Wokingham Today, February 18, 2021

COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS

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THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Thursday, February 18, 2021 No. 301

Tributes paid to Twyford’s champion

70p

LOCKDOWN3.0

TAKEOUTTO HELPOUT CHEF LAUNCHES JERK TAKEAWAY IN LOCKDOWN P8 PAY LATER P4 SCHEMES ALTER SHOPPING HABITS

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

ONE man’s tireless good work to help thousands of people is being remembered in his community.

Gordon Storey, who has died, aged 72, gave huge support to charities, schools, local businesses and many other groups and individuals.

Mr Storey, a Twyford resident for 42 years, was devoted to the village and its surrounding community.

MP Theresa May said: “Gordon was a key figure in Twyford. The village owes a great deal to Gordon who did so much to bring the whole community together and bring new life to Twyford.”

Jo Jo, Mr Storey’s wife of 48 years, spoke with pride about his work.

“Many people have made marvellous comments about what he did. When lockdowns came we couldn’t go out, but he was still organising things in the village from home,” she said.

Villagers’ tributes included: “a true local hero” and “an absolute legend, supported by the wonderful Jo Jo.” Mrs Storey said her husband had mentored young people and helped pupils at The Piggott and Polehampton Schools.

A few years ago he was Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, representing the Queen. � Continued on page 2

Just a visit from your friendly neighbourhood window cleaner Half-term was brightened up thanks to a kind-hearted businessman who wears a Spider-man costume for his rounds • Full story page 9

COUNCIL TAX TO RISE 4.99%

BATH TIME TAKES A STEP FOR JAKE P3 FROMBLACKBOYTO SHINFIELDARMSP13

Vote tonight could see increase from April

‘The alternative is to cut services and that affects the vulnerable’

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today RESIDENTS could see their council tax bills rise by 4.99% if the budget is approved at a special meeting tonight.

Wokingham Borough Council’s rise will be 1.99% – the

maximum permitted without a local referendum – plus a 3% top-up for adult social care.

There will also be rises in parish and town council precepts, an extra £15 a year for police. The fire brigade was due to vote on a £1.35 per year increase after we went to press. � Continued on page 11

LOCKDOWN HABIT HELPS CHARITY P16 ‘GREEN’ HOMES FOR TOUTLEY EAST P7 INDIES TO OPEN IN ELMS FIELD P13

2 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

Golf club plans 19th hole expansion

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

existing greenkeepers’ compound.

Matthew Short, general manager of Sand Martins Golf Club, said: PLANS to develop a Finchampstead “Despite 2020 being a very golf club have been labelled challenging year, the club continues ‘greenwashing’ by a local councillor. to evolve proposals that will ensure Sand Martins Golf Club, on it is on sound financial footing and is Finchampstead Road, is seeking able to continue to invest in the planning permission to improve its long-term future of the club. clubhouse and install new facilities “Our latest proposals represent a on site. change in direction, which is far After submitting an application more respectful of the existing to develop the Club in December environment.”

2019, the owners withdrew after However, Cllr Kerr believes the receiving feedback that their plans club’s plans are not as were “too ambitious”. environmentally-friendly as they Now, Sarah Kerr, Liberal seem.

Democrat councillor for Evendons “They’re meeting environmental ward, has criticised the targets which is fine, but these revised proposal and said targets are quite dated now,” she when it comes to the explained. “The plans aren’t in line environment, “[the owners] could do with local and national climate better”. change targets.”

Sand Martins Golf Club’s latest The planning application planning application proposes proposes turning 10% of the new expanding the existing clubhouse, parking bays into electric vehicle as well as building a new restaurant charging points, but Cllr Kerr said and venue building. every single space should have the It would comprise 39 bedrooms, infrastructure to become a charging new function rooms, a kitchen and a bay too. staff room.

“The government is banning sales Car parking space, including more of new combustion engine cars from than 200 new parking bays, 2030, so it’s just not good enough,” 20 cycling spaces and 10 disabled she said. bays is also included in the plans, The councillor also questioned alongside landscaping and an why solar panels have not been electrical substation. proposed for the roof of the car park, A parallel application has also which could help power the been submitted to relocate the club’s development while generating extra income.

“Some could be sold back to the grid to make some more money,” she said.

“And I also wonder Formerly of Thorp’s Nurseries, Wokingham passed why they’re not using away peacefully aged 94 on 3rd February 2021 modular technology to in Wokingham Hospital. build units off site.

That would reduce the He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. number of construction vehicles, Donations are gratefully received for Marie Curie. which would be better Please send cheques to: for local residents in Brian Bentley Funeral Directors, 27 Greenwood terms of air and Road, Crowthorne, RG45 6QX noise pollution,” she added.

Cllr Kerr has since written to the owners of Sand Martins Golf Club to highlight her concerns but said that in principle, she is in support of the application.

“It’s ensuring the survival of a local business at a time when the economy has been hit so hard,” she said.

“It’s also much more in keeping with its surroundings compared to the original application.”

The public consultation is ongoing until Tuesday, February 23.

The planning application number is 210179 and can be found at www. wokingham.gov.uk/ planning

FAMILY NOTICES THORP JOHN

NETWORKER: Gordon Storey with former Prime Minister Theresa

Village pays � Continued from front page

Mr and Mrs Storey met at a New Year’s Eve party for his fellow cricket team members.

“That was it,” she said. “I knew, very much, that I had met the right person.”

Their children are David living in Caversham and Tilly living in Marlow. They both have two children each.

Mr Storey worked at Mars in Slough, becoming senior scientist in Europe, said Mrs Storey.

During that time, he helped many Slough charities, as well as supporting Twyford’s many good causes.

Gordon Holmes, Twyford and District Age Concern’s day centre former manager, said: “Gordon was the main driver behind Twyford Charities Together and helped raise money for local charities: Age Concern, Camp Mohawk, Building for the Future and Daisy's Dream as well as Piggott Senior School.”

He added: “He did a lot directly for Age Concern, he was the driving force behind fundraising to build the day centre conservatory.

And he organised volunteers to provide all the ingredients for Christmas lunches at the day centre for an entire week.”

Mr Storey was also a driving force in getting the Business Forum started as part of Twyford

Family treasure TWO new cycling trails for families have been organised by MyJourney Wokingham for halfterm.

Sponsored by Asda, they aim to boost activity levels while helping people stay covidsafe.

The first route runs from the Pinewood Centre to Wokingham Wokingham and includes a fivemile circular route treasure trail.

The second trail runs from the FBC Centre in Finchampstead through to the Arborfield.

Across both routes, posters detailing the clues to four different modes of sustainable transport have been hidden on the route and these can be scanned by a mobile phone QR code.

Thursday, February 18, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Jake steps up to bath time

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A SIX-YEAR-OLD with a rare genetic condition has taken a step thanks to some bespoke engineering.

May at a Twyford event in 2016. The community champion died last week Picture: Gareth Jones

tribute to Gordon Village Partnership, now known as Twyford Together.

He organised many community events, many now annual fixtures, such as Twyford in Bloom and the Fun Run. He never accepted ‘no’ for an answer when asking for help with a project.

“In short, we all, as a community of Twyford, Ruscombe and the environs, owe a debt of gratitude to him for all he achieved in bringing us all closer together,” added Mr Holmes.

Mr Storey helped the Snooker Club refurbishment fundraising.

Twyford Health and Wellbeing Group ensured care was provided for elderly people and those living with dementia.

He had defibrillators installed in the area.

He worked with a local philanthropist to provide wheelchairs, and also organised photo competitions and an advent calendar showing village events. He

was a strong presence at the annual Donkey Derby.

“His network with influential people like Theresa May and others was amazing,” added Mr Holmes.

He said Mr Storey had died, unexpectedly, on February 9.

Twyford Parish Council chairman Roy Mantel said: “His driving force was to do the best for Twyford.

“He tirelessly promoted and supported a vast variety of events including the Christmas Fair.

“He was Master of Ceremonies at the lighting-up of the Christmas illuminations, where he always managed to find a celebrity to switch on the Christmas tree lights.”

Wokingham Borough councillor for Twyford Lindsay Ferris said: “Gordon had that ability to talk to people and persuade them which meant good things happened which otherwise might not have done or they might have come along later.

His enthusiasm was the catalyst. He was extremely friendly and open.”

trail fun on your bike And running until the end of the month, there is a bike wordsearch at Croft Gardens Play Area in Fullbrook Avenue, Spencers Wood.

Participants should download a map and the puzzle before

heading out to find the answers.

With all contests there are prizes for correct entries. � For more details, log on to myjourneywokingham.com and click on events.

Jake Green from Wokingham has RERE Syndrome, and joins less than 30 people in the world with the diagnosis.

The syndrome affects his muscles, so he can crawl but not yet walk — which has made it a challenge to use the bath.

Weighing 30kg and wearing age 10 clothes, Mum Rachel and Dad Jed were struggling to help him into the water.

“Jake cannot get in or out of the bath himself,” Rachel Green said, “but he is too mobile to qualify for a hoist.

“It was fine when he was smaller, but as he grew it became so difficult for us to lift him over the bath-side.”

To help solve the problem, Phil Cartwright, a volunteer engineer from Barkham designed and built a set of specially-padded bathroom steps.

This has made a real difference, his Mum said.

Jake’s condition was identified after three years with the 1,000genome research project, designed to catalogue human genetic variations and support future medical research.

The RERE gene provides instructions for making a protein critical for normal development before birth — and disruption of this can lead to neuro-developmental delays and other problems.

“We were so pleased when we finally discovered he had RERE because it meant he was likely to continue to develop rather than going downhill,” Ms Green said.

“He didn’t sit up until he was two, and is autistic, but we see such progress in him.”

Jake lives with his parents and little sister Sophie, 2.

“He is about two-years-old

SPLISH SPLASH: Jake Green is using specially made steps for bathtime fun

mentally, so he and S o p h i e really seem to connect and get on well,” his Mum added.

Mr Cartwright, who built the steps, volunteers with Remap Berkshire, a charity that creates free, custom-made disability equipment unavailable to buy.

He said he inherited an enthusiasm for practical projects from his father.

“Dad had a good busy garage and I helped him make all sorts of things,” Mr Cartwright said.

“My own speciality has been furniture — in recent years I have made a bureau and several coffee tables.”

He joined the Remap Berkshire panel in 2019, with 25 like-minded volunteers who use their skills to create custom equipment for people across the county.

Panel members have a wide variety of expertise between them, including electronics, metalwork, carpentry and 3D-printing.

The engineers often work alongside health professionals

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including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, doctors or Special Educational Needs staff to ensure the equipment safely individual needs.

Engineers have previously created a longreach window opener, a device for getting tablets out of a blister pack, a modification of motorised wheelchair controls for someone with limited hand and arm movement, and a special foot-rest to encourage autistic children to place their heels flat on the floor.

Many of the materials used are recycled, but some have to be bought using funds from charitable foundations, Rotary Clubs and community groups.

Although no charge is made to users, many are so pleased with the service that they choose to make a donation to facilitate projects for others.

Remap Berkshire is one of 70 county MakeAbility groups in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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Tributes to school head TRIBUTES HAVE been made to the headteacher of Foundry College, who died last month.

Jay Blundell first worked in Wokingham borough at Bulmershe School from 2000, before acting as interim virtual head for Looked After Children.

She joined Foundry College, initially as interim headteacher in 2016, and later as headteacher.

In a statement from the school, Ms Blundell was described as a “truly amazing and marvellous role model”.

It said: “The passing away of Jay is an inconsolable loss to the educational world. Jay commanded the respect and admiration of all her colleagues in headship for her passionate commitment to real education, not just examination grades.

“Her ethos for the value of education, intellectual curiosity and individuality inspired many students' lives by fostering confidence and self-belief.”

The school said Ms Blundell changed many lives, by giving students hope and opportunities when they thought they had none.

The tribute said: “Jay invariably made a big impression on all who met her. She was imbued with striking flair, energy and vigour and committed herself passionately to create a positive culture of excellence.

“She had high expectations of her students which enabled them to develop their personal confidence

and self-esteem and meet their full potential.

“Her leadership style was strong and tenacious yet persuasive, and she invariably possessed the art of carrying people with her.

“Looking back, it is striking how much Foundry College evolved during Jay’s leadership and all along her commitment to learn, inspire and improve never wavered.”

The school said Ms Blundell was always proud, dignified and poised,and touched the lives of students, parents and colleagues with kindness and care.

“She has been hugely influential in the development of staff and students,” the tribute said.

“She was an inspirational and remarkable woman and was a shining example of a great leader.

“She emanated wisdom and support for her students and staff alike. Jay was a powerful, principled woman who exhibited true leadership on behalf of others.”

Foundry College’s website has a link to a book of condolences available to anyone who wishes to add any messages of support and sympathy.

The school said it’s thoughts are with Ms Blundell’s family members and everyone touched by her work.

In the coming weeks there will be an opportunity to celebrate and mark her life appropriately.

The funeral will take place today.

For more details, log on to www.tomalins.co.uk

Barrier works

closures of Reading Road, with a diversion via Station Road (A321), Barkham Road (B3349), Bearwood Road and King Street Lane (B3030), for the duration of the works.

Overnight work will happen between 8pm and 6am Monday to Thursday when traffic flows are at their lowest.

All work is weather dependent and subject to logistical constraints — which Highways England said may delay the planned work and timeframes.

For more, email M4J3to12smart motorways@highwaysengland.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000

A NOISE BARRIER will be installed along the M4 next week, as the smart motorway progresses.

Highways England will be constructing the barrier on Reading Road bridge, where the M4 passes over it between Monday, February 22 and Saturday, February 27.

For safety reasons the work cannot take place during the daytime with traffic running underneath therefore — so will happen at night.

To allow for the work to take place safely there will be overnight

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

Changing shopping habits leads to debt struggles EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today MORE PEOPLE in the borough are struggling with debt than last year, partly due to a change in shopping habits.

In January, Citizens Advice Wokingham helped 77% more people with debt concerns than the year before.

The rise is partially attributed to the cost of Christmas, after 10 months in the pandemic.

In December, Jake Morrison, chief executive of Citizens Advice Wokingham said he expected debt concerns to be high in the new year.

He told Wokingham.Today the cost of celebrations and increased gap between pay-days meant many families would struggle.

Over the last month, data collected by the charity shows the biggest concern was council debt arrears, followed by credit, store and charge card debts.

Just under 100 residents called the charity looking for help with 284 debtrelated problems.

During that time, Citizens Advice secured £42,576 of debts written off for clients.

Claire Oughton, advice and operations manager at Citizens Advice Wokingham, said many residents were seeking help after spending on credit when cash was tight.

This, she said, was creating a spiral of high interest rates for outstanding payments.

“Unfortunately we see that many are persuaded to go this route due to the attractiveness of having new items without having to find the cash for it,” she said.

It follows the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Woolard Review, published this month which confirmed there would be tighter regulation for buy now, pay later schemes, such as Klarna or Clearpay.

These services are used by millions of shoppers across the country to split payments – but unlike credit or store

cards, there is no interest until an agreed date.

Yet the FCA warned this could still lead to the build-up of debts, as one in 10 shoppers already had debt elsewhere.

Ms Oughton said that the charity has not seen many issues with buy now, pay later schemes yet, but said this could be due to their new presence on the financial scene.

She added: “That said, we have had some clients who have been using Klarna and one client we have completed a bankruptcy for which included a debt to Splitit – another buy now pay later organisation.”

The Woolard Review warned that rising unemployment and pressure on earnings from the pandemic would increase demand for credit and creditlike services.

It said buy now, pay later products are often seen by consumers with a poor credit history as a viable alternative to more traditional forms of regulated lending.

It is also about image and lifestyle, the report warned.

According to the review, 90% of purchases on buy now, pay later schemes are for fashion and shoes. It said adverts for payment-delaying schemes often focused on aspiration, tapping into consumer desire to live a certain “lifestyle”.

The report also found that some shoppers were using multiple buy now, pay later schemes.

One user said: “If I’m at my limit with Klarna, I’ll look and see if the shop offers another type.”

Although currently unregulated, research showed many customers assumed the service was overseen by the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The assumption of regulation is another key reason to do so, the FCA said.

It is hoped this would protect more customers in the future.

For advice or help managing debt, contact Citizens Advice Wokingham by calling 0300 330 1189

Bus support for charity A bus operator has been working hard to get people talking about mental health.

Reading Buses has been busy raising money for its Charity of the Year, Sport in Mind, despite cancelling major fundraisers due to Covid-19.

So far, it has raised more than £2,000.

Caroline Anscombe, Reading Buses HR director, said: “We are proud to be supporting Sport in Mind, a mental health charity, and their work is more important than ever.

“2020 was a hard year for everyone, with Covid-19 affecting normal life for most of that time, and charities have not been immune from the difficulties.”

She said despite suspending many of its normal activities, Reading Buses has not been idle.

“In the past two months, we have had our annual Christmas raffle which raised a stunning £827 for Sport in Mind,” Ms Anscombe Added.

“Various other Christmas activities included Santa driving our buses, Christmas Jumper Days and wearing accessories which raised over £500.”

Reading Buses is currently selling face coverings and hand sanitiser in aid of Sport in Mind, and has raised more than £350 in sales.

Neil Harris, founder of Sport in Mind, added: “It’s been a challenging year for all of us.

“At a time when so many people are struggling with their mental health, our charity’s work has never been more important so it’s brilliant to see so many people supporting us.”

Thursday, February 18, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Uni to study effect of covid on farmers’ mental health

By MARIE WILLIAMS news@wokingham.today FARMERS’ mental health and resilience in the pandemic is being studied in a major new project led by the University of Reading.

It has received £190,000 in funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), as part of UK Research and Innovation’s rapid response to Covid.

A team from the University of Reading, Exeter University, and the University of Sheffield will be looking at the experiences of farmers, and exploring how Defra and other bodies can better support farmers and rural communities in times of crisis.

Dr David Rose, Elizabeth Creak Associate Professor of agricultural innovation and extension at the University of Reading will be leading the project.

Dr Rose said: “We already know that farmers’ mental health and wellbeing is a major challenge. Working long hours in a stressful job and often in isolation, and four-in-five agricultural workers recognise that poor mental health is a major issue facing the sector.

“The global pandemic has clearly had a major impact on mental health and wellbeing for many in society, and thanks to the funding from UKRI we can really unpick the extent of that impact for farmers and rural communities more widely. We know that key sources of support for rural communities – friends in the pub, agricultural shows, on-farm demonstrations – have been unavailable for many during the pandemic.”

He said the project will work with key charities and organisations to understand how to better protect the agricultural community in future crises.

Research from The Farm Safety Foundation suggests that many farmers struggle with poor mental health.

A recent survey conducted by the organisation found that more than 80% of farmers under the age of 40 believe poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem that they and their peers are facing today.

How to get covid help in Wokingham borough:

CORONAVIRUS LATEST

Numbers coming down

WOKINGHAM’S coronavirus rate per 100,000 has dropped once again, as the number of new cases slowly declines.

The latest figures as we went to press showed that the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents is 77.1, down from 140.3 last week.

The local case rate has remained below 200 cases per every 100,000 throughout February so far.

There were 14 positive tests recorded on Wednesday, February 17, bringing the total number of infections to 7,696.

The figures are higher in neighbouring Reading borough, which has an infection rate of 121.8 per 100,000. However, this was down from 252.2 last week.

On Wednesday, Reading reported 21 positive cases.

Bracknell Forest has also seen its rate per 100,000 reduce. It is now 102.8, down from 234.2 last week.

On Wednesday there were 27 new cases.

Windsor and Maidenhead had 16 cases reported that day, and its rate

per 100,000 is now 90.5, down from 156.5 last week.

West Berkshire recorded 25 positive cases, and its infection rate is 104.1, down from 172.3 last week.

Slough remains the highest in Berkshire, with its rate per 100,000 at 215.3. However this is down from last weeks’ 346.4.

It also recorded 49 Covid cases on Wednesday.

