ISSN 97727542785092754-2785 33 THREE GREAT PAPERS IN ONE: NEWS, SPORT & LEISURE Wednesday, August 17, 2022 No. 43 90p READING TODAYREADING’SNEWCHAMPIONWWW.RDG.TODAY Top of worldthe CapanDijanaPicture: Carnival fun in town centre CRIME Tributes paid tovictimmurder POLITICS informationfailsCouncil’sover FESTIVAL Change to rockline-upfest’s INTERNET State of Zen: providernewforbroadband
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Thames Valley Police enquiries into the incident are ongoing, with Pierces Hill closed temporarily on Sunday, as they carried out further investigations.Seniorinvestigating officer Detective Inspector Sally Spencer appealed to anybody who has any information about either incident to get in touch with Thames Valley Police.“I’m particularly keen to hear from anybody who has dash-cam, doorbell or CCTV footage from either Coronation Square, Southcote, or Pierces Hill, Tilehurst, to please get in touch.“We continue to believe that those involved in these incidents are known to each other and there is no wider risk to the public.” Anybody with information about the incident is urged to contact Thames Valley Police by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43220347031. from your newsagent every Wednesday – some even deliver Online Our website is updated seven days a week –bookmark it in your browser: rdg.today Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email
Send your forms to: Family notices, Reading Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please enclose payment by cheque, made out to The Wokingham Paper Ltd. Payments may also be made by card over the phone.
A READING town centre bar is inviting people to challenge theirThepianist.Botanist, on Kings Road, is holding the session every Thursday evening from 8pm. People can request their favourite songs, and the resident musician will play as many as they can. n For more details, log on to: thebotanist.uk.com
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| NEWS Pizza company’s bid to open until 3am A TAKEAWAY company serving pizza to west Reading residents has applied for permission to keep serving slices until the early hours of theAvonmorning.Foods Ltd, which runs a Papa John’s franchise in Oxford Road, has applied to serve customers dining in until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2am from Sunday to Thursday the rest of the Theweek.takeaway is currently open from 11am to 11pm each day, and would require a licence to serve food past 11pm. It is located in Cholsey House, Moulsford Mews, a precinct which also contains a Subway, the 805 Restaurant and Grill and Chaayé Paani café and is next to the Tesco Extra store in Portman Road. There are also branches on Shinfield Road, and Woodley townThecentre.extended opening hours proposal has been submitted to Reading Borough Council. Anyone who wants to comment on the application can do so by licensing@reading.gov.uk,emailing by Thursday, September 1. A hearing on a licensing application will only take place if a valid objection is made. So far this year, the council’s licensing applications committee has met to approve temporary event licences for Zorba’s Kebabs in Station Road and The Jolly Anglers pub on Kennet Side. Challenge the pianist and enjoy a human jukebox at bar
‘Fly high, our angel’: family’s tribute to teen
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RESPECTS: Friends and family for Sheldon Lewcock gather ing Pierces Hill last week after learning of his death Police are investigating the incident To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today FAMILY and friends of Sheldon Lewcock gathered to pay their respects last week, after it was announced he had died in hospital. The 19-year-old was involved in an incident on Pierces Hill at around 6pm on Thursday, August 4, during which he was struck by a van. An incident in Southcote earlier that day, in which a teenage girl was assaulted and sustained “serious facial injuries,” is believed by Thames Valley Police to be linked. Four arrests were made following the incident, with two men, aged 18 and 20, and a 17-year-old boy, all from Reading, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. A 38-year-old man from Reading was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. The 17-year-old was charged with attempted murder and appeared in Reading Crown Court yesterday, after we had gone to press. On Tuesday, August 9, Thames Valley Police announced that despite the efforts of medical staff, Mr Lewcock, then unnamed, had died in hospital and that the investigation had become a murder inquiry. A post-mortem examination was conducted on Wednesday, August 10, though the results of which are still currently “unascertained and under investigation.”Seniorinvestigating officer Detective Inspector Sally Spencer, of the major crime unit, said last week: “Our thoughts remain with the family of Sheldon, who tragically died in hospital on Tuesday (August 9) as a result of an incident in Pierces Hill, Tilehurst.“We are continuing our investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident and Sheldon’s family continue to be supported by specially trained officers.”Itwas announced later that day that Mr Lewcock had been identified as the Thatvictim.evening, more than 50 people gathered at a vigil on Pierces Hill, with friends, family, and neighbours attending to pay their respects and lay flowers and candles in Sheldon’s memory.Twodays later, on Friday, August 12, Sheldon’s family released a tribute to him.His mum wrote: “My beautiful, beautiful boy, words cannot describe how we all feel. “You were taken so young in such a cruel way. Your life was beautiful, your heart was pure, your smile lit up the room and your laugh echoed through the house, which we no longer get to hear.“The house is so quiet without you around. Although our hearts are left empty, we know you are back with Nanny Dot, who is keeping you safe. “Until we meet again, I love you my little boy, we all do. Always and forever in our hearts, never a day forgotten, heaven will be good to you. “Fly high, our angel.”
The tours offer a glimpse into Reading’s past as well as its future
Whitley ward councillor Andrew HornsbySmith, said: “I’m delighted the council moved and acted quickly to evict the Travellers and initiate the clear-up. “They were served a notice straight away by officers.“From what I’ve been told, people stayed there last year for many weeks. This time, it’s just taken a Accordingweek.”toCllr Hornsby-Smith, officers had been in the midst of considering the security of John Rabson’s Recreation Ground when last week’s encampment took place. As a result, these deliberations have been brought forward. The Whitley councillor says the travellers’ means of entry into the park involved removing a concrete block which blocksMovingaccess.forward, Cllr Hornsby-Smith believes the long-term solution is to find a place for the travellers to stay, so they can to avoid a repeat occurrence at the park, or any others in Reading. He said planning applications for a dedicated site for travellers are set to go to the planning committee in October.
WATER VIEW: The Reading Branch of The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust is running boat trips across the Kennet and Avon canal this summer Pictures: Dijana Capan/DVision Images
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Wednesday, August 17, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 3
Sarah and Keith are volunteers from the charity running the trips The trips are attracting people to Reading, including this family from London
THERE’S A new way to get around Reading – and it couldn’t be more graceful. Matilda Too is a barge currently being pressed into service on the Kennet and Avon Canal, offering trips along the waterside. Organisers from the Kennet and Avon Trust say it is an opportunity for people to experience views of the Reading that they wouldn’t normally see, as well as discovering the role the river and canal has played in the town’s history. The trust is running the 45-minute trips hourly between noon and 3pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this month, and then the same times during September. It asks people to be ready to board five to 10 minutes ahead of departure time. Places can be booked in advance, but if there is space on the day the skipper will let people on. It departs from Star Lane Wharf, which is next to the Queen’s Road car park and close to the footbridge crossing the river. n For more details, call 07947 279704 or log on to: matilda.katrust.org.uk
NEWS | THE BEST PICTURES OF READING ARE ONLY IN READING TODAY
See Reading in a new light, thanks to narrowboat rides
Sarah was the skipper during Saturday’s voyages, keeping an eye on water traffic
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
The tours offer unique views of the town Marija, 8 and from Spencers Wood, was a passenger
Travellers move on from encampmentWhitley TRAVELLERS have been moved on from a South Reading park after complying with a police notice given on Wednesday, August 10. The unlawful encampment took place at John Rabson Recreation Ground, where the group reportedly left rubbish and faeces. The litter has since been cleared by Reading Borough Council. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “Thames Valley Police issued a Section 61 notice to a group of Travellers who had gained access to land at John Rabson’s Recreation Ground.”“Thenotice was complied with and the Travellers left the site.”
Section 61 notices provide police the power to direct those in unauthorised encampments to leave land based on their behaviour.Thegroup made their way onto John Rabson Recreation Ground, with residents noticing their vehicles stationed in the park.
THAMES Valley Police has announced that it has secured more than £4 million in funding to combat domestic abuse and sexual violence.Aftera successful application to the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has secured a three-year funding package totalling £4.4 million. The funding will support victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse through the creation of specialist services and bolstering existing methods.
STILL STANDING: Matt Rodda, MP Reading East
READING EAST MP Matt Rodda will stand again for Labour in the forthcoming general election. The poll must be held by January 2025, with parliament due for dissolution on Tuesday, December 17, However,2024. it is thought that the vote will take place at some point in 2024, although the winner of Conservative leadership election may choose to call a poll sooner. Mr Rodda was first elected in 2017, beating Conservative Rob Wilson in the processs. He increased his majority in the 2019 poll. He first contested the seat in 2015, having been a councillor in Reading for many years. Former Labour shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds stood in 2010, while Tony Page was the party’s candidate in 2005. Under Labour Party rules, sitting MPs must go through a ‘trigger ballot’ process in which Labour Party members, trade unions and socialist societies vote on whether the incumbent Labour MP is adopted for the next election. It was under this process that Mr Rodda has been selected for the forthcoming vote. “I am immensely proud to represent my community in Parliament; my focus is – and always has been – to stand up for Reading, Woodley and Earley and do what I can to improve the lives of local people,” Mr Rodda said in a statement.“Whether the next election is in two weeks or two years, I will be campaigning hard for a Labour MP in Reading East and a Labour Government for our Country.”
MP re-selectedMatt for Reading East
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
Police secure £4.4m funding to combat domestic abuse and sexual violence
Bus driver who got families to University’s graduation ceremonies on time is a real star
And a nomination for the Reading Buses Going the Extra Mile award was made to 77-year-old Dave Hughes (pictured left), a bus driver for 25 years. He was nominated by a duty manager for his assistance on a Saturday afternoon at a football match between Reading and WestTheHam.game was very busy, and Whitleybased Mr Hughes, stepped up and volunteered to assist the supervisor loading the buses and helping customers. Caroline Anscombe, the bus firm’s HR director, said: “Sarwah has demonstrated flexibility, helpfulness and a great work ethic, Luke has shown a real commitment to excellence in training new and existing drivers, and Dave showed a helpful can-do attitude.“Allthree are excellent ambassadors for Reading Buses and it’s wonderful that we can recognise all of them for their consistently high performance.”
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“While the Conservatives have spent the summer fighting amongst themselves about who their leader should be, they have ignored the real problems facing families, failed to tackle huge profiteering by energy companies, failed to get a grip on runaway inflation and failed to offer real help for a cost-of-living crisis made in Downing Street.” The candidates for the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have yet to be confirmed.
A BUS driver who helped students and their families get to the graduation ceremonies has been praised for his role. Sarwah Shah, 43 and from Reading, was awarded Reading Buses’ Star of the Month accolade after a family told the Great Knollys Street firm that he was ‘an excellent ambassador’ for the company. During the University of Reading’s graduation week, he helped drive shuttle buses from Whiteknights campus to the London Road campus. And his skills behind the wheel were noticed. He has been described as having a ‘very positive can-do attitude’ and always going out of his way to be helpful. A Reading Buses colleague who was supervising the university graduation transport praised Mr Shah as he ensured some latecomers got to the ceremony and enjoy one of life’s special occasions. He is not the only person the company has honoured as being a star. Woodley-based Luke Ballard was out forward for his training skills by one of his charges.The45-year-old, who has worked at Reading Buses for 22 years, was thanked by his “Evennominee.whenthe going gets tough, Luke continues to have a best attitude,” they said in their citation. “It’s amazing how he always helps new employees to learn and develop in the academy.”
REWARD: Luke Sarwah and Luke Ballard with their Reading Buses star of the month awards Pictures: Reading Buses
A number of services across the Thames Valley will benefit from funding, including Aurora New Dawn, a new service which lends support to victims of stalking. Services such as PACT, Support U, and Trust House Reading are also set to receive investment as a result of the funding. Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: “I am delighted to announce that my office has successfully secured this additional funding from the Ministry of Justice for the next three years. “It will provide essential support to many organisations supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence across the Thames Valley.“This will also be used to fund dedicated posts to supporting particular groups who for a range of reasons can be less likely to access support such as men, older people and victims within LGBTQ+ and BAMER communities.”
The funding is in addition to a grant of £2.8m which was awarded to support victims of crime during 2022/23.“Notonly will this funding make a difference to these organisations, but also ensures victims and survivors are supported for the long-term.“Inaddition, we will be able to increase the level of specialist service provision to provide victims better access to much needed support to help them recover from the harm they’ve experienced.”
Queen Anne’s
Pride announces full list of main stage acts
GUEST ACT: This year’s Pride Parade and Love Unites Festival will take place at Kings Meadow on SeptemberSaturday,3.
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New route for parade
AFTER announcing Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle as this year’s headline act, Reading Pride has announced the remainder of its main stage acts. This year’s Love Unites 2022 festival and parade will see a performance by the Reading Rock Choir, which is recognised as the first in the UK to require no audition and no requisite to read music. The choir covers contemporary and pop music, and is open to anybody with any level of musical experience. As well as the Rock Choir, there’ll be a performance from Natalie Gray, a singersongwriter originally from Reading. She has been feared on Damian Harrison’s Don’t Walk Away, as well as Joel Corry and Billy Da Kid’s Get What You Give. Natalie recently released her own 80s inspired synth pop, supported by BBC Introducing, and finished a UK tour raising funds for Women’sLondon-basedAid. four-piece girl band Ring the Alarm is also set to bring their brand of pop-tinged R&B and choreography to the stage. Carter the Bandit will also make an appearance, as he continues to push for more LGBTQ+ acceptance in the rap and hip-hop scenes. He’ll be joined by Bentley Jones, who has remix credits with Madonna, Britney Spears, Kygo, Whitney Houston, Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga. His latest album, The Unexamined Life, was debuted at 2020’s Global Pride Festival, and looks at sexuality, gender, and the discrimination he has faced in the music industry in a mix of house, hip-hop, and 80s synth.Ghana Music Awards nominee Danny Lampo (pictured above) will bring afrobeats and dancehall to the event, fresh from his Nollywood Entertainment and Leadership Award last year.Manchester’s Janathan will also be in attendance, having been praised for his k-pop and house-influenced dance music by the likes of Katy Perry, Little Mix, PSY. They’ll be joined by Leadly, and independent pop musician with flavours of Kim Petras and Carly Rae Jepsen, and Sam Solace. The main stage will be hosted by Mr Leather UK 2017, Jamie Wake, who has supported the LGBTQ+ community in Reading for more than 15 years. He will be joined in hosting duties by Reading’s own Pride favourite Wilma ontakeandTutu.Dragdraginternationally-celebratedFingadoo,performerDr.Bev,andIdolwinnerSonofaThisYea’rsPrideParadeLoveUnitesFestivalwillplaceinKingsMeadowSaturday,September3.
Queen Anne’s
READING Pride has announced a brand new route for the Pride Parade in 2022, as well as a brand new sound of thePrideparade.hasteamed up with B Radio, who will be stationed at the Love Unites Festival in Kings Meadow for the duration of the event. From there, B Radio will be broadcasting its Parade Bangers, with DJ Matthew Hemmaty sending the sounds of the parade over the airwaves from the main stage.Organisers invite those joining the parade to bring portable speakers or radios and tune in on-route. It is believed to be the first time a UK Pride parade will transmit its music over a commercial radio network as it happens. This year’s parade will begin at Reading Station, opposite The Oakford Social Club, and will proceed through Blagrave street, Friar Street, and down West Street past Broad Street Mall. It will follow along past the mall, then down to the Oracle and along the riverside, up Duke Street, back along Broad Street, up to and through Forbury Gardens, and on to the festival ground in King’s Meadow. This year’s Pride parade and Love Unites 2022 festival will take place on Saturday, September 3, and is sponsored by Unison. The parade begins at Reading train station at 10.45am, arriving at the festival site for noon, when it opens. n To book a place on the parade, visit: www.readingpride.co.uk JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today Last year’s Reading Pride parade
School, Henley Road, Caversham,Berkshire, RG4 6DX QAS_Reading and Wokingham today_OPENEVENT_17 SEPTEMBER_265X160mm
Picture: Courtesy of Reading Pride
is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18 Transport Network, including Reading and Wokingham 35 acres in the heart of Caversham, Berkshire A ShowcaseMicrosoftSchool Day, flexi and full boarding options available OPEN MORNING - Saturday 17 September SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING - Tuesday 27 September Arrange your visit: qas.org.u k COUNTDOWN TO READING PRIDE To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Wednesday, August 17, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 5
By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today CHILDREN in Wokingham enjoyed a morning of stories read by some very special storytellers. Earlier this month, residents from Shinfield View Care Home popped down the road to the School Green Centre to read to theTheyoungsters.three volunteers, assisted by staff from the home, took the children’s imaginations to a safari through a story which centred around giraffes.
Are you sitting comfortably? Home residents read stories
The event is part of Shinfield Parish Council’s storytime programme for children. The initiative which runs fortnightly, is run in conjunction with Little Knellies Nursery and takes place during term-time.Toensure a happy ending, residents have been taking up the mantle over the holidays. Reetu Jose-Rai, whose son attended, was full of praise for theSheinitiative.said:“It’s great to help local mums and offer support, especially now during the holidays when there might not be so much to do. “It’s somewhere to bring them where you get to meet other parents and my son gets to meet other kids and play.“In terms of the books, it’s a really great idea. “It’s a great initiative to get the kids reading and just keep them entertained.”
THEN WE’LL BEGIN: Shinfield View care home residents read to children who attend Storytime at the new School Green Centre. Picture: Ji-Min Lee “It’s just a bit of fresh air as well, a change of scenery. “It’s great for mental stimulation, it’s exercise, it’s just positive for them. “Over the pandemic, it was so much harder to do anything with them, have people in, get people out and it had a big impact on the health of the residents.“Notgetting that same social interaction has made us realise how important getting out and doing things is.”
A READING church has announced changes to the Royal Berkshire Hospital Chaplaincy starting from September.Starting from Thursday, September 1, the new parish priest of Christ the King church, 408 Northumberland Avenue, Whitley, Fr Daniel Agber will coordinate the hospital chaplaincy.FrPatstepped down from the ministry on Monday, August 1. In the interim, Fr Seth Phipps, Fr Matthew Goddard and priests of the pastoral area will cover the chaplaincy.FrPhipps and Fr Goddard are the on-call hospital chaplains and can be accessed from noon on Thursdays to noon on Mondays. n For more information, call: 0118 322 7105.
EXCLUSIVE A CHARITY is inviting visitors to take on a scenic challenge in aid of regional medical provision.Lastweek, Royal Berks Charity announced the launch of its 2022 Walk for Wards event at Mapledurham House. The event was held at Dinton Pastures last September.Therewill be 5km and 10km routes available, both with stunning views across the River Thames and Mapledurham Estate. Martin Butler, community fundraising manager for the charity said: “Having walked around the new routes on the estate last week we are really excited for people to join us in September.“Theevent starts and finishes at the front of the beautiful Mapledurham House. We are inviting participants to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds after the walk – there might even be a few onsite goodies.”Funds raised from the event will go towards state of the art equipment and pioneering delivery of care.
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6 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
There are two levels weekly rates of Attendance Allowance A lower rate of £61 85 per week is paid if you need help during the day to maintain your independence Should you have health issues that disturb your night, then the weekly benefit may increase to over £92 40 per week The level you receive is determined by your circumstances
Emma Dixon, events assistant at Shinfield View Care Home, was supporting the volunteer readers. She believed the trip out could do the residents as much good as the children. She explained: “It’s really nice for the residents because a lot of them remember having kids, they remember growing up. It’s just a bit of fun for them really.
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You can claim this benefit even if you haven t paid National Insurance and it is not means tested, it doesn’t matter where you live or if you have savings Attendance allowance is tax free
“This is good in the sense that it’s open for everyone and we get to meet other people.”
Walk for Wards returns in September
Entries wanted for summer art competition BUDDING Reading artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work in an upcoming art competition.Thetheme of the competition is ‘My Wonderful World’, which can be interpreted in any 2D medium including painting, drawing, collage, printmaking, photography and textiles.Winning artworks will be displayed online, with the real pieces exhibited at the prize giving event at Reading Town Hall.Prizes are sponsored by Bracknell-based art materials manufacturer Daler-Rowney, and will be awarded by a judging panel including renowned artist Sarah Graham.Entrants will be split into the following age categories: Reception to Year 2, Year 3 to Year 6, Year 7 to Year 10, and Year 11 to Year 13. Children should be entering these year groups this September. Photographs of artworks must be submitted to newdirections@reading.gov.ukentries. by 3pm on Friday, August 26. Children aged 12 and under will require a parent, guardian or teacher to enter pieces on their behalf. n For more information, visit: competitionnewdirectionsreading.ac.uk/art-www.
New leadership at RBH chaplaincy
Attendance Allowance is a government benefit for those in receipt of the State Pension who have health issues or needs that cause difficulties or challenges in your day to day living It is a benefit for those who need help with personal care
The Shinfield resident believes Storytime has the potential to bring together not just young and old, but also the new and old communities in Shinfield.Shesaid: “It’s such a big development.“Iguessthere’s quite a few of us [in the new community] so we’ve connected a lot with the people on the development and online through social groups, but I think things like this help in integrating both old and new communities.
Royal Berks charity looks to enhance the experience of patients and staff, and relies on the generosity of supporters to help fund its work. The event is sponsored by estate agents Chancellors. A spokesperson from the company said: “We at Chancellors are thrilled to be able to sponsor the Walk for Wards for a second year in a row.“It’s exciting to see the event move to a bigger venue and grow in size and we’re very proud to help raise even more money than last year for such a worthy and local cause.” Participants must buy tickets for their place, with the 5km walk costing £7, and the 10km route £10. Children under five and dogs can take part free of charge.Duetothe nature of the terrain, the routes are unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.Theevent starts at 9am on Sunday, September 25. n For more information or to book a place, visit: for-wardsroyalberkscharity.co.uk/walk-www.
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WALK FOR WARDS: Mapledurham House and its grounds will play host to this year’s event, providing visitors with striking views. Picture: Motmit via Wikimedia Commons
He added: “We are all four pay cheques away from living on the streets ourselves. It’s a story that there but for the grace of god I go. “It’s common to each and every one of our towns and cities.” n Unknown will be performed at South Street Arts Centre on Tuesday, October 11. Tickets cost £15, or £13 for members. For more details, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to whatsonreading.com
Play marking Big Issue’s birthday to make debut in South Street
Crews called to tackle Cottage Lane wildfire Morrisons ask for barbers pod Removal conservatoryof
Rock ‘n’ roll ‘n’ ale a one-day festival
Robbers try door A celebration of some of the best local bands will take place in Caversham next month. The Caversham Rock ‘n’ Ale festival will be held on Saturday, September 10, and see three acts perform. Catering will come from The Last Crumb pub, and there will be children’s entertainment on offer.The family-friendly event will raise funds for the Motor Neuron Disease Association.Itwillbeheld at St Anne’s School in South View Avenue, from 6.30pm. Tickets cost £11, and under 16s get in free. n To book, log on to: facebook.com/rocknalewww.
from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were also present.Thecrews used three main jets, two hose reels, water backpacks, beaters and two pumps drawing water from the River Thames to extinguish theCrewsfire. were on the scene for seven hours and 30 minutes before returning to the scene on Wednesday morning to check for hotspots. The service has issued advice during the current heatwave as the hot, dry weather makes the ground more susceptible to wildfires.
A HOME in Oxford Road was targeted by thieves in an overnight raid last week. The robbers forced a back door, but were unable to gain entry.Instead, they made off with a bicycle that was in the back garden.Theincident took place between midnight and 10.15am on Sunday, August 7. Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to comeReportsforward.can be made by calling 101, or logging on to thamesvalleypolice.uk, quoting crime reference: 43220351174.
