THREE GREAT PAPERS IN ONE: NEWS, SPORT & LEISURE
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
No. 36 90p
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Politician of the year is Alok
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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.
AN MP from Reading has been awarded the title politician of the year at the ‘green Oscars’. More than 400 green business leaders, sustainability executives, investors, campaigners, and politicians heard the news at the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards. The ceremony, held in central London, recognised businesses and individuals striving to net zero. In its citation for Mr Sharma, BusinessGreen noted that the Reading West MP and COP26 president had been “moved to tears” by the commitment to create the Glasgow Climate Pact, which it hoped would lay the foundations for the next critical phase of global decarbonisation efforts. “Thanks to a genuinely remarkable feat of diplomacy, (Mr Sharma) helped signal to the world that the commitment to global climate action is stronger than it has ever been and delivered an agreement that many independent observers agree was as
WINNER: Alok Sharma, Reading West MP Picture: UK Parliament
good as it could possibly have been,” the citation reads. “Throughout his stewardship of the COP26 he repeatedly helped showcase how the technologies and business models we need to build a net zero emission economy are both ready for mainstream adoption and hold the key to a new era of genuinely sustainable development.” Mr Sharma was unable to attend the awards ceremony as he was in Rwanda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, continuing with his COP26 role, but instead delivered a video message to thank the team for his award, saying he was humbled to be recognised in this way.
Prohibition Notice issued to AWE
“I also want to thank all of you who were with us in Glasgow, pushing us to go further inside the negotiating rooms and bringing forward your own commitments outside the negotiating rooms as well,” he said. “What we achieved together was significant and the Glasgow Climate Pact was a historic agreement forged among almost 200 nations. Based on the commitments made at COP26 we were able to say with credibility that we have kept alive the prospect of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. “But, as I said at the time, the pulse of 1.5°C remains weak and it’ll only be strengthened if countries and companies deliver on their commitments. That is the key focus of the UK’s COP26 Presidency this year – implementation, implementation, implementation.” He added: “I look forward to continuing to work with you all on the road to COP27 as we collectively push to turn commitments into action.”
PCC meeting abandoned after chairman row By ANDY MITCHELL Local democracy reporter A MEETING to monitor the work of Thames Valley’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) was abandoned over a political squabble as to which councillor should chair the group.
The Thames Valley Police and Crime Panel examines and reviews how PCC Matthew Barber ensures that Thames Valley Police, which covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, runs effectively and offers support to his work. It is seen as a scrutiny function with members remaining politically neutral. At the start of the meeting, Khalid Ahmed, the panel’s scrutiny officer, announced that a pre-meeting briefing had led to the decision to appoint a temporary chair. That was required to approve the transfer of one of the panel’s places from Buckinghamshire Council to Milton Keynes Council to achieve more equal representation.
Cllr Robin Bradburn (Lib Dem, Milton Keynes Council) noted that any temporary chair was likely to end up in an “uncomfortable position” and clarified with Mr Ahmed that whoever it was would have the casting vote should there be deadlock on any matters that followed. The 20-strong panel includes two independent members who are not councillors. One of those, Phillip Morrice, was voted into that post with eight votes, including his own. Cllr David Carroll (Con, Buckinghamshire Council) had received seven votes without voting himself. Once the new makeup was confirmed, the meeting moved on to the vote for a permanent chair. Cllr Bradburn and Cllr Keith McLean (Con, Milton Keyne) were put forward and received eight votes apiece. Mr Morrice had voted for Cllr Bradburn and was invited to use his casting vote by Mr Ahmed but Cllr Simon Rouse (Con, Buckinghamshire) interjected, telling Mr Ahmed: “For the record, you noted that Mr Morrice
vacated the chair for that agenda item, you led that agenda item. “I would also point to the fact that the point of order at the beginning of the meeting sought an independent member to chair it because they were, by definition, independent in what was clearly going to be a political group vote.” Cllr Bradburn argued the vacation had been done in error. Conservative councillors proposed a new temporary chair but it soon became apparent that any vote would be deadlocked at eight votes each. The meeting was adjourned for talks to end the impasse but there was no breakthrough and it was abandoned without the PCC presenting his annual report, hearing the panel’s annual report or running through topical issues as planned. There are 10 Conservative councillors on the panel with four Liberal Democrats, three Labour, one Green and two independents. The panel is next scheduled to meet on Friday, September 16.
THE Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has issued a Prohibition Notice to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston. The notice prohibits entry into a part of the Plutonium Technology Centre, classified as a “confined space” unless a safe system of work is in place. It was issued to ensure the safety of staff at the West Berkshire based site by controlling entry to a particular area on the ground floor where reduced oxygen levels may be present. ONR served the Notice on Thursday, May 26. A spokesperson for ONR said: “The key purpose of the Prohibition Notice is to ensure the safety of staff at the facility who carry out work in the confined space. “It will apply until ONR is satisfied that AWE have resolved the issue regarding potentially depleted oxygen levels in the confined space and it remains safe for staff.” The ONR confirmed there was no harm to staff as a result of the shortfalls identified, and no risk to the public. The ONR also confirmed reduced oxygen levels are caused by AWE’s operational activities. These are currently being investigated by AWE as part of ongoing work to ensure that the risks to staff and the public are reduced to “as low as is reasonably practicable’’.
Bicycles and vacuum cleaner stolen A THIEF broke into a home in Reading and stole bicycles and a vacuum cleaner. The incident took place sometime between midnight and 6am on Sunday, June 26. Thames Valley Police said the burglar gained access to the property in Green Road via a side door. Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage is asked to contact the police via 101, or online, quoting reference number: 43220280124.
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Football is the winner: Cup celebrates refugees
Sanctuary Strikers are Berkshire’s only refugee team, promoting integration through football
SUCCESS: The victors celebrated the win in style Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images
The final was decided on penalties, with Give Back FC’s goalkeeper proving to be the hero
EXCLUSIVE By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today FOUR teams played out a fiercely-contested football tournament to celebrate Refugee Week on Saturday, June 26.
The annual Reading Community Cup showcased the town’s unity at the university’s 3G pitch. The competition featured Wayback Wanderers, Bracknell Panthers, Giveback FC and Sanctuary Strikers; the latter are a refugee team who use football to promote integration. “The weather held out which was great,” Refugee Support Group fundraising and communications manager Jonjo Warrick said. “It was nice to see the togetherness on show through football. It’s really an international language, all you need is a ball and two goalposts to bring people together.” Although the tournament was played in great spirit, all four sides were eager to bring silverware home. The final saw Give Back FC take on Sanctuary Strikers in a frenetic match that had to be decided by a penalty shootout. After confusion over the number of penalties taken, Give Back sealed the victory as their goalkeeper saved the final spot-kick. Deputy mayor Cllr Debs Edwards presented the victors with medals and the cup. Whitley Ward and Battle councillors Alice Mpofu-Coles and Wendy Griffith also offered their support from the touchline. Sponsored by John Sykes Foundation, the tournament was also organised by the University of Reading, Refugee Support Group and Reading FC. Molli Cleaver, community Relations Manager at the university, said: “Our aim was to bring people across the local community together and shout loudly about how welcome refugees and sanctuary seekers are in Reading and especially at the University. “On Saturday, we took another step in really showing that’s the case. “A big congratulations to Giveback United for winning the tournament for the second year in a row and to close runners up, the Sanctuary Strikers. “The stories of these two teams demonstrate the power of football in bringing communities together, strengthening the message of the Reading Community Cup.”
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All four teams were eager to get their hands on the Community Cup Picture: Dijana Capan
Ding’s debt to railways helping power economic growth praised by MP READING’S debt to railways was highlighted in a parliamentary speech by MP Matt Rodda, who said the town grew dramatically as a result. Speaking in House of Commons debate about HS2, he said: “I represent a town that also grew dramatically due to the railways. Indeed, the whole spread of southern England, from west London through Slough, Reading and smaller places such as Didcot, Swindon and over to Bristol, benefited hugely from that historic railway investment. “We look forward to further investment and benefits from Crossrail and the Elizabeth line.” The Reading East MP also praised the Reading Buses network: “In my town and the surrounding suburban areas, there are huge benefits when people use public transport. It frees up road space —that is at a premium, and it is extremely difficult to create any more in urban areas — for people who have to travel, such as those who have a trade or an urgent need to drive or are using a route not provided by public transport.” Mr Rodda said Crossrail – the Elizabeth Line – had been created by a team that had “achieved amazing things”. “We would have seen Maidenhead as the western terminus of Crossrail, had there not been heavy lobbying within Berkshire and the wider Thames valley for Reading to be that terminus,” he continued. “Obviously, I have a slight bias towards my own home town being the terminus, but arguably there were bigger economic cases to be made. “Every council in the Thames
valley area, whether Conservative, Labour or Liberal Democrat, supported Reading becoming the western terminus. “Parties worked together to get the good for the whole area, and in the same way we worked together on other projects and programmes, including the western rail link and other enhancements to our region.” Benefits includes seeing companies such as Ericsson move from an industrial estate in Surrey to Reading town centre because of its connectivity. “We need to think about relocating attractive new business opportunities into the transport hubs that have long-term sustainable connections, that do not suffer from delays and congestion like road transport and that are much quicker and more flexible,” he said. Mr Rodda was excited by the way in which local authorities and businesses are considering the next stages for Crossrail, and other uses for the line. He said that the proposed HS2 railway line would be a “crucial piece” of rail infrastructure and was a “national priority for us all” and should be completed in full, adding later in the debate that it should be seen as a “once-in-acentury” project that benefits all of us. And Andrew Stephenson, the transport minister, agreed to meet with him and other Berkshire and West London MPs to discuss issues around the line. The comments were made in a debate held on Monday, June 20, about HS2 between Crewe and Manchester.
Deputy mayor Cllr Debs Edwards was on hand to present medals and silverware Thrusday 21st of July at 7pm
‘Australasia Tour - Wine Dinner’
From left: Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles, Deputy Mayor Cllr Debs Edwards and Wendy Griffith were in attendance
Discover Australasian Wines when matched with food by participating in a unique and informative experience. From barbecues on the beach to the cool heights of the New Zealand Alps, the two countries of Australia and New Zealand are a gourmet’s paradise. Sample the fine wines of Australia and New Zealand with a matching five course tasting menu. Glass of Sparkling Wine Five-Course Tasting Menu Accompanied Wine Flight Tea, Coffee and Petit Fours Guests Speaker
£59.95 per person To book please call us direct on 0118 979 8805 or email us at enquiries@chalkrestaurants.com Sanctuary Strikers faced Give Back FC in the final
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New kids on the block: Police welcome 15 new detective constables By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today WALK THROUGH: Members of the public can enjoy Langley Mead’s wildlife and walking loops throughout the year Picture: University of Reading
Uni event to showcase work in Langley Mead
THE UNIVERSITY of Reading is set to host an outdoor event to mark National Meadows Day on Saturday. Visitors will be able to enjoy Langley Mead nature reserve, off Hyde End Road, through guided tours and self-exploration. The family-friendly event will explore the reserve’s wildlife and restoration to a traditional floodplain meadow. The university’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Mark Fellowes, said: “Once again, we are inviting the local community to come and celebrate National Meadows Day with us at the beautiful Langley Mead nature reserve in Shinfield. “The University is proud to offer this green space for everyone to enjoy throughout the year, giving people the opportunity to reconnect with nature.” Langley Mead is 18 hectares
of countryside along the River Loddon, owned and managed by the university. Residents can enjoy its picturesque walking loops and wildlife throughout the year. Working with ecological planning consultancy, EPR Ltd, the university has encouraged greater biodiversity and conservation through traditional management practices. The event is open between 10am-4pm, with guided walks starting at 10am (Meet our Bovine Buddies), 1pm (Wild about Flora & Fauna) and 3pm (The Langley Mead Extension). Information stalls will be on hand, providing wildlife spotter sheets for children. Visitors are not required to make bookings. n For more information, visit: www.reading.ac.uk
THAMES Valley Police gained 15 new detective constables on Monday, June 27.
After having completed their training, the new officers have officially become part of the force through the National Detective Programme, provided by Police Now. In March, 170 members joined the programme, where they were given essential skills such as crime scene management, making arrests, and first aid over a 14-week course. They were also given field training shifts, including shifts in Thames Valley police’s Response and Criminal Investigation Departments. The new officers will continue for a further two years in the program with support from coaches and colleagues on the force as they become a part of the team. They will also work toward graduate diplomas in Professional Policing Practice, completed in partnership with the University of Huddersfield.
ON THE BEAT: Fifteen new detective constables have joined Thames Valley Police force after being attested at the Police Now academy. Picture: Courtesy of Police Now Among the new officers at TVP is Sarah Church, who was presented with the Excellence in Teamwork and Leadership award at the academy’s closing ceremony. Trainee Detective Constable Church said: “The last 14 weeks of Police Now’s academy has really flown by. “The learning curve has been steep but our trainers have taught us so much. “It’s been a unique opportunity to meet police
officers from across the country and to learn from some very experienced investigators.” Prior to joining the academy, trainee Detective Constable Church spent 13 years in the army, followed by two years at UK Research and Innovation. She said: “For me, the two short attachments on the force’s Response team and in the Criminal Investigation Department were a highlight. “I’m now very much looking
n For more information about the Police Now programme, visit: www.policenow.org.uk
Royals to hold day for PE teachers
The best years of their lives start with the best care of their lives.
A TASTE OF FRANCE: Food, drink and culture from our Gallic neighbour will come to Reading next month. Picture: Steve Smyth
Bastille Day fun coming to Forbury Gardens
Join us at Complete Childcare to make it happen!
forward to taking all the skills I’ve learned with Police Now and putting them into practice serving the public.” Acting Detective Sergeant Neil Callaway, one of the experienced officers who trained the new detectives, said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be involved with training the Thames Valley Police participants at Police Now’s academy this year. “They are, without exception, a hard-working, enthusiastic and amiable group of aspiring detectives who have come through the academy with flying colours. “Their progress over these weeks has genuinely impressed me, and I am confident that as they continue to develop their policing skills they will become a real asset to the force and the public they serve.” The National Detective Programme launched in 2019, seeking to help police services in the recruitment and training of detectives. It has since worked with 33 forces in England and Wales.
READING’S Bastille Day celebrations will be in full swing next month. The festival will take to Forbury Gardens once again, after 10 years of the festival celebrating the national day of France here in Reading. Though the day itself is on Thursday, July 14, the festival will begin proceedings a little early, This time, festivities will include performances from Maloé, who brings colour and life to her original French pop music, and is currently recording an album. She will be joined by singer, dancer, and actress Elodie Siby, and Muriele, who sings classic
music from the 1920s on, including Edith Piaf, and a number of Jazz standards. Belly dancing troupe the Bellyfairies will also be performing, as well as a group performing the French Can-Can. Besides performers, a number of food stalls and vendors will be present, including Le Mistral, which specialises in wine from Provence. Crafts and activities will also be on hand, provided by HobbyCraft and Decathlon. n The Bastille Day Festival takes place at Forbury Gardens, Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, from noon-5pm.
READING Football Club are inviting primary class teachers and PE leads to attend a free CPD training day. Held at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, PE, Inclusion & You is set to help staff optimise their provision. In the morning, visitors will be shown practical demonstrations on how to design an inclusive year-long curriculum. These will be led by the FA PE Unit and Reading FC Community Trust team. After lunch, there will be a series of workshops covering resilience, equality, diversity and inclusion pathways, with a particular focus on engaging girls in PE. The event takes place between 10am-4pm on Friday, July 1. Visitors are asked to meet at the stadium entrance before 9.45am with note-taking equipment. Bookings must be made through the online form listed below. n To reserve your place, visit: forms.office.com/r/pjaHj0Q2Fh
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Ultrafast broadband firm Grain to launch full-fibre in Newtown By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
A NEW ultrafast broadband service is to be installed in Newtown, and residents are being assured that disruption will be kept to a minimum.
Grain Connect says it will work on pavements rather than roads, and when complete it will bring speeds of up to 1Gbps for £30 a month. The company is rolling out its full-fibre network to more than 50 towns and cities across the country as part of a £200 million investment, and reaching up to 400,000 homes and businesses. Grain Connect says that it builds its own fibre optic network and homes don’t share fibres with their neighbours. Its broadband is fibre cables to every connected home, rather than the fibre to the cabinet that most telecommunications firms currently offer. This means it will compete with Virgin Media and Gigaclear for Reading’s broadband custom. However, with prices starting at £17.99 per month for 100mpbs compared to Virgin Media’s £28, it could be a budget option for many homes. It pledges not to increase prices during a customer’s contract term, which is 12 months.
COMING SOON: Grain Connect has placed posters on lampposts around Newtown Picture: Phil Creighton Roland Barzegar, CFO at Grain Connect, said: “This £200 million investment is a huge vote of confidence for our regional roll-out phases across the UK, and we can’t wait to bring super-fast, reliable, and affordable broadband packages to local communities. “We recently introduced our Loyalty Price Promise, where at the end of their contract, we offer customers to renew on the same monthly price we advertise to new customers on their street. “Once you take out a contract with Grain, you will always
have access to great pricing and your loyalty won’t be exploited. This is especially important to us now, with customers being impacted by the rising cost of living.” The firm also promises free routers and installs, and no hidden fees. Work to install the fibre cables is due to begin soon, and Grain Connect have placed posters around Newtown with a QR code so residents can find more information. A spokesperson told Reading Today: “Most of our works will be in the pavement, limiting
Korfball club welcomes new members
Picnic and enjoy movie hits at summer concert
A SOUTH READING club is helping residents try a new sport this summer. Reading Rooks Korfball Club invites new members to join them at South Reading Leisure Centre. Newcomers can attend their first two sessions free of charge, with players of all abilities and experience welcome. Sessions take place all year round, with teams heading indoors for the winter. The club provides a friendly setting to meet new people, with members enjoying a memorable awards night at the end of May. The sessions take place between 7.30pm-9pm on Thursdays, meeting at the centre’s tennis courts.
SOME OF the biggest hits from the silver screen will be celebrated in a musical evening taking place in Caversham next month. The South Chiltern Choral Society is hosting a special outdoor concert in the grounds of Queen Anne’s School on Saturday, July 9. The programme will feature songs from shows such as The Wizard of Oz, Rodgers & Hammerstein on Broadway, The Best of Bond and Mamma Mia! The singers will be conducted by Paul Burked and joined by vocalist Bethany Woolgrove. Ian Westley will be their accompanist. Guests are invited to arrive from 5.30pm and bring a picnic with them. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15, or £7.50 for under 16s and includes some refreshments.
n For more information, search: Reading Rooks Korfball Club on www.facebook.com
residents. Reading Borough Council has called the company in for a meeting next week. A spokesperson for the council said they cannot stop utility companies working within the public highway but promised to monitor Grain Connect’s works to ensure it was completed to a “sufficiently high standard”. They added: “We empathise with residents’ frustrations with more works in the area, and indeed understand their questions surrounding what, on-the-surface, appears to be a lack of coordination by the council. “Reading Borough Council is only able to co-ordinate activities known at the time, and Grain Connect’s programme was only announced to subsequent to the completion of resurfacing in this area.” They continued: “We are encouraging Grain Connect to undertake their works in a manner that minimises impact to residents and users of the are “While it will mean some temporary impact to parking within Newtown, telecommunications works can be undertaken relatively swiftly compared to pipework installation.” n For more information, log on to: www.grainconnect.com
TALENTED young dancers will be taking to The Hexagon’s stage this weekend to showcase their work. Members of Starlet Dance School will perform their summer showcase at the Reading-based theatre. There will be dances to songs from musicals such as Chicago, Peter Pan, Mean Girls, Grease, Matilda, Hercules, 13, Mary Poppins, Hairspray, Encanto. Styles showcases will be ballet, street, commercial, jazz, lyrical and tap. The show takes place on Saturday, July 2, at 1.30pm and 7pm. Tickets cost £17. For more information, log on to whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Bicycle stolen from garden A THIEF has stolen a bicycle in Caversham. The incident took place between 1am and 8.30am on Wednesday, June 22.. Thames Valley Police said the bicycle was stolen from the front garden of a property in Hilltop Road Anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam or doorbell footage is asked to contact the police via 101, or online, quoting reference number: 43220273167.
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n For more details, or to book, call 07764 502621, or log on to: southchilternchoralsociety.org.uk
Two arrested in connection with theft of dogs A 39-YEAR-OLD woman and a 17-year-old boy from Reading have been arrested in connection with the theft of two dogs from Surrey. Two young Cocker Spaniels were stolen from a home in Farnham, after two suspects feigned interest in buying them. A Chihuahua was also
disruption for residents. “Although there is always some disruption in any construction project, most of our works don’t require road closures. However, for the safety of residents, these are occasionally necessary if the local authority requires them. “All our works are done under permits granted by the Local Authority and we always letter drop every resident before we start any works.” It added that the works – which come weeks after many roads in Newtown were resurfaced – would be worth it in the longer term. “We strongly believe that the benefits of any temporary disruption caused by the works will be balanced by the delivery of a high-speed, low-priced full-fibre broadband service to residents,” the spokesperson added. “We offer prices around half the price of the major national providers, don’t charge for line rental and offer free installation. “Our upload speeds are as fast as download speeds which is important for people working from home.” CityFibre’s contractors have been working in West Reading to install ultrafast broadband, and the works have been subject to complaints from
Talented young dancers on stage
stolen, believed to be linked to the other thefts, but has since been recovered and returned to its owner. Thames Valley Police have appealed for anyone who may have purchased or been offered Cocker Spaniel puppies in Reading to get in touch with Surrey Police to provide any
information they may have. The two cocker spaniel puppies have not yet been located. If you have seen them, know where they are, or have any information, you can contact Surrey Police by calling 101, or make a report online via www.surrey.police.uk, quoting PR/45220065005.
After school and Saturday morning swim lessons for age 4+ Register your interest at
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East Reading Festival stages a triumphant return
From the vicechancellor Prof Robert Van der Noot
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
Midsummer with stripes
AFTER two years away, the East Reading Festival returned to Palmer Park on Sunday, June 26.
Committee member and volunteer Matt Foster said: “It’s so nice to get it back on the road, and it feels like a holistic success.” This year’s festival saw the launch of the Give Speech a Chance stage, which featured spoken word, poetry, and acoustic performances, organised by Dreading Slam Poetry group. “We had lots of people from beginning to end, and had some really great feedback, and had a brilliant audience for our spoken word stage, too.” The festival welcomed back a number of it’s returning highlights, including Tutu’s Ethiopian Table and Palmer Park Bowling Club. It also welcomed a number of new collaborators, including the 73rd Reading Scout Group. Mr Foster said: “The Scouts were running the car park to help them raise funds for an upcoming expedition, which all went very smoothly.” The Scouts are planning a trip to South Korea for the next year’s World Scout Jamboree. “It was also nice to be able to welcome people like Dolphin’s Caribbean and TDP Photography on site. “It’s great to have groups like the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, since kids really engage with the safety aspects.” Looking ahead to next year, Mr Foster said: “Long term, we’re looking at making the whole festival more sustainable. “We want make sure it’s more than just clean, as always, but we want to minimise car travel and up the ante with recycling waste. “So we’re moving towards being way more sustainable.”
A
S an archaeologist, I always enjoy researching our past and, as somebody who has done a lot of work into the Bronze Age, there is no site that speaks to the imagination like Stonehenge.
