The Wokingham Paper, August 6, 2020

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

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER

THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Thursday, August 6, 2020 No. 273

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Two arrests after man stabbed on main road

MAN RUNS 5K A DAY FOR DEMENTIA P20

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing in east Reading on Tuesday evening.

Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses to the assault, which took place around 6pm on the A4 London Road, close to its junction with St Bartholomew's Road.

The junction – which is a busy main road connecting Wokingham borough with Reading – was cordoned off to give police time to investigate, causing jams across Reading, Woodley and Earley.

Police said on social media that the victim sustained stab wounds and had been taken to hospital for treatment where he is in a stable condition.

The arrested – an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old man – are both from Reading and remain in police custody as we went to press.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Dave Turton, said: “We are carrying out a thorough investigation following this incident which at this stage appears to be targeted.

“Two men have been arrested and they remain in custody at this time.

“We are asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault to please come forward. Additionally we are asking anyone who may have been driving along London Road at around 6pm, to please check your dash cam footage and get in touch if you believe it may assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 920 4/8/20.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

70p

‘NEW PLANNING RULES ENDANGER OUR BOROUGH’ Councillors concerned over national reform plan

EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk COUNCILLORS across the borough are concerned that a naked protest will do little to stop housing development under the housing secretary’s latest plans.

On Sunday, Robert Jenrick announced a “once in a generation reform” to the planning process, which would give automatic permission

to homes, hospitals, schools, shops and offices.

The announcement was made in The Sunday Telegraph, where Mr Jenrick explained that land across the UK would be designated into three zones; growth, renewal and protection.

Mr Jenrick said the new system would help developers to “build, build, build” affordable homes for 16- to 34-year-olds who have been unable to climb onto the property ladder due to rising prices.

Cllr John Kaiser, deputy leader of the council and executive member for housing and finance, said Mr Jenrick was floating the idea to see the public response, before followingup with information about the intricacies of the plan.

He told Wokingham.Today: “We don’t know how the system will work yet, nobody does.

“At the end of the day, it’s lots of bravado.” � Continued on page 9

COUNCIL BUYS P13 RECYCLING SACKS TODDLER HIT WITH ELECTRIC P11 SCREWDRIVER

VANDALS WRECK TOWN PARKS P5 IMPROVEMENTS P4 PLANNED FOR A329M

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ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

Authentic Indian Street Food and classic favourites

T

HE COUSINS who grew up together are launching a business together — and Wokingham residents will be the first to try their Indian street food.

Iftekar and Wahidur Rahman will open the doors of their Peach Street takeaway on Monday, August 10.

Mumbai Wokingham will serve a range of classic Indian dishes, as well as the duo’s contemporary take on the culture’s street food.

Co-owner of the takeaway, Iftekar said: “Many of the recipes are inspired by my own cooking and have been developed from months of tasting and combining different flavours and ingredients.

“Our main aim is to bring something new and vibrant to Wokingham, which hasn’t been tried before.

“All of our recipes are made from the best quality meat, produce, herbs and spices, and are cooked to perfection.

“Unlike many Indian takeaways we will be serving fresh trim lamb chop which is the best of its kind.

“We’ve avoided using any artificial colours or preservatives, and all of our colouring is obtained from natural fruit and vegetables such as spinach and beetroot.”

For customers who prefer AngloIndian cuisine, dishes including Tikka Masalas and Kormas will be on sale. And for those who enjoy trying new recipes, a selection of Indian-inspired sandwiches, wraps and burgers will be available.

Iftekar said: “We serve everything from scrambled eggs with avocado on toast, to chicken and seekh kebabs.

“Our dishes can be enjoyed as a full meal, or a late lunchtime snack depending on what our customers are after.

“Another unique feature of our takeaway is that people can come to us for a light bite or on-the-go food without feeling stuffed afterwards.”

And Iftekar predicts his signature Frankie Rolls and Mumbai Sandwiches will be most popular with customers.

He said: “Our Frankie Roll includes the customer’s choice of meat with cottage cheese and salad.

“They can also choose our meatless option which pairs cheese and salad.

“Equally, the Mumbai sandwich is a perfect light bite. It combines brown bread with cheddar cheese, cucumber and delicious chutneys, providing you with all the fantastic Indian flavours without the bog standard curry.

“Our menu also includes a range of side dishes which can be enjoyed alongside the meals.

“And we can also prepare smaller portions for children, and have a range of vegetarian options.

“Allergy information for all dishes is also symbolised on our menu.”

And the pair aren’t newcomers to the food industry.

With a family history of more than 50 years in the Indian food business, they have a range of cooking and customer service experience which they look forward to sharing with the borough.

Iftekar also brings marketing and sales expertise with him from his property management role in London.

He added: “Many generations of our family have worked in and developed Indian food businesses.

“Together, we own chains in Kent, West London, and South Wales.

“My cousin, who I am launching Mumbai Wokingham with, also owns the Cinnamon Tree Indian restaurant in West Berkshire.

“Until earlier this year, Wahidur also worked as an NHS nurse in Berkshire so he has a lot of qualities which will benefit the business including working with others and being organised.

“He is also an excellent man of responsibility.”

The businessman reflected on his

Picture needed

(From left) Iftekar and Wahidur Rahman will launch their new business, Mumbai Wokingham on Monday

decision to open his newest shop in Wokingham’s Peach Street.

He said: “We can’t wait to bring our fresh ideas, flavours and recipes to this town.

“Wokingham is such a big, friendly place filled with all demographics of people.

“We chose Peach Street as it is the heart of the town and will bring in the sorts of customers we are targeting our food at.

“We will be open from 4.30pm to 10pm every day, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.”

Despite launching their business in the wake of a pandemic, Iftekar believes the current times may have its positives, as locals show a newfound passion for supporting local

businesses.

He said: “Preparing for the launch during lockdown had many challenges such as delays and difficulties with supplies, but it was the perfect time to focus on this one goal and gave me an eye for understanding the aspects which are most important in business.

“One thing that has shone through during this time is that business must go on.

“That, as well as support from our family, is what gave me and Wahidur that push to make Mumbai Wokingham the best that it can be.

“My Uncle and Father have been a huge help.”

He added: “Our venue has a lot

Picture needed

of space which, if the need develops, could be used as a restaurant.

“However, to adapt to the current times and ensure that our customers can maintain social distancing when collecting and ordering their food, we will just be opening as a takeaway to start.

“We have also implemented measures such as a limit on how many people can enter the shop at a time, hand sanitiser stations, and a temporary request for customers to wear masks.”

The opening of Mumbai Wokingham will be marked with a launch event on Monday from 1pm until 4pm.

The town mayor, Cllr Tony Lack, his wife and mayoress,

Claire Lack, and mayor’s attendant David Dunham will all attend a ribbon cutting and meet and greet.

Residents are invited to attend the celebration, and the first 100 customers will receive a free sample bag including starters, a main dish and salad.

These will be given out on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. � For more information about Mumbai Wokingham, visit: mumbaiwokingham.co.uk or email:info@mumbaiwokingham .co.uk. � The takeaway can also be found on Facebook and Twitter by searching Mumbai Wokingham.

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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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.

THE Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: pcreighton@wokinghampaper.co.uk, or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

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Councillor pushes Highways England for A329M improvements

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A CONGESTED and dangerous commuter route will be improved if new funding can be secured.

The A329M has seen multiple accidents since 2015, when it was split into two single-lane slip roads connecting to the M4.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport at the borough council, is concerned about the number of near misses

and minor accidents that aren’t reported on the road.

She told Wokingham.Today: “The only incidents we hear about are the ones that go through the Police.

“So, in a meeting with Highways England the team agreed to look through the camera data at footage of near-misses. That will give us a better idea of the problems.”

Two years ago, Cllr Jorgensen and MP Sir John Redwood met with the regional director for Highways England to discuss the

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

problems in both directions of the A329M. Cllr Joregensen said: “We had lots of discussions but it wasn’t moving fast enough for me. So I contacted the new director and we discussed applying for funding to remedy the road.”

This could see the original road layout returned, or the widening of the motorway carriage.

“It would be really nice if it was done before next spring,” said Cllr Jorgensen. “Early in the morning, when the sun is low it gets in your eyes and then you can’t see the brake lights ahead.”

Cllr Joregensen said she thinks the problems are also worsened by late lane changes when drivers decide at last-minute to avoid the M4, after spotting congestion on the motorway below.

She added: “The main issue is money, as always. But I’ll be having another meeting with Highways England soo, to discuss the next step.”

Wokingham and Woodley libraries reopen to the public

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk TWO of the borough’s libraries have reopened – with limited hours – this week.

Wokingham and Woodley residents are now able to return and borrow books, but other services are currently on hold.

Wokingham Borough Council said that it is

following a road-map of phased re-openings from August 3, which means reduced opening hours and strict Covid-19 public health measures to ensure it is safe for public and staff.

Wokingham Library in Denmark Street is open from 9.30am to 1.30pm on weekdays, and Woodley Library, from 9am to 1pm, also on weekdays.

They are open purely for returning and borrowing books with other services such as public computer use, study space, and newspaper and magazine browsing not available.

Hand sanitiser stations are in position at the entrances to Wokingham and Woodley for people to use as they enter and leave, and face coverings must be worn inside the buildings.

One-way systems around the libraries have been introduced, and must be followed, and social distancing maintained at all times.

The council also urges people to minimise handling of books while browsing.

If a book is touched, but not booked out, it must be taken to the returned books area where it will be put into quarantine for 72 hours before it can be returned to the shelves.

All books being returned to the libraries will need to be quarantined in this way.

There are currently 37,000 books and other items out on loan but as overdue charges are currently suspended there is no need to rush to return books straight away.

The council hopes to reopen other branches and increase opening hours in the weeks ahead, but this will depend on the latest safety information.

“Libraries are such rich and vibrant community focal points so their closure these past few months has been sorely felt by everyone,” said Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure.

“Our library staff have been working hard behind the scenes to get Wokingham and Woodley ready. We listened to your

concerns in our libraries reopening survey about interaction with other people and library book cleanliness and the new Covid-19 measures introduced reflect these.

“Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.

He added: “These new measures are there for your safety and to also give you confidence to once again access and enjoy what our libraries have to offer you.

“Remember, of course, you can still use our online services for e-books and audio, and search our catalogue although this will always lag by 72 hours until returned items go back on the shelves.

“And many events and groups that moved online during lockdown are still happening there.” � For more details, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/ libraries

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 5

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Call for new police station after vandals target Wokingham parks EXCLUSIVE

One of the trees that was uprooted from Howard Palmer Gardens on Saturday night; below left: plants strewn over the path of Elms Field; below right the damaged gate at the entrance of Howard Palmer Gardens

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk RESIDENTS are demanding action after vandals struck in Wokingham’s town centre on Saturday night.

Plants and trees were torn down from Howard Palmer Gardens and the new Elms Field development, while a car left ‘doughnuts’ – spinning around in circles – on the Gardens’ grass. The same vandals also damaged a gate.

A team from Wokingham Town Council visited the gardens on Sunday morning, rescuing the trees and keeping them safe until they could be replanted.

Among the team was Cllr Maria Gee, who is also the deputy town mayor.

She said: “Neighbours reported that cars were doing doughnuts on the grass at Howard Palmer Gardens on Saturday night.

“I went up to see the damage and was shocked to see that a tree had been uprooted at the park. It’s very sad to see our town centre parks being vandalised.”

Helping her was Wokingham Town Council leader Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, who said: “We are shocked and disgusted about the mindless vandalism that has happened in our town overnight.

“We want people to enjoy our parks and public spaces, but anyone who wants to damage them like this and to try to spoil them for everyone else needs to be stopped.

“We have operational CCTV in Elms Field and across the town centre, but it is still vital that anyone who saw or knows anything about these events, reports it to the police.”

It is hoped that the vandals will have been picked up on CCTV. And the Great Langborough Residents Association are also hoping for action to be taken over the gardens, saying that it attracts antisocial behaviour from people

swearing throughout the day, taking drugs and making noise in the early hours of the morning.

They also say they regularly find needles, empty lager tins and general rubbish.

“The residents of Howard Road are a pretty tolerant lot but this has become too much and they are now demanding action after some years of the problem being unresolved and escalating,” explained Robin Cops.

“They have been told by the

council to register any incident with the police via the 101 number and partly as a result of this issue has suddenly gone up the agenda.”

This view was echoed by Cllr Gee, who said: “People in Wokingham are fed up with vandalism in the town.

“We miss having a local police station and an obvious police presence in the town, particularly at night.

“Fewer police on the streets and the lack of a station makes criminals more confident that they will not be

caught, resulting in more opportunistic crime, such as the damage to our parks on Saturday night.”

A petition has been launched in a bid to get a police station back in Wokingham town centre. It will ultimately be presented to the Home Secretary, with copies going to Sir John Redwood and Thames Valley Police.

Nearly 400 people have signed so far, and it can be seen at bit.ly/WokinghamPolice

Wokingham town mayor becomes a lion LAST WEEK, Wokingham Town Mayor Cllr Tony Lack was inducted as an honorary member of the Wokingham Lions Club.

Celebrating outside the town hall, club president Nigel Page (far left) and membership director John Cleary (far right) welcomed him to the club.

Mr Page said: “We are delighted to welcome town mayor Tony Lack as an honorary member of the Wokingham Lions Club.

“We have always been closely associated with supporting local charities and the local community.

“We greatly value working with both the Wokingham Town and Borough councils.”

Mr Cleary added: “The underlying principle of the Lions Club is to serve the community, and as a worldwide organization, it has been doing this for more than 100 years.”

Cllr Lack said: “It was such a

privilege to be inducted into the Wokingham Lions by their President, Nigel Page, and Membership Director, John Cleary,.

“Wokingham town, not just the

council, really appreciates the work that the Lions do year in, year out, to support local charities, by running some of the best events around.”

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Don’t lose your voice warns council OVER THE next few weeks, Wokingham Borough Council will be sending residents a reminder to update their electoral registration details.

This year’s local elections were postponed due to Covid-19, and will be taking place next May instead.

A council spokesperson said: “This is a perfect opportunity to make sure you can take part.

“During the next few weeks you’ll be receiving either an email, a text, or a letter from us asking you to make sure your details are up to date.

“If they aren’t it could mean you won’t be able to vote and therefore lose your voice on important local decisions affecting you.”

The annual canvass helps the council to identify residents who have not previously registered, record any changes to households and recent house moves.

This year, as part of the Government’s canvass reform programme, the council will also be using electronic communications, such as emails and texts, to make the process simpler.

Residents will either be contacted at the beginning of this month and next.

Andrew Moulton, electoral registration officer for the council, said: “It’s important you keep an eye out for messages from Wokingham Borough Council so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in the borough.

“To make sure you’re able to have your say at the elections next year, simply follow the instructions in the communication we send you.

“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send.

“If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or the information we’re sending you will also explain how to do this.

“This year’s canvass, which we must carry out by law, is taking place amid a challenging public health scenario. We’re following strict public health guidelines including the continued importance of social distancing.

“Where possible we’ll be making use of electronic communications which means you’ll receive a text, email, phone call or letter from us asking you to check who we have registered and tell us about any changes.”

Electoral Commission research shows recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. � For more information, email: electoralservices@wokingham.gov.uk

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

Shock after much-loved Post Office manager dies EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokinghampaper.co.uk SHOCKED customers have been paying tributes to a much-loved Post Office manager who has died suddenly.

Debbie Kaur, Post Office manager at Central Convenience stores, Hurst, died, aged 60, after being taken ill unexpectedly at her Shinfield home on Sunday. Paramedics called to the house were unable to revive her.

This week bunches of flowers in her memory were laid at the Post Office door and more than 100 customers have made glowing tributes on social media.

It was clear to customers that Debbie loved her work.

One told Wokingham.Today: “She loved the village and seeing the customers who came in and out all day.

“She insisted on making sure there was time to do things properly.

“If someone was having trouble with their payment card, she didn’t rush them through.

“People shared their troubles with her.

You’d often see her having a heart-toheart with someone, consoling them or giving them a hug.

“Her death is such a shock, there’s complete bewilderment about it.”

Debbie took over the shop and Post Office with Jit Sandhu in 2004. When the business was sold in 2012, Debbie stayed to be the office manager.

Current store manager Jayne Overington said: “She will be greatly missed, she was a lovely, helpful lady.

“The whole village is in shock.

“People came here a long way because of the service she gave.”

She said the PO would be closed as a mark of respect this week. It was hoped to reopen next week.

Hurst’s Wokingham Borough councillor Wayne Smith said: “On behalf of the village I want to say what sterling service Debbie gave Hurst and surrounding areas.

Debbie Kaur, the manager of Hurst Post Office, who passed away suddenly on Saturday.

Below: The floral tributes left by customers to the store

“She was a very caring, lovely lady.

“During this period [of coronavirus] she kept the service going throughout.”

And Susan Jackson, from Wokingham In Need, had used the Post Office specifically because of Debbie.

“She has been so wonderful to WIN. She was a pleasure to know.”

Her funeral, organised by AB Walker of Reading, will be on Tuesday, August 18.

Coronavirus regulations mean numbers attending will be restricted.

Details of how to watch on the internet will be at the shop and on the Hurst Residents Coronavirus Action Group Facebook page.

Donations in Debbie’s memory are invited for the charity Age UK. Early on she worked as a care worker in a care home, later moving into retail.

Debbie leaves her partner Stephen Morton, who runs a business at Waltham St Lawrence, and her son Sachdev Sandhu, 38, who works at PepsiCo, Reading.

Her daughter Salvinder Sandhu died some years ago.

Debbie’s family, originally from Punjab, moved to Leicester and later, Reading.

Hurst lost another much-respected part of its shops community when butcher, David Jennings, died suddenly, aged 57, in October 2016.

Arise, Sir Philip

Teenager attacked for bike

THE HUSBAND of Theresa May has been award a knighthood in the Dissolution Honours list.

Philip May was nominated for the awards by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and joins a list that includes sportsman Ian Botham, Johnson’s brother Joe, former Labour MP Kate Hoey, and former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson.

The list was announced on Friday, July 31, and the commendations state that Mr May is receiving his knighthood for his political service.

He has been a loyal supporter of his wife’s political career ever since they met at Oxford University.

While Mrs May, whose Maidenhead constituency includes parts of Wokingham borough, was Prime Minister, he was informally known as her most trusted adviser.

And Sir Philip regularly attends local events and engagements with his wife, including the Charvil Fete and Twyford’s Christmas light switch-on.

Away from politics, Sir Philip works in finance.

A TEENAGE boy was punched by would-be thieves while he was playing with friends in a Lower Earley park.

The incident took place in Chalfont Park in Lower Earley on Monday evening around 8.35pm.

Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses to the attempted robbery to come forward.

They said that the teenager was in the park with his friends when two men attempted to steal his bike.

The duo first struck him with a tree branch and then punched him in the face. Thankfully the teenager did not require hospital treatment and his bike was not taken.

The first offender is described as a white man, around 5ft 9ins tall with slicked-back hair and a goatee.

Church services return SERVICES will resume at a Sonning church this

He was wearing a white T-shirt, shorts and black Adidas trainers.

The second offender is described as a white man, around 6ft tall, in his twenties with short, brown hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms and black shoes.

Investigating officer, PC Victoria McNicholas, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I am appealing for witnesses, or anyone who has information about this incident, to please come forward.

“Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference 43200239520.

“Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Sunday with communion.

St Andrew’s recently installed a new organ and it will be pressed into use for the first time at 9.30am. It will be played before and after the

service. Entry will be on a first-come, firstserved basis, and social distancing rules will apply. As part of this congregations will need to stay two-metres apart.

NEWS | 7

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Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Public outcry causes council to remove charges for outdoor fitness class permit ‘The price was unreasonable’

EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A NEW SCHEME that has sparked controversy has been relaunched — but for free.

Last Thursday, Wokingham Borough Council launched compulsory Outdoor Fitness Training Permit for personal trainers and coaches who wanted to use borough council managed parks.

The permits would have originally started at £500, rising to £1,500 if there are more than 10 people per gathering.

The council scrapped the scheme on Saturday, but has now relaunched it for free.

It requires personal trainers and coaches to have public liability insurance up to £10 million, a DBS background check and relevant qualifications for their sport such as personal training certification at REPs level 3 or equivalent.

And these must all be current and last the duration of the

permit.

Announcing the scheme on Thursday, Cllr Parry Batth, the executive member for leisure at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “This permit gives personal trainers and coaches a different option of venue for their clients.

“We’ve an abundance of fantastic parks and open spaces in our borough which are perfect locations to have fun, get fit, and boost physical and mental well-being during these tough times.”

But the scheme was met with horror once it was announced and on Saturday, Wokingham Borough Council did a U-turn.

Cllr John Kaiser, the executive member for finance, told Wokingham.Today on Saturday that the fees were agreed back in November as part of its budget planning, but pledged to take action.

“It is suspended and was cancelled on Monday,” he said.

