The Wokingham Paper, August 20, 2020

COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Thursday, August 20, 2020 No. 275

70p

GREENWASH CLAIMS OVER NEW PARK AND RIDE P2

Hollywood calls for Winnersh playwright EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

MARKET MOVE IS PEACHY P7

HOLLYWOOD is pouring work offers on to a film writer and director – but she says she is turning most of them down.

A staggering 30 million people have seen Jessica Swales’s short film about actresses, Leading Lady Parts, which went viral online.

That film was her warm up for her acclaimed new feature length film Summerland, which is now helping lead UK cinemas’ reopening after their Covid lockdown.

Summerland, currently showing at Wokingham’s Everyman cinema, is the first feature length film which Jessica, 37, has both written and directed. It is a UK film.

More films are in the pipeline – Jessica, from Winnersh, said that she gets offers from the UK and Hollywood.

“But the offers from Hollywood vary so much,” she said. “A lot of the time it’s requests to work on splashy franchises or very commercial ideas, which doesn’t interest me as I want to tell stories where I really get to flex my imaginative muscles.

“I’ve tended to turn them down as I am trying to be as selective as possible now.”

Summerland stars award-winner Gemma Arterton as Alice and is set during the Second World War. She takes in a London evacuee and bonds with him.

“I feel Summerland is a relevant story to tell right now as, at its heart, it's all about hope after crisis and the possibility of life again,” Jessica said.

“And it’s also about appreciating members of our community who’ve never been the heroes before.

“That, in these Covid times, is vital.

Our new heroes are no longer the powerful, but the kind – the nurses, key workers, shop assistants.” � Continued on page 15

FIT FOR PURPOSE: Mayor opens new leisure centre • p11

‘TRUST YOUR TEACHERS’

Call for parents to engage with schools’ reopening

EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk TRUST YOUR teachers, they’re professionals. That’s the view of Wokingham Labour leader, Andy Croy, who wants to see safe education for all.

He was responding to national parent pressure group, Boycott Return To Unsafe Schools (BRTUS), which believes that wider reopening of schools is currently unsafe for children, adults, and communities.

But Cllr Croy said he wants the borough council to support the plans put forward by each school.

He told Wokingham.Today: “We have a moral duty to get kids back to school, but we also have a moral duty to keep students, teachers and staff safe as well.

“Heads, teachers and governors are working their butts off to make schools safe. We need to support the headteachers in their decisions — they’re the professionals.” � Continued on page 5

BOROUGH REACTS TO A-LEVELS P4 VILLAGERS MARK VJ DAY WITH SPECIAL EVENT P15

PIES PLANNED FOR EMMA’S P12 THE GIRL WHO CAN TALK WEATHER P20

2 | NEWS

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by emailing us Email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Editor • Phil Creighton Reporter • Jess Warren Sports reporter • Andy Preston

From the editor Welcome to another packed edition of Wokingham.Today. As we have been doing since the lockdown started, the paper is running a reduced service.

We thank you for your understanding during this time, particularly our advertisers who are sticking with us. We are grateful for your support.

Although more businesses are now open, we are aware that it is not always easy to buy a copy of Wokingham.Today from your supermarket, newsagent or petrol station.

One of the ways we are helping is by offering a free digital version of the paper, which will be available on Friday evenings.

And our website is updated seven days a week, visit Wokingham.Today for the latest news.

At times like this, it is important that the community has a local voice and we are proud to be yours.

The best way for you to support us is to buy a copy each week.

Please note, our offices remain closed to the public – in the first instance, contact us by email.

Thank you for your support.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 20, 2020

‘It’s greenwashing!’ Councillor’s dismay over new park and ride EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A NEW park and ride will be built off Coppid Beech roundabout for residents travelling into town.

The £3 million project was approved at the planning meeting on Wednesday, August 12.

But Cllr Rachel Burgess, councillor for Norreys — where the park and ride will be built — said the plan is “greenwashing” from the borough council.

Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for climate emergency at Wokingham Borough Council, said the new scheme would improve air quality in town.

He said: “Providing more options for sustainable transport options is crucial for us reaching our carbon neutral targets and improving air quality in our town centres.

“We’re investing in the

infrastructure our borough needs to get more people on to public transport will help us become carbon neutral as quickly as we can.

“Our ambitious targets will also help make our town centres more enjoyable places to be by improving air quality, with fewer cars travelling into them.”

But Cllr Burgess said Cllr Murray is misleading residents.

She said: “This scheme does not provide the environmental gains to justify the loss of natural green space, and the reduced quality of life for nearby residents.

“The business plan states: ‘It is not envisaged the scheme would significantly affect air quality and emission levels. The expected impact on air quality is considered to be neutral.’

“The linking of this park and ride to environmental benefits by Cllr Murray is simply false.”

The site will be built on land previously agreed for part of the

Keephatch Gardens development, east of Wokingham town centre.

But in a letter to Wokingham.Today (page 18), Cllr Burgess said the rationale of the park and ride does not stack up.

She said: “The Conservatives have ignored numerous resident objections about the park and ride.

No one’s sense of place includes the desire to be adjacent to a car park and a bus terminal.

“No other park and ride in the borough has been built adjacent to housing.

“All the others are separated from residential areas either by a main road, a railway or some other barrier which reduces the impact of the park and ride on residents.

“It is clear that the park and ride cannot integrate with the surroundings – the landscaping cannot hide the lights and the double decker buses that will intrude on the community.”

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive

member for highways and transport at Wokingham Borough Council, said the scheme would reduce congestion across the borough.

But Cllr Burgess said the council purchase of Denmark Street car park in the town centre is more incentive for people to drive.

She said: “Do the Conservatives really think that people will drive to the edge of Wokingham, park in the park and ride, wait 15 minutes for a three-minute bus journey to the centre of town and do the same on the way back?”

Once built, the park and ride will include bike and motorcycle parking spaces and electric car charging points.

Work will start later this year and may be finished by the end of 2021.

It will be split-funded, 80% by Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Government’s Local Growth Fund and the remaining by the borough council.

Recycled kerbs trial on London Road route PLASTIC kerbstones have been installed as part of the new cycle route into Wokingham.

They are being trialled on London Road where the new cycle path runs from the Coppid Beech roundabout into the centre of town.

The borough council has been working with its contractor VolkerHighways on the scheme.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “With just a few weeks left to go, I hope to see many residents making the most of this cycleway in the months ahead once it’s complete.”

According to the council, the new plastic kerbstones are eco-friendly alternatives to concrete kerbs.

Containing 88% recycled materials, they are lighter than traditional kerbstones so can be installed without mechanical equipment.

A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “Using plastic kerbs reduces the amount of carbon produced in manufacturing, transport and construction by about 40%.”

“These plastic kerb trials are another example of a greener solution by effectively using recycled materials,” Cllr Jorgensen added.

Work on the other side of the street, travelling out of Wokingham, is due to be completed within the next month.

Still time to sign up to WADE’s new 150 Club draw WADE is giving people an extra opportunity to sign up to its new 150 Club draw.

The closing date is now Monday, August 24, with the first draw on Friday, September 1, and the first Friday of each month thereafter.

Wade trustee Philip Mirfin has written to friends, members, staff and supporters of the day centre, inviting them to join the scheme.

There are 150 spots available, at a cost of £10 per month.

If the scheme is full, it will award prizes of £300, £150 and £75, with £75 bonuses in June and December.

These can be claimed by the ticket holder or donated back to WADE. Entrants need to complete a standing order or pay by cheque.

There is a limit of two memberships per household.

Mr Mirfin added: “We have had a good response but would really like

to increase the membership to the maximum 150 members as soon as we can if possible as it is for such an important charity in Wokingham.”

WADE, based in Reading Road in Wokingham, says that the 150 Club is aimed at offsetting some of the losses the centre has endured as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The day centre has been mostly closed since lockdown began in March, as people over 70 have been deemed high risk if they catch the virus.

And with rules preventing fundraising gatherings such as an Easter fayre or a horseracing night, the centre has seen its income and donations plummet.

Membership forms can be requested from Wade on 0118 978 7025 or by emailing to wade150club@wadecentre.org.uk

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Wokingham couple cycle 100km in memory of former Holt pupil EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOKINGHAM couple are getting in the saddle to fundraise in memory of their neighbour and former Holt School pupil.

Vic Delaney and her husband Kevin will be cycling 100km on Sunday, September 27, to raise money for Ataxia UK. The small charity works to support families and fund research into neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination and speech.

The couple are raising money in memory of Emily Adams, who was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia when she was eight.

Emily, who attended The Holt School, passed away in December last year.

She was one of approximately 10,500 adults in the UK with a progressive ataxia.

Her Mum, Elaine, said she wasn’t surprised when the Delaneys asked to fundraise in Emily’s name.

“Vic called me the day after Emily’s funeral,” said Mrs Adams.

“As parents themselves, they were hugely touched by our loss as Vic had known Emily from birth.

“I was absolutely delighted, I’m so

proud of them wanting to do this for my daughter.”

Mrs Delaney said that the beautiful funeral pushed her to help.

“It’s so upsetting the idea that you’re going to out-live your child,” she said. “The day after the funeral I Googled Ataxia UK and found this cycling challenge – the Ataxia Classic.”

The 100km ride through Yorkshire Dales is a one-day challenge that includes parts of the Tour de Yorkshire.

Emily enjoying a performance of Oliver at South Hill Park in November 2019 Picture: Elaine Adams

of a challenge 100km is.”

But it’s not their first fundraiser for the charity.

Mrs Adams said: “A week before Vic and Kev got married, Kev ran the Windsor half marathon for Ataxia UK. “I’m not surprised they asked to fundraise in her name again. There’s a huge bond between our two families.”

But Mrs Adams said the Delaneys were nervous about setting their fundraising target at £700.

“Kev was wary they wouldn’t achieve it,” she said. “But they’ve already raised £757, I would love to see them double or triple it – I’m confident they will.”

Mrs Adams added: “Every year since Emily’s diagnosis in 2008, there has been someone wanting to do something for Ataxia UK, including our three other children.”

But Emily only really got involved when she was 16.

“There was a time when she didn’t want to associate with it, especially before she was in a wheelchair.

“It took a few years before she wanted to get involved, but that changed when she

spoke to Georgia Hart.”

Ms Hart, from Hartlepool had found Emily on social media and added her to a chatroom with girls from the UK and US who have been diagnosed with ataxias.

“After that, Emily then said she wanted to go to the Ataxia UK annual conference,” said Mrs Adams.

“She wanted to meet the people she’d been chatting with online.”

It was also through her involvement with the charity that Emily met Nick Jones.

“They fell head over heels in love,” explained Mrs Adams. “The last year and a bit of her life were probably the happiest since her diagnosis.

They hoped to get engaged this summer and married before the end of the year – they knew that time wasn’t on their side.”

Mrs Adams said her family will bang the gong for Ataxia UK for the rest of their lives.

“It was important to her, and to us.” � For more information about ataxias, visit: www.ataxia.org.uk and to donate to the Delaneys’ fundraiser, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ kevandvic

Vic and Kevin Delaney bought their bikes in May to cycle 100km for Ataxia UK

Motorbike ride-by for three-year-old with Leukaemia BIKERS from across the borough are invited to join a ride-by for a three-year-old with Leukaemia.

The ride will start at 11am on Sunday, with bikes meeting in St Crispins School car park first.

Organiser David Harman, said: “During lockdown, my nephew Lewie was diagnosed with Leukaemia, he has had very aggressive treatment for the last few months and will be continuing

his chemotherapy treatment until October, when he will officially be in remission.

“Lewie and his four-year-old big brother absolutely love all motorbikes — the louder the better.

“This would really mean the world to him.”

After the ride, bikers will be stopping at Pinewood Bar & Cafe on Old Wokingham Road for refreshments.

Organisers are also selling motorbike T-shirts for £10, with all profits going to Lewie. � To buy a T-shirt, visit: bit.ly/DriveByLewie

Scrutiny to debate recycling bags decision

Sturdy lids and shower cap-style coverings are used in boroughs across the UK Picture: Jess Warren

‘As parents themselves, they were hugely touched by our loss, as Vic had known Emily from birth’ “We’re not natural cyclists,” said Mrs Delaney. “In fact, we only bought our bikes in May. We’ve been training since then and building up the distance.

“We are such novices that we had to watch a YouTube video on how to change gears on a road bike, as we were used to mountain bikes that you peddle backwards to change gear.”

She added: “Two weekends ago we cycled 36km in 33°C, it’s really hitting home how much

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THE COUNCIL’S SCRUTINY committee will review the plan for recycling sacks next week.

Last month, the borough council executive agreed to pay £300,000 for new waterproof bags to replace current black boxes.

The changes were made in the hope of stopping paper and cardboard getting wet, and becoming nonrecyclable in the process.

But the plans were met with anger from the Liberal Democrats, who called the decision in for scrutiny.

It will be reviewed on Wednesday,

August 26.

Council leader John Halsall previously said the plan for a new recycling storage system had to be made this summer, before the wet weather arrives in the autumn.

But Cllr Clive Jones, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats said the plan had been rushed through, and the council had known about changes in the recycling process since last autumn.

The Lib Dems have asked to see a full business case outlining the decision to buy recycling sacks and not invest in lids or shower cap-style covers for the black boxes.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 20, 2020

A-LEVELS 2020

Lost university places, uncertain grades and a call for the education secretary to resign EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk HEADTEACHERS and politicians alike say they are frustrated with the Government handling of A-level results but relieved to see a U-turn in grading.

Last Thursday, Wokingham.Today spoke to young people across the borough, some delighted with their results, others wondering if they will be able to get to the university of their choice.

And on Monday, education secretary Gavin Williamson reversed the decision to use Government-modified grades, instead saying that young people could keep the centre assessed grades awarded to them by teachers.

The last seven days have left students in limbo, many of wom have lost places at universities they held an offer with, because they did not meet the requirements last Thursday.

Sally Dicketts, CEO of Activate Learning, which runs Reading College and Bracknell

and Wokingham College said she is proud of student performance despite the changes to grading.

She added: “We believe the U-turn is fair considering the circumstances and that it will benefit students nationwide.”

Nick McSweeney, headteacher at The Emmbrook School, said the last week has been a challenge but that some students will now see their results improve.

He told Wokingham.Today: “We placed a great deal of emphasis on ensuring that our centre assessed grades were both rigorous and fair.

“Our students had undertaken three sets of mock examinations across Years 12 and 13; these results, alongside ongoing teacher assessment in the classroom and of homework, enabled our teachers to make well-informed judgements regarding the likely performance of students, should they have sat their exams as planned.”

But some students are still unsure if they will get to their

university of choice.

Mr McSweeney added: “We have already seen some success with some of our students being accepted on to courses at their first choice university following the revision ofg up their place until next year.”

He said staff would cont results.

“However, UCAS will not be updating universities with the new grades until Friday, so there are still a small number of our young people who are anxiously awaiting news regarding their places.

“We are also hearing that some universities may ask students to defer takininue to support students during this stressful time.

The head of school at Reddam House said he was glad to see students will not be penalised by comparison to previous years’ results.

Dr Mike Milner added: “We are delighted that the Government has made the decision to trust teachers’ judgment in determining the A-level grades.

“Although Reddam House has recently had good results … this change in grades has meant that the hard-working students leaving us this year are no longer penalised by comparison to previous years.

“Several students previously unable to access their first or second choice university may now be considered fairly by those institutions” Cllr Prue Bray, Liberal Democrat lead for education, said the whole process had been horrible for young people, a sentiment echoed by Labour group leader, Cllr Andy Croy.

Cllr Bray told Wokingham.

Today: “Every teacher I know is both furious and so sad for their pupils.

“We’ve had years of teachers not being valued, and seeing what this has done to the cohort of students they’ve taught is destroying them.”

She added: “This could have all been avoided. Scotland announced their results ahead of A-levels, and the Government has had months to plan this, it was foreseeable

“Gavin Williamson is a disgrace — he should be sacked.

There is no honour in this Government, they do what they like and think they can get away with it.

“It’s disgraceful and badly handled in the short and longterm. This Government is incompetent.”

Cllr Croy described the emotional pain of students as horrific.

He said: “It’s been terrible, we can never allow this to happen again.

“We need to do whatever it takes to help pupils sit exams safely next year and that may include hiring public halls next summer — it’s an issue of space “But we cannot do this again.”

He said the grading issues were worsened by the A-level format — exams at the end of two years of teaching.

“The issue is that Michael Gove scrapped the coursework section of A-levels,” he said.

“Even though exams at the end have been widely discredited as an effective method of assessment.”

He added: “It’s an emotional experience to take the exams, then wait for the results, check they’re good enough or go through clearing.

“It’s a day full of emotional highs and lows and a rite of passage too. I’m really hurt thinking about what we’re doing to these kids, it’s horrific.”

Cllr Bray said she is also worried what effect this will have on universities across the UK. “Universities don’t know what they’re doing with their places,” she said. “They now face the issue of offers made, withdrawn and places given to other students.

“If the Government lifts the cap on some courses at universities, there will also be a problem of larger cohorts and bigger classes.

“It’ll affect university finances and staff — they’re struggling with the same issue as schools, except that everyone at university is an adult, and there is no doubt as to whether they can catch and transmit Covid-19.”

Students going to their chosen university celebrate the day SOME STUDENTS have still found a happy result amid the uncertainty, with many given places at top universities across the country.

Speaking to Emmbrook students last Thursday, many said they were delighted with their results.

Wokingham.Today is not be listing any grades, as these may have changed, or may change in the future.

Headteacher Nick McSweeney said: “The results will mean that the vast majority of our students will now be able to progress to the next stage of their studies, with students taking up places on courses at many of the UK’s top universities, including Oxford, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Southampton and Warwick. Many other students will be going on to apprenticeships and work placements.”

Mr Constable, the head of sixth form added: “My first yeargroup through as the head of sixth form have been incredible.

The results they have achieved are the culmination of two years of hard work.

“We are sure that they will all go on to be successful in the future and we wish them the very best of luck.”

Ryan Murphy said he is

looking forward to going to Warwick to read history and politics – a choice that was honed through the Emmbrook’s teaching.

“I absolutely love it,” he said of his chosen subject. “A-level made me really love politics and understand how politics influences history.”

He has a particular interest in 20th century Germany, including the reunification, and said he’s thrilled to be able to study this further.

And Mhairi Robertson admitted that she had had a bit of a sleepless night ahead of receiving her grades, despite having an unconditional offer from Winchester University.

The teenager is now fulfilling a lifelong dream to be a primary school teacher, as she will be studying primary education.

“It’s been my goal since I was able to talk,” she said. “I have had an unconditional offer, so I was in the best position as I knew I was going to university.

“But I will miss Emmbrook, I struggled a bit in the first few days of lockdown, “I just love the teachers and the pupils here.”

At Reading Blue Coat School, more than 85% of pupils who applied for a place at university were offered their first choice.

Among those was

Wokingham resident and prefect Michael Hills.

He said: “Remote learning over the past six months has been difficult, but we’ve all made the best of a bad situation.

“I’m really happy with my results as I have worked hard over the last couple of years.

“It’s really nice that it’s finally paid off. In September I will begin studying computer science at Exeter University, and I’m looking forward to joining some of the societies there.”

Bracknell and Wokingham College student, Jack Davies said he was excited to start at Oxford University in September.

He said: “Thank you to all of my teachers, especially Bal Dhillion, who really helped and supported me throughout the last two years, sending me to Oxbridge talks and interview workshops, giving me the push that I needed to apply to the University of Oxford.”

At St Crispin’s School, students with confirmed places will be heading to universities including Lancaster, Bristol and York.

And borough students at St Joseph’s College said they are happy to move onto the next step in their education.

Lucy Bayliss-Binks, from

Ryan Murphy from The Emmbrook School is going to Warwick University

St Joseph’s student, Lucy Bayliss-Binks, will be studying modern languages at Newcastle University

Hugh Pullin, St Joseph’s head boy is going to Bristol to study maths

Michael Hills is going to Exeter to study computer science

Jack Davies is going to Oxford to study chemistry

Woodley, said: “I am so completely happy with my results and can't wait to start at my first choice university, Newcastle, to study modern languages."

Abby Ward, from Twyford said she will be going to Manchester to study French and English literature.

And head boy, Hugh Pullin from Earley is going to Bristol University to study maths.

Leighton Park student, Shaun Uppal said he intends to study Politics and International Relations.

“I’m really looking forward to the university experience and am thinking of doing a law conversion or LLM at Oxbridge after my undergraduate degree at UCL,” he said.

And the school’s musicians have also had a good year, with five students looking

forward to further education including attending some of the UK’s top conservatoires.

Nikki Wilson, who played Velma in the School’s spring term production of the musical Chicago, said: “I’m really looking forward to going to the Royal Northern College of Music – I would love to go into performance but am also interested in teaching at university level.”

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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‘I would rather home-school my daughter’ � Continued from front page

Before the summer holidays, the borough council said it would support headteachers in their decision to reopen or remain closed.

Now, Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services at Wokingham Borough Council, said schools will reopen with classroom bubbles and staggered start times, in line with Public Health England guidance.

But, when it comes to the finer detail, each school may put in place a different plan that works for them.