A NEW play that tackles a hidden problem is set to tour this autumn, and it will visit Reading’s South Street when it receives its premiere. To mark the 30th anniversary of The Big Issue, the magazine sold by homeless people to help them earn a living, they commissioned Dougie Blaxland to write CreatedUnknown.withsupport from Arts Council England and Roughhouse Theatre, the show was first performed as a radio play in October 2020, before being adapted for the stage last year.It is a play about homelessness, and a young man’s struggle to survive on the streets.Tracy Griffin, CEO of Big Issue Foundation, said: “With the exponential increase in homelessness over the last three years there has never been a more important time to raise awareness of the issues and the reality of life on the streets in the UK today. “It is in this context that we are working with Roughhouse Theatre to bring their compelling drama to as wide an audience as possible.” Mr Blaxland wrote the play after meeting with six people who have experience of homelessness on the streets of Bath and Bristol. Their experiences helped shape the drama.Itis a dramatisation of the tragic but true story of one young person’s journey from an abusive childhood to a life on the streets of Bath. And he is pleased that Reading will be the opening night venue for the show. It is to be performed at South Street Arts Centre on Tuesday, October 11. “It’s a venue that we love, it’s a really, really important venue for us,” he explained. “The audience response in Reading is second-to-none.”JohnLewisReading has also been supportive to the show, being the first to respond to requests for assistance. “The other reason,” Mr Blaxland said, “is the specific issues that relate to Reading. “When we talk to The Big Issue about homelessness, Reading has one of the biggest problems outside of London and“ItEdinburgh.isa place that is absolutely illustrative of the issues that we face. It also has a big Big Issue community, and a very supportive community as well.“There are charities and organisations that working to help.“Reading has both sides of the coin: the negative and the positive. Coming here was a no brainer.”Theshow’s origins as a radio play mean some tweaks have been“Themade.main difference is movement,” he said. “There’s nothing duller, in terms of theatre, than listening to words and nothing happening, just people talking. “So, the main difference is transposing a kind of reported narrative of events into direct action with dialogue and movement ... literally translating from one language intoOtheranother.”changes include fleshing out the backstory of theWhilecharacters.launched as a radio play, it predates covid. During the lockdowns, homeless people were found accommodation in hotels and hostels. “There was a great irony that the moment it’s over, they were back out on the streets. “They’re back to square one. The only difference is that we THOUGHTFUL THEATRE: Unknown is coming to South Street Arts Centre in Reading this October now have an exponential rise because of the economy and the problems being encountered across the nation. “Covid hasn’t caused that, but it gave us a temporary respite.“Things are a lot worse than they were before.” Mr Blaxland said that people see homelessness on the streets every day, but not everyone asks about the story that lies behind the person on the streets.“Some of us engage, some smile, some might sit and talk, some buy The Big Issue, some might give dog food to the dog, but the vast majority walk on by and don’t give it another thought.“Unknown, I hope, asks the questions and explores why the person is there.”
FIRE CREWS were called to a wildfire last week, with the cause to be determined. The incident took place near Cottage Lane, off Green Park, just after 3pm on Tuesday, AugustRoyal9.Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Caversham Road, Wokingham Road, Wokingham, Crowthorne, Bracknell, Whitley Wood and Theale fire stations were sent to the Alsoscene.attending was an Incident Command Unit, as well as off-road vehicles and a pump.six-wheel-driveFourofficersandcrews
SUPERMARKET chain Morrisons has asked for a barbers pod located in the car park of its superstore in Basingstoke Road to be confirmed.Thisisa retrospective application, as the business is already operating. If permission is not granted by Reading Borough Council, it the pod may have to be removed as it would be in breach of planning. The pod has taken up three car parking spaces, is one storey tall and located close to the storeTheitself.plan can be seen by searching for application number 221026 on Reading Borough Council’s planning portal.
They urge people not to dispose of used cigarettes on the ground, and ensure they have been extinguished before throwing them away. Avoid lighting open fires in theGlass,countryside.andother reflective materials, can start fires if left in direct sunlight. To avoid this, ensure that these items are disposed of carefully and are not left in the sun. Those who encounter a wildfire are asked to call 999, noting the location of the fire and meeting them at a designated safe-point. People should not attempt to tackle the blaze themselves.
www.roktops.co.uk sales@roktops.co.uk locatedwithinthe WokinghamBorough 01189762826 We can replace your existing kitchen worktops with new quar tz or corian, rejuvenating your kitchen and giving it a fresh new look. Give your kitchen the WOW factor with new worktops To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Wednesday, August 17, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 7
A CONSERVATORY in a Caversham home could be replaced with two extensions. The home in Peppard Road currently has the additional room often used as a sun trap, but owner Rachel Galen has applied for permission to replace it with a family room.The floor space would be enhanced with a further extension providing more storage space and a third first floor extension providing an ensuite bathroom to one of the five bedrooms.Theapplication, by, can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning website. Its reference number is 221163.
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today
Gahu Dramatic Arts displays African drums, dancing, and acrobatics Baby Mahlia with a carnival parade dancer
8 To
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EXCLUSIVE By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
EKO THE SEA GIANT LOOMS OVER CARNIVAL-GOERS. PICTURE: Dijana Capan/DVision Images
A world of activity thanks
THE CARNIVAL of the World returned to Reading on Saturday, August 13. The carnival brings influences from across the globe, celebrating culture, arts, music, dance, and performance of all kinds, as well as food and activities. Through EKO, the 4m-high giant of the sea puppet, the story of Out of the Deep Blue was told, along with a dancer playing the part of Violet. The piece used choreography and puppetry as well as audio accompaniment to dazzle attendees and explore the effects of climate change on ourAsplanet.well as EKO, crowds were treated tom performances from OSP, Kayda May, and Julia Tituts, who compered.TheReading All Steel Percussion Orchestra performed with traditional instruments such as steel pans to bring the sound of west Africa to proceedings, and will be reopening steel band workshops in September. They were joined by ACE Percussion, a troupe of traditional African, Caribbean, and Rastafarian singing, as well as drummers and a trombonist. Krystle’s Soca Dance Workshop combined dance and fitness to help carnival-goers keep fit to the sound of reggae, calypso, and afrobeat music. The event also featured a parade along Broad Street, including dancers, drumming, and members of the Soca Massive masqueraders, before the acts took to the live stage. Carnival of the World was organised by CultureMix Arts, Autin Dance, Reading Central Business Improvement District (BID), and Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency (REDA).
CHECKING IN: The 1975 will headline the main stage East on Sunday, August 28. Picture: Begona via Wikimedia Commons THE 1975 will be headlining the Reading Festival main stage on Sunday, August 28. The announcement comes just hours after Rage Against the Machine posted to social media to cancel their European tour, including their headline slot at the festival.Astatement from Rage Against the Machine said that the band was cancelling the tour as a result of “medical guidance” that frontman Zack de la Rocha was not to perform.While the specific medical reason wasn’t mentioned, de la Rocha injured his leg while on stage back in July. Now The 1975 will replace them in their headline slot on Sunday, August 28, on main stage east.
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The 1975 set to headline Reading Festival after Rage Festival announces acts for alternative stage and thereturn of the cinema tent
READING Festival has announced the lineup for its Alternative stage, with a mix of comedy, DJs, and discos.Aswell as the Alternative stage, it also announced the return of the Cinema tent, with film showings throughout the weekend. Russell Howard and Reginald D Hunter are the comedy headliners, joined by Joanne McNally and MunyaMarcusChawawa.Brigstocke, Tez Ilyas, and Lloyd Griffith will be among the comedians joining them at the stage, along with Andy Field, Becky Lucas, Ria Lina, and Mark Olver. The festival also hosts the Comedy Store, which will see Nathan Caton, Phil Nichol, Sally Anne Hayward, and Lindsey Santoro take to the stage. Outside of the stage’s comedy offerings, evening performances at the stage will see festival favourites Hot Dub Time Machine return to DJ. They’ll be joined by Transgressive Late and Night Takeover featuring Let’s Eat Grandma.
Performers ate fire and spun traditional bowls for Ghana advertise,
Indie darlings Circa Waves and Black Honey will be performing DJ sets, along with Reading Festival stalwart Buttoned Down Disco. Jess Iszatt and Emily Pilbeam will perform through BBC Introducing, as well as CJ beatz, Intheorious, and Bless DJs. In the cinema tent, the festival will show a mixture of independent shorts and triple-A blockbusters.Thursday’s early entry will see The Batman, as well as Sina Solati’s Saye Skye – ADHD, and Sami Schinaia’s Nope! Friday will see Free Guy and Uncharted, following Will Wightman’s Heart Failure. Saturday’s showings include Spider Man: No Way Home, Kristian Mercado’s Nuevo Rico, and Mitch Kalisa’s Play It Safe. Sunday will close the festival’s cinema offerings with Candyman and Alex Montilla’s Overkill. n For a more information and a full line-up of both the Alternative and Cinema stages, visit: www. readingfestival.com
The band has just released the first single from their upcoming fifth album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, which is due for release on Friday, October 14. They will be joined by Run the Jewels, Pale Waves, and Denzel Curry.Other acts set to perform across the weekend are Arctic Monkeys, Dave, Megan Thee Stallion, Glass Animals, Wolf Alice, Halsey, and Bastille.Reading Festival will take place from Friday to Sunday, August 26-28.Tickets have sold out for the festival, including day tickets. Resale tickets are only available through Ticketmaster’s Fan2Fan Ticket Exchange.
New craft ale bar to open on Friday Help leftoversReadingsalvageFestival to the Carnival of the World
There were plenty of colourful and eye-catching costumes
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HOT STUF: A fire-eater stuns onlookers in Broad Street on Saturday, part of the Carnival of the World Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images
A NEW bar is opening in Reading’s Smelly Alley thisTheFriday.Grumpy Goat is expanding by creating the new space upstairs. It will have eight keg lines, as well as wine and other drinks, and serve small plates of cheese and charcuterie. The independent shop stocks more than 500 craft beers and real ales and 60 artisan cheeses. It also specialises in cider, mead, spirits and wine, as well as coffee and tea and grilled cheese sandwiches at selected times. The Goat Bar at the Grumpy Goat opens at 8pm and the first 20 customers will be able to enjoy a free drink. It is also holding a Beer Club meeting on Sunday, August 28. n For more details, log on to: www.thegrumpygoat. co.uk AS MUSIC fans prepare to head to Reading for the annual festival, green-minded folk are preparing for the annual clear-up. While organisers are hoping festivalgoers will take their tents, sleeping bags and camping gear home with them, the reality is many don’t. The Festival Waste Reclamation and Distribution scheme aims to collect items left behind, but they have a limited time window to pick them up. Volunteers are needed to ensure as much gear as possible is picked up. Items salvaged are then given to people who need it. n For more details, email: salvagers@ festivalrepublic.com
NEWS | EXPERIENCETHE EXPERIENCE!WithThe HolidayInnReadingSouth A topattractionofLondon’stheatre scenesince2012andworldwide forover25years,thisfully immersive,fantastically interactiveshowusesfantasticactors toputaudiencesrightattheheartof theaction. Abrilliantnightisonthecardswhen theFaultyscometotown.Thisisthe showwhereyoustepinsidetheTVseries andseeitfromtheinsideout.Highly improvised,highlyinteractiveandfully immersive,audiencestojointheaction, becomingguestswhoplayalongwith Basil,SybilandManuel. With5-starreviewsfromaudiences andcriticsin40countries,andovera millionseatssoldaroundtheworld,this isofficiallytheworld’smostsought-after tributetotheBBC’siconicFawlty Towers. � Formoreinformationandtobook ticketsvisit www.interactivetheatre.com.au/ events/uk-tour-events/fup220909holiday-inn-reading/ BROADWAY BABY IMMERSIVE THEATRE AT ITS STARTLING BEST SCOTTISH FIELD SIDE-SPLITTING PERFECTGUARANTEEDLAUGHTERFORTHEWHOLEFAMILYTOENJOY CELEBRATING 25 YEARS WORLD WIDE Holiday Inn Reading-South Basingstoke Road, Reading RG2 0SL Friday 9 September 2022
Guests donned colourful masks and costumes to get into the spirit of carnival
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THE Pokémon Card Game licensed tournaments have returned to Eclectic Games. On and“WestoreEclectictournament.PokémonformatinheadtrainersAugustSunday,14,wenttoheadastandardBeckyOttery,Gamesowner,said:hadagoodturnout,mostaskedwhenthe next one would be, which is when the new Pokémon set begins in September.“Butwe’re also working with Biscuit Factory for an event in two weeks time, so they’ll be hosting the next one.” Chris Diffin, salesperson at the Smelly Alley-based shop, said: “It’s always great seeing people of all ages enjoying games
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.today
Top of the shops: talk to explore retail past Teenager assaulted as he walked home
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CARD SHARP: A Pokemon Tournament took place at the Eceletic store in Reading on Sunda, Simon Fish and Nick Vincent, two of the competitors taking part, as Jazz Miles looks on Picture: Steve Smyth A TEENAGER was assaulted as he made his way home from a night out in the early hours of Saturday morning. Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery, which took place in the Crockhamwell Road shopping parade in Woodley. The incident took place between 3am and 4am on Saturday, August 13. The 18-year-old got out of a taxi next to The Chequers pub, close to the pagoda. He then walked through the precinct, and was near the alleyway next to Iceland on Crockhamwell Road when he was attacked from behind by three people.Thegang punched their victim to the ground and then kicked him. He was then dragged into the alleyway and the offenders continued to assault him before taking his phone, wallet and some clothing. The victim received some bruising and a minor head injury. He attended hospital to be checked over but has since been Investigatingdischarged.officer Detective Constable Naomi Padgett, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “We are appealing for witnesses to this robbery.“Atthis time we do not have a description of the offenders, but we are aware that there are number of flats near to the precinct of shops so we would ask anyone who may have information to please call 101 quoting reference 43220361149. “If you do not wish to speak to the police you can contact the independent Charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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Council’s failures on FoI requests for fourth year running
Pokémon TCG tourneysreturn to Eclectic Games
READING Borough Council has underperformed in its obligation to respond to Freedom of Information requests for the fourth year running, according to an information request and public report. After receiving a number of complaints since 2019, the council has again been found to be failing to respond to the requests within 20 working days, which is an obligation. The Information Commission Office sets a target of 95% of requests to be responded to within this time period, though it is a legal obligation that all should receive such a response. During the 2021/2022 period, one in three FOI requests (33%) was not responded to within the obligatory 20 working days. This constitutes a success rate of 66%, well below the “adequate” rate of 90% or more. This is up from the 2018/2019 and 2019/20 periods, where around one in four (25% and 26%, respectively) had not been responded to within the requisite time period. A complaint, made by Jason Collie, against the council was upheld in 2019 and an internal audit report confirmed that the council had not met the necessary level of timely responses.Thereport made a number of recommendations to the failure to meet its legal obligations” should be again upheld.Itwas again put forward in the report that software implementation was planned and would improve compliance rates.On July 6, 2022, a further complaint was made to the council by Mr Collie shortly after a Freedom of Information request revealed that while the number of overall requests had dropped, the rate of failure to meet response times had risen. In the 2020/2021 period, noncompliance rates had grown to one in three which did not receive a response within the obligatory 20 working days. A spokesperson for Reading Borough Council said: “These latest FOI response time figures are obviously disappointing given that the Council has implemented all of the recommendations which followed an internal review and subsequent Audit and Governance report. “These included a new case management recording system for FOIs across the organisation, with associated staff training, one team to co-ordinate all FOI requests across the Council, weekly overdue reports to senior management and quarterly reports across directorates.” They explained that while all of the measures have been implemented successfully in themselves, “there have been some pockets of improvement with some services answering requests at a level of 80% to 90%, but the overall response rate across the Council remains unacceptably low. “The Council considers openness and transparency a key element of Local Government, just one example being the Council choosing to publish an ethnicity pay gap report even though it is not currently required by law. “We remain determined to do everything we can to drive up FOI response times and are looking again at all aspects of the process to identify what action is be needed in order to improve.“Details of an updated action plan will be presented to a meeting of Audit and Governance Committee in September.”MrCollie, who has lodged the complaints, said: “The council has given us excuse after excuse after excuse for the systemic failure over a number of years.“Which bit of ‘this is the law’ do they not understand? “The council’s ‘new’ management systems were brought in in 2021. “They’ve had their best go at doing it and failed, so they need to bring in an outside organisation that is competent, rather than taking our money and giving us sop after PR sop.” The council is set to release details of its updated plans to an Audits and Governance meeting due in September.
A LOOK back at the shopping habits of yesteryear is promised by a local history society. Ann Smith will be giving an online talk on Thursday, August 25.The session, hosted by the Centre for Heritage and Family History, will explore shops that used to trade in the town, including Jacksons, Langstons and Tuttys.Other, more unfamiliar names, including Hawkes Ironmongers, and Cook’s Dairy and Farm Equipment will be recalled. The event will take a virtual walk round the town centre and look at shops from the 19th century to the present day, and how shopping has changed over the years.Some of these shops were unique to Reading, others household names. The session runs from 2pm to 3.15pm and is the second of three online talks from the Berkshire Family History Society. Places cost £5, or £4 for members. n For more details, or to book, log on to: berksfhs.org
A CELEBR AT I ON OF THE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE OF OUR TOWN WHO MAKE READING A UNIQUE PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK Find out more at PORawards.co.uk @PORawards #PORawards council to improve its response times to FOI requests. A public report, dated September 19, 2019, laid out thirteen separate recommendations, including updating guidance and procedures, provision of staff training, implementation of software, and publication of monthly reporting on performance.Despitea suspension to the service for three months in 2020, the council had still not rectified the shortfall as of November that year, with one in four still going without a response within 20 working days.The council agreed in November 2020 that the investigation resulting from the original complaint should be escalated to a Stage 2 investigation.Reading Borough Council’s Deputy Director Jon Dickinson then conducted an investigation, which also found that the complaints made against the council should be upheld.From February 2021, the council advised that key recommendations from the internal audit regarding the software used to handle the complaints were due for implementation in spring 2021. In a report by investigating officer Zoe Hanim, dated March 3, 2021, it was agreed that the ongoing complaint “about Reading Borough Council’s that have been going for so long. “Pokémon is sometimeschallengingbecause the Pokémon coming“We’vetournaments.controlscompanythecards,andwasconservativeaboutreopening,soit’sbeenawhilesincewe’vebeenabletoholdthegotnationalsthisweekend,soit’s been really good to see players get their reps in and playing in the room.“We do regular tourneys for Magic: The Gathering and Yugi-oh, who’ve been able to allow us to hold tournaments, so now we're excited to be able to play in a Pokemon tournament.” n Eclectic also hosts casual Pokémon tournaments on Thursdays at 6pm.
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today READING is fast becoming an area where speeding is the norm. No, not on the roads but on the information superhighway … or the internet in more modern parlance. Over the past 18 months, work has been undertaken to upgrade the town’s internet connections, bringing fibre optic to the home - and with it some of the fastest speeds on theAccordingplanet. to new research four in 10 Ding adults are ready to make the switch – and with it possible to download an HD-quality movie in just 38 seconds, it’s no wonder. Around 30,000 residents can now access the gigabit speeds, with more homes being switched over every week. While CityFibre is providing the £57 million infrastructure, other companies are able to make the most of its network. The newest kid on the block is Zen Internet, charging just £29.99 per month for the lightning fast speeds. Full fibre broadband is a different type of connection than the UK has traditionally deployed.Theold-fashioned copper wires that delivered traditional broadband were great for carrying phone calls, but can cause problems when used for data. Full fibre swaps these for a faster, more modern connection delivered via fibre optic cables. While Virgin Media has been providing this service to Reading, under a number of different names, since the 1980s, this is the first time that it has been made available to every home in the town. Paul Stobart, CEO at Zen Internet, said: “The next few years will be absolutely pivotal for connectivity in the home. “Deemed the gold rush decade, the 2020s will see the implementation of full fibre across the nation. “By 2030, everyone will have made the switch to full-fibre. “Today, though, people in Reading can get ahead of the curve by accessing Zen’s award-winning service delivered over CityFibre’s highquality infrastructure.” He said: “Being named the only Which? Recommended Provider for Broadband for two consecutive years and topping the table for seven is a testament to our commitment to providing our customers with a high-quality service. “We want to inspire the residents of Reading to choose the right path when it comes to their internet connectivity, which will in turn unlock the power
SPEEDING IN: Zen Internet is the latest firm providing internetsuperfastto Reading Picture: Daniel DinoSlofer from Pixabay of sharing, learning, and communication.”AndStacey King, City Manager for CityFibre in Reading, said it has been a pleasure to welcome Zen into its Reading network. “This provides consumers with increased choice when selecting broadband packages and I look forward to more and more people experiencing the benefits that our future-proof digital infrastructure has to offer,” she said.
THIEVES broke into a home in Wykeham Road and stole a number of unspecified items. The incident took place at 3.36pm on Wednesday, August 3. The offender forced a rear door to gain entry and helped themselves.ThamesValley Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward, or anyone with CCTV, Ring doorbell footage or dashcamReportsrecordings.canbemade by calling 101, or logging on to thamesvalleypolice. uk, quoting crime reference: 43220344896.
Speeding is becoming the norm ... on the information superhighway
MUSIC TIME: The Woodley Concert Band performed in Forbury Gardens on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Steve Smyth
Concert band on the bandstand
THE SOUND of summer was heard in Reading on Sunday. The annual season of bandstand concerts has been taking place, seeing local groups perform to the delight of audiences.Andthis weekend, it was the turn of Woodley Concert Band, who performed some of their favourite numbers. Other groups that have taken part this year include the Reading Community Gospel Choir, Age UK Community Community Choir and Take Note. The season comes to an end this Sunday with a performance from Waltham St Lawrence Silver Band.The free concert takes place in Forbury Gardens between 3pm andAhead4.30pm.ofthe season, Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for leisure and culture, Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward, said: “The Forbury Band Concert season is always a highlight of summer in Reading: an opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre and relax in our beautiful Victorian gardens listening to live music.“Why not bring a blanket and a picnic and make a day of it?”
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American football pop-up store House break-in THE ORACLE in Reading is to host a pop-up shop for football fans next month. American Football fans that is. The NFL, which regulates the sport which is neither primarily played by foot or with a round ball, will be visiting Reading from Friday, September 2, through to Sunday, September 4. The shop will showcase a range of headwear and apparel for a range of teams, as well as other NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB products,Itwillbe open during The Oracle’s usual hours. n For more details, log on to www. theoracle.com
READING Borough Council play worker Connor Steepe has been nominated for the Chris Tarrant Award, sponsored by The Oracle. He works with Reading Play, which provides support and opportunities for children in Reading through play. Connor’s nominator put him forward for the award as a result of not only his work with the council, but also outside of his role there. “He works tirelessly to support children with special educational needs and the children always come first.“Alongside his normal day to day job, Connor also supports with additional work in after school clubs coupled with further work to support children who might be caring for their parents or an adult in their family at a young carers group. “We provide a service to support children, sometimes one to one, sometimes in challenging behaviour units, or even specialist schools, with holiday clubs out of term.” His nominator said: “Connor’s professionalism, dedication, drive and passion to support young people with special education needs and the children of Reading is an absolute joy and pleasure to see. “Nothing is ever too much trouble and he will always push to boundaries to ensure the children in his care are always supported to better themselves and to thrive and develop.”Connor says that the focus has to be on the children he works with. “It’s my job, but everything I do is for them, absolutely– that’s what I’m there“Evenfor.on the difficult days what keeps me going is that it’s just not about me, it’s about them – any troubles I have, leave at the door.”
HERE’S what Reading Festival does to AirBnB prices in the Ding IT’S ONE of the busiest weekends in the calendar, and sees hundreds and thousands of people descend on the Ding. So it should come as little surprise that the cost of accommodation rises with the increased population. A new study by money.co.uk looked at the average nightly cost of an Airbnb during festival weekend, and a one-night stand in Reading is £219 - 25.9% more expensive than a week before the music starts. In the survey, Reading Festival ranks 12th of all festivals considered, driving Airbnb prices. The annual festival is set to take place between August 26th - 28th, with headliners including Dave, Wolf Alice, and Halsey. Glastonbury topped the rankings. With the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and Billie Eilish headlining, the festival was a huge hit in July, even despite Airbnb prices increasing by 221.6%.Ranking in second place is EXIT, taking place in Novi Sad, Serbia. The festival saw Airbnb prices increase by 145.8%, with a one-night stay jumping from £59 to £145. The full survey can be seen at: mortgages/global-event-effecthttps://www.money.co.uk/
viewAnother Neil Coupe MEMBERS OF THE MAYBANK COMMUNITY GROUP. READING FESTIVAL 2021 WAS DRYWILL THIS YEAR’S EVENT ALSO SEE Pride
nominations:ReadingConnor
A GOOD PUB GARDEN IS A MUST FOR MANY PUBGOERS PICTURE: Chef and Brewer Collection
Pride of MaybankReadingCommunity
| NEWS12 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Nominations for the Pride of Reading Awards 2022 are currently
A COMMUNITY in Shinfield has been nominated for the Community of the Year award, sponsored by Hilton Hotel, Reading. In the time since the cul-de-sac was established, its residents have raised thousands of pounds for a number of causes through Christmas light displays, street events, and barbecues. They were nominated by resident Mark Taylor, who said that the cul-desac has demonstrated a sprit of care and tohadtoMacMillantwonumerousroad’sChristmasroadoutChristmastoEasterandtolookingcomprisesChristmasDayhave(tousuallywithgrouphouses.outspirit’thrivingwe“Sincecommunity-mindedness.theroadwascompleted,havereallycometogetherasacommunitywithareal‘teamandasupportiveapproachtoallresidents,whichcomprisesof20“DuringthepandemicourWhatsAppwasusedextensivelytohelprequestsfromisolatingresidents.“Sinceourfirsteventin2017,whichhappensonMayBankHolidaycoincidewithourroadname),weheldayearlystreetBBQ,Victorystreeteventandouryearlylightsdisplay.“Ourorganisingcommittee,whichofsixresidents,isalwaysforinnovativewaysandeventsbringourcommunitytogetherwehavebeensoluckytoreceiveBunnychocolates,deliveredourfrontdoors;avisitbyFatheronChristmasEve,handingpresentsforallthechildrenintheandnotforgettingouramazingLights,MrTaylorsaidthatmanyoftheeventshaveraisedfundsforcharities.“Thisyear,wedecidedtodoitforcharities,EpilepsyActionandCancersupport,mainlyduethefacttwoofourresidentssadlydiagnosis’softhis.“VisitorstoMaybankwereurgeddonateviaaQRcode,whichwas displayed in the window of every house.“Local estate agents, Dan and Neil from Avocado, also erected boards at the entrance to Maybank, with the QR Codes on. We also have a community Christmas Tree, which the residents help decorate and then a switch-on ceremony with carols, mulled wine and mince pies. “We eventually raised £879 for MacMillan Cancer and £1,375 for Epilepsy Action” Mark says that the community has been working to provide cohesion with one another and celebrate one another.“We have worked very hard to
Heather Moore, senior marketing manager for the Chef & Brewer Collection said: “A good beer garden really is make or break for a pub, especially considering the fantastic weather we’ve had in recent weeks. “We’re incredibly proud of the amazing outdoor spaces we have in our pubs across the Collection. “It doesn’t matter if you’re after a quiet evening drink or a relaxing al fresco dining experience, we’ve got something for you.”