“We should have been on the ball, we’ve been really busy with Covid-19. This permit may have been appropriate in a pre-Covid

Littering drivers: Get in the bin THE HIGHWAYS executive is supporting the call for vehicle registrations to be printed on drivethrough restaurant packaging.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen has backed a petition to the Government, calling for better tracing for drivers who litter.

With 434 signatures, the petition calls for fast-food outlets to make “customers accountable for their litter” by printing the driver’s registration on the bags.

Cllr Jorgesen said: “Rather than reprint their packaging, they could print sticky labels and stick them on after the car drives in.”

This comes a month after McDonalds launched national antilitter campaign, Get in the Bin, to hold customers accountable.

In a customer survey, 9% of 18- to 34-year-olds admitted throwing rubbish out of car windows.

environment, but not postCovid.

“We have cancelled it.”

Yesterday, the council did another U-turn and relaunched the scheme, but for free.

It still requires all of the same health and safety documents.

Cllr Kaiser said yesterday: “With some people still understandably cautious about returning to inside gyms, our parks are now being used far more for exercise run by professional trainers.

“But we have a duty of care to the general public to protect them when using our open spaces. This is why the permit is needed.

“This permit gives personal trainers and coaches a different option of venue for their clients.

“We’ve an abundance of fantastic parks in our borough which are perfect locations to have fun, get fit, and boost physical and mental wellbeing during these tough times. This being so, we must also make sure it’s safe for everyone.”

Cllr Clive Jones, the deputy

Beth Hart, vice president supply chain and brand trust at McDonald’s UK and Ireland said: “For more than 35 years our restaurant teams have patrolled the towns and cities in which we operate collecting left behind litter.

“Our employees walk over 5,000 miles every week picking up all waste – our packaging and that of other retailers – by the sides of roads, in parks and on paths. It is deeply disappointing that so many people act so irresponsibly.

“Over the last few months we have seen how important collective responsibility is and we want the Great British public to help us tackle this dreadful and growing problem.

“Most of our packaging is recyclable.

“We want to see all customers taking their litter home and recycling or disposing of it responsibly.”

Cllr Jorgensen said she would like to see all drive-through food outlets “do something” about their littering customers.

A WOOSEHILL fitness instructor has called the proposed charge for outdoor training sessions “steep and unfair”.

Cameron Johnson (right), who runs JSC coaching and weekly Woosehill Warrior bootcamp sessions, said he is glad to see the council has withdrawn the charges.

Announced last Thursday, axed on Saturday the plans caused public outcry due to the short time-frame and high prices. Now they have been relaunched, but for free.

Speaking ahead of the relaunch, Mr Johnson told Wokingham.Today: “I started running Woosehill Warriors about a month ago at Chestnut Park, before the Government announced that gyms could reopen. We do body weight circuit training outside, exercising in the fresh air together.

“When I first saw the council announcement, I just thought that if I want to continue, I guess I’ll have to pay.

“I can understand why they brought in some charges, it's more than fair. I’m using

council space to run a business, I’d happily pay my way.

“But to ask for £1,500 upfront is really steep and unfair.

“We’re a struggling industry, nobody has been making money during lockdown. I was lucky to receive help from the Government through the self-employed scheme, but I don’t have that sort of disposable income.

“I’d like to see it reduced by two thirds. I think it’s fair to pay £500 for a license for 10 or more clients, and £150 for one-to-one training.”

Mr Johnson said he also felt the two-day timeframe was too short.

The council is still asking personal trainers and coaches wanting a permit to have insurance and public liability cover up to £10 million, a DBS background check, relevant qualifications for their sport such as personal training certification at REPs level 3 or equivalent, appropriate risk assessments and first aid plans in place to follow current government Covid-19 guidance — all of which had to be current and up-to-date.

leader of Wokingham’s Liberal Democrats, was one of those who was critical of the plan.

“There was no consultation that we can find with personal trainers,” he said.

“To announced it in a press release and expect personal trainers to pick up a form, return it and have a day to do it in and get public liability insurance – it’s impossible and unnecessary.

“It’s another bad decision from the Conservatives.”

He added that if the Lib Dems were running the council, they would have taken the view that this wasn’t the right time to

“take money from people with little or no income for the past four months”.

“It’s been badly thought through, not the right thing at this time. It’s all about making money, the fast-buck mentality of the Tories.”

The permit will last for one year, and been a colour-coded armband worn by the personal trainer or coach during their sessions.

It is needed for anyone who wants to run an excersise class in Barkham Recreation Ground, Bigshotte Park, Cantley Park, Chalfont Park, Chestnut Park,

Mr Johnson said: “The point of insurance is good, it’s important for health and safety. But my DBS has run-out, so to get it processed in the two days would have been impossible.

“I may have had to move to a different location until I can sort out all the documents for the permit.”

Mr Johnson said he was glad to see the council withdraw the charges, which means he can keep classes at £5 per person.

The Woosehill Warriors currently train from 6.30pm until 7.15pm on Monday evenings at Chestnut Park. � For more information, search for Johnson Sports & Conditioning on Facebook

Elizabeth Park, Keephatch Park, Laurel Park, Sandford Park and Waverley Way. Trainers were originally asked to pay £500 for a permit for one-on-one classes, £750 for classes with two to five clients, £1,000 for classes with six to 10 clients and £1,500.00 to train more than 10 people in one session. This would have been paid upfront. � For more information, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/sportsand-activities/outdoor-activities/ outdoor-fitness-training-permits/ or email the sports team at: sport@wokingham.gov.uk

8 | NEWS

Community kitty: Pet food donations for foodbank CATS PROTECTION is helping pet owners to feed their feline friends by teaming up with Wokingham Foodbank.

The charity’s Bracknell and Wokingham Districts branch is involved in the Community Kitty, a project providing cat food to owners who are struggling.

In a statement, the local branch said: “The ongoing Covid-19 situation is having a massive impact on everyone across the country, particularly those who are vulnerable and struggling financially during this difficult time.

“Cats Protection has a role to play in ensuring the welfare of the UK's owned cat population during this crisis, by enabling vulnerable cat owners to continue to meet their cat’s welfare requirements through the supply of cat food.

“By helping to supply cat food it is hoped this will avoid owners feeling that they need to relinquish their cat, allowing the cat to remain in its existing loving home.” � To donate to the Bracknell and Wokingham Cats Protection Community Kitty, visit: amzn.eu/7EuT21r

Police awarded £970,000 THAMES VALLEY Police has been awarded almost £1 million from the Government Safer Streets Fund.

Anthony Stansfeld, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley said he was delighted the force had been awarded £970,000.

He said: “This funding will be used to tackle crime such as robbery, theft and burglary in hotspots in our area.

“We will ensure this funding goes straight to the frontline to support and help our communities.

“We will be working with local communities to engage them with crime prevention through advice and education. I look forward to seeing positive outcomes for our communities.”

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

‘Cheeky’ developers market new homes before planning granted EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A RETIREMENT company is planning to build 57 new homes in Sonning, as part of a “retirement village” off Old Bath Road.

Despite public consultation beginning on Friday, developer Arlington Retirement Lifestyles has already launched a full website advertising the “village”.

The plans are for three large, three-storey buildings, each containing a variety of one and twobedroom apartments.

On its website, Arlington Retirement Lifestyles state: “Launching in 2021, we are excited to announce the development of our retirement village located in the heart of Sonning.

“The development will consist of 57 luxury apartments and communal facilities designed to the highest standards with the residents’ wellbeing and comfort our top priorities.

“Every apartment will be stylishly designed to a high specification and will benefit from the following features and amenities; concierge, CCTV and 24-hour alarm system, secure parking, gated development, fully maintained outside areas, clubhouse, walk-in showers, fully integrated appliances

and premium bathroom suites.”

The developer added: “Our aim is to create a retirement village which will meet everyone’s needs, whilst they enjoy leading independent and fulfilled lives.”

Cllr Michael Firmager, Conservative councillor for Sonning, said it was presumptive of the company to launch a website already.

He told Wokingham.Today: “It’s a bit cheeky really to publish their website, when it hasn’t even got planning permission yet.”

He added: “It fills me with a lot of concern. It’s already a congested area, with a care home and successful rugby club nearby.

“I’m worried about the traffic increase to Old Bath Road and the A4 — adding this to the area is going to be too much. Sonning is meant to be

a rural area, that’s what we want to try and keep. It’s one development too many.”

And resident Paul Etherington has also objected to the predicted traffic impact.

He said: “They say that there will be limited peak time vehicle movements, but this substantially ignores the never-ending stream of delivery vans which are a feature of all our lives now in a Covid-19 world,” he said. “Nor does it reconcile with providing 63 parking spaces for a development of 106 bedrooms.

“One could easily see the site adding 100 cars to the neighbourhood, all of them at some point trying to cross, or get on to the busy A4 dual carriageway.”

Mr Etherington also said the plans were too big for the area, and couldn’t demonstrate a high

demand for retirement apartments.

“What is proposed would be squeezed into the space currently occupied by three typically large Sonning houses which are in keeping with the area,” he said.

“Even Sunrise care home looks low density compared with this proposal.”

He added: “It is conspicuous that the two-storey McCarthy & Stone development in Twyford is only two thirds of the size of this application and still has properties available many months after it was completed. This suggests the demand is not as described by the applicant.”

He said the developer had shown a lack of attention to detail in the plans.

“One always worries about the accuracy of an application that mentions an Indian restaurant in Sonning village which closed six months ago and is erroneously addressed to WBC at ‘Schute end’.

What else have they missed?”

Cllr Firmager said he wants to encourage residents to comment on the plans and make their own decisions about the development.

He said he is working with Sonning Parish Council, who will meet to discuss the plans later this month. The consultation ends on Friday, August 27.

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Having moved from London to Woodley with her husband and children, Samantha is determined to “take over Berkshire when it comes to grazing”.

She created a fresh and delicious range of graze and food platters designed for every occasion, ready to be delivered across the borough.

“We’re quite a foodie family,” she explained. “It all started when I had a light bulb moment while baking cupcakes with my children.

“I realised that at children’s parties we don’t put as much effort into the food we feed them, compared to adult events.

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Her sole aim is to deliver a beautiful feast and take away the hassle of preparation from the special day.

Her children’s party boxes range from £8 per head and include a range of classic treats.

Entering the adult world of grazing, her £15 mini box is suitable for one person and includes two types of cheeses, cured meats, olives, crackers, dip, seasonal fresh fruits, dried fruit, mini pretzels, raisins, milk and white chocolate, hazelnut and plantain chips. And for vegetarians she substitutes meat for Quorn products.

She also serves up breakfast, chocolate and fruit grazing boxes can be tailored to four, eight or 16 people and cheese and charcuterie

grazing boxes for four or five guests.

And when parties are back on the cards, she’s ready to construct whole grazing tables at £14 per person. The table can even be adorned with fresh flowers for an extra cost.

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Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Town council propose 20mph limit for Earley

Residents protest British Airways fire and rehire decision BRITISH AIRWAYS workers across the borough are calling for Sir John Redwood to support them in the British Airways conflict.

The airline plans to fire its workforce and rehire those that survive on worse contracts.

Boris Johnson emailed BA staff in June stating that “employers should not be using taxpayer’s money through the furlough scheme to cynically keep them on their books only to fire them or attack their terms on conditions.”

A recent poll revealed that the many

people want to see the airline striped of the nation’s flag and privileged access to UK landing slots.

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.”

Picture: Residents protest on Rose Street

Planning reform opens borough to development warn councillors � Continued from front page

Cllr Kaiser said: “As a council we want to be consulted on anything to do with building in the borough, whether homes, offices, roads or infrastructure — we want to consult on what’s best for our residents.”

But Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey, Liberal Democrat lead for planning, said the plans would allow developers to do what they want, where they want.

She told Wokingham.Today: “There’s no information about what this is, or how it will work.

“The Government has forgotten that hospitals are built under clinical commissioning (CCGs) as part of the NHS. And they’re suggesting building schools without consulting with the council.”

And Cllr Shepherd-DuBey is concerned the reform won’t lead to more affordable homes, or better infrastructure for residents.

“Most companies aren’t altruistic and don’t want to do things for the local area. We need homes built to reasonable standards, with adequate room to live in. And there’s nothing about different types of transport, such as building trams or railways.

There are no requirements for anything. What’s been said seems vague.”

In his announcement, Mr Jenrick wrote: “Our reformed system places a higher regard on quality and design than ever before … good

design is the best antidote to local objections to building”.

It was part of the news the Government is “cutting red tape” from the “outdated and cumbersome planning system”.

But Cllr Kaiser criticised Mr Jenricks’ view of the system.

He said: “The idea that the planning process created issues with delivering homes is complete rubbish. It’s down to the developer.

“Why don’t they build the homes they’ve already got permission for in Wokingham? Some developers have been sitting on planning permission for three years and still haven’t built.”

Cllr Kaiser also said he thought once the zoning for growth, renewal and protection had been decided, the council would be given the opportunity to make changes to developments through the reserved matters section of the planning process.

This is when the planning committee can intervene to change the size, scale and look of developments to better suit the area.

He said: “If they got rid of the reserved matters within these changes, they’d have to find something to replace it. They can’t just have no rules. How do you control the planning process without rules? Nobody wants a dog’s dinner.”

But Cllr Sheperd-DuBey was concerned the new reform would take the power away from councils,

and push housing development on the borough with little say.

The leader of Wokingham Labour also condemned the plans.

Cllr Andy Croy, called the local Conservative group ineffectual at managing housing numbers in the borough.

He told Wokingham.Today: “The Tory commitment to rip up planning was in their general election manifesto for anyone who cared to read it.

“Local authority planning committees are already hamstrung by the law and the National Policy Framework (NPF) — that is why the borough has had to take so many houses and why the Tories are planning to take thousands more.

“In the space of two years we have gone from wasting 50,000 on a housing consultation we all knew the answers to, to a local party so ineffectual that its main policy position appears to be some sort of naked protest in Whitehall.”

But Cllr Kaiser defended the protest, instead suggesting it is a symbol of the council’s commitment to reducing housing numbers.

Cllr Croy said the pressure to build in the borough was due to a lack of investment in the northern economy, under Conservative rule.

He said: “We have been failed

by Tory MPs Redwood, May, Lee and Wilson who, for years as MPs, ministers and even the prime minister failed to

protect the borough.

“Until we shift long-term economic growth to poorer parts of the UK, the demand for housing in the Thames Valley will continue.”

He also said the new announcement would likely benefit residents living in the north of the borough, under the plan to protect Greenbelt and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Locally, it looks like naked John Halsall's patch will be protected as his ward contains most of the designated greenbelt in the borough,” said Cllr Croy. “But the rest of the borough needs to brace itself for a flood of Tory concreting.”

The entire reform is founded on the assumption that house building is the key to economic recovery postcoronavirus.

He said: “Millions of jobs depend on the construction sector, and in every recovery it has played a crucial role. These reforms will create thousands of new jobs, from bricklayers to architects.”

Cllr Shepherd-DuBey said the plan might have worked had the economy been going well.

“They can build all the houses they want,” she said. “But what are they going to do when they can’t sell them?

“Don’t forget the 2008 crash, when people were buying homes with less money that they should have, and banks relaxed their lending standards.”

SOME ROADS in Earley may be changed to 20mph, as part of the borough council’s speed limit review.

Earley Town Council has responded to the consultation, calling for better pedestrian crossings and some reduced speeds across the town.

Leader of the town council, Cllr Clive Jones, said: “Speeding is one of the commonest and most worrying concerns raised by Earley residents with councillors. We have listened to these views and our proposals would make our roads much safer for everyone, especially children, the vulnerable and cyclists.”

Earley Town Council

has requested that speed limits be reduced and improved signs, including vehicle-activated signs.

Cllr Sheena Matthews, Labour councillor for Whitegates, said: “The speed limit is generally 30mph, but often disregarded. In parts of my ward in North Earley, we are proposing additional pedestrian crossings and some reductions to 20mph. Slower is safer.”

Cllr Jones added: “All of the actions in our submission are quite affordable. Earley Town Council will now do its utmost to ensure that Wokingham Borough Council brings these to fruition in a timely manner.”

Cowshed opens craft shop KEEN to be green, a hurst charity is now selling handmade crafts, created from donated fabric scraps.

The Cowshed, which recently expanded into Winnersh, has a team of crafting volunteers that create items and accessories from the material taken from damaged clothes.

The aim is that those donated that cannot be worn are reused — stopping the material going to landfill.

The crafters have created a range of items including face masks, bunting, beach bags and soft toys.

The shop is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am until 3pm.

It’s located on the first floor of 4 King Street Lane, the charity’s new Winnersh depot.

Charvil village litter pick A COMMUNITY litter pick is to take place later this month in a bid to clear-up mess left by lazy motorists.

The Charvil Matters team will welcome volunteers to join them on Sunday, August 23.

The event starts at 10.30am and they will be focusing on the Milestone Avenue lay-by, which is opposite the Texaco filling station

on the A4 Bath Road.

Organiser Sam Akhtar said: “As we all know the battle is an ongoing one however, as we have all seen, the village has certainly benefited from the work we have all put in.

“We will be following government guidelines on social distancing and, if necessary, limit the numbers.”

It will last an hour.

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10 | BUSINESS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

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Reading law firm advises on workplace redundancy

By MARIE WILLIAMS news@wokinghampaper.co.uk WITH JOB uncertainty on the rise, solicitor Andrea Corr, from Blandy and Blandy Solicitors’ employment law team, has explained the process of redundancy and answered common questions employees may have.

Redundancy, Ms Corr said, most commonly happens when an employer has a reduced need for work of a particular kind, or work at a particular location.

She said: “This can range from an entire closure of the workplace to restructuring or reorganisation.”

When someone is placed

‘at risk’, Ms Corr said this is usually when an employer is thinking of making redundancies and wants to formally notify the staff beforehand.

“It is usually around the beginning of the consultation process,” she said. “Employers are required to consult employees in order to discuss their proposals and to discuss ways in which redundancies may be avoided, or reduced.

“Depending upon how many employees are expected to be affected, consultation may take place on either a collective basis, with elected staff representatives, or directly with the affected individuals.”

Ms Coor explained that there is no template process for selecting staff for redundancy, but that a legal requirement is that the process must be reasonable.

This could include scoring

or assessing groups of affected staff.

And this can be done while a member of staff is on furlough.

She added: “You may be entitled to be considered for a suitable alternative role if one exists. However, there is no requirement for your employer to create another role.

“If you are currently on maternity leave we suggest that you take advice about your situation as you are generally entitled to preferential treatment in respect of any role which does exist.”

At the end of the consultation, the employer tells the affected staff what will happen next.

This could be a notice of termination of employment, or actually terminating the job, with payment in lieu of notice.

Ms Corr warned that employers are able to make their staff redundant before the end of the coronavirus job retention scheme — but this must be done following a reasonable process, including consultation periods.

“Your notice period can run during furlough,” she added.

“Your employer is not obliged to wait until the end of the scheme before serving notice.”

And the notice period may not be at full pay.

Ms Corr added: “It may be at full pay but this depends upon the interaction between your contractual notice period and the minimum notice to which you are entitled by law.

“You will therefore need advice about your own individual situation.

Alternatively, employers may choose to offer notice pay at full pay.”

The new office space for FLB Accountants includes a breakout room (left) and open reception area (below) Pictures: Curve Workplaces

Accountancy firm expands into larger offices at Winnersh Triangle A CHARTERED accountancy firm is expanding into larger offices in Winnersh Triangle.

FLB Accountants LLP, which employs 60 people from its offices at Winnersh Triangle has doubled its property footprint there, taking a new 10year lease at 250 Wharfedale Road.

Spanning 1.5 million sq ft of mixed-use buildings, Winnersh Triangle offers a wide range of major headquarter buildings, Grade A offices and start-up office suites.

The business park currently

has 60 occupiers iincluding BMC Software, Virgin Media and ScanSource.

The deal, negotiated by property consultancy Vail Williams LLP on behalf of landlords, Frasers Property, will see the accountancy firm take 6,400 sq ft of office space just metres up the road from their existing premises at 150 Wharfedale Road.

Gary Bell, partner at FLB Accountants, said: “When we initially moved onto the estate, we took a space that we believed would be adequate for

the medium term.

“Having grown significantly faster than we had expected, we were committed to remaining at the park and the attitude of Frasers to our changing needs cannot be overstated. They have been extremely supportive of our growth and our changing needs throughout.”

Charlie Nicholson, partner at Vail Williams who negotiated the deal on behalf of Frasers Property, owners of Winnersh Triangle, said: “It is great to see yet another success story for

New chiropractic opens in Wokingham’s Elms Field A NEW chiropractic clinic has opened in Wokingham as part of the town centre regeneration.

Back2normal, based on Elms Walk, features a contemporary space which patients have expressed enjoyment of.

And the staff are looking forward to welcoming customers to the new centre.