Cllr Croy added: “We must back the heads in whatever decision they come to. It might be we move forward with mixed teaching, some online, some in classrooms — it’ll look different to previous years.”

Cllr Clark added: “I commend all the staff involved at schools across for the mammoth effort they’ve made to ensure they’re ready to open their doors in September.

“Getting children back into school is absolutely vital to getting them the education they need and deserve.

“We know how important it is to take every step we can to keep the borough’s young people safe, while being back at school, and these measures

have been put in place at every school in our borough.”

But an Arborfield parent has said she would rather homeschool her daughter than send her into secondary school for the first time.

Penelope Mullet, whose daughter is due to start Bohunt School next month, supports the concerns of BRTUS. She told Wokingham.Today: “My daughter was premature and has problems with her lungs.

Her asthma is often triggered by all of the winter bugs. Because Bohunt students use iPads, the staff said they would consider letting her work from home — but would first need a letter from the NHS confirming that.

“We sent them the letter but now the school is backpedaling, saying if she’s not there on September 2, she loses her place.”

But Bohunt School said it will make special arrangements for students with specific meidcal needs.

Ms Mullet added: “I don’t feel it's safe for her to return, we’re still learning about this virus. In secondary schools pupils study in enclosed spaces, move around through busy corridors, and share toilets.

“I think she will have a better quality education at home, with

one-on-one learning. If I have to homeschool her, that’s what I’ll do.

“It’s a big decision and I’m not taking education lightly. I would rather pay a fine or go to court than send her back to school.”

Ben Godber from Bohunt School said he was unsure who had told Ms Mullet her daughter must attend on September 2.

He told Wokingham.Today: “The school routinely evaluates children's education plans where there are specific medical and, or individual needs and this applies even more so in the current climate.

“Periodically in unusual cases we make arrangements for adjustments to learning programmes where specialist advice makes recommendations to this effect, as part of a re-engagement process into school based learning.”

Mr Godber added: “The multi-academy trust has produced a detailed risk assessment for the full reopening arrangements of its schools in a Covid secure manner, which is published on the website and modified as necessary to fit the context here at Bohunt Wokingham.

“Within this we include the need to carefully risk assess staff and students who are

directly classed as extremely clinically vulnerable or in family settings where this applies."

Cllr Prue Bray, Liberal Democrat lead for children’s services said the best approach would be a phased return to school, with limited students onsite each day.

She told Wokingham.Today: “The guidance on how schools should operate changes daily, and schools are doing everything they can to make it safe.

“It would be better to take a part-time approach, some days in school other days studying at home virtually, with set work.

“That way they’re not all onsite at the same time.”

Cllr Bray added: “Lots of schools have made great progress with e-learning. But we have to remember, some children don’t have access to the technology.

“This should spur on the Government to close the digital divide. We cannot have children with no access to technology or the internet in 2020.”

Cllr Bray said she sympathises with children and parents who are going through a difficult time at the moment.

“I worry about the impact this is having on children, not seeing their friends can affect

Kaydin enjoying home studying at her desk Picture: Penelope Mullett

their mental health,” she said.

“And also on parents, who need to work and have no alternative child care.”

Before the summer holidays, Wokingham Borough Council said it would not fine parents who choose to let their children continue studying at home.

Now, Cllr Clark said the council would take a compassionate approach to fines.

She said: “The Government

expects all children to be back in school from the start of the autumn term. We know for some families there will be some anxiety about returning to school.

“We have been assured schools will be working closely with these families. The council will adopt a compassionate and pragmatic approach to work with families to ensure all children can make a full return to school.”

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 20, 2020

‘The Government is leaving people in the dark but coaches can support them’ EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A FINCHAMPSTEAD gym owner is calling for the Government to launch an exercise incentive similar to the Eat Out, Help Out scheme.

Nick Scott, founder of StrengthBox Gym has launched a petition to push for a similar monetary injection package as the hospitality industry.

He told Wokingham.Today: “The culture of consumption has been prioritised over health.

“Instead the Government has launched a Better Health campaign, encouraging people to cycle.”

Mr Scott said he wants to see more focus on how fitness professionals can help people with obesity.

“Mental health is a huge part of obesity, and fitness trainers can make the whole process less daunting,” he said. “The

Government is leaving people in the dark when it comes to health, but we can support people every step of the way.”

He said that under the new dine out scheme, a Big Mac and medium fries at McDonald’s costs just £1 and is 845 kcal.

“Because the scheme is for August only, people know it’s going to end soon. So they’re going out to use it as much as possible. It could push people into bingeing on unhealthy food.

“At Pizza Hut it costs just £4.25 for unlimited calories.”

And Mr Scott is concerned that the pandemic has affected the population’s health.

“During the last four months, people have said just how much they’ve struggled to maintain a healthy regime,” he said. “The Eat Out to Help Out scheme only makes it worse.”

Instead, Mr Scott wants the Government to tackle the misinformation spread by the diet industry and help people

make healthier choices for life.

“We’re in the age of misinformation,” he said.

“People are counting diet points and syns. We should be educating people properly — what does a calorie actually mean?”

He said that the average UK diet is around 3,440kcal per day, almost 1,000 more than recommended.

“Half of the UK population are overweight or obese. People often mis-estimate what they’re consuming by as much as 40%.

“If calories are going to be labelled on restaurant menus, there needs to be lots of education about healthy lifestyles too, much like the Change for Life campaign 10 years ago.”

At the end of July, the Government announced its Better Health campaign, which will include a ban on TV and online adverts for food high in fat, sugar and salt before 9pm,

Nick Scott (above) said he wants the Government to consider subsidising gym memberships like it has dining out

the end of buy one get one free deals on food high in salt, sugar and fat, calories to be displayed on menus when above 250kcal and on alcoholic drinks, expanding NHS weight management services and reviewing front of packaging traffic light nutritional labelling.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: “The main reason we put on weight is because of what we eat and drink, but being more active is important too. Making healthier choices easier and fairer for everyone, and ensuring the right support is there for those who need it, is

critical in tackling obesity.”

And Mr Scott said he wants to break down the taboo about weight and help people have a conversation about it.

“We need to let people have these conversations and be led by their health, not their body image.”

He added: “If you’re aware of your food intake and your activity level, you can lose weight and avoid using a scale.

It’s just the easiest way to track.

“But BMI calculations run the risk of being taken the wrong way. In 1917 when BMI was created in the original study, it expressly stated it should not be

used on children because they are constantly growing.

“Out of context, it can be a bad thing.”

Mr Scott said he is talking with other local fitness trainers and gym owners about his petition.

“Everyone is behind it – they want a culture change. We just want the Government to be aware that we’re here, and we want to help people.”

Mr Scott has spoken to Sir John Redwood, MP for Wokingham, who has agreed to raise the idea in Parliament.

“We want to help future generations become healthier.”

‘The independent programme is simple enough to get on with’ THREE WEEKS into his health plan, a Winnersh man is encouraging other people to download the Government’s Better Health app.

As part of the campaign to get Britain healthy, the app has been created to act as a hub of information.

David Fitzgibbon, 53, who has previously lost five stone using the Weight Watchers programme, said the app was very motivating.

“It’s an independent programme that’s simple enough to just get on with,” he said.

“I’ve lost half a stone in three weeks, people recommend losing 1lb to 3lbs per week, that’s a sensible amount.

“It’s a 12-week plan of no more than 1,900 calories a day for men or 1,400 calories for women.”

The Better Health app includes a body mass index (BMI) calculator,

which has been heavily criticised by the fitness industry.

It uses height, weight and age to calculate whether someone is overweight, obese or a healthy weight.

But by not considering a range of factors, it has been disregarded by many experts.

“At the moment, I’m in the obese category,” said Mr Fitzgibbon.

“I feel offended by that, but in a good way. It’s motivating.

“It’s also about what weight you’re happy being.

“If you're happy with your lifestyle, with what you eat with what exercise you do, that will be good in itself. Because I think a healthy mind means you have a healthy body in a lot of ways.

“BMI is a guide but it isn’t a bible.”

He added: “Everyone wants

everything yesterday. To lose weight you need to know your targets, analyse your relationship with food, plan it out and dedicate about half a year to working on it.

It’s a lifestyle change, it doesn't happen in three weeks.”

Mr Fitzgibbon has focused on power walking during the last three weeks, but hopes to try some more of the exercise options on the app soon.

“As you lose weight, your energy increases,” he added. � For more information about the Better Health campaign, visit: www.nhs.uk/better-health

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Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Adam and Ben Burgess Travel Councillors were in Peach Place

Cllr Tony Lack and his wife Claire meet (above) Dr Gareth Ward from Adapt Chriopractic and (left) Ginger and Mint Artwork’s Simon & Beth Roskilly Pictures: Steve Smyth

Dianne Wiid on her Tupperware stall

Mayor meets a market on the move SOCIALLY DISTANCING has taken on a new meaning for Wokingham’s historic market – the stalls are being split between two locations, writes Charlotte King.

On Friday last week, traders set up stall in both Market Place and Peach Place.

The new scheme will run on Fridays and Saturdays thanks to a partnership between Wokingham Town Council, which manages the market, and Wokingham Borough Council.

By using both public spaces, the stallholders can abide by current social distancing measures and shoppers can enjoy the two pedestrianised spaces.

The news was welcomed by

Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Tony Lack, who visited with his wife Claire.

“It’s wonderful that we are so busy and Wokingham market is thriving,” he said. “Peach Place is a great location for additional stalls and with the extra seating this area of town is a brilliant place to enjoy the weather, grab

a drink and do some shopping.”

And Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for regeneration, Cllr Charlotte Haitham-Taylor is equally pleased that Peach Place is being used as an extension of the market, even if it is on a temporary basis. “‘The market is one of the things that really helps Wokingham stand out from our larger neighbours and offers a wonderful mix of stalls with something for everyone,” she said.

“It’s been great working with the Town Council to see the stalls expand into Peach Place, and it’s especially fitting that this has happened during Shop Local Week when people are being encouraged to support their local towns.”

Teenage cashier threatened at knife-point by robbers

By MARIE WILLIAMS news@wokinghampaper.co.uk TWO MEN have been released on bail following a robbery in Swallowfield on Saturday.

That morning, the 15-year-old cashier at Swallowfield Parish Stores and Post Office was threatened with a Stanley knife.

Alone in the shop, the teenager was threatened with the knife and told to open the till.

The thieves stole a large number of cigarettes, several bottles of alcohol and £40 in cash, but the teenager unharmed.

They then drove away in a silver Toyota MR2.

A 35-year-old man from Arborfield and a 63-year-old man from Bracknell have been arrested in connection with the incident and have been released on bail.

Investigating officer PC Victoria McNicholas, based at Loddon

Valley police station, said: “This was a frightening experience for the victim, who was alone in the store at the time of the incident.

“I am appealing to anyone who has any information about this incident to get in touch.

“You can contact us using our online reporting form, quoting reference number 43200253997, or by calling the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Wokingham pub plans new outdoor bar PLANS are being made to install an outdoor bar to help customers of a Wokingham pub stay safe.

Evidence suggests that the coronavirus does not spread in the open air as much as it does indoors.

As a result, many pub gardens have been packed with people looking to enjoy some time out.

And The Station Tap, which used to be The Molly Millar, has put in a planning application to allow them to open an outdoor bar area in its garden.

Adrian Grist, the Station Road pub’s general manager, said: “At The Station Tap, we are very fortunate to have our large outdoor decking area at the front of the pub.

“It seats up to 180 people and, with the weather being as it has, we have applied to extend our licence to include a moveable outside bar that we can roll out on sunny days.”

He added: “This is yet another way we have added to our offering to provide a safe environment for our customers to enjoy their time

at The Station Tap with confidence.

“Alongside our order-atthe-table app, single-use menus, clear social distancing measures and enhanced cleaning regimes, we hope that having an outdoor bar will allow us to offer the best possible pub experience, while remaining Covidsecure.”

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Have your say in the council Covid-19 survey SUBMISSIONS are still being sought from Wokingham borough residents over a coronavirus survey.

Organised by Wokingham Borough Council, it seeks to find out how the pandemic has affected people over the past six months.

Responses will help connect residents with the right help, and also identify measures that will help with the recovery from the crisis.

Cllr John Halsall, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “They say emergencies bring out the best in people, the people of Wokingham borough have really lived up to that.

“We have provided a one-stop shop for our residents who have needed help throughout the pandemic and we have been there for everyone.”

He added that with the first wave behind the country, it was important to take time to assess what has happened, including initiatives such as the Wokingham Borough community hub and the One Front Door initiative that saw the council work with charities including Citizens Advice Wokingham, The Link Visiting Scheme and First Days.

Residents who take part will be entered into a draw to win prizes such as a spa session for two at Nirvana Spa, a Dinton Pastures taster session, afternoon tea at Blue Orchid Bakery and £50 of gift vouchers to be spent in Wokingham businesses.

“I would encourage all residents to take part in the survey and help us work together on our response to the coronavirus crisis and how we shape our services going forward,” Cllr Halsall said. � The survey closes on Sunday. To complete it, visit wokingham.gov.uk and search for ‘consultations’, email: feedback@wokingham.gov.uk or call: 0118 974 6000

Earley social club opens for covid-safe sessions A SOCIAL club in Earley has reopened and is now running many of its weekly activities under Covid-safe rules.

Our Lady of Peace is based next to the Catholic church of the same name, off Wokingham Road.

On Mondays it runs regular film nights, Tuesdays poker sessions, quizzes on Wednesdays and bingo on Thursdays.

The non-profit organisation welcomes new members and guest fees are payable for nonmembers.

For more details, log on to olopsocialclub.co.uk or call 0118 935 2927.

Hurst charity looking for school uniform donations SCHOOL UNIFORMS are wanted by a charity that helps families who would otherwise be unable to afford the kit.

First Days is appealing for good quality, clean and current uniforms for Wokingham borough schools, which will start returning from the first week in September. This

includes PE Kit and school shoes.

Donations can be left in special pink bins in the Winnersh branch of Sainsbury's and the Woosehill branch of Morrisons.

They can also be dropped off at First Days' base in Broadwater Lane in Hurst between 10am and noon on Saturdays.

British Airways staff call for MP support in hire and fire row WORKERS across Wokingham united for another protest against British Airways earlier this month.

Demonstrating outside the Town Hall last Thursday, British Airways staff were calling for concrete action from MP, Sir John Redwood MP over the company's intention to fire its workforce and rehire many on inferior contracts.

One protester said: “After 30 years at BA I feel terrible that they can fire and hire. This should not be legal — no other European country has treated their staff the same.”

Another said: “I can’t believe they are doing this to a loyal workforce our contracts are worthless … while the Spanish CEO is getting a €5 million bonus.”

More than 200 MPs across the country are calling for a review of landing and take-off slots in response to BA plans.

Unite executive officer Sharon Graham said: “Boris Johnson’s words of support for BA staff and his talk of ‘jobs, jobs, jobs’ is empty rhetoric unless the Government acts. There must be consequences for British Airways’ decision to press ahead with its plans to fire and rehire its workforce in the middle of the worst health crisis in a century.

“BA staff and constituents want to see action from John Redwood. Public anger is growing and many MPs from across the political divide are already calling for a review of landing and take-off slots in

response to BA’s project fire and rehire.

Why isn’t John Redwood?”

He called for consequences to BA’s actions.

“The company is essentially creating an unrecognisable airline – it should not automatically control over half the landing slots at Heathrow,” he said.

“It is simply wrong for BA to have privileged access to landing slots while its workforce is sacrificed for the benefit of shareholders.

“Boris Johnson needs to take back control from BA and fight for British jobs.”

Sir John Redwood said that he had taken action.

“I have condemned the way IAG has treated their staff and written to them

urging them to be fairer to their employees and to BA relative to other airlines they own,” he said.

“I have drawn attention to the strong financial position of IAG despite the temporary large loss of paying passengers.

“I have urged the government to do more to allow safe returns to work for as many people as possible, and to work with the aviation industry on recovery.

“I understand the anger of my constituents who have worked well for BA over the years and who feel the airline’s shareholders and top management have let them down at this time when they need help and support.”

Increased police presence after assaults on teens in Lower Earley EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THERE will be a more visible police presence in Earley following a spate of assaults.

Over the past few weeks, teenagers have had their bikes targeted by gangs across parts of Lower Earley. Although no one has been seriously injured, the attacks have unsettled the community.

Cllr Clive Jones, the leader of Earley Town Council, said that he has spoken with Thames Valley Police in a bid to get to the bottom of the problem.

“They are asking the PCSOs to do some more high visibility patrols

Art classes at Beech Hill

Ear, nose and throat clinic moves to Henley

PROFESSIONALLY-LED art classes will be coming to Beech Hill next month.

Taking place on Thursdays from 9.30am to 1pm from September 3, the sessions are hosted

by Elizabeth Baldin and cover drawing, light and shade, colour and composition.

It will be held in the Memorial Hall in Wood Lane and places will be spread out to meet social distancing guidelines.

Places cost £22 per session. For more details, email art@elizabethbaldin.co.uk

A NEW Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) hub is being created at Townlands Memorial Hospital in Henley.

The new centre is part of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust’s coronavirus recovery plans.

The hub will provide ENT, audiology and plastic surgery services, and will be open to patients across Berkshire later this month.

around the areas where these problems are occurring. With drugs, they will take a zero tolerance approach.

“I definitely support the police, if we can stop teenagers using drugs at the earliest possible age, there’s a chance of keeping them off drugs.”

He hoped that police officers would have time and resources to visit the affected families to help educate them.

Earley Town Council is planning to increase the budget for youth services, something that Cllr Jones said that his Conservative predecessors had cut several years ago.

“We didn’t have youth workers out of the streets, so in our budget

this year the Town Council found some money to support some youth initiatives on the streets and we are beginning to start that,” he explained, adding that Covid-19 had delayed some of these services starting.

He also pledged that the money would be ringfenced.

“We’re losing income from lack of hall hire,” he said. “But when we’re looking at our expenditure, we decided that we would leave youth provision in the budget – we recognise it is very important.”

Cllr Jones also expressed concerns over the issue of police funding nationally.

“Thames Valley Police has had its budget cut by £100 million.

Whatever any Conservative home secretary or prime minister says, we have got to get officers on the street.

“We were told in the General Election there were going to be another 20,000 police officers, but that covered the previous cuts and it doesn’t cover the more than 20,000 retirees we will see over the next few years.

“Unfortunately there is some smoke and mirrors from Boris Johnson. If the police were given the resources, they would be able to do a much better job.”

Cllr Jones pledged to continue to monitor the situation and work with the police through initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Action Group.

Currently, these services are provided in Reading. But the clinic buildings have been deemed a ‘cause of concern’ by the Care Quality Commission.

“Some of our buildings on the Reading site date from 1839 and are no longer fit for purpose,” said Nick Lloyd, acting chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

“Our ambition is to modernise and provide all our services from state of the art facilities.”

According to the Trust, the move to Henley will provide high quality,

spacious facilities for staff and patients.

The new clinic is part of the Trust’s modernisation of outpatient services.

It also plans to use more virtual clinics, reduce follow-up appointments, and improve access to health care.

John Howell, MP for Henley, said: “I welcome the expansion of clinical services being provided from Townlands.

“It will mean health care being provided in a more convenient way, closer to the community and easier

to access.”

Rogan Corbridge, ENT surgeon, added: “The whole team are looking forward to the opportunity to be able to provide our services out of a purpose built modern facility.

“The move to Townlands means we can see more patients each day.”

While services are being moved to Townlands Memorial Hospital, clinics will remain open on other Trust sites in Newbury, Bracknell and Reading.

Trust is working with local authorities and travel companies to support travel to the new clinic.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Couple have got Post Office licked Shahida Hussain and her husband Zafar Al outside their new Post Office and, below, Shahida serves her first customer

Villagers hope to build bridges with Shiplake

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk RESIDENTS of Wargrave are hoping they won’t have to walk on water to cross the River Thames.

They’ve launched a campaign to create a new bridge linking the village with Shiplake.

A MUCH-LOVED community asset in Woodley was brought back to life earlier this month.

The Brecon Road Post Office had closed in December last year after the postmaster resigned. Their successor had been due to start in April, but this was delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Now though, newly-qualified postmistress Shahida Hussain and her husband Zafar Ali, a well-known Reading cricket player, are serving up the stamps.

Being new to the job, they are asking customers to show some

patience at the counter.

They said: “It is all new to us, but we are getting there and looking forward to serving the local community.

“Customers have told us they are delighted to see the Post Office back open. We have been very busy.”

Among those at the re-opening on Monday, August 10, was John Rogers, an independent postal and social historian from Pangbourne.

The former Reading Blue Coat School pupil said there had been a post office in Brecon Road since September 1966.

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Post Office change manager Antoinette Chitty said: “We are delighted to have restored Post Office service to this area of Woodley as we know how important Post Office services are to a community.

“We hope that customers will continue to use this service.”

The same wide range of Post Office products and services will be available, and it is open from Monday to Saturday from 6am to 6pm and from 7am to noon on Sundays.

The aim is to connect up to the Thames Path, where it meets Shiplake Bank.

Planning permission had been granted for the project back in the late 1990s, with plans made for a walkway and cycle path, but it was not built.