Henry Webster, Ivy Sachania, Elsie Conn and Bea Lowson looking after the tombola of the 73rd Scouts stall at the East Reading Festival on Sunday Pictures: Steve Smyth
The University of Reading marked midsummer not at Stonehenge – although we have carried out research there – but with Show Your Stripes day, a worldwide celebration to spread understanding about climate change. Thousands of people showed their stripes using graphics created by Professor Ed Hawkins – including the front pages of both Wokingham Today and Reading Today. The stripes show, in one simple image, the reality of our warming planet. I hope those fantastic front pages, and other uses of the climate stripes globally, helped you to start conversations with your friends and family about climate change. Much of my own finds and discoveries have found their way into museums around the country, and because in June we also celebrate Museum Week, I considered it important to talk about our own museums. Here at the University, we are lucky to have three museums, all of which are free to visit and open to everyone.
Oasis
There were live performances all afternoon
Bubbles attracted a large crowd of excited children The Dream Sellers perform
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The Yau family having artistic fun
Visitors enjoy relaxing in the sunshine
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Gloria Umoh, Alaere Biakepara and Yvette Philbert with the beautiful clothes they had on their stall
With the summer holidays coming up, now is a good time to plan a visit. On our London Road campus, the Museum of English Rural Life, known as ‘The MERL’, explores the history of countryside life along with its relevance to our modern lives. It is the largest of our museums, with a beautiful garden that I love to visit, a peaceful oasis in the middle of Reading. The MERL currently hosts the exhibition of Reading’s 200-year history of biscuit-making. On our Whiteknights campus, the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology is home to many ancient artefacts and is closely aligned with our Department of Classics. From ancient Greek vases to Egyptian pottery tools and Roman statues, visitors are able to get up close to some wonderful objects, giving them a real sense of history. The Cole Museum of Zoology recently moved to our new Health and Life Sciences building, also on the Whiteknights campus. It houses thousands of specimens, including fossils of ancient creatures, models of unusual dinosaurs and many skeleton models. Our resident skeleton of an Asian elephant from the 19th century, known as Norman, is hard to miss. The University is also working closely with some of the UK’s national museums, and bringing world-famous artefacts and expertise to Reading and Wokingham. The British Museum is close to completing a new storage and research facility at our Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield. And earlier this year, the Natural History Museum announced its own plans to build a new science and research centre there too. These are wonderful developments for the University, with the potential to bring many opportunities for our students and researchers. There are also potential opportunities for our whole community. School children will benefit from organised visits, and the development of this area as a hub for innovation with world-class institutions further puts us all on the museums map.
Professor Robert Van de Noort is the vicechancellor of the Univeristy of Reading
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Clubs join forces to help support refugees coming to Reading
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
TWO clubs that share the same east Reading venue joined forces to raise nearly £3,500 to help refugees coming to the town.
Earlier this month, members of Reading SSKI Karate and Singh Sabha Reading Taekwondo came together to present Reading Refugee Support Group with a large cheque – the fruit of their fundraising efforts. The presentation took place at The Warehouse in Cumberland Road, where they both meet on Thursday evenings. The money will be used on projects set up by the group, based in RISC in London Street. The charity, which recently rebranded as Refugee Support Group to reflect its work across Berkshire, runs drop-in centres, English lessons, education services, offers advice and practical help, and organises special events such as the football tournament held at the University of Reading on Saturday (see page 3). The two raised £3,450 to help this work. Nick Forgham has been teaching karate for around 30 years – “I’ve lost count,” he
GIFT: Members of Reading SSKI Karate and Singh Sabha Reading Taekwondo came together to present Reading Refugee Support Group with a cheque for £3,450 Picture: Phil Creighton said – and teaches traditional Shotokan karate. “We’ve got some really good students,” he said. “Everyone seems to enjoy it.” The money was raised fairly equally between the two clubs, through a variety of different methods, including an evening where they performed katas – patterns for different karate moves. “Everyone did about 50 kata, for about an hour. It’s quite hard work,” Mr Forgham explained. “I
told the kids that every pound we raise counts. “What we’ve raised for the Reading Refugee Support Group is basically paying for a person to be employed to look after and support refugees that are arriving here. “We chose the group because we wanted to do something for the local community. “Nearly all the students here are from within a mile radius of The Warehouse, where meet. “We wanted to do something
very Reading-centric.” Another reason was wanting to support people coming from “the terrible situation in Ukraine”, Mr Forgham said. “But if you speak to the support group, there’s refugees from Afghanistan, Yemen, and all around the world. “We heard there were some refugees arriving in Reading, they were being looked after in some ways, but they were going hungry. “With everything they’ve
done, including leaving loved ones behind, the kids were really motivated to help out. “I think to raise £3,450 shows what people can achieve when they come together. “The two martial arts are quite different, but we’ve come together, we’ve worked on something that’s really significant in a local community.” A spokesperson for Reading Refugee Support Group said the charity was thrilled with their unexpected gift. “We’re unbelievably pleased to have received such a big donation from Singh Sabha Reading Taekwondo and Reading SSKI Karate,” a spokesperson said. “Both of the groups have done amazing work raising money to help refugees in the area. “We’ll use every penny to bolster our Casework team, who provide confidential advice and practical support for people who’ve fled violence and persecution from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, and many other places. “The money will make a massive difference to a lot of people and so we’re incredibly grateful to the two groups for all of their hard work.”
Third best place for learner drivers READING has come third in a survey of the best places to learn to drive. The Bill Plant Driving School has released the results of its research, which compares government data on accessibility of driving instructors, pass rates, and road safety. Gloucester and Peterborough took first and second place respectively, and Reading was revealed to be third. The research showed that Reading has the highest proportion of approved driving instructors, with 286 per 100,000 people. It also showed that Reading has a driving test pass rate of 54.2%. Reading has the highest proportion of people who hold a provisional license, with more than 63,400 per 100,000. The survey also looked at levels of traffic congestion, measured by the amount of delay in seconds each vehicle experiences in a mile on average. Reading performed poorly on traffic levels, with more than 95 seconds of delay time per vehicle per mile – at least double the amount experienced by the 20 places scored for lowest congestion n The full findings of the research, conducted by the Bill Plant Driving School, can be found at www.billplant.co.uk
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Bonfire causes building fire A BONFIRE caused much of the Oxford Road to close on Wednesday, June 22, when it spread to a nearby building. At around 8.20pm, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service received reports of a fire on Oxford Road, with crews from the Caversham Road, Whitley Wood, and Wokingham Road stations attending. It was discovered that a bonfire near The Pond House had spread, causing a nearby derelict building to catch fire. This led to the closure of the Oxford Road as officers worked to extinguish the fire. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities, and the Oxford Road was opened again just before 9pm.
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, June 29, 2022
ARMED FORCES DAY PICTURES: DIJANA CAPAN
Gurkhas enjoy the sunshine in Forbury Gardens
Organ concert
MUSIC from the Father Willis Organ will be heard at a lunchtime concert taking place in Reading’s Concert Hall next week. A student from Eton College will perform on Monday, July 4. The 45-minute show starts at 1pm, and is organised by the Berkshire Organists Association. Tickets cost £5 in advance or £6 on the door, and the venue is now cashless. n For more details, or to book, log on to whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Cllr Rachel Eden addresses the crowds
Children enjoy having a chance to play the Pipe Band’s bass drum
Reading Scottish Pipe Band performed during the day
Cadets line-up for inspection
Armed Forces Day was an opportunity for Reading, including the mayor and Reading East past and present
Party in the park to say thank you By Phil Creighton news@wokingham.today
Awards were made to a number of Gurkha veterans
IT WAS a party with a simple message: thank you.
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Reading once again marked Armed Forces Day in style at the weekend, with a host of familyfriendly activities in Forbury Gardens and Broad Street, all as a way of showing appreciation for personnel past and present. There were performances through the day from Diane James as Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn and Doris Day, the Silver Tones band, and the Reading Scottish Pipe Band. Art collective jelly ran a special art workshop, and youngsters could enjoy balloon modelling and face painting activities. And stalls featured information about the SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity, the Royal British Legion and The Forgotten British Gurkha Veterans Charity. The day culminated with the annual HM Armed Forces Veteran’s Badge Presentation,
led by Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, and The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, something that she said was an honour. Before Saturday’s events, she said: “Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for our community to come together to show our appreciation to the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, and to those who continue to do so. “This event is always popular and will include everyone from cadets to veterans.”
And judging from the turnout, she was spot on. Reading’s events were part of a national celebration, with The Princess Royal attending an event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Many of those in attendance had been busy supporting the UK’s response to the pandemic over the last year. And the RAF’s Red Arrows performed a spectacular flypast over the Armed Forces Memorial. Around the country, local communities and councils
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Gurkhas were thanked fpr their years of service as part of the day
Cllr Rachel Eden, the mayor of Reading, helped present the awards
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ARMED FORCES DAY
Krishna Bahadur Sunwar
Hasta Bahadur Limbu
Tak Bahadur Thapa
Lal Prasad Thapa
Reading Scottish Pipe Band with the Mayor Rachel Eden
Reading East MP Matt Rodda was among those attending
MP Matt Rodda, to show their gratitude to service personnel
A few speeches were made as the day came to an end
For the best start in life A heartfelt salute given after receiving an award organised events to show their support. From flag raising and military stalls, to performances and virtual ceremonies. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said of the day: “I’m immensely proud that the UK is defended by without doubt the finest armed services you’ll find anywhere in the world. Our fantastic men and women in uniform are the best trained, the best led, the most dedicated bunch of people you will ever meet. “This year we have witnessed the full breadth of what the Armed Forces can do – from being on the frontline in our fight against Covid to work fighting terrorism, delivering aid and flying the flag for the UK internationally. “On behalf of the nation, I want to say a huge thank you.” Next year’s Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday, There were lots of smiles during the awards, given as part of Armed June 25. Forces Day
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Town’s celebration of By Jake Clothier jclothier@rdg.today READING Buses once again opened up the depot to members of the public for its annual open day on Sunday, June 26.
TO THE FUTURE: Year 6 students were invited to tour the construction site and create artwork from materials rubbings, which will inspire pieces to be used as part of the time capsule project. Picture: Courtesy of Redwood Consulting
Station Hill developer looks to the future with time capsule .. DEVELOPERS of the Station Hill mixeduse complex in central Reading are creating a time capsule as part of a new project. Lincoln MGT has teamed up with arts charity Jelly and local historians to offer a workshop, in which members of the public will create items to be sealed into a time capsule. Local artists will come together to help members of the public with creating clay pottery inspired by archaeological items found on the Station Hill site, and across the town. The pottery art will then be included in the time capsule set to be buried under the new park beside Reading Station. The project was kicked off last week when Lincoln MGT and Jelly welcomed two of the Year 6 classes at the nearby Civitas Academy to the development site. Students were met by project director Matt Shuter, and given a guided tour of the site. This included a demonstration
Students also created a series of rubbings from the materials on-site, which will inspire a series of artworks to be included in the time capsule. Lee Fearnhead, director of construction in Europe and the UK at Lincoln Property Company, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the students from Civitas Academy to the Station Hill development as part of our continual community engagement. “Activities such as this make project delivery so much more fun, and it was great seeing the kids have such a great time, all while learning about the construction and being provided with the opportunity to ask lots of questions. “We’re looking forward to hosting the public clay sculpture workshop, together with Jelly, on Saturday, and we hope to see lots of Reading residents of all ages come along to contribute to this fantastic initiative.” n The public workshop will take place at The Tin, Station Hill, on Saturday, July 2, from 10am-2pm.
With a fleet of buses in each colour was on display, open-top and scenic tours ran around the town during the day. Deputy mayor Cllr Debs Edwards was joined by Matt Rodda MP, and Cllr Tony Page when she cut the ribbon to declare the event open. As well as ice cream and freshly-cooked Caribbean food, the event offered attendees a close look at the buses currently in the company’s fleet and from history. Members of the public were also given the chance to sit in the driver’s seat and view some of the fleet’s specialty vehicles, such as those with the jubilee livery. The depot was also offering guided tours of the control rooms and repair workshops from the award winning engineering team. The event was raising funds for New Beginnings, a charity which supports homeless people in Reading and Berkshire, and is also Reading Buses’ charity of the year.
RAINBOW SHOW: Buses of each colour took part in a final cavalcade. Picture: Steve Smyth
Tom Jardine with Harry, 2, and Mable, 3, enjoying ice creams
Reading Buses team members and guests celebrate the open day
.. and looks to the future with trees LINCOLN MGT, the company behind the new Station Hill development, has planted trees across Reading as part of its commitment to biodiversity. The developer has lent its support to Ethical Reading’s Trees for Reading initiative, which seeks to contribute to the town’s sustainability targets through the strategic planting of trees. Lincoln MGT has planted six new trees in the area around Southcote Primary School, including two sweet gum trees, a beech tree, and three rowans. It has also laid out plans for four more trees, as part of an effort to encourage increased biodiversity around the borough. Evan Reynolds, senior development manager at Lincoln Property Company said: “Station Hill will positively transform Reading and our support for Trees for Reading demonstrates our commitment to making the town
a greener, healthier, and happier place to live for both existing and future residents. “We are now looking forward to seeing the remaining four trees go in and watching them all grow.” Gurprit Singh, director and co-founder at Ethical Reading said: “We are thrilled to have Lincoln MGT contributing to the greening of Reading through this initiative. “Global warming means urban canopy cover will become ever more precious and every additional tree in the town makes a big difference. “Thank you to the whole project team for their wonderful support.” As well as green space and public park space, the new Station Hill development will also see a pedestrian connection between the station and the town centre, increasing accessibility for bicycles and on-foot. One Station Hill is set to be completed early in 2024.
Museum hosts Oscar Wilde walking tours READING Museum is hosting a new guided tour of Reading Abbey Quarter looking at the life and talent of Oscar Wilde. The walking tours will follow an expert tour guide who will explore the author’s origins in Ireland, his work in London, through to his imprisonment in Reading Gaol, and eventual exile.
The walks will begin at Reading Museum at 2pm on Saturday, July 16, and Saturday, August 20. Tours last around 90 minutes in total, with a maximum of 20 people per tour.
n Tickets are £10 per person. For more details, or to book, log on to: www. whatsonreading.com
Nine-year-old completes fundraising challenges A READING schoolboy has seen off a decathlon of sporting challenges in aid of a mental health charity. With the help of Britain’s finest athletes, fundraising superstar Dexter Rosier has excelled in ten different athletic tasks. Dexter battled national table tennis champion Anaya Patel to complete his final challenge on Friday, June 24, just before his tenth birthday. At the time of writing, the youngster has raised £641 for Sport in Mind; the charity looks to promote mental and physical wellbeing through sport, something the nine-year-old is already passionate about. “Sometimes I feel scared, sometimes I feel shy, sometimes I feel like I want to run and hide,” Dexter said. “So I cycle, play football, play tennis and run. This makes me feel free and happy. I feel like I really belong. “Sport is everything - just playing
and watching, even refereeing - so please, please, please consider donating.” His challenges included playing hockey with Team GB players Amy Tennant and Sarah Jones, diving at the London Aquatics Centre with Olympic medallist Leon Taylor and kicking conversions with London Irish star Topsy Ojo. Dexter attempted several sports for the first time such as padel and kayaking. The decathlon also saw the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, join Dexter for a spot of archery at the Abbey Ruins. She took to social media to praise the nine-year-old, labelling him “an inspiration”. Retailer Decathlon UK has supported Dexter by providing the kit required to participate in each event. n To donate, visit: www.justgiving. com/fundraising/dexters-decathlon
Dexter was put through his paces by London Irish star Topsy Ojo Picture courtesy of Samantha Rosier
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its buses returns in style
Connie Cain and Andy Turner of The Milk Bar, and Mark Worthington, Best Bar None independent auditor. Picture: Courtesy of Reading Pubwatch
Milk takes bar accreditation
FUNRAISERS: Members of the New Beginnings team, for whom the event was raising funds. Pictures: Steve Smyth
Tom Deary & Vicky Rydzek with Lexi, 5, riding top deck
Matt Rodda MP and Cllr Tony Page give their verdict on the number 13
THE MILK Bar is cream of the crop, as it is the first venue in Reading to have been given the Best Bar None 2022 accreditation. Any venue is eligible to sign up to the scheme, which seeks to promote high standards of operations for licensed premises. Each venue which takes part volunteers for an independent auditor to visit and check through policies, procedures, and training records. If the venue’s practise complies with stringent criteria, set by the board of the National Nest Bar None scheme, it will be awarded accreditation. Accreditation will then be used to mark venues which champion safety and good working practises for staff and customers. The scheme is sponsored by the Reading Business Improvement District and organised by Reading Pubwatch. Alexa Volker, Reading’s BID manager said “The BID are delighted to sponsor the BBN accreditation scheme and support licensed pubs, bars and restaurants to aspire to achieving this excellent award.” The secretary to reading Pubwatch, Bill Donne said “Reading Pubwatch are grateful to the Reading BID for sponsoring the BBN accreditation scheme. It is anticipated that over 25 venues in Reading will become accredited over the next five months.”
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, June 29, 2022
New audio tra Ding’s hidde
Life of Brian
Brian Hicks
By LIBBY ASHBY news@rdg.today
The benefits I’ve found in yoga
I
READING’S HISTORY is on the move thanks to two new pre-recorded walking tours.
FIRST became interested in yoga when I was 16 and bought the book Teach Yourself Yoga.
This was part of the Teach Yourself series of books with distinctive yellow and black covers and very well-known at the time. There are several different books with the same name today, but my original one is out of print. I managed to get myself into every posture or asana in the book, including the lotus position, although it is well beyond me now. I marvelled at the ingenuity of the postures and the Sanskrit names. Many asanas are named after animals, such as downward dog, eagle, locust, cat, cobra, butterfly and crow. I also became interested in the philosophy behind yoga. When I went to university, I received proper yoga teaching at classes held there, based on the work of the Indian yogi or guru, B K S Iyengar. Iyengar yoga is named after his teaching. He died in 2014, aged 95. I always felt so relaxed and rejuvenated after each class. Yoga is perhaps the greatest export from India and is an ancient system of physical, mental, and spiritual practices aimed at quietening the mind and improving the body. Its origins date back over 3,000 years. There are many schools of yoga, some associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The philosophy of yoga is about connecting the mind, body, and spirit. Indian monks spread their knowledge of yoga outside the country from about 1900 onwards. About three to four times as many women as men practise yoga in the UK, as can be seen at most classes, and I admire their greater flexibility. About one in seven Americans practise yoga compared with about one in 20 in the UK. According to the International Yoga Federation, about 300 million people practise yoga worldwide. Cancer Research UK has launched a challenge to complete 30 days of yoga this month, which a friend of mine has taken up, to raise money for its research funding. Pilates, Europe’s answer to yoga, does not have so long a pedigree. It was devised by a German gym instructor, Joseph Pilates, from Mönchengladbach. In the 1920s he and his wife Clara opened the Body Conditioning Gym in New York. Pilates has become as popular as yoga in the UK and an estimated 12 million take classes worldwide. Many yoga and Pilates classes are now held virtually due to the Covid epidemic. Both yoga and Pilates improve strength, balance and flexibility. I find that Pilates complements yoga very well, so do both on a regular basis, usually six times a week. My local health club offers 10 Pilates and six yoga lessons a week, given by eight different instructors who have contrasting and complementary approaches. A recent survey by Health and Fitness Education, a leading UK training provider, found some 70% of “fitness enthusiasts” would rather participate in Pilates than yoga. The most common response was that Pilates “is more dynamic”, which would coincide with my younger daughter’s views! As I get older, the yoga postures become harder and my flexibility declines. My enthusiasm for the corpse posture, Savasana, the relaxation pose practised at the end of a typical yoga lesson, has increased correspondingly. After each class I still have that extra spring in my step and sleep much better. My older daughter tells me the secret to a long and healthy life is yoga and Pilates, so I will persevere with both.
bhicks@wokingham.today
NEW HOME: The pair sadly lost their egg while nesting in 2020, but have returned this year to successfully hatch two falcon chicks. Picture: Courtesy of The Blade
Peregrine Falcon family settles atop the Blade A NEW family has settled in an unlikely place: on top of the tallest building in Reading. A pair of Peregrine falcons have nested atop The Blade, after successfully hatching two falcon chicks. The falcons pair and mate for life, and generally return to the same nesting spot every year. First spotted in 2020, the pair constructed a nest on the roof of the building. Shortly after, the falcons sadly lost the single egg that they produced during the 2020 mating season, and last year they did not return to the nest. In order to encourage their return, the team at The Blade sought expert advice, and a nesting box was installed, along with a camera to monitor them. After ensuring that proper conditions were set for the pair, including making sure that the box was facing north as is preferred, the
falcons returned a few days later. Now they have successfully incubated two eggs, with two falcon chicks hatching and settled at the nest. Nick Turner, asset manager at The Blade, said: “It’s been very exciting to see the Peregrines back this year, and many of our occupiers have been eagerly looking out for them as they come into the office. “Our facilities team was hard at work earlier in the year, ensuring that the roof space was ready for the birds in the hope that they decided to return, so it’s been wonderful to see them choose The Blade’s roof to nest on once again.” Peregrine falcons are now a protected species, as a result of culling and use of pesticides, with just 1,500 nesting pairs in the UK.
n A webcam feed has been set up so that members of the public can watch the falcons’ progress as they rear their young at the nest, available at: thebladereading.com
Now you can recycle the bag your compost comes in GET IN: Dobbies will take all empty compost bags at its branches in Shinfield and Hare Hatch
A NEW scheme aimed at reducing plastic waste will see compost bags recycled. Dobbies has installed new bins in its Shinfield and Hare Hatch branches so customers can bring their empties for recycling. The company says that very few local authorities collect the polythene sacks, so the new service will help meet demand. The compost bag recycling scheme follows other initiatives from the firm, including plastic pot recycling bins. Marcus Eyles, horticultural director at Dobbies, said the scheme was for all compost bags, regardless of brand or where it was purchased.
“We wanted to ensure gardeners had the opportunity to dispose of their compost packaging in a sustainable way,” he said. The project will see Evergreen Garden Care take the bags and turn them into garden furniture which will be donated to Greenfingers, a charity that creates green spaces for terminally ill children. Jane Hartley, sustainability marketing manager at Evergreen Garden Care, said the company was delighted to be collaborating with Dobbies. “We had a trial with 10 stores to develop a collection programme that will work across all stores. We hope residents will make the most of this scheme.”
