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A PETITION to disband a Reading University Students’ Union society has been launched over concerns about the nature of discussions held by members.
Turning Point UK society members stood outside the Edith Morley Building on Thursday, February 9, asking students for their opinions on transgender court proceedings.
One of the questions they asked was: “If convicted, given a custodial sentence – should a trans woman go to a male or female prison?”
As the event had not been given prior permission, the group were asked to stop.
The group is a derivative of Turning Point USA, which claims to stand for “free markets, limited government, personal responsibility and duty to others”.
Elliott Gardner, a member of Reading Labour, created a petition asking for the group to be expunged from campus.
He said: “People are entitled to have their views, but these are inflammatory statements and loaded questions which make the university an unsafe place for trans students.
“Groups which promote anti-trans, far right messaging should not be allowed.”
Gang rampage
A spokesperson for Reading Pride said: “We are aware of an antitrans protest that took place on February 9.
“It’s important that universities are places where views can be freely shared, but when this crosses the line into bullying and harassment of people simply going about their day, we’d expect the university and its Student Union to uphold its diversity and equality policy.
“We extend our support and solidarity to trans and gender-nonconforming students and staff of the University who will understandably be very concerned by the actions of this group.”
Reading Labour also issued a statement, which urged the students’ union to disband Turning Point UK as a society and to issue a statement condemning its views.
Turning Point UK was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
INCIDENTS of child abuse image -related offences have risen by just under a third according to new figures.
The NSPCC has released statistics which show that such crimes have risen by 32% in the Thames Valley.
The figures come from the charity’s investigation ahead of the implementation of the Online Safety Bill.
The bill is currently going through the House of Lords and aims to hold senior managers of organisations responsible if their products contribute to serious harm to children.
The NSPCC is urging policymakers to include platforms which put children at risk of sexual abuse.
Police figures examined by the charity showed that child abuse image crimes have increased by two thirds in the UK, rising 66% in five years.
Similar offences in the Thames Valley area have jumped by just under a third at 32%.
More than 900 offences which involved the sharing or possession of indecent images of children took place in the 2021/2022 period.
Figures showed that such offences increased nationally to their highest rates on record, which the NSPCC says is evidence that heightened risk during the pandemic “has not gone away.”
In response, the charity says that “unregulated” social media is fuelling online child sexual abuse and calls on the government to make amendments to the Online Safety Bill.
It is recommending the instatement of a “child safety advocate” as part of the bill, who would advocate for the victims of young victims.
The charity says the role would reflect the experiences of young people as a “statutory counterbalance the power of the big tech lobby.”
The investigation showed that either Facebook, Instagram, or Whatsapp were used in a third of the instances of
child abuse which flagged a specific website.
It also cited research which showed that Snapchat is implicated in 43% of cases where platform data was provided.
Sir Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said: “These new figures are incredibly alarming but reflect the tip of the iceberg of what children are experiencing online.
“We hear from young people who feel powerless and let down as online sexual abuse risks becoming normalised.
“By creating a child safety advocate that stands up for children and families the Government can ensure the Online Safety Bill systemically prevents abuse.”
He continued: “It would be inexcusable if in five years’ time we are still playing catch-up to pervasive abuse that has been allowed to proliferate on social media.”
n More information and advice can be found online can be at: nspcc.org.uk/ keeping-children-safe/online-safety
EIGHT people armed with samurai swords and machetes are reported to have been roaming through Newtown in east Reading last week, forcing police to take action.
As a result of the incident, which took place around 3am in Regent Street on Friday, February 24, Thames Valley Police have enacted a Section 60 order, which gives them more stop and search powers.
The order was put in place for 24 hours and expired at 3.20am on Saturday.
Thames Valley Police only use Section 60 powers for defined areas, and when a senior officer believes there is a possibility of serious violence, or weapons being carried.
In a statement, Inspector Tom Day, based at Reading police station, said: “We put this order in place while we carried out our investigation into this large public order incident.
“The order will give our officers extra powers to carry out stop and search activity, and has been enacted for the safety of the public.
“I understand that an order of this nature could cause concern, but while it may sound alarming, enhancing our stop and search powers provides us with another tactic to quickly identify and disrupt those carrying weapons.”
He added: “You will see more police officers in the area while the order is in place and we expect to carry out more stop and searches than usual.
“Officers are there to reassure you as well as using their powers under Section 60.
“Anyone with information about this incident should call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43230084723.
“Alternatively, provide information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”
READING’S schools will be among a number around the country to see investment to improve education about air quality.
Reading Borough Council has secured £327,000 of funding to create interactive educational programmes to raise awareness about the effect of air quality on health.
The town is one of 44 local authorities which will share a total of £10.7m in grants, and the money will help build Key Stage lesson plans, workshops, and activities to be delivered to schools, including showing students how to measure air quality.
Professor Hong Yang, project partner from the University of Reading, said: “Our aim is to raise the public’s awareness about the damaging effects of air pollution on children, parents and teachers’ health and inspire communities to make more effective changes that will result in cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint in schools and the surrounding areas.”
Marta O’Brien, air quality researcher and project partner from the University of Reading, said: “Finding ways of protecting children from exposure to air pollution is an important part of our research.
SHOWCASE: Eman Almukaimi with her three of her ceramic pieces Existence, Silent Music and Isolation. The Reading School of Art student was showcasing her work as part of an exhibition entitled Escape Pictures:
By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg,todayBUDDING artists displayed their work at a unique Open Hand Open Space showcase last weekend.
Students from Reading School of Art presented their work in an exhibition entitled Escape, which interpreted their personal experiences, portraying feelings of belonging, erasure or uncertainty.
The media on show was wide-ranging, with Eman Almukaimi using ceramics to depict three female friends, each with contrasting personalities, while Chrifa Benkhalifa expressed her repressed fear of being marginalised through video.
Lucy Harwood’s text-based prints and inkworks portrayed the feelings of anxiety and indecision brought on by the digital age.
Hatchery, a Rosina Godwin creation, featured knitting yarn, polyester and recycled plastic, and took inspiration from the reproductive methods of tapeworms. The piece juxtaposed comfort with discomfort, sculpting the reassuring familiarity of knitting into a monstrous alien form.
Works by master’s students Georgios Gyparis, Farah Tara, Donald Senyah and Yue Zou also made for a thrilling series of work.
As part of the University of Reading’s FRESH programme for postgraduates, the exhibition opened on Thursday evening, with pieces available to enjoy throughout the weekend.
Chalk is a new neighbourhood restaurant and bar based in the heart
Chalk Restaurant offers residents and locals the perfect place to come together and catch up while enjoying a range of quality drinks or some food from our mouthwatering menu that focuses on simple fresh ingredients done well
“Collaboration with Reading Borough Council and other project partners means that our existing work can expand and reach more schools, children, and families.”
Cllr Tony Page, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “Securing this funding is great news for our schools and for helping to improve Reading’s environment.
“This will enable us to reach our younger generation and encourage them to be active and passionate ambassadors for the ways we can all help improve air quality.
“Air quality in Reading is generally good and our monitoring shows we meet all current UK air quality objectives for particulate matter.”
He continued: “However, and in common with many busy towns and cities, there are some areas close to congested roads where levels of nitrogen dioxide exceed air quality objectives and where levels of particulates are elevated.
“In these specific areas Reading faces serious challenges in terms of poor air quality which is having a real impact on the health of residents.”
He said that the council would remain “fully committed to maintaining and improving air quality across the town”.
A UNIVERSITY of Reading talk will explore how public spaces are monitored using artificial intelligence on Tuesday.
Behind Electric Eyes: Facial Recognition Surveillance in Public Spaces is a free lecture that will unwrap how this works and what it means for our right to privacy.
The Fairbrother Lecture is a named after Jack Fairbrother, who became one of the first students to be awarded a PhD from the university in 1929.
It takes place at 6pm at the Meadow Suite, Park House. Booking is required.
n For more information and to book a ticket, visit: www.reading. ac.uk/events
SOUTH READING residents can keep fit by getting involved in friendly sports sessions.
Whitley Community Development Association, in collaboration with Netball England, is organising a weekly walking netball project.
Sessions will take place at the Whitley Community Centre on Northumberland Avenue.
IT’S NOW on to its third prime minister, outlasted a lettuce and constantly runs out of juice. But there’s still no end in sight to the temporary traffic lights in east Reading.
In July and October, Reading Today reported on delays to replace lights at the junction of Cholmeley Road as it comes on to London Road – one of the main routes out of the town, heading towards the A329m.
Damaged in a road traffic incident last year, the temporary replacements have been snarling up traffic, seeing it back up into Cemetery Junction and the Sutton Seeds roundabout. It’s a situation made worse by the works to repaint the railway bridge, as traffic is down to a single lane on London Road, with many additional delays.
The temporary lights are powered by batteries, which constantly fail. When Reading Today visited the site on Monday, they were not working and a team had to manually stop traffic to let drivers out.
the Orange-route vehicles.
IT: Park ward Green councillor Rob White with resident Laura Blackburn with the temporary traffic lights on Cholmeley Road. They were not working at the time this photo was taken Picture: Phil Creighton
junction’s equipment, including clearing ducts and replacing damaged cables.
In October, Reading Borough Council said groundworks had been completed, and it was chasing the contractor to provide a date for the repairs, promising to update residents when that happened.
The works were meant to be completed by October – but the temporary lights are still there nine months on.
Open to all abilities and experience, the meet-ups take place on Wednesdays from 10.30am-11.30am. Refreshments will be available.
n For more information, contact Debbie Spindlow on: 07587 034322.
Newtown residents are considering organising a birthday party if the lights are still in place in the summer, and given that the bridge works will continue until May, that could possibly happen.
Residents say the lights run out of power at weekends, meaning drivers have to make their own judgment as to whether it is safe to exit Newtown.
And the pedestrian crossing that helps people get to the bus stop on the other side of London Road is not in use, despite passengers getting on and off
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Resident Laura Blackburn said: “The biggest problem is nobody knows what’s going on. You can’t rely on it working. You can’t cross the road from the bus stop. It’s stopping people from using buses and people are more likely to use their cars.
“Drivers can be stuck here for 15 minutes until someone bothers to let you out, especially because of the bridge lights further down. It’s dangerous.”
She also felt the phasing of the lights wasn’t set up properly.
“It’s holding the traffic up even further at a time when
everyone is just so stressed. People are rat running much more, trying to avoid Newtown. It’s causing knock-on problems all over the area.”
Ms Blackburn called on the council to give a solid timeline for the lights to be fixed.
Last autumn, Reading Borough Council said the broken lights used an old-style controller which had been destroyed, and a like-for-like replacement was no longer available. It was not compatible with newer models.
The only solution is a complete replacement of the
Green Councillor Rob White is both leader of the main opposition party on Reading Borough Council and Park ward member, and he wants action. He said: “The temporary traffic lights at the top of Cholmeley Road are an ongoing source of frustration to residents and ward councillors. They have been broken for around eight months now which is ridiculous.
“The batteries often fail creating problems for people crossing London Road and cars getting out of Newtown. The timing on them also seems to be creating extra congestion and worsening pollution.
“The council needs to pull out all the stops to get these lights fixed and if the current contractors aren’t up to the job the council should be looking elsewhere.”
The council had not responded to requests for comment as we went to press.
individuals ahead of the inaugural Celebration of
RESIDENTS are in favour of allowing cyclists to use a crucial route through central Reading.
Reading Borough Council held a public consultation on proposals to allow cyclists to use the underpass at Reading Station.
The results show that 73% were in favour of removing the ban –nearly one in four of the 554 responses.
Now councillors will consider the proposal to remove the ban at a traffic management sub-committee on Thursday, March 2.
The underpass was opened in 2013, though cyclists were banned from using the route connecting Christchurch Bridge and Vastern Road because of a low ceiling not meeting height and width clearance guidelines.
The council has since inherited the maintenance of the route from Network Rail following the completion of the Reading Station redevelopment.
The council has now earmarked more than £200,000 of funding to remove the low suspended ceiling tiles and to protect service ducts above them.
Refurbishment works are due
to take place in the spring, when maintenance and improvements to signs will also be carried out.
Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “It is no surprise to see high numbers of people responding to this consultation and I would like to thank everybody that took the time to respond.
“The results clearly show substantial support for revoking a cycling ban which is historic and, in reality, has always been an anomaly.
"Although technically illegal, regular users will know that cyclists already use this subway on a daily basis."
He explained that the underpass was a "key strategic route from Christchurch Bridge and Caversham into the Town Centre.
"We now have the approved Station Hill redevelopment which has been designed specifically to secure a continuous north-south cycle route through the town centre and beyond to Christchurch Bridge.
“It will now fall to Councillors to consider all responses and to decide whether to push ahead with the change after carefully considering all feedback received.”
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
THE ROYAL Berkshire Hospital has opened the doors to a new suite of scanning apparatus following a multimillion pound investment.
The NHS Trust has finished two years’ worth of work installing a CT scanning suite at the site on London Road.
The purpose-built facilities will include two state-of-the-art computerised tomography scanners, installed in a comfortably furnished environment away from the busier parts of the hospital.
It also features new smart glass installations with two-way communication between staff and patients during scanning procedures.
Around 100 patients a day will be scanned at the suite, with X-ray scanners being used to diagnose cancer and strokes, or assessing damage caused by incidents such as road traffic accents.
This can also lend support to other services such as through the monitoring of tumour growth to inform radiotherapy, and to guide biopsies.
Sarah Guzvica, CT lead radiographer said, “We know that for people coming in to see us to have a scan, whether planned or unplanned, it can be an unsettling and concerning time.
“We hope that the new suite, and the little additions we’ve made, for example real time CCTV in the scanner as well as the two-way microphones so we can keep in touch, help to make
the experience of coming to see us as smooth as possible.
“For the team, it’s the thought that’s gone into the build that’s really going to help. For example, the scanning rooms are bigger so there’s more room for us to move around and help patients that might have additional mobility needs.”
Julie Cameron, associate director in Radiology at the trust, said, “I’m delighted that the new suite is now open to patients.
“We are proud to be able to offer a wider range of procedure and treatments at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in a purpose built environment.
“I hope the investment shows just how committed we are to making the latest equipment and techniques accessible to our local community.”
NEW KIT: A team from the Royal Berkshire Hospital with the new CT scanner. From left: From left, Radiology Assistant Is, CT radiographers Vinesh, Valerie, Sarah, Ruth and Jeff
A GROUP of colleges have seen the launching of a new community of previous attendees.
Alumni of Reading College and Bracknell and Wokingham College, are invited to take part in the new programme.
Activate Learning has launched its new web portal to provide a space for alumni to stay in touch after they leave.
Former students will also be able to sign up for access to exclusive alumni benefits, including discounts on further courses, volunteering posts, business engagement opportunities, and events.
Gary Headland, Activate Learning CEO, said: “We have a long tradition of welcoming former students back into our colleges to help develop the next generation of talent.
“By creating our new Activate Alumni programme, it allows us to better recognise all our amazing former students, the contributions they continue to make to our colleges and the contributions they make to their communities.
He explained: “It’s really motivating for our current students to meet alumni and see what they’ve gone onto achieve and this motivates them to push themselves to succeed.
“We know this is a vital element to a successful learning experience and is central to our Learning Philosophy.
“With a greater emphasis on community than ever, and our place within it, we want to develop even stronger connections with our communities, so we are better able to serve their needs.”
He said that Activate Learning is “Really excited to re-engage our former learners and see our Activate Alumni community grow and flourish.”
James Scott, former student at Merrist Wood College and alumnus of Activate Learning, said: “Without college, I don’t think I could have done what I do now.
“We had some great teachers that I admired – they all took a lot of pride in what they did, and I looked up to them.”
James studied Landscape Construction at Merrist Wood College, and has since established his own national award-winning garden designand-build business, The Garden Company.
Sam Skeates, a former creative media student at Bracknell and Wokingham College, recently returned to the college to address current media students after having secured an apprenticeship at BBC Radio Berkshire.
Paul Boddy, Sam’s former tutor and media lecturer at Bracknell and Wokingham College, said: “We are extremely proud of Sam’s achievements.
“He was a Distinctionlevel student at Bracknell and Wokingham College and always put in 100% effort throughout his course.
“His visit showed what can be achieved by studying Creative Media here and gave our current students a valuable insight into the process of applying for and working in an apprenticeship.”
READING Football Club’s principal partner has been nominated for a prestigious award in recognition of its support for grassroots football.
Select Car Leasing has been shortlisted for the Grassroots Sports Sponsorship prize at The UK Sponsorship Awards 2023 following three unique campaigns: Meals for Kids, kit sponsorship and Tickets for Kids.
Working alongside the club’s community trust, academy and other charitable organisations across the town.
Each week, a grassroots team from the area is selected to receive a batch of tickets for free, meaning that young football fans, their parents and coaches can enjoy a day at the football, some for the first time.
Mark Tongue, director of Select Car Leasing, said: “On behalf of everyone at Select Car Leasing who has worked on these campaigns, we’re thrilled and excited to be shortlisted for a prize at The UK Sponsorship Awards 2023.
“As a grassroots football coach myself, I know the
SHORTLIST: Select Car Leasing have been nominated for the Grassroots Sports Sponsorship prize at The UK Sponsorship Awards 2023.
challenges facing teams and families when it comes to funding and support.
“By working in conjunction with Reading FC, we’ve been able to give something back to the community while also building long-term relationships with local enterprises and industry leaders.
“We’re proud to be shortlisted in the ‘Grassroots Sports Sponsorship’ award
category, and we’re very much looking forward to the event itself.”
Tim Kilpatrick, Head of Commercial at Reading Football Club, added: “We are delighted that Select Car Leasing are so active at supporting the local community through their partnership with Reading FC.”
The awards take place on Tuesday, March 28 at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.
A CAFÉ in Reading’s railway station could soon sell alcohol, as plans are in place for it to be taken over, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter
There are more than a dozen cafes at the transport hub, including Delice De France, a café and bakery on platforms 8 and 9 of the station.
This unit will be replaced by ‘Café Local, owned by Select Service Partner (SSP) Limited.
The firm has submitted a licensing application to sell alcohol on and off the premises from 6am to 11pm seven days a week.
A spokesperson said: “Café Local will replace the existing Delice De France unit on platforms 8/9.
“More details about the products that will be sold will be announced nearer the opening date.”
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.todayMEMBERS of Reading’s Ukrainian community were joined by those showing their support when they took part in a peace rally on Saturday.
Matt Rodda MP and the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, joined attendees in marching from the Broad Street Mall to Forbury Gardens in a show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine one year on from the full-scale invasion of the country by Russia.
The march followed the observation of the minute’s silence on Friday, February 27, when the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre invited residents to mourn those lost in the conflict and pay their respects.
Cllr Eden said: “A year on from the full scale invasion it’s more important than ever to stand
with our Reading’s Ukrainian community, both long standing and newly arrived.
“Ukrainians are fighting for the rule of law, democracy and the freedom to determine their own path. Reading will be home to our Ukrainian guests as long as they need it and as Mayor I wanted to pass on to them the support they have from across Reading.”
Mr Rodda said: “It was an honour to be able to show my support for Ukraine and to take part in the march and rally in Forbury Gardens.
“This was a very powerful and moving event, which demonstrates the enormous support for the Ukrainian people from residents in Reading and Woodley.
“I was pleased to be able to take part, together with the Mayor of Reading and other local people who came to show their support.”
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
MEMBERS of the Ukrainian community came together on Friday to mark the first anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, which has become a central part of the town’s response to the invasion, welcomed the community as the nation observed a minute’s silence.
According to Google, the café is set to open on Tuesday, March 14.
SSP owns a number of brands including Upper Crust, and is also a franchisee for M&S, Starbucks, Burger King and Leon.
The licensing application has been submitted to Reading Borough Council, and people can submit comments by emailing: licensing@reading. gov.uk
Tony Gresko, the centre’s chair, gave candles to attendees before leading them in a minute’s silence.
This was followed by an address, in which he thanked those who had attended: “There are no words to describe what happened a year ago.
“Everyone was in complete shock this time last year and the whole world knows what Russia is, or more what Putin is, finally.
“This war didn’t start a year ago, it started when they took Crimea, annexed Crimea and
the Donbas, and Ukraine has been fighting since then.
He continued: “And the world didn’t pay too much attention and hoped the problem would go away, but it hasn’t. We’re all faced with that problem.
“People say that this isn’t their war and I would say to these people this is our war –the only difference is that our soldiers are fighting in a European war.
“We just need weapons to
REFLECTION: Attendees took part in the minute’s silence which was observed around the UK at 11am on Friday, February 24.
stop this war, so please don’t think this doesn’t relate to you because it does.”
A choir came together to perform a Ukrainian song more than a century old, followed by speeches by members of the community.
Mick Polleck said of the centre’s support for the community: “When somebody comes to you that they’ve got a problem, they have got a concern, and they feel that you
READING Festival has updated its rules on campfires for attendees to the annual event.
Information on the event’s website has been updated to exclude permission for building a fire in camping areas on site.
It now reads: “Campfires are no longer allowed anywhere at the festival, including the campsites.
“This is to support the Air Quality Action Plan and in consideration of local impacts as set out in our Green Nation Charter.
“Anyone seen creating or fuelling a fire will be evicted from the festival site. We have to continue to protect our future on this planet.”
It is the latest in the festival’s efforts to reduce its climate impact, including its partnership with Music Declares Emergency’s No Music on a Dead Planet initiative.
The update to rules also follows incidents which caused safety concerns at last year’s festival, after which Reading Borough Council members met with organisers.
Cllr Karen Rowland (Labour, Abbey) said of the meetings last year that there were a lot of “positive actions that we heard
CHANGE: Reading Festival 2023 will see festivalgoers enjoy the music, but not campfires after problems on the final night of the event
with the policing and the fire watches, and all of those things that went into making it a safe festival.”
With reports of uncontrolled fires and claims of “chaos” on the Sunday of last year’s event, Cllr Rowland explained: “there were issues on the Sunday, and there were a number of removals.
“Thank goodness the attendees that were removed were this year successfully and carefully taken to ensure they had proper transport home.”
Previously, campfires had been permitted outside of the main arena from Wednesday to Saturday, as long as they were no more than a foot high.
Following last year’s event, Thames Valley Police said: “There were some fires in the campsite on Sunday, but
are like a doctor who might be able to help them.
“If you’re like a politician, you might be able to guide them and help them and of course we organise these events.
“It’s for Ukrainians here to talk to each other, because they didn’t know each other when they were in Ukraine and
they’ve all got a common thing – their husbands or brothers or uncles and fathers are all still fighting.
“They’ve got that commonality and also that they come from the whole of Ukraine, which with its diverse language, and religion, country, and so we do what we can to help.”
He continued: “This time last year, I felt punch drunk, and I felt numb.
“It felt to me as if my father had just died and, a year on, those things haven’t changed.
