Wokingham Today April 29, 2021

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Punters flocking back to the pub PUNTERS have been flooding back to the borough’s pubs, surpassing landlord predictions, writes Jess Warren.

After being allowed to reopen from Monday, April 12, publicans now have two weekends of trade behind them and they have told Wokingham.Today that takings have exceeded expectations.

Carole Williams, landlady at The Queen’s Head in Wokingham town, said in her first week of trading, she “ran out of everything”.

“It’s been absolutely smashing,” she said. “The customers have been so lovely as we found our feet again.”

Andy Rogers, owner of Bar 56 and The Redan, in Wokingham said the first two weeks have been “exhausting” with both bars taking more than expected.

“People are really pleased to be out,” he said. “We’re just hoping people keep coming out. The fear is that this is just a novelty that will wear off.”

While weekends have been fullybooked, Mr Rogers said there has also been an increase in weekday visitors.

“With people working at home, they’re not having to commute for one or two hours a day,” he said. “We’re seeing more people come out in the evenings after work.”

With a bank holiday this weekend, Mr Rogers expects to be kept busy – and he’s not alone.

Albert Tenkorang, of The Waterside, in Woodley, said he is fully-booked from today until Monday.

“We’ve been extremely busy non-stop,” he said. “It’s been absolutely fantastic.”

With only three pubs open in Woodley at the moment – the others being The Chequers and The Shepherd’s House – Mr Tenkorang said this has helped boost bookings.

“I’m just really pleased people feel safe enough to come out again,” he added.

THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Thursday, April 29, 2021 No. 310

70p

MEET THE THREE WHO WANT TO RULE

TOPBOXERS INTHERINGTO HELPDAWSON

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury sign up for fundraiser EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM family has raised £14,000 to pay for their son’s life-changing surgery — and they have even gathered some celebrity support.

Since January, Nathalie and Paul Gosling have been trying to raise £60,000 to fund a vital operation and aftercare for their two-yearold son, Dawson, who has a rare form of cerebral palsy.

The condition affects movement in his legs, including his ability to walk.

Earlier this year, the

Gosling family launched a fundraiser with children’s charity Tree of Hope to raise money for spinal surgery to allow Dawson to walk independently.

And boxing duo Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have pledged their support with a signed portrait, which the family will raffle to raise even more vital funds.

After three months of campaigning for Dawon’s surgery, Mrs Gosling said she is “amazed” at how much money has been donated so far.

“Given that we only started a few months ago, I’m blown away that people we don’t know would donate so much,” she said. � Continued on page 2 APPEAL: Dawson Gosling needs help to fund a life-changing operation

PLUS: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF CRUNCH VOTE P12

THUMBS UP FOR FUNDRAISER P21 CALL FOR ACTION OVER LATE NIGHT RACING MEETS P5

IN THE LINE OF P6 DUTY, A BEN COPPER

HEARTBREAK FOR ROYALS SPORT

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2 | NEWS

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THE PARENTS of a girl that was sexually assaulted have shared their family’s experience in the hope of helping others who may need to report a similar crime.

Write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Jess Warren, Charlotte King Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson

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Family call on others to tell police of abuse

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

David and Katie, whose names have been changed to protect their daughter’s identity, wanted to share their family’s experiences of the investigation.

In February, Simon Honour, 55, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of assaulting their daughter, who was under 13.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison and given a sexual harm prevention order, and placed on the sex offenders register.

“I just kept thinking, this doesn’t happen to us,” David said. “My first thought was, let’s contact the school.

“As soon as we spoke to them, they said ‘go to the police’.”

Both parents gave written statements, and their daughter was interviewed on video.

Detective Constable Rosie Everitt, child abuse investigator, said the first step is a video interview with the child, so that they only have to discuss the detail of the incident once.

This can then be replayed in court, if necessary.

“The video interview was difficult for my daughter,” Katie said. “After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, she was allowed to take in someone as moral support.

“The process was made as easy

for our daughter as possible. It was difficult but I’m really glad we did it.

“I think our daughter was quite pleased with herself that she’d managed to do it. It was almost quite cathartic for her.”

Katie urged other parents that find themselves in a similar situation to reach out to anyone they trust whether school or police.

“It will be sorted out,” she said.

“It can be sorted in the best way possible and very nasty people can be taken off the streets and dealt with. It can be stopped from happening to anyone else.”

She also recommended families seek external help, such as counselling.

“We had counselling, our daughter had counselling and it was very worthwhile,” she added.

“We had other systems in place to help us.”

Thames Valley Police said it is committed to investigating child sexual abuse.

A spokesperson said: “We would encourage children, or their parents or carers to please report so that we can help support victims, safeguard them and carry out an investigation.

“Time should be no barrier to reporting and we will always look to investigate.”

Residents that are worried for the safety or wellbeing of a child are encouraged to report it.

Anyone in immediate danger should call 999.

Reports can also be made to 101 or online through the Thames Valley Police website.

New home for charity A MUSIC charity secured its official new home in Reading last week.

Readipop, which provides access to music for vulnerable young people, has purchased its new premises at 15 Trafford Road, off Cardiff Road in Reading.

After more than 20 years of music-based work in the community, this will be the first time the charity has owned its premises in the hopes to grow as an organisation.

The announcement came in the same week Readipop restarted face-to-face work, including private mentoring sessions for young people.

Gavin Lombos, creative director at Readipop, said: “This is welcome news at a critical juncture in the history of our charity, and helps to ensure we can continue to grow our important work with people in Reading and its surrounding area.

“We owe a massive thanks to those who helped directly fund the new studio’s purchase, as well as all our supporters, participants and Readipop Friends.”

The charity was supported by Big Issue, Chris Bevington Foundation, The Earley Charity and Garfield

NEW HOME: Gavin Lombos at Readipop

Weston who all helped make the purchase successful.

Amy Hodder, executive director at Readipop, said owning the studios for the first time is “massive news” for the charity She added: “Too few arts organisations in Reading have the privilege and security of owning their property, and being in this position will give us greater capacity going into the future; helping us to change even more lives through music.

“We are back doing in-person work in a fresh new studio and cannot wait for COVID-19 restrictions to lift further so we can welcome back all our community bands, young people and even some new faces.”

Dawson’s money for � Continued from front page

The Goslings have seen a whole host of lockdown fundraisers take place across Wokingham borough to support the family’s cause — including a range of charity raffles organised by the family.

Since January, Mrs Gosling has been working closely with local artist Richard Williams, of Richard Williams Creations, on a signed portrait of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury who are due to fight later this year.

The painting will be raffled in a few weeks time.

“Last weekend, Dawson revealed the painting and now we’re just waiting for it to be signed,” Mrs Gosling said. “We have also raffled a holiday and have raised just over £500, and the winner of that will be announced this Saturday.

“Next week, we’re raffling a football shirt signed by Reading Football Club.”

Earlier this month, Sultan Balti Palace, in Market Place, donated nearly £1,500 to Dawson and his mum following a two-day event.

The restaurant, which has been operating on a takeaway-only basis during lockdown, has been collecting £1 from every order since February to donate to Dawson.

It also created its very own ‘Dawson Dish’ — a chicken biryani — which it has been selling to raise further funds for the cause.

Raja Majid, owner of Sultan Balti Palace, said he plans to hold more charity events in the future, too.

“I couldn’t believe how much money Sultan Balti raised in such a short amount of time,” Mrs Gosling said. “Dawson has had a lot of fun playing around with the big cheque Mr Majid gave us.

“It was lovely to meet everybody at the restaurant who has been supporting us, and Dawson loves the dish.”

And people across the borough have been taking on individual fundraisers too, including sponsored cycles, burpee challenges, and runs.

Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 3

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Maiden Erleigh merger off A PROPOSED merger between the Berkshire Schools Trust and Maiden Erlegh Trust has been called off.

In January, the two groups consulted on plans which could have seen the merger completed by September.

A spokesperson for The Berkshire Schools Trust, which includes St John’s Primary School, New Town Primary School and New Christ Church Primary School in Reading, said

that the majority of feedback was positive.

However a key stakeholder felt unable to support the proposal.

“It is with mutual regret, therefore, that we will not proceed with the merger,” they said. “We would like to thank all the staff, parents and community members who contributed to the consultation.

Your feedback has been invaluable.”

Now, trustees at the Berkshire Schools Trust are in discussions with the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education and the Department for Education over next steps.

At the time of the consultation, Nick Jones, chair of Maiden Erlegh Trust and Angie Morrish, chair of Berkshire Schools Trust, both said the plans “must be right for everyone involved”.

Green role for Bishop

champs help raise life-changing op CURRY ON: Dawson and his Mum, Nathalie, at the Sultan Balti Palace last week Picture: Andrew Batt

Now, Mrs Gosling hopes the family can raise enough money in time for Dawson to have the surgery.

According to the family, the spinal surgery is most suitable for children aged two- and threeyears-old, meaning Dawson, who turns three in August, would need to have it sooner rather than later.

“They sometimes don’t offer this surgery to children until they are school age because the child needs to understand the recovery programme,” Mrs Gosling explained. “But Dawson’s consultant thinks he has the understanding.

“I desperately hope it can be done by summer next year.”

And she is worried that if Dawson does not have the operation before he starts school, he might not make a full recovery.

“If he has the surgery when he's older, he might still have to walk with an aid,” Mrs Gosling added.

“The recovery programme could take longer, and he might also need muscle and tendon surgeries.

“So, we need to make sure we have the money

for the surgery there, so we can pay for it as soon as Dawson can have it.”

Looking to the future, Mrs Gosling said she plans to hold “even bigger and better” fundraising events as covid regulations continue to lift, including disco nights and auctions.

“At the moment, everything is done on a very small scale,” she said.

“That’s why it’s so lovely that people are doing individual challenges.

“Dawson is desperate to be able to run around and kick a ball with his brothers, so I hope we can raise the money quickly.

“To see him walk unaided would be wonderful.”

To find out more about the Gosling family’s fundraiser, visit www.treeofhope.org.uk/ dawsoncandoit or search for ‘Dawson Can Do It’ on Facebook.

Enter the raffle to win the signed portrait here: www.raffall.com/212175/enter-raffl e-to-windawson-can-do-it-portrait-comp-hosted-byrichard-williams Anybody interested in doing a sponsored fundraiser for Dawson should contact Mrs Gosling via the ‘Dawson Can Do It’ Facebook page.

THE BISHOP of Oxford has been appointed to a new select committee on environment and climate change, writes Jess Warren.

He is one of 13 peers appointed to the Lords Select Committee for the environment and climate change, and says his appointment comes after years of advocating for fossil fuel divestment within the Church of England.

“Human beings are far more than consumers: we are called to be just stewards of creation, to care for the poorest and the weakest,” the Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft said.

“Human fulfilment lies not in escalating consumption but in meaningful rest and labour and learning to be content.

“Many dioceses, including Oxford, are placing care for the earth at the top of our agenda for the coming years.”

Bishop Steven said this means identifying challenging but achievable targets and a practical path to reach them.

He added: “The leadership we offer to the COP summit must be demonstrably grounded in the trinity of policy intervention, technology solutions and the changing lives of our entire population.”

The new committee is one of five new committees for the Lords.

Announcing them in the House last week, the senior deputy speaker said previous select committees “have demonstrated a depth of inquiry, a level of expertise and comprehensive scrutiny that has not been matched elsewhere.”

Reports produced by the select committees make recommendations to government and provoke discussion in Parliament.

Ruth Chambers, senior parliamentary affairs associate at the coalition of green groups, Greener UK, said: “Never has there been a better time for House of Lords scrutiny on the environment and this committee is very welcome.”

4 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

New initiative First day at school for Farley Hill head aims to keep cyclists safe WOKINGHAM Borough Council has launched a new initiative with Thames Valley Police in an effort to keep cyclists safe.

The new partnership will see police officers take to the streets on bicycles this week, stopping anybody who drives dangerously close.

Motorists who are stopped will be escorted to a designated site where they will have their driving licence, insurance, and eyesight checked by police.

The council’s My Journey team will also be on hand to educate drivers on the dangers of passing too close to cyclists.

PC Liz Johnson, road safety officer for Thames Valley Police, said: “A close pass not only presents a danger to the cyclist, but it is also intimidating.

“As the Highway Code states, overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so, and drivers should allow vulnerable road users as much room as they would when overtaking a car.”

She said a driver deemed passing dangerously close can be prosecuted and taken to court.

“Ultimately, we want all road users to share the roads together. We are about making the roads safer for all and making sure we all get to our destinations safely.”

Andy Glencross, assistant director for highways at Wokingham Borough Council, added: “The safety of our residents is our number one priority and our My Journey team welcome the opportunity to work with Thames Valley Police on this initiative.

“We continue to implement walking and cycling infrastructure across the borough to encourage more active travel.”

THE HEADTEACHER of Farley Hill Primary School has been given a tour of their new school site in Arborfield.

Emma Clarke was joined by business manager Nina Martins and chairman of governors Duncan Hamilton for a viewing of the Arborfield Green site.

It will open in September, and is one of two primary schools being built in the area, with the second coming as part of a later construction phase.

Ms Clarke, head teacher at Farley Hill Primary School said staff feel honoured to be moving the school to a new site.

“The building we have seen so far is incredible and we are looking forward to continuing Farley Hill’s exciting learning journey,” she said. “All of the children, parents, staff and governors are very much looking forward to the many new adventures we will have at our new site.”

The school is almost complete, and includes a 3G sports pitch, which can be used by the wider Arborfield community outside of school hours.

It also has specialist areas for design and food technology, PE and dance.

It is hoped that relocating Farley Hill Primary School will resolve a shortage in space at the Church Road site.

Sal Thirlway, assistant director for learning and partnerships at

READY TO MOVE: Front left to right: Anju Sharma, Specialist Growth & Delivery (School Places); Nina Martins, Farley Hill Primary School Schools Business Manager with Ash year 4 pupil; Duncan Hamilton (with Red hat), Farley Hill Primary School Chair of Governors; Tim Searle (white hat ) , WBC Senior Project Manager. Back left to right: Ed Joyce, Reds10 Site Manager; Michael Kaka, Reds 10 Assistant Site Manager; Elson Byberi, Reds10 Site Operative Picture: Stewart Turkington Wokingham Borough Council,said: “I look forward to the opening of the new school building which will undoubtedly provide a fantastic education for hundreds of children in the years ahead.

“Emma and her team will be able to

make the most of the range of facilities available on site, providing a rich curriculum across a range of subjects in their new building.”

A nursery is also included on site, and there is space to expand to 630 school

places “when required”.

The facilities have been funded through developer contributions as part of the four major developments in Arborfield, Shinfield, North and South Wokingham.

Shoppers help Tesco raise cash for Cancer Research

By MARIE WILLIAMS news@wokingham.today

customers to support Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

“Unfortunately, most of us know someone who’s been affected by cancer, so colleagues are keen to raise as much money as we can every year to aid research into finding a cure.

“I would like to say a big thank-you to all our customers who donated throughout the weekend, and to Simon at the Wild Card shop in Wokingham for his support with the balloon decorations in the store.”

Tesco has partnered with Cancer Research UK for 20 years, raising funds to support research that fights 200 types of cancer.

Caroline Smith, manager at the Wokingham Cancer Research UK shop, added: “We are very grateful for the support of the Tesco staff in Wokingham and we’re thrilled that shoppers supported them so generously for the Tesco Turns Pink weekend.

“By donating whatever shoppers were able to spare, they have made a real difference to people with cancer, right now.

“Events such as the Tesco Turns Pink weekend also enable like-minded people to get together and remember loved ones lost to cancer, or celebrate the lives of those who have survived.”

for patients undergoing treatment.

Paula Horne, radiotherapy services manager, said: “We have wanted to build this garden for a long time and are extremely grateful to the League of Friends as well as Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust staff and volunteers whose donations, time and energy has made this happen.”

She said it will make a definitive improvement to the experience of patients.

It features new seating, planters, a variety of plants, and screening for privacy.

Work on the project began in early 2020 and continued over the

course of year.

It was made possible due to a grant of £1,550 from the League of Friends of the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Tilehurst Garden Services supplied the benches, planters and screening together with donating various shrubs to enhance the area.

The Royal Berkshire voluntary services also provided plants.

Janet Lippett, chief medical officer for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud of how our team at the Berkshire Cancer Centre continuously improves the care and treatment of our cancer patients. “

ENTHUSIASTIC Tesco staff and generous Wokingham shoppers combined to raise more than £750 for Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

The much-needed money was collected when the Finchampstead Road Tesco Superstore staff turned the building pink as part of the three-day fundraiser.

Many colleagues dressed from head to toe in pink on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and shoppers were keen to donate to such a good cause.

Louise Jedras, Community Champion at the Superstore, was one of the staff with collection buckets throughout the three days.

She said: “Our Tesco Turns Pink event is always a fantastic way for colleagues and

Garden opens to help radiotherapy patients RADIOTHERAPY patients can now use a new garden at the Berkshire Cancer Centre at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The garden was opened to last Thursday at a ceremony with staff and volunteers who contributed to its construction.

Located outside the radiotherapy waiting area, the previously unused space has been transformed into a tranquil place

Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Call for action over drag racing and speeding EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today ARBORFIELD residents are calling on the council to take action against car meets in the borough, and said they fear lives will be lost if nothing is done.

Over the past few weeks, villagers alleged up to 200 cars have been breaking speed limits on Observer Way and creating a disturbance on evenings and weekends.

One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said drivers have been traveling from Riseley, through Shinfield and into Arborfield. They then either head towards Farnborough or park in Hogwood Industrial Estate, and said their presence is leaving people anxious.

“People have been driving at more than 100 miles per hour down the relief road,” the resident explained.

“They’ve also been drag racing.”

According to the resident, the car meets are being arranged by a group

of organisers over social media.

They said people have been turning up in Arborfield and revving their car engines, sometimes lighting fireworks too.

Oftentimes, the motorists will arrive quietly and suddenly begin making lots of noise, which includes backfiring car exhausts, the resident added.

“Over the weeks, it’s gradually got worse,” they said. “There are more and more vehicles turning up, later in the evening, causing even more noise.

“It’s affecting our elderly residents who are starting to get anxious.”

They said some people are now too nervous to sit in their back gardens or sleep in bedrooms which face Observer Way because of the disruption.

