18 minute read
A BIG DIWALI CELEBRATION
Light fantastic: A celebration of Diwali attracts thousands
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By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today
NEARLY 4,000 people came together to celebrate the Hindu festivals Diwali and Dussehra in Sonning last weekend.
The first Reading Dussehra Diwali Festival took place at Reading Cricket Club on Saturday, to mark Diwali, the festival of light, and Dussehra, the festival of good over evil.
Attendees were entertained by more than 40 artists throughout the afternoon including singers, dancers, Dhol drummers and a performance of a traditional Ramayan drama.
The focal point of the celebration was the effigy burning of demon king Raavan, an age-old tradition during Dussehra.
Ritesh Nigam, part of the organising team who also arranges the Reading Mela, said: “It was a stunning afternoon and the burning of the effigy was spectacular.
“There were plenty of families bringing their children to see it and some that had travelled from far away.
“We would like it to happen again next year.”
Revellers also enjoyed a range of festive food provided by vendors, seasonal shopping stalls and fun fair rides.
Following the burning of the effigy, the crowds were delighted with a fireworks display to mark the end of the event.
The event saw many traditional dances performed
Picture: Pasham Photography
Crowds flocked to the Reading Dussehra Diwali
Festival Picture: Pasham Photography
Ajit Jain on his stall Picture: Steve Smyth
Families came together for the event
n Continued from front page
“Once we receive the petition, we’ll deal with it in line with our agreed protocol.”
Cllr Fishwick believes the revised increases, as approved at the executive on Thursday, September 29, represent “the best possible compromise” between taking people’s concerns into account and the need to make up a deficit in the parking budget.
He said: “After receiving feedback, including representation from businesses as well as residents, we chose to lessen the impact on season ticket prices and evening charges while establishing a two-tier system with lower increases for car parks outside Wokingham town centre.
“This decision has since been called in, meaning it won’t be implemented as soon as possible to start making up the deficit costing around £45,000 per month, but will be scrutinised more closely by a special committee of councillors and could be referred to the executive for more detailed discussion.
“This can happen when major decisions are taken and is a normal part of the democratic process.”
From January, car parks will charge seven days a week from 6am to 10pm, changing from the current 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday.
Wokingham town centre car parks will charge £1.30 for the first hour, an increase from 80p.
Two hours would more than double from £1.20 to £2.50, while all-day rates would go from £4 to £9.
Market traders would have to apply for a £35 admin charge for a permit, and then pay £6.50 all day, rather than £4.
An evening charge from 6pm would be £1 for the first hour, and £2 for over one hour.
Other charges will also increase.
Cllr Fishwick accepts the decision to raise parking charges, for the first time in almost five years, wouldn’t be a popular one but the council is facing its “worst financial pressures in decade”.
He added: “We have to find a way to continue maintaining our highways to the current standard – without affecting the critical services that our more vulnerable residents rely on.
“We’re aware that our neighbouring authorities are also raising or considering raising their off-street car parking charges and, even with our proposed increases, ours will still be similar to other councils in the region and cheaper than some car parks in neighbouring authorities even before their increases.”
THE UNIVERSITY OF READING has been named in the top 200 leading universities in the world.
A jump in research reputation saw Reading in 198th place in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023, out of 1,799 participating institutions.
Professor Robert Van de Noort, vice-chancellor of the university, said: “The University of Reading has been improving in many of the measures used by the THE World University Rankings for the last few years, and it is great to once again be ranked among the top 200 universities in the world.
“This reflects the hard work of colleagues across the University who conduct and communicate our worldclass research, and demonstrates that our research is seen as being among the very best, among academia and industry alike.”
The university made improvements in nine of the 13 measures, which includes teaching and research reputation, research income and international outlook, among other metrics.
Reading’s biggest improvement this year was in the research reputation metric, which contributed to a rise in the overall research ranking to 245, up 21 places from last year.
Industry income also saw a rise, up 27 places to 734.
Other notable improvements were achieved in the teaching reputation category, as well as all individual metrics for international outlook.
A SHINFIELD CAFE is inviting children to its Hallowe’en party on Tuesday.
Robyn’s Nest, School Green Centre, will host the fun-filled half-term event, which will get youngsters into the festive spirit.
Youngsters will be treated to an hour of dancing, games, crafts and Hallowe’en glitter tattoos, delivered by children’s entertainers Tutus & Tiaras.
This will be followed by a themed afternoon tea, including sandwiches, biscuits, sweets, popcorn, jelly and squash.
Parents and guardians are asked to include their children’s dietary requirements when booking.
Bookings must be made in advance, with tickets costing £22.99 per child.
The event takes place from 2pm4pm, with adult supervision required. n For more information or to make a booking, visit: www.robynsnest.co.uk
Hallowe’en party in
GOING: NatWest in Wokingham will close its doors in February due to a reduction in counter transactions
A BANK in Wokingham is set to close its doors in February next year.
The NatWest branch on Broad Street will close on Thursday, February 9, 2023, due to a reduction in the number of people visiting in person.