“I feel no more like I did after my dad was buried, and there is that inability to do and inability to change.”
festival security had water pumps and extinguished these within minutes.
“There was some disorder in the campsite at about 4.30pm on Sunday, but this was dealt with within minutes by festival security and about 50 people were ejected from the site.”
One attendee, an 18-year-old from Kent, was burned after an “unknown liquid” exploded over her while sitting near a campfire at the festival last year.
As part of this year’s event, Festival Republic is also bringing back an expanded Eco Camp after a successful pilot last year, which sees attendees agreeing to respect the environment and fellow campers.
It is just one of a number of increased safety and sustainability measures being implemented, with Festival Republic’s licensing coordinator, Charlotte Oliver, explaining that the company is “ahead of the ball” on safeguarding issues.
Reading Festival 2023 will see Billie Eilish, The Killers, Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Loyle Carner, Decklan McKenna, Becky Hill, and Don Broco take to the stage when it returns on the August bank holiday weekend, from Friday to Sunday, August 25-27.
n Tickets are available via: readingfestival.com/tickets
n More line-up news p8
WINTER may be over, but a community group will continue helping residents combat rising energy prices with a new initiative.
Whitley Community Development Association’s Winter Warming Wednesdays offer residents the chance to enjoy a free soup in the warmth of its cafe on Northumberland Avenue.
Running from noon-2.30pm on Wednesdays, over 50s have the chance to catch up with friends, and other residents.
The community cafe will continue running as usual, with tea and coffee available to buy.
n For more information, contact: cdw@whitley-cda.org
A SOUTH Reading church is holding a women’s breakfast on Saturday, March 11.
Reading Family Church is inviting visitors to come along to its church office on Basingstoke Road for a morning of worship and encouragement.
The session gives members of the community a chance to meet new people in a warm and friendly environment.
Those who wish to attend are asked to sign up via the church’s website.
The event takes place from 9am-11.30am.
n For more information, visit: readingfamily.churchsuite.com
READING Borough Council has said that the town must “accelerate” action if it wants to meet its ambitions for achieving its net-zero carbon target by 2030.
The Reading Climate Change Partnership (RCCP) has warned that new tangible commitments to taking action must be made.
The announcement comes just days before the fourth anniversary of the council declaring a climate emergency on behalf of the town in the face of continued climate change. A new climate programme will also invite residents to contribute their thoughts on how the council can work to further improve its climate plan in March.
While Reading has boasted the fourth largest cut to its overall carbon footprint of all of the 374 local authorities in the UK, the RCCP is urging further steps be taken.
Reading as a whole has reduced its carbon footprint by 55% since 2003, with the council leading the way with a 71% reduction to its footprint in the past 13 years.
RBC’s footprint currently
contributes to just 1.5% of the borough’s overall emissions.
Individuals can make small changes, with the council suggesting the use of public transport or self-powered travel in lieu of driving and reducing food waste.
Residents can also lower energy use, where possible, reduce meat consumption, and increase rates of re-use and recycling.
Tony Page, RBC’s lead
councillor for climate strategy and transport said: “Despite the impressive local figures, the fact is that our town needs to significantly step up our efforts on cutting emissions.”
He explained: “The challenge remains to mobilise individual residents, communities, private businesses and other organisations to act and take decisions which make a difference, no matter how small.
“It is apparent that net zero
TARGET:
While Reading boasts the fourth largest cut in its carbon footprint of all 374 local authorities in the UK, Reading Climate Change Partnership has warned that more needs to be done to reach net-zero by 2030. Picture: Oswald Bertram, via Wikimedia Commons
is not something any council can achieve on its own, which means always trying to find new and innovative ways of raising the profile of climate action and keeping it at the forefront of people’s minds so that it shapes and influences the choices people make every single day.”
He continued: “Having invested £1 million in heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon emissions of
its new leisure centres in 2022, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment in its most recent budget proposals.
He also explained that the £26 million investment into improving bus services as well as more than £4 million on energy saving measures, would encourage a move towards net zero.
Tracey Rawling Church, co-chair of the Reading Climate Change Partnership, said: “Making Reading a net zero, climate resilient town will require the support of everybody who lives, works or studies here, working together to not just reduce our own impacts but collaborating to create new systems and learn new ways of doing things.”
The climate pilot programme will take place over a series of discussions from 9.30am11.30am and 12.30pm-2.30pm at the Town Hall on Tuesday, March 21.
A further session will take place at Reading Biscuit Factory on Wednesday, March 22, from 6.30pm-7.45pm.
Sessions last around two hours, and participants will be paid for their time.
n Full details are available via: reading.gov.uk/climate-andpollution
READING Festival has announced its second round of artists who will be performing at this year’s event in August.
The announcement brings a slew of more than 70 acts who will be joining headliners The Killers, Billie Eilish, and Sam Fender.
Reading’s own The Amazons are among the names added to the bill, as well as Leeds’ Yard Act, and festival stalwarts Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls.
Rina Sawayama will be performing at the festival for the first time, along with Caity Baser and Mimi Webb.
Leicester’s indie darlings Easy Life will also be returning in the summer for the latest of their stellar festival performances
which have charted their rise to stardom.
They’ll be joined by previous collaborator Arlo Parks, who brings breezy, low-key, poetic sensibilities, hot on the heels of her latest single, Weightless.
Among other additions are Holly Humberstone Palaye Royale, Tom Odell, Sea Girls, Vistas, Sleep Token, and Mother Mother.
Dance and electronica have also seen a huge range of additions, including Sub Focus, who will be going back-to-back with Dimension.
Hedex, Gryffin, Girls Don’t Sync, Soulecta, Jaguar, Nieve Ella, and Hariet Jaxxon are also confirmed to be performing.
TV Girl and Wallice will be rounding out the indie offerings, as well as Nashville’s COIN, punk pioneers The Murder Capital, English teacher, Jessie Jo Stark, The Last Dinner Party, Dylan John Thomas, Yonaka, and EKKSTACY.
For those seeking hip-hop, Reading and Leeds will see sets from D Double E, Fin Foxell, Nippa, Kenny Allstar, KiLLOWEN, BZ, ShaShimone, and Proph.
Final additions include midwxst, DJ Target, JBee, Queen Millz, and Lancey Foux. Reading Festival returns on the August bank holiday weekend, from Friday to Sunday, August 25-27.
n Tickets are available via: readingfestival.com/tickets
WHITLEY Library is holding interactive language sessions for babies and children.
Rhymetime introduces youngsters to the spoken word and rhyme in a fun and engaging way, using music, props and storytelling.
Sessions are free to attend but booking is essential due to limited numbers. Visitors are asked to cancel booked sessions if unable to attend.
Classes take place between 11am-11.30am on Thursdays at the South Reading Community Centre on Northumberland Avenue.
The next sessions take place on March 9 and 16.
n To make a booking, visit: www. reading.gov.uk
A SOUTH Reading church is holding a men’s breakfast on Saturday, March 18.
Reading Family Church is inviting visitors to come along to its church office on Basingstoke Road for a hearty breakfast, worship and the opportunity to meet new people.
Youths are also welcome to attend.
Those who wish to attend are asked to sign up via the church’s website, with bookings costing £2.
The event takes place from 8.30am-10.30am.
n For more, visit: www. readingfamily.churchsuite.com
AN EXHIBITION looking at one of the hardest words in the English language is currently on show in a Reading town centre church before it heads to the University next week.
The F-Word: Stories of Forgiveness is on show at Reading Minster in Chain Street until Sunday, and will then be in the foyer of the library on the Whiteknights campus from Monday until Friday, March 10.
The photographic exhibition looks at forgiveness as a journey of hope, peace and
reconciliation, and has been curated by The Forgiveness Project.
To accompany the showcase, Reading Minster is organising an online conversation tomorrow night with Albie Sachs on the nature of forgiveness.
He was injured by the security forces while fighting for freedom with the African National Congress (ANC) against the persecution of South Africa’s apartheid regime.
His practice of forgiveness led him to share in the work of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission. As a former Justice Magistrate, he helped to lay the legal foundations of the post-Apartheid South Africa.
The session runs from 7.30pm to 9pm, and places should be booked.
And on Thursday, March 9, University of Reading chaplain Mark Laynesmith will interview Marina Cantacuzino about her book Forgiveness: An Exploration. Also attending will be Riana Taylor, CEO of Circles UK, a charity that works towards the rehabilitation and reintegration of
Typical
Tuesday 14th March 2023
2pm - 3.30pm
people convicted of sexual offences, and Dr Dan Jones, Lecturer in Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences.
This takes place at the Edith Morley building on the Whiteknights Campus and will also be broadcast on Zoom.
Entry to the exhibition and the talks are free.
n For more details on Mr Sachs’ talk or to register, email: events@readingminster. org.uk
n For more details on the university’s event, email: chaplaincy@reading.ac.uk
As we age, we all get a little more forgetful, whether it’s forgetting a name, or walking into a room and having no idea what we went there for. In this session our Care UK dementia specialists will give an overview of typical ageing and how symptoms differ from dementia. They will explore the signs of dementia, and the differences between the three most common types of dementia
Trusted to care.
To
MATT RODDA MP says Reading Gaol’s future is still uncertain despite a council bid “still being on the table”.
He met with prisons minister Damian Hinds, and Reading West MP Sir Alok Sharma, to discuss the future of the site for what he described as a “frank but reasonable” discussion.
Following the meeting, the Reading East MP said that the MoJ is still seeking what it calls “best value for money” on the sale of the now disused site of Reading Prison.
“They’ve used up over £1.2 million in mothballing the gaol in the past 10 years, that’s a large loss of public money, which we think is dreadful,” Mr Rodda said. “But we’re still pursuing them to look at an alternative, and we believe it’s quite possible there could be a council or arts community-led alternative.”
He said that the council’s bid on the site hasn’t been rejected yet and was still “on the table”.
Mr Rodda also said that he had “serious reservations” about the possible bidder for the site, citing the “previous bid which was put in by a speculative commercial developer.”
The bid fell through, he said, after the bidder understood the “complexities” of the site.
The council would, if successful in its bid, seek to “build on the heritage,” rather than a more “commercial” plan.
“What we need to do now is persuade the Ministry of Justice to take more notice and firm up the offers from the arts world.”
He explained that he was “impressed” by the offer made by Banksy in particular, and said that while the MOJ might not see such bidders as “conventional” in business, they would add a lot of value to the development of the project.
A THREE-MONTH project to repaint a railway bridge is causing major problems for people living in east Reading.
Network Rail has reduced traffic on London Road to a single lane around the Suttons Seeds roundabout area, so it can carry out the major maintenance project. It involves blasting down the paintwork, checking for defects, and then giving it four coats of green paint.
The firm says the project is necessary and will last for 25 years.
But residents of Newtown are struggling to get in and out of the area, with traffic trying to come out of Liverpool Road frequently blocked by queuing drivers on London Road.
And the jams are backing up across the town. On Tuesday morning, motorists were reporting that journeys that usually take 15 minutes took over an hour as a result of long queues on both London Road and Kings Road.
Park ward councillor Rob
White says that he and his fellow councillors had not been consulted over the works and the impact they would have.
Reading Borough Council said the project was given the green light by Wokingham Borough Council, and Network Rail said they looked at alternative options to closing two lanes of traffic, including overnight or weekend closures, but felt this was the best way to proceed.
Residents remain to be convinced, and called for keep clear markings to be painted on London Road at its junction with Liverpool Road to make it easier for motorists to get out.
“Usually, if the traffic is a bit slow there’s normally an opportunity for motorists to get out,” Laura
STUCK: Network Rail’s three-month project to repaint the railway bridge in east Reading is causing problems for drivers trying to exit Liverpool Road Picture: Phil Creighton
Blackburn said. “Generally people are very courteous, but because of the pressure building due to being made to wait a bit longer, people are so much more stressed and much less likely to let somebody out.”
She said the queueing cars was causing issues for wider vehicles, such as delivery trucks, from entering Liverpool Road because it was narrow.
“Another big problem is the phasing of the lights is incorrect,” she continued. “On Sunday, I came straight through the lights from Shepherds Hill, but it was queuing all the way down Kings Road. It’s not equal phasing for the four sets of lights, and I think that needs to be looked at.
“It’s affecting the air quality, you
can taste it in the air. Normally, we’re fairly immune to it, but it’s a much more metallic taste.”
Cllr White, who is also leader of the main opposition party on Reading Borough Council, said: “As a ward councillor disappointingly we had a zero consultation ahead of the bridge works starting, although I understand there were discussions with Reading transport planners.
“Since the work started, obviously, we have been passing on concerns and trying to improve the situation.
“The queueing traffic on London Road is making it difficult for everyone to exit Liverpool Road and this is sometimes tailing back worsening noise and pollution in a residential area.
“The same is true on the other side roads. I would like Network Rail to get these works done as quickly as possible and further explore what can be done to minimise the impact on residents.”
Reading Today understands that Network Rail has asked its traffic management company to look at what can be done to alleviate the problems.
THEY came, they saw, they got free chicken sandwiches for a year.
Popeyes, Reading’s newest restaurant, opened on Thursday, with free food for the quickest queuers.
The diner promises to bring a taste of New Orleans to Broad Street. Its menu includes a range of chicken sandwiches and wraps, as well as Louisiana staples such as American biscuits and gravy, and Cajun fries.
Its unique selling point is the batter it uses, which promises a crunch when bitten into.
The store opened on Thursday, February 23, taking over the unit where GAP used to be.
The venue has had a complete makeover and seats 90 people.
First in the queue was university student Jakaria Uddin, who came from Cambridge so he could be the winner.
His prize is free chicken sandwiches from Popeyes for a whole year.
He had missed out on the honour when the Cambridge store opened last week, and was so determined to be top, he started queuing at 8.40pm on Wednesday evening.
“I haven’t actually had a Popeyes before,” he said. “I didn’t want to try it Cambridge. I wanted to really save it for Reading.”
Jakaria said it was a case of third time lucky: he missed out in London and arrived at midnight for the opening of the Cambridge one, only to find two other people ahead of him.
“I thought I had to do myself justice and see where the next one was popping up. So, I came to Reading and redeemed the situation.”
Joining him at around 11pm were brothers Henry and Damien Hall.
“We were awake the whole night keeping each other company and our morale high. And now, here we are,” said Damien.
He said it felt good to be the winner.
“I’m pretty happy I’ve been able to win this for a whole year, especially as I’m a student.”
Damien admitted the night had been cold, but the trio “pretty much soldiered through the night”.
“Wenzels Cafe across the road opened at 4am to start baking bread, and a lady
in there was kind enough to come out and give us some free coffee.
“Apart from the cold, it’s been quite a pleasant experience.”
Damien felt the whole experience had been worthwhile.
“I recommend anybody go to a Popeyes,” he said. “Some people might think it’s a bit mad waiting outside for 11 hours just to win a chicken sandwich, but at the end of the day, you’ve only got one life. You’ve got to make the most of it. It’s funny, it’s a good story.”
Brother Henry was counting down the minutes before the store opened.
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“Yeah, I’m hungry.
“The tiredness doesn’t help the hunger at all, I will admit, but I’m raring to go in there.”
The queue built up all morning with a stream of people eager to be the first ones in Reading to try the new menu.
As part of the excitement, a New Orleans band performed, and staff cheered during a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The restaurant also gave away free chicken sandwiches to the first 25 people to be served on Friday and Saturday.
TESCO customers can choose to round up their shop to the nearest £1 at self-service tills to help support an in-store fundraising campaign for three health charities.
Since 2018, the partnership between Tesco and Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK has raised more than £22 million to support life-saving research.
In addition to the funds being raised, the campaign aims to increase awareness across Reading about the importance of making sustainable lifestyle changes
that can help people to lower the impact of cancer, heart and circulatory diseases, and diabetes.
The campaign, which runs until Sunday, will also provide Reading customers with information and advice to empower them to take small steps to help improve their health.
Oonagh Turnbull, head of health campaigns at Tesco, thanked Reading shoppers for their support, which will make a significant difference to many people’s lives.
She added: “There has never been a more critical
time to raise funds for our health charity partners.
“Their work relies heavily on donations from the communities in which we operate, and the funds raised with help them to continue their awareness, prevention and research work.”
The campaign is part of the Health Charity Partnership between Tesco, Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes UK. An ongoing initiative, it is aimed at inspiring and supporting Tesco colleagues, customers and their families to make
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healthier food choices and live healthier lives.
On behalf of the Health Charity Partnership, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation said: “We are honoured to work with Tesco and the health charity partners this February to raise vital funds to reduce the impact of heart and circulatory disease, cancer, and diabetes.”
n For further information, log on to: www.tescoplc. com/sustainability/takingaction/community/charitypartnerships/
OUR roads seem to be busier and more congested than they have ever been.
Roadworks lead to greater interaction between drivers. Small but necessary acts such as changing lanes or even being allowed onto a road depend on the kindness of strangers.
I can never understand the mindset of the drivers who, in stationary traffic, stare defiantly ahead, pretending to be oblivious to fellow road users as they try to join them in the queue. Will they reach their destination more quickly if there are 47 cars ahead of them in a queue instead of a mere 46? Does being awkward help in boosting their self-esteem? Is this something to boast about when they arrive home and share the highlights of their day?
Surely a slight appreciation that we are not alone on the roads should elicit at least a little consideration for others. Whose day is not brightened by a quick wave of appreciation when a car is allowed to join the carriageway?
There is the effusive gratitude when not one, but two cars are invited to come out on to the road. The look of surprised delight by the driver of the second car, often augmented by a mouthed ‘thank-you’ or even a coquettish wave can be a tiny joy to behold.
Last week on the M4 I slowed down in order to allow a car to cut in front of me. Imagine my delight to discover that this was actually an unmarked police car which proceeded to give me an elaborate light show of appreciation which would not have looked out of place on top of a Christmas tree.
I am all in favour of courtesy on the roads, but I am starting to question the etiquette when a sign announces that a motorway lane will close in say 500 yards.
The decent and honourable thing to do appears to be to slow down immediately and join the queue at the back of the inside lane that remains open.
This feels like the polite thing to do when queuing for an ATM or waiting for a bus.
Is it the right thing to do on a motorway when two lanes become one though?
Apparently in Germany, in such circumstances, they follow the concept of a zip, in other words, the traffic merges when motorists use both lanes until the outside lane closes and then the vehicles alternate on a one-by-one basis into the lane that remains open.
Logically this makes sense as it means that both lanes are being used as normal until the last minute and the drivers politely allow one car to proceed ahead of them.
‘Apparently’ (my only evidence is a comment on the internet) the continued use of the two lanes with no significant difference in speed between the two lanes reduces the length of the delays by around 40%, so this is great in theory.
The question remains whether we could culturally cope with this in the UK.
On the one hand, both lanes are moving at the same pace, so there is at least a sense of fairness.
At the point of the ‘zip’, assuming an absence of road rage and unreasonable behaviour, there is the opportunity for some polite ‘After you, no I insist!’.
The problem is to reach that point, it feels that something a little too close to queue jumping is taking place, which as we all know is a total anathema to us.
Or maybe I should spend less time in a slow-moving car thinking about such matters?
MULTILINGUAL children across Reading have immersed themselves in storytelling sessions held in seven different languages.
A group of 12 student volunteers from the University of Reading visited four schools to share books in Malayalam, German, Arabic, Mandarin and more.
The goal of the project between the university and the John Sykes Foundation was to celebrate children’s heritage languages and hone early literacy skills.
Charlotte Dormer, project volunteer, said: “We wanted to demonstrate the value of storytelling in multiple languages for all children.
“We know lockdowns limited the opportunities that children had to experience language rich environments. This was an opportunity to start to re-address that balance.
“We also know it is important that children read; the evidence all points towards better social outcomes for children who are read to and who enjoy reading, and for children who are multilingual it is also important that they are encouraged to develop those skills in all their languages.”
Research conducted at the university’s Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism suggests that talk-rich environments, where heritage languages are used alongside English, help to promote multilingual children’s understanding of language and literacy more generally.
Prof Holly Joseph, the department’s director, said: “The UK school system tends to be very English-centric and does not always celebrate the other languages children speak. This can mean that children don’t feel proud of their other languages or that parents talk and read to their children in English only.
“We want children and families to know that speaking heritage languages at home is a wonderful thing to do in terms of family
AT least 70 adopted children with complex needs from across the South East of England will be given help and support in taking full advantage of their education, thanks to a grant of £29,800 from Berkshire Freemasons to the charity Parents And Children Together (PACT).
ONCE UPON A TIME:
connections, a sense of cultural identity, and it helps children with early reading skills in all their languages.”
Volunteers were left impressed by the way in which English-only speaking students engaged with stories told in other languages.
Gemma Stevens, deputy manager of Waingels Gardens Day Nursery, said: “The children were trying out new words with each other and practised repetition, a key element of pre-school learning.”
The project encouraged multilingual staff at the pre-school to feel confident reading in their own languages.
In addition to delivering the reading sessions, the £1,700 donated through the Community Fund enabled the project team to provide eight dual language books to the four nurseries.
The nurseries plan to continue using the books to read to children, helping to ensure the benefits of multilingual storytelling reach future cohorts of children.
The team also distributed leaflets to parents and teachers explaining best practice for working with multilingual children and gave advice on how best to support their development by encouraging reading and learning in the home.
A TILEHURST couple donated blood on Valentine’s Day and are encouraging others to follow suit.
Mair and Peter Mayers, who have been married for 36 years, have regularly donated blood and plasma since 1986, clocking up over 300 donations between them.
A tradition passed down the generations, their parents donated before them and their children continue to do so.
Mair said: “We are lucky to be able to help others who need it. I feel happy because I know how such a small thing for me is so important as it is to others – life and death.”
Husband Pete added: “I give plasma because I can, it’s not a big deal and it’s easy.
“Even if we can save one person with our donations, it is worth it.”
Starting as blood donors, Mair, a teacher, and Peter, who works for a technology company, converted to donating plasma in 1986, frequently driving to Oxford to donate.
GIVE AND TAKE: Mair and Pete have been donating blood since 1986. Picture: NHS
An NHS blood and transplant spokesperson said: “Thank you to Mair, Peter and everyone donating plasma.
“Plasma is a part of your blood. It contains antibodies which can help other people fight infections and disorders. We know plasma donation is new but plasma donations save lives - it’s the medicine in you.
“You can book through our app or website, it’s a convenient and simple way to register and book.”
Many adopted children have been removed from their birth families after experiencing significant trauma and neglect.
This can often have a severe impact on their performance at school, many children can exhibit disruptive or potentially violent behaviour, or can have an inability to focus in class and feel overwhelmed.
They may become the victim of bullying, less so the perpetrator, and can often have difficulties in forming or maintaining friendships with other children because they stand out, quite subtly, as different.
Adopted children are 20 times more likely to be excluded from schools.
Adoption UK confirms 65% of adopters think their school fails to understand the impact of their child’s background on their mental health, and ability to engage, learn, and achieve their potential.