Developed by local artists, the trails take listeners around Reading’s heritage spots, revealing their hidden history. It has been produced by the Council’s High Street Heritage Action Zone in partnership with Sound UK and are available on smartphones. Adele Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for leisure and culture was thrilled with the launch of the new service. “Both tours offer an engaging and atmospheric historical feast for your ears and I encourage everyone to have a listen,” she said. The first is entitled No Ifs, No Buts, Only Ginger Nuts and features Berzerk Theatre’s Aundre Goddard and sound artist Richard Bentley. In it, they learn about the people, history and processes of the famous biscuit factory, which this year celebrates its 200th anniversary. Mr Goddard said: “My Grandma worked for Huntley and Palmers, and she loved a ginger nut biscuit, therefore, I would like to dedicate this piece to her and all workers of this amazing company.” The second trail is an audio walk with Mr Bentley and BBC Radio 3 presenter Fiona Talkington. Pies, Pints and Protests goes through St Mary’s Butts and Castle Street, and is a journey to celebrate buildings, people and animals. Ms Talkington said: “Swap the cars, lorries and buses for the sounds of horses, carts and wagons and you step into an area which was right at the heart of a constantly evolving Reading over hundreds of years.” Maija Handover, director of Sound UK, said: “These two audio trails give local people the chance to see their
ON THE TRAIL: Fiona Talkington with Richard town in a new light, discovering the magic behind the everyday.” The artists have worked with communities to collect stories so that each walk represents authentic local voices and experiences from that time period. Mr Bentley said: “I hope that as you are being guided by Fiona and Aundre’s fascinating tours, you’ll also take a moment to listen beyond the words and let yourself get lost in Reading’s soundscapes, letting the familiar become unfamiliar again.” n The audio trails are free and can be accessed on smartphones. For more details or to download the trails, log on to: www.reading.gov.uk/audiotrails
Racing the dragon: Rotar on the river for the fir DRAGONS were spotted on the River Thames for the first time in three years. The rare sighting was not the mythical fire breathing beast, but fundraising teams taking part in a series of battles on the water. Organised by the Rotary Club of Pangbourne, the racing took place on Pangbourne Meadows on Saturday, June 18. Six teams took part, each racing in a number of heats. And despite being out of practise due to the covid pandemic preventing the annual event from taking place, the teams enjoyed some hard fought battles. A spokesperson from the club said: “There were some very tight finishes as the results illustrate”. In the minor final, DragonCredo raced home with time of 1.16.40, but was pipped at the post by Bitchy
Boys, who had a time of 1.16.34 - six milliseconds diference. And in the major final, Team Launchpad’s time of 1.12.79, was just beaten by Humphrey’s Furry Friends, who came home with a time of 1.12.31 – four milliseconds difference. The first three teams received the coveted Dragonhead trophies. The spokesperson added: “Congratulations to all the participants, all of whom vowed to return and win next year. It was a fun day all round.” The event was held to raise funs for Launchpad, Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Readifood. The spokesperson added: “Pangbourne Rotary would like to thank Pangbourne Fete, Henley Dragons, Adventure Dolphin, and all other participants, volunteers and Rotary members who made this a day to remember.”
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ails delve into en heritage
Completed: Fundraisers conquer Lake District challenge
WPR_2022-06-27_ReadingToday_33x2 (1)_Just Go
Reader travel DELIGHTFUL DEVON Weekend
DelightfulDevonWeekend_D.pdf
Departing Fri 7 Oct ‘22 Beloved for its mild climate and miles of golden sands, Exmouth in South Devon provides us with the perfect base for our short break away. From here we explore this picturesque corner of the West Country, including a visit to Exeter, the capital of Devon.
COMPLETED: The first group finished the 24 Peaks challenge at 10.30pm on Saturday Picture courtesy of Chapter 2
d Bentley at the launch of Reading’s new Heritage walking trails Aundre Goddard and sound artist Richard Bentley in Bridge Street as part of their aural history of Huntley & Palmers
ry Club welcomes teams rst time in three years RACING AHEAD: Pangbourne Rotary Club organised a dragon boat race on the River Thames
A TEAM of fundraisers have completed a gruelling Father’s Day weekend challenge in aid of a Reading charity. Climbers from Chapter 2, which mentors for fatherless boys, overcame the Lake District’s 24 Peaks challenge on Saturday, June 18. The effort saw the group cover over 30 miles and 3,200m in elevation. “It was a great experience and the weather was good, which is always one of the most important things for something like this,” Chapter 2’s chair of trustees Dr Richard Kay said. “We set off at 5.30am and most people finished. We had 26 people start and only five didn’t complete it. Everyone was down by 2am on Sunday morning.” The group set off altogether, but split into four groups determined by speed. “The first group just about finished in daylight at 10.30pm on Saturday night and the last group came in at 2.30am, which included two father and son combinations,” Dr Kay explained. “Both the kids were 14-years-old, so it was great that they were able to finish the challenge.” Coming into the weekend, the group would have feared the worst after Friday served up
temperatures of up to 32ºC. The team were thankfully treated to milder conditions on Saturday. However, varying temperatures proved challenging as the climbers ascended the peaks. “When we were at the bottom, it was pretty warm, but at the top, especially being on the peaks at nighttime, it was freezing, with 30mph winds coming from the north,” Dr Kay said. “It was hard to know what the weather was going to do and we had to carry all our rain gear, food and water.” At the time of writing, the team have raised almost £40,000 through their donation site alone, with 25% gift aid and pledges still to be added. The fundraisers appear well on their way to achieving their target of £50,000. Money raised will allow Chapter 2 to hire a new team member, who is set to start in the summer. The addition will help the charity continue to deliver long-term and consistent mentorship to the boys they serve. One in two 15-year-old boys do not live with both parents, with the majority living with their mother.
n To make a donation, visit: www. justgiving.com/campaign/2424
POETRY CORNER Forget-me-not Do you remember Our holiday by the sea ? When the rain tap-danced All day and All night On the tin roof of the blue caravan: When we slipped on slimy weeds Into the cold creek; And kept butter in a metal cage. We caught two snapping crabs Who scuttled away like alien dancers; And we all went home As pale and tired as refugees. Then Mum said she needed another holiday
Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 3 nights at the Ashton Court Hotel, Exmouth with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursion to Exeter Optional excursion to Sidmouth (£9pp)
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THE PEAK DISTRICT
Chatsworth & Crich Tramway Village ThePeakDistrictChatsworthHouse&CrichTramwayVillage_D.pdf
Departing Mon 10 Oct ‘22 Travel through grand landscapes of moorland, rivers and dales, as we explore the towns and villages of the Peak District. We also step back in time at the Crich Tramway Village and visit the exquisite Chatsworth House for a fantastic break in the countryside.
Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Palace Hotel & Spa, Buxton with dinner & breakfast (all meals buffet style) Excursions to Bakewell, Chatsworth House, Matlock Bath & Crich Tramway Village Optional excursion to Eyam & the High Peaks (£10pp)
To get over the holiday And when we waved good bye To our drab prison We laughed and Laughed, Because its name was Forget-menot, And the seabirds were shrieking too In the suddenly Sunny sky.
Clare Bevan
We love printing your poetry, and share a selection every week. Email your verse to news@rdg.today
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30 | VIEWPOINTS
An anniversary worth marking
LAST weekend, Reading celebrated a special relationship: 75 years of town twinning. Our German friends from Dusseldorf we were able to visit for two days of events. They included exhibitions, services, tours and a special civic meeting in the town hall. It was, by all accounts, a splendid celebration of a special friendship, one forged out of the heat of the Second World War, and will continue for years to come. We gain much from these cultural exchanges. Our neighbours have much they can teach us, and our shared experiences ensures we have a bond that cannot be easily shaken. This was indeed an anniversary worth marking, a chance to look back at what has gone before us, and a chance also to look ahead at what lies in store. Reading is a city of sanctuary, a city of friendships, and a global citizen. Long may our hand of friendship be extended.
CHURCH NOTES
Faith! Private or public?
A
S a Christian minister I am regularly encouraged by people of faith, whatever their faith, to speak more confidently about public issues.
However, on the other hand, I am regularly encouraged by some people who have no faith to shut up because, they say, faith is entirely a private matter and has nothing to do with how society functions. I wonder where you stand? Many clergy have spent endless sermon attempting to explain how the Bible speaks into the values and politics (with a small ‘p’) of the time in which they live, and how the reader of the Bible is therefore encouraged to think through and apply themselves and scripture to the value and politics of our time. Most, if not all, of the big issues of our day have a faith perspective on them – think climate change (the Bible is clear about God’s direction to humanity to care for the earth), or the cost of living (Jesus is very clear about the priority of looking after the poor and vulnerable) to name but two. Christianity has provided the framework for so much of our society – how we educate our children and look after the ill in hospitals, and much of our legal structure. And many other faiths will have their own contribution to make on issues facing us as a world. So, I cannot stay quiet on the issues of my life. Mine is not a private faith, for me alone. It is one that asks of me to be clear about where I stand, given my understanding of how I know God through Jesus Christ. The world will be a better place if we can publicly engage with one another on the issues of life, but that will require us to be tolerant of differences … and learn to love one another more.
Mike Smith, Rector of Caversham, Thameside and Mapledurham writing on behalf of Churches Together in Reading
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Letters
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
Send your thoughts to news@rdg.today
Thank you for your support I would like to thank all those who supported my recent week of ‘going blue’ with my hair and clothes for Sue Ryder’s Duchess of Kent Hospice and the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice. We raised £90, not a king’s ransom perhaps, but better than I hoped for and expected. In these cash strapped times, every pound donated really does count and adds up, as I know well, as by raising similar, relatively small amounts, over the past two decades, we have just raised more than £63,400 for local charities. Next month, I shall be changing from blue to pink when I take part in July’s Race For Life in Prospect park, in aid of Cancer Research. Variety is the spice of life, as they say.
Paul Farmer, Reading
Make it easier
Re: “Neighbours who support or oppose watersports and leisure use of the lake can comment on the application by typing reference 220761 into Reading Borough Council’s planning portal”. No we can’t! I have been unable to access any form or email address which enables me to make an objection. A telephone call is not what I want, to them, or from you: email only.
Harold Gough, via email
Coughs and sneezes
William Wilberforce (1759-1833) brought the hidden plight of slaves into public view and helped fix their release. ‘When America coughs,
Britain sneezes’ so Roe v Wade reform shines a light on our atrocious abortion record. The six-month UK time limit for abortion is barbaric beyond words and represents a grim human rights scandal. General Practice colleagues encouraged me to reject’abortion on demand’-over 20 years ago. Abortion can become ‘a black and white issue’ if one views the NHS website’s three-month ‘Dating Scan’.
J T Hardy, via email
RMT leader is selfish
The public should be up in arms about the train strikes and many people that are traveling during the days they are running the some of the staff are frustrated and are very rude to customers. I blame Mick Lynch he is selfish and does not care about the traveling public at all or the people that have to go to work and the youngsters exams and the sick and disablefd that has to go to hospitals. This man Lynch is a Marxist and trying to put this government down with a Labour party that does not care either.
Victor Rones, Bracknell
We love Reading Today Just a quick note to say how much we are loving Reading Today. It is such a lovely read. We really enjoy all the colourful picture stories, and the news from all over Reading. Keep up the good work.
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Patients with coeliac disease deserve better
From the Chamber
Cllr Jason Brock
Under the radar
W
E’RE about to enter a ‘season’ of Council committee meetings, and that means an awful lot of business is to be considered by councillors over the coming weeks.
Some of it will, inevitably, get a greater share of media attention – perhaps especially some of the exciting plans for the Minster Quarter environs and the attached cultural offer. It’s too easy for councils to become associated with big physical projects – like infrastructure and roads – to the detriment of attention on our broader ranges of services and the smaller things that make a real difference to people’s everyday lives, so I thought I’d point out a few of the less immediately eye-catching things coming up. The Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee will be considering a lot of reports this week, including a presentation on the Council’s work to tackle empty homes in the Borough. This kind of activity often goes below the radar,
With great sadness and frustration, I read recently about an inquest into the death of an 80-year-old with coeliac disease who was fed cereal containing gluten in hospital. The patient fell ill within hours and started to vomit. She died four days later from aspiration pneumonia. As someone with coeliac disease myself, it is upsetting to realise that even among medical professionals there is such a lack of understanding of this serious autoimmune disease. One in 100 people have coeliac disease, and there is no cure. The only treatment is a strict gluten free diet. Even a crumb of gluten can cause a severe reaction. My own mother, who is 86, has had difficult experiences in hospital. She was offered toast containing gluten, which would have made her very unwell. Another time she was told she was ‘too late’ at 4pm for gluten free food. The hospital clearly regarded a gluten free diet as a specialist request, rather than a medical necessity that should be offered as part of standard care provisions. At Coeliac UK, we are calling on all hospitals to urgently review their guidelines and protocols. We’re asking the NHS to update the information about coeliac disease on their website as the current list of symptoms is misleading. And we want to see better training for healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of coeliac disease, and their management of patients who have the condition. No one with coeliac disease should have to worry about being glutened in hospital.
Maureen Burnside, Chair, Coeliac UK, www.coeliac.org. uk
and certainly isn’t going to solve the housing crisis, but empty homes do blight neighbourhoods. Getting back into use helps to revitalise streets. More substantive are some updates to our Rent Guarantee Scheme, which has successfully allowed families to access homes in the private rented sector which they wouldn’t have been able to without Council support, keeping them out of temporary ‘bed and breakfast’ accommodation in the process. Nestled alongside these housing reports is an entirely different project that I’m especially enthusiastic about – investment in the Tilehurst Library to implement an initiative that would allow easier access to both the building and the service out of hours, including being able borrow books and hire space for community use. With our major leisure centres now moving forward, it’s right that we pay attention to the smaller, community-focused facilities in the town. Libraries have always been about more than books and I’ve always been proud that no branch has closed in Reading, so I naturally want to see them thrive in the future. Next week, the Policy Committee will, alongside the Minster Quarter matters I hint at above, also be considered an update on the myriad of schemes funded by the local element of the Community Infrastructure Levy, which is a payment that property developers make to both help mitigate the impact of their development on the community and provide the additional facilities needed for new residents to thrive. The local element is used for small-scale projects, but they’re exactly the things that residents have
Help children in poverty
Today, more than 64 million primary school-age children miss out on an education around the world because of poverty. Leaving a gift in your will, no matter how small, is an incredibly generous way you can help us bring hope to those desperately hungry children who often need to work or beg for food in order to survive. With the promise of a daily meal in a place of education, Mary’s Meals is attracting hungry children into the classroom giving them the energy to learn how to read and write. For children like 13-year-old Ballah from Liberia – who used to skip school – Mary’s Meals fills his empty stomach and is allowing him to gain a precious education so he can follow his dreams of becoming a doctor. “Food is important,” he says. “Most days, I don’t eat breakfast and I feel so hungry I can barely study. After eating Mary’s Meals, I feel active. “When I qualify as a doctor, I’d like to stay in Liberia and teach others how to do the same.” With a gift in your will, you can help us keep our promise to more than 2.2 million children in some of the world’s poorest communities who rely on our nutritious meals and will be giving children like Ballah the chance of a brighter future. If you would like more information about leaving a gift in your will, please visit www. marysmeals.org.uk/will
Lori Cobley, partnership manager at Mary’s Meals
asked for in their neighbourhoods. Improved street lighting, new bus shelters, upgrades to play areas, traffic speed restrictions, pedestrian crossings – exactly the kind of things that local councillors are lobbied about on a daily basis. It’s a great pleasure to see so many of these dayto-day improvements being delivered, and I know that residents care deeply about them. Finally, I would like to highlight something that will be on the agenda of the Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and Education Committee. The Council has been working with a range of partners to develop a new All Age Autism Strategy, and the Committee meeting will signal the start of a public consultation on it. It will be an important policy document when finalised and help the Council to ensure it does its part for residents whose particular needs may not otherwise be fully acknowledged. It’s especially vital, then, that everyone with an interest takes the opportunity to respond to the consultation and share their comments when it launches. Why does it matter that I’ve picked out a few things which you could have missed? Well, you may think that some of them won’t matter to you, but they will matter to someone – maybe a friend, family member or a neighbour. Under Labour, I always want the Council to be an organisation that thinks about Reading’s community in all its diversity, because the community – and not the infrastructure and roads – is what really forms our town.
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council, and a Labour party ward member for Southcote
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
NEWS | 31
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Mencap choir members enjoyed singing to the audience
Sir John Madejski opened the Reading Mencap 60th anniversary concert Pictures: Dijana Capan/DVision Images The choir’s performance included plenty of actions
Deputy mayor Cllr Debs Edwards and Sir John applaud the show
The event also celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The choir were given ample instruction from a specialist conductor
Reading Mencap marks its 60th with a celebration show
Colourful costumes were the order of the day
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
L
AST FRIDAY, Reading Mencap celebrated its 60-year diamond anniversary with a special event in Reading Minster. The charity has supported those with learning difficulties and their families in Reading since 1962, and marked the six decades since it was founded with an all-out show. Performers took to the stage at the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, with Reading Mencap’s choir beginning proceedings. The charity’s performing arts club also provided theatrical offerings, working in partnership with Progress Theatre. The event also featured readings and presentations from people who had been helped by the service. Mencap’s Jacqui McGachie said of the event: “It went really well, and all of the performers just had the best time. “It was impossible not to leave with a smile on your face, to see the happiness everybody got from performing, “It was a joy to watch.” Now the charity is looking ahead to the future, with Ms McGachie adding: “Roll on the 70th.”
n For more details, log on to www. readingmencap.org.uk
The group’s singing talents were brought to the fore for the concert
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Members of the Reading Mencap choir entertain audiences during their 60th anniversary show
located within the Wokingham Borough
32 | BUSINESS
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A business park that is changing
Dan and Neil team up to launch fresh new way to sell homes Woodley business club face-to-face networking A BUSINESS club is returning to face-to-face meetings next month, and is inviting people to join in, writes Libby Ashby. The breakfast meeting will be held in Coffee #1 in Woodley’s shopping precinct. It will see Kate Evans lead a 90-minute open session, offering support for people to help expand and grow their businesses. Ms Evans will also invite business owners who register in advance to be share stories in a Business Highlight slot. In this, she will discuss with a business owner their motivations, what they offer and what they would like from other club members in order to grow their business. This includes motivations for launching businesses, and what they can offer. There will also be the chance to talk in smaller groups. The session is organised by Woodley Business Club and will take place on Tuesday, July 12, from 8am. Places should be booked in advance.
n For more details, log on to: woodleybusinessclub. org.uk
By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today A READING estate agent duo are putting their own spin on the profession to help Shinfield arrivals find their perfect home.
Childhood friends Dan Salisbury and Neil Fenning operate a “no suits, no ties, no leaflets and no sales BS” policy. The pair work for Avocado Property, a contemporary estate agency which they say looks to challenge the way the property industry operates. “Neil and I are best friends and have known each other since we were six,” Dan explained. “We both grew up in the Reading area, attending Whiteknights Primary and going on to Maiden Erlegh School together.” “We used to cycle around the place when we were younger, which has actually really helped us understand the area.” The pair share a strong connection with Shinfield, with
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both living there themselves. “We both live in Shinfield. I’m currently selling and looking to buy a new place there so I don’t have any plans to go anywhere else,” Dan said. “It’s a fantastic area and it’s one we’ve been brought up in, so between the two of us we have a lot of experience.” Both Dan and Neil had spells at the same commercial estate agency before joining Avocado. During that time, they identified aspects of the trade that did not sit well with them, particularly in terms of the client experience.
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TEAM: Dan Salisbury (left) and Neil Fenning (right) are putting their own, unique spin on the property industry to help new Shinfield residents find their next home Picture: Dan Salisbury
English Lake District TheLovelyEnglishLakeDistrict_F.pdf
“I realised that I wanted to do things differently,” Dan explained. “Most corporate estate agents are geared up to look at figures and market shares.” “The client experience is not really factored in, because the more they do as individuals the more they get paid, hence why estate agents in general get a bad name.” “It didn’t fit in with how Neil and I wanted to work.” The pair have utilised the expertise they gained at their previous job to provide a ‘best of both worlds’ approach. They have seemingly struck the perfect balance between traditional knowhow and modern application. “To be honest, we haven’t reinvented the wheel. We’re just using things like social media, oneto-one contact, being available on WhatsApp 24/7 and just building relationships,” Dan said. “The way the model is set up is great because we were brought up here. We find that it’s easier to relate to the people we work with.” “It means that they are more likely to stop and think ‘these guys know what they’re talking about.” “Success will come if you love what you do and do the best that you possibly can. We thought we could do things a bit differently.” The Shinfield Parish development will see about
3,000 homes built, with new schools, sports facilities and infrastructure included in the wider Wokingham Borough plans. Dan expressed his delight at the growing sense of community the project has brought. “We can absolutely see the diversity of the area growing and thriving,” he said. “Neil and I always say this, but it really feels like Shinfield seems to have its own little bubble around it now. “We have a whole pocket of community that everyone just wants to be a part of.” The pair are excited to continue advising residents, helping to buy and sell their properties. They were both keen to voice their gratitude for the manner in which the community has embraced them. “From mine and Neil’s point of view, we have been overwhelmed by the local support,” Dan said. “How they’ve jumped on to our Facebook comments and left messages just saying nice things. It means so much to us.” “We don’t go door-knocking or handing out fliers promoting our work. We just want to do a good job.” “We are always open to feedback, either way, so if there’s anything they want us to change then just let us know.”
Co-op says demand for locally sourced products has increased 40% Departing Fri 26 Aug ‘22
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DEMAND for locally produced products is helping reduce shoppers’ carbon footprints according to a supermarket chain. The Southern Co-op says its customers are increasingly opting for regional produce, citing a 40% increase on five years ago. The figures have been released as it marks the 15th anniversary of its Local Flavours initiative. Introduced on the Isle of Wight, it aims to bring the best food and drink from the south to its convenience stores. There are 2,000 products in its range from 200 suppliers. Among the companies it works with is the West Berkshire Brewery. Davina Clifton, sales director at the Yattendon-based real ale firm, said: “It was reassuring to know that Southern Co-op were stockists and for our loyal customers still looking to buy our beers, including Good Old
The Southern Co-op is celebrating 15 years of its Local Produce initiative. Among those taking part is West Berkshire Brewery Picture: Southern Co-op
Boy Best Bitter, could still buy locally. “As a regional brewer the pandemic was difficult to navigate through and having supportive businesses such as Southern Co-op to help us through was vital.” She added: “We are now looking forward to the next 15 years working with them.” In 2021, there were more than 3.5 million products sold
from its Local Flavours range, up from 2.5 million in 2017. Matt Elliott, Southern Co-op’s retail buying and services manager, said: “As an independent, regional co-operative, we strive to be a sustainable and responsible business and our Local Flavours range is just one way in which we achieve this.”
n For more details, log on to: www.thesouthernco-operative. co.uk/food/local-flavours
33
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Pick-ture Perfect: Litter project keeps Whitley looking tidy EXCLUSIVE
By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today A TEAM of volunteers are giving their community a dose of TLC, taking to the streets to collect loose rubbish.
