Wokingham Today, December 22, 2022

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

Council’s

WOKINGHAM Borough Council has announced its office opening hours for the Christmas and New Year period.

There are reduced hours in some services, and closures on bank holidays.

Waste collections will also be affected.

Its Shute End offices will close at 3pm on Friday, December 23, then reopen on Wednesday, December 28, with regular hours of 9am to 5pm.

It will again close early on Friday, December 30, reopening on Tuesday, January 3, on normal hours.

Emergency phone contacts

The emergency out-of-hours telephone number during the holiday period is a freephone number: 0800 212111.

Social services emergencies outof-hours telephone number is: 01344 351999.

The telephone number for reporting out-of-hours repairs to

council properties is: 0800 515287 for general repairs.

Calls will be managed by the council’s out-of-hours call centre and passed to the appropriate contractor.

The number for heating repairs is: 0800 389 8789. This is only available during office hours.

The community mental health crisis team will be providing out-of-hours urgent care service and are available

on: 0300 365 9999.

Waste and recycling

Waste collection crews will enjoy the Boxing Day holiday on Monday, December 26, resuming collections a day later.

If your collection is normally on Monday, it will be on Tuesday during Christmas week, if Tuesday it will be Wednesday, and so on.

Those with Friday collections will have their festive recycling, food waste and blue bags collected on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, December 31. This will see crews on the road from 5.30am.

Everything returns to normal the following week.

Libraries

On Fridays December 23 and 30, all libraries will close at 3pm, or their normal closing time, whichever is earlier.

All libraries will be closed from Christmas Eve through to Christmas Tuesday, as well as New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and New Year Holiday Monday, January 2.

Normal opening hours will operate at all other times.

Ebooks, newspapers, magazines and music streaming will be available as normal.

Further details on opening times and other library services can be found on the council’s website.

RBH unit is Trust of the Year

By Jake Clothier jclothier@wokingham.today

ROYAL Berkshire Hospital’s intensive care unit has been commended for its work over the last year.

The ICU team took home the Trust of the Year award at the Intensive Care Awards, in recognition of their hard work treating the sickest patients at their toughest times.

It also acknowledges the work the team has done to become an accredited department of critical care medicine with Reading University.

This marks excellence in clinical outcomes, research, and education, and will provide the unit with additional support to continue this work.

Helen McCarthy, the ICU sister who nominated them, said: “It has been an immensely challenging few years.

“I’m humbled every time I walk onto the unit, at the dedication shown by every single member of the team caring for our patients.

“From housekeeping to

consultants – they all put patient care front and centre.”

Lead ICU nurses Rachel Crisford and Nicola Davies said: “We’re absolutely delighted to win these awards. It’s privilege to work and lead our team in ICU – each and every day their dedication and passion shines through.”

The Royal Berkshire Foundation

Trust also won in the Team Support category.

This was awarded to the ICU’s health and wellbeing team for their work to make sure that staff feel supported, valued and able to develop in their careers.

Janet Lippett, acting chief executive at Royal Berkshire Hospital, said: “These awards are

so well-deserved because they recognise what we know to be true.

“I know how hard all our staff across the Trust work, and how dedicated to patients they are, including the ICU Team.

“It is a reflection of the exceptional work that happens in our ICU – and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Shepherds might have watched their flock by night, but a church stayed up & sang carols instead

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE: A 24 hour Carolathon ran at St Mary the Virgin Church in Winnersh on Saturday and into Sunday, masterminded by Peter Lewis. He is accompanied here by Hilary Pointer, while the congregation ebbed and flowed during the 24 hours

Pictures: Steve Smyth

Nirvana Spa to start work on new hotel

A SINDLESHAM day spa is to enhance its facilities by creating a hotel on site, allowing its guests to stay for longer.

Nirvana Spa on Mole Lane has announced it intends to start work on the new building in the spring.

When completed, it says there will be 72 suites.

In a post on its website, the company wrote: “We are often told that after a relaxing day exploring our spa facilities and unwinding on a lounger you don’t want to leave.

“We are thrilled to announce that this spring our dreams of a Nirvana Spa hotel will start to unfold and the ultimate blissful escape to Nirvana Spa will soon become a reality.

“Our hotel will boast 72 spacious suites, each elegantly styled to induce calm with an extralarge, comfy bed to sink into after your day in the spa along with a peaceful lounge space.”

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

festive singing event.

St Mary’s Church was the venue for 24 hours of Christmas music.

Starting at 9am on Saturday, December 17, and continuing all the way through the night – when frosty wind made moan, the final verse was sung at 9am the following morning.

It was masterminded by former Welsh Guards musician Peter Lewis.

The carolathon was held to raise funds for two linked parish churches: St Mary’s and its sister church, St Catherine’s in Bearwood and St Mary’s.

Flautist Peter said: “I had no problems staying awake. Being in the army for 23 years, I was used to working 23 hours on, and one hour off, so this was actually fairly easy.”

Peter, who served in Iraq in 2003, is raising money for repairs and improvements to the two church buildings.

“St Mary’s Church has suffered some leaks recently,” he says.

“And St Catherine’s Church needs new heating.

“So I decided to set up a JustGiving page for people to sponsor me, and my target amount was £500.

“The highlight of the event for me came in the middle of the night when I checked the page and saw that we had just reached the target.”

Around 40 people joined Peter on and off during the 24 hours.

Another flautist, two keyboard players and a tuba player from Reading’s Trinity Concert Band accompanied him at different times for an hour or

two, and singing audience members contributed at different points in the marathon music session.

“One couple joined me from 3am until 6am which was lovely,” says Peter.

“Some folk stayed for two hours, left, and then came back for more.”

“And there were two people who came and wrote their Christmas cards and wrapped presents while they listened.”

Peter plays flute regularly at St Mary’s Church.

He said the audience’s favourite carol of the night was Silent Night, and thanks to their support the fundraising had exceeded its target. reaching £800.

“It’s been great fun, and I’m planning to do it all again next December,” he says.

“I think I’ll present the event as an opportunity for people to come and wrap their presents and write their Christmas cards.”

n For information about the two parish churches, visit: www.winnershparish.org

There will be a spa garden with a 33.3m outdoor pool and patio, while inside the hotel there will be a gym, and state-of-the-art equipment is promised to members.

Nirvana’s blog post added: “We aim to break soil on this incredible development early in the spring, and we anticipate a 24-month build time.”

Planning permission for the hotel was granted in August 2020 by Wokingham Borough Council for a 70-bed two-storey hotel, with outdoor swimming pool, car parking and soft landscaping. Works have to commence within three years.

A rooftop garden will be created, but can only open between 11am and 9pm, with the lights to be turned off when closed to protect neighbours Conditions include the demolition of the former Pulse8 gym and works restricted to 8am to 6pm weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. Work on Sundays and bank holidays is forbidden.

EVERY carol in the book ... and then some ... was performed at a Winnersh church last weekend, in an epic

Thank you for giving many presents to The Giving Tree

MORE THAN 1,000 presents have been given to this year’s Giving Tree appeal, ensuring it will be a happy Christmas Day for children across the borough.

Each recipient is a young person whose family is experiencing hardship, and may not otherwise have a present to open on Sunday morning.

The Giving Tree donations were taken to Transform Housing, wrapped by charities and are inn the process of being delivered ready for the big day.

The appeal is organised by Gill Mckernan.

She is work experience coordinator at Barnardo’s High Close School, Wokingham, and starts planning the annual appeal in September, with November and December very busy months as the appeal gains momentum.

She says: “Words cannot express how grateful all the charities are with the response to this year’s Giving Tree.

“The kind and generous local people have dug deep, even during these difficult financial times, and bought the most amazing gifts so that no young person will go

without this Christmas.

“Gifts have ranged from toys, arts and crafts, vouchers, clothing, toiletries, footballs and food hampers, and often extra gifts have been included.

“As the organiser, I have been bowled over by people’s generosity and the thought that has gone into choosing the perfect gifts.

“When you wake up on Christmas Day, you will know that some very happy children can open a present thanks to everyone’s generosity.

“A huge thank you to the hosts of The Giving Trees, who have collected in the gifts and delivered them to myself.

“And to Transform Housing, who have kindly stored all the presents.

“The charities have now wrapped them all ready for Christmas Day.

“Unfortunately, it is not possible for the children to thank people personally but please accept our thanks on their behalf.

“A massive thank you to everyone who has been involved in this years appeal.

“You are all super stars.”

Council’s support during festive break

FAMILIES in Wokingham Borough will receive a share of a £20,000 fund to help with the cost of living during the festive break.

More than 1,200 households will receive an additional £15 per household if any child they have receives means-tested free school meals.

This will top up the £30 per child they will already receive during the two-week school holidays.

To ensure those entitled to it receive the support, the council is working alongside three of its Hardship Alliance partners to administer the fund: Age UK Berkshire, Citizens Advice Wokingham and First Days Children’s Charity.

In all, more than £500,000 will be spent this winter to help those who are struggling with the cost of living with funding coming from the Government’s Household Support Fund scheme.

A chunk of the money is earmarked as £15 per week, per eligible child, during school holidays. This applies for halfterms, Christmas and Easter holidays.

Wokingham Borough Council said some families eligible for payments have yet to come forward, and the support will be back paid when they do.

The total amount received depends on the number of children in a family who get free school meals, such as £120 for one child or £210 for two children.

Emma Cantrell, chief executive of First Days Children’s Charity, said: “This extra support will help thousands of children in Wokingham Borough during the Christmas school holidays.”

Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty at the council, is leading the council’s response to the cost of living crisis.

“We continue to work alongside all our partners to help as many residents who need it this winter,” she said.

“This money will help children and families in the area who need it most. But there are funding options for others too. Anyone struggling to pay energy bills or buy food can apply through Citizens Advice or Age UK.”

Residents who are struggling to pay their energy bills or buy food can also apply to the Household Support Fund, this can be a £120 voucher.

n Call Citizens Advice Wokingham

One Front Door on: 0808 278 7958

n Call Age UK Berkshire on: 0118 959 4242.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT: First details of new settlement grants revealed to dismay

‘We unwrapped a Christmas present and the box is empty’

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

THE GOVERNMENT has released the first details of its Local Government Finance Settlement grants for the forthcoming financial year, and once again Wokingham is set to be the lowest funded unitary authority, leading to concerns that Rishi Sunak is acting as Scrooge this Christmas.

While the final figures have yet to be determined, it is thought the borough will receive around £1.8 million –£200,000 less than expected, adding to the council’s financial deficit.

Announcing the plans announced on Monday, the Levelling Up secretary, MP Michael Gove, said overall it is a 9% increase on last year’s settlement. The rate of inflation is currently 10.7%, down from 11.1%.

It includes a one-off funding guarantee that he said would see at least a 3% increase in core spending power before any council tax decisions are made. And there would be a £2 billion fund set up to help adult and children’s social care, and £300 million for NHS England to help with patient discharges.

“Local government plays an absolutely vital role in helping us to level up, support the most vulnerable, and deliver key services that people rely on every single day,” Mr Gove said.

“We recognise the pressures councils are facing right now and this spending boost will provide the support and funding local authorities need to continue delivering first rate public services.”

Wokingham Borough Council leader Cllr Clive Jones has concerns over the figures that have been announced by the Government.

“I have quite a number of questions,” he said. “We’ve unwrapped a Christmas present from the government and the box is empty.

“They haven’t addressed inflation, so our spending power is less that last

year, and we are still the lowest funded unitary authority in the country as far as we can see.”

He also had concerns at some of the claims made by the government, and has fears it places additional pressures on residents struggling with the rising cost of living and energy bills.

“They claim spending power is increased by £10.1 million, but £1.1 million of that is assuming we have a 4.99% increase in council tax and 1,000 additional properties.

“Nearly all of that is us putting council tax. How is that helping Wokingham? It isn’t.”

Cllr Jones promised that during the festive season, senior council officers will be toiling throughout – Scrooge would be proud – preparing a response.

“We will be working on a letter, so we can go back to Michael Gove and say this settlement is not acceptable to Wokingham. They just can’t keep doing this (underfunding the council) to us, it is crazy,” he said.

“It will be a detailed letter saying

they haven’t done enough for us, and we don’t want to be the lowest funded unitary authority there is.

“It’s an opportunity to go back to them and tell them what we think. We have to try and get more money.”

There was also criticism for the £300 million hospital discharge fund.

“It is spread across the country, to get people out of hospital and into care homes,” he said.

“We will get £66,000. That will help just one person get into a nursing home for one year.

“It really isn’t good enough … The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead will get considerably more than us.”

And with the figures not yet set in stone – the grant could go up or down – Cllr Jones expressed frustration at the way in which the Government was rolling this out.

“Local government finance is just a mess,” he said. “We don’t know exactly what we’re going to get. Overall, we don’t expect to be doing much better than we were.

“It’s disappointing.”

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, called for a longer-term solution – earlier this year, Michael Gove had indicated that there would be an end to the settlement being published on an annual basis, to help councils plan ahead.

The final data published will be for two years.

While he welcomed an increase in core spending power as it would help deal with inflationary pressures, more needed to be done.

“Underlying and existing pressures remain for councils and many still face significant challenges when setting their budgets and trying to protect services from cutbacks,” he said.

“Councils want to work with government on a long-term plan to fund local services.”

The provisional settlement is open for consultation until January 16, with the final amount set shortly after.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: Rishi Sunak as Scrooge, outside a festive Wokingham Town Hall Picture: Charlie Simpson

READY TO BE DELIVERED: Gill Mckernan collecting gifts. Picture: courtesy of Giving Tree and Artizan Catering, Hurst

How scammers prey on their victims – and what you can do to avoid their nasty tricks

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

WE’RE all potential victims of scams.”

That’s the warning from Professor Keith Brown, chair of the West Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Board, ahead of Twixmas week, when people can have their guard down while they search for bargains in the sales, or have a bit too much eggnog.

“Most people have experience of somebody trying to scam them, but victims of this sort of crime are usually older, often lonely people, whose cognitive facilities are in decline.

“Criminals like them because they are less likely to be able to ask someone for advice, may be confused, and can be preyed upon time and time again.

“Scammers seek them out and sell their names and addresses to other criminals in what they call suckers lists.”

He wants family members to play their part in helping people avoid becoming a victim.

“If you have a vulnerable relative or friend, expect that they will be the victim of fraud and take measures to protect them now,” Prof Brown said.

“As a rule of thumb, consider that anyone who asks you for your bank details is a criminal.”

How do scams work?

Fraudsters are adept at manipulating language.

They distort reality, and isolate their victims.

Like perpetrators of domestic violence, and groomers, they make their behaviour and requests appear reasonable.As a result, the victim may be made to feel unkind or unreasonable.

What are the different types of scam?

In romance fraud, a criminal enters into a relationship in order to manipulate their victim into repeatedly sending money,

and can last over many months.

Others are instant or oneoff scams, perhaps as a single letter, email, phone call or house visit.

They target the vulnerabilities or expectations of their victim, offering to improve their situation financially, physically or mentally.

A scam will appear to be genuine and reasonable

A scam will look like the real thing. It will often copy trusted images and words used by banks, companies and charities.

And, if it arrives at a useful or expected time, such as when a parcel is awaited, it will seem normal and reasonable to respond with bank details.

Criminals seek a quick response

They want their victim to respond immediately, giving them no time to think, research or ask for advice.

They may say it’s vital to act quickly, either for a special offer or to avoid some kind of health or financial disaster.

Scammers thrive on secrecy

This is extremely important to them, because their biggest challenge is intervention by family and friends, so they make secrecy seem normal.

Friends and family can help to protect vulnerable people

Ask them who they have had contact with this week, and keep communication open.

Warn them to never make any decisions on the same day they receive information, but to ask a trusted person first.

Talk to them about scams, how they work, how manipulative criminals can be, and that it isn’t their fault if they are or have been a victim.

Tell them that any communication asking them to

act quickly should ring alarm bells.

Explain that any communication asking them to transfer money should be treated with great caution.

Look out for the signs that a person is being scammed

Print out information to put on the fridge to remind loved ones of the dangers.

“The most important thing you can do to protect your loved ones is to talk with them,” continued Prof Brown.

“People may be embarrassed if they have been scammed, but victims are not silly or stupid, it’s criminals who are exceptionally clever.

“As more of us work at home and employ CCTV, and as cars improve their locks and trackers, criminals are turning more and more to online fraud.

“It’s the crime of the century,” says Prof Brown.

“Their risk of being caught is very low, and the risk of being prosecuted if they are caught is even lower, and yet the rewards are very large.”

“We estimate now that the scale of this sort of crime is something in the order of £10 billion a year.

“It’s so large that criminal organisations

are spending money on training themselves.

“They even hire psychologists to teach them how to befriend their victims.

“It’s major criminal activity with major investment and it’s not going to go away.”

What signs of scamming should I look out for?

Piles of letters from abroad, junk mail and catalogues.

A ‘workstation’ for replying to letters in bulk.

Lots of purchases of items like vitamins and herbal medications, or unopened boxes.

The phone ringing frequently, or calls that appear to cause anxiety.

Unwillingness to talk about unexplained expenses.

Extremes of behaviour.

A very clean driveway, guttering, or roof.

“My own mother had her driveway cleaned,” says Prof Brown. “She was delighted that somebody came round and washed the drive.

“They were there for half-anhour and they charged her £750.

“The problem was that she had started to lose an understanding of the value of money.

“Or, someone will knock on the door, say, ‘I’m a local builder, and I see you’ve got a few tiles missing.’

“They take a look, and £20,000 later you’ve got a new roof you didn’t need.”

“Doorstep crime is something

that we can try to stop, but with online crime the person on the computer at the other end is in a foreign country where we don’t have legal jurisdiction, so we can’t prosecute them even if we find them.”

Five important things to remember

n Never disclose security details.

n A genuine bank will NEVER ask you for your PIN or card number over the phonestop and think.

nDon’t assume an email or call is authentic.

n Knowing your basic details (name, address, mother’s maiden name) does NOT mean someone is genuine.

n Don’t be rushed.

Listen to your instincts

Stay in control, and be confident to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information.

It’s OK to stop the conversation, to check with a trusted friend, and to phone your bank.

One important piece of advice is that if you do contact your bank after receiving a suspicious call, you should do so on a different phone.

The scammer could be waiting on the line to impersonate your bank if you try to call them on the same phone.

And they can clone phone numbers so that they appear to be calling on the number you

recognise on your caller ID.

“Generally speaking, the older generation are more accepting and more believing that people tell the truth, “ adds Prof Brown.

“They are far less suspicious than the younger generation, and criminals prey on them because of this.

“Assume that your loved one is going to be scammed, and make sure they don’t have all of their savings in one bank account.

“If that is hacked or if they are conned into giving access to a scammer they lose everything in one go.

“Try to minimise the potential loss, by having an account they use for day-to-day spending, and everything else safely in another place.

“But not under the bed.”

n For help and advice visit Take Five’s website: www.takefivestopfraud.org.uk

n Prof Keith Brown and Dr Elisabeth Carter’s explanation of how scams work is called

Scams: The Power Of Persuasive Language. It can be downloaded free from Bournmouth University website: www.bournemouth. ac.uk

n For a free online course on how to recognise and respond to scams, visit Friends Against Scams: www. friendsagainstscams.org.uk

n For advice, call Citizens Advice National Consumer Helpline on: 0808 223 1133.

n To report a suspected scam, call Action Fraud on: 0300 1232 2040.