Adoption UK’s report shows that 80% of adoptees feel confused or worried at school, with two thirds being bullied and 19% feeling their final exam results were not a fair reflection of their abilities.
One adopted child being helped by PACT is Isabelle, 14, who believes PACT’s intervention with her school has given her education a real boost.
Isabelle’s mum, Paula, said: “PACT has been pivotal in keeping school structures around us. They’ve helped put multi-disciplinary meetings in place where decisions were made collectively and much faster.”
PACT’s Specialist Education project was developed in response to an
increasing number of PACT families desperately seeking advice and support to understand their adopted children’s behaviour, address negative school experiences, and reduce discrimination of adopted children.
Seventy three per cent of requests from PACT adopters are for education support.
The programme will be delivered by PACT’s Specialist Education Worker who operates as a link between schools and the families of adopted children.
She meets with parents, the child and school to get a full understanding of the issues, then reviews policies and conducts teacher training to raise awareness of the effects of early life trauma, and suggests things the school can do to help the child feel safe and secure, and enjoy their learning. This vital support can save an adoption and transform a child’s life.
VIDEO games have come a long way from the days when you had to wait for a cassette tape to finish hissing and spitting its way to a shoot ‘em up, but it appears that we still have fond memories for them.
A new survey has attempted to find out which characters are the most popular, using Google search.
While people will have searched for the Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, Jet Set Willy and Duke Nukem, it turns out that an arcade favourite is the Ding’s favourite.
Pac-Man – a game that saw a yellow character attempt to dodge the ghosts in the machine – is the most popular. Originally released in 1980, Pac-Man is one of the most popular games across the globe.
Across the country, there were 76,070 searches a month on average over the past five years.
Sonic the Hedgehog and Pikachu rank second and third respectively.
The data found that Sonic the Hedgehog is the second most popular character in the UK. The speedy, blue hedgehog has 60,390 searches on Google every month.
There has been a resurgence of interest in the character as well as the franchise as a result of the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, which was released in 2020 and starred Jim Carrey, with the third instalment of the film series being released next year.
Pikachu from the Pokémon franchise ranks third. Searches by Brits for Pikachu sit at an average of 43,960 per month. In 2019, Warner Bros released Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, starring Ryan Reynolds which saw searches for ‘pikachu’ soar 557% above average in the UK. The fourth most Googled video game character in the UK is Lara Croft. The tomb raider is searched 22,780 times each month on average in the UK.
Stories were read by 12 students from the University of Reading Picture: University of ReadingI’d like to teach the world to ... not sing, but read
SUPPOIERT:
Masonic Charity Foundation (MCF) has donated nearly £30,000 to Parents and Teachers Together (PACT).
To celebrate, Iain Marnock, the Assistant Provincial Grand Master of the Berkshire Freemansons met with Paula, the mother of Isabelle, who has been helped by the charity
Departing Mon 29 May ‘23
On this fantastic break we enjoy the Isle of Wight’s peace, tranquillity and natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former holiday home - a relaxing few days away.
Your break includes
Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Reading
The charity’s latest impact data shows that 100% of parents agree that since their referral, their child has had improved educational experiences at school or nursery.
PACT is an adoption charity and support provider which helps hundreds of families each year through outstanding adoption services and specialist therapeutic support.
Based in South Street in Reaidng, but running services across south east England, PACT fundraises to provide enhanced adoption support services to all its families for life.
PACT (rated Ofsted ‘Outstanding’) is one of the largest Voluntary Adoption Agencies (VAA) in the UK, placing 79 children with loving and permanent families in 2022. PACT is part of the CVAA, a national organisation comprising 27 VAAs.
The grant from Berkshire Freemasons comes through the
Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
Natausha van Vliet, PACT’s chief executive, said: “We’re very grateful to Berkshire Freemasons for their generous grant, which will help at least 70 adopted children and their families through what are so often hugely difficult experiences at school. The work with families and schools can do an enormous amount to make a vulnerable child feel safe and secure and start to enjoy their learning.”
Iain Marnock OBE from Berkshire Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to support PACT’s outstanding specialist education project which does wonderful work with adopted children who are so often traumatised by neglect and abuse. This vital support can save an adoption and transform a child’s life.”
GAME ON: Pac-mancultural icon and Reading’s favourite video game character
Picture: JayMantri from Pixabay
Kirby, the protagonist from the Kirby series ranks fifth whilst Kratos from God of War ranks sixth. There are 19,800 average monthly searches for Kirby in the UK whilst Kratos is Googled 15,510 times each month.
Crash Bandicoot follows in seventh place. Introduced in 1996, the title character is Googled 12,580 times every month on average by Brits.
Two characters from the Super Mario franchise make the top ten –Mario who ranks eighth with 12,330 monthly UK searches and Yoshi who takes the ninth spot with 8,970 monthly searches.
Rayman from the Rayman franchise completes the top ten. There are 8,090 searches for Rayman every month in the UK.
The study was conducted by Casino Bonus and analysed Google search data from the past five years, across every city in the United Kingdom.
A spokesperson from Casino Bonus said: “Video games are an integral part of many people’s lives, bringing joy and entertainment to many. The characters of many series can easily end up becoming iconic staples of many franchises and are beloved by many.
“This can lead to movies about said characters being made causing their popularity to explode even more.
“This study offers a fascinating insight into which characters – as well as franchises – interest Brits the most.”
PUBLIC transport has kept South Reading connected to the centre of town over the years.
Technological advances in buses have served as a marker of the times, with mechanisms, styles and designs all changing.
David Turner, Whitley Community Museum curator, said: “Any photograph posted on the museum’s site that shows a bus always gets a good response.
“Very often you can work out the age of the photograph by the type of bus shown.”
The photo above dates from the early 1970s, with this bus making its way down Buckland Road. Brixham Road is visible to the right.
This style of bus was preceded by trolley buses during the 1950s and 60s.
Many residents remembered living on this route and left comments under the post stating their house numbers.
This allowed for neighbours to reconnect, and in some cases, acquaint themselves for the first time.
Centrica are the owners
Of good old British Gas, ‘N with energy prices soaring They’ve raked in loads of cash.
£3.3 billion quid of profit
To be exactly precise, But they sent me an email that I thought… seemed quite nice: Sign up here if you’d like to make savings on your bill, Use less lecky during peak time: A discount to sweeten the pill.
So up I signed and we waited
To hear the details of our slot, It was only going to be an hour, All-in-all: not too much of a lot.
At 5pm precisely we switched Off the TV and … the WIFI box, Thought we’d whole-hog-it... Gosh … too dark to see the clocks!
According to Mr Turner, the houses pictured were often known as the ‘posh houses’ due to their large front and back gardens.
He suspects that the photo was taken from the roof of the old Savoy Theatre.
With over 4,600 followers on Facebook, the Whitley Community Museum is an accessible online and in-person resource.
The group serves as a platform for residents past and present to share memories through photographs and comments.
It also allows group members to reconnect, with members reacquainting themselves with friends and schoolmates from decades ago.
The museum held a Whitley Way Back When event at the Community Cafe on Northumberland Avenue earlier this year to showcase its photographs and exhibits inperson.
n For more information, search: Whitley Community Museum on www.facebook.com
4 nights at the Royal Pier Hotel, Sandown with dinner & breakfast
Entertainment some evenings
Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde
5 Days by Coach only £329
Departing Mon 5 Jun ‘23
The delights of Cambridgeshire await on this lovely break, where we combine vibrant cities with idyllic countryside and picture-perfect towns with visits to beautiful Cambridge, pint-sized Ely and charming Stamford plus a journey on the picturesque Nene Valley Railway.
Your break includes
I walked around like a Dalek With a beanie torch on my head, My son gave up completely And … he cleared off to bed.
I’d forgotten to put the kettle on So I couldn’t have a cup of tea, Thank god loo-flushing’s not ‘lectric...I was busting for a wee!
With bated breath I tapped on The new email from British Gas: 81p saving … doubled to One pound sixty-two hassle-free cash.
Pam Ski
We love receiving your poems and have set up a dedicated email address - poems@wokingham.today
Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Mercure Hotel, Letchworth with dinner & breakfast Heritage train journey on the Nene Valley Railway
Excursions to Ely, Cambridge & Stamford
Optional excursion to Cambridgeshire
Villages (St Ives, Huntingdon & St Neots) (£13pp)
5 Days by Coach only £319
DRIVE ON: This bus from the early 1970s makes its way down Buckland Road. Picture courtesy of Whitley Community MuseumThe opening of Popeyes means Reading has another fast food restaurant to choose from.
The company said coming to the town made sense – like other big names, they see the value of opening stores in our little big town.
It’s a vote of confidence in Reading, and shows that we are, despite the lack of city status, a place to be.
That’s something to be proud of.
Rahab –a year in review
ONE of the projects of The Mustard Tree is Rahab.
The Rahab project is a night-time chaplaincy outreach made up of Christians from all over Reading supporting those who are sex-working. Our aim is simply to support them helping them to break free from the cycles of abuse, poverty and addiction.
2022 was a busy year for the team. We did more outreaches than in the previous year with a 15% increase in the number of nights that a team was out (150 outreach opportunities). In turn, there was an increase in the number of contacts by 33% to 582, with more than 45 different women supported.
We could not have done this without the help of our supporters, donors and those that hold us in their prayers. We would like to say a huge thank you and please know, we regularly give thanks to God for your support and are truly grateful.
While these figures show the breadth of our work, they do not reflect the depth of the work that we do.
For example, the statistics don’t demonstrate the time our volunteers took a woman back to the hospital so she could continue to get treatmentshe had walked out earlier in the day. The figures don’t reflect the first time a new volunteer came out with the team and was amazed at the amount of hugging when we met up with two of the women; neither does it reflect the times that we pray with them; neither do they illustrate the time when one of the women thanked us just for listening and being there.
It is often these small acts of service that are such a crucial part of the Chaplaincy service we provide. A team member told us that a woman had remarked to her that we often did what we said we would do for them (such as a referral). The team member could see that what to us may seem a small action, is seen so significant to the women. Their reaction to the Christmas presents was another example of this (so much so – that we are still being thanked weeks after Christmas).
In John 1:5 we read, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”. Whether it is a present made with gifts from our donors, or support from our Chaplaincy outreach we seek to bring the light of God and to restore all hope and belief.
We don’t judge, just listen to find out what the women need and to see how we can support and encourage them when they want to make changes to their lives.
We could not have done this without the help of our supporters, donors and those that hold us in their prayers.
We would like to say a huge thank you and please know, we regularly give thanks to God for your support and are truly grateful.
Christine Munday is the project director of Engage and Rahab, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading
Robert Van de Noort
EVERY day seems to bring a different World Day, celebrating something or other.
Today, Thursday, March 2, as I’m sure you know, is Dr Seuss Day, and of course, International Rescue Cat Day. It is also World Book Day.
Those of you who have been feverishly stitching and gluing together last-minute costumes have my sympathies.
With thousands of students and academics from all over the world, at the University of Reading we can find things to celebrate every day of the year.
But there are some days, weeks and months that we find particular reason to highlight. At the moment, this includes Fairtrade Fortnight, currently running to promote positive global trade, and International Women’s Day next week, with a month of activities in March to mark it.
We’ve just come to the end of LGBT+ History Month, which
is a particularly meaningful celebration for the University of Reading. We are proud that the University has a long history of promoting the rights and freedoms of people of all sexualities, and continues to do so today.
It’s worthwhile remembering how far we have come. As many of you will know, homosexuality was illegal in the UK until 1967. What is less well-known is that the landmark report that prepared the ground for the change in the law was chaired by one of my predecessors as Vice-Chancellor at Reading, John Wolfenden.
The Wolfenden Report recommended in 1957 that “homosexual behaviour between consenting adults in private should no longer be a criminal offence”. It took another decade for the report’s recommendations to make it into British law.
While much progress has been made since then, issues and prejudices towards LGBT+
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, is a global day of celebration but also a call to action.
The United Nations warns that at the current rate of progress, it will be nearly 300 years before we achieve global equality for women.
Global crises including covid and climate change, as well as violent conflicts and the rolling back of women’s rights, including reproductive rights in the US, are contributing to gender inequalities around the world.
But we don’t have to look to other countries to find examples of gender oppression and violence, we can find those much closer to home.
When discussing why I am a member of the Women’s Equality Party, I’m often told by people that we have equality in the UK and any lingering issues are surely just the result of individual choices women make.
I mean we got the right to vote,
people remain. LGBT+ History Month exists to raise awareness and combat prejudice, while also celebrating achievement and diversity.
The exciting thing about working at a university – and hopefully, the interesting thing about living near one – is that you get to tap into so many different perspectives on issues like this.
At Reading over the past month, this included having a public lecture on the landmark theatre productions in Britain that have been used to tell LGBT+ stories; holding training sessions to encourage inclusion and allyship; and a Student Pride event hosted by our students’ union.
It was fantastic to see our wonderfully diverse community come together to show support and solidarity with each other. This spirit of allyship continues throughout the year. This year, it will also be backed up with a new scheme providing funding for projects that promote inclusion on campus, which we recently launched.
Let’s not mistake this for following some ‘woke’ agenda.
Whatever some people may believe, people at universities delight in challenging and questioning orthodoxy. It’s something everyone should do.
And we don’t have to wait until the official World Day to spark our own discovery.
Professor Robert Van de Noort is the vice-chancellor of the University of Reading
level of abuse, violence and death in our society. Ignoring “banter” trivialises and normalises violence against women and girls. Be part of the solution by being bold and speaking up. Take the White Ribbon promise “never to use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women”.
I’m a member of the Women’s Equality Party because I believe we can collectively change this culture.
or at least some of us did, in 1918 and the 1970 equal pay act made it illegal to pay women less for the same work. And yet despite these “rights” being legalised, only 35% of our elected MPs are women and the gender pay gap for 2022 stands at 14.9%.
At this point, I could list a lot more facts and figures related to gender inequality in the UK but I’m too angry.
We live in a culture where violence against women and girls is normalised. Popular figures such as Jeremy Clarkson can write a column in The Sun spouting violent misogynistic fantasies without fear of retribution or negative impact to his career.
It’s laughed off as “banter”. It is in this climate that one woman is killed by a man every three days in the UK and yet the police describe such crimes as “isolated incidents”. These are not isolated incidents. There is a common cause.
It is utterly incredible to me that we are willing to tolerate this
Cllr Jason Brock
WHEN the (occasionally) mighty Royals took on Man United in the recent FA Cup tie, one of the significant talking points –aside from the final score (focusing on the league, I suppose) – was the explanation to those many thousands of people watching on TV of the climate stripes adorning the sleeves of Reading’s kit.
For those of you not yet aware, the climate stripes are the brainchild of the University of Reading’s own Professor Ed Hawkins.
They’ve fast become an iconic and striking image, with vertical-coloured bars showing the progressive heating up of our planet over many decades. The stripes start off mainly blue, before turning paler, then mainly orange and red, before a deep shade of burgundy in more recent years.
Climate data from 2022 sees another deep red line added to our town’s local illustration.
I know time flies, but it was only last summer that Reading experienced its hottest day on record – 37.6°C.
Across the country, reports of wildfires were commonplace, as were those of water shortages and hosepipe bans. As Professor Hawkins himself put it, “If you think how hot 2022 was, and then realise that those 12 months will likely be one of the coolest years of the rest of our lives, I think we will regret not having acted sooner on these warnings.”
Last Sunday marked four years since the Council declared a climate emergency on behalf of the community. Our aim remains that our town – and this is about all of us, not just the Council – must do its part by achieving net zero carbon status by 2030. There is always a danger when talking about carbon reduction that we linger on our achievements to date, which, to be fair, are not insignificant.
As a town, Reading has cut its carbon footprint by over half (55%) since 2005.
International Women’s Day is a day of celebration. It’s a day when we can come together to call out inequalities, and also celebrate those working to change this. We need women and men to be part of the solutions and we need more than a day. But let’s make a start. Join the Women’s Equality Party on Tuesday, March 7, at 7.30pm in the Town Hall Wokingham.
We’ll be hearing from amazing local women working in organisations that support women in our community and doing their bit to change things for the better.
Proceeds from a raffle will go to the organisations speaking at the event. A drink is included in the ticket price and there will be more available to purchase.
At a time where we could easily despair, spend an uplifting evening in the company of other women, and hopefully men, celebrating each other and supporting our community.
Tickets on Eventbrite.
Louise Timlin, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, Reading and Wokingham
That is the fourth largest reduction of all 374 local authority areas in the UK. The Council’s own carbon footprint (the carbon the Council is directly responsible for) has been reduced by 71.3% in just 13 years.
We’ve also been recognised as one of only 19 UK local authorities – and one of just 122 across the world – to gain Carbon Disclosure Project ‘A’ list status on climate action. This is awarded for bold leadership on environmental action and transparency, and it’s the second successive year we’ve achieved it.
The sobering fact, though, is that all of this is not enough. We need to continue to accelerate our efforts if we are to achieve our ambitious goal in less than seven years’ time.
The reason it was so good to see the climate stripes given some airtime on national TV is that this isn’t a battle the Council is ever going to win on its own. It’s just not possible without taking residents, businesses, and organisations across the town with us.
As a Council we will continue to do all we can to help people make positive changes.
For individuals or for organisations, there are some useful ideas on how to make a small difference via the Reading Climate Change Partnership’s website at www.readingcan.org.uk. Please take a few minutes to visit and have a quick read.
As I say, it’s important that we all do our part –let’s leave the world in a better place than when we inherited it.
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
THE STARS were shining brightly as Reading Buses celebrated some of its best workers.
Its annual ceremony celebrates the numerous employees who, over the course of the past year, were judged to be stars of the month.
And one of them, driver Jim Meredith, was named star of the year.
The 60-year-old from Tilehurst won a Star of the Month award in March for getting off his bus and helping to escort a blind customer across the road. He was praised for being authoritative but polite to road users to ensure that the person got across the road safely.
When deciding on the main winner, the Reading Buses panel took into account Jim’s record throughout his 25-year career with the company and how they felt he was always helpful, polite and a pleasure to work with. Jim was a popular winner on the night.
It’s not his only brush with stardom: he had earlier won Driving Star of the Year and was put forward against the Engineering Star of the Year
and Support Star of the Year for the overall Star of the Year accolade.
The Engineering Star of the Year award went to Andy Gordon, 40, of Reading, who was recognised by the night engineering team for stepping up and achieving great results for the department.
He was praised for creating a cohesive working environment both inside the engineering team and with the operations department. Again, he was
nominated by a colleague in the Reading Buses control room.
He won his award for consistently performing his duties to a ‘very high standard, remaining calm under pressure and dealing professionally with all stakeholders’.
Awais, who was also praised for helping to cover the allocations role after a short training period, was described as a ‘credit to the team’.
Reading Buses also introduced two new awards this year: Customer Champion and Rising Star.
Customer Champion was awarded to driver Ka Hai Wong, 32, of Reading, who had
AWARDS: Reading Buses’ chief executive Robert Williams with stars of the month Awais Iqbal, Jim Meredith, Andy Gordon and Manisha Gurung
received numerous outstanding pieces of customer feedback which prompted two Star of the Month nominations.
He was described as ‘consistently demonstrating customer focus to the highest standards of courtesy, politeness, patience and helpfulness’. He also achieved a perfect score on his most recent Mystery Traveller report showing his excellence and dedication to the customer.
Rising Star was awarded to driver Manisha Gurung, 32, of Reading, who has been keen to take on more responsibility over the last 12 months.
Manisha had put herself
forward to help supervise at the Reading Festival site overnight and has subsequently become a relief trainer for the Reading Buses Academy to help train new drivers, and helped out as a relief supervisor in the Control Room – more than earning her Rising Star title.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ chief executive officer, said: “A fantastic night was had by all as we celebrated our wonderful employees who have done great things over the previous 12 months.
“We were delighted to see so many people attend and had Stars of the Month, retirees, long service employees, employees with the most customer compliments, platinum “DriveWell” scores and people who had completed qualifications.
“It is wonderful to be able to celebrate so many great things and prove once again that our employees remain the best in the business.”
Reading Buses say the night would not have been possible without the generosity of their sponsors: Bus & Coach World, Alexander Dennis, Ticketer, EP Morris Group, R2P, Blandy & Blandy, Dawson Group, Personal Group, Mix Telematics and Lazzerini.
SOUTH READING residents came together at the Whitley Community Centre for an initial planning meeting for the ward’s new summer event.
The Whitley Carnival will take place on Saturday, June 10, and plans are being discussed to ensure the event is an “uplifting day of fun”.
Organiser Helen Bligh said: “It was fantastic, we had so many people turn up, and a real breadth of talent from across Whitley, from arts organisations to the council, even the mayor came along.
“The goal is to get people to see Whitley for what it really is, which is a place full of talent, excitement, art and culture. We want to give everyone in Whitley the opportunity to show their best side and what they can do.”
The fun-filled day will see families come together, with schools and arts organisations such as Berserk Productions, the MERL and the Annual Daydream Harvest collaborating on colourful parades.
There will be performances, stalls and activities to enjoy on the day, with more information to be announced closer to the event.
n For more information or to get involved, contact: Helen Bligh via manager@aspire2whitley.com
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FIRST-TIME buyers could be left high and dry by Help to Buy as the cost of missing the final deadline has been revealed.
Research by the gradual homeownership provider, Wayhome, shows that first-time buyers in danger of missing the final Help to Buy completion deadline of Friday, March 31, could have to find an additional £52,218 in order to complete their purchase.
Although the Help to Buy application deadline passed in October, those who applied for a loan before are still able to benefit from the scheme.
While it’s unknown how many buyers could be impacted, hundreds have signed a petition calling for a deadline extension, with hundreds more also joining a Facebook group called “Lost out due to Help to Buy equity loan build deadline. Extension Required”.
For those who fail to meet the deadline, they will no longer be eligible for the five-year interest-free loan and will be required to find the additional funds that would have been fronted by the scheme in order to complete on their purchase.
They will be able to have their reservation fee and deposit refunded, but will incur any additional costs such as legal or financial advice, as well as seeing their property purchase collapse.
The average first-time buyer who applied before the October deadline, and utilised the full 20% Help to Buy loan, could have done so based on the
average first-time buyer house price of £261,091
This means that should they fail to meet the completion deadline, they will need to find more than £52,000 to fill the Help to Buy void and keep their property transaction afloat.
This potential additional cost climbs as high as £186,199 in the capital, where London’s first-time buyers were able to borrow as much as 40% of a property’s value with a 5% minimum deposit.
Failing to find the funds previously fronted via the scheme would see firsttime buyers forced back into the market at a time of higher costs.
Based on the December average firsttime buyer house price of £262,527, new homeowners could be forced to borrow a further £27,330 to cover the marginal increased cost of homeownership and bridge the gap left by Help to Buy.