“We [villagers] have been reporting it to the police for antisocial behaviour and terrorising the neighbourhood,” the resident said.

According to Gary Cowan, independent councillor for Arborfield, businesses at Hogwood Industrial Estate have taken matters into their

ON TRACK: Large-scale car meets have been seen in villages including Arbrorfield, forcing firms to install traffic calming measures

own hands in an effort to put a stop to the motorists, installing humps to stop motorists drifting around the site.

Cllr Cowan has accused the organisers of the car meets of “threatening lives, peace and quiet” in the village.

Now, the Arborfield resident is now calling on Wokingham Borough Council to take action against the motorists, and worries businesses and local amenities will move elsewhere if the disruption continues.

“I think the council should take out an injunction to stop this,” they said.

“In the West Midlands, councils have banded together and created a ‘car cruising injunction’ to ban cruisers in the area.

“I think Wokingham Borough Council should be considering this.”

Cllr Cowan has also supported the resident’s call for action, saying: “I believe the council has a duty

of care and a responsibility to residents to stop this sort of antisocial behaviour that puts lives at risk.

“They need to act now as a matter of some urgency before there is loss of life or serious damage within our community, as a direct result of cruising in our borough.”

He said residents who have contacted TVP or the borough council “appear to be left out in the cold, on their own without any real support”.

Simon Price, assistant director for neighbourhoods and communities, said Wokingham Borough Council takes all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously.

Cllr John Kaiser, Conservative councillor for Barkham, said the motorists’ behaviour is “dangerous” and “antisocial”.

“Thames Valley Police has made it clear to us that it’s something they

NEWS | 5 should deal with, and that it’s a priority for them,” he said. “It’s pretty poor people do these things, especially during lockdown when residents are nervous and vulnerable.

“I don’t condone it in any way.”

Mr Price said that earlier this month, Wokingham Borough Council worked with Thames Valley Police and Reading Borough Council to prevent a car meet.

The council has deemed these events illegal for breaching covid guidelines.

“We feel our actions helped reduce the chances of this large scale event taking place that had the potential for a significant impact on our communities,” Mr Price said.

“We will continue to work with our partners, particularly Thames Valley Police, to prevent anti-social behaviour that negatively affects our residents.

“We are looking at car meets across the borough and will consider, where appropriate and proportionate, the use of a range of legal powers.”

A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said car cruises can be a danger to the public, and risk transmitting the coronavirus during the pandemic.

“We would ask that people do not gather for any other event and our officers will be on hand and will use the powers available to them in order to minimise this event’s impact on our communities,” they said.

“Where we see people gathering and knowingly putting others at potential risk from coronavirus our officers will look to use enforcement be it through dispersal, fines or even arrest.

“We will continue to work with our partners at Wokingham Borough Council and other local authorities to keep our communities safe.”

6 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today STORY TIME: PCSO Emma Hickmott and pupils Alfred Sutton School

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

Plan for Hurst homes sparks heated debates

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

A SURPRISE proposal to build four new homes on a triangle of land in the heart of a village has divided residents.

Forget H, here’s Ben POLICE have launched a story book character to help tackle knife crime.

Thames Valley Police’s latest recruit, PC Ben, was introduced to students in time for Operation Sceptre, the national knife crime awareness week, which launched on Monday.

Neighbourhood policing teams will be using the book in visits to schools, to explain the role of the police and promote positive interactions with children.

More than 2,500 copies of the book have been purchased, with around 900 infant and primary schools across the Thames Valley to each receive three copies.

Parents will receive a digital version so they can revisit it at home with their children. Children will receive colouring sheets and stickers.

Sergeant Andy Ward, of the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Building early positive relationships between young people and the police is a key way that we can help tackle the root causes of crime and serious violence early on.

“We can build trust, confidence and it helps us maintain good relationships as those children grow older.”

He said the book is part of a wider project to work with young people to

help them avoid carrying knives and being involved in crime.

“In the coming months, my neighbourhood policing colleagues will be arranging visits to schools and are looking forward to reading the story and speaking with children across the force area,” he added.

The book was written and illustrated by David Bullock, a serving Thames Valley Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), who works in the Windsor and Maidenhead borough.

More books are planned.

Robert Howell, headteacher of Alfred Sutton Primary School in Reading, said: “The storybook is a fun and engaging way for our youngest children to learn more about the role of the police, to get to know their local officers and to understand the importance of being kind and thoughtful.

“We look forward to welcoming our neighbourhood policing team into the school.”

The project has been funded by the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit, a partnership body created to combat serious violence, by tackling early, rootcauses.

The story promotes the role of the police as being part of the community, helpful, kind and easy to talk to.

There has been heated debate about whether the houses in Hurst should be allowed and even an allegation that a resident was harangued and bullied on their doorstep.

And there was concern from residents about the role of Lady Suzy Watt, the land owner’s company secretary, as she also is on Hurst Parish Council and Hurst Village Society committee. Both organisations give views on whether planning permissions should be given.

Lady Watt on Tuesday told Wokingham.Today she had stepped down from any involvement with the village society’s dealings with the proposal, and she would do the same with the parish council which she has just joined. This is standard practice when a committee discusses an issue where there could be a conflict of interest and there is no suggestion that Lady Watt has acted inappropriately.

Members of Lady Watt’s family including her husband Sir Redmond Watt are directors of Redcar Investment Company which owns the land in Sawpit Road, near the village hall.

Village Society chairman Jo Newbold’s statement said: “The committee of the Hurst Village Society (HVS) is saddened by many of the comments that have appeared on Facebook pages over the last few days and feels the need to clarify some points.

“All past and present members of the HVS are very aware of the requirement to declare any potential conflict of interest in any matter under discussion.

“This is the case for Sawpit Road and the committee member immediately recused [stood down] from any

IN THE ZONE: A map showing the proposal for the homes in Hurst

involvement in this matter. Please allow us time to consider the proposals and make our response known before commenting.”

She stressed that HVS was a friendly and collaborative society working on behalf of and for the long-term benefit of everyone in the village.

Ms Newbold told Wokingham.Today: “I was incredibly upset by the comments and pointing fingers.” Some, she added, were outrageous and very hurtful.

“We understand feelings are running high and that people have very strong opinions. We are meeting soon,” she said.

Most people commenting were not actually HVS members. “We will listen to our members,” she said.

Lady Watt said: “I’m a dedicated member of HVS and have been for many years … I’ve done an inordinate amount of work for it. I’m a long term resident of Hurst and involved with local societies.”

The heated social media debate, including the harassment allegation, was prompted after the developer JPP Land’s flyers were delivered to homes last week.

The flyers seek views on the proposals. Lady Watt said she hadn’t known the leaflets were being

distributed when they were and had recused herself as soon as she heard.

“HVS has done nothing wrong,” she added.

The leaflets were the first villagers knew about the plans. No planning application has yet been made.

Wokingham Borough Council decides whether applications will be approved.

The proposals for two three-bedroom semi-detached rural cottages and two detached four-bedroom timber-clad barn homes are at www.sawpitroad.com.

On Tuesday 38 people had fed back views on the form there. Of these 18 supported the proposals said Edward Butler-Ellis for the developers. JPP Land say they will review the feedback and make changes where possible.

Caroline Young, a Protect Hurst Action Group member, has cancelled her HVS subscription because she is unhappy with the organisation. She called for more affordable housing in Hurst.

“I would prefer six or eight one- or two-bedroom houses on that site but that’s not possible because they won’t make any money on them.”

She felt that building on small sites within the village centre would help the argument against bigger developments in surrounding areas of the parish. But others on social media felt allowing building on small sites would open the floodgates for larger ones. Some members of PHAG declined to comment.

Resident Danny Wall said there should have been more building in Hurst for many years.

“Arborfield is being massively developed. I can see that happening to Hurst if we don’t allow small development here,” he said.

He claimed most older land and property owners were quite happy to have development. Newer residents didn’t like it. The village was massively divided.

Call for action over missed bag deliveries A SHINFIELD councillor is calling for the borough council to “take responsibility” for distributing the last of the green recycling sacks.

Over the last month, the new sacks have been delivered across the area, but Cllr Jim Frewin, independent councillor for the ward and candidate in the elections, said many Shinfield residents have missed out, despite “multiple phone calls” chasing a delivery.

He told Wokingham.Today: “Shinfield Parish Council has received a request from the executive member for rubbish to act as a local distribution point for circa 400 missed residents.”

With the offices currently being redeveloped, Cllr Frewin said the parish had no room to store the bags and “respectfully declined”.

He added: “Residents are now being told to travel to Lower Earley.”

This, he said, would take two bus journeys for some residents.

“Wokingham Borough Council made this mess and they should take responsibility for sorting it out and not simply seek to put the responsibility

on to parishes or residents,” he said. “We have been told this will be sorted by Friday this week.”

A spokesperson for the borough council said more households than usual were missed this year, because a different company was in charge of distribution.

“Usually our waste contractor, Veolia, makes the blue bag deliveries,” they said. “However, as the new recycling bags and food waste bags were delivered together with the blue rubbish bags, the rollout was more complex.”

The council apologised to all residents that have been missed, and said “they will receive their delivery”.

They added: “We are currently in the process of redelivering to these properties as quickly as possible.

“If residents would rather not wait for a delivery, they can visit one of our hubs to pick up the bags instead.” � To report a missed delivery, visit: www. wokingham.gov.uk and head to the rubbish and recycling section

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Teenager’s broken jaw after traffic accident THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses of a crash in Charvil, which has left a 14-year-old boy in hospital with a broken jaw.

At around 3.15pm on Monday, a Volkswagen Crafter collided with the pedestrian at the entrance to Newlands Farm.

The boy sustained a broken jaw, and remains in hospital receiving treatment.

Investigating officer PC Ben Taylor, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “I am appealing for any witnesses to this incident to please come forward.

“If you were travelling along this road at the time of the incident and have a dash-cam, I would ask you check any footage in case it may have captured something that could assist with the investigation.”

Anyone with information should contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101, or making an online report quoting reference 43210176962.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Park & Ride as usual Commuters at Winnersh Triangle are being assured that the park and ride facility is open – and that buses with new ‘super low emissions’ will be running.

Construction to increase the park and ride capacity has begun and there will be fewer parking spaces in the short term to allow the works to take place.

Reading Buses Marketing and Communications Manager Jake Osman said: “Some of the car park is closed so customers will need to park in the available spaces, then walk around the building work where there will be a safe, well signposted walking route.

“Our Winnersh Triangle park and ride buses will be running to their normal timetables and from the normal stop that customers will be well familiar with.”

NEWS | 7

Candidates urged to sign pledge to protect riverside EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A CAMPAIGN group is urging candidates in Reading and Wokingham’s local elections to pledge to protect land by the River Thames.

Save Our Ancient Riverside (SOAR) wants the potential councillrs to sign a promise to defend green space along the river.

SOAR, which launched in 2017, is a campaign group dedicated to preserving land by the historic Kennetmouth.

In 2019, campaigners convinced Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee to reject a proposal from Reading Borough Council to build a single lane bus lane bridge over the area, twice.

Now, SOAR is asking candidate councillors across the two boroughs to sign a public pledge, which reads: “I pledge to protect the green corridor alongside our River Thames in the boroughs of Reading and Wokingham and to work with neighbouring authorities to enhance the biodiversity associated with the river environment.”

The pledge says protecting the River Thames’ wildlife corridor will benefit the community by providing shade and reducing “urban heat”, as

WORTH SAVING: The towpath by the River Thames

well as enhancing air quality and wellbeing.

SOAR said without support, the riverside could become a road linking the Park and Ride in Thames Valley Park.

According to the campaign group, the coronavirus pandemic has increased the demand for green, open spaces.

“It has created a heightened awareness of the relationship between the environment and mental health,” a spokesperson said.

The group argues that green corridors along the River Thames also allow wildlife to move freely, and are “essential” for supporting biodiversity.

“The Thames Path is not just beloved by locals,” the spokesperson added. “It’s also a national asset and we urge Reading and Wokingham’s

politicians to take the progressive step of pledging to protect this beautiful space.”

Now, SOAR is also urging Wokingham Borough Council to designate the Thames Path east of Kennetmouth as a Local Green Space, to protect it from future development.

The group has launched a petition in a bid to raise public support, which currently has 1,500 signatures.

Residents who have signed did so for a number of reasons, including preserving the “tranquil atmosphere” of the path, maintaining a “wild and unkempt area” close to Reading town centre, and protecting the community’s “sanity and health”.

A spokesperson for Wokingham Borough Council said the area of

land was considered for Local Green Space designation as part of the council’s Local Plan Update, but did not meet the criteria.

“Since then, the council proactively invited nominations from parish and town councils, and other groups,” the spokesperson explained.

They said the council received more than 100 nominations for Local Green Spaces across Wokingham borough.

“In the Kenneth Mouth area, the wider area than the original nomination has now been suggested, as well as additional information provided,” they said.

“The new, wider area incorporates the open space and river frontage along the Thames, and so incorporates a much larger area used for recreation and leisure.”

The spokesperson said the site originally considered as a Local Green Space was far more narrow.

“This wider area is currently being assessed and if found to meet the criteria will be included in the revised draft local plan, which the council will consult on later this year,” they added.

Find out more about SOAR’s petition here: www.change.org/p/ wokingham-borough-councildesignate-the-thames-path-atkennetmouth-as-local-green-space

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8 | BUSINESS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

Got a business story? Email news@ wokingham.today. or write to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Vodafone helps charity stay connected during pandemic EXCLUSIVE

ONLINE, REMOTELY: Newbury-based phone company Vodafone has offered SIMs, data and tablets to Promise Inclusion clients

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today VODAFONE has joined forces with a local charity to help residents stay connected during the pandemic.

The telecommunications provider has teamed up with Promise Inclusion to support vulnerable people struggling to access technology, as part of its new Connecting Families programme.

Promise Inclusion works across Wokingham and Bracknell, assisting children and adults with learning disabilities and autism through workshops and activities.

The new partnership is part of a wider social change initiative at Vodafone to support digitally-excluded communities across the UK, and is also getting a helping hand from the Good Things Foundation and Royal Mencap.

As part of the programme, Vodafone has distributed tablets, unlimited data SIMs and dongles to more than 2,500 people, including

nearly 250 families and adults with disabilities in the South East.

It is hoped this will help residents access support services, online education, and employment opportunities.

Mary Durman, CEO of Promise Inclusion, said the charity has already distributed 13 devices to members in Wokingham and Bracknell.

“Our trained volunteers will be working with them to help them get online and learn more about how to use their device,” she said.

“We will provide ongoing support to upskill our members with a learning difficulty to become more digitally able, gain confidence and perhaps to become peer mentors and

volunteers themselves.”

And Ms Durman said feedback from members shows the project is already having an impact.

One member, Steve, is now able to speak with his mum on Zoom.

“He will be so excited,” she said.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 1.9 million households across the UK do not have reliable access to the internet, and as many as 11.7 million people do not have the digital skills to communicate online.

The ONS data suggests disabled people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and are more likely to suffer isolation.

Helen Lamprell, general

ALFRESCO APRIL

counsel and external affairs director of Vodafone, said: “Our purpose as a business has been supercharged during the pandemic, in particular our role in providing connectivity and support to vulnerable people.”

She said these types of social change programmes have helped the telecommunications company support more than 5,000 vulnerable people to date.

Helen Milner OBE, CEO of the Good Things Foundation, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Vodafone on the Connecting Families programme.

“The devices have had a hugely positive impact for many families in some of the disadvantaged areas of the UK. “Digital connectivity and skills are no longer a nice-tohave, but a need-to-have.”

Phil Clark, digital partnerships programme manager at Mencap, echoed Ms Milner’s comments and said it is more important than ever that everybody is “digitally connected”.

James joins

A PROPERTY consultancy with an office in Earley says it continues to grow with the appoint-ment of James Newton as a surveyor.

He has joined Vail Williams from Lambert Smith Hampton, where he spent four years working in acquisition and disposal of commercial property across the Thames Valley.

Now, he will help the region’s businesses secure new premises, and will be working from Vail Williams’ Thames Valley Park offices.

Guy Parkes, partner at the firm’s Earley office, said: “We are delighted to welcome James at what is a busy time for our team, as businesses plan for a return to the workplace.

“We recognise that there is huge growth potential in the Thames Valley office market and continue to invest in our people and resources to help our clients achieve their new workplace strategies quickly and efficiently.”

Mr Newton added: “I am excited to be joining such a progressive business as Vail Williams at a time of growth and opportunity for the firm.

“Their values and focus on client excellence resonated with me and I am looking forward to delivering on this for clients.”

Green infrastructure investment vital for jobs INVESTING in green infrastructure could be vital for future employment, according to Green New Deal UK. The movement, which is calling on the Government and industry to decarbonise the UK to “forge a new path for the economy”, said putting the environment first could bring more jobs to the South East.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the UK’s ‘green workforce’ shrank by more than 30,000 employees between 2014 and 2019.

Green New Deal UK said creating a more environmentally-friendly economy could replace jobs lost over the coming two years.

This includes investing in green energy, research and development,

as well as digital infrastructure and social care.

“Every day, people are losing their jobs and struggling to find work due to Covid-19,” said Hannah Martin, co-executive director. “Our data shows the huge potential for green jobs in the UK. “A truly green economy is so much more than wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles — it is an army of retrofitters, carers, bike couriers and teachers, up and down the country, all working towards transforming our economy.”

According to the movement, there is the potential to create 2.7 million new ‘green jobs’ in the UK as a whole, over the next 10 years.

Water works for innovation SOUTH East Water has been applauded for its innovation, and could now receive a £250,000 prize.

The water provider has been named as one of the 11 winners in Ofwat’s recent Innovation in Water Challenge (IWC).

Organised by Ofwat and Nesta Challenges, the IWC funds transformational projects in the water sector, with grants of up to £250,000 for each winner.

This year, South East Water was rewarded for its supporting customers in vulnerable circumstances scheme, run in partnership with the Consumer Council for Water, Thames Water, and Severn Trent Water.

The project will use behavioural science to support vulnerable residents, improve engagement, and help people manage their bills.

John Russell, senior director at Ofwat, said: “Innovation has the potential to drive a sea-change in the water sector and tackle some of the biggest challenges we are facing in society.

