Reading Today, May 4, 2022 by Wokingham.Today

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Roadwork delays: CityFibre called to meeting

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By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today TELECOMMS provider CityFibre has been summoned to face questioning by Reading Borough Council over its performance.

Numerous complaints have been lodged about the company’s roadworks causing considerable delays and an alleged failure to properly communicate with residents. After weeks of disruption were caused by works on the Oxford Road in October last year, Reading Borough Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Tony Page, said at a council meeting that residents had made their dissatisfaction with the delays known. He also warned that a removal of the contractor could be necessary. Cllr Page said: “The latest round of chaos brought about by the Instalcom works leaves the Council with no option but to summon Greg Mesch, the chief executive of CityFibre, to attend the next meeting of its SEPT Committee and answer questions about their performance.” Cllr Page, lead councillor on the strategic environment, planning, and transport committee, met with Instalcom in March seeking assurances that works in Caversham would cause minimum disruption. However, a number of complaints had been made from residents suggesting that further disruptions and delays had been caused. “It follows a previous warning that it is something we would consider if their day-to-day operation did not improve,” Cllr Page explained. “Despite promises from City Fibre of additional training sessions for Instalcom’s construction teams at the time, and recent assurances from Instalcom itself ahead of these latest works, improvements have not come to fruition.” n Continued on page 2

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PARTY ON! Concerts, Water Fest and a bit of pomp and circumstance will help Reading mark Jubilee By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today FOUR DAYS of celebrations, featuring activities for all ages, will be held across Reading to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It includes the return of Water Fest, a special tribute concert, and nearly 60 street parties in every corner of the borough. The events launch on Thursday, June 2, with a beacon lighting ceremony in Forbury Gardens. Reading’s beacon will be one of

1,500 lit across the country in recognition of the Queen’s service. To make the event, which starts at 9.15pm, special, there will be performances from Reading Scottish Pipe Band and Reading Male Voice Choir. Entry will be free, but ticketed. These will be available to reserve from Thursday, May 6. For those who want to take part, but unable to get a ticket, the event will be streamed online. There will be two concerts over the Jubilee weekend. n Continued on page 6

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Dementia advice from the experts

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Everyone’s dementia journey is different. Uncover lesser-known facts from our dementia experts to help you navigate caring for a loved one. At Parsons Grange care home, we’re here for you every step of the way. Download our free dementia guide, Let’s talk about dementia, 21 things everyone should know or call 0118 321 8832 to request a printed copy.

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Shall we talk about dementia? Some 900,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, and by 2040 this is likely to rise to around 1.6 million. One person in every 20 over the age of 65 has dementia, and one in every five people over 80 has the condition. Dementia can affect a person in different ways because it may impact their memory, language and behaviour and even their mobility, coordination and vision. If you have an older loved one who has recently been diagnosed with dementia, what can you expect as their condition progresses? How will they change, and how can you best support them? Tackling common challenges ‘Let’s talk about dementia’ is a new guide from leading care home provider, Care UK, which tackles 21 common questions and scenarios that families experience as they navigate their loved one’s condition. This free guide captures the real life experiences of relatives of Care UK residents living with dementia plus advice from expert care home managers. The result is a resource packed full of

vital insights into how to approach the physical, behavioural and emotional challenges of dementia.

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Did you know that people with dementia may walk with purpose, often pacing for hours at a time? Or that they can experience a restlessness called sundowning syndrome? Many people also don’t realise that their loved one may still look for companionship and physical affection. ‘Let’s talk about dementia’ addresses these areas and many more.

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Time to talk While there’s still no cure for dementia, we do have the knowledge to help those who have it to live well. ‘Let’s talk about dementia’ is a powerful resource that family members, friends and the wider community can use to support people with dementia to enjoy a happy and fulfilled life.

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A MEETING has been called by the people who run the Royal Berkshire Hospital, aimed at exploring the how to maintain its listed buildings. The London Road site has the same grade listing as Buckingham Palace, but there are plans to redevelop the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s services, which could include moving to a new site, such as the one mooted for Shinfield. The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust’s team, Building Berkshire Together, will hold the online engagement session next week to talk about the history of the buildings, and the challenges the site presents. The session will feature talks by Richard Havelock, Chairman of Management Committee, Berkshire

Medical Heritage Centre & Royal Berkshire Hospital Medical Museum and Ed McGeehin, Head of Capital Projects at RBFT A spokesperson said: “We would welcome anyone with an interest in the redevelopment and the preservation of the listed buildings to join us.

“Please register your interest for this event and receive the webinar link or share your thoughts by emailing buildingberkshiretogether@ royalberkshire.nhs.uk. You can also join the network and be the first to know about the upcoming events and latest news.” They added: “The Building Berkshire Together team are also keen to come to you; so if you run a local community group or have a meeting or event that we can speak at to let as many of the community know about the hospital redevelopment programme then do let us know and we will try to accommodate this.” The session runs from 7pm to 8pm on Monday, May 9, using the Zoom platform.

Roadwork delays sees CityFibre summoned Work to install ultra fast broadband in Caversham Picture: Steve Smyth

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Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Daniel Blackham, Jake Clothier, Ji-Min Lee, Emma Merchant Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

It comes after series of meetings that have taken place between senior highways management of RBC and representatives of CityFibre and Instalcom. Councillors raised concerns in these meetings about the poor work practices and consequential disruption being caused by the fibre roll-out programme. In a letter to Greg Mesch, dated Wednesday, April 27, the council said that the company’s performance continues to be “erratic and most unsatisfactory and the subject of many local complaints.” The SEPT committee is now considering removing the existing permissions given to Instalcom to operate in the borough, and CityFibre has been summoned to a public committee meeting set for Thursday, July 7th. The council requested that a full presentation of the continuing works planned by the contractors, including time for questioning. Cllr Page said; “It is worth noting that the Council has no powers to prevent the CityFibre work programme, “Thanks to Conservative

Government legislation, CityFibre is a statutory undertaker with legislative powers to install, maintain and remove their apparatus on, over or under the public highway.” Despite the necessity of the works, he noted that the levels of disruption were unacceptable. “The Council fully appreciates the importance of the CityFibre project

in bringing modern, fit for purpose digital infrastructure to Reading and the knock-on benefits to residents and businesses, but it cannot allow this level of disruption to people’s lives to continue. “We welcome further discussions with the CityFibre team about how the project will be taken forward in the future.”

Free bus travel offer sees thousands take part READING BUSES says it served more than 6,000 free fares during a special Easter promotion. West Berkshire Council offered the special travel deal over the four days of the Easter weekend, for people who started their journey on a Newbury & District route. This was the first time t hat the service had run on Good Friday and Easter Monday, and 2,440 passengers took advantage of the scheme. Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ chief executive officer, said: “We were delighted by the public reaction to the free travel offer for Easter. “With over 6,000 people travelling for free, we can see the value in the council funding this to help tempt people out of their cars. “Travelling by bus reduces the amount of congestion and improves air quality which is good for the local area and the planet.” And West Berkshire Council were pleased that a high number of people took part in the scheme. Its executive member for transport, Cllr Richard Somner, said: “This increase in footfall to the towns and businesses demonstrates our commitment to ensuring bus services continue to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to travel round the district. “We look forward to continuing the offer of free travel weekends with our bus operators throughout the year.” A similar scheme will run over the Platinum Jubilee weekend.

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New name for refugee charity

Hickies a-live lounge By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today HICKIES’ first-ever live music event has proved a success.

The music store opened its doors for an evening of music at its inaugural live lounge event on Thursday, April 28. Patrons were invited to hear three solo artists perform intimate sets at the shop in Friar Street. Henjila, from nearby Sandhurst, got the gig off to an easy start with her sleepy brand of bedroom pop. She was followed shortly by Clara McHugh, who performed a number of original ballads and a cover. The earnest nature of both of the performances proved that the intimate space is ideal for this type of event, which allows for more of a dialogue between the acts and the audience. Both Henjila and Ms McHugh punctuated their performances with short insights into the songs themselves and brief detours. These interjections, coupled with the performance space, give the store’s event an approachable atmosphere that is difficult to achieve at a more typical event. This leads to a less intense, though no less focussed, experience than at other live music venues in Reading, which

Henjila kicked the show off to a breezy start with her style of bubblegum pop

Henjila, left, and Sam Brothers, right, along with Clara McHugh, showed that Hickies is just the spot for an intimate gig in Reading. Picture: Jake Clothier ON SONG: Clara McHugh performed her confident original ballads, as well as a cover of Vance Joy’s Riptide. Pictures: Tom Ross would appeal to those who may be overwhelmed by other events. Sam Brothers was the final act to play, headlining the evening. His own effervescent, animated blues and folk proved that the space could also accommodate more lively performances. Combining traditional tunes and original work, he also

embraced the opportunity to interact with the audience, including a joke during which he used a harmonica to perfectly imitate a steam train. Overall, Hickies’ first live lounge proved that Reading needs more intimate musical showcases such as this one. It has also proved that thanks to its dedicated team, Hickies is just the place for it.

Sam Brothers made tuning a 12-string look as easy as breathing, with a confident and assured brand of bluesy folk songs.

A REFUGEE support charity in Reading is changing its name. The Refugee Support Group, previously known as Reading Refugee Support Group, is changing its name to be more recognised for the services it provides across Berkshire. The charity is playing an increasingly vital role in Berkshire as a leading frontline service helping refugees and asylum seekers to integrate into the community. Nick Harborne, CEO at Refugee Support Group, said: “We’re proud of our 29 year history in Reading but we have grown over recent years and need to acknowledge that our work reaches into other areas of Berkshire, now more than ever.” The charity has worked to reduce poverty, suffering and social isolation for hundreds of men, women and children who reach Berkshire every year. It also works to improve the mental health support of refugees and asylum seekers coming to Berkshire. The charity estimates 61% of those arriving experience serious mental distress and are 500% more likely to have mental health support needs than the UK population in general. To support their work, the charity is calling on people to leave a legacy donation in their will. Mr Harborne added: “We are calling on the local community to consider leaving a gift for the Refugee Support Group charity in their Will to enable our work to continue. “With our services in ever increasing demand, we desperately need Berkshire’s support.” n For more information on the charity’s work visit: refugeesupportgroup.org.uk

6 | NEWS

Lunchtime organ recital LUNCHTIME organ recital will be given by Graham Barber in Reading town centre next week. Organised by the Berkshire Organists Association, it takes place on the Father Willis Organ in the town hall, from 1pm on Monday, May 9. Mr Barber will perform a selection of pieces including Whitelock’s Hymn Prelude on Darwalls 48th, Frack’s Choral No 3 in A Minor, and Bax’s Coronation March. The 45-minute event costs £6, or £5 if booked in advance. n For more details, or to book, call the Reading Arts box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to whatsonreading.com

Plant sale planned for Pangbourne GARDENERS in Pangbourne are preparing to go potty with their plants. The village’s Allotment Association is holding a sale of seedlings, herbs, herbaceous plants and gardening sundries, all ready to be placed in a garden. Money raised from the sale will go to fund the association’s activities. The stall will be outside Garlands organic shop on Reading Road from 10am to 12.30pm on Saturday, May 14. n For more details, call: 0118 984 5898.

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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Four days of partying to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee n From front page

On Friday, June 4, the Abbey Ruins will be hosting tributes to Queen, The Beatles and George Michael, among others, for a night with the stars under the stars. The fun starts at 4.30pm, and again tickets will need to be booked. Trinity Concert Band will be performing a children’s concert at Forbury Gardens on Sunday, June 5, from 3pm. This brings the annual children’s festival to a close. Water Fest runs from 11am to 5pm on Saturday, June 4, in Forbury Gardens, the Abbey Ruins and along the River Kennet. There will be live entertainment, activities for all ages, charity stalls and a popup street food area from Blue Collar. Reading Borough Council said that in addition to these events, so far 57 street parties have been booked after it waived road closure charges for the jubilee weekend. And that’s not all. Over half-term, Reading Museum will hold three workshops that celebrate both the Platinum Jubilee and the 200th anniversary of Huntley & Palmers. The new portrait of the

CELEBRATE: A street party in Reading for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2021 Picture: Phil Creighton Duchess of Cambridge will also be on display. Reading Libraries will be running Jubilee-themed craft sessions, and there will be special rhymetimes with a royal theme across the summer. Berkshire Record Office will host Happy and Glorious, an exhibition devoted to the Queen’s Berkshire connections. This opens on Thursday, May 26. And there will be a Jubilee Beacon Trail running across Reading from Saturday, May 14, through to Sunday, June 5.

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There will be seven characters to find using augmented reality (AR). Details for this can be found at jubileebeacontrail.com Reading Borough Council’s assistant director of culture, Donna Pentelow, was thrilled with the ways in which people can mark the Queen’s milestone. “As we all come together to celebrate the Queen’s lifetime of service as part of her Platinum Jubilee, I’m delighted by the wide range of wonderful events and activities we are hosting in

Reading,” she said. “Not only do we have an exciting Beacon Lighting Ceremony and beacon trail to look forward to, but we’ve also got Reading’s flagship festival, Water Fest, on the Saturday to mark the Jubilee which is always free and jam-packed with events. “Finally, to honour the occasion, there will be joyous concerts over the long weekend. “If tribute acts are your thing, book your tickets now for the Jubilee Tribute Concert in the Abbey Ruins,

or chill out on Sunday with a picnic in the Forbury Gardens, listening to the Trinity Concert Band’s Jubilee Children’s Concert.” And she was pleased with the plans from residents to come together for their own parties to celebrate the Queen’s historic reign. “We have made it easy for local residents and communities to organise a street party and celebrate Her Majesty’s incredible record of public service by waiving the usual road closure fees,” she said. “I wish all the communities hosting a record-breaking 57 street parties across Reading that weekend a fabulous time.” Full details of events will be available from: www. whatsonreading.com/jubilee n Later this month, Reading Today will be publishing a guide to all the Platinum Jubilee events taking place in the Reading and Wokingham areas. And on June 8, we will publish a special souvenir edition featuring the best pictures and reports from across the four days of celebrations. Demand will be high – place a regular order with your newsagent today. n If you are organising a jubilee event, let us know. Email news@ rdg.today

Pride of Reading host Chris Tarrant admits It’s Not A Proper Job in his new autobiography PRIDE of Reading host Chris Tarrant has lifted the lid on his lifetime on the box in a new warts-and-all book. The candid autobiography, It’s Not A Proper Job, sees the Ding-born legend recount tales from a 50-year career that has seen him present radio shows, blaze a trail for children’s television with Tiswas, and present game shows such as Man O’Man and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Using wit and self-mockery, Mr Tarrant recalls some of his behind-the-scenes capers with fellow celebrities, and also members of the public across the decades. Originally a teacher, his television career started with the Midlands ITV company, then known as ATV, as a newsreader, before joining the Tiswas team, providing anarchic, flan-flinging children’s show for Saturdays. He presented Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for 16 years. It started as an experiment, but went on to be made in 100 different countries. In his book, Mr Tarrant looks back at some of the most memorable moments in the run, including the cheating from the infamous ‘Coughing Major’. It’s Not a Proper Job is published by Great Northern Books, and costs £17.99. Its ISBN is 9781914227196. n For more details, log on to: www. The cover to Chris Tarrant’s new book, It’s Not A Proper Job gnbooks.co.uk

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Carters the stoppable steam machine: vintage fair to end with Ding date By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

ell hello there and welcome to spring at Double-Barrelled – Tilehurst’s favourite family owned microbrewery. Founded by myself Luci and my husband Mike we started brewing in our garage in 2018 and haven’t looked back.

CARTERS Steam Fair is set to find new ownership, after the Carter family announced it was selling up.

Its current tour will prove to be its last with the current owners, Joby and Georgina Carter. Once the tour concludes in October, the collection of vintage rides and attractions will go on sale in November. In a post on the fairground’s website, Joby and Georgina said, on behalf of the Carter family: “After much consideration, we have taken the decision that 2022 will be our final tour. “After having toured our unique range of vintage fairground rides and vehicles around the UK for the last 45 years, it is now time for a new chapter.” The steam fair is currently touring, stopping in Maidenhead until Monday, May 2. It will continue travelling as planned through the summer, before stopping for its final weekend in Prospect Park, Reading, in October. In the online post, Joby and Georgina said: “We have been looking for suitable land for the fair to be placed on and have talked to the council and other landowners around the UK. “As a family run business with expertise in restoration and travelling the fair, we have done our best to familiarise ourselves with the endless details of planning laws. “We are now facing the reality that the best future for the fair is for it to be re-homed on a permanent site and operated by someone else.” The sale of the collection will be the first time a fully operating vintage funfair has been sold. It currently has a guide price of £2.5 million. “We are keen that the new owners will ensure that our beloved collection of iconic fairground rides and sidestall games that we have curated over the years will continue to be enjoyed as an irreplaceable piece of British living history for generations to come. “For Carters, it’s time to pass the baton and let someone else continue the magic.” The fair was started in 1977 by Joby’s parents, John and Anna Carter, who wanted to preserve fairground history. They bought the Jubilee steam gallopers, similar to a carousel, in 1976 and began work restoring the attraction, which dates back to 1890s. From the gallopers, the Carter family

Come and join us for a beer at our state of the art microbrewery at Stadium Way just off Portman Road and see what all the fuss is all about! We love brewing super fresh and flavourful craft beers at Double-Barrelled – always with a dedication to quality, craft and taste. You may have seen some of our most popular beers around town, like our award winning citrussy Pale Ale Parka, or our hometown hero Lager Ding!

GOING: Joby Carter, who runs Carters Steam Fair, has announced his intention to bring the fair’s touring days to an end, and has put it up for sale for £2.5 million built a collection of classic attractions, most constructed between the 1890s and 1960s. Now totalling 13 rides, the collection also includes a fleet of traditionally restored wagons, which the fair’s employees use as living quarters, and a Gavioli organ previously owned by Roger Daltrey. In 1999, John Carter was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, and died the following year. The Carter family decided to continue John’s work, touring and restoring the fair. In recent years it has been maintained by Joby and Georgina, as well as other members of the family, and is known as the largest travelling vintage fair in the world. Under their stewardship, the fair continued to expand. Joby established workshops and courses for traditional signwriting,

Chaplaincy talk in town centre bar to discuss modern evangelism THE University of Reading (UoR) Chaplaincy is hosting a talk challenging Christians’ approach to evangelism. Theology lecturer James Butler will look to explore the topic in a session entitled, Why Christians Need to Stop Evangelising

(Badly) and Have a Conversation. As part of the UoR Chaplaincy’s Café Théologique series, Butler will use his research to evidence how current teachings could “disable rather than enable people to share their faith”.

as his work on the fair’s decoration is famously distinctive. The fair has also been opened up for tours, covering the history of the attractions and fairground art. Joby’s work has even spread online, with his work garnering around 400,000 views on TikTok, which he will focus on after the sale of the fair. In the online post, the family expressed their thanks and said: “We are keen to spread the word as far and wide as we can in the hope of finding a suitable new owner and forever home. “In the meantime, please join us at an event and make 2022 our best year ever! Take photos and videos and make magical memories with your family. Remember to tag us with #Carters2022 so we can join in the fun.” Carters Steam Fair will return for its final weekend of the current ownership to Prospect Park on Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16. Joby Carter operating one of the vintage rides at the steam fair. He is intending to sell the fair following its farewell visit to Prospect Park this October

The St Augustine’s College of Theology tutor believes that Christians should place more emphasis on understanding individuals than the rhetoric they use when attempting to share the Christian message with others. Attendees will be afforded the opportunity to participate in an open discussion after the presentation. The UoR Chaplaincy’s

Café Théologique series is a platform where contemporary issues are explored and challenged. The event takes place at 7.30pm on Monday, May 9, at Zerodegrees Bar, Bridge Street and can also be streamed via Zoom.

n For more information and Zoom meeting details, visit: www.reading.ac.uk/ chaplaincy/cafe-theologique or email: chaplaincy@reading. ac.uk

In the words of our good friend Justin Timberlake, it’s going to be May! May is one of our favourite months at the brewery - with the days getting longer and the welcome return of sunny weekends at our onsite bar and bottleshop - the Taproom. The ultimate setting to enjoy our beers, right on the spot where they were brewed – it doesn’t get fresher than this! Whether you’re swinging by just for a swift one and to grab some cans to take home, or joining us for a sunshine session you’ll be sure of a warm welcome from our friendly Taproom team. We love welcoming beer Luci and Mike, co-founders lovers into our brewery – so much so that we’ve increased our opening hours! You can now join us for beers four days a week: Thursday 5 – 8.30pm / Friday 4 - 8.30pm / Saturday 1 – 8.3pm / Sunday 12 - 5.30pm. And if you’ve always wanted to take a look around and find out more about all things Double-Barrelled why not join one of our brewery tours on a Saturday? One of our team will guide you through our ingredients, processes and brewing ethos – all finished off with a tutored tasting back in the Taproom. Perfect as a gift for the beer lover in your life, or if you just fancy having a sneak peek behind the scenes! Book now via our website www.doublebarrelled.co.uk/tours. Now don’t get us wrong, we love our year-round range of beers, but we also love producing a wide array of special releases at the brewery. Craft beer is all about experimentation, curiosity and trying new things, and these super limited one-off beers give our brew team the chance to try new styles, techniques and ingredients. This month we’re launching a very special beer indeed – The Number Seventeen. Named in tribute to the backbone of Reading – the number 17 bus. We love this iconic purple bus – whether it’s ferrying you into town and to the pub, or gently escorting you home after a night out it is one of the things that makes Reading, Reading. Much like us, Made In The Ding! Using one of our favourite Pale Ale bases, The Number Seventeen is pillow soft, smooth and refreshing. We love using American and Australian hops at Double-Barrelled, they open up a whole technicolour spectrum of tasty flavours – for this beer we’ve added a truly tropical hop bill of Galaxy, Mosaic and Columbus hops. These bring heaps of sweet mango, passionfruit and berry flavours – all with a gently sticky resinous finish – delicious! You can grab this little slice of Ding pop culture now from our webshop, the Taproom and from your favourite beery venues across Reading! Can’t make it down to the brewery but still want to show your support for our small and local business (and to get your beery fix?) Our webshop is open 24/7 with next day courier available, or our Friday local delivery service for all spends over £30! Have a fantastic May, and we look forward to catching you up with all things DoubleBarrelled in June! Can’t wait that long? Make sure you follow us on our social media channels below or sign up to our mailing list on our website! Cheers! UNIT

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Bike taken from Kennet Island POLICE were called to investigate a theft from a bike shed last month. The burglar broke into the shed on Drake Way, Kennet Island, between 10pm on Sunday, April 24, and 3.15pm on Monday, April 25. A bicycle was stolen during the raid. Thames Valley Police are appealing for anyone with information, or dashcam and doorbell footage to come forward. Reports can be made by calling 101, or logging on to thamesvalleypolice.uk, quoting reference number 43220178017.