Nationally, the UK reported 12,718 positive tests on Wednesday. The rate of infection per 100,000 has dropped below 200 at 136.5, down from 199.4 last week.

Sadly, 738 people died on Wednesday, within 28 days of a positive covid test. This is 4,082 over the last seven days.

In Wokingham, there was one covid-related death on Wednesday, and there have been six deaths in the past seven days.

By Monday, more than 15.9 million people in the UK received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccines.

And there are 558,577 people who have received their second dose.

Parish’s video of thanks HEALTH FARM: New research will explore farmers’ mental health Picture: anned from Pixabay

Professor Matt Lobley, director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter said the project will complement current work, by looking into the range of organisations helping farmers He added: “It is often overlooked that farmers are key workers. Understanding to help them become more resilient is important at any time and even more so during the pandemic” Dr Ruth Little, lecturer in Human Geography at the University of Sheffield said: “Brexit uncertainties coupled with Covid isolation make it all the more important to understand how farming and rural organisations are helping to support individuals in responding to these shocks and transitions.”

In October 2020, The Farming

To access the ‘One Front Door’ service, call Citizen’s Advice on 0300 330 1189

Community Network, a national charity which supports farmers and farming families in England and Wales, noted nearly half of the calls to its helpline from June 2020 onwards related to mental health due to stress caused by Brexit, Covid-19, financial concerns and other issues.

Dr Jude McCann, CEO of The Farming Community Network, said: “For some within the farming community, the Covid-19 pandemic has heightened feelings of stress, anxiety and other forms of mental ill-health.

“The cancellation of many events in the farming calendar, as well as limitations on being able to travel and visit others, can exacerbate feelings of isolation and loneliness, and accessing face-to-face support has been made more challenging.”

Those calling from a mobile phone should enter if prompted: 0118 978 7258

Witness appeal after robbery THAMES Valley Police is appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed in Finchampstead last week.

On the evening of Wednesday, February 10, the victim was walking down Evendons Lane towards Finchampstead, when a man walking in the opposite direction stopped in front of him.

The offender, who was wearing a balaclava and dark puffer-jacket, hit the victim’s hand and took

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his jacket which contained his headphones.

According to Thames Valley Police, he then made a comment to the victim before possibly getting into a vehicle which drove off towards Wokingham.

The victim’s thumb was injured, but he did not need hospital treatment.

The offender is thought to be a white man in his 30s.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has dash-cam footage from Evendons Lane at

around 8.45pm on Wednesday,” said investigating officer detective constable Rebecca Clough.

Anybody with information that could help the investigation should contact Thames Valley Police online: www.thamesvalley.police.uk.

Alternatively, call 101 with reference number 43210057856.

Witnesses can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online: crimestoppers-uk.org

TWYFORD Parish Council has gone above and beyond to give thanks to local key workers.

Councillors have banded together to express their gratitude for everybody who has supported the village community throughout the pandemic so far, and have done so in video form.

A short film, shared on Twitter, sees each parish councillor say thank you to Twyford’s key workers.

John Bowley, vice chairman of Twyford Parish Council, said: “I want to say thank you to all those people of Twyford who are helping out during these difficult times.

“It’s people like you that make Twyford a fantastic place to live.”

A spokesperson for the Parish Council said the video was inspired by a conversation.

“They said that the NHS was ‘in need of a bit of a boost’ so we set about an idea to try and boost the

morale of those that have been helping us,” they said.

The short film has been created as part of the Twyforward initiative, an archive of residents’ lockdown memories.

The Parish Council has been inviting residents to submit their own memories since June last year.

Roy Mantel, chairman of Twyford Parish Council, added: “Members of the Parish Council wanted to express their thanks to NHS staff and key workers.

“They recorded their heartfelt gratitude and hope it will show that local communities like Twyford feel strongly about the wonderful work done by them.” � For more details, visit www. twyfordparishcouncil.gov.uk � To watch the video, visit: www.twyfordparishcouncil.gov.uk/ thank-you-message-from-twyfordparish-councillors

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Arborfield school consults on sixth form expansion plan EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today BOHUNT Education Trust is consulting on its proposal to build a sixth form at its Arborfield school.

In a statement, the trust said the school is “heavily oversubscribed” with most students living within two miles from the site.

It said the school always “intended to include sixth form provision as soon as viable to do so”, and said a “considerable majority of students” want to stay on for sixth form.

The trust said it intends to deliver the original commitment to post-16 education from this September.

This would serve students from Bohunt and consider applications from Oakbank School – the only other 11-16 education resource in the borough.

After three years, the trust hopes to open applications wider.

The trust added: “Bohunt School is in an area of extensive housing development and it is recognised that additional sixth form places will be required in south Wokingham and across Wokingham as a whole.

“The notion of equality of local access to 11–18 education provision is most important and one that has underpinned other similar developments in the area.

“Inevitably, this development will require capital investment to provide additional classroom facilities on the existing school site.

“Various options, subject to specification and professional advice, are being considered, including the siting of modular buildings.”

The trust said discussions have also been taking place

with Wokingham Borough Council about immediate and long-term financial investments in the project.

However, executive member for children’s services, Cllr UllaKarin Clark said that while the council had an interest in the issue, ultimately it was up to the regional schools commissioner to decide, and the borough had sufficient capacity for sixth form education.

She added that the council has originally envisaged that Bohunt would have a sixth form and up to 1,200 pupils. An extension could be added to meet additional demand, up to 1,500 pupils, in the future.

But, Bohunt increased the numbers for years 7 to 11 so it was 1,200 pupils, meaning that it couldn’t have a sixth form cohort.

“The Council has allocated a limited capital budget to enable sixth form expansion, if this is judged necessary, after consultation with all stakeholders,” Cllr Clark said.

“We have looked at capacity for post-16 places and found that we have enough places within the borough to meet the needs of post 16 learning through to 2024/25. Moreover, expansion of Bohunt School for 2021 would require both temporary and permanent

accommodation and the Council’s resources could not accommodate this.

“Taking these matters into account, we are not able to build or provide funding for an increase to the existing premises at Bohunt School to support the Trust’s proposal.”

She continued: “Although we recognise this is not what the parents of Bohunt pupils would wish to hear, as a council we have a responsibility to look at the overall impact of our funding decisions in terms of value to all residents, including taking account of any impact on other schools providing post-16 learning within the borough.

“We will continue to review this decision. I am confident that wherever the school’s current Year 11 pupils continue their post 16 education, they will continue to thrive.”

The trust said after the consultation, it would submit a full full business case to the Regional Schools Commissioner, who acts on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education, who will make the decision about whether to expand or not.

The consultation period ends on Sunday, February 28. � Residents can support or object to the proposal by emailing: sixthform@ bohuntwokingham.com.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

Virtual talks on this and that A SERIES of talks looking at life, the universe and everything will be run virtually thanks to the University of Reading’s Chaplaincy.

On Tuesday, February 23, there will be an hour-long session with Tom Holland.

He will be speaking at the annual chaplaincy lecture, telling Mark Laynesmith about The Sunday Times History Book of The Year, Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind. It explores the deep Christian roots in the Western world’s thinking about science, secularism, gay rights and even atheism.

The event runs on Teams, from 7pm.

And on Monday, March 15, between 7.30pm and 9pm, its Café Théologique session features Dr Carys Walsh talking about the poetry and theology of R S Thomas.

She is the author of Frequencies of God and will be introducing the work of the Welsh poet and mystic. Nominated for the Nobel Prize for literature, Thomas has been described as “one of the major English language and European poets of the 20th century”.

This event runs on Zoom and Facebook. � For more details, or to book, log on to www.reading.ac.uk and search for Upcoming Events.

Alternatively, search Facebook for Reading.

Café.Théologique

Food businesses must register ENTREPRENEURS who have started a food business in lockdown are being urged to sort their documentation.

The Public Protection Partnership, which oversees Wokingham, Bracknell Forest and West Berkshire borough said in a social media post: “If you’ve started a new food business in lockdown and are selling to the public, even if you are operating from home, you need to register as a food business.”

Residents with a food company must be registered at least 28 days before trading or before the food operations start.

Anyone that has already started trading must register as soon as possible.

The process is free and companies cannot be refused.

Companies involved in food distribution that may operate from an office must also register.

This includes websites that arrange food deliveries.

Business owners can register online or download an application form to print, complete and return. � For more information, visit: publicprotectionpartnership.org.uk/environmentalhealth/food-safety/registration-of-a-food-businessestablishment

Extra time call for bid to save gaol THE CAMPAIGN to turn Reading Gaol into an arts centre could go into extra time if a request for an extension is approved.

Last week, Reading East MP Matt Rodda wrote to the secretary of state for justice to ask for more time for Reading Borough Council to put together its bid, and prevent the site from being put up for sale again.

At the moment, it has to be submitted by Wednesday, March 15.

The site, which is thought to have links to Henry I, as well as being famous for hosting Oscar Wilde, had been bought by a developer who pulled out.

This opened the way for the council to put together its proposal,

which would celebrate its heritage as well as the arts.

The plan has celebrity backing and Mr Rodda has been working with local groups to try and get the bid over the line.

In his letter, sent to Robert Buckland, he wrote: “A significant amount of work is underway to develop a bid, however it is clear that this will take longer to complete than the initial period of three months offered by the Ministry of Justice last year.”

He said that additional time would help create the business plan and add further details about how arts, heritage and community organisations could help.

“A community bid for the gaol has the potential to save a unique historic building, which is of national and international importance because of its links to Oscar Wilde and as the burial place of King Henry I, in the ruins of Reading Abbey which sit under the gaol,” he added.

On Friday, Reading Borough Council organised a summit bringing together representatives from local arts, culture, heritage, business and LGBTQ+ communities, and politicians.

Cllr Tony Page, Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Strategic Environment, Planning and Transport, said: “There remains tremendous enthusiasm across all

sectors of our community to bring the empty Reading Goal site back to life by creating an arts, heritage and cultural hub of both local and national significance, sitting as it does within our historic Abbey Quarter.

“Our ambition is very clear, but we know that the development of the Reading Gaol site comes with parameters, both in terms of planning constraints designed to protect its historical, archaeological and cultural value, and of course serious financial constraints, in terms of developing a robust business case with external funding streams.

“This is not something the Council can deliver on its own.”

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100 eco-friendly homes and care centre planned for Toutley East

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM Borough Council has revealed plans for a future ecofriendly development, but a Labour councillor is worried it will negatively impact “valued greenspace”.

The council recently outlined its proposal for more than 100 houses and a care home in Toutley East.

The site, which sits between Toutley depot and the new Matthewsgreen Primary School, has been earmarked for development for more than a decade.

Office buildings were planned for the site but last year, the borough council revised the development.

Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development, said this is because although the government is no longer doubling the borough’s housing allocation, residential developments are needed in Wokingham.

“We need to build around 6,500 new homes across the borough by 2036,” he explained.

“Well-located sites like this are critically important in meeting our priorities to deliver the right homes in the right places, especially so since the Ministry of Defence has objected to the plans for a new

garden town at Grazeley.”

The Toutley East masterplan includes 120 new homes and a 70bed specialist care dementia home.

It also proposes a noise buffer and tree planting in a bid to dampen the sound of the A329m, to promote natural drainage, and to create an open space for residents.

“While there are some constraints, such as the proximity to the A329m, these are things that can be taken into account and addressed through the design process to create a great place to live,” Cllr Munro said.

“It is within easy walking distance of the new Matthewsgreen school [and] community centre along with the proposed new public transport routes.”

Wokingham Borough Council hopes that, if approved, this can become a “green development” by installing solar panels, heat pumps, and using efficient materials.

Rachel Burgess, Labour councillor for neighbouring Norreys ward, said despite the proposal’s “green credentials” she remains concerned about the plans.

“However much the development’s green credentials are touted by the Conservatives, residents’ concerns about increased traffic, pressure on amenities and infrastructure, and loss of precious wildlife and green

space will remain,” she said.

“The Emm Brook runs right along the southern boundary and, as with other developments in this area, residents have concerns about flood risk.”

The councillor is also upset about the location of the proposal.

“Residents will be dismayed but not surprised to see yet another housing development squeezed into this area,” she added. “[It] runs right alongside the motorway which means significant traffic noise and concerns about air quality for new residents, casting serious doubts over whether this really will be ‘a great place to live’.”

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, leader of Wokingham Town Council, said she welcomes the affordable housing but also has concerns about the site itself.

“My immediate concern was the proposed single exit on to Twyford Road [as] this will be a blind exit,” she said.

“I think many [town councillors] felt with the number of houses being built, that this junction would become quite a bottleneck for traffic.”

Cllr Shepherd-DuBey is now urging the council to plan a second exit from the estate.

She has also questioned how

much of the development will comprise social housing, and wants reassurance that the homes will be environmentally-friendly.

“There is currently no nearby public transport to the estate,” she added. “Along with that, I have some concerns about the numbers of parking spaces.

“Many of our local estates have cars parked in odd places and on the pavements because there just aren’t enough places to park.

“The minimum standards may be okay for ‘in town’ developments, but that is not what this estate will be.”

The council intends to submit a planning application for the site in the spring, to seek approval for the number of new homes, the scale and general layout.

It is currently asking for feedback on the proposed plans.

“We will be using this feedback, along with any comments made in last year’s consultation about residential development on this site, to help shape the outline planning application as well as any longer-term detailed design process should these be approved,” Cllr Munro said.

For more details on the proposals, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk To submit feedback, contact commercialproperty@wokingham. gov.uk by Friday, March 5.

Recycling mix-up, again EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today A RESIDENT has caught council contractors mixing his carefully separated recycling and rubbish – for the fourth time.

Last week, Colin George recorded a team from Wokingham Borough Council contractors Veolia placing the contents of his black box into the same bin as his blue bag.

“I’m lost for words,” he said after he had just returned from a visiting the Larges Lane recycling centre in Bracknell, where he had to sort his own waste before placing it in the correct holding area.

“I’m doing something far more complicated than a blue bag, a black bin and a kitchen bin.”

He said that after complaining to the council after last week’s botched collection, his waste was perfectly handled this week.

“They even put the bins back down on the pavement and stack them inside one another, rather than throwing them across my neighbour’s front lawn.

“Understandably, the guys want to get the round done as fast as possible.”

Mr George said that living at the end of a cul-de-sac, he could

see how tempting it would be for the collection crew to take his recycling and “chuck it all in with the rest of it”.

He called for the refuse carts to be fitted with better cameras so that other incidents could be picked up by council staff making spot checks.

“This is the second time that I’ve videoed them, but the fourth time I’ve reported them. I work on people’s houses and I’m quite often up on somebody’s roof. I’ve got quite an aerial view of what’s going on around the home I’m working on and I see them quite often chucking blue bags in with recycling.”

But the council said that it takes its commitment to recycling seriously in light of declaring a climate emergency in 2019, and the incident was dealt with swiftly to avoid it happening again.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive

member for environment and leisure, said: “Increasing recycling rates across the borough is an important part of reducing our carbon footprint.

“We have been working hard, along with our partners at Veolia, on this, as our introduction of food waste recycling two years ago shows.

We have looked into this complaint, as we do take our recycling commitment seriously.

“This incident is due to a new member of staff and action was taken as soon as we received the report. Our partners at Veolia are committed to the environment and train all their operatives to take the material to the back of the vehicle where they are separated and then taken off for further processing.

All of their vehicles have CCTV to monitor consistent and correct procedures and allow us to investigate all complaints.

“I urge all residents to let us know if they see this happening.

“It’s easy to spot, as recycling should go in one side of the vehicle and blue bags in the other side with food going in the front compartment.

“If you see them mixed, report it to us with the date and time, so we can check the CCTV footage from the vehicle. We will always investigate and take action right away.”

Treesy does it THIRTY trees have been planted to commemorate three decades of work – and one is in Charvil.

The village’s tree wardens were gifted a diseaseresistant elm tree by The Tree Council to celebrate the national Tree Warden Scheme’s 30th birthday. They were given to wardens across the country.

Tree wardens Sarah Swatridge and Claire Andersen planted the new tree, which now represents the wardens’ coming of age and the group’s relationship with the Parish Council.

“We are thrilled to have been selected [by The Tree Council] and hope the community comes to value this tree for years to come,” Ms Swatridge said.

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

TAKE OUT TO HELP OUT

Lockdown is the spice of life for new businesses

LOCKDOWN 3.0

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today THIS WEEK, Wokingham.

Today has been learning all about launching a lockdown business.

Local takeaways Jerk From Home and Spesh-Tails have both welcomed our Take Out To Help Out campaign, and hope they can count on the borough’s continued support.

Wokingham residents Lavelle Bedward-Ona and Humzell Butt launched Jerk From Home just a few weeks ago, in a bid to “bring some spice” to the town.

The takeaway service delivers the taste of the Caribbean to people’s front doorsteps, in the form of Jamaican mac and cheese, jerk chicken and curried goat.

“We wanted to share a bit of Caribbean culture, Lavelle’s amazing cooking skills, and the flavours that are in her food with Wokingham,” Mr Butt explained. “There was no Caribbean takeaway in the town, so it was a gap in the market.

“Also, people are working from home, so why not Jerk From Home?”

Despite launching in the middle of lockdown, Ms Bedward-Ona and Mr Butt said their takeaway service has received an incredible response so far.

“We’ve taken things very cautiously, but we’ve had surprisingly positive feedback,” they said. “We’ve found that Wokingham has been really supportive.”

NEW: Jerk At Home and Spesh-Tails have launched during covid

Now, the duo are counting on the continued support of Wokingham’s residents to make their lockdown dream a permanent reality.

“I’ve been furloughed twice now, and Humzell has been furloughed once already, so takeaway orders are vital income for us,” Ms Bedward-Ona explained.

“Buying local helps us and helps the community, and most of the money we get is put back into the business to make it better for people.”

James Harris, founder of cocktail delivery service Spesh-Tails, also launched during lockdown after finding himself without any work last year.

“My background is in running bars, and then I started to run big events but they were all cancelled when covid hit,” he said. “I had all this stock left over and nothing to do with it, so I started making cocktails to deliver to people’s homes.”

He said business is very dependent on the time of year, so he solely relies on the support of the local community to keep going.

“Because I don’t have any actual work, this is my only income at the moment,” Mr Harris explained. “Not only does it help me, but it’s also nice to be part of a community where we help each other.”

Much like the owners of Jerk From Home, he is also hoping people will continue to order takeaway cocktails as lockdown continues.

“When people do place an order, it makes a massive, massive difference,” he said. “I appreciate every single order that has been taken, and it all really helps.”

Spesh-Tails and Jerk From Home also share a very similar philosophy of giving back whenever they can.

At Spesh-Tails, Mr Harris has been going above and beyond to pay people’s

kindness forward, sharing flyers for other local takeaways with his deliveries.

“It’s nice to support each other,” he said. “I’ve been working with Leona’s Bespoke Catering and Roast Wokingham, and we swap flyers.

“I don’t ask for anything from that because I just want to help promote local businesses, and if they want to do the same with my flyers that’s brilliant.”

And Ms Bedward-Ona and Mr Butt hope to start giving back to the community when Jerk From Home scales up too.

“With all the support we’ve received from people, who we don’t even know, ordering our food we’d love to be able to give that back,” Ms BedwardOna said.

Mr Butt added: “At the moment, when we have repeat orders, we try and throw something in for free without telling them because it’s so important to support those who support you.

“We will try and give back as much as we can.”

Spesh-Tails offers free delivery to all Berkshire customers, and delivers between 10am and 8pm daily.

Orders can be placed on Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp. To order delivery or collection from Jerk From Home, contact the business on Facebook or Instagram.

Toddler inspires fundraising curry A WOKINGHAM takeaway has gone above and beyond to help a toddler.

Sultan Balti Palace, on Market Place, recently launched a brand new dish in a bid to raise much-needed funds for a family fundraiser.