Organisers behind the revived project want it to go ahead so that they can encourage river walks.

They have canvassed opinion of nearly 1,000 residents, with 95% of responses being in favour of the bridge. Only 40 rejected the idea.

The group plans to meet with both Wokingham borough and South Oxfordshire Councils, and undertake feasibility studies to determine the most suitable crossing points – no set start and finish to the route

is currently planned.

And they intend to explore whether, once social distancing is over, a ferry could be set up as an interim.

Anne Malone, one of the team behind the revived project, said: “Olivia Coppin started it, now there’s a number of us on the team, including a planning consultant, people from the village, and a lawyer. It’s a core of people that can help move the project along.”

She added that the original scheme was intended to be called the millennium bridge but it “fell by the wayside”.

“Now we’ve got a chance of getting it right,” she added. “It’s been great to have the support from so many.”

But she warned that the project would be expensive.

“It’s a wide part of the River Thames,” she said. “It would need to be tall enough and it needs disability access. It’s not going to be a cheap project, but it would have enormous benefits, including accessing the Thames Path.

“With renewed energy and

support we hope we can pull it off.”

And Wargrave councillor Graham Howe has given his support to the scheme.

“The ward councillors support the actions of the group,” he said.

“A crossing was attempted some 20 years ago but for various reasons did not come to fruition.

“With a new group with new energy we are keen to support and do all we can to help a new bridge happen.

“It would be a way for people to cross from Wargrave and walk the public Thames Path all the way to Henley benefiting Henley town and, of course vice versa, Oxfordshire residents will be welcome to our Thameside village and walk the local area.

“It can only be good for all parties.”

To help devise a new solution, the group has set up a Facebook page called WargraveShiplake Bridge Campaign Group. The group can also be contacted by emailing wsbcc2020@gmail.com

10 | BUSINESS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 20, 2020

Got a business story? Email news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk. or write to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Bounceback with toolkit SMALL BUSINESSES are being encouraged to make use of a free energy toolkit to help them have a greener bounceback from the coronavirus.

Launched by ScottishPower, it offers advice on planning ahead using energy efficient processes that can cut costs and carbon emissions.

Developed in association with the Carbon Trust, it is available online.

“We know that for some businesses, the main concern just now is survival and we’re here to help them through these incredibly challenging times,” said Andrew Ward, the chief executive officer UK Retail at Scottish Power (pictured).

“This is an opportunity for them to plan for their future and our Energy Saving Toolkit offers them a chance to map out more energy efficient measures they can take by comparing how similar businesses in the same sector have cut costs through things like lighting, heating and improved energy management.”

The energy company has also made changes to online tools that enable payment support options, and the ability to manage payments online.

ScottishPower said it is also working closely with Zero Waste Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Business Support Service, which gives small business owners access to free energy advice, online training and interest-free loans. � www.scottishpower.com

Website will link youngsters with fresh opportunities A NEW website has been launched to help link up youngsters with businesses,

The Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched Berkshire Opportunities as a source of information about jobs, apprenticeships and Further Education and Post 16 courses as well as local career path options.

The free online portal aims to help Berkshire residents make informed career decisions and support them through the employment and skills challenges they face now, as a result of the Covid19 pandemic, and in the future.

Job seekers, students, residents and employers will be able to take advantage of the portal’s realtime features, including a quick and accessible tool to search for live job vacancies, apprenticeships, course data and training opportunities that are available locally. The portal will also signpost residents to Berkshire’s key recruiting sectors, highlighting those which are currently in urgent need of workers.

It is funded by Thames Valley Berkshire LEP in conjunction with the six Berkshire Local Authorities, the five Berkshire Further Education Colleges (Newbury College, Reading College, Bracknell & Wokingham College, The Windsor Forest Colleges Group and BCA), The Careers and Enterprise Company and supported by Adviza.

The portal will aid local employers in their reach and recruitment of future talent, as well as promoting upskill and progression opportunities for their existing staff.

Katharine Horler, chair of the Skills Advisory Panel, said: “Berkshire Opportunities paints a comprehensive picture of the area’s employment and skills offering in one easily searchable website.

“Residents can access relevant information and resources that will give them the confidence and capabilities to grasp the opportunities currently available on their doorstep.”

And Alison Webster, CEO of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, added: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on the health and economy of Berkshire and will likely result in significant consequences for the area for some time.

“Thames Valley Berkshire LEP recognises the challenges residents and employers now face and has responded through the rapid launch of an online opportunities portal that will not only support job seekers in their immediate career, training and education goals, but have a positive impact on the skills and development landscape in Berkshire for years to come.” � www.berkshireopportunities.co.uk

Just popping down the office OFFICE workers now have a new excuse to pop down to the shops: their workspace is in a shopping mall, writes Charlotte King Opening next month, Co-Space Reading is offering 15 different office suites suitable for a range of business sizes. Hot desk spaces will be available for those needing an ad-hoc arrangement.

There will also be meeting rooms and event spaces.

It will be launched in the Broad St. Mall, based in neighbouring Reading town centre.

William Stokes, the Co-Space CEO and joint founder, said: “Our aim is to provide the very best for businesses, whether that is unique workspace coworking areas, or private offices and rooms to hire.

“Co-Space Reading will provide a professional, modern and functional environment.”

Silver award for SOCOTEC FOR THE second year running, a Wokingham business has passed the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) with Silver accreditation, writes Charlotte King.

SOCOTEC is a leading provider of testing, inspection and compliance services, and their Wokingham Branch recently

renewed their FORS certification for another year.

“We are delighted,” said Clare Chapman, operations manager at SOCOTEC. “The way in which employees from various offices have come together to help us meet the required criteria to pass has been outstanding.”

Corporate insolvencies rises month-on-month THE BUSINESS fall out caused by coronavirus is becoming more apparent according to the trade body for insolvency professionals.

The Southern and Thames Valley branch of R3 made the warning following the release of the latest corporate and personal insolvency statistics.

They reveal that corporate insolvencies in England and Wales are up 29% from June to July – but also 34% down year-on-year.

Gary Lee, regional R3 chair and associate director of the recovery and restructuring services department at Smith and Williamson’s Southampton office, said that signs are pointing to a ‘tough road’ ahead.

“The UK has entered a recession, consumer confidence is low, and a number of big-name brands have recently announced they are exploring or have entered insolvency or restructuring procedures,” he said.

“This suggests the business climate will be challenging in the foreseeable future – and will not be made any easier as the Government support packages begin to wind down.”

And he warned that while numbers are down year-on-year now, R3 was concerned that it will be a while before the effects of the pandemic will be felt.

“Although the statistics suggest the pandemic is starting to affect corporate insolvency levels, the Government’s continued support for businesses and consumers means we’re not much nearer to understanding how Covid-19 is truly affecting underlying corporate or individual distress than we were last month,” he said.

Still time to apply for Covid business grants TO SUPPORT the local economy, Wokingham Borough Council has been providing financial support to thousands of small businesses.

But, local business owners should act quickly if they are yet to apply for grant funding – applications for Small Business Grants and Retail Hospitality and Leisure Grants close on Friday, August 28.

The council says it has provided £39m in grants since March, and will be closing applications next week as the majority of grant funding has now been allocated.

“In the past few months, we’ve paid out grants to 1,590 local small businesses, providing a lifeline to those who have been hard hit by the pandemic,” said Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for finance and housing.

“Supporting our local economy is incredibly important to us and remains at the forefront of our recovery plans.”

While the support grants are closing next week small businesses will continue to receive support from Wokingham Borough Council.

On the council’s website, there are a range of resources and a local business forum where small business owners can get advice and information.

Go with your gut HEALTHY BODIES can make good business sense, so a session next week will help.

Dale Strickland-Clark will speak about the importance of a balanced gut when he addresses the virtual meeting of Woodley Business Club.

Although originally a photographer, he retrained as a hypnotherapist and is an expert in nutrition.

The virtual event starts at 8pm on Wednesday. � For details, visit www.woodleybusinessclub.org.uk

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Early risers flock to Bulmershe Cheers as the ribbon is cut Picture: Phil Creighton

The Places Leisure team at Bulmershe ready to serve Cllr Malcolm Richards, Wokingham borough mayor, prepares to declare Bulmershe Leisure Centre open Picture: Stewart Turkington

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THEY were queuing out of the door to get in – Woodley residents couldn’t wait to get in to the new Bulmershe Leisure Centre which opened on Monday.

Borough mayor Cllr Macolm Richards cut the ribbon to declare the Woodlands Avenue centre officially open at 9am, but the site had seen swimmers and gym users trying to get in ahead of its 6.30am start time.

The centre had been due to open in March, but the coronavirus pandemic had delayed that plan. Now it is and special social distancing measures have been put in place to make the site as safe as possible.

It replaces the former 1970s centre on the same Woodlands Avenue site, knocked down two years ago.

Wokingham Borough Council’s partner, Places Leisure, will manage the facility and ensure smooth running of the services it offers.

The centre includes a six-lane 25-metre swimming pool, a teaching pool with movable floor, a bigger gym plus a ‘live well’ gym, a four-court sports hall, and an additional studio and café.

The council says it will benefit the whole community by providing up-to-date, accessible and flexible facilities, as well as preventative health provisions.

Cllr Richards was thrilled to be the one to cut the ribbon to Bulmershe.

“I was very pleased to open the centre – it’s an excellent

venue, in a central location.

Wherever you live in the borough, it’s not far to get here.

“It’s got great facilities, the staff are very capable, it’s beautifully clean and hygiene.

“I can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t use this as your leisure centre.”

Tony Penge, contract manager for Places Leisure, was delighted that the centre was opened after the long delay caused by coronavirus.

“I’m a happy man today,” he said. “It’s been a long time coming, and the feedback we’ve had from customers has been great – they could not wait for the doors to open.

“The new Bulmershe cannot be any further from the old centre, which was great in its day. This is built for today. The old centre had lots of issues, lots of things that needed to be sorted out, whereas this is a brand-new state-of-the-art facility with everything that the local community needs.”

Some customers may be wary of how the centre will operate in these covid-secure days.

“We've opened our other sites a couple of weeks ago and learned from that – everyone has come back with such positive feedback since we've reopened.”

Centre manager Daniel Zubiena (pictured inset) said: “It’s a great facility for everyone in the community.

“I’ve got lots of favourite parts of the site – the gym is fantastic, the swimming pool is great.

“For me, I think my favourite is the group cycling studio. It’s

The mayor prepares to take on Cllr Parry Batth at badminton

As it was … the old Bulmershe centre has been demolished

just got really good ambience, great lighting and sound, so it will be exciting to see it packed out with lots of people in there getting a workout.”

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “I’m very, very pleased it’s open, and I want to thank the contractors, our own staff and everybody involved in getting this place up and ready and open for residents.

“I truly passionately believe in the health and well-being of our residents.

“Bulmershe is a perfect example where they can come and be healthy and enjoy this beautiful place where they can

go swimming, use the gym, the kids can play, play badminton – these are absolutely fantastic facilities for them to enjoy.”

His favourite part is the swimming pool.

Although numbers are limited at the moment due to the coronavirus, Cllr Batth said: “I love swimming and the sixlane pool is a delight.

“It was fully booked on Monday morning.

“I also enjoy playing badminton, so I’ll be using that facility as well.”

The centres are part of the council’s drive to encourage residents to live healthy lives.

“We provide these fantastic facilities for residents, so they can keep fit and healthy.

It’s for all ages.

“Wokingham is probably the healthiest place in the country because of our facilities that we offer.”

Cllr Batth is now looking for

the next stage of the council’s partnership with Places Leisure.

“They’ve worked very, very hard and I’d like to thank them for it,” he said.

“They’ve made Bulmershe really fit for purpose and, and now of course, we're hoping to continue that relationship over at Carnival Pool, which is another two years away.”

Mr Penge added: “We’re absolutely on track for Carnival – it will be bigger, and you know, even better, so we're really excited.” � For more on the centre, email: enquiries@bulmersheleisure centre.org

12 | NEWS

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Starter, mains and dessert as easy as pie

Cllr Andy Croy was happy to see the first donation of cat food arrive at Wokingham foodbank Picture: courtesy of Andy Croy

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokinghampaper.co.uk TWYFORD will be looking pie and mighty next month, once a popular cafe reopens under new ownership – and a very different menu.

On Friday, September 25, Rural Pie Co. will be opening up their new shop in what was formerly Emma’s Kitchen.

“We haven’t had a physical shop before so this is completely new territory for us.

But we’re extremely excited,” said Amy McCarthy, company co-founder.

Rural Pie Co. was set up by Amy and her partner Philip, and they believe that Emma’s Kitchen is the perfect venue for their new shop in London Road.

“It’s quirky. It’s not got perfectly flat walls or perfectly flat ceilings. It’s got all the character to it, and it fits us perfectly I think,” Amy added.

To ensure customers have confidence when enjoying a sitdown meal, there will be limits on how many people can be in the shop and seating area at any one time.

Staff will also be wearing face shields, socially distancing will be enforced, and hand sanitiser will be available.

The Rural Pie Co. is planning to open in Twyford next month

Rural Pie Co. is also encouraging people to book in advance, but customers will be allowed to turn up too.

Don’t expect the same old menu as before. Amy told Wokingham.Today that the company will be launching a range of vegan pies.

They may also feature a ‘three pie challenge’ which offers customers a starter, main course and dessert, each in pie form.

The couple want customers to come in and have options, whether that be having a beer or having a civilised meal, Amy added.

“We are also in the process of getting our alcohol licence sorted, so we can sell local beers

and local wines too.”

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Rural Pie Co. ran popup shops and stalls at local markets.

But, they had to find a new way of getting the people their pies in lockdown.

“We had to change,” Amy said.

“We began to focus on home delivery, we got our website up and running properly, and we extended our delivery area.

“We’re still going to offer home delivery for the foreseeable future.”

Rural Pie Co. will be announcing their opening times, menus and more in the coming weeks. � For more information, visit: www.ruralpieco.co.uk

Community Kitty welcomes first trolley load of pet food donations to foodbank

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOKINGHAM foodbank’s Community Kitty has received its first donations as residents team up to ensure no cat goes hungry.

The new initiative, run by Cats Protection helps residents to donate pet food to Wokingham foodbank, so that owners can continue to feed their furry friends.

The partnership between the two charities began last month.

Annette Medhurst, Wokingham foodbank manager, told Wokingham.Today: “The initiative has been fantastic so far. And people are so appreciative as well.

“Cats Protection is very aware that people are struggling financially, and it anticipates that it will get worse in the autumn.

“It’s something we’re quite aware of at the foodbank too.

People with pets have got some very difficult decisions to make, but Community Kitty has

enabled us to be quite generous with what we give.”

So far, the programme has received a lot of positive feedback, Annette added.

Going forward, Wokingham Foodbank is asking that people donate sugar, confectionery and potatoes.

Cats Protection have also set up an Amazon Wishlist for the Community Kitty initiative, where residents can donate supplies to the cause. � For more information, visit: www.wokingham.foodbank.org.uk

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Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Jessica Swale, right, on the Summerland set with Gemma Arterton, left, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw Picture: Michael Wharley

Hints of Wokingham in Jessica’s big film Bell ringers, from left, Stephanie and Keith Milner, Graham Slade (tower captain), Peter Needham and Duncan Kendall

� Continued from front page

Bells ring out to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day

An Olivier award winner, Jessica and her partner live in London but her Mum is still in Winnersh.

It’s those roots that are peppered throughout Summerland.

“And I am delighted that it’s on in Wokingham,” Jessica said.

“Particularly because there are a few little references to my childhood for the locals.

“The school is called ‘St Nicholas’ and the teacher ‘Mrs Bassett’. That may be just a little nod, and thank you, to a certain local school [Hurst primary] and the wonderful class three teacher.”

Naomi Bassett, teacher at St Nicholas Primary for 28 years and still living in Hurst, taught Jessica.

“I’m really touched to have an honourable mention in her film because of happy memories in my class and at the school. She always went the extra mile, there was something about her,” she said.

Jessica went on to Kendrick School, Reading and she is honorary patron of Wokingham Theatre where chairman Hedda Bird said: “We’ve watched in awe as her career flies higher. We love performing her plays and look forward to seeing Summerland.”

Jessica has written screenplays for her play Nell Gwynn; for Longbourn, the below stairs version of Pride and Prejudice and also for

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE bells rang out from St Nicholas Church, Hurst to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day and the end of the Second World War.

Covid restrictions meant only half of the church’s eight bells could be rung on Saturday.

Standing in the churchyard was villager, John Penney, for whom the Victory over Japan Day commemoration was particularly poignant.

“My uncle, Fred Browne of Norwich, who was in the Army, was in a prisoner of war camp in Singapore for probably nearly three years until the war ended,” he said.

“He never talked about his experience afterwards.

“The loin cloth he wore in the camp is exhibited at the National Memorial Arboretum

[in Staffordshire].”

The Hurst church’s tenor bell was tolled for two minutes before two minutes’ silence at 11am.

The bellringers then rang rounds and call changes for 15 minutes, the limit allowed under covid guidelines.

Tower captain Graham Slade, who leads the ringers, said: “I felt very proud of our ringers turning out today to ring the bells at Hurst. The band is still relatively new, most having learnt to ring in the past two years.

“Of course, we were sad that we could only ring four of our eight bells today, due to the Covid restrictions, but glad to be able to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.” The ringers, Stephanie and Keith Milner, Duncan Kendall and Peter Needham wore masks for the bell ringing and left the door to the ringing

Jo and John Penney at the war memorial in St Nicholas churchyard, Hurst Pictures: Sue Corcoran

chamber open onto the churchyard, as part of their Covid precautions.

Stephanie and Keith felt a special connection to the anniversary, having visited the Kasukuni war shrine in Tokyo when Keith was working in Japan.

Hurst residents who

Wheely good recycling BIKES LEFT at recycling centres for their second life have now been serviced and sent out to the community.

The recycling initiative, run by the My Journey team at Wokingham Borough Council, sees old bikes left at the re3 centres collected, serviced and returned to their former glory to use again by keen cyclists.

In a partnership with re3 and local bike maintenance service Dr Bike, more than 4,000 bikes have been reused in the last year.

Some of these have been donated to My Journey and used during bike training sessions.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “This will help our My Journey Team to continue their great work, teaching our residents across all generations to ride a bike safely, building their confidence and sharing their love of cycling and the benefits it brings.”

Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for climate change at Wokingham Borough Council, added: “As we continue to work together with residents, businesses, charities and schools to become carbon neutral by 2030, we welcome initiatives like these that will help us to move another step closer to our goal while reducing our emissions and addressing climate change.”

Another organisation that benefits from the use of re3’s recycled bikes is Sue Ryder charity.

Jane Bullen, retail sales manager at Sue Ryder, said: “The bikes donated by re3 are a fantastic way for us to raise funds for our work.

“As the bikes are donated to us, we are able to sell them at a reasonable price to make sure cycling is as accessible as possible for our community.” � For more information, visit: www.myjourneywokingham.com

listened, standing near Hurst’s war memorial, applauded the ringers afterwards. Two men named on the memorial were prisoners of war in the Far East.

They were John Blandy and Ernest Rainey, both 32 when they died.

Jessica Swale Picture: Michael Wharley

The real Mrs Bassett

Jane Austen’s Persuasion. They’re all about to go into film production. She is also creating a television series based on her play Blue Stockings.

A Hollywood offer she did accept is her current project – Swan Lake for Universal Studios.

“I’m enjoying it a huge amount as it really requires a lot of imagination to retell the (essentially skeletal) story of the ballet as a fully fleshed out, exciting, modern fairy tale,” she said

16 |

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1,600 new homes a year is a ‘mystifying’ number says councillor EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON and JESS WARREN news@wokinghampaper.co.uk GOVERNMENT plans to dump more than 1,600 new homes a year on Wokingham borough have been labelled as ‘mystifying’ by a Wokingham councillor.

A new white paper is proposing to shake up planning laws to enable more houses to be built and reduce the Section 106 funding used for community infrastructure such as roads, shops and schools.

Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement, said that the Government’s ideas are disappointing.

“It is proposing more than double the current annual housing need in our borough, which itself is already far too high,” he said.

“This consultation proposes changes to the standard method for calculating the number of new homes to be built in each local authority.

“It is purposely designed to reach the government’s national target of delivering 300,000 homes a year.”

He pledged that the council would give a detailed response to the consultation.

“The proposed standard method is highly reliant on national population and household projections,” he explained.

“These are known to be subject to error and are heavily influenced by short term trends in house building.

“The changes proposed to the standard method means the borough’s new annual housing need would be calculated at 1,635 and not the current figure of 789 under the existing method.

“It penalises authorities like us which have already been delivering high numbers of new housing as dictated by central government despite our ongoing campaign to ministers that it’s already way too high.

“We’ve unwittingly become victims of our own success in doing what the government’s planning rules require.”

He added: “Most of our neighbouring authorities would only see small increases in their housing levels using this new method, with one actually seeing a decrease.

“This proposal would continue to concentrate growth in London and the south east, with the midlands and the north subject to much smaller increases, and in many cases significant decreases within cities in those areas.

“There is no pause for thought about

aligning housing requirements with the government’s investment in infrastructure, proposals to geographically rebalance the national economy, or any sense check on local impacts of the proposed changes.