WARNING: Scammers target all ages with a variety of frauds, including fake relationships, pretending to be a bank, or selling bogus herbal medications. As families gather for Christmas, this is a good time to look out for each other, especially older people Picture: methodshop/Pixabay

New primary school to open to Key Stage 2 students in New Year

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

THE NEW year will mean a new school for Wokingham children, as a primary school opens earlier than planned.

St Cecila’s Church of England Primary is part of the new Matthewsgreen development and had been due to open in September next year, but Wokingham Borough Council is bringing it forward to Monday, January 9.

It is a partial opening, and will take up to 90 Key Stage 2 students – those in Years 3, 4, 5, and 6. It will be run by the Keys Academy Trust

The council said it is help meet demand for the juniors’ age group, which has come about due to the large number of families moving into the borough.

Pupils will come from existing schools as well as new entrants.

The premises have passed a pre-registration inspection by Ofsted while the Department for Education has agreed the decision is necessary.

No decision is made on a full opening, which would see capacity increase to 210 including infants’ places, as demand remains lower

than expected in other age groups.

The council announced in March, following completion of the building, that the school would not open at the start of this academic year because only a very small number of applicants named it as their first preference. Opening would not have been viable and would have affected capacity at other primaries.

The Keys Academy Trust

held a series of open evenings during the summer to welcome prospective parents, with a chance to meet the headteacher, Richard Thomas.

Cllr Prue Bray, executive member for children’s services, said: “We recognise that opening a school in the middle of an academic year is highly unusual, as did the Department for Education, but they agreed this was necessary to relieve pressure on a highly specific

Charged with firearm offences Warm space for disabled families

A CROWTHORNE man and another from Reading have been charged over an investigation into firearms supply offences.

Police enacted warrants in Wokingham on Tuesday, October 31, and carried out a search in Sandhurst the same day.

As a result, Mark Dyson, 52 and of Seymour Court, Crowthorne, and Deyonte Bryan, 28 and of Severn Way, Reading, were charged on Monday, December 19, with conspiracy to sell or transfer prohibited weapons, contrary to section 5(2)A of the Firearms Act 1968.

Dyson was arrested on November 15, and Bryan on December 5. They have been bailed to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on January 10 and 25.

A WOKINGHAM charity is to become a warm space from the new year.

Building For The Future’s Toutley Road base is inviting families with disabled children to drop-on on weekdays between 4.15pm and 6.15pm.

The centre has clean and accessible play facilities that include a ball pit, a quiet room, a gaming room, and a sensory suite.

There will also be refreshments and power points that can be used. The sessions are free.

Building for the Future is asking for help to run the scheme, including donations of tea, coffee, milk, biscuits, cakes and dried fruit.

They can be dropped off at Our House, Building for the Future, Toutley Road, Wokingham RG41 1QN n For more details, log on to: www.bftf.org.uk

Christmas chemist rotas

THE pharmacies listed below should be open as shown. The details are correct at the time of publishing but can change.

You are advised to contact the pharmacy before attending to ensure they are open and have the medication you require.

Details of pharmacies can also be found at: www. nhs.uk

Christmas Day, Sunday December 25

Christmas Tuesday

n Lloyd’s in Savacentre Calcot 10am-4pm n Oxford Road Pharmacy 8am-8pm n Tesco Extra, Napier Road 10am-4pm n Day Lewis Pharmacy, Finchampstead 10am-5pm

n Lloyd’s in Sainsbury’s Winnersh 10am-4pm n Rose Street Pharmacy, Wokingham 9am-6.30pm

n Tesco Finchampstead Road, Wokingham 10am-4pm

Holiday Monday, January 2

n Asda Lower Earley 10am-4pm n Asda Tilehurst 10am-4pm

n Boots The Oracle 9am-6pm

n Lloyd’s in Savacentre Calcot 10am-4pm.

n Boots, Market Place, Wokingham 10am-5pm

type and number of school places.

“We’re very pleased that this is going ahead, so that these children can enjoy the high standard of education they deserve, but would like to assure residents that there is still no need to fully open the school because there still isn’t the demand at this point.

“Our aim remains to offer all local children the opportunity to be educated in the area

where they live and we’d like to thank Ofsted, the Keys Academy Trust and the Department for Education for their help in enabling us to continue working our very hardest towards that.

“We look forward to announcing a full opening at St Cecilia’s when the time is right and are confident that the trust will build on the solid track record it has established running eight other highly successful and popular schools in this borough.”

St Cecilia’s was funded by developers building about 2,100 homes in the North Wokingham major new community, part of the council’s current Local Plan to meet Government housing requirements. The authority is campaigning to reform the system and secure a fairer quota for the borough in future.

The council recognises that the trust has done all it can to promote the school and attract interest, and it will continue to be included in the borough’s admissions guide and online application portal.

Developers also funded the adjacent neighbourhood centre, which includes a Your Co-op food store that opened in February, and for which part of the school and community centre car park is now open.

A CAR that was on fire was extinguished by members of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The incident took place around 3.34pm on Sunday, December 11, in Fleet Hill, Finchampstead.

A crew was despatched from the Caversham Road Fire Station to tackle the blaze.

They said the vehicle was “well alight” when they arrived.

Wearing breathing apparatus, the fire fighters extinguished the fire using a hose reel and were on the scene for approximately 38 minutes.

Burst water main

FIRE CREWS were called to Winnersh on Sunday morning to help deal with a burst water main.

The flowing water caused flooding to a property on Reading Road.

Two stations sent crews: Wokingham Road and Whitley Wood.

They isolated the mains water supply before handing over to Thames Water.

They then helped pump water out of flooded properties.

Thames Valley Police made the roads safe.

In all, fire crews were on site for 90 minutes.

New Year’s Day

n Lloyd’s in Sainsbury’s Winnersh 10am4pm

n Morrisons Woosehill 10am-4pm

READY TO TEACH: St Cecilia’s in Matthewgreen is to welcome pupils next month Picture: Wokingham Borough Council

Warmth scheme to help lowincome homes reduce costs

WOKINGHAM borough residents on low incomes could get up to £25,000 of energy efficiency home improvements free of charge.

The scheme, administered by Wokingham Borough Council and City Energy, is open to people who own and live in a property with a low energy efficiency rating and would benefit from measures such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and solar panels.

Improvements also include low carbon heating systems with air source heat pumps, and energy efficient hot water schemes.

The Sustainable Warmth Scheme provides Government grants to fund improvements for people struggling with energy costs, especially with rising bills and the cost of living crisis.

Households heated by

alternative fuels such as oil heating or electric only heaters, and with an annual income of less than £30,000, could be eligible for up to £25,000 at no cost to them.

Households with the lowest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of G, F or E and an annual income of less than £30,000 could be eligible for grants of up to £10,000.

Cllr Stephen Conway, deputy leader of the council and executive member for housing, said: “For vulnerable residents, thinking ahead to next winter is really important.

“This funding will help those struggling with energy bills to make vital improvements to their homes so they can look forward to cheaper costs and a warmer home with price increases scheduled from the middle of next

year.

“We’re working with trustworthy and professional suppliers from across the borough to deliver these works over the coming months.

“A more energy efficient home helps residents to stay warm, save money and cut carbon emissions.

“Residents who think they may be eligible, as well as landlords, friends and neighbours of vulnerable residents, should get in touch now.”

To qualify for grant funding, residents must be able to prove they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit or have a total gross household income of less than £30,000 per year.

n For more details, call City Energy on 029 2168 0951, or contact Wokingham Borough Council’s energy team, which can also give

Life on an ocean wave as society says Anything Goes

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

A MUSIC group is holding auditions in the new year for its next production.

Woodley Light Operatic Society (WLOS) is opening the trials to anyone who wants to have a go.

The amateur musical company performs two shows a year, usually a summer musical and a winter operetta.

Their next show, Anything Goes, will be performed in Henley in June.

With music and lyrics from Cole Porter, it is about the madcap goings on aboard an ocean liner as it crosses from New York to London.

Set in the 1930s, it contains wellknown musical numbers, including I Get A Kick Out Of You.

Jess Wilkins from WLOS says: “We’re a really friendly group, and we’d love more people to join us for this production.

“People think you need to be able to sing opera, but you really don’t.

“You don’t need to have had any training or experience on stage, you just need to enjoy performing.

“We have people of all abilities, and all backgrounds in the group.”

Anything Goes involves some singing and dancing, and will have live music.

“Yes, we do need plenty of tap dancing sailors,” says Jess. “But noone should be worried, as there is no dance audition.

“If you can follow a few basic steps, David, our choreographer, will teach and help everyone.”

Director Lee Anderson, musical director Owen Lloyd, and choreographer David Parsonson comprise the production team.

Pre-auditions sessions will explain the show and help people prepare for the auditions, which will involve reading

for a part, and some singing.

A first read through will be on Tuesday, January 3. This is followed by two audition preparation and information sessions on Thursday, January 5, and on Thursday, January 12, and a sing and dance workshop on Tuesday, January 10.

Auditions are on Tuesday, January 17.

All auditions and pre-auditions will take place at Rivermead Primary School, Woodley at 7.30pm, where they rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

n For more information email secretary@wlos.co.uk, o rvisit www. wlos.co.uk

SING UP: WLOS members during a recent performance of Show Stoppers. They are now preparing for Anything Goes Picture: WLOS

Sainsbury’s unveil Arborfield plan

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

A SUPERMARKET has unveiled plans for a brand-new store in Arborfield.

Sainsbury’s has unveiled a neighbourhood hub store, based on the principle of the district centre planning permission already granted by Wokingham Borough Council.

Representatives from the chain recently attended Crest Nicholson’s community consultation for the emerging Arborfield Green District Centre to announce the proposals.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s property director, said: “We are delighted to announce our plans to invest in a fantastic new store in Arborfield, which will generate jobs for the community and improve shopping choice for local people.

“We will continue to provide updates and seek feedback from residents, businesses and other local stakeholders as our plans progress to ensure we deliver the best possible store.”

The 16,000 sq ft store would offer meat and fish products, a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan choices, and provide a range of prepared meal options.

Sainsbury’s proposals also include an in-store click and collect service which would bring together Argos, Habitat and Tu Clothing.

The store is expected to create 75 jobs, comprising a mix of management and entry-level positions, as well as supporting additional jobs throughout the construction phase.

It will be part of a district centre off Nine Mile Ride Extension, which has outline planning permission with a more detailed submission set to follow soon from developer Crest Nicholson.

Sainsbury’s will also need to submit a separate application to determine matters like parking and landscaping on the site.

The district centre for Arborfield includes the proposed supermarket plus smaller shops, a pedestrianised high street, community centre, a pub and green space with paths and allotments and new access routes and pedestrianised areas.

It will be located near Bohunt School and Arborfield Green Leisure Centre, with new access to the latter, and includes a refurbishment of the Infirmary Stables.

The development is also required to include a new sports pavilion, and playing

Lidl given green light for Shinfield

A NEW food store has been given the go ahead in Shinfield by Wokingham Borough Council.

A Lidl will be built at the district centre, on land off Hollow Lane and north of Beke Avenue, near the community centre which opened in November last year.

The German retailer will have 1,305 sq m of shopping space including an in-store bakery.

Discussions between the council and developers saw the proposals revised several times but Cllr Lindsay Ferris,

executive member for planning and local plan, is glad all concerns have been addressed.

He said: “It was important to get the scheme right and address our initial concerns on several highways, design and ecological matters.

“By doing this, we’re proud to have secured a high-quality development that will benefit residents for many years to come.”

The store will also have two electric vehicle charging points outside, with capacity for more, and space for solar panels on the roof.

There will be 87 parking places, including six disabled and eight parent-and-child bays, with up to 90 minutes’ free parking.

According to a report submitted with the application, this will meet demand throughout the week.

The development is expected to create 40 full-time and part-time jobs and will include sheltered stands for 14 bicycles, improved pedestrian access to the wider community with two new crossings and improvements to surrounding footpaths.

Elizabeth Line hit by strikes

ELIZABETH Line workers voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action for the first time after rejecting the latest pay offer, writes James Bagley, Local democracy reporter

Members of Prospect at Rail for London Infrastructure (RfLI) have rejected a 4% pay offer for 2022, which the union said was well below inflation. The dates for the industrial action are not yet known.

Prospect members carry out safety work on the Elizabeth Line – which runs between Reading and Shenfield in Essex.

In a statutory ballot, 94% voted for strike action with 92% backing other forms of

industrial action on a turnout, well above the regulatory threshold of 50%.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect, said: “Our members have worked incredibly hard to get the Elizabeth Line ready to go safely into operation yet they are being treated significantly worse than equivalent workers on the rest of London’s network.

“The Elizabeth Line itself is now bringing in large extra passenger revenue for TfL, and is underspent on its budget so there really ought to be room for some movement on pay.

“Our members don’t want

to go on strike but pay is so far behind inflation that they simply cannot manage.

“We remain open to negotiation and it is our hope that RfLI will come back to the table with an offer sufficient to avert industrial action.”

Reacting to the news, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council leader Andrew Johnson tweeted: “At a time when we should be working to power the UK economy back to steady growth and continuing to promote sustainable transport, this is really not good news.

“Both parties need to work to resolve this ASAP.”

fields, the details of which will be confirmed by a separate application that’s also expected soon.

Residents had previously criticised the council and Crest Nicholson and accused them of “repeatedly failing” on their promise to deliver a village centre at Arborfield Green.

This resulted in Cllr Rebecca Margetts, Conservative councillor for Finchampstead South, assisting with a petition calling for action that garnered more than 700 signatures.

As part of the planning conditions, development of

the village centre should have begun after 1,000 properties were built. A figure surpassed in 2019.

Crest Nicholson apologised to residents for the delays to the construction and any frustration it may be causing.

A spokesperson for the developer also sought to reassure residents that it remained “wholly committed” to delivering the centre.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris, executive member for planning and the Local Plan, said he recognised Crest Nicholson were in breach of their planning conditions and vowed to keep pressure on them with support from leader of the council, Cllr Clive Jones.

With Sainsbury’s proposals unveiled, Cllr Ferris admitted he was “delighted”.

He said: “Our residents have been waiting a long time for this and, while we know it won’t arrive overnight, we hope this firm sign of progress will give them confidence in the district centre project and show we’re serious about equipping our communities with all the services they need.

“We welcome Sainsbury’s interest as it shows that the financial uncertainty caused by covid and Brexit, which had been delaying progress on this project, is improving and we look forward to receiving a planning application in due course.”

Car catches fire while in garage

A CAR that caught ablaze while in a garage caused fire crews from three stations to attend.

The incident took place at 10.59am on Monday, December 12.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Wokingham, Wokingham Road, and Ascot fire stations were sent to the property in Wychwood Crescent, Earley.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using one hose reel, before clearing the remaining smoke.

Crews also provided emergency care to one person and were on the scene for just under an hour.

Living room fire

FIRE CREWS were called to tackle a living room fire in Wokingham earlier this month.

The incident took place around 11.14pm on Saturday, December 10.

Crews from both Bracknell and Wokingham fire stations were sent to a home in Barkham Road, where they discovered a blaze in the ground floor of the property.

Two firefighters extinguished the fire using a hose reel, before clearing the remaining smoke with a large powered fan.

Crews were on the scene for approximately 37 minutes.

COMING SOON: Proposals unveiled at a public exhibition on Thursday, December 8 Picture: Sainsbury’s

A steam day out to Bath or Gloucester

The Bath & Gloucester Steam Express

Saturday 4th February 2023

From Slough and Reading. Enjoy a nostalgic steam journey reliving the Golden Age of rail travel with a choice of destinations – Bath or Gloucester.

We shall steam along the Kennet & Avon canal, climb up to Savernake summit and steam on through the attractive Vale of Pewsey and pass the famous White Horse at Westbury. You can choose to visit the Georgian city of Bath, renowned for its fine architecture, magnificent Abbey, Roman Baths, Pump House and small independent shops.

Alternatively, stay on board for Gloucester where you will find the 11th Century cathedral. Gloucester’s historic maritime connections are centred around Gloucester Docks home to the National Waterways Museum.

• Premier Dining £285pp/£870 family – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185pp/£565 family – 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 £115pp/£358 family – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEA

Steam to Cheltenham or Worcester The Cotswold Venturer

Saturday 18th February 2023

From Slough and Reading. Join us for a scenic rail tour by steam train through the beautiful Cotswold Hills with a choice of destinations –Cheltenham or Worcester. With our magnificent steam locomotive at the head, our train will travel through the Vale of the White Horse and along the Golden Valley line. You can choose to spend the afternoon at spa town Cheltenham enjoying the fine Regency architecture with its Pittville Pump Room. Alternatively, stay on board for the fine city of Worcester. Set on the River Severn, Worcester’s 12th Century cathedral is the resting place of King John. The final battle of the Civil War between Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II took place here and you can also find the Museum of Royal Worcester.

• Premier Dining £285pp/£870 family – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

• First Class £185pp/£565 family – 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 £115pp/£358 family – price includes a reserved seat usually at a table for four.

£10 per person discount quote: WEB

Town crier’s costume to join Dame Polly’s bloomers in family panto

EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

THE CURTAIN will go up on a special Twixmas show next week, and it’s a chance to find out if the streets of London really are paved with gold.

Members of the Wokingham Pantomime team have been rehearsing since October, ready to bring their seasonal show to the town.

The brainchild of Bart Lee, Wokingham Pantomime is a company of local children and adults who get together to bring the joy of panto to the community.

The group was founded in 2018, when Bart noticed a gap in the theatre scene and suggested to the company’s now producer Stan Hetherington that they should put on a Christmas show.

After their first year performing in the Council Chamber at Wokingham Town Hall, the group have settled at The Whitty Theatre, where, there is more room to throw custard pies.

“We have 15 in the cast this year, a mix of adults, teens and children from nine years,” said Stan.

“It’s been a lot of fun

preparing for the show.”

“It’s a real community event with different organisations and family members coming together to help.

“My wife has a great team of seamstresses who have produced some fabulous costumes.

“They particularly love to dress our panto dame, Michael.

“He usually has a pair of panto bloomers, but he also has a beard this year, which should be interesting.”

Other groups are supporting the event, too.

A member of Wokingham

Charities receive fireworks donation

BOOM! Wokingham’s annual fireworks display raised more than £30,000 for charities and good causes across the borough.

The event, which includes a torchlit procession from Market Place, a fairground, food stalls and the display, is organised by the Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust, a consortium of community groups.

Held in Cantley Park’s event field, the ticket-only event was sold out.

The £31,000 proceeds are separated among good causes nominated by the organising clubs: Wokingham Rotary, Easthampstead Rotary, Wokingham Lions, Windsor Forest Unicorns, and Thames West Unicorns.

They had a target of £25,000, so this was beaten by £6,000.

The charties that received donations are: Wokingham Foodbank, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Bracknell Foodbank, Tropic of Cancer, Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum, Life Education Wessex and Thames Valley, and Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service.

A further £500 was donated to each of the Borough Mayor and Town Mayor’s charities: Wokingham Foodbank, and Kaleidoscopic UK.

Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith’s said she was delighted.

