Wokingham Today, January 19, 2023

Concerns over work to create film studios

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE news@wokingham.today

RESIDENTS have penned an open letter to Wokingham Borough Council expressing their concerns about developments taking place on their doorstep.

Shinfield Studios is being built just over 100 metres from Cutbush Lane East, which is home to five households.

In the letter, residents raise issues including excessive noise, vibrations and the speed of HGVs travelling down the access road from Thames Valley Science Park – the speed limit is set at 20mph.

They also raise the council’s enforcement of established working hours, adding that they feel the council has not adequately responded to their views.

Resident Mark Cockram explained: “We’ve been raising these issues with the council for a long time, ever since the proposals for the studios were put forward for development, but we’ve got no traction from them.

“When it comes to vehicles coming round the corner of the access, you have near misses all the time.

“There are children, elderly people and cyclists walking to and from Earley, it’s just an accident waiting to happen.

“We’re not against the studios being built, it’s the issues around the enforcing of working hours and planning approval.”

He explained that Cutbush Lane East is closed to vehicles heading to the development site. However, with most satellite navigation systems not yet accommodating for this, many HGVs end up turning onto the single lane road, reaching the end and having to reverse out onto Shinfield’s busy Eastern Relief Road.

Wokingham Today visited the site and witnessed a HGV turn into Cutbush Lane East before the driver realised he could not gain access to the studios. After reversing back down the road, the driver unsuccessfully signalled for traffic to stop.

n Continued on page 10

Early morning robbers target

By JAKE CLOTHIER and DANIEL BLACKHAM news@wokingham.today

Police were called to Crockhamwell Road’s shopping precinct at 8.30am, after reports of two offenders robbing the Lloyds Bank branch opposite the Waitrose car park.

Officers arrested a man at the

scene,

No weapons are believed to have been used. Three members of staff suffered minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.

Shoppers in the precinct at the time were held as police collected witness statements.

Detective Inspector Iain Watkinson, of Bracknell and Wokingham CID, said: “This would have been a distressing experience for the victims in this incident.”

n Continued on page 33

A BANK in Woodley town centre was raided by thieves yesterday, just as staff were preparing to open up.

who is now in custody. The other robber fled the scene.

Police on scene in Woodley Picture: Phil Creighton

Laughter night in Crowthorne

A NEW comedy night is being launched in Crowthorne next month. Laughter Craft Comedy’s new event at The Morgan Centre will feature three TV comedians.

Josh Baulf, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent will perform along with BBC Radio’s Tom Deacon and Nathan Caton. MC will be Jonathan Elston. Doors open at 7pm and the show begins at 8pm on Saturday, February 4. Tickets cost £13.

n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: www.wherecanwego. com

public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

a visit to the delight of CLASP

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

TV PRESENTER of consumer programmes Watchdog, and Rogue Traders Matt Allwright delighted members of a Wokingham group by dropping in to their meeting.

He shared stories about his work and life with CLASP, a self advocacy group for people with learning disabilities, and ended with a sing-along session of their favourite songs.

Matt talked about growing up in the area, and about his TV career challenging rogue traders and operators.

Matt was born in Wokingham and lived in Woodley, attending local schools before studying English at Manchester University. His first job was teaching English, in Japan.

Returning to the UK, Matt worked for the BBC in Southampton.

He moving into presenting consumer programmes.

“It’s thanks to my mum,” he says.

“Her tumble dryer broke, so she shopped for a new one.

“No machine manufacturers would recommend using the fabric conditioner sheets she liked, and she was cross that people would sell something you couldn’t use.”

Matt contacted Watchdog, whose editor invited them both to come to the

Crumbs, comics to visit Woodley

A COMEDY night featuring four criticallyacclaimed comedians is set to take place in Woodley next month.

The Comedy at Crumbs event returns after two sold out shows and will be hosted at the Library Parade coffee shop and cocktail bar on Wednesday, February 1.

studio to make a film.

“And I’ve been with the programme ever since,” he says, “helping people who are getting a bad deal.”

After four years with Watchdog, Matt had an idea for Rogue Traders.

“We decided to seek out dishonest businesses and builders.

“We’d follow them, see what they were doing, and expose any wrongdoing.

“Like when a plumber charges by the hour, says they’re off to buy a part, and then sits eating sandwiches in the park.

Rogue Traders has been running for 20 years.

“We invite people to work in our TV house. If they do a good job, there’s no story, but if not, we ask them why they’re not being honest.”

He added: “When we confront people they may run away, stop and argue, stand very close, or even push us.

“I don’t like bullies, dishonesty, or those who get away with treating others badly.

“I want people to know there is someone on your side.”

To close, Matt brought out his guitar for a mini-concert of CLASP’s favourite songs, including their signature song, Reach For The Stars.

“I love my TV work, but my passion is music,” he says.

He plays with two bands: charity raiser, The Walnuts, and country music group, Band Of Hope.

CLASP members were soon on their feet, dancing and singing.

Debs Morrison, founder of CLASP, says: “My gosh, Matt’s amazing.

“He’s a busy man, but he’s taken the time to come and see what we are about.

“It’s so joyful to see our members having such a lovely time.”

Members Tim and Vicky thought he was fantastic, really friendly, and a great singer.

Steve added: “He was fun and informative - I loved his music, and it’s great that he’s from Woodley.”

Matt says: “It’s lovely to be back.

“I’m still surprised by all the things that are going on here.

“The more charities I work with, the more people I discover putting their hands up, and making connectionswhich is what we all need.

“Debs, with CLASP, is doing just that.

“I’ve had a great time with these fabulous people - what a really lovely bunch they are.”

n www.claspwokingham.org

Nominate Twyford heroes

THE Twyford Together Community Awards are set to return in March with nominations open now.

The awards celebrate individuals, groups and businesses who go that extra mile and make a difference to people’s lives across a number of categories.

n The Edwin Ackers business of the year is for a local business that goes out of its way to support the community or deserves recognition for any other reason.

n Retailer of the year is for a local shop, pub or café where punters consistently enjoy helpful service with a smile.

n Young achiever of the year recognises a young person, aged 11 to 25, who has done something extraordinary in the local community.

n Community group of the year is for any club, society, church or other interest group which voters deem the best.

n Neighbour of the year is for that special someone who goes above and beyond to help others.

n Charity of the year is for an organisation which deserves particular recognition for their tireless work in the local community.

n The go green together Award recognises an individual or

initiative dedicated to improving the local environment, whether through protecting the natural world, enhancing public spaces or educating others.

n Sportsperson of the year is for someone who has been championing, promoting or performing sport or fitness activities in the community.

Organisers have advised that nominees can come from the wider RG10 area as long as their influence is felt strongly within Twyford.

There is no limit on the amount of nominations an individual can make, so long as the reasons are outlined in the online form.

Once nominations close on Sunday, February 5, a panel of independent judges representing different sectors of the community will compile a shortlist.

Finalists will then be invited to an awards ceremony starting at 5.15pm on Monday, March 13 at Buratta’s in Ruscombe.

Winners will be announced on the night alongside the Twyford Parish Council citizen of the year, which had a round of voting in November last year.

n For more information, or to make a nomination, visit: twyfordtogether.org

Opening the line-up is south coast comedian of the year James Ellis.

He will be joined on stage by Kathryn Mather and Jonathan Elston, who have both received praise from industry critics.

Headlining the show is Matt Richardson, a multi award-winning comedian who has appeared on television for nearly a decade.

Doors open at 7pm with the show getting underway at 8pm.

Tickets cost £12 plus a £1.20 booking fee.

n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: www.wegottickets.com

FLASHBACK: A previous awards ceremony: From left, Cllr Bridget Ditcham, Gerry Wise, Chris Wise and Cllr Roy Mantel, chair of Twyford Parish Council Picture: Natalie Burton

MUSIC TIME: CLASP members were delighted when TV star Matt Allwright dropped in to their regular meeting at The Bradbury Centre and played their signature song. Picture Emma Merchant

Have your say on RBH revamp plan

THE team behind ambitious plans to rebuild the Royal Berkshire Hospital for the 21st century are seeking views as it prepares to draw up a shortlist of sites.

As we exclusively revealed in 2020, the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is considering relocating to Shinfield, but other sites are possible such as Green Park. Alternatively, it could seek to rebuild its existing site in the heart of Reading.

Its taskforce, called Building Berkshire Together, is currently working on its business case application to the government’s New Hospital Programme scheme, and as part of the case that will go to the treasury, it is seeking views on a preferred option.

Representatives from Healthwatch, the local Councils, the University of Reading, patient representatives and community organisations have collaborated to develop a survey to help with the shortlisting process.

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

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

The Trust says it has yet to hear what the financial investment will be from the Treasury, but an announcement is expected next month.

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

The survey is open until Monday, March 6, while and feedback events are being arranged in the coming weeks.

The survey is available at: www. buildingberkshiretogether.co.uk/survey. Printed copies can be requested by calling: 0118 322 6630 or emailing: bbt@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Food drive surpasses 500,000 items ... now for a million

EXCLUSIVE

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

A COMMUNITY food drive has surpassed another milestone as it continues to help residents facing difficult times.

The Woodley Food Drive, which started at the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, has now provided more than 500,000 items to people in and around the town.

The project, founded by Ronnie Goodberry, was set up as Woodley Volunteer for Covid-19 to support those shielding with food and medicine deliveries.

Mr Goodberry said: “The whole idea was going and getting and shopping for people, just to be a good neighbour really.”

It soon became clear to Mr Goodberry and his fellow volunteers that people were in need of more support than was initially expected.

He said: “When the furlough scheme started people were falling through the cracks as they were self-employed or whatever the case may be.

“People started asking us for advice of where to get food from, so we were pointing them to food banks and then we thought, ‘well hang on, can’t we do something here?’”

It started with donations being

dropped at various locations across Woodley before a decision was made to create a single drop-off point that could be used seven days a week.

Mr Goodberry wasn’t expecting the scheme to take off as quickly as it did and he was surprised at the number of donations he received.

“I didn’t think it would go down that well as people were struggling,” he explained.

“At one point I was getting a

thousand items a day delivered – we had vehicles and lorries turning up.

“I was still taking things in at half nine or 10 o’clock at night. It was crazy.”

Once people realised the food drive was able to help, demand for the items also grew.

Since then demand has remained high and there has been a number of targeted campaigns as well as delivering specific items Easter and Christmas.

The first Christmas saw around 15,000 products distributed to hundreds of people.

The food drive has also helped staff on the frontline with one appeal to support an NHS nurse gaining significant traction.

Mr Goodberry said: “All of her money was going on bills so she couldn’t eat properly.

“Within 20 minutes of putting that appeal out I had nine bags of food delivered ready to help.”

Mr Goodberry thanked everyone who had helped quality check items and was keen to pay tribute to residents of Woodley and the surrounding areas of Wokingham, Reading and beyond who have shown an appetite to help complete strangers.

“Without them, none of it would have been possible,” he said.

“What these people have done is fantastic, honestly we couldn’t have done it without their support.”

In February last year, the group marked passing 200,000 items with a ceremony to celebrate donors and donations at an event held at the Oakwood Centre.

With 504,000 items delivered at the end of 2022, the target is now to reach one million.

Mr Goodberry said: “When we passed 100,000 items, I tongue-incheek said ‘lets go for a million’.

“Two years later we are at half a million, so why not go for it.”

SHINFIELD residents will have the chance to offer their thoughts on two key areas at an upcoming public consultation.

The School Green Centre will host meetings on reducing traffic volume and speed within Shinfield Parish Council and plans for new sports and leisure facilities.

Shinfield Parish Council clerk Bruce Winton invited residents to attend the sessions, adding that their views will go a long way in shaping plans going forward.

He said: “I’ve seen comments from people saying the plans are a done deal but that’s far from the truth of it.

“Nothing has been preordained.

“The consultation will be a positive opportunity for residents to engage with the university and parish council.

“We want to hear what people need and we will put something in place which will have benefits for decades to come.”

Although the two consultations will take place at the same time, they will be divided into separate rooms.

Representatives from the University of Reading will be present to hear any issues raised by residents for the sports and recreation meeting.

Both sessions take place from 10am-3pm on Saturday, January 28, with the sport and recreation consultation taking place in the Ryeish Green Room and local traffic being discussed in the Pound Green Room.

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

Choir’s come and sing day

A MUSIC group is holding a singing workshop in Wokingham, that will lead to an informal concert.

Singers are invited to join Reading’s Phoenix Choir for an afternoon rehearsal that will prepare them for an evening performance of Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man -–a Mass for Peace.

The concert programme will include selected movements from the work.

Jenkins wrote the piece in 1999, in memory of those who died in the recent Kosovo conflict, it continues to resonate in present times.

Choir director Christopher Hann says: “The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins is undoubtedly one of the most popular choral works of the last 30 years.

“Whether you’ve sung it before, or it’s a piece you’ve always wanted to sing, our Come and Sing on Saturday afternoon will provide a wonderful opportunity to join with many other singers from the community to rehearse and perform this great work.”

The choir will use the full score.

Singers wishing to participate should complete a booking form.

Under 18s are welcome, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

The event will take place at St Paul’s Church, Wokingham on Saturday, January 21.

The rehearsal runs from 1pm to 5.30pm, and leads to the performance at 6pm.

n For details, log on to: www. readingphoenixchoir.com

‘Nothing has been preordained’: Parish clerk assures residents ahead of public consultations

FLASHBACK: Ronnie Goodberry (front) with Woodley volunteers and councillors celebrating last year’s milestone. Now they have received 500,000 donations, he is going for a million. All items of food are shared among the town’s community from people who need a helping hand Picture: Phil Creighton

FUTURE: The Royal Berkshire Hospital is set for a complete rebuild from 2025.

Picture: Phil Creighton

Cafe facing closure as sinkhole costs thousands in passing trade

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

A COMMUNITY cafe in Evendons could be forced to close its doors as repairs on a sinkhole impact takings.

Kimel Cafe, on Evendons Lane, was created by the Kimel Foundation, and provides workplace training for young people with autism.

It opened in February last year, but a fall in passing trade could see them close as they approach their first anniversary.

“It’s been incredibly tough,” said Nic Lander, the founder of the foundation. “We employ 17 young people in our projects and we also have another six who come to us from special ed schools on work experience.

“And we just don’t have the traffic that we used to have.”

The sinkhole, caused by a collapsed sewer, appeared overnight on October 1, as Thames Water started a fourweek maintenance and upgrade programme on Evendons Lane

Repairs were expected to last until mid-December but further issues discovered by Thames Water have delayed the opening of the road.

With the closure in place for more than three months, Mr Lander and his team are counting the cost.

“As a result of the road being closed since September, we are £8,500 behind budget,” he explained.

He said: “It’s tough on us and it’s tough on the kids because they don’t see as many people coming in.

“There isn’t a great deal of signage for us that we’re able to work with and with a threemile cordon to come round it makes it a lot more difficult for people to come and see us.”

In 2016, the National Autistic Society found that only 16% of autistic adults are in full-time paid employment.

But Mr Lander said around 70% do want a job.

If the not-for-profit business was forced to close, Mr Lander fears it would have a significant impact on the mental health of those it supports.

At the time of the incident, a Thames Water spokesperson said the company would be “working closely with the local council and other stakeholders to reduce the impact”, but Mr Lander has criticised the water company for a lack of communication.

“It has been poor,” he said. “They (Thames Water) put up

a little notice on December 23 to say ‘we found a new issue’ which they were going to address.

“I walked down to the site a couple of days ago and there was another issue on top of that one and we’re still waiting for confirmation on when it will be fixed.

“If this isn’t fixed very soon then we have got a major problem.”

The cafe has received an outpouring of support from residents in the area and a donation from the Wokingham Lions, but Mr Lander said the cafe is still very far behind where it needs to be.

“We are very thankful to the people who have visited for their support,” he said.

“I know they support us for the right reasons, and we’re thankful for that. And please keep coming along.

“We’ve had a little bit of a

Air Ambulance sees busiest ever year

lifeline from the Wokingham Lions and they’ve helped us with some money, which was fantastic and so desperately needed. But we’re still so far behind.”

A spokesperson for Thames Water has once again apologised to businesses and residents affected by the work.

They said: “We’re sorry to businesses and local people who have been affected by the road closure and diversion on Evendons Lane, while we continue to repair a collapsed sewer pipe.

“In October and November last year we held drop-in sessions to address any concerns they might have regarding the ongoing work and we connected local businesses with our claims team. This dedicated team is able to address any concerns the owners may have regarding loss of income.”

The spokesperson said that completing the job “safely” remains their top priority.

They added: “In November we advised there may be additional work in January given the complexities around this job and our work at the site is ongoing as we continue to fix the sewer and ensure the area is safe for road users and residents.

“We will continue to engage with local people updating them on the work.”

Cllr Clive Jones, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, has previously committed his support to the businesses and offered help with communications to Thames Water.

He said: “Thames Water have told us that they have repaired the sewer and filled four underground voids.

“Unfortunately they have found a fifth underground void that also needs to be repaired and filled. They anticipate all work will be complete by the end of January.”

Cllr Jones admitted the council understands the complexity of dealing with infrastructure and is working with Thames Water to get the repairs completed as quickly as possible.

“We are now in our fourth month and this is reportedly hitting businesses on Evendons Lane very hard, “ he said.

“Officers are meeting regularly with Thames Water, and today (Tuesday, January 17) I met with senior representatives at Thames Water to encourage them to deal with any compensation claims in a timely fashion to help the local businesses.”

Christians to team up for unity event

A SPECIAL church service is to take place in Crowthorne on Sunday.

The service will recognise the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an observance which is internationally recognised by Christians internationally.

Attendees will pray for belonging and unity amid injustice, using materials prepared churches of Minneapolis in the United States.

The event will start at 6pm on Sunday, January 22, at St John’s Baptist Church in Waterloo Road.

n For more information, visit: crowthorneparishchurch.org.uk

Roadworks in Finchampstead

WOKINGHAM motorists may experience delays to their journeys in the coming days due to planned road works.

Multi-way lights will be in operation on Finchampstead Road at its junction with Barkham Ride on Monday, January 23.

The restrictions will allow Wokingham Borough Council to carry out coring works, which are expected to completed on the day.

For more information, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk

THAMES Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) has released its attendance figures for 2022, which was a record year for call-outs.

In it’s busiest ever year, TVAA saw 3,158 missions across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire, which marked a 10% rise on 2021.

Just over 800 of its responses were by air, with the vast majority, around 2340, completed by critical care response vehicles.

Critical care responders were called to 1,161 incidents in Berkshire alone, with cardiac arrest making up the majority of call-outs at 34%, or around 1 in 3.

Other medical emergencies made up 21% of call-outs,

followed by accidental injury at 16%, and road traffic collisions at 14%.

December made up the busiest month in the year with 305 callouts, followed by November with 276, and June with 275.

TVAA was called to 153 incidents in Reading during 2022.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance Chief Operating Officer Adam Panter said: “2022 was incredibly busy for our crews for a number of reasons including the impact of our communities returning to full and active lives.

“In addition to this, we are working hard to identify the cases which would benefit most from

our crews’ expertise earlier and therefore dispatching our critical

teams to more of them.

“Answering 3,158 callouts is testament to their professionalism and the whole team at Thames Valley Air Ambulance supporting their lifesaving efforts.”

He said that the organisation’s work “simply couldn’t happen without the community we serve; without their generous donations of funds and volunteering time, we wouldn’t be able to make the difference we do – thank you.”

n The full breakdown of TVAA callout information is available via: www.tvairambulance.org.uk

UNDER THREAT: Nic Lander, founder of the Kimel Foundation, opened the Kimel Cafe last year, but a collapsed sewer could see it close Picture: Jess Warren

Campaign launched to cut down on teenagers vaping

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

A NEW campaign to warn of the dangers of vaping has been launched in Wokingham after research suggests that almost one in 10 teenagers use e-cigarettes.

The figures, released by NHS digital, suggest 9% of youngsters aged 11 to 15 use the digital take on cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018. And in most cases, the youngsters have never smoked using conventional ciggies.

To tackle this, the Public Protection Partnership – which works on behalf of Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham borough councils –is taking action.

Its teams will be working with retailers and the public to ensure they understand the law on selling vape products, including limits and underage sales.

There will be spot checks to ensure retailers are following the law, and training for school staff to help them deal with vaping among students.

Other aspects of the

campaign include raising awareness among youngsters over the potential dangers of vaping, the environmental concerns, and the potential fire risk regarding battery disposal and charging.

Cllr Tom Marino, chairman of Joint Public Protection Committee, said: “The issue of vaping and young people is a developing problem and in recent times, we have seized a number of illegal products that we have found at retailers.

“This campaign is a good example of the problem-solving approach adopted by the shared

Public Protection Service, and we are looking at the issue from all angles and adapting a strategy to address all aspects.”

And Caroline Stevenson, senior officer for Crime Prevention and Health, added: “Vaping is a useful tool when trying to quit smoking cigarettes.

“Our concern is the ongoing trend of young people taking up vaping who have never smoked.”

n For more information and to see the resources, log on to: www. publicprotectionpartnership. org.uk

Chance to dance with Strictly star

A PROFESSIONAL dancer, teacher and choreographer is to hold a free dance master class next week, in a bid to help bring art to Wokingham.

Strictly Come Dancing star Ian Waite is holding the sessions at St Crispin’s School, asking for donations to Arts4Wokingham, which is commisioning artist Nicola Anthony to create The Arc.

When completed, it will be situated outside Carnival Hub, acting as a gateway for the new town centre.

It is entirely funded through public donations, so every penny counts.

And Ian is ready to step up to the dancefloor to do his bit.

The two sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 24. One is a Fitsteps, the other a beginners’ ballroom class.

And demand is expected to be huge, so a second event is in the works for March.

Ian created Fitsteps with Natalie Lowe, another dancer from the BBC TV series.

“There are four moves per dance, it’s great fun, and you don’t need a partner,” he says.

“I’d seen people doing fitness classes at the gym, and I thought, dancing keeps me fit, so why not use our steps?

“All sorts of people come, and you don’t have

to be good at dancing.”

Ian’s second class, Ballroom Beginners, is for people who want to learn ballroom basics.

Ian’s masterclass sessions are likely to be very popular, so will be run on a first come first served basis.

If necessary, they will be split into two shorter sessions to accommodate as many people as possible.

“I’m really excited to be running the masterclass,” he says.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun, and will raise money for a project I’m keen to support.

“Arts4Wokingham champions all of the arts in the borough.

“Their first project, The Arc, will be a centre point for the town at the Carnival Hub. There forever, to visit, see, and interact with, and it will be something the town can be proud of.”

Ian’s dancing story began in Reading.

“I come from a dancing family,” he says. “My Dad joined a dance class when I was a child, after my parents had divorced.

“It was a friendly group, and people would meet afterwards at the pub.

“He loved the social aspect, and started dancing three to four times a week.”

Ian’s father then suggested

Ukulele recital at St Mary’s

SHINFIELD residents will be treated to an afternoon of feel-good tunes on Saturday, February 4.

In the build-up to Valentine’s Day, Ukulele group Only Ukes will be showcasing their talents in a performance entitled All You Need Is Love.

The Berkshire-based quartet play and sing a range of pop, rock, country and folk favourites.

The performance is part of the church’s Music at St Mary’s series of lunchtime concerts featuring musicians from the area.

Entry is free with no pre-booking required. There will be an opportunity to contribute to a retiring collection which will go towards church funds.

The concert takes place at St Mary’s Church, Shinfield, between noon-1pm. n For more information, call 0118 988 5923, or visit: www.loddonreach.org.uk

that his two boys should start classes too.

“I was 10, and into rugby and football,” Ian says. “I wasn’t interested, but he got me to take my five year old brother to the County Dance Centre in Reading.

“At first I just used to watch, but a couple of months later they persuaded me on to the dance floor.”

Ian’s dancing teacher, Mary Richardson, spotted his potential and put him through rigorous training. Taking him to London when he was 14 to arrange for one of the top dance coaches to take him on.

“Thanks to her driving me there that day, I was able to take my dancing to another level,” Ian says. “And then Dad and Mary got married, so my dance teacher also became my step-mother.”