Piano recital at Streatley church A STREATLEY church is to hold an afternoon piano recital on Sunday, May 14. Ikuko Inoguchi will perform works by Jean Philip Rameau, Franz Schubert, M Glinka/M. Balakirev, Noriko Koide and Ludwig van Beethoven. It takes place from 4pm at St Mary’s Church in Church Lane. Tickets cost £10, or £9 for concessions. They can be bought on the door, cash only. n For more details, email: StMarysConcerts@hotmail.co.uk

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Trans movement sends open letter to uni after conversion therapy seminar By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today READING Trans Movement has sent an open letter to the University of Reading following a protest on campus.

The vigil took place on Monday, April 25, protesting against the university’s invitation of Dr. Holly LawfordSmith to speak about the exclusion of transgender people from conversion therapy bills. More than 80 people attended the protest outside the Edith Morely building where Dr Lawford-Smith was holding a lecture called Who Put the GI in SOGI. After the protest, the Reading Trans Movement sent an open letter to the university’s vice chancellor, professor Robert Van De Noort. This was the second open letter that the university had received in a week criticising the decision. The letter was followed by an announcement by the Reading University Student Union that it would hold a Pride week on campus, including a specific event examining the inclusion of trans people in the LGBTQ+ community. In the letter, the university was accused of multiple violations of its own inclusion and safeguarding policies.

PROTEST: More than 80 students and staff gathered outside the Edith Morely building, where the lecture was taking place on Monday, April 22. Picture: Courtesy of Reading Trans Movement, via Twitter It noted that the university’s own policies regarding student safety define harassment as “unwanted behaviour that is offensive, or makes someone feel distressed, degraded or intimidated.” The letter argues that Dr. Lawford-Smith’s position as put forward in the lecture encouraged the endangerment of transgender people by framing their identity as mental illness. A spokesperson for the university said that “The University of Reading welcomes debate and discussion. “The role of a university is to encourage study, dialogue and engagement on any issue, to aid

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scholarship and discovery, for the benefit of individuals and society. “We welcome wellintentioned scrutiny of our own activities, and recognise that freedom of speech is fundamental to its effective operation and activity.” The open letter also claims that Dr Lawford-Smith “intentionally and repeatedly” referred to individuals with the incorrect sexuality or gender, deliberately used incorrect pronouns. This, it says, amounts to harassment according to the UK Equality Act of 2010, encouraging the endangerment of trans students. A university spokesperson said: “All staff and students of the University of Reading are required to tolerate and protect the expression of opinions within the law, whether or not they agree with or are offended by those opinions. “Academics have the freedom within the law to question and test received wisdom and put forward new ideas, and controversial or unpopular opinions, without placing themselves at risk of losing their jobs. “Equally, the right to contest ideas, through discussion or protest, is a vital component of freedom of speech, as long as activity is undertaken in a way that respects the rights of others.”

The spokesman said that while university promotes and protects freedoms of speech and debate, the law also places limits on those freedoms. “Protection of freedom of speech does not extend to allow a speaker to break the law or breach the lawful rights of others, for example by using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, particularly with a view to incite hatred.” The open letter acknowledged that the subject of conversion therapy was a valid one for balanced, academic debate as a result of its current political and judicial scrutiny. It said: “It was not presented as an academic debate, but as an experienced authority providing their perspective on how the law should be.” The letter argues that the closed nature of the talk means that the university “made no such attempt.” “Because access to the lecture required emailing a professor it was also in breach of another of the university’s policies,” namely “any presented ideas must be open to challenge and question.” Students who wanted to attend, it says, had to disclose “in full their identities and contact details to a person who has leaked such information publicly in the past.” The letter cited an article from the Daily Mail, dated June 29, 2021, which detailed professor Rosa Freedman’s publication of a letter she received from a student. After she was subjected to abuse elsewhere, professor Freedman posted to social media looking to “name and shame” the student who contacted her to criticise her own talks on gender issues. The Trans Movement’s letter claims the lecture had “three security guards outside the lecture hall, who asked for identification from all students entering, providing an additional entry barrier. “This created a hostile

environment, preventing any open challenge or questioning of Dr Lawford-Smith,” it said. Ultimately, the letter called on the university “to publicly reaffirm its commitment to the rights of all individuals, including transgender and gender-nonconforming people, to experience their university life in a safe manner, free from discrimination and harassment.” Addressing the event’s attendance, the university’s spokesman noted that it: “was not a public event but an internal academic seminar, organised by the School of Law. “It was focused on the development of new laws on the use of conversion therapy for sexual orientation and gender identity, particularly in Australia and the UK. “As is common in academic seminars, there was one speaker, with time given for discussion in which ideas raised could be questioned and challenged. It was advertised to members of the School of Law, with registration to attend by email, and was open to any Reading student or member of staff.” They noted however that the university was engaging with complaints by conducting a review into the event. “In response to concerns and complaints raised about this event, the university is conducting a review to ensure that policies were followed, that adequate safeguards were put in place, and to put forward any relevant recommendations.” They also said that the university thanked those who had brought their concerns to the insitution. “We are grateful to all those students, staff and others who have engaged with the University and each other on this issue positively and showing respect for others.” At the time of going to press, the university is still conducting its review. The Student Union’s Pride Week event runs next week.

Pub gig will help A trip down Ukrainian appeal memory lane A PLAYHATCH pub is preparing for an evening of music aimed at supporting Ukrainians affected by Putin’s invasion. The Flowing Spring holds a regular series of Gigs In the Garden concerts, and has a packed programme planned for this summer. It begins on Saturday, May 14, with the Sing-along-a-Nick trio performing in aid of the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Appeal. The group comprise landlord Nick on piano and vocals, Steve Lester on guitar, and Mister Minch on double bass. Their set sees them play 20 well-known songs from the past six decades, and songbooks are provided. Tickets cost £10, with every penny of that going to the appeal. n For more, log on to: theflowingspringpub.co.uk

WHITLEY CDA are offering local residents a unique opportunity to reminisce about their community’s good old days, writes Ji-Min Lee. Way Back When in Whitley brings together individuals with a shared passion for Whitley’s past. Attendees are connected by a desire to exchange memories, share old pictures and even learn about the history of the area. Although Whitley remains rooted in its core identity, the community is developing rapidly. As such, there’s no better time than now to take stock and enjoy what once was. The event will take place at Whitley Social Club and Cafe, Northumberland Avenue on Saturday, May 7 between 10am and noon. n For more details, call: 0118 374 0052, or visit: www.facebook.com/WhitleySCC

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Wishes can come true: Bella-Rose’s is off to CBeebies Land via charity DREAM COME TRUE: Bella-Rose was joined by her family and her wish-granter to celebrate World Wish Day ahead of her wish in June. Picture: Courtesy of Make-A-Wish UK.

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today

MAKE-A-WISH UK invited a girl with an extremely rare condition and her family to join it to mark World Wish Day on Friday, April 29.

The day marks the anniversary of the first ever wish granted by the foundation, and was celebrated with fundraising appeals across Reading. Bella-Rose and her family were invited to Make-A-Wish’s head offices to take part in the fundraising, which saw the stories of children helped by the charity put on billboards around the town. Bella-Rose has a life-limiting condition which affects the TRAPP gene. Only five people in the world are thought to have this condition, which is yet to be named. Make-A-Wish is due to grant her wish in June, when she’ll travel with her family to CBeebies Land. Toni Wyatt-Byrne, BellaRose’s mum, says that some of the effects of her condition limits her hearing and visual ability, which means that she enjoys tactile activities. “We went to CBeebies Land shortly after her younger brother was born, and she sat

on my lap on the rides. “Her hair was mad, and she was smiling and waving her arms – she loved it. “She just loves the feeling of the wind on her face.” As well as her mum Toni, Bella-Rose was accompanied by her siblings Charlie and Emilia, and her dad, Ant. Toni said: “Often we’ll take the other two to something, but it’s not really suitable for her. “This will be one of those things they can all do together, as well.”

Bella-Rose’s wish is one of more than 500 across the country yet to be granted. She was also among the children who’s stories were displayed on the billboard between the charity’s head office in Thames Tower, and Reading train station. Make A Wish CEO Jason Suckley said: “To be able to lead an organisation that changes so many lives, and especially to be able to meet the children and their families, is a real privilege.” World Wish Day marks the

anniversary of a child called Chris’ wish to be a police officer, which was arranged by his community in Arizona in 1980. This led to the founding of Make a Wish in 1986. Mr Suckley explained: “What we’re what we’re doing today is creating links between local communities and children in their area, whose wishes are waiting for people to get involved.” He said that one of the things that families like BellaRose’s have to live with is the

uncertainty, and about the thing you love most in your life. “In the face of that, you live for today – and when you see families doing that, and having the resilience to come through it, it’s incredible. “It’s deeply life-affirming, because if they can do that, then we can do anything.” After being told that all signs pointed to her first baby being typical, Toni said that birth was particularly difficult. “We didn’t know anything – we had extra scans, and they said that she was healthy, “But when she was born, we were told that she was very unwell, and that she was going to pass away. “I wasn’t able to hold her until five days later.” She says, however, that she’s always looking at the positives of the time they get to spend together. “The most important thing for me is that everybody knows it’s not all bad. “The good always outweighs the bad, and I’d do it over and over again. “What they give you back, just by smiling, is so worth it.” “I wouldn’t change it, and I’m so glad she was given to us.” n To donate, or for more information, visit www.make-awish.org.uk

Women’s Day team-up sees limited edition beer created A PARTNERSHIP between two craft brewers to celebrate International Women’s Day has come to fruition and is now on sale. HonestBrew’s buyer Dulcie Neal teamed up with Tilehurst-based Double Barrelled and other female brewers to create the Ikaru Pale Ale during the annual International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day (IWCBD). Now, the fruits of their labours can be tasted in the form of limitededition Ikaru Pale Ale. It has an ABV of 5.7%, and is available while stocks last. Luci Clayton-Jones, co-founder and managing director of Double Barrelled, said: “IWCBD is an important day for engaging women in beer – it’s a fantastic opportunity for women, and those who identify as women, to come together, experience a brew day and learn more about the opportunities in beer.” And of their collaboration, Ms Neal said: “The beer has soft and peachy notes with a blend of three hops. “It’s very tropical and luxurious.” 20p of every can is donated to Choose Love, which supports refugees and displaced people. Ms Neal added: “I am very proud to have been part of this process as gender equality needs to last longer than one day.” n To order the beer, log on to: https:// honestbrew.co.uk/shop/doublebarrelled-ikaru-pale-ale

Police take action over motorbikes MEMBERS of Thames Valley Police’s roads team carried out a special operation in Southcote last month aimed at clamping down on anti-social use of motorbikes. Officers were responding to concerns expressed by residents and members of the community. The teams patrolled Coronation Square and the adjoining roads, and also the towpaths by the canal. They reported stopping a number of people on escooters and motorbikes, with words of advice offered to offenders. The police said that anti-social behaviour can be reported by calling 101, or online.

Plant sale to help hedgehogs A PLANT sale will take place in Lower Earley on Saturday. The Herbie Hedgehog Rescue centre is holding the event to raise funds for its work. There will be seedlings available to buy for flowers, vegetables, houseplants and succulents. And it will also be possible to pick up some hedgehogthemed goodies. The event takes place from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, May 7, at Maiden Place Community Hall.

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Film Theatre rises up again, thanks to new partnership By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today MOVIE buffs can celebrate the return of independent cinema to Reading, thanks to a new partnership.

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Reading Film Theatre closed its doors at the University of Reading last autumn, as covid meant it was unable to screen films as it had done at the Palmer Building. But last week it launched a new partnership with The Biscuit Factory in Broad Street Mall, meaning the projectionist is back on duty. Under the new deal, the Biscuit Factory will show movies selected by the Film Theatre on a fortnightly basis. The first was the French classic Amelie, voted by the Film Theatre’s audiences as their favourite in a poll held to celebrate its first 50 years. Next week, it will screen The Eyes of Tamm Faye, Here Before will be screened on May 25, La Mif is up on June 8, and Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy on June 22. Reading Biscuit Factory’s programme manager Federica Pugliese said that Reading Film Theatre had been supporting independent cinema for decades, and the new partnership was exciting. “It will bring to Reading an excellent selection of arthouse titles and enrich our diverse film programme even further,” she said. And the film theatre’s chair, Juliet Hanfling, added: “We were devastated when we had to close our doors at our old home at Reading University last year. “The combination of the covid pandemic and projection equipment failures had made it no longer viable to operate independently. “We were thrilled when RBF approached us to offer a new home and we look forward to continuing to show the best in independent, foreign film and classic cinema for the people of Reading.” The partnership is intended to be for the longhaul, as the Biscuit Factory’s general manager, Matt Ferguson, explained: “We are delighted to welcome RFT to our bustling community hub. “Our comfortable three-screen cinema plus bar and coffee shop provide a fantastic venue for RFT and its discerning audience. “We look forward to working with RFT to continue the long tradition of cinema in Reading.” The Reading Biscuit Factory opened last autumn, and already hosts special Keep It Cult screenings. Coming up in the week ahead is The Little Shop of Horrors, and a screening of Thelma And Louise. It also features screenings of National Theatre productions, as well as the latest blockbusters. n For more details on Reading Film Theatre’s programme, log on to: readingfilmtheatre.co.uk

TWO-TONE SPECIALS: The Skangsters will be on the bill for The Face Bar’s musical night aimed at boosting the DEC’s emergency appeal for Ukraine

Punk, ska and new wave night at The Face Bar will help Ukraine appeal A NIGHT of punk, ska, new wave and rock will help Ukrainian refugees. The Face Bar in Ambrose Place, Reading is the venue for the evening of music with a heart for our European neighbour. Starting from 6pm on Saturday, May 14, the line-up includes The Highwasters, The

Dying Matters to hold information event in town A WEEK looking at grief and bereavement will come to a conclusion this Friday with a special event in Broad Street. Reading mayor Cllr Rachel Eden will open a Dying Matters Week information and advice section from 11am. It features stalls from Sue Ryder, Healthwatch Reading, Blandy and Blandy Solicitors, Reading Borough Council’s Health and Wellbeing Team and the Hospital Palliative Care Team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. Each will be available to discuss topics relating to death, dying and bereavement. Becky Pollard Interim Consultant

Public Health at Reading Borough Council, said: “We know this is a difficult subject to think about, but we want to help people talk openly about dying and grief, and plan for the end of life. “People are dying without the emotional and practical support they need or want which is what we want to help people avoid.” “We can all use Dying Matters Week as an opportunity to have important conversations about how we want to end our story, we only get one chance to get this right. The important message is don’t leave it too late – tell your loved ones about your wishes.”

Deckchairs, The Echo, The Skavengers, and, closing the show, The Skangsters. Tickets cost from £10, with proceeds going to the DEC emergency appeal. This is a coalition of charities working to help refugees. n For more details, or to reserve a place, log on to e-tix.co/Reading4Ukraine

Birthday celebrations planned for Broad St Mall A BIRTHDAY party is being planned for Reading’s Broad St Mall. Launched as The Butts Centre back in 1971, plans to celebrate have been delayed by covid. On Saturday, May 14, the shopping centre will be holding a day of activities with something for all ages to enjoy. Announced so far are free face painting and balloon modelling sessions, while the centre’s mascot Topsy will be giving away some sweet treats. Budding artists will be able to take part in a doodle and collage workshop. In this session, people can decorate, draw or embellish copies of photos detailing moments

of the Mall’s past. This is open to both children and adults, and the aim is to celebrate the last five decades while looking forward to the future. A team from Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice will be running a raffle and selling pin badges to help raise funds for its work helping people by providing palliative care, and bereavement support. And Broad St Mall is promising to run its biggest ever competition in the run-up to its special birthday party. The fun is planned between 11am and 2pm.

n For more details, log on to: www.broadstreetmall.com

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Do you think he saurus? Dinosaurs roam Whitley’s streets By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today WHITLEY was transformed into the land of dinosaurs last week, thanks to a new arts initiative. Members of The Annual Daydream Harvest created a 30ft tyrannosaurus rex, which they paraded through the streets, much to the delight of youngsters. Assembled over a two-week period, the Whitleysarus was part of the arts group’s Flamboyance initiative. The artists used a resident’s front garden for their workshop, creating the prehistoric monster’s skeleton over a pedal car. “We wanted to take art to people’s front doors,” lead artist Nick Garnett said. “It’s all about people having fun, letting their hair down and not worrying about what other people think.” ‘Whitleysaurus’ began its journey down Dawlish Road at 6pm and was quickly greeted by a cacophony of spoons hitting pans as residents looked on from their front doors and gardens. The procession was initially made up of four handcrafted vehicles, but was soon joined by children on bikes and a flock of pedestrians.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a car was damaged in Calcot last month. The incident happened in Carters Rise between 5pm on Sunday, April 24, and 10am on Monday, April 25. The paintwork on the vehicle was scratched. Thames Valley Police are asking anyone with information to come forward. This could include dashcam or doorbell footage. People can call 101, or log on to www.thamesvalley.police. uk, quoting reference number 43220177215.

Phoenix Choir to sing for Ukraine

ROARSOME: The Whitleysaurus took to the streets of Whitley last weekend Picture: Nemone Caldwell The annual Flamboyance parades incorporate ‘factofiction’ to transform Whitley into unique and magical worlds based on historical and scientific facts. However, Mr Garnett said that Whitley holds just as

much wonderment in real life as the prehistoric world they showcased. “The project allows two different worlds to collide. The dinosaurs are fiction, of course, but we realised that the really interesting and colourful characters in these

Desk donation helps RBH plan for future EXCLUSIVE

performances are the people standing at their front doors.” The Annual Daydream Harvest secured £62,000 in funding from the English Arts Council and Big Local Trust at the start of the first lockdown. Garnett hopes the success of initiatives like Flaboyance

can give rise to a sustainable outdoor arts community in Whitley. “Community has to be at the heart of it.” Mr Garnett said. “The project gives locals a platform to enjoy art, but also take part and learn new skills.”

READING PHOENIX CHOIR will perform a selection of choral pieces at a fundraising event on Saturday, May 14. The group will be at St Paul’s Church in Reading Road, Wokingham, for the event. It starts at 7.30pm. Called When I Need A Friend, proceeds will go to the DEC’s Ukraine appeal. Tickets cost £15, or £5 for under 16s. n They can be bought on the door or in advance from rpchoir.com/ ukraine

TEAM-UP: Building Berkshire Together’s Alison Foster with Connect Reading’s Lorraine Briffitt outside the Royal Berkshire Hospital

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today STAFF at the Royal Berkshire Hospital are sitting pretty, thanks to a donation of some modern bench desks.

An anonymous donor supplied the office staples, and was linked up with the health centre thanks to some matchmaking by Connect Reading, a charity that brings sectors together for mutual benefit. Active Workplace Solutions, one of Connect Reading’s business members, helped bring the desks from the benefactor to the Royal Berkshire NHS Healthcare Trust, and they have been gratefully received. “We are delighted with the donation of new desks which we have been able to make use of at our London Road offices at Princes House, which houses many of our non-clinical teams,” said Alison Foster, Programme Director of Building Berkshire Together, the new hospital programme for RBH. “Their introduction has not only saved them from going to landfill but has meant we have

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been able to make better use of the space, which has aided hybrid working and taken some administration teams out of poor accommodation.” The buildings at the Royal Berkshire Hospital site are currently under review as the Trust is on the Government’s New Hospital Programme. Building Berkshire Together, is looking at future options for redevelopment on- and offsite. A key part of the programme is reducing the resource use to enable a more sustainable operation, and reducing climate change impact as part of a wider NHS programme to become NetZero. Opportunities to reuse equipment and furniture is just one of the ways Connect Reading helps its members

reduce their own carbon footprint. Its CEO, Lorraine Briffitt, said: “We are always looking for innovative ways that help our members achieve their environmental, social and governance goals for the benefit of our local community. “Our Resource Exchange connects unused resources to need, significantly reducing waste and alleviating financial pressure on charities and frontline public services. “Last year, we made more than 4,000 connections between organisations in Reading, brokering nearly £120,000 in resources between sectors. “We love seeing how this introduction has benefited our friends at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.”