“This is inherently unfair on our residents, our businesses and our communities in the borough.”

Winnersh Lib Dem councillor Prue Bray said the new reform was destroying the country’s ability to build affordable homes.

She told Wokingham.Today: “They’ve changed the ratio for affordable housing provision from 50% affordable housing, 50% social rent, to 25% for sale on the open market, 37% affordable housing and 37% social rent.

“They’re gerrymandering housing, offering cheap housing to people who vote Tory and not enough housing for others.

“They’re bribing people. The algorithm used, means building cheaper homes in Convervative areas at a discount.”

Retirement company seeks new land for retirement complexes A RETIREMENT company is searching for new development sites in Wokingham town centre.

Churchill Retirement Living is looking to develop empty retail units, commercial units, office blocks, car showrooms, pubs and hotels into retirement communities.

It is understood the company plans to heavily invest in property as more sites close due to the impact of Covid-19.

Churchill’s group land director, Jim Robinson said: “To meet the demand for quality housing for older people in Wokingham we’re looking for the right land in the right locations, to add new award-winning retirement developments to those already selling nearby in Bagshot and Stainesupon-Thames.

“We offer generous commission for a successful site introduction, so I would encourage landowners or their agents to contact us directly with any opportunities as soon as possible.

“As the lockdown lifts, retirement housing has a key role to play in the country’s recovery plan.

Our apartments generate huge benefits for individuals and their families by enabling a happier, healthier, more independent retirement, which in turn can save thousands for local health and social care services.”

He added: “A new development in Wokingham will create jobs for local tradespeople and suppliers, and when completed it will bring regular shoppers to spend their money on the local high street, supporting local businesses which desperately need a boost after the challenges of Covid-19.”

Churchill has more than 160 developments. � For more information visit www.churchillretirement.co.uk/land

Quarter of sales are new builds ALMOST a quarter of homes sold in Wokingham borough over the past year are new builds, placing it in the top 10 for such sales in the country.

The 24% figure is almost three times the average across England: 9.8% of sales were freshly minted houses.

In London’s Tower Hamlets, 40% of homes sold were newbuilds, with a figure of 28% in Hackney and Greenwich.

Property developer StripeHomes said it analysed property transaction data to find which areas were home to the largest number of newbuild sales as a percentage of all property transactions.

Outside of London, only South Derbyshire (27%), Vale of White Horse (26%) and Salford (26%) saw such a high percentage of new-homes.

Joining Wokingham on 24% were Harborough and Cherwell.

Neighbouring Bracknell Forest Council saw new-build sales of 22%.

James Forrester, managing director of StripeHomes, said: “Not every region or even every local authority has benefitted from such a high level of new-build homes.

“In fact, you could argue we need more across the board, as current levels are still woefully inadequate given the demand

we’re facing for housing in England and Wales.”

He argues that the planning reforms could change the situations.

“For far too long, the big developers have been allowed to drip feed stock as and when it suits, keeping their profit margins favourable to the detriment of UK homebuyers.

“Increasing competition within the sector and allowing smaller developers a foot in the door should help ensure this is no longer the case going forward. However, as always, it remains to be seen to what extent the Government will deliver on its promises.”

Help offered to parents of children with anxiety THE BOROUGH council wants to help parents identify signs of anxiety in their children.

It has launched a range of courses to help parents support their children’s emotional and educational needs.

And the adult education programme also aims to help residents develop the skills and confidence to improve their health and wellbeing, as well as their job prospects.

During the pandemic the council has been supporting parents whose children are suffering from anxiety.

It created a two-hour online course to help parents recognise signs of anxiety in their child.

It offers techniques and explains

to parents how to respond positively to a child with anxiety.

The course also provides information on where parents can find further help and support.

So far, 52 parents have attended the nine courses and more are planned for September.

Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “A lot of children and young people will be feeling anxious and worried about what is going on and this is a normal response to the situation.

“Home schooling has been a huge change and challenge for both parents and children to deal with and there may even be some apprehension about the idea of returning to school in September.

“We are here to help both parents and young people. As school leadership teams across the borough are working hard to ensure their schools are safe for when our pupils return to their classrooms in September, we are also here to offer help and support to parents with their children’s educational and emotional needs.

“The course to help prepare parents to manage their child’s anxiety has been very well received and will return during the autumn term, along with our key stage 1 and 2 courses for parents who would like help to support their children with their English and maths homework.”

The council’s English and maths courses are proving popular with parents who may have forgotten how

to do some of the maths or grammar that is now a requirement of English.

It has been well attended by parents who have grown up abroad, as well as parents who may be interested in returning to employment as teaching assistants.

The courses to help to manage a child’s anxiety are aimed at children with low-level anxiety. Parents whose children are displaying more moderate to high levels of anxiety will be referred to other support within the council via education psychologists and mental health support teams, which also offer parenting courses. � For more information about the courses, help and support available, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk and search adult education.

NEWS | 17

18 | VIEWPOINTS

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

Trust our teachers WE ARE just two weeks away from schools returning, assuming there are no local lockdowns.

For pupils and parents never has the phrases back to school been so welcomed.

Lessons have been on hold since March for the majority of pupils. Handwriting sessions lost. Double alegbra unsolved. No burnt cookies in food technology. And little chance of saying “je ne comprends pas” in French.

The complete shambles of A-level grades – the blame for which rests solely with the government – shows just how important being in the classroom is. That sense of normality, the boredom of double geography and the lack of thrilling assemblies is needed.

Pupils need that sense of normality in their lives. The routine, the teachers they love to hate and the life lessons they’ll learn from their peers.

We understand some parents aren’t happy about their children returning to school – the uncertain nature of the virus means we don’t know when or where it will strike. But we cannot live in paralysis forever.

It is important that schools reopen next month and we have every confidence that the borough’s children’s services, the headteachers, the caretakers, the teachers and the support staff will all be doing all they can to keep children as safe as possible.

We trust the teachers and hope you do too.

CHURCH NOTES

We all need some fun

T

HE lockdown has made so many activities impossible. So, we have had to find different ways to amuse ourselves during lockdown.

How do we choose what activities to do? We are used to socialising and seeing our friends whenever we want, in our homes, in pubs or in restaurants, none of which have been possible.

For some of us, who are no longer going out to work and going in shops. We are much more isolated than we were before the pandemic started.

It can be very difficult to deal with meeting very few people and being unable to do many of the fun things we were doing before.

We all need to have fun, which has been in short supply for many people. It is very easy to dwell on those things we cannot do and the people we cannot meet and the activities we cannot do.

What is the best way of dealing with such a depressing situation?

We can get better entertainment on the TV, by buying a better package with more films and more choice.

We can do more exercise. I did hear of one person climbing Ben Nevis on their back doorstep, taking the number of steps it takes to get up Ben Nevis, all on the back doorstep. We can communicate with friends in alternative ways.

One of the best ways of dealing with difficulties is to make sure we cherish our neighbours, colleagues, friends and relations. During lockdown any people have done some very caring and thoughtful things for friends and even strangers. Thinking of others is a good way of stopping thinking about our own situation.

Trying to do what ever we can for those closest to us is always a good thing to do. It keeps us physically active and gives us something more positive to think about.

Geoff Peck is a member of Woosehill Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 20, 2020 We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

A classic example of NIMBYism I understand Theresa May has written to Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) Planning, objecting to a plan for the demolition of three houses and replaced with 57 retirement flats in Sonning, citing ‘overdevelopment and ‘significant increase in traffic on busy and congested roads’.

This, on a day when relaxation of planning rules was announced.

As an observation the seven WBC parishes within Theresa May’s constituency have had an increase of 207 dwellings (2.58%) between 2011- 2020 with Sonning having just 16 of the 207, hardly ‘overdevelopment’ but certainly a classic example of NIMBYism.

Shinfield, on the other hand, has had a disproportionate amount of WBC development, with an increase of 1,889 dwellings (41.7%) over the same period, courtesy mainly from University of Reading selling off agricultural land, and braced to have another 1,579 houses between now and 2026, increasing the size of Shinfield by 79% since 2011.

The arguments for significant traffic increase and congestion were totally disregarded in objections and residents of Shinfield have received no support or representations to this excessive development from our MP, Sir John Redwood, who seemingly prefers not to be involved.

Some other MPs appear to actively support their residents in planning objections or allegedly have tried to influence development procedure following a suitable donation.

The Houses for the Future initiative would appear to have be thrown out of the window along with any references to Neighbourhood Plans thus one can only imagine the development anarchy that will now prevail or speculate as to whether infrastructure will actually materialise as we are still waiting in Shinfield for promises that developers fail to deliver.

So perhaps Theresa May should think about what’s happening around the whole of WBC for a fair distribution of housing.

Brian Wood, Shinfield

Saggy old members Small wonder that "developers’ friend" Robert Jenrick MP is feverishly attempting to tear up the planning rulebook and leave places like Wokingham to their mercy.

Even smaller wonder that local toadies feign horror at their boss's plans and either suggest a futile demo or excuse him by saying he is just testing the water, we can persuade him otherwise.

This from an administration which has signally failed to lobby its own party in Government for a fair annual funding settlement for Wokingham for years on end.

Never mind, they just squeeze Council Tax payers until their pips squeak, in the hope that if they don't rock the boat they might eventually be rewarded with a scrap from the top table like an MBE or OBE. Separately, independent councillor Gary Cowan complains that John 'is it cos I is rich?' Halsall seeks to protect his ward's wealthy voters in the north of the borough from housing development at all

Housing action in kit form 'It appears that the Government is not taking seriously a threat by the leader of the council to protest naked unless housing numbers in Wokingham are reduced...'

(Wokingham.Today, August 13).

So come on John, time to get your kit off and show us what you're made of.

While Wokingham's housing development continues to expand its streets narrow.

We have been asked to suggest answers to the problems of Denmark Street.

Truth is, after decades of costly council incompetent stable door mismanagement, there is

no one somple cure-all solution readily available.

Another £600,000 money down the drain farce resulting as the the inability of the Shute End Towers

costs by sacrificing our southern countryside instead.

A little harsh, Gary; we cannot have John's chums at the Leander Club choking on their Pimms at the sight of the great unwashed populating Ruscombe and Remenham, now can we?

It would turn their pink socks positively white with fright.

And what we certainly do not need is a saggy old member of any description hanging out in Parliament Square in protest.

David Reynolds, Wokingham

Fool you more You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time”. It is very apposite.

My huge worry about the new housing numbers (1,635 per annum) is predicated on the “new” standard method, which in turn is predicated by the non-linear delivery of houses in Wokingham borough, which is due to having the four large sites’ strategy in the ‘Core Strategy’ which was the brainchild of the then distinguished Conservative Executive Member for Local and Regional Planning – a certain longstanding Conservative Councillor Gary Cowan.

The reserve sites, which were released, were also consequent upon the non-linear delivery, again consequent upon decisions of the then illustrious Conservative Executive Member for Local and Regional Planning – a prominent longstanding Conservative Councillor Gary Cowan.

All the sites (excluding one site lost on appeal) in Wokingham including Grazeley, Shinfield, Arborfield and Barkham where housing has been delivered and those where housing will be delivered, were and are those

silly billies to think outside, or indeed inside (excuse the pub) black box, thanks to the introduction (or not) of water-proofed waste sacks.

determined in the Core Strategy by a certain Gary Cowan when he was the noble long serving Conservative Executive Member for Local and Regional Planning.

The core strategy envisaged 662 homes per annum; the current standard method gives 789. It is foolish and disingenuous to say that “They have been secretly increasing our annual housing numbers year on year since 2013 until they were found out” because the housing numbers have been calculated by the current standard formula since 2018.

Previously; it was determined by the local authority and who was the man who determined it but the nirvanic veteran Conservative Executive Member for Planning – Gary Cowan.

I appreciate every man’s wish to reinvent himself but the independent member for Arborfield, Gary Cowan has been an esteemed Conservative Executive Member and a Conservative Councillor, for longer than I have been in the party.

How long can everybody be fooled?

Most of our current difficulties with housing numbers and development originate with and from the Core Strategy whose authorship is in plain view, the very vocal Independent Member for Arborfield Gary Cowan – nobody else.

The hypocritical Independent Member for Arborfield has been offered the opportunity to be part of the solution as a Member of my Executive – deputising for Planning, which he initially undertook but has chosen instead to take the easy option of opting out, avoiding responsibility and criticising the administration and Conservative Party as if he had always been a third party.

Perhaps an apology would be more appropriate.

Is there no end to its use of this year's buzzword 'unprecedented' ineptitude?

J W Blaney, Wokingham

The Arborfield seat is up for election in May 2022; it would be good to have someone who represents the residents of Arborfield and does not use the seat as a platform to continuously exorcise old personal prejudices and feuds.

Maybe the Independent Member for Arborfield thinks he can fool all the people all the time.

Cllr John Halsall, leader of Wokingham Borough Council

Taxi for Bowring Since December 2019 I have been asking WBC Taxi Licensing to reconsider the strange rules they have put in place regarding the age a vehicle can still be used as a Private Hire Taxi.

Ordinary Taxis can be 10 years old as can Uber and also novelty vehicles but PH Taxis can only be up to 8 years old.

My vehicle is in extremely good condition both internally and engine wise and undergoes three full Mot/Taxi Tests every year. Council response is Computer Says No. But If your vehicle undergoes a further RAC Inspection costing £322 they MIGHT change their minds. Council charges aimed at us taxi drivers has already increased miles above inflation.

With covid destroying my earnings the extra unnecessary costs are not possible. I doubt my vehicle will take £322 in fares by Christmas.

I contacted Cllr Rachel Burgess for help on May 25. She contacted Cllr Chris Bowring seven weeks ago and he has not even bothered to respond.

Mr Bowring and the WBC Taxi Licensing are not only completely out of touch with my reality they don't seem to care either.

I will be forced out of business by people who have proved to me, since 2007, how incompetent they really are.

Patrick, Wokingham taxi driver

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

On board I read with much sympathy your article about the licensing of dog boarders in Wokingham Borough and how their businesses are suffering at the moment.

They have been adversely affected by two factors.

Firstly, the government has introduced a new animal licensing regime which has increased the work councils have to do in order to issue a licence.

More work, of course, means more expense.

Secondly, the pandemic has greatly decreased the demand for dog boarders. Many people are now working from home and others are taking holidays in the United Kingdom where they are more likely to be able to take their pets with them.

I’d like to comment on some of the other points raised in the article. There is no subsidising of one licensing fee against another.

Where the Council has the discretion to set fees, that is done on a ‘cost recovery basis', which means that the aim is neither to make a profit nor a loss on a particular fee.

The standard rate of £57 per hour for officer time does not mean that all fees are equal: an individual fee is determined broadly by the number of officer hours required to process it.

The point was made that it might be cheaper to accept a fine for nonregistration than to pay the required fee. It should be noted, however, that the law says that 'anyone who carries on any of the licensable activities without a licence is liable to imprisonment for a term of up to six months, a fine or both'.

Finally, and here I can also respond to Cllr Rachel Burgess’ letter on licensing in Wokingham borough, the whole regime of licensing fees will be discussed at the next meeting of the Licensing and Appeals Committee in September.

We will be discussing fees for 202122, but also be looking back at how fees are currently affecting dog boarders, taxi drivers and others. We will see if there is any mitigation we can offer.

Cllr Christopher Bowring, Chair, Licensing and Appeals Commi‫מּ‬ee, Wokingham Borough Council

Sad reaction to Black Lives Matter event I am dismayed at the response I got for promoting an anti-racist peaceful protest on social media at the weekend.

For sharing details of this optional event, I was called a Marxist, an anarchist, even a racist among other things. The nature of the comments was a clear demonstration of how far we have to go to address the issue and why these protests are necessary.

Let's clear a few things up.

Black Lives Matter is a grass roots anti-racism movement. It is not an organisation, but a decentralised movement. BLM UK clearly states that they are not affiliated with the US arm or any political arm using the BLM banner.

So no, I’m not anti-police, but what I would like to see is more funding being put into addressing the root causes of social problems.

Now let’s deal with the misnomer that racism is a US issue and these protests are all about the murder of one person.

The movement was founded in 2013 and anti-racism protests whether under the BLM banner or not have been happening for a very very long time.

The issues we face in the UK are more subtle than in the US, which in some respects makes it harder to tackle.

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This isn’t about criticising white people for the colour of their skin.

This is about criticising and dealing with the system of oppression that benefits white people.

The term white privilege seems to anger people, and this too needs some explanation. White privilege is the unearned advantage white people have simply because of the colour of their skin. I too benefit from white privilege and, being completely honest, didn’t quite see it at first, until I started educating myself on the subject. I do not have to fear being pulled over in my car for no reason; I can be fairly sure of having my voice heard in a group in which I am the only member of my race; I can go shopping fairly well assured that I will not be followed or harassed by security guards; I do not have to educate our children to be aware of systemic racism for their own daily physical protection; I can even go into a hairdressers and know that someone can deal with my hair. This is just a few examples of my privilege.

I am not for one moment saying that all white people have an easy time. Many don’t. But these challenges are not because of our race.

White privilege is the reward that white people receive in exchange for participating in the system whether

that participation is voluntary or involuntary..

The sharing of the protest to deal with racism was met with something known as white fragility, a phrase defined by author Robin DiAngelo as “a state in which even a minimum amount of racial stress becomes intolerable, triggering a range of defensive moves.”

White privilege protects white people from having to discuss the causes and implications of racism.

The lack of exposure to conversations about race have left people ill-equipped to handle the discomfort of racial conversations.

I have learnt a lot as a response to the BLM movement and I hope others can too. If you want to understand more, I can recommend an excellent book I’m reading Me and White Supremacy by Layla F Saad.

Please remember in the words of Bishop Desmond Tutu that “if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

Cllr Sarah Kerr Liberal Democrat Councillor for Evendons Ward, Wokingham Borough Council The peaceful, socially distanced protest is taking place at Elms Field in Wokingham from 3pm on Saturday, August 29.

clivejones From the chamber

The highway asset

T

HE semi-rural nature of our borough has to be protected and the Liberal Democrats will do their best to do this.

I wish to thank all those who supported my recent Devine Daily Dashes for Berkshire's Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Services charity.

Together we raised £390, an amazing amount in these troubled and cash strapped times.

The charity needs to raise £1.6 million each year to continue to provide its community, day and respite care services.

Sadly, due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the charity's fundraising events for 2020, and possibly beyond, have all been cancelled.

The charity relies alsmost exclusively on its fundraising along with donations. As a result, it has had to delay the opening of its 24/7 beds.

Finally, please keep calm, keep safe, keep optimistic and keep supporting this local and vital charity however and whenever you can.

Paul Farmer, Reading

Lib Dems do not agree with the governments newly published position which will in our view allow developers to take control of the new house building process, leading to Wokingham seeing a further 32,000 new houses built within the next 20 years. This will not be good for our local environment.

I am delighted that I have been able to get ALL Party agreement to issue a formal invitation to the Secretary of State for Housing and his senior civil servants; for them to visit Wokingham to meet with ALL POLITICAL PARTIES, Town and Parish councils and residents groups so that they can fully understand the depth of feeling that there is about the Conservative governments new housing policy. Hopefully the Councils CEO will be able to set up this meeting shortly.

In recent weeks the Conservatives have got somewhat confused in their plans to scrap our black recycling bins and replace them with plastic bags which they like to call “hessian sacks”. No doubt hoping that sounds more environmentally friendly.

The finances for this proposal went to the Councils Executive committee on Thursday, July 30. Lib Dems complained that no business case for this change was being made public.

We and our residents didn’t know if all the options were being properly considered. Just prior to the Executive meeting the Conservatives decided to bring a paper explaining the options to the Executive meeting on Thursday, September 24. Like me, you probably think they have gone about this the wrong way round.

The finances and the business case should have been presented together at the meeting on July 30.

Amazingly, or perhaps not, they then accused the Lib Dems of holding up the process which they said would cost thousands of pounds. They have actually caused the delay themselves.

Lib Dems will maintain weekly rubbish collections for the foreseeable future and encourage additional bottle banks throughout the borough.

The council’s collection contract has another five years to run.

During this time we will consider all the options to have a collection service that is cost effective and environmentally friendly.

A priority for Lib Dems will be a River Loddon flood alleviation scheme.

This will protect homes along the River Loddon from Earley and Winnersh, through Woodley to Twyford and Charvil.

Hopefully such a scheme will stop the Showcase cinema from flooding and making travel across the Borough difficult.

Lib Dems believe that our trees and hedgerows should be protected and we want to see many more trees planted across the Borough.

At the Full Council meeting on Thursday, July 23, I proposed that the council create a Covid-19 memorial wood; planting a native species tree in memory of anyone who has passed away during this pandemic.

I was delighted when this proposal was supported by the Conservatives.

I will now work with them and officers to make sure this special wood happens, if you have a suggestion for where the wood could be situated, please let me know.

When the Lib Dems are running the borough bouncil we will take the protection of our local environment seriously. .Cllr Clive Jones, is the deputy leader and

Tony Johnson’s look at the white paper on planning and housing numbers is overleaf

environment lead for Wokingham Liberal Democrats

The mask slips What an angry tirade you published (and placed first) in your letters column last week, attacking a bus driver for not enforcing mask-wearing, and an old lady passenger for letting her face covering slip.

