Wokingham Today, March 16, 2023

Residents chance to discuss RBH future

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM will discuss the proposed Royal Berkshire Hospital redevelopment at a community event next week.

The foundation trust is holding the session at Wokingham Cricket Club as part of Building Berkshire Together’s engagement for residents to keep updated on the plans’ progress.

Through speaking to visitors faceto-face, the trust looks to ensure the needs of staff, patients, visitors and communities are met.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event on Tuesday, March 21, and listen to the options for the redevelopment or relocation of the hospital. Councillors are also invited.

Programme director Alison Foster said: “It is a complicated process to get to a shortlist and we want to make sure we have the latest intelligence about what health services the local population would like to receive, where and how.

“We are working hard to reach every corner of Berkshire to speak to communities who will use and benefit from a modern, fit for purpose, healthcare facility to deliver excellent clinical care in the 21st century.”

As part of the government’s News Hospital Programme, the trust wants to hear what services a relocated or redeveloped Royal Berkshire Hospital should provide.

The team is working on a business case application for the required funding that will be submitted to the Treasury and are gathering opinions to identify people’s preferences.

They have yet to hear what the financial investment will be but an announcement is expected soon.

The New Hospital Programme team is developing a national approach which is expected to reduce costs for all the new hospitals with standardised and centralised approaches to deliver economies of scale.

The event takes place from 6pm8pm and is free to attend. Visitors must reserve their space.

n For bookings, call: 07864003268, or email: bbt@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Wokingham pooch Maisie is a top dog at Crufts

celebrate. Maisie is a Briard, and scooped Best of Breed when she appeared with owner Pat Hartwell at the world-famous dog show last week. Held at the NEC Birmingham, and organised by The Kennel Club, the event is one of the greatest dog shows in the world and aims to celebrate our four-legged friends. The event ran between Thursday, March 9, and

Chicanes rejected by 70% of Shinfield respondents

By JI-MIN LEE news@wokingham.today

MORE THAN 70% of participants in a recent public consultation were against traffic proposals put forward by Shinfield Parish Council.

Of the 434 residents who took part in the consultation, which closed on February 17, 307 said they opposed the plans

put forward, with 251 strongly opposing them.

More than one in five respondents raised concerns specifically about chicanes, with many pointing to the criticism installations in Arborfield have received.

The quantity and quality of responses were high as 382 respondents left additional comments beyond the set multiple choice answers.

n Continued on page 4

TUCKER Anthony

Tonypassedawayon16thFebruary 2023,aged83years.

WidowerofMargaret,fatherofLaura, AlastairandJamesandgrandfatherof Bathsheba,BlytheandCiro.

Hewaslovedandwillbemissed byallhisfamilyandfriends.

Allverywelcometohisfuneralservice tobeheldatStJames'Church, Finchampsteadon Friday17thMarchat10:30amand afterwardsinthechurchhall.

AllenquiriestoA.BWalker, Tel:01189784040.

BEAVEN JeanMargaret

17thJune1934-6thMarch2023

JeanBeavenpassedawaypeacefullyat AlexanderGrange,Wokinghamonthe 6thMarch2023aged88.

BelovedmumofSaraandJo, grandmothertoFrances,Natasha,Jess andMicheal,greatgrandmotherto Harlie,HarperandTheia.

Shewillbeverysadlymissedbyallher familyandfriends.

Funeralservicetobeheldat EasthampsteadCremation,Wellington ChapelonThursday6thAprilat10am

DonationsinmemoryofJeanto CancerResearchortheSalvationArmy canbemadeviaJBHall

HOUGHTON Esme Dorothy

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Beloved Mother, Esme Dorothy Houghton who peacefully passed away, on the evening of the 25th February 2023

She will be sadly missed by her sons; Christopher, Nicholas Roger and their families

The funeral will be held on Monday 20th March 2023 at 2 00pm at Easthampstead Park Crematorium South Road Nine Mile Ride Wokingham Berkshire, RG40 3DW

‘They would be crammed into a garden’: Planning Inspector rejects homes

By JAMES ALDRIDGE Local democracy reporter

A PLAN to build two homes in Crowthorne has been rejected, after neighbours argued the buildings would be ‘crammed into a garden’.

Developers Ball and Hattersley had submitted a proposal to build two homes to the rear of 33 and 35 The Avenue in the Wokingham borough side of the village.

They would have had four bedrooms and erected on unused land between homes in The Avenue and New Wokingham Road.

Neighbours opposed the plan, saying the ‘backland’ nature of the development would encroach on their amenities and create a cramped space between the two roads.

Wokingham Borough Council’s planning department rejected the plans, and the developers appealed to the government planning inspectorate. This has been dismissed.

In his decision, the planning inspector argued the two homes would contrast with the ‘linear pattern of development’ and undermine the ‘prevailing sense of uniformity’ in the area.

Additionally, building to the rear of The Avenue would harm the ‘verdant’ and secluded character of the land and the neighbourhood

which occupies it. The inspector added: “The proposal would risk establishing a harmful precedent for backland housing, which would make future applications for similar development difficult to resist.

“In turn, this could lead to further incremental development within this same location, which would erode the sense of openness, verdancy and seclusion which typifies the land.”

Bernadette Mitra, one of the neighbours who opposed the plan, said: “We are only too happy with the decision by the Planning Inspectorate.

“It was concluded that, by virtue of its backland location, the placement and excessive size would fail to integrate with the surrounding area, resulting in a harmful tightening of the urban grain and harm to the character of the area.

“A group of very concerned residents in The Avenue have said they would like to see backland development prohibited at national and local level.

“They have also stated that they would still like Wokingham Borough Council to push ahead with the revised local plan which the previous administration was planning.

“We all live in hope that the current administration

would finalise the local plan with a sense of urgency.”

Mrs Mitra referred to the Wokingham Local Plan Update process, with the council’s previous Conservative administration issuing a revised draft plan in November 2021.

After the closure of a consultation period, this is now in the process of being revised by the current administration.

The refused application for The Avenue by is reference 211770 on Wokingham Borough Council’s planning portal, and the appeal decision on the planning inspectorate website using reference APP/ X0360/W/22/3291746.

A church service to thank mothers

A SONNING church will hold a thanksgiving service for mothers: birth mothers, guiding mothers and the mother church.

Children in the service will distribute flowers to women at the service.

The event is at The Church of St Andrew, Sonning on Sunday, March 19.

It begins at 10.30am. n For more information about the church, visit: www.sonningparish. org.uk

TURNED DOWN: The Planning Inspector has dismissed a plan to build two houses on land in Crowthorne Picture: Google Maps

ENTERPRISE: Beautiful gift to host family sparks new opportunity for welcome guest

Ukraine mother pins her hopes on brooches for new venture

EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

A YOUNG mother from Ukraine, now living in Wokingham, is turning her creative hobby into a small business.

Oleksandra Dryzhyruk makes brooches from tiny beads.

She originally created them just for fun, as presents for close friends and family.

The first ones she produced were yellow and blue, the colours of Ukraine’s flag.

Oleksandra says: “I’ve enjoyed making things ever since I was at school, so when I came to England it was a release for me to be able to create with beads.

“I started making brooches, and gave one to my host family’s mother.

“I didn’t think about selling them then, but when she wore it, a lady asked her where she could buy eight just like it.”

With Oleksandra’s family suggesting that she should start to sell the brooches, she began posting pictures on Facebook, and now has a small business, making and selling brooches to order.

“I know brooches are not for everyone, but people have said that these make unusual gifts for special events.

“They can be inspired by different birds or flowers, for example, but I make them according to people’s preferences.”

With St Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17, people have suggested that Oleksandra might like to make brooches in the shape of the Irish shamrock.

“They take several hours to make,” says Oleksandra.

“I work on them when my little boy is in nursery, or when he is asleep in the evenings.

“On a good day, I can make one in a day, but recently when he was cutting a tooth, that wasn’t so easy.”

When she lived in Ukraine, Oleksandra ran a similar small business, fashioning individualised beaded fasteners for babies’ soothers or dummies.

The young entrepreneur has recently moved into her own accommodation after spending six months with a host family in the borough.

“My host family has been so lovely,” she says.

“I was very stressed when I arrived here in July, but Rebecca and Paul helped me with everything.

“I arrived with just one bag – and my young son.

“We had nothing, so they took us to the Cowshed to find clothes to wear.

“They explained the system to me, helped me to fill out all the forms, and even took us on holiday with them to the seaside.

“They have given my son and me a wonderful start to living in England, and we have become very good friends.”

Oleksandra comes from the East of Ukraine, around one-and-a-half hours drive from the Russian border.

When the invasion started she made her way to Poland, before coming, finally, to the borough.

“So many Ukrainians have lost everything,” she says.

“Their livelihoods, their homes, even whole cities have disappeared, flattened.

“And it hasn’t stopped, so we have to keep talking about it.

“I want to thank all the people

Emmbrook School to create new sixth form

A SCHOOL in Wokingham is set to welcome more pupils after receiving approval to create a new sixth form centre, writes James Aldridge, local democracy reporter

The Emmbrook School currently has a capacity for 1,198 pupils and 126 staff members, but under the plans it will be able to accept an additional 210 students and 22 staff members, taking the roll to 1,408 and 148 respectively.

who have been sending food, clothes and supplies to Ukraine.

“It is so important.”

Oleksandra recently joined those who gathered in Trafalgar Square to mark the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

“I went to show that we are still here.”

She loves Wokingham, and hopes to make a success of her brooch making business, but she hasn’t forgotten Ukraine.

“It’s a miracle that I have somewhere to stay here.

“I love the old buildings –Wokingham is like a film set.

“And people have been so supportive, my host family, especially, have been wonderful.

“But we’re not here for a holiday.

“We’re here because of what has happened.”

Oleksandra is currently taking orders for her personalised brooches.

Anyone wishing to find out more, should visit her Facebook page, search for: Wokingham Brooch.

n We will provide a link to this on the web version of this story – editor

Wild activities planned for children’s holiday club

YOUNGSTERS looking for an active Easter holiday can participate in Wild Days Holiday Club sessions at Dinton Pastures Country Park.

Children can enjoy two activities during each half day session, chosen from a wide range of land and water sports such as indoor climbing, archery, raft building, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.

Youngsters can also try out

survival skills, crate stacking, and a Jacob’s ladder challenge.

And newly added this year is fencing.

Sessions are designed for all children aged eight to 13, and take place every morning and afternoon during the school holidays.

Children attending morning and afternoon sessions need to bring a packed lunch.

The club takes place on weekdays from Monday, April 3 to Friday, April 14.

Sessions are from 9.30am to 12.30pm, and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Each half day costs £30 until Saturday, April 1, when the cost rises to £32.

n For information and booking, visit: www. wokinghamcountryside.co.uk/ activities/holiday-clubs/wilddays

The sixth form centre, which was approved at a Wokingham Borough Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday, March 8, will be two storeys tall, and free up space on the campus, allowing for the increase in numbers.

Of the 210 additional students, 60 will be sixth formers, comprising 30 students for each year group.

To enable the centre to be created, an existing administration block will be demolished, and new facilities will be created in an extension to the main school building.

Both buildings will be wheelchair-accessible using ramps.

Speaking at the meeting, headteacher Nick Sweeney said: “The plans give us muchneeded teaching space to take the additional students, but also dependent study space so that our older students can develop those independent learning skills that they would need for university and apprenticeships.”

NEW CAREER: Ukrainian Oleksandra Dryzhyruk came to Wokingham following the illegeal invasion of Ukraine, and is creating unique brooches to order Picture courtesy of Oleksandra Dryzhyruk

VISION OF THE FUTURE: The new two-storey Sixth Form block set to be built at The Emmbrook School in Emmbrook. Picture: HLM Architecture

Shinfield residents vote against chicanes as traffic consultation results released

n From front page

Cllr Laurence James chaired Shinfield Parish Council’s traffic working party on this issue.

He said: “We are grateful for the very many comments we have received and have given careful consideration to what our next steps are.

“We feel they are an appropriate and measured response to the traffic challenges faced in the parish.”

Chicanes appeared high on the agenda as 88 respondents raised concerns over their inclusion in plans. The parish council was keen to clarify its position on the implementation of a scheme similar to Arborfield’s.

Its report read: “We have been at pains to say that we think there are too many in Arborfield and, in many cases, they are in the wrong place.

“We specifically stated in our proposals that if there was to be a chicane then the final positioning would be done with care to avoid replicating the issues in Arborfield.

“We do not want to have the same problems here.

“However we know of other locations locally where chicanes are having a positive impact.”

It added that different traffic calming measures would be

considered depending on the location.

The general consensus among responses was that speed cameras would be preferable to chicanes.

The idea of implementing speed restrictions was supported by many residents, with 68 respondents (15.7%) raising it without prompting.

The plans put forward initially included reducing the speed limit on 40mph roads to 30mph, and 20mph outside schools, something the parish council intends to stick to.

It said: “We will be asking Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) to implement the speed limit reductions they have already made public as soon as possible.

“We will also work with WBC to see what can be done to speed up the process of achieving the remaining speed reductions.

“This may take the form of looking at each section of road. For example, prioritising Hollow Lane which is a built up area with street lights in place.”

A detailed breakdown showed that all 16 individual proposals put forward by the parish council received more opposition than support.

Plan G, for the installation of bollards on A33 southbound

slip road to slow cars turning into Three Mile Cross, received 210 (48.4%) ‘strongly opposed’ responses.

The parish council confirmed it would not be pursuing the proposal further.

In other cases, such as Plan C, for Church Lane to be oneway between The Six Bells and

L’Ortolan, amendments to the initial plans are being explored. This proposal received (40%) 174 ‘strongly opposed’ responses, and the parish council are keen to conduct a separate consultation.

The parish council has three key aims with its proposals: to divert non-essential traffic from

Shinfield roads, to reduce speed in the parish and to promote sustainable travel.

In the next 12 months, reducing speed, crossings at Beech Hill Road and Hollow Lane, the consultation with Church Lane residents over traffic calming measures, promoting bus usage, and

walking and cycling routes will be prioritised.

Over the next 36 months, the parish council will look to assess the impact of speed reductions and traffic volumes, continue working with Swallowfield Parish Council to encourage use of the A33 Swallowfield bypass and conduct a consultation with Hyde End Lane residents over a one-way scheme.

Shinfield Parish Council stressed that these proposals would need support and approval from WBC before they could be actioned.

An in-person consultation meeting was held at the School Green Centre on Saturday, January 28, where residents had the opportunity to learn more about the parish council’s proposals.

The responses received on the day were noticeably more positive than the overall outcome.

Moving forward, the parish council has urged residents to continue offering their feedback.

There will be parish council elections in May and those interested in standing should contact the parish clerk.

n For full consultation results, visit: www.shinfieldparish.gov.uk

Lights out to help out the planet Photographs wanted for coronation

SHINFIELD Parish Council is urging residents to take part in a global initiative which promotes sustainable living.

On March 25, Earth Hour will see households switch off all of their non-essential lights, and the Wokingham village will look to do the same.

More than 23,800 people from 95 countries have already pledged to give up their time learning how they can take care of the environment and inspire others to do so.

The parish council has demonstrated its commitment to the environment through its Adopt a Street project, which sees residents carry out litter picks in their neighbourhoods.

The effort will take place from 8.30pm9.30pm, but will hopefully encourage residents to consider being more cautious with their electrical output in the future.

n For more information, visit: www.shinfieldparish. gov.uk

SHINFIELD Parish Council is calling on residents to submit photographs to be used in a special artwork to celebrate King Charles III’s coronation.

Residents are being asked to send in family photos, pictures of Shinfield landmarks and even pet snaps, which will make up a modern photo mosaic of the King.

The finished version will be displayed in the School Green Centre before and after the coronation.

The parish council has said it needs thousands of pictures to create this piece and hopes it can be a way for the community to come together.

Submissions must be made online through the parish council’s website.

n For more information or to send in pictures, visit: www.shinfieldparish.gov.uk

Allotments’ scavenger hunt

A COMMUNITY group will help families get into the spirit of Easter thanks to an exciting event on Saturday, April 1.

Beech Hill Memorial Hall is hosting a scavenger hunt which will see visitors win prizes while exploring the village’s playing fields and allotments.

Tea, coffee and squash will be provided to all participants, with cake, biscuits and other

refreshments on sale in the hall.

The event serves as an ideal opportunity for those who want to learn about the Allotments Trust’s work.

The trust looks to maintain and enhance the village green and former allotments for the benefit of Beech Hill residents.

It is run by a small

committee, with members standing for a period of up to five years before reelection.

Booking costs £1 and can be paid for on the day. All funds raised will go towards the playground refurbishment project.

The scavenger hunt takes place from 1pm-3pm at Beech Hill Memorial Hall.

n For more information, visit: www.bhmh.org.uk

PLAN G - FOR THE INSTALLATION OF BOLLARDS ON THE A33 SOUTHBOUND SLIP ROAD WILL BE SCRAPPED. COURTESY OF SHINFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

Planning Inspectorate rejects plan to build 200 homes on Hurst field

EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

A SCHEME to build 200 homes on a green field has been turned down after a planning inquiry.

Elated early morning messages whizzed round Hurst village when the inquiry inspector’s decision was released on Thursday.

Four hundred residents had objected to the homes on land between Lodge Road and Tape Lane.

The Planning Inspectorate says anyone wanting to alter the decision should “consider obtaining legal advice as only the High Court can quash the decision”. It’s understood this is a rare move.

Villagers meeting this afternoon at the Tape Lane allotments, overlooking the field with its grazing ponies, were delighted with the success.

Parish council chairman Wayne Smith said: “It’s absolutely fantastic news for the village.

“We’re very pleased.

“Residents came together to raise funds so the parish council could apply for rule 6 status and have a barrister to support us. In my opinion,

residents’ support like that gave us a big advantage.

“The decision was very good for the village. It took into account most of the points we made, including about sustainability, our lack of bus services for instance.

“There are no connections here unless you have a motor car.”

He thanked villagers

including Protect Hurst Action Group and the Say No team for all their support.

A resident said work by Hurst Neighbourhood Plan working group had also contributed greatly.

“The result confirms Hurst is not sustainable for inappropriate development outside the settlement limit,” they added.

Cllr Smith added: “We fight on.” Wokingham Borough Council’s consultation to find out what people think about building 24 homes on the old Hurst Show site in School Road finished on Thursday. There had been more than 150 comments, with only 24 of those in support of that scheme, a resident said.

Hurst is also waiting to hear whether Wokingham Borough Council will give planning permission for 33 homes on a Broadcommon Road field.

The 200 homes plan appeal inspector David Wildsmith was concerned about the arrangements to make up for the loss of 46% of the field’s habitat.

Improving a field in Arborfield was proposed to make up for the Hurst wildlife’s loss. He wrote about “some uncertainty” about the deliverability and security of the biodiversity net gain.

He said the new homes scheme “could not be said to protect and enhance the natural environment.”

It would also “fail to conserve the low-density pattern of settlement centred around Hurst and Whistley Green.”

The company appealing for permission to build at Tape Lane/Lodge Road, Mactaggart and Mickel, has been asked for a comment on the appeal decision.

n The Inspector’s full findings can be found at: Documents for reference 220458: Public Access (wokingham.gov.uk) under “PINS – appeal decision”. The planning application was number 220458

A COMMUNITY GROUP will help children get into the Easter spirit at an event on Saturday, April 1. Arborfield Green Events Committee’s Easter egg hunt and fun day will see families come together for some games, activities and crafts.

An Easter bonnet competition will also be held, with the best-decorated garment being awarded a prize. The egg hunt costs £2.50 per participating child.

The event takes place from 10am-4pm at the Arborfield Community Centre, Sheerlands Road.

n For more, search: Arborfield Events on www.facebook.com

Arborfield Easter fun day Singing as they go

A music group will present their spring concert. Called, And Wherever You Go, the concert will include songs on the theme of travelling.

It will be performed by the women and girls of Charvil based choir, The Project Singers.

The event takes place at St Mary’s Church, Twyford, on Saturday, March 25.

Doors open at 7.30pm with tickets available at £8. n For tickets and information, call: 0118 934 0589 or email: suzanneynewman@btinternet. com

VICTORY: Hurst residents with their parish council chairman Wayne Smith. Behind them is the field they’ve helped protect from 200 homes being built. Picture: Sue Corcoran

Well-loved teacher Graham Dyer remembered

A POPULAR former staff member at two schools in Wokingham, has died in Salisbury at the age of 81.

Graham Dyer was made head of geography at The Forest School in 1972. This came after two-and-a-half years teaching in Tanzania, an experience that had a profound effect on him.

After a few years at Tomlinscote School in Surrey, Graham returned to Wokingham as deputy headteacher of The Emmbrook School. His period there included several months as acting head while then headteacher Ted Burton was in hospital.

But Mr Dyer didn’t aspire to a permanent headship, preferring to teach in the classroom.

The present headteacher of The Emmbrook School, Nick McSweeney said: “Mr Dyer is admired for his dedication and service to the school. He is remembered as a teacher with clear standards that were maintained well.

“His legacy lives on through our work.”

Sandra Hodgson, now head of year seven, remembers how he was very caring.

She said: “He really looked after new staff.

“I am forever grateful for his time.”

Jill Griffin knew him well as a colleague and said: “Graham was enormously respected and very fair. He had a strong social sense and never wanted success for himself, but the whole school”.

n Donations for the Alzheimer’s Society, in Graham’s memory, can be sent via Chris White Funerals, via: chriswhitefunerals.co.uk

n People can also donate to Farm Africa, a rural development charity that operates in eastern Africa, including Tanzania, at: www.farmafrica.org

Council welcomes government extension to £2 fare scheme

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today

THE GOVERNMENT has committed to extending support for buses for another three months, something that has pleased the borough council.

The Department for Transport has agreed to invest an additional £155 million in its Bus Recovery Grant, Local Transport Fund and subsidised £2 cap on selected fairs. These will now be available until June 30, helping operators recover from the impact of the pandemic. However, Reading Buses have yet to confirm if they are taking part in this extension. The company runs most routes across the borough.

Council leader Cllr Clive Jones and executive member for active travel, transport and highways, Cllr Paul Fishwick, penned a joint letter to transport secretary Mark Harper, arguing the March 31 deadline was too soon to withdraw support.

The council had already extended its own financial support for the borough’s subsidised routes, which was set to run out on March 31, until August 31, inviting bids from potential long-term operators.

Cllr Fishwick said: “When it comes to our bus services, we’ve put our money where our mouth is, so we’re delighted that the Government has followed suit by likewise extending its funding.

“It’s still a tough time for services but we can’t let them fall by the wayside. It will be far harder to try and revive routes if they’re allowed to fail than it is to support them through a difficult, but slowly improving, period.

“We’ll keep fighting our corner and taking every reasonable step to keep the buses running, whether that comes from our own finances – though we must accept these are limited due to the many challenges we face – or applying for funding.

“Residents can do their part by taking the bus wherever they can. The closer that usage can get to prepandemic levels, and the quicker this happens, the more likely these vital community assets are to survive.”

Despite increased numbers of passengers since the height of the pandemic, usage remains at about 80% of pre-covid levels. Operators face spiralling costs such as fuel, staffing and maintenance, as well as a national shortage of drivers.

With government funding now extended, the council is putting the borough’s subsidised routes out to tender for three years from September.

It hopes to award contracts in May, with extra costs partly covered by payments that developers building new housing are required to make towards local services.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of Wokingham Conservatives, said:

“I am very pleased to see that the government have stepped in to continue to support bus services across the country, announcing on February 20, that they would provide £2 billion of extra funding, including £60 million to help

operators cap single ticket prices at £2.

“When I was the executive member for highways I recognised the issue that the end of covid funding would cause, as bus transport usage had not recovered. We set aside funding in February 2022 which was sufficient to support services until May 2023.