Jonas Nygaard, principal chiropractor at Back2normal, said:

“I want to stress that chiropractic care is for everyone and any time – not only when pain hits.”

“Lockdown life has impacted our mental and physical health dramatically and some of us have found that irregular exercise and limited movement have affected our wellbeing.”

Enterprise group has new chair

portfolio non-executive director across a diverse range of business sectors: healthcare, technology, manufacturing and food.

Mr Beveridge said: “The LEP has a crucial role in agreeing the strategy and vision to drive economic growth in Berkshire and undertakes activities to support businesses, local authorities and education partners, which drive job creation and increase productivity.

“I am delighted to take this role at such an important time; our Berkshire Local Industrial Recovery & Renewal Strategy needs to be ambitious and gain the full support of our business community as well as local government and stakeholders.

Alison Webster, CEO of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP said: “I would like to thank Peter Read for his hard work as LEP Chair over the past five years. Peter leaves with all our sincere best wishes. We are all looking forward to taking Peter’s legacy forward with Bob.”

THAMES Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed Bob Beveridge as its new Chair.

Mr Beveridge has a diverse business career in large organisations and SMEs within the consumer goods and technology sectors.

He has lived in Berkshire for 39 years. And spent 12 years at Mars Chocolate in Slough, in finance and sales roles, ultimately becoming pan-European Head of Finance.

After five years with United Biscuits he moved to the technology sector becoming CFO of Cable & Wireless Communications plc.

After two further roles in the technology sector he returned to consumer goods as CFO of McBride plc, manufacturer of private label household products.

Since 2010 he has been a

one of the park’s occupiers.

“The sheer size of Winnersh Triangle enables it to support companies throughout their lifecycle, providing the growth in space they need to develop their businesses, making use of the variety of spaces on offer there.”

Frasers Property is currently refurbishing 62,000 sq ft of space at Building 210, due to be completed in September.

The office will be let by US software giant Hewlett Packard Enterprise who are taking 31,000 sq ft.

� For more information, visit www.back2normal.me or call: 0118 304 7520

Also being built at Winnersh Triangle is a sports hub with fitness studio and multipurpose outdoor court.

A network of footpaths will also be installed to give workers an opportunity for a lunchtime stroll.

Mr Bell added: “The investment being made into the facilities on site is staggering.

“It’s clear the owners have a great understanding of what tenants want.

“They are working very hard to create a community and to ensure their tenants have

everything they need to attract the best people in their fields.”

Curve Workplaces, based in Bracknell, were appointed to undertake the building fitout which is now complete.

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Toddler hit with electric screwdriver in burglary

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk POLICE ARE appealing for witnesses to aggravated burglary in Wokingham.

At 9.50pm on Tuesday July 28, five men broke into a house on London Road by damaging the front door.

The men demanded money and attacked a man and woman in their fifties and an 18-month-old toddler with an electric screwdriver.

One of the victims was also sprayed with a cleaning fluid.

The men — in their late teens or early twenties — were all wearing face coverings as they rifledthrough the house and stole a laptop.

The victims received minor injuries and did not require hospital treatment.

The men then threatened the male victim by driving their dark coloured Audi TT towards him, as he tried to stop their escape.

The five men then drove off towards the A329.

Earlier that night, at 9.15pm thieves broke into a house in Earley, smashing the rear patio door to a house on Clevedon Drive.

They stole jewellery, bank cards and a spare car key.

The house was empty at the time, and they left in the same dark coloured Audi TT. Investigating officer Detective Constable Becky

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Clough, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I believe that these incidents are linked and I am appealing to anyone who has any information about these incidents to come forward.

“I am appealing particularly to motorists who were driving in the area to check their dash-cam footage and to any residents of these

areas to check their CCTV and doorbell footage and get in touch if they can help with my investigation.

“You can contact us using our online reporting form, quoting reference number 43200232615, or by calling the non-emergency number 101.

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

Wokingham man jailed for carrying cocaine and hammer A WOKINGHAM man who was carrying a hammer and drugs when police stopped his car has been jailed.

James Eveleigh, 25 and from Reading Road in Wokingham, appeared at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, July 28.

He pleaded guilty to a count each of possession with intent to supply class B drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Thames Valley Police said that Eveleigh had been driving along Whitley Street in Reading on Wednesday, May 6 when they stopped him.

A search of his vehicle revealed that he was in possession of a quantity of cannabis and cocaine, along with a screwdriver and a hammer.

He was charged the following day and has now been given a 28-month sentence for drugs and weapon offences.

Investigating officer PC Marcus Bridger-Wilkinson, of the Reading Tasking Team, said: “This was an excellent vehicle stop by officers, which resulted in a quantity of drugs being removed from the streets and our communities.

“Eveleigh was found to be in possession of a large amount of

cocaine and cannabis, and he has now pleaded guilty due to the overwhelming evidence.

“Tackling drugs supply is always a top priority for Thames Valley Police, and we will actively seek to disrupt organised drug supply to protect our communities.”

He added: “Through our Stronghold campaign, we are committed to working in partnership to tackle serious organised crime and exploitation, such as county lines drug dealing.

“We continue to need and appreciate the support of the public with this, and would always ask them to report any information that they have about drugs in our communities.”

12 | NEWS

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COUNCILNEWS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

A special report from the virtual executive meeting held on Thursday, July 30, by JESS WARREN

Lib Dems query Wokingham’s response to poverty THE LEADER of the council said he hopes to bridge the gap between low and high income families across the borough.

Speaking at the borough council executive meeting, Cllr John Halsall said: “Much of the work done by Wokingham Borough Council, and its partners, aims to bridge this gap, enable self-sustaining lifestyles for our vulnerable communities and offer targeted support.”

He was responding to a question from Cllr Sarah Kerr, who asked Cllr Halsall to acknowledge that poverty exists in the borough.

She said: “A lot of people assume we haven’t got that big of an issue with poverty. The fact is, we have foodbanks and the demand is increasing.

“Whatever we’ve been doing as a council hasn't been working as poverty has been increasing not decreasing.

“What are we going to do to tackle this rising poverty, that has risen not just through covid, but has been rising for years?”

Cllr Halsall said: “My understanding is that we have looked after the people in this borough — we are a very compassionate council.”

He added: “We can only continue to look after people if we have the resources to do so.

We as councillors will face challenging conversations going into the future.”

Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh pushed further, asking: “What processes and procedures are in place in our borough to ensure timely, meaningful and comprehensive data on poverty, in all its manifestations wherever it might exist in our community, is being collected and used to good effect?”

Cllr Halsall said the council analyses a variety of national data sources to monitor changes in the levels of poverty across the borough.

He added: “Our community engagement team, who work directly with our residents, have a good knowledge of the demographics within the borough and through their local connections, understand and know residents and communities who may be more vulnerable; and are able to plan and target their support work and initiatives to directly benefit those communities most in need.”

And Cllr David Hare asked

how the council would ensure charities helping those in poverty would be supported across the borough, as charity finances and resources had been “slashed” during the pandemic.

Cllr Halsall said the council has set up a service sustainability fund to support charities.

He said: “The fund is administered through an application process for additional retrospective funding it has been promoted to all providers of adult services including all those we contract with in the voluntary and community sector.”

Those who have already been allocated money through this include WADE, CLASP, ASD Family Help, Age UK Berkshire, Young People with Dementia and Ridgeline Trust.

Cllr Halsall added: “It is also important to recognise that the council itself is, too, suffering unprecedented financial hardship with declining balances.

“We must be judicious in our approach to poverty ensuring we are truly supporting those most in need.”

Approval granted for £6 ‘carbon positive’ activity THE COUNCIL approved a further £600,000 to build a new activity centre at Dinton Pastures Country Park.

Outlined in the capital monitoring report at the council executive meeting last week, the council approved borrowing of £600,000 to build a “climate emergency flagship site”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for the climate emergency said the activity centre will include altered hot water systems, air source heat pumps, increased natural ventilation and the installation of solar panels both on the roof and in the car park at Dinton Pastures Activity Centre.

He said: “The site will become energy positive, meaning it will generate 126% more energy than it uses.”

The report stated that: “The cost of borrowing ... will be covered from expected additional incomes generated by

the new activity centre”.

Cllr Murray said: “Dinton Pastures is a flagship leisure and environment site for our borough, and this investment will also make this a flagship site for our climate emergency.

“The programme will actually reduce and offset carbon, so much that this facility will actually become energy positive.

“Meaning that it will generate 126% more energy than it uses, and will take 30% more carbon from our environment than it produces.

“This is the first in the borough within the council’s portfolio of community projects and a real example of best practice that we will be looking to repeat elsewhere in the coming months and years.

He added: “We committed in our motion to play as active a role as possible in fighting climate change, with the objective of reaching carbon

neutrality by 2030 if possible.

“We have set out to build a plan that will take us to carbon neutral.

“As I said in council last week, there is a shortfall to that carbon neutrality, but we have other initiatives we are working on in the background, and other plans that we think may come to fruition that we may be able to close that gap.

“Things like Dinton Pastures Activity Centre show to our residents, to our potential partners to the future and anybody who wants to work with us, that we're taking this seriously, that we have high aspirations.

“Dinton is a stake in the ground to anybody that wants to work with us, to say ‘we’re taking this seriously, you need to too’ and here are the conditions under which we’re prepared to work with you.”

After the meeting, Cllr Andy Croy, leader of Wokingham

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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COUNCILNEWS

A special report from the virtual executive meeting held on Thursday, July 30, by JESS WARREN

Leisure centre income loss is ‘big Help offers for residents facing debts financial issue’ for council funds THE EXECUTIVE member for finance and housing said the council would work with charities to support residents.

Cllr John Kaiser was questioned by resident Beth Rowland as to whether the council would work with “local charities and organisations including Berkshire Credit Union to support families living in poverty and debt”.

Cllr Kaiser said the council is working with its residents, which include tenants, site dwellers, leaseholders and licensees and others, during this difficult time.

He said: “If, as many are, they

are experiencing financial difficulty and they are struggling to pay their council tax or other monies to the council we will work with them on an individual basis to understand their personal circumstances and come up with a sustainable payment plan.”

He added: “We will also look at whether they may be entitled to means tested benefits to maximise their incomes and they may apply for discretionary housing payments, local welfare or signpost them to access many of the charities in Wokingham.”

THE INCOME loss from leisure centres was questioned at the borough council executive meeting.

Cllr Bill Soane asked whether the Government announcement for compensation for local authorities for income loss at leisure centres would be used by the council.

But Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for finance and housing said the council cannot claim for loss of thirdparty income — such as the cost of supporting Places Leisure.

He said: “On the assumption that this refers to the 75p in the pound scheme in which the

Government will recompense principal local authorities for 75% of lost income, subject to a 5% threshold, it has been confirmed that the Council cannot claim for lost third-party income.

“But [the council] is able to claim for any lost or foregone management fee that was

budgeted but not received.

“Details of how to claim are awaited, but the council will be aiming to recover as much of its lost income as permitted.”

He added: “The cost to the council as a result of the forced closure of our leisure centres is a big financial issue and we will continue to work with our leisure providers, work with other local authorities in a similar position and work with the Government departments to alleviate our costs and restore both the financial position for our council taxpayers and the service provision for our community going forward.”

Residents seek answers over quality of A33 resurfacing works

that the new surface has.

He said: “What action is the Council Executive going to take to rectify the A33 road surface noise bearing in mind the severe and life changing impact the increased noise is having on the mental health and wellbeing of local residents?”

Cllr Jorgensen said the council has commissioned transport firm, WSP to investigate the noise levels along the A33 corridor and to look into solutions for the residents.

She said: “The final report is expected to be issued to the council in September which will allow us to take a decision on a way forward during October.”

Mr Vyvyan-Robinson said he thought October was rather late, and asked whether Cllr Jorgenesen would take responsibility for the impacts of the road resurfacing.

Cllr Jorgensen said she would take “responsibility for the outcomes of the WSP report.”

Resident Colin Brooks also challenged Cllr Jorgensen as to whether the council has considered the “environmental noise pollution, impact on health, wellbeing and enjoyment of local residents or the potential devaluation of property” when deciding to resurface.

But Cllr Jorgensen defended the decision, stating that

surface dressing treatments, such as the lockchip used on the A33, benefit from “having a low carbon footprint and are quick to apply, which means less disruption to road users, residents, local businesses and the emergency services”.

She said: “Like most other highways authorities Wokingham Borough Council makes use of materials such as micro-asphalt and surface dressing to extend the lifespan of the road network before it requires a more expensive full resurfacing treatment.

“The full life expectancy of the new plane and inlay HRA road of up to 20 years isusually only achieved through the

application of a surface dressing or microasphalt treatment after eight to 10 years.

She added: “It is worth noting that a full plane and inlay HRA scheme on the recently resurfaced section of the A33 would have cost around £1.3million as opposed to the £200,000 for the lockchip surface dressing works.”

Mr Brooks asked why phases one and two of the A33 resurfacing had been done using a different material, but Cllr Jorgensen said she didn’t know, because she wasn’t the highways executive at the time.

Instead, she will give Mr Brooks a written answer.

THE RECENT resurfacing of the A33 Basingstoke Road was questioned by residents at the borough council executive meeting.

Resident James VyvyanRobinson asked Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport whether the council had considered the noise impact

600,000 ty centre Labour, said he thought hyping up the project was absurd.

He told Wokingham.Today: "All greening of council buildings is to be welcomed. But the entirety of Wokingham Borough's estate is just 2% of the total emissions in the borough. This is exactly the sort of media friendly – environmentally immaterial action that the plan is designed to generate.

“Half a million pounds for a frankly immeasurable carbon saving is terrible value for money. Hyping it up as any sort of 'stake in the ground' is absurd.

“There are no secret projects or magic interventions being held in reserve.

“With a lack of time earlier in the agenda to take my question on the controversial hessian sacks, it seems the Tories would rather make time to rub each other's backs than face proper scrutiny."

Plastic nature of ‘hessian’ recycling sacks in focus THE NEW recycling sacks and their ‘hessian’ nature were questioned before being approved for purchase.

Resident Alan Winter asked Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment, why the council had used the word hessian to describe the new sacks.

Mr Winter said: “You've described the proposed new recycling sacks as being made of hessian. Can you reassure residents who are concerned about the environment impact and guarantee that the hessian bags will be made of natural, recyclable material and not actually made of plastic?”

But Cllr Batth said the sacks would not be made of natural materials, and that the word hessian would be removed from future publicity for them.

He said: “These types of sacks have been generically called hessian but in fact are made from woven polypropylene fibre with a light plastic

coating to ensure resistance to moisture.

“They are reusable and can last up to five years so not a single-use plastic. We will be investigating the possibility of having them recycled when they’re no longer usable.”

But Mr Winter questioned the choice of plastic sacks, stating: “The continued use of plastic sacks is very disappointing given last week’s council meeting to reduce the use of plastic.”

Cllr Batth defended the decision. He said: “These bags are not really plastic, they are polypropylene.

“I’m advised we will look into recycling them when they are no longer usable.”

After the questions, the borough council executive approved the decision to borrow £288,000 to buy enough recycling sacks to replace the current black boxes used by residents across the borough. � Plastic Free Home page 29

14 | NEWS

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COUNCILNEWS

A special report from the virtual executive meeting held on Thursday, July 30, by JESS WARREN

Council on-track to build 1,000 affordable homes

Council leader denies breaking code of conduct THE LEADER of the borough council has denied linking Black Lives Matter and the killings in Forbury Gardens.

Speaking at Thursday’s borough council executive meeting, Cllr John Halsall, said: “None of my social media posts have linked Black Lives Matter with the killings in Forbury Gardens. In case there was any possibility of a mistaken conflation, I posted a clarification, this stated: ‘I would like to make it clear that there is no suggestion that the Black Lives Matter march that afternoon had anything to do with what has now been described as a terrorist incident’.”

Cllr Halsall was being questioned by resident Elizabeth Mayers, who asked him to reconsider his position as council leader.

In response, he said: “Wokingham Borough Council is anti-racist, promotes equality and celebrates diversity. We are determined to do better to ensure that every resident in the borough feels truly valued. It will continue to be so whilst I am leader.”

He added: “This is an important community issue and I will continue to lead the council on behalf of communities, working with the independent BME forum, and listening to staff and residents on their views on this vitally important issue.

“Working with council officers I will address the inequalities that are identified and I determinedly take forward our ongoing quest for community cohesion.

“If any comments I have made have been offensive to anyone I apologise unreservedly; that was never my intention. Rather by reaching out, I hope to bring residents together.”

He added: “It is my sincere hope that the world can change for the better as a result of the outcry it has produced.”

Cllr Halsall ended by quoting Nelson Mandela. He said: “I detest racialism, because I regard it as a barbaric thing, whether it comes from a black man or a white man.”

But Ms Mayers said Cllr Halsall’s answer felt “insincere and scripted” and that his “apology in Wokingham.Today” was a more sincere statement.

She added that Cllr Halsall showed a “lack of understanding or knowledge about Black Lives Matter, as a human rights movement which was founded in 2013.

Instead, she asked “what steps and commitment are you prepared to make to ensure your behaviour does not contravene the councillors code of conduct again?”

Cllr Halsall denied the claim, stating: “I don’t believe my conduct has contravened the code nor the Nolan principles. I reiterate where we are — as a council we are anti-racist, promote equality and do our very best to tackle racism.”

Ms Mayers called for commitments to be made, but Cllr Halsall moved on.

Instead, Ms Mayers shook her head in silence.

Planning process to consider climate change demands in the future THE ABILITY OF the planning department to act on the climate emergency was questioned at last week’s borough council executive meeting.

Cllr Gary Cowan asked Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement if the planning department could consider the environment when making decisions.

He said: “From time to time I see planning applications with officer

recommendations approving the removal of trees while other planning applications approve increased traffic on already busy roads.

“My question is with regard to the council flagship policy on climate emergency what specific directions has the council given to its planning, environment and highway departments to take climate emergency into consideration when dealing with

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

THE COUNCIL is on target to build 1,000 new affordable homeless during the next four years.

That’s the verdict from Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for finance and housing at the borough council.

Speaking at the executive meeting last week, Cllr Kaiser reviewed the shareholders report, stating: “We are on target, we have currently got 57 houses under construction. I set out an ambitious target to build 1,000 over four years, with an overall return of 5%.

“That’s beginning to work quite successfully - they’re on budget and we’re expecting a profit of £400,000.”

Wokingham Housing Limited – a wholly owned subsidiary of the council – is building 46 new affordable houses and flats at Arnett Avenue off Gorse Ride. And it is building 10 new affordable three-bedroom homes on the site previously occupied by Woodley Age Concern and a bespoke three-bedroom bungalow at Gorrick Square.

This is to meet the “specialist housing needs of three people with learning and physical difficulties”.

The shareholders report also revealed that some of the newly built homes at Peach Place are being used to house key workers.

It stated that council-owned developer, Berry Brook Homes Limited “have let all remaining key worker properties at Peach Place including three to a care agency to be used to provide accommodation for additional care workers during the current pandemic.”

The report said some units may be considered for private rentals, “alongside key worker and other affordable rented options”.

Culture Strategy to help lift Wokingham Borough out of the coronavirus emergency?”

He said: “We now have a draft strategy that not only seeks to develop and promote our local cultural offer but also highlights the many ways in which arts and culture can impact on social and economic well-being.

“While the pandemic has sadly curtailed pretty well all live events, performances and attendance at cultural venues, the amount of online content that has been made available and widely accessed pays testimony to the importance of arts and culture to all our lives and identities.

“Particularly in lockdown we have seen how valuable arts and culture is in supporting people’s mental health and well-being, providing connection and stimulation and reducing social isolation.”

Cllr Batth also said the council is working with local technology firm, Volume, to develop a platform for better connecting people with arts and cultural activities that interest them.

He added: “I believe that people across the Borough will be eager to access arts and culture locally and that the strategy provides a vehicle to deliver more and better as we emerge from the impacts of coronavirus.

“This will provide enormous benefits both socially and economically and, perhaps above all, be key to lifting spirits and celebrating the many, many positive acts of kindness and mutual support that we have seen across our communities over recent months.”

Environment exec defends decision to cut down trees

THE BOROUGH council has appointed a cultural development officer to further the arts across the area.

Speaking at the borough council executive meeting, Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said the council hopes to deliver more and better art and cultural activities.

He was responding to a question from Cllr Michael Firmager, who asked: “What can we do through the Arts and

THE NUMBER of trees removed and not replaced across the borough was questioned at the borough council executive meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Paul Fishwick said: “There have been a number of street trees that have been removed, but not replaced, in the last few years and in many cases the verge is wide enough and conditions suitable to enable replacements to be planted.

“The loss of these trees has changed the street scene making it look more urban.

“Will the council ensure street trees are replaced wherever feasibility possible including locations where trees have been lost in the last five years?”

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member

all planning applications?”

Cllr Wayne Smith said: “Managing change in the public interest will inevitably lead to some difficult decisions around traffic and landscaping as part of the balance.

