Thursday, February 3, 2022
No. 349 90p
Covid rates on the up after switch to ‘Plan A’ By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
LABOUR WORRIED OVER CYCLE PLAN P2
On Monday, 300 people tested positive for the virus. However, it was recorded as 2,021 people due to a change in the way that data is collected. From Monday, one person who has had two Covid-19 infections now counts as two cases, not one person. As the England-wide data was reconfigured, this resulted in a large increase in the number of cases reported for Monday, January 31. This suggests that 1,721 cases in the borough have been reinfections. This is when someone tests positive for the virus more than 90 days since they last had it. The latest official estimate suggests that one in 10 cases in England are reinfections, with many reinfections due to the Omicron variant, which is known to be more contagious. Prior to December 6, around 2% of cases were thought to be reinfections. Across the UK, the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic jumped from 16.5 million to 17.3 million as part of the reporting change. On Tuesday, there were 533 new cases in the borough, reflecting the number of daily PCR tests being carried out. And the weekly infection rate has been climbing since mid-January. It now stands at 1,855.8. This is also the highest in Berkshire. In neighbouring Bracknell Forest, there were 314 positive cases on Tuesday, with an infection rate of 1,514.9. In Reading, there were 421 cases, and it’s weekly infection rate is 1,705.8. In Windsor and Maidenhead, there were 376 positive cases on Tuesday, bringing its infection rate to 1,488.7. And in Slough, there were 398 new cases, with a rate of infection of 1,532.3. In West Berkshire, there were 389 cases, with an infection rate of 1,151. It comes as the Government moved England to “Plan A”, with face masks no longer mandatory in indoor venues.
PICTURE: Stewart Turkington
CORONAVIRUS infection rates continue to climb in Wokingham, with hundreds of cases reported each day.
CHARITY HUB OPENS TOWN CENTRE DOORS
Building unites 11 charities to support residents
EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A SPECIAL BUILDING home to 11 charities across the borough has officially opened.
On Friday, January 28, Wokingham borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker cut the ribbon to the Wokingham Charity and Community Hub. Based in Waterford House, at Erfstadt Court, the facility spans almost 6,000ft and is the new home for community-based
organisations. It is open for drop-ins for the public to seek advice, help and support, and appointments can also be pre-booked. Cllr Baker said: “It’s a pleasure to have opened this fantastic facility which will undoubtedly help hundreds of people from our area in the years ahead. “Our charities and voluntary organisations make a huge difference to our communities and our residents, having them all together under roof is a moment to celebrate.” n Continued on page 3
BUSINESS OWNER OPENS BOUTIQUE P3
SIR JOHN VISITS P10 CODING SCHOOL
SPORT CHARITY GIVEN £4,000 P29 ISSN 2634-8330 05
9 772634 833019
2 | NEWS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
Sue Ryder raises more than £5,000 with tree-cycling WE COVER WOKINGHAM BOROUGH
PICK UPS: 383 Christmas trees were collected to raise money for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice
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HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email Email news@wokingham.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Deputy editor • Jess Warren Reporters • Natalie Burton, Daniel Blackham Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.
A FESTIVE recycling scheme has raised more than £5,000 for charity. At the start of January, 12 Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice volunteers collected 383 Christmas trees from people’s homes across Reading, Newbury and Wokingham. Residents made donations for their trees to be collected, chipped into mulch and recycled. The charity worked in partnership with Just Helping, and were supported by G A Butler & Sons and Arborfield Tree Care. Georgia Thornton from Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, said: “We want to say a very special thank you to [everyone] for supporting our scheme. This will help us to continue providing our expert care and filling families’ final days with love.” The charity is currently looking for residents to take on the Reading Half Marathon in April.
MP has serious safety worries over cycle link between towns many people already cycle from Woodley to Reading, and said she By JESS WARREN had not seen a cycle count. jwarren@wokingham.today “I think they need to take the whole thing away and ONE OF the borough’s MPs said look again,” she that he is concerned about cyclists’ said. “There’s safety on a proposed link between lots of bits that Woodley and Reading. I don’t think Matt Rodda, whose Reading East stack up.” constituency includes Woodley Mr Rodda and Earley, was commenting on said that any the consultation launched by solution should Wokingham Borough Council last work for cyclists week. and drivers, and It will gather opinions on a new route connecting the towns. encouraged the Residents in the town have been borough council to explore receiving letters inviting them to its options. comment on a consultation over Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive sustainable transport options that member for highways and would try to make it easier for transport, said that the council has cyclists to use the roads. used feedback from the first survey It follows a questionnaire last to develop options for the design of a travel route between Woodley and Reading. “Residents told us they want to see segregated cycleways, and these would lead to more of them feeling 3URXGO\ VHUYLQJ WKH ORFDO FRPPXQLW\ safe to travel around the area on their bikes, with buggies, wheelchairs and on :H FUHDWH HYHU\ IXQHUDO LQGLYLGXDOO\ MXVW IRU \RX foot,” she said. “This consultation will be used to make KRXU VHUYLFH )ORUDO WULEXWHV the final decisions on the route and design +RPH YLVLWV 3ULYDWH FKDSHOV RI UHVW details.” The project is being %HUHDYHPHQW DGYLFH 5HSDWULDWLRQ funded by a £576,650 ,VDEHOOD +RXVH $ 5HDGLQJ 5RDG grant from the 5* (; government awarded in November 2020. The &DOO XV IRU LPPHGLDWH VXSSRUW DGYLFH RU WR DUUDQJH D KRPH YLVLW deadline for comments :H DUH KHUH WR KHOS KRXUV D GD\ is Monday, February 21.
EXCLUSIVE
March. More than 600 responses were received on improving links between Woodley town centre Palmer Park. Mr Rodda said that any cycling route should be safe enough for a 12-year-old to be able to use and feel secure on. “I’m in favour of improving cycling and walking,” the MP said. “But some aspects of the plan need a rethink.” Mr Rodda said he would like to see a longer consultation on the plans for Woodlands Avenue. A stretch of the road between Howth Drive and Lytham Road would be converted to both 20mph and one-way, to allow for a cycle track to be installed on the road. Footpaths would be unaffected. He also questioned the safety of current plans on the border of the two towns, along Culver Lane,
Anderson Avenue, and towards Palmer Park. “I’m not sure the council has got that right at all,” he said. “It seems like there would be lots of potential queues and delays. “The plans at the moment could lead to lots of accidents.” Cllr Shirley Boyt, Labour councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates was also concerned about this area. She questioned whether the plans are in the best interests of cyclists and drivers, and described the route as “poorly thought out”. Cllr Boyt also questioned how
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n For more information, visit: engage. wokingham.gov.uk
PICTURE: Matt Rodda with Cllr Shirley Boyt at the bridge at Culver Lane
NEWS | 3
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Thursday, February 3, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Emmbrook business owner opens boutique in Wokingham EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today AN EMMBROOK business owner has fulfilled her lifelong dream after opening a boutique store.
Fiona Parry opened her Elms Walk venue on Wednesday, January 19, and has seen a steady stream of customers. “The first Saturday was like Christmas Eve,” she said. “There were people queuing for the changing rooms — the shop was full. “There were loads of people wandering in, a real mix of ages too.” She already has an established client base after running the boutique from her home for the last two and a half years. After outgrowing her house, she made the jump to a town centre premises. “We need more boutiques and independents in the town,” she said. Keen to be more than a clothing retailer, Ms Parry has also trained as a personal stylist, and is able to help shoppers who are stuck in a rut with their wardrobe. She also hopes to plan events at the store, including fashion shows, styling talks and private shopping events. “My aim is to empower people to use the clothes that they already have,” she explained. “It might be one new item that unlocks more outfits, and creates a capsule wardrobe that you live in and love.” Her stock includes Scandinavian, French, Greek and British made clothing. “The different brands have different appeals,” she said. Some items pop with colour, while others are more classic in design, but each is carefully chosen by Ms parry “I only buy what I love,” she said. “But I have different kinds of people in mind for the items. “And the more people I meet, the more I get a sense of what different shoppers are looking for.” At the moment, Ms Parry has a small staff, but is already preparing to offer work experience placements.
CHARITY VOICES: Emma Cantrell, CEO of First Days Children’s Charity is involved in the Hardship Alliance
Council seeks feedback on its anti-poverty strategy
OPEN: Fiona Parry has opened her own boutique clothing store in Wokingham town centre All pictures: Dijana Capan
INSIDE: Ms Parry has carefully selected her stock She has two girls soon to try out the world of retail, much like she did at age 16. This, she explained, is important to her. Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development at the borough council, said that Ms Parry’s business is just
Borough mayor opens new charity hub n Continued from front page
“It was a joy to see the new hub and how it’s already making a difference to our residents,” he said. Last year, the borough council agreed to give more than £2 million to the voluntary sector through grants and contracts. The aim is to build partnership working, as part of the council’s priorities over the next three years. It brings organisations
under one roof to provide high-quality information, advice and support to enable people to access the right services at the right time. Waterford House has been reconfigured to create office, breakout and meeting room space for all of the organisations moving into the building. This has included new carpets, ceilings and fittings and improved ventilation to some rooms, in light of the pandemic.
Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services at the council, said: “Working alongside the voluntary sector in our borough is a clear priority for us, as we know it produces better outcomes for those who live in our area. “This coordinated approach with our voluntary community sector partners means those who need help can get it promptly from one place.
what Wokingham needs. “Creating opportunities for new and growing independent businesses has always been part of our vision for the town and something residents have continued to say they want to see,” he said. “Being able to regenerate the town has been the perfect opportunity to “Bringing these brilliant organisations under one roof is built on partnership working over the last few years during the Covid-19 pandemic.” The building is now home to Involve, which is managing the hub, Cranstoun Wokingham, Home Start Wokingham District, Health Watch Wokingham Borough, The Link Visiting Scheme, Mind in Berkshire, CLASP, Promise Inclusion, Wokingham Volunteer Centre and Wokingham Foodbank. It is already home
support this, giving us the ability to design in the types of units these smaller businesses need.” Fiona Parry Boutique is open from 9.30am until 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and 10am until 4pm on Sunday. n For the online shop, visit: fionaparry. com
to Citizen’s Advice Wokingham. Jake Morrison, chief executive of the charity said that he is pleased the building has been developed into a hub. “Citizens Advice have been here a number of years now, with our partner organisations working just downstairs, this will help bring many of our services for our community together,” he said. Waterford House is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
n Appointments can be
booked by calling 0118 228 0480
WOKINGHAM Borough Council is asking for residents’ feedback on its draft anti-poverty strategy. The draft was developed in partnership with the Hardship Alliance and the strategy is due to be published later this spring. The alliance is group of four charities, First Days Children’s Charity, Citizens Advice Wokingham, AgeUK Berkshire and Wokingham United Charities. Amy Garstang, manager at Wokingham United Charities, said that by working together with the borough council, the alliance hopes to help those suffering hardship and poverty. “Wokingham is fortunate to have many passionate charities and community groups that already provide assistance and support,” she said. “It’s vitally important that we represent the ideas and feelings not only of those organisations providing the support, but of the residents of Wokingham.” Cllr Laura Blumenthal, deputy executive member for anti-poverty, said that the council and voluntary sector recognise that more needs to be done to help people during difficult times. “By putting in place a clear action plan and holding accountability, we’re demonstrating our commitment to tackling poverty in Wokingham borough,” she said. “We want to hear from our residents on whether they feel we’re focussing on the right areas.” The draft first-year action plan of the strategy includes aspects such as communication, employment support, mental health and housing. The consultation is open until 11.59pm on Monday, February 21. n For more information, visit: engage.wokingham. gov.uk
4 | NEWS
Entries open for last winter race at Dinton Pastures ENTRIES are open for the final race in a series of Winter runs at Dinton Pastures. The last in the Barnes Fitness Winter 5 Series will take place on Sunday, February 13. A five mile multi-terrain course around the country park will include mud, paths, fields and a flight of stairs. Runners can choose to take part virtually, and there is a virtual option for those aged five to 15. Registration fees start from £22. Participants also have the choice between receiving a medal or dedicating a tree to The National Forest. n For more information, visit: barnesfitness.co.uk/enterpriseaccountants-winter-5-series
Bird-themed activies at the garden centre CHILDREN can take on artistic endeavours at a Wokingham garden centre this half-term. Squire’s Garden Centre is inviting youngsters to paint a ceramic bird feeder, or go on a wild bird treasure hunt around the garden centre. All sessions run from Monday, February 21, to Friday, February 25. The Wild Bird Treasure Hunt is free and does not need to be booked ahead. Families can arrive on the day, and follow a trail around the garden centre, answering questions on an activity sheet to spell out a magic word. Children handing in a completed activity sheet will be given a sticker. The painting session costs £6 per child. n They must be booked at: www. squiresgardencentres.co.uk
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
Petitioners hope to save historic Woodley aircraft building
By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today
PETITION: The art deco building on Headley Road East that Woodley residents want to save from potential demolition Picture: Phil Creighton
A PETITION has been launched to save the Woodley headquarters of Miles Aircraft from demolition.
The art deco building on Headley Road East is one of the last remaining parts of the factory on the former Reading Aerodrome site. It is now subject to a planning application to erect five commercial buildings for light industrial work and storage, as well as offices, car parking and a new access. Karen Long, who started the campaign online on change.org on Saturday, January 29, alleged that the proposed developer submitted a “late and inaccurate built heritage statement” in her petition details. “The council’s public consultation last year generated more comments objecting to the loss of non-designated heritage assets, such as the Miles Aircraft building, than about any other related issues,” she said. “Too many of Britain’s former aircraft factories have already been lost to modern development when they could have been saved through intelligent conservation and re-purposing.” Cllr Shirley Boyt supported the petition, and said that there are better ways to use the buildings to benefit
Woodley residents. “Viscount Way, which runs behind Headley Road East, is already blighted by HGV traffic, and the storage centres proposed for the site will mean more large lorries in the area,” she explained. “Work certainly needs doing to modernise the buildings, but Woodley needs infrastructure to support new homes being built, such as a new primary school, doctors surgery and dentist, not more industrial units.
HMRC reminds parents of tax-free childcare HM REVENUE and Customs has reminded parents to check whether they are eligible for tax-free childcare. The reminder comes ahead of February half-term. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services said: “Parents and carers can check their eligibility and register for the scheme via the government website.” The childcare top up is worth up to £2,000 per year and provides eligible working families with up to £500 every three months towards the cost of holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other accredited childcare schemes. The top-up is £1,000 if a child is disabled.
Tax-free childcare is available for children aged up to 11, or 17 if the child has a disability. Accounts can be opened at any time of the year and can be used straight away. For every £8 deposited into an account, families will receive an additional £2 in government top-up. More than 50,000 working families in the South East used the scheme in September 2021. Overall, HMRC paid out more than £35 million in top-up payments, which was shared between nearly 316,000 families across the UK – an increase of about 90,000 families compared to September 2020.
“Even keeping the building and turning it into a retail park with small business units would be better than this proposal, because it would create more employment.” Wokingham Today first covered the story of the fight to save the Miles Aircraft building in October last year. After interest in the campaign, an application for listing was made to Historic England. This is currently being assessed, and a decision on the planning
application is on hold pending Historic England’s findings. The building on the aerodrome was designed by architect Guy Morgan and opened on January 27, 1939, by air minister Sir Kingsley Wood. The factory built more than 6,000 aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s. It also made the earliest Biro ballpoint pens. Miles Aircraft was the first WBC has been contacted for comment.
Spend half term with the library
WOKINGHAM borough libraries are running a variety of online events for children and young people throughout February half term. They include online workshops and a celebration of LGBT+ history month. On Monday, February 21, young artists are invited to create their own prancing horses with abstract and figurative painter Chris Holley. She will explore paintings featured in the permanent collection in The National Gallery, and focus on Whistlejacket, an oil painting by George Stubbs. Suitable for children aged seven to 10, this talk will run from 2pm to 2.45pm. Also running online is a maths
sorcerer workshop with Explore Learning. This will take place on Tuesday, February 22. The session will run between 11am to noon. It is suitable for families with children aged eight and nine. There will be a special LGBT+ history month storytime from 11am to 11.30am on Monday, February 21. Wokingham borough librarians will be sharing some diverse and exciting picture books for children aged four to nine years old. A schools session of this event will be held on Thursday, February 17, from 10am to 10.30am.
n For more information, email: libraries@ wokingham.gov.uk
University secures heat grant THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has been given £100,000 by the Government to help decarbonise its heating systems. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) awarded the funding, which will be matched by the University to support design work to introduce a large heat pump into the Whiteknights Energy Centre. The Energy Centre, which opened in 2015, heats 16 buildings on the Whiteknights campus through a 3.3km underground district heating network. Its original design included space for low carbon technology in the future. By adding a 1.1 megawatt
heat pump, this could provide up to 40% of the Energy Centre’s heat output each year. It would cut carbon emissions by more than 12,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide cumulatively by 2030. This will be complemented other initiatives, such as insulation and control system improvements. The development of a small district cooling network will also be considered for the University’s science buildings. Dan Fernbank, energy and sustainability director at the University said: “Decarbonising
our heating systems is a key part of our plans toreach net zero carbon by 2030. “This grant will enable us to progress a very significant opportunity to begin decarbonising our campus heating, setting us on the right path for the years ahead.” This is the fifth major grant the University has secured since November 2020, in pursuit of its Net Zero Carbon goal for 2030. A further-BEIS funded project is currently looking at opportunities to replace gas heating on the Earley Gate side of Whiteknights campus.
Thursday, February 3, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Thousands sign Bowling club ‘gutted’ after lottery grant refused Pinewood petition EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
A PETITION against developing Pinewood has gathered more than 3,800 signatures.
The site has been included in the Revised Growth Strategy, an update to the local plan that was consulted on until last month. Bex Brunel-Walker, co-founder of the petition, said that she is concerned that Pinewood has been included in the document, but without clear information on housing numbers. The strategy proposes “selffunded regeneration” and states: “The premises on site are of varied quality, and they would benefit from investment. “Proposals would be drawn up in consultation with the existing occupiers. Some of the income from any housing on the site would be invested back into community facilities on-site, or, if appropriate, their relocation to a new home.” The petition was signed by 3,866 people, with some living as far as France, Spain, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. “Lots of people remember it as a child,” Ms Brunel-Walker explained. “It’s a gem of a place. “I’m very glad to see so many signatures, it shows just how many people care for Pinewood. People that use it, or have used it, and don’t want to see any houses there.
“Just take it off the table.” Ms Brunel-Walker said that she would have liked to see more support from councillors in the area for her petition: “It got more signatures than Rooks Nest Farm petition, but that got the support of councillors.” The Pinewood petition was not signed by Wokingham Without’s three Conservative ward councillors. “They said that they’re putting their objections in,” Ms BrunelWalker said. “I think that they came in at the last minute when they saw the number of signatures.” Ms Brunel-Walker has previously said the proposal is like “deja vu”, and said a similar suggestion was made around seven years ago for Oakham Park. She said that the land was put up for speculative development, but without clear housing numbers — 113 homes were then built on site. “It feels like it’s happening again,” she said. “The council put it at the end [of the site list] so nobody would notice. Well 3,800 people said, ‘Leave Pinewood alone’.” Ms Brunel-Walker has previously raised her concerns about the impact any development would have on infrastructure. “We’ve got to think about the sewage infrastructure, the impact of these cars on the road, and the pressures on GPs,” she said. “The council is not thinking about the bigger picture.”
By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today
MEMBERS of a bowling club celebrating its 275th birthday are gutted that the National Lottery isn’t backing them.
Hurst Bowling Club, believed to have England’s second oldest bowling green, is desperate to replace its 160-year-old damp, wooden club house. They said that the smell of decay pervades everything in it and the building is beyond repair. They urgently need modern toilets suitable for disabled people. For 10 years the club has welcomed lonely and isolated people who use Wokingham’s Link visiting scheme. They visit weekly to play bowls, chat and enjoy a cup of tea and cake. The National Lottery’s community fund has declined the club’s grant request to help them rebuild, but the club does not know why. Fundraiser Ronnie Ashley said: “I really understand the term ‘gutted’ now. It really stuck in our throats when they refused us a grant. They courted us for nine months, asking for different things. “We gave them many details about tree surveys, light pollution, planning permission, architects’ drawings and bat boxes. “Then they gave us the cold shoulder. We don’t know why. I think the problem is Hurst Bowling Club sits in an extremely affluent area.” She felt the fund directed money to deprived areas with more black and ethnic minority people and ex-offenders. “But we have people from all of Wokingham borough and around it. We
PATRON: Fundraiser Ronnie Ashley with Theresa May MP don’t ask them for their pedigrees,” she said. A spokesperson for the National Lottery Community Fund, said: “This was a tough decision to make and we understand Hurst Bowling Club is disappointed with the outcome. Our grants are highly sought after with demand exceeding the money available. “Unfortunately, this means we are unable to fund all the applications we receive. We wish Hurst Bowling Club all the best with its great work and are grateful for the patience and support [members] showed while we explored a range of options with them regarding their application.” The club, behind The Castle Inn in Church Hill, has raised £70,000 and Sport
Supporting over 8,000 families
England has pledged £50,000. They still need £140,000 more. Last year they recruited 40 new members, bringing membership to 75. “Our best 275th birthday present would be more donations and grants,” said Mrs Ashley. The birthday year includes the first county match at Hurst for five years and an open day and fun day. Last October, Maidenhead MP Theresa May agreed to be the club’s patron. “She told us there’s a bowling green at the Houses of Parliament,” said Mrs Ashley. “She’s had a go but said she wasn’t good at it. I said it just needed practice.” n To contact the club secretary, email: smilner@superlative.org
We champion training and innovation to support our care home teams to deliver outstanding care. Residents’ quality of life is at the heart of everything we do, helping individuals to stay active and independent so they can live each day to the full. If you’re considering permanent or respite care for yourself or a loved one, call 0330 127 7112 to arrange a tour or one-to one chat, or visit careuk.com/berkshire
Trusted to care. Our care homes in Berkshire Bickerton House, Bracknell Parsons Grange, Shinfield
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Sing Les Mis tunes FEMALE VOICES are wanted to join a singing course in April. Charvil-based music teacher and choir director Suzanne Newman will be leading a Les Misérables medley workshop over three consecutive evenings, beginning on Sunday, April 10. The piece has been arranged a two-part choir. No previous choral experience is needed, just a love of singing. Sessions will take place from 6pm to 8pm at Charvil Village Hall and cost £30. n For more details, email: suzanneynewman@btinternet. com or call: 0118 934 0589.
Homeless man accused of assaulting officers
Now taking registrations
A HOMELESS man has appeared in court on Friday after being accused of assaulting police officers following an incident in Finchampstead. Thirty-year-old Daniel Collins has been charged with three counts of assault, one count of dangerous driving, and also driving without a licence or insurance. It relates to an incident that took place on Sunday, January 16, in Wick Hill Lane. A police car was struck by a car, and three police officers were driven at while they were conducting a routine traffic stop. No officers were injured.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
Citizens Advice chief writes to borough’s MPs over cost of energy EXCLUSIVE
LETTER: Jake Morrison, chief executive of citizens Advice Wokingham Picture: Stewart Turkington
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM charity has written to the borough’s four MPs over concerns about the cost of living.