THE old adage of a pub being all spit and sawdust couldn’t be further from the truth for modern pubgoers.Newresearch shows that seven in 10 customers think the garden is a pub’s most appealing feature, with country pubs being best. The Chef & Brewer Collection conducted the survey, finding that when it comes to what makes a beer garden great, beautiful landscaping was the most important element according to 18% of respondents, followed by having ample amounts of greenery (15%) and picturesque views (14%). Classic country pubs are the top choice (39%) for customers, followed by wine bars (18%), cocktail bars (15%) and city pubs (9%).Similarly, despite the wide variety of drinks on offer in most pubs, beer remains the UK’s top choice, with nearly a third of people surveyed (27%) opting for a pint when relaxing in a beer garden. The next most popular option was red wine (20%), followed by cider (11%) and white wine (11%).
To celebrate the great outdoors, the Chef & Brewer Collection is launching a national #mypubgarden competition, where customers can win a two-night stay in a Chef & Brewer Collection hotel, and enjoy dinner and a bottle of prosecco on one of the evenings. To take part, all customers have to do is head to their local Chef & Brewer Collection pub, such as Ye Olde Leathern Bottel in Wokingham, and The Shire House in Littlewick Green, and take a picture or video of themselves enjoying the pub’s beer garden. Entries must use the hashtag #mypubgarden and tag the pub’s location too.
BY Phil Creighton NOSTALGIA ain’t what as good as it used to be. At least that’s what my children keep telling me. I’d regale them with tall tales of how things were better back in ye olden days of three television channels, when we took the bottles back for their deposit, and if you fell off a climbing frame it was straight on to concrete. The idea that modern music is just noise and we got the real deal … well, I might as well be speaking to them in Swahili for all they care. Except, the times they are a’changing. A few weeks ago, some kind soul came past my desk, unshackled my chains and set me free. They muttered something about time off for good behaviour, but one couldn’t quite be sure. Before they changed their minds, the family bundled me in a car so we could have a week at Butlin’s.Thiswas the holiday that we’d originally planned in 2019 for Christmas 2020, to see in new year 2021. But, you know, covid. The rearranged trip, seeing in new year 2022, also had to be cancelled because of that pesky virus. Third time lucky, and a week of kiss-me-quick hats, knobbly knees contests and hi-de-hi awaited. Any poor soul who follows me on Twitter knows that I unashamedly love Butlins. It’s family-friendly, features some big names and plenty of things to do. And the entertainment in the evenings is usually terrific. This time round, covid meant the programme wasn’t as full as it had been. So instead of spending our precious family time in one venue watching everything from a Paddington play to a Spice Girls tribute, we ended up playing bingo with the Redcoats. The prize was an inflatable crocodile. Second prize should have been two of the blighters. It was all a bit low-key, low-brow, low-budget, but goodness it was a laugh-and-a-half. To the amusement of my children, I took the opportunity of winning the knobbly monster very seriously indeed. Very seriously. It became the talk of theStrategiesweek. formed on how we could get additional bingo cards, how we’d sit close enough to be in with a chance of winning a bingo T-shirt, and recording Tok Tiks or whatever for the amusement of my daughter’s friends. Sadly, it was all see you later alligator, for the crocodile didn’t come our way, not even in a while. We were usually two or four numbers short of a full house – something that carries over to everyday life – and that meant no bright green blow-up animal. That wasn’t the point though. Some of you will have gone to Sunday School and sang songs like If I Were A Butterfly, complete with all the actions. Sadly, doing the fuzzy wuzzy bear’s hair is no longer an option for me, but there was something special about pretending to be a kangaroo or an octopus with my fine looks. It might have been nearly 50 years ago – and goodness, that’s a sentence to make me feel even older than, ‘when I was growing up, there were only three television channels’ – but I can still remember, clear as day, where I sang it, who I was singing it with, the smell of the church hall and the feel of the fabric of the chairs. A happy memory, a safe place, something that of Steepe By Jake Clothier
Pubgoers want a garden to enjoy - here’s why
Community Group. Picture: Courtesy of Mark Taylor
GOWER PENINSULA Royal Mint & Brecon Railway FOLKESTONE & France Weekend Departing Thu 20 Oct ‘22
Reader travel
Nominations for the Pride of Reading Awards 2022 are currently open. n To nominate a person or visit:https://www.porawards.co.uk/organisation,
Community Group is of Reading award
Your break includes Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Reading 3 nights at the Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone with dinner & breakfast Entertainment every evening Excursion to Boulogne-sur-Mer & Canterbury 5 Days by Coach ly £349 4 Days by Coach ly £174.99
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Hilton Hotel COMMUNITY of the Year is an award that seeks to celebrate those in those people who have neighboursamongcommunityencouragedspirittheirbyworking together to make their area a better place to live andIt’sthrive.sponsored by the Hilton Hotel on Kennet Island, and this is the first time they have backed the Pride of Reading Awards.Areageneral manager John McLaughlin was thrilled that his team could get behind this award. “We wanted to sponsor this award as it is the essence of Hilton Reading,” he says. “The DNA of everything we do is very much about the community, the community spirit and the community is what we live for.” And he’s right as the hotel isn’t just for people passing through Reading, but it is well used as a conference, wedding and party venue by businesses and residents alike. If anything, the team at The Hilton truly understand the ethos behind this new award.“We believe there is a much larger reach for nominations with this award than there are with other categories,” John continues. “We also believe this award will be given, unconditionally, to a community that is truly deserving. “We’re counting down to the awards ceremony in December.”
THE MAYOR of Reading is inviting residents to take part in a fundraising challenge throughout August and September.CllrRachel Eden’s Boundary Walk is a 25-mile route around the borough of Reading. The efforts will be in aid of the Mayor’s three nominated charities: Parenting Special Children, The Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality and Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.Based on the tradition of ‘Beating the Bounds’, this walk takes in Reading’s boundaries with Wokingham, West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Hampshire.Theroute takes in Reading’s most iconic sites, including the Select Car Leasing Stadium, the university campus, Clayfield Copse, the Thames Path and the Kennet and Avon Canal.Participants can take part with family and friends, deciding whether or not to attempt the complete journey or split it amongst themselves.Therewill be 11 checkpoints along the route with unique QRWalkerscodes. can use them to learn historical facts about the town while also keeping fit. It costs £3 to purchase an official map and walk route, with all funds going to the Mayor’s charities.These can be picked up at: Reading Town Hall and Museum, The Hexagon and Central, Tilehurst, Battle, Caversham, Palmer Park and Southcote libraries. n For more information, visit: www. reading.gov.uk JI-MIN LEE
033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. For more information, or to book, please call Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
NEWS |
CHALLENGE: LThe Mayor’s Boundary Walk will see participants take in Reading’s most scenic views in August and September. The efforts are in aid of the Mayor’s three nominated charities. Picture: David Purchase Mayor to put her best foot forward on epic walk Why is it so that half should stifle yawns While half should sit transfixed, in awe, and stunned, When images of sonic basis borne And from the aether verbal gold be spun Why so that dusty words of long dead souls Should muster up in some a fullness Andtrueothers riddle through with gaping holes Letting light and matter both pour straight through How can it be so that such beauty sits Not in prose but in the the work’s Thatbeholdertoayoung and hopeful mind it flits, Or ages well, stronger grows with older In black and white a mind may self lay bare Yet in a cynics’s eyes twas never there
The wonderful landscapes of South Wales are home to a wealth of historic treasures and lush, green spaces. We explore the scenery of the Gower Peninsula, go behind the scenes at the Royal Mint Experience, travel on a heritage railway and visit vibrant Cardiff.
Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Mercure Swansea Hotel with dinner & breakfast Heritage train journey on the Brecon Mountain Railway Scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park Excursions to the Royal Mint Experience, Cardiff, the Gower Peninsula & the Mumbles Departing Fri 21 Oct ‘22 We venture across the Channel to the pretty French seaside town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, with its domed cathedral and attractive medieval quarter and visit beautiful Canterbury, one of the most important cathedral cities in England for a lovely weekend break.
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POETRY CORNER We love printing your poetry. Email your verse to news@rdg.today – we’ll print a selection every week with one another and celebrate one another.“Wehave worked very hard to build a cohesive community which helps each other; supports each other through tough times but also knows how to celebrate and live life to the full, which given the past few years, has really helped all of us.”
RECOGNISED: Connor has worked ReadingforPlay as a play worker since 2014, and continues to support local children outside of his work, too. A sonnet for a sonnet
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 29
Looking forwardto the festival
I know many residents choose to time their holidays around the long bank holiday to avoid the disruption – but if you are around, or even going to the Festival, just plan your journeys ahead. We’ve published a webpage for residents with a lowdown on everything you need to know – including a special hotline to raise queries during the event. While I’m sure everyone going will have a great time at the Festival, there is a serious side in terms of reducing the impact on the environment. Reading Borough Council declared a climate crisis in 2019 and committed to a carbon neutral Reading by 2030. We have also committed to do everything we can to become free of single-use plastics in the years to come. We know they are both very ambitious targets, but we think it’s right to stretch ourselves. We have high standards and expectations for the clearance of the site, which is managed by organisers Festival Republic. As the local regulatory body, every year we carefully scrutinise how the event has performed, including a close look at the impact on the site once the Festival is over. We know more needs to be done and every year we have high aspirations for a better outcome. We also know that Festival Republic understands our concerns and we are pleased to see their continuing work and initiatives in encouraging their participants to think seriously about their impact on the environment while they are here.
By Green councillor Rob White, leader of the main opposition group on Reading Borough Council and Park ward councillor
Michael, Bracknell
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IAM a Christian and so I pray regularly. Often I pray using the Lord’s Prayer, which you are probably aware of if you are reading this article. One line in this prayer that always makes me think is “Give us today our daily bread”. This line asks God to make sure we are properly fed. It also asks us to live in the present moment, as today we only need today’s bread. It does not mention either the future or the past. Today is the only day we can possibly live, we will have to deal with tomorrow, tomorrow and the past has happened so is beyond our influence. Another quote from Jesus is John 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Here, Jesus reinforces his exhortations to live today and only today. This verse does not mean that we should not plan for the future, but we should only consider what we can do today, which may be planning or taking out insurance for the future.What it does mean is that we should only think about what we can do today and we should not stress about events that may happen in the future or have already happened. It is always true that we can only deal with what happens when it happens. The difficulty is noticing when we start worrying about the past or the future. If you notice yourself thinking about the past or the future, then make a decision to come back to theThispresent.ishard, but if you keep on being aware of your thoughts, it does get easier over time to identify when you are not living today and then bring your awareness back to today.
From Chamberthe Cllr Rob White
In terms of people going to this year’s Festival, the big message is, again, to take your tent home. It’s very easy to pick up a pop-up tent for nextto-nothing these days. That also makes it very easy to discard it when the weekend is over. Doing so instantly converts your tent into a single-use plastic. The majority of abandoned tents end up in landfill because it is just impossible to recycle or reuse them all. If you are going to this year’s festival, please take some time to pack up your tent and take it with you when you head home – and tell your friends why it’s so important to do the same. And finally, just a quick word of genuine thanks to all the Council staff who will be working before, through and after the event and who play such an important role. A huge amount of this work is unseen and behind the scenes, so it is an easy thing to take for granted. Whether it’s licensing, noise monitoring, food safety, transport and traffic management, or enforcement action against ticket touts and illegal cabs, Council staff play a key role in making the Reading Festival such a success. The Council and Festival Republic have many years’ experience of working closely together to keep people safe while they are enjoying their weekend. There’s one thing we ask in return – think about the planet and take your tent home.
| VIEWPOINTS
L IKE Marmite – love it or hate it –Reading becomes the centre of the music world again in a week’s time as the Festival rolls into town. This is the 51st Reading Festival and more than 100,000 revellers, and at least as many bum bags, are expected to descend on the town. Whatever you think of it, what isn’t in doubt are the huge benefits the festival brings to Reading, especially providing a stimulus for local businesses. Wherever you go, if you mention you come from Reading the chances are the people there have heard of Reading Festival (and there’s always the chance they’ve heard of the IDR too… but not often enough). We advise everyone to be prepared for delays –especially in next week’s build up. The shops, public transport and roads will all be busier.
You might think that Labourrun Reading Council would be on top of issues around fuel poverty as it impacts on the most vulnerable members of society. You’d be wrong. It emerged earlier this year that Reading Council returned £495,000 that was provided to it under the government’s Green Homes Grant scheme. This was money that should have been used to fund the insulation of leaky homes, money that should have been used to lower the energy bills of some of Reading’s most vulnerable residents.Butitwasn’t.Itwasreturned with a note that Reading Council were “unable to take advantage” of this money.
Geoff Peck from Woosehill Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
welcomeReading
Green councillors will keep campaigning to make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner, help us make a difference Greens have long been campaigning for more capacity in the housing team for tackling fuel poverty and cutting carbon. Unfortunately, we have been repeatedly voted down by Labour councillors.Intheshort term the government needs to step in and support people with paying their spiralling energy bills. At the same time we need massive government investment insulating homes and generating more renewable electricity. This will cut energy usage, bills and carbon.Ifwe are to navigate the challenges of the next few years, we need effective Green policies led by Green councillors. Get involved and help us make Reading fairer, greener and cleaner: orgreenparty.org.uk/get-involved/https://reading.07985923938
CHURCH NOTES
From Leaderthe Cllr Jason brock
NEXT WEEKEND, Reading will be the focal point for many in the country as the annual music festival rocks into town. It’s already got people talking, after the last-minute cancellation by one of the headliners, Rage Against The Machine. It has been substituted with another big name, The 1975. Regardless of whether the line-up is your cup of tea, or even whether you’ve heard of the bands before, there can be no doubt that the Festival is a key moment in Reading’s year and it encourages people to discover some new music, comedians, artists and activities. Many community groups, charities, churches and initiatives will be busy ensuring those who visit us, often on a big adventure for the first time, are given a warm welcome and, if needed, a helping hand.Asthe weekend goes on, this warm Reading welcome, this big Reading hug, will be appreciated by our guests just as much as the music they are enjoying. It is something that Reading does so well, and we are fortunate that so many do so much for this event. Bring on the music. Night flight delays Heathrow is surrounded by villages, full of people trying to sleep at night. If a neighbour or company was to make as much noise as Heathrow makes at night, they would be arrested or shut down. I live in Longford village, near Heathrow. When I open my windows after 11pm, I don’t want to hear jet engines thundering past. I don’t want to breathe in the deadly nitrogen-dioxide firing out of their engines. I don’t want to hear maintenance sawing of concrete, etc. Noise and air pollution levels should be decreasing after 11pm – not rising astronomically –every night. I am not against Heathrow operating during the day, but it is at night and in the early hours when it is unbearable. Then there are the astronomical levels of deadly nitrogen-dioxide that Heathrow is forcing us to breathe at night when my windows are open. The World Health Organisation limits NO2 levels to 10 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3). Heathrow exceeded 80ug/m3 on late at night on 7 July and 60ug/m3 on the evening of 10 July. This is unacceptable, especially in the summer when my neighbours and I want to have our windows open at night without breathing toxic air. Why should Heathrow be allowed to send a giant 4-engined A380 off to Dubai at 1am, thundering overhead and waking up and disturbing so many Londoners, and then have planes landing little over three hours later?Heathrow’s CEO, John Holland-Kaye should be held accountable for every single flight taking off after 11pm. There is no reason whatsoever to wake the whole of sleeping west London at as late at 1am. The days of delaying a flight because of a “medical emergency” or “drunken passenger” onboard should be over. If anyone delays a flight, they should be made to pay for the passengers and crew to be put up in a hotel for the night, with the flight resuming the next day. Heathrow must learn – if all its flights have not arrived or taken off by 11pm then they should not takePleaseoff. end these nsociable and deeply disturbing planes. Longford resident The great challenge Dementia is one of the greatest health challenges facing society.Alzheimer’s Society estimate that by 2025, 1 million people will be living with dementia in the UK, and by 2040, dementia will cost the UK economy £94.1 billion annually.Ofthe top ten causes of death worldwide, dementia is the only one that can’t be cured, stopped, or even slowed down. I would like this changed. Improving the lives of people affected by dementia is so important to me because having previously watched my Mother live with, and then die from the effects of Alzheimer’s, I want to restrict the chances of other people having to suffer this trauma.With a new Prime Minister taking office next month, this is a rare and crucial moment for dementia. It is our chance to ensure it does not slip down the political agenda. Since the General Election in 2019, the Conservative Government has promised to deliver: n A Dementia Moonshot, doubling dementia research funding to deliver breakthrough treatments n A massive reform of the Social Care system, putting people in control of their care and reducing the amount they have to pay for it n A ‘visionary’ 10-year plan for dementia, backed by proper funding and powerful partners, which could be transformational for 900,000 people with dementia in the UK. We must ensure these promises are kept by whoever becomes the next Prime Minister. I want to see Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss pledge to make dementia a priority in their Government.
BEFORE the energy price hike it was estimated that more than 7,000 households in Reading were already in fuel poverty, struggling to make ends meet. Since energy prices went up that number will have grown substantially.Andwithyet another increase in the energy price cap due in October, that number is forecast to grow even more. It’s clear that the impact on ordinary people is devastating. Sadly, we face an unprecedented period of rising bills and energy shortages with a Conservative government that’s clearly not fit for purpose and a local Labour-run council that is out of its depth. Labour-run Reading Borough Council sent £500,000 of insulation money back unspent…
Bread today A big
All the same, I am personally concerned that their progress has not been fast enough, and I hope the need to improve more quickly is recognised.
Energy bills are soaring, so where is the plan to
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
Letters
The root of this failure was a lack of capacity in Reading Council’s housing team.
30 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
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NEW NAME ON BOARD:THE Earlier this year, Sheldon Allen Mordaunt.Pennybyonceapresident,UnionStudentUniversityReadingelectedwasaspositionheldalumna
Mr Allen and his team have broadly identified three areas of focus. They consider housing a critical issue and one that has not been fully addressed by previousAccordingofficers.to the RUSU president, students who live off campus often find themselves renting in the private sector and require assistance when unexpected matters arise. He also wants members of the public to feel comfortable
Mr Allen joins a roll call of RUSU presidents which includes Conservative Party leadership contest candidate PennyDespiteMordaunt.running in May’s local elections as a Labour Party candidate for Park ward, is possible for Reading students. He said: “At the end of the day, putting politics aside, whether you’re a member of the Conservative Party, the Labour Party or the Lib Dems, Penny, the person who got to potentially be the next prime minister, was just a student from“That’sReading.an important part to realise, not the views and Russell Group university, got a degree from Reading and then nearly became prime minister. “She wasn’t from Oxford and didn’t go to Eton. “It doesn’t matter what university you go to or where you come from, if you’ve got that drive and determination to make something of what you want to do you can do it, and she did prove that.”
Picture: JiMin Lee them through the upcoming community festival. The third priority is based on an idea for students to be given a platform to deliver TedTalkstyle events on their research or topics they are passionate about.With the student population readjusting to life after the pandemic, Mr Allen is keen to see normality resume, but is also excited to retain many of the things learned during the pandemic.Hesaid: “There’s two points to it, ‘what are the good things that we learned that we keep?’ and, ‘what do we ditch?’
EXCLUSIVE By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today
THE NEW Reading University Students’ Union (RUSU) president has laid out his intentions ahead of the upcoming year. Reading Today sat down with Sheldon Allen, who was elected in February, to discuss his new role. “I’m really excited to get going,” he said. “We’re in a really important time here at the Students’ Union where we’ve been in Covid for two-and-ahalf years. “I think it’s really important now, as the new team in post, to charge ahead with actually delivering some quite exciting projects and initiatives for the students at Reading.”
RUSU’s new president hopes to empower students
Mr Allen admits that many degrees require in-person teaching and tests, but said lecturers are being asked to consider whether their current modus operandi is engaging students.RUSUeducation officer Oscar Minto is keen to implement new aspects into the university’s teaching.Oneof his ideas is to introduce feedback via voice note whereby lecturers can offer their comments orally in a more personal way than written communication.Theunion’s advice service offers students support for a broad range of issues. Sessions previously took place in-person, before moving online during the pandemic, something Mr Allen is keen to explore the benefits of. “The way people want to do things is changing and we need to adapt to that,” he said. “I don’t think we’re doing it quick enough, I think we can do it
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“I think ultimately what we need to ditch is this idea that we can never do anything inperson again. We need to do in-person stuff, we need to be face-to-face and we need to get students on to campus. “But we also need to realise that there’s some really interesting stuff that we’ve learned 1about virtual learning, working from home and flexibility.”Avastmajority of incoming freshers will have experienced disruption to assessments during their secondary education as a result of covid. According to the RUSU president, this has encouraged the university to reevaluate their examination strategies, necessary.Hesaid: “Talking to the university, the view is very much ‘do you need to do your examinations or assessment in person? Can it be done as a piece of coursework? Can it be done“It’sonline?’realising, don’t opt for an examination in a hall if you don’t need to.”
| BUSINESSBUSINESSTODAY
MOVING IN: Hat and Home founder Ben Gee (right) with Luke Strzadala outside the new Bracknell branch
Alexa Volker appointed as Reading’s new BID Manager
AN EVERSLEY CROSS pub that’s a destination for foodies has a new general manager.LauraWatts has taken charge of The Chequers, just in time for a new summer menu. “I’m delighted to have joined the team of this one, and to be working with a wonderful group of people making the pub really feel like home,” she said.
TEAMWORK: From left: Andy Briggs, manager of The BoyesWhiteaker,REDAExecutiveHorton-BakerReadingAlexaShoppingOracleCentre,VolkerfromBID,Nigel–DirectorandAndrewPartnerTurner
The office design will be similar to the existing branches, including its bowler hat lights and exposed brick walls.Mr Gee’s philosophy is to make moving home, said to be one of the most stressful periods of a person’s life, a fantastic experience.“Bracknell is a great fit for Hat and Home and we can’t wait to get the office open for our customers,” he said. “ The re-fit will take a few weeks, but we are already listing properties to sell and let for people wanting to take advantage of our introductory rates.”MrGee has more than 20 years of experience, including working for companies such as Romans, Foxtons and Marsh & Parsons.AndHat and Home has a keen sense of community, raising more than £17,000 for Parkinson’s UK through a series of events. n For more details, log on to: www.hatandhome.co.uk
Got a business
In association with Winnersh Triangle A business park that is changing New manager for Eversley pub
AN INDEPENDENT estate agency in Wokingham is opening its third branch, just 16 months after it launched its first.Hat and Home has opened an office in Bracknell, joining its Erfstadt Court and Crowthrone bases. The company, run by Ben Gee, is currently preparing the new office in The Lexicon so it can open but it is already marketing properties to the Bracknell market.
The historic country pub has a fresh, new look inside and a newly designed garden, which includes a patio, a stretch tent, and plenty of shadyThespots.interior has a low-ceilinged bar with nooks and crannies to sit, while the dining area has light-painted walls and nature-inspired hand-printed wallcoverings. There are pops of colour from vintage board games and playful antique bagatelle and chequers boards, as a nod to the pub’s name. “We can’t wait to welcome you to the pub, which is truly looking its best,” Ms Watts said. “I may be new to this pub, but I’m not new to hospitality nor to the area – I was born and bred in nearby Woking. “I have worked in good restaurants offering great hospitality for a number of years.” n For more details, log on to: thechequerseversleycross.co.ukwww.