The writer even gave the bus number and the date, helping to get into trouble someone whose job may be under threat, thanks to the current crisis.

Bus drivers are aware there are passengers who have an exemption, due to breathing difficulties brought on by mask-wearing. Perhaps that driver was just showing a little common sense and compassion.

An incident in a local convenience store I experienced might provide some balance. An older customer wearing a mask collapsed on the floor and fainted, injuring himself as he fell.

The NHS volunteer who fortunately was there and came to his assistance, told me that wearing a mask probably contributed to the man passing out.

The government has admitted it made no risk assessment on maskwearing. So should we not take time to

consider, before rushing to judgment over particular cases?

A concerned citizen, Wokingham

Still enough After weeks of one mess after another and a series of U-turns at a national level, Wokingham residents find themselves under threat of another mess, the doubling (plus) of housing development under new planning proposals.

Only last year, after an expensive ‘consultation’, we saw the biggest response to any WBC consultation with just under 50,000 responses, resulting (hardly a surprise) with 94% saying Enough is Enough. WBC Leaders, current and past, told us they had ‘lobbied hard’ on the housing numbers. We were even told that they had lobbied a Prime Minister, who happened to live locally.

It would seem that lobbying is not the answer, perhaps they should look to take the ministers to lunch and make a few donations to the party? That at least seems to work.

Last week an ex-Prime Minister objected about an application, near to their home (is that NIMBY?) for 57 retirement flats, on the grounds of over development, significant increase of traffic on already congested roads and out of keeping with the area.

A local WBC Cllr also suggested that ‘On match days at the local rugby club traffic will be even more chaotic’. They should look at the chaotic traffic EVERY day in Shinfield, Earley, Winnersh, Wokingham town centre, to mention but a few.

Where were WBC and Senior politicians when we needed their support in these areas? Where have they been as communities have been subjected to development, of not tens, but thousands of houses? Where will they be when the next thousands come? The answers will possibly only be found if we do lunch with senior politicians.

Cllr Jim Frewin, independent councillor for Shinfield South, Wokingham Borough Council

Park and no ride?

More greenwash from the Conservatives here – this scheme does not provide the environmental gains to justify the loss of natural green space, and the reduced quality of life for nearby residents.

The business plan states “It is not envisaged the scheme would significantly affect air quality and emission levels" and "The expected impact on air quality is considered to be neutral." The linking of this park and ride to environmental benefits by Cllr Gregor Murray is simply false.

The Conservatives have ignored numerous resident objections about the park and ride. No one’s sense of place includes the desire to be adjacent to a car park and a bus terminal.

No other park and ride in the Borough has been built adjacent to housing. All the others are separated from residential areas either by a main road, a railway or some other barrier which reduces the impact of the park and ride on residents.

It is clear that the park and ride cannot integrate with the surroundings – the landscaping cannot hide the lights and the double decker buses that will intrude into the community, and residents will be dismayed at the recent talk of extending the opening hours for the site considerably.

The rationale of the park and ride does not stack up. Do the Conservatives really think that people will drive to the edge of Wokingham, park in the park and ride, wait 15 minutes for a three-minute bus journey to the centre of town and do the same on the way back? Their clear alternative is to continue past the park and ride and park in the recently acquired Denmark Street car park in the centre of town or, in the case of commuters, drive to Carnival Pool car park or the station car park. With the

acquisition of the Denmark Street car park, there is now a guarantee of car parking space which did not exist previously and will provide over half of the capacity of the park and ride.

It is claimed that the park and ride will encourage trips between the housing development at Keephatch Beech and other residential areas within Wokingham and Bracknell town centre, as well as providing links to Reading town centre. However, there are no guaranteed dedicated bus services as part of this park and ride.

There are significant cost implications to set up a dedicated service or to have the current service divert to the park and ride. Under current plans we could end up with a white elephant - a park, and no ride.

Once again, the Conservatives aren’t listening and, worse, they are misleading residents.

Cllr Rachel Burgess, Labour member for Norreys Ward

Thanks for your support

20 | NEWS

tonyjohnson That was the week

Trouble, with Numbers

G

OVERNMENT ministers have had a bad week with numbers.

In Health, Matt Hancock cut the official Covid-19 death toll by 5,000 and blamed Public Health England for running the pandemic badly.

In education, Gavin Williamson has made a second U-turn on downgraded exam numbers in less than a week and blamed Ofqual for the algorithm blunder.

In transport, Grant Shapps had to learn to count to 14 and then closed France.

In finance, the economy went into recession while Rishi Sunak’s £15,000 stamp duty reduction reportedly pushed house prices up by £30,000.

In Housing, Robert Jenrick avoided numbers entirely, replacing them with a fog of marketing-speak.

The MHCLG, responsible for Housing Communities in Local Government (or something like that) has been busy of late. Two weeks ago, they launched a white paper to reform planning; together with an explanation; a press release; a change to the planning system; a call for evidence; a study into developer contributions; a Task Force; and a “guidance letter”.

The white paper – Planning for the Future – wasn’t white, it was a glossy sales brochure.

And the language. Whole swathes of text had hardbitten wordsmiths in tears, as the context-free prose waxed lyrically onwards and ever upwards, on its way to a panoply of panegyrics in a paean of plausible politicking. Never, in the field of government papers, have so many words … meant so little … to so few.

If the white paper consultation was Rococo technicolour, the changes to the current planning system consultation came across as monochromatic Brutalism. Goodbye planning departments, committees and inspectorate – MHCLG wants it slimmed down, made quicker, with less cost.

Centrally controlled. Formulaic. Three types of land: already built; not yet; and yippee.

Back in 2018 when Sajid Javid was “Fixing our broken housing market” (he didn’t), the ministry proposed a formula for calculating housing numbers for each of England’s principal councils, Wokingham’s was 876 per year. The result was uproar and the outcomes got negotiated.

This time, they’ve refused to publish any more than the formula and, without access to information that isn’t readily available to the public, you’re stuck.

Luckily, the Lichfields planning consultancy has published the numbers for at least 310 of England’s 339 principal councils, including Wokingham.

Contrasting 2018 with 2020, here in Wokingham, our number has nearly doubled, going up from 876 to 1,635 homes per year. Undoubtedly bad, but it doesn’t even make the top 10.

Compared with other Councils, Wokingham Borough’s percentage rise (87%) puts us in 55th place while the numerical rise (+759) puts us 27th. Overall, there’s 64 councils whose residents are worse off than we are. Spare a thought for Richmondshire with the biggest percentage (786%). It’s going to be a big shock to residents when they find out. Likewise, residents in Maldon (106%), Cannock Chase (95%), and Tamworth (92%) won’t be impressed either.

Spare a thought also for Westminster with the biggest numerical rise (+4,255). Also for residents of Barnet (+1,618) and Hillingdon (+1,431) too.

And in case you’re wondering what links all these apparently random boroughs together …

When residents write to their MPs about percentages, they’ll be complaining to Rishi Sunak, Pritti Patel, Amanda Milling and Christopher Pincher.

On numericals they’ll be complaining to Nickie Aiken, Boris Johnson, and Oliver Dowden.

So that’s the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Home Secretary, the Chairman of the Conservative Party, the Minister for Housing, a back bencher (and former Leader of Westminster Council), the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary respectively.

You might wonder what else links the 64 councils that are worse off than Wokingham? Of the 133 MPs their residents elect, just over 80% of them are Conservatives. Oops.

Robert Jenrick’s local council (Newark and Sherwood: +254) is waaay down the league table, as are most of Wokingham’s neighbours.

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When it comes to picnics, this is the best spot IF THERE’S one way of dining that’s dominating this summer, it has to be al fresco.

It’s safer than eating indoors and it meets all social distancing guidelines, from bubbling to being with friends.

And what better way to enjoy the great outdoors than by having a picnic?

Going for a picnic has been the thing to do with your loved ones as lockdown restrictions have eased – it’s the perfect way to catch up, eat, and enjoy some stunning scenery.

With cases potentially on the rose, it's the ideal way to meet your friends without getting too close.

A new survey by British design and lifestyle brand Cath Kidston has revealed the best places in the country to have a picnic.

There’s a host of picturesque locations, including Hampstead Heath, and Sherwood Pines, in Sherwood Forest.

But what’s that in second place?

Why, it’s Lily Hill Park, which is just over the border in Bracknell.

Experts from Cath Kidston said that Lily Hill Park is a Green Flag awarded open space with 56 acres of restored heritage parkland and formal gardens for you to explore “Take a stroll back in time and visit the Edwardian garden, create and inspire at the story-telling throne or set up your picnic at the longest picnic bench in England,” a spokesperson said.

Sounds good to us, and with a week of the school holidays left, perfect timing.

Let’s hope it doesn’t rain.

How do you create that perfect home office?

IF YOU’VE been working from home and enjoying it, and face no pressure to going back to the office just yet, well, have you thought about how to enhance your den?

Interior designer Pat Nightingale has.

According to the Home Builders Federation (HBF), two in five people would prioritise space for a home office if they were searching for a new property and one in six are more interested in updating their homes since lockdown started.

With this in mind, Pat, who is Interior Designer at Blocc Interiors, shares their tips: and they know what they're talking about, as they have designed multiple Crest Nicholson homes, including The Collection development in Reading.

Her first piece of advice is to create a stress-free environment by using neutral tones: she says that wall colours have a huge influence.

Keep the palette light and neutral, or have a feature wall just a couple of tone shades darker than the other walls to create ambience and a focal point.

The next part is to choose the right lighting. By using a combination of strong ceiling lighting and a task lamp for reading, light can be angled on to the desk surface.

And Pat says that you should make sure to control the light coming from the window on to your

screen, by using items such as wood slat or venetian blinds – you can control the amount of light by tilting the slats.

They say a bad workman blames their tools, and it’s very true. So ensure your desk has enough space to sit comfortably and is positioned close to a power source.

Pat recommends giving an old desk a facelift and repainting it to match the colour scheme in the room. White is perfect as it tones with most colours and always looks fresh.

Choose a chair that gives enough support to your back and posture.

Adding some inspirational décor will help when you hit the metaphorical wall. Pat recommends interesting artwork on the walls to energise and inspire you.

Use artwork to bring in pops of bold colour, and choose an eclectic mix of frames.

And, to remember those happy times – anything other than between 9am and 5pm probably – add in a mix of travel and holiday photos. A wall clock is a good idea too to keep track of time.

The final tip from Pat is to make the space your own by adding plenty of bookshelves.

Also consider incorporating lots of greenery, such as trailing plants on shelves and window sills to help promote a feeling of peace and calm as you try and hit that deadline.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 20, 2020

No one can bea comes to predict

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A 12-YEAR-OLD from Reading has been named a champion weather forecaster.

Ruth Harper, who attends Kendrick School, took on the experts in a weather game run by the University of Reading.

She has been awarded the title of champion school player out of more than 70 pupils to sign up.

The six-week game challenged players to predict the weather in locations all over the world using professional forecasting websites as a guide.

As well as topping the school league table, Ruth finished 11th overall, beating dozens of experienced researchers at their own game.

Ruth turned to the Weather Game for entertainment, and battled her brother, eight-year-old Aidan, who finished fourth in the school category.

She said: “I really enjoyed participating in the Weather Game as I often find it frustrating when forecasts aren’t accurate and my family and I end up in a thunderstorm when it was supposed to be bright and sunny.

“So I thought it would be fun to give it a shot and see how hard it can be.

“If there is anything that the Weather Game has taught me, it is that weather forecasting is no easy task.”

She added: “In the first week, I looked at the weather that everyone had to forecast and was confused.

I had never encountered having to predict hours of sunshine or millimetres of precipitation.

“So I took a few wild guesses and ended up earning the highest score of mine throughout the six weeks.

Ruth Harper knows a thing or too about what

“Over the following weeks, the things that I was confused about at first became clearer, though hours of sunshine still baffle me slightly.”

The Weather Game has been run for

This story about a book exc A COMMUNITY book exchange has seen such high demand, it will be continuing throughout the summer.

In May, a Winnersh family created a local library from their front garden to keep people entertained throughout lockdown.

It started as a few novels and grew into a community library, visited by hundreds of local readers and with more than 1,500 books available.

Although Wokingham and Woodley library have reopened, the book exchange will continue into the summer too.

Jason Deane, whose children Jed (13) and Anya (11) created the exchange, said: “The exchange has remained incredibly busy – the lawn did not survive and is now a solid, dusty husk of its former self. We even had socially distanced queues at various times.

“That said, we’re loving that what started as a little project with a handful of books donated by the kids now has more than 1,500 books available to swap.

“We extended it to include DVDs as we had several requests and although this has not been as popular, it has worked well.”

And to meet demand, Jason added

new bookcases and boxes, with the trio rotating the books every few days to keep stock fresh.

Looking to the future, the family are planning on finding new homes for the books when the exchange closes.

“We have had a few ideas, but are not sure yet,” said Jason.

“We will offer some of them to Jed

at Ruth when it ting the weather

the weather will be like

Meteorology staff and students at Reading for several years, but this was the first time it had been opened up to the public.

Players were encouraged to look at

numerous professional forecasts to spot similarities and differences, and then use their intuition to predict things like total rainfall, total sunshine and temperature highs and lows over each weekend.

The data included measurements taken at the University of Reading’s Atmospheric Observatory, where staff and students get first-hand experience of how weather elements are recorded.

Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, head of the department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, said: “Congratulations to all of the winners of our first ever public Weather Game.

We were hugely impressed with the accuracy of the predictions as players took on the infamously difficult task of weather forecasting.

“Even more pleasing than the quality of the predictions was the fact that more than 200 people from all over the world were able to take a closer look at how weather is forecast.

Hopefully by questioning the data and making their own estimates they now have a greater understanding of how difficult forecasts are to make and why they vary so much.

“Any school and guest players who enjoyed the Weather Game are welcome to join us as students at Reading, where many well-known televisions forecasters learnt their trade.

“There are a wealth of careers open to Meteorology graduates, including helping the world cope with the effects of climate change, keeping astronauts safe in space, and harnessing nature to produce renewable energy.”

Each winner was awarded a copy of the book 100 Years of Reading Weather, written by University of Reading meteorologists Stephen Burt and Dr Roger Brugge.

change is a real page turner Jed and Anya Deane with their Winnersh community book exchange

This is why Richard is Keeping a potty about Wokingham check on IT’S A saga that's been 1,000 years in the making – and now it can be yours thanks to a new book.

Detailing the borough’s roots from the Anglo-Saxon times through to the present day, Wokingham: A Potted History is a chance to learn about a ‘quintessential’ English county town.

Richard Gibbs has spent 18 months writing about the early days, when our ancestors were the Wocingas. He’s also looked at how the civil war transformed the town’s fortunes: at a stroke, half the houses were destroyed.

Since then, the town has been home to highwaymen, bull-baiting and beer houses, some of which are still in business.

Richard lives in Wokingham, so has had a head start on the research.

But where did the idea come from? “I was looking at the history of Wokingham, and asked the obvious question – what books should I go away and read? Apart from older texts and some pamphlets, I was amazed that there wasn’t really a book about Wokingham,” he says.

“It came about almost because I wanted to read a book about the town and there wasn’t one, so I decided to write it myself and go away and do the research.

“Somehow or other, one chapter produced two, and it all followed from there.”

He admits that the process was fascinating, especially as people don’t think much has happened in Wokingham.

“The minute you start looking at it, understanding a bit more about what did happen, who lived here, how did they live, it suddenly

Place of dreams Take me away to a place I already know Clear blue sky and soft white fluffy clouds A safe place Where dreams live Dreams perch on a tree swing in a field of hope Overlooking a brook, bullrushes merrily wave in the breeze An old wooden seat, aged with happy gasps of all that have gone before Soft rope holds steady, sturdy Sit me in the swing that I already know Expectation and promise Adjust the seat and hold the soft rope Prepare me with a comforting embrace

and Anya's school for sure, and probably invite people to take some to keep, during the last week.

“The rest we’ll take to charity or, if we can, a specific place that could make use of them — perhaps a care home, or somewhere for disadvantaged kids.

“Any ideas are welcome.”

NEWS | 21

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Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

But for now, the exchange is still running, open from every day from dawn to dusk.

“Rock up, drop your swaps or donation in the plastic box and help yourself to some new books up to the number you placed,” said Jason.

All the family asks is that all books are left clean and in good condition.

Fit my feet softly on the ground below Ready to catch with effortless ease Stretch out my feet, feel the sun on my face Hang my head back, swing my hair gently Are you ready?

Take a mental picture of the moment

Cholesterol

C

HOLESTEROL travels around the body in our blood and it is present in our cells, here Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK, explains more.

We all need some cholesterol to stay healthy but high levels of cholesterol can increase our risk of heart disease. Nearly half of all adults in the UK are estimated to have high levels of cholesterol in their blood. Many are unaware that their cholesterol is high.

What is cholesterol?

becomes unbelievably interesting,” he says.

“It opens up the perspective.”

Richard says that he enjoys the research and that the book took “two long winter sessions” before being ready for publication, which had been delayed due to the virus.

“We’ve had a very positive reaction,” he says. “I’ve got really nice comments from people saying it’s great and it was long overdue.

“I’ve tried to write it so it’s not like ploughing through treacle – it’s history, but I wanted it to be accessible and I think people are responding to that.”

All being well, Richard will have a second book coming out next year and, he promises, “I’m looking at other things that might well end up becoming a book”.

“Writing other stuff becomes suddenly quite addictive,” he says.

“It’s something I’ll continue to do.” � Wokingham: A Potted History by Richard Gibbs is published by The History Press, and is available for £14.99. ISBN: 9780750993364

Close my eyes and capture time’s essence Every movement a new one Am I ready?

Next movement is a thought, a motion A plan, goal, decision A reason, purpose Let me go Dreams awaken and collide around me Spark energy from a familiar place Rush air around me Shift the ground beneath me Bullrushes wave, a pebble drops and ripples Do you notice?

Truth, home, now Swing me back and forth with effortless abandon Watch feelings course through me Notice as they connect Watch as they change Hope and possibility I've arrived at a place A place I already know Thank you for guiding me here The place of my dreams Sarah Sylvester � Have you written any lockdowninspired verse? We’d love to be able to share them with our readers, email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Cholesterol is a fatty substance made in the liver and it is present in foods, such as eggs, liver and prawns. It is needed in the cells of our body, and helps to make vitamin D and some hormones which keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

Cholesterol also helps our digestive system process the fats we eat. Having too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to a build-up in your arteries, which puts you at a higher risk of having a heart attack.

There are two main types of cholesterol.

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) more commonly known as “bad cholesterol” and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) more commonly known as “good cholesterol”. Too much “bad” LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

What can I do to maintain a healthy cholesterol level?

The cholesterol we eat in food has little impact on the level of cholesterol in our blood. Making some simple changes to your lifestyle can help reduce your cholesterol.

Reduce the amount of fatty foods you eat Saturated fat increases the amount of “bad” LDL cholesterol in your blood. It is found in foods, such as meat pies, sausages, cakes, biscuits, butter, lard, hard cheeses (e.g. cheddar), and foods containing palm or coconut oils.

Replace foods that are high in saturated fat with foods containing unsaturated fats such as, olive oil, rapeseed oil, nuts, seeds and oily fish (e.g. salmon and mackerel). Aim for at least one portion of oily fish each week.

Eat more fibre High fibre foods can reduce your risk of heart disease and help lower the amount of “bad” LDL cholesterol in your blood. Good sources of fibre include fruit and vegetables, brown rice, wholemeal bread, oats, beans and pulses.

Get active Aim to do 150 minutes of moderate exercise (e.g. brisk walking, swimming or cycling) or any activity which gets your heart beating faster.

Active people have increased levels of “good” HDL cholesterol meaning their bodies are good at removing the “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Stop smoking Smoking reduces the levels of “good” HDL cholesterol in your blood and this can result in higher levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Reduce your alcohol intake It is recommended that men and women avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol each week.

Take a test It is recommended that adults over the age of 40, or anyone at high risk of heart disease should get their cholesterol levels checked. If you want a cholesterol check, you should speak to your GP. Anyone can have high cholesterol and it is very common. There are usually no symptoms so, unless you get a test, you may be unaware of your risk of developing heart disease.

22 | LEISURE

wokinghamlovesmusic Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

M

USIC is the sound of summer, especially with festivals. In normal times, we’d be getting really excited about the August Bank Holiday and the Wokingham Festivbal, but it’s not to be this year.

But never fear, Chris Hillman from White Star Records has curated a list to make up for it. The Wokingham Love Music soundtrack features songs from bands and artists with some connection to Wokingham’s music scene. There’s a range of musical styles to enjoy meaning that there’s something for everyone You can listen for FREE via Spotify. There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic Fred’s House – Walls And Ceilings Taken from the band’s new four-track EP which has been receiving great reviews.

The respected RnR Magazine described it as ‘an effervescent collection of power-pop/ fusion’, which could be said about the band too.