The cost of their deposit and their mortgage repayments would also increase by a combined £38,621 over the
WARNING: The Help To Buy application deadline was October, but people who have failed to complete the scheme’s end will no longer be eligible for a fiveyear interest-free loan Picture: Jens Neumann via Pixabay
first five years of homeownership.
Nigel Purves, co-founder and CEO of Wayhome, said:“The Help to Buy clock is ticking and those that are yet to complete their purchase are running the risk of having the carpet pulled from beneath them come the end of March.
“If they don’t complete in time, they face the huge task of finding thousands of extra pounds in order to keep their purchase alive. If they fail to do so, they have no other choice but to let the transaction collapse, returning to the market in search of a new home which will also see the cost of homeownership jump dramatically.”
Mr Purves believes anyone finding themselves in this predicament is facing “a very tough choice” but insists there are other routes to getting on the property ladder.
He added: “Although it may certainly seem like a huge step backwards, don’t panic, there are other options that can help give you a financial foot up on to the property ladder.”
A NEW learning academy has been launched to develop the skills of people in the Bracknell area by independent window and door specialist, Home Hub.
The Home Hub Academy is an 18-month programme which combines classroom learning, coursework, and hands-on workshops in the company’s dedicated 2,000 sq ft facility in Bracknell.
01189516800
The programme aims to broaden the knowledge and skills of local installers from product knowledge to customer service, providing the
recruits with the right skills to thrive in a local business. There is currently nine people taking part, with the aim of 28 to be fully qualified each year.
Curtis Lockyer, 24, who is currently taking part in the academy, said: “I’m excited to finish the Home Hub Academy and be a fully qualified installer. It’s a great opportunity to be part of a growing company, that wants to ensure they offer the best for their customers and employees because they care about the future.”
As well as being salaried, trainees taking part in the programme benefit from an energetic learning environment where they build their skills under the wings of a team of fully qualified installers.
Upon completion, trainees will receive a fenestration apprenticeship qualification.
Laurence Tuck, founder and managing director at Home Hub Group, said: “We wanted to create our own training programme to ensure the windows and doors we supply,
from award-winning brands like Origin, are installed the right way, every time and to broaden the opportunities available to those who want a career in construction.
“Our training programme is open to anyone, and we are really excited to have created a safe environment where people feel valued, learn a new skill, and will be financially rewarded from day one.”
n For more information about Home Hub’s window and door installation academy, visit: www.homehubgroup.co.uk
ONE OF Caversham's celebrated creative spaces is closing its doors for good after six years in the community next month.
Art Jam Studio, which provides art classes, workshops, and creative events, has announced that it will be closing on Saturday, March 18.
The studio's owner, Sherrie Tuhy, posted to social media to say that despite efforts to secure a new owner, circumstances had made this untenable.
Any gift vouchers or uncollected art pieces should be collected from the studio or redeemed before closing. There will be one final week between Monday March 20 and Friday, March 24, for this.
Bookings at the studio before the closing date will still be honoured, though opening hours may change.
The post on social media read: "As many of you may know, I have been searching for a new owner to take Art Jam Studio onwards and upwards as I stepped more solidly into retirement.
"It has always been my wish and desire to see Art Jam continue to serve the Caversham community
with its creative offering.
"Due to circumstances far beyond anyone's control, this is not to be – so, it is with great sadness that I have to announce that Art Jam Studio will be closing on March 18."
It continues: "At this point, I want to thank each and everyone of you that has supported Art Jam Studio over the past six years.
"For all of you that have discovered your inner artist while painting pottery or canvases, and some while consuming Prosecco, for the many birthday parties and hen parties.
"For those that attended the many workshops – adults and childrens – for all that attended the after school clubs, the home school class, the painting and drawing group, the creative socials, and to my loyal staff, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“It has been an absolute privilege and honour to serve the Caversham community and beyond.”
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.todayA PARTNERSHIP between a supermarket chain and a charity has seen more than 30 million meals donated over the past three years.
And Aldi has sent out 160,800 meals to Berkshire communities, courtesy of Neighbourly.
The meals, which would otherwise have gone to landfill, instead went to foodbanks, charities and community groups, for resharing via community pantries, soup kitchens and children’s breakfast clubs.
The German discounter has also given Neighbourly £250,000 to launch its Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund.
Liz Fox, corporate responsibility director at Aldi UK, said: “Donating 160,800 meals in Berkshire through our partnership with Neighbourly is an amazing achievement, with the initiative now more vital than ever for local community groups and charities who face soaring demand.
“We’re committed to doing all that we can to support people in the communities where we trade, and through our partnership with Neighbourly we have helped to make food more accessible for those in Berkshire.”
And Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, was equally pleased with the team-up.
“The cost-of-living crisis is impacting communities in Berkshire and we’ve seen the demand on foodbanks and
local causes increase drastically since our partnership began,” he said.
“The support of the public and businesses like Aldi makes a huge difference.
“We know the donations have helped thousands of charities, community groups and families in need.”
Aldi has also recently extended its
partnership with Company Shop Group to help excess stock from its network of Regional Distribution Centres be redistributed to community stores across the UK.
n Charities and community groups interested in working with Aldi should email Neighbourly at: aldi@neighbourly. com
SHARED: Aldi has donated 160,800 meals across the Thames Valley to charities and community groups. The surplus food would otherwise have gone to landfillBOXERS of all experience levels are invited to hone their skills with a South Reading group.
Whitley Amateur Boxing Club in Callington Road, is open to all ages. Classes include adult boxing for over 35s, beginners boxing and kids boxing.
Not all classes involve full contact combat, with many using workouts.
Sessions take place from 7pm-8.30pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
An additional junior and adult class takes place on Sundays from 10.30am-noon.
n For more information and a full timetable of sessions, visit: www. whitleyabc.co.uk
A SOUTH READING church will help children get into the spirit of Easter through an exciting event.
Christ the King Church, Northumberland Avenue, is organising an Easter egg hunt on Monday, April 10, giving youngsters the opportunity to blow off some steam during the holidays.
The event will also provide visitors with the opportunity to spend time with their friends, while also meeting new people in a warm environment.
The egg hunt is open to all. n For more information, visit: www.ctkreading.org
A MOULDY flat is making life a misery for a Reading mum and her two children.
Sharon Broadhurst, 52, raised the alarm about her daughter’s basement flat in Russell Street, which has mould issues. She claims it is causing her grandchildren health problems.
She is calling on Vanderpump Estate Agents and the landlords of the property to take action.
Mrs Broadhurst said: “There’s mould in every room of the house. It’s growing on my daughter and granddaughter’s beds.”
She claimed the mould is having an impact on her daughter, as she has asthma, and the two children.
The five-year-old child was off school four times between October and December, had two contacts with a doctor and nine cases of feeling unwell according to records kept by her mother.
Meanwhile, the baby was seen by a doctor on two occasions and recorded feeling ill three times in the same period.
Mrs Broadhurst said: “They’re back and forth to the doctors constantly. She’s had the baby in hospital because her breathing was terrible.
“It’s not just them either, I can stay no longer than 20 or 30 minutes because it affects my asthma. When she opens the door you can smell a musty smell in the air instantly.
“If you’re bringing up children you want them fit and healthy, you don’t want them in a property that’s riddled with damp.”
Her daughter moved into the property in spring last year and, although the flat seemed well prepared to begin with, spots of mould began to appear.
Problems with damp and mould intensified after a fire at a neighbouring property last August where water was left
soaking into their walls.
But Mrs Broadhurst said the signs were there from the beginning, saying: “There was a problem there early on, there were black spots in the bathroom and windows.
“I didn’t get to see the property because I couldn’t take the time off work, I wish she never took it.
“There’s plastic cladding that hides the main walls, which hide a multitude of sins.”
The house is managed on behalf of the landlord by Vanderpump estate agents.
To help deal with the issue, the daughter was given two dehumidifying fans, and an expert was sent to conduct tests and find a solution.
Mrs Broadhurst claimed the humidity for damp and mould should be no higher than 43% –but the flat has a level of 86%.
A spokesperson for Vanderpump said: “Unfortunately, condensation, mould and damp can be caused by defects in the property, or by situations caused by the tenant.
“Where a property has broken gutters, rising or penetrating damp, burst pipes or burst water tanks, these should be speedily remedied by the landlord, especially where the cause is obvious and this is
“Also, a tenant’s lifestyle can have a major impact.
“Our current action has been based on the fact that there was a fire in the next-door property and the fire brigade used many gallons of water.
“This clearly is not the fault of the tenant, and the focus has been to take action to remove the moisture in the air. For that reason, the tenant was provided with de-humidifiers which normally are very effective at resolving the problem.”
They said they have been notified by the tenant there was still a problem.
“Our maintenance team recommended additional fans in the bedroom to circulate air as this was the main area where the issues were,” they continued. “This room is the opposite side to the walls where water would have been sprayed by the fire brigade.
“Changing the air every two hours is beneficial to preventing condensation, usually by using trickle vents in double glazed windows or leaving windows open a tiny bit.”
They went on to confirm a specialist attended the flat, but did not come as quickly as Vanderpump would have liked.
The spokesperson added
the recommendations of the specialist will be followed as required, and also suggested tge family could be rehoused.
The spokesperson said:
“Properties to rent are very hard to come by, with rents having increased and a shortage of supply but should the tenant have another property they feel is more appropriate for their needs, the landlord is willing to allow them to end their tenancy and move without giving notice while the investigation for damp is ongoing.
“We are aware of press reports on this topic and unfortunately some have been slanted to make out that the fault always lies with the landlord or landlord’s agent, and that the landlord always refuses to deal with the problem.
“We have acted and will continue to act in a professional and responsible way until the issue is resolved, however condensation does not magically go away.
“Sometimes it is necessary to try various methods before a solution is found. This is what we are doing on behalf of our landlord with their agreement.”
The spokesperson also signposted guidance on damp and mould produced by Reading Borough Council.
CSI READING: Students Jae and Natalia investigate the fake crime scene at the Kings Road campus.
Picture: Activate Learning
STUDENTS at a college in Reading had a mystery on their hands for a recent investigative exercise.
Reading College’s A-Level Criminology and Forensic Sciences students were presented with fake crime scenes as part of an extended exercise.
Three scenes were created for students to suit-up in protective gear and investigate, giving them a taste of the practicalities of crime scene investigation as part of their studies.
Those who took part examined aspects of the scenes and collected and photographed evidence, and will be taking part in simulated witness interviews and suspect interrogation shortly.
The fake serial killer will be revealed once they have concluded their investigations.
Jae Greaves, who studies A-Level Criminology, Psychology and Art at Reading College, said: “I loved it – this was my favourite lesson so far.
“I like that it’s very hands on and we have to take photos and figure it out, that we have to wait for each of the crime scenes to put all the pieces together and that they’re in different locations as well, because it means you’re not just used to the same building.
“It’s fun and it helps to put what we’ve learnt into practice. Looking at it in a textbook is very different to doing it.
“It also helps us to see what it
would be like if it were real, which is helpful for the future.”
Artiola Brahaj, Teacher of Psychology and Criminology at Activate Learning, said: “The fake crime scenes help the students to apply their learning.
“It helps them to understand the theories that we have previously learnt about, as well as practising profiling and working out what the fake serial killer’s motivations might be.
“It also helps them to socialise and learn how to work as a team.”
n More information about the educational services provided by Activate Learning and Reading College can be found via: reading. activatelearning.ac.uk
DAMP: A home in Russell Street has been affected by mould after a fire at the property next door Picture: Sharon BroadhurstCAST: Big Jay and the cast of Seven Deadly Sins, the first of their new residency gigs at Bar 77.
n The National Childbirth Trust is the national charity for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
Every year, they support thousands of expectant and new parents across the UK and Channel Islands to feel more connected and confident during this major life transition.
They are looking for a volunteer to help develop and keep their Reading Branch’s social media accounts up-todate.
This role is flexible and only takes around one hour per week, perfect for those that: understand how to use a range of social media platforms and can communicate effectively with their audience.
n Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is the leading organisation providing emotional and practical support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness.
providing safe, comfortable and reliable transport, enabling them to travel safely to healthcare appointments, school and to other activities.
They are looking for a confident and calm drivers based in Berkshire and Oxfordshire to assist with travel across those areas.
n Enrych Berkshire is a registered charity that provides support to people with a disability, helping them get access to leisure, social and learning activities.
Right now they are seeking a volunteer for a quiet gentleman who uses a wheelchair since becoming an amputee. Help them build confidence in going out and tackle isolation.
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.todayREADING’S Bar 77 was transformed into a little slice of hell for an evening as a regular drag event at the venue returned.
Big Jay performed as the Devil when they hosted Seven Deadly Sins, bringing a cast of seven other drag performances embodying the sins.
After an opening number
from Big Jay, PumpKing took to the stage portraying the sin of pride, followed by Tony Baloney whose portrayal of the sin of greed saw them don a collared shirt and black slacks for their corporate-inspired performance.
Duac embodied the sin of sloth, complete with wearable pillow and duvet combo for their sleepy routine.
Amelia Dreams portrayed
the sin of lust with her routines, complemented by Dorian Gay’s portrayal as the sin of envy.
Mx Mel Anin performed as the sin of wrath with a highkicking, energetic number, and Oxford-based Cairo Ali performed routines as the sin of gluttony.
Cairo also hosted a musical intros game with members of the public, who were tested on their knowledge of lyrics to be in with the
A MULTIMEDIA installation is coming to the Oxford Road Gallery.
A group of Hong Kong-born artists have created an exhibition featuring sculpture, photography, and video installations as well as a live, solo guitar performance.
The works examine the democratic movement in Hong Kong between 2019-2020, dealing with themes of democracy and censorship, critiquing and reacting to a critical part of Hong Kong’s history.
The exhibition features works by Polam Chan, Carrie Shen, and Wai Hang Siu, organised by Charles Wong and hosted by OpenHand OpenSpace.
Confronting the Disappearances opens at the Oxford Road Gallery from 3-5pm on Saturday, March 4.
The exhibition is open between 11am-5pm, Wednesday to Friday, and runs until Sunday, March 26.
n For more, log on to: 571oxfordroad.org
A READING brewery is putting women centre stage for International Women’s Day.
Phantom Brewing Co is marking the day by teaming up with PACT to bring a range of female performers together to support local women and girls.
Performances from DJs, musicians, and aerial artists will raise funds for the charity’s work in the community.
Centre Stage takes place at Phantom Brewing Co on Meadow Road, from 6.30pm on Wednesday, March 8.
Tickets cost £18, available via: whatsonreading.com
n The brewery will be hosting is monthly vintage bazaar on Sunday, March 12.
Organisers promise stalls offering a mix of fashion, decor and collectables.
Entry is free, and the stalls will be cash only.
A bar will be open, and this will be cards only.
The event runs from 1pm to 6pm. n For details, log on to: www.phantombrew.com
A READING firm is behind a new digital payment systems which will provide faster transactions.
Faster Processing Ltd, based in Reading, has launched the Tapeeno app, developed along with the UTP Group, will transform any mobile phone operating on Android into a payment card reader.
The app, which processes payments in under an hour, has undergone two months’ worth
of trials in the UK, and has launched on the Google Play Store for Android users.
The app has been designed to help support start-ups and growing business ventures with a 1.5% transaction fee for payments processed through the app.
It is due to launch on Apple platforms later this year.
UTP’s chief executive officer Michael Ault said of the app last year: “By launching
chance of winning a free shot from the bar.
Big Jay performed a final number to close the show, and announced that £80 had been raised for the Mermaids charity through the sale of badges at the event, which would continue to be sold at future events in aid of the charity.
They have a regular residency show at Bar 77, downstairs in The Outlook, Kings Road.
Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity are looking for volunteers with UK Driving Licences to join their new Reading Care Team, providing essential transport for families.
Could you spare a few hours of your time to help a family with a seriously ill child access safe and comfortable transport?
Volunteer Drivers help to provide additional support to the families they work with by
Social activities could be watching boxing on the TV in the pub, playing pool or even just going out and getting fresh air, it would help so much.
n Take a look at our brand new Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org. uk or call 0118 937 2273.
a product which is tailored to individuals as well as merchants we are making card acceptance accessible to the widest possible audience.
“As an alternative to existing peer-to-peer payment solutions and hardware-based card acceptance products, our collaboration with phos has allowed us to bring a unique and exciting solution to the market.”
Local democracy reporter
THAMES Valley Police says it has increased its council tax precept so it can provide ‘strong local policing to keep streets safe’.
Along with councils and the fire service, the force can ask residents for a share of the tax to help fund its services.
This year, the increase is 6.22%, taking the Band D precept to £256.28.
Matthew Barber the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Thames Valley said priorities this year include strengthening community policing to tackle neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour, developing a CCTV partnership, recruiting additional officers and utilising police volunteers such as Special Constables.
And Thames Valley Police aims to prevent crime by patrolling hotspots and tackling known offenders, reducing 101 call waiting times, and tackling cybercrime, child abuse and domestic violence.
Mr Barber said: “In setting this year’s budget for Thames Valley Police, I am acutely aware of the increasing cost
of living impacting so many families locally.
“The police are not immune from rising costs and we see the impact of inflation, particularly in energy and fuel costs, despite increased funding from central government.
“This year’s policing budget will ensure that crimefighting remains at the heart of our mission to keep the public safe.
“The focus will be on
delivering proactive community policing focussed on crime prevention to make every community even safer.”
John Campbell, Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police said the rise is minimal when considering the daily and weekly amounts.
“The approved council tax police precept increase equates to less than 29p extra a week for an average Band D property, but as a total these additional funds will help in our priority areas, including tackling violence against women and girls, investigating the most serious crimes, such as murder, rape and kidnap, and enhancing our forensic capabilities that help to bring offenders to justice,” he said.
“I understand that with the cost of living increasing, these are tough times for households, so I want to thank residents for all this extra investment, which will help Thames Valley Police continue to keep our communities safe.”
The council tax rise was approved by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel, comprising councillors from all councils in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
IT’S AN event so epic in scale that it can’t be contained in Berkshire.
This June, the Three Counties Cycle Ride is returning, and cyclists are already signing up for the event, which takes place over … well, three counties.
“Over 60 riders have already registered for this year’s 3 Counties Cycle Ride on Sunday, June 4” says Derek New, who heads up the event’s Steering Group for the organisers Easthampstead Rotary Club.
“They’re taking advantage of the 20% Early Bird discount for riders over 18 registering online during February at 3ccr.org.”
Those who register during March will benefit from a 10% discount, and April registrations 5%. Cyclists registering on the day will pay £20.
“Remember,” Derek said, “All our young riders under 18 can
enjoy the ride for just £1, whether they register now or on the day.”
Club cyclists and families come back year after year to enjoy the 15-, 33- or 54-mile well-signed and marshalled routes around the Berkshire countryside, occasionally dipping into Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
The 3 Counties Cycle Ride starts and finishes at Garth Hill College in Bracknell, where there is free on-site parking and refreshments. There are also drink stations and rest stops en route, and a 3CCR support vehicle.
Dave Donaldson, Easthampstead Rotarian and long-term 3CCR Steering Group leader, said: “Over its almost 60year history, our 3 Counties Cycle Ride participants have raised well over £1 million for local charities.”
The three local charities chosen to benefit from this year’s 3CCR are The WAYZ youth centre in Bracknell, the WADE day centre for the over-60s in Wokingham, and Easthampstead Rotary Club whose activities generate over £20,000 each year for its local and international projects.
“And thanks to TREK Bicycle Bracknell, who are again sponsoring this year’s 3CCR,” adds Derek “more funds from the Ride will go to our charities.”
“So ride with us. E-bikes are welcome, as are trikes, tandems, recumbent bikes, bikes with baby seats or trailers. Even monocycles, penny-farthings and pandas have taken part over the years.”
n For more details, log on to:
www.easthampsteadrotary.org, or call Brian on 07720 321 526.
A GROUP dedicated to raising funds for others has presented a donation of £1,800 to a charity.
It was awarded by Pangbourne Rotary to Purley Park Trust, and is part of the proceeds from its recent Woodcote 10K event.
The charity helps more than 80 adults who have additional needs.
Its chief executive, Larry Grady, gave a talk to the club,
outlining the history and evolution since 1948 of the trust
A spokesperson said that he spoke with passion about the charity’s credo that “people are at the heart of things” and gave several anecdotes about the challenges and satisfaction his job brings.
And Mr Grady thanked the club for their donation, explaining the money was being used to upgrade the
Reilly Rooms where residents could relax, and enjoy refreshments.
Club President Saerah Hopley put further icing on the cake by informing Mr Grady that Purley Park would also be a beneficiary of its annual Dragon Boat races on Saturday, June 10.
n For more details, log on to: Purleyparktrust.org, and pangbournerotary.org.uk
RISE: Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber has released the results of the victims’ services review complied last year. Picture: Thames Valley Police and the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner BACK IN THE SADDLE: The annual 3 Counties Cycle Ride returns in JuneA READING mother says she been forced to use a bin bag to protect a broken window at her flat near the town centre.
Problems for Rochelle Bennett began when a window panel fell out, reportedly as a result of the wood around the frame rotting due to damp and mould.
She says she tried to get her housing association, Metropolitan Thames Valley, to resolve the issue but had been unable to do so.
Ms Bennett lives on Oxford Road with her one-year-old son, and daughters aged 12 and seven.
“My son is ill with a respiratory problem, this is my last resort, I don’t know what to do,” she said.
“It’s disgusting. I’ve lived here for 12 years and finally it’s broken, and nothing has being done.”
To keep her family warm, Ms Bennett says she has needed to use her gas heating and electric fire more than she would want to due to the high energy costs.
“I have to have them on all the time. I spent £60 in gas in four days,” she said.
“The window is broken and
it’s freezing. I can’t win.
“The problem is the window ideally needs to be open because of the damp and mould.
“The panel got so damp, the wood crumbled, and the window fell out. It’s an ongoing issue that’s just being ignored.”
Ms Bennett claims to have struggled to get hold of Metropolitan Thames Valley
and the contractors due to being busy working as a healthcare assistant for the NHS.
“My kids go to three different places, then I’ve got to go to work,” she explained. “I tried to chase them, but no one is doing anything.”
She added that she received a sick note from the doctor who signed her off from work to give
TILEHURST residents have raised objections over plans to open a new pizza takeaway in Norcot Road, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter
Vesuvio Pizzeria Ltd has applied to Reading Borough Council for permission to sell food until 2am daily, and alcohol from 11am to 11.30pm. It would takeover the empty Coral betting shop to do so.
Neighbours cite concerns about increased traffic, alcohol related disorder and disturbances.
One wrote it could become a magnet for dealers: “I live on Norcot Road and I see today teenagers on electric bikes and scooters delivering drugs and it will just become another drug drop and collection point, especially at 2am in the morning,” they wrote, adding they would be OK with an 11pm closure.