Estate agency to open in Bracknell
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033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. For more information, or to book, please call Reader travel justgoholsJGTravelGroup Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. DELIGHTFUL DEVON Weekend EASTBOURNE & the Sussex Sunshine Coast Departing Fri 7 Oct ‘22 Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading & Slough 3 nights at the Ashton Court Hotel, Exmouth with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursion to Exeter Optional excursion to Sidmouth (£9pp) Departing Thu 27 Oct ‘22 Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the East Beach Hotel, Eastbourne with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursions to Bexhill-on-Sea, Great Dixter, Beachy Head & Alfriston Optional excursion to Rye & Hastings (£12pp) WPR_2022-08-15_TheWokinghamPaper_16x4 (1)_Just Go WorcesterObserver 4 Days by Coach ly £144.99 5 Days by Coach ly £249 DelightfulDevonWeekend_F.pdfEastbourne&Brighton_F.pdf Single Supplement £45 Single Supplement £60 or visit us online at justgoholidays.com/WPR 03332 342 527 Quote WPR 32 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
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READING’S business community now has a new champion, after a reshuffle at the town centre’s Business Improvement Districts (BID). There are two BIDs, Reading Central and the Abbey Quarter, and their role is to deliver a safe, clean and attractive town centre on behalf of the 600 businesses that call Reading their home. The BIDs are managed by REDA, Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency, which in turn is guided by two committees of presentative businesses.AlexaVolker has been appointed Reading’s new BID manager, and takes on the roleafter four years as the BIDs’ operations manager. She will co-ordinate the liaison with the 600 retailers, businesses and organisations in the town centre to deliver the 2019-24 BID business plans. So far this year, the BIDs have been involved in installing summer floral displays, managing the BIDs two wardens, introducing new planting on the Kennet, supporting town centre events such as Are You Listening? festival, promoting Reading’s many independent businesses for Independents Day, organising additional street cleaning, supplying drink spiking tester kits for town centre bars and nightclubs, and ensuring the town centre looked its best for the Jubilee.MsVolker said she was delighted to have been appointed. “We have an amazing array of businesses and organisations which together create a dynamic and thriving town centre,” she said. “As BID Manager, my job is to make sure we create the best conditions for these businesses to flourish, whether that is helping them practically with bespoke services such as recycling collections or programming yoga classes for their staff to make Reading town centre a great place to come and work. “Over the next two years, we will be focusing on developing a new wellbeing programme for people working in the town centre, putting on great events and supporting a sustainable Reading with a series of greenAndinitiatives.”thenewswas welcomed by Andy Briggs, the general manager of The Oracle, who also chairs Reading“AlexaBID.has worked tirelessly with the retail, hospitality and office businesses in the town centre over the last four years and all that learning means she has hit the ground running.” he said. Andrew Whiteaker, a partner at Boyes Turner, said; “Alexa is a delight to work with, full of enthusiasm and deserving of the promotion.“Shehas an endless range of ideas that will make the return to the office experience for employees even more enjoyable, from yoga before work to networking walks and Christmas fun events.” n For more details, log on to: visit-reading.com/business/bidwww. CREIGHTON
By PHIL
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today IT’S one of the biggest bugbears of moving home in Reading – getting settled in without incurring the wrath of the traffic wardens. But if a new trial scheme for digital parking permits is successful, the temporary permits could be a thing of the past. Residents in Lower Caversham are the guinea pigs for the pilot run by Reading Borough Council. The aim, the council says, is to create a simpler, more flexible and more responsive service for local residents. It would operate in a similar manner to the Ringo Parking App used for on-street parking and in borough car parks: the permits would be registered online so patrolling wardens can check if a vehicle has a valid permit – nothing needs to be displayed on the windscreen. Reading Borough Council says a similar scheme is in use in London and other towns and cities, and will mean permits can be issued instantly, with no need to wait up to 14 days as with the current scheme. And digital permits means no more discs falling from windscreens, or confusion for visitors with the scratchcard system. The intent for these is that visitor permits can be issues by the hour instead of half-day.CllrTony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said: “Digital permits are widely and very successfully used in other parts of the “Thecountry.main advantages of digital permits are that they are instantly issued online, negating the delay and cost of physical permits being posted. “The ability to use visitor permits by the hour should also prove popular, as it represents better value for money for local residents.“Weare now keen to hear the thoughts of permit users on our proposals, ahead of any decision to launch the pilot in theHeautumn.”continued: “If the trial is approved, it is a change for residents who are of course used to seeing physical permits in windscreens. It is important to remind residents that just because a physical permit is not showing, it doesn’t mean a car does not have a permit. “Our wardens will be patrolling the residents’ zone as usual and checking every single vehicle for a valid permit. We recognise that regular enforcement checks are a fundamental part of delivering effective residents’ parking schemes.“Iwould stress to residents this would be a pilot, which means we welcome all feedback, both through the current statutory consultation process and during the trial itself, if it comes to fruition in theTheautumn.”council has 19 residents’ parking zones in Reading, comprising 16,000 households and 12,000 parking spaces. A consultation on the plan runs until Thursday, August 25, can can be seen at: consultationdigitalpermits/consult.reading.gov.uk/dens/Feedbackfromthewillbeconsidered
MORE details about a new secondary school for Reading have been released thanks to a planning application.Bowmer& Kirkland, developers for the Department of Education, will build the River Academy school in Richfield Avenue. It will be built on the former golf driving range next to Rivermead Leisure Centre and teach 1,500Thepupils.developers have submitted two planning applications to Reading Borough Council. Application 221132 details the materials that will be used, while assessments related to tree protection and biodiversity are in application 221133.Assuming approvals are granted, once built, the school will be run by the Maiden Erlegh Trust.
SURVEY: Reading Borough Council is planning to launch a digital parking permit trial in Lower Caversham Picture: Reading Borough Council in a report to the Council’s Traffic Management Sub Committee on Wednesday, September 14. If the pilot is approved the Committee will again consider feedback from local residents in the pilot area before Councillors consider whether it should be implemented boroughwide. Roads taking part in the pilot
A READING home could see its extension demolished and replaced with a new structure. The owners of a house in Coley Avenue have applied to Reading Borough Council for permission to replace the existing single storey extension, and replace it with a two-storey version.Thiswould create an additional entrance to the home, a new front porch with storage space, and possibly room for a bedroom upstairs as well.The owners have also applied to drop the kerb on Coley Avenue for easier parking and conduct landscaping at the front of the house.The application, by Mr and Mrs Ahmed, can be viewed on Reading Borough Council’s planning website. Its reference number is 221140.
A COMMUNITY project is helping residents connect with each other while also staying fit. Katesgrove & Redlands monthly Sunday walks start at noon, meeting at various locations around Reading. Each walk lasts for around an Sessionshour. provide opportunities to blow off some steam, catch up with friends and family, but also meet new faces.The walks are conducted in a friendly environment and at a pace comfortable for all. The next session takes place at noon on Sunday, August 14, starting at Greggs, 70 Whitley Street. The group will make their way to Cintra Park. Following sessions take place on Sunday, September 18, and Sunday, October 16 starting from Children’s Centre, Elgar Road and Sportspark, University of Reading respectively. n For more information, contact Cllr Keane via: 07951 858923 louise.keane1976@gmail.comor
BARANDWAITING STAFFPOSITIONS C a l l u s o n : 0 1 1 8 9 9 6 8 5 6 7 w w w t h e q u e e n s o a k c o m E m a i l u s a t : b r o t h e r t o n @ t h e q u e e n s o a k c o m C h u r c h L a n e , F i n c h a m p s t e a d , W o k i n g h a m , B e r k s h i r e R G 4 0 4 L S HIRING Fulltime&parttimehours Ifinterestedpleaseenquirewithin WEARE To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Wednesday, August 17, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 33
Church meets for picnics at JMA Free health checks A READING church is hosting picnics to bring its community together over food and drink. Throughout the summer, Reading Family Church has been congregating at John Madejski Academy after Sunday morning services to share a bite to eat. The events, entitled summer picnics, take place between 12.30pm-2.30pm, allowing church-goers the opportunity to socialise and learn more about each other in an informal setting.Visitors bring their own picnics to the grass fields or under the agora at the school. n For more information, www.readingfamilychurch.org.ukvisit: SOUTH Reading residents will have the opportunity to receive a health check today. The free walk-in appointments will be conducted by a Royal Berkshire Hospital nurse. They will take place at 252 Northumberland Avenue. The project is organised by the Whitley Community Development Association in partnership with the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s patient experience engagement team. Visitors are not required to book in advance and turn up at any time between 9am-3pm. n For more information, search: Whitley CDA on facebook.com
Plan for digital will bring parking permits into the 21st century
The Council is proposing piloting the scheme in Zone 02R in Lower Caversham, covering the following streets: Ardler Road, Brackstone Close, Briants Avenue, Champion Road, Coldicutt Street, George Street, Gosbrook Road, Heron Island, King’s Road, Marsack Street, Mill Green, Mill Road, Montague Street, Nelson Road, Piggott’s Road, Queen’s Road, Send Road, Southview Avenue, St John’s Road and Washington Road. A spokesperson for the council said: “The zone was selected because it is well defined and reasonably sized, with 584 current resident permit holders, and will offer the Council valuable feedback from residents living in the trial area.“Residents in the zone would continue to apply for their permits online under the pilot, just as they do now.”
Walks set to keep Ding healthy Proposal for twostorey extension Plans progressfor new school
MP’s campaign to save Gaol steps up a gear
By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter WORK to save Reading’s historic gaol from developers is continuing behind the scenes. Campaigners want to see the site, empty since 2014, turned into an arts hub.The Ministry of Justice, which owns the prison, has been hoping to sell it off to generate income from the government, with the most predicted outcome being that it will be sold to the highest bidder and transformed into luxury flats. The Save Reading Gaol campaign was launched to oppose the move, and has received support from both of Reading’s MPs: Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, and Alok Sharma, the Conservative MP for Reading West. A petition calling for the Ministry of Justice to approve a bid that would convert the prison for arts use has approximately 9,000 signatures, with campaigners pushing to get 10,000 in coming months.
The Trust is based out of Maiden Erlegh School in Earley, and runs six schools.Chairman of trustees, Nick Jones, said: “This is another excellent result for the Trust which recognises the tremendous success of our hard-working staff and students of Chiltern Edge and I pay tribute to their dedication and ambition in these challenging times; to deliver such an impressive and sustainable transformation in a relatively short time is “Thankremarkable.youtoAndy Hartley and his brilliant team, the students for their diligence and determination to grasp the opportunities now there for them all and thank you to Trust colleagues who have played such an important role in achieving this deserved outcome.”TrustCEO Mary Davies added: “This outcome is thoroughly deserved and is testament to the determination, resilience and hard work of staff and students alike. We always knew the school’s potential and it should not be underestimated how impressive it is to climb two Ofsted grades in four years.“Chiltern Edge is an excellent school, an ambitious school and a kind and inclusive school. Well done everyone.”Theschool is located in Reades Lane, Sonning Common, and serves South Oxfordshire and Caversham.
School under threat of closure is now rated good by Ofsted STAFF and pupils at a school that was at risk of closure are celebrating a ‘Good’ rating from school inspectors Ofsted, writes James Aldridge, Local democracy reporter Chiltern Edge School almost closed in 2017 due to substantial failures, but was saved after a campaign from the public.Now, staff and pupils are celebrating an impressive comeback after previously being rated inadequate, with teachers criticised for having low expectations of pupils and leaders were lambasted for ‘not effectively securing a high quality of education’.Inspectors also found that pupils used inappropriate and homophobic language.TheSave Our Edge campaign voiced opposition to its closure, with the Maiden Erlegh Trust successfully converting the school into an academy. It received the ‘Good’ rating at its first inspection under the new regime. Inspectors found that pupils felt very safe and were tolerant of others, and were praised for working hard to meet the high standards teachers set. The school was lauded for running a wide range of extracurricular activities that were judged as well attended by pupils. In their feedback, inspectors said leaders and teachers should focus on improving the curriculum for a small number of subjects to ensure learning is implemented securely and consistently.Headteacher Andy Hartley said: “I am so proud of our students, staff and wider“Thiscommunity.reportrecognises that our aim is to give the very best education to all our students whatever their backgrounds.“Whatpleases me most about this report is that it recognises how happy our students are, how well supported they are in making progress and enjoying school through our systems, curriculum, teaching and focus on the individual.”Headded: “To have achieved so much progress within the pandemic despite the disruptions we have faced says so much about the tenacity and determination of our staff to make a difference to the lives of our learning community.“Finally,I would like to thank Maiden Erlegh Trust for the invaluable support they give the school, allowing us to focus purely on the wellbeing and education of our young people.”
A CELEBRATION of summer will come to Mortimer West End at the end of the month as people prepare for bringing the harvest home. The Mortimer West End and District Annual Show will take place in the village hall on Saturday, August 27. There are classes for vegetables, fruit and flowers. Entries for flower arrangements, handicrafts, photographs and artwork are also welcomed. And for Bake Off fans, there will be some cake-related categories.Children have their own classes to tackle. Entries can be submitted between 8.30am and 10.45am. Judging then takes place behind closed doors, with the display open to the public from 2.30pm, with presentations at 4pm. n For more details, log on to: www.facebook.com/mweshow Course for churches to learn sign language Mortimer West End celebrates summer
Mr Rodda and Mr Sharma recently met prison minister Victoria Atkins, the Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, to discuss the plans. However, due to the changes in government, Mrs Atkins has since been replaced in her position by Stuart Andrew, the Conservative MP for Pudsey.And a new minister could be appointed next month by the winner of the Conservative leadership contest. “I’m stepping up the campaign to save Reading Gaol,” Mr Rodda said. “I hope we can reach 10,000 signatures on the petition to save the historic building and I am encouraging anyone who hasn’t yet signed it to sign. “I hope this will show the strength of feeling locally and will encourage the Ministry of Justice to work with me, the Borough Council and other campaigners to help save the gaol.” He added that he is working with local arts and community groups and Reading Borough Council to develop an alternative proposal for the Gaol’s future.
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The campaign received a boost in March last year when street artist Banksy painted an escaping prisoner on the exterior wall of the prison. Mr Rodda said that he is also communicating with Banksy as part of theActivistscampaign.have argued Reading Gaol is an important national heritage site, as poet Oscar Wilde was imprisoned there for gross indecency with two other men from 1895 to 1897. King Henry I is also thought to be buried nearby. The petition states: “This wonderful site should stay open to the public, it is too important to be redeveloped as luxury flats.” The petition can be signed online at: ofMinistrypeopleSaturday,physicalreading-gaol-sellmattroddamp.com/content/stop-ActivistswereseenhandingoutcopiesofitinEastReadingonAugust6.ThecampaignalsoencouragestowritetotheirMPandtheofJustice,andjointheFriendsReadingGaolFacebookgroup.
HAPPY: Chiltern Edge School, which was taken over by Maiden Erlegh Trust, is celebrating its Good OFSTED rating. Picture: Maiden Erlegh Trust A CHANCE to learn sign language that can be used within a church context is the theme for a new course taking place in October.Churches in the Reading area are invited to the event which will teach some Makaton language, as used in the CBeebies show Something Special, hosted by Justin Fletcher.Keywords will be taught with the view to helping make churches accessible and welcoming to adults with learning disabilities.Ittakesplace from 9.45am to 4.30pm on Saturday, October 22, and delegates should bring their own lunch. The venue will be Greyfriars Church in Friar Street, and advance booking is essential as places are limited. Places cost £25. n For more details, email: janneke@counteveryonein.org.uk
By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter AN historic Reading home with connections to a nearby church could be given an extensive renovation if plans are approved. Carlisle House in Oxford Road was built as a villa around 1845. It is a Grade II-listed building owing to its design, thought to have been the work of architect JohnOriginallyBilling. built for the clergy serving Trinity Church in the Victorian era, it eventually became a private house. A brief history of the building states: “One of the most significant occupants of 118 Oxford Road was building contractor McCarthy Edward Fitt, who was resident from 1901 until he died in 1915, his wife continued to live there until“Mr1925.Fitt established his company’s workshops and yard at the eastern end of the original large plot belonging to 118 Oxford Road. “His contracting firm were specialist in monumental masonry and were credited for building significant local buildings including Henley Town Hall and the Reading Corporation Art Gallery.” When the family left, the house was then subdivided into four apartments in the 1930s. Now, the current owners of the house, Turner Property Ltd has applied to increase the number of apartments there by two and conduct extensive additions and renovation work. Currently, there are two onebedroom apartments, with an unused basement. The plan proposes adding two two-bedroom apartments, with one in the basement (lower ground floor) and one on the first floor. It also involves extensive alteration works to the building, which includes substantially changing the entrance to the house for future occupants. A new stepped access would be provided to the lower ground floor, original external steps would be reinstated to the ground floor flat, and the current southern entrance would be widened, with the addition of new steps and an archway. Turner Properties has applied to build a terrace at the top floor, change windows, doors and the plant room, build a cycle store and conduct landscaping improvements. Although it is addressed at 118 Oxford Road, the house can best be seen from Trinity Place. The application to add two apartments to the house and the extensive works was recently submitted to Reading Borough Council. You can view it by typing
Historic home on Oxford Road in line for 21st century makeover
WestonPicture: & architectsCo reference 220487 into the council’s planning portal. The church it backs on to is also Grade II listed.
A THIEF attempted to break into a home in Reading last week, but was unsuccessful. The incident happened between 1.30am and 1.35am on Tuesday, August 2, at a house in Waldeck Street. Thames Valley Police said the unknown would-be burglar tried to enter via the back doors, but failed to do so. As such, nothing was stolen.Anyone with information, doorbell or CCTV footage that could help the police investigation is asked to call 101, or log on to 43220342217.quotingthamesvalley.police.uk,www.referencenumber:THIEVESmanagedtosteal a keyless car in an overnight raid earlier this month. A Citreon C5 was taken from the driveway of a house in Englefield Place in Woodley. The car had been left locked and secured at 2.15am on Thursday, August 4, and was stolen at some point between then and 8.20am on Friday, AugustThames5. Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to comeReportsforward.can be made by calling 101, or logging on to thamesvalleypolice.uk, quoting crime reference: 43220347803.
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Hogwood homes plan moves step closer after approval granted
The main road that will run through the development is earmarked for adoption by Wokingham Borough Council and has been designed to meet the required standards. There will be a 2.8-hectare area of public greenspace, known as Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG), as well as a community green located in the central part of the development containing a children’s play area. All properties will have a garden and parking spaces, as well as each being fitted with electric vehicle charging points. Cllr Stephen Conway praised the “high quality” development and the number of affordable housing. He said the plan is “as good as we are going to get” for theThesite.application was approved by the committee, with just one abstention from Cllr Kaiser. To advertise,
PLANS: 118 Oxford Road in Reading is due for a makeover
PLANS to build 140 homes on Reading Football Club’s former training ground have moved a step closer following full approval being granted, writes Grant Williams, Local democracy reporter Last week, Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee gave the go ahead for proposals relating to appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale –called reserved matters – after the initial outline plan was approved in March of this year. The site, at Hogwood Park in Finchampstead, currently comprises of football training pitches and temporary buildings. Now vacant, it was Reading Football Club’s training ground until their relocation to Bearwood Park in 2020. Concerns were raised during the initial outline application about the possibility of noise and odour emanating from the nearby Hogwood Industrial Estate. However, Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh was “pleased to see” the concerns had been addressed after assessments carried out concluded that there would be “negligible potential impact” on theThearea.25-acre development site will see 56 affordable housing built (40%), which will comprise two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes – while the remaining private properties will range from two- to five-bedrooms. Cllr John Kaiser raised concerns about the number of four-bedroom properties, with the number 13% higher than required. He said the borough has a “housing crisis” with regards to small affordable homes. “Why do we breach this rule on nearly every application we get?” he asked.CllrMickleburgh, who proposed to support the officer’s recommendation to approve, found it “particularly pleasing” that the design of the affordable houses will make them “indistinguishable” from the others.The site will be accessed from two locations, one from the existing point on Park Lane and a second from further up the lane to the north. Pedestrian and cycle routes will also be provided through the SANG to Biggs Lane.
The architect John Billing is also credited with rebuilding the church and Holy Trinity School, which was knocked down, which was replaced by the Oddfellows Hall, built around 1970. Last year, a plan by Ronald Cutting to cut down four lime trees and one acacia tree was rejected.
Keylessbreak-inUnsuccessfulattempttheft
43220340135.quotingthamesvalley.police.uk,www.referencenumber:
JOSEPH Huntley is set to be celebrated with a blue plaque, which will be installed at a property in Reading. The founder of Huntley’s Biscuits will be commemorated with a ceremony, where the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden, will unveil the plaque on Saturday, September 10. The house in Christchurch Road was home to Huntley from 1837-1842, and is now a Grade II listed building. As well as unveiling the plaque, the mayor will join the householder, Diz Adelman, for afternoon tea, along with local councillors, historians, and conservationists.MayorEdenwill also address the community, followed by talks by historians Dennis Wood and Evelyn Williams on the subject of Huntley and his family. The event comes during the bi-centenary of the founding of Huntley and Palmers, where Joseph Huntley founded a small shop in London Street. The mayor will unveil the plaque in Christchurch Road at 2pm on SeptemberSaturday,10.
By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@rdg.today THIS summer is breaking records, and not for the right reasons. As the heatwave continues, new data shows July was the driest ever. And while there might be a few drops on rain forecast this week, the outlook remains dry as a Thebone.hot summer is even warmer than the last one, back in 1976.The country is now in drought conditions, and many rivers are well down on their normal water levels, while grass in parks has turned yellow. Muddy ground is now a dustbowl and water companies are warning of hosepipe bans and asking people to conserve supplies as reserves dwindle. With the University of Reading releasing weather data for last month, the figures confirm what we all know: this has been the borough’s driest July in more than a century, with just 3.1mm of rainfall. The previous record was 4mm, in July 1921. It has also been the third driest first half of the year in the hundred or so years since records began, with just 216mm of rainfall from January to July in the Temperaturesarea. have soared too.Reading and Wokingham saw a peak of 37.6°C on July 19, the hottest day on record since 1908, and considerably higher than the daily average for the month.The daily average in 1976, wasNight-time25.6°C. temperatures saw record highs too, with a minimum temperature of 20.1°C on July 19. Dr Stephen Burt, Meteorology Research Fellow at the University of Reading, said: “We all noticed the record temperatures and dry weather in July.“This data lays bare just how abnormally dry the weather has been this year, partially driven by a changing climate. “Local streams are beginning to dry up for the first time in decades.“Water restrictions surely can’t be far away.”
Cllr Fishwick urges people to look after themselves too, to cover up when they go out in the sun, and to close curtains and windows to keep their homes“Thiscool.isall down to climate change,” he continues. “The number of hot summers is increasing, and becoming more“Currentlyfrequent.we are seeing a global temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial figures. “If we are to prevent further rises, and just to maintain the current temperature, carbon dioxide emission must be controlled.”Headded: “We need to walk more, cycle more, and use public transport more – not the car.“Transport is one of the biggest“Departmentcontributors.for Transport data shows that 60% of car journeys are for only up to five miles.“Many of these journeys could be walked, or cycled, or combined with public transport.”
The Environment Agency has warned that England could face a drought in August if the current dry weather persists. Some areas of the country already have hosepipe bans in place, with restrictions in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and in Kent and Sussex fromProfessorFriday. Richard Allan, Professor of Climate Science at the University of Reading, said: “There are fluctuations in weather“Thesepatterns.determine when and where heat waves and unusually dry spells take place. “But the higher temperatures and thirstier atmosphere due to human-caused climate change will have intensified the rate at which soils dry out. “And this will speed up the development of drought.”
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Cllr Paul Fishwick, from neighbouring Wokingham Borough Council, is a keen meteorologist, keeping logs of rainfall and other weather conditions.“Thearea is very dry, and we all need to look after the water
THAMES Valley Police is appealing for good Samaritans to come forward after helping in the aftermath of a robbery and assault in Reading on Monday, August 8. At around 2.30pm outside Davina’s off licence, on Broad Street, two boys were approached by a group of men offering to sell them AirPod headphones.Theboysbought the headphones, but asked for their money back having realised that the headphones were broken.Oneof the offenders stole one of the victim’s mobile phones, a blue iPhone 12. The victims were then assaulted by the group, who then feld in the direction of West Street. The first offender is described as white, of large build and about 5ft 10ins tall. He was wearing an orange T-shirt and shorts. The second offender was white, in his late teens, of medium build, with short brown hair and about 6ft 2ins tall.He was wearing a dark blue coloured t-shirt and shorts and was carrying a shopping bag. The third offender was white, in his late teens, of large build, with short brown hair with a skin fade, and about 5ft 5insHetall.was wearing a light blue coloured T-shirt and shorts. The victims sustained injuries and had to be treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, but have since been discharged from hospital. Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jen Cox said: “I believe that lots of members of public witnessed this incident and that some may have even chased the suspects from the scene. “We would urge these good Samaritans to please get in touch as soon as possible, because their information could help our investigation.“Theeasiest way to contact us is by visiting a police station, calling 101, or leaving your information on our website, quoting the investigation reference number 43220352869.“Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
River levels drop as hot summer sees Reading facing drought
A FAMILY fun day is to take place in Woodley pub over the bank holiday weekend.TheGood Companions on Loddon Bridge Road is organising events from 1pm through to the evening. In the afternoon, there will be a barbecue, cocktails, and a DJ in the Childrengarden.canplay giant garden games and enjoy the venue’s play equipment. In the evening, the Audiotonic band will be performing from 8.30pm. The event takes place on Saturday, August 27. A THIEF attempted to break into a home in Reading last week, but was unsuccessful. They tried to access the home in Drake Way from the patio door. However, they didn’t and as a result nothing was stolen.The incident took place between 11.30pm and 11.50pm on Sunday, July 31. Anyone with information, doorbell or CCTV footage that could help the police investigation is asked to call 101, or log on to
GOING DOWN: The lack of rain is causing rivers, including the Loddon, to dry up. Pictures: Phil Creighton that we have,” he said. “The last thing we want is a hosepipe“Nobodyban.”wants to see a return of standpipes for the collection of household water, as we had in 1976.”
