COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Thursday, July 16, 2020 No. 270
70p
DENMARK STREET PLAN PAUSED P2
Hospital plans to turn Covid gifts into staff welfare centre
STOLEN DOG LEADS LAW CHANGE P3
Wokingham’s borough and town council leaders, Cllr John Halsall and Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, in Market Place on Saturday
FLYING THE FLAG: A socially distanced Pride celebration P6
PARENTS PUSH COUNCIL FOR SIXTH FORM Petition launched in bid to expand school
EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk PARENTS of one of the borough’s newest secondary schools are calling for the council to let it expand and create a sixth form there.
Bohunt School, which opened four years ago, was designed to easily accommodate a sixth form block. But Wokingham Borough Council has said it won’t consider building such a facility until at least 2024.
This means that the students entering Year 11 need to re-think their education plans. Vikki Carey, who has one daughter in Year 9 and another starting at the school in September, said she moved to Arborfield for Bohunt. She told Wokingham.Today: “My eldest looked at all the different schools and fell in love with Bohunt. “We were lucky to be given a place even though we lived in Lower Earley, out of the catchment area.” The family moved in November
2018, to ensure their youngest daughter could get in too. Ms Carey added: “Arborfield Green has been built around the school, even the school itself was shaped in a way to make room for the sixth form expansion. “I think the school staff always assumed that it would be built, there’s always been talk of it. Even John Redwood came to visit not long ago, and the staff told him about their vision for the school.” � Continued on page 8
WINTER CARNIVAL CANCELLED P5 £1.6M FOR CANTLEY PARK PITCH P14
WADE LAUNCHES FUNDRAISING LOTTERY P12
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HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by emailing us Email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk
Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Editor • Phil Creighton Reporter • Jess Warren Sports reporter • Andy Preston
From the editor Welcome to another packed edition of Wokingham.Today. As we have been doing since the lockdown started, the paper is running a reduced service. We thank you for your understanding during this time, particularly our advertisers who are sticking with us. We are grateful for your support. Although more businesses are now open, we are aware that it is not always easy to buy a copy of Wokingham.Today from your supermarket, newsagent or petrol station. One of the ways we are helping is by offering a free digital version of the paper, which will be available on Friday evenings. And our website is updated seven days a week, visit Wokingham.Today for the latest news. At times like this, it is important that the community has a local voice and we are proud to be yours. The best way for you to support us is to buy a copy each week. Please note, our offices remain closed to the public – in the first instance, contact us by email. Thank you for your support. THE Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: pcreighton@wokinghampaper.co.uk, or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
Petitioners battle over plan to pedestrianise Denmark Street EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk “IT WAS worth having a go” – that’s the verdict of a member of the Wokingham Business Association over the trial pedestrianisation of Denmark Street.
Wokingham Borough Council has announced that the two-day experiment will not be repeated, citing problems with traffic flow and a lack of parking spaces for disabled shoppers. The scheme was introduced as one of a number of measures aimed at helping shoopers stay two metres apart from each other in Wokingham town centre, as lockdown restrictions eased. But it didn’t quite go the way people had expected. Colin George, who helps run the Business Association, said: “The
traffic backed up to the Three Frogs, and there there were roadworks for the cycleway. “The tailbacks were horrendous, and the pollution levels must have been just as horrendous. “They usually clear quite quickly, but everybody had slowed down. From the Ship Inn to the old Post Office, the average speed was 6mph, it’s usually 20mph – that’s four times as long to get through the town centre. “It had a knock-on effect for London Road.” And Mr George said that with the roads closed, some shops had to have delivery lorries reverse up the street to reach shop doors. “The feedback we were getting was that retailers didn’t see a benefit, there was not a massive increase in shoppers.” Despite this, he wasn’t
against the proposal. “I wouldn’t say never again, but a lot more work has to go into it before you shut it again,” he said. “I wouldn’t like to see the whole town pedestrianised.” Wokingham Borough Council leader John Halsall was pleased that the experiment was made. “It’s an ambition of the borough to get the town centres vibrant and working, we want to create an environment that does work. “Some shopkeepers say that pedestrianisation is desirable, others say that it’s awful.” But Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey, the leader of Wokingham Town Council said that it was “appalling” that traders hadn’t been consulted about the closures beforehand. “I was very concerned,” she said, when she heard of
the plans. “The town does close for Remembrance Sunday and the Winter Carnival, but those are Sunday events.” She was also worried about the removal of blue badge spaces. Temporary social distancing measures, she said, had taken away spaces in Rose Street and Broad Street. “It created a traffic problem,” she added. “It was fine for people who could walk into town, but not for anyone who has to drive to town, especially from the eastern side of the town, as they just don’t have the alternative routes.” And two petitions have been set up – one in favour of the plans, the other against. Vicky Donachie, who launched the one against, wrote in her citation: “It seems no thought has been
given to the independent businesses in Denmark Street or Market Place that do not have rear access for deliveries. “Over the past four years the businesses in this area have suffered a lot and closing these roads will kill the businesses off, we have already lost one during Covid-19.” In the other petition, Alex Cran said: “This closure is of huge benefit to pedestrians using the Marketplace, especially the young, old and more vulnerable. “It means the narrow pavements on Denmark street can be safely used by shoppers without worrying about cars while easily maintaining a safe social distance. “It also makes the Market place a much nicer place to shop and sit without the traffic fumes, pollution and noise.”
Wokingham cycling club starts group rides WOKINGHAM cycling club has restarted its group rides, in line with British Cycling’s guidance. Group outings started on Saturday, July 11, with smaller groups and staggered start times. Club chair Kev Jones, said: “Our plan is founded upon the four principles in British Cycling’s guidance and addresses meeting public health guidelines, taking responsibility, communicating clearly and consistently, and staying flexible. “In case of emergency each
member will be carrying PPE and our ride leaders will be briefing and conducting our rides accordingly. “Members will be asked to selfdeclare that they are Covid-19 symptom free, no one in their household has symptoms, or has been declared in the extremely vulnerable category. “The club has also made provision to conduct a club-wide track, trace and inform should a member contract the virus.” � For more information, visit: www.wokinghamcc.org.uk
(From left) Wokingham Cycle Club members, Lindsay Thackrah, Paul Robinson (ride leader) and Qazi Waheed, ready to start their ride from Peach Place on Saturday. Picture: Steve Smyth
Cowshed granted police funding A HURST charity is one of 27 organisations to be awarded funding from Thames Valley Police. More than £807,000 has been allocated to charities and community interest companies that support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Included in the list is The Cowshed, which recently expanded into Winnersh. The funding covers costs incurred during the pandemic and anticipated spending from Tuesday, March 24 to Saturday, October 31. Anthony Stansfeld, police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley, said: “During lockdown, organisations across the Thames Valley have worked tirelessly to ensure they continue to support victims.
For the record IN THE article titled ‘Children chauffeured to school in council funded taxi service’ published in Wokingham.Today, Thursday, July 2, 2020, Gareth Rees was quoted with: “Since this time there have been a
“Many have adapted the way they work and invested in technology to reach people remotely. Some have also lost income through their inability to raise funds. “I am delighted to be able to award this funding to help them support victims during this time. “As restrictions begin to ease, it is likely we will see a rise in the number of people seeking support from domestic abuse and sexual violence services and it is vital that this support remains available and accessible to those who need it.” Also included in the funding allocation was Berkshire Women's Aid, Support U, Parents and Children Together (PACT) in Alana House, Reading and Trust House, Reading.
number of accidents, one where a BT worker on the pavement died and another on Friday, May 29 at the dangerous junction at Park Lane.” Mr Rees contacted Wokingham.Today to say that he had been mis-informed, and that the BT worker is alive and well.
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Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Stolen puppy found in Twyford could help change microchip law EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A FAMILY reunited with their stolen puppy will soon have their petition for compulsory microchip checking considered for debate in parliament.
Jodie Ferrier’s black spaniel, Fern was stolen from her Chessington farm in Surrey on Sunday, April 28, 2013. Six years later, the family — who now live in the Isle of Wight — were reunited at Twyford Veterinary Clinic after an unexpected and emotional telephone call. Stephanie-Rose Ball, who worked at the clinic, had no idea how long the family had been searching when she called Mrs Ferrier. “There’s not a day that goes past that I don’t think of that call,” said Mrs Ferrier. “Her voice echoes around my head, the way she said ‘I think we’ve got your dog’. She didn’t realise the enormity of the situation.” Fern had been found more than 80 miles from her family, when Ms Ball scanned the dog’s microchip after the animal arrived at the vets. Now Mrs Ferrier and her family are calling for
Fern was reunited with her family, six years after she was stolen, when a Twyford vet checked her microchip. Picture: Jodie Ferrier
compulsory microchip checking at every pet’s first vet appointment.
“Searching for Fern was almost like a full-time job,” she said. “We pushed to
boost her profile everywhere, she even featured on the Alan Titchmarsh Show as a lost dog. “And we pushed the Vets Get Scanning campaign, which was started 14 years ago by Debbie Mathews, the daughter of Sir Bruce Forsyth. “Her two dogs were stolen, and she started campaigning to make the scanning and checking of microchips compulsory. At the moment it’s just best practice.” After the family was reunited with Fern, Mrs Ferrier and Mrs Mathews teamed up to create Fern’s Law. Currently, the law requires all dogs to be microchipped. But it’s not compulsory for vets to scan the microchips. “It’s all about awareness,” said Mrs Ferrier. “People think that a microchip solves all of their problems if their dog is lost or stolen. But it doesn’t. “Even after we returned to the Isle of Wight with her, I had to push for our vets to scan her chip, and check again.” On the anniversary of Fern’s return home, Mrs
Ferrier wrote a social media post describing the moment the family was reunited. She wrote: “The door to another room opened and out came a panting and stressed little black dog. “I knew instantly it was her by her sideways wiggle . I let her approach me and she went to walk past ... But something caught her attention and she doubled back. She knew it was me. “I can't really put into words how I felt at that moment. “My little storm cloud just blew away. She was safe. She was well. She was coming home. “After a very tearful time chatting to the wonderful Twyford team and telling the story we were finally on our way home.” The post, which was read more than 3.5 million times and shared 40,000 times gave the petition for Fern’s Law momentum. Within a week, it had grown from 38,000 signatures to the required 100,000 for a parliamentary debate. If approved for debate, Mrs Ferrier hopes that all vets will be legally obliged to scan and check microchip registration in the future.
New name for community Grub Club THE GRUB Club has changed its name so that its two projects become clearer. During lockdown, The Grub Club has been feeding families with donations from Reading wholesaler Brakes, Wokingham’s COOK, as well as supermarkets Lidl, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, and Morrisons. And in the past 16 weeks, the club has distributed more than 1,250 food parcels to residents. But the club was originally launched last summer to help families entitled to free school meals. Grub Club co-ordinator, Claire Revie said: “The club has taken on a whole new mission over these last few months. “The service we’ve been offering is completely different to our original summer club but we wanted to keep the same name as both services share the same objective — to help people when they need it most.” But with the summer holidays fast approaching, the project names are now changing. The Grub Club will return to its original remit, focussing on providing lunches for families from the end of July onwards. Some meals are already made, others come as ingredients to cook with together.
And the covid-19 food hub has been renamed to SHARE Wokingham. Both projects are still operating out of Norreys Church, but they are in need of a new home. As the church prepares to resume services, The Grub Club and SHARE Wokingham will need a new premises — and quick. Ms Revie added: “We’re open to any suggestions at the moment. Our summer project starts at the end of this month so we need to find a new venue by then. “Ideally, we’d love to stay located in Norreys so we are close to the The covid-19 food hub has been renamed to SHARE Wokingham. Picture: Claire Revie people we currently help. “A kitchen area is a bonus as we need to keep some of the food supplies refrigerated and frozen. “A central location would be amazing. If we could have a building large enough to share with the Foodbank and other groups with the same ethos it could become a little • Divorce and separa�on • Property/financial settlements support hub of its own.”
For advice and assistance on Family Law matters including:
� For more information, to volunteer or suggest a new venue contact Claire Revie at cjmrevie@gmail.com. � Referrals to join The Grub Club can be made by Lisa Hookway at Citizens Advice Wokingham on 0300 330 1189 or families can email thegrubclubwokingham@gmail.com � And for the covid-19 food hub, visit: www.sharewokingham.co.uk
• Child arrangements
• Family disputes
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Contact our Family Law team today for a free 1 hour consulta�on
Evolu�on House, 53-59 Peach Street, Wokingham, RG40 1XP Tel: 0118 978 1017 Email: Michele.Jenno@star-legal.co.uk
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Tesco isolates two staff members after positive coronavirus tests A WOKINGHAM supermarket has isolated two staff members after they tested positive for coronavirus. Wokingham.Today was contacted by readers concerned that there had been cases of Covid-19 in the Finchampstead Road branch of Tesco. A Tesco spokesperson said that while it doesn’t comment on individual colleagues, the affected staff members have not worked for more than two weeks. They added that the store is given regular deep cleans and customers are able to use hand sanitizer on entering the store. “The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority,” they said. “We have introduced extensive measures across all of our stores to help keep everyone safe, including protective screens at every checkout, social distancing signage and regular deep cleaning.” If any Tesco staff show symptoms or test positive for the virus then they follow the Government guidelines around isolation and will be paid in full from their first day of absence. The cases follow a similar incident at the Martins Heron store in Warfield – in neighbouring Bracknell Forest – which was confirmed by the supermarket last week. In a statement at the time, Dr Connall Watson from Public Health England South East, said: “We are working closely with Tesco and Bracknell Forest Council and NHS partners to provide public health advice and help prevent the spread of the virus. “Having assessed the available evidence around the case (at Martins Heron) we have concluded that the risk to the wider public is minimal and people should go about their normal business but continue to pay attention to public health guidance and any in-store instructions to help keep everyone safe and well. “Workplaces are following national guidance and ensure that anyone with symptoms self isolates for seven days, and their household members isolate for 14 days. Close contacts of confirmed cases are asked to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms, to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus. “Employers have been asked to take certain measures to help reduce the spread of the virus, including ensuring staff can maintain two-metre social distancing wherever possible, employees wash their hands more often than usual for 20 seconds with soap and water and frequently touched surfaces are cleaned regularly.”
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
MOVING FORWARDS TOGETHER… As government advice evolves, it’s important we all continue to follow the guidance to help control the virus in our area. The government has announced that from 24 July, it will now be compulsory to wear a face mask when visiting shops and supermarkets and those who fail to comply with these new rules will face a fine of up to £100. All other guidance still also applies.
Wear face masks in shops, supermarkets and on public transport
Social distancing of 2m where possible or 1m+ in areas where this is more difficult
Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitiser if washing is unavailable
Be considerate of people who maybe be less comfortable with the changing of restrictions
If you have symptoms, self-isolate and apply for a test, as per the government and NHS guidelines
Keep in touch with neighbours, friends and family who may still need extra help or may be self-isolating
Please keep yourselves and others safe by continuing to follow the guidance and if you need more information visit our website www.wokingham.gov.uk, the central government website www.gov.uk or the NHS website www.nhs.uk We continue to work with the voluntary sector to provide a Covid-19 response service, including Citizens Advice, who are organising this helpline.
TO GET HELP YOU CAN: VISIT www.citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk EMAIL admin@citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk CALL 0300 330 1189
Make sure you stay up to date with the latest accurate information @wokinghamboroughcouncil @wokinghamBC www.wokingham.gov.uk
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Wokingham winter carnival cancelled over Covid fears EXCULUSIVE
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk IT’S ONE of the biggest events in Wokingham’s annual calendar and signifies the start of festive celebrations for many, but the Winter Carnival is another victim of the coronavirus pandemic.
The street fayre with a fun procession and carol singing was meant to have been held at the end of November, but organisers have decided to pull the plug now over concerns that the virus will still be around, making it a bleak midwinter for anyone who catches it. But organisers are looking to spread some festive cheer by organising a virtual event, which will be held on Sunday, November 29. It is anticipated that there would be entertainment from the Berkshire Maestros, a visit from Santa and the chance to join in with carol singing, all from the comfort of residents’ homes. There will also be a chance to learn more about the charities that would have had fundraising stalls at the event. However, it can’t contain the traditional parade that sees thousands of people line the streets in tight formation to watch schools, nurseries, marching bands and morris dancers go past in floats and street displays. There is also a special train carrying local dignitaries and MPs, as well as Father Christmas.
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But it’s all on hold for 2020. In a letter to Wokingham.Today, committee chairman Philip Mirfin noted that the popular event, which raises thousands of pounds for charities every year and links up residents with local groups, could not take place. He wrote: “Our main concern has been around the health and safety of all those attending and the ability to adhere to, and manage, social distancing should there still be restrictions in place or we have a second wave of the virus later in the year. “At this week’s committee meeting it was unanimously agreed that, regrettably, we should cancel this year’s event. “We do not know what the situation will be in November but felt that it was a
responsible decision not to encourage a large gathering of our local community at a time when we are still faced with uncertainty about the impact of Covid19.” He also wrote that the committee realised the news would be disappointing for both residents and stallholders, but hoped that the virtual event would go some way to making up for it. “We are considering what we can do to bring this together to celebrate the runup to Christmas once again this year. “As our plans progress, we will make further announcements to keep everyone informed.” And he added: “We hope to be back again next year with a bigger and better Wokingham Winter Carnival.” � Letters page 18
Ship Inn voted pub of the year “The award is very much deserved,” says the secrtary of Berkshire South East CAMRA. The real ale loving organisation has voted The Ship Inn, in Peach Street, Wokingham, as its Pub of the Year. Tony Springall was able to present the award to landlord Dave Jennings last week, after pubs reopened. However, it was “without the normal razzmatazz as it had to be presented with full social distancing measures in place”. He added: “The Ship Inn is already the holder of The Community Pub of the Year, this is the ultimate accolade that can be awarded locally and, in more normal times, would allow it to go forward to regional and national voting – another Berkshire pub, The Bell at Aldworth is the current national champion.”