The objection continues: “This license should be line with the pub opening times on Norcot Road and no later, as I believe it will take up serious amounts of police time as there is a lot of anti-social behaviour in Tilehurst due to little Police presence.”
Another wrote: “The risk of possible damage, violence, antisocial behaviour is increased by introducing a considerable number of people, late at
night and having been in an environment where alcohol is involved, is not an acceptable risk for existing residents.
“Generally, any activity involving increased numbers of people, vehicles, and alcohol after 11.30pm is not appropriate for a residential area and it increases the possibility of becoming a public nuisance, safe guarding issues and significantly raises the risk of criminal and disorderly behaviour.
“I have lived in the area for more than 15 years, and strongly believe the application will have a detrimental impact on residents’ human rights.”
A senior planning officer for Reading Borough Council has raised concerns over the legal status of the former Coral shop.
The council gave consent for its conversion from a betting shop into offices under
Rochelle Bennett has resorted to using a bin bag to secure the window after a panel flew out due to rotting wooden panels at her home in Oxford Road, Reading. Credit: Rochelle Bennet
her time to get the issue sorted. Ms Bennett said: “Living here is stressing me out. I can’t even do my job with this stress.”
The housing association said it is in the process of resolving the problems.
A Metropolitan Thames Valley spokesperson said: “Ms Bennett rightly expects to live in a warm and dry home. As
such, we are working to make sure that her window is fully repaired as soon as possible.
“After Ms Bennett reported that a repair was required, we quickly boarded up the window as an emergency measure.
“We then visited again soon after to take measurements for a replacement window. On inspection it was clear that this was not a straightforward job and the damage to the window’s timber frame requires a specialist contractor to repair it and replace the glazing.
“It is therefore taking longer than Ms Bennett had hoped to repair the window, but we want to do a good job, and the work is expected be completed by Friday, February 23.”
They added: “We were not aware of any issue of mould in Ms Bennett’s home. We take all instances of damp and mould very seriously. We have arranged to visit Ms. Bennett at her home to carry out an inspection. Any treatment required to remove mould will be carried out as quickly as possible.
“We understand that this has been an uncertain and difficult period for Ms Bennett and we will continue to work with her to ensure that these issues are resolved.”
The old Coral betting shop at 20 Norcot Road, Reading. Picture: Google Maps/LDRS
application reference 200766, but this had not happened. If it had, there would be no need for a change of use planning application.
The officer also raised concerns about intensified traffic and its impact on neighbours.
Another resident said they had no objections about the betting shop becoming a takeaway, but felt a 2am closure would cause noise disturbance in a residential area.
“If a licence were to be granted, please consider the feelings of the local residents when making the decision around restrictions to the licence,” they wrote.
A decision on the application is set to be made at a Reading Borough Council licensing meeting held at 9.30am today (Thursday)
Departing Sat 20 May ‘23
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Crawley Overnight stay at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with dinner & breakfast Excursion to the Haworth 1940s Celebration
A COMMUNITY GROUP is inviting history enthusiasts to attend a tour of one of Reading’s most historic buildings.
Berkshire Family History Society’s event tomorrow will see visitors learn about St Mary’s – the Minster – which dates back to the seventh century.
It will explore the church’s history, the notable families of Reading associated with it and the 150-year-old Indian Bean Tree in the churchyard. Refreshments will be served.
The event will run from 2pm-3.30pm. Pre-booking is required, with tickets costing £5.
n For more information or to book a place, visit: berksfhs.org
A READING church is welcoming members of its community for brunch on Saturday, March 11. Every second Saturday of the month, Tyndale Baptist Church provides residents with a full English breakfast and a tea or coffee.
The events provide the ideal setting for attendees to catch up with friends and family, while also meeting new people. Entry costs £2 per person. The brunch takes place from 11.30am-12.30pm at the Cressingham Road venue. n For details, visit: www. tyndalebaptistchurch.org.uk
Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading
4 nights at the Mercure Hotel, Letchworth with dinner & breakfast Heritage train journey on the Nene Valley Railway Excursions to Ely, Cambridge & Stamford
Optional excursion to Cambridgeshire Villages (St Ives, Huntingdon & St Neots) (£13pp)
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Saturday 27th May 2023
From Reading. Join our special train at Reading for a day out to remember. We will be met by an historic steam locomotive at Bristol to steam along the Kennet and Avon Canal, through Somerset countryside and the Culm Valley to Exeter. A run along the famous Dawlish sea wall, one of Britain’s most scenic stretches of railway, will be a highlight of the journey. A break at maritime Plymouth provides chance to explore the Hoe and the old Barbican area with the Mayflower Steps or the city’s shops On the return our vintage train will leave our steam loco behind at Taunton to complete our journey diesel hauled.
• Premier Dining £295 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
• First Class £195 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.
• Standard Class £130 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.
£10 per person discount quote: DHS
Saturday 22nd July, 12th Aug, 16th Sept 2023
From Slough and Reading. Enjoy a day out departing from Slough or Reading to the Bristol Channel coast by train featuring two historic steam locomotives. This seaside special will be hauled by a magnificent steam loco along the scenic Kennet and Avon Canal and through the pretty Vale of Pewsey. Our train will join the West Somerset Railway and a WSR steam loco will take over for the stretch past Dunster Castle and into the resort of Minehead, where you can enjoy the sea and sand before we steam for home.
• Premier Dining £285 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
• First Class £185 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.
• Standard Class £115 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.
£10 per person discount quote: DHU
Sunday 30th July 2023
From Slough and Reading. Step on board our special train at Slough or Reading to enjoy a day out to Cornwall. We shall be joined by a magnificent steam locomotive at Bristol ready for an exhilarating run beside the Exe Estuary and along the famous Dawlish sea wall. The Royal Duchy will stop at Plymouth, where you can explore the Hoe, ancient Barbican, seafront or National Marine Aquarium. Alternatively, stay on board for Cornwall to Par, where we shall have coaches ready to take you to the pretty seaside village of Fowey or Charlestown, home to the Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage Centre and location for the BBC’s Poldark.
• Premier Dining £309 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
• First Class £209 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.
• Standard Class £134 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.
£10 per person discount quote: DHV
COMEDIAN Jacob Hawley is touring his latest standup show, Bump, in venues across the UK, including Reading’s Purple Turtle.
The show is a culmination, he says, of “a funny couple of years– I wanted to focus on live work.
“I did three series of my podcast, I was doing a lot of radio stuff and scripted stuff for TV, but I missed live stuff.
“Somewhere like the Purple Turtle: a small room, low ceiling– you can see the whites of everyone’s eyes and that’s what I’ve wanted so much.”
He says also that he likes to have something to build towards, such as a show, as a comedian: “This term ‘special,’ I think, is a big deal in America and a lot of British comics are following that pattern now.
“I really liked the idea that you kind of build towards that– it’s like music in that there isn’t much of a market in digital sales, from an economics perspective.
“You don’t really think about how you make money from a special until
you take it on the road, as a comedian.
“But there is still a gig economy–I’m still performing five nights a week, which is the best way of finding and reaching an audience.”
As social media continues to drive so much engagement in sectors of every profession, Jacob admits it scares him still.
“I’m a 31-year-old dad, so TikTok terrifies me– but at the same time what’s more scary: setting up a TikTok account and putting out a few clips or trying to impress one person who works at Radio 4 who has about 3,000 show ideas submitted to them.
“This new way of working certainly created a kind of democracy and meritocracy that wasn’t there before.
“It’s the reason I’m touring; it’s tour or die – you don’t need someone to put you on a stage any more, you build an audience and they’ll find a stage for you.”
Jacob says that his show, Bump, isn’t as topical as previous works have been:
“When I started a few years ago, I had a focus on socio-political topics.
“In the four years since my first hour
I’ve become a lot more personal on stage, but even that is changing again.
“Naturally, my politics and my opinions have changed, and that’s something that I’ve found really inspires the material, things really click.
“It’s been really inspiring in terms of allowing myself to change and develop with the show.”
The show deals with Jacob’s personal life, too: “It’ll be daft not to acknowledge it– my show’s about a false start at becoming a parent.”
It deals with Jacob’s response to a miscarriage, which lends context to the title, Bump.
“I really didn’t want kids, but it turned my life upside down in ways that were so surprising, and for the better.
“If you’re someone who’s had children, someone who never wants children, someone who’s ever just thought about whether you would or wouldn’t, this is a good show for you to see.”
Speaking on the personalisation of stand-up, such as with Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette, Jacob said: “Fifteen years ago, Sean Walsh was on Live at
the Apollo with brilliant, high-energy, relatable routines about shopping and cheese toasties.
“But now his specials look at things like the public persecution of his character, with a much more personal angle, and I think something like Nanette might have influenced standup like that.”
As well as a personal angle, much of Jacob’s work has examined a range of facets of modern life, including his series of podcasts on love and another focusing on drug use.
In both, he shares peoples stories and experiences to examine in depth the social impact and culture around things like drug-taking.
“NME described me as a ‘comedian and journalist’ after that series, which started with a few pieces of material, but it wasn’t about being journalistic.
“I had a topic and I wanted to cover it, but I think there’s an appetite for it, and it was inspired by Mark Thomas.
“You have people like Jamali Maddix on Hate Thy Neighbour – we absorb so much journalism, documentaries are so
much bigger than they were 20 years ago.
“If you can diversify the way you deliver your research, we can do that in a way that’s funny, accessible, and even vulnerable – that helps you connect with people.”
When it comes to some topics, Jacob says it can be “really hard to get a grip of where people stand on some things, and it can feel like a tightrope.
“The way that public opinion is swayed by culture wars, and its sad to see; we wanted people to see those involved with drug culture or in the sec industry differently,” he says.
“Public opinion feels like it’s gone back two decades, when Piers Morgan is on Good Morning Britain using people as strange discussion points.
“I’m debating for people to be treated as human beings, not on their behalf, but these things have become entertainment.”
n Jacob Hawley is performing at the Purple Turtle in Reading on Thursday, March 30, from 8pm, organised by Mates Rates Comedy. Tickets are available via: fatsoma.com
‘I’m a
ENGLISH folk rock band The Levellers embark upon their latest Acoustic Tour, joined by New member Dan Donnelly.
The band are excited to be introducing their new acoustic album, along with some of their older material reworked for the event.
The concert takes place at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, on Wednesday, March 8.
Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available at £29.50 and £37.
Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office: 0118 960 6060.
THE Talent, by Action Hero & Deborah Pearson, is a new show about the legacy of the human voice in a non-human future.
A woman in a sound booth talks, to herself, or perhaps to everyone.
Her voice can create any kind of world.
Is she selling something, telling a story, performing a cereal ad, a cartoon, a meditation tape?
The event can be seen at Reading’s South Street Arts Centre, on Wednesday, March 8.
Doors open at 8pm, with tickets available for £14, or £12 for members. Suitable for age 12 and above.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office: 0118 960 6060.
ROB AUTON’S Crowd Show is an evening of comedy, theatre, and spoken words about crowds, people and connections.
The award-winning writer, actor and podcaster has been named the Brian Cox of Comedy by the Guardian.
His eight Edinburgh Fringe shows have led to nationwide tours and television and radio appearances. Audiences can catch him at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead on Saturday, March 4.
Bracknell
Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available at £15.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977.
In Robin Morgan: Snip Snip, Bitch, the comedian shares all.
A lot has happened to him since the last tour.
He’s moved back to Wales, and is happily married with two kids.
So what happens next? A vasectomy of course.
Robin is deemed to be on the verge of nationwide fame, according to Chortle.
The event takes place at The
His television and radio credits include Mock The Week (BBC Two), Richard Hammond’s Brain Reaction (Comedy Central), and The Now Show (BBC Radio 4).
Audiences can catch him at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead on Saturday, March 11. Doors open at 8pm, with tickets costing £13, or £10 for concessions. n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977.
AN ORCHESTRA of musicians from many European nations performs works
Legend: The Music of Bob Marley. Sat 4. Anna Rose Dance School: Into The Spotlight.
Sun 5. Classic Rock Show. Tues
7. Total 90s. Thurs 9. Hellfire
Comedy Club. Thurs 9. Kate
Mosse: Warrior Queens and Quiet Revolutionaries. Fri 10.
Fanny’s Bingo Brunch. Sat 11.
01483 440000
Someone Like You. Thurs 2. The Banshees of Insiherin (15).
Thurs 2. The Lost King (12). Fri 3. She. Fri 3-Sat 4. Joyride (15). Fri 3. The Story of Soul.
Fri 3. Lipstick On Your Collar. Sat 4. Minions: The Rise of Gru (U). Sat 4. Lyle Lyle Crocodile (PG). Sat 4. Emily (15). Sat 4. Elvis (12). Sat 4. All My Sons
- CANCELLED. Tues 7-Sat 11. The Unicorn. Wed 8. A Room of One’s Own. Fri 10-Sat 11.
High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan
Mamma Mia and More Dinner
Dance. Sat 11. Sensational
60s Experience. Sat 11. Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. Sun 12.
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk
01491 525050
Beatlkemania: here, There and Everywhere. Fri 3. Showtime!.
Sun 5. Blackadder: The Whole
Damn Dynasty – Almost.
Wed 8-Sat 11. Henley Youth Festival. Thurs 9-Sat 11. Sold!.
Sun 12.
Camberley
www.wycombeswan.co.uk
01494 512000
Magic of Motown. Thurs 2. Thank You For
Fri 3.
Maidenhead –Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org
01628 788997
Hexagon Theatre, on Thursday, March 9. Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available for £27, £34.50, and £42. Tickets are selling fast, but returns may be available.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office: 0118 960 6060.
for strings by Bach, Corelli, Mozart, Nielsen and Rachmaninoff.
Audiences can also hear Hummel’s trumpet concerto, with soloist Cyrill Gussaroff.
Maidenhead Music Society: Chamber Philharmonic Europe can be heard at the Courtyard Theatre, Norden Farm Arts Centre.
The event is on Thursday, March 9. Tickets cost £20, or £5 for under 16s. n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977.
CHILDREN can enjoy a dance
retelling of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s classic tale.
The story of a pilot stranded in the desert, The Little Prince is brought to life with mix of dance, humour and spoken word.
Adapted and Directed by Luca Silvestrini, the enchanting story of love and friendship, for children and grownups alike, can be seen at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre.
The event is on Sunday, March 5 at 3.30pm, and Monday, March 6 at 10.30.
It is suitable for children aged 5 and above.
Tickets cost £14.50, or £11.50 for under 16s.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123
FLAUTIST Imogen Royce on flute and pianist Setiadi will perform a programme of music, with works from Mozart’s Magic Flute, Bizet’s Carmen and Malcolm Arnold’s Solo Fantasy.
Audiences will also be able to hear Schubert Lieder arrangements and Taffenel’s Fantasie on Weber’s Der Freischütz.
The event is at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Friday, March 10.
Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available at £16.50, £12.50 for concessions, and £5.50 for under 18s.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 01344 484123
SWING band Down for the Count All-Stars celebrate the musical genre with their show: A Century of Swing. They will perform instrumental songs from Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller, and vocal classics from Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.
The show is presented with Down for the Count’s own brand of humour.
The event is at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Thursday, March 9. Doors open at 7.45pm, with tickets available at £24. n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123.
Charlie Baker - SOLD OUT.
Thurs 2. Fleetingwood Mac
- SOLD OUT. Fri 3. Norden Farm Market. Sat 4. Women Talking (15). Sat 4. Rob Auton: The Crowd Show. Sat 4. The Clare Teal Four. Sat 4. EO (15).
Tues 7, Wed 8. Maidenhead Music Society: Chamber
Philharmonic Europe. Thurs
9. The Vinyl Frontier: Another Evening with Martyn Ware.
Fri 10. Martin Turner exWishbone Ash. Fri 10. Hulla Balloony Moon Time. Sat 11. Blue Jean (15). Fri 10, Sat 11.
Robin Morgan: Snip, Snap Bitch. Sat 11.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com
0845 5218 218
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra.
Thurs 2. Rock For Heroes. Fri 3. Something About George: The George Harrison Story. Sat 4.
Dementia Friendly Screening:
On The Town. Mon 6. On Track.
Tues 7. An Evening With Kate
Mosse. Wed 8. Rosie Holt: The Woman’s Hour. Thurs
9. Vincent Simone: Tango Passions. Fri 10. Come What
May: A Tribute to Moulin Rouge. Sat 11. Made March Hares. Sun 12. Newbury – Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044
Notes From A Small Island. Until Sat Mar 18.
Reading – South St
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060
On Track. Until Fri 3. Nick Mohammed as Mr Swallow (warm-up). Sat 4. The Talent by Action Hero and Deborah
Pearson. Wed 8. Fern Brady: Autistic Bikini Queen. Thurs
9. Sophie Duker: Hag. Fri 10. Poets Cafe. Fri 10. John Kearns: The Varnishing Days. Sat 11.
Reading – Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060
Jon Richardson. Thurs 2. Fisherman’s Friends - SOLD OUT. Sat 4. Levellers. Wed
8. Tim Peake: My Journey to Space. Thurs 9. 90s Live. Sat 11. WASMA. Sun 12.
Reading – Concert Hall
www.whatsonreading.com
0118 960 6060
Lunchtime organ recital. Mon Mar
6. Tine Thing Helseth: Open rehearsal. Thurs 9. Tine Thing
Helseth Trumpet. Thurs 9. Art of Believing: Flamenco. Fri 10.
Reading – Progress
www.progresstheatre.co.uk
0118 384 2195
The Lonesome West. Fri 3-Sat 11.
Reading – Reading Rep
www.readingrep.com
0118 370 2620
Hedda Gabler. Until Mar 11.
Shinfield – Players
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk
0118 975 8880
Sonning – The Mill
www.millatsonning.com
0118 969 8000
We’ll Always Have Paris. Until Sat 11. Gimme Gimme Abba. Sun 5. Windsor – Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888
The Grass Is Greener. Fri 3-Sat 18.
Wokingham – Theatre
www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
0118 978 5363
Things I Know To be True. Thurs 16-Sat 25.
Wokingham – Whitty
www.thewhittytheatre.org
0118 974 3247
Wokingham Film Society: Emily (15). Thurs 2. Wokingham
EUROPEAN Space Agency astronaut Tim Peake is to share stories about his visit to the International Space Station. He will guide the audience through a series of photographs, never-beforeseen footage, and personal insights into what it’s really like to be an astronaut.
An evening for anyone with a passion for aviation, exploration and adventure, it promises to reveal the secrets, the science and the everyday wonders of how and why humans journey into space.
ACULINARY corner of Reading is gearing up for a party as it celebrates its first year in its current place.
Blue Collar Corner is celebrating 12 months of being in its permanent home on Hosier Street with a big birthday bash.
Four days of events will see live music, sports fixtures, DJs, food favourites, and new boozy offerings from the site.
On Thursday, March 9, Double Barrelled Brewery will unveil its speciallybrewed beer in honour of the occasion with DJ Rich Sloman performing.
On Friday, March 10, The Showhawk Duo will take to the stage, flanked by festival favourites Rum & Donuts DJs, for the official 1st Birthday Party event.
The party continues on Saturday, March 11, which will kick off with Indie Brunch before a live streaming of the England vs France fixture of the Six Nations Rugby.
On Sunday, Blue Collar will wrap up its weekend of events with an intimate, stripped-back performance by Third Lung, who will be joined by Loveless, Reliant, and Who Ate All The Crayons.
Speaking about the event, Blue Collar’s Glen Dinning announced “After the year of our lives, of Summer boozing, next level street food, rotating beers and cocktails, a Winter refurb, a cost of living crisis, World Cup screenings, massive DJ sets and live music, our baby will celebrate it’s first birthday on Friday, March 10.”
Collar will celebrate its first year in the corner with a four-day birthday bash from March 9-12.
“We’ll be going big that weekend,” Glen continues. “We’re starting on Thursday, March 9, with the return of Thursday DJs and the launch of a special first birthday beer from Double Barrelled Brewery. On Friday it’s the big birthday bash with The Showhawk Duo, and Rum & Donuts DJs.
“Saturday starts with an Indie Brunch followed by Six Nations rugby on our big screens then a party set from DJ Acronym.”
“On Sunday we are raising funds for homelessness prevention charity,
Launchpad, one of our partner charities, alongside local indie band Third Lung.” Blue Collar Corner holds a range of regular events as well as its rotating offerings of street food, with a St Patrick’s Day event, Six Nations Super Saturday, and Big Jay’s Big Drag Brunch all set to take place in March, too.
n More information about Blue Collar’s upcoming events and offerings is available via: linktr.ee/blue.collar or via: bluecollarstreetfood.co.uk
The Lonesome West is showing at Progress Theatre from FridaySaturday, March 3-11.
READING’S longest-producing theatre is examining life in Ireland with its latest production, The Lonesome West.
Written by Martin McDonagh, the play follows two brothers, Coleman and Valene, as they recoil from the death of their father.
As they struggle to come to terms with the reality of the incident, they begin to find it impossible to coexist.
Arguments over Tayto crisps and dogs without ears escalate, turning sibling rivalry into unbridled animosity.
Coleman will be played by
Damien Passmore, Valene by Progress regular Paul Gittus, Father Welsh by Adam Wells, and Girleen by Imogen Lilley.
The play is one of a trilogy by McDonagh which also includes The Beauty Queen of Leenane and A Skull in Connemara.
The Lonesome West is showing at Progress Theatre, The Mount, from FridaySaturday, March 3 to 11.
Tickets are available via: progresstheatre.co.uk/2023the-lonesome-west
Progress features a number of accessible show dates,
including socially distanced performances.
Relaxed performances are adapted to make provisions for families with young children and people with physical or special needs.
This includes a relaxed attitude to audience noise, adaptations to the production to reduce anxiety and sensory stimuli.
It also holds Come As You Are nights, which feature earlier opening times and space to change for trans, non-binary, or gender non-conforming people who can feel excluded
or unsafe in certain public spaces.
Progress Theatre will see the rest of the season out with productions of Moira Buffini’s Dinner, Sandi Toksvig’s Silver Lining, and a performance of Twelfth Night for its annual open air event in the Abbey Ruins.
n Tickets and information about The Welkin can be found via: progresstheatre.co.uk
n Information about inclusive performances can be found via: progresstheatre.co.uk/ accessibility
Things I Know To Be True is an unusual and lyrical performance at Wokingham Theatre
THINGS I Know To Be True, by Andrew
Bovell, tells the story of an Australian family whose members appear to be very close, but whose relationships are fraying.
“Our reading committee loved this 2016 play, and felt it had to be included in the season,” says director Jeremy Radburn.
“It’s such an interesting and unusual piece, with a very accessible and beautifully crafted script.”
The play observes the Price family, whose four grown-up siblings gather in the parental home after one of them returns from a gap year in Europe.
“Each of the four is struggling with issues that their parents don’t know about,” continues Jeremy.
“But even when the parents do find out, they don’t know how to deal with their children. Their love is, at the same time, embracing and oppressive.