“Climate change affects us all and as our communities grow the tensions you refer to will remain and will need careful management.

“Policy within the new Local Plan will require developments to provide adequate landscapes and biodiversity gain as well as improved environment performance with major residential developments being designed to achieve carbon neutral homes.”

Cllr Smith said an extra planning document would be created showing

“additional detail on how development of all types is expected to demonstrate the achievement of the policy requirements, including carbon neutrality.”

But Cllr Cowan, said the issue was “really about now rather than tomorrow”.

He added: “The planning guidelines are silent on the climate emergency.

What is being done right now for planning applications detrimental to the climate?”

Cllr Smith said: “It’s not an easy fix.

Carbon neutrality is not an easy one to achieve. I’m not saying we can change our planning policies overnight but we are working on it and we will get there.”

A future in arts and culture

for environment said the council is currently developing a tree strategy, which he invited Cllr Fishwick to submit feedback to.

He added: “While we do not currently have a policy on replacing the loss of existing street trees, it is very rare for the council to agree to the removal of street trees for anything other than health and safety grounds.

“In the event that a street tree must be removed for health and safety reasons the decision on whether to plant a replacement is taken on a caseby-case basis.”

‘Grazeley still on the cards’ THE BOROUGH COUNCIL defended its plan for housing development in Grazeley, after a local councillor called the plans “non-viable”.

Speaking at the borough council executive meeting, Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey said: “When are you planning to restart the local plan update committee, since Grazeley is non-viable without the DCLG funding according to a statement by the housing executive at an executive committee meeting and most other sources are not available due to the spending on the pandemic?”

But Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement said that Grazeley was not an “unviable proposition”.

He said: “It has a heavy forward funding burden which would have been lifted by a successful Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid.”

Cllr Smith said that responding to the HIF bid, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government suggested: “Most of the infrastructure could be funded by other means if for example, it was progressively delivered with the build out of the development, or using loan finance.”

Cllr Shepherd-DuBey was noticeably unhappy with the answer, and pointed out that the Government is “proposing our housing numbers will be changed in late autumn”.

She said: “Considering the Government wants to raise build numbers across the country, how will we take this into account with the local plan update?”

Cllr Smith said the council would reply on its legal team to push back.

He said: “If they do come back to us with a higher number, we will be testing anything they put forward, to make sure it works for us and not for the Government.”

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Council agrees new debt collection plan after bailiff use rises by 71% EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk AFTER increasingly sending out bailiffs to collect council tax debts, the council has agreed to better support residents to manage their debts.

For the last two council meetings, Cllr Rachel Burgess, Labour councillor for Norreys has called for the council to adopt the Citizens Advice Council Tax Protocol, which would see more formal support arrangements for those struggling with tax debts.

She submitted a motion for debate, but due to time constraints it has been missed out.

In last week’s executive meeting, Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for finance and housing, said the council would try to meet the protocol within the current tax year.

Cllr Kaiser told Wokingham.Today: “We were very aware the protocol was agreed with the Local Government Association (LGA) as best practice, but we never really formalised it.”

The protocol states the council must work with enforcement agencies and Citizens Advice to help people pay their council tax bills while accessing debt advice. It calls for clear communication with residents about council tax, and flexible payment arrangements.

It also states that the council must not use enforcement agents when a resident receives council tax support.

Cllr Kaiser added: “We’re very much in step with the protocol, we already do flexible repayments, and help those that can’t pay. We want to do as much as we can. But a council with no money is no use either.”

Cllr Burgess said: “The adoption of the protocol means that hundreds and hundreds of residents will now get the proper support they deserve in order to manage their debts.

“People can find themselves all too quickly at the sharp end of council tax debts. Often a resident’s first real engagement with the issue is when the bailiffs knock on their door.

“We have been told by the Tory executive that bailiffs are only used as a ‘last resort’ but the facts appear to tell a different story – bailiff use in Wokingham rose by 71% between 2016-2017 and 2018-2019, in stark contrast to neighbouring authorities where bailiff use has reduced.”

Research by the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline and Business Debtline, showed that Wokingham Borough Council issued 1,306 referrals to bailiffs for council tax collection in 2016-2017 and 2,239 in 2018-2019.

Cllr Burgess added: “The impact of this prolific use of bailiffs by Wokingham will have had a

devastating impact on some of our most vulnerable families.

“Research shows that heavyhanded tactics put severe pressure on individuals. It doesn’t scare them into paying. Instead these tactics create fear and distress with individuals less likely to be able to sort out their finances, and repay their debts. This in turn puts more pressure on council finances.

“The impact on people’s mental health of poor debt collection practices can be devastating. People in financial difficulty can feel isolated, ashamed and often completely overwhelmed, especially as council tax debt can escalate so quickly. There is a wealth of evidence linking problem debt with increased risk of suicide.”

But Cllr Kaiser said he was very surprised to hear that bailiff use had risen in the borough, and put it down to rising numbers of residents.

He said: “It really varies, it waxes and wanes depending on the number of cases at the time.

“But we haven’t sent any bailiffs out during the pandemic, we’re very sensitive to what’s going on and we work closely with the Citizens Advice.”

Cllr Burgess said she is glad that “the executive have seen sense” and will be adopting the protocol formally.

She added: “People [will] finally get the proper, professional support

they need to manage their debts, instead of officious, frightening letters from the council followed by a knock from the bailiff.”

Jake Morrision, chief executive of Citizens Advice Wokingham said he was glad to see the formalising of processes.

He told Wokingham.Today: “The council adopting our council tax protocol is good news for people who fall behind on their council tax, an issue we unfortunately anticipate seeing more of in the near future.

“This guidance will further help in the borough struggling with their finances and prevent them from facing even more serious problems such as court action.

“We’ve worked in partnership with the council to develop these principles around tax collection which will help families who are struggling to make ends meet, and to enable the council to recoup more of the tax they are owed.

“We already have a very good relationship through our Council Tax Arrears project and the council are very responsive, with good working relationships between our teams.

“It is great to see the close relationship being ratified though, by the willingness to take this one step further by signing up. We think it sends out a powerful message to local residents that we are working together to listen and help, with an element of early intervention.”

NEWS | 15

21-year-old charged with drink driving A WOKINGHAM woman has been charged with drink driving.

Thames Valley Police said that they were called to Waterloo Road in Wokingham just after 12.30am on Sunday, July 26.

They were responding to reports of a road traffic collision in which no one was injured.

Paige White, 21 and of Rose Street, Wokingham, has been charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level was above the limit.

She will appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 20.

Disability charity in competition for £100,000 A WOKINGHAM and Bracknell charity has a chance of winning £100,000 in a housebuilder’s competition.

Persimmon Homes Thames Valley has shortlisted Promise Inclusion for its Building Futures scheme, which will give away £1 million this year to projects that benefit under-18s.

Each year, Promise Inclusion helps over 1,200 adults and children with learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, supporting them with a range of services including activities, assistance to carers and families.

The charity is one of three to be shortlisted for the funding. And the public can decide who wins by voting.

Ben Felton, director in charge of Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, said: “Building Futures aims to create a lasting legacy for young people and the groups that support them.

“We have been overwhelmed by the response and it is clear there are a lot of very worthy causes supporting the younger generation and many local people working exceptionally hard to help them. We wish all three of our regional finalists the very best of luck.”

16 | VIEWPOINTS

THEWOKINGHAMPAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH

Get your act together A WEEK is a long time in politics, especially for the fitness-folk of Wokingham.

The launch of a Outdoor Fitness Trainer Permit by Wokingham Borough Council has been a farce from beginning to end.

In a comedic arc that few could predict, WBC launched the permit on Thursday, giving fitness coaches one working day to sort out their finances and pay up to £1,500 to run a class in a borough council car park.

This was then due to be enforced by Saturday.

Trainers were also asked to document a DBS check, public liability insurance of £10 million and all relevant qualification in their field.

The cost of permits was met with public outcry, with residents and councillors jumping in to criticise the borough council decision makers in a “money-grabbing move”.

But in a quick attempt to save face, on Saturday the executive announced the permit was scrapped, and that it had been decided back in November, pre-coronavirus.

Yesterday, in another U-turn, WBC decided there were some merits to the permit, including public health and safety — and few can argue with that.

As a result, the fitness permit has now been relaunched — but for free.

The week of hulabaloo ended with the people of Wokingham getting their way, and keeping their credit cards firmly wedged in their purses.

Could this be a win for democracy?

CHURCH NOTES

Fear

T

HE lockdown has changed how we live our lives.

Why have we changed our behaviour? Is it because the law has changed so that certain actions can be punished or is it because we fear the effect that the coronavirus could have on us and those we love?

The laws have been created purely because of the impact that the virus could have on our communities.

We have changed the way we behave because of fear. This a very practical fear because we can clearly see the impact that the virus could have on our community.

How much of our behaviour is controlled by fear?

We are continually told of things we should not do because they are too risky. Examples include swimming in rivers in hot weather, walking on iced-up water and going out in hot sun without sun protection.

Putting on sun protection every we time we go out in the sun, in all seasons, in all temperatures would be a very time-consuming exercise.

These are very sensible precautions at certain times of year because we know what could happen if we do not take them.

I regularly cycle on the road, but some people don’t because they consider it to be too dangerous – they fear the consequences if they did.

An example of a fear that motivates some to choose one course and others another. This makes me consider what else I do not do because I fear the consequences.

Is there anything that you do not do because you fear the consequences of the action?

Take a little time to consider some things that you would like to do but don’t and ask yourself “are these fears reasonable?”

Are the outcomes that you fear likely to happen?

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 6, 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

The naked truth about housing numbers The leader of Wokingham Council is threatening to walk naked in Westminster as a protest against further development.

There is something he should consider before he sets off, presumably buying a train ticket at taxpayers expense.

The development of Wokingham has been and is in the control of the Borough Council.

If that is difficult the Council can apply pressure for help from the local MP. If that does not work the Council can lobby the national Government.

But have you noticed the common thread – Conservative.

This thread has been in place for years. So if the Council , the MP and the Government together have been unable or unwilling to influence past development then I don’t see much hope for them to influence development in the future.

Perhaps the thread should be broken.

Think about it Mr Halsall.

John Hard, Wokingham

You Have Been Warned Council leader John Halsall is to be applauded for his threat to the Prime Minister to protest naked over the wicked housing numbers inflicted on Wokingham Borough Council by the Tory government.

It just shows the standard of politics today when a councillor has to resort to that sort of behaviour.

This is only the beginning when you have the likes of Boris Johnson and Donald Cummings running the country.

Mr Cummings has zero approach bordering on the psychopathic by ripping up anything regarded as the status quo. He has already made his mark in the last year by the removal of the Whip of MPs and the sacking of ministers.

It will be very interesting to see if Tory colleagues support John Halsall in his protest.

Wokingham has taken way more than its fair share of new homes. Well over its quota in Shinfield, Arborfield and now Grazeley with 15,000 houses planned, making it the biggest housing estate in Europe.

The Prime Minister wants to build 366,000 houses in future years destroying the environment. This is based on objectively assessed need.

Fortunately the state the economy is in at the moment might make this difficult.

One must give praise to Cllr Halsall for taking this action which is more than can be said for previous leaders who have had little fight and have given in to the whims of the Treasury.

The semi-rural nature of the borough would be completely destroyed if all this work goes ahead.

There is a bigger issue if John Halsall’s attempt fails. Democracy will be finished in Wokingham and the rest of the country.

Councillors are supposed to be residents representatives. But they are not. They represent their political party.

Well done Cllr John Halsall for standing up for us.

Cedric Lander, Woodley

Westminster protest is a worthy cause

I seem to recall a number of years ago, Wokingham councillors announced their intention to produce a calendar featuring themselves starkers in suitably discreet poses.

It was a threat thankfully not carried out.

Now borough council leader John

No laughing matter Wokingham.Today’s picture representation of a naked Wokingham Borough Council Leader outside Parliament with a pretty bow tie and a caption STOP BUILDING IN OUR BOROUGH would be hilarious if the reality behind Wokingham’s Conservative ruling group was not so sinister.

Since 2013 the ruling Conservatives have ploughed a built in every green field except in Wokingham’s north where by chance our naked council leader happens to represent.

Funny that.

Since that moment in time every year The Conservatives secretly kept agreeing to increased housing numbers including 15,000 houses in Grazeley along with plans for greenfield decimation in Shinfield, Arborfield and Barkham.

Thanks to the Lib Dems their secret was made public.

With the loss of financial support from the Government for Grazeley they still plough the same furrow and that is to build 15,000 or 10,000 or even 5,000 houses in Grazeley.

This is along with thousands more in Shinfield, Arborfield and Barkham as the other likely recipients of the bulldozers and the cement mixers.

As long as they can be kept away from the Conservative north of the borough then who cares?

At the same as our naked leader is pleading Dear Boris save us from increased housing numbers the Government (who all also Conservatives) are planning a bonfire of the planning laws which are so draconian that thousands and thousands of extra houses can/will be built in Wokingham without the need for planning permission.

Halsall has declared his aim to take matters further, threatening to march on Westminster in the altogether in protest against demands being made to build more and more houses throughout the borough (Wokingham.Today, July 30).

A worthy cause indeed.

Residents’ rights will go up in smoke with no say in where the houses will go as growth zones will be approved (but not the Conservative north of the borough I bet).

What must not be missed in all this is to be a Wokingham Conservative Borough councillor you have to pay a subscription to the Conservative Party (the Government) and you have to sign up to their policies.

If you do not then you will be kicked out and so by default the Wokingham Conservatives may make all the naked threats they want but they are joined at the hip to their big brother in Parliament.

Don’t let any Wokingham Conservative tell you otherwise. They may huff and puff but they won’t blow the house down (they will just build more) as when the chips are down they will follow the masters in Westminster and concrete all over Wokingham Boroughs green fields.

You can fool all of the people some of the time etc. It’s well worth remembering the complete quote next May when the Conservatives come knocking at your door.

Cllr Gary Cowan, Independent Borough Councillor for Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council

CCTV is not enough Sunday morning saw yet another spate of vandalism in Wokingham town centre. Trees were uprooted and gates smashed, in an attack on the parks which so many of our residents are relying on for fresh air and exercise.

At a time when our council taxes need to support our most vulnerable residents and hard-hit local businesses, money will need to be diverted to repairing the damage.

Question is, will he or won't he?

To close: so, the inmates of Shute End Towers have increased the speed limit through Wokingham town centre from stationary to 20mph. Yet another stroke of dubious municipal genius?

J W Blaney, Wokingham

We hope that CCTV footage may help the police catch the vandals, but yet again we see that CCTV is not enough to PREVENT anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

The police are doing all they can, but they need the resources to give us more police in the town centre and to re-open Wokingham’s police station.

Loddon Valley Police Station is too far out to give the town centre a visible police presence and deter crime here.

And let’s look deeper. We don’t want to prejudge who caused the mayhem on Sunday morning, but much of the antisocial behaviour we’ve seen recently has been caused by troubled young people.

Provision for young people in the town has been cut to the bone and beyond. Most of our youth centres have closed down.

Wokingham Youth Centre hosts tea dances and the Over 50s Club – wonderful resources for our older residents but not what our teenagers need.

Let’s look at intelligent initiatives to prevent problems.

We need proper funding for youth workers and adolescent mental health support, to help us put an end to the misery of anti-social behaviour in Wokingham.

Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, Wokingham

Plastic thinking In response to the proposal by Wokingham Borough Council to replace the black recycling boxes we all use with plastic waterproof sacks, I would like to ask: how thoroughly has this project been considered?

The Council’s executive committee agreed to spend nearly £300,000 to

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

purchase these new plastic sacks without seeing any business case.

By the way, the sacks are plastic – despite the Conservatives trying to suggest they’re hessian.

It’s not clear whether this proposed solution works on either a practical or a financial level.

As we have no business case we have to accept the Conservatives’ belief that the new plastic sacks are the best option to solve the problem that became apparent last autumn. This was when waste contractors declined to accept wet paper and cardboard waste product so we were no longer able to mix wet and dry card and paper waste.

I was disappointed that Cllr Batth, the executive member for the environment, accuses the Lib Dems of being against the proposal, apparently because we’re saying that there should have been consultation with other councillors (both Conservatives and opposition councillors) and local residents about what this change means for them.

In his view this suggests we are against the measures.

The Liberal Democrat approach is to make decisions after a careful review of all the evidence. The first we knew about this proposal was when it appeared in the paperwork for the Executive meeting last Thursday.

Sadly, without being backed up by a business case.

We are saying that a business case should have been presented to the Executive. Our role in opposition is to constructively challenge the Conservative ruling party on the council.

This on top of the unworkable proposal to charge Personal Trainers up to £1,500 to use our parks for fitness coaching without consultation shows that the Conservatives are in more than a bit of a mess at the moment.

Lib Dem councillors are rightly challenging to get the answers which our residents want. Will the new sacks be easy to store and clean, including for people living in flats? Do the figures add up financially?

What is the environmental impact of disposing of thousands of black boxes and buying thousands of plastic (polypropylene) sacks?

If the answers to our questions stack up, we will be delighted to support this initiative.

A functioning democracy relies on scrutiny and challenge, and if all councillors get the full facts in good time, they will be able to make the input needed to get the best decision for Wokingham residents.

Morag Malvern, Wokingham

Not thought through It looks as if local council taxpayers are about to sponsor another experiment.

I see nothing seriously wrong with the existing arrangements for the recycling. It just needs a bit of forethought.

Black bins are pretty standardised, lids have been in use in the Slough area for some years, and they can probably be supplied separately.

OK, so you may have to cut up your cardboard packaging, but capacity need not be a problem.

A lid can easily be secured with a brick.

The redundant bins – I have seven – could be used for storage, or for growing plants in.

Did nobody have the sense to realise that they can’t be recycled?

Cheap cover Why on earth is Wokingham Borough Council contemplating spending a fortune on recycling sacks when these covers are cheap and readily available?

John Hoskins, Wokingham

Now that we have food bins, our blue bags should be less attractive to vermin and magpies, but they will still have a go, often with unsightly results. I find it useful to put my blue bags insider or under a black bin for extra protection.

The proposed new bags will not contain good, so will probably be safe – but you shouldn’t underestimate the tenacity of animals. I think I have finally defeated the squirrels hanging upside down on my bird feeders.

Questions remain, however.

When empty, will the bags blow away in a gale? How durable and ecofriendly are they?

Has any other council come up with this idea? Do we really need to use some of the savings for an extra vehicle? Why should it be necessary?

A wheelie bin is fine, if you can store it unobtrusively, but garden waste bins, with their heavier lids, develop stress fractures after a few years of being upended in the lorry. Taping over the cracks can only be a temporary solution.

I doubt that the idea of bags has been thought through properly.

The financial and environmental cost of producing all those black bins, still perfectly useful, will have been written off, but of course, it’s only the taxpayers’ money.

Trevor Edington, Wokingham

Hang on a minute...

I was delighted to read on page 13 of this week’s edition that Wokingham is not joining in the trials of eScooters.

However, last Monday morning (July 27) I was almost knocked down by one being driven along the pavement in Denmark Street. Mixed messages?

Ian Fox, Finchampstead

Where are the brains?

Talking only about the south of our country, probably millions are aware that the threatened spike in the number of cases of the Covid-19 virus, is due to those who do not respect any instructions given to protect society.

I have eyewitnesses who can testify to the appalling behaviour of the young visiting Brighton and Bournemouth, plus my own experiences in Wokingham. It supports the evidence that the over 50s generally appear to be more disciplined. Too many of the ‘others’ do not care and they will probably be responsible for all or most spikes.

The undisciplined state of affairs with the young is a result of no law enforcement, especially the absence of sufficient police.

This country continues its decline and the potential for more aggro on January 1, 2021 because while we may have a Trade Agreement in place by

Viewpoints continues overleaf

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then with the US (which I dread), we may not have a Trade Agreement with the EU. People who know me, are probably aware that my detestation of bureaucracy in Brussels caused me to vote OUT, but since 2016 the world and Europe has changed.

We need a new Europe that retains the individuality of countries that so many of us love, visit, and where we have friends. One which establishes stronger ties and associations in trade – such as in our collective abilities in space, aviation, medicine, technology and the sciences.

We do not want a United States of Europe – where Brussels is heading, intent on total control. To a degree, we the UK, has allowed that to happen.

Lovely food, great beers, great city for MEPs etc.

Why is it that my concept, in particular the benefits to the future of our children, to our happiness and security, is ignored by the government?

Reg Cliﬞon, Wokingham

Thanks Gig House May I through your pages, thank the Gig House, Wokingham, for giving me such a lovely birthday lunch?

As it was Sunday we did not think much would be open, but there it was.

A table for three in the lovely weather and no queuing.

The waitress was the jolliest of waitresses I have seen for ages especially in these grim times. I would recommend The Gig House for a light lunch, the most delicious of chips and amazing puddings.

I also had a double espresso which kept me awake all night (my fault).

