ARE Y OU INT ERES T ED ? SEBRFC
£1000 REWARD
See Advert on
FOR QUALIFIED INTRODUCTION TO LANDLORD
RENT IN EXCESS OF £1000 PER ACRE
Page 38 for details. Reward paid on Signing of lease
Thursday, January 13, 2022 No. 346 90p
HOUSING HORROR
KEY WORKERS FORCED TO LIVE IN MOULDY NEW FLATS
EASTENDERS’ NASTY NICK PRAISES TV MUM ON OBE P12
PISTOL CREATES SECOND OLLIE YOUNG PORTRAIT P3
TOWN COUNCIL CELEBRATES ELECTED WOMEN P4
HEALTH WORRIES: Family with baby told by doctor to move out now • P5
Council introduces trauma training to help abuse victims EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THE BOROUGH council will be introducing potentially “life-saving” domestic abuse training for staff this spring.
Following feedback from victims, survivors and partner organisations,
the training is part of the council’s Domestic Abuse Strategy, which was launched last month. It is hoped that the trauma informed practice will help frontline staff improve responses to victims and survivors of domestic abuse. The training will begin in March, and focus on recognising signs of trauma, and creating a supportive environment.
Vickie Robertson from the domestic abuse survivors charity Kaleidoscopic UK, said that the training is great news. “Too often, victim-survivors of domestic abuse fear coming forward as they don’t have faith that they’ll speak to someone who will understand how their trauma impacts them individually,” she explained. “The new training is a leap forward and it’s been brilliant to work with the council on its wider Domestic Abuse Strategy, which will make a real difference to residents.” The aim is that the training will
also help prevent staff accidentally upsetting victims and help them to avoid making judgements where someone may not react as expected. They will learn how trauma can lead to certain behaviours and how they should react to these. It will complement the existing monthly training programme that has been developed for frontline staff supporting those who have experienced domestic abuse from specific demographics. Councillors and staff will also benefit from new equalities training. n Continued on page 3
CITIZENS ADVICE P33 HELPS THOUSANDS ISSN 2634-8330 02
9 772634 833019
2 | NEWS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Tesco presents £1,000 to Wokingham’s ARC A WOKINGHAM charity has been presented with £1,000 from Tesco’s Community Grants Scheme. ARC Wokingham Youth Counselling will use the funds to help and support young people during its busiest time of the year. Paul Cassidy, coordinator at ARC Wokingham Youth Counselling, said he is so grateful for the money. “It couldn’t come at a better time,” he said. “It can be a time of tensions and problems, so it ends up being our busiest time of the year.” Louise Jedras, Tesco community champion at the Finchampstead Road superstore presented the cheque. “We’re delighted to be able to provide this funding for ARC,” she said. Tesco gives £500, £1,000 and £1,500 grants. n To apply for one, visit: tescocommunitygrants.org.uk
WE COVER WOKINGHAM BOROUGH
FUNDING: Louise Jedras, community champion at Tesco presents a cheque for £1,000 to ARC
In print
Order a copy from your newsagent every Thursday – some even deliver
Online
Our website is updated seven days a week – bookmark it in your browser: wokingham.today FACEBOOK & TWITTER: WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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.
More than 300 arrested for drug or drink driving last month By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today HUNDREDS of people across the Thames Valley were arrested during the festive season for drink and drug driving.
It was part of Operation Holly, a crackdown by the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit of Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police to tackle the issue. From Wednesday, December 1, until New Year’s Day, 229 people were arrested for drink driving, and 152 people for drug driving. Sergeant Dave Hazlett, of the Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary Road Safety Unit, said: “These figures show that we will not tolerate drink or drug driving on the roads of the Thames Valley.” The force conducted 1,541 alcohol breath tests, with 75 returning positive results. This means just 5% of those tested were over the limit. But a significantly higher
percentage were found drug driving. Out of the 265 drug wipes carried out, there were 125 positive results, meaning that 47% of those tested had drugs in their system. Sergeant Hazlett said: “The percentage of positive breath test results reflects what we already know – that the vast majority of road users follow the rules. I would like to thank everyone who drove responsibly over the festive season and helped to keep our roads safe. “On the other hand, the percentage of positive drug wipes shows that drug driving remains an issue, across several age groups.” Drivers aged 25 to 34 had the most positive drug wipes, at 37% of those tested, and drivers aged 35 to 49 made up 30% of those who tested positive. These age groups had the most positive alcohol breath tests too, making up 37% and 36% of the total respectively. “Although the operation has ended, we are still policing our
TESTS: Just 5% of those tested for alcohol were over the limit Picture: Manfred Richter from Pixabay
roads and arresting drink and drug drivers on a daily basis,” Sergeant Hazlett said. “Make sure you drive responsibly so your name is not added to that list.” Sergeant Hazlett said that police advice is clear — drinking alcohol or taking any drug, even if prescribed,
can affect drivers’ ability behind the wheel. “It’s not worth the risk,” he said. Residents that know of anyone who is drink or drug driving can call 999 in an emergency, 101 with information or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Family Notices Your wording
Classification (please tick) n Births n Birthdays n Engagements n Weddings n Anniversaries n Other n Death n In memory
YOUR CONTACT DETAILS Name Address
Advert sizes n 5cm by 1 column – 40 words £30 inc VAT n 3cm by 2 column – 50 words £36 inc VAT Postcode n 4cm by 2 column – 60 words £48 inc VAT n 5cm by 2 column – 80 words £60 inc VAT n 6cm by 2 column – 100 words £72 INC VAT Email n Photo – add £5 inc VAT (email only) DEADLINE IS TUESDAY AT 5PM FOR THAT WEEK’S PAPER
Phone number
Send your forms to: Family notices, Wokingham Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please enclose payment by cheque, made out to The Wokingham Paper Ltd. Payments may also be made by card over the phone.
Street artist Pistol gifts Ollie Young’s Mum portrait of son EXCLUSIVE
By SALLY BRYANT news@wokingham.today THE homecoming of a painting brought early Christmas joy to Ollie Young’s family.
Wokingham street artist Pistol has once more immortalised the face of the young local boy, who died of a brain tumour 10 years ago. The original work was defaced, but now Pistol has created a second, which will stand up to time and weather. It was presented to Ollie’s Mum Sarah Simpson just before Christmas Day. She told Wokingham Today: “It has made my Christmas, Ollie’s home.” Ollie died in February 2012, a day before his sixth birthday. The Ollie Young Foundation was set up in his memory to fund research into childhood brain tumours. Pistol, who likes to keep his face and proper name out of the limelight, painted Ollie’s picture to front his first Paint Jam in 2014. Graffiti artists travelled from far and wide to transform eyesore hoardings in Wellington Road – where the Wokingham town centre Aldi now is – as a fundraiser for the foundation. After the event, another artist started to paint over it without realising its significance. But Sarah still took it as a keepsake and hung it in her garden. Pistol promised to restore it — but she didn’t know that the artist would devote much of his spare time over three months creating a replica made to last. Pistol explained: “When you paint on walls, you are open to having your work painted over. “When an artist started to paint on Ollie’s picture, a friend of Sarah’s saw and explained and he stopped and apologised, but he had already put on a bit of paint. “I said a long, long time ago I would restore it, but when Sarah brought it round, the wood was all damaged and cracked.” He started again and the result is an identical copy, coated with yacht varnish and framed. He was helped in the big-hearted effort by Dave Hatch, of Berkshire Events, who supplied the paint and varnish and Neil Peachey, of Carrera Carpentry, who helped with the frame.