Two weeks ago, Wokingham.Today reported on Paul and Nathalie Gosling, who are hoping to raise £60,000 to pay for vital surgery for their two-year-old son.

Dawson has a rare form of cerebral palsy which affects his legs, and the family are fundraising to pay for an operation and aftercare which will allow him to walk on his own.

After reading our story, Raja Majid, owner of Sultan

Balti Palace, pledged to donate £1 from every takeaway sold this month to the Gosling family fundraiser.

Now, he has cranked it up a notch and dedicated an entire dish to Dawson.

The restaurant’s newlyappointed chef, Kuldeep Singh, is behind the new Dawson Dish, a chicken biryani.

The meal in one comes with both chicken and rice, served in a terracotta dish that customers can keep afterwards.

Mr Majid said a biryani was the perfect choice for the new initiative. “[It] is often the focal point of family events in South Asia, and we are encouraging the entire Wokingham family

to get behind Dawson’s fundraising efforts,” he said.

Mr Majid hopes Sultan Balti Palace can deliver a dish directly to Dawson and his family soon.

Mrs Gosling said she is blown away by the takeaway’s gesture of goodwill.

“I would like to extend a huge thank you for all the support that Sultan Balti is giving Dawson and our family,” she said.

“The dish they are providing sounds incredible and we can’t wait to try it.

“The community is really coming together for Dawson and Majid is at the front of

this. What an inspiration and kind man.”

The Dawson Dish will cost £8,50, and Sultan Balti Palace will donate that amount to the appeal with every order.

So far, the Gosling family has raised £6,000 for Dawson’s surgery.

To find out more about Dawson’s fundraiser, visit: www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/dawson-goslingsdr-fundraising The dish is currently only available via telephone order.

Customers can call the restaurant on 0118 977 4397.

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Spidey washes away the cobwebs A FAMILIAR face has been spotted on the streets of Shinfield, bringing joy to children in the borough and beyond.

Chris Smalley-Ward, owner of CSW Window Cleaning, has donned a new uniform in a bid to brighten up his customers’ lockdown.

For the past three weeks, he has been heading out on jobs dressed as Spider-Man. “I’m a massive Marvel fan,” Mr SmalleyWard said. “Four or five years ago, my sisterin-law asked me if I would dress up as him for my niece’s fifth birthday party and that was the last time the costume came out.

“My wife then suggested I dress up when cleaning people’s windows and the idea just blew up.”

The cleaner said while some children take a bit of time to warm up to him, seeing SpiderMan definitely cheers them up.

“I thought dressing up could give homeschoolers a bit of a break,” he continued.

“I think a lot of parents just want their kids to have a bit of excitement.”

And it seems the costume doesn’t just entertain the youngsters.

“I think some parents enjoy it as much as their children do because they get to go away for half-an-hour and have a coffee and a sit down,” Mr Smalley-Ward added.

The cleaner has since received a lot of positive reviews which he said have made it all worthwhile.

One customer said: “Not only are our windows sparkly clean now, the show put on for the kids was a massive highlight and something to brighten our day during lockdown.”

Looking forward, Mr Smalley-Ward said Spider-Man will continue to grace the streets of Wokingham for the foreseeable future, so it seems the borough will be in safe hands for a little while longer.

CLEANING UP: Spider-man, aka Chris Smalley-Ward, entertains a young fan while cleaning windows

Equalities strategy planned Patients can WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL is preparing to unveil its new equalities strategy.

“We have set up a group to look at equalities,” said Cllr John Halsall. “We had a consultation which yielded a good response and we’ve studied the Local Government Association framework.

“We’ve put together a first paper in terms of an action plan, which will soon go to the Executive committee and then a full council meeting.”

He pledged that the council would also reach out to minority groups who got in touch so that their views can help shape the final plan.

“We’re not acting in the wake of last summer’s Black Lives Matters protests, we’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do.”

Cllr Halsall added: “We are the lowest funded unitary council in England, and we have the lowest calculated deprivation index. Almost by definition we should be able to determine where our deprivation, poverty and equality

issues lie, and they should be a relatively small population of the borough.

“Our strategy is to create the architecture for a permanent and continuous examination and action on these issues – long after I’m dead and buried, either politically or in fact.”

The council’s 1,200-strong workforce had also been consulted.

“What we are doing is not applying the equality strategy to groups, but ensuring that every individual in the borough, whatever their issues are, feel valued, listened to and is worthwhile.

“Our mission as a borough is to make people as healthy as possible, as secure as possible, and as happy as possible.

“How can you do that if you don’t address the equality issue?

“While people might want to focus on their own issue, the borough really has to focus on all the protected characteristics of each and every individual throughout the borough.”

Plan to make local elections safe

WOKINGHAM Borough Council says that it will work to Government guidelines to ensure that May’s elections will be safe.

The vote was delayed 12 months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and includes polls for the borough council, parish and town councils and the Thames Valley police and crime commissioner.

As in previous years, electors can vote by post, in person, or absently with proxy voting, The government says that voting is

a permitted, lawful reason to leave your house during lockdown or similar restrictions, while premises and business can open for voting, counting of votes or associated activities.

Anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus, or is displaying symptoms, should self-isolate. Voters should be able to use new proxy voting rules.

For more details, log on to www.wokingham.gov.uk, go to Council and Meetings, Elections and Voting and finally Vote By Post Or Proxy.

stay connected THE ROYAL Berkshire Hospital has relaunched online patient message cards, to keep families and friends connected.

The initiative was successful over the Christmas and New Year period.

With a refreshed design, families and friends can send personal messages to their loved ones while they are in hospital. The messages are then hand delivered on the wards.

In addition to the message cards, the trust is continuing to offer phone and virtual visiting via iPads, which are available for patient use on all the wards.

Sharon Herring, associate chief nurse for patient experience and workforce, said she was thrilled with how many people used the service over Christmas and New Year.

“With the continued restricted visiting, we wanted to continue the service with a refreshed look and feel so that relatives and friends and can remain in contact and continue to send messages to their loved ones,” she said. � For more information, or to download a card to send back to the hospital, visit: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/specialmessages-to-your-friends-and-family-inhospital.htm

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Councillors to vote on council tax increase � From front page

This means that a Woodley resident living in a Band D property would face a council tax of £2,040.02 from April this year. The cheapest parish would be Swallowfield, which would be £1,944.38.

Acknowledging that the financial situation caused by covid meant that many residents face hardship, the executive member for finance on Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr John Kaiser, said that the increase was necessary.

“What’s the alternative? It’s quite stark. The alternative is you cut services, and who do you serve by cutting services? Who does that affect the most?

“There is no magic money tree. I cannot see any alternative other than slashing services or doing prudent investments.”

He added: “It’s a public purse and we need to be mindful of that. But I’m pretty tenacious with regards to how much we spend.”

Cllr Kaiser said that the council’s investments, which in recent years have seen their buy Waitrose stores in Woodley and Twyford, as well as regenerating Wokingham’s town centre, are paying off, with houses in the regeneration selling “pretty well”.

He felt that the council’s debt levels would be paid off within a decade and the plan that the council will vote on

reflects that.

The £700 million debt figur mentioned by the opposition is, he said, funding for the council’s capital expenditure programme, some of which was not debt but used to accelerate projects, such as road building, where the money would come from payments made by property developers. This is known as CIL or Section 106 funding and is triggered by the number of homes built.

“The Lib Dems have got confused with our debt and funding requirement. They are two different things,” he said.

“If you look at the maximum that we’re borrowing externally, it’s probably about £400 million, but we’ve put £170 million of our own money into that as well.

“We also normally only deliver around 60% of our capital programme, not because we’re inefficient but for operational reasons, such as a shortage of materials, or workmen.”

And the council’s Chief Financial Officer, Graham Ebers, said that the council’s commercial investments help keep council tax levels down, giving a benefit in the next financial year of £13.64 per Band D property, rising to £62.86 in 2023/24.

“The income generated through

Reduced incomes leads to precept rise REDUCED incomes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic means that Woodley Town Council is planning to increase its council tax precept.

The charge, added to residents bills, helps fund services run by the town council. It is usually offset by fees for, among other things, room hire of the Oakwood Centre.

Last year, the town council had budgeted for an income of £762,287, but it is estimated that it will be just £270,383.

Last autumn, it canvassed views of residents to see what rise they would accept.

One-in-five households responded, saying that a rise of at least 20% would be acceptable – 43p per week. And 42.5% felt £1.09, the highest band suggested, would be OK. Earlier this month, Woodley Town Council agreed to increase the precept by £6.79 per month – 56p per month. The annual figure will be £119.65 for a Band D council tax property.

The council’s precept level for the year is £1,293,034, an increase of £89,846 on last year.

The shortfall between the residents’ increase will be £111,414, and come from its general reserves.

Cllr Keith Baker said: “This pandemic has caused huge financial stresses for the Town Council “We responded to these financial challenges by asking local residents how much of an increase in the Town Council Tax they could accept.

“Unprecedented across the borough, we received a response from one in five households and I would like to thank those who took part.

“95.5% of the respondents accepted the lowest increase option, however, the Council has been able to keep the increase to less than a third of this at only 56p per month.”

these investments exceeds the costs of all the borrowing we do,” he said.

Council leader Cllr John Halsall said that the budget was balanced.

“Our town centre is now generating a huge income for ring fenced funds, which is being paid off.

“Wokingham has really bucked the trend and the borough is also bucking the trend.

“Our neighbours are cutting back services, doing all sorts of things. We still have weekly collections of rubbish and intend to continue doing so.

“We have a balanced budget, we’ve got a huge investments programme, particularly in roads and transport – we’re investing £160 million in housing, which includes Gorse Ride, and £71 million for climate emergency.

“There’s £23 million for the refurbishment of leisure facilities including Carnival Pool.

“There are several new schools, a special educational needs facility in Winnersh, a new dementia home, a learning disability response centre and supported living accommodation.

“It’s a progressive budget looking after the needs of our residents with no cutback in services at all.”

And the reason for this, he said, was because “We have got strong and sound financial management. We have been able to step up to the community during the covid crisis and now have a progressive budget.”

He added: “I would argue with any statement that we have rubbish services because we have very, very good services.

“We’re not seeking to cut back services. We’re seeking to develop our localities team into forward facing service for environmental health and licensing so that every resident feels supported in terms of domestic nuisances.

“We recognise that every residents’ quality of life is determined by the immediate environment.

“The borough’s job is to weave a golden thread throughout our communities, and we have a job to make that as good as possible.”

Lib Dem leader Cllr Lindsay Ferris said that it was a Conservative budget and, as such, it would get passed as they had the majority on the council.

“If there’s a change in control (to us) at the May elections, we would have to live with it, but we don’t agree with all aspects of it,” he said.

“The 3% rise on adult social services means that 9% of council tax is paying for this. This is not something we should be carrying on, it’s not viable in the medium or long term.”

On the council’s debt levels, he said that it was a nonsense to suggest that it would “magically disappear” in March 2024, adding that the uncertainty caused by the pandemic meant that the council couldn’t rely on this.

“The council has to earn more and more money each year just to stand still. We are concerned as while borrowing at the moment is very cheap, it’s not always going to be.

Interest rates will go back to a more regular level at some point. At 1% if you borrow £100 million you only pay £1 million. At 4%, it’s £4 million.

“We’ve done our sums. They are mortgaging the council and the figures for borrowing in the future are absolutely astronomical.”

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12 | NEWS

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COUNCILNEWS Pathway plan A NEW walkway could be constructed after a Path Creation Order was approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee.

Known as Greenway Route B, the path runs between Jubilee Avenue and Martins Drive and forms part of a route from Cantley Park to Arborfield Cross, via Woosehill Meadows and Foxhill.

The committee heard that part of the land required is unregistered and the Council had been unable to establish who owned it.

It proposes to create a new path across the land, under Section 26 Highways Act 1980.

To make this happen, the order will be placed In Wokingham.Today and on site, inviting any objections. If none received the path can be created.

Cllr Simon Weeks (Con, Finchampstead South), the chair of the planning committee, said it was an important link for the greenways, which had been very popular with residents, particularly during covid.

Library approved WORK to convert a disused school hall into a library took a step forward after the planning committee approved the plans.

In July 2019, Wokingham Borough Council’s ruling executive gave its backing to a proposal to convert the Old Polehampton Boys School into the community facility. It needed approval from the Charity Commission to convert the usage of the Grade II listed building.

This has now come through, and the planning committee was able to give the nod to the proposal, which would see the High Street based site, opposite The Duke of Wellington pub, converted to the library, which will include community

facilities, a café, a police office and a parish council office.

The planning committee had given approval in 2016, but this expired in November last year.

Phase one will see the existing building refurnished to create the library space and build a single storey rear extension. The second phase will see a two-storey rear extension added.

To make the project happen, the existing toilet block will be removed and four trees felled.

The project was passed unanimously.

Cllr Stephen Conway (Lib Dem, Twyford) thanked a number of people for their work on making the project come together, including Dave Turner.

Cllr John Halsall (Con, Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe) said it would be a beautiful building in the village centre and he was delighted with the plans. “I am very grateful for the parish council’s support”.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris (Twyford, Lib Dem) said that Dave Turner and Twyford Together has been instrumental in making the project happen.

“It will provide a muchneeded community facility for Twyford and put a Grade II listed building back into the use,” he said.

Speaking again, Cllr Conway said that the site had been used as a library before and a plan to convert it had been mooted back in the 1960s. “I can testify to the strong community support,” he said.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen wanted to know what would happen to the existing library site, but Cllr Simon Weeks said it was not relevant to this application. Officers said they weren’t sure at this stage.

New Scout hut LODDON District Scouts will have a new meeting hall, complete with storage facilities,

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

Wokingham Borough Council’s Planning Committee met virtually on Wednesday, Feburary 10. PHIL CREIGHTON reports

Mobile homes to pre-fabs TWELVE mobile homes in Winnersh will be replaced with 11 two storey pre-fabricated temporary accommodation units following a vote by the planning committee.

The units will be self-contained twobedroom homes on each floor, and one single mobile home – 23 in total.

They will be built in Grovelands Park, off Grovelands Avenue and be wood-cladded.

The council said that these are muchneeded temporary emergency accommodation to households, often including children or vulnerable people. As such, there would be a constant turnover of people moving into them.

It hopes that its redevelopment would ensure a better environment while the occupants wait to be re-housed.

A condition of the application is it would include electric vehicle charging points.

Although the project was approved, Winnersh Parish Council objected as they felt that the new pre-fab units would be out of character for the park, the sewage system is not fit for purpose and could therefore not cope with a further 11 homes.

They also had concerns that there would be a potential fire risk caused by the homes having a single access point.

However, Wokingham Borough Council’s drainage officer said that the drainage assessment submitted with the application raised no concerns.

Clinton Taylor from Winnersh Parish Council said: “We would like to object to this application”, reiterating the objections to the height and the sewage system.

Simon Price, from Wokingham Borough Council, said that the proposal improved existing facilities at Grovelands and would help homelessness pressures on the other

off Waingels Road in Charvil.

It would be larger than the site that it replaces, and is located within ancient woodland. Officers felt that the site was well screened from the road by mature trees.

The proposal would see 17 trees removed, but 57 large and small trees would be planted in their place.

Cllr Simon Weeks said that it was an enhancement of

side of the pandemic. It would mean that that more families would be able to stay within the borough.

He also sought to assure councillors that the drainage system would be upgraded.

Cllr Prue Bray (Lib Dem, Winnersh) said that she supported the application as there was a need for temporary accommodation within the borough, it would help keep families with young children living within the borough and away from B&B accommodation. She also felt that the units that exist are in poor condition.

“I know people have concerns about the application,” she added, “but these have been addressed.”

The officers’ report noted that existing residents had raised fears of anti-social behaviour as a result of the increased number of homes, “there is no evidence that the occupants of the development would cause a rise in incidents”.

Cllr Bray said: “I know there are concerns about anti-social behaviour, there have been some in the past, we have to deal with it better, but those problems already exist.”

Cllr Paul Fishwick (Lib Dem, Winnersh) said he wished to strongly object as the site was for a mobile home use only. The replacements would have inadequate screening, are out of character, and it would be a huge ugly wall that would block sunlight for residents.

Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey (Winnersh, Lib Dem) said that she had no problem with single storey homes, but didn’t feel that double storey homes was the answer.

Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh (Hawkedon, Lib Dem) wanted to know if 23 parking spaces were more than current, and whether there were enough spaces for existing residents

something that already existed and that it should be a straightforward application to approve as it would help younger residents as they emerge from lockdown, letting them build fires and roam in the woodland and “doing the other things that Scouts do”.

Cllr Gary Cowan (Ind, Arborfield) again raised the lack of information that councillors had received and calls for trees

and the incoming tenants. Officers said 16 spaces were recommended, and there would be a better layout as a result.

Cllr Mickleburgh pointed out that the average time limit for temporary accommodation was between nine and 12 months and, in light of that, what affect that had on legislation on amenities.

Cllr Weeks said that the accommodation would be more spacious than a B&B. Cllr Carl Doran said that he understood the pressing need for this accommodation and had seen first-hand the problems faced by people living in B&B accommodation.

The need for this type of accommodation was highlighted by Cllr Abdul Loyes (Con, Loddon) who supported the application.

Cllr Malcolm Richards (Con, Norreys) wanted to know if the area would be lit up in any way. Officers said there were existing street lamps and each unit would have motion sensitive lighting.

Cllr Stephen Conway (Lib Dem, Twyford) said it was a difficult application due to conflicting considerations, including the need for housing for homeless people, with B&Bs are unsuitable for families. And in that sense, he wanted to support the application.

He also felt that the needs of the existing residents needed to be considered.

“We’ve got to strike a balance,” he said. “If we approve this application, we have to try and do everything we can to mitigate its impact” He said that what he had heard was encouraging.

Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey voted for a single-storey application.

Her objection was supported by Cllr Gary Cowan, but this was voted down by the rest of the committee, who then approved the original application

to be planted specific to that location.

Officers said that of the trees that would be planted include 10 English oaks, five squat pines and 10 small leaf lime trees.

There would be also be hazel trees, hornbeams and these had been agreed with the council’s trees and landscaping department and that the officers were happy with the scheme.

Cllr Rachelle Shepherd Dubey (Lib Dem, Winnersh) said that it was a shame that the same couldn’t be done for other Scout troops, but Cllr Weeks said that the planning committee was not the place to discuss this Cllr Pauline Jorgensen (Con, Hillside) said she was very much in favour of the application as it would be used

by Scouts from across the borough.

Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh (Lib Dem, Hawkedon) said that the scheme had considerable merit, and called for an increase in the number of allocated parking space for bicycles. He also wanted solar panels to be considered for the application.

Cllr Weeks said that this was a heavily wooded site, which could cause problems for solar panels.

Cllr Carl Doran said that the trees were “a good replacement” but they are small trees being planted and the committee needed to mindful of that.

The committee approved the

plans.

Bungalow change of use THE FINAL application, from Wokingham Borough Council, was to change the use of a bungalow next to Highwood Primary School in Woodley, so it could be used for caring for vulnerable adults.

It would see a single storey extension added, which comprises an additional bedroom and a bathroom for carers. There would also be an internal sprinkler system installed.

The home was originally for the school’s caretaker, and the application came to the committee because it was a change of use.

Cllr Carl Doran said that there were no objections and the committee should “just get this through”, a view echoed by Cllr Stephen Conway, who said that the community would benefit from it.

Cllr Cowan again bemoaned the lack of pictures in the plans, and wanted to know the ages of the vulnerable adults who would stay in this place, raising concerns of their proximity to the school.

Cllr Weeks said that saying they were vulnerable adults was “probably as far as we could go in public”, for safeguarding reasons.

Cllr Rachelle ShepherdDuBey said it was the right

Thursday, February 18, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 13

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Not this time

New indies sign to town centre

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM town centre will soon become home to three more independent retailers.

The businesses have signed up to open units as part of the town centre regeneration project.