This is one of 79 branches set to close nationwide as the bank deals with a change in banking habits, with many choosing to manage funds online or via an app.
Comparing January 2019 and January this year, the Wokingham branch saw a 68% reduction in the number of counter transactions for personal customers, with 76% of personal customers also using online banking or the mobile app.
According to figures released by NatWest, in 2021 the branch was used by 95 business customers and one personal customer on a regular basis.
When deciding to close a branch, NatWest said it considers the impact on customers, banking preferences, distance to the next nearest branch, location of a Post Office for everyday banking and all other banking options available to customers.
Across the country, the bank has seen average counter transactions reduce by 64% between January 2019 and January 2022 with the number of customers using mobile apps rising 38% in the same period. n For more information, visit: natwest.com
Council successfully appeals court case despite ‘negligence’
EXCLUSIVE
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM Borough Council has successfully appealed a court case after being ordered to pay more than £40,000 in damages.
In October last year, a civil court found the council liable for £49,060.60 payable to Muhammad Arshad after his Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence (HCVL) was suspended despite receiving advice from the council.
However, after the council appealed the decision, Mr Arshad shall pay £10,000 as reimbursement of the payment on account of the judgement by 4pm today (Thursday).
In late 2016, Mr Arshad needed a new taxi because his former licensed vehicle was too old to be licensable so he provisionally decided to purchase a second-hand Ford Galaxy.
In December 2016 he contacted the council’s licensing team, told them the make and model of the new car and asked if it would be approved as wheelchair accessible.
A technical officer responded by email, which read: “Provided the vehicle has correct documentation a Ford Galaxy would be an appropriate vehicle and I believe we have other Ford Galaxy’s on the fleet.”
Mr Arshad responded stating the vehicle he intended to purchase was not a “floor down/cut down vehicle”, but just an “original seven seater”.
He did not receive a response.
After purchasing the car, Mr Arshad submitted his HCVL application which included an Individual Vehicle Approval certificate relating to the adaptations.
That certificate indicates conformity with certain EU norms but those do not include passenger headroom.
The council issued Mr Arshad with a new HCVL on February 16, 2017.
The council became aware the vehicle may not comply with regulations and following an inspection on February 27, 2017, Mr Arshad was informed his HCVL would be suspended as the vehicle was not fit for purpose.
After a series of complaints, Mr Arshad was able to appeal and was issued with a new licence in August 2018.
Mr Arshad brough a county court claim against the council for discrimination on the grounds of race or religion, negligence and a breach of duty.
In addition, Mr Arshad contended he had suffered personal injury with a psychiatric report stating his loss of licence and consequential loss of livelihood and status led to the onset of a Depressive Disorder involving mild to moderate depression without psychotic symptoms.
At trial, the court found the negligence claim succeeded, however, only one head of claim was successful with general damages for personal injury awarded.
The Claimant was awarded damages of £42.790.00 plus costs of £6,270.60.
He was not ordered to pay any costs despite the failure of the other claims.
Wokingham Borough Council appealed the decision on the basis that it was wrong in law.
The High Court held that it was fair, just and reasonable to impose a duty of care to avoid economic loss which was a reasonably foreseeable consequence of negligence.
It was, however, considered that the duty to avoid causing psychiatric harm was not reasonably foreseeable.
Mr Justice Bourne held: “It seems to me that whilst any serious setback may be capable of causing a degree of psychiatric harm to anyone, psychiatric injury in this case was not so reasonably foreseeable as to make it appropriate for a local authority, giving discretionary pre-application advice on a licensing matter, to owe a duty of care not to cause pure psychiatric harm.”
Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We revised our taxi licensing policy in 2018 and are in the process of updating it again for this year, with the intention of making the required vehicle standards as clear as possible.
“We appealed the decision as it believed that it was wrong in law. The High Court agreed with us, and the judgement is reflective of this.
“We are relieved that this longrunning legal case has concluded.”
Day Nursery employees get £3,000 tax-free bonus to meet soaring bills
Colleagues of Cedar Park Day Nursery in Twyford got a boost this month with their company’s plan to raise pay again by an average 8% and provide 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.”
Join our team
Extraordinary and rewarding careers working in Early Years
Cedar Park Nursery, Bridge Farm Road, Twyford, Berks, RG10 9PP
In addition to competitive salaries, we have a range of fi nancial and wellbeing benefi ts via Perkbox and Thrive to support our colleagues. A fi nancial support package is also in place until April 2023. To see the extensive list visit www.childbasecareers.com/benefi ts
We are now paying a starting rate of:
£11ph Level 2 practitioners £12.10ph Level 3 practitioners £13.50ph Team Leaders 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
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 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.
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.
‘Better never stops’ culture to remain at heart of Waingels says new headteacher
EXCLUSIVE
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
A WOODLEY secondary school has a new headteacher, but she insists the core values will remain consistent.
Lindsey Humber was appointed as the new headteacher at Waingels in September this year.
Mrs Humber joined the school in January 2018 as deputy headteacher and, throughout last year, served as the head of school.
“It’s been a nice graduation to taking on the full responsibility,” she said.