Citizens Advice Wokingham has provided more than 310 households with emergency fuel grants during the last month, as energy bills rise. They have been awarded through the borough council’s Household Support Fund. Jake Morrison, chief executive of the Wokingham charity, said that energy bills could rise by £700 in April when the price cap increases, pulling around two million people into fuel poverty overnight. Citizens Advice reported that in December, there was a 100% increase in cases where people ran out of money to top up their prepayment meter. “The cost of living crisis is almost unprecedented in terms of speed and scale,” it said. The national organisation has proposed a package of support is quick, cost-effective and targeted at people on the lowest incomes. It recommends four actions, the first being an Energy Support Grant distributed
through the benefit system in April. “Winter Fuel Payments of £100 to 300 are already paid to pensioners each year,” the charity reported. “An equivalent one-off payment could be paid to all Universal Credit and legacy benefits claimants, with an additional payment to lowincome retired households in receipt of Pension Credit. “This would put money in the pockets of those that need it most and is quicker and more administratively simple
of eligible households and supporting energy companies to provide extra financial assistance. The final suggestion has been to spread the cost of supplier failures over two to three years. “Current plans expect customers to pay off the majority of the Supplier of Last Resort Levy from April 2022,” the charity explained. “[This adds] an additional £94 to bills over and above planned bill increase.”
Running event returns to Dinton
Fun is an essential ingredient at Oak Tree Day Nursery and Preschool where the care and education opportunities for each and every child are as extraordinary as our colleagues who provide them. FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS
than extending the Household Support Fund.” The charity recommends uprating benefits by the Bank of England forecast inflation rate of 6% for April. “This is a cost neutral solution which would help ensure benefit levels reflect the current cost of living,” the charity said. It also calls for the Warm Homes Discount to be temporarily extended, as well as increasing the level of the rebate, expanding the number
OPEN 7.30AM TO 6.30PM
A POPULAR running event is set to return to Dinton Pastures in March, after an absence of two years. Barnes Fitness will be holding the Wokingham 5km (3.1 mile) and 10km (6.2 mile) race on Sunday, March 20. Ellie Barnes, event organiser, said that she is excited to finally be bringing the event back live, after lockdowns moved the event online. “This event has always attracted runners of all abilities, from those doing their first ever running event to those who have been running for years,” she said. “Dinton has all the facilities a runner needs onsite. “And with no cars to contend with on the course, just the odd wild swan or dog, it really is an idyllic location.” Participants will be given the choice between a bespoke medal or the option to plant a tree. Runners who opt for a tree will receive a What3Words location for the sapling from the National Forestry Commission. n For details, visit: barnesfitness.co.uk
RATED OUTSTANDING IN THE PAST FOUR OFSTED INSPECTIONS
“Children are happy, settled and keen to acquire new knowledge and skills. They are exceptionally confident learners who play an active role in leading their own play and making decisions. Children of all ages explore their environment with confidence and ease, and show exceptionally high levels of self-assurance and emotional well-being.” Ofsted inspection 2020, www.ofsted.gov.uk
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In the letter, Mr Morrison calls on the borough’s MPs to consider raising the proposals in parliament. “By implementing targeted support that puts money in the pockets of those most in need, coupled with steps to stabilise the market and prepare for next winter, the government can address the most pressing aspect of the cost of living crisis while giving itself the breathing space to consider longer term options to protect households,” the charity said.
Charity celebrates early years education week A CHARITY based in Reading has been taking part in a campaign to highlight the role of Early Years Educators this week. Dingley’s Promise is a member of the initiative, which aims to celebrate the positive impact workers in the sector have on children and families they work with. Dingley’s Promise Wokingham Centre worker Shakila said that she is proud to be an Early Years Practitioner. “It’s challenging but it’s really satisfying,” she said. “Every day, I go home feeling that I have achieved something significant because I am making a difference to lives of the children we work with.” The charity’s three centres in Reading, Wokingham and Newbury provide specialist support to children with special educational needs and disabilities. As part of the week, Chief executive Catherine McLeod MBE presented to MPs and Lords about the experiences of children with SEND in early years settings.
Sue Ryder thanks Dashers’ efforts A CHARITY has thanked people from across Berkshire who took part in a daily exercise challenge last month. Sue Ryder’s December Daily Dash campaign asked participants to walk, jog or run five kilometres each day of the month. An eight-strong team from the Theale headquarters of home-delivery wine specialist, Laithwaites, were among those who took part.
Its chosen charity parter is Sue Ryder’s Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading. Roxy Dandridge, corporate account manager at Laithwaites, said that the team found the challenge rewarding because they knew that they were making a difference. “Having the team behind me, even on the darkest, coldest of mornings, was an inspiration,” she said.
“We walked, jogged and even danced our daily five kilometres. “And we were delighted to raise £728, which will be matched pound for pound by Direct Wines.” In total, more than £100,000 was raised across the UK to support Sue Ryder’s palliative, neurological and bereavement support services. n For more information, visit: sueryder.org/events
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Newly born charity helps babies BASKET OF GOODS: Josimah Baby Bank’s founder Buki Adedoyin-Benson, with a newborn bundle assembled from new and donated items Picture: Natalie Burton
EXCLUSIVE By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today A NEW charity has been set up to provide essential items for babies and families who are in need across the Reading and Wokingham area.
Josimah Baby Bank launched in August last year. Since then, the charity has helped almost 30 families, and the numbers are growing. Founder Buki Adedoyin-Benson spotted the need to open a baby bank after giving birth to her third son in October 2020. “So many people — myself included — wanted to give clothes, toys and equipment away, but existing charities were unable to accept donations due to covid and storage issues,” she explained. “I knew from my work as a nursery nurse at Royal Berkshire Hospital that the need for support was still there.” When Buki’s sister, Wuraola Adeyinka, gave birth to a baby girl in August last year and found that she had the same difficulties passing items on, the two women decided to do something about it. “There are so many charities, but there are always babies being born and we wanted to do our bit to help,” Ms Adedoyin-Benson said. “Wuraola, who is now Josimah’s administrator, researched the rules around setting up as a charity. “We decided to operate a bit like a food bank, by putting together packs of essential items for mothers and babies. “Then we began to send letters to organisations which could refer people to us who need help.” The two women already had a good collection of items to pass on and began to collect donations, which are currently stored in Ms Adedoyin-Benson’s garage in Shinfield. Among the potential referral
partners contacted were health visitors, children’s centres and charities that help in an emergency situation, such as Berkshire Women’s Aid. Josimah has supported women and babies for a number of reasons, including poverty, low income, domestic violence, loss of possessions due to fire and premature birth. Some might be one-off cases with a specific need, such as a double buggy. Others may need support later on as their baby’s needs change. Ms Adedoyin-Benson works permanent night shifts on both Buscot Ward and the Transitional Care Unit at the RBH’s maternity unit, which she continues to do alongside being the chief executive of Josmiah Baby Bank. She said that she feels a strong sense of vocation for both her job and her charity, which overlap. “One of the things I noticed on the wards was that the baby box scheme doesn’t seem to be running
any more, and by talking with other staff and patients I know that many mothers do not have a safe place for their baby to sleep when they go home,” she said. “Safe sleep is important, so our standard bundles containing essentials for newborns are packed in Moses baskets, which we buy new mattresses for. “We also have bundles for new mothers which include maternity and breastfeeding clothes, sanitary towels, body wash and treats like chocolate.” Community support for the charity has been “fantastic”, with Shinfield Baptist Church’s food bank passing on donated baby items, which it cannot use. Parents of the school Ms Adedoyin-Benson’s older children attend have also got involved. The charity even had to suspend donations before Christmas as the small group of volunteers who have been sorting them could not keep up.
Supermarket offers share of £300,000 A NATIONAL supermarket chain hopes to bring a positive start to good causes across Wokingham borough this year. Tesco has teamed up with commercial radio stations Heart and Smooth to launch a campaign offering charities or not-for-profit organisations the chance to apply for a £5,000 grant. The chain has made a pot of £300,000 available nationwide. Priority will be given to projects that provide food and support to young people, such as school breakfast clubs, food banks, or charities supporting young people to manage mental health. The campaign is running in addition to Tesco Community Grants, the in-store scheme where customers vote with blue tokens for community projects and groups. Among the groups to receive funding for recent projects was Promise Inclusion, which used its £1,000 grant for adults with autism or learning disabilities across Wokingham and Bracknell.
“We are still learning how to manage donations and meet people’s needs,” Ms AdedoyinBenson added. “And even though we started to help meet needs during the pandemic, we don’t see this ending when the pandemic is over. It is bigger than us.” The name Josimah is rooted in Hebrew, from Josiah, and means God supports and heals. It also reflects the names of Ms Adedoyin-Benson’s three sons with her husband Adedayo: Joshua, Joseph and Jeremiah. Josimah do not currently accept monetary donations. It does accept gift vouchers donated towards specific items, such as storage boxes and items which must be given away as new. These include feeding bottles and Moses basket mattresses. The charity is reopening for donations of baby items this week.
n For more information, visit: josimahbabybank.org
FUNDING: Lukasz Zawada, Wokingham’s store manager giving 2nd Woosehill Rainbows unit leader Janette Searle £1,000. Picture: Tesco
Another was the 2nd Woosehill Rainbow Guides, which was given £1,000 to provide equipment that enabled young children to enjoy socially distanced games and activities while maintaining a covid-safe environment. Claire de Silva, head of community at Tesco, said that the chain is proud to have launched
the campaign and wanted to give something extra to communities this year. “We hope that Heart and Smooth listeners will help us celebrate all the community groups who make such a difference to young people and families, not just in January but year round too,” she said. Heart and Smooth FM
presenters, including Jamie Theakston and Jeni Falconer, will be telling listeners how to nominate their favourite groups on air until the end of this month. The campaign launched last week and will run until Sunday, February 6. n To more information, visit: tescocommunitygrants.org.uk
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Alexander Devine receives £1,000 to help cover care By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
A BERKSHIRE charity has received a cash gift to help it continue supporting children with life-threatening conditions.
David Wilson Homes Southern donated £1,000 to Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service as part of its Community Fund scheme. The hospice provides specialist care and lifeline support to children with lifelimiting conditions, and their families. Its team of staff and volunteers work across Berkshire and into surrounding counties, to help more than 135 children. The charity receives minimal government funding to meets its annual running cost of £1.8 million. Jenni Green, trusts and foundations fundraiser at Alexander Devine, said: “We’re thrilled to have received this donation and would like to say a huge thank you to David Wilson Homes for choosing to support us through its Community Fund scheme. “We are a local charity that is nearly entirely reliant on fundraising and donations to run our vital children’s hospice
CHEQUE: Representatives at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Servicereceiving the donation from David Wilson Homes service. This donation will make a such a difference to those children and families that rely on our services. “We’re caring for more children with complex medical needs than ever before and we can only continue doing so with the support of incredible organisations like David Wilson Homes.” Ms Green said that £1,000 could help fund nearly 23 hours of specialist nursing care for a child with a life-limiting or lifethreatening condition. “This precious time will allow parents much-needed respite and give a child the opportunity
to experience fun, joy and adventures at our hospice or in their own home,” she said. “The Community Fund scheme is a wonderful and generous way for charities like ours to benefit from muchneeded funding. We can’t thank David Wilson enough for its kindness.” Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service has a holistic approach that is bespoke for each child and family and the care and support that they need. This could be at the children’s hospice in Maidenhead, out in the community in a family’s
home, hospital or school. Support includes respite care, specialist play, symptom management, family support, end-of-life care and bereavement support. Campbell Gregg, managing director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said that the hospice carries out admirable work in Berkshire and beyond. “We’re proud that we can support the charity in continuing to make a difference to so many lives in the community,” he said. “The role of our Community Fund scheme is to help the wonderful charities and organisations in the areas in which we build and we’re thrilled we’ve been able to support Alexander Devine with our donation.” The charity was founded by Fiona and John Devine in memory of their son, Alexander, who passed away from a rare brain tumour in 2006. Their experience led them to realise the need for a children’s hospice in Berkshire. n For more information about Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, visit: www. alexanderdevine.org n For more information about David Wilson Homes, visit: www. dwh.co.uk
Fire Authority consults on changing Automatic Fire Alarm response THE FIRE service is consulting on how it should respond to Automatic Fire Alarms. The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is called out to an average of 2,200 Automatic Fire Alarms each year, but it said that 99% of these are false alarms. The service is now asking residents how they should respond to these in lower risk, occupied buildings. There will be no changes to higher risk buildings such as care homes, hotels, student accommodation and high-rise
buildings, where firefighters will be sent immediately. Chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, Cllr Colin Dudley, said: “We are asking you to consider the two options as part of this public consultation, one which reflects a change to our current policy to help reduce the burden of false alarms and one in which our current policy remains the same. “No decisions have been made and your feedback will be vital for the decision-
making process.” Cllr Dexter Smith, community risk management plan lead, said that changing the response could save up to 1,300 hours of firefighter time each year. The consultation ends on Monday, March 28. The chosen option will be implemented in the summer.
n To take part, visit: www.rbfrs.co.uk/yourservice/managing-risk/consultation/currentconsultations
LOOKING BACK: Jim Bell and members of the Wokingham Society. Picture: Phil Creighton
Wokingham historian explores town’s coverage in the press A BOROUGH historian has looked back at the town’s coverage in the news. Jim Bell published eBook, Wokingham in the News 18581999, back in 2016. He has now extended this back to 1771, covering items about Wokingham from the earliest days that the town was featured in the local press. The records explore the growth of trade in the town, the building of the Town Hall and the establishment of a Town Council
following a scandal about poor standards of drinking water. The book looks at efforts around the town during the first world war and second world war. And it also documents celebrations associated with important visitors, coronations and jubilees and stories of local people doing extraordinary things. The Wokingham Society is hosting the revised eBook. n To read it online, visit: www. wokinghamsociety.org.uk
University launches exhibition on racial justice A NEW exhibition is reflecting on race, equality and inclusion at the University of Reading. The display is being held in the University Library and runs until Thursday, February 24. It showcases the newly launched journal Promoting Racial Justice In Teaching And Learning: An Edited Collection Of Pieces By Students And Staff’. The collection features poems, essays and reflections on the theme of racial justice in university life. The project was jointly led by Anne-Marie Henderson, director of student success and engagement, and Dr Eileen Hyder, an academic developer within the University’s centre for quality, support and development. Ms Henderson said that the collection was put together to encourage real action towards racial justice. “Whatever our race, our role, we
all have a responsibility to read, reflect and act on the work in this collection and ensure the University of Reading is truly inclusive, and that all of us can achieve our full potential, regardless of race, ethnicity or background,” she said. “None of this could have happened without honest and equal collaboration and we thank every staff member and student who took part and made this collection and exhibition what it is.” Dr Allán Laville, dean for diversity and inclusion at the University of Reading, said that the journal is part of the university’s ongoing commitment to journey towards racial equality. “It is important that we listen to the voices among our own community to fully understand the impact of racial inequality on campus,” he said. The university has also created a racial equality page on its website.
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Home sweet home: school offers refugee football team a new base
we’ve never even made it to the second round before. “So when Leighton Park offered their wonderful facilities, it was amazing. “They are so community minded, to just give the space to us like this. “This is a wonderful place to live, and if we all keep our ears and eyes open, we can all learn so much from each other,” he said. The club reached a deal to begin training at Leighton Park just before Christmas. At the second training session at their new home they had 29 players, almost double what sessions were attracting before. There are now 50 people on the club’s books, 16 of which are refugees. Mr Chauke expects the numbers will grow as they are currently working to include Afgan refugees who have recently arrived. Mr Chauke is grateful to have the support of many local organisations, including RRSG, John Sykes Foundation, University of Reading, and Reading City of Sanctuary. Sanctuary Strikers are now looking for commercial sponsorship and support.
EXCLUSIVE
By NATALIE BURTON news@rdg.today A FOOTBALL team set up to support refugees and asylum seekers has found a home at a Reading school.
The members of Sanctuary Strikers now have access to top class training facilities thanks to Leighton Park School. Club founder and chair, Tomson Chauke, first set up the club in 2015 as a kick about in his local park to encourage his children and those of fellow refugees to get to know each other. It was also a way for their families to mix. “I decided that it would be a great way for people who all live far from home to connect,” NEW HOME: The Sanctuary Strikers now have access to training facilities thanks to Leighton Park School Picture: Tomson Chauke Mr Chauke explained. “But then a lot of the boys got picked up by Eldon Celtic, a to England and I knew from Chauke said. The team has grown since He founded the club with its casual beginnings, and football club for young people my own experience that in Whitley, and there was a bit when everyone around you friend, Joel Joseph. is becoming increasingly Neither man had any prior successful, which prompted is speaking English, you learn of a gap. experience of setting up a conversations about how they “We decided to carry on with better,” he said. “I also knew that groups like football team. the club as it is a great way of could expand. Mr Chauke, a musician, came the football team are way for meeting people.” “To begin with we were Mr Chauke was motivated people to share information and to Reading from Zimbabwe. losing matches 10-nil, but His band Limpopo Grove has it didn’t matter as we were by volunteering for Reading help each other.” One Sanctuary Striker played gigs and events across building connections,” Mr Refugee Support Group, and a determination to build regular had grown in confidence the area. Chauke said. integration and community so much since starting with the “Now we are progressing Mr Joseph came to Reading club, he learned how to drive. cohesion with refugees. from Tanzania and manages the through the local cup and n For more information, visit: “I am so proud of him,” Mr265X160mm_HalfPage_MARCH_event_2022_V2 “I saw refugees coming could get to the semi-finals, and rrsg.org.uk/sanctuary-strikers running of the club. The Wokingham and Reading Today Paper_
KIND HEARTS
Celebrate LGBT+ history month with Wokingham libraries WOKINGHAM borough libraries are celebrating LGBT+ history month. Librarians have recommended a selection of fiction and non-fiction books by LGBT+ authors and which explore LGBT+ issues. They have also curated a playlist on the theme. A list of ebooks and audio books is now available on the digital app Libby. The music selection is also online now, via music steaming service Freegal. n For more information, log on to: wokingham.gov.uk/libraries
Plan meeting CHARVIL residents have been invited to a meeting to discuss progress on the neighbourhood plan for the village this weekend. It will take place in Charvil Village Hall on Saturday, February 5. There will be a short 15 minute presentation at 10.15am, and repeated at 2.15pm, about progress on the plan. It will include the initial findings from a survey of residents last summer, and an opportunity to ask questions. Residents can also drop in between 10am and 3pm to view a poster presentation about the plan and for informal discussion.
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Help needed to finish makeover A WOKINGHAM day centre is requesting donations to help complete its makeover project. The Wokingham and District Association for the Elderly (Wade) day centre on Reading Road is asking for plants to complete work on some previously neglected borders. The project was taken on to clear overgrown beds in the car park and make the appearance of the day centre more attractive on arrival. Jessica Clucas, Wade secretary, said that the project had taken months of planning and hard graft to prepare the areas for wood chippings and plants. “The woodchips were a donation from Trees Company, and much of the preparation work was completed by our gardener, Paul Fitzgerald,” she said. “It is finally coming together, but we are now in need of some attractive large planters or decorative pots so that we can fill the area with lots of colourful flowers.” Wade would like contributions from the community so that it can complete the project. “We would be so grateful for anything that local organisations could spare,” Ms Clucas added. n For more information, visit: wadecentre.org.uk or call the day centre on: 0118 978 7025.
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RURAL BOROUGH: Arborfield resident disputes green field building stance
‘Council leader makes contrasting statements about housebuilding’ EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today AN ARBORFIELD resident is alleging hypocrisy from the leader of the borough council over his development views.
Oliver Jones said that he believes Cllr John Halsall has made contradictory statements about developing on green field sites now and in the past. However, Cllr Halsall says that his views are consistent and at last Thursday’s executive meeting repeated that he lamented the loss of a single blade of grass in the borough (see page 35). Cllr Halsall founded the Campaign to Protect Rural Wokingham in 2017, after discovering that Green Belt land at Ruscombe had been proposed for a 3,500 home development. Mr Jones said: “I think it’s a potential undisclosed conflict that might call the integrity and independence of the whole process into question.” Mr Jones believes that statements made at the time in the campaign are at odds with the draft local plan update, which proposes developing
HALL FARM: An aerial view of the site which could have 4,500 homes built 4,500 homes on Hall Farm. In 2018, a statement on the campaign’s website said: “As well as the Green Belt there are other key pieces of land which help to preserve the area’s rural history and prevent the towns and villages from merging into each other. “Farming is still important here. Allowing the type of ribbon development along the A4 which we’ve seen joining Bracknell to Wokingham would completely change the environment for residents, and we’d become a suburb
of Reading, Maidenhead, and possibly eventually London.” The campaign also addressed congestion and access to amenities. Mr Jones said that Hall Farm is a perfect example of the nongreen belt “prime agricultural land” referred to back in 2018 as something not to build on. He said that developing the area would also destroy the area’s rural history and lead to towns and villages merging into each other. “Surely the Campaign to Protect Rural Wokingham
would be swinging into action right now to also oppose Reading University’s Hall Farm plans?” Mr Jones said. “Residents would be coordinated, petitions set up, experienced planning barristers consulted … just like the campaign Cllr Halsall founded and led in Ruscombe in 2018.” Cllr Halsall said that the council had to make a choice over housing numbers. “The choice is not what’s the best choice, but least bad one,” he said. “The least bad choice is to have a local plan which defends the borough as a whole. “If we don’t have a local plan which defends the borough as a whole, every single inch of green land in the borough will be built on, with the exception of the emergency planning action zone, including Grazeley, and the green belt. “Really, from the bottom of my heart, I apologise to people who are going to be affected by this development. I regret that we have to do it at all, remember that the council does not build all the homes, developers do.” Cllr Halsall said that without a local plan, even more houses
would be built in the borough. “These will be built without any infrastructure payments, they will be built as developers want to build them, in the timescales they want to build them in,” he said. “So it’s completely consistent with my previous stances. Do I wish to build 800 homes a year? No I don’t. “I regret every blade of grass, every tree that goes in the borough, but we have to accept the world we live in, which is dictated by central government. “It’s not a Tory government that dictates it; all three parties advocate building homes. The Lib Dems are actually advocating 380,000 homes a year (across the country). “The letter I sent to Michael Gove explains my view very well, but the current turmoil in Westminster isn’t helpful to the cause. But I have had success. “The government wanted us to build 1,600 homes a year, I have defeated that. I have a track record of success. “But, at the moment, we have to accept the least bad option. I regret that and I apologise for that, I’m not really happy with it at all.” STEM: Alexandre Lomondais, Sir John Redwood and Johnah Adcock at Code Ninjas Picture: Dijana Capan
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Sir John pays a visit to coders’ club WOKINGHAM’S MP visited a coding school for children at the weekend. Sir John Redwood was invited to tour Code Ninjas Wokingham by owner Naveen Khapali. He launched the town’s coding school in April last year to help children develop their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills, after spotting a gap in the market. “I saw that there were lots of after school activities available,” Mr Khapali said. “But there was nothing for STEM.” Mr Khapali said that he was really pleased Sir John paid a visit,
and said that the MP was excited to see how the facility is being used. Since its launch, it has taught more than 120 children, with 42 now attending weekly sessions. The classes are available to pupils aged five to 12, and are taught by A-level pupils aged 16 to 18. Mr Khapali said that this model provides paid work for the older students, in the field of technology. “I hope it will have a massive difference on the community,” Mr Khapali said. “My vision is to provide a safe
and fun place for kids to learn problem solving, logical thinking and life skills. “We teach them how to fail and come back from that.” As part of the sessions, pupils have created their own video games. Feedback on the classes has been strong so far, and Mr Khapali hopes that in time, more schools in the borough will recommend the sessions to young people interested in technology. n For more information, visit: www.codeninjas.co.uk/ wokingham-brk-uk
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A TWYFORD charity shop had a magical surprise when it was donated not one but three highly collectible Harry Potter books.