Peacock House Interiors and The Vale Clinic will soon be opening their doors in Elms Field, and new bistro Hamlet will welcome customers in Peach Place.

The owners of the bistro have a background in fine dining and want to bring the best of British food and produce to the town, while Peacock House Interiors is set to open a furniture and home goods store.

The Vale Clinic, which also has a branch in Earley, will offer a range of podiatry services. It has already opened its doors on the corner of Elms Walk and Denmark Street.

“These are three fantastic new businesses, who really fit with the vision we had for a town which offers people a great range of independents and national names,” said Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, executive member for regeneration.

“Each one brings something new while reflecting how the high street has changed to become the place people go to socialise, access services, as well as to shop.”

Despite lockdown restrictions, Cllr Haitham Taylor said

Wokingham remains a great place to visit.

“Spaces like Elms Field and Peach Place are already a real asset and set to become more so as they can come into their own with entertainment and events,” she added.

Other units in the town centre remain under offer, with more announcements set to come this spring.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult period for all the town centre’s businesses,” Cllr Haitham Taylor continued.

“Despite this, Wokingham has continued to attract new businesses who feel that the town is on a great road to recovery.

“The support local residents have shown for the businesses who have kept going through this period is wonderful and we very much hope people will continue to support businesses and shop local as much as they can.”

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, leader of Wokingham Town Council, also welcomed the new retailers.

“There is a demand for new and independent shops in Wokingham, and it has to do with the fact that people are just not commuting anymore,” she said.

“After lockdown, I think we’re going to have new ways of doing business and I think the smaller retailers that provide local services are the ones that will survive.”

TOGETHER: Thames Hospice helped the Bailey family organise a Valentine’s Day Christening

Hospice hosts surprise Christening A TERMINALLY ill Grandmother was able to celebrate a family milestone with help from hospice staff.

Last weekend, Thames Hospice hosted a surprise Christening for Paula Bailey’s grandsons.

Ms Bailey, 53, who is currently being cared for at the Inpatient Unit, said she doesn’t know how long she has left and has been wishing to see her Grandsons Timmy, 6, and Jamie, 4, be Christened.

The service was presided over by the Revd Andrew Parry in the Hospice’s Sanctuary and was the very first official event to be hosted there since the charity moved in last October.

“It was very emotional and I really wasn’t expecting this to

Pub’s new name is a call to arms THE PUBLIC has spoken – a Shinfield pub will have a new name when it reopens.

The Black Boy will become The Shinfield Arms, after it won a vote last week.

Last month, pub operator Greene King announced it was to rename its three pubs with that name.

In all, 913 votes were cast, with The Shinfield Arms taking 470 votes – more than half the vote. The King’s Rest came second with 225 votes and The Merry Monarch was third with 218 votes.

The name, Greene King says, refers to the pub’s location at

the heart of a historic village.

Greene King Pub Partners managing director Wayne Shurvinton thanked those who took part, adding: “There was a perception today that the old names were linked with racism, which is why we knew we had to take this step if we wanted to continue on our journey to become a truly anti-racist organisation.

“We’re incredibly grateful to those who voted and helped us choose new names that reflect the history and heritage of each pub and ensure that they are places where everyone can feel welcome.”

The renaming of the pub – which is run by the Barons Pub Company and currently closed due to lockdown restrictions – is part of Greene King’s inclusion and diversity strategy to champion equality and diversity within the company and further support people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Last year, Greene King pledged to significantly invest in initiatives to help. This includes a five-year partnership with the Prince’s Trust, and pledging to create 1,000 opportunities for young people.

Art contest keeps it in the family VOLUNTEERS for a children’s charity are celebrating 25 years with a themed art competition.

Home-Start Wokingham is calling on all primary schoolaged children to take part in a one-of-a-kind contest.

With the help of Cllr Malcolm Richards, Wokingham borough mayor, it has launched a challenge to draw, colour or paint a picture based on the theme My Family.

Home-Start Wokingham is a local community network of trained volunteers, supporting families with young children who are struggling.

“Wokingham borough is

home to many young creative people,” said Cllr Richards.

“Joining in the competition is a fantastic way to keep busy this lockdown, while also honouring all the years of Home-Start’s hard work, helping families to overcome life-changing situations, challenges and pressures.

“I’m thrilled to see all the imaginative work that’s surely to come.”

Prizes up for grabs include hampers of arts and crafts materials, sponsored by Jojo Art Club and Artists’ Harvest.

All artwork must be on plain paper and no bigger than A3

in size. Entries will be split between two age categories – infants and juniors – with one lucky winner from each group.

The closing date for submissions is Sunday, February 28, and winners will be announced on Sunday, April 4.

To enter, a photograph of the artwork must be submitted to mayor@wokingham.gov.uk, titled My Family Art Competition.

The email must include the child’s age and name, and a short explanation of the piece.

Entry is free of charge.

happen at the Hospice,” she said.

“No one was telling me what was going on and everyone including the Hospice staff were in on the secret. I thought I was going to have a Valentine’s treat or something.”

Ms Bailey said Timmy and Jamie were “as good as gold” and listened to every word of the rector’s service.

“I’m so proud of them,” she added. “It has meant everything to me to see them get Christened.

“I was very emotional and so taken aback by what everyone has done for me.”

Paula’s Daughter, Rebecca Bailey, said: “We planned [the Christening] in July last year, but due to the coronavirus it was cancelled.

“Since we received the news

about my Mum’s declining health, and she thought she wouldn’t be around to see it happen, with the amazing help and support from Thames Hospice staff, they made it a reality for us all.

“It really has meant the whole world to mum and all of us as a family.”

Each guest was checked for Covid-19 before the service using lateral flow tests.

Lisa Church, director of nursing at Thames Hospice, said it was an honour to create a memorable and magical moment for Paula.

“The event took some very careful planning but it was wonderful to see the surprise on Paula’s face as she entered the Sanctuary,” she said. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.”

A PODCAST in the South East missed out on winning an award this month.

The Weekly Experience, created by Buzz podcasts, features content from Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey.

It was nominated in the Podcasting for Business Awards for its mix of conversation.

Production manager Roger Noble said: “Everyone has a story to tell, and people want to know the local information, so this a perfect way of putting it across to a rapidly increasing audience day by day, now that, sadly, local radio disappears.’’

The team uses the strapline Real People, Real Stories and Real Life.

The audio series regularly features business traders, shops and musicians, singers and bands.

The team is happy to hear from anyone who might like to feature.

The podcasts are available to listen to at the website and also available at Apple Podcast, Google and Spotify.

For more information, or to be interviewed, email: Roger@ smjmediagroup.uk

14 | VIEWPOINTS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Improving lives is a lasting legacy

THIS week we are sad to report the death of two community stalwarts. Both leave a lasting impact on many.

Gordon Storey is one of those wonderful people who devoted his life to improving and enhancing the world around him.

Twyford Together was, in many ways, Gordon.

He cajoled, arm twisted, convinced and, with a cheeky grin, encouraged people to give generously: their time, their money and their goods to ensure all manner of events could take place.

His work, as a leader who empowered others, has brought much joy and happiness to many.

He will be missed by so many in Twyford, but it is typical of the man that his work will continue.

Gordon may have been the energy behind a lot of ideas, but he was wise enough to let other people run with them.

While covid has prevented all but the Christmas light switch-on to take place last year, these events will return and, thanks to the team around him, Twyford Together will benefit the village for years to come.

That’s a legacy to treasure.

And we also make the passing of Jay Blundell, headteacher at The Foundry College, passed away last month following a very short but aggressive illness.

Through teaching at The Bulmershe as well as the Foundry, hundreds of children will have benefited from her wisdom, and kindess.

Both Gordon and Jay were ordinary people who decided to do something special. The lives they touched are an inspiration to us all.

CHURCH NOTES

All change please

H

OW will history look back on 2020?

Donald Trump clinging on to power by his fingertips, Boris Johnson and the Brexit deal, the growing strength of the Climate Change lobby bringing greater accountability for our actions on this planet and of course Covid-19 and global pandemic.

So many things have challenged our security, bringing change to our normal life and uncertainty in the future.

One thing the pandemic teaches us is how weak and vulnerable we really are and how we cannot control the future.

As we come into Lent, it is a time to remember the greatest change that has ever happened that brought a certainty and hope in the future.

God reached down into this world more than 2,000 years ago in Jesus Christ, opening the way for us in our weakness to know God and to have certainty in the hope of his love for us that brings the certainty of eternal life with him.

This change transformed a group of uneducated fishermen to venture out into the world proclaiming the good news that has grown into the biggest worldwide church of 2.4 billion people today.

If you want to know more about Jesus and this life changing relationship, why not join us on our Christianity Explored courses at Christ Church Wokingham.

Ian Stewart is a member of Christ Church Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Your letters

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 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

Incredulity of vice chancellor’s compensation call I listened with incredulity at the interview on Wednesday morning on Radio 4’s Today programme.

It was with Robert van der Noort, Vice Chancellor of University of Reading (University of Reading) seeking some form of compensation for losses estimated at £100 million over three years because of the impact of Covid.

This is the same University that has made hundreds of millions of pounds selling off prime agricultural land to build thousands of houses in Shinfield, totally destroying a rural village.

Much of the land sold was bequeathed and as reported in The Guardian (February 9, 2019) University of Reading reported itself to regulators around a crisis in £121 million land Sales.

Most of the students have to rent privately off campus and when challenged at a community Relations Meeting on January 29, 2019 to build student accommodation on campus Robert van der Noort stated “ust imagine if you take green space away”, shortly after dismissing residents questioning the massive developments in Shinfield, saying it was necessary to sell their agricultural land for development to meet Reading and Wokingham housing targets and ‘to balance assets’ i.e. revenue stream for University of Reading.

University of Reading land and enterprises at Shinfield include a science park, dependent upon EU funding, but unsure where the remainder of funding is coming from post Brexit.

A British Museum research and storage facility and University of Reading is also going through planning stages to build a massive TV and Film studios potentially employing 3,000 people.

A bit further from home University of Reading invested heavily in a campus in Malaysia which I understand is making significant losses.

University of Reading purports to

be at the forefront of ‘Green’ yet, pre Covid, quite happy to contribute to the traffic pollution created from it’s various enterprises.

The University of Reading receives little sympathy from residents in and around Shinfield as they see very little benefit being put into communities’, just exploitation.

Brian Wood, Shinfield

Our distorted world Just when we may be closer to the ‘Promised Land’ of freedom, I find myself deeply distressed at the non-covid evils around us. I refer to the treatment of animals, children and women.

I receive many charity appeals, especially showing horror stories and pictures of injured and maltreated animals – that bring tears to my eyes.

Very young children with Cleft Lip (Smile Charity) often are about problems in other countries and where mothers frequently abandon them because they cannot pay for operations.

Just how many poor children are there in this world who suffer from hunger, lack of clean water, any medical or physical care, education and all the things our children have or should have?

Charities do what they can, but are dependent on us to give what we can.

Then abuse and mental stress suffered by so many women, albeit mothers or not, who are second to pubs or gambling dens where he who must be obeyed spends money that should be used for the welfare of his family or wife.

Young girls who are not protected are easily abused and sometimes killed by the uncontrolled louts or gangs wandering our streets.

Lastly I mention another serious issue – that of farm animals being injured by dogs – taken for a ‘walkies’ with no control. I wonder if the socalled human owners actually like to see them attack a peace-loving sheep etc.. Sick it is.

I

have explained before that the U.K. calculates real GDP differently from many other countries. It adjusts the cost of public services like health and education for real output where others just rely on money spent.

The U.K. reported correctly a sharp fall in output in education when all the schools were closed and a substantial fall in health output when elective and non urgent activity was cancelled to leave more capacity for CV19 cases.

Both services recorded sharp falls in productivity as a result.

If we look at nominal GDP figures based on spending the U.K. economy had a relatively small fall of just 2.2%. This was less than Germany, France, Spain and Italy though a bit more than the USA at minus 1.2%.

The big debate now is how do we get back the lost real output and reverse the decline in Nominal GDP. Some are briefing that the U.K. needs to return to austerity with tax rises to cut the state deficit. This would be a bad idea, leading to a larger state deficit than a policy centred on going for growth and recovery. As the

If readers share my opinions, I guess they may say ‘why is it allowed – why can we not punish those causing evil?

The lack of ‘Law and Order’ is now so noticeable, things can only get worse, due to the lack of police and the legal system. By the way, we still need about 50,000 more police.

I base that on the government promise of 20.000 more immediately – a long time ago – which if corrected for shifts, absences etc., makes the figure 60,000.

We would benefit from a force of Gendarmeri or Carabinieri type – our Services would certainly be able to form such bodies.

Reg Cliﬞon, Wokingham

Let us spay With World Spay Day coming up on February 23, Cats Protection is urging that unneutered pet cats are kept indoors to prevent a potential kitten crisis.

We estimate that around 70% of kittens born in the UK are the result of unplanned pregnancies, which puts severe pressure on owners to arrange for their feeding, care and rehoming.

The pandemic has meant that we are currently only able to take in a small number of cats as emergency cases.

This is why we’re asking the public to help us by ensuring that unneutered cats are kept indoors, and unneutered siblings kept apart.

The coronavirus has affected many vets too. Many have had to prioritise emergency appointments, meaning access to neutering operations will vary. It is important to check with your vet for availability and make an appointment in advance if you can.

Cats Protection can help owners on limited incomes with the cost of neutering pet cats.

To find out if you are eligible, call our Neutering Line on 03000 12 12 12 (option 2) or visit www.cats.org.uk/neutering where you can also find out more

Westminster That was the week Diary Tony Sir John Johnson Redwood

figures reveal there has been a big transfer of spending from private to public sector as the state has tried to make up for the inability of millions of people and hundreds of thousands of businesses to earn their own living thanks to the closures and social distancing imposed to combat the virus.

The way to boost real GDP and to cut the deficit is to allow many more people and firms to supply goods and services, boosting output and tax revenue at the same time.

What we need is to expand output capacity.

That needs keeping and reviving as many of the

about neutering and its benefits.

Sarah Reid, Acting Head of Neutering, Cats Protection

Children and families need your help more than ever As the coronavirus crisis worsens, more and more vulnerable children and young people are feeling the effects of repeated lockdowns, uncertainty and isolation.

The impact of the second wave is pushing a generation of the most vulnerable children in our country into a downward spiral of deprivation.

We at the leading children’s charity Barnardo’s are asking people to donate what would have been the cost of their usual daily commute or coffee to support these children and their families, so they can deal with the immediate challenges they are facing today.

We can support them with vital things, like putting food on the table, paying for heating and electricity (especially in the recent very cold temperatures), affording data so children can keep up with school online, and having access to counselling as children and young people all across the country are struggling with their mental health.

A week’s worth of coffees could mean a week’s worth of food for a child. With your help we can deliver the practical and emotional support families in crisis need.

You can help by supporting our Children in Crisis Appeal today via Barnardo’s Just Giving Page www.justgiving.com/campaign/ donateyourdailycommute Thank you.

Emma Bowman, Director, Barnardo’s South-East Region

Keep on learning Let’s stop the Government scrapping the Union Learning Fund in England at the end of March.

This unique scheme provides lifelong learning in many local workplaces, bringing together employers, education providers and

businesses as possible that we had before lock down. It also requires a positive environment for the self employed and small business to invest cash and effort to meet more of the new demands of the post CV19 world. The state needs to rebuild its service output in health and education as quickly as possible which will make our real numbers look more like others. This is a time when lower tax rates will boost output and investment and cut the deficit by more than attempting to lower it with tax rises.

The worry is too much capacity amongst the self employed and small businesses will be lost as they grapple with up to a year of lost turnover and revenue and as they work out how to pay back the loans they have taken on.

There remains a number of issues for government and Parliament to help work out over liability for past rents, Business rates, and the other costs of keeping a business which cannot trade. In future posts I will look at more of the opportunities for the UK to expand its capacity as we emerge from lockdown.

Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingham

trade unions to give workers a second chance at learning by contributing time, money and resources.

Learning and re-skilling will be core to helping us recover from the impact of Covid-19 and dealing with the changing world of work because of automation.

While we welcome the Government’s plans to invest £2.5 billion through the National Skills Fund, we are concerned about how effective that investment will be and who it will reach.

In our experience, union learning is uniquely able to engage and support thousands of ‘disadvantaged’ learners.

Most had few, if any, qualifications and would never have considered attending a college, or signing up for an on-line course, if it were not for the support and encouragement of Union Learning reps in the workplace. Union Learn reaches the workers other schemes do not.

The cost of gaining new skills shouldn’t be out of reach for low paid key workers. We are asking the Chancellor to recognise the value of union learning and provide the necessary £12 million in the Budget on 3 March. I ask readers to support the campaign by signing the online TUC petition at: usd.aw/ulfpetition Paddy Lillis Usdaw General Secretary 188 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 6LJ

An open letter to Susan Parsonage, chief executive of Wokingham Borough Council This letter refers to Standardsgate, editor I am sending this as an open letter and, whilst I thank you for your email response to my e-mail of January 30, I am not only confused by its contents but it raises more questions than it answers.

In reference to the Constitution you state that “The Councillors and officers are aware of its contents” Well they may well be aware now, their attention having been drawn to it by a member of the public, indeed, this was confirmed by the Leader of the Council by his acknowledging “that they were not aware of this inconsistency with the Constitution” and this was reinforced by Mr Moulton who, when challenged at the Standards Committee meeting, quite clearly claimed that he was not aware of the requirements.

That being the case I fail to understand the relevance of your following statement “Irrespective of the cognisance of the appointing group and the officers, the members of the Council still chose to make these appointments”.

The fact that you state that they (the Councillors) “still chose to make these appointments” infers quite clearly that the decision was made in the full knowledge of the

Off the end of the pier

T

Constitution's requirements which is inconsistent with your claim that they didn't know. So the issue remains, as I posed in my email to you of the January 30 “that either this was a result of gross incompetence on the part of certain councillors and Council's officers, in not consulting the Constitution, or it was a deliberate act on behalf of certain Councillors to populate the Committee with like minded individuals in order to influence the decisions that it made.

You dispute the fact that the Council leader acted with ‘disdain, complacency and arrogance’ because he has admitted that a mistake had been made, etc. however you only have to view the video recordings of the relevant meetings. In his response to both a member of the public and councillors his demeanor can be described in no other way.

You state "I do not agree that this is a ‘storm in a teacup” and therefore by inference you are agreeing that this is not a minor issue that can be ‘swept under the carpet’.

You state that “Utilisation of funds to investigate what we already know, is not a good use of tax payer money.”

I agree, but that is not the sole reason why an enquiry is essential as it would be investigating why and how the situation arose – and those are questions which are still unanswered.

As outlined above there is

That was the week

Tony Johnson

HANK you to the ever observant few who’ve pointed out certain topics that this writer had pretty much completely missed.

So if you can tolerate hopping through a number of recent Wokingham Borough meetings in no particular order, it should be just the ticket as ‘the show’ (that was so last week) takes a running jump right off the end of the pier and straight into…

The good old days You’ll remember these, back before covid when there were meeting rooms and debating chambers open at Shute End. Alas they are as Yorick – a pale shadow of their former selves.

All those carefully copied and painstakingly bound reams of printed meeting papers have gone, much to some Councillors’ anguish, but to the relief of those who prefer their politics to use less paper.

The provision and maintenance of the public record, that all our elected representatives rely on as well as contribute to, has been hugely improved too. Except where it hasn’t, or when you can’t find things using these search engine thingies.

Meetings are, by and large much more accessible. You can watch them from the comfort of your armchair, no need to walk or cycle to Shute End even.

But … … and you knew this was coming … … things could be better.

Do not adjust your set Every council has to make sure that our tax money’s used wisely and WBC’s Audit Committee is part of the process – required to report to Full Council – as set out in the Council’s rules.

Except that this year, their report got duplicated on its way to an Executive Meeting and an extra million quid was put into it “in the interests of transparency” before being allowed

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to go for Full Council approval.

