EXTRA SUPPORT

4 | NEWS Samaritans here to help

A READING man is joining the Samaritans festive campaign, after being supported by the charity himself.

Jason, pictured, reached out for support after breaking up with the mother of his son, and the death of his mother.

“Although it was one of the hardest things I have done – that phone call changed my life and put me on a new path,” the 50-year-old said. “Samaritans gave me hope and helped me to find my purpose again.”

Volunteers at the Reading branch will be among around 1,500 nationwide volunteers expected to answer calls for help on Christmas Day.

Christmas will be a tough time for some — even without a pandemic to deal with — said the charity. Its latest research revealed that being separated from family and loved ones over the Christmas period is one of the biggest concerns facing callers.

Volunteers across the Thames Valley will be there round-the-clock throughout December to make sure someone is there to listen to anyone who is feeling alone or struggling.

Reading Samaritans branch director, Ali Chapman, said: “We know that Christmas can be difficult for many people. It’s a time when loneliness and everyday issues can really hit home which might be heightened this year. Confidential support is available 24/7, and that we are there for everyone this Christmas. Mental health struggles, isolation, trauma, and suicidal thoughts don't take a break just because it's Christmas day, in fact they can be amplified. Samaritans has never been a more vital lifeline.”

Last Christmas, Samaritans responded to more than a quarter of a million calls for help, with more than 10,000 calls on Christmas Day. � For more information or to support Reading Samaritans, visit: www.samaritans.org/branches/ reading or call 116 123

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Wednesday, December 23, 2020 Radio Berkshire DJ becomes first patron of domestic abuse charity

EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A FINCHAMPSTEAD charity has appointed its first-ever patron — and it’s stayed true to its local roots.

Kaleidoscopic UK, a charity which raises awareness of and supports people dealing with domestic abuse, has grown in size recently.

Michelle Jordan has joined the charity to cheerlead it.

The BBC Berkshire radio host, who is known for talking about local issues on her show, Michelle On The Move, will now continue to open up discussions about domestic abuse away from the mic.

“I like to help in any way I can to raise awareness of abuse,” Ms Jordan said.

“After having witnessed firstIN A BID to raise awareness of domestic abuse this Christmas, Wokingham Borough Council has joined forces with a local charity.

It has teamed up with Berkshire Women’s Aid to let people know what support is available over the festive season.

“There is no room for abuse in our community,” said Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure.

“All of our residents deserve to feel safe in their own home, yearround and at Christmas.”

The festive season can often be a distressing time of year for anybody experiencing domestic abuse.

And according to Wokingham Borough Council, the coronavirus pandemic is only making things hand one of my friends suffer at the hands of her abuser and feeling helpless, I never want to feel like that again.

“I know that some people have nowhere to turn, so the work Kaleidoscopic UK does could be life changing and life saving.”

By becoming the charity’s newest patron, Ms Jordan will continue to advocate for domestic abuse awareness and support Kaleidoscopic UK in whatever way she can.

“If through my social media and my general gobbiness I can help this wonderful charity, then bring it on,” she added.

And Vickie Robertson, founder of Kaleidoscopic UK, is thrilled to have the radio host on board.

“I can’t even put into words how over the moon I am,” Ms Robertson said.

Council teams up with Berkshire Women’s Aid

“I’ve spoken to Michelle a few worse as it leaves people even more isolated and vulnerable.

Andrea West, CEO of Berkshire Women’s Aid, now wants to remind people that if they are experiencing domestic abuse, they are not alone.

“You will be believed and you will be heard,” she said. “We know that it is not an easy decision to reach out and ask for help, especially with the added pressures that Christmas can bring in a family environment.”

Ms West says the charity has seen a dramatic increase in the number of women, men and families seeking support this year.

And this is echoed by Vickie Robertson, founder of Finchampstead-based domestic abuse charity Kaleidoscopic UK.