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Volunteer corner Reading Voluntary Action

By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today A COMIC book store will be doubling up as it takes part in Free Comic Book Day.

LOVE BUG: Ruth Jones with her first book for children. Picture: Steve Smyth

ANCTUARY Hosting is a hosting scheme that provides temporary accommodation in Reading and across Berkshire.

They match refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants with kind-hearted hosts who offer a free bed, a warm welcome and a chance to tackle the causes of their homelessness from a place of safety and security. They are currently looking for guest support worker volunteers to help ensure that the hosting process goes well and that guests can move on to independent living. Volunteers will work closely with the Service Coordinator and provide regular updates on the guest’s situation. Full training is available for the role. n Age UK Berkshire is offering an Active Living Programme which is open to people aged 50+. This includes a variety of activities, led by qualified instructors, which take place on a weekly basis at various locations in Berkshire. Right now they require volunteers for a gardening project on Friday mornings (9.45 am–12.15pm) at Reading Quaker Meeting House, until the end of October. No previous experience is required, but a willingness to help older people and to participate in training is important to enable you to best help our clients.

n Graft Thames Valley is a charity that aims to eradicate barriers to employment for disabled or disadvantaged people struggling to find a job. They are currently seeking volunteers to assist their Job Club Supervisor in order to run their two Job Clubs per week. The role involves setting up computers, meeting and greeting jobseekers and taking time to settle them into the job club; then working alongside the jobseeker to help them find and apply for suitable jobs.

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. n Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273.

How Ruth’s new book started life on her mobile MOST people keep family photos and favourite music lists on their mobile phones, writes James Hastings. But Ruth Jones stored a children’s book she wrote in between running a successful career and raising two children. The text lay there for five years while Ruth and husband Rob moved between the United States, Canada and their home in Woodley. Finally, she downloaded her story called Doug the Bug, polished it off and has now published it to great reviews. “I used to read to my children but I could never find a book they really liked,” explained Ruth. “I used to think that I could do better so that’s when I started making notes which turned into a story and Dough the Bug was born. “I dabbled with it over the years and eventually decided I should publish it. My children love it and people have commented very favourably when I do readings or sell it at various fetes and other events.”

The story of Doug’s adventures is aimed at pre-school children up to the age of six. Ruth hired an illustrator and the finished book is now available on Amazon. Added Ruth: “Doug the Bug is sad and needs cheering up. Luckily he meets his friend Geoff the Giraffe who helps Doug see things from a different point of view. “The story is told in a lively rhyming way and encourages young children to find happiness and confidence in being themselves.” Ruth works four days a week as a senior learning designer providing e-learning training and is working on more adventures for Doug and friends. “I am thrilled to read the Amazon reviews as well as those from people in Reading who have bought a copy and tell me their children love Doug. I will be doing a reading at the Charvil fete in September.”

Crunch Comics, in Reading’s Harris Arcade, will be handing out free comic books on Saturday to mark the event – but you’ll have to be quick as they go like hot cakes. Free Comic Book Day celebrates independent and specialist comic book shops, who are invited to take part by giving out free special edition comic books. Brian Wong, who opened Crunch Comics in 2017, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to host Free Comic Book Day again. “We’re really excited about FCBD this year, as this will be the first event in our new, larger store in Harris Arcade. “There are a wide range of special edition comic titles available this year, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Spider-Man, from Sonic the Hedgehog to Dog Man.” Crunch Comics is also celebrating the event with a sale. All standard back issue comics will be £1 each, with up to 50% off on selected toys and collectibles. Promotional free comic books will be first come first served due to limited stock. “We’ll have more than 25 different titles available on the day and we’re offering two free special editions to each person who visits the store,” Brian says. “So it’s an ideal opportunity to try out reading comics if you haven’t had the chance to before.” This year’s list of special editions includes Buffy the Vampire Slayer,

READY TO READ: Crunch Comics will be giving collectibles. Picture: Jake Clothier Doctor Who, Stranger Things, Captain Underpants, Pokemon, and Archie. Mr Wong said: “Superhero movies and TV series are so popular at the moment and if there are people who are keen on watching these but haven’t yet tried reading comics, this is their chance to take the plunge.” “Marvel and DC are going head-tohead with special editions that will

n Doug the Bug is published in paperback at £5.99, and is available from Amazon.

Symphony Orchestra perform Nyet to any plans Matt had and James Bond music with its for a Russian holiday

READING EAST MP Matt Rodda can kiss his hopes dasvidaniya for popping to Russia on Aeroflot for a weekend break – he’s been banned from entering the country, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter. Last week, a list of 287 MPs was published, and Mr Rodda’s name was included. In official terminology, Mr Rodda has been ‘sanctioned’, and can no longer enter the Russian Federation. It comes in the wake of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which has led to sanctions placed on Russia in a bid to end the war. Mr Rodda said: “The Russian Government can undertake as many political stunts as they like, but my support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people wherever they are, including in Reading, is resolute and steadfast.” While Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood is on the list, Reading West’s Alok Sharma and former

BANNED: Matt Rodda cannot enter the Russian Federation prime minister Theresa May are not. The list of MPs who been sanctioned was published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs section of the Russian Federation website. The Ukrainian community is supported in Reading from the community centre in Sidmouth Street.

READING Symphony Orchestra enjoyed a weekend in Dusseldorf, the town’s twin, where they performed with the Orchester der Landesregierung Düsseldorf in its Sounds of Hollywood concert. Eighteen members of orchestra, plus conductor Stefan Hofkes and family members, joined the OdL for an evening of music that included the soundtracks to Superman, James Bond, Pink Panther and many more. The two music groups were last due to play together in Reading in July 2020, but the plan was postponed due to covid. This trip marked the 25th anniversary since the twinning of orchestras began, and the OdL will come to Reading in March next year. Before that, RSO has a busy few weeks. On Saturday, May 21, it will perform a children’s concert at Reading Minster Church. Starting at 3pm, the show will feature Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suite with narration by David Barrell. The show features some fantastic adventures

including falling in love with a girl he’s not allowed to marry, running away to the mountains only to be caught by trolls, getting into a scrape with the troll king, escaping to farflung climes and being shipwrecked on his way home to Norway many years later. The music draws on the Norwegian folk tunes of his homeland. The music includes a gentle wakeup call with Morning Mood, and Peer Gynt tiptoeing to escape the trolls In

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Reader travel THE BEATLES TRIBUTE Live in Liverpool

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Departing Sun 26 Jun ‘22 Residents in Reading have to work for just three and a half minutes on average to earn enough dough to buy a Sausuge Roll. Picture: Han Misra via Wikimedia

g out two free comic books to celebrate the event, as well as holding sales on comics and give readers a taste of each of their upcoming summer comic launches. “With Marvel there’s the Avengers X-Men and Eternals crossover, AXE: Judgement Day, and the DC special edition is a taste of their summer blockbuster epic Dark Crisis, where Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League are dead.” Free Comic Book Day started in

2002 and has been held on the first Saturday of May every year since. “Whether you already are a regular comic reader or just venturing into comics, or haven’t read comics for a while, Free Comic Book Day will have something for you.” Crunch Comics, Harris Arcade, will be open from 10am-4pm on for Free Comic Book Day, Saturday, May 7.

ms Superman, Pink Panther s twin The Sound of Hollywood came from the Reading Symphony Orchestra and their Dusseldorf twin

THE UK’s cost of living standards have come under scrutiny in a new index, the Sausage Roll index. A nationwide study is comparing the amount of time at their desks people from around the country have to work to earn enough dough for a Gregg’s sausage roll. Compiled by leading economist John Hawksworth, and uses figures from the Office of National Statistics The index considers the average median pay and combines it with the price of a Gregg’s sausage roll for 100 towns and cities across the UK. Reading has placed 13th, with its workers earning the £1.05 cost of the pastry snack in just under three and a half minutes. It was beaten by Basingstoke, at 03:22; Cambridge, at 03:17; Guildford, at 03:16; and Oxford, at 03:15. London was top of the list, with workers making the dough in just under three minutes. The study is based on The Economist’s Big Mac Index, which compares the price of a Big Mac in a given location. The universal nature of the Big Mac, and the now ubiquitous Gregg’s sausage roll, are seen as a useful benchmark for comparison. John Hawksworth said: “In part the analysis is a bit of fun with the

POETRY CORNER Simplicity

No. 3, also known as the ‘Rhenish’ symphony. His last symphony, it was written after a trip to the Rhineland – and was premiered in 1851 in Dusseldorf, Reading’s twin town Tickets for the children’s concert cost £7.50, with under 18s getting in free. The adult concert costs £15, or £5 for under 18s. n For more details, log on to: www.rso. org.uk

Together we will gravely examine an earthworm, a beetle, a leaf. We will listen to the pigeons, the sparrows, (like the children they chatter and cheep), maybe hear a mellifluous blackbird. We will listen to each other. We will talk of small child things,

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Departing Fri 8 Jul ‘22 Join us for a lovely short break combining the picturesque town of Stratford-upon-Avon with the charm of the Cotswolds! We include a trip on the heritage Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, where we meander through idyllic landscapes dotted with quaint hamlets.

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When I am old, I will walk slowly, while my grandchildren scamper and run, chasing the wind, until breathless. Together we will sit on the ground, with our legs stretched out in front of us, and feel the sun on our faces, the rough-barked tree at our backs.

the Hall of the Mountain King. And on Saturday, June 25, the RSO will perform its summer concert at St Paul’s Church in Wokingham. For this, they will be joined by cellist Oliver Simpson, 2019 winner of the RSO Young Musicians Competition, for Elgar’s Cello Concerto. The concert will start with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, and the second half will feature Schumann’s Symphony

sausage roll standing in for the Big Mac as a standardised product to compare purchasing power across different places. “But it does also make the serious point that there are very large variations in income levels across our towns and cities.” Further down the list, workers in the north had to work the longest to earn their crust. Those in Newcastle-Upon_Tyne, where John Gregg opened his first shop in 1951, have to work for 03:46 for their sausage rolls. Hereford and Middlesborough, at 03:48 each, were pipped for last place by Lichfield, just six seconds short of five minutes. The index was commissioned by InvestingReviews.co.uk. Simon Jones, its CEO, said: “Amid all the government’s talk of levelling up, a great divide still exists across Great Britain today with Greggs customers in some parts typically having to work 65% longer than Londoners just to be able to afford a sausage roll. “As the cost of living squeeze continues to intensify, Brits are going to have to work a lot harder in the future to afford life’s simple pleasures. “The government is going to have to take urgent action if their flagship policy doesn’t become a millstone around their neck.”

Come Together and join us for an outstanding celebration of The Beatles at the iconic Adelphi Hotel! This fantastic evening of entertainment also includes a 2 for 1 bar offer and a live DJ at the hotel, and there is also time to explore bustling Liverpool.

and laugh together over funny words and silly jokes. And when they ask: “What’s that mean?” I’ll have to say: “I don’t know either”;. When its time for tea, with bread and jam, the children will haul me to my feet, mindful of old grandmotherly knees. When I am old, I will walk hand-in-hand with my own childhood wonder, and simply be – with my grandchildren.

Rosi MorganBarry

We love receiving your poetry for the slot. Email rdg.today - we print a selection every week.

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Letters Reading’s destiny

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awaits

THE POWER of the ballot box is immense. Tomorrow, Reading will go to the polls and deliver its verdict on the current administration. In this election, it could result in the balance of power changing radically, and it could see seats change hands at a pace we’ve not seen for decades. Or, we could stick with what we know. With every council seat up for grabs as part of the changes to the boundary commission, the vote could see a greater mixture of parties in the council chamber. It is entirely your choice – all three of your votes could go to the same party, or you can choose to spread them around. The count this time takes place on Friday, during the day. Reading Today will be at the count, bringing you the latest results as and when they arrive. We’ll have unrivalled coverage, analysis and interviews that will help you understand what has happened, and what it means. Log on to rdg.today and see for yourself.

CHURCH NOTES

It is more blessed to give than to receive

LESSED’ is a funny word! What does it mean? Well, older people may remember Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus.

Well … ‘makarios’ is the Greek word which had been translated ‘blessed’. It means to be happy, to be content, and so Jesus said, basically, we are more happy when we give, than when we receive. I remember when I was a little child, I could not wait for Christmas, to find out what presents I would receive. However, when I grew up a little, to about 8 or 9, I wanted to give my favourite aunt a present. I went to Woolworths and, from my pocket money, bought her a little bottle of the perfume Evening in Paris. The delight on her face when she opened it – you would have thought I had bought her Channel Number 5 – gave me such pleasure, such happiness. It was the same when I become a Christian. First of all, I was more interested in what I got, what I received: forgiveness of a sins, eternal life, a place in heaven. However, as I grew up a little I started to think about what I could do, what I could give, to others, especially to those less fortunate than myself. And when I started doing that, I had such great pleasure, and Jesus’ words - “It is more blessed to give then to receive” - were so true. And I think that is true of so many people in Britain today. Just think how much money people have given to the Ukrainian appeals and how many people have been willing to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees. The spirit of Jesus’ words is still very much alive in our country today.

Michael Penny is the Chair of Churches Together in Reading and Berkshire

Free Living with COVID-19 webinar

Lymphoma Action, the only UK charity dedicated to lymphoma are hosting a free Living with COVID-19 webinar on Thursday 5 May from 10-11am. People with lymphoma, the most common blood cancer, were recognized as being clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19. Now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted and the busy summer months are approaching, people may have different thoughts about the risk of COVID-19, and the measures they want to take to protect themselves and others. The live Q&A webinar speaker panel will include Dr Graham Collins, a Consultant Haematologist and Lymphoma Lead, who will answer medical and practical questions. Gillian, who is living with lymphoma, will provide a personal insight and talk about her experience of having COVID-19 and lymphoma. They will be joined by Psychologist, Angela Waind

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: news@rdg.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

who will discuss how to adjust and move forward in a COVID-19 world. Chairing the webinar will be Dallas Pounds, Services Director at Lymphoma Action. Everybody is likely to feel differently about the risk of COVID-19, some people might be keen to return to a more ‘normal’ way of living, while others might be anxious about mixing with other people. If you would like to visit more places but you’re anxious about COVID-19, there are things you can do to reduce your risk: • If you are visiting a public place, it is safer to visit at a quiet time of day if you can. • If you are eating out at a pub or restaurant, think about where you feel comfortable sitting. The risk is lowest outdoors. . • If you are planning a trip out, think about where you feel safe going. You could consider outdoor attractions, or larger, well ventilated venues where it’s easier to keep a safe distance from other people.

From the Chamber

Cllr Jason Brock

What sets Reading apart from the rest?

T this time of year, with local elections upon us, I often find myself thinking about the things that set Reading apart from other places.

Amidst the myriad things I could list, the fundamentally unique character of our hometown boils down to the sense of community and civic pride that we have here – both of which have a character that isn’t replicated anywhere else I know. One of the hallmarks of that particular spirit is the presence of an incredibly strong and diverse voluntary and community sector in Reading. The importance of the work of organisations and volunteers across the town was especially clear during the height of the pandemic, and those same organisations remain key to our recovery today. It seems extraordinary to me now that the One Reading Community Hub – a partnership between the Council and the voluntary sector – began operating just 24 hours after the announcement of the UK’s first national lockdown. Within a week, 150 residents had received vital deliveries and prescriptions were being dropped to people at their doorstep.

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, May 4, 2022

By June 2020, One Reading Community Hub volunteers had delivered 1,744 food parcels, alongside support for medicine collection and befriending to combat loneliness and isolation. That swift and decisive response was only possible because we were able to quickly link these vulnerable residents with an existing network of community and voluntary groups in Reading who were already on hand to provide direct assistance, whatever it involved. I know a number of other places struggled to get similar initiatives off the ground so quickly. The existing voluntary sector infrastructure in Reading meant that wasn’t the case here. We’re clearly in a very different situation with covid now, but we know that impacts will continue for years to come, especially for some individuals. In Reading, we recently carried out an important piece of work which involved identifying some of the key themes of this unwanted legacy. The four areas we identified were: social isolation, mental health, and emotional support; self-isolation support to target seldom heard groups; supporting carers and children and young people; and other Covid-related impacts, such as financial

• When you’re out in public, try to stay a safe distance away from other people.. • If you need to go to the shops, try to pick a quiet time of day. • Avoid public transport if you can. If you can’t avoid it, try to travel at quieter times of day. • You can wear a face covering on public transport, in shops, restaurants, pubs or other indoor public places where you are likely to come into contact with people you don’t know. If you would like to find out more, Lymphoma Action has a wealth of information and guidance available on how to keep yourself safe on its guidance and restrictions for COVID-19 page. To submit questions to and hear more from the Lymphoma Action panel of experts on this subject, book your free space on the Living with COVID-19 webinar www.lymphoma-action. org.uk/COVID-19Webinar

Claire McInerney, Lymphoma Action hardship or physical health, for example. To help address these issues, bids were invited from voluntary sector organisations across the town for a funding pot worth £220,000. After consideration of the themes identified, this money will now be shared across 26 voluntary sector organisations, all of whom offer different areas of skill and expertise. As we emerge from the worst, the depth of the impact of this pandemic has become more evident. Research shows the biggest impact of covid has unsurprisingly been felt the most in some of our more deprived communities. More generally, and although budgets remain tight everywhere in local government, we have increased our support for the sector while other Councils have cut back on theirs. The Council’s commissioning budget for the voluntary and community sector totals £1.375 million for each of the next three years, with a variety of additional bidding opportunities for groups too. Our small grants pot – massively oversubscribed since its inception – has doubled in size to £200,000 a year as we look to support smaller-scale, grassroots organisations across Reading. Our amazing voluntary sector in Reading have the skills, experience, and know-how to reach and engage with those residents who most need support. We are very lucky to have them here and their efforts will be just as vital in meeting the challenges to come as they have been in the travails of the past years.

Cllr Jason Brock is leader of Reading Borough Council, and a Labour candidate for Southcote ward

From the Vicechancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort

Local action, global impact

E are all too aware from daily headlines that the world is facing many challenges right now. And every day we are handed reminders of how interconnected the world is when it comes to the impacts of these problems.

Whether it is international sanctions pushing up petrol and energy prices, or conflicts forcing people to flee their homes and seek sanctuary elsewhere, the fallout from crises is rarely contained to single countries or regions and affect all of us in some way. Similarly, when one country, town or even a single family experiences hardship, everyone can play a part in improving that situation. Just look at the support being offered from around the world for the people of Ukraine, including by people in Reading and Wokingham, or the donations made to foodbanks when the Covid-19 pandemic threatened the jobs and incomes of families in Berkshire and beyond. At the University of Reading, these connections form a major part of what we study. We also take seriously our responsibility to make a positive difference in the world. We exist to support excellence and sustainability, and to be a people-focused and engaged university. At the heart of this mission is a commitment to supporting a series of global goals set by the United Nations, known as Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. These are focused on co-ordinating efforts to tackle 16 fundamental problems facing the world, including poverty, inequality and environmental threats such as biodiversity loss. The University of Reading recently improved its scores in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which rates universities on their work in support of the UN’s goals. It was heart-warming to see a particularly strong score for dealing with poverty, thanks in part to locally-focused research supporting disadvantaged communities in Reading. My colleagues across the University have built strong international relationships over many decades and these are key to our positive work. Effective partnerships, drawing upon the strengths, expertise and views of a diverse range of people and groups, have been fundamental to successful initiatives such as providing scientific data to countries around the world to adapt to and reduce the impacts of climate change. This is not just about looking beyond national borders. An engaged and connected global university benefits our local area. Our research and teaching activities provide jobs and lifelong learning for our community, and ideas and good practices learnt from our international partners can be rolled out on campus to benefit staff, students and visitors. For example, we work closely with the NHS in Berkshire and share lessons we have learnt from studying health services around the world. Of course, we are nothing without the community we exist within. Our students, our researchers and our partners learn much from being part of our local community. And like any relationship, we benefit from understanding and accommodating each other’s needs. If we can get that right, that’s real impact.

Professor Robert Van de Noort is the vicechancellor of the University of Reading

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Former music shop could become a boutique bowling alley By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME: The proposed Bowl Central site would have seven bowling lanes, plus interactive dartboards. Picture: Bowl Central

IT’S BEEN an office supplies shop, then a music store. Now it could be converted into a boutique bowling alley – the third such site for the Ding after years without.

The former Dawsons shop on Caversham Road is the planned destination for Bowl Central’s third entertainment centre. There will be seven bowling lanes, three interactive dart boards, and other gaming areas. Tracy Standish, Bowl Central’s director, said: “I call it pins and prizes. “The pins side will be the bowling, darts and shuffleboards, which will be primarily for adults, teens and corporate events. “Then the prizes section will be more family-orientated. Children can play games to collect tickets, which can then be redeemed for prizes. “There will be two distinct areas in one location, with a cocktail bar and lounge anchoring the whole thing together.” Mr Standish added that the plan is to sell food, such as pizzas, paninis and salads. The interactive darts involves having a dartboard with sensors on it.