“Times are hard, resulting

in many local people relying on foodbanks. I know that this donation will benefit Wokingham Foodbank so they can continue the good work they are doing to help people in need,” she said.

“Thank you to the Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust for this donation and for the hard work that goes into making this event an evening to remember.

“A special thanks to everyone who attended the fireworks display and generously donated to these very worthy causes.”

And the donation has been welcomed by foodbank manager Annette Medhurst.

“We are thrilled to receive such a generous donation to our work,” she said.

“The Foodbank has been incredibly busy this year and with the cost of living crisis, we predict this will continue in 2023.

“It really shouldn’t be this way - households relying on charity to feed their family, however, our community is very generous and donations like this really help us support those in need.

“We are truly grateful for the support.”

Wokingham Fireworks

Charitable Trust chairman David Gold said: “Our thanks go to the people of Wokingham Borough who attended our community event and supported our efforts to raise money for local charities and deserving causes.”

Rock Choir is assisting with the café in the interval, Wokingham Lions will be running a stall, and parents and friends will be working hard behind the scenes.

“Young people who joined us in the first year come back time and again,” said Stan.

“Toni, our Dick Whittington, was a cow in her first panto with us, and is now taking the lead role.”

Dick Whittington will be accompanied by his cat as he makes his way to find his fortune in London town, in a pantomime that is definitely a show for all the family.

It contains plenty of panto traditions, jokes, songs, and plenty of actors let loose on the audience.

“It’s a really traditional panto, and we want it to be suitable for everyone,” said Stan.

And he is even taking a role this year, as the town crier.

He has been allowed to borrow the real Wokingham town crier’s costume for the event.

“People will love our Polly’s pie making machine, but I will be making very sure that the town crier’s outfit and I will be keeping our distance from any custard pies that may be thrown,” he said.

The show will be operating a panto tradition where the actors and the stage management team create confusion for one another during one of the performances.

And another surprise people can look out for, is spotting the special guest stars, all of whom have been involved in some way, as they have their brief moment on stage.

Wokingham Pantomime’s show is performed at The Whitty Theatre, on Thursday, December 29 and Friday December, 30.

Performances on both days are at 1pm and 5pm.

Tickets cost £19 for adults, and £16 for children.

n For information, or to book, search for Wokingham Pantomime on Facebook.com

Leighton Park parents make festive delivery

CHRISTMAS came early at Whitley Community Centre as parents at a Wokingham school made a special delivery last week.

Mums and dads at Leighton Park School visited the Northumberland Avenue building to drop festive gifts off, which will be distributed to South Reading families.

Such was the quantity of items donated, a school minibus was required to transport them.

In a post on social media, the Whitley Community Development Association said: “It really feels a lot like Christmas at the hub now.

“A huge thank you to our amazing partners

Leighton Park School Parents Association for their generous gifts for Whitley families again this year.”

The efforts were part of Leighton Park’s Christmas Box Appeal, an initiative which has taken place annually for the past five years.

From the end of November, parents and students at the Shinfield Road school have been dropping off toys and games at the school to be sent out to families across the area in time for Christmas Day.

PANTO FINE: Toni Di Gangi as Dick and Aimee Gunter as his cat Kool. Inset: Emma Ross plays Alice Pictures: Andrew Merritt

BIG NIGHT: Borough mayor Cllr Caroline Smith with David Gold, chair of Wokingham Fireworks at the November event Picture: Emma Merchant

Tips to start 2023 in top condition

AS PEOPLE look at their new year resolutions for the year ahead, the first meeting of 2023 from the Woodley Business Club could help.

It is welcoming Andy Degiorgio (pictured) as the guest speaker at the breakfast time virtual event.

He is a financial planner with Penrose Wealth Management, and specialises in advising professionals, businesses and business owners on retirement planning, investments, and protection.

He previously worked in the energy and home services industry, holding several leadership positions, including in sales, forecasting and pricing, as well as being a trustee director of one of the UK’s largest occupational pension schemes.

The event takes place online from 8am on Tuesday, January 10, and is free to attend.

n Places should be booked in advance, by logging on to: woodleybusinessclub.org.uk

Chocolate maker donates £60,000 to local good causes

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@rdg.today

MORE than £60,000 has been donated to charities over the past nine years, thanks to a chocolate maker with a base in Reading and Wokingham.

Mondelez, the owners of brands such as Cadbury, Oreo and Toblerone, said the support comes from its Cadbury Foundation, which launched in 2013.

Staff from its Berkshire-based operations have chosen charities including Babies in Buscot, Thin Blue Paw Foundation, Sport in Mind, No5 Young People’s Counselling Service to receive a £5,000 grant.

The grants were highlighted in the international firm’s latest economic and social report, which shows how it has contributed £933 million in overall Gross Economic Value Added to the UK economy.

The company has two sites based at the University of Reading, and one in Wokingham, employing 372 people directly, and an additional 359 roles through supply chain procurement.

In all, it accounts for £46 million of its contribution to the UK economy last year/

And its base at the university’s

Reading Science Centre has a crucial role: it is at the heart of its product development, formulation and testing for products sold in more than 150 countries.

The firm says that since 2013, £30 million has been invested in the centre and its sister R&D

site in Bournville. A £4.7 million investment in 2019 expanded the business’ UK Food Research and Development Programme, creating an additional 50 jobs.

Michael Geary, director, Global Cocoa Research & Development, Mondelēz International and site

lead comments: “At Reading Science Centre, our Scientists work on the molecular science for the products of the future, our team are enormously proud to play an integral role in developing the building blocks of technology innovation for the business.”

The firm’s Wokingham site is home to the Chocolate Tasters, a team of 12 whose lab-based roles specialise in Food Science and are required to understand the complexities of the human senses and mechanics of chocolate eating.

Since 2017, Mondelēz International has utilised the UK Apprenticeship Levy to create new pathways into the business, totalling an investment of £2.5 million. To date, the business has employed 20 Apprentices at Reading and Wokingham supporting the next generation of talent across the South-East.

Food science researcher Roger Angold and lead scientific consultant at RSSL, a subsidiary of Mondelēz International, was recently awarded the Food & Drink Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication to the industry.

Law firm seeks charity applications

CHARITIES are being invited to apply to become one of two that will be supported by a Reading-based law firm during 2023.

For the past two years, Blandy & Blandy has raised funds for Babies in Buscot Support (BIBS) and the Royal Berks Charity, both based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

It follows on from previous support for other regional charities including Age UK Berkshire, Daisy’s Dream, Reading Samaritans, Younger People with Dementia, Camp Mohawk, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, the League of Friends of the Royal Berkshire Hospital and Berkshire Vision.

Its efforts have seen more than £100,000 donated, in addition to its support for community events including the Reading Legal Walk, the Reading Pancake Race and Readifood.

And during the past 20 years, the firm has also helped to raise over £1.5 million for Cancer Research UK, for which it received a gold award from the charity in 2019.

Sarah Critchley, chief executive of Babies in Buscot Support, appreciated the help.

“It has been an honour to be selected for a partnership with Blandy & Blandy, alongside our friends at the Royal Berks Charity,” she said.

“For a small charity like ours, this support has meant we have been able to weather the storms of turbulent times and continue to provide lifesaving equipment for sick and premature babies, improved facilities and invest in improved emotional support for families whose babies are being cared for in Buscot Neonatal Unit.”

This view was echoed by Jo Warrior, charity director at the Royal Berks Charity, who said: “Our partnership with Blandy & Blandy came at a pivotal moment for the NHS and their unwavering support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and extension of the partnership, meant that we could support our keyworkers and continue to provide the best

possible care to our staff and patients.

“Working with Blandy & Blandy has been more than just a financial gain for us, they are an engaging team and have supported us at events and by volunteering at the hospital, all while sharing their networks with us and treating us as part of their extended team.”

Now the search is on for two more charities to get behind.

The closing date for applications is February 28, with the year starting on July 1.

Only charities based in a 15-mile radius of the firm’s Reading and Henley offices can apply – it is not open to national good causes.

n For more details, or to request an application form, email: david. lamont@blandy.co.uk

SUPPORT: Blandy & Blandy seeks charity of the year applications

COMMUNITY LINKS: A Mondelēz International, Inc. Chocolate Taster at Reading’s Science Centre, which has helped to donate £60,000 to community initiatives

WADE’s party spreads festive cheer

A FULL Christmas lunch with all the trimmings was served to guests at a centre for older people.

WADE, a Wokingham-based charity that provides meals and activities for the over 60s, served the festive meal to around 50 members who regularly visit.

Trustees, carers and volunteers all helped to serve the food, dressed in their brightest Christmas jumpers.

Philip Mirfin, chair of the charity’s board of trustees, was pleased to see so many WADE members gathered together at the same time.

He said: “Christmas lunch is an opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy a meal together.

“I’d like to thank all the friends, trustees, and staff who served today.

“And a big thank you to those in the kitchen, who cooked

a delicious meal for everyone.”

The event was held in the charity’s day centre, on Reading Road in Wokingham.

Special guests, included patron of WADE Lucy Zeal; Wokingham borough mayor, Cllr Caroline Smith; and Wokingham town mayor, Cllr Maria Gee and her consort Chris Gee.

Cllr Smith said: “It was a delight to be able to celebrate Christmas with everyone here.

“It’s been really interesting chatting with people.

“The staff have been absolutely amazing and the food has been wonderful.”

Guests at the event enjoyed a glass of wine with their meal, and everyone had a Christmas cracker to pull.

Entertainment after lunch included the singing of carols.

Cllr Gee said Wokingham is fortunate to have the WADE day centre available to residents.

She said: “The Christmas lunch was a joyous affair.

“Never have I seen so many Christmas jumpers in one room.

“It was fabulous to talk to people who have led such full and interesting lives, and, for me, a great event in this festive season.”

The day centre sees its members during the week for healthy lunches and provides services that include physiotherapy, hair dressing, chiropody, and activities.

Open from 9am to 4pm, it offers a break for people who are mostly at home, and a day of respite for their carers.

n For more, visit: www. wadecentre.org.uk

Bus times to get new year update

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

BUS USERS in Wokingham borough will see timetables receive a shakeup in the new year to meet changing demands.

Reading Buses says the first day of the revised services will be Tuesday, January 3.

The Leopard 3 will see its journey through Arborfield Green reworked so it can use the newly-opened section of the Nine Mile Ride extension. It will no stop on Park Lane, or use the Orwell Drive stop. Instead, they will use the new road in both directions.

The Lion 4 and X4 will see some journeys changing from 4 to X4, or vice versa, to better reflect commuter journeys.

There is a new timetable on Saturdays, but the 20-minute frequency remains.

The Mereoak park&ride 600 timetable has been adjusted to reflect operational experience since the service was extended to Riseley

and Shinfield. The loop in Riseley will be reversed to allow buses to use the lay-by opposite The Bull.

One week later, on Monday, January 9, there will be changes to the claret 21 with the frequency of the claret spritzer 21a increasing to every 15 minutes, and coordinated with claret 21 around University lecture times.

The Claret 21 will remain every 20 minutes, but there are changes to improve reliability and ensure that there is more capacity for Lower Earley residents.

Robert Williams, Reading Buses’ chief executive officer: “January is a key time for us to mop up any issues that have developed since the start of the academic year.

“Since September, we have seen changes in commuter habits and a significant increase in roadworks and traffic congestion so we must ensure that our service levels reflect this.”

n Timetables are available on the firm’s website, www.reading-buses. co.uk

Home welcome to emergency service workers

EMERGENCY services were given a boost earlier this month, thanks to a Lower Earley care home.

Austen House has announced that any parademics, nurses, police officers and other emergency workers who need a breather can pop in for free refreshments.

Staff at the centre say it’s a way of showing appreciation for their work and helping them when they don’t have time to go home or to their workplace.

Seva Hashimova, general manager of the care home, said: “To say thank you for all of the great work our emergency services do for us, we here at Austen House are inviting all members of the police, ambulance and fire services to pop in and take their duty break on us for free.

“We are pleased to offer all of our local service workers who stop in tea, coffee, juice, chilled water, delicious homemade cake and biscuits and a healthy selection of fruit, available free of charge.

“Our comfortable facilities include free Wi-Fi and service with a smile; do stop in and say hi, we would be delighted to see you.”

Borough mayor Cllr Caroline Smith enjoyed chatting with the guests Wokingham town mayor Cllr Maria Gee chatting with residents at the Christmas lunch

Christmas jumpers and plenty of Christmas cheer at the WADE Yvonne raises her glass

FESTIVE CELEBRATION: WADE’s patron, Lucy Zeal, left, with the charity’s board of trustees, at the day centre’s Christmas lunch Pictures: Emma Merchant

Amid the gloom, some festivities

CHRISTMAS has crept up on us once again.

Christmas is a curious time, as it means different things for different people.

For some, it will be a time of great joy. For others, it is just another day.

For some, a time to bring the wider family together. For others, it provokes a wound that lies unresolved.

And with the cost of living crisis, many of us will not be able to eat, drink and be merry.

As the pandemic has shown us, people are instinctively kind.

So, if you need a little extra help, or need some company don’t be afraid to ask friends or neighbours. Yes, it can be awkward, but once the ice has been broken, it can lead to long-term support.

However you celebrate, whatever you do, we wish you a Merry Christmas.

Love is all around us – it is fantasticLight

WHAT a year we’ve had! We had all breathed a sigh of relief as we emerged from the pandemic, and then sucked our breath in again as we faced political chaos, interest rate hikes, huge cost of living increases.

We’ve had war in Europe, and disappointing international climate talks. We’ve had weather which has swung from scorchingly hot to way below freezing – neither of which is normal. An increasingly chaotic asylum process and deaths in the Channel.

The job market is very odd. Many unfilled vacancies.

Nearly nine million people neither working nor seeking work.

An epidemic of mental health conditions, especially anxiety and depression. Nurses, train drivers and rail operators, posties on strike. And many of these things are interrelated. It doesn’t look good.

So why am I not feeling anxious and despondent? It’s because everywhere I look I see good people doing good things.

Kindness and hospitality towards strangers, food for those who are hungry, warm spaces for those who are cold and lonely, care and concern for those who are distressed, financial support, friendship, generous hearts.

Everywhere I look, I see Love. Churches, charities, individuals, businesses reaching out and offering a hand.

Love came to us at Christmas as a tiny, vulnerable scrap of a baby in an occupied land, under political and economic pressure, and faced opposition and eventually execution. It didn’t look good.

But Love cannot be quenched like a candle flame. Love is the foundation of our existence and the end towards which we travel.

It is Light fantastic, beating back the darkness.

The baby was Christ, the Prince of Peace. May the God who is Love bless and keep you and those you love this Christmas.

The Rt Revd Olivia Graham is the Bishop of Reading

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

How will wheelie bins be funded?

I am not an objector to wheelie bins but I have a number of concerns that have not been addressed concerning the projected savings.

For me, I would like to see the following answered by WBC.

It’s looking like option 1 will be adopted but my concerns are the same for either in times when money is tight as they keep telling us.

I have based my questions on the following

The 2021 census states we have 69,200 dwellings so with the fast pace of building, let’s say 70,000 so allowing for dwellings that do not need wheelie bins, like blocks of flats, I have worked with a figure of 60,000.

What size wheelie bin will we get? The size needs to be confirmed. Currently, the brown garden bins supplied are 240 litres, but if you look at the average price on Amazon it’s around the £60 mark.

So let’s say the council for such a bulk order pay £50. So 60,000 @ £50 = £3 million.

How will this be financed?

I have been told that 3,726,000 blue bags have been ordered for next year at a cost of £350,000. This makes sense when you divide by the allocation of 54 into the 3,726,000 – it comes out at 69,000 dwellings.

I would doubt that this order can be stopped at this stage, So not allowing for any interest on the £3 million borrowed and no inflation on bag cost of £350.000 it will take 8.5 years to pay for the bins from the blue bag saving.

Is an HGV going to turn up a dwelling once per week? If so, how are saving achieved in transport cost? Now we know that one of the

Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today

We reserve the right to edit letters Views

Network Rail needs to listen

Anyone who has tried to get over the railway lines at the Tanhouse crossing behind the new Carnival Hub knows the difficulty of getting over two bridges – one of them a very steep temporary bridge.

The good news is that Network Rail have submitted a plan to replace these with one bridge over both lines.

The bad news is that they aren’t planning to put in an accessible bridge, which can be used by residents with prams, bikes and

arguments is vehicles do not have to tip halfway through their round, but this will only be a small part of the £700,000 saving, So what are we looking at to save money?

Fewer vehicles, longer rounds, fewer operatives? These are questions that need to be asked.

Regarding the green bags. Will every dwelling be getting a third bag?

On my walks doing litter picking I regularly see two outside a house.

Has this been costed in the changeover? What is the long-term plan for the green bag? Will they be phased out in favour of wheelie bins so do we want to spend money on extra? Personally, I am not a great fan of the green bag for two reasons: one is operator error. They are not closed properly. The second is the emptying process leads to spillage, which I see when litter picking.

What is the proposal for persons who are unable to store wheelie bins?

Where you have modern blocks of flats which already have the large wheelie bins in a bin store, are they going to get extra? Will they have room in the store? If they end up outside this could lead to fly-tipping.

wheelchairs. Instead, the plan is to put in a cheaper bridge with stairs only.

This will force many residents to continue going the long way round to get to the Carnival Hub and the town centre, and it’s bad news for the 21st century cycling network which the town needs.

And as the new bridge would be built to last over a century, we only have one chance now to get this plan changed.

Now on a positive note, I would urge all residents to make full use of food waste.

I know there has been a back lase over the bags. But every tonne of food diverted from waste saves approximately £100 and part of this is landfill tax £86 does not get sent to central government. WBC you need to support this on a regular basis.

A survey done not so long back found 20% of food waste in a landfill sample unfortunately there is no data on what size the sample was in weight or how it was obtained. There is another sample planned for 2023.

Soft plastics can be recycled by taking to supermarkets. Quite often they will be marked recyclable but not at home. WBC you need to get a list out there and advertise and promote on a regular basis. This also saves on council’s disposal cost and land fill tax sent to government.

I find the WBC website very complicated when it comes to waste and what is recyclable and would suggest promoting one email address. Perhaps a Facebook page called Wokingham waste and recycling were you can ask questions on recycling

change in our communities.

We tabled amendments to the Levelling Up Bill. One concentrated on dropping mandatory government targets for more housebuilding, which gave too much of it to the areas already full of new homes and new development.

We need a new local plan

WOKINGHAM needs a new local plan.

Recent years have seen a lot of housing development which places strains on schools, surgeries, roads and green spaces.

I would like to see a new local plan with a more sustainable rate of new housebuilding, with further additions to services and infrastructure to catch up with the new homes.

The Borough draws up the plan, which is then tested in front of an Inspector giving people and businesses the chance to query the proposals.

The government is currently

putting through a levelling up Bill which aims to make investment more even around the country, and to provide more development and construction in those places that want the extra jobs, the new homes and facilities to enliven their areas.

Places like Wokingham should be willing to share the dynamism of new homes and new employment more fairly by letting more of the investment go to places in greater need.

The Levelling Up Bill had a lot to say about positives to promote the left behind towns and cities.

I and a group of MPs also wanted it to say more about letting places with plenty of investment have more say over the pace of future

Others tackled the problem of developers gaming the system. They would accept the planning permissions granted under a local plan. They would then fail to build out those permissions and instead apply for more permissions outside the local plan areas for development.