“We were particularly pleased to

see so many water company collaborations among the entries [this year].

“We are looking forward to the future rounds of the competitions and supporting even more transformative projects to fruition over the coming years.”

Rachel Skinner, chair of the IWC judging panel, added: “It was refreshing to see such a high standard of entries across the breadth of the water sector in this inaugural funding round.

“Taken together, the shortlisted entries provided a clear snapshot of the industry and its current challenges but also multiple opportunities for widespread transformation.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the funded projects take flight.”

Other winning projects included turning ammonia in wastewater into green energy and using artificial intelligence to detect leaks in the water network. � To find out more about the IWC, visit: waterinnovation.challenges.org

95% of Reading retailers open BACK IN TOWN: Shoppers queuing to get into Reading’s Primark store Picture: Phil Creighton

FOLLOWING the recent change in coronavirus restrictions, Reading UK says it is good news to see town centres bustling again — but they must reopen safely.

Earlier this month, ‘non-essential’ retailers and services opened their doors to the public as lockdown restrictions eased slightly.

According to Reading UK, 95% of Reading town centre’s retailers are now open, and footfall last Monday

was similar to a busy Saturday prepandemic.

Adam Jacobs, Reading UK chair, said: “It is heartening to see Reading town centre open and customers returning, rediscovering and supporting our local businesses.

“Thank you to everyone for your support, to those retail staff who have worked throughout the pandemic, and to everyone who has helped get the town open again.”

Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Call for clarity over vaccine passports AS THE idea of vaccine passports is floated across Westminster, the council is calling for clarity over what this could mean for business owners, writes Jess Warren.

Charles Margetts, the executive member for health at the borough council and Conservative candidate for Finchampstead North in the elections, told Wokingham.Today the council is supportive of the idea “in principle” but has yet to see any detail on the proposal.

“We’re waiting for the full guidance on this,” he said.

“But it is my personal view that it is sensible to launch this after the large majority of the population has been offered their first or second dose of the vaccine.”

He quashed claims from The Daily Telegraph that passports could be rolled-out as soon as May, and said it makes “more sense” to introduce the system when “all the population has been vaccinated”.

He said many borough businesses may have concerns about the passports, particularly for bars and venues that cater towards adults under 30, who have yet to be offered the jab.

“We’re waiting to find out what’s happening, when we will see it, how it will work, and how it will affect businesses,” he said.

Over the past three weeks, the rate of infections in the borough has been slowly rising, and Mr Margetts said this was “natural”, as there was always an expectation for a small increase in covid cases as society reopened.

“There’s nothing to indicate that we will have a repeat of last year,” he said.

“We are in a vastly different place, with more than half of the population receiving their jabs.” � Also standing in Finchampstead South are Martyn Foss, Green party; Alex Freeney, Labour; and Jordan Montgomery, Lib Dem

NEWS | 9

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CORONAVIRUS LATEST

From Wokingham to India: firm’s role in virus fight EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM-based medical supplies firm Intersurgical is flying out life-saving equipment to help India’s Covid crisis.

Managing director Charles Bellm said emergency air delivered orders were going to India, along with the company’s usual orders for that country.

“We are just sending things to India that they are asking for and we are happy to be in a position where we can supply what they need,” he said. “We are just doing what we would do for any country and is normal course of business these days.”

Infection rates rise in borough as restrictions ease THE RATE of infections in Wokingham per 100,000 has risen again as restrictions ease.

The latest figures for the borough showed the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases per

Intersurgical, with its head office at Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham, has a global network of subsidiary offices and distributors in 22 countries.

Mr Bellm said thousands of pieces of equipment were being shipped from Lithuania to India where Intersurgical has done business for 30 years.

The company makes the connections between patients and their ventilators, tubes, masks and filters.

As the pandemic was accelerating in Europe last year, Intersurgical faced “unprecedented” demand for products. “In all we managed to supply 61 million individual products to the market globally in the 14 weeks from March 16,” said Mr Bellm afterwards.

100,000 residents is 23.4, up from 17.5 last week.

There were nine positive tests recorded on Tuesday, April 26, bringing the total number of infections to 8,235.

The figures in neighbouring Reading borough are higher than in Wokingham, with an infection rate of 28.4, up from 24.7 last week.

Mr Bellm has praised the firm’s 500-plus staff at Wokingham for their “superb work” at full throttle.

UK logistics manager Sally Day, 60, of Finchampstead, said at the time: “Work goes on seven days and five nights a week.

They’re picking and packing orders to go to the NHS. The volume of output is unbelievable.

“We’ve got a very good team. They’ll do anything we ask, working to midnight or over the weekend,” she added. “Over a lifetime working here I’ve never seen anything like this. But staff of this company always step up.”

Another member of staff Luke Stacey,28, from Wokingham, said: “People are working together, it feels like a war effort.”

On Tuesday, Reading reported four new positive cases.

Bracknell Forest has seen its rate per 100,000 drop over the past seven days. It is now 16.3, down from 32.6 last week. On Tuesday there were eight new cases.

Windsor and Maidenhead had 10 cases reported that day,

and its rate per 100,000 is now 30.4, up from 21.1 last week.

West Berkshire recorded five positive cases, and its infection rate is 15.1, up from 14.5 last week.

Slough remains the highest in Berkshire, and its rate per 100,000 is 63.5, down from 64.9 last week. It also recorded 11 covid cases on Tuesday.

10 | NEWS

PARISHNOTICEBOARD Parish and borough council meetings Meetings online – contact councils for details

Thursday, April 29 Shinfield Parish Council. Recreation and Amenities. 7.30pm. shinfieldparish.gov.uk

Monday, May 3 Winnersh Parish Council. Planning committee meeting. 7.30pm. www.winnersh.gov.uk

Tuesday, May 4 Winnersh Parish Council. Recreation & Amenities Committee meeting. 7.30pm. www.winnersh.gov.uk

Wednesday, May 5 Ruscombe Parish Council meeting. 7.30pm. www.ruscombeparishcouncil.co.uk

Thursday, May 6 Local and PCC elections take place today. The count will take place over the weekend.

Shinfield Parish Council. Planning and Highways. 7.30pm. www.shinfieldparish.gov.uk

Saturday, May 8 Wokingham Borough Council election count. From 10am.

Results online at wokingham.today

Monday, May 10 PCC election count. Results online at wokingham.today

Monday, May 10 Hurst Parish Council. Council meeting and AGM. 7.30pm. . www.hurstpc.org.uk Remenham Parish Council. 8pm. www.remenhamparish.org.uk Wokingham Without Parish Council. AGM. 7.30pm.

Wokinghamwithout-pc.gov.uk

Tuesday, May 11 Finchampstead Parish Council. Finance Committee. 7.30pm.. www.finchampstead-pc.gov.uk Sonning Parish Council. Council meeting. 7pm. www.sonningpc.gov.uk Winnersh Parish Council. Annual parish council meeting. 7.30pm. www.winnersh.gov.uk Woodley Town Council. Annual council. 8pm. www.woodley.gov.uk

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FROMTHECOURTS � A WOODLEY man has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 14 months after pleading guilty to drink driving.

Yasin Cerman, 45 and from the Shepherds House Inn, London Road, was stopped on Portman Road in Reading on March 2.

A test found that he had 52 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

Cerman admitted the offence when his case was heard at Reading Magistrates Court on April 1.

His ban will be reduced by 14 weeks on completion of a safe driving test.

He was also fined £200, and ordered to pay costs of £85 and £34 to victim services. � A SPENCERS WOOD man has been sent to prison for a total of 18 weeks for a string of offences.

Brendan Joseph Ryce, 20 and from Blackwater Close, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on April 1, where he admitted the following offences: � Assaulting a police officer by beating him, contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and section 1 of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. This took place on October 25 last year in Spencers Wood � On the same date, resisting arrest � Assaulting a man in Spencers Wood on the same date.

For these offences he was jailed for eight weeks.

Ryce, also known as Brandan Reece, received the jail sentence because magistrates

felt that the offence was aggravated by the defendant's record of previous offending.

At the same sitting, Ryce was found guilty of damaging a car and a front door, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to his victim.

For this he was jailed for 10 weeks, meaning his total sentence is 18 weeks.

Magistrates also gave him an additional six-week sentence for breaching a conditional discharge order of 24 months.

The offences were: theft from an automatic machine or metre and criminal damage on November 19, 2019; stealing a charity box on November 19, 2019, stealing a safe on July 8, 2018. � AN EARLEY man has been given a 12-month conditional discharge after pleading guilty to possessing class B drugs.

Jake Richard Lester, 37 and from Byron Road, appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on April 1 where he admitted to having cannabis on his person.

The offence took place on October 25 last year in Reading.

Lester was ordered to pay £22 to victim services.

No order for costs was made due to the defendant's limited means. � A READING woman who drove with traces of drug by products in her bloodstream has been banned from driving for 12 months.

Madeleine Brown, 22 and from Torrington Road, was stopped in

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Court in recent weeks Pitts Lane, Woodley on October 15, 2020.

A test found traces of Delta-9Tetrahydrocannabinol, a form of cannabis, in her bloodstream.

Brown was fined £140 and ordered to pay £34 to victim services, at a rate of £20 per month.

Due to her limited means no order for costs was made.

retract their witness statement.

This took place on August 31 last year.

Phippen, also known as Philpen, is ordered not to contact his victims directly or indirectly, or attend two addresses. This order lasts until April 7, 2026.

He was fined £1,500, ordered to pay £85 costs and £95 to victim services.

� A WOODLEY man who assaulted another person and stole from a shop has been ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid community service.

Saugat Gurung, 26 and from Highgrove Street, pleaded guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on April 6.

The offences took place on November 20 last year.

He stole two bottles of whiskey and an unknown number of yoghurt drinks from a branch of Aldi in the Reading area.

In addition to the community service, Gurung must pay £85 costs and £95 to victim services.

� FAILING to provide a blood specimen for analysis has seen a Three Mile Cross woman banned from driving for 18 months.

Chelsea Francesca Organ, 29 and from Hayes Drive, was stopped in Earley on August 22 last year.

She had originally pleaded not guilty, but changed her plea when Reading Magistrates Court heard her case on April 6.

In addition to the ban, Organ must pay a £300 fine, £200 costs and £34 to victim services.

� A SHINFIELD man has been given a community order for harassment.

Jason Phippen, 53 and from Grange Lodge, appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on April 8, when he was ordered to participate in an appropriate course over 30 sessions.

He was found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice by demanding that one victim

� A WOODLEY man who breached the terms of a restraining order by contacting his victim by text messages and attempted calls has been fined £80.

Calvin John Shepherd, 36 and from Gardenia, carried out the breaches between December 20 and 23 last year – the order had been made on November 7 last year.

As a result, the order has been extended by a further six months, until May 7 next year.

Shepherd must also pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services.

Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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| 11

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12 | NEWS

All you need to know is on our website YOUR FULL guide to this year’s local elections is on our website, Wokingham.today.

We have set up special pages for each one of the 18 wards up for election on Thursday, May 6.

Each candidate was invited to submit a biography of themselves, giving you the chance to find out what their vision for their ward would be.

There’s information on previous election results in the ward: in 2016 – the last time the seats were contested – and, if applicable, the result in 2019.

It is also the place to go to remind yourselves of the pledges and views of the candidates standing in the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections, as well as watching the full interviews with the three main party leaders, the manifestos for all parties starting and … well, everything to need to know ahead of next week’s vote.

Results will be counted on Saturday, May 8, and Wokingham.Today will be present at the count to ensure you have access to all the information, reaction and news you need.

This is a pivotal election for Wokingham borough – it could see the council shift from Conservative-run to either No Overall Control or see the Lib Dems become the largest party.

The 2019 election saw the Conservatives lose 11 seats and Lib Dems gain eight. A majority on the council is 28 seats, and the Conservatives currently have 31 seats, the Lib Dems 16 and Labour four. There are three independent councillors, although one is stepping down at this election.

Wokingham Borough Council is elected in thirds, with 18 seats up for grabs every year for three years, with the fourth being a fallow year where no election is held. The 2020 poll would have been the third and final year of this process, but was delayed due to covid.

If four of the 18 seats were to swing away from the Conservatives, they would lose their majority on the council for the first time since 2002.

Unusually in this election, all three main parties have their leaders up for re-election, while former Conservative leader Julian McGheeSumner is hoping to be re-elected after Wescott voters dumped him in 2019.

There will bound to be some twists and turns as the election results are counted – make sure you check Wokingham.Today for the latest news.

What to expect from the covid count COUNTING your votes is going to be, like much else this year, very different due to covid.

In normal times, the process starts as soon as polling stations shut up shop and continues until all the votes have been tabulated.

But to ensure the count remains covid-safe, the process is being staggered.

Ballot boxes will be taken to Loddon Valley Leisure Centre and verified on Friday, May 7. The following day, the results will be counted.

Unlike usual elections where candidates, agents and party members can huddle around the tellers, a distance needs to be kept and there is also limited access for the media – but rest assured, Wokingham.Today will be on hand to tell the story throughout the day.

The results will be announced during Saturday by returning officer Andrew Moulton.

And we have to wait a little longer to find out who the borough wants for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner in the Thames Valley Police election. These votes will be counted on Monday, May 10, and then sent on to the main count at Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury.

All results will be brought to you at Wokingham.today/vote2021

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

Three different visions for With a week to go until polling stations open for the covid election, JESS WARREN meets the three main party leaders in Wokingham to find out their views on the future of the borough. You can watch her interviews at wokingham.today/vote2021

A

HEAD of the elections next week, the leaders of the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour answered key questions across five topic areas.

You can watch their responses in our leader interviews on our website, just log on to wokingham.today/vote2021 Cllr John Halsall, current leader of the council and leader of the Conservative group, said his key ambition for the borough is preserving and enhancing “the best in our community, and environment, and improving the quality of life of all who live here”.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris said his aim is to put greater focus on providing services that are “value for money for the residents”, rather than “racking up great big borrowing levels”.

He said: “We don't think the finances of the council have been looked after properly, we're very concerned about the borrowing the council is going to be taking.”

Cllr Andy Croy said he is “under no illusion” that Labour can’t take control of the borough council, but said his party could provide a “genuine opposition” to the leading group.

He said: “We’re in a heavily Conservative area, and I think there is a sense that there are other voices in the community and other schools of thought that just aren’t being heard in council which need to be reflected in local decision making.”

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE EMERGENCY In 2019, Wokingham Borough Council declared a climate emergency, under the Conservative leadership.

This included setting a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2020.

Cllr Halsall said: “This council commits to playing as full a role as possible [to reduce emissions]”.

The council should lead by example, he said, but cannot do it alone.

“What we’re doing at the WBC is planting hundreds of thousands of trees,” he said.

“We’re using alternative energy, including solar power, driving up the level of recycling, helping to eliminate the single-use plastics and protecting as much green space

across the borough.

“We can build housing with the latest energy saving technology and materials, and facilitate electric vehicles and work with schools to get the message across. But there's much more we can do.”

He described the climate emergency as a “dynamic agenda” that will develop over time, with some issues taking more precedence.

Cllr Croy said: “We have tried to persuade and to encourage the Conservatives to have a citizen’s assembly on the climate emergency.

“We think the decisions that we need to make about how we live are so radical and so far reaching that there's a danger they will become politicised – you need to take politicians out of this equation.”

He said this is one of the Labour group’s biggest priorities this year, and wants to bring the idea back, after it was rejected during a council debate.

“The climate emergency plan has never ever been good enough. And that's why we voted against it, we refuse to vote for something that isn't going to do what it says on the tin,” he added.

Cllr Ferris said the Conservatives had “moved projects into the climate change area to give the impression the council is doing a lot on climate change”.

He said: “We are concerned that if the message given from the council is ‘we're doing really good job’, then the public will think that we are and if in five years time, it turns out that we haven’t done what we really need to do, we will have even harder job to move forward.”

He said more progress needs to be made on “carbon negativity”, with actions to remove carbon from the atmosphere.

“We need to do much better,” he added. “I don’t think people realise how close we are to that tipping point. And we really do need to have that urgency.”

Closer to the everyday lives of residents, all three leaders were questioned over the decision to replace black recycling boxes with plastic sacks, in a move to boost recycling rates.

Cllr Halsall said the plan didn’t involve a borough-wide consultation, due to the timeframe decisions needed to be made in.

“We were faced with a huge problem of wet waste, which was costing the borough many hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time

STANDING: John Halsall, Andy Croy and Lindsay Ferris are all up for reelection and lead their respective parties, Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems

when our finances were very stretched and coping with covid,” he said. “There's always decisions made which do not require consultation.”

Cllr Croy said the decision making process was “typical of the Conservatives”.

“There are big issues, in terms of the ability of people who have limited functioning in the arms and the fingers to open and close the bags and to use the bags.

“A proper consultation would have established this – we cannot have a system where because people are unable to use the green bags then their recycling is not being not being picked up.

Cllr Ferris said “imposing” something on residents is “not a way to run a council”.

He said: “The green bags are the classic example of what not to do at the council. Not only did they not consult, they didn’t even have a business case put together to work out how much these bags would cost and what the replacement proposals were.

“The green bags are just an example of how poorly managed and run the council is in certain areas.”

HOUSING AND PLANNING

When it comes to housebuilding, Cllr Halsall said his vision is to ensure the borough “retains the mix of residents that it has historically had”.

“It is fundamental to the local plan that the houses that we’re building will skew towards smaller units for first time buyers, and for downsizing.

“We’re also building some 1,000 council homes in the next four years, which will be rental properties.”

Resident concerns over housing numbers often include worries

about a lack of infrastructure to support a growing population. This includes services such as GPs. Cllr Halsall said the council has to be “realistic” about what it can and cannot influence.

He said: “We configured strategic development locations with medical centres. But the CCGs and the other health bodies decided they didn’t want to do that.

“So really wasn’t within our remit – and we can’t affect that.”

Cllr Ferris said there needs to be greater priority in building roads to support the housing developments.

“We saw the disaster of how things were done in 2017, 2018 and 2019, with all the long queues – there was no full thought as to how the work was to be done.

“It’s got to be done properly.”

Cllr Croy was also focused on roads.

He said: “We would like to move to a system where the council is much more proactive in putting some infrastructure in ahead development.

“It’s no good approving houses and then getting the money for the roads – you need to put the roads in first.