Re3 shortlisted for national awards
Authority Success and Innovation Technology categories. The app, which is currently used RECYCLING company, Re3 is a by 10,000 residents, will soon allow finalist in this year’s National users to scan barcodes on products Recycling Awards — four times over. in exchange for information of how Both Bracknell and Reading to recycle them currently. centres have been shortlisted in the In a Joint Statement, Best Recycling Facility of the Year representatives from the local category. councils Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes MBE, They have also been praised for Bracknell Forest Council, Cllr Adele the performance of their reuse and Barnett-Ward, Reading Borough donation areas that have diverted Council, and Cllr Parry Batth, almost 600 tonnes of waste and Wokingham Borough Council, said: 4,000 bikes. “It is an honour to be shortlisted in Re3 was also recognised for their the MRW National Recycling Awards work with the recycling app, 2020 and we cannot wait to see the re3cyclopedia, in the awards’ Local results in December.”
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
WOKINGHAM PRIDE 2020
A celebration, but from a distance
Supporters of Wokingham Pride gathered – at a distance – in Market Place on Saturday. It is hoped to hold a proper event next year Pictures: Steve Smyth
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE FIRST Wokingham Pride took place on Saturday, online and with a socially distanced gathering in Market Place.
Members and allies of the gay community – LGBTQ+ – gathered in the town centre to wave flags and celebrate the borough’s diversity. Guests included borough council leader Cllr John Halsall and Wokingham Town Council leader Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey. The simple event was a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and it is hoped that there will be a proper one next year. Pride is usually marked by marches, parades and festivities, but these have been placed on hold. But businesses and families across
the borough joined in, displaying flags in windows, writing messages of support and sharing empowering images on social media. Organiser Lizzie Bishop said: “It’s really important to me that everyone gets involved and we, as a council and as a community, really push diversity and celebrate it in Wokingham. “It’s quite exciting to see everyone getting involved and it makes me excited for next year – we could do an even bigger event, and just celebrate and push diversity forward.” While the numbers were affected by the coronavirus, Ms Bishop says that it bodes well for future Pride events. “I hope that it just really encourages all members of LGBT and the trans community in Wokingham and throughout the town and the borough that they
feel accepted and welcome in our town. “That we don’t have any hate or anger towards it and that we really celebrate it from a government point of view as well as just a community point of view.” This was echoed by the council leaders. Wokingham Borough Council leader Cllr John Halsall said that it was a shame that a Pride march wasn’t able to have been held on Saturday. “It would actually have done a lot of good,” he said. “I’m delighted to be here, absolutely delighted.” And Cllr Imogen Shepherd DuBey said: “We totally want to promote equalities in this town. “The whole of our communities
have got to be included in everything we do. And we want to be sure that we are an inclusive and tolerant society. That’s part of what Pride is about and I’m very happy to be here.” In a statement on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council, mayor Cllr Malcolm Richards said: “I am honoured to champion the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Our work with our partners to promote equality and good relations is stronger than ever and I’m proud of the inclusive and diverse borough that Wokingham is. “I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you all to share this experience with us online.” A date has been set for next year’s event, Saturday, July 10.
Wokingham Borough Council leader Cllr John Halsall with Town Council leader Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey
Rachel Bishop-Firth
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Volunteer who parked in disabled bay has ticket appeal rejected by borough council EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOKINGHAM man caught out by a parking fine said the council can’t expect him to keep checking their website for updates.
Martyn Osment parked in a disabled bay on Denmark Street on Tuesday, June 23 — even though he is not a blue badge holder. As an NHS volunteer responder, Mr Osment was issued with a Covid-19 health, care and volunteer workers parking pass. But it does not apply to onstreet disabled bays. Government guidance states: “Any parking outside of the concessions guidance may result in the receipt of a parking charge notice (PCN).” Mr Osment told Wokingham.Today: “I was helping a shielding resident by posting a package for them at WH Smith, which is now the town's main Post Office. “I parked outside in the disabled bay, as I was previously told by a traffic warden that parking restrictions are eased due to the pandemic, and it was
Martyn Osment (left) volunteering to help people shielding, and his car (above) with a permit that does not include disabled bays
okay to park there.” On Wednesday, March 25, the borough council announced it would stop parking enforcement. In a social media post, the council said: “We are relaxing our car parking enforcement across the borough. We will not be enforcing restrictions in our
car parks, and will be relaxing rules elsewhere, with the exception of blue badge disabled parking bays, residents’ parking schemes, dangerous or obstructive parking and double yellow lines.” All parking enforcement was then reinstated on Friday, May 29, and was reported
by Wokingham.Today. Mr Osment said: “A traffic warden approached my car, and I told him about the previous warden’s comments. But he put a parking ticket on my car. “When I returned home, I contacted Geoff Hislop, the parking manager at Wokingham Borough Council and explained my position. “He told me that I should not have parked there, sent me the council update on the website and said I should have checked
before parking where I did.” Mr Osment said he submitted a formal appeal, which was rejected. He then paid the £35 fine. He added: “It’s not the £35 fine, it's the fact the council wants us to check its website for updates. “Wokingham Borough Council is heartless, uncaring and inflexible.” Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport at Wokingham
Borough Council, said: “We support the great work that NHS volunteer responders like Mr Osment are doing for our communities and there are many car parks where they are entitled to park for free while carrying out their valuable work. “However, unfortunately Mr Osment parked in a disabled bay without being a blue badge holder. “As our parking manager explained to Mr Osment in writing, the Government guidelines state that the parking pass and concession for coronavirus health, care and volunteer workers is not valid for use in disabled bays and anyone parking outside of the concessions guidance may receive a parking charge notice. “We understand that the location of the disabled bays are more convenient to park in due to their location but this to allow blue badge holders easier access to facilities. “If we allow drivers without blue badges to park in these spaces we are taking away spaces from those they are intended for, those who really need them.”
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Graduations postponed a year
Brontë King graduated from the University of Reading last year, and set up social media forum, Gals Who Graduate to support women with advice
EXCLUSIVE By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk THE University of Reading has postponed its summer graduation ceremonies until July next year.
The prestigious events, which take place on the University of Reading’s London Road campus, were originally rescheduled for December this year due to the pandemic. But students will now be waiting an extra seven months to don their gowns. In an email to students, Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort said: “Following our previous
decision to postpone our July 2020 Graduation ceremonies, we have been working to develop plans for an increased number of ceremonies in December. “After careful consideration, however, we have taken the incredibly difficult decision to postpone the December events to next July 2021. “We, like many other institutions, have reluctantly concluded that going ahead with these events in December could only be done with significant compromises to the experience of our graduates. “It would be necessary to restrict numbers, which would mean guests would not be permitted. Ultimately, we do not believe such an event
would give you the opportunity to celebrate your achievements as you deserve with your friends and family.” Professor Van de Noort added: “As many of our graduates and their guests will need to book travel and accommodation well in advance, we felt we needed to make an early decision to allow as much notice as possible.” He said that exam results and degree classification will not be delayed, and that graduates will receive their degree certificate in the post rather than at a formal ceremony. But response has been mixed, as the Class of 2020 must come to terms with a 2021 graduation after online exams, remote lectures and virtual dissertation hand-ins. Charlotte Essex, a final year student of English Language, said: “I’m disappointed that we were deprived of experiencing a full final year at university, and we’ve also now been let down that the penultimate ceremony, symbolising all of our academic achievements has now also been taken from us. “It feels like we’ve been pushed to one side and I genuinely feel like this has clouded my whole experience at university.” Another student compared the news to “having a leaving party a year after you’ve left a job” and others added it to their list of nontraditional university endings. Psychology student, Ysabella Knight said: “I feel a bit let down about it being pushed back and I don’t know if I’ll be able to go. It’s unfortunate but because of the world circumstances we just have to take it on the chin.” Maria Norman added: “I don't know whether to go or not. It's a year away and who knows what we'll all be doing, although it would be a
really good excuse to make the effort and see people again.” Brontë King, who graduated from the University of Reading last year, said: “My heart absolutely breaks for 2020 graduates. “You start university with that final picture in mind, that final day of celebration with your loved ones and suddenly your having to sit exams and write essays at home, have your social life ripped away from you and having your graduation postponed for a whole year.” Despite graduating last year, Ms King has been supporting graduates throughout the lockdown period with her social media forum, Gals Who Graduate, to ask each other for help and advice. She added: “I wanted to do everything in my power to find a way to give 2020 graduates that recognition. “On Thursday, July 16, we will be hosting our own virtual graduation ceremony with 100 girls who didn’t get to graduate this year. “To family members, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, anyone who knows a student who is meant to be graduating this summer please find a way to celebrate. “And to all 2020 graduates, you are incredible. That day will come and it will be even more special because you are the students who graduated in a world pandemic.” But some students welcomed the date change. International student Sara Mattar said: “As an international, having the date changed has been much better for me as there are a lot of restrictions towards traveling.” Since receiving the news that summer ceremonies will not take place, graduates across the country have been finding creative ways to celebrate. For now, garden celebrations will have to suffice.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
Plans scrapped for a sixth form in Arborfield Green � Continued from front page
Now, Ms Carey said her eldest is much more likely to choose a sixth form college out of the borough, than go to a local school. “Joining an existing school for their sixth form can be hard, I think we’d be much more likely to choose a college in Bracknell, Farnborough or Yateley. I would be happy for her to stay at Bohunt if it were possible.” Wokingham Borough Council leader Cllr John Halsall, said: “We have sufficient provision for sixth form in the borough. “In these straightened times, we certainly don’t have the money to expand schools where it is not necessary. “The whole world is looking at money at the moment. We’d never get a grant from the Government to build a school that wasn’t necessary.” In a survey of 576 parents of Bohunt schoolchildren, 97% of parents wanted their children to continue their sixth form education there. If the new block isn’t built, 59% said their children would use sixth form places at another school, and 38% said their children would go to a sixth form college outside of the borough. The remaining 3% said their children would look for apprenticeships. Ms Carey said the argument about sufficient places creates a “vicious cycle” when students choose sixth form colleges instead of secondary schools. She said: “If we continue to send out children out of the borough, there will still be surplus places in Wokingham, and the funding is taken out of the borough too.” She argued that building a competitive sixth form at Bohunt would also attract students — and subsequent funding — from neighbouring villages, such as Everlsey in Hampshire. Andrew Popple, community governor for post-16 provision at Bohunt, said: “Staff are disappointed that we’re not able to expand. “They would love to see the students stay, and with a sixth form, it’s an opportunity to see their own personal development opportunities. “But ultimately, we have a duty of care to our students, and by September, we need to be really clear with them about their options if this sixth form isn’t built.” Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services at WBC, said: “Wokingham Borough Council’s initial plans for Bohunt School was that it would cater for children aged 11 to 18. “The building was designed with an additional sixth form wing planned to be built a few years after the school opened to cater for post-16 provision. “However, prior to opening Bohunt Education Trust applied to change the numbers within the school and increase the number of pupils for years 7 to 11, thus removing the capacity for the post-16 element within the overall numbers as originally planned. “We have looked at capacity for post-16 places and found that we have enough places within the borough to meet the needs of post-16 learning through to 2024/25. “Because of this, we are not able to build or provide funding for an increase to the existing premises at Bohunt School. “Although we recognise this is not what the parents of Bohunt pupils will want to hear, as a council we need to look at the overall impact of our funding decisions in terms of value to all residents, including taking account of any impact on other schools providing post 16 learning within the borough. We will continue to review this decision.” Now, a petition has been launched to change the council’s mind. It’s had more than 1,000 signatures. � For more information, visit: www.change.org/p/ wokingham-district-council-6th-form-provision-atbohunt-school-arborfield
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Council vows to back Heathrow third runway – if carbon neutral By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk CONSERVATIVES on Wokingham Borough Council have said they will support a third runway at Heathrow – as long as it is carbon neutral.
At the council meeting held virtually on Monday, July 6, they approved an amendment to a motion that originally called on the chamber to oppose the planned airport expansion. And the Lib Dems, who had tabled the original motion for debate at the September meeting last year, accused the party of ducking debate and said that it was disappointing that what passed was substantially different. The motion had been timed for the nearest meeting to a threemonth consultation that Heathrow had launched around the proposed additional runway. Like other local authorities, the closing date for submissions was before a council meeting where the proposal could be debated. The Conservatives said that last year the council declared a climate emergency and has committed £50million to reaching its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. As such, it is opposed to any airport expansion that is detrimental
to the environment and the council’s carbon footprint. It argues that Heathrow Airport has proposed an extensive plan to reach carbon neutrality, but the council will only support the expansion if the Airport Carbon Accreditation Organisation (ACAO) confirms it can successfully be achieved. In a statement, Cllr Gregor Murray, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for climate emergency, said: “The ACAO already designates numerous airports around the world, including Gatwick, as being carbon neutral. “If Heathrow, or any other airport, can rise to these standards then we support their expansion and the economic benefit it will bring us. “We are committed to making the council carbon neutral by 2030 and will continue to work together with residents, businesses, charities and schools to reduce our emissions and to address climate change. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously.” The Liberal Democrats disputed whether any such scheme could be environmentally friendly. Cllr Paul Fishwick, Liberal Democrat Highways and Transport Spokesperson, said in a statement: “We have grave doubts whether
there can ever be any such thing as a carbon-neutral airport expansion but, of course, we are opposed to any airport expansion that isn’t carbon neutral. “So we accepted what the Conservatives proposed as at least a step in the right direction. However, we are really disappointed in the way they have approached this.” He added that the reason for the original motion naming Heathrow was that the party was echoing concerns of residents about the impact of a potential third runway on the borough.
“Despite this, the Conservatives had committed the council to supporting Heathrow expansion,” Cllr Fishwick added. “They did so through the decision of a single Conservative councillor without any consultation with the rest of us. “We think both the decision itself and the way it was taken were appalling and it needed to be overturned. “Well, now it has been – even though the Conservatives did their best to make sure the word ‘Heathrow’ wasn’t mentioned.”
NEWS | 9
Wokingham church hosts drive-in worship CHURCHES across the borough are starting to hold services in their buildings again, but one is preparing to utilise its car park for a drive-in service. The Foundation Church, which meets at the Oakwood Climbing Centre, is preparing to swap its reverend for some revving. “I’m so excited about it,” said church pastor Owen Hayward in a video. “It promises to be a brilliant time as we gather together again to worship and read the Bible together and enjoy gathering together again after a few months of being separate and unable to be together I'm so looking forward to being able to get together in this year, although it'll be slightly unusual sat in our cars.” The service will also be broadcast online on Sunday at 4.30pm. The church gathering is in Waterloo Road and may be cancelled if there is torrential rain. For more details, email: hello@foundationchurch.org.uk
GPs call to re-book cervical cancer tests WOMEN across Berkshire are being urged to re-book cervical cancer tests that were cancelled due to the pandemic. Dr Kajal Patel, Berkshire West CCG cancer lead, said: “I’d urge everyone who is eligible for a test, or had theirs postponed during Covid, to please make an appointment.” Cervical screening is offered to everyone with a cervix, between the ages of 25 and 64, every three or five years depending on their age. Screening uptake has been low over the last year or so, with one in four women in the UK not attending their test. To book an appointment, contact your local GP.
10 | BUSINESS
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Berkshire Growth Hub launches business recovery programme By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk
Following a 98% client satisfaction rating for its High Growth Programme, the Berkshire Growth Hub team have launched a recovery and growth programme for SMEs impacted by Covid-19. Picture: The Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Hub
THE THAMES Valley Berkshire Growth Hub has designed a new scheme to help businesses recover from the pandemic.
The recovery and growth programme will help eligible Berkshire businesses build resilience in the wake of Covid-19. Developed from the Berkshire Growth Hub’s high growth programme, the new initiative provides business owners with 12 hours of free, impartial support via one-to-one meetings, masterclasses and advice clinics. And as part of the recovery and growth programme, businesses will also benefit from diagnostic tools developed by SME business support organisation, Oxford Innovation. This includes specialist Covid-19 growthmapper, which can assess business state and resilience in the face of the current crisis to help plan survival, stabilisation and recovery. Martin Hall, Thames Valley Berkshire Growth Hub manager, said: “We understand Covid-19 has created unprecedented challenges for businesses and we are here to help.