Keep Whitley Tidy is a litter pick run by Cllr Alice MpofuColes and Elliott Gardiner. The group held its inaugural event in February, meeting regularly at locations across the district. “I’ve lived in Whitley since 2004, on Whitley Wood Road,” Cllr Mpofu-Coles explained. “My husband and I used to pick up litter around our house and area as it’s a very busy road. “This is something I wanted to do, and I wanted to make sure that it was non-politicised. It’s not something I do because I’m a councillor, but because it’s an important thing to do.” The initiative has a sister group, Keep Caversham Tidy, with whom they organised a joint litter pick. The teams took to Kennet Island at the end of May to pick up litter in the residential area. All are welcome to volunteer. First-timers need only show up, with all equipment provided by the team. Cllr Mpofu-Coles cited a
particularly heartwarming dynamic between two regular helpers. “We have a mother and son attend, and she sets a great example to him,” she said. “She shows him things like which bin we need to put certain types of rubbish in, making sure items get recycled. It’s so good to see.” The Whitley councillor, who holds a PhD in Human Geography, also praised the council’s Love Clean Reading scheme. “They actually do a really good job at clearing things that get left through fly-tipping,” she
JasonFest will be a Knight to remember
THE BUTLER will play host to a mini festival on Saturday, July 2, in honour of the late Jason Knight. Three bands with strong connections to Jason will play, with Country Moans and 45RPM kicking off the music acts, followed by the New Puritans. Country Moans is known for playing covers of songs by The Ramones using country instruments, while 45RPM and the New Puritans are known for more punk and rock fare. The event will come to a close with a disco featuring a selection of Jason’s favourite records. With support from Jason’s family, who will be attending, the event is free entry. Guests will, however, be invited to make a donation to Cancer Research UK, with a collection at the event. JasonFest takes place at The Butler, Chatham Street, on Saturday, July 2. Doors open form 6pm, and bands start at 8pm.
said. “All you need to do is take a photo and send it to them.” Reports can be made via the council’s website or through the Love Clean Streets smartphone app. Cllr Mpofu-Coles sees the pride residents have in their community as a key ingredient to the project, saying: “It’s all about taking pride in where you live. “There’s obviously this stigma surrounding Whitley, especially in the media, that it’s a deprived, low socioeconomic area. “The narrative is that the people here are not worthy,
LITTERALLY PRISTINE: Keep Whitley Tidy and Keep Caversham Tidy took part in a joint litter pick in Kennet Island at the end of May. Picture courtesy of Keep Whitley Tidy
“You can get some exercise, make new friends and go home feeling better about yourself, both mentally and physically. “It’s one hour of your time. To be honest, even if you can only stay for 30 minutes or 15 minutes, you’re still contributing.” Individuals who are unable to attend can still get involved. Notifying the group of litter hotspots via social media can help organisers select meeting locations. n For more information or to join the group, search: Keep Whitley Tidy on www.facebook.com or www.twitter.com
FORGET the Blarney stone, the only rocks to kiss will be those in your glass thanks to a whisky tasting event. The Irish-based Waterford distillery will be in Reading on Thursday, July 7, to give a masterclass in its water of life. There will be an explanation of the distillery’s philosophy, and a chance to taste several of its barley-driven whiskies. It takes place at The Castle Tap, in Castle Street, from 8pm. Places cost £8, and tickets can be bought from the bar.
Tap takeover at Caversham pub A CAVERSHAM pub will have a tap takeover this week, as part of the Craft Theory festival taking place in South Street. The Fox and Hounds on Gosbrook Road is to welcome the team from Verdant from Thursday, June 30, through to Sunday, July 3. Based in Falmouth the brewery started in 2014, and produce a mixture of pale ales, IPAs and DIPAs, using ethical and sustainable methods. n Double Barrelled Brewery in Tilehurst is also taking part in the takeover. It will welcome brews from Track Brewing Co, based in Manchester, with brews available from Thursday, June 30, until they run out.
Sindlesham school fair
REDDAM HOUSE school is holding its summer fair on Saturday, July 2. The event starts with a gathering of classic cars between 8am and 10am, organised by Wokingham Lions Club. This is a precursor to an event in Elms Field. The fair starts at 10.30am, and runs until 4pm. There will be displays from pupils including dancing, singing and cricket. Wokingham Fire Station will visit, and there will be a raffle and tombola. Food trucks and a gin bar will available, and children can enjoy three bouncy inflatable games ts play. Proceeds from the fayre will go to First Days and CASK, entry is free.
Police awarded disability confidence leader status THAMES Valley Police have been given “leader” status accreditation for disability confidence. The Disability Confident scheme recognises organisations which seek to challenge attitudes and increase understanding of disability. It sees three levels of accreditation, working up from committed to employer, and finally to leader status. After an independent assessment by the Department of Work and Pensions, TVP have now been given level three accreditation, and leader status.
but the reality is that we are Whitley people, we are proud of it and we all do our best.” Moving forward, the former diplomat is excited to see the initiative grow. “We see Keep Caversham Tidy, they have a big group and we’d definitely like to get to that point here in Whitley as well,” she said. Cllr Mpofu-Coles is calling for more residents to join the team, citing a plethora of advantages to volunteering. “There are so many benefits to coming along outside of picking up litter,” she explained.
Castle Tap bar to host whisky taster
As part of its accreditation, Thames Valley Police has committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment, as well as providing reasonable adjustments and supporting existing employees. Chief Constable John Campbell said: “We are extremely proud of achieving this accreditation well ahead of the January 2023 deadline set by the National Police Chiefs Council’s Purple Space Report. “ “It is testament to the hard work and focus that has gone into enhancing our practices and procedures. We remain committed to being a Force that recognises and supports
colleagues with disabilities.” The announcement comes after TVP implemented its new “people strategy” which laid out its commitments to improving the work environment all staff. The organisation attained level one accreditation in 2018, since which it instigated a number of processes to ensure reasonable adjustments and the meeting of workplace needs for employees. The organisation said that the accreditation was the result of a collaboration between their People Directorate department, UNISON, and the Police Federation.
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Wuthering Heights in the open air CAVERSHAM Court Gardens is hosting open air theatre this summer with a production of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. The gothic classic follows the relationships between the Lintons and the Earnshaws, set in the Yorkshire Moors. The production is developed by SISATA, a touring company The company adapts each performance to the location and brings an element of interactivity to the works. Wuthering Heights will show at Caversham Court Gardens on Sunday, July 17. Doors open at 5.45pm, with the show beginning at 6.30pm. Tickets are £15 for adults, £13 for concessions, and are available via: www. whatsonreading.com
Luau fundraiser OH LEI, oh lei, oh lei. That might not be sung in a Reading pub, but it will certainly be the sentiment this weekend, thanks to a charity fundraiser. MND will be the beneficiary of a fun Luau night at The Monks’ Retreat in Friar Street on Friday, July 1. The event includes a free shot for the best dressed punter, and there will be drink deals as well. Leis can be bought for £1 each.
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Parking changes in The Mount rejected at council traffic meeting By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter
PROPOSALS to change parking restrictions in The Mount in Reading have been rejected.
The decision was made at a Reading Borough Council traffic management sub committee meeting on Wednesday, June 15. The council’s highways team had proposed increasing restricted parking times to 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday, two hours with no return. However the restrictions will remain Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm, for a total of two hours with councillors monitoring the situation and possibly coming up with adapted proposals if required. Some neighbours said they never had problems parking on The Mount, and that restrictions could hamper the trade of the Progress Theatre located there. Others argued there were repeated problems parking outside their homes, both for themselves and health visitors. Jill Simpson, supporting the changes, said: “Changes in restrictions are certainly not going to close the theatre. “No positive reason for opposing the change has been put forward, since it’s been accepted the theatre won’t close.”
NO CHANGE: There will be no new parking restrictions for The Mount in Reading Picture: Google Maps Previously, the Progress Theatre website stated patrons could park in The Mount, which has since been changed. Meanwhile, Paul Bennett, who opposed the changes, said: “There are loads of places to park in The Mount. “It’s not outside people’s houses, but that’s what you give up when you live in a terraced house with on street parking.” There was the accusation that the issue had been
politicised, with Cllr Clarence Mitchell, Conservative councillor for Emmer Green, concerned a recent meeting, hosted by Redlands councillors, was not sufficiently publicised. The meeting was attended by Cllr David McElroy, Cllr Kathryn McCann, Cllr Will Cross and Cllr Rob White, the group leader of the Reading Green party. Summarising the meeting, Cllr McElroy said: “It was near unanimously agreed that it was
not difficult to find parking on The Mount as a whole.” Although it was acknowledged parking is more difficult in the lower Mount, it was felt the situation was not serious enough to warrant the changes. Only Cllr Mitchell voted for the proposed changes. Describing what he thought it would take to reach a solution, Cllr White said: “I think it’s focusing on residents, working together and collecting
data so we’ve got an agreed view on what the problem is if one develops in future. “It’s keeping an eye on the situation, and collecting data, in a way that everyone can agree on what the problem is.” Expressing scepticism, Cllr Mitchell said: “I think Cllr White hoping that we can all live happily together and consult and agree on this, is frankly a little naive. “The tensions this has caused to residents in and around The Mount are obvious. “There should be no winners and losers, it should be a compromise which is acceptable to all, but I think residents working together given the level of ill feeling is probably unrealistic.” Previously, The Mount resident Niki Haywood raised fears a consultation on the proposals had been hijacked by cloned responses and bots. The point was picked up by Cllr James Moore, Liberal Democrat councillor for Tilehurst, who asked whether the council’s consultation process would be reviewed. Cllr Tony Page said he “sympathised” with the concerns, but any changes to the consultation procedure would have to apply across the council consistently.
Male voice choir’s Poetry showdown golden celebration at Rising Sun A SPECIAL golden concert will take place in Reading’s Concert Hall early next month as a local group marks its big anniversary. This is the 50th year for the Reading Male Voice Choir, after launching in November 1971. Over the years, it has raised thousands for charity, and this concert will be no exception. The performance will take place at Reading’s Concert Hall in Blagrave Street on Saturday, July 2. The choir has invited a host of special guests including Mayor and James, and the Abbey School Junior Choir. The music starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £10, or £5 for under 12s plus a booking fee. n For more details, log on to www.RMVC.net
A FRIENDLY open-mic poetry contest returns to The Rising Sun Arts Centre this Sunday. The Dreading Slam is a space for poets of all abilities to showcase their work, and for people to appreciate it. Each poet can read two of their poems, each lasting a maximum of three minutes each. They are scored out of 10 by three volunteer judges, with the top three entrants qualifying for a final. The winner is crowned the best poet in Berkshire … until the next event. The Dreading Slam is held on the first Sunday of the month from 7.30pm, and is held at the Silver Street arts venue. n For more details, log on to: www. risingsunartscentre.org
Workshop at garden centres to make it easier for children to eat greens A FOCUS on the science of leafy greens is coming to two garden centres this weekend and primary school-aged children are invited. Dobbies runs a monthly Little Seedlings Club ad on Sunday it will host a session called Magnificent Microgreens, aiming to showcase the benefits of eating them. It also shows how they can be grown even in small spaces. Aimed at children aged four to 10, participants can make a windowsill planter, while there will be demonstrations on how chefs use microgreens. Dobbies’ partnership and events manager Sarah Murray said: “July is a brilliant time of year to encourage the little ones
GREEN FOR GROWTH: Evelyn Brown the Little Seedling Ambassador
to get out into the garden. “Growing your own microgreens is a great way for kids to learn the basics of how to care for plants, find out where they exist in the plant lifecycle and why they are so popular.” She added: “The Little Seedlings workshop is open to
all children who have access to a garden, an outdoor balcony space or even just a sunny windowsill.” The sessions take place at its Hare Hatch and Shinfield branches, and places must be booked. n For more details, log on to dobbies.com
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Reading FC and UoR team up to tackle climate emergency
Vinyl celebration returns THE SOUND Machine is once again celebrating vinyl with a weekend for the recordbooks. The vintage vinyl weekend will bring deep cuts and highgrade grooves, with a specially selected assortment of difficult to trace records. This time around, the Sound Machine is promising that the event will be the biggest ever. The Sound Machine is Reading’s longest-established independent collectors’ record shop, having traded in Reading for more than 20 years. The Vintage Vinyl Weekend takes place at The Sound Machine, Harris Arcade, on Saturday, July 2, from 9am6pm.
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
READING Football Club and the University of Reading have joined forces in a partnership to save the planet.
As part of last week’s Show Your Stripes Day 2022, the university announced that it is lending support to the club to help it deliver on a new 10-point plan set on reducing their carbon footprint. The sustainability team at the university will lend expertise from it’s own research, seeking to aid in the use of renewable energy technology and electric vehicle provisions on the stadium grounds, reducing waste, and monitoring energy and utilities usage. Partnership between the organisations is the latest move spurred on by the stripes graphic created by Professor Ed Hawkins. Professor Hawkins said: “I love that Reading FC is using the climate stripes to start its own conversation around sustainability and raise awareness of their important message among its large fanbase. “The steps the club is seeking to take are positive and we are pleased as a University to be joining forces with people
Farmers Market is back this Saturday PALMER BUILDING AT THE UNIVERISTY OF READING SHOWING ITS CLAIMATE STRIPES across Reading in a new way to make the town greener.” The graphic is a visualisation of the rapidly warming global temperatures and a representation of the scale and speed of the climate crisis. During Show Your Stripes Day people and organisations around the world joined the likes of Greta Thunberg and UN climate change panel representatives
in sharing the graphic on social media. The stripes are also featured on Ms Thunberg’s new book on the climate crisis. Tim Kilpatrick, Commercial Director at Reading Football Club, said: “This is the beginning of a long journey, not an egotrip. “We may not be perfect but, much like the majority of our fans in our stands, we can
Praise for Borough Council chaplain A CHAPLAIN who has been in her role for more than 20 years was honoured with a special celebration event last week. The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, held a reception to thank Una Chandler for her service to Reading Borough Council. The member of Tilehurst Methodist Church came to the Ding from the West Indies when she was 17. Friends and family joined her, along with representatives from Churches Together in Reading. Cllr Eden expressed her gratitude to Ms Chandler, as did James Crosbie who has worked for the borough for more than 20 years and remembers Una’s first year. The chair of Churches Together in Reading, Michael Penny, presented Ms Chandler with a book as a token of appreciation, before she thanked everyone and shared some anecdotes from her years giving pastoral support to the council. And Ms Chandler’s eldest daughter Colleen read out some words and thoughts from the family, each section based on a different letter from the word ‘chaplain’. Mr Penny said: “C stood for commitment – a most appropriate word for over 20 years of voluntary service.”
be better and help achieve a brighter future for our planet. “We hope this partnership inspires more climate conversations and that through action at the stadium and the buy in from Reading fans everywhere, we can all play our part.” While some sustainable practises are already in place, such as the use of electric lawnmowers for pitch
READING FARMERS’ MARKET takes place on Saturday, July 2. A number of local farmers and food producers take part, offering groceries with low food miles. Items include fruit and vegetables, high welfare meat, fish and eggs, cheese, honey, baked gins, alcohol and fudge. It runs from 8.30am to 1pm, and takes place at Great Knollys Street’s Cattle Market. For more details, log on to www.tvfm.org.uk
maintenance and the transition towards LED lighting in stadium and club premises, the club will work to do more. As well as tackling emissions and renewable energy, the club will also seek to implement reusable or recyclable cups at kiosks, sustainable service suppliers, and to educate staff and supporters on tackling the climate crisis.
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Reading Borough Council leader Cllr Jason Brock with The mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, with her Dusseldorf counterpart Dr Stephan Keller The ceremonial mace is brought in to the civic meeting
CELEBRATIONS: A church service to mark the 75th anniversary of the town twinning was held at Reading Minster on Sunday morning
75 years as twins
Reading celebrates its German partner EXCLUSIVE BRIAN HICKS was among those welcoming our European friends this past weekend at a series of special events across the Ding. Here he looks back at a special reunion THE Oberbürgermeister of Düsseldorf, Dr Stephan Keller, paid his first visit to Reading last weekend to join in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the special friendship between his city on the Rhine and our town on the Thames.
After those early beginnings, an official town twinning was formalised in 1975, one of the oldest in the UK. Dr Keller’s counterpart, the Mayor of Reading Cllr Rachel Eden, had been in Düsseldorf two weeks earlier with him to join in the Reading Weekend celebrations there. These included a performance of Romeo and Juliet with actors from Reading. The starting point on Saturday morning was an exhibition of photographs by Chris Forsey at the Holybrook Gallery, Reading Central Library, showing scenes in Düsseldorf and Reading. Entitled Dorf & Ding, Mr Forsey’s photos use special effects, especially with colour. This was followed by the official opening by Dr Keller of a new display at Reading Museum, Head over heels: Friendship from the Ruins. Brendan Carr, a curator at the museum, explained
the background and other museum exhibits that relate to Düsseldorf. The new display details the story of the special friendship from its earliest beginnings in 1947 when Phoebe Cusden was the Mayor of Reading. She was a prime mover in providing help for adults and children in Düsseldorf after the devastation of the Second World War. The current war in the Ukraine is a poignant reminder of those times and Düsseldorf concluded an official partnership in March with Czernovitz (Chernivtsi). As part of the visit, Dr Keller was given a tour of the Reading Abbey ruins and the Abbey Gateway, the grand entrance to the Abbot’s Lodgings which later became Queen Elizabeth I’s royal residence. At the concluding event on Sunday, he was welcomed by a dazzling Queen Elizabeth I and some of her courtiers, or rather actors playing those parts. On Sunday morning there was a special ecumenical service of reaffirmation at the Minster Church of St Mary the Virgin, conducted in English and German. Dr Keller and Rachel Eden both gave readings, and there were about 100 in the congregation. In the closing words and blessing, the Revd Liz Jackson, Associate Archdeacon of Berkshire, talked about the origin of friendship in loving action. There have been very close relationships over the 75 years
between churches in Reading and Düsseldorf. There was a civic meeting on Sunday afternoon to reaffirm the link between Reading and Düsseldorf at the Concert Hall in Reading Town Hall. Reading’s splendid golden mace was carried at the front of the procession of dignitaries. Phoebe Cusden’s grandson, Richard Thom, was in the audience. Council leader Cllr Jason Brock opened proceedings. He recounted some history of the post-war period and the key role of Phoebe Cusden who visited Düsseldorf to see the deprivation there for herself. She arranged for food parcels and other support. Children from Düsseldorf started coming to Reading and regular exchanges have continued until today. These have been supported by Reading Düsseldorf Association, which was founded in 1948. Rachel Eden’s predecessor, David Stevens, has recently taken on the role of chairman. Mr Brock expressed some surprise that the relationship with Düsseldorf had started and endured, especially as Reading had struggled to be friendly with its UK neighbours such as Swindon and Oxford. He said that in more recent years Reading had embraced the goal to be a city of sanctuary for those affected by conflict. Dr Keller said the highlight from the Reading Weekend in Düsseldorf for him had been
the personal testimonies of Erika Euteneuer and Gretel Wicke (née Wieber). These ladies had come from Düsseldorf on the first school exchange to Reading in 1947. Dr Keller said that the memories they forged then had lasted their entire lives and even played a part in their career choices. It is his sincere hope that the friendship will grow and flourish in the future, also echoed by Cllr Eden. Dr Keller ended his speech with an invitation to Reading to send a delegation to the Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry, which will be held in Düsseldorf in September next year. And he later signed the Reaffirmation Charter with Cllr Eden. Two members of the Reading Youth Council, Amandeep Mavi and Sizuan Ren, recounted their recent exchange trip to Düsseldorf and the warmth of the welcome they received. Some of their Düsseldorf counterparts were also present. The importance of new personal links and relationships between the towns, especially among the young, was mentioned by several speakers. There were musical interludes with young performers from both towns and a Ukrainian singer. And afterwards, there was a special 75th anniversary cake and scones to savour. Brian Hicks lived for more than 20 years in Reading and eight years in Düsseldorf bhicks@wokingham.today
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, with her Dusseldorf counterpart Dr Stephan Keller light the civic candle (left) and during the civic ceremony (right)
The Reaffirmation Charter that was signed on Sunday
The special anniversary cake
Members of the youth council around the special anniversary cake
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INTHECOMMUNITY
Cricketer Martin is up against world’s best By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today
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FORMER Sonning schoolboy is giving the world’s best cricketers a run for their money at the dizzy heights of Lord’s. Martin Andersson, who attended Crosfields School, is representing Middlesex Cricket Club in this year’s Vitality T20 Blast. The UK’s premier 20-over competition showcases some of the sport’s biggest names, such as Dwayne Bravo, Marnus Labushagne, Kieron Pollard and Mohammad Rizwan. The 25-year-old has relished the challenge of testing his game against cricket’s elite. “You grow up seeing these guys on TV and now you’re facing them, it’s definitely nerve-racking,” Andersson said. “Especially when it comes to T20, where you can get whacked and it can go really badly, you have to just go out there and try to enjoy it. “It’s why you want to play, and I see it as a challenge.” Andersson has taken 15 wickets at the time of writing, making him the tournament’s fifth leading wicket taker. Like many cricketers his age, the former Berkshire cricket star was introduced to the game through the 2005 Ashes series. “I remember going round to a friend’s house when I was eight or nine and watching it,” he said. “We played in the garden and I just got hooked. “I went on to join Reading Cricket Club as a colt and enjoyed the individual and team nature of the sport. “I found it was something I was good at and came quite naturally to me. It’s always good to feel like you’re good at something. “I was also pretty big for my age and just enjoyed batting. Alongside all the drama we’d see on TV, it was a sport that grabbed my attention.” The all-rounder was quick to attribute a portion of his success to the resources available to him at Crosfields School and Reading Cricket Club. “I can’t lie, I was lucky and fortunate to have gone to a school and played at a club which had great facilities and coaches,” Andersson explained. “They played a massive part in my career, and I’m well aware of the difficulties there are in terms of access.” Such was his drive to succeed, Andersson was able to negotiate the distractions and pitfalls that often hinder young athletes at school and university. However, he admitted that a former teacher’s words of
The shorter format of the Blast has allowed Andersson to impress with bat and ball Picture courtesy of Middlesex Cricket Club wisdom had resonated with him. “I remember having a conversation with a teacher at secondary school who was into his cricket. I think I was in Year 10,” Andersson said. “He just said, ‘if you want to be a cricketer, you’re going to have to give something back to the school and nail your academics to make sure you’ve got time for your cricket. “That really hit home, and of course your social life has to take a back seat, but it wasn’t horrific at all. “I think people who don’t love the sport will see it as a sacrifice, but it didn’t feel like that for me because cricket was all I wanted to do.” Having a back-up plan gave him the peace of mind to know he always had a viable alternative if cricket didn’t work out. His teacher’s words only consolidated his on-field performance, as Andersson was able to secure his first professional contract as an A-level student. “We were on the second day of a T20 finals day around seven years ago,” he explained. “I was just finishing school, and I ended up playing really well in the final and playing a big part in helping the team win. “It was a great feeling and looking back, it was a pretty pivotal moment in my career as I managed to get my first pro contract off the back of that.” Andersson has since gone from strength to strength in all formats of the domestic game. The former Reading resident has enjoyed the Blast’s shorter set-up, proving particularly fruitful with the ball. The right-arm medium pacer’s list of victims include Jason Roy, Sam Billings, Tim Seifert, Zak Crawley, James Vince and Ben McDermott.
