very clean and tidy and all the signs dotted around made it easy to find where certain rooms are.

To start the one-to-one session, Celine led a thorough warm up consisting of a light jog around the floor area and a full body stretch.

After warming up, Celine brought me over to the track area where I learnt cartwheels, hand stands, forward rolls, round offs and flics.

Celine was clear and precise in explaining and demonstrating each exercise.

If you progress quickly, then Celine is not afraid to challenge you with a more complex move if she thinks you’re capable of it.

She decided to let me try a preparation into a flic, which was great to try out on my first session.

Moving on to the trampette, Celine then took me through the basics of going into a tucked front somersault.

She showed me how to correctly run up and prepare to jump on the trampette before going into the move.

We then went over to the bars, where Celine showed me back hip circles, which looked quite daunting at first glance.

And she was great at physically supporting my back and legs as I attempted the move.

I used a round ball underneath to sit on at the start, which was to help me get into position and get round the bar a bit easier.

VIRTUE GYMNASTICS OFFERS CLASSES FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. The idea behind this was to prepare you for the more advanced version of the back hip circle, and to not use the support underneath.

For the last part of the class, we finished with some exercises on the beam.

Going through all the basics on how to correctly walk on it, Celine demonstrated slowly how to find your balance on the beam.

Once I’d got to grips with that, she showed me how to do a round off dismount.

As this was difficult, Celine again was there to hold my legs and guide me through the exercise.

Each lesson finishes with a cool down, this is to prevent any injuries after class.

And Celine uses this time to ask how you found the session

and what you achieved.

Throughout the whole class, Celine was friendly, supportive and patient.

From talking to her and owner Kara Chance after the lesson, you can tell how much they care for their students.

Prior to the sessions, the coaches will get in touch with the student and go through what they want to achieve with the classes.

The one-to-one lessons are tailored to the student, and the coaches take their time to put a plan together to cater each pupil.

Virtue Gymnastics not only offers classes for all ages and abilities, but it also hosts regular weekend parties.

This includes a one and a half hour event with games, gym time and food.

The party options to choose from are preschool, gymnastics,

Age UK hosts Older People’s Day ELDERLY residents were celebrated at a special event at Reading’s Broad Street Mall earlier this month.

Age UK hosted Older People’s Day with a range of free entertainment.

Performances included Dance Reading, Tai Chi, Origami.

And the community was treated to a visit from the Mayor.

With over 30 information stalls, organisations offered advice and support to residents across the borough.

Fiona Price, at Age UK Berkshire, said she is already looking forward to next year’s event.

She said: “It was lovely to see lots of familiar faces and many new ones out and about again, the feedback from older people who attended was great- they enjoyed the activities and the support from the organisations at the event.”

Organisations supporting the event included Age UK Berkshire and Age UK Reading, Reading

Museum, Healthwatch Reading, Reading, Compass Recovery College, MacMillian Cancer Information, Berkshire Vision, MyCareMyHome and The Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Steven Connolly, general manager Broad Street Mall said he was “thrilled” to welcome Age UK to host the event.

“This was our first community event since the pandemic and it was lovely to see everyone together again and enjoying the entertainment on offer.”

38

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Classifieds

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Get your business seen!

Email: advertising@wokingham.today

JOB VACANCY

TECHNOLOGY

TV AERIAL & SATELLITE

PET SITTING

More Eyes than a sack of potatoes!

ACROSS PRINT, WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA WE CAN HELP YOU REACH OVER 100,000 PAIRS OF EYES Our website (www.wokingham.today) has over 175,000 visits per month from over 100,000 unique visitors * Our Facebook posts reach over 150,000 people per month ** A range of other Social Media Channels and thousands of loyal readers of our weekly print edition combine to create an unrivalled local reach.

Talk to us about how we can get these eyes on your business!

Email: advertising@wokingham.today *Google Analytics, 31 May - 29 June 2020 ** Facebook Analytics (based on 22-28 June 2020).

Phone: 0118 327 2662

PAINTING & DECORATING

38

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Classifieds

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Get your business seen!

Email: advertising@wokingham.today

JOB VACANCY

TECHNOLOGY

TV AERIAL & SATELLITE

PET SITTING

More Eyes than a sack of potatoes!

ACROSS PRINT, WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA WE CAN HELP YOU REACH OVER 100,000 PAIRS OF EYES Our website (www.wokingham.today) has over 175,000 visits per month from over 100,000 unique visitors * Our Facebook posts reach over 150,000 people per month ** A range of other Social Media Channels and thousands of loyal readers of our weekly print edition combine to create an unrivalled local reach.

Talk to us about how we can get these eyes on your business!

Email: advertising@wokingham.today *Google Analytics, 31 May - 29 June 2020 ** Facebook Analytics (based on 22-28 June 2020).

Phone: 0118 327 2662

PAINTING & DECORATING