“Whether your plans have been knocked off course by the pandemic and you need to build business resilience, or you’ve identified new opportunities and you’re looking to grow, our team of professionals are here to help businesses not just survive, but thrive.” The hub also offers free and impartial advice on topics including human
resources and employment law, IT and remote working, cyber security, finance, research and development tax credits, digital marketing and social media as part of its coronavirus recovery response. Sessions can take place via telephone or video conference. � For more information call: 01344 388005 or visit: www.berkshirebusinesshub.co.uk
Building projects given £7.5m boost SEVEN infrastructure projects across the Thames Valley will benefit from a £7.5million funding boost – and it is expected that another five will get the green light later this month. The Government is providing the funding to help boost local economies in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in a bid to lead the economic recovery. Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (TVLEP) submitted bids for 27 ‘ready to go’ infrastructure projects that could be completed by January 2022. It secured the £7.5m from the Government’s £900 million Getting Building Fund. Peter Read, chair of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, said: “This additional £7.5m allocated by Government into Thames Valley Berkshire in the recent wave of new funding will enable the LEP to bring forward some of our already extensive strategic economic programme of activity for Berkshire. “To date, we have assigned nearly £172m to infrastructure projects in the area, with nearly half of this money allotted to sustainable road, rail and cycle projects. “This clearly demonstrates our commitment to deliver an ongoing
and viable green recovery.” In the aftermath of Covid-19, and looking towards a programme of economic recovery, TVLEP says it is revisiting its Local Industrial Strategy to ensure that it will meets future local needs. And it said it will continue to work with government on future funding for investments to support our ambitions for Berkshire. “The investment from Government is welcome and the LEP was both vigorous in its pursuit of funding and effective in its targeted use of this money to maximise benefit to the local economy,” said Alison Webster, chief executive of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP. “Thames Valley Berkshire contributes £42.5bn to the UK’s GVA, the largest economic output of any LEP outside of London, so while we shall always welcome a greater allocation of funds we are determined to maximise the impact of this further contribution to the area’s recovery. “I am delighted to announce that in June we secured local approval to proceed with seven infrastructure projects worth £7.4m and later in July we aim to approve another five projects worth just under £5m.”
100 days of working at home By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk ALMOST half of UK workers have spent more than 100 days working from home due to the pandemic — but are businesses doing enough to protect their workers’ health? That’s the concern for a national research association. New figures from the Office for National Statistics show that only 2% of the country’s workforce returned to their normal workplace between Monday, June 8, and Sunday, June 21. And there are signs that working from home may become the new normal. The Furniture Industry Research Association has warned of the negative long term impacts of remote
We Buy Any Car opens in Wokingham A JOB has been created thanks to the arrival of a company dedicated to purchasing vehicles. Webuyanycar.com has opened a branch at Innovation House, off Molly Millars Close. The company, which features Phillip Schofield in its
working on staff. A spokesperson from the association has argued that little support has been offered to those working from home as restrictions are eased. Levent Çaglar, chief ergonomist at FIRA, said: “The time has come for people to take stock of their environment and ask how their health may be being affected. “Employers must properly support remote workers to optimise their home workplace, otherwise they’ll take a further hit in terms of lost productivity. “This could be time wasted from working with multiple documents on a small screen or physical days lost to sickness absence, because of back, neck and shoulder problems.” To encourage healthy
working from home, FIRA has published free guides for companies and staff. The guide for employers includes suitable provisions for staff working from home, information on workplace assessments and regulations. The employee guide sets out the best way to work depending on individual set-ups — whether working from a home office, or at a dining table in a shared flat. Mr Çaglar added: “This isn’t about paying out for expensive kit, but making sure that employees understand how to make their work environment as ergonomic as possible – and much of this is to do with regular breaks and movement, rather than equipment.”
TV advertising campaign, has more than 300 branches across the country. They buy cars based on a 60-second valuation carried out from the company’s website. And the branches offer instant bank transfers to motorists selling their vehicles. Nationwide, the company employs 500 people. Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar.com, was delighted with the new branch.
“Our latest opening in Wokingham is testament to the continued growth of webuyanycar.com and our support for customers in the Berkshire area, who we have been buying many thousands of cars from over the years,” he said. “With the new branch, we hope to reduce customer travelling time by expanding to another location in the area.”
� Download the free guides at: www.fira.co.uk/homeworking
� For more details, visit: www.webuyanycar.com
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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‘The eat out scheme will help to get customers through the door’ EXCLUSIVE By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk RESTAURANTS across Wokingham will be able to offer 50% off next month, following the announcement of the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
The voucher scheme will see eateries offer discounts as part of the Government’s £30 billion rescue plan for the economy following the pandemic. In a statement to Parliament on Wednesday, July 8, chancellor Rishi Sunak said that customers will be able to dine out for 50% off on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August, with a maximum of £10 discount per person on food and soft drinks. Mr Sunak said: “Restaurants and other eligible establishments are now able to support jobs by signing up to a place on the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. “HMRC’s quick and easy registration page will soon have you on your way to welcoming back your customers with discounted dining, with a simple process to reclaim these discounts back from the Government each week.” Any restaurant or cafe that sells food, has its own dining area and is registered as a food business with its
local authority before Tuesday July, 7 can sign up for the scheme at www.gov.uk. Businesses can claim from the scheme each week and will be paid within five working days. Jim Harra, chief executive and first permanent secretary of HMRC, said: “The hospitality industry is among the sectors worst affected by Covid-19. “The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme will deliver support to around 130,000 businesses, including restaurants, cafes and bars serving food and drink, helping to protect 1.8 million jobs across the UK. “Registering is easy, and we urge businesses to sign up early so they are ready to use the scheme when it starts on Monday, August 3. “Businesses have made great efforts to re-open their sit-down services safely, in line with social distancing guidance, so people can feel confident to dine out again.” VAT will also be cut from 20% to 5% across the hospitality, accommodation and attraction industries from Wednesday, July 15, until Tuesday, January 12, 2021. Bracknell MP James Sunderland, whose constituency includes parts of the borough, said: “We should not underestimate how difficult recent months have been for many businesses in Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Sandhurst and
Wokingham Without. “Now that the virus is coming under control, we must turn our attention to creating and protecting jobs. “I hope that everyone in Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Sandhurst and Wokingham Without will answer the call to Eat Out to Help Out. “This fantastic new voucher scheme, along with the cut in VAT, is the much-needed lifeline many businesses have been calling for. “Our plan for jobs will turn our national recovery into millions of stories of personal renewal – as the Conservatives continue to stand squarely behind people, businesses and our economy.” And response from Wokingham venues has been positive, with many pubs and restaurants looking forward to the scheme and the benefits it will bring. Pete Scott, manager of The Lord Raglan said: “We’re very keen to get on board with the scheme as it would be great for us seeing as we’ve just opened. “It will definitely drill-up trade and help to get more customers through the door at the same time as encouraging people to try our food and return in the future. “We’re hoping to hear some more news over the next week about which venues can partake and how
it will work. “Then we can start making some concrete plans.” Mr Scott added: “The past couple of weeks have been great. We didn’t go down the route of installing screens or over-separating furniture as we wanted to keep it feeling like a pub and create an ambiance which customers could enjoy. “Luckily our tables were already quite spread out so all we’ve had to do is install a one way system and reduce bar contact. “Our weekends still aren’t as busy as they used to be, but I’d definitely say customer confidence is coming back. Our early week sales have been great too.” The Warren, Binfield, is also keen to get involved with the voucher scheme and is awaiting further guidance from the government. Arthar Ali, manager at the Sultan Balti Palace, welcomed the Government's Eat Out to Help Out initiative. He said: "We are looking forward to welcoming diners, and allowing them to take advantage of this very generous offer." The Market Place restaurant is also exploring promotions for its takeaway and collection customers that will run concurrently with the Government's incentive. � For more information visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications
BUSINESS | 11
Woodley business club hosts branding seminar BRANDING will be the subject for a virtual networking event next week. Members of the Woodley Business Club will be gathering online on Wednesday, July 22, where they will hear Stephanie Cronin talk about the importance of corporate identity and how to use it. The session includes a look at photos – Stephanie runs Summers Photography – and how they can be used to help present a coherent brand across all platforms. The event runs from 8pm, and new members will be welcome. � For more details, visit: ww.woodleybusinessclub.org.uk
Last call for Thames Valley tech awards NOMINATIONS are closing soon for this year’s Thames Valley Tech Awards. Running for its third year, the annual awards scheme will continue to recognise the outstanding achievements of businesses — both big and small — from a region that is home to companies including Microsoft, Oracle, Fujitsu and Cisco. The winners of which will be announced at a virtual event on Thursday, September 24. The ceremony, hosted by television presenter Vernon Kay, will be an interactive event filled with opportunities for networking and audience participation. Founder and managing director at Elcot Media & Events, David Murray said: “We’re delighted to be able to embrace digital and bring the Thames Valley Tech Awards to a virtual event this year to celebrate the success of local businesses after a difficult few months.” Nominations close on Friday, July 24 2020. � For more information or to enter the awards, visit: tvtechawards.co.uk
12 | NEWS
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WADE launch club lottery EXCLUSIVE
RBH chief executive proud of team effort � Continued from front page
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk A NEW fundraising scheme will help the work of a day centre for the borough's older folk, while also rewarding supporters.
WADE, based in Reading Road in Wokingham, has launched a new lottery, the Wade 150 Club. It is aimed at offsetting some of the losses the centre has endured as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The day centre has been mostly closed since lockdown began in March, as people over 70 have been deemed high risk if they catch the virus. Although it opened for a few days last month, on advice from officials, its doors have been closed again. And with rules preventing fundraising gatherings such as an Easter fayre or a horseracing night, the centre has seen its income and donations plummet. WADE trustee Philip Mirfin has written to friends, members, staff and supports of the day centre, inviting them to join the scheme. There are 150 spots available, at a cost of £10 per month. If the scheme is full, it will award prizes of £300, £150 and £75, with £75 bonuses in June and December. These can be claimed by the ticket holder or
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
donated back to WADE. Mr Mirfin said: "The key to our offering these winnings is a full membership, please give us your full support to ensure that we can continue to offer the excellent daycare that we are renowned for at WADE and those with Dementia requiring our daycare respite services. “Please support this important fundraiser and encourage your friends and family to become members as well.”
Entrants need to complete a standing order or pay by cheque. There is a limit of two memberships per household. The first draw is intended to take place on Friday, August 28, with the closing date for entry August 14. It will then be held on the last Friday of the month, with the results published in Wokingham.Today the following week. � To sign up to the draw, to make a donation or for more details, email
But the challenge still remains, even though the country’s alert level has gone down from 4 to 3 – the virus is still among us and the need for us to socially distance, washing hands and wearing face coverings remains. “Throughout everything, we have adapted to create safe environments. It might look different, different signage, there’s hand gels, we’ve looked at how people move around, but it’s always been about creating a safe environment for patients,” Mr McManus said. And the hospital has really “scaled up” the digital appointments, be it on phone on video. “There are some services were face-to-face is absolutely necessary, but a lot of digital treatments have been really, really helped during the period. Our clinical records are in digital form, and it’s helped having them in front of clinicians. “What we’ve wanted is to be able to offer a number of different ways for people to interact with us.” At the height of the pandemic, a pop-up village was installed in Reading School, giving staff treating coronavirus patients somewhere safe to stay. As well as sleep pods, there was a pop-up supermarket.
Mr McManus was delighted with the service. “Staff could book accommodation and save a long journey home; it allowed staff to get over concerns of working and then going home to the family, protecting them and letting them stay at work.” And it is the pressures caused by treating the virus that led to the idea of a permanent welfare centre for staff. Throughout the pandemic, the hospital has been offering mental and physical health support. “Our ethos has always been about our people, and to create conditions for them to do an outstanding job,” Mr McManus said. “Our staff asked us to put this in place, we’ve listened to them. We know that staff mental health is really important – the pandemic has put staff into challenging situations, they really value that support.” For now though, an opportunity to breathe a sigh of relief. While the coronavirus is not defeated, the initial wave has passed. And that means taking stock. Asked if he had any messages for readers, Mr McManus had one: “A heartfelt thank you on behalf of staff to the readers of Wokingham.Today for the support they’ve shown.”
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
NEWS | 13
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Three businesses to move into Peach Place and Elms Field By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk THREE more companies have signed leases at Elms Field and Peach Place as part of the Wokingham town centre regeneration.
eActiv Health Lounge will be opening a concept centre at Peach Place and independent electronics business Pratts Pods and the Authentic Turkish Barbers will both be taking units at Elms Field. Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, executive member for
‘We need time to catch-up on the agenda’ A MOTION is to be brought to a future council meeting in a bid to catch up on the outstanding agenda. Last week, we reported that councillors only had time to debate one motion out of five before the meeting on Monday, July 6, had to come to a halt. And some of the agenda items had been appearing on the list for several previous meetings.
regeneration at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Pratts Pods is a popular family business, already based in Wokingham town centre, specialising in repairing electrical devices. “This new move to Elms Field will allow them to increase their repair business and expand their offer to include sales and a face-toface service. Cllr Haitham Taylor added: “The Authentic Turkish Barbers is another independent business who were keen to expand in to
But time constraints meant that they could not be discussed, or voted on, by councillors. Now one councillor has had enough and is calling on the ruling Executive to call for an additional series of meetings to clear the backlog. Cllr Gary Cowan’s motion, which will be added to the agenda on Thursday, July 23, says: “The continued failure of recent Council meetings to conclude the agenda business suggests that the existing democratic process has failed. “As a direct result of this
Wokingham. They pride themselves on the high quality of their staff and place an emphasis on great technique.” Pratts Pods and the Authentic Turkish Barbers will be taking units adjacent to Aldi and the new Starbucks store — which is due to start fit-out in the coming weeks. Cllr Haitham Taylor added: “As the summer has got underway it has been great seeing Peach Place come into its own as a popular destination for the town centre.
Wokingham Borough's Residents and their Borough Council elected Members have been let down very badly. “To correct this serious democratic failure and get the Council back on track this council must immediately programme in as many additional council meetings as is required to get Council business up-to-date.” Council leader Cllr John Halsall said that as the meetings were chaired by the mayor, his agenda came first, and only after questions from the public and members, and
“We believe eActiv Health Lounge will prove just as popular an addition to Peach Place as they offer something that bit different and new with an ethos to take health and fitness beyond the usual gym offer with their Eat, Move, Relax, Recover approach. “They have a state of the art exercise lounge focussed on a 30-minute workout, as well as a fantastic recovery lounge with the latest floatation therapy on offer, alongside whole body cryotherapy treatment.”
statements made by the administration could the motions be discussed. “In order to get through all the agenda, we’d have to have meetings that go on to 2am or 3am in the morning,” he said. “I don’t think that’s a good ask. Have 10 motions and it would be 6am. That’s not reasonable. “Three hours is reasonable.” He added: “Overview and scrutiny committee are quite capable of debating without limitation. There are other forums (that councillors can use).”
The mayor who came to tea THE WOKINGHAM town mayor joined a care home for a virtual tea party last week. Cllr Tony Lack and his wife Claire tuned into the afternoon tea with residents of the Berkshire Care Home in Barkham Road. The mayor gave everyone a tour of Wokingham Town Hall including the main hall, annexe, council chamber and talked about its history. The afternoon tea was still a grand affair as the mayor had arranged for a selection of cupcakes to be delivered to the home for residents and team members to enjoy with a cup of tea as they asked questions and chatted. Resident Michael Mace said: “I was honoured to meet the mayor and mayoress who kindly took us on a tour around the Town Hall which I’ve never
visited before. “They showed us all their special regalia and we even had afternoon tea with them through the screen – isn’t technology wonderful?”
14 | NEWS
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COUNCILNEWS Greenbelt rubbish dump to run for two more years A CONTROVERSIAL rubbish dump has had its years of operation extended in a bid to help the environment.
Grundon has been running Star Works landfill site in the Knowl Hill greenbelt for 21 years, and now has permission to continue working for another two years. Last Wednesday, the planning committee approved the time extension by virtual vote. Cllr Simon Weeks, chair and Conservative councillor for Finchampstead South, said the site has a “a long and checkered history” which has attracted objections from MP Theresa May, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr John Halsall, and 70 nearby residents. But permission was granted by the planning committee so that Grundon could complete the dump’s sealing process, which involves capping the site and restoring it to green space. In the application, Grundon noted that it was 75% through this already, with tonnes of soil already in position. The extension will allow the waste company to complete the process, plant trees, restore the public footpath and re-seed the area. Grundon said it was unable to finish the capping as the inert waste — such as sand, soil and concrete — was not readily available. But this claim was opposed by MP Theresa May and many local residents. Planning officer, Graham Vaughan said: “Ceasing operations now would prevent restoration of the land being completed. Cllr Stephen Conway added: “Were the extension granted, we would be prolonging the disruption to neighbouring houses. “I understand the perspective of the residents and the neighbouring Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. “But without permission we are freezing the site in this current state — we would be unable to introduce the landscape that everyone wants to see.