We proposed dropping the five year supply of land requirement which was often manipulated against a Council even though there were plenty of planning permissions outstanding.

We argued for more control over the pace of build out of the permissions already granted within the plan instead of granting additional permissions.

The government considered all of these proposals and agreed to change its Bill to meet our concerns. They have promised a system to speed build out of permissions where a Council has

If you would like your comments to be considered, please visit the Wokingham Borough Council’s planning pages on Wokingham.gov. uk. The planning application number is 223493 and the deadline for commenting is 23rd December.

This is a Network Rail project and Wokingham Borough Council can’t require them to build an accessible bridge , but we can ask Network Rail to take your concerns into account.

Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, Emmbrook Ward

promote how we are doing.

And we need somewhere in Wokingham where you can recycle pill packaging

Rod Needs, Concerned Wokingham Resident

Bins are a vanity project

A Liberal vanity project finally beats probably the most important service provided to our community … waste collection.

It is now a £700,000 saving made by reducing our present excellent service, apparently approved by a “ consultation” with “slanted questions” to obtain the answers the Liberals require.

Once again, I remind them that the £300,000 (the original saving allegedly required) to be spent on the unnecessary Twyford Library Project could still be redirected where it matters more. Some hope.

Colin Bell, Ruscombe

Impractical positions

I refer to Cllr Frewin’s excellent letter in Wokingham Today 8/12. It completely sums up why building more homes in Wokingham is

granted them under a plan.

They agree not to use the five year supply of land argument to provide more planning permissions outside the plan, where an agreed plan is being worked through.

They accept that while the government will offer guidance on housing numbers, the Council should determine what is a realistic number that can be built given local circumstances.

They accepted that where a Council has built a lot of homes in the past that should not be used as an argument for sustaining a very high rate of build. It should be an argument for considering a slowdown.

They are strengthening the money that Councils can take from developers to assist with putting in the necessary public facilities to support the new homes.

I welcome the government’s change of approach which gives the flexibility our Council needs to take more account of our local circumstances, to get some credit for the recent rapid build rate and allows us to protect more of our landscape, farmland and green gaps between settlements.

Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingham

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

expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Westminster diary Sir John Redwood

THE BISHOP OF READING

disastrous and impractical. It is already overdeveloped with no new infrastructure. His letter contains basic common sense which is clearly not evident in the main political parties.

Both parties are slamming each other off week after week and it is scandalous at the rubbish being churned out. One reads Cllr Jorgensen in Wokingham Today 8/12 saying that it is not enough to say that it is someone else’s fault while complaining about every decision the present Council makes.

Everything she has complained about happened when her party was in power. One thing is very clear, that due to bad management of the accounts of the Borough and such a heavy debt, it is clear incompetence with the present set of councillors not fit to be running again.

Yes, the Lib Dems made a horrendous mistake in wanting to raise the car parking charges. They are not now going to get the amount of money envisaged by making such an error. There should have been proper fundraising schemes set up to get this money. As for people signing a petition, it has become a complete waste of time as both parties take no notice of the residents’ views. When are residents going to be able to trust information they read?

Unfortunately, Councillors are conspicuous by their absence until they want our votes at election time. Remember that their priority is the party. Not you.

One just looks at the crazy decision to build on Hall Farm (no decision has

yet been made – editor) and how can your Councillor sit and vote on:

1 Building on a flood plain alongside a river and putting subs underground water storage units to prevent flooding is a big joke. It’s time everyone says no to this development.

2 This will affect all communities in the north and south of the Borough to flooding.

3 Planners ignore the evidence of climate change.

4 No planned infrastructure.

5 A thousand extra cars on the road creating massive congestion on our outdated roads.

6 Over 13 wards would be at risk of flooding if Hall Farm went ahead.

Unfortunately, Local Government has completely broken down mainly due to inexperience and the attitude of local Councillors. They have no power and are just a further burden on residents whose standard and quality of life is being destroyed.

There should have been a referendum in Wokingham when the political parties have agreed with Mr Gove on the future of housing for Wokingham.

It is time these wealthy land owners and developers had some sympathy and understanding for their area and sold land in the Midlands and Northern England where houses and industry are needed instead of Wokingham and Southern England.

Cedric Lander,Woodley.

Waste of space

Every week in our great Wokingham.Today the readership has to put up with ever more bleating and

hand-wringing about how there is no money left in the pot for the AdHoc Coalition Wokingham Borough Council, led by Councillor and wannabe MP Clive Jones, to spend.

Well today, Friday December 9, I think I spotted somewhere that the Ad-Hoc Coalition could be making a little more money over Christmas.

I am surprised that Cllr Jones hasn’t utilised what is, from what I can see, wasted space.

Outside the old library in Denmark street I counted eight car parking spaces and two disabled car parking spaces not in use. This is because they are/were reserved for library staff.

Empty spaces going begging when drivers were cruising around looking for a space. It screams lost revenue.

This leads me to think that Cllr Jones and his Ad-Hoc Coalition are not as strapped for cash as they make out.

It’s called a Waste Of Space.

On that note, I didn’t bother taking part in the waste collection survey. There was nowhere in it to indicate that I want to keep the whole of the waste collection on a weekly basis, ncluding the blue bags.

Therefore, from the very start, the survey was biased towards what Cllr Jones and his Ad-Hoc Coalition want rather than what residents might want. It was a pointless exercise therefore to complete the “survey”.

It was a bit like saying to the turkey, we won’t have you on Christmas Day. We’ll have you on Boxing Day instead. Few choices and no real say in the matter for the electorate. Then again, it is the Non-Liberal Non-Democrats

the get-together with the neighbours, making sure the posh clothes are drycleaned if you’re lucky enough to be going to a Christmas “do”, purchasing the secret-Santa presents for work colleagues.

And then everything else: presents, (planning, buying and wrapping) cards, decorations, food (more menu planning but this time don’t forget great-aunt Mildred is coeliac and your eco-warrior nan is now vegan…)

A friend at work, a young woman in her 30s, told me how all the males in her family go to the pub on Christmas Day while the women cook the dinner. I’m not sure my eyebrows have returned to their usual place yet.

in charge. Need I say more.

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to the Editor, the Staff and other readers of Wokingham.Today.

Paul Clarke, Wokingham

I’ll have what he’s having

Whatever Christmas spirit Paul Clarke is drinking I think we should be told.

His letter last week complaining that the council hasn’t gritted pavements in the recent icy weather omits one essential fact. The pavements were not gritted under the previous Conservative-run administration either.

Maybe he needs to acknowledge that there were problems in Wokingham under the old leadership, even if it is through gritted teeth.

‘Uncle Tom’, Wokingham

What’s in a name?

Santa Claus, decorated trees, festive cards, crackers and presents. Pantomimes, mince pies, turkey sandwiches, Home Alone and Elf. These are traditions we should continue to cherish.

There are however others, that should now become the ‘ghosts of Christmas past’. Brussel sprouts, Christmas pudding, charades, Bing Crosby, and a white Christmas, to name but a few.

In this, the new Carolean age, what better time to create new traditions and mothball some old ones. In an increasingly secular and multicultural society, dare I suggest starting with a name change?

Gary Freestone, via email

The result of this means they have less time, and frankly energy, to commit to paid work. This is a factor in why we have more CEOs called John than female CEOs, and only 14% of global heads of state are women.

These gendered norms also prevent men from taking care of and enjoying time with their children.

Research from other countries, notably the Scandinavian countries, shows that policies can have a massive impact: equalising parental leave; ensuring affordable, accessible and good quality childcare; making work flexible by default.

From the leader

Cllr Clive Jones

Wishing you a happy and peaceful Christmas

AS the Leader of the Wokingham Borough Council, I would like to wish all our residents a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

The leadership of the borough council has changed this year for the first time in 20 years and the council is now run by a Liberal Democrat administration.

It has been a very challenging six months since the Lib Dem administration replaced the Conservatives. We were able to replace them by forming a Wokingham Borough partnership with the support of the three Labour and two independent councillors.

The Conservatives are now in opposition. Sadly, they have decided that they will be a disruptive opposition rather than constructive one.

Everyone was amazed when they produced a document for their councillors explaining how they would disrupt council meetings. This is not the way for a responsible opposition to behave.

This attitude from the local Conservatives has disappointed many residents.

Within minutes of taking over the administration in May we were shocked to find that the shortfall in the budget was much greater than we had expected it to be.

We found that there were 18 bus services from across the borough that didn’t have any budget to support them past October. To continue to keep these bus services running we would have to find several hundred thousand pounds very quickly.

There was also a shortfall of £1.3m to finish off the Winnersh park and ride extension. The Conservatives had known about a significant shortfall since October 2021, but they chose to do nothing about it and there was no budget. Something they never want to talk about.

There was insufficient budget for blue waste bags and NO budget for food caddy liners.

For many years the Conservatives have claimed to be the party of sound finances. We have seen this is not the case in Wokingham, and their bubble for financial competence has burst nationally.

There

paid

There is a lot more I could say about this given the current cost of living crisis but I’ll save it for another column.

The second shift, typically consists of unpaid household tasks.

My son used to say, “Daddy puts the bins out and mummy does everything else.”

And then the “mental load”. Look up You Should Have Asked by Emma, and send it to any male members of your household.

It details how women typically take on the “project manager” role in a household, always having to remember what needs doing and when.

As an example, I do the cooking in our house. But this doesn’t mean I open the fridge and magically create a delicious and nutritious meal from what’s inside.

Firstly I have to plan the meals;

what are everyone’s movements for the week, who eats what, we’re trying to eat less meat so the protein content of meals needs to be considered, I don’t want to shop more than once a week so no point in listing a stir-fry as the last meal of the week as the veg will have gone limp.

Then actually do the shopping; online or in-person?

How late have I left it and can I get a delivery slot?

Unpack and put away the shopping, hide the crisps from the teenagers, write the meal plan on the fridge (only to be asked every single day by a child or husband “what’s for dinner? as they are standing by the plan).

Cooking is the easy bit.

Christmas is the mental load on steroids.

My dad always moans about the amount of effort people put into one day.

Two observations here; it’s not people, it’s women, and it’s not just one day.

It’s the kids’ Christmas jumper day at school (squeezing them into last year’s jumper and hoping the seams last the day), making the mince pies for

My daughter was born (by c-section) on December 22, 2008.

Three days later, my husband and dad made the Christmas dinner.

Obviously, I had shopped for it all first.

On December 19, after I was told I’d be having a planned c-section on the 22nd, I went straight from the Royal Berks to Morrison’s. To help them with the cooking I had written a list of instructions with exact timings.

Every few minutes either my dad or husband would appear with a clarifying question.

Fair play to them both, they served up a delicious dinner.

And every Christmas Day since, while eating the delicious dinner that I have planned, shopped for and cooked, they discuss the amazing Christmas dinner of 2008 while they pat themselves on the back.

Of course, there is a serious point here.

Women do more unpaid household work, physical and mental, regardless of how much paid work they and their male partners respectively do. There are many reasons for this and it’s wellresearched and documented.

These are all Women’s Equality Party Policies.

If implemented they would help reduce the pay gap, make it easier for employers to hold on to good staff, permit more women to take on decision-making positions in business and beyond, as well as enabling more men to take part in childcare, and allow more children to benefit from time with both their parents.

But don’t forget, equality starts at home, so this Christmas make a different Christmas list - sit with your partner and divide up the responsibilities ahead of time according to the jobs you enjoy.

And use this as a chance to minimise the work.

I no longer send Christmas cards. Instead, I round up the family and take a “lovely family selfie” by the tree which gets WhatsApped to various groups.

Although now the kids are teenagers, this is turning into a chore so don’t be surprised if you get a picture of my cats in Santa hats this year instead.

No one these days following the disastrous Truss/Kwarteng/Redwood budget would say the Conservatives were the party of sound finance, far from it. Their handling of the economy has been a disaster.

Many people will have had a particularly stressful year and sadly its beginning to look like the first part of 2023 will be no different as inflation continues to rise, interest rates and mortgages remain high and energy cost are now more than twice what they were in 2021.

All these challenges contribute to a cost-ofliving crisis that we not seen for 40 years.

In the middle of February, the new Liberal Democrat administration will be putting forward their budget. We hope that we will be able to put forward a balanced budget.

We are determined that we will maintain as many of our vital services for residents. We don’t yet know how much money will be given to us by the government to keep our services running after April.

I can hear many of you saying, this is not very organised way for the government to be allocating funds to local authorities, and you are right, it isn’t. But it’s how this disorganised government runs.

At this time of the year, we should remember and thank those who will be working over Christmas to provide vital services: All the people who work in our Hospitals, Doctors surgeries, the Police, Fire, and Ambulance services. There are also many other public service employees who will also be on duty providing emergency services.

I would like to close by thanking all the Councils staff for their hard work this year and wishing all of you a happy Christmas.

THERE are three types of work that typically go into running a household.

is the

work which speaks for itself: go out to work, earn a wage, spend it on household expenses.

Louise Timlin, is the Reading and Wokingham branch lead for the Women’s Equality Party

From the stump Louise Timlin

The mental load that goes into making it a happy Christmas

Spacephiller

Put a tiger in your Christmas shop

THE point of advertising jingles is to stick in your head. And the best ones linger for longer than the products themselves.

Ask people of a certain age what colour Esso is, and they’ll tell you: blue. Which mints are too good to hurry? Why, Murray Mints, of course.

And they can’t tell you this anymore – nanny stateism or something – but a Mars a day helps you rest, work and play. That’s my excuse, at least.

Every Christmas Eve, around 11pm, while busy with my festive shopping at the local petrol station, I recall some that really obscure adverts that have stuck in the noggin, taking up valuable brain storage space that could otherwise be used for important stuff, like the kings and queens of England, or other MasterMind-winning trivia.

The first is a promotion Shell did back in the early 1990s with Star Trek. It was a scratchcard game where you had the chance to win holidays and cash, all backed up with a pretty advert. Enthralling.

But the jingle that lingers longer is one for its competitor: back to Esso, but 1984, where an advert told us to find the tiger and win £20,000.

The internet has no memory of it, so this could be a load of old toot, but it was another scratchcard game. Find three tigers, or something, and you’d walk away with the cash.

No such thing as a free lunch, unless you’re a tiger and there’s some picnickers at the safari park, so the chance of winning was minimised.

These scratchcard promotions straddled initiatives such as Tiger Tokens and Collect and Select. Essentially a late 20th century take on Green Shield Stamps, they allowed drivers to amass points which could then be traded for items, including drinking glasses, T-shirts, and teasmaids. Other garages offered model cars in exchange for these tokens. I tried to give one away as a Christmas present and friend complained bitterly that it was a cheapskate thing to do, despite having to buy a squillion pounds worth of petrol to get enough points to get the hot wheels.

Petrol stations have long since stopped giving tokens away, and people can no longer trade in their stamps. Times have changed.

Just as they have with the instore shop. Whereas once my Christmas shopping list was restricted to Magic Tree air fresheners, overpriced chocolate bars and two litre tubs of screenwash, now they’ve gone a bit upmarket. It’s not the same.

My late-night desperation supermarket sweep isn’t just limited to Christmas Eve. I can now have a leisurely lie-in and get gift ideas on Christmas Day as many garages stay open.

They are no longer little cabins of despair, but full-blown retail experiences, often courtesy of supermarkets such as M&S and Sainsbury’s. So, alongside the road atlases and the troll doll keyrings, the several years old CDs and gallons of oil, there are exquisite chocolate boxes, Christmas cakes, gift sets and surprises.

It takes the fun out of it.

After all, Christmas shopping is a rather stressful experience at the best of times.

The beauty of the petrol stations of old was the range was limited, the choice was take it or leave it, and often the response from girlfriends was to leave. Me.

Still, I never learn, so look out for me this Christmas Eve, joining the ranks of others who prefer to leave their Christmas shopping to the very, very, very, very last moment.

Ad jingle bells aside, there’s no tigers with £20,000, and Scotty won’t be beaming me up. Well, not this side of Christmas Day lunch.

A merry Christmas to all of you at home.

Harvey’s scooter walking around

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

CHRISTMAS came early for a Gorse Ride Junior School pupil after scooping top prize in a contest that encouraged children to switch to greener forms of transport.

Year 4 pupil Harvey is now getting around Finchampstead riding his prize of a micro scooter.

RotaKids raise £1,000 in just 30 minutes

IT’S PROBABLY one of the fastest fundraising sessions ever, and it’s even more impressive as it was organised by children aged 10 and 11.

Members of the Acorns RotaKids Club at Crosfields School in Shinfield collected more than £1,000 in just half an hour during a Christmas fair, held during break time.

There were cakes, books, drinks, toys and Christmas decorations on sale, and it was also possible to arrange to have a photo with Santa.

The proceeds will go to the Ambitious About Autism charity.

The pupils organised the entire event, seeking permission from the school to host it, then publicising the details to the school, and working with the maintenance department to arrange the setting up of 20 stalls.

The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh member Robin Edwards, who is the lead Rotarian

at the Crosfields RotaKids meetings, was thrilled with the children’s efforts.

“I am amazed at the enthusiasm and creativity of these young children. We can all learn something from their fund-raising expertise,” he said.

A RotaKids club is for children aged between seven and 12, and there are around 200 across the country, all supported by local Rotary clubs.

Each club is run by a democratically elected team of officers: a president, vicepresident, secretary and treasurer.

A Rotarian from the sponsoring club usually attends as an adviser at the weekly RotaKids meetings.

The Rotary Club of Reading Maiden Erlegh supports two RotaKids clubs, one at Crosfields and the other at Winnersh Primary. n For more about Ambitious about Autism’s work, log on to: ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk

Wokingham’s united nations

IT WAS a United Nations, just in miniature. Earlier this month, 26 new citizens were welcomed as residents of Wokingham borough.

The ceremony took place in Wokingham Town Hall, and sees people who have been accepted as British citizens take an oath of allegiance and pledge of loyalty, to complete their application.

At the event, held on Wednesday, December 14, the 26 were presented with certificates by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Brigadier Stephen Matthews, and a gift of a passport cover from Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Caroline Smith.

This is the seventh citizenship ceremony Cllr Smith has attended since becoming borough mayor. In total, she has welcomed 176 new British citizens.

“Wokingham Borough is made up of thriving diverse communities and many people, including our new British Citizens, choose to live here as it’s such a great place to live, work and bring up a family due to our fantastic local schools, a healthy population and great employment opportunities,” she said.

“Obtaining a British citizenship

is a significant and memorable occasion, and I am delighted to meet people from all walks of life and welcome them officially as British citizens to our borough.” Since September, the new citizens have come from: Sri Lanka, Italy, India, Slovakia, Netherlands, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Thailand, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kenya, Serbia, Egypt, Taiwan, Gambia, Hungary, Spain, China, Turkey, Venezuela, Iran, Latvia, Bolivia, Romania, France, Poland, Ukraine, Nepal, Bulgaria, and Australia.

His entry was plucked at random from 180 entries, each of which was made by participants of an Active Movement campaign that ran from Monday, October 31, through to Friday, November 25.

They were challenged to walking bingo: once nine challenges on their card were completed they could be returned to be entered into draw.

In all, 10 schools took part in the campaign which aims to reduce childhood obesity.

