COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
THE
WOKINGHAM.TODAY
SUPPORTING PRIDE 2020
MP pleased to see cycling prioritised EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk ONE OF the borough’s four MPs said he is pleased to see the council is looking to invest in safe cycle routes for Woodley residents.
Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, which includes Woodley and Earley, has been encouraging Wokingham Borough Council to make a bid for a share of the £2 billion grant from the Department for Transport. The fund can be used to widen pavements and build cycle lanes to create a safer environment for cycling. In the first round of funding announced last week, Reading Borough Council was granted £221,250, 75% of its funding bid, and Wokingham Borough Council was granted £76,000, half of its bid. Responding to the funding allocation, a spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said: “We were disappointed to not receive the full amount. “The funding was for Emergency Active Travel which is not restricted to cycling, and our work in Wokingham town centre has enabled much improved access for pedestrians and cyclists. “We understand from the Department for Transport that other authorities produced what, in their view, were stronger bids and so they elected to reallocate funding to these schemes. “We are continuing to develop schemes for the second tranche of funding and will be liaising with the Department for Transport to try to ensure we receive the full amount.” Mr Rodda, who is also the shadow minister for local transport, hopes to see the funding used to improve cycling connections between Wokingham and Reading boroughs to help commuters, and build better cycle routes to Woodley town centre. � Continued on page 14
PAPER
COME ON IN, THE WATER’S LOVELY
Thursday, July 9, 2020 No. 269
70p
GRUB CLUB HUNTS FOR NEW HOME P6
‘COUNCIL WON’T P3 REMOVE ITS RATS’
THE WEEKEND THE WORLD AWOKE P4
This is what planning inspectors think residents want as a park EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk EARLIER this year it was a lake, now land in Shinfield has been reclassified as natural greenspace. But residents may need to find their waders if they want to have a picnic.
Langley
Mead
—
owned
and
managed by the University of Reading — has been extended north from 18 to 39 hectares, after neighbouring land was reclassified as a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). The area, which sits on the banks of the River Loddon, was heavily affected by flooding in January this year. It sits within Flood Zones 2 and 3, but this isn’t a problem for Patrick
Hanna, the planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to manage the appeal after it was initially rejected. In his reasons for approval, he wrote: “Many third parties have commented that the flooded and waterlogged ground conditions affect the usability of the existing SANG. � Continued on page 14
PARTIES ACCUSE TORIES OF P12 DUCKING DEBATE
‘DANGEROUS TREES COULD KILL’ P11
2 | NEWS
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by emailing us
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Public Interest News Foundation backs Wokingham.Today YOUR favourite weekly paper has been given an emergency grant from the Public Interest News Foundation. In all, 89 organisations applied for £3,000 funding, which was supported by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust. We were one of 20 selected by a panel that included Dame Frances Cairncross, who chaired the panel. The successful applicants will also benefit from a
programme of professional development, with support from international journalism experts and innovators. Dame Cairncross said: “The response to the PINF Emergency Fund was overwhelming: 89 different small newsgroups applied for a grant. And as the review of the applications proved, there is huge creativity in the newsrooms of small publishers across the UK.”
With quality independent journalism under threat as a result of the pandemic, there has never been a more pressing time for communities to get behind their local newspapers. Jonathan Heawood, executive director of PINF, said: “This is a great start, but there’s so much more to do to support independent public interest journalism in the UK. “Everyone has a role to
play – big tech, government, philanthropists and the established news media. “We all need to pull together if we want to see a positive future for journalism.” The grant has been welcomed by David Riley, publisher of Wokingham. Today. “This has been a welcome boost for us,” he said. “During the pandemic, we have furloughed staff and seen advertising revenues
Here is the news – business is booming for home delivery firm By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE coronavirus has seen a Woodleybased business have extra, extra business – now you can read all about it.
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 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.
decline as businesses were closed. “The grant and the training will make a big difference to us. “We are proud to be Wokingham borough’s trusted news resource — our growing readership, especially online shows how much we are valued by the community. “The training provided by PINF will enable us to improve our offering.”
Every morning, a team from Brightons News collect, sort and deliver newspapers and magazines to hundreds of homes and businesses across the Thames Valley. On a weekly basis, more than 50,000 newspapers and magazines drop through letterboxes. The pick up the latest copies from a wholesaler near the Madejski Stadium at 3.30am, with the first deliveries coming through letterboxes shortly after. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, two things happened: corporate clients closed their doors and stopped their newspaper order, while national newspapers offered 12 weeks of free home delivery. Owner Rob Brighton said: “All offices closed – corporate customers had newspapers delivered for their receptions and hotel customers had their copies. That all disappeared overnight. “The national newspapers offered deliveries for those self-isolating. We saw a big uptake in the number of
Colin Thoreau, manager of Brighton’s Newagents Picture: Steve Smyth
people not going out, but wanting a newspaper. “One side of the business cancelled out the other.” And he said that his new customers are sticking around: “People have been pleasantly surprised by our service. We’re a professional outlet that will deliver hassle-free. “People have told us that the 12 weeks delivery was so great that they’re carrying on. The retention rate has been fantastic.” Mr Brighton said that some of the
new customers had tried other companies and weren’t receiving their daily deliveries until around 10am. “The feedback we get is that people are delighted to receive their papers much earlier. They told us that they were going to cancel (after the offer ended) but felt the service was so great that they were going to carry on.” The net result is an increase is the number of customers, and as lockdown continues to lift they will get even busier. “Our business is growing,” Mr Brighton said. “In the first two weeks, we were losing 200 corporate clients and gained 500 new domestic customers. Hotels, hospitals, receptions, canteens all went overnight. “They won’t come back in the short-term, but we’ll be ready for them when they do.” The company, which is based out of Woodley Park Estate, off Reading Road in Woodley has made every effort to keep staff and customers safe during the pandemic. “Our working practices have changed completely,” Mr Brighton said. “We have clean vans, sterilising them and ensuring the guys have
the right equipment. (PPE) is second nature to them now, it’s become pretty much the norm. “We are keeping on top of it.” It’s been more than supplying newspapers – the company also delivers milk, eggs and bread. “We were even delivering flour at one stage,” he said. “If we could help customers, we were helping them.” Why does Mr Brighton think demand is growing? “It’s a generational thing,” he said. “Over 50s still want printed news. Newspapers are good for sitting down to read cover to cover, something the younger generation like doing at weekends.” The company has only furloughed one employee – for health reasons. The rest of the team have adapted to their new normal and thrived. “They all know what they’re doing and they get on with it,” Mr Brighton said. “They pull together.” The delivery area includes all parts of Wokingham borough, Reading and surrounding areas including High Wycombe, Theale and Maidenhead. A spokesperson from Deliver My Newspaper said: "There's never been a more important time for quality journalism and we have seen readers turn sharply to Home News Delivery over the past few months to ensure they don't miss out on their favourite newspaper. "Since the middle of March, Deliver My Newspaper has been taken up by over 280,000 readers with over 400 extra retailers joining the 6,500 already present on the site. We are delighted that the platform has helped retailers like Brightons News connect with new customers to both help their business and serve their local communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic and moving forwards." For more details, call Brighton’s on 0118 966 7788 or log on to www.brightonsnewsagents.co.uk
Call to write to MP over local news A CAMPAIGN has been launched to help save local independent news publishers – of which Wokingham.Today is one. Research has found that independent news providers – known as hyperlocal titles – are the most trusted source of news in the media. But more than 95% of them have received zero support from
the Government during the pandemic. The ICNN (Independent Community News Network) is asking readers to send an email to their MP to lobby culture secretary Oliver Dowden to agree a funding package for the independent press. To add your voice, log on to bit.ly/ SupportThe95
Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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‘The council won’t accept its their rats, but it’s their estate’
NEWS | 3
£8,000 raised for councillor
EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A FINCHAMPSTEAD lady is wishing she had the Pied Piper on speed dial.
Janet Robinson has been suffering the effects of a rat infestation in her neighbour’s house for two years. She thought she’d struck gold two months ago, when the borough council sent a contractor to remove the rotten decking, acting as a “breeding ground” for hordes of rats next door. Now they’re in her garden. She told Wokingham.Today: “There’s big ones and baby ones. Now there’s holes in my garden from where the rats have dug through and come up underneath the fence. “My grandson came over on Thursday, June 18 to sit in the garden. He went to get a chair from the shed, and it’s infested. There’s white droppings and black droppings — the rats dug a hole to get into my shed.” The 74-year-old said: “The council won’t accept it’s their rats. Of course it’s their rats, it's their estate. “They sent out a contractor who dug the decking up next door. There was decking on top of rotten decking. “But they’re saying it's down to
Janet Robinson (74) says she can’t live in filth, and wants the council to come help with pest control. Picture: Steve Smyth
me now they’re in my garden. I’ve been invaded by them, I shouldn’t be treated like this. I can’t live in filth. “I’ll go to court if I have to. I’m not rich but I’ll do it.” A spokesperson from Wokingham Borough Council said: “We are aware of issues raised by Ms Robinson and have been working with her to
resolve it. We have put in place a range of pest control measures such as baiting and removal of the rats’ habitat to help tackle this issue at both her house and the neighbouring property. “Both properties have been thoroughly investigated by our pest control contractors, some of which
are still ongoing. In addition to the pest control contractor visits, council officers have regularly visited her to provide advice and to monitor the situation, most recently on Monday, June 29. “We will continue to work closely with Ms Robinson to ensure matter is resolved.”
Cowshed expands into Winnersh depot
Sally Russell (circle) and her team of volunteers are accepting donations from their King Street Lane centre. Pictures: The Cowshed
EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk TWO YEARS after its establishment, a Hurst charity is expanding its premises. The Cowshed, which provides good quality, clean, ironed clothes and other essentials free to those in need, has seen a surge in demand. By Wednesday, July 1 — 100 days into lockdown — the charity had supported 1,073 adults and children during the pandemic. This included craft packs, clothes, toiletries, underwear, bedding, curtains, food hampers from Hillsong Church and other essential items. Although the charity has only been fully operational since midFebruary last year, volunteers said they are growing fast, receiving increasing numbers of referrals each week. These come from health visitors,
social services, foodbanks, schools, refuges, churches, GP surgeries and a number of other local charities. After their referral, clients are then invited to The Cowshed to select and try on the clothes. Now, they are expanding with a second location, which will be used as a distribution centre for donations. General manager, Sally Russell said: “We’ve been open right the way through the pandemic — we didn’t want to close when people were in crisis. “The demand for what we do has gone up threefold, and we had a reduced number of volunteers as people were shielding, elderly or looking after young children. “We’re still as busy, but now we’ve got more volunteers back, which means we can expand into our new facility and keep maintaining social distancing.” The depot is on King Street Lane,
Winnersh opposite Sainsbury’s and is now accepting donations from Monday to Friday, 10am until 4pm. And volunteers got the distribution centre ready to use quickly. “We got the keys on Tuesday last week, and spent the weekend getting it ready,” added Mrs Russell. “We’ve got a rolling licence, and will stay here until a company wants the space. “We’re just really grateful that we’re able to help those who need us. And we couldn’t have done it without all the organisations supporting us. “Wokingham Citizens Advice,
Wellington School and Hillsong Church have all helped us greatly, and we’ve had lots of grants.” The charity also hopes to restart a socially distanced craft group on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am until 3pm. This group was created to close the loop on fast fashion waste. “Upstairs is our new craft centre, where we have 60 crafting volunteers recycling the fabrics to make referral bags,” said Mrs Russell. “We don’t put anything into landfill at all.” Any slightly damaged clothes or bedding is repurposed by the community arts and crafts group into items to sell, and tote bags. Remaining fabric is collected by a recycling company.
A FUNDRAISING campaign set up to help the family of a councillor who died suddenly last week has raised nearly £8,000. James Box, who served on Wokingham Town Council, was a much-loved member of the community and was just 46. His niece, Jess Bignell, launched the crowdfunding campaign to support his wife and two children. It is to help them meet funeral costs. In a post launching the appeal she wrote: “Everyone has been in complete shock about this devastating loss. Anyone who knew James knew that his family were his whole world, he absolutely adored them and they adored him. “It’s really hard to put into words just how special James was, but anyone who knew him will tell you that he had such a zest for life. “He campaigned tirelessly as a Labour councillor to try and help the community.” The appeal aims to raise £9,000 in total, and has had more than 150 generous donors already. Ms Bignell said that the funeral would take place out of the area, and costs would include flowers and the headstone. “Due to covid restrictions only 20 people can be at the funeral, so it is immediate family only,” she said. “But when restrictions are lifted further the Town Council have offered us the use of Wokingham Town Hall to hold a proper celebration of his life, so other people are welcome to come and pay respects and share memories of James.” People donating have been full of praise for James. One wrote: “(He was) a truly wonderful man in all ways. Will be very sadly missed”. And another said he was always happy and helpful. Annabel Yoxall added: “Shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden loss of James. He was a genuine and kind man who always made time for others. I hope he realised just how highly thought of he was by everyone who knew him.” To donate, visit gf.me/u/yc97x4
4 | NEWS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Raise your glasses: Lockdown is lifting AFTER weeks under wraps, pubs, cinemas and play parks have started to reopen. On Saturday, Wokingham businesses were able to enact new measures designed to let them welcome customers back through their doors. There were queues for pubs and barbers as people waited their turn. And movie lovers were able to enjoy popcorn and classic films at the Showcase Cinema in Winnersh. The re-opening was welcomed by council leader Cllr John Halsall, but warned: “There is a long way to go, and the emergency is not over yet, the virus is still about.” Wokingham.Today
understands that although Thames Valley Police had an increased presence on the streets, it was a quiet weekend. It was a similar situation at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. A spokesperson for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said: “We were wellprepared for any increase in demand for services in Emergency Department on Saturday night and the department was busy. “However, most people heeded advice to be sensible whilst they were out celebrating the reopening of pubs and restaurants which meant there was no major pressure put on staff during the evening.”
The added: “On a more general note, it’s very important people who have appointments at the hospital attend for their treatment. There are very stringent safety measures in place to make the hospital a welcoming and safe
Councillor calls latest Covid-19 figures an ‘NHS cock up’ EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE LATEST coronavirus testing data has been skewed by a data dump.
Last week, we reported that there were 131 positive cases in the Wokingham borough since Friday, June 12. National media suggested Wokingham has the second highest rise in cases, using a percentage increase calculation. This data was taken from Public Health England and has now been revealed as wrong by Wokingham Borough Council. Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health,
wellbeing and adult services at the council, told Wokingham.Today: “In the last two weeks, there have only been six positive tests for coronavirus in the borough. “This is broken down into Pillar One testing, run by the NHS and Public Health England at hospitals and medical facilities, and Pillar Two, commercial testing run by Deloitte. “In the last two weeks there have been no positive tests from Pillar One, and only six positive tests for Pillar Two. “There have also been no positive tests or deaths in care homes across the borough during the last two weeks.” Cllr Margetts said he is
annoyed that the local data has been twisted. He added: “Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 458 positive tests for coronavirus in the borough through Pillar One testing. “And there have been 126 positive tests for coronavirus in the borough through Pillar Two testing.” This means that 578 of the positive cases for coronavirus in the borough were recorded earlier than two weeks ago. Wokingham.Today understands that the data — recorded since the beginning of the pandemic — was reported to Public Health England by Deloitte, and somewhere along
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Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
The Queen’s Head welcome punters with a glass of Champagne (top). The Hope and Anchor toast to a successful weekend (left) Showcase Cinema manager Jay serves up the snacks for movie-goers. Pictures: Steve Smyth
environment so people don’t need to worry about coming into the building. Once here, people must remember the social distancing
and hand washing rules and must wear a mask or face covering. We’re also advising them not to come too early for their appointment as we will
the line, it was not uploaded in a timely manner. This means the data has been twisted by uploading all of the information in one go. Cllr Margetts added: “This is a Public Health England and NHS cock up. “I am very annoyed and deeply disappointed that Public Health England has not provided this information sooner. “I’m calling on them for
accurate and reliable information. “It is unreasonable for councils to take on the responsibility for track and trace if they are not given the correct and accurate information about what tests are being done, and when. “We held a council meeting with the MPs across the borough, asking them to call on the Government for accurate data as early as possible.”
not be able to accommodate them before their allotted time. This is to help us comply with social distancing and infection control cleaning.”
Need help? Citizen’s Advice Anyone needing support should contact Citizens Advice on 0300 330 1189 (entering 0118 978 7258 if prompted) Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. Or visit citizensadvice wokingham.org.uk and complete the online form.
The Link Visiting Scheme To refer someone for support visit: www.linkvisiting.org or call 0118 979 8019 Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm.
The Wokingham Foodbank Many groups can refer people to the Foodbank, including Citizens Advice. For more details, visit:: wokingham.foodbank.org.uk
978 7258 if prompted)
9am-5pm Mon-Sat
NEWS | 5
6 | NEWS
Wine company donates £35,000 to Sue Ryder A WINE DELIVERY company has chosen Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice as an official charity partner. Laithwaite’s, which has its headquarters in Theale, chose Sue Ryder in memory of their colleague, Sara Wynn, who was cared for at the hospice before she passed away in 2019. The hospice, on Liebenrood Road, Tilehurst, provides expert palliative care and support for people across Berkshire living with life-limiting conditions. Donna De Fazio-Murrell, gifts manager at Laithwaite’s, said: “We are delighted to announce Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice as one of our charity partners. This is such an important cause, which is close to many of our hearts and we’re eternally grateful for the support our colleague and her family received. “We look forward to giving something back to ensure that many more people in need are able to benefit from the comfort and care provided by the hospice.” The charity partnership, which will last until at least December next year, began with a donation of £35,000 to help support the work of the hospice during the coronavirus pandemic. Alison Edwards, community fundraising manager at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, said: “We’re very excited about this partnership and immensely grateful to Laithwaite’s for choosing to support us, especially during this challenging time when support for our vital care is more crucial than ever. “We’d like to thank Laithwaite’s for their incredibly generous donation and we look forward to developing our partnership with them going forwards.”
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Grub Club looks for a new home EXCLUSIVE By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE GRUB Club has helped hundreds of households through the pandemic — and now they need help finding a new home.
The Norreys-based food hub, which launched last summer to help families entitled to free school meals, extended its support to anyone hit badly by the crisis. Operating out of Norreys Church, the club has distributed more than 1,250 food parcels to residents over the past 16 weeks using donations from Reading wholesaler Brakes, Wokingham’s COOK, as well as supermarkets Lidl, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, and Morrisons. And it has been a team effort thanks to help from the Wokingham Foodbank and the Community Hub. Member and Grub Club co-ordinator, Claire Revie said: “The club has taken on a whole new mission over
these last few months. “The service we’ve been offering is completely different to our original summer club but we wanted to keep the same name as both services share the same objective- to help people when they need it most. “We have hugely benefited from the use of the church as it allows our regular hub users to visit us easily and places us in the heart of the community we are helping. “Although some areas of life are returning to normal, there are still a lot of people who are still furloughed or have been made redundant and will still need our help. “We want to keep the club going as long as we can.” As Government restrictions on social distancing ease, church members are planning their return to worship. And this means the Grub Club will need to relocate if it is to continue helping families in Wokingham. Ms Revie said: “We’re open to any suggestions at
the moment. Our summer project starts at the end of this month so we need to find a new venue by then. “Ideally, we’d love to stay located in Norreys so we are close to the people we currently help. “A kitchen area is a bonus as we need to keep some of the food supplies refrigerated and frozen. “A central location would be amazing. If we could have a building large enough to share with the Foodbank and other groups with the same ethos it could become a little support hub of its own.” The volunteer added: “Unfortunately we don’t have a budget to spend but we can look into grants to cover costs if needed.” One resident who has benefited from the club during the pandemic said: “The team at the food hub have been amazing. “Between my husband being furloughed, and a loss of my self-employed income, and trying to shield two asthmatics as much as possible, the Grub Club has
The Grub Club in action at Norreys Church Picture: Claire Revie
meant we have eaten better than in many weeks before Covid-19. “No judgments or pity, just great food, when we were unsure how long our money would last or where some of the next meals might come from. A heartfelt thanks.” And as well as feeding families, the club gives residents the chance to reduce food waste on a local level. Claire said: “We are aware that food waste has increased over the lockdown period and there are high penalties for councils, food
suppliers and stores if they don’t meet their waste targets. “It would be great if, as a town we could tackle this together and address the hunger issue as well as that concerning food waste. “One day we’d love to transform the Grub Club into a long-term food marketstyled venue with a zero waste aspect to it. The two concepts would go really well together.” For more information, to volunteer for the Club, or suggest a new venue contact Claire Revie at cjmrevie@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Royal Berks parking barrier reinstated THE PARKING barrier will be reintroduced at the Royal Berkshire Hospital multi storey car park next week. During the pandemic the barriers were lifted to provide parking for staff to make it easier and quicker for them to get to hospital for their long shifts caring for Covid patients. Now the hospital is almost Covid-free, a wide range of clinics and operations are starting to take place again — which means more people using the car park. And staff have reverted back to their normal travel to work arrangements to free up parking space for patients. Steve McManus, chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s great that now we’re almost Covid-free we can resume many of our services on site, and I’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding when we had to pause a lot of this work to concentrate on Covid. “It’s very important as we resume services that people attend for their treatments. I can assure them we have done everything possible to make the hospital a safe and welcoming place. “Of course, this will mean extra footfall on the site and more need for the car parking facility. We just want to make people aware that from Monday, July 13, the barrier will be back in place. “I know some people allow a lot of extra time to get to their appointment because of problems with finding a parking space, but we’re asking them not to do this because, under the new social distancing rules, they will not be able to come on site until their allotted appointment time.” Patients are being reminded they will need to wear masks or face coverings during their visits and must abide by the social distancing rules. There are now additional posters and floor markings to make it easier and safer for people to get around the RBH site. Mr McManus added: “During Covid many of our clinics were held virtually with patients and clinicians communicating via video link or over the phone. This proved popular with many patients who appreciate the convenience of discussing their treatment this way. “We’re continuing this with many clinics, and widening its scope which should help ease pressure on our car parking. “And we’re also continuing with our estate redevelopment programme which should also help tackle the parking problems here.”