Biscuit maker Joseph to be celebrated with a blue plaque Police appeal for good Samaritans
Family fun day to take place in Woodley pub Bulgary foiled
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Advertiseregularlyandsave££££s Specialratesfor4,12,26and52weeks WecoverthewholeoftheReadingBorough FriendlyService Emailustodayforaprice RECRUITMENTPUBLICNOTICE THE ROLES HAVE A SALARY, COMMISSION, BONUSES & PENSION). M E D I A S A L E S P E O P L E For an informal discussion, call David Riley on 07860 462 882 or email at driley@wokingham.today > I wish I could choose what days I work (You can!) > I wish I could choose my hours (You can!) > I wish I could choose if/when to go to the office. (You can!) > I wish I could choose the home/office/patch split. (You can!) > I wish I could have a job where I’m in control. (You can!) > I wish I could have a job where I’m paid properly for my results (You can!) WE ARE GROWING THE TEAM IN READING Maybe you have caring responsibilities and need to fit the job around them or maybe you have simply had enough of the 5 day week. If you have some media sales experience and want CHOICE & FLEXIBILITY in your working life, call, WhatsApp or email me for a discreet discussion T h e W o k i n g h a m P a p e r L t d C r o w n H o u s e , 2 3 1 K i n g s R o a d , R e a d i n g R G 1 4 L S | 0 1 1 8 3 2 7 2 6 6 2 w w w w o k i n g h a m t o d a y | w w w r d g t o d a y Classifieds Getyourbusinessseen! Email: advertising@rdg.today Havingaclearout?Whynotturnyourtreasureintocashwithourfree adverts?Sellyouritemswithoutanyfeewiththeaidofthiscoupon.Items* valuedatupto£250canbesoldinthesecolumnsforfree! Simplysendusthe details–maximumof30words–andpostoremailitandwe’lldotherest Categoryforadvert: Writeyouradvertintheboxbelow,onewordperbox.Maximum30words. SendyourformtoFreeads,ReadingToday,231KingsRoad,ReadingRG14LS Sellyourgoodswithafree adverts foritemsunder£250 YourName: Sellyouritemsforfree PhoneNumber: Forthe latest newsvisit READING TODAY FORSALE MACGREGORGOLF BAG Plus3Woods,6 Irons,2Puttersand golfballs.Good condition,£50ono. Details:H.Marshall, 01189597964. SPORTSEQUIPMENT ROLLATORTRANSIT CHAIR. 4wheels, brakes,footrests, paddedseat,under seatbag,foldable.As new,£75.Details:Mr ECapel,0118942 5786 FREESTANDING FIREPLACE Heavy marbleand Mahogany,plus smokeeffectelectric fire.Buyercollects. £100.Wokingham. Details:MsPLatham, 011894v25786 HEALTH,FITNESS ANDWELL-BEING HOMEWARE 38 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
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LEISURETODAY 17.08.22 Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
Third Lung’s debut album Gameplay will be released on Thursday, November 10. They will be joined by Elucidate at SUB89 that night for the launch party, with more special guest guests to be announced. n
Reading-based band Third Lung have had a stellar year and they’re already planning to end it on a high with the launch of their first album.
The group will see in the arrival of their first full-length release with a live launch at Sub89 on Thursday, November 10. The band feature Tom Farrelly on lead vocals and guitar, Cams Jurasek on lead guitar and backing vocals, Rob Jacques on bass guitar, and Sam Waugh.Cams says of the album’s beginnings: “The plan was to actually just do another EP, because they do tend to be a little more affordable. “But we had so much material –because it’s not really advisable until people are asking you to do an album, if you can, keep doing EPs, but we had enough to go on.” Bandmate Tom says: “We wanted to do a seven-track EP, but there were two or three other songs that we wouldn’t necessarily have thought of as singles, and we thought that this would be a really good opportunity to get those recorded too. He says that one of the last songs to be added to the album was their latest single release, LO-HI. “That track was a real special one actually, because we had like 10 tracks we were going to take into the recording studio. “Two days before we’re due to record, the producer, Michael, said that he’d been going over the demos and we needed something else – we need Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own, by U2, we need that kind of song. “But we’ve been working with our producer for a long time and we’ve really built up a trust there, so we did it, and that’s how LO-HI ended up on the album.”Tom says the song has a focus on co-operation between the bandmates. “Going through this process of doing the album so collaborative, the four of us creatively have really come to the fore started to express ourselves quite“Becauseopenly.when you’re working, even with friends, it can be quite difficult to get over those first initial hurdles of like selling records, for example. “The song really centres around just needing your friends – trying to find the courage to ask for help basically, is the essence of what that song is about.”
The band say that they are looking forward to being able to launch the album at Sub89, “It’s always been on our radar, it’s the premier gigging venue in Reading, and because it’s the debut album, we said screw it, let’s do something special. “We’re a little anxious, but we want to put on a proper show, and we’re just gonna have a real party.”
GameplaysomeREADING-BASEDbandThirdLungaregearinguptolaunchtheirdebutalbumwithalaunchparty.
While he says also that the album is not particularly conceptual, “I do think the songs that we’ve chosen have some similar things going on. “The album’s called Gameplay, which was a bit of a random thing, since Cams and I were chucking out some old things, and we found this old chessboard.“Wewere moving soon and decided to chuck it on the fire, and we thought that it looked pretty cool. “As soon as we thought of the title, we knew we had a heavy influence for the artwork, but then it felt that the themes of the songs had an element of gameplay in them: the games we play with each other, as well as on ourselves, so there was a link running through.”
JAKE CLOTHIER gets a sneak preview
Third Lung are ready for
NEXT SHOW: Whitney Queen of the night. Fri 2. Henley – Kenton 01491www.kentontheatre.co.uk525050 Dreams Come True. Sat 20. Rapunzel. Sat 27. Maidenhead – Norden Farm 01628www.nordenfarm.org788997 Bunty and Bubbly. Fri 19. Family Concertini with the Estrallas. Sat 20. The Upbeat Beatles. Sat 20. Voodoo Room: A Night of Hendrix, Clapton and Cream. Thurs 25. Newbury – The Corn Exchange 0845www.cornexchangenew.com5218218
Dreaming? Well, you can’t believe your eyes DREAMS Come True is packed with baffling feats performed by Hugh Shields, also known as Hughdini. In a night of mystery, Hugh is accompanied by Liam Price, winner of The Voice, and Croatian dancer Daria Pejic.The show culminates with the magician explaining how one audience member’s dreams can, and will, come true.To see the show in Henley, head over to the Kenton Theatre. The event takes place on Saturday, August 20 at 7pm. Tickets cost £20, with concessions £15 and a family ticket costing £60. Parking is limited, additional spaces at Station Car Park, Station Road RG9 1AY. n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.uk or call the box office on: 01491 525050 Roll over Beethoven
0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: Jekyll and Hyde. Oct 10-29. Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Our House. Fri Sept 30-Sat Oct 1, Thurs Oct 6-Sat Oct 8. Sonning – The Mill 0118www.millatsonning.com9698000 Barefoot in the Park. Until Sat 20. Still Life.Tues 23-Sat 27. Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
14 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
NEXT SHOW: Jeeves and Wooster. Sept 2-10. Reading – Reading Rep Theatre www.readingrep.com
n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123 Groups come together for Readifolk show MEDDLING Fox is a mix of two folk groups: Moonlight Foxes and Medlar Jam. All Berkshire based folk performers, the four musicians work together, and in various band formats. Both duos are well known in local folk and acoustic circles for their songs and tunes that cover a range of genres. They play a variety of instruments, including guitar, banjo, accordion, recorders, violin, mandolin and percussion. They perform together at Readifolk’s meeting on Sunday, August 28 at 8pm. The event takes place at The Community Hall, Watlington House, in Watlington Street, Reading. Tickets cost £8 and are payable on the door.
Bracknell – South Hill Park 01344www.southhillpark.org.uk484123
Artemis College presents & Juliet: A tribute concert. Sat. Wilde Sundays: Cloudcat, Will Samson, Michael Tuffery. Sun 21. Live Music on the Terrace. Sun 28. FILMS: The Railway Children Return. Fri 19-Sun 21. Minions: The Rise of Gru. Mon 22-Thurs 25. The Good Boss. Mon 22-Tues 23. Everything Everywhere All At Once. Wed 24-Thurs 25. Joyride. Fri 26-Sun 28. Andre Rieu in Concert. Sat 27-Sun 28. Hit The Road. Bank Holiday Monday 29-Tues 30. Camberley – Theatre 01276www.camberleytheatre.biz707600 Circus Skills with Patches. Sat 27. Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud 01483www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk440000 The Last Inklings and Lukas Drinkwater. Sat 20. NEXT SHOW: Jenny Ecalir: Sixty (FFS). Sat Sept 3. High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan 01494www.wycombeswan.co.uk512000
NEXT SHOW: A Bunch of Amateurs. Thurs Sept 8-Sat Sept 17. Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre 0118www.thewhittytheatre.org9743247
01753 853888 Dial M For Murder. Until Sat 27. Wokingham – Theatre 0118www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk9785363
NEXT SHOW: Teechers. Sept 27-Oct 1. AT THE THEATRE
NEXT SHOW: The Magic of Motown. Sat 3. Reading – Concert Hall 0118www.whatsonreading.com9606060
n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977.
n To find out more about Voodoo Rooms visit their website: voodoo-room.com Let your hair down with Rapunzel RAPUNZEL is a brand new comic adaptation of the classic fairy tale suitable for four years and upwards. With music, magic and mayhem, theatre company Immersion promises that this will be an adventure the family won’t want to miss. Fast paced and larger than life, with comedy, catchy songs, unforgettable characters, the show involves plenty of audience participation, including the odd water gun or two. To get splashed, show seekers should head over to the Kenton Theatre in Henley.Theevent takes place on Saturday, August 27 at 2pm. Tickets cost £14 for adults, £11 for concessions. n For tickets and information log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.uk or call the box office on: 01491 525050 We hope it doesn’t rain... SOUTH Hill Park invites all princesses, of all ages to join a picnic singalong. West End performer and owner of children’s theatre school HOT Academy, Emma Otway, will lead the event. Can the gathered royal juniors (and not so juniors) turn Emma into a real princess? They may do, by learning songs, skills and having princess fun together. Attendees should bring their own blanket and picnic nibbles to the Bracknell event. They are also invited to prepare for the weather, and of course, to dress up princess-style.Thepicnicshow takes place in South Hill Park’s Italian Gardens. Blankets can be spread and baskets opened from noon on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29. The event costs £16 for members, £15 for non members, and concessions cost £11.
NEXT SHOW: Black Is The Colour Of My Voice, a show inspired by Nina Simone. Wed Sept 7. Newbury – The Watermill 01635www.watermill.org.uk46044 Whistle Down The Wind. Fri 22-Sep 10 Reading – South Street 0118www.whatsonreading.com9606060 A Show In A Week with First Impressions Theatre. Mon 22-Fri 26. Reading – The Hexagon 0118www.whatsonreading.com9606060
n For information log on to: whatsonreading.com Don’t forget your toothbrush PET Needs: Borrowed Toothpaste 2 Tour invites audiences to join them, fresh from their US tour with Frank Turner. The pair bring their show to Reading, with support from Ruby Sue. Pet Needs promises that the early evening show will include glitter, and beer. For a night of music, and a clean teeth tingling event for the bank holiday, head over to The Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading. The event takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 29. Doors open at 5pm, and tickets cost £12. The show is for adults only. n For tickets and information log on to: wegottickets.com and search for Pet Needs. n To contact the Rising Sun Arts Centre, log on to: www.risingsunartscentre.org or call the box office on: 0118 986 6788
Members of Voodoo Room have recorded and toured with Stevie Windwook, Massive Attack and many other high profile artists. Fans of hard rock can hear them play in the Courtyard Theatre at Norden Farm Arts Centre. The event takes place on Thursday, August 25 at 8pm. Tickets cost £18.
NEXT SHOW: Luckley Lectures: Alex Hibbert. Thurs 8. Woodley – Theatre 07488337838www.woodleytheatre.org
| LEISURE
CLASSICAL music lovers can enjoy another of Norden Farm’s Summer Recital Series. In this week’s Significantly Beethoven concert, St John’s Ensemble presents a lineup of Shubert, Mozart, and, of course, Beethoven. The programme includes Schubert Rondo in A, D.951 for piano duet, Beethoven Variations on La ci darem la mano for two oboes and cor anglais, and Mozart Violin Sonata in Bb, K.454. Concert goers will also hear Schubert 2 Military Marches, D.733, Beethoven Variations on ‘Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen’, for cello and piano, and Beethoven Quintet for piano and wind instruments, Op.16. The event takes place in Norden Farm’s Courtyard Theatre, and will also be live streamed for viewing at home. The concert is on Wednesday, August 24 at Tickets7.30pm.cost £18, and £5 for under 18 year olds. n For tickets, live stream tickets, and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977. Sweet sixty for Jenny Eclair JENNY Eclair’s tour warm up, Sixty! (FFS!) says it all. The English comedienne, novelist and actress is best known for her roles in Grumpy Old Women between 2004 and 2007, and in loose women in 2011. Here, in Maidenhead, she ‘confronts a new decade of decrepitude’. Finding things to laugh about, she describes the joys of form filling and endless scrolling, and wonders if she should celebrate or crawl into a hole. Audiences can join Jenny to share the joys of growing old at Norden Farm Arts Centre’s Studio. The event takes place on Wednesday, August 24 at 8pm. Tickets cost £12. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977. n To find out more about Jenny Eclair visit her website: www.jennyeclair.com Enjoy a mix of Cream, Clapton and Hendrix A trio of musicians are gearing up to present a night of rock greats in Maidenhead. With classics from Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Cream, the band promises a night that will pay tribute to these legends of Concertgoersrock. will hear Hey Joe, Sunshine of Your Life, Purple Haze and Layla, in a show with ‘no wigs, no gimmicks - simply great music’.
A LIMITED number of performances of Still Life will see the Mill at Sonning’s bar transformed into Milford Junction RailwayWithStation.theaudience seated at bar tables, the play will begin right amongst them. Still Life is Noel Coward’s poignant and romantic tale of forbidden love. It was the inspiration for David Lean’s classic film Brief Encounter. A cast of five, directed by Tam Williams, will perform, accompanied by live music and atmospheric steam train effects.Theevent takes place on Tuesday, August 23, Wednesday, August 24, Thursday, August 25 and Saturday, August 27. There will be a matinée show and an evening show on all four dates. Matinées start at 3pm, with the bar open for food and drinks from 1pm. Evening performances start at 7.30pm, with the bar available for food and drinks from 5.30pm. Tickets cost £30. Food and refreshments are not included in the prices, but catering will be available.
n For tickets and information log on to: www.millatsonnng.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000
NEXT SHOW: Brindley Sherratt. Sep 10. Reading – Progress Theatre 0118www.progresstheatre.co.uk3842195
COUNTDOWN
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the Dealer, Leoni Jane Kennedy, Mike Wagner, Rye Wolf, In Albion, Nora Mac, and Rocket Kings. Beyond the music on offer at the three-day festival, organisers have promised a variety of activities for children and families including circus skills, face painting and table-top games. plus a Hands-On Art tent run by MoreArts.Therewill also be a range of food and drinks stands. The Beer Festival Bar, run by the Twyford Beer Festival crew, will stock a wide selection of specialist craft beers, ciders and perries from local and national breweries.TheWokingham Music Club Bar will be stationed in one of the performance tents for those who don’t want to miss any of the entertainment.
Eat, drink and be merry: three days of fun at Cantley
Focus will ‘play angels’like
YOU will never forget it. It’s a special place to be at a Focus concert,” says Menno Gootjes, guitarist for the Dutch prog-rock band ahead of their headline show at Wokingham Festival later this month. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, the band are calling in on the festival as part of their 50th anniversary tour and will close the weekend at Cantley Park on Bank Holiday Monday, AugustThey29.are best known for hits including Hocus Pocus, House of the King and Sylvia, and critically acclaimed albums Moving Waves, Focus 3 and Hamburger Concerto.Theband has played in the town before with a sold-out Wokingham Music Club show in November 2018. But Thijs feels a lot has changed since their last visit to Berkshire.“Ithink that this whole covid period has been a blessing in a way because for some of us, that are composers in the band, we had a lot of time to compose at home, which is beautiful and very inspiring,” he says Despite touring with the band for most of his life, Thijs says you never know what a Focus show could feature as the band transitions between known songs and“Itimprovisation.givesusenergy and that gives us all enough inspiration,” he says“You could talk about the natural flair indeed because of the relation between fixed pieces and pieces of improvisation or adaptive improvisation. They are very natural, they’re very normal for“Weus. don’t get tired of that at all.” Menno adds: “It’s the first time in my life as a guitar player where I don’t think about it that much. I just respond naturally to the music and the surroundings. “It’s a natural thing for us but you have to be crazy, but I guess for us we are a bit crazy. “But that also means we are crazily in love with what we do. “We really love doing it, but you have to be a bit nuts to be doing it, you know?” Menno joined the group on a full-time basis 11 years ago but had filled in on previous occasions.“I’vehad the best time of my life as a musician,” he says of the last 11 years. “Those first couple of shows the audience didn’t leave so I must have been doing something right.“I’m a very fortunate lucky guy.”Although the Wokingham Festival headline slot is part of their 50th anniversary tour, Thijs says the band has no intention of stopping. “I don’t see any stop of any kind. I see us going as far as we can,” he says. “We have a 76-year-old drummer, Pierre van der Linden, who plays like an angel. “The two guitarists are both 40 years and play also like angels. “It’s just beautiful. It’s just fantastic. Sorry, it sounds weird, but it’s Withtrue.”theshow just over one week away, what can Focus fans expect from the show? “We will make it worthwhile,” says Thijs Menno adds: “They can expect a whole wave of emotions and solace.“You will never forget it. It’s a special place to be at a Focus concert”Tickets for the festival are still available. n For more information, wokinghamfestival.co.ukvisit: DANIEL BLACKHAM
Tickets for the festival are still on Under-18ssale. weekend tickets cost £7 in advance, with under-8s receiving free admission. Adult weekend passes are available in advance for £30, which is a saving of £15 on daily gate prices. n For more information, wokinghamfestival.co.ukvisit: DANIEL BLACKHAM 327
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This year’s hosts have also been confirmed with BBC Radio Berkshire’s Andy Jones on the mic for Saturday, On Sunday Andy Rowe, bass player with The Room, will host proceedings and on Monday Darren Redick of Planet Rock Radio returns to the stage to introduce the Wokinghamartists.Music Club is back this year with a stage showcasing up-and-coming talent from across the Singer-songwriterUK. That Joe Payne returns to headline the stage, following his first appearance in 2019. Some of the other artists confirmed include B J Bevy, Deva St John, Aaron Cilia, Reliant, Split
Dutch prog rock band Focus will headline Wokingham Festival on Monday, August 29 Picture: Rens Plaschek TO WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL
LEISURE |
MORE than 40 acts will headlinersalongsideappearFocus at Wokingham Festival next weekend. Three packed days of entertainment will entertain crowds at the Cantley Park event on August 27, 28 and 29. Joining Focus on Monday’s main stage bill are The Room, Keplar Ten and The Honey Pot along with local bands The Paradox Twin and Third Lung. Headlining on the opening day of the festival, Saturday, August 27, is Pink Floyd tribute band CrazyUp-tempoDiamond.dance, soul, funk and rock cover band Dance Cult 10 top the bill on Sunday, August 28.Other main stage bands include The Sting Operation, Mr Grey’s Jailhouse Jukebox, Bottle Kids, Flutatious and Kindred Spirit.Stan Hetherington, the festival’s founder, said: “The festival continues to evolve and provide great live music for the local community to suit all ages and musical tastes. “Due to the increased reputation of the festival we are really excited to have Focus joining us this year among all the other brilliant artists, from the local area and beyond.’
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LEISURE Elvis will be in the
FORGET Heartbreak Hotel, an Elvis impersonator is checking in to a Lower Earley pub, hoping that audiences will love him tender.Gary Roman has performed to the stars, including Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor, as well as delighting audiences in the Thames Valley. He will be at The Seven Red Roses in Maiden Place on Saturday August 20. In the show, he will perform classic Elvis hits. The set list could include Jailhouse Rock, Kiss Me Quick, My Way, or Suspicious Minds. n For more details, call the pub on: 0118 935 4103.
(BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. DELIGHTFUL DEVON Weekend EASTBOURNE & the Sussex Sunshine Coast Departing Fri 7 Oct ‘22 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) Departing Thu 27 Oct ‘22 Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the East Beach Hotel, Eastbourne with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursions to Bexhill-on-Sea, Great Dixter, Beachy Head & Alfriston Optional excursion to Rye & Hastings (£12pp) WPR_2022-08-15_ReadingToday_16x4 (1)_Just Go 4 Days by Coach ly £144.99 5 Days by Coach ly £249 DelightfulDevonWeekend_F.pdfEastbourne&Brighton_F.pdf Single Supplement £45 Single Supplement £60 or visit us online at justgoholidays.com/WPR 03332 342 527 Quote WPR Who tells you what's on? READING Safeguard local news. WEDO, @RdgToday @RdgToday www.rdg.today @readingtodaynews Todonatetohelp at www.rdg.today/contribution 16 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
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Creative team revealed for new take on Jekyll & Hyde ATALE of a real split personality is coming to Reading this autumn, and the creative team bringing it to life has just been announced. In October, Reading Rep Theatre will be creating a new production of the classic tale of Jekyll and Hyde. It’s about a mad scientist who discovers an elixir that has special powers, but when he takes it it creates an alter ego who is totally without conscience. In a battle of wits, who will be the dominate force in his life? The show will be performed at the Kings Road theatre from October 10-29, and is the first show in its 10th anniversary season.Alltickets will be just £20, as part of the theatre’s bid to help people enjoy a night out during the cost of living crisis. The show has been written by Gary McNair, and will be directed by Michael Fentiman. The duo are promising that the show will turn Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story on its head, revealing the depths of one person’s psyche and the lengths people will go to hide their deepestJoiningsecrets.McNair and Fentiman on the creative team are Max Jones (The Comedy of Errors at the RSC, Noises Off at Lyric Hammersmith & West End) as Production Designer, Emily Irish (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) as Lighting Designer, Annie Kershaw (Safe, Best of Enemies) as Assistant Director and Fran Levin (DORIAN at Reading Rep, The Pirate Queen at London Coliseum) as Costume Supervisor. Sarah Harkins (for Annelie Powell Casting) is Casting Director.Casting will be announced at a furtherRunningdate.alongside Jekyll & Hyde will be the ENGAGE project Stranger Than Fiction, a community project that explores the real life inspiration behind the classic story, with participants creating pieces of fiction inspired by real life. As well as the £20 ticket price cap, the theatre will continue to make 10% of tickets free of charge as part of its ENGAGE programme, while there will be a limited number of £5 seats for under 30s during the first week of eachPaulproduction.Stacey,Artistic Director of Reading Rep Theatre said: “It has been an extraordinary 10 years of making theatre in Reading, and this upcoming season celebrates every artist, audience and team member who got us to this point.
READING Stanza returned for its monthly poetry night on Friday, August 12. As Reading’s longest running poetry night, the cafe at South Street Arts Centre shook things up with a covers night. Poets attending selected and performed works from some of their favourite writers and collections.HostDamon Young invited attendees to share their selections with two rounds of readings.Selections included This Be The Verse, by Philip Larkin, Sylvia Plath’s Morning Song, and some of Maggie Nelson’s ruminations on the colour blue from her collection, Bluets. A younger poet also performed Roald Dahl’s take on Little Red Riding Hood, and Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen. The next Poet’s Cafe will take place at South Street Arts Centre on Friday, September 9, and every second Friday of the month.Itwill be hosted by Vic Pickup, with guest poet Louisa Campbell joining, as well as open mic. Doors open at 8pm, readings begin at 8.30pm.
rates apply. For more information, or to
ALTER EGO: Jekyll & Hyde is coming to Reading this October Picture: Muse Creative Poet’s StreetSouthnightcoversCafeat
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“Accessibility and connection is at the heart of Reading Rep. We refuse to let the price point of our tickets be a barrier for our audiences, especially when the cost of living across the UK is so excruciatingly high. “All tickets for all shows will be under £20. 10% of all our tickets remain free for those underserved in the arts, and there will be 210 £5 tickets per show for Under 30s. “This season promises to radically engage with our future, whilst memorialising our decadelong past.” n Tickets are on sale at www. readingrep.com.