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Andersson cited the wicket of Vince as his most memorable thus far. “It was an important part of the game,” he explained. “It was a big game and I feel like I bowled well under pressure in a really tight moment in the context of the game.” The wicket prevented the Hampshire skipper from reaching his half-century, as Middlesex eventually came out on top. Being an all-rounder has allowed Andersson to impress in all facets of the game, but has required some additional willpower. “You’ve got to be dedicated in ticking everything off so you’re ready for matchday,” Andersson said. “You’ve got to be prepared to be the first in and last out of training. “But I see it as a big positive because you get two, or four, goes at putting in a good performance, where people who just bat or just bowl only have one or two.” It’s not all been plain sailing for Andersson, however, who has suffered a number of injuries throughout his fledgling career. The University of Leeds alumnus has been forced to persevere during these challenging moments. “The doubts around injuries and how long they would take to heal are probably the hardest things to deal with,” he explained. “You wonder whether you’re going to come back and worry about the wasted time. It’s quite difficult to be patient when you’re young. “You see the world’s best and they’re experts at knowing their limits and when not to push their bodies as hard if they feel like something isn’t right.” Andersson acknowledged the role Middlesex’s physios have played in helping him throughout his recoveries. The club has also supported its players’ mental health, providing outlets for employees to speak to professionals where necessary. “When I first started out and made it into the pro spheres, I don’t remember talking about it at all, like it just wouldn’t be spoken about,” Andersson explained. “But now it’s definitely more normalised, it’s something we speak about more now. “I have a psychologist that I speak to, not necessarily just when things are going badly, but to try to train the brain in the build-up to games, in the same way you would your muscles. “Mental health is definitely something we do talk about as a group now.”
TALK: John Painter; Professor James Clark; Former Abbot of Douai Geoffrey Scott; Peter Durrant (Chairman) and Catherine Lorigan at St James Church Reading Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images
Friends of Reading Abbey hosts lecture looking at the dissolution A LECTURE looking at the history of Reading’s historic abbey site attracted a crowd of people earlier this month. Professor James Clark visited St James Church in The Forbury to discussion the impact that the dissolution had on the town. Organised by Friends of Reading Abbey, it explored what is known of the final months of Reading’s monks and friars, the
places and people associated with them, and what happened after the Crown seized their buildings, contents and outlying properties. Prof Clark is an expert in the place of monasteries on the cultural, religious and social fabric of medieval and Reformation England, and is professor of history at the University of Exeter. His visit was part of the
Friends’ summer series and took place on Saturday, June 18. The society’s next event will be a walk along the first 10 miles of the St James Way, a 68-mile pilgrimage from the church to Southampton. It takes place on Wednesday, July 20, and will go to Burghfield Common with refreshment stops along the way. n For more details, log on to readingabbey.org.uk
Guest voices help Phoenix Choir sing two little masses MEMBERS of the Reading Phoenix Choir were joined by guest voices for a come and sing workshop. Held at Reading Minster Church in Chain Street on Saturday, June 18, the group learnt two different sung masses. First was Hadyn’s Little Organ Mass, and the second was Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass. After an afternoon of intensive rehearsals, the group then performed to an audience in the same church. Proceeds from the day went to the Reading Minster Sanctuary project. The choir’s next event is in
Swindon on Saturday, July 9. The singers will be teaming up with the Aldbourne Band to perform at Christ Church in Cricklade Street. It is not the first time the groups have played together. The last time was in February 2019, at Dorchester Abbey. In May, they performed a
special concert in aid of the Ukraine DEC appeal, to an audience of nearly 200 people. The programme included Prayer For Ukraine, Even When he Is Silent, and When I Need A Friend. For more details, log on to: https://www. readingphoenixchoir.com/
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LEISURETODAY
29.06.22
Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
Sophie’s lockdown musical
“Fifteen songs later we had a musical” JAKE CLOTHIER speaks to Sophie Hastings on her first theatrical production, Everything Between Us
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SINGER-SONGWRITER from Reading has written a new musical, Everything Between Us.
Sophie Hastings, 27, has composed the music and lyrics, with her brother, James, a film-maker, working on the script. The musical follows a British journalist in a love story set among the events of the building of the Berlin Wall. Sophie says: “It’s a love story, but it’s also about friendship, and it’s strange how it has kind of related to the times at the moment.” “When we wrote it, we were all in lockdown, and we could kind of relate in that respect of being away from our
friends, couldn’t see our family. “But then as time went on, it also kind of related to the Ukraine war– it’s interesting how it’s come along and different things have popped up and it’s still relevant.” Sophie and James are running a two-week-long workshop to rehearse and refine the piece before a workshop performance in London. “I started gigging when I was about 18, so I never really sang in front of anyone before that sort of time. “I’d always been interested in musical theatre– I’ve never actually been in any shows or anything like that, but I’d written a song. “I showed it to my mum and my brother, and they said it would be quite
a good song for a musical. “Fifteen songs later, we had a musical.” The entire project is self-funded, with a number of actors attached having recently graduated. “We have an actor from Reading too, but the rest are in London, which means most will be travelling. “But some are even staying at my parents place, just to make it work, really. “I’m not a West End producer, and I haven’t got endless flowing money, so we have to try and make it work to make people as comfortable as they can be, and it takes a lot of convincing.” She says however that “everyone on the project has been absolutely wonderful.” The production currently has a cast of 10, who will begin workshops in Aldermaston on Monday, July 4, ahead of a workshop performance at the new Marylebone Theatre on Saturday, July 16. “This means it’s stripped back,”
Sophie explains. “There’s not any kind of backdrops or big lights, it’s simple – just the songs, chairs and tables, l ittle props, anything that anyone touches.” The stripped back nature of the show also means that Sophie can continue work on the production while working with other commitments. “I work for a radiology company– we used to be in Theale, but now I’m a client administrator here in Reading. “So it’s totally different to the day job, but the dream is obviously music and theatre.” She says that the project has required some juggling with her work. “Creators have always got to have that money coming in, of course, and it’s been really great to me, with my confidence especially. “It’s brought out a lot in me, and I’m really thankful for that, of course, but putting the musical together has been really great.” Sophie says that she and her brother have been working with musical
director Archie Combe, who has helped bring the elements of the production together. “We got him on board probably about a year into it, and he would work on orchestration, and that side of things, and we’re thankful for having him.” With this being her first full production, Sophie is less anxious than might be expected. “We’ve got some really talented people in the cast, and I have my little moments, like we all do, “It’s a really nice venue, 220-seater, but hopefully we’ll secure some funds for a full production, “It’d be great to see it with a full ensemble and backdrops – but that will be further down the line.” While the final workshop production is not currently open to members of the public, Sophie says that she hopes she will be able to offer tickets closer to opening night. n For more information, visit www.infinitystaged.com
14 | LEISURE
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READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Music night to raise funds for charity
WEST Forest Sinfonia plays the music of Bridge and other British composers. The programme begins with short pieces for violin, cello and piano. Then follows Beethoven’s Septet op.20 for wind and strings. This is performed on violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, bassoon and french horn. The concert takes place in the Recital Room, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell. The event begins at 7.30pm on Sunday, July 3. Tickets cost £10.50. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123
A MAIDENHEAD charity music night will take place on Friday. A Quiet Night In sees two local bands perform: Bad Neighbours, and Small Town Heroes. Both groups play a mix of original music and catchy covers. The fund raising night for Ovarian Cancer Action promises to be ‘electric and energetic’. The event takes place in the Courtyard Theatre at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead. The bands perform on Friday, July 1. The event starts at 7pm and tickets cost £15. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977
Finding love in a wedding reception
Trio’s distinctive sound
A TRIO of musicians will be bringing a unique sound to Norden Farm on Saturday. Loshn is an established UK trio of fiddle, accordion and clarinet. The three musicians will perform music from the Ashkenazi Jewish culture. The group’s intimate chamber music style includes dance, singing and the spoken word. They will be singing in the tradition’s Yiddish accent and vocabulary. The music night takes place in the Studio at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Saturday, July 2. It starts at 8pm and tickets cost £15. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977
Comics to make Norden Farm visit
TWO UP-and-coming comedians entertain next Wednesday. First on is Sue Barron, who has been making appearances on BBC, Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You, and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. She brings a ‘blistering’ hour of standup, covering sex, wine, and kids. Next up is Kiwi comedy award-winner, comedian, actor and writer Nic Sampson. Fresh from BBC’s Starstruck he promises to unravel the ‘incredible true story of one of the dumbest sporting events of all time’. The comedy night takes place in the Studio at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Wednesday, July 6.
WEDDED bliss doesn’t come easy in Neil Simon’s play Barefoot In The Park. The show opens at The Mill at Sonning this week, and will continue across the summer. Jonny Labey and Chloe McClay star as struggling Manhattan newly weds. He is a conservative young lawyer, while she is a free-spirited romantic. A wild night ensues where they must learn to embrace their differences. Add to the evening a meddling The event stars at 8pm and tickets cost £12. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977
So Horrible, it will be loved by the family
THERE’S a chance for the whole family to meet the Terrible Tudors this weekend. The Horrible Histories team comes to Newbury, bringing the past to life on stage. Prepare for a show filled with antics, torture, punch-ups with the pope, headless wives, and attacks at sea. Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors, takes place on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3.
mother, an eccentric upstairs neighbour and a sequence of misunderstandings, and the play has all the ingredients for laughter. Rachel Fielding, James Simmons and Oliver Stanley also star. Barefoot In The Park first opened in Broadway in 1963, and has delighted audiences ever since. It runs from Thursday, June 30 until Saturday, August 20. Evening performances start at Performances at The Corn Exchange, Newbury, begin on both days at 2pm and 6pm Tickets cost £16 adults, concessions £14, family tickets £56 (2 adults, 2 children). n For tickets and information log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 0845 521 8218.
Reggae celebration at South Hill Park
MUSIC that filled the airwaves during the 80s and 90s is brought to life again by Johnny2Bad. The band used to back Sting in the 80s and 90s, and now performs songs of the Reggae era.
AT THE THEATRE
Bracknell – South Hill Park
www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Absolute Reggae. Thurs. Edinburgh Previews. Fri. Live Music on the Terrace. Sat. Berkshire Theatre Company presents The Wedding Singer. Sat-Sun. West Forest Sinfonia. Sun. The Many Lives of Nellie Bly. Mon-Tues. The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars present: The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Thurs 7. Karen Street’s L’Espirit Du Jazz. Fri 8. Edinburgh previews. Fri 8. Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow: Wishes. Sat 9-Sun 10. Live Music on the Terrace. Sun 10. Songs of Dissent. Sun 10.
Camberley – Theatre
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Women In Rock. Thurs. Shape of You. Fri. Camberley Comedy Festival 2022. Sat 9.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Boeing Boeing, a new translation. Until Sat. In PurSUEt. Fri-Sat. The Plat What I Wrote. TuesSat 9.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 What’s Love Got to Do With It? Thurs. The Ultimate 80s Party Night. Sat. Rhodes Academy of
Dance. Sun. Beaconsfield HIgh School Movie Night dance show. Mon. Walk Right Back. Thurs 7. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 7. Pat Steel and Bucks School of Dance. Sat 9-Sun 10.
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 The Scummy Mummies Show. Thurs-Fri. NEXT SHOW: Legally Blonde: The Musical. Thurs 14-Sat 17.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Sam Kelly’s Station House.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com
8.15pm, there are no evening shows on Sunday, Monday or Tuesdays. Afternoon matinée performances start at 2.15pm. These take place on Thursdays, Saturdays and some Sundays. Tickets cost £76 and include a two course meal at the theatre restaurant before the show. n For tickets and information log on to: www.millatsonnng.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000. Their show, Absolute Reggae, comes to Bracknell this week. There will be classics by UB40, Aswad, Bob Marley, Big Mountain and more. It’s described a ‘high energy show’ with a three piece horn section and four vocalists. The group plays at The Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell. The event takes place on Thursday, June 30, and starts at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £24. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123
Concert features best of British
0845 5218 218 One Night in Dublin. Thurs. The Comedy Network. Fri. Horrible Histories: The Terrible Tudors. Sat-Sun. Legends of Swing. Wed. Treasure Island. Thurs 7-Sat 9.
Reading – The Hexagon
Newbury – The Watermill
Reading – Concert Hall
www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Bleak Expectations. Until Sat. Camp Albion. Wed-Sat 16.
Reading – South Street
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 The Grumpy Goat presents Craft Theory 2022. Fri-Sat. Shaparak Khorsandi: IT WAS THE 90s. Fri 8.
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler. Thurs 7-Sat 9.
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Lunchtime organ recital. Mon.
BASED on the hit movie, it’s the story of a lonely performer who finds love where he least expects it. Set in a time when hair was big and collars were up, The Wedding Singer does for the 80s what Hairspray did for the 60s. Berkshire Theatre School brings this musical to Bracknell. Performances are at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell on Saturday at 3.30pm and 7.45pm, and on Sunday at 1.30pm and 6pm. Tickets cost £17, or £14 for schools. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123
Investigative journalism comes to stage
THE Many Lives of Nellie Bly tells a true story of investigative journalism. Bly blazed a trail for ambitious women around the world and pushed boundaries nobody knew could be pushed. With a mix of intimate storytelling, performance and cinematic score, the play explores themes of ambition, fearlessness and identity. The event takes place at the Studio Theatre, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell. Performances are on Monday, July 4 and Tuesday, July 5. They start at 7.30. Tickets cost £15 adults, £12, under 16s, members, and over 65s. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123
NEXT SHOW: Jekyll and Hyde. Oct 10-29.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Junior and Middle Youth Group show. Sat-Sun. Senior Youth Group Show. Sat 9-Sun 10.
NEXT SHOW: Windsor on Air presents A Touch of Danger. Jul 12-16.
Wokingham – Theatre
www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Daisy Pulls It Off. July 13-23.
Sonning – The Mill
www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Angels In America Parts 1 and 2. Until Sat.
www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Barefoot in the Park. Until Aug 20. The Definitive Rat Pack. Sun 10.
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre
Reading – Reading Rep Theatre
Windsor – Theatre Royal
Woodley – Theatre
Reading – Progress Theatre
www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888
www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 NEXT SHOW: EBOS presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Aug 9-13.
www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: Teechers. Sept 27-Oct 1.
Wednesday, June 29, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
Readipop Festival is ready to pop off
Troupe of the day: Scarlet Vixens dazzle at the Turtle
R
EADING is gearing up for a weekend of music and mirth, as its own Readipop festival approaches.
From Friday to Sunday, July 8-10, Readipop Festival will showcase some of the best international artists across numerous genres, all in aid of the music charity. This year’s selection includes The Sugarhill Gang, Mercury prize-winner Badly Drawn Boy, The Magic Numbers, Too Many T’s, and Jesus Jones. This year’s festival will also see the first round table event, where Stephen Morris, of Joy Division; Richard Jobson, of the Skids; and Stealing Sheep will discuss Readipop’s mission statement of “music changing lives.” As well as the In Conversation session, the festival offers the usual array of craft and music workshops, immersive performances, and activities at its family area, with offerings from arts charity Jelly, Annual Daydream Harvest, Tankata Percussion, and Berzerk Productions. It will also host Reading’s indie market on Saturday and Sunday. Readipop Festival programmer Pete Wheeler said: “We’re feeling overwhelmed by the huge support for this year’s Readipop Festival. “We’re now even more excited about the 8-10th July weekend as the full line-up
LEISURE | 15
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The Scarlet Vixens return to the cellar club at the Purple Turtle on the last All profits from Readipop Festival will go to Readipop, which works to enrich and support the community in Reading with music and arts. Picture: Charlie Woodward is crammed full of incredible local talent sharing the stage with Sugarhill Gang, Furious 5, Morcheeba and Badly Drawn Boy.” “Everything is coming together for a big celebration of five years of Readipop Festival with great music, workshops, walkabout performances,
market stalls, delicious street food and beers from the local breweries including Siren, Loddon, Double Barrelled and Phantom” Pete added: “We really want to thank everyone that has got involved this year from volunteers and local artists to all existing ticket holders.
“You are all helping to make the festival possible and ensure it will be our biggest and best yet.” n Limited third-release tickets are available starting from £19, and weekend tickets from £55, available from www.eventbrite. co.uk
JAKE CLOTHIER
THE CABARET and variety troupe, The Scarlet Vixens, finally returned after some time away from their residency at the Purple Turtle. Loretta Lebonke hosted, bringing her dynamic, effervescent style of comedy to the role of compère. Hot on her high-heels were Mojo Jones and Layla Cherry, with burlesque performances full of suspense and surprises. Miss Sugar Rush was next, with a classic style of burlesque performance, followed by Oliver Ty
Tassel’s enchanting, pulse-racing take on drag and burlesque fusion. Demonica Latex finally closed the show with due spectacle. Overall, the group showed that they’re among the best, with fun, flirty performances that push boundaries and pull focus. The Scarlet Vixens are a burlesque, cabaret, circus, and variety group from Reading, returning to the Purple Turtle on the last Saturday of every month.
JAKE CLOTHIER
Let Sara help you craft the perfect Christmas
S
ARA Davies – known as the Queen of Crafting – is planning a festive trip to Reading, to share every possible tip and solution to create the perfectly styled Christmas.
The Ding is the first stop on her Craft Your Christmas with Sara Davies tour. She’ll be visiting The Hexagon on Saturday, November 19, just in time for people to prepare for this year fun. An estimated two in three women take part in some craft hobby, making it one of the fastest growing trends of recent times. From gifts to garlands, cards to crackers, wrapping paper to mantlepiece decorations, the Dragon’s Den star will show audiences how to craft their own Christmas with a range of practical demonstrations, lots of top tips and a healthy slice of her down-toearth know how. Interactive, creative, and fun this is
an evening night for friends to share ideas and whether it’s making your home look warm and inviting for the season, about pimping up your door, mantlepiece, tree, table, or making perfect cards and gifts or wrapping presents. Sara says: “It goes without saying how much I love crafting but crafting for Christmas is simply the best time for crafting. “I’m going to share all the little hacks and shortcuts to achieve that perfect look for the perfect crafty Christmas. “Sharing this with your friends, will make a great night out and hopefully you’ll leave having had a ton of fun, feeling excited about having a homemade personalised Christmas.” n Tickets for the show have just gone on sale. For more details, log on to Sara-Davies.com, or whatsonreading. com. Alternatively, call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
16 | LEISURE
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Choral concert at Douai Abbey NEWBURY Choral Society will be performing at Douai Abbey on Saturday, July 2. The summer concert is called Vive la Renaissance!, and features a selection of sacred music from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. The choir says that the music from this era has shown the same curiosity and sense of individual exploration and adventure seen in other art forms. Pieces have been written by Palestrina, Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and others. The performance starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £15, or £5 for under 16s, plus booking fee. n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.newburychoral. org.uk
Art show at Tidmarsh will help Sue Ryder hospice AN ART exhibition featuring works created by local artists will be on show at Tidmarsh Village Hall. Pieces will be on sale in aid of the Duchess of Kent House Hospice in Tilehurst. The event will also include refreshments including tea and homemade cakes. The event takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, July 10, with free parking available. The hall is wheelchair friendly. Entry is free.
Cast announced for Whistle’s return
A
REVIVAL of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is coming to Newbury next month, and casting has just been announced.
The Watermill will welcome audiences to a new take on Whistle Down The Wind from Friday, July 22. The summer show is the first time that the 1996 rock musical, written with Jim Steinman, has been performed in the UK since 2010. Set in America of 1959, the show is about change as the postwar boom thrives, the civil rights movement grows and the golden age of television has begun. But, on a farm in rural Louisiana three children are hoping for a miracle. When Swallow, a teenager struggling to come to terms with the death of her mother, discovers a man hiding out in the family barn she becomes convinced he is Jesus. In a town where the community will do anything to defend their way of life, the children unite to protect their saviour. As fantasy and reality collide, Swallow begins to discover who she is and what it means to grow up. Running until Saturday, September 10, the show will be
BACK: Mike and The Mechanics are all fired up with their brand new tour, Refueled! Picture: Courtesy of The Hexagon RETURNING: The WatERmill is producing a revival of Whistle Down The Wind directed by Tom Jackson Greaves, who has helped create previous Watermill shows including The Jungle Book, Amélie, Sweet Charity, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Borrowers. The cast includes Chrissie Bhima as Candy, Lewis Cornay and Amos, Lloyd Gorman as Boone, Charlotte Grayson as Ed, Elliot Mackenzie as Snake preacher, and Emma Jane Morton as Ensemble. Other cast members are Alfie Richards, Robert Tripolino, Toby Webster, Lydia White, Stephanie Elstob. Other parts will be played by members of the community. Director Tom says: “The
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opportunity to bring this incredible story back to the stage after its long absence feels extremely special. “We have been given the chance to introduce it to audiences anew whilst also creating a brave and fresh interpretation for those who may have seen it before. It’s a real gift. “Stories of dreams, grief, family and community have universal power and I hope our actormusician-led revival will engage and surprise our audiences at the most beautiful theatre in the country - The Watermill.” n Tickets are now on sale, and can be ordered by calling the box office on 01635 46044, or logging on to www.watermill.org.uk
Mike and The Mechanics bring their Refueled! tour to The Hexagon ROCK supergroup Mike and The Mechanics is all fired up with their latest tour, Refueled!, coming to the Hexagon in 2023. Mike Rutherford, of Genesis, prolific R&B vocalist Andrew Roachford, and Van Tramp’s Tim Howar will be performing the band’s hits, including from their latest album, Out of the Blue. The band will also be performing some of Genesis’ tracks, as well as their reworkings of previous hits such
as their Ivor Novello Awardwinning The Living Years and Over My Shoulder The 2019 album Out of the Blue debuted at number seven on the UK albums chart, making it their fifth album to make it into the top 10. Mike and The Mechanics’ Refueled! will come to the Hexagon on Friday, May 26, 2023. n Tickets begin at £44.50, available from www. whatsonreading.com or by calling the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Festival of literary debate prepares for its fifth year OCTOBER will bring an international line-up of current writers and thinkers to an historic Berkshire stately home. Seated within 400 acres of greenery, Beautiful Cliveden House has inspired writers and thinkers for centuries. 18th Century English poet Alexander Pope described it as ‘the bower of wanton Shrewsbury and love’. He was referring to the fact that the Duke of Buckingham had built the house as a love monument to his mistress, the Countess of Shrewsbury. The house is no stranger to drama and debate. This year the return of Cliveden Literary Festival will bring plenty of opportunities for lively discussion, nnovative ideas, and political debate.
Run by a committee of four award-winning writers: Andrew Roberts, Natalie Livingstone, Catherine Ostler and Simon Sebag Montefiore, the event enters its fifth year. It has proved to be very popular, with an impressive lineup of speakers, and sell-out talks. Previous contributors include: Niall Ferguson, Alain de Botton, Sir Simon Schama, Lady Antonia Fraser, David Baddiel, Michael Gove, Priti Patel, Emily Maitlis, Ben Okri, Professor Brian Cox and Hanif Kureishi. Ian McEwan has described it as: “Probably the world’s best small literary festival.” For Alain de Botton it is, “The most dignified and beautiful literary festival on the planet.” Natalie Livingstone, Chairman of the Cliveden Literary Festival, said: “We are thrilled to be
welcoming book lovers to the Cliveden Literary Festival. “Cliveden House has been a sanctuary for lovers of literature and lively discussion for more than 350 years. “The Cliveden Literary Festival 2022 will continue that stellar cultural history.” The event will run on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16. This year’s speakers are yet to be confirmed. n For festival updates follow @ ClivedenLitFest on Twitter and #ClivedenLitFest on Twitter and Instagram. n For information about the festival visit: www. clivedenliteraryfestival.org n For information about Cliveden house, log onto: www. clivedenhouse.co.uk
EMMA MERCHANT
Belle Canto Trio to bring some sunshine THE BELLE CANTO trio will be performing a summer celebration in Silchester next month. The music group say they will Bring You Sunshine, and Put On The Ritz with their fun showtune selection. The concert takes place at St Mary The Virgin in Church Lane from 7.30pm on Sunday, July 9. There will be two halves with
an interval where guests can enjoy a glass of wine or a soft drink.