At 18, Ian was European Youth Champion, and by 20 had become one of the world’s top six amateur dancers.

n Ian’s event is at St Crispins School Hall, Wokingham, on Tuesday, January 24. Fitsteps starts at 7pm, followed by the Beginners’ Ballroom Class at 8pm. The classes are free to attend, with all donations going to Arts4Wokingham.

n For more, log on to: arts4wokingham.com

RBFRS highlight new fire safety

ROYAL Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services (RBFRS) is urging landlords and responsible persons to be prepared for new fire safety regulations.

The regulations have been introduced to meet the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 1 recommendations.

Matt Hoult, group manager, prevention and protection policy at RBFRS, said: “The new fire safety (England) regulations impose significant new legal requirements of responsible persons for multi-occupied residential buildings.

“With less than two weeks to go, it’s crucial that responsible persons are prepared for the changes. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue service is here to support responsible persons and would encourage you to visit our dedicated website page for more information.”

n For more information, visit: rbfrs.co.uk

TIME TO DANCE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Ian Waite is holding dance master classes next week to raise money for Arts4Wokingham, and are expected to be very popular. Picture: Emma Merchant

HEALTH: The Public Protection Partnership is launching an awareness campaign about the dangers of vaping Picture: Pixabay

Rain means Hurst residents’ loo gurgles in the night ... and residents can’t spend a penny

EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

A COUPLE had a familiar feeling of dread when they heard their downstairs toilet gurgle after the recent heavy rain – it meant they could no longer use it, again.

Heather and David Howarth in Lodge Road, Hurst, are just two victims this week of the problems at the sewage pumping station in Broadwater Lane (the A321) near the Hurst/ Twyford border.

Mrs Howarth said: “Every time there’s an excessive amount of rain we expect this. We wait for the gurgling from the loo.”

The couple fear that their 6ft deep manhole, which should be empty, may fill to the top one day, spilling over into their garden. They also worry their toilet may spill over into their house.

Two hundred new homes have been proposed for a field near them.

“It will only get worse if more estates go up. They need to spend money on a new

Chance to chat over knitting Fundraising plan to help fix roof

WOKINGHAM residents are invited to join a weekly needles and natter group.

Meetings take place on Mondays at Spencers Wood Village Hall, with members looking to develop their sewing and knitting skills.

Individuals of all skill levels and ages are welcome to attend. Beginners will be assisted by the more experienced members of the group.

Those looking to be more adventurous may wish to try their hand at crocheting, cross stitching, diamond dotz, card making or quilting.

The meet-ups also serve as an ideal opportunity to catch up with friends or meet new people over a cup of tea.

Sessions run from 7.30pm-9pm and cost £2 to attend.

For more information, search: Spencers Wood Needle and Natter on www.facebook.com

A WOKINGHAM church is calling on its community to help complete essential repairs.

St Mary’s, Shinfield, experienced roof leaks in its hall, which is located next to the main church building, just before Christmas.

The building houses various community groups including St Mary’s babies and toddlers.

The church has raised £16,093 of the £40,000 target it requires to complete the works.

In a post on the church’s Facebook page, the team said: “Sadly our hall roof has started leaking in the kitchen and some other areas.

“The main area of the hall is fine but we apologise in advance for any building work you might spot.”

They added that a JustGiving page had been established for those wishing to donate.

n Search: St Mary’s, Shinfield on justgiving.com

Rail replacement buses

RAIL REPLACEMENT buses will operate for five days in February due to signal improvements being made by Network Rail – strikes permitting.

From Monday, February 13, to Friday, February 17, buses will replace trains from Reading to Bracknell and Guildford.

South Western Railway services between Reading and Bracknell and Great Western Railway services between Reading and North Camp will be impacted and departure times will be different from normal.

This is part of Network Rail’s upgrading of signalling equipment controlled by the Feltham Area Signalling Centre and Wokingham Signal Box to improve reliability.

The existing equipment –such as signals, the traffic light system for the railway, and track circuits, which tell signallers where trains are on the network – dates back to 1974, so is being renewed with a modern equivalent.

In a long-term programme that will run through to mid-2024, the

operator is also hoping to deliver a number of enhancements to improve train performance, as well as renew or upgrade 13 level crossings.

Once complete, Network Rail will then move control of that equipment from Feltham and Wokingham to Basingstoke and into the Wessex Rail Operating Centre.

As a result of the programme, passengers are advised to check before they travel throughout the works.

n For more information, visit: networkrail.co.uk/FWRP

pumping station,” added Mr Howarth.

Another Lodge Road resident Liz Chaderton, an artist, said: “When this happens we can’t use our downstairs toilet or the washing machine. We’ve had problems here probably seven or eight times in 24 years. The pumping station is not fit for

in fluvial and surface water flooding, together encouraging flood waters to inundate the foul sewage system following heavy rain.

“Unfortunately, properties in Hurst, particularly along Broadwater Lane, Lodge Road and the surrounding area, have been experiencing this problem

MEMBERS of a film club can see a film whose protagonist, a teenage gymnast, is striving to secure a place at the country’s National Sports Center.

Her ambitions are threatened when, in 2013, the Euromaiden revolt breaks out in her home country.

Olga, starring Anastasiia Budiashkina, and directed by Elie Grappe, will be shown by Wokingham Film Society.

It can be seen at the Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School on Thursday, January 26.

Doors open at 6.45pm, with the film starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are available online, or on the door by cash or card. They cost £6.50, or £4 for

wokinghamfilmsociety.com

at The Whitty Multi-way lights

motorists may experience delays to their journeys in the coming days due to planned road works.

Multi-way lights will be in operation on Bearwood Road at its junction with Hayes Lane from Friday, January 20, to

The restrictions will allow

Laundry, showers and food at Sally Army’s warm bank

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM church is serving free hot drinks and meals to help people through the cost-of-living crisis.

Open three mornings a week, it provides a safe space for people struggling with rising costs, in need of a safe, warm space, want company or need to have a shower or do some washing.

It is in the Sturges Road Salvation Army, and the menu includes toasted sandwiches, jacket potatoes, soup, and snacks.

“We welcome everyone –not just our service users, but anyone wanting to come in, have a hot meal and get warm,” says the Army’s community centre manager Marina Brain.

“We opened just over a year ago, and we currently have around 10 or 12 people coming in each day.

Marina’s team of five volunteers help her to manage the café, and provide waitress service for the guests.

While diners are enjoying coffee and breakfast, Marina explains that one table is set up to help people talk.

“This is the idea of the Wokingham Friendship Alliance,” she says.

“When we opened, they contacted me to ask if we could set up a friendship table here.

“They are able to send people to us, and if guests sit at this table, they know that not only will they get a cup of tea or coffee, but that someone will come over and be happy to have a chat with them.

“Friendships have been made here because of it.”

The Friendship Alliance is an initiative set up by The Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK Wokingham, Involve Community Services, and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre.

It aims to tackle loneliness and improve the mental and physical wellbeing of residents.

WARM WELCOME: Marina Brain, ready to chat with guests at Café Refresh’s friendship table.

“Working here is very rewarding,” says Marina. “It isn’t just a place to come for coffee, it really welcomes people.

“And if folk are finding times tough, we can give them food parcels, and frozen meals.

“We have a big freezer filled with ready made meals that they just need to put in the microwave.”

The Salvation Army centre also has a shower and wet room for anyone needing to use its facilities, along with a washing machine and tumble dryer.

And guests value the space.

One said: “It’s a lovely community, and you don’t have to be a Christian. I feel very accepted here, and it’s a wonderful thing, because most people don’t want to get involved.

“When I first started coming I was homeless, it was never easy, and I had to fill the gap somehow. I was given warm clothing, and was able to use the shower.

“I enjoy coming to the café to chat with friends.

“Breakfast this morning was fantastic – you can’t say no to a ham and cheese toastie.”

Across the table, another said: “Things became very difficult for me just before Christmas, and this place has been a bit of a godsend.

“On Christmas Day I was able to have my Christmas dinner here – it was very happy.

“They’ve certainly helped me out at a very difficult time.”

The café sees a range of visitors, both young and old.

“Sometimes people who feel vulnerable just need to come out of their homes for a while, to chat with folk,” says Ms Brain. “Café Refresh is here for them.”

MUCH-LOVED: The family of Sidney Box has released a tribute to the 93-year-oldm and thanked members of the public for their help

Family’s tribute to Sidney

THAMES Valley Police has released a statement on behalf of the family of Sidney Box.

that took the time to help.

“You were all part of the reason we stayed hopeful and positive over the four days, and have proved just how important community is.”

n

It’s open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am to 1.30pm. There is no charge for meals or drinks, but people can make donations if they wish. For more information email: marina.brain@salvationarmy.org. uk, or call: 07786957195.

Sand Martins to host 30th pro-am in June

A WOKINGHAM golf club has confirmed details for its charity pro-am.

Sand Martins will host its 30th pro-am in June with proceeds supporting the Captain’s charity, the On Course Foundation.

The foundation aims to support the recovery of injured and sick service personnel and veterans through

nationwide golf events and employment in the golf industry.

Cost to enter a member team is £420, with a minimum of one member required, and £450 for an all non-member visitor team.

The price includes 18 holes of golf, food – breakfast and lunch or lunch and a barbecue – and the opportunity to

compete for prizes, playing with one of the top professionals in the region.

The closing date for entry is Tuesday, May 9, with the event scheduled to take place one month later on Friday, June 9.

n For more information, visit: www. sandmartins.com

Police began searching for the 93-year-old when he was reported as missing on Thursday, January 5, but he was found deceased following a four-day search on Monday, January 9.

Issy Briggs, Sidney’s granddaughter, said: “My family and myself wanted to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those that supported us in the search for my grandfather (Papa) over four days earlier this month.

“The outcome was not what any of our family, friends, or the community wanted to find out, but it’s some form of closure.

“The amount of aid we received has been far-reaching, personal and practical.

“We were, and still are, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of people and businesses

She continued: “We know that some individuals and families knew my Papa and Nana from the many years they have lived in Earley.

“He was the most kind, selfless and non-judgmental person, and we’re happy that so many people were able to meet and know just how much of a special person he was.

“We would ask, if you see any posters on your journeys out and about, please could you take them down for us.

“We are going to do our best to remember the ones we put up, but would really appreciate it if people could keep an eye.

“Thank you again.”

Rise in homeworking

A RISE in homeworking since the start of the pandemic has made finding work experience for students a challenge, according to a Berkshire charity.

Education Business Partnership (EBP), a charity that helps students source work experience, is facing its biggest task of finding placements for nearly 2,000 young people.

Data from politics. co.uk shows a rise from 6.8% in 2019, and 12.1% in 2020, to 22.4% in 2021 and a survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed that 24% of businesses intend to increase homeworking as a permanent business model going

EBP has highlighted the issue, especially for students hoping for IT and cyber security roles, and their CEO is appealing to businesses who can support their

“We are delighted to be supporting so many students with work experience this year and are

impressed by the variety of roles they are seeking,” said Michelle Smith.

“Whether you are a multinational company or an SME or anything in between we would be so pleased to hear from you if you can support our work by providing placements.

“We know firsthand how impactful work experience is for young people and would urge all employers to get involved.”

The EBP team will be on hand to support any businesses who come forward.

Ms Smith added: “We wouldn’t be able to achieve the results we see and make a difference for our students without the wonderful business community, who make time and share their knowledge with the students.”

n Any businesses in the Wokingham or Reading area interested in hosting a work experience placement can call 01635 279277.

Picture: Emma Merchant

‘An accident waiting to happen’: residents’ concerns over film studios

n Continued from front page

Residents were forced to assist the driver in halting oncoming vehicles from both directions.

Five signs had been placed at the junction into the lane, four of which had fallen at the time of the paper’s visit.

Mr Cockram suggested width restrictions were a possible solution, but stressed it was more important for the council to install adequate signage to prevent drivers turning into Cutbush Lane East in the first instance.

One of the residents is a Community Speedwatch volunteer and used his or her device to record cars and HGVs travelling down the access road at speeds of up to 48mph, significantly exceeding the 20mph speed limit.

Noise from both the studio and reversing HGVs has been exacerbated by the fact that three of the four properties on the left side of Cutbush Lane East are Grade II-listed properties, which are not permitted to have double glazed windows.

According to residents, houses can be felt shaking as a result of the vibrations caused by piling and general construction at the site.

The open letter also mentioned cracks appearing in some of the Grade II-listed properties, with the master bedroom ceiling in one of the properties completely

collapsing.

Fortunately, no-one was injured.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris, executive member for planning and local plan, said: “We’ve investigated

these issues and can assure those affected that we’re working closely with the developers to keep these to a minimum.

“We’ve been clear to the

developers that they must seek advance permission for any works outside their permitted hours. We will consider these requests carefully, taking account of impact on neighbours.

“Unfortunately, large-scale projects like this will sometimes need to work additional hours and, in this case, we’ve agreed several extensions where the works would cause limited disturbance.”

Cllr Ferris added that where extended working hours are agreed, the developers have been told they must notify those who may be affected and provide details of what works are taking place, and ensure they are supervised.

He identified recent inclement weather conditions as a cause of delays, meaning some activities, such as concrete pouring, which can only be carried out in a single stretch, have had to take place overnight.

“Although there have been vibrations from piling work, this has been closely monitored and falls within acceptable levels,” Cllr Ferris explained.

“If a neighbour is concerned that vibration from piling has impacted their property, we’d advise them to seek their own

advice as this is a civil matter outside our control.

“We’ve also asked the developers to remind drivers of the advisory limits and to only access the site via Thames Valley Science Park, in line with the agreed site management plan.

“Separately, we’ve asked Google to update its maps to reduce the risk of driver error.”

He continued: “The terms of any covenants on the land aren’t a planning consideration, although we understand that the office space is no longer required, and we’d also point out that the scheme was weighed against national and local policies and will include a 10% biodiversity net gain.

“We would assess any future planning applications for the site against the same standards and will continue to require future works to follow best practice and regulations.

“I hope this addresses any concerns about this scheme, which is set to deliver significant economic benefits while running to the highest sustainability standards.

“We’re listening to residents and will do all we can to help.”

Shinfield Studios were invited to comment, but had not responded as we went to press.

Free advice chat over support help Sports sessions for children

ANYONE affected by the cost-of-living crisis is invited to a special session aimed at ensuring people are receiving the support they are entitled to.

The Earley Home Guard Social Club in Pitts Lane is opening its doors on Wednesday, January 25, for the event.

Funded by Earley Town Council, the session will see a team from Reading Welfare Rights offer advice and support for people struggling with rising prices, bills and housing costs.

They will check to see if participants are receiving all the benefits and support they can rightfully claim.

Bulmershe and Whitegates borough councillor Shirley Boyt will also be on hand to hear any concerns.

The event runs from noon to 2.30pm, and places should be booked in advance.

n For more details or to reserve a slot, call: 0118 955 1070.

CHILDREN in Spencers Wood and Shinfield will make their first forays in sport thanks to new fun-filled sessions.

Mini Athletics Reading runs classes introducing walkers to seven-year-olds to running, jumping and throwing at School Green Centre, Shinfield, and Spencers Wood Village Hall.

The activities included in the 45-minute-long sessions are designed to engage youngsters and help develop their physical, cognitive and social skills.

Shinfield classes take place on Fridays, with those aged from three-and-a-half to five meeting at 4pm. Five- to seven-year-olds start at 5pm.

The Spencers Wood events take place on Saturdays, with three different groups meeting at various times from 9.30am-12.15pm.

Sessions cost £8 to attend and must be booked online. Taster classes can also be requested.

n For more information or to book a place, visit: www.miniathletics.com

Budding actors to audition for Grease

A COMMUNITY group is calling on budding performers to audition for its upcoming production.

Shinfield Players Theatre is looking to add to its senior youth group, which will be performing Grease in the summer.

The team is welcoming teenagers aged 14-18, who are available for rehearsals on Fridays during term-time from 7pm-10pm, to its auditions in February – dates are yet to be confirmed.

Grease The Musical looks to capture the look and sound of the 1950s in a rollicking production that pays homage to the rock ‘n’ roll era.

While hip Danny Zuke and wholesome Sandy Dumbrowski resolve the problems of their mutual attraction for each other, the gang sings and dances its way through such nostalgic scenes as the pyjama party, the prom, the burger palace, and the drive-in movie.

The youth groups allow children to explore their passion for acting in a safe and relaxed environment, giving them the opportunity to perform in three productions a year.

All activities of stagecraft are covered in sessions during the course of a year, including acting, staging, make-up, singing, dancing as well as theatre games.

n For more information, contact: rachel@shinfieldplayers.co.uk

WORKS: Noise from the Shinfield Studios site can be heard from houses on Cutbush Lane East. Picture: Ji-Min Lee

Day Nursery employees get £3,000 tax-free bonus to meet soaring bills

Colleagues of Cedar Park Day Nursery in Twyford got a boost in November when their company raised pay again by an average 8% and provided up to £3,000 extra cash over six months to meet soaring energy bills.

Taking profit sharing to the next level at the employee-owned company, Childbase Partnership – a UK best workplace awardwinner for 13 years – is extending the financial support to new recruits to the Cedar Park team, with contracted hours, who will receive up to £100 a month, until April 2023, based on hours worked.

The reward means that full timers contributing to the company’s success during the last financial year will get six, monthly, tax-free payments of up to £500 each starting on December 1st and ending on May 1st, 2023, with pro-rata payments for others.

This is alongside access to ‘Perkbox’ discounted shopping, two meals a day in nursery throughout the winter months, and enhanced company training and mentoring to get colleagues to new qualifications and further hikes in salary.

Childbase Partnership Chief Executive Officer, Emma Rooney said: “Every employee is a partner in our business, and we stand together during tough times. Ensuring the security and wellbeing of colleagues is not only vital to our mission to achieve the best possible outcomes for every child in our care it is also, quite simply, the right thing to do.”

The new pay rises – with starting rates for Qualified Level 3 practitioners ranging from £11.50 an hour to £13.00 an hour in high cost of living areas – follow a record tax-free, profit-sharing ‘Partnership Dividend’ payment of £1,500 for qualifying full-timers from Apprentices to the Chairman in January 2022.

Reward, recognition and ‘more perks’

Explaining the plan to colleagues, Emma Rooney said the need to act quickly with additional financial support during the cost-of-living crisis did not distract from the focus on maintaining and enhancing the current range of benefits and wellbeing initiatives, increasing loyalty payments to long-servers, cash gifts recognizing exceptional effort and achievement throughout the year; and investment in the tools and facilities they need as early years educators.

Investing in mental health and wellbeing

access to a team of clinical therapists and over 100 hours of expert-recommended activity and techniques to help track wellbeing, is designed to help colleagues become more resilient and prevent mental health conditions developing.

This complements the existing roundthe clock access to external confidential counselling services with experts providing immediate emotional support, advice and practical information 365 days a year.

In addition to competitive salaries, free breakfast and lunch daily, we have a range of financial and wellbeing benefits via Perkbox and Thrive to support our colleagues. A financial support package is also in place until April 2023.

To see the extensive list visit www.childbasecareers.com/benefits

Holiday entitlements are set to be increased in April 2023 with new starters allocated 23 days annually rising by a day each year of employment to a maximum 28 days.

The July introduction of the awardwinning, NHS validated, Thrive App with

Join a ‘World class’’ team

Childbase Partnership was rated ‘World Class’ and No. 1 (2020) and No. 2 (2021) UK ‘Best Large Company to Work For’ in the prestigious Best Companies league tables, and before that, was a ‘Sunday Times Best Company’ for 10 years.

Cedar Park Nursery, Bridge Farm Road, Twyford, Berks, RG10

Honest motherhood Angela Garwood

Looking forward to the year ahead

WELL here we are, January 2023. Here in all it’s grey and rainy glory.

The holidays went far too quickly and Leo has only just stopped asking where his “tresents” (presents) are. Last week he woke from a nap sad and disappointed there was no “giant sock”.

Our cupboards are still overflowing with every form of leftover Christmas sugar imaginable.

We intend to work our way through it. I’ve consumed over 500g of sweets (the jar is 1kg), which I consider to be a good effort. The same goes for two entire Yule logs. (No individual should be able to say that).

Suffice to say no-one is doing sugar-free January.

Though neither of us are big on resolutions, Joel is doing dry January so that sort of counts.

No major health commitments; no marathon training, no reducing of carbs, no veganism.

We won’t be purchasing a Peloton bike, or joining the gym. (I toyed with the idea but it’s almost laughable now. The thought of having the energy to go enough times to make the cost justifiable. I don’t know how mothers of young children do it. The school-run on foot plus the occasional jog will have to do for now.)

From all the things that won’t be changing, to a few things that will. Here are a handful of happenings I’m particularly excited about this year:

Leo starting nursery

His settling-in sessions went so well that on day two he didn’t want to leave.

“I want to go back!” He cried as I carried him home. His teacher had to pick him up and hand him to me as he simply refused to move. All a good sign, though I began to worry whether they might have any concerns about his steadfast reluctance to come home.

Friends having babies

I’ve waited a long time for my close school friends to join me in the trenches of motherhood. The year has finally come. The twins are due to arrive in February, followed by another exciting arrival in May. I’ve known these women since we were at primary school so this is all rather surreal. I find pregnancy exciting when it’s people I barely know, so two of my best friends in one go feels very special.

A solo adventure in February

Years before Leo was born, I went on a little solo trip around Europe. It was one of the scariest and best things I’ve ever done.

I couldn’t leave the children for that long at this stage, though admittedly it is only the start of term, ask me again come Easter… I have however, planned three nights away.

When asked what exactly I plan to do on this holiday of mine: “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

All the 30ths

I turn 30 this year. (Gulp). Thankfully I’m not alone. I’ll be enduring it with most of my friends. And it does mean people are going all-out for their Birthdays.

This weekend I get to wear a new dress (rare occurrence) and next month’s has a theme; we’re to come as a historical figure.

The arts

The usual consumption of theatre, exhibitions and live music. Maia and I are off to see Lizzo and Joel’s got tickets to Glastonbury – we’re doing well.

Angela blogs at The Colourful Kind

Will this be the longest concert ever put together?

A FLAUTIST who played a 24-hour carolathon enjoyed the experience so much that he is planning an even more ambitious project.

He is inviting other musicians and choirs to join him for a second fundraiser in the summer.

Former Welsh Guards musician Peter Lewis had the idea for his carolathon as a way to support the cost of repairs needed for two parish churches, St Catherine’s, Bearwood and St Mary’s, Winnersh.

St Mary’s has leaks, while St Catherine’s requires new heating.

Peter started his marathon at 9am on Saturday and continued through the night.

He was joined by other musicians and singers, and people who came along to listen, with some writing their Christmas cards at the same time.

“It was great fun, and we raised over £1,000,” says Peter. “I really enjoyed the 24-hour event, but that just wasn’t long enough.

“I’m a sucker for punishment, so this time I’m thinking, lets do another fundraiser for the church repairs, and let’s go for 48 hours.”

Peter is planning a two-day long Summer Classical Music Concert.

But before he commits to organising the event, he would like to establish how many people would be keen to join him.

He invites any musicians interested in playing or singing for

part (or all) of the 48-hour music event to contact him.

They can be any group, whether adult or children’s choirs, orchestras, music groups or individuals.

“At this stage, I’d just like to know whether people are up for this, and how many musicians there might be,” he says.

“I’d love as many people as possible to come through the door, and if we have a really good turnout, we could add a barbecue to the event.”

Peter envisages that people will bring along their own music, and just turn up to play, with no rehearsal.

The event is envisaged to take place in July, at St Mary’s Church, Winnersh.

“It will be before the school holidays begin so that people are still around to play,” he explains.

“And it will definitely be as much fun as we can make it.”

This year Wokingham Summer holidays begin on Monday July 24. n To contact Peter to register interest people should email him at: pdlewis7534@hotmail.com. He will update with potential dates and times once he has a clearer picture of the project.

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

Uni film to examine AI

HENLEY BUSINESS SCHOOL is set to premiere a film exploring the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) next week.

Coinciding with Data Privacy Day three days later, academics from the University of Reading appear in Privacy Ltd alongside industry experts from Emteq Labs, Know Your Day and Privacy International.

The documentary shines a light on AI and facial recognition technology (FRT) within a work setting, which range from productivity monitoring software in offices to image capture technology in supermarkets.

The film delves into the practical and ethical implications of such innovation and its impact on people’s day-to-day lives.