“I was pleased to see the Liberal Democrats followed my lead last month, and extended the funding we had set aside until August 31.

“Bus travel still hasn’t recovered completely and I would encourage everyone to support the bus service so it remains there for those who need it.”

The council has also revised its Bus Service Improvement Plan, a strategic vision made up of various goals to attract more passengers by making services more reliable, accessible, clean and affordable.

No funding is allocated for any of these improvements, but the council hopes to attract funding to make them a reality.

n Wokingham Borough Council’s consultation on its revised Local Transport Plan closed on Sunday.

FUDNING: The government has extended the £2 single fare initiative for another three months. Picture: Unsplash

Grant to Southcote church will help with cooker for its warm hub

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

A CHURCH in Southcote that runs a warm hub to help people struggling with the cost of living crisis has been given some help itself.

The John Sykes Foundation has presented St Matthew’s with a grant to help it open its doors to people who need a safe space, with facilities including charging points and simple meals.

The money will go towards a new cooker to allow hot food to be provided, and ensure the warm hub will be sustainable.

The Church established a Warm Hub, firstly at lunchtime to provide hot drinks, a hot meal, as well as a place for people to feel welcome to help combat loneliness and the cost of living crisis, however after reading many posts on social media they quickly realised the effect the crisis was having not just on the elderly who tended to use the lunchtime hub, but also the wider community who struggle to turn on their heating and to feed their children.

The after-school hub was created to help tackle this, and also for families to be able to interact, make new friends, and for somewhere to go on a

weekly basis, free of charge.

Earlier this month, John Sykes, founder and chair of trustees of the foundation, visited the Warm Hub to present a cheque to St Matthew’s vicar, Pads Dolphin, Lynn Everett, volunteers, and the families who attend.

Mr Dolphin said: “We read about families struggling to pay for heating and put food on the table, we wanted to do something to help.

“We were already running a lunchtime and early afternoon warm hub offering soup and bread, but this misses a large part of our community.

“The after-school warm hub meets the needs of all people in the community, young and old, who are finding it hard to keep warm, pay their bills, and may be feeling isolated due to the cost of living crisis.”

He said the scheme has been welcomed by the community, with many saying it was fantastic, and much-needed.

The warm hub is run every Friday by volunteers, with up to 20 people attending during lunchtime and up to 85 people attending after school.

Arts and crafts and games are supplied at the beginning

of the session and a hot cooked meal is served, which includes a pudding, as well as toast and spreads for children who may not eat the main meal.

Mr Dolphin said they don’t ask for any money.

“We don’t charge anyone who comes so they have one day a week where they don’t have to feed themselves and their children or put their heating on,” he explained.

“It’s bringing families together and children have somewhere to go where they can play and have fun after school. This means the parents are happy and relaxed.”

Talk about cost of mineral mining

ENVIRONMENTAL justice will be under the microscope in a talk later this month.

Unique views of Reading on offer with trips along Kennet & Avon

WHO NEEDS a life on the ocean wave when you can enjoy Reading’s canal instead?

Boat trips on the Kennet and Avon are returning, starting from Saturday, April 1.

Good Friday and Easter Monday – April 7 and 10.

Places cost £10, £6 for children and free for under threes.

If room, it’s possible to pay on boarding, but spaces can be booked in advance by logging on to: matilda.katrust.org.uk

And Mr Sykes was pleased that the foundation could support the church’s community work.

“We are profoundly aware of the challenges residents in Reading are facing as a result of the Cost of Living Crisis and we want to do our bit to help,” he said.

“Pads, Lynn, and the wonderful team of volunteers have created a welcoming, warm space for Southcote residents to come together; not just as a warm space this winter, but to provide support and advice on a range of matters, including advice on their health and wellbeing, in such a friendly community atmosphere.

“I was so pleased to visit this very special place and, together with our Board of Trustees, hope to see this project go from strength to strength during these challenging times.”

n The John Sykes Foundation welcomes applications for charities and groups for its Cost Of Living Crisis Grant fund. For details, log on to: https://www. johnsykesfoundation.org/cost-ofliving-crisis-fund.php

n To find out more about St. Matthews and the services they provide, visit: https://www.stmatts.org.uk/

The Global Justice Reading group is hosting a talk at RISC in London Street.

Kerima Mohldeen and Saul Jones from the London Mining Network will talk about their work with communities who are impacted by mining works.

They will use film and interactive activities to unpack their thesis.

A Just Transition and Environmental Justice is free, and the event starts at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 29.

n For more details, log on to: www.globaljustice.org.uk/reading

Licence for store

A WHITLEY Street store wants permission from Reading Borough Council to sell alcohol. The licence is for G Mart, and would see customers able to purchase the drinks from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.

The company runs the Whitley Stores, and is near the junction of Whitley Street with Mount Pleasant.

The shopping parade already has a number of restaurants, takeaways and off licences.

The deadline for representations is Sunday, March 26.

Comments can be emailed to: licensing@reading.gov.uk

DONATION: The John Sykes Foundation has given a grant to St Matthew’s Church in Southcote to help it run its warm space Picture: John Sykes Foundation

BOAT’S EYE VIEW: The Reading Branch of The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust will be resuming boat trips along the canal, offering a unique perspective of the town Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images

Knitted links on display in church shows number of people in slavery

A DISPLAY of knitted ‘chains’ can be seen in St Paul’s Church, Wokingham.

The links were created by members of Mother’s Union in the Diocese of Oxford, which covers the boroughs of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire.

The chain contains 1,460 knitted links – an approximation of the number of people subject to slavery within the three boroughs.

“The number is based on our understanding of the Clewer Initiative,” says Jean Vaughan, member of the Mothers’ Union.

“This is a national work of the Church of England to combat modern slavery.

“The group advises us that there are currently around 1,460 slave victims in the diocese.”

The display has been working its way around the diocese since it was first unveiled in 2021at a service for

the 16 Days Of Activism, at St Mary’s Church, Reading. Information accompanying the display reveals that nationally there are around 136,000 slaves, with 325 of them in Reading.

Members of Mothers Union from the following nearby groups helped, along with other groups, to create the display: All Saints, Wokingham; Caversham, Reading;

Paint that the truth:

CHAINS KNITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE MOTHERS’ UNION REMEMBER VICTIMS OF MODERN DAY SLAVERY. PICTURE EMMA

Crowthorne, Berkshire; Loddon Reach Benefice, Reading; St Nicholas, Earley, Reading; St Michael, Tilehurst; St Paul’s, Wokingham; Woodley, Berkshire; and members from around the diocese.

The display can be visited at St Paul’s Church, on Reading Road, Wokingham.

n For more information about the Mothers’ Union, visit: www.mothersunion.org

Help to heat: find out if your home

PEOPLE with chilly homes may be eligible to receive financial assistance to help make their properties warmer.

Wokingham Borough Council says that borough householders can benefit from funded cavity wall and/or loft insulation through the Energy Company Obligation Flex Scheme (ECO).

To qualify, residents must have a joint household income below £31,000 and must live

in a privately owned property with an Energy Performance Certificate of D, E, F or G.

To begin an application, residents should call one of the two installers: Insta Group on: 0118 979 3056, or JJ Crump & Sons Ltd: 0800 567 7474. n For more information, people should email: matthew.johnston@wokingham.gov.uk or visit the WBC website, and search for energy saving and climate at: www.wokingham.gov.uk

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today

THOUSANDS of Hindus in Berkshire came together at The Atrium Health Club in neighbouring Reading to celebrate one of the religion’s most important annual festivals.

Organised by the Reading Indian Community, Saturday’s Holi Milan proved to be a hit once again, with organisers successfully negotiating a last-minute venue change – it was originally to be held in Sonning.

The afternoon culminated in the traditional throwing of colours, a celebration of the beginning of spring and the spreading of love and happiness.

Volunteer Sanjay Singh said: “It was a wonderful, wonderful event. More than 2,000 people attended and it was good to see so many of the local and Indian community come together.

“The objective was to bring everyone together and expose people to the culture

– we were delighted to see so many secondary school students and teenagers.

“We had a last minute hiccup, and at one point in time we were thinking we might have to postpone it, but we were able to pull it off.”

Organisers were informed on Thursday that the original venue at Reading Cricket Club was out of action following inclement weather.

“Thankfully, they were able to find a new venue at short notice. Visitors enjoyed live cultural performances, such as live Bhangra dancing, Bollywood and Punjabi music and dhol drumming.

Among the attendees was the borough Mayor of Wokingham, Cllr Caroline Smith, who was on-hand to witness the festivities. She said she had a brilliant time.

BIG DAY OUT: There was something for all the family. Pictures: Dijana Capan/DVision Images

Berkshire celebrates Holi

Women’s singing night in Charvil

A MUSIC group led by local music teacher and choir director Suzanne Newman will hold a singing evening for women and girls.

A medley of songs from the musical My Fair Lady, has been arranged for two part choir.

Songs include: On The Street Where You Live; Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?; Get Me To The Church On Time; I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face; and I Could Have Danced All Night.

The group offers singing events four times a year. Ms Newman says they are opportunities for women and girls who like singing, but don’t have time to commit to a weekly choir.

Pieces are not difficult to sing, and will be accompanied by light refreshments.

The event takes place at Charvil Village Hall, on Sunday, March 26, from 6pm to 8pm.

Tickets cost £10, and include music and light refreshments.

n Places need to be booked in advance by emailing: suzanneynewman@btinternet.com

Coronation barn dance plans

BARKHAM residents will come together at the Village Hall, Church Lane, for a day of celebration to mark the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, May 6.

The village’s residents association is holding a free event where visitors can enjoy a live streaming of the ceremony, with child-friendly entertainment and refreshments available.

A royal barn dance will be held from 7pm10pm in a marquee on the village hall’s grounds, featuring a hog roast and licenced bar.

Tickets for this evening event are £12 for adults and £5 for children under 16.

n Bookings can be made through: social@barkham.org.uk or 0118 978 3373.

The event saw hundreds of people attend

CLEAN-UP: A busy day for the town’s laundrettes

CELEBRATION: Holi brought the community together for a big day

A moment of joy

SHOWTIME: There were plenty of live performances for visitors to enjoy

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Firewalkers wanted to help Sebastian’s Action Trust

BRAVE volunteers can put their best foot forward for a great cause, writes James Hastings

The Sebastian’s Action Trust are holding a Fire Walk to raise funds and they are looking for people who can stand the heat.

The trust was set up following the death from a rare form of cancer of nine-year-old Sebastian Gates.

The brave youngster’s last wish was for his mum, Jane, to set up a home where seriously ill children could spend time as a family.

That dream came true with Bluebells, a purpose-built holiday home in Hampshire.

The charity now offers a wide range of dedicated services including respite care, community support and outreaches for life-limited and life-threatened children and their families.

The Fire Walk takes place on Thursday, March 23, at the Trust’s offices in Crowthorne.

A spokesperson said: “We start with registration then some training and then the walk begins. It means walking across hot coals for a distance of three metres.

“Afterwards there will be a celebration and a certificate for the brave walkers.

“We ask anyone taking part to raise a minimum sponsorship of £125.”

n Full details at: sebastiansactiontrust. org

Glasses raised as pub reopens

FIRST ORDERS: The Green Man Pub in Hurst has reopened. The kitchen will be serving food soon

Picture: Sue Corcoran

EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

LOCALS raised a toast to their village pub when it reopened after a seven-month closure.

The Green Man in Hinton Road, Hurst currently serves drinks, crisps and nuts only – with dog biscuits for canine customers – but meals are on the way soon.

New landlord Wes Tunstead said on Tuesday: “The kitchen is being professionally checked and cleaned. Gas safety checks will be done. We have a chef ready to come here.

“It will be one or two weeks before we can start doing food.”

Wes, over six feet tall, faces another task at the cosy pub going back hundreds of years.

“I’m vertically challenged – by all these ceiling beams. I keep smashing my head,” he seemed to joke.

He added: “We’ve had a really good welcome from the locals who have been coming in since Saturday. We did a low-key opening so we could stress test everything to make sure it worked properly.”

Wes and his wife Victoria along with their general manager Emily Carney and other members of staff will run the pub between them. Wes, Victoria and Emily already run the Dog and Duck at Emmbrook.

They’ll continue running the two pubs between them.

One of Tuesday’s customers, Surojani Greenwood, a London insurance brokers’ secretary, said: “It’s lovely to see the pub open again. It’s just walking distance from our home.

“We were really upset when it closed.”

IntroducingTracy Stone…Wokingham’s UniqueHypnotherapist andhernewcolumn

IntroducingTracy Stone…Wokingham’s UniqueHypnotherapist andhernewcolumn ‘I’veGotYou’

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Wheredidyougrowup?

Wheredidyougrowup?

IwasborninDublinandgrewupinsomeofthemostbeautiful placesinIreland.Mymemoriesofthoseyearsare overwhelminglyidyllic,suchasswimmingintheicycoldGalway BayandweekendsingalongdriveswithDadthroughbeautifully ruggedConnemara.ImovedtoReadingatage18andhavelived inWokinghamforthepast10yearswithmypartner.

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Whatproblemsdomostpeoplecometoyouforhelpwith?

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That’sincredible,Inasinglesession?

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Yes,mostpeoplebelievethatovercomingtheirpastortheir limitingbeliefsandhabitsneedstotakeyears.Inmyexperience, inthemajorityofcasesthisisabsolutelynottrue.Iwork withclientsfromLAtoSydneytogettotherootcauseof theirproblemsandfreethemfromtheirissuesforthefirst timeinyears.

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IhelpedayachtsalesmaninSaudiArabiawhowasaboutto losehisjob.Afterworkingwithhim,healmostimmediately startedsellingmulti-million-dollaryachts.Probablythestrangest sessionwaswhenIhypnotisedaladywithaseverefearof heightsinthemiddleofaNewYorkrestaurant.Shetextedme thenextdayfromthetopoftheEmpireStateBuilding.Ihave evenworkedwithmanywomenwhowerestrugglingtoconceive andwhonowhavebeautifulbabies.Oneofthemostcommon issuespeoplecometomewithisimpostorsyndrome,whichis actuallyaloteasiertoaddressthanpeoplebelieve.

IhelpedayachtsalesmaninSaudiArabiawhowasaboutto losehisjob.Afterworkingwithhim,healmostimmediately startedsellingmulti-million-dollaryachts.Probablythestrangest sessionwaswhenIhypnotisedaladywithaseverefearof heightsinthemiddleofaNewYorkrestaurant.Shetextedme thenextdayfromthetopoftheEmpireStateBuilding.Ihave evenworkedwithmanywomenwhowerestrugglingtoconceive andwhonowhavebeautifulbabies.Oneofthemostcommon issuespeoplecometomewithisimpostorsyndrome,whichis actuallyaloteasiertoaddressthanpeoplebelieve.

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Inaword,incredible.IwakeuphappyeverydayknowingthatI willgettohelpsomeoneachievetheirownpersonalmiracle.

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Tellusaboutyournewcolumn?

I’mexcitedtobewritingacolumn‘I’veGotYou’twicemonthly forWokingham.Today.Iwillcovertopicsthatfrequentlycomeup whenworkingwithmyprivatecoachingandhypnotherapy clientsandwillprovidetipsandtechniquesthatmakeahuge differenceintheirlives.Readerscanalsosendinquestionstothe paper.

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‘I’veGotYou’

Janet calls for people to sign up to Relay For Life

By JAMES HASTINGS news@wokingham.today

A TWYFORD woman is calling on residents to take part in a 24-hour fundraiser for Cancer Research UK.

Now in its 15th year, the Relay For Life Ascot event has already raised over £1.2million for the charity.

Teams take it in turn to walk around the track and the night ends with the poignant Candle of Hope ceremony in memory and celebration of loved ones.

Janet who has taken part in the last six Relays and is now a team captain described it as “tears, laughter and wall-to-wall fun”.

“Like many other people I have seen family members and loved ones go through a cancer diagnosis,” she continues.

“While obviously devastating for the individual it is also devastating for those close to them.

“I always felt so helpless and one of the only ways I could help was to focus my energies in raising money for Cancer Research UK and Relay For Life is a Fun way of doing that.

“The whole event brings you close to people who are either survivors or have lost someone very dear to them and it’s like a big family event.”

Janet added more teams were needed for the 24-hour walk which takes place at the Ascot Racecourse over the weekend of July 22-23, and starts with a lap of honour by local cancer survivors and their supporters who are then treated to afternoon tea.

A variety of stalls, games and music from local performers provide entertainment for the whole family.

As the event continues throughout the night, team members not on the track rest, eat, or sleep in their tents and soak up the unique Relay atmosphere.

The Candle of Hope ceremony sees bags decorated with touching messages –in memory or in celebration of loved ones –filled with sand and lit up with candles around the Windsor Enclosure.

Entry to Relay is free, you can take part by starting a team or taking part as a survivor.

n To join, log on to: www.relayforlifeascot.co.uk

Ollie’s supporters blue with Februar

By EMMA MERCHANt emerchant@wokingham.today

A CHILDREN’S cancer charity has recently turned its pages monochrome by inviting people to post their pictures of anything fun, uplifting, or amazing that’s also blue.

The Ollie Young Foundation raises awareness and funds for research into prevention and cure for children’s brain tumours.

By George! Walk moves to avoid usurping the king

RESIDENTS are being invited to lace up their walking boots and get into the countryside at this year’s spring Wokingham Walk.

The event is taking place on Sunday, April 23 – a little earlier than usual so it doesn’t clash with the king’s coronation weekend.

Organised by Wokingham Lions, the event sees hundreds of people take part in one of three routes: a five-, 10- or 15-mile exploration of the land around the town centre. There is also a five-mile accessible route.

Each route starts and ends at Elms Field.

Entry fees go to charities supported by the Lions, and participants can raise their own donations from supporters if they

wish – or they can just enjoy the fresh air and exercise.

Wokingham Walk organiser

Andy Slay said: “I’m delighted that this event has been so well received by the town and both the spring and autumn Wokingham Walks are now firm fixtures in Wokingham’s Calendar.

“Local charities also increasingly use the event to fundraise by sponsorship, something that we always wanted to happen from the event’s inception.”

Entry is £15, or £5 for ages 12 to 17. Under 12s can enjoy the event for free.

Registration is between 9am and 10.30am on the day.

n For more details and advance booking, log on to: www. wokinghamwalk.co.uk

In February, it invited supporters to send in pictures of them wearing something blue, Ollie’s favourite colour.

Sarah Simpson and Simon Young’s son Ollie was five when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

He died in 2012, just before his sixth birthday. His parents set up the foundation in his memory, determined to help other families.

Sarah Simpson says: “Ollie’s anniversary and his birthday both fall in February. He loved the colour blue, so we decided to call it feBLUEary.

“Every year we run an online event, not necessarily to raise money, but to raise awareness, and to be inspired again by Ollie’s name.

“We ask people to send us their encouraging pictures of what they are doing to take part during feBLUEary.

“People have done fun events over the years. We have had people holding work dress down days, wearing blue, or hosting blue cake sales.”

Sarah says that since Covid it has been harder to get people involved in the event, but that supporters have posted some lovely photos again this year.

“I’d like to thank everyone who takes part each year,” Sarah continues.

“The event really supports the month for us as a family, and Ollie’s name.”

ALL CHANGE: A number of train stations, including Earley, will see their waiting rooms is to be given a modern makeover by SWR

This year, as every year, the family went to the beach, and all wore blue to celebrate Ollie.

n For information about the charity, visit: www.ollieyoungfoundation.org

Free seeds will inspire green-fingered residents

DELAYED trains will soon be more bearable for Earley commuters –its waiting room is to be given an upgrade.

South Western Railway is investing more than £400,000 in the scheme which will also see a number of other stations receive a lick of paint.

Over the coming months, SWR will add new features including modern workstations with plug and USB sockets and wireless phone chargers.

The company says when the project is finished, the rooms will be better places for customers to relax and work while they wait for their trains.

Other enhancements include new decorations on walls and ceilings, new flooring and seating, and improved heating

And to help reduce the firm’s

carbon footprint, they will use LED lighting.

There will be more priority seating space and lower-level workstations for customers who use wheelchairs.

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director for South Western Railway, said the firm was committed to creating a modern, sustainable and accessible railway.

“We are delighted to be making these significant investments as part of our ongoing effort to enhance the customer experience at our stations.”

The waiting room upgrades are one aspect of a wider programme of improvements to stations across the SWR network, which will enhance the customer experience and provide a more modern and accessible railway for all customers.

GARDENERS keen to get started on their early planting can visit a town centre eco shop to pick up free vegetable and flower seeds.

Maya’s Refillables in Wokingham normally stocks eco gifts, foods and products.

But visitors to the shop will also find a range of vegetable and flower seeds there later this month.

The shop is hosting a seed library, in collaboration with eco group, Wokingham In Bloom and Easthampstead Rotary Club.

Both groups have packaged up and donated the 2,000 seeds which are being distributed to residents, schools, and gardening projects around the town.

Refillables owner Maya says: “We started to collaborate, offering seeds to local growers when I still had my stall at Wokingham Market.

“This will be our third event.”

Habitat loss, increased urbanisation, intensive farming, and the use of pesticides all contribute to the falling numbers of bees and other insects.

Volunteers from Wokingham In Bloom plant flowers for pollinators all round the town, and encourage residents to stock insect friendly flowers in their gardens.

Visitors to Maya’s shop will find a range of seeds provided by the group, to plant at home.

These will include tomato, chard, bean (dwarf and runner), salad, radish, pea, pumpkin, and carrot seeds.

And because some gardeners prefer to grow flowers, there will also be Californian poppies, sunflowers, morning glory, ox-eye daisy, and nasturtium seeds available.

“Wokingham In Bloom wants to enable households to grow vegetables

READY TO STROLL: Wokingham Lions are looking forward to April’s Wokingham Walk

Picture: Phil Creighton

Station’s waiting room to be given a makeover

SUPPORTING OLLIE: Ollie Young supporter Jessica painted nails, and held parties, all to raise money

supporters paint the town Februar fundraiser

Jessica gives the thumbs up for a blue ice-cream. Others dyed their hair blue, made cup cakes, money in his memory Pictures: Ollie Young Foundation

and flowers, not just for their own pleasure but to support the town’s ecology,” says Maya.

“Last year went very well, so we have bumped up the numbers of seeds.

“There should be around 2,000 packets of seeds for people to plant.”

Once they have collected their seeds, residents will be able to enter two competitions:

A sunflower growing competition starts on Monday, March 27.

And a pumpkin producing contest starts on Friday, April 21.

Soundbeams wanted by Berkshire Maestros

travel

LOVELY: Sunflowers

are just one of the seeds that will be available at Maya’s Refillables.

A CHARITY believes that everyone should be able to make sweet music, even if they can’t use traditional instruments for any reason. Now it’s appealing for help to make its dream a reality.

Berkshire Maestros, which helps youngsters get to grips with tune making, is raising funds to install Soundbeam equipment in its music centres and in schools.

Once in place, it allows students with disabilities to enjoy the chance to create their own tunes. It uses ultrasonic movement to detect movements and translates this into sounds, a bit like a giant theremin.

It has a series of sound sets that allow the exploration of different genres such as blues and classical, and allows children to create their own improvised soundscapes.

The Maestros say that Soundbeam has other benefits, including letting the youngsters take part in music making lessons for the National Curriculum, and also develop their motor skills.

A spokesperson for Soundbeam said: “We are delighted that Berkshire Maestros are fundraising to purchase a Soundbeam system for the county.

POETRY CORNER

When I was a child

Life was cosiness, rosiness and warm I wasn’t planning far ahead –But I was doing no harm –The days drifted slowly by And each was daffodil fresh and new Every day I was greeted by a wonderland

Where the sun always shone And the sky was always blue

They will be able to register for the challenges on Wokingham Town Council’s website soon.