IN THE MAKING: The first version of the art informs the new portrait by street artist Pistol Pictures: courtesy of Sally Bryant Pistol said: “Everything doesn’t have to be done for money, especially if it is going to make someone’s Christmas. It was nice to do this for her.” And the labour of love wasn’t lost on Sarah. She said: “I was so shocked, I was just expecting Pistol to restore the old one. It’s gorgeous.” Sarah said the Ollie Young Foundation is doing well, with plans in the pipeline for its upcoming 10th anniversary year. It is also embarking on a new twoyear programme with the Institute of Cancer Research.
Mystery EuroMillions winner lives in Berkshire A MYSTERY EuroMillions winner, known only as Mrs H, has scooped a Christmas win. Lucky Mrs H, from Berkshire, scooped a prize of £1 million on Christmas Eve. She won the sum in the EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw.
Camelot’s Andy Carter, senior winners’ advisor at The National Lottery congratulated Mrs H on becoming a millionaire. “She can now look forward to living the millionaire lifestyle this year with her new-found fortune,” he said.
NEWS | 3
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Mrs H has chosen to release some details through partial publicity. The Berkshire local played a Lucky Dip on The National Lottery’s website to win her prize. She is one of more than eight million players that win each week on range of games.
The completed work was given to Ollie’s Mum, Sarah Simpson at Christmas in a frame Players can also buy tickets in retail outlets. Mrs H becomes one of more than 6,100 millionaires or multi-millionaires created since The National Lottery’s launch in 1994. Players generate more than £30 million each week for National Lotteryfunded projects. The money raised helps support a wide range of causes,
including local charities and Olympic and Paralympic athletes. To date, more than £43 billion has been raised for National Lottery Good Causes, with more than 635,000 individual grants awarded. Charities and organisations are also benefitting from a £600 million community fund to help those affected by the pandemic.
Borough council to start trauma training to help domestic abuse victims n Continued from front page
This is all part of a plan to change the wider culture at the council to empower staff and councillors to support vulnerable residents. Cllr Laura Blumenthal, the deputy executive member leading on equalities, said that the training will help foster safer stronger communities. “This training could save the lives of people at risk of domestic violence and abuse and we’re grateful for everyone who has worked so hard to make this a reality,” she said. “We’re committed to ensuring that our brilliant staff are continually empowered to protect our most vulnerable residents.” Cllr Rachel Burgess, leader of Wokingham Labour said that she welcomes trauma-informed training for frontline staff. “This is essential in ensuring that staff can give appropriate support to victims,” she said. “Our council officers already do excellent work – and this will help them to better recognise trauma, and even prevent further trauma.” Cllr David Hare, Liberal Democrat lead for adult services and wellbeing said that the training is a start, but only a start. “The training has some vital information that seems to be skimmed,” he said. “It must be in more depth over a longer time frame for officers to understand and be able to act appropriately. “This must be especially with social workers, teachers and all frontline people facing staff. “They all need to understand real experiences, the training needs to be face to face, confronting issues and situations.” Cllr Hare said it would also benefit staff if victims of abuse were able to tell their story confidentially in the training, so that staff “realise the horror and pain”. Cllr Hare added: “Victims of domestic violence must have refuge, but [the contractor] has no refuge in the area. It may be that people want to move away from the abuse, but school and a known area can be very calming and give support at a difficult time.” Last year, 4,200 women and 1,900 men experienced domestic violence in Wokingham, Cllr Hare said. “It’s an immense area of concern that’s not being treated with the respect and importance it should,” he said. “Even with preparation funding this year is about £300,000 for domestic violence. “That is under £500 to assess, accommodate and enable each of the people in Wokingham who we know have been abused.” Cllr Burgess questioned the Conservatives’ “real commitment” to domestic abuse victims. “They are failing our hard-working staff and letting our residents down by their refusal to support action against street harassment, and their refusal to support White Ribbon, which campaigns to end male violence against women by engaging with men and boys,” she said. “If they really cared about such issues they would have taken action immediately.”
4 | NEWS
Crowthorne man charged with multiple assaults A MAN has been charged with multiple assaults following a series of incidents in Crowthorne last week. Police were called out to a report of a woman being assaulted on Wednesday, January 5. On arrival, they were themselves assaulted and their heads were injured. One of the officers required hospital treatment and has since been discharged. Stephen Adby, 40, of High Street, Crowthorne, has been charged with a count of assault by beating, a count of criminal damage, two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker, one count of driving when alcohol level was above the limit, one count of driving while disqualified, one count of taking a motor vehicle without the owners’ consent and one count of driving with no insurance. Adby appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court last week.
Bus service talk held by transport enthusiasts TRANSPORT enthusiasts have an opportunity to learn about bus services in the Wokingham area next week. Robert Williams, chief executive of Reading Buses, will be talking to the Wokingham Methodist Railway and Transport Club on Tuesday, January 18. In his role at Reading Buses, Mr Williams is responsible for the Lion 4/4X and Leopard 3 services, the Thames Valley (formerly Courtney) services and the Green Line service. The meeting will begin at 7.45pm at the Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham. n For more information, contact Jim Dunning, the club’s programme secretary on: 0118 977 1754.
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Wokingham women break down barriers in local government roles By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM Town Council is celebrating its female councillors as more are elected into positions of power in local government.
Nationally, in both politics and public life, women have historically been underrepresented, said a spokesperson for the town council. In recent years, their proportion has increased, with women now making up 36% of local authority councillors in England and 24% of MPs in the House of Commons. But in Wokingham town, that number is even higher. The town council is now approaching a 50:50 split with 12 female and 13 male councillors. This is the first time that this has been achieved at the council since its inception, and Wokingham is one of the few councils in the UK to achieve this. Ages are also diversifying within the group. Cllr Elizabeth Bishop is the youngest councillor, at 21. The hope is that the varying ages and higher female representation will help to bring in new perspectives, new ideas and different thinking which will benefit the residents and town in the years to come. Town mayor, Cllr Tony Lack said: “Women and men bring a different perspectives to the table on everything
IN POWER: Back left: Cllr Elizabeth Bishop, Cllr Maria Gee, Cllr Morag Malvern, Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth. Front left: Cllr Sally Gurney, Cllr Imogen Shepherd-Dubey, Cllr Abi Tebboth. Picture: Stewart Turkington from the economy, development, social issues and the concerns of residents. “We don’t know whether the change is based on a deliberate choice by
Council launches one bin bag challenge RESIDENTS across the borough have been challenged to throw away less and recycle even more this year. Wokingham Borough Council is asking households to take part in its one blue bag challenge –using just one bag a week – in an effort to reduce the amount of rubbish thrown away. The borough council said that recycling rates from kerbside collections increased to 35,600 tonnes last year. But 36,000 tonnes of rubbish was sent to landfill or burnt for energy. The council estimates that more that half of this could have been recycled in
kerbside recycling. A council spokesperson said that the campaign aims to reduce waste disposal costs and raise recycling rates. “It costs less to recycle waste,” they said. “Making products out of recycled, rather than raw materials, also uses less energy and reduces landfill. “Food waste placed in food caddies can be processed and turned into energy as well as capturing methane to turn into electricity.” The council hopes that as many residents as possible join in with the challenge.
voters to include women, or because of having so many skilled female candidates who are passionate about Wokingham.
“Either way, by having a more diverse council we’re going to have more experience to draw on and more diversity in thought.”