READING town centre music store Hickies will be welcoming three acts for an acoustic session next week.Its Live Lounge event on Thursday, August 25, could be the perfect warm-up for festivalgoers.Theline-up is Daisy Freya, Tigy, and Thomas Ashby. It takes place from 8pm, and entry is pay what you feel, with proceeds going to the artists. People can bring their own drinks.Places must be booked in advance. n For more details, log on www.hickies.co.uk/live-loungeto:
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 25
AugustThursday,soundstodaybit.ly/raw18
WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street RG40 1XH. Rhythm Hill. Details: 0118 978 0389. WOKINGHAM – The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Caribbean Festival. From 3pm. Details: 0118 979 7402.
AGUIDEUGUST
CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST 2022 AT 15:00 THE WHITE HORSE Easthampstead Road Wokingham, RG40
7402 Tickets
Chris Hillman
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Festival Vibes at the Couch. Details: theacousticcouch.co.ukwww.
GIG bank holiday can only mean one thing: festival time. Not only does Reading enjoy three days of great music, but so does Wokingham. OK, the Wokingham one is a smaller affair, but it’s a packed programme of terrific music from bands and artists great and small. We can’t wait. To whet your appetite, tune into the RaW Sounds Today playlist. It’s an eclectic mix of stuff that will help you discover something new. . 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. Spriggan Mist – Lair of Isambard This Bracknell-based band are a local favourite and this year their fame has been spreading as they have wowed crowds at festivals around the country including HRH Prog, Cambridge Rock Festival and Weyfest.Nextweek, they return to Wokingham Festival and, although the band have played here before, it’s the first time for new singer Fay Brotherhood. With dance group Jadoo Tribal Dance joining the band too, it should be quite a party with plenty of ‘spriggery pokery’ – https://www.sprigganmist.com/ Aaron Cilia – The Illusion Aaron has a connection to Spriggan Mist. He’s the son of Baz and Maxine Cilia from the band and is the band’s sound engineer. He’s also released a solo album and a few singles but he’s never played any of his music live … until now.
READING – Bar 77, Kings Road RG1 3BJ. Jam Night. Details: 7748@greeneking. co.uk READING – The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Hirsch Effekt, Sunfall. Details: 0118 956 8188.
PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746. READING – HIckies, Friar Street. Hickies Music –Live Showcase Featuring: Daisy Freya, TIGY, Thomas Ashby. Details: hickies.co.uk/live-loungewww.
WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. Audiotonic. Details: 0118 969 3325. YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Anna Nightingale. Details: 01252 872105. Sunday, August 28 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 2pm. Details: 01344 484123. EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon karaoke. 2pm. Details: 0118 966 7153. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Meddling Fox. www.readifolk.org.ukDetails: READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park Events Field, Milton Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Festival 2022. Dance Cult 10, The Sting Operation, Flutatious, Kindred Spirit Band, Dacoda, Trim, Papa Truck, Hoopy Frood. Silent Disco, The BJ Bevy, Small Town Heroes, Reliant, Mike Wagner, Nora Mac, Katie Ellwood, The Hedge Inspectors, Blue Sky Big Band. Doors 11am10.30pm. Details: wokinghamfestival.co.ukwww. Bank holiday Monday, August EVERSLEY29 – The Tally Ho, Fleet Hill RG27 0RR. Goldsworth Gerry. Details: 0118 973 2134. WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park Events Field, Milton Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Festival 2022. Focus, The Room, The Paradox Twin, Kepler Ten, The Honey Pot, Third Lung. That Joe Payne, Aaron Cilia, Leoni Jane Kennedy, In Albion, James Hollingsworth. Doors 11am-8.30pm. co.ukwww.wokinghamfestival.Details: To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
LEISURE | ON STAGE: Spriggan Mist with TribalJadooDance PhotographyMerrittAndrewPicture: LIVEMUSIC To advertise in this section,call Claire on 0118 327 2662 RaW TodaySounds
READING – The Foresters Arms, Brunswick Street RG1 6NY. DJ Jacky D. Details: 0118 304 3648. READING – Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Je’Zell. Details: 0118 935 4095 READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Live music at the beach: Fuse. Details: 0118 965 9000. READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music Fridays. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING –ConservativeSalisburyClub, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Jason Stretch. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Ghost Cat. Details: 0118 958 6048. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Gas Trick Band. Details: 0118 977 3706. YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions. Details: 01635 767090. AugustSaturday,20 ARBORFIELD – The Bull, Arborfield Cross RG2 9QD. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 976 2244. BEECH HILL – Memorial Hall, Wood Lane RG7 2BE. Beech Hill Band Day: Rosedale, Lost The Plot, The Jeffs, The Turtles, The Encores. From Noon-6pm. Details: bhmh.org.uk BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Don’t Look Now. Details: 01344 420690. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Double Shots. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Full Flavour Band. Details: 01344 457318. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. White Light. Details: 01344 422622. CAVERSHAM – The Fox and Hounds, Gosbrook Road. Hopfest the return: beer, music and food. thefoxcaversham.comwww.
READING – The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Friday Night live Details: 0118 959 5746. READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music Fridays. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Live music at the beach: Northern Star. Details: 0118 965 9000. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity presents In Malcolm We Trust 11: Jessica Lee Morgan, Burnt Tomrorow, New Puritans. Details: 0118 986 6788. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. 4G. Details: 0118 977 3706. WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers, Woodley Green
READING – Mojito Beach Bar, The Oracle RG1 2AG. Solo acoustic gig. 6pm. www.theoracle.comDetails: Friday, August 26
STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Nick Heyward. Details: 01491 681048. AugustThursday,25
HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
READING – Wild Lime, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic: spoken word, music and vibes. From 6.30pm. Friday, August 19
Local producer and musician Phil Daniels, who heads up this electronica collective, says that this title track of their excellent 2021 album will be the last single release from that album with new material to come – https://abetterlifemusic.com/ The Telephones – Pale Saints Derby-based psychedelic pop rockers with a song from their new album Prosaic Turbulence. It has just been released on Billywitch Records, the offshoot of Wokingham- based, Mega Dodo Records – https:// www.facebook.com/TheTelephonesUK 3AF 0118 979 £8 lots of enticing Caribbean food to taste Machine. Deva St John, Split The Dealer, RyeWolf, Rocket Kings, The Station, Char, Emily Jane Sheppard, Indigo Child. Doors 11am10.30pm. Details: wokinghamfestival.co.ukwww.
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Windsor Comes To Bracknell: Replicants, Euphoria. Details: theacousticcouch.co.ukwww.
RG5 4QP. Karaoke. Details: 0118 969 9756. YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions. Details: 01635 767090. AugustSaturday,27 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul Bank Holiday Soul UKG and Bashment. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Running Horse, London Road RG12 2UJ. Full Flavour. Details: 01344 425215. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. The Silvertones soul and Motown tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr Gee Birthday. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Revolution, Station Road. Revolution Saturdays: music, cocktails and more. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – O’Neill’s, Friar READING – Salisbury TILEHURST – The Royal WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park
CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Utter Madness Duo. Details: 01344 530615. EARLEY – The Seven Red Roses, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 935 4103. PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Coda: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Caz and the Traitors. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Lola Lo, Friar Street. Ministry of Brunch 90s edition. READING – O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Al Fresco Music. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – Revolution, Station Road. Revolution Saturdays: music, cocktails and more. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Bourbon and Blues: live music, funky cocktails and more. 1pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING –ConservativeSalisburyClub, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Goldtrax. Details: 0118 926 5804. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Shaken Not Stirred. Details: 0118 942 9606.
wegottickets.com featuring a live Steel band and
Sunday, August 21 BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 2pm. Wilde Sundays: Cloudcat, Will Samson, Michael Tuffery. 2pm. Details: 01344 484123. CAVERSHAM – The Fox and Hounds, Gosbrook Road. Hopfest the return: beer, music and food. thefoxcaversham.comwww.
EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon karaoke. 2pm. Details: 0118 966 7153. READING – The Blagrave, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Sunday Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Singers Night. www.readifolk.org.ukDetails: READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. Tuesday, August 23 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: theacousticcouch.co.ukwww. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Nick Heyward. Details: 01491 681048. AugustWednesday,24
He has put together a band of musicians to perform his own music for the first time ever at Wokingham Festival. You may see a guest or two joining him also so this is likely to be one of those ‘I was there’ moments. Don’t miss that – https://www.facebook.com/ AaronCiliaArtist Curved Air – Back Street Luv Here’s a song that reached number four in the UK Singles Chart. It’s from Curved Air, the legendary band led by the iconic Sonia Kristina. They make a return visit to Wokingham Music Club on September 9. – https:// www.curvedair.com/ Focus – Hocus Pocus Here’s another legendary band who have had UK hits such as this one and they will be headlining the Main Trademark Stage at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday 29 – https:// focustheband.co.uk/ Kepler Ten – A New Kind of Sideways It’s the title track from Kepler Ten’s acclaimed album on our White Star Records label. They have only played songs from the album once before so we are excited that we’ll see them at Wokingham Festival – https://www.keplerten.com/ TRIM – Still Waters (Live) TRIM is a Reading-based band led by singersongwriter Chris Trim who perform original pop rock songs with a blues and folk feel. The band will be making a welcome return to Wokingham Festival –https://www.facebook.com/christrimmusic Split the Dealer – Hard to Take (Live Lounge Acoustic Session) It’s Reading-based Split the Dealer with an acoustic version of his 2022 single performed by Split and guitarist Rory Evans at Northbrook Met Studios in Brighton – www.splitthedealer.com/ Papa Truck – Million Miles Here’s a five-piece band from High Wycombe who perform their own original bluegrass songs. This one is from theirs 2020 album By Your Side. They will be live at Wokingham Festival – https://www. facebook.com/papatruck A Better Life – Take A Deep Breath
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Clique Duo. Details: 01344 303333. CAVERSHAM – The Fox and Hounds, Gosbrook Road. Hopfest the return: beer, music and food. thefoxcaversham.comwww.
GORING – Don Giovannii at The Leatherne Bottel, Bridleway RG8 0HS. Liza Marshall. Details: 01491 598622. READING – The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Friday Night live Details: 0118 959 5746. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Cracking Up. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Breaking Bass featuring Nicky Details:Blackmarket.01189568188.
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Atomic Rapture: The Music of Blondie. co.ukwww.theacousticcouch.Details: EARLEY – Harley-Davidson, Wokingham Road RG6 8HN. Bottle Kids. Details: 0118 334 4300. HURST – The Jolly Farmer, Davis Street. Macmillan Cancer Support charity event. 5pm-late. Includes The Hurst Morris People, The Liverpool Echoes and more. £20, includes Thai buffet. Details: 0118 934 1881.
WHAT’SON|LEISURE
WOKINGHAM – The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Caribbean Festival. From 3pm. Details: 0118 979 7402.
AugustThursday,25
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Family History Advice Clinic for family and social historians. 11am. Free. Details: 0118 950 9553.
READING – Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk
Bank Monday,HolidayAugust 29
Tuesday, August 23 EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.
SWALLOWFIELD –Swallowfield Park RG7 1TH. Swallowfield Show £10, children free. 10am5.30pm. Details: www. swallowfieldshow.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park Events Field, Milton Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Festival 2022. Dance Cult 10, The Sting Operation, Flutatious, Kindred Spirit Band, Dacoda, Trim, Papa Truck, Hoopy Frood. Silent Disco, The BJ Bevy, Small Town Heroes, Reliant, Mike Wagner, Nora Mac, Katie Ellwood, The Hedge Inspectors, Blue Sky Big Band. Doors 11am10.30pm. Details: wokinghamfestival.co.ukwww.
WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. Family fun day. Details: 0118 969 3325. WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org Sunday, August 28
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
HECKFIELD – Highfield Farm RG27 0LE. wellingtonhorsetrials.co.ukconcessions£19.50,TrialsInternationalWellingtonHorse&CountryFair.under12sfree,£18.Details: MORTIMER – Mortimer West End Village Hall, Church Road RG7 2HZ. Mortimer West End and District Annual Show, from 2.30pm-4pm. mweshowwww.facebook.com/Details: 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 – Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park Events Field, Milton Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Festival 2022. Crazy Diamond, Mr Grey’s Jailhouse Jukebox, Bottle Kids, Spriggan Mist, The Rachel Redman Band, 4 G Band, Selina and the Howlin Dogs, The Wave Machine. Deva St John, Split The Dealer, RyeWolf, Rocket Kings, The Station, Char, Emily Jane Sheppard, Indigo Child. Doors 11am10.30pm. Details: wokinghamfestival.co.ukwww.
BRACKNELL – The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
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 –FernleaCommunityAcornCentre,DriveRG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. Details:10.30am-noon.linkvisiting.org
AugustWednesday,24
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Ride For Autism: limited to large bikes due to route, not 125 friendly. 10.30am-2pm. In aid of National Autistic Society. Details: comsupergood-ride-for-autism.www.
READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Children’s activities at the beach. Free. Booking essentiall Details: www. theoracle.com
SHINFIELD – Robyn’s Nest School Green, School Green Centre, School Green RG2 9EH. Story time with the elderly: a story read by a Shinfield View Care Home Resident. 11am. Stories suitable for preschool aged children. SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org
CAVERSHAM – Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am3pm. HECKFIELD – Highfield Farm RG27 0LE. wellingtonhorsetrials.co.ukconcessions£19.50,TrialsInternationalWellingtonHorse&CountryFair.under12sfree,£18.Details:
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Finches social club for people with or without autism. 7pm-9pm. Drinks and snacks available to buy. Music, and friendship. Details: kingwood.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, RoseMethodistWokinghamChurch,StreetRG401XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, August 21 CAVERSHAM – Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am3pm. READING – Forbury Gardens, The Forbury RG1 3BB. Forbury Bandstand concert season: Waltham St Lawrence Silver Band. 3pm-4.30pm. Free. Whatsonreading.comDetails.
READING – Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk
READING – Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk THEALE – Library, Church Street RG7 5BZ. Play bridge. 10.45am-12.45pm. No booking required. Free. Details: 0118 930 3207, gov.ukthealelibrary@westberks.or: WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. Details:12.30pm-2.30pm.linkvisiting.org
READING – Tutu’s Ethopian Table, Palmer Park, What’s on event submission form
READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Pride Art Exhibition. Free entry. Details: risingsunartscentre.orgwww.
READING – Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk SINDLESHAM – Wokingham Cricket Club, Sadlers End. Charity cricket match: Harry’s XI v Indian Tourist XI in aid of Anthony Nolan Trust and Teenage Cancer Trust. From 4pm. Bar open, food available. www.justgiving.com/team/Details: harrycricket WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Chalk About It: creativity express yourself as part of a collaborative or individual chalk artwork. 11am-3pm. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Minature Railway, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Pinewood Minature Railway running. £1.50 per ride, four rides £5. 1.30pm-4pm. Under threes free. Now accepts card payments. Details: pinewoodrailway.co.ukwww.
BRACKNELL – The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Common Recreation Ground, Recreation Road RG7 3EN. The Bulging Sack In The Park: enjoy a drink with family and friends, and raise funds for Thames Valley Air Ambulance. Food and drink available. 5pm-9pm. Details: burghfieldsantas.org.uk EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online. 1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.
WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. Details:1.30pm-3.30pm.linkvisiting.org
BRACKNELL – The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: www. To
AugustSaturday,20
BRACKNELL – The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, StreetMethodistWokinghamChurch,RoseRG401XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
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Send your forms to: What’s On, Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS
HECKFIELD – Highfield Farm RG27 0LE. wellingtonhorsetrials.co.ukconcessions£19.50,TrialsInternationalWellingtonHorse&CountryFair.under12sfree,£18.Details: READING – Market House, Market Place RG1 2EQ. Rooftop Cinema Club: The Lost City. 8.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 216 1750. SOUTH STOKE – Across village RG8 0JT. South Stoke open gardens. Free parking in recreation ground, off Cross Keys Road. 1pm-5pm. £5, cash only. Under 12s free. Details: 07734 772271. SWALLOWFIELD –Swallowfield Park RG7 1TH. Swallowfield Show £10, children free. 10am5.30pm. Details: www. swallowfieldshow.co.uk
Monday, August 22 ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org READING – Market House, Market Place RG1 2EQ. Rooftop Cinema Club: House of Gucci. 8.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 216 1750.
THEALE – Library, Church Street RG7 5BZ. Play bridge. Suitable for beginners and experienced players. 10.45am-12.45pm. No booking required. Free. Details: 0118 930 3207, gov.ukthealelibrary@westberks.or: WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
AugustThursday,18
BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Common Recreation Ground, Recreation Road RG7 3EN. The Bulging Sack In The Park: enjoy a drink with family and friends, and raise funds for Thames Valley Air Ambulance. Food and drink available. 5pm-9pm. Details: burghfieldsantas.org.uk
READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. One hundred years of shopping in Reading, an Online Talk by Ann Smith. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm-3.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 950 9553. SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, RoseMethodistWokinghamChurch,StreetRG401XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org Friday, August 26
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. 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 –FernleaCommunityAcornCentre,DriveRG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. Details:10.30am-noon.linkvisiting.org AugustSaturday,27
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
bracknellforestfestival.com EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org HURST – The Jolly Farmer, Davis Street. Macmillan Cancer Support charity event. 5pm-late. Includes The Hurst Morris People, The Liverpool Echoes and more. £20, includes Thai buffet. Details: 0118 934 1881.
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 9am-3pm.market.Details: woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
READING – IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Pride Art Exhibition. Free entry. Details: risingsunartscentre.orgwww.
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, RoseMethodistWokinghamChurch,StreetRG401XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org Friday, August 19
WOKINGHAM – Cantley Park Events Field, Milton Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Festival: Focus, The Room, The Paradox Twin, Kepler Ten, The Honey Pot, Third Lung. That Joe Payne, Aaron Cilia, Leoni Jane Kennedy, In Albion, James Hollingsworth. Doors 11am-8.30pm. co.ukwww.wokinghamfestival.Details: Wokingham Road. Poetry in the Park. 11am. TWYFORD – Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground, Waltham Road. Twyford Village fete. Noon-4pm.
EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road South RG45 7BN. Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society – CATS – presents auditions for The Sleeping Beauty. 7.30pm. catscrowthorne.comDetails: EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. MS weekly drop-in. 10.30am1.30pm Details: 0118 921 0555. READING – The Oracle RG1 2AG. Children’s activities at the beach. Free. Booking essentiall Details: www. theoracle.com
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
PostcodeAddressName What’s on event submission form
WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. Details:12.30pm-2.30pm.linkvisiting.org
BEECH HILL – Memorial Hall. Beech Hill Band Day: Rosedale, Lost The Plot, Carbon Copy, The Turtles, The Encores. Hog roast, bar, tea and cakes, games and more. Noon-6pm. Details: bhmh.org.uk HURST – Village Halls, School Road. Hurst Horticultural Show. 1pm-5pm. READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: market.co.ukthamesvalleyfarmerswww.
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Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokingham.today. Please note this service is for community groups, charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion. Date of event: Venue of event: What will happen: Time of Contactevent:number for readers: EmailPostcodeAddressName
BRACKNELL – The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. Details:12.30pm-2.30pm.linkvisiting.org
BRACKNELL – The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd. To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com © Sirius Media Services Ltd PZ1P5427 327 2662 327 2662
ACROSS 1. Pincers (8) 5. Sort (4) 7. Foxglove (9) 9. Biting insect (4) 10. Agitate (4) 11. Conical tent (5) 14. Saying (5) 15. Denims (5) 16. Quench (5) 17. Aviator (5) 18. Cotton fabric (5) 19. Raising agent (5) 22. Weapons (4) 24. Grasp (4) 26. Robot (9) 27. Snare (4) 28. Christmas (8) DOWN 1. Small branch (4) 2. Give out (4) 3. Select group (5) 4. Dishonour (5) 5. somethingdenotingPronoun (4) 6. Type of coffee (8) 7. Tibetan ruler (5,4) 8. applianceHousehold(5,4) 11. Irritable (5) 12. Public square (5) 13. Expel (5) 14. Set of letters (8) 20. Dark wood (5) 21. Booth (5) 23. Oil reservoir (4) 24. Vast multitude (4) 25. Completed (4)
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 READINGTODAY.ONLINE 27
1. The Nubian Desert is in which African country?
6. Which singer cancelled a series of shows in 2022 after a virus caused full paralysis on one side of his face?
SUDOKU
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). 1. Go separate ways and split the business (4,7) 9. So the boy can be found in India (5) 10. Girl in the wharf has a basket (7) 11. Drill that may be used by the roadside (4) 12. Endless tune from one performing on a small organ (8) 14. Close, close – close! (6) 15. Student and I must move the paper (6) 18. Free date arranged to join in league (8) 20. A small wading bird is not heard (4) 22. Open structure for cattle I removed (7) 23. Urge to travel (5) 24. Intimidating – that’s ominous (11) 1 7 9 11 14 18 22 32 1 24 2 19 3 13 10 12 16 22 4 10 17 15 5 26 21 23 20 6 16 7 8 2. Country, alas, expunged from continent (7) 3. When inside stretch out item (4) 4. Bird circles its quarry (6) 5. Anteater collapsed on paling (8) 6. It is artless for one to enter part of the church (5) 7. Ordinary people becoming private soldiers (4,3,4) 8. One with a following in the world of fashion (11) 13. Unsuccessful conjuring with a bit over (8) 16. Simon runs round an extremely large house (7) 17. Good man places tall plant in the road (6) 19. Abandon the trench (5) 21. Dane came from port in Yemen (4) ACROSS DOWN 1 9 11 14 17 22 27 11 7 26 2 23 11 16 19 3 20 28 12 26 4 21 5 8 13 15 18 5 10 20 24 8 6 28 25 QUICK CROSSWORD 8 3 7 1 53 9 5 7 46 8 5 9 2 4 3 9 1 5 7 6 2 8 32 48 3 96 73 6 7 9 2 6 5 7 3 1 85 7 92 8 9 4 6 3 1 13 8 2 6 4 1315214152531 152519 23 13 23 24 16 12 10 1815239122321 251724119 20 4 21 17 20 12 1921919 19234 14152025 13 15111619 20 15 241251541 523129191 6 19 12371912 19 1691311 11191 161191 19 24 9 13 8 17 2019221912 132416181914 25 19 15 24 21 19 23 192018 201926122321912 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. How many words of four letters or more can you make from Nonagram?thisEach 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: NONAGRAM Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction. 8 1 6 2 1 2 1 6 4 1 1 2 EQUALISER Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.Easy Hard 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 through openings in the walls. The first letter may appear in any chamber. I H G N O H E H T W V A E Y A 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. MENDED SOLEMN DOVE WORD PYRAMID MAGIC SQUARE Here are crossword.tolettersworkYoubeenlettersgridusingcrosswordssquareminiaturetwofive-thesame–butthehavemixedup.havetooutwhichbelongwhichBW RI IL NG GE HO NI RM OE XL LA IT EP ES TN TB TL IA ES GT YE FIVE ALIVE No. 5427 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ S 12345678910111213 14151617181920212223 O 24 C 2526 M O P A N A R U T 24 Good; 28 Very Good; 33 Excellent. S 1 P 2 K 3 T 4 B 5 Q 6 F 7 J 8 G 9 X 10 Y 11 R 12 L 13 Z 14 I 15 U 16 H 17 D 18 E 19 N 20 M 21 V 22 A 23 O 24 C 25 W 26 QUIZCHALLENGE:1Sudan;22001:ASpaceOdyssey;3Lyon;4Rectangular;5MadMen;6JustinBieber;7Australia;8LaRoutede Rhum;9Femoralartery;10Rome. amount;anoa;antrumapron;atman; aunt;mana;manat;manor;manta; mantra;mantrap;mantua;matron; moan;morn;mount;mourn;muon; napa;norm;outran;pant;panto; PARAMOUNT;patron;pont;porn; prana;puna;punt;rampant;rant;roan; roman;runt;tampon;tarn;tarpan; tarpon;topman;torn;tuna;turn; unapt;unto;upon. EQUALISER: Clockwisefromtop left–Total:add;divide;multiply;subtract.3. 962134857 825647139 573416298 317562849 498753621 689325714 136245798 257891346 741982563 235479168 159647382 861794253 796841352 523981476 342518697 875164293 498236715 617325849 WORDPYRAMID: Highwaytoheaven. MAGICSQUARE: dome;oven;meld; ends. CRYPTICCROSSWORD: QUICKCROSSWORD: Across–1Tweezers;5Type;7Digitalis;9Gnat;10Stir;11 Tepee;14Adage;15Jeans;16Slake;17Pilot;18Chino;19 Yeast;22Arms;24Hold;26Automaton;27Trap;28Yuletide. Down–1Twig;2Emit;3Elite;4Shame;5This;6Espresso;7 DalaiLama;8Steamiron;11Testy;12Plaza;13Eject;14 Alphabet;20Ebony;21Stall;23Sump;24Host;25Done. Across–1Partcompany;9Assam;10Pannier;11Kerb;12 Melodeon;14Nearby;15Litmus;18Federate;20Knot;22 Lattice;23Drive;24Threatening. Down–2Austria;3Time;4Osprey;5Pangolin;6Naive;7Rank andfile;8Trendsetter;13Abortive;16Mansion;17Street;19 Ditch;21Aden. (2)(1)Across–Bilge;Oxlip;Tasty. Down–Boost;Lilts;Empty. Across–Wring;Elate;Liege. Down–Wheel;Inane;Grebe.