There was even a downstairs loo (beautifully clean), and I have been frequenting The Gig House since 1980 and could not get over the “Oh Joy” of no climbing up the stairs.

Thank you Gig House for my lovely birthday lunch, the happiness of the waitress and the simple but oh so delicious meal. We should all try and keep Wokingham full.

It is a lovely place and I think people overlook that.

(Please adult smokers choose another venue to puf away as we had to move our table to eat away from the smoke).

Otherwise I would recommend the Gig House for a simple delicious, inexpensive meal and the happiest of waitresses. Thank you for my very happy birthday lunch, especially on a Sunday.I wish you all the luck in the future.

Francine Twitche‫מּ‬, Wokingham

Physical training I’m pleased to see the Council’s U-turn on the introduction of permits for

personal trainers in the borough’s parks. What I can’t get my head around is the fact that someone thought it was a good idea to introduce them in the first place at such an inappropriate moment, and then the subsequent lies about them being agreed in November.

Like so many of our small business owners, personal trainers have struggled during the pandemic that we continue live through. As restrictions start to ease, helping these and other business owners to rebuild their businesses is important, but the decision to kick them whilst they’re down completely baffles me.

Part of the reason for introducing the permits according to the press release was to protect the public from unqualified and uninsured trainers using these areas.

Does this mean the Council is going to start checking the qualifications and insurance of all professional’s we wish to hire? Maybe next time I need an electrician I’ll give the council a call because I’m completely incapable of checking myself.

Then there’s the short notice to stump up a large amount of money in one lump sum. It’s almost like the pandemic we’ve been living through is a figment of my imagination and cash flow is absolutely no issue for small business owners.

The press statement also said that “the aim of the permit is to help people use public open space to its best advantage, empowering them to enjoy and benefit from fitness in the great outdoors.” This is at a time that our Prime Minister launches the Better Health campaign.

So the council thinks charging struggling small business owners, who would inevitably have to pass the costs on to their council tax paying clients, helps them. We need to make it as easy as possible for people to get out and exercise for both their physical and mental health.

Local authorities need to find additional income at the moment, particularly as the government at the start of the pandemic told local authorities that they would cover the additional costs for supporting their communities through Covid, yet haven’t provided anywhere near enough money to do that.

But is wanting to profiteer from a sector who are struggling financially and using the current restrictions to enable this, really the right approach?

After much public backlash, WBC decided to U-turn on the decision, but stated that it was in the plans from November to do this, and had been an oversight on their part due to being busy with Covid. If that really was the case, then why was reference made to Covid and “these tough times” in the press release?

In fact the whole press release was about enabling exercise during the restrictions we currently face.

Not to mention the fact that it was pre-agreed in November is a complete fabrication.

At least many of the town and parish councils such as Wokingham Town Council, Winnersh Parish Council and Earley Town Council won’t need to U-turn any ridiculous decisions like this as they continue to welcome the community to their parks and green spaces to exercise to their hearts content.

Cllr Sarah Kerr, Liberal Democrat Member for Evendons Ward, Wokingham Borough Council

paulfishwick From the chamber

The highway asset

T

HE highway is the most used service that the Borough Council offers, and we all use it, whether you are walking, cycling, a bus or rail passenger or driving.

It is therefore an extremely important asset and needs to be looked after for all its users.

A road shows major signs of deterioration when potholes appear, and the travelling public may claim for damage to their vehicle.

Unless the council can defend the claim, they will need to pay out, creating more inefficiencies.

The Executive Member for Highways and Transport proudly announced in February that 7,000 works orders for routine repairs had been issued and more resources had been put in to fill potholes.

This is inefficient use of money as the road has not been looked after properly.

It comes down to preventative maintenance, treating the road before the potholes occur.

This continues to be our plan.

Speed limits The Borough Council should review the speed limits on its network at least every four to five years.

However, it has failed to act for nine years and suddenly, in June this year, announced a review of its speed limits with no consultation end date.

Again, and without warning, an end date to the consultation was announced of July 29 that was subsequently revised to July 15.

This shows the ‘knee jerk’ reactions and poor planning that has taken place.

Speed limit reviews should be undertaken frequently and at the right time to keep the network as safe as possible.

The cycling and walking revolution In May the government announced a package of forward funding for Cycling and walking.

The Borough Council was scheduled to be awarded some of this funding in two tranches.

Tranche 1 was for £150,000 and Tranche 2 £607,000.

The bid to the Department for Transport was developed by the ruling Conservative administration.

It has clearly shown that what was submitted, focusing on walking only, was not bold enough and did not meet the criteria set by the government as they were awarded only 50% of their tentative allocation (£75,000).

They were one of 12 local authorities to receive 50%, with 33 receiving all the original identified funding and 23 receiving 112% of their initial tentative funding.

Going forward, the Tranche 2 (indicative funding of £607,000) will also be again developed by the ruling Conservative administration.

We can only hope that they have learnt something from their first bid.

Cllr Paul Fishwick, is the Highways and Transport lead for Wokingham Liberal Democrats

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In touch?

Just over a year ago I successfully stood as an independent candidate for Shinfield because as a resident I believed that Wokingham Borough Council had lost touch with the people they are meant to serve – residents.

As a councillor, I have seen that this is not always true with some Officers and councillors passionately and valiantly trying to serve.

Some very sensible initiatives being discussed, formulated and some even delivered, albeit at a frustratingly slow pace.

Residents are beginning to be heard even though selective hearing is still habitual. I actually started to think progress was being made.

But recent experiences show there is still a long way to go.

Currently many councillors seem to find out about decisions and initiatives by reading the press.

Is democracy is being bypassed by a select few?

Recent examples: � Permits for outdoor fitness training.

At a time when Boris Johnson (even he would not describe himself as slim) is rightly stating, as a country we need tackle weight and fitness issues, to protect our NHS and reduce the potential impacts of virus.

What do WBC do?

With two days notice, WBC introduce a compulsory permit for ‘personal’ training in our local parks.

So those mums who meet in the park after the school run or the local football team who want to build fitness, now need to be ‘permitted’.

All those running these sessions need to

tonyjohnson That was the week

Of masks and meetings

A

ROUND the world, governments reversed their liftings of lockdown as coronavirus outbreaks started up again.

When Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a Greater Manchester lockdown, residents in bits of Cheshire discovered they’d been Greater Mancunians for more than 40 years.

In Wokingham last week there were four borough council (WBC) meetings marking the end of the summer term, while this writer’s commentary on Face Masks and Omnishambles was quarantined – online only.

A J-turn, not a U-turn In Friday’s Number 10 video conference, a haggard and dishevelled Prime Minister seemed unsure of the time of day and after a complicated briefing on the numbers told everyone the North had been locked down.

He went on with news that the reopening of bowling rinks, skating alleys and indoor performances at wedding receptions would be postponed.

He’d got all the right words, but not necessarily in the right order.

Mask up – things are serious What he got nearly right was the extended use of face masks, Nearly, because he claimed it would

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

do is certify, insure (up to £10m), do a full risk assessment and pay a fee of £1,500 (for up to 10 people) or negotiate a fee if more than 10 people. (WBC, FYI) Sports teams are mainly 11 or above.

Even for one person the fee is £500.

The reality is no one is going to do this, so effectively WBC have banned these activities from our local parks.

Is this really a Council in touch with reality yet alone its residents? � Not allowed to speak. Planning across Wokingham (and the UK) is an emotive subject. For or against, it raises passionate responses. What do WBC do? Using Covid and the need for virtual meetings as an excuse, WBC have effectively blocked residents, ward and parish councillors from having the opportunity to have a voice.

You can, of course, write a letter of up to 390 words that should be read (trust us) by all those on the planning committee.

Is this in touch with residents? Is it democratic? � Recognising plastic. Wet paper and card is a known problem to recycling companies. WBC proposes to give residents’ hessian’ sacks to keep it dry. Sounds sensible but the sacks are in fact themselves plastic.

Worse than that they are multiple material construction (they are weighted) which means they cannot be recycled.

What happens to the existing boxes?

Can they be recycled?

As there has been no consultation we don’t yet know the answers to these questions. Is this in touch? It might even be a good idea, who knows except the select few?

What other ‘initiatives’ will come out from WBC with little to no notice or

become law, which is a bit problematic given the dissolution of Parliament last month. Then there was last week’s dissolution honours list.

But the PM ‘thinks there are too many’ Lords and his policy of reducing the size of the lords is only on track because last week’s national diet announcement was headlined to ‘protect the NHS’.

So that’s being ‘led by the science’ then.

A Disaster …

At last week’s meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive (its ruling body), a member of the public was seeking reassurance that WBC’s rubbish sacks would be made of natural hessian, a recyclable material.

The executive member for the environment confirmed they are “in fact made from woven polypropylene fibre with a light plastic coating” and they “can last up to five years”.

The political foot wasn’t fully in the partisan mouth until the executive member confirmed that they’re “not really plastic, they're polypropylene” despite IUPAC's defining it as a plastic.

As for WBC’s climate emergency credentials?

In tatters after this monumental gaffe.

And wet waste always has ‘cost money’, it isn’t a new problem at all.

Oops.

A triumph Public questions had been answered and ‘Member’ questions were underway when King John overturned the Executive’s agenda to allow a former LibDem councillor ask a question on poverty and debt.

The Exec member for Finance (Conservative) announced that WBC would be adopting the CAB’s Council Tax Protocol, which had been proposed at the Omnishambles of July 23, but not

consultation or debate? It would seem that there is a long way to go before we get a Council that is really in touch with its residents.

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

Think sight With lockdown easing, it’s clear the Government wants us to become more active, return to work and dine out again.

To support this, local authorities have already begun to create new cycle lanes, e-scooter trials have started, and more tables and chairs are appearing on our pavements.

But some of these changes are having a direct impact on blind and partially sighted people, who can’t see where new cycle lanes cross walkways, find it difficult to identify silent e-scooters and have paths blocked by al fresco dining outside restaurants.

It’s essential that local authorities consult with disabled people to consider the effect these changes may have on people who are blind or partially sighted, or who have other mobility issues.

Space for new cycle lanes should be taken from roads, have controlled crossings, and not affect bus stop access. E-scooter trials must not inadvertently increase obstacles on the pavement, and businesses considering putting furniture outside should think about how disabled people will navigate around it.

Our ‘new normal’ should be as open and inclusive as possible, to help everyone get back outside – not make it more difficult.

Eleanor Thompson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People)

debated because of filibustering with the agenda.

What a triumph And we should recognise the political jujitsu in getting it passed unchanged, so congratulations to Cllr Rachel Burgess of the Labour Party.

An oversight?

With the minor exception of a fault in the voting logic, the Audit Committee was well and fairly run by former Mayor, Cllr Bill Soane.

However the real issue was that while the Audit Committee do review Treasury reports, they don’t get Capital, Revenue or Property Investment reports which instead go straight to WBC’s Executive – unaudited.

Perhaps auditing bears more scrutiny then? (or vice-versa).

And a Special Mention That Exec Meeting was immediately followed by a Special Council Executive Committee for the Borough’s Minerals and Waste Plan.

Running the meeting without the usual ‘help’, the Mayor’s hard-won experience showed through and we saw Malcolm the Steady guide the meeting through to a satisfactory conclusion.

Barbecue of the vanities Following that dreadful letter about BBQ King’s license back in June 2016, a Wokingham Town councillor took the issue up with the borough’s political leadership.

Just 38 days later the then executive member for highways (now the mayor) confirmed that a new 12-month license would be issued, although it “will very likely be the last 12-month licence that he will get at this exact location”.

As the then leader said “common sense prevailed in the end”.

Success. caveat.lector@icloud.com

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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20 | NEWS

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Amelie is on to a WINner by spreading the word

Weekend cyclists zig-zig-zagging along

B

Run David, run! D is a lockdow

By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk

EING a man of a certain age, with the slightly unforgiving joints, but an aspiration to keep at least slightly fit, I am a weekend cyclist.

I am not a fully-fledged MAMIL (‘middle aged man in lycra’), nor do I attempt anything too gruelling in a large group as part of an intimidating-looking peloton.

It is just a pleasure to enjoy the Berkshire countryside, have the opportunity to enjoy guilt-free coffee and cake en route, and of course with the exercise completed, to have a smidgen of smugness for the rest of the day.

It also gives an insight into the on-going misunderstanding between car drivers and cyclists. As a driver, it is incredibly frustrating to be stuck behind two cyclists alongside each other, enjoying a nice chat as they are oblivious to the fact that they are taking up all the space on one side of the road, causing a queue of traffic to build up behind them.

Equally, cyclists zig-zagging between stationary vehicles before jumping a red light does not exactly enhance their reputation.

There are also aggressive cyclists with scant regard for fellow road users, as they attempt to speed their way to yet another Personal Best.

On the other hand, it is so dangerous for a cyclist to have cars speeding right up behind and then overtaking at breakneck speed with no thought of safe distance.

It is also difficult to overstate how much of a shock it can be to be on the receiving end of unexpected, aggressive beeping of a horn, which itself is more likely to raise the stress levels and increase the risk of accident rather than do the opposite.

It is also incredible how many drivers burst out of a junction having failed to notice an on-coming cyclist.

Maybe we need to reintroduce the 1970’s public information film Think Once, Think Twice. Think Bike, where a no-nonsense gentleman rolls up the sleeve of his roll neck and using his fist and hand to emphasise the point, explains why drivers need to double check before exiting a junction, in case a motorbike is passing.

The principle also applies to cyclists, of course.

What is strange about the mutual antipathy between drivers and cyclists is that so many people are both drivers and cyclists.

There is a famous old saying that you can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.

It is remarkable that there is not greater mutual understanding, given that the individual switching between saddle and driver’s seat must have some recollection of how it feels to be on the other side.

The irony of course is that all road users generally want the same thing, namely, to be able to go safely from A to B with the minimum of fuss.

Why the lack of empathy? I cannot help thinking that this is yet another relatively minor unintended consequence of our social media culture, where people are encouraged to take sides, amplify differences and foster division, rather than accept that there is much more that unites us rather than divides us.

A world where we can easily find people who agree with our fixed positions and have contempt and fear of people who disagree with us. Searching the word ‘cyclist’ on Twitter, the first few posts include such highly charged terms as ‘very angry’, ‘their powerful backers are destroying London’, ‘male privilege’.

Is it unreasonably idealistic to wish that road users in general have a little more understanding and tolerance of each other?

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

RUNNING 5K was a challenge attempted by many during lockdown, but doing it daily is something only the most driven could do.

SPREADING the word about the work of Wokingham In Need is a new ambassador – an impressive role at the best of times, but even more so when you consider that she is just eight.

Amelie wants to help homeless people after visiting London. And she knew that it’s best not to give them money but to support groups and charities that help in other ways.

So to help Wokingham In Need’s work with the homeless, Amelie held a plant sale which raised £300 and has also devised a PowerPoint presentation giving facts and information.

Susan Jackson, WIN’s founder, was so impressed that she invited Amelie to become the charity’s junior ambassador.

Since accepting, she’s appeared on BBC Radio Berkshire and is planning to make do more once the

coronavirus pandemic is over.

“In view of Amelie’s commitment, we asked her whether she would like to be a junior ambassador for WIN and we were delighted when the answer was yes,” Susan says.

“She has put together a presentation which is great - her mum helped but the content is all from Amelie.

“WIN were then asked if we could join her at her school and Girl Guiding groups when possible.

“This has now escalated to WIN being involved in the Rainbows Charity Badge and discussion is taking place with her mum Claire as to when and how we can develop this.

“One avenue will be Circus Scene, who we hope to be reviving workshops with once things are safe.

“So, welcome Amelie, we are proud to have you on board.”

It’s all very civilised EVERYONE knows that Wokingham is a great place to live – it’s always coming top of surveys looking for the nicest areas in the country.

But a new survey has made an astounding discovery – we’re the most civilised place in the country for an evening on the lash.

Blackpool, on the other hand, is bottom of the pack and no wonder as it’s home to the hen and stag do.

Online Casinos analysed a number of factors, including cheating statistics, crime index data and alcohol-related hospital admissions to unveil the best and worst places for a civilised night out.

Wokingham borough came out top: just 1.51% of the population would cheat on their partner while on a night out, the crime index is a

low 14.71 (second place Warrington’s is 34.8) and the number of bingedrinking hospital admissions has been number crunched to come out at 347.8041 (us neither).

Basically, it’s low. Blackpool’s hospital admission rate is 1,68.1434 and its crime index is 59.88. Only the cheating statistics was lower, coming in at 1.4%.

It’s all clever stuff.

And the verdict from Online Casinos? “Wokingham, the historic market town in Berkshire has been crowned the most civilised hotspot for a night out. With low crime, cheating statistics and a tame binge-drinking culture, Wokingham is the place if you’re looking for a wholesome night on the town.”

We’ll drink to that. In a civilised manner, of course.

‘Pretending it’s a wedding was the only way we could have a party’

David May from Warfield began July on a mission to raise money for Dementia UK in memory of his grandparents June and Don who passed away earlier this year.

Running every day during the month, David completed a minimum daily distance of 5km to raise a goal of £250 for the charity.

And it wasn’t long before he’d smashed his original target – more than 10 times.

David, who has so far fundraised £2,650, says: “I came up with the idea at the start of June, shortly after my nan’s funeral.

“After losing both my grandparents in such a small space of time, I decided to do something as a tribute to them, while raising money for a charity.

“As a family we chose Dementia UK because my Nan suffered from dementia and I wanted to help a cause that is close to our hearts.”

“I knew the fundraiser would be tough as I wasn’t a regular runner and would need to stay really focused to complete the challenge.”

Throughout the month David completed both morning and evening runs, around his work-from-home schedule as a commercial director.

And despite lacking motivation on some mornings, he stuck to his goal of running every day.

David says: “There were days when I really struggled to get out of bed, but I managed to find

that push eventually and get out the door for my run.

“I wouldn’t say I enjoy running now, but it’s definitely improved my fitness and helped me lose two stone along the way.

“It’s also helped set me up for the day and given me that bit of head space that I didn’t have before.

Here’s why the university h WHEN you get a decent box of chocolates, you want to keep it to yourself – we know of one famous face who has a secret stash that he tries, in vain, to hide from his family.

But for the team at a specialist research centre in Earley, well, they’ve got to keep away from everyone.

The University of Reading operates an International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, which handles an amazing 98% of all international trade in live cocoa plant material.

This quarantine is important, not because they don’t want anyone spilling the cocoa beans, but they don’t want pests and diseases to spread from one cocoa-growing region to another.

For example, accidentally importing a South American disease to an African growing region, could cause a diplomatic incident to a crop which is a mainstay of agricultural income in some countries.

So when the coronavirus pandemic hit and companies everywhere started to keep a distance, it was business as usual for the team at the centre.

Just why is it based in Earley? Well, the colder Berkshire climate means that the plants are less at risk from UK-

based diseases, and vice versa.

The centre sees scientists aim to breed varieties with useful traits, such as high yield potential or disease resistance, which will be of benefit globally to breeders and growers – just without the risk of spreading cocoa plant infections.

Dr Andrew Daymond, senior research fellow at the University of Reading, says: “As soon as a possible shutdown for Covid-19 looked likely, we ensured that our own quarantine-

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Daily 5k challenge wn smasher

David May, with his family, and below, his grandparents

“I’ve had some very sore knees, but running is something I’m going to stick to and have started up again following a few days’ rest.”

David completed his last run of the fundraiser on Friday, July 31 where he was joined by family members including his girlfriend, Dad, sister and sister’s fiancé.

Meeting at 9.30am, the group ran around Emmbrook and along the Reading Road before finishing at their grandparents’ house in the Joel Park area.

Mr May says: “The final run was a fantastic way to mark the end of my challenge. We completed it in 35 minutes, followed by a small garden celebration.

“It was a hot day so took a little longer than my usual runs, but a special moment when we reached my grandparents’ house at the end.”

David’s sister Becca was pleased that she could also be involved in the challenge.

She says: “I’m amazed by David and his commitment to the fundraiser throughout the month.

“When he first told me about his plan I was a little shocked, but pleased he was dealing with his loss in such a heroic way.”

“I’m so impressed by not only his ability to stick to the challenge, but the amount of money he has raised for such an important cause.

“He’s created such a fantastic tribute to our grandparents who would be so overwhelmed if they could see what he’s achieved.”

Becca, whose wedding was originally scheduled for the Friday that they completed the final run on, added: “The family run was the perfect way to show our support for David, and the party that followed was very well deserved.

“I’m so proud of him and know how much his fundraiser has meant to my dad and uncle.” � To donate to David’s Just Giving page log on to bit.ly/3gkDKwK.

has its cocoa all wrapped up

within-a-quarantine could continue.

“Our two technicians, Stella Poole and Heidi Canning, continue to maintain the facilities on a daily basis, maintaining social distancing and other safety measures.”

The centre operates by looking after particular varieties of cocoa from genebanks for a two-year quarantine period.