A special report from the virtual planning meeting held on Wednesday, July 8, by JESS WARREN
“I don’t think it’ll be in anyone’s interest to refuse this application.” Mr Vaughan added: “The effect of refusing the extension of time would mean planning permission is no longer available for work to continue on the site. If refused, work would have to stop as there is no planning permission available. “There would be quite some difficulty with the Environment Agency. It is quite likely they would not accept the site as it is.” Cllr Malcolm Richards, Conservative councillor for Norreys, said: “If we don’t approve, I’m concerned about the state it would be left in. But whoever took it on would take just as much time to do the restoration as Grundon. “If they’re not making good progress — what could we do?” Cllr Chris Bowring, Conservative councillor for Wokingham Without, added: “Grundon has written a letter to us, saying they expect to finish in July next year.” The planning committee was concerned that Grundon was not using available inert waste from Windsor and Maidenhead borough to its advantage. Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey said: “Why has Grundon refused some material in the past? “Are we certain that inert material is not readily available? “I would like to ask Grundon to liaise with Wokingham Borough Council on how much inert material they have.” Mr Vaughan said: “I suggest a condition that the applicant would have to submit the amount left to do — which they already submit to the Environment Agency. “It can help bring discussions to an earlier stage if they don’t seem to be making progress.” Cllr Simon Weeks, Conservative councillor for Finchampstead South added: “We should ask the applicant to enter into meaningful discussion with Windsor and Maidenhead to take advantage of available inert material.” It is hoped this will speed up the topping process.
New takeaways and cafes on the cards for Wokingham town centre WOKINGHAM town centre could be host to a new takeaway shop, after plans were approved to broaden the types of use for the old Spin Bar. Alexandra House has already been approved for a mix of new shops, but last Wednesday, the committee approved a wider variety of uses. This now includes retail, banks, estate agencies, cafes, restaurants, pubs, wine bars and hot food takeaways. The ground floor has four units, and the upstairs is available for offices.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
One objection to the plans included Wokingham Town Council, calling for closing times to match those of the Giggling Squid, at 11.30pm. But Spin Bar was allowed to stay open until 3.30am. The planning officer said: “When new use is implemented, opening times need to be in accordance with these, as nightclub use wouldn’t exist anymore.” The committee fully supported the changes in the hope that the building will be fully utilised, and boost town centre employment.
£1.6million upgrade approved for Cantley THE PLANNING committee was happy to approve a new 3G sports pitch for Cantley Park at last week’s planning meeting. The scheme, which includes an artificial pitch, floodlights, more parking, new changing rooms and improving the viewing balcony and café, was welcomed by all councillors. Cllr Malcolm Richards, Concervative councillor for Norreys Ward, which includes Cantley Park, said he was pleased to see the floodlights have been modified so they don’t affect the local neighbourhood, and that he welcomed better, upgraded sporting facilities. The application had only two objections, after 400 neighbours were contacted about the plans. Cllr Carl Doran, Labour councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates, said he hoped to see more cycle racks installed on site. He said: “In a site like this, that’s sport related, more people are likely to cycle there. I think it would be better to have more racks. Twentyfour spaces is generous, but I would like to see more.” The plans also include cutting down a lime tree and some hedgerows. But these will be replaced with 21 new trees, hedgerows and a wild seed mix to offset the damage. Cllr Doran added: “Removing one tree and replacing it with 21 is the kind of ratio we should be doing everywhere.” The improvements will see a £1.6million investment by the borough council, with the intention to create an improved place for
sportspeople and families at the park. The additional 39 parking spaces will bring the total to 164, with four larger spaces to accommodate minibuses. The borough council will soon be bidding for funding from the Football Foundation to match its investment. The result is expected in autumn and subject to the grant approval of the grant, work will start in early 2021. Responding to the approval, Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “We are immensely proud that we have received planning permission for these fantastic enhancements at Cantley Park. “Cantley Park is the largest park with playing pitches that are used by so many people from across the whole borough but we need to make significant improvements to the current facilities as they are outdated. “So this is fantastic news for local teams, who will no longer have to travel outside the borough for matches or training, and it will help our climate change initiatives. “These enhancements will benefit all of our residents not just the football community. “Visiting the park, whether to exercise, meet friends, walk the dog or simply relax, is really popular with local people. “These proposals will see significant investment in a much loved and well used facility.” The artificial hockey pitch and twelve tennis courts at Cantley Park will be unaffected.
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
COUNCILNEWS
Winnersh park and ride to gain two-storey extension WINNERSH park and ride will be expanded with 104 parking spaces in a two-storey car park. Last Wednesday, the planning committee approved the plans submitted by the borough council. The car park will have a solar panel roof, but electric car charging will only be installed if “the demand is demonstrated”. It will also have a lift and disabled bays. The plans do not currently include any parent and child spaces, as the borough council does not have a formal policy on this. Cllr Stephen Conway, Liberal Democrat councillor for Twyford, said: “There appears to be no parent and child spaces allocated. “Given what has been said about the possibility of discussing the design features after, could we incorporate a suggestion for these spaces?” Highways development manager at Wokingham Borough Council Judy Kelly, said: “We don’t have any standards of requiring parent child spaces, they’re not common for park and rides, more likely supermarkets.” To allay concerns, the committee decided to ask the borough council to evaluate and consider whether
parent and child spaces should be considered on ground floor. This was approved by majority, but rejected by Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Conservative councillor for Hillside and executive member for highways and transport, and Cllr Malcom Richards, Conservative councillor for Norreys. Cllr Conway also used the opportunity to suggest a similar car parking scheme for Twyford railway station. The scheme will involve building a fourth arm to the roundabout on Wharfdale Road, and the parking will be moved to a temporary location when construction begins. Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey, Liberal Democrat councillor for Winnersh, asked planning officers to brief Winnersh Parish Council when a decision had been made for the location of temporary parking. Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh, Liberal Democrat councillor for Hawkedon also questioned whether the new parking location would impact congestion around Showcase roundabout and Lower Earley Way during rush hour. But this did not seem to be a concern to the planning officers or highways manager.
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NEWS | 15
Countryside business park expansion approved A GROWING business park was approved for further expansion at the planning meeting last Wednesday. Lambs Farm in Swallowfield has had 23 applications to expand the site since 2012. Now, a further three business units have been approved. The application was originally listed by Cllr Stuart Munro, Conservative councillor for Swallowfield, who was concerned the application “encroaches into the countryside”. One resident who commented on the plans said: “The application is on land which was never part of the business park, it was a field
which belonged to a neighbour.” Cllr Carl Doran, Labour councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates said: “I regard this as unreasonable, encroaching on the countryside and I don't think we should have allowed this in the first place.” He rejected the plans, along with Cllr Malcom Richards, Conservative councilor for Norreys, who was worried about the continued expansion of the park. But the majority of the committee decided there was significant evidence for the need to expand again. Planning officer Stefan Fludger said: “In
terms of the need of expansion for business, there have been a number of applications at the site recently which have shown a need to expand the business”. He also explained that the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) supports the expansion of businesses in the countryside. The three units fall under B1 classifications, and are suitable for offices, research and development and light industrial processes. They will be built on existing parking allocated for lorries.
16 | NEWS
nelliewilliams Nellie knows www.nelliewilliams.co.uk
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Fairies welcome the work of the Shedders
What a weird year – and it’s not over yet
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
Why Brigitte owe in print to a fas By TAZ USHER tusher@wokinghampaper.co.uk A WOODLEY author is celebrating the launch of her new book, which is sure to captivate all of your senses.
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokinghampaper.co.uk SHEDDERS have been building a portal into a fantasy world to keep families smiling. Members of the Wokingham Men’s Shed had been asked by Wokingham town council to make fairy doors and windows for local families under pressure. They’ve created 105 doors and 105 windows for children to paint and decorate, which will be given to the Grub Club to distribute. Shedders have been creating the wooden doors from the comfort of
their home workshops, as the Men’s Shed is unable to open due to the pandemic. Chairman of the Wokingham Men’s Shed, Ron Baillie said: “It’s something to do that’s creative and gets children outside. “They take some tools to create, so we divided it up for those who have the right equipment at home. “The council asked if we could have them ready in three weeks, but we’re only one week in and they’re ready to go. “I’ll be collecting them from everyone’s workshops soon, and dropping them off.”
The rain in Reading falls mainly on the dry side of wet
W
HILST on hold I was doodling in the Dodopad and there it was – end of term in bold, not just any end of term it’s the end of year and what a weird year it’s been on so many levels.
We’ve had three socially distanced birthdays in our house and if it’s OK for another star sign to appear then it’s OK to delay your birthday. You can take it any time you like, which means you stay younger for longer. I’ll be 50 for a while longer, thanks.
What’s the issue with face masks? The introduction of compulsory face masks has whipped up a social media frenzy and I have to say I fail to see what the issue is. People are being told to wear a face mask when shopping, that’s all. It’s not all day like doctors and nurses, it’s for the shopping period. It’s just one of the new normals.
Finally, a trip to Wales I got to Wales last, week at last, and had better weather in the Brecon Beacons than in Wokingham. It rained heavily on my drive on Wednesday until the bridge, then it was dry. It doesn’t always rain in Wales, it rains in England too. Now I’m no photographer but my camera roll is full of mist below mountains together with sunset and sunrise shots, which I would love to paint but I’ve not done any painting since my Art O Level. The only person stopping me is me. Anyway Wales is open now, with an announcement being made later in the month as to whether non-self-contained accommodation including caravans and camping can open.
WHEN IT comes to this forecasting, you can’t blame it on the weatherman – it’s your pick. Two weeks ago, we shared the news that the University of Reading is running a summer contest inviting you to predict whatever the weather will be. And organisers say that so far, well, we’re not very good at it. The Weather Game asks people to forecast temperatures, sunshine and rainfall for locations around the world. Points are awarded based on how accurate the forecasts prove to be, with players competing to top the leaderboard. The results for the first round of predictions, published last week showed that only one of the nearly 300 players managed to predict exactly how much rainfall there would be in Reading between Saturday morning and Monday morning (0.2mm). And no one correctly predicted how much rain would fall in Nanjing, China (18.8mm). The mean average of all predictions was too high in every category, suggesting that as a nation, we tend to overestimate
both how wet and how warm and sunny the weather will be. Professor Andrew CharltonPerez, head of the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading, said: “While it is easy to question how forecasters didn’t see a rain shower coming after the event, this game shows that sometimes the weather just doesn’t do what you expect it to. “Every forecast is made of many predictions of complex interacting processes, so making accurate predictions is a lot harder than it looks.” And he hopes that the game is seen as a bit of fun, and shed light on some of the problems forecasters have to make. He adds: “Meteorology and climate science needs brainy mathematicians, physicists, geographers, computer scientists and others to help improve our methods of making predictions and to invent new ones. Anyone studying these subjects at school may want to consider being part of this real-world challenge as a career in the future.” To take part, log on to rdg.ac/weathergame
No summer holiday plans For the first time in yonks we have no summer plans, we’ve got ideas, wish lists and pipe dreams but nothing is set in stone. Whatever your plans I hope you have a restful summer.
Wait, don’t tell me, I never forget a face!
Brigitte Morse Starkenburg published the first of her trilogy series The Sensorians: Awakening last month. The writer, whose day job was put on hold due to the pandemic, says: “Lockdown has been the perfect opportunity to work on the publishing side of things and finally decide what I want to do with my book. “I made the informed decision to self-publish as I wanted to have control over my work and ensure it is interpreted by my readers the way I intend. “I’ve already had some great feedback from readers and many of them are looking forward to reading the next instalment of the trilogy.” The fantasy fiction novel tells the story of strong-willed teenager Eliza who discovers the reason for her differences following an encounter with a stranger which leads her to a new, secret community. Throughout the book, Eliza unveils truths about her family while having to make challenging decisions and dealing with the complex realities of teenagerhood. And although Brigitte describes her book as fantasy, she adds: “While there are elements of fantasy in the plot, it is set in a normal world. “There isn’t magic or creatures, but the characters do have something unique about them.” Brigitte’s work also explores topics such as mental health, bi-sexuality and self-discovery which she explains link closely to
Brigitte Morse Starkenburg holds a copy of he
her target audience of young adults. She says: “The idea for the trilogy came from my personal experience of family members who have ASD. “People with ASD often have strong sensory experiences such as things smelling too much or not liking the feel of things so I wanted to make something positive out of their experiences. “The characters in my book have heightened senses which put them at an advantage to others. “This is fantastically communicated
Elin’s in the mood for dan STRICTLY stars train for hours to perfect their routines, but none have attempted dancing for 12 hours straight. So why did a 13- year-old take on the challenge?
Elin Young from Tilehurst began lockdown on a mission to raise money for her dance school, County Dance, which has attracted many youngsters from across the borough for its lessons for more than 60 years. With her weekly lessons on pause, the teenager was determined to use the time off to fundraise £200 for the school. Even if that meant doing the Cha Cha Cha for 12 hours. She says: “I came up with the idea to raise money for County Dance as I love the school and they really care about their dancers. “As lockdown went on for longer we decided that the money I raised would go towards helping families affected by the pandemic return to classes when they start again. “A lot of people have struggled during lockdown and I hated the idea of people having to give up their dance lessons because they can’t afford it. “We spoke to County Dance and agreed that any money I raised could be put towards exams, competition fees and even
dance shoes for those who need them.” Since launching the fundraiser on gofundme.com Elin has received generous donations from friends, members of the school and even strangers. An impressive 127 donations later and Elin has raised 13 times her target with a current total of £2,720 for the cause. The generous youngster said: “I never thought I would raise £200, let alone £2,000. I can’t believe how many people have donated.” The danceathon took place in Elin’s kitchen on Saturday where she was joined by a support team including her parents, grandparents and brother. Running from 9.30am to 9.30pm, the fundraiser was also watched by internet users via a Facebook Livestream featuring various guests throughout the day. Elin, who dreams of becoming a dance world champion, said: “As I wasn’t able to dance with anyone in person, many people joined the Livestream. “Every time someone new came on it gave me an extra boost and reminded me why I was doing it. “My two friends, who promised they
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
es her Awakening shion designer
er self-published book The Sensorians
by the cover of the book which shows all of the senses coming into the brain. “It’s quite freaky, but really effective. I have fashion designer Miguel González to thank for it.” The author adds: “The main character Eliza finds herself falling in love with a boy called Zack. As the story develops Eliza is also introduced to Zack’s twin sister Zaphire who she thinks she might also have feelings for. “This is a sub-theme in the book but an important factor in Eliza’s decision
on whether she can live in a community like the new one she has found herself in. “Eliza is a very complex character who is headstrong but has a lot of challenges to face. “Meanwhile Zack has both good and bad sides which we discover throughout the story. This made him an enjoyable character to write about. “The first book is written in the first person and alternates between the perspectives of both Eliza and Zack.” Brigitte also explained how having teenage children of her own has been valuable to the writing process. She says: “I read the first draft of book one out loud to my 13-year-old daughter, so when we came across something she didn’t understand or the wording of my teenage lingo wasn’t completely right I was able to jot down some points for correction.” And readers won’t be waiting too long to discover the rest of the story as Brigitte has spent lockdown working on her second book as well as promoting the first. Now in the final stages of editing, the writer hopes to publish the second instalment of the series in December providing the first book is a success. Brigitte says: “I’m now in the final stages of editing my second book which I can’t wait to publish. “In the time between now and December, I want to continue pushing book one online and get it on to local book shelves. “I’d also like to visit book clubs and libraries in the area once such gatherings are allowed and of course, start writing the final book. “The writing is the best part.” � To find out more about Brigitte’s book or to purchase a copy log on to amzn.to/ 2W5YHDo
ncing, giving it all tonight would dance with me if I raised £800, also joined and I taught them how to Cha Cha Cha during the stream. “They don’t dance so it was amazing to have their support.” But it wasn’t just friends who supported Elin during her challenge, Strictly Come Dancing stars Joanna Clifton, Ian Waite and Katya Jones were also among those cheering the young dancer on. Ms Young adds: “There were times when I was tired and my hips were really hurting, but everyone’s support kept me going until the end. “I’ve done competitions and rehearsals where I’ve danced for hours but this is the longest I’ve ever had to dance for without a break. “Even when I was eating, I kept dancing.” And one of the many people moved by Elin’s fundraiser, is Mum Penny. She says: “I am immensely proud of Elin. “Three hours into the challenge I could tell she was in pain but she kept going with so much strength and did amazingly.
“The support she had was incredible and something she couldn’t have carried on without.” Penny adds: “We chose to do the fundraiser on the day this year’s Blackpool nationals were meant to take place. “The cancelled dance lessons have been hard for all of the dancers and fragmented life in a way we hadn’t expected. “County Dance are such a close knit group of people whose meetups have been stopped due to the pandemic, so being able to bring them together with the live stream was such a great feeling. ”They’re like a family and the support they gave Elin proved that.” At the end of the 12 hours, Elin described being on an adrenaline high before enjoying a welldeserved rest. She says: “Once I’d finished stretching I facetimed my best friends and then had a bath. “My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing as so many people were texting me to say well done. “I cried a lot of happy tears.” To donate, log on to bit.ly/2WfZn9x.
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What is it? THERE’S no pulling the wool over your eyes – you found last week’s picture poser too easy. It was, in case you didn’t get it, a salt grinder – had it had a metal grinder, it would have been for pepper, but salt rusts metal. We’ve got another puzzle for you, but which household item has said, “I’m ready for my close-up?” If you’re stuck, answer next week.