Tickets cost £10, and are available on the door, while school-age children get in free. Money raised will be shared between Farm Africa and the church’s funds. n For more details, or to book, email: concerts@ silchesterchurch.co.uk, or log on to: www.facebook.com/ bellecantotrio
LEISURE | 25
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Wednesday, June 29, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE
LIVEMUSIC
To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662
RaW Sounds Today
This song is taken from the Simpler Times EP that Char releases last year. Check out those cool grooves – https://linktr.ee/ CHARmusic
Chris Hillman
Yaoki – Brand New Life
bit.ly/raw soundstoday
I
NDIE with melody – that’s how we describe Phantom Booth’s latest single.
It’s heading up this week’s RaW Sounds Today playlist: our mission is to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name). We’ve got 10 fantastic tracks for you to enjoy as part of this, an eclectic mix of stuff that will help you discover something new. And best of all, you can tune in for free. To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music. There is 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.
Phantom Booth – Blind Emotion We included this Reading-based band in the playlist earlier in the year with their excellent debut
TOP TUNE: Phantom Booth’s second single is well worth listening to single and they’ve just released their second. It’s another good one so we had to include them again. The band describe it as ‘a cheerful bittersweet bop’ which it certainly is, sounding a bit like a cross between Crowded House and The Strokes. No bad thing – indie with melody. They are playing in Reading in September 29, at Heavy Pop’s Roseate Sessions – https://linktr.ee/phantombooth
Char – Control There’s certainly going to be some talented artists playing on the Wokingham Music Club Stage at Wokingham Festival with a variety of musical genres and here’s a great example. Char’s pop/R&B style has already got her noticed by Kiss FM & BBC Introducing so we’ll look forward to seeing her at the festival on Saturday, August 27.
They played their first-ever gig, opening the night, at Split the Dealer’s amazing Sub89 show recently and what a great gig it was. Here’s their first-ever single which combines melody and power – https://www.facebook.com/ YaokiBand
The Paradox Twin – Prism Descent They topped our Best of 2021 list and with an appearance on Friday, July 1 at the impressive Prog For Peart Charity event in Abingdon it’s worth a reminder of The Paradox Twin – https://www. theparadoxtwin.com/
The Lovely Eggs – You Can Go Now Recently The Lovely Eggs, a duo from Lancaster, visited to play at Reading’s Facebar and showed what an exciting and energetic act they are! Here’s something from their latest album I Am Moron – https://www.thelovelyeggs.co.uk/
Hoopy Frood – Atoms & Molecules It’s not long until Readipop (July 8-10) and one of the local artists playing there is Hoopy Frood.
The band will also be at Wokingham Festival, opening the main stage on Sunday, August 28 – https://linktr.ee/Hoopyfroodmusic
Deva St.John – DIE! Another artist playing at both Readipop and Wokingham Festival and here’s her latest single. With a positive message and with her melodic indie rock sound, Deva St. John has created another good one – https://www.devastjohn.com/
The Room – It’s Not My Home Here’s a powerful epic from The Room’s Caught by the Machin’ album. They will be at Alfold Rock & Blues Festival on July 3 and Wokingham Festival on August 29 – https://theroom.band/
Mordecai Smyth – In Your Dark Place Here’s the opener from Things Are Getting Stranger On The Shore by local musician, Mordecai Smyth. A great album of psych moods and melody on Wokingham’s Mega Dodo Records – https://www. facebook.com/stickytapeandrust
Third Lung – Ghosts It’s another quality single from one of our playlist favourites, Third Lung, who will be at Readipop in July, Wokingham Festival in August and their own Loddfest in September – http://thirdlungband.com/
GIG GUIDE
Thursday, June 30
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Tabula Rasa and DJ Creamy. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Absolute Reggae. Details: 01344 484123. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr Sango presents: Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing: Malarkey, DJ:SSRI, SCAEFA. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Roseate, The Forbury RG1 3EJ. Heavy Pop presents The Roseate Sessions: Colours and Fires, Ellis Ballard. Details: 0118 952 7770. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Anything Goes open mic night Details: 0118 958 6048.
Friday, July 1
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. CLOSED for private party. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Newtown Pippin, Ralphs Ride RG12 9LR. Arachna. Details: 03144 426298. CAVERSHAM – Fox and House, Gosbrook Road. Reggae Vinyl from 7pm. PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. The Mike Ross band. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open Mic Night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Breaking Bass. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Friday Night Live requests. Details: playlistlive.co.uk
READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Shane Owens. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – South Street Arts Centre. Craft Theory 2022: DJs, beers and street food. 11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm. Details: whatsonreading. com READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Motley Cruide and Poizon. Details: 0118 959 5395. YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions: The Station. Details: 01635 767090.
Saturday, July 2
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. First Rule: Alt Rock Covers Band. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Bon Giovi: Bon Jovi tribute. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 3pm. Details: 01344 484123. CAVERSHAM – The Last Crumb, Prospect Street RG4 8JN. Beer, Beats and BBQ: family fun times, retro DJs and more. Details: dodopubs.com/ locations/the-last-crumb CHARVIL – The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco. PINGEWOOD – Lagoona Beach Park, Pingewood Road South RG30 3UH. AfroPop music festival. Ticket only. Details: www. afropopmusicfest.com READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Jasonfest: Country Moans, 45RPM, New Puritans.
From 6pm. In aid of Cancer Resarch UK. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. NHS Fundraiser with The Egg, Burning House and Kill Committee. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside. Oana Radu. READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. American Dream Independence Day bottomless brunch with Marky Dawson. 3pm-5.30pm. Saturday night live requests. Details: playlistlive.co.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. SoundJam. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Hugh Turner Trio. Details: 0118 376 9159. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Bohman Brothers. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Jazz night: Peter Bingham Quartet. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Stoney Lane. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – South Street Arts Centre. Craft Theory 2022: DJs, beers and street food. 11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm. Details: whatsonreading. com READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Robert White. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Junction. Details: 0118 957 6930. WOKINGHAM – Mulberry
Business Centre, Fishponds Lane RG41 2GY. Live Lounge with Michael Cassidy. 7pm. Details: Search Eventbirte for Michael Cassidy Live Lounge.
Sunday, July 3
EVERSLEY – The Golden Pot, Reading Road RG27 0NB. Paul Tino. 3pm. Details: 0118 973 2104. PANGBOURNE – WMC Rosewood Hall, Whitchurch Road RG8 7BS. Pangbourne Jazz Club John Thirkell Trumpet with Terry Hutchins Quartet. £10. Details: https://briangreene.co.uk/ pangbournejazzclub READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Theme night – Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Sunday Session. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Brother Strut Live. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.
Tuesday, July 5
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Quirky Corner open mic. Details: 0118 969 98978. THEALE – Village Hall, Englefield Road RG7 5AS. Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band. Noon2.30pm. £10, bring own
drinks and nibbles. Details: 01256 780065. WOKINGHAM – Baranda, Peach Street. Beatles tribute night. 8pm. Details: baranda.co.uk
Thursday, July 7
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Bracknell Blues Club: Steve Summers Band. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars present: The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Details: 01344 484123. READING – Mojito Beach Bar, The Oracle RG1 2AG. Solo acoustic gig. 6pm. Details: www.theoracle.com
Friday, July 8
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Soul Reggae, UKG, Bashment, Funky House. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Karen Street’s L’Espirit Du Jazz. Details: 01344 484123. CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Morcheeba, Jesus Jones Sunscreem, King Kuda, Amya-Ray, The Skandal, Air Circus, Forje, Lilac, Mike Wagner, Skills C. 6pm-11pm. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Wicked Jackals. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Friday Night Live requests with Marky Dawson. Details: playlistlive.co.uk READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Alban Claet and Evan Clegg: The
HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Collection. Details: www. jazzinreading.com WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Neon Daze. Details: 0118 977 3706. YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions. Details: 01635 767090.
Saturday, July 9
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Strats. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. The Lord John Band. Details: 01344 422622. BURGHFIELD – The Six Bells, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Frankie The Fish. Details: 0118 983 2220. CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Sugarhill Gang + Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio (Furious 5), Stealing Sheep, Romeo & Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers), DJ Format, In Conversation: Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division) & Richard Jobson (The Skids), The Drop, Hatty Taylor, Readipop AAA Takeover w/ K.Kayne & more, Alive By Night, Deva St John, Imogen Halsey, Jess Tuthill, Shard Project. 1pm-11pm. Details: www.readipop. co.uk/readipopfestival READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Real Magic, a tribute to Queen. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. Don’t Compromise The Vibe with Mr Marvellous, Eagle Bliss. READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Summer of Love Garage Brunch.
3pm. Saturday Night Live requests. Details: playlistlive.co.uk READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Relics. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Glenn Wool. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Big Black Boots. Details: 0118 957 6930. WOKINGHAM – The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Charity Festival- featuring DriveIN-Saturday, Old Park Road, Hancocks Half Hour, Nicole Allen and Dezzie. £5 per adult. From 3pm. Details: 0118 979 7402. YATTENDON – Village Hall RG18 0UR. Brewhouse Music presents The Daisy Chains and Liza Marshall. £16. Details: 01635 201236.
Sunday, July 10
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 2pm. Songs of Dissent. Details: 01344 484123.
CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Badly Drawn Boy Transglobal Underground, Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Brother Zulu, OSP, Jnr Watson + Reading Reggae Collective, 4Fingaz, Beatroots, Corvid, Darcey Hope, Danny Lampo, doops, Du’val, Elucidate, Hoopy Frood, No Feathers, Split The Dealer, Surya, Tea & Jam, Third Lung, Wynona. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Elizabeth and Jameson. www.readifolk.org.uk READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Stefan J Doyle. Details: 0118 968 1442. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Brother Strut Live. Details: 0118 959 7196. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Rat Pack. Details: 0118 969 8000.
CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL
featuring a live Steel band and lots of enticing Caribbean food to taste
SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST 2022 AT 15:00 Tickets £8 wegottickets.com THE WHITE HORSE
Easthampstead Road Wokingham, RG40 3AF
0118 979 7402
26 | LEISURE
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WHAT’SON Films at Reading Biscuit Factory
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Elvis (12a). Third. Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (15). Thurs. Lightyear (PG). Thurs. Top Gun: Maverick (12a). Thurs. Minions: The Rise of Gru (U). Fri-Thurs 7. Reading Film Theatre presents Happening (15). Wed. Thor: Love and Thunder (12a). From Thurs 7. Keep It Cult: Jumanji (PG). Fri 8. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk
Friday, July 1
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.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, July 2
ARBORFIELD – The Coombes CE School RG2 9NX . School fete. 11am-2pm. BINFIELD – St Mark’s Church, Popeswood Road RG41 4AH. Thames Voyces in concert: America In Song. 7.30pm. £15, £13 concessions, under 16s free. Details: www. thamesvoyces.org.uk CAVERSHAM – Clayfield Copse RG4 6AA. Meadow Day: an annual celebration of the beautiful wildflower meadows. 11am-3pm. EMMER GREEN – Reading Abbey Rugby Club, Peppard Road RG4 9AL. Fifi’s Vision CIC information and fun day. Noon. Details: fifisvision@ gmail.com FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North. Wokingham Baby and Children’s Market: new and nearly new clothes, toys, car seats, pushchairs and more. £1.50, free parking. 2pm-3.30pm. HARE HATCH – Yeldall Manor, Blakes Lane RG10 9TA. Yeldall Manor open day. Stalls, games, celebration and more. Hog roast, £5, from 12.30pm. Celebration service 3pm. Strawberry tea afterwards. Details: www.yeldall.org.uk
LOWER EARLEY – Salvation Army, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Ca boot sale. 10amnoon. Cars £10, table top £8. Refreshments: bacon sandwiches, tea, coffee. Details: lower.earley@ salvationarmy.org.uk or 0118 931 0760. READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Male Voice Choir 50th anniversary concert, with special guests Mayor & James, Lori Tingey Weber and Abbey Junior School Choir. £10, £5 under 12s, booking fee applies. 7.30pm. Details: www.RMVC.net READING – IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. SINDLESHAM – Reddam House, Bearwood Road RG41 5BG. Reddam House summer fair. Classic cars 8am-10am. Fair 10.30am4pm. Free entry. UPPER WOOLHAMPTON – Douai Abbey RG7 5TQ. Newbury Choral Society summer concert: Vive la Renaissance! A selection of sacred music from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, featuring music by Palestrina, Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and others. 7.30pm. £15, under 16s £5, plus booking fee. Details: www.newburychoral. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Elms Field. Wokingham Lions Club presents classic car show. From 10am. WOKINGHAM – The Duke’s Head, Denmark Street RG40 2BQ. Evening of Clairvoyance with Jenny Docherty. £8. Booking essential. 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 WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Reading Haydn Choir summer concert: Favourites. 7.30pm. £14, £12 concessions, under 18s £5. Programme includes Haydn’s Te Deum, Faure’s
Cantique de Jean Racine and 20th century popular songs. Details: www. haydnchoir.org.uk WOODLEY – Rivermead Primary School, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4BS. Summer fair: barbecue, games, music, ice cream van, sweet stalls. Live music and more. 1pm-4pm. Free entry. WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, July 3
CHARVIL – Milestone Avenue RG10 9RL. Charvil Matters litter pick in lay-by opposite Texaco. 10am-11am. GRAZELEY – Village Hall, Church Lane. Bright Hope Church presents a family fun day with bouncy castle, face painting, glitter tattoos, crafts, garden games, planting with Freely Fruity. Noon-4pm. Free. Details: brighthope.church READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road RG30 2ND. Berkshire Motor Show 2022 in aid of Flint House Police Rehab Centre. Car park £2 donation. 10.15am5pm. Details: www. berkshiremotorshow.co.uk READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam. 7.30pm. Free entry. Details: risingsunartscentre.org READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Laugh or Lemon open mic comedy event. 5pm. Free entry. 0118 958 6048. SONNING – Berkshire County Sports Club, Sonning lane. Sonning 10k races: 5km, 10km routes plus a 2km route for children. From 8.30am. Details: www. barnesfitness.co.uk SWALLOWFIELD – Across village. Open gardens for NGS: at least 10 to explore by foot, bike and car. 2pm5.30pm. £8, children free. Home made teas available at The Brambles. Details: ngs.org.uk TILEHURST – Berkshire Maestros, Cockney Hill. Dog show: 12 classes to enter, plus stalls, sideshows, refreshments and a barbecue. £2 per dog, per class. 11am-3pm. Details: 0118 901 2370. 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, July 4
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org LOWER EARLEY – Maiden Place Community Centre, Maiden Place. Freely Fruity information evening: Early Environment Group. 7.30pm. READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Berkshire Organists’ Association Lunchtime organ recital with an organ student from Eton College. 1pm. £6, £5 advance. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – The Outlook, Kings Road. Mates Rates Comedy Raw – open mic night. 7.30pm. 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, July 5
ANYWHERE. NHS Big Tea in aid of Royal Berkshire Hospital: hold a tea party with family, friends and work colleagues. Details: http://www. royalberkscharity.co.uk/ CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.15-10.45am, or 11.15am-11.45m. Booking essential, free. Details: 0118 937 5103. 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 READING – Starbucks, The Oracle Riverside. Reading Readers book club. 6.30pm-7.30pm. WOKINGHAM – Sedero Lounge, Bailey’s House, Central Walk RG40 1AZ. Women’s Equality Party presents Feminist Book Club. 7.30pm. The Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead. Booking essential, search Facebook for “WEP Reading and Wokingham Feminist Book Club”. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with 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
Wednesday, July 6
CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road South. Sandhurst & Crowthorne Flower Club July workshop: bring a flower from your garden. Diamond anniversary celebration. 7pm. Details: hsandhurstandcrowthorne flowerclub.wordpress.com/ EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. linkvisiting.org TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road RG10 9NT. Twyford Over 60s club. 2pm-4pm. TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road RG10 9NT. Twyford Folk Music Workshop. £4. 8pm. Details: www. twyfordmusic.uk
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 WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Thursday, July 7
CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Line dancing. £5, non-members £6. 6.30pm8.30pm. Details: 01344 772161. EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org KNOWL HILL – Lower Lovetts Farm RG10 9YE. Open garden for NGS: talk and awalk of fruit and vegetable farm. 10.30am4pm. £15, children free, pre-booking essential. Two-hour time slots 10.30am, 2pm. Details: https://ngs.org.uk PANGBOURNE – St James The Less, Pangbourne Hill RG8 7AS. Berkshire Chamber Music Festival: Music and Hope. 7.30pm. £20. 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 – Wokingham Baptist Church, Milton Road RG40 1DE. Wokingham Literary Society meeting: SJ Perelman: humorous writer for The New Yorker and Marx Brother films, a talk by Douglar Irvine. 7.30pm. £2 non-members. Details: wokinghamliterarysociety. org.uk WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street. Comedy on Tap. 7pm. £17. Details: 0118 978 0389.
Friday, July 8
CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Morcheeba, Jesus Jones Sunscreem, King Kuda, Amya-Ray, The Skandal, Air Circus, Forje, Lilac, Mike Wagner, Skills C. 6pm-11pm. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe: Mary Ford Neal, host AF Harrold.
8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060. WOKINGHAM – Cricket Club, Sadlers End RG41 5AW. Bear in the Air Productions presents Much Ado About Nothing. 6pm. Outdoor show, bring picnic blanket or chairs. No allocated seating. Tickets from £8.68. Details: https://www. bearintheairproductions. com/ 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. WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, July 9
BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane. Teddy Bears picnic, from noon. Includes games and activities. CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Sugarhill Gang + Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio (Furious 5), Stealing Sheep, Romeo & Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers), DJ Format, In Conversation: Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division) & Richard Jobson (The Skids), The Drop, Hatty Taylor, Readipop AAA Takeover w/ K.Kayne & more, Alive By Night, Deva St John, Imogen Halsey, Jess Tuthill, Shard Project. 1pm-11pm. Details: www.readipop. co.uk/readipopfestival CAVERSHAM – Queen Anne’s School, Henley Road RG4 6DX. South Chiltern Choral Society presents Cinema Classics including The Wizard of Oz, Rodgers & Hammerstein on Broadway, The Best of Bond and Mamma Mia!. 7.30pm, grounds open 5.30pm for picnic. £15 includes refreshments, Under 16s £7.50. Details: http://www. southchilternchoralsociety. org.uk/ CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist, Waterloo Road RG45 7NT. Flower Festival: The Platinum Years 1952-2022: Monarchy, Music and Mayhem. In aid of Sebastian’s Action Trust. 10am-6pm. Details: facebook.com/ crowthorneflowerfestival READING – Forbury Gardens RG1 3BB. Bastille Day 2022: A celebration of everything French, including singers, food and activities. 11am5pm. Details: http:// bastilledayreading.co.uk/ READING – IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park,
READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, June 29, 2022 Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Sacred Nature: How we can recover our bond with the natural world, by Karen Armstrong. 6pm-7.30pm. Refreshments and book signing after Q&A. Details and to register: Events@ readingminster.org.uk READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. SOS Out of the This World Drag ight. 7pm. Details: www. risingsunartscentre.org SILCHESTER – St Mary The Virgin, Church Lane RG7 2HH. Belle Canto Trio in concert: Celebrate. 7.30pm. £10, includes interval refreshments. In aid of church funds and Farm Africa. Tickets available on door. Details: concerts@ silchesterchurch.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road. Sing Healthy Choirs in concert with Ascot Brass, in aid of COATS Crowthrone. 7.30pm. Details: singhealthy.co.uk/tickets WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, RG40 3AL. South Berkshire Singers summer concert: Thank You For The Music. 7.30pm. £10. In aid of Sport In Mind. Details: 0118 989 2092. WOKINGHAM – Evendons Primary School, Finchampstead Road. Evendons Summer garden party. 1pm-3p. £5 for unlimited inflatable use for children aged 4-11. Tombola, bar, cakes and more. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall and Elms Field. Wokingham Pride 2022: meet for photos by town hall at 11.30am, then parade to Elms Field for picnic at noon. Bring flags and friends. Afterparty at The Station Tap. 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 WOODLEY – ONLINE. Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society talk: The Burials of the 25th Dynasty and Napatan Kings, by Dr Peter Lacovara. Takes place on Zoom. 4pm. Details and booking: www.tvaes.org.uk WOODLEY – Waingles College, Waingels Road RG5 4RF. Waingels College 50th anniversary celebrations. 2pm-8pm. Bar, barbecue, band, plaque unveiling, guided tours, games, stalls, photos, and more. Details: 50thanniversary@ waingels.wokingham. sch.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship
table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org YATELEY – Fyson Blum Hall, Yateley Manor School, Reading Road GU46 7UQ. Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, performed by Yateley Choral Society. £15, students £5, under 16s free. Details: www. yateley-choral.org.uk
Sunday, July 10
CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Badly Drawn Boy, Transglobal Underground, Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Brother Zulu, OSP, Jnr Watson + Reading Reggae Collective, 4Fingaz, Beatroots, Corvid, Darcey Hope, Danny Lampo, doops, Du’val, Elucidate, Hoopy Frood, No Feathers, Split The Dealer, Surya, Tea & Jam, Third Lung, Wynona. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Free entry. Details: jean@ alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928. CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist, Waterloo Road RG45 7NT. Flower Festival: The Platinum Years 1952-2022: Monarchy, Music and Mayhem. In aid of Sebastian’s Action Trust. Noon-5.30pm. Songs of Praise 6pm. Details: facebook.com/ crowthorneflowerfestival, PADWORTH – Village Hall, Padworth Lane. Padworth & Aldermaston Wharf Craft & Produce Show: dog show, craft stalls, refreshments and a main arena with Falconry display, Arborfield Military Wives Choir. Noon-5pm. Details: padworthshow. simdif.com READING – Forbury Gardens RG1 3BB. Bastille Day 2022: A celebration of everything French, including singers, food and activities. 11am-5pm. Details: bastilledayreading. co.uk READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Laugh or Lemon open mic comedy event – five minutes on a lemon clock. 5pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 958 6048. TIDMARSH – Village Hall RG8 8ES. Art exhibition and sale in aid of Duchess of Kent Hospice. Free entry, refreshments available. 10.30am-4.30pm. Free parking, wheelchair accessible. 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
No. 5420
Your weekly puzzle challenge
27
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Quiz Challenge
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1. How many chromosomes does a normal human body cell contain?
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3. What is measured by a manometer?
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4. What name is shared by a racquet sport and a large edible fruit?
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5. At the 2022 Academy Awards, Jane Campion won the Best Director Oscar for which film?
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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
MAGIC SQUARE
PENELOPE AND A SEAL
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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: 21 Good; 25 Very Good; 29 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 O through openings in the walls. The T first letter may appear in any chamber. I N
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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
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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 1. A pound in money for the carriage (6) 2. Criticised for being divided (3,2) 3. Modified carbon element in fruit (10) 4. United will take on Everton’s leader (3) 6. One with a large bill in the chapel I cannot abide (7) 7. Ron awkwardly involved in your old sort of problem (6) 10. Jack was the first native of Australia (10) 12. Number at church taking fish (5) 15. It’s smooth up on part of the ship (7) 16. Overturns medicine on board (6) 17. Cricketer let off a fight (6) 20. Following exercise (5) 23. Sound sheepish (3)
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
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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.