Fred’s House are an excellent live band with gorgeous vocal harmonies, wonderful melodies and very good musicianship. We were looking forward to them appearing at Wokingham Festival but hopefully we’ll be singing along to this song live in 2021 instead – fredshousemusic.co.uk Cafe Chaos – Seventh Heaven Here’s another band that we were looking forward to seeing at Wokingham Festival. Imagine sitting in the sun hearing the beautiful guitar playing of this track being played live.

The band are a group of musicians from Henley and describe themselves as a progressive rock / fusion band drawing on influences such as Pink Floyd, Camel, Focus (they were great at Wokingham Music Club a few years ago) and Gary Moore.

Late last year they released their debut album ‘Shifting Sands’ which features this track – cafechaos.net Flutatious – Wendel the Witch Festival faves who combine violin, flute, guitar, bass, drums and occasional vocals to produce an uplifting mixture of rock, celtic, folk, psychedelia and dance that you can’t stop yourself moving to – www.flutatious.co.uk Crystal Jacqueline – White Horse Hill This track is from Jacqueline’s latest album, A Prayer for the Birds which was released by Wokingham based Mega Dodo Records – www.facebook.com/ crystaljacquelinemusic Gemma Dorsett – Broken, Blessed & Beautiful As well as her solo work, Gemma also fronts the blues/ rock band Eleven:11 who went down a storm at last year’s Wokingham Festival – gemmadorsett.com Zach Johnson – Mississippi Taken from the live EP Songs from the Riverhouse Barn by this up-and-coming local indie/folk singer songwriter who has appeared at WMC and Wokingham Festival www.zjohnsonmusic.com Fish – Garden Of Remembrance This is the latest single from the forthcoming album Weltschmerz. With poignant and personal lyrics written by Fish, the music for the single was cowritten with local musician John Mitchell– www.fishmusic.scot Laura Marling – Held Down Laura grew up in the local area and has achieved great success with her music. This track is from her Mercury Prize nominated album, Song For Our Daughter. www.lauramarling.com Lonely Robot – The Silent Life This track was recorded at Lonely Robot main man, John Mitchell’s Outhouse Studios in Reading www.johnmitchellhq.com Lewis and Leigh – The 4.19 Chosen by WMC founder Stan Hetherington as one of his favourite tracks he’s seen performed at WMC over the years – www.facebook.com/ lewisandleighmusic

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plasticfreehome Dave Lamont facebook.com/PlasticFreeHomeUK

Climate change is here. Now

B

ACK in 2006, I remember watching former United States’ Vice President Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth, about what we then commonly referred to as “global warming”.

At the time he said, “What we take for granted might not be here for our children,” a sobering thought and a message that the likes of Sir David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg have echoed in more recent times.

In a country still reeling from the atrocities of 9/11, Gore reminded viewers of the phrase, “Never again” that had been used in response to the attacks.

He then played an animation showing the potential devastation that climate change and sea level rise could wreak on the Big Apple and pointed out that “The area where the World Trade Center Memorial is to be located would be underwater.”

This week, we watched Ice On Fire, a more recent documentary, produced by Leonardo Di Caprio. In the 13 years between the two films, 12% of the planet’s Arctic sea ice has been lost, an area twice the size of the UK. Many still talk of climate change as if it is something that’s coming down the track – a problem that we will turn our attentions to tomorrow, and a threat that we have the means to go toe to toe with and tackle head on. That mindset, most prevalent among world leaders and in the world of big business, is wrong.

Dangerously so.

The late Pulitzer Prize winning author, Upton Sinclair, once wrote that, “It’s difficult to get a man to understand something if his salary depends upon his not understanding it”. Never has a truer word been uttered.

Whether we like it or not, our planet is run by this influential and powerful minority and our lives and the major decisions that affect them are governed by economic forces.

But that doesn’t mean that every

single one of us cannot help to bring about change, nor that the situation is hopeless. Far from it. That is, in part, Ice On Fire’s more positive assessment of the situation too.

I am a firm believer, as I often say, that we must all vote with our feet. Politicians only occupy these powerful positions because we put them there. To some extent, the same is true of business leaders. They, and their companies, enjoy incredible wealth because people continue to provide demand for their products and services.

Personally, I will not vote for candidates, locally or nationally, who do not put the environment and properly addressing climate change at the heart of their policies. And, as much as possible, I aim to avoid big brands, in favour of local, independent and more sustainable alternatives.

In supporting local, independent businesses, you are putting money back into your community and the area in which you live. The goods or end product are often better, as is the (typically more personal) service, and in many cases doing so may involve a reduced environmental footprint.

You only have to look at the recent heatwave here in the UK, during which the mercury hit 37.8°C, to see that urgent action is long overdue.

According to the Met Office, “The

latest UK State of the Climate report shows we are experiencing higher maximum temperatures and longer warm spells.”

Last year, as the UK experienced the hottest day on record (38.7°C), the World Weather Attribution initiative warned that the heatwave was made twice as likely because of climate change.

The Met Office has said that such extreme heatwaves may be expected at least every other year in the future.

For us, the lifting of lockdown has not led to radical and sudden changes.

We still enjoy several countryside walks every week, spend as much time as we can in the garden (we’ve planted a further five trees and, inspired by recent trips to Gray’s Farm and West Green Fruits, are adding some fruit trees and plants), aren’t jetting off overseas and will continue to strictly limit our flying

and carefully consider what we buy, how it’s made and where it comes from.

According to the ONS, there are 28 million UK households. If each bought four pints of milk from the ‘milkman’ instead of from a leading supermarket every week for a year, supermarkets would share a collective £1.5bn hit (if you’re able to avoid cow’s milk altogether, even better).

If each household recycled two additional items every week for a year, that would result in nearly 3 billion items of waste being diverted from landfill or incineration, provide a not insignificant emissions saving and generate recyclable material that can be turned into something new.

If every adult and child in the country bought one less item of clothing in a year, that would mean more than 60 million less items being produced, and the environmental impact of that, and a financial hit of up to £1 billion for the fashion industry and retailers.

I am by no means encouraging us to kill off big brands nor do I want to see workers out of a job. Instead, I want to see those as the top sitting up and taking note, listening, caring, innovating and acting.

Doing the right thing. Before it really is too late.

I believe that the above has a huge role to play in helping us to form a socalled “green economy”.

One in which companies, big and small, and our “beloved” system (and planet) can not only survive, but thrive.

For more tips and advice, join the online group at www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk Got a comment or question?

Email plasticfreehome@gmail.com

Go bananas for these bunch of banana split recipes

W

ITH National Banana Split Day on Tuesday, now’s the time to go bananas for Aldi’s homemade recipes.

Enjoy a sweet and sticky Caramelly Banana Split, a truly Tropical Banana Split, a heavenly Barbecue Chocolate version, as well as a boozy banana split recipe for the adults.

Chop the pineapple and mango chunks finely.

Peel the banana and cut in half lengthways.

Put on a plate, put the chopped fruits between the halves, drizzle over the yogurt and sprinkle over the granola.

Try different flavours of yogurt, tropical fruits and granola to make a change.

Aldi’s Caramelly Banana Split

Aldi’s Barbecue Chocolate Banana Split

2 servings � 6 Scoops Caramel Ice Cream � 2 Bananas � Squirty Cream � Sprinkles

Aldi’s Tropical Banana Split

Slice the bananas down the middle and place in a bowl.

Scoop the ice cream through the centre.

Top with squirty cream and decorate with sprinkles.

Try heating the banana under the grill for 2 minutes for a delicious hot and cold combo.

1 serving � Banana � 50g prepared Lets Eat Mango Chunks � 50g prepared Lets Eat Pineapple Chunks � 70g Brooklea Raspberry, Blueberry and Cranberry Yogurt � 30g Crunchy Oat Raisin and Almond Granola

6 servings � 6 Bananas � 120g Dairyfine Giant Milk Chocolate Buttons To serve: � Vanilla Ice Cream � Berries of your choice Leave the bananas unpeeled and cut a slit down the centre of each banana from top to tip.

Place 5-6 chocolate buttons into the slit of each banana.

Wrap the bananas in foil.

Place the bananas, cut side up,

directly onto the barbecue charcoal.

Allow to cook for 25-30 minutes.

Carefully remove from the barbecue and allow to cool.

Remove from the foil.

Serve the bananas in their skins with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

To brighten up your Banana Split, garnish with your favourite berries.

Aldi’s Beer-infused Banana Split � 1 Hobgoblin Ale � 6 scoops Caramel Ice Cream � 2 Bananas � Squirty Cream � Mini Marshmallows Slice the bananas down the middle and place in a bowl Scoop the ice cream and place in the bowl Follow by pouring a ¼ of the Hobgoblin ale around the sides Top with squirty cream and decorate with sprinkles and marshmallows Try heating the banana under the grill for 2 minutes for a delicious hot and cold combo

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Remembering John Herridge

helenabadger volunteer corner

T

Volunteering: there’s something for us all

RIBUTES have been paid to a gardener who has spent a lifetime inspiring others.

John Herridge, who was born in 1930, was one of Wokingham Town Council’s longest-standing allotment gardeners whose working life and his leisure time revolved around horticulture.

The town council said that John’s gardening life began when he was a youngster, helping his father at his plot at St Paul’s Gate.

From there he took on his own very large plot at Latimer Road which he tended to until very recently.

He combined love for growing with hard work and diligence, and the strength of his back outdid many much younger men.

John’s family are steeped in the town’s history and are Wokingham through and through.

One of his forebears was as a gas lamp lighter around the town’s railway station and John was born in Mount Pleasant.

He left school at 15 and began work at Bailey’s horticultural establishment off Barkham Road.

It was here that he fell in love with carnations which remained a lifelong passion, exhibiting them around the country.

John worked for Wokingham Borough Council in environmental health, until he retired in 1997.

He could turn his hand to many things and was steeped in the old allotment ways of make do and mend.

He maintained his shed, which was described as leaning like the tower at Pisa, defying gravity, with an old front door from his daughter’s house.

And John was said to be the goto man for gardening advice at Latimer Road because his knowledge was so extensive and he was always happy to share it and encourage others.

He won the best gardener prize at Latimer Road in the allotments competition many times – and

rightly so.

Cllr Nick Campbell-White (Amenities Committee Chairman) said that John would be very much missed, not just by his three children but by others.

“To have gardened so successfully at Latimer Road allotments for so long is a wonderful achievement,” he said.

“The Town Council is so grateful to John for all of his efforts and for how he gardened at Latimer. Diligent and hardworking his plot always looked immaculate – whatever the time of year.

“To have maintained such a standard for so many years is a great testament to the man and the gardener.”

And Chris Ayres, a Latimer Road allotments gardener, said: “John was an inspiration to us all at Latimer Road.

“The way he gardened and what he knew about soil and plants couldn’t be bettered. He was so generous with his time and would help anyone with their gardening.

“On the flip side gardening helped John keep so young and fit into a ripe old age.”

The Remappers are back in action

Geoff Planner Members of the Island Sailing club – Reading were shattered to learn of the death of their foremost members, Geoff Planner of Winnersh.

Geoff felt unwell after sailing at the club on Sunday, August 9, and died later that evening.

Geoff was a founder member in 1975 of the club, which sails at Englefield Lake, Pingewood, becoming its first secretary.

He became Commodore in 1983 and as well as being one of the club’s best sailors, having won many races and series he always held office in one position or another.

He undertook the club’s training programme and organised annual sailing weekends at the coast.

Geoff’s contribution to the club was immense and he will be greatly missed.

Dick Sawbridge-Smith

A CHARITY that designs and makes bespoke gadgets for people with a disability of special need says it is once again able to help Wokingham borough residents.

Remap Berkshire paused its work during lockdown, but now its volunteer engineers are ready to create equipment free of charge for those who can’t find a commercially available solution.

And its says that there are no ‘tedious’ forms to fill in to receive the help. All people have to do is get in touch and it will see what it can do.

It hasn’t been totally dormant during lockdown. Projects that the

team have completed have included a retractable wheelchair ramp allowing access from pavement into home; a moveable rope gangplankhand-rail for a stroke victim living on a narrowboat; a retractable bracket for a wheelchair controller; a standard bath seat adapted to fit a narrow bath and several long-reach window openers and securitybottle-top openers.

And another job completed by Remap Berkshire was a special moving recliner-style seat and supporting frame which allows a young person with cerebral palsy to take a shower without his carers risking serious back damage lifting

him in and out.

Standard hoists were unsuitable for the bathroom.

Remap Berkshire MakeAbility volunteer engineer Andrew Roberts of Wokingham designed and built the gadget – adapting some readymade components and creating others from scratch – working closely with the patient's family and occupational therapist over many months.

For more details, or request help, email Remap Berkshire's MakeAbility service: Berks.CaseOfficer@remapgroups.org. uk, call 07790 127123 or log on to www.berkshire.remap.org.uk

Hospital staff up for Covid awards STAFF at the Royal Berkshire Hospital have been recognised for their work researching the coronavirus.

Now they face an anxious wait to find out if their nominations for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Thames Valley and South Midlands awards will be the winning ones.

The Reading-based hospital’s research team is up for six of the 12 categories in the awards, which will be announced on Wednesday, September 30.

Nominations include the all-round high performing team and contribution to Covid-19 research.

In addition to the team awards, a number of clinical members of the team were shortlisted including Dr Liza Keating and Dr Matthew Frise in the category of outstanding principal

investigators and Caroline Higgins and Steve Foley as outstanding research champions.

Elizabeth Taylor and Jess Caterson have both been recognised and nominated as rising research stars in the region and Susanna Malakorpi for her contribution as a research nurse.

The ‘Recovery Trial’ which is looking into treatment options for Covid-19 was shortlisted in the category of ‘study of the year’.

Locally this is led by Dr Matthew Frise, consultant in acute medicine and intensive care, and involved a number of departments and staff across the Trust who consented participants into the study.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital said that it was delighted to hear that this study has also been shortlisted.

Dr Atul Kapila, director of research and development at the RBH, said: “This is an amazing achievement to be recognised, nominated and shortlisted for so many awards.

“I am incredibly proud of the team and department for the work they have done and how it has improved care and increased our understanding of treating a number of health conditions, and the benefits it has brought to so many of our patients.

“This recognition is so well deserved and I wish them all the very best at the awards in September.

Dr Kapila added: “Everyone should be proud of their achievements. Along with colleagues across the Trust, they have all demonstrated tenacity, compassion, resourcefulness and excellence in delivering on Covid-19 research.”

V

OLUNTEERING roles come in all shapes and sizes, so to speak, and so there is something out there that will appeal to everyone, whatever they’re looking for.

Whether it’s a support role alongside others, where teamwork and communication skills are important, an individual role supporting someone in need where integrity, empathy and listening are vital, or a leadership role where a strategic outlook and enquiring mind are essential skills there are local organisations and groups looking for your support.

Strong organisations need effective leadership and that’s where a skilled, diverse and balanced board is required.

A clear separation between oversight and operations is necessary as the trustees provide constructive challenge to the operational team, volunteer or employed, but having the right motivations for being involved and having empathy for the cause are also essential criteria.

While these positions carry important duties and responsibilities, training is available from a number of organisations to provide support to inexperienced Trustees and Directors.

Two local organisations are currently seeking Trustees.

WOKINGHAM JOB SUPPORT CENTRE is a local charity established around 28 years ago, operating from an office in the centre of Wokingham town and is open five days a week.

It aims to assist both those looking for a better job and also unemployed residents of Wokingham and Bracknell Forest areas to gain employment through the supervised provision of services and facilities not otherwise provided by the Employment Service.

The charity is looking for a new trustee to assist with management oversight and will ideally have some marketing/publicity skills to employ in support of the day to day promotion of the services offered.

Time requirements are variable with around four trustee meetings a year, one AGM and some ad hoc meetings plus some practical advice and guidance as and when required.

BRACKNELL SHOPMOBILITY is looking for someone with change management skills and enthusiasm to transform the governance and operation of the organisation, to serve the mobility needs of residents and visitors to Bracknell with limited mobility to fully access the town centre easily and effectively.

The charity, first established in February 2004, hires mobility scooters and associated equipment, offers social contact and advice to people with disabilities, carers and family.

It is well-situated in Princess Square which is part of the next-stage redevelopment of the town centre.

While they have been historically funded by the local authority, they need to be fully independent by early 2021.

The Board meets every two months, with the existing trustees also somewhat involved in operations in the shop.

The Unit has reopened after lockdown with limited capacity and now needs to consider how the charity will deliver its full range of services, as well as grow to generate funds for this muchchanged future. . � These are just some of the latest opportunities on our books. Contact us: 0118 977 0749, email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk or visit www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and see all the roles we have to offer.

24 | LEISURE

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Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Make going to the cinema a real event

Fleabag and Present Laughter are two screenings coming to Norden Farm

G

OING OUT out is a bit of an event at the moment – choosing the right mask, ensuring you’ve got the hand gel and remembering not to hug friends you’ve not seen for six months.

And one arts centre is turning the big screen into an event too.

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead is reopening its doors inline with government guidance.

As part of this, it has commissioned a series of Event Cinema screenings of live or pre-recorded shows: theatre, musicals and concerts from all around the world.

Organisers say that it gives audiences the opportunity to watch performances without having to travel far and for a fraction of the ticket price.

Event Cinema screenings this Autumn include shows from The Old Vic in London, Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna and The Louvre in France.

The Event Cinema season starts with Jonas Kaufmann – My Vienna on Wednesday, September 9, and Thursday, September 10, at 11.30am.

The concert was originally filmed live at Wiener Konzerthaus in Vienna. It is a tribute by the star tenor to world-famous melodies from the birthplace of waltz and operetta.

Fleabag is the award-winning, one-woman comedy that inspired the BBC’s hit TV series of the same name.

See an encore screening of NT Live – Fleabag on Wednesday, September 9, at 5pm and 8pm, Thursday, September 10, at 8pm and Saturday, September 12, at 8pm.

Fleabag is written and performed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

It is a rip-roaring look at some sort of woman living her sort of life.

Andrew Scott is famed for his role as the priest in the BBC version of Fleabag.

He comes to the big screen in NT Live – Present Laughter, filmed live at The Old Vic. Noël Coward’s provocative comedy is a giddy and surprisingly modern reflection on fame, desire and loneliness.

See it being screened on Thursday, September 10, at 2.30pm and Friday, September 11, at 7pm.

A Night at the Louvre – Leonardo da Vinci is a private guided tour of the world famous art gallery. It was filmed especially for the big screen. See it on Wednesday, September 16, at 2.30pm and Thursday, September 24, at 11.30am.

42nd Street – The Musical was filmed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

It stars Bonnie Langford and features the iconic songs We’re In The Money, Lullaby Of Broadway and I Only Have Eyes For You. It is screened on Friday, September 11, at 2pm.

Other Event Cinema screenings this season include Kinky Boots – The Musical; Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show; André Rieu Magical Maastricht; The King and I: From the London Palladium; NT Live – All My Sons; and Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes.

Tickets for all Event Cinema screenings at Norden Farm are £15. � For more details, log on to norden.farm/events/future/ event%20cinema

The Farm Cafe offers the option for customers to customise their breakfast platters Pictures: Claire Worsfold

Breakfast is served (half-price) The Farm Cafe Ashridge Manor Garden Centre Forest Road Wokingham RG40 5QY 0118 979 9708 farmcafewokingham.co.uk

B

REAKFAST is the most important meal of the day – and that’s especially true for The Farm Cafe, as its offering has been voted as one of the best in Berkshire.

Based at Ashridge Manor Garden Centre, the popular cafe is taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out scheme this month, meaning that it’s also half price on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (it doesn’t open on Mondays) between now and the end of the month.

As well as a dine-in option, it is also possible to order takeaways.

In these Covid-secure times, it is pleasing to see how seriously the team at The Farm Cafe have taken safety. Staff were wearing visors, and there is plenty of hand sanitiser around.

Tables are well spaced out, both indoors and out – if you do brave the elements, there is a large sun shade meaning that the only thing that is crispy is the bacon.

Back to breakfast: there are several

to choose from: vegetarian, vegan, sweet, and a make-your-own, there’s something for everyone.

Add in hot drinks, smoothies and juices, and you’ve got a meal that will ensure you’ll need little else to eat for the rest of the day.

My Smashed Avocado On Whole Toast (£7.95) was served with poached eggs and mushrooms and sprinkled with omega seeds.

It was served piping hot, with eggs cooked to

Howzat! South Hill Park keeps summer going IT MIGHT be at the start of autumn, but a Bracknell arts venue is trying to keep summer going thanks to a new open-air production.

A special socially distanced performance of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays is being planned for the grounds of South Hill Park next month.

Six actor-musicians will perform a 60-minute cricketthemed family-friendly

production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And they will be hoping that rain won’t stop play – there are three performances scheduled for Sunday, September 6.

Places will be limited for the shows, which are staged by Scoot Theatre.

The group have been taking their show to cricket grounds, but are now coming to Bracknell.

South Hill Park advises that

face masks must be worn whilst in the amphitheatre where the performance is taking place, and to bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

Audiences are also asked to wear appropriate clothing and shoes for the weather.

In the event of extreme weather conditions the production may be re-located or cancelled, and ticket holders will be contacted.

When booking multiple tickets, it will be assumed that everyone is from the same household or bubble and therefore will be sat together.