Council launches library consultation LIBRARIES across the borough will remain shut for the time being, confirmed the leader of the council. Cllr John Halsall told Wokingham.Today: “We decided not to furlough staff, but instead redeploy them to other areas. We’re now trying to manage both recovery and the pandemic at the same time — staff have to look both ways. “We won’t be reopening libraries because quarantining books is a labour intensive exercise. But now our electronic offering is huge.” The Government guidance states that returned books must be quarantined for three days, on return to the library. As it stands there are 37,000 items out on loan. The majority of library resources are now available online, including e-Books, e-Audio, e-Comics, e-Newspapers and e-Magazines. They can be accessed online via: www.wokingham.gov.uk/libraries/library-services Now the council has launched a month-long consultation on library services to know what services residents want to be prioritised when they do reopen. The decision is under constant review and the council will continue to update residents. To take part in the library consultation, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/news-and-consultation/ consultation-and-having-your-say/currentconsultations/?entryid206=521509
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Tesco shoppers raise £1,000 for Cancer Research WOKINGHAM residents have raised £1,000 during their weekly food shop. Last weekend, Tesco invited colleagues and customers to dress in pink and donate any spare change to Cancer Research UK. Louise Jedras, community champion at Tesco Wokingham, said: “It was an amazing couple of days. “Our customers were so generous and along with colleagues donated a phenomenal £1000.11. “With all the Race for Life events cancelled this year, it is so important that we continue to give to charities whenever we can.” (Right) Keith and Ian from the Click and Collect team at Wokingham. Picture: Tesco.
Wokingham drugs raid part of secret law enforcement operation By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk MORE THAN £3.1 million of criminal cash and 86 kilos of drugs have been seized by police in the biggest and most significant operation of its kind in the UK.
The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) and forces in the region have been a part of Operation Venetic — the biggest UK law enforcement operation targeting serious and organised crime. To ensure success, details of this operation have been withheld, until now. One breakthrough included taking down a bespoke encrypted global communication service used exclusively by criminals. EncroChat offered a secure mobile phone instant messaging service, but an international law enforcement team cracked the company’s encryption. Thousands of handsets have been monitored, millions of messages have been analysed and intelligence gathered across the country and overseas has revealed the illicit activity of people using this system around the world. This international response has allowed police intervention to stop murder conspiracies and has led to a
vast seizure of dangerous firearms and illicit drugs. There has also been a series of successful operations targeting prominent criminals. In the South East, SEROCU and the police forces of Hampshire Constabulary, Surrey Police, Sussex Police and Thames Valley Police have arrested more than 45 suspects and seized more than £3.1 million in criminal cash, and more than 86 kilos of Class A and B drugs. Assistant Chief Constable Pete O’Doherty, South East regional lead for counter terrorism and organised crime, said: “Operation Venetic, led by the National Crime Agency, has been a success due to the partnership working involved across all of policing, both in the UK and abroad. “The operations carried out across the South East region would not have been possible without our local police forces’ involvement and support. “This has not only been the biggest operation to take place in the South East but the results are deeply significant as well. “Not only with the goods seized but also the disruption this will cause to serious and organised crime groups operating in our communities. “I’d like to take this opportunity to
Hair salons hopeful for their insurance payout By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A LOCAL hair salon company is feeling hopeful about reimbursement, after their insurance claim was initially rejected. Marc Antoni, which has five salons across Woodley, Henley, Caversham, Bracknell and Fleet, had paid more than £43,000 to their insurer, Hiscox for coverage of human diseaserelated incidents.
In April, Julie Giamattei, director of the 50-year-old family-run business was told that the five salons would not receive the £500,000 insurance payout. Since then, Maurice Geller, the director of insurance at Direct Business Insurance has been fighting to get the salons their compensation. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has rejected all the defences put up by Hiscox, and seven other
thank the SEROCU investigators and all the forces and officers from across the South East for their tireless work. “These criminals may have felt untouchable using a system they thought was under the radar of law enforcement, but this technology is now being used against them. “A committed joint objective by law enforcement across the country will be to continue to keep one step ahead of these criminals. “There is still work to be done and SEROCU and our partners are dedicated to pursuing those who are involved in serious and organised crime and will continue to disrupt this criminality and bring those found to be involved to justice.” Detectives from SEROCU’s Dark Web team also conducted a series of drug warrants in London and Wokingham on Friday, June 19. Across five addresses, eight kilos of cocaine, approximately £100,000 in cash was seized along with 53 digital devices, a number of which were encrypted. Five men were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply and concealing, disguising converting and transferring criminal property offences. In the Thames Valley, £300,000 in cash and multiple kilos of class A and class B drugs including cocaine
insurers withholding payment to clients. Mr Geller told Mrs Giamattei: “If accepted by the judge at the final hearing … every insurer has to pay the policyholder. Getting closer to a favourable resolution.” Mrs Giamattei had previously been told that Business Interruption Cover would not cover a claim relating to the coronavirus. The claim team at Hiscox said cover can be triggered under two sections of her policy: Non-damage Denial of Access and Public Authority.
and cannabis have been seized in the last three months. And 20 arrests were made for offences including drugs supply and money laundering. Four people have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering so far. Detective Superintendent Katy Barrow-Grint, head of specialist operations for Thames Valley Police, said: “We are committed to tackling serious and organised crime and will disrupt it wherever we can. “Our ongoing commitment through our stronghold campaign means that we will work in partnership with the NCA and SEROCU as well as other police forces and partner agencies to target this type of criminality and also safeguard anyone we find who has been exploited. “We know how much serious, organised crime and sale of drugs impacts on our communities and the harm it does to people across the Thames Valley. “This joint work has been hugely successful in seizing money, drugs and firearms, disrupting drug dealing operations, but we will not stop there, we will continue to take action to stop those who seek to make a profit from crime and cause harm to our communities.”
“These sections only cover Business Interruption losses where those losses result solely and directly from an interruption to your business caused by a denial of access or an inability to use the insured premises due to restrictions by the Government or a public authority. “Unfortunately, the loss for which you have claimed is not covered by your Hiscox policy.” But Mrs Giamattei fought the decision, stating that her salons should be covered, having closed due to the Government
restrictions. “We didn’t voluntarily close,” she said. “The Government officially closed us on Monday, March 23, to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “We’re covered for an occurrence of notifiable human disease — it’s there in black and white.” The company, which has 60 employees, has been able to furlough staff to save on costs. “My children, sister-inlaws, nephews and nieces now all work within the company,” added Mrs Giamattei.
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‘The fact I cannot even look forward to prom is upsetting’ EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk TEENAGER Libby Allen was looking forward to her school prom, but the day passed without a disco ball in sight.
Like thousands of students across the borough, Libby’s lessons at St Crispin’s ended months in advance, and the end-of-year celebrations cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the 15-year-old said the abrupt end to the year has left students “without closure”. For her, the parties and leavers assemblies were the symbol of an end. Now, she is headed off to The Henley College, where she will study criminology, biology and psychology at A-Level. Her decision to leave the school only motivated by the choice of her subjects and teaching availability. She told Wokingham.Today: “I completely understand why leavers day and prom could not be held this year due to the pandemic. “However, instead, they have chosen to hold a summer ball next year. As for ex-students, we are not allowed even the opportunity to choose to come. “I feel I’ve had no appreciation for my hard work over the five years
I spent at the school and mine, and many others, mental state has not been considered.” But St Crispin’s said they cannot host the event for students after they have left, due to insurance. Headteacher Ginny Rhodes told Libby: “I am not in a position to be responsible for such an event with students whom will at that point will have left for nearly a year." Libby said: “I cannot imagine the number of teenagers across the borough who are due to be ex-students and am in the same position as me … the fact I cannot even look forward to a future prom is disheartening and upsetting.” She added: “They haven’t considered the disappointment and anger a lot of us are feeling. It’s just so negative, there’s no apology or appreciation for us.” She has created a petition, asking St Crispin's to reconsider their decision and allow the class of 2020 to attend the event. Ms Rhodes told Wokingham.Today: “The consequences of Covid-19 have prevented the end-of-the-era opportunities that we would have all wanted. “Last week the school held “The Great St Crispin’s Drive Thru Special Event” to say farewell. The car park
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Police shut down Shinfield home due to anti-social behaviour A HOME in Shinfield has been closed by police after reports of anti-social behaviour. A court order on the address in Hollow Lane, was granted by Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 24, and is in place for three months. Thames Valley Police applied for the order which prohibits anyone other than specified persons listed on the order from entering the property. Anyone not named who enters the address will commit a criminal offence. Investigating officer PC Monika Taranczewska, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “This property has been the source of significant frustration for the local community. “This closure order demonstrates that we deal robustly with reports like this and I believe it will have a positive impact on the quality of life of residents in the local area. “You can report incidents of anti-social behaviour using our online form or by calling 101. If a crime is in progress then please continue to call 999.”
New date announced for Wokingham Walk Libby Allen (15) hopes the class of 2020 will be invited to the St Crispin’s summer ball next year. This year they had a drive thru leavers event instead. Pictures: Steve Smyth (above) and St Crispin’s (right)
was festively dressed and all students and their parents greeted by members of staff and received hoodies, photographs and a small farewell token.”
THE Wokingham Walk will be taking place on Sunday, September 6, in support of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice. There are three routes: five-, 10- and 15-miles long. Each start and finish in Howard Palmer Gardens in Wokingham Town Centre. Registration has now closed, but adults and teens from 12 to 17 can attend for £15 and £5 respectively — to be paid on the day in cash. On-the-day forms are available to download at: www.wokinghamwalk.co.uk/registration
10 | BUSINESS
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Film company’s five-star rating for Winnersh Triangle By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A FILM and TV sound studio has moved to Winnersh Triangle.
Pip Studios, an audio postproduction company, will be creating a high-tech facility at 640 Wharfdale Road after signing a 20-year lease from Frasers Property UK. The 13,000 sq ft unit which will allow the firm to deliver post-production audio localisation services for the film, TV, gaming and streaming industries. The company was cofounded this year by Ally Curran, Mark Sheffield, together with Nigel Bennett — and all three have experience in the post-production sector, working on more than 200 films between them. Ms Curran, formerly of Deluxe and Universal Pictures, said: “We are excited to be making the move to
Winnersh Triangle where we have the unique opportunity to create a bespoke high-tech space for our growing business. “Frasers Property has been incredibly accommodating of our technical requirements throughout and will provide the grow-on space we need to develop our business.” Pip Studios has worked with Level Acoustic Design to create six Dolby Atmos stages
which are currently being built by Westwood Joinery. Mr Sheffield, former dubbing mixer at Pinewood Group and director of audio operations at Deluxe, said: “When you work in this industry there are very specific technical guidelines for studios to adhere to. “Winnersh Triangle gave us the ideal opportunity to create something outstanding. Being able to offer our clients a facility that is located within a quiet location, in an attractive business park makes all the difference. “First impressions last and our new facility makes a bold statement.” Frasers Property is investing in further improvements around Winnersh Triangle, including a sports hub with fitness studio and multi-purpose outdoor court.
Mr Bennett, who will act as chairman alongside his role as managing director at London-based Molinare, said: “Many of our clients travel internationally to visit us and with Heathrow just a stone’s throw away and access to four star hotels with spas and gyms onsite, Winnersh Triangle will enable us to offer our clientele the right experience of our business, whilst remaining within striking distance of London.” He added: “There is a clear increase in demand in the UK for localised content across various platforms, as the industry diversifies into new consumer trends. “It is an exciting time to get into the localisation business – one which as a team, we know incredibly well, and we look forward to what the next few months will bring for the business here at Winnersh Triangle.”
160 students tune into female engineering panel discussion HOSTS OF an online panel event hope they have inspired young women to consider a career in engineering. Last Wednesday, female engineers from Thames Water hosted a virtual panel discussion for 160 students aged 11 to 14. In line with International Women in Engineering Day, which took place on June, 23, the discussion aimed to raise the profile of women in engineering and highlight the many career opportunities available in the industry. The panel discussed how Thames Water, society and the education sector can support a more diverse workforce, challenge stereotypes and provide greater opportunities for women and girls in engineering. Katherine Whatley, one of the speakers and a Thames Water technician, said: “As an apprenticeship graduate and female engineer, I think it’s important to champion women in engineering. “I wanted to take part in this event because I feel that as a subject and a career engineering isn’t often perceived as an option for girls at school, and I think that it is vitally important to spread the
message that it is an exciting opportunity and worthwhile career path. “I love that I have such a practical and active job. Engineering has such a broad scope and there are so many girls and women that could benefit from and thrive in this environment.” Dina Gillespie and Cheryl Atkinson from Thames Water, as well as representatives of UTC Reading, a college specialising in engineering and computer science, also spoke during the session. Stephanie Mitchell, executive director of careers and destinations at UTC Reading, said: “Having always been a female teacher in engineering-based subjects, there have been times that I have had to teach whole classes of male students. “When this scenario occurs, it becomes an opportunity to teach them about engineering and to become allies to their female peers.” Aspiring engineers from across the UK tuned in to the event to learn about possible careers. � For more information about Thames Water careers, visit: corporate.thameswater.co.uk/careers
P&G invites school leavers to apply for science apprenticeship scheme
By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk A GLOBAL company is offering school leavers the chance to gain hands on experience in its Reading lab. Procter and Gamble (P&G), provider to brands including Pantene, Ariel and Gillette, is searching for aspiring scientists to join its apprenticeship programme based at its Reading Innovation Centre. Successful applicants will work across multiple business units such as Grooming, Health Care, Oral Care and beauty care while gaining a Level 3 Laboratory Technician qualification.
Since launching three years ago, the scheme has seen apprentices complete their qualification before going on to secure permanent employment with the firm. Apprenticeship sponsor Erica Hodgson said: “In 2017, we broadened our R&D recruitment criteria to allow us to identify and train ‘hands on’ scientific talent to join our researcher track. “It quickly became clear that via the Laboratory Technical Apprenticeship we could offer job specific training, whilst the apprentices were also able to gain a Level 3 apprenticeship qualification. “We developed an internal training program, designed to give the apprentices the opportunities that they need to gain their qualification as well as delivering against real needs within our R&D projects. “For the company to be successful, it is critical that we continue to invest in and nurture practical laboratory skills; allowing us to quickly turn ideas into reality and generate critical scientific insights that will drive our next generation of innovation”. Apprentice Emma Dickens said: “I always enjoyed science at school and knew it was
something I would want to do for a career. “I believed that doing an apprenticeship would better train me for a job in science than just doing A Levels. During the assessment day I managed to find out a lot about the company and what it stood for. “I was able to ask all the questions I had; it was as much about me finding out what the apprenticeship would be like as them interviewing me.” Tayler Rhodes, who has also completed the scheme, added: “During my apprenticeship I worked on a wide variety of projects which enabled me to broaden my skill set within the workplace as well as applying different aspects of my BTEC to my work. “All the work that I completed was for a real business need and I felt fully included in the company from day one. “There was a wide support network ranging from management team to project supervisors, who would go above and beyond to try and answer every question.” � For more information about the apprenticeship programme or to apply log on to www.findapprenticeship.service.g ov.uk/apprenticeship/-526271
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16ft branches are an ‘imminent danger’ to Lower Earley families EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk TREE BRANCHES reaching 16ft in size are crashing into back gardens in Lower Earley.
Ashfia Ali, who lives on Maiden Place believes the trees are now “an imminent danger to public health” as the branches continue to fall “a frequency of three per week”. Ms Ali said the problem, which started in 2017, hasn’t been resolved by the London-based landowner, Estates & Management Ltd. She said: “The landowners are not taking responsibility for maintaining the trees where loose branches are falling into adjacent land, including on my back garden — inches away from my daughters play area — and public pathway.” The largest branch cracked and fell into Ms Ali’s garden last month, when she was on a walk with her daughter, Hannah. She added: “I have repeatedly emailed the
estate management team to take responsibility and have even paid £800 a couple of years ago to remove the branches from my airspace due to lack of cooperation “There are lots of weak branches with sharp angular edges that may cause a fatality if immediate action is not taken.” Last week, Wokingham borough council sent one of their team to look at the problem. Ms Ali said she was worried nothing would be done, as the council had told her they “do not get involved with trees that are in private land”. A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We were contacted about some branches that had fallen on a footpath in Lower Earley. Officers visited the site and agreed to meet with local residents to discuss the issue. “The trees were inspected and found to be safe. We have contacted the landowner to remind them of their responsibilities and
Hannah Ali was surprised to find a tree branch had crashed down by her swing set, after she returned from a walk. Picture: Ashfia Ali
advised they may want to have the trees cut back to alleviate residents’ concerns.” A spokesperson for Estates & Management said: “E&M, as the agent for the landlord at Cannock Way, has responsibility for some of the common parts with FirstPort, the appointed property manager, responsible for the day to day maintenance.
“Having been informed about the issue of falling branches and potentially dangerous trees, we instructed FirstPort to attend the site and advise on the exact location of the trees to determine whose responsibility they are. “Under the terms of the lease, the maintenance responsibility for this tree at the development is demised to a leaseholder.
“FirstPort has written to the leaseholder reminding them of their obligations under the lease and requesting that they make the tree safe. Should the leaseholder fail to comply, we will take further action. “We are grateful to Ms Ali for raising this issue with us directly and we have kept in regular communication with her as we progress this matter.”
Wokingham vegan market returns this Saturday FUDGE, cakes and pastries are just some of the treats you can enjoy this Sunday, July 12 as Wokingham’s vegan market makes a much welcomed return. The monthly event will take place in Wokingham town centre after three months of closure due to the pandemic. There will be 18 stalls offering hot food, drinks and treats, as well as plants and eco-friendly homeware. Speaking ahead of Sunday’s re-opening, event manager Sarah Zeneli said: “We’re really excited to be back this Sunday. “There’s been such a great response on social media since we announced we are returning and we can’t wait to see all of our customers and traders again.” “It’s a shame that we’ve had to close for this amount of time but we’re looking forward to getting back to normal, with some social distancing changes in place.” “To ensure all of our customers are safe we have installed hand sanitising stations, tweaked the stall layout and introduced contactless payment. “We will also have staff monitoring the changes throughout the market and posters reminding visitors to social distance.” And the event had a trial run at in Woodley on Sunday, June 21. Ms Zeneli said: “Our Woodley market was really popular and shoppers were so pleased to be back and shopping in the open.” Traders at Sunday’s market will include familiar names such as Maya’s Refillables, Boba’s Plants and Waney Edge Woodcraft. Customers can also expect to see new stalls run by face mask brand Hartlam and Italian patisserie Vegan Sweet Tooth London among others. The event will run in Market Place from 10am to 2pm. Entry is free.
12 | NEWS
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COUNCILNEWS Bailiffs for council tax THE USE of bailiffs to collect council tax arrears was queried by a member of the public. Ann Dally wanted to know why they were being used when other routes, such as local debt advice organisations, yielded more results. “Has the Council been in contact with other Local Authorities ... in order to understand their experiences and how they have benefited from this?” she asked. Replying, Cllr John Kaiser, the executive member for finance and housing, said that the council’s income service did communicate with other local authorities, and that best practise synergies were used. “I can confirm we have robust processes and procedures based on meeting Council Tax legislation,” he said. “Wokingham Borough Council works with those in arrears to agree affordable and sustainable repayment plans, taking into account personal circumstances. “The notices sent about Council Tax are in plain English and they clearly explain the collection process. We encourage customers to seek debt advice if they are experiencing financial difficultly. “Over the last year the service manager has introduced surgery days – every two months or so – where customers can come and talk to staff from Wokingham Borough Council and the Wokingham Citizens Advice to prevent unnecessary action.” He added: “What does need to be considered is the less we collect in Council Tax the bigger impact it will have on our local services and budgets.” Ms Dally said that she was pleaded to hear that the council wanted to reduce customer stress, but she wanted to know if the council was aware of the link between indebtedness and mental health. Cllr Kaiser replied: “Yes we are – it will be taken fully into consideration”.
Parking management AN UPDATE on parking management across the borough was requested by Peter Must, the chair of Wokingham Society, at a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council held virtually on Monday, July 6. He said that a June 2019 report was approved by the council’s Community and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It asked that town and parish councils be consulted and that members have a say. He asked: “Can the executive member for highways and transport say what has been done since then to progress the preparation of a draft Action Plan with a view to it being submitted to the Executive and then put out for public consultation?” Cllr Pauline Jorgensen said that the consultation took place between
June and December last year, but looking over the submissions has been delayed by the coronavirus. “The review of consultation responses has recommenced and work to revise the Action Plan is expected to be completed by the end of this month for consideration by the Executive for Highways and Transport,” she said.