“Unfortunately, going into Tier 4

Radio presenter Michelle Jordan has become the charity's first patron

times on domestic abuse and she’s been such an amazing advocate on the radio, spreading awareness.

has made things slightly more difficult as people will find it harder to access support,” she explained.

“It might not be easy for people to reach out if they’re with their partner and at home for the entire Christmas period.”

Wokingham Borough Council is now encouraging residents to contact Berkshire Women’s Aid if they are in need of help this winter on 0118 950 4003, or to visit www.berkshirewomensaid.org.uk.

The charity’s phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The council is also offering a free support service for those who are no longer with their abusive partner, called the Home Refuge Scheme.

It aims to help people by increasing home security, by providing door chains, viewers and window locks.

To find out more about the Home Refuge team, email home.refuge@wokingham.gov.uk

Independent business booms WOKINGHAM is the place to shop locally, according to the borough council.

Despite the pandemic, new businesses are continuing to move into the area, bucking national trends.

According to Cllr Charlotte Haitham-Taylor, executive member for regeneration, Wokingham’s residents are keen to shop locally and have been flocking to the town to support its independent businesses throughout the coronavirus crisis.

“We know it’s been a tough time for businesses this year, but the outlook in Wokingham borough remains very positive,” she said.

“And people are continuing to observe the latest guidelines and shop considerately, wearing masks, washing hands and leaving people plenty of space to socially distance so it feels like a safer place to be.”

“She’s opening up these conversations, making it less taboo, and the fact that she has been touched by domestic abuse in her own life was one of the driving forces behind her becoming a patron — I couldn’t think of a more fitting person.”

Commenting on Michelle’s appointment, a spokesperson for Kaleidoscopic UK added: “Michelle is loved by us all locally and beyond for her honest, bubbly and fun radio shows reaching far and wide.

“With her knowledge around domestic abuse, plus being an inspirational woman in all respects, we couldn’t think of a better suited person.

“Thank you Michelle for believing in us.” � For more information about Kaleidoscopic UK and the support services it provides, visit: www.kaleidoscopic.uk

or call: 0118 974 3799.

Kaleidoscopic UK is also running a range of services over the festive period, including online support groups

To find out more, visit www.kaleidoscopic.uk

In a non-emergency, people can also: � Call 101 or make a report on the Thames Valley Police Website (www.thamesvalley.police.uk) � Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 � Call the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010327 � Call Mankind, a helpline for male victims on 01823 334244 � Call Galop, a helpline for members of the LGBT+ community on 0800 999 5428 � Contact Victims First at www.victims-first.org.uk � Call SAFE! for victims of crime aged 5-18 on 0800 1337938

In an emergency, dial 999 and contact police.

Over the last year, Wokingham’s town centre has seen a lot of regeneration.

Elms Field became home to a new Starbucks, and clothing store This Little Piggy and technology retailer Pratts and Pods also settled in the area.

Peach Place has continued to thrive too, the council adds, as independent businesses including eActiv Lounge and Blue Orchid Bakery moved in.

Earlier this year, Twyford saw a number of new enterprises open their doors in the village. These included Rural Pie Co., Lincoln Coffee House, and new interior design store Victoria & Co.

Woodley has become home to La’De Kitchen, a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant, and Parkers Creations which sells an array of candle and wax melt gifts.

Now, residents are told to ‘watch this space’ as Rynd is due to launch in Wokingham Town Hall next year, taking over from The Courtyard with a Californian-inspired diner.

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

Vandals wreck Wokingham Cricket Club with fires and broken fences over year

WOKINGHAM Cricket Club members have been left devastated after somebody trespassed on its grounds and started a fire on site, destroying the club’s outdoor decking, writes Charlotte King.

Now, it is pleading for witnesses as the attack follows on from a number of repeated incidents over the last year.

“Throughout the year, we’ve had a problem with young adults drinking, smoking and using the balcony,” Karen Clyde, Wokingham Cricket Club’s manager explained.

“I turned up at the site on Saturday, December 12, and found that we have now had two fires on our balcony and decking.”