Youngsters Isaac (3) & George Bastone (5) and Saharsh (10) and Aakarsh Mane (3) at the launch of the Buckhurst Meadows Animal Trail Picture: Steve Smyth
The surprise that awaits you in the Meadows By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokinghampaper.co.uk EVERYONE knows that if you go down to the woods today, you’ll be sure of a big surprise, but what about the meadows? Well, it might be for the children, but adults will appreciate some foreknowledge. Buckhurst Meadows is one of the borough’s newest green spaces, and is part of the Montague Park development. Until the end of the month, children aged between three and 12 are invited to come and explore the meadows to try and find some animals. Organised by Wokingham Borough Council’s Community
Superspreader Ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for those on the front lines and mourn for those who died. When it first hit, the virus moved so fast, that you could feel the earth by placing your hand on the surface. We worked so hard, we did so much. We searched for hope, we got some luck.
Engagement Team and My Journey, and sponsored by David Wilson Homes, there are 12 different animals hiding. To take part, visit the My Journey website, download the questionnaire and fill it in. Once completed, families can email it back to the My Journey team. All correct entries will receive a certificate, and there will be a £10 Love To Shop voucher for winners in three age groups: three- to five-years, six- to eightyears, and nine-12 years. These winners will be picked at random. Happy hunting. � For more details, log on to bit.ly/buckhurstmeadows
With a banging headache and not knowing if it is the virus or the corona. No caring for distancing but that’s the culture: Drink and move on! Super spreader said “Latter larger charge Saturday matters!” Then they whistle away the germ missiles. I’m waiting for the day where we can all be safe. James McCormack
But now it’s Saturday night full of belly and booze — economy on snooze: Time to wake up!
� Have you written any lockdowninspired verse? We’d love to be able to share them with our readers, email news@wokinghampaper.co.uk
NEWS | 17
18 | VIEWPOINTS
THEWOKINGHAMPAPER NEWS WITH A HEART FOR THE BOROUGH
Covid-19 won’t stop us celebrating our Pride SATURDAY saw a socially-distanced Pride gathering in Market Place. It wasn’t the plan. And sadly, November’s Winter Carnival has been axed. The reason? Like much of this year’s calendar, they are unsafe to be held due to the risk of spreading coronavirus (make sure you wear your mask). But we are inventive people. We don’t like staying on the sidelines, wondering why our fun cannot continue despite the wretched virus. So we have found alternative ways for these events to happen. Pride used social media to start a collective gathering and asked shops and businsses to fly the flag. It was a success, given the limitations of the event and the organising team should be congratulated for their efforts. And the committee behind our hugely popular Winter Carnival have wisely made the decision now to allow for people to make preparations. Their idea for a virtual carnival is the best that can be hoped for at this time. We are looking forward to playing our part in sharing news of the various local groups, good causes and charities that rely on the Winter Carnival for a funding boost. This year is not one that any of us wish to remember. The virus is impacting on every aspect of our lives and the full pain has yet to be felt. We look forward to happy events such as Pride and the Winter Carnival to spread cheer. Even in adversity, they still can. Community spirit triumphs again over the fear.
CHURCH NOTES
Reflection and peace
E
VER since I came across him as a sixth former one of my heroes has been Blaise Pascal (16231662). He is without doubt one of the world’s great geniuses in mathematics, physics, philosophy, theology and more. He is best known for his “Pensées” thoughts, some just a single sentence, others several pages long. He intended them for a major work commending the Christian faith, but died before he could write it. Many are nevertheless remembered, 19 in my dictionary of quotations. One has come back to me during the period of lockdown and shielding: “All the misfortune of men comes from one thing, that they do not know how to remain at ease in a room.” Pascal was convinced that we are constantly looking for distractions in order to avoid having to face our real selves, let alone God. What would he have made of our modern world where every second is filled with noise and activity, leaving no time for reflection and peace? A somewhat similar thought troubled W H Davies 200 years later, “What is this life, if full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?” And I recall much later still Archbishop Michael Ramsey inviting students to consider what was most important in our lives. If we could not devote 10 minutes to it every day, shouldn’t we look for something which does merit such devotion? Perhaps the present threat is calling us to search. Colin James is an Honorary Priest at All Saints’ Church, Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
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Your letters
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020 We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper
Sadly, the Winter Carnival has to be postponed Over the past four months, the 2020 Wokingham Winter Carnival Committee has been holding regular meetings to consider the impact of Covid-19 on this year’s event. We have sought advice from many different bodies to see if it might be feasible to run the Winter Carnival with its parade, fairground, entertainment and numerous stalls throughout the town centre. From previous years’ experience we know that the event is always well attended with huge crowds coming into the town during the day. Our main concern has been around the health and safety of all those attending and the ability to adhere to, and manage, social distancing should there still be restrictions in place or we have a second wave of the virus later in the year. Early on in our discussions, the committee decided that it would not be possible to run the parade this year due to the early financial commitments we would need to meet even if we cancelled. However, we decided to wait until now before making a final decision on the rest of the event so that we could closely monitor the situation and assess the impact. At this week’s meeting it was unanimously agreed that, regrettably, we should cancel this year’s event which was due to take place on Sunday, November 29. We do not know what the situation will be in November but felt that it was a responsible decision not to encourage a large gathering of our local community at a time when we are still faced with uncertainty about the impact of Covid-19. We realise that this will be very disappointing news for everyone who normally attends and for all our stallholders. We are now looking at the feasibility of holding a ‘Virtual
Clapping, cheering or paying? So, Prime Minister Johnson has taken it upon himself to launch the coronavirus blame game by pointing the finger at care homes, based on an unjustified accusation that they failed to follow his Government’s confused and often non-existent advice – pretty rich coming from someone who has presided over an executive choosing to disregard warnings of a possible pandemic issued a number of years ago, failing to procure adequate personal protective equipment for frontline workers, delaying lockdown, allowing the transfer of use of face coverings, dodgy charges on NHS and social thanking for saving his life. elderly patients into care data, phoney photocalls, and care staff whose herculean Betrayal and abdication homes without always most tragically the worst efforts and personal of responsibility surely testing for the virus, a death rate in Europe. sacrifice, he (the Prime representing a new low for largely failed 'worldNow, finally adding insult Minister) stood on the steps even the world of politics beating' track and trace to injury by proposing to on Number 10 Downing JW Blaney, app, dithering over the reintroduce hospital parking Street, clapping and Wokingham Wokingham Winter Carnival’, still supporters, stallholders and volunteers who supported Wokingham’s first LGBTQ+ Pride last Saturday. taking place on November 29. for all of their continued support, to the Hundreds of residents took part by Our aim would be to incorporate Winter Carnival Committee who have putting a poster in their window or Berkshire Maestros, other local looked into all possible options for this displaying flags in shops, cafes and entertainment, Christmas Carols, a year and to everyone in the churches, by showing their support on message from Santa and links to, and Wokingham community who turn out social media, and by donating art, information about, the charities and in all-weather to support us each year. posters, poetry and photographs. stallholders who would normally be We hope to be back again next year The Borough and Town Councils present at the event. We are with a bigger and better Wokingham were amazing. Thank you to all of the considering what we can do to bring Winter Carnival. officers, councillors and library staff this together to celebrate the run up to Take care, stay safe. Christmas once again this year. As our Philip Mirfin, Chairman, who were involved in putting the flags plans progress, we will make further Wokingham Winter Carnival up on Wokingham Town Hall and Shute End, and posting supportive social announcements to keep everyone Thanks for your support media. informed. The Wokingham Pride team would like We have had support from all the Finally, I would like to say a very big to say a huge thank you to everyone main political parties locally, and thank you to all our sponsors,
jamessunderland Westminster diary
A moment in the sun
A
FTER months of lockdown, it is great to see a progressive return to normality and people enjoying the sunshine.
The opening of shops, pubs, beauty salons, sports clubs and many recreational facilities has provided a further marker in the fight against Covid-19 and it is right that the Prime Minister should push this agenda if it is safe to do so. While opinions do remain split, the Government continues to be led by the best scientific and medical advice available and it is reassuring that the mortality and R rates are falling to new lows. While we must decisively deal with the isolated spikes that we have seen in places like Leicester, the need for individual responsibility remains paramount and it is incumbent on all of us to learn to live with the virus by being careful to avoid transmission, rather than to simply hide away from it. Indeed, it is essential that we get the economy breathing again and get back to work. The need for face-coverings on public
transport, in confined spaces and when other conditions dictate is therefore vital, and I urge everyone to be sensible and careful. In recent weeks, I have visited shops, businesses and pubs extensively across Bracknell constituency and I have been impressed by the resilience and pragmatism that I have seen. In Crowthorne High Street, I witnessed many local businesses re-opening for the first time, and it was great to see their efforts in providing the best possible service for their shoppers – Please do support these vital local services. I have visited Edgbarrow School, Sandhurst School, Crown Wood Primary School and College Town Primary School and again pay tribute to what our fantastic school staff, governors and teachers have achieved to ensure a safe, happy and healthy learning environment We must, of course, get every child back to school in September and make up for lost time. And it has also been brilliant to visit the Lexicon, Hall Hunter in Wokingham Without, South Hill Park and many other landmarks to welcome people back from lockdown. Thank you as always for the warm welcome and for what you do to support the people of East Berkshire. It remains a pleasure and privilege to serve you. More broadly, I have welcomed the Chancellor's excellent summer statement and remain confident in his ongoing efforts to stimulate the economy. The reduction in VAT,
furlough bonuses, temporary cut in stamp duty below £500,000 and other measures are generous, unprecedented and unparalleled. Of course, the Government can still do more, but this must be offset against cost, impact and the balance that needs to be struck for everyone. I also spoke recently in the House about Global Britain and the need for all of us to do what we can to support the British economy. So rather than simply rush to buy cheap imports, let's invest in British, build British, buy British and then sell British so that we maximise the benefit from our future free trade deals as an independent and sovereign nation. There is much to be gained in the post-Covid19 era and we must chase every global opportunity. Lastly, I continue to be blessed by a strong team and we have now hit the 5,000 mark for casework undertaken during the pandemic, with an even greater number of responses sent to concerned constituents. While I cannot promise to engage in protracted dialogue with everyone, irrespective of motive, we continue to prioritise those who need help and I am doing what I can to lobby central Government. Life is also about to get a little busier as I take over as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Veterans and it is pleasing to report that the Berkshire MPs are also now meeting regularly for pan-Berkshire issues.
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
several of our churches – thank you to the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Olivia Graham and Father Richard Lamey for recording messages of support and the Revd Nick Hudson for sending us a prayer. A special thank you to Phil Creighton and the Wokingham.Today team for everything they have done to publicise and record the event. We’ve already started to look ahead to next year. Wokingham Pride will be on Saturday, July 10, 2021 and we hope that the situation will allow us to enjoy an event without the restrictions of social distancing. Please join us on the Wokingham Pride Facebook page as we start to plan for next year. The Wokingham Pride team
Heathrow implications I wanted to make clear the implications of the Heathrow expansion vote at last week’s Council. The Conservative and Liberal Democrats are now supporting adding a Third Runway at Heathrow. By doing so, they have shredded whatever environmental credentials residents thought they had. The environmental impact of an airport occurs in two main areas. First, the impact of flights into and out of an airport. Second, the running of the airport – the lights and heating and other energy consumption etc. The Certification of Carbon Neutrality offered up by Councillor Murray, and implicitly supported in the motion by the LibDems, ignores the impact of airplanes and flights – a stunning failure to grasp the obvious. By ignoring the impact of airplanes and flights a much lower threshold has been set – a threshold which Heathrow already expects to meet and which means the Council continues with its
policy of supporting the Third Runway. The impact of the Third Runway will be measured not just in making it much harder for the UK to achieve Carbon Neutrality. The Third Runway will fuel the over concentration of economic growth in the Thames Valley. With economic grown will come demand for houses. This has been the story of the last 40 years and it looks set to be the story of the next 40. Resisting the over development of the Borough is critical if the Borough is to retain what is left of its character and to get a grip on the destruction of our local environment while stopping the extra carbon emissions associated with the Third Runway are a vital part of protecting our planet. On both issues, the Tory and LibDem majority in the Council have failed residents. Cllr Andy Croy Leader of the Labour Group
Bullies I read, with absolute disbelief, the letter published last week from Keith and Sharon Kerr criticising Wokingham Borough Council for failing to express support for an organisation that is hellbent on the destruction of this country. Whilst Black Lives Matter is a worthy cause, the BLM UK is an ultra left-wing political organisation verging on a terrorist group promoting violent riots, ‘defunding’ the police and closure of prisons, as well as the downfall of our society which is based on reward for decent hard work irrespective of race colour or background. It is clear that Wokingham Borough Council supports the spirit of Black Lives Matter, but they must not be bullied into using taxpayers money to fund or express support for such a menacing and violent group. Alex Measures, via email
VIEWPOINTS | 19
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ullakarinclark From the executive
Supporting the borough’s children
T
HE Covid-19 restrictions have presented an unprecedented challenge to delivery of services to children, young people and families in Wokingham. In the weeks running up to March 23, with the situation developing rapidly, the Conservative-led Wokingham Borough Council was already gearing up to respond to the crisis, preparing for a “lockdown” scenario. In Children’s Services, discussions with partners in health, the police, and the voluntary sector focused on urgent identification of risks to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Behind the scenes in Children’s Services, a series of daily leadership problem-solving and decision-making meetings kicked-in, concentrating on three areas: � Ensuring the safeguarding of vulnerable children and young people; � Protecting staff; � Supporting schools with their changing role. Response measures were rapidly put in place. Recovery from the restrictions arguably poses an even greater challenge. The lockdown was swift and the instructions were clear. As we move forward there is less certainty about the immediate future, and the knowledge that tentative steps to lift controls may be withdrawn at any time.
During April, when the most stringent restrictions were in place, demand for children’s services in Wokingham declined by 60% compared to the same time last year. As we recover, we don’t know how demand will change, but we have to assume that the results of the extra stress placed on families during the lockdown, and an impending economic downturn, will lead to a significant increase in referrals into our services. We have based our recovery strategy on the five government Covid-19 alert levels. As we have now moved from Level 4 to 3, our approach is one of caution. Our strategy is to not change working practice until we are certain it is safe for workers, children and families. Our first priority will be to extend faceto-face meetings to more children and young people to strengthen our direct work with all those in need of support. Our schools have been opened all along for vulnerable children and children of key workers. They are now also open for reception, year 1 and year 6 and we are supporting them to operate safely. It should be noted that schools make their own decisions in respect of every
child's school week: for example, some children may attend half-day only. As the Test and Trace system beds in, we have developed processes to assist schools and foster carers in applying the required quarantine periods, minimising impact on the wider community. Presently children attending schools are in "bubbles" of 15 children. This is likely to increase to a maximum of 33 come September. We are awaiting further guidance from the Department of Education. The dedication of the Children’s Services workforce across the partnership to the crisis has been humbling. Staff continue to go out of their way to ensure children and young people are protected and supported, carrying on face-to-face meetings with the most vulnerable, and keeping in touch with familiesto deliver services in these most exceptional circumstances. There has been much opportunity for learning during this crisis, and we will ensure that this is captured and informs our continuous programme of improvement. Cllr Clark is the Executive Member for Childrens Services on Wokingham Borough Council
20 | LEISURE
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
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Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
wokinghamlovesmusic
bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic
W
E’RE back again with another round-up of music to enjoy with our special and unique top 10, and it’s all compiled by Chris Hillman from White Star Records. The Wokingham Love Music soundtrack features songs from bands and artists with some connection to Wokingham’s music scene. There’s a range of musical styles to enjoy meaning that there’s something for everyone You can listen for FREE via Spotify. There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic
Reading East MP Matt Rodda with Reading Rep’s Paul Stacey outside the new theatre building
Theatre breaks new ground
Voices From The Fuselage – Domus (Orchestral Arrangement) During lockdown Scott Lockhart from the band, who are on Wokingham’s White Star Records label, created this gorgeously re-imagined orchestral version of a track that had originally been on their second album Odyssey: The Founder of Dreams. Proceeds from the track are going towards charities aimed towards ending discrimination and hate crimes – www.facebook.com/ VoicesFromTheFuselage Duke Pearson – I Don't Care Who Knows it How is this legendary jazz pianist linked to Wokingham? Well, there is a new jazz record label in town called Wallen Bink and it’s run by local jazz enthusiast, Frank Parry. The label specialises in quality vinyl reissues of rare recordings and the label's first album release from Duke Pearson also called I Don't Care Who Knows It was done so well that the respected Record Collector Magazine had it at number five in last year’s best jazz album of the year list – www.wallenbink.com Never The Bride – You’re Not Alone Wokingham Music Club’s Stan Hetherington picked this track from the band as one of his faves from past club gigs – www.neverthebride.com Selina and the Howlin Dogs – Music Is A local band that, in lockdown, created a new community based video for this track – www.facebook.com/SelinaandtheHowlinDogs The Paradox Twin – Planeta Progressive Music Awards nominated (twice!) Reading based band on local record label, White Star Records – www.theparadoxtwin.com Spriggan Mist – Magical Ways This band, with their magical blend of rock and folk, have previously played at Wokingham Music Club and Wokingham Festival – www.sprigganmist.com Reliant – Broken People Four piece indie band from Wokingham and Reading that has been championed by BBC Introducing Berkshire – www.facebook.com/ WeAreReliant Dennis Siggery & Neil Sadler – Don’t Want Your Tears Local blues rock duo with a track recorded in Wokingham’s No Machine Studios – www.ericstreetband.com/dennis-solo.html The Room – Broken Local band with track from their latest album ‘Caught by the Machine’ – www.theroom.band That Joe Payne – End of the Tunnel Joe headlined the Wokingham Music Club stage at last year’s Wokingham Festival – www.thatjoepayne.com
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NEW theatre in neighbouring Reading has taken a step forward thanks to a special ground-breaking ceremony. Reading East MP Matt Rodda teamed up with Reading Borough Council’s leader councillor for culture, Cllr Karen Rowland, to help launch the transformation of Reading Rep Theatre’s new home. When completed next year, the Kings Road venue will become a 168-seat theatre. As well as the auditorium, there will be a permanent education and learning centre, backstage areas, new front of house facilities, and a café/bar. Its launch builds on the success of the Reading Rep, which was launched eight years ago by Paul Stacey. The Rep is Reading’s only yearround producing theatre, and has an aim of providing support to some of the UK's leading emerging artists. It also aims to work with the wider community and, in 2018, nearly 15,000 children and young people were reached through Reading Rep’s award-winning ENGAGE programme providing year-round youth theatres, school workshops, and a work
experience scheme. For the ground-breaking, held earlier this week, Cllr Rowland took part in a mini-theatrical performance with Mr Stacey and posed with the innovative hoardings put up at the site. While many theatres are suffering and closing their doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Reading Rep says it is looking forward to opening its doors on the new performance space in 2021. And the news was welcomed by Mr Rodda, whose constituency includes parts of Woodley and Earley. “Reading Rep is an exciting project which could offer huge benefits for Reading and the surrounding area, and I was impressed when staff showed me round the site before the lockdown,” he said. “I am keen to support them and I would like to wish them every success for the future.” Cllr Rowland was also determined to add her backing to the venue. “I was delighted to be invited out to the groundbreaking of the new Reading Rep home, to envision the site in real life and not just on paper,” she said.