Prof Keiichi Nakata, head of business informatics, systems and accounting at Henley Business School, said: “We are seeing AI and FRT technologies being used more and more in the

workplace and everyday life.

“But the more we use this technology, there is more chance that negative consequences could be inadvertently introduced.

“The implications and the scale by which personal data can now be analysed and misused may not be fully understood yet.

“And if data has been collected regarding individuals, not only could this be invading a person’s privacy, but it could also turn out to be very harmful.”

The film will be shown at 6pm on Wednesday, January 25. and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring more Henley academics, its presenter and Financial Times technology reporter Cristina Criddle and RUSU president Sheldon Allen.

Tickets are free and can be booked online.

n For more information and to book tickets, search: Henley Business School on www.eventbrite.co.uk

Proceeds from Rotary fair provides thousands

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today

HUNDREDS of packaged meals have been delivered to community support groups to help feed people across Reading and Wokingham.

Earlier this month, the Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh took 240 meals to New Beginnings, the Whitley Community Development Association and Share Woodley.

This was the first batch of 2,500 frozen meals prepared by chefs from The Thomas Franks Foundation at Leighton Park School as part of its Feeding Communities project and the rotary club’s new initiative.

Funding came from the club’s Charity Art and Craft Fair, held at the end of October.

Scott Trathen, the club’s community service team leader, took part in the inaugural drop-off.

“I was overcome with the scale of it all, these organisations are really wellorganised and have so many people coming through the doors, mums with children, refugees, everyone,” he said.

“I’ve seen the best of people.”

“At Share Woodley, they even have a lunch brunch for kids during the holidays where they can do activities and eat food.

“The sense of community you see in places like the Whitley Community Development Association is amazing, especially with them having the cafe right next to their food surplus.”

He said working with The Thomas Franks Foundation in providing high quality food as ‘magic’, citing their willingness to go above and beyond as a key factor behind their positive working relationship.

Mr Trathen added that the hubs he visited are not just tackling food poverty but also food waste, obtaining items from stores and distributors who would otherwise have thrown them away.

Throughout January, the Rotarians

will continue delivering batches of food to the established distribution organisations the club has partnered with.

These include: Churches in Reading Drop-In Centre, Woodley Food Bank, Wycliffe Share, New Beginnings, Whitley Community Development Association, Ukraine Centre and Link Visiting Scheme Wokingham.

The Rotary Club is also working alongside SHAREs in Wokingham, Woodley, Shinfield, Finchampstead, Winnersh and Crowthorne.

In some cases, the meals will be heated and served to users at sitdown lunches and dinners.

All packages are clearly labelled with ingredients and cooking instructions.

Delight as rare bird swans into pub’s flooded car park

A BIRD has surprised a pub’s owners and locals by dropping in to visit its car park.

The Flowing Spring pub on Henley Road, Playhatch, lies close to Caversham Lakes.

It’s known for flooding, and the car park and garden are both currently under water.

The area evidently caught the attention of a passing black swan that recently stopped by to take a swim.

The feathered visitor was spotted by Nick Willson and his wife Hazel Lucas, who own and run the pub.

“Hazel and I were preparing Sunday lunches at the time,” says Nick. “We were halfway through a busy lunchtime service, when Hazel suddenly spotted the bird swimming in the car park.

“She called to me to take a look, and grabbed her camera.”

The pub was full of diners who also began snapping pictures of the

unusual visitor – sightings of black swans are rare in the UK.

Unlike white mute swans, the birds are almost uniquely dark feathered with bright red beaks.

They originally come from Australia, but a few have made their home in the borough.

A comment on the pub’s social media explains the birds have been living on the Thames for some time, on the Marlow to Reading stretch.

“We were all delighted to see it,” says Nick. “People are really excited, and we’re wondering whether it’s a rare sighting.”

The pub is no stranger to the water.

“We’re on the flood plain for the Thames,” explains Nick. “Every three years or so, our garden and car park is under water, sometimes for a few months, so we’re used to it.”

The most dramatic flooding happened in 2013.

“It was really deep that year, and

FLASHBACK: Peter Lewis undertook a 24-hour Carolathon starting in St Mary the Virgin Church in Winnersh before Christmas. Now he wants to go one better

Rotary club’s art thousands of meals

ON THE MENU:

Climate change ideas wanted for new contest

YOUNG people across the UK are being given an opportunity to win funding to help tackle climate change as part of a Woodland Trust initiative.

The Youth Innovation Competition offers people the chance to secure part of a £20,000 prize to support their own environmental projects.

The projects will need to fit into three categories: inspire, protect and create.

This could include anything from tree planting projects and championing ancient trees to innovative ideas that aid farming and the protection of UK rivers and wildlife.

Distribution was scheduled for January to help alleviate the pressure of the cost of living crisis on individuals and families at a time when increased energy prices will have the greatest impact.

The Thomas Franks Foundation launched the Feeding Communities initiative in 2019 to help those struggling to access food in the UK and beyond.

Of the project, the Rotary Club’s president, Paul Cunningham, said: “This initiative will reach more people in one go than any other events we have organised so far.

“We are very proud to be working with The Thomas Franks Foundation and Leighton Park School to help those in need in our local community.

“We are also delighted to be working in partnership with the distribution charities who are doing such a brilliant job.”

For the past two years, the Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh has worked to provide food to distributors on a smaller scale in an attempt to spread ‘love and support’.

According to Mr Trathen, the club received requests for food at the start of the pandemic, which led to them donating £300 to Wycliffe Baptist Church’s food share and Share Woodley.

Last year’s Art and Craft Fair provided the income required to establish the new and improved project.

n www.readingmaidenerlegh.org

The competition comes against the backdrop of a Met Office announcement that 2022 was the warmest year in the UK on record.

Nine individuals or small groups – aged 16 to 25 – will win up to £5,000 project funding each, along with mentorship from industry experts to deliver projects which directly fight the climate crises.

Dr Darren Moorcroft, Woodland Trust chief executive, said: “As the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, who has been planting and protecting trees and woods for more than 50 years, we are perfectly placed to provide this opportunity.

“The next generation will inherit the impacts of climate change, so it is crucial they are given the chance to bring their energy and innovation to the fight in tackling it now.”

Four Way Traffic Control

Full of optimism I jump in my car

My journey won’t take long; I’m not going far

At least that’s what I thought when I started

And now I’m stuck here brokenhearted

Sitting here waiting in this queue

My life choices I’m beginning to rue

The top 18 applications will be invited to take part in workshops that will teach them how to professionally pitch their project idea and the finalist will go on to present their environmental innovations to a panel of celebrity judges and experts.

Grace Howourth, head of youth re-imagined at the Woodland Trust, said: “You don’t have to be from an experienced environmental or conservation background or have academic qualifications to enter, as we are looking for people from all backgrounds and walks of life to enter with a great idea that can impact woods, wildlife and people.”

Applications are now open and will close at 4pm on Tuesday, February 7.

n For more information on how to apply, visit woodlandtrust.org.uk or email youth@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

NORTHUMBERLAND

Holy Island & Alnwick Castle

Departing Mon 22 May ‘23

our land was under water for five months. It doesn’t really bother us, and it looks spectacular.

“We know what to do, and the water never comes into the pub.”

The pub was built in the 1780s, and is an unusual design.

“They knew what they were doing,” Nick says. “They built on a hillside –the front of the structure is at ground level beside the road, but it goes down a further story to the rear, we stay above the water level, safe and dry.”

The Flowing Spring enjoys visits from other wildlife too, when the area floods.

“We tend to get kingfishers at this time of year,” Nick says. “They’re beautiful, and fun to watch.”

The garden and car park look very different in the summertime.

“It’s a lovely garden, with plenty of greenery and an expanse of trees,” says Nick. “We hold outdoor concerts and events there, but at the moment it’s a bit of an ocean.

“We’re a family-run, independent free house – a quirky little traditional pub. And we’re just a little bit different.”

n For more, visit: theflowingspringpub. co.uk or call: 0118 969 9878.

I should have heeded the Facebook posts warning

That traffic is going nowhere this morning

I could have had an extra hour in bed

Or done something radical like walk instead

Yes, they’re digging up the road again

It’s enough to drive a person insane

And it’s four-way traffic control no less

No wonder everything is such a mess

Who decided equal time should be given

To random side roads rarely driven

And just when you think things couldn’t get any worse

They’re now all stuck on red as if possessed by some curse

What sort of diabolical mind could have conceived

That for four-way traffic control there’d ever be a need

Now with two or maybe three way I can just about cope

But four-way traffic control removes all hope

Of reaching your destination in a timely fashion

And when at last they are gone Don’t be fooled that they are done They’ve merely been moved to another location

GILLIAN PASSMAN

We love receiving your poetry and print a selection every week. Email yours to: news@wokingham.today

tour of Hadrian’s Wall

to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Alnwick Castle, Hadrian’s Wall & Chesters Fort

we explore the highlights of Yorkshire’s iconic coast. Enjoy the dynamic sea views of this colourful region on our included excursions to Whitby, Bridlington and charming Filey.

Your break includes

coach travel from Crawley

nights at the Royal Hotel, Scarborough with dinner & breakfast

Heritage train journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Excursions to Whitby, Bridlington & Filey

excursion to York (£13pp)

CONTEST: The Woodland Trust competition offers youngsters the chance to secure a share of a £20,000 to help tackle climate change

POETRY CORNER

The Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh visited Share Woodley on their first drop-off on Monday, January 9.

Picture: The Rotary Club of Maiden Erlegh SWAN-DERFUL:

We have to shop local – or it goes

THE importance of supporting local businesses has never been clearer.

The team behind the Kemel Cafe in Evendons have been sharply hit by a downturn in trade since a sinkhole opened in October.

The road closure and the temporary one-way system means a causal cuppa has gone out of the window.

Despite grants from the Lions, and wellwishers, this wonderful charity venture faces closure. This means it would no long be able to help people with autism to learn vital workplace skills.

It is a stark reminder that spending our money with local businesses makes a difference.

It keeps people you know in employment.

It keeps a wonderful resource ticking over.

It keeps our community vibrant.

While we need Thames Water’s team to get the repairs finished as soon as humanely possible, we all have a party to play in ensuring our local businesses successfully navigate the misery of 2023.

CHURCH NOTES

Helping people flourish

HOW has your New Year started? Are you almost through January with your new years resolutions intact? Or maybe they didn’t last until the end of the first week or even day?

I remember giving up social media for Lent one – it lasted six hours before I was scrolling through Facebook.

You may have decided long ago that you wouldn’t do any resolutions, which is probably very wise. Its good to set ourselves new challenges and to look at ways to start afresh, but they need to be realistic and manageable, sometimes we can set ourselves great big changes, which when they fail leads to guilt and then not only do we fail the big challenge but it affects us to the point of setting us back from accomplishing anything.

The Salvation Army is directing its focus on how we can encourage people to flourish, how we can enable someone to reach their full potential and see their value in the world.

We aim to see the value of each person we encounter and to be a positive encourager to allow them the space to flourish. So how are you flourishing just where you are, are you surrounded by people who allow you to be you or are you finding that hard as you read this.

Are you feeling that you have failed at doing 2023 already?

I would encourage you, this year, to find people who will surround you with positive energy and to build you up.

Find a church or group or reach out to those friends who see the value in you and spend time getting some self-care this year.

‘There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.’ Philippians 1:6 (The Message)

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

Privatisation has failed our services

I agree with Cllr Rachel Burgess’s views on the current state of the NHS (From the Chamber,12 January).

The same could, of course, be said about much else of the country’s infrastructure and public services.

Clearly, privatisation of vital public services has failed miserably, except of course for the shareholders.

Her column was juxtaposed with that of the column of John Redwood MP.

His influence over his government’s policies over the past decade have led directly to this dreadful situation.

And this from an MP whose income from his parliamentary salary of over £84,000 pa pales into insignificance compared to his income from private work of over £600,000 since the 2019 general election, according to figures released recently by Sky News.

And he dares to lecture public service workers about their responsibilities in relation to striking.

If he worked an average working time week as an MP, how has he the time to earn an extra £600,000?

The sooner this MP is voted out the better it will be for Wokingham and the country.

David Chapman, Wokingham

We need a proper bridge so all can cross over the railway

Network rail have submitted a proposal to build a new bridge to replace the current bridges that spans the railway lines between the Carnival hub development to the North and the area around Latimer road / Ormonde road to the South.

This pedestrian bridge will provide quick safe access for residents South of the railway line to get into Wokingham town centre.

Currently the only other places to cross the line near the town centre are the underpass on the Finchampstead road or the level crossing near the station.

Given the ever increasing congestion on the roads around the town, it is vital that proper pedestrian access routes are built, allowing

Westminster Diary Matt Rodda

people to get into Wokingham safely and quickly.

Unfortunately the current Network rail design for the bridge has stepped access with no ramps, meaning this bridge will be unsuitable for all but the fittest and will exclude anyone with frailty or mobility issues and those pushing prams or wheelchairs.

The proposal was brought to a council meeting on 11th January and was thankfully opposed by many residents as well as multiple council members.

Decisions around the bridge were thankfully deferred, allowing the council officers more time to engage with Network rail to come up with a better design, one that will not discriminate against large numbers of residents who cannot access a bridge with steep steps.

Network rail say that the bridge built has an estimated lifespan of 120 years making it even more essential to get this right.

Surely in this day and age, we should not even be considering building a bridge that’s design will bar most people (and their children and childrens children in the future) from being able to use it as a route.

Please support the petition that has been started online to oppose this and consider writing to local councillors and our MP as well as keeping an eye out for updates in the excellent Wokingham Today.

We must make sure the current discriminatory design is thrown out and a suitable inclusive bridge is build in its place.

Dr Alex Cran, Wokingham

Make our roads safer

Following the fatal accident in the Reading Road recently, I feel duty bound, as they say, to make some comments.

Many friends etc. are aware that I spent one year “retired” to the south coast until September last year.

It was my intention to get involved in local affairs, as I am a member of the Royal British Legion and had access to “meeting space”.

However, the first of my interests

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today

We reserve the right to edit letters

Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

concerned the overcrowded roads – but worse, the absence of traffic control, lack of speed controls, and threats to safety on many roads, visibility limits due to bad parking.

At Council Meetings, where I suppose I became a “big noise” – viz talked too much when raising serious issues, I asked an early meeting I attended, whether the police had been invited to comment (and in my view lay down minimum standards of safety) only to be told “we don’t speak to the police”.

I date back to when we had good Police Forces, that had Police stations liberally spread around the country towns, where one could discuss any concerns – in the 1950s I used to regularly chat with CID friends.

I have reminded many people of the travel by car to the west in the 1950s and later, when there were often problems – no different to today – with busy junctions, too much traffic, a breakdown and the like.

How many readers remember where those issues occurred – in many cases a Policeman was there, even for long hours making sure everyone kept moving?

I return to the point of this letter, starting with I am sure, the poor relationship between Highways and our Police – start with the Station Approach and what I consider a dangerous error in the traffic light system.

I took the view of a Police car team, who agreed, but said it will cost a death to get changed.

Please keep that in mind in view of the following in my village on the coast, there was a quite long and straight stretch of road, with grass verges, properties all down one side, and just about as wide as needed for two buses to pass.

That was one of the roads I particularly criticised for lack of any speed control.

In Wokingham, one of our fastest roads is the Reading Road from Holt Lane down to the Woosehill spine road.

On early Christmas Day I was walking down that deserted road, but witnessed two cars, together,

that has left the health service in crisis.

Now seven million people are waiting months and even years for treatment, held back from working and living their lives to the full.

We can’t build a healthy economy without a healthy society.

doing I would claim between 70mph to 80mph on what must be about a 650m stretch.

I say no more, but to wish our police were part of our lives.

Please, all walkers and children be careful, analyse the traffic so that you can make a sensible decision about crossing a road. If you have a group of friends, why not gather them together and put some brain power into assessing safe action?

Reg Clifton Wokingham

Heathrow expansion

In its crude attempt to buy support for its expansion, research reveals that Heathrow has spent £190,000 since December 2019 plying decision makers with gifts.

Let us hope that those decision makers are not being bought, because such growth at the world’s most disruptive airport would cause as much economic damage the UK’s wider aviation sector, as it would wreak environmental damage to the many residential areas in Heathrow’s hinterland.

Even the policy paper supporting expansion envisaged a real terms decline in direct flights to every regional UK airport were Heathrow to expand.

And since then, those guiding the UK’s carbon policy have stated that expanding Heathrow would require reductions of activity at some regional airports, and possibly even their closure; further reducing regional economic opportunity, to the sole advantage of Heathrow’s foreign shareholders.

So, rather than being blinded by Heathrow’s self-interested lobbying, is it not time for decision makers - as well as airport bosses, outside of the South East - to demand a national aviation strategy that can prevent the economic interests of the wider UK from being overlooked by Heathrow’s narrowminded greed?

By all means, decision makers, keep Heathrow’s freebies. But don’t allow yourselves to be bought by Heathrow’s blinkered, selfish vision.

Paul McGuinness, Chair, No 3rd Runway Coalition

paid for by abolishing the non-dom tax status, because patients need treatment more than the wealthiest need a tax break.

WE are only on the third week of 2023 and already Christmas feels like a distant memory.

In the last few days, residents have seen increasing pressure on our much-loved NHS, with a prolonged winter crisis affecting vital services in Berkshire and across the country.

The NHS is in crisis after 13 years of Conservative mismanagement, people are finding it impossible to get a GP appointment or an

operation when they need one.

In an emergency, there’s no guarantee an ambulance will arrive on time if one arrives at all.

Twenty four hours in A&E isn’t just a TV programme, it is the grim reality for patients waiting in pain.

The longer the Conservatives are in power, the longer patients will wait.

The Conservatives blame everything from the weather to the pandemic and even NHS staff.

But it is 13 years of their failure

A Labour government will pull every available lever to get patients treated sooner, including using spare capacity in the private sector. But sticking plasters aren’t enough.

We have to grasp the root cause of the crisis in the NHS.

The next Labour government will train a new generation of doctors, nurses, and midwives to treat patients on time again.

Labour will double the number of medical school places, train 10,000 extra nurses and midwives every year, double the number of district nurses qualifying each year and create 5,000 more health visitors

Labour will put patients first and enable them to easily book appointments to see the doctor they want, in the manner they choose – whether it’s face-to-face, over the phone, or online.

We will make the NHS fit for the future, so it delivers better care for the patient and better value for the taxpayer.

Prevention is better than cure, so we shift the focus of care out of the hospital and into the community, reforming primary care so we can diagnose patients quicker and intervene earlier.

More doctors, more nurses, shorter waiting times, better care. That’s the difference a Labour government will make.

Matt Rodda is the MP for Reading East

Captain Jan Howlin from Wokingham Salvation Army writing on behalf on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

From the chamber

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen

Supporting businesses

MANY of our local businesses received support during the Covid pandemic.

Central Government offered unprecedented levels of financial help to businesses up and down the country so that livelihoods were protected and businesses were able to re-open again once restrictions were lifted.

This included business rate relief, a cut in VAT for hospitality, Government backed loans, one-off grants, re-imbursing statutory sick pay and the Furlough scheme. As the then Conservative-led Council we worked closely with the Government organising covid relief, co-ordinating local services so that businesses and residents got the support they needed. We also worked closely with the

From the chamber

Cllr Sarah Kerr

Thames Valley Berkshire Business Growth Hub, so that local businesses could benefit from bespoke business advice and other forms of business support.

However, business owners, small and large, are ambitious entrepreneurs. They want to succeed and flourish, not rely on Council support and Government handouts.

Starting your own business involves taking risks and working long hours. People do this in the hope that the risk and the hard work will pay off.

They are the lifeblood of our economy, creating jobs and generating the tax revenue that funds public services.

Trying to shop in our local high streets more often, gives a significant boost to our local economy and helps many shops still recovering from the pandemic whilst combatting the rise in online shopping.

Shopping locally can also offer real value for money and the expertise of a

local butcher, for example, can often help your budget go further.

The Council has a very important role to play in ensuring businesses can thrive by creating the right environment and local conditions. When in power Wokingham Conservatives did this by investing in Wokingham town centre through regeneration projects.

The regeneration has created Elms Field and Peach Place, now a popular al fresco dining spot and a vibrant square with a number of independent retailers. We also took the decision to freeze parking charges to encourage shoppers back into our towns once restrictions were lifted.

During our leadership of the Council we always strived to have good communications with local businesses and consult with them on they wanted.

When I and my Conservative colleagues have been speaking to businesses over the last six months or som one of their concerns has been the total lack of engagement from the Liberal Democrat/Labour-run Council.

The Liberal Democrat/Labour Coalition did not consult businesses, or residents, ahead of announcing a doubling of parking charges in town centre car parks and increasing charging hours in the evenings and weekends.

When Conservative Councillors called in this decision to a committee of the Council we were able to hear from local business owners who were

local economy (by attracting people and skills into the area), as well as the social benefits it brings such as improved wellbeing, community cohesion, sense of place and civic pride. Art shouldn’t solely be in galleries, but out in the public domain for all to enjoy.

How the council is supporting residents

AS the country falls into a cost-of-living crisis, you will have been seeing a lot of communications from the council about how we’re striving to work in partnership to protect those in need. You’ll also be reading a number of articles about the financial challenges the council faces.

The council’s financial situation is not exclusive to Wokingham, but is a challenge faced by all local authorities up and down the country.

According to leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP, one in sixlocal authorities will run out of money and be placed in special measures as early as next year without additional income or substantial budget reductions. This will have disastrous consequences for the communities they serve.

Whilst tackling poverty and the cost-of-living crisis is something that my colleague Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth leads on, we work very closely due to the overlap in our portfolios. It’s crucial that when we work to alleviate poverty, we are not simply focused on helping people to survive, but to thrive.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation refers to Minimum Income Standard’ which sets out the living standards we, as a society, agree everyone in the UK should be able to have and participate in society. The cost-of-living crisis will mean that many who have always

been relatively comfortable, will be making some tough decisions and looking for ways of reducing their spending.

Part of my portfolio includes arts and culture. We saw during the pandemic lockdowns just how important arts and culture are to us socially and for our health and wellbeing, let alone the economic importance of the sector (creative industries contributing £111 billion to the UK economy in 2018).

Arts and culture help tackle social injustice by being the beating heart of our towns and communities. Not only do they bring prosperity, they bring communities together and make life worth living.

Arts and culture should be for everyone and having widely available opportunities to participate in (whether that be in a creative capacity or as a consumer) is imperative, even more so during a cost-of-living crisis.

At the council, following consultation with our partners, we produced and adopted our first arts and culture strategy in 2020 and are working with partner organisations to deliver on it. You will most likely have seen that one of our partner organisations, Arts4Wokingham, will be paying for and delivering a landmark public sculpture in Wokingham Town centre, that everyone can access and engage with.

Public art improves the image and identity of an area, boosting the

We are also working on developing a Cultural Educational Partnership which will work to unite and improve cultural education for children and young people in the local area. Arts education helps children increase their chances of going into further education and obtaining employment by developing fundamental cognitive capacities, critical analytical skills, and providing learning experiences that have a significant impact on children’s educational achievement and social development.

We are very much at the start of our journey in terms of arts and cultural development in the area, and are focused on developing partnerships to enhance what Wokingham has to offer, and ensure that arts and culture is for everyone.

Another part of my portfolio is tackling the climate emergency and we are working on a number of initiatives that can help keep costs down for residents in addition to reducing carbon emissions:

We have launched a reusable period product scheme. Switching to reusable products will help households save £120 per year, per person who has a period in the family.

It also minimises waste that cannot be recycled. Working with the Hardship Alliance, First Days and the Foodbank, they will be distributing reusable products for free, and we are working with Maya’s Refillables in Wokingham Town, where there will be a discount scheme to purchase these products;

We have nearly completed a survey of our social housing stock to assess their energy performance. Our aim is to get our stock to have an Energy Performance Certificate type C rating, and we are in the process of applying to the Social Housing Decarbonisation

concerned that the increase in charges would drive down footfall. They were also concerned for their staff who also use the car parks.

Understanding the need for residents and businesses to make their views heard, we consulted by launching a petition which gained over 4,200 signatures and presented it to Council.

While collecting signatures Conservative councillors spoke with a manager of a retail premises who described the Council’s parking policy as “tone deaf”.