FUNDRAISING: Susan Player at a fundraising fayre to launch her pig sanctuary. Picture: Phil Creighton
Spencers Wood charity appeals for donations to treat pig’s rare condition
A SPENCERS WOOD charity is appealing for donations to help treat a pig with a rare condition. Little Pigs at Home was founded by Susan Player, who adopted pet pigs Hippo and Tulip in 2019. She created the charity after one of her hogs was diagnosed with myotonia congenita — also known as fainting goat syndrome. Although common in some animals, Hippo is the only pig in Europe to be diagnosed with the condition. She is fundraising to help pay for a second-hand laser gun to help ease the discomfort in Hippo’s muscles. “His muscles cease up and he is unable to stand unaided,” Susan explains. “He wears a harness and he is on medication that is costly and can only help him up to a point. “The laser therapy will ease the discomfort in his muscles and help with the physiotherapy sessions I give him.” Susan was taught by Langford Vets, part of Bristol Veterinary School, at the University of Bristol how to help Hippo with physio. It was these vets that diagnosed him with myotonia congenita.
She hopes to raise £150 for the laser gun. In the future, Susan has ambitions to open a sanctuary of her own. But before this happens, she is rescuing pigs and finding homes for them across the country. Last weekend, she and her husband rescued a pig from slaughter in Wiltshire. The 300kg black boar was transported in a trailer to a family in Llanbrynmair, in central Wales who have rescued other animals in the past. “We always check that they have a no slaughter policy, and that it’s going to be a forever home,” she explains. Because of his weight, the couple were forced to use their trailer and Land Rover instead of their specially converted van — making the trip more costly. “It was nine hours driving for my husband, who has just had a knee operation,” Susan adds. Susan is also hoping that she can fundraise to cover the petrol costs, which she estimates will be around £100. n For more information about the fundraiser, visit: www.paypal.com
The train now arriving is heading to The Lexicon ALL ABOARD! A popular charity event is returning to Bracknell for half-term, and it’s sure to be a hit with all ages. The Lexicon Charity Express is a land train that will pick up passengers from just outside Yi Fang bubble tea store. Passengers can enjoy a loop around the shopping centre, travelling down Eagle Lane, along the High Street, turning into Braccan Walk and back to The Avenue. Sue Boor, head of marketing at The Lexicon says: “The land train is always really popular and not only adds an extra element of fun for visitors to the town centre but helps to raise money for local causes.” Trips on The Lexicon Charity Express will be charged at £1 per passenger, as visitors board the train, with all monies being donated to The Lexicon Charity Fund. It is a contactless payment ride.
CHOO CHOO: The Lexicon Charity Express is a land train that will pick up passengers for a loop around the shopping centre Picture: The Lexicon The fun runs from 10am to 5pm daily from Saturday, February 12, through to Wednesday, February 16.
Mercy in Action received first edition hardback copies of The HalfBlood Prince and The Deathly Hallows in two separate donations to its shop on Wargave Road. And it was also given a rare early print run paperback edition of The Prisoner of Azkaban, containing mistakes corrected in later versions. The books have been priced at £150 for the hardbacks and £50 for the paperback. Retail supervisor Nicole Golding, based at the charity’s Theale store, is a Harry Potter book enthusiast. “First edition Harry Potters are sold for a lot of money at auction, and so whenever we receive them, they are put aside for me to assess,” she explained. “I know what I am looking for in the books, but because we are a charity we try to price them fairly. “There is a lot of interest in books like this and sometimes they sell within a day of us putting them out. “Some people don’t believe it when they see the price though. Before Christmas we had a hardback of The Prisoner of Azkaban which sold for £200 because it was in such good condition.” First edition books, particularly hardback copies of the earlier titles in JK Rowling’s series, can fetch high prices at auction. A signed first edition of The Philosopher’s Stone in exceptional condition sold for £80,000 at an auction in North Yorkshire last June. Mercy in Action was founded by Allison and John Todd in 1995, to support projects working with street children in the Philippines. The Twyford shop opened seven
DONATED: Nicole Golding of Mercy in Action s Picture: Natalie Burton years ago. Since reopening after lockdown, manager Angelika Lenz and assistant manager Soma Mandal have noticed that things have been picking up. “We are seeing a good volume of
Meriel clocks up the miles for Happy Hours Preschool A TWYFORD resident took up a special walking challenge to raise money for Happy Hours Preschool. Meriel Hart walked 300 miles during January, 100 for each of her children who went there. And she had additional challenges to overcome — during lockdown Meriel underwent three operations, two of which were on her right hip. “During April last year I walked 100 miles for a charity that provides covid vaccines to women in developing countries,” she says. “I really hurt by the end of it, and this was an even bigger challenge.” Meriel is a long-serving member of the current parents’ association for the preschool. Her boys are now four, seven and eight, and she has been on the committee since her eldest was at Happy Hours. “They all had the best time there, and we have all made friends for life
because of the preschool”, Meriel adds. “And because we are moving to Scotland in July, I wanted to do something special to say goodbye.” Both Meriel and her husband Anthony are similarly communityfocused. Anthony was the organiser of last October’s Twyford and District Round Table fireworks. Meriel set up Facebook page Twyford Kindness as a forum for residents and charities to share positive messages and seek support. A collection the group organised for 50 pairs of shoes to send to Zanzitoto, a charity based in Zanzibar in Tanzania, ended up sending more than 180 pairs. “I love fundraising for charities, I like to make a difference,” Meriel says. Happy Hours Preschool manager, Kate Cromar, says that they appreciate the support of parents old and new, as
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rry Potter first ale in Twyford
Mental health charity Sport in Mind receives £4,000 boost
Another view Neil Coupe
From Watergate to Partygate
I
WAS recently listening to an interview with Carl Bernstein, who came to prominence as being one of the two reporters most heavily involved in exposing the Watergate scandal in the 1970s.
CASH: Sport in Mind receives £4,000 from Reading Buses Picture: Reading Buses
shows of one of three rare Harry Potter books donated to the charity shop donations coming through and people are buying,” Soma said. “Sometimes storage is a bit of a problem, so we do like people to ring ahead and check with us if they can. “But we do not have an
appointment system for drop-offs.”
n For more information on the charity, visit: mercyinaction.org.uk n To enquire about the current Harry Potter first editions at the Twyford store, call: 0118 934 9145
FROM LEFT: Meriel Hart with Kate Cromer, manager at Happy Hours Preschool Picture: Natalie Burton
well as the wider community. “What Meriel has done for us on the parents’ association is already brilliant,” Kate says. “But for her to undertake this challenge for us is really fantastic.” The current Happy Hours building
opened in 1983. The preschool launched the Big Build project in 2013 to raise money to help maintain and make improvements to it.
n For more information, visit: gofundme. com/f/goodbye-happy-hours or log on to: happyhourspreschool.co.uk
THE POPE is famous for kissing the tarmac when he lands after a flight, but the founder of a Readingbased charity was happier giving a smacker to his favourite bus. Last Thursday, Sport In Mind’s Neil Harris visited the Reading Buses depot in Great Knollys Street to make a dream come true: he was face-to-face with his favourite form of transport. Chosen by the company as its good cause of the year, last Thursday its chief executive Robert Williams was presenting Neil with a cheque for £4,000, raised during a year of pandemic restrictions. Part of the support from the firm is to create an advertising wraparound across a whole bus, which then spends the year riding around Reading. And this, Mr Harris said, was invaluable. “The distinctive sign written bus has significantly increased our profile and the money raised is making a difference to local people’s lives,” he said. Sport In Mind is a mental health charity that delivers physical
activities including walking, dance, gardening and exercise, to help promote mental wellbeing. The money was welcomed by Mr Harris. “I’m absolutely ecstatic,” he said. “It’s been really challenging for everyone during these difficult times. “One of the biggest fundraisers is Reading Buses’ annual open day, but for the past two years they’ve not been able to hold it because of covid. “So the fact they’ve raised £4,000 without doing that is just amazing.” He said that it would make a huge difference to the charity, which has seen an increased demand with lockdowns. “More people have been struggling mentally,” he said. “We will be able to set up some additional sessions to cater for the needs of those who need it, not just as a result of covid, but generally. “So this donation is absolutely brilliant for us.”
n For more details, log on to www. sportinmind.org
POETRY CORNER Baptism ult mundane layers; skirt, shirt, shoes and names of blessed duty; mother, daughter, wife. I shift, contorting into sleek black seal skin, stripped, zipped and insulated. The lake is brilliant blue, bathed in yolky sun. Minus three, the hovering steam makes her a watery bride. My tipped toes brace and grace, shocked with an illicit thrill to think what lies beneath. I chew gum as I swim, to feel it turn to rock between my teeth. Peat tanged bites freeze my dipped
lips and scald my fingers into claws. Priestly moorhens huddle against whipped pewter waves. Three laps done and I emerge, reborn to the humid hum of showers, heated car seats, the urgent gulps of thermos coffee. Still, an echo of her chill in my bones.
We welcome submissions for this space. Email poems to news@wokingham.today
By Fiona Dignan
He was speaking about being on television a few years ago when he said that the main problem with the President was that he was a ‘serial liar’. He stopped momentarily, incredulous at what he had said. He reflected, and concluded, yes, he meant what he had said. The most powerful man in the world was a ‘serial liar’. Yet no-one in the room demurred. Not an eyebrow was raised. In 2009, Obama was addressing Congress when someone shouted ‘You lie’, and there was an audible gasp of astonishment. The President was stopped in his tracks. This was considered totally disrespectful and the heckler was forced to make an immediate and unreserved apology. It was also worldwide news, as it was so shocking. At what stage over the past decade did it become OK for certain leaders to be blatantly and unrepentantly dishonest? Surely the one basic requirement is for us to be able to trust our leaders to be prepared to tell the truth as they see it. In the past, we may have been unhappy if certain electoral promises had not been kept, or if things had not gone to plan due to changing circumstances, but a leader blatantly telling untruths would have once been a source of shock and outrage. It would have seemed as far-fetched as the Queen suddenly starting to advertise baked beans. So from Watergate to ‘Partygate’. Many words have been uttered on this subject, and there have rightly been comparisons made between the events in Downing Street and the rules that the general public were adhering to at the same time, often at personally very difficult times. Stripping away the emotion, the most remarkable thing, as someone pointed out on Twitter, is how the narrative developed. The truth developed gradually from ‘there was no party’, ‘it wasn’t exactly a party’, ‘well not an organised one’, ‘I didn’t realised it was against the rules, ‘I didn’t know the rules’, ‘ah Ok I wrote the rules but I thought it was a business meeting’, ‘I apologise but I don’t know who I am apologising to, or why’, ending up with ‘Wait for Sue Gray’. And the Police’ This reminds me of teenagers trying to explain away the debris from a party that had obviously occurred when their parents were away. ‘No there was no party’, ‘it was just a few friends for pre’s’ ‘It wasn’t a party it was a gathering’, ending up with ‘yes it was a party but you said I could have one’ Surely common sense tells you that when there are lots of people involved, there are individuals with grievances, and everything is recorded either through entry cards or on mobile phones, the best policy must be to simply own up. The whole furore could have been wrapped up before Christmas, and we would not have had the bizarre drip drip of more and more allegations coming out, when surely everyone must agree that there are many far more important issues for the Government to be grappling with. One of the first rules of politics is that the subsequent cover-up becomes more of an issue than the original misdemeanour, so fess up and tell the truth. This is also not a bad life lesson for our teenagers or any of us to reflect upon.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Working under the same roof
THE OPENING of a charity and community hub in Wokingham town centre is an ambitious project. Based in Waterford House, and documented on our front page, the hub now houses 11 organisations that do their bit to help residents. By bringing groups such as these under one roof, it provides an opportunity to support people in all aspects of their life in a more streamlined way. Someone may speak to Citizens Advice Wokingham, and then be given a referral to the foodbank, mental health support from Mind, and support from advocacy charity CLASP. The help is ready and waiting. It also means that charitable and community-based organisations can learn more about each group’s area of expertise, and develop stronger working connections. The hope is that a facility such as this will make it even easier for residents to get the help they need, when they need it. Throughout the pandemic, the work of charities has been highlighted across the pages of Wokingham Today, with volunteers celebrated for all they do for others. We know that for many people, these organisations have a vital presence in their lives. And with the need for support predicted to continue as inflation rises and energy costs spiral, being able to access all the support avaliable is a must.
CHURCH NOTES
Two ears, one mouth
M
Y working day begins with a drive into the office with the radio on listening to the latest news.
Something I have noticed is that most interviewees have “40 Ways to Avoid Giving an Answer”. No matter how many times the question is asked the question remains unanswered. How good are we at listening to the question and then giving an answer? When I arrive at work, I spend a lot of time with people who often feel no one has ever listened to what they have to say. In fact, very often they are used to people looking straight through them anything to avoid a conversation. Although James is writing about a person’s faith being put under pressure, I really do believe this is advice for any believer who wants to hear the question and give a clear answer. “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So, throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvationgarden of your life.” (James 1:19-21, The Message). Perhaps there is a reason that the Lord created us with two ears and one mouth.
Major Edwina Cussen, Willow House Lifehouse Salvation Army, writing on behalf Churches Together in Reading
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Housebuilding on green spaces Re: Finchampstead and Barkham petitioners hand in 1,100 signatures against homes (Wokingham Today, January 27). I welcome residents involvement but it was very odd that the houses are scheduled for Barkham not Finchampstead so why would four Finchampstead Conservative Councillors, Margetts, Weeks, Sargeant and Margetts arrange a photo shoot for this? The answer is simple Cllr Weeks and Sergeant are up for election in May. A similar stunt by Wokingham’s Conservatives who are suddenly opposed 4,500+ houses in Hall Farm in Arborfield. If the housing plan was so bad then why did they vote for it in the secrecy of their group meetings but yet are against it now? It can only mean one thing – it’s your vote next May they want and they don’t care how low they will sink to get it. Shame on you Conservatives. The leader of the council said at last weeks executive “I want to make it clear that all this administration, my party and I are completely opposed to the loss of every blade of grass, tree, shrub, field or green space in the borough. Once it’s gone it’s gone forever.” AS LONG AS IT’S NOT IN REMENHAM or HURST he should have added. Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning Cllr Wayne (NO HOUSES IN HURST) Smith explained that the council wants to build 4,500 houses at Hall Farm / Loddon Valley, a location
where he says 2,200 could be built by 2037/38. This means that 4,500+ houses will create a building site lasting at least 35 years. To 2057 – yes, 2057 or longer. Cllr Wayne (no houses in Hurst) Smith added Hall Farm / Loddon Valley as the main new area to meet development needs. Nothing in Hurst and Remenham I notice. Cllr Wayne (no houses in Hurst) Smith said: “We will review all comments made by residents in our final assessments.” He forgot to add as long as it’s not Remenham of Hurst. Areas like Finchampstead that have escaped the housing bullet this time around must not be smug as any green space in the South of the Borough will fall before Cllr Wayne (no houses in Hurst ) Smith will be letting one blade of grass be touched in this beloved Hurst. Only an X against any name but a Conservative will save the south of the borough from the cement mixer and chain saw. As the leader of the council puts it once it’s gone its gone. At least he got that right.
Cllr Gary Cowan, Independent Borough Councillor for Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council
Will male councillors commit to White Ribbon?
Thank you for printing the letters about the action needed over White Ribbon along with the difference between violence against women and domestic abuse, as well as your comment under THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH. I do hope that now people see
Volunteers corner Helena Badger
F
IRST Days children’s charity provides support for local families in need. We are fully self-funded and rely on community fundraising events to support the work that we do. We are looking for several new volunteers to support our charity. We are looking for an Event Leader to assist the fundraising team in raising money by creating and running a Charity Dog Walk in Henley-on-Thames. You will be responsible for: creating and developing, arranging and managing this community event and supporting the event on the day. We are also looking for Family Support volunteers to help First Days improve the speed in which we provide support packages to families, by checking the quality of donations received and ensuring that departments within the warehouse are fully stocked with items ready to be picked.
We also need Donations Assistants to help in our warehouse. We are also looking for a volunteer receptionist to be the first point of contact for First Days enquiries, in a number of formats. The role is to manage these enquiries and when appropriate be able to make the judgment to refer the enquiry on to the appropriate person/department. This role would be on Mondays from approximately 9am-5pm. If you are interested in any of these roles, please get in touch. n Are you a dedicated and organised person, passionate about helping others? Join our night-time party and 2,000 other volunteers at The MoonWalk London on Saturday, May 14, rom Clapham Common. Bring your energy and be a superhero helping the thousands of walkers to get through the night and raise millions for breast cancer
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
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@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper the need for Wokingham Borough Council to have a domestic abuse strategy and join White Ribbon, they are different. I am pleased to report I have now got abuse against Women on the English Churches Together Agenda and will be leading a seminar on the topic, we all need to understand the subject and make the commitment. Having said that Louise Timlin asks if every male councillor could publicly take the White Ribbon promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. I undertake to invite all male Councillors to commit to this promise and will be writing to the Mayor to ensure this.
Cllr David Hare, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Hawkedon
Social housing In a Wokingham Today article published on June 5, 2021, the Legatum Institute declared that Wokingham is the most prosperous place to live in the UK. In a Wokingham Today article on January 27, Cllr John Kaiser states there are 350 families living in overcrowded homes due to a huge demand for social housing. In the article he is quoted as saying it is “unfortunate” that supply does not meet demand, adding “there is a limited number of council homes in the borough” The 350 families will take, I am sure, enormous comfort from Cllr Kaiser’s sympathetic comments, but perhaps he could ask around the corridors of power to find out who is responsible for this lack of provision of council housing ?
patients and research. We need thousands of volunteers to make The MoonWalk a safe and enjoyable event; looking after our walkers at busy crossings, keeping them hydrated and above all giving the encouragement they need to complete their epic challenge. Join us for a truly remarkable experience and helps us give breast cancer the push. Contact us for a chat if you are unsure of what you would like to do. We guarantee you won’t forget the night you volunteered at The MoonWalk London 2022. Roles available: Baggage, Clean & Recycle, Cyclist, Directional, Driver, Entrance Gate/Start Line, Finish Line, Route Marshal, Water Stations, Volunteer Tent Support. n The Education Business Partnership delivers a range of programmes and initiatives designed to improve the workrelated skills of young people so that they are better equipped to enter the world of work. We are looking for volunteers to help with Mock Interviews with Year 10 students. Volunteers would need to be at the school for the duration of the school day on Thursday,March 24, between 8.15am and 3.30pm, and will conduct one-to-one practice
In the article, he is quoted as saying that “vacancies are unpredictable”. But if there are 350 families in need in need of social housing in January – and no more provision is made – it is entirely predictable there will be 350 families in need in February.
Roger Chalke, Wokimgham resident and reluctant council tax payer
On the BBC I noted Mr Eyrley’s letter (WT 27/1/22) in support of the BBC. He makes a good argument. I just wish the BBC would keep its hands off me – or at least my wallet. Currently I have to pay the BBC £159 per year even though I don’t want to view its output. I am lucky enough for this not to be a major imposition, however there are many in our society to whom £159 is a significant sum. Lone parents, the unemployed, and those in debt and attempting to pay off loans – all must pay the regressive telly tax whether they use the BBC or not. The licence fee thus acts as a protection racket imposed on the poorest in our land, and enforced, incredibly, by the criminal law. At the very least this Government should remove BBC licence fee enforcement from the criminal justice system: the Magistrates Association has long pleaded for this (their courts are clogged with licence fee cases). The vast majority of those prosecuted are women, often single parents, financially vulnerable and trapped at home when the Capita enforcers call. And as 30% of all female criminal conviction are for
interviews with individual students (EBP will provide the interview script and copies of student CVs on the day). You will interview approximately 15/16 students on the school day. Covid measures will be in place at all events. For example: students entering the hall in small groups in time for their allocated interview slots, volunteers sitting at a distance from the student they interview, windows/doors remaining open, all volunteers being required to LFT before attending etc. We will brief volunteers on full details before the events. No experience necessarily, a volunteer confirmation with all the details will be sent to those who sign up along with a interview guide which breaks down the interview and gives suggested questions. At its basic it is a confidence building exercise for students to gain experience of talking about themselves in a positive way with an adult they don’t know. n These are just a few roles on our books. Visit our website www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer. If you would like to get in touch with us please call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@ wok-vol.org.uk
licence fee “evasion”, the Government would see a dramatic fall in the crime rate.
Peter Lucey, Wokingham
Cycling routes I am pleased to see Wokingham Borough Council consulting on the new Woodley to Reading cycle route, as reported in Wokingham Today last week. This has the potential to make the short, under 20-minute, cycle between the two town centres significantly safer and more attractive. One particular aspect of the proposed design seems to be causing concern with some local residents, and it will be important that these concerns are addressed to provide the best possible long-term solution. A small but vocal part of the community seem to want to oppose the scheme in all respects, seemingly unaware of the wider benefits that more people walking and cycling will bring to their community. I encourage everyone who lives, shops or works in this area to consider a future with less congested roads, better air quality, fewer carbon dioxide emissions and the freedom to walk and cycle without fear, and to respond to the consultation with this in mind, at: engage.wokingham. gov.uk/en-GB/projects/wokinghamborough-active-travel-fund-woodleyto-reading-active-travel-route
Adrian Betteridge, WATCH Wokingham
How high quality will our cycle routes be? When Wokingham Borough Council approved its own plans for the new South Wokingham Distributor road, we were assured that the provision of cycling infrastructure would be to a high standard, even if it failed to meet the nationally agreed standards. Indeed just last week when announcing the opening of the new rail bridge connecting in to Montague Park they re-iterated this ‘high quality’ intent. Despite having a green field, blank canvass without constraints on which to build, local walking and cycling groups saw the ‘poor quality’ of the
Abuse is abuse, work is work Clearly, Councillors Kerr and Shepherd-DuBey are unable ‘to let it go’. And now more letters on The White Ribbon issue. I feel compelled to respond, most particularly because Ms ShepherdDuBey had the temerity on Full council evening, to patronisingly say “You just don’t understand” over and over again. The other councillors and I (because my children and I suffered up-skirting, chronic inappropriate language, sexist jokes, sexual, physical and emotional abuse, full-blown beatings, broken teeth, head bashed open, strangled) DO understand. It is Ms ShepherdDuBey and Ms Kerr who do not! They CHOOSE to focus on the words ‘Domestic Abuse’ to imply that the Council is not getting to grips with White Ribbon’s aims. Indeed Ms Kerr states that she wishes to be clear that ‘violence against women and girls is not the same as domestic abuse’. Isn’t it? The words White Ribbon do not infer abuse. Domestic doesn’t infer Abuse so why would either be used. Treating someone badly, cruelly,
If you work in a low paid job, life in a wealthy area like Wokingham can present particular challenges. The high cost of housing means that many people earning even average incomes struggle to make ends meet. Add in the cost of school essentials, running a car for those who can’t get to work by public transport, and the ever-rising costs of food and fuel and many Wokingham families have budgets which are stretched to breaking point.
WorcesterObserver
is determined not to waste further monies duplicating the huge amount of work that has already been done and is ongoing. Not to burst anyone’s bubble but the work being done by all the above institutions is actually not groundbreaking. As far back as 1983, when abuse forced itself into my life, I learned of programmes to help victims and perpetrators. I met and talked to Ray Wyre, now deceased, a pioneer in the treatment of offenders at the Gracewell Clinic. But thankfully, nearly 40 years on so much more has been learned, so much more is being done and offered, so much more is out in the open. Wokingham Borough Council pledges to champion a culture of high standards by reporting abuse and supporting victims. My children and I could certainly have done with this commitment all those years ago. Abuse is abuse, and the work is the work, whatever title used.