To use an analogy, imagine your monthly direct debits all add up to £900. Then you discover that someone’s upped them to £1,000 without your agreement and they don’t all appear to be going to the place you thought they were.

How are you going to feel?

Partly political speeches At a Full Council meeting, WBC’s rules clearly prohibit Executive Members from making party political speeches.

WBC’s rules also make it clear that the Council’s press releases, along with any statements made by staff, cannot be used to promote a political group.

But there’s no rule banning party political speeches at Executive meetings (the ‘cabinet’ of local government).

So when an Exec Member makes a party political speech at the Executive meeting saying something like “this Conservative-controlled council will not be found wanting” or says “financial crisis” in the same sentence as “control [by] the Lib Dems”, you might think that’s a normal for local politics.

Save that… the rules also say that Council services “should not be used … in connection with party political or campaigning activities”.

And Council services seem to include the Exec meeting videos, Exec minutes, created or provided by Council staff.

So that’s all OK. Isn’t it?

Yorick’s alive!

While there’s still some way to go until the country has managed its way through the covid pandemic, there’s signs that WBC’s Full Council is

confusion with regards to whether or not, despite their claims to the contrary, certain Councillors and Officers were aware of the Constitution's requirements but used the ignorance of others to their own advantage and if they weren't aware why not.

In particular why was the monitoring officer not aware of the issues? In addition, you agree , as your e-mail confirms, that you consider this to be a serious matter.

To reiterate, the purpose of an investigation is not merely to “investigate what we already know” but it is to find out why events happened the way they did, who caused/contributed to matters to go wrong, and to propose ways and means of preventing a recurrence.

I also believe that, in the interest of ‘Natural Justice, transparency and to promote confidence in WBC’s procedures amongst the residents, a decision relating to any further action must be taken by the full Council, not WBC Officers.

Particularly as the changes that are currently being proposed to the Constitution are a retrograde step, putting more power in the hands of the leader of the Council and undermining Democracy in the process.

I look forward to your reply in due course.

Mike Sha‫מּ‬ock, via email

planning ahead – as the meetings timetable discussion showed.

It was a mix of the bizarre, banal and brilliant, lasting just under 18 minutes, nearly seven of which were actually ‘on topic’ – but that included almost two minutes for the voting.

While the Leader’s proposal spent rather more time off topic than it did on it, it was refreshing to hear his suggestion that physical meetings could be restarting in the foreseeable future.

But I felt sorry for the Deputy Leader whose speech seconding the proposal came immediately after. OK, he started off topic and tried to keep going, but it was no use.

The Lib Dem opposition leader had finally woken up, realised that a repetition of “Ich bin ein Berliner” might be about as relevant as his £700 million debt claims and he ought to call a point of order.

Which he tried to do. Valiantly. Except his point wasn’t in order, it didn’t challenge the ‘secret meetings’ (not timetabled, not listed, no public minutes) and he let the deputy leader off the hook.

Who promptly went on, ending up with a political triumph: supporting pandemics; residing with the community; fighting the help.

Maybe that’s not quite right, but a lot closer than Eric Morecambe was with Grieg’s piano concerto.

So while the actual words may have left viewers a debate or two short of a timetable, as pre-election campaign practice it was great stuff …

For the party faithful.

The Last Word And if all this hasn’t put you off Council meetings, there’s more coming along very soon.

Tonight’s pair focus on the budget.

We can look forward to the usual buzz words being trotted out, polished to a high shine, lovingly displayed for the electorate to marvel at.

Of course, it might turn out to be a completely target-free environment with sensible adult debate about Council finances, full of things we can all understand.

And if Jackie Weaver’s free, next week’s commentary might get … animated. caveat.lector@icloud.com

From the chamber

Cllr Prue Bray

Vulnerable children during covid

A

S an opposition councillor on Wokingham Borough Council there are plenty of things I could find to criticise the council for. But the response by Children’s Services staff to the pandemic is not one of them.

Despite all the constraints of successive lockdowns, the staff have managed to maintain services, to keep up their visits to vulnerable children, and to provide extra support to families and schools.

What is the current situation with regard to vulnerable children and education?

In the first lockdown about 2% of pupils were physically in schools. The figure now is about 12%. This includes just under half of children who would qualify as vulnerable, because they have an Education Health and Care Plan (42% in school) or a social worker (47% in school).

This may sound low, but all vulnerable children are being monitored to check on their situation. It can be more appropriate for them to be at home, depending on their health, their family’s health, what their siblings or other children in their foster family are doing, whether they have the right facilities at home and so on.

Records We know that some key worker children are attending school, but the council can’t give a percentage because they don’t keep records of who key workers are.

We also know that some children are attending school because of inadequate facilities at home, but this information is hard to collate because it depends on individual decisions by individual schools.

Work is still going on to source laptops and ensure internet access.

If anyone reading this can help provide equipment, please get in touch with Children’s Services or your local school.

About 19% of children eligible for Free School Meals are attending school. Either vouchers or hampers are being provided for all eligible children, so all of them get a meal whether they are physically in school or not.

The quality and quantity of the food in the hampers has been checked by the council to make sure it is of an acceptable standard.

Having failed to provide anything in October half-term, the council has now confirmed that it will offer meals to all eligible children during all the school holidays in 2021.

This is something I have personally campaigned on, having tried twice to get the council to debate the issue. Both times the Conservatives voted to end the meeting instead. That was frustrating, but at least children will now get fed and that’s the main thing.

The staff in schools and the staff at the council are doing a magnificent job – as are the parents who are home-schooling their children And the Conservative politicians who are in charge at the Council? They have at least not got in the way.

Cllr Prue Bray is the Lib Dem spokesperson for children’s services and councillor for Winnersh Ward at Wokingham Borough Council

16 | NEWS

Life of Brian

Brian Hicks

Who else didn’t realise it was mid-February already?

W

HEN the comedy film Life of Brian was released in 1979, I was teased endlessly by friends. It has come back to haunt me with my new monthly column.

I am a member of various minority groups.

I am male, like 49% of the UK population.

I am left-handed, like 10% of the overall UK population and 12% of the UK male population.

Thinking it held the key to some lifelong issues I had, I spent five years researching into lefthandedness. However, it turned out that I was bipolar, the real problem.

About 2% of Brits are bipolar and I will return to this subject in my April column.

Everybody has met a left-hander, but you are unlikely to know more than one person who is bipolar, unless you work in mental health, are a vicar or in another profession where you meet many people.

It is improbable that you know a bipolar lefty man like me as we account for only about one-in-800 people. I have three close friends and four cousins who are left-handed, but, until recently, only knew one other bipolar person.

Left-handers interact differently with the physical world to right-handers, use the right-hand side of their brains more frequently and often think very differently. If you have to assemble a team, it is a good idea to have a left-hander in it. But I would say that, wouldn’t I? A biological sciences professor I know gives a test she devised to all potential new members of her research team. She finds that left-handers perform much better at this than right-handers. As a consequence, most of her researchers are lefthanded, and, when I first met her, nine out of the 10.

My brother and I are left-handed, our parents right-handed. I remember my father trying to teach us how to tie a tie. We both failed miserably as we were incapable of doing it like a right-hander. Eventually we worked out how to do it left-handed. The same with shoe laces.

My father had copper-plate handwriting and hardly touched the paper when he wrote. I tried to write as beautifully as him, but pressed down with my pen so hard that I could still read the impression I made six pages down.

My writing was neat, but painfully slow. I learnt to be very concise, so I could get away with writing less.

During my research I became convinced that there should be a well-funded UK or European handedness research institute, ideally located at one of the leading universities. As far as I can tell, there are no centres like this anywhere in the world. Such an institute could help make life easier. A large part of our brain is concerned with our hands, so why not get to know them and how we use them much better?

Left-handers have had a raw deal from society for centuries and it has only improved in the last 60 years.

I am surprised that lefties never protested to demand better treatment. Being forced to write righthanded was one of the worst abuses that were faced, as happened with my grandmother and uncle, although the UK was one of the first to stop this.

Today, thankfully, everything is much better for lefties. I still sometimes dream of living in the Cameroon, where there is a tribe that hero worships left-handers for their spear throwing and other skills.

And where the ladies are very attractive too.

There are high levels of creativity in both bipolar and left-handed individuals.

I hope enough of this has rubbed off on me to provide you with entertaining and informative columns over the coming months.

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Kin wants you to avoid internet scams THE PANDEMIC has changed our lives in many ways, not least seeing us become more reliant on the internet.

According to the Office For National Statistics (ONS), in January to February 2020, 76% of adults in Great Britain used internet banking, a massive jump from 30% in 2007.

And 87% of all adults also shopped online within the last 12 months – up from 53% in 2008.

But the worldwide web can still be a mystery to some, with terms like cookies and tabs baffling some, while others will be prone to the ne'er do wells that seek to exploit the unwary.

One Wokingham business says it has found a huge increase in clients wanting help accessing the internet, with scammers using covid as a way to take advantage of others.

With everything from fake covid vaccination emails to phone calls asking about internet speed, getting people to log online and then

stealing their details, it’s never been more important to be safe online.

Kin Wan (pictured) launched AskKin to help people buy the right technology and learn how to use it.

He says: “We all need to keep safe when online.

“I’ve been helping people get online safely and learn how to use the technology they have to its full advantage.

“It’s not about being scared when online, it’s just about being aware.”

He feels that by having a knowledge of the latest online threats, risks and trends, people will feel more prepared.

“Remember if something doesn’t feel right, then chances are it isn’t,” he says.

“Listen to your instinct and if in doubt, hang up the phone, or make sure that you don’t click the email.

“The scams are becoming more and more sophisticated so we all need to be as vigilant as possible.” � www.askkin.co.uk

Love, gone to the dogs ACCORDING to The Kennel Club, thousands of people couldn’t be in a relationship with someone who disliked dogs.

The organisation’s research revealed that almost three quarters of dog owners in the South East say their pet is their best friend.

More than a quarter confessed they prefer their dog to their partner, and almost half preferring a night in with their four-legged friend than date night.

Pups are also influencing the dating sphere, with half of those surveyed more likely to go on a date with someone who owns a dog, with one in five admitting to choosing internet dates based on whether there is a dog in the photo.

Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club, said: “This research and the continuous high demand for puppies since the beginning of the pandemic suggests we are continuing to grow closer to our four-legged companions.

“Dog ownership has numerous benefits, including improved

physical and mental health, and in many ways dogs bring to our lives similar benefits to human partners – love, comfort and support during challenging times.”

He warned that dog ownership requires long-term commitment and compromises.

He added: “We would urge anyone considering getting a dog to first ask themselves if they are really ready for the responsibility and commitment – which you certainly can’t ghost or dump if you don’t want to see them anymore.”

He said anyone looking for a four-legged friend should do their research and find their perfect match.

“Just like a partner, you need to understand what they need and want in life and make sure that this matches with what you can offer,” he added. “Take your time, don’t force anything and remember you’re in it for the long haul.” � For advice for potential dog owners, visit: thekennelclub.org.uk/ getting-a-dog/are-you-ready/

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

Elodie’s lockdo exceeded her

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today THIS WOKINGHAM 11-year-old’s lockdown hobby has been raising money for a personal cause.

Last year, Elodie Lewis started running to stay motivated during the first lockdown, and now she has collected more than £1,000 from her supporters.

The youngster recently took part in Cancer Research UK’s Virtual 10k Winter Run in a bid to fight the illness which has affected her family firsthand.

Five years ago, her mother Victoria underwent surgery to remove half of her kidney after being diagnosed with cancer. She also had half of her shoulder blade removed.

After her mother made a full recovery, Elodie lost her Nana to pancreatic cancer last year.

In an effort to help fund research into the disease, she decided to try and raise £150 for Cancer Research UK – but people have given very generously and she will now be donating £1,025.

“I didn’t expect to get to my £150 target and when I went over that I felt phenomenal,” Elodie says. “It really helped encourage me out for my daily runs. “[This money] really could make a difference to helping get closer to finding a cure for cancer, which is really important.”

Despite not being a runner before the pandemic, the 11-year-old managed to work her way up from running one mile to 10k in just over a month, and was out training come rain, sleet, snow or sunshine.

Elodie says the final 10k run was difficult, but she was spurred on by all the messages of support she had received.

“I thought I would have to stop and walk, but my Mum read all my fundraising messages out to me and that pushed me to keep on running,” she explains.

Victoria says after “begging and bribing” her children to run a lap of the block each day during the first lockdown, Elodie was the only one who kept going.

“She was looking for a personal

Children’s ward to we A new family has arrived at the Royal Berks NHS foundation to help our youngest patients feel less anxious.

In August last year, the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust launched its mascot competition to help engage children and young people and help them feel comfortable when they visit the hospital or attend a clinic — and to encourage them to get involved with their care.

A spokesperson from the trust said: “The hospital received an amazing response from our local community and even a pandemic could stop the new family taking up permanent residence in the Trust.

“After what has been a year of lockdowns, isolation and sadness our new family brings a rainbow of hope and happiness to our youngest patients.

“So we are pleased to introduce our new family, Bob, Fera, Max and Kiki.”

The four mascots were created by JB Binauhan, Chloe Li, Alexia Tiplady and McKenzie Edgar respectively.

Each of the winning entries came with a short background story and the winning mascots and their story will be shared on the new Trust website to be launched in April.

As soon as lockdown and visiting restrictions are lifted, the Trust will be inviting the winners to attend the hospital to receive their winning certificate along with an opportunity to meet and be photographed with their giant mascot.

BOB THE HORSE

FERA THE WHEELCHAIR KITTEN

own hobby has expectations RUNNING: 11year-old Elodie Lewis has gone from couch to 10k to help raise funds for Cancer Resarch UK. Instead of the £150 she’d hope to give, she has collected more than £1,000 in support

Cleaning up for charity A KIND-HEARTED volunteer has been raising money for charity while cleaning up Woosehill.

Katherine White, from Wokingham-based charity Saving Abandoned Fly-Grazing Equines (SAFE), is collecting 200 pieces of litter each week throughout February as part of a fundraising challenge.

SAFE, which rescues and rehomes horses, launched its Fun Day 5,000 Challenge at the start of the month and has been asking people to take on a unique challenge for four weeks.

To keep her community clean and help SAFE, Katherine set herself a target of collecting 50 pieces of litter per week.

“I wanted to help the environment, and when I got out and about I quickly realised I needed to up [my target] to 200 pieces per week,” she explains.

“It’s crazy the amount of rubbish I’ve found. I’ve been taking it home, recycling it and separating it out.”

The Devious Virus

challenge to keep herself motivated, so off her own back she set out to run a mile every single day during the third lockdown,” Victoria says.

“Admittedly, my husband and I were a bit sceptical when she said she was going to do it and we thought the novelty would soon wear off, but once we saw how determined she was we realised that if she set her mind to running 10k, she’d rise to the challenge.”

Looking back on the challenge, Victoria says she could not be more proud of Elodie.

NEWS | 17

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“It’s a great achievement, and it’s been uplifting to celebrate it as a family at an otherwise pretty boring time,” she says.

Now, Elodie plans to continue running at least one mile per day until she can go back to school.

“It feels refreshing to get out of the house each day, especially after homeschool, but I hope we’re back soon though,” she says. � To find out more about Elodie’s Cancer Research UK fundraiser, visit: www.virtualwinterrun.co.uk/fundraisers/ elodielewis

elcome four new faces KIKI THE KANGAROO

A year has now past and we are not in remission, Instead we are stuck in an endless confusion.

The virus is mutating; changing its position, Which all of us think is a cruel imposition.

It’s causing our scientists to look at the efficacy Of the vaccine they’ve made with amazing efficiency.

They’re testing with care, not acting recklessly Being confident the vaccine will protect us endlessly.

The mutations develop in far distant parts, Then fly round the world like proverbial darts, They’re not at all welcome, these wretched upstarts, Let’s send them all packing on bomb loaded carts!

Britain is ahead with the jabbing of arms, We all submit willingly, whilst keeping quite calm , We do not have worries and certainly no qualms, As the needle is painless and works like a charm.

MAX THE MOLE

Some twelve million Brits so far are protected, Though some turn their back; the vaccine rejected.

Yet the vaccine is free and each is selected For this life-saving jab so they don’t get infected.

Other volunteers have taken on challenges such as cooking a different curry each week, practising yoga every day or walking a certain amount of steps.

In previous years, SAFE has organised a Family Fun Day, raising around £5,000.

Katherine says the charity relies solely on donations and has struggled to raise much-needed funds during the pandemic.

So far, SAFE has received nearly £2,000 in donations through its virtual fundraiser, but hopes to hit £5,000 through individual sponsorships soon.

The money raised will be used to rehabilitate any rescued horses so they can be safely returned to the wild.

This includes funding the daily upkeep of horses, providing food, bedding and vet bills. � To find out more about SAFE’s Fun Day 5000 Challenge, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/safe-fun-day5000-challenge Or take a long coach trip for mile upon mile, Whilst chatting to friends not seen for a while.

Now Boris has proclaimed another new rule For people arriving by car, plane or mule!

They must go in quarantine for fourteen days full, To a specified hotel ….and then pay the bill.

So our borders are now closed like never before, Whenever folk land they will find a closed door, They’ll be treated like enemies (as if in a war) For none are now welcome, as that is the law.

Let’s just stay positive while these days remain dark, It will help our morale and gives us a spark, Which in turn helps others who are still apt to bark That life in this crisis aint a walk in the park! © Lorna Minton

How are You? I asked my friend if she was well.

“Yes. I’m just fine, but weary, my gal”.

I thought, “That’s me. That’s how I feel And the world seems weary in this Winter chill.

Options Bath & Tile Studio The ‘husband and wife’ team A friend asked me a ques�on recently, she said ‘what is it like to work with your husband Steve?’

I giggled and replied with a small smirk: ‘I do as I’m told’ …. she replied with raised eyes and a smiled ‘really’ knowing me as she does not quite believe my reply.

A�er taking redundancy from Waitrose in 2016 Steve said to me one day, ‘Kay don’t you think it's �me that you worked with me in the Business’.

We had talked about it before and now seemed like the perfect �me. We already got on well at home so, why not put our personali�es together and see what we could achieve as a couple. A�er 21 years together, married for 14, if we didn’t like each other enough by now then I think we would be one of the most miserable couples in the world.

When you work with your husband it's not about balancing your personal and professional lives it's about maintaining a mix of both.

Living and working together has allowed me to now understand and empathise with Steve’s daily frustra�ons. If it's a par�cularly difficult day, we take a 10-minute �me out and talk about something funny that our two sons James and Oliver have done or, what we are cooking for dinner that night. For me, it's about knowing when and where to bring something up and when you’ve been together long enough it comes pre�y naturally.

Before you finish reading this I don’t want you thinking that Steve and I don’t argue because believe me we have our moments. We are both very headstrong and stubborn so we do have conflict, argue and have different opinions. I do however, find that we resolve disagreements a lot quicker than we used to. To be fair we have a small team in the showroom with us from day to day, so it would prove unprofessional if we were seen thro�ling each other in the storeroom.

Honestly, working together these past few years has been a great experience, not only am I learning about life in the world of bathrooms but, how to act as a business owner. How lucky I am to have my ‘work husband’ and ‘real-life husband’ be the same person. For me, it has added a level of apprecia�on for Steve whereas previously I would have got very frustrated.

I have been asked if I would encourage couples to build a Business together. My answer is that it wouldn’t work for everyone, no one knows your rela�onship like you do, really only you can decide what’s best. I entered into our Business much later on and Steve was the one who started Op�ons and has made it what it is today. I now can help it grow. If you choose to then ‘go for it’ you will find out a lot about your partner and it may make you appreciate them a whole lot more.

Finally, good luck to anyone out there who does decide to work with their partner.

Then my eye caught sight in a bleak flower bed A tiny snowdrop nodding its head.

Then a perky robin was singing his praise And a blackbird’s song ending the worst of days.

So how can we get them to save their own lives?