Another retailer said they were struggling to break even on Sundays, but they stay open to help the town seem more vibrant, however any less footfall in the town centre would mean they would have to consider closing.

They said the council’s Sunday parking charges are like a “closed for business” sign on the gate of the Town.

This is not what any of us wants for our town centres.

To put up these charges the Council is obliged to publish a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), this is your last chance to respond and influence the decision.

The TRO can now be viewed on the Council’s website, and you can let them know your concerns about the proposed increases by emailing TM.Consultations@ wokingham.gov.uk

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen is the Conservative group leader

Fund for a grant to retrofit some of our properties to achieve this. This will ensure our properties require less energy, and that energy where possible is renewably generated. This not only decreases energy bills but provides energy security and improves the quality of life for our tenants;

We have our Help to Heat Scheme, where we are supporting homeowners on low incomes to utilise the ECO scheme which provides insulation retrofits either for free or heavily subsidised;

We will soon be launching our Home Decarbonisation Scheme that will provide impartial advice on property specific measures to improve the EPC rating for all homeowners in the Borough, and signposting for available funding options;

We are circulating our monthly Climate Emergency newsletter where you can be kept updated with what we’re doing in this area, as well as signposting to available support and advice of practical measures you can take, what our partner organisations are doing, and case studies of what our residents are doing to tackle the climate emergency. You can sign up via www.wokingham.gov.uk/emailnewsletters. If you would like to feature in our newsletter, then please contact the Climate Emergency Team at climate.emergency@wokingham. gov.uk.

Please also check out the latest Climate Emergency Action Plan progress report which was approved at Council on September 22, last year. The progress report contains the latest updates on our progress in delivering the Climate Emergency Action Plan and how we can do as much as we can to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.

The good news is that measures that help reduce our carbon footprint also help with the cost-of-living crisis.

Cllr Sarah Kerr is executive member for Climate Emergency and Resident Services on Wokingham Borough Council

From the leader

has been a palpable change’

DURING the last year or so

Wokingham Borough Council have been reviewed by the Local Government Association.

This is something that happens every so often.

Former Chief officers from other councils, Council leaders and officials from the LGA spend time in an authority learning how they work and how decisions are made and how councillors interact with officers.

They then write a report which highlights good practise and suggests possible improvements to the way the council operates.

The initial meetings which took place over a few days happened in November 2021, under the previous administration.

The original challenge team made five key recommendations including: a commitment to co-producing a long-term vision for the borough with partners, ensuring there is capacity in core corporate areas and recognising the council’s leadership role, including sometimes taking criticism and making tough decisions.

An action plan was put in place.

The May 2022 elections resulted in a new administration running the Council. After 20 years, the Conservatives had lost control of the Council and the new administration was now run by the Liberal Democrats.

The review team returned to Wokingham in October last year for an update on progress following their visit in 2021 and to see how the officers and the new administration were working together. The report from the follow u[ meeting notes that the independent reviews found improvements in a number of areas.

The peer review’s feedback states: “The Peer Team observed that there has been a palpable and positive change at Wokingham, in tone, style and purpose and felt that they were encountering a council that was very different to a year ago which is a credit to the work of both officers and members.

“The council has clearly embraced the issues they were facing at the time of the original peer challenge and turned them into opportunities using the financial position and a change in political control as an impetus for change.”

I, my Executive, as well as senior officers at WBC, feel that it is important to learn from others and I am pleased the peer review team has seen improvements in the council.

They noted in particular that the new Lib Dem administration don’t shy away from difficult decisions and, given the difficult national economic position, that is very important.

We are doing all we can to ensure we have a balance budget for 2023/24 which doesn’t take money from the general reserve. last year the Conservatives took £2.2m from the general reserves to balance the books.

Currently general reserves are forecast to be under £8m, which we are working hard to bringing back to £9m by the end of the year.

I would urge anybody interested in how we are working to make things better for residents to read this Peer review report.

It is encouraging these independent assessors have found we are going in right direction and have improved against their recommendations, but we are not complacent and will continue to work with our partners for the good of all our residents.

The LGA Corporate Peer Review Challenge –Progress Review is published with the Executive committee agenda on the council’s website and will be discussed at the meeting of the Executive next week.

Cllr Clive Jones

‘There

Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council

BUSINESSTODAY

In association with Blandy & Blandy

ROCP invests in Readingbased measurable.energy as part of £4.5m fundraiser

SOME bright sparks are celebrating as their high-tech power sockets have attracted a significant investment to help it grow.

measurable.energy is an awardwinning start-up technology firm that designs and manufactures smart, machine learning-enabled power sockets that can reduce the energy costs of commercial buildings by more than 20%.

Customers include Kier Group, University of Reading, and Reading Borough Council.

Formed in 2018, the company aims to help reduce small power waste – energy not required by devices that are plugged in or directly wired, such as printers, AV equipment, chilled/hot water taps, monitors, and heaters, which are often left fully on or in standby mode overnight.

According to measurable. energy’s analysis, up to 40% of total electricity usage in most commercial office buildings can be attributed to this type of use.

The sockets automatically identify a device that is plugged in, monitor the device’s energy use, report granular real-time data, and can automatically turn the device off and on to avoid wasted energy.

To help measurable.energy expand, it has received a share of a £4.5million investment round from RO Capital Partners (“ROCP”), alongside Clean Growth Fund,

Vectr7 Investment Partners LLP, and MMC Ventures as part of a £4.5m Series A funding round.

They join existing investor Bonheur ASA, the Norwegian-listed holding company with interests in renewable energy and shipping.

Edward Rowlandson, Group Managing Director, the RO, said: “As a landlordm measurable. energy’s solution was immediately attractive to us.

Initially as an early customer of the business we are now delighted to have invested in measurable. energy, for two important reasons.

“Firstly, we are all facing alarmingly high costs of energy, and secondly we are acutely aware of the need to reduce energy use from an environmental perspective. measurable.energy’s solution is a step in the right direction on both of these fronts.”

Dan Williams, CEO and cofounder of measurable.energy, said the company offered a simple solution for office occupiers who want to reduce emissions.

“Our solution can pay back financially within two years and allows business customers to reduce their electricity bills by at least 20%,” he said.

“With the welcome support of our new investors, we are in a stronger position to accelerate our commercial sales in the UK and global markets, as well as plan our entry into the residential market.”

Rygor opens new stateof-the-art commercial vehicle dealership

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today

A COMMERCIAL vehicle dealership in Reading has opened its new state-of-theart facility.

Rygor Commercials’ new £2 million home is located on Worton Grange Industrial Park, a short way from their existing Rose Kiln Lane site.

The new dealership offers increased space for manoeuvrability and modern facilities, for an improved customer experience.

There is also an increase in workshop bays and extended opening hours

Sean Joyce, aftersales director at Rygor Reading, explained that although some things have changed, the service will remain the same.

“What hasn’t changed is our amazing team,” he said.

“They are on hand – as always – to keep customers at the heart of everything they do, from first contact to the successful completion of a first-fix visit.

“Our whole team looks forward to welcoming customers to our fantastic new site.”

Andy Chaloner, parts manager at Rygor Reading, started at the company in 1988, and has seen them go from humble beginnings in Wokingham to playing a part in designing the new facility.

“We were in a single workshop with a small parts department in Wokingham.

“In 2008 we moved to our current Rose Kiln Lane site with two workshops and a much bigger parts department.

“This was a great improvement, but we outgrew the site, especially the parking,” he said.

“Our new site is bigger than both previous sites put together with much more internal space and parking.

“I was pleased our directors gave me the opportunity to use my 41 years of parts experience to design the layout of the parts department, in the footprint supplied by the architect.”

There is now a separate van and truck workshop

counter service, with a dedicated parts hub for Mr Chaloner and his team.

The dedicated truck workshop is able to fully maintain electric vehicles and it is complete with two separate pits, an ATF lane, tacho facilities and hard standing in the workshop area for larger trucks.

The site also features a specialist van workshop, so Rygor’s LCV customers will benefit from a bespoke MOT lane, and a ‘fast fit’ area focusing on express maintenance such as wiper blade changes, tyre tracking and wheel changes.

In addition to the aftersales and maintenance capability, those looking to buy a new or used MercedesBenz van will be welcomed

to the site’s new sales showroom.

John Keogh, Rygor’s new managing director, said: “Our new showroom in Reading is the perfect shop window for the impressive range of traditional and electric vans, and our expert sales team continues to work with our customers, to offer forwardthinking and value-added vehicle solutions to meet their business needs.

“I know our Reading team is really looking forward to the start of an exciting new chapter at this incredible new site, and we can’t wait to hear what they have to say about working there, and also what our customers have to say about visiting.”

n For more information, visit: rygor.co.uk

Business breakfast event later this month

A BUSINESS breakfast is taking place in Wokingham later this month.

Hosted by Wokingham Positive Difference, the New Year Strategy Focus will take place at the Wokingham Town Hall.

Janet Collyer, an advocate, mentor and driver of career promotion for women in engineering roles, has been confirmed as a keynote speaker for the event.

She also serves as a non-executive director at EnSilica and is an

experienced technology group director, leading teams globally, and driving the creation and execution

of bespoke approaches that deliver business revenue growth.

The morning includes open networking, a buffet breakfast, news updates from the team, local businesses and community groups.

The event starts at 8am and tickets must be booked in advance.

Admission for members cost £17 and non-members cost £22.

n For more information, or to book a ticket, visit: eventbrite.co.uk

GOOD ENERGY: measurable.energy’s smart power sockets can reduce energy use by 20%

MODERN HOME: Rygor Commercials new base on the Worton Grange Industrial park Picture: Rygor Commercials Reading

Police appeal for witnesses following bank robbery

n From front page

He continued: “Detectives and uniformed police officers are at the scene conducting a meticulous investigation while also supporting those involved and offering reassurance to the community.

“I would like to appeal for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact us on 101 or via our website, quoting reference number 43230025811.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have footage from mobile phones or dash cams.

“Enquiries suggest a blue BMW and a darkcoloured Vauxhall Zafira left the area at the time of the incident and I’m keen to identify anyone who saw these vehicles.”

The investigation included visiting shops in the town to speak with staff members on duty, and interviewing shoppers who had parked their cars in the Crockhamwell Road car park.

The area was taped off to allow police to conduct their enquiries.

Local policing area commander for Bracknell and Wokingham, Superintendent Andrew Cranidge, said: “I understand this incident may be concerning but we believe there is no wider threat to the community.

“We responded immediately, quickly made one arrest and our investigation will continue.

“There will be an increased police presence while officers conduct their enquiries.

“Anyone with concerns is more than welcome to speak to one of our uniformed officers.”

Council criticised for lack of consultation over homes plan

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

AN APPLICATION to build five houses on an area of land in Finchampstead has been criticised for a lack of consultation

The application from Bancroft Developments would see five dwellings with double garages built on land to the rear of 6 Johnson Drive, across 1.4 hectares.

The land has been subject to many applications in the past, the earliest in 1988. One planning officer described its history as “extensive”.

The most recent, in 2019, for 25 houses was dismissed at appeal on the grounds of detrimental impact upon the character of the locality and as it would not encourage the use of sustainable transport modes.

Aerial images show it has recently been used to store scrap vehicles, most of which have now been removed.

Cllr Charles Margetts, Conservative councillor for Finchampstead North, described the site as “controversial”, and said he was concerned about the process followed for the latest application.

“It has excluded the resident

by accident or intention at every stage,” he explained.

“Wokingham Borough Council claim to have sent letters to 51 neighbours who border the site. I have personally spoken to 18 of them and not one received a letter.

“The people who have responded found out by chance or via discussions with me. It is perfectly possible that there could be neighbours of this site today who have no knowledge of the application. This is unacceptable.”

Cllr Margetts said he raised this with officers who agreed to extend the consultation to Monday, January 9, two days before the application was reviewed at a planning committee meeting.

He felt this was not a sufficient time to review all responses.

“Residents were keen for their comments to be assessed and also wanted to discuss planning conditions to ensure they were protected during any possible construction process,” he said.

“I approached senior officers, the head of the planning committee, Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey and the lead member for planning, Cllr Lindsay Ferris, to ask them to

put the planning committee back a month to allow proper resident consultation – they all refused.

“It seems as if nothing was meant to get in the way of this site being approved for planning.”

Simon Taylor, a planning officer at Wokingham Borough Council, said the council had done “more than it was obliged to do” to ensure residents’ views were heard by extending the consultation.

He added: “The statement of community involvement requires the council to notify adjoining landowners. In this case that would be properties in Tomlinson Drive and the applicant’s own property.

“This has gone to 51 properties, primarily on the basis there is a long history with the site.

“Residents are aware of the application. There has been consultation occurring and that has occurred in accordance with our statement of community involvement.”

Mr Taylor said letters had left the council but not reached some residents, something he was “not in a position to comment on”.

Despite being recommended for approval, the planning committee

defered it so conditions around working hours and other issues could be addressed.

Cllr Margetts fears the lack of a Wokingham local plan makes it “more difficult” for the council to win planning appeals

“This is a remarkably frustrating story,” he said. “This site has been subject to eight previous planning applications in the last 20 years, it is in the countryside and outside the settlement boundary in the last local plan.

“It is also not allocated for development in the Finchampstead neighbourhood development plan.

“The council has been able to defend this site and win planning appeals in the past as it had a live local plan. The old plan has lapsed and the new plan has been put on hold which means a lot of the protection on this site has gone.”

Cllr Margetts’ attention will now turn to ensuring any development adheres to planning conditions.

He said: “My intention now is to work with my residents to get the best possible planning conditions inserted into the agreement so they have maximum possible protection from this development.”

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

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

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

£10 per person discount quote: 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 £285 per person – price includes a full English breakfast and a four course dinner freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.

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

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

£10 per person discount quote: WEB

Shinfield residents to spend night under stars to help Ukrainians

EXCLUSIVE

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today

SHINDFIELD resident will be swapping their beds for blankets, in a unique event to raise money for Ukrainians in the UK and those back home.

Shinfield Parish Council’s Sleep Out for Ukraine will see the School Green Centre house members of the community for the night, providing an opportunity to socialise with friends and neighbours, while also raising funds for the community.

The community event will see participants dig out their sleeping bags and take a small glimpse into the conditions many will have, and still are, living through in cities such as Kiev and Kharkiv.

It will be held almost a year to the day of the start of Putin’s illegal invasion of our European neighbour.

Troops started their attack on February 24.

Since then, the country has seen systematic destruction as Russian soldiers attack homes, schools and hospitals.

Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced, and Berkshire has helped by opening homes to those fleeing the war.

Efforts have been centred around the work of the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, in Sidmouth Street.

It has organised aid convoys, financial collections and supported refugees as they arrive in the area, to help them settle with host families and learn more about the support and benefits available to them.

Others have also tried to help.

Before Christmas, Woodley resident Ronnie Goodberry organised another delivery of aid to help Ukrainians, including those in orphanages. Items included toiletries, treats and blankets.

The Shinfield Sleep Out is an extension of this desire from Wokingham and Reading-area residents to support Ukraine.

The idea was conceived by

Call to dispose of waste correctly

RESIDENTS and businesses have been asked to take care when undertaking New Year clean-ups.

Wokingham Borough Council is reminding people that they are responsible if they, or a hired unlicensed contractor, disposes of their waste in an unlawful manner, and could receive a fine.

The council has cited incidents of fly-tipping across the borough which it has had to clear up at the taxpayer’s expense.

Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, said: “These selfish acts cost us considerably at a time when our operating costs are rising and we’re working hard to protect vital frontline services.

“They also cause great inconvenience, just as they do for landowners who find someone has dumped their waste and left them to clear it up.

“Anyone considering leaving goods outside a charity shop should think again as, while you may have good intentions, it’s still fly-tipping.

“Please wait until someone in the shop can have a look, rather than dumping items they may not want and will have to pay to dispose of.”

The Council insisted that culprits would be traced and, where possible, action taken. Its anti-social behaviour enforcement team regularly

attends fly-tips to collect evidence and CCTV cameras have been installed at known hot spots.

Fly-tippers can be fined thousands of pounds in court and so can customers if they hire a trader who doesn’t have a valid Waste Carrier’s Licence, which can be checked on the Environment Agency or Right Waste Right Place website.

The council could instead issue a fixed penalty notice of £300 or £400.

In some instances, prosecution

can lead to up to 12 months’ imprisonment if the case is heard in a magistrates’ court or up to five years if it goes to Crown court.

Residents can take their waste and recycling to the re3 recycling centres in Longshot Lane, Bracknell and Smallmead, Reading or use the council’s large unwanted items service, which costs £56 to dispose of up to five large items.

n Residents can report instances of fly-tipping on the council’s website: www.wokingham.gov.uk

Jahromi, who visited Ukraine last year, and wanted to raise awareness of their people’s continued plight.

Parish clerk Bruce Winton explained: “Cllr Jahromi saw the challenges people are facing in Ukraine and was vociferous in helping out and making a difference.

“We want people to come along, interact with each other and meet new people.”

The event won’t just be an opportunity to catch up on some kip.

There will be all kinds of entertainments available, including a band, who will play traditional music.

Organisers will offer a soup kitchen to keep spirits up.

Breakfast rolls served in the morning.

Mr Winton mentioned he had previous experience organising similar events which had proved to be successful and hopes this sleep out will go down just as well.

Participants are asked to make a donation of £20 to a Ukrainian charity of their choice and are encouraged to get friends and family to sponsor their efforts.

A sponsorship form is available on the parish council’s website.

The Shinfield parish clerk invites Ukrainians living in the area to join them on the night to help raise awareness of their experiences.

The event is open to all and takes place at 6.45pm on on Friday, February 3. Attendees must sign up online. n For more information or to register, visit: www. shinfieldparish.gov.uk/sleep-outfor-ukraine

A FILM screening looking the impact the British Empire has over life today will be coming to Reading next week.

Boomerang uses the Liverpool Docks as a case study for changes to the economy.

It explores industrialisation, the legacies of the empire, and argues that they are having an effect on the country’s finances.

The film is shown at RISC in London Street from 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 25, from 7.30pm. Entry is free and donations are welcomed.

It is organised by the Reading branch of Climate Justice.

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

Docks inspiration for film screening Street closure

SWALLOWFIELD residents may be required to find alternative routes due to a road closure.

The Street, Swallowfield, will be closed between Basingstoke Road and Trowes Lane on Tuesday, January 24.

The closure will allow Wokingham Borough Council to carry out structural maintenance resurfacing.

The works are expected to be completed by the end of the day.

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

parish councillor Peyman

SUPPORT: Shinfield Parish Council is organising a sleep out for Ukraine to raiseness of its people’s continued struggles. Picture: Max Kukurudziak

TIDY UP: Wokingham Borough Council is urging residents to dispose of waste in a lawful manner. Picture: John Cameron

New lounge will be full of COATS

A CROWTHORNE day centre for senior citizens has opened a new communal space.

COATS, based on Pinewood Avenue, has launched its new Front Lounge for visitors to enjoy a range of activities.

The room is 12 ft by 26 ft, and can be furnished with tables and chairs for an afternoon of board games, or cleared of furniture to accommodate for activities such as tai chi or pilates.

There is a large screen TV, wi-fi and a small number of car parking spaces, with tea and coffee facilities available for a contribution to the charity.

Groups who wish to use this facility must comprise mainly of people over the age of 65. Any business looking to use the room are asked to make a donation to the charity for each session, following a trial period.

It is open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm and Friday 9am to 2pm.

Guided tours are available for any prospective users

n For more information, or to arrange a visit, contact David Wilson via email at: david@coatscrowthorne.org.uk

Thames Valley Chorus to hold an open rehearsal

THAMES Valley Chorus is welcoming potential new members next week.

The choir has resumed rehearsals after a busy Christmas schedule in which they entertained audiences at six events across four counties.

As an all-male choir their style of close-harmony, a cappella singing is always popular with audiences, and this Christmas period was no exception.

The guys in the chorus enjoy the festive period as they can mix their Christmas repertoire with some popular classics.

But after a festive break, TVC is now embarking on learning a couple of new songs for its national competition at Bournemouth in May.

For any men thinking about starting a new singing hobby, organisers say that this is a great time to come along and give it a go.

While visitors are welcome at any time, the Chorus is holding an open rehearsal starting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 24.

Visitors will be able to participate in the session, giving them a chance to sing.

Organisers say that if you can’t read music, don’t worry – many existing members don’t either, but they do have the benefit of specially-produced learning materials in the form of vocal teach tracks to help earn their part.

Fears over whether songs may be too low or too high can be quashed: with four-part close harmony there will be a voice part to suit every male vocal range.

The rehearsals take place in the canteen at Bulmershe School, off Chequers Way in Woodley RG5 3EH.

n For more details, or to register, log on to: www.tvchorus.co.uk

Jane Austen’s schooldays revealed

AT Wargrave Local History Society’s January meeting, Joy Pibworth gave an illustrated presentation about the time when the author Jane Austen was at school in Reading.

Education was not regulated in the 18th century, and parents of children like Jane might keep them at home, where their mother might teach them reading, arithmetic and household management, or they might have a governess.

Jane was the seventh of eight children, with six brothers.

Her sister, Cassandra, was two years older than her, and it was because of Cassandra that Jane attended school. Their cousin, Jane Cooper, was two years older than Cassandra, and as these two girls spent time together, it was decided they should attend the same school.

Jane Austen (then aged seven) was unhappy about this, so persuaded her parents that she should also attend. There were family connections to Oxford, and so that was where the girls were sent, living with and taught by Mrs Cawley, widow of the Principal of Brasenose College (and distantly related to the girls).

Mrs Cawley’s husband left her some household items, but his money went to his siblings, so in 1783 she relocated to Southampton. However, just as Mrs Cawley and the girls moved there, thousands of troops returned to England from the Siege of Gibraltar.

They were riddled with disease, especially typhus, which the three girls caught. However, Mrs Cawley did not tell the girls’ parents, so Jane Cooper wrote to her mother, and the girls were moved away. Sadly, Mrs Cooper died of typhus soon afterwards.

Jane Cooper’s father, Edward, became vicar of Sonning. He wanted his daughter to be schooled nearby, and the Austen’s were happy to do the same, having family living at Scarlett’s in Wargrave who could provide a ‘safety net’.

Many small schools advertised in the Reading Mercury, including one in 1781 for a school run by a Mrs Spencer, known as The Ladies Boarding School in the Forbury.

Following Mrs Spencer’s death, Sarah Latournelle - principal assistant to Mrs Spencer for 27 yearstook over the school. Sarah Hackitt, from London, had been employed as a French teacher, even though not speaking French, becoming Sarah Latournelle in order to have a French sounding name.

The school was housed in the Abbey gateway in the Forbury and an adjacent building, and it was here that the three girls were sent from July 1785 until December 1786.

Sarah Latournelle was rather old-fashioned, but showed a maternal instinct, serving toast and butter to girls used to having dry bread. There were about 40 girls, who slept in a building to one side of the gateway, dating from the 1600s. Behind the school were gardens which the girls were allowed to walk around, and girls could watch and listen to people nearby – maybe source material for the authoress, and Jane Austen, her sister and cousin, seemed to have enjoyed their time in there.

More details of the Wargrave Local History Society can be found at www.wargravehistory.org. uk - or email info@wargravehistory.org.uk to confirm meeting details

PETER DELANEY

Church to mark lunar new year

A CHURCH in Finchampstead plans to celebrate the Chinese lunar new year.

It’s the year of the rabbit, and with a number of families from Hong Kong among its congregation, Finchampstead Baptist Church is excited to mark the event.

Festivities will include lanterns, Chinese decorations, traditional snacks, and craft activities for children.

Sam, guest services co-ordinator at the church, says: “After our usual service we’ll meet in the café area.

“There will be food treats, and children will be able to make paper lanterns.

“It’s a chance for us to celebrate with our wonderful Hong Kong community.

“They’ve been here for over a year now, and we’re pleased to stand with them in celebration.

“They will be making the traditional food, as members of the team who are organising the event.”

Last year was the year of the tiger, but 2023 focuses on the rabbit, specifically the water rabbit.

Traditionally, each animal has a different significance.

The rabbit is seen as a peaceful, patient and hopeful creature.

It symbolizes longevity, positivity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture.