Cllr Jackie Rance, Conservative councillor for Shinfield South, Wokingham three children to the doctors if one of us was ill and without a car going to town it would have been horrendous. It seems Burma Hills’ only use is as a vaccination centre, but that cannot continue. There is a petition calling for Wokingham Borough Council to use whatever influence it can to get the local NHS organisations, including WMC to rethink this inaction and reinstate a GP service at Burma Hills for the sake of Norreys residents who have been left without a local service. I ask people sign the petition at: www.ipetitions.com/petition/saveour-surgery
I have received many contacts of concern from people living in Norreys
If anything goes wrong, such as an unexpected bill or a cut in working hours, families may find themselves unable to cope. The recent £20 cut in Universal Credit is going to make life very hard for many working families. It’s even harder for those who can’t work because of unemployment, poor health or caring responsibilities. The UK has some of the lowest unemployment benefits in western Europe and those who rely on benefits live with the constant threat of losing them due to a review or benefit sanctions. No wonder food banks and volunteer schemes to feed children during the school holidays are now such a prominent part of life in Wokingham. No wonder so many low income pensioners and those living with disabilities are struggling. So, what difference can
Wokingham Borough Council make? The Liberal Democrats successfully campaigned last year for the council to develop an anti-poverty strategy. This is being developed by a cross-party working group, with the help of local voluntary organisations. The Liberal Democrats will push for this strategy to provide a framework for real action. This action must then make a concrete difference to those in Wokingham who are just about managing, those who are being pushed into debt by the high cost of living, and those who are destitute. We need to look at what we as a council can control. We need to build more high quality social housing. We need to ensure that our libraries are open on a Sunday so that young people living in cramped housing have somewhere peaceful to study, and that we have safe cycle lanes and pedestrian routes for those who don’t have a car. We need to look at how we provide genuine and empathetic support to those who are struggling to pay their council tax, and that the council website provides clear information on support available to residents who are struggling. Wokingham Borough Council also needs to look at what it can influence.
How can we ensure that we have affordable, reliable public transport so that people can get to work without a car? What can we do to support schools in ensuring that the essentials are within the reach of all families? How can we best support and work with our fantastic voluntary sector? We as a council can and must do more. I’ve been calling for the council to take action to help ensure that essential school costs are kept affordable and nothing has happened. I asked months ago for Wokingham Borough Council to publish clear information – as recommended by the government – on the help which we’re required to provide when someone can’t afford a funeral. Again nothing has happened. This has to change. I’m calling for every Council initiative to take account of how it will impact those living on lower incomes, in the same way that we look at how initiatives impact those with a protected characteristic such as disability. It’s time for us to start taking the needs of our lower income residents seriously.
Al Neal, Earley
Burma Hills
Rachel Bishop-Firth
2
mentally, violently, sexually, physically, emotionally, unfairly, offensively (words), insultingly, in a way that is harmful, morally wrong, unjust and corrupt especially for his/ her advantage or pleasure, in or out of school, the street, the home is ABUSE The Council recognises abuse is a complex social problem that impacts everyone across society and since March 2021 has gathered together key statutory and voluntary organisations that help victims, survivors AND male and female perpetrators. WBC has agreed to a Wokingham Abuse Strategy recognising the important work of the Violence Against Women and Girls Agenda. We have Cranston offering support for LGBT+ victims. We have the Wokingham Community Safety Partnership. WBC is working closely with the charity Kaleidoscopic UK. WBC is working closely with White Ribbon. All this work IS about getting men (women) to take responsibility. Ms Shepherd-Dubey wishes the Council to prove the work is value for public money and WBC
WPR_2022‑01‑31_TheWokinghamPaper_33x2 (1)_Just Go
who use the Burma Hills GP surgery. It seems that Dr Jalisi has retired or moved to pastures new and, as yet, there has been no move by Wokingham Medical Centre (WMC) to place another GP at Burma Hills, instead patients are directed to Wokingham Medical Centre. From many letters and articles in your paper, WMC is already under performance pressure, why send more patients to there? Additionally, patients joined Burma Hills Surgery because it is local to them and those who can’t walk far can attend there plus it has a good reputation. WMC, is just too far for some. I have in the past been registered at Burma Hills and know how important it is to the local community. My mother would have had to drag
design and advised against it. So it was no surprise on discovering that the first piece of the road to be opened, proudly displays ‘CYCLISTS DISMOUNT’ signs at its very first junction. Advice on such signs has been clear since at least 2008 – they should be used only when no alternative exists – yet the SWDR designers have chosen to do so at the first opportunity. The 2008 guidance also says that ‘practitioners should be able to defend their decision’ [to use the sign] and explain why it cannot be avoided by design. Perhaps WBC would care to do so in this paper?
From the chamber
020 really made us appreciate our key workers. From supermarket workers to care workers, from hospital cleaners to delivery drivers - the pandemic made us realise how much we all depend on those who often work long hours for little pay or job security.
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Cllr Daniel Hinton, leader of Conservative group on Wokingham Town Council
Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth is a Liberal Democrat councillor for Emmrbook Ward on Wokingham Borough Council
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
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A business park that is changing
Welcoming Occupiers Back To Winnersh Triangle
New partnership will help Crowthorne-based nursery enhance offering By Phil Creighton pcreighton@wokingham.today A CROWTHORNE-based nursery has teamed up with an early years apprenticeship provider to launch a new partnership.
At Winnersh Triangle business park it’s great to see the park busier as more people start to return to their offices and enjoy our co-working spaces. Research we carried out shows that occupiers have missed the collaborative element of being together in an office, that you can’t replicate on a video call when working from home. Our award-winning beautifully landscaped park and host of amenities are another reason that have missed at Winnersh Triangle. Whether it’s a workout at our state-of-the-art gym Move HQ before work, a kick about with colleagues at lunch (on the new astro-turf pitch), a chance to enjoy a coffee and cake at one of our four on site cafés during a break, or a cocktail after work at the newly refurbished Crowne Plaza, we really do have everything you need for work, rest and play. Getting back to nature Our award-winning onsite landscape team Nurture have created biodiversity areas on the park to encourage new wildlife to join the park community. We have bird boxes, bird feeders, bat boxes and even beehives; we are always keen to encourage new wildlife to the park. We do this because we understand the importance of wellbeing and aim to support our occupiers by providing a framework for sustainable and happy communities. Fresh air and green space is in abundance and we are fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful greenery including Dinton Pastures which is right on our doorstep. Dinton Pastures is 450 acres and has seven lakes, two rivers, three public bird hides, and lots of meadows. You can hire one of our Ryde bikes for free to enjoy the trails around Dinton Pastures. If you want a more sustainable way to travel to work, you can hire a Ryde bike for 72 hours. This also makes them perfect for enjoying over a weekend. Collaboration is key In the words of Steve Jobs “Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.” Collaboration has never been more important. If you are looking for a collaborative and innovative space to work, then you will love The Exchange at Winnersh Triangle. It is a new concept from Frasers Property across its parks that provides the perfect creative environment for the exchange of ideas, whilst offering customers and their visitors a vibrant space to meet, collaborate and relax over a coffee or lunch. Lights, Camera, Action At the end of last year, we made the exciting announcement that Winnersh Studios have taken space on the business park. The film studio deal will ultimately create around 120,000 sq ft of studio space, with one of these studios being the world’s largest fully encapsulated virtual production stage. Stage Fifty, owners of the studios specialises in building film and TV stages estimates this project will bring an estimated £50m economic boost to the UK economy annually. If you have driven past on the A329m recently, you may well have seen the studios being built. We are excited to host events again, on the park for our occupiers these include, independent markets, themed food events and seasonal workshops. Whether you want an innovative space to collaborate, take time out of your busy day or grow your business whatever the size, then it’s time to revisit Winnersh Triangle.
www.winnershtriangle.co.uk
Kids Inc Nurseries is to offer Level 2 Practitioner and Level 3 Educator apprenticeships thanks to its team-up with Realise. The nursery, which has 11 sister branches across the south east, has almost 1,000 children on its books. Teresa Brooke, director of childcare and eEducation at Kids Inc Nurseries, said it was a significant development for the firm, which would enhance the services it can offer, and expand the quality of its training. “We will have a mixture of new employees entering the industry for the first time and existing colleagues who will be upskilling going through the apprenticeship programme,” she explained. “The work Realise is doing with other nurseries caught our eye and we have been very impressed with all of the conversations we have had with them in recent weeks. “It’s a great opportunity to not only continue developing our offering to families in the areas in which we operate but also for our colleagues to enhance their own careers by securing qualifications.” Realise works with 550 nurseries and supported more than 1,000 learners in 2021.
READY TO HELP: Karen Derbyshire from Kids Inc in Crowthorne Karen Derbyshire, head of the early years and education sector at Realise, said the firm was delighted to have extended the portfolio of nurseries it works with.
“Kids Inc Nurseries have an excellent reputation and we are excited to help develop their offering by guiding its hard working and talented staff through apprenticeships,” she said.
Stewarts Coaches achieves best in class standard A WOODLEY-based coach company is one of the best in the country after receiving a special accreditation. Stewarts Coaches, now part of National Express Transport Solutions, has received the Driving and Vehicles Standard Agency (DVSA) Earned Recognition scheme. The voluntary scheme requires companies to regularly share fleet performance data in exchange for their vehicles being less likely to be stopped for roadside checks, or visited by officials on site. Operators undergo a stringent process of prevalidation checks followed by audits to ensure all protocols and procedures are in place and followed to the required exacting standards.
STEWARTS COACHES
Tony Lawman, managing director of National Express Transport Solutions, was thrilled.
“It is fantastic to be recognised for our very high standards,” he said. “Safety is at the heart of
everything we do and this is testament to the hard work and commitment of all or our teams.”
Thursday, February 3, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Theresa May questions PM over lockdown breaches ONE OF THE borough’s MPs has questioned Boris Johnson over covid lockdown breaches in the House of Commons. Theresa May, whose constituency includes part of the borough, asked the prime minister on Monday afternoon whether he thought the pandemic restrictions applied to Number 10. It came after the preliminary report by Sue Gray was published earlier in the day. It looks at 16 events held at Downing Street over a 20-month period. She said: “The covid regulations imposed significant restrictions on the freedoms of members of the public,” she said. “They had a right to expect their prime minister to have read the rules, to understand the meaning of the rules, and indeed those around him to have done so too, and to set an example in following those rules. “What the Gray report does show is that Number 10 Downing Street was not observing the regulations they had imposed on members of the public. “So either my Rt Hon friend had not read the rules, or did not understand what they meant and the others around him, or they didn’t think the rules applied to
Number 10. Which was it?” Mr Johnson replied, and said: “No Mr Speaker that is not what the Gray report says. I suggest she waits to see the conclusion of the enquiry.” After Mrs May’s question, the Westminster leader of the SNP, Ian Blackford, was kicked out of the chamber for accusing the prime minister of lying to the Commons. The report from Sue Gray states that lockdown gatherings represented a “serious failure” of officials to observe what had been asked of the public. She states in the report that excessive consumption of alcohol is not appropriate in a professional workplace at any time, and that “a number of these gatherings should not have been allowed to take place or to develop the way that they did”. The Gray report also states that “leadership structures [in No 10] are fragmented and complicated and this has sometimes led to the blurring of lines of accountability. “There is significant learning to be drawn from these events which must be addressed immediately across government,” it states, adding: “This does not need to wait for the police investigations to be concluded.”
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Beer festival sets June date CHEERS: Punters enjoying the atmosphere at last year’s Twyford Beer Festival Picture: Steve Smyth
EXCLUSIVE By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today ONE OF Twyford’s most popular community events is set to go ahead later this year.
Twyford Beer Festival will pop up at Stanlake Meadow on Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. This year’s event will be the 12th organised by Ian Wisdom, and will once more be raising funds for male cancer charity Orchid. “Plans are coming together nicely and there’s a great team in place,” Mr Wisdom said. “We put on a successful festival last year, despite covid, and raised £12,000 for Orchid — our best total ever. “We hope to build on that success with this year’s festival.” A wide range of locally produced ciders and ales, including some festival exclusives, will be on offer. And the gin, wine and Pimm’s bar will be returning. Food vendors have already
been confirmed as Haweli, Rural Pie Co and A Star Catering, which is the same line-up as last year. “Lovely Indian food, pies and barbecue, all perfect for a beer festival,” Mr Wisdom added. In addition to the main beer festival dates, there
will be a gig by Pink Floyd tribute act Crazy Diamond, on Thursday, June 9. Twyford Beer Festival is also offering use of its marquee to community groups from Saturday, June 2. Mr Wisdom said: “The tents will already be up and we thought that groups like
churches and schools might like to use it to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee.” Early bird tickets for Crazy Diamond and the beer festival are available now for £10.
n For more information, or to enquire about the marquee or volunteering, visit: twyfordbeerfest.co.uk
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
University of Reading welcomes collection on Joyce and Beckett
By DANIEL BLACKMAN news@wokingham.today
A MAJOR collection of books, documents and artefacts have been gifted to the University of Reading.
The Solange and Stephen James Joyce Collection will provide new insights on the relationship between James Joyce and Samuel Beckett. Among the donations is a telegram sent by Beckett to Joyce on his 49th birthday, 91 years ago. It reads: “Teems of times and happy returns. Beckett,” and suggests a close and friendly relationship between Beckett and his mentor. The University of Reading already boasts one of the largest Beckett archives in the world and its team are excited to learn more about the two giants of 20th century literature. Dr Mark Nixon, an English literature researcher and codirector of the University’s Beckett International Foundation, said: “The unusual birthday telegram from Beckett to Joyce says much about them as friends. “The new collection silverplates the relationship we knew existed between Beckett and Joyce, with their personal correspondence shedding fresh
LETTERS: Picture: permission of the James Joyce Estate
MESSAGE: Birthday telegram reproduced Picture: permission of the Beckett Estate light on the closeness between the two. “Such gems will prove invaluable to those studying these two historic writers.” The collection was announced today, Wednesday, February 2, in line with the centenary of Joyce’s novel Ulysses, considered by many as one of the greatest and most influential novels ever written in English. Among the highlights is a large number of letters to Joyce from writers such as H.G Wells, a wealth of personal items and
CONNECTION: Stephen and Solange Joyces wedding with Beckett in the foreground Picture: Sean Sweeney
a great number of published editions of works by and about Joyce.
Professor Robert Van de Voort, vice-chancellor of the University of Reading, said:
“James Joyce was a writer who transformed our ideas about the world, about creativity and about humanity. “His letters, manuscripts and artefacts are rightly treasured but we are taking this collection not just to protect it but to share it.” Due to the extraordinary scale of the collection, the university expects researchers, scholars and the public from around the world to enjoy access to this resource. Guy Baxter, head of archive services at the University of Reading, said: “We hope that this collection will provide inspiration to visitors and online audiences across the world. “Our priority in the coming months is to make final arrangements to bring all parts of the collection together in its new home and to begin the task of cataloguing, so that this unique resource can be made accessible.”
Allotment looks for members A PROJECT aimed at supporting mental health and wellbeing is looking for members. Twyford Growers, based on Hurst Road allotments, returns for a second season in March and is open to residents of Ruscombe and Twyford. Fruit and vegetables grown on the plot last year included potatoes, butternut squash, goldenberries and apples. The group aims to help people who are feeling down, lacking in energy, or who have experienced bereavement or a life changing event. The project is led by Christina Hughes Nind and supported by Age UK Berkshire, Ruscombe Parish Council and Twyford Parish Council. n For more information, email: twyfordgrowers@gmail.com or call: 0118 959 4242.
Level crossing closed on Sunday WOKINGHAM town centre’s level crossing will be closed in the early hours of Sunday morning. The Barkham Road section will be closed from 12.30am until 6.30am. The closure is to allow Network Rail to carry out a rail inspection on the down main.
n For more information about the works , call 0118 974 6000.
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The Great Barn, 8 Ashridgewood Business Park, Warren House Road, Wokingham, RG40 5BS
FUNDING: Members of Pinewood Judo Club advanced junior class, pictured with Sensei Mark Fricker in the bottom row and in the top row, ex-Pinewood judoka and Olympian Ben Fletcher Picture: Pinewood Judo Club
Pinewood Judo Club awarded £1,000 A BOROUGH sports club with international success has been given a cash boost. Pinewood Judo Club was given £1,000 by housebuilder Persimmon Homes, as part of its Community Champions scheme. The club has seen competition success both nationally and internationally, and is seen as one of the most successful judo clubs in Europe. Its achievements date back more than 58 years. The club was hit hard financially by the pandemic, losing all of its subscription
income for almost a year. It was also unable to hold its annual summer and winter fundraisers. Sensei Mark Fricker, from the club, said: “We are a not-forprofit sporting charity and all of our coaches donate their precious time on a voluntary basis. “Our building upkeep along with the increased hygiene related measures associated with covid are crippling us. “To hear that we had been awarded £1,000 by Persimmon was wonderful, we will be able to do so much good with these
funds and we are very, very grateful.” Rachel Faulkner, sales director for Persimmon Homes Thames Valley said that applications for funding from the Community Champions scheme are higher than ever. “I would urge any organisation that is not successful, to keep on applying,” she said. The housebuilder gives out two awards of up to £1,000 each month. n For more information, visit: www.persimmonhomes.com/ community-champions
Thursday, February 3, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
EXECUTIVENEWS Covid rates in Wokingham expected to rise COVID rates in Wokingham are expected to rise further as Omicron variant continues to make its presence felt. While it was at 1,600 per 100,000 at the start of the year, it had dropped to just over 1,000 last week, but is now rising. Wokingham Borough Council leader Cllr John Halsall said: “The new year started with a welcome decline in rates although with schools returning and the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant in an unvaccinated, in primary settings, and therefore susceptible population, this decline has been short lived. “Rates are now back on the rise and are currently just over 1,350 per 100,000. The current rate reflects the week 13-19 January. “We expect this to rise further, as daily case numbers continue to increase.” He said that most cases were among school-age children and their parents. “The past month has seen, and continues to see, a flurry of new and changed guidance for us all to follow,” Cllr Halsall continued. “This is sometimes hard to keep pace with. “Officers are working relentlessly to translate new guidance for our
residents.” And Cllr Halsall urged people to get their booster jab to help the situation. More than two-thirds of residents (67%) aged 12 or over have taken up the offer. “We continue to work with our healthcare colleagues to ensure that the vaccine offer reaches all our residents across the Borough,” he said. While Plan B restrictions had been lifted, meaning the end of mask-wearing indoors, and the mandate to work from home where possible, it was hoped that the borough would continue to take Covid-19 seriously. “We continue to encourage residents to take precautions where there is the risk of Covid transmission,” Cllr Halsall said. “We call upon all our residents and partners to be as patient as they can as services are operating under significant staffing pressure. “With one eye to the spring, there will continue to be much change over the coming weeks whilst case rates remain high and rising; we must remain cautious and continue to employ all measures we can to keep our communities as safe as possible and reduce transmission as much as we can.”
Wokingham’s climate emergency action plan judged by national body WORK put into the climate emergency action plan has been noticed on a national level. Climate Emergency UK has been benchmarking councils’ work on tackling the climate emergency, carrying out assessments on their plans, leading to a scorecard. The group had 120 experts pour over the plans, answering 28 questions, including costings, goals, and engagement with residents. The results were announced on Thursday, January 27, and Wokingham Borough has come out eighth out of 183 single-tier authorities across the UK. The organisation said that 84 of the UK’s 409 councils had no written action plan. Wokingham Borough scored 79% overall, with maximum marks for governance, development and funding; eight out of nine for community engagement and communications; and 10 out of 18 for mitigation and adaptation. Neighbouring Reading scored74%, with 14 out of 17 for governance, development and funding; seven out of nine for community engagement and communications; and 16 out of 18 for mitigation and adaptation. Annie Pickering, campaigns and policy officer at Climate Emergency
Neighbourhood consultation A SIX-week consultation into the Ruscombe Neighbourhood Plan will now take place. It is to support the parish council as it prepares the document, which
UK, said: “A good Action Plan has the basics covered. This means that the actions are specific and measurable and assigned to teams or departments. It should also be clear how the plan will be monitored as it is implemented.” Next year, the group intends to chart delivery on the plans. Miss Pickering added: “This year’s Scorecards are just the start of the process. It has been an important exercise to understand what makes a good council Climate Action Plan and we hope that it will help councils learn from each other and up their game. “A good plan will help a local authority deliver effective actions, while having it easily available on the council website will enable local residents to know what their council has committed to and so hold the council to account. At a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s ruling executive held that evening, council leader John Halsall said he was very pleased with the results. “My congratulations to Cllr Gregory Murray, the executive member who has pushed this forward,” he added.
n The scorecards can be seen at councilclimatescorecards.uk
will be inspected by an independent examiner before being adopted. The document will help the borough with planning decisions in the future, if it is approved. The consultation will run from Tuesday, February 8, through to Friday, March 25, with a referendum following in the autumn.
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PHIL CREIGHTON reports from a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s ruling executive held on Thursday, January 27
‘We are opposed to the loss of every blade of grass’ WOKINGHAM would not be facing the bulldozers’ gaze if the leader of the borough council had his way.
At the start of an executive meeting, Cllr John Halsall said: “I want to make it clear that all this administration, my party and I are completely opposed to the loss of every blade of grass, tree, shrub, field or greenspace in the Borough. Once it’s gone it’s gone forever.” He reminded those attending the meeting that the consultation of residents in 2019 revealed that residents also agreed that housing numbers were too high. However, Cllr Halsall said, the current Draft Local Plan update was essential as Wokingham borough was not “an independent island” and had to obey government mandates on housing numbers, with all political parties committed to building more homes.
Financial future of unknowns WOKINGHAM’S financial future faces a range of unknown unknowns, as it navigates its way out of the covid pandemic. Council leader John Halsall said that setting the budget for the forthcoming financial year will be harder than usual because “there are things we will not yet even be aware of”. He added: “We must formulate our budget proposals and move forward with great caution throughout the following years. “We passionately believe in helping those most in need in our community but can only do this by maintaining our strong financial resilience in the most precarious of circumstances.” The remarks were made at the start of a meeting of
“The current government objectives are amongst the lowest of the three national parties,” he said. Saying no to housing would leave Wokingham borough open to speculative development. “There is not a square inch of the Borough which has not been optioned by a developer who would seek to exercise that option by claiming we have no plan or five-year land supply,” he said. “The developer would be successful. I have no doubt that we would be faced with housing numbers several times those currently mandated.” The first round of consultation on this stage of the local plan update closed on Monday, January 24, and Cllr Halsall said there had been a “good level of response” from residents, including councillors.
Wokingham Borough Council’s ruling executive committee, held on Thursday, January 27. A large part of the meeting was devoted to providing an update on the council’s finances ahead of the forthcoming budget setting meeting to be held later this spring. Cllr John Kaiser, the deputy leader and executive member for finance, said that rising inflation would see a greater demand on council services, despite limited resources. “It’s important every penny we spend has a maximum impact,” he said. “Especially during this post-covid recovery phase.” He said that the revenue budget was mostly on course, with an overspend of £523,000, for the current financial year. Of this, £398,000 was the cost of covid-related activities.
“I was delighted to see many of my colleagues making strong representations for their wards,” he continued. “It was disappointing that other councillors confined themselves to making futile political points about the housing numbers.” And Cllr Halsall also reminded residents of the success of his campaign to lower housing numbers. As he became leader, the council was looking at having to build 1,635 homes a year, but through lobbying – and a threat to walk down Whitehall naked – the government relented and reduced this to 789. “I will continue to press Government to make more changes and encourage our MPs who are all critical of the housing numbers and planning policies to join me in so doing,” he said.