Park and ride bus plans MORE THAN 700 buses a week will use the planned Coppid Beech Park and Ride scheme when it opens. Independent councillor Gary Cowan wanted to know how many buses would “be scheduled to travel into Wokingham and how many to Bracknell on a weekly basis”. Responding, Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, the executive member for highways and transport, said: “Discussions have been undertaken with Reading Buses around the diversion of the Lion 4/X4 into the park and ride site. If all Lion 4/X4 are successfully diverted into the site at pre-Covid-19 frequencies, and assuming a normal week with no bank holidays, this would provide: 739 buses, of which 372 would be Reading bound and 367 would be Bracknell bound.” Cllr Cowan said that Park & Ride endured additional costs, and that the borough had poor service from the existing sites. “Could more be done to serve Wokingham?” Cllr Jorgensen said that Winnersh Triangle serves Earley quite well and that Woodley would be served by the new Park & Ride being built at Thames Valley Park. She welcomed ideas for improvements “without spending ratepayers money”.
Road projects LOCKDOWN allowed Wokingham Borough Council’s highways department to bring forward 17 difficult resurfacing schemes. Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, told Cllr Daniel Sargeant what had happened as a result of the lockdown to the borough’s road. Schemes included some of the busiest sites the borough include the Showcase Roundabout, the Pound Lane Roundabout on the A4, Finchampstead Road roundabout and Molly Millars Lane. “Initially these schemes had been scheduled to start in August and by bringing them forward we were able to take advantage of the much-reduced levels of traffic and minimise the disruption to our residents,” she said. “In addition we also managed to save some money as we were able to undertake more of the work during the daytime which is cheaper. “Alongside these schemes, we also started our annual surface treatment programmes, indeed we completed all of the planned surface dressing programme on June 9.”
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
A special report from the virtal council meeting held on Monday, July 6, by PHIL CREIGHTON
Questions asked over council’s i
T
HE WAY that Wokingham Borough Council’s online meetings are conducted became a fierce battle as parties argued over the best way for them to be held.
The clash came shortly after a member of the public wanted to know why the council was not getting through all its business. Mike Smith addressed the leader of the council at the virtual meeting, broadcast live on YouTube on Monday evening. He said: “There are (for this meeting) a very large number of agenda items, some of which have not been addressed despite being on the agenda since September 2019. “In particular, there are some 10 Members questions of which eight, submitted by Conservative members of council, seem to have little useful purpose and will consume time unnecessarily, and which will probably result in none of the later agenda items such as Motions being debated. “Indeed, five of these member questions were on the agenda for the previous meeting but were withdrawn, as they were presumably deemed unimportant then and I doubt much has changed in three weeks.” He highlighted item 27.3, which was a question from the Deputy Executive Member for Climate Emergency to the Lead Executive member for Climate emergency. Mr Smith said: “Surely if they both attend their sub-committee meetings and read the various reports and plans prepared for those meetings, there is absolutely no need for such a question at full council – surely a press release would be better?” Responding, council leader John Halsall said: “The council meeting Agenda has evolved over a very long period and is a little arcane and predates me. “It’s interesting that the thrust of your question is not consuming time unnecessarily and yet you ask a question which is very similar to 27.2. and does not the asking of the question – similar to 27.2 – in duplicate have the effect of endangering the debate of any motions.” He also argued that to stop Conservative members from asking questions would effectively disenfranchise them. “You will appreciate that there are five motions, four of which are Lib Dem Motions, which is two-and-a-half hours of debate for a meeting which should be three hours in total,” he continued. “The interests of ensuring the Council can efficiently discharge its duty surely is an opportunity for members of the public and councillors to ask questions, to enact whatever business needs enacting and for the Executive and chairmen of other committees to update council on their activities.” Mr Smith replied by saying, “The obvious supplementary (question) is when can time be made so that these motions can be debated?” Cllr Halsall: “That is not a matter for me, the agenda predates me (as leader of the council).” A similar question was asked by Cllr Prue Bray later in the meeting – she asked the Conservatives to withdraw their members questions
so that the motions planned for the end of the meeting could be debated. Cllr Halsall said: “The Conservatives have no control of what other parties seek to include in Council Meetings and therefore cannot ensure that we reach the end of the agenda.”
A
DECISION to prevent members of the public from speaking at virtual planning committee meetings was panned by opposition parties.
The council has been using Microsoft Teams since the pandemic, but there has been no protocols in place in the constitution as virtual meetings were not possible when the original constitution was drawn up. Constitution amendments were introduced by Cllr Chris Smith during the meeting, allowing the online meetings to be held “until such time as Regulations state that virtual meetings are no longer permissible”. But the Liberal Democrats feel that the decision to only allow written submissions to the planning committee – to a maximum length of 390 words – sent in advance of a planning committee meeting. The party argues that the only people who know what these letters state are the planning committee and council officers. They wanted the committee to use Microsoft Teams to allow residents to take part in the meetings, but the Conservatives disagreed. The chair of the planning committee, Cllr Simon Weeks, told the chamber that the current solution enabled all residents, even those without access to a computer, to have their say. Cllr Lindsay Ferris was disappointed, saying afterwards that the Conservatives were frightened and it meant that it could lead to controversial planning applications being swept under the carpet. “To see Conservatives queuing up to deny people the right to speak was a bad night for local democracy,” he said. “Cllr Weeks seems to be stuck on letter writing – it’s old fashioned. If other councils have moved to online meetings, why can’t we?” And Labour leader Cllr Andy Croy agreed. “There is no reason why a member of the public should not be allowed to made a representation by video. “There seems to be some technophobia among the Conservatives. “They were worried about losing control of the planning meeting, but it’s ludicrous: you can eject people from a virtual meeting far more easily than a normal meeting.” But Cllr John Halsall said: “It’s naive to consider planning and licensing committees as other council committees: they are unique in what they do. The chairmen of both committees have to consider legal procedures. “I have no doubt that Cllr Weeks is a great chap who has an absolutely unblemished record of integrity. “The issue is very simple: if you are tech savvy, you are advantaged, but a whole sector of the borough is not, and they still write long-hand letters. It should be a level playing field and I agree with Cllr Weeks.”
T
HE issue of the virtual meetings came up again later in the meeting, when it came to extending it by half-an-hour so that five motions could be discussed.
They focused on Heathrow’s third runway, air pollution, supporting EU residents, adopting the Citizens Advice council tax protocol and a final one that would make sprinklers compulsory in new builds and major refurbishments. Opposition parties all wanted to vote in favour of extending the meeting beyond 10.30pm so that some of these motions could be discussed, but the Conservatives didn’t. As they hold the majority, they won and there was only time to discuss a motion about Heathrow. This would have been a simple statement: “This council does not support the expansion of Heathrow airport”, but an amendment from the Conservatives changed it to: “This Council does not support the expansion of any airport unless it can be proven to be carbon neutral.” Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Chris Smith has berated the council for debating the constitutional amendments over virtual meetings, including the public’s access to the planning committee meetings. “We have spent 25 minutes on one item … I think that is an utter waste of time,” he said. “If we want to get these motions … we don’t need to comment on everything. The constitution can work if people are a little bit sensible about how long we spend talking.” But this was not a view shared by the opposition parties. After the meeting, Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “It was completely unnecessary not to agree to carrying on the meeting: we were in our homes. “The Conservatives did not want to discuss these motions. “They just wanted to have a bit of a discussion about Heathrow and then ‘go home’. It got a bit disappointing.” Cllr Andy Croy that the decision was “symptomatic” of the Conservatives “I am furious,” he added. “Look at the things the Tories didn’t want to vote on: clearer air, not sending bailiffs in, they don’t want water sprinklers in
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COUNCILNEWS
inability to debate motions is an appetite for meetings that go on all night. “I was keen to get the Heathrow motion done and dusted as it was submitted by a councillor who is no longer a councillor. The climate has changed a lot since he first submitted it. It is hard to imagine the Heathrow of June 2019 to today: the landscape has totally changed (due to coronavirus).” He added that the party was already doing what it could with the other motions, saying that the council was monitoring air quality, and it was helping EU nationals, among other things.
B
UT it was the way in which the council holds its meetings that caused concerns. It is not unusual for meetings to come to an end before the motions have even been raised.
schools… what’s wrong with them? It;s unbelievable. “They are determined to stop anything constructive. “Why did the Tories not want to carry on with the meeting, everyone was at home. It was unbelievable.” Council leader Cllr Halsall defended his party and their decisions during the meeting. “We’ll never get to the end of the agenda if we have stuff that takes us over 10.30pm, I don’t think there
Cllr Ferris said that his party had been restrained in the number of members’ questions they had asked – “We try not to ask too many”. “Council meetings are important, they are a form of local democracy, but there is some form of (political) positioning. We haven’t had a motion (debated) since September. “We’re not sure what they can be replaced with, but we need council meeting where motions get discussed. The meeting could have started earlier we started at 7pm for the annual council meeting.” Labour’s Cllr Croy said that his party decided to limit their speeches to enable
the debate to go through faster. “When it came to the reports being presented, we could have spoken about them,” he continued, saying that they contained lots of details that they wanted to draw attention to. “We didn’t do that because we wanted to get the five good motions on the agenda.” Cllr Halsall felt that time was wasted on named votes – where each councillor is called by name, rather than block voting by party. “How much time did we spend on voting?” he asked. “It’s a democratic process, but who didn’t vote with their party?” And on this, he said that parties made decisions on how to vote at group meetings. “It’s a private meeting,” he said. “It can be quite vocal, but we use it to decide our position and stick to that. “As leaders, we are servants of our groups and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So when we come to council, our collective position is worked out. “No one decided on the day how to vote.” He added: “I agree that council meetings could be better, but only if parties sit down and agree on rules which will make them better. “At the moment, it’s a bunfight to see who gets the most attention. “My ambition almost from day one has been trying to get the council more transparent.” � Editorial page 18
Carbon emissions update “NOW that we are emerging from lockdown how can this council work to continue the huge benefits that the environment has received from lower carbon emissions?” That was the question from Cllr Laura Blumenthal to Cllr Gregor Murray, the executive member for climate emergency. He replied: “The response to the Covid-19 outbreak has provided evidence that in modern society we can do things differently. Before the start of the pandemic 1.7 million people in the UK worked from home according to The Office for National Statistics. “The lockdown caused an instant shift in working habits and methods. An estimate of 20 million people were relocated to home offices. In Wokingham, the lockdown resulted in a significant reduction in transport. “Workplace commuting went down by 54% during April, having direct effects on congestion and consequently on improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions.” He added: “Within the Council, we are working towards understanding the impacts on the employees from the extended home working experience. “We are asking employees to share their experiences and tell us what they have learnt and how we can use this learning to shape the work environment of the future.”
And he said that the council has been engaging with businesses to understand their working practices and encourage them to consider these new ways of working in their recovery plans. The next question was from Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons who was not present and will receive a written answer. She wanted to know what had been done to “engage with local and national businesses and learn from their efforts in reducing our own Carbon Footprint?” Cllr Murray said that the council had set up a Climate Emergency Advisory Board of experts in this field. This involves national and local business organisations, academic and the charity sector. “The Council is keen to learn how far positive changes might become embedded in new ways of working and an ongoing commitment to ‘greening’ the economy,” he said. “We are currently embarking on an extensive survey of local businesses that will incorporate getting a better understanding of how they are operating and adapting in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.” He concluded: “On a note of cautious optimism, Ernst and Young’s recent survey confirms that 57% of businesses surveyed felt that climate change and sustainable investment will be a renewed priority going forward – this is something we can build on locally.”
14 | NEWS
MP calls for cycling investment in Woodley � Continued from front page
Leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr John Halsall, said: “Matt Rodda is quite excited about his shadow brief. “We met on Monday and he wants to help support us apply for grants to improve cycling in the borough. “As a borough council, we’ve been doing this for a long time, there are lots of cycle routes being created. We intend to work with him to extend the cycle routes from Reading to Wokingham.” Mr Rodda said: “I’m pleased that Wokingham Borough Council is now looking at investing in cycling in Woodley town centre. “It’s a really important idea, and I’m pleased they listened to the points I raised. “If done well, this could really benefit families wanting to cycle shorter, local journeys to the shops, parks or Bulmershe Leisure Centre. Research from science journal, British Social Attitudes found that 63% of people take the car for a journey of less than two miles at least once a week. And Mr Rodda thinks one of the biggest deterrents to cycling is the fear of traffic. “It’s about helping people feel safe to cycle, widening pavements and creating a dedicated cycle path,” he said.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Park approval could see University build 119 more homes in Shinfield
(From left) Langley Mead, Shinfield was flooded in October, December, February and March. Pictures: courtesy of Jim Frewin � Continued from front page
“However, the purpose of the existing and proposed facilities is not to provide an urban or sanitised outdoor experience, but to allow walkers to enjoy the outdoors in a semi-natural environment. “To my mind, this could include navigating waterlogged fields and footpaths after heavy rainfall, rerouting walks from familiar routes which are cut-off by flood waters, and negotiating cow dung and grazing cattle.” Mr Hanna also said that: “Frequency, duration and depth of flood events across the entirety of the proposed SANG have not been fully modelled.” But independent councillor for Shinfield South, Cllr Jim Frewin, said the change of use is being used strategically by the University of Reading. He told Wokingham.Today: “They need the SANG to justify building more houses afterwards. “I’d be happy to have a SANG if it’s
usable. But for three or four months of the year it floods. “Wokingham Borough Council turned the application down on the premise it was unusable. That’s not what a SANG is for.” In January, Bellway Homes, acting on behalf of the university stated its intent to build homes on land within walking distance to the newly expanded SANG. This would be on top of the 126 homes already built on behalf of the university. In a letter sent to Reading architecture firm Barton Willmore, Bellway Homes said: “The provision of nearby SANG” will “offset the impacts of potential future residents” on the area. The letter noted: “It is the intention of Bellway Homes to submit a planning application seeking residential use” of land north of Arborfield Road “within this current calendar year.” In June last year, Bellway submitted an application to build 249 homes on land south of Cutbush
Lane. This was rejected by the borough council, but approved through an appeal on Tuesday, March 10. Cllr Frewin is expecting to be presented with the second planning application soon. “They want to build north of Arborfield Road all the way to the Blackboy Roundabout,” he said. “They know they’re selling homes that’ll retain surface water in the winter. “In one of the meetings, someone from the University of Reading said ‘residents will just have to get used to flooding’ in Shinfield.” Cllr Frewin added: “Because we’re doing virtual planning meetings at the moment, the meetings are for officers and committee members only. “Local councillors and residents are shut out — it means we get no say in the planning process.” Changing the land’s use from agricultural land to the SANG includes building 12 parking spaces
and a network of footpaths on site. A spokesperson from the University of Reading said: “The extension of Langley Mead will allow the University of Reading to further improve conditions for wildlife, with an emphasis on creating a highly connected, continuous habitat that brings traditional management practices back to the landscape.” Ben Kite, managing director of ecological consultancy, EPR, said: “We are delighted to have played a central role in seeing the Langley Mead extension through to approval. “Through actions such as hedgerow planting, wildflower meadow management, and pond creation, the University of Reading are set to encourage wildlife to flourish, while incentivising people to spend more time outside in their local environment. “The University is continuing to provide a shining example to landowners looking to improve the quality of the natural environment.”
Beauty industry feels ‘forgotten’ as lockdown lifts EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A TWYFORD beauty therapist said she feels heartbroken that her industry can’t reopen under current Government restrictions.
Penny Adams, who works as a beauty therapist at Twyford hairdressers, The Strand, is surrounded by colleagues who have all started working again. Instead, Ms Adams sits at the reception desk, waiting to hear when she can restart beauty treatments. She told Wokingham.Today: “It’s absolutely soul destroying not knowing when we can return. Beauty is all I know. We feel like the forgotten industry. “Each year, the beauty industry contributes £28.5 billion to the national economy. But the Government has put us in the same category as strip clubs. Ms Adams said she was glad to see Caroline Nokes, a Hampshire MP standing up for women-focussed industries, as restrictions on businesses are lifted. Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Ms Nokes put pressure on Matt Hancock to confirm a
reopening date for the beauty industry. Ms Nokes said: “People working in aesthetics, professionals who tattoo on eyebrows to alopecia sufferers or tattoo on the nipples of cancer patients who have had reconstructive surgery, have been horrified to discover they are categorised alongside strip clubs. “Will my right honourable friend please look at this issue urgently to understand how the NHS is referring patients to these people who are still not allowed to open.” In response, an amendment
was passed to allow medical aestheticians who tattoo nipples for breast reconstructions can now return to work. But no answers have been given for the wider industry. Ms Adams added: “I’ve been a beauty therapist for 22 years and hygiene is the first thing we think of. My hygiene standards are amazing. “When the question was asked about salons reopening in Parliament, we were just laughed at. It’s like we’re at the bottom of the barrel, I just feel devastated.”
Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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ADVERTISING FEATURE | 15
The Lord Raglan opens its doors once again for drinkers and diners To book a table for The Lord Raglan, call 0118 978 3282, or log on to www.thelordraglan.co.uk
The team at the Lord Raglan are ready to welcome you back to the Denmark Street beer house, offering a tasty menu and some new brews
I
T’S WOKINGHAM’S newest pub, and it barely had had a chance to showcase itself before the lockdown hit. Now it’s reopening and it’s had a refurbishment of its refurbishment in order to ensure that it’s covidsecure. The 180-year-old Lord Raglan in Wokingham’s Denmark Street is the Big Smoke Brewery’s latest venture. It offers a range of quality, freshly cooked food, along with beers – many of which it has brewed itself – and wines. The company had only been open for 10 days before the Government ordered pubs to close. It carried on serving takeaways and, thanks to a partnership with Deliveroo, deliveries throughout. It reopened on Saturday, with fewer tables, table service and an online ordering system. And to help things even more, there’s a reduced menu and a smaller range of goodies at the bar, with a promise to increase them as the lockdown continues to ease. The one thing that hasn’t changed has been the warm welcome. Rich Craig, director of Big Smoke Brew Co which owns The Lord Raglan, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be open again. It’s a bit different to how we are used to operating but our staff and customers have been extremely understanding of the changes that we’ve had to make to Enable us to operate safely. “We had a very calm reopening and customers were just happy to be back in the pub again. “We’ve been pleased with how we’ve traded so far and are looking forward to welcoming more people in as the days and weeks progress.” Tables can now be booked and are available in two-hour slots, this ensures that they can be cleaned thoroughly so no one need worry about picking up the coronavirus. Food and drinks can be ordered by scanning a QR code on a menu using smartphone, or by visiting the
Big Smoke’s special app. You just need to make a note of your table number. And if you’re one of those people who hate the self-service checkouts at the supermarket, you’ll be relieved to know that The Lord Raglan’s team will be on hand to take your order. The menu includes its famous Big Smoke Burger, a vegan ‘Lamb’ Burger, a Homemade Pie, Big Smoke Beer battered haddock, or Dry Aged Rib-Eye steak. Roasts are available on Sundays, with children’s portions available. There’s plenty of tempting desserts including Oreo Donuts, Chocolate Brownie, Mango Sorbet and Vegan or Dairy Ice Cream. “We’ve set up an online ordering platform that means there is much less contact between customers and staff. It’s gone pretty well but some people prefer the old ways, of course,” Rich says. And the Raglan’s takeaway service has been a big hit throughout the lockdown. “It has been a very interesting time for us as a company,” Rich said. “Obviously, the pubs have been shut but our brewery has been very busy with home deliveries. “Lockdown has allowed us to really look at how we operate and how best to serve our customers, so some positives have come out of this.” And being a brewery means that the lockdown time has been an opportunity for them to create some new beers for people to enjoy. It won’t be long before customers will be able to try them. “We’ve been very busy brewing new beers, with one launched every few weeks at the moment,” Rich said. “It’s been a great way to keep our home delivery customers interested in what we do and also keeping the brewing team engaged and excited.” To book a table for The Lord Raglan, call 0118 978 3282, or log on to www.thelordraglan.co.uk/ You can also order a takeaway via Deliveroo.
16 |
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
KEEPING UP THE HA Although lockdown measures are beginning to ease, the pandemic is not over. We have done well as a community to limit cases by following the guidance, social distancing and washing our hands regularly. It’s really important we don’t undo all of the hard work that has been done and we continue to make progress. As central government begin to lift some restrictions, we can already see incidents of outbreaks elsewhere in the country. Please keep yourselves and others safe by continuing to follow the guidance and if you need more information visit our website www.wokingham.gov.uk, the central government website www.gov.uk or the NHS website www.nhs.uk
Make sure you continue to follow the guidance
Be considerate of people who may be less comfortable with the easing of some restrictions
Keep in touch with neighbours, friends and family who may still need extra help or be self-isolating
Outbreak Control Plan Wokingham Borough Council have an outbreak management plan which explains
The plan covers how we will prevent and manage outbreaks in all areas of
what we will do if there is a local outbreak.
community, including key areas such as schools, care home, workplaces, public
We want to keep our community as safe as we can as lockdown restrictions are
spaces and public transport.
eased, an outbreak control plan ensures we are prepared and able to actively
To find out more and read our plan summary visit our website www.wokingham.gov.uk and search ‘outbreak control plan’
prevent outbreaks from occurring. An outbreak control plan ensures that we have a robust and safe way of managing an outbreak within the borough.