Prizes can be won - first prize is a bug hotel, second prize is a bird box, and third prize is a voucher to spend at Maya’s Refillables store.

Free seed packets can be collected at Maya’s Refillables in Peach Place from Monday, March 20.

n To find out more about Maya’s Refillables, visit: mayasrefillables.com

n For information about Wokingham in Bloom visit: www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/ inbloom

My mind was never cluttered with numbers

That I would rarely use I always knew where I was going to And I never felt confused Used or abused

And then … and then … at 10 Abused. Used. Confused.

A child no more,

But thanks to God’s good grace and prayers

“To date we have supplied more than 100 Soundbeam systems across the UK so that they can better support disabled learners.

“As a small business based in Bristol and established in 1988 –we have developed Soundbeam technology to facilitate musical expression for performers of all ages and abilities helping schools, colleges, hospices, hospitals and arts organisations to give their students and service users a meaningful and exciting way to perform and create music.”

And Jamie Baird, Berkshire Maestros Partnerships and Inclusion Development Manager, felt the Soundbeam was a wonderful musical instrument.

“The technology it uses is so impressive and sparks so many ideas for how it can be used within our schools and music centres,” he said.

“I particularly love the freedom of expression it gives the player and can’t wait to see how our young people communicate and interact through Soundbeam.”

n To support the appeal, log on to: https://www.justgiving.com/ campaign/soundbeamforberkshire

Departing Mon 29 May ‘23

On this fantastic break we enjoy the Isle of Wight’s peace, tranquillity and natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former holiday home - a relaxing few days away.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Wokingham & Bracknell

 4 nights at the Medehamstede Hotel, Shanklin with dinner & breakfast

 Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

 Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde

Optional Island Highlights Tour (£13pp)

5 Days by Coach

ly £349

NORFOLK’S LITTLE TRAINS & Mississippi Paddle Steamer

Leave

Allow

Departing Mon 12 Jun ‘23

The beautiful county of Norfolk is characterised by charming seaside towns, and unspoilt coastline. We discover the mystic beauty of its waterways by paddle steamer as well as enjoy nostalgic journeys on Norfolk’s heritage railways, taking us back to a bygone era.

Your break includes

 Return coach travel from Wokingham & Bracknell

 4 nights at a selected hotel in Great Yarmouth with dinner & breakfast

 Entertainment some evenings (Waverley Hotel only)

 Heritage train journeys on the North Norfolk Railway & Bure Valley Railway

 Mississippi paddle steamer cruise on the Norfolk Broads

 Excursions to Cromer & Sheringham

5 Days by Coach

PAUL FARMER

© English Heritage IsleofWightRoyals&Rails_D.pdf LittleTrainsofNorfolk&theMississippiPaddleSteamer_D.pdf Single Supplement £60 Single Supplement £60 WPR_2023-03-13_TheWokinghamPaper_33x2 (1)_Just Go or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 03332 342 527 Quote WPR To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 Thursday, March 16, 2023 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 29

We love receiving your poetry, and print a selection every week. Verse can be sent to poems@wokingham.today

MUSIC MAKERS: Berkshire Maestros is fundraising to install Soundbeam equipment in its centres

BLOOMING

Picture: Ulrike Leone via Pixabay

NEWS | Reader

Listening to residents

SHINFIELD Parish Council’s consultation exercise should be applauded.

They asked questions, residents responded, now they’ll listen.

It is a good model of local democracy in action – grown-up politics without the politics, if you like.

There are many concerns that affect the lives of residents, including speeding, traffic, housing and developments.

Trying to navigate appropriate ways forward is never easy – if it was, we’d all be standing to be leader of the council.

However, there is always merit in asking people for their views and opinions, particularly when some local knowledge can go a long way.

Shinfield parish wanted to know how traffic could be calmed in the village, especially now the relief road available for motorists to use.

Chicanes similar to those used around Arborfield were roundly rejected. And anyone who has driven through Arborfield will understand why – installed badly they are a hindrance to safe motoring, let along bad driving.

Alternative ideas are now being worked on, and that is a positive, despite causing some delays.

Yes, delays are frustrating – local plan, we’re looking at you – but done well, and for the right reasons, a better result lies at the end of it.

Shinfield Parish Council’s exercise will prove fruitful for the future.

CHURCH NOTES Why are we waiting?

THE run-up to Easter is a significant time for us as Christians. There is much to anticipate, to have hope in and to delight in.

But this season is also significant for us as we wait, in this period of Lent; we wait in the knowledge that there is more to life than we know and experience, and Easter shows us a glimpse of the glory of things to come.

Or, perhaps more trivially, you are waiting for Easter to arrive so that you can leave behind the abstinence of chocolate.

Personally, I find this is a time when I am drawn back to my own journey of faith and I recall how many occasions God has called me to return back to Him.

I like to think of this season as a moment of realignment in my heart, body and mind.

To realign ourselves, we may need to adopt new rhythms and practices, or strive for selflessness or self-discipline, or perhaps re-learn Sabbath rest.

And maybe this is a time to remind yourself of the Holy call God has placed on your life. I wonder what might it look like for you to realign your faith and return back to God today?

If this is the first time of drawing near to God, the invitation is there for you, and I encourage you to dwell in his comforting embrace and know that you are loved.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).

Savannah Bell is a member of Wokingham Baptist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together Wokingham

Your letters

Make wheelie bins history

I write in support of the letter from Mr Holdsworth that, “Wheelie bins are all that’s wrong with the borough.” and “Councillors need to stand up to Libdems and council officers to retain all that is special about Wokingham.”

I disagree that not having wheelie bins is all that is special about Wokingham, but our very special lack of wheelie bins has a long history.

Wokingham has proudly not had wheelie bins since at least the Middle Ages. The original 11th century settlement of “Woh-binn-ham’ (Woh -perverse or wicked; Hamsettlement; and Binn - bin) shows this. Wokingham: town which finds bins perverse.

Wokingham continued to not have wheelie bins under the reign of King Charles II, when the proud tradition of ‘bin-baiting’ was established in the 1661 will of George Staverton, who left a bequest giving two bins to be paraded around the town before being locked in the yard of the “Old Rose” pub and finally tethered in the Market Place to be baited by dogs on St Thomas’ Day.

More recently, owner of the London Times, founder of St Paul’s Church and MP, John Walter fought off a parliamentary attempt to force wheelie bins upon the borough.

During the night of 17 May 1864, the wheelie bins having been delivered to the borough the previous day, Walter organised the town’s Freemasons to hoist the scheme by its own petard, wheeling the bins just

From the chamber Cllr Wayne Smith We need a better approach to planning

We’ve been arguing for some time that Wokingham Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat-led administration’s approach to planning is fuelled by dithering, broken promises, and dismissal of residents’ views.

Their recent decision to prevent debate on a petition around development at Hall Farm is just the latest example of a leadership determined to plough on, regardless of what the public thinks.

In December last year, the SOLVE Hall Farm campaign group handed in a petition to the leader of the vouncil, signed by 1,800 residents, saying no to significant development at the Hall Farm site.

Under the Council’s constitution, there should now be a debate by councillors on how to respond to it.

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Homes ... we’ve had enough!

Your front page on 9 March 2023 “234 Homes Plan for Winnersh” came on the same day as the appeal for 200 houses in Hurst was dismissed.

Our petition against Hall Farm was just tossed aside as well.

So once again there will be no building in Hurst but we will

outside of the parish boundary to Popes Meadow, thus giving the area the colloquial moniker which became its official name - Binfield.

I hope you can join with me and Mr Holdsworth in defending Wokingham’s traditions and, in the words of Dr Dre, “No diggity, let’s bag it up.”

Tim House-Pardy, Wokingham Living History

Climate science v fiction

I always look forward to reading the Wokingham Today letter section for the wide range of views provided by the people of this area.

But I was quite shocked to see professional climate disinformation featured prominently in the first letter of the March 9 edition.

Masked as a letter about wheelie bins, the letter quickly shifts to an allout attack on climate science.

Of course, people have their own views on the response to climate change, but this letter prominently lists two known disinformation vectors.

First is a long-retired MIT

In the past, there have been occasions where we councillors have discussed petitions on planning matters.

Members of the Planning Committee leave the room, so they can make a decision on a later planning application without having pre-judged the issue. The practice is straightforward, and whether we agree or not with the petition, we can all agree on the petitioners right to have their issue debated, surely?

Well, apparently not.

The campaigners have been told by officers that they can’t have a debate because it relates to a planning decision.

As I’ve already shown, this hasn’t been a barrier before.

Why has the Liberal Democrat-led administration, backed up by their Labour and Independent coalition colleagues, suddenly decided this issue can’t be discussed? I’m sure that it has absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming local elections…

When the coalition administration isn’t shutting out residents’ voices, it continues to tear up its promises.

keep building all over the South of the Borough. If only the tens of thousands of pounds that WBC must have spent on appeal barristers to protect Hurst had been spent to defend Shinfield and Winnersh.

Wayne “no houses in Hurst”

Smith continues somehow to protect Ruscombe while at the same time

meteorologist who was involved in the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ...22 years ago.

He’s presented as “probably the most famous climate scientist in the world” although few readers will have ever heard of him.

Second, readers were provided the website and encouraged to get “a very wide flow of information” from an anti-climate change charity with an impartiality warning from the Charity Commission and evidence of US dark money funding. This shady group is currently chaired by a shipping magnate.

Even the most cursory search into these groups shows a very long history of discredited misinformation.

While I don’t expect the Wokingham Today staff to edit the letters, they should think twice about being used as a channel for spreading anti-science propaganda.

Man made climate changes are wrecking terrible havoc on the planet. This is widely understood and repeated by governments, businesses, Sir David Attenborough and the body that is truly the collection of best

Last year, Liberal Democrat council candidates guaranteed that if their party took control of the Council, there would be no development at Rooks Nest Farm in Finchampstead. We Conservatives warned that Liberal Democrat plans to delay progress on the Local Plan would put the site at risk of being built on by developers.

Now we discover the administration is planning to build a school at Rooks Nest Farm.

The Conservative Group absolutely believes a new school needs to be delivered, but why there? There are plenty of other available sites. Instead, the Liberal Democrats are wedded to removing yet another green space in the Borough.

All the while, the Lib Dems, Labour and the Independents continue to wring their hands on the Local Plan, rather than moving forward with creating a new one.

Their policy seems to be to do nothing for as long as possible, say it’s all somebody else’s fault, and hope that wins them votes. But all they are doing is leaving the door open for developer after developer to win applications on appeal, landing communities with too many houses of the wrong type in the wrong place, and without the necessary infrastructure to support them.

The Liberal Democrats have argued that they must wait to see if the Secretary of State reduces the numbers of houses Wokingham is required to build, but this is not the

preventing any building in Hurst. He is responsible for the lack of a local plan and for the lack of an adequate five-year land supply. Shinfield, Winnersh and Arborfield have surely had enough. But people need places to live. The selfish attitude of some Hurst residents is a disgrace.

Fiona Talbot, London

science minds on the planet, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

You can get true, peer-reviewed facts via their reports at ipcc.ch. Their conclusions are strikely clear. I applaud Wokingham Borough Council for its ongoing attempts to reduce it’s impact on climate change. And, while we can all do our part to help, the greatest damage is coming from a small number of corporations, mostly in the power generation industry, who are desperately and dishonestly trying to avoid change. We can’t let them deceive us into inaction.

Tom Ross, via email

A question of trust

I read with interest the Wokingham Council Leaders ‘we achieve more together’ article in Wokingham Today. Any partnership is built on a foundation of trust should trust be undermined then partnership working becomes very difficult.

Local politicians need to be trusted. Not predicted or expected, the last local election provided

case. The Council can push ahead with a plan, and if or when changes to the numbers is announced the plan can be adjusted to reflect those changes.

Not only is this possible, but it would be the most pragmatic and sensible thing to do.

Plan for the worst and campaign for the best, a reduction in housing numbers.

On top of that, even a draft Plan before it is formally accepted would afford the Borough a level of protection from speculative development that it does not currently have.

This delay has got to stop. Residents deserve better than an administration that ducks accountability, stifles legitimate concerns, and shirks action in favour of empty posturing.

If the Conservatives are returned to power after May’s elections, we’ll get on with a Local Plan that will deliver sustainable communities and protects the Borough from unwanted development.

We’ll build on our previous success to get our housing numbers down to an achievable level. And, unlike the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives will ensure that residents are always put at the heart of the Council’s planning policy.

Cllr Wayne Smith is the shadow member for planning, enforcement and strategic development, and Conservative ward member for Hurst

the opportunity for partnership working between political parties and independents. No one can predict what this May’s election will provide. If it delivers a ‘single party rules’ result, who ever the winners might be, can they be trusted? Or will Wokingham simply drift back to the older ways of working?

Multiple promises were made during the last election, mostly to get your vote. How many promises have been kept?

I have proactively pushed for ‘collaborative’ working throughout my four years as a councilor.

What has been clearly highlighted, by trying to work in this way, is the significant lack of trust across political parties.

Too many meeting minutes wasted by party political points scoring rather than achieving together. Too many things behind closed doors. Too many promises made but then broken. Too many things done for the benefit of party not residents.

Where is the priority, party or residents?

So my question to all political parties is simply ‘Can you be trusted’?

Or is it time to take the party out of local politics and vote Independent?

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

When do they attend?

I have tried to find out where you can obtain the Parliamentary attendance records for MPs. However, it seems there aren’t any available to the public. I watch PMs questions and important debates and while I look closely at the Conservative back benches, I rarely see John Redwood.

Surely us “taxpayer employers” need to know what our “employees” are doing for the well above average UK salary paid by us.

Perhaps MPs should produce timesheets so we can all see what they have been doing.

How can we ensure we are getting value for our votes and taxes if we don’t know when or even if they are working for us during reasonable “employment” hours?

Pam Gregory, Wokingham resident

An inappropriate site

The Wokingham Today headlines last week were 234 Homes Plan for Winnersh.

The plans is for an inappropriate development on a site in a floodplain on the side of two noisy polluting motorways in a climate change environment.

This is the sort of planning application we should all be fighting and well done the local Borough Councillors and their Parish Council as that is exactly what they are doing.

What is sad is that ‘No Houses in Hurst’ Conservative Councillor Wayne Smith instead of coming out against such a proposed development he just plays the political card by saying, “We look forward to the Lib Dem administration keeping their promises to the electorate”.

Cllr Smith was the Executive Member responsible for housing when the Conservatives ran the Council and is the architect of the plan to build 4,500 houses on the banks of the River Loddon that floods spread over 30 years below a big dam in a climate change environment.

What is hard to understand is only half would be needed to meet the Govt. targets so this will be a building site that will go on until 2055, and all the problems that will bring to us all.

What is also hard to understand is the Conservatives represent thousands of residents in Shinfield, Lower Early, Woodley Barkham and

other parts of the Borough who will all have their lives ruined if Hall Farm and other developments in the South of the Borough go ahead.

It makes one think why should anyone South of the Borough vote for a Conservative unless they want their local green areas all concreted over.

Sadly the Lib Dems who replaced the Conservatives, with help from Labour and the Independents, have done nothing to correct this plan and they have just sat on the fence for reasons best know only to them.

As the two big parties (Lib Dem and Conservative) stick to their idealogical excesses Wokingham’s residents suffer. This time the Independent Group intend to challenge them in Mays elections.

Residents deserve choice and we will give them that. A vote for anyone next May who is neither a Conservative or a Lib Dem is a vote for Wokingham. It’s local politics and they are very different to national politics.

Let’s break this two party club.

Cllr Gary Cowan, Borough Councillor For Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council.

Preventing homelessness

Local councils work hard to prevent people from facing homelessness, so it’s worrying to see the latest figures which show a 26% rise in rough sleeping in England.

More than 3,000 people are rough sleeping, and some will be former Armed Forces personnel.

Most people leaving the Forces make a smooth transition to civilian life, but sadly some fall through the net.

We know there are veterans who end up sofa surfing, in unsuitable hostels or even living on the street.

Every local authority in England has signed the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise to people who’ve served in the Armed Forces that they’ll never be disadvantaged when accessing public

works, such as filling in ‘potholes’ are paid for using revenue funding that comes from your Council tax.

In between scheduled highway safety inspections defects will be reported by highways staff at WBC, but the public can also report these on the borough council web site. Any that are found to meet the criteria for repair will be fixed.

Our roads plan for the year ahead

WE have retained our highways maintenance budget of £1.82m (Reactive maintenance), £2.1m (WBC capital funded) and £2.2m of government capital grant) against significant financial pressures.

This is the same budget as the Conservatives had last year.

Nationally across England and Wales the latest Annual Local Authorities Road Maintenance study found that there was a backlog of over £12.6 billion in local road repairs, and its only getting worse.

This Conservative government and the previous Conservative-run council have under invested in local highways for the past decade. This

is not something that has recently happened. We therefore call on government to reverse this now to stop the local road network declining further.

I would urge all residents concerned about potholes to write to their MP asking for more government support for Wokingham Borough council to sort this problem out.

The Conservatives have allowed Wokingham to be the lowest funded unitary authority in the country for the last 14 years. The government must do more to help residents.

Highway safety inspections

The Borough Council has a duty to maintain all adopted highway assets within its area.

To ensure the duty is fulfilled, it carries out periodic highway safety inspections of various assets, including the road to ensure they are safe for public use.

Any found to be safety critical will be addressed by carrying our repair work. These reactive maintenance

services.

As the cost of living crisis impacts on local communities, council homelessness teams have experienced increased demand for their services.

Despite these pressures, councils are already doing great work to ensure veterans and their families get the support they need, and they will continue to work hard to make their offer for the veteran community even more comprehensive.

Councils play a key role in ensuring those who have served the nation have somewhere to live and ultimately get back on their feet.

It can be challenging for councils to identify and support veterans. That’s why the No Homeless Veterans campaign was set up.

It provides councils and housing associations with toolkits and training, packed with practical advice and best practice examples (www.NoHomelessVeterans.org.uk).

Our Armed Forces offer a dedicated service to us and our country. It’s our duty to support them as they become our neighbours and an important part of our local communities.

Cllr David Fothergill, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board

Air Vice-Marshal Ray Lock CBE, Chair of Stoll Housing which runs the No Homeless Veterans campaign

Give criminals porridge

People never get five years’ prison for cruelty to wildlife because the Magistrates are to lazy to send the guilty person or persons to crown court.

I say send the criminals to crown court to get five years of porridge.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

to a more preventative maintenance plan, to arrest the deterioration and prevent more roads ‘slipping’ into the much more expensive resurfacing category.

This approach maximises the cost effectiveness and allows us to maintain more of the network with the limited budget that we have.

Highway condition surveys

A second and separate inspection of the road network is carried out annually to capture the condition of the asset based on a national standard.

That data obtained from these surveys allows the council to maintain an up-to-date central record of the asset condition and programmed works within available budgets to extend assets longevity.

This funding comes from two sources: a government grant and capital borrowing, which must then be paid back through council tax revenue, plus interest.

Resurfacing and preventative maintenance

As I have said there has been significant under investment by both the Conservative government and by the previous Conservative council. While we would all like to see new resurfaced roads, these are very expensive. We have maintained the budget for resurfacing, but moved

Cllr Clive Jones

Moving in the right direction?

MANY residents will know that reducing numbers of new houses imposed on Wokingham Borough Council has been a priority for the Liberal Democrat administration that took over the running of the council in May last year.

My first action as leader of the council was to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up who has responsibility for housing policy, and the creation of the housing numbers that council must build every year.

Currently our housing number is just under 800 new homes in the borough every year. This is broadly the same number that it has been for several years, except for a few months when a consultation from a former Secretary of State put the number up to 1,600 a year.

It should be remembered these are housing numbers that are forced on Wokingham by the Conservative government.

In my letter to the Secretary of State, I suggested that the government allows past overprovision of housing to be considered when looking ahead at a future local plan.

This was also included in the Council’s response to the government’s recent consultation on housing numbers which closed on March 2.

There have been indications the government were considering accepting this suggestion, this was mentioned as a very strong likelihood at recent meeting that I attended of council leaders from across the country.

At a recent Planning Inquiry, the Inspector rejected a developers appeal against the council’s decision not to approve 200 new houses in Hurst.

This was a combined action by the council, Hurst Parish Council and many local residents. It shows what can happen when we all work in partnership together.

One of the reasons for the rejection was that developers building in the Borough have been oversupplying new homes in recent years.

This change of approach from a Planning Inspector could signify that the government may be about to change the rules on how housing numbers are calculated.

Potholes, resurfacing and preventative maintenance

Within Wokingham Borough around 5,300 openings of the carriageway are made each year, and approximately 75% of these are carried out by the utilities (gas, electric, telecoms and water).

Every time the carriageway is dug up, the joint between the reinstatement and the original carriageway becomes a weakness.

The weather can also have a significant impact on how quickly a road will deteriorate especially during very wet and cold/icy conditions.

Our biggest problem in Wokingham is lack of investment from the Conservatives.

We should also remember that the government keeps 100% of car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) this money does not come to the council.

Cllr Paul Fishwick, Executive member for Active Travel, Transport and Highways, and Lib Dem ward member for Winnersh

If this were to happen it will be a big victory for councils such as Wokingham, particularly in the south east where we have already taken large number of houses over the last few years. Wokingham Borough has grown by more than 15% in population since 2011, one of the highest increases in the country. This change could see up to 2,000 fewer houses built in our area over the next 15 years.

This would help protect our green spaces and enable our area to develop in a more structured way.

I am hopeful that there will be a government announcement soon that housing numbers in Wokingham can be reduced.

If there is no such announcement, we must not forget that it’s the Conservative government that is forcing Wokingham to take so much new housing, destroying our greenfields forever.

We, of course, still have a need to provide new homes, and we shall focus on meeting the needs of our community.

In this difficult time, we shall be pressing for more affordable one-, two- and three-bedroom properties to support our local families, plus provide one- and two- bedroom bungalows to enable our older community to stay in this area. The latter approach would then free up the larger family homes, with less need to build on our green spaces.

Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and Lib Dem ward member for Hawkedon

Paul Fishwick

In association with Blandy & Blandy Victory in Knotweed case ‘could lead to more claims’

A DECISION to allow a homeowner compensation from a local authority when Japanese Knotweed spread from a cycle track to his garden could lead to more claims, according to a legal expert.

Reading-based solicitor Jonathan Dinsdale (pictured), who works for Blandy & Blandy in its dispute resolution team, warns the judge’s view could see the floodgates open on similar cases.

Japanese Knotweed is a serious problem due to the fact that land which is contaminated by the plant and its rhizomes requires significant remedial measures, including disposing of top soil as a hazardous waste.

On February 3, Judge Beard ruled that despite Bridgend Council providing an effective treatment programme to remove knotweed from the site owned by Marc Davies, it had led to additional

problems for the homeowner.

This included a reduction in the value of his property, as he was unable to carry out landscaping works, or erect a shed or building in his garden.

Mr Dinsdale said:

“Although the damages successfully claimed are nominal, this judgment potentially allows the floodgates to open against local councils which have allowed Japanese Knotweed to escape from their land.

“Counsel for Mr Davies confirmed the importance of the Court of Appeal decision saying that, iIt confirms that a homeowner who suffers a loss in the value of their home from the stigma left from Japanese Knotweed even after it has been treated, can recover damages for that loss’.”

It is reported that legal fees for Bridgend Council were in the region of £300,000.

n For further information, log on to: www.blandy.co.uk

Age-friendly employer extends income protection benefit to up to 70 years

A READING-based law firm is extending its income protection scheme to all its colleagues, up to the age of 70.

Osborne Clarke says it was one of the first legal businesses to sign the Centre for Ageing Better’s Age-friendly Employer Pledge, and is introducing the benefit from April 1. At the moment the policy stops at 65.

