33 minute read
PARENT POWER SAVES PROM
HAVE A BALL: Parents step in to organise end of year dance for Oakbank Parents host pub prom
EXCLUSIVE
Advertisement
By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham. today
YOU SHALL go the the ball. Forget the fairy godmother, parent power has saved a Shinfield secondary school’s prom.
Oakbank school was originally due to host its Year 11 prom on Wednesday, July 14, at Trunkwell House Hotel.
Due to covid, the staff at Oakbank decided to cancel the event without offering an alternative date to the students.
Now, some parents have taken matters into their own hands and decided to lead the prom themselves.
Helen Snell, Emma Clapham and Maria Dyball secured The Black Boy pub as their chosen venue to host the celebration.
Taking place on Wednesday, September 1, students will be able to dance the night away.
Mrs Snell said she wanted to organise the prom because the students had missed out on so much over the past 18 months.
She said: “This will be the last time they’re all together before college and they have already had a lot cancelled because of covid, so we wanted to put this together ORGANISERS: Maria Dyball, Emma Clapham and Helen Radford have planned a prom for Oakbank School pupils at The Black Boy, after the school cancelled its end of year event Picture: Steve Smyth so they can have fun and enjoy being together before they all leave school.
“We’ve had so many parents offer their help already, with one dad doing the music, someone else sorting out the balloons, and lots are donating things to help piece the party together.”
A red carpet will be rolled out for photogrpahs.
Although almost half of the pupils have already agreed to attend, Mrs Snell is hoping to reach out to more of the students so the whole year can be included. She added: “The school isn’t able to advertise this for us but we really want to make sure that every child in the year knows about it and comes along.” All parents at the prom are DBS checked with a first aid trainer present on the night. James Newman-Webb, general manager at The Black Boy, said: “We are more than happy to help our community with this special prom and are so happy that children are now able to celebrate the end of their very difficult school year. “We are very much looking forward to seeing all the children enjoying themselves and hope they enjoy a well deserved celebration at The Black Boy.” Entry is via ticket only, and is only for the school’s Year 11 students. Tickets cost £15 and include food and drink. n Any Year 11 Oakbank students who wish to attend are asked to email oakprom21@hotmail.com
Ofsted praises council
HIGH PRAISE was given to Wokingham Borough Council’s children services after a recent Ofsted visit.
Carried out remotely, inspectors looked at social workers’ practices and outcomes for children.
It looked at a range of information, including case audits, records and holding case discussions with social workers.
Ofsted said it saw a vast improvement since the last inspection two years ago, with “considerable advances in the quality of social work practice and outcomes for children.”
Recognition was given for the compass team, a specialist service launched in June last year for children on the edge of care, to help keep families together.
Inspectors said the service reacted quickly to pandemic challenges, with staff able to adapt to remote working.
The inspector praised the relationship social workers had built with parents and children.
Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, said he is “delighted” with the outcome of the Ofsted visit.
He said: “I am proud of the team for delivering such a good service to safeguard the children of the borough and demonstrating such a vast improvement since the previous visit two years ago, especially during a global pandemic, is a huge achievement.”
He said safety and wellbeing of children is a key priority for the council. n For more details, visit wokingham.gov. uk
Meetings may also be online – contact councils for details Thursday, August 5
Shinfield Parish Council. Planning and Highways. 7.30pm. Shinfield
Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish. gov.uk
Tuesday, August 10
Sonning Parish Council. Council meeting. 7pm. Sports Pavilion,
King George V Playing Field, Pound Lane RG4 6XE. www. sonning-pc.gov.uk Swallowfield Parish Council. 7.30pm. Parish Office, Swallowfield
Street, Swallowfield RG7 1QX www.swallowfieldpc.gov.uk Woodley Town Council. Planning. 7.45pm. The Oakwood Centre,
Headley Road, Woodley RG5 4JZ. www.woodley.gov.uk
Wednesday, August 11
Shinfield Parish Council. Finance and General Purposes. 7.30pm.
Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Committee. 7pm.
Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN.