Reading Buses suspend tiger 7 bus route over Omicron READING Buses will be suspending the Tger 7 bus route. The suspension comes into effect on Monday, January 17 until further notice. It is due to the “vastly reduced number of customers” using the service. The company have put this down to the pandemic and long term roadworks between Hartley Wintney and Fleet. Reading Buses driver numbers have also dropped due to covid cases. A spokesperson said that they are finding it difficult to cover all our routes effectively.
“We have chosen to make reductions in service on some of the most lightly used routes,” a spokesperson said. “This will free up drivers to keep the rest of the network running reliably.” Customers of the tiger 7 who use it on the Basingstoke Road in Reading or for Three Mile Cross and Spencers Wood still have the choice using emerald 6 and leopard 8/9. There is the Stagecoach route 7 that runs between Hartley Wintney and Fleet. But there is no alternative for customers for Riseley and Swallowfield.
Elderly woman from Earley sexually assaulted by man in carers’ uniform A MAN wearing a carers’ uniform sexually assaulted an elderly woman in Earley last week. Police are appealing for help in trying to trace the offender. The incident took place at a home close to Meadow Park around 6pm on Wednesday, January 5. The offender is a white man, thought to be around 40, with a medium build and around 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing thick black rimmed glasses, a navy blue carers’ top and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a mask, gloves and a disposable apron. Detective Inspector John Wordsworth, based at Loddon
Valley police station, said: “This is a concerning incident, in which a man described as wearing a carers’ uniform and PPE has sexually assaulted a woman. “We have not received any similar reports before or after this offence, therefore I believe this is an isolated incident.” He continued: “I would appeal to anyone who was in the area and believes they saw a man matching the description of the offender on Wednesday evening to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police. “I would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have doorbell, dash-cam, CCTV or mobile phone footage in the
roads around the Meadow Park, specifically in Roman Way and Meadow Road to contact the police. “If members of the public could check any footage between about 5.45pm and 6.45pm on Wednesday and contact the force if you have footage of a man matching the description of the offender.” Anyone with information is asked to call Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting reference 43220005976. Reports can also be made online. Anonymous reports can be made to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting Crimestoppers online.
NEWS | 5
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
HOUSING HORROR: Families spent Christmas in fungi-filled flats
Key workers were left to live in mouldy flats with their babies over festive season EXCLUSIVE
Mould has spread across clothes and footwear Picture: courtesy of Sofie Purser
BY JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today TWO KEY workers from Wokingham have had a miserable Christmas after discovering that their new-build flats were covered in mould.
Sofie Purser and Caitlin Rogers, who both moved into Beechey Place, off William Heelas Way, last summer. They said that mould has spread across their homes, working its way into their beds, carpets and wardrobes. Both women, who work in care and a nursery respectively, are concerned about the impact the mould is having on their babies. In October, Ms Rogers’ five-month-old developed bronchitis while living in the mouldy apartment. Last week, he was diagnosed with Croup. At this point, Ms Rogers’ doctor wrote a letter calling for flat owners Sovereign Housing to permanently re-locate her family to a new home — one without mould. “My little boy has eczema as well, so his immune system is weaker,” she said. “The doctor said I need to be moved as soon as possible.” Located on the same floor as her neighbour, Ms Purser said that her 12-month-old baby has had a permanent cough and runny nose. She is now seeking medical help to understand if it is a symptom of living in the apartment. The flats were built by David Wilson Homes and are managed by Sovereign Housing, and, as keyworkers, both women were recommended for the properties by the borough council. “I pay £184 a week and £244 council tax to just live in mould,” Ms Purser said. “I do think key workers should be treated better. The borough council nominated me to Sovereign Housing to get this, and I don’t know what benefits we get out of it. “It’s a lot of money to be living in all this mould.” Deputy leader of the borough council, Cllr John Kaiser said that he has raised this issue with Sovereign Housing and David Wilson Homes. “Key workers and other residents should be able to expect decent living conditions and we work with all registered social landlords to ensure they do,” he said. “[We] have called on them to solve the problems as quickly as possible.”
Sofie Purser and her 12-month-old son Archie Picture: courtesy of Sofie Purser
Caitlin Rogers and her five-month-old son Picture: courtesy of Caitlin Rogers
developing under the sofa. “I think there is a serious issue here,” she said, “and it feels like nobody wants to help.”
was not told when it would be delivered. After leaving her home to finish Christmas shopping, Ms Purser said that she was called by a member of the team trying to deliver it. When asked if they could leave it with a neighbour, Ms Purser said she was told this wouldn’t be possible. Instead, she has been using a small machine lent by her Father. “It’s collecting so much water,” she said. “If I leave it on for the day, it’s full.”
Ongoing issue
In August, Ms Rogers had a team come out to look at the mould in her bathroom. They suggested washing it off with a chemical solution, but when she asked whether it was safe for her five-week-old baby to be around, she said she was told that it wasn’t. After this incident, her partner discovered that the overflow pipe in her bath was not properly attached, with water collecting under the tub. She now keeps the bathroom extractor fan on continuously, in a bid to help with the flat’ ventilation.
Christmas of mould
Ms Purser discovered the mould in her home on Sunday, December 19, but was told that nobody would be available to help her until Thursday, January 6. Before Christmas, she had a brief visit from David Wilson Homes’ site manager. “He said ‘you have to expect mould in a new build and because it’s winter’,” she said. “That’s unacceptable. “I think that is disgraceful from Sovereign and David Wilson Homes. I have a baby and they expect me to live in mould.” Across the corridor on Christmas Day, Ms Rogers said that she discovered mould covering the base of her baby’s crib. But this was not the first time damp had been an issue in her home. “It ruined our Christmas when we found that,” she said. “I bought him a new crib, but I am so scared that it will go mouldy again.” After giving up hope of help before Christmas, Ms Purser said that she washed away the mould with assistance from her partner. But it returned within days. “After packing up the Christmas tree, I lifted up the rug in the lounge and underneath it was soaking wet,” she said. Ms Purser said that she dried off the floor and washed away mould spots that were also
Mould covers the lower part of Sophie Purser’s divan bed Picture: courtesy of Sofie Purser “We only have two windows in the flat that you can open,” she said. “I spent my maternity leave scrubbing my flat. The bleach is making my hands so sore.” Ms Rogers said that she was given a dehumidifier by Sovereign when she first discovered mould, back in August last year. She leaves it running throughout the day, and said a days-worth of water would fill 10 to 14 kettles. “They have still not refunded my electric bill for that,” she said. Ms Purser said that her windows are always “soaking wet” in the morning, with her voile curtains “filled with mould”, and does not want to be “fobbed off” with a dehumidifier. Instead, she is looking for a more permanent solution. She was due to receive a dehumidifier from Sovereign before Christmas, but said that she
Frustration
Ms Purser said that both her and Ms Rogers are dealing with individual members of the Sovereign Housing team, and said it feels like going around in circles. “I’m hunting for mould everyday now, and I shouldn’t have to live like that,” Ms Purser said. Ms Rogers said that in her apartment, mould is spreading on two of the bedroom walls. “We had someone come out on Thursday, December 30, to look at it and take readings — they confirmed the walls are damp,” Ms Rogers said. “I’ll be glad to get out of here,” she said. “It’s awful. All of our stuff has been ruined. We are having to sleep on a damp mattress because we cannot buy another. We spent all of our savings to live here.” Ms Rogers said that she has asked for compensation to cover the damage to her
furnishings and belongings, but said she was told to “wash her clothes” to remove the mould. “It’s in the wardrobe,” she said. “Really, they need to refund me all of the money for my furniture.” James Gibson, development director for Sovereign, said that he is sorry that customers are experiencing problems with the ventilation in their properties. “Our customers’ safety and comfort in their homes is our highest priority and so we’ve set up dehumidifiers, as well as offering alternative temporary accommodation to one household while we tackle the issue,” he said. Ms Rogers said that she was offered a temporary place to stay in Newbury, but was concerned about living on “someone else’s” furniture due to Covid-19, so chose not to move. She was also worried about the impact it would have on her baby, and felt uncomfortable leaving her family’s first home without a permanent solution. “This is our home,” she said. “But the building is always going to be damp.” Ms Purser questioned why she was not offered temporary accommodation, and said that she was really frustrated that not all residents were offered the same support. She called for a permanent fix to the problem. “We are working closely with the developer David Wilson Homes to try and resolve the problems that have been reported,” Mr Gibson said. A spokesperson for David Wilson Homes Southern said: “We are sorry there is some damp in one of the buildings owned by Sovereign Housing on our Montague Park development. “As soon as we were made aware of the problem our customer care and technical teams began a thorough review to identify the cause so we can put things right. “Plumbers are attending to search for any minor leaks and de-humidifiers are being delivered while investigations are taking place. “As a five-star housebuilder we are working closely with Sovereign Housing to look after the three residents affected and resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”
Italian Style Ltd Tiling Specialist Ita lia n Style Kitchens, Bath a nd patio a re the perfect place to fu lfil a l l you r ideas. Using ou r experience, we provide free of cha rge advice. Ou r goa l is to meet a l l you r requirements, dema nds a nd dead lines you a re working on.