It is a core benefit that the firm provides at no cost to all its employees. Colleagues qualify for membership provided that they are at least 16.

And this fits in with its commitment to being an agefriendly employer, committing to take at least one specific action each year to improve the recruitment, retention and development of workers over 50.

One of its Age Network champions, Danielle Kingdon (pictured), was instrumental in bringing about the policy change.

“Unfortunately covid has made us all very aware that the

Equity deals in the south east drop by nearly a fifth

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

THE UK might have avoided a recession, but research shows that equity deals across the south east have decreased by nearly a fifth last year.

The British Business Bank survey shows that smaller businesses in the south east dropped 8%, to a total investment of £1.1 billion in the first three quarters of 2022.

And year-on-year, the number of deals in the region decreased by 19%

However, the also report shows there has been a demand for external finance, with 36% of South East smaller businesses in the last three years sought or applied for external finance as businesses look to grow.

This figure could be influenced by the bounce

back loans the government introduced in the wake of the lockdown phase of the covid pandemic.

Since then the picture changes. The British Business Bank says there has been a drop in demand for finance: nationally, in the third quarter of 2022, just a third of smaller businesses were using external finance, compared to 44% the previous year.

In the south east, that was just 24% of small businesses,

CHANGE:

THE UK might have avoided a recession, but research shows that equity deals across the south east have decreased by nearly a fifth last year.

compared to 41% in 2021.

Gross lending grew despite fewer smaller businesses using finance, as they sought larger loans to support their business due to inflationary pressures.

And success rates for those seeking loans fell from 80% to 64% year-on-year.

For overall bank lending, £35.5bn came from challenger and specialist banks in 2022, with a total 55% share of the market. Across the UK gross bank lending increased by

12.8% in 2022, however net lending fell by £8.5bn in large part reflecting repayment of Covid loans.

Steve Conibear, UK Network Director, South and West of England at the British Business Bank, said:

“This report highlights the South East of England’s entrepreneurial spirit, with businesses continuing to show strong appetite for external finance, however they are clearly adapting to a challenging economic climate meaning many are reducing their use.

“At the British Business Bank, we are committed to supporting these businesses as they seek to achieve sustainable growth, and in turn boost economic productivity, by improving their access to external finance.”

Increase in people looking for new mortgages

IT SHOULDN’T really be a surprise after Trussonomics saw the Bank of England forced to raise interest rates from next to nothing to 4%, but across Berkshire people have been looking to remortgage.

New data from Better. co.uk shows that trying to find new mortgage rates is a priority, especially if people are coming to the end of their fixed rate deals, some of which will have been at historic low levels of under 2%.

unexpected can happen at any ti me to anyone. Having a plan in place to ensure you’re covered gives some peace of mind if you’re faced with a difficult health situation,” said Ms Kingdon.

She worked on the project with its head of reward, Sarah Underhill, who said: “Income protection is often considered an important part of good financial planning, ensuring people’s future well-being is protected if illness or injury prevents them from working for an extended period.”

The website said that comparing Google search data between November 2021 and November 2022, Reading has seen an +494% increase in searches for mortgage rates, with Bracknell, Slough and Luton seeing +556%, +529%, +700% respectively.

This tracks with the rest of the UK where overall searches surrounding mortgage rates have increased by +508%, up to 110,000 average

monthly searches.

And Better.co.uk says that nearly two thirds – 60% – of all mortgage rate searches have a negative sentiment.

Sam Amidi, head of mortgage sales at better. co.uk, said: “Mortgage rates could keep increasing in 2023 as the Bank of England attempts to manage inflation by raising its base rate.

“It’s been speculated that the base rate, could rise as high as 4.8% in Q3 of 2023.

“Mortgage rates may finally begin to decrease again in 2024.

“With mortgage rates on the rise and repayments becoming more costly, buyers should ensure they shop around for the right mortgage deal. Potential buyers should also consider that they put down as big a deposit as possible, as this will increase their access to better mortgage deals with lower interest rates.”

Sam said that those most affected would be first-time buyers hit by the cost of housing, expensive monthly payments and the cost-ofliving crisis, as well as those coming to the end of a low fixed term rate.

“Anyone fortunate enough to have locked into a low mortgage rate in the last few years will face the stark difference in interest rates when they go to remortgage,” they said.

“Rising interest rates will make it more expensive to borrow and difficult to secure an affordable mortgage deal. This may deter many homebuyers from looking to buy in the current market.

“It is also expected that house prices will drop, meaning that sellers may not get what they think their home is worth.”

n Better.co.uk says it has produced some advice, which can be found at: https://better. co.uk/press/uks-biggestmortgage-concerns

People are searching for new mortgage rates

Picture: Alexander Stein from Pixabay

EBOS’ all-female cabaret show Woman Up punches high To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 Thursday, March 16, 2023 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 33

Event celebrates inspirational women

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM’S Town Hall was yarn-bombed recently by a craft group’s decorations to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The Barkham Hookers garlanded the town, and crocheted miniatures of noteable female figures for an event hosted by the Women’s Equality Party, Reading and Wokingham.

More than 80 people gathered at the Town Hall to hear speakers from non-for-profit organisations highlight some of the oppressions women still face in 2023, and celebrate the individuals and organisations striving to overcome them.

Louise Timlin, branch lead for the Reading and Wokingham Women’s Equality Party opened the event.

She challenged a culture in the UK that leads to a 15% gender pay gap, only 35% of MPs being women, and a woman being killed every three days by a man, in the UK.

Sarah Hacker, from Alana House, Reading, then highlighted the work her organisation is doing to support and empower women across the Thames Valley.

Alana House helps vulnerable women avoid being involved in offending behaviour that could lead to a prison sentence.

Kushinga Hare, from Refugee Support Group, shared the work her organisation is doing to

A CARE home resident was taken for a unique trip down memory lane thanks to the creativity of members of staff.

Jean Parsons, a former flight attendant, was treated to a mock airplane in Shinfield View’s lounge ‘flown’ by former British Airways pilot Kathy McDonald.

To make the experience as authentic as possible, Kathy wore her uniform, while Jean dressed as a member of the cabin crew – a role she had held for 30 years.

Laura McSoley, events manager of Shinfield View, said: “It was very uplifting to see how much Jean enjoyed using the refreshments trolley to serve drinks to her friends and how nostalgic it made her to show them how the safety equipment worked.

“It was clear to everyone that she was a natural.

“All the staff at Shinfield View are thrilled to have been able to provide Jean with a unique and memorable experience, and we are grateful to Kathy for sharing her expertise.”

support refugees in Berkshire. The group supports individuals and families to rebuild their lives after escaping from war, torture and/ or modern slavery.

Then Marie Hemmingway from Speak Out Revolution explained how the group gathers and uses data on bullying and harassment in the workplace in order to change unfair working practices.

and poet Fiona Dignan performed a work that she wrote for the event.

A raffle was held at the event.

The Barkham Hookers donated one of the crocheted miniatures, Emmeline Pankhurst, for the raffle, with other prizes donated by Outhouse Brewery and Cook.

Fiona Dignan also donated

her poem to be made into a poster.

The raffle raised £300 which will be distributed to the three organisations who spoke at the event.

For information about the groups at the event, visit:

n Alana House: www.pactcharity. org/alana-house

n The Refugee Support Group: www.refugeesupportgroup.org. uk

n Speak Out Revolution: www. speakoutrevolution.co.uk

n Fiona Dignan: www.instagram. com/fidignanpoems

n Women’s Equality Reading and Wokingham: readingandwokingham@ womensequality.org.uk

n The Barkham Hookers, visit: www.facebook.com/ thebarkhamhookers

The mock plane featured a life-size printed image of a cockpit and horizon. Its cabin included six passenger seats, complete with an aisle and large printed windows residents ‘could look out of’.

After completing her inflight checks and communicating with the control tower, Kathy took the passengers on a slightly sped-up flight from Berkshire to Australia.

Staff at the care home had also prepared a drinks trolley complete with refreshments.

Once at the cruising altitude, and after the seat belt signs were off, Jean served drinks and light refreshments to her passengers.

After learning about the event, Jean’s cousin said: “These photos help to bring back some happy memories for Jean.”

The opportunity was something the home was inspired to offer the former British Airways employee after hearing about 30-year career in the skies, which saw her work on Boeing 747s and Concordes to destinations as far as Australia and New Zealand.

EAST Berkshire Operatic Society’s latest show, Woman Up had audience members standing up to applaud the all-female cast.

The show, a mix of solos, duets, trios and group numbers was a celebration, and a powerful tribute to the roles of women in musical theatre.

The audience of both men and women loved it.

In recognition of International Womens’ Day on March 8, the production was conceived by director and choreographer Sophie Horrox, with musical direction from Abi Burrows.

The show was entirely manned, or rather womanned, by a female team that carried out every aspect of the show from front of house, to design, to technical operation, scene painting, and seating construction.

Programme design, and the striking stage image, was created by Sophie’s sister, Olivia Horrox.

Performing songs from a wide variety of musical shows, the cast of 13 women filled the Pinewood Theatre in Wokingham Without, with melodies that delighted, touched, and entertained.

Sophie chose an excellent set of songs, giving her singers the opportunity to convey a colourful range of emotions, along with excellent harmonies and dance routines.

The programme included numbers from musicals including Come From Away, Hamilton, Hairspray, Six, and Made In Dagenham.

They allowed the cast to fill

the stage with waves of powerful group energy and poignant, solo and duet moments.

Pieces were perfectly married to each performer’s voice, and not one of them disappointed.

But it wasn’t just a night of music – each number in the show was performed with integrity, and often, humour.

Emily Burton’s joyful and skilfully executed opening number, Me And The Sky, from Come From Away, was a jubilant start to the evening.

It set the scene, and the high bar, for all that was to come.

What followed were excellent performances from Emily Hobbs, Helen Hall, Hannah Coe, Janine Pegg, Kelly Cross, Kirsty McDougall, Natalie Hayllor, Natalie Godding, NIcola Jones,

Nicola Morrin, Robyn Parton, and Sian Price-Marshall.

They were evidently an ensemble that loved working together.

Not only were they talented performers, but women enthusiastic to welcome the audience into their world.

The show’s strapline was Well Behaved Women Seldom Make History.

These women may not have ‘behaved well’ but their night of songs was a joyful and skilful triumph - a celebration of what it means to be a woman.

So, thumbs up, hands up, and like the audience, stand up – for Woman up.

n For more information about the group, visit: www.ebos.org.uk

EMMA MERCHANT

BRANDS

Beacon

1 2

TALK: Speakers at the Women’s Day event held in Wokingham Town Hall

Picture: courtesy of Women’s Equality Party, Reading and Wokingham

SHOWCASE: Woman Up was a celebration of female talent

Picture: Asun Olivan Photography

College students to hold jazz concert

THERE will be some smooth sounds in the air around Wellington College this month.

Pupils from the school’s Big Band and Concert Band are holding a concert of jazz and light music from screen, stage, classic jazz and soul.

The event will also showcase some amazing jazz singers and a specially commissioned piece, A Young Person’s Guide to the Concert Band.

All proceeds from the concert will be split between the Crowthorne Community Minibus which provides transport for elderly and disabled persons in Crowthorne, and The Wellington College Arts Fund, which provides vital funding to support educational arts projects in nearby schools and local community groups.

The concert is on Tuesday, March 21 starting at 8pm. Tickets are £10. n For more details or to book, log on to: www.wellingtoncollege. org.uk

Concerns over school run safety if homes are built on Hurst field

EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

CONCERNS about school children’s safety were raised in consultation replies to the borough council planners over a plan to build 24 homes in Hurst.

Former school governor Duncan Kendall of Hurst said the proposed homes on Willowmead, between School Road and Orchard Road, would significantly affect road safety and congestion in School Road.

The road was extremely busy at the start and end of St Nicholas Primary School’s day. A bus at both times created even more traffic chaos, while on Fridays, a refuse lorry turned into the road.

The new estate’s access and car park road, very close to the junction with Tape Lane, would effectively create a five-way junction, “which can only add to the congestion, difficulties and danger at both ends of the school day” he added.

Other concerns included the car park proposed for school parents’ use would be unsafe, while narrow parking spaces would be unsuitable

for children to get in and out of cars as other vehicles came and went. Parents would prefer parking beside a safe footpath.

Among those supporting the new homes was David Castle who said: “I am a resident of Hurst and previously lived on Orchard Road along a part of which this development is proposed.

“I have looked at the plans and believe them to be a ‘good fit’ with the local housing requirements and infrastructures. I am therefore

happy to be in support of this application.”

development in Hurst Village. I wanted to move to the village several years ago, but the house prices were just out of my budget.

“Houses on that piece of scrubland would enhance the area and may make it more affordable for families to move into the village which will then support the local services.

“The land for the school parking would be a bonus for all the parents who drive their children to school. Most of the newer houses in the village were built on green field sites, the narrow footpaths are the same in every village across the country, that’s what makes village life attractive for so many.”

n Comments about the proposed homes (application 230074) are at: planning.wokingham.gov.uk

Residents objections over plan for 24 homes on former village show site

A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to build 24 homes on the old Hurst Show site fields currently has far more objectors than supporters.

But Hurst Village Society has told Wokingham Borough Council they’re not supporting or objecting to the planning application to build the new homes.

Many villagers were surprised when they discovered last year that the society told the council the land in School Road, near the primary school, was suitable for development.

There were pleas for the society to consult their 250 members over the proposals before making a submission over the proposal for 24 homes on the green space.

Some members say they were not asked. Requests for responses from members was posted on the HVS website, but members say they should have been directly asked. The deadline for comments was last Thursday.

Replying to the council’s consultation about the new plan, John Osborne from the society’s committee said: “Hurst Village Society has on this occasion decided not to make any specific recommendations in relation to either supporting or objecting to the scheme.”

The letter also revealed that out of the society’s 250 members just two had replied to the society’s request for views: both objected to the plan.

A village resident’s count of the replies to the council’s consultation shows 190 objections, 25 comments in support and the HVS committee comment.

The village society comment posted on the borough council’s planning portal included: “The Society, as it always does, has published details of this application on our website together with direct links to the WBC Planning Portal and we requested comments from members to inform this response.

“Two responses were received both of which were wanting to object to this application.”

It continued: “The Society is pleased that a number of our members have individually made a submission, a number objecting to the proposals, and some in favour of the application, and that Hurst Parish Council will be formally responding as the statutory consultee, but Hurst Village Society has, on this occasion, decided not to make any specific recommendations in relation to either supporting or objecting to this application.”

The society’s letter also

A TALK on Victorian dressmaking promises to highlight frills and skills.

Costume historian Meridith Towne returns to Wokingham Library with her show The Victorian Dressmaker: Rags and Riches.

She invites her audience to celebrate sumptuous Victorian styles, while sparing a thought for the seamstresses who made them.

referred to its difficulty commenting when the borough’s draft local plan, detailing plans for housebuilding to 2036, was at its early stages, when there was no five-year supply of borough housing land, and no Local Neighbourhood Plan to refer to.

A Hurst resident, who did not want to be named, said: “They (HVS) have not consulted their members before commenting on this application. Why [didn’t] the committee ask the members what they think?

“The HVS website says that membership is open to ‘all persons who wish to protect the rural character of villages along the River Loddon’. It would seem logical to conclude that those members would not want to see the rural character of the village eroded by development outside the development limit.”

The resident said HVS had made no attempt to get out their request for members’ views even by email, or by other means for members without email.

Wokingham Borough Council will decide whether to give the scheme planning permission.

Hurst Village Society was contacted for a comment, but had not responded as we went to press.

Original examples will be on display.

Tickets cost £8, which must be paid in advance to the venue no later than one week after booking.

The event takes place at Wokingham Library on Friday, March 24, from 2pm to 3.30pm.

To book a place people should call the library directly on: 0118 978 1368.

Marc Turner from Crowthorne said: “I am for the

SOURCE OF CONCERN: Traffic congestion at the junction of School Road and Tape Lane in Hurst during school run

Historian’s Victorian talk will frill audiences in Wokingham

Arts Society learns about lions of Trafalgar Square

KARIN Fernald gave members of the Arts Society Wokingham a fascinating insight into the life and times of the creator of the lions in Trafalgar Square, Sir Edwin Landseer.

The four bronze lions are some of the world’s most famous sculptures, but they were created by Sir Edwin Landseer who was much better known as a painter, albeit a painter of animals. He was not the first person to be offered the commission but he willingly accepted it and set to work. He applied the same painstaking approach to anatomical detail as he had when painting dogs and stags.

He studied the lions in Regent’s Park Zoo and even had the body of one that died in the Zoo delivered to his home where he dissected it.

It was a decade before the four lions were eventually completed and unveiled on June 30, 1867.

When Landseer died, six years later, he was given a public funeral and buried in St Paul’s Cathedral. Crowds lined the streets and black wreaths were wrapped around the necks of his lions in Trafalgar Square.

Karin is a theatre and TV actor and she used her acting skills to great advantage, keeping her audience entertained and informed.

As one member said: “Her memory of details and non-stop faultless delivery were indeed outstanding. She made the artist come alive.”

Karin’s dry sense of humour gave her audience a fascinating insight into life in 19th century society.

She described how, in 1820, John Russell, the sixth Duke of Bedford, commissioned the young Landseer to paint his young wife’s portrait. Soon Landseer became a frequent visitor and their favourite house guest.

At dinner parties he loved to

Antiques valuation raises more than £300 for orphans

entertain the guests with ghost stories Karin hinted that his relationship with the Duchess was more than simply friendship.

He is reputed to have fathered one, if not two, of the Duchess’s many children. After the Duke’s death Landseer proposed to the Duchess but she turned him down, causing him to suffer a nervous breakdown.

His last years were marred by mental instability.

In contrast, the Society’s March lecture is a celebration of the arrival of spring. Why not come along and discover the glorious paintings of Joaquin Sorolla?

Jacqueline Cockburn will be sharing her love of his paintings and explaining how he achieved this extraordinary feeling of light and colour.

The talk is on Monday, March 20, at King’s Academy, Binfield - the Society’s new home. The school has excellent facilities including a well-lit car park and plenty of space to mingle while enjoying tea or coffee and biscuits before the talk, which starts at 7.45pm.

Guests are always welcome but do email memsectheartssocietywham@ gmail.com to register beforehand. The talk will also be live streamed and available to watch from home on the society’s own YouTube channel.

n For details, visit: www.The ArtsSocietyWokingham.org.uk

SUE BRYANT

MONEY raised from an antiques valuation event will go to a charity that supports orphanages and poor families in India.

The volunteer-run group SalGO Assist, sends money, and raises awareness in the UK of the needs in the towns and villages in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Held at St Mary’s Church Hall in Winnersh earlier this month, the event raised £318.

People were invited to bring items to be valued by two experts from Wokingham-based Martin and Pole Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors.

Event organiser Anne Warner says: “We’re very pleased with how it all went.

Why Suffragettes from Tilehurst are thought to be behind the arson of a Wargrave church

WARGRAVE Local History Society’s February meeting was an illustrated presentation by Dr Margaret Simons, on Suffragettes – the result of her detailed research into the campaigns.

The Act of Parliament that gave women over 30 the right to vote in general elections was passed just 105 years ago, on February 6, 1918, but this was just a part of a wider movement to increase rights for women.

The fight to gain the franchise had taken about 50 years, and had both male and female supporters and detractors.

As long ago as 1866, when there was a proposal to extend the franchise for men, a Women’s Suffrage Committee organised a petition that was presented to Parliament by John Stuart Mill MP.

He supported their cause, and proposed an amendment to the 1867 Reform Bill to replace “male person” by “person”, which would entitle women to gain the vote if they were qualified in the same way as male electors, but the amendment was defeated.

Such Reform Bills came before Parliament almost every year until 1914, but amendments to include female voters were always defeated. The campaign was not to give the vote to all women, but to those who would qualify on the same basis as men did.

Another organisation, the National Society for Women’s Suffrage, was formed in 1867, and, by 1895, the campaigners became more organised,

with the formation of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies.

Under Millicent Fawcett’s leadership, these suffragists sought to use legal and peaceful means to achieve their aims. A different approach was taken by the Women’s Social and Political Union, begun by Mrs Pankhurst in Manchester in 1903.

These suffragettes were more militant, and believed deeds not words would be more effective, and local meetings of both groups were regularly reported in the local newspapers.

There was also a Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League, with several

notable local ladies amongst them.

The Women’s Social and Political Union was run on fairly autocratic lines by the Pankhursts, and this led to a split, with the formation of the Women’s Freedom League - still a militant movement, but run more democratically.

A meeting at Tilehurst in December 1908 considered that militant action was necessary if they were to be taken seriously.The most notable locally was on June 1, 1914, when a Wargrave church was attacked by arsonists, and a number of suffragette messages were left by the perpetrators.

Soon after, on Tuesday, August 4,

CAMPIAGNER: A statue of Millicent Fawcett Picture: Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay

“It was a lovely atmosphere, and just the right number of people came along – 48 visitors, which meant nobody had to wait in a queue for too long.

“Our two experts gave their time free of charge, with their specialist areas being ceramics, and jewellery.”

Ms Warner says that three antiques were put to auction following valuation, and included a ring and a large clock.

Martin and Pole donate a percentage of any sale made to the charity.

“We’d like to thank the company for their expertise and for their kindness,” says Ms Warner.

n For information about the charity, visit: www.salgoassist.org

Green fingered fun for all ages with Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association

THERE’S a double helping of green fingered fun this month at the Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association.

First up is the Children’s Great Potato Planting for children and grand-children of club members on Sunday March 19 starting at 9.30am until 11am.

They will seed some super spuds in a special compost bag to take home, look after and hopefully enjoy in a Sunday dinner.

the First World War began. This saw the end of militant action, the effect of the war being to bring all classes of people together, and so in preparation for the election at the end of the war in 1918, women were eventually granted the vote by the passing of the Representation of the People Act that year. The women turned out in numbers – queuing before the poll opened, and at Windsor in the first three hours, more women than men cast their vote. It is debatable if women would have been given the right to do so had it not been for the war.

PETER DELANEY

Non-members can chip in by taking out the annual membership at an appealing £8.

The following week, Saturday March 25, starting at 2pm, the Association holds its Spring Show, the first of three scheduled throughout the year.

There are a host of prizes to be won in a variety of competitions including best fruit and vegetables, floral art, photography and handicrafts.

The show will be held at Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford and are open to nonmembers.

n For more information, entry forms and entry fees, go to: trha.org.uk

The Lions of Traflagar Square

TIME FOR EXPERT ADVICE: Visitors to the SalGo Assist charity valuation event took items for Martin & Pole to assess Picture: Kjatan Einarsson via Unsplash

Low carbon heating with air sourced heat pump

Waste water heat recovery

Sustainable drainage systems

Electric car charging points

Low energy downlighters (over and above current requirement)

Smart energy controls heating to

Timber from sustainable sources

Underfloor ground floors

Classifieds

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A day out by special train to Plymouth

The South Devon Explorer

Saturday 27th May 2023

From Reading. Join our special train at Reading for a day out to remember. We will be met by an historic steam locomotive at Bristol to steam along the Kennet and Avon Canal, through Somerset countryside and the Culm Valley to Exeter. A run along the famous Dawlish sea wall, one of Britain’s most scenic stretches of railway, will be a highlight of the journey. A break at maritime Plymouth provides chance to explore the Hoe and the old Barbican area with the Mayflower Steps or the city’s shops On the return our vintage train will leave our steam loco behind at Taunton to complete our journey diesel hauled.