Earlier this year, when the club closed during the first national lockdown, Ms Clyde said it suffered from a number of break-ins.

Then in September after it closed for the season, she said vandals smashed the site’s decking area.

Now, the attacks have intensified after somebody lit two fires on the site.

“I think they made a fire to cause damage,” Ms Clyde explained.

“They brought kindling and lighter fluid, so I think people came along for a party.”

The club manager said being repeatedly targeted in this way is causing concern as children regularly attend the club throughout the year for training.

“It’s a bit worrying actually,” she said. “While nothing can happen to the building because it’s shut off, it’s not nice.

“It was worrying when young people were coming up and having their parties and leaving cans and rubbish behind, but now it’s escalated to damage, it’s even more concerning.”

She believes the club’s rural location is to blame for why it is being repeatedly targeted.

Ms Clyde is concerned about the impact the latest incident will have on the club’s “non-existent” funding.

She is calling on those responsible to think about the lasting damage their actions have caused.

In a statement directed at whoever caused the fires, Ms

Trespassers have been lighting fires on the club’s balcony

Picture: Karen Clyde

Clyde said: “Wokingham Cricket Club is a community sports club which is open to all, however it is private property and we are saddened to find that you are trespassing and causing damage to our buildings.

“Your trespassing and deliberate damaging of the decking and bonfires have caused us to incur costs for the cleaning up and repairs of the damage sustained.

“In a year such as this when, like so many other businesses we have had very little income, we will struggle to find the money to cover the cost.”

The vandalism has been reported to police, who are now investigating the damage.

The club manager is pleading with residents who know anything about the incident to come forward.

“Somebody must have seen the smoke,” Ms Clyde said. “And if anybody did see anything, please let us know.” � Anyone with information is asked to contact Thames Valley Police and quote 12DEC0804.

Expanding Heathrow runway is ‘bad news’ says Labour leader

EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

THE LEADER of Wokingham Labour has slated the borough council for continuing to support a third runway at Heathrow Airport — if it is carbon neutral.

Cllr Andy Croy said the emissions caveat was misleading, and only referred to ground operations not the hundreds of flights taking off and landing each day.

It comes as last week, the supreme court overturned a February judgment that a third runway at Heathrow airport was illegal.

At the time the government did not challenge the legality decision, as the application failed to consider the climate change targets set out in the Paris Agreement.

Instead, Heathrow Airport led the challenge, with the ruling now overturned.

The borough council, which declared a climate emergency last summer, is supporting the airport’s expansion, if it can be proved to be carbon neutral.

Cllr Gregor Murray, emissions executive at the council said he wanted to see a plan for both runway construction and transient emissions.

“The construction of Heathrow Airport has to be proven to be carbon neutral,” he said. “If they can’t then they shouldn’t do it.

“There is also a role to play with airlines. They can offset their carbon, and I would like to see that included as well — I want to see a plan for everything.”

Cllr Croy said that Cllr Murray is “deliberately being misleading”, as the carbon neutrality caveat applies only to ground works, and not the flights themselves.

“In the council vote, the Lib Dems and the Tories voted for tonnes of extra carbon to be dumped into the atmosphere,” he said. “It’s not like the third runway is just for hot air balloons and gliders.”

He added: “The Tories are lying when they say they’re taking serious action on the climate emergency — its absurd.

“There is no way it could be carbon neutral, it’s an utter joke. This is like an eternally optimistic future that is never within grapes — it’s a ludicrous position to take.”

The council stance was adopted after the Liberal Democrats proposed a motion not to support the third runway at a meeting, Cllr Croy said.

“The Tories amended it to include the bit about carbon neutrality, and unbelievably the Lib Dems ended up voting for it. Only Cllr Paul Fishwick and Cllr Sarah Kerr abstained.”

Cllr Fishwick, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for transport said the party has “grave doubts” whether carbon neutral airport expansion can exist.