We continue to work with the voluntary sector to provide a Covid-19 response service, including Citizens Advice, who are organising this helpline.
TO GET HELP YOU CAN: VISIT www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk EMAIL admin@citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk CALL 0300 330 1189
Make sure you stay up to date with the latest accurate information @wokinghamboroughcouncil @wokinghamBC www.wokingham.gov.uk
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Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
| 17
ARD WORK Test and trace
The government has introduced the NHS test and trace system in England that will help control the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). This system has been introduced in order to help protect the NHS and social care systems. The NHS test and trace service will ensure that anyone who develops symptoms of Covid-19 can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus, and also includes targeted asymptomatic testing of NHS and social care staff and care home residents. It will also help trace close recent contacts of anyone who tests positive for coronavirus and, if necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
How does it work? If you have symptoms of coronavirus:
If you have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus:
ISOLATE – for at least 7 days as soon as you experience
ALERT – you will be alerted by the NHS test and trace service if you have been in close contact with
symptoms. People in your household must isolate for 14 days
someone who has tested positive. This will be via text, email or phone call. You should then log on to the
from when you started showing symptoms.
NHS test and trace website, which is normally the easiest way for you and the service to communicate with each other – but, if not, a trained call handler will talk you through what you must do. Under 18s will
TEST – order a test immediately at
get a phone call and a parent or guardian will be asked to give permission for the call to continue.
www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 if you don’t have
ISOLATE - you will be told to begin self-isolation for 14 days from your last contact with the person
internet access.
RESULTS – If your test is positive, you must continue to
who has tested positive. It’s really important to do this even if you don’t feel unwell because, if you have been infected, you could become infectious to others at any point up to 14 days. Your household doesn’t
isolate for the full 7 days and your household must continue
need to self-isolate with you, if you do not have symptoms, but they must take extra care to follow the
to isolate for 14 days from when you started showing
guidance on social distancing and handwashing and avoid contact with you at home.
symptoms.
SHARE CONTACTS – If you test positive for coronavirus,
TEST (if needed) – if you develop symptoms of coronavirus, other members of your household must self-isolate immediately at home for 14 days and you must book a test at
you will receive a text, email or phone call from the NHS test
www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 if you have no internet access. If your test is positive, you must
and trace service, explaining how to provide details of people
continue to stay at home for at least 7 days and they will get in touch to ask about your contacts since
you have had contact with and places you have visited.
they must self-isolate.
It is important you do this as soon as possible to allow the service to give advice to people who may be affected.
If your test is negative, you must still complete your 14-day self-isolation period because the virus may not be detectable yet - this is crucial to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus.
YOU MUST STILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES: • Social distancing from people outside of your household • Self-isolation for you and your household if you develop symptoms (even if you haven’t been contacted by the test and trace service) • Practising good hygiene – washing your hands regularly, using hand sanitizer when hand washing is unavailable and wearing face coverings when using public transport For more information on test and trace visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
18 | VIEWPOINTS
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH
Waffle, it’s unversatile IN THE new normal, council meetings are being held all over the shop. So rather than Thursday, this week’s full council meeting took place, over the internet, on Monday. And rather than taking advantage of technology and starting earlier as councillors were at home with no commute, it started at its usual time of 7.30pm. This is a shame as the agenda included several motions brought for debate at previous meetings, but filibustered out. So it should come as little surprise that on Monday they were filibustered out once again. And it is disappointing that when this constant faffing was raised by a resident – both Lib Dems and Conservatives asked questions to make their own party look good – the response was ‘not my problem’. It is an affront to our democracy that the council chamber, even in this virtual basis, should be prevented from proper debate. It is a shame that parties are whipped to vote along lines rather than consciences. And it is a disaster that motions are stuck in the eternal quagmire of time. Something needs to be done to make our council meetings run more fluidly, even if it means holding them over two consecutive evenings. We can’t go on like this.
BBC: A cut too far LAST WEEK, the BBC announced plans to axe jobs in local radio, including Radio Berkshire. This is a travesty for an already overstretched station serving our community with aplomb. This is a cut too far – Auntie needs to think again.
CHURCH NOTES
Everyone included
P
UBS opening after the lockdown has been one of the big events in the last week. It starts to give a feeling that we are coming out of the other side of the crisis and some of life as we knew it is returning. Another milestone in returning to our former life is the gradual re-starting of church services. Not all of our local churches will have re-started services immediately last weekend. There are safety plans to be put in place carefully Most churches though will be making a real effort to re-start services as soon as possible. Coming together in church means a lot to many people and it has been greatly missed. In a church service we are with our neighbours and friends as we give thanks to God and pray; we can share joys and sorrows with them. It is a shared experience in the same place at the same time. For all its brilliance a video conference call cannot completely replace that. During the closure period churches have realised how valuable services in church are. They help people feel connected to one another and part of the wider community. But we know also, like the pubs, not everyone will be able or feel safe to come back to church services yet. So, most churches will carry on putting services online too. Everyone included is an important value for Christian churches – no one should be excluded. Whilst we are rejoicing that services in church are starting again, we are also mindful of those who must still stay at home and we will not forget them. Everyone must be included. The Revd Canon David Hodgson, Rector of All Saints Church Wokingham, on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
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Your letters
Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 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
This is why Saturday’s Wokingham Pride matters ON Saturday we will be celebrating Wokingham LGBT+ Pride. Having grown up in Wokingham and now living here with my wife as an out lesbian couple, I cannot express what this means to me. To see us recognised, accepted and celebrated in this way after so many years of being marginalised is a great leap forward for our society as a whole. We no longer have to hide elements of our lives from our friends, families, neighbours and colleagues to be accepted. We are going through some difficult times at the moment and cannot hold the Pride event that we would want for Wokingham. It is also particularly sad that all of the victims of the Forbury Gardens attack in our neighbouring town of Reading, were active members of the LGBT+ community. However, it does illustrate the fact that we are teachers, scientists, healthcare workers etc who are part of our community and contribute to every corner of our society. Please come help us celebrate Wokingham LGBT+ Pride, put out your rainbow flags and post your support on Social Media – it is for everyone who wants to see all of us as an inclusive, accepting and diverse community – even if we are not quite there yet. Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Councillor for the Emmbrook Ward of Wokingham Borough Council
Denmark Street was OK I read your Voice of Wokingham article regarding the Denmark street closure with interest. I was initially quite sceptical of this idea as I felt it would be of limited benefit and cause a lot of disruption for people needing to get into and around town. Saying that I ventured into Wokingham on Saturday and my journey in was not significantly changed (there was slightly more traffic coming into Peach Street but not a huge amount more). The big change was that walking around the Market Place was a far more pleasant experience and the town in general seemed to be very busy. I think the initial increase in congestion along the other route through town would soon settle as people realised the Denmark street route was shut and this scheme will help to divert traffic out of the town centre and (eventually) along the North and South distributor roads. I think Wokingham Borough Council should be commended for this bold move which over time will make the marketplace and the town a much more attractive place. Alex Cran, via email
Why the closures? I hear on the local traffic news that much of the area round the Forbury Gardens in Reading is still closed off to traffic and pedestrians, 10 days or more after the three murders and woundings. It was an appalling event and the relatives of the deceased have my condolences, the relatives of the injured have my sympathy. Police have a suspect in custody. He's been charged. He's appeared in court and
Is lockdown easing prematurely? The most moving, indeed humbling, images to emerge from the coronavirus epidemic have been those of NHS hospital staff and ambulance crews applauding survivors for whom they had risked and given so much, leaving their care to return home. After all the sacrifices it is difficult to comprehend the actions of those gathering for street parties, assaulting the police, flocking to beaches, leaving behind them a trail of litter, destruction and the risk of bring about a second wave of infection likely to affect others. While there is an understandable degree of pent-up frustration, brought about in part by a good deal of political dithering, financial, social, national economic and other pressures in the light of spikes of infection being experienced in other countries. A number of questions need to be addressed: after initially taking too little action too late, is there now the danger of too much easing taking been remanded in custody. The police have witnesses.. What are Thames Valley Police hoping to achieve by keeping the park and surrounding streets closed off? Apart from wasting their resources to “secure the area” to demonstrate to the residents of Reading that the Thames Valley Police are in control of the situation? What is wrong with Thames Valley Police's senior managers? Are they so worried about their public image that they can't bite the bullet and redeploy their personnel to do something useful, rather than “strutting their stuff” Name and address supplied
Upset by BLM statement I am writing to express my concern and deep upset at the recent statement by the leader of the council, Cllr John Halsall, that he and Wokingham Borough Council cannot support the Black Lives Matter movement. This comes at a time when it is widely recognised that the current Covid-19 health crisis is having a disproportionate impact on BAME people. The majority of NHS and care workers who have died from Covid-19 are from the BAME community. The reasons for this are still to be fully understood, however, race is a social construct, it is not genetically determined. There is no gene for being black or Asian. Those looking for a straightforward biological explanation will be disappointed. The underlying reasons are complex and related to structural inequalities that exist in our society. These inequalities result in BAME people being more likely to be employed in higher risk and lower paid jobs such as in the caring profession. They also result in financial inequality and differences in how health care is accessed. Wokingham Borough
place prematurely? Is public health and safety being sacrficed on the altar of the economy? Opinions will differ and there may well be no definitive answers, nevertheless, they are questions requiring consideration if even greater devastation and distress is to be avoided. Council is 66% male, and out of 53 current councillors, only three are from a BAME background. In contrast the population of Wokingham is around 11% BAME. This lack of diversity and underrepresentation of key parts of our communities clearly results in a lack of understanding from the council regarding issues which they do not directly experience. We have seen numerous instances of this and the current failure to support the Black Lives Movement is another. Black Lives Matter is a movement. It is not a single organisation with a single set of goals. Support of this movement indicates an awareness of structural inequalities based on race and the many implications of this. By refusing to acknowledge that Black Lives Matter, John Halsall and the Wokingham Borough Council have let down the community which they are supposed to represent and demonstrated, yet again, how out of touch they are with the lives and values of their constituents. Louise Timlin, Leader of the Reading and Wokingham Women’s Equality Party
Who is Black Lives Matter? Re: Council must take action on Black Lives Matter (Wokingham.Today, July 2) Would Keith Kerr (KK) and Sharon Harriot-Kerr (SH-K) please educate an ignorant pleb like me. Please can they inform me of the following in a letter to our much-loved Wokingham Paper: Who are the leaders of Black Lives Matter (BLM) and @Black Lives Matter UK (@BLMUK)? Are they UK citizens? The US is a foreign country which still has the death penalty in some states. Will KK and SH-K support the death penalty for all of the officers involved in the heinous death of Mr Floyd if that US state allows it? Execution would be a just sentence
And to close: the inmates of Shute End Towers appear to have finally lost it completely. The lunatic changes being made to twon centre road layouts will impose their own particular brand of local lockdown and surely drive yet another nail into the town's coffin. J W Blaney, Wokingham wouldn't it? How could any reasonable person object to the death penalty in this case? Who funds the BLM and @BLMUK? What are their political aims and manifestos? How is a common pleb able to hold them to account? In Wokingham.Today of Thursday, June 11, a Maiden Erlegh Lib Dem borough councillor claimed that Lib Dems are “positively promoting equality”. Therefore, will KK and SH-K join me in demanding that the Lib Dems, their national leadership and other political parties immediately scrap that vestige of privilege and inequality, the discredited and unelected House of Lords? If other political parties don't want to join in getting rid of their Peers then the Lib Dems could set an example to everybody by scrapping their peers unilaterally immediately. I am still waiting for a reply from the Lib Dems via The Wokingham Paper. The silence is deafening. With Lib Dems it seems that words matter more than deeds. Or could it be that they are wedded to unelected privilege and that change is only for others? When a multi-millionaire racing car driver, who is happy to race his car in countries with deplorable human rights records, who lives as a tax exile in Monaco, who has just had his Mercedes racing car painted black, the colours of the Nazi Waffen SS , who calls for civil unrest in his home country in the name of BLM and @BLMUK, then we plebs need to be told the truth about these organisations. Are they really a front for, or have they been infiltrated by, hard left Marxist guerrillas piggybacking on the horrendous death of a man in US police custody? We need the truth. Perhaps KK and SH-K can't handle the truth in a country where, for the moment anyway, we still have freedom of
speech and thought. Paul Clarke, Wokingham
Modern slavery I feel the need to register my feelings for the Slaves in the factories of Leicester – whose employers seem to have a licence to break every law they wish to disobey in order to maximise profits. That view is based on local ‘approval’ by the council together with the police – corruption cannot get worse. I could of course repeal my view if the authorities can prove me wrong. They need to answer, for the whole of our country is waiting for some truth and judgement/s. Apart from the law, I feel very sorry for those ill-treated slaves, whose terms and conditions of work are horrific – in fact they do not have any terms and conditions as far as I can see. They are residents of our country and thus are supposedly protected by employment and minimum wage legislation, let alone health and safety legislation and the virus Government instructions, etc. This revelation will no doubt have repercussions in many parts of the world – the US will surely be ‘pleased’ as we supposedly banned slavery in 1833. By the way, where is Boris? Maybe he knows the whole issue will be investigated and white-washed. Reg Cliﬞon, Wokingham
Close the digital divide It is perhaps unsurprising that after months of isolation, and having discovered the feasibility of working from home, more town and city-dwellers are considering a move to the countryside. The countryside promises cleaner air, vast open expanses and an abundance of natural life. Some polls suggest that as many as 40% of all prospective house-buyers are looking to relocate to rural areas. But many of these planned moves rest on the assumption that working from
home will be as easy in the countryside as it is in the city. All too often, this is not the case. If the Covid-19 crisis has made plain how much our economic life relies on technology and digital skills, it has also highlighted the yawning divide in connectivity between our urban and rural areas. I know people living in rural “not spots”, who try and find key areas with 4G signal to take important calls or share large documents, be that at the end of the garden or driving to the top of a hill. We welcome the agreement struck between the Government and mobile operators, which entails sharing the cost of phone masts as part of a £1 billion plan to end poor mobile coverage in the countryside, but what matters now is delivery. Mark Bridgeman, President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents farmers, landowners and rural businesses.
Love reaches everywhere A beautiful new film about the charity Mary’s Meals, featuring Gerard Butler, has just been released. Love Reaches Everywhere sees the Hollywood actor visiting schools in Liberia and Haiti in the 30-minute feature. Mary’s Meals normally serves nutritious meals in schools, attracting impoverished children to the classroom where they can gain an education that will one day be their ladder out of poverty. During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have developed safe methods of distribution which allow almost all the children who normally enjoy our meals to eat at home instead. Love Reaches Everywhere shows Gerard, who has starred in films such as 300 and P.S. I Love You, immersing himself in community life – teaching a maths lesson, planting crops in a school garden, carrying water from a local well, and even sharing acting tips with some children. It is available to watch for free now at
tonyjohnson That was the week
Downside Up
I
N THE UNITED STATES President Trump visited Mount Rushmore to see if his head would fit but seems to have returned with his presidential underwear on backwards.
Here in the UK, the ‘Robert Generic’ affair hasn’t gone, nor have the “Free Dom for all” reports so Boris appears to have used his ‘phone a friend’ lifeline. Locally, it was a week in which a “never mind the Sex Pistols, here’s the bollards” approach saw Denmark Street being pedestrianised.
Trumped up charges Allegedly Mr Trump went to see if there was space alongside the faces of four past presidents carved into the mountaintop. Reports that his ears wouldn’t fit in the gap between Teddy Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln are totally misleading. As was his claim that Covid-19 is “99% harmless”. With a population of 328 million in the United States, that’s still up to 3.3 million sick or dying. But his pearls of wisdom were being cast among swine who fact checked them. “Creating new powers to protect statues” turned out to be “do your job” Mr Attorney General. And what he said about far-left-fascism made just as much sense as what he didn’t say about far-right-communism.
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marysmeals.org.uk/ lovereacheseverywhere. I hope it will be a tonic for your readers at this uncertain time, showing the difference donations made here in the UK can make to little ones living in some of the world’s poorest countries – and proving that love really does reach everywhere. Daniel Adams , UK Executive Director of Mary’s Meals
Stop complaining, start doing I advise our members, never to waste their time – complaining, and moaning, about the mental health services, or the lack of them. Complaining, and moaning, achieve nothing. If you think that certain services are needed, but are lacking, a much better, and more constructive, use of time, and energy, is to set them up, yourself. Groups of people with mental health problems, and their informal carers, can, for example, set up he following services – which do not require, statutory funding: mental health drop-in centres, befriending, and advocacy, schemes, work related activity groups, social activity groups, talking therapies, peer support groups, carers support groups, and mental health education programmes. Prior to taking over Station House, our Association ran a carers support group, at the Old Library, in William Street, Slough, a mental health drop-in centre, at the British Red Cross, in Denmark Street, Wokingham, a Befriending and Advocacy Service, and a Mental Health Education Programme. All these services were self-funding. For the past ten years, of our thirty-year occupancy, we have run, at Station House, a mental health drop-in centre, a Befriending Scheme, and an Advocacy Service. All are dependent upon our own fundraising, and donations. The only service that we ever had, that was dependent upon, minimal, statutory funding, was that of our mental health crisis beds – so
His Master’s voice Cummings wasn’t goings as the week’s tally of articles rose to 536 from 370 the previous week, as our man in the pan was being rounded on by all who’d felt a shred of sympathy for “Sir Humphrey”, the head of the civil service he’d forced to resign. Mind you, the numbers were on track for well over 700, but luckily Boris’ father stepped in and saved the day by going to Greece, despite the travel ban (here) and exclusion of Brits (there). The hugely increased Stanleyness of the week displaced some Dom, as the PM’s Dad “used his judgment” to travel via Bulgaria to go and Covidproof the holiday bolt-hole, sorry home. The job soon got done. As was his son’s claim that ‘we’re all in this together’.
Bild Billed Build Much like the Duke brothers in Trading Places (“sell, sell, sell”), the Prime Minister’s desperate dash to ease the furloughed off the government’s books got underway this week. According to Bild, Germany's broadsheet equivalent of The Sun, the big political news of the week had been “For the first time in more than a quarter of a year people in England are allowed to visit pubs … again”. Billed as the final daily briefing, transcript central finally got round to publishing the PM’s speech of Tuesday, June 23, so on BBC One, pointless was replace by Pointless. However ‘Gavin’, aka the boy from the back in lower five alpha, hadn’t got the message. He got put in detention at Number 10, chained to the lectern to speak his lines. OK, normally punishment in detention is writing lines, but ‘Gav’ can’t do that, so Dominic wrote them for him.
when their funding ceased to be, so did they. Nevertheless, I believe that – were anyone sufficiently determined to do so, mental health crisis beds could be run from independent fund-raising, and donations. Our Association isn’t a building; it is an Association of mentally ill people and their, informal, carers, so we can function, indefinitely, in any building, and on any money, that we are able to raise. We don’t need to complain about statutory, mental health services, nor have anything to do with them. I am happy, to put time, and energy, into advocacy – in supporting people in Benefits Appeals, for instance, because we usually win, and then, people’s lives are enhanced, as a result. But I will only complain, about services, if something very serious, such as a death through negligence, is involved, or, if what is happening is demonstrably, illegal. Then, I can pursue a complaint, because I know that I will get a satisfactory resolution. But, just complaining about the poor quality of services, amounts to hitting one’s head against a brick wall. They can only work with the people, and the money, that they have, and actual, concrete, mental health facilities, have all but completely, disappeared. You could complain, until the cows come home, without result. So, I advise our members, ‘Set up your own facilities; make them as good as you can make them; make sure that nobody else gets control of them, and let the rest of the world, go by!’ Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House
Open the libraries Some libraries are open in Bracknell, and also in the Windsor and Maidenhead area. Ours aren't. Why not? Surely all local authorities are following the same guidance from the Government with regard to Covid-19? Michael Storey, Emmbrook
“Back to school — or you’ll be sorry” was the mantra, 100 times. While “Build build build” was Boris’s message regarding housing and planning, it was meant to be the “start of the recovery after Coronavirus”, but according to Inside Housing it was a load of blah, blah, blah instead. Talking of building, we can expect the planning system to be ‘streamlined’ as housing minister Robert “cash for favours” Jenrick has created some nifty new ‘permitted development’ rules. These let developers completely bypass Planning Committees around the country.
We don’t ask, we tell Appears to have been the word from Shute End at Sea this week as they decided to pedestrianise Denmark Street for the weekend, extending Wokingham’s town centre ‘covid proofing’ scheme. With traffic queued back to the Three Frogs half a mile to the east of town, traders in the marketplace as well as some in the newly re-opened shops were described as ‘unimpressed’, although walking around was great for those that managed to get there. Better luck next week perhaps?
In Memoriam On a more solemn note, last week saw the sudden and completely unexpected death of Wokingham Town Councillor James Box. Those that knew him will miss his sense of humour, his positive approach and his support for others. Requiescat in Pace. caveat.lector@icloud.com
davidhare From the chamber
Supporting the vulnerable
A
S Liberal Democrats we believe that all aspects of the council’s work are important to the people of Wokingham.