This meant, Cllr Gregor Murray said, the council was 0.35% overbudget. Some of the plans for the Medium Term Financial Plan include an additional £50,000 over two years for arts and culture in the borough. The council was also looking to save £55 million over the next financial year, on top of the £30 million the council had saved in the last six years.
No Wokingham quarry sites NO WOKINGHAM borough sites have been included in the Central and Eastern Berkshire Joint Minerals and Waste Plan. The document, which is prepared in partnership with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM),
Bracknell Forest Council and Reading Borough Council, is an update on a previous plan last seen in 2020, and consulted on last year. There had been fears that parts of Bridge Farm in Shinfield would be turned into a quarry and cement works, but the plan was turned down in 2019. And Cllr Wayne Smith confirmed that the borough is free from similar threats this time round. “There are no sites in Wokingham borough in this plan,” he said, adding that a six-week consultation will run from February, and although he had seen some suggestions otherwise on social media, it was fake news. “It’s important to have it officially confirmed that it’s not the case,” Cllr Halsall said, as he led the vote on the issue.
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A picture of Peggy from Arts Society lecture
WEALTHY: Peggy Guggenheim - the subject for The Arts Society Wokingham’s January lecture Picture: The Arts Society Wokingham
PEGGY Guggenheim’s life was full of glamour, money, art, sex and tragedy.
Jacky Klein, the well-known art historian, shared her enthusiasm and knowledge of this 20th century art collector with members of The Arts Society Wokingham at their January lecture. Jacky painted a vivid picture of Peggy as a wealthy New York society heiress. In 1930, after the breakdown of her tumultuous marriage to Laurence Vail and the tragic death of her sister, she decided to use her inheritance to build up a collection of modern art works. Within just a few years she had amassed a large collection which included drawings by Jean Cocteau, surrealist sculptures by Marcel Duchamp and abstract paintings by Kandinsky. She exhibited them in London’s first museum of modern art, the Guggenheim Jeune, in 1938. Jacky explained that Peggy continued to expand her collection to include American art works after she moved herself and her collection to New York in 1941. Her home became a home for displaced European artists such as Max Ernst whom she married. The work of these artists in turn influenced young American artists such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Her amazing unconventional gallery, Art of the Century, was designed by the avant-garde architect, Frederick Kiesler, to show-case both European and American modern art. In 1947 Peggy moved on again, this time to Venice where she spent the last 30 years of her life. She found a permanent home for her
‘children’, as she called her collection, in the 18th century Palazzo on the Grand Canal where much of it remains to this day. Jacky brought the life and times of Peggy Guggenheim to life. She convinced her audience that Peggy changed the course of modern art. Peggy did take advice from mentors such as Herbert Read and other friends but she also had the knack of being in the right place, at the right time. She had the ability to recognise and encourage the talent of young emerging artists. She was much more than a ‘bourgeois housewife with a shopping list’ buying a picture a day as Picasso once described her. With the continuing support of Newbold Church’s technical team The Arts Society will be offering hybrid
lectures to its members and guests for the rest of the season. The next lecture, on Monday, February 21, at 7.45pm, is entitled A Carpet Ride to Khiva. Chris Aslan, inspired by 15th century Persian illustrations which were the only surviving record of Timurid carpet designs, set up his own workshop in Khiva, a desert oasis in Uzbekistan. Here, he is recreating these ancient carpet and embroidery designs and has become the largest non-government employer in town. Guests, in person at Newbold Church or online in the comfort of their own home, are most welcome.
believe in the importance of practical help to local people and support centres. By the end of this month, a group of our members will have spent a total of 170 hours volunteering at a local covid vaccination centre. In November, Rotarians, Inner Wheel members and 10 volunteers from Virgin Media carried out pre-winter maintenance and planting of 1,000 purple crocus corms in the grounds of the Camp Mohawk children’s play
Art fair’s success LAST October’s charity art fair, organised by the the Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Reading Maiden Erlegh raised an impressive £8,000, which was doubled by the Good Exchange. And the groups visited the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s new Staff Wellbeing Centre to see the site and hand over the £16,000 donation. The Staff Wellbeing Centre will cost £250,000, and the Clubs were pleased they were able to contribute to the worthy project. This would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work in organising the Art Fair and the Clubs would like to thank Reading Guild of Artists, the artists who entered pieces, Leighton Park School for their generosity with the venue and auction prizes, and all the members of the public who visited the fair or made donations. The Rotary Clubs is hoping to host the next Art Fair this autumn, and details will be announced in due course.
MEMBERS OF THE READING MAIDEN ERLEGH ROTARY CLUB AND ITS Community members make up the Rotary Club, and they aim to give back to their community via volunteering or fundraising and welcome like-minded people for projects or membership. For further information, log on to: www.readingmaidenerlegh.org/ For more on the art fair, visit: www. readingcharityartfair.org/
SARAH SHEARS
Helping 120,000 people
n Email: memsectheartssocietywham@ gmail.com for more details. n Details of all future talks are available at www.TheArtsSocietyWokingham.org.uk
SUE BRYANT
Rotary Club’s six months of helping OVER the past six months we have donated more than £20,000 to relieve the hardships caused by Covid-19 in our local community. This was achieved through the hard work of our members on fundraising events. In July a Golf Day raised £6,000. Our charity pop-up shop in Woodley Town Centre raised £2,900.The Art Fair at the end of October raised £8,000 for the Royal Berkshire Hospital Staff Wellbeing Centre. This figure was doubled to £16,000 by a subvention from the Greenham Trust. In our Christmas fundraising this year, Rotarians and Inner Wheel members clocked up 162 hours of Santa and Elf duties and 84 hours of can shaking, raising just under £6,000. Between 600 and 700 excited children visited Santa’s grotto and in addition to a present he dedicated a tree sapling to every child. In the spring, Club members will plant the saplings, provided by the Woodland Trust, at the nearby JAC (Just Around the Corner) equestrian therapy centre. The children will find out when their trees are planted by an e-mail to their parents. As well as financial help, we firmly
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
VISITOR: Father Christmas at Sheeplands; his visit was helped by members of the Reading Maiden Erlegh Rotary Club
therapy centre near Wargrave. This was a good example of Rotary working together with volunteers from other organisations. Although most of our donations have been aimed at local communities, the plight of people in other parts of the world has not been neglected. £1,000 was donated to Shelterbox, and £540 to Mercy Ships and, of course, we make our regular annual contributions to Foundation and Polio elimination. SARAH SHEARS
A CHARITY that supports the pub trade has given out more than £3.3 million in grants and services, helping more than 120,000 people. And The Licensed Trade Charity, established in 1793, helped more than 46,000 people with more than 1.7m in grants and services last year. Among the support, in November last year, it launched a special support app, that allows people to get help with just a swipe. The charity, which runs the LVS Ascot school, said that its mental health helpline reported a 40% increase on the previous year in calls for emotional support and counselling. Paula Smith, head of marketing for the Charity, said: “Through our helpline we offer practical guidance from information specialists and emotional support from qualified counsellors and in the past practical guidance made up around 60% of the support requests we received.
“We have seen that switch with almost 70% of calls during 2021 for emotional support and counselling.” The biggest factors negatively impacting the mental wellbeing of those in the trade have been reduced income, increased pressure due to staff shortages and uncertainty about job security. Sadly, more than one in three (33%) on-trade respondents have (or know a colleague who has) experienced a mental health issue. And Licensed Trade Charity, CEO, Jim Brewster, added: “I am proud of the range of services we offer the licensed trade and the fact that it is all delivered without cost to operators or individuals. “Our team delivers a fantastic, professional service. “They understand what our industry needs and adapt our range of support to meet those needs”.
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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
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Description
220167
65 Rose Street, Wokingham
Conservation Area
Householder application for the proposed removal of modern internal wall, installation of a replacement staircase, new WC, Insertion of two new windows to the rear elevation (South Elevation) and replacement of modern door and windows. Installation of mechanical ventilation to the bathroom.
220168
65 Rose Street, Wokingham
Works to a listed building
Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed removal of modern internal wall, installation of a replacement staircase, new WC, Insertion of two new windows to the rear elevation (South Elevation) and replacement of modern door and windows. Installation of mechanical ventilation to the bathroom.
Grzegorz Bielawski trading as Underwood Car Centre of 63 Melrose Gardens, Arborfield, RG2 9PY is applying for a licence to use Unit 1, Milewood Industrial Esate, Old Wokingham Road, RG40 3BU as an operating centre for 1 goods vehicles and 1 trailers. 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.
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The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. Comments on the application can be made online from this web page. Any comments must arrive on or before the 24th February 2022.. 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: 3rd February 2022
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (COMMONFIELD LANE, BARKHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021
RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITIES
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 27th January 2022 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:
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL
Commonfield Lane, Barkham between its junctions with Biggs Lane and Barkham Street. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Biggs Lane, Langley Common Road, B3349 Barkham Road and Barkham Street or by this route in reverse.
Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer £28,672 - £32,234 pa (pro-rata) depending on skills and experience Circa 28 hours per week
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 7th February and 11th February 2022. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake new water connection work in safety.
The role of Parish Clerk is extremely varied and you will become involved in every aspect of village life; from preparing monthly finances to ensuring the parish owned land is maintained; looking after the web, magazine and social media sites to minuting meetings; ensuring parishioners are listened to, to liaising with WBC on planning and environmental issues.
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 7th February 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.
Every day is different. If you are a confident communicator with excellent organizational skills please email parishclerk@arborfield.org.uk for a full job specification and application pack .
Dated: 3rd February 2022 Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
No previous clerking experience is necessary but a desire to qualify is required!
For up to date news in the borough follow us on
Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4pm on Friday 18 8th February 2022.
email: parishclerk@arborfield.org.uk www.arborfield.org.uk @wokingham.today
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Arborfield & Newland Parish Council The Parish Office, Arborfield Village Hall, Eversley Road, Arborfield, Berkshire, RG2 9PQ
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
RECRUITMENT OPPORTUNITIES
SCHEME CO-ORDINATOR £22,793 p.a. pro rata, 20 hours per week
Home-Start Wokingham District is a local charity that has been providing vital support to families in need for more than 20 years. Our team of well-trained volunteers provide emotional and practical support to families in crisis across the Wokingham Borough. We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic person to join our team to work with our volunteers to support families. The ideal candidate will be someone who has experience of bringing up children and also has knowledge of the family support /children’s sectors.
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As a key member of the Home-Start team, you will be responsible for identifying the support needs of referred families, training, matching and supporting volunteers and providing the overall guidance for the relationship between the family and the volunteer. You will also need to link well with other organisations across the borough to ensure families receive holistic support. Knowledge of the voluntary sector and safeguarding of children would be welcome but not essential.
and 52 weeks
DBS (enhanced level) check will be required.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 27TH FEBRUARY 2022. INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD: WEEK BEGINNING 7TH MARCH 2022
To receive an application pack please contact: T: 0118 988 8025 E: admin@home-startwd.org.uk
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LEISURETODAY
Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
Rewind reveals its 80s line-up The good times are returning, and for some that means heading back to the 80s. Music fans will be in for a treat with this year’s Rewind Festival. PHIL CREIGHTON finds out who’s on the bill
A
POPULAR celebration of all things 80s is preparing to return to Wokingham this summer.
Temple Meadows will once again be the venue for the Rewind South festival. And a host of familiar faces will be returning to the stage, dusting off some of the best chart toppers from 40 years ago. Taking place over the weekend of August 19-21, this year’s headliners include The Human League (Sunday). The band had five albums and 15 Top singles and had sold over 20 million records worldwide including hits Don’t You Want Me, Mirror Man, (Keep Feeling) Fascination, Human and Tell Me When. Saturday’s headliner is Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s Holly Johnson. A main stage show will be hosted by The Doctor from Dr. & The Medics on the Saturday, and Fun House supremo Pat Sharp - who better to rewind the fun? Other artists include Level 42, Scritti Politti, Slim Jim Phantom, Martin Kemp, Belinda Carlise (pictured), Bjorn Aagin, Odyssey, Kim Wilde, Johnny Hates Jazz, Blancmange, Tom Bailey (Thompson Twins), Heather Small, Hothouse Flowers, T’Pau, Tunde, The Selecter, Chesney Hawkes, Midge Ure, Mica Paris, The Real Thing. If this isn’t enough, Rewind
celebrates the return of The Pink Flamingo Club in the Big Top, an 80’s themed nightclub, with headline DJs Gary Davies, Pat Sharp and Rusty Egan spinning all your favourite 80’s tunes to keep the party atmosphere going well into the night Neville Staple from The Specials will also join the party at the Riverside Stage welcome party. And a firework display will bring the event to a close. Other entertainment includes a Silent Disco, funfair rides, kid-zone with entertainment for the little Rewinders, shops and stalls for jewellery, T-shirts, and food and drink. The inflatable church will be on hand if anyone fancies tying the knot, while the camping area will also be available. There will also be a new partnership with Greatest Hits Radio. Andy Ashton, content director for the station, said: ‘Greatest Hits Radio is delighted to be the Official Radio Partner for Rewind 2022. “As the home of the biggest songs of the 70s 80s and 90s, Rewind is the perfect partnership for us, and we are as excited as our audience are about these incredible line ups and with our very own Martin Kemp and Pat Sharp set to perform; The Good Times sound like this.” n Tickets have gone on sale, for more details, log on to: www.rewindfestival. com
03.02.22
14 | LEISURE
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
NYC in the Ding A FUN Lovin’ Criminal brings the party to Sub 89 this Friday. BBC 6 Music DJ Huey Morgan will be throwing his NYC Block Party from 9pm. Having grown up in the Lower East Side of New York City in the 1970s, he lived and breathed the sound and the fashion of the times as disco, hip hop and funk collided. From Chic to Donna Summer, Kool and the Gang to James Brown, via Grandmaster Flash and The Jackson 5 and more recent flavours like Jurassic 5, Cypress Hill and Michael Kiwanuka, Huey’s NYC Block Party is the sound of funk, soul, disco and hip hop jams battling it out on the dancefloor. He’ll be supported by Dat Brass, a ten-piece hip-hop brass band born from London. Tickets cost £19.05, including a £2.05 booking fee. n For more details, or to book, visit: sub89.com
Americana in Bracknell
WILDE Sundays continue this Sunday, February 6, between 2pm and 4pm. South Hill Park welcomes three more acts celebrating all things Americana. The afternoon will feature acoustic duo Tu-Kay & Ryan, who blur the lines between alt-folk, Americana and roots music. There will be music from Downtown Roundabout, a band whose music has elements of country, folk and soul. Finally, singer-songwriter Alex Seel will bring his rootsy, thought-provoking songs to the stage. Wilde Sundays take place in McAllister’s. Entry is £8.50. n For more details, or to book, log on to: southhillpark.org.uk or call: 01344 484123.
Not so lovely
THERE will be strange goings-on in Sonning from this week. The House on Cold Hill is a spinetingling new play by best-selling author Peter James, running at The Mill from Thursday, February 3, until Sunday, March 26. Follow the ghostly story of the Harcourt family who move into the house of their dreams, which has been empty for the last 40 years. The house quickly becomes the stuff of nightmares as they
Channel 4’s Steph’s Packer Lunch, and with more than 10 million views of his online videos, Luke is one of the UK’s hottest contemporary mimics. Luke will try to work out what masculinity really means with the help of Louis Theroux, the cast of Downton Abbey and even Jürgen Klopp. Luke struggles to fit in, between turning up to a dance audition in football boots to falling in love with the cool guy that sits in the row in front of him at the football. Will Luke ever become the Macho Macho Man he dreams of? The performance starts at 8pm, tickets are £15. n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788997.
Truly Fascinating CELEBRATE the music of the iconic James Bond franchise in Newbury next week. The internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band will be performing at the Corn Exchange on Thursday, February 10. Joined by special guest vocalists, Emer McParland and Iain Mackenzie, the audience will experience an evening of movie magic, performed in the BBC Big Band’s own inimitable style. Expect to hear classic numbers including Diamonds are Forever, Thunderball, We Have all the Time in the World, A begin to wonder whether they may not be the only residents at Cold Hill. The cast of the modern day supernatural thriller includes Debbie McGee as Annie. The novel was adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna. Tickets for all performances include a two-course in the restaurant before the show. Evening performances begin at 8.15pm, with 2.15pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. n For more details, or to book, visit: millatsonning.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000.
Magical Maidenhead
A BRITAIN’S Got Talent finalist is stopping off at Norden Farm next week on his muchanticipated UK tour, Black Magic. Magical Bones, whose real name is Richard Essien, effortlessly combines intricate sleight of hand with mesmerising illusions and jaw dropping break-dance moves in this awe-inspiring and critically acclaimed show. His magic has been described as “stunning” and “mind boggling.” Bones’ debut solo show sold-out residencies at the London Southbank Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe. He has
View to a Kill, Goldfinger and, of course, John Barry’s iconic James Bond Theme. The band will also play a selection of more contemporary numbers from the James Bond library. There will also be a sprinkling of numbers inspired by the film genre, from the likes of Mission Impossible and Austin Powers, to name just a few. The concert will begin at 7.45pm. Tickets are £31. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0845 5218218 or visit: cornexchangenew.com
also made appearances on American TV series Penn & Teller’s Fool Us and Sky’s Around The World In 80 Tricks. The magic will happen on Thursday, February 10, beginning at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £16. n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788997.
Ed Byrne reaches South Hill Park, Bracknell, on his If I’m Honest… tour on Wednesday, March 2. Join Ed as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has any traits that are worth passing on to his children. Described as a masterclass in observation comedy, the show took the 2019 Edinburgh Festival by storm and has received glowing reviews from critics. Among Ed’s TV appearances are Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and QI. The show starts at 8pm. Tickets cost £27. n For more details, or to book, log on to: southhillpark.org.uk or call: 01344 484123.
Reading-on-Sea
A COMMUNAL Shanty session will take place at Reading pub the Castle Tap, on Castle Street, next week. Reading Shanty Singers hold their next meeting on Wednesday, February 9. No experience is necessary, and all comers are welcome to bring songs to lead, join in with the choruses or just listen along with a pint. As the singing is intended to be inclusive and welcoming to everyone, the group asks that people consider the words of songs to make sure they are compatible with its aims. Table bookings are recommended. n To book, visit: thecastletap.co.uk
Honest Ed
Giving the right impression
FINAL tickets remain to see one of Ireland’s best-loved comedy exports next month.
IMPRESSIONIST Luke Kempner brings his new show Macho Macho Man to Norden Farm in Maidenhead later this month. Expect to hear from people ranging from Piers Morgan and Boris Johnson to Ru Paul on Wednesday, February 16. One of the voices behind the puppets on Britbox’s Spitting Image, a regular on
ENJOY an evening in the company of Fascinating Aïda at the Hexagon later on this month. Dillie Keane, Adèle Anderson and Liza Pulman return to Reading on Wednesday, February 16 with their unique cabaret and comedy songs. The trio will perform a selection of old favourites, songs you haven’t heard before and some you wish you’d never heard in the first place. The songs are hilarious, topical, and some are incredibly rude, but the glamour is unstoppable. Suitable for 14 years and over. Tickets are priced at £26.50. n For more details, or to book, visit: whatsonreading.com or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
Cold front
WOKINGHAM Film Society is screening a Cold War thriller next week at The Whitty Theatre. The Courier is based on the true story of Greville Wynne, a British businessman turned spy. At the height of the Cold War, against the background of the Cuban Missile crisis, Wynne is recruited to act as a courier, transferring information from his Russian contact to MI6. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Wynne, alongside Merab Ninidze as Oleg Penkovsky. The screening takes place on Thursday, February 10. Doors open at 6.45pm and the film begins at 7.30pm. Rating 12A. Advance tickets only. Members £4, non-members £6.50. n For more details or to book, visit: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
AT THE THEATRE
As ever, coronavirus means that shows could be cancelled, postponed or rearranged at short notice. Check with theatres to avoid disappointment. Bracknell – South Hill Park
www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Hairspray. Thurs-Sat. Farnborough College Scholars Concert. Thurs. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Wilde Sundays: Tu Kay and Ryan, Downtown Roundabout, Alex Seel. Sun. The Beautiful Game. Sun. Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival. Tues-Wed. Road. Wed-Sat 12. Gary Delaney: Punderland. Thurs 10. Conservatoire International Concert Series: Florian Mitrea. Fri 11. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 11. Pop
Divas Live. Sat 12. West Forest Sinfonia in concert. Sun 13. FILMS: Drive My Car. Thurs. Don’t Look Up. Fri-Sun. A Hero. MonTues. Ghostbusters Afterlfe. Wed-Thurs 10. The Lost Daughter. Fri 11-Sun 13. The Boss Baby 2: Family Business. Sat 12-Sun 13.
Camberley – Theatre
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Jenny Eclair. Thurs 3. The Counterfeit Sones. Fri. NVSDD Reach For The Stars. Sat-Sun. The Fizz. Mon. Squish: bring your own baby comedy. Tues. Henning Wehn. Wed. Rave On: The Rise of Rock and Roll. Thurs 10. Dame Dolly Does. Sat 12. Aldance: A Night at the Movies. Sat 12. Celine: My Heart Will Go On. Sun 13.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and
Mr Hyde. Until Sat. Shelia’s Island. Thurs 10-Sat 19.
High Wycombe – Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Come What May. Tues. Kevin Clifton: Burn The Floor. Wed. Tony Stockwell. Thurs 10. Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs 10. Killer Queen. Fri 11. Justin Live: The Big Tour. Sat 12-Sun 13.
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 The Comedy Network. Fri 4. Matilda Jr. Sat-Sun. The Beautiful Game. Wed. Pulse: The Pink Floyd Tribute. Fri 11. Blake. Sat 12.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Thurs. Dalis Chaponda: Apocalypse Not Now. Fri. The Lost Daughter
(15). Thurs, Sat. Norden Farm Market. Sat. Pop-up Bowie. Sat. The Tragedy of Macbeth (15). Tues, Thurs 10. Band of the Household Cavalry Lunchtime Recital. Wed. Gargarine (12a). Wed. Magical Bones: Black Magic. Thurs 10. The Electrical Life of Louise Wain (PG). Fri 11, Sat 12. The Dime Notes. Fri 11. The Humans (15). Fri 11. The Sharon Shannon Quartet. Sat 12.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Licorice Pizza (15). Thurs. The Colour Room (PG). Thurs. The Lost Daughter (15). Thurs. Legends of Swing with the Down For The Count Swing Orchestra. Thurs – POSTPONED. The Story of Guitar Heroes. Sat. Belfast (12a). Fri-Thurs 10. Nightmare Alley (15). Fri-Thurs 10. BBC Big Band: The Music of James Bond and Beyond. Thurs 10.
Fastlove: Everything She Wants. Sat 12.
Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Spike. Until Mar 5.
Reading – South Street
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Ahir Shah. Sat. Ladykiller. Wed. Poets Cafe. Fri 11. Simon Munnery: Alan Parker Warrior Farewell Tour. Sat 12.
Reading – Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Circus of Horrors: The Witch. Sun 6. Pasion de Buenea Vista. Feb 15.
Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Mark Watson: This Can’t Be It.
Thurs. NEXT SHOW: Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet. Feb 22.
Reading – Progress Theatre
www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Write Fest. Feb 16-19.
Reading – Reading Rep Theatre
www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: Alby the Penguin Saves The World. April 6-18.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Last Tango In Whitby. Mar 2-5.
Sonning – The Mill
www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 The House on Cold Hill. Until Mar
26. West End Meets Broadway. Sun 13.
Windsor – Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Three Steps To Heaven. Thurs-Sun. Catch Me If You Can. Tues-Sat 19.
Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Apologia. Jan 27-Feb 5.
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre
www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Film Society presents: The Courier (12a). Thurs 10.