“Last year one or two hundred people came to enjoy the celebrations,” Sam says.

“We’re looking forward to repeating the fun again this year, and we’d love people to join us.”

The service at Finchampstead Baptist Church takes place at the FBC Centre, Gorse Ride on Sunday, January 22.

It starts at 10.30am with celebrations at around 11.30am.

Everyone is welcome to the free event. There is no need to book, and people can just turn up.

n For more information, visit: www.finchampstead. com/church

Call for people to attend January volunteer recruitment fair – it could change lives, say organisers

ARE you looking for a New Year’s Resolution this year, you actually want to keep?

Volunteering is an amazing way to give something back while giving you so much more in return.

Whether you want to gain new skills, get fresh air and exercise, build your confidence, add to your CV, help a cause you believe in or just doing something different, volunteering can tick all of these boxes and more.

To help you find the right organisation and role for you, the Wokingham Volunteer Centre is hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Fair at Wokingham Town Hall on Saturday, January 28, from 10am1pm.

The event is free to the general public and no booking is required, just drop in for an informal chat with local charities.

The charities attending are very varied, as are the roles, which can fit around work, family and other commitments.

Among those attending are:

the Link Visiting Scheme, which provides befrienders for elderly people who have become isolated;

The Wokingham

for elderly clients for medical appointments and social trips; ABC to Read, which provides trained volunteers to local schools to read with primary school children; Cianna’s Smile, supporting families living with Sickle Cell Anaemia; Green ‘n’ Tidy gardening Scheme, which provides volunteer gardeners for those who are elderly and vulnerable; Homestart, which provides friendship, support and advice to families in need; SAFE, which supports rescue and rehome abandoned and neglected horses in the local area; Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue, which provides trained volunteers to search for high risk vulnerable missing persons; and First Days, who support families who are living with a low income or are experiencing financial hardship n To find out more volunteering in general, visit: www.

volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk, call Wokingham Volunteer Centre on 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@ wok-vol.org.uk

and Earley Transport Scheme, which providers volunteers drivers for transport

READING PUPIL: Jane Austen Picture: Wargrave Local History Society

NEW: The Front Lounge can be organised to suit and is available Monday to Friday Picture: COATS

Classifieds

PUBLICNOTICES

ROADTRAFFICREGULATIONACT1984

WOKINGHAMBOROUGHCOUNCIL (KIRTONSFARMROAD,PINGEWOOD)

(TEMPORARYPROHIBITIONOFDRIVING)ORDER2023

NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatonthe12thJanuary2023WokinghamBoroughCouncil asTrafficAuthoritymadeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoadTraffic RegulationAct1984theeffectofwhichistoprohibitanyvehiclefromproceeding along:

KirtonsFarmRoad,PingewoodforitsentiretybetweenitsjunctionswithWest BerkshireBoroughBoundaryandReadingBoroughBoundary.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaBerry’s Lane,BurghfieldRoad,AmnersFarmRoad,PingewoodRoadSouthandKybesLaneor bythisrouteinreverse.

Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplacebetween25thJanuaryand27thJanuary 2023.

ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowGroundControlLimitedcontractorsto undertakecutbackoftreesandvegetationinsafety.

Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithintheboundariesoftheserestrictionswillbe maintainedatalltimes.

TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapplyduringthoseperiodswhentraffic signscomplyingwiththeTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections2016are lawfullydisplayed.

TherestrictionscontainedintheOrdershallcomeintooperationonthe25thJanuary 2023andshallcontinueinforceforaperiodnotexceeding18monthsoruntilthe workshavebeencompleted,whicheveristheearlier.

Dated:19thJanuary2023

ChrisEaston

AssistantDirector–HighwaysandTransport

WokinghamBoroughCouncil

CivicOffices

ShuteEnd Wokingham BerkshireRG401WL

ROADTRAFFICREGULATIONACT1984 WOKINGHAMBOROUGHCOUNCIL (EASTHAMPSTEADROADANDB3349BARKHAMROAD, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARYPROHIBITIONOFDRIVING)ORDER2023

NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatonthe12thJanuary2023WokinghamBoroughCouncil asTrafficAuthoritymadeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoadTraffic RegulationAct1984theeffectofwhichistoprohibitanyvehiclefromproceeding along:

WarrenHouseRoad,WokinghambetweenitsjunctionswithNevilleCloseand KeephatchRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaDiamond JubileeWay,WheelerAvenueandKeephatchRoadorbythisrouteinreverse.

Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplacebetween23rdJanuaryand27thJanuary 2023.

ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowBTcontractorstoundertakeducting,core drillingandotherassociatedworkinsafety.

Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithintheboundariesoftheserestrictionswillbe maintainedatalltimes.

TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapplyduringthoseperiodswhentraffic signscomplyingwiththeTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections2016are lawfullydisplayed.

TherestrictionscontainedintheOrdershallcomeintooperationonthe23rdJanuary 2023andshallcontinueinforceforaperiodnotexceeding18monthsoruntilthe workshavebeencompleted,whicheveristheearlier.

Dated:19thJanuary2023

ChrisEaston

AssistantDirector–HighwaysandTransport WokinghamBoroughCouncil CivicOffices ShuteEnd Wokingham BerkshireRG401WL

NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatWokinghamBoroughCouncilasTrafficAuthority proposestomakeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoadTrafficRegulationAct 1984theeffectofwhichistoprohibitanyvehiclefromproceedingalong:

1.AldbourneAvenue,EarleybetweenitsjunctionswithA329WokinghamRoadand RamsburyDrive.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaA329 WokinghamRoad,B3350WildernessRoadandRamsburyDriveorbythisroutein reverse.

Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplacebetween6thFebruaryand10th February2023.

2.VictoriaRoad,WargravebetweenitsjunctionswithB477SchoolHillandBlakes Road.

ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaB477School Hill,B477MumberyHill,A4BathRoad,BlakesLaneandBlakesRoadorbythisroutein reverse.

Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplacebetween7thFebruaryand9thFebruary 2023.

ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowThamesWatercontractorstoundertake waterrelayandassociatedworksinsafety.

Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithintheboundariesoftheserestrictionswillbe maintainedatalltimes.

TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapplyduringthoseperiodswhentraffic signscomplyingwiththeTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections2016are lawfullydisplayed.

TherestrictionscontainedintheOrdershallcomeintooperationonthe6thFebruary 2023andshallcontinueinforceforaperiodnotexceeding18monthsoruntilthe workshavebeencompleted,whicheveristheearlier.

ROADTRAFFICREGULATIONACT1984 WOKINGHAMBOROUGHCOUNCIL (EASTHAMPSTEADROADANDB3349 BARKHAMROAD,WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARYPROHIBITIONOF DRIVING)ORDER2023

NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatonthe12thJanuary 2023WokinghamBoroughCouncilasTrafficAuthority madeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoad TrafficRegulationAct1984theeffectofwhichisto prohibitanyvehiclefromproceedingalong:

1.EasthampsteadRoad,Wokinghamandfora distanceof20moneithersideofthelevelcrossing Thealternativerouteforallnorthboundvehicles affectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaOldWokingham Road,PeacockLane,VigarWay,JennettsPark Roundabout,BerkshireWay,A329LondonRoad,A329 PeachStreetandEasthampsteadRoad.

Thealternativerouteforallsouthboundvehicles affectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaEasthampstead Road,A329PeachStreet,A329BroadStreet,A329 RectoryRoad,A329WiltshireRoad,A329London Road,BerkshireWay,JennettsParkRoundabout,Vigar Way,PeacockLaneandOldWokinghamRoad.

Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplacebetween 12thFebruaryand17thFebruary2023and24th Februaryand26thFebruary2023between23:00and 22:00.

2.B3349BarkhamRoad,Wokinghambetweenits junctionswithOxfordRoadandA321WellingtonRoad.

Thealternativerouteforallcarsandlightvehicles (Northbound)affectedbythisrestrictionshallbe viaB3349BarkhamRoad, MollyMillarsLane,A321FinchampsteadRoad andA321WellingtonRoad

Thealternativerouteforallcarsandlightvehicles (Southbound)affectedbythisrestrictionshallbevia StationApproach,A329ReadingRoad,A321Station Road,A321WellingtonRoad,A321Finchampstead Road,MollyMillarsLaneandB3349BarkhamRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallHGV’s(Northbound) affectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaB3349Barkham Road,BearwoodRoad,B3030KingStreet Lane,A329ReadingRoadandA321StationRoad.

ThealternativerouteforallHGV’s(Southbound) affectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaStation Approach,A329ReadingRoad,B3030KingStreet Lane,BearwoodRoadandB3349BarkhamRoad.

Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplacebetween 28thJanuaryand30thJanuary2023and12thFebruary and17thFebruary2023between23:00and22:00.

ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowNetwork Railcontractorstoundertakeaccessingtherailwayvia thelevelcrossingwithheavymachineryinsafety.

Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithinthe boundariesoftheserestrictionswillbemaintainedatall times.

TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapply duringthoseperiodswhentrafficsignscomplyingwith theTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections 2016arelawfullydisplayed.

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Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

‘I’m not quite a Spice Girl’

The Circle’s Tom Houghton talks comedy, reality, and taxidermy

COMEDIAN Tom Houghton has just starred in the latest series of the American version of Netflix’s reality show, The Circle, now in its fifth season.

He has also just begun his biggest live tour to date, with more than 60 shows lined up over the next couple of month – including two in Reading alone.

“Last year’s tour was 22 dates,” he says. “This one is 44 dates, and we’ve just added about 20 more.

“It’s very nice that I can now say it’s due to phenomenal demand–the words every every performer wants to say at one point.

“I’ve been absolutely blown away by the response, and we’re very proud.”

The tour kicks off in Reading with a now-sold-out show at South Street Arts Centre, but is set to return in June.

“Reading last year was one of my favourite gigs, and the audience were really positive.” Tom says.

“I remember it was an early gig last year, as well – I think it was probably the show where I first thought ‘Oh, that really feels like it’s clicked.’

“And when you get a good experience out of a place, you want to go back, so Reading was top of the list for venues I wanted to return to.”

Just as his tour is kicking off, The Circle is set to conclude.

The show saw Tom, along with fellow contestants, thrown into an apartment building in Salford and isolated for the duration of the show.

In the show, contestants only interact with one another through the social media of the The Circle itself, with each player uploading a profile and posting messages in group chats and private messages.

It gives many players the opportunity to hide who they are and catfish other contestants, or choose to be their authentic selves in a competition which sees the player voted most popular winning $100,000.

Speaking on the timing of the show airing, Tom says: “I’d love to say it was planned, but we filmed the show about a year ago.

“They filmed two series back to back, but the other one was pushed forward to have the Spice Girls on it.

“And I hope you won’t mind me saying – I can sell out Reading, but I’m still not quite a Spice Girl.

“So I have to thank Mel B and Emma Bunton, really, for helping me out.”

The Circle was originally broadcast by Channel 4 before spawning a number of international and celebrity versions.

While the UK version no longer airs, Tom took part in the US version.

“I thought because Netflix had bought it off Channel 4 I was being flown to LA and that I’d be having an amazing holiday.

“Turns out it’s cheaper for them to fly the Americans over here rather than recreate an entire hotel over there.

“So I was pretty gutted when I found it was in Salford – but it doesn’t really matter, since all you do is stay in a hotel room, you can’t go out.”

As a touring comedian, he says: “Thankfully, I’ve spent a lot of long dark nights of the soul in hotel rooms, normally crying with a takeaway, but this was a different vibe.

“The hardest thing about it as a comedian is that because you haven’t got an audience to interact with, you’re saying these lines and not getting any feedback, so you’ve got no idea if you’re what you’re saying is funny.”

Much like stand-up over Zoom during the lockdowns in the last few years, The Circle doesn’t entirely lend itself to nuanced performance.

“That’s the thing about comedy, even as opposed to being an actor in a play where the audience stares at you, whereas comedy you get reviewed every few seconds.

“Every time you tell a joke on stage there’s immediate validation, which is why I enjoy doing comedy, so it just means you second guess yourself in your head all the time.”

Speaking on whether his experience as a comedian gave him something of an edge in the show, he said: “It still throws curveballs at you.

“There were people like Brett who was in Big Brother, and Shooby was a previous contestant and he’s now come back on, so he obviously knows exactly what he was doing.

“But I’ve also appeared on TV with Comedy Central, and even some reality too – I’ve done First Dates, which is all about you being yourself in a live environment. But the situation is definitely unique.”

He says that he also brings a lot of himself to his stand-up: “My comedy is quite honest, it’s very much me.

“When you’re performing you can’t help but be a slightly performative version of yourself, and when you’re meeting new people in real life, I’d say most people slightly put on something or other.

“I would say that my my style of comedy definitely lends itself to being on reality TV, because I think it is essentially just me being honest and truthful.”

His upcoming tour, titled Absolute Shambles, is no different: “It starts just before lockdown is arriving, where I had a breakup with a girlfriend, my agent dropped me and my career got taken away.

“Obviously, tiny violins, I know that people had it way worse than me, but of course it’s all relative.

“But then after lockdown, after crying a lot and getting therapy, and things started to blow up, so it covers my recovery, and I think it can be quite therapeutic.”

He says that we can expect “quite a varied bunch of stuff” from the show.

“I think I’ll touch on The Circle, and there’s definitely a lot about taxidermy, if you’re into that– I don’t think anyone else is doing much taxidermy material.

“The nice thing about doing shows about living in the Tower of London is that if other comedians start doing bits about living in the Queen’s garden and next door to a beefeater, I can tell it’s been taken.”

n Tom Houghton: Absolute Shambles is showing at South Street Arts Centre on Thursday, June 22.

n For tickets and further information about the tour, visit: whatsonreading. com.

JAKE CLOTHIER

Wassail will see two bands come together

REVELLERS can enjoy a musical Celtic blessing of the fruit trees.

The Wassail sees two bands merge for a traditional night in praise of apples and pears, with a modern twist.

Two bands perform: Celtic-inspired psy-folk band Flautatious, and Spriggan Mist, folk rock band with sword wielding tribal belly dancers.

One or two other special guests are also expected to appear throughout the evening, which is hosted by Wokingham Music Club.

The celebration takes place at the Royal British Legion, Woodward Close, Winnersh.

Doors open on Friday, January 27 at 8pm.

n Advance tickets cost £16, and can be purchased by searching for Wokingham Music Club at: www.ticketsource.co.uk

Church group to swap pulpit for pantomime

A NEW year laugh will raise funds for charity.

Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk, promises to put smiles on people’s faces.

It contains all the usual classic panto fun, with singing, dancing, goodies and baddies, a dame, and lots of slapstick and jokes to liven up the darkest month of the year.

Proceeds from the show will support First Days Children’s Charity.

Jack And The Beanstalk can be seen at Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Wokingham, on Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29.

Performances are on Saturday at 3pm and 7pm, and on Sunday at 3pm.

Tickets cost £5.

n For tickets and information, visit: beanstalkpanto.eventbrite.co.uk

Heartbreaker with a violin

LADIES In Lavender is the poignant tale of two older spinster sisters who discover a young man washed up on a Cornish beach.

Nursing him back to health, they realise he is a concert violinist whose music can break hearts.

The play is performed at Wokingham

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell –South Hill Park

Conservatoire: Oliver Nelson a nd Vasilis Rakitzis. Fri 20. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 20. Spirit Chasers Paranomral UK.

Fri 20. Wilde Sundays: Tim Shez, Laura Loh, Neil Wells. Sun 22. Teechers Leavers ‘22. Wed 25-Fri 27. Conservatoire: Yoon Chung. Fri 27. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 27. Iolanthe concert performance. Sat 28. South Hill Park tours.

Sun 29.

FILMS: Like Water For Chocolate. Thurs 19. Armageddon Time. Fri 20-Sun 22. Utama. Mon 23-Tues 24. The Crucible. Thurs 26. White Noise. Fri 27-Sun 29.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600

Talon, the best of Eagles. Thurs 26. Go Your Own Way. Fri 27.

Performed

A mysterious coded message, a

Theatre from Thursday, January 19 through to Saturday, January 28, with the exception of Sunday.

Performances start at 7.45pm, with tickets available at £15.

n For tickets and information visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk, or call the box office on: 0118 978 5363

Teenage fame

SARA PASCOE wanted to be famous at 14.

Host of The Great British Sewing Bee, stand up star, writer and actor, and with books, shows series and podcasts to her name, she is probably ‘in her prime’.

Her show, Sara Pascoe: Success Story, is described as ‘winningly funny’.

Tickets are selling fast for this Hexagon show, which will be British Sign Language interpreted.

warning of

danger,

Evening shows are at 7.30pm, with matinées on Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £25, £28 and £32 depending on location.

www.cornexchangenew.com, or call the box office on: 08455 218218.

Back to school for John Godber

John Godber’s play Teechers was a hit in the 1980s.

His updated version, Teechers Leavers ‘22, is to be performed by Blackeyed Theatre.

Described as hilarious, high energy and full blooded, it brings an array of terrifying teachers and hopeless pupils to the stage, in this world première tour.

Struggling academy Whitewall has failed its Ofsted, the bell’s gone and they can’t afford a new one in this comedy about education for the haves and the have nots, and a generation left behind.

Teechers Leavers ‘22 is at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, from Wednesday, January 25 to Thursday and Friday, January 27.

Performances are at 7.45pm, with a Thursday matinée at 1.30pm. Tickets cost £21, £18 for members, and £11 for school groups of 10 or more.

n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk, or call the box office on: 01344 484123

Performances are at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre from Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 19, 20 and 21.

The Reading event is on Thursday, January 26 at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £26 and £23 depending on seats.

n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com, or call the box office: 0118 960 6060

Movies brought to the concert hall

FOR A concert of movie themes and songs from films including Star Wars, James Bond, Lawrence of Arabia and more, audiences should head to Henley.

Multi-Instrumental vocalists Five Star Swing have played for Pinewood Film Studios, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Winner, Jeremy Irons, and Michael Caine. They perform at the Kenton Theatre, on Thursday, January 27.

n For tickets and information visit: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 01483 440000

Doors open at 7.30pm, with tickets available at £22, and £20 for concessions.

n For tickets and information, visit: www. kentontheatre.co.uk, or call the box office on: 01491 525050

Circus of Horrors to stop off in Newbury

FANS of rock and horror can enjoy a show that mixes bizarre circus acts with an original rock score, in a story of witchcraft and magic.

Circus of Horrors reached the finals of Britain’s Got Talent.

Its show,The Witch, can be seen at The Corn Exchange, Newbury on Tuesday, January 24.

Doors open at 7.45pm with tickets at £25.25, and concessions at £23.25.

n For tickets and information log on to:

A celebration of Mozart at the Farm

Norden Farm’s annual Mozart concert features performances from young soloists.

Louise Fuller sings Exsultate jubilate, and Sarah Parkes Bowen performs the Flute Concerto.

Lithuanian pianist Ignas Macknickas, winner of several international competitions, plays one of Mozart’s concertos.

The performance given with St John’s Chamber Orchestra is conducted by Nigel Wilkinson.

The programme includes: Intrada Apollo & Hyacinth, K.38; Flute Concerto in G, K.313; Exsultate jubilate,K.165 and Piano Concerto No.19 in F, K.459

The event takes place at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Saturday, January 28.

Doors open at 8pm with tickets costing £20.

n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm, or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000

Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear. Until Sat 21. The Lavender Hill Mob. Tues 24-Sat 28. The Bobby Kennedy Experience. Thurs 26-Fri 27.

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000

Simon & Garfunkel Story. Thurs 19. Don’t Stop Believin’. Fri 20. It’s Not Unusual.

Sat 21. Spirit of the Dance.

Sun 22. Hellfire Comedy Club.

Thurs 26. Fanny’s Bingo Brunch. Sat 28.

Cirque: The Greatest Show. Fri 28-Sun 29.

Henley –Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050

The Simon and Garfunkel. Fri 20.

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars present The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Sat 21.

Elvis The King Is Back. Wed 26.

Greatest Songs From The Movies. Thurs 27.

Paul Jones and Dave Kelly. Fri 28. Art Themen: Thane and the Villeins.

Sat 29.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

Andrew Rieu in Dublin. Fri 20.

Corsage (15). Fri 20. Steve Waterman (trumpet) The Latin Connection. Fri 20. The Total Who Show.

Sat 21. The Vinyl Frontier album championship.

Sat 21. The Band of the Household Cavalry open rehearsal. Tues 24. National

Theatre Live: The Crucible. Thurs 26. Flo Perlin, Daisy Chute and Fern Maddie. Fri 27. Tom Houghton: Absolute Shambles. Fri 27. Mozart

Birthday Concert with St John’s Chamber Orchestra. Sat 28.

Newbury –The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

NT Live: The Crucible. Thurs 26.

Sweet Caroline: A Tribute to Neil Diamond. Sat 28.

Newbury –The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044

NEXT SHOW: Notes From A Small Island. Fri Feb 3-Sat Mar 18.

Reading –South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Poetes Cafe online. Fri 20.

Off The Block #11. Fri 20.

Tom Houghton: Absolute Shambles. Thurs 26. Babtune Aleshe: Babahood.

Reading

Reading

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 We’ll Always Have Paris. Until Mar 11. Genesis Connected. Sun 29.

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Arrival: The Hits of Abba. Thurs

19. Frankie. Fri 20. Some Guys Have All The Luck. Sat 21. Home, I’m Darling. Wed 25-Sat 4.

Wokingham –Wokingham Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363

Ladies In Lavender. Thurs 19-Sat 28.

Wokingham –The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247

Wokingham Music Club: DS:UK A tribute to Dire Straits. Fri 20. Wokingham Film Society: Olga (15). Thurs 26.

Woodley –Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838

Jazz Concert: Jo Fooks Tenor Saxophone. Sat 21.

ARTHUR Conan Doyle’s final novel is adapted for the stage by Nick Lane, with original music.

by Blackeyed Theatre, Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear is a tale of adventure, mystery and one or two brilliant deductions.

imminent

intrigue and murder, and an ancient moated manor house, lead Holmes to unearth a dark web of corruption, the work of one Professor Moriarty.

Triumph and tragedy as orchestra duels with fate

A popular group of musicians is preparing for their first performance of 2023, with a concert laced with Greek mythology.

JI-MIN LEE

explains

AREADING orchestra is set to take its audience on a journey through Greek mythology in concert next month.

Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) will take to the University of Reading’s Great Hall to perform a repertoire linked by the theme of fate.

The first half of the concert will follow the struggles of two Ancient Greek protagonists.

Liszt’s Prometheus chronicles his harsh punishment from Zeus and sorrow at his fall as a Titan, but ultimately ends in triumph.

A more tragic fate awaits the mountain nymph Echo.

In 2008, APO commissioned British composer Graham Ross to tell her story, which ends with having her voice reduced to a foolish repetition of others’ words.

Her talkative character is brought to life by clarinet soloist Caroline Owen, with the music ending with her lamenting repetitively over a beautiful

Get Up and Go!: The Go! Team returns to Sub89

BRIGHTON indie outfit

The Go! Team will return to a Reading venue for the first time in 15 years.

Following of the release

orchestral realisation of Orlando Gibbon’s melancholic song, The Silver Swan.

After the interval, visitors will be treated to Tchaikovsky’s dramatic Fourth Symphony.

It opens with its famous theme about which Tchaikovsky wrote: “This is fate: that fateful force which prevents the impulse to happiness from attaining its goal, which jealously ensures that peace and happiness shall not be complete and unclouded.”

Although this dark and threatening theme dominates the symphony, batting back delightful dancing, rampantly

of their latest album, the second part of their Get Up Sequences project, due next month, the band is performing at Sub 89.

Their seventh studio album, Get Up Sequences Part Two will see the band touring for the first time in five years and returning to Reading for the first time since 2008.

The Go! Team first released

romantic and playful pizzicato in turn, it cannot overcome the ecstatic music of the finale. The piece ends with a display of celebratory musical fireworks.

Tickets are £15 for adults, £10 for under 18s and £7 for 5-15-year-olds.

As ever, APO’s famous ‘Concert Virgin’ scheme offers free tickets, no questions asked, to anyone who’s never heard a live orchestra perform.

The concert takes place at 7.30pm, on Saturday, February 11.

n For more information or to book tickets, visit: www.aldworthphilharmonic.org.uk

music back in 2000, when it was still formed of only its founder, Ian Parton, as the EP Get It Together saw the project rise to prominence.