He said they’re against expansion that isn’t carbon neutral, and said the government could still scrap the policy decision to support its expansion.

“The supreme court judges explicitly stated that Heathrow airport’s plans would still need to satisfy climate tests during the planning process,” he said. “If enough of us speak out by writing to our MP and objecting to this climate damaging airport expansion it can still be stopped.”

Cllr Croy believes expansion will be “very bad news for the borough” when it comes to house building targets too.

“Economic growth in the Thames Valley drives demand for houses,” he said. “This should be an instant no for anyone who cares about climate change or the borough. You can’t claim to support less housing, and Heathrow expansion — they’re incompatible with one another.”

He said the presence of Heathrow Airport is a major factor for major corporations moving into the area, citing Dell’s move to Bracknell in the 80s as an example.

“This is about what’s best for the area in the long term,” he said.

Cllr John Halsall, leader of the borough council said its position on the runway has not changed.

“We are enormously dependent upon communications with the outside world, Heathrow is an important part of that,” he said. “We’re also enormously dependent on Heathrow for the provision of jobs – Heathrow is fundamental to our economic existence.

“Having said that, the world’s changed with covid and it remains to be seen if that change becomes permanent. The decrease in people travelling may become a feature of modern life, in which case a third runway won’t be necessary anyway.

“We value the economic benefits, both jobs and lifestyle, that Heathrow gives, while we can’t support another runway unless it can be demonstrated to be carbon neutral.”

NEWS | 5 University supports funding for farmers

FARMERS are getting more involved in agricultural research thanks to a collaboration between five universities across the country.

The Centre for Effective Innovation in Agriculture, which includes the University of Reading, will look to address the gap between scientific research on innovation and real-life farming experience. £1.5m of charitable funding, including from the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust and from each university.

Dr David Rose, Elizabeth Creak associate professor of Agricultural Innovation and Extension at the University of Reading said: “Farming needs to change fast to meet the challenges of our time, including tackling climate change, loss of biodiversity and food-related illness, and ensuring resilient and secure food supply chains.

“Although UK public spending on agri-tech R&D is consistently above £300 million per annum, the adoption of research-led innovation is patchy. Crucially, there is currently no dedicated initiative to target research funding where it will be most relevant on the ground.”

Paul May, chair of the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust, said it can be hard for farmers to marry their efforts between productivity, sustainability and resilience when funding support isn’t targeted in the right area.

“There is a growing movement of independent farmer-led innovation networks that tries to plug this gap,” he said. “Rather than simply chip in ourselves to help these in a small way, we want to turn the tide by helping research funders and investors support such efforts on a large scale.”

The centre will grow a community of funders and researchers,collate extensive research evidence on innovation, uptake and adoption into practical guides for policy makers and support agricultural research and innovation funders.

PHIL CREIGHTON reports from a virtual meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive held on Thursday, December 17

Vaccine distribution order agreed

RESIDENTS in a care home for older adults and their carers are first in line to receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Cllr Charles Margetts, the executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services at Wokingham Borough Council, outlined the order in which people will receive the treatment.

“As the risk of mortality from Covid-19 increases with age, prioritisation is primarily based on age,” he told fellow councillor Barrie Patman at a virtual meeting of the executive, held on Thursday, December 17.

He then shared the other eight priority categories for the first phase of inoculations: those aged 80 and over and frontline health and social care workers will be next.

Then over 75s, over 70s and clincially vulnerable, over 65s.

Following them will be people aged 16 to 64 who have underlying health conditions.

When they have been vaccinated, it will be over 60s, over 55s and then over 50s.

“It is estimated that taken together these groups represent around 99% of preventable mortality from Covid-19,” Cllr Margetts said.

“The next phase of the vaccination programme will seek to further reduce hospitalisation and provide targeted vaccination of those at high risk of exposure and/or those delivering key public services. The planning of this second phase is ongoing with more detail expected in spring 2021.”

Cllr Barrie Patman wanted to know if moving to Tier Three would affect the process.