One of the key aims of encouraging active travel is to reduce air pollution, particularly outside schools where there is increased traffic at certain times of the day. This also helps the council to honour its pledge to do all it can to address the climate emergency.

As well as the scooter, there were goodie bags that included a reusable My Journey water bottle, a family swim voucher from Places for Leisure, a medal and high-visibility slap bands and stickers.

Cllr David Hare, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, conducted the prize draw at Gorse Ride Junior School.

He said: “It was such a privilege to be able to choose the winner of this year’s competition. All of the children were really enthusiastic about it, which

SOMETHING as simple as taking her daughter to the shops can be ‘overwhelming’ for 27-year-old mum Lisa Reid, whose daughter Ruby, four, is autistic.

That’s why she felt compelled to share on social media her experience at Specsavers Woodley, after the store made Ruby feel like ‘any other little girl’ for the day.

“Because Ruby has learning difficulties she really struggles with everyday tasks, in particular going into shops,” Lisa says. “She has a real problem with people entering her personal space, so you can imagine what it’s like when it comes to getting a new pair of glasses.

“The team at Woodley Specsavers were so understanding, I called up to book Ruby in for an appointment and they were so accommodating.

“I went inside and helped pick out some suitable frames for Ruby, then two of the Specsavers team came outside and did the fitting for us as quickly as possible.”

Lisa, along with her partner, Brooke, 29, is a full-time carer to daughters Ruby and Lexi, 10,

shows the

Movement campaign has achieved what it set out to.

“This is not about a sporadic, shortlived interest in being active – it is about trying to encourage a long-term change in the way children and their schools view exercise and how small things can make a big difference to their physical and mental health.”

Competition winner Harvey said: “I like Active Movement because it means I am always moving and it is about doing little things

who also has learning difficulties.

Due to her age, Ruby, who has worn glasses since she was two, still has her eye tests at hospital, but the fittings are carried out at an opticians.

Lisa says not everyone has been as understanding of Ruby’s needs.

“A lot of people don’t listen when I’m asking them to meet my kids’ needs,” she says.

“I’ll tell them not to look or talk to them because it’s overwhelming and it doesn’t compute. The Specsavers team have been a fresh of breath air –it’s such a rarity.

“It’s so nice to have a service that meets our needs. It makes Ruby feel like any other little girl who has a few special requirements.”

Wanting to share her own experiences of motherhood, Lisa launched an Instagram page –@my.autistic.girls – to help other people who have children with additional needs.

So impressed by the services she received at her local Specsavers store, she spoke out about the experience to her followers.

“It just made my day, it really did,”

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS: The RotaKids team at Crosfields School with Santa. They organised a festive fair during a school break and raised more than £1,000

Active

Phil Creighton

ACTIVE LIVES: Pupils from Gorse Ride Junior borough Active Movement challenge, which aims

Mum applauds Specsavers for making her daughter feel like ‘any other little girl’

scooter is reward for Finchampstead

Wise men in Wokingham? Haven’t

seen that for a while

break includes To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 Thursday, December 22, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 17

A CHURCH in Wokingham is preparing to take visitors on a journey through the Christmas nativity story.

All Saints is inviting people to come and enjoy their festive event.

The group has had to do things differently this year, because the main building is closed due to major refurbishment of the premises.

It will reopen as a flexible café space and arts venue, as well as a place of worship in the spring.

and can take selfies with them.”

Visitors can take part in craft activities and meet King Herod, before making their way to the stables where they will see the newborn Jesus.

“The experience is loosely based on the crib service we normally hold,” says Hannah.

“So it’s aimed at families primarily, but anyone is welcome to come, as a group or an individual.

every day instead of sitting.”

Fellow Gorse Ride Junior student Jake, who is in Year 6 and won a goodie bag, said: “In the middle of a lesson, we will sometimes go out for a walk. Active Journey encourages me to walk a bit more before and after school, and it is a good way to remind me I can be active every day.”

Eileen Rogers, executive headteacher of Gorse Ride Schools, said: “Active Movement easily fits into our everyday routine and helps the

children to be healthier, happier and more active.

“Our children enjoyed the opportunity to stand and move during lessons. It helps parents and children to realise that you can be more active just by changing the way you travel to school. It is not only good for their health, but also for the environment too.”

n Email peter@activemovement.co.uk to find out more about the Active Movement programme.

In the meantime, instead of their usual crib service, organisers are preparing a Christmas Experience for visitors, at its nearby Cornerstone building.

A cast of volunteers is ready to become characters from the nativity story, and rooms are being transformed into the various stages that people will pass through on their journey to Bethlehem.

“It’s actually been good having to change what we do this year,” says the Revd Hannah Higginson.

“We’ve had to be quite creative, and come up with new ideas.

“We want it to be a real Christmas experience, and we’re very excited about it.”

“People will get to meet the wise men, and can talk with them about following the star to find the baby Jesus.

“Then they’ll meet shepherds,

“It takes about an hour, and there’s a cup of tea at the end.”

“We don’t have any animals in the experience – this time.

“But we are very keen to have a real baby in our nativity scene.

“We’re hopeful that someone will be willing to join us, whose baby is six months old or younger.

“If that’s you, please get in touch.

“Lots of people have now signed up to take part, and we’re excited to share this Christmas Experience.

“Come to Bethlehem with us.”

The event takes place at The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue, today and tomorrow (Friday).

It starts at 9.30am on both days, with half-hour arrival slots available until the last start time of 3.30pm.

Visitors need to book their place for the free event.

n For information, log on to: www. allsaintswokingham.org.uk

Stuck on London Road going nowhere fast

Gazing at the leaves on the pavement piled up high I’m just about to move at last When two words catch my eye Free Billy – and I start to speculate What Billy might have done to deserve his fate

Billy’s name is on a wall demanding his liberty

continues Lisa. “For just one person to understand my children’s needs or my family’s needs is amazing – it was a 10-out-of-10 experience.

“For a neurotypical person it’s nothing getting your glasses, but for Ruby some strange person putting glasses on is quite distressing.

“It would be brilliant if everyone in the world was a bit more understanding, like the team at Specsavers.”

Ravi Bhardwaj, director of Woodley Specsavers, said: “When we saw what Lisa had shared about her experience

at Specsavers, we were touched to hear what a difference our team had made on her and Ruby’s experience.

“Here at Specsavers we want to make everyone included, which is why it’s heartwarming to know that our efforts are paying off.

“We’ll always do our best to accommodate special requirements and we hope Lisa’s story encourages other people to be a little more understanding and caring.”

n For more details, log on to: www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/woodley

For every stationary car and passer by to see

But without the story behind the words how can I know If Billy should be free to go Did he deserve everything he got Whether he committed a crime or not

Perhaps poor Billy is merely grounded

And the plea to free him is unfounded

Maybe Billy is like a beast in a cage

Whose imprisonment has caused outrage

The statement written simply on the wall

That Billy should be free is not enough

For anyone to make that call And I’m sure many will think it’s a little tough

And possibly a little mean

That I forgot all about Billy’s plight when the light turned green

GILLIAN PASSMAN

We love printing your verse and print a selection every week. Email poems to news@wokingham.today

Return

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Departing Sat 18 Feb ‘23 Single Supplement £30 Single Supplement £65

us as we soak up the peaceful ambience and charm of the Cotswolds, with their gently rolling hills scattered with honey-coloured stone towns and villages. Your WPR_2022-12-19_TheWokinghamPaper_33x2 (1)_Just Go or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 03332 342 527 Quote WPR

WE THREE KINGS: Visitors to All Saints Church in Wokingham can meet the nativity characters at a special event today and tomorrow Picture: All Saints Church

POETRY CORNER

Schoo with Clr David Hare, at the presentation of prizes for taking part in the Wokingham aims to switch people to greener forms of transport Picture: Stewart Turkington/stphotos.co.uk

RUBY CHOOSE DAY: Staff at the Woodley branch of Specsavers

Atomic Kitten to play Palmer Park

READING’S biggest family festival has announced details for next year’s event, including a purr-fect headliner.

Reading’s Party in the Park is set to return to Palmer Park on Sunday, June 18, next year.

The event will see Atomic Kitten joined by Blazin Squad, with more to be announced on Thursday, January 5.

It will also feature DJs, tribute bands, pantomimes and theatre, spread across three stages of entertainment, as well as the usual offerings of street food, craft beer, and cocktails.

n Sign-up is now open for ticket discounts, available via www. legacylive.co/buy-tickets/

Phantom bells

PHANTOM Brewing Co is seeing in the new year with a party.

The Reading-based brewery is welcoming punters to its taproom for a New Year’s Eve party complete with food and games.

As well as its own range of drinks, the taproom will be hosting The English Desi to keep attendees fed.

It will also host a number of games to help the party go with a swing.

Tickets are £10 each, which includes a drink on arrival and at the stroke of midnight.

n Tickets are available via: www. eventbrite.co.uk.

Flackstock tickets go on sale for 2023

BACK NEXT YEAR: Natalie Pinkham, Jody Flack, and Dawn O’Porter at Flackstock 2022. The festival will return in 2023

Mates Rates announces Ding Comedy Festival

READING will soon be home to a brand new comedy and arts festival across a number of venues across three days.

FRIENDS and family of Caroline Flack have announced the return of Flackstock for 2023.

Following its inaugural event last year, the day festival is set to return for another year to celebrate the life of the late TV presenter.

Last year saw performances from Olly Murs, Tom Grennan, Ronan Keating, and Natalie Imbruglia, among others, and raised £325,000 for charity.

The funds raised were split between Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans, and the Charlie Weller Trust, each of which “held

a special place in Caroline’s heart”.

The organising committee, including Caroline’s mother, Christine, and sister, Jody, has confirmed that the festival is now set to return to raise further funds for the outlets.

While the date has been set for Monday, July 23, 2023, the lineup is yet to be announced

Flackstock 2023 is due to take place in the grounds of Englefield House, following on from a series of summer concerts as part of the site’s Heritage Live programme.

The committee said: “Flackstock was an incredible way to remember our friend Caroline,

but it became so much more than that – a place full of joy where people felt comfortable talking about mental health.

“There has been an overwhelming desire for us to return, so we are back with the intention of building Flackstock into a legacy festival to raise money and awareness for a range of brilliant charities.

“We want everyone to come and join us in 2023 for this magical event.”

n Tickets are now on sale, priced at £66 per person, and £32 for under 14s, available via: www. axs.com.

The inaugural Reading Comedy Festival is set to take place next year, with Zoe Lyons announced as the headline act.

She be joined by fellow comedians, both national and local, when she takes to the stage at Double-Barrelled Brewery.

The festival will also see the Reading New Comedian of the Year competition, taking place at The Purple Turtle, and The Sunday Roast at Milk Bar, presented by Roast Battle UK.

Double-Barrelled brewery will also see its very own dedicated show, The RCF Brewery Showcase.

These will be followed by

an after party, also at DoubleBarrelled Brewery.

Co-organiser and promoter for Mates Rates Comedy Nick Byard said: “this is a great opportunity to showcase Reading’s thriving independent comedy scene and bring some big names to Reading.

“The £30 festival pass is an absolute bargain but we also have some great options for the more casual festival goer and people on a budget.”

Festival co-organiser and promoter for Laughter Craft Comedy Jonathan Elston said: “we have been hosting some of the biggest names at our new material night at Milk Bar for a while now.

“It will be great to see some of them bringing their exclusive shows to the festival.”

Bach Choir plans a celebration

a career as an international orchestral and chamber musician, soloist, and teacher.

Clarinet and Cake has now been moved to the end of January, in which the choir will be joined by two special guests for an evening of live music.

A celebratory concert will see the choir’s own alto, Janet Hilton, will be performing a clarinet recital, accompanied by the assistant musical director, Nicholas Shaw.

Ms Hilton is currently professor of clarinet at the Royal College of Music, having enjoyed

Mr Shaw has been with the choir for more than 20 years, including a range of educational activities with young musicians in the Youth Chorus Master of Opera North.

He also acts as director of chapel music at St Lincoln’s Inn and as an associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

The event will see performances of the Intermezzo and Scherzo from  Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Four Characteristic

Pieces, Studies in English Folk Song.

It will also include Stanford’s Irish Lament from Sonata Op129, Turnage’s Two Memorials, and Horovitz’s clarinet and piano Sonatina.

There will be tea and cake served following the performances.

Singing Day will now take place from 3.30pm on Saturday, January 28, at St Andrew’s Church, Caversham.

n Tickets cost £15 per person, £5 for under-18s, available via: www. readingbachchoir.org.uk.

Pentahotel welcomes Ellen Blane

PENTAHOTEL is set to welcome a folk singer and guitarist for an evening of live music.

Live & Love Music is presenting an acoustic set from London-based performer Ellen Blane.

Blane will bring her folk music sensibilities to the evening, combining chart hits and pop favourites with her unique style.

She writes original material, with her YouTube content attracting more than 1.5 million views and her debut single, Going Under, amassing more than 100,000 streams.

She is also a winner of the MTV Cover of the Month award.

The event will see live music at the main bar in Pentahotel, Oxford Road, between 7pm-10pm on Friday.

n More information and tickets are available via: allevents.in

JAKE CLOTHIER

Picture: Dijana Capan/DVision Images

LAUGHTER

TIME: The inaugural Reading Comedy Festival will see a roast battle, comedy competitions, and an after party for a weekend full of shows at venues across town, headlined by Zoe Lyons

Picture: Steve Ullathorne via Wikimedia

READING Bach Choir has announced the rescheduling of its latest concert.

RaW Sounds Today

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/raw soundstoday

SO, here it is, Merry Christmas, everybody’s having fun … and they will be rocking around the Christmas tree too thanks to this week’s Raw Sounds Today playlist.

Why have chestnuts roasting when they could be listening to some fantastic music?

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 an eclectic mix of stuff 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.

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

Third Lung – The Christmas Song (Stranger to the Cold)

What a year this band have had!

They’ve released excellent singles, headlined Sub 89, played gigs and festivals, sold out their own Loddfest, performed live on a tour of record stores including HMV and released their brilliant debut album, Gameplay.

As if that isn’t enough they end the year with the

release of a brand new Christmas single to raise money for Reading’s Launchpad charity and as usual with this band, it’s great.

What a year, what a band – http://www. thirdlungband.com/

Spriggan Mist – Green Santa

Does Santa really wear red? Listen to the lyrics and see what you think as you dance along to their new single. Don’t miss the band’s special Wassail event with Flutatious at Wokingham Music Club on January 27 – https://www.sprigganmist.com/

Voodoo Radio – Christmas Eve

This exciting duo from Cumbria visited Reading recently as support for Spizzenergi at their Club Velocity show. They’ve just released this great new Christmas single, a brilliant uplifting party anthem –http://www.voodooradio.co.uk/

Spizzenergi – Christmas in Denmark Street

They visited Reading to perform a brilliant show for Club Velocity at the Facebar and here’s their single about Denmark Street. Not Wokingham’s Denmark Street or could it be? – https://www. spizzenergi.com/ Rocket Kings – Christmas Without You

Have a Ukelele Christmas with Rocket Kings! They’ve just released this seasonal feel-good song –https://www.facebook.com/rocketkings

That Joe Payne – Gloria

Joe played a great set at Wokingham Festival in the summer and he has now released a Christmas album, ‘Ding Dong’ from which this is taken. It’s a wonderful album which deserves to be a perennial

Christmas classic – https://www.thatjoepayne.com/

John Otway – Middle of Winter

With John recently performing his Christmas knees-up at Club Velocity’s recent show, it’s a good excuse to include this version of John’s song from his 2014 EP A John Otway Christmas – http://www. johnotway.com/

Albion Christmas Band – Christmas Wreath

Here’s a band made up of folk legends that get together to create seasonal folk music.

They recently visited Maidenhead and Basingstoke as part of a UK tour and released their new album, All Are Safely Gathered In.

It’s an excellent offering with traditional and new songs that capture the seasonal spirit. Christmas Wreath is a beautiful example – https://www. albionchristmas.co.uk/

RyeWolf – When the Snows of Winter Fall

Local band, RyeWolf perform fun folk music plus softer songs too like this from their new ‘Christmas Cheer’ single- https://www.ryewolf.co.uk/

Greg Lake – I Believe in Father Christmas

Not much of a local connection here for this one although I did see this sadly missed great musician and vocalist play a brilliant live set at Reading Festival many years ago with a band that included another sadly missed musician on guitar, Gary Moore.

It was brilliant.

Included as our final seasonal selection as it’s one of my all-time faves and doesn’t seem to get played as much as it used to be, even though it should do.

Happy Christmas Everyone. Thanks for listening –http://www.greglake.com/

Queuing from 9am to meet Ant Middleton

ANT MIDDLETON has just released his second novel, Red Mist, following on from the success of his previous literary works.

As well as his work on Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, Middleton has published a non-fiction trilogy including his autobiography.

On Friday, he visited Waterstones on Broad Street for a book signing, which saw many queueing before 9am to meet him.

Just before the event, he said of his mixture of fiction and non-fiction works: “I like to merge the two together.

“With non-fiction, I write what I’m allowed to, but with fiction I can sort of merge the two worlds together.”

The newest novel has been billed as ultra-authentic, with Middleton drawing on his decades of experience in the armed forces, including years in both the Royal Marines and the Special Boat Service.

“I don’t like my fiction to be too… fiction—I don’t want it to be some guy going off on a rampage, it’s about merging my life experiences and my combat experiences, but my family life and travel, too.

“When I first started people wanted shootouts in hospitals and I was like ‘woah, hold back.’

“I want readers to be able to try and relate, ask the question ‘could it be done, if it was me,’ not someone saving a damsel in distress with endless rounds.”

The focus on relatability is evident in much of his work, especially since his messages about mental health and positive outlook are universal in their relevance.

“Life has its stresses, and as long as you’ve got a good purpose that you’re working towards then you know you’re going to get the setbacks and knock backs, but it’s all heading towards a positive outcome.

“When you look at the stresses on you, are you fighting towards a goal¬¬nine times out of 10 we are, but stress automatically fits into that negative category.”

But his outlook, he says, is not even necessarily the result of the considerable, in-depth, and intensive training he has had.

“It’s through exposure, repetition, certain crowds, certain people, you’re going to learn how to harness ityou learn how to make it work for you.

“But it’s about that commitment, it’s about putting yourself out there to do that, and a lot of people get caught up in a negative bubble.

“Are you surrounding yourself with the right people that you know, are they making you feel good – I think that’s a really important thing to break down for yourself.”

Overall, he says there are three things

which he seeks to maintain his sunny disposition: “A positive mindset, positive people, and a positive environment.

“I think that’s a by-product of where I’ve come from; when you’re wrapped up in high-intensity situations, you just do it—there’s little thinking.

“Since I’ve gone into TV and written books, I’m learning a lot more about thinking then acting, which comes with growth and maturity,

“My mind is constantly engaged now where before I just didn’t have time to think, and sometimes when you’ve had

a really challenging moment it’s good to really dissect it.”

He says he tries to simplify life, which he contends is more complex than ever: “You can get away from the complexities of life.

“But it’s a realness and a warmness that people need; when you’re real and honest, you can take hold of a problem and process it.

“When it’s not clear or understood correctly, it’s like a hot potato and you can’t really grab hold of the problem.