We want everyone to live as full a life as possible, regardless of disability, race, sexual orientation or creed. ‘Adult services’ is one of the highest spending Departments in the Council; we believe it needs to be run efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all the inhabitants of Wokingham. It is this department that has been responsible for local dealings with the Covid-19 crisis, as well as its usual job of providing services to our older people, people with a learning or physical disability, and people with mental health problems. In the Covid crisis the department has stepped up, resulting in Wokingham Borough being the first council to stop the transfer of those without a Covid test and results from hospital to care homes. This was after the reality of Covid transmission due to transferring untested patients was appreciated from the Liberal Democrat leader’s comments. The council has instituted a ‘Task Force’ with NHS involvement, to support and enable care homes in this crisis. Adult services throughout the country must learn lessons from the pandemic and plan for future problems People needing care, whatever their situation, need the best, most appropriate care, always being mindful that situations change and the support provided needs to reflect this. The Liberal Democrats will endeavour to ensure that the care provided promotes independence; for some that means carers visiting homes, a day placement or other intermittent support. (The LINK Visiting Scheme is an excellent local charity that provides a befriending service for local people, giving a service to more than 220 older people in Wokingham). For some individuals a residential or nursing home promotes an individual’s independence by giving them a safe, supportive and friendly place to live. Providing the best care possible means Liberal Democrats want to review the way Wokingham works and not be afraid of change. We need to look at our services for older people, ensure care is provided appropriately, that care homes are excellent providers, that day facilities stimulate individuals, being enjoyable and providing the support needed to live independently. OPTALIS is a Council-owned provider of services, the services provided must continue to be reviewed to ensure value for money. The COVID crisis has put a spotlight on care. The Government support for Adult Services is woeful. As well as local reviews of all services there needs to be a Government review of adult care and more money needs to be invested in an underfunded section of our society. Cllr David Hare is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for adult services and wellbeing on Wokingham Borough Council EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a new series of columns. On alternate weeks, we will have a view from a Conservative or Lib Dem councillor and there will be a monthly column from Labour; Independents will also be invited to contribute
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The first rule of pizza club Cooking, learning and … you talk about pizza club crafts all in one DID you know the flamingo is only pink because of its diet? Louise Fennell from Wokingham believes cooking and crafts are what help us glow, and she’s sharing this message with her new educational website named after the exotic bird itself. Launched at the start of lockdown, The Cultured Flamingo is a free information hub for families who love adding fun to their learning. The website and social media pages feature recipes and creative activities from a range of countries and cultures. Ms Fennell said: “I came up with the idea about a year ago, but it wasn’t until lockdown that I finally had the time to launch it. “My family and I have always celebrated different holidays and festivals and love learning about other cultures by making their dishes and trying new crafts. “I’ve done a lot of research over the years and crafts and travelling are big interests of mine, so I thought why not share this information with others?” Since introducing the idea on Facebook, Louise has expanded her page to Instagram as well as a blog and website. The creative said: “My Facebook and Instagram pages provide snippets of the activities that families can try, whereas the blog goes into much more detail about each country.” “So far the blog has covered India, China and Mexico, and next on the line-up is Japan.” Louise also hopes her activities will give parents a hand with home schooling as some children spend their 16th week away from the classroom. She said: “The aim of my activities is to teach children without them knowing they are being taught. “For example, I recently posted a traditional honey cake recipe for Summer Solstice on the Facebook page. “Most children wouldn’t know what Summer Solstice is, but by making these cakes with their family they’re not only learning a new recipe, but also an important date on the calendar.” “Other celebrations we’ve covered include Canada Day, when we made Canadian butter tarts, and Eid al Fitr when we made stuffed dates.” And Ms Fennell’s work hasn’t just been praised locally, she’s received feedback from families across the world who have used her ideas in their everyday family activities. She added: “One parent got in contact to say they love the activities because they’re fun, educational and affordable. “I don’t charge for the activities because I want them to be accessible to as many people as possible, especially at a time when it’s already hard enough to find things to occupy your kids with. “Anyone can use my site, it doesn’t just have to be parents of younger children. “One of my friends has a daughter in year 10 who enjoyed the exploring Mexico aspect of my blog and shared it with her form tutor. “The teacher has now incorporated my activities into their weekly newsletter. “Although I launched the idea during lockdown, I plan to continue it into the future as I really enjoy doing it and it seems others do too. “When things return to normal I hope to introduce some themed parties which I can take to families.” While not cooking or adding to her website, Ms Fennell works as a junior school cookery teacher and Atelierista — studio teacher — which she hopes to return to in September. To view Louise’s activities log on to theculturedflamingo.com or search The Cultured Flamingo on Facebook or Instagram.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
The theatre-lovin from victim to By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk “THE theatre is my tribe. It’s where I belong”
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk IT STARTED with one homemade pizza, and grew into a lockdown business. Nick Fyffe mastered the sweet taste of Neapolitan pizza in the summer of 2019. It was a summer of beers, cheese and perfectly leavened dough. But the stage was calling, and Nick went back to his day job working as a bass player for the rest of the year. When lockdown began, his gigs were cancelled and it became the perfect opportunity to make a mad dash to the shops for flour and yeast. The pizza making began once more. Armed with his Gozney Roccbox — a high tech pizza oven he found on a Kickstater campaign — and a food hygiene certificate, Nick has been cooking pizzas from his home ever since. Now he’s a few weeks away from launching the Wargrave Pizza Club — a pre-bookable takeaway pizza service. Last weekend, he spent the evening working against the clock, as his daughter timed his pizzamaking skills. He said: “I don’t want to stretch myself too thin, and for it to become stressful.
“I only just created my Facebook and Instagram page, and it’s all blown up from there. “The plan is to launch a pre-book system with time slots, so that people come and collect their pizza hot from the oven. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.” But this isn’t his first time in the heat. “I’ve got a friend in St Albans who has a very successful pizza business. If he has a big food festival, I’ll go cook for him. “We’ve done 250 pizzas a day. “I think this will be more like 50. I’m keeping it small and simple. “People think pizza is an easy thing to do, but if I’m going to do something, I want to do it properly. “The temperature of the oven makes the biggest difference. Dough is actually very simple, it’s flour, water, fresh yeast and salt. But you have to get the right level of hydration. It’s about knowing how the dough reacts to heat and humidity. “And I use a longer fermentation — almost like sourdough — which makes it easier to digest.” Now armed with a second Gozney Roccbox, a gazebo and a workbench, Nick is looking forward to feeding the people of Wargrave and beyond. To follow the launch of his new business, search for Wargrave Pizza Club on Facebook.
An Arborfield schoolboy bullied for his love of musical theatre has won the hearts of the nation with his antibullying campaign, #CheerUpCharlie. Ten-year-old Charlie Kristensen, who was targeted for his love of singing and dancing, went viral last year as leading West End stars united to give him the boost he needed. The online attention all came from a tweet from Charlie’s music teacher, Jacqueline Hughes who used her platform to call on her friends in the Arts. Ms Hughes wrote: “I know many people face bullies every day and many have in their lifetime. But I wondered if you wouldn’t mind, if you have time sending me a little video to cheer him up, maybe some advice, your own stories, how you didn’t let them stop you, what you are doing now.” In the days following his teacher’s tweet, Charlie received heartfelt messages and videos of support from performers in shows including Wicked, The Lion King and Aladdin. And it was this new wave of love and encouragement that convinced Charlie to transform his experiences of bullying into a campaign which would help other children like him. Charlie said: “I was bullied really badly at school for doing something I love. I was called names and hurt just because I’m a boy and I like to dance. “I didn’t fit the stereotype the bullies wanted me to. “I was very close to giving up on my dream but when I received the messages from the West End stars I realised that I was much more important than the bullies’ opinions of me. “One day I recorded a video of me performing in my shed and before I knew it I had 300,000 views. “From then on I fell back in love with performing and took my videos to the next level.” Since creating his first video, Charlie has launched his own YouTube account which currently has
Cherry tree Sometimes in the morning When the world is hard to face In lonely isolation No contact with the human race It feels life’s not worth living With no-one there to share And every day’s a burden Without a loved-one close to care To wither behind sadness The cold and bleak despair When you cry out in the darkness No-one answers – no-one’s there But today the sun is shining Its rays light the cherry tree The pink and radiant blossom Reaches out to comfort me
Ten-year-old Charlie Kristensen has used lock interviews stars from the stage
1,850 subscribers. And the latest addition to his channel is the Musical Chairs with #CheerUpCharlie show which the young star has been working on during lockdown with the help of London’s Theatre Café. Charlie explained: “In each video I interview a different actor, musician or artist about their lives, performing background and experiences of bullying. “The aim of the show is to share unknown, unheard and unlistened to stories. “I really enjoy the video calls because I get to dig deep into the stars’ pasts. “Before each interview I do my research and then ask them a big range of questions- some serious, some not so serious. “My favourite question to ask is what their most disgusting habit is. Nathan Wyburn finds picking his nose therapeutic.” Guests in Charlie’s Musical Chairs line-up have included Kerry Ellis, Michael Xavier, Nathaniel Morrison
And the daffodils are nodding The primrose pale and bright And tulips sway in unison To grace the morning light The world is full of beauty And friends are on the ’phone Although in isolation We’re not really on our own So let’s focus on the future When of the virus we’ll be free Keep looking at the blossom On the sun-lit cherry tree
� Have you written any lockdowninspired verse? We’d love to be able to share them with our readers, email news@wokingampaper.co.uk
Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
angelagarwood Honest motherhood
ng pupil who went o national hero
kdown to create an online channel where he
and Will Poulter among others. The enthusiastic youngster has also performed a duet with Matt Lucas to the hugely popular Baked Potato Song and chatted with Michael Ball during an interview on BBC Breakfast. Charlie added: “The stars are like my family. The theatre is my tribe. It’s where I belong.” And as well as performing to the camera, Charlie has taken to big stages to share his journey and encourage others to stand up to bullying. In November last year Charlie reduced an audience of 5,000 people to tears with a speech he performed at the Diana Awards held at London’s Alexandra Palace. Charlie, who is the youngest ambassador for the programme, said: “It was a nerve-racking but amazing experience. “I was shocked to discover that 75% of audience members had been victims of bullying so I was really determined to share my story and help them in any way that I could.” The keen campaigner is also planning a West End charity concert in
Darling dustman
Convent Garden when gatherings of the type are allowed. And adding to his list of achievements, Charlie is now using his platform to request the Prime Minister’s help with saving UK theatres. He said: “I wrote a letter to Boris Johnson because I can’t imagine a future without entertainment or theatres. “Going to the theatre makes me feel alive and I just love it too much to see it go. “I could see six shows everyday for a week and I would never get bored. “Every time I see a show it is different and makes me see the story in a new way. “The feeling you get when watching a show live at the theatre is something you just don’t get with films or TV. “There’s no second take at the theatre. Once the actors are on stage it’s their chance to shine.” And while the youngster’s stardom has seen his production crew grow behind the scenes, one member of his team has given him love and support from the start. Charlie’s mum Kat said: “I’m so unbelievably proud of Charlie. Looking back at the position he was in this time last year, I could never have predicted he would grow this much as a person, especially after all that he’s been through. “He has only just turned 10 yet is doing things not even adults would have the confidence to do. “Every speech and interview he does is 100% his own hard work. “I am amazed that such a little boy has so much spirit, determination and courage inside of him. “Stars from across the country may have taken him under their wing, but I will always be his mum. I’m so proud of him and what he has achieved.” Charlie’s future plans include performing on the West End and Broadway, presenting, and continuing his role as an anti-bullying campaigner. In the meantime, and until theatres open, Charlie will continue to host his YouTube shows and reply to emails from children, who like him, have been bullied and need some help.
What is it?
Today my ‘Darling Dustman’ Gave me a cheery wave To brighten isolation And my sanity to save We don’t think about the rubbish As it’s collected every week By hunky ‘Darling Dustmen’ With sturdy dustmen’s feet With their truck piled high with rubbish They count amongst the brave So thank you ‘Darling Dustman’ For giving me a cheery wave Jean Hill
We normally like giving you the big picture, but here’s a little one. It’s an everyday object in close-up. Can you guess what it is? As ever, no prizes, it’s just for fun and the answer will appear next week.
Easiest quiz answers 1. Albert. 2. November. 3. 116 years. 4. 240, under pounds, shilling and pence. 5. Dogs. 6. Manx Shearwater. 7. Cotton. 8. Ecuador. 9. 16. 10. Crimson. 11. None – he never said it. 12. New Zealand. 13. Nothing. 14. Sheep. 15. 30 years.
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Birth plans and BBC iPlayer
O Face it, the church can be a welcoming place Walking down the road today I saw some pictures on display All the lovely pictures Fastened in a row I stopped and studied all of them I did not want to go Who had drawn these pictures And why? Was it a test? It was easy to see as you will agree They had all done their very best So thank you to all the artists Thanks for the display Looking at your pictures has really made my day. That’s a verse pinned next to some bright portraits that have gone on show outside one of the borough’s churches. Earley St Peter’s, in Church Road, invited its congregation to get drawing. While it can’t meet in person at the moment due to social distancing rules, it has been using the internet to hold services. And it has also been calling 150 households each week to ensure that the church stays in touch with its parishioners. It asked them to draw pictures of themselves to mark St Peter’s Day. The Revd Hannah Hobday said: “It’s one of my favourite Sundays of the year, online services are not the
same. We belong together even if we can’t meet together – the pictures are a celebration of our church family. “There’s a variety, that’s what church is. We’re not one type of people, God loves everyone.” Like others in Earley, it is now in the process of reopening – deep cleaning both church and halls, and starting to welcome people for weddings, christenings and funerals. But it probably won’t be until next month that it can hold services. For now, churches are allowing people to come in for silent prayer. Under the current guidelines, the buildings are able to be used for personal visits. Each church has its own systems in place for social distancing, and these are clearly marked. OUR LADY OF PEACE ON WOKINGHAM ROAD: Open daily between 10am and 6pm. EARLEY ST PETER'S: Thursdays from 10am to noon and 6pm to 9pm. TRINITY CHURCH: 2pm to 4pm on Tuesdays, 9am to 4pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays 11am to 4pm. EARLEY ST NICOLA: 7pm to 9pm on Tuesdays, 2pm to 4pm on Wednesdays and 10am to noon on Fridays.
How to try out an instrument while socially distancing FOR many children, the opportunity to learn a musical instrument is a rite of passage. And for many parents, there’s the problem of knowing where to start. In normal times, Berkshire Maestros organise taster sessions so that children can have a go, learn about instruments and try and find the perfect match. But these are not normal times. Orchestras are mothballed over fears that musicians can act as superspreaders of the coronavirus – and it’s also hard to socially distance when you have a large number of performers in a finite amount of space. So the usual event plans are off. Undaunted, Berkshire Maestros is using the power of the internet this Saturday to give children a chance to get musical. The Big Music Day runs online from 11am. It’s free and aimed at children aged six and above. Experts will explain how the
different instruments work, talk about its lessons and how they operate and look at how music can make a difference to peoples lives. Berkshire Maestros said that music lessons can help encourage key skills including confidence, perseverance, teamwork, concentration and communication. Places should be booked in advance. The event starts with a welcome. At 11.05am, there’s a session on woodwind instruments, followed at 11.30am with a look at the piano. At 11.50am, the focus is on brass and percussion. Guitar follows at 12.15pm, string instruments will be in the spotlight at 12.50pm and there’s a question and answer session at 1.20pm. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a taster session of the Mini Maestros music classes for babies and children. This starts at 10am and has the theme of Under The Sea. � For more details, log on to www.berkshiremaestros.org.uk
UR baby is due in five weeks. We are, I would think, as prepared as a young couple can be for the birth of a baby.
He’s got his “First time Dad” book and I’ve got life experience (meaning vague memories), a haggard looking Birth Skills book and some Youtube videos. And a birthing ball. Everything will be just fine now I have a ball to bounce on. It came with a pamphlet listing numerous different positions you can practice on the ball. I’ve stuck to just the one. Though Maia has loved cruising up and down the bedroom on it. Whilst we were looking forward to a more conventional face to face NCT antenatal class, the Zoom version was still enjoyable, and we both took a lot from it. (All five hours of it). As well as being highly informative, it was lovely to meet some other couples (around eight in total) also going through pregnancy during lockdown. Now we have a WhatsApp group. One of the Mums gave birth the other day which made my own upcoming labour and birth feel very real. My partner set up one for the Dads, which now consists of him and two other Dads. No one has said anything yet. My hospital bag has made some progress and is pretty much ready, though I keep using items of clothing from it then forgetting to return them. I also keep depleting its edible stock. By this I mean I filled it with snacks (by “snacks” I refer to a variety of chocolate biscuits, special ones, the brands I’d never normally buy) but later that evening realised we had no suitable post-dinner nibbles, so delved into the bag and devoured the aforementioned chocolate biscuits, leaving only the granola bars. I will be returning to Waitrose this week to re-stock my hospital bag. As well as the bedtime reading, we’ve also been indulging in some educational TV to help prepare us for what’s to come. We’ve now sat through all six episodes of Life and Birth on BBC iPlayer. My partner wasn’t keen to watch it at first but I managed to persuade him with the very practical: “It’ll be good for us to know what to expect”. Well, it soon became clear, he didn’t. He wasn’t aware babies come into the world a rather disturbing purply-blue colour, often covered in blood and some white stuff and not the cute dreamy pink tone we see when parents send us their newborn snaps. We’ve decided we’ve had our fill of baby programmes for now. While every story is different and beautiful in its own way, there are only so many times you can watch a woman give birth before it begins to dawn on you the enormity of what you’re about to go through. Upon my midwife’s advice I hesitantly wrote out a birth plan, which I am well aware will most likely be far from what happens on the day. It felt almost as though having a hard written copy of my wishes and intentions was somehow jinxing the main event. That I’d inevitably get the exact opposite of every one of my preferences. But at least now the midwives will know what they are, so hopefully the Universe will take some of it on board too and I’ll get my drug-free-tear-free water birth. Whatever happens, we’ve done all we can now. I will try and remember to do my pelvic floors, perhaps try a few more birthing meditations on YouTube and he will continue to listen to me bang on about visualisation and breathing exercises. I’ve written out cue cards with positive affirmations and key words for him to say when I’m in labour. My favourite so far has been when he goes “USE YOUR VOICE”. I like this a lot. It comes naturally.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Keep your distance, but time to take Pride in Wokingham By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk FINAL preparations are being made for Wokingham’s very first Pride event this wekeend.
The event aims to bring together the borough’s LGBTQ+ community. In noncoronavirus times, it would probably include a parade and a party, but events have had to be curtailed. However, a socially distanced meet-up will be held in Market Place on Saturday at 11am. Those taking part are invited to bring a pride flag, either a rainbow or the newer pink, blue and white flags which are on display in shops and businesses across Wokingham. “A lot of people have asked me what they represent,” said Rachel Bishop-Firth who has been one of the team giving Pride flags out to businesses and churches in the town. “The pink and blue flag is the Transgender Pride flag. I’ve been giving them out because of my neighbour, who has really helped me through all the stresses of lockdown. “She’s a transgender woman, who works as a senior IT Engineer and is bringing her son up in Wokingham. “I’ve realised that a lot of people don’t know much about trans people, or expect them to be living everyday family lives here in Wokingham.” Other ways in which people can take part in a socially-distanced Pride includes taking selfies and sharing them
on social media, with a #WokinghamPride hashtag. Organisers are also asking people to hold conversations about Pride and what it means with friends and neighbours, and to lobby local councillors for a real event next year. Churches are also encouraged to use a prayer specially written for the event by the Diocese of Oxford and printed on this page. Organisers said: “Wokingham Pride has had warm support from several of our local churches. “If you’re over 18 and would appreciate support on matters surrounding sexuality, gender and faith the LGBTQ+ Chaplaincy service are here for you, a small group of affirming volunteers working alongside Oxford Diocese to provide a listening ear and conversation. “You can find out more about their work here: www.oxford.anglican.org/ mission-ministry/lgbti-chaplaincyservice/” Wokingham Pride has also compiled a list of support services for those who
need support, especially following lockdown and the alleged attack in Forbury Gardens last month, where three people died. They include Wokingham’s ARC counselling service – email office@ arcweb.org.uk or coordinator@ arcweb.org.uk. They currently have a long waiting list, but there are a number of alternatives. SupportU in Reading provides support on LGBT+ issues and can be contacted on 0118 321 9111. Their website is at www.supportu.org.uk
A prayer for Pride God who delights in us, You search us and find us out. You love us from the inside. Every thought and feeling, uttered and held in silence Is known to you and precious to you. Dwell within us. Help us discover that you mean us to grow into who we are And no other. To be real, not to pretend, To know love – given and received, And to blossom in its liberating power. Shelter us in your protective shadow From those who will not accept us, Who know us only from the outside. Give us the peace that passes All misunderstanding, fear and rejection Knowing that you alone behold us, desire us, and declare us to be your own. Amen From the Diocese of Oxford
The princesses and Batman ready to go on their tour of Woodley
Let it Snow, let it Snow, let it Snow A royal visit had residents beaming with joy last Sunday as Woodley enjoyed its first-ever princess parade. The afternoon event, organised by Snow Princess Parties, featured seven princesses and one superhero who are usually stars of the Woodley Carnival. Regional director of Snow Princess Parties, Sarah Zeneli said: “We’re really pleased with how Sunday’s event went. “It was very well attended and put huge smiles of lots of children’s face.” “The aim of the parade was to create a magical experience for families who have been stuck inside during lockdown.” From 3pm the characters spread their magic throughout Woodley, stopping off at spots on Nightingale Road, Campbell Road, Woodlands Avenue, Howth Drive, Arundel Road, Church Road and Comet Way. Ms Zeneli added: “At each stop we had about 100 people. Families joined the princesses in singing and dancing along to the songs and many children were wearing their own outfits. “At the end of the afternoon the characters also performed to Let it Go from Frozen which was a great hit with the kids. The atmosphere was fantastic.” And the parade was such a success
that the team want to make it an annual event alongside its other activities. Ms Zeneli said: “We’ve hosted the parade in both Maidenhead and Woodley and following such a brilliant response are hoping to run it again next year.” “We’re also looking forward to hosting our princess parties again which following changes to government guidelines we can start to do. “We can now offer social distanced parties which will last for one hour and can be held in customers’ homes for up to six guests. “The magic will be the same, we’ll just be more spaced out.” Snow Princess Parties have also run virtual parties and one to one Zoom sessions with children throughout lockdown. To view Sunday’s highlights, search @SnowPrincessParties on Facebook.