“It’s difficult to know because it’s only happened today,” Cllr Margetts said, adding that the council would be lobbying the Government hard for vaccination supplies and any additional support to increase testing in the borough to help drive case rates down.

Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons (CON, Wokingham Without) wanted to know how residents would know they were being called to take a vaccination.

“The NHS recommends that all eligible residents should wait to be contacted for a Covid vaccination,” Cllr Margetts said. “Residents will be contacted by the local GP practice.”

This could be by telephone calls, text messages, email and printed letters.

“All residents are advised not to phone GP practices or other NHS services with general queries about when they will be able to get the covid vaccine,” he said.

Cllr Helliar-Symons then asked if residents were registered with a GP in another borough if the process would be the same.

“I would imagine they will be following the same principles … I see no reason to believe that Berkshire would be any different.”

The leader of the Lib Dem opposition, Cllr Lindsay Ferris (Twyford) wanted to know if additional council staff and financial support would be needed to facilitate the vaccine rollout.

“This work will be complex and it is essential that these actions are implemented in an expedite manner,” he said.

Council leader Cllr John Halsall said that since March, it has drawn on its emergency planning governance to oversee planning and delivery. At the beginning of the Covid-pandemic, it was meeting daily.

“£500,000 has been requested to support these (vaccine roll-out, contact tracing and lateral testing) initiatives and ensure they can run effectively,” he said.

“This is an important step and will mean that care home residents in the borough could have face-to-face contact with loved ones before Christmas.

“We will be one of the first boroughs in the UK to undertake a pilot of this kind and a tremendous amount of efforts has gone into its organisation. To be able to facilitate a rapid testing programme and enable residents to visit care homes before, during and after the festive period is extremely rewarding.”

He concluded by saying: “I will always endeavour to be open and transparent in how we support our residents and will happily commit to giving regular updates.”

Cllr Ferris wanted to know if any grants had come from the Government to support the £500,000 funding, but Cllr Halsall said it was difficult to answer.

“The government has given grants and said that’s your lot until March 2022,” Cllr Halsall replied. “The current presumption is that we’re not going to get any more money but I suspect that will change because of the new lateral flow testing for schools which ... is going to require a huge amount of resource to do it properly.

“At the moment the answer’s no, but I suspect the future answer will be yes.”

Cllr Laura Blumenthal (Conservative, South Lake) wanted to know where residents could found out the latest Covid-19 case data for the borough.

Cllr Margetts pointed her to the Public Health for Berkshire Covid Dashboard, which features live updates from government data sources.

Cllr Abdul Loyes (Conservative, Loddon ward) asked the executive member for finance about the impact that spending £500,000 would have on the council’s purse.

“The latest Revenue Monitoring I will be presenting at the Executive in January will show we have managed to turnaround the projected overspend due to Covid-19, and while there is more to do, there is every prospect of a final outturn on or around budget, even after the impact of the pandemic,” Cllr John Kaiser replied. £500,000 for Covid fight

AN ADDITIONAL £500,000 has been authorised to spend in Wokingham Borough Council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

On the day that Berkshire was placed into Tier 3 restrictions, the ruling Executive agreed the expenditure. It will be used for three purposes: to implement lateral flow (quick) tests which will allow residents to visit friends and family in care homes; to boost contact tracing; and to support the roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine, which started last week.

Introducing the motion, Cllr Charles Margetts, the executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said that so far 20 care homes have signed up to the scheme and up to 200 lateral tests could be conducted every day.

It would allow “visitors to visit their relatives in care homes and to have physical contact with them – to hold hands, and do all those things”. The visitors would need to wear appropriate PPE, and tests would need to be booked in advance.

The council hopes to boost its contract tracing from its 90% success rate.

“We can expand this capacity going forward and make sure that we’ve got enough people to deal with whatever comes up over the next few months,” he said.

The vaccine rollout “is great news and needs to happen as quickly as possible”.