“It becomes layered with complications, layered with B.S. and negativity, and you can scrape that all away by being honest.”

He admits that this can be difficult, however: “I think the honesty and realness is hard.

“It’s tough because a lot of people don’t like the truth, or they don’t like the rawness of it that really strips them down to a point where they feel vulnerable.

“But there’s a way of doing it, but if you want to do that, I think you can find something in my books.”

In his literary work, he says he hopes to find a legacy, of sorts: “Above all; above my TV, above my tours, above everything, that writing is therapeutic.

“I get out everything that goes on in my head, and I know that it’s an archive that anyone can pick up.

“I hope that in 100 years’ time somebody, my book is on the shelf somewhere and I’m long gone, and someone will pick it up and dust it off.

“And hopefully they’ll get something from it that they can pass on—that’s the goal.”

n Ant Middleton’s new novel, Red Mist, is available now

WHAT A YEAR: Third Lung launched an album at Sub89, just one part of a busy 12 months Picture: Andrew Merritt

Ant Middleton meeting with fans Michelle Shoulder and Margaret, who he refers to as his ‘sniper’ Picture: Jake Clothier

Help deaf people this

THIS WEEKEND, in case you hadn’t noticed, sees the world celebrate Christmas Day.

And with it comes the gatherings as dinner tables are packed with families and friends coming together.

For some it can be a time not of great joy, but great frustration because they can’t hear all the chatter going on.

RNID, the national charity for deaf people and people with hearing loss, asked supporters for their top tips of how family and friends can make communication easier at Christmas.

And just in time for the big day, here they are:

Ask how you can help

Everyone is different, so ask the person who is deaf or has hearing

loss what you can do to make communication easier. For example, they might need to see your face when you’re talking, or they might need the subtitles on if you’re watching a film together.

Make lipreading easier

Make sure the room you are in for your Christmas get-together is well-lit – candles and fairy lights alone won’t be much use to people who lipread.

Don’t cover your mouth when you’re speaking, and face the person who is lipreading.

Try not to speak with your mouth full as this will make it harder for them to lipread you.

Take it in turns to speak

Try not to speak over each other – it’s impossible to lipread more than one person at

a time and your family member will quickly get lost in the conversation. Speak clearly and not too slowly, and don’t shout as this can be uncomfortable for hearing aid users.

If someone doesn’t understand what you said, try repeating or explaining it in a different way.

Keep background noise low

If you’re playing festive music or if there is background noise, keep the volume low. This will make it much easier for people to hear, and it will help anyone who lipreads to focus on what you are saying.

Help people follow the conversation

If the topic of conversation suddenly changes, make sure everyone is aware – maybe ask them a question to check.

And crucially, if someone who is deaf or has hearing loss asks you to repeat something, never say “it doesn’t matter”. If you do that, you’re taking away their opportunity to be part of the conversation, and you might make them feel like they don’t matter.

Harriet Oppenheimer, Deputy

Chief Executive at RNID, said: “For lots of us, Christmas is a time of big family get-togethers, noisy work Christmas dos and catching up with old friends. But we also know that Christmas can be an isolating time if you are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus, and our supporters have told us that they can feel

left out of the festive fun going on around them.

“Being deaf aware at Christmas doesn’t have to mean making big changes; there are small things you can do which will make the day a lot more enjoyable for your deaf family member or friend and allow them to be part of the celebrations.”

Owners urged to pet proof Christmas and stay off Santa Paws’ naughty list

ANIMAL lovers are being encouraged to keep their pets safe this festive season by pet-proofing their Christmas, ensuring anything which may be mistaken for a tasty treat is out of paw’s reach.

The warning comes as new research from the British Veterinary Association (BVA) reveals four in five companion animal vets in the South East saw at least one case of toxic ingestion last year.

The festive season brings with it presents, decorations and yummy festive food. But these seemingly innocent pleasures can be deadly if eaten by animals. Chocolate, raisins and other dried fruit – such as that in mince pies or Christmas puddings - onion, garlic, xylitol in sugar-free products and seasonal decorations like mistletoe and holly can all be dangerous, and even fatal, to dogs and cats if eaten.

In the South East, 76% of vets saw cases of chocolate poisoning and the same number saw dogs taken unwell after easing raisins or sultanas.

One in six (17%) reported seeing cases caused by the artificial sweetener Xylitol, 12% saw cases caused by eating onions or garlic and 10% by seasonal plants like holly and mistletoe and spring bulbs such as daffodils.

Foreign body ingestion in dogs was also common over the 2021 festive period.

In the South East, gifts for humans, including small parts of children’s toys, were the most common cause with one in six vets reporting this as a cause (17%) while consumption of Christmas decorations (14%) and gifts for pets (12%) were also highlighted

by vets as causing issues.

Cases involving clothing and accessories, or stones or rocks were seen by 10% of vets.

But it’s not just dogs who should be on Santa’s naughty list: more than a quarter of vets (27%) saw cases of toxic ingestion in cats.

In the South East, cats were most likely to have ingested non-food items such as seasonal plants like holly or mistletoe (reported by 19% of vets).

Thirteen per cent of vets saw cats with foreign body ingestion across the UK with, 10% of vets in the South East seeing cases caused by Christmas decorations.

British Veterinary Association President Malcolm Morley said: “Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year but not if you end up with a poorly pet. Being vigilant and taking a few key precautions is all that

is needed to keep your pets happy and healthy over the festive period.

“Keep all edible items, decorations and anything else a pet may mistake for a tasty treat out of their reach to help prevent avoidable emergency visits to the vet.

“We also advise keeping pets to their normal diets and avoiding feeding them any human food. If you are concerned your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have, do contact your vet as soon as possible.”

Top tips for keeping Christmas hazard-free for pets

Protect your pet from poisons

A range of festive treats and traditions, such as chocolate in advent calendars and sweets, raisins, xylitol

(found in sugar-free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.

Keep decorations out of reach

Ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can seem like appealing playthings to cats and dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries for Christmas gifts also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach.

Forget festive food for pets

We all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared with the animals of the household. They can trigger sickness and diarrhoea or other conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and routine. Too many treats can also lead to pet obesity.

Keep away the bones

Cooked bones, including turkey bones, should not be given to pets as they can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.

Know where to go

Even with all the care in the world, animal accidents and emergencies can still happen. Make sure you’re prepared by checking your vet’s emergency cover provision and holiday opening hours or, if you are away from home, use the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Find a Vet facility.

n For more information on pets and poisons, download Animal Welfare Foundation’s free Pets and Poisons leaflet.

Watch Wokingham Alex Cran

Even in the cold, walking and biking is possible W

ITH the temperature taking a turn for the worse recently, it’s been really pleasing to see lots of people still getting around on foot and by bike.

It really does seem as though leaving the car at home for local journeys has become an everyday habit for many more people.

Whilst winter brings its own challenges for the ‘active traveller’, once you’re in the habit it seldom seems to be a difficult choice.

You don’t necessarily have to dress like an Arctic explorer when you are generating your own warmth by exercise.

Hands and feet may need a bit more attention, but nothing that a good pair of gloves and shoes can’t deal with.

There’s also the warm glow that comes from knowing that you are keeping fit and healthy, saving money and helping look after our environment. When daylight is at a premium, being outside whenever possible is a real boost to the spirit.

There will always be times when it doesn’t quite feel like ‘living the dream’.

The council has yet to start treating freezing pavements and cycle paths with the same diligence as they do the road. But at least last year’s advice – essentially to just not cycle – has been revised to something less patronising and there is a promise of better in future.

And far too many drivers still think it’s OK to not clear their windows properly, leaving our safety to chance as to whether we appear in their letterbox viewpoint.

Despite these issues, we know how we’d rather be travelling and many others seem to be reaching the same conclusion.

There are lots of signs that Wokingham is on course for a walking and cycling revolution, following in the footsteps of many similar parts of the country.

It’s time for the council to deliver on its promises of safer routes and for politicians of all flavours to work together on the challenges rather than the soundbites that might offer them the most votes.

The potential to improve our community and environment are huge, and success will breed success. Here’s to 2023 being the year when this all takes off.

n For more on WATCH Wokingham, search for the group on Facebook

PET FRIENDLY: Don’t let your pet get ill by eating food that could be a poison to them

Picture: Wokandapix from Pixabay

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Plantation of prickly plants in America (9)

Label the French board (5)

Reversal of policy concerning refurbished cafe (5-4)

It’s held by solicitors to be permissible (5)

I am twice red in confusion over the girl (7)

Siren about to have a quick wash (5)

It’s a puzzle how the bungling builders removed lid (5)

Jack to return for a card game (5)

Hardy crowd distracted? (7)

More attractive French resort by right (5)

Had been haunted (9)

Ernie transformed her (5)

Plant I landed on, crashing (9)

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

Space remaining in pantry? (9)

Went without saying (9)

Hear about the moorland shrub (7)

I leave the girl a parasite (5)

A few about right to have a biscuit (5)

Award for finding ring on the cliff (5)

Remove trousers from French lady who’s unattractive (5)

Took away the booklet in the act (9)

Oriental near trees that are bending (9)

The substitute comes in last and interrupts (5-2)

An artist included order for scent (5)

Ill-treated? (5)

Sort of sounds like the nose Alan’s broken (5)

NONAGRAM

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.

SUDOKU

soloed; soul.

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:

11 Chess; 12 Clean; 13

Down – 2 Afar; 3 Taught; 4 Images; 5 Keys; 6 Belong; 7

Chief; 14 Antic; 17 Hilt; 18 Sluggish; 20 Sea lions; 24 Taps; 25 Sunup; 26 Texan; 29 Verb; 30 Spacious; 31 Ell; 32 Lair; 33 Energise.

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Hat trick; 6 Bomb; 8 Eve; 9 Salutary; 10 Lone; 12

EQUALISER:

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD:

NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatonthe15thDecember2022WokinghamBoroughCouncilasTrafficAuthoritymadeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoad TrafficRegulationAct1984theeffectofwhichistoprohibitanyvehiclefromproceedingalong:

1.ChurchLane,ArborfieldbetweenitsjunctionswithA327ReadingRoadandB3030SindleshamRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaA327ReadingRoadandB3030SindleshamRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

2.EdneysHill,BarkhambetweenitsjunctionswithB3349BarkhamRoadandEvendonsLane.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaB3349BarkhamRoad,BarkhamStreet,BarkhamRide,B3016FinchampsteadStreet, A321FinchampsteadRoadandEvendonsLaneorbythisrouteinreverse.

3.LowerSandhurstRoad,FinchampsteadbetweenitsjunctionswithWokinghamBoroughBoundaryandCricketHill.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaCricketHill,B3016LongwaterRoad,B3016JubileeRoad,B3348TheRidges,B3348 WellingtoniaAvenue,A321WokinghamRoadandAmbarrowLaneorbythisrouteinreverse.

4.LowerEarleyWayWest,LowerEarleybetweenitsjunctionswithA327ShinfieldRoadandBeestonWay.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaB3270LowerEarleyWay,B3270LowerEarleyWayNorth,A329ReadingRoad,A329 WokinghamRoad,B3350WildernessRoad,B3350ElmRoadandA327ShinfieldRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

5.HungerfordLane,HurstbetweenitsjunctionswithB3018WalthamRoadandWokinghamBoroughBoundary.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaB3018WalthamRoad,B3018TheStraightMileandDarvillsLaneorbythisroutein reverse.

6.BroadcommonRoad,HurstbetweenitsjunctionswithPoundLaneandA321WokinghamRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaPoundLaneandA321WokinghamRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

7.SandfordLane,HurstbetweenitsjunctionswithMohawkWayandB3030DavisStreet.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaMohawkWay,TheBaderWay,LoddonBridgeandTheBaderWayInterchange,A329 ReadingRoad,B3030RobinhoodLaneandB3030DavisStreetorbythisrouteinreverse.

8.MaysLane,EarleyfromitsjunctionwithA329WokinghamRoad.

9.HighfieldRoad,WargravebetweenitsjunctionswithWokinghamBoroughBoundaryandCraziesHill.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaCraziesHillandHatchGateLaneorbythisrouteinreverse.

10.ScarlettsLane,HareHatchbetweenitsjunctionswithMilleyLaneandA4BathRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaMilleyLaneandA4BathRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

11.CastleEndRoad,HareHatchbetweenitsjunctionswithMilleyLaneandB3024WalthamRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaMilleyLane,A4BathRoad,A3032LondonRoad,B3024RuscombeRoad,B3024 RuscombeLaneandB3024WalthamRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

12.MilleyLane,HareHatchbetweenitsjunctionswithA4BathRoadandWokinghamBoroughBoundary.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaMilleyRoad,TheStreet,B3024TwyfordRoad,B3024WalthamRoad,B3024Ruscombe Lane,B3024RuscombeRoad,A3032LondonRoadandA4BathRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

13.A321WargraveRoad,WargravebetweenitsjunctionswithKentonsLaneandA321HighStreet.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaA4130WhiteHill,A4130HenleyRoad,HenleyRoad,A4BathRoad,A4NewBath Road,A321WargraveRoadandA321HighStreetorbythisrouteinreverse.

14.B3024WalthamRoad,RuscombebetweenitsjunctionswithSouthburyLaneandWokinghamBoroughBoundary.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaSouthburyLane,B3024RuscombeLane,B3024RuscombeRoad,A3032LondonRoad, B3018WalthamRoad,B3018TheStraightMile,B3018TwyfordRoad,B3018ChurchHill,B3018ChurcLane,B3034ForestRoad,A3095MaidenheadRoad, A330,B3024LittlefieldGreen,B3024HurstLane,B3024BroadmoorRoadandB3024TwyfordRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

15.WorleysLane,WargravebetweenitsjunctionswithKentonsLaneandCulhamLane.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaKentonsLaneandCulhamLaneorbythisrouteinreverse.

16.ChurchLane,ThreeMileCrossbetweenitsjunctionswithBasingstokeRoadandHydeEndLane.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaBrookersHill,A327HollowLane,B3349HydeEndRoadandBasingstokeRoadorby thisrouteinreverse.

17.KybesLane,ThreeMileCrossbetweenitsjunctionswithKirtonsFarmRoadandHartleyCourtRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaKirtonsFarmRoad,BerrysLane,BurghfieldRoad,ReadingRoad,VictoriaRoad,The Street,CrossLane,BloomfieldhatchLane,LambwoodHill,BloomfieldhatchLaneMereoakLane,GreatLeaandHartleyCourtRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

18.TrowesLane,SwallowfieldbetweenitsjunctionswithCharltonLaneandPartLane.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaPartLane,B3349BasingstokeRoadandCharltonLaneorbythisrouteinreverse.

19.YewTreeLane,SpencersWoodbetweenitsjunctionswithCharltonLaneandPartLane.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaBeechHillRoadandWhiteHouseLaneorbythisrouteinreverse.

20.SpringLane,SwallowfieldfromitsjunctionwithBargeLane.

21.WelshLane,RiseleybetweenitsjunctionswithChequerLaneandWokinghamBoroughBoundary.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaB3349BasingstokeRoad,BeechHillRoad,TrowesLaneandChequerLaneorbythis routeinreverse.

22.BargeLane,SwallowfieldbetweenitsjunctionswithWelshLaneandBullLane.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaBullLaneandWelshLaneorbythisrouteinreverse.

Worksrequiringtheserestrictionswilltakeplacefrom1stJanuary2023.Furthercommunicationswillbesentwhenindividuallocationshavebeenplanned.

ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowWokinghamBoroughCouncilcontractorstoundertakeStructuralMaintenanceincludingCarriagewayPatching,Plane

NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatonthe15thDecember2022WokinghamBorough CouncilasTrafficAuthoritymadeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoadTraffic RegulationAct1984theeffectofwhichistoprohibitanyvehiclefromproceeding along:

1.BedfordGardens,WokinghamforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithChestnut Avenue.

2.MarsClose,WokinghamforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithJupiterWay.

3.EriswellClose,LowerEarleyforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithHawkedonWay.

4.FelthorpeClose,LowerEarleyforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithMaltbyWay.

5.LindClose,LowerEarleyforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithSquirrelsWay.

6.LambourneGardens,EarleyforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithHenleyWood Road.

7.WoodlandsAvenue,WoodleybetweenitsjunctionswithB3350ChurchRoadand FairwaterDrive.

Thealternativerouteforalleastboundvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbevia B3350ChurchRoad,B3350PittsLane,A4LondonRoad,A4ShepherdsHill,A4London Road,ReadingRoad,HeadleyRoad,LoddonBridgeRoadandCrockhamwellRoad.

Thealternativerouteforallwestboundvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbevia CrockhamwellRoad,LoddonBridgeRoad,HeadleyRoad,A4LondonRoad,B3350Pitts LaneandB3350ChurchRoad.

8.RaleighClose,WoodleyforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithDroversWay.

9.WiltshireDrive,WokinghamforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithWiltshireRoad.

10.McCraesWalk,WargraveforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithDarkLane.

11.ArdwellClose,CrowthorneforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithRavenswood Avenue.

12.ByewaysClose,KnowlHillforitsextentfromitsjunctionwithWokingham BoroughBoundary.

Worksrequiringtheserestrictionswilltakeplacefrom1stJanuary2023.Further communicationswillbesentwhenindividuallocationshavebeenplanned.

ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowWokinghamBoroughCouncilcontractors toundertakeStructuralMaintenanceincludingCarriagewayPatching,PlaneInlay Resurfacing,MicroAsphaltResurfacing,SurfaceDressing,Rejuvenatorworksand associatedworkinsafety.

Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithintheboundariesoftheserestrictionswillbe maintainedatalltimes.

TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapplyduringthoseperiodswhentraffic signscomplyingwiththeTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections2016are lawfullydisplayed.

TherestrictionscontainedintheOrdershallcomeintooperationonthe1stJanuary 2023andshallcontinueinforceforaperiodnotexceeding18monthsoruntilthe workshavebeencompleted,whicheveristheearlier.

RESULTS

FIXTURES

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Eric Holbrook Cup

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA

SUNDAY progressed through with a 4-1 triumph over AS Camboli.

A brace from Matthew Catt and goals from Adam Langhorn and Jack Drury saw them put their name in the hat for the next round.

Having ensured their cup journey would continue, the Boars are also enjoying some strong form in the league.

They are currently in third place the Aldershot & District Division Three having won four, drawn two and lost one of their opening seven matches to put them on 14 points.

Eversley are next in action in the Hampshire FA County Sunday Vase when they face Plough and Horses FC away from home.

The Boars’ opponents in the cup play two divisions below Eversley in the Aldershot & District Division Five.

Plough and Horses are currently in fourth place but are unbeaten in the league having won three and drawn one of their opening four games.

Eversley & California: D Catt, M Catt, Chuter, Drury, Ebsworth, Hope, Marsh, Newman, Pennington, Setchfield, Teague

Goals: M Catt x2, Drury, Langhorn

League Division Two

BERKSHIRE ROYALS claimed three points with a 3-2 away victory at GIVE BACK FC RESERVES In the only match in the division that survived the freezing conditions.

Berkshire are up to fifth in the table with four wins from their opening six matches, while Give Back remain one point and one place above the Royals.

With all other matches being cancelled over the weekend, all league fixtures in the Reading &

District Sunday LEague have been completed for 2022.