Each of three boards are equipped with cameras that capture people’s reactions when they play. Mr Standish has ‘lifelong experience’ in the bowling and entertainment industry, and is looking forward to bringing Bowl Central to Reading. He said: “I set up Bowlplex, which became a nationwide company. “Bowl Central is more boutique and focused on town

centre locations, whereas Bowlplex was usually located ‘out of town’.” Mr Standish ended up selling Bowlplex. The first Bowl Central was opened in Bournemouth, with a second location due to open in Fareham, near Portsmouth. The Bowl Central in Reading will be the first with the interactive dartboards and shuffleboards. Ahead of taking over the old

Dawsons unit, Bowl Central’s owning company KTO Ltd has submitted a licensing application for the bar that will be located inside of it. It has applied to sell alcohol on site from 10am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, sell food until midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. It has also applied to

play music from 10am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and 10am to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Reading used to have a bowling alley at Calcot, on the site that is now IKEA. Last year, Spinners opened in Broad St Mall, and plans to convert House of Fraser in The Oracle into another alley were approved in March 2020, but work has yet to begin.

Charity plant sale to return AN ANNUAL plant sale for charity is to return to Caversham later this month. Pam and Phil Chatfield are organising the event in Southview Avenue. It runs from 10am to 6pm from Thursday, May 19, through to Saturday, May 21, and from 10am to 2pm on Sunday, May 22. There will also be handmade greetings cards, plus a fairtrade goods stall and a fundraising table for Launchpad. The Chatfield’s garden will also be open for exploring, and they will also have refreshements available. Proceeds from the sale will be shared between Water Aid and the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. For more details, call 0118 947 2444, email pamch32@ gmail.com

Election results online this Friday – log on to rdg.today for live updates

STARTER’S ORDERS: Members of the Maiden Erlegh bowls club held an open day on Sunday Picture: Steve Smyth

New bowls please! Visitors enjoy chance to try their hand at sport A BOWLS club welcomed prospective members on Sunday for the first of two open days. Maiden Erlegh Bowls Club in Beech Lane said the event was well attended, with a number of visitors having a go at the sport for the first time. The club, which has been operating for more than 75 years, holds several open days across the year, with the

next planned for Sunday, May 28. The club’ president, Mike Fraser, said: “It was a pleasure to see a wide range of people coming into to try bowls. “Families with young children trying for the first time through to some experienced bowlers new to the area. “We are hoping that our next open day is equally successful as

it is part of Bowls England’s Big Bowls Weekend. “If anyone wishes to try bowls they can come and speak to us on a Friday evening when we run an internal bowls competition followed by a social.” n For more information contact the club through its website www.maidenerleghbc.co.uk or its Facebook page, @mebc75

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32 | BUSINESS

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BUSINESSTODAY A business park that is changing Winnersh Triangle Business Park putting the community at its heart

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A business park that is changing

Logistics specialist wins Queen’s Award By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

A THEALE-based logistics specialist has been presented with a Queen’s Award for its work in international trade.

Community is the foundation of the ethos at Winnersh Triangle Business Park. Giving back is an important part of this, from supporting charities, to getting involved with local community initiatives and hosting occupier events. The business park is also home to a host of amazing amenities that are open to the local community surrounding Winnersh, Wokingham, Woodley and beyond. These include the stateof-the-art gym Move HQ, an astro turf pitch, award-winning fitness hub, the newly refurbished Crowne Plaza hotel and a co-working space and choice of cafés. For occupiers we have recently restarted our free bootcamps (booking online required) and a host of other events, walks and sports onsite. All great opportunities for becoming a proactive part of the community. Giving back The charity of the year for Winnersh Triangle Business Park is The Cowshed. The Cowshed is a fantastic crisis charity based in Reading. They provide clothing and other items for individuals and families in Berkshire experiencing hardship. We have donated items including clothes and bikes that were given to good homes and people who really needed them. The team on site also give up their time, to help support them too. We do not just support our charity of the year, for International Women’s Day we teamed up with Smart Works and organised a collection to support their fantastic work. They are a charity who help women across Berkshire have access to work-appropriate outfits as well as offering interview training and advice. The clothes that occupier’s donated were given to women who are currently unemployed and will make a real difference, helping women feel more confident and to help them to secure their dream job. We are also collecting for #trashtotreasure for Crisis at the moment which is Frasers Property UK’s, who own the park, charity of the year. Wokingham Food Bank is another charity that we have recently supported, having run a food bank drive for Easter, with boxes in each multi-let reception on the business park. We donated a host of food and treats including Easter eggs, which were donated to homes in need in the local area. Traditional Family Fun The Winnersh Summer Fete will be held on Saturday 18th June and Winnersh Triangle is delighted to be a Gold sponsor. The fete will be held between 1-4.30pm at Bearwood Recreation Ground. The fete has a ‘Jubilee theme’ and will be free to attend. The traditional family fete will include stalls with games and a programme of activities including arena displays and many other fun attractions and competitions for all ages. Winnersh Triangle will be sponsoring the tug of war event, so make sure you bring your muscles and come and join us for some good old-fashioned fun.

Pharmaceutical temperaturecontrolled experts Tower Cold Chain has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s highest accolade for business success. The company, based in Total Park, Theale, Reading, won its award for International Trade for Outstanding Short-Term Growth in the overseas market sales over the last three years. Tower says it has been recognised for its robust, reliable, reusable thermal containers, that transport temperature sensitive pharmaceutical, life-science and biotech products. In the last 18 months overseas sales and the proportion of total sales exporting have increased significantly. The company says it has had particular success in the United States, Germany, Belgium, South Africa and China, coinciding with on-going expansion of its global hub networks to maximise proximity and availability to Tower customers in all geographies. “We are tremendously proud to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, which is a tribute to the expertise and hard work of the entire Tower team,” said Tower Cold Chain’s CEO, Niall Balfour. “Recognising our international growth shows how we are focused on meeting our customers’ global supply chain needs and will continue to invest

Tower Cold Chain’s headquarters in Theale. The company’s CEO, Niall Balfour said the company is ‘tremendously proud’ to receive a Queen’s Award and collaborate to deliver this.” And Tower recently played a key role in ensuring the critical delivery of Covid-19 vaccines throughout the pandemic. In addition, the launch of both the KTM42D for ultra-cold temperature critical pharmaceuticals, and the KTEvolution, a lightweight, manually handleable solution ideal for smaller shipments such as direct-to-patient and last-mile deliveries have helped to meet the latest cold-chain needs. As part of its success, Tower has seen its UK staff numbers double in the past

three years, opening a 26,000 sq ft UK headquarters and centre of excellence in Theale, including the addition of an Innovation Centre to enhance its design and laboratory testing capabilities in the development of the latest temperaturecontrolled solutions. “It is our vision to become the number-one cold-chain shipping facility of choice worldwide.” Mr Balfour said. “Winning the prestigious Queen’s Award recognises this journey, acknowledges our customers’ trust, and above all marks the tremendous efforts of all our team at Tower. “I would like to thank and congratulate every one of them for their contribution – this award is a real testament to their support and our continued international growth.”

Partner nominated for national award A PARTNER of a Reading-based law firm has been shortlisted for a national award. Tasha Bevan-Stewart, who is part of Blandy & Blandy’s Family Law team, has been nominated for the 2022 Resolution awards. She advises on all aspects of family law, joined Blandy & Blandy in 2020, and is recommended in The Legal 500, as well as being a Resolution-trained mediator, collaborative lawyer and co-chairs Resolution’s Collaborative Working Party. Tasha trains and speaks regularly on out of court dispute resolution, and wrote the section on collaborative practice in Resolution’s Family Law Handbook in 2020. Partner and team head Claire Dyer said: “This award recognises individuals who

Blandy & Blandy’s Tasha Bevan-Stewart has been shortlisted for a national award have made a difference to families by working collaboratively with other professionals. “Being shortlisted is a testament to Tasha’s genuine passion for finding the best solutions for her clients in an innovative way by working

with others as a collaborative lawyer. “This is something which is ever more important as clients look for ways to resolve their disputes outside of the Court forum.” And Ms Bevan-Stewart said she found it rewarding to

advise clients on how to resolve disputes constructively. “They are usually relieved if they don’t need to spend any time in a courtroom,” she said. “Negotiating family law cases in a civilised, grownup way is definitely the way forward for family law clients and I’m honoured to be recognised for my part in that movement.” The winners, known as the ‘Resolution champions’ for 2022, will be announced at the gala dinner of Resolution’s National Conference in Birmingham, on Friday 20 May 2022. Resolution is a body of 6,500 family lawyers, mediators and other professionals committed to the constructive resolution of divorce, separation and family disputes. n For more details, log on to: www.blandy.co.uk

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Time to take up a new hobby … horse! Show’s plea for 300 riders By SUE CORCORAN news@rdg.today

HELP is needed to break an amazing Guinness World Record that most people probably aren’t aware exists.

JUMP TO IT: Hobby Horse Jumping Championships is returning to the Hurst Show Championships which featured on BBC Breakfast News with presenter Mike Bushell taking to the jumps. The Guinness World Records guidelines to create ‘the largest stick horse parade’ have to be followed. A basic requirement is that everyone must carry a homemade or a commercially available hobby stick horse which clearly has a horse’s head at one end. The website

has instructions on how to make one. All taking part will have a numbered sticker which will be counted in the attempt. The show is encouraging children to take part. To be counted they need to carry a hobby horse and walk independently in single file. Each child rider will receive a souvenir rosette. Riders are being encouraged to wear fancy dress, to add to the fun.

Call 159 to report scam callers A PILOT scheme has been launched to make it easier to report financial fraud where people call up looking for bank details. Stop Scams UK encourages people to call 159 if they have been the victim of such a call. To take part, people should hang up from the fraudulent call and then call 159. The service uses an Intelligent Voice Response system, which it uses to route calls to the appropriate destination. Participating banks at this stage are Barclays, Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, NatWest,

Santander, The Co-operative, Nationwide and TSB. Since its launch in September last year, 79,000 calls have been made, and the aim is to stop thieves in their tracks. It is estimated that £355million was stolen in the first six months of 2021, by fraudsters asking people to make a payment or transfer money. If the pilot is successful, it will join 101, 111, or 999 as universal numbers offered by all providers.

LloydsPharmacy launches NHS blood pressure checks service A NEW initiative aims to help identify undiagnosed cardiovascular disease by offering blood pressure checks. LloydsPharmacy has teamed up with the NHS to launch the service, aimed at spotting hypertension in people aged 40 or over. High blood pressure can increase risk of heart attack, stroke and heart disease, and it’s thought a third of adults experience it. The service offers support in two stages – the first being to identify people at risk of hypertension and offering them a blood pressure (BP) check in store where a pharmacist will provide advice or referral as well. The second stage is offering

A THIEF broke into a home in Northcourt Avenue last month, and stole a number of items. It is thought they possibly used an unlocked door, and took a mobile phone, a watch and a PlayStation games console, among other items. The incident took place between Easter Sunday, April 17, and Sunday, April 24. Anyone with information that could help police with their investigation, or if they have access to footage from dashcams or doorbell cameras, is asked to call 101, or report online via thamesvalley.police. uk, quoting reference number 43220175309.

Guitar recital for Ukraine

patients a British and Irish Hypertension Society (BIHS) recommended, Schiller BR102Plus Ambulatory BP monitor, to take home for a 24-hour monitoring period. Those at risk will be given the opportunity to loan an ambulatory monitor to help identify their condition early, and then return the monitor to store where results will be reviewed with the pharmacist for further advice or referral. Aimee Mulhern, NHS Services Manager, said: “As cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK, early detection and treatment is crucial. “With too many people living with high-risk conditions such as high blood pressure

undetected, we are proud to be able to offer our new Advanced Blood Pressure Testing Service in store, making detection and support more accessible. “CVD is the single biggest area where the NHS can save lives over the next 10 years, and with the disease being largely preventable through changes to lifestyle and healthcare, our pharmacists are able to offer advice and access to both stages of the service.” It’s possible to book the service through branches in Calcot, Crowthorne and Winnersh, among others.

n For details, log on to: https:// lloydspharmacy.com/pages/nhsblood-pressure-checks-service

It’s planned to gather at Martineau Green, parade round there and then up and down School Road. The show, on June 25 and 26, will follow a similar format to last year with attractions organised across Martineau Green, St Nicholas Primary School and Hurst Village Halls and Scout hut. Some road closures have been requested again. Events are being scaled

Now taking registrations

Appeals are being made now for volunteers to help break the record for the largest parade of hobby horses and their riders. The attempt will be made at this year’s Hurst Show and Country Fayre on its second day, Sunday June 26. The appeal for adults and children to sign up is being made now because of the large number of people needed. Fortunately, visitors flock to the show from a wide area across Berkshire and beyond. Vikki Randles of Hurst Show said: “It’s not every day that you get to take part in a world record-breaking attempt. “The current record stands at 250 and we’re aiming to get as close to 300 participants as possible. “So we’re calling on anyone and everyone to get involved, have some fun and hopefully help us become a recordbreaking show.” Hobby horse jumping has been a highly popular at the show for many years. In 2017, the show ran the UK’s first Hobby Horse Jumping

Theft from Northcourt Ave

up again. In addition to the record attempt there will be a fun dog show, animal petting, craft stalls, classic vehicle and vintage bicycle show, live music, arena events, a bar and a barbecue. Hobby horse riders joining the 2022 Hurst Show record attempt need to preregister at the website www. hurstshow.uk. It includes full details about how to join in.

A CLASSICAL guitar recital will take place in two churches this month. Gary Jordan is holding the concerts to raise money for the Ukraine appeal. He will perform baroque and classical music, as well as South American melodies. The first show is at Tilehurst Methodist Church in School Road on Friday, May 13. The second is at St Nicolas Church in Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, on Saturday, May 21. Both events start at 7.30pm, and entry is by donation.

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Woodley supports ‘heartbreaking’ journey to deliver aid to Ukrainians

Barkham Hookers supplied a number of crocheted hearts in Ukrainian colours By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today

Ronnie Goodberry and Duane Harris with a number of refugees

A WOODLEY resident has returned after travelling more than 4,000 miles to deliver aid to Ukrainian refugees.

Ronnie Goodberry set off for Jaroslaw, on the Ukrainian border in the south-east of Poland, on Tuesday, April 19 and returned on Thursday, April 26. Mr Goodberry described the journey as “heartbreaking”. He added: “We’ve heard some horrific and sad stories from some of those affected. “I for one have been very humbled by the fact these refugees welcomed us with open arms, smiles and with their politeness, you wouldn’t believe it. He was joined on the journey by Duane Harris. The pair delivered crucial supplies to three locations including blankets, medical supplies, toiletries, nappies, baby clothes and dried food. A number of wheelchairs, buggies and sets of crutches were also sent One of the wheelchairs was given to a young girl who is unable to walk. Mr Goodberry said: “She had been on a bed for over a month as she cannot walk. “Her mother was so grateful and was in tears when we handed over an extra wheelchair so her daughter can now get out and about.” Mr Goodberry has now organised four trips to deliver aid to Ukraine, with 50,000 items totalling 24 tonnes. However he says this is only down to the generosity of Woodley residents. “Without their support and donations none of this would have been possible. I’m just the delivery driver,” he said Mr Goodberry is now planning a fifth delivery of humanitarian aid, with a specific focus on medical supplies, dried food and tinned meat. He expects to make the journey in around four weeks. n For information or to make a donation contact the “Woodley Volunteer For Our Community” Facebook page.

Delivery of aid to a convent

People queuing for support

Aid being delivered

Defence minister heads to Uni to meet mental health team THE defence minister has visited Reading to meet a ‘trailblazing’ mental health team that is supporting Armed Forces veterans, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter. The Minister of Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty MP (Conservative, Aldershot), met with military veterans and mental health experts from Berkshire’s NHS to learn about the vital support available. The visit took place at visited the South Central NHS Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service clinic space at the University

of Reading’s Whiteknights campus on Thursday April 28. Mr Docherty toured the clinic which has recently undergone a refurbishment. The service, known as OpCourage, is a dedicated service designed to help former UK armed forces personnel and reservists access treatment and support from the NHS and third sector partners, including specialist psychological therapy on the NHS for veterans for issues more common to those who have served: such as anger management, addictions

Aid being delivered and psychological trauma.It supports around 400 veterans and is now in its 10th year. On the visit, Mr Docherty said: “It was great to meet with OpCourage service users and staff in Reading, to find out more about how this bespoke support for veterans has benefitted members of the armed forces community. “I encourage veterans who may be struggling to reach out to their GP to access the dedicated health and wellbeing support available.” Gemma, a veteran who’s accessed the OpCourage service, said: “I served in the Royal Medical Corps for 18 and half years before I was medically discharged. “I was out of the armed forces for about 14 months and feeling like I was failing. I didn’t want to be the burden I felt I’d become but

getting help was considered weak. “Treatment for myself was quite intense, it was exhausting – and absolutely worth it. “Before, I felt like I was a bit of a shadow. Now I can get back to what matters – and that’s living not just existing. I’m a human being, I’m doing things, I’m participating.” Sulle, a fellow veteran who has accessed the service, said: “I attended two mental health service providers. They weren’t the right fit for me but then I found OpCourage. As soon as I walked through the door I knew they were right service for me. So professional. “They could see what I couldn’t see when I told them what I had been through. “They showed such empathy and they were fantastic.”

36 | NEWS

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The “A Walk along the Kennet” Art Exhibition opened at the Fisherman’s Cottage pub on Bank Holiday Monday. Leslee Barron (organiser) (left) with her marvelous picture of the Gas Tower with Donald & Mary Chambers Pictures: Steve Smyth Cezary Wasilewski with his work.

Newtown artists celebrate life along the Kennet IT MIGHT now be a memory, but Reading’s last remaining gas tower has been given a fond farewell by Newtown residents. This month, the community is hosting a free exhibition in The Fisherman’s Cottage on Kennetside. A Walk Along The Kennet, curated by Mary Chambers and Leslee Barron, follows on from their previous exhibition, Farewell To The Gas Tower. The show features artworks, prints and paintings devoted to the area around Newtown and the River Kennet. In addition to the gas tower, it features birds, boats and scenic images, all from community artists.

Ms Barron said: “Our venue is The Fisherman’s Cottage, which aptly overlooks the river Kennet. “We have both local amateurs and professional artists taking part. The brief was to take a closer look and be inspired by the place we’ve chosen to live, Newtown. “This has resulted in an eclectic mix of 15wonderful artworks.” And it is clear there is a lot of love for Newtown from its residents, as Ms Barron explained: “We are lucky. Newtown does seem to have more than its fair share of creative folk. “What’s great about organising art

exhibitions like this is that it brings members of our community together, not only to take part but to support the work of our local artists. “We’re hoping the exhibition, which is on for the rest of May, attracts more customers into the pub. So come along to look at the art, have a drink and maybe a bite to eat. I can recommend the Turkish meatballs.” And, Ms Barron said, “As a token of our appreciation to Cigdem, the landlady of The Fisherman’s Cottage, we’ve agreed to donate a portion of any sales to an animal rescue charity.”

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Reader travel

THE LAKES & DALES Narrowboat, Steam & Sail

Les Pullen with his artwork.

Whiteknights Studio Trail set to return By JI-MIN LEE JLEE@RDG.TODAY

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WHITEKNIGHTS Studio Trail (WST) is set to return this June for its 22nd edition.

Departing Sun 17 Jul ‘22

Departing Fri 22 Jul ‘22, Fri 14 Oct ‘22

Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Jurys Inn, Newcastle Gateshead Quays with dinner & breakfast Guided tour of Hadrian’s Wall Excursions to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Alnwick Castle, Hadrian’s Wall & Chesters Fort Optional excursion to Durham (£12pp)

5 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £60

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Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 2 nights at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel in the North West area with dinner & breakfast Heritage train journey on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Cruise on Lake Windermere Narrow boat cruise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

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The walking tour will showcase 38 artists, whose work will be displayed in 24 venues surrounding the University of Reading. Participating artists will open up their studios and homes, allowing for creator interaction, live demonstrations and an opportunity to purchase pieces. WST will showcase artwork in a range of mediums including paintings, mixed media, ceramics and more beyond. With venues located only a stone’s throw apart, there will be ample opportunity for attendees to wander between exhibitions, five of which will be serving refreshments. Local artist Emily Gillmor will be presenting a range of prints, drawings and paintings, but her specialism lies in screen printing. “I like using lines,” Ms Gillmor explained. “I also enjoy making multiples of things and I find that I can translate both of those elements into screen printing.”

The University of Reading’s Printmaker in Residence also spoke glowingly of WST’s format. “There’s such a wide variety of different artistic practices on show and it’s all of a high standard.” Ms Gillmor said. “As an artist, I love meeting the people and children who drop in and having a chat with them about the processes involved in creating the pieces.” Ms Gillmor will be one of five artists located at Peckover Hall, Leighton Park School for the

duration of the weekend. Unique to this year, an exclusive 20x20cm exhibition will be held in aid of The British Red Cross - Ukraine Appeal. The collection will feature framed pieces donated by each artist, displayed at the Turret Gallery at the Abbey School. WST will take place on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12 with exhibitions open from 11am to 6pm on both days. n For more information and a full list of arts and venues, visit: www. studiotrail.co.uk

NEWS | 37

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INTHECOMMUNITY

Share news from your groups, clubs and societies. Send reports to news@rdg.today

Rotary donates £1,000 to help BLOODBIKES MANY people do not know that out of hours movement of emergency blood supplies between NHS centres is performed by a team of volunteer motorbike riders (BLOODBIKES) or, more correctly, SERV OBNService By Emergency Rider Volunteer (Ox Bucks Berks N’hants).