Thursday, August 12
Wokingham Borough Council. Wokingham Borough-wide
Traffic Regulation Order - On-Street Parking Restrictions -
Amendment No. 4, Executive - Individual Member Decisions. 5.30 pm Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN.
Monday, August 16
Shinfield Parish Council. Full council meeting. 7.30pm. Mitford
Close, Three Mile Cross RG7 1AT. shinfieldparish.gov.uk
Tuesday, August 17
Winnersh Parish Council. Planning committee meeting. 7.30pm.
Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Sindlesham RG41 5DU. www.winnersh.gov.uk
Wednesday, August 18
Finchampstead Parish Council. Planning Committee. 7.30pm. FBC
Centre, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. www.finchampstead-pc. gov.uk
Tuesday, August 31
Woodley Town Council. Leisure services. 8pm. The
Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley RG5 4JZ. www.woodley.gov.uk A TILEHURST woman who rampaged through a hotel and assaulted a police officer has been ordered to undertake 60 hours of community service.
Hannah Claire Burrowes, 36 and from Poole Close, was at the Cantley House Hotel on September 20 last year, where she damaged a door and broke glasses belonging to the venue and worth £260.
She then beat a police officer on the same day.
In addition to the community service, Burrowes must pay compensation of £100, £85 costs and £95 to victim services.
At the same sitting she pleaded guilty to harassing a man by sending him messages between the hours of 5am and 6.30pm on June 6 last year.
A MAN who has been found guilty of assault must undertake 100 hours of community service.
Atilla Apaydin, 38 and of Beke Avenue in Shinfield, pleaded not guilty to the attack, which took place on March 29 last year. However, he was found guilty by Reading Magistrates Court when they heard his case on May 28.
He was ordered to pay costs of £775, £90 to victim services and is not allowed to contact his victim, directly or indirectly, or another address, prior to May 27, 2023.
Apaydin may pay back at a rate of £100 per month.
DRIVING while disqualified has seen an Arborfield man ordered to undertake 40 hours of community service.
Adam Kovacs was stopped by police in Berkeley Avenue in Reading on February 22 this year. They also found that he did not have appropriate insurance in place.
The 22-year-old from Faraday Close pleaded guilty when he appeared before Slough Magistrates Court on May 28.
In addition to the community service, Kovacs was fined £170, ordered to pay costs of £85 and £95 to victim services.
His licence has been banned for eight months.
A LOWER EARLEY man who attempted to run a taxi without a licence has been ordered to pay £2,000 costs.
Harpreet Singh Pandher, 41 and Tinsley Close, was stopped in Friar Street, Reading on September 1, 2019.
Officers found that he solicited persons to hire a vehicle to carry them as passengers.
Pandher had pleaded not guilty at a hearing on February 21 last year, but was found guilty by Reading Magistrates on June 1. He was fined £400 for this offence.
He was also guilty of failing to wear a driver’s badge issued by West Berkshire Council (fined £150), failing to show it when requested (fined £250) and provided a false address to a council officer (fined £250).
Pandher must also pay £105 to victim services.
He can pay back at a rate of £100 per month.
A HENLEY woman has been given a 26-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £2,500 after her dog attacked a fellow customer in a Sonning hotel.
Emily Craig, 28 and from Abrahams Road, was in the Coppa Club on August 4 last year when her dachshund cross caused an injury to a fellow diner.
Magistrates ruled that the dog was dangerously out of control and ordered Craig to pay £2,500 compensation.
The dog was to be put down unless Craig lodged an appeal.
In addition to the suspended jail sentence, Craig must undertake 100 hours of community service, and pay £85 costs.
A WOKINGHAM man has been sent to jail for 20 weeks for assaulting two people by beating.
The incident took place in Reading on January 26, 2019.
Umar Mahmood, 31 and from Davy Close, was not present at Reading Magistrates Court on June 2, when they proved his case.
He was also guilty of racially/ religiously aggravated harassment on one of his victims and failing to surrender to bail.
Mahmood was ordered to pay costs of £775 and £100 compensation to his first victim and £100 to his second.