The teams will resume action in the New Year.

GIVE BACK FC currently lead the way in the Premier Division on 16 points with five wins from seven matches.

GC UNITED are the table toppers in Division One and have a made an unbeaten start with six wins and a draw, meanwhile CAVERSHAM UNITED are one place behind on 14 points from 10 matches.

WESTWOOD WANDERERS

DEVELOPEMENT have seven wins and one loss to their name after eight matches which sees them top the table in Division Two.

RE UNITED have enjoyed a stunning start to life in Division Three and have won all nine of their games to give them a healthy lead at the summit.

Meanwhile, RICHFIELD VETS are in first place in Division Four with five wins and two draws from seven matches.

TABLE TENNIS FA TROPHY

BOARS PROGRESS IN CUP, BERKSHIRE ROYALS TAKE AWAY WIN OUR LADY OF PEACE MAKE POSITIVE RESTART WITH TIDMARSH WIN

By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today

AS the second half of the season kicks off in Division 1, third place OUR LADY OF PEACE A restarted positively with a 9-1 victory over TIDMARSH A. Their sole winner was Duncan Groves, repeating his first half defeat of Steve Murgatroyd, who narrowly edged Simon Barter 13-11 in the decider, while Justin Mead and Ian Cole completed trebles.

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD A sitting one place higher at the turn replicated this score line, pushing aside KINGFISHER C, young Prayrit Ahluwalia being their sole victor against Jason Roberts while Jamie Barlow and Neil Hurford sealed the comprehensive victory.

KINGFISHER D continued their impressive run with an 8-2 score-line against SONNING SPORTS A, whose star player Dave Croucher had already beaten young talent Ryan

Chung, took the two, but was no match for Graham Mendick on this occasion who stormed to a 11-3 11-6 11-6 victory.

Despite Ed Lush scoring another treble, SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B could not avoid a 6-4 defeat away to TILEHURST RBL A, who now lead the chasing pack striving for fifth.

Just two points back, KINGFISHER B pushed aside READING FC 8-2, with Alan Cummings being awarded player-of-the-match with a fine treble including the scalp of Mike Childs.

In division 2, KINGFISHER F battled out a 5-5 draw, Hamid Mohseni with a great treble for Kingfisher that included an opening win against Pradeep Desh 9-11 13-15 13-11 11-211-9.

Steven Woolnough managed two wins including an 11-8 11-9 6-11 9-11 11-8 win over Binit Bhaskar in the final set of the night to clinch their draw.

In the clash of the bottom two teams TILEHURST

METHODISTS A and

KINGFISHER E also had a 5-5 draw. Tilehurst’s Eric Van Looy, the division’s top player, recorded yet another maximum and his team mate Bill Stamatiou was unfortunate to lose two very close sets in five, including a marathon against Luca Bianchi which he lost 11-9 in the fifth.

Despite a Graeme Streets hat trick SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD F lost 6-4 at Kingfisher I.

The main reason they could only field two players with Mike Mitcham and Walter Aldridge both managing wins over Peppard’s Mike Casserely.

A strong team performance saw SONNING SPORTS C win 6-4 at Springfield B for whom Rob Attack won all three.

For the sports, Stephen Reader and Mo Cole both won two each and Mo had a very close win over Richard Sabberton-Coe beating him 14-12 15-11 13-11.

ROBINS TO FACE BATH OR BROMLEY IN FA TROPHY

BRACKNELL TOWN FC will face either Bath City or Bromley in the FA Trophy fourth round.

Bracknell will face the winners of the thirdround tie between Bath City and Bromley on Saturday, January 14.

The Robins ensured that they progressed from the third round last weekend with an away win at Eastbourne Borough.

Playing against the National League South side, Bracknell came away on top after goals from Joe Grant and George Knight helped them to a 2-1 win.

Bracknell already have previous experience with remarkable cup runs this season having made it to the FA Cup first-round where they played League One Ipswich Town.

After holding their own in an excellent defensive performance throughout the first-half, Bracknell were eventually breached by the former FA Cup winners.

It took the Tractor Boys more than an hour to break Bracknell down but they eventually did and scored two more to take a 3-0 success.

Bath City are currently in 11th position after 21 matches in the National League South with eight wins, six draws and seven defeats.

Meanwhile, Bromley are a division above in the National League and are in 11th place after 21 matches with eight wins, six draws and seven losses to their name.

Friday, December 16

FOOTBALL Championship Birmingham City 3-2 Reading

FA WSL Cup Coventry United 0-4 Reading

Saturday, December 17

FOOTBALL

FA Trophy third-round Eastbourne Borough 1-2 Bracknell Town

Combined Counties Premier North Ascot United 5-1 Windsor

Thames Valley Division Four Berks County Rovers 7-1 AFC Corinthians

Regional 1 South Central Camberley 37-19 Bracknell

Sunday, December 18

FOOTBALL

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Hawley 6-1 Shinfield Rangers

Reading & District Sunday League Division Two Give Back Reserves 2-3 Berkshire Royals

Tuesday, December 20

FOOTBALL

Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California P-P Langley

Cherry Red Premier Challenge Cup second round Horley Town 0-5 Ascot United

Southern Combination Challenge Cup first-round Reading City 2-3 Camberley Town

Friday, December 23

Isthmian South central Binfield v Basingstoke Town

Tuesday, December 27

FOOTBALL Championship Reading v Swansea

Southern League Premier South Beaconsfield Town v Bracknell Town

Combined Counties Division One Woodley United v Penn & Tylers Green

Friday, December 30

FOOTBALL Championship Norwich City v Reading

Monday, January 2 FOOTBALL Championship West Brom v Reading

Southern League Premier South

Bracknell Town v Hartley Wintney

Isthmian South Central Marlow v Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North Reading City v Virginia Water Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California v Cove Sandhurst Town v AFC Aldermaston

Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Westwood Wanderers

Reading City U23s v Reading YMCA

Wargrave v Slough Heating Laurencians

Yateley United v Finchampstead

Reading & District Sunday

Eversley & California Sunday made progress in the Eric Holbrook Cup Pictures: Andrew Batt

Matthew Catt scored a brace

Eversley & California Sunday v AS Camboli

The Boars netted four times

MEALING TREBLE KEEPS YELLAS ON

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Combined Counties

Premier North

ASCOT UNITED extended their lead at the top of the table thanks to a treble from Marcus Mealing.

The Yellas took a resounding win over Windsor to make it 15 wins from 17 games.

Ascot broke through in the 17th minute when Mealing connected with Harry Grant’s

corner to head past the goalkeeper.

Mealing had his second of the match just five minutes later when Brendan Matthew spotted his run and played the ball to Mealing who looped it past the keeper.

Taking a 2-0 lead into the break, Ascot came flying out the traps and made it rhee just a minute after the restart when Harry Grant smacked a strike past the helpless Windsor goalkeeper.

In a lively start to second-

half proceedings, Windsor clawed a goal back in the 48th minute, but Ascot restored their healthy lead on the hour mark when Grant’s cross found Matthew who netted.

In the 76th minute, Mealing clinched his hat-trick goal after another successful corner from Harry Grant was converted by the forward to seal a thumping 5-1 win.

Ascot are now on top of the table on 46 points having played one game more than second placed

Ascot United: Ashdown, Ajanlekoko, Gerrard, A Grant, H Grant (c), Lalustani, Lock, Matthew, McCormack, Mealing. Tucker

Goals: Mealing 16’, 22’, 76’, H Grant 46’, Matthew 60’

Cherry Red Records Premier Cup

ASCOT UNITED followed up on their league success with a storming win in the cup.

With five different scorers, the Yellas hit five past Horley Town without reply to fly through to the next round.

Dan Bailey, Brendan Matthew, Marcus Mealing, Keaton August and Sean McCormack scored in the 5-0 success.

FA Trophy third-round

BRACKNELL TOWN continued their journey in the FA Trophy with an incredible win at Eastbourne Borough.

Up against the National League South side, the Robins ensured their place in the fourth round with a 2-1 success.

The teams were locked in a goalless contest in the first-half before Joe Grant opened the scoring after he was played through by Darryl Sanders and applied the finish.

Bracknell extended their lead with a little over 10 minutes remaining when George Knight got on the end of Guy Hollis’ launched long throw and headed into the bottom corner.

Ascot United were in the scoring mood as they hit five past Windsor Pictures: Neil Graham

Ascot manager Jamie Tompkins celebrates at full-time

Reading City who are on 42 points.

Eastboruen hit back with an instant reply to set up a nervy finish when Shiloh Remy netted.

But Bracknell were able to hold on to advance to the next round of the competition.

The Robins are next in action on Tuesday, with an away trip to Beaconsfield Town in the Southern League Premier South.

Joint Bracknell manager Carl Withers said: “These boys just keep proving the doubters wrong and showed again today the togetherness we have at Bracknell Town FC from the players to the loyal fans who braved the cold and travelled in their numbers.”

Co-manager Jamie McClurg

added: “After a week of random training, illnesses and mental weather our lads delivered a performance.

“We earned a result against a top side and I have nothing but praise for the group.”

Thames Valley Division Four

BERKS COUNTY ROVERS smacked seven past AFC Cornthians to climb up to third in the table.

In a stunning attacking display, Rovers hit seven past their opponents to storm to a 7-1 triumph.

Leo Reed secured a hat-trick, Harvey Richardson netted a brace

COMBINED COUNTIES FOOTBALL

By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today

WOODLEY UNITED FC are in action for the final time in 2022 when they take on Penn & Tylers Green.

The Kestrels will host Penn in the Combined Counties Division One on Tuesday, December 27 (3pm kickoff) at the Rivermoor.

Woodley have endured a strong first-half to the season where they sit in ninth place after their first 18 matches.

United struggled in their league campaign in the 2021/22 season in

Combined Counties Division One and ended in 16th place.

Having fought in a relegation battle for much of the season, the team did enough to pull themselves away from the drop zone to finish with 41 points from 40 games after picking up 13 wins, two draws and 25 losses.

There was a change in management at the start of the season for Woodley as Jordan Blake took over from Ben Hudell who had to step down from the position due to work commitments.

and Finnegan Cupper and George Hunt both got on the scoresheet.

Berks are in third place on 17 points after picking up five wins, two draws and five defeats from their opening 12 league matches.

Berks County: Copper, Gandolfi, Grimes, Hunt, Kay, Lowe, Pearce, Richardson, Reed, Williams, Fielding

Subs: Mann, Pritchard, Shepherd Goals: Reed x3, Richardson x2, Hunt, Cupper

Thames Valley Women’s

Lauren Smaje scored in the second-half for Shinfield, but it would turn out to only be a consolation goal as the hosts hit six past the table toppers to cut the gap at the top with a stunning 6-1 win.

Shinfield remain top of the league despite their loss, with a one-point lead over Hawley.

TOP WITH WINDSOR WIN KESTRELS CLASH WITH PENN IN FINAL

TEST OF THE

Blake was given the chance by Woodley to take charge in his first managerial job having been part of the management team for four seasons at Marlow FC .

In seven home matches in the league, Woodley have collected five wins a draw and have only been beaten twice.

They have struggled more on the road where they have been beaten seven times in 10 matches, but have also managed to amass three wins to keep them in the top half of the table.

Their final test of the year gives

YEAR

them a chance to boost their league position in a tightly compacted table where they currently trail the two teams above them by just three points.

Woodley’s opponents have had a tricky start to the season and are currently floating near the bottom end of the table.

Penn are in 17th spot with 15 points from 15 games having won four, drawn three and lost nine.

In a closely contested bottom end of the division, just two points separate the bottom five teams in the table.

From the middle

Controversial World Cup comes to an end

SO IT’S over. What was probably the most talked about and controversial of FIFA World Cups, has come to an end in many ways, as the most successful and dramatic.

The controversy was, of course, about the venue chosen for the games rather than the games.

Although we had two referees at the games, no English VARS were selected.

This some have said is due to the Premier League’s poor start with the use of VARs when they began by agreeing not to look at the monitor, for which they were reprimanded by FIFA and then for the lines drawn across the pitch for offsides, using toes as a guide.

They admitted at the end of the season that there were 20 disallowed goals that should have counted.

Howard Webb who introduced VAR successfully to the MLS in America and Canada, takes over as head of refereeing for the PGMO on January 1, so perhaps we can expect changes.

This reminds me that we didn’t see too much of the new piece of technology that was introduced at the games. This was the semiautomated offside alert.

In case you are not aware of this innovation, it not only tells the relevant assistant referee, when a player is in an offside position, but also whether that player was offside when the ball was kicked.

The few photos we did see showed a much clearer picture if the player was offside but it didn’t meet its other objective of doing away with the delayed flags.

This is where the assistant referee, if spotting an offside, keeps his flag down until the ball goes out of play, one way of the other, in case the VAR has another opinion.

One of those things that annoys many fans.

Our two referees didn’t get any of the ‘plum’ games but from what I watched, I thought that they performed well, especially Michael Oliver.

I was surprised to see his name on the ‘go home list’ before the final appointments were announced.

Having said that, I must agree that Polish referee, Szymon Marciniak, did a superb job at the final.

He stood no-nonsense from the players and didn’t shirk making tough decisions at crucial moments.

He is an ex-player and an experienced referee, with many top games behind him.

In four years’ time it will all happen again but in the less controversial countries of America and Canada and we mustn’t forget that, next year, the Woman’s World Cup will be held in August and September in Australia and New Zealand.

Division 3S League leaders SHINFIELD RANGERS slumped to a heavy loss against their closest challengers Hawley.

Dick Sawdon-Smith

How they rated

Made two excellent saves in the second-half to preserve her clean sheet, which is her first and just Reading’s second of the season.

DIANE CALDWELL

Made a really important intervention in the first-half when Coventry tried to break into the box early on.

EMMA MUKANDI

The Royals skipper had to be withdrawn just before half-time after going down injured and was replaced by Faye Bryson.

GEMMA EVANS

Looked comfortable at the back as Reading were rarely tested by the Coventry attack. Taken off. Replaced by Hendrix after 65 minutes.

LILY WOODHAM

Completed the entire game and had a decent strike at goal early in the second-half that whistled just past the post.

JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET

A composed and assured performance from the central midfielder who kept things ticking over as Reading dominated the play.

SANNE TROELSGAARD

Continued her fine scoring run as she kept on her toes to poach from close range to finish from a few yards out.

RACHEL ROWE

Created plenty of chances and started the move for what looked like a fifth goal before Wellings was ruled to be offside.

Put in some excellent crosses for her teammates and was constantly able to find Dowie in dangerous areas.

NATASHA DOWIE

Took her first goal well with a header and then showed great composure with close control and a tidy finish to grab her second.

CHARLIE WELLINGS

Got on the scoresheet when her strike on the half volley from range beat the keeper.

CONTI CUP

DOWIE DOUBLE SEES ROYALS END YEAR IN STYLE

COVENTRY UTD 0 READING 4

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC WOMEN rounded off the year in style with a thumping win against Championship side Coventry United.

Up against the team bottom of the Women’s Championship, who are yet to pick up a point this campaign, Reading showed their superiority with a convincing win to move top of their group in the Conti Cup.

In blisteringly cold conditions, Natasha Dowie gave the Royals a perfect start when she nodded in after just four minutes after she jumped highest to beat her defender and converted from Amalie Eikeland’s cross.

The hosts had two chances in quick succession in front of the crowd at the ButtsPark Arena,. But they were unable to give the home support something to cheer when Grace Moloney was first able to gather a header before Diane Caldwell defended strongly to prevent Coventry from breaking into the bos on a counter attack.

Sanne Troelsgaard continued her excellent goal scoring form when she added a second Royals goal in

the 17th minute.

She was quickest to react to the loose ball and tap the ball over the line after Charlie Wellings’ effort bounced back off the post to double the advantage.

Dowie thought she had found her second goal of the night in the 22nd minute when she was again found by Eikeland, this time at he back post where she nodded in only to be denied by the offside flag.

Dowie persisted and was rewarded with her brace, and Reading’s third goal, to give the visitors a commanding lead in the 28th minute.

With the pick of the goals on the night, Dowie showed excellent composure in the box to turn the ball onto her right foot, slaloming her way past a defender in the process before coolly slotting the ball into the bottom right corner to give Reading further consolidation.

Kelly Chambers were forced into a change just before the break as captain Emma Mukanndi was injured and had to be replaced by Faye Bryson.

Troelsgaard was also withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Emma Harries.

Reading could have put the game further out of sight after the restart when Lily Woodham struck a long range shot that drifted just wide of the target.

Another few chances came the way of the Royals as they showed their superiority throughout the contest.

Wellings looked to get on the scoresheet but wasn’t able to steer her effort on goal, while Eikeland sprung down the left before getting into the box but was also wayward in her finish that landed the wrong side of the post.

Reading could have had a penalty when Harries looked to have been tripped in the box, but the referee waved play on much to

Match stats

COVENTRY

the dismay of the Royals playing and coaching staff.

With just over an hour played, Reading added to their tally with their fourth of the game as Charlie Wellings did get herself on the scoresheet.

Her long ranged effort beat goalkeeper Mia Smith as Reading reflected their dominance with a heavy scoreline.

Brooke Hendrix entered the contest to make her competitive debut for the Royals, while Lauren Wade and Tia Primmer both made appearances from the bench as Reading consolidated their victory.

SUBS

READING

Moloney was called into action a couple of occassions to preserve her clean sheet when she stormed off her line to snatch the ball from the feet of Mary McAteer and a strike from Simran Jhamat fizzed just inches wide of the top corner.

Despite being top of Group E at full-time, the Royals did not progress to the next round after Tottenham took a narrow 1-0 win away at Southampton on Sunday to pip them to top spot, meaning that Spurs grabbed the spot in the quarter finals at Reading’s expense.

n The Royals are not back in action until Sunday, January 15 when they face an away trip to Everton in the Women’s Super League.

Natasha Dowie added two goals to her tally Faye Bryson in action for Reading Women Stock Picture: Steve Smyth

GRACE MOLONEY

AMALIE EIKELAND

: Moloney, Caldwell, Mukandi (c), Evans, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Rowe, Eikeland, Dowie, Wellings

SUBS: Burns, Poulter, Bryson, Wade, Harries, Cooper, Hendrix, Jane, Primmer

‘I WANT TO STAY’: CARROLL KEEN TO EXTEND ROYALS CONTRACT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

STRIKER Andy Carroll has made his intentions to stay at Reading FC clear with his current contract due to expire next month.

The Royals forward joined Reading last season on a short-term stay that saw him depart for West Brom after the New Year.

However, Carroll revealed that he regrets leaving the club and has outlined his wish to extend his current deal with Reading.

“Hopefully we will get it (the contract) sorted in the next couple of weeks,” said Carroll.

“I enjoy it. The lads are great, the training ground is great, the staff are brilliant and the fans are too.

“I came back because I enjoyed it the first time. Looking back I probably shouldn’t have left.

“I want to stay longer.”

Carroll admitted that the current dressing room is one of the best he has been involved in.

He continued: “It sounds cliche but we really are like a family. It’s a tight group, everyone is involved with each other.

“The dressing room is fantastic. It’s one of the best I’ve been in to be honest. The lads are really tight and have stuck together. It’s good to be a part of.

“I’ve been in dressing rooms

before where there all groups all over the place and they keep themselves to themselves. Here, it’s not like that at all.