The band’s first album, 2004’s Thunder, Lightning, Strike, also written solely by Parton, was nominated for a Mercury Prize.

Get It Together also

JI-MIN LEE

appeared in the video game LittleBigPlanet and featured heavily in the game’s trailers and marketing.

Get Up Sequences Part Two is due for release on Friday, February 3.

The Go! Team will perform at Sub 89 on Thursday, March 9, from 6.30pm. n Information and tickets are available via: www.sub89.com

Get into some Good Habits with folk gig

A FOLK duo are coming out of winter hibernation to showcase new material next month.

Good Habits will be appearing in Newbury, bringing with them some world-folk tunes.

Bonnie Scharwaz and Pete Shaw aim to mix vivid storytelling with eclectic sounds, drawing on their diverse musical tastes and weaving them into an action-packed narrative of folky goodness.

They were in New Zealand when the pandemic struck and spent two years touring the country.

Last year, they returned and won the Purbeck Rising competition, and performed across the country, including gigs at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival, Bristol Folk Festival, and Manchester Folk.

Now, they will showcase their new set, featuring Klezmer music, folk cello and more.

The gig takes place at the ACE Space on Friday, February 17, and they will be appearing with Steady Habits.

Tickets cost £16.50.

n For more details, log on to: www.acespace.org.uk

Rare UK gig from American artist Kristeen Young at The Face Bar

AN AMERICAN artist who can’t be compared to anyone else is coming to Reading next month, ready to wow music fans.

The Face Bar is the venue for a concert by hard-to-describe, multigenre artist, Kristeen Young.

Organisers say some people have tried to compare her to artists like Yves Tumor, Kate Bush, Diamanda Galas, but they are wrong.

Young is said to play piano/ keyboard in a dissonant bashing style, sing using a wide range of operatic vocals, and have lyrics that eviscerate in a playful way, like an afternoon with a Victorian child ghost.

The show will feature songs from her new self-produced album, The Beauty Shop. It is a song cycle based on the life of a serial killer, with each song representing a different major emotion.

“But, it’s really about how life kills our emotions,” she says.

The album’s lived-in imagery originates from the beauty shop her foster/adopted mom had in a room in the little St Louis house where she grew up.

Besides the audio of the album, Kristeen has also shot and edited six song videos for The Beauty Shop and plans to release a visual version of the album in 2023.

Never on a record label, or with management, continuously navigating on her own, she has always been the epitome of DIY.

Shortly after arriving in New York, where she now resides, she met

producer Tony Visconti, who brought David Bowie to one of her shows and ended up recording a duet with Kristeen, a song she wrote called Saviour.

She also toured several times as Morrissey’s opening act.

Dave Grohl discovered one of her songs on a mix tape and then contacted her… which lead to him to playing drums on her entire 2014 album, The Knife Shift.

Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) was guitarist for her 2017 album, Live at The Witch’s Tit.

Her first live show post-pandemic was Riot Fest, September 2021, following by her own curated night at SxSW 2022.

Since the June 2022 release of The Beauty Shop she’s been filling rooms in New York, San Francisco, St. Louis, London and Manchester…. touring on her own. She has a West Coast tour booked for early December 2022.

For the Reading gig, she will be joined by San Francisco post-punk band Strange Cities, which was formed from the ashes of several Bay Area bands.

Drawing on influences such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Chameleons, and JAMC, Strange Cities’ sound also reflects the foggy, jagged, industrial landscape that inspired their name.

The band recently toured the western half of the US with Gene Loves Jezebel.

n

Kristeen Young’s visit to The Face Bar will be on Wednesday, February 22, from 8pm. Tickets cost £6.50, and available from www.wegottickets.com

IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME: Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert takes place on February 11. Picture: Larisa Birta

Paul Page’s piano performance

A PIANO concert will take place in Streatley this Sunday.

Paul Page will be performing in an event called On An Overgrown Path.

The programme includes works by Janacek, Bach and Debussy.

It starts at 4pm and takes place at St Mary’s Church.

Tickets will be available on the door and cost £10, or £8 for concessions.

Tea is served afterwards for which donations are welcomed.

The venue is cash only.

n For more details, email stmarysconcerts@hotmail.co.uk, or text 07762 339853.

Ska night for Zoe

ONE OF Reading’s most recognisable venues is set to hold a ska-studded night of live music for a good cause.

The Help For Zoe Ska special will see five bands take to the stage in aid of the fund: the Erin Bardwell Trio, The Skavengers, Bricktop, The Ardliners, and the Skangsters.

DJ Tonic will also be bringing his Ska mixes to the venue to present the very best of Ska, reggae, and brit-pop.

The Help For Zoe Ska Special will take place at The Purple Turtle, Gun Street, on Saturday, January 28, from 4pm.

n Tickets cost £5, available via: whatsonreading.com

Chase away the January blues

PEOPLE wanting to chase away the January blues can enjoy a show that will raise both laughter, and funds for charity.

The Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime group presents Jack and the Beanstalk, and hopes that their work will put smiles on people’s faces this month.

The show’s director Martin Robins says: “This is our 18th pantomime, and we really looking forward to it.

“We’ve been working on it for months now and hope that you will join us in supporting a great local cause while having a laugh.”

Previous pantomimes brought to life by the group have been Alice In Pantoland, Cinderella, and George And The Dragon.

“We’re delighted to be able to perform at the Caudwell Hall Theatre – it’s such a fabulous venue for the panto,” continues Martin.

“It’s filled with all the all the usual classic panto fun – singing, dancing, goodies and baddies, a dame, and lots of slapstick and jokes.”

The group always perform their pantos in January, rather than December.

“It gives us more time to prepare, but it’s also a

chance for some light-hearted entertainment during what is the darkest month of the year,” says Martin.

The company starts writing their own scripts in March each year, with the whole operation taking around 10 months to prepare.

“It really gives us something lively and silly to look forward to when Christmas is over, and all the other pantos are finished.

“It’s fun and informal, and people always say that they enjoy it.

“And if anything goes wrong it’s even funnier.”

Proceeds from this year’s show will support First Days Children’s Charity.

The Wokingham-based organisation supports young people whose families are experiencing difficulties, equipping them with the essential items they need for their early years and at school.

Jack And The Beanstalk can be seen at Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Wokingham, on Saturday and Sunday, January 28 and 29.

Performances are on Saturday at 3pm and 7pm, and on Sunday at 3pm.

Tickets cost £5. n For tickets and information, visit: beanstalkpanto.eventbrite. co.uk

Punk rockers Pets Needs set to play The Face Bar

A PUNK rock outfit is taking to the stage at The Face Bar in February as part of Independent venue Week.

Following their tour with Frank Turner last year, Pets Needs has added even more dates to their own headline tour this year.

They are also fresh from the release of their sophomore album, Primetime Entertainment, which was released less than a year after their debut, Fractured Party Music.

Pets Needs has fostered

a hard-driven punk rock sound with feedback-laden, acidic riffs.

Independent Venue Week sees more than 200 music and performance venues celebrated annually, including The Rising Sun Arts Centre and The Face Bar.

Pets Needs are playing The Face Bar on Wednesday, February 1.

n Tickets cost £10, available via www.wegottickets.com

JAKE CLOTHIER

Forget Downton Abbey, Singers will head to the riverbank

THE author behind Downton Abbey has turned his head to some tales from the riverbank, and it will be brought to life by a Readingbased amateur dramatics group this spring.

The Sainsbury Singers will perform Julian Fellowes’ take of Kenneth Grahame’s famous stories The Wind in the Willows.

Ratty, Mole, Toad and the gang will be brought to life in this show featuring music by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Honk!, Mary Poppins, Half a Sixpence).

The Singers say the show is packed with toe-tapping tunes, and lots of humour making it a real feel-good show for all ages.

It will be performed at The

Hexagon in Reading from Wednesday, May 17 to Saturday, May 20. Tickets cost £25, £22 for concessions, and £14.50 for under 14s, and some special offers available for group bookings.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: sainsburysingers.org.uk, or call: 0118 960 6060.

Final chance to catch The Bully Wee

IT’S hello-goodbye at the Nettlebed Folk Club next week, as the Bully Wee Band return.

It will be a bittersweet appearance as the group are visiting as part of a farewell tour.

Originally formed in the early 70s by brothers Jim and John Yardley, the Bully Wee Band successfully toured Britain, Europe and America through several line-ups until the last one of Ian Cutler, Fergus Feely, Colin Reece and Maartin Allcock finally called it a day in 1983.

They got the band back together in 2004, bringing their blend of acoustic folk and rock music to audiences once again.

It was a chance meeting between Messrs Cutler, Feely and Reece resulted in a spirited jam

session at Faversham Folk Club in Kent, and a subsequent decision to put a three-piece Bully Wee

member Jim Yardley.

Since then, the group of Ian Cutler from Feast of Fiddles, Hot Rats & The Wicker Man (fiddle, keyboard and vocals), Colin Reece (vocals and guitar), Jim Yardley (vocals, mandolin and whistles) and Fergus Feely from Sean Keane (vocals and mandocello) have performed traditional and original songs and tunes with a hint of witty banter thrown in. But this time round, their visit to Nettlebed will be their last.

Band back on the road in January 2004 “if only for the craic”.

The 2004 tour was repeated the following January, only this time with the addition of Bully Wee founder

It takes place on Monday, January 23, in the village club on Nettlebed High Street.

n For more details, or to book tickets, log on to: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

EMMA MERCHANT

SHOWTIME: Panto should put a smile on people’s faces this month. Picture courtesy of Corpus Christi Pantomime Group

COMING SOON: Essex-based punk rock outfit Pet Needs is set to perform at Face Bar on Wednesday, February 1. Picture: Courtesy of Pets Needs/ Sonic PR

RaW Sounds Today

Chris Hillman bit.ly/raw sounds today

ONE of the best things about January is preparing for a wassail, an ancient ceremony that aims to have some fun while looking to the harvest ahead. And that’s what is on our mind with this week’s playlist. To whet your appetite for the forthcoming event, organised by Wokingham Music Club, we’ve got some music to enjoy.

As ever, we’re on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).

It’s a mixture that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on Spotify.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music. 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.

Flutatious – Spacechick (Mitchell Mix)

Festival favourites, Flutatious, return to Wokingham Music Club on Friday, January 27, for a special doubleheader with Spriggan Mist.

It’s a Wassail event so, as well as music from these two great bands, you can expect appearances from

Thursday, January 19

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Gary Moore Blues Experience. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Cool Hand Luke. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Gun Street Garden, Gun Street. Playground.

READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays

Friday, January 20

BURGHFIELD – Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Reading Rock ‘n’ Roll presents Dave B’s Good Rockin’ Tonite. £12 Details: rock3rs.co.uk

READING - Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Goldeneye. Details: 0118 935 4095.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Wickd Boy Friday. Details: 0118 959 5500.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Makeshifts. Details: 0118 977 3706

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents DS:UK. 7.30pm. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

Saturday, January 21

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Moonage: The Best of Bowie Tribute Band. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Trojan Beats. Details: 01344 303333.

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Park Village

Jadoo-Tribal Dance, OBJ Morris and Bang to Rites Drummers. It should be quite a night so to get us in the mood here’s one from Flutatious from their Fluctuations EP which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary since its release on our Magick Eye Records label.

This version was mixed by Reading super producer John Mitchell - https://www.flutatious. co.uk/

Cities in Dust – Tornado Road

They are performing at one of the Jamma in-store shows at HMV Reading on Saturday, January 21, and they will be at one of Club Velocity’s Independent Venue Week shows at the Rising Sun Arts Centre on February 3.

It’s Cities in Dust, an excellent band that combine electronica, pyschedelia and alternative rock to produce great indie guitar pop as evidenced on this single from last year - https://linktr.ee/citiesindust

Social Club, Northbrook Road, Caversham Park Village RG4 6PF. Details: 0118 334 1040.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Seventies Night. Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Solar. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Madison Heights soul and Motown band. Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Heisenbug. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Jazz night: Annie Parker flutes, Hugh Turner guitar. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. WATT4. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. 10 Years of RUDNB: Sempra, Banditt, Visla, Klueless, Dewinder. Details: 0118 959 5395.

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. The Skandal. Details: 0118 942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Heathrow Jets. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Sunday, January 22

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Tim Shez, Laura Loh, Neil Wells. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ.

Readifolk presents: theme nightAll Together Now. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Monday, January 23

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: The Bully Wee Band. Details:

www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Open mic night. Details: 0118 958 0473.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Acoustic Cafe. 7.30pm. Details: 0118 977 0918.

Tuesday, January 24

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

BAGSHOT – The Foresters Arms, London Road. Bracknell Folk Club. Details: www.bracknellfolk.org.uk

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Queen Extravaganza. Details: 0118 960 6060.

Wednesday, January 25

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Artist Link-up: networking for rappers, singers, producers, DJs, dancers and musicians. Details: 0118 986 6788.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Burns Night. Details: 01491 681048.

Thursday, January 26

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. GSMC Music Awards Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – Gun Street Garden, Gun Street. Playground.

READING – Hickies, Friar Street. Hickies Music - Live Showcase with The Meterologists, Amazing Tiger Band, Maddy Chelmis. Details: www.hickies. co.uk/live-lounge

READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing: Munboi, Mackenzie, DoeBoyTheWriter. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Roseate, The Forbury. Heavy Pop presents The Roseate

Adomania – I Always Seem to Break Something (At The Party)

They released their debut single, Heavy Rain, in 2022 and it made our Top 5 of the year. Here’s their second single and it’s another good one - https:// www.facebook.com/AdomaniaBand/

Marisa And The Moths – Pedestal

An alt-rock anthem with powerful vocals from a band that will be live at Reading’s Purple Turtle on Sunday, January 29, as part of a UK tour to support their forthcoming Damned If I Do EP release - https://www.marisaandthemoths. com/

That Joe Payne – Dry January

How are you getting on with your Dry January? Here’s a song from That Joe Payne to help you through. It was actually included on Joe’s Christmas

album, Ding Dong but it is definitely relevant now - https://www.thatjoepayne.com/

Phantom Booth – Falling Asleep On Her Dreams

Following their energetic last single, Apparatus, this talented three-piece show another side to their artistic talents with this new single. It’s a melancholic but wonderful orchestral ballad - https://linktr.ee/ phantombooth

Darcy Hope – Landslide

Darcy, from Fleet, released this beautiful version of the Fleetwood Mac classic in November. She will be playing at Tom Webber’s Rising Sun Arts Centre show on Feb 4th - https://darceyhope.com/

Dandy Man – Annie Bonnie

Reading-based alt-indie outfit, Dandy Man released their debut album, Something I Have To Say in December and this is the uplifting opening track. Check out the video which was filmed at Pyramid Studios - https://dandymanmusic.com/

Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Who’s That Girl?

They were No 3 in our Top 20 of 2022 and they released this new single in December which features their trademark blues-rock sound combined with Selina’s distinctive vocals - https://www. selinaandthehowlindogs.com/

Jessie Smith – WKD

His voice is so good that he has been heard singing in the band on Strictly Come Dancing and now Jessie, who performed in his hometown of Reading at Third Lung’s Sub89 show, has released his debut solo single - https://www.jessesmithuk.com/

Sessions with Amya-Ray and James Kell. Details: whatsonreading.com

READING – The Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. RSVP: Open Mic, A night of Poetry, Music and Vibes. Details: 0118 953 0000.

WARFIELD – Spice Lounge, Three Legged Cross, Forest Road RG42 6AE. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01344 421673.

Friday, January 27

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Aqualine, Myopia, The Station, Indie rock night. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

CHARVIL – Heron on the Ford, Landsend Lane. Candy Rock.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents a wassail with Spriggan Mist and Flutatious. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL. Crazy P (DJ Set). Details: www.linktr.ee/blue.collar

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Breaking Bass. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Lost In Music: One Night At The Disco. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Cellar X launch night: NBO residents and guests. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Bruce Juice. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Lord John Band. Details: 0118 957 6930

READING – The Victoria Cross, Basingstoke Road. RG2 Radio presents Caribbean After Work Jam: Ras Ecko, MC Napthali, Micky Roots, RG2 Radio Roadshow.

WINNERSH – The Phesant Bar, Reading Road RG41 5LR. Mood Indigo live jazz

night with Maxyne Ryan. Details: 0118 978 4529.

WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Cl, Winnersh, Wokingham RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Spriggan Mist and Flutatious: The Wassail. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Good Times Five. Details: 0118 977 3706

WOKINGHAM – The Dukes Head, 56 Denmark Street RG40 2BQ. Stoney Lane.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Unit 8 Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road. Reckless Blues Band. Details: 01344 778543.

YATELEY - The Royal Oak, Reading Road, GU46 7UG. The Tim Shez Band. Details: 01252 872459.

Saturday, January 28

BAGSHOT – The Foresters Arms, London Road. Utter Madness. Details: www. bracknellfolk.org.uk

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Bob Villains. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Never Was. Details: 01344 772161.

HENLEY – Kenton Theatre, New Styreet RG9 2BS. Paul Jones and Dave Kelly blues night. Details: 01491 525050.

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. SaturGAY. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Cancer Research fundriaser gig. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Straights. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. A Song In A strange Land. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Pond House, Oxford Road. Far Away Trains.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. The Skavengers: Help For

Zoe Ska special. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Scarlet Vixens Puple Peepshow. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. The Definitive Collective.. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Anita Oui’s Suspenders: drag night. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Full Flavour. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Souped Up. Details: 0118 959 5395

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Turkish Deadlight.. Details: 0118 957 6930

WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Reckless Blues Band. Details: 0118 979 7402.

Sunday, January 29

READING – The Blagrave Arms, Blagrave Street RG1 1PW. Sunday Karaoke. Details: 0118 958 6775.

READING – Blue Collar Dining, Hosier Street RG1 7JL. Peter Doyle presents … Songwriter Showcase: Helen Wren, Colours and Fires, Maija, Holly Shillito. Noon-5pm. Details: www.linktr.ee/ blue.collar

READING – HMV, The Oracle RG1 2AQ. Black Star Riders live. 2pm. Details: 0843 2210302.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Marisa and the Moths. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Jazz with Stuart Henderson, Simon Price and guests. 3.30pm. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night Craig Joiner. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk

Flutatious at Wokingham Festival 2022 Picture: Andrew Merritt

WHAT’SON

Thursday, January 19

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ.

Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF.

Siren Beer Discovery: An Introduction to Siren through the exploration of the various beer styles of the core range. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm-8pm. Details: https://www. sirencraftbrew.com/ READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ.

Family History Advice Clinic for family and social historians. 11am. Free. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS.

Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE.

Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: talk by Benhamin Graham on Developing Personal Vision and Styling. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Three Frogs, London Road. ASD Family Help presents adult social group, for people with autism, learning disabilities, their partners, family, friends and carers. Free, registration for first timers required. Food and drink available to purchase. 7pm. Details: www. asdfamilyhelp.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOODLEY – Tennis Courts at Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Haddon Drive RG5 4LY. Balance Bike Club for ages 2-4. 1.30pm2.15pm. Details: www. myjourneywokingham.com

Friday, January 20

BURGHFIELD – Community and Sports Association, James Lane RG30 3RS. Reading Rock ‘n’ Roll presents Dave B’s Good Rockin’ Tonite. £12 Details: rock3rs.co.uk

BRIMPTON – Village Hall. There Will Be … Murder in the Brimpton Ballet Compnay: an evening of comedy, murder and mystery. 7.30pm. £10. Booking essential. In aid of St Michael’s Hospice. Details: john.russet@ sky.com

EARLEY – Earley St Peter’s Church Hall, Church Road RG6 1EY. Reading

Guild of Artists presents: The Art of Framing with Ralph Spearpoint. 7pm. £8. Details: www.rga-artists. org.uk

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe online. 1pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons. 7.30pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www.shinfieldplayers. org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE

Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s

Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH.

Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR.

Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, January 21

BRIMPTON – Village Hall. There Will Be … Murder in the Brimpton Ballet Compnay: an evening of comedy, murder and mystery. 7.30pm. £10. Booking essential. In aid of St Michael’s Hospice. Details: john.russet@ sky.com

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Burns Supper. 7.30pm. Booking essential.. Details: 01344 772161.

DUNSDEN GREEN – Village Hall RG4 9QG. Flock

Comedy presents comedy night: Jonny Awsum, Rob Coleman, Samantha Day, Lovell Smith, Dan Evans. £15. Doors 7.30pm. Details: buytickets.at/ Dunsden

READING – Building L29, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG.

Jazz masterclass with Pete Long. From 1.30pm. £15, students £5. Booking essential. Details: https:// blogs.reading.ac.uk/music/ jazz-masterclass-feat-

Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk

pete-long/ READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk

READING – Eclectic Games, Union Street RG1 1EU. Open board game day. 10.30am-5.30pm. Details: 0118 959 8250..

READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Details: www. phantombrew.com

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 2.30pm and 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons. 2pm and 6.30pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk

SINDLESHAM – Sindlesham Court, Mole Road RG41 5EA. Sindlesham Court Burns Supper with a piper and dancing to Six Bells Ceilidh Band. £43. Details: 0118 978 3902.

WINNERSH – St Mary The Virgin, Church Close RG41 5NA. Quintessential Brass presents a concert of light and popular music. 7.30pm. £10. Details: www. quintessential-brass.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Wokingham, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Reading Phoenix Choir: The Armed Man. Come and Sing from 1pm. Concert. £5, under 16s free. 6pm.

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, January 22

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Way ministry presents a warm bank: Free hot meal, free fresh and frozen food from our community fridge. 4.30pm-6pm. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – Jelly, 1st Floor, Broad Street Mall RG1 7QE. Sunday Life Drawing with guest artist Pat Lewis. £12-£15. 11.30am-1pm. Details: www.jelly.org.uk

READING – Museum of English Rural Life,

Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Youth Workshop: Garment Upcycling for ages 14-18. 11am-4pm. Booking essential. Details: merl. reading.ac.uk

SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane. Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons. 2pm. £16, concessions £15, child £9. Details: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, tables £8. Details: 07943 510108 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, January 23

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

CROWTHORNE – Baptist Church, High Street RG45 7AT. Coffee Stop for Ukrainian refugees and their hosts: socialise and take part in English lessons. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: 01344 761725.

READING – St Mary’s Church, Castle Street RG1 7RD. Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group talk: A329(M) Berkshire’s Own Motorway, 50 Years Old. 7.30pm. £2.50 for refreshments. Details: http://biag.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AL.Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session. 7.30pm. Booking essential. Details: https://www. rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Late_Session

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE

Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, January 24

CAVERSHAM – Workhouse Coffee, Bridge Street RG4 8AA. Thames Valley Social Media Cafe presents Twitter & Mastodon Open House – a tweetup/tootup. #TVSMC23. 11.30am-2pm. Details: Search eventbrite for TVSMC January 2023

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES.

Friendship table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14,

concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Finches social club for people with or without autism. 7pm-9pm. Drinks and snacks available to buy. Music, and friendship. Details: kingwood.org.uk

TWYFORD – Twyford Train Station, Station Road. MyJourney Wokingham presents Dr Bike Surgery. Free. From 4.30pm. Booking essential. Details: www. myjourneywokingham.com

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Wednesday, January 25

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL.

Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session. 12.15pm. Details: https:// www.rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Morning_ Session

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, January 26

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF.

Siren Beer Discovery. Tickets from £11.37. 7pm8pm. Details: https://www. sirencraftbrew.com/

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free.

Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Five Generations at the Fairmile Hospital Talk. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm. £5, £4 members. Booking essential. Details: 0118 950 9553.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. £14, concessions £11. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

READING – The Walkabout, Wiston Terrace RG1 1DG. RSVP: Open Mic, A night of Poetry, Music and Vibes. Details: 0118 953 0000.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

TILEHURST – Hall behind Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Triangle Players presents Robinson Crusoe - the pantomime. 7.30pm. Details: www. triangleplayers.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: SCPF Print Critique Evening. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc. org.uk.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Olga (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe

Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Friday, January 27

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free. Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 7.45pm. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor,

Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ.

Tour of Reading Minster Church. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm. Booking essential. Details: 0118 950 9553.