A LOWER EARLEY man who failed to provide a blood specimen for police officers has been ordered to undertake 120 hours of community service.
Curtis Michael Kroczak, 31 and from Kensington Close, was stopped by police in Wokingham on August 29 last year.
In addition to his unpaid work requirement, Kroczak was banned from driving for 36 months. This will be reduced by 36 weeks on completion of a safe driving course.
He must also pay £416 costs and £95 to victim services.
Kroczak was also guilty of failing to appear at the court on December 17 last year.
A WOODLEY woman has been fined for driving without insurance.
Iwona Danuta Mrowka, 32 and from Howth Drive, was stopped in Little Marlow on April 1, 2019.
She pleaded guilty when she appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on June 4, and was fined £230, ordered to pay £85 costs and £30 to victim services. She was also banned from driving for 14 days.
Now taking registrations
Fun is an essential ingredient at Oak Tree Day Nursery and Preschool where the care and education opportunities for each and every child are as extraordinary as our colleagues who provide them.
FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS OPEN 7.30AM TO 6.30PM
RATED OUTSTANDING IN THE PAST THREE OFSTED INSPECTIONS
Ofsted inspection 2013, www.ofsted.gov.uk
Please call 01189 733231 or email oaktree.nursery@childbase.com ‘We need to do more for the birds and the trees’
EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
A WOKINGHAM resident is calling for more respect for the people and environment.
Last month, Ralph Tebby said he was disturbed through the night when Vodafone contractors dug up part of the cycle path outside his home.
Mr Tebby said the work, which took place at 1.30am in the morning, should have been dealt with in the daytime.
“It was totally unnecessary,” he said. “It shouldn’t have been done overnight.”
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, the time slot was chosen to minimise disruption on the A road.
Mr Tebby questioned why the work wasn’t organised before the new cycle path was installed.
But Cllr Jorgensen said the council did not know about it until recently.
When the ground was dug up, Mr Tebby said contractors threw the old tarmac into bushes.
He only discovered it on his litter picking patrols for the Adopt A Street.
“It was thrown with such force it damaged the hedging,” he said.
After contractors cleared the dumped surface, Mr Tebby said it looks a lot better, although there is “a large piece” that was missed.
Cllr Jorgensen said the council will inspect the area for any loose tarmac and ask Vodafone to return to remove it if there is any.
A spokesperson for Vodafone apologised to nearby residents and said they are fixing it as soon as possible.
This includes a permanent fix to match the standard of the existing path, Cllr Jorgensen said.
STREWN: THe surface was thrown into hedges Picture: Ralph Tebby
EXCLUSIVE
By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today HURST Village Society has pledged to strongly fight the ‘nightmare’ of up to 300 new homes being built in its community.
But earlier this week the society had yet to announce whether to take part in a controversial opinion feedback scheme being run by the plan’s promoters, Mactaggart and Mickell.
Hurst Village Society (HVS) chairman Jo Newbold said: “We are going to decide on that.”
The Protect Hurst Action Group urged its members not to take part, alleging: “The way the questions are posed Mactaggart and Mickel WILL take all responses as a positive response to this proposal and use it to promote their application.”
But Conor Roberts of Mactaggart and Mickel denied that saying: “We have been very clear from the outset that residents’ feedback will not be construed as support for the proposals, and in no way will the mere fact that they have provided feedback be interpreted as a positive response to the proposals.”
Mrs Newbold said up to 300 new homes would be an absolute nightmare, taking away the village’s community feel.
She said HVS would strongly fight planning permission being given.
Hurst already had 876 homes: 300 more on the Tape Lane/Lodge Road field would add 34% more, she said. “That’s a crazy amount for a village of this size. We’re a rural village sandwiched between Wokingham and Twyford and we want to keep it as it is for as long as possible.
“From what I can see there hasn’t been any support for this proposal, nobody wants it. Building 300 homes would be an absolute nightmare for us,” she added.
She was concerned about the vehicle entrance off Lodge Road to the homes. “We already have a traffic and speeding issue in Hurst: HVS is trying to pull together a strategy with Wokingham Borough Council to see what can be done.