No good just shouting or brandishing knives, They must be persuaded (both husbands and wives) To do the right thing before performing “high fives”.

Then the hope of Spring just filled my mind, “There’s hope in this for all mankind”.

And hope there is in God’s Word so clear “I’m with you in this. I’m always near”.

So let us together be of good cheer.

Only then can we risk a contented big smile, And go out for lunch to a restaurant with style,

Heavenly Father, May joy not desert us nor hope ever cease to be our companion. Amen.

Muriel

Options

Bath & Tile Studio

01344 627 500

www.optionsstudio.co.uk sales@optionsstudio.co.uk 15 Crossways Village, Silwood Road Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 0PZ

18 | NEWS

PARISHNOTICEBOARD Parish and borough council meetings

Meetings online – contact councils for details

Thursday, February 18 Wokingham Borough Council. Executive. 6.30pm. Council. 8pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk

Tuesday, February 23 Woodley Town Council. Planning and community. 8pm. www.woodley.gov.uk

Wednesday, February 24 Finchampstead Parish Council. Rights of Way. 7.30pm. www.finchampstead-pc.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee. 7pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk.

Thursday, February 25 Shinfield Parish Council. Recreation and Amenities. 7.30pm.

Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. Shinfieldparish.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Extraordinary executive. 7pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk.

Monday, March 1 Hurst Parish Council. Virtual council meeting. 7.30pm. Committee Room, Hurst Village Halls, School Road RG10 0DR. www.hurstpc.org.uk Winnersh Parish Council. Planning committee meeting. 7.30pm. www.winnersh.gov.uk Wokingham Without Parish Council. Full council meeting.

7.30pm. Wokinghamwithout-pc.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education). 6.15pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk.

Tuesday, March 2 Arborfield Parish Council. Planning committee. 7.30pm. F&GP committee. 8.30pm. Arborfield.org.uk Winnersh Parish Council. Recreation & Amenities Committee meeting. 7.30pm. www.winnersh.gov.uk Wokingham Town Council. Amenities committee. 7.30pm. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk

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FROMTHECOURTS � A WOKINGHAM man has been given a 10-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months after breaching a restraining order.

Luke Paul Stampfer, 26 and from Longs Way, sent threatening messages to his victim, despite a non-molestation order in place.

He was ordered not to attend an address in Winnersh or contact his victim save through official channels. This order is in place until January 19, 2023.

Stampfer must also pay £128 to victim services and £85 costs.

guilty to being in possession of the class B drug cannabis on December 23 last year in Reading.

He was fined £80, pay costs £85 and £34 to victim services. The drugs are to be destroyed.

At the hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on January 21, Mahmood also admitting breaching a suspended sentence order, made on March 6 last year, over dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. For this, he was fined £80. Mahmood may repay at a rate of £5 per week.

� DRUG DRIVING has seen a Wokingham man banned from driving for three years.

Samuel Charles Dymond, 24 and from Potters Crescent, pleaded guilty to two offences when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on January 21.

Both took place on Wokingham Road on July 5 last year. He was found to have cocaine and benzoylecgonine, a form of cocaine, in his bloodstream.

In addition to his driving ban, he was fined £923, and ordered to pay £85 costs and £92 to victim services at a rate of £100 per month.

� DROPPING litter has seen a Lower Earley woman fined £440.

Catrina Pereira, from Notton Way, pleaded guilty to leaving waste next to bottle banks in Cintra Park, Reading on December 18, 2019.

Pereira was not in court when her cases was heard on January 22.

Reading Magistrates ordered that she should also pay costs of £625 and £44 to victim services.

� A WOODLEY man found to be in possession of drugs has been fined.

Mohammed Aqeel Mahmood, 36 and from Halstead Close, pleaded

� A WOKINGHAM man has been given eight points on his driving licence for two motoring offences.

Mohammed Brown-Koroma, 52 and from Outfield Crescent, pleaded guilty to driving without an appropriate licence and insurance. He had been stopped on Reading Road, Wokingham on June 29 last year.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Court in recent weeks He was fined a total of £150 and ordered to pay £34 to victim services. No order for costs was made as Brown-Koroma had spent a night in custody. � A HOMELESS man has been given a community order for a string of thefts.

Scott Adam Pattemore appeared before Reading Magistrates Court where he admitted the following offences: � On November 20, 2020, stole two bottles of prosecco worth £22 from a BP garage on Wokingham’s Reading Road; � On November 22, 2020, stole two bottles of prosecco worth £22 from a BP garage on Wokingham’s Reading Road; � Failing to appear at Reading Magistrates Court on December 22, 2020; � Committing further offences while subject to a conditional discharge order for 24 months imposed on August 12, 2019.

He must pay compensation of £44, at a rate of £20 per month. � DRIVING while disqualified has seen a Bracknell man receive a £400 fine.

Leon Peter John D’Angelo, 20 and from Reeds Hill, was stopped on the A329m on October 7.

He must pay £40 to victim services and £85 costs.

He was also found guilty of driving without insurance at the hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on January 25. � A CROWTHORNE man has pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath specimen.

Frank Law, 53 and from Masefield Gardens, was driving in Maidenhead on August 2, 2020 when he was stopped by police.

Law was ordered to pay £95 to victim services and £85 costs.

He must also undertake an alcohol treatment course, carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for three years. � A SHINFIELD woman has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 12 months after being found guilty of drug driving.

Michelle Victoria Patrick, 37 and from Wood Green, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on January 28, where she admitted driving with the drug Delta-9Tetrahydrocannabinol, a form of cannabis, in her bloodstream.

She had been stopped by police in Linden Road, Shinfield, on June 9 last year.

She was also guilty of driving without insurance.

In addition to the ban, she was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £85.

Thursday, February 18, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

BUSINESS | 19

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Sweet success for Roger A FOOD scientist has been awarded for his outstanding dedication to the industry.

Roger Angold, who is now in his 80s and working at Mondelez International, has been presented with the Food and Drink Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

At Mondelez International, which has its global headquarters in Wokingham, he is working as a lead scientific consultant for Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL).

He has spent the last 50 years becoming one of the UK’s most respected food scientists.

“I am surprised and honoured to receive this award, particularly because I have never really seen what

I do as a job,” Mr Angold said.

“Thank you to everyone who has inspired and supported me over the years – it has been a privilege working with you.”

The food scientist said it has been hugely rewarding to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of scientists.

Jacinta George, managing director at RSSL, added: “Roger was always one of the first into the lab every morning and is tenacious in his approach to every challenge – a truly inspiring mentor for those around him.

“His vast experience and depthof knowledge have helped to strengthen our world-leading microscopy team.”

Future is mapped out THAMES Valley Berkshire has been busy mapping out Wokingham’s future.

The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has released its post-pandemic Recovery and Renewal Plan, designed to strengthen the local economy in the wake of Covid-19.

It proposes setting economic priorities for Wokingham and beyond as the country moves out of the pandemic, including increasing economic connectivity and collaboration.

Alison Webster, CEO of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, said: “Our ambition is that Berkshire will be recognised as the best place in the UK to do business, to work and to live.

“Coronavirus has undoubtedly presented huge challenges, however the publication of our Recovery and Renewal Plan should provide a sense of optimism and hope.”

She said the plan offers a “blueprint” for the county’s economic future, and believes it could improve “prosperity and quality of life” for local residents and businesses.

Under the plan, Thames Valley Berkshire LEP proposes creating a more connected Berkshire in a bid to give businesses “a cutting edge”.

This includes raising the number of premises connected to full fibre broadband from 11% to 95% by 2025, to tackle digital poverty.

“Connected Berkshire will also ensure the local workforce and residents enjoy greater flexibility in where and how they work, socialise and connect with their communities,” a spokesperson for Thames Valley Berkshire LEP said.

The Recovery and Renewal Plan champions collaboration too, which the LEP said will bring success and accelerate innovation.

To foster collaboration among local businesses, it is proposing a network of “innovation sites” across Berkshire with flexible accommodation and easy access to networks.

The LEP also suggests creating a skilled workforce through a Future Skills Hub, to help thousands of people access training.

It has also developed a five-year investment plan to support training and skills development in technology, health and social care.

To read the Partnership’s Recovery and Renewal Plan, visit: www.thamesvalleyberkshire.co.uk

LOCKDOWN BUSINESS

How Nicole helped small biz smarten up their act

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today WHILE the past year has been a struggle for a lot of business owners, one Reading-based designer has seen her workload soar.

Nicole Rogers, founder of Nicole Rogers Graphics, launched her graphic design company in 2019 to help people take their branding to the next level.

Over the last year and a half, she has worked with dozens of small brands on logo and package design, social media and merchandise.

And when the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK in March last year, Ms Rogers found that business was booming more than ever.

“When the first lockdown happened, it enabled me to be at home more and I had extra time on my hands because I wasn’t commuting anymore,” she explained.

“I found that there was starting to be a demand for small businesses wanting to put themselves online because they couldn’t do their job in person anymore.

“I wanted to help get them back on their feet and achieve their goals through the pandemic.”

As the coronavirus forced businesses to temporarily shut down, she said it was the perfect opportunity to help them smarten up their branding.

But handling work as Nicole Rogers Graphics grew wasn’t easy, and Ms Rogers said going from being a designer to running an entire business was overwhelming at first.

“I went from being a graphic designer to covering all job departments, such as being an accountant, adviser, salesperson, designer and marketer,” she explained.

“Although as I started to tackle each area of the business, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be since I already had the graphic design knowledge and experience.”

So what’s Ms Rogers’ secret for attracting and maintaining new clients in the current climate? Being able to

Highest-ever new biz launch

Birthday wrapping contest

MORE new businesses were launched in Berkshire than ever before ast year.

This is according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which reported that there were 9,920 new registered companies in the county last year.

Wokingham reported 1,415 of these.

In 2019, just over 9,000 businesses launched in Berkshire meaning 2020 brought a new record high for the region.

In total, there are now nearly 73,500 registered companies in the

A COURIER is celebrating its 30th birthday with a twist.

Wokingham’s Flight Logistics, which ships art across Europe, has launched a competition to honour three decades of work.

Since 2016, the company has been running its Art On Wheels project, which sees courier vans wrapped in artwork in a bid to bring it out of gallery spaces and to the general public.

Now, it is offering one artist the opportunity to wrap its next van.

With 16 transporters already dolled up by different artists, Flight Logistics is now looking for a “positive and

BUSINESSES struggling to adapt to a post-Brexit world now have a helping hand.

Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has joined forces with Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Berkshire Growth Hub for its ‘Are you EU Ready?’ support programme.

Running until the end of March, the trio want to help small- to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Berkshire understand and react to life outside of the EU. The programme will offer a series of webinars, online support and tools to guide businesses through the new year period.

Peter Fleming, manager of Berkshire Growth Hub, said

uplifting” piece for its 17th vehicle.

“We are offering one artist the opportunity to get their art seen and enjoyed by the general public, collectors, buyers and gallerists on a daily basis for many years to come,” said Tracey Brown, owner and managing director of Flight Logistics.

The company will cover the cost of wrapping and fitting the vehicle.

Entries must be submitted by Sunday, February 28 to marketing@flightlg.com For more information, visit: www.flightlg.com/we-are-turning-30competition-time

make customers’ lives easier.

“Take the weight off their shoulders,” she said. “I make the design process easy and enjoyable.

“I also like to get the clients involved as much as possible so they feel a part of the design process from start to finish.

“I find this helps them become proud of their business and want to invest into it.”

And if there’s one lesson Ms Rogers has learnt over the last year that she wants to share, it’s the importance of planning.

She felt that without structure in place it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when running your own business or working from home.

“They need to feel like they are putting their business into good hands,” she said.

county, a growth of 4.7% from the end of 2019.

John Korchak, operations director at Inform Direct which compiled the ONS data for a regional review, said: “It is excellent news to see that Berkshire has achieved a record year for new company formations during 2020, despite the unprecedented uncertainties brought on by Covid-19.”

He said many of the new companies are in the retail sector, and were set up to sell goods online during the pandemic.

Mr Korchak acknowledged that the

coronavirus has led to a number of existing businesses shutting down.

“2020 was a year like no other for UK businesses,” he continued.

“Although we can look forward to a brighter future with the vaccination programme, there remain unknown factors such as how quickly the economy will recover and of course the impact of Brexit.”

Across Berkshire, Slough saw the highest number of new businesses (2,801), followed by Reading with 1,826 new companies.

Support for post-Brexit marketplace that by bringing together their expertise, the collaborators can help Berkshire businesses find the right support quickly.

Alison Webster, chief executive of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, added: “This period is a hugely testing time for businesses and putting in place useful, local support has been crucial.

“I really encourage businesses, however big or small, to get in touch and explore the range of tools, support and webinars on offer that can help businesses adjust to the new rules and seize opportunities.”

SMEs can access ‘Are you EU Ready?’ and find free one-to-one advice and guidance online. � For more information, visit: www.berkshirebusinesshub.co.uk

20 | SOCIETY

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

from your clubs and societies Send your INTHECOMMUNITYNewsreports to news@wokinghampaper.co.uk Wargrave Local History Society THE February meeting of Wargrave Local History Society was held on-line using Zoom. Kevin Little, formerly the proprietor of Frost’s – the fishmonger in Reading’s Union Street – gave a very entertaining and informative presentation on Smelly Alley and other items of interest about Reading.

Many people, Kevin said, thought that Union Street was also called Smelly Alley because of the fish and meat shops there, but an old map showed that the name pre-dated any of those.

He had been shown a 16th century map that marked an open sewer where Union Street is now, with a narrow pathway alongside, labelled Smelly Alley.

It was the only way from Broad Street to Friar Street between Market Place and West Street at that time – the name Union Street only came into use in the 18th century.

Kevin regaled his audience with many stories of traders and their ‘tricks of the trade’.

When fishmongers started trading in Union Street, there was no refrigeration, the fish was displayed on marble slabs at the front of the shop, and there would be sawdust on the floor.

The fish would be transported in wooden boxes, with some ice thrown in around them, by train, and there was a special fish dock at the station, from where the boxes had to be collected – hopefully without too much delay.

There were numerous stories of encounters with the officialdom – such as a health inspector who objected to aspirins in the first aid box, or another inspector who did not approve of the sale of goose eggs – something sold for may years.

The rules seemed ridiculous, with different distances from the farm allowed depending on if a market was covered, or sold at a fete, etc, or the police, who thought that the pike on sale were a dangerous wild animal.

Kevin had many, many other tales to tell – including sharp practices by some retailers, the water company who declared the sewer (the enclosed one from which Smelly Alley got its name) was not their responsibility as it belonged to the shop owners – even though for decades the water company had charged for its use, or detecting the early stages of a furniture stop in Friar Street, to running a disco (playing music he did not like or understand) at the Tudor Tavern close by.

With a light, gentle and entertaining style, the audience were left with smiles on their faces after so many ‘fishy tales’.

The Society’s planned programme is at www.wargravehistory.org.uk, where the latest information can be found, or email info@wargravehistory.org.uk to confirm meeting details.

Peter Delaney

The Hardy Plant Society THE Hardy Plant Society exists to stimulate interest in growing hardy herbaceous plants.

It was formed in 1957, and provides information about familiar and less well-known perennials, how to grow them and where they may be obtained.

The Society also works towards ensuring that all garden worthy perennial plants remain in cultivation and have the widest possible distribution.

As with many other organisations meetings in 2020 were severely affected by Covid-19, but it is currently meeting by Zoom.

On Tuesday, March 9, it will hold an AGM, followed by a talk on Epimediums by Sally Gregson.

And on Tuesday, April 13, Graham and Angela O’Connell will speak on the subject of Beyond the Gate – NGS (National Garden Scheme) Past and Present.

The Zoom meetings open at 7.30pm with talks starting at 7.45pm, apart from AGM. Members from other gardening groups are invited to attend for a small fee of £5.

Armchair Geology READING Geological Society continues with its programme of lectures, despite the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are delivered

by Zoom, that magic software that allows us to welcome our members and anyone interested in geology to participate from their own homes – no travelling in the dark, no entry to strange buildings.

Our lectures are given by leaders in their subjects and range over many aspects of geology – fossils and minerals, landforms and plate tectonics, mining and geohazards, for instance.

Our programme of lectures in Reading and field meetings both locally and to many geologically interesting sites further from home is currently on hold, but as soon as the pandemic comes under control, we will start our programmes again.

Our next Zoom lectures are: � March 8: “A Geotraverse across Shetland - new insights into the Scottish Caledonides”

given by Prof Rob Strachan, University of Portsmouth � April 12: “Meteorites” given by Dr Ho Shan Chan, Royal Holloway University of London � May 10: “Paleogene Climate” given by Dr Tom Dunkley Jones, University of Birmingham � June 7: “Sarsen stones - a geological conundrum reassessed” given by Prof Peter Worsley, University of Reading � July 5: “Large Igneous Provinces and Volcanic Rifted Margins from the N Atlantic

Email invitations will be sent in advance of each talk to allow people to join in from the comfort of their own homes.

For details, log on to www.berkshirehps.org.uk

Autism Berkshire TO SUPPORT the local autistic community, Autism Berkshire is offering a whole host of virtual courses and training workshops - and they’re all free.

During February and March, the group is running six online sessions on Volunteering Skills.

Covering topics including understanding autism and local support, it aims to train future Autism Berkshire volunteers.

The charity is also running a free, virtual course on wellbeing and autism, including a session on positive thinking.

Designed for parents and carers of autistic children, it is made up of six weekly sessions and covers supporting mental health before and after an autism diagnosis.

Jane Stanford-Beale, CEO of Autism Berkshire, said: “At a time when families of autistic children are under pressure from the impact of another coronavirus lockdown, these complementary support services aim to help parents and carers stay positive and boost the mental health of their children.”

Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) families with autistic children can also get specialist support during March and April.

Autism Berkshire is working with Alafia service to run three online workshops to help BAMER parents and carers.

Shagufta Ali, Alafia family support worker, said it’s important to raise awareness of autism within minority communities.

The Volunteering Skills course runs every Monday from February 22 until March 29.

The Wellbeing & Autism course is taking place each Wednesday from February 24 until March 31.

The BAMER support workshops are running on the following Fridays: March 19, March 26 and April 23.

To register interest in these courses, email contact@autismberkshire.org.uk

Rifted Province and beyond” given by Dr D Jerrum, DougalEARTH.com If you would like to attend our Zoom lectures, please contact our Meetings Secretary at lectures@ readinggeology.org.uk You may like to visit our website: readinggeology.co.uk for more information on us and up-to-date meetings information.

RGS looks forward to welcoming you to our meetings.

David Ward

Austen House’s Valentine’s Day RESIDENTS of a Lower Earley care home marked the day of love with sweet celebrations over the weekend.

Austen House was filled with flowers, cards and treats in celebration of St Valentine’s Day on Sunday.

Staff and residents celebrated the day by creating heart-shaped decorations to decorate the home and gifting each other sweets and cakes.

General manager, Natsayi Dunira said it was a lovely day.

“Lots of our residents were able to see their loved ones either using our visiting suite or on a video call,” she added. “We’ve had a whole range of treats and Valentine’s themed fun and we have enjoyed every moment of it.”

June, a resident at the care home, said: “It was wonderful to see everyone go to so much effort to get involved with the day’s festivities. I really liked the roses, bubblies and all the chocolate treats.”

Thursday, February 18, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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| 21

22 | LEISURE

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LEISURE | 23

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Thursday, February 18, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

WOKINGHAMLEISURE Dean’s bringing live music back

L

ET’S NOT put too fine a point on it, it’s been ages since we’ve been able to go to a gig and we’re missing it.

Hopefully, with coronavirus rates continuing to fall, it won’t be long before live music returns and pubs can reopen. It’s certainly going to be a heck of a party.

In the meantime, we’re grateful for people like Dean Nelson. He’s busy behind the scenes helping Third Lung prepare for a virtual concert on Saturday, February 27.

We know it won’t be the same as heading to the bar, ordering a pint and then enjoying it in the mosh pit, but we’ve got to take what we can get at this time.