“It’s a very moving play, and we are surprised to find ourselves still very choked by the story, even after so many rehearsals.
“But there are points where it is really funny, too.”
The piece was created by the same UK theatre group, Frantic Assembly, that co-produced The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time at the National Theatre.
The company employs movement and music to enhance clear storytelling.
“Things I know To Be True mixes naturalistic dialogue with their unusual lyrical movement style,” says Jeremy.
“We’re very lucky that Chloe Collins is choreographing the performance.
“She took a dance internship with Frantic Assembly, and really knows their style and work.
“Because she is so familiar with their process, she has been able to help our actors convey what is going on beneath the surface of the words.”
With the emphasis placed on the actors and their movements to reflect the difficult issues raised in the play, Jeremy is keen to preserve a simplicity on stage.
“Very early on in rehearsals, we realised that props didn’t support the story at all,” he explains.
“So we did away with props and furniture, keeping only the bare minimum.
“For the same reason, there is no fixed set, but the performance is instead beautifully enhanced by music for cello and piano, along with some very sophisticated lighting techniques.”
Things I Know To Be True is on the GCSE drama syllabus.
It can be seen at Wokingham Theatre from Thursday, March 16 through to Saturday, March 25, with the exception of Sunday.
Doors open at 7.45pm, with tickets available at £15.
n For tickets and information, call the box office on: 0118 978 5363, or visit: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk The event contains very strong language and adult themes.
A JOURNEY to the stars, via early 20th century Paris is promised at a special family-friendly concert taking in Reading this spring.
Members of the Reading Symphony Orchestra are welcoming the Orchester der Landesregierung Düsseldorf for the show.
The programme starts off with a musical journey down the Vltava river in Smetana’s work of the same name.
It starts as two small springs and meanders through woods and meadows, past nymphs dancing in the moonlight, beneath ruined castles and further onwards as it flows through Prague.
Thel Rautavaara Clarinet Concerto will then be performed by soloist Nicholas Shipman, a piece that aims to showcase the full range of the clarinet’s capabilities.
The second half of the concert starts in the 1920s, with Gershwin’s
An American in Paris, which tells the story of a visiting American exploring the hustle and bustle of the streets of Paris.
Organisers say listeners can picture themselves walking down the street during the Parisian rush hour - car horns and traffic noise combined with the blues and jazz of the Roaring Twenties.
And then the show will blast off with music from John Williams’ score for Star Wars.
It includes the main themes for characters such as Darth Vader, Princess Leia and Yoda combine in this musical suite to finish our concert with a Death Star-sized bang.
The event takes place at 4pm, on Saturday, April 1, at Reading Town Hall. Tickets cost £16, or £5 for students and under 16s.
n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.comor call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
MAGIC moments are promised when an internationally renowned band come to Reading this autumn.
The Stylistics started out in Philadelphia, and crafted a number of hits that earned them seven Gold albums, five Gold singles, two Double Gold singles, eight Platinum albums, one Double Platinum album, and four Platinum singles.
They also received a Grammy nomination in 1974 for You Make Me Feel Brand New, and a plaque on the Walk Of Fame in 1994, in Centre City, Philadelphia.
All-in-all, a massive band.
Now, two of the original members, Airrion Love and Herb Murrell, along with Barrington ‘Bo’ Henderson and Jason Sharp, are bringing some of their greatest hits to The Hexagon.
The evening will include I Can’t Give You Anything; I’m Stone In Love With You; You Make Me Feel Brand New; Let’s Put It All Together; You Are Everything; and their UK No.1 single I Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love).
The gig takes place from 7.30pm on Thursday, November 23, and tickets cost £34 or £37. n For more details, log on to: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
IT’S ONE of the most famous pieces of literature of all time, and it’s about to come to Bracknell.
Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott, needs little introduction: holed up in the attic of her Massachusetts home just after the American Civil War, Jo struggles with writer’s block, until the arrival of an old friend helps her to unlock a lifetime of memories.
Laugh and cry with Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy in this comingof-age tale packed with adventure, drama, love and loss.
The story has been given a unique update in the play which will be performed at South Hill Park on Tuesday, March 7.
For every role is performed by just one person: Hannah Churchill.
Accompanying her is music performed by actor-musician Reece Webster.
Originally performed at Cheltenham’s famous Everyman Theatre, the show is from Jenny Wren Productions.
Its director, Jenny Wicks, says: “The original idea came about during lockdown. Hannah has been in a number of my shows and we both needed a creative project to keep us going.
“Little Women was on my ‘list of shows I want to do at some point’, and I started considering how it could work with one performer and Hannah rose to the challenge.”
It was using 21st century technology that the 18th century story came to life.
They perfected the script and set-up over Zoom, before getting together for rehearsals and the premiere in June 2021.
Jenny says: “It was a huge passion project for us all and having received such excellent feedback after The Everyman Theatre performances, we wanted the show to have a longer life.
“I am delighted to be embarking on a national tour. It’s such an uplifting tale, with laughter, as well as pathos and we are excited to share it with audiences around the country.”
Jenny Wren Productions have had rave reviews for their previous touring shows including The Hound of the Baskervilles, Emma and Burke and Hare.
The show is performed at 7.30pm and tickets cost from £12.50.
n For more details, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123.
PHIL CREIGHTONLO-FI PEACH: Funke and the Two Tone Baby is coming to The Face Bar on Thursday, March 16
A FUSION between a DJ, an acoustic opener and the gig’s main band is promised when Funke and the Two Tone Baby come to Reading.
And it’s all done to one man.
The show, at The Face Bar, sees Funke fuse together folky singalong anthems with blistering blues riffs, juxtaposed with fat bass, big beats and sub kicks.
A lo-fi peach with orchestral depth, a DJ without decks and a blur to the eyes, Funke generates huge sounds from seemingly nothing and sweeps up audiences in an awestruck wave of power, energy and sweat. A truly unique act that needs to be seen to be believed.
Organisers from Club Velocity promise a frenzied amalgamation of organic and electronic that defies all preconception.
Born from festivals and knocking on the door of 1,000 shows, F&TTTB has wowed audiences from Glastonbury to Sziget, WOMAD to Boomtown and Alexandra Palace to a Bahraini Princes’ private studio.
He has also secured support tours and shows with Skinny Lister, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Comet is Coming, Beans on Toast, Hazel O’ Connor, Ferocious Dog, Hayseed Dixie, Mark Chadwick (Levellers), among others.
Support will come from Uncle Peanut.
n The event takes place on Thursday, March 16, at the Ambrose Street venue. Tickets are available by searching for Funke And The Two Tone Baby on wegottickets.com.
ONE OF Reading’s festivals has released its first wave of tickets.
The festival is returning to its home in Christchurch Meadows, bringing with it three days of live music and performances, street food, and beer from Berkshire breweries.
The stage is now set for the event to take place from Friday-Sunday, July 14-16, with all of the proceeds going towards Readipop’s charity work.
Readipop works to support
artists and young people in Reading with a range of programmes, including its own music label which helps musicians access career and skills support as well as musical equipment and spaces.
It also provides one-on-one support, workshops, events, and community projects to help develop musicianship and foster creativity for young artists.
As well as internationally renowned artists such as Badly
Drawn Boy, Transglobal Underground, and Morcheeba.
Last year’s Readipop saw highlights from Reading’s own Third Lung, Khyren Kane, Readiophonics, BeatRoots, OSP, and The Pink Diamond Revue.
n Early Bird tickets give access to all three days of the event, costing £37.50 for adults and with concessions to be announced. For more details, log on to: readipop. co.uk
SKA and reggae icons The Beat are heading on tour this spring, and Reading is on their list of places to be.
Ranking Junior is now taking centre stage as the group look to energise audiences with some of the most famous ska and reggae tracks ever written.
Based in Birmingham, The Beat released their debut single Tears of a Clown through The Specials’ 2-Tone label in 1979.
The single went Top Ten in the UK and they struck a deal with Arista to distribute on their own Go Feet label.
Their debut studio album Just Can’t Stop went Gold in England, and included the now-cult single Mirror In The Bathroom.
The band’s live performances and clever blend of personal and political lyrics continue to make them stars to this day, and they’ll be diving into their back catalogue at these shows.
One of the key bands in the UK ska revival of the
1970s and 80s, this is a chance to see the mix of pop melodies and taut rhythms that made them stars and won them worldwide acclaim.
They will be at Sub89 in Friar Street on Friday, April 14, and tickets have gone on sale.
n For more details, log on to: www.sub89.com
FESTIVALS are always great places to discover bands, and the act at the top of this week’s playlist is one we discovered at Wokingham Festival last summer.
Here is a chance to hear their new single, with fab lyrics.
Counterpointing is a song by Chumbawamba, a 1990s band that need little introduction. The diversity is fabulous.
As ever, we’re on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).
It’s a mixture that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on Spotify.
To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstodayand enjoy the music.
One of our fave live performances last year was OSP at Wokingham Festival and they have just released this new single for 2023.
It’s another good one with a brilliantly uplifting energetic track featuring excellent vocal performances.
As per their previous singles this Reading based collective have again created a single that makes you feel good with an infectious melody and positive lyrics.
This opens with ‘New vibes, good energy around
Thursday, March 2
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Alpha Line and Support. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. First Thursday Funk Soul Jazz Blues: p’jam. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennet Side RG1 3DW. Argo Jazz. Details: 07866 251216.
READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic night with Kristian Wilkins and friends. Details: 0118 958 8964.
WOKINGHAM – The Grasshopper, Rose Street RG40 1XU. Live at the Grasshopper: Mark Warner’s Full Swing. From 6.30pm. Details: 0118 901 2678.
WOKINGHAM – The Victoria Arms, Easthampstead Road RG40 2EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 979 9437.
Friday, March 3
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Some Kind of Metallica with support. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ultimate RnB tribute: a flavour of the old skool. Details: 01344 303333.
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Martin Pyne Quartet. Details: 01344 484123.
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Punk and Bass: Skank Your Face Off.. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Midnight Rebel Band. Details: 0118 935 4095.
READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street. Waiola.
me, I wanna pick fruit from the tree of life’ – They are certainly doing that and it’s wonderful – https:// www.facebook.com/ospmusicuk
Chumbawamba – Timebomb
As well as promoting great gigs, Reading promoters Club Velocity/New Mind Promotions put on some very interesting musical events and one coming up is a Q&A with Dunstan Bruce of legendary anarchic rockers Chumbawamba with a showing of I Get Knocked Down, a film about the incredible story of the band.
That’s a good excuse to remind ourselves of this classic from their 1994 album, Anarchy – https:// www.facebook.com/thatwasthenandthisisnow
READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Stars in the their Minds karaoke. Details: 0118 958 8964.
READING – South Street Arts Centre. 303 – XOX project presents Saytek and guests. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. AC/DC UK. Details: 0118 959 5395
WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Tequila Chase. Details: 0118 977 3706.
EMMBROOK – The Dog and Duck, Matthewsgreen Road RG41 1JT. Karaoke. Details: 0118 978 0544.
WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Daviid B & Dinos. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.
WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.
Saturday, March 4
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Red Tape Resistance.
Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Dance Cult 10 DC10. Details: 01344 303333.
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Gill Love Band. Details: 01344 484123.
CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. The Cherries.
Details: 01344 530615.
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Plato and the Bees. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. March of the Mods 2023: The Junction, The Echo, Wardour Street, The Highwasters, Personal Issue. DJs: Neally, Tim Marr, Gilo, Ken Brookes.
Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose
If you enjoy jazzy/bluesy original and covers with guitar sax and flute, it’s well worth popping along to the Hope and Anchor in Wokingham this Friday, March 3, where you can see a live performance from Daviid B & Dinos.
Daviid has released a couple of singles already this year and here’s one of them which features a wonderful sax intro before a song which has a very cool blues club feel – https://www.instagram.com/ daviidbmusic
This is from Songs for an Angel Vol 1 – Music for Eric Bouillette, a tribute album to the late guitarist. BDD is the alter ego of The Room bassist
Andy Rowe – https://www.ftf-music.com/de/ tributetoericbouillette/tributetoericbouillette.htm
Mark Harrison – Tribulation Time
Mark is a unique singer-songwriter, an excellent guitarist and a wonderful story teller and he will be bringing his distinctive style to Wokingham Music Club on Friday, March 10 – https://www.markharrisonrootsmusic. com/
Here’s a new single from this young Berkshirebased band and it’s a very good piece of melodic uplifting indie pop.
It was recorded in Generation Studio and features guest guitar from Jake Slack – https://bio.site/ smalltownheroes
Dakorra – All Eyes to the Floor
Based in the Reading area, Dakorra (aka Kate Herridge), has established herself as a talented and dynamic performer and this features a catchy melody, driving rhythm, and emotive lyrics – https:// www.facebook.com/dakorraband
Dennis Siggery & Neil Sadler – I Paid the Price
A classic blues voice and a brilliant guitarist come together on a new album, Testify – https://www. ericstreetband.com/
Eloise Kate & Matthew Little – Just One Night
This is a beautiful mellow song which features a soulful vocal performance. https://www.instagram. com/eloisekatemusic/
One
Here’s a great live rock band with their latest single. They have a tour coming up so check them out – https://linktr.ee/onelastday
Roof presents Kings of the Juggling on 4 March 2023. Darkcide (Spawn & Marlon) Junior Blues (Leicester No1 Juggling Sound) DJ Velvet (Black Metro Sound) DJ Canibus (Doctor D Sound).
Details: 0118 402 7800.
READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Fisherman’s Friends. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street. Lost Saturdays.
READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Bellissima Bollywood Events club night. Details: 0118 960 6580.
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Sound Jam. Details: 0118 959 7196.
READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Gimme Gimme Abba.
Details: 0118 931 0232.
READING – The Queen’s Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. The Ewen Baird Group. Details: 0118 931 0232.
READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Offcut and Out of Order. Details: 0118 926 5804.
WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.
Sunday, March 5
PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS. Pangbourne Jazz Club: Ben Cummings with the Terry Hutchins Quartet.
7.30pm £10.
READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Singers Night. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk
READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Oozes. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.
READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Low-Key Sundays. Details: 0118 376 9159.
SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Big Girls Don’t Cry.
Details: 0118 Music
Monday, March 6
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Old Purple Whistle Test. Details: 0118 959 7196. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.
Tuesday, March 7
PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Unplugged Night. Details: 0118 969 98978.
Wednesday, March 8
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Open mic night. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk
READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Monthly Shanty Session.
Details: 0118 958 0473.
READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Levellers. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Centre Stage: celebrating Reading’s top female performers for International Women’s Day 2023. 6.30pm. £18, in aid of PACT. Details: www.phantombrew.com
STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. John Etheridge and Christian Garrick.
Details: 01491 681048.
Thursday, March 9
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. A Century of Swing with Down For The Count All-Stars. Details: 01344 484123.
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Hugh Turner Funk Quartet. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Heavy Pop presents The Go! Team.
Details: 0118 959 5395
Friday, March 10
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. No Good Sons album launch party with Dead Jackals. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Solid Groove Foundation: Soul, Motown and RnB. Details: 01344 303333.
EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Mark Harrison. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk
GORING – Community Jazz Club. Debby Bracknell. Details: https://www. ticketsource.co.uk/goring-communityjazz-club
READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Art of Believing: Flamenco. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. InAir, All Ears Avow, Bitter Kisses. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street. Waiola.
TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. BAT. Details: 07889 226309.
TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Bullfrogs Sunday Session.
Details: 07889 226309. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. NBS.
Details: 01344 303333.
CAVERSHAM – Caversham Park Village
Social Club, Northbrook Road, Caversham Park Village RG4 6PF. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 334 1040
CHARVIL – The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco.
READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Coles Family and Black Market. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. 90s Live. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. The SoulTones. Details: 0118 968 1442.
READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street. Lost Saturdays.
READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930
READING – Zerodegrees, Bridge Street. Live music with Amanda’s Music Events.
TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Evolution party band Details: 0118 942 9606.
WOKINGHAM – The Gig House, The Plaza, Denmark Street. Rila’s Edge.
WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. The Tim Shez Band. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.
WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.
Sunday, March 12
READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL. Launchpad fundraiser with Third Lung and special guests.
Details: www.linktr.ee/blue.collar
READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Bass and Taylor.
Details: www.readifolk.org.uk
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.
Friday, March 3
EARLEY – St Luke’s Church, Erlegh Road RG1 5LR. World Day of Prayer service, featuring material created by women of Taiwan. 10.30am. Details:
Gaye Rees 07974 943908.
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Lonesome West. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk
READING – Reading Minster
Of St Mary The Virgin C
Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. The F-Word: Stories of Forgiveness. An exhibition, 11am-6pm. A conversation with Albie Sachs on the nature of forgiveness via Zoom on Friday 3 March, 7.30pm.
Details: readingminster. org.uk
SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Last Tango In Whitby. 7.45pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www.shinfieldplayers. org.uk
SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Road RG2 8BY. World Day of Prayer service, featuring material created by women of Taiwan. 2pm. Details: Gaye Rees 07974 943908.
WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.
WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, March 4
FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Funky Pickle. From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com
PURLEY – St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Avenue RG8 8BJ. John Adams Trio. 7pm. SOLD OUT. Details: www. stmaryspurley.org.uk
READING – Broad St Mall, Broad Street. Paddington visit for World Book Day. Storytimes: 11am, noon, 2pm. Booking essential. Appearances 1pm and 3pm. First-come, first-served. Details: broadstreetmall.com
READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street
RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk
READING – Great Hall, university of Reading London Road RG1 5AQ. Reading Phoenix Choir presents Majesty! Music for a King and More. Includes I Was Glad, Crown Imperial, Coronation Gloria, Zadok The Priest.
7.30pm. £15, under 16s £3, family tickets £16 or £30. Details: www. readingphoenixchoir.com
READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. The F-Word: Stories of Forgiveness. An exhibition, 11am-6pm. Details: readingminster. org.uk
READING – OpenHand OpenSpace (OHOS), Oxford Road RG30
1HL. Confronting the Disappearances: an exhibition by Polam Chan, Carrie Shen and Wai Hang Siu, Hong Kong born artists who are now based in the UK. Until March 26. Open event 3pm-5pm. Details: http://571oxfordroad.org/
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Lonesome West.
7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk
READING – St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. The Music of Flight, a concert with Trinity Concert Band, some proceeds to go to charity Thrive. 7pm, doors 6.15pm. £13, students £7, under 16s, Ukrainian refugees, and newcomers free.
Details: www.trinityband. co.uk
SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Last Tango In Whitby.
7.45pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www.shinfieldplayers. org.uk
WINNERSH – St Mary’s Church Hall RG41 5NA.
ANTIQUES VALUATION with Martin&Pole, 2pm4.30pm, £2.50 per item (max of 2) SalGOAssist charity1101811, supporting orphanges and very poor families in Bapatla, South India.
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, March 5
CAVERSHAM – Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Caversham Artisan
& Farmers Market. 10am3pm.
PANGBOURNE – Woking Men’s Club, Whitchurch Road, RG8 7BS.
Pangbourne Jazz Club: Ben Cummings with the Terry Hutchins Quartet. 7.30pm £10.
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Broad St Mall, Queen’s Walk RG1 7QE. Reading Film Theatre presents All About My Mother (15). Details: readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.
READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1
2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam. 7.30pm. Free entry. Details: www.risingsunartscentre. org
WOKINGHAM – St Crispin’s Sports Centre, London Road RG40 1SS. Crispin Antique and Collectors Fair. £1. 10am-3pm.
Details: 07723 068189.
READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. The F-Word: Stories of Forgiveness. An exhibition, 1pm-6pm.
Details: readingminster. org.uk
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, tables £8. Details: 07943 510108 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Monday, March 6
ARBORFIELD – Pop-up Library, Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. BookTrust Storytime session. 10.30am-11am. Free, booking essential.
Details: 07801 664 520.
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org
CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Coffee Stop for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts: socialise and take part in English lessons. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: 01344 761725.
READING – The Outlook, Kings Road. Mates Rates Comedy Raw – open mic night. 7.30pm.
READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Lunchtime Organ Recital: Marilyn Harper from Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich. Programme to include music by Celia McDowall, Madeleine Dring, Buxtehude and Franck. 1pm. £6, £5 in advance.
Details: 0118 960 6060.
WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AL.Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session.
7.30pm. Booking essential.
Details: www.rockchoir. com/join/Wokingham_
Late_Session
WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys
Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.
Details: linkvisiting.org
WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
Tuesday, March 7
BEECH HILL – Memorial Hall, Beech Hill Road. Village teas: sandwiches, cakes and tea. 3pm-4pm.
EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.
FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org
FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Art group. 1pm-3pm. £3 per session.
Details: 0118 973 2484.
LOWER EARLEY – Salvation Army, Chalfont Close RG6 5UG. Singing By Heart: For those living with dementia and their carers or if you just want to come and sing. 11am. Details: 0118 931 0760.
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Lonesome West.
7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk
WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40
1AS. Women’s Equality Party celebration of International Women’s Day. 7.30pm. Speakers, refreshements, arts and more. £5. Details: https:// allevents.in/wokingham/ 10000512988722077
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting. org
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
Wednesday, March 8
EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Broad St Mall, Queen’s Walk RG1 7QE. Reading Film Theatre presents All About My Mother (15). Details: readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.
READING – From Talbot House, 55 Castle Street RG1 7SN Terry’s Walkabout: Special International Womens Day ‘Vote 105’ PART 1 Women of Reading Walkabout with 2023 additions. £5, children £2, family £12. In aid of charity. Booking
essential. 1.30pm. Details:
07505351517
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Centre Stage: celebrating Reading’s top female performers for International Women’s Day 2023. 6.30pm. £18, in aid of PACT. Details: www. phantombrew.com
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Lonesome West.
7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk
TWYFORD – URC Hall, Church Street, RG10 9DR. Twyford Arts Group Life Drawing Sessions. 7pm. Details: www. twyfordartgroup.co.uk
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session.
12.15pm. Details: https:// www.rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Morning_ Session
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Theatre, Pinewood Leisure Complex RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Theatre presents Woman Up: Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History. 7.45pm. £13. Details: www.ebos. org.uk
CROWTHORNE – The Hive, Duek’s Road RG45 6DS. Elusive Brewing and Double-Barrelled international Women’s Day tap takeover. From 6pm. Details: 01344 771199.
CROWTHORNE – Two Sisters, High Street RG45 7AF. Pie & Mash Night.