“Even with some amendment to Lodge Road, possibly a roundabout and crossings, that in no way mitigates the effects of over 600 [extra] cars on the roads around Hurst.”
Mactaggart and Mickell’s website says Hurst is suitable for more homes because of its primary school, post office, bus service, sports and recreation grounds. There are also roads to surrounding areas and Twyford and Winnersh Stations are reasonably close.
They say 300 homes was likely to create about 150 car trips in each peak period, 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm. These trips would spread across local roads, reducing the effect at any one junction. Numbers of trips were likely to be: to Winnersh and Reading, 23 trips; to Wokingham via the A321, 72; to Bracknell via Forest Road, 33; to Twyford 22.
Traffic consultants would assess if traffic created would mean road improvements were needed. Mactaggart and Mickell wanted to promote sustainable travel and would see if the current bus service could be improved. Their plan aimed to encourage walking and cycling.
They hope to ask Wokingham Borough Council for planning permission in the autumn. Once Wokingham Borough Council receives permission applications they seek residents’ views on them. TESCO Wokingham has donated £1,000 to two schools in the borough.
The superstore gave the money, via its Community Grants scheme, to Bohunt Wokingham and Walter Infant School.
The secondary school will use the money to buy outdoor equipment.
The infant school is investing in wooden furniture, including a wishing well and benches, for its playground.
Louise Jedras, community champion at the Finchampstead Road shop, said she was pleased to donate to two superb schools.
“They do incredible work for so many children in the community and thoroughly deserve any assistance we can provide,” she added.
This summer, the shop is also running its Buy One to Help a Child scheme, which gives meals to children through national charity, FareShare.
For every piece of fruit and vegetables bought until Sunday, August 8, the shop will make a donation.
Ms Jedras said demand for food banks is higher than ever before.
“The Buy One to Help a Child scheme is really important,” she said. “Every child – and every adult – needs a good healthy meal, and we hope our customers will take the opportunity to try some new fruit and vegetables at the same time as supporting the campaign.”
Shoppers can nominate a charity or organisation for the grant scheme.
“It is an excellent opportunity for those groups that do such amazing work for us all locally, to get a little bit of financial support to help them achieve their aims,” she said. n For more information, visit: tescocommunitygrants.org.uk
COUNTRY WAYS:
Hurst Village Society is against plans to build 300 homes on land in the village Picture: Sue Corcoran DONATION: Tesco’s Louise Jedras with Walter Infants’ headteacher Judy Wheeler
Tesco’s grant helps schools
Airports for the future
THE SOUTH East will lead the way to recovery for the nation’s airport towns, according to Thames Valley Berkshire.
The Local Enterprise Partnership (TVBLEP) said business leaders from across the south have asked for clarity on post-pandemic borders.
An event organised by Catalyst South, a group of Local Enterprise Partnerships, brought representatives from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted together to discuss covid’s impact on airport towns in the area. MPs, councillors and business leaders also attended.
According to TVBLEP, the summit saw leaders call for continued support for the aviation industry and to “open borders sensibly” so communities can recover from lockdown.
Catalyst South will bring together a task force to determine what support the airport towns need to encourage jobs and growth.
Mark Bretton, LEP network chair, said this is the “first step” to supporting the aviation industry and associated sectors.
“By bringing the right people together to understand the local perspectives, we will have a greater collective voice which we can take to Government and the private sector to encourage the investment and interventions that are needed,” he said.
This will be part of the LEPs’ role in the Government’s Plan for Growth and to ensure that the challenges faced in the region are recognised as part of Levelling Up.
“The impact on towns in our region as a result of covid’s effect on airports cannot be ignored.”
Caring makes an Impact
WINNER:
Truston Tap has scooped an honour in the National Impact Awards
A BERKSHIRE care firm has been recognised for its work in the National Impact Awards.
TrustonTap, which connects carers with older people across the county, received the award for the impact its digital platform has on people’s lives.
The company, which stops people needing to go through a traditional care agency, was recognised for how its system improves wellbeing of clients and carers.