Cuttings are initially grafted on to seedlings and kept isolated initially in insect-proof cages and monitored over

the quarantine period, looking for viruses as well as pests.

Once a particular plant has completed quarantine it is moved to a separate post-quarantine greenhouse compartment, from where the University is able to export cuttings to research institutes worldwide, in response to requests.

Dr Daymond says: “Cocoa faces various diseases in different parts of the tropics.

“Many of these are confined to particular parts of the world, such as some viral diseases that are found in West Africa, where most of the global supply of cocoa comes from.

“Because of this, it is vital that any movement of cocoa plant varieties for research, breeding and cultivation is done via the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre in order to prevent disease pandemics.”

He added: “It’s crucial for chocolate lovers and farmers alike that we continue to protect cocoa farming from further spread of these diseases, and help breeders to develop and access more disease-resistant varieties of cocoa.”

For that, chocolate lovers can rejoice.

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Does your face mask match your scrunchie?

FASHION conscious shoppers can now buy scrunchies to match their face coverings — and all proceeds go to the community.

Local maker Gail Scholey has created a range of scrunchies to match the face coverings she is selling. The money raised goes directly to Share Wokingham, a Norreys-based organisation that feeds the local community.

The scrunchies cost £1 and Ms Scholey is also selling bags and reusable make-up remover pads, made from soft towel and cotton.

Ms Scholey says: “Long term we are hoping to set up a crafting fundraising group with some of our clients to share skills and support Share Wokingham.”

For more information, search for ‘Face coverings fundraising for Share Wokingham’ on Facebook, or visit Share Wokingham, currently based at Norreys Church.

Four Months and Counting….

Coronavirus is still around, in fact it is getting worse, With increasing numbers of people who are desperately needing a nurse.

The Government used to tell us just how many died each day, But now it’s so alarming, they think it better not to say.

They prefer to fumble on, inventing rules for all to follow, But many feel the success of this is nothing short of hollow.

The medics offer sound advice which deaf Ministers fail to hear, Until they have to take some note, which makes the public jeer.

But all of a sudden they’ve taken heed of what’s going on in Spain, As the infection numbers there are on the rise again.

So all of a sudden (yes that’s twice!) they’ve issued another directive To all those people now in Spain, and at risk of being infected, When you return to this country, you must stay home two weeks, Hard luck on your employer and many other geeks!

Even a Cabinet member is now caught up in this, Grant Shapps is on vocation there, and will need to give Parliament a miss.

Another rule these past few days is all about the face mask, It must be worn in shops and pubs: a not too pleasant task, Especially if your hearing’s poor, and lip reading helps you out, You’ll have to react with an intelligent look, when actually you’re in doubt!

Did he say this? Or she say that? You cannot keep saying “What?”

(Even although you secretly feel the person’s talking rot) But we have no choice, so on it goes, and we have to do our best, For it might reduce the infection rate of this wretched covid pest.

Lorna Minton � Have you written any lockdown-inspired verse?

We’d love to be able to share them with our readers, email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

NEWS | 21

22 | NEWS

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WADE’s grand gift A WOKINGHAM charity has been given a helping hand thanks to a housebuiler.

Last week, David Wilson Homes Southern sent a cheqye for £1,000 to WADE, the Wokingham and District Association for the Elderly.

The charity’s doors are currently closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but in normal times it offers day care for the borough’s older residents, including meals, entertainment and the chance to be around friendly faces.

The donation will help the team prepare the Reading Road centre for re-opening to its members in the near future. To do this, they will need to take the necessary steps in regards to providing essential PPE for staff during the pandemic. This includes buying hand sanitiser, gloves, masks, face shields and aprons.

Debra Pahalka, Wade Centre Manager, said: "I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of everyone at Wade to David Wilson Homes for thinking of us, particularly at this time of crisis, when donations are so gratefully received.

“This funding ensures that the day centre can re-open again soon for the elderly community of Wokingham and surrounding areas, many of whom are lonely and isolated, and rely on it so greatly.

“David Wilson Homes’ Community Fund scheme is

fantastic and it's wonderful to see a large organisation supporting smaller, local charities who are in great need of extra funding for survival.”

As well as providing healthy meals for the elderly, it also offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropody and hairdressing services.

David Wilson Homes Southern said it was delighted to help.

Paul Crispin, its managing director, said: “As a leading homebuilder, we strive to support the communities around our developments as much as possible.

“We’re so happy to be able to support the excellent work Wade does through our Community Fund scheme and hope to see them back open soon.” � WADE is launching a 150 Club.

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. The first draw is intended to take place on Friday, August 28, with the closing date for entry August 14. It will then be held on the last Friday of the month, with the results published in Wokingham.Today the following week.

To sign up to the draw, to make a donation or for more details, email Wade150club@wadecentre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

New primary school to be managed by The Keys Trust

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE NEW primary school being built in Emmbrook has taken the next step towards completion.

Built as part of the Matthewsgreen development, the 210-place school is being built on land off Queens Road.

Now, the secretary of state for education has appointed The Keys Academy Trust to run the facility.

Groundworks for the school have already been completed, and the buildings are built as modules off-site. It is hoped they will be installed between November and January.

A new 500 sq m community facility will be built next to school. These will have separate entrances but will be linked, with the school and community centre sharing facilities if and when needed.

Decisions on who will run this are still to be determined.

The buildings are expected to be ready for community use from late summer 2021, with the timing of the school opening dependent on demand for places.

This new school and community facility is part of the North Wokingham development, where approximately 1,900 new homes are planned.

More than 1,000 of these homes are already occupied following construction by Crest Nicholson, Berkeley

Homes, Bellway, Bovis Homes and Linden Homes.

The facilities are funded through developer contributions as part of the four major new communities at Arborfield, Shinfield and North and South Wokingham, and includes an investment of £98million in new schools.

These four development areas will bring seven new primary schools to the borough.

Floreat Montague Park, to the east of Wokingham town centre is already running.

Alder Grove in Shinfield will open in September, and two others are being built, one in Arborfield Green and the other in Matthewsgreen.

Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services at WBC, said: “The Keys Trust has a track-record of providing a fantastic educational experience to children across the borough.

“We’re delighted to be

working with them again as we begin our journey to construct what will undoubtedly be a brilliant facility in a few years’ time, in line with when we expect additional school places to be required in the area.”

Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement at Wokingham Borough Council, added: “Providing essential infrastructure alongside housing across the borough is a crucial part of the way development has been planned in the area.

“The announcement of the operator for the new school in the north of Wokingham is another key milestone as we realise almost £100 million investment in new educational facilities.”

The Keys Academy Trust, which already runs nine other primaries in the borough, is a Church of England multiacademy trust. The soon to open Alder Grove is also

Woodley SEND school almost completed

Addinton will have 50 more places for local children. Picture: Stewart Turkington

BUILDING work for the £4.4million single-storey block at Addington School is now in the final stages.

This means the Ofsted-rated outstanding school will be able to increase its capacity by about 50 students from September.

More young people will access SEND education at the school in Woodlands Avenue, meaning they will be taught closer to home, making families’ lives easier by reducing journey times, as well as reducing the council’s travel costs.The building includes four classrooms, a café and social breakout areas.

Construction of the new block

follows the opening of two new multi-use games areas (MUGAs), a new sensory path and an expanded car park at the end of September 2019.

It follows the announcement of plans to build the new 150-place Oak Tree School.

The free school for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Winnersh is a partnership between Wokingham Borough Council, Reading Borough Council and Brighter Future and will be operated by the Maiden Erlegh Trust.

Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services at WBC said: “I’m delighted to see the Addington School expansion nearing completion and us opening its doors over the next few months.

“We’re determined to provide fantastic educational facilities for our SEND young people and with 50 places soon to be opened at the Ofsted-rated outstanding Addington, and more on the way at the new school in Winnersh, we’re providing the space to do this.”

managed by the trust.

The other schools it manages are Crazies Hill CofE Primary School, Polehampton CofE Infant and Junior Schools, Sonning CofE Primary School, St Nicholas CofE Primary School, Earley St Peters CofE Primary, The Coombes, and St Sebastian’s CofE Primary.

Hester Wooller, executive headteacher and CEO of The Keys Academy Trust, said: “The Keys Academy Trust is delighted to be appointed as the provider for the new primary school at Matthewsgreen.

“The Keys Academy is a local trust based in Wokingham with nine primary schools and we look forward to working in partnership with the council to develop another new primary school to serve this new community.

“This is a very exciting time of growth within The Keys.”

Health officials warn not to use masks on babies HEALTH officials from the NHS are warning that babies and children under the age of three must not wear masks or face coverings as they pose serious risks of choking and suffocation.

Last month, the Government introduced new rules on face masks in public places.

But following the news that some shops were selling masks for very young children, the health teams at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Group are warning parents of the dangers these pose.

Tricia Pease, associate chief nurse and designated professional on child death at Berkshire West, said: “While the wearing of masks for any child under the age of 11 is not compulsory, we’ve noticed some shops have been selling masks aimed specifically at babies and toddlers.

“We are very concerned about this and want to alert parents and carers to the dangers around masks and face coverings for these infants.

“The best way to protect young children ~ is to follow the guidelines around frequent hand washing, keeping equipment and surfaces in the home cleaned, wiping down toys and baby changing mats and maintaining the social distancing rules.

“If a child starts to show any symptoms of concern – a high temperature and/or constant cough, parents and carers should go onto NHS 111 online or ring their GP surgery for advice.”

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Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Eat out to help out Advertisement feature

To appear in our next feature call 0118 327 2662

‘The new dine out scheme created the busiest Monday on record’ says pub manager

The Walter Arms has its busiest Monday on record this week, thanks to the new scheme Picture: Des Blenkinsopp

R

ESTAURANTS across Wokingham are now offering 50% off as part of the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme.

The voucher initiative, which began on Monday, sees a selection of pubs, cafés and restaurants offer discounted food and soft drinks from Monday to Wednesday throughout this month.

And the impact has already been felt by local eateries such as The Walter Arms, Sindlesham, who experienced

their “busiest Monday on record” on the first day of the scheme.

General manager of the pub, Jon Levene, told Wokingham.Today: “We have seen a huge rise in bookings which seems to be going up as the week progresses.

“The team are very well tuned with what is going on and able to explain to customers as they walk through the door.

“Our specials have been popular and some customers have described the pub as a ‘different place’ since we

re-opened after lockdown.

“We couldn’t ask for better reviews about our social distancing measures and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme should help drive even more people in.

“The great thing about the scheme is that someone can walk in for even just a pint of Diet Coke and they’ll still receive the discount.”

A similar enthusiasm for the scheme has been shown by customers of Italian restaurant Ruchetta, based on Wokingham’s Rose Street.

Fresh out of the kitchen, Ruchetta is serving up Italian cuisine to its growing customer base Pictures: Jess Warren

Owner, Angelo Caloro said: “We began the scheme on Tuesday and have already seen a growth in bookings for the days where the discount is available.

“Next week is already starting to fill up and it seems this will give us a significant boost in terms of customers.”

“It also helps that Government information

on the scheme is clear.”

Emilio Sanchez, the owner of Wokingham’s Spanish tapas bar, Sanpa also hopes to join the scheme later this month and believes the initiative will be welcomed by many local hospitality businesses who have suffered due to the pandemic.

He said: “I’ve built up a good loyal base of customers over the

past eight years and hope this scheme will act as a thank you and give them more confidence to return now the lockdown is easing.” � To view a comprehensive and interactive map of all the local restaurants who have joined the scheme, visit wokingham.today online and search for ‘Eat Out to Help Out’

24 | SOCIETY

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nelliewilliams Nellie knows

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

helenabadger volunteer corner

www.nelliewilliams.co.uk

Busy and vibrant – it’s a wonderful sight

Help needed for The Cowshed

URING lockdown when shop windows were empty, lights were off and people were few and far between the town felt like it was a filming location when everyone had nipped off to the food trucks.

Now it’s looking busy and vibrant, the lights are on and the window displays are bright, cheerful and welcoming.

What a wonderful sight.

Of course, Wokingham like many towns looks different with the bollards and when I’ve driven through it’s not been rush hour or school run so I’ve maybe had a distorted view but I’ve not been inconvenienced.

Unlike going to or from town and Finchampstead with the Tesco bridge closure.

Crikey it just goes to show how much one takes a familiar route for granted.

T

D

Why Wokingham?

I often ask people why they moved to Wokingham and what they love about where they live.

When I’m asked I say my I grew up in Hurst and moved to Wokingham when I was 21 and have been here ever since.

What I do love is my house, garden, walking distance to town, great dog walks, close enough to M4, easy access to airports and of course my friends so I naively thought that people might say the same about where they have made their home.

However I often get told the negatives like it’s too built up, the traffic is dreadful, there’s nowhere to walk and then there’s the biggest bugbear there’s too many cafes and restaurants.

During lockdown I have been walking eight to 12 miles a day, believe you me there are plenty of places to walk.

Back in the day Wokingham had many more pubs and

I doubt anyone complained about that.

Granted the town and, in fact the borough, has changed and it might not suit everyone but the cafes and restaurants are popular (and busy) which encourages people to flock to them.

Everyone has their favourite coffee spot.

Now I no longer drink caffeine my visits have been infrequent but I still meet up with friends (less so nowadays since Covid-19) and it’s great to support local businesses and watch the world go by.

Grace notes One friend who I was pleased to catch up with recently was Nicky Allpress who has been busy in lockdown directing a play under strict C ovid-19 guidelines.

Moment of Grace has been written by Bren Gosling and produced by Backstory Ensemble in association with The Actors Centre and The National HIV Story Trust.

It made its debut online at The Actors Centre last Friday and is streaming until Sunday.

Created as a three-character play, Moment of Grace looks at the famous visit of Diana, Princess of Wales to London’s first AIDS Unit in 1987, where she shook a patient’s hand without wearing gloves and in doing so triggered a momentous shift in public and media perceptions of people living with HIV and AIDS. For more information and tickets see www.actorscentre.co.uk/theatre/moment-of-grace/ booking-information

HE Cowshed is a charity, which provides support to people of all backgrounds in a time of personal crisis.

The aim of The Cowshed is to provide good quality cleaned and ironed clothes and other essentials free to anyone in need.

It has recently opened a new distribution centre in Winnersh and are looking for more volunteers.

It is currently looking for a couple of volunteers on Fridays to help sort and wash/ iron donations from 10am-1pm and 1pm-4pm. � Home-Start supports ordinary parents going through extraordinary times. Parents can feel exhausted and overwhelmed by the stresses of family life, particularly if we have little support from family and friends when we need it most.

Home-Start has been described as ‘ARMBANDS IN DEEP WATER’ because it offers a lifeline to parents who feel overwhelmed and in desperate need of support, reassurance and friendship by providing them with Home visiting Volunteers.

Are you a parent or do you have parenting experience?

Do you have two-three hours a week to visit and support a young family within Wokingham borough?

For the time being, this will be provided by the volunteer giving remote support, via phone, Zoom, whatsapp etc but this will move back to face to face support in the future (only when it is safe to do so) and the volunteer will

be required to visit the family in the home.

There will be a six-week training course in September. � ABC to read believes life is better when everyone can read and express themselves confidently.

Its trained reading mentors provide children with the skills and confidence they need to do just that.

With the current crisis, we feel there is even more need for volunteers as some children may have fallen behind.

The charity is waiting to place volunteers in schools that are requesting our support, but we need more volunteers to come forward to help with this vital service.

Volunteers would be volunteering within a local school, ideally twice a week for one-and-ahalf hours in the afternoons but once a week will be considered.

The role is extremely rewarding, learning new skills and strengthens the community.

At the current time, the charity will be conducting online interviews and training, with the hope of placing volunteers into schools from September. � 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.

Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

INTHECOMMUNITY

News from your community groups, clubs and societies Send your reports to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Making a difference in a different world

O

SOCIETY | 25

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A way to say thanks

NE difference is the Rotary Year which runs July to June.

So the right time to reflect on the past 12 months for Easthampstead Rotary Club members and their families and friends, and to look forward to the future — and our plans through Covid-19 and beyond.

At the ‘virtual’ handover to the club's new president Les Howard, his predecessor Terry Edney reflected.

“It has been such an unusual period.

For years to come, I think children will ask their parents or grandparents: ‘How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect you?’

“Well, as with all recent social gatherings, we have had to cancel or postpone all our planned get-togethers and public fundraising events.

“Nevertheless, I am very proud that we still succeeded in raising over £30,000 for local and international charities.

“Around £7,000 of this money came from the generosity of Bracknell and Wokingham residents at our local supermarket collections pre-Covid-19.

“Thank you for your support, it has been tremendous.”

He added: “Last July saw the inaugural Bracknell Together Walk in the lovely grounds of South Hill Park. The walkers, who were sponsored, raised over £4,000 for the charities of their choice.

“And our Christmas Community Draw raised more than £12,000 for the 45 local voluntary groups and schools who sold the tickets.

“Then, since lockdown, we have supported the Bracknell and Wokingham foodbanks with donations totalling more than £2,000 to each, and gifts both financial and clothing to The Cowshed, a new charity helping those in need across The Range has raised over Berkshire.”

He continued: “I would like to publicly thank our members who worked so hard

The Beeches Manor Extra Care Team were one of the number of groups thanked by the Optalis senior management team for their work during the pandemic

From left: Barbara and Les Howard, and Terry and Chris Edney – presidents and wives for the Easthampstead Rotary Club

to raise this money, to the residents of Wokingham and Bracknell for their generosity, and the charities that worked with us. A huge thank you to all of you."

Incoming President, Les Howard, pinpointed some of his goals.

“Number one on my priority list is to help Easthampstead Rotary Club stay happy and vibrant despite Covid-19.

Using Zoom, we can continue to 'meet’, and plan our support for our chosen local and international charities ... until we can socialise again face-to-face.

“In fact with Zoom, inviting guest speakers and members who live abroad to join us is a real plus.

“Future ‘visits’ from Australia and the US are already planned.”

He also pledged to build links with the large number of community volunteers who have come forward during the £51,479 for the NHS COVID-19 crisis.

He said: “I would love to see if we can harness some of that power to assist us

GENEROUS shoppers visiting a Reading Owner and founder of The Range, The Range Reading store during the coronavirus pandemic Chris Dawson, said: “I think our have helped support the work of the customers be proud to learnstrict that we Following months of hard-working and dedicated Range will employees applying social NHS. have raised a collective £51,479.56 to distancing measures in stores, The Range’s staff have additionally raised a collective All 175 Range stores across the help our valued and loved National £51,479.56 for been the NHS. Through fundraising, the store-staff inIall Range stores country have raising funds for our Health Service. am175 extremely proudacross of hospitals, raising a combined totaltotal of to be donated the effort staff have put in to Health the UK have collected the grand tostore the much-loved National £51,479.56, of which £157.92 came from achieve this, as well as keeping our social Service. our neighbouring town. distancing measures in place.”

with our community projects locally and internationally.

“Among our priorities are: � assisting with the Thames Valley Hospice garden project � continuing help for those in need in our communities in the Bracknell and Wokingham area � supporting the Global Vaccination initiative against Polio and in due course Covid-19 � developing our young people through local schools and Rotary Youth programmes.”

New members always welcome. PostCovid, we meet most Monday evenings at The Coppid Beech.

For more information, call Brian on 07720 321 526.

Check out our website: www.easthampsteadrotary.org Or follow us on social media at www.facebook.com/ easthampsteadrotaryclub/

TO THANK staff for their work during the coronavirus pandemic, the senior management team of a social care provider has been busy creating a special gift.

Optalis managers wanted to surprise their teams at the virtual thank you event by delivering surprise hampers to them.

As part of the event, every team member was invited to join digitally and join in with the celebrations.

Following announcements, guests were encouraged to highlight teams and staff members who had truly gone above and beyond.

Opatlis says that during the pandemic, many of its workforce have had to adapt to ensure their customers continue to receive the high quality of care and support needed.

Many care workers have been temporarily redeployed to other roles, as well as all individuals having to face the challenges of socially distancing guidelines and keeping customers safe, all whilst having concerns about their own family and friends.

The Optalis team felt now was a good time to pause, reflect and

acknowledge each and every person’s hard work and dedication.

David Birch, the company’s CEO, said: “I’m truly proud of how the Optalis team have performed and coped through the first wave of Covid-19, everyone has been extraordinary, and I want to thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”

This was echoed by Helen Woodland, director of provided services, who said “I thought I’d seen everything during my 30 years in social care, but I was wrong as never before have I seen the sheer commitment, resilience, care and compassion to the degree that each and every one of our staff members have shown.”

While joining the event, around 50 treat hampers were delivered to approximately 620 staff to enjoy.

And, for those who weren’t available, the session was recorded for staff members to watch and join in with afterwards.

Customers from various services within Optalis were also able to join in with the event and talk to staff about how they are currently feeling.

26 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

WIN: PRIVATE CINEMA SCREENING FOR THE FAMILY — PLUS SNACKS THE BIG SCREEN IS BACK!