They operate at night and at weekends to transfer emergency blood supplies and other medical products, including breast milk, between NHS establishments on a fleet of 14 motorbikes and two 4X4 cars. To help the work, members of Pangbourne Rotary Club donated £1,000, something that has delighted the group. Kamran Irani, chair of Trustees for SERV OBN, said: “SERV OBN receives no direct Government or NHS funding, so is entirely dependent on generous donations such as this to be able to continue operating. “To put this donation into some context, this amount will be sufficient for us to fuel one of our duty-marked motorcycles approximately 50 times.

MEETING: Chaplains from across Reading gathered in St Laurence’s church in Reading

Chaplains gather to share ideas and look forward

HELP: Bloodbikes has received a £1,000 donation from Pangbourne Rotary Club Picture: serv-obn.org.uk “In turn, this will allow us to complete approximately 170 calls for our service to transport urgently needed blood, blood products, medical supplies, medical equipment, human donor Milk, out of hours and when urgently needed

by patients within NHS establishments across the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Northamptonshire.” For more details of the operation and how to donate, log on to: https://serv-obn. org.uk/

Our donation was made possible by the generosity of the public who support our fund-raising events. If you would like to find out more about what we do, please contact membership@ pangbournerotary.org.uk Brian Davies

Burghfield May Fayre is back on Sunday

CHAPLAINS from across the greater Reading area were welcomed for a special meeting last week. The Revd Chris Jones of St Laurence’s Church in Reading’s town centre, opened his doors for the meeting which was also open to Christians who work in education. A number of different churches and organisations, such as RE Inspired, Reach and the Mustard Tree, were represented, and the meeting was chaired by diocesan chaplaincy advisor, the Revd Charlie Kerr. Although the main focus was on secondary schools, Julia Jones

of RE Inspired talked about its work in primary schools. At the other end, Michael Penny, chair of Churches Together in Reading and Berkshire, who has been a chaplain at Reading College for 10 years, highlighted how different chaplaincy work is there. The meeting discussed the problems experienced in educational establishments over the last two years due to the covid-crisis. The main focus of the meeting was looking forward. There was much positive discussion about future needs and what could, and couldn’t, be done and sustained.

BOUNCE ALONG: There will be fun for all ages at the Burghfield May Fayre on Sunday, May 8

SHOWCASE: Artists will display their wares in Pangbourne this weekend Picture: Robert Armstrong from Pixabay

Catch art show in Pangbourne this weekend A LONG-running community event is returning after an enforced covid break. On Sunday, the Burghfield May Fayre, will once again entertain visitors with a range of activities including a dog show. Organised by the village’s residents’ association, there will also be a funfair, arena displays, craft and food stalls, a bar and a cafe.

The event runs from 10am to 3pm. On the day, there will be a free shuttle bus service to help people get to the fair. It runs every 20 minutes from 10.20am through to 5pm, save for a break between 2.40pm and 3pm. It departs from the Three Firs, running around Reading Road, School Road and Clayhill Road, stopping at The Hatch.

The fun starts on Saturday, with a Barn Dance featuring live music, a bar and food. Tickets for the dance are available on-line at burghfieldresidents. org, at Weller’s Fruit Shop or Burghfield NISA. Organisers say they would welcome more volunteers to help. To get involved, log on to: https://signup.com/ go/yTnpkqJ

AMATEUR artists will be displaying their work in a special exhibition taking place in Pangbourne this weekend. The event has been organised by Pangbourne Rotary Club, and runs from Friday through to Sunday, in the village hall. The opening night is a special preview evening, by invitation only, and sponsored by Green Parlour Florists. The show is then open to the public from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, and

until 4pm on the Sunday. The Rotary Club says it’s still possible for artists to take part, and the event is a good opportunity to showcase talent and buy good quality artwork at reasonable prices. Proceeds from sales will go to New Beginnings, who help people who are homeless or need assistance in the Reading area. For more details, call Clive Williams on: 01491 671631, or email: clivewilliams@gmx.co.uk

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LEISURETODAY

04.05.22

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Slow Down Molasses, and enjoy a great day of music

ATURDAY is going to be a day to remember for live music fans as venues across Reading come together for the annual Are You Listening? Festival.

The independent event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for Reading Mencap, and this year it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. And quite right too, as the charity is marking its 60th birthday. It fuses home-grown talent with some bigger names, with a desire to boost lineup diversity and ensure the venues all live up to standards set by Safe Gigs For Women.

One of the acts on the bill is Slow Down Molasses, a group that say they are confronting bristling anxious energy with highly-pronounced pop edges. They are from Saskatoon, Sask in Canada, The group has never been shy about traversing shifting sonic territories, and in their latest iteration, the fourpiece plunge deep into delay trails and feedback decay with a sound steeped in existential dread and simmering guitar rock post-punk sunshine. The group’s 2016 album, 100% Sunshine saw them forge new sounds, but their evolution continues.

They’ve developed an increasingly euphoric live performance, which saw

them playing on stages worldwide. Retreating to their Saskatoon studio, ruminating on the sonic afterburn left in their wake, Slow Down Molasses emerged last autumn with a new LP - said to be their most concise and devastating work yet. Minor Deaths is a suite of eight songs that the band says make controlled swerves into melodic indie rock landscapes while paying homage to the tightly-wound nervousness of post-punk unease. Having shared the stage with like-minded groups such as Deerhoof, Animal Collective, Swervedriver and Built to Spill, Slow Down Molasses

are once again gearing up to take their explosive live show to audiences worldwide – and that includes Reading. The band will be at Rising Sun Arts Centre on Saturday night from 7.30pm. Other venues taking part on the day include Sub89, Purple Turtle, Oakford Social Club, Milk, St Laurence Church and The Face Bar. There is also an Are You Listening? hub planned for Market Place with performances from early afternoon. Tickets cost £33, including a booking fee and allows access to every venue taking part. n For more details, log on to areyoulistening.org.uk

14 | LEISURE

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Four years in one night A CELEBRATION of one of pop music’s most influential musicians is coming to South Hill Park next week. The Cream of Hendrix looks at his life and times, with a performance of some of his greatest hits. The show stars Steve Summers on guitar and vocals. A talented musician in his own right, it has long been his ambition to bring together a group devoted to performing Jimi Hendrix’s work. Songs include Purple Haze, Voodoo Chile, Red House and Foxy Lady. Expect to hear Wild Thing and Star Spangled Banner as well. It is performed in the Bracknell-based arts centre’s Cellar bar from 8pm on Wednesday, May 11. Tickets cost £14. n For more details, call the box office on: 01344 484123, or log on to: www. southhillpark.org.uk

Make a date for Giovanni

DEBBIE McGEE’S Strictly Come Dancing partner Giovanni Pernice is returning to Reading for a new dance spectacular. This Is Me! sees the ballroom expert light up the stage with his carefully choreographed displays. With a team of dancers, he plays homage to the music and dances that have inspired his career to date, from competition dancer to one of the biggest names on the BBC contest. The show is at The Hexagon on Thursday, May 12. There is a chance to order a VIP ticket that allows people to have a meet and greet with the star before the show. It includes a lanyard and a signed photo. The show starts at 7.30pm, and VIP tickets should arrive by 5.50pm. Tickets cost £32 to £38, with VIP tickets costing £75. n For more details, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or log on to: www. whatsonreading.com

Listen up for Daoiri

IF YOU’VE never heard the sound of the bouzouki, now’s your chance. One of the biggest names of the Irish folk music scene is coming to Reading’s South Street next week, and he’s bringing the instrument with him. Daoiri Farrell exploded on to the scene in 2017, winning two gongs at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards just six months

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 EBOS Presents The Boy Friend. Until Sat. Sam Braysher. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Music For Mothers. Sun. The Cream of Hendrix. Wed. Mark Thomas - POSTPONED. Wed. Cult Figure: Kenneth Williams. Thurs 12. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 13. Wonderland. Sat 14-Sun 15. Live Music on the Terrace. Sat 14. Feeling The Beat. Sat 14.

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 The Muslims are Coming. Fri. Egg and Spoon. Sat. Kerry Goliman. Sun. Tony Stockwell. Wed. Sun Records. Thurs 12. Youth Wind Orchestra. Fri 13-Sat 14.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

May 14, and tickets cost £22 to £24. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01491 525050, or log on to: kentontheatre.co.uk

THE STAR of her own Radio 4 series, Anthena Kugblenu is one to watch. And this weekend, she’ll be bringing her latest show to South Street. The comic, who has appeared on BBC Two’s Mock The Week and also The Guilty Feminist podcast, is touring with the stand-up set. In it, she reflects on her middle class childhood. Or was it? After all, Mum was a dinnerlady. And if that’s case, how did she manage to pay for a Megadrive games console? Or is class a state of mind, as much of a state of money? As well as starring in Athena’s Cancel Culture on Radio 4, she is also a writer on Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and The Russell Howard Hour. The 60-minute show is performed on Saturday, May 7. Tickets cost £14. n For more details, call the box office on 0118 960 6060 or log on to www. whatsonreading.com after releasing his debut album, True Born Irishman. Since then, he’s toured the world, playing in Australia, Canada, Belguim, and Denmark. During the first covid lockdown, he performed in 25 weekly livestreamed concerts on Sundays at 10pm, which led to a gig co-hosting the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe. He’s currently recording a new album with The Waterboys’ Trevor Hutchinson. Some of the tracks might be previewed when he makes his Reading appearance on Thursday, May 12. Tickets cost £17. n For more details, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or log on to: www. whatsonreading.com

Royal Ascot comes to Twyford

A DAY at the races is promised for visitors to Twyford next week. Members of the Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group are finally able to present their production of Amanda Whittington’s famous play Ladies’ Day. It was originally planned as a 2020 production but, like everything else, covid prevented the curtain from rising. The cast produced the show as a radio

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell – South Hill Park

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Ladies of Letters. Until Sat. BLKDOG. Tues. Paul Zerdin: Hands Free. Wed. Marvels of Mystery. Thurs 12. Patricia Gets Ready (For a Date With The Man That Used to Hit Her). Thurs 12. Stewart Lee: Snowflake/Tornado. Fri 13-Sat 14. Riot Act. Fri 13-Sat 14.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. The Rocky Horror Show. Until Sat. Baby Broadway. Sun. Balletboyz. Mon. One Night In Dublin. Wed. Be Bop A Lula. Thurs 12. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 12. Anton Du Beke. Fri 13. Mania: the ABBA tribute. Sat 14. Some Guys Have All The Luck. Sun 15.

Henley – Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Henley Drama Festival. Until Sat. Great Expectations. Fri 13. The

Foot tappers in the Shadows

play in late 2020, but now it is back on stage, and with a fresh cast. Ladies’ Day tells the story for four female fish packers who enjoy a day at Royal Ascot. No problem, except they don’t have any tickets. Follow their quest for an enjoyable day out, and as they look for love, happiness and Tony Christie. The production is staged at Loddon Hall from Thursday, May 12 through to Saturday, May 14. n Tickets cost £10 or £12, can be bought from twyrusdrama.org.uk

A date with Dean

MUSICIAN Dean Friedman will be coming to Reading’s Rising Sun Arts Centre next weekend. Famous for songs such as Ariel, Lucky Stars and McDonald’s Girl, he was due to perform at Shinfield Players’ theatre, but Storm Eunice put paid to that. While the theatre is being repaired, the Rising Sun stepped in, and on the night he will present a collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ - songs of pathos and humour that deal with family, friends, neighbours, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life. Joining him will be Tracey Curtis, who

Music of George Harrison, a concert by the All Things Must Pass Orchestra. Sat 14. Dance. Sun 15.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 The Phantom of the Open (12a). Thurs. Kingdom of Madness: Classic Magnum. Thurs. Danni Nicholls. Fri . The Bloody Chamber. Fri-Sat. Outdoor market. Sat. The Worst Person in the World (15). Tues-Wed. The Outfit (15). Wed-Thurs. Merlin. Thurs 12. Tongues on Fire presents Gandhi and Co (tbc). Fri 13. Tongues of Fire: Lines (tbc). Fri 13. Tongues on Fire: The Brittle Thread (tbc). Fri 13. Tongues on Fire: Bring on the Bollywood (tbc). Fri 13. The Grahams. Fri 13. Benedetta (18). Sat 14. Oysland. Sat 14. Little Mix. Sat 14.

Newbury – Corn Exchange

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

Everything (But The Girl). Thurs. London Mozart Players. Sat. Bollywood Brass Band. Sat 7. 4 Girls, 4 Harps - SOLD OUT. Sun. Imogen Cooper. Sun. A Musical Mural. Sun. Youn Artists Recital 1: Ensemble Moliere. Mon. Andrei Ionita. Mon. Flook. Tues. Kinsky Trio Prague. Tues 10. Dame Janet Baker. Tues 10. Young Artists Recital 2: Connaught Brass. Wed 11. London Tango Quintet. Wed 11. Mansfield Park. Wed. Rant. Thurs 12. Young Frankenstein. Thurs 12. Jeremy Summerly: The English Hymnal. Thurs 12. Words Spoken and Sung. Fri 13. Duo. Fri 13. The Sheepdrove Recital. Fri 13. Young Artists Recital 3: Trio Doyenne. Fri 13. Masterclass with Tasmin Little. Sat 14. BBC Symphony Orchestra. Sat 14. Thus Much I know To Be True. Fri 13-Sat 14. Yolanda Brown. Sat 14. Yolanda’s Band Jam. Sat 14. Tredegar Town Band. Sun 15. Cabaret at Combe. Sun 15.

Newbury – The Watermill

describes herself as an anarchist, a vegan, an activist and mother, who was once a member of the post-punk group Shelley’s Children. Tickets cost £29.50 plus a booking fee, and the music takes place from 7.30pm on Saturday, May 14. n For more details, or to book, log on to: risingsunartscentre.org

A Beatle anniversary

TO MARK the 50th anniversary of the release of George Harrison’s album All Things Must Pass, a special night is being organised in Henley. The Kenton Theatre is to welcome the All Things Must Pass Orchestra to recreate the sounds from the seminal album, released after The Beatles had gone their separate ways. The 10-piece band is led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Alex Eberhard, who has devoted himself to bringing to life George Harrison’s music in all its kaleidoscopic and inspirational glory. This set features other material from Harrison’s incredibly diverse musical output, such as the celebrated masterpieces Something, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Here Comes The Sun, and My Sweet Lord. The show takes place on Saturday,

IT SEEMS hard to believe now, but once the music charts were regularly topped by bands that performed but never sang. And one of them will be celebrated with a new show taking place at The Mill at Sonning later this month. The Bourne Again Shadows will be performing songs from the band’s final tour. Expect songs to include Apache, Kontiki, Wonderful Land, and Foot Tapper – the latter used by Brian Matthews at the theme for his Sound of the Sixties show on Radio 2. The show us on Sunday, May 15, and as with all shows at The Mill, includes a two-course meal before the performance. The bar opens from 6pm, with the show at 8.15pm, and tickets cost £46. n For more details, call the box office on: 0118 969 8000, or log on to: millatsonning.com

Cold war musical returns

MEMBERS of the Sainsbury Singers are busy brushing up on their knights, bishops and rooks as they prepare to perform a new take on Chess. The musical, written by ABBA’s Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, the score includes hits such as One Night In Bangkok, and I Know Him So well. The story uses chess as a metaphor for East-West political intrigue during the Cold War, and centres on two grandmasters of the board game and their tug-of-war over a woman. Originally opened in the West End in 1986, it enjoyed a three-year run, before transferring to Broadway. The amateur group will be performing the show at The Hexagon from Wednesday, May 18, through to Saturday, May 21. Tickets cost £22, or £19 for concession. There is a 10% discount for groups of 10 or more, and four seats for the price of three on the Wednesday evening. n For more details, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or log on to: www. whatsonreading.com

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Our Man In Havana. Until Sat 21. Wonky. Sat 14.

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Lunchtime Organ Recital. Mon. Ana Silvera. Wed.

Busman’s Honeymoon. Until June 25. The Story of the Searchers. Sun. The Bourne Again Shadows. Sun 15.

Reading – South St

Reading – Progress Theatre

Windsor – Theatre Royal

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

Wokingham – Theatre

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Belshazzar’s Feast. Thurs. Matt Winning: Hot Mess. Fri. Skylines - CANCELLED. Sat. Athena Kugblenu: Shaking Her Class. Sat. Daoiri Farrell. Thurs 12. An Evening With Kristin Hersh. Fri 13. Poets’ Cafe. Fri 13. Sam Sweeney Band. Sat 14.

Reading – The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever. Thurs. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Kerem Hasan. Fri. Gyles Brandreth: Break A Leg. Sat. The Guilty Feminist. Sun. Michael McIntyre: Work in Progress - SOLD OUT. Tues. Seven Drunken Nights. Wed. Giovanni Pernice. Thurs 12.

Reading – Concert Hall

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Catch-22. Until Sat. The Alex Hitchock Quartet. Fri 13.

www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Wed-Jun 5.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: The Beauty Queen of Leenane. June 15-18. Theatre closed due to Storm Eunice damage.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 NEXT SHOW: The Best of Queen. Wed, Jun 8.

www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 The Father. Until Sat. Choice Grenfell. Sun.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Film Society: Ali and Ava (15). Thur 12. Alice In Wonderland. Sun 15.

Woodley – Theatre

www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 The Things We Do For Love. May 17-21.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

There’s more to Biscuit Factory than just films

Who put the body in the cellar? The live drag event featured electric performances from Moanical Balls, left, Calamity Storm, centre, and Big Jay, right. Picture: Jake Clothier

EADING’S newest cinema is quickly proving that it can do so much more besides screeening films.

The Biscuit Factory opened last autumn with the promise that it would be a community hub. After a combined film screening and live drag event late last month, it has shown that it can be. The evening’s host, Calamity Storm, lived up to her name with a whirlwind of a lip-sync, matched with intricate yet inyour-face costume design. She was followed by Reading lip-sync champion of 2022, Moanica Balls, who also gave a stunning performance. Big Jay closed the evening, showing how Reading is at the forefront of the emerging drag monarchy with their inventive lip-syncing and dance numbers, including a lip-sync competition between three members of the audience. This set the stage for a screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Dessert, as part of the cinema’s Cult Classics programme. With smaller theatre rooms, the Biscuit Factory provides a comfortable

viewing experience with the atmosphere of a classic Saturday at the pictures. The audience’s whoops, cheers, and tears give the feeling of a group event. This is something that has been sorely missed during the pandemic, and lends itself to the Biscuit Factory’s “cult” showings, and Priscilla especially. The venue has a wide range of film screenings, including other classics such as Little

LEISURE | 15

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Shop of Horrors and Thelma and Louise. It also shows brand new releases, such as Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. The Biscuit Factory has a bar which features a good selection of beers, wines, spirits, and soft drinks, as well as ales from local breweries Phantom, DoubleBarrelled, and Siren Craft Brew. It will soon be opening its kitchen, where it will provide

pizza, hotdogs, cinema snacks, and milkshakes, with plantbased options available. Until then, snacks are available at the bar. The venue offers a full range of accessibility options, with relaxed and captioned screenings and plenty of wheelchair access to screens and facilities. n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: www. readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

JAKE CLOTHIER

Busman’s Honeymoon Until June 25 The Mill at Sonning 0118 969 8000 www.millatsonning.com

OT on the heels of the mysterious House On Cold Hill comes Busman’s Holiday, another play directed by Brian Blessed, in what has become an annual tradition. The stage at the Mill at Sonning has transformed into a house of yesteryear, the focal points being an impressive chimney breast and a curiously large cactus in a hanging basket, albeit not the biggest aspidistra in the world. The play tells the story of Lord Peter Wimsey and his new bride (James Sheldon and Kate Tydman), who are spending their honeymoon in a cottage in Hertfordshire, which Wimsey has recently bought. In quick succession the audience is introduced to the couple’s butler, the chimney sweep, the local vicar, the gardener and the cleaner, among others – plenty of suspects for what comes next. When the former owner of the house is discovered dead in a cellar, Lord Wimsey and his wife take a ‘Busman’s honeymoon’ as they seek to solve the mystery of whodunit. As is to be expected from

performances at The Mill, the characters immediately engage with the audience, who are left pondering the hows and whys of the crime. New pieces of information are gradually introduced, and previous seemingly insignificant details take on a renewed relevance as pieces of the puzzle gradually come together. A highlight of this performance was the interaction between the cast and how each character was brought to life, from the exuberant sweep (Iain Stuart Robertson) to the awkward police constable (Luke Barton). Though not exactly full of humour, as befitting the subject matter, a sparkling and convincing performance was given by all. Mr Blessed said of the play: “Dorothy L Sayers is one of the greatest writers of The Golden Age of British crime fiction. This is her masterpiece! A love story with detective interruptions. “It is enriched with gorgeous characters that bring delightful humour to the story. And the murder method itself remains the most ingenious ever devised by any crime writer.” The play is performed with a two-course meal prior to the show. Evening shows run from Wednesdays to Saturdays, there are Saturday and Sunday matinees from this weekend, and an additional Thursday matinee on June 16 and 23.

JUDITH CREIGHTON

16 | LEISURE

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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Perfectly imperfect in new family show

STORYTIME: Wonky will be at The Watermill in Newbury on Saturday, May 14

NEW family show will open at The Watermill Theatre later this month.