William Cotton, founder of TrustonTap, which launched in Oxford six years ago, said he wanted to give more power to carers.
“‘I know from my own experience trying to find care for elderly relatives, how difficult it can be, especially when you don’t live close to your parents,” he said.
“The challenge was to find a way to make it easy for families to find experienced carers in their local area, whilst bringing down the cost and still ensuring that carers are paid well.”
Polly Alder, client services manager at TrustonTap, added: “The pandemic has been a very challenging time, but it has had one positive, which is to bring more recognition to the wonderful work carers do.”
AI heads to the Guru
ARTIFICIAL intelligence is on the cards for a Bracknell-based firm, which has recently partnered with Google.
Content Guru, which offers cloud communication services, has teamed up with Google’s AI scheme to improve its customer engagement work.
Google’s Cloud Contact Centre Artificial Intelligence (CCAI) work will integrate with Content Guru’s Storm service to support intelligent chatbots and text-to-speech systems.
Martin Taylor, deputy CEO at Content Guru, said he was delighted to partner with Google.
“Our new partnership will make it even easier for Content Guru’s customers to benefit from the use of AI technologies in their day-to-day contact center and customer engagement operations,” he said.
“We’re excited to help more organizations boost their customer experience, improve employee engagement and save time using our cutting-edge solutions and integrations.”
Dominique Pfeffer, Cloud Technology Partners lead at Google Cloud, added: “I am delighted to have Content Guru on board as a partner to help our customers transform their contact centers with cutting-edge AI capabilities.” Got a business story? Email news@wokingham.today or write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS
Muddy and proud: winners celebrate Stiletto success
By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today
BUSINESS is booming in Wokingham after six borough-based firms scooped up trophies at this year’s Muddy Awards.
Run by Muddy Stilettos, the annual awards ceremony recognises indie firms in counties up and down the country.
There were 27 awards up for grabs in Berkshire this year, ranging from Best Bridal Store to Best Garden Designer.
Here are Wokingham’s winners.
Best Beauty Salon
The Colour Palette Salon, based in Crowthorne, was crowned victorious in the beauty salon category this year.
It offers a range of treatments, including a hair and beauty salon and a brow bar, alongside its newly launched clothing line Rebel Kid.
Owner Hardia Janse van Rensburg said she is feeling overwhelmed by everybody’s support following the award.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank each and every person that voted for [the salon],” she said. “You are all a part of the The Colour Pallette family and it feels incredible to know that all our hard work to constantly raise the bar has been recognised.”
Best Florist
For beautiful bouquets, look no further than Sonning.
Sonning Flowers won the Best Florist Award this year, and said it was a lovely surprise following a “whirlwind” 18 months for the industry.
The florist, which launched in the borough but also runs a flower workshop in West Berkshire, supplies a range of seasonal, hand-tied bouquets and vases for homes, offices, weddings and events.
Heather Reilly, owner of Sonning Flowers, said: “We can’t believe it.
“A huge thank you to all our wonderful loyal customers, brides and grooms and corporate clients who voted for us.
“With restrictions on weddings eased, we are finally back doing what we love … and winning this award really is the icing on the cake.
“I personally also need to say a huge thank you to the Sonning Flowers team … who have worked so incredibly hard over the last 18 months.”
SURPRISE: Re-flection Wellness won best yoga/pilates studio in Berkshire in the 2021 Muddy Awards
Best Garden Designer
Creative Landscape, which is based in Twyford and offers a range of gardening services, won gold in the garden designer category this year, too.
Its team creates 3D views and planting plans for potential clients, organises decking and fencing, and runs The Big Plant Nursery on Wargrave Road.
A spokesperson for Creative Landscape said: “We are thrilled to have won a Muddy Stilettos award and recognise all the hard work Rachel Jane and her team put in to make these awards such a success.
“We really value their support for local businesses.
“We are of course very grateful to our lovely clients and everyone who voted for us for their ongoing support and loyalty.”
Best Interiors Store
Twyford’s Victoria Willson-Copland is also over the moon after her firm Victoria & Co won the Best Interiors Store award.