Curtain up will be at noon, 2.30pm, and 5pm and tickets cost £15 or £12 for under 18s.

For more details, and to book, visit www.southhillpark.org.uk/ events/a-midsummer-nightsdream JOHN WAKEFIELD

perfection. The generous-sized portion was good value for money.

My son decided to mix and match his own breakfast: a veggie sausage, chipped potatoes, baked beans, hash browns, field mushrooms and toast for £6.95. It was nearly – but not quite – a match for his bottomless stomach.

He paired his meal with a Mango Passion Smoothie (£3).

And my daughter, who has a sweet tooth, went for American Pancakes With Chocolate and Banana (£5.50). These three fluffy pancakes served with fruit and sauce and quickly demolished. Judging by her cries for a repeat visit, it’s fair to say that she enjoyed them.

Her drink was a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice (£1.95).

We took a Vegetarian Breakfast (£6.95) home with us: scrambled egg, baked beans, toast, mushrooms and freshly grilled tomatoes.

This was packed in a container with individual sections so it could be transported easily.

The Farm Cafe is an impressive venue, open 10am-4pm Tuesday to Sunday. We enjoyed our food and felt safe.

Bookings are recommended - at least 24 hours notice so they can reserve a space.

Why not make a visit and see why it’s been voted one of the best breakfasts in the region?

CLAIRE WORSFOLD

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PUBLIC NOTICES WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below:

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (BIGGS LANE AND FINCHAMPSTEAD ROAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020

Application

Address

Reasons for Advert Description

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:

201830

Station House, Station Approach, Wokingham

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application for Listed Building consent for proposed repair works to footbridge.

1. Biggs Lane, Arborfield between its junctions with Commonfield Lane and Buttenshaw Avenue.

201959

Haines Hill Estate,

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application to vary condition 2 of planning consent 200956 for the proposed erection of a machinery store. Condition 2 refers to the approved documents and the variation is to reduce the floor area of the approved building.

Haines Hill, Reading

201726

The Poors House, Part Lane, Swallowfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Householder application for the proposed replacement sewage treatment plant following the removal of existing domestic septic tank.

201727

The Poors House, Part Lane, Swallowfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Listed building consent for the proposed replacement sewage treatment plant following the removal of existing domestic septic tank.

201660

The Poors House, Part Lane, Swallowfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed erection of a single storey front extension to form a replacement porch, following demolition of existing porch.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Langley Common Road, B3349 Barkham Road, Barkham Street, Barkham Ride, B3016 Finchampstead Road, Nine Mile Ride and Park Lane or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 7th September and 10th September 2020.

2. Finchampstead Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with Windsor Ride and Buttenshaw Avenue.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Finchampstead Road, Sandhurst Road and B3430 Nine Mile Ride or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 15th September and 21st September 2020.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake Bus Stop work in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. All libraries in the Borough have internet access in order to view this page.

Comments on the application can be made online from this web page.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

Any comments must arrive on or before 11th September 2020. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 7th September 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Date: 20th August 2020

Dated this 20th August 2020 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

RECRUITMENT

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (B3030 ROBIN HOOD LANE, WINNERSH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020

SERVICES

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: B3030 Robin Hood Lane, Winnersh between its junctions with Meljak Close and Danywern Drive.

The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Lodge Road, A321 Broadwater Lane, A321 Wokingham Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Market Place, A329 Broad Street, A329 Shute End and A329 Reading Road.

The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Reading Road, A329 Shute End, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Wokingham Road, A321 Broadwater Lane, B3030 Lodge Road and B3030 Davis Street.

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 7th September 2020 between 09:30 and 15:30.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake reinstatement of consequential damage work in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 7th September 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated this 20th August 2020 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE, PLANE INLAY WORKS) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 13th August 2020 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. Hurst Road, Twyford between its junctions with Waltham Road and Broadwater Road The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via via A321 Broadwater Lane, B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robin Hood Lane, A329 Reading Road, A329 Wokingham Road, B3350 Church Road, B3350 Pitts Lane, A4 London Road, A4 Bath Road, A3032 Old Bath Road and A321 Waltham Road or by this route in reverse.

2. Wargrave Road, Twyford between its junctions with A4 New Bath Road and Hermitage Drive.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A3032 London Road and A4 New Bath Road or by this route in reverse.

3. B3349 Basingstoke Road, Swallowfield between its junctions with Charlton Lane and Hyde End Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3349 Basingstoke Road and A33 Swallowfield Bypass or by this route in reverse.

4. B3030 Davis Street, Hurst between its junctions with Lines Road and Sandford Lane.

The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Robin Hood Lane, A329 Reading Road, A329 Shute End, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Wokingham Road, A321 Broadwater Lane and B3030 Lodge Road.

The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Lodge Road, A321 Broadwater Lane, A321 Wokingham Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Shute End, A329 Reading Road and B3030 Robin Hood Lane.

5. Rushey Way, Earley between its junctions with Kerris Way and Beech Lane.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Carshalton Way, Meldreth Way, B3270 Lower Earley Way and Beeston Way or by this route in reverse.

6. Broadwater Lane, Hurst between its junctions with Hogmoor Lane and School Road.

The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robin Hood Lane, A329 Reading Road, A329 Shute End, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Twyford Road and A321 Wokingham Road.

The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Wokingham Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Shute End, A329 Reading Road and B3030 Robin Hood Lane., B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Lodge Road 7. Headley Road, Woodley between its junctions with Beechwood Avenue and Arundel Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Lytham Road, Woodlands Avenue, Crockhamwell Road and Loddon Bridge Road or by this route in reverse.

8. Crockhamwell Road, Woodley between its junctions with Drovers Way and Loddon Bridge Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Loddon Bridge Road, Headley Road, Lytham Road and Woodlands Avenue or by this route in reverse.

9. Butts Hill Road, Woodley between its junctions with Ravensbourne Drive and Headley Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Headley Road, Reading Road, A4 London Road, A4 Bath Road and Pound Lane or by this route in reverse.

10. New Wokingham Road, Crowthorne between its junctions with Ellis Road and The Brackens.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3430 Nine Mile Ride, A321 Lower Wokingham Road and B3348 Dukes Ride or by this route in reverse.

11. A327 Eversley Road, Arborfield between its junctions with Poperinge Way and Nine Mile Ride Extension.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A327 Reading Road, B3348 Fleet Hill, B3348 The Village, B3348 Jubilee Road, B3016 Finchampstead Road, A321 Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane, B3349 Barkham Road and Langley Common Road or by this route in reverse.

12. Matthewsgreen Road, Wokingham between its junctions with A321 Twyford Road and Clifton Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Twyford Road, Queens Road and Toutley Road or by this route in reverse.

13. B3348 Fleet Hill, Finchampstead between its junctions with Fleet Lane and B3348 The Village.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3348 The Village, B3348 Jubilee Road, B3016 Finchampstead Road, A321 Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane, B3349 Barkham Road, Langley Common Road, A327 Eversley Road and A327 Reading Road or by this route in reverse.

14. A327 Reading Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with West Court and Wokingham Borough Boundary.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3348 Fleet Hill, B3348 The Village, B3348 Jubilee Road, B3016 Finchampstead Road, A321 Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane, B3349 Barkham Road, Langley Common Road and A327 Eversley Road or by this route in reverse.

15. B3016 Longwater Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with B3348 Jubilee Road and Wokingham Borough Boundary.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3272 Reading Road, A327 Eversley Street, B3348 Fleet Hill, B3348 The Village or by this route in reverse.

16. B3430 Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead between its junctions with Sandhurst Road and Heathlands Road.

The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be Heathlands Road, Easthampstead Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A321 Station Road, B3349 Barkham Road, Molly Millars Lane, A321 Finchampstead Road, B3016 Finchampstead Road and Sandhurst Road The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Sandhurst Road, B3016 Finchampstead Road, A321 Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane, B3349 Barkham Road, A329 Station Approach, A329 Reading Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, Easthampstead Road and Heathlands Road.

17. Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead between its junctions with White Horse Lane and Manor Park Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Park Lane, Biggs Lane, Langley Common Road, A327 Eversley Road, A327 Reading Road, B3348 Fleet Hill, B3348 The Village, B3348 Jubilee Road and B3016 Finchampstead Road, or by this route in reverse.

18. Station Road, Earley from its junction with A329 Wokingham Road.

19. Hartsbourne Road, Earley between its junctions with B3350 Wilderness Road and Joel Close.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Hillbury Road, Beech Lane and B3350 Wilderness Road or by this route in reverse.

20. Betchworth Avenue, Earley between its junctions with B3350 Wilderness Road and Silverdale Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3350 Wilderness Road and A329 Wokingham Road, Meadow Road, Gypsy Lane and Silverdale Road or by this route in reverse.

21. Great Lea, Three Mile Cross between its junctions with Mereoak Lane and Hartley Court Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Hartley Court Road, Kybes Lane, Pingewood Road South, Amners Farm Road, Burghfield Road, Reading Road, Victoria Road, The Street, Cross Lane, Bloomfieldhatch Lane, Lambwood Hill, Mortimer Road and Mereoak Lane or by this route in reverse.

22. Church Road, Swallowfield between its junctions with The Street and Brookside Business Centre.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Bunglers Hill, A327 Eversley Road, A327 Reading Road, Arborfield Road, B3349 School Green, B3349 Hyde End Road, B3349 Basingstoke Road and Swallowfield Street or by this route in reverse.

23. Barkham Ride, Barkham between its junctions with Commonfield Lane and St James Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3016 Finchampstead Road, A321 Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane, B3349 Barkham Road and Barkham Street or by this route in reverse.

24. Barkham Street, Barkham between its junctions with B3349 Barkham Road and Commonfield Lane.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via via Barkham Ride, B3016 Finchampstead Road, A321 Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane and B3329 Barkham Road or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring these restrictions will take place between 24th August and 28th October 2020 The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake Structural Maintenance Plane Inlay works in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 24th August 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated this 20th August 2020 Mark Cupit, Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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FROM THE SUMAS LADIES TAKE 10-GOAL THRILLER TILEHURST END

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk

With Olly Allen Royals look to youth for future

F

OR YEARS, Reading has had a proud history of developing young players. To date, 57 individuals have graduated from the club’s esteemed academy to feature for the first team. From Gylfi Sigurdsson and Alex Pearce to Jack Stacey and Rob Dickie, the Royals have nurtured some exceptional talent.

The production line has not stopped in recent seasons, with the current generation of youngsters continuing to impress. With the senior squad currently looking slightly thin on the ground and funds seemingly tight for any transfer business, Mark Bowen may turn to the academy to bolster his side ahead of the new campaign.

There are of course a number of academy graduates who are already established members of the first team squad. Andy Rinomhota and Omar Richards have 137 appearances for the club between them, and are arguably first choice in their respective positions.

Meanwhile, last season was a breakthrough year for Tom McIntyre and Michael Olise. McIntyre’s journey is the stuff of dreams – a boyhood fan who would watch Reading home and away, he is now a key part of the team. A left-footed centre-back who is confident on the ball and strong in the tackle, McIntyre is a valuable asset to Reading and many have even tipped him to be a future captain.

As for Olise, it is hard to believe that the midfielder is still only 18 years old. The effortlessness with which he glides around the pitch is magnificent for someone of his age, and it’s no surprise that he has been linked with the likes of Leeds United and Celtic.

There are also a few names coming back into the fold following loan spells in 2019/20. Luke Southwood earned rave reviews at Hamilton, and at 22 years old will now want to challenge Sam Walker to be the Royals’ second choice goalkeeper behind Rafael.

It is two and a half years since Tom Holmes made his Reading debut as a teenage centre-back, and he is now back from KSV Roeselare in Belgium ready to fight for a first team spot.

Another player who spent time abroad was midfielder Jordan Holsgrove, who helped Spanish side Atlético Baleares qualify for the third tier playoffs.

Looking at a slightly younger age group, 18-yearold Thierry Nevers was top scorer for the Under 23s last season and also featured on the bench for the first team’s Carabao Cup game against Plymouth Argyle. As a winger, he could certainly be an option for Mark Bowen in a position which is currently lacking many alternatives.

Likewise, Imari Samuels, 17, may well take the role of back-up left-back following the departures of Jordan Obita and Tyler Blackett. Bowen is certainly not short of options and for supporters it is always pleasing to see ‘One Of Our Own’ out on the pitch.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK faced off against Sandhurst Town as they both make preparations ahead of the new Hellenic League Division One East season. Guest and White netted for the Sumas but the Fizzers came away with the win in a competitively fought game which ended 3-2.

Dan Bateman’s side face their next pre-season test on Friday evening against Harley Wintney, while the Sumas have been drawn to face Cheltenham Saracens in the FA Vase, which will be played on the weekend of September, 19.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK LADIES opened their preseason with victory as they beat Slough Town Ladies in a ten goal thriller which saw the Sumas come out as 6-4 victors.

BINFIELD claimed a win in a pre-season test against EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA on Wednesday evening in the Moles’ second pre-season game. The Moles face a mammoth 83-mile trip in the FA Cup after being drawn away to Westbury United on Tuesday, September 1, while the winners of that tie will play AFC Totton on Saturday, September 12.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA were in action against the weekend as they drew 1-1 with Wallingford Town. The Boars take on WOODLEY UNITED in their next pre-season match on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, Woodley United played out a six goal match against Holmer Green which ended 3-3. The Kestrels have a bye in the first round qualifying round of the FA Vase and will face either Virginia Water or Reading City in the second round to be played on Saturday, October 10.

Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies beat Slough Town Ladies 6-4. Pictures: Andrew Batt- FootballInBerkshire

Williams wants Woodley progress � Continued from back page

Wokingham & Emmbrook were edged out 3-2 by Sandhurst Town

“It's difficult to try and work any patterns of play and we couldn’t invite any new players or trialists because of the risks.

“We’ve worked on fitness but we wanted to keep it to ball related fitness stuff.

“We wanted to keep it fun and also be mindful that a lot of the players hadn’t kicked a ball for three months so they were all desperate just to get back in touch with the ball again.

“Barney has done a really good job in coming up with sessions and keeping it interesting.

“We’ve been getting a lot of interest and have had to turn players away or had to hold them back because I didn’t want players that we didn’t know there to start off with.”

Williams is confident that he has enough talent and depth in his squad for the new season to fight further up the table having flirted with relegation for much of the 2019/20 campaign.

“I've kept the main core of the squad for next season which is exactly what I wanted

to do.

“I’ve got a lot of belief in this group of players and I think in the past they’ve let themselves down a little bit.

“I’m more than happy to go again with what we have, so we don’t want too many new players because it's already a good group.

“But we have had a few new faces and a couple of them will feature in the friendlies.”

The team are currently working towards a return date to league action on Saturday, September 5 when the Hellenic League is expected to start for the new season.

“We’re being told that the first week of September is the date we are working towards.

“I don't want another season where we are struggling to stay in the league and I think that ability wise with the players that we have, we should be looking to be better than that.

“Squad size is always difficult, but I hate letting players down and not including them in the squad so I need to find the middle ground.

“Our squad size last season was good and I’m looking to add a couple more than that but not too many.”

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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EXILES DEALT BATH DEFEAT AFTER RESTART Bath 34-17 London Irish

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk LONDON IRISH suffered a defeat as they returned to Premiership action for the first time in four months against Bath.

The Gallagher Premiership made its long awaited return after the season was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the season being concluded for the 2019/20 season.

But Irish couldn’t get their restarted campaign off to a positive start as they were edged out by Bath in a seven try thriller.

The Exiles were dealt an early blow after Bath stole possession after a sustained spell of Irish pressure as Ben Spencer intercepted in his own half and sprinted half the length of the field to touch down for the first try.

Bath pushed home their advantage as they used the power of their forwards to push over the line to score a second try 15 minutes into the contest.

And it looked as if the hosts may begin to run away with the match as they again pushed over the line after a powerful push from their front line to give Bath a 17-0 lead.

Irish picked themselves up and eventually got on the scoresheet as they pressed forward and found a quick passing move out to the right which was finished smartly by Curtis Rona for his third try of the season.

The Exiles had themselves back into the match after the try was converted and added to the score with a successful penalty from Paddy Jackson.

But any hope of a comeback was pushed back

as Jonanthan Joseph flew into the corner with an acrobatic finish as he defied Ben Loader’s defensive attempt and extended Bath’s lead.

Again Bath showed their superiority in the pack as they rolled over the line for a fifth try of the day with Jack Walker touching down on the line to give them a 34-10 lead.

Irish found a consolation try just minutes before the end as Matt Cornish marked his Exiles debut with a try. Jackson added the conversion with the final points of the day as the game ended in a 34-17 defeat for Irish.

Irish are currently in ninth position in the Gallagher Premiership table having played 14 games. They host sixth placed Northampton at the Stoop on Saturday, August 22 (2pm kick-off).

BATH: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Ben Spencer, 1 Lewis Boyce, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Josh McNally, 5 Charlie Ewels ©, 6 Zach Mercer, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Taulupe Faletau REPLACEMENTS: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Beno Obano, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Tom De Glanville

LONDON IRISH: 15 Tom Parton, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Curtis Rona (Williams, 44), 12 Terrence Hepetema (Brophy Clews, 69), 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps (Meehan, 54), 1 Harry Elrington (Goodrick-Clarke, 60), 2 Motu Matu’u (Cornish, 60), 3 Sekope Kepu (Hoskins, 49), 4 Ben Donnell, 5 George Nott, 6 Matt Rogerson (de Chaves, 17), 7 Seán O’Brien © (Cowan, 54), 8 Albert Tuisue REPLACEMENTS: 16 Matt Cornish, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Blair Cowan, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Theo Brophy Clews, 23 Matt Williams

Bees relocate to new Hive THE Bees will contest their home fixtures at the Slough Ice Arena after the closure of the John Nike Leisuresport Complex.

The closure of the leisure centre in Bracknell left the Bees searching for a new home and after positive discussions with Slough Borough Council, they will play their home matches in Slough from next season.

Bees head coach Doug Sheppard said: “It was devastating news when the announcement came that the Hive was closing.

“It was a nervous time for us as an ice hockey team having no ice. Our thoughts, however, very much remain with the staff affected by the closure and wish them well in securing future employment.

“We sat down and considered our options and have had some very upbeat discussions regarding our move to Slough.

“We’d like to thank Everyone Active, Slough Borough Council and the Slough Jets for being nothing but positive and welcoming us with open arms.

“We’re now looking forward to working with the Slough Jets and the Slough Junior Jets and

becoming a full part of the Slough Ice Hockey Community as well as proudly continuing our heritage of 33 seasons in Bracknell.”

Bees director Stuart Robinson is convinced that the Bees face an ‘exciting future’ ahead of them as they prepare for the new NIHL season in their new home.

“We’ve been really impressed with how encouraging Everyone Active, the Council and the Jets have been in helping the Bees survive,” said Robinson.

“Among the positives, we believe we have a perfect platform to further grow our successful Schools and Community Outreach programmes, not only continuing in the Bracknell and Wokingham area, but also now expanding into Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead.

“We think we have an exciting future ahead, but now more than ever, we need the fantastic support of Bees fans and sponsors to keep with the club and cheer the guys on in our new home.

I’d personally like to thank Doug for working so hard to get things sorted with this and Sue Nike for her enthusiastic support in seeing the club continue.”

England legend joins Irish LONDON Irish have signed England 7’s all time leading try scorer Dan Norton on a short term deal.

Norton boasts an incredible record for England 7s having scored over 350 times in a 7s career which has seen him help Team Great Britain to a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and also a bronze at the Commonwealth Games.

“I am really looking forward to getting started with London Irish and for the opportunity to go back to the format I played at grassroots level,”

said Norton.

“I hope my experience on the 7s circuit can translate onto the pitch with Irish and I can help the club wherever I can.”

“Dan has had a fantastic career with England 7s and we are excited to see what he can do in the XV game environment” said Declan Kidney, Director of Rugby.

“Hopefully Dan can bring his experience from over the years and have a good impact on the squad.”

Royals capture Fishlock on loan READING Women have bolstered their squad with the addition of Jess Fishlock MBE.

The Welsh international joins Kelly Chambers side on loan deal from OL Reign.

She is the all-time leading appearance maker for Wales with 113 caps to her name, and will join up with the Royals squad ahead of the new FA Women’s Super League season which kicks off with a trip to Arsenal on Saturday,

September 5.

Manager Kelly Chambers said, "Jess is a world class player that has a wealth of experience at the very top level of the women’s game.

"Not only does Jess have incredible experience behind her, she also possesses a fantastic understanding of the game that will only help the players around her on the pitch and our team to progress.

"What I love about Jess is

that she is still so hungry to develop and learn and I’m so excited to work with her over this period. It’s fantastic to bring Jess to our club."

"I am super excited to be joining Reading on loan," said Jess. "It's nice to be home and I am thankful for the opportunity.

"I can't wait to get started and I'm really looking forward to helping Reading push on to another level."