House prices and affordable housing were also of concern to party leaders.

Cllr Ferris said: “Our manifesto for 2019 was called Homes For Local People and we think that instead of the developers just building three-, four- and five-bedroom properties, we need the properties that local people need.”

He placed an emphasis on social and affordable housing that caters to the population.

“It is important to focus on local people,” he said. “Because if we just have the houses built and it’s fourand five-bedroom properties, people move into the borough from other parts of the country.

“That means that we get extra

Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 13

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Where you can vote

the future of Wokingham do work on the Woodley town centre and to a lesser extent on the Twyford area,” he said.

“It would be a significant priority for the Liberal Democrat group to do something to improve that area.”

CHILDREN, HEALTH AND WELLBEING

people coming into the borough, but we still haven't managed to provide homes for those local people who can't afford to get onto the ladder.”

Cllr Croy said the system of housing is based on a premise of profit from others.

“This is why we support a massive increase in the amount of council houses we build,” he said.

“Because we think growing up in a council house, and having your first home as a council house, should be a normal part of moving through life.

“If you then decide that while you're living in that house, you want to save up your deposit and move into the private sector – that'’s absolutely fine. But we can’t have private sector landlords being subsidised by taxpayers via the housing benefit and the Universal Credit system because that’s what we have at the moment.”

Cllr Halsall was questioned over the decision not to include affordable housing in the council project at Carnival Pool.

He said the one example was “unreasonable” to cite, when the current local plan calls for 40% affordable housing.

“Each development has to be taken on its own merits,” he said.

But Cllr Croy said it sent the wrong message to developers. And Cllr Ferris said it told developers they could “do what they like”.

“It gives a completely wrong message to developers,” Cllr Ferris added.

“I thought it was an absolute disgrace, and my colleagues who were on the council at the time have shouted that loud and clear for many years.”

REGENERATION AND BUSINESS

Outside of Wokingham town, Cllr Halsall said the council could “establish some regeneration” in Twyford and Woodley if desired.

“There is a public perception that all the money goes to Wokingham town, and nothing goes to Woodley, Earley or Twyford, but this is far from the true during this administration.

“In Woodley alone, in two years we've invested £30 million plus, we've built the £14 million leisure centre and protected the town centre by purchasing the freehold of Waitrose for £10 million and various smaller town centre projects.”

He said the council has also invested £20 million in a new library for Twyford, purchased “two major stores” and is working to improve the air quality.

He added: “We are in a position where in both Woodley and Twyford, we could establish some regeneration, should that be desired.”

Cllr Croy said Bulmershe Leisure Centre and Addington School projects are “not a gift from the Conservatives”.

He said: The fact is these were going to happen anyway. These are part of the normal provision of borough services for all the residents in the borough, not for people in a particular area.”

He added: “[In Woodley] the only piece of development that we've seen, that can be considered an attempt at regeneration has been this little wall that they've built in the town centre to try and stop people walking on paving stones.

“This wall cost £66,000 and it came out of the highways budget.”

Cllr Ferris said Woodley town centre needs some “serious work”.

“We would have to find the appropriate resources and finance to

When asked whether there was a link between antisocial behaviour and a lack of youth services, all three councillors felt there was.

Cllr Halsall questioned whether “traditional’ youth services, such as clubs were what young residents of the borough wanted.

“I'm not sure the youth centre model fits today,” he said. “I was a pioneer in ensuring the survival of the Twyford youth centre. And while we’ve got the facilities there, and we’ve got the staff there, and we’ve got the enthusiasm there, young people don’'t find that environment that appealing anymore.”

But Cllr Ferris said the youth centre “is still going and it is vital”.

“I was a trustee at the Twyford Youth Centre for a number of years after the council decided to effectively no longer support a number of youth centres,” he said.

“What was so disappointing is that back in 2019, I discovered that the officers in the council who were responsible for both antisocial behaviour and domestic abuse, one had retired and one had left.”

He said after raising the issue, the positions were filled.

“Now, two years later we've [got a community link],” he said. “But we’ve had 18 months where there wasn't a link.

“I think there is a direct link between not providing the necessary support and facilities for young people, and the fact that we are getting additional and unfortunate anti-social behaviour.”

Cllr Croy said low-level anti-social behaviour is a result of withdrawing support from charities that work with young people.

Reflecting on the wider population, Cllr Halsall said the council has championed residents wellbeing this past year.

He said: “Our focus now is on mental health, loneliness, mobility.”

This will be led with schemes involving Mind, the mental health charity, The Link Visiting Scheme and the borough leisure centres.

“It’s an area where we will never do enough,” he said. “But the fact that we are allegedly the healthiest authority in the UK must say that we've done a reasonably good job over the last 20 years.

“We mustn’t be complacent because there's always lots, lots more to do.”

Cllr Croy said “we cannot run society purely on the efforts of volunteers” and wants to push for

better funding for community services.

“We can’t carry on after the pandemic, the same way we did, underfunding our charitable sector and underfunding our NHS, we want to build communities up rather than staff.”

Cllr Ferris said his party wants to reduce the CAMHS waiting time from two years to six weeks.

“People are waiting so long to get an assessment, not only does it have an impact on the child or the children involved, it has an impact on the family because of that,” he said.

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

All three residents were questioned over ongoing road safety concerns in Finchampstead.

Over the last 10 months, Wokingham.Today has reported on fears from residents on the A327 Reading Road.

They say the issue has been ongoing for more than two years, and have yet to see improvements.

All three councillors said it was an unacceptable wait time for safety concerns.

Cllr Halsall said the council “can’t just do things instantaneously” as road matters are “usually complicated”.

Cllr Croy said highways decisions should have more resident influence.

“We need to bring more democratic control into things like highways, at the moment is pretty much potluck. You have this process you have to go through, and if it doesn’t meet criteria, then you’re finished.”

He added: “People must feel safe and secure when they’re walking. If they can't do that we’re never going to get them out of the cars. That's one of the things which we need to change – not just to make roads safer, but also as part of our climate response.”

Cllr Halsall added that the council is working on an intelligent traffic scheme to ease congestion.

“Our strategy is based upon optimising the use of our network quicker, smarter, better. But it really is saying, if we can get our traffic flowing more freely, then the environmental effect is less, and people are less frustrated.”

Cllr Croy said there needs to be a greater focus on public transport.

“The way to reduce journey times is to have less cars on the road,” he said. “It’s to not use your car so much, it’s to walk, to cycle, to work from home.

“We need to get people on to public transport, but it’s also about for the shorter journeys in particular, getting people not to use their cars.”

The full interviews are available to watch at Wokingham.Today/vote2021

POLLING stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday, May 6.

Residents who are voting in person or by proxy are asked to wear a face covering, bring their own pen or pencil, keep a safe distance and clean their hands before and after entering the polling station.

It is not necessary to produce a polling card to vote, but it does help the tellers who need to record the name and address of the voter.

Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of Covid-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. There will be provisions in place to apply for an emergency proxy vote if required due to health circumstances.

Andrew Moulton, assistant director governance at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “It’s important to make sure your voice is heard at the elections in May, and we are putting measures in place to help you cast your vote safely.”

Arborfield Arborfield Village Hall

Barkham Barkham Village Hall

Bulmershe and Whitegates Christ Church Hall, Earley Home Guard Social Club

St Nicolas Church Hall

Norreys The Cornerstone

Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe

Coronation

Remenham Village Hall Crazies Hill Village Hall Wargrave Pavilion Twyford Room, Loddon Hall

Coronation Hall St John’s Church

Shinfield North

Emmbrook Emmbrook Village Hall St Paul’s Parish Rooms

Shinfield Players Theatre Whiteknights Primary School

Evendons

Shinfield South

Civic Offices, Wokingham Borough Council Woosehill Community Church

Three Mile Cross Church Centre Shinfield Baptist Church Spencers Wood Pavilion

Charvil Charvil Village Hall

Finchampstead North California Ratepayers Hall

Finchampstead South FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North Finchampstead Sports Pavilion

Hawkedon

Sonning Beech Lodge Woodford Park Leisure Centre

South Lake St James Church Centre

Swallowfield Swallowfield Parish Hall The Victory Hall Riseley Memorial hall

Earley CResCent Resource Centre Maiden Place Community Centre

Twyford

Hillside

Loddon Hall Stanlake Pavilion

Lower Earley Library Radstock Community Centre

Wescott

Hurst Hurst Village Hall

Loddon Woodley Baptist Church Centre Emmanuel Church

St Crispins Sports Centre Salvation Army Hall

Winnersh St Mary’s Church Hall Winnersh Community Hall

Maiden Erlegh

Wokingham Without

Earley St Peter’s Church Hall

Oaklands Junior School

14 | VIEWPOINTS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

An important choice and it’s yours NEXT THURSDAY sees the borough head to the polls for the most important election in 20 years.

Over the past four years, the Conservatives’ majority on the council has eroded as opposition parties have made inroads. We have gone from being an almost pure Blue chamber to one that features a mixture of parties.

When the votes are counted, if the Conservatives lose four seats, the council will go to no overall control. And if the Liberal Democrats do exceptionally well, they could well be either the largest party or the ruling one.

Or, the Conservatives could see their majority grow once again. It’s your choice.

There are many issues that have affected us: From bin collections to housing numbers, from Elms Field to regenerations, from road maintenance to speeding, from spending to debt levels, we have covered the lot.

The question that every voter in each of the 18 wards needs to answer is who do they trust to run the council over the next year? Stick with the devil you know, or take a punt on something new?

As your newspaper, we reflect all views, and not tell you how to vote. Your vote is precious, and in this covid time, more so.

Next Thursday is a crucial date for the future of the borough. Play your part and have your say.

CHURCH NOTES

Praying for schools

W

ALKING across the fields in Emmbrook last weekend, with the sun shining and the grass freshly cut and left in piles, the smell reminded me of sports days at school.

The summer term was always the best, being allowed to play on the field at lunch, making nests out of the cut grass piles, practicing for the various races and running out at the end of the day into the sticky sunshine.

When we look back over the last year, the smell of freshly cut grass also reminded me of quite how much our children have missed out on at school.

It isn’t just the academic side, important as that is. It is all the things that build confidence, foster independence, allow for relationships to be built, to learn about team spirit, of what it feels like to cheer others on, to win or lose and then to keep on trying.

It is the time lost building grass nests and pretending to be a frog baby.

In church we pray each day for all the local schools, for the children who attend, their families, the teachers, headteachers and all the staff who work there.

We know that they have done a fantastic job over the various lockdowns and are continuing to do so now. They have helped the children cope with the pandemic, work out how to learn online and now how to learn back at school.

And we will keep on praying for them, for the joy of all that the summer term brings, the restarting of activities, for the support and care that the staff show to pupils, for all that has been missed and all that is yet to happen, for the grass nests that are begging to be built.

The Revd Cara Smart is assistant curate of St Paul’s Church, Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Your letters

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

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

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Who should I vote for on May 6?

Have you had the pleasure of a knock at the door by the local election campaigners, I say pleasure, but I mean it in the loosest sense of the word.

I have and it’s certainly helped to clarify the direction of my vote.

The Tory candidate gingerly knocked at my door, I thought it might be due the sign which says, “my Great Dane can get to the gate in two secs, can you?”, but it was clear from our conversation that she had not received the best reception from previous doors.

When I tackled her on what proposals she had to deal with housing over development of our area, traffic congestion, noise and dust pollution, she had no answers, she simply blamed the University of Reading and the developers, a typical response I have come to expect from my dealings with Wokingham Borough Council over the last few years, it certainly didn’t suggest the much publicised we are listening to resident’s attitude.

What really confirmed my thoughts was her response when I said “no” to her question of whether she could rely on my vote; she simple scuttled away with no fight, she didn’t ask why, she didn’t ask how she might be able to change my mind, nothing.

Does that suggest she will fight for our community? I THINK NOT. If only we had another independent candidate, not bound by party politics, they would definitely get my vote!!

Mark, Shinfield resident

Don’t vote them back in A vote for the present ruling party will spell the end for democracy in Wokingham.

They should have been thrown out years ago instead of being allowed to decimate Wokingham without the residents having a say. It is the party’s policy not to listen to the opposition parties or the residents. Even when a policy is challenged it is killed by the ruling party. End of story.

Residents should be allowed to be part of committees and working groups.

Councillor Pauline Jorgensen executive member for Highways promised smooth journeys on safe roads.Despite numerous phone calls and eventually a reply promising to send someone to look at Radcot Close, Eynsham Close and Reading Road which are all in a dreadful state, we are still waiting. Residents have been writing about this now for seven years. Is this the council you all want?

You have a chance on 6th May to change all this. Don’t vote them back in.

Cedric Lander, Woodley

Trees and the science Judith Pritchard was concerned last week about the funding for tree planting in Wokingham, saying that the Tories plan for 250,000 trees

Here is a wide angle shot of All Saints Church in Wokingham, pictured in the spring sunshine.

Paul Phillips, Wokingham would be funded by the £300,000 Woodland Trust grant given to Wokingham Borough Council, and wondering where the money for the Lib Dems more ambitious 300,000 target would come from.

As Wokingham Borough Council borrowing hurtles towards £750 million, managing the finances clearly isn’t the Tories’ strong suit, so let’s look at the numbers.

For even 250,000 trees, £300,000 means about £1 to buy and plant each tree, so the Woodland Trust grant won’t come close to complete funding. The Lib Dems will continue to work with the Woodland Trust and government to obtain other grants to hit this important target.

But why 300,000 trees, not just 250,000?

As part of the national strategy to meet net zero carbon emissions, there is a target of 17-19% tree cover for boroughs like Wokingham (currently at 14% tree cover), and 300,000 trees means we will meet this target.

Not an election stunt, not waffle, just making policy based on the science.

Cllr Dr Peter Hornsby, Lib Dem Town Councillor for Emmbrook North

A reminder to the residents of Norreys Hopefully you will have all seen that, for this year’s local elections BOTH Norreys polling stations have been moved.

Unfortunately neither Norreys Evangelical Church or the Methodist Church are available for the election this year.

As a result, both polling stations have been moved to The Cornerstone, Norreys Avenue, and all Norreys residents will vote there on May 6.

Please remember to take a mask, or your exemption certificate with you when you go to vote, and try to remember to take a pen or pencil with you as well.

Local elections decide how you council tax is spent and what the council’s priorities will be. Please take this opportunity to make your voice heard.

Cllr Gregor Murray, Norreys Ward

Peace in Woosehill I would like to thank all parties involved in tackling the noise pollution issue that was plaguing many of the residents in and around Woosehill.

It has been nearly two years since I was first contacted by members of the community about a new piece of equipment that was being used by a local scrapyard, resulting in noise that for many was unbearable.

My thanks is extended to the Council and in particular the Environmental Health team, the scrapyard themselves, and the community who have been engaged on this matter.

Environmental Health have worked hard in the community, monitoring and assessing the problem.

They determined that there was a statutory noise nuisance and have been working with the scrapyard to mitigate the problem.

The scrapyard employed a noise consultant to help work out a solution which was implemented in mid-April.

I appreciate that this last year has been particularly challenging so am very grateful to them that we have this solution now in place.

The residents I have been engaging with on this over the past two years have been absolutely

fantastic, assisting Environmental Health with reporting and being persistent in reaching this solution.

The peace that has descended on the area is most welcome - long may it continue!

Cllr Sarah Kerr, Liberal Democrat Member for Evendons Ward, Wokingham Borough Council

Wokingham Borough Council: Openness and Transparency Earlier this year a member of the public identified that WBC’s Standards Committee was operating in a manner that did not comply with their Constitution.

When the matter was highlighted Cllr Halsall, the leader of the Council, apologised and claimed that it had all been a mistake and stood down.

However, no explanation has been given as to how this ‘mistake’ occurred and in particular why Mr Moulton, Monitoring Officer, Democratic Services, did not raise the issue when the whole Council voted on the matter in 2019.

Since then a number of requests have been submitted to Ms Parsonage, the CEO, for an enquiry but these have been rejected on the basis that, and I quote “we know what happened”.

The fact is that we do not know how the mistake, if it was a mistake, occurred in the first place and why it was not subsequently identified.

Despite the fact that the CEO has frequently and most laudably indicated that the council should operate with ‘transparency and openness’ this appears only relevant when it benefits the council.

Frank Moore and Mike Sha‫מּ‬ock, via email

Supporting Southern neonatal families Despite the recent easing of national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, many parents of neonatal babies in the South continue to face significant challenges in being with their premature or sick baby.

Before the pandemic parents typically had unrestricted access to their baby 24 hours a day, with neonatal units encouraging full participation in care giving. But in the past 12 months, parental access at many units has been restricted, with parents often unable to attend the unit together, and some having limits imposed on the length of time they can be with their baby.

Restrictions vary from unit–to– unit and the picture across the UK is extremely varied, with some units continuing to facilitate full parental presence and involvement in their baby’s care. Policies have also changed over time, depending on national COVID-19 restrictions and local infection rates.

As part of this year’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, taking place throughout May, Bliss is raising awareness of our new research which shows the devastating impact of these restrictions. Parents whose babies required neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic have told us how they struggled to access mental health support and experienced high levels of isolation.

In a Bliss survey of over 500 parents of neonatal babies born in

the past 12 months, 92% of parents said they felt isolated and 69% said their mental health has become worse following their neonatal experience.

Parents with a neonatal experience are already at a high risk of experiencing mental health difficulties, and many parents feel they have not been able to get support for their mental health and wellbeing while their baby is in neonatal care.

Parents are the most important people in their baby’s lives and unit access restrictions have had a substantial impact on families. The implications on family bonding and mental health will be felt long into the future.

That’s why Bliss is calling on NHS England to introduce a National Roadmap for a return to usual 24/7 parent access on neonatal units as a matter of urgency, and to work with NHS Trusts in the South and beyond to implement it consistently across the country. Our smallest and sickest babies need their parents at their side to give them the best chance of survival and quality of life.

Caroline Lee-Davey is the Chief Executive of Bliss, the UK’s leading charity for babies born premature or sick.

into the graveyard next to Skew Bridge where I could watch the adjacent trains and marvel at the rich variety of fauna to be found there.

I must have been about eight years old c1952 when I walked the short distance to the my 'haven' but standing behind the hinge side of the large gate was a tramp-like figure who just stared at me.