Ms Willson-Copland, who launched the shop in November 2020, said: “I was at a client’s house when I received the email to say we’d won the Muddy Stilettos award.
“I got in my car afterwards and was beaming the whole way home. We’re so thankful and feel so grateful to everyone that nominated and voted for us.
“The last year has been tough in the retail world but our lovely customers make everything so much easier.”
Best Local Food/Drink Producer
It’s been a bumper year for Stanlake Park Wine Estate, which won the Best Local Food/Drink Producer award shortly after being recognised in an international wine competition.
The Twyford-based estate, which is one of the oldest wine producers in England, offers vineyard tours and hosts events.
Natalia Pezzone, general manager, said the latest accolade was a great honour.
“It recognises our hard work and all the efforts that the whole team puts in every day,” she said.
“An award like this is really a booster, and it fills us up with even more enthusiasm to keep making great wine and giving our visitors a fantastic wine experience.
“We’d love to thank our amazing supporters, who so generously contributed their time to vote for us.”
Best Yoga/Pilates Studio
For anybody looking to get fit, Re-flection Wellness has been crowned the best Yoga/ Pilates studio in the county.
Based in Crowthorne, it runs aerial yoga, reformer pilates and interval training classes, alongside toning and personal training sessions with a team of 13 instructors.
A spokesperson for Re-flection said they were speechless when they found out about the big win.
“Winning a Muddy Award means the world to us,” they said.
“We are so thankful to everyone at the Muddy Team for showcasing small businesses.
“The past year has been very challenging and we have had to, like many others, pivot our business to keep our community together.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to each and every person who nominated us.” n To find out more about the Muddy Awards, visit: www. berkshire.muddystilettos. co.uk/awards
Stars are shining again for Reading Buses
READING Buses has relaunched its Star of the Month Awards — and the first round has seen a bumper crop of winners.
The monthly awards ceremony was created to recognise employees and managers who have gone above and beyond to support customers in need.
It was suspended due to covid and replaced with a ceremony at the end of last year.
Now, Reading Buses has announced its first winners since reintroducing the scheme.
Awais Iqbal, from Reading, and Steve Saunders, from Calcot, were praised for taking swift action after a man collapsed from a seizure on the purple 17 route.
While Mr Saunders rolled the man on to his side and contacted the emergency services, Mr Iqbal stopped another bus to get passengers on their way.
Caroline Anscombe, Reading Buses HR director, said: “This was a great team effort by Steve and Awais.
“We are relieved that the customer was okay.”
Christos Papachristodolou, who is also from Reading, was nominated for Star of the Month after helping a visually impaired person use the bus for the first time.
Jordan McKie, from Reading, was also nominated for consistently helping the control room team and drivers. n Customers can nominate employees for the next Star of the Month Awards at: www. reading-buses.co.uk/star
Woodley hairdresser reaches final round in national awards
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
A WOODLEY hairdresser has made the finals of the British Hairdressing Awards.
Marcus Giamattei from Marc Antoni hair salon group, is in the finals of the Southern Hairdresser of the Year category, as well as the Trend Image of the Year category.
The latter is judged on four photos demonstrating technical and creative hairdressing expertise.
The Marc Antoni Artistic Team has also been shortlisted in the Artistic Team of the Year category.
Mr Giamattei said: ‘We’re delighted to be finalists. It’s such an honour to be shortlisted alongside such incredible talent.
“I’m confident that our photographic collections showcase our skills and imagination and I really hope that we are able to bring a trophy home to Marc Antoni.”
The family-owned salon was founded in 1966, and now has locations across Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.
Winners will be announced on Monday, November 29, in a black tie event in London.
Jayne Lewis-Orr, executive director of the British Hairdressing Awards, said they recognise the best of hairdressing talent.
“In reaching the finals, the Marc Antoni team have demonstrated that they are accomplished and gifted stylists with an impeccable eye for detail,” she said.
“Every year, this competition gets tougher as the standard of entries improves and the team should feel incredibly proud to be recognised at this level.”