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HONOURS BOARD THE TEAM EACH PLAYER REPRESENTS IS LISTED FIRST

BATTING MANDIP SOHI: Wargrave 2s v Purley-on-Thames - 136 IAN ROSE: Finchampstead 4s v Eversley 3s - 112* ADIT RAJEEV: Wargrave 3s v White Waltham 2s - 96 STAN FRITZ: Twyford & Ruscombe v Goring - 94 TOM NICHOLS: Eversley v Bagshot - 92 DAVID HOWORTH: Eversley 4s v Wargrave 4s - 73& JAKE TURNER: Wokingham 3s v Newbury - 73

Max Uttiey makes a successful catch but Wokingham suffer a heavy defeat to Henley Pictures: Steve Smyth

DAN LINCOLN: Finchampstead v Slough - 67 (pictured) SAM KENNET: Eversley v Bagshot - 66 KHARTIK KHANTI: Finchampstead 3s v Aldershot - 66 A BRINSFORD: Finchampstead 4s v Eversley 3s - 65 ANDY LAZENBURY: Finchampstead 2s v Thatcham Town - 56 JAMIE TIDBURY: Sonning v Windsor - 56 VISHAAL KUMAR: Binfield 3s v Kidmore End 2s - 56 SEB POWERS: Eversley 3s v Finchampstead 4s - 56 KEVIN MANNING: Eversley 4s v Wargrave 4s - 54* JACOB CLARK: Wokingham 2s v Reading - 54* KIERAN LALL: Wargrave 2s v Purley-on-Thames - 53* WILL LEGG: Wokingham 2s v Reading - 52 *NOT OUT

BOWLING EDWARD CAMPION: Eversley v Bagshot - 6-24 PAUL MORGAN: Binfield 3s v Kidmore End 2s - 4-14 ATHARVA PATIL: Wokingham 3s v Newbury - 4-27 EDDIE LEE: Binfield 2s v Thatcham Town 2s - 4-35 IAN GODDARD: Binfield v Fleet - 4-41 GRAEME ELLIS: Eversley 4s v Wargrave 4s - 4-45 TOM STEVENSON: Emmbrook & Bearwood v Knotty Green 3-10 JASON SOAMES: Finchampstead 3s v Aldershot - 3-16 KEVIN MANNING: Eversley 4s v Wargrave 4s - 3-16 RAVI BALAKRISHNAN: Emmbrook & Bearwood 2s v Holyport - 3-19 BEN COLE: Finchampstead 3s v Aldershot - 3-20 MANDIP SOHI: Wargrave 2s v Purley-on-Thames - 3-21 JARRYD WALLACE: Wargrave 2s v Purley-on-Thames - 3-23 JAMES DEUX PAPAS: Eversley 3s v Finchampstead 4s - 3-26 D ATKINS: Wokingham 4s v Windsor 2s - 3-29 N KANTHI: Finchampstead 5s v Bagshot 3s - 3-30 TOM SURRAL: Eversley 2s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s - 3-30 ADIT RAJEEV: Wargrave 3s v White Waltham 2s - 3-30 JOE HOWORTH: Eversley 2s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s - 3-31 LEWIS SHARP: Wokingham 2s v Reading - 3-37 IAIN MUIRDEN: Wokingham v Henley - 3-41 ROBIN THOMPSON: Twyford & Ruscombe v Goring - 3-44

Charlie Carter bowling

Callum Creighton retrieves the ball

OAKS FELLED AS HENLEY TAKES CHARGE Wokingham 1st XI (72 all out) lost to Henley 1st XI (185 all out)

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE Oaks fell to a convincing defeat after they struggled to chase down Henley’s first innings total and fell 113 runs short.

Henley opted to bat first but may have been regretting that decision when Wokingham took two early wickets. Michael Roberts fell for Henley on eight runs caught out by Michael Bates, bowled Iain Muirden.

Muirden claimed his second wicket quickly after the first as Johnny Connell was dismissed for one after he was caught by Archie Carter as the Oaks had Henley on 12-2.

A third wicket of the day came with Henley on 32 with Muirden taking his third after Bates took his second catch to remove Matthew Rowe for 10.

However, Henley recovered strongly after a difficult spell saw three early wickets after the impressive bowling from Muirden, capitalised from instinctive fielding from the Oaks.

They began to build towards a good total with Richard Morris at the crease.

He hit 30 from just 37 balls to bolster Henley’s score before he was bowled by Max Uttley, caught out Mac Keast.

It looked as if Wokingham would limit the Henley score when they had them on 113-7, however the tail end of Henley’s

innings allowed them to push towards the 200 mark after Andy Rishton smashed 52 runs from 47 balls, while Stewart Davison and Harry Jordan both added 13 each.

The final wicket of the innings came after Uttley took the wicket of Ali Akbar Raja 38.3 overs with Henley finishing on 185 runs.

The Oaks set about their chase to win the game but lost an early wicket after Archie Carter’s two-run innings was cut short.

But Wokngham managed to recover from an early set back and made it to 37 before Bates was dismissed for nine.

However, with Wokingham on 55, a spell of quick wickets fell to decrease their chances as Henley moved into a promising position of the match. Danny Housego,

Sukhmeet Kang, Billy Rogers all fell in quick succession with Wokingham on 59-5.

The wickets continued to tumble as Henley closed in on victory with three more wickets for just three runs with the Oaks in danger on 63-8.

The flow of wickets couldn’t be stopped as Max Uttley was removed with the Oaks needing more than 100 runs with just one wicket left.

The final wicket came when Charlie Carter was caught out by Rishto, bowled Tom Nugent to give Henley a 113-run victory.

WOKINGHAM BOWLING: Creighton 1-34, Muirden 3-41, Peploe 2-23, Carter 0-32, Uttley 2-25, Rogers 2-17.

WOKINGHAM BATTING: Carter 2, Bates 9, Keast 27, Housego 7, Kang 1, Rogers 0, Peploe 0, Muirden 0, Creighton 2no, Uttley 4, Carter 3.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

SPORT | 37

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LINCOLN GUIDES FINCHES TO VICTORY OVER SLOUGH BERKS LOOK FOR THREE IN A ROW

By DAVE WRIGHT sport@wokinghampaper.co.uk BERKSHIRE will be looking to follow up their wins over Wiltshire and Middlesex 2nds when they face a Glamorgan XI in a 50/50 game| at Falkland CC on Sunday (11am).

Greg Smith (pictured) scored 41 runs for Finchampstead as they took a 45-run victory over Slough Pictures: Steve Smyth

Finchampstead (251-7) beat Slough (216-8)

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk FINCHAMSPTEAD moved up the table in Home Counties Premier Cricket League after they recorded a 45-run victory over Slough.

Finches were put into bat after Slough won the toss and lost Oli Soames early as he fell for just four runs.

However, a formidable partnership between Gregory Smith and Dan Lincoln allowed Finch to put plenty of runs on the board. They got to 81 before Smith’s 41 run innings was finished.

Stuart Parsons joined Lincoln at the crease and continued to build as they both hit big totals. Lincoln was removed on 67 before Parsons followed for 43, but with Finches in a favourable position in the match on 193-5.

Zac Leanoard added a valuable 19 more runs, while Zac Jones hit a quick 39 runs from just 23 balls to see Finch

end their innings with a big total of 251.

With a challenging total to chase, Slough started well with the opening pair of Daniyal Akhtar and Sheridon Grumbs hitting 38 before Akhtar was dismissed.

Gumbs continued to prove a tough wicket to take as he held firm and scored at a good rate to keep Slough’s chase on track.

But Finch took another quick wicket with Slough on 40-2 after Craig Hodges bowled Greg Smith survives a run out call Mohammed Avas Anwar for one run.

Slough recovered from that setback with an excellent middle order display which took them to 164-6.

Naveed Akhtar’s 42 run innings took his side closer to the total set by Finch, however they could not keep the high required run rate up as they eventually finished on 216, 45 runs short of the target set by Finch.

FINCHAMPSTEAD BATTING: Smith 41, Soames 4, Lincoln 67, Parsons 43, Predgen 0, Leonard 19, Jones 39, Hodges 0no, Armstrong-Wood 6, Woodford dnb, Bulteel dnb.

FINCHAMPSTEAD BOWLING: Jones 1-47, Woodford 2-34, Bulteel 1-39, Hodges 2-29, Armstrong-Wood 1-64.

Greg Smith at the crease for Finch

Oli Soames’ innings ended

They could be without Jack Davies and Tom Scriven who may be on duty again for Middlesex and Hampshire respectively after making their debuts in the Bob Willis Trophy this week.

Another doubt is Toby Greatwood, who suffered a broken nose whilst fielding for Wargrave at Oxford last Saturday.

Berks will also play a Middlesex XI in a two-day game at Old Merchant Taylors School next Wednesday and Thursday.

Skipper Dave Tooze hit a brilliant unbeaten century to lead Berkshire Over-60s to an eightwicket win over Bedfordshire at Dunstable.

His opposing number, Paul Mustoe, made 93 not out in his side’s total of 236-4 off 45 overs, with Errol Masters taking 2-44.

Berkshire reached their target with more than five overs to spare following Tooze's 125 from 121 deliveries. He was well supported by fellow opener Don Townsin with 28, John Bates 42 not out and Mark Simmons 25.

In the 2nd XI fixture, Berks Over-60s made 184-6 with captain Richard Wyatt 46 not out, but Beds went on to win by five wickets in the 38th over, David Brown returning excellent figures of 3-33 from nine overs.

Henley’s Johnny Connell scored 101 off 109 balls as Berkshire defeated Wiltshire by 98 runs in an U16 match played at Datchet.

With Matt Keast making 45 and Hamza Arif 42, the side skippered by Adam Searle were dismissed for 269 in 46 overs.

They then shot out Wiltshire for 171 with three wickets apiece for Charlie Carter and Shaariq Sheikh.

Berkshire Women played two limited-overs matches against Hertfordshire at Ascot on Monday.

In the first game, match they made 82-8 in 20 overs with Rhiana Heer left unbeaten on 28, before the visitors eased home at 84-2 with four overs to spare.

However, it was a different story in the second game. Herts posted 99-5 in 15 overs and Berks knocked them off in 13.5 overs for the loss of just one wicket thanks largely to fine innings of 56 not out from 47 balls by captain Ashleigh Muttitt. She and Lauren Avery (20 not out) were involved in an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 73.

38 | SPORT

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BERKSHIRE CRICKET LEAGUE AUGUST CUP

TWYFORD ELIMINATED AFTER GORING DEFEAT

Stan Fritz top scored for Twyford with 94

Stuart Barrable at the crease for Twyford & Ruscombe Pictures: Steve Smyth

Twyford & Ruscombe 1st XI (206/9) lost to Goring on Thames 1st XI (222/7)

By ANDY PRESTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk TWYFORD & Ruscombe suffered a narrow defeat as they were pipped by just 16 runs by Goring on Thames in the Berkshire Cricket League August Cup.

Goring batted first and started their innings very promisingly as they amassed 65 runs before the fall of the first wicket. Kiran Juuri bowled out Jonny Russell after he had already caused damage by smashing 50 runs

from just 26 balls after hitting eight fours and two sixes in a brilliant innings.

The next two wickets came in relatively quick succession as Max MgGee was bowled out by Chandra Cherukuri, before Ollie Winterbottom was dismissed by the bowling of Robin Thompson, caught Mark Higgins.

However, Goring picked up the run rate after that and began to keep the runs ticking over with a superb spell in the middle order, notably from Johann Toerien who collected 87 runs from 45 balls as they finished their innings with an impressive score of

A Goring fielder fumbles a catch

222-7 after 30 overs.

With a big score to chase, Twyford made a strong start to the chase with an opening partnership of 59 runs before Stuart Barrable was removed 28.

Another wicket fell when Shaqil Arshad only managed to score five with Twyford on 66-2. However, opening batsman Stan Fritz held strong and batted a fantastic innings as he continued to push his side toward the target.

Twyford came close as they closed in on Goring’s target, however fell just short after Goring got the crucial wicket of Fritz, who was just shy of

Fritz keeps his eye on the ball

reaching a century, with Twyford on 192-8.

The final two wickets then came as Twyford’s innings was ended 16 runs short of victory in a closely fought battle.

TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE BOWLING: Arshad 138, Dildar 0-34, Juluri 1-34, Cherukuri 1-20, Thompson 3-44, Teal 0-42.

TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE BATTING: Fritz 94, Barrable 28, Arshad 5, Didlar 27, Longson 2, Teal 0, Thompson 9, Higgins 8, Henley 2, Juluri 5no, Cherukuri 1.

SPORT | 39

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THAMES VALLEY CRICKET ROUND-UP

Campion collects six as Eversley beat Bagshot

RESULTS

Saturday, August 15 CRICKET Championship Ley Hill A-A Shinfield Chilterns Division 1 Emmbrook and Bearwood (148 all out) lost to Knotty Green (160/9)

Thames Valley Cricket League 9a Ickenham 5s P-P Sonning 3s

BCL August Cup - Premier A Woodcote (183/5) beat Woodley (126 all out) Twyford and Ruscombe (206/9) lost to Goring on Thames (222/7)

FIXTURES

BCL August Cup - Division 1a Farley Hill 2s (146/8) beat Shinfield 2 (144 all out) Woodley 2s (166/9) beat West Reading 2s (149/9) BCL August Cup - Division 1b Waltham St Lawrence (188/8) beat Reading Lions (76 all out) BCL August Cup – Division 2 and 3 Shinfield 3s (156/9) lost to Purley on Thames 3s (157/6)

Home Counties Premier Cricket League Finchampstead (251/7) beat Slough (216/8) Oxford (170/8) beat Wargrave (156/8) Wokingham (72 all out) lost to Henley (185 all out) Thames Valley Cricket League 2b Eversley (273/9) beat Bagshot (94 all out) Fleet v Binfield Kidmore End v Hurst Reading (256/7) beat Wokingham 2s (227/7) Thatcham Town (204/7) beat Finchampstead 2s (172 all out) Thames Valley Cricket League 3a Cove 2s (158 all out) beat White Waltham (153 all out) Finchampstead 3s (173/9) beat Aldershot (109 all out) Windsor (186/7) beat Sonning (171 all out)

Sam Kennett strikes a shot

EVERSLEY stormed to a stunning 179-run victory over Bagshot in Thames Valley Cricket League Division 2B as they recorded their third victory of the season against the league’s bottom club.

Eversley batted first and amassed a huge total for Bagshot to chase down after a superb 40 overs, in which they lost nine wickets.

Tom Nichols fell just shy of reaching a century as he hit 92 runs, while Sam Kennet collected 66 and James Magowan added 39.

Despite a score of 35 from Bagshot’s Alex Dunnage, they fell well short of the total as Eversley bowled and fielded immensely to cruise to a thrashing.

Edward Campion performed clinically with the ball and ended with bowling figures of 6-24.

Nichols top scored with 92 runs

Also in Division 2B, BINFIELD fell to a five wicket defeat from Fleet which leaves them with just one win in their opening five matches. Shaun Miller top scored for Binfield with 31, while Ian Goddard took 4-41 but could not prevent the five wicket loss as Fleet surpassed the first innings target set in 22.5 overs.

FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s were victorious in Division 3A after they beat Aldershot by 64 runs.after Khartik Khanti hit 66, while Jason Soames (3-16) and Ben cole (3-20) starred with the ball.

EVERSLEY 2s suffered a 51-run defeat in Division 4A to Maidenhead & Bray 2s despite Joe Howorth (3-31) and Tom Surrall (3-30) performing well with the ball. Meanwhile, WOKINGHAM 3s and WARGRAVE 2s both enjoyed comfortable victories against Newbury

and Purley-on-Thames respectively.

BINFIELD 2s won their second match of the season in Division 5B with a 24run win over Thatcham Town 2s, while WARGRAVE 3s beat WHITE WALTHAM 2s in Division 6B by 19 runs.

In Division 7A, EVERSLEY 3s came out on top by two runs in an incredibly tight game against FINCHAMPSTEAD 4s, while BINFIELD 3s and WOKINGHAM 4s were both beaten.

In Division 8A FINCHAMPSTEAD 5s earned their third win of the season with a 33 run victory over Bagshot 3s, while WOKINGHAM 5s lost to league leaders Aldershot 3s. EVERSLEY 4s thrashed WARGRAVE 4s by 10 wickets thanks to David Howoroth’s (73*) and Kevin Manning’s (54*) unbreakable partnership.

Thames Valley Cricket League 8a Wargrave 4s (154 all out) lost to Eversley 4s (155/0) Finchampstead 5s (206 all out) tied Bagshot 3s (173 all out) Wokingham 5s (73 all out) lost to Aldershot 3s (182/5)

Chilterns Division 2 Holyport 2s (74 all out) lost to Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s (119 all out)

BCL August Cup - Premier B Sandhurst (189/7) lost to Farley Hill (191/4)

Tom Nichols sprints in for Eversley to avoid a run out Pictures: Steve Smyth

(216/4) Wokingham 4s (109 all out) lost to Windsor 2s (183/6)

Thames Valley Cricket League 4a Maidenhead and Bray 2s (155 all out) beat Eversley 2s (104 all out) Newbury (163 all out) lost to Wokingham 3s (207 all out) Wargrave 2s (276/4) beat Purley-on-Thames (182 all out) Thames Valley Cricket League 5b Binfield 2s (197 all out) beat Thatcham Town 2s (173/8) Thames Valley Cricket League 6b Hurst 2s P-P Fleet 2s Sonning 2s (115/3) beat Falkland 3s (114 all out) Sulhamstead & Ufton 2s (117/6) lost to Yateley (257/5) White Waltham 2s (179/7) lost to Wargrave 3s (198/6) Thames Valley Cricket League 7a Binfield 3s (160/6) lost to Kidmore End 2s (162 all out) Eversley 3s (218/7) beat Finchampstead 4s

Saturday, August 22 CRICKET Championship Shinfield v Ballinger Waggoners BCL Division 1 Earley v Woodley 2s Reading Lions v Shinfield 2s Waltham St Lawrence v Farley Hill 2s West Reading 2s v Crowthorne and Crown Wood 2s Chilterns Division 1 Holyport v Emmbrook and Bearwood Chilterns Division 2 Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Denham 2s BCL August Cup – Division 2 and 3 Shinfield 3s v West Reading 3s West Reading 4s v Wokingham 6s

Thames Valley Cricket League 2b Binfield v Thatcham Town Finchampstead 2 v Reading Hurst v Fleet Wokingham 2 v Eversley Thames Valley Cricket League 3a Sonning v Finchampstead 3s White Waltham v Taplow

Thames Valley Cricket League 4a Eversley 2s v Bagshot Reading 2s b Wargrave 2s Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead and Bray 2s

Thames Valley Cricket League 5b Bracknell v Binfield 2s Thames Valley Cricket League 6b Theale and Tilehurst 2s v Sonning 2s Wargrave 3s v Hurst 2s Yateley v Aldershot 2s Thames Valley Cricket League 7a Finchampstead 4s v Wokingham 4s Royal Ascot 3s v Eversley 3s Windsor 2s v Binfield 3s Thames Valley Cricket League 8a Aldershot 3s v Finchampstead 5s Eversley 4s v Wokingham 5s Theale and Tilehurst 4s v Wargrave 4s Thames Valley Cricket League 9a Sonning 3s v Kidmore End 4s Newbury 3s v Yateley 2s

FINCHES SAIL TO VICTORY FINCHAMPSTEAD moved up the table after they recorded a 45-run triumph over Slough on Saturday.

Dan Lincoln top scored with 67, while Parsons added 43 and Smith 41 to take Finches to 251.

Slough could only manage 216 from their alloted overs.

Elsewhere, the Oaks had a rotten day at home.

Full story page 37

BRACKNELL NO MORE: IT’S JUST THE BEES Page 35

DAN JOINS THE EXILES

LONDON IRISH have boosted their squad for the remainder of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership Season.

All-time England 7s try scorer Dan Norton has joined the Exiles on a short term deal.

On Saturday, Irish restarted their campaign – losing away to Bath.

This weekend they hope to redeem themselves against Northampton Saints. See page 35

YOUR BIGGEST & BEST GUIDE TO THE BOROUGH’S SPORT

KESTRELS LOOK TO SOAR HIGH WOODLEY PREPARE FOR FRESH START

EXCLUSIVE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOODLEY United manager Jamie Williams is expecting the talent of his side to push the club up the table as they prepare for a brand new season in Hellenic League Division One East.

The Kestrels struggled in a competitive division in the 2019/20 season, but had some more positive moments since Williams joined as manager in December as they climbed out of the relegation places to finish in 15th before the season was ended prematurely.

“It’s felt like a normal pre-season for us in terms of what we are doing with the players,” said Williams after his side returned to competitive training.

“Our biggest challenge has been trying to find pitches to play pre-season matches

on as a lot of places are reluctant to open their grounds and there has been talking of having to disinfect corner flags and goal posts and not being able to use dressing rooms, so it’s been fairly complicated.

“The FA announced that clubs could play competitive football again and then there was rush with every club wanting to arrange friendly games.

“But the biggest problem has been finding venues. We played Binfield, but had to play the game in Chertsey.”

The Kestrels had returned to training using Covid-safe measures and have now been able to add some new faces to the squad after the FA guidelines allowed teams to return to competitive training.

“We trained under the social distancing rules which were difficult because there’s only so much you can do,” continued Williams. � Continued on page 34

SUMAS FALL FLAT AFTER FIZZERS SQUEEZE THE WIN Teams back in action for friendlies: Page 34

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