• Premier Dining £295 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £195 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £130 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: DHP

Steam to seaside Minehead

West Somerset Steam Express

Saturday 22nd July, 12th Aug, 16th Sept 2023

From Slough and Reading. Enjoy a day out departing from Slough or Reading to the Bristol Channel coast by train featuring two historic steam locomotives. This seaside special will be hauled by a magnificent steam loco along the scenic Kennet and Avon Canal and through the pretty Vale of Pewsey. Our train will join the West Somerset Railway and a WSR steam loco will take over for the stretch past Dunster Castle and into the resort of Minehead, where you can enjoy the sea and sand before we steam for home.

• Premier Dining £285 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £115 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: DHQ

A day out to Cornwall The Royal Duchy

Sunday 30th July 2023

From Slough and Reading. Step on board our special train at Slough or Reading to enjoy a day out to Cornwall. We shall be joined by a magnificent steam locomotive at Bristol ready for an exhilarating run beside the Exe Estuary and along the famous Dawlish sea wall. The Royal Duchy will stop at Plymouth, where you can explore the Hoe, ancient Barbican, seafront or National Marine Aquarium. Alternatively, stay on board for Cornwall to Par, where we shall have coaches ready to take you to the pretty seaside village of Fowey or Charlestown, home to the Shipwreck, Rescue and Heritage Centre and location for the BBC’s Poldark.

• Premier Dining £309 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £209 per person – price includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon/breakfast roll and a muffin and an afternoon service of tea or coffee with a savoury of the day followed by a scone with butter and jam.

• Standard Class £134 per person – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: DHR

Bob Green

Bob Green

Bob Green

LEISURETODAY

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

JUSTIN Moorhouse has been performing comedy for more than 20 years, with television credits including Phoenix Nights, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, and even Coronation Street.

He has also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, as well as hosting and appearing on a number of radio shows.

His latest live show, Think and Stretch, is now touring across the UK, including South Hill Park.

With his considerable experience in stand-up, he professes that it may be easier than it seems.

“I think people think it must be harder than it is; you have to get up on stage, and if you die you die, but there’s no replacement for stage time.

“There’s an element of advantage to being a touring comic, as people have bought tickets to see you, you’re on the poster, people are invested.

“In a comedy club, you have to get good by being best on the bill.”

He says it’s also the kind of career which can keep a performer’s feet on the ground: “When you have a tough gig, it’s a really chastening experience, you feel like you’re on gossamer wings of appreciation when it goes well.

“But you only learn something when it goes wrong, and there’s always a way you could have done better.”

“I’m not one for blaming an audience, you have to get used to dealing with different audiences and you have to grow and develop.

“If you’re a stand up, it’s very healthy to have a kind of reality check every now and then – it’s good for the soul.”

Justin says that his daughter, now approaching adulthood, is showing interest in performing, too.

On whether he would give her the inside tips gleaned from years of experience, he said: “absolutely no chance – she can work it out for herself.”

Especially, he says, as he came to comedy “late in life; I already had years of experience working around people and having to ‘present.’”

“I was coming from a large family who didn’t have a lot, and, in the way people didn’t in those days, you made your own entertainment.”

Justin is currently touring with Stretch and Think, which he says explores shifts in his life

following a certain milestone.

“I’m 52, and I’m downsizing a little bit in life, my kids are getting on a bit, off to university, and we’re selling off the house so they can’t come back.

“The show is making some inroads into my final decisions on stuff– things like the menopause and libido, to Labradoodles, and recycling.”

When it comes to politics, he says the show won’t shy away from topics of which other comedians might be wary. Political issues are difficult, though not impossible, he says, to exclude in their entirety from stand-up.

“I think politics is life, and has always informed comedy – but party politics at the moment is a duck-shoot, whatever your sensibilities are.

“You used to be able to ask people who the Prime Minister was to see if they were okay, but not any more.

“It’s difficult to avoid, it’s so omnipresent, because that’s what life is.”

Despite this, he says that comedians–and audiences as a result – have more options and avenues than ever.

“In comedy now there’s an alternative to the alternative, and I think it’s great, there’s plenty of space for everybody.

“It’s the one art form where you can’t blag it and we’re in a really healthy place with it – until ChatGPT starts doing comedy, of course.

“But what I don’t like is someone who will play to the gallery and espouse some views on stage which they don’t believe

“That’s the thing about being a comedian; once you get caught out being a hypocrite, there’s no going back.”

He says that comedy is not something he is giving up any time soon, however.

“If I couldn’t perform stand-up, I don’t know what I’d do. It’s an absolute essential for my soul, for my mental wellbeing.

“The sound of laughter in a room, in a cellar or in an arena, what a wonderful response to elicit, and it’s instant.

“It’s not about the adulation, but that shared experience– that idea of community, congregation, it’s absolutely magic.”

n Justin Moorhouse is currently touring Think and Stretch in venues around the UK, including South Hill Park in Bracknell on Thursday, April 20. Tickets and more information are available via: ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/justinmoorhouse.

At a stretch

Justin Moorhouse talks to JAKE CLOTHIER about Labradoodles, late libido, and his latest tour Stretch and Think

Shattering truths and changing seasons

BOB and Fran have worked hard to give their four children the opportunities they never had.

Now, with the kids ready to make lives of their own, it’s time to sit back and smell the roses.

But the changing seasons reveal shattering truths.

Things I Know To Be True combines theatre, movement, and music.

It conveys family life, and a marriage, through the eyes of four siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents’ love and expectations.

The play asks, is it possible to love too much?

The production contains very strong language and adult themes.

It can be seen at Wokingham Theatre, from Thursday, March 16 through to Saturday, March 26, excluding Sunday.

Doors open at 7.45pm, and tickets can be purchased for £15.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 978 5363 or visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

Rock on with these 60s heroes

LEGENDS of rock and pop promise to deliver a night of songs to show the younger generation what their parents have been raving about.

The Sensational 60s Experience celebrates six decades of music.

Bands Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich; The Trems (Formerly The Tremulos); Mike d’Abo, front man for Manfred Man; The Fortunes; The Swinging Blue Jeans; and Vanity Fair will perform.

To be transported back to the magical decade, audiences should make their way to Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, on Wednesday, March 22.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available for £29.50

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or visit: whatsonreading.com

Secrets of wildlife filmmaker revealed

ONE OF the most prominent wildlife presenters and film makers working today, Gordon Buchanan, tells his remarkable story.

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk

01344 484123

Chris McCausland: Speaky Blinder.

Thurs 16. Conservatoire:

Students from the Purcell School. Fri 17. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 17. Raymond Burley:

Music From Spain and Beyond.

Sat 18. And Finally… Phil Collins. Sat 18. Romeo & Juliet. Sun 19. Eagle House School presents Seussical

The Musical. Wed 22-Thurs 23.

Conservatoire: Olga Paliy and Kamila Bydlowska. Fri 24.

The Comedy Cellar.

Fri 24. The Bon Jovi Experience. Sat 25. South Hill Park Tours. Sun 26. Wilde

Sundays: Dragonfly Sky and Greg Mayston’s Americana, JK Jerome. Sun 26.

FILMS: Anything Goes. Sun 19. Moonage Daydream (15).

Thurs 16. Tar (15). Fri 17-Thurs 23. Eo (15). Mon 20-Tues 21.

Royal Opera House Live:

You’ll believe he’s the real deal

FANS of the 80s rock front man John Bon Jovi should make their way to Bracknell.

The Bon Jovi Experience, a band endorsed by the man himself, promises its lead singer is so familiar, audiences won’t believe he’s not the real deal.

The only tribute act in the world to perform live on-stage with Jon Bon Jovi, the group will stage a night of 80s rock celebration.

The event takes place at South Hill Park Art, on Saturday, March 25. Doors open at 7.45pm with tickets available for £24.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01344 484123 or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

Entertaining music promised

deaf

Bradshaw’s new show, Deaf Com 1,

He has produced some of the most popular wildlife programmes on the BBC, bringing hidden animal worlds to UK television screens.

In, 30 Years In The Wild, he shares his work both behind and in front of the camera.

With three decades worth of expeditions to uncover, and favourite wildlife encounters, this is a night for anyone wanting to know what it takes to be a successful wildlife film maker.

The event takes place at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre,on Monday March 20.

Doors open at 7.30pm with tickets available for £24.50 and £27 depending on seat locations, with student tickets costing £12.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 960 6060 or visit: whatsonreading.com

An evening all the way from Dublin

PAT Abernethy and Dave Marsden

Turnadot. Wed 22. The Fabelmans (12a). Fri 24-Wed 29.

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz

01276 707600

Forbidden Nights. Thurs 23.

Vincent Simone Tango

Passions. Fri 24. An Evening of Burlesque. Sat 25.

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

01483 440000

Mrs Warren’s Profession. Tues

14-Sat 18. Luke Wright: The Remains of Logan Dankworth.

Thurs 16. Nothing On Earth.

Sat 18. Carmen. Fri 24. Queenz. Sat 25.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk

01494 512000

Keith James: The Songs of Leonard Cohen. Thurs 16. Babatunde

has been described as captivating and raucously funny.

It covers his recent fatherhood, teaching his young son sign language and a disastrous trip to Bahrain. He says: “One-in-six of us will lose our hearing, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose your sense of humour.”

return to their Irish roots for an intimate, musical evening.

Pat from Belfast and Dave from Dublin will sing songs that reflect the Irish spirit in its many forms.

Audiences can expect a night of nostalgia, romance, emigration, politics, sentimentality, loss, regret, and humour.

Stories about living and working in Ireland will be interspersed with the music of Tommy Makem, Mary Black, The Fureys , Bagatelle, Shane McGowan, and Phil Coulter.

The audience can also enjoy songs by Christie Hennessy, Christy Moore, Dolores Keane, Van Morrison, and Val Doonican.

The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Friday, March 17.

Doors open at 8pm with tickets available for £15.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

Aleshe: Babahood. Fri 17. The King and I. Until Sat 18. Pull Uppp Presents Baby D and Sweet Female Attitude. Sat 18.

Fanny’s Mother’s Day Buns and Bubbles. Sun 19. Dance Live 2023 Senior Heat. Mon 20-Tues 21.

Henley – Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk

01491 525050

The Parent Trap. Fri 17-Sat 18. The Philadelphia Story. Wed 22-Sat 25. Yippee Ki Yay. Sun 26.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm

www.nordenfarm.org

01628 788997

Anything Goes - The Musical. Thurs 16. Songs From Ireland. Fri 17. SOLD. Fri 17. Broker

(12a). Sat 18. Michelle de Swarte: Moved. Sat 18. An Evening of Song with Annie Dressner, Lucy Grubb, Dan Wilde and Luke James Williams. Tues 21. Royal Opera

House: Turnadot. Wed 22, Fri 24. Pianists at Norden Farm: Henry Cash. Thurs 23. Ray

Bradshaw: Deaf Com 1. Thurs

23. Hattie Whitehead with special guest Tim Whitehead.

Fri 24. Kingdom of Madness: Classic Magnum. Sat 25. The Vinyl Frontier: Sad/Happy. Sat 25.

Newbury –The Corn Exchange

www.cornexchangenew.com

0845 5218 218

Talk: The Wildlife of West Berkshire. Thurs 16. Around The World in 80 Days. Thurs 16-18. ROH Live: Turnadot. Wed 22. Sing-A-Long-A Encanto. Sat 25.

Newbury –The Watermill

www.watermill.org.uk

01635 46044

Notes From A Small Island.

Until Sat 18. Through The Looking Glass. Thurs 23-Sat 25.

The event is at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Tuesday March 23.

Doors open at 8pm, and tickets are £15.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

Tackling the issues caused by slavery

SOLD tells of a woman’s extraordinary journey to overcome the brutality of slavery.

Born into slavery in the British colony of Bermuda, Mary Prince went on to become a beacon for the British antislavery movement.

She wrote a book that galvanised the abolitionist movement, helping to free many Africans in bondage.

Through theatre, song, music, drumming and dance, Kuumba Nia Arts’ performance is inspired by the storytelling traditions of the West African Griot.

The event is at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Friday, March 17. Doors open at 8pm, with tickets costing £16.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01628 788977 or log on to: norden.farm

Reading –South Street

www.whatsonreading.com

0118 960 6060

Poets Cafe Online. Fri 17. Rhys James: Spilt Milk. Sat 18. Mike Wozniak: Zusa. Fri 24. Heidi Talbot. Sat 25.

Reading –The Hexagon

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Russell Howard. Thurs 16. Calling Planet Earth. Fri 17. I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue official stage tour. Sat 18. Gordon Buchanan: 30 Years In The Wild. Mon 20. The Sensational 60s

Experience. Wed 22.

Let’s Sing Reading. Fri 24. Royal Philharmonic Noisy Kids. Sat 25. Henley Symphony Orchestra. Sun 26.

Reading –Concert Hall

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

UKRAINE pianist Olga Paliy, and violinist Kamila Bydlowska, perform a mix of traditional and entertaining music.

Sonatas by Brahms and Saint-Saens are followed by a Tango by the famed Piazzolla, and a Fantasy by Frolov on Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.

The event is at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Friday, March 24.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available for £16.50, with concessions costing £12.50, and under 18s costing £5.50.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01344 484123 or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

An evening of guitar music in Bracknell

GUITARIST Raymond Burley returns to Bracknell with works from Spain, South America, Finland and England. His programme includes work by composers Rodrigo, Moreno Torroba, Duarte, Nieminen and Brouwer. Burley’s programme offers a wide variety of styles, moods and colours.

The event takes place at South Hill Park Arts Centre, on Saturday, March 18.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available for £13, with all concessions costing £9.

n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01344 484123 or log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

NEXT SHOW: Reading Symphony Orchestra. Apr 1.

Reading –Progress Theatre

www.progresstheatre.co.uk

0118 384 2195

NEXT SHOW: Dinner. Apr 14-22.

Reading –Reading Rep Theatre

www.readingrep.com

0118 370 2620

NEXT SHOW: Peter Pan. Apr 6-29.

Shinfield –Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk

0118 975 8880

NEXT SHOW: Ravenscroft. Wed Apr 26-Fri Apr 29.

Sonning –The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Noel Coward’s Hay Fever. Until May 13.

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

01753 853888

The Grass Is Greener. Until Sat 18. Marty Wilde and the Wildecats. Sun 19. A Murder Has Been Arranged. Wed 22Sat 1. Eric and the Claptones. Sun 26.

Wokingham – Theatre

www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk

0118 978 5363

Things I Know To be True. Thurs 16-Sat 25.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org

0118 974 3247

Film Society: Happening (15). Thurs 23. A Night at the Musicals. Sat 25, Sun 26.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org

07488337838

Educating Rita. June 20-24.

RAY Bradshaw grew up with deaf parents, and all his shows are performed in both BSL and English. His previous tour, Deaf Comedy Fam, became the

first ever live comedy

experience for more than 800

audience members.

Golden chance to support arts centre on its birthday

BRACKNELL’S South Hill Park Arts Centre is 50 years old.

When it opened in 1973, its slogan was, Do It At The Park.

The aim was to offer a wide range of programmes, including theatre, cinema, classical music and jazz.

Since then South Hill Park has worked to connect and enrich people’s lives through creativity.

Its wide ranging participation programme gives audiences access to drama, dance, music and film.

And it has inspired a love of the arts and culture, with its free visual arts exhibitions, festivals and fairs.

It celebrates its golden anniversary this year with a fundraising drive, Gift for Gold Campaign, that will help the centre to continue to support, inspire and entertain the community of Bracknell and the surrounding areas.

As a registered charity, the arts centre relies on the support of the community to help support its diverse programme and cultural opportunities.

Keeping the centre open costs £20,000 a week.

Craig Titley, Chief Executive of South Hill Park Arts Centre says: “The arts centre is one of Bracknell Forest’s best-loved charities.

“It supports, entertains and inspires tens of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds every year.

“In 2023, we celebrate our 50th anniversary as Berkshire’s centre for the arts, business and community and would

Songs and poems in a creative afternoon

TWO friends are teaming up for an afternoon of music and poetry at a Reading-based arts centre next month.

Songwriter Non Canon and poet Suzannah Evans will be visiting The Rising Sun, where there will be a selection of songs about feelings and politics, and verse on a range of themes including future anxiety, climate grief and human expansion into other galaxies.

Dubbed by the artists as “an evening of sad songs and poems delivered with good humour”, both artists grapple with some of the more melancholy aspects of life, touching on mental health, climate anxiety and political turmoil, but with an optimistic resolve and fun-filled approach to performance.

Non Canon, aka Bristol songwriter Barry Dolan, and Sheffield-based poet Suzannah have been friends since they met on their first day of university in 2001, and bonded over a shared love of Idlewild, Ben Folds Five and Less Than Jake.

After countless evenings spent chatting in the pub about the similarities and differences between poetry and independent music, Barry and Suzannah hatched a plan for a tour where the two art forms could overlap, with local poets and musicians completing each bill. n They will be visiting The Rising Sun on Saturday, April 22, with the show starting at 2pm. Tickets cost £7.70, and can be bought by logging on to: https://linktr.ee/dolanthology

like to thank every individual, organisation, society, business and council who for half a century have helped us make a difference to the lives of so many in our community.

“As an arts charity we are able to generate income through ticket sales and other activities but we cannot do this on our own and rely on the generosity of others.

“Gift for Gold is a fantastic way to get behind your local arts centre and help us enrich lives for the next 50 years.

“Our aim is to raise at least £50,000 this year and so I invite you to join me today by making a donation or £50 or whatever you can afford.

“The visual and performing arts can change lives and with your help we can make it happen. Thank you.”

The centre’s Gift For Gold campaign

Hey Mr Spaceman – Tim Peake shares secrets of the galaxy

IF you were stuck in the cramped International Space Station you’d want to share it with UK astronaut Tim Peake who brought his show to The Hexagon, Reading.

Tim, a boyish and charming 50-year-old, described with passion and humour the story of his journey to space, as he bounded round the Hexagon stage in his bright blue overalls last Thursday (March 9).

Standing out on his left arm was the Union Flag badge, a rare sight in the world of space.

In 2016, Tim was the first British astronaut to visit the space station (ISS) to do a space walk while orbiting the earth.

Amid tales of doing somersaults in no gravity aboard the ISS and eating his ‘treat dish’ bacon sandwiches, he also described the dangers of space work.

Tim’s spacewalk tasks included repairs to a solar array power source with a colleague astronaut. The colleague had to be whisked back inside the ISS when his space helmet started filling with water. ‘Walking’ outside your craft is the most dangerous part of living and working in space.

We knew, of course, that he survived the three attempts at docking on arrival at the ISS, but he told the story clearly and with contained drama. His words were enhanced by the video pictures on

the screen behind him. The third attempt was indeed successful.

The need for calm, self-control and well-trained action was clear.

And yes, he did tell us how you go to the loo in space, with a video showing the equipment needed.

He told us that most of the urine created on board was cleaned to become astronauts’ drinking water.

Working days on the ISS have

enables people to support a wide range of experiences:

n £25 will give a wheelchair user access to a theatre performance.

n £50 can make a difference to the life of a young carer, through South Hill Park’s Wilde About Arts programme.

n £100 enables the centre to deliver an inspirational arts-based workshop in a school, care home or local charity.

n £150 enables the programming of a special cinema screening for residents living with dementia, and their families.

n £200 will support a bursary place in the centre’s Summer School.

Development Officer Simon Ludlow says: “Over 185,000 people participate in our arts programme annually.”

n For more details, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk

packed schedules with tasks to perform including regular vacuuming ‘housework’. But they are allowed a lighter workload at the weekends. For science buffs at the shows there are some good facts and figures about fuel load, speeds and experiments in space.

Tim also described the emotional and wonder side of space travel well, including the 16 sunsets and 16 sunrises they saw each day.

“Each one is spectacular,” he said. He saw the Himalayas and oceans, the aurora borealis at huge and amazing scale and billions of stars.

Tim, grew up near Chichester, and says he left school with three “unexceptional A-levels”.

He went on to become an Apache helicopter test pilot in the Army.

He was later selected with five classmates from 8,000 applicants to become a European Space Agency astronaut.

He is doing 25 shows on his UK tour, the final ones at The Rose Theatre, Kingston on April 2, at 2pm and 4.30pm. It would be a great outing for older children and teens.

The adults at The Hexagon had plenty to enjoy.

Details of future shows are at: https://www.timpeake.com/

Celebrate the arrival of spring

A WOKINGHAM choir’s performance will mark the end of winter.

Wokingham Choral Society’s programme includes: Vivaldi’s Gloria, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir.

Choir chair Alison Sears says that it will be a wonderful evening of music.

“Many people will know these beautiful pieces of music.

“They are a joy to sing.”

The choir is pleased to welcome new musical director, Cathal Garvey, and Hampstead Chamber Orchestra who will accompany the singers.

George de Voil will play continuo - bass score typically written for harpsichord or cello, especially within baroque ensemble music.

“It’s going to be a wonderful experience, in an impressive venue,” says Ms Sears.

The concert takes place at Reading University Great Hall, London Road on Saturday, March 18.

Doors open at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £17.50, or £5 for students and under 18s.

n They are available from Wokingham Town Hall Information Centre, Newbury Building Society, and Jay Design & Print, both in Wokingham, via email from: tickets@ wokingham-choral-society.org.uk or online from: www.wokingham-choralsociety.org.uk

VENUE: South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell is 50 this year, and to mark the occasion has launched a fundraising appeal to support its future programmes

Shakespearean

TO MARK the 425th anniversary of William Shakespeare conjuring up the magic lines from Much Ado About Nothing, Tamesis Chamber Choir will be performing a concert featuring “a gallimaufry” of songs with lyrics based on the Bard’s tales.

The choir’s musical director is Louise Rapple, and they will be welcoming accompanist Trevor Defferd.

If Music Be The Food of Love takes place from 7pm on Saturday, March 25, at St Mary’s Church, in Hart Street, Henley.

Tickets cost £12, £5 for those in education, and can be bought on the door or in advance.

n For more details, log on to: www.tamesischamberchoir.co.uk

Yateley Choral

MEMBERS of Yateley Choral Society are preparing for their spring concert, Oh Sing Joyfully.

This takes place on Saturday, March 25 at its usual performance venue, St Swithun’s Catholic Church in Firgrove Road, Yateley.

Starting at 7.45pm, the programme includes Rutter’s Gloria, Goodall’s The Lord is My Shepherd, Stanford’s Beati quorum via, and Britten’s Jubilate Deo.

Tickets cost £15, £5 for students and free for under 16s. n For more details, call the box office on: 01276 31850, or log on to: www.yateley-choral.org.uk

Angela has some good intentions

ACOMIC who says she has good intentions, but doesn’t quite make it, is coming to Bracknell next month.

Tickets for Angela Barnes’ new show Hot Mess are now on sale.

The regular on shows such as Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo, and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and former chair of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz says that trying to live your best life, as it turns out, is really quite hard.

Her new show features stand-up, stories and jokes, taking in marriage, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and the pandemic.

“It was originally about ADHD, but, ironically, I got distracted,” she says.

“The title of the show was conceived before the diagnosis. I’ve always been ditzy and forgetful, someone that people roll their eyes at all the time.

“So the show started off being about trying to get things right and often failing, but then so much happened it ended up being about something quite different, about friendship and loss.”

Other comics, including Aisling Bea, Shaparak Khorsandi, Simon Brodkin, have ADHD.

Angela says: “I think there’s a reason we get drawn into this life.

We’re constantly looking for that dopamine hit. What better way than stand in front of a room of strangers?

“It’s not normal to drive to Cardiff for no money to do 10 minutes then drive back. Also, I think we’re quite socially awkward.

“I’ve never been good in social situations with people I don’t know. I’m more comfortable

The Comet is Coming

A FESTIVAL which takes place in the heart of one of Reading’s oldest hotspots is returning after a short hiatus.

Down at the Abbey will see live music and festivities back in the shadows of the Abbey Ruins when it returns for its third outing this September.