The Newbury venue is welcoming the Really Big Pants Theatre Company for its production of Wonky, which aims to tackle bullying, encourage kindness and help children celebrate their differences. The show focuses on Olive and Messy Jesse and their quest to save the day after staff at celebrity chef Monsieur Nincompoop’s new restaurant go down with food poisoning.

Someone needs to cook for the celebrity guests – enigmatic pop star Solar Pa’nelle and Rapper Scool Yo, who thinks vegetables come out of his nan’s freezer. Will Olive and Messy Jesse work together, overcome the odds, and harvest the vegetables from the patch in time? Joe Bromley and Willow Nash from Really Big Pants Theatre said: “We present theatre with serious messages in a playful way, and Wonky encourages children to express themselves and celebrate their differences, using rap, wonky vegetables, and some really big pants.

“Join us for this fast, funny take on celebrity culture and the power of being yourself.” And there is a chance to turn this into an immersive performance, as The Watermill Theatre’s Riverside Restaurant will be serving a two-course lunch menu and children’s menu after the performance. This is not included in the ticket price of £7. The show starts at 11am, and lasts for 55 minutes. The show is suitable for ages seven upwards. n For more details, log on to: watermill.org.uk, or call the box office on 01635 46044.

MUSIC NIGHT: Seven Drunken Nights is coming to The Hexagon on Wednesday, May 11

Enjoy Seven Drunken Nights in a single evening IT SPANS 50 years, celebrates its fifth anniversary, and is all about Seven Drunken Nights, all in one night. The popular show telling the story of The Dubliners is back at The Hexagon on Wednesday, May 11, with a brand-new production. It’s sold out in venues worldwide and, over the space of an evening, it tells the story of how the band came together in the legendary Irish pub O’Donoghue’s

Here’s a chance to celebrate the music created by Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, John Sheahan, Ciaran Bourke and Jim McCann, performed live by a talented cast of musicians and singers. The show takes place from 7.30pm, and tickets cost £26.50. n For more details, or to book, log on to www. whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Artists’ work goes on display A NEW exhibition aims to help people ease back into normal life after lockdowns. Taking place at South Hill Park until Sunday, May 22, A Sense of Space has been curated by The Reading Guild of Artists’ (RGA), and is on display in its Atrium and Balcony galleries. The aim is to give viewers a chance to reflect on, remember and restore their own sense of space. The newly elected President of the RGA, BBC Radio 3 presenter Fiona Talkington, said she felt

the spaces at South Hill Park was an inspiration to many artists exhibiting. “It is thrilling to be able to share in some of that inspiration, to spend time with vast canvases and small prints, with silhouettes and ceramics and to reflect on the skills and talents of so many members of the RGA,” she said. The RGA said that it hopes the exhibition encourages the viewer to look, see and connect with some of the feelings the artists have attempted to portray in their work.

Both the RGA and SHP hope that the wide variety of artworks on display, the range of subject matter depicting a sense of space, and the joy of experiencing ‘art in the flesh’ will be a source of great pleasure for all who come to South Hill Park Arts Centre. A free Meet the Artists event will be held on Sunday, May 15, from 11am. Places for this should be booked in advance. n For more details, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

Celebrate Kenneth Williams A CELEBRATION of one of the mainstays of the Carry On films is coming to South Hill Park later this month. Cult Figure: Kenneth Williams looks at the life and times of one of the biggest radio stars of all time. From show-stealing performances on the radio in Hancock’s Half Hour and Round the Horne and more than 20 years of starring in the Carry On films to becoming the darling of the chat shows, Williams was a rare talent who could turn from broad slapstick to erudite wit in a split second. And he was also one of the much-loved storytellers in Jackanory, as well as providing the voice to a number of children’s programmes such as Will O’The Wisp. Now, actor and impressionist, Colin Elmer, who played Kenneth Williams in the UK tours of Round the Horne and Hancock’s Half Hour, reprises his role in this new production from Apollo Theatre, telling the great man’s story in his own words, using anecdotes, writings and some of the material for which the comedy legend was so well-known. So, as Kenneth would say, stop messing about and

join in the hilarious and engaging evening at South Hill Park. The evening takes place on Thursday, May 12, from 7.45pm. Tickets cost £18.50, or £13.50 for under 18s. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01344 484123, or log on to: www.southhillpark.org. uk

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Wednesday, May 4, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

RaW Sounds Today

BRIGHTER WORLD: OSP want their songs to be positive messages of tolerance and respect – heare them for yourself via the RaW Sounds Today playlist

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday

ILL SMITH’S grandmother famously once advised him not to swear when creating songs, something he took to heart.

Indeed, much of his work as The Fresh Prince is upbeat and playful. It’s a sentiment that one can feel with OSP, who head up our playlist this week. They want to be a positive breath of fresh air across the music scene, and you can find out why by tuning in. All songs in the RaW Sounds Today have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name). To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and keep dancing. There’s also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

OSP – When? OSP were in our playlist a few months ago with their single Breathe, but they have just released the new OSP EP. It’s so good that we had to include a song from it as the lead track this week. OSP stands for Only Speak Positive, and they are a four-piece from Reading that say they are looking to deliver a powerful message of tolerance and respect.

GIG GUIDE Thursday, May 5

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Bracknell Blues Club: Siren. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Mel Gaynor’s Rosk. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr Sango Presents Amapiano. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Fiesta club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – South Street arts centre. Belshazzar’s Feast. Details: 0118 960 6060. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Friday, May 6

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Tony Goff and the Broken Colours, Nick Byrne and Matt Montana. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. CLOSED. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. SOULTRAX. Details: 01344 457318 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Sam Braysher. Details: 01344 484123. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Circus 66. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – St Laurence’s Church, Friar Street RG1 1DA. Are You Listening? Warm-up party. Dirtbag, Swallow, Adam and Elvis, Nobodies Birthday,

Phantom Booth – The World Outside My Door

Here’s a wonderful single from a new band based in Reading and London. They will be appearing live at the impressive Reading Rising event at The Facebar on May 8th alongside 11 other bands - https://linktr.ee/ phantombooth

Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Slow Train Blues

Here’s a song from this band’s debut album, Blues Revisited. Following the launch of the album they have been added to the bill at Wokingham Festival https://www.selinaandthehowlindogs.com/

We need more of that in the world at the moment and we certainly need OSP. Great stuff. They will be live at Readipop on Sunday, July 10 https://www.facebook.com/ospmusicuk

Split the Dealer – Dreamstate Split the Dealer, aka Sam Brett, is a fave at RaW Sounds Today, and we are really looking forward to his headlining show at Reading’s Sub 89 on Friday, May 13. To get in the mood for that, here’s a Split The Dealer single from last year which like many of his other songs is a brilliant uplifting song with melodies that you can’t help singing along to. Have a listen to this and his other excellent singles and, if you haven’t already, grab those tickets to see this exciting live performer - https://linktr.ee/ splitthedealer

Disorder DJs. Details: info@ heavypop.co.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Sham69. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Storm in a Teacup present BORTS, Missing The Scene, X Twenty Two, Mayor of Dorkshire. Details: 0118 958 6048. SINDLESHAM – The Walter Arms, Bearwood Road RG41 5BP. JD Soul. Details: 0118 977 4903.

Saturday, May 7

in August. Have a listen to this and their previous single, Earth – https://allmylinks.com/inalbionband

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. 4G. Details: 01344 420690. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. 4Foxsake with Damn Good Liars. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Hustler. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Soul’d Out.. Details: 01344 422622 ACROSS READING. Are you listening? Festival 2022. READING - Cafe Iguana, St Mary’s Butts RG1 2LN. Live In Love: classic revival, reggae and soul. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Bottle Kids. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. AfroPop Mix and Blend. Details: 0118 968 1442. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Are You Listening? Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – Queens Head,

Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Gareth Chelley quartet. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Audiotonic. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – Up The Junction, London Road RG1 3NY. Bounce and Step. Details: 0118 926 0544. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. House Music with DJ Charlie C, Steve Adams, Adam Morton. Details: 0118 977 3706. WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. BJ Bevy. Details: 0118 979 7402. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Soul Night. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, May 8

EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Sunday Funday Karaoke from 2pm. Details: 0118 966 7153. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Reading Rising III: Presstomego, Defences, Inair, Transients, Allearsavow, Forlorn, Lakeacacia, Skoria, Tether, Mercuryswell, Weaponry, Phantombooth. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Sue Graves and Hector Gilchrist. Details: www.

The Mezz – Yesterday You Said Tomorrow The Mezz are a new indie four-piece band and this latest single is well worth a listen. They support Split the Dealer at his Sub 89 Reading show mentioned above. Watch out for another new single this month https://www.themezz.uk/

Rocket Kings – Rendezvous This ukulele pop band are at Wokingham Festival in August but you can also see them a lot sooner as they are at Are You Listening Festival this Saturday, at The Rising Sun Arts Centre in Reading - https:// www.facebook.com/rocketkings/

In Albion – Burning the Candle at Both Ends

An exciting up-and-coming theatrical prog band who will also be appearing at Wokingham Festival

readifolk.org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Story of the Searchers. Details: 0118 969 8000. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Anna Nightingale. Details: 01252 870648.

RG1 1EP. Dutty Moonshiine Big Band. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Hexagon. Seven Drunken Nights. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Concert Hall. Ana Silvera. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Thursday, May 12

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Dean Freidman. Details: 01491 681048.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Americana Night with Jack Cade Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Bobby V: The RnB Addictaion Tour. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING - South Street. Daoiri Farrell. Details: 0118 960 6060. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Tuesday, May 10

Friday, May 13

Monday, May 9

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesdays. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Dean Freidman. Details: 01491 681048. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana. Details: 0118 969 2047.

Wednesday, May 11

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Open Mic Night. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Cream of Hendrix. Details: 01344 484123. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Monthly Shanty Session. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – Sub89, Friar Street

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. OASISesque. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Whitney Houston tribute. Details: 01344 303333. GORING - Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Road RG8 9HB. Fleur Stevenson, Stuart Henderson, Nick Hill, Howard King, Mike Goff. Details: www.ticketsource. co.uk/goring-community-jazzclub READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Metal Fridays: Gotlocker, Sore Teeth, Goad, Bring The Onslaught. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Thurd Lun and Loddfest, powered by Jamma. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Modesty Blue – Sea of Emotion From the sound of the blues we go to the sound of the 80s with the new single from Modesty Blue. It’s their second single and is another catchy summer feel pop song - https://www.facebook.com/ modestybluemusic

The Amazons – Bloodrush Here’s an anthem from this fast-rising band from Reading who recently played at The O2 Arena supporting Royal Blood. It’s from their forthcoming third album, How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? - https://theamazons.co.uk/

Small Town Heroes - i need u Here’s a new band with a song from their debut EP, No Filters Needed. They will be live on the Wokingham Music Club (WMC) Stage at Wokingham Festival in August - https://tommyhand. wixsite.com/smalltownheroesuk

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents The Alex Hitchcock Sextet. Details: www. jazzinreading.com READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Split the Dealer. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING - South Street. An Evening with Kristin Hersh. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Saturday, May 14

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. The Silver Searchers.. Details: 01344 420690. BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Rock Night with Weird Boyfriend and Redhead. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL - The Bridge, Wokingham Road RG42 1PP. Utter Madness Duo. Details: 01344 862912. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Pink Fish.. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Asylum Affair. Details: 01344 422622 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live Music on the Terrace. 3pm. Details: 01344 484123. PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Sing-a-long-a Nick in aid of DEC Ukraine appeal. Ticket only. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Reading Fundraiser for Ukrainian refugees: The Highwasters, The Deckchairs, The Echo, The Skavengers, The Skangsters. From 6pm. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Marisa And The Moths, and Metamorphosis. Two Weeks In Nashville. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dean Friedman in concert. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Lord John Band. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING - South Street. Sam Sweeney Band. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Turn. Details: 0118 957 6930. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Horizon. Details: 0118 942 9606. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Soultime. Details: www.wokinghammusicclub. co.uk YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Tequila Chase. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, May 15

EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Sunday Funday Karaoke from 2pm. Details: 0118 966 7153. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Singers Night. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Bourne Again Shadows. Details: 0118 969 8000.

26 | LEISURE

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Exhibitions

READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Community Voices A series of displays showcasing responses to The MERL’s collections. Open daily except Monday. Details: 0118 378 8660. READING – Edith Morley building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 6AA. The Ure Museum presents: Discover the beauty of Etruscan pottery. Tuesdays to Thursdays. 9am-4.30pm. Free. Details: 0118 378 6990. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Museum presents Collected: 150 Years of Reading FC. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (Sat 5pm). Free, suggested donation of £5. Details: 0118 937 3400.

Films at Reading Biscuit Factory

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Operation Mincemeat (12a). Thurs. Downton Abbey: A New Era (PG). Thurs. Firebird (15). Thurs. The Northman (15). Thurs. The Unbearable weight of Massive Talent (15). Thurs. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Thurs-Thurs May 12. Keep It Cult: Little Shop of Horrors (PG). Fri. Keep It Cult: Thelma and Louise (15). Mon, Fri 13. RFT Presents The Eyes of Tammy Faye (12a). Wed. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

Thursday, May 5

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. 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 Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street RG40 1XH. Comedy on Tap. Details: 0118 978 0389. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Baptist Church, Milton Road RG40 1DE.

Wokingham Literary Society meeting: Diarists: a selection of fact and fiction including Wordsworth and Bridget Jones with Chris Davies, Paul Hammond, Rosemary Hughes and Pat Vokes. 7.30pm. £2 non-members. Details: wokinghamliterarysociety. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice.The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Exhibition evening at Wokingham Town Hall. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk. WOKINGHAM - Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club photography exhibition. Free entry. 2pm-4pm. WOODLEY – Chapel Hall, Loddon Bridge Road, RG5 4BG. Woodley Townswomen’s Guild meeting: The Magic of the Alphorn. 7.45pm. Details: 0118 969 8846

Friday, May 6

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice.The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363. WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk. WOKINGHAM - Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Wokingham and East

Berkshire Camera Club photography exhibition. Free entry. 10am-4pm. WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, May 7

BARKHAM – Village Hall, Church Road RG40 4PL. Barkham Village Residents Association barn dance. 7pm-10pm. CAVERSHAM - Caversham Park Village Social Club, Northbrook Road RG4 6PF. Milestones Got Talent: children’s contest. Dancing, singing, magic etc. Bring your own music and props. 5.30pm. Details: www. cpva.org.uk EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Oakwood Forest Church meeting: Beltane. 4pm. Details: oakwoodforestchurch. wordpress.com HURST – Dinton Pastures, Davis Street RG10 0TH. A Date With Nature Monthly Saturday morning walk. £2 donation to RSPB. Meet ing main car park. 9am, event to take around three-and-a-half hours. Details: ww2.rspb.org.uk MAIDENHEAD – Stubbings House SL6 6QL. Stubbings House open gardens for National Garden Scheme. Parkland gardens access via retail nursery: large lawn with ha-ha and woodland walks. 60 metre wall of wisteria. 10am4pm. £4, children free. Details: 01628 825454. PADWORTH - Village Hall, Padworth Lane. Jumble sale. 2pm. Donations 10am-11.30am. In aid of village hall. READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk READING - Christchurch Meadows, by the bridge. The Sunday Alternative presents Improv in Reading. From 12.30pm. READING – Crunch Comics, Harris Arcade. Free Comic Book day 2022: Each person visiting can collect a free comic from a choice of 30 - plus special offers and events. 10am-4pm. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Catch 22. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.uk. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Abbey Quarter tours: explore the heart of medieval Reading led by trained volunteer guides. Ninety-minute tour from 11am. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172.

SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church. Lunchtime concert with musicians from The Holt School. Free entry, followed by light lunch. Retiring collection in aid of church funds. Details: www.loddonreach.org.uk TADLEY – Ambrose Allen Centre RG26 4ER. Tadley & Baughurst Art Club. 10am-5pm. TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting. Over 18s only. Booking essential. 1pm. £13.50. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk WOKINGHAM - Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club photography exhibition. Free entry. 10am-4pm. WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Hobson’s Choice.The Father, translated by Christopher Hampton, based on Florian Zeller’s work 7.45pm. Details: 0118 978 5363. 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. 9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, May 8

CROWTHORNE - Sebastian’s Action Trust The Woodlands. The Big Sunday Funday in aid of Sebastian’s Action Trust: shopping, raffle, food and more. 11am-3pm. MAIDENHEAD – Stubbings House SL6 6QL. Stubbings House open gardens for National Garden Scheme. Parkland gardens access via retail nursery: large lawn with ha-ha and woodland walks. 60 metre wall of wisteria. 10am4pm. £4, children free. Details: 01628 825454. READING – 200 Longwater Avenue, Green Park RG2 6GP. Light in the Lens photography exhibition. 10am-3pm. Free entry. Details: 0800 028 7338. READING - Grand Tiles, Sentinel End RG2 0BF. Animal Mosaic Making Family Workshops, 1pm2pm. £13.09. For ages five upwards. Details: Search Eventbrite for Montet Designs. READING – Jelly, Broad Street Mall RG1 7QE. Sunday life drawing with guest artist Ollie Musson. 11.30am-1pm. £12. Details: www.jelly.org.uk READING – Richards Hall, The Abbey School, Kendrick Road RG1 5DZ. West Forest Sinfoia: Orchestral Concert. 4.30pm. £15, £5 students and under 18s. Details: westforestsinfonia. org READING – St Bart’s Theatre, St Bartholomew’s Road RG1 3QA. READ College

presents Reading Dance & Theatre Showcase. 10am5pm. £5. Details: www. readcollege.org SONNING COMMON – Village Hall, Wood Lane RG4 9SL. Craft fair. 10am-4pm. Details: mumadoracrafts.co.uk TADLEY – Ambrose Allen Centre RG26 4ER. Tadley & Baughurst Art Club. 10am-4pm. WOKINGHAM – From Elms Field. Wokingham Walk 2022. From 9am. WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Wokingham vegan market. 9am-1pm. Details: www.sparkleveganevents. com WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, May 9

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org READING - Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Berkshire Organists’ Association Lunchtime organ recital with Graham Barber: Whitelock, Frank, KargElert, Jackson, Bax. 1pm. £6, £5 advance. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING - Zerodegrees, Bridge Street. Cafe Theologique presents: Why Christians Need to Stop Evangelising (Badly) and Have a Conversation. A talk and discussion with James Butler. 7.30pm. Free. Online as well as in person. Organised by University of Reading Chaplaincy. Details: www.reading. ac.uk/chaplaincy WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, May 10

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. linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Coronation Hall, Headley Road RG5 4JB. WISE Over-50s Forum: Speaker: Simon Bartlam - Wokingham Borough’s Countryside Officer (operations) on Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst and Highwood in Woodley. £3.

READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Raffle tickets will be on sale at .50p each. 2pm-4pm. Details: Woodleywise@ gmail.com or: 0118 969 6206.

Wednesday, May 11 BARKHAM – Village Hall, Church Road RG40 4PL. Berkshire Bonsai Society meeting. 7.30pm. Details: www.berkshirebonsai. co.uk EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM - Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Wokingham Flower Club demonstration by Mig Kimpton: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 7pm. £15, £12 members. Details: 0118 973 2285. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, May 12

CAVERSHAM - Caversham Court Gardens, Church Road RG4 7AD. Berkshire Family History Society presents a guided tour of the gardens. Booking essential. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553. EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Windsor Castle, a talk by Dr David Lewis. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm3.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 950 9553. SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org TWYFORD - Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road RG10. Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group presents Ladies Day. 8pm. Details: twyrusdrama.org.uk WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Multi-print challenge. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Ali and Ava (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham

Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Friday, May 13

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org TWYFORD - Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road RG10. Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group presents Ladies Day. £10 and £12. 8pm. twyrusdrama.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat. 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, May 14

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Free entry. Details: jean@alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928. CHARVIL - Village Hall. Inner Wheel Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh presents a brunch in aid of the Karun School in India. 10.15am. £15. Details: 0118 934 2883, or email: iwcrme@ gmail.com GORING - Thule Grange RG8 9QH. Open Garden for National Garden Scheme. Recently developed one acre garden set around country house (not open). Centred upon a catalpa tree with a rose-filled parterre, wildflower area, yew avenue and richly planted herbaceous borders. 10am-4pm. Combined admission with Wynders £6, children free. Cream teas available. GORING - Wynders RG8 9QA. Open Garden for National Garden Scheme. Grass borders, formal garden, orchard, wildflower meadow, roses, shrub borders, ferns and vegetable plots. Classic cars on display. 10am-4pm. Combined admission with Thurle Grange £6, children free. Cream teas available. Details: 07920 712571. PANGBOURNE - Outside Garlands Organic Shop, Reading Road RG8 7LY. Pangbourne Allotment plant sale. 10am-12.30pm. Details: 0118 984 5898. WOKINGHAM - St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Reading Phoenix Choir concert for Ukraine. 7.30pm. £15, under 16s £5. Details: www.rpchoir.com/ukraine READING - Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square.