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Crowthorne library now reopen
A moment to remember: town gathers to honour Forbury Three
LIBRARY services resumed in Crowthorne and neighbouring Bracknell, but with reduced opening hours, earlier this week. The two venues were selected to form the first phase of a scheduled reopening plan from Bracknell Forest Council. Both will welcome booklovers from 10am to 4pm, although Bracknell will be closed on Wednesdays. The libraries say that this is to enable staff to undertake essential tasks in the public areas whilst no-one else is present. Browsing of books will be limited and a small number of computers will be available. These need to be booked in advance. A number of initiatives will run to enable the libraries to run on a Covid-secure basis. These include a Select and Collect service allowing people to reserve books in advance and collect, safely bagged, from the library. There are no reservation fees and requests can be made via the website or by phone. A home delivery service is available for over 70s and vulnerable people. This is available for registered users and more than 400 have been added during the lockdown. A spokesperson said: “We will be observing safety measures in accordance with Public Health guidance to ensure staff and customer safety. We look forward to welcoming you back so get selecting your books now.” For more details, email: Bracknell.library@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or Crowthorne.library@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. Alternatively, call Bracknell Library on 01344 423149 or Crowthorne Library on 01344 776431.
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk
Police appeal for help POLICE are hoping that someone will say Letsby Avenue to a vacancy in the Police and Crime Commissioner’s team. It is looking for an independent member of the Joint Independent Audit Committee to help scrutinise police financing. The Committee reviews issues such as risk management, internal control, change programmes and corporate governance as well as overseeing audit arrangements and reviewing financial statements. Applicants for the four-year post are asked to be at least 18, citizens with good understanding and experience of public sector legislation and guidance who are politically neutral. They must also live or work in the Thames Valley area and be able to attend meetings at Police Headquarters, Kidlington during the working day. The closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, July 24, and interviews will be held on Thursday, August 6. For more details, log on to bit.ly/OPCCAudit
READING came together on Saturday night for a moving moment of reflection to remember the victims of the Forbury Gardens attacks.
Around 200 people gathered in Forbury Square, coming together on a drab, wet evening to honour the lives of James Furlong, David Wails and Joseph Ritchie-Bennett. The trio were stabbed as they sat in the park on Saturday, June 20. Three other people were injured and Khairi Saadallah, 25, of Basingstoke Road has been charged with the murder of the three victims as well as the attempted murders of the injured men. The vigil was organised by Bernadette Martin and attended by a wide cross-section of the community, including Reading Pride supporters and Reading East MP Matt Rodda. It was live-streamed for those who couldn’t be there in person. Ms Martin gave a short speech to thank people for coming and explaining why she wanted to hold the vigil. “What happened in the park two weeks ago has shifted everyone’s view of Reading,” she said. “Things like that didn’t happen in Reading or even to people we knew, worked with or loved — it was something that happened in big cities. “I want to pass on my sincere condolences to the families of James, Joe and David. I cannot imagine how they are feeling.” For those grieving, Ms Martin raised awareness of the support available on the night, including Reading Street Pastors, Victims First and SupportU, and thanked them for their help in organising the vigil. She also reassured people that the floral tributes left outside the former Post Office in Reading’s Market Place had been moved to the
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School uniforms wanted by charity SHOPPERS have helped raise more than £12,000 for a Wokingham-based charity that gifts pre-loved baby and children’s items to families in need. Over the past few months, visitors to Don’t Buy Her Flowers, an online gift basket store, have made donations with every purchase. The money will help the work of First Days, based in Hurst. The charity is appealing for donations of school uniforms as pupils prepare to go back to school in September. Items wanted include non-logoed clothes, school uniforms for St Crispin’s, The Holt, The Forest School, Emmbrook School, All Saints CofE Primary School and Keep Hatch Primary School.
School shoes are also wanted. It is also asking for pressure-fit stair gates and extenders, sterlisers (water or microwave only), baby monitors, toiletries including nappy bags, barrier cream, shampoo and children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste. And there is also a need for simple wooden floor puzzles aimed at toddlers aged 18-months upwards. Donations can only be made between 10am and noon on Saturdays at its warehouse in Broadwater Lane, Hurst, and these are the only items it is requesting. Social distancing rules should be adhered to. For more details, visit: www.firstdays.net
Matt Rodda (left) was among those paying their respects to the victims of the Forbury attack
Abbey Gateway. They will move again into Forbury Gardens when it reopens and all the messages and tributes will be stored at the Berkshire Records Office. The event ended with a minute’s silence for James, Joe and David. Afterwards, Ms Martin told Wokingham.Today that the idea for the event came after hearing BBC Radio Berkshire present Sarah Walker’s personal tribute to Joe, someone that she knew as well. “It moved me really significantly,” she said. “I was sitting in my car in Tesco’s car park and I became quite tearful. I regained myself and went home. “Initially, I just messaged some friends and said this is what I was
thinking of doing, I put a post on my Facebook page and off the back of that people started sharing it.” This then grew into an event page: “It just grew legs and just went crazy within the space of 48 hours,” she said – more than 1,000 people expressed interest in attending, but the rain did dampen some of those numbers. “It’s still a good number of people considering the weather being rubbish,” she said. Ms Martin also praised the response of Reading’s Street Pastors, who had been walking the town centre helping those who have been affected by the events two weeks ago.
“I want people to be able to talk about it freely,” she added. “And I thought that maybe this might be one way of just being able to get people to open up.” Matt Rodda, whose Reading East constituency includes parts of Woodley and Earley, said: “I’ve come this evening to pay my respects to the three people who died. Like many other people, I’m thinking about their families and people who knew them. “I feel that we should pay our respects to them and try to continue to show solidarity in the face of this awful tragedy. “It was incredibly moving and I’m a little bit overwhelmed.”
24 | NEWS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Drive-thru celebrations help mark 10th anniversary TO MARK a decade in showbusiness, more than 300 families held a drive-by celebration on Saturday. It wasn’t the original plan: Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow had intended to hold a special theatrical event, but the allsinging, all-dancing performances were nixed by the coronavirus. So school principal, Shelley Otway, hit upon another way to allow her pupils to celebrate 10 years of the classes being run from The Emmbrook School – it has since expanded to include Woodley and Wargrave. They were invited to drive
past Hatchwood Mills in Winnersh, to deliver cards and presents and meet special guests: patron Matt Stirling, who has just returned to the set of Jurassic Park 4 where is an actor and stuntman, and Emma Lainsbury, who starred as Alice in Wonderland in the original production. She is currently studying at a Barcelona drama school. And they could also enjoy an ice cream. Ms Otway said: “I never thought it would be so wellreceived. The neighbours on Hatchwood Mills were so
supportive. The children all came along, beeped their horn and got a free ice cream from me from Ian at Mr Whippy. “It was nice to be able to support another local business in such difficult times.” She continued: “They all bought with them pictures and cards and had their photos taken with themed Alice in Wonderland characters, our first-ever show.” Although the planned anniversary performances won’t now go ahead, the old theatre adage ‘the show must go on’ has seen Ms Otway take her school – and community – online.
Cuts to fall on Radio Berkshire as BBC looks to save £125m By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk
CHANGES made to BBC Radio Berkshire’s schedules at the start of the coronavirus pandemic will become permanent as the broadcaster looks to save £125 million. In all, 450 jobs across BBC England are at risk – 15% of the workforce. A consultation is now in place and it is not known what will happen to BBC Radio Berkshire’s staff numbers. The BBC runs 39 local radio stations in England. Since March, it has divided the broadcasting day into four-hour chunks – a breakfast show, a morning show, an afternoon show and an evening one. Specialist programmes, which in Berkshire include Irish Eye, have been dropped and under the proposals it means that it is unlikely to come back. Each programme will only have one presenter. And other changes will see regional programmes made from 11 centres such as Southampton, replaced with ones made from six centres. The closest to Berkshire would be London. Other changes include changing the 6.30pm regional bulletins from multiple newscasters to just one, and making more programmes from Bradford, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Blackpool and Peterborough. Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, says: “I’m proud people have turned to us for trusted news and information in huge numbers during COVID-19, proving the importance of our local and regional services. But those services
were created more than 50 years ago, have changed very little and need significant reinvention. That has meant taking some difficult decisions. “We are in the age of the Facebook community group and the WhatsApp neighbourhood chat. We must adapt to better reflect how people live their lives, how they get their news and what content they want.” She added: “We’re going to modernise our offer to audiences in England by making digital a central part of everything we do. “We’ll take forward lessons from COVID-19 that will make us more agile and more in touch with communities, while also ensuring we’re as efficient as we can be. I’m confident we can evolve our local and regional services while improving our impact and better serving our audiences.” There is no news as to what will happen to specialist programmes on local radio, which on BBC Radio Berkshire includes Irish Eye and a Saturday morning Treasure Hunt-type programme that sees presenter Anoushka Williams travel around the county in response to a team in the studio answering clues as to her location. A BBC spokesperson told Wokingham.Today: “The BBC faces huge financial challenges and our local services are not immune to these pressures. “We announced proposals to retain the successful changes made to the weekday daytime local radio schedules at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic on a permanent basis. “All 39 stations will continue to provide local content and further updates to individual station schedules will be reviewed at a later date.”
“We added daytime classes to keep the children entertained, free costume-making completions, held an online talent comp, a weekly quiz and Facebook live events where the children could win prizes.” And Saturday’s celebration brought cheer to Ms Otway, who said: “I was so humbled by the amazing turnout and it gives me hope that I will have a business to return to in September when we get the green light from our venues and the government.” For more details, log on to www.steppinoutstars.co.uk
Solicitors reopens with covid-safe measures A WOKINGHAM-based solicitors has made its premises Covid-safe and reopened on Monday. Clifton Ingram, which has a branch in Broad Street, as well as offices in Reading, said that everything is in line with Government guidelines and it is operating on an appointment-only basis. A spokesperson said: “We have taken steps to ensure the safety of everyone visiting and working from our offices, this includes cleaning of rooms between appointments, screening and staggered arrival times. “We kindly ask clients to wear a face covering and not wear gloves, hand sanitiser is available on arrival and in meeting rooms. “There will also be a short Covid-19 declaration form for completion on arrival.” Clifton Ingram ask that any client who are feeling unwell, displaying any Coronavirus symptoms or come into contact with anyone who has the virus, should cancel their appointments. There is one downside to the re-opening: the company can no longer offer refreshments.
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News from schools | Stories from pupils harrybradley Harry’s world
Happy holidays? Not in 2020...
T
HE week after next will be my last day of the school year.
At last, school will be out for the summer. Now usually, that brings with it an annual feeling of excitement and relief; eight long weeks of meeting up with friends, going out on day trips and maybe even hopping on plane to somewhere hot. School will finally be over but like many things, this year it’s different. Is it just me or is that same sense of excitement just not there this summer? Perhaps my sense of ‘sameness’ it’s because it feels like school has been over for a while now. Working virtually from home has been tough, it’s been tiring but it’s not really felt like school. It might be almost the end of term but I’m chomping at the bit to go back and see everyone already. Now that’s something that never happens at this time of year. So, with the long summer ahead it begs the question – what now? What am I actually going to do for the next few months? Normally, I’d be getting packed up for a week or two in the sun in France, Spain or some other European country after my end of year exams. Looking forward to DofE expeditions and going to Reading Festival. Of course, none of this is happening now. My summer will be very much like the last few months. Home. Garden. Staying local. Repeat. Perhaps having this enforced break isn’t such a bad thing as I’ve actually got loads to do. In the past I’ve been guilty of trying to pack too much into my life. The summer races by and I’m running to catch up. So now I’ve really got no excuse. The summer before Year 13 gives way to a lot of school work – writing my personal statement, researching and writing my EPQ and going to visit some of the universities that I’ll apply to in just a few months time. Holidays are being replaced by trips to university towns. Yes the campuses are closed off but it’ll be good to get the feel of each place and as a family we’ll get to visit some new places. First stop Durham. But I don’t want it to be a summer of just work and no play, because let’s face it, 2020 has been hard enough. This year, my real summer escape will be planning my next one. Because 2021 is The Big One. The summer after A-Levels, it’s the summer of my life. Apparently. I’m planning an month-long Interrailing trip with friends. With so any opinions and so much choice, it looks like it’ll take us the whole of this summer to work it all out. Let’s hope we all get to escape a little bit, to have the freedom to drive to new places and have some ‘socially distanced’ adventures. I just need the Driving Test Centre to reopen and then I’m off.
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Pharmaceutical company’s STEM scheme to benefit Year Nine pupils By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokinghampaper.co.uk SECONDARY schools across the borough are benefitting from a new partnership from a local pharmaceutical company.
Boehringer Ingelheim has teamed up with STEM Learning, the UK's largest provider of education and careers support in STEM, with the aim of helping nurture talent and securing greater levels of participation in STEM subjects into further education. The bespoke programme features nine initiatives aimed at supporting Year Nine students. Boehringer Ingelheim says that this is a pivotal stage for students’ academic and career progression. So to help, it is launching a careers lab to support pupils to develop key skills in the STEM sector, creating opportunities to connect and share their aspirations with mentors within the industry, and extra-curricular clubs including interactive activities and competitions. Professional development workshops and, when social distancing permits, an immersive industry experience day will be organised for teachers, and parents will be offered the opportunity to attend tailor-made sessions to help them understand the importance of STEM subjects and build their children’s confidence in this area. Research suggests that nearly 30% of jobs in Berkshire are in the STEM sector and, through these activities, Boehringer Ingelheim
says it aims to nurture students’ educational development and support the local talent pool. Uday Bose, country managing director for UK and Ireland at Boehringer Ingelheim, said: “As a family-owned company, we always have one eye on the next generation. “We are delighted to announce our partnership with STEM Learning to support young people, teachers and schools in championing STEM education. “Sustainability is one of our core values as a business, and we are planning for the long term by supporting initiatives that will inspire more students to pursue STEM subjects into further education to deliver against unmet needs in our sector and beyond.” They added: “In the UK, and closer to home in Berkshire, there is a diverse range of amazing
BENNY’S CONFLICT
By James Lomax Part 24 of 26 Benny and his crew’s mission has succeeded. After being arrested, being shot at, and escaping certain death many times, they have fled the prison planet with Carlos’ rescued parents. But although they deserve a long, relaxing break, it seems that their troubles aren’t over yet…
B
ENNY couldn’t understand how he had felt so many different emotions in such a short amount of time. In about ten seconds, he had gone from hopeless fear to incredible happiness and now fearful confusion. Shana Vees, a faithful partner through his adventures, had taken the shield-rifle she had used moments ago to shoot at security bots, and now aimed it at Carlos’ parents, Bernard and Bertha, the very people she had been trying to save. Carlos immediately walked forward
to stop her, but she pointed the weapon at him, and he backed away. “Don’t try to stop me,” she warned him. “I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time now.” “But… why?” Carlos sounded confused and betrayed, and Benny felt the same. “Your parents used to be major threats to my freedom fighters, long before I joined. When Benny came to me with the opportunity to find them, I took it.” “Why? Why my parents? What did they do that makes you want to kill them?” “For decades your parents have been fierce supporters of the human supremacist Izen Dopolous.” Carlos’ look of betrayal stayed on his face, but it wasn’t directed at Shana anymore. Instead, he turned over to his parents, who were no longer cowering. “Is it true?” he asked them with a faint voice. “You worked for Izen Dopolous?”
opportunities and careers available in the STEM sector for young people. “We believe it is crucial that schools and employers work together to explore these possibilities and motivate students, so we can support their development and help them make informed decisions about their future. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this initiative helped to develop the next Stephen Hawking or Rosalind Franklin.” The news has been welcomed by Dr Ajay Sharman, the regional network lead South East at STEM Learning UK. They said that the aim was create a world-leading STEM education system for all young people across the UK. “We know that increasing time pressures, a lack of resources and teachers’ own confidence can The first to answer was Carlos’ father Bernard. “We didn’t work for him. We worked with him. We gained his trust so completely that whole areas of his operation were left to our command.” Carlos’ mother Bertha pitched in. ”Then, when we were on Earth II, we had you. So we took a break from our work to raise you, which impacted us financially during the war. Soon, we knew we had to give you up, so we put you with S.T.A.R, where Izen’s roots run deep, hoping you would grow up to join our cause.” “After that,” Bernard continued, “we were rescued by Izen, and shortly after we were arrested. During all our interrogations, we never betrayed his location or much of what we did. Still, they had enough evidence to imprison us for life. But not anymore! Now you’ve saved us, and you can take us back to Izen.” “No,” Carlos’ voice was heavily emotional now. “That won’t happen. You see, while I was in S.T.A.R I didn’t become what you wanted me to become. I broke free. I became more compassionate. Humans aren’t the only living creatures in the universe. There’s
present barriers to engaging students in STEM, preventing them from realising their true potential,” they continued. “The partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim will enable us to provide teachers with a range of valuable resources and tools to draw upon in their teaching, which will make a real difference to both students’ and teachers’ experiences of STEM education.” And Alison Webster, chief executive at Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Compared to the rest of the UK, Berkshire has a higher than average concentration of companies in life sciences and healthcare. Our area also has a younger population and labour market compared to the UK average, and there are greater volumes of young people entering the job market over the next five years. “With the STEM sector making a significant contribution to our local economy we can see that there is a perfect opportunity presented for our young people and we fully support Boehringer Ingelheim and STEM Learning’s partnership to enrich student’s learning in this area.” The nine schools that will benefit from the scheme are: The Bulmershe School, Garth Hill College, Bohunt School, Easthampstead Park Community School, St Crispin’s School, The Holt School, The Emmbrook School, The Forest School and The Green Room School in Windsor. nothing that separates us from aliens. And for over a year I’ve been fighting to make sure others realise that.” Both his parents looked down at the ground with shame, but Benny could tell it wasn’t themselves they were ashamed of. He looked over at Shana, who was still holding the shield-rifle. Carlos looked at her, and nodded, then turned to face the wall. “Hold on now,” Benny interrupted before Shana could fire. “Surely there has to be a better solution than killing them. I mean, Izen himself is dead. Isn’t that enough.” “I would not be so sure about that,” echoed a metallic voice from the corner of the room. Everyone turned around, and saw Carlson the android standing up, the Freedom Cube still plugged in to the back of his head. But the voice that had spoken out of the android wasn’t the friendly, approachable one it usually had. This voice was deeper, and more evil. There was nothing approachable about Carlson now, and Benny knew what was standing before them wasn’t the android. In fact, he was sure it was the supremacist himself, Izen Dopolous. To be continued…
26 | LESIURE
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LEISURE | 27
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Orchestra can make concert plans
wokinghamlovesmusic
bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic
I
T’S TIME to crank up the jukebox, thanks to our top 10, and it’s all compiled by Chris Hillman from White Star Records. The Wokingham Love Music soundtrack features songs from bands and artists with some connection to Wokingham’s music scene. You can listen for FREE via Spotify. There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic Never The Bride – You’re Not Alone With there sadly being no gigs at the Wokingham Music Club (WMC) at the moment due to the virus, Chris asked WMC boss Stan Hetherington to pick a few tracks by his favourite bands that have played at the club over the years. Here’s his first and we’ll be including more in weeks to come. Stan picked this track as he explained that the band were the first act to play at WMC back in April 2012. Stan said: “They have written such great songs but I think my favourite from that first gig was this one as it really showed Nikki Lamborn's talent as a singer and it always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up”. www.neverthebride.com Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Music Is A Wokingham Festival favourite, this Reading-based band that describe themselves as rock/funk/rap have recently released a special music video collaboration for this song. The band explain that “during the lockdown, we wanted to do something to engage with people, keeping busy with something creative as well as having a bit of fun”. So they created the video as a community project to collaborate remotely. Check it out at www.facebook.com/SelinaandtheHowlinDogs The Paradox Twin – Planeta This Reading based band who have been nominated twice at the prestigious Progressive Music Awards are celebrating the second anniversary of their debut album The Importance of Mr Bedlam on White Star Records – www.theparadoxtwin.com Spriggan Mist – Magical Ways This band with their magical blend of rock and folk have played at Wokingham Music Club and the Wokingham Festival on a number of occasions. This track is taken from their album The Portal – www.sprigganmist.com Reliant – Broken People This single, recorded at Pyramid Studios in Reading is from a four piece indie band from Wokingham and Reading who have been championed by BBC Berkshire Introducing – www.facebook.com/ WeAreReliant Dennis Siggery & Neil Sadler – Don't Want Your Tears Dennis and Neil are a local blues rock duo and this is the opening track from their album Half & Half which was recorded at Wokingham’s No Machine Studios –ericstreetband.com/dennis-solo.html The Room – Broken Here’s a local band that has built up a great reputation with their live appearances and album releases, a reputation that has grown following the release of their third album Caught by the Machine. www.theroom.band That Joe Payne – End of the Tunnel Following a wonderful appearance headlining the Wokingham Music Club (WMC) Stage at last year’s Wokingham Festival, Joe is due to be visiting us again on November 21 to perform his solo acoustic set as special guest to the legendary band Focus at WMC. – www.thatjoepayne.com Kepler Ten – Two from the Top One-off lockdown single created by this three-piece trio of excellent musicians on Wokingham based White Star Records – www.keplerten.com Green Seagull – Simeon Brown Single of wonderful psychedelic pop from this London based band who’s second album Cloud Cover is released on Wokingham based Mega Dodo Records in July – www.facebook.com/ greenseagull
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UNDREDS of people have bought tickets to a concert without knowing what’s on the programme, or when it will be performed. And they’ve done it to help local professional musicians who are struggling after seeing their livelihoods affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this year, the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £12,000, allowing them to contract the performers and pay them in advance of the concert date. A number of rewards were on offer, including being able to choose pieces for the performance, whenever it might be.