“We're expecting a vast increase in the number of vaccines and capacity early in the new year,” Cllr Margetts said.

“This funding is to make sure we're in a position, if needed, to provide staff to support the NHS and (West Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group) and delivering this programme as quickly as they can which, for obvious reasons, is for the benefit of all of our residents.”

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen wanted to know how the virus would be distributed, noting that the inoculation programme had started this week in Wargrave and Finchampstead.

The borough has been split into five areas by the NHS, and each of them will be offering the vaccine before the end of the year, Cllr Margetts replied, saying this was “obviously good news”.

“Every part of Wokingham will be vaccination centre serving us,” he added.

Council leader reflects on tumultuous 12 months

AS THIS was the last Executive meeting of 2020, leader John Halsall took time to reflect on events of the past “tumultuous” 12 months.

He opened his speech with a moment of reflection for those who passed away this year, including 189 residents who died after testing positive for coronavirus, the Forbury Three, and the sudden death of Wokingham Town councillor James Box.

Cllr Halsall spoke at length about coronavirus and the council’s plans to tackle it, including focusing on grassroots action on the wards most affected, and also making lateral (fast) tests available at Shute End to allow people to visit loved ones in selected care homes.

“We are adding peace of mind to people who want to visit the homes but who, understandably, want to minimise risk taking infection with them,” he said.

The council is looking to pilot an 18-month mental health scheme which, Cllr Halsall said, has been funded by a resident’s “generous donation”.

The scheme will be run by the charity MIND and will aim to help ensure early intervention and timely referrals.

“The pilot service will be inclusive, ethically and able to meet the wellbeing and mental needs of a diverse range of residents of the borough,” he said.

The local economy was full of new businesses prepared to invest in the borough, Cllr Halsall said, citing the planning application that has been lodged to build the largest purpose-built film studio in the UK at a site in Shinfield.

The Blackhall Studios would “bring major Hollywood film productions to the UK and create up to 3,000 jobs”.

Looking ahead, Cllr Halsall promised that there would be a balanced budget presented to the council next March.

“Our finances are strong and our finance team second-to-none,” he said.

And Cllr Halsall also expressed his delight the council had managed to convince the Government to think again over future housing numbers. In the summer, it was thought that every year Wokingham would have to accommodate 1,635 new homes. This has now become 759 – a decrease of 30 on the current numbers.

“This is as a direct result of all those who lobbied for a different approach among whom we were a major voice and I would like to thank all those councillors, our very dedicated MPs and residents, for their support,” he told the virtual chamber.

He concluded by saying: “Despite the ongoing pandemic, I believe we can look forward to 2021 with some cautious optimism: Covid-19 has not gone away and we must all remain careful, in particular over Christmas, but the foundations are in place for the borough to recovery strongly from this awful year.”

Tier 4 could last more than a month says health leader

� Continued from front page Residents can leave their home to access medical help and to escape risk of harm — such as domestic abuse.

People can meet with one person from another household — while keeping two metres apart — for exercise. This must be done in an outdoor, public place.

Children under five, and up to two carers for a person with a disability who needs continuous care are not counted towards the outdoors gatherings limit.

To manage the spread, Cllr Margetts said the covid marshals will be deployed to key wards in the borough, where infection rates are the highest.

This includes Earley, Lower Earley, Winnersh and Wokingham. The council also aims to work with Reading Borough Council to create a cross-border approach, to minimise infections.

Cllr Margetts said he expects Tier 4 lockdown to continue for three or four weeks, but “probably longer” in order to see a drop in Covid-19 infections.

To make this happen, Cllr Margetts hopes to see residents take the pandemic as seriously as they did in March.

Over the last week, a record number of positive tests for coronavirus have been recorded in the borough.

The latest figures, published on Sunday, December 20, by Public Health in Berkshire, show that there were 113 cases in Wokingham.

This surpasses the total on Thursday, December 17, where 110 cases were reported.