Reading Civic Society presents The Rise and Fall of Biscuit Town: Developing and Redeveloping Huntley & Palmers Biscuit Factory 1800-2000, a talk by Joe Doak. 1.30pm. £3. Details: www.readingcivicsociety. org.uk READING - Forbury Gardens, The Forbury RG1 3BB. Reading Children’s Festival from 11am-4pm. Events across the day, including a Mad Hatters Tea Party, theatre workshops and Dr Bike checks. Free. Details: whatsonreading.com TWYFORD - Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road RG10. Twyford and Ruscombe Theatre Group presents Ladies Day. £10 and £12. 8pm. Details: twyrusdrama. org.uk WOKINGHAM - Bond Brews, South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road. Bon Brew Tap Yard party. Noon-6pm. Details: bondbrews.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Horticultural Association Trading Store, Ormonde Road, RG41 2RB. Annual Bring and Buy Plant Sale 10.30-12.30. Details www.w-h-a.org.uk 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

Sunday, May 15

EYE AND DUNSDEN - Village Hall, Dundsen Way. Mack Strrig Quartet present Mack Movements. 4pm. GORING - Thule Grange RG8 9QH. As yesterday. 10am-4pm. GORING - Wynders RG8 9QA. As yesterday. 10am-4pm. Details: 07920 712571. SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Farmers Market. 10am. www. spencerswoodhall.co.uk STREATLEY - St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG8 9HU. Piano recital by Ikuko Inoguchi: Jean Philip Rameau, Franz Schubert, M. Glinka/M. Balakirev, Noriko Koide and Ludwig van Beethoven. 4pm. £10, £9 concessions. Cash only. Details: StMarysConcerts@ hotmail.co.uk WOKINGHAM - Wokingham Bowls Club, Reading Road. Open day. Wear flat shoes and have a go. 10am-2pm. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Minature Railway, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway running. £1.50 per ride, four rides £5. 1.30pm-4pm. Under threes free. Now accepts card payments. Details: www. pinewoodrailway.co.uk WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

No. 5412

Your weekly puzzle challenge

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Wednesday, May 4, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

Quiz Challenge

CROSS CODE

12 7

22 18

8 3

22 17

10 4

22 25

18 12

3 7

8 17

25 11

5. Which famous English rock band’s fourth album was untitled save for four symbols?

10. What is the title of J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel?

NONAGRAM

22 7

4. What is scuba an acronym for?

U M A

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

MAGIC SQUARE

THE CHOSEN POSTING

E O N

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 23 Good; 27 Very Good; 32 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed L through openings in the walls. The O first letter may appear in any chamber. W B

SUDOKU

4 9

2 7

8 9 3 1

3 8

15 16

19 20

A E

ACROSS 1. Does an infant get fed up sitting here? (9) 8. No need for it when eating wild cherry (4) 9. Score one more and you should win this card game (9) 11. Male oﬀspring with a mythological queen (6) 12. Language coming from GI Alec is dreadful (6) 13. There’s an intuitive talent about pa’s undoing bag (8) 16. Notice Edmund altering the additional matter (8) 20. Lizard found in Antigua naturally (6) 21. Mouse-like animal, note, is keen (6) 23. Post-prandial instrument? (9) 24. Fellow giving information to weather centre (4) 25. Rudely tie knot in a learned way (9)

I R

R C

Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

DOWN 2. Doomed, turned tail and fled (3-5) 3. Refuse to allow free speech (6) 4. John hurried round, robbed en route (8) 5. A short distance in church (4) 6. Her look was deadly but she could be amused (6) 7. Unload United Nations supplies (6) 10. Hold the fort (4) 14. Confessed that it had been allowed (8) 15. Scientifically impersonal type of thermometer (8) 16. Allocate a s-symbol (6) 17. Brave sweetheart with first love gone (6) 18. Went round for an amphibian (4) 19. Quantity produced not in place (6) 22. The same again alternatively in the entrance (4)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

20 22

21 23

This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd. To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com © Sirius Media Services Ltd

30 8 3 6 7 5 9 4 1 2

4 7 9 1 2 6 8 3 5

1 5 2 3 8 4 6 7 9

WORD PYRAMID: Yellow Brick Road. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – add; divide; subtract; multiply. Total: 10.

SOLUTIONS

2 9 8 4 3 7 1 5 6

1 3 7 5 6 4 3 3 6 8 1 2 9 5 6 7 2 9 1 3 8 4

3 4 1 8 6 5 9 2 7

3 7 3 7 2 8 9 5 9 7 2 5 6 5 9 1 6 2 9 3 6 6 7 1 9 5 4 8 1 2 4

EQUALISER 2 12 12 8 2 3 1 6 3 8 2 2

Hard

9 1 4 5 7 3 2 6 8

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

7 8 3 6 4 2 5 9 1

Easy

FIVE ALIVE SA

WORD PYRAMID

R E V

8. Chert is a type of what? 9. In the 2021 Bond film No Time to Die, who plays Eve Moneypenny?

7. What are horses called which do not reach 1.47 metres in height at maturity?

3. In 2015 Max Verstappen, aged 17, became the youngest driver to compete in F1 racing. Which event was he at?

6. ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players’ is a line from which Shakespearean play?

2. What M is a Japanese food seasoning often used to make a clear soup?

14 15

1. What are the three parts which make up the body of an insect?

18 1

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

PZ1P5412

6 2 5 9 1 8 7 4 3

1 5 2 6 4 3 9 8 7

25 8

8 6 3 9 2 7 1 4 5

7 9 4 5 8 1 2 6 3

6 4 1 7 3 9 8 5 2

9 8 5 4 6 2 7 3 1

3 2 7 8 1 5 4 9 6

5 7 8 2 9 6 3 1 4

2 3 9 1 5 4 6 7 8

4 1 6 3 7 8 5 2 9

5412

ACROSS 1. Lieu (5) 4. Forestall (7) 8. Excess (7) 9. Shovel (5) 10. Truck (5) 13. Majestic (7) 17. Burnt remains (3) 18. Population count (6) 19. Wandering (6) 20. Eisenhower’s nickname (3) 22. Windlass (7)

25. 28. 29. 30.

Harass (5) Intended (5) Equate (7) Lacking in direction (7) 31. Surrender (5) DOWN 1. Rope fibre (5) 2. Mistake (5) 3. Dawdle (5) 4. Haunt (6) 5. Panorama (5) 6. Knowing (5) 7. Each (5)

11. 12. 14. 15. 16. 17. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

Musical drama (5) Corrodes (5) You (archaic) (4) Curt (5) Forward thrust (5) Continent (4) Raps (6) Punctuation mark (5) Biblical poem (5) Name (5) Uneven (5) No longer fresh (5) Rated (anag.) (5)

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Stead; 4 Obviate; 8 Surplus; 9 Spade; 10 Lorry; 13 Stately; 17 Ash; 18 Census; 19 Errant; 20 Ike; 22 Capstan; 25 Beset; 28 Meant; 29 Compare; 30 Aimless; 31 Yield. Down – 1 Sisal; 2 Error; 3 Dally; 4 Obsess; 5 Vista; 6 Aware; 7 Every; 11 Opera; 12 Rusts; 14 Thee; 15 Terse; 16 Lunge; 17 Asia; 21 Knocks; 22 Comma; 23 Psalm; 24 Title; 25 Bumpy; 26 Stale; 27 Tread.

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Head, abdomen and thorax; 2 Miso; 3 The Australian Grand Prix; 4 Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus; 5 FIVE ALIVE: Led Zeppelin; 6 As You Like It; 7 Ponies; 8 Rock; 9 Naomie Harris; 10 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. (1) Across – Shark; Feign; Rainy. Down – Safer; Alibi; Kinky. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Highchair; 8 Gean; 9 Blackjack; 11 Hecuba; 12 (2) Across – Atlas; Adore; Tusks. U Z A M N B C H W R P G K Gaelic; 13 Knapsack; 16 Addendum; 20 Iguana; 21 Shrewd; 23 Down – Await; Loops; Stems. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Toothpick; 24 Gent; 25 Eruditely. O L Q D T V I Y E F J S X Down – 2 Ill-fated; 3 Heckle; 4 Hijacked; 5 Inch; 6 Medusa; 7 NONAGRAM: amen; amour; arum; enamour; enema; Unpack; 10 Keep; 14 Admitted; 15 Clinical; 16 Assign; 17 Daring; mane; MANOEUVRE; manor; manure; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU 18 Newt; 19 Output; 22 Door. pest; echo; shin; mare; mauve; maven; mean; meaner; tong. meno; menu; mere; moan; moaner; more; moreen; morn; moue; mourn; move; mover; muon; mure; name; neem; neume; neuroma; nome; norm; omen; overman; ovum; ream; remove; rename; roam; roman; rumen; venom; vomer.

28 | LIFE

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Get up to reduce risk of heart disease Healthy Heart Heart Research UK

AST WEEK saw the country mark On Your Feet day.

This is a national awareness day to promote the benefits of sitting less and moving more. Cutting down on the amount of time we sit can help to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, becoming overweight or obese and developing diabetes. While the day may have passed for this year, it will return - here are some tips on how to reduce sitting time, so you are ready for next year.

Small changes Think of one or two small changes you could make to help you to move more throughout the day. For example, try taking regular breaks from your computer, use the stairs more often, or stand during phone calls and presentations. If you work at a desk, you may even consider improving your setup by investing in a standing desk.

Keeping children active

Only 20-23% of children meet the physical activity guidelines of one hour

per day so we should try to encourage children to exercise daily. On days off, aim to get outside and play some games in the garden, visit the local park, or go for a family bike ride instead of spending too much time on the couch.

Walk for a Healthier Heart

Making walking a more important part of our everyday life means taking positive steps towards a healthier heart and body. Walking is free, requires no specialised equipment, can be done by all ages and abilities and fits in with any lifestyle. Compete with friends, family and colleagues by logging your steps, miles or walking routes over the week. n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly

healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/ healthy-tips. n To help keep your heart healthy, try Healthy Heart recipes

at: heartresearch.org. uk/heart-research-ukrecipes-2/. n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled

with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook

Simple veg for the summer

AY is the month when everything gets busy in the garden and even the most relaxed of gardeners become inspired. Plant growth is steaming ahead with seeds germinating, plants and shrubs bursting into flower and annual weeds popping up. It’s also a time to think about introducing some edible plants into your garden and there are plenty of easy ways to enjoy full-flavoured crops, even when space is tight. For novice gardeners, focus on herbs. It doesn’t take long to grow herbs from seed, and if you get sowing now then you will have them to enjoy throughout the summer. Parsley, coriander and dill can all be sown direct in the soil this month and you will be able to harvest them from July onwards. Basil is best sown indoors in pots, but again you will be able to take your pick of its leaves from July. If you have a semi-shaded spot in your garden you could try growing a selection of cut-andcome-again salad leaves. Not only delicious to eat, they will save you having to buy bags of salad from the supermarket – which means you will also be cutting down on plastic packaging. If you are going to grow them in a container pick one that is approximately 30cm wide or larger. Try mizuna loose-leaved lettuce, rocket or endive. You can also sow pak choi, Swiss chard and beetroot to harvest their colourful, tasty leaves. Once the salad leaves are 10cm tall – which will be in about three

to four weeks – snip them off with scissors to just above ground level and they will re-sprout for a second or third time. If you give them some liquid plant food after each harvest they will re-grow more rapidly. Dwarf French Beans is the veg that keeps on giving during the summer months. As long as you pick them as soon as they are ready, they will keep on cropping all summer long. They need good fertile soil, so make sure you dig in some compost, and climbing varieties need canes for support. Young plants can be planted out

at the end of May or you can sow seeds now directly into the soil where you want them to grow, at 20cm intervals. Water the soil when it gets dry and if you sow a second batch next month you can alternate picking beans between the two all summer. If you’re new to growing vegetables, beetroot is a good, easy-to-grow option. The seeds don’t need much encouragement to germinate and they require little maintenance once established. Being a root crop, beetroot does best if the soil is free of large stones. The same is true of carrots. If you want carrots with plenty

of flavour, it’s definitely worth growing your own. Both beetroot and carrot seeds tend to germinate within a couple of weeks and you should be harvesting fresh beetroot in 8-10 weeks and carrots in 14-16 weeks. Finally, for a touch of colour try some edible flowers - they can be grown from seed and are easy to sow. Nasturtiums seeds are simply pushed straight into soil in spring or summer and the flowers taste a touch peppery. Pot Marigolds are also sown at this time of year and their orange flowers have a zingy citrus flavour.

Music unlocks memories and supports dementia care

USIC can play a vital role in unlocking our memories, and in supporting those living with dementia.

That’s the message from Specsavers Home Visits, following research they have conducted exploring the power of music. Its shows that 76% of people in the South East - three in four - say that as they grow older they treasure happy memories more, with one in 10 saying that sounds trigger these for them every day. And 61% of people say that their favourite song can take them back to key moments in their lives, while 81% also say that they believe music is one of the most powerful ways to evoke emotion. Dawn Roberts, clinical director for Specsavers Home Visits, says: “Many of the people we meet on a day-to-day basis are living with dementia, and research shows that music can be incredibly powerful in helping them to unlock their memories. “We all know that hearing a particular song can take us back to happy or more challenging times in an instant, but for people living with dementia music is often used as a form of therapy which can improve their how they think, feel, how they see the world, their mood and the way they act. “I have often sung to patients with dementia when I’ve tested their eyes and they’ve really responded to it.” She adds: “Outside of work, I visit a lady in a care home once a week, and all she wants me to do is sing to her. Most of what she wants me to sing is in another language which neither of us speak, so I had to learn the words, but she loves it so it’s definitely been worthwhile. “Music is incredibly powerful, and can really bring people together.” Music is now widely used in dementia care, providing a powerful way to help those living with the condition connect with others according to the charity Dementia UK. It can improve concentration, cognition, memory, speech and non-verbal communication skills, all of which can be impaired by dementia. Research has shown that music can also help reduce blood pressure and heart rate, relieve muscle tension and help with pain management. Specsavers’ home visiting opticians carry out comprehensive free eye tests in the home for people who qualify for an NHS-funded eye test and are unable to leave their home unaccompanied due to a physical or mental illness or disability. n For more details, log on to: www.specsavers.co.uk/home-eye-tests

SPORT TODAY READING

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US

03.05.22

WOLVES PANGBOURNE WIN! TAKE THE TROPHY

WIN SEES FINCH CLOSER TO TITLE

INCE TO DECIDE ROYALS FUTURE

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO? By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC interim boss Paul Ince has a big decision on his mind as he ponders whether to take the position as Royals boss on a permanent basis.

Having helped lead the team to safety alongside his coaching staff of Alex Rae, Michael Gilkes and

Mikele Leigertwood, Ince is now set for talks with the Reading hierarchy this week to decide his future. Taking up his first managerial position in eight years, the former England international arrived at the Royals in February and reinstalled belief among the Reading team who pulled off some magnificent results, including

an away win at Sheffield United and a remarkable comeback from 4-1 down to draw with Swansea City on their way to securing their survival. Speaking on his future, Ince said: “I’ll sit down with the owner and see where they are taking this club. “It’s going to be a busy summer. It’s going to be a tough season next

year. I thought this season was tough but next season is going to be even tougher. “We need to get that message to the fans where the club is going in the next three or four years. “This club has got so much potential if it’s done the right way. And if it’s done the right way, why wouldn’t you want to be a part of it.”

BOBBY MAKES HISTORY IN BRITISH GT CHAMPIONSHIP WOKINGHAM racing driver Bobby Trundley has made history by being part of the first ever all-disabled team to race in the British GT Championship.

On Monday, April 18, Bobby joined his team-mate Aaron Morgan, who is paraplegic following a motocross accident, to race in the first round of the British GT Championship held at Oulton Park. The pair competed in the GT4 category against experienced teams, many racing with professional drivers. After qualifying on Saturday, the pair took part in two one hour races. A tough battle ensued against both GT4 and GT3 classes. They finished eighth overall in the championship in the GT4 class. They were also one of two teams in the Pro-Am category so also took away P2 trophies.. Bobby said: “Oulton Park was an incredible achievement for Team BRIT, which I feel proud and honoured to be part of. Aaron and I learnt a lot and will continue to learn and improve with each race. “I made up three places in our second race and I was confident of taking more, but the race was red flagged due to an incident. It was a positive, progressive day for the team. “A huge thank you to all our fantastic sponsors and supporters, without them we wouldn’t be racing.”

18 | SPORT

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SHINFIELD 10K Picture special: Steve Smyth

RUNNERS TURN OUT FO

The race winner

The Shinfield 10k on Bank Holiday Monday. The Shinfield 10k on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Shinfield 10k on Bank Holiday Monday.

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OR SHINFIELD 10K

The prize winners from Shinfield 10k

By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today RUNNERS turned out in force on Bank holiday Monday to tackle the this years Shinfield 10k.

The race, which started at 9.30am was followed by the junior cross country race at Langley Mead at 11.30am. Runners competed in good racing conditions which saw some impressive times posted. The fastest male runner was Matthew Green from Newbury Athletics Club who clocked in with a time of 33 minutes 21 seconds. Newbury AC made up the top three in the standings as Matthew was closely followed by Daniel Hawkins with a time of 33 minutes 36 seconds and third place Barry Regan, 34 minutes 36 seconds. The top 15 in the race

saw members of Reading Roadrunners, Sandhurst Joggers and Bracknell Forest Runners all post some excellent times as Keith Russell from Reading Roadrunners finished in fourth position with a time of 34 minutes 50 seconds. Reading Roadrunners placed in the top two among the female runners as Carrie Hoskins placed in first with 39 minutes, nine seconds, while Katherine Sargeant followed just behind in second place with 39 minutes, 56 seconds. In total, four members from Reading Roadrunners made up the standings for the top 15 female runners, while Sian Mcbridge from Bracknell Forest Runners placed in 11th with a time of 43 minutes, 23 seconds. Several more local running clubs were out in the running for the event including: Bracknell Athletics Club,

Burghfield Running Club, Finch Coasters, Reading Athletics Club and Shinfield Running Club. Shinfield Running Club chairman, James Suarez, who took part in yesterday’s Shinfield 10k was left delighted after he recorded a personal best at the event. He finished with a chip time of 36 minutes, 31 seconds. James said:” That’s the hattrick. OVer two minutes off my previous 10k. “Also managed to get on the podium as the first local finisher. “What a day, exceeded all my expectations.” One runner from Reading Roadrunners said: “My first 10k and I enjoyed it a lot. A very well organised event. The support from the locals was amazing.” Full results from the race can be found at: https:// results.sporthive.com/

The Shinfield 10k Pictures: Steve Smyth

The start of the 4-6 year olds junior race

The Shinfield 10k on Bank Holiday Monday.

20 | SPORT

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CRICKET

WOKINGHAM SEE OFF FINCH IN LOCAL DERBY

Jacob Clark bowling for Wokingham Pictures: Steve Smyth By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Finch with four wickets and five balls to spare.

Home Counties Premier T20 BCM Championship

WOKINGHAM took a fourwicket victory in their local derby match up against FINCHAMPSTEAD. Finch were put into bat and hit 135 from their 20 overs as Ben Moffat top scored with 30, with Max Uttley taking three wickets for the Oaks. A half-century from Shaan Khan helped them to victory as they surpassed the target set by

Simon Bell out LBW

WEST READING won their opening game of the season against Great Kingshill. It was a close encounter that saw West Reading take the 35 points with a four-run victory after an incredible six-wicket spell from bowler Hafeez UlWahab.

BCL Premier Division

WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE began their league season by beating Goring on Thames. Four wickets from Sana Khan and three from Harikrishnan Balakrishnan helped to bowl Goring out on 151. Waltham chased that down within 30.4 overs after opening batsman Ankush Gandhi struck 82.

opening game of the league campaign. Reading had EARLEY all out on 177 after Krishna Thiyagarajan collected four wickets. Emad Khan top-scored with 46 which helped Reading to claim a three-wicket win.

BCL Division 1A

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD were successful on their visit to Warfield. Three wickets each from

READING UNITED put 39 points on the board in their

BCL Division 1B

Christopher Emes and Robert Crook had Warfield all out on 121. Crows got over the line after 27.2 Overs with three wickets left.

BCL Division 2 READING UNITED 3s were defeated at home to Mortimer West End 2s. Santosh Shah amassed 60 runs, while Karan Bisht wasn’t far behind on 41 to help Reading record 228. But Mortimer batted superbly

to drop just one wicket on their way to taking the points.

BCL Division 3 EARLEY 3s collected 35 points in their home match against CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 3s. A score of 56 from Sanjay Gurung saw Earley record a high total of 194. They bowled Crows all out on 130 after three wickets each from Rahul Sood and Kiran X to claim a 64-run win.

SPORT | 21

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PANGBOURNE GET PAST RAPIDS TO TAKE TROPHY By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today

BTC Intermediate Cup Final

Pangbourne v Reading YMCA Rapids Pictures:

Pangbourne v Reading YMCA Rapids Pictures: Andrew Batt

Pangbourne v Reading YMCA Rapids Pictures:

PANGBOURNE ensured that they took the silverware in a tight contest against READING YMCA RAPIDS. Pangbourne took the lead when they broke into the box from the right-hand side and dispatched the ball past the keeper. Pangbourne added a second when their forward raced through on goal and showed great composure to lob the ball over the keeper to seal a 2-0 win.

Southern Combination Challenge Cup READING CITY booked their place in the next round with a home victory over Cobham. After a goalless first-half, the Cityzens found a breakthrough in the 65th minute when Eddie Lazarczuk’s cross was converted at the back post by Jemel Johnson. City found a second to double their advantage in the 77th minute when Ezio Touray finished from close range. Despite a 90th-minute goal for the visitors, Reading held on to progress.