Wokingham Theatre launches open air shows

W

OKINGHAM Theatre is returning to the stage for the first two weekends of September.

The theatre will be performing Peter Quilter's Duets, an examination of the chaotic world of love, relationships and why the grass is never greener.

Jonathan and Wendy are on a blind date and hoping to get it right this time even though they've never got it right before. Barrie is not really interested in women but Janet sees that as no reason to stop trying.

Shelley and Bobby have decided to holiday in Spain to finalize their divorce whilst drowning in cocktails.

And Angela is marrying for the third time to the dismay of her brother Toby.

The performance will be open-air and tickets will be sold as a bubble, with enough space for four people.

It costs £10 per group, and there will be an afternoon and evening performance for each date. � To book, send an email to: boxoffice@wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

T

HERE’S nothing better than seeing movies as they were intended to be – and that’s on the big screen, with some delicious snacks too.

And that’s what we’re able to offer thanks to Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading.

We’ve teamed up with the Winnershbased cinema to offer an experience that many of you have dreamed of – a private screening for your family and friends.

Since reopening in July, under Covidsafe conditions, Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading has been screening some classic films: 2020 Oscar winners, old favourites and a host of family-friendly movies.

And the cinema has strict safety measures in place, including a thorough cleaning regime in place, plus multiple hand sanitising stations.

Guests are advised to book tickets online in advance or use the self-service ticket machines in the cinema lobby.

And to further reassure movielovers, it has published a Be Showcase Safe video on its website, which highlights everything it is doing to make going to the pictures a safe and enjoyable visit.

So we’re delighted to team up with

Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading’s general manager, Jay Khan and his team are looking forward to welcoming movielovers to an exclusive private screening on Sunday, August 16

Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading to offer our readers the chance to enjoy the ultimate cinema experience on Sunday, August 16.

To celebrate the news that Showcase Cinemas have reopened all over the UK,

one lucky reader is getting the chance to win a private screening at 3pm for up to eight people (from a maximum of two households), with refreshments included.

You’ll be given a range of movie titles to choose from, from family films to classic blockbusters, so there is something for everyone.

To be in with a chance of enjoying a show-stopping VIP experience, head to our Facebook page, like and share the article and also our page and the

Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading page.

The closing date is Thursday, August 13 at 4pm. The winner will be contacted shortly afterwards.

Usual rules apply – entrants must be 18 or over and able to attend the screening at 3pm on Sunday, August 16.

The prize is non-transferrable, and editor’s decision is final. � For more details on the films being screened at Showcase Cinema de Lux Reading, log on to www.showcasecinemas.co.uk/

LEISURE | 27

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Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Award-winning jazz artist to play virtual concert

A

WARD WINNING jazz saxophonist Art Themen will perform a live streamed gig direct from the main stage at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts later this month.

The show will run on Friday. August 14 at 8pm.

Art Themen is considered to be one of the UK and Europe's best known jazz artists, and many have said his musicianship, style and humour create great jazz.

He previously fronted the Stan Tracey quartet for more than 20 years and is the winner of a British Jazz Award for tenor sax.

The musician was inspired to play saxophone after attending a gig by the Dankworth Seven, at the local Palais, at the age of 16.

In 1974, he began one of his central

musical relationships when he started playing with Stan Tracey.

He has played with all of Tracey's groups, touring with him across the world as well as around the UK. Mr Themen has also played and toured with visiting American musicians, including Nat Adderley, Red Rodney, George Coleman and Al Haig.

He was a consultant orthopaedic surgeon but continued playing jazz throughout his career.

Following his retirement from medicine, he has been concentrating on his musical career.

For this gig, Themen is supported by Alex Hutton on piano, Andy Cleyndert on bass and Clark Tracey on drums.

A spokesperson from Norden Farm said: “Sit back and enjoy as your living room is transformed into an intimate jazz club.”

Outdoor showing of Wind in the Willows

S

The event will take place live via a video stream on the Norden Farm website.

Customers will be able to use their tablet, laptop or other device to see and hear the event.

Once the ticket has been purchased, customers can access the live stream on

OUTH Hill Park kicks off the summer holidays with live music, a family favourite and the return of indoor dining The Bracknell-based arts centre is celebrating summer with an outdoor production of Wind in the Willows and live music from the terrace to celebrate the reopening of the Atrium Restaurant.

The bar welcomed back customers last month with its indoor restaurant service, which runs from Wednesdays to Sundays, 11am until 7pm.

South Hill Park will hold its first outdoor performance of the year in the intimate amphitheatre.

Young and old are invited to join

the night of the event by following the link in their booking confirmation email and logging into their Norden Farm account. � Tickets cost £15 per household. They are available from the Box Office on: 01628 788997 or online at: www.nordenfarm.org

Mole, Rat, Toad, Badger and their friends from Friday, August 14 until Sunday, August 16, for a performance of Wind in the Willows.

Two months ago, South Hill Park launched its fundraising campaign to raise £500,000 and support its arts production. Due to closure following Government guidance surrounding the Covid-19 situation, it lost 86% of its income overnight. So far the campaign has raised more than £55,000.

The Government’s grant and loan package was welcomed by all of the arts industry, including South Hill Park, but there is still uncertainty whether the centre will be eligible for any of the support.

Chief executive Craig Titley, said: “South Hill Park welcomes the

Government’s grant and loan package on behalf of the arts industry. It is definitely a positive step forward, but the devil will be in the detail.

“The fund aims to protect the ‘crown jewels’ such as the Royal Albert Hall as well as local venues but even £1.57bn will only go so far.

What that means for South Hill Park we are yet to find out.

“If the Arts Centre is eligible an application will be made, but there are no guarantees of success or how much we can apply for and whether it will be enough. “ � Tickets cost £14, or £10 for under 16s. A family ticket – four people – costs £44. � To buy a ticket, visit: www.southhillpark.org.uk/ events/wind-in-the-willows

Art centre kite making workshops given digital makeover for summer

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ORDEN FARM Centre for the Arts summer holiday kite making workshops will be taking place online this year while the centre’s doors remain temporarily closed.

And there's still time to get involved with the workshop on Thursday, August 13, running from 11am until 11.45am.

The workshops are led by specialist kite makers, Community Kite Project. In the online sessions they guide children through the process of making a Japanese Sode Kite.

All are welcome to join in via Zoom to design and create their own original kite to take to the sky.

As part of the kites project,

Norden Farm have also run online workshops with Cookham Rise Primary and St Mary’s Primary School, as well as community groups Family Friends and Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.

Education manager, Robyn Bunyan said: “While we can’t fly kites together in person this year, it doesn’t mean the fun has stopped.

“It has been a real privilege to work with students at local schools for our online Kite Making workshops hosted by practitioner Chris Jarratt from Community Kite Project.

“We have really missed being in the classroom with staff and students as part of the Farm Out programme over the

past few months, and these workshops were a real success.

“The real joy was knowing that students can fly their kites at school to mark the end of a very strange school year, but also share that fun with their families at home too.”

Chris Jarratt from Community Kite Project said: “I am really pleased to be in our third year working with Norden Farm hosting kite workshops with local communities. Going digital has been a fun challenge for me in terms of how I deliver the workshops but they have been a roaring success so far.

“It has been great to see some old faces and lots of new faces too. Thank you to all the

wonderful participants and community support who have made this year possible.”

Each kite making workshop ticket includes access to the live, online workshop and everything needed to make and fly a kite.

All that customers need

are pens to decorate.

Tickets are £10 per kite and include a kite materials pack.

The session is suitable for all ages from 4+ years. � Tickets are available from the Box Office on 01628 788997 or online at www.nordenfarm.org

28 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

wokinghamlovesmusic Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

A

NOTHER week and another selection of great tracks for you to enjoy listening to on a summer’s day, all compiled by Chris Hillman from White Star Records.

As usual, our Wokingham Loves Music soundtrack features songs from bands and artists all with some connection to Wokingham’s music scene.

And Chris wants you to discover the diverse scene that makes Wokingham special, so there is a range of genres to enjoy.

You can listen for FREE via Spotify. There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic Gemma Dorsett – Broken, Blessed & Beautiful Here’s a track chosen by local photographer, Andrew Merritt, from some of his fave artists that he’s photographed at Wokingham gigs – including this fab picture of Gemma. She is an excellent vocalist who combines power, energy and emotion into her performances and this track is one of her single releases. 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 – www.gemmadorsett.com Zach Johnson – Mississippi We are being spoilt this week as here’s another fine choice from Andrew Merritt. Taken from the live EP Songs from the Riverhouse Barn that was released earlier this year, the track shows the talent of this up and coming local indie/folk singersongwriter who has appeared at Wokingham Music Club on a number of occasions. Zach has released a few singles and EP’s so far and all are well worth a listen – 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 co-written 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 and the new album that it is taken from (Feelings Are Good) 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 Wokingham Music Club (WMC) founder Stan Hetherington as one of his favourite tracks he’s seen performed at WMC over the years – www.facebook.com/lewisandleighmusic Voices From The Fuselage – Domus (Orchestral Arrangement) Gorgeously re-imagined orchestral version of a track that had originally been on their, White Star Records released, second album Odyssey: The Founder of Dreams – www.facebook.com/ VoicesFromTheFuselage Duke Pearson – I Don't Care Who Knows it Wallen Bink is a new record label in Wokingham specialising in quality vinyl reissues of rare jazz recordings. Their first release is from this legendary pianist – www.wallenbink.com Never The Bride – You’re Not Alone Wokingham Music Club’s Stan Hetherington picked this track from the band as one of his faves from past club gigs – www.neverthebride.com Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Music Is A local band that, in lockdown, created a new community-based video for this track – www.facebook.com/SelinaandtheHowlinDogs

LIFE | 29

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Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

plasticfreehome Dave Lamont facebook.com/PlasticFreeHomeUK

Residents say recycling plans belong in the bin, but are they right?

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S RECENTLY highlighted by Wokingham.Today, Wokingham Borough Council is exploring replacing residents’ black kerbside recycling boxes with reusable hessian sacks.

A quick glimpse at comments on the Wokingham.Today article or a brief trawl of social media will tell you that many residents are confused by or unhappy with the proposals.

I spoke with Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for Climate Emergency, to find out more about why Wokingham Borough Council wants to give kerbside boxes the sack.

“Essentially, RE3 – the waste management partnership between Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham – sell our recycling and use this revenue to offset our collection cost,” he explained.

“They can’t recycle wet paper or card though, so when it rains a large proportion of our recycling becomes contaminated and has to be disposed of via other means, rather than sold at a profit.”

Elaborating on the pressing need to find a suitable solution, Cllr Murray continued, “We need to find an answer to this problem because if we don’t, come October to March we are likely to face a bill of circa £600,000 due to rejected wet cardboard and paper.

“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and other financial pressures that is a cost we would likely need to pass on to residents and we do not want to do that.”

Some residents have argued in favour of lids being provided to cover the existing boxes or for wheelie bins, as used in Reading. But this isn’t the answer says Cllr Murray: “We cannot retrofit all of our current boxes with flip lids and even if we did the boxes are mostly overfilled anyway making a lid useless at keeping out rain.

“Non-secured lids may fly away in wind and could result in lids and boxes being blown into roads, causing a hazard.

“Lids would also slow down collections, which would mean a need for more vehicles, potentially costing more than the wet recycling does.

“None of these are considered attractive solutions.”

Explaining why the council thinks that sacks are the answer, he said, “Similar sacks are already in use in Bristol, Bath, Stevenage and other areas and have proved highly effective in tackling the issue.

“The sacks are made of infused hessian and slightly weighted at the bottom to prevent them moving around when it is windy. They are waterproof and larger than the existing boxes, but will take up less space when empty.”

Another issue when it comes to recycling is residents’ confusion as to what can and can’t be placed in a kerbside recycling box. This important information can be clearly printed on the side of sacks according to Cllr Murray.

Households will likely receive two sacks, with the new scheme to be rolled

Make a batch

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OW that the warm weather is here, the last place many cooks want to be is in the kitchen.

So Aldi has come to rescue by devising some recipes that are hassle-free, healthy and perfect for batch cooking – making a large amount and then freezing the remainder for later.

Aldi’s Sri Lankan Style Curried Cauliflower, is a spiced vegan curry aimed at giving midweek meals a bit of Eastern inspiration. It is £2.93 per portion and packed with goodness.

Alternatively, a quick recipe is Aldi’s Satay Green Stir Fry. It’s full of fresh vegetables and perfectly mixed with a mouth-watering peanut satay sauce.

Aldi’s Sri Lankan Style Curried Cauliflower Serves: 4 ; Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes � 1 cauliflower � 3 Garlic Cloves � 1 Red Chilli – approx 15g � 1 10g piece peeled Fresh Ginger � 1 tsp ground Cumin

� 1 tsp Paprika � 2 tsp Curry Powder � 1 Lemon � 2 Red Onions � 30g Cashew Nuts � 30g Blanched Almonds � 400ml Coconut Milk � 400g Chopped Tinned Tomatoes � 400g Tin of Chickpeas � 100g Baby Spinach Leaves � 35ml Rapeseed Oil � Sea Salt and Black Pepper Peel the onions, halve and thinly slice.

Peel and mince the garlic. Grate or finely chop the ginger. Finely chop the chilli along with the seeds.

In a wok sauté the onions in the oil for

out “before the winter” if given the green light.

The council also plans to collect and recycle redundant recycling boxes Cllr Murray explained: “We are looking at solutions in terms of the black boxes.

“There are companies that will recycle them, and potentially turn them into things for use within our community, think park benches or the recycled plastic curb stones that we use.

“All options are being investigated right now and I hope to announce the solution long before the boxes start getting collected.”

He clarified: “There is an upfront cost to doing all of this but it will be offset from not losing the recycling revenue each time it rains.”

Summarising the plans, Cllr Murray concluded: “Making this change will not only help us to reduce our costs but, crucially, to keep our streets tidier, to increase our recycling rates and to get us closer to our Climate Emergency goals.”

At a meeting on July 30, this item was discussed and many questions were raised (see page 13). There appears to remain some confusion around the proposals, particularly in relation to what the sacks are made from, whether they are indeed fully waterproof and around the financial aspects of the scheme.

I have heard from residents in other areas of the UK, where similar sacks are being used, and their feedback has been very good.

In our region, Wokingham has led on areas including food waste collections while Reading and Bracknell have lagged behind.

The Council had made good progress in certain areas and we must not forget that.

However, any potential positives are at the moment being outweighed by the ongoing uncertainty and confusion. I look forward to things hopefully becoming clearer soon and to matters progressing in a sensible direction.

For more tips and advice, join the online group at www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk Got a comment or question?

Email plasticfreehome@gmail.com

4 minutes on a low heat. Add the nuts and cook another minute.

Add the chilli, garlic, ginger, ground cumin, paprika and curry powder.

Cook on a low heat for a minute, stirring as you cook. Then, add the coconut milk and the chopped tomatoes.

Grate the lemon and juice – add the rind and juice to the curry sauce. Bring the sauce to the boil, season with some salt and plenty of black pepper.

Cut the cauliflower into eighths and add to the sauce.

Drain the chickpeas and add to the wok. Gently cook for about 25 minutes till the cauliflower is just cooked and the sauce has thickened. Then add the spinach leaves, stir through and cook another 5 minutes.

Serve alongside some basmati rice.

Aldi’s Satay Green Stir Fry Serves: 2; Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 15 minutes � 160g pack sugar snap peas � 1 bunch spring onions � 1 courgette � 1 small green chilli � 35ml British rapeseed oil � 300g pack Asia

Ready to Wok noodles � 1 Quixo vegetable stock cube � 60g Grandessa smooth peanut butter � 40ml Baron St Jean white wine � 100ml boiling water � 1 tsp Stonemill paprika � Juice from 1 lime � Black pepper Trim and wipe the spring onions, then cut them in half and slice lengthways.

Cut the sugar snap peas in half lengthways.

Cut the courgette into quarters lengthways and slice thinly.

Thinly slice the chilli with the seeds.

Pour the boiling water, lime juice and white wine into a small saucepan.

Crumble over the stock cube and whisk to dissolve.

Add the peanut butter and paprika – whisk well – then put to one side.

In a large wok or frying pan, heat the oil. Add the peas and spring onions and stir fry for 5 minutes.

Add the courgettes and chilli and cook for another 3 minutes.

Add the noodles and cook through to heat.

Pour over the peanut satay sauce and toss, then serve.

30 | CLASSIFIEDS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 6, 2020

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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: Application

Address

Reasons for Advert Description

201458

Newlands, Mole Road, Sindlesham

Major Application

201762

Full application for the proposed erection of an equestrian facility for training and livery purposes including fifty horseboxes, foaling yard, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, lunge ring and horse walker, reception, office, members clubhouse with bar, parking for 25 cars, three parking areas for HGV horse lorries, and three units of residential accommodation comprising manager’s threebedroomed house, staff two-bedroomed flat and staff five-bedroomed flat, with access via Gravelpithill Lane and Ellis’s Hill.

Bartletts Farmhouse, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Householder application for the proposed creation of a dropped kerb onto Swallowfield Road and provision of a gated vehicular access and private driveway.

201763

Bartletts Farmhouse, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield

(Affect setting of) Listed Building

Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed creation of a dropped kerb onto Swallowfield Road and provision of a gated vehicular access and private driveway.

201791

71A High Street, Wargrave

Conservation Area

Householder application for proposed changes to fenestration consisting of the replacement of 5 no. windows.

201833

Land South of Old Bath Road Sonning

Major Application

Outline application with Appearance and landscaping reserved for the proposed 57 dwellings suitable for older persons accommodation (Use Class C3) with consideration of means of access, layout and scale to be determined. Following demolition of existing dwellings.

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.

Any comments must arrive on or before 27th August 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.

Date: 6th August 2020

SERVICES

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (REMENHAM CHURCH LANE, REMENHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020

WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (EASTHAMPSTEAD ROAD, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 30th July 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: Remenham Church Lane, Remenham between its junctions with Remenham Lane and A4130 White Hill.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4130 White Hill, A4130 Henley Bridge and Remenham Lane or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 10th August and 1st September 2020.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Gigaclear contractors to undertake BDUK Superfast Broadband 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 10th 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 6th August 2020 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 30th July 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: Easthampstead Road and for a distance of 10m on either side of the level crossing.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Easthampstead Road, Waterloo Road, Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 14th August 2020 between 00:30 and 04:30.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Network Rail contractors to undertake level crossing 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 14th 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 6th August 2020 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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Thursday, August 6, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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CLASSIFIEDS | 31

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 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: 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.

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.

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.

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Dream debut for Bobby at Brands Hatch

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LAURENT SIGNS TO ROYALS AND SHOWCASES NEW KIT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Minutes after signing his deal with the Royals, Josh Laurent put on the new home kit for the 2020/21 season. Reading FC has made the kit available from its website for preorder. As well as the hooped shirts, there’s a red away kit – both available in male, female and junior variants – and there’s also a replica goalkeeper kit on offer.

READING’S newest addition Josh Laurent is excited to get going after becoming the first signing of the transfer window for the Royals.

Bobby Trundley celebrates his podium finish at Brands Hatch Picture: Darren Cook, Scruffy Bear Pictures

A WOKINGHAM-based rally driver is coming out in bruises this week, after pinching himself to see if a dream debut has come true.

On Saturday, 21-year-old Bobby Trundley took part in his first-ever Britcar Endurance Championship, racing for Team BRIT at Brands Hatch. His driving mate was Aaron Morgan.

The team are all disabled, Bobby was diagnosed with autism when he was four, while Aaron is a wheelchair user.

The pair were driving a BMW 116s in the Britcar Trophy Category and finished third. Not only that, but Bobby was judged to be Driver of the Day by Britcar.

A delighted Bobby said: “What an amazing weekend – Aaron’s consistent driving put us into podium 3. I knew I had to maintain position for the last part of the race but I wasn’t expecting the battle I had for the last 11 minutes.

“I defended against a quicker car for all my life’s worth and amazingly held on to the podium position.”

Bobby was quick to praise other team members for their roles in his success.

“I owe it to our race engineer Al and his team, because they worked so hard to get the car back on track after a tricky qualifying,” he explained.

“I was in shock when I was awarded driver of the day because there were a lot of great drivers racing throughout the whole day.”

He continued: “Thank you to Dave Player and the whole of Team BRIT who work tirelessly to make dreams come true and are changing attitudes in motorsport toward disabled drivers.

“Thank you to all the team’s incredible sponsors and supporters, none of this would be possible without them.

“I still can’t believe in our Britcar debut we got a podium.”

Bobby is the most successful driver with autism in the UK and one of only two drivers in the world competing at this level.

Team BRIT is aiming to be the first British alldisabled team to race in Le Mans, and supports people with physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport through its Racing Academy.

As part of this, the team are taking part in the championship – coronavirus might have delayed the plans a little, but now they are back on track and loving it.