Too scared to run away I lifted the gate catch and walked in.

Looking behind, the figure had seemingly turned on the spot to face me still with the sinister stare but never said anything.

After a few minutes I managed to ‘escape’ through a copse at the rear.

Having later on in life run to my daughter’s two-door hatchback a short distance away to demand of a girl sitting in the rear and titivating herself what on earth she thought she was doing, she had vanished when I got there.

That incident changed my having an open mind when it came to ghosts, to an absolute believer!

I've always wondered if this chap was an apparition or just a tramp and if the former would you know of any hauntings in this vicinity?

Simon King, Kinmel Bay, N Wales

Have you seen a ghost?

Barnardo’s supports some of the most vulnerable children, young people and families across the UK and we couldn’t do it without the customers, colleagues and volunteers who support our stores.

We are delighted we’ve been able to reopen our stores after lockdown and by

I was born in what is now the Wokingham Guest House in Oxford Road.

Every summer we would stay nearby at my granny's in Reading Road. I used to take delight in going

From the stump

Pauline Jorgensen – Conservative candidate for Hillside ward

Our finances are in a strong shape

L

OOKING at the Chief Financial Officers report, Wokingham Borough Council’s finances are in strong shape. I have talked to the Deputy Leader who is responsible for Finance and read the CFO’s reports.

This financial year is forecast to end with an underspend, even after the extra money we have spent helping residents during the pandemic, and the revenue we have lost from being forced to shut down non-essential services such as our leisure centres.

Efficiency improvements have reduced costs by over £4 million and we have plans in place to save an additional £6 million next year without needing to cut any services.

We have seen headlines in opposition political leaflets of £700 million worth of debt, which increased to £750 million in subsequent stories, this is a complete misunderstanding.

The last time our net debt was reported in

VIEWPOINTS | 15

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Supporting Barnardo’s

November it was actually £83 million and we entered this pandemic rated by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy as one of top 20 most financially sustainable councils in the UK. Our capital funding, which is made up of Government Grants, developers’ contributions and borrowing, pays for new roads, new schools, new parks and leisure centres and all the supporting infrastructure that our community requires.

It is also worth remembering the Council has about £130 million of usable reserves and deposits and over a £1 billion of assets.

Wokingham Borough Council also owns around 3,000 homes and we are proud to be increasing this number.

These houses help people who could otherwise not afford homes, either through council house rents or our various help to buy schemes. These are protected in a ring-fenced fund and the rent we receive covers their costs and any surplus pays for new council house construction.

Wokingham town centre is another excellent council asset and 95% of the redevelopment’s units are now either rented or under offer. The income from this Conservative-led regeneration project already covers not just interest but capital repayment as well.

We do have other investments in local property such as the Waitrose buildings in Twyford and in Woodley both of which make a return of about 5% annually.

All these investments generate income to help reduce the cost of council services to all of us.

Under the Conservatives the Council has established a housing company, which is profitable, to build affordable homes. Following the successful completion of Phoenix Crescent and other affordable housing units elsewhere in

the wonderful response we’ve had from customers old and new following our first week of trading.

We would like to thank all those who have kept hold of their donations for many months, we are now able to accept them once more. We are grateful to our colleagues and volunteers who have worked so hard to ensure safe, clean environments and of course to our customers whose spending supports our frontline workers.

They provide a wide range of support across communities and the demand has never been greater. We are helping children affected by bereavement during Covid, those who are struggling with their mental health because of anxiety, loss and family breakdown.

We are supporting parents facing poverty who have had to choose between food, heating or data for their children’s online learning during lockdown. We have responded with new digital and practical support while continuing our work in areas such as fostering and adoption, disability, care leaver support, help for young carers and children and young people at risk of, or recovering from, all forms of exploitation.

So, as we welcome everyone back to our stores we would like to say a big thank you for your continued support, and if you have some time to spare why not think about joining our team of amazing volunteers. You can find out more in-store or at www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/ volunteer.

David Longmore, Head of Retail Operations, Barnardo’s

the Borough, for example Finch Road in Earley, the latest project is the replacement of every home on the Gorse Ride estate in Finchampstead.

This is the biggest housing project ever embarked upon by the Council. And I’m delighted to confirm it is progressing well.

If you don’t want to trust me, the Chief Financial Officer, who is a professional impartial senior officer at the Council, will be happy to confirm all of this.

The Council is an open book and if you go to the Council’s website you can see the accounts.

Every quarter, a financial update is presented at a Council meeting or Executive meeting, both of which are open to the public and the press.

The CFO’s annual report is also available on the Council’s website. Unlike a normal company the people who benefit are not shareholders, investors or even directors but our residents, all of whom share in the success of good Conservative financial management which brings with it the rewards of better services and facilities.

Conservative-led Wokingham Borough Council is in a far better financial position than many councils and as such we have been able to extend a helping hand; working with charities to deliver COVID testing, protection equipment, support services, food and prescriptions.

We look forward to continuing this vital work as we all get back on our feet again and move back to business as usual with strong council finances and robust fiscal controls.

Conservative councillors are here to serve you and to make sure every resident gets good value for money and high quality services.

We all share the same ambition – to make all parts of the Borough the best places to live, learn, work and raise families. � Also standing in Hillside ward are: Wes Budd (Lib Dem) and Hari Sarasan (Labour)

Wokingham Volunteering Helena Badger

www.volunteer wokinghamborough.org.uk

T

HE Wokingham Volunteer Centre is a locally focused charity, supporting the voluntary and community sector and many hundreds of vulnerable residents across Wokingham Borough.

With our eight part-time staff and around 700 volunteers, we match potential volunteers with the charities/voluntary groups that need them, as well as running transport and gardening services that help elderly and/or disabled residents to stay safely in their own homes for longer than might otherwise be possible.

During the Pandemic we are playing a leading role, with other local groups, in the Wokingham Borough Response.

We are seeking several volunteers to join and strengthen our Trustee Board. We would particularly welcome individuals with experience in any of: HR, Fundraising, Communications, social media. Experience as a volunteer is highly desirable.

We would like to increase the diversity of our board and would welcome applications from all sections of society and backgrounds.

Collectively the trustees: Ensure the charity has a clear vision, mission and strategic direction, and focus on achieving these, monitor the performance of the charity and its culture, ensure the charity complies with all legal and regulatory requirement, act as guardians of the charity’s assets, tangible and intangible, taking all due care over their security, deployment and proper use and ensure the charity’s governance is of the highest possible standard.

Trustees will need to attend six Board meetings a year in Wokingham (but currently via video link) and other meetings and events as may arise.

Minimum time commitment is around 3 hours per month. Maximum time commitment is up to you.

Induction and training will be given. � Thames Hospice is the local charity providing expert care for people living with life-limiting illnesses in East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.

Its shop in Wokingham is vital to our fundraising efforts.

The charity is looking for volunteers to help in their newly refitted store, helping and serving customers, sorting through donations and keeping the shop colourful. There are currently slots on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning, If you are interested, give them a call or pop into the store. � The Link Visiting Scheme provides friendship and reduces social isolation.

Its volunteer Befrienders help improve and enhance the lives of older people. It does this through quality time and focused attention; a chance to hear stories of days gone by and build a connection.

With the covid situation this year, we have not been able to provide our normal face to face service.

It plans to resume this as soon as it can, and would like to recruit and train new volunteers who will be ready to go when the time is right.

The Link asks you to give one or two hours per week or per fortnight to visit and offer friendship and support. Regular visits are our minimum requirement for at least six months.

The Link provides training before you start visiting and on-going training if you need it.

It has a support structure in place so you can always call on someone if you have any questions or concerns.

The Link says that it stays in touch regularly and put on events so you can meet other volunteers too. � These are just a few of the opportunities on our books. Contact us: tel. 0118 977 0749, email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk or visit our website www.volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer.

16 | NEWS

Inthekitchen Freely Fruity facebook.com/ freelyfruityUK

Fruity Crab Cocktail

B

Serves 4 RING together British seasonal salad leaves and white crab to create a decadent but very simple dish for spring.

Delicate crab meat works beautifully with the subtle sweetness of papaya, enhanced with a little heat from chilli and fragrant coriander; look out for coriander with plenty of stalks for a zesty crunch.

Serve with some crusty sourdough and spring sunshine.

Ingredients � 200g,white crab meat � 10g fresh coriander, stalks and leaves finely chopped � 2 tbsp mayonnaise � 120g seasonal salad leaves, such as watercress, baby spinach, rocket � 1 ripe papaya, peeled, halved, deseeded and diced � 1 red chilli, thinly sliced � 1 tsp black onion/nigella/kalonji seeds

Method 1. Mix the crab, coriander and mayonnaise together 2. Arrange the salad leaves between 4 bowls or plates 3. Top with the papaya and the crab mixture 4. Garnish with red chilli and a sprinkle of onion seeds Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/freelyfruityuk

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

Making a noise about quiet Art project

helps boost children’s wellbeing .A CREATIVE art project has launched in schools to boost children’s wellbeing this week.

St Crispin’s School, Wokingham, and other local schools have welcomed two

YEAR TWO pupils at an Earley primary school have been raising money to rejuvenate their “quiet area”.

As part of their project to improve an area of their school, students at Radstock Primary raised more than £400 with a sponsored fancy dress walk.

Last week, pupils donned their favourite costumes, hats and completed 10 laps of their school field.

“It was such a wonderful day,” said teacher Emma Beaumont.

“The atmosphere was electric, they all had smiles on their faces.”

She said the challenge took roughly an hour, but many pupils

have been fundraising in their spare time too.

One pupil has raised more than £200, by creating and selling bookmarks, Ms Beaumont said.

And others have held their own bake sale, and raised sponsorship from family and friends.

The money will be used to buy flowers, books, games and fresh paint for the school’s quiet area., Which will be a space for students to relax in their break times.

“Our Year Two students wanted to do something for the whole school,” Ms Beaumont explained.

“We challenged them to raise as much money as they could, and we’d make the project happen.”

Listen while you walk A WALKER visited Bracknell during his fundraising challenge this month.

David Matthews, from Knoydart Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland, dropped by a local Samaritans’ branch on his 6,000 mile walk on Monday last week.

He stopped at the Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot and Districts branch, on Mount Pleasant, for a refreshment break.

Branch director, Barbara Denyer, branch trustee Nick Tuggey and other volunteers welcomed him outside the centre, where he enjoyed a cup of tea and home-made gingerbread.

Named The Listening Walk, Mr Matthews aims to raise funds and awareness for the Samaritans, a charity offering listening and support to people who are going through a difficult time.

Despite taking a break during the lockdown, he is back on his feet working his way from Plymouth, through Reading and Guildford.

He will also be visiting all 201 branches across the country as part of his walking challenge.

Mr Matthews said: “The walk is raising awareness across the country.

The most vulnerable, in their hour of greatest need, will have access to another person 24 hours of every day.

“We all have mental health – most can deal with it but any of us can at any time have things happen to us and it will be the love and kindness of other people who are the safety net to catch us when we fall.”

He added: “So many people have shared their experiences of lowest ebbs, times when they thought they would never be happy again but their lives have been changed because somebody somewhere listened.” � David’s journey can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by searching for ‘The Listening Walk’.

charities to its premises for a new creative art project.

The project, More Inside Out, aims to tackle the stress

childre people throug lockdo based The Wokin chariti are Sou works to give the spa and More Arts, development ch delivering more activities in the

Trevor has the in his sights …

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A SHINFIELD resident is walking the length of the UK for his latest charity fundraiser — and he said the cause hits close to home.

Army officer Major Trevor Bowman is travelling the distance between Land’s End and John o’ Groats over the coming year in a bid to raise funds for the Royal British Legion (RBL).

He said he was inspired to take on the 874-mile challenge after the Legion suffered financially during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Last year, the Poppy Appeal didn’t do particularly well because the Legion couldn’t take money boxes around, so not much was done in the way of collections,” Major Bowman explained.

“We also weren’t able to have our full remembrance parade in Arborfield, and that is normally when we get a lot of donations.”

Major Bowman said the Arborfield branch raised around £17,000 in 2019.

Now, to generate much-needed funds and keep his fitness levels up, he has decided to travel the nearly

QUICK MARCH: Major Trevor Bowman is raising

900-mile journey through daily walks and runs around Wokingham borough.

“I want to cover the distance by December 31,” he explained. “But I

Wokingham Loves Music Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

S

EA SHANTIES continue to enjoy a revival and that’s the case with our hit list this week.

The Salts make a welcome return to our Wokingham Loves Music playlist with an old favourite, the Drunken Sailor.

You can listen to it for FREE early in the morning, or late at night if you prefer. It’s on Spotify.

There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic

The Salts – Drunken Sailor (A Cappella) We featured the album version of this sea shanty a while ago but as the band have just released a great new ‘a cappella’ version on our Wokingham-based Braccan Records label we thought it was worth a listen here.

As anyone who has seen The Salts at their Wokingham Music Club (WMC)

and festival shows will testify, they are great musicians and singers and this single brings their vocal talents to the fore.

The band will be live at Norden Farm in Maidenhead on June 25 – www.thesalts.co.uk

One Eyed Man – Ode to the Beast One Eyed Man is the alter ego of Berkshire-based singer-songwriter Stuart Hutton and we are looking forward to seeing him on the WMC Stage at this year’s Wokingham Festival.

His songs have personal lyrics wehich he is able to deliver with emotion while maintaining an intimate and relaxed style. This can be heard on his five-track EP Autumn Winds, released late last year, from which this track is taken – www.facebook.com/OneEyedManOfficial

Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

en and young e have had ghout own using artworkshops. e two ngham-based ies involved ulscape, which with schools e young people ace they need, an arts harity e arts cultural e area.

Professional artists will join the Souscape team to run the sessions, with an initial introduction followed by a workshop where pupils will work on their own art project.

Michelle McLeish, operations manager at Soulscape, said it is important to “prioritise young people’s wellbeing” after a year of uncertainty.

Michelle added: “Art is known to have a positive effect on wellbeing giving you a chance to slow down and

reflect, fun art projects are also a good antidote to the fear of failure that we know many young people today experience.

“We’re excited by this great opportunity – building relationships with our young people, encouraging them to express themselves, helping them to feel supported and heard and creating a safe community.”

To find out more about the project, visit soulscape.org.uk and morearts.org.uk

You can’t beat a good cup of tea … it’s the taste

actually started in March so I’m three months behind schedule.

“I think I’m doing quite well though, and have covered 200 miles already.”

He has been tackling the challenge

with regular commutes on foot around Shinfield, Arborfield and Reading town centre.

And the army officer said he feels motivated to complete the distance because it has become quite a personal challenge.

“I work with a soldier who broke his next last year,” Major Bowman explained. “He’s now undergoing rehabilitation, and the Legion have stepped in to offer financial and practical support to his family.

“This has made the fundraiser very personal, because I feel like I’m helping contribute to his recovery in a way.”

The Shinfield resident said since starting the challenge, he has received a lot of verbal support from members of the community.

“A lot of people are supporting me with words of encouragement,” he said. “I’m currently trying to raise £300, but I hope to raise more than that — especially over the summer months.”

So far, Major Bowman has raised £135. � Donate to Major Bowman’s fundraiser here: www.gofundme.com/f/arborfieldroyal-british-legion

Marky Dawson – Radio Gaga

Kyros – Cloudburst (Isolation Sessions)

Marky is a charismatic piano player with a huge voice who will be appearing on the WMC Stage at Wokingham Festival in August. Here’s his unique version of a Queen classic – www.markydawson.co.uk

This is on the band’s new album, Celexa Streams, which was recorded during their critically acclaimed virtual shows.

They will be appearing at a real show when they perform at Wokingham Festival in August – www.kyrosmusic.com

Katie Ellwood – Self Love Here’s a Wokingham musician and songwriter with an excellent new single.

Get hooked in with Katie’s chilled grooves and subtle melody and check out that closing string section – www.katieellwood.com

Crystal Jacqueline – Rainflower Here’s the title track from an album released on Wokingham’s Mega Dodo Records by an artist that we are looking forward to seeing at Wokingham Festival in August – www.facebook.com/ crystaljacquelinemusic

62 Miles From Space – Sentinel Music from Moscow but released on a Wokingham-based record label and it’s another from Mega Dodo Records. 62 Miles From Space are a duo from Russia and this is from their new double EP – www.facebook.com/62milesfromspace

The Wave Machine – Ocean’s Brew Here’s an artist that will be at Wokingham Festival for the first time this year. He’s a Brighton based singersongwriter, originally from the local area, who writes songs with a summer feel – www.facebook.com/thewavemachine

The Room – Broken This band, who released their Caught by the Machine album to great acclaim, appeared at Wokingham Festival in 2019.

Festival organiser Stan Hetherington was so impressed that he invited them back this year – theroom.band

Moth Man – Fatal Blow A track from the band’s excellent debut album, Where The Dead Birds Go released on Wokingham’s Billywitch Records – mothman.band

POETRY CORNER Tea Towel Tales Looking through our tea towel drawer (It’s not often that I do) I saw there were some tales to tell And all of them quite true.

The first towel is of Devon and speaks to me Of my wartime days as an evacuee.

Then later when at peace once more Of holidays spent on its seashore.

The next towel’s of Suffolk in pictures displayed.

I bought it near to Flatford Mill At a coach trip break when we’d time to kill.

The places on it so finely displayed Was just the thing to show to others the scene Of some of the places we had been As through Constable Country we weaved our way On a most interesting and enjoyable day.

e ultimate trek with your help

funds for the Royal British Legion

NEWS | 17

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Now comes a towel bought in Chalfont-St-Giles A place from Wokingham just some twenty-five miles.

In this Bucks village, in the Chilterns fair, John Milton lived, and his house is still there.

T’was this poet’s house we had come to see And we also enjoyed a tasty cream tea.

The village I found of some interest too But more time was needed for a closer view.

TIME FOR TEA: Patricia Algeo, 90, enjoying a comforting brew

LAST WEEK, residents at three Wokingham care homes joined 8,000 others across the country to mark National Tea Day. The Berkshire Care Home, Woodbury House Care Home and Murdoch House Care Home tuned into a tea tasting event to celebrate the day.

On the tasting menu were three blends specially crafted by family-run business, Tea From The Manor.