italianstyleltduk@gmail.com
Call us on 07481 913 914
6 | NEWS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
A market review
2
021 was a challenging year across the globe, so as we firmly plant our feet into the new year with a mask in one hand and a lateral flow test in the other I wanted to reflect on what the past couple of years has meant for the property market. The early stages of the pandemic in 2020 forced us into living and working in a totally new way. The work-from-home revolution highlighted the lack of adequate working spaces in most of our properties, the temporary closure of gyms and health centres forced us to exercise at home and attend Zoom classes, and homeschooling our children has tested our internet connectivity and gave me the opportunity to reconnect with the split-infinitive! We are a resourceful nation though and we set about converting garages into gyms, building timber cabin offices in the garden and upgrading our internet speeds. A stark realisation for many was that they simply didn’t have enough space to live in this way so a profound wave of demand hit the market. Couple that with a Stamp Duty holiday and that wave turned into a Tsunami with nowhere near enough properties available to satisfy the number of people looking to move. So as we waved goodbye to 2020 and Hat and Home Founder, Ben Gee welcomed in 2021 we found ourselves in a very obvious seller’s market and it was no surprise that prices started to rise, and rise quickly. Berkshire, like most of the country has experienced house price growth of between 10-14% in the past 18 months. From a landlord’s perspective, Government intervention with notice periods and a reticence for tenants to seek alternative accommodation meant a lack of stock entering the market and rental prices began to increase sharply. As we now have almost two years of living like this under our belt, it is interesting to see shifts in how properties are being marketed and sold. Housebuilders have re-designed layouts to include home-offices as standard even in their smaller designs, broadband speeds are now a regularly asked question, almost pushing ‘is the loft boarded?’ off the top spot and outside space (however small) is being promoted more than ever before.
Gill McKernan, Giving Tree organiser, thanks residents for taking part in the appeal
Charities thank Giving Tree for Christmas of gifts CHARITIES that benefited from the Christmas Giving Tree campaign have thanked everyone who took part. Almost 1,000 youngsters who are supported by the organisations received their presents just in time for Christmas. Even Father Christmas himself got involved by helping to deliver many of the gifts at special festive parties. Those helped by the charities are from across the borough and neighbouring areas. Many of the children may have gone without, had it not been for the gifts donated. Richard Tobin, a team leader for Look Ahead Care, thanked all those who donated and who worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of the campaign. “All our young residents are very grateful,” he said. “Huge
A family with their Giving Tree gifts from Dingley’s Promise Children receive their Giving Tree gifts from Building for the Future thanks to everyone involved.” Generous shoppers and businesses bought the gifts, either by collecting tags from a number of trees placed in locations across the area or by using special Amazon wish-lists. The annual collection is organised by Gill Mckernan and supported by organisations across Wokingham and Bracknell boroughs.
Father Christmas gives presents from the Giving Tree to children at Sebastian’s Action Trust
Supply still remains an issue for both the sales and rental sectors which is likely to mean prices will remain resilient, with further increases widely predicted into 2022. Whilst we have seen the Bank of England raise the base rate to 0.25%, the effect on most mortgages is negligible. Undoubtedly this will not be the last hike, although any further increases are likely to be incremental and cautious. We must remember we are in an extremely low interest rate environment so mortgage borrowing for both residential and buy-to-let lending is still excellent value and likely to remain that way for some time.
MP raises concerns over garden village proposals
Hat and Home is an independent estate agency which gives a nod to tradition and a wink to nostalgia. Our mission is to make moving home a fantastic experience. If you need any help with your sale, purchase, let or rental, please just drop us a line.
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
EXCLUSIVE
A BOROUGH MP has spoken against outline proposals for 2,500 homes in Twyford.
Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East, said that he is concerned about the impact a development of this size would have on his constituents living in Woodley and Earley. The MP said that 2,500 homes and their associated traffic would have a damaging effect on the lives of nearby residents. Noise and air pollution would rise significantly, Mr Rodda said, as the number of cars on the road increases. “With 2,500 homes we are talking about two cars per property,” he said. “More than 4,000 cars and light vans on the road will pressurise the A4.” Mr Rodda said that many of the new residents in Twyford Gardens, if approved, could be travelling into Reading for work.
“The traffic here already has a big impact on people’s lives,” he said. “Although it is a wider road, and at some points a dual carridgeway, I am concerned about the volume of traffic and congestion.” Last week, Wokingham Today reported on leaflets being distributed on behalf of Berkeley Group about its consultation on the outline proposals. The housebuilder has ambitions to build low carbon homes, alongside new business space, shops, parks, a health centre, nursery and primary school. The development –which is not one of the sites put forward for the Local Plan Update by Wokingham Borough Council – would sit to the east of Twyford, and could also include a new train station, to be known as Twyford Gardens. This would be directly connected to the Elizabeth Line and main line train services. Other travel options would include a new local bus interchange and a relief road to ease traffic congestion in the centre of Twyford, the developer said. Mr Rodda said that he would need to see more detail about a relief road, and that his concerns about the
number of cars hitting the road still stands. He added that public transport links can play a role in improving public health, but could not comment on the specifics of public transport in the Berkeley proposal. Also against the site is Ruscombe Parish Council. Ruth Reid, parish clerk spoke on behalf of the council. She said that the parish objects to development on the green belt, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework. “The proposed housing development runs contrary to the NPPF which states that Greenbelt land can only be released for development where exceptional circumstances exist,” she said. Ms Reid said that the parish council also objects on behalf of residents, following a borough-wide survey where around 70% of all responses were opposed to developing on the Ruscombe greenbelt. She said that the parish council understands that a station has already been rejected by rail authorities. n Residents can view and comment on the outline proposals online at: www.twyfordgardens.co.uk
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Fire service tax precept may rise by £5 By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
A CONSULTATION into a potential rise in the fire service’s council tax precept is running until next month.