The grim figures mean that there have AS WOKINGHAM borough fell under Tier 4 restrictions last weekend, many people may now be facing Christmas Day alone this year.

But The Link Visiting Scheme, a Wokingham-based charity supporting elderly people across the borough, has promised that it is here to help.

“If anyone feels like they are going to be particularly struggling over Christmas, they need to get in touch with us and we will signpost them to services that can help them if we can’t”, said Marjie Walker, scheme manager.

On Christmas Day, the charity’s team of volunteers will be delivering gifts and hot meals to those on their own, and its phone line will be open to anybody in MP rebels against third lockdown

WOKINGHAM MP Sir John Redwood says that the Government should find methods to protect people other than the new Tier 4 system and is calling for parliament to be recalled.

Writing on his blog, he called for a parliamentary debate on the measures.

Sir John has previously expressed concerns over any new lockdown or

Tier measures. He voted against the

Tier restrictions at a debate in

Parliament on December 1.

Residents are urged to wear face coverings properly over their nose and mouth to stop

the spread of Covid-19 Picture: Bicanski

now been 3,141 confirmed cases in the borough and the weekly rate is now 260.6 people per 100,000, up from 246.6 on Saturday.

A similar story is told across Berkshire.

Reading has reported 146 new cases, and a rate of 336.3 per 100,000 people.

Bracknell Forest reported 108 cases, and a rate of 319.1 per 100,000 people.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead had 116 cases, and a rate per 100,000 people is lower at 208.

In England, 32,155 cases were reported on Sunday, bringing the total number of people who had had coronavirus in the country to 1,743,893.

The same day, Labour leader Keir need of companionship.

As for those who will be celebrating Christmas with family this year, Ms Walker emphasises how important it is to check in on neighbours and people in the community who will be alone throughout the festive season.

“We’re encouraging neighbours to cook meals for those who find themselves alone this year,” she said.

“So please reach out to your local community, take care of those around you before you consider volunteering wider.”

The Link Visiting Scheme is still accepting referrals for Christmas support and companionship, but has a limited supply of meals this year.

On Sunday morning, on his website, Sir John warned that: “Ministers seem to suggest now that restrictions will be with us until next spring, when the arrival of warmer weather and more natural ultraviolet light might cause recession in the virus, and when many more people will have opted for the vaccine protection.”

Sir John promised: “I will present a case again to find other methods of protecting the vulnerable and keeping more people safe, while allowing the resumption of more business activity. Livelihoods matter as well as lives.” Starmer blasted prime minister Boris Johnson for the way in which he had made the decision to create a new Tier 4 level, calling the decision to cancel the planned Christmas relaxation of rules “heart-breaking”.

“Sadly, the measures the Government announced yesterday are necessary and we support them,” he said.

“But there is no getting away from the fact – and what angers people the most and frustrates me the most is that – yet again – the prime minister waited until the eleventh hour to take this decision.

“It was blatantly obvious last week that the prime minister’s plan for a freefor-all over Christmas was a risk too far. And yet, rather listening to concerns and taking them seriously the prime minister did what he always does: dismissed the challenge, ruffled his hair and made a flippant comment.”

Mr Starmer also said that the prime minister’s claim about the new strain of virus only just coming to light didn’t “stand up to scrutiny”, saying it had been spotted in September and that by not taking action sooner, Mr Johnson had undertaken “an act of gross negligence”.

“The alarms bells have been ringing for weeks, but the prime minister chose to ignore them.

“A virus of this sort demands early action. Decisive action. A clear plan and a clear message. Yet we have had none of that.” � For more information about the restrictions, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/

Friendship charity accepting referrals

tier-4-stay-at-home

Those who have arranged support on Christmas Day should expect it to go ahead as planned, despite Berkshire falling under Tier 4 restrictions.

For more information, and to make a referral call The Link Visiting Scheme on 0118 979 8019 or visit: www.linkvisiting.org/christmas

The charity is also encouraging people to contact The Silver Line, the national telephone befriending service, if they are struggling with loneliness during the festive season on 0800 470 8090.