2. Which film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was based on the Arthur C. Clarke novel The Sentinel?
7. The Socceroos is the nickname for the football team of which country?
3. The River Rhone is joined by the Saone at which French city? 4. What shape is a precious stone cut in the baguette style?
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Your weekly puzzle challenge CODE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
EASYSUDOKUHARDSUDOKU CROSSCODE FIVE NONAGRAM:ALIVE: SOLUTIONS
Quiz Challenge
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9. What is the name of the main artery in the leg?
8. What is the name of the international yacht race held every four years between St-Malo and Guadeloupe?
5. Actor Jon Hamm rose to fame for his role as Don Draper in which US TV series set in New York in the Sixties?
CROSS
10. The Appian Way was the most famous ancient road from which city?
feelings of overwhelm we can experience when life is busy. It can also help calm and quieten your mind before going to sleep. You could group things into ‘urgent’ – those things that are priority and can’t wait and ‘can wait’ – those things you want to get done at some point, but if they don’t happen tomorrow that’sAboveok. all, remember to not take on too much, and try to let the small things go as children can be demanding and take up lots of our energy.There is plenty of information available online about free and local things to do during the holidays, so be sure to have a look and get out and about in nature every day where possible.
Sarah Squires, chairman of Squires Garden Centres THRIVE uses gardening to bring about positive changes in the lives of people living with disabilities or are isolated. They have been using social therapeutic horticulture and gardening to change people’s lives since 1979. In addition to all of their gardening activities, Thrive holds an important library of publications in the field of social and therapeutic horticulture and they need a volunteer.Thislibrary volunteer will be supporting Thrive with maintaining the order, keeping everything organised for their students’ studies.
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.
This remedial action can also help if there are any roots visible on the surface as these can burn in the sunlight unless covered. Move container plants to shaded areas Container plants will naturally dry out faster than plants in the ground, so it is a good idea to move pots to shadier parts of the garden to provide extra protection or put a sunshade over precious plants shielding from the scorching sun. Can I still plant in a heatwave? It is possible to plant in the heat however, additional care and attention will be Waterneeded.theplant well before planting. Soaking the base of the plant in a bucket of water is a good way to do this as well as watering the soil where you are going to plant prior to planting, will also help. Water well immediately after planting. If planting in a pot, position newly planted shrubs and blooms in the shadiest part pf the garden until the hottest weather has passed – and again, water daily. Things to avoid There are also some simple things to avoid doing during the heat to limit stress on plants and grass. Don’t cut the grass as this can cause stress to lawns and soil beneath. Sarah said: “Taller grass can create a shadow, helping retain moisture by not over-exposing the soil beneath, so try to ensure grassy areas have height to them and this will also help avoid brown patches that are a result of effects of the sun.” Don’t keep greenhouses shut. These great growing spaces only become hotter in the heat, again another source of stress to plants. Do keep open windows and doors to allow airflow. For plants, fruit or veg really struggling, consider moving it to shadier spaces if possible.
While they are a lovely opportunity to enjoy the summer together as a family, parents and carers can find it hard to juggle having the children at home with work, household and general lifeNaturally,commitments.during busy periods one of the first things to be pushed aside is healthy eating and taking time for ourselves to recoup and recharge. We’ve put together some tips to help you get through the summer holidays and keep providing nourishing meals for the familywithout going crazy. Consider an early start If you have older children who sleep well, you could try getting up an hour before they rise. This gives you an hour of calm before the hustle and bustle of the day begins, you can use this time to get on top of the household chores, get ahead of the day’s work commitments, do some meditation to set you up for the day or just have your breakfast in peace. Of course, this means going to bed an hour earlier to make sure you are getting enough sleep Healthy heart (seven to nine hours per night is ideal). Meal plan If you don’t already meal plan, now is the time to comprehensiveHavingstart.a meal plan over the summer holidays will really take the stress out of eating well.We listeasier,andyouthere’sthroughoutyoutheplanstill,allpinnedandmeal,planningrecommendforeverysingleincludingsnacks,havetheplanonthefridgefortosee.Tomakeiteasierusethesamemealforeveryweekofholidays,aslongashavevariedmealstheweek,noreasonwhycan’teatthesameitmakesshoppingasit’sthesameeachweek.
Planning ahead … Sarah says: “With time to reflect on the heat and how we manage the weather’s effects on our plants going forward, a water butt is a great investment enabling rainwater from gutters (when it eventually arrives) to be used to hydrate the garden.They come in various sizes to suit needs and with many people now on water meters, there is a great moneysaving opportunity too, with added environmental benefits.”
cornerVolunteer
n Reading Blind Aid Society was formed in 1883 and then changed to Reading Association for the Blind in 1926 and has supported the sight impaired people of Reading ever since. Right now they want more volunteers that hold driving licences to be Minibus drivers.Volunteer drivers play a vital role in helping their members get to and from group activities that the charity organises.
Write a diary/plan Writing a diary or a day planner the night before each day can really help lessen those
Caring for your garden during the drought Healthy habits for summer holidays
n Canine Partners is a registered charity that transforms the lives of people with disabilities by partnering them with assistance dogs. They are looking for caring family homes in Berkshire to raise, socialise and train puppies and young dogs up to the age of 18 Ideallymonths.within 45 minutes of the RG12 postcode.Whatis involved? The puppy will live with you from eight weeks old until it is ready to progress into advancedVolunteerstraining.willhave to take care of the puppy and be available for training sessions that will involve: home visits, virtual online training, one-to-ones, regular group puppy training classes and more.
IN CASE you hadn’t noticed, there’s a bit of a drought going on and, as a result, the garden is not looking very rosy. Plants are struggling to find ways to survive in the current exceptional temperatures.Tohelp,the boss of a Wokinghambased garden centre has offered some tips with a hosepipe ban in mind. Sarah Squire, chairman Squire’s Garden Centres in Heathlands Road, said: “You can’t help but notice wilting plants and dry, brown grassy areas but there are some simple steps that can be taken to look after our gardens and plants, helping them through the heatwave and giving them the optimum chance to survive.”
As dry spells look set to continue for years to come, perhaps now is a good opportunity to think about the autumn planting of trees and larger plants which provide shade. In addition, once they are established, larger trees and plants have deeper roots, allowing them to access water further down in the soil that is inaccessible to smaller plants. Perhaps a timely opportunity to think big when autumn comes and find space to plant some natural shade givers.” Be aware … “As the heatwave continues in many areas and demand for water increases, we should be mindful that hosepipe bans may come in to affect and we would encourage people to water their plants without the use of hosepipes and in accordance with any local restrictions put in place by water companies.”
Reading Voluntary Action
Watering – and at the right time I always suggest watering in the cooler parts of the day, early morning, or evening to prevent evaporation. There is also a thinking that early morning is the better time because it is when plants start to draw water again, versus evening time, when damp leaves can encourage fungal disease and potentially attract slugs and snails. I would also recommend watering the base of plants rather than the leaves. This helps with less wastage as water gets more easily to the roots. Other watering tips include thinking of re-using washing up or bath water on ornamentals (but not vegetables) and use a watering can instead of a hose. Apply mulch The use of a mulch of bark or light decorative stones, for example, as a topping to the soil will help stop plants drying out and retain moisture for longer.
n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at heartresearch.org.uk/www.
healthy-tips n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our uk-recipes-2/org.uk/heart-research-https://heartresearch.website: n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: cookbookheart-research-uk-heartresearch.org.uk/https://
Lawn Care While there are lots of ‘don’ts’ to looking after lawns during hot spells –don’t feed, don’t cut it (and add some shade where possible) – it is vital any rain reaches beneath the surface. As the ground becomes hard with prolonged dry periods, welcome rain often runs off the surface and doesn’t easily soak in. To help water get to the roots, do spike or aerate the lawn before rain is expected. This will ensure moisture goes deeper beneath the surface and encourages the roots to grow away from the hot/dry surface and down into the cooler, damp soil.”
THE families.timebeholidayssummercanastressfulformany
28 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
| LIFE
FINCHAMPSTEAD moved up to eighth position after they stormed to a 132-run victory over Chesham in the Home Counties Women’s Cricket League. Finch struck a huge first innings total of 281 from 35 overs after two exceptional batting displays.Afteropening batter Millie Allerton scored 35, DJ Waqar scored an incredible century and was joined at the crease by Ashleigh Muttitt who also amassed a century as the pair formed an incredible partnership.Theydropped just two wickets on their way to recording 281Needingruns. to chase down a massive total to try and recover the game, Chesham lost an early wicket when Phebe Salter bowled out Hannah Francis on Salterone. then removed Karen Mintern for a duck, and despite an impressive 43 from Thilaxshi Suresh, Chesham ended their 35 overs on 149-7 which secured a convincing success for the hosts.After eight matches, Finch are in eighth position on 126 points. BINFIELD lost out on their away trip to Knebworth Park. Tatiana Sumares collected three wickets, while Kali-Ann Docherty took two wickets for Binfield as Knebworth finished on 134-8 in the firstBinfieldinnings.went close in the second innings to chasing down the target after opening batter Poppy Tulloch performed strongly to score a half century.Despite 18 runs from Jemima Tulloch, who remained not out, Binfield lost their final wicket after 18.5 overs which left them 17 runs short of the Aftertotal.the loss, Binfield are second in the table, level in points with league leaders Charlbury after nine matches.
content on pages 20 & 21 By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today ROUND-UP 4 WICKET WIN CRICKET SHINFIELD EARN READING 17.08.22 CLAIMFINCHHUGEHOMEWIN ROOTS FOOTIE BEST FOR GRASS
OurWoodleyshowroomisopen7daysaweek 0800305030 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk WINDOWS DOORS CONSERVATORIES WOKINGHAMTODAY READINGTODAY SPORT TODAY DICK SAWDON-SMITH’S UNMISSABLE COLUMN IS BACK!
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READING FC defender Tom McIntyre apologised to the Royals fans after their first-half horror show against Rotherham. The Royals found themselves three goals down inside 18 minutes as they were made to pay for several lapses in concentration. A fourth Rotherham goal on the stroke of halt-time all but killed off the game and despite keeping a clean sheet in the second-half, Reading were unable to reduce the deficit and had to settle for a crushing defeat to the newly promoted side. After the match, McIntyre tweeted: “Personally and collectively yesterday (Saturday) wasn’t good enough. Apologies to the fans who made the trip as we all know those aren’t the standards that are expected. We go again Wednesday and make sure we put it right.” Reading host Blackburn Rovers tonight (match report at rdg.today) and are back at home on Saturday against Middlesbrough n Royals
‘WE’LLPUTITRIGHT’ALLTHEBIGROYALSNEWS
UNACCEPTABLE DRUBBING
SAYS DEFENDER
Full
Edgware v Wokingham & Emmbrook (blue) Pictures: Andrew Batt Eversley & California v Hillingdon Borough Pictures: Richard Milam OurWoodleyshowroomisopen7daysaweek 0800305030 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk WINDOWS DOORS CONSERVATORIES WOKINGHAMTODAY READINGTODAY OPENING WIN LATE FLURRY SEES BOARS HIT SIX, WHILE KESTRELS MAINTAIN WINNING HOME FORM
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
The Sumas surrendered a goal after Edgware punished them on the counter attack The home team then doubled their lead in the 68th minute and then held on to take the points.
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA earned their second win of the campaign by hitting six past Hillingdon Borough. The Boars flew out of the traps and took the lead through Jamal Liddar before Brad Brown doubled their advantage in the 18th minute. Hillingdon grabbed a goal back from the penalty spot to get back into the contest.Hillingdon found themselves level with less than 20 minutes left to play, but an electric finish to the game saw Eversley storm to a convincing win. Brown restored Eversley’s lead and the Boars finished in fine style with goals from Ross Mckernan, Joe Pantony and a sixth from Ben Anderson to seal a satisfying 6-2 win. Eversley manager Matty Angell said: “A tough three points gained and certainly gave supporters an entertaining game to watch. “Two training sessions now to work on bits before a trip to CB Hounslow United.”
Eversley & California: Kerrison, Baker, Moriarty, Catt, Blair, Velinor, Crocker, Emanuel, Mckernan, Pantony, Brown Subs: Farrugia, Anderson, Frewin, Mulipola, Carrington
Ascot United: Ashdown, Lock, Masters, Ajanlekoko, Bailey (c), Tucker, McCormack, Welch, Mealing, Matthew, Lalustani
READING CITY got off the mark with a victory North Greenford United.TheCityzens raced into a three goal lead before half-time The hosts enjoyed a better second-half and clawed back two goals, the second of which came from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, but Reading held on to claim the points.
Goals: Sid Gbla x2, Zach Tull, Sean Griffith (pen)
FOOTBALL
By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today
The visitors could have extended their five minutes into the secondhalf from the penalty spot, but Mealing had his effort saved. However, Ascot didn’t let that deter them as Matthew sealed his hat-trick in stoppage time when he got on the end of Ollie Harris’ cross to wrap up an impressive 5-1 win.
The visitors started the second half positively forcing Dabinett into a save and from the keeper’s long drop kick Gbla was one on one with McMaster due was penalised for having a high foot when challenging for the ball in the 48th minute.Two minutes later, McMaster saved well from Mo Davies while a Rafa Brandao’s corner was deflected for a corner.Fromthe resulting Brandao corner to the near post Zach Tull steered the ball into the net to further extend the lead in the fifty second minute. This goal effectively ended the match with Hounslow struggling in the heat and showing little sign of troubling Dabinett.Witheight minutes of normal time remaining Woodley substitute Sean Griffith was fouled in the penalty area.Griffith took the resulting spot kick, scoring under McMaster as the keeper dived to his left. Woodley face Sandhurst Town on Tuesday night, who have started the season with three wins from three. Woodley United: Dabinett, DeSousa, Massaquoi, DeSousa, Downes (Watkiss), Williams, Tull, Gbla (Griffith), Brandao, , Carolan (Barlow), Suckling (Rushforth), Davies (Chowdhary)
Binfield co-manager Carl Withers said: First games of the season are never pretty, but coming away with three points is all you ask and we did exactly that. Binfield host Chertsey Town on Tuesday evening in their first home match. Binfield: Grace, Tack, Rohart-Brown, Denton, Pegg, Gater, Beauchamp, Short, Morgan, Holland, Harry Subs: Duncan, Gavin, Curtis, Moore, Webb Combined Counties Premier North ASCOT UNITED came back from a goal down to earn an emphatic away win at Windsor. Windsor edged in front in the 12th minute but it took just five minutes for the Yellamen to respond through Brendan Matthew. Five minutes later, Matthew had his second of the game to put Ascot in front and a deflected strike from Lalustani gave them a 3-1 lead. Ascot ended an incredible half with a fourth goal deep into firsthalf stoppage time when Welch’s 30-yard effort beat the keeper.
A determined display saw BINFIELD make a winning start to their league campaign on the road. Up against Ashford Town, who finished in 18th last season, the Moles took all three points on the opening weekend thanks to Joe Gater’s goal 10 minutes from time.
18 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
FOOTBALL
Isthmian South Central
Eversley & California 6 Hillingdon Borough 2
WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK opened their league season with an away loss to Edgware & Kingsbury.
Combined Counties Division One SANDHURST TOWN picked up another stunning win on the road againstAnotherCove.exceptional display saw Sandhurst strike seven as Mead, Woodley United 4 CB Hounslow 0 WOODLEY UNITED made it two consecutuve home wins with an impressive clean sheet victory over CB Hounslow United. Up against Hounslow, who had been relegated from the Premier Division at the end of last season, Woodley recorded their biggest Combined Counites League win. The visitors kicked off and soon found themselves on the defensive with Woodley pressing high in Hounslow’s half of the However,pitch.ittook until the 21st minute for the opening score when a long clearance by Mark Williams was headed by CB’s Reiss Corr towards his keeper Alfie McMaster only for Sid Gbla to intercept the ball and steer it past the advancing keeper. A rare Hounslow attack in the 35th minute resulted in home keeper Sam Dabinett clearing the ball with his feet while a minute later Gbla had doubled the hosts’ lead. Jahson Downes pounced on a defensive error and passed to Ciaran Carolan who in turn found whose shot from the edge of the penalty area went over McMaster and under the crossbar into the net.
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WARGRAVE begin their fixture list at home to Marlow United.Wargrave finished just two points behind YMCA last season as they picked up eight wins, seven draws and 11 defeats which left them in 11th.
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Finch claimed top spot by winning 20 of their 26 league games, drawing two and losing just four which gave them 64 points.Meanwhile, Burghfield followed closely behind with 19 wins, three draws and just four defeats as they amassed 60 points. However, it was a clash between the top two late in the season that settled the title dispute as Finch came out 4-1 winners at home.
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FINCHAMPSTEAD will be looking to take the crown for a third consecutive season. Finch have taken the title for the two previous campaigns. They were taken to the wire BURGHFIELD last season in what was a thrilling title race. By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
THAMES VALLEY PREMIER LEAGUE NEW SEASON KICKS OFF THIS WEEKEND – WILL FINCHES TAKE TITLE AGAIN?
Caversham United in friendly action against Raglan Edgware v CavershamSumasUnited
Finch begin their season with a trip to Westwood Wanderers on Saturday, who finished in fourth lastBurghfieldseason. host Windlesham United, who finished in sixth. READING YMCA were placed in 10th last campaign. They earned nine wins, four draws and 13 losses which gave them 31 points. They open their new season with an away trip to Slough Heating Laurencians.
v Raglan
THE new 2022/23 Thames Valley Premier League season kicks off this weekend.
READING CITY U23’s start by playing host to Maidenhead Town.The Cityzens finished in 12th place last season with seven wins, three draws and 16 losses. 327 2662
Sumas in action away at Edgware Edgware v Wokingham & Emmbrook (blue) Pictures: Andrew Batt
From middlethe Sawdon-SmithDick The toss of a coin THE International Football Association Board, guardian of the Laws of the Game, announced a few months ago this seasons changes to the Laws. Some, in recent years have proved controversial but if you look at this year’s changes, it is doubtful that anyone will be upset. Except perhaps me. I say this because a number of the changes affect only substitutions in the very top games. One however, seeks to change my actions of a lifetime of refereeing. This particular changed law now reads, ‘The referee tosses a coin and the team that wins the toss, decides which goal to attack in the first half or to take the kick off’. Previously, the law said, ‘The team that wins the toss decides which goal to attack in the first half or to take the kick off’. No mention about teamtoVI(agivemyalwayscoin.tosseswhotheIthasbeenhabittothecoinKingGeorgepenny)thehomecaptainto toss and then ask the away team captain to call heads or tails. My idea is to make the captains feel part of this little ceremony, rather than just bystanders. Of course, it doesn’t always work. When refereeing a Greek Cypriot team some time ago, their captain asked me what I meant by ‘heads or tails’. When they come for the toss-up, it is a time to make a connection with the captains. I tell new referees that this is where they start to use body language. The Laws of the Game tell you what body language isn’t but not what it is, so here is an early example.Aseach captain approaches, pull your shoulders back, step forward looking them in the eye, with an out stretched hand, a greeting, and a smile on your face. You want the captains on your side and this hopefully will impress them that you are friendly but firm, that you are in charge. Will the IFAB now also expect the ‘coin’ to be as described in the dictionary, ‘one used as a currency?’ On my only appointment as fourth official, the Football League referee ran over after the toss-up and handed me his ‘coin’, a large metal medallion. No wonder he didn’t want to run around with it in his pocket. I remember watching Turkey play Azerbaijan, with the television zooming in on the toss-up. The Danish referee spoke to the captains, in English of course, pointing to one side of his ‘coin’, a rather large disc. ‘Red’ he explained before turning it over, ‘and blue’.Perhaps that’s what I should have had for the Greek Cypriots game. FOR CITYZENS Sani, Milo, Vigrass and Jardim were all on the scoresheet in a 7-2 success. BERKS COUNTY were dealt their first defeat of the season at home to British Airways as they lost out 2-0. Friendlies A hat-trick from Sumaya Zayadi helped CAVERSHAM UNITED WOMEN to a 4-0 win over Fleet Town LFC. ASCOT UNITED LADIES welcomed Fulham FC women to the Racecourse in scorching conditions in a pre-season friendly.There were six goals in an entertaining first-half as Fulham took a 4-2 lead into the break. The away side added two more in the second-half to wrap up a 6-2 win.
ROTHERHAM: Johansson, Harding, Barlaser, Wood (c), Wiles, Ogbene, Washington, Lindsay, Ferguson, Hall, Humphreys SUBS: Vickers, Bramall, Peltier, McCart, Rathbone, High, Kelly READING: Lumley, GuinnessWalker, Yiadom (c), McIntyre, Holmes, Hoilett, Fornah, Loum, Hendrick, Ince, Long SUBS: Bouzanis, Abrefa, Clarke, Holzman, Camara, Craig, Ehibhatiomhan GOALS Wood 7’, Washington 15’, Lindsay 18’, Ogbene 45+2’
CHAMPIONSHIP ROYALS THUMPED AFTER FIRSTHALF COLLAPSE AT ROTHERHAM How they rated Match stats JOE
An absolute disastrous performance and one he’ll want to forget after he was made to pay for three costly errors. Had a half hearted appeal for a penalty when he got forward nicely but was exposed defensively throughout the opening 45. Made his Championship debut but it was one to forget. Grew into the game but looked a bit off the pace in the first-half. Switched off at crucial times and was punished for it. Outjumped by Wood for the opening goal and couldn’t cope with the onslaught. Couldn’t provide enough defensive cover to the backline Worked hard in the second-half but the damage was already done. Starved of service, but like Ince, he ran tirelessly to try and create some openings for his team but didn’t have a sight of goal. Again deployed at centre-back. Didn’t look comfortable and couldn’t help organise the youthful back line despite being the most experienced. Used at wing-back which isn’t his natural position and wasn’t up to standard defensively, did have some brighter moments going forward. Reading’s brightest threat throughout the game and never stopped running. Becoming the most important player in the team. Couldn’t match the intensity set by Rotherham in the first-half and was caught out by a couple of long balls that led to goals. Was used further forward. Didn’t make much an impact in forward areas and didn’t track back enough to help his KelvinMamadidefenders.Camara,Ehibhatiomhan
64354343133
Royals goalkeeper Joe Lumley saw the ball slip through his legs
SubsJEFFTOMTOMJUNIORANDYSHANETYRESETOMMAMADOUNESTALUMLEYGUINESS-WALKERLOUMMCINTYREFORNAHLONGYIADOMHOILETTINCEHOLMESHENDRICK
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
ROTHERHAM 4 READING 0 READING FC were dealt a humiliating defeat in what was a disastrous first-half against Rotherham United. The Royals found themselves three goals down within 18 minutes in a dire display as goalkeeper Joe Lumley spilled a tame shot which encapsulated Reading’s start to the match.Chiedozie Ogbene added a fourth on the stroke of half-time to effectively end the contest and left Reading playing for pride only in the Thesecond-half.second-half ended goalless but the damage had already been done.Paul Ince was forced into one change from Reading’s win over Cardiff City last weekend as Ovie Ejaria was injured. He was replaced by new signing Mamadou Loum who was selected to make his Championship debut after he impressed during the week in Reading’s Carabao Cup tie against Stevenage.ShaneLong was again given the nod to start up front, while fellow goalscorer from last week, Tom Ince, started just in behind the striker.The hosts came into the game having played just one league match, where they drew 1-1 with Swansea City, after their match away at Coventry City last weekend wasThepostponed.Royalsboasted a strong record against the Millers going in the contest with an unbeaten run of eight games, including five wins. For the third consecutive game, Reading conceded in the opening 10 minutes as Roterham’s captain Richard Wood rose highest and headed the ball across the face of the box and past Joe Lumley to open the scoring. Nesta Guiness-Walker showed his attacking threat when he burst down the left and won a corner. Tom Holmes met the set piece and got a clean connection on his header that was turned around the post by Viktor Johansson. But it wasn’t long before the home team added a second goal. A long ball punted upfield saw Lumley hesitate in coming to claim it, and he was punished as Connor Wahsington raced onto the pass and slammed it home via the crossbar with a thunderous finish. Just minutes later, things went from bad to worse for the Royals. They found themselves 3-0 down inside 18 minutes and it was a horrible error from Lumley. In what looked like a simple claim from Jamie Lindsay’s shot, the ball squirmed under the keeper’s body and trickled over the line.Going into the drinks break on a scorching Yorkshire afternoon, Reading needed a miracle to get back into the game as Lumley gave his apologies to the travelling supporters.TheRoyals did settle and had a couple of half chances but were unable to reduce the deficit. Heading into half-time, the dire situation got even worse for Ince’s men when they conceded a fourth as Ogbene capped off an outstanding half for theReadinghosts. had a chance at goal when they were awarded a freekick just outside the box, but Junior Hoilett’s effort went over theSkippertop. Andy Yiadom picked up the first booking of the day for committing a cynical foul. Paul Warne’s team could have added a fifth when Georgie Kelly got onto the end of a knocked down header, but Tom McInrye got his body in the way. Ince’s first change saw Mamadi Camara replace Jeff Hendrick for the final 15 minutes of the contest. The ball dropped invitingly for substitute Camara to claw back a consolation goal after Long poked the ball to him, only for Rotherham to recover at the crucial moment. The match came to a close after an uneventful second-half as Rotherham had taken their foot off the gas having already sealed the points by blowing Reading away in the opening 45. Reading have two consecutive home games. First they host Blackburn Rovers tonight (report online at rdg.today) before they welcome Middlesbrough on Saturday.