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

TILEHURST – Hall behind Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Triangle Players presents Robinson Crusoe - the pantomime. 7.30pm. Details: www. triangleplayers.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE

Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, January 28

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Clarinet and Cake: a celebration concert in support of Reading Bach Choir. 3.30pm. £15, under 18s £5. Details: www. readingbachchoir.org.uk

FINCHAMPSTEAD – Siren Tap Yard, Alberto House, Marino Way RG40 4RF. Street Food Saturday: Funky Pickle. From noon. Details: www. sirencraftbrew.com

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free. Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents The Welkin. 2.30pm and 7.45pm. Details: www. progresstheatre.co.uk.

SONNING – Pearson Hall, Pearson Road. Woodley and Earley Arts Group presents Flowers in Mixed Media with Soraya French. 9.30am-3.30pm. Booking essential. £30. Details: https://weag.art/ TILEHURST – Hall behind Methodist Church, School Road RG31 5AN. Triangle

Players presents Robinson Crusoe - the pantomime. 3pm and 7pm. Details: www.triangleplayers.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre , Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AL. Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime Group presents Jack and the Beanstalk. £5, in aid of First Days Children’s Charity. 3pm and 7pm. Details: http://beanstalkpanto. eventbrite.co.uk

WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, RG40 5TU. Ladies in Lavender. 7.45pm. Details: WokinghamTheatre.org.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Reading Male Voice Choir in concert. £10. 7.30pm. Details: rmvc.net

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOODLEY – Online. Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society presents: The Story of Tutankhamun, a lecture by Dr Garry Shaw. 2pm. Details: https://www.tvaes. org.uk/Talks.php

Sunday, January 29

PANGBOURNE – Village Hall RG8 7AN. Pangbourne Twinning Association French Film Night - ‘NonFiction’ (15), in French with English subtitles. Contains strong nudity. £6. 6.45pm. Details: 0118 984 4401.

READING – 2 Blagrave Street, RG1 1AZ. Viewpoint Photography Exhibition, a touring exhibition. Under 18s must be accompanied. 10am-3pm. Entry free. Details: 0800 0287338.

READING – All Nations Christian Centre, Berkeley Avenue RG1 6JE. The Way ministry presents a warm bank: Free hot meal, free fresh and frozen food from our community fridge. 4.30pm-6pm. Details: 0118 950 5661.

READING – The Great Hall, University of Reading, London Road RG1 5AG.

West Forest Sinfonia orchestral concert: Butterworth: Banks of Green Willow, Elgar: Enigma Variations, Panufnik: Katyn Epitaph, Vaughan Williams: Symphony no. 4. 4.30pm, note time. £15, students £5. Details: 07977 050265 or email tickets@ westforestsinfonia.org

READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Chinese School presents celebration of Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. £4.50. 1pm-4pm.

WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AL. Corpus Christi Parish Pantomime Group presents Jack and the Beanstalk. £5, in aid of First Daysy. 3pm. Details: beanstalkpanto.eventbrite. co.uk/

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

are two miniature five-square crosswords using the same grid –but the letters have been mixed up.

have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

ACROSS DOWN

Must remove tail to put down a rodent (8)

Determined not to go straight (4)

Said Ivan was hiding a prima donna (4)

There can be no peace at all when this rages (5,3)

Difficult to find place to obtain money from a bank (4,2,3,4)

I sat reordering wine (4)

Long hollow body of unending potato (4)

Parts one gets after the break (4,3,6)

Dug up from the garden in the morning presumably (3,2,3)

Such a bird might be found flying at the end of the line (4)

Taken to inner part of the county (4)

How one body cast a shadow on another (8)

Agreement, but not harmony (6)

Trembling friends? (7)

Continue to perform on stage in west London (5)

The chat about a small axe (7) 6. Feel depressed downstairs (5)

Almost found some Norman earl yielding (6)

Strangely I belong, despite being of low birth (7) 14. Disintegrate at the end of term (5,2)

Maltreat us in vandalised semi (6)

Seat placed above starting place (6)

Call for dismissal after a request for silence (5)

Boy comes up after exercises using part of a bicycle (5)

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

EQUALISER:

NONAGRAM

SUDOKU

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. 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:

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD:

Beat the winter blues

Healthy Heart tip

BLUE Monday takes place on the third Monday of January – earlier this week.

The term is coined the most miserable day of the year due to various factors such as bad weather, debt following the expense of Christmas and failing to stick to those new years resolutions you may have made early January.

Winter, in general, can feel more doom and gloom than the brighter, warmer seasons. Here we share some top tips for beating the winter blues while prioritising your heart health.

Outdoor movement

It can be tempting to stay indoors during the colder months, when the weather isn’t as nice

and the days are dull and uninviting, resulting in us being less active.

Getting outside even for a short time, moving, and exposing our eyes to some natural daylight (even if it isn’t very bright) can instantly lift our mood. Try going for a daily walk or run, wrap up in appropriate clothing and get your heart pumping.

Prioritise a healthy diet

A healthy diet can boost your mood, help you maintain a healthy weight and give you more energy. Concentrate on including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrain carbohydrates such as wholewheat pasta, bread and brown rice and lean meats such as chicken and turkey.

Aim to eat two portions of fish each week, including one oily fish such as salmon, sardines, trout or mackerel. It can be helpful to opt for meals you can cook in a slow cooker, so you can prep them in the morning when your motivation is high, and they are ready when you’re tired at the end of the day.

Revisit your new year’s goals

If you have fallen off the ‘bandwagon’ with your new year’s resolutions, don’t beat yourself up about it.

Creating new healthy habits and changing old, less-healthy ones takes time. You are in a better position now than you were before you initially set your goals, as you now have some meaningful insight into what went wrong. Set your goals again and put things in place to support you where you fell off track last time.

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/

healthy-tips

n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website:

https://heartresearch. org.uk/heart-researchuk-recipes-2/ n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled

Wondering if you might have ADHD? Here is what you should look out for

With celebrities like former Bake Off host Sue Perkins, Comedian Johnny Vegas and Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha both recently being diagnosed with ADHD later in life, here are the traits you should look out for

SUE Perkins explained that since her diagnosis ‘suddenly everything made sense’.

This really resonated with Hester Grainger, the co-founder Perfectly Autistic, who was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 43.

With 3.1m hashtags for ADHD on Instagram and videos about ADHD traits all over TikTok, a lot of people are starting to wonder if they actually have ADHD, or if they are just easily distracted or impulsive.

ADHD is often seen as something that only naughty boys at school have. When it comes to adults with ADHD, it’s something that’s only been discussed in the last 20 years.

There are three main subtypes of ADHD – hyperactive, inattentive and combined.

Some typical traits that someone with hyperactive ADHD may have is fidgeting or finding it hard to sit still.

They may also talk a lot, interrupt others and blurt out answers.

When it comes to inattentive ADHD (formerly ADD) people may

make careless mistakes, lose things regularly, have difficulty following detailed instructions, or organising tasks.

Combined ADHD is a mixture of the two subtypes, so you may have all these traits and more.

If you are looking at getting assessed, read about Right To Choose and then book an appointment with your GP.

Ask for an adult ADHD assessment and then you will have the right to choose where you go for it.

with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook

Côte launches menu to provide a taste of the Alps

ARESTAURANT with branches in Reading and Wokingham has launched a new Alpine-themed menu.

Côte will be celebrating ski cuisine until Thursday, March 2, with a range of traditional dishes.

Start keeping a note of things you may do, such as losing your keys and how often this happens, or times you were unable to concentrate during a meeting or when you’ve blurted something out you’d rather have not shared.

To be diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, you have to have had a certain number of symptoms present and they also have to have been there, when you were a child.

Talking too much, regularly forgetting to unload the washing machine or finding some things overwhelming, like replying to emails or returning phone calls, doesn’t mean you have ADHD.

People with ADHD need to show a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity – impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development.

Hester explains: It’s really great to see celebrities like Sue Perkins being open with their diagnosis, as this opens up the conversation about neurodiversity, which is always positive.

“When I received my official diagnosis from the psychiatrist, I felt a huge sense of relief.

“Looking back, I’ve been masking for years which is exhausting and I knew why I struggled in certain areas of my life. Now I understand why, and I feel OK about that.” n www.perfectlyautistic.co.uk

As news of snowfall in the Alps is eagerly awaited, those wanting the taste of the slopes but without the travel can enjoy a classic Tartiflette.

The dish, which was introduced to the menu last year and is back by popular demand, is a combination of Reblochon and Comté cheese, smoked bacon lardons and sliced potatoes served with a sourdough baguette.

A he Tartiflette Luxe, a grand Tartiflette to share, and is also available and will be additionally served with truffle saucisson, Bayonne ham, honey tomatoes and cornichons.

A Côte spokesperson said: “At Côte, we love to celebrate and explore the richness of France’s many regions, and this season we are inspired by the French Alps.

“This bubbling, baked dish is a staple of Alpine cuisine. No trip to the cold, crisp Alps is complete without indulging in layers of fluffy potatoes, smoked bacon lardons, caramelised onions, and rich Reblochon cheese.”

The menu also includes ‘Diots’, a traditional French starter of smoked sausage and cherry tomatoes in a white wine and caramelised onion sauce served with sourdough baguette.

In addition, the new Spiced Blood Orange Mule, a cocktail of spiced rum, Fever-Tree spiced orange ginger ale and blood orange, will warm up any winter chills.

For dessert, the Alpine specials are finished with an apple and blackberry crumble tart, with spiced apple and blackberry filling, served with cinnamon ice cream and winter berry coulis.

n For more information, visit: cote.co.uk

Hester Grainger received a diagnosis of ADHD when she was in her forties

POINTS

ATHLETES ENJOY PROSPECT SUCCESS

READING

.

The rain stopped in time for the race but, in true Prospect style, it was extremely muddy, wet and hard going underfoot.

With a gradual downhill start, the race started fast, as always before the runners turned and completed two very hilly, muddy loops testing all those out on the course, before running round the park into the finish.

HENDRICK AT THE DOUBLE..

..BUT ROYALS LET THEIR LEAD SLIP

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

JEFF

The

Paul Ince’s side are just four points off the play-off places, and crucially 11 points above the drop zone, heading into their away clash at Stoke City before

they prepare for their glamour FA Cup tie away at Manchester United the following weekend.

Ince has called on his side to be more brave when defending their leads after their deep defensive line cost them at the weekend as Tyler Roberts scored a brace.

Ince said: “it’s about getting up the park. That’s the only reason behind it. You’ve got to be brave.

“We were passive in the second-half. We’ve got a tendency to drop deep and try to defend it and you can’t keep getting away with it.”

n Match report 23-24

First up the hill for Reading AC was U20 Mia Waldmann looking strong and confident working up the hill in the lead pack.

She kept her composure to finish an amazing personal best fourth position leading the team home.

Laurie Marlow closely followed continuing her excellent cross country form finishing an impressive personal best eighth position.

Completing the team with an excellent race return post baby was Anna Godfrey who looked strong and confident to finish in another personal best position of 21st.

Next home and the first vet lady was Helen Antrum in 40th who ran strongly and worked well with Shirley Ann Dix who had a brilliant race in 41st.

Completing the vets team Sue Francis and Lucy Daniels backed up their strong winter training with fantastic runs to finish 49th and 54th.

Next came Leanne James in 56th and Simran Dhillon in 57th who helped push each other all the way round, running well together.

A strong trio of smiling vets were next to complete the course with great runs from Elsa Curran in 68th, Kathryn Tolson in 77th, and Clare Mills in 83rd.

Another successful outing, with excellent performances to help the team finish fourth overall.

Athletics Ladies displayed a strong team performance in their home cross country fixture at Prospect Park, writes Sarah Holmes

HENDRICK’S brace didn’t prove to be enough to win the battle of the hoops as Queens Park Rangers produced a second-half comeback.

Royals were left to rue a missed opportunity to take what would have been their 12th Championship win of the season after letting go of their two-goal advantage.

‘THE PACK TOOK CONTROL AND GOT US THE WIN’ ABBEY STAY STRONG TO BEST BLACKHEATH

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

A SUBLIME opening quarter fired RAMS to a bonus-point 26-14 home win against Bishop’s Stortford in a game which featured a remarkable seven yellow cards.

The hosts came flying out the blocks and took an early lead courtesy of a rampant rolling maul, Max Hayman the beneficiary for his 10th of the campaign.

Will Partington made no mistake with the conversion, and his side doubled their advantage shortly after when a ferocious charge from the outstanding Axel Kalling-Smith took RAMS into the Stortford 22 before man-of-the-match Dan Swain powered over.

Partington again bisected the uprights for 14-0, and things got even better when scrum-half Ollie

achievement in collecting his first for the club, the London Irish loanee hacking a loose ball forward before diving on it for the score.

Another conversion made it 21-0 to the hosts after 16 minutes, and the visitors then suffered a further setback when Will Rogers was yellow carded for illegally bringing down another maul.

The away side began to come into the contest in the second quarter, but with no further scores in the opening half, they received a second yellow when Harrison Langworthy was sin-binned for a no-arms tackle.

Harry Charter became the next visitor to leave for 10 minutes for again bringing down a maul, and RAMS wrapped up the bonus-point shortly afterwards when Charlie

Robson nipped over on the right.

Replacement Connor Lloyd converted his own try for Stortford on the hour-mark, but RAMS efficiently took the sting out of the game to ensure a comeback was never really on the cards.

The final 10 minutes became scrappy, with two mini scuffles resulting in a further four yellow cards, RAMS’ Sean McDonnellRoberts and visiting centre Austin Pope the first to go before Swain and Tom McCrone also finished the game off the field.

With both sides ending the contest with 13 men, it was the away side who had the final word as replacement hooker Alex Rayment crossed the whitewash, Lloyd again on target before the final whistle was blown.

Rams director of rugby Seb Reynolds said: “Two of

our stronger performances of the year have been against Stortford and it’s probably a compliment and credit to them that we’ve turned up and done well – it’s out of respect for what they’ve been doing.

“They were confident for the game and came here full of energy, it was potentially a very, very hard game, but our guys were superb in the way they dealt with it.

“The pack took control of the game and that was where the game was won. The physicality they showed and the set-piece execution was superb and got us the win.

“Our decision-making in the first quarter was outstanding.

“At the set-piece, the variety we showed was very good and while Stortford had a couple of purple patches which we knew they would, we did very well.”

By ANNETTE BEVAN sport@wokingham.today

ABBEY WOMEN brought home four points from their trip to Blackheath in their first match of 2023.

In what was Ben Radford’s first official game at the helm, a strong squad travelled to the South East London club

It was a frantic start for both teams: while Abbey enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession in the opening quarter, it was Blackheath who dominated the defensive sets, shutting down Abbey’s go-forward time and time again.

In the last quarter of a scoreless first half, Blackheath’s winger Opeyemi Oluwabumuyi made an incredible break down the wing, stopped only by an immense tackle from debutant Jess Gundry.

Williams was the last link in a fast-paced back line, allowing her to easily fend off her opposite number and score in the corner. Alice Denton-Rice converted to put Abbey 7-0 ahead.

A successful driving maul from the resulting lineout which saw hooker Claire Stevens break off and sprint towards the try line, scoring Abbey’s second.

With the final score 12 points to the good to Abbey, the visitors breathed a collective sigh of relief.

While starting the new year off with a win was to be celebrated, the team knew they had left some try-scoring opportunities out on the pitch.

The team now travel to London Irish this Saturday, before hosting Hove at home on Sunday, January 29.

Will Partington lands a conversion Pictures: Paul Clark

Jess Williams touches down to score

Tori Kiff impressed for Abbey in the forward line Library pictures: @rugbygrandad

Max Hayman on the attack

The scrum half dives on the ball for his try

Charlie Robson scored RAMS’ fourth try

Henry Bird made his 50th RAMS’ appearance

RUGBY UNION

RUGBY UNION

Allan matched Swain’s

ROYALS COME UNSTUCK AT TOFFEES DESPTE SECOND-HALF FIGHTBACK

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

EVERTON 3

READING 2

READING FC WOMEN produced another second-half fightback but it wasn’t enough to salvage a result away at Everton.

In their first outing of the year, Reading were punished inside the opening 10 minutes.

After surviving an early scare from Jess Park’s curling shot, Everton found their clinical edge with their next attack.

A ball into the near post was met first time by Katja Snoeijs who poked the ball past Jackie Burns to open the scoring.

The Toffees doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark when Park played a neat one, two and tiptoed into the Reading box before tucking the ball into the bottom corner.

After the restart, Kelly Chambers’ side got themselves back in the contest when Justine Vanhavermaet raced to the front post to power a header past the goalkeeper.

But the joy was short lived for the visitors as Everton scored directly from the restart when Gabby George thundered a shot into the top corner to restore her team’s two-goal lead.

Reading replied again just seven minutes later as the goals continued to flow when Deanna Cooper was

RUGBY UNION

well placed to nod the ball in from close range.

Having shown plenty of fight in the second-half on numerous occasions in the league this season, Reading pushed hard for a leveller. But their persistence didn’t pay

off as the hosts held onto their lead to take the points.

Reflecting on the defeat, Reading manager Kelly Chambers said: “It’s a hard one to take as we needed to be better defensively and I think all three goals we had a part to play in.

“At half-time we knew not to panic, we’ve been in the position before, you just have to look at our game against Chelsea before the break.

“As well as giving us plenty of positives to work from, today highlighted some areas that we need to pick up in training next week. We need to be more alive to second balls, and make better decisions when creating chances.

“I feel as though we had the ball in plenty of positive areas, created enough, to come away with more than nothing so it’s disappointing. It’s almost easier to take when you don’t play well, and have zero opportunities.

“We’re disappointed not to come away with anything, but like I said we really gifted them their goals.

“I said to the girls I think they deserve to come away with something, but we were our own worst enemies.

“We didn’t have that cutting edge and now we have a big week coming up to improve ahead of a big test against United.”

EVERTON: Ramsey, Hope, Bjorn, Sevecke, George, Bennison, Holmgaard, Galli, Sorensen, Snoeijs, Park

Subs: Wheeler, Chirstiansen, Beever-Jones, Brosnan, Finnigan, Maier, Holmgaard, Stenevik

READING: Burns, Bryson, Cooper, Evans, Mukandi (c), Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Eikeland, Wade, Harries, Dowie

Subs: Moloney, Wellings, Hendrix, Caldwell, Jane, Poulter

Goals: Snoeijs 9’, Park 32’, Vanhaevermaet 60’, George 61’, Cooper 68’

‘IT WAS TOUGH — WE COULD HAVE WON’

BUCKINGHAM 5

READING 5

By TED GOODHEW sport@wokingham.today

READING’S visit to Buckingham resulted in the home side deservedly picking up the points for a draw, thus ending a spell of 13 defeats on the trot.

With the soaked, heavy ground making open play difficult for both sides the defences held firm and, unusually these days, both sides managed just a single try apiece.

Buckingham had the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half and used it well in attacking from the start but Reading’s defence was equal to the task and Reading began to probe the Buckingham defence in turn.

Alex Dorliac stood out with some piercing runs from deep while up front the forwards made progress with short passing and driving runs.

There were inconsistencies which affected Reading’s play, however. Having shown their power in the scrum they were

nevertheless penalised several times for scrum offences.

The lineouts also proved to be inconsistent in providing good ball.

On one occasion in the first half the Reading scrum drove their opponents back 25 yards to set up another scrum less than 10 yards out.

The scene was set for a pushover try but the ball squirted out of the scrum and was cleared.

Nil-nil at half time and with the elements now favouring them, Reading seemed set to take control.

They did indeed have the better of the third quarter of the game and in the 58th minute scored an opportunist try.

From a home scrum five metres out the Reading scrum drove their opponents back over their own line with the ball at their feet.

Quick thinking centre Tom Sharp raced in and dived on the ball over

the line at the back of the scrum –an unusual score well snapped up.

The home team responded positively and, with Borthwick in the sin bin, managed to drive their way over for an unconverted try.

With the scores level both sides had their moments of potential glory in the last ten minutes but the match ended in a draw,

Reading coach Lee Goodall said: “You can either count it as two points won or two points lost.

“We defended well, with some important tackles at the end. It was tough but we grafted well and could have won.”

Reading RFC:

Ben

WOMEN WELCOME TITLE CHASERS

Borthwick;

In their first home match of 2023, the Royals will face a stern test up against a United side who are looking to break the mould by challenging for top spot in the Women’s Super League.

Marc Skinner’s team have had an outstanding first-half to the season which has seen them keep pace with both Arsenal and defending champions Chelsea.

They are currently on 25 points having won eight of their WSL matches which puts them in second place, just three points behind league leaders Chelsea and with a game in hand to play.

The Red Devils made a spectacular return to action after the winter break last weekend by smashing six past Liverpool without reply.

United showed their ability to find goals from all around the park with five different goal scorers on Sunday with strikes from Lucia Garcia, Alessia Russo, Hayley Ladd, Martha Thomas and Rachel Williams.

The Manchester side have dropped points in just two games this season. They earned a point in the Manchester derby away at rivals Manchester City after Laura Coombs replied for City following Leah Galton’s opener.

Their only loss of the season came against current title holders Chelsea who took the points with goals from Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert in a 3-1 win.

However, United recovered from that disappointment with arguably their most impressive performance of the season which saw them take victory at the Emirates against Arsenal.

The Gunners looked to have completed a comeback after goals from Frida Maanum and Laura Wienroither cancelled out Ella Toone’s opener for United.

But the visitors came roaring back with an incredible late show which saw Millie Turner level in the 85th minute before Russo popped up with a dramatic winner in stoppage time to take the game 3-2.

Reading travelled to United on the opening day of the WSL season and suffered a 4-0 defeat.

After going down 4-0 after 35 minutes, Reading managed to stop the flurry of goals with an improved second-half display.

Alex Dorliac; Robbie Webster,

Mitchell, Tom Sharp, Jordan Gomez; Alex Murray-Smith, Stuart

Josh Pallett, Steve King, Josh Nicol (capt), Gavin Egan, Ryan Smith, Will Proctor-Searle, Max Pepper, Ben Wills

Replacements: Mike Bolton, Greg Jackson, Jos Clarke

Reading’s Amalie Eikeland Stock Picture: Steve Smyth

Reading defender Deanna Cooper scored at Everton Stock photo: Steve Smyth

Reading RFC were held to a lowscoring draw by Buckingham

READING FC WOMEN welcome title contenders Manchester United to Berkshire this Sunday.

FAWKES ENJOY VITAL VICTORY TO

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K BERKS COUNTY climbed up the table with a stunning 4-0 victory over Barton United.

A brace from Megan Cox and goals off the bench from Grace Belstone and Kiah Owen ensured the Fawkes collected three points.

The win puts them up

to eighth in the table with nine points from nine games.

FA Trophy fourth-round

A stoppage time decider saw BRACKNELL TOWN continue their journey in the FA Trophy.

Welcoming National League South side Bath City to Bottom Meadow, the sides played out a tense cup encounter.

With the scores locked at 0-0 heading into the final moments of the match, the Robins found the most dramatic of winning

goals when Jack Dean popped up in added time to send the home crowd, players and staff into jubilation.

Isthmian South Central

BINFIELD collected three points on the road to close the gap on Chertsey Town.

The Moles broke through to score the opener after 14 minutes when Brad Pagliaroli got on the scoresheet.

The hosts found a leveller before the break, but Binfield

hit back just five minutes after the restart when James Beauchamp restored their advantage.

The 2-1 win leaves Binfield in seventh position with 34 points from 18 games.

Combined Counties Division One

WOODLEY UNITED made a disappointing start to 2023 with an away defeat to Rising Ballers Kensington.

The hosts raced into a four

goal lead at the break to all but seal the game before half-time.

The Kestrels replied with an improved second-half display after Jordan Blake made three subs five minutes after the restart.

Woodley got on the scoresheet when Dan Watkiss netted from the penalty spot to reduce the deficit to 4-1.

Thames Valley Premier League

FINCHAMPSTEAD lost

ground on league leaders YATELEY UNITED after suffering a 2-1 loss at home.

Nick Payne was on the scoresheet for Finch, but it wasn’t enough to dent Yateley’s stunning run of form in the league which has seen them win all 14 of their matches.

Finch are in second place in the table on 23 points, 19 points behind the runaway league leaders but five in front of third placed Slough Heating Laurencians.