“Having been head of school last year helped me to understand what the challenges are in the role but also what it entails so I was well informed coming into the headteacher role.”
The school’s motto is “Better Never Stops” and Mrs Humber believes that should remain at the heart of the school’s culture
She said: “We are really confident in what we do and because I have been deputy here I have been part of that strategic work.
“Our ambition is to be an exceptional school in the heart of our community.
“We have a lot of areas in our school that are exceptional but we want to make sure we are exceptional in all areas and that we continue to provide the best quality of education and care for the students of Woodley.”
In August, GCSE and A-Level students received their results after more than two years of disrupted learning.
More than 75% of GCSE pupils achieved grades 9 to 4 with nearly 30% receiving top grades of 9 to 7, which is above the national average.
Mrs Humber said: “We were really pleased with the results last year but also we have had a clear trend of above average results, certainly at GCSE, for many years.
“Initial feedback from the performance tables show that, on average, our students perform a third of a grade higher than what they were expected so there’s lots of added value there.”
The school’s sixth form also performed highly as almost two-thirds of those studying A-Levels were awarded A* to B grades, with 35% achieving A* to A.
Mrs Humber feels the environment for sixth form students is beneficial to their learning.
She said: “They have their own cafe, a common room, a study room like at university and a library type space with lots of computers.
IN PLACE:
Waingels College’s new headteacher Lindsey Humber with some of the school’s pupils
“There are also group work breakout areas so it’s a space where they can make it feel like their own and it feels slightly different to being a lower school student.”
Approximately 60% of Year 11 students choose to stay on at the school’s sixth form.
As well as the environment, Mrs Humber believes this is also the result of the curriculum on offer.
“The curriculum we offer is very broad,” she said.
“There’s opportunities to do lots of different A-Levels but also vocational courses and I think the resources are really strong for a sixth form.
“I also think it’s the relationships the students form with their teachers as they know those teachers have supported them to get really good GCSE grades and they have the confidence to come back and continue to learn at Waingels.”
Whether a lower school student or studying at the sixth form, all pupils are encouraged to follow the school’s values of respect, kindness, resilience and pride, something Mrs Humber is keen to see continue as headteacher.
She said: “When I speak to students, when I talk to parents the two things that are really important to me is, one, that every student tries their best.
“And secondly, although we’ve got the values of kindness, resilience, pride and respect, for me kindness is really, really important.
“I think with social media pressures and coming out of covid, being kind to yourself and being kind to others is incredibly important and that’s the message that I send to our students and parents.”
Bloor Homes are proposing to bring forward new homes and public open space on Land South of Forest Road and East of Cheney Close, Binfield.
How to provide feedback
You can find out more about our proposals and provide feedback by visiting our dedicated website www.LandSouthofForestRoad.co.uk The website includes a dedicated engagement and feedback section and additional options to download and print the materials.
Alternatively, should you require a hard copy of the information boards and a feedback form, please contact us via:
Freephone: 0800 232 1794 Info@LandSouthofForestRoad.co.uk Children invited to make bricks, ring a bell and have fun at special fun day
HALF-TERM next week will lead to lots of excited Wokingham children, who will quickly cry, ‘I’m bored!’ To help, Wokingham Town Council is organising a fun event.
Taking place in the Town Hall in Market Place on Tuesday, October 25, the day will celebrate the industries that the borough had been famous for.
Youngsters can try their hand at mini-brick making, there are handbells to ring and there are bracelets to make, among other activities.
Staff will be on hand to help people learn more about the town hall, what it used to be in days of old, and see local historical artifacts.
There are also pointers to
AN APPEAL has been launched to find funding for new bereavement suites for new parents who experience loss of a pregnancy or death of their baby.
The Royal Berks Charity is hoping to raise £40,000 from its Christmas appeal which will go to the facility in the Reading hospital.
The Trust’s bereavement and rainbow midwifery teams come into contact with hundreds of new parents every year who have experienced the loss of their baby.
They say the feedback is consistent: “The midwifery teams do a phenomenal job at supporting patients, but the bereavement suites could do with some improvements.”
The funding will ensure that families who experience the death of their baby during pregnancy, labour or birth have access to a private and tranquil space to grieve.
Rainbow lead midwife Jocelyn said: “Improving privacy and creating an environment that minimises trauma and distress, will mean so much to families going through their darkest moment as parents.”
The first part of the project will be to soundproof both suites so that new parents grieving the loss of their baby can do so peacefully without hearing the customary noise of a busy maternity ward.
Nicky, mum to angel baby Flora and rainbow baby Oakley, said: “I know how important these bereavement suites will be to families like mine, so if you can, please donate.” n For details, or to make a donation, visit: www.royalberkscharity.co.uk/christmas
following the town’s mosaic trail.
Wokingham Town Council’s chair of the civic committee, Cllr David Lee, said: “We love to find ways to make Wokingham’s rich history interesting and accessible to everyone, so make sure you bring the children along on Tuesday, October 25, as we’ve lots to see and crafty activities planned.” n For more information, follow Wokingham Town Council’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