And people gave generously, so much so that more than £15,000 was raised. This means that the APO has been able to contract a larger number of musicians than would be possible. It has also turned to the Chineke! Foundation so that it can engage Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) musicians who live nearby. Andrew Taylor, who is the APO’s music director, is delighted with the response. “We’ve not only hit the target, but thanks to a very generous donation, over £15,000 was raised and we have been able to hire more musicians,” he says. “We’ve been trying to work out the logistics, involving the Musician’s Union to ensure that we do the right things. “It’s a great thing to be able to do.” The sum that the APO asked for was
quite a target. Did Andrew feel daunted when he launched it? “I was hopeful,” he says, adding that it was important to launch as many musicians didn’t qualify for any of the support schemes launched by the government. “I didn’t know how interested people would be in supporting musicians.” They were and they gave. It’s just another way in which the APO has been trying to shed the myth that classical music concerts are elitist. “They’re not – this is for everybody”. “We’re an organisation that is entirely run by volunteers, and we have a great team behind the scenes, a tremendous amount of work has been going on,” he promises. Andrew continues: “When it comes to setting a date, we’re keeping an eye on
developments, frankly there’s not been much guidance. There’s been a lot of bluster around water droplets. “But we’ve always said we would hold the concert when all restrictions are lifted. We’re desperate to get back as soon as we know it’s safe.” What audiences can expect when Reading Town Hall is filled once again with the sound of music is currently under wraps. “We’re keeping it a secret,” Andrew says. “We have a provisional programme, and the opening piece that’s been chosen is something that I’d never have thought of doing without that suggestion.” Whatever it is, we’re the performance will be mesmerising. For more on the APO, log on to www.aldworthphilharmonic.org.uk PHIL CREIGHTON
South Hill Park shows solidarity with performers
A new escape room is launching in our neighbouring town next month Picture: Jen Jacob
You have escaped lockdown, but can you escape from Bracknell?
T
HE countdown has begun for the opening of a Bracknell escape room experience. Puzzalogical Escape Rooms, based on Easthampstead Works, will unlock its doors for the first time on Sunday, August 1. The new immersive experience will feature three rooms filled with different games and puzzles which contestants will have one hour to solve. Co-founder of the business, Debbie Gibbons said: “We’re really looking forward to opening and welcoming our first teams to the venue. “My husband Nathan and I developed this idea using skills from our individual professions. “Nathan owns the painting studio upstairs and we wanted to make use of the basement at the bottom of the building. “As I run events and he is highly creative we agreed an escape room would be a good use of the space.” But the duo’s vision hasn’t become a reality on its own. Following a post from the pair, members of the We Love Bracknell
community Facebook page came together to transform the space from a basement to an entertainment venue. Ms Gibbons said: “The response we received on Facebook was fantastic. “We’ve had so many locals give up their time to help us prepare the rooms for opening. “A special thanks goes to Richard who has been a huge help with the building, and Adrian who has helped us with the electronics. “A team from Santander also came down to help with painting, and others have carried out tip runs for us.” The owner added: “We were set to open in time for the Easter
Holidays but, as for many businesses, this was put on hold due to the virus.” “This has made us even more excited to open next month.” The advised age limit for gamers is 10+ and adult supervision is required for children under 16. A minimum of two people is required for each team and a maximum of six people until government restrictions on social distancing are eased. Safety measures including hand sanitising stations, isolated waiting rooms and deep cleaning between sessions have also been implemented. To book your slot in the escape rooms log on to www.puzzalogical.co.uk.
Win an escape room experience You could also win an escape room experience for six people by entering the giveaway on The Wokingham Paper’s social media pages. Competition opens at 6pm on Thursday, July 9 and closes at 6pm on Thursday, July 16.
The centre was lit up in red. Picture: Manfred Bruckner
ON MONDAY evening, South Hill Park Arts Centre took part in #LightItInRed – a protest to draw attention to the condition of the national events and entertainment industry. The protest was calling for special Government support to help performance artists until their industry is allowed to restart. Like many other UK theatres and arts centres, South Hill Park is facing uncertainty for the future after the Government’s announcement to close arts venues in March to combat the Covid19 outbreak. Although the Arts Centre continues to receive a grant from Bracknell Forest Borough and Town Councils, and is part of the Government’s job retention scheme, it lost 86% of its income overnight. A spokesperson from South Hill Park said: “On the evening of Mon 6 July South Hill Park took part in #LightItInRed. “We welcome and are grateful for the £1.57bn Government fund to support the arts industry, but still wanted to take part and show our support for everyone within the arts, raising awareness, not just for venues, but also the many freelance arts workers who are struggling at this time, that we and many other arts venues rely on to create, present and stage work.” Last month, South Hill Park launched a fundraising campaign to raise £500,000 to save the Arts Centre. It has received support from Hollywood actor, director, producer Kenneth Branagh, and has so far raised £45,559. A spokesperson from South Hill Park said they are: “Incredibly grateful to all those who have donated so far.” The venue will be planning how and when it can welcome audiences back through its doors.
28 | LEISURE
To advertise email advertising@wokinghampaper.co.uk
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
plasticfreehome Dave Lamont www.CurryFrenzy.com
inthekitchen Gavin McArdell www.CurryFrenzy.com
Covid-19 and climate change – will we learn our lesson?
Easy way to make stock
T
HERE has never been a time when more people are out of touch with the natural world than now,” said Sir David Attenborough in January last year. Just 18 months later, look where we are. In the midst of a global pandemic that many experts have attributed in part to our “lack of respect for nature” and to the “wilful destruction of our planet”. And, they warn, there will be more to come. Renowned naturalist Jane Goodall warmed recently that “humanity will be finished” if we do not change our ways. Planet Earth is sick and we, humans, are the virus. Has the river always been that clear? Is the sky bluer than it was before? Are the birds and bees louder than normal? Questions that many of us will have posed or been asked while enjoying time in the garden or a relaxing walk in recent weeks. For the best part, the answer is that nature is as it was. Beautiful. Breathtaking. But fragile. The difference is we have been afforded (or taken) the time to notice it. As a family of four, one of the highlights of lockdown proper was watching the Blue Tits nesting in our garden feeding and taking flight for the first time. A precious moment we’d have almost certainly missed in an unchanged world. Similarly, I was reminded of the strange new normal we have all had to get used to when standing on our doorstep and looking out just a few weeks ago. Something caught my eye in the sky... It was a plane. I stood for a moment and stared. I realised
that it was the first one I could remembering having seen in perhaps two months. An everyday event had become an extraordinary one. As the Covid-19 crisis gathered pace back in January, the environment was the dominant topic at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The likes of Earth Day, World Environment Day, World Wildlife Day, Global Recycling Day, World Water Day, 30 Days Wild and even Bat Appreciation Day (a tougher sell this year) have since come and gone. And the Cop26 climate talks, due to be held in Glasgow, have been postponed until 2021. The crucial question is, have the past three months taught us a much needed lesson and brought things to the fore in a way that the events above could never hope to? Have we begun to reconnect and to fall back in love with nature?
Research shows that many more people are walking, cycling, visiting green spaces and gardening now than prior to the pandemic. We are, of course, travelling far less and in some cases differently, swapping far flung holidays for time at or close to home, shopping locally and learning to appreciate what we already have as opposed to (often) buying what we don’t need. Fast fashion has slowed, factories have stood still and new car sales have plummeted, with oil prices reaching historical lows. We are a long way off turning the tide in the fight against climate change but let us hope that we have begun to dip a toe in the retreating waves. This year will undoubtedly continue to teach us much about ourselves and about what really matters. It is our collective responsibility to do our homework, to further embrace these lessons and new habits, and to leave old ones behind as normality gradually remerges. Sir David recently expressed hope for the longer term, saying he felt that “the nations of the world are beginning to see that our survival depends on co-operation.” He tempered this by pointing out that the pandemic has “swept climate change off the front pages” and that “we’ve got to get it back there”. Let’s make that happen. PS – I apologise that I had to take a break from this column for a short while. Life has been somewhat of a juggling act but I’m delighted to be back. Thank you to Phil and Wokingham.Today for keeping my page warm for me.
M
AKING stocks at home is easy and makes a delicious addition to sauces, gravies and
curries. Compared to stock cubes and the bags of stock you can buy in the supermarkets it is head and shoulders over by a long way. Real stocks like these are a real way to improve your sauces and gravies. Add a pork trotter or two for a more gelatinous stock. Use any leftover meat carcass that you have and you can combine several meats together, however once you add a lot of red meat to the stock it becomes mainly a base for a red meat sauce. Veal and chicken are less strongly overpowering and can work in most meat gravies and sauces. I freeze all leftover meat carcasses, bones, and skin and usually make a general meat stock at least once a week with whatever we have. However, always ask your butcher
Petsandvets With Claire Turner
as they may have some bones etc. which they may let you have.
Ingredients � roast chicken carcass, bones, skin and all. � 2 carrots peeled and sliced � 2 onions peeled and chopped � 2 celery sticks bruised � For a spicy or curry stock add whole spices of choice. Cardamoms, start anise and cinnamon sticks are great.
Method Place in a pan and cover with water, wine or beer depending on the dish you intend to make. Bring up to the boil and reduce to a simmer for 2 hours. Drain and boil the liquid until reduced by half. This can be kept in the fridge for a week or frozen. Gavin McArdell www.CurryFrenzy.com
Providing personal care for all your pets
Trying to find the cause of your pet’s pancreatitis0118 979 3200
Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD
P
ANCREATITIS is a condition we see in cats and dogs where their pancreas becomes inflamed and starts to cause trouble. It can be difficult to find the cause of pancreatitis. Sometimes it is stress or trauma related and may also be diet related. Often in dogs it can occur after they scavenge something that is high in fat. Certain dog breeds are predisposed for instance miniature schnauzers, poodles, cocker spaniels, dachshunds and Yorkshire terriers. Pancreatitis can be a long term waxing and waning disease or can be very sudden in its onset. The symptoms can range from a mild grumbling stomach with a reduced appetite to very severe vomiting and diarrhoea with dehydration, abdominal pain and lethargy. In its severe forms pancreatitis can cause damage to other organs in the body and may even be fatal. If your animal has severe gastrointestinal symptoms please contact your vet as soon as possible. Equally, if you feel they are getting recurrent episodes of lethargy, mild gastrointestinal signs or periods where they seemed hunched or sore on their abdomen then also talk to your vet. There are different causes of these symptoms in dogs and cats but pancreatitis is definitely on our list. Pancreatitis is diagnosed by a specific blood test and we will often run a general blood screen with this to
anti-nausea medication. The severe cases will require hospitalisation and aggressive intravenous fluid therapy to help pull them through. � Claire Turner is a Veterinary Surgeon at St Vincents Veterinary Surgery, a family-owned practice providing personal care for all your pets in and around Wokingham
Providing personal care for all your pets If your pet has severe gastrointestinal symptoms please contact your vet as soon as possible check for other diseases and asses general organ health. Depending on the animal we may also want to take x-rays and occasionally an ultrasound of their abdomen. Pancreatitis animals can occasionally have a pancreatic abscess or tumour which can make
treatment more complicated and the prognosis worse. Treatment depends on the severity and chronicity of the disease. In some cases, especially dogs, a diet change to a low fat highly digestible diet is all that’s needed. However they may also need pain relief and
Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD
0118 979 3200
CLASSIFIEDS | 29
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Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (EASTHAMPSTEAD ROAD, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (COLEMANSMOOR ROAD, WOODLEY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 2nd 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:
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 2nd 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:
Across the Level Crossing on Easthampstead Road and for a distance of 10m on either side of the level crossing.
Colemansmoor Road, Woodley between its junctions with Loddon Bridge Road and Colemans Moor Lane.
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.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Loddon Bridge Road and Colemans Moor Lane or by this route in reverse.
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 19th July and 20th July 2020 and 5th August and 6th August between 20:00-05:00 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 19th July 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.
Works requiring this restriction will take place on 14th July 2020 between 09:30 and 15:30. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake sewer cover replacement work in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.
2. A3290 Bravo between its junctions with Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange and A4 London Road.
Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (A3290 NORTHBOUND OFF SLIP, EARLEY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020
Application
Address
Reasons for Advert Description
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
200665
The Poors House, Part Lane, Swallowfield
(Affect setting of) Listed Building
Householder application for the proposed erection of a part single part two storey rear extension with chimney.
1. A3290 Northbound off slip from its junction with A3290 Bravo.
200667
The Poors House, Part Lane, Swallowfield
(Affect setting of) Listed Building
Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed erection of a part single part two storey rear extension with chimney.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A3290 Bravo, Thames Valley Park Drive, A3290 Alpha off slip to Suttons Park and A4 London Road
200972
Nobel Barn, Remenham (Affect setting of) Hill, Remenham Listed Building
Full planning application for the proposed insertion of flush mounted skylights, essential flues/extracts and changes to fenestration.
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 27th July and 28th August 2020
201407
Hatch Farm, Mill Lane, Sindlesham
Major Application
Full application for the change of use of 11.6ha of grazing land to create a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)including provision of a car park at Hatch Farm, Mill Lane, Sindlesham.
The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake signal refurbishment work in safety.
201423
Bird Place, Henley Bridge, Henley On Thames
Conservation Area
Householder application for the proposed erection of a carport and store with first floor accommodation to form an artist’s studio, to replace existing (collapsed) coach house.
Bird Place, Henley Bridge, Henley On Thames
(Affect setting of) Listed Building
The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below:
201540
Ashridge Farm, Warren Major Application House Road, Wokingham
Hurst Bowling Club, Church Hill, Reading
Conservation Area
Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed erection of a carport and store with first floor accommodation to form an artist’s studio, to replace existing (collapsed) coach house. Full application for the erection of 165 dwellings comprising a mix of 1,2,3 & 4 beds with associated landscaping, parking, open space, drainage; construction of a new access onto Warren House Road; provision of an area of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and all other associated development works (including demolition of existing buildings and provision of temporary site sales). Full application for the proposed erection of a new clubhouse with ramped access, following demolition of existing clubhouse and toilet block.
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 30th July 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: 9th July 2020
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4 London Road, B3350 Pitts Lane, B3350 Church Lane, A329 Wokingham Road and A329 Reading Road
The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 14th July 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION
201515
1. A3290 Alpha between its junctions with A4 London Road and Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange.
Works requiring this restriction will take place on 1st August 2020 between 05:00 and 11:00 and 22nd August and 23rd August 2020 between 20:00 and 06:00
Dated this 9th July 2020
201424
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:
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.
Dated this 9th July 2020
Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (A3290 ALPHA AND BRAVO, WINNERSH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020
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 27th July 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 9th July 2020 Mark Cupit, Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Reading Road, A329 Wokingham Road, B3350 Church Lane, B3350 Pitts Lane and A4 London Road Works requiring this restriction will take place on 1st August 2020 between 05:00 and 11:00 and 22nd August and 23rd August 2020 between 20:00 and 06:00 3. Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley between its junctions with A329 Wokingham Road and Coppice Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Headley Road East, Spitfire Way, Miles Way, The Bader Way, Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange and A329 Reading Road or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 15th August and 16th August 2020 between 20:00 and 06:00. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake bridge inspections 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 1st 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 9th July 2020 Mark Cupit, Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
SERVICES
30 | CLASSIFIEDS
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PUBLIC NOTICES GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE Barry Kingsbury trading as Kingsbury Transport of Oakwood Park, Peacock Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG40 3YZ is applying for a licence to change the operating address from Old Billingbear Brickworks, Carters Hill, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 5RS to Oakwood Park, Peacock Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire RG40 3YZ Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings near the operating centre(s) Who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.
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Orders for insertion of advertisements in The Wokingham Paper and associated websites are accepted subject to the following conditions:1. Advertisement copy shall be legal, decent, honest and truthful; shall comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice and all other codes under the general supervision of the Advertising Standards Authority; and shall comply with the requirements of current legislation. In placing the Advertisement the Advertiser agrees that the Company may at its option publish the Advertisement in electronic format. 2. *While every endeavour will be made to meet the wishes of advertisers, The Wokingham Paper Ltd (the publisher) does not guarantee the insertion or position of any particular advertisement nor does the publisher guarantee to place advertisements in alphabetical order or in specific categories. 3. Whilst doing its upmost to avoid error, the publisher does not hold itself responsible for any mistakes that arise in course of publication. Mistakes must be notified to the publisher within one week of insertion; after that period has elapsed claims for credit cannot be considered. The publisher will not accept responsibility for repetition of any error on subsequent insertions and therefore requests that advertisers kindly check their advertisements weekly. 4. In the event of any error, misprint or omission in the printing and publishing of an advertisement or part of an advertisement (not being a matter covered by Clause (5) of this Contract) the publisher will either reinsert the advertisement or relevant part of the advertisement as the case may be or make a reasonable refund of or adjustment to the cost. No re-insertion, refund or adjustment will be made where the error, misprint or omission does not materially detract from the advertisement. In no circumstances shall the total liability of the publisher for any error, misprint or omission exceed:(a) the amount of a full refund of any price paid to the publisher for the advertisement in connection with which liability arose.(b) the cost of a further or corrective advertisement of a type and standard reasonably comparable to that in connection with which liability arose. 5. The publisher reserves the right to:(a)* cancel the order at any time by giving reasonable notice before the next insertion, but in that event the advertiser / advertising agency shall not be liable for payment of the difference (if any) between the rates for the series specified in the order and the usual price for the series of insertions which has appeared when the order is stopped; (b)* make any alteration it considers necessary or desirable in an advertisement and to require copy to be amended to meet its approval (c)* increase the advertising rates at any stage. Any rate increase will effect all current bookings unless prior agreement has been made 6. The copyright for all purposes in all artwork, copy and other material which the publisher or his employees have contributed to or reworked shall vest in the publisher. 7. *Copy will be changed as required by the advertiser / advertising agency, provided adequate time is allowed. 8. *Omissions or wrong insertions will only be made up with the agreement of the advertiser / advertising agency. 9. *The publisher will allow to an advertising agency the right to cancel any unexpired part of an order without penalty in the event of the death or failure of its client. 10.*Advertisement orders are issued by an Advertising Agency as a Principal and must be on the Agency’s official form. (When copy instructions not constituting an official order are issued, they shall be clearly marked at the head ‘Copy instructions - Not an Order’). 11.*Proofs are to be passed by the Agency before insertion if time permits. 12.*Voucher copies, tear sheets or other proof of insertion, as agreed, are to be supplied to the agency as soon as possible after publication in an electronic format unless otherwise agreed. 13. *The placing of an order by an advertiser, or an advertising agency on behalf of a client, constitutes an assurance that all necessary authority and permission has been secured in respect of the use in the advertisement(s) of pictorial representations of (or purporting to be of) living persons, and of references to the words attributed to living persons. 14. *The advertiser / advertising agency agree to indemnify the publisher in respect of all costs, damages, or other charges falling upon the newspaper as a printed or electronic format as the result of legal actions or threatened legal actions arising from the publication of the advertisement, or any one or more of the series of advertisements, published in accordance with the copy instructions supplied to the newspaper in pursuance of the advertiser / advertising agency’s order. In any case where a claim is made against the newspaper or the newspaper is sued and the advertiser / advertising agency may ultimately be liable under the terms hereof, notice in writing shall be given to the advertiser / advertising agency, and consultation shall take place before any expense is incurred or the claim is settled or the case is defended or otherwise disposed of. (Advertisements of prospectuses and company meetings are excluded from clauses (14) and (15). 15. All gross advertising rates (except classified lineage and semidisplay) are subject to 0.1% Advertising Standards Board of
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020 Finance surcharge payable by advertisers to help finance the selfregulatory control system administered by the Advertising Standards Authority. 16. When credit is allowed, payment for an advertisement is subject to the cash flow rules currently in force and as agreed between the News Media Association, the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers. The due date for payment is as shown on the invoice submitted by the publisher. 17. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss or damage occasioned by any total or partial failure (however caused) of publication or distribution of any newspaper or edition in which any advertisement is scheduled to appear. 18. Every endeavour will be made to forward replies to box numbers to the advertiser as soon as possible after receipt by the publisher, but the publisher accepts no liability in respect of any loss or damage alleged to have arisen through delay in forwarding or omitting to forward such replies (howsoever caused). The advertiser authorises the publisher to return to its originator any communication which, in the opinion of the publisher, should not be delivered to the advertiser. 19. The layout, design, type faces / sizes, border, etc. of any advertisements which are not complete artwork are left entirely to the discretion of the publisher. 20. Due to the heavy demand for advertising space, some advertising pages may be restyled to nine columns. The publisher apologises for any inconvenience caused by this method but believe this is preferable to the alternatives of limiting space or having to hold advertisements over to a later issue. 21. The placing of an order for the insertion of an advertisement shall amount to an acceptance of the above conditions and any conditions stipulated on an agency’s order form or elsewhere by an agency or an advertiser shall be void insofar as they are in conflict with them. 22. Cancellation and amendments to advertisements:, Cancellation of display, semi-display and lineage advertisements ordered for the current week’s issue must be received at least two days before the newspaper’s deadline. Advertisers cancelling advertisements will be given a cancellation number, which is proof of cancellation and should be quoted if any subsequent query arises. No claims for credit will be considered without a cancellation number. If pre-paying for an advertisement please note that if you qualify and require the series rate you cannot cancel the booking until its run its course. 23. Artwork - Clients who require artwork or disks / CDs / removable storage such as USB sticks returned, must provide stamped addressed envelopes. 24. The publisher reserves the right to impose an administration charge (no greater than that imposed on ourselves) for the processing of credit / debit card transactions. If payment by cheque is not honoured, an administrative charge may be applied. 25. Free advertising will only appear if space permits. The publisher reserves the right to hold any or all advertising over for publication in an alternative week’s publication. Free advertisements are subject to the following terms and conditions: For use by private customers only (for sale advertisements) and companies (recruitment). One item per advertisement. Only six free advertisements will be accepted per household for any one publication. Only one free advertisement per company. A maximum of 30 words is allowed per advertisement. 26. All advertising must be pre-paid. Where an exception to this is expressly agreed (ie, credit is given) all other terms remain as stated. 27. Data Protection. All requests to amend, delete, suppress and gain access to personal data should be made in writing to the Data Protection Officer, The Wokingham Paper Ltd., Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Telephone calls may be monitored for staff training purposes. Occasionally, we may use your details for marketing purposes only. If you would prefer us not to, please write to the Data Protection Officer, The Wokingham Paper Ltd., Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. 28. Rates. A full list of our Advertising Rates may be obtained by telephoning The Wokingham Paper on 0118 327 2662 or writing to The Wokingham Paper Ltd., The Wokingham Paper Ltd., Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. 29. Series discount – in the event of non-compliance or early cancellation, where the value of an order has been reduced by a series discount due to the advertiser having committed to a continuous running order, The Wokingham Paper Ltd reserves the right to re-charge all advertising published at the base rates as per their published rate cards. *Based on the STANDARD CONDITIONS for the transactions of business between Newspapers and Advertising Agencies, agreed between the Newspaper Society and the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising in 1936 and revised in 1937 and 1954. Trade Descriptions Act 1968. All advertisements will be accepted only on the express conditions that the advertiser warrants that the advertisement does not in any way contravene the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.
Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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PROPERTY | 31
32 | PROPERTY
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 9, 2020
Thursday, July 9, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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LONDON IRISH
CRICKET
Former captain one of nine Exiles players to leave club
Teams ready for cricket restart
Stephen Myler (left) and Dave Porecki (right) will both also leave the club.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
NINE first-team players have departed London Irish after the expiration of their contracts, including former club captain Franco van der Merwe.
Van der Merwe made 58 appearances for the Exiles and was named as club captain at the beginning of the 2018/19 season, but will return to his native South Africa after his stint with Irish. Scott Steele, who has spent six years with the club also departs having made 127 appearances for the club, including helping the Exiles to two promotions to the top flight. Dave Porecki, who joined in 2016, and was named as Irish’s player of the season for the 2018/19 season, leaves the club after four years of service. Fly-half Stepehen Myler, South
African Pat Cilliers, second row Barney Maddison, hooker Saia Fainga’a, USA’s Bryce Campbell and Fiji’s Alivereti Veitokani also leave the club to complete ten outgoings from London Irish. London Irish director of rugby, Declan Kidney said: “I would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of the players that have left London Irish for their service and dedication, each having made a valuable contribution. “They have all been a real pleasure to work with, and as they head into new challenges, I wish them nothing but the very best.” The club has confirmed that they are holding ongoing talks with several other members of the current squad and will update supporters in due course on their situations. Irish are due to continue their Premiership campaign in August when the league restarts.
Former club captain Franco van der Merwe has left London Irish. Picture: Steve Smyth
CRICKET sides from around the borough have recently returned to socially distanced training ahead of an expected return to league action this weekend. The cricket season, which was originally scheduled to begin in May has been interrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but has been given the green light to start again. Several teams have been making preparations ready for the sport’s return. A spokesperson for Wokingham Cricket Club said: “We recently resumed training with a number of social distancing measures in place such as temperature checks, social distance markers and bubbles. “As for the season we’re waiting upon further guidance.” Meanwhile, Binfield Cricket Club said: “We have been netting for a couple of weeks now and from next week all senior teams structured training commences, lead by our club coach, all following ECB Covid-19 guidelines of course. “The junior team training starts up again in a couple of weeks. We will be ready to play as soon as and if the ECB allow so.” Finchampstead Cricket Club have also returned to the nets. They said: “We returned to training this week with the ladies on Monday and seniors on Tuesday and yesterday. Colts training will resume Monday next. All, of course, following the ECB and government guidelines.” Earley Cricket Club said: “We have been performing training sessions in accordance to government guidelines for the last month. “We have new rules in place that recreational cricket can start from next week hoping that game will start shortly.” And Eversley Cricket Club said: “We have started socially distanced training last Wednesday in four bubbles of six. “Juniors are back in bubbles of five with a coach. “We are looking to organise some socially distanced friendlies and inter club games this weekend following the ECB guidelines.”
FOOTBALL
Boars, Kestrels, Sumas return to training under FA guidelines By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
EVERSLEY & California, Woodley United and Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies first teams have both made a recent return to training for the first time since their football seasons were deemed ‘null and void’ in March.
Everlsey, who compete in the Combined Counties Division One, and Woodley, who play in Hellenic League Division One East, both had their seasons suspended for the 2019/20 campaign. However, the sides have recently returned to training for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Boars first-team manager Matty Angell confirmed that his team have returned to training under social
distancing measures and looked forward to the start of next season. He said: “We had a great first week of training with good numbers. We saw some new and old faces working hard, but more importantly it was just everyone being together, having a laugh.” Six members of the Kestrels also returned to training at the start of last week. In a tweet, the club said: “Some socially distanced training achieved with six of the @WoodleyUtdFC senior squad. Really good to see them.” The Sumas Ladies team returned to training yesterday and are following FA Covid-19 guidelines. The team are looking for new players, and a new coach following the retirement of former manager John Lilley.
For more information about playing or managing Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies, visit: www.wefc.club Meanwhile, AFC Crowthorne Ladies have folded. A statement released on their Twitter page read: “Despite all efforts to recruit for the 2020/21 season, retaining players and gaining new ones has been particularly challenging. “Management have taken the difficult decision to fold AFC Crowthorne Ladies. “A dedicated core of players turned up week in, week out to give their all in the incredibly competitive Division 3E of the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League. “Management would like to thank all the players, previous management and supporters for their time and effort and wish everyone good luck for the future.”
Eversley & California in action in the 2019/20 season Picture: Richard Milam
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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
FOOTBALL
Swiﬞ on Sheffield Meite strikes four as United’s radar Royals hit five past Luton By ANDY PRESTON
apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
READING midfielder John Swift has reportedly been on the radar of Premier League Sheffield United and has been subject to a bid.
Swift has been one of the Royals most influential players since joining on a free transfer from Chelsea in 2016. Swift has played a starring role for Reading this season despite the team enduring a turbulent season, contributing five league goals and 10 assists so far this season. He has been linked with both Sheffield United and also Leeds United, who are on the verge of promotion to the top flight. Royals manager Mark Bowen reiterated Swift’s importance to the side after Reading’s 5-0 thrashing of Luton Town on Saturday, but remained guarded on the 25-year-old’s future at the club. Bowen said: “There will be speculation about him because he’s a very good player. But I don’t want to hear it.” Swift currently has two years left
Meite has scored 16 goals for the Royals this season. He’s pictured in action during their game against Luton in November. Picture: Steve Smyth
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
YAKOU Meite struck four times including a remarkable first half hat-trick to take Reading close to safety with a comfortable win over relegation threatened Luton Town.
Meite opened the scoring in the 17th minute and added a second just a minute later. He then wrapped up his treble 10 minutes before half-time to put the Royals into a three-goal lead. In the second half, Puscas added to the scoreline with his head before Meite added his fourth to his tally to wrap up a superb Royals victory. Mark Bowen switched up his side after Reading’s 3-0 defeat to Brentford, with Tom McIntyre, Gabe Osho and Tyler Blackett coming into the side, meaning there was no place in the starting line-up for captain Liam Moore. Blackett burst down the left and played a low cross into the box which fell invitingly for Yakou Meite just six yards out, but Luton keeper Sluga brilliantly across his goal to make the save to prevent Reading from taking an early lead. The hosts then came inches away from taking the initiative in the
13th minute. Harry Cornick tricked his way past Blackett on the right wing and swung a ball in which was met by the head of James Collins who crashed a header against the crossbar from a few yards out. Swift and George Puscas linked up before he found Meite who seized his opportunity this time and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. Just a minute after opening the scoring, Meite had another to double the visitors lead in the 18th minute. Luton failed to clear from Osho's cross and cleared the ball straight to Meite who capitalised and slammed the ball past Sluga. With 10 minutes to go until the break, Meite completed his hat-trick. Ejaria slipped the ball through the Luton back line to find Meite wide on the right in the box and the Ivorian opened up his body and curled his finish beyond Sluga into the corner on his left foot to complete a remarkable first-half. Puscas appealed for a penalty early in the first half when he was tripped off the ball by Pearson as he tried to charge down the goalkeeper, but the referee waved his appeals away.
But Puscas eventually found his reward in the 57th minute when he added a fourth for Bowen’s side. Morrison headed the ball across the box from Blackett’s deep cross and was met at the back post by the Romanian who nodded the ball in from a couple of yards out. Bowen’s first change of the afternoon saw Ayub Masika replace Pele on the hour mark. Meite added a fourth just after the hour mark to continue his spectacular afternoon as he broke through the middle and cooly finished past Sluga to make it five. Dan Potts had a late chance to get a consolation goal for Luton but was denied by the feet of Rafael. READING: Rafael, Osho, McIntyre, Morrison, Blackett, Rinomhota, Swift, Ejaria, Pele, Meite, Puscas. SUBS: Walker, Gunter, Moore, Baldock, McCleary, Boye, Olise, Masika, Richards LUTON TOWN: Sluga, Carter-Vickers, Bradley, Pearson, Potts, Ruddock, Tunnicliffe, Brown, Cornick, Lee, Collins. SUBS: Cranie, Mcmanaman, Berry, Hylto, Shinnie, Moncur, Butterfield, Shea, Bree. GOALS: Meite 17, 18, 36, 62, Puscas 57
on his current contract but Bowen admitted that some players may have to be sold in the summer if the right offers come in. “There is a danger that players, if the right offers come in, could be sold. “With the financial situation in the game, everybody seems be looking at the situation week by week, it’s complicated.”
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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Royals held to drab
With Olly Allen Watching the best and worst of Reading
I
F you ever needed proof as to why Reading will finish slap bang in mid-table this season, the last two games have provided exactly that. The 5-0 victory over Luton Town on Saturday was a joy to watch as the Royals punctured the Hatters’ defence time and time again, resulting in four goals for Yakou Meite and the club’s biggest winning margin in six and a half years. Yet a little over 72 hours later on Tuesday night, and the team were devoid of attacking intent as they laboured to a 0-0 bore draw against Huddersfield. As much as Saturday bred excitement and optimism, Tuesday left fans frustrated and disappointed. The reality is that Reading as a club are probably not as good as they showed against Luton, but equally not as bad as they were against Huddersfield, or against Brentford for that matter. Their level is somewhere in between – strong enough to be well clear of any serious relegation trouble, but lacking the consistent quality needed to mount a genuine promotion push. The question now is how we see performances like that against Luton on a more regular basis. The defence provides a firm starting point, with two consecutive clean sheets achieved for the first time in 2020. It has been fantastic to see two academy graduates – Gabriel Osho and Tom McIntyre – come back into the side and really shine. The pair had not featured since January, but have shown no signs of rust as they have proven solid and comfortable in the backline. Mark Bowen has said that both players look to be huge talents for the future, but they may even be ready to be regulars in the present. The decision to leave out Liam Moore has been heavily highlighted, and it could be the beginning of the end of the captain’s time at Reading. Further forward, Ovie Ejaria’s absence against Huddersfield may go some way to explaining the team’s lack of creativity. Or at least the absence of a legitimate alternative. Jordan Obita’s delivery is one of the best in the team, but he looked a little lacklustre and doesn’t seem to be the right fit for a role on the wing. Michael Olise would surely have been a better option or even a natural winger such as Garath McCleary or Lucas Boye. All three of those players came on as substitutes on Tuesday, but in the case of McCleary and Boye in the 86th minute, it was far too late. Bowen needs to become more proactive when it comes to making changes. After all, he has no clear style of play to stick to and Reading have little to play for, so what’s the harm in trying something different or giving fringe players a chance? There is no doubt that this Reading team have the foundations to be successful, otherwise they would not be winning a game 5-0. But issues with consistency, creativity and confidence need to be resolved otherwise progress will never be made.
Reading 0 Huddersfield Town 0 By ANDY PRESTON at the Madejski Stadium apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
READING were unable to make it two wins on the bounce after they were held to a goalless draw by relegation battling Huddersfield Town at the Madejski Stadium.
The Royals were unable to build on their spectacular 5-0 away win at Luton Town, but kept a second consecutive clean sheet for the first time since the league restarted. Mark Bowen made just one change from Saturday’s big win, with Jordan Obita in for the injured Ovie Ejaria. The Royals were up against a Huddersfield side scrapping for their lives coming into the game just two points above the relegation zone and in desperate need of points. The Terriers finished bottom of the Premier League last season and are looking to avoid a double relegation. Reading had most of the possession inside the Huddersfield half in the opening moments of the game but failed to create a clear cut chance. The visitors found their way into the game and worked a couple of neat moves with the attacking threat of Chris Willock, Emile Smith-Rowe and their top scorer Karlan Grant, but were unable to test Rafael Cabral in the Royals goal. Saturday’s four goal hero Yakou Meite picked up the first card of the game after fouling Harry Toffolo wide on the left wing. Both sides looked jaded as the Royals failed to produce the same swagger that they showed on Saturday against Luton. Michael Morrison stayed alert to get in front of a powerful effort from Willock. Smith Rowe then made an intelligent run on the right wing and
The Royals were held to a goalless draw at the Madejski by relegation battling Huddersfield Town. Pictures: Steve Smyth
was well found as he cut onto his left foot in the box, but he could only produce a tame effort which was easily saved by Rafael. The Terriers looked the more likely to find an opener as Willock burst through the middle of the pitch and laid the ball off for Grant who turned onto his left foot but spooned his effort high and wide. Reading’s best chance of the half came in the 36th minute when Pele picked up the loose ball in midfield and transitioned the ball to John Swift who slipped a through ball to George Puscas who tried to clip the ball over Lossl but the keeper was on guard to his attempt and caught with ease. Pele impressed again as he spotted the run of Meite and lifted the ball over the top of the Huddersfield defence but Meite failed to make contact to guide the ball towards goal as he tried to watch the ball onto his left foot. The sides went into half-time level after a fairly low key opening 45 minutes with neither side showing the cutting edge to
find the back of the net. Meite tried his luck from distance early in the second half but failed to get a proper connection on his effort as it rolled out for a goal kick. Swift spun away from his marker on the half-way line with a clever piece of skill and laid the ball out wide to Obita who whipped in a cross to win Reading a corner, but Huddersfield defended resolutely to keep the game goalless. Grant looked destined to pull the trigger in the box for Huddersfield as he looked to work some space but Osho stuck to him like glue with a brilliant piece of defending before making the block to get the ball out of danger. Bowen made his first change of the match in the 65th minute as Michael Olise replaced Puscas as Meite moved into a central forward role. Pele picked up a yellow card after he put in a cynical challenge on Smith-Rowe to prevent the Arsenal loanee from bursting forward into the Royals half. The second half followed the
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draw by struggling Terriers
Lossl takes the lose ball as Morrison and Puscas try to get on the end of Swift’s free kick.
Bowen discusses tactics with his side during the drinks break
pattern of the first with both sides failing to create many chances in a lacklustre contest. Rafael had to stay alert to keep out a chance at his near post as Alex Pritchard’s effort deflected off Tyler Blackett and almost crept in. With less than 10 minutes left, Bowen made three more changes as Lucas Boye, Garath McCleary and Chris Gunter were brought on for Osho, Pele and Obita. Despite six minutes of stoppage time being added on at the end of the second half, the game would end goalless as the points were shared in a disappointing contest at the Madejski. The point lifts the Royals up one place into 13th in the Championship table. Reading travel away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday before hosting Middlesbrough next Tuesday.
READING: Rafael, Osho, Blackett, Morrison, McIntyre, Rinomhota, Pelé, Swift, Méïté, Obita, Pușcaș. SUBS: Walker, Gunter, Moore, Baldock, McCleary, Boyé, Olise, Adam, Richards. HUDDERSFIELD TOWN: Lossl, Toffolo, Hogg, Chalobah, Willock, Grant, Mounie, Schindler, Stankovic, King, Smith-Rowe. SUBS: Coleman, Kachunga, Stearman, Pritchard, Quander, Pyke, Brown, Demaco, Duhaney, O’Brien
George Puscas leaps to win an aerial duel.
Tom McIntyre takes flight to win the ball.
MEITE’S PIZZA THE ACTION
ROYALS STAR HEADED FOR SWIFT EXIT?
P37
SHOCK AS EXILES SEE NINE DEPART
P36
TERRIERS BORE DRAW PIC SPECIAL
P38
Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Reach Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2020
FIVE GOAL ROYALS FEAST ON THE HATTERS By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk READING MANAGER Mark Bowen was ‘delighted’ with Yakou Meite after he struck four goals in a five-star Royals performance over Luton Town on Saturday.
“He (Yakou) wanted to play as a number nine before the game,” explained Bowen. “But sometimes you find more space on the channel and he looked at me with a rye smile so I think for today I won that argument with him. “I’m asking Yakou to play that wide role. He’s a focal point for any keeper with their kicks because of his power in the air. “He always puts a shift in and I’m delighted with him today. Meite was substituted having scored four in a sublime performance and was seen celebrating his efforts on the bench by eating a pizza. “My staff told me as soon as the players have finished working that they need to get food
in them to refuel straight away, no matter what it is. “I was surprised it was pizza but it smelt good anyway!” Having thrashed relegation threatened Luton, the Royals struggled to replicate their performance as they were held to a goalless draw on Tuesday evening at the Madejski Stadium against Huddersfield Town. “We will take a clean sheet, we are always happy with that no matter where we are,” said Bowen after Reading kept two consecutive clean sheets for the first time since the league restarted. “At the other end of the pitch we were stale and lacked quality in the final third. “I said to the players that we didn’t do enough quality wise in the final third to turn one point into three. “In hindsight we missed Ovie to go and create something. He had a nasty tackle on Saturday and we’re hoping that settles down so he’s okay for next Saturday.” The Royals have struggled at
home having won just one game in their last 12 at the Madejski in all competition. But Bowen vows to improve their home form as they build towards next season. “Sometimes you have the type of season where you do better away from home than at home. “We have to be mindful of it and we want to have a fortress in our own backyard.” Despite the disappointing draw and performances, Bowen was praising of his young players who have impressed since coming into the side. “Gabe Osho did well and in the second half he was feeling it after his first league start but he did well enough. “He (Osho) is comfortable on the the ball and willing to get forward. He defends well in wide areas and the more experience he gets, he will settle into that position and can
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also settle in at centre half. “Tom McIntyre was outstanding. Him and Michael Morrison were our best players tonight. McIntyre hasn’t put a foot wrong since coming into the side. “I left Liam (Moore) out on Saturday. I felt a change needed to be made, it’s about my opinion and standards. “I probably could have made more changes after the Brentford game but the lads who have come in have had two good clean sheets.” The Royals face Charlton Athletic away from home on Saturday and Bowen is prepared for a tough test. “Charlton are a difficult side. They played Millwall and although they got beat, they were the better side. “They will ask questions of us. It’s there for us to see that we can’t take our eye off the ball or take them lightly.”