They have been nominated for a Mercury Prize and received critical acclaim for their three recorded albums, and will take to the stage at the Abbey following performances at Coachella and Primavera festivals this summer. The rest of the festival’s lineup is still to be announced.

onstage in front of a crowd in the dark.

“I’m more surprised by stand ups that don’t have ADHD. Why are they doing it?”

Her visit to South Hill Park is on Thursday, April 27. Tickets cost £18.50.

n For more details, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk , or call the box office on: 01344 484123.

PHIL CREIGHTON

While last year’s festival was cancelled due to organisational difficulties, tickets for the event in 2022 will be valid for this year.

Musicians will perform on two stages across two days, including the Friday headliner, The Comet is Coming.

The London-based trio is fronted by saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings, incorporating funk, jazz, electronica, and psychedelic rock into their sci-fi and B-movie inspired stylings.

Taking place in the Abbey Ruins, the festival also offers a range of beer and cider from Siren Craft Brew as well as street food and cocktails in the auspicious surroundings of the remains one of Reading’s oldest buildings.

Down at the Abbey takes place in the Abbey Ruins from FridaySaturday, September 8-9.

n Information about the festival and how to volunteer, as well as access to ticket, is available via: downattheabbey.co.uk

Noisy children can join orchestra for the thrill of the ride

AN ORCHESTRAL concert promises to take its audience on an exhilarating musical journey filled with rollercoasters, train rides and thrilling adventures.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) Noisy Kids 2023 concert is called Thrill of the Ride.

The orchestra will be conducted by Benjamin Pope, with Tim Steiner presenting.

The programme features Rossini’s William Tell Overture,

Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, excerpts from Elgar’s Enigma Variations, and other orchestral music that the orchestra says will take its young audience on the ride of their lives.

Noisy Kids concerts are interactive, performances, suitable for families of children aged five to 12.

They contain all the noise, commotion and excitement of a

live symphony orchestra.

The event takes place at Reading’s Hexagon Theatre, on Saturday, March 25.

Doors open at 11.30am, with tickets available at £11.50 for adults, £9.50 for children, £34 for a family of four, and £9 for groups of 10 or more.

The 75-minute long show has no interval.

n For tickets and information, visit: www.whatsonreading.com

Farley Singers and residents set to delight in upcoming concert

A CHOIR is inviting music lovers to take part in an upcoming performance at All Saints Church, Swallowfield.

Alongside members of the community, the Farley Singers will be performing Stainer’s Crucifixion on Sunday, April 2.

An afternoon rehearsal will precede the evening concert. Participants will also have the chance to attend optional practice sessions on March 22, 27 and 31.

Singers who have their own music can take part for free, while hiring and purchasing scores will cost £2 and £7 respectively.

Entry is free for members of the audience. There will be a retiring collection in aid of Share Shinfield and All Saints Church.

The rehearsal takes place from 4.30pm-6pm ahead of the performance at 7pm.

n To sign up, complete this Google form: https://bit.ly/3lo4kg0

MESSY NIGHT: Angela Barnes is coming to South Hill Park with her new show, Hot Mess

BACK: Down at the Abbey is returning to the auspicious Abbey Ruins in september with headliners The Comet is Coming. Picture: Jon Mo

LIVEMUSIC

RaW Sounds

Today Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

PASSPORTS ready – we’re taking you out of Reading and Wokingham this week, to deepest, darkest Bracknell.

Well, not quite, but we’ve got two amazing bands from our neighbouring town heading up this week’s playlist.

They are among 10 top tunes for your aural pleasure.

As ever, we’re on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).

It’s a mixture that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on Spotify.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music.

Spriggan Mist – Resurrection

They may be Bracknell-based but Spriggan Mist are in demand throughout the country.

Already this year they have performed locally at a brilliant Wassail Wokingham Music Club event plus further afield at a festival and a venue in the Midlands and, in April, they will be in Lincoln and Hampton with loads more to come.

The band have just released this new single, Resurrection and, if you liked their latest album,

GIG GUIDE

Thursday, March 16

BURGHFIELD – The Hatch Gate, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Clem Johnson.

Details: 0118 983 2059.

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Club Velocity/New Mind presents Funke And The Two Tone Baby. Details: 0118 959 5500.

Friday, March 17

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Atom Heart Floyd. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. These Certain People. Details: 01344 303333.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Calling Planet Earth. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Stars in the their Minds karaoke. Details: 0118 958 8964.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Marky Dawson. Details: 0118 212 0720.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Propa Ammo, DJ Rap, Dope Ammo, Sublow HZ, Scopes, Magnum, Chris Turner and more.. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Zoe Gilby Quartet. Details: www. jazzinreading.com

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana. Details: 0118 959 5395

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. St Patrick’s Night. Details: 01491 681048.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Full Flavour. Details: 0118 977 3706.

Isambard the Mechanical Dragon, you’ll like this one – https://www.sprigganmist.com/

Red Tape Resistance – Get Me Out

Another band from Bracknell but a bit heavier. It’s the new single from Alt Rock band, Red Tape Resistance and it’s another of their powerful anthems which shows why the three-piece are picking up a growing live following.

If they continue releasing music like this, they will grow that following further.

Their recent Acoustic Couch show certainly had the venue rocking – https://linktr.ee/ redtaperesistance

Beans on Toast – Against the War

A bit more of a mellow sound now but a very powerful message as this UK singer/songwriter

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The Two Poplars, Finchampstead Road RG41 2NU. Beatles and Buddy Holly tribute.

Details: 0118 978 0590.

YATELEY – The Cricketers, Cricket Hill Lane GU46 6BA. Soultrax with Anna Nightingale. Details: 01252 872105.

Saturday, March 18

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Skaema, Sebastian and Me. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Boy George Experience. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Raymond Burley: Music from Spain and Beyond. Details: 01344 484123.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. And Finally … Phil Collins.

Details: 01344 484123.

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Freddy B.

Details: 01344 772161.

EARLEY – The Seven Red Roses, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Gary Roman as Elvis.

Details: 0118 935 4103.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Hard Times. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Panic Button, Hoof, Personal Issue, Eric Tildiss Function Band, and Non Drama. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Church of Madness v Karkasaurus. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. This Is Queen tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Oakford Centre, Blagrave Street. Burning House, K*ll Comittee, Television Gods.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Live request supper club. Details: 0118

212 0720.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Tribute night: Beyonce and Destiny’s Child. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Stoney Lane.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Resist: Underground House and Tech House. Details: 0118 959 5395

SHINFIELD – The Sportsman, Shinfield Road RG2 7DS. Beatles and Buddy Holly tribute. Details: 0118 975 2089.

WINNERSH – Royal British Legion RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents The AC/DC Experience. 8pm. £19. Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Groove X. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WINKFIELD ROW – Carnation Hall. The Supertonics big band with Sarah Jane Eveleigh. £12. Details: thesupertonics. co.uk

Sunday, March 19

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night Law and Order. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Monday, March 20

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Old Purple Whistle Test.. Details: 0118 959 7196.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Tuesday, March 21

READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic night with Kristian

ON SONG: Spriggan Mist during their recent Wassail Picture: Andrew Merritt

wonderfully chilled instrumental backing to an incredible vocal performance by Pete Rawcliffe –https://abetterlifemusic.com/

Third Lung – Dance Me Lover

Third Lung were Number One in our Top 20 of 2022 due to their brilliant singles and stunning debut album, Gameplay, and the band has just released this as the fourth single from the album – http://www. thirdlungband.com/

OSP – Tun Up

One of our faves from Wokingham Festival last year has just released this new single for 2023. It’s another good one with a brilliantly uplifting energetic track featuring excellent vocal performances – https://www.facebook.com/ ospmusicuk

Daviid B – Midnight Wine

releases a new single as a protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He was featured in this paper recently ahead of his tour which includes a return visit to Reading’s Facebar on Friday, March 24 – https:// beansontoastmusic.com/

Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Woman

This new single was released last week to coincide with International Women’s Day. Another good single from this band following their appearance in our Top Three of 2022 – https://www. selinaandthehowlindogs.com/

A Better Life (ft. Pete Rawcliffe) –I’m on Fire

A unique, atmospheric and beautiful interpretation of a Bruce Springsteen classic with

Wilkins and Friends. Details: 0118 958 8964.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Glenn Tilbrook. Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, March 22

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. The Sensational 60s experience 2023: Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, The Trems, The Fortunes, Mike D’Abo, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Vanity Fare. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Thursday, March 23

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Jazz singers night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

WARFIELD – Spice Lounge, Three Legged Cross, Forest Road RG42 6AE. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01344 421673.

Friday, March 24

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Faux Fighetrs: a tribute to the Foo Fighters. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Junior Giscombe with band. Details: 01344 303333.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Slightly Plugged Night. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Beans on Toast Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Sugar and Sax. Details: 0118 935 4095.

READING – Pitcher & Piano, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Stars in the their Minds

If you enjoy jazzy/bluesy originals with guitar sax and flute, here’s a single which features a wonderful sax intro into a song which has a very cool blues club feel. Watch out for live shows from Daviid B & Dinos – https://www.instagram.com/daviidbmusic

BDD – Dream for the Future

This is from Songs for an Angel Vol 1 – Music for Eric Bouillette, a tribute album to the late guitarist. BDD is the alter ego of The Room bassist Andy Rowe – https://www.ftf-music.com/de/ tributetoericbouillette/tributetoericbouillette.htm

Small

Town Heroes – Only 18

Here’s a new single from this young Berkshirebased band and it’s a very good piece of melodic uplifting indie pop, recorded at Dean Nelson’s Generation Studio – https://bio.site/ smalltownheroes

karaoke. Details: 0118 958 8964.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Live request supper club. Details: 0118 212 0720.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. OCD&B and Healdiners.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Saint Laurance Church RG1

3EJ. Heavy Pop and Dork presents Beat Connection 2023. Porridge Radio, Lime Garden, Baba Ali, Adam & Elvis, Tracks and Grooves DJ. Details: heavypop.co.uk

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1

1EP. Ron Lamberti presents Perfectly George. Details: 0118 959 5395

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1

5BJ. Dead Machines. Details: 0118

957 6930

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. ND Live.

Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. Karaoke with Waynie. Details: 0118 977 4548.

Saturday, March 25

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Red Hoax Chilli Peppers.Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF.

!DAFT! Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Asylum Affair.

Details: 01344 422622

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Bon Jovi Experience.

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place

RG1 7JE. Veridian, Kite Chief and Our

Fate. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street. Puma Theory.

READING – The Palmer Tavern, Wokingham Road RG6 1JL. Paddington. Details: 0118 935 1009.

READING – Playlist, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Live request supper club. Details: 0118 212 0720.

READING – The Pond House, Oxford Road. Brick Top.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Silver Searchers.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Saint Laurance Church RG1 3EJ. Heavy Pop and Dork presents Beat Connection 2023. Billie Marten, AK/DK, Keg, Cowboys, Liam O’Brien, Priestgate, The Mirror Pictures, Tracks and Grooves DJ. Details: heavypop. co.uk

READING – South Street arts centre. Heidi Talbot. Details: 0118 960 6060.

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. 4G.

Details: 0118 942 9606.

WHITLEY – Whitley Social Club, RG2 7QA. ReVibe. Details: 0118 374 0052.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Stoney Lane. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOKINGHAM – The Station Tap, Station Road RG40 2AD. DJ Bounce. Details: 0118 977 4548.

WOKINGHAM – The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Makeshifts. Details: 0118 979 7402.

WOODLEY – Bull and Chequers, Woodley Green RG5 4QP. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 969 9756.

YATELEY – The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Tequila Chase. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, March 26

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Dragonfly Sky, Greg Mayston’s Folk, Blues and Americana, JK Jerome. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Bob and Gill Berry. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

WHAT’SON

Friday, March 17

CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Games club. 10.30am. Free.

Details: 0118 937 5103.

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College, Dukes Ride RG45

7PU. Wellington College presents George Orwell’s 1984. 7.30pm. Details: wellingtoncollege.org.uk

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College, Dukes Ride RG45 7PU. Wellington College Guitar Concert.

7.30pm. £5. In aid of art fund. Details: www. wellingtoncollege.org.uk

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6

7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10am. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Battle Library, Oxford Road RG30

1EE. Rhymetime. 10am and 11.15am. Booking essential. Details: 0118 937 5100.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1

2JR. Mates Rates Comedy presents Robert White, Carl Richard and more.

Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online.

1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things

I Know To be True.

7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, March 18

BRADFIELD – Social Club, Union Road RG7 6AE. Bradfield Darts Open 2023. Minimum prize pot £500, subject to 32 entrants. Register 12.30pm. Details: www. facebook.com/BradfieldSC or 0118 974 4760.

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College Chapel, Dukes Ride RG45 7PU.

Crowthorne Choral Society presents Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light : A Requiem. 7.30pm. £15. Details: www. crowthornechoral.org.uk

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren

Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Siren’s 10th anniversary. From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com

PURLEY – St Mary’s Church,

St Mary’s Avenue RG8 8BJ.

Danni Nicholls in concert. 7pm. £15.Details: www. stmaryspurley.org.uk

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG.

Wokingham Choral Soceity spring concert: Monteverdi: Beatus Vir, Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, and Vivaldi: Gloria. 7.30pm. £17.50, £5 under 18s and students. Tickets from Wokingham Town Hall, Newburu Building Society, Jay Design and Print.

Details: www.wokinghamchoral-society.org.uk

READING – St James Roman Catholic Church, Forbury Road RG1 3FD. Friends of Reading Abbey presents the Professor Brian Kemp Memorial Lecture. The Medieval Pilgrimage Experience: Arrival, Destination and Engagement, a talk by Dr Jamie Ingram. 2.30pm. Free, retiring collection. readingabbey.org.uk

READING – Tutu’s Ethiopian Table, Palmer Park, Wokingham Road RG6

1LF. Dreading Slam presents Poetry in the Park. 11am. Details: 0118 966 3938.

SINDLESHAM – The Gate Church, Bearwood Road RG41 5BB. Art and Craft Fair. 11am-2pm. Details: admin@thegate.uk.com

SOUTHCOTE – Grange United Reformed Church, Ciruit Lane. Easter Market rafts, Homemade Cakes & Preserves, Raffle, Easter Tombola, Books, Jigsaw Puzzles, Bric-a-Brac, plus charity stalls including Thames Valley Animal Welfare and Duchess of Kent Hospice. 11.30am - 1.30pm. Entry 50p, children free. Details: 0118

956 0380.

WINNERSH – Royal British Legion RG41

5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents The AC/ DC Experience. 8pm. £19. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, March 19

CAVERSHAM - Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am-3pm.

HURST – Dinton Pastures, Davis Street RG10 0TH. WOKINGHAM 5KM & 10KM. 9.30am. www. barnesfitness.co.uk/ MAPLEDURHAM –Mapledurham Estate, RG4

7TR. Reading 20. From 9.30am. 10 mile or 20 mile routes, entries from £26. Closing date for entries March 16. Details: www. riderhq.com

READING – Lush, The Oracle RG1 2AG. Mothering Sunday pamper party. £25.

11.30am-1pm. Details:

0118 957 6766.

READING – RISC, London Road. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be”.

12.30pm-4pm. Free, donations welcome.

SILCHESTER - Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Village market. 10am-12.30pm. Details: silchestervillagemarket. org.uk.

SINDLESHAM – Sindlesham Court, Mole Road. Royal Berkshire Militaria Fair. 9am-1pm.

TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Run Ding: a new running club. Fourmile route that starts and ends at the brwewery. Free. 11.30am-1pm. Details: doublebarrelled. co.uk

TWYFORD – Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association Store, Loddon Hall Road. Children’s great Potato Planting event. For children and grandchildren of association members.

9.30am. Details:trha.org.uk

Monday, March 20

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table.

9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

BINFIELD – King’s Academy, Wood Lane RG42 4FS.

Arts Society Wokingham presents: Sorolla:Painter of Light, a beautifully illustrated talk by Jacqueline Cockburn, an expert in Spanish art. 7.45pm. Details: www.TheArtsSociety Wokingham.org.uk

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Coffee Stop for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts: socialise and take part in English lessons. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: 01344 761725.

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Interview

Skills - Free Employability Workshop. 9.30am. Booking essential. Booking: 0118 921 0555.

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Jelly’s The Creative book club meeting. 7pm-8.30pm. £2. Places limited, pre-booking essential. jelly.org.uk

TILEHURST – Library, School Road RG31 5AS. Rhymetime. 9.45am and 10.45am Booking essential.

Details: 0118 937 5112.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane

Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, March 21

CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Rhymetime. 10.15am10.45am and 11.15am11.45am. Booking essential. Free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

CROWTHORNE – Wellington College, Dukes Ride RG45 7PU. Wellington College Jazz and Concert Band. 8pm. £10. In aid of Crowthorne Community Minibus. Details: www. wellingtoncollege.org.uk

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall,Church Road RG6 1EY. East Reading Horticultural Society: Gardening for Wellbeing with Christina HughesNind. 7.45pm for 8pm.

Details: www.erhs.org.uk

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10am. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Art group. 1pm-3pm. £3 per session. Details: 0118 973 2484.

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Rhymetime. Booking essential. 10.30am. Details: 0118 937 5950.

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Comedy Club. £8. 7pm. Details: milkreading.com

SOUTHCOTE – Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square RG30 3QP. Coffee morning. 10.30am11.30am. Details: 0118

937 5109.

WHITLEY – Library, South Reading Community Hub, 252 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7QA. Berkshire mini maestros.

2.30pm-3pm. Details: 0118

937 5115.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Involve Comunity presented charity networking event. 10amnoon. Details: philip.bell@ involve.community

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True.

7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Wednesday, March 22

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org

TWYFORD – URC Hall, Church Street, RG10 9DR. Twyford Arts Group Life Drawing Sessions. 7pm. Details: www. twyfordartgroup.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

Thursday, March 23

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF.

Siren Beer Discovery: An Introduction to Siren through the exploration of the various beer styles of the core range. Includes third-pints of each of the five core range beers. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm8pm. Details: https://www. sirencraftbrew.com/

READING – LifeSpring Church, The Pavilion, Oxford Road RG1 7UY. The Heart of Communication, a masterclass in public speaking with Rob Parsons. 7.30pm. £11. Details: www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/the-heart-ofcommunication-readingtickets-479875108367

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. The Thames Before Time, an online talk organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553.

READING – Battle Library, Oxford Road RG30 1EE. Coffee morning. 10amnoon. Details: 0118 937 5100.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – Palmer Park Library, St Bartholomew’s Road RG1 3QB. Rhymetime. Booking essential. 10.30am.

Details: 0118 937 5106.

READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Rhymetime. Booking essential. 10.15am and 11.15. Details: 0118 937 5950.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

SOUTHCOTE – Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square RG30 3QP. Rhymetime. 9.45am. Booking essential.

Details: 0118 937 5109. TILEHURST – Library, School Road RG31 5AS. Rhymetime. 2.15pm Booking essential. Details: 0118 937 5112.

WHITLEY – Library, S Reading Community Hub, 252 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7QA. Rhymetime. 11am. Booking essential.

Details: 0118 937 5115.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosaic lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Three Frogs, London Road. ASD Family Help presents adult social group, for people with autism, learning disabilities, their partners, family, friends and carers. Registration for first timers required. 7pm. Details: www.asdfamilyhelp.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Happening (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents 13 The Musical. 7.30pm. Details: www.starmarker.org.uk

Friday, March 24

CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Games club. 10.30am. Free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road RG6 1EY. Reading Guild of Artists presents: The figure and pattern with Jenny Halstead. 7pm. £8. Details: www.rga-artists.org.uk

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Let’s Sing Reading!. From 6.30pm. £14, concessions £8.50. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Redlands Parish Church (St Luke’s) Church Hall, Erleigh Road RG1 5LH. Gas Tower Community Art presents Wholeness, a community art exhibition. 10am-4pm. Free entry.

READING – Battle Library, Oxford Road RG30 1EE. Rhymetime. 10am and 11.15am. Booking essential. Details: 0118 937 5100.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue

RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents 13 The Musical. 7.30pm. Details: www.starmarker.org.uk

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, March 25

BARKHAM – Village Hall, Church Road RG40 4PL. Barkham Village Residents Association Family Skittles Evening. £12, £5 primary school children, includes supper. Bar available. 7pm. Details: 0118 978 3373.

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Repair cafe organsied by CROW Plastic Free Crowthorne. From 10.30am. Details: 01344 761725.

HENLEY – St Mary’s Church, Hart Street, RG9 2AU. Tamesis Chamber Choir: If music be the food of love… 7pm. £12, £5 students. Details: tamesis chamberchoir.co.uk.

PURLEY – St Mary’s Church, RG8 8BJ. Reading Male Voice Choir spring concert, featuring special guests brass band quintet. £10. 7.30pm. Details: rmvc.net

READING – The Abbey School, Kendrick Road RG1 5DZ. Parenthesis Choir presents 30th anniversary concert. Mozart - Requiem and Haydn - Nelson Mass. 7pm, £15, under 18s free. Details: parenthesis.org.uk

READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG. Bracknell Choral Society and Reading Festival Chorus present Haydn’s The Creation. 7.30pm. £20. Details: www. bracknellchoral.org.uk.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. March to the Gaol. Bring banners, signs, costumes and noise. Route will go to Reading Gaol. From noon.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Noisy Kids concert: The Thrill of the Ride, featuring Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, excerpts from Elgar’s Enigma Variations. £11.50, £9.50 children. 11.30am. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk RG1 7QF. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Adam Hickox. Mendelsohn | Overture, Nocturne & Scherzo - A

Midsummer Night’s Dream; Tchaikovsky | Rococo Variations; Elgar | Enigma Variations. £28.50, £24.50, £17.50. Under 18s £6, students £10. Schools £6. Pre-concert talk 6.30pm. Concert 7.30pm.

Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Walk Watch

Share art docs presents Camino to Cop26: Film screening and walk of witness for Earth hour. 6pm at Forbury Gardens, 7pm at Reading Minster.

Details: readingminster. org.uk

READING – Redlands Parish Church (St Luke’s) Church Hall, Erleigh Road RG1 5LH. Gas Tower Community Art presents Wholeness, a community art exhibition. 10am-4pm. Free entry.

READING – St John and St Stephen’s Church, Orts Road RG1 3JN. Chorate Chamber Choir spring concert: choral music for Lent and Easter. 6pm. Free entry, retiring collection in aid of Autism Berkshire.

Details: www.chorate. org.uk

TILEHURST – Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Thames Vale Singers presents Faure’s Requiem and other choral gems. 7.30pm. In aid of ReadiFood. £10, under 16s £5. Details: 0118 9424372.

TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road. Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association spring show. 2pm. Details: trha.org.uk

TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Project Singers present And Wherever you Go, a spring concert. 7.30pm. £8.

Details: 0118 934 0589 or suzanneynewman@ btinternet.com

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Horticultural Association Show. 2pm-4.30pm.

Details: www.w-h-a.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Things I Know To be True. 7.45pm. £15. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG5 4JZ. Starmaker Theatre Company presents 13 The Musical. 3pm, 7.30pm.

Details: www.starmarker. org.uk

WOODLEY – The Bulmershe School, Woodlands Avenue RG5 3EU. Woodley Concert Band spring concert: a Feast of Music. £14, £12 concessions, £5 under 16s. 7.30pm. Details: www.woodleyconcertband. org.uk

YATELEY – St Swithun’s Catholic Church, Firgrove Road GU46 6NH. Yateley Choral Society Concert7.45pm. £15, students £5, under 16s free. Details: www.yateleychoral.org.uk.