These included a caffeine-free chamomile and rose, alongside more traditional black tea — Blue Lady and Rose Congou.

Led by Four Seasons Health Care Group across all 180 of its care homes, residents put the cups to the vote.

Tea connoisseur and chief tea taster, resident Patricia Algeo, 90, says: “A good cup of tea is all you need to lift your spirits.

“We drink tea all day long and we’ve lived long enough to know there’s nothing it can’t make better.”

During the pandemic, nearly two thirds of residents turned to a cup of tea to help them through the three national lockdowns. A third found themselves making a cup more often to help them through the tough times.

Murdoch House’s manager, James Morl, says: “Our residents love a cuppa morning, noon and night.

“Tea brings us all together and by creating our own special blend, chosen by our residents, it brings new meaning to our special tea moments and celebrates coming through the pandemic.”

The winning blend from the tea tasting event will be announced shortly and launched across all homes in the Four Seasons Health Care Group.

Library brings famous authors to your home READERS will get the chance to meet famous authors online this spring.

Wokingham Borough Libraries will deliver a series of online events meeting famous authors and hearing about their latest books.

The first event will feature crime writer, Simon Brett, on Thursday, May 13 at 7pm.

Simon will talk about his career and his latest novel Blotto, Twinks and the Maharja’s Jewell.

The second online session will be hosted by Ruqaya Izzidien, author of The Watermelon Boys on Monday, June 21 at 7pm.

The upcoming events are funded by the BBC Novels That Shaped Our World project and supported by Libraries Connected and Arts Council England.

Increasing universal engagement with reading is the main aim of the sessions, also encouraging people who are not regular readers or

those who are existing readers to try something new.

Libraries across the borough have adapted their usual programme making their services virtual, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Richard Alexander, operational resource lead for localities, said: “The Authors Online is already a much-loved initiative by residents of Wokingham Borough, and I’m delighted that our dedicated library staff sourced such a great line-up for the events this spring,” “This temporary shift to a digital library model means that services are able to continue and reach more people, without compromising on safety and following all Covid-19 guidelines. I wholeheartedly invite all book enthusiasts to the sessions in hope that you tune in and enjoy the talks.”

Places should be reserved in advance by emailing libraries@wokingham.gov.uk.

The towel that’s next is a reminder for me Of two churches I knew as they used to be Which are now united together as one, A job not easy when it has to be done.

A new church was then from these two formed.

This celebratory, fund-raising, towel The church produced to mark the day Of this new church’s special anniversary For it had now lived for twenty-five years From a start thought doubtful and full of fears That the joining of these faithful folk Would not be for them an equal yolk.

But God has blessed this union.

A good example of what can be done.

The youngsters at our local church When re-building started did their bit And produced the next towel Which was quite a hit.

It showed their faces and names there on And really was a bit of fun.

It did the trick – the towel sold well.

Another success story I’m pleased to tell.

Amongst our towels are two colourful ones.

Bought on holiday when abroad in the sun.

From them Madeira flowers smile at you As you dry the cups and a plate or two.

Lovely memories we have of that Isle Nice to have towels like these in the pile.

There’s a towel we had that’s no longer here Worn out with use, it was binned I fear.

We bought at a Lifeboat House?

On it a lifeboat cut through a wave Steadily on course one more sailor to save.

Yes, it was from the RNLI we bought this towel In support of a most worthy cause Keeping folk safe by coast and on shore.

They save so many from a watery grave Those fishermen who are so strong to save.

So end my thoughts on our tea towels.

Each has had a story to tell And you now know them all as well.

The people, the places, the thoughts they bestir, The situations in which they occur.

Just ordinary tea towels they may very well be But they each have so much meaning for me.

Jim Horsnell

We love receiving reader’s poetry.

Email your submissions to letters@wokingham.today

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18 | NEWS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, April 29, 2021

WOODLEY&EARLEYNEWS

The cat’s out of the bag … Kerry turns waste into fashion items EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A WOODLEY resident has been using her unusual lockdown hobby to raise money for a good cause.

Kerry Kingston, owner of crafts business Ciara Daisy, started upcycling pet food wrappers last year in a bid to prevent them going to landfill.

After turning the litter into a range of handbags, purses and more, she now plans to sell them and donate some of the profit to a much-loved animal charity.

“I work at Craft Coop in Camberley which often collects non-recyclable waste, like crisp packets and pet food pouches,” Ms Kingston explained.

“At the start of the first lockdown, they asked me if I could do anything with these pouches which were building up, so I decided to give crafting a go.”

Taking to her sewing machine, she began stitching the wrappers together to create a range of unique products.

And she said it’s thanks to the local community in Sonning that the project was able to go ahead, relying on residents in neighbouring villages to donate the pouches.

“The large tote bags use about 40 pet food packets,” Ms Kingston explained. “So I knew I needed to find a regular source.

“I posted on a Sonning Facebook group and got a really favourable response — about half a dozen people have kindly started donating regularly.”

Now, the Woodley resident is thinking about donating proceeds from selling the bags, which went up for sale earlier this month, to the Diana Brimblecombe

Animal Rescue Centre in Hurst.

“I want to help because the pandemic has made it hard for the charity to raise money,” Ms Kingston said.

“I thought it would be nice to support a local cause, and I hope it incentivises people to keep donating the pouches to me.”

And this is not the first time she has raised money for charity.

Over the past year, Ciara Daisy has taken on a range of projects,

RESIDENTS at a Lower Earley care home marked St George’s Day last week. Austen House’s crafted dragon joined festivities to celebrate the patron saint of England. Picture: Austen House

Garden planting to start soon PLANTING for the new walled garden in Woodley town centre will begin this summer.

Woodley Town Council said it has drafted a visual and sensory design including hydranga, japonicas, hellebore, ornamental grass, hosta, vibernam and ferns.

Crocus, snowdrops, bluebells and wood anemone will also be included.

The works will begin after the borough council has worked on the trees, to allow more light to reach the flowers.

Town council leader, Cllr Keith Baker, said he is eager to get the planting started and is delighted with the design and plans for community involvement.

“We originally had two options for the design of the

planting and chose the one that was the most visually stimulating, ensuring that the walled garden area becomes a stunning focal point in the town centre,” he said.

“We will also be considering additional accessible seating and will be discussing options for the type, quantity and location of any seating in future committee meetings, with public consultation.”

A spokesperson for the town council said: “We want the garden to be an on-going project with scope for community involvement from individuals and local

groups and organisations.”

There may be a chance for some to be involved in the initial planting, and maintenance for the first season.

The council said nearby schools will also have a chance to get involved.

“This forms part of a larger plan to arrange volunteer planting days, under the supervision of the grounds maintenance manager, across many of our parks and green spaces,” they added.

The council has asked residents to not litter in the walled garden area, ahead of the works.

including selling face masks to raise money for the Royal British Legion in September.

But Ms Kingston hopes this latest project will have numerous benefits, including supporting the environment.

“These pet food pouches can’t be recycled, and that’s a big problem for me,” she explained.

“Think about how many people have cats or dogs, and put these pouches straight in the bin.

“If we can avoid sending them to landfill and do something for the environment, that can only be a good thing.”

Ms Kingston is now hoping residents want to invest in her crafts, and said the project has made her feel like a part of the community.

“One positive of the pandemic is that it’s made me feel like a member of the community, and it’s given me the chance to give back where I can,” she added.

“In everything I do, I always want to give some of it back to charity.

“It also feels nice to do something where I get to meet local people and help the environment too.”

Ms Kingston’s new range can now be found in Camberley Coop, or can be purchased through Ciara Daisy’s Facebook page.

Park run back for youngsters YOUNG people can get involved in their regular community run once again.

The Woodley Junior Parkrun is returning this Sunday.

The 2km (1.2 mile) event is free for ages four to 14. But due to Covid-19 restrictions those over 10 cannot join in at the moment.

The run starts at 9am in Woodford Park. It is free, but youngsters should register beforehand.

From Saturday, June 5, the 5km (3.1 mile) adult park run will return.

For more information, visit: www.parkrun.org.uk/woodley-juniors

Oakwood still shut THE Oakwood Centre will remain closed, to residents at the moment.

However, it is taking bookings that fall within the Covid-19 regulations.

Brown Bag cafe, also at the Headley Road site will also stay closed.

For more information, email: bookings@woodley.gov.uk

Nelly full of beans COFFEE is wheeling into Woodley town centre.

Nelly, the hot drink vendor, will be serving up refreshments from Tuesdays to Fridays at the Crockhamwell Road precinct..

A spokesperson for Woodley Town Centre said they’re “delighted” at the signing.

Nelly will serve dairy, and plant-based drinks.

Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 19

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advertise in this section, CROWTHORNE&FINCHAMPSTEADNEWS callTo Claire on 0118 327 2662

New lease of life for village Baptist church

NEW START: The Revd Kevin Mills and Sue Burrow outside the revamped Crowthorne Baptist Church, which they hope will be a muchused hub for the community when the pandemic ends Picture: Phil Creighton

EXCLUSIVE

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today A CHURCH can’t wait for the pandemic to end so it can welcome the community into its new buildings.

Howzat! Scott leaps out for Michael

A CRICKET player jumped out of a plane for charity earlier this month.

Scott Osler, a player at Finchampstead Cricket Club, took part in a charity skydive to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

He organised the event, on Saturday, April 17, in memory of Michael Arnold, a former player and supporter at the club, who passed away in September 2018 after suffering from a brain tumour.

The skydive took place at Dunkeswell Airfield, Devon, with Skydive Buzz where he took on the highest challenge, a 15,000ft tandem.

The Brain Tumour Charity helped Michael and his family with his diagnosis, throughout treatment and following his passing.

Scott said he wanted to “give back to the charity” who had

supported the former player to help them in the way they helped Michael and his family.

With £4,000 of donations on his Just Giving page, Scott raised more than his original target of £3,500 for the charity.

Scott said: “It was an absolutely huge adrenaline rush, I was incredibly lucky to jump on a clear sunny day so got to dive into incredible views of the surrounding countryside.

“I would like to say thank you to everyone who kindly donated and helped me raise £4,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity, a fantastic charity who are moving further and faster to help everyone affected by a brain tumour.” � To donate to Scott’s fundraising page, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ scott-osler

During lockdown, Crowthorne Baptist Church, on the village’s High Street, has revamped its premises creating a more modernised space which it hopes will benefit the wider community.

The church’s New Heart project, which began last year, is now putting the finishing touches on the revamped buildings, ready for when it can re-open its doors to the public again.

With two main rooms, a new entrance porch, a new spacious kitchen, updated toilets, full disabled access and added storage space, the church refurbishment aims to make a more versatile space.

One auditorium, called The Heart, is a new extension and will be used by the church for Sunday services, can seat 144 people and has full AV facilities so community groups can also make use of it.

Another room, The Hub, was previously the church’s sanctuary, and can be used by community groups and after school clubs.

It’s not the only change to the church during the past year: the Revd Kevin Mills, joined in October last year.

He said: “The space is neutral and very open, people are more likely to come into that kind of space.

“I think because of the way that we’ve laid it out, it allows people to use it in multiple ways as well as it being a big enough space to feel part of something, and not large enough to be lost in something.”

With the pandemic preventing the

Raising a glass to Earth Day Scrum on down to women’s rugby

congregation from meeting together in person, Mr Mills says he is looking forward to when the church can reopen, once covid restrictions are fully lifted.

Until then, services are online.

Mr Mills said he has been “welcomed” into the church community in Crowthorne.

He added: “The support I’ve had from people has been amazing, the older generation have even embraced using Zoom and YouTube so they have still been able to be part of the congregation, which is lovely to see.”

Church member Sue Burrow, who has been steering the New Heart project, said: “It’s amazing and I can’t believe that we’ve actually got to this point where it is nearly finished, and then we can get back in and start the real work … the building is just the beginning really.

“The important thing is what we can do as a church. We’re trying to work out

A LADIES rugby club will hold its first open event of the year this weekend.

Crowthorne Ladies RFC, a rugby team based at Crowthorne Rugby Club, is running a welcome event on Saturday at 11am.

how to do church differently, how to be relevant in today’s society and what worship is going to be like after the pandemic. It’s just the beginning of a very long journey – it’s exciting.”

She added that the work has caused a flux of interest from the village.

“It’s all very exciting and it’s lovely to see how many people in the community are interested in what’s going on.

“We’ve had lots of questions, Kevin’s engaged with lots of people as they walk up and down the high street, so this is really is the beginning of a new phase and we’re incredibly excited and privileged to be part of it.”

Supported by Laing Family Trust, All Churches and the Baptist Union, Crowthorne Baptist Church says it has been able to help fund the project in order, but welcomes donations to cover the loan repayments. � For more information, visit crowthornebaptist.org.uk

As part of the England Rugby Allianz Inner Warrior initiative, the event is open to all women over 17.

It gives participants the chance to meet the team and try rugby out themselves.

Covid safety measures will be put in place and it will be held at Crowthorne Rugby Club on Lower Broadmoor Road.

More information can be found on the group’s social media pages.

Staycation fun to celebrate the UK

CARE home residents dug out their gardening tools for Earth Day last week.

Pinehurst Care Centre, on Duke’s Ride in Crowthorne, took part in garden activities to celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, April 22.

The annual event is used to show appreciation for the environment and spread awareness on how to protect it.

The staff and residents at Pinehurst Care Centre got their gardening gloves on, enjoyed the sunshine and planted trees in their garden to mark the importance of the day.

The aim of the day was to allow residents to see how they can make an

impact to the environment, even though the oldest resident is 101.

Victoria Pembroke, activities managers at Pinehurst Care Centre, said all the residents had a “great time” outside.

“They loved being outside in the sunshine, some residents were giving us helpful advice on how to plant things and some have decided on more things they want to grow,” she added.

“Now that the weather is looking brighter, we can't wait to get started and it’s lovely to be able to give our residents projects to nurture and watch grow.”

CARE home residents enjoyed a day of special celebrations last week.

Warren Lodge care home, in Finchampstead, hosted an event to mark the Queen’s 95th birthday as part of its Armchair Travel Day on Wednesday, April 21.

The care home chose Great Britain as its place of travel for the day to coincide with the Queen’s birthday and St George’s Day. Residents also enjoyed food from different regions, which included dishes such as a full English breakfast, cawl cennin (leek soup), ploughman’s supper, moggy cake and Manchester tart.

The staff decorated the

home with red, white and blue bunting along with dressing up for the day to celebrate the occasion.

Activities included a balloon bounce, and a Last Night of the Proms singalong.

Residents got to reminisce with a Forget Me Not box,

named Royalty, and contained a range of souvenirs relating to the Royal Family.

They also watched a DVD named Happy and Glorious, which they enjoyed drinking Pimms and raising a glass to the Queen while watching

the programme.

Melody Spooner, life enrichment manager, said: “Everybody really enjoyed the day, the food was interesting because we all tried a variety of dishes from different parts of the country and most of it was food the resident’s hadn’t eaten before.

“The event went down very well, sometimes the residents are a bit unsure about the Armchair Travel Day but the British theme was their choice this time and everyone was really happy and chatty and there were a lot of residents reminiscing throughout the day which was lovely.”

20 | LEISURE

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Thumbs up for Yeldall’s summer fundraising push

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A HARE Hatch charity is making great strides with its latest fundraiser.

Yeldall Manor, which helps men recover from drug and alcohol addiction, is hosting its Stride for Recovery event in June to support its vital services.

The challenge sees residents from the borough and beyond take on a fitness challenge of their choice.

The Stride for Recovery is due to take place between Saturday, June 5, and Saturday, June 12, but participants can decide whether they complete their distance in a day or spread it out over the week.

Sue Hedger, from Yeldall Manor, said this is the second year in a row the charity’s challenge has gone virtual.

“For three years, we ran a cycle ride starting and finishing at our premises,” she explained. “But last year, after covid hit, we decided to run a virtual event and it was really successful.

“People took part from all over the world, including Germany, and this year we know somebody from South America is planning to take part.”

Ms Hedger said participants can also form a virtual team with friends and add their miles together, so they do not have to complete their challenge alone.

Proceeds raised from Stride for Recovery will raise money for the Yeldall Good Samaritan Fund, which helps men access its rehabilitation services and change their lives for the better.

THUMBS UP: Yeldall Manor’s Stride For Recovery will raise funds for the rehabilitation charity

Ms Hedger said the volunteer-funded programme supports residents who otherwise cannot afford to pay for support.

“It can be hard to come by funding, so not many people have the means to access help,” she explained.

“But we don’t want to turn anybody away, so the fund is for those who don’t know where else to go.” � To find out more about Yeldall Manor’s upcoming event and register your interest, visit www.rideforrecovery.co.uk or phone 0118 940 4411.

Concerns after bench goes missing TWYFORD residents are concerned after a bench went missing last week.

The seat, normally located at a bus stop on London Road, disappeared on Wednesday, April 21.

Now, villagers are calling for it to be returned quickly to allow vulnerable and elderly residents to use it when catching the bus or visiting the doctor.

One Twyford resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I think the bench serves the community well and should be replaced.

GONE: A space is all that remains of where the bench on London Road was located

“Often you see small children or elderly people sitting on it, assumedly waiting for a bus or taking a break from walking between Ruscombe and Twyford village centre.

“If the council has removed it, this is directly against their commitment to active transport and declaring a climate emergency.”

According to Twyford Parish Council, the bench was provided by a resident years ago.

A spokesperson for

Wokingham Borough Council said it was removed last week, following a report that it was damaged.

“As the bench was not a borough council bench, it was not scheduled for maintenance or repair,” the spokesperson said.

“Following the report we sent out a crew to assess it, who found the bench unsafe and so removed it.”

They said the borough council will discuss options to replace the bench with Twyford Parish Council.

Charvil litter pick session

Anyone want some pizza?

CHARVIL residents will be keeping the streets tidy this weekend.

On Saturday, May 1, Charvil Matters is hosting its latest litter picking session.

The team will be meeting at Charvil Village Hall at 10am, and the event is free and open to everyone.

“Just bring yourself and some gloves,” said organiser Sam Akhtar. “Extra litter grabbers are always welcome.”

For more information and to register your interest, contact charvilmatters@gmail.com or visit: www.facebook.com/events/ 516785679489865

A HARE Hatch garden centre is helping residents make the perfect pizza.