FINAL CUT: Marcus Giamattei has made the finals of Southern Hairdresser of the Year Picture: Marc Antoni
Sumas search for street artist’s help
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook FC is looking for a talented street artist to transform a storage container at the club’s home ground.
The container, located at Emmbrook Sports and Social Club at Lowther Road, is in need of a makeover, and the club are hoping that a street artist will be willing to work their magic.
The club would like the container to be football themed and decorated in the club’s regcongisible orange colour.
The Sumas’ first-team are currently preparing for a new adventure as the club were promoted to compete at step five, where they will play in the Combined Counties Premier Division North from the 2021/22 season. n Anyone interested can call the club’s chairman, Steve Williams, on: 07785 385762 MAKEOVER: The club is looking for an artist to style the container on Lowther Road
NEWS | 11 Charity host toy sale in Woodley town centre
THE Me2Club is hosting a toy sale next week.
The pop-up event will be on Wednesday, August 11, in Woodley town centre.
It will run from 9am, selling games, crafts and soft toys.
The charity hopes to raise £500, which will go towards its Pandemic Recovery Appeal.
Throughout the last 18 months, the Me2Club finances have been severely hit.
Liz McDaniel, fundraising development officer at the charity, said: “Emergency covid funds are no longer available, yet the demand for our unique and highly impactful support is continuing to grow.
“The funds raised will enable us to continue to be there to support children, with wide ranging additional needs and disabilities, to safely return to the leisure activities they love, safely and confidently.”
Police numbers highest ever
MORE THAN 250 police officers have joined the force in under two years.
It means the Thames Valley now has more officers than ever before, overtaking the high in 2010.
Almost half of the Government’s 2023 target to hire 20,000 officers has been met, with women making up four in 10 of recruits.
Thames Valley PCC, Matthew Barber, said he wants to hire even more officers to focus on community crime.
“The 269 extra police officers for Thames Valley will help to cut crime, keep neighbours secure, and reassure the law-abiding majority that they are safe,” he said.
“These officers are only just the start and recruitment continues apace.” n To find out more, visit: tvpcareers.co.uk
A breath of fresh air at The Berkshire Care Home
Spending time outdoors and having a relaxing wander is good for the soul. It lifts our mood and offers a whole host of health benefits.
We W believe that getting out into the g fresh air should fr be a regular b and enjoyable a experience. e That’s why we T put just as much p consideration into c our outdoor space o as the home itself.a
Our Magic Moments Club team ‘take the magic outdoors’ wherever possible and whatever the weather. Making the most of sunny days or April showers, our residents are encouraged to enjoy beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces. We also support our residents’ interests in nature and gardening or g even just helping them chill out with a cuppa whilst enjoying the view.
Throughout July and August, our residents are celebrating the Summer of Joy. As part of this, we are creating pocket gardens with beautiful plants, POCKETGARDEN flowers and herbs to attract wildlife and create a sensory experience.
For more information visit
www.brighterkind.com/
pocketgarden or call our friendly team on: 0118 911 1223
The Berkshire Care Home, 126 Barkham Road, Wokingham RG41 2RP www.brighterkind.com/theberkshire
CORONAVIRUS LATEST
Health leader: More vaccines needed as third jabs planned
EXCLUSIVE after the borough council By JESS WARREN and CCG ran a mass jwarren@wokingham.today vaccination campaign at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, THE HEALTH executive in Woodley. for Wokingham borough The site jabbed more is calling on the clinical than 4,000 people during commissioning group to its week of operation. And increase capacity for these people are now ready vaccinations in the area. for their second dose.
Cllr Charles Margetts “I’m deeply frustrated at said he is urging MPs to use the situation,” Cllr Margetts their powers of influence to said. “We were in a good encourage Berkshire West position with vaccinations, CCG to increase the number but the CCG is allowing that of doses in the area. to slip away.”
It comes eight weeks He said the group is not increasing doses in Wokingham, but instead prioritising Reading and West Berkshire local authorities, which have lower vaccination rates.
“Reading has one of the lowest rates in the country,” the councillor said. “They’re comparing us against some of the worst.”