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MCINTYRE SENDS APOLOGY TO FANS AFTER CRUSHING MILLERS DEFEAT
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McIntyre continued “We’re all professionals and want to do our best and when it goes like that it’s not nice and it hurts. “There’s a game on Wednesday so we can’t let it affect that, we’ve got to go into that with clear minds. “We’ll have time to reflect on it, I know I will and now it’s about trying to put it right on Wednesday and put this behind us.” Rovers go into the contest at the SCL with a perfect record which sees them at the top of the table.Intheir opening four games in all competitions, Blackburn have conceded just one goal and have won all four of their matches.Theyopened their season with a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers and followed that with a resounding 3-0 away win at Swansea City with goals from Sammie Szmodics, Ben Brereton Diaz and Lewis Travers. A convincing 4-0 win in the Carabao Cup first-round over Hartlepool maintained their momentum before they made it three wins from three in the league at the Breretonweekend.Diaz netted again, while Sam Gallagher added the second as Tomasson’s storming start to life in England continued with a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion. On Blackburn’s last visit to Berkshire, Reading came away with three crucial points which proved pivotal in securing survival after Josh Laurent’s wonderful won the match.Rovers have lost their last two away matches at Reading and last won at the SCL in 2019. After Wednesday night’s home game to Blackburn (match report online at rdg.today), Rading are back on home turf again on Saturday when they welcome Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough.
READING FC manager Paul Ince said his side were ‘bullied’ in their first-half capitulation against Rotherham United. It was a calamitous opening 18 minutes which saw Reading conceded three times as the Millers were in Rotherhamdreamland.added a fourth just before the break to kill off the game. “I said to the lads after the game, you can’t perform like that in the first-half,” said Ince. “We got bullied. We were as weak as “Whenpiss. you’re playing a team that has just been promoted you’ve got to win second balls and fight. “We let everyone down.” Ince was understandably highly critical of Reading’s first-half display which saw them four goals down at the break. He continued: “No preparation you can do Monday-Friday can stop that, if people don’t want to stop their crosses, get tight and put their head in you’re going to concede goals, and that’s what happened after six minutes. “If you concede that first goal, you are putting yourself under pressure and once you put yourself under pressure you start fragmenting and playing as individuals.“Wedon’t do that; we play as a team. When you come to a place like this the last thing you want to do with a raucous crowd is get them up straight away. “First half we didn’t compete, nowhere near it. “We’re not good enough to keep going one-nil down and keep coming back. We haven’t got the squad.“These fans who have travelled in the stifling heat, we let them down.“We have to fight for the fans who came to the game. It’s easy to talk about individuals, but we’re all in it together. The fans were unbelievable. That’s the most disappointing thing for us “That’s not a Paul Ince team, that’s not in my DNA. “It’s about us, we lost 4-0. Not because of the goalkeeper, but because we weren’t at it in the first half.“We were slow, we were sloppy. We didn’t deal with long balls and they bullied us. “We just didn’t deal with long balls. They bullied us and when we got it down, we didn’t pass it. We made stupid mistakes and the decision-making was diabolical. “He (Joe Lumley) will save us more points than he will cost us because he’s a top class keeper. “We win together, we lose together.
‘WE GOT BULLIED’ SAYS CRITICAL INCE ROYALS TO HOST FALTERING BORO
“If Joe makes a mistake, we make a mistake.“Idon’t mind losing games if we perform, but we were slow, sloppy and everyone can blame the weather but that’s no excuse. “At times he (Long) caused them problems. We’re not getting enough people in the box, we’re not ruthless enough.“Ifelt the first half was that bad they should go out. it is easy to take four or five off and let them get away with it, no you put us in this position you get us out of it. If I could make 11 changes, I would make 11 but we can’t do that. They did respond but it was a little bit too late. It’s one game. “There will be ups and downs. Whenever there are downs we have to stay “Theretogether.hasto be a reaction on Wednesday and we have to move forward.“They (the players) are gutted but we’ve got to put it to bed and be positive.“It’sa bad day and we have to move on quickly.”
Reading v Middlesbrough - Ovie Ejaria Picture: Steve Smyth Reading v Cardiff City - Tom McIntyre Picture: Steve Smyth Royals boss Paul Ince READING FC will be hoping to bounce back on Saturday against Middlesbrough after a heavy defeat to Rotherham at the weekend. Before they welcome Boro on Saturday, the Royals play host to Blackburn Rovers tonight (match report online at rdg.today). Chirs Wilder’s men have made a stuttering start to the season and are still looking for their first win of the season heading into their midweek tie away at Stoke City. Wilder replaced Neil Warnock as Boro boss in November 2021 and helped to upturn their fortunes.Hewon the EFL manager of the month award in December after his team won four out of five matches and made a push for the play-offs. However, their season ended in disappointment as they finished one place and five points outside of the top six. Boro started the 2022/23 campaign with a home draw against West Bromwich Albion after Isaiah Jones’ opener was cancelled out by former Reading player John Swift. They then lost out 3-2 to Queens Park Rangers where they went three goals down, and despite grabbing two back, they couldn’t force a third to take a Afterpoint.they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the Riverside by Barnsley, Boro had to settle for a point at home to Sheffield United.Sander Berge gave the Blades an early lead that was levelled up by Chuba Akpom in the 14th minute.Sheffield United restored their lead after Ryan Giles’ 68th minute own goal, but Boro earned a point after Akpom netted his second of the match in the 82nd minute. Reading were victorious when Boro last visited the SCL in September 2021 as Alen Halilovic scored the only goal of the contest.However, the Royals do have a poor record in recent meeting with Boro where they have one win, one draw and nine defeats in their last 11 matches.
By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today
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READING FC defender Tom McIntyre said the team’s performance was ‘not acceptable’ after they suffered a first-half collapse at Rotherham United. The Royals found themselves four goals down at the break in a capitulation that saw them concede the opening goal in the opening 10 minutes for the fourth consecutive game.“Everyone can see that the first 20 minutes were unacceptable,” said“I’mMcIntyre.verycritical of myself and feel I could have done a lot better.“Ithink us as a team, it’s one where we’ve conceded in the first 10 minutes again and as a squad and as individuals, it’s not acceptable.“I’masdisappointed as anyone.”PaulInce’s side now prepare to face a tough test at home to Blackburn Rovers tonight at the Select Car Leasing Stadium (match report online at rdg.today). Rovers have started their season in fine form by winning all three of their opening Championship matches under new boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.
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By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today Muhammad Hafeez bowling Pictures: Steve Smyth Henry Barber batting against Shinfield Home Counties Premier Division FINCHAMPSTEAD lost out on the road to Datchet by 70 runs.Needing to chase down 369 to win the game, Finch were all out on 298 which leaves them in eighth. Home Counties Division 2 WARGRAVE are in second after they fell short against Thame Town. Josh Lincoln totalled 61 in the first innings for Wargrave, but Thame took a five wicket win after 43.1 overs.
BCM Championship WEST READING won away from home by four wickets against Holmer Green. Holmer were skittled all out after 26.1 overs for 113 before 76 not out from Saqib Gulfraz guided Reading to take the points. SHINFIELD added 38 points to their total with a four wicket win over Penn & Tylers Green. Shashank Garg and Ashiq Shah both ended with three wickets before Abhishek Chatterjee hit a half century to see them over the line. CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD were beaten on their travels to Ley Hill. Crows finished on 219-7, while Ley Hill hit 222 from 32.1 overs with eight wickets left.
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CRICKET ROUND-UP SHINFIELD CLIMB TO FIFTH AFTER
CMB Premiership EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD are in third after they were defeated at Pinkneys Green.The Bears set the hosts 213 to win the match which they did so despite four wickets from Andy Robertson.
Chilterns Division Two EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 2s are in second after they stormed to a convincing win over The Lee 2s. The Bears amassed 320 runs from 45 overs as TJ Wells hit a century not out and Matt Booth and Ravi Balakrishnan both collected half centuries each, The visitors were then skittled all out for just 53 as five wickets from Rahul Soni ripped through their batting line-up to confirm a 267-run triumph.
BCL Premier Division FARLEY HILL were dealt an agonising defeat by just one run against Stratfield Turgis. Startfield totalled 273 runs in the first innings and Farley took it down to the wire after Peter Weston top scored with 64, but they fell just one run short at the end of the allotted 40 overs. SHINFIELD 2s took a 46-run success away at Mortimer West End,Saksham Tyagi scored 77 runs before their opponents were all out on 188. SANDHURST lost by four wickets away at Woodcote, while WEST READING 2s
Thames Valley Division 4A WOKINGHAM 3s lost out by nine wickets to league leaders Falkland 2s. FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s stay in seventh despite losing to Peppard Stoke Row by four wickets.
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John Child - Wargrave v Thame Town - 3-27 Muhammad Zameer - West Reading v Holmer Green - 3-27 Jarrett Bobb - Wokingham 2s v Slough 2s - 3-28 Haris Lone - West Reading 2s v Welford Park - 3-29 Ashiq Shan - Shinfield v Penn & Tylers Green - 3-30
FOUR WICKET WIN
DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds hailed ‘an exceptionally positive tour’ despite Rams’ narrow 19-17 reverse at Terenure College in Dublin. Having defeated Lansdowne 33-10 on Thursday night, the Berkshire side were edged out despite Ben Henderson and Finn Matthews scores and a penalty try, the hosts going over through Mike Murphy and two penalty tries of their own. By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
REYNOLDS HAILS RAMS’ ‘EXCEPTIONALLY POSITIVE’ TOUR
Thames Valley Division 1 EVERSLEY are down in eighth after they lost to Burnham by five wickets.KyleBienefeld hit 79 not out for the hosts and followed that up with three wickets in the second innings, but his side fell to defeat.
READING dropped down to third position after they lost by eight wickets to Royal Ascot. L Beaven collected four wickets for Reading as Ascot were all out on 136 before R Akram totalled 79 to help the hosts to win the match convincingly. HURST are still in fourth after they defeated FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s by 58 runs. Hurst hit a huge total of 335 and only dropped three wickets as Sam Warren (125) and James Watt (138) batted exceptionally.Finchbatted strongly but could only manage 277 from 50 overs. BINFIELD climbed up to sixth place after they beat Fleet by six wickets.Isaac Humphrey amassed 82 not out to see Binfield hit 244 from 49 overs to take the game.
Tommy Alborough - Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee 2s - 3-30
claimed a 105-run win over Welford Park.Aqeel Butt struck 107 runs while three wickets from Haris Lone secured victory for Reading. WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE stay rooted to the bottom after they lost by two wickets to Goring on Thames.
Thames Valley Division 2B WOKINGHAM 2s maintained their place at the top after they got the better of Slough 2s. Iain Muirden and Jarrett Bobb both took three wickets, while M Cowdell scored 96 to see them to a six wicket success.
Andy Rishton - Wokingham v Buckingham Town - 3-34 RUGBY UNION
SPORT | OurWoodleyshowroomisopen7daysaweek 0800305030 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk WINDOWS DOORS CONSERVATORIES WOKINGHAMTODAY READINGTODAY Honours board BATTING Stuart Parsons - Finchampstead 2s v Hurst - 142 Thompson - White Waltham v Theale & Tilehurst - 139* Sean Ennis - Binfield 2s v Finchampstead 4s - 139 James Watt - Hurst v Finchampstead 2s - 138 Holder - Theale & Tilehurst v White Waltham - 134* Sam Warren - Hurst v Finchampstead 2s - 125 Gary Loveday - Finchampstead 3s v Peppard Stoke Row - 122 K Malik - Sonning v Bagshot - 114 Aqeel Butt - West Reading 2s v Welford Park - 107 Shaan Khan - Wokingham v Buckingham Town - 102 TJ Wells- Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee 2s - 100* M Cowdell - Wokingham 2s v Slough 2s - 96 Cameron Ireland - Binfield 2s v Finchampstead 4s - 95 M Sohi - Wargrave 2s v Thatcham Town - 83 Isaac Humphrey - Binfield v Fleet - 82* Kyle Bienefeld - Eversley v Burnham - 79* R Akram - Reading v Royal Ascot - 79 Saksham Tyagi - Shinfield 2s v Mortimer West End - 77 Anthony Cluett - Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Ley Hill - 70 Babu Loganathan - Reading Lions v Peppard Stoke Row - 69 Scarborough - White Waltham v Theale & Tilehurst - 69 Raghu Raman - Waltham St Lawrence v Goring on Thames - 66 Guy Ashby - Finchampstead v Datchet - 65 Fas Sarwar - West Reading 2s v Welford Park - 65 Peter Weston - Farley Hill v Stratfield Turgis - 64 Conrad Louth - Wokingham v Buckingham Town - 63 Mehdi Harees - West Reading 2s v Welford Park - 63* Matt Booth - Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee 2s - 62 Josh Lincoln - Wargrave v Thame Town - 61 Josh Howard - Farley Hill v Stratfield Turgis - 58 Aidan Carstens - Finchampstead 2s v Hurst - 58 Zeeshan Mehtab - Bracknell v Bagshot 2s - 58 E Jones - Eversley 2s v Royal Ascot 2s - 56* Savir Sharma - Sandhurst v Woodcote - 55 Shiva Aruna - Reading Lions v Peppard Stoke Row - 55 Danny Housego - Wokingham v Buckingham Town - 54 Edward Campion - Eversley v Burnham - 54 Ravi Balakrishnan - Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee 2s - 52 Adam Birch - Sandhurst v Woodcote - 51 BOWLING Rahul Soni - Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v The Lee 2s - 5-2 Beaven - Reading 2s v Sonning 2s - 5-36 Jack O’Neil - Sandhurst v Woodcote - 4-22 Atul Pawar - Reading United v Berkshire Royals - 4-29 C Long - White Waltham v Theale & Tilehurst - 4-32 Billy Rogers - Wokingham v Buckingham Town - 4-42 Andy Robertson - Emmbrook and Bearwood v Pinkneys Green - 4-60 Shashank Garg - Shinfield v Penn & Tylers Green - 3-20 Nilesh Pardakhe - Shinfield 2s v Mortimer West End - 3-20
Looking back at the four-day trip, Reynolds said: “The Irish can play some“Terenurerugby. lost in the final of the All-Ireland League last year to a strong Clontarf side, so we knew it was going to be a tough game. “It was a hot day, the sun was beating down and both teams put in a very physical performance – in terms of pre-season preparations, they should be very proud of what theyHeproduced.”continued: “Normally pre-season builds up, but both games have felt almost like league encounters because of the competitive nature. “Both teams perhaps got lured in by the sunshine and there wasn’t much kicking for territory, but there’s nothing wrong with that – it’s good conditioning and the players were very tired at the end. “Defensively it’s been a positive start, but it is just a start. There’s still lots to work on although there are lots of encouraging things we’ve seen.”Anumber of new recruits were involved for the first time and Reynolds was quick to pay tribute to both their efforts, and the squad as a Hewhole.said: “Coming on tour I knew most of our lads and they’d put all the effort in, they’d be professional in their approach and they’d let their hair down when given the chance.“Butyou do wonder what the new lads would be like, and to a man they were exceptional. “The likes of Dan Swain, Mana Cakau, Terrel Harry, it’s the first time with the club on tour and they’re just great blokes who’ve really integrated well.”
WALTHAM
THEALE & TILEHURST moved up to sixth after they recorded a four wicket win over bottom of the table WHITE
Thames Valley Division 3A SONNING lead the division after they earned a 66-run success over Bagshot. K Malik totalled 114 to see Sonning to 231, while Bagshot were all out on 165. WARGRAVE 2s are down to seventh after they lost to Thatcham Town by five wickets.
Premier Division Datchet (368-6) Finchampsteadbeat(298 all Wokinghamout) (385-7) beat Buckingham Town (207 all out)
August
FIXTURES AugustWednesday,17 ChampionshipFOOTBALL Reading v Blackburn Rovers Saturday, August 20 ChampionshipFOOTBALL Reading v Middlesbrough FA Cup preliminary round Kidlington v Binfield Holyport v Ascot United Royal Wootton v Reading City Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Westside CB Hounslow v Eversley & California FC Deportivo Galicia v Woodley United Sandhurst Town v Brook House Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Windlesham United Reading City U23’s v Maidenhead Town Slough Heating Laurencians v Reading YMCA Wargrave v Marlow United Westwood Wanderers v Finchampstead HomeCRICKETCounties Premier Division Banbury v FinchampsteadWokinghamvOxford Home Counties Division 2 Tring Park v Wargrave BCM Championship Crowthorne & Crown Wood v WestShinfieldReading v Ley Hill CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood v The Lee BCL Premier Division Sandhurst v Mortimer West End Shinfield 2s v Farley Hill Stratfield Turgis v West Reading 2s Welford Park v Waltham St Lawrence BCL Division 1A Earley v West Reading 3s Reading Lions v SilchesterCheckendonv Reading United READINGCRICKET
Home Counties Premier Division WOKINGHAM are back up to the top after they thrashed Buckingham Town by 178 runs. The Oaks hit a huge 385 in the first innings after several exceptional innings, including a century in the middle of the order from Shaan Khan. They started their innings strongly with 30 from opening batsman Andy Rishton and 44 added by Imran Malik. Captain Danny Housego totalled a half century, before Khan smacked a century from 77 balls. Conrad Louth contributed 63 more runs as the Oaks finished with an exceptional score from their 50 overs.The hosts defended their total with ease, conceding just 207 runs on their way to bowling Buckingham all out. Billy Rogers claimed four wickets and Andy Rishton added three.Chris Peplow took two wickets and the other was taken by Calum Creighton as the Oaks strolled their way to an emphatic victory to put them top of the league. With three league games left to play, Wokingham lead second placed Aston Rowant by two points.
“The development of players is not confined solely to playing football but also as individuals in daily life to be happy, confident and creative. “Opportunities are not restricted to just playing but include volunteering roles that help deliver football and promote both the club and the wider Woodley community.
Club chairman Mark Rozzier said: “This is a tremendous achievement given the hundreds of clubs in Berks & Bucks FA with 23 clubs being nominated for the award. “A big thank you to everyone involved in the club for making this award possible.”
Thames Valley Division 5A WARGRAVE 3s climbed up to sixth position after they beat Marlow 2s by six wickets. Mark Richards scored 78 runs after Scott Morton had taken four wickets in the first innings to see them to victory.
Saturday, 13 ChampionshipFOOTBALL
Thames Valley Division 5B READING 2s lost some ground on the league leaders after a one wicket loss to SONNING 2s. Despite five wickets from Beaven, Sonning managed to take the win after 38.3 overs with just one wicket left in reserve. EVERSLEY 2s got the better of Royal Ascot 2s by one wicket in a tenseEversleymatch.chased down 223 to take the game with just one wicket left after half centuries from W Reis and E FINCHAMPSTEADJones. 4s lost out to BINFIELD 2s by 93 runs.Sean win.taketotalledCameronforsmashedEnnis139runsBinfield,whileIreland95toseethemacomfortable
Imran Malik batting Wokingham (batting) Pictures: Steve Smyth Imran Malik and Billy Rogers.Danny Housego batting for Wokingham Danny Housego in bat for Wokingham
| SPORT RESULTS
“What makes the club stand out is its culture that exists club-wide which is not easy to impose across a large multi-team club. This stems from putting the environment at the centre of the culture which is creating a positive experience for participants who in turn engage with enjoyment for players, coaches and parents.”
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Thames Valley Division 5B Royal Ascot 2s (221-6) lost to Eversley 2s (223-9) Sonning 2s (217-9) beat Reading 2s (214 all out) Finchampstead 4s (211-9) lost to Binfield 3s (304-6) Bracknell (251 all out) beat Bagshot 2s (242-9)
OurWoodleyshowroomisopen7daysaweek 0800305030 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk WINDOWS DOORS CONSERVATORIES WOKINGHAMTODAY READINGTODAY 24 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today READINGTODAY.ONLINE Wednesday, August 17, 2022
OAKS
87 times for the Republic of Ireland.“Itis really great to be here and I’m excited to finally be in training with the team,” said Caldwell.“I’mexcited to really get down to work and know everyone better. “Kelly (Chambers) had a massive impact on me choosing to come here. “I had many great conversations with her before arriving, including what she is looking for me to bring and her objectives for the upcoming season.“The enthusiasm and faith that she’s shown in me has meant a lot. When you have a coach who expresses their desire to bring you to a club it instantly makes you feel attached and ready to fight for the“Havingshirt. been here a couple of days I’ve been really impressed with everyone’s attitudes in training. “The work ethic has been excellent and I cannot wait for the season to begin.” Kelly Chambers’ Royals kick off their Women’s Super League campaign on Sunday, September 11 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium against newly promoted Liverpool.
Home Counties Division 2 Wargrave (198 all out) lost to Thame Town (199-5) BCM Championship Holmer Green (113 all out) lost to West Reading (116-6) Ley Hill (222-2) ShinfieldWoodCrowthornebeat&Crown(219-7)(143-6)beatPenn & Tylers (142 all out) CMB Premiership Pinkneys Green (216-7) beat Emmbrook and Bearwood (212-9) BCL Premier Division Farley Hill (272-6) lost to Strafield Turgis (273-8) Mortimer West End (188 all out) lost to Shinfield 2s (234 all out) Waltham St Lawrence (216 all out) lost to Goring on Thames (217-8) West Reading 2s (325-3) beat Welford Park (220 all out) Woodcote (170-6) beat Sandhurst (169-5) BCL Division 1A Peppard Stoke Row 2s (267-5) beat Reading Lions Reading(265-5) United (143-3) beat Berkshire Royals (141 all out) West Reading 3s (130 all out) lost to Stallions (131-2) Thames Valley Division 1 Eversley (249-8) lost to Burnham (250-5) Thames Valley Division 2B Slough 2s (237-9) lost to Wokingham 2s (239-4) Binfield (244-4) beat Fleet Reading(238-9)(139-2) beat Royal Ascot (136 all out) Finchampstead 2s (277-9) lost to Hurst (335-3) Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham (317-6) lost to Theale & Tilehurst (318-6) Bagshot (165 all out) lost to Sonning (231-9) Thatcham Town (259-5) beat Wargrave 2s (255-9) Thames Valley Division 4A Wokingham 3s (144 all out) lost to Falkland 2s (149-1) Peppard Stoke Row (270-6) beat Finchampstead 3s (266-8)
HomeCRICKETCounties
FC WOMEN WOODLEY UNITED FC RECLAIM TOP SPOT ROYALS ADD SIXTH SUMMER SIGNING AHEAD OF NEW SEASON
Rotherham 4-0 Reading Isthmian South Central Ashford Town 0-1 Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Edgware & Kingsbury 2-0 WindsorSumas1-5 Ascot United Combined Counties Division One Woodley United 4-0 CB Hounslow United Eversley & California 6-2 Hillingdon borough Cove 2-7 Sandhurst Town Berks County 0-2 British Airways
READING FC Women have made their sixth summer signing as Diane Caldwell joins the squad. The 33-year-old joins the Berkshire club after her contract with Manchester United expired. The defender has played for Avaldsnes, FC Koln, SC Sand, North Carolina Courage and for Man United in a journeyed career.She also has a wealth of international experience having been capped By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today
Woodley United wins grassroots award
WOODLEY United FC has been presented the Grassroots Club of the Year 2022 award.
The awards evening, presented by the Berks and Bucks FA, was held at Wycombe Wanderers FC on Thursday, July 29.. As part of presenting the award the following citation was read to those in attendance: “Woodley Utd FC creates opportunities for the community to be involved, develop and grow through football.