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
EARLEY – Edith Morley Building, University of Reading. University of Reading Chaplaincy’s Annual Public Event. Chaplain Mark Laynesmith interviews Marina Cantacuzino MBE about her inspiration and her recent book ‘Forgiveness: An Exploration’. Also on Zoom: u.nu/chaplaincyx 7pm. Details: chaplaincy@ reading.ac.uk
FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Siren Beer Discovery: An Introduction to Siren through the exploration of the various beer styles of the core range. Includes third-pints of each of the five core range beers. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm8pm. Details: https://www.
sirencraftbrew.com/
READING – Start point to be confirmed. Terry’s Walkabout: a foodie tour of Reading. £5, children £2, family £12. In aid of charity. Booking essential. Details: 07505351517
READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Tracks to the Trenches, a talk organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm-3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553.
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Lonesome West. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk
SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting images from club trip to Oxford and Brighton. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Theatre, Pinewood Leisure Complex RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Theatre presents Woman Up: Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History. 7.45pm. £13. Details: www.ebos. org.uk
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Lonesome West. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk
READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe. 8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.
WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham In Need presents CLASP talent show spectacular. 7.30pm. SOLD OUT.
WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.
Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Theatre, Pinewood Leisure Complex RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Theatre presents Woman Up: Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History. 7.45pm. £13. Details: www.ebos.org.uk
WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.
Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, March 11
BURGHFIELD – The Hatch Gate, Reading Road RG30
3TH. Holi Party with Indian buffet. 12.30pm-5pm. £18, children five-10 £5, under fives free. Details: 0118 983 2059.
CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Free entry. Details: jean@alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928.
ENGLEFIELD – Englefield House RG7 5EN. Christopher Burrows piano concert. 7pm. £25. Details: https:// allevents.in/reading/ 10000445998502527
FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Fat Tabby. From noon. Details: www.sirencraftbrew.com
PANGBOURNE – Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, Pangbourne College. The Magic of Mozart, performed by Pangbourne Choral Society. £15, under 18s £8. Details: pangbournechoral.org.uk
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Broad St Mall, Queen’s Walk RG1 7QE. Club Velocity presents I Get Down followed by a Q&A with Dunstan Bruce. Details: readingfilmtheatre. co.uk.
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Details: www. phantombrew.com
READING – Rivermead, Richfield Avenue RG1 8EQ. Holi Festival of Colours: dance performances, talent show & DJ Dance. Noon-5pm. £6, under 8s £3, group of 10 £5, on the door £8. Details: 07877 243109.
READING – St John & St Stephen’s Church, Orts Road. Amnesty International barn dance with the Scamping Rogues. £13, £5 primary school aged children. Includes vegetarian meal. Booking essential. Details: https:// www.trybooking.co.uk/ CDOZ
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL.
Progress Theatre presents The Lonesome West. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk
SONNING – Reading Cricket Club, Sonning Lane RG4 6ST. Reading Indian Community presents Holi Milan 2023: Bollywood DH, food stalls, dance performances, fun fair, children’s entertainment and more. £10. Noon-5pm. Details: ticketsource.co.uk/ artcelebration
WOKINGHAM – Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road RG40 3AL. Artemis College presents The Greatest Showcase. 3pm and 6pm. £12.50, concessions and under 10s £9.50. Details: https://artemis.college/
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Theatre, Pinewood Leisure Complex RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Theatre presents Woman Up: Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History. 7.45pm. £13.
Details: www.ebos.org.uk
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.
Details: linkvisiting.org
WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, March 12
CAVERSHAM – Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am3pm.
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Broad St Mall, Queen’s Walk RG1 7QE. Queen of Glory screening + panel discussion for International Women’s Day. 2pm. £6.50. Details: readingfilmtheatre.co.uk.
READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Vintage Bazaar. Free entry, cash for stalls, card for bar. 1pm-6pm. Details: www. phantombrew.com
READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. The Pickled Onion contest 2023. 3pm-6pm. Details: 0118 376 9159.
READING – St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. Reading Youth Orchestra spring concert: Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, and Bob Good’s Silver. 6pm. Details: https://www. readingyouthorchestra. co.uk/future-concerts/
TILEHURST – Meadway Sports Centre, Conway Close. Baby & Children’s Market selling goods, clothes and toys for pregnancy up to eight years. 11am-12.30pm.
WOKINGHAM – Market Place RG40 1AS. Sparkle Vegan Events presents vegan market. 11am3pm. Details: www. sparkleveganevents.com
1. Who won 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s Lifetime Achievement Award?
2. The TV crime drama series Happy Valley is set in which county?
3. Margrethe II became queen of which country in 1972?
4. What H is a sharp bend in a road and a beauty accessory?
5. ‘And now the end is here, And so I face that final curtain’ is the opening of which Frank Sinatra song?
6. Yossarian, Milo Minderbinder and Major Major Major Major are all characters in which satirical war novel?
7. Which insects feed solely on mulberry leaves?
8. In which section of an orchestra might you find the marimba?
9. The Six Nations Championship is the premier European event in which sport?
10. Who are the main beneficiaries of the privy purse?
Here are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid –but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
1. One has no hurdles to face here in contest for accommodation (4,4)
6. Heavenly body does not quite arrive (4)
8. First coat is red, say, at infants’ school (6)
9. China follows Georgia in the betting (6)
10. Error Pete and I somehow made on range of pieces (10)
12. Eight in outskirts of Sydney are slightly mad (6)
14. Has the broken case (6)
15. Cook sent in more for soup (10)
19. Unconventional exit (3-3)
20. British leader in test of group loyalty (6)
21. Need to remove the sandy tract (4)
22. Allergic reaction to excitement about harvest (3,5)
2. Enticement to misrule? (4)
3. Egg device to merit adjustment (5)
4. It’s a waste of a prize (7)
5. Enthusiastic idea Gerry held (5)
6. Write music about some cop (7)
7. Fewer young people are found in this category (8)
11. Liven up fourth part of play before tea break (8)
13. Sees what has been dug perhaps as a blot on the landscape (7)
14. In an abrupt manner soon (7)
16. Small person goes to church with bird (5)
17. Select group taken from among the literati (5)
18. Time for a fruit (4)
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.
Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
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.
9 28 4 83 6 65 9 1 3 7 8 23 367 25
6 8 7 4 41 2 7 83 946 1
www.tvaw.org.uk
Our feline friends can enjoy a life of luxury, even on a budget. Here, STEVE CHARNOCK looks at ways you can continue to spoil your favourite feline without busting the bank
AUSTERITY, recessions, inflation… There’s always some sort of dastardly outside influence putting pressure on our finances, isn’t there?
The latest one’s so serious it even has the word ‘crisis’ in its name.
The Cost of Living Crisis™ that we’re all currently experiencing, with prices shooting up and wages shooting absolutely nowhere, is putting a strain on many of us. For some, it’s even impacting their status as pet owners.
As sad as it is, many people with cats are in such dire economic straits that they’re having to give up their beloved furry friends in order to cut costs. Something that’s heartbreaking for them and their families and far from ideal for the moggies themselves.
Like many other things, it’s a situation compounded by the Covid-19 lockdowns.
Between March 2020 and March 2021, with everyone stuck at home, bored, dog and cat ownership soared. The UK’s pet population rocketed by more than three million.
The return to normality was welcome, but caused many new pet owners to realise that their new addition wasn’t practical for their ‘normal’ lifestyles.
This surge in cat ownership (26% of all households in the UK currently serve a cat), coupled with recent financial pressures has seen a big spike in cats being handed into rescue charities like ourselves.
To make matters worse, donations to charity are down too. According to research by the Charities Aid Foundation, 2022 saw five million Brits report having donated less money to charities than they had three years ago.
If you’re feeling the pinch and are worried that, should things get worse, you may have to give your cat up, we feel for you. We’d also like to see that fate avoided, just as you would.
As such, as a small gesture of help, we’ve come up with some tips on cost cutting and money saving when it comes to looking after our feline pals…
Wow, what a way to start our advice, by telling you to spend money. The thing is, while pet insurance is yet another unwanted
OR most of us March is the start of the gardening year.
It’s a month of digging and sowing and a time to get busy preparing seed beds, cutting back winter shrubs and generally tidying up around the garden.
In addition to getting vegetable and flower seeds started in the greenhouse or undercover, you can also sow hardy seeds outside into their final positions … depending on where you live in the UK.
Your garden’s climatic conditions will affect when you sow and plant out. In the south that’s going to be March, but the further north you live it will be early or even late April, dependent on frost.
So, thrifty tip for the month is … make seed sowing your garden mantra this year. Seeds are cheap, or free if you harvest your own, and once you have mastered seed sowing you can create a glorious floral or veg haven for almost nothing. A packet containing about 100 seeds can cost a fraction of the price of one plant and will keep you going for a couple of years as it’s unlikely you will use them all in one go.
Many seeds can be sowed straight into the ground either in rows or simply scattered, but some prefer to start off life in seed trays under cover and then be planted out once seedlings are robust enough for the outdoor environment.
You can recycle plastic food trays for growing seeds inside or in a greenhouse – just make a few holes in the bottom for drainage.
monthly or annual charge, it can be a Godsend when it comes to settling up vet bills.
Of course, how well you’re covered and how much you can claim will depend on your premium, but packages start from as little as £10 a month. Which barely gets you two tubs of Lurpak these days.
Buy into a pet health scheme
There’s that word again - ‘buy’. Unfortunately you can’t eradicate costs, but you can keep them down.
If you sign up to your vets’ pet health scheme, a monthly fee will cover you for flea and worm treatments, as well as check-ups, boosters and even things like claw clipping.
You may be surprised to find out just how huge the price ranges of items such as cat litter can be.
Don’t just accept that 10 litres of the stuff costs 15 quid just because that’s what you last paid.
Do a little research.
So long as it works and your cat(s) is happy to use it, there’s nothing wrong with using an own brand at a fraction of the cost. It’s just going to be piddled and pooped on, anyway.
Buy food in bulk
A bit of basic economics here, but worth bearing in mind.
Think ‘economies of scale’ when buying cat food. Order your
pouches or tins en masse to save on the per unit price.
More than two million people are forced to regularly make use of one of the 3,000+ food banks in this country in order to keep their cupboards and fridges stocked.
Increasingly, British pets are relying on donated food to fill their bowls and bellies, with demand for pet food bank food doubling in the past year.
Currently, the only local one is The Berkshire Pet Food Bank, based out of the Bank Best Friends Pet Store on Crowthorne High Street.
Missy
Age: 10 years
Sex: Female
Microchipped: Yes
Neutered: Yes
Vaccinated: No
Can live with other cats: No
Can live with children: No
Missy is a sweet little cat, who is looking for a new home due to her owner’s change of circumstances. She has been checked out by a vet and is in good health. She enjoys fuss and attention on her terms.
It could take Missy a while to settle in her new home so she will patient, understanding owners to give her time and space to settle
If Missy could be just what you’re looking for please register online or call us on 0118 972 2082.
Hebe
Age: 13 years
Sex: Female
Microchipped: Yes
Neutered: Yes
Vaccinated: In Progress
Can live with other cats: No
Can live with children: No
Hebe is a lovely cuddly cat who is looking for a new home due to her owner’s change of circumstances. She enjoys attention and likes to be around or in close contact with people she trusts. She is also surprisingly playful for her age and, before coming into the care of the charity, she used to go outside a lot and is a big hunter. She has been checked out by a vet and is in good health but because of her age will be homed under our Golden Oldie Scheme, which means the charity will cover the
costs of treatment for any future age-related illnesses.
We believe Hebe would best suit a calm and quiet house with people around to give her attention and cuddles and a garden so she can enjoy the outdoors too. As she lived all her life at the same place, she might take a little time to get used to her new environment, but once she is settled she will be a great company.
If Hebe could be just what you’re looking for please register online or call us on 0118 972 2082.
Interested in adopting or fostering? Call TVAW now on 0118 972 2082 Or email: tvawcats30@gmail.com | More cats available at: tvaw.org.uk
Always read the seed packet for sowing instructions and if you can get hold of some seed compost that can make a difference to your success rate. And don’t forget to label.
If sowing in rows straight into the ground, break up large clods of soil, remove stones and rake over then using a taught string line as a guide make a shallow trench. Sprinkle seeds carefully and evenly along the row so that they fall to the bottom of the trench.
Cover seeds with a layer of soil then gently water using a watering can with sprinkler head. Sow seeds to the depth recommended on the packet.
Annuals are prime candidates for scatter sowing, and you can easily fill a bare border or space with a riot of colour in just a couple of months. From mid-spring to early summer simply scatter your flower seeds directly onto finely raked garden soil in a sunny spot, rake them in and water well but gently. No nonsense easy annuals to grow from seed include nasturtiums, sweet peas, cosmos, nigella, marigolds, californian poppies and cornflowers.
Spring flowers such as daffodils are now coming to the end of their flowering period. Advice from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) is that March is a time to think about deadheading daffodils as a little care now will keep bulbs healthy. Let the leaves yellow and wither naturally, so they return nutrients to the bulb. If the weather turns dry, they will benefit from watering, and if they are growing in pots, feed weekly with a potassium-rich fertiliser such as tomato feed.
Favourite varieties include Narcissus ‘February Gold’ that has early bright-yellow flowers in February; Narcissus ‘Fragrant Rose’ with a scented, soft pink daffodil flower that appears in April; and Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ the much loved miniature with bright yellow trumpet flowers that show in March and April.
The RHS Gardener’s Checklist for March
n Plant onions, shallots and potatoes
n Chit early and main potatoes
n Plant out strawberries
n Plant summer flowering bulbs
n Lift and divide large clumps of perennials
n Top dress containers with fresh compost
n Mow lawn on dry days if needed
n Hoe and mulch weeds to keep them under control
n Start feeding pond fish
n Protect new spring shoots from slugs
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Ince scored twice against his
READING FC are on the brink of facing another points deduction if found guilty of breaching the EFL’s business plan, according to reports.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that the Royals are again under threat of receiving what would be their second points deduction in 18 months.
Reading were deducted six points last campaign and had a suspended points deduction of six points if they failed to comply with the EFL’s business plan.
In that season, they finished just one place and four points above the relegation zone in a tense fight for survival, while relegation rivals Derby County were deducted 21 points.
The Royals have been under a transfer embargo for the last two seasons which means they have been limited to signing only free agents and loan players after breaching the EFL’s profit and sustainability rules in previous years.
Reading were put under a business plan by the EFL in order to comply with financial rules, but it has been alleged that the club has broken certain regulations.
A punishment of deducted points this season could see the Royals dragged into another relegation scrap.
former club, while Carroll kept up his 100% record from the spot to see the Royals move up to 14th in the Championship table.
Paul Ince’s men are now 13 points clear of the relegation zone, but will need to fix their troubled away record to keep away from relegation danger.
“We’ve had a brilliant record at home this season,” said Carroll.
“We just have to take that into the away games now and we know that.
“There was a lot of confidence out there. The lads passed it and moved it, we changed it up a little bit and we played really well.
“The penalty that I scored kind of killed it off and Tom Ince scored again right after that. That’s what good teams do – they dominate when they need to and take their chances.”
Reading face a tricky test this weekend when they travel to face third placed Middlesbrough.
Paul Ince’s team are currently in 14th position on 44 points from 33 games.
A six point deduction would see Reading drop down to 20th in the current standings and would put them just seven points above the drop zone with 13 Championship games still left to play.
RAMS gaffer Seb Reynolds said it wasn’t the ‘prettiest’ victory, as the side overcame Birmingham Moseley with a bonus point win.
Having fallen 14-0 down early on to a brace of converted Ryan Roach tries from the maul, Rams began to take control of possession and territory and crossed the whitewash twice before the break through Max Hayman and captain Robbie Stapley.
They continued to put pressure on their opponents throughout the third quarter. After hitting the front through Hayman’s second –added to by Rowan Grundy – Moseley hit back with an excellent Jide Ajayi score.
A Dan Lewis conversion pushed the Midlanders 21-17 in front, but with four minutes remaining, Hayman smashed his way over for
a hat-trick and despite another home rally, Rams were able to see the game out for a seventh straight bonus-point victory.
The director of rugby said Birmingham deserved credit for their performance and the way they played.
“They took their chances early on and it gave them a decent lead,” Reynolds said.
“They also came back well towards the end when they scored a lovely multi-phase try which really got their crowd behind them.
“Any team which beats Cambridge and puts 40 points on Cinderford is a very good side, so we knew what was coming.
“We gave them a headstart which led to a tense fixture – probably not the prettiest.
“With all that being said, we came through it very well and it’s a sign we’ve got a good group of players.”
Having suffered the double early setback, Rams enjoyed the bulk of the play.
“On a different afternoon we perhaps could have been 15-20 points up at one stage,” Reynolds said.
“We had territorial pressure at the end of the first half before we coughed up the ball on their line, and the same in the second where we gave away a freekick, lost field position and then they scored.
“If you knew every week you were going to take your chances and it would be plain sailing there’d be no point playing the game because it would be boring, but (in National One) wherever you go you could lose.
“We’re just glad we pulled through and got the result.”
“Our bench really added to the game, Paul Englezos added energy, Connor
Stapley did well, and the halfback change just triggered something.
“It’s always tricky doing that, but I thought Rowan (Grundy) was good bringing the ball to the line and getting runners into the game.”
The last of the substitutes, hooker Ollie Moffitt, celebrated his 50th cap off the bench and Reynolds ended by praising both him and starting No. 2, hat-trick hero Hayman.
“Max has kicked on again and it’s what we hoped he’d do when he came across from Newbury (in 2019), so in many ways he’s just doing what I thought he would,” Reynolds said.
n Rams are back at Old Bath Road next Saturday as Leeds Tykes visit for the third-last home contest of the season (3pm).
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.todaySouth Central Women’s Thames 2
SONNING 4S lost ground on the top two in the table after they were held to a goalless draw at home to Yateley.
The stalemate means that Sonning remain above Yateley in the table having played one more match.
Sonning are in third position on 29 points from 17 games, six points behind second placed Henley 3s and 15 points behind leaders Amersham & Chalfont 5s.
South Central Men’s North Division One
SONNING kept up their title push
by smacking eight past Banbury 2s with an emphatic victory.
The 8-1 success, which is Sonning’s 10th win of the campaign, gives them a two point lead at the top with five more matches left to play.
READING 3s picked up three points in their Tuesday night win at home to PHOENIX READING.
The win sees Reading climb up to fifth on the table on 26 points from 15 matches.
Phoenix Reading are in eighth position on 19 points from 15 games.
South Central Men’s North Division Two
SOUTH BERKSHIRE stay in the relegation fight after they lost out away to Eastcote 2s.
FA WOMEN’S CUP
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Spurs 0 Reading 0 (4-5 Pens)
READING FC WOMEN moved through to the FA Women’s Cup quarter-finals with a penalty shootout victory away at Tottenham Hotspur.
After the sides were unable to be separated throughout 120 minutes of football, the cup tie had to be decided from the spot.
In a tense shootout, Lauren Wade hit the winning penalty for the Royals after Kerys
Harrop struck the crossbar for Spurs.
Spurs went close to grabbing a lead early in the match when Ashleigh Neville burst forward on the overlap after stealing the ball from Emma Mukandi, but her shot rolled across the six-yard box and just evaded her onrushing teammate.
Moloney had to stay on her toes to keep out an acrobatic effort from Nikola Karczewska which turned out to be a comfortable stop for the Royals keeper.
The Royals worked an opening on the left and were
able to test the goalkeeper with a shot from Charlie Wellings that was easily saved.
Kelly Chambers’ team got on the front foot and almost grabbed a lead with an outrageous effort from Jade Moore. She spotted the keeper off her line and tried to catch her out despite being wide on the right, but the keeper recovered to make the stop.
Moving into the secondhalf, midfielder Rachel Rowe strode forward with purpose, skipped past two challenges before unleashing a fierce strike that lifted just over the
target in what would have been a spectacular solo strike had it found the net.
With the game still level after 90 minutes, the teams moved into 30 minutes of extra time to try and find a winner.
Spurs again tested Moloney with a shot from distance from Rosella Ayane that was turned behind for a corner.
The best chance of the game came late in the day for Spurs when Ayane’s burst down the right followed with her picking out Kit Graham in the middle. The forward did well to bring the ball under her spell,
but couldn’t apply a finish as she skewed her shot wide of the post.
But neither side were unable to break the deadlock and the game had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
The penalties were on a knifes edge, similar to the game after 120 minutes of football, with four successful penalties from each side.
However, it was Reading who had the advantage when Harrop stepped up and narrowly missed the top corner when her shot bounced off the crossbar, giving the Royals
the chance to take the tie with their next kick.
Wade accepted the challenge and dispatched her spot kick beyond the keeper into the bottom right corner to send Reading through to the last eight of the competition.
TOTTENHAM: Korpela, Turner, Bartrip, Harrop, Karczewska, Ale, Bizet, James, Iwabuchi, Spence, Neville
Subs: Graham, Ugogagu, Ayane, Zadorski, Houghton, Gunning-Williams, Spencer READING: Moloney, Mukandi, Evans, Wellings, Eikeland, Harries, Mayi Kith, Moore, Rowe, Vanhaevermaet, Woodham
Subs: Caldwell, Alexander, Wade, Troelsgaard, Bryson, Burns, Hendrix
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Combined Counties
Premier North
League leaders ASCOT UNITED strengthened their title push with a last-minute winner to beat WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK
It seemed as if the Sumas would earn an impressive away point to ease their relegation fears, but they suffered a heartbreaking end to the match.
But with the game in the 93rd minute and with time running out, the Yellas found the winner when Marcus Mealing found Rob Gerrard who smacked the ball past the goalkeeper to break the deadlock in the dying seconds.
Ascot are eight points clear at the top of the table after 24 matches.
The Sumas are one place above the bottom of the table on 17 points and have played two more matches than bottom side Oxhey Jets.
READING CITY maintained their push near the top of the league by defeating Oxhey Jets. With the game goalless right up until the final few moments of the match the Cityzens found a winner in the dying embers of the game.
Dan Davies popped up with the all important goal to head in from Eddie Lazarczuk’s corner to help the Cityzens to a 1-0 win.
City are in third on 57 points, level on points and with two games in hand on second
placed Egham Town.
Combined Counties
Division One
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA added three points to their total with a comfortable victory over CB Hounslow United.
Ben Anderson scored the opener after 15 minutes to get the Boars off to a fine start and it didn’t take long for them to add to their lead when Ross Mckernan got on the end of Luke Cox’s corner to make it 2-0.
The Boars found their third of the game with virtually the last kick of the match when Dionis Pipero was fouled in the box and Brad Brown smacked the penalty down the middle to seal a 3-0 success.
Eversley are in 12th on 35 points from 25 games.
WOODLEY UNITED dropped down a place into 14th after they missed out against Molesey.
Pedro Monteiro scored the opening goal of the game to put Woodley in front, but the
hosts levelled the game before half-time.
The home team scored twice more in the second-half to take a 3-1 lead and despite a stoppage time goal from Woodley to make it 3-2, they weren’t able to grab a point. BERKS COUNTY lost ground on the top three after losing to Westside.
After finding themselves two goals behind at the break, an improved second-half saw Luke Hayden grab a goal back for the Swords.