Woodley – Theatre
www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: The Things We Do For Love. Feb 22-26.
LEISURE | 15
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Thursday, February 3, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Patrick Duffy says, Catch Me If You Can
W
HAT can audiences expect when they come to see Catch Me If You Can?
It’s different from the type of plays I did in school, in college and during my theatrical training. I did all the traditional things. We went through medieval morality plays through Shakespeare and the classics but I’ve never done one of these wonderful Agatha Christie-type whodunnits before, where the plot isn’t solved almost until the curtain comes down. It’s a new rhythm for me to be in but it’s very similar, interestingly enough, to the sitcom world that I was in for seven years when I did Step by Step with Suzanne Somers because everyone is telling one level of lie to the other person and the plot gets reconciled in the last few minutes. And it’s great fun playing both sides of the character - the villain and the hero until the audience finds out which side is the real one. I’ve never done something like this in front of an audience, especially a British audience, in my life before.
How would you sum up the character of Daniel Corban?
He’s one of the Mad Men. He’s from that era of advertising executives in the 60s, a womaniser, very good at what he does but at the expense of probably every relationship he’s ever been in. He’s Bobby Ewing with no morals.
Does the play present any specific challenges for you?
First of all it’s the rigours of it. I never leave the stage for the entire play and it’s exhausting but in an interesting way. Physically I’m not as exhausted as I am mentally and vocally. So I have to marshal my forces and live like a monk for the duration of the run, but that’s OK because it all serves the play.
The play premiered on Broadway in the 1960s but does it feel timely now? I’d say it’s more timeless the way that a lot of great plots are. I don’t want to sound pompous but there are only about ten plots in the theatrical world and Shakespeare did all of them. It’s all about nuance; you put it in a different suit of clothes and set it in a different time period. The play is dated because we’re doing it a la the 60s but it’s not dated in terms of the content and thrust at all. It’s a timeless tale of duplicity and intrigue, and in the midst of it all there’s a comedy element which makes it extremely enjoyable.
Your co-star is also your partner Linda Purl [who plays Margaret Corban]. Have you worked together before?
it?
Yes, this will be the first time. I’m looking forward to travelling around the country, although this play is all time-consuming and as I say I’ll be living like a monk for 22 weeks. I’ll go to the theatre, spend every ounce of juice I’ve got, then recuperate until it’s time to go to the theatre again. I won’t get to do as much sightseeing as I’d like but the beauty is that we’re in a new town every week and we’re driving ourselves so we’ll get to see a lot of the countryside.
We did a TV movie together last year [Doomsday Mom], which was after we’d fallen in love and were living with each other. But this is the first time I’ve been on stage with her and it’s frightening because she is such a consummate stage actress. She has such an amazing work ethic and such professionalism so when we got this job together I got cold feet at first. It’s daunting but also inspiring.
What’s the one thing you couldn’t be on the road without?
You became a couple after chatting on Zoom during lockdown. Do you think it would have happened under other circumstances?
I would tend to say, based on the almost two years we’ve been together now, that yes it would have because of the attraction, the pull and compatibility that we have for each other. All of those elements dictate to me that yes under any circumstances we’d be together, but I don’t know how long it might have taken. This was a great hands-off getting to know each other. There was never a time during the four-plus months we were communicating that I ever had to think ‘Gosh, it’s our third dinner. Do I kiss her and say goodnight?’ None of that played into it. I didn’t even know what her hand felt like. But we got to know each other on such a deep level that when we did meet in person we’d covered all of that territory and we were ready for this relationship. I think we’d have been ready at any point but this way is perfect. We’re two old ponies in the show now and we blend together extremely well.
You’ve done so much high-profile TV work in the likes of Dallas and Man From Atlantis but what have been your personal favourites over the years? This sounds so trite but every one has been my favourite because they happened in sequence and always at the perfect time in my life. My first big job was Man From Atlantis when I was 25 years old; I was in good shape so I played a superhero. Then when I started Dallas it was much more what I had been trained to do on stage, playing the hero and the young leading man. Not only that but I worked with a person who on the first day of the read-through became the best friend I think I’ve ever had, namely Larry Hagman. Doing that show was 16 years of nothing
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but frivolity and fun. I loved doing Step by Step with Suzanne because again we were best friends. So each job in sequence has been the perfect next building block.
You appeared in the West End in Art. How do British audiences compare to those in your American homeland? I’m gonna get killed in America for saying this but British audiences are dedicated theatregoers. People in America tend to go to see plays and shows in places like New York, Los
Angeles and maybe Chicago but it seems like everybody in the UK knows theatre. They know ballet, they know opera, they know dramatic theatre, musicals and panto so they’re well-tuned to the theatre experience. They’re not going in on a learning curve and I find that really wonderful. British audiences to me are the quintessential audience to play to or to play with, I should say.
Is this your first time touring the UK? And what are you most looking forward to about
Linda! Also, I’ve been a Buddhist for 50 years now and I practice every day so I carry a small altar with me. Wherever I am I set up my little Buddhist altar and I do my morning and evening prayers. That’s something I do no matter where I am, whether I’m in England, the States, anywhere. And I’m a minimalist when I travel. Give me a couple of pairs of jeans and a couple of shirts; if I don’t have to go to formal dinners or do interviews I could live out of a small suitcase. n Catch Me If You Can is at Theatre Royal Windsor from Tuesday, February 8, until Saturday, February 19. Tickets are available from £27.50. n For more information, visit: theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/catch-meif-you-can/
Socially distanced films at Norden Farm WITH covid levels remaining high across Berkshire, Norden Farm is seeking to reassure movielovers that cinema is safe. The arts venue is continuing to screen films with socially distanced seating available. Its cinema features a 4K screen and immersive Dolby surround sound, while the programme is a mixture of arthouse, foreign language, event cinema, and blockbusters. Masks are required at all times and drinks or food are not committed for these special screenings. Films coming up include … The Tragedy of Macbeth (15) is on Tuesday, February 8, at 8pm and Thursday, February 10, at 2pm, with Thursday’s screening being socially distanced. Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in this fierce adaptation of Shakespeare’s play: a tale of murder, madness, ambition, and wrathful cunning. Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy star in The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (PG) on Friday, February 11, and Saturday, February 12, at 2pm, Tuesday, February 15, at 8pm and Thursday, February 17, at 2pm, with the latter being a socially distanced screening. Olivia Colman narrates this extraordinary true story
about eccentric Victorian artist Louis Wain. And coming of age comedy drama Licorice Pizza (PG) has been critically acclaimed. Set in 1973 California, Alana Kane and Gary Valentine grow up, run around and go through the treacherous navigation of first love. Screenings are Friday, February 18, at 11.30am, Saturday, February 19, at 2pm, Wednesday, February 23, and Thursday, February 24, at 8pm. The screening on Wednesday, February 23, is socially distanced. As well as socially distanced films, Norden Farm also holds weekly Talking Tables film screenings. These events aim to bring people together in a relaxed environment to discuss films and share ideas. It is particularly aimed at people coming to Norden Farm on their own, but all are welcome. To take part, simply book in to see the screening, then join the group in the foyer before and after the film. Tickets for each film cost £10.50 or £9.50 for concessions. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01628 788997 or online at www.nordenfarm.org
Mates Rates Comedy Club is bringing Live Stand-Up Comedy to Reading W h e t h e r i t i s TV n a m e s o r n u r t u r i n g n ew ta l e n t a t t h e g ra s s ro o t s , i f yo u l ove s ta n d-u p co m e d y, M a te s Ra te s Co m e d y h a s a s h ow fo r yo u ! Fo r m o re i n fo r m a ti o n c h e c k o u t t h e l i n ks be l ow a n d s ca n t h e Q R co d e to bo o k yo u r ti c ke t s .
Fo l l ow u s o n : f: / M a te s Ra te s C o m e d y c: @ M a te s ra te s co m e d y www. m a te s ra te s co m e d y. co . u k
16 | LEISURE
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
Hit the Road for a bit of social history
WE ARE FAMILY: Here’s what She Said To Me is coming to Norden Farm this February
A
BIT of social history is coming to South Hill Park next week, thanks to a new play.
Road is set in a deprived, working class area in Lancashire in the mid 1980s. But the organisers say that as it could be any place in the UK right now, the play has been set it in the present: all of the struggles and emotions are relevant nearly 40 years later. It is produced by South Hill Park’s Studio Theatre Company, and is a tour of a scruffy, depressed road in a small town. Moving from street corner to living room, from bedroom to kitchen, we meet the inhabitants of young, middle-aged, and old, glimpsing their socially and emotionally wretched lives. Director Luke Burton said: “Doing this play hasn’t been without challenges given the current climate, but it really has been a labour of love. The cast is absolutely amazing, and I have had so much fun bringing Road to life. “You can see this in the wonderful performances the cast give in every rehearsal. “The play is perfect for people that enjoy gritty theatre. Considering this was written about matters 40 years ago, what’s changed?
Across the generations
TAKE THE HIGH ROAD: Road will be performed a South Hill Park this February
“Road is blindingly relevant. Combining sadness, pain and humour it will present you with tears, laughter and maybe a little something to think about.” This is the first show from The Studio Theatre Company in two years. The Company actively seeks out new talent and encourages the community to get involved to try out something they may never have done before – be it acting, directing or working in one of the
many backstage roles. The Company has welcomed so many new faces to South Hill Park and given them that opportunity to shine. The play is performed at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 8, to Saturday, February 12, excluding Friday. Tickets cost £14.50, £13.50 for concessions and £12.50 for members. n For more details, call the box office on 01344 484123, or log on to www.southhillpark.org.uk
THREE generations of proud African women connect with each other across two continents, across time and space in a new play coming to Norden Farm later this month. Here’s What She Said To Me tells the story of Agbeke, Omotola and Aramide. The trio are ready to share their struggles, their joys, tragedies and broken dreams in order to find healing in the present. The origins of Here’s What She Said to Me is deeply rooted in true events.# It was first born out of conversations between director Mojisola Elufowoju and her daughter. They realised how little communication they shared around certain areas of their lives. This selective silence was something Elufowoju had in turn experienced with her own mother. To break this silence, she went on to tell the story of her and the women in her family to playwright Oladipo Agboluaje. Together they shaped the play into a balanced and honest piece of storytelling which resonates with people from many different backgrounds.
Here’s What She Said to Me is a play about the importance of breaking the silence on women’s experiences. Utopia Theatre says it wants the show to start and continue a conversation on breaking cycles of disconnection, misinformation, expectations and abuse. Here’s What She Said to Me combines drama with music, poetry and movement. It aims to tell a moving story of daughters and mothers in the world of migrations and shifting identities, braving life with an undying hope, optimism and resilience. The play is produced by Utopia Theatre Company, a leading African theatre company in the UK. It is performed at Norden Farm on Wednesday, February 16, from 7.30pm. Tickets are £15. Suitable for ages 15 upwards, due to its adult themes and sexual references. For more details, call the box office on 01628 788997 or visit: www.nordenfarm.org
Texas announce August date TEXAS have announced that they will play a huge outdoor show at Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames, this summer. The popular Scottish band, fronted by lead vocalist Sharleen Spiteri, will take to the stage on Saturday August, 13. Sharleen said that the band are looking forward to the concert at Stonor Park in August, and said: “What a beautiful setting for a big outdoor summer show.” Texas have released a string of hit singles and sold more than 40 million albums in a career spanning four decades. The band are touring their tenth album release, Hi, which
reached the top three of the official UK albums chart in May last year. Their debut album, Southside, achieved the same 32 years earlier, in 1989. Set against the backdrop of one the historic home, Texas
will entertain fans with live performances of hits from their back catalogue, including I Don’t Want A Lover, Say What You Want and Black Eyed Boy. The concert is expected to sell out quickly to thousands of fans. According to the band’s current tour schedule, the Stonor Park gig is the penultimate date of a European tour before they head to play at City Park, Stirling. Tickets cost £42.50 exclusive of fees and go on pre-sale on Tuesday, February 1. The general sale begins at 10am on Thursday, February 3. n For more information, visit: lphconcertsandevents.co.uk
Single of the year for Rising Sun A READING-based folk trio preparing for a hometown gig this weekend are celebrating after winning an award. Tomorrow Bird are appearing at The Rising Sun arts centre in Saturday as part of a night celebrating independent venues. And last month they received a special award for their song What Comes Next – it was voted Single of the Year at the Graham Steel Music Company awards. Simon and Jen, who comprise Tomorrow Bird, said they were delighted with the win, and are looking forward
to this weekend’s big gig. “Given the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on independent venues all around the country (nay, world!) and in particular on this beloved Reading mainstay, we are truly honoured to have been chosen to perform for such an important cause,” they said. “Other bands performing on the night are Colours & Fires’ own Sophie Sheehan, and One Eyed Man.” n For more details, log on to: www.tomorrowbird.com Picture: Andrew Merritt Photography
LEISURE | 25
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Thursday, February 3, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
LIVEMUSIC
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RaW Sounds Today
Angus Trott is The Wave Machine, and he’s heading up our hit parade this week Picture: Andrew Merritt
Chris Hillman
bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday
E
VERY week, we bring you a round-up of the best bands performing or from the Reading and Wokingham areas.
Quantum Pig – Statement of Intent This Progressive Music Awards nominated duo will be supporting The Paradox Twin at Reading’s Facebar on February 4. The song is from their acclaimed debut album Songs of Industry and Sunshine – http://quantumpig.net
The Room – Run This band with members from the local area were invited as special guests at the Hammersmith Club in London on January 22 by a brand-new band, Little Finger, whose members are made up of Gary Numan’s backing band – https://theroom.band/
This time round, we’re returning to The Wave Machine and The Paradox Twin, two bands that have been mainstays of our collection since its launch. We love the sounds they are creating and we’re sure you will enjoy their latest works too. These are just two songs from 10 great tunes that you can listen, for free, thanks to our Spotify playlist. The RaW Sounds playlist is a terrific way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and keep dancing – make sure you bookmark the Spotify page. To hear this week’s set, simply head to https://bit. ly/rawsoundstoday and get ready to rock. There’s also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.
Penelope Isles – Have You Heard
The Wave Machine – Don’t Pretend going to be lucky to get the chance to hear her live when she visits Wokingham Music Club at Whitty Theatre on February 18. Here’s her beautiful version of 10cc’s classic – https://www.harrietsmusic.com/
Sam is a singer-songwriter from Reading who has released a number of singles with a soulful alternative pop feel and ‘Done’ is his latest. It has a melody that sticks in your head, delivered by Sam’s silky smooth vocals – https://www. samhandy.com/
The Honey Pot – Somewhere Between Here and Anywhere
Rachel Redman (ft. Damian C Carruthers) – Obvious
Penelope Isles are from Brighton and were due to be appearing at Reading’s Facebar on 28th January. Unfortunately, however, their tour has been cancelled but this is still well worth a listen – https:// www.penelopeisles.com/
Toyah – Levitate She’s an iconic performer who first came to fame with some classic 80’s hits and she headed to Wokingham Music Club (WMC) at Whitty Theatre on January 21. Levitate is from Toyah’s latest album Posh Pop – https://toyahwillcox.com/
Sam Handy – Done
Angus Trott aka The Wave Machine appeared in the Top 5 of our best of 2021 list with ‘Ocean’s Brew’ and now here’s his brand new single. It’s another uplifting positive song with a feel-good vibe that just makes you smile as soon as you hear it. Angus went down a storm at Wokingham Festival last year when he had the crowd singing and dancing along. If this new single is anything to go, 2022 is going to be a good year for this talented singer songwriter – https://www.facebook.com/thewavemachine
in many best of year lists around the world but despite this acclaim, they have never appeared in their home town of Reading. However, that changes on Feb 4 with the The Paradox Twin performing the whole of their Silence from Signals’ album, from which this track is taken, at a very special homecoming event at Reading’s Facebar. Well worth having a listen to the whole album to see why everyone’s getting excited about it – https:// www.theparadoxtwin.com/
The Paradox Twin – Perfect Circles
Harriet – I’m Not in Love
They headed up our Top 20 of 2021 and appeared
The Honey Pot, who released their latest album, The Secret, on Wokingham’s Billywitch Records, which was performed at the legendary Half Moon Putney last week https://www.facebook.com/ thehoneypotband
Rachel is a local singer-songwriter who has appeared in our playlist previously and she has just released a new single with talented musician, Damian Carruthers – https://www.facebook.com/ rachelredmanmusic
Harriet has a truly wonderful voice and we are
GIG GUIDE
Thursday, February 3
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Graham Steel Music Company Christmas Party: Atomic Rapture and The Filthy Llamas. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING - The Corn Stores, Forbury Road RG1 1SB. Lorenzo. Details: 0118 324 6768. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem Iyibardakci. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Friday, February 4
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Lilac supported by The Minkees. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Melvenia. Details: 01344 303333. CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. The Counterfeit Stones. Details: 01276 707600. EVERSLEY – The Frog & Wicket, The Green RG27 0NS. Tequila Chase. Details: 0118 973 1126. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Paradox Twin. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity presents Independent Venue Week with Ameli. Details: 0118 986 6788.
READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Jason Stretch. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Huey Morgan’s NYC Bloc Party and Dat Brass. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Band Substance. Details: 0118 957 6930. WINNERSH - The Phesant, Reading Road RG41 5LR. The Chestnuts.
Saturday, February 5
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Scarlet Vixens. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL - The Bridge, Wokingham Road RG42 1PP. Utter Madness Duo. Details: 01344 862912. BRACKNELL - The Green Man, Crowthorne Road RG12 7DL. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 01344 423667. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ed Sheeran Experience. Details: 01344 303333. CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Across the Sea. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Queen’s Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Gareth Chelley Scratch Band.
Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Rills. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. RG2 Radio Stars Roll Out. Details: 0118 968 1442. READING - The Pitcher and Piano, Friar Street. Stars in their Minds Karaoke and disco. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Club Velocity presents Independent Venue Week with Tomorrow Bird. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Skangsters. Details: 0118 926 5804. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Mystery Machine. Details: 0118 942 9606. WOKINGHAM – The Roebuck, Market Place RG40 1AL. The Midnight Rebel Band. Details: 0118 979 6486.
Sunday, February 6
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Tu Kay and Ryan, Downtown Roundabout, Alex Seel. Details: 01344 484123. EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon Karaoke. 2pm.. Details: 0118 966 7153. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Bob Nesta Marley. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington
Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Theme Night: Town and Around. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. B Side. From 1pm. Details: 0118 343 0565. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Monday, February 7 CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. The Fizz. Details: 01276 707600.
Tuesday, February 8
WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Wednesday, February 9
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Open Mic Night. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Monthly Shanty Session. Details: 0118 958 0473. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Kik Dee and Carmelo Luggeri. Details: 01491 681048.
Thursday, February 10 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic
Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Jenny Colquitt and Paul Alexander Low. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Tonto Popadopoulos. Details: 0118 959 5500. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem Iyibardakci. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Friday, February 11
BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Heathrow Jets. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Anna Nightingale. Details: 01344 457318. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Pop Divas Live. Details: 01344 484123. GORING - Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Road RG8 9HB. Goring Community Jazz Club presents Ewen Baird, Nick Hill, Howard King and Mike Goff. Details www.ticketsource.co.uk/goringcommunity-jazz-club READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The DeRellas. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Love Island takoever with Jack Fowler. READING – The Purple Turtle,
HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Gun Street RG1 2JR. Jewels and the Jacuzzis Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Large Portion. Details: 0118 926 5804 READING - The Spread Eagle, Norfolk Road, RG30 2EG. The Midnight Rebel Band. Details: 0118 957 4507. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Glasvegas. Details: 0118 959 5395. WHISTLEY GREEN - The Elephant and Castle, Lodge Road RG10 0EH. Pixi Devalle. Details: 0118 934 0886.
Saturday, February 12
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Enchanted Market: Spriggan Mist, Victor and the Bully, Jadoo Tribal Dance, Support and more. . Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Sound Intentions. Details: 01344 303333. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. GORING - Goring Social Club, High Street RG8 9BA. Undercovers. Details: 01491 873105. PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Sing-along-a-Nick Valentine’s Special. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 959 5500.
READING - The Gateway, Greyfriars Road. Dreamsellers and Moonlight Foxes. READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Valentines Luv Affair Details: 0118 968 1442. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Turn. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Dirtbag. Details: 0118 957 6930. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents South Coast Soul Revue’s Funk n Soul Party. £20. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Jamie Trick. Details: 0118 979 7402.
Sunday, February 13
READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: The Jigantics. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. West End Meets Broadway. Details: 0118 969 8000. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.
No. 5399
Your weekly puzzle challenge TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662
26 | LEISURE
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
5399
Quiz Challenge
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1. Which sporting game is started by a tip-off? 2. London’s Mansion House is the official residence of which dignitary? 3. The famous painting Girl with a Pearl Earring is by which artist? 4. Reese Witherspoon won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in which 2005 film? 5. Which English national hero was born at Burnham Thorpe rectory, Norfolk, in 1758?
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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
MAGIC SQUARE
REVEALS TO A SOLVER
E O N How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 24 Good; 28 Very Good; 33 Excellent.
Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.
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Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
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This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.
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© Sirius Media Services Ltd
DOWN 1. Fellow bird in the farmyard? (4) 2. Invalid going over a ravine (5) 3. Diamond that may have medicinal properties (7) 4. By containing an irritating sensation was malicious (6) 5. Pale graduate goes outside with master (5) 6. Give praise that is less rough (7) 7. Red giant sort of putting his foot down (8) 11. Quicker backstage (8) 13. Man towers over oil well perhaps (7) 15. Unfortunately I repeatedly hound the escapologist (7) 16. Toboggan left in the grass (6) 18. Loaf and doughnut initially formed into a hard mass (5) 19. Kindle a flame (5) 20. First person in France hesitantly to scoff (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD 1
Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.
To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
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ACROSS 1. Cooler weapon a pop star has? (3,4) 5. Suit to keep in good condition (5) 8. Disney took first zebra to dance (5) 9. Two items on the afternoon menu – or one? (7) 10. Being timid, passed out going round the centre (5-7) 12. Chap from over yonder (6) 14. Ferryman has tea with Ronald (6) 17. Remarkably how water was changed into wine? (12) 21. Edward, going round the haystack, was deceived (7) 22. Nigel moved the fireplace (5) 23. How the gardener searched minutely? (5) 24. Some of the Victorians were put out by him (7)
EQUALISER 12 15 12 1 3 4 6 1 2 3 6 1
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WORD PYRAMID: Birthday present. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – divide; subtract; multiply; add. Total: 9.
SOLUTIONS
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10. Who was the last British Governor of Hong Kong?
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9. In the hit TV series Peaky Blinders, what is the name of the pub the Shelby family gather in?
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Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed T through openings in the walls. The R first letter may appear in any chamber. I B
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7. ‘Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink’ is a line from which famous lyric poem?
SUDOKU Easy
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1
6. What V is the title of an Ultravox song and a major European city?
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26 16
15
1 9 6 8 4 5 2 7 3
26
9
2 7 5 4 8 6 3 9 1
18
9
4 1 9 7 2 3 8 6 5
1
14
16
21
18 7
7
8 6 3 1 5 9 7 2 4
22
PZ1P5399
CROSS CODE 12
26. Burial mound (7) ACROSS 1. Dark syrup (7) 28. Postal sack (7) 8. Swiss city (7) 29. Tropical disease (7) 9. Ease (7) 30. Contradicted (7) 10. Risky undertaking (7) DOWN 11. Capital of Costa 1. Farm Rica (3,4) equipment (8) 14. Conjunction (3) 2. ----- MacArthur, 16. African republic (4) yachtswoman (5) 18. Open tart (4) 3. Belief (5) 19. Adjoin (4) 4. Cricket team (6) 20. Public violence (4) 5. Religious image (4) 21. Fitness centre (3) 6. Water shortage (7) 23. Typical example (7)
7. 12. 13. 15. 16. 17. 18. 22. 24. 25. 26. 27.