Next week, Dobbies is teaming up with Ooni Pizza Ovens to share a range of cooking tips and tricks, including how to stretch the pizza dough and how to choose the perfect toppings.

The free, virtual event will be hosted by Kristian Tapaninaho, CEO and founder of Ooni.

Residents will be able to follow along with a live pizza-making demonstration, just in time for alfresco dining –

� Mr Akhtar is the Conservative candidate for Charvil in the forthcoming local elections. Also standing are Martin Alder, Lib Dem; Brian Scott, Labour; and Kathy Smith, Green

assuming the weather holds.

Mr Tapaninaho said: “I am so excited to host this virtual event with Dobbies.

“I’ll be sharing my top tips like how to stretch dough like a pro and how to choose the best ingredients.

“I’ll be answering any questions you have on how to level-up your outdoor cooking game.”

The session is the latest in a series of events hosted by the Hare Hatch centre, and is taking place on Thursday, May 6 at 6pm. � For details, visit: www.dobbies.com/ events

NEWS | 21

22 | PROPERTY

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Thursday, April 29, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Winnersh £825,000

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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PUBLIC NOTICES WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION 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

211119

Conservation Area

Householder application for the proposed erection of an attached garage, rear infill extension and replacement of pitched roof to the existing ground floor side extension.

The Lodge, Station Road, Wargrave

211197

Barn 2, Newlands Farm, Sindlesham Road, Arborfield

(Affect setting of) Application for Listed Building Consent for the Listed Building replacement of all existing windows and doors with timber double glazing.

211254

36 and 39-48 Grovelands Park, Winnersh

Major Application

Application to vary condition 5 of planning consent 203439 for the Full application for the proposed removal of 12 no. existing mobile homes and the erection of 11 no. two storey pre-fabricated temporary accommodation units consisting of one self-contained two- bedroom housing unit per floor (plots 39-48) and 1 no. single storey mobile house (plot 36). Condition 5 refers to Drainage details and the variation is to allow for works associated with Phase 1 to commence in advance of receipt of the whole site drainage design, and that the drainage design for the remainder of the site will be treated separately.

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 the 22nd May 2021. 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: 29th April 2021

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (BARGE LANE, SWALLOWFIELD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

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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:

The effect of the Wokingham Borough Council (Croft Road, Prohibition of Entry) (Croft Road, Hyde End Lane & Ryeish Lane 30mph Speed Limit) (Hyde End Lane 40mph Speed Limit) Order 2021 will be to: (a) formalise the prohibition of vehicular traffic on Croft Road (20 metre section); (b) formalise the 30mph speed limit signs on Croft Road Spencers Wood, Hyde End Lane Spencers Wood; (c) formalise the 40mph speed limit signs on Hyde End Lane Spencers Wood; (d) revoke and re-enact the 30mph speed limit for Croft Road from the Royal County of Berkshire (restricted Roads and 40mph speed limit) (Shinfield and Swallowfield) (No. 3) Order 1981.

A copy of the above-named Order, plan(s) and statement of reasons for making the Order may be viewed online at ‘https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/ roadworks-and-outdoor-maintenance/trafficmanagement-road-signs-and-markings/trafficregulation-order-consultations/’.

Dated: 29th April 2021

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The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Welsh Lane and A33 Swallowfield Bypass.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 21st May and 25th May 2021.

Andy Glencross, Assistant Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL.

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The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Gigaclear contractors to undertake blockage clearance 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.

Notice is hereby given that on 27 May 2021 Wokingham Borough Council, made the above-named Order under sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 83, 84 and 124 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended and all other enabling powers. The Order will come into operation on 29 April 2021.

If you wish to question the validity of the Order or any provision contained in it on the grounds that it is not within the powers conferred by the Act, or on the grounds that any requirement of the Act or any instrument made under it has not been complied with in relation to the making of the Order, you may, within 6 weeks of the date of the making of the Order, apply to the High Court for this purpose.

Barge Lane, Swallowfield between its junctions with A33 Swallowfield Bypass and Welsh Lane.

The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A33 Swallowfield Bypass, Mereoak Lane, Mortimer Road, Lambwood Hill, Bloomfield Hatch Lane, Cross Lane, The Street, Station Road, Park Lane, Beech Hill Road, Trowes Lane and Chequer Lane.

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL AMENDMENT CROFT ROAD - THE ROYAL COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE (RESTRICTED ROADS AND 40MPH SPEED LIMIT) (SHINFIELD AND SWALLOWFIELD) (NO. 3) ORDER 1981. FORMALISATION OF: 30MPH ON CROFT ROAD SPENCERS WOOD, HYDE END LANE SPENCERS WOOD, RYEISH LANE SPENCERS WOOD, AND RYEISH LANE SPENCERS WOOD; AND 40MPH ON CROFT ROAD SPENCERS WOOD, HYDE END LANE SPENCERS WOOD AND RYEISH LANE SPENCERS WOOD. (CROFT ROAD PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) (CROFT ROAD, HYDE END LANE & RYEISH LANE 30MPH SPEED LIMIT) (HYDE END LANE 40MPH SPEED LIMIT) ORDER 2021

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The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 21st May 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

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ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESCRIBED ROUTES ORDER NO 1, 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made the above named Order under Sections 1, 2, 3 and 2 and Part III of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

The Order will come into operation on 10 May 2021.

The effect of the Order will be to prohibit vehicles, on: (a) Longdon Road from turning right onto King Street Lane; and (b) King Street Lane from turning right onto Hatch Farm Way. A copy of the above-named Order, plan(s) and statement of reasons for making the Order may be viewed online at ‘https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/ roadworks-and-outdoor-maintenance/trafficmanagement-road-signs-and-markings/trafficregulation-order-consultations/’.

If you wish to question the validity of the Order or any provision contained in it on the grounds that it is not within the powers conferred by the Act, or on the grounds that any requirement of the Act or any instrument made under it has not been complied with in relation to the making of the Order, you may, within 6 weeks of the date of the making of the Order, apply to the High Court for this purpose.

Dated: 29th April 2021 Andy Glencross, Assistant Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL.

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (PUMP LANE, GRAZELEY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 22nd April 2021 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: Pump Lane, Grazeley between its junctions with Grazeley Green Road and Lambwood Hill.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Grazeley Green Road, Mereoak Lane, Bloomfieldhatch Lane and Lambwood Hill or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 3rd May 2021.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Gigaclear contractors to undertake location and clearance of a blocked duct 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 3rd May 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated: 29th April 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

Dated: 29th April 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (LOWER SANDHURST ROAD, FINCHAMPSTEAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 22nd April 2021 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: 1. Lower Sandhurst Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with Wokingham Borough Boundary and Cricket Hill.

BASKETBALL

ROCKETS OUTGUNNED AS PLAY-OFF HOPES END Loughborough Riders 75 Reading Rockets 68

ROCKETS lost out away in the play-off Championship as sharp shooting Riders capitalised to end their season earlier than they hoped.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 14th June and 9th July 2021.

This was destined to be a tough game with Jaz Bains’ injury making him unavailable but Rockets hit the court running as O’Showen Williams stroked an early treble, Sam Toluwase made a hook score and Leome Francis worked inside to finish.

When Ben Dixon took a charge and Reis Pinnock made a block, the two big power forwards Francis and Toluwase gave Rockets a 13-6 early advantage causing Riders to take a time-out.

This didn’t stop Rockets as Pinnock hit four quick points with a floater and drive before defending well to deflect a Riders pass out of play and stop them scoring. Developing young power forward Kivuvu Live joined the party as he scored from an offensive rebound giving Rockets a 19-10

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Gigaclear contractors to undertake BDUK Superfast Broadband work in safety.

RUGBY UNION

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Ambarrow Lane, A321 Wokingham Road, B3348 Wellingtonia Avenue, B3348 The Ridges, B3348 Jubilee Road, B3016 Longwater Road and Cricket Hill or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 6th May and 19th May 2021 2. Dell Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with B3348 The Ridges and Lower Sandhurst Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Lower Sandhurst Road, Ambarrow Lane, A321 Wokingham Road, B3348 Wellingtonia Avenue and B3348 The Ridges or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 20th May and 11th June 2021.

3. B3348 The Ridges, Finchampstead between its junctions with B3348 Jubilee Road and B3348 Wellingtonia Avenue.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3348 Wellingtonia Avenue, A321 Lower Wokingham Road, B3430 Nine Mile Ride, B3016 Finchampstead Road and B3016 Jubilee Road or by this route in reverse.

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 6th May 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated: 29th April 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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first quarter lead.

Riders responded with six quick points against Chuck Duru’s score before Toluwase hit a mid-range shot. 35-38 was a true reflection at the interval of how competitive the game had been and was to remain till the final buzzer.

Nearly all Rockets’ best work was being done inside as both power forwards caused major concerns for Riders.

For many minutes the lead swapped with every score but an 8-0 Riders run gave them the initiative and a 56-45 advantage. Duru stopped the rot and Dixon sent an assist to Francis to finish but being in team foul trouble saw Riders open up a 62-49 lead going into the final quarter.

Though winning that period by 19-13 it wasn’t enough to see Rockets progress in the play-off Championship despite the efforts of Francis, Toluwase and Pinnock who worked tirelessly to try and reduce the deficit.

Williams hit his second treble of the afternoon coupled to a Toluwase brace from the

FORWARDS coach Owen Root believes training has been ‘awesome’ since the Senior Squad returned to action at the end of last month.

“It’s been a fantastic start back and there’s great energy,” said Root.

“The boys have come back with an unbelievable attitude, but to be honest we’d never have expected anything else from this group.

“Joe and Daryl have done a fabulous job keeping them working at home and engaged and that’s allowed us to come back into the intensity of training we have.

“It’s not an accident – it’s

something which has built over time and the guys just work for each other with a ‘one-in, all-in’ approach which is a real positive.”

“I always love reading stuff from the new guys when they mention how welcoming it is because that’s something which fills me with immense pride as part of the coaching team.

“Hopefully they can produce for us, but equally we want to provide for them and help their development.”

With the on-field efforts impressing Root, he was also quick to praise the hard work behind the scenes.

He added: “It’s catching people’s eye and shows where the club wants to go – it’s

Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield 0-0 Finchampstead Newbury 0-4 Berks County Thames Valley Division One Hurst 3-2 Eldon Celtic Wargrave H-W Westwood Wanderers Reserves

free throw line which saw Rockets just eight points behind within 90 seconds of the re-start but Riders traded baskets until Williams scored.

Toluwase reduced the deficit further and then sent an assist to Pinnock to see Rockets in with a chance of victory at just five points adrift at 63-68 with just over two minutes left.

Despite Sam Grant scoring, Riders went to the line as Rockets were in team foul trouble and saw the game out 75-68.

absolutely fantastic and I can’t wait to see how much noise comes out of the stand and the impact it has on the experience of Old Bath Road.

“It’s something to really look forward to and excited about.”

Rams will face Chinnor in two separate fixtures under adapted rules, meaning with no scrums or mauls next month.

Root continued: “It will be with the unique laws which is again something to consider and will take a lot of adjusting to.

“Some of the boys will be disappointed they don’t have the chance to scrum or maul – but that’s part and parcel of getting a game on and we’re sure Chinnor will feel the same.”

OAKS CLAIM WIN OVER WARGRAVE Wargrave batted first and opening batsman Imran Malik top scored with 49, while Mishan Silva hit 39 from 41.

Max Uttley took three wickets for the Oaks, while Mark Firth and Callum Creighton took two each to bowl Wargrave all out for 141.

Wokingham put in a solid display with the bat as Danny Housego top scored with 55 to see his side to a triumph.

FINCHAMPSTEAD 1s lost to Guildford by two wickets..

Gregory Smith hit 44 from 51 and Guy Ashby added to the total with 34 from 44.

Ashby then enjoyed a superb bowling spell as he collected five wickets, and despite Cranford taking three more, Finch were narrowly beaten.

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 1s took victory over TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE with a seven-wicket win.

Gopi Kolluru (27) and Chandra Cherukuri (37) were

FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Luton Town 0-0 Reading

FOOTBALL FA Vase fifth-round Hadley 0-0 Binfield (Binfield win 5-4 on pens)

CRICKET

WOKINGHAM 1s took a seven wicket victory over WARGRAVE 1s in a friendly fixture.

RESULTS Wednesday, April 21

Saturday, April 24

RAMS’ ROOT PRAISES SQUAD

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

CLASSIFIED/SPORT | 27

Twyford’s two best performers with the bat as they finished with 124.

But Crows lost just three wickets on their way to a comfortable win as Will avrili hit 58 not out.

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 2s were beaten in their opening fixture of the season in BCL Division 1.

They lost out by 38 runs to WEST READING 2s.

Ravi Godbole took four wickets and Dan Partridge collected three, while Daniel Cartledge hit 52.

Thames Valley Division Two Twyford & Ruscombe 1-1 Hurst Reserves Berks County Reserves 0-0 Datchet Thames Valley Division Four Berks County Rovers 1-3 Harchester Hawks Finchampstead Development 3-4 Reading City Development CRICKET Friendly Wokingham 1s (147-3) beat Wargrave 1s (141-all out) Finchampstead 1s (143/all out) lost to Guildford (147/8) Crowthorne & Crown Wood 1s (127-3) beat Twyford & Ruscombe 2s (124-8) White Waltham (181-2) beat Hurst 2s (179-all out) BCL Division 1 West Reading 2s (205/9) beat Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (167/9)

Sunday, April 25 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Reading 2-2 Swansea City Women’s Super League Birmingham City Ladies 1-1 Reading Women Subsidiary Cup Woodley United Ladies 2-2 Ascot United Ladies Thames Valley Women’s Division One Eversely & California Ladies 0-3 Tilehurst Panthers Women Development Woking Ladies 6-0 Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Wallingford Town AFC Ladies 3-3 Wargrave Women Development

Monday, April 26 FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Berks County 0-1 Finchampstead

Tuesday, April 27 FOOTBALL Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup Sumas 2-1 Virginia Water

FIXTURES Saturday, May 1 FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Norwich City v Reading FA Vase quarter-finals Long Eaton United v Binfield Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup Windsor v Wokingham & Emmbrook Combined Counties FrippSmith Trophy Eversley & California v Sandhurst Town Thames Valley Premier League Wraysbury Village v Finchampstead Berks County v Cookham Dean Thames Valley Division One Hurst v Rotherfield United Mortimer Reserves v Wargrave FC Imaan Lions v Eldon Celtic Thames Valley Division Two Datchet v Twyford & Ruscombe Phoenix Old Boys v Hurst Reserves Richings Park Reserves v Berks County Reserves Thames Valley Division Four Berks County Rovers v Braybrooke CRICKET Home Counties Cup Wokingham v Wargrave Slough v Finchampstead BCL Premier Division Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Twyford & Ruscombe Berkshire Cricket League Championship Peppard Stoke Row v Shinfield BCL Division 1 Woodley 2s v Shinfield 2s Farley Hill 2s v Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s Chilterns Cricket League Division 1 Emmbrook & Bearwood 1s v Winchmore Hill 1s Chilterns Cricket League Division 2 Denham 2s v Emmbrook & Bearwood 2s Friendly Eversley 1s v Wokingham 2s Wokingham 3s v Eversley 2s

Sunday, April 25 FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading Women v Brighton & Hove Albion Women Thames Valley Women’s Division One Badshot Lea Ladies v Eversley & California Ladies Carterton Ladies v Wargrave Women City Belles Women v Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies Tilehurst Panthers Women Development v Milton United Ladies Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Mortimer Ladies v Wargrave Women Development S4K Ladies v Caversham AFC Women

28 | SPORT

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COMBINED COUNTIES FRIPP-SMITH TROPHY

FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

BOARS LEAVE IT LATE TO SHARE SPOILS WITH ASCOT

FINCH IN THE HUNT WITH VICTORY OVER BERKS COUNTY

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Thames Valley Premier League

Eversley & California drew against Asscot United Pictures: Richard Milam EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA staged a late comeback to overturn a twogoal deficit to earn a point against Ascot United.

After a closely contested, firsthalf, Ascot took the lead just before the break as they opened the scoring in the 43rd minute.

The Boars made a change at the break as Allston replaced Robson but they fell further behind just seven minutes into the second-half when Ascot doubled their advantage.

The game looked to have been slipping away from Eversley until Luke Frewin clawed a goal back in the 79th minute to put the Boars

back in contention.

With new-found confidence, Eversley used their momentum to find an equaliser just two minutes later as an Ascot defender headed into his own net after Sam Knight’s dangerous free-kick delivery as the points were shared.

The Boars are up against Sandhurst Town on Saturday, before a Monday night fixture against Fleet Town.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA: Alie, Robson, Knight, Mckernan, Gill, Wint, Small, Phin-Archer, Pantony, Dickie, Moriarty SUBS: Allston, Watson, Frewin, Appleton

FINCHAMPSTEAD earned an impressive away victory in a top-of-the-table clash against BERKS COUNTY. Finch are now level on points with Berks, having played three games more, after Stephen Hunt scored the only goal of the game to earn three points.

The win came on Monday evening after Finch managed a 0-0 draw away at Burghfield on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Swords came away with a convincing 4-0 away win at Newbury with goals from John Swift, Thomas Nower, Ebenezer Opoku-Ware and Ben Hall.

Thames Valley Division One HURST took the spoils in a five-goal contest against ELDON CELTIC, meanwhile WARGRAVE stay at the top after they were awarded a win against Westwood Wanderers Reserves.

Thames Valley Division Two HURST RESERVES earned consecutive 1-1 draws, first against TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE on Saturday before a stalemate against Richings Park Reserves on Monday.

Thames Valley Division Four

YOUTH FOOTBALL

FC BRACKNELL U12’S REACH CLOUD NINE

FC Bracknell U12s enjoyed an amazing 0-9 away win after a fantastic all-round team display.

U13 Colts were involved in a 13 goal thriller, but were on the end of a 9-4 defeat against Darby Green and Potley Youth Dragons.

U13 Youth maintained their unbeaten group record with a 3-2 win over leaders Berks County Wolves. Jack Johnstone bundled the ball home after great work from Maya Adams for the first before Charlee Martin hit two screamers from outside the box to secure the victory and promotion.

U14 youth yet again blew their opposition away with a 5-1 win against AFC Charvil.

They have now collected four wins out of four.