The gig will feature some of the tracks they’ve been working on during lockdown and will be a great way to support local music.

Dean manages Generation Studios, which in normal times welcomes bands looking to rehearse as well as record.

It’s all been a bit different.

“A lot of bands haven’t done any recordings at all, but they have been a couple that have the ability to record at home,” he says. “They’ve been in the bedroom, and then sending audio

VIDEO DIDN’T KILL THE ONLINE STAR: Dean Nelson is working with band Third Lung to stage a livestreamed gig that will be as if you were at the venue itself

files for me to edit and mix. That normally includes cutting out household noise in the background and people clicking on their computers.

“And a lot have worked out new ways to work, independently at home, collaborating with each other and then sending me projects to fine-tune, mix and master to a releasable level.”

Dean says it does mean projects are taking longer to complete – in normal times, it would take a day or so to record a song, now it can take weeks for perfection to be reached.

Does creating music from home mean a reduction in sound quality?

“You’d be surprised,” Dean says. “They like to get a really clean, clear signal with good quality mics, preamps and audio converter.

“The home sort of interfaces can lack some clarity and it does affect the sound more than people think, which makes the mix job a bit harder.”

But Dean is a maestro, and is doing very well at sewing a silk purse from a sow’s ear – and ensuring bands know what they need to do.

“Lockdown has changed the way we’re working, communication has become such a key thing, talking to artists and helping them out,” he says. “And this streamed gig is part of that.

Wokingham Loves Music

“The production levels we’re offering now are so much higher than they were 12 months ago, with full lightning setups and multiple cameras being used, rather than one feed straight to Facebook.”

Alt-rock Third Lung have been able to record during lockdown thanks to Dean’s wizardry, and with the new music on hand they thought about how best to release it.

“They haven’t gigged in 12 months and they’ve been looking for an opportunity to show their fans the new music they’re working on, as well as some of the fan favourites,” Dean promises.

The event is a stream that starts at 8pm and there’s the chance to chat with fans during the show.

“The band are excited as it’s a new experience for them. There’s individual cameras on all the band members, with stage lighting, as if you’re in a gig venue … just without people spilling beer on you.”

But after so long without music, I don’t think anyone will mind being given a beery shower.

Tickets cost £6, or £20 with a band T-shirt. � For more details or to book, log on to thirdlung.veeps.com PERFORMANCE: Red Tape Resistance on stage at The Acoustic Couch Picture: Andrew Merritt Photography

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

Red Tape Resistance – Hollow Here’s a track which was released by this Bracknell-based band early last year but, as this playlist hadn’t been created then, we missed it. Wokingham rock photographer Andrew Merritt reminded us about it. As it’s never too late for a good track from a good band, here it is.

The band’s following has been growing due to their live gigs and we hear that they will be releasing new material very soon.

We’ll look forward to that but, for now, check out ‘Hollow’ for great alt.rock – www.facebook.com/redtaperesistance

Rachel Redman – Against the Tide We’ll all be able to relate to this new single from Rachel as she describes it as ‘a reflective tale of dealing with life in lockdown and all the chaos and frustration that comes with it’.

It’s a wonderful song showcasing the talents of this Berkshire-based singer/songwriter

You may have seen the inheritance tiffs surroundingthe (estimated) $100 million estate of RobinWilliams or the $500 million estate of Prince, who shockinglydied without a Will!

Perhaps,you have heard of the ill-fated life of Anna Nicole Smith (a famous American model, actress, and television personality from the 90s),which attracted two estate disputes; firstly, by Anna herself, when her 89 year old husband died leaving his entire estate to his son and several charities, and secondly, when Anna herself sadly passed away at the age of 39. There were many twists and turns in this case,with one judge, at one point, ruling in the favour of Anna’s stepchild.

Can a stepchild contest a Will?

Yes.The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975(“the Act”) sets out the law which allows a Court to alter the distribution of a deceased person’s estate, if they have failed to make ‘reasonablefinancial provision’ for certain people. The key to making a claim under this Act is that you must fall within the category of people entitled to bring a claim, namely: a spouse, a former spouse, a person cohabiting with the deceasedfor at least two years before they died, a child, a child treated as a child of the family, or any other person who may have been financially dependant on the deceased before they died. A stepchild could, therefore, legitimately bring a claim as ‘a child of the family’ under the terms of the Act if they can prove that they have not been adequately provided for under the terms of the Will.

FREEWills and LPA clinic - 24 & 27 February

T

HE BEAUTY of our Top 10 tracks is that time can go backwards.

This week’s top entry in our Wokingham Loves Music playlist is a song from Red Tape Resistance that was released last year.

Chris Hillman from White Star Records, who curates the playlist, has added Hollow and Against The Tide to our tracks for you to enjoy, each one has a link to the borough.

You can listen for FREE, via Spotify.

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

Can a stepchild contest a Will or Inheritance?

Call 01276686222, Email or Book online

What is reasonable financial provision? who you may well have seen gracing the stage at Wokingham Festival in the past. The song has been getting some well-deserved radio play including BBC Radio Berkshire and Surrey Hills Radio – www.facebook.com/ rachelredmanmusic

Third Lung – Falling Stone The band describe themselves as ‘emotive, evocative and enchanting’ and will be streaming a live online performance from Generation Studio on Saturday, February 27 – www.facebook.com/ThirdLung

Milan Webb – It Never Snows in Spain The new solo single, mixed by Dean Nelson, from the man you’ll have seen as Carlos at Oye Santana shows at Wokingham Music Club (WMC) – www.oyesantana.com/

Marc Woosnam – Silver Lining (Piano Version) Check out Marc’s beautiful new single and listen out for the wonderful string arrangement from WMC sound man Spencer Brooks – marcwoosnam.com

Edward Naysmith – Fit Within Your Life A great song from a singer/songwriter who has visited both Wokingham Festival and

WMC – www.facebook.com/ EdwardNaysmithOfficial

Strawbs – Lay Me Down The Acoustic Strawbs played a set of classic tracks from The Strawbs extensive musical history at WMC early last year.

Here’s one of their most famous tracks as a reminder – www.facebook.com/strawbsweb

Astralasia (featuring Icarus Peel) – Green Man Taken from The Darkest Voyage album.

Astralasia have had releases on local Magick Eye Records, whilst guest Icarus Peel has appeared on releases on local Mega Dodo Records – astralasia.co.uk/

The Salts – Drunken Sailor It’s one of the most well-known sea shanties of all, from a favourite of Wokingham Festival and WMC. It’s from the band’s ‘Brave’ album, released on Wokingham based, Braccan Records – www.thesalts.co.uk

Mordecai Smyth – Tonight, You Belong To Me This local artist released his wonderful cover of a 1920s song on Wokingham based Mega Dodo Records. It features a guest appearance from Icarus Peel (see above) – www.facebook.com/stickytapeandrust

The Courts will objectively consider various factors when determining a claim under the Act including, not just the financial needs of the stepchild bringing the claim, but the needs of all beneficiaries named in the Will. The Courts will play a balancing act between the competing needs of all beneficiaries, whilst considering the size and nature of the deceased’s estate.

There are other grounds on which a stepchild might decide to contest a Will. They could opt to challenge the validity of a Will as a result of undue influence, lack of testamentary capacity or by claiming that the deceaseddid not know and approve the contents of their Will at the time it was made.

These days, it is a common scenario where a parent-couple divorce, remarry and then place complete trust in their new spouse to ‘do the right thing’ when they die, making sure that their estate passesto the children from their previous marriage. Unfortunately, we then often see the ‘new’ spouse leaving their entire estate to their own children, cutting out the stepchildren altogether (whether intentionally or not).

To avoid such a situation arising, it is important to seek legal advice when preparing your Will in order to protect your estate for your ultimate beneficiaries and to ensure your wishes are carried out.

01276686222

info@herrington-carmichael.com

www.herrington-carmichael.com

24 | LIFE

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Inthekitchen Freely Fruity facebook.com/freelyfruityUK

Wokingham Active Travel Community Hub

Cavolo Nero and Feta

Adrian Betteridge

Wokingham’s miracle pill?

Wokingham Active Travel Community Hub (WATCH) aims to boost greener transport.

Adrian Betteridge writes...

I

T’S widely recognised these days how more walking and cycling could slow climate change and improve air quality.

Surveys show that a majority like the idea of walking or cycling more but, in our busy lives, don’t manage to do so for the greater good. The ‘what’s in it for me?’ question also matters.

This question may be answered in a new book by UK journalist Peter Walker, which looks at the importance of a minimum level of activity to our health.

Most of us expend a lot less energy in our everyday lives than we our evolution anticipated. More office jobs, personal transport, better domestic aids and many other labour saving inventions all play their part.

The link between activity levels and health was first observed in the 1940s. It seems that at any given activity level and at any age, on average, health outcomes improve as we become more active.

More recently, researchers identified how inactivity causes illness and quantified the level below which this becomes a real concern.

This minimum level for most adults is 150 minutes of moderate activity (brisk walking, DIY chores or similar) a week.

We observe the benefits in reduced rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer and many conditions. Inactivity is a factor in one-in-six deaths a year, affects quality of life for many more and has a huge societal cost.

Few of us are lucky enough to have 150 minutes spare in any week, but maybe could fit this activity into our everyday lives?

We’re not suggesting anyone gives up their washing machine but, for those who travel locally, choosing to walk or cycle more would give us a direct and personal benefit, as well as doing our bit for the environment.

Peter Walker’s book, The Miracle Pill, suggests how we might describe a medication that improved health outcomes on an equivalent scale.

Creating the conditions for more of us to choose walking and cycling in Wokingham may be just the miracle pill our politicians are looking for in these challenging times? � You can find more from WATCH at facebook.com/watchwokingham

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 18, 2021

C

AVOLO Nero is abundant at this time of year, which is just as well because it’s so versatile, phenomenally nutritious and flatters any flavours it’s paired with.

Originating from Italy it is sometimes called black kale or black cabbage.

If you haven’t cooked with it at home yet then do give it a go.

Once you’ve prepared the leaves as below it can be boiled, steamed, stir-fried or massaged with oil and eaten raw.

Bigger, older leaves may take a few more minutes cooking time so adjust accordingly.

This recipe is a fantastic breakfast, brunch, lunch or supper; take your pick.

Serves 4

Ingredients

� 4 free range eggs � Freshly ground black pepper

� 2 tbsp olive oil � 1 large white onion, chopped � Salt � 400g cavolo nero, washed thoroughly � 200g feta cheese, crumbled � 1 lemon, zest only � 1 large fresh red chilli, sliced � 4 slices sourdough

Method 1. To prepare the cavolo nero hold the central stalk of each leaf in one hand and pull the leaves away with the other. Discard the stalks and tear up the leaves a little bit 2. Bring a large pan of water to the boil

and add the torn leaves and simmer for 3-4 minutes then drain thoroughly through a sieve.

Return the cavolo nero to the warm pan and set aside 3. In a separate large frying pan heat 1 tbsp oil and saute the onion with a pinch of salt until soft and translucent but not coloured, about 3 minutes, then tip into the pan with the cavolo nero.

Mix in the feta, lemon zest and red chilli. Cover this pan and put over the lowest heat just to warm thoroughly 4. Using the pan in which you cooked the onion add the remaining oil and fry 4 eggs 5. Toast 4 slices of sourdough and top each with the cavolo nero mixture, a fried egg and a twist of black pepper � www.facebook.com/freelyfruityuk/

healthwatchwokingham Joanna Dixon www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk

How lockdown has changed how we drink

I

N times of stress many people find themselves drinking alcohol more often and in greater amounts.

The pressures of the past year and the current restrictions have led to higher levels of alcohol consumption with one in five people drinking more in this lockdown.

Frighteningly, alcohol-related deaths were the highest since records began in the first nine months of 2020, up 16% since 2019.

However, the good news is, more than one in three of us are taking active steps to manage our drinking. So, what can you do if you want to change your relationship with alcohol? The following advice from local people who have cut down could help: ‘Keep busy at times you would usually be pouring a drink, getting out for an early evening walk or listening to a podcast while cooking dinner helped me avoid the urge’.

‘Treating myself to a chocolate bar or an alcohol-free beer instead of a glass of wine made sure I didn’t feel deprived’.

‘I reminded myself that although the situation was tough it would be 10 times worse with a hangover tomorrow.

MOURNING AFTER: Lockdown has changed the way in which we relate to alcohol, with many drinking more heavily, others reducing intake Picture: Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

‘Now I love the energy I have in the mornings’.

The relationship between alcohol and mental health is complex but looking after your mental health could help to reduce the urge to drink excessively.

Alcohol Change UK Says, “Alcohol is sometimes used by people to try and help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, but excessive drinking is likely to make those symptoms worse.

“Managing your drinking and getting the right support are crucial to good mental health.”

Mood boosters such as exercise or a good chat with a loved one are a great place to start.

The Every Mind Matters website has some good suggestions for selfcare.

Working from home and lack of routine can be difficult to cope with and some people find that adding structure to their day helps.

Rather than ‘winding down’ with a drink you could try separating work time and relaxation time by listening to music, lighting some candles or taking your daily outside exercise.

If you need further mental health support our website has links to local and national organisations. www.healthwatchwokingham.co.uk /advice-and-information/2020-0826/coronavirus-affecting-mymental-health-%E2%80%93-whatcan-i-do People often tell us that they need an alcoholic drink to be able to sleep but the fact is that alcohol disrupts our sleep and makes us wake up feeling tired and drained.

Louise, who has just completed dry January, says: “I was worried about how I would sleep and in the first week I did find it difficult to drop off. My body had become used to quickly falling unconscious.

“Now though I sleep so much better and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.

“No more 3am anxiety.’”

You may need some help to stop or cut down on drinking and there is support available.

Have a look at: www. healthwatchwokingham.co.uk/ advice-and-information/2020-0626/coping-drinking-habits-duringcovid-19-pandemic or contact Drinkline (national alcohol helpline) for telephone support 0300 123 1110.

If someone you care about drinks too much you can call Al-Anon on 0800 0086 811.

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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

203617

Major Application

Full application for proposed works to reconnect a 340 metre length of historic river channel of the Emm Brook through Riverside Park, to bypass the existing weir. With associated excavation, silt removal/storage and landscaping works, plus the erection of 2 no. 8 metre x 3.5 metre wooden bridges to maintain existing access for pedestrians and maintenance vehicles, following removal of an existing piped culvert.

210174

Riverside Park, Woosehill

Matthews Green Farm, Toutley Road

Major Application

“Application for the approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning consent O/2014/2242 for Phase 3b of the development comprising the erection of 20 dwellings; amendment to Ph3 reserved matters layout (as approved under reserved matters approval 170818 and nonmaterial amendment applications 181192 and 190427) involving a change in dwelling type for plot 147 and the removal of a visitor parking bay to the side of plot 110 (design, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale to be considered).

210182

1 Arborfield Court, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield

210284

Nutbean Farm, Nutbean Major Lane, Swallowfield Application

Full application for the proposed change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian plus erection of 2no stable buildings with associated hardstanding and creation of a manège.

Land South Of, Cutbush Lane, (West Of Oldhouse Farm Lane)

Full application for the erection of Film studio stages and workshops (for a temporary period of 5 years). To include access to the site via Old House Lane / Cutbush Lane, car parking, ancillary buildings to support the use of the site and landscaping, with a workshop to be included on Gateway 4 plot at Thames Valley Science Park. Potential departure from the Local Plan

210387

(Affect setting of) Householder application for the proposed erection Listed Building of a single storey side extension to form garden room.

Major Application

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 11th March 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: 18th February 2021 GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE Troy Davis trading as Troy Scaffolding Limited of 48 Park View Drive North, Charvil, Reading, RG10 9QY is applying for a licence to use Crosslanes Farm, Beech Hill Road, Spencer's Wood, Reading, RG7 1JH as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicle.

Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.

For up to date news in the borough follow us on

1. Lower Sandhurst Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with Dell Road and Wokingham Borough Boundary.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Dell Road, B3348 The Ridges, B3348 Wellingtonia Avenue, A321 Wokingham Road and Ambarrow Lane or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 22nd February and 26th February 2021.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow South East Water contractors to undertake to undertake a new connection work in safety.

2. White Horse Lane, Finchampstead between its junctions with Nine Mile Ride and Church Lane.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Nine Mile Ride, B3016 Finchampstead Road and Church Lane or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 15th March and 19th March 2021.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow South East Water contractors to undertake works on their assets.

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 22nd February 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: 18th February 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 11th February 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:

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ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (LOWER SANDHURST ROAD, FINCHAMPSTEAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

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WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE

SEARCH TO END HOME HOODOO CONTINUES AFTER LATE LEVELLER Reading Women 1 Everton Women 1

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING WOMEN manager Kelly Chambers was left to rue a missed opportunity for three points after the Royals were pegged back by a late Everton equaliser.

Rachel Rowe's first-half strike was cancelled out by a 77th minute Nicoline Sorensen equaliser as Reading had to settle for a point.

Rowe scored the opening goal of the game, in the 35th minute, but the Royals couldn’t hold on after a spell of Everton pressure finally paid off to share the points.

Reading stay in sixth position in the Women’s Super League table, behind Everton on goal difference and have now gone seven matches at home since their last victory.

“Everton turned it into a different game in the second-half,” said Chambers.

“They played a lot longer and more direct, they threw a lot more bodies forward which put us on the back-foot and make it hard for us to get into the sort of rhythm and flow we were in during the first-half.

“In the first 45 minutes we were fully in control and should have been further ahead at the break.

“The girls were outstanding trying to defend it’s just a shame we didn’t defend the one that inevitably drew Everton level.”

Kelly Chambers' side were looking to build after last weekend's spectacular away win at Manchester United.

The Royals had the first big chance of the match with five minutes on the clock when Amalie Eikeland was slipped through into the box by Danielle Carter, but Everton goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela made a super stop before the Toffees defence got organised to block Rachel Rowe's follow up.

Reading keeper Grace Moloney was called into action to deal with a cross as she beat Valerie Gauvin to the ball and plucked the ball out of the air with relative ease.

Emma Mitchell then burst down the right and put in a dangerous delivery, Korpela punched the ball away but only to Carter, who looked poised to shoot but slipped at the crucial moment as the chance passed her by.

Eikeland then tried her luck from the edge of the box as she looked to curl it into the bottom right corner but Korpela made a

simple stop down low to her right.

Reading came inches away from taking the lead in the 25th minute when Rowe whipped a beautiful delivery deep into the box from a 40-yard free-kick to find Eikeland at the back post, but she was denied by the post after meeting the ball at the back post before Megan Finnigan hooked the ball off the line and over for a corner.

An excellent display of pace saw Eikeland break through a handful of Everton players wide on the left and burst into the box, and the Everton keeper could only punch the ball out to Rowe who latched onto the loose ball and volleyed into the empty net to give Reading the lead after 35 minutes.

Rowe continued to pose a threat every time she ventured forward and drilled a low cross to try and find Tash Harding in the middle, but a small deflection took the ball away from the Reading skipper.

Everton came forward in search of an equaliser in the second half and had Reading under the cosh in the first 15 minutes of the second-half. But the Royals stayed resolute in defence as Cooper threw her body in the way of Christiansen’s shot to protect her goalkeeper.

Everton finally snatched an equaliser having pressed all half, in the 77th minute.

A cross to the back post found Nicoline Sorensen unmarked, who looped the ball over Moloney with a header to level the match.

The hosts were pinned back for much of the second-half and struggled to get forward, despite Rower trying her luck from distance in the 88th minute, which forced a save from the keeper who did well to hold on to the ball.

Cooper had a brilliant chance to snatch the points in stoppage time but flicked the ball just wide of the post after Jess Fishlock's freekick found her in the middle unmarked.

Reading are away from home in their next fixture, against Bristol City Women on Sunday, March 7.