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

Quiz Challenge

1. The Bristol Bloodhound was a type of what?

2. A town called Pointe-à-Pitre is on which Caribbean island?

3. Dafne Keen plays Lyra Belacqua in the 2022 season of which British TV drama based on the novels of Philip Pullman?

4. What S is a malt-flavoured dark porter and a stocky body type?

5. Which sport can be GrecoRoman or freestyle?

6. Which electrical device in a car is located between the ignition coil and the spark plugs?

7. Which scientist discovered vaccination and used cowpox injections to cure smallpox?

8. Man! I Feel Like a Woman! was a hit song for which Canadian female singer?

9. The Atacama Desert is in which country?

10. The muted green colour used in Scottish tweed garments is called what?

Here are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid –but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

1. Penny putting in ingredients for stuffing (7)

8. Leave in the lurch when lower (3,4)

9. The rest of the leftovers (7)

10. Greek character amended clues for core (7)

11. Mean person pulling back endlessly (7)

12. He helps a speculator (7)

14. Be more successful at crawling perhaps? (7)

18. Work for reporters who torment (7)

20. Notice drunken padre outside who showed off (7)

21. Building on a site in the country (7)

22. Not an employer who runs one over (7)

23. She’s repeatedly refused to give a show (7)

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

1. Dad’s concern? (6,7)

2. Signed different plan (6)

3. Endlessly aiding redevelopment of the country (5)

4. She’s badly entangled with net (6)

5. Point to watch on adhesive label (7)

6. Stir up trouble over info men tried to hide (6)

7. Sorts tiny area out that is wretched (2,1,5,5)

13. European press chief in smart environment (7)

15. Despotic ruler destroyed arty books (6)

16. New way the navy followed (6)

17. Place each name inside ground kernel (6)

19. Quietly remove a net from the plate (5)

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

1. Choral composition (8)

6. Thin fog (4)

8. Insect (3)

9. Disturb (8)

10. Novice (4)

12. Dairy product (5)

(5)

2. Skating area (4)

3. Abstract explanation (6)

4. Ceremonial (6)

5. Comply (4)

6. Chemical substance (6)

7. Sea channel (6) 11. Worth (5) 12. Salad ingredient (5) 13. Berths

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines:

276 8 3 32 84 7 6 1 9 3 6 7 34 67 784 21 5 7 8 71 84 48 2

apery; bare; barer; barre; baser; bear; berry; brae; bray; brrr; byre; eyra; pare; parer; parr; parry; parse; parser; payer; pear; perry; prase; pray; prayer; prey; pyre; rape; raper; rare; rarer; rase; rasp; RASPBERRY; rasper; raspy; reap; rear; repay; respray; sabre; sear; spar; spare; sparry; spear; spray; sprayer; spry; spryer; yare; year; yerba.

EQUALISER:

Cream; 14 Lyric; 17 Awry; 18 Locality;

Across – 1 Oratorio; 6 Mist; 8 Bee; 9 Unsettle; 10 Tyro; 12

QUICK CROSSWORD:

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD:

6 Distributor; 7 Edward Jenner; 8 Shania Twain; 9 Chile; 10 Lovat.

ACROSS DOWN

Tips for reducing food waste

PLANNING meals, working with leftovers and boosting your food storage containers can all help reduce food waste.

Although remains of meals can now be collected from the doorstep, Reading Borough Council has been working with WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), to try and reduce the amount that this thrown away, saying that 4.5 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away each year by UK households.

Food waste recycling came in three years ago and has helped increase recycling rates from 34% to 50%.

But the council is keen to do more, and has produced some advice that might make a difference.

n Planning meals and writing a shopping list can ensure people buy only what is needed and will be used. The council says that 25% of food wasted in households is due to cooking,

preparing or serving too much – this costs UK households £3.5billion each year

n Donate any unwanted, unopened food items to food banks such as Readifood (www.readifood.org.

uk). Alternatively, use food swapping apps or websites.

n Use a slow cooker which is energy efficient and good for batch cooking which means you’ll waste less and have future meals already prepped

n Small reusable containers means leftovers can be lunches the next day.

n Storing your food in the right place will help it to stay fresher for longer. Make sure to freeze any food that you won’t need until later in the week and keep your fruit and veg in the fridge

n Try the SuperCook website (www. supercook.com) to use what you’ve got left.

Enter your leftover items on the website and receive a meal suggestion and recipe for what you can make

with your excess food items. Big Oven (www. bigoven.com) also has lots of recipe ideas to use up your leftovers.

n Make sure to put your rubbish in the correct bin. Recycling food waste can help stop it going to landfill where it rots and releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. It is also cheaper to recycle food waste, with every lorry load of food composted instead of being sent to landfill saving £100. Recycled food waste can then be turned into fertiliser for farming, and electricity to power homes.

If you’ve abandoned recycling food you can always hop back on – and the Council is encouraging everyone to do so. Anyone needing a new food waste kitchen caddy or outdoor food waste bin can contact the Council (www.reading.gov.uk/ waste-and-recycling/ order-a-bin-or-bag) to receive replacements for free. Liners can be collected for free from our libraries and leisure centres.

Residents can put all forms of cooked and uncooked food in their food waste bin including fruit and veg, meat and fish, rice, pasta, bread, dairy, egg shells, plate scrapings and tea bags and coffee grounds. Used cooking oil - in a sealed plastic bottlecan also be placed inside food waste bins for recycling.

Cllr Karen Rowland, Reading Borough Council’s lead member for environmental services and community

Healthy Heart tip

Hydration for a healthy heart N

UTRITION and Hydration week (March 13-19) is an annual event that aims to educate and celebrate improvements in the provision of nutrition and hydration.

safety, said: “Joining in with food waste recycling is a great way to do your bit for the environment, and Reading residents are really excited about participating.

“We want to reach out to those of you, however, who have fallen off the recycling habit, or are having issues, to join back in the recycling routine with your neighbours.

“If this is you, please contact the Council on

0118 937 3787, or via the website to make arrangements to get back in the groove on food recycling.

“For those of you well into recycling, take advantage of our tips to improve your own food recycling, save yourself money and be smarter about what you buy and find ways to make your food last longer.”

n More information about food waste recycling can be found at: www.reading.gov.uk

Five ways to stay fit with a hectic work schedule

AHECTIC work schedule can often mean that other parts of our lives our pushed to the side. Many people find it challenging to have a positive work-life balance, often not being able to find the time to stay fit and eat well.

Sports nutrition experts Bulk have highlighted five ways to stay fit and healthy during a busy work week.

Change your commute

While it may seem like taking just a few steps to your car and driving to work will save you more time in the day than walking, it’s not as practical as it may sound.

When working an office job where you remain sedentary for a large portion of the day, doing so means that you’ve incorporated no physical activity into your daily routine, therefore you’ll have to add more time onto your day by exercising before or after work.

If you spend 15 minutes walking to work and another 15 minutes walking back based on a five-day work week, you will meet the recommended target of 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.

You can also adapt your morning route even if you take public transport by perhaps choosing a bus stop or train station which is slightly further from your home to get some more steps in.

Consider home workouts

To save time waiting around in the gym at peak times for machines to be free, as well as travelling there and back if your gym isn’t close by, you can

dedicate a specific area in your home for workouts.

Whether you do so in your garage or even if utilise some space in your living room, make sure that the area you choose has enough space for an exercise mat.

If weight training is your go-to workout, invest in dumbbells or kettlebells to replace the machines you may use in the gym – this is much more beneficial for your physical health too, as free weights help develop strength by incorporating more muscles.

Create a workout schedule

When it comes to your job, you can familiarise yourself with your routine and therefore can prepare yourself for the day ahead – and this is possible with exercising.

Evaluate which days’ work best for you and stick to this so that, like work,

you become comfortable with the routine and prevent making excuses to skip the workout.

By choosing one of the days over the weekend to exercise, you require less time during your working week to fit a workout in.

While it’s suggested to do 150 minutes of moderate exercises each week, it’s recommended to exercise for around 75 minutes a week if you partake in vigorous activities like running or cycling –so you can opt for a workout on a Saturday morning to feel energised for the weekend.

Cook your meals

ahead

Staying fit and healthy isn’t only about physical activity – it’s also down to what you eat, too. It can feel overwhelming sticking to diets and finding the time to cook when you have a busy schedule over the week,

so meal prepping will keep you from spending too much time in the kitchen every night.

Cook several portions of food for the week at once instead of just making one meal every night – you can usually leave meals in the fridge up to four days, so you can use the opportunity to have your work lunches prepared as well as being able to eat straight after a workout on an evening to ensure you have time to relax.

Keep your gym clothing handy

If you head home after work to get changed into your gym gear ready for a workout, you take the risk of becoming too comfortable and making excuses to not go back out again – so keeping your exercise clothing on you will not only save that trip home, but it will also give you some motivation.

Keep a bag with you that contains clothes, shoes, a water bottle as well as any equipment you may need. Whether you finish work earlier than expected or even if you have half an hour free over lunch, doing so will make you more available to workouts whenever you find yourself free as you cut out the time it takes to get yourself ready at home.

A spokesperson from Bulk said: “Working out can be a hobby for many, but for some it can often spark feelings of dread when it feels as though there’s not enough time in the day.

“As keeping fit isn’t only about exercise, but also about what you eat – it can seem a challenge to balance all aspects when the majority of the week is spent at work.”

When thinking about heart health, we often think about nutrition and the impact this can have, but we can forget to consider how inadequate hydration levels can negatively impact our cardiac health.

This week’s Healthy Tip is all about hydration, and how it’s an essential component to our health and optimal functioning of our cardiovascular system.

Why is hydration important?

Water accounts for about 60% of our body weight, and every single cell in our body needs to be properly hydrated to work well. Water performs many roles in the body, such as regulating body temperature through sweating, lubricating joints, and removing waste products via bowel movements and urination. If we don’t drink enough fluids the amount of blood circulating in our body decreases. When this happens the heart must beat faster and our blood pressure may be affected, which can increase our risk of a cardiac event.

Signs of dehydration

Dehydration occurs when we lose more fluids (through urination and sweating) than we replace with the fluids from the food and drinks we consume. Symptoms of moderate dehydration include not urinating much throughout the day, dark yellow urine, muscle cramps, thirst and a dry mouth.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms often, it’s a good idea to increase your fluid intake.

Ways to drink more

Drinking water is the easiest and cheapest way to ensure you stay properly hydrated, but there are other drinks that count towards your liquid intake such as herbal teas, sugar-free juice and low-fat milk. The NHS recommends drinking six to eight cups or glasses of fluids every day, which is about one-and-a-half to two litres.

Fruits and vegetables also contain water, so increasing the amount you consume can improve your hydration levels. Some great options include cucumber, tomatoes, apples, watermelon and peaches.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for a weekly healthy tips at: www.heartresearch.org. uk/healthy-tips

Buying home fitness equipment can make it easier to build a fitness routine Picture: Pixabay

WOMEN’S FA CUP QUARTER FINAL

ROYALS OUT TO SHOCK CUP HOLDERS

EYES ON THE PRIZE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC WOMEN face a substantial test to try and continue their journey in the FA Women’s Cup when they face Chelsea on Sunday.

The Royals will have to overcome

the current cup holders to make it through to the semi-finals.

The Blues won the competition for the fourth time in their history last May when they defeated Manchester City 3-2 in an enthralling final at Wembley Stadium.

Reading have had a run strong run in this year’s FA Cup having beaten

Tottenham Hotspur away from home in the last round in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw after 120 minutes.

Reading’s main focus this campaign will be on retaining their WSL status where they face a grapple against four other sides to try and avoid the drop.

The Royals are currently in ninth place on 10 points from 15 games with all three sides below them with games in hand to play.

But before they resume their campaign for survival, they will be hoping to cause a cup upset to move a step closer to Wembley.

ONE WIN FROM WEMBLEY: YELLAS SEMI

DATE

ASCOT UNITED made it through to the final four of the FA Vase after their penalty shootout success over West Didsbury & Chorlton to put them one game away from Wembley.

The Yellas got off to a poor start on their away trip and fell behind after four minutes.

With just 10 minutes left on the clock, Ascot ensured they put themselves back in the cup tie when Brendan Matthew latched on to Harry Grant’s pass and slotted past the keeper to equalise.

The game went straight to penalties and it was goalkeeper Rhys Forster who proved to be the match winner when he saved a spot kick after the hosts had already struck the crossbar.

That gave Usman Lalustani the chance to send Ascot through and he held his nerve to seal the Yellas’ place in the final four where they are now just 90 minutes away from winning a place in the final to play at Wembley Stadium.

Ascot will play Corsham Town in the semi-finals on the weekend of Saturday, April 1.

Ascot manager Jamie Tompkins said: “Character and a winners mentality. So proud of our brilliant group and onto the semi-finals we go. Unbelievable support from our fans and can’t thank you enough for making the trip. The journey continues.”

Speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire, Ascot vice captain Dan Bailey said: “It’s been unbelievable.

“We’ve played six of our eight games away from home so we’ve had to go the long way round.

“The coach journeys have been great and we’ve come through as a group.

“To be one game away from Wembley is unbelievable.”

NOONECHRONICLESTHEACTIONBETTERTHANUS

‘I CAN’T FAULT THE EFFORT’ WINNING RUN ENDS AS RAMS BEATEN AT PLYMOUTH

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

Plymouth Albion 27

Rams 24

DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds admitted Plymouth Albion were worthy winners after Rams’ second-half fightback fell just short in a 27-24 reverse at Brickfields.

The visitors had gone in front with skipper Robbie Stapley claiming his 97th try for the club at the back of a maul, but a disastrous 20-minute period saw Plymouth wrest the initiative and a 24-5 lead.

Hooker Harry Wilkinson led the way with two tries on the back of the hosts’ own destructive maul, while wings Kyle Speare and Jon Dawe both then crossed with Connor Eastgate – taking over kicking duties with Tom Putt in the sin-bin – landing two fine touchline conversions.

Rams gave themselves hope before the break as Henry Bird’s sizzling break gave them the field position for Max Hayman to crash over, Rowan Grundy with the extras to reduce the deficit to 12 at the interval.

A 54th-minute Eastgate penalty pushed Albion three scores clear, but a brilliant team move finished by Jak Rossiter and a close-range Niall Kidd effort cut the gap to three with five minutes remaining.

However, despite camping inside the Plymouth 22, some outstanding defence gave the Ocean City’s Finest a win which underlined their capabilities in what has been a much-improved campaign in which their home record is one of the best in the division.

Reynolds said: “It was a really good game and Plymouth played very well. They were highly

READING PRODUCE SPIRITED COMEBACK

By PETER CHIDGEY sport@wokingham.today

The grim weather meant the anticipated 3,000-plus crowd did not fully materialise, but there was still an impressive Albion following bolstered by those taking part in the Men’s Day Out for the St Luke’s Hospice.

Reynolds continued: “It was a really good crowd which probably helped get them across the line, and it was fantastic for the players to perform in front of that.”

The defeat snapped Rams’ eight-match winning run but there were still some outstanding performances, especially in the forwards, with Kidd, Hayman and former Plymouth man Dan Swain excellent.

Reynolds added: “Niall has been superb to comeback into the side after a long time out and to do 80 minutes back-to-back and look fresh towards the end was great.

“I thought Max came into the game well and there were some other good performances –Swainer coming back in and Robbie leading from the front.

“I can’t fault the effort from the lads, but it wasn’t our day and it’s just one of those things.

“We’ve had a lot of rugby and a break will be nice, and then on to a very challenging game.”

A SUPERB comeback by Reading gave them a hard-fought victory over a Salisbury side which scored four early tries to rack up a 21-point lead halfway through the first half. Reading managed to fight back with four tries of their own to clinch a bonus point win.

Salisbury opened the scoring after six minutes when their scrum half broke through and set up a converted try near the posts.

Reading struck back and after good interplay between forwards and backs and Wheeler finished the move off in the corner for an unconverted try. But Salisbury then scored three tries in 10 minutes taking advantage of some poor tackling and defensive disorganisation.

Firstly, a good miss move put their winger clear to score a converted try, then the scrum half made another break which this time he finished off himself for another converted try and finally a good break from the centre gave their winger another try, this time unconverted, to give Salisbury a 5-26 lead.

Two of the Salisbury players were yellow carded in quick succession for offences whilst trying to stem the Reading attacks.

Reading took advantage and pushed the Salisbury scrum over their line for Cunningham to score. Jonny Sharp on his debut converted. Reading continued to press and good interplay between Dorliac, Borthwick and Sharp put Murray-Smith over in the corner.

The ball was moved to Smith on the Salisbury 22 to score near the posts. Sharp converted to level the scores.

motivated, and their challenge is probably to do that for the remaining games to show they can do that consistently.

“Our guys came back well and we perhaps didn’t deserve to have a shot to win it, but we did and we got two bonus-points from the game which is probably fair.”

He continued: “Rugby goes in waves and it tends to focus around discipline. We started well with good discipline and structure,

building pressure and we got a score.

“Then (at the start of the second half) there was a stage where both sides were feeling each other out, either they were going to kick on or we were going to comeback, and it went into a bit of a stalemate.

“I thought when they took the three points it maybe gave us a chance to comeback, and we started to do that, but crucial errors at crucial times cost us.”

Despite being beaten for just the third time this season in 22 matches, Rams still have a six point lead at the top over closest challengers Sale.

Third place Cambridge are currently nine points behind Rams with a game in hand.

With four games remaining in what has been a compelling National One season, Rams have a week off before welcoming resurgent Taunton Titans to Old Bath Road on Saturday, March 25.

The Reading forwards then attempted to batter their way over and eventually Cunningham scored near the posts. Sharp converted to give Reading a seven point lead.

Salisbury were now a beaten side and Reading held on without incident for a 33-26 win.

Lee Goodall, Reading’s head coach was pleased with his team’s spirit, energy and refusal to let their heads go down when faced with a big deficit. He had particular praise for Brandon Taplin who made himself a real nuisance to Salisbury with his tackling.

This game marked Stuart Borthwick’s 100th game for Reading, a player who will never admit defeat and whose versatility has served Reading well in a number of positions.

This weekend sees Reading’s last league game of the season at home against Devizes.

RUGBY UNION

Max Hayman produced a monumental performance including his 17th try of the season

Pictures: Tim Pitfield

Reading defeated Salisbury Picture: John Newport

Connor Stapley rises high to collect a line-out towards the end

Henry Bird was superb at full-back James McRae put in another strong performance

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FOOTBALL FOOTBALL

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR KESTRELS FINCH AND YATELEY MOVE THROUGH TO FINAL FOUR

By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today

WOODLEY UNITED collected conseucitve wins to extend their unbeaten run in Combined Counties Division

One to five matches.

The Kestrels scored a late flurry of goals to defeat Molesey at home on Saturday before they added three more points with an away success at Berks County on Tuesday night.

The opening half hour on Saturday was an even affair and it was not until 30 minutes had been played that either team created worthwhile scoring opportunities.

Gbla slipped 10 yards from goal and his weak shot was easily gathered by Selleck in the 84th minute but the same player was rewarded a minute later when he headed Carmichael’s free kick, from the right hand side of the pitch past Selleck.

Having worked hard for the lead, United was in no

mood to surrender it as they defended Molesey’s response well and harried the opposition for every loose ball.

Gbla challenged a defender midway in the visitor’s half and then ran at goal unchallenged to shoot across Selleck to double the lead.

Two minutes later Connor Suckling completed the

scoring with a fine individual goal.

Carmichael cleared a Molesey free kick, deep in the Woodley half, up to the half way line where Suckling received the ball and out ran the high defending line.

Despite being forced wide towards the right wing, Suckling on entering the penalty area coolly shot low

to score off the bottom inside far left post beyond the diving Selleck. Woodley safely negotiated the remaining two minutes of stoppage time to take the match points.

Jordan Blake’s team then took an impressive win against the Swords on Tuesday.

Berks opened the scoring after half an hour through Ellis Day, but the game turned when the hosts went down to 10 men after conceding a penalty which saw Matt Laverty dismissed and Gbla levelled from the penalty spot.

Gbla had a chance to find his second but blazed a penalty over the top with just over 20 minutes left.

But the Kestrels ensured they took all three points when Suckling scored the winner in the 71st minute.

The match ended 2-1 to lift Woodley up to 10th in the table, while Berks are in fifth.

BTC Senior Cup

FINCHAMPSTEAD moved through to the semi-finals after a comfortable win over Westwood Wanderers.

Goals from Joel Day, Alex Woodhead and Alex Lacy ensured that Finch progressed to the next round with a 3-0 success.

YATELEY UNITED got through to the final four after they defeated BURGHFIELD in a penalty shootout.

Charlie Westell scored twice for Yateley as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

But Yateley kept their cool from the spot to take a 4-2 win.

Thames Valley Premier League

READING YMCA collected three points with a convincing win over Slough Heating Laurencians.

Andrej Homola scored a double for YMCA and goals from Hendrick Reyes Parades and Michael Anderson added to the score to seal a 4-1 success.

YMCA are in third position

on 26 points from 14 games, three points behind second place Finchampstead with a game in hand.

WARGRAVE’S winning run came to an end with a home defeat to Maidenhead Town.

The 3-1 loss leaves Wargrave in eighth position on 16 points from 15 matches.

Yateley United enjoyed success against Burghfield Stock picture: Andrew Batt

Woodley United extended their unbeaten run Picture: Steve Smyth

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FOOTBALL

SUMAS DEALT CRUEL, LATE DEFEAT IN NINE-GOAL GAME

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Combined Counties

Premier North WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK were edged out in a nine-goal thriller away at Flackwell Heath.

The hosts flew into an instant lead when they broke past the Sumas defence to score inside the opening minute.

It didn’t take long for Wokingham to make amends to get level when Duval put them back on terms.

The Sumas took the lead in the 30th minute through Sam Mead, but Flackwell quickly levelled as the teams went in at half-time level at 2-2.

The goals kept coming when Flackwell restored their advantage to go in front in the 48th minute despite Sean Woodward’s best efforts in the Sumas goal to keep

them out.

The home team had a two goal lead for the first time in the contest in the 58th minute, but the Sumas came fighting back.

Jake Woods got the game back to 4-3 before Mead fired in from the penalty spot to make it 4-4.

But it was to be heartbreak for the Sumas who conceded in stoppage time in a cruel 5-4 defeat.

READING CITY kept their momentum alive with a clinical first-half display.

The Cityzens struck four times in the opening 45 minutes to put their game with Chalfont St Peter beyond the hosts.

Eddie Lee scored the opening goal of the game before Ellis Cowd got on the end of Baines’ corner to double the lead.

A third goal was scored by Tyler D’Cruz and the points were all but sealed before

the break when Cowd set up Lee to add his second of the match.

Despite a goalless secondhalf, City returned with all three points after a convincing 4-0 win.

Combined Counties Division One

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA lost out on their away visit to Penn & Tylers Green.

After falling behind to a 12th minute opener from Penn, the Boars got back level when Jamie Griggs headed in from Luke Cox’s corner.

But a frustrating secondhalf ensued for Eversley and Penn took the points with a 2-1 victory,

Southern Region Women’s League Cup

ASCOT UNITED booked their place in the cup final

WOKINGHAM SCHOOLS COMPETE IN HOCKEY FINALS

By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today

after their home success over Wycombe Wanderers. The Yellas flew out the traps and got off to the perfect start by scoring with the first play of the game.

A slick team move was finished off by Dom Carrington who connected with Tiffany Skinner’s cross to score the opening goal of the tie.

Ascot’s lead was extended in the 15th minute when Carrington and Skinner’s roles were reversed as the scorer turned provider.

Wycombe responded quickly to get on the scoresheet in the 23rd minute, but the goals kept coming and Ascot restored their two goal lead in the 35th minute when Carrington found the net from 25 yards out.

The Yellas managed to maintain their lead throughout second-half to see them through.