People can also reach out to the One Front Door scheme on 0300 330 1189

if struggling to get medication or food.

He added: “The scarring to business life in entertainment, travel, leisure, shop retail, commercial property and some personal services is very pronounced. We run the risk of more bankruptcies, more people deciding to pack up their small businesses, and more people deciding working for themselves is simply too difficult with all the regulations.”

Sir John called for isolation hospitals and the NHS’ Nightingale capacity to be used, as well as improved ventilation systems in indoor venues and other methods to “allow more safe business activity to take place”.

NEWS | 7

CORONAVIRUS LATEST Citizens Advice receives week’s worth of calls in day

CITIZENS Advice received more than a week’s worth of calls on Monday, as residents reach out for support in lockdown.

Jake Morrison, the charity’s CEO said calls rose last week, after the borough jumped from Tier 2 to Tier 4 in a matter of days.

“As ever, we’re encouraging people to come to us as early as possible,” he said. “We are open over the next few weeks.

“It’s just about reaching out — you don’t have to put your issues on pause.”

Last year, the charity stayed open for Christmas, supporting residents whose benefit applications were rejected.

Mr Morrison said the charity received roughly 60 more calls last week, than the previous week.

Most residents were looking for help with food and grant applications, followed by debt support, benefits and tax credits, housing and health.

There were 285 clients, who were helped with 491 issues — and Mr Morrison expects calls to rise further into the new year.

“January is always a busy time for us,” he said. “We see a lot of money problems, we always do. It can only be worse this year.”

He said the Christmas debt, combined with redundancy pay drying up could bring more people to the charity in need of support.

“These issues are becoming much more visible,” he added. “The earlier we can help, the better. The whole point of doing what we do is to pull support together from different organisations.”

He said charity volunteers often refer clients to further support, helping to coordinate the available help.

“We really can provide a package of support for people,” he added.

The charity is open on Christmas Eve from 10am until 4pm, and Monday, December 27 until Wednesday, December 30, from 10am until 4pm.

It will reopen on Saturday, January 2, from 9am to 1pm and then resume normal hours from Monday, January 4. How to get help in Wokingham:

To access the ‘One Front Door’ service, call Citizen’s Advice on: 0300 330 1189 Those calling from a mobile phone should enter if prompted: 0118 978 7258

Call to delay reopening of secondary schools

SERIOUS consideration should be given to delaying the return of secondary schools in the new year.

That’s the view of the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Cllr Clive Jones, following the announcement that Berkshire moved into Tier 4 on Sunday, December 20.

As schools closed for the Christmas holidays, it was revealed that only students in years sitting exams would return on January 4 as planned, with other secondary pupils home learning for a week.

This is to allow schools to launch lateral testing of pupils and staff in a bid to cut transmission of the coronavirus.

It is not currently clear who would be responsible for administering the tests.

However, Cllr Jones feels that a different approach is needed.

“Consideration now has to be given to delaying the opening of secondary schools in January –something I suggested the Wokingham Borough Council looked at last week when its leadership briefed the opposition about us moving from Tier 2 to Tier 3,” he said.

And Cllr Jones was scornful of the late announcement of the new Tier 4 restrictions.

“What an absolute shambles,” he said. “I heard Boris Johnson say they were aware of changes to the virus in early November. Why has it taken so long to do something?

“Only last week the prime minister was saying it’s too late to change the Christmas rules, yet he was aware of these latest changes to the virus when he and ministers made this decision.

“Many families will be very upset by these developments and I’m

Cllr Clive Jones

sure that many tears are being shed in the areas that have been put into Tier 4.”

He continued: “We have to do as the scientists say and not meet with other households in our homes.

“Our normal family Christmases in Wokingham have just been cancelled.

“If we follow the advice of the scientists – and it’s a real shame that the government have been so slow to do this throughout the whole Covid-19 crisis – then we have a chance of a more normal Christmas next year.”