Withered (4) Jar (4) Vocalised (4) Moist (4) Brusque (4) Moved apart (8) Recipe (7) Obedient follower (inf.) (3-3) Cake topping (5) Planet’s path (5) Press down tightly (4) Songbird (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Treacle; 8 Lucerne; 9 Relieve; 10 Venture; 11 San José; 14 And; 16 Chad; 18 Flan; 19 Abut; 20 Riot; 21 Gym; 23 Epitome; 26 Tumulus; 28 Mailbag; 29 Malaria; 30 Negated. Down – 1 Thresher; 2 Ellen; 3 Credo; 4 Eleven; 5 Icon; 6 Drought; 7 Sere; 12 Jolt; 13 Sang; 15 Damp; 16 Curt; 17 Diverged; 18 Formula; 22 Yes-man; 24 Icing; 25 Orbit; 26 Tamp; 27 Lark.
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Basketball; 2 Lord Mayor of London; 3 Johannes Vermeer; 4 Walk the Line; 5 Horatio Nelson; 6 Vienna; 7 The Rime of FIVE ALIVE: the Ancient Mariner; 8 Saint Peter Port; 9 The Garrison; 10 Chris Patten. (1) Across – Oboes; Scene; Lisle. Down – Ousel; Omens; Sieve. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Fan club; 5 Befit; 8 Waltz; 9 Teacake; 10 Faint- (2) Across – Steak; Gusto; Today. L Q V Y G K P J S B M R W hearted; 12 Rodney; 14 Charon; 17 Miraculously; 21 Tricked; 22 Down – Sight; Eased; Kooky. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Ingle; 23 Raked; 24 Evictor. D U E F A C X I O Z N H T Down – 1 Fowl; 2 Nulla; 3 Lozenge; 4 Bitchy; 5 Bwana; 6 Flatter; NONAGRAM: deer; dene; deny; doer; done; donee; 7 Treading; 11 Prompter; 13 Derrick; 15 Houdini; 16 Sledge; 18 dory; dour; doyen; dree; drey; drone; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU rove; oral; vats; else. Caked; 19 Light; 20 Jeer. dune; durn; dyer; dyne; endue; endure; enduro; enjoyed; enured; erode; eyed; JOURNEYED; judo; need; needy; nerd; nerdy; node; nude; rede; redo; redone; reed; reedy; rend; rode; ronde; round; rude; rued; udon; undee; under; undo; yonder.
Thursday, February 3, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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28 | LIFE
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Sheet Pan Prawn Fajitas
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, February 3, 2022
In the garden February
In the kitchen Love Seafood
E
VERYONE gets excited when they know it’s fajitas for dinner, try Love Seafood’s prawn fajita recipe to switch up a family favourite.
This one-tray method is a super easy and can be made even easier by using a box fajita kit. For added convenience, you can cook this dish using prawns from the freezer, just make sure they’re thoroughly defrosted and patted dry before cooking. Love Seafood is focusing on how
seafood can Bring on Better Living, showcasing how easy and tasty seafood is to cook at home. It’s simple, budgetfriendly and encourages consumers from across the UK to bring more balance into their diets with a high-protein seafood option. Shop your local fishmonger for a great choice of sustainably sourced seafood and for more recipe inspiration visit www.loveseafood. co.uk. Skill Level: Easy Serves: 4 Cooking time: 15 mins
I
T’S time to give your garden some love this month by giving it a bit of a tidy up and a quick assessment of any initial winter damage.
Ingredients
Method
n 350-400g cooked and peeled prawns n 1 large red onion, sliced n 3 mixed-coloured peppers, deseeded and sliced into strips n 2 tbsp vegetable oil n 1 pack fajita seasoning n 8 small tortilla wraps n Lime wedges, to serve
Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/ gas mark 6. Arrange the onions and peppers on a large non-stick baking sheet. Drizzle over 1 tbsp of the oil and add half the fajita seasoning. Use your hands or tongs to mix everything together
so the veggies are well-coated. Place in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the veggies start to caramelise. While the veggies are in the oven, place the prawns in a mixing bowl with the remaining oil and fajita seasoning, and stir to coat well. After 15 minutes,
remove the tray from the oven and add the prawn. Return the tray to the oven for a further 8 minutes, or until the prawns are piping hot. Warm the tortillas in the oven for a minute. Serving with the prawn fajitas fresh lime quarters and your favourite toppings.
PlasticFreeHome David Lamont
Show our planet some love this Valentine’s
R
OSES are red, Violets are blue, ditch waste this Valentine’s Day, our planet needs you…
If you’ve left thinking about your partner’s Valentine’s Day gift to the last minute, there’s good news and a get out of jail card with your name on it waiting. Every year in the UK we send more than 25 million Valentine’s Day cards and spend an incredible £650 million on gifts ranging from flowers to fragrances. It’s time to change that, not just for the sake of our planet but because it’s a ridiculous and purely commercial event when you think about it. Valentine’s Day is naff. There, we said it. We (Mr and Mrs PFH) have been together for more than a decade and we haven’t swapped Valentine’s Day gifts since the year we met (and even that was an experience… bungee jumping in case you’re curious). We’re still surviving, despite the absence of teddy bears, chocolates and forecourt flowers. So that’s option one, skip the whole thing entirely and show that you’re in touch by being environmentally conscious. Here are a few other ways you could mark Valentine’s Day a little differently this year…
Cards If you are happy to live without them, job done. If you’re not, consider hand making a card. Not feeling crafty? The aim is to buy a card that’s printed on recycled or FSC (sustainable) paper, free of glitter and attachments
bad news for our bodies (some can be toxic), not to mention the planet. There’s nothing romantic about any of that. If you’re still on the lookout, aim to find a fragrance that’s made ethically and sustainably from 100% natural ingredients.
Gift an experience
and not wrapped in plastic. Even better if it’s from an independent retailer. The likes of 1treecards.com are also a nice option. Every card sold comes with a packet of wildflowers and sees a tree planted. Cards actually made from plantable seed paper are also a great option; we really like hannahmarchant.co.uk.
Flowers At this time of year, Roses and other popular flowers are typically flown in from the southern hemisphere. They’re then delivered to your door in a refrigerated van. And, unless you’re very lucky, this time next week they’ll be on their last legs having gone through several pints of water. Consider if you can live without flowers this Valentine’s Day, or why not opt for a long lasting house plant (ideally grown in the UK)
or something for the garden instead.
Chocolates The cacao used to make chocolate will typically have come from South America or Africa and may not be Fairtrade or sustainably and ethically produced. The majority of chocolates will also contain Palm Oil and of course they are often heavily packaged. Decide if you can skip the chocolates this year, or at least hold tight until Easter. If you can’t, consider eco-conscious options like Divine Chocolate, Tony’s Chocolonely, Beyond Good and Traidcraft.
Fragrances Most scents are a concoction of dozens of synthetic chemicals, many of which are derived from Petroleum. Worldwide, more than 4,000 different chemicals are used to produce fragrances and many of these are
Don’t splash out on generic or novelty Valentine’s Day gifts. Instead, plan a day out or a short UK break (revisit somewhere special or explore somewhere you’ve always wanted to go), go out for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner, see a show or head to the cinema, do something sporty, book a surprise experience (the possibilities are endless these days), offer to do something nice for your other half like cooking a meal or chores around the house, have some photos professionally taken, get creative and write a poem or song, paint or make something. You get the idea. Of course, patience may be needed here. Please keep in mind any Government’s latest guidance. Whatever you do, don’t forget who and what really matter this Valentine’s Day. And remember to show our planet a little love if you can.
There will still be frosts and winter weather ahead but at least you can plan and prepare for the spring waiting to arrive. If one of your gardening new year’s resolutions was to plant a tree then now is the time to make that thought become a reality. In the coldest months of the year you can buy bare rooted or root balled trees which are cheaper and establish better. These are trees and shrubs that are lifted straight from the ground and should be planted by the end of February while they are still dormant before there are any signs of growth (or by end of March, possible into April, in the north of Scotland). Bare root and root balled trees can only be bought when the weather is cold because once it warms up the root ball dries out too quickly unless planted in the ground. By planting in winter, it means that by spring and early summer trees will have benefited from optimum growing conditions and had the opportunity to establish their root system whilst dormant. The key to successful tree planting is to ensure you prepare the site well, first by digging a hole large enough to accommodate the root system. Avoid planting if the ground is frozen or extremely waterlogged. Your planting hole should be no deeper than the roots, but at least three times the diameter of the root ball. It’s a good idea to soak bare-rooted trees for about 30 minutes before planting. Place the tree in the planting hole so the first flare of roots on the stem are level with the soil surface – if you plant the tree too deep it can result in rot and disease. You may need to also insert a stake for top heavy or larger trees. Refill the planting hole, firm gently and water in. Drought stress is common in newly planted trees so make sure you keep watering throughout the growing season. The quantity required will vary with soil type but 30-50 litres per square metre (4-6 watering cans) each week in dry weather will do the trick. If you are growing your own veg then now is a good time to sow lettuce seeds – both under cover and outside. If you start now it will give you a continuous supply that can be harvested throughout the year. Sow in modules or fibre pots under cover to have lettuces ready to plant outside in four to six weeks time. You can also sow outdoors, but use cloches or small poly tunnels until next month when the soil has warmed up – they will also provide your lettuce seedlings with protection from birds and slugs. Good varieties to start now include cut-andcome again Salad Bowl – oak leaved, high yield with green and red varieties; a cos such as Lobjoits Green – dense, crisp heads with self folding leaves; or the small butterhead Tom Thumb – perfect for growing in small spaces it matures early and has a mild taste. You can share the gardening love this February by preparing for spring and carrying out some basic maintenance. As the RHS says … this month there are signs of the approaching spring, with bulbs appearing and wildlife waking up as light levels and temperatures increase. There’s plenty to do indoors this month to prepare for the season ahead. Outdoors, as the garden comes to life again, it’s time to prune shrubs and climbers, such as Wisteria as well as evergreen hedges. Top three jobs this month – prepare vegetable beds and sow some vegetables under cover, chit potatoes (let them grow shoots) to plant out and prune winter flowering shrubs that have finished flowering.
NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US BEST FOR HOCKEY
WOKINGHAM EDITION
03.02.22
RAMS BREEZE PAST TITANS
ROYALS THUMPED AT RANGERS
CAPTAIN MOORE TO THE RESCUE 10-MAN MOLES TAKE LATE POINT
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today BINFIELD FC captain Sean Moore ensured his team rescued a draw with a goal deep into stoppage time against Ashford Town.
The Moles found themselves a goal down at half-time at Hill Farm Lane in their Isthmian South Central fixture.
Things went from bad to worse early in the second-half when player/manager Jamie McClurg was dismissed by the referee after making a late challenge. With their backs against the wall down to 10-men, the Moles battled courageously to try and salvage something from the game. They looked destined for defeat
as the game headed into injury time and the visitors still holding on to their narrow lead. That was until club captain Moore popped up with a pivotal equaliser with virtually the last play of the match to give Binfield a point. Co-manager McClurg said: “Not at our best after a great midweek win and performance. But these lads down to 10 and all the substitutes
impacting the game made the difference.” After the weekend’s draw, Binfield are in eighth place on 31 points from 21 matches. They face an away trip on Saturday against the team one place and five points below them in the standings, South Park.
n Full football round-up and pictures page 20 & 21
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BOARS EDGE PAST COUNTY
CHAMBERS HOPES TO KEEP GREAT RUN GOING READING FC Women’s manager Kelly Chambers praised her side after they progressed in the FA Women’s Cup.
The squad beat Brighton 3-2 on Sunday, and the gaffer couldn’t be more pleased. “I was really happy with our first 45 minutes and I think we dominated most of the first-half,” said Chambers. “We probably should have gone into the break with a slightly bigger lead than we did, but getting to half-time we were pleased with how things were going, just needing to make a couple of tweaks. “Second-half, we started bright and continued the high intensity, but we allowed them to work their way back into the game and then naturally there’s an element of panic. “When they scored their second, we weren’t there defensively as we have been for much of the last few games. I know my girls, I know they will fight right to the end and they showed their resilience once again. “Towards the end, the game turned very transitional from both sides, but credit to the girls for exploiting that final counterattack which proved decisive in the end. “Full credit also goes to Tia, for winning the game, following up the chance from Deanne who I thought was also outstanding, creating so many problems. “We’re on a great run, we want to keep that alive, but also keeping our feet rooted to the ground knowing the hard work we have to put in to achieve these results. “It’s a bizarre game, especially when you compare it to how last week played out, but playing at the level we are now you cannot afford to switch off or make any silly mistakes as the opposition can punish you like Brighton did today.”
18 | SPORT
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RAMPANT RAMS TOPPLE TITANS NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE
Rams in their home win over Taunton Titans
Rams v Taunton Titans Pictures: Paul Clark
RUGBY UNION
SEVEN SIRENS TO JOIN BERKSHIRE SQUAD
Rams get over the line to score a try Pictures: Paul Clark By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
RAMS 43 TITANS 19 SEVEN-TRY Rams put on their best display of the season as they turned on the style in a 43-19 home win against Taunton Titans.
Following the disappointment of last week’s reverse at Leeds Tykes, the hosts came under early pressure as Taunton dominated the opening 10 minutes in terms of both possession and territory. Rams held firm, and they took the lead when Tom Vooght sniped over from close range for his 50th league try for the club, Drew Humberstone’s conversion attempt drifting just wide. Taunton hit back immediately, though, and debutant wing Ollie Down
crossed on the right to level matters. However, the wide man went from hero-to-zero as he was sin-binned, and as the home pack gradually got on top, they earned a penalty try at the scrum before skipper Robbie Stapley smashed his way over from close range at the back of a driving line-out. Humberstone’s conversion made it 19-5 at the interval, and Rams came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half, wrapping up the try bonus-point when manof-the-match Vooght again went over from close range following a series of phases. Another successful kick extended the advantage to 21 points, before Rams produced a contender for try of the season to date. Firstly, from just inside the Taunton half, the forwards won a scrum against the head before Cole spread the
Rams add to the score with another try
Rams break free from the Titans defence ball out to Rowan Grundy. He found electric youngster Charlie Robson making a beautiful arcing run from the left wing, and when he was tackled, a brilliant off-load inside to Cole was followed by another to Henry Bird before Connor Hayhow smashed his way over on the right-hand side. Humberstone’s conversion was equally brilliant as it crept in off the left-hand upright, but Taunton – led by their play-making Exeter loanee fly-half Jack Walsh – continued to throw shots and grabbed a second try shortly after. A wonderful cover tackle from Bird looked to have prevented the damage, but replacement flanker Ratu Vakalutukali picked up and went over before Walsh added the extras. It was Rams who moved further in front though, the
richly-deserving Robson making it two tries in as many games after strong work from the forwards close to the Titans line allowed the ball to be shipped out for the teenager to touch down on the left. The end-to-end nature of the latter stages saw Taunton gain a third try through Harry Tarling, Walsh dropkicking a conversion as the visitors tried to find time to snatch a try bonus of their own. Yet it was Rams who had the final word, completing a basketballesque finish as substitute Vince Everitt went over from close range for his maiden first-team score. Humberstone’s conversion attempt drifted wide, but Rams were well worth their win and climb to sixth in the table with games in hand on the four sides above them.
The Titans defence is tested once again
By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
A MAGNIFICENT seven of the Rams Sirens Under 18 squad have been picked to represent Berkshire.
Following trials at Reading RFC on Friday night, Ffion Kemp, Freya Meadows, Holly Oakley, Paige Hopkins, Morgan Hadaway, Izzy Bruton and Lucy Simpson all got the nod following an evening where the standard of skills on show was top notch. It is the highest number of girls Rams have ever had picked by the county, and they took their form into a top-of-the-table league clash with Trojans on Sunday, running out impressive 47-22 winners. Despite the squad being U17 and therefore playing a year up, Sirens showed great resolve and
Rams Sirens
teamwork throughout the contest. They trailed 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, but turned on the style to move 21-10 in front by half time and then 33-17 by the end of the third stanza. The victory means the girls complete the pool stage as unbeaten champions and will take on the winners of the other group later in the year. Delighted manager Luke Simpson said: “This was a collective team effort with improvements in rucking and tackling which have been the recent work-ons. “The girls also demonstrated dynamic control regarding the speed and pace of the game, while the final try showed the versatility and ability to chip the on-rushing defence, collecting the bouncing ball and scoring under the posts.”
SPORT | 19
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REACTION
REYNOLDS HAILS ‘BRILLIANT’ DISPLAY
Rams v Taunton Titans Pictures: Paul Clark RAMS’ Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds hailed a brilliant Rams performance as they returned to winning ways with a 43-19 home triumph against Taunton Titans.
Despite a slow start, the hosts hit the front thanks to Tom Vooght’s 50th try for the club, and while Ollie Down levelled, a penalty try and a converted Robbie Stapley effort made it 19-5 at the break. Drew Humberstone added the extras to a second Vooght score and a potential try-of-the-season team effort finished by Connor Hayhow extended the lead even further, albeit Ratu Vakalutukali replied before Jack Walsh added the extras to cut the gap to 33-12. Rams finished the stronger with two of the three tries coming in the final five minutes, firstly through the outstanding young wing Charlie Robson and then through Vince Everitt with the last play of the game, Harry Tarling sandwiching those efforts for the away side. Reynolds said: “It was a brilliant performance. We got a nice balance in we managed to get on top of their pack where the scrum was working very well, and then we balanced that with some really good tempo play. “We got our off-loading game going, we had good continuity, and we built up a good score-line.” The pick of the hosts’ tries came from Hayhow, finished after Rams had initially won a scrum against the head before a dynamic break from Robson, interspersed with fine handling from Ollie Cole, Rowan Grundy and Henry Bird set up the centre to cross on the right. Reynolds continued: “It was a really good score which balanced everything which is brilliant about rugby – the set-piece, then moving
the ball into the wider channels. “I think everyone who came saw a great game of rugby which was well contributed to by Taunton. “They’ve been playing some really good rugby this year, and especially their fly-half has been superb. “While the score-line might suggest it was comfortable, it never really was, but while it was on the edge, we played very well.” Teenage flier Robson, who scored in eight Titans games before stepping up to touchdown on first-team debut at Leeds last week, again caught the eye. “Every so often you get players where if you challenge them, the higher the level all they do is just respond to it and look comfortable,” Reynolds said. “Charlie just loves rugby and he gets on the pitch and whatever the level, he just wants to play. “He plays with ball in hand so well and he’s a tough kid, but a really lovely lad as well. We’re just chuffed to have him on board and how he is doing is great.” While delighted with his young gun, Reynolds was equally keen to point out the performances of three longer-serving stars in skipper Stapley, fellow back-row Jamie Guttridge and outside centre Stevie Bryant. He said: “Robbie as a captain was excellent, but also as a ball-carrier was very physical, he really loved his score which he deserved and Jamie coming back into the side was just class. “Stevie defensively was superb – we all know what he does, but you still have to go out there and do it. “He marshalled the defence, shut down a very dangerous attack and did brilliantly.
Sonning Ladies 4s in action against Henley 3s Pictures: Dijana Capan/DV Vision
HOCKEY
SOUTH BERKS HIT THREE PAST READING
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
South Central Women’s Division 1 Sonning (blue) come forward in attack
SOUTH BERKSHIRE got the better of READING 3s in a local derby clash. South Berks put three past Reading without reply courtesy of a double from Sarah Kelly and a strike from Ella Martin to win the points. Reading drop down to third after the loss, while South Berks move up to sixth.
South Central Men’s Premier 2 Reading 4s v Sonning 3s Pictures: Dijana Capan
The teams battle for the ball
SOUTH BERKSHIRE were on the end of a heavy loss away at Fareham 2s. Despite scoring four, South Berks conceded seven which saw them leave without a point. They are in sixth on 17 points after 13 matches.
South Central Men’s Division 1
SONNING added three points to their tally with a win on the road at Marlow 2s. The victory puts Sonning up to fourth after their 3-1 win.
South Central Men’s Division 2 SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s smashed seven past Oxford University 3s in a convincing victory. The 7-2 triumph puts South Berks up to sixth in the table on 18 points. SONNING 2s lost out at home to Phoenix & Ranelagh in a 4-1 defeat.
South Central Women’s Division 2 SONNING 2s picked up a point in a 2-2 stalemate with Marlow 3s. The 1-1 draw leaves Sonning in eighth.
South Central Women’s Division 3 SOUTH BERKSHIRE 2s are in ninth after they lost out 3-1 away at Milton Keynes 2s.
20 | SPORT
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MOORE GRABS LAST GASP POINT FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
Sean Moore rescued a late draw for Binfield against Ashford Pictures: Neil Graham By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Isthmian South Central
BINFIELD rescued a late point after a stoppage-time equaliser from club captain Sean Moore. Just five points separated Binfield and visitors Ashford Town before the game. Prior to kick-off, both sides paid their respects with a minute’s silence in memory of Christian Rowe. Ashford opened the
scoring in the 16th minute and managed to hold out until half-time. The Moles were reduced to 10 players early in the secondhalf when player/manager Jamie McClurg was shown a red card in the 56th minute. With the game headed into injury time in the second-half, the Moles managed to claw back a late point despite having one man less when Moore scored late in the day. The point keeps Binfield in eighth position in the table.
Finchampstead FC Girls v Wokingham & Emmbrook Pixtures: Stewart Turkington
Combined Counties Premier North READING CITY were awarded three points after a feisty encounter against Wembley. Joe Pilling started the scoring when his shot found the net after hitting the underside of the bar in the 15th minute. Wembley squared the game after half an hour to make the game 1-1 at half-time. There was plenty of drama
after the restart when Reading’s Mo Davies, along with two Wembley players were sent off. The Cityzens took advantage and restored their lead before adding a third not long after. The game ended in bizarre circumstances when it was abandoned by the referee after a third red card for Wembley. WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK returned with defeat in their away match at Edgware Town despite a late fightback. The hosts broke the deadlock with 15 minutes gone, but it
didn’t take long for the Sumas to hit back when Jordace Holder-Spooner levelled just 10 minutes later. Edgware got their noses back in front before the break with two quickfire goals to take a 3-1 lead into half-time. The home side then added another to seemingly put the game beyond Wokingham’s reach in the 57th minute. But the Sumas refused to lie down and fought back valiantly to make it a nervy ending when Nathan Mindomba made it 4-2.
Enow Ojong then snatched a goal in stoppage time, but there wasn’t enough time left for the Sumas to find an equaliser.
Combined Counties Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA extended their excellent winning run with a clean sheet victory over BERKS COUNTY. Just one goal was enough to take the points in a tightly contested match. After a goalless opening
SPORT | 21
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T FOR MOLES
From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith
Controversial penalty call at Palace
O
45, Jamie Griggs got on the end of Harinder Singh Hunjan’s whipped corner and capitlised to fire in the decisive goal in the 55th minute. The win means that Eversley now have a seven-point lead on fifth-placed Sandhurst Town. The Swords remain in midtable in 13th. WOODLEY UNITED went down to a narrow loss against Kensington & Ealing Borough. The Kestrels held on in a dogged defensive performance, but eventually conceded in the 82nd minute.