SHINFIELD St Mary’s CE Junior and Willow Bank Junior will both represent Wokingham in the Berkshire School Games in Maidenhead on Wednesday, March 22.

The two schools shared first place in last week’s Wokingham School Games Hockey tournament which was contested at Sonning Hockey Club.

Twelve teams from years five and six battled it out on Thursday, March 9, competing in mixed six-aside matches which were umpired by Sonning Hockey players.

Gwenda Lappin, Wokingham Schools Games organiser, said:

“The umpires used their knowledge and experience to help the children

understand the rules, making the whole tournament a very positive learning experience.

“The importance of using a vibrant and friendly club to host is vital to promote the game, and this should never be underestimated.”

Chris Manning from Sonning Hockey Club, who helped organise the tournament, added: “This has become an annual event for the club and we’re delighted to be able to support and encourage junior hockey in the area by hosting the tournament.”

Miss Dodson, from Willow Bank Junior School, said: “Our children had an amazing time.

“The coaches were welcoming and friendly and the umpires continued to coach to allow the children to progress further.”

Sumas skipper Callum Wright slides in to a tackle

Willow Bank School

Shinfield St Mary’s School Pictures: Chris Manning

Sam Mead netted twice for the Sumas

Eversley & California’s Ross Mckernan heads clear Picture: Richard Milam

Berks County FC U18 Cobras won 6-1 Pictures: Martin Aves

Wokingham & Emmbrook lost to a stoppage time winner from Flackwell Pictures: Andrew Batt

HOCKEY

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ARSENAL 4-0 READING

ROYALS SHOT DOWN BY GALLANT GUNNERS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC WOMEN’s miserable record away at Arsenal continued as the Royals’ fight for Women’s Super League survival took another twist.

Reading were unfortunate to go behind to an early penalty after a soft penalty call in the favour of the hosts.

After Little scored the opener, Arsenal extended their lead just before the break and added to it just after the break after Emma Mukandi deflected into her own net.

The hosts added a fourth through Lionesses captain Leah Williamson to

seal the points.

The loss keeps Reading in ninth place in the Women’s Super League on 10 points from 15 games, three points above bottom place Leicester City who have a game in hand. Both teams went into the contest high on confidence after the Royals earned a vital win last weekend against West Ham to increase their chances of survival.

Meanwhile, the Gunners earned silverware last weekend with an impressive 3-1 victory over defending WSL champions Chelsea in the Conti Cup Reading made a disastrous start and were in for a long evening ahead as they gave away a penalty

after just four minutes.

A Katie McCabe burst into the box saw her go down under a challenge from Easther Mayi Kith, with the replay showing that the hosts were fortunate to be awarded a spot kick with minimal contact in the tackle.

Kim Little stepped up to the spot and squeezed the ball past Grace Moloney who got close to keeping it out.

After going behind so early to a controversial call, Reading managed to stay resolute and organised at the back to keep the score down.

McCabe posed a constant threat down the left wing and almost got on the scoresheet after some smart hold up work from Frida Maanum, but her

shot was held by Moloney.

Caitlin Foord then expressed some neat footwork to skip past two Reading players before she fired a shot over the top of the bar.

Reading managed to escape from their half and deliver a couple of crosses into the box, one of which being excellently delivered by Faye Bryson, but with no Reading body in the middle to meet it.

Kelly Chambers’ team were dealt a blow on the stroke of half-time when the Gunners added to their lead.

A swift team move saw the hosts move the ball out to the right after a pinpoint ball from Lia Walti allowed Foord to slide the ball to Maanum to convert

from a few yards out.

The second-half began as poorly for Reading as the firsthalf did as they conceded a few minutes in.

Williamson was allowed to drift forward from midfield and slipped the ball for Maanum who squared the ball looking for Foord, but Royals defender Emma Mukandi diverted the ball into her own net.

Lionesses skipper Leah Williamson got on the scoresheet to further consolidate the win. Moloney made a superb initial save as she stuck out a leg to deny Blackstenius, but Williamson was well placed to apply the finish on the rebound.

Reading’s brightest moment

in attack came from Rachel Rowe, who was making her 150th Royals appearance on the night.

After trading passes with Woodham, Rowe got into the box, turned past Little and almost rounded what would have been a spectacular solo effort that clipped the top of the crossbar.

Another big chance came the way of Rowe who connected with Bryson’s cross with her volley falling just wide.

Moloney stayed alert to dive at the feet of Victoria Pelova and then kept out Lotte Wubben Moy’s header to prevent Arsenal from adding a fifth.

Reading were on the end of a 4-0 defeat at Arsenal Pictures: Neil Graham

How they rated

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CHAMPIONSHIP

ROYALS PAY PENALTY FOR

Joe Lumley

Gave away the penalty, but would be harsh to blame him given the build-up. Was hardly troubled otherwise.

Andy Yiadom

Lively in the opening exchanges, looking to bomb down the right, but looked increasingly less confident as the half went on.

Tom Holmes

Bit shaky at times. Adopted decent positions higher up the pitch, but couldn’t put in any deliveries of quality.

Scott Dann

A quiet display from the defender who, like Yiadom, was taken off at half-time.

Naby Sarr

Played a big part in Millwall’s opener and had a couple of really rash moments, Grew into the game somewhat.

Nesta Guinness-Walker

Better defensively. Was unable to get forward as much as he would have liked.

Tom McIntyre

Just didn’t affect the game. Millwall played the ball around him and he struggled to link up the play.

Didn’t do an awful lot of note, but a relatively tidy performance. Made himself available as much as he could and played with one or two touches.

Tom Ince

Not his best showing. Got a few shots away from range, but his set piece deliveries were not at his usually high standard.

Andy Carroll

On the receiving end of a barrage of strong challenges. Struggled to get into the game and service into him was limited.

Shane Long

Worked hard but just couldn’t get the ball to stick. Was replaced by Casadei, and didn’t look awfully impressed when he came off.

Jeff Hendrick SUBS

5.5 4 5

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC were on the end of back to back home defeats as they edged closer to the Championship relegation zone with a narrow loss to Millwall.

5 5 5

5 4 5

In a frustrating affair, the Royals conceded the only goal of the match 11 minutes in when Andreas Voglsammer emphatically scored from the penalty spot following Naby Sarr’s mistake and Joe Lumley’s subsequent foul.

But Reading were unable to work their way back into the match and didn’t manage a single shot on target.

5 5

The defeat leaves Reading in 16th on 44 points from 36 before an expected points deduction in the coming days.

Paul Ince named an unchanged team from Reading’s narrow defeat to Sheffield United in midweek as Tom McIntyre made his 100th appearance in the blue and white hoops.

The Millwall line-up also saw a Reading academy graduate in the starting eleven as Jake Cooper, who played more than 50 games for the Royals, took the armband for the Lions.

Ince’s men went into the contest in 16th but with the threat of an impending points deduction looming, while Gary Rowett’s side have their sights set on the playoffs and were one place outside the top six before kick-off.

Naby Sarr netted the only goal of the game when the team’s met in August which is just one of three Reading wins on

REACTION

Match stats

READING: Lumley, McIntyre, Sarr, Dann, GuinnessWalker, Holmes, Yiadom, Hendrick, Ince, Carroll, Long

SUBS: Bouzanis, Joao, Azeez, Fornah, Casadei, Moore, Mbengue

MILLWALL: Long, McNamara, Wallace, Cooper (c), Bradshaw, Flemming, Cresswell, Leonard, Saville, Voglsammer, Honeyman

SUBS: Bialkowski, Hutchinson, Burke, Malone, Shackleton, Watmore, Esse

GOALS: Voglsammer 11’ (pen)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Amadou Mbengue

the road this campaign.

The home team started in bright fashion and won some early freekicks, the second of which coming after a storming run down the right from skipper Andy Yiadom.

But it was Millwall who almost profited from the resulting set-piece as they launched a counter attack that was smartly extinguished by Nesta Guinness-Walker.

It was a lapse in concentration from defender Sarr that allowed Millwall in as his wayward pass fell

into the path of Zian Flemming. He sprinted in on goal and after Joe Lumley rushed off his line trying to make amends for his defenders mistake, he brought the midfielder down leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty.

Andreas Voglsammer stepped up and confidently smacked the ball into the top left hand corner to give Lumley no choice of getting anywhere near it to put the visitors in front after 11 minutes.

After going behind, it turned into

INCE: ‘IT WAS A HORRIBLE GAME, ONE MISTAKE COST US’

With

“One mistake, that was it,” said Ince.

“It was always going to be a scruffy game.

“The last thing you want to do is give a team like Millwall a goal because they defend for their lives.

“It was a horrible game. They make it that way and the ref doesn’t help.

“It was never going to be a classic – it’s not like they have

cut us open at will. But they won their headers, they were brave, aggressive and we matched them in all of those areas today.

“But it was a mistake that cost us.

“The disappointing thing is that we didn’t have a shot on target which isn’t like us at home.”

Ince was frustrated with the referee’s performance, but did admit that he believed the decision to give Millwall a penalty was the correct call.

He continued: “I think it was (a penalty).

“I’ve looked at it.

“I don’t know whether it’s a red card. Has he come out too far, too quickly, I don’t know.

“I thought the ref was poor. Even

with three minutes of injury time. With so many subs and injuries, that’s baffling.

“The standard of referees has not been great. Today we had another one who was not great. It’s got to be better for every team in the Championship.”

Ince also confirmed some injury concerns after Andy Yiadom had to be withdrawn with an ankle injury and Scott Dann with a hamstring issue.

The Royals boss also confirmed

that Mamadou Loum is on the sidelines with a pelvic injury having missed out on the matchday squad for the last few weeks.

Ince continued: “The quality of crossing was poor at times and maybe we’re not gambling enough in the box.

“We’ve got to be more ruthless and create more.

“But I can’t say the players didn’t give their all. Tuesday took a lot out of them but they still showed a lot of endeavour this afternoon.

“Now, we’ve got 10 games to go. That’s it. We’re in the final run.”

Jeff Hendrick moves past his marker

Cesare Casadei looks to create

Andy Carroll battles with Millwall’s back line

Millwall score from the spot

The Royals suffered a home loss

READING FC manager Paul Ince labelled the Royals’ home defeat to Millwall as a ‘horrible’ game.

just one shot on target in the entire match from either side, Millwall claimed the points when Andreas Voglsammer scored from the penalty spot.

Liam Moore 6, Amadou Mbengue 5, Cesare Casadei 5, Lucas Joao 5

NOONECHRONICLESTHEACTIONBETTERTHANUS

EARLY ERROR

From the middle

Shin guards and other equipment

LIKE all the Laws of the Game, Law four – players equipment, has changed and expanded over the years.

Law four applies to all equipment including clothing worn by players, substitutes, substituted players and even refers to their underwear.

Five things are listed as compulsory. First a shirt with sleeves. But any undervest sleeves must be the same colour as the shirt sleeves if longer than the shirt sleeves. Goalkeepers can wear track suits, but all other players must wear shorts.

This I feel may be changed, I have mentioned before when I allowed some Muslim girls, who, mindful of their religion, turned up to play in a ESFA cup tie wearing long trousers the same colour as their teammates.

I also referred recently to the fact that more Muslim nations are allowing women to play football so this rule may become an issue.

Any under-shorts/tights must be the same colour of the shorts. This was introduced when there was a fashion for knee-length ‘Bicycle’ lycra shorts, but these are seldom seen today and yet fourth officials still ask substitutes to lift their shorts to check the colour of their pants.

an infuriating half for the Royals with multiple stoppages throughout the opening 45 minutes which suited the away team.

Carroll tried to impose himself, but found himself on the deck on a few occasions for some robust aerial challenges from Cooper and Murray Wallace.

Reading ended the half without posing a clear threat and went into the break having had zero shots on target.

Clearly unsatisfied with his team’s work, Ince made a double change at the break as Liam Moore and Amadou Mbengue replaced Scott Dann and Yiadom.

PREVIEW

After a lacklustre opening to the second-half, Ince made another double switch with half an hour left to play to try and ignite a fightback as Cesare Casadei and Lucas Joao took the place of Shane Long and Guinness-Walker.

Ince and Casadei tried to spark Reading into life on the front foot before Joao’s cross was dealt with by the resolute Millwall back line who looked determined to

preserve their clean sheet. The final Reading change of the day with little over 10 minutes remaining saw Femi Azeez replace McIntyre as the hosts looked to rescue a result.

Paul Ince’s frustrations got the better of him and he was shown a yellow card on the touchline by the referee. Reading were unable to force any considerable pressure on Millwall and were left with their second home defeat on the bounce.

TIGERS TEST AWAITS AGAINST FORMER ROYAL

READING FC are hoping to get their home form back on track when they host Hull City on Saturday at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The Royals had boasted a formidable home record in stark contrast to their dismal away form which had prevented them from getting dragged into a relegation scrap.

However, two home defeats in the matter of a few days, against Sheffield United and Millwall, and with a six-point deduction looming looks likely to pull Paul Ince’s men into a battle for survival.

Before Reading’s Wednesday night trip to Blackburn (match report online at rdg.today), the team are in 16th position on 44 points from 36 games.

A six point deduction would see them slide down the standings for the remaining chapter of the campaign.

Saturday’s opponents are one place and two points above Reading prior to their Wednesday night match at home to table toppers Burnley.

Former Reading player Liam Rosenior is in charge of the Tigers having been appointed in

November to take over from Shota Arveladze who was sacked with the team in 21st position.

Rosenior has managed to transform Hull’s hopes and has pulled them away from the drop zone with improved form over the last few months.

Rosenior, who played 69 times for the Royals between 2007-2010, took charge of his first game as Hull boss up against his former team.

It was Ince’s side who came out on top that day in the final match before the World Cup break.

With the game headed for a 1-1

draw after Yakou Meite had levelled to cancel out Jacob Greaves’ early goal, Reading snatched all three points in stoppage time when Andy Carroll’s influence led to Ryan Longman scoring a 94th minute own goal.

The Tigers ensured they moved further away from the drop zone in their last two matches.

They picked up three points at home to in-form West Brom with a goal from Benjamin Tetteh and a Dara O’Shea own goal before an away draw with Coventry City.

Hull’s last two visits to Berkshire have ended in 1-1 draws.

Socks are also compulsory with the stipulation that tape or any material applied or worn over the socks must be the colour as that part of the sock it covers.

The idea is that when two opposing players are in close contention the referee is able to tell which leg is which, but you will see Premier League players defy this ruling by wearing ankle socks of a different colour over their main socks without any comment.

Another compulsory item is footwear.

No type mentioned but players must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous.

At the moment, the biggest bone of contention for referees is the shin bone. The remaining compulsory piece of equipment is shinguards, which the law says must be made of a suitable material to provide reasonable protection and covered by the socks.

However, some Premier League players have taken to wearing socks that cover only their ankles. One local referee challenged a player with socks around his ankles who produced a slim piece of material from his sock. But is this a shin guard, and how can a referee now judge what is ‘reasonable protection’? Clarification needed I feel.

Picture: Alexander Fox / pixabay

as Millwall scored an early penalty Pictures: Steve Smyth and Luke Adams

Hendrick is fouled in the air

Ince on the run Naby Sarr challenges for the ball

Holmes picks a pass

Mbengue takes control

Royals defend a corner

Nesta GuinnessWalker displays his pace on the left wing

Dick Sawdon-Smith

LAST NIGHT’S MATCH REPORT IS ON OUR WEBSITE

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FOOTBALL

Robins rise to third to boost play-off push

By ARTHUR STRAND sport@wokingham.today

BRACKNELL TOWN rose up into third position with a home triumph against Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier South.

Robins player Kamaron English propelled into the space in front of him and he began as he meant by winning and passing the ball to Joe Grant whose shot went over the bar.

The next effort started with a long throw in reaching Harris who was available but English whacked the ball very high over Ryan Hall’s crossbar.

Another free kick to the Robins was taken by Eacott but when Sanders had the ball at his feet, his shot was blocked.

Harris played the ball forwards for English to chase but Hall beat him to the ball. The first quarter of an hour was about to tick over when Joe Grant put the Robins ahead.

Magpies were challenged and took a free kick and Eacott punched the ball away then he claimed the return.

Sanders was unable to find the target and the ball went harmlessly over the crossbar. Robins set about the task of a second goal as Grant supplied Harris who passed on to Sanders who fed the ball to English whose effort missed the target.

Herbert found himself in a position to shoot and score but

TABLE TENNIS

Robins gained a corner from which Harris managed to head the ball over the crossbar.

A good ball reached English again and the ball disappeared over the top. The half-time whistle blew with Robins clinging to a slender lead.

Bracknell made a substitution at half-time replacing George Knight with Elliot Legg.

The Robins restarted positively and Herbert came very close to extending the lead but

CHAMPIONS TAKE SPOILS IN TOP-OF-THE-TABLE CLASH

By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today

IN THE top-of-the-table clash, already crowned division one champions KINGFISHER A scored an 9-1 away victory over second place OUR LADY OF PEACE A.

Mo Cook claimed a wellearned victory for the hosts over Kingfisher’s Ross Saxby 8-11 11-7 4-11 15-13 13-11.

The points were shared 5-5 as struggling KINGFISHER C, thanks to an excellent maximum from young Prayrit Ahluwalia, managed to hold KINGFISHER D who are just holding on to third place.

Another exciting 5-5 resulted when the two SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD teams came together. Ed Lush helped the B team in dropping just a single end on the night while Matt Isherwood impressively edged Jamie Barlow 11-8 11-7 8-11 9-11 11-9 as he and Ed teamed up to take the doubles.

SONNING SPORTS A assured

their place in Division 1 next season with a 7-3 victory over bottom side READING FC with another unbeaten performance by Dave Croucher.

TIDMARSH A took an important step towards survival with a narrow 6-4 win over KINGFISHER B with no individual unbeaten on the night and several encounters requiring fifth-end deciders including an impressive final flourish from Lee Calcutt who overcame Alan Cummings 11-8 9-11 14-12 9-11 11-0.

Division two leaders SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D were only able to field two players at OUR LADY OF PEACE B but were still able to draw the match 5-5 which keeps their title bid on track.

Their star player Danny Dockree was in great form recording a three straight maximum.

TIDMARSH B stayed in second place following a 6-4 win over relegation threatened TILEHURST METHODISTS A

RESULTS

Saturday, March 11

FOOTBALL Championship

Reading 0-1 Millwall

Southern League Premier South

Bracknell Town 2-0 Dorchester Town

Combined Counties Premier North

Flackwell Heath 5-4 Sumas

Chalfont St Peter 0-4 Reading City

FA Vase sixth round

West Didsbury & Chorlton 1-1 (3-4 pens) Ascot United

Combined Counties Division One

London Samurai Rovers 4-2

Sandhurst Town

Penn & Tylers Green 2-1

Eversley & California

Woodley United 3-0 Molesey

Thames Valley Premier League

Reading YMCA 4-1 Slough

Heating Laurencians

missed narrowly.

English forced a corner for Bracknell and the ball came out to the edge of the penalty area for Frazer to thump at goal but the ball flew over the crossbar.

Moving to the Bracknell end, Moyes’ effort went direct to Eacott.

Dorchester returned and Eacott collected the ball and hoofed it back but it was just right for Hall to pick up.

Dan Bayliss defended well in a sticky situation sending the ball

Eric Van Looy got his customary maximum for the Tilehurst team with Dale Ballard and Mike Alstrop winning twice for Tidmarsh.

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C stayed in the promotion hunt with a 6-4 victory over KINGFISHER G with Malcolm Gregory getting a maximum including wins in five against Savva Christodoulou and Satej Jaywant. Savva won a close contest with Sonning’s Nigel Maltby 11-7 11-2 8-11 7-11 11-9.

KINGFISHER F and TILEHURST RBL B fought out a 5-5 draw, a result which keeps the Kingfisher team’s hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

Kate Maksimenko got yet another maximum for Tilehurst but was forced to dig deep to recover from two games down to beat Ajai Kamath in five.

In division three, SPRINGFIELD A and TIDMARSH C saw both teams needing a win to boost their promotion chances, but the match ended in a draw.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, March 15 FOOTBALL Championship

Blackburn Rovers v Reading

Saturday, March 18 FOOTBALL Championship

Reading v Hull City

Southern League Premier South

Bracknell Town v Truro City

Isthmian South Central

Walton & Hersham v Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North

Edgware & Kingsbury v Reading City

Spelthorne Sports v Ascot

Sumas v Broadfields United

Combined Counties Division One

British Airways v Berks County

Eversley & California v Rising Ballers Kensington

Woodley United v Brook House

away eventually. Max Herbert received the ball in a creative move by the Robins. Bracknell took a corner kick which Herbert converted into a second goal, the cushion that Robins had needed for an almost an hour.

Dorchester made a break and their attackers were encamped in the Bracknell area temporarily before the defenders could escape.

The Robins are now in contention for the play-offs for promotion at the end of the season.

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

KINGS BEATEN BY BALLERS IN TENSE BATTLE

THAMES Valley Kings II fell to defeat against Brixton Ballers in an intense match-up.

On Saturday, the Kings second team faced off against the Brixton Ballers in a highly anticipated basketball game.

The Ballers started the game strong, quickly establishing their dominance and forcing the Kings to play catch-up for the entire game.

Despite the Kings’ best efforts, they were unable to catch up to the Ballers, who maintained a small yet consistent lead throughout the match.

The game was an intense, end-to-end battle, with both teams putting up a valiant fight.

In the end, however, the Brixton Ballers emerged victorious, defeating the Kings second team with a final score of 52-40.

The loss was a tough one for the Kings, who had hoped to secure a win against their formidable opponents.

Despite the outcome, the Kings team showed impressive skill and determination on the court, and they can be proud of their efforts.

The Kings second team will regroup and look ahead to their next game, determined to bounce back and secure a win against London Titans third team set f or Easter Saturday, April 8.

BTC Senior Cup

Finchampstead 3-0 Westwood

Wanderers

Yateley United 2-2 (4-2 pens) Burghfield

RUGBY UNION

National Division One Plymouth Albion 27-24 Rams

South Central Regional 2 Reading 33-26 Salisbury

South Central Men’s Premier 2 Staines 2s 4-10 South Berkshire

South Central Women’s North Division 1 South Berkshire 3-0

Amersham & Chalfont

Sunday, March 12

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Arsenal 4-0 Reading

Southern Region Women’s League Cup

Ascot United 3-1 Wycombe

Wanderers

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

Ascot United Reserves 1-0 New Bradwell

Banbury United 0-2 Mortimer

Procision Oxford 1-3 Tilehurst

Panthers

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K Berks County 2-5

Kingsclere

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

Eversley & California Reserves 2-1 Taplow United

Larkspur Rovers 5-1 Wargrave Development

Thames Valley Premier League

Burghfield v Reading YMCA

Finchampstead v Slough

Heating Laurencians

Reading City U23s v Yateley

RUGBY UNION

South West Regional 2

Reading v Devizes

HOCKEY

Men’s Premier Division

Reading v Surbiton

Women’s Premier Division

Reading v Buckingham

South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire v Oxford University 2s

South Central Women’s North Division One

Oxford University 2s v South Berkshire

Sunday, March 19

FOOTBALL

FA Women’s Cup quarter-final

Reading v Chelsea

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

Harwell and Hendred v Ascot United Reserves

Procision Oxford v Wargrave

Tilehurst Panthers v Mortimer

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

Eversley v Penn & Tylers

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

Denham United v S4K Berks County

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

Eversley & California Reserves v Thatcham & Newbury Caversham AFC v Wargrave Development

Taplow v Shinfield Rangers

Yateley United v Burghfield

RUGBY UNION

Richmond v Abbey

The Robins celebrate after taking a two goal lead Pictures: John Leakey

The Robins enjoyed success

Max Herbert netted Bracknell’s second goal

Bracknell goalie Michael Eacott