Pangbourne v Reading YMCA Rapids Pictures: Andrew Batt

Reading & District Sunday League Senior

FC BAPCO took another step closer to the title with a 5-0 win at TWYFORD COMETS. Victory in their final game would secure their status as league champions. BURGHFIELD earned a hard fought three points at home to AFC BRADFIELD. Goals from James McClellan and Rhys Iremoger saw them beat their opponents 2-1. ENGLEFIELD EAGLES and MORTIMER shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

Division One CAVERSHAM UNITED ended their league campaign with three points against READING KITES. Just one goal separated the teams as the Goats earned their eighth league win of the season. They finished in 10th position on 29 points. Division One: Berkshire Dons 3-1 116 Exiles, Caversham United 1-0 Reading Kites, Give Back 5-1 Loxwood Park Rangers, Woodley Wanderers 2-3 Woodley Saints Hobnob Division Three: Berkshire Royals 3-2 Sanctuary Strikers, FC Woodley 2-2 Royal Albion Division Four: Calcot FC 1-2 Core FC

Pangbourne v Reading YMCA Rapids Pictures: Andrew Batt

FOOTBALL

LEAGUE TITLE WINS FOR BRACKNELL RANGERS AND BRACKNELL ROYALS Bracknell & District Sunday League Premier Division BRACKNELL RANGERS wrapped up the league title with a commanding victory at WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK TMW. Rangers hit seven past the Sumas in a 7-1 success on their way to winning the league. 10 wins from five matches saw them finish level on points with second-placed CROWTHORNE INN, but Bracknell’s superior goal difference, which was 11 ahead of their rivals, gave them top spot.

The sides had to be separated from the spot after they drew 3-3, with Cavaliers going through 5-3. BRACKNELL ATHLETIC RESERVES breezed through with a 5-0 triumph against FINCHAMPSTEAD ATHLETIC. WOKINGHAM WANDERERS marched through to the next round by hitting five past FINCHAMPSTEAD ATHLETIC B without reply. BRACKNELL BISONS are through to the next round after they got the better of SILVER BIRCH. Bisons took the cup contest with a 5-2 success.

Cup

Bracknell & District Sunday League Division Two

WINNERSH RANGERS made it through with a convincing 6-1 win over BRACKNELL CORINTHIANS. BRACKNELL CAVALIERS squeezed through with a penalty shootout success against SILVER BIRCH.

FC HARMANSWATER secured a third placed finish after they beat HARTS OF BRACKNELL. The 3-2 away win means Harmanswater finish on 34 points, while Harts of Bracknell finished in

Bracknell Royals v Newbold Picture: Andrew Batt seventh on 22 points.

Bracknell & District Sunday League Division Three BRACKNELL ROYALS wrapped up the league title with a draw against Newbold. The sides shared the points in a six-goal contest, while Royals finished in first on 47 points with 15 wins from 18 matches and now cannot be caught by second placed SF7. CROWTHORNE FC confirmed a third paced finish with in high scoring affair

Bracknell Rangers won the league title

against WILLIAM TWIGG RESERVES. In a game of nine goals, Crowthorne took the points in an entertaining 5-4 away win.

Combined Counties Division One BERKS COUNTY ended their league campaign with an impressive victory over second placed Hilltop. The Swords raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a double from Les Sackey. Hilltop levelled up in the second-

half with a quickfire double, but County ensured they took the points with a goal from Leigh Allen to go back in front before Sackey sealed his hat-trick to make it 4-2.

Thames Valley Premier League FINCHAMPSTEAD took a big step towards the league title with an away win at Marlow United. Goals from Joel Day, Dylan Chaffin and Nick Payne ensured three points for Finch on their travels.

22 | SPORT

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How they rated

ROYALS BEATEN BY BAGGIES AS HO READING 0 WEST BROM 1

ORJAN NYLAND

Wasn’t kept too busy, but stayed alert to tip an awkward cross over the bar from Phillips and couldn’t have done anything with the goal.

TERELL THOMAS

Made his debut at right-back rather than his natural role at centre-back, A fairly bright performance, got forward well.

MICHAEL MORRISON

Didn’t have too much to do especially in the first-half. Made a vital tackle on Phillips in the first-half but soft centre led to the winner.

TOM MCINTYRE

Put his head on the line to make an important block in the first-half but was breezed past by Grant for the winner.

BABA RAHMAN

A fairly comfortable performance defensively, but didn’t get forward often enough to create in attack.

TOM DELE-BASHIRU

Struggles to get on the ball and create when played in a deeper position where he was used again in the absence of Rinomhota.

DANNY DRINKWATER

Has been really good in recent weeks but wasn’t at that level today. Gave the ball away cheaply which led to the goal.

JOSH LAURENT

Lively all game, popped up all over the pitch. Was involved in driving the team forward but his passing was really sloppy at times.

OVIE EJAIRA

Couldn’t provide any kind of creative spark to help Reading try and break West Brom down. A far cry from the previous campaign.

JUNIOR HOILETT

Looked bright during the firsthalf, put in some nice deliveries from the right and some inviting set-pieces.

LUCAS JOAO

He didn’t get any service at all, but he didn’t do anything to help create for his teammates and didn’t make enough runs.

Subs Abrefa, Barker, Meite

6 6 5 5 5 5 4 6 3 5 3

By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today Reading FC were defeated in their final home Championship game of the campaign after Karlan Grant netted late for West Bromwich Albion. Having not been able to produce in attack, it looked as if the Royals may record a rare clean sheet but that was scuppered by Grant’s 78th minute goal which gave the Baggies the points. The Royals’ safety was confirmed last weekend after what has been a tricky campaign on and off the pitch for the club. Paul Ince made one change from the defeat at Hull City as Terell Thomas came in to make his debut for the club in the final home game of the season. Meanwhile, there was plenty of youth on the bench with Rashawn Scott, Kelvin Abrefa, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Dejan Tetek all included in the matchday squad. Steve Bruce made three changes to his side which saw Matty Phillips selected to make his 200th appearance for the Baggies. There wasn’t much for either side to play for after the Royals’ safety was secured last weekend, while West Brom are too far away to make a push for play-offs after their disappointing second-half to the season. An even start to proceedings saw the Royals come forward in the sixth minute through Tom DeleBashiru before Ovie Ejaria put too much on his pass that tried to find the run of Lucas Joao. The visitors had the first shot of the afternoon when Phillips got

Andy Yiadom thanks the Royals’ fans

Orjan Nyland tips over the bar

Paul Ince applauds the crowd

Match stats READING: Nyland, Rahman, Morrison (c), McIntyre, Thomas, Drinkwater, Laurent, Dele-Bashiru, Ejaria, Hoilett, Joao SUBS: Southwood, Abrefa, Tetek, Barker, Scott, Meite, Ehibhatiomhan WEST BROM: Button, Townsend, Bartley, Ajayi, O’Shea, Reach, Livermore (c), Phillips, Diangana, Molumby, Grant, Reach SUBS: Palmer, Robinson, Clarke, Kipre, GardnerHickman, Castro, Ashworth GOALS: Grant 78’

Reading go close a sight of goal from 25 yards and flashed a low drive wide of Orjan Nyland’s post. The Baggies came a couple of inches away from taking the lead in the 15th minute when they got plenty forward into the boss and Kyle Bartley connected from the cross with a looping header that had Nyland scrambling across his line, only to be saved by the post. Josh Laurent was involved all over the pitch, often breaking forward with some positive drives,

Reading were defeated in their fi however his final ball was lacking with some stray passes. The Royals came closest from a set-piece when Junior Hoilett’s inswinging corner was met by the leap of Michael Morrison and he glanced a header just wide of the far post. Phillips picked up the first booking of the match for a late tackle on Baba Rahman. Neither side were able to create any glaring chances to break the deadlock as Tom McIntyre threw

REACTION

PAUL INCE: ‘THINGS NEED TO CHANGE AND THEY WILL CHANGE’ READING FC interim manager Paul Ince believes the club need to ‘build a culture’ after they were beaten in their final home game of the season.

Karlan Grant scored the only goal of the game to give West Brom three points at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Ince is set for talks with the Reading hierarchy to decide whether he is to stay as the club’s manager on a permanent basis next season. “The club has to agree on the same path I do with structure,” said Ince. “Next year will be tough with the embargo and all the players out of contract. “There’s a lot of work in the

summer before pre-season starts. “Things have to be put into plan quickly. “We all want the same thing, it’s just how we’re going to get there. We all have one common goal. “We’re trying to build a culture and it will take a while. “Things need to change and they will change. We will sit down and have a conversation (him and the owners) next week.” Despite facing some tough challenges during his few months in charge, Ince is pleased with the accomplishment of keeping the Royals in the Championship He continued: “It’s been great working with the players, they’ve given me everything. “To get the chance to back into

management is great, at a club like this. It’s hard to see if any of the eight will be here next season. Players need to know what they’re doing. The club needs to know who is going to be the manager, the fans need to know who is going to be the manager and I can’t make decisions on players if I’m not going to be here myself. “It was challenging and we’ve achieved that challenge. Now we’ll see what happens next week.

“The objective was to keep this team in the league and that’s what we’ve done and we have to look at areas where we can take the club forward.” Reflecting on the game, Ince was disappointed to lose in the final home match. “For the final game at home in front of a fantastic crowd, you want to try and get a result for them. “It was a mistake that gave them three points. “We had good chances in the first-half and a mistake cost us.”

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From the middle

OME CAMPAIGN CONCLUDES

Dick Sawdon-Smith Reading players applaud the fans

How often do you watch women’s football?

D McIntyre competes with Button Lucas Joao

Laurent drives forward Grant nets for West Brom

final home match of the season against West Brom Pictures: Steve Smyth

Tom Dele-Bashiru

himself in the way of Phillips’ shot. Reading looked most threatening from set pieces and had a couple of half chances that fell for Morrison before Thomas couldn’t keep the ball in at the far stick after he was left unmarked as half-time came with the score goalless. Phillips’ cross caused a problem for Nyland who had to flap the ball over the bar to prevent it from sailing over his head and possibly into the top corner. Hoilett was caught by a strong sliding tackle from Jayson Molumby that resulted his name being taken by the referee. Danny Drinkwater was the first Reading fans

Reading player to be cautioned when he cynically stopped a West Brom attack. Ince made his first switch when he brought on Kelvin Abrefa in place of Thomas in the 64th minute. Another chance came the way of Phillips but he leant back and skied Dara O’Shea’s cross. Reading’s first meaningful effort of the half came after 77 minutes when the aftermath of a corner fell to Ejaria who blazed a half volley into the stands. Just moments later, the Baggies broke down the other end and broke the deadlock with little over 10 minutes to go.

Callum Robinson fed Karlan Grant, who kept his composure in the box and tucked the ball into the bottom right corner past Nyland. Brandon Barker and Yakou Meite replaced Dele-Bashiru and Ejaria to try and salvage a late goal with seven minutes remaining. Robinson should have gift wrapped the three points when he was found with a cutback, but he hit a tame shot straight at Nyland. But chances were few and far between in a game that was befitting of an end of the season affair with little riding on the result. The Royals are on 41 points with one game left to play.

LEICESTER CITY 0-0 READING

ROYALS LACK CUTTING EDGE IN SCORELESS DRAW WITH FOXES READING FC Women’s poor run of form continued with a scoreless draw away at relegation threatened Leicester City Women.

The Royals have now gone without a win in their last nine Women’s Super League matches which leaves them in eighth in the table after picking up two points from their last eight matches. In a game that presented few chances for either side, Reading picked up their first clean sheet since March in their final away match of the campaign. Reading showed some early positive signs when they got

forward and space opened up on the left for Lily Woodham to hit a goal bound shot that struck a Leicester City body. Leicester came a whisker away from taking the lead in the15th minute when Shannon O’Brien breezed past the challenge of Gemma Evans but couldn’t provide the finishing touch as her shot bounced off the base of the post. It was a close and tense affair in the opening half hour, with both sides cautious to push on too much, particularly in the case of the hosts who are involved in a fight for survival.

O’Brien caused more problems for the Royals when she slalomed out of a challenge and was left with space in the box, but her left footed strike sailed over Moloney’s crossbar. Sanne Troeslgaard picked up the first booking of the game after a tussle with a defender from a corner kick. The half came to a close with neither side being able to snuff out the other in order to find a breakthrough. Natasha Flint came close to finding a goal for the hosts when she connected sweetly with a first

timed shot but Money flew across to her left to keep it out. Leicester almost snatched the game witha free-kick in the 90th minute but a kind deflection ensured the ball struck the post instead of find the net. Evans then came close in stoppage time but was denied by Lambourne’s low stop as the points were shared. The Royals have just one game remaining in the season when they host high-flying Manchester City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium next Sunday.

O you watch women’s football on television? I ask because there has been quite a lot recently, with both semi-finals of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup competition being shown over the same weekend. Often when I ask this question I get negative replies such as. ‘I never watch it, it’s not like real football is it? And yet when I was watching one of the semi-finals, it suddenly came to me, that this is how we hope football would be played. This is how it should be played. I’m not talking about the fact that it was mostly played at ground level, with slick passing or the daring saves made by goalkeepers. We can get that with men’s football. It was when there was a throw-in, that made me realise the different game that I was watching. The throw- in was taken from the spot the ball went out of play. In a Premier League or Championship game the thrower would make his way 10 or 15 yards further up the pitch, but here, it was where the ball went out as it says in the Laws of the Game. This also applied to any free kick. They were taken, as written in Law 13, where the offence occurred. No trying to steal a few yards but not only that, the players of the offending team didn’t stand over the ball to prevent the kick being taken quickly or kick the ball away to delay the start. These offences according to the Laws are punishable by a yellow card. When have you seen one issued despite it becoming normal behaviour in men’s football? Another thing that doesn’t seem to appear in women’s football is diving, pretending that your opponent has brought you down, or holding your head to make out you have been punched in the face. In other words, no cheating. There are of course fouls, players do go down. There are injuries, perhaps that is why those ‘wise men’ at the Football Association back in 1921, decided ‘it was not a suitable sport for women’. But there is no stopping it now. For example, at the moment about 30 small countries and islands in the Caribbean are taking part in qualifying rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The same is happening all over the world. I hope they enjoy their matches and I for one will be looking forward to the finals.

referee

24 | SPORT

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RUGBY UNION

HAYHOW BAGS HAT-TRICK IN RAMS WIN By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

FIXTURES

Friday, April 29

BTC Cup final Pangbourne 2-0 Reading YMCA Rapids

Saturday, April 30 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 0-1 West Brom

Southern Combination Challenge Cup Reading City 2-1 Cobham

Rams 45 Cambridge 7

Combined Counties Division One Berks County 4-2 Hilltop Cove 4-1 Woodley United

CONNOR Hayhow grabbed his second hat-trick of the season as Rams produced a magnificent end-of-season display to thump fourth-placed Cambridge 45-7 at Old Bath Road.

Thames Valley Premier League Marlow United 0-3 Finchampstead Reading YMCA 1-2 Reading City U23’s

The inside centre opened the scoring with an interception try converted by Steffan James in the 12th minute, the hosts doubling their lead shortly afterwards as Ben Henderson’s sublime grubber kick was hoovered up by Henry Bird to touch down on the left. It was a 14th try of the campaign for the wing, and with James adding the extras, Rams led 14-0 at the break. Skipper Tom Vooght ensured he ends the campaign level with Bird after scoring a trademark close-range effort a minute into the second period, fly-half James again on target for 21-0. The bonus-point was then wrapped up four minutes later as Hayhow grabbed his second, scything through from some 45 metres out before James slotted the kick. Replacement scrum-half Darryl Veenendaal signed off his firstteam career by getting Cambridge

Paul Schroter carries for Rams in their 45-7 victory against Cambridge

CRICKET Home Counties Premier T20 Cup Wokingham (138-6) beat Finchampstead (135-9)

Ollie Monye scored his first Rams try on the board, Joe Tarrant with the conversion, but Rams nudged themselves further in front when James maintained his perfect record with a penalty. The home side effectively put the game to bed as Ollie Monye grabbed his first Rams’ try, intercepting an inside ball before darting across the whitewash under the posts, and after James was again successful from the tee,

James McRae put in an Hayhow added gloss to the scoreline with another mid-range score, the hat-trick hero picking up a loose ball before strolling in. Bird drop-kicked the conversion with the final play to send the home supporters away happy.

BCL Premier Division Goring on Thames (151 all out) lost to Waltham St Lawrence (152-4)

Rams: Dykes, Rossiter, Hayhow, Humberstone Bird, James, Cole; Marris, Henderson, Englezos, Taylor, Schroter, Everitt, Vooght ©, McRae

Tries: Hayhow 12, 45, 80, Bird 16, Vooght 41, Monye 71 Conversions: James 13, 17, 42, 46, 72, Bird 80

BCL Division 1B Warfield (121 all out) lost to Crowthorne & Crown Wood (122-7)

FC BRACKNELL WOLVES SUCCESSFUL IN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT FC Bracknell were able to celebrate a weekend of success after the Under 10’s Girls’ Wolves side claimed a trophy win in a regional tournament.

At the beginning of last season, FC Bracknell reintroduced dedicated girls’ football, establishing the seven aside under 10’s FC Bracknell Wolves team, training Thursday evenings and playing in the Berkshire League. After a year of learning and improving every week, the girls and parents travelled to Butlins Minehead on Friday, April 22 to compete in the ESF regional tournament. The girls played four games

over the Saturday and Sunday against some very good teams. Despite not having a regular goalkeeper, each girl took their turn in goal, and all performed amazingly. Come Saturday evening, the Wolves topped their group having won both their games. This was followed up with a draw on Sunday and despite a defeat in their last game, this was more than enough for the girls to lift the trophy much to the delight of players and parents. The team’s effort and determination could never be questioned. Players, coaches, and parents were commended for their encouragement and support of all teams, receiving positive feedback from fellow teams, referees, and the

Hayhow completes his hat-trick

BCM Championship West Reading (149 all out) beat Great Kingshill (146 all out)

Substitutes: Hayman, Lomas, Crame, Bryant, Monye Cambridge: Tarrant, Green, Wand, Hema, Henderson, Rayner, Duffin; Morley, Brownlie, Walker, Frost, Baxter, Bretag-Norris ©, McCloud, Adams. Substitutes: Lewis, Peck, Maka, Veenendaal, Asiedu.

YOUTH FOOTBALL

By BECKY SARNEY sport@wokingham.today

RUGBY UNION National Division One Rams 45-7 Cambridge

tournament organisers. On Sunday evening the girls were presented the trophy by ex-England internationals Rachel Yankey and Danny Murphy. To top the weekend off, Jessica Scruby picked up moment of the weekend award for a fantastic save which helped the Wolves secure the trophy. For winning the tournament, the girls now progress to the grand final to be played at St. George’s Park in June. Next year the team progresses to playing nine a-side football.

n If you are interested and your daughter is in current Year 5 and you would like more details, please contact FC Bracknell via Facebook or www.fcbracknell. com

GOLF

THEALE GOLF CLUB BEGIN COMPETITION SEASON By DICK SAWDON SMITH sport@wokingham.today THEALE Golf Club kicked off its annual series of competitions, with the Founders Bowl.

This is a full members only competition and with good weather and excellent playing conditions, it attracted a large entry, including Lady members playing from the red tees. The Founders Bowl is a Board competition, which means that the winner’s name is inscribed on the honours board in the clubhouse under the relevant trophy. This year’s Founders Bowl name for the sign writer, is Dylan Abraham, who led a bevy of low scorers with an excellent net 67. Two shots behind was Stuart Challis, taking the runners-up spot with a net 69.

BCL Division 1A Reading United (181-7) beat Earley (177 all out)

BCL Division 2 Reading United 3s (228-6) lost to Mortimer West End 2s (231-1) BCL Division 3 Earley 3s (194-8) beat Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s (130 all out)

Sunday, May 1

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Leicester City 0-0 Reading

Monday, May 2

FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Reading YMCA v Marlow United

FIXTURES

Wednesday, May 4 FOOTBALL Division One Challenge Cp Guildford City U23’s v Berks County Thames Valley Premier League Reading YMCA v Richings Park

Saturday, May 7 FOOTBALL

Sky Bet Championship Luton Town v Reading Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Richings Park Reading City U23’s v Marlow United Reading YMCA v Maidenhead Town Wraysbury v Finchampstead CRICKET BCM Championship Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Penn & Tylers Green Holmer Green v Shinfield West Reading v Ballinger Waggoners CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood v Cadmore End Chilterns Division 2 Fulmer v Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s BCL Premier Division Farley Hill v Woodcote Mortimer West End v West Reading 2s Sandhurst v Waltham St Lawrence Shinfield 2s v Goring on Thames BCL Division 1A Checkendon v BerkshireRoyals Peppard Stoke Row v Reading United Reading Lions v West Reading 3s BCL Division 2 Knowl Hill v Reading United 3s West Reading 4s v Purley on Thames Thames Valley Division 1 Falkland v Eversley Thames Valley Division 2B Slough 2s v Finchampstead 2s Binfield v Reading Hurst v Sulhamstead & Ufton Wokingham 2s v Royal Ascot Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham v Thatcham Town Wargrave 2s v Bagshot Aldershot v Sonning Thames Valley Division 4A Cove 2s v Wokingham 3s Finchampstead 3s v Taplow

Sunday, May 8

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading v Manchester City Thames Valley Women’s Cup Tilehurst Panthers v Badshot Lea CRICKET ECB Women’s T20 Cup Stony Stratford v Wargrave Home Counties Women’s Super 8 Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Steventon

Reading Today, May 4, 2022

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