“Few things make me happier than looking at re-using older buildings for the arts. It is the right ethos. It’s greener. It’s more accessible. And once Covid-19 is behind us, the winning crew of Reading Rep will be ready to deliver us some bang-up theatre again in a reimagined space. How many ‘wins’ is that? I’ve lost count.” Mr Stacey, who is the theatre’s artistic director, said that Reading Rep will continue to create outreach opportunities to those with least access to the arts. “It's really exciting to be on-site, breaking ground on Reading’s first new theatre in a generation,” he said. “Doing so at a difficult time gives me renewed hope and excitement for the future. We can't wait to invite the community we serve into this cultural hub to experience live entertainment again.” He continued: “The difficulties suffered by many during this epidemic have been immeasurable. Live entertainment has been shut down to an extent not seen since the Second World War. “We want to be part of inviting the public back into these venues to share in the magic of storytelling and to celebrate the community."
Music festival cancelled due to Covid-19 A POPULAR music festival has been cancelled due to the pandemic. Down at the Abbey has postponed its summer event to next year with the hope of providing a safer experience. Having made its debut last September, organisers felt hosting the festival this year would be a risk and distort the atmosphere of the day due to challenges caused by the Coronavirus. Organisers said: “After years of work and overcoming a number of challenges, we were delighted and very proud to successfully launch the inaugural Down at the Abbey last year in the stunning and historical setting of Reading Abbey
Ruins, and receive such positive audience feedback. “We are an independent festival and with that brings many positives including creative freedom, but also in this difficult time, unique challenges. “Due to this, we kindly ask for your continued support and if you can, to keep hold of your existing ticket, where it will automatically be rolled over for the 2021 event. “Ticket prices will increase for next year, so retained tickets will be the cheapest ticket available.” The team also reassured ticket holders that they can request a refund if necessary. They added: “We are very much
aware that times are tough for everyone and if you are not in a position to keep hold of your ticket, we understand, and you are entitled to receive a face value refund. “Our ticket partner Gigantic will be in touch and will handle and process any refunds on our behalf. For anyone, wishing to still attend next year no further action is required. “We look forward to a time when it will be safe for us all to be able to come together again; and we hope to see you in the ruins next September. “Keep well, stay safe and look out for each other.” TAZ USHER
LEISURE | 21
22 | LEISURE
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Eyeing up the garden
Enjoy a taste of summer
S
ENSORY gardens are great for helping to reduce anxiety and stress, providing a natural retreat to relax in and offering us a place that encourages well-being and mindfulness. A sensory garden is really just a collection of plants and materials with different textures, shapes, colours, scents and heights that are laid out in such a way to stimulate our senses through smell, sound, touch, taste and sight. Adding visual interest to a garden can be easily achieved by being clever and selective with your planting. Use flowering perennials, layer plants at different heights, use screens or hedges to form backdrops and plant rows of the same species to elongate areas. You can also make sure your planting has the desired effect by using colour to provide focal points and ambience. For stimulating, invigorating areas use hot, vibrant colours – reds, pinks and yellows. Think sunflower, echinachea, marigold, salvia, dahlia even ornamental veg such as swiss chard with its multicoloured stems and leaves. For a more gentle, calm effect use cool, relaxing colours such as whites, blues and greens. Lavender, foxglove, hydrangea, delphinium and climbers that also provide height such as jasmine and honeysuckle. Plants and trees that change colour through the seasons also provide interest with blossoms and berries and leaves that turn to
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 16, 2020
C
ONTINUING to support British strawberry growers throughout summer, supermarket Aldi has created a strawberry-inspired recipe. It has the aim of showing how versatile the British strawberry can be. Aldi's Austin Jelly Jars can be made using your own jelly created from scratch with the strawberryflavoured, sugar-free jelly crystals, which are combined with fresh strawberry slices, blueberries and Austin's Summer Punch for that extra little kick. Refreshingly cool and syrupy sweet, these desserts are bound to fulfil all of your fruity desires and are perfect for keeping you hydrated in the heat!. shades of gold, red and brown in the autumn. Changes in colour and appearance of materials like paved and pebble pathways when they get wet also add colour and visual appeal. Shapes are also important in a sensory garden, so try using materials like crazy paving and rough-cut flagstones. You can also create interesting routes and pathways through the garden to promote a sense of discovery and orientation. Movement catches the eye, so think about trees that wave in the wind such as willow or grasses that sway in the breeze. Water features provide wonderful focal points and also attract wildlife. Make sure you have a variety of plants that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies as well – lovely to watch
of a summer’s afternoon. Our general well-being is intrinsically linked to the natural world which is why Thrive – the gardening for health charity – has developed the Thrive Gardening Club. Fortnightly tips on getting the most out of your garden, whatever you age or ability, and information on how gardening can keep you healthy and feeling good. � Thrive is based in Beech Hill and is one of the UK’s leading providers of social and therapeutic horticulture programmes using gardening to bring about positive changes in the lives of people living with disabilities, ill-health or mental health issues, or who are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable. For more details, log on to: www.thrive.org.uk
Petsandvets With Michael Morrow
Aldi’s Austin Jelly Jars � 2 Sachets Delicious Desserts Strawberry Flavour Sugar-Free Jelly Crystals � 370ml Austin's Summer Punch � 570ml Boiling Water � 100ml Cold Water � 400g Strawberries, sliced � 150g Blueberries Place half the strawberries and blueberries evenly between the jars. Pour the jelly crystals into the boiling water and stir until they have dissolved. Add the Austin's Summer Punch and cold water to this mix and stir. (For children, replace Austin's with 185ml of cold water.) Pour over the fruit in the jars until half full and place in the fridge to set for an hour.
Make the most of British strawberries with these two recipes from Aldi When the jellies have set, evenly distribute the remaining fruit across the jars and pour the rest of the jelly over the top (this prevents all the fruit settling at the bottom). Leave in the fridge for another 1-2 hours. If this is a little too sweet, transform your strawberries into something more savoury by pairing them with spinach leaves, walnuts and goat's cheese to create a Mediterraneaninspired salad. The creamy goat's cheese and earthy walnuts are offset by the freshness of the spinach leaves and the zing of the strawberries. This light but immensely satisfying dish is perfect for indulging on a hot summer's day.
Aldi’s Strawberry, Spinach & Goat’s Cheese Salad
� 400g punnet Strawberries Providing personal care for all your pets
� 200g bag Spinach leaves � 130g bag Walnuts � 150g log soft Goat’s Cheese � 100ml Solesta Olive Oil – plus a little extra for frying � Juice of 1 lime � 1 tsp Stonemill Dried Parsley � Salt and Black Pepper Saute the walnuts in a little oil in a large frying pan or wok until slightly burnt, cool, then chop roughly. Wash and hull the strawberries, then slice. Gently rip the spinach leaves. Put the spinach leaves, walnuts and strawberries into a large bowl. Gently break the goats’ cheese and sprinkle over the salad. To make the dressing, whisk the lime juice, parsley and the olive oil together. Season with some salt and pepper, pour over the salad, gently toss and serve.
Trusted by you to provide personal care for all your pets since 2005
Adapting to the new normal to 0118 keep you and your pets safe 979 3200 0118 979 3200 Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD
T
HE last few months have passed in a blur of veterinary work and business planning trying to adjust to this new and totally unexpected situation we find ourselves in. The long-term consequences of this pandemic will only be realised in the coming years but for now all we can do is deal with what’s in front of us. Like most veterinary practices for the first two months of lockdown we were restricted to only seeing emergency cases, or cases that were likely to become an emergency in the next few weeks. As with others, we furloughed most of our staff and ran the practice with a skeleton staff. As some restrictions have eased we are using the part-time furlough arrangements to try and provide excellent care for pets while observing public health guidelines. Like other businesses we have found this a challenging process and have had to completely change the way we function. We haven’t let clients into the practice since March – all consulting is done in the car parks to the front and rear of the practice or by telephone. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons has relaxed a regulation requiring veterinary surgeons to examine an animal in consultation before being allowed to dispense prescription only medications. This means that in certain circumstances at the veterinary surgeon’s discretion we can prescribe remotely after telephone or video consultation.
on reduced or normal shift patterns so they can recover from the intensity of their work day. To help reduce the stress on staff I would advise you to contact your practice to find out what procedures your vets are using to ensure public safety as well as providing a safe environment for staff. For example, we currently use carriers or lead hooks to provide a contactless handover of pets always ensuring a minimum of 2 metres social distancing from clients. This feels very strange especially as we have built up our practice providing personal care in a warm and friendly environment but is a necessary measure to My staff have adapted to the new processes and our minimise the chance of transmission. clients are all helping us continue to function. We are We are also only taking remote payments over the currently looking at putting up fixed shelters in the front phone or by transfer to minimise physical contact with and rear car park to continue outdoor consulting into surfaces and clients. the winter. All these measures require our clients to be on board As for other business owners, we are finding and work with us which is going extremely well at the predicting how we will proceed over the next six- to moment. 12- months very difficult, and we adapt almost on a Animals are a great source of comfort and weekly basis. companionship, and this is especially important during I have heard reports of many vets and nurses feeling these uncertain and stressful times. stressed as they continue to strive to care for the pets The unconditional loyalty of your dog, the cuddle and under their care. Long shifts, reduced staff levels and purr of your feline friend, the amusement of watching Park,onWokingham 2FD anxious owners creating an environment of tirednessOaklands your hamster its wheel – theseRG41 all bring some joy and and frustration. relief to our lives as we all cope with our unique I believe it is vital that staff and owners work circumstances. Should you have any concerns about your pets, or together to make the provision of veterinary care as easy as possible under these trying times. I have my staff just need some reassurance, please contact the team at
Providing personal care for all your pets
0118 979 3200
Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD
St Vincents Veterinary Surgery on 0118 979 3200. � St Vincents is an independent veterinary surgery owned and run by Nancy and Michael Morrow. We have been providing personal care for pets in and around Wokingham since 2005. For more information visit www.stvincentsvets.co.uk or find us on Facebook.
Trusted by you to provide personal care for all your pets since 2005 Oaklands Park, Wokingham RG41 2FD
0118 979 3200
Thursday, July 16, 2020 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
helenabadger volunteer corner
Presspack
Invest in the young
News from schools | Stories from pupils
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RE you passionate about investing in young people of local area and have an hour a week to share your knowledge, skills and expertise?
Starting Point has opportunities to mentor local young people who are currently not in education, employment and training. Its Aspire programme supports young people aged 16-25 throughout their journey of attaining, sustaining and thriving within education, employment and training. It does this through carefully matching a young person to a mentor who acts as a consistent role model, tailoring the support to each individuals’ unique needs and aspirations. Starting Point trains, equips and matches volunteers to a young person in need of support around education, employment and training. Young people have barriers that are unique to them, making our tailored, individual and holistic approach crucial to their success. Your input is vital to radically transform the future for young people. Mentoring takes place wherever is easiest for the young person and mentor, and wherever the young person feels most comfortable, however we do not offer home visits. This could be in local cafe or at its Mentoring Hub which is close to Reading town centre. Tailoring the mentoring to each individual’s specific needs, our mentors offer one-to-one support in both practical skills and socialemotional development. This could include: Practical Support such as; preparing CVs, developing interview skill, job searching and completing application forms and attending college open days and job fairs and Social-Emotional and Wellbeing Support such as being a listening ear, working on communication skills, improving self-esteem, building a positive mental attitude and with conflict resolution skills. Please contact us for more details. � ABC to Read believes life is better when everyone can read and express themselves confidently. Our trained reading mentors provide children with the skills and confidence they need to do just that. A decline in the percentage of Berkshire children achieving the expected level for reading in the recently published Key Stage 2 SATs results, local charity ABC (Assisting Berkshire Children) to read is keen to do all it can to help schools and families in the borough to raise children’s achievement. With the current crisis, we feel there is even more need for volunteers as some children may have fallen behind. We are waiting to place volunteers in schools that are requesting our support, but we need more volunteers to come forward to help with this vital service. Volunteers would be volunteering within a local school, ideally twice a week for one-and-ahalf hours in the afternoons but once a week will be considered. The role is extremely rewarding, learning new skills and strengthens our community. At the current time, ABC to Read will be conducting online interviews and training, with the hope of placing volunteers into schools from September � These are just some of the latest opportunities on our books. Contact us: 0118 977 0749, email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk or visit www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and see all the roles we have to offer.
EDUCATION | 23
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At school? This is the page you can write! We welcome your articles, poems, pictures and stories for this page. Send your articles to news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk
Even during lockdown, outdoor learning continues on at Bohunt By GEORGE PETERS, Teacher of Science & Outdoor Education Lead, Bohunt School
OUTDOOR Education is a crucial pillar of the Bohunt Wokingham ethos and it has been incredibly exciting to see our brand new outdoor classroom be built during the lockdown period.
The outdoor classroom now houses up to 30 students and consists of nine all-natural wooden poles and an all-weather, all year round overhead teepee cover. We can’t wait for students to realise its potential – across all curriculum subjects – and we are looking forward to running extracurricular clubs and bringing learning outdoors to a sheltered place, outside our (admittedly beautiful) bricks and mortar building. We are excited to introduce an outdoor education curriculum into Year 7, aligning and incorporating several different subjects such as STEM, languages and food tech, alongside running intervention groups and support groups for students, to boost engagement and help them build personal and life skills. We are committed to bringing a love of learning and respect for the outdoors and to prepare our students to be ‘game-changers’, whilst giving them the tools they need to succeed and providing an opportunity to develop a completely unique set of skills outside the classroom.
The best thing about the outdoor classroom? It’s already in use. Our re-engagement groups for Years 7-9 are already coming in two days a week in distanced bubbles to help them re-engage in learning and develop the skills needed to help them with home learning. Here are a couple of statements from one of our outdoor classroom teachers and two Year 7 students. Wendy Meads, Music and Re-engagement Teacher, said: “You can’t underestimate the healing powers of the outdoors. “Seeing the students arrive on their first day, nervous, apprehensive (there were even some tears) and then seeing them leave, beaming, a bounce back in their walk – what a difference a few hours outdoors makes. “We’ve learned so many new skills: starting a fire with flint;
BENNY’S CONFLICT
By James Lomax Part 25 of 26 Well, it looks like Carlos’ parents may not be as innocent as they seem. Shana has revealed that they were in fact on Izen’s side this entire time, and she agreed to the mission not to save them but to kill them herself! On top of all that, it looks like Izen’s not dead, and is now controlling Carlos’ android, Carlson!