Bobby was diagnosed with autism when he was and first sat in a cadet go-kart at the age of 10. He has won many karting titles and is the reigning Dmax champion.

Mark Bowen is expected to freshen up his squad after 14 players departed the club in recent weeks, with the addition of Laurent from Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer being the first of several incomings expected to happen in the next few weeks.

“I’m very happy to sign, it’s a special day for me,” said Laurent.

“The interest has been there since January and as soon as the season finished, Mark had been on the phone so I’m happy that it’s done.

“I’ve had to have a lot of patience so it’s nice to finally get it done.

“As soon as I heard interest in January from Mark it came straight to the top of my list, it was an easy decision for me to make.”

Laurent highlighted his previous experience from playing under Reading boss Bowen as a contributing factor to choosing to sign for the Royals.

“Mark understands me as a player and I've been around him when I was younger so I know how he is and it suits me.

“I was signed at QPR when I was 17 and he was assistant manager there. If I'm completely honest I was quite scared of him as a young boy coming up. I've grown up now and it's refreshing to see how he talks.

“I'm very hungry and a hard worker, and I will work very hard for the club.

“My biggest asset is my legs, the energy I can bring to the game getting up and down the pitch from box to box and give the team energy when it is needed.

Kestrels clipped by Covid-19 THE KESTRELS’ wings were clipped after a player came down with coronavirus symptoms.

The Woodley side had been due to take part in a friendly on Saturday, but it was postponed so that they could be tested.

Thankfully, it was negative and the squad can resume preparations for the new season.

Other teams within Woodley’s line-up have also returned to training.

The men’s first XI are meeting at Woodford Park on Wednesdays from 7.30pm, with the Ladies side

“I'm still learning and I hope I continue to learn here.”

Laurent makes the step up from League One Shrewsbury to the Championship after two full seasons with the Shrews, including playing against the likes of Liverpool in the FA Cup. “Shrewsbury was really good for me and they will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I thrived in the big games we had in the FA Cup run, those memories will live long in my heart and head.

“I want to learn from my teammates who have a lot of experience and I want to test myself against others in this league.

“I never thought I’d miss running that much. I haven't touched a football properly in months so I can’t wait to get going.” � GABE OSHO has become the latest Royals star to leave the club.

He declined to put his name to a new contract and left last week.

The defender was an academy player who signed a professional

contract with Reading in July 2016, and signed a two-year extension back in January 2018.

His league debut, against Middlesbrough on December 22, 2018, saw him earn the man of the match award for the club.

Osho has also had two loan spells, with Bristol Rovers and Yeovil Town.

In a statement on social media, the club said: “We would like to thank Gabe for his efforts in blue and white hoops and wish him well in his future career.”

practising on Thursdays at 7.30pm.

And the Sunday men have returned to training on Wednesday evenings, meeting from 7pm at the junction of Woodlands Avenue, Woodley and Church Road in Earley. � Tim Green, who has been with the club for the past 11 seasons, has moved to Manchester.

The A team manager for the past three seasons helped the squad win the Reading Challenge Invitation Jubilee cup in 2018 and finish runners in Thames Valley Premier League Division Three in 2019 and earn promotion to Division Two. He’s also played for all the Saturday men’s teams, in the abandoned 2019-20 season, he appeared as goalie as well as scoring goals.

He is moving to take up a teaching position.

The club’s general manager Mark

Rozzier presented Tim with a personalised club shirt as a memento.

“We wish Tim and his family all the best for the future and thank him for his service to the club,” he said.

weekend of September 5-6, with the Royals now playing their home fixtures at the Madejski Stadium rather than Adams Park.

New signings Danielle Carter, Emma Mitchell and Deanna Cooper will be eligible to join the team, which is still managed by Kelly Chambers.

The first fixtures will be announced by 11am.

Fixtures out READING Women will find out who they are playing in the next season tomorrow.

The 2019-20 Women’s Super League was curtailed by the coronavirus. Chelsea were champions and the Royals ended in fifth place.

Liverpool have been relegated to the Championship, with Aston Villa promoted in their place.

The new season is due to kick-off, Covid-19 permitting, over the

Sumas’ win THE SUMAS returned to action on Saturday with a friendly, held behind closed doors.

For the game, Wokingham & Embrook FC welcomed Bagshot FC. Goals from Kylo Atkinson, Callum Woodfield and Elliott Rushforth were enough to see the team run out as 3-2 victors.

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Oaks topple Wargrave

A partnership between Wokingham’s Ashridge Park FC and White Croc United has seen much-needed kit sent to the Gambia

Above: Sukhmeet Kang bowling for Wokingham; Max Uttley waits to see how his bowl has gone; Below: Wargrave’s Imran Malik plays the ball over wicketkeeper, Michael Bates Pictures: Steve Smyth

Into Africa: squad’s bid to aid the Crocs

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk BILL HALEY and the comets knew about rocking around the clock, but a Wokingham football team know all about rocking the Croc.

Ashridge Park FC have used lockdown to team up with a club based in Gambia.

The youth team is sending over a host of much-needed kit to allow White Croc United to smarten up their act on the pitch, while video calls will help them to smarten up their playing skills.

The Kartong-based club are in desperate need of shirts, shorts, socks as well as coaching equipment such as balls, bibs and cones.

And that’s where Ashridge Park comes in.

They are working together to ensure the gear gets to the youngsters in Africa, where it will be gratefully received and

put to good use.

And to ensure the widest possible range of equipment is sent out, the club is appealing for more donations.

Amadou Jammeg, head coach of White Croc United, said: “We have more than 200 players from the local area, and we want everyone to have the opportunity to play football.

“We aim to teach the children about respect, discipline, determination and teamwork. The Ashridge Park kit is so important to the children who play for us, as they feel that they belong to something special.

“In a football kit, everyone is the same, it isn’t obvious who is poor and who is not. It’s just about playing the beautiful game.”

Ashridge Park chair Ady Dolan was delighted with the link-up.

“We have developed this link with White Croc United as they share many

of our beliefs, not just about football, but also about the importance of producing motivated and considerate young people for our community,” he said.

“The past few months have been very difficult for a lot of people, but when compared with the conditions faced by many young people in Gambia, you start to realise just how lucky we are.”

He added that the team are planning to send a shipment of kit, equipment and boots to Gambia at the end of this year.

“We’re also very excited about establishing links between our teams, so that players from Ashridge Park and White Croc United will be able to keep in touch and exchange video messages during training sessions,” Dolan added. � Anybody who would like to donate football boots that are in good condition can get in touch with the club via: www.ashridgepark.co.uk

FOOTBALL

Boars’ bleep test ahead of new season

� From back page

Angell said: “I’ve managed to keep the core of our squad which we’re really happy with and is testament to what we’re doing at this club because a lot of clubs did come in and offer.”

The Boars are due to face several sides in pre-season before the start of the league season, including Wokingham & Emmbrook, including a home game held on Tuesday against Alresford.

“We’ve sorted all of our pre-season fixtures sorted, and we’ve got eight booked in.

“The majority of our games will be against step five clubs. Our penultimate friendly is on Saturday, August 29 against Met Police and then our final friendly will be against the Sumas “The training has now progressed into bigger groups. At first it was quite tough with all the rules in place around covid, it was challenging.

“We would have to put a register together and making sure people

were socially distancing.”

He’s placed an emphasis on fitness training, something he says is key. This include sprint and bleep tests “to set the standard they need to hit before the season starts”.

But it’s not plain sailing ahead: like the Premiership and FA Cup final, teams are facing empty grounds as fans are told to stay away due to fears of spreading coronavirus, something that Angell says would be financially crippling for teams at this level. It’s just one of a number of ways in which the Boars can be Covid-secure.

“As a club we’ve got lots of various rules that we’ve put in place in terms of specific areas to warm up, how many people are allowed in the changing room and things like that,” Angell said.

“We’re in the stages of implementing that.”

These measures are important as the team’s bubble features some new faces, as Angell explained: “The size of our

squad at the moment is 24 players and that will be whittled down slightly as we progress closer towards the start of the season.

“We’ve had an influx of players into the development side and they will be up there in the running.

“It's exciting that people are buying into what we are doing and the product that we are offering the players. I’d like to get to the stage where we have around a 20-man squad as I think this season we will have the situation of a lot of Saturday, Tuesday fixtures to fit the season in so we will need a big squad.

“And we want to give opportunities to players in the development side to push through and develop because there is certainly a lot of talent in that side.

“A lot of the players have looked after themselves really well during lockdown as they’ve had a lot of time to focus on fitness work and we’ve now had a fairly long pre-season to work on various things.”

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk WOKINGHAM enjoyed a four-wicket victory over Wargrave, winning with just two balls to spare, in their Home Counties Premier pooled game on Saturday.

Visitors Wargrave won the toss and opted to go into bat first in the 40-over contest.

Captain Imran Malik was the opener and scored seven 4s on his way to 68, before being bowled lbw

by Charlie Carter.

Neal Robinson had two 6s and five 4s as he scored 66, before being caught by Sukmeet Kang.

The Oaks restricted their opponents to 195-6.

Danny Housego, the club’s captain, enjoyed three 6s and three

4s on his way to 89 not out, the standout score of the match.

Sukmeet Kang was run out by Imran Malik on 34, which included four 4s from 39 balls, and wicketkeeper Michael Bates scored 26 before being caught by Matthew Townson.

The side reached 198 runs in 39.4 overs for six wickets.

The win saw Wokingham net 20 points and Wargrave 7 bonus points.

It leaves the Oaks in sixth place in the pooled league table on 46 points, while Wagrave is 17th out of 20, with 21 points. All three teams below them are on 18.

On Saturday, Wokingham take on High Wycombe away, while Wargrave will host another local derby, this time taking on Finchampstead.

BOWLS

Twyford prepare for first away match of season TWYFORD Bowls Club enjoyed their final preparations before taking on another team.

The side were in action last night.

A team travelled to Burghfield for three rinks of triples.

But this was no ordinary game: Covid-19 meant no cosy chats in the clubhouse prior to the match, nor any post-match meals.

A full report will appear next week.

At the Twyford clubhouse, there are now two finalists ready to go head-to-head in a mixed singles contest. No date has yet been set for the match between Gordon Wheeler and Ken Pope.

It is hoped that the club can hold a small finals day.

Wednesday club results: DAVE PAYTON V D. ANDERSON 21 - 11; RODNEY TOMES V MARY WHEELER 21 - 8; GORDON WHEELER V COLIN HANCOCK 21 16; KEN POPE V MARTIN MERRITT 18 -10; DEBBIE BOLES V TINA SCHERER 16 - 14

In the Mixed Pairs, Roland Dreesden and Tina Scherer are through to the second round, having beaten Gordon Wheeler and Rodney Tomes 13-7. � Wokingham Bowls Club are planning an internal pairs contest starting later this month.

Results Saturday, August 1 CRICKET Championship Downley (143) beat Shinfield (112) Chilterns Division 1 Emmbrook and Bearwood (188-8) beat Ruislip Victoria (187-7) BCL August Cup - Premier A Goring on Thames (234-7) beat Woodley (214-9) Twyford and Ruscombe (147-8) beat Woodcote (143-all out) BCL August Cup - Premier B Farley Hill (230-8) beat Strafield Turgis/ Hartley Wespall (151 all-out) Sandhurst (147-9) beat Mortimer West End (148-9) BCL August Cup - Division 1a Shinfield 2s (183 all-out) beat West Reading 2s (168-9) Woodley 2s (223-8) beat Farley Hill 2s (196-7) BCL August Cup - Division 1b Warfield (141 all out) lost to Waltham St Lawrence (144-6) BCL August Cup – Division 2 and 3 Peppard Stoke Row 3s (227-4) beat Shinfield 3s (206-7) Purley on Thames 3s (109) were beaten by Wokingham 6s (110-5) Home Counties Premier Cricket League Finchampstead (197-7) lost to High Wycombe (229-9) Wokingham (198-6) beat Wargrave (195-6)

Fixtures Saturday, August 8 CRICKET 1pm unless stated Championship Shinfield v Holmer Green BCL Division 1 Farley Hill 2s v Crowthorne and Crown Wood 2s Reading Lions v Earley Waltham St Lawrence v Shinfield 2s Warfield v Woodley 2s Chilterns Division 1 Braywood v Emmbrook and Bearwood Chilterns Division 2 Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Phoenix Old Boys BCL August Cup - Premier A Woodley v Twyford and Ruscombe BCL August Cup - Premier B Mortimer West End v Farley Hill BCL August Cup - Division 1a Farley Hill 2s v West Reading 2s Shinfield 2s v Woodley 2s BCL August Cup - Division 1b Waltham St Lawrence v Peppard Stoke Row 2s BCL August Cup – Division 2 and 3 Peppard Stoke Row 3s v Wokingham 6s West Reading 4s v Shinfield 3s Home Counties Premier Cricket League High Wycombe v Wokingham Wargrave v Finchampstead

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk SHINFIELD faced defeat in their first game in the Berkshire, Chilterns and Mid Bucks League Championship.

The newly-promoted side had a tough start to life at the top.

Batting first, Downley CC racked up 143 all-out in 38.2 overs.

The visitors were all out for 112 over just 31.1 overs, meaning the home side won by 31 runs.

S Tyagi was the top scorer for Shinfield, taking 21 runs before being bowled out by Sheraz Ali. Opener Davesg Gauchwal was caught on 13 runs, while Prashant Gandhi was 12 not out.

The defeat saw Shinfield come away with just seven points and they sit at the bottom of the table. Downley had 35 points.

Chilterns Division 1 EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD enjoyed success at home with a two-wicket victory over Ruislip Victoria.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, with Saleem Farooqi scoring 77 before being caught

by Tom Stevenson.

They scored 187-7 over their 40 overs.

In reply, Emmbrook put in an impressive team effort, amassing 188-8.

Top scorer was Will Wells with 44.

He was bowled out by Uzair Sakoor.

Richard Cole was bowled out for 30, as was Joseph Smart for 28.

Charlie Sawyer was 24 not out and Mark Cobb was 6 not out.

Victory means that Emmbrook came

Tom Stevenson takes a shot for Emmbrook; he scored 11 runs before being caught out

away with 35 points, while Ruislip’s bonus points saw them scoop 12 points.

BCL August Cup WOODLEY lost their opening fixture in the BCL August cup, as they failed to match the target set by home side Goring on Thames.

Goring won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 234 for 7 in their 40 overs.

Ollie Carrier scored 74 before being caught by Arshad Mohamed – one of

four wickets that he took, another being Ollie Winterbottom, who was caught after scoring 66.

In reply, Woodley could only reach 214 for 9.

Top scored was Naveed Raja who was 55 not out. Wicket keeper Shukry Mohamad was run out for 31.

TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE fared better, comfortably winning their opening game against Woodcote.

Playing at home, they won the toss and let Woodcote bat first.

Jonny Clark scored 70 for the visitors before being caught by Andrew Miller; the next highest scorer was Jez Mayo, who was out lbw for 21.

In all, the visitors were all-out for 143 in 37.2 overs.

Replying, Twyford amassed 147-8 in 33.1 overs. Stan Fritz scored 45 before being stumped by Ryan Lennard, while both Andrew Miller and Rupesh Ajluwalia scored 18 each.

WOODLEY and TWYFORD face each other this Saturday at Woodford Park,

Finchampste ad’s Stuart Parsons keeps his eye on the ball during the team’s game against High Wycombe on Saturday Picture: Steve Smyth

Pictures: Steve Smyth

THE FINCHES failed to meet a high target of 229 set by visitors High Wycombe on Saturday.

The squad were unable to match it in their 40-over Home Counties Premier pooled game.

However, they came away with nine bonus points.

High Wycombe won the toss and opted to bat first.

Former Finchampstead captain Dan Marles scored 50 off his old club, including five 4s and one 6.

He was caught and bowled by Michael O’Donahue.

Josh Lincoln scooped three wickets for 32 from eight overs, while Tom Stewart took two wickets for 49 from six overs.

High Wycombe ended their 40 overs at 229 for 9.

In reply, Gregory Smith was bowled for lbw by Conner Haddow

Emmbrook’s Toby Morgan at the crease; he was bowled out for two runs

with play commencing at 1pm.

In Premier B, FARLEY HILL dominated their home game against Stratfield Turgis, winning by 79 runs.

They won the toss and elected to go first – a sound move as it meant the team racked up a dominating total for the visitors to attempt to reach.

Wicket keeper Michael Sheridan scored 84 before being caught by Thomas Millward, while David Drury enjoyed a good day at the crease to score 40 before being bowled out by Sridhar Sekaran.

Liam Prowse scored 26, adding to the high scoring game.

It didn’t go all Farley Hill’s way though: Errol Masters was out lbw for a duck.

The home side also enjoyed a good time at the office when dealing with Stratfield Turgis’ time at the crease, with Dave Neilsen bowling 4-49. By limiting their play, the visitors were skittled 151 all out in 29.3 overs.

SHINFIELD 2s enjoyed a 14-run victory in their Division 1A fixture against West Reading.

Batting first after losing the toss, the home side were boosted by 91 runs from Arjit Ghosh, before he was caught by Amaar Raja.

Ghosh’s display spared some blushes: Arun Kumar, Anil Rebello, Stuart Henderson and Agasthya Kumar were all out for ducks.

Chasing 183, the visitors’ game

when he was on 59, a total that included 10 4s.

Wicketkeeper Zac Leonard was next highest scorer for the Finches, netting 29 from 40 balls, a score that included three 4s.

Dan Lincoln’s 24 from 38 saw him blast four 4s before he was stumped

by George Russell.

Ultimately, Finchampstead couldn’t pick the runs up, only scoring 50 between the 18th over and the 34th over.

They ended the game on 197-7, meaning that High Wycombe won by 32 runs, giving them 20 points.

Finchampstead came away with nine bonus points.

The result sees the Finches in 15th place in the table on 25 points.

On Saturday, they travel to Wargrave for a local derby, with the match starting at 12.30pm.

Members of the Shinfield girls team line-up ahead of their fixture against Royal Ascot

mirrored that of the home team: Fahad Raja knocked out three sixes on his way to 109 not out, but there were several ducks and other low scorers which repressed their score to 169-9.

Agasthya Kumar took four wickets for 31 runs, and Vivek Bommidi took three wickets for 17 runs.

WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE enjoyed an away day at the Memorial Ground in the Division 1b game on Saturday – they won by four wickets.

Warfield won the toss and decided to bat first; Faisal Butt enjoyed the challenge, taking three home wickets for 10 runs. Chris England took two wickets for 8 runs and Sami Awan took two for 31.

Just 36.3 overs were needed

before Warfield were run out.

Waltham St Lawrence took 34.5 overs to overtake the home side, with Sami Awan the top scored, netting 40 not out.

Usman Ali was bowled by Dan Torry for 29, and Vignesh Venkatesh for 18.

Peppard Stoke Row 3s comprehensively beat SHINFIELD 3s in the Division 2 and 3 cup game on Saturday.

The home side won the toss and batted first, setting Shinfield a target of 228. However, Shinfield could only muster 206, losing seven wickets.

Hero of the game was Will NassauLake (pictured left), who scored 111.

WOKINGHAM 6s had better travels: they beat Purley on Thames 3s by five wickets.

The home side were skittled for 109 in 38.4 overs, and Wokingham took just 25 overs to score one more run to take the points.

Clockwise from top left: Conor Haddow from High Wycombe stops a shot; Gregory Smith jumps to it; Smith slips a ball to the wicket keeper; Stuart Parsons takes a shot Pictures: Steve Smyth

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SHIRTS GIFT A BIG HELP FOR GAMBIA

LAURENT SIGNS AND SHOWS OFF 2020/21 KIT

‘BRING IT ON’

New in the Hoops

BOARS READY FOR NEW SEASON

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk RARING to go. That’s the verdict of the Boars boss as they prepare for the new season.

Matty Angell says that his squad are full of optimism as they return to training in the new normal.

The side endured an annus horribilis last season – they were in 18th place in the Combined Counties League Division One and facing potential relegation before Covid-19 annulled the remaining fixtures.

Now, Eversley & California’s Matty Angell says he is looking forward to a fresh start and expects his side to push their way up so they’re fighting not relegation but promotion.

All being well, the league resumes on Saturday, September 5, and Angell believes that he has a competitive enough squad to enjoy an improved campaign.

“Everyone is hugely raring to go and looking forward to it. The morale around the camp is fantastic,” said Angell.

“Each player has individual expectations which they have set themselves and we’re aiming to push

them towards that, and we’ve also set an overall team objective this season.

“We certainly don’t want to be towards the bottom half of the table so the objective is to get more towards the promotion places at the end of the season.”

The first team and the development side returned to training at the end of June under social distancing guidelines and have recently progressed to contact training.

“We’ve been training four about four weeks now. At the start we had somewhere in the region of 40 to 45 players,” continued Angell.

“Fortunately we had enough coaches to split it down into working in groups of five.

“It’s been really good and I really think that both sides are going to be really strong next year.”

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