The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFA) is proposing to increase the amount the average Band D property pays by £5 a year – less than 10p a week. At the moment, the bill is £68.95. The chairman of the authority, Cllr Colin Dudley, said in a letter that two-thirds of the fire service’s revenue comes from this precept, while the rest comes from business rates and government grants. He pledged that the service would continue to offer value for money, while delivering £2.4 million worth of savings by March this year. “Whilst we have been able to use some of these savings to invest in the vital services that we provide to the public, we have also had to reduce expenditure in certain areas to balance our budget. Taking 2015/16 as the base year, central Government funding has fallen by 22%,” he said. The precept, he added, ensures the service can offer a swift and effective response when called to emergencies, and ensure
appropriate fire safety standards in buildings. It also helps with educating people on how to prevent fires and other emergencies, and what to do when they happen. Cllr Dudley added: “We are determined to continue to provide a safe and efficient service, while meeting changing local needs and balancing the budget. We believe that the plans we have put in place over the last few years have provided a good foundation to meet that challenge. “In order for us to carry out those plans, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is asking for an increase of £5 in Council Tax in 2022/23 for a Band D household, which equates to less than 10p per week. “This increase will enable us to continue to build resilience in our frontline services and assets so that we can deliver a modern and effective fire service for all residents in Royal Berkshire.” The consultation on the rise is open to everyone who lives, works or travels in Berkshire, and is open until 5pm on Tuesday, February 1. n To take part, visit https://www. surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TQQMQYC n Alternatively, email: precepting@ rbfrs.co.uk
NEWS | 7
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Wokingham Festival to return with ‘the biggest ever’ headliners EXCLUSIVE By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today ONE OF the borough’s entertainment calendar highlights is set to return this year.
Wokingham Festival will take place at Cantley Park over the August bank holiday weekend, Saturday, August 27, to Monday, August 29. Plans for the event, which is run by community volunteers, are well under way. Organiser Stan Hetherington said that he is excited by the return of the festival, now in it’s 15th year. “We have grown a lot and we have such a good reputation that people now travel from outside of the area to attend,” he said. Chris Hillman, who curates Wokingham Today’s RaW Sounds playlist, has taken on the role of festival creative and music bookings team leader. Mr Hetherington is confident that Mr Hillman will deliver a varied and high quality line up. The live music offering will continue to be the usual mixture of local, regional and national music artists. “It’s important for us to give local bands the opportunity to perform on the same billing as some big names,” Mr Hetherington explained. “The team take a lot of care over choosing the acts to perform at the festival so we have no duff acts.” Festivalgoers can expect the first line-
LIVE: The Paradox Twin at last year’s Wokingham Festival Picture: Andrew Merritt up announcement soon, including “the biggest band we’ve ever booked,” which he hopes will pleasantly surprise people. Early bird tickets for the festival are scheduled to go on sale on Tuesday, March 1. Prices have yet to be announced, but Mr Hetherington said that the event will continue to deliver value for money. “Our festival is one of the cheapest around for the variety of music and activities we provide,” he said. The beer tent will once more be provided by Ian Wisdom and the Twyford Beer Festival volunteer team.
As well as keeping real ale lovers happy, money raised from sales will go towards Orchid, the male cancer charity. Mr Wisdom is happy to be involved and said the event is an enjoyable one. “We can’t wait, it’s a great opportunity for us to raise money for Orchid,” he added. Local musicians and catering companies have also been invited to enquire about slots at the festival, which is expected to attract between 2,000 and 3,000 people.
n For more information, visit: wokinghamfestival.co.uk
Award winning care homes Our highly trained care home teams are specialists in residential, nursing, dementia and respite care. With some of the highest care ratings in the UK, we’re trusted to help you and your family at every step of your journey. If you’re considering permanent or respite care for yourself or a loved one, call 0330 134 5093 to arrange a tour or one-toone chat, or visit careuk.com/berkshire
Trusted to care.
Our care homes in Berkshire Parsons Grange, Shinfield Bickerton House, Bracknell
8
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
NEWS | 9
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Hurst couple fight for protection of 300-year-old oak trees along A321
ROUGH IDEA: Protesters’ impression of what the houses would look like in Broadwater Lane
EXCLUSIVE
By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today A HURST couple fighting to protect veteran oak trees have tackled Wokingham Borough Council – and are unhappy with the replies they have had.
Former Woodley GP, Jeremy Lade and his wife Annette, said that they were told work on the plan for 12 new homes could go ahead within the trees’ root protection areas using specialised engineering. The couple, campaigning for The Green Heart of Hurst, are disputing this. The building proposals are for a green field site along the A321 heading from Hurst to Whistley Green and Twyford. Mrs and Dr Lade said that the trees are have the same protection as ancient woodland. This was under national planning policy, Natural England and the Forestry Standing Orders and British Standard on trees and planning which stated: “No construction including the installation of hard surfacing should occur within a Root Protection Area.” The protection areas for the three oaks, at least 300-years-old, on the site border are 25.2 metres, 22.9m
Squires offer 25% off breakfast SQUIRE’S Garden Centre in Wokingham is offering a discount on breakfast this month. Customers can enjoy 25% off all hot food, drinks and smoothies on the breakfast menu throughout January. The menu includes a choose your own full English breakfast from a selection of items such as bacon, sausage, vegan sausage, eggs and baked beans. Breakfast is served in the café from 9am until 11.30am Mondays to Saturdays, and 10am until 11.30am on Sundays. The offer runs until Monday, January 31. n For more information, visit: squiresgardencentres.co.uk
CLASP holds AGM
and 18.6m, said the Lades. The couple say the council’s growth and development team also told them there could be just two access roads on to the proposed building strip by the main road. This meant, the couple felt, that a new road would be needed within the 200m site, and parallel with the main road. “The site is only 32 to 35 metres wide and in addition to 12 dwellings and gardens now has the requirement
for an internal access road and footpath, large root protection areas and significant improvement works to create access points,” the couple said. “The site has been artificially constructed to accommodate 12 dwellings and has so many conflicting planning problems that make it wholly unsuitable for development that it is hard to understand how it ever came to be put forward as suitable for development in the Draft Local Plan.”
The Lades said that the council told them a footpath would be possible only within the site. There would be no pedestrian crossing, though a traffic island was possible. The Lades said the road was too narrow for an island. The unlit road, with a double bend, would be dangerous for walkers. The plan is in an Area of Special Character with seven listed historic buildings. The couple said the scheme’s
internal road would intensify the appearance of a modern housing estate. The site is one of those put forward for future building in the council’s Local Plan. Residents have until Monday, January 24, to email views to the Growth and Delivery team at: lpu@wokingham.gov. uk or by post to Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham. Wokingham Borough Council has been asked for its comment.