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OT a sound was made by anybody as Izen revealed himself. He somehow managed to dominate the room despite his situation and approachable form. Nobody said anything as he spoke in Carlson’s robotic voice. “From what I have heard so far there seems to be some confusion about my survival from young Benny here,” Izen announced. “The truth is, I do not recall how I met my end. You see, I downloaded my magnificent mind into Vees’ Freedom Cube as an unlikely contingency, to
ensure my survival if the worst happened. This means my most recent memory is my conversation with Benny. Anything that happened to me afterwards I do not know.” He looked over at Bernard and Bertha, who seemed happy to be in his presence, then at Benny. “It appears you were successful, despite your methods being slightly unorthodox.” He looked at Shana, who looked away. “In fact, I have reason to assume instead of killing Vees you enlisted her to help you, and this gives me thoughts about my death I do not wish to pursue. Nevertheless, I will not pass judgment without the aid of my council.” He stopped talking, and looked over at the front window. Everybody followed his gaze, and saw they weren’t alone any more. While Izen had been talking, a massive ship had arrived. It must have once been an asteroid, but was since covered with camouflaged metallic
building a fire safely; whittling a stick; sawing logs; cooking marshmallows and bannock bread. “The students have learned selfmotivation, self-discipline, concentration … in whittling, one false move and you could slice your leg. “We’ve engaged with mindfulness and the different forms that this can take, from being more aware of your surroundings to practising your focus and learning about yourselves. “There are things in life that we can’t control, like this virus, but with every closed door, more open. We’ve focused on opening those doors wide enough to encourage our students to come, take a look and see what they can achieve.” Students from year seven added: “The hard thing about lockdown is that I can’t concentrate because I work in the same room as my
structures. From a distance, it would have looked like a normal asteroid, minus the light from the huge jets and the many windows across the ship. Benny knew what it was: The Enclave, Izen’s flagship, and the base of operations of his disciples. Izen could stay hidden on any city planet while they carried out his work, and the government would never be able to find him. A green light shot out of the base, and engulfed The Golden Dawn, causing the ship to steadily glide towards a large crater on the asteroid. They were being pulled in, and Benny had a feeling they wouldn’t be leaving for a long time. Eventually, the tiny arrowhead was sucked into the kilometres-long starship, and with a metallic scraping that could only be airlock doors closing, they were locked inside. A few guards approached the ship, pointing laser-rifles in its direction. They came inside, and scanned everyone, handcuffing Benny, Carlos and Shana, and leaving Bernard, Bertha and Izen, once they realised who the android was. Benny looked behind him as Carlos’ parents were led out the ship, and the Freedom Cube was removed from the
brother. I have enjoyed the activities in the outdoor classroom and it has helped me to manage my time better.” Another said: “My favourite part of being back at school is when we roasted marshmallows in the outside classroom. I’m enjoying learning new things like carving wood, sawing logs and making fires.” And Ben Godber, Headteacher of Bohunt Wokingham, said: “I am thrilled to announce the opening of our outdoor classroom. We have used the classroom across this period of lockdown to encourage reengagement of Year 7-9 students, who have combined learning with practical activities. “Mr Peters and his Team were involved in the design of the outdoor classroom and I have no doubt that it will become another hub for our students' learning.”
back of Carlson’s head. The android was then thrown back in the ship. As Benny was led away by the guards, he looked around the hanger they were in, and noticed a large amount of captured ships dotted around. He spotted his favourite make, a Nebulous Dragonfly, tucked around the corner, its elegant, scissor-like wings folded intact behind its back. Suddenly, a loud explosion shook the room, and he looked behind him to see the remains of The Golden Dawn, smoking and on fire. It seems his ship was not worthy enough to survive. Shana turned towards them, “I’m sorry. I had no idea any of this would happen. If only...” Benny interrupted her, “Don’t be sorry. None of us would be in this situation if it wasn’t for me and my mental conflict. If I’d had a clear mindset I would have been more sure of myself, and wouldn’t have dragged you into this.” “Hey,” Carlos told them. “Whatever happened happened. We can’t change the past. But we can change the future. And I have an idea.” As the crew leaned in, he whispered his plan. .To be concluded...
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PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (WARGRAVE ROAD, TWYFORD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (BELL FOUNDRY LANE, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 9th July 2020 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
Wargrave Road, Twyford between its junctions with A3032 Old Bath Road and A4 New Bath Road.
Bell Foundry Lane, Wokingham between its junctions with A321 Twyford Road and Warren House Road.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A3032 Old Bath Road and A4 New Bath Road or by this route in reverse.
The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road and Wiltshire Road.
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 26th July and 30th July 2020 The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake new water connection work in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 26th July 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated this 16th July 2020 Mark Cupit, Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Wiltshire Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road and A321 Twyford Road. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 3rd August 2020 and 28th November 2021. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Balfour Beatty contractors to undertake distributor road construction and associated work in safety.
(b) reduce the existing 60 mph to 30mph speed limit on: (i) Cutbush Lane East, from its junction with Shinfield Eastern Relief Road to a point opposite the northernmost point of the British Museum Archaelogical Research Collection building; and (ii) Cutbush Lane West from a point 5.0 metres west of the common boundary of Nos. 64 & 66 Cutbush Lane West eastwards to its termination. 3. Copies of the draft Order, Statement of Reasons and plan may be inspected at the offices of the Traffic Management Team, Place & Growth, at the address given below between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays. These documents are also available online at ‘www.wokingham.gov.uk/consultations’. 4. Any objections to the proposals, together with the grounds in which they are made, should be sent in writing to the Traffic Management Team, Place & Growth, P.O. Box 153, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WL or via e-mail to ‘TM.consultations@wokingham.gov.uk’ by no later than the 6 August 2020. Dated 16 July 2020 Christine Traill, Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B4446 Pearson Road, B478 Charvil Lane and A4 Bath Road or by this route in reverse. 2. B4446 Pearson Road, Sonning between its junctions with B4446 Sonning Lane and Pound Lane.
The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.
Works requiring these restrictions will take place between 22nd July and 23rd July 2020 between 21:00 and 06:00.
The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 3rd August 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.
The reason for these prohibitions is to allow BT contractors to undertake Openreach underground structure work in safety.
Dated this 16th July 2020
Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.
Mark Cupit, Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 22nd July 2020 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated this 16th July 2020
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 Proposed Speed Limits Reduction – Sheerlands Road – Section A 60mph to 40 mph – Section B 60mph to 30mph. WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (SHEERLANDS ROAD, ARBORFIELD) (30MPH & 40MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 202*
2. The effect of the Order would be to: (a) introduce a prohibition of all motor vehicles on Cutbush Lane Shinfield, (ridden cycles permitted) from a point 385.0 metres east of its junction with Shinfield Eastern Relief Road, north-eastward for a distance of 20.0 metres;
1. B4446 Sonning Lane, Sonning between its junctions with B4446 Pearson Road and A4 Bath Road.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B478 Charvil Lane, A4 Bath Road and B4446 Sonning Lane or by this route in reverse.
B. Proposed speed limit reduction – Cutbush Lane and Cutbush Lane East 60mph to 30 mph – Section B 60mph to 30 mph.
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make the above named Order under Sections 1 and 2, 84 and Part III of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 9th July 2020 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.
A. Proposed prohibition of vehicles – Cutbush Lane.
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (CUTBUSH LANE EAST & CUTBUSH LANE WEST, SHINFIELD) (PROHIBITION OF DRIVING & 30MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 202*
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (B4446 SONNING LANE, SONNING) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2020
1. Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 84(1)(a) and Part III of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
Mark Cupit, Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
SERVICES
2. The effect of the Order will be to reduce the existing speed limit of 60mph on Sheerlands Road, Arborfield, to: (a) 30mph, from a point 270.0 metres north-east of its junction with Reading Road [A327] to a point opposite the public footpath that links Hogwood Lane and Sheerlands Road; and (b) 40mph, from its junction with Reading Road [A327] to a point 270.0 metres northeast of that junction. 3. Copies of the draft Order, Statement of Reasons and plan may be inspected at the offices of the Traffic Management Team, Place & Growth, at the address given below between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, Mondays to Fridays. These documents are also available online at ‘www.wokingham.gov.uk/consultations’. 4. Any objections to the proposals, together with the grounds in which they are made, should be sent in writing to the Traffic Management Team, Place & Growth, P.O. Box 153, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WL or via e-mail to ‘TM.consultations@wokingham.gov.uk’ by no later than the 6 August 2020. Dated 16 July 2020 Christine Traill, Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL.
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ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT Experimental – Parking restrictions and moving traffic restrictions: Broad Street, Denmark Street, Market Place & Peach Street, Wokingham THE WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL EXPERIMENTAL ORDER NO. 3 2020
Wokingham Borough Council Licensing Act 2003 S17 Application for Premises Licence NEWSPAPER NOTICE
1. Notice is hereby given that on 14 July 2020 Wokingham Borough Council, made the above named Orders pursuant to sections 9, 10 and Parts III and IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and all other enabling powers.
THE LEAFY ELEPHANT of Unit 15, Space Business Centre, Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham, RG41 2PQ proposes to carry on the following licensable activities at the above premises:
CHALK RESTAURANTS LIMITED of Montague House, 31 Broad Street, Wokingham, Berks, RG40 1AU proposes to carry on the following licensable activities at the above premises:
Supply of alcohol, for off premises consumption between the hours of 9am to 7pm, Monday - Sunday
• Supply of Alcohol (on and off) - Monday to Sunday 09:00 – 23:15 • Late Night Refreshment (on) - Monday to Sunday 23:00 – 23:15
2. The effect of the WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL EXPERIMENTAL ORDER NO. 3 2020 which will come into operation on 23 July 2020 will be to formalise: (a) a ‘Market Place waiver’ which will exempt an approved vehicle from waiting, loading or unloading restrictions on Market Place (pedestrian section) subject to conditions imposed by the Town Council; (b) a ‘Borough wide waiver’ which will exempt an approved vehicle from waiting, loading or unloading restrictions on any road (other than Market Place pedestrian section) subject to conditions imposed by the Borough Council; (c) a ‘TCP1’ parking place permit [non-transferable to any registration and the charge for will be £0.00 per permit issued, and is subject to conditions imposed by the Town Council] for use within the parking place (mentioned below); (d) on Market Place southbound section (as described in 3(b)(ii) below) ‘TCP1 permit parking place’ operating ‘at any time’ opposite Nos. 3 - 5 Market Place, for a vehicle displaying a TCP1 parking place permit; (e) a restricted zone, no loading ‘at any time’ except in signed bays which includes Market Place on the: (i) northwestbound carriageway section; (ii) south-westbound carriageway section; and (iii) southbound section [exemptions to the [loading] restriction mentioned above will be provided]; (f) replaces two taxi ranks operating ‘at any time’ on both sides of Broad Street opposite No. 31 Broad Street to 2 ‘limited waiting parking places’ operating 8am – 6pm Mondays – Saturdays, 30 minutes maximum stay and with no return within 30 minutes; (g) imposing on lengths of: (i) Broad Street and Peach Street a loading restriction between ‘7am – 7pm’; (ii) Market Place [north-westbound and south-westbound carriageway sections]: (A) two disabled persons’ parking places operating ‘at any time’; (B) two loading places for goods carrying vehicles only operating ‘7am – 7pm; (C) two taxi ranks, operating ‘7pm – 7am’. 3. Further effect of the Order will be to: (a) impose on the southbound section of Marker Place a prohibition of entry for all motor vehicles [including ridden cycles] (except: emergency vehicles; vehicles displaying its vehicle registration mark, and by that mark appearing on a list of vehicles authorised by the Council to enter, or a valid ‘TCP1 parking permit’) from the northwestbound section of Market Place that operates ‘at any time’, [Exemptions will be provided for: goods vehicles up to a maximum laden weight of 18 Tonne between 7am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm for delivering or collecting goods or loading or unloading fronting the area in front of Nos. 1 – 18 Market Place; vehicular access and egress to and from the residential parking area within the curtilage of the building of the Roebuck Public House]; (b) impose one-way traffic flows on: (i) Denmark Street, south-westbound between its carriageway junction with Market Place and the access road to Denmark Street Car Park; (ii) Market Place (fronting the area Nos. 1 – 18 Market Place), southbound between its carriageway junctions of Market Place; (iii) Market Place (carriageways): north-westbound between Peach Street and Rose Street; south-westbound between Peach Street and Denmark Street; (c) impose a prohibited right turn for all vehicles travelling north-westbound on Market Place onto Rose Street; (d) revoke the Market Place, Wokingham) (Prohibition of Driving, No Waiting At Any Time, No Loading or Unloading, Disabled Parking Place and One-Way Traffic) Order 2014 and the (Market Place, Wokingham) (Prohibition of Driving and One Way Traffic) Order 2018.
Representations may be made in writing by any responsible authority or interested party in the vicinity of the premises to the licensing authority - Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, POB 155, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WW or by email to licensing@wokingham.gov.uk All representations made are open to public inspection. Representations to be made by: 10th August 2020 This application has been made to the Licensing Team at Wokingham Borough Council where a register of applications is kept and a record of the application may be inspected. Contact 0118 974 6358 or www.wokingham.gov.uk Under S158 of the above act, a person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to unlimited fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
Dated: 13th July 2020
Wokingham Borough Council Licensing Act 2003 S17 Application for Premises Licence NEWSPAPER NOTICE
Representations may be made in writing by any responsible authority or interested party in the vicinity of the premises to the licensing authority - Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, POB 155, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WW or by email to licensing@wokingham.gov.uk All representations made are open to public inspection. Representations to be made by: 11th August 2020 (28 days from day after day on which application given to the licensing authority) This application has been made to the Licensing Team at Wokingham Borough Council where a register of applications is kept and a record of the application may be inspected. Contact 0118 974 6358 or www.wokingham.gov.uk Under S158 of the above act, a person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to unlimited fine.
Dated: 13th July 2020 Signed: Glovers Solicitors LLP
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 INQUIRY TO BE HELD AS A VIRTUAL EVENT (Appeals against Enforcement Notice) Appeals by Candice Jules and Dean Jules against an enforcement notice issued by Wokingham Borough Council in relation to land at White Heart Grove, Land at The Coombes, Coombes Lane, Barkham, RG41 5SU. The matters which are alleged to constitute a breach of planning control are without planning permission the unauthorised construction of a timber building and its use as a dwelling. R Merrett BSc(Hons), DipTP, MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, will hold an inquiry opening on 04 August 2020 at 10.00 to decide the appeal. The inquiry will be held as a virtual event run by an Inspector in the normal way, but with the parties invited to join via Microsoft Teams or telephone.
4. A copy of the above named Order, plan and statement of reasons for making the Experimental Order may be inspected at Traffic Management Team, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL, during Mondays to Fridays between 9am-5pm. Any person requiring further information with connection with this Order should contact the Council's Traffic Management Section on telephone number 0118 974 6000.
Documents relating to the appeal can be viewed on the Council website (reference: 190309). Anyone wishing to attend the inquiry must make that interest known to the Planning Inspectorate Case Officer as soon as possible prior to the inquiry, either by email or telephone after reading the Inquiry Attendance Information set out below. When
5. The Order provides that the Director Customer and Localities or a person authorised by him, may, if it appears to him or that person essential in the interests of the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic or for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which any road affected by the Order runs, modify or suspend the Order or any provision thereof.
Inquiry Attendance Information
6. The Council shall be considering in due course whether the provisions of the experimental Order should be continued in force indefinitely.
contacting the Case Officer, it would be helpful if you could confirm whether you want to take an active part in the proceedings or anticipate attending just as an observer (see below). Before deciding whether to take an active part in the inquiry, you need to think carefully about the points you wish to make. All written submissions which have been made in relation to the appeal will be taken into account by the Inspector and re-stating the same points won’t add any additional weight to them.
7. Within a period of 6 months beginning with the day on which the experimental Order came into force, or if that Order is varied by another order or modified pursuant to Section 10(2) of the Act, beginning with the day on which the variation or modification or the latest variation or modification came into force, any person may object to the making of an order for the purpose of such indefinite continuation.
If you feel that taking part in the inquiry is right for you in whatever capacity, you can participate in a number of ways:
8. Any person desiring to object or to make other representations in relation to the making of an Order for the indefinite continuation of the experimental Order under Section 9 may within the aforementioned period of 6 months send a statement in writing of their objection and the grounds thereof to Traffic Management Team, Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1WL or via email to ‘TM.consultations@wokingham.gov.uk’.
If you just wish to observe the event, you should make that clear in your response to the Case Officer.
Dated this 16 July 2020 Christine Traill, Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL.
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION
To take part using video, participants will need to have access to Microsoft Teams (via an app or web browser). This link gives further information on how to use this. https://support.office.com/en-us/teams. Alternatively, you can take part by telephone. Calls would be to an 020 number which will incur charges https://www.gov.uk/call-charges If you wish to take an active part in the proceedings, please make clear in your response whether you wish only to appear at the inquiry and make a statement, or whether you would also wish to ask questions on particular topics. If you want to take an active part but feel unable to for any reason, and/or the points you want to make are not covered in the evidence of others, consider whether someone else could raise them on your behalf. Registered participants in whatever capacity will receive individual joining instructions, providing details of any requirements, guidance and support, whether joining by Teams or telephone. Planning Inspectorate Reference:
Case Officer:
APP/X0360/C/19/3221552
Sasha Coke Tel: 0303 444 5100
APP/X0360/C/19/3221553
Email: teame3@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application
Address
Reasons for Advert Description
201428
Manor Farm, Finchampstead
Major application
Application to remove condition 4 of planning consent 191112 for the erection of 25 no. polytunnels. Condition 4 refers to the annual removal of the polythene sheeting from the polytunnels and its storage between 1st July and 31st December.
201450
21A The Terrace, Wokingham
Conservation Area
Householder application for the proposed erection of an outbuilding to the rear of the dwelling to create a barbecue lodge.
The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. All libraries in the Borough have internet access in order to view this page. Comments on the application can be made online from this web page. Any comments must arrive on or before 6th August 2020. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses.