Erin Simmonds was in action for S4K Berks County as the side moved to eighth after beating Barton United 4-0 Pictures: Andrew Batt

Finchampstead v Yateley United Pictures: Andrew Batt

TO CLIMB UP THE TABLE

BTC Senior Cup second-round BURGHFIELD flew through to the next round with an impressive five star showing at Maidenhead Town.

A brace each from Rhys Iremonger and Josh Howell was added to with a goal from Harvey Beales which helped the Fielders to a 5-0 success to continue their adventure in the cup.

Thames

Valley Division Two

BURGHFIELD RESERVES are the new leaders in the division after they defeated BERKS COUNTY SWORDS

A quickfire double at the start of the second-half from William Vallins and Lorenzo Medford put

FOOTBALL

the Fielders 2-0 ahead.

The Swords set up a nervy finish when Richard Cumner scored five minutes from time, but Burghfield held on to take the points.

Burghfield are one point ahead of second placed Reading YMCA Rapids who have two games in hand.

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division

ASCOT UNITED reduced the gap at the top of the table with a vital win away at first placed Abingdon Town.

Hannah Bennett opened the scoring after 11 minutes and Dominique Carrington sealed the points with a second-half strike in

the 53rd minute to help the Yellas to a 2-0 victory.

The win means that Ascot cut Abindgon’s lead at the top to five points and Ascot have a game in hand to play after picking up seven wins from 10 matches.

Southern Region Women’s Division One North

CAVERSHAM UNITED and EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA each took a share of the points.

After a goalless first-half, the Boars went in front from the [penalty spot.

But the Goats levelled the game up through Sam Thoreau to ensure they took a point in a 1-1 stalemate.

Eversley are in seventh on eight points from eight games, while Caversham are in sixth on nine points from 10 games.

KESTRELS KEEP HEAT ON LEAGUE LEADERS WITH HOME WIN

Woodley United 3

Long Crendon 0

WOODLEY United Ladies inflicted just Long Crendon’s second defeat of the season in a 3-0 victory.

The third meeting between the two team this season saw Woodley inflict only a second league defeat of the season on visiting Long Crendon in a match that the home team was good value for the three points.

The opening quarter of hour saw the home team enjoy the greater possession with Sarah

Lawrence denied the opening goal in the fourteenth minute when visiting keeper Amy Whale tip the ball over the crossbar.

Ellen Surtees took the resulting free kick, that Gemma Simms headed downwards in the visiting penalty area for substitute Lucy Routledge to steer the ball into the net with her first touch of the game on sixteen minutes.

Charley Evans made an excellent run from right back and her cross narrowly evaded the oncoming Mollie Haines as United pushed for the second, which they

scored four minutes from half-time from another corner kick, which was taken by Maddie Sawyer and headed in determined fashion into the net by Michelle Quinn.

A minute into the second half, Lawrence chipped the advancing Whale only to see a defender clear the goal bound effort.

Haines struck the crossbar from a Sawyer pass with the third goal coming in the 53rd minute following good play from Woodley’s goal kick that saw the ball passed to Sawyer to find the bottom

Berks & Bucks Women’s Trophy

WARGRAVE progressed to the next round with a penalty shootout victory at Buckingham United. After the encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, Wargrave held their nerve from the spot to take a 7-6 victory in the shootout.

TILEHURST PANTHERS ensured they put their name in the next round with a home win over New Bradwell St Peter.

Thea Wraight got Panthers off to an incredible start when she scored after two minutes.

New Bradwell scored two second-half goals to take the lead, but Tilehurst hit back with an equaliser in the 75th minute.

Tilehurst snatched the win in the 90th minute when Leah Why scored to make it 3-2.

YOU may have read the reports about a petition that was going around France after their national team lost the FIFA World Cup final to Argentina in Qatar.

The aim which was to get the final replayed was very well supported – the last figures I saw were over 250,000 signatures.

I have always found the French to be welcoming and generous people, but sadly this makes them sound like being ‘bad losers’.

So what is the basis of their complaint?

Refereeing errors, of course.

They claimed that Polish referee Szymon Marciniak had made mistakes that would otherwise have given France the title.

One was that the first penalty against France should not have been given.

Looking at the replay, this was awarded for a trip by a French defender in the penalty area.

It is something that happens dozens of times in the course of a season.

The French defender’s feet just caught the Argentine player’s ankle.

The contact was minimal but the referee took it as a trip, and as the Laws says: ‘The decisions of the referees regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final’.

The major complaint was very different.

It was claimed that Messi’s second goal should have been disallowed, because there were Argentine substitutes on the pitch before the kick was taken.

There is some substance in this.

I have a copy of a photo showing two substitutes encroaching on to the pitch.

The first thing to understand is that substitutes, substituted players, sent off players and team officials are all under the jurisdiction of the referee, and should not enter the field of play without the referees permission.

If however, any of them should do so, the referee should not stop the game, unless there is an interference with play.

corner of the net from 25 yards.

Long Crendon’s best chance came from a free kick in the 69th minute which crashed of the home cross bar into play and cleared by the defence.

Lawrence saw another goal bound shot cleared by a defender as Woodley maintained the pressure on the visitors and saw the game to full-time and a six successive league clean sheet. Woodley United: Cheadle, Evans, Wilkins, Quinn, Simms, Surtees, Measham, (Routledge), Sawyer, M Haines (Slann, Messitt, Lawrence Sub not used: Benton Goals: Routledge, Quinn, Sawyer

If there is an interference with play, the referee should stop the game and award a direct free kick against the offending team.

There is one other clause that I think would skuttle the French claim.

If after a goal is scored, the referee realises before play restarts that an extra person from the goal scoring team was on the pitch, he should disallow the goal.

The photo shows that the referee was a good distance away from the substitutes, as was his concentration, so he was unlikely to have seen them, and anyway, they did not interfere with the play.

From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

How they rated

Made two outstanding saves to deny Dykes and Laird from closerange. Could not have done anything about the two goals.

Run ragged by Paal and Willock in what was not his most comfortable afternoon. Things just didn’t seem to go the Canadian’s way.

Andy Yiadom

Forced Dieng into the lacklustre save which led to Hendrick’s second goal. Caught out of position at times.

Tom Holmes

Put in a very competent display to nullify the threat of QPR’s dynamic frontline. Could have done better to prevent Roberts’ first goal.

His overall performance was somewhat improved, but has not looked himself since returning from injury.

Junior Hoilett Baba Rahman

Left to deal with Laird and Roberts on a number of occasions in the first half. Really struggled to deal with crosses aimed at the back post.

Mamadou Loum

A so-so performance from the midfielder who wasn’t able to affect the game.

Jeff Hendrick

If his first goal was sensational, his second was simple, earning his side a point. Probably his best performance in a Reading shirt.

Ince

Outstanding. Put in another complete performance, showcasing his ability to carry the ball forward time after time. Set the tone.

Andy Carroll

Worked tirelessly in and out of possession, albeit without being able to fashion any openings of note.

Demonstrated a willingness to run and track back. Had a strong shout for a second-half penalty turned down.

SUBS

HENDRICK BRACE NOT ENOUGH

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

A first-half brace from Jeff Hendrick, including his rocket to open the scoring, gave the Royals a two-goal advantage at the break.

But QPR hit back in the secondhalf with a double of their own through Tyler Roberts to ensure they took a point.

The result leaves Reading in 14th place in the Championship on 37 points from 27 games.

After beating Watford in the FA Cup third round and drawing Manchester United in the next round, the focus turned back to the Championship for Paul Ince’s side who made several changes

Ince was forced into an early switch just 15 minutes in when Sam Hutchinson went down to receive treatment and couldn’t continue.

The Royals boss opted to tinker with his shape, which saw Shane Long come on to replace Hutchinson and partner Carroll up top, while Tom Ince reverted to a slightly deeper role behind the two strikers.

The visitors looked to punish Reading on the counter attack when Ilias Chair and Chris Willock combined, but Willock couldn’t find a teammate with his clipped ball.

Former Reading player Dickie received the first yellow card of the game when he brought down Ince who was on a steaming run through the heart of QPR’s team.

REACTION

Match stats

SUBS: Bouzanis, McIntyre, Dann, Mbengue, Meite, Joao, Long

QPR: Dieng, Laird, Dunne, Dickie, Paal, Field, Iroegbunam, Roberts, Willock, Chair, Dykes

SUBS: Archer, Kakay, Clarke-Salter, Dozzell, Richards, Adomah, Lowe

GOALS: Hendrick 28’, 42’, Roberts 65’, 80’

Reading took the lead courtesy of a stunning strike from Jeff Hendrick.

The ball fell invitingly for the Irishman to run onto and he accepted the invitation and arrowed a pinpoint shot past the helpless Seny Dieng into the bottom left corner.

The hosts nearly doubled their lead quickly after when Junior Hoilett threaded the ball to Long who poked an effort at goal that was deflected behind for a corner.

CHAMPIONSHIP ‘IT WAS A BLATANT PENALTY’: INCE ANGERED BY REFEREE

PAUL Ince believes that his team were denied a blatant penalty in their draw with Queens Park Rangers.

With Reading 2-0 up after a Jeff Hendrick brace they had a penalty appeal on Shane Long turned down at the start of the second-half.

“It’s a blatant penalty to make it 3-0 and the games finished,” said the manager.

“Another poor decision again, we had it at Burnley.

“Referees have tough jobs, but Shane (Long) has run across him, he’s knocked him over and that would be game over.”

Despite the penalty shout being turned down, Ince was disappointed in the manner Reading surrendered a two-goal lead.

He continued: “We were passive. I wasn’t really pleased with the first-half to be fair even though we were 2-0 up. We didn’t keep the ball how I wanted.

“We made some silly mistakes but created enough chances to put the game to bed.

“We have a tendency to drop deep and defend it and defend it. We’re inviting pressure and you can’t keep getting away with it.”

Ince felt the team were defensively poor in the second-half, citing a lack of communication and positioning. He also felt some in the squad had not been putting themselves in the right spots and winning headers.

“We’ve got enough experience at the back,” he continued. “I get it in

the last five minutes to sit deep but not when you’re 2-0 up at the start of the second-half. You’ve got to try and put the game to bed.

“It’s where you need leaders and voices.

“There was no pushing our midfield up to get to theirs.

“We take the point because it could have gone either way. We had a greater chance with Lucas (Joao) but it’s another point closer to where we want to get to.

“You have to be brave.

“You can’t allow teams to keep

Rangers went agonisingly close to pulling back a leveller when a low cross was flicked cleverly by Dykes with a backheel that trickled inches wide of the far post.

Carroll showed his value at both ends of the pitch when he stooped low to make a vital headed clearance from a QPR free-kick.

Reading took advantage of that and doubled their lead with their next attack. Andy Yiadom hit a fierce shot at goal that was parried away from Dieng, but only up in

attacking you for 45 minutes.”

Ince was also quick to praise double goalscorer Hendrick, despite his goals not being enough to win the game.

He continued: “You know what you get from Jeff. There are some people who have too much to say about him but he is one you can trust.

“He gives you six, seven, eight out of 10.

“He’s not a glamorous player by any means but you get what it says on the tin, and if you add goals to his game, then you’ve got a very good player.”

Lumley leaps across his goal

McIntyre tussles for the ball

Hoilett falls down with injury

Hendrick and Ince celebrate

Jeff Hendrick netted a double

Joe Lumley

Naby Sarr

Tom

Shane Long

Tom McIntyre 6, Scott Dann 5, Lucas Joao n/a

READING FC surrendered a twogoal lead as Queen Park Rangers produced a second-half comeback to grab a point at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

READING: Lumley, Yiadom (c), Holmes, Sarr, Rahman, Hoilett, Hutchinson, Hendrick, Loum, Ince, Carroll

ENOUGH AS RANGERS FIGHT BACK

the air and Hendrick was perfectly placed to poach from two yards out to tap the ball in.

Five minutes after the restart there was a claim of a penalty for the hosts. Long managed to wriggle past Dickie in the box and went down seemingly under some contact, but the referee was not interested and waved play on.

With a free kick 25 yards from goal, Chair had a chance to reduce the deficit and went close when his curling effort bent just wide of Joe Lumley’s post.

With QPR increasing their intensity to try and get back in the contest, Ince made a double change

after the hour mark: McIntyre and Scott Dann replaced Mamadou Loum and Hoilett.

Neil Critchley’s side found the goal they were craving in the 65th minute when Roberts shifted the ball out his feet and tucked the ball into the far corner with a neat finish from a narrow angle.

QPR cranked up the pressure another notch and would have been on terms had it not been for a superb save from Lumley who threw himself in the way of the ball to prevent Dykes converting from six yards out.

Carrolll had to be withdrawn

for the final 15 minutes after picking up a head injury and he was joined by Long, replaced by the duo of Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite.

QPR were rewarded for their attacking persistence and grabbed an equaliser. Lumley made another spectacular stop to keep out a header, but Roberts was on hand to put the rebound in from close range.

QPR pushed on to try and find a winner throughout six minutes of stoppage time, but Reading held on to ensure Rangers couldn’t complete what would have been a remarkable turnaround.

ROYALS SEARCH FOR POINTS AT STRUGGLING STOKE

The Potters have picked up just one point from their last four Championship matches which has them hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Going into the contest, Stoke are seven points and six places behind Reading in the table.

With three defeats in their last four, Stoke collected a point away at Rotherham United on Boxing Day, but have now lost three games on the bounce against Burnley, Preston and Sheffield United.

Their third consecutive defeat occurred at the weekend against promotion chasing Sheffield United who took the points with a brace from Jayden Bogle and a goal from Iliman Ndiaye despite Nick Powell’s strike for Stoke.

A string of bad results means that Stoke are just four points above the relegation zone in a tightly contested section of the table.

Stoke are currently under the management of Alex Neil who decided to depart from fellow Championship club Sunderland earlier in the season despite

winning them promotion the previous season.

Sunderland, who are now managed by Tony Mowbray, are in 10th position and eight points above Stoke.

Paul Ince’s team were the victors when the teams met in September at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Lucas Joao netted after just two minutes and after Ben Wilmot had equalised for the visitors, Joao found his second of the match from the penalty spot which was enough to give Reading three points.

Reading lost out 3-2 on their last away trip to Stoke

which came in August 2021.

John Swift and Liam Moore scored on that day for the Royals, but Sam Surridge scored the decider with five minutes to play.

Reading’s last away success at Stoke came in October 2005 in their historic season on the way to clinching the Championship title and consequently promotion to the Premier League for the first ever time.

Dave Kitson scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot which stretched Reading’s unbeaten run to 16 games under Steve Coppell.

MBENGUE EXTENDS ROYALS DEAL

AMADOU Mbengue has signed a contract extension to keep him at Reading FC.

The 21-year-old defender joined the Royals in the summer on a free transfer on a short-term deal after leaving French club Metz.

However, after impressing during his short time in Berkshire, the club has rewarded him with a contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the season, with a view to extending.

Mbengue has made a strong impression during his debut season in England and netted his first professional goal last month in Reading’s 1-0 win over Coventry City.

Reading FC’s head of football operations, Mark Bowen, said “Amadou has been such a valuable addition to our squad this season and has impressed whenever he has been called upon.

“He has shown himself to be very capable of playing at this level and he is a player upon whom the manager knows he can rely.

“I’m delighted we have been able to sign him up and, in the discussions I have personally had with the player over the last few weeks, he has shown he is ready to commit the next few years of his career to this club.

“I am sure he will have an important part to play in the second half of this season and I’m very pleased to get the deal over the line.”

Royals boss Paul Ince said: “Amadou arrived here as a young man, coming to another country without speaking much of the language, and yet he fitted in immediately.

“As a player, he is versatile, he’s got pace, tenacity and a hunger to be the best he can be.

“As a person, he’s hard not to love; he’s always got a smile on his face, he enjoys coming into training and the culture we are creating here.

“I’m delighted he has agreed to stay with us.”

Amadou Mbengue

Picture: Luke Adams

before QPR completed a turnaround Pictures: Steve Smyth and Luke Adams

Rahman jostles for possession

Carroll jumps Lumley punts the ball upfield

Captain Andy Yiadom

Long strides forward

Reading celebrate the opener

Hendrick finds the net with a spectacular goal

READING FC are back on the road this weekend with a trip to face strugglers Stoke City.

SOUTH BERKS 4S MAINTAIN TOP SPOT

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

South Central Men’s Thames 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE 4s stretched their run at the top of the league after they defeated Newbury & Thatcham 4s.

South Berks ensured they took their ninth win in 11 matches to maintain their status as league leaders with a 4-2 success.

South Berks have lost just one league match this season and have 28 points from 11 games which gives them an eight point lead over closest rivals Wycombe 3s who have two games in hand.

South Central Men’s Premier 2

SOUTH BERKSHIRE dropped down to fourth place after they lost at home to table toppers Oxford Hawks 2s.

The 4-1 defeat leaves South Berks in fourth on 21 points from 11 matches.

South Central Women’s North Division 1

SOUTH BERKSHIRE picked up one point from their double header weekend.

South Berks lost out on their away trip to Newbury & Thatcham

to a solitary goal before they drew 1-1 at Leighton Buzzard with a goal from Chloe Willoughby.

South Berks are in second position on 25 points after winning eighth games from 11.

READING 3s continued their spectacular league form to make it 11 wins from 12 matches.

Reading kept a clean sheet and hit three past PHOENIX READING without reply to continue their reign as league leaders.

Reading are currently eight points in front of second placed South Berks who have a game in hand to catch up on.

South Central Men’s North Division 1

SONNING collected a point away at PHOENIX READING in a 2-2 stalemate.

Sonning are in third place on 21 points, while Phoenix are in eighth on 14 points.

South Central Women’s Premier 1

SONNING added three points to their tally with a successful away day at Trojans 2s.

The win, which is Sonning’s third of the season from 11 games, lifts them up to ninth in the table.

READING GAIN VITAL WIN TO BOOST SURVIVAL HOPES

By NIGEL MALTBY sport@wokingham.today

A MICHAEL CHILDS treble gained Reading FC a much needed win as they beat SONNING SPORTS A 6-4 to keep themselves in touch with the other relegation strugglers.

Sonning Sports’ four points saw them creep ahead of KINGFISHER C who replace them in the bottom two.

In a match brought forward KINGFISHER B managed a 6-4 win at SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD B thanks to doubles from Nigel Keedy, Alan Cummings and Theo Knip. Ed Lush managed a good treble for Sonning Common.

KINGFISHER A continued their league domination into the new year with a 10-0 win over SONNING COMMON AND PEPPARD A

Neil Hurford performed well to go 2-0 up on Hari Gehlot who then made amends by winning the remaining ends

11-3 11-3 11-4. Darren Jones and Ross Saxby completed the rout.

The second placed trio from OUR LADY OF PEACE A, Justin Mead, Ian Cole and Mo Cook, also won convincingly 9-1, only dropping the doubles against TILEHURST RBL A

KINGFISHER D kept up their challenge for a podium place with a 7-3 victory over TIDMARSH A who could only muster up two players.

The pick of the ties was Kingfisher’s Ethan Zeng narrowly losing out to Anthony Baker 8-11 11-6 6-11 11-4 9-11.

Triples from both Paul Savage and Dave Croucher as well as a welcome maiden victory for Bob Woodmansee enabled SONNING SPORTS A to a handy 8-2 win against struggling KINGFISHER C

SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD D kept their narrow lead at the top of division two with a 6-4 win at the improving KINGFISHER E

Danny Dockree got his

customary maximum for SC&P although he was pushed all the way by Clive Gold before winning 11-8 in the fifth.

Second placed SONNING COMMON & PEPPARD C had a good 7-3 win at OUR LADY OF PEACE B with Brian Meheux returning to form with a very good maximum which included beating Dave Godfrey 11-8 in the fifth.

TILEHURST RBL B and OLOP C had a hard fought 5-5 draw with Kate Maksimenko getting yet another maximum for Tilehurst.

Binit Bhaskar and Pradeep Desh both won twice for OLOP and the highlight was Pradeep’s recovery from two down to beat Nick Lean 11-9 in the fifth.

In their second match of the week OUR LADY OF PEACE B had a hard fought draw against TIDMARSH B

Barry Carter was the star for Tidmarsh with a maximum including beating the tricky Darek Kaminski in five.

BANSHEES HOST FIRST OF TWO TASTER SESSIONS

Seventeen people took part in the two-hour session, which included children with physical, learning or neurological conditions as well as their siblings and parents.

The second session will take place on Sunday at Reading Blue Coat School.

The club, which was founded in 2017, has an established adult team for players 16 and over, men and women and currently has 22 registered players.

Banshees are now looking to expand their club by venturing into youth rugby where they hope to set up a new side who will play alongside the adult team with the goal of transitioning the players into the adult team.

The club are inviting students to attend free taster sessions at Reading Blue Coat School on Sunday, January 15, and Sunday, January 22, who would be interested in trying out for the team.

Alongside their delivery partner CH Rugby, the club is delivering six-week wheelchair rugby sessions in both mainstream and SEND schools such as Addington, Brookfields and The Avenue.

Players do not have to be in a wheelchair to take part. Wheelchairs, gloves and bibs will be provided along with coaching from qualified individuals.

RESULTS

Saturday, January 14

FOOTBALL Championship Reading 2-2 QPR

Southern League Premier South Bracknell Town 1-0 Bath City

Isthmian South Central Chertsey Town 1-2 Binfield

Combined Counties Division One Rising Ballers Kensington 4-1 Woodley United

Thames Valley Premier Finchampstead 1-2 Yateley United

BTC Senior Cup Maidenhead Town 0-5 Burghfield

RUGBY UNION

National League One Rams 26-14 Bishop’s Stortford

South West Regional 2 Buckingham 5-5 Reading

London & SE Regional 1 Bournemouth 23-17 Bracknell

HOCKEY

South Central Men’s North Division 1 Phoenix Reading 2-2 Sonning

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Trojans 2s 0-2 Sonning

South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire 1-4 Oxford Hawks 2s

South Central Women’s North Division 1 Newbury & Thatcham 1-0 South Berkshire Sunday,

January 15

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Everton 3-2 Reading

Southern Women’s Premier Abingdon United 0-2 Ascot United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Caversham United 1-1 Eversley & California Woodley United 3-0 Long Crendon

Berks & Bucks Women’s Trophy

Tilehurst Panthers 3-2 Procision Oxford Buckingham United 1-1 Wargrave (6-7 pens)

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two

S4K Berks County 4-0 Barton United

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S

Eversley & California Reserves 9-1 Burghfield

Yateley United 2-2 Wargrave

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 21 FOOTBALL Championship

Sunderland v Reading

Southern League Premier South Hayes & Yeading v Bracknell Town

Isthmian South Central Binfield v Hanworth Villa

Combined Counties Premier North

Hilltop v Ascot United Reading City v Windsor Sumas v Oxhey Jets

Combined Counties Division One

FC Deportivo Galicia v Berks County

Molesey v Woodley United Rising Ballers Kensington v Eversley & California Sandhurst Town v Bedfont

Charles Twelftree Trophy Saxton v Finchampstead

Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23s v Burghfield

Cup Yateley United v Wargrave RUGBY UNION

National League One Darlington v Rams

South West Regional 2 Reading v Devizes

London & SE Regional 1 Bracknell v London Welsh

HOCKEY

South Central Men’s North Division 1 Sonning v Oxford 2s

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning v Amersham & Chalfont

South Central Men’s Premier 2 Fareham 2s v South Berkshire

South Central Women’s North Division 1 South Berkshire v Oxford 2s

Sunday, January 22

FOOTBALL

Women’s Super League Reading v Manchester United

Southern Region Women’s Division One North Eversley & California v Kidlington Youth Penn & Tylers v Woodley United

Thames Valley Women’s One Tilehurst Panthers v Ascot United Reserves Wargrave v Slough Town

Thames Valley Women’s Two Easington Sports v S4K Berks County

For more information, contact Craig Hunter by emailing: chrugbyltd@gmail.com

n

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Burghfield v Taplow United

BERKSHIRE Banshees Wheelchair Rugby hosted their first of two taster sessions last Sunday for children aged eight-16.

Sonning then picked up three points on Sunday with a 1-0 win over READING 3s

The win keeps South berks top of the table

The teams battle for the ball

South Berkshire 4s defeated Newbury & Thatcham

Pictures: Steve Smyth

South Berks move forward on the attack