A WOKINGHAM charity has invited members to its Annual General Meeting. CLASP will be holding the meeting on Friday, January 21, at the Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham. It will begin at 10am. The meeting is a chance to look at the charity’s achievements over the past year. Those who wish to attend must take a lateral flow test within 24 hours of the meeting, and cannot attend if they feel unwell. n For more information or to book a place, contact: admin@claspwokingham.org.uk
DOLPHIN SCHOOL
An independent Prep School for Boys & Girls aged 3-13
BIG GIFT: Claire Revie (left) of Share Wokingham is presented with a cheque for £4,000 from TaxCalc by Andrew Webb Picture: Jim Holmes
Share receives ‘incredible’ £4,000 gift A WOKINGHAM business gifted thousands of pounds to a food charity last month. TaxCalc, a family-owned business based on Fishponds Road, donated £4,000 to Share Wokingham. Claire Revie, Share Wokingham’s founder, said that she was overwhelmed by the generosity of the donation. “I cried when I found out how much TaxCalc were giving us,” Ms Revie said. “It’s an incredible amount, we were only expecting a couple of hundred pounds. “It was four times the amount we had in the bank at the time.” The charity received the cash after TaxCalc decided not to hold its Christmas party. Senior business analyst and
Share volunteer Sonja Kawash made the bid for the company’s money on the charity’s behalf. “I think it’s absolutely horrifying that we still have food poverty here in Wokingham,” Ms Kawash explained. “If we can help reduce food waste and at the same time help people in need then it’s a win, win.” Share Wokingham is based at Norreys Church. It aims to reduce food waste from businesses in the area and in turn help families in need. It supports more than 300 people each week across all of their pop-up sites and demand on its service is growing. Five more sites have been added since Share began in
Norreys in 2020. The most recent addition was St Andrew’s Church in Priestwood, Bracknell, which launched on Friday, January 7. Ms Revie explained that some of the money has already been put to use by paying the annual road tax for the charity’s van. “Other costs, such as paying for food hygiene training, hand sanitisers and face masks for our volunteers and cleaning products for our pop-ups, will also be covered,” she added. Andrew Webb, chief culture and sustainability officer for TaxCalc, said that the donation reflected the organisation’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. The business gave the same amount to Wokingham Foodbank in December 2020.
Dolphin School inspires a love of learning that lasts a lifetime ...
Please visit our website to learn more or contact Kate Spooner admissions@dolphinschool.com
www.dolphinschool.com 0118 934 1277
Waltham Road, Hurst, Berkshire, RG10 0FR
10 | NEWS
Applications open for charity grants A FUND intended to support charities working with people in need has opened for applications. The Tackling Poverty in Wokingham fund is offering grants of up to £10,000. It is designed to support voluntary, community groups and charities in breaking the cycle of poverty among individuals and families in the area. Applications are being managed by Berkshire Community Foundation on behalf of Wokingham United Charities. Jon Yates, CEO of Berkshire Community Foundation, is happy to be working with WUC and said that the events of the past two years have had a big impact. “The pandemic has exacerbated existing issues of poverty and deprivation and worsened the situation for many,” he said. “We hope this funding will help lift people and families out of hardship and break the cycle poverty. Jane Holloway, grants committee chair at WUC, agreed and added: “In these difficult times, we are well aware the need for support is greater than ever.” Applications close on Thursday, February 10. n For more information, visit: berkshirecf.org
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Council leader writes to Michael Gove over housebuilding numbers EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THE LEADER of the borough council has written to the secretary of state for housing over building targets for the borough.
Cllr John Halsall has penned a letter to Michael Gove MP calling for the required number of new houses to be dropped in Wokingham. He invited Mr Gove to the borough to see for himself the work of the council, and how planning reforms could help the community. In his letter, Cllr Halsall called for “urgent reform” of the current system, and said that it “must work for everyone”. “It must be one of common sense and must be trusted by communities to be fair and consistent,” he wrote. “Current national planning policy and guidance has lost sight of the big picture of housing land supply, by applying unchecked formulae, and inviting speculation.” Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrats, said that he welcomes the letter, but thinks that Cllr Halsall has only written to Mr Gove in
LETTER: Wokingham Borough Council leader John Halsall Picture: Stewart Turkington
reaction to a Lib Dem petition calling for the house numbers to be lowered. “We have stunned the council leadership into some action at last,” Cllr Jones said. “[Cllr Halsall] should have been trying to get Gove to reduce the numbers a long time ago.” Cllr Jones said Cllr Halsall does not explicitly call for Wokingham’s housing numbers to be reduced, and said that he “should have been more specific”. Cllr Halsall said that the housing numbers for Wokingham borough must be “realistic and proportionate” and consider historical housebuilding as well as whether there are more “opportunities” for development or not. Almost 6,500 homes have been delivered since 2016, Cllr
Halsall said in his letter. But Cllr Jones said that around 11,000 homes have been built since 2006, and that this statistic should have been included too. “The government’s focus and energy should be firmly on the real issues of non-delivery,” Cllr Halsall wrote. “Government thinking to date has been on granting additional planning permissions in the hope that someone will build.” Cllr Halsall called for the fiveyear housing land supply test to be removed, and said that it has led to developers suggesting uncertainty in supply in the hope of their scheme being approved. “The best thing the government could do would be to delete it without delay as suggested in the white paper,” Cllr Halsall wrote. “The test unfairly places the outcome on the willingness, not the capability of developers who can choose when to build out a scheme. “Developers are using the existing five-year housing land supply rules and the resetting principle to wipe out the relevance of past oversupply to circumvent the plan-led approach to challenge us with
proposals for small and medium sized ad-hoc largely greenfield development proposals without providing any infrastructure. “This ties up our resources in knots and makes the strategic approach look fruitless and toothless to protect itself.” Cllr Halsall told Mr Gove that the method of calculating housebuilding targets has led many local authorities to be reliant on large scale developments. “Delivery from such developments can be lumpy,” he wrote, “sometimes being higher, sometimes being lower, often because of infrastructure needs. “Allowing planning authorities to take account of both over delivery and under delivery over time, would allow phases to be balanced out.” Cllr Halsall was also concerned about the impact this is having on house prices. He wrote: “The calculation of Local Housing Need is based on the presumption that oversupply will lower house prices in areas where they are high in relation to local incomes. “There is no evidence that this has been the case in Wokingham; indeed, the opposite is true.”
SWR introduces temporary timetable
Give your kitchen the WOW factor with new worktops
We can replace your existing kitchen worktops with new quartz or corian, rejuvenating your kitchen and giving it a fresh new look.
0118 976 2826 www.roktops.co.uk sales@roktops.co.uk
located within the Wokingham Borough
TRAIN TIMETABLES are changing from Monday due to Omicron-related staff shortages. South Western Railway (SWR) is introducing a temporary timetable as the company faces staff shortages due to the pandemic. The reduced service has been designed to keep services running for key workers, school pupils and those who cannot work from home. SWR’s managing director Claire Mann said: “The spread of the Omicron variant has had a significant impact on our railway, with fewer people
using the train and staff shortages impacting on our ability to consistently deliver the current timetable. “Having assessed demand and spoken to our industry colleagues, we believe this new timetable is the most effective means of ensuring our customers receive a reliable service, with short-notice cancellations minimised. “Journey planners will be updated on a week-by-week basis, with updates taking place towards the end of each week. Customers should check their journey as close to their time of travel as possible.”