Date: 16th July 2020
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CRICKET
GOLF
Howzat! Cricket sides return to action
Clubs invited to apply for Covid support fund
By ANDY PRESTON
ENGLAND Golf has invited applications from all affiliated clubs and facilities to The R&A's Covid-19 Support Fund.
apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
AFTER a disruption to the season due to the pandemic, local cricket teams finally returned to action this weekend with a round of friendly fixtures. Finchampstead Cricket Club took to the wicket at their home ground in an inter-club friendly under new guidelines. Eversley Cricket Club hosted Cookham Cricket Club at their home, and their second side travelled to Binfield Cricket Club for their first taste of action for the season. Wokingham Cricket Club were out in force at Sadler’s End as they played out a friendly between ‘Turner XI’ and ‘Fisher XI’ in an interclub game. Meanwhile, the Oaks first XI were victorious away at Slough Cricket Club in their first outing of the season. Emmbrook and Bearwood Cricket Club also followed suit with an inter-club game which saw ‘Team Narraway’ take on ‘Team Robertson’ in a 40-over match. The match was won by ‘Team Narraway’ thanks to Jack Narraway hitting 57 not out, while Qasim Arain took impressive bowling figures of 5-36.
Finchampstead Cricket Club also returned to the wicket for the first time this season as they hosted an inter-club friendly at their home. Pictures: Steve Smyth
In agreement with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (The R&A), a sum of £2,555,000 has been made available to clubs in England hit hard by the effects of the pandemic. Clubs and facilities can now register their interest in the fund and begin the application process. Each organisation may apply for a grant of up to £10,000. The idea behind the fund was outlined in a letter sent to all affiliated clubs and facilities last week by England Golf CEO, Jeremy Tomlinson. “May I take this opportunity to thank The R&A for supporting the club and amateur game through this fund and you, the clubs, for all your efforts over the past few difficult months,” wrote Tomlinson. “The spirit of community, dedication to the game, a willingness to find solutions in unprecedented times and your support of England Golf’s notes of guidance have been crucial to golf playing a prominent role in the nation’s sporting recovery. “The purpose of the fund is to provide short-term financial support to clubs and facilities as they develop a resilient business strategy and then plan for future sustainability. “Our aim will be to support as many applications as possible with consideration given to those applicants who have a clear financial need and can outline an ongoing impact from grants received.” Those applying to the fund will be asked to commit to England Golf’s policies on safeguarding and equality. Applications close at 4pm on Friday, July 31.Clubs will find out if they have been successful from Monday, August 24, and monies will start to be distributed in September.
CYCLING
RUGBY
BOWLS
From Land’s End to John O’Groats: Anisa ready for the challenge
Exiles bring to an end Mad Stad games aﬞer 17 years
Twyford return to the green under guidelines
A WOKINGHAM cyclist is preparing to go from Land’s End to John O’Groats in a thrilling coast-to-coast race. And to help get herself in the saddle, she is hosting an online seminar tomorrow. In it, she will discuss her preparations for the trip, which will require her to cover 200km (125 miles) a day – and 3,000 metres of climbing. Tomorrow’s seminar, which starts at 3pm, will see Anisa joined by coach Greg Woodford. They will share advice and tips for anyone else looking to take part in a similar event. The race is organised by GBDURO and to ensure that it is Covid-compliant, riders how to be self-sufficient. This means that they are not allowed to accept help from others, keep at least 2 metres away from other competitors and they have to carry all the food they need for the day’s riding. They also have delayed start times and there is no finishers’ party to look forward to. For more information, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-anisa-ultra-longdistance-racer-tickets-112849770702
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
Eversley Cricket Club returned to action on Saturday. Pictures: Steve Smyth
LONDON Irish have played their final game at the Madejski Stadium after the club confirmed that they will play their remaining home games at the Twickenham Stoop.
The 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership was suspended in March but will restart next month. But there won’t be any sighting of The Exiles in Reading: the club has announced that the outstanding home fixtures will take place at the home of Harlequins. It brings to an end their 17year spell of using the Madejski for their home fixtures. Irish are due to move into their new home at the
Brentford Community Stadium at the beginning of the 2020/21 season. London Irish CEO Brian Facer said: “Although we may be fierce competitors with Harlequins on the field, even rivals can support each other during extraordinary circumstances such as these, and I would like to thank the
Quins Board, and in particular their chief executive Laurie Dalrymple and his team, for their positivity in accommodating our matches.” The news was also welcomed by the Quins. Dalrymple said: “We are delighted to support our soon to be returning neighbours to be able to complete the 2019/20 Premiership season. “The Club is doing everything within its power to help get the sport back on its feet following the substantial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “With that in mind, Harlequins have come to an agreement that London Irish will play their remaining five home games in Twickenham, one of which comes against Harlequins.”
TWYFORD Bowls Club has hesitantly started playing bowls again for the first time since lockdown restrictions were eased. “We are following Bowls England’s ecommendation and putting safety very much at the top of the agenda,” said a spokesperson for the club upon their return to the green. “Not everyone wants to play and that is understandable, there is no pressure, but if some people are playing then the work still needs to go into maintaining the green, which is a two-man job, three times a week. “We are now playing singles matches on Wednesday, sticking to the guidelines we are playing in two sessions, 2pm and 5pm playing on every other rink: two, four and six, or one, three and five. “I am also setting up a few competitions, which hopefully will go through to the end of August so we may have some sort of a finals day.” RESULTS FROM LAST WEEKEND: R. TOMES 8 - C. HANCOCK 16 R. DREESDEN 15 - D. BOLES 11 K. POPE 15 - J. WALTER 18 D. LUSCOMBE 15 - C. LUSCOMBE 19 D. PAYTON 17 - M. MERRITT 15
30 | SPORT
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MAD STAD MISERY ROYALS NET JUST ONE HOME WIN THIS YEAR Reading 1 Middlesbrough 2 By ANDY PRESTON at the Madejski Stadium apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
READING’S miserable home form continued on Tuesday as Middesbrough came from a goal behind to take all three points with goals from Ashley Fletcher and Patrick Roberts.
Liam Moore marked his return to the line-up with a goal as scored from close range, before Fletcher equalised moments before half-time, ending the Royals’ run of three consecutive clean sheets. Boro then took the points when Roberts fired past Rafael in the 82nd minute to give his side a crucial victory to take a huge step towards safety. No side has beaten Neil Warnock more times in his long and journeyed career than the Royals, but Boro extended their recent excellent record against Reading to make it seven wins in their last seven meetings. Mark Bowen made one change from his sides 1-0 win at Charlton with skipper Moore returning to the side to replace the injured Pele. Moore lined up in an unfamiliar role being deployed as a defensive midfielder to sit in front of the back four. George Puscas started brightly as he chased his heavy touch and used his strength to win a corner just
a minute into the game. Michael Olise's corner didn't manage to beat the first man as it was headed away for another corner, with the exact same happening from the second corner. The Royals first chance at goal fell to Moore after Meite won the first header from a corner and the ball dropped invitingly for the Reading captain to strike but his half volley flew into a crowd of Middlesbrough bodies. Reading looked to break forward with numbers streaming forward following a Boro corner but they were stopped in their tracks but the ref's whistle. He pulled back the play to award a free kick to the away side
Boro celebrate beating Reading 2-1 at the Mad Stad on Tuesday evening Pictures: Steve Smyth
from 25 yards out. The set piece was struck sweetly but flew comfortably over Rafael’s crossbar. Olise stayed switched on defensively as he tracked back and got a toe to the ball to prevent Patrick Roberts from striking at goal. The Royals worked a good move quickly up-field as Michael Morrison sent a long ball to Puscas who switched the ball out wide to Gabe Osho who tried to fire in a cross which hit Boro defender George Saville flush in the face, leaving him needing treatment.
After a few failed attempts, Olise got his delivery spot on this time as Reading opened the scoring in the 32nd minute. Yakou Meite leaped well at the front post to flick the ball into the middle and found Moore who smashed home from close range to net his first Championship goal of the season. Neil Warnock’s side looked to hit back as Marcus Tavernier swung in a superb cross to the back post which was met by the head of Djed Spence who couldn’t direct his effort goalwards.
PUSCAS PENALTY SINKS ADDICKS Charlton Athletic 0 Reading 1 AN EARLY converted penalty from George Puscas proved to be the only goal of the game as the Royals picked up their second consecutive away victory on Saturday. Puscas netted his 13th goal of the season from the spot after Andy Rinomhota was fouled just two minutes into the game. The Royals held out to keep a third consecutive clean sheet and push themselves up the table with another away win. Reading made just one change from their bore draw with Huddersfield on Tuesday last week, as Michael Olise replaced Jordan Obita. On their last trip to the Valley, the Royals stole all three points with a late
winner in a seven goal thriller which saw them leave as 4-3 winners. But when the teams met at the Mad Satd earlier in the season, the Addicks took the points with a 2-0 win. No such problem on Saturday: Reading made a superb start as they were awarded a penalty kick after just two minutes. John Swift played the ball into the box to find a positive run from Andy Rinomhota, who was tripped from behind as the referee pointed to the spot. George Puscas stepped up to take up the penalty duties and confidently dispatched the spot kick straight down the middle to give his side an early lead. Reading's good start was almost undone when Puscas gave the ball away cheaply in his own half but Michael Morrison came to his rescue
with a crucially timed sliding tackle to take the ball from Chuks Aneke who looked poised to shoot. Mark Bowen's side controlled the opening 20 minutes of the game and looked the stronger side. Michael Olise slipped the ball into the box to find Yakou Meite wide on the left who cut back and sent in a cross to try and find Puscas at the back post but slightly over hit his delivery. Reading wasted a good chance to double their advantage in the 28th minute as Swift found Meite with an inviting ball into the box but the Ivorian headed just wide after powerfully beating his marker in the box. Having enjoyed a good spell, the Royals then found themselves on the back foot for the remaining 15 minutes of the half as the hosts came to life.
Aneke had the ball in the back of the net as he latched onto a rebound after Rafael made a good save from Aiden McGeady, but he was denied by the offside flag. Just a minute later, Charlton should have brought themselves level through Macauley Bonne. McGeady put the ball across the box and from just a few yards out Bonne failed to make a good enough connection as the ball drifted wide. Reading’s defensive resolve was tested with several crosses into the box, but they held firm to see themselves into the break with a one goal lead. Charlton had a very early chance in the half as Aneke out muscled Osho in the box but got a small deflection on his shot to take it behind for a corner. Reading continued to be on the
Reading then had two brilliant chances to double their lead in quick succession. Rafael punted a super goal kick up field to find Olise sprinting through on goal, but he was denied by Boro keeper Aynsley Pears who was judged to have made a fair challenge despite Olise’s appeals for a penalty. Just moments later Swift let fly from 20 yards out and rattled the far post with a low drive. Having ridden their luck to not be two behind, Boro turned their fortunes around and found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
back foot for much of the second half as Bowen made more changes with defender Omar Richards replacing Olise. Charlton appealed for a penalty in the 84th minute when Forster-Caskey went to ground after a challenge from Obita, but the referee gave a free kick to Reading, and a yellow card to the Charlton man. Lee Bowyer's side continued to ask questions to the Reading defence but Bowen's team held strong throughout the seven minutes of added time. CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Phillips, Matthews, Oshilaja, Lockyer, Pearce (c), Aneke, McGeady, Pratley, Bonne, Morgan, Cullen. SUBS: Amos, Purrington, Williams, ForsterCaskey, Sarr, Hemed, Field, Oztumer, Doughty. READING: Rafael, Osho, Morrison, McIntyre, Blackett, Rinomhota, Swift, Pele, Olise, Meite, Puscas. SUBS: Walker, Gunter, Miazga, Moore, Baldock, Obita, McCleary, Boye, Richards GOAL: Puscas (pen) 3'
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Y CONTINUES
FROM THE TILEHURST END With Olly Allen
Do fans just want to be entertained?
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Ashley Fletcher glanced Roberts’ cross into the far corner to beat Rafael and level the score. Meite went close just after the hour mark as Reading kept the ball patently before the Ivorian flashed an effort just past the post. Looking for his second of the game, Fletcher tried his luck from 20 yards out with a powerful strike which was palmed away by Rafael. Roberts had a golden chance to put Boro in front with just 15 minutes left as he beat two defenders and cut inside the box on his left but Rafael got down low to prevent his shot from hitting the net. Another big chance fell to the feet of Roberts and this time he seized his chance. A cut back found its way to the Boro man who fired in at the near post past Rafael in the 82nd minute to put the away side in front. Bowen made two more changes as Jordan Obita and Garath McCleary came on to try and salvage a result, however they would be unsuccessful as Reading’s puzzling poor home form continued. On Saturday, Reading travel to Blackburn Rovers before hosting Swansea City on Wednesday (7.30pm). READING: Rafael, Blackett, Morrison, Moore, McIntyre, Osho, Rinomhota, Swift, Olise, Meite, Puscas. SUBS: Walker, Gunter, Miazga, Baldock, Obita, McCleary, Boye, Masika, Richards. MIDDLESBROUGH: Pears, Spence, Dijksteel, Fry, Friend, Johnson, Howson, Saville, Tavernier, Roberts, Fletcher SUBS: Stojanovic, Coulson, Wood, Clayton, Wing, McNair,
HAT do you watch football for? Perhaps it is for social interaction or to see your favourite players, or, like for many, it is simply to be entertained. After all, football in its purest ilk is a form of entertainment. It is there to be enjoyed as a spectacle. Unfortunately, this is where Reading and Mark Bowen have come unstuck in recent weeks. Supporters are being left increasingly bored and uninspired by matches as the season peters out. The precedent was set in the dull 0-0 draw against Huddersfield last week, although the team had also been criticised of sitting back and creating little against Stoke a few weeks previously. The 1-0 win over Charlton was secured by a goal in the third minute, as Reading would have just one more shot on target all afternoon – Yakou Meite’s weak header from a corner – and no shots at all after the 28th minute. The side that finished the match included three centre-backs, three left-backs and one right back, emphasising Bowen’s overwhelmingly negative approach. Against Middlesbrough on Tuesday evening it was not much different, although this time there was no clean sheet and Reading lost the game. The Royals had just one shot on target in the game, and only one shot after the 70th minute. Creativity has been at a minimum lately, which means that games haven’t exactly been great to watch. This heavily defensive set-up is perhaps not surprising that Bowen himself was a left-back and former centre-back John O’Shea is also on the coaching staff. ‘Entertainment’ was often a buzz word during Jaap Stam’s time in charge too. The Dutchman’s possession-based philosophy that involved Reading passing the ball around in their own half for much of the game took a while for supporters to get used to, and did have its critics. The Royals rarely blew teams away and you certainly didn’t go to games expecting free-flowing, fast attacking football. Yet it got results. Reading won 26 out of 46 league games, lost just two home matches and finished third. The majority of the fanbase were well and truly behind Stam’s ‘Dutch Revolution’, and even held an ‘Orange day’ to honour him for the final game of the regular season against Burton. When the Royals lost the play-off final, keeping hold of Stam was seen as vital if the club were to push for promotion again the following season. The former Manchester United defender did stick around, but things went downhill rapidly and he was sacked in March 2018. His style or approach had not changed, but one vital thing had – results. Reading were on a run of one win in 18 league games, and many supporters turned against him as the atmosphere turned toxic. Simply put, people seem willing to forgive ‘boring’ football if it gets wins, but if they stop arriving, then it’s a recipe for disaster. Getting that balance right
Liam Moore netted his first goal of the season to put Reading ahead The team celebrate going one-up against Boro
Tom McIntyre in an aerial duel with Ashley Fletcher
CRICKET’S BACK! TEAMS RETURN TO ACTION
NO FAREWELL: EXILES MOVE TO THE STOOP
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COVID CLOSES THE HIVE
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NO HOME ADVANTAGE FOR ROYALS ANOTHER MAD STAD DEFEAT p30
ICED OUT
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokinghampaper.co.uk
BRACKNELL Bees are on the search for a new home after John Nike Leisuresport announced earlier this week that its Binfield centre is to close permanently.
A statement published by the owners has said that March’s temporary closure, caused by the coronavirus, was to remain and all employees are being made redundant. The Hive at John Nike Leisure Centre has been home to the Bees since 1987 and the club’s head coach Doug Sheppard was devastated and worried about the impact the closure will have on the community. “There are going to be so many people affected from the outcome of the rink closure,” he told Wokingham.Today. “With the growth of Bracknell in recent years the complex was a very popular place to go. It was getting busier
and busier and has huge potential. “More than 70 schools from the local area were participating in the school zone. Also, our community programme was gaining momentum and now more than 100 kids in the junior programme are really going to be missing out. “It’s devastating for the local community as Bracknell needs to have an ice rink.” After the 2019/20 NIHL season was suspended due to the coronavirus, Bracknell Bees has said that it is confident of finding a new home. “In the meantime the Bees are looking at every option available to keep the club going,” continued Sheppard. “We’re confident we’ll be in a position to announce a new location in a couple of weeks time.” Nearly 12,000 people have now signed a petition aimed at saving the centre, launched by James Rayburn. The page states: “As everyone knows
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John Nike Leisuresport complex are going to be making redundancies and potentially closing the rink permanently due to this. “Please sign this petition to keep the rink open. “This venue is used for a variety of events such as ice hockey, pantomimes, etc.” The Bracknell Bees said that the closure is a “massive loss” to the wider community as they now begin their search for a new home before the ice hockey season commences in the autumn.
Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Reach Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2020