He said the borough council is prepared to provide the buildings and support staff to facilitate more centres but needs the CCG to bring the vaccines.
“The CCG said its contractor is at capacity,” Cllr Margetts said. “They either need to take on another contractor or increase capacity. We’re in their hands — I hope they sort themselves out.”
Cllr Margetts said he expects demand for jabs to remain high.
This is because 18- to 24-year-olds are ready for a second jab, over 50s will be invited for a third jab next month, and over 16s will be given doses, following an annoncement yesterday.
In the meantime, the councillor encouraged all residents to continue to test regularly for coronavirus, via twice-weekly lateral flow tests.
He said Public Health England believes the drop in cases could be due to fewer people testing.
“The opinion is we have testing rates down by 15% to 10%,” he said. “It’s not enough to cause a problem, but covid isn’t over yet.”
DRUG TRIAL:
Researchers are testing a drug to limit platelet function in the hopes of reducing fatal blood clots in Covid-19 patients
University trials drug to reduce fatal blood clots
DRUGS used to treat immune system problems could be used to reduce the risk of blood clots in covid patients, new research has found, writes Jess Warren.
A new study of cells led by the University of Reading showed antibodies produced in response to the virus may be triggering blood clots in patients with severe disease.
It was published in the journal Blood, and showed that the increase of platelets could lead to fatal strokes and heart attacks for some.
The researchers found that it was possible to reduce or stop these clots by using medication to inhibit platelet function or immune responses.
A trial led by Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust – called MATIS — is already testing these drugs in clinical trials with patients across the country.
Professor Jon Gibbins, director of the Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research at the University of Reading said: “Until now, we have only had assumptions about why platelets involved in clotting were being activated during Covid-19 infection.
“One way to think of what is happening is that the immune response that is designed to protect you from the infection in some cases, particularly in severely ill patients, actually causes more damage.
“In this case, the antibodies that are produced to stop Covid-19 from spreading trigger infected cells to induce platelet activity which causes clotting even though there is no wound that needs healing.”
Co-author of the paper, Nichola Cooper, reader at Imperial College London and consultant haematologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust also designed and is leading the MATIS trial.
She said blood clots were a key reason for covid-related deaths in the pandemic.
“Having been involved in early research around blood clotting related to inflammation, it occurred to me that the drugs we already use for other disorders could be easily accessible treatments for Covid-19,” she said.
“We are yet to see results from the MATIS trial so we do not yet know how these drugs will work in patients, but our hope is that we can both inhibit the inflammatory response and prevent severe disease and blood clots.”
Covid case rates stay above 200
THE RATE of infections in the borough is staying above 200 per 100,000.
The weekly rate is now 241.9, down from 368.7 cases per 100,000 last week.
And on Tuesday, August 3, there were 36 new positive cases.
Neighbouring Reading borough now has 248.5, down from 366.5 cases per 100,000 last week. And it reported 42 new positive tests on Tuesday.
Bracknell Forest reported 26 positive tests, and its rate per 100,000 is currently 246.4, down from 458.6 last week.
Windsor and Maidenhead had 65 new cases on Tuesday, with its rate per 100,000 at 225.9, down from 357.3 last week.
Slough reported 36 positive tests and its rate is 218, down from 278.2 last week.
And rates in West Berkshire are 206.4, down from 334.5 last week. It had 49 positive tests on Tuesday.
The national rate of infection is 279.5, down from 461.9 per 100,000 people last week.
And on Tuesday, 21,691 cases were reported across the UK.
In the past seven days, 6,003 people were admitted to hospital with the virus. And 731 on Tuesday.
On the same day, there were 138 deaths in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test, and 542 in the last week, a 12% increase on the week prior.
THE MASS vaccination site in Reading has been moved.
Formerly at the Madejski Stadium, jabs will now be available at Broad Street Mall instead.
The town centre shopping centre will be a key site for young adults to receive their second jab, as they approach the eight- to 12-week mark after receiving the first.
The mall is reachable by car, bus and train. n For more information, or to book a first or second dose of the vaccine, visit: www.nhs.uk/ covidvaccine