“I don’t feel responsibility or pressure, I just be me and that’s it.

“If the lads like it, they like it. If they don’t, they don’t.

“I like having a laugh and a joke but on the pitch I work hard and hopefully that shows and they go along with it.

Carroll initially joined the Royals in November 202 on a short-term deal.

He scored two goals in eight

Championship appearances for Reading and made a significant impact despite only staying a short time, but departed to join West Brom for the remainder of the season.

In an honest assessment, the forward admitted that it was the wrong choice to make and is relieved that he got the chance to return to Reading after his contract with the Baggies expired in the summer.

“To be honest, the second day I was there (West Brom) I regretted being there.

“I was in Spain keeping fit and working hard (over the summer).

“When I got the call from the manager, I was like ‘Yeah, come on, get me back in’.

“You’ll have to ask the manager as I don’t have the answers, but I’m willing to sign if there is a deal there.”

Reflecting on the season so far, Carroll continued: “I think at the beginning of the season if you asked anyone if they would be happy with where we are now, I think they would say yes.

“We’ve ha d a couple of results that didn’t go our way but I think we’re in a good place at the minute.

“We’ve played some good games and where are where we are. I think we could be a little bit higher actually.”

ROYALS PEN LETTER TO WORLD CUP WINNER

READING

Martinez became the first ever player to play for Reading

a World Cup Final.

feature

The 30-year-old goalkeeper played a huge hand in helping Argentina lift the trophy in an encapsulating final against France.

Martinez pulled off a spectacular save in the dying moments of extratime with the contest locked at 3-3 and then made a heroic save in the penalty shootout as Argentina clinched the World Cup.

The letter reads: “Yeah … you’ll play in front of more than 80,000 in the Lusail Stadium in Doha this afternoon, competing alongside your captain Lionel Messi – against the reigning world champions – for the honour of lifting the World Cup trophy with Argentina. But can you do it on a cold night in Stoke?

“Yes you can. A memorable save from Sam Vokes, a goalless draw and a crucial point courtesy of a

clean sheet earned by a certain Emi Martinez stood defiantly between the Reading posts.

“We know we cannot truly lay claim to you. But you become the first player to have represented Reading Football Club and to play in the World Cup Final. And…once a Royal, always a Royal.”

Martinez played 18 games for the Royals in 2018/19 as he helped the club avoid relegation from the Championship with some outstanding performances.

Since his spell at Reading, his

career has gone from strength to strength and he has now etched his name into football history by winning the World Cup.

The letter continues: “With one appearance for Arsenal that season, you arrived in Reading looking for a run of games.

“That is all you wanted … the no.1 spot to prove yourself.

“On debut at Bolton, you starred and we took home a point. But we were in the bottom three alongside Wanderers and Ipswich, a point adrift of Rotherham and five points adrift of Wigan.

“We lost just one of the first eight games with you as the last line of defence. And another goalless affair at home to West Brom all but secured our second-tier status when it had seemed relegation might loom.

“As we say, we can’t claim you as our own. Nurtured at Independiente, Arsenal brought you to England and offered you European and Premier League experience, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham welcomed you for

short spells in Yorkshire, Wolves and then Getafe in Spain gave you the gloves on loan and of course you continue to shine for Aston Villa week in, week out. But you made a real impact during your 18 games as a Royal. And we hope we played a very, very small part in your journey as a goalkeeper.

“We may just have been a stepping stone. But we know you relished every moment as a Royal –from the first weeks with the club when you went into the Fanstore to kit out your young son in the blue and white hoops, to the clean sheet you kept against Birmingham City on your last appearance in RG2. A year later, you were winning the FA Cup with Arsenal. Two years later you were Player of the Season at Aston Villa and winning the Copa America with your country.

“You are a player who was as dedicated to digging your loan club out of a hole as you are to winning the World Cup with Argentina.

“From blue and white hoops to blue and white stripes.

“Good luck Emi.”

The 26-year-old

to

out on

break due to disciplinary reasons and is currently out with a knee injury.

“We know he’s got loads of ability. It’s about producing it on the pitch,” said Ince.

“Before I came I knew about Ovie from Rangers and Liverpool. People said to me he’s very, very good.

“He’s a very talented player and I’ve seen a lot of talented players that have never made it and have fallen by the wayside.

“With Ovie it’s a strange one.

“Last year we played him on the left hand side and he was very good for us.

“He’s definitely got it there but it’s about doing it on a consistent basis.

“This year has been up and down with injuries and he’s never really got going.

“He’s one that needs to play in a specific role and play week in, week out.

“We haven’t had that luxury to do that yet.”

Ince praised Ejaria’s attitude in training and believes he will have a big role to play in the team for the remainder of the season.

He continued: “He’s got to look once he’s fit that he needs to get better. We want him to play and show the world what he can do.

“To be fair to the lad he’s a very good trainer, he works hard.

“If he can work hard and use his talent, then you’ve got a very special player.

“With our players we’ve got to improve them, make them feel better about themselves.

“It’s hard with Ovie, he’s an introverted person and doesn’t say a lot. He’s very quiet, comes and does his job.

“We want to get him back on the training ground and hopefully he can help Reading stay in this league.”

FC penned an open letter ahead of the World Cup Final to former loanee Emi Martinez who went on to help Argentina win the 2022 World Cup.

to

in

Ovie Ejaria Picture:Luke Adams

Andy Carroll has expressed a desire to carry on being a Royal Picture: Luke Adams

Emi Martinez played for Reading in 2019 Picture: Steve Smyth

READING FC manager Paul Ince has challenged Ovie Ejaira to recapture his best form when he returns from injury.

midfielder missed

the club’s trip

Tenerife during the World Cup

How they rated

Lumley

Can’t really be blamed for any of the goals.

Forced into a great save to deny Chong early in the second half.

DEENEY DOUBLE GIVES

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

The space between himself and Mbengue was always going to be a vulnerable channel. Was unable to add much impetus to attacks.

Amadou Mbengue

Failed to clear his lines for the third goal. Was not the worst player on the pitch, but often relied on his pace to get himself out of trouble.

Naby Sarr

Went to ground very early for City’s penalty. Wasn’t the best game for him to make his first start since August in.

Tom McIntyre

Hard to tell if the defender is fully fit because he was just not at the races. Made a goal-saving block to deny Deeney in the second half.

Allowed Bacuna far too much space down Reading’s left and his offensive deliveries weren’t of any real quality.

Mamadou Loum

Dangled his leg out in a lazy attempt to clear the cross which led to the first goal. Came out second best in far too many duels.

Hendrick

The game seemed to bypass the Irishman, who was unable to establish a foothold in midfield.

Tom Ince

Deserved his goal - was the driving force in Reading’s side. Harried the opposition and got a number of shots off in anger.

Andy Yiadom Baba Rahman Yakou Meite

Tried his best to create openings with the minimal service he received. Heading over from 18-yards out was the closest he came to scoring.

Long

Worked off scraps and did his best to retain possession. Played the majority of the game with his back to goal

Junior Hoilett 6: Added a little more going forward after coming on.

Lucas Joao 6: Clawed back a goal from close range 10 minutes from time.

In freezing conditions, the Royals were caught cold when Troy Deeney gave the Blues the lead after just 63 seconds.

Deeney had his double when he converted from the penalty spot and Tahith Chong pounced on another defensive mistake to make it three before half-time.

Lucas Joao and Tom Ince netted late in the game, but it wasn’t enough to complete a turnaround.

Paul Ince made two changes from Reading’s 1-0 win over Coventry last weekend as Shane Long and Naby Sarr came into the starting line-up.

St Andrews greeted England star Jude Bellingham before kick-off, while his younger brother Jobe Bellingham was named on the Blues’ bench.

With little over a minute on the clock Birmingham condemned Reading to a nightmare start and took advantage of a defensive lapse to take the lead.

Mamadou Loum flicked out his leg to deflect Bacuna’s cross which fell into the path of Troy Deeney who was given time and space to steer the ball past Joe Lumley.

Despite a hint of offside, with the replays showing that Deeney was marginally in front of the defender, the goal stood.

Having made a painfully frustrating start to proceedings,

REACTION

Match stats

BIRMINGHAM CITY: Ruddy, Colin, Sanderson, Trusty, Roberts, Longelo, Bielik, Hannibal, Bacuna, Chong, Deeney

SUBS: Etheridge, Graham, James, Bellingham, Chang, Leko, Jutkiewicz

READING: Lumley, McIntyre, Sarr, Yiadom (c), Rahman, Mbengue, Loum, Hendrick, Ince, Meite, Long

SUBS: Bouzanis, GuinnessWalker, Azeez, Hoilett, Fornah, Joao, Carroll

GOALS: Deeney 2’, 23’ (pen), Chong 36’, Lucas Joao 82’, Ince 90+5’

Reading tried to make amends through skipper Andy Yiadom when he struck a bouncing ball on the half volley and forced experienced goalkeeper John Ruddy into a fine save as he tipped onto the post.

Yakou Meite had a clear sight of goal when Tom McIntyre’s header looped into the box and was met by the Ivorian on the volley who connected sweetly but the ball went straight down the throat of Ruddy.

Having enjoyed a comfortable spell of possession, the Blues sprung into the box and were awarded a penalty after a neat one, two from Deeney and Tahith Chong ended with Deeney being scythed down by Sarr’s mistimed sliding tackle.

The Blues captain stepped up to the spot and slammed the ball past Lumley who guessed the opposite side.

Ruddy was forced into action again in the 35th minute, this time

‘All three goals were mistakes’: Ince irritated at Blues defeat

READING FC manager Paul Ince wants his side to be ‘accountable collectively’ after a terrible firsthalf display cost them defeat against Birmingham City.

Three individual errors saw the Royals go three goals down before they fought back late in the secondhalf to make it 3-2.

“It was a catalogue of errors, all three goals were mistakes,” said Ince.

“You look at them and think you want to get a foothold in the game at a tough place on a Friday night. It was an accumulation of errors and that cost us.

“We had two great chances. Yak should have scored.

“But they took the momentum and It was another mistake

where we don’t switch on. It was horrendous to be fair. It’s not like Birmingham did anything different.

“We were the better team footballing wise but you know what we get them. You can’t give teams 3-0 leads.

“I don’t care who you are, you can’t do it. It’s not like they cut us apart, we gave them three goals.

“They had one cleared off the line and could have gone 4-0 up. You have to learn from your lessons.

“At 3-2, you’re thinking a couple of more minutes and we might nick a point.

“We made individual mistakes you can’t make.

“You can’t let teams get on the front foot when they’re at home.

“Naby Sarr’s been out for seven months, Tom McIntyre’s been out for five or six weeks so that was a positive and it was never about going back to the drawing board because you’re going to make mistakes.

“You score two goals away, you expect to win the game.”

Ince has challenged his team to regroup and learn from their mistakes.

He continued: “You can’t give teams 3-0 starts at any level and we’ve got to be accountable

individually and collectively. We’ve got to learn from them or we will keep getting punished.

“It’s poor from us and that’s the most frustrating thing. It’s about pride then when our fans travel up in the freezing cold on a Friday night we had to give them something to shout about. That’s the only positive to come out of it.

“We got a couple of goals back. We had 20 shots which is unlike us. We missed some good chances and so did they.

“I felt before the game we could have won it.”

Mamadou Loum challenges

Deeney struck early

Baba Rahman is fouled

McIntyre blocks off the line

Reading couldn’t do enough to

Joe

Shane

Jeff

A DISASTROUS first-half away performance saw Reading FC beaten at St Andrews by Birmingham City.

ROYALS THE BLUES

to deny Tom Ince who thumped a half volley at goal that was parried away.

Just a minute later, the Royals found themselves three goals down when Chong punished a defensive error.

After Amadou Mbengue swiped at the air from what looked like a harmless free-kick from Hannibal Mejbri, Chong raced through on goal, rounded Lumley and finished into the empty net.

With a miracle needed in the second-half, Reading came out with intent and won two early corners, but they were dealt with by the hosts.

The scoreline almost got even worse when a long ball for Chong wasn’t dealt with by the Royals defence and McIntyre had to block Deeney’s shot off the line to deny him his hat-trick.

Ince made a double change just before the hour mark which saw Lucas Joao and Junior Hoilett replace Mbengue and Long.

Deeney had another chance to clinch his treble but skewed his shot a whisker wide of the post.

Reading won plenty of corners throughout the half as Birmingham sat in a deep defensive line showing their willingness to sit on their healthy lead.

With 10 minutes to go, Ince made two more switches as Andy Carroll and Nesta Guiness-Walker came on for Meite and Rahman.

Reading salvaged back a goal in the 82nd minute when a deep cross found Carroll who fired across goal and after a scramble, Lucas Joao was on hand to convert from two yards out to reduce the deficit.

The Royals gave Birmingham a couple of minutes of anxiety in stoppage time when Ince’s deflected effort found the net in the 95th minute to make it 3-2.

The Royals threw everything they could in attack but the Blues took three points.

ROYALS HOST SWANS IN FINAL HOME MATCH OF 2022

READING FC play their final home game of 2022 when they host Swansea City in the Championship.

Just one place separates Reading and Swansea in the table heading into the contest.

Both teams are on the exact same number of points after 23 matches, with the Swans leading with a better goal difference.

Swansea made a remarkable comeback at the weekend in their away visit to Coventry City.

Russell Martin’s side found themselves three goals down and seemingly out of the match with 54 minutes gone when goals from

Jonathan

Swansea replied through Joel Piroe in the 68th minute and reduced the deficit further just eight minutes later when Jay Fulton scored.

With just over five minutes of normal time remaining, the turnaround was complete when Liam Cullen ensured the game was levelled up to give the visitors a point from an unlikely position.

Despite showing great fight and determination to grab a point at the Ricoh, Swansea have been in

a tricky run of form either side of the World Cup break which sees them winless in their last seven Championship games.

Reading lost out when they met Swansea earlier in the campaign in October.

The Royals took a commanding two-nil advantage when they twice hit Swansea on the break with goals from Yakou Meite and Tom Ince.

However, Martin’s men completed a comeback with goals from Harry Darling, Cooper and Jay Fulton to claim three points.

Swansea’s last visit to Berkshire

turned out to be an astonishing game at the back end of the 2022/23 season.

Paul Ince’s men completed an extraordinary turn around to take a crucial point as they successfully avoided the drop.

After Lucas Joao scored after three minutes, goals from Hannes Wolf, a double from Piroe and a strike from Obafemi gave Swansea a 4-1 lead.

However, Reading stormed back with goals from Ince and Joao before Tom McIntyre popped up with the most dramatic of equalisers in the 95th minute.

‘WE GAVE OURSELVES AN IMPOSSIBLE TASK’

TOM INCE believes that the team gave themselves an ‘impossible task’ after trailing by three goals at half-time in their defeat to Birmingham City.

Despite showcasing a much improved display in the second-half that saw the Royals claw two late goals back, it wouldn’t be enough for them to salvage a point.

“I think far too many times we have conceded far too early in the game and that’s a lack of concentration and intensity from the first whistle,” said Ince.

“We said before the game we needed to win the battles, we know what Birmingham are like. They want to get the ball into Deeney and feed off him and the first half, they sort of blew us away with pretty basic stuff really.

“We came in at half-time and it was a bit of an impossible task so it was about winning the second-half and showing a bit of prodigy and character for the fans who travelled up on a freezing cold night.”

Ince got on the scoresheet deep into stoppage time after Lucas Joao had reduced the deficit but the hosts held on to condemn Reading to their 11th Championship defeat of the season.

The result means that Reading dropped down to 11th place in the league at the midway point in the season.

Ince continued: “The second-half was more like us but the first–half just wasn’t good enough and you can’t go 3-0 down and expect to get something from the game.

“We spoke after the game as a collective about how in the first-half we didn’t win our second balls or put the ball in effective areas.

“They had three shots and three goals in the first-half, and we made schoolboy errors for them as they weren’t goals that tore us apart, but that’s football.

“We had to try to claw ourselves back and try to make a game of it and I felt we did that.

“We created a lot of chances, I think we had 20 shots.

“We did the best we could in the second-half and we have to take the positives from that and make sure we do that in the first-half of games to give us more chance of winning.”

Tom Ince Picture: Luke Adams

salvage a point after their first-half collapse Pictures: Steve Smyth

Shane Long holds off a tackle

Hendrick The Blues extend their lead

Baba Rahman

Yakou Meite is taken down

Mamaddou Loum hits a shot

Nesta GuinessWalker delivers a cross

Panzo, Jamie Allen and Viktor Gyokeres gave the hosts a resounding lead.

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

After

“We’re doing alright. This is a team that’s been put together quickly so you don’t always know what you’re going to get,” said Ince.

“When I assess the 23 games we’ve played, we were poor against Rotherham at the start of the season, and Sheffield United are a very good outfit.

“But the other games, we’ve been in it.

“We should have won at Burnley, we were two up at Swansea, and we conceded in the last minute at QPR.”

Ince has challenged his team to learn from their mistakes after their first-half collapse in Birmingham.

He continued: “If I have an assessment of all the teams we’ve played, there’s nothing to be frightened of. We should feel confident about moving forward in the next 23 games.

“If we make mistakes like we did against Birmingham, that’s a different kettle of fish.

“So we’ve got to learn and learn quickly.

“But it’s Christmas and I want to wish all of our fans a very Merry Christmas.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t get them the three points at Birmingham, but we’ll be trying again on Tuesday, against Swansea.”

U21S ROUND OFF YEAR WITH WIN

READING FC UNDER 21s closed out the year with victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium against Wolves.

Playing in their final group game of the Premier League Cup, the Royals ensured that they took all three points against leaders Wolves.

After a goalless opening to the game, Reading struck with just two minutes to go until the break when Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was once again on the scoresheet when he was on hand to capitalise and apply the finish after the Royals won possession deep inside Wolves half.

He showed a cool head to beat a defender before stroking the ball past the goalkeeper.

Noel Hunt’s team quickly added to their lead after the restart when Rashawn Scott finished one-on-one with the keeper.

Hunt made changes which first saw Mamadi Camara replace Scott in the 73rd minute before a double change meant Scott Dann and Femi Azeez were replaced with Claudio Osorio and Sam Paul.

Dann got some more valuable minutes under his belt having featured for the Under 21s last Monday on his road to recovery from an eight month injury.

Reading sealed the points in style in the 88th minute to put some gloss on the scoreline when Kian Leavy scored a spectacular free-kick.

Subs

Wolves

Subs: Scott, Hubner, Amos, McLeod, Reynolds

Goals: Ehibhatiomhan 43’, Scott 53’, Leavy 88’

Reading: Boyce-Clarke, Abrefa, Abbey, Dann, Holzman (c), Senga, Leavy, Akande, Scott, Azeez, Ehibhatiomhan

: Collins, Paul, Camara, Osorio, MelvinLambert

: Smith, Bertwhistle, Keto-Diyawa, Kandola, Tipton, Pond, Roberts, Scicluna, McLaughlin (c), Hesketh, Hodnett

READING FC boss Paul Ince has challenged his team to ‘learn quickly’ from their mistakes as they reached the midway point of the Championship season.

their Friday night loss to the Blues, the Royals sit in 11th place on 32 points from their opening 23 matches with 10 wins, two draws and 11 losses.