Cllr Rachel Burgess, leader of Wokingham Labour, said that she is concerned about the “power” that developers are given in housebuilding. “Cllr Halsall notes that developers are using the existing system to their own benefit – and they are being allowed to do so,” she said. “Efforts to change the system will be in vain until the Conservative Party reduces the power they hand to developers. “These developers have given millions of pounds in donations to the Conservative Party – truly eye watering sums – and they want to see a return on their investment. “The unrealistically high housing numbers which continue to be imposed on the borough, and a lack of enough affordable housing, are symptoms of this Conservative-led imbalance of power in favour of developers.” Cllr Jones said that Cllr Halsall “should be encouraging residents to sign it” to show Mr Gove the strength of feeling in Wokingham.
n For more information about the Liberal Democrat petition, visit: www.wokinghamlibdems. org.uk/housing
The rail company said that rigorous planning has gone into developing the timetable to deliver the right level of service for the current situation. The temporary timetable changes will remain under review. Key changes include the Waterloo to Exeter services, which will split at Salisbury. The Waterloo to Weymouth services will split at Bournemouth. And the Waterloo to Basingstoke will reduce to hourly alongside the Waterloo to Alton and Shepperton branch. The last train of each day will be brought forward. n Customers have been advised to check before they travel via: www.southwesternrailway.com
Raise a glass to Greene King’s support for grassroots sport A PUB chain with branches in Reading and Wokingham has pledged £100,000 to back grassroots sports. Greene King’s Proud To Pitch In scheme offers grants of up to £3,000 per club. It is open to all types of sports, including football, rugby and netball. The company’s funding comes after a survey revealing that 84% of Brits believe grassroots sports are beneficial to local communities. Top benefits include meeting new people and getting Brits out of their home, according to 75% of respondents. Other
important benefits included improving wellbeing (73%) and garnering a sense of community spirit (72%). Former rugby union player James Haskell is Proud To Pitch In’s first ambassador. James began his distinguished rugby career at Maidenhead Rugby club – so knows first-hand how clubs can have a profound impact on the top of the sporting pyramid. “Local clubs are an essential part of the sporting landscape here in the UK. They’re the best place to spot future talent, and what’s more, they have a
profound impact on mental and physical wellbeing in the local community,” he said. “I’ve seen first-hand how many clubs are struggling with funding, especially following the challenges of Covid-19. The Proud To Pitch In Scheme is an incredible opportunity for clubs to bring in the cash they need, with no strings attached.” Pubs taking part include The Bull and Chequers in Woodley, The Sportsman in Shinfield, and The Silver Birch in Bracknell.
n To apply for support, visit: www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk
NEWS | 11
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Surgeries at Royal Berkshire Hospital cancelled due to Covid-19 EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WOOSEHILL resident has spoken out about her cancelled surgery and says that she is frustrated will public statements from the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Last week, Wokingham Today reported on the impact of Covid-19 on the hospital. At the time, a spokesperson for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said that staff are “continuing to provide care to everyone who needs it”. However Sandra Jones, whose name has been changed for privacy, has been waiting for her surgery since September last year. She believes that the statement made by the trust was a mis-representation of the true situation. “We are being told that we can rely on the health service, but it’s not true,” she said. Her neck operation was planned for Wednesday, January 5, but the day before, she was called to say that it had been cancelled. “It was very late notice, but because of Christmas and the bank holidays, I made an allowance,” she said. “I’ve been marked down as
CANCELLED: Some surgeries have been cancelled at The Royal Berkshire Hospital Picture: Phil Creighton urgent and told that I’m at the top of the list, but they aren’t able to tell me a time-scale for the operation. It could be a few days, or six to eight weeks.” Ms Jones said that she felt the public statement made by the hospital trust in last week’s edition of Wokingham Today was “dishonest” as it did not reflect that some residents have had their surgeries cancelled. She said that waiting for her
operation has a knock-on effect, as she has had to cancel other treatments that could interfere with the upcoming surgery. “Trying to manage your life and work without a time-scale can be very stressful,” she added. Calling for answers, she wrote to her MP, Sir John Redwood on the matter. A spokesperson for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
said that they have made it a priority to maintain emergency and urgent operations, cancer, diagnostics and outpatient work as far as possible throughout the pandemic. “We have also managed to carry out as many elective operations as possible,” they said. “The Omicron variant is putting renewed pressure on our services and this, coupled
with a high number of staff absences linked to Covid, means we have had to postpone a handful of non emergency operations.” On Friday, January 7, trust CEO, Steve McManus told BBC Radio 4 that more than 500 staff were off sick or having to isolate due to Covid-19. The trust spokesperson apologised to any residents who have had a routine operation postponed, and said that they appreciate the inconvenience this can cause. “We are working to get any patients who have had their operations postponed booked in for a new date as soon as possible,” they added. However, priority is being placed on people who need emergency care and those who have been waiting a long time for treatment. As of last week, the hospital had 96 covid in-patients, Mr McManus also told BBC Radio 4. The trust spokesperson also urged anyone who has not been vaccinated to get themselves jabbed. “This will go a long way to helping ease pressure on the hospital so our staff are able to resume our full range of healthcare services as quickly and safely as possible,” they said.
Walk-in covid jabs available again at Broad Street Mall AS THE booster jab campaign continues, a vaccination centre has switched to walk-in appointments. Before Monday, it was appointment only at the Broad Street Mall centre in Reading – where the New Look store used to be. However, now you can turn up and grab a jab if you haven’t already done so. The centre is expected to be open between 9am to 7pm daily, although this can change at short notice. It is suitable for ages 12 upwards, for first and second doses, and booster jabs. Masks should be worn when attending.
Town opens grant applications EARLEY groups could find themselves helped this year. The town council has opened up its grants application process again to organisations that help Earley residents. Applications will be considered in mid-March, with all applicants advised of the final decision and funds paid by May. The deadline for applications is Monday, January 31. n For more information and application forms, visit: www. earley-tc.gov.uk
Mountaineer hosts Hospice launches adventure talk bereavement help A MOUNTAINEER whose adventures feature in the book and film Touching the Void is coming to the Whitty Theatre. Simon Yates will be talking about his adventures in some of the world’s most remote mountains in My Mountain Life on Monday, January 24. Mr Yates is best known for his decision to cut the rope linking him to injured partner when the pair got into trouble on the Siula Grande, Peru, in 1985. Mr Yates was being slowly pulled off the mountain face by Joe Simpson, who was dangling on the rope 50 metres below. Cutting the rope saved the lives of both men. It was an experience that could have put many off the sport of mountaineering. More than 35 years later, Mr Yates is still an active exploratory climber and guide, making several expeditions to the mountains each year. Mr Yates will be sharing stories, images and films collected on his climbs. Tickets cost £18.50, £9 concessions. It will begin at 7.30pm. n For more information, visit: luckleyhouseschool. org/the-whitty-theatre/whats-on
THAMES Hospice has launched new bereavement counselling after securing significant funding from the National Lottery. Co-Connect will support adults across Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire whose bereavement has been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Simon Smith, head of counselling support services at Thames Hospice, is leading the two year project. “Many families are in great need of urgent bereavement support to recover and move forward from their experience of complicated grief,” he said. “Co-Connect will enable my highly-skilled counselling team to respond quickly and deliver therapeutic support towards improved mental health, wellbeing and resilience for families who have faced bereavement in these times.” The project is expected to support 400 people through one-to-one and peer support group sessions. n For more information, or to seek help from Co-Connect call 01753 847300 or visit: www. thameshopsice.org.uk/co-connect
BB Wines fights council over alcohol licence THE OWNER of a Wokingham off-licence is appealing the decision to revoke his alcohol licence. BB Wines, off Broad Street in Wokingham Town Centre, had its permission to sell alcohol removed in September last year. The owner, Parmit Singh Kapoor, is now appealing the decision through Reading
Magistrates Court. The issue will be discussed at an appeal on Thursday, March 24. Mr Kapoor has sold alcohol to underage teenagers a number of times. On one occasion, he was found guilty in Reading Magistrates Court of selling cider to a 15-year-old. In the September hearing,
Mr Kapoor’s representative, Leo Charalambides, said that BB Wines had passed three underage alcohol sales tests and reminded committee members that they were bound by law to deliver an “appropriate and proportionate response.” Mr Kapoor is allowed to continue to sell alcohol until the magistrates court hearing.