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To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
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© Sirius Media Services Ltd
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ACROSS 1. Dawn has two birds (4-4) 5. Recognise the dog perhaps (4) 8. Machine for turning Marxist into a froth! (8) 9. Fiery saint? (4) 11. Fancy panties it is wise to have (7) 13. Old boy can cook meat (5) 14. How a slippery road could be described as a place of entertainment (7,4) 18. Writer twice interrupted by a hymn (5) 19. Meal taken up in afternoon? (4,3) 21. Is breaking the record, so to speak (4) 22. Rich band aunt represented (8) 24. Despatch to southern terminal (4) 25. Manner of speaking of father, say, making clean break (8)
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WORD PYRAMID: Not in my backyard. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; subtract; add; divide. Total: 9.
SOLUTIONS
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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.
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EQUALISER 6 12 6 2 3 3 5 6 3 7 2 2
Hard
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FIVE ALIVE
SUDOKU Easy
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O H A
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1
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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
6. Guam is a territory of which country? 7. What L is the title of a 2018 Billie Eilish song and a word for something pleasing or beautiful? 8. The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals are included in which regiment? 9. Which French Impressionist artist painted the Water Lilies series of artworks? 10. Who has presented the TV series Antiques Roadshow since 2008?
2. Which West Indian island was invaded by US troops in 1983?
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PZ1P5420
CROSS CODE 13
5420
30 31
22. Fried lightly (5) ACROSS 23. Tolerable (2-2) 2. Passage (7) 26. Flowerless 7. Blocking vote (4) plant (4) 8. Burden (4) 28. Stir up (7) 9. Metallic 29. Piquancy (4) element (7) 30. Limit (4) 10. Military force (4) 12. Prayer (archaic) (4) 31. Hinders (7) DOWN 15. Valleys (5) 1. Period of time (4) 17. Béla ------, 2. Conservative (4) Hungarian composer (6) 3. Windcheater (6) 18. Strain (6) 4. Strikes (6) 19. Dissertation (6) 5. Burial vault (4) 6. Rotate (4) 21. Caress (6)
10. Evergreen shrub (7) 11. Unlawful killings (7) 13. Blot on landscape (7) 14. Oriental (7) 15. ----- Day, film star (5) 16. Condition (5) 20. Cruelty (6) 21. Faster (anag.) (6) 24. Comply (4) 25. Vow (4) 26. Rates (4) 27. Anger (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Transit; 7 Veto; 8 Onus; 9 Rhodium; 10 Army; 12 Bene; 15 Dales; 17 Bartók; 18 Stress; 19 Thesis; 21 Stroke; 22 Sauté; 23 So-so; 26 Fern; 28 Agitate; 29 Zest; 30 Edge; 31 Hampers. Down – 1 Year; 2 Tory; 3 Anorak; 4 Smites; 5 Tomb; 6 Turn; 10 Arbutus; 11 Murders; 13 Eyesore; 14 Eastern; 15 Doris; 16 State; 20 Sadism; 21 Strafe; 24 Obey; 25 Oath; 26 Fees; 27 Rage.
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Forty-six; 2 Grenada; 3 Fluid pressure; 4 Squash; 5 The Power of the Dog; 6 USA; 7 Lovely; 8 The Household Cavalry; FIVE ALIVE: 9 Claude Monet; 10 Fiona Bruce. (1) Across – Train; Kayak; Nosed. Down – Token; Abyss; Naked. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Cock-crow; 5 Spot; 8 Lathered; 9 Elmo; 11 Sapient; (2) Across – Halva; Micro; Delta. Y S N Q C M I V W U D H B 13 Bacon; 14 Skating rink; 18 Paean; 19 High tea; 21 Lisp; 22 Down – Humid; Local; Aroma. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Abundant; 24 Send; 25 Parlance. O E L J T R X K P A F G Z Down – 1 Calash; 2 Cut up; 3 Clementine; 4 One; 6 Pelican; 7 NONAGRAM: amah; anarch; anchor; arch; archon; Thorny; 10 Aboriginal; 12 Tench; 15 Keelson; 16 Spills; 17 Battle; chai; chain; chair; chairman; char; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU 20 Train; 23 Baa. span; pale; aloe; charm; chin; china; chino; choir; need. chroma; haar; hair; haram; harm; harmonic; HARMONICA; hoar; hora; horn; ichor; inarch; inch; machair; macho; mahonia; march; mocha; mohair; monarch; nacho; ohmic; orach; ranch; rhino; rich; roach.
28 | LIFE
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Ball game ideas for young children Healthy heart tip
B
ALL games are fun at any age, and a great way to get our hearts pumping. Here we explore some games you can enjoy with the little ones in your life, whether they are babies, toddlers or pre-schoolers. Don’t forget to praise their efforts and show them that you enjoy the games you play together, too.
Babies Even babies can enjoy playing with a ball. When a baby can hold up their head while lying on their tummy, encourage them to reach for the ball,
by placing it just out of reach. This will encourage them to explore their surroundings, reach and grab.
Toddlers Encourage your child to throw, kick and roll the ball to you. Make this easier at first by sitting or standing close to each other. Practice makes perfect – don’t expect your little one to catch straight away. You could even use a cardboard box or washing basket as a goal.
Pre-schoolers Show your child how
S
David Lamont
What every party needs to get it started…
I
F you have children then you will relate to two things I am about to briefly mention.
the last six months.” She adds: “We have repeat customers who use a party kit for birthdays, family barbeques, baby showers, christenings and other celebrations.” Looking ahead, Lianne is also turning her thoughts to how Eco Party Kit can support larger events but points out that there are a few practical issues, including items disappearing, to be overcome. She also feels that there is a gap for ecofriendly party bags (we agree) and adds: “Watch this space.” Eco Party Kit welcomes bookings from anywhere, although most orders come from Wokingham, Reading, Bracknell, and the surrounding areas. n For further information, visit www.facebook.com/ ecopartykitswallowfield
Eco party kits can save plastic from going to landfill “costume library”, with fancy dress items for hire for just a £1 donation. “The concept behind this is the same - I am trying to discourage people from buying a new costume when it may only be worn once or twice and then disposed of,” she enthuses. Eco Party Kit was born in 2020 when Lianne came across the Party Kit Network on Facebook and realised that there wasn’t a provider in the area. “I also have a background in event planning and in particular an interest in sustainable events so this fitted my interests perfectly,” she continues. Describing the challenges, other
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to use their hand as a bat. Bowl the ball to them and encourage them to hit it. As your little one improves; change the rules so that they must run from one base to another after a hit. The next step is rounders or cricket. 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, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: 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: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook/.
PlasticFreeHome
Firstly, losing many of your long-awaited weekends to attending what seems like an infinite number of their friend’s (lovely, of course) birthday parties. And, secondly, the challenge of avoiding unnecessary excess and waste, not to mention cost, when their own birthdays come around. One brilliant local business, Eco Party Kit, based in Swallowfield, is here to help with at least one part of that puzzle. We have all hosted or attended parties where rubbish sacks seem to be filling with ‘single-use’ plates, cups, cutlery, platters, table cloths, decorations and similar – and it is of course frightfully wasteful. That waste will either find its way into landfill or an incinerator, or if you are unlucky, the environment. None of them are great destinations. As Eco Party Kit’s founder, Lianne, explains: “We provide a simple tableware hire service for parties. Instead of buying disposable tableware for a party, you can hire a kit which contains everything you need. “We include in all our kits plates, bowls, cutlery, jugs, sharing platters, serving bowls, tablecloths and bunting. “We offer backdrops for hire, preloved foil balloons, paper decorations, cake toppers and fabric pass the parcel bags too, so that you can hire and return items without anything going to waste.” Lianne also runs what she calls a
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than, of course, a certain pandemic, Lianne says: “The main one is getting the message out there and getting people to understand how easy it is to hire a kit. “People are still programmed to head to the supermarket and buy a load of disposable items, hoping they can be recycled, or because it’s the most convenient option. “I have been pleasantly surprised about how much people love the concept. Now that parties are back on the agenda, things have really taken off. “I am getting lots of bookings and together we have saved over 2,000 single use items from landfill just in
n Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with more than 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably. Visit www.theplasticfreehome. com or www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk
INCE 1942, Casualties Union is the Charity whose volunteers spare time to train and practise casualty simulation. Their aim is “To advance for the public benefit education and training in first aid, the treatment of illness, nursing, rescue, accident prevention, care in the community and similar activities, particularly through casualty simulation.” They create the illusion of illnesses, faints from heart attacks, or injuries with makeup, in order for First Aiders and Emergency Services to practice responding to realistic-looking but safe situations. They are currently looking for more members to join them as volunteers. Ongoing Training Sessions are held in Reading, fortnightly, 8pm to 10pm. Attending the training is optional and a full induction will be given. n Age UK Reading is an independent local charity that has been working in the local community to help older people since 1976. They are looking for patient and very caring volunteers to support a small group of elderly clients in early stages of dementia. You will be helping clients to engage with activities of a Dementia Club and encouraging clients to participate, tasks including: setting up the room, moving tables and chairs and more. n Cruse Bereavement Support is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They offer support, advice and information and work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people. None of what Cruse achieves would be possible without the passion, dedication and skills of their volunteers and they are looking for an experienced leader to chair their Service Delivery Committee. The role includes: Chairing meetings, organising and developing client services across the Branch, ensuring services meet the diverse needs of the local community, assisting with fundraising activity and more.
n Take a look at our brand new Reading Volunteer Connect platform for details of these and many more opportunities to volunteer via our website, www.rgneeds.me. Want to get in touch? Drop us an email at volunteering@rva.org.uk or call 0118 937 2273.
SPORT TODAY READING
NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US
29.06.22
KESTRELS COACH PLAN TAKES SHAPE
FINCH HIT FIELDERS FOR 4
BEARS HOLD FOURTH
WASH OUT HONOURS EVEN IN DRAW
NEW SEASON COUNTDOWN
ROYALS BOOST GOALKEEPING OPTIONS WITH NEW ADDITION READING FC have bolstered their goalkeeping options by signing Dean Bouzanis on a three-year contract.
RAIN STOPS PLAY
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
SONNING 2s and Bracknell took a share of the points after their Thames Valley Division 5B clash had to be abandoned in the second innings.
Sonning elected to bat first having won the toss and got through their 52 over innings with four wickets still intact.
Opening batsman Dan Anderson was the highest scorer for the hosts as he hit 87 runs from 140 balls in a stint that saw him find the boundary eight times. Wicket keeper W Hibberdine added 32 runs which helped Sonning to finish on 209, while Bracknell bowler N Cannon took three wickets. There were just 7.2 overs bowled in the second innings when the
match had to be abanonded due to a downpour of rain. Bracknell were on 20-0 after H Afzal had hit 17 of those runs. Sonning were awarded 11 points which keeps them in seventh, while Bracknell added seven points to their total as they remain third in the division after eight matches.
n Full cricket round-up and pictures on page 22 & 23
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The Australian shot stopper becomes the third player to join the Royals this summer after fellow goalkeeper Joe Lumley joined on a season-loan from Middlesbrough, while Tom Ince joined on a permanent deal after last season’s loan deal. “I’m delighted we have been able to acquire the services of a goalkeeper with Dean’s ability and add him to a group who will benefit from his additional experience between the posts,” said Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen. “We now have great strength in depth in a position in the team which will be so important to get right this season. “I’m pleased to welcome Dean to the club.” Paul Ince said: “Dean is a goalkeeper who I know will put his body on the line and throw everything into keeping the ball out of the net for this football club. “He becomes part of what is now a solid looking goalkeeping department, led by the hugely experienced Tony Warner, and I am confident he will be a real asset to the club this season and beyond.”
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18 | SPORT
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WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk Young defender Michael Stickland
Woodley United manager Jordan Blake
Woodley United FC v Eversley & California Pictures: Richard Milam
The Kestrels in action away at Eversley & California
WOODLEY UNITED FC
KESTRELS FINALISE COACHING TEAM AHEAD OF NEW SEASON By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
NEW Woodley United FC firstteam manager Jordan Blake has finalised his coaching team for the upcoming 2022/23 season.
The Kestrels will have a fresh approach to look forward to heading into the new Combined Counties Division One campaign after appointing a new management team. Blake said: “Since taking the job, I have spoke to a number of individuals that have been interested in joining the management team and I believe I have managed to bring together some fantastic people that will ensure we are right both from a tactical point of view heading into the season but also making sure we build the right environment and culture to allow players to enjoy their football.
“Firstly, I would like to announce Pete Chingoma as my Assistant Manager for next season. I was recommended to reach out to Pete by a good friend of mine, Deano Jones. They worked together for Reading City under 23’s “Prior to this, Pete was involved in non-league club coaching and is also an academy coach at Reading FC. “From my first conversation with Pete, I could tell he has great knowledge and understanding of the game at non-league level and our values and ethos are very much aligned. “Sheldon Baptiste will be taking on the role of first team coach/ head of recruitment. “Sheldon is someone I have known for the last few seasons from working very closely with him in running
Woodley United FC Pictures: Peter Toft
a successful Sunday team that achieved the treble last season in the top division in Reading. “His cool, calm, and collected approach and knowledge of players around the local area will help us to bring in the right players but more importantly the right characters. “Shawn Dabreo will also be joining my coaching staff as a specialist forward coach working closely with the forward players in both training and on match days to pass on his expertise and knowledge to our forward line. “Shawn is someone I have known for the last few years from Sunday football and I value his opinion immensely. I look forward to working with Shawn to refine and develop aspects of our attacking play. “Kaser Chowdhary has joined my staff as first team
coach. Kaser has played at step four, five and six in his career and unfortunately is due to have an operation very soon on his knee after an ACL injury. “After Kaser told me he would miss most of the season I was keen to get him on my management team and have always thought very highly of him having known him from when he played for Marlow FC. “Bilal Malik will be joining my staff as S&C/fitness coach. Billy has been a PT for a number of years and worked with both semi professional players and professional players.” Woodley began their pre-season preparations on Tuesday, June 28 and are inviting new players to come down and tryout for their sessions that take place from 7-9pm at Goals, Woodley.
Woodley United FC Pictures: Peter Toft
READING FC
ACADEMY PROSPECTS SIGNED UP TO NEW CONTRACTS
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
SEVERAL of Reading FC’s academy players have been signed to new contracts with the club.
Noel Hunt’s team have been busy planning their squad for next season after they announced the arrival of John Clarke and Michael Craig, which was followed by several new contracts. Mamadi Camara, Rashawn Scott, Nelson Abbey, Matt Rowley, Sam Paul, Benjamin Purcell, Cluadio Osorio, Louie Holzman and Michael Stickland have all extended their stays with the Royals. Midfielder Camara showed plenty of promise when he featured for the first-team last season.
The midfielder made his firstteam debut in 2021 as a substitute in an FA Cup defeat to Luton Town. Camara made six Championship appearances for the club last season and will be keen to force his way into Paul Ince’s plans for the upcoming 2022/23 campaign. Rashawn Scott made his firstteam debut on the final day of last season as a substitute away at Luton and helped Hunt’s team to lift the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup later that day. 18-year-old Nelson Abbey made his first start for the senior team in last season’s Carabao Cup loss to Swansea City,while Claudio Osorio played in both domestic cup competitions in the 2021/22 season.
Claudio Osorio for the Royals against Swansea City Pictures: Steve Smyth
NEWS | 19
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READING FC
ROYALS TO OPEN NEW SEASON WITH TRIP TO SEASIDERS
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
The Royals will be looking to push on in their first full season under manager Paul Ince after he helped guide the team away from the relegation zone in the 2021/22 campaign to a 21st placed finish. Reading survived a close shave with relegation in a turbulent season on and off the pitch as they were hit by a transfer embargo, deducted six points for breaching profit and sustainability rules and changed managers more than halfway through the season after Veljko Paunovic was sacked.
ALL THE ROYALS CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES FOR THE 2022-23 SEASON JULY
Tue 18 - Swansea (a) Sat 22 - Bristol City (h) Sat 29 - Burnley (a)
Sat 30 - Blackpool (a)
AUGUST
Sat 6 - Cardiff City (h) Sat 13 - Rotherham (a) Tue 16 - Blackburn (h) Sat 20 - Middlesbrough (h) Sat 27 - Millwall (a) Wed 31 - Sheff Utd (a)
SEPTEMBER
Sat 3 - Stoke (h) Sat 10 - Watford (a) Wed 14 - Sunderland (h) Sat 17 - Wigan (a)
NOVEMBER
Tue 1 - Luton (a) Sat 5 - Preston (h) Sat 12 - Hull (a)
OCTOBER
Sat 1 Huddersfield (h) Tue 4 - Norwich (h) Sat 8 - QPR (a) Sat 15 - West Brom (h)
DECEMBER
Sat 10 - Coventry (h) Sat 17 Birmingham (a) Mon 26 Swansea (h) Thu 29 - Norwich (a)
JANUARY
Sun 1 - West Brom (a) Sat 14 - QPR (h) Sat 21 - Stoke (a) Sat 28 - Sheff Utd (h)
Sat 11 - Millwall (h) Wed 15 - Blackburn (a) Sat 18 - Hull (h)
APRIL
Sat 4 - Watford (h) Sat 11 - Sunderland (a) Tue 14 - Rotherham (h) Sat 18 - Cardiff (a) Sat 25 - Blackpool (h)
Sat 1 - Bristol City (a) Fri 7 - Birmingham (h) Mon 10 - Preston (a) Sat 15 - Burnley (h) Wed 19 - Luton (h) Sat 22 - Coventry (a) Sat 29 - Wigan (h)
MARCH
MAY
FEBRUARY
Sat 4 Middlesbrough (a)
Sat 6 Huddersfield (a)
READING FC
RINOMHOTA DEPARTS TO JOIN BLUEBIRDS ANDY Rinomohta has finalised a move away from Reading FC to join Cardiff City on a free transfer.
The 25-year-old’s contract with the Royals is due to expire at the end of the month, while he has signed a deal with fellow Championship rivals Cardiff. Rinomhota has been a target this transfer window for QPR, Bristol City and Stoke City but the Bluebirds won the race for his signature It has already been a difficult start to the summer for Reading who have lost John Swift to West Bromwich Albion and Josh Laurent to Stoke City, both on free transfers after their contracts were up this month.
Nottingham Forest v Reading - Andy Rinomhota Picture: Steve Smyth After joining the Reading academy from AFC Portchester in 2015, Rinomhota made his firstteam debut in August 2017 against Gillingham in the EFL Cup.
Niedzwiecki makes Royals return to assist development
Happy days: Andy Yiadom and Tom McIntyre Picture: Steve Smyth
However, it will be another testing time for the Berkshire club who are once again under a transfer embargo which will limit them to signing free agents and loan players. So far this transfer window, Reading have signed Andy Yiadom and Tom Holmes to contract extensions while several more senior players are out of contract at the end of the month. Reading have lost three key players as John Swift, Andy Rinomhota and Josh Laurent have all departed on free transfers. Tom Ince has re-joined the Royals on a three-year contract, while Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley has also been added to the squad on a season-long loan deal.
READING FC will open their 2022/23 Championship campaign away at Blackpool on Saturday, July 30.
READING FC
He has become the heartbeat of the team in central midfield after breaking into the teamand has made a total of 125 Championship appearances for the club. He was named as the club’s player of the season at the end of the 2018/19 season after making 26 league appearances and scoring once in his breakthrough year. Rinomhota missed a large period of last season with injury but did play a crucial part in helping the team survive relegation under Paul Ince as he totted up 20 league games last year. Rinomhota said: “It’s never easy saying goodbye, especially to a club which has been so close to my heart for the last seven years.
“I came here as a boy and I leave as a man and I have loved every minute of it. “I would be here all day if I tried to thank every individual person who has had a positive impact on me during my time here but from the roots of my heart, I’d like to thank every player I ever shared the pitch in the blue and white with, every manager who gave me the opportunity to wear the shirt from the under 23’s to the firstteam, every coach who ever worked with me and every member of staff who was ever involved in the club whilst I was here. “My gratitude to you all can not be put in to words. Thank you Reading. Until we meet again.”
Eddie Niedzwiecki (pictured left) and Mark Bowen (pictured right) Picture: Steve Smyth By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
EDDIE Niedzwiecki has returned to Reading FC in the role as Director of Player Development.
Niedzwiecki was the assistant manager of the Royals under Mark Bowen and has now returned to the club just a few weeks after Bowen was appointed as Head of Football Operations. The club says: “This broad new role will offer Eddie oversight of both the first-team and academy playing personnel – monitoring, racking, assisting and enhancing their development to help maximise their individual potential while at Reading Football Club and beyond.” Niedzwiecki becomes the latest recruitment in what has been a summer of change at the club. Paul Ince was given a contract to be the club’s permanent manager, assisted by Alex Rae. As well as Bowen returning to the club, Reading welcomed two new coaches this week as James Oliver-Pearce joined as first-team coach, while Tony Warner joined as goalkeeper coach. Brian Carey was also brought to the club this month as Head of Recruitment. Niedzwiecki has plenty of experience of his CV having taken caretaker charge of the Royals in 1991. He has also been in caretaker charge of Queens Park Rangers in 2012 and Stoke City in 2018. The Welshman has been reserve team coach at Arsenal and has coached at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, and Southampton. He remained in the coaching staff under Veljko Paunovic, continuing to make an important impact at first team level while on the coaching staff as the club challenged for a playoff place in 2020-21.
20 | SPORT
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INCE SIGNS THREE-YEAR DEAL
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today Nottingham Forest v Reading - Tom Ince
Ince in action against Barnsley Pictures: Steve Smyth
Reading v Blackburn Rovers
Reading v Blackburn Rovers - Tom Ince
Nottingham Forest v Reading
READING FC have confirmed the signing of Tom Ince on a three-year deal.
Ince spent the second-half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with the Royals after joining on a loan swap deal with Liam Moore going the other way. Having signed just a few weeks prior, his dad Paul Ince then joined on an interim basis as the club’s new manager to replace Veljko Paunovic. The father and son duo helped to guide Reading towards Championship safety and both are now signed up on a permanent basis at the club. Ince played 15 Championship games for Reading last season and scored two goals, one of which was a stunning strike which earned the Royals a crucial point away at promotion bound AFC Bournemouth. He then netted in Reading’s magnificent comeback at home to Swansea City as they came back from 4-1 down to take a point. Head of football operations Mark Bowen said: “An honest, mature and vastly experienced
professional, Tom’s drive and determination combined with his undoubted class and ability played an essential part in helping to steer this club away from danger in the final third of 2021-22. “Working at the same club as his dad, a manager he has played under before, Tom knows precisely what will be expected of him and I am confident he will play an important part in 2022-23 and beyond as a Royal. “I’m very pleased he has made a firm commitment to this fantastic club.” Reading manager Paul Ince added: “Thomas is my son. But, importantly, he is a Reading player the moment he arrives at the training ground every morning. “His talent has always spoken for itself and he is a very good character to have in your dressing room. “He still wants to improve, he still wants to succeed and he proved his worth here at Reading in the latter stages of last season. “So I am very pleased he has now committed the next three years of his career to this club.”