Thames Valley Premier League
BURGHFIELD stormed to the top of the table after a 4-1 away triumph at Wraysbury. Goals from Jordan Cox and a brace from Lewis Butcher helped them to take maximum points and retake their position as league leaders. They are now two points above Finchampstead having played two more games. READING YMCA moved up the table with a 2-0 win over WARGRAVE, while READING CITY U23’s were beaten 1-0 at Marlow United. WOODLEY UNITED ROYALS earned a late point in their 1-1 stalemate with Richings Park.
Thames Valley Counties Women’s Plate TILEHURST PANTHERS stormed through to the next round with an emphatic victory over Easington Sports. Five goals from Lydia Vettese, a double from Deanna Cane and goals from Keris-Louise Hunt, Rhianna Langham and Eve Rhind earned a massive 10-0 win for Tilehurst. CAVERSHAM UNITED also put their name in the draw for the next round with an away triumph at Kidlington Youth. With the scores locked at 1-1 at the break, the Billygoats enjoyed a superb second-half display by
netting three more to take the cup tie. WARGRAVE progressed with a penalty shootout victory over Ruislip Rangers. The teams couldn’t be separated in normal time after an entertaining six-goal game. But Wargrave squeezed through with a 3-1 shootout win. S4K BERKS COUNTY were eliminated after a heavy defeat to Bletchley Shamrocks. The Fawkes will not be able to focus solely on their title challenge, where they are currently top of the Thames Valley Division 3S, after they shipped seven without reply in the cup.
FA WOMEN’S CUP
PRIMMER SEES ROYALS THROUGH WITH LATE WINNER By ANDY PRESTON sport@wokingham.today
TIA PRIMMER scored the decisive goal to see Reading Women through to the next round in the FA Women’s Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion.
In an enthralling five-goal contest, Reading raced into a twogoal lead before the Seagulls fought back to level the match. But with less than 10 minutes left, the Royals restored their lead when academy graduate Primmer netted her first goal for the club. Reading created the first opening
of the game when Faye Bryson dug out a cross to find Natasha Dowie in the middle, but her powerful header at the near post was well held by Brighton keeper Megan Walsh. Dowie linked up effectively with her strike partner Deanne Rose, and the Canadian international forced another stop from Walsh from a tricky angle out wide on the left. The Royals broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when the Seagulls failed to clear from a free-kick and Vanhaevermaet was first to meet the loose ball and arrow a shot into the bottom corner.
Reading started quickly in the second-half and extended their lead early when Sanne Troelsgaard played an inch perfect through ball to find the run of Rose in behind the Brighton defence and she lifted the ball over the keeper to make it two. But Brighton fought their way back into the tie. Emma Koivisto beat Rhiannon Stewart with a thumping finish that found the top corner. The South Coast side were then level in the 76th minute after Kayleigh Green pounced on a mistake from Stewart and tapped
the ball into the empty net. But with just seven minutes of time remaining, Primmer ensured that Reading would book their place in the next round. A thunderous effort from Rose crashed off the crossbar and Primmer was first to react to the rebound and headed in from close range. Brighton came agonisingly close to forcing another equaliser when Emma Kullberg struck the crossbar from close range in the dying moments of the game, but the Royals survived to progress.
NE problem of being a referee is knowing that a good number of the decisions you make, will please one side and upset the other. One football supporter once said, ‘it is a proven scientific fact that all the poor decisions are made against the teams that I support’. Most complaints come from people who have scant knowledge of the laws of the game. Knowledge of the laws is of course a prerequisite for referees and this goes to the very top. If previous World Cups are followed, the selected FIFA referees will on arrival at Qatar, face a fitness test and an exam on the Laws. If they fail either, they will be sent back home. Knowledge is however only part of many decisions; the other part is interpretation. This is where the difference of opinion can come in, even among referees. The players and management of Crystal Palace were upset by the penalty awarded to their opponents Liverpool, two Sundays ago. Before looking at the incident, it’s worth remembering that football is a contact sport. That is to say that players often come into contact with opposing players without it being a foul. Sometimes players may be running alongside one another when one goes down, purely because the other player has better body strength. Sometimes players simply run into one another. In this incident, Diogo Jota of Liverpool, was chasing a ball inside the Palace penalty area, when Palace goalkeeper, Vicente Guaita, came off his goal line and headed toward the ball which he never reached. In fact he was on his knees when Jota ran into him. So Guaita didn’t bring Joto down, but Joto fell over him, which could perhaps be classified as impeding. This is moving into the opponent’s path to obstruct, block, or force a slow down or change of direction, providing the ball is not within playing distance of either player. If there is no contact, it is an indirect free kick but direct if contact is made. The television replay, which is presumably the same view the VAR had, seemed to indicate that Joto slightly changed direction to fall over Guaita. So there you have it, did Guaita bring Joto down, did he impede him by moving into his path, did Joto deliberately fall over Guaita knowing he wouldn’t get to the ball. Or was it just two players colliding? No wonder the referee took over four minutes and VAR before making a decision based on his interpretation.
22 | SPORT
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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
How they rated Ovie Ejaria
RUTHLESS RANGERS SINK ROY QPR 4 READING 0
LUKE SOUTHWOOD
Didn’t cover himself in glory for the third goal, but in fairness was not helped by his teammates. Made a few good stops.
ANDY YIADOM
Should be performing at a much higher level given his vast experience at this level, but hasn’t hit form since returning from AFCON.
MICHAEL MORRISON
Hasn’t had the desired impact since returning from injury. Hasn’t helped to improve the defensive record.
TOM HOLMES
Not at the races at all during the last month. Didn’t get tight enough to Lyndon Dykes on two occasions and was punished.
BABA RAHMAN
Sloppy in possession and in defensive areas. Better going forward and threw in a few nice crosses for Lucas Joao.
JOSH LAURENT
Went on a superb driving run and went down under a challenge in the box. Penalty not given and less than a minute later, QPR were in front.
DANNY DRINKWATER
Slow, lumbering and careless. Obvious quality on the ball, but off it he’s been nowhere near the level needed in a demanding division.
ANDY RINOMHOTA
Always puts a shift in regardless of how badly the team is performing. Required to do a job on the wing and was missed in the middle.
JOHN SWIFT
Lost his magic touch from earlier in the season when he couldn’t stop scoring. Coincided with the team’s run and it’s no coincidence.
GEORGE PUSCAS
Lost the ball cheaply on the halfway line that led to QPR’s second goal. Hooked off at half-time for Ovie Ejaria.
LUCAS JOAO
Had a couple of chances, both with his head. The first forced a routine save, but his second was superbly stopped by Marshall.
SUBS Ovie Ejaria 4, Tom Dele-Bashiru 4
5 3 3 2 3 4 2 5 3 3 4
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING’S calamitous run of form continued as they were dealt a fifth successive Championship defeat away at Queens Park Rangers.
Pressure continues to grow on manager Veljko Paunovic, with his team sinking further towards the relegation places after they were brushed aside comfortably by promotion hopefuls QPR. Lyndon Dykes headed the hosts into a two-goal lead before Luke Amos punished the Royals on the counter attack to add a third before half-time. Jimmy Dunne rounded off the scoring early in the second-half to condemn Reading to another devastating defeat. Reading lined up with the same starting 11 from their 4-3 home defeat to Huddersfield Town, while Ovie Ejaria made a long awaited return to the matchday squad after injury and covid issues. It was a bright start from the hosts who swung in three early crosses to test the Royals defence after Baba Rahman sloppily gave away possession in his own half. Veljko Paunovic’s team hit back in an end to end start to the contest to win a corner and they could have been punished on the break had it not been for Andy Rinomhota’s determination to win back the ball after Danny Drinkwater’s error. George Puscas broke his way into the opposition box but was let down by a careless first touch that saw a chance go begging. John Swift’s cross forged a chance for Lucas Joao who met the ball at the near post but was denied
George Puscas strikes at goal
Andy Yiadom down the byline
John Swift fouled in midfield
Match stats QPR: Marshall, Dickie, Dunne, Barbet, Adomah, Field, Johansen, Wallace, Willock, Dykes, Amos Subs: Walsh, Dozzell, Austin, Odubajo, Sanderson, Thomas, Ball Reading: Southwood, Yiadom, Holmes, Morrison (c), Rahman, Laurent, Drinkwater, Rinomhota, Swift, Puscas, Joao Subs: Hein, Ejaria, Abrefa, Clarke, Bashiru, Camara, Ashcroft
QPR add a fourth goal
Dele-
Goals: Dykes 13’, 35’, Amos 37’, Dunne 51’
by goalkeeper David Marshall who parried it behind for a corner. Reading had appeals for a penalty turned away when Josh Laurent went on a mazy run which saw him drift past three players and drive into the box. He went down under Jimmy Dunne’s tackle, but the referee pointed for a goal kick rather than a spot kick. That proved to be a turning point in the match as Rangers broke down the other end just moments after Reading’s shout for a penalty
Lyndon Dykes scores twice as Re and punished them. Chris Willock brandished an excellently delivered cross into the box to find Lyndon Dykes unmarked in the middle and he nodded the ball past Luke Southwood from six yards. The home side, re-invigorated by gaining the lead, looked to add a quick second when captain Stefan Johansen tried his luck from 20 yards but flashed a shot just wide of the post. Southwood then had to come to
REACTION
PAUNOVIC: ‘BETWEEN ALL THE GOALS, WE PLAYED WELL’ READING FC manager Veljko Paunovic insisted that his team ‘played well in between all the goals’ despite their heavy loss to Queens Park Rangers.
The Royals went down to their fifth straight loss in the league, which leaves them a place above the relegation places. “I think overall it was poor and the result was not good,” said Paunovic. “Between all the goals, we played well. “Individual mistakes cost us three goals in the first-half and that shook us up. “We needed to change the approach. “When there is a performance from the whole team in attack, it
helps us play on the front foot. “Before we conceded the first goal we were the better side. “But quickly after, we committed more mistakes and they punished us. “We were vulnerable in defence and in the past we have seen that so we need to find the right balance.” The Serbian boss refused to be drawn on commenting on potential disruptions behind the scenes at the club. He continued: “It’s unacceptable to concede as many goals as we have this year. “It could be (toxic) when things aren’t going well.
“We will be attacked and be vulnerable. “I’m not going to raise things publicly but we are looking for solutions and looking to fix it.” When questioned about his future at the club, Paunovic refused to comment on his position but admitted he understands the feeling of frustration from the fans. “I understand those feelings and this is football, but I have no comment on that. “I’m not concerned about my future. “I’m a professional who looks to fix things and give my best here. “That;s a cynical question and I won’t answer that.”
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YALS TO FIFTH STRAIGHT LOSS Luke Southwood makes a save
Danny Drinkwater wins a header Lucas Joao
Michael Morrison defends against Dykes QPR go close again
eading are handsomely beaten at QPR Pictures: Steve Smyth
Josh Laurent bursts forward
his side’s rescue to prevent them falling further behind when he reacted quickly to keep out Dykes’ low drive from a cutback. Mark Warburton’s team threatened again when Luke Amos was allowed room to shoot and smacked the base of the post, much to the relief of the Royals. Having threatened to boost their tally throughout the half, the home side did exactly that with two quickfire goals. QPR were rapid on the counter attack, pouncing on every mistake made by the Royals and were ruthless in front of goal. After Puscas lost the ball on the Ovie Ejaria on his return from injury
halfway line, Rangers streamed forward in numbers, Albert Adomah lifted a ball into the box and Dykes adjusted his body expertly to stoop and head the ball beyond Southwood’s reach. Just two minutes later, QPR put themselves in a commanding position when again they ignited quickly with another electric counter attack. After clearing the ball from Reading’s corner, the hosts were much sharper to react and Amos stormed through on goal after receiving a through ball from Willock and he clipped the ball over Southwood to add a third.
Six minutes into the second-half, QPR picked up from where they left and scored a fourth. Some casual defending from a corner saw Jimmy Dunne escape his marker and power a header past Southwood. Joao thought he had clawed back a consolation goal when he powered a header towards goal from Rahman’s cross but goalkeeper Marshall pulled off a terrific save to maintain his clean sheet. Reading managed to hold out in the final 35 minutes without conceding after the game fizzled out after QPR had the game wrapped up and the points sealed.
SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Friendly against Arsenal will take place behind closed doors READING are still seeking to put an end to their dreadful run of form when they face Bristol City. The Royals have a break from action this weekend after being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third-round by non-league Kidderminster Harriers. In the absence of Championship action, Reading are set to face Arsenal in a behind closed doors friendly match. Veljko Paunovic’s team return to the road in the Championship on Wednesday, February 9, away at Bristol.
Bristol go into the match in 16th position, five places and a sizeable 12 points above Reading. Nigel Pearson’s side are in a mixed run of form with two wins, two defeats a draw from their last five league matches. In similar style to Reading, Bristol were also victims of a thumping at the hands of league leaders Fulham earlier in the month when they lost 6-2 at Craven Cottage just days after the Whites mauled the Royals 7-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
The Robins were moments away from claiming an away victory at Preston North End at the weekend, but were denied deep into stoppage time. Chris Martin put Bristol ahead before Emil Riis Jakobsen levelled for the hosts. Bristol thought they had stolen the points with Antoine Semenyo’s 81st minute strike, but Jakobsen snatched a last gasp equaliser for Preston. When the teams met earlier in the campaign in August, Bristol took the spoils with victory in a five-goal game.
Bristol raced into a two-goal lead when Andreas Weimann and Martin netted. The Royals hit back through Femi Azeez but Weimann notched again and left with the win despite Liam Moore’s 81st minute goal. Weimann is in fine form this season and has 14 goals and five assists to his name, which puts him fourth in the goalscoring charts. On their last trip to Ashton Gate in February 2021, Paunovic’s men came away with the points after goals from Lucas Joao and Michael Morrison.
ONE IN, TWO OUT: LATE TRANSFER ACTIVITY READING FC played their part in some late transfer deadline day activity as two departed the club and one joined.
George Puscas left on loan, while former captain Liam Moore joined Stoke City on loan in a swap deal for Tom Ince who joins the Royals until the end of the season. Striker Puscas has joined Italian side Pisa on a loan deal until the end of the season. The Romanian forward will play for Serie B side Pisa, where then is an obligation for them to make the deal permanent if they are promoted to Italy’s top flight. Puscas became Reading’s record incoming transfer when he made the move from Inter Milan in August 2019 for around €10million Euros. He started strongly with two goals against Cardiff City on his home debut for the Royals. He also netted a sensational five minute hat-trick against Wigan Athletic in November 2019. He went on to score 12 Championship goals in his debut season for the Royals. However, he has struggled for regular goals and performances since that. He played 21 times for Reading in the league last season, netting just four goals where he was kept out of the side by the in form Lucas Joao. Puscas went on a huge goal drought throughout this season which was finally broken in what turned out to be a consolation goal in Reading’s humiliating FA Cup thirdround exit to non-league Kidderminster Harriers. Puscas has just one league goal to his name in the current campaign, in 24 appearances, which came in a 4-3 defeat to Huddersfield Town. 30-year-old Ince, the son of former England international Paul Ince, has experience at both Championship and Premier League level. Reading manager Veljko Paunovic said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Tom to Reading Football Club. He is an exciting player and he knows this division inside out. “He will add creativity, pace and power to play in our final third. “On the other side of this deal, I want to wish Liam Moore an excellent rest of the season.” Chief executive Dayong Pang added: “In Tom Ince we have been able to add an experienced individual with more than 400 appearances on his CV but also a forward with a proven goalscoring record at this level, who is hungry to score more. “This is a deal which suits both players and both clubs and I would like to wish both Tom and Liam well in their new colours.”
Former Reading FC captain Liam Moore
24 | SPORT
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HORSE RACING
YOUNG JOCKEY MAKES FLYING START By STAFF WRITER sport@rdg.today BERKSHIRE-BASED Harry Davies has had a flying start to his career as a jockey, at just 17-years-old he took two wins from four rides in his first week of riding against the professionals.
and Andrew [Balding] is very easy to work for. He understands my goals and what I want to achieve as well as what we want to achieve together. Even if I don’t ride a winner that day, I’ll come back and the other lads are there to lend a helping hand. “I first started coming to Andrew’s [Balding] when I was 12 and try to show my face whenever I could, I would try to come down in the summer holiday and I really
devoted all my time to being at Kingsclere. In my final year of pony racing I’d ridden out for Andrew a few times and I was ready to make the move [to horse racing]. Davies will still ride with a 7lb allowance for his next 18 winners but has made an impressive start to his apprentice jockey career. He returned to Lingfield on Saturday for the inaugural Winter Million where he raced against top jockeys such as Tom
DOMINANT ATTACK SEES ROCKETS RIDE TO VICTORY AT LOUGHBOROUGH
With Loughborough struggling for form but the Rockets missing their leading scorer in Tyler Cartaino, the match was primed to be a competitive affair but, fortunately for the Rockets, they earned an insurmountable lead early on which they rode to victory. Reis Pinnock’s layup put two on the board for the Rockets, but Loughborough’s Evan Walshe made two threes in quick succession to stretch the lead to eight at 10-2. Head Coach Dan Pearson took an immediate time-out resulting in major change. Another three courtesy of Pinnock saw the Rockets go up 13-12 after a slow start, Pinnock
Isthmian South Central Binfield 1-1 Ashford Town
Combined Counties Premier North Sumas v Wembley Reading City v Holyport
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship QPR 4-0 Reading
Thames Valley Premier League Marlow United 1-0 Reading City U23’s Reading YMCA 2-0 Wargrave Woodley United Royals 1-1 Richings Park Wraysbury 1-4 Burghfield
BASKETBALL
A dominant shooting display saw Reading Rockets earn a win in their third meeting of the season with Loughborough Riders.
Saturday, February 5
Combined Counties Division One Eversley & California 2-0 Berks County Kensington & Ealing Boro 1-0 Woodley United
Harry Davies Picture: Johnathan Hipkiss Photography
duelling with Walshe who had 10 of his own in the first quarter. The Rockets moved the ball well and made some key stops as the quarter wore on, earning a Lewis Champion three after a clever kickout by Meshack Lufile who was then called on to close out the quarter with a buzzer-beating inbounds lob which he finished softly at the rim. Up 22-16 entering the second, the Rockets showed no signs of slowing down. Pinnock continued to use his athleticism to break down Loughborough’s defense, earning free throws to start the period and tacking on another three for good measure. Jan Bielak made a three for the Riders off an inbounds before Pinnock closed the quarter with a tough layup going left across the lane. The Rockets’ late run ensured that the half ended 44-27, with the Riders’ offense unable to close
the gap despite solid defence at points in the quarter. Champion continued his hot shooting at the top of third, splashing one form the left wing in response to Loughborough’s fastbreak layup which opened the quarter. Layups from Isaac Round and Meshack saw the period end 72-43, with the win all but ensured for the Rockets. Bains and Pinnock, who formed a devastating backcourt partnership this game, each tallied yet another triple during the period to push up the Rockets’ score and they were joined in their deep-ball efforts by Ben Dixon and Isaac Round who also produced one apiece. Ronnie Oguekwe and Live Kivuvu each scored in the closing minutes, capping a strong showing from the entire roster and seeing off the Riders 97-59 – agonizingly just one more three-pointer short of triple digits.
Marquand and Hollie Doyle. Davies continued: “They [Marquand and Doyle] are both obviously massive figures in the racing world. They both came from pony racing as well and they are where I want to be. “Racing against them is great because you can learn so much. I saw Tom in the weighing room the other day and asked him to watch a race back with me and I learnt so much – it’s a dream come true.”
ATHLETICS
READING ENJOY HOME RUN AT PROSPECT PARK READING Athletics enjoyed their first home cross country fixture of the season at Prospect Park. The course was still wet, very muddy and very hard going underfoot in true Prospect style. The race started fast due to being gradually downhill before the runners turned and worked their way past two very hilly, muddy loops before running around the perimeter of the park to the finish. First up the hill for Reading AC was U20 Mia Waldmann looking strong and was digging in deep. She kept her composure to finish an amazing 8th position overall followed by Laurie Marlow 11th and U20 Isabelle Shirley 22nd. Cross country captain Sarah Holmes was just behind in 23rd looking very strong and running hard. Coming back from covid was Hayleigh Wood who had Sue Francis, our first vet home on her tail and they worked well together for 43rd and 46th places. Lucy Daniels was second vet home running very strong in 49th position. Lynne Henderson-Nike, Julie Rayfield, Millie Dainton and Alana Rayfield were running really well as a group and helped push each other round. Lynne was the third scoring vet to finish. Millie ran exceptionally well in what was only her second ever cross country race on a tough course to complete a positive race meeting.
FIXTURES
Saturday, January 29
Combined Counties Premier North Edgware Town 4-3 Sumas Reading City 3-1 Wembley
No stranger to success, Davies previously achieved 28 wins on the Pony Racing circuit and was crowned winner of the Charles Owen Racecourse Series in 2018 and 2019. Now he has moved up into the horse racing ranks and has quickly proven his immense talent. He had his first ride at Southwell on Tuesday, January 11 and quickly bounced back from his sixth position finish to find a winner a Lingfield with Coolagh Magic in the same week. Not resting on his laurels of enjoying his maiden win, Davies secured another victory three days later at Wolverhampton. Speaking on his first win, Davies said: “I thought on the day the horse had a chance of going close. My instructions were to come late and thought I had left it too late, but he did it. When I pulled up, I thought I’d won but I wasn’t completely sure, I just had to get back in one piece and wait for the tannoy. It was a really great atmosphere on the day and it was nice to have my mum and step-dad there.” “Training is going really well, the whole team is so supportive,
By JAMIE KING sport@wokingham.today
RESULTS
HOCKEY South Central Men’s Premier 2 Fareham 2s 7-4 South Berkshire South Central Men’s Division 1 Marlow 2s 1-3 Sonning South Central Women’s Premier 1 Maidenhead L-L Sonning South Central Women’s Division 1 Reading 3s 0-3 South Berkshire RUGBY UNION National League One Rams 43-19 Taunton South West 1 East Buckingham 19-41 Bracknell
Sunday, January 30
FOOTBALL FA Women’s Cup Brighton & Hove Albion 2-3 Reading Southern Region League Cup Bournemouth Sports 1-0 Woodley United Thames Vally Counties Women’s Plate Kidlington Youth 1-4 Caversham United Tilehurst Panthers 10-0 Easington Sports Wargrave 3-3 Ruislip Rangers (Wargave win 3-1 pens) Bletchley Shamrocks 7-0 S4K Berks County RUGBY UNION Women’s Championship South 1 Reading Abbey 17-50 Bath Ladies
Tuesday, February 1
FOOTBALL Combined Counties Premier North Egham Town v Reading City
Isthmian South Central South Park v Binfield
Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Langley Bedfont & Feltham Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Yateley United Reading City U23’s v Wargrave Reading YMCA v Mortimer Westwood Wanderers v Finchampstead Wraysbury v Woodley United Royals Thames Valley Division One Goring United v FC Imaan Lions Slough Heating Laurencians v Hurst Tadley Cellva Reserves v Eldon Celtic RUGBY UNION South West 1 East Bracknell v Windsor HOCKEY South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire v Newbury & Thatcham South Central Women’s Division 1 South Berkshire v Marlow 2s South West Men’s Division 1 Sonning v Staines 2s South West Women’s Premier 1 Sonning v Havant Women’s National Division 1 South Harleston Magpies v Reading
Sunday, February 6
FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Everton v Reading Southern Region Women’s Division One South Eversley & California v Southampton Reserves Thames Valley Women’s Division One Stonesfield Strikers v Tilehurst Panthers Cup Wargrave v Penn & Tylers Green Caversham United v Slough Town Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Eversley & California Reserves v Taplow United Goring United v S4K Berks County Wallingford Town AFC v Caversham AFC HOCKEY Men’s National Division 1 South Brighton & Hove v Reading