READING WOMEN: Moloney, Mitchell, Cooper, Bartrip, Woodham, James, Fishlock, Eikeland, Rowe, Harding (c), Carter SUBS: Nayler, Leine, Roberts, Childerhouse, Flores, Bruton EVERTON WOMEN: Korpela, Moe Wold, Turner, Sevecke, Christiansen, Lehmann, Emslie, Stringer, Scott, Gauvin, Finnigan SUBS: Pedersen, George, Boye-Hlorkah, Magill, Sorensen, Raso, Graham, Clemaron, Clinton GOALS: Rowe 35', Sorensen 77'

Reading Women have now gone seven games at the Madejski Stadium without victory after Everton’s equaliser Pictures: Neil Graham

Reading Women have now gone seven games at the Madejski Stadium without victory after Everton’s equaliser Pictures: Neil Graham

Dan Carter shields the ball from Everton

Reading celebrate after Rowe’s opener

Tash Harding competes for an aerial ball

SPORT | 29

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BASKETBALL

SPIRITED ROCKETS TAKEN DOWN BY UNBEATEN SOLENT Team Solent Kestrels 101 Reading Rockets 73

SOLENT extended their two-year unbeaten record after they saw off a spirited Rockets side.

Despite defeat, the Rockets can be proud that they are the first team in the league this year which has lost to Solent by less than 30 points.

Rockets played well in the opening two quarters as two young guards in Reis Pinnock and Sam Grant hit 10 and 11 points respectively while both defended superbly too as Solent edged the first period by just 21-18.

Rockets had tied the game at 28 each but a 16-0 Solent run hurt Rockets who came back with a 7-0 run including a buzzer beating drive and finish by O’Showen Williams going into the changing room 35-44 adrift.

Williams scored nine of

Rockets’ 15 points in the third period but Solent were rampant scoring 25 points as Rockets piled up the fouls finding themselves gifting Solent many trips to the foul throw line.

Rockets had cut the deficit to just six points with their first two possessions including a Williams treble but Solent responded with two quick scores before Leome Francis scored his first points of the game with a clinical inside move.

A 9-0 start by Solent saw them in control with a 31 point lead which they held effectively till the final two minutes when Sam Grant drove to score and Sam Toluwase hit a treble before another academy student Kivuvu Live hit Rockets’ last score as they went down 73-101.

Rockets now travel to Oakland Wolves next Sunday tipping at 3.30pm.

sport@wokingham.today

GARY Reynolds, CEO of Rams RFC, believes the chance to play any form of rugby before the end of the season would be ‘brilliant’ for those involved in the sport.

No competitive action outside the ‘elite’ level has been played since last March, and despite the best efforts of the NCA to organise an alternative National Cup to replace the cancelled leagues, that too has fallen by the wayside.

However, in recent weeks there have been signs of improvement with cases and hospitalisations reducing, while the Government has received credit for its mass

vaccination programme, which surpassed 15 million last weekend.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is due to unveil his roadmap out of lockdown on Monday, and with friendlies potentially able to take place up until the end of May, Reynolds says it would be a real boost to the players and morale in society in general.

He revealed: “The squad are gagging at the bit to get out and play some rugby and I desperately hope we can do it before the end of the season.

“I think it would be brilliant to get the boys out on the pitch, playing hopefully a great game and local derby or two under the new lights and have the chance to meet up with

some of our supporters and opposition supporters and have a great time.

“The guys have been brilliant and we were very fortunate to invest in a good outdoor gym facility which means we’ve had full capabilities to keep our boys fit when we’ve been able to during the last year.

“They’ve also been brilliant in terms of the support they’ve given to others throughout the club.

“As a rugby club, we are extremely proud of how engaged our first team is with its community.”

Plans have been put in place to make changes to the community structure in future with fewer teams in the National Leagues, along with more localised competitions further down the pyramid.

Reynolds believes something needs to be done, stating: “There’s a lot of uncertainty as to what the structures will look like – there’s been stacks of publicity about the financial problems in the Premiership and Championship.

“I think the RFU are working really hard to see how they can help the game open up positively with some new ideas coming through and possible new league structures from 2022/23.”

However, while the hope of a brighter future may be coming onto the horizon, he was adamant of who deserves the most credit closer to home.

He concluded: “We’ve been incredibly fortunate because other sports clubs have suffered much more than us.

“But we’ve got a superb group of volunteers through all the sections and they make Rams what it is.

“They love being part of it, but they are also what make it.”

WOODLEY UNITED APPEAL FOR PICTURES TO PRODUCE FOOTBALL HISTORY PRESENTATION WOODLEY United Football Club are appealing for people to send in photos and news items eelating to the history of football in the town.

Woodley Town Council is looking to produce a presentation relating to the history of football in Woodley through the 1900’s to the present day.

From the 1970’s-1990’s, football was big in the town, with many teams playing at Woodford Park and enjoying success.

Anyone with relevant photos or news items relating to football in Woodley should emailt: mark.rozzier@woodleyunitedfc. co.uk

With Dick Sawdon-Smith

Referees receive unacceptable abuse

RAMS SQUAD DESPERATE TO RETURN TO ACTION

By RICHARD ASHTON

FROM THE MIDDLE

Woodley United Men’s and Ladies in action Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballInBerkshire

T

HE aftermath of the incident at the West Ham v Fulham match, when Tomas Soucek was sent off by Mike Dean, illustrate something we hear little about. I will leave the incident itself until next week as I think there is one part of it that has been overlooked.

I will concentrate this week on the abuse and death threats sent to Mike Dean’s family.

We hear a lot about players being abused, sometimes by racist comments, not at the grounds because there are no spectators, but after games, mainly through social media.

This is totally unacceptable but we hear little about the abuse of referees, which has a long history. For some reason it has felt acceptable to abuse referees for many years.

One player in the local Reading League when taken to task by the referee for abuse said, “If you can’t take it you shouldn’t be refereeing”, as if that is something referees have to accept.

Now with the advent of social media, the abusers sign up under assumed names and cannot be traced.

One new Premier League referee, when he checked his social media after his first Premier League game, found messages such as “I hope you get killed in a road crash on your way home”. He doesn’t bother with social media.

Mark Clattenburg’s family were threatened and he still receives hate messages, although he withdrew from the Premier League three years ago. These threats are not uncommon.

Michael Oliver awarded an obvious penalty in the last minute against Juventus in the Champions League and after being vilified by their goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, sent him off.

Michael’s wife Lucy, who incidentally is a referee herself in the Women’s Super League, immediately got messages on her Twitter account such as, ‘go do the dishes, we will kill your husband’ and ‘you have to die’.

They moved house.

This cannot continue.

The social media companies must devise a method whereby their customers can be identified and those using it for abuse and threats must be prosecuted.

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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

ROYALS TAMED BY LIONS IN HOME DEFEAT � Continued from back page

“We lost a little bit of clarity in the moments when we conceded. We have to learn when we conceded it’s not the end of the world. We will look to be proactive.”

Veljko Paunović made a couple of switches as Lewis Gibson and Tom Holmes replaced Andy Yiadom and Omar Richards in the starting eleven.

Meanwhile, Millwall named three former Royals in their starting line-up as Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, George Evans and former academy graduate Jake Cooper were chosen. Another former Royals graduate, Alex Pearce, was named on the bench for the visitors.

Reading were put under some early pressure as Millwall won a corner just two minutes into the game after Shaun Williams’ shot was deflected behind.

Another corner came for the visitors and with Michael Morrison out on the sideline receiving treatment, Reading were left temporarily with 10 players and were almost made to pay with their defensive reinforcements down a number.

Former Royal George Evans found himself free in the box after a short corner routine but couldn’t keep his header down as it skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Reading’s first foray forward came after 14 minutes with a slick move involving Andy Rinomhota and Ovie Ejaria, but Josh Laurent overhit his cross when he aimed to find Lucas João in the box.

But having survived some early scares, it was Reading who went ahead against the run of play in the 17th minute in bizarre circumstances.

Millwall keeper Bartosz Bialkowski rolled the ball out but a poor touch allowed Alfa Semedo to claw the ball away from the visitors and hit a goalwards effort with his first touch from 40 yards which caught the Lions keeper out of position and crept into the corner to give the Royals the lead.

Paunović’s side grew in confidence having taken the lead when Lucas João had his first sight at goal but scuffed an effort straight at the keeper from 20 yards.

Millwall continued to threaten from set pieces with their aerial presence as Cooper had a chance at the back post but couldn’t direct his header on target.

Ben Thompson had a brilliant chance for the visitors when a headed clearance dropped his way in the box just 12 yards out, but he miscued his volley into the ground as Rafael Cabral made a routine stop.

The best play of the half came in the 41st minute when Michael Olise showed his magic as he breezed past a cluster of Millwall defenders, cutting in from the right before playing a defence splitting pass to find João through on goal.

The Portuguese forward looked poised to continue his scoring streak, but Millwall keeper Bialkowski dived low to his right to make a superb stop.

Reading got forward with a beautiful move as Ejaria and João traded flicks before Olise’s powerful strike from the edge of the box was well held by the keeper.

João looked to break through the Millwall backline but was hacked down by Hutchinson and won a free-kick from 20

yards out. Olise curled an effort towards goal which was parried out by Bialkowski but Rinomhota couldn’t take advantage on the rebound as he struck wide.

Having not created too many clear cut chances throughout the match, Millwall found themselves level in the 76th minute.

A deflected shot squirmed its way through to Smith who blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close range to equalise.

Ejaria had a superb chance to put Reading back in front just moments after the Millwall goal but his shot crashed off the crossbar.

Millwall stole the lead in the 85th minute as Bennett glanced a header which looped over Rafael and into the corner.

The hosts were unable to claw back an equaliser as they were beaten at home for the second consecutive match.

The Royals were dealt a further blow as Paunović confirmed that John Swift is due to face a further spell away from the pitch with a hamstring injury.

“Swift has a long term injury.

It is a hamstring injury which will take more than six weeks.”

Lucas João with his head in his hands after missing the chance to extend the lead Pictures: Steve Smyth

READING: Rafael, Holmes, McIntyre, Morrison (c), Gibson, Rinomhota, Laurent, Semedo, Ejaria, Olise, João SUBS: Southwood, Esteves, Yiadom, Richards, Tetek, Aluko, Onen, Camara, Baldock MILLWALL: Bialkowski, Hutchinson, Cooper, Williams, Thompson, Romeo, Zohore, Malone, Woods, Bodvarsson, Evans SUBS: Fielding, Pearce, McNamara, Mitchell, Bennett, Bradshaw, Smith, Burey, Wallace GOALS: Semedo 17′, Smith 76′

A header loops over Reading keeper Rafael Cabral as Millwall snatch a late winner to take the points

Alfa Semedo gave Reading a first-half lead after he opened the scoring with a bizarre goal

SPORT | 31

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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

BACK ON TRACK: JOÃO AND MORRISON NET IN AWAY WIN Bristol City 0-2 Reading � Continued from back page

It was a slow burner of a half, but with a common theme as Reading dominated control of the ball.

Lucas João was often the target of some hopeful long balls, but the first of which was overhit from Michael Olise as he searched for the top scorer.

Tomas Esteves, who was deployed further forward on the wing, ventured forward into the box and battled well but no one could get on the end of his cross before the ball broke to the opposite side and Omar Richards’ looping cross was cleared.

Esteves then must have thought he had opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when an aftermath of a corner broke his way and he fired a volley goalwards, but it was blocked by a crowd of Bristol defenders.

Bristol were struggling to have any sustained possession as Andy Yiadom got forward into the box and pulled the ball back for Ovie Ejaria, who almost beat goalkeeper Daniel Bentley with a deflected effort that dribbled just wide of the post.

Ejaria then danced his way

past a defender and got into the box on the wide left and pulled the ball back for Omar Richards whose shot looked destined for the net but was hooked off the line by Jack Hunt.

An opening goal looked inevitable for the Royals who continued to create chances and they finally found the breakthrough in the 42nd minute through Lucas João who netted his 20th goal in all competitions this season.

Olise’s free-kick was met by João who took an immaculate first touch before firing the ball past Bentley at the near post to give the Royals a deserved advantage.

Michael Morrison burst through the centre of the pitch, traded a pass with João who flicked the ball into his path.

The defender impressively finished the move as he broke into the box and found the net via a deflection which looped up and over the Bristol keeper.

The Royals were back on the front foot and Alfa Semedo came inches away from making good enough contact in the middle after a brilliant run and delivery from the left by Richards.

Chances kept coming the way of the visitors who were failing to punish Bristol in the

second-half as Olise brought Reading forward and slipped the ball to Esteves who had his shot blocked behind for a corner.

The resulting corner presented a chance for Tom McIntyre who raced onto the delivery from Olise and forced Bentley to put it behind for another corner.

Reading held out to earn three points in a dominant display as they also earned their 13th league clean sheet of the season.

Reading will be looking to avoid three successive home defeats when they host eighthplaced Middlesbrough at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday (3pm). They are also away to Wycombe on Tuesday.

T

READING: Rafael, Yiadom, McIntyre, Morrison (c), Richards, Rinomhota, Semedo, Ejaria, Esteves, Olise, João SUBS: Southwood, Moore, Gibson, Holmes, Tetek, Onen, Aluko, Baldock, Puscas

Michael Morrison scored Reading’s second in their away win at Bristol City Picture: Steve Smyth

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

PREVIEW: ROYALS HOST PLAY-OFF CHALLENGERS

READING will be keen to stretch the gap between them and play-off hopefuls Midesbrough when they host them at the Madjeski this Saturday.

Veljko Paunović’s side got back on track with an away win at Bristol City on Tuesday evening, while Boro also took three points as they defeated Huddersfield Town 2-1.

They ended a run of four games without a win to put them back in the hunt for the play-off places where they cut the gap to sixthplaced Bournemouth to just three points before the Cherries’ Wednesday night fixture against Rotherham.

Neil Warnock’s team are making a push for the play-offs and are currently in eighth position in the Championship, eight points behind Reading in fifth.

It was a drab affair when the

sides met earlier in the season at the Riverside in October.

The Royals produced the only shot on target in the whole match as it ended goalless.

Prior to the draw earlier in the campaign, Reading had beaten Boro in the last seven meetings and are on a run of eight games without defeat against Saturday’s opponents.

Boro’s success has largely been built on having a relatively tight defence which has seen them keep 10 clean sheets from their 30 games this season, seeing them concede just 31 goals.

Paunović is hoping to have Josh Laurent back available for selection after he missed Tuesday’s win at Bristol.

“Josh got a couple of knocks in the last few games,” said Paunović.

“He was carrying them through

With Olly Allen

Subs a weakness for Pauno

BRISTOL CITY: Bentley, Hunt, Kalas (c), Moore, Mariappa, Vyner, Nagy, Lansbury, Paterson, Wells Diedhou SUBS: O’Leary, Towler, Sessegnon, Massengo, Bakinson, Pearson, Palmer, Semenyo, Bell

GOALS: Lucas João 42′, Morrison 45′

FROM THE TILEHURST END

the matches we played so the assessment from the medical staff was we will be risking too much so we decided to rest him.

“Hopefully he can recover and be ready for the next game.”

The Royals are then in midweek action once again when they face bottom of the table Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Tuesday evening.

Gareth Ainsworth’s side have given a good account of themselves since defying the odds to win promotion to the Championship, but sit at the foot of the table after 22 defeats from their 29 fixtures this season.

Despite this, Reading know that they will be in for a tough battle having fought for a hard-earned three points when they played the Chairboys at the Madejski in October.

Lucas João scored the only goal of the game, just after the hour mark to separate the sides.

Ainsworth’s side will need to start racking up the points quickly if they are to survive the drop, with a 10 point gap currently between them and the relegation places after a last-gasp defeat at home to Derby County on Tuesday night.

HERE has been a lot to praise Veljko Paunović for this season.

He has taken a Reading team who have spent almost all of the last three years in the bottom half of the Championship and transformed them into promotion contenders, creating a fantastic team spirit and a genuine likeability about the squad.

But I will, just for this one column, pick apart what seems to be one of his weaknesses as a manager. Substitutions.

The Serbian either does not deploy them well, or is reluctant to use them at all.

Let’s start with the first point. I can’t think of many truly game-changing substitutions Paunović has made this season. Perhaps the introduction of eventual match winner Michael Olise away at Queens Park Rangers, but aside from that, very few players have come on and made a genuine difference to the way a game has turned out.

As a reverse of that, it’s hard not to mention Tom Holmes being substituted off for Andy Yiadom against Millwall last weekend and the Lions scoring their two goals soon after.

While I don’t subscribe to the view that the switch cost Reading the game, it did seem a slightly strange move to disrupt the backline and not to take off an attacking player to help the Royals see out the game.

The fact that he has not had much success with substitutions perhaps leads the Serbian to think he won’t use them as much, or as early.

He does not seem to trust many of the players on the bench to come on and make an impact, and in that sense we come full circle.

With due respect to players like Sam Baldock and Sone Aluko, who work hard enough, they’re not game-changing players who enthuse supporters or inspire their teammates.

It comes back to the regular discussion around Reading’s small squad size, which has been good for creating a tight-knit group, but not so good when you’re looking for adequate backups in certain positions.

Even if Reading have a comfortable lead in a game, substitutions should be made to give key players a rest.

Everyone knows how demanding the fixture schedule is, and if you can afford to limit fatigue in certain matches then you should.

Paunović eventually did do this on Tuesday night – taking off Lucas João, Ovie Ejaria and Michael Olise from the 86th minute onwards – but he arguably could have done this a while earlier.

I’m sure Paunović is still learning as a manager, but if he can become slightly more adventurous with his substitutions, then Reading will be in a better position to finish games strongly.

WOKINGHAMSPORTYOUR GUIDE TO ALL THE ACTION

STUNG

BY BEES READING 1 BRENTFORD 3

READING 1 MILLWALL 2

READING were on the wrong end of a Brentford comeback as they lost ground on a promotion rival.

Late goals at the game last Wednesday saw the Bees overturn a one-goal deficit to continue their unbeaten run. � Full story page 30

STICKY AFTER TOFFEES

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

MAULED BY LIONS READING were dealt a second consecutive home defeat as Millwall scored two late goals to take the points at the Madejski on Saturday.

Alfa Semedo’s bizarre opener had the Royals in front until the game turned on its head late in the second-half.

Matt Smith blasted the ball into the roof of the net to equalise in the 76th minute.

Millwall took the three points after substitute Mason Bennett scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute.

“It’s a hard loss,” said Paunović.

“In the first-half we played a difficult game against a difficult opponent and we had a couple of opportunities, we should have scored.

“We mixed up the basics in defending and converting our opportunities. � Continued on page 30

READING WOMEN were denied the chance to climb above Everton in the Super League table after a late equaliser from the visitors on Sunday.

The Madejski Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Kelly Chambers’ side, who have now gone seven league games without a victory at their home.

It looked as if the winless run may be coming to an end thanks to Rachel Rowe’s first-half goal.

However, they were made to pay when Everton took the initiative to level in the 77th minute. � Full story page 28

BRISTOL CITY 0-2 ROYALS

THIRD TIME LUCKY SCORERS: Michael Morrison and Lucas João earned Reading three points on Tuesday, cementing their play-off place Pictures: Steve Smyth

ROYALS ROUT ROBINS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING ended a run of two straight defeats with a win on the road as Lucas João and Michael Morrison scored to help earn three points at Ashton Gate.

João tallied his 17th Championship goal of the campaign in the 42nd minute, before Morrison scored a spectacular goal after a mazy run to complete a quickfire double before half-time.

“We expected a tough game but we

matched that with a great performance from our team,” said Roiyals gaffer Veljko Paunović.

“I’m also very happy for the clean sheet and for reacting very quickly, bouncing back after two defeats in a row in just a couple of days.

“For Morrison, I was very happy, that was one of my favourite goals of the season so far because of the way he did it.

“He doesn’t need to be encouraged especially, he’s a very brave man.

“When he saw that gap and that space, he was just determined and went through.” � Continued on page 29

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