They were unable to salvage a point in just their seventh league defeat of the campaign.
Berks are in fourth on 49 points from 26 games with games in hand on all the sides above them in the standings.
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA climbed into sixth place by beating Kidlington Youth.
Goals from Frankie Boekbinder, Joey Harfield-Brown and Mia Caulcrick saw the Boars take a 3-1 win.
The Boars are in sixth on 12 points from 11 games.
TILEHURST PANTHERS progressed to the final four of the competition after knocking out ASCOT UNITED RESERVES
Leah Why scored the decisive goals by putting the Panthers ahead just before the hour mark and she sealed the win with her second goal in the 84th minute.
WARGRAVE moved through to the next round with a magnificent win in a nine-goal cup tie.
Goals from Alison Richarsdhon, Millie Bilcliff and a double from Hannah Sheehan gave Wargrave a 4-1 lead at the break.
Sheehan sealed her hat-trick in the second-half and Bilcliff added a sixth goal for Wargrave to confirm a 6-3 win.
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA RESERVES booked their place in the next round with an away win at Denham United Reserves.
Laura Comerford netted a double and Katie Rebecca Sayer scored the other to help the Boars to a 3-1 victory.
S4K BERKS COUNTY lost out on the road at Stonesfield West Oxfordshire.
S4K are in seventh position on 12 points from 12 matches.
CAVERSHAM AFC progressed with a penalty shootout victory against Ruislip Rangers 2s.
After a 1-1 draw in normal time, Caversham were winners of the shootout by 4-2. BURGHFIELD ensured they moved through to the next round with a shootout success.
Thames Valley Premier League
YATELEY UNITED sealed the league title by making it 16 wins from 16 to continue their faultless record.
In a seven-goal contest against BURGHFIELD, a brace from Myles White and goals from Charlie Westell and Joshua Hennah ensured that Yateley claimed the points with a 4-3 success.
Yateley’s remarkable record sees
them confirm themselves as league champions with four games to go after building an unassailable lead at the top.
WARGRAVE got the better of FINCHAMPSTEAD with a spectacular performance.
Despite Wargrave being eight places behind Finch, they managed to produce a stunning display as doubles from both Joe Wigmore and Sam Wild helped them to a 4-1 victory.
The win sees Wargrave move 10 points clear of bottom side Reading City U23s.
Thames Valley Division One
HURST lost ground on the top two after suffering just their third defeat of the season.
Shaun Bannon and Jamie Broadley both netted for Hurst, but they were beaten 6-2.
They remain in third position, five points behind second placed AFC Winkfield and trail top of the table Tadley Calleva Reserves by seven points, but have two games in hand on both.
WOODLEY UNITED ROYALS stay rooted to the bottom of the table
after they were edged out by league leaders Tadley Calleva Reserves.
Ryan Rowlands and James Armstrong both scored for the Kestrels, but in a tight contest, they lost out 4-2.
BURGHFIELD RESERVES maintained their spot at the top with a win over SB Phoenix Reserves as Lorenzo Medford scored the only goal of the game to give the Fielders three points.
THIS week I would like to pass on my own reminisces of John Motson, the greatly admired football match commentator for the BBC who sadly died last week.
I first met John when as chairman of the Reading Referees Association, I invited him to be our guest speaker.
Perhaps as to be expected the hall was packed with members.
I still recall one comment that he made “referees and television commentators have one thing in common when faced with an incident on the pitch.
We will only have split seconds to make up our mind and sometimes we are going to get it wrong”
John was known for his list of statistics which he researched himself. Mark Lawrenson, who often shared a commentary box with John, said everything had to be 100% correct and he never got it wrong.
Perhaps I am the only person to correct him, although I must admit that it wasn’t his fault.
The original manager of Premier League’s referees, before Mike Riley, but who’s name I forget, told his assistant referees not to flag for offside unless there was day light between the attacking and defending players.
After hearing this John criticised an assistant referee for flagging when only half of an attacker was in front of the second last defender.
I pointed out in my weekly column that the assistant referee was quite correct. The law states a player is in an offside position if any part of his head, body or feet is in the opponent’s half, nearer the opponent’s goal line than the ball and the second last opponent.
A week later I received a phone call from John. I ought to point out that if I criticised anyone in my column about a point of law, I send them a copy as I don’t want anyone thinking I am going behind their back.
John told me that on receiving it he showed his thoroughness by contacting a FIFA referee who told him that I was right.
Some weeks later I got another phone call from John inviting me and my wife to a dinner at Bletchley for a presentation of a medal to a BBC colleague from the FA for fifty years of refereeing.
As he knew I too was a long serving referee he thought I would be interested. But that is another story.
Remembering football legend, John MotsonKate Stewart and Natalie White scored for the Fawkes, but they lost out 3-2.
READING 3 BLACKPOOL 1
Joe Lumley
Made a smart save to keep out Gary Madine at the end of the first half. Was visibly disappointed to lose the clean sheet.
Amadou Mbengue
Went about his business diligently. Perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch after a poorly-timed challenge in the second half.
Scott Dann
A competent display from the defender who was rarely troubled. Contained Madine and Carey for most of the game.
Naby Sarr
No frills in what was an assured performance, barring a couple of moments of uncertainty.
Commanded the back four well.
Tom McIntyre
Struggled to handle the threat offered by Josh Bowler early on but grew into the game. Did well in the left-back role.
Jeff Hendrick
Did the simple things really well throughout the afternoon, giving Casadei and Ince the licence to get forward.
Cesare Casadei
Really positive showing from the Chelsea loanee. Kept things tidy in midfield and made some useful runs into the box.
Tom Ince
Snatched his eighth and ninth goals of the season against his former side. A fantastic performance from the midfielder.
Junior Hoilett
Did not have as much joy in the left wing position as he would have liked. Was replaced on the hour mark by Femi Azeez.
Yakou Meite
Phenomenal down Reading’s right. Skipped past his marker time and again, winning the penalty and setting up Ince’s second.
Andy Carroll
Another great showing from the stand-in skipper. Slotted home his penalty with aplomb.
SUBS
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.todayREADING FC continued to flourish at home as a brace from Tom Ince either side of Andy Carroll’s penalty gave the Royals three points against Blackpool.
Ince put the Royals in front after 12 minutes after his shot took a deflection on its way in.
They then struck quickly with two goals in two minutes as Andy Carroll slotted in from the penalty spot before Ince grabbed his second to put the game beyond Blackpool.
6 9
7 7 8
8 7
The Tangerines notched a consolation goal deep into stoppage time to prevent Reading from keeping a clean sheet.
The win moves Reading up to 14th in the Championship table, 13 points clear of the drop zone.
Paul Ince made four switches from Reading’s late defeat at Cardiff City last Friday night.
A new-look midfield saw Jeff Hendrick return from illness, while Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei was handed his second start since joining in January.
Yakou Meite was given a start up top to partner Andy Carroll, while Tom Ince returned to the line-up having missed out at Cardiff through fatigue.
The Royals boss set his side up with a four-at-the-back system opposed to the usual formation of deploying five in the back line.
The hosts won a couple of early corners but were unable to make anything of it.
Naby Sarr then went close for the Royals when he latched on to
GAFFER Paul Ince said there were lots of pleasing aspects after the Royals’ comfortable 3-1 win over Blackpool.
A double from Tom Ince and a successful penalty from Andy Carroll lifted Reading up to 14th, 13 points clear of the relegation zone.
“There was a lot (to be pleased about),” said Ince.
“The way we passed the ball and the chances we created.
“I still feel we start games pretty slow sometimes and Blackpool had a good chance before we clicked into our play so we could have been 1-0 down.
READING: Lumley, Mbengue, Sarr, Dann, McIntyre, Hoilett, Hendrick, Casadei, Ince, Meite, Carroll SUBS: Bouzanis, Abbey, Guinness-Walker, Fornah, Loum, Azeez, Long
BLACKPOOL: Maxwell, Lyons, Nelson, Thorniley, Husband, Garbutt, Carey, Connolly, Bowler, Madine, Lavery SUBS: Grimshaw, Gabriel, Dougall, Hamilton, Rogers, Poveda, Patino
GOALS: Ince 12’, 72’, Carroll 70’ (pen), Carey 90+4’
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Tom Ince
“Our home form is one of the best in the league. That’s not bad for a misfit team.
“The only disappointing thing is in the first half we didn’t kill off the game, we should have been two or 3-0 up.
“We then defended deep and couldn’t get the ball, but we never looked like we were really under any pressure.
“With the second goal I could breathe and start looking forward to Middlesbrough.”
Ince picked out the performances of Yakou Meite, Tom Ince and Cesare Casadei who contributed greatly to the victory.
He continued: “Yak was outstanding. You can see he enjoyed that position.
Ince’s free-kick and headed just over the target.
Having missed the creative spark that Tom Ince provides that the side dearly missed last week, it took just 13 minutes for Reading’s star man to make his impact.
After drifting into the box and working the ball onto his right foot, Ince drove a low shot goalwards that took a deflection off a defender to defy Chris Maxwell and find the net to put the Royals in front.
There was reluctance from Ince
“He flies past people and was back to his best.
“I was really pleased with him because he hasn’t played for three or four weeks.
“In a 4-3-3 you have to get back and defend and he did that very well.
“If you give him a one on one, he can cause so many problems.
“I was pleased with Ches (Cesare Casadei). When you come from Italy the tempo of football is a lot different to Championship football.
to celebrate having netted against his former side who he played for more than 100 times during a threeyear spell.
The home team went in search of a second goal when Ince tried to pick out Carroll in the middle with a cross that just evaded the forward. A burst down the right from Yakou Meite should have led to Reading’s second, but the Ivorian was unable to pick out a teammate with his cut back that was swept away by Mick McCarthy’s side.
“He’s had a couple of weeks of training to get into that tempo and you saw he was getting there.
“I wish was our player, but he’s got to go back to Chelsea.
“He did really well and will get better.
“His (Tom Ince’s) influence was immense. We all appreciate him.
“He’s capable of scoring goals, he’s a goalscorer.
“What he’s added now is work rate. He moans a lot but he’s a winner.
“He wasn’t happy because I took him off, he wanted to get a hat-trick.”
‘He was outstanding’ Ince praises Meite’s impact
READING FC forward Andy Carroll praised the individual performances of Yakou Meite and Cesare Casadei in the Royals’ win over Blackpool.
Meite played his part and was a livewire in attack for Reading, while Casadei showed his creative influence in just his second appearance for the club since joining on loan from Chelsea.
“Yakou Meite was brilliant today (Saturday),” said Carroll, who captained the side in their home victory last weekend.
“Cesare Casadei was brilliant, I thought he was fantastic in midfield.
“Cesare was everywhere, he was defending, attacking and all sorts. Same with Yakou, he was incredible.
“All the lads were great, we all grafted and everyone played their part.
“All the lads are dancing around happy in the dressing room, that’s what we’ve got as a team in the dressing room.
“When we’ve played poorly we know and we put it right.”
Carroll expressed his delight to take the captain’s armband in Andy Yiadom’s absence, but is looking forward to the club captain returning to the team this weekend.
He continued: “We’ve got some really good players and we’re still missing some of the lads too.
Carroll did excellently to bring down a crossfield ball from Amadou Mbengue on his chest, but couldn’t find a finish to match as he smacked a half volley over the top.
The Tangerines had the final chance of the half to try and get into the break level when Gary Madine got the ball under control in the box and forced a late corner after his shot was deflected behind after narrowly missing the far post.
Tricky winger Josh Bowler continued to cause problems throughout the second-half and won his side a free-kick on the right after skipping past Casadei attempted challenge.
With plenty of Blackpool players waiting in the box for a delivery, Luke Garbutt wasted the opportunity with his effort falling into the grateful arms of Joe Lumley.
The visitors established control to get on the front foot in the early proceedings of the second-half as Reading struggled for possession.
Reading broke at pace through Meite who sprinted down on goal and with two defenders in pursuit of the Ivorian, he was tripped in the box, leading the referee no choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Carroll stepped up and confidently stroked the ball into the
bottom right corner to double the lead.
Just minutes later, the game was all but done when Blackpool’s clearance from Meite’s cut back fell into the path of Ince who slotted into the net to give the hosts a commanding lead.
With the win wrapped up, Reading made a triple change with 10 left to play as Shane Long, Nelson Abbey and Mamadou Loum replaced Casadei, Mbengue and Meite.
The visitors scored with virtually the final kick of the game to prevent the Royals from keeping a clean sheet.
READING FC face a tough test on the road to try and amend their away troubles against promotion pushing Middlesbrough.
Paul Ince’s men have boasted a stellar home record this season, with the fourth best in the division, but are at the other end of the scale on their travels.
Reading have won just three away matches from 17 attempts which means they have the second worst away record in the league.
Meanwhile, Saturday’s opponents have been consistent both home and away and are pushing to win promotion
to the Premier League.
Boro started the season with Chris Wilder at the helm, but he was sacked in October with the club sitting in the relegation places after 11 matches.
It has been a dramatic turnaround on Teeside since then as they have flown up the Championship table under Michael Carrick.
After being appointed in his first managerial position, the former Manchester United midfielder has captured the attention of many by transforming the fortunes of the side.
Despite suffering defeat to West Brom last weekend, which brought an end to a run of five successive wins, Boro are knocking on the door of the automatic promotion places.
After 34 matches, Middlesbrough are on 57 points which puts them seven behind second placed Sheffield United.
Boro’s form has been in part thanks to striker Chuba Akpom who is the league’s top scorer.
Akpom has netted 19 goals in 27 matches and seems to have found his feet in the Championship after his loan
spell in Greece last campaign.
In the reverse fixture, it was the Royals who went away with all three points when the team’s met in August at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Tyrese Fornah’s 28th minute strike proved to be the only goal of the game to help Reading continue their superb start to the season.
Reading’s last trip to Boro, in January 2022, ended in defeat.
Andy Carroll had given Reading the lead, but Matt Crooks broke Reading hearts with an 84th minute equaliser before he netted a dramatic 95th minute winner.
“Andy Yiadom is one of those and, of course, I’ve been really happy to take the armband for a couple of games and take that responsibility, that’s no problem, but we’ve got a club captain ready to come back next weekend at Middlesbrough.
“I say it all the time – it’s a tough league. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing the top team or the bottom team, it’s going to be a difficult game.
“We’ve just got to play like we did against Blackpool and give 100%, not fall into the trap of thinking we’ve won a game and can relax.
“We’re going into the next game to win and the one after that again.
“That’s what we need to have in this team.”
By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today
READING ROCKETS ensured they kept their season on track with an away win at Westminster Warriors.
With a late tip-off due to a facility issue coupled to a game the evening before, the Rockets weren’t disrupted due to their meticulous preparation, they took off with a pair of steals which Jordan Jackson finished with a dunk and lay-up sandwiched with a big rejection of Warriors first offense.
The hosts responded but the mercurial Jermiah Jenkins sent an assist to Reis Pinnock to score with a reverse lay-up before he himself rejected another Warriors effort.
A brace of trebles by Jenkins and Zack Powell couped to strong defence saw Rockets enjoy a 28-13 first quarter lead.
Warriors struck first in the second period with eight quick points to just four from Rockets but Finleigh Porter spun twice to score before Jenkins gave an assist to Jackson prior to a superb bounce pass from Pinnock to Ben Dixon to finish and see Rockets retain their double digit advantage at 38-27.
Troy Cracknell finished a great three man play drawing a foul as he finished, so making it a threepoint play but this was bettered moments later with a Rockets five man play finished with a treble for wide out
by captain Dixon.
Rockets lit up this latter part of the second quarter with some scintillating basketball as Pinnock went coast to coast , Jenkins spun away form his opponent , drove and finished well as Rockets headed to the interval 52-35 ahead.
Again Warriors scored first but a Cracknell buzzer beating spin score hurt the hosts before a pair of great floor recoveries kept the ball in play for Dixon to hit another treble.
Though Warriors hit three
trebles in this third period Rockets play remained fast and pleasant to watch as they maintained a 15-18 lead and despite a buzzer beating floater form Pinnock found themselves just 70-56 ahead as the final stanza approached.
Warriors were arguing amongst themselves, even the coaches so having received one technical call and exchanges between the Coach and Assistant the Head Coach left the arena. Moments later the Assistant got his second technical
By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today
KINGFISHER A now need just a few more points to confirm their title defence as they breezed past bottom club READING FC 10-0.
Mike Childs came close to upsetting Ross Saxby as he spurned a couple of match points going down 11-6 11-7 8-11 16-18 3-11.
Second met third when
OUR LADY OF PEACE A hosted KINGFISHER D but it was the visitors who came out on top in a fantastic tussle. Both Ryan Chung and Graham Mendick overcame Ian Cole, Justin Mead and Mo Cook to seal the 4-6 result.
Elsewhere Young Theo Kniep helped Kingfisher B to a 6-4 victory over two-player
SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD
A team including a comingof-age performance over Neil Hurford 11-5 11-5 11-8.
Another Prayrit Ahluwalia
maximum, including the scalp of Ed Lush, could not stop a 4-6 defeat for struggling KINGFISHER C at Sonning Common & Peppard B, while Dave Croucher’s triple saw SONNING SPORTS A through with another 6-4 win, this time over TILEHURST RBL A
In the SC&P local derby league leaders SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D consolidated their position at the top of the division two table with a 7-3 win over SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C with Danny Dockree getting his customary maximum, alongside Jon Abbott.
The tightest set of the night was the D team’s Jonathan Abbott just edging out Nigel Maltby in four very close games 6-11 14-12 15-13 12-10.
TIDMARSH B moved up to second place in the division with an 8-2 win over relegation threatened OUR LADY OF PEACE C with Dale Ballard getting a very good maximum.
The highlight set was OLOP’s Sanket Dave recovering from two games down to beat Francois Durand in five.
KINGFISHER G jumped up into third place and into the promotion battle with a comprehensive 9-1 win over a weakened TILEHURST METHODISTS A team with Satej Jaywant and Savva Chistodoulou getting maximums for the Kingfisher side.
Tilehurst’s Bill Stamatiou had a good comeback win in five against Kingfisher captain Andrew Adair. In a mid-table clash TILEHURST RBL B beat OUR LADY OF PEACE B 6-4.
The highlight set was Tilehurst’s Nick Lean overcoming the difficult to beat Darak Kaminski 11-9 in the fifth after losing the fourth 14-16 from a commanding winning position. OLOP’s Dave Godfrey had a good comeback win against John Willcocks winning 11-8 in the fifth having lost the first two games.
foul was forced to leave the arena too. Rockets stayed calm as Head Coach Samit Nurzade played his full roster with the academy young men not only scoring but seeing Rockets to a 96-75 victory keeping Rockets in fourth place in the league.
Top scorers for Rockets were Troy Cracknell with 22 points, Jermiah Jenkins with 21 points and Reis Pinnock with 17 points.
READING FC WOMEN will be looking to ease their relegation fears in the Women’s Super League when they host West Ham United on Sunday.
The Royals returned from the latest international break with a spring in their step after making it through to the FA Cup quarterfinals with a penalty shootout success away at Tottenham Hotspur.
Kelly Chambers will be hoping her side can now take that momentum into the league where they face a tense relegation battle to try and preserve their top flight status.
Reading go into Sunday’s match just one point above the drop zone, ahead of Leicester City having played one game more.
Sunday’s visitors to the SCL have managed to avoid getting dragged into the relegation battle having won five of their 13 WSL games.
The teams have already met once this season in the league in October as the Irons collected three points.
In a disastrous first-half for the Royals, West Ham stormed into a three-goal lead with goals from Dagny Brynjarsdottir and a double from Viviane Asseyi.
Reading came out after half-time with a renewed vigour and spirit and clawed back two goals, firstly from Charlie Wellings before Sanne Troeslgaard scored from the penalty spot with eight minutes to go.
But Reading were unable to complete the turnaround to claim a point.
Saturday, February 25
FOOTBALL Championship
Reading 3-1 Blackpool
Southern League Premier South
Bracknell Town 0-2 Poole Town
Isthmian South Central Binfield 1-2 Westfield
Combined Counties Premier North
Ascot United 1-0 Sumas
Reading City 1-0 Oxhey Jets
Combined Counties Division One
Eversley & California 3-0 CB
Hounslow United
Molesey 3-2 Woodley United Westside 2-1 Berks County
Thames Valley Premier League SB Phoenix 3-0 Reading City U23s
Wargrave 4-1 Finchampstead
Yateley United 4-3 Burghfield
RUGBY UNION
National League One Birmingham Moseley 21-24 Rams
HOCKEY
Men’s National Premier Division
Holcombe 6-0 Reading
Women’s National Premier Division
Reading v Uni of Nottingham
Sunday, February 26
FOOTBALL
Women’s FA Cup
Tottenham 0-0 Reading (4-5 on pens)
Southern Region Women’s Division One North
Eversley & California 3-1 Kidlington Youth
Thames Valley Women’s League Cup
Ascot United Reserves 0-2
TIlehurst Panthers
Larkspur Rovers 3-6 Wargrave
Denham United 1-3 Eversley & California Reserves
Thames Valley Women’s Division Two
Stonesfield 3-2 S4K Berks County
Thames Valley Women’s Plate
Caversham AFC 1-1 Ruislip Rangers (4-2 pens)
Launton 1-1 Burghfield (2-4 pens)
Tower Hill 1-3 Shinfield Rangers
Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S
Yateley United 4-2 Hawley
Thames Valley Women’s Development Division
Burghfield Reserves 1-2 Stanford in the Vale
Saturday, March 4 FOOTBALL Championship
Middlesbrough v Reading
Southern League Premier South
North Leigh v Bracknell Town
Isthmian South Central Sutton Rovers v Binfield
Combined Counties Premier North
Ascot United v Edgware & Kingsbury
Reading City v Spelthorne Sports Sumas v Wembley
Combined Counties Division One Berks County v CB Hounslow United
Bedfont v Woodley United Spartans Youth v Eversley & California
Thames Valley Premier League
Reading City U23s v Burghfield Reading YMCA v Wraysbury Village
Westwood Wanderers v Wargrave
RUGBY UNION
National League One Rams v Leeds Tykes
South West Regional 2 Reading v Witney
HOCKEY
South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire v Wycombe
South Central Women’s North Division 2 Staines v South Berkshire
Sunday, March 5
FOOTBALL
Women’s Super League Reading v West Ham
HOCKEY
Men’s National Premier League Reading v Surbiton
Women’s National Premier League UOB v Reading
Southern Region Women’s Premier Winchester City Flyers v Ascot United
Southern Region Women’s Division One North Kidlington Youth v Woodley United Milton United v Eversley & California
Thames Valley Women’s Division One New Bradwell v Tilehurst Panthers
Wargrave v Ascot United Reserves
Thames Valley Women’s Division Two
S4K Berks County v Goring United
Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Burghfield v Hillingdon Abbots