READING FC
HOLMES CONFESSES ‘LOVE’ FOR READING AFTER NEW DEAL By DANIEL BLACKHAM sport@wokingham.today TOM Holmes has admitted Mark Bowen was a key reason behind extending his contract at Reading FC.
Earlier this month, the 22-year-old centre-back put pen to paper on a three-year deal which will see him stay at the club until 2025. Mark Bowen rejoined the Royals as head of football operations in May this year, after leaving the club in August 2020. “I really like Mark (Bowen) coming back in, he was a big influence with the decision (to sign),” said Holmes. “I felt like maybe it was something that was missing since he left that role at the club. “I feel there is a bit more structure which is settling for players that are coming in and those out of contract when decisions need to be made.
“It is good that he has come back.” Another factor in the contract extension was his connection to the club and the town. He added: “I love Reading and this is where I’ve grown up so I’ve got a lot of ties here. “I’m delighted with the outcome.” With the new contract under his belt, attention turns to the pre-season schedule which gets underway on Saturday, July 2, behind closed doors at Bearwood Park against Colchester United. Holmes is hopeful there will be a few more signings through the door before the season gets fully underway. “At the moment there’s not as many numbers as we hope so maybe training is not quite where it should be but the pre-season games will give us
Tom Holmes celebrates against Hull Pictures: Steve Smyth the intensity needed ahead of July 30. ”I’m hoping that in this transfer window we can get bodies in to be competitive this year,” he said. “Tom Ince and Yids (Andy Yiadom) signed which I was delighted with as they are big characters and were big
Tom McIntyre (left) and Tom Holmes (right)
players for us last year.” Holmes did admit he was disappointed that some of his former teammates have left the club. “With Swifty (John Swift) it felt inevitable but I was gutted with Josh (Laurent) going and everyone
was gutted as he was a massive character for the team. “When I came into the team he also signed so he played a big part in my first team experience so it was sad to see him go, but all the best to him and I look forward to playing him.”
21
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Dan Anderson batting for Sonning 2s against Bracknell Pictures: Steve Smyth
THAMES VALLEY CRICKET
SONNING 2S AND BRACKNELL SHARE POINTS AFTER WEATHER FORCES GAMES TO BE ABANDONED By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Thames Valley Division 1
EVERSLEY’s match against Boyne Hill was abandoned in the second innings. Eversley declared on 289 after 49 overs after a superb batting performance from J Ford who smashed 131 runs, while Tom Nichols added a half century. The match was stopped when Boyne were on 79-2 from 21.1 overs. Eversley are in sixth position in the table after eight matches.
Thames Valley Division 2B WOKINGHAM 2s stay as
league leaders after their victory over Sulhamstead & Ufton. J McDonald finished with 3-28 as Sulhamstead’s innings was ended after 48.4 overs with 141 runs on the scoreboard. The Oaks batted efficiently to take the win with five wickets to spare after a half century from M Cowdell. HURST’s match with Slough was abandoned, as was READING’s tie against Fleet. A Cupido totalled 78 runs for Hurst against Slough 2s, while N Reynolds took 4-55.
Thames Valley Division 3A
WARGRAVE 2s home match with WHITE WALTHAM had to be halted for rain.
A 54 from Thompson helped White Waltham to 169 before they were bowled all out, while Wargrave were on 96-4 when the match was abandoned. SONNING got the better of Kidmore End by 37 runs. Sonning amassed 174 before they were bowled out, but a magnificent bowling display from Zahid Mohammed (5-27) saw Sonning bowl Kidmore all out on 137.
46.2 overs. The Oaks then strolled to victory and lost just three wickets in the process, wrapping up the win after 25.2 overs as G Horsley hit 64. FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s’ game against Purley on Thames was abandoned. Finch put 236 runs on the board after W Roberts totalled (87*), while G Fearon contributed with a half century.
WOKINGHAM 3s are the new team at the top of the division as they recorded their sixth win in eight matches. Jamie Cable (3-21) and R Pogson (3-28) saw Maidenhead & Bray 2s all out for 156 after
WARGRAVE 3s were on 101-2 from 20.4 overs when their game against Ickenham 3s was abandoned. The result means that Woodley are in fourth after eight matches.
Thames Valley Division 4A Thames Valley Division 5A
Thames Valley Division 5B
the match was stopped.
SONNING 2s and BRACKNELL’s contest had to be abandoned. Sonning posted a score of 209 from 52 overs after 87 from D Anderson, while Cannon took 3-39 for Bracknell. Bracknell were on 20-0 when the rain began and disrupted the game. EVERSLEY 2s hosted FINCHAMPSTEAD 4s but the game was also abandoned in the second innings. Finch collected 204 runs from 52 overs, while A Sharp was in excellent form with the ball for Eversley (4-58). Eversley were on 75-1 when
HURST 2s took a huge victory over Falkland 3s by 266 runs. Several impressive batting displays from Hurst saw them post a massive total of 381 from 45 overs. Falkland were then bowled all out for 115 as Hurst climbed up to fourth. WHITE WALTHAM 2s got the better of WOKINGHAM 5s by 164 runs. Nikhil Jathavedan top scored with 71 for White Waltham which saw them total 299. The Oaks ended on 135-6, while Jez Ellis took 3-47.
Thames Valley Division 7A
22 | SPORT
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BEARS HIT BIG TOTAL BEFORE RAIN CRICKET
Jake White batting for the Bears Pictures: Steve Smyth By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Home Counties Premier Division 1 FINCHAMPSTEAD were defeated comprehensively at home by High Wycombe. In the first innings Finch were skittled all out with just 88 on the board after 37.3 overs after a clinical bowling and fielding display from the visitors.
White at the crease for Emmbrook
The 11th man in for Finch, Liam Bulteel, top scored with 22 not out. Lewis Sharp took two wickets, but Wycombe got over the line to take the win after 13.3 overs to confirm an eightwicket victory. WOKINGHAM collected 12 points after they drew away at Henley. The hosts posted 324 runs after 64 overs, while Oaks bowler Max Uttley was again in stunning form with the ball as he took a five-wicket haul.
Wokingham had 93 runs on the scoreboard with three wickets down after 30.4 overs when the match ended in a draw.
Home Counties Division 2 WARGRAVE sit just four points off the top of the table after their away success at Amersham. Wargrave put Amersham into bat and had them all out for 136 after 52.2 overs after Rhodri Lewis and Joe Priestly
both had three wickets to their name. Wargave lost six wickets before they surpassed the target set by the hosts, while Euan Woods was top scorer with 56 to help them to a fourwicket win.
BCM Championship CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD’s home fixture against Great Kingshill was abandoned for rain. Great Kingshill posted 235,
while Crows were on 119-2 when the match was stopped. SHINFIELD worked their way to a seven-wicket win over WEST READING. West Reading were bowled all out after 32.1 overs for 105 as Shashank Garg collected 4-26 and Anuraag Shukla added three wickets.
The Bears had managed to total 268 after another impressive innings from opening batsman Alex Cobb (86). Littlewick were on 55-5 when the game was abandoned.
CMB Premiership
SHINFIELD 2s moved up to third in the table after a convincing performance against WEST READING 2s.
EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD’s match at Lowther Road was called off for rain.
BCL Premier Division
SPORT | 23
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Honours Board
STOPS PLAY
Bowling
Zahid Mohammed – Sonning v Kidmore End – 5-27 Toby Fitton – Sonning 4s v Sulhamstead & Ufton 4s – 5-31 K Doherty – Binfield 2s v Purley on Thames 2s – 5-57 Max Uttley – Wokingham v Henley – 5-82 Zach Hodges – Sandhurst v Farley Hill – 4-24 Shashank Garg – Shinfield v West Reading – 4-26 A Singh – Woodley v Rangers – 4-28 Arun Kumar – Shinfield 2s v West Reading 2s – 4-29 Saksham Tyagi – Shinfield 2s v West Reading – 4-29 A Sharp – Eversley 2s v Finchampstead 4s – 4-58 Layla Judge – Binfield v Berkhamsted – 3-5 Amelia Humphrey – Binfield v Berkhamsted – 3-5 Mriganka Nawale – Finchampstead v Knebworth Park – 3-6 Joe Priestley – Wargrave v Amersham – 3-18 S Ansari – Rangers v Woodley – 3-21 Jamie Cable – Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 3-21 Rhodri Lewis – Wargrave v Amersham – 3-22 Adam Mansfield – Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Stallions – 3-24 I Hodgson – Wokingham Oaks & Acorns v Bradfield 3s – 3-25 A Shukla – Shinfield v West Reading – 3-26 Paul Hunsdon – Emmbrook and Bearwood 3s v Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s – 3-26 J McDonald – Wokingham 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton – 3-28 R Pogson – Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 3-28 R Warren – Binfield 3s v Aldershot 3s – 3-32 S Narayanasamy – Reading 2s v Newbury – 3-36 Cannon – Bracknell v Sonning 2s – 3-39 Zak Raja – Wokingham 5s v White Waltham 2s – 3-45 Azmath Atham – Berkshire Royals v Silchester – 3-46 Jez Ellis – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 3-47 Fayaz Mohamed – Berkshire Royals v Silchester – 3-48
Munir Khan hit 31* for West Reading, but they fell victim to a brilliant bowling display from Arun Kumar (4-29) and Saksham Tyagi (4-29) Shinfield got the job done and lost just two wickets in the process which saw Michael Page top score with 39*. SANDHURST and FARLEY HILL added 22 points each after they tied. Farley managed to score 150 from 40 overs in the first innings as Zach Hodges had four wickets to his name for Sandhurst. With a revised target of 86 from 26.5 overs to catch, Sandhurst ended on 85-2 as the game was tied.
BCL Division 1A
READING UNITED came out on top against READING LIONS by 111 runs. A quick century from Sumanth Ganguly, who smashed 103 runs from 71 balls, helped United place 306 as their final total after 40 overs. Shiva Aruna performed fantastically to hit 103 runs from 71 balls for the Lions who finished on 195-4. BERKSHIRE ROYALS added 35 points to their total with an away success at Silchester.
BCL Division 1B READING UNITED 2s got the
Batting better of FARLEY HILL 2s to collect 37 points. Reading posted 242 from 40 overs, while Farley fell short of reaching the revised target of 167 from 25 overs as they finished on 118-6.
BCL Division 3 CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD stormed to a big 160-run victory over EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 3s. Nikunj Mahta achieved a half century, while Ventaka Abapa smacked 109 runs before he was
bowled out which saw Crows finish with 265 runs. The Bears finished on 105-5 after Harry Sweetnam top scored with 32. SHINFIELD 4s climbed up the table by winning away at TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE 2s. Twyford batted first and a magnificent knock from Marc Teal (115*) contributed heavily as they posted 201-8 from 40 overs. With a revised total to catch, Shinfield finished on 100-2 from 21 overs as the points went their way.
WOMEN’S CRICKET
FINCHAMPSTEAD FLY TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE AS BINFIELD FOLLOW CLOSE BEHIND By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today FINCHAMPSTEAD made it two wins from two to soar to the top of the table in the Home Counties Women’s Cricket League.
The hosts, Knebworth Park, put Finch into bat first in the contest. The opening batting pair for Finch, Frankie Nicklin and Millie Allerton put 20 runs on the board before the first wicket fell when Alleton fell for five. Nicklin was next to go when she was removed for 13, with
the score on 46-2. But Finch got back on track and surpassed the century mark before their next wicket came. A strong middle order of the innings saw Ashleigh Muttitt hit 44 runs from 37 balls as she top scored in the match, while Freya Johnson added 21 before she was trapped LBW and Sophie Armstrong-Wood contributed with 2r runs. The final Finch wicket came in the 35th over after the visitors had put 190 runs on the board to set a challenging test for the home side. With a decent total to defend,
Finch made an early breakthrough when Molly Bulteel took the wicket of Elizabeth Ruxton for one run, with 8-1 on the scoreboard. Knebworth recovered well and put up a fight as they managed to move onto 111-4 to give themselves a shot at victory. But Finch ended the match brilliantly as they took the final five wickets for a return of just four runs. Mriganka Nawale ended the day with three wickets which helped Finch to seal a 70-run success. BINFIELD are level on points
with Finch after they also made it two wins from two. An exceptional opening to the first innings saw Binfield out 90 on the board before the first wicket fell when Poppy Evans went for 30. Opening batter Isobel Carson’s magnificent display saw her survive the entire inning as she amassed 88 runs which helped Binfield to finish on 217-5. The superb bowling of Layla Judge (3-5) and Amelia Humphrey (3-5) saw Binfield skittle Berkhamsted all out on 85 to secure a convincing 132-run win.
Jihan Mishra – Theale & Tilehurst 4s v Eversley 5s – 144* Bendall – Wokingham 6s v Binfield 4s – 133* Jack Ford – Eversley v Boyne Hill – 131 Marc Teal – Twyford and Ruscombe 2s v Shinfield 4s – 115* Venkata Adapa – Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s v Emmbrook and Bearwood 3 – 109 S Arshad – Theale & Tilehurst 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 4s – 108* Shiva Aruna – Reading Lions v Reading United – 103 Sumanth Ganguly – Reading United v Reading Lions – 103 P Nargund – Rangers v Woodley – 95 Sanjay Gurung – Earley v Falkland – 90 Isobel Carson – Binfield v Berkhamsted – 88* W Roberts – Finchampstead 3s v Purley on Thames – 87* D Anderson – Sonning 2s v Bracknell – 87 Rob Dimmack – Theale & Tilehurst 2s v Slough 4s – 87 Alex Cobb – Emmbrook and Bearwood v Littlewick Green – 86 Shiv – Wokingham 6s v Binfield 4s – 83 A Cupido – Hurst v Slough 2s – 78 N Reynolds – Hurst v Slough 2s – 78 Dan Aston – Eversley 5s v Theale & Tilehurst 4s – 76* Binny Zutshi – Earley v Warfield – 76 C White – Hurst 2s v Falkland 3s – 76 Nikhil Jathavedan – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 71 I Hodgson – Wokingham Oaks & Acorns v Bradfield 3s – 70* S Smith – Wokingham Oaks & Acorns v Bradfield 3s – 69 James Stoker – Knowl Hill v Stratfield Turgis – 68 Jonny Mahoney – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 65 G Horsley – Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 64 Richards – Wargrave 3s v Ickenham 3s – 60 Aahaan Sharma – Sonning 4s v Sulhamstead & Ufton 4s – 59 T Walker – Hurst 2s v Falkland 3s – 58 Tom Nichols – Eversley v Boyne Hill – 57 Salman Idrees – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 57 S Hawkes – Hurst 2s v Falkland 3s – 55* Gaurang Patel – Waltham St Lawrence v Stratfield Turgis – 54 Thompson – White Waltham v Wargrave 2s – 54 M Cowdell – Wokingham 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton – 52 G Fearon – Finchampstead 3s v Purley on Thames – 52 Jonny Abbott – Sonning 3s v Kidmore End – 51
24 | SPORT
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GOLF
RESULTS
MEMBERS BATTLE AT CLUB EVENT
Saturday, June 25 Hennerton Golf, L-R Liz Deaney (Lady Captain), Wayne Richards, Nuala Priest, Paul Deaney, Eileen Holmes, Keith Griffiths (Men’s Captain)
CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division 1 Finchampstead (88 all out) lost to High Wycombe (89-2) Henley (324-9) drew Wokingham (93-3) Home Counties Division 2 Amersham (236 all out) lost to Wargrave (137-6) BCM Championship Crowthorne & Crown Wood (119-2) abandoned Great Kingshill (235-7) West Reading (105 all out) lost to Shinfield (106-3) CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood (268-9) abandoned Littlewick Green (55-5) Chilterns Division Two Holyport (138-8) drew Emmbrook and Bearwood (211-9 dec)
By EILEEN HOLMES sport@wokingham.today MEMBERS at Hennerton Golf Club battled it out on the green in the club’s two day club championship event.
Hosted on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, the competition took the gross scores over the weekend to crown the winners of both the ladies and men’s sections. The first group began at 8am
and play continued throughout the morning. At the end of day one, the teams were re-jigged ready for action on day two. Some excellent golf was played and the competition was tight. The results in the men’s section saw Steve Clark win with 144, second place was Rob Cob with 148 and third Tom Oliver on 149. Katherin Leigh won the ladies section with 147, second was Liz
Deaney with 167 and third Evie Napier on 168. Patrick Surgue (122) was first in the Men’s Nett results, while James Hinsley was second (125). The ladies Nett results saw Barbara Langdale come out on top (131), while Anne Hooper finished in second (133). Mixed teams will competed at the club in the Texas Scramble format. The final scores were very close, with the second placed team (Roger
BOWLS
PROSPECT PARK GET THE BETTER OF ISLAND BOHEMIAN TO TAKE VICTORY By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today
Prospect Park Bowls Club In the KL League, Prospect lost to Tilehurst 49-74, while the KLV A team got the better of Island Bohemian with a score of 68-46. They drew on two rinks and thanks to B Dibley’s triple, they took the game. Meanwhile the B side lost at Pangbourne 37-55.
Wokingham Bowls Club In the ladies TVLL against Great Hollands on Thursday, Wokingham achieved a win of 46-44, a very closely fought match. At the two-wood County game on Saturday, two of Wokingham Ladies, Margaret Argent and Joy Deeves won through to the last 16 with the next round being held at the Island on Sunday, July 10.
Caroline Mabley and Anne Marie Murray are through to the pairs at the County quarter finals this coming weekend and Anee Marie is through to the champion of champions. The National Top Club saw Wokingham beaten by Three Mile Cross with a total of 3-1 on Sunday, June 26. On Thursday, Wokingham Oakapples played away to Island Bohemian but came away winning just two points on one rink. The final score was 43 to Oakapples and 51 to Island Bohemian. Wokingham secured a win in a mixed friendly match against Maiden Erlegh on Saturday with a final score of 85-80 in another closely contested battle.
Maiden Erlegh Bowls Club In the KL, MEBC travelled away to play Suttons B and earned an impressive win against their nearest
challengers to finish the first half of the season at the top of the League. The score was10-4 on points and 82-61 shots. Rinks 16-23, 2610, 24-9, 16-19. Skips were Mark Hiley, Mike Lewis, Mike Fraser and Keith Hawkins. In KLV-A, MEBC hosted Suttons B and came out with an excellent result after winning on all three rinks, for an overall win 10-0 on points and by 72-25 shots. Individual rink score 1613, 21-6, 35-6. Skips were Guy O’Connor, Mike Fraser and Mike Lewis. MEBC TVLL A Team travelled to TMX this week and found it heavy going losing on two rinks but won overall 54-48 and 6-4 on points. In KLV-B, MEBC travelled away to Great Hollands and in a close match, MEBC lost on two rinks but won overall 4946 on shots, and -4 on points. Individual rink scores 13-14, 16-20, 20-12. Skips were Keith Boulter, Frank Parkinson, Peter Heyes respectively.
Stapley, Marion Armson, Lucille Richards and John Duffy) and third placed team (Chris Thompson, Ann Ellis, Val Doyle and Nick Duncan) both coming in with just over 49 points. The winning team of Paul Deaney, Nuala Priest, Eileen Holmes and Wayne Richards finished with a decisive score of 46.1 points. n For further details,contact the club on 0118 940 1000 or email admin@ hennertongolfclub.co.uk
READING FC
ROYALS TEAM’S PREPARE FOR PRE-SEASON READING FC men begin their preparations for the new season with their first pre-season friendly fixture this weekend.
The Royals welcome Colchester United to Bearwood Park on Saturday in a behind closed doors friendly. League Two Colchester are the first opponents of this summer’s pre-season campaign as Reading will face another stren test behind closed doors agaisnt Benfica the following weekend. Paul Ince’s team then face West Ham United at home in front of the fans, an away trip to AFC Wimbledon and finally they host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Kelly Chambers’ Reading FC Women’s team have announced their first match of pre-season which will take place on Sunday, August 7. Ahead of perparing for a new Women’s Super League campaign, Reading will travel to the Robins High Performance Centre to face Championship side Bristol City. Bristol finished in third place in the FA Women’s Championship last season, finishing on 37 points with 11 wins, four draws and seven defeats from their campaign. n Tickets for Reading FC Women’s match against Bristol are available at: https://www.bcfc.co.uk/ news/womens-pre-season-schedule/
BCL Premier Division Sandhurst (85-2) tied Farley Hill (150-8) Shinfield 2s (93-2) beat West Reading 2s (91 all out) Stratfield Turgis (164-0) beat Waltham St Lawrence (163 all out) BCL Division 1A Reading Lions (195-4) lost to Reading United (306-6) Silchester (245 all out) lost to Berkshire Royals (306-6) BCL Division 1B Farley Hill 2s (118-6) lost to Reading United 2s (242-8) Rangers (229-7) abandoned Woodley (42-7) Shinfield 3s (80-4) drew Twyford and Ruscombe (220 all out) Warfield (134-4) beat Earley 2s (155 all out) Stallions (78-5) lost to Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (240-7) Thames Valley Division 1 Boyne Hill (79-2) abandoned Eversley (289-6 dec) Thames Valley Division 2B Binfield (99-4) abandoned Finchampstead 2s (221-6) Hurst (188 all out) abandoned Slough 2s (122-5) Fleet (253-7) abandoned Reading (43-1) Wokingham 2s (142-5) beat Sulhamstead & Ufton (141 all out) Thames Valley Division 3A Wargrave 2s (96-4) abandoned White Waltham (169 all out) Kidmore End (137 all out) lost to Sonning (174 all out)
Sunday, June 26
CRICKET Home Counties Women’s Division 1 Berkhamsted (85 all out) lost to Binfield (217-5) Knebworth Park (120 all out) lost to Finchampstead (190 all out)
Home Counties Berkshire Women’s Softball Crowthorne & Crown Wood (69-4) beat Binfield (44-5)
FIXTURES
Saturday, July 2 FOOTBALL Pre-season friendly Reading v Colchester
CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division 1 Banbury v Finchampstead Wokingham v Slough BCM Championship Ballinger Waggoners v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Great Kingshill v West Reading CBM Premiership Knotty Green v Emmbrook and Bearwood Chilterns Division Two Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Little Marlow 2s BCL Premier Division Farley Hill v Mortimer West End Waltham St Lawrence v Shinfield 2s West Reading 2s v Sandhurst BCL Division 1A Peppard Stoke Row 2s v Earley Reading United v Checkendon Stallions v Berkshire Royals West Reading 3s v Silchester BCL Division 1B Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Farley Hill 2s Earley 2s v Stallions 2s Reading United 2s v Shinfield 3s Twyford and Ruscombe v Rangers Woodley v Warfield Thames Valley Division 1 Eversley v Beaconsfield Thames Valley Division 2B Slough 2s v Binfield Cove v Wokingham 2s Reading v Hurst Finchampstead 2s v Royal Ascot Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham v Harpsden Sonning v Theale & Tilehurst Windsor v Wargrave 2s Thames Valley Division 4A Wokingham 3s v Finchampstead 3s Thames Valley Division 5B Royal Ascot 2s v Sonning 2s Binfield 2s v Eversley 2s Finchampstead 4s v Bagshot 2s Newbury v Sonning 2s Bracknell v Royal Ascot 2s
Sunday, July 3
CRICKET Home Counties Women’s Division 1 Finchampstead v Charlbury Binfield v Stony Stratford Home Counties Women’s Softball Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Binfield