U14 Colts were on their travels away to Caversham Trent Whites.

After an end to end match the Blues ran out 3-2 winners.

U15 Colts lost 5-3 to local team,

Whitegrove & Warfield Tigers.

All three U16’s teams were in action. It was back-to-back wins for U16 Colts on the road at Woodley United. The boys and girls won 2-1 with Sam & Lewis scooping man of the match. The U16’s were home to Berks County Lions and returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory.

The U16 Youth were narrowly beaten after they conceded two quick goals to lose 4-2. Despite the loss, Kyle B collected man of the match.

In a close contest, the U17s beat Ashridge Park 2-1.

FINCHAMPSTEAD DEVELOPMENT were edged out in a seven-goal game against Reading City Development who took the points with a 4-3 triumph.

Jack Lewis, Calvin Grainger and Callum Niven were on the scoresheet for Finch.

BERKS COUNTY ROVERS were beaten 3-1 at home to Harchester Hawks after the hosts were reduced to 10 players.

Subsidiary Cup WOODLEY UNITED LADIES earned a

Sumas beat Virginia Water

Finchampstead earned a vital away win at Berks County Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

draw in the cup against Ascot United Ladies.

The Kestrels twice had the lead in the game, thanks to goals from Rosie PageSmith and Rebecca Gooch but had to settle for a point as Ascot fought their way from behind.

Thames Valley Women’s Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA LADIES fell to their second defeat of the season with a home loss to TILEHURST PANTHERS WOMEN DEVELOPMENT. Deanna Cane, Lydia Vettese and Tilly Waight were among the goals as Tilehurst joined Carterton Ladies level on points at the top of the table.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK LADIES

are rooted to the bottom of the league after they suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat to Woking Ladies.

Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK recovered from a weekend defeat to take three points against Virginia Water on Tuesday evening.

Sumas had plenty of chances but found themselves behind after a superb solo goal from Enow Ojong for Virginia But the Sumas fought back to ensure that they marked manager’s Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston’s 250th game in charge with a win.

Dan Collier hit the equaliser and Ellis Day struck the winner, before goalkeeper Sean Woodward made a crucial save at the end to seal victory..

Bracknell Rangers v Berks County (above) Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

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From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

Chris Grace makes a penalty save

Is swearing against laws of the game?

E Binfield progressed via a penalty shootout for the second consecutive round in the FA Vase Pictures: Neil Graham

Sean Moore goes close on the volley

FA VASE

PERFECT PENALTIES SEE BINFIELD BOOK QUARTER-FINAL PLACE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today BINFIELD continued their remarkable FA Vase journey with another penalty shootout victory as they overcame Hadley to reach the quarter-finals.

Chris Grace repeated his penalty heroics from the previous round in another tense cup tie as they booked their place in the next round against Long Eaton United on Saturday.

Binfield make a quick start in the match and created two early chances to take the lead, but were thwarted by a determined Hadley defence.

Both sides shut each other out in

a cagey first-half which ended goalless with plenty on the line in the knockout competition.

Despite being an intense battle, both sides were adamant on staying in the tie as chances were few and far between.

The Moles made their first change just before the hour as Josh Howell replaced Josh Helmore.

The visitors had a sight of goal when Ollie Harris found Sean Moore in the middle with a pinpoint cross but the forward headed just over the target.

There were more chances as Grace made an important save from Ofori with just 15 minutes to go, before Helmore had a shot hooked off the line.

The teams were still deadlocked late in the game with the game headed for the dreaded fate of a penalty-shootout.

However, there was a late twist as Hadley were reduced to 10 players when Dwayne Duncan received a red card in the 86th minute.

But the hosts held on to take the game to penalties.

Helmore, George Short and Moore converted their penalties to give Binfield the perfect start in the shootout and took the initiative when Hadley fired their third penalty over the bar.

Liam Ferdinand had the chance to send Binfield through but missed the target. But in sudden death,

Grace pulled off a heroic save to send the Moles through.

Binfield co-manager Jamie McClurg said: “Another day where I can only praise these Moemen for giving everything and showing how resilient and class they truly are.”

Co-manager Carl Withers added: “Every Saturday feels like groundhog at the minute having to travel away to games, but having this group of lads makes every one of them worth it.”

BINFIELD: Grace, Legg (Gator 88’), Hancock, Ferdinand, Willment, Gavin, Harris (Malonday 75’), McClurg, Moore, Short, Helmore (Howell 67’) SUBS: Valentine, Johnson, Veal, Chamberlain

NGLAND’S football manager Gareth Southgate, is reported to be perturbed about the amount of swearing coming from his players. As he was a former professional footballer, it’s odd he had just noticed that players swear profusely.

Some years ago, a Whitley referee’s young son was an avid Manchester United fan.

So when Reading were due to play the Manchester team at Elm Park in a cup match, he couldn’t wait to see his heroes play. He came home from the match in tears.

Having taken his place on the terraces close to the pitch, he could hear every word they uttered. ‘They were swearing all the time’, he told his dad. His heroes had feet of clay.

The Laws of the Game regarding bad language say ‘a player, substitute or substituted player should be sent off if he uses offensive, insulting, or abusive language or/and gestures’.

Offensive is perhaps open to interpretation; some referees have a higher tolerance level than others.

Insulting and abusive are more clearly defined and of course it does not have to be swearing.

If a player called me a cheat, that to me would be insulting. Despite what many people think, the offence isn’t just language or gestures aimed at referees, it could be at anyone.

There was a recent report of a referee sending off a player for being abusive to an opponent.

It’s not just professional football where swearing is common.

There have been cases of councils banning football from recreation grounds following complaints about the footballers language, from people whose houses run alongside or from families taking the children for a walk in the park.

Earlier this season, I ran the line at an under 19 national league match where one of the teams was from the academy of a London Premier League club.

After the match I asked their coach if part of the curriculum was to teach their young players to swear, as they couldn’t seem to get through a sentence without one expletive or another.

If Gareth is keen to do something about footballers language, perhaps he could start at the academies.

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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

How they rated STAR PLAYER John Swift

PLAY-OFF DREAMS CRUM READING 2 SWANSEA CITY 2

RAFAEL CABRAL Will be a bit disappointed after he could only parry Fulton’s shot to the feet of Jamal Lowe for the equaliser.

ANDY YIADOM Got forward well in the first-half but had some sloppy moments defensively.

LIAM MOORE Made a vital block in the first-half but switched off defensively for the two goals and was poor in possession.

TOM HOLMES Picked up a booking in the first-half for dragging down Cullen. Left Andre Ayew unmarked as he put Swansea in front.

OMAR RICHARDS Didn’t show his quality going forward throughout the match and wasn’t able to prevent either of the Swansea goals.

ANDY RINOMHOTA Had a half chance when Ovie Ejaria found him at the back post but he volleyed into the side netting from an acute angle.

JOSH LAURENT Worked tirelessly to win the ball back in midfield but struggled to create going forward.

JOHN SWIFT Played a pinpoint ball to Yakou Meite to open the scoring and had a positive impact on the creativity of the team.

OVIE EJARIA A disappointingly quiet afternoon from a player that is so vital for Reading’s creative dynamic in attack.

YAKOU MEITE Grabbed another goal with an accurately placed header. Has contributed plenty from the wing.

LUCAS JOAO Had a chance to double the lead when he stole the ball deep in the Swansea half but had his effort stopped by Woodman.

5 6 5 5 5 5 7 8 5 7 6

SUBSTITUTES Alfa Semedo 5, Tomas Esteves 7, George Puscas 5, Sone Aluko 6, Michael Olise 5

By ANDY PRESTON at the Madejski Stadium apreston@wokingham.today READING’S play-off hopes were officially ended as Swansea City confirmed their place in the Championship top-six after a 2-2 stalemate at the Madejski Stadium.

The Swans missed some early chances in the match and were punished when Méïté converted John Swift’s cross.

But the Swans played their way back into the game and got their reward when Lowe levelled the game in the 67th minute.

Ayew then snatched the points with an 83rd minute goal and despite a late equaliser from Tomas Esteves, the Swans held on to confirm their top-six place at the expense of the Royals.

“I will reflect on the season in detail when it is over,” said Paunović.

“I want to honour the competition and honour our fans with the remaining two games to keep competing and win games.

“I want to look at how we can more consistently win games and benefit from this experience and implement elements in our game to not drop points or make mistakes.

Paunović made two changes from the drab draw at Luton Town as Swift and Lucas João replaced Michael Olise and George Pușcaș in the starting eleven.

Swansea almost made the perfect start with less than a minute on the clock as Jamal Lowe swung a dangerous ball into the box but Ben Cabango couldn’t convert at the back post.

The visitors then created another opening when the ball dropped invitingly for Wayne Routledge in the box, but Reading captain Liam Moore was perfectly placed to head his shot over the bar.

Lowe then had a half chance on the volley just outside the box but floated his shot inches over the top of Rafael Cabral’s goal.

Both sides picked up a yellow within moments of each other as Marc Guehi was booked for a handball before Tom Holmes was cautioned for bringing down Liam Cullen on the wing.

Reading had their first sight of goal when John Swift linked up to find Lucas Joao who shrugged off his marker to work space for a shot but João missed the target as his low drive flew just wide.

The Royals grew into the half as Andy Yiadom provided a threat going forward on the right and they were rewarded with an opener in the 31st minute.

Andy Rinomhota at full time

Josh Laurent is challenged

Swift used his vision to pick out an inch-perfect cross into Méïté at the far post and the Ivorian nodded the ball into the far corner past Freddie Woodman to give Reading the breakthrough.

João almost punished Swansea for some sloppy play at the back as he pounced on a loose ball, drove at goal, but had his effort stopped

by Woodman.

Reading then had a shout for a penalty at the end of the half as Josh Laurent showed immense industry in the middle to win the ball and set up a counter. He found Méïté who drove into the box but he was thwarted by a good piece of defending from Kyle Naughton who slid in to win the ball.

Swansea searched for a leveler early in the second-half and almost snatched the ball from Laurent inside of the Reading box, but Rafael was able to collect to prevent a defensive mishap.

The away side then had a huge chance to equalise when Lowe was

Reading are out of the race for play-offs after Swansea City confirmed their top-six place with a

Lucas Joao holds off two defenders

left free at the back post, and teammates queued up in the middle to convert, but he scuffed his cross that was cleared by Moore who was brilliantly placed to clear the danger.

Andy Rinomhota was almost able to squeeze the ball past

Match stats READING: Rafael, Yiadom, Holmes, Moore (c), Richards, Rinomhota, Laurent, Ejaria, Swift, Méïté, João SUBS: Southwood, Esteves, Gibson, Tetek, Semedo, Olise, Aluko, Pușcaș, Baldock SWANSEA CITY: Woodman, Naughton, Cabango, Guehi, Bidwell, Fulton, Grimes (c), Hourihane, Routledge, Lowe, Cullen SUBS: Hamer, Latibeaudiere, Bennett, Roberts, Smith, Dhanda, Cooper, Whittaker, Ayew GOALS: Méïté 30′, Lowe 67′, Ayew 83′, Esteves 90+3′

Woodman at the far post when he got on to the end of Ejaria’s cross, but he found the side netting.

Paunović made a double switch in the 65th minute as Michael Olise and Alfa Semedo replaced Swift and Méïté.

Swansea found themselves on terms in the 67th minute as Lowe poached from close range.

Rafael got down quickly to make a smart stop from Jay Fulton but Lowe showed his attacking instinct to pounce on the loose ball and tucked the ball in on the rebound.

Reading had a penalty appeal when it appeared that João was wrestled to the ground in the box from a set-piece, but it was missed by the referee who waved away the protests.

Needing a winner to keep their play-off dreams still mathematically possible, the Royals pressed high and Paunovic made more changes as Pușcaș and Tomas Esteves replaced Ejaria and Yiadom.

But it was the away side who

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MBLE IN SWANS DRAW

From The Tilehurst End Olly Allen

Swift shows Royals what they’ve been missing

L Michael Olise travels forward

a draw at the Madejski Stadium Pictures: Steve Smyth

Lucas Joao misses a chance to score

Esteves levels for Reading in injury time

Lowe equalises for Swansea

Liam Moore and Omar Richards

snatched a goal to go in front in the 83rd minute.

Substitute Ayew showed superb composure in the box as he was picked out in the middle from Jake Bidwell’s cutback and took a couple

Rafael Cabral clutches the ball

of touches to set himself before he lashed the ball into the net.

The Swans almost put the game beyond doubt in the 90th minute when Lowe burst into the box but struck the post with

a powerful strike.

Reading fought back and found an equaliser in stoppage time as Esteves stroked the ball into the bottom corner to give the Royals a glimmer of hope.

Yakou Meite goes to ground in the box

Swansea held out to gain the point they needed to confirm their play-off place.

Reading play their final away game of the season on Saturday against already promoted Norwich.

WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

ROWE RECOVERS POINT FOR ROYALS ON THE ROAD READING recovered from a onegoal deficit as Rachel Rowe’s second-half strike earned them a point on the road against Birmingham City Women.

It was a disastrous start for the Royals who went behind after six minutes.

Denna Cooper initially hooked the ball off the line, but Ruby Mace converted at the second time of asking on the follow up from close range to give Birmingham an early breakthrough.

Reading came close to an equaliser when Rowe burst forward and hit a powerful shot looking to beat Hannah Hampton at her near post, but the Blues keeper got across to make the save.

Grace Moloney made a super save in the to keep Reading from falling further behind as she tipped Claudia Walker’s effort over the bar.

Relegation threatened Blues. almost added to their tally in the second-half when Ruesha Littlejohn’s goalwards effort was

cleared off the line by Bethan Roberts before Moloney was able to gather the ball.

The Royals got themselves back into the contest when Rowe leveled in the 63rd minute.

The ball dropped invitingly from the aftermath of a corner and the Welsh international blasted her shot into the bottom corner through a crowd of bodies to equalise.

Birmingham came closest to snatching all three points when Christie Murray’s long-range strike

hit the top of the crossbar but the sides had to settle for a point.

BIRMINGHAM CITY: Hampton, Kelly, Brougham, Scott, Holloway, Murray, Mayling, Mace, Littlejohn, Napier, Walker SUBS: Green, Whipp, Whitehouse, Murphy READING: Moloney, Roberts, Cooper, Bartrip, Woodham, Eikeland, Williams, James, Rowe, Carter, Harding SUBS: Leine, Jeon, Nayler, Chaplin, Flores, Childerhouse, Harries GOALS: Mace 6’, Rowe 63’

AST weekend, something happened for only the sixth time in 2021. John Swift started a Championship football match.

It didn’t take long for him to provide a reminder of the quality he possesses. On 31 minutes, he received the ball on the left hand side outside the box and delivered a pinpoint delivery into Yakou Meite to head home and give Reading the lead against Swansea.

It looked so simple, but often that’s what Swift does: make the sublime seem easy. The vision, the weight of the ball and the precision were all perfect.

It was pure class.

Inevitably, on an afternoon when Reading’s playoff dreams were ended for good, it begged the question whether this season would have panned out differently – more successfully – if Swift had been available more often.

The midfielder has made just 12 appearances this season, owing to three months out with a hamstring injury between September and December and then another two months out with another hamstring injury between February and April.

There’s no doubt that Reading have missed him.

When at full fitness, Swift is one of the best midfielders in the Championship with his creativity, passing and ability to control games.

The Royals have looked well short of creativity in particular in the last few months, with their late season slump being characterised by slow play and limited attacking urgency. Chances have been at a minimum and there has been little spark.

This is not necessarily a criticism of those who have played – fatigue has clearly been a factor in this gruelling season and Alfa Semedo is not the answer to those problems – but it does highlight the void Swift leaves.

But the 26-year-old’s quality and what he brings to Reading is a given. The big ‘if’ is the likelihood of him staying fit. You can wonder all you like how the Royals would have done with Swift available all season, but it is almost a moot point because the chance of that happening was pretty much nil.

The current campaign has been Swift’s worst for injuries in a Reading shirt, but he has been sidelined for at least a portion of each of his seasons in blue and white. That includes a month of 2016/17 with an ankle problem and the final month of 2018/19 after hip surgery.

Most worryingly, and the most similar to this season, was 2017/18 when Swift missed a total of four months with five separate hamstring injuries throughout the campaign. That is clearly where his main issue lies, and with the hamstrings being a notorious reoccurring injury, the likelihood of it happening again seems high.

As Reading enter a summer where it seems they are simply going to have to sell players to keep their finances in check, Swift will be seen as one of their most valuable assets. Sheffield United tried hard to get him last year, but Dai Yongge stood firm. Will it be worth the same effort to keep him around this time?

You probably couldn’t ask for a better creative player to have in your team when fit, but he’s a big player on big wages to be carrying in your squad if he is going to spend half the season on the sidelines.

WOKINGHAMSPORT

PACKED WITH LOCAL SPORT

FOOTBALL LEGEND WILLIAMS TO RETIRE READING WOMEN midfielder Fara Williams has announced that she will end her 20-year professional football career at the end of the season.

Williams has enjoyed a legendary career and holds the record for most appearances for England at international level.

She joined Reading in 2017 and has become a pivotal part of Kelly Chambers’ side - scoring 25 goals in 67 games for the Royals.

Reading manager Kelly Chambers said: “What a career this women has had. From a young girl just wanting to play football to 172 caps for England.

“Fara has been absolutely fantastic for this club, the staff and the players.

“I met a women who was crying out to love football again. It was great to see her, at the age of 32, still have the hunger and drive of a young female footballer starting out.

“As much as Fara was going to come to Reading and help us as a club to push on, she also had a desire to want to learn and develop as a player and that was so evident on the training pitch every single day; it was so infectious to everyone around her.

“Fara will be missed on the pitch, but I wish her the very best in her next chapter.”

ISSN 2634-8330

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HEARTBREAK FOR ROYALS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING’S PROMOTION dreams are over after they dropped points at home to Swansea City on Sunday.

It was win or bust for the Royals to keep their top-six hopes alive with just two games of the season left, but they only managed a 2-2 draw.

“Nothing can comfort our disappointment,” said Reading manager

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Veljko Paunović.

“It’s hard to accept that our season is over after everything we have done and how hard we have fought.

“It’s unfortunate. Knowing how hard the team have worked. Going through all the setbacks and injures.� Report page 30