Recently refurbished bed & breakfast with king sized beds, attached restaurant and a well-stocked bar. › Situated close to big businesses like Microsoft › Close tourist attractions like Legoland and Windsor Castle. 6 minute walk to Winnersh train station and 2 minute drive to the M4 • 1 mile from Dinton Pastures Country Park • 2 miles from the historic town of Wokingham • 40 minute drive to Heathrow › Commercial Discount
0118 978 4529
www.the-pheasant-hotel.co.uk 355 Reading Road, Winnersh, RG41 5LR
12 | NEWS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
Unique flight comes to Wh
Honest Motherhood Angela Garwood
By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today
Hello January
S
AVIATION buffs will have a unique opportunity to fly in a restored Second World War fighter plane this spring.
OMEHOW, it is January 2022. I’m still getting used to saying 2022. I feel as though it’s been sprung upon me, like I didn’t know it was coming.
I was born in the 90s, and 2022 still sounds almost futuristic. It couldn’t possibly be present day. I can’t imagine how my Dad, born in 1943, must feel. The New Year means goal setting for many. I don’t really do resolutions, they feel like too much pressure. I am happier saying things like, “I’d like to try and run three times a week, but if I don’t, I won’t beat myself up, because it’s not a resolution.” A simple reframing of the language can ease the burden slightly. I did however set Joel the resolution of not saying a certain swear word for an entire month. (This was something I felt quite strongly about.) He resisted at first but soon gave in, it was not worth the battle. Of course, although I won’t be setting hardcore goals, I do have a few things I’d quite like to spend more time on, including reading, writing, painting and one-to-one time with Maia. Then there’s the old favourite: “Learn how to meditate, proceed to do this, every single day.” Which I say at the turn of every year and never do. So, here are a few things that won’t be changing: 1. My commitment to sugar: My dentist: “What’s your sugar intake like?” Me: “Ridiculous.” Despite my dentist querying my diet, I have no interest in attempting to lower my sugar intake. Sugar is my drug of choice. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t even get to binge watch Netflix when I’m tired. But what I can do is shove multiple chocolate biscuits into my face at 9pm and at various other points of the day. I’m a full-time parent and I’m exhausted so give me the biscuit. 2. My commitment to social media: I like Instagram. For a few minutes, every day, it takes my mind on a journey that helps quiet the incessant stream of chatter that is otherwise present all day long. I enjoy discovering new accounts that for whatever reason, make me feel good. Creatives encouraging other creatives. Mothers with real, unpolished photos sharing their experiences in an honest and vulnerable way. Anyone who makes me laugh. If I’m too tired to read, I will scroll, and that is absolutely fine. 3. My commitment to painting the walls of this house: I love it so much. I am off to Homebase today for more tester pots. In February we are having our front door painted and we are going bold. There is no door on our road this colour and I can’t wait. I just want to paint everything. 4. My commitment to breastfeeding our toddler: Leo is nearly 17 months. We’re still going strong. Yes, he pulls my top up and gets annoyed when I say, “No, not right now...” But that’s just him expressing a feeling. And me setting a boundary. I am fine with all of this. 5. My commitment to the laundry: This sounds silly, but it’s a thing. The division of household chores is a thing. I do the laundry, Joel clears the kitchen every night (washing-up included), and we both do various other bits around the house. But laundry is solely my domain and I have accepted this. All I ask is he unfurl his socks please.
Angela blogs at The Colourful Kind
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Young actor Logan Matthews is back for a second series of The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Why Logan really loves Tom Gates
A BERKSHIRE actor is back for more rib-tickling adventures as the voice of Tom Gates. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates is back for its second series and Logan Matthews can’t wait to be involved again. “I love being the voice of Tom, and to get to do another series is just a dream. “Loads of my friends and family said they thought it was brilliant and it really helped them have fun during lockdown,‘’ he explained. The show is based on the awardwinning, bestselling books, written and illustrated by Liz Pichon. It follows the main character, Tom, as he continues to have fun, solve problems and come up with excuses whilst facing the everyday challenges of school and family life. When asked what we can expect from Tom in the upcoming episodes, Logan said: “Tom and his mates are getting up to more mischief. “And his sister Delia is still annoying. “Plus Liz has got some awesome ‘Draw-its’ and ‘Play-its’ for people to join in with too.” The show received fantastic feedback after series one and was awarded the 2021 BAFTA Scotland for entertainment.
Logan gained equal praise from his friends when they found out he voiced one of the main characters. “Loads of people at school thought it was really cool. “I got a pat on the back from one of my best friends who said ‘well done mate’ which meant a lot.” Some of his peers were in disbelief when they found out and were amazed to receive a video call to confirm it was him. “One of my friend’s friends didn’t believe her when she said she knew the voice of Tom Gates. “I did a video call with them which made them smile in shock,” he explained. Logan also made his West End debut last year, appearing as James in School of Rock the musical. When questioned if Tom would be jealous of his role, Logan said: “Nah, Tom would be an awesome mate about it, and would be rocking out with me and singing the songs too. “That’s why everyone loves Tom, because he’s an awesome dude and supportive friend.”
n A bumper series of 20 brand new episodes will be available on Sky Kids on demand and NOW TV from Monday, January 24.
Vegan burger now available in McDonalds A NEW vegan burger is now available in McDonalds Lower Earley. The McPlant is the fast food chain’s first plant-based option, which has launched nationwide following a successful trial in selected branches last year. In development for three years before hitting the grills, the burger includes a Beyond Meat patty, vegan cheese based on pea protein and a new vegan sandwich sauce. And the burger is cooked separately from other menu offerings using dedicated utensils. Michelle Graham-Clare, chief marketing officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland says that she’s pleased the McPlant has officially launched nationwide. “We saw a remarkable response to the trial period back in October,” she says. “Now McPlant is on the high-street, in retail parks and service stations all over the UK and Ireland so all of our customers
WBO cruiserweight title holder Lawrence Okolie will be able to try it. “We’re proud to once again be offering our customers more greattasting options from McDonald’s. “It’s our same iconic taste – but plant-based.” To celebrate the launch, McDonalds took celebrities including WBO cruiserweight title holder Lawrence Okolie to sample the burger.
The world’s only two-seat Hawker Hurricane will be available for flights from April. It will be based at White Waltham Airfield, near Maidenhead, and operated by Hurricane Heritage. James Brown and Mike Collett are the two of the men behind the historic aviation company that aims to preserve the legacy of the Hawker Hurricane. “We want people to respect, admire and enjoy the planes, and remember the brave pilots who flew them,” James says. The Hawker Hurricane entered RAF service in December 1937. It went on to become one of the most successful British fighter aircraft of the Second World War, claiming more than 60 percent of all air victories in the Battle of Britain. Hurricane Heritage’s plane was originally built in Canada during 1942. It was flown by the Royal Canadian Air Force until it was struck off charge in 1944. The plane was eventually brought to the UK for restoration work in the early 2000s. The first post-restoration flight was completed in 2009, and the second seat added in 2020. The aircraft is now painted in the colour scheme of the Royal Air Force. Serial number BE505 XP-L was issues to 174 squadron at RAF Manston in Kent. BE505 was piloted by Flight Sergeant C. Bryce Watson. The plane was shot down during
Operation Jubilee, the Dieppe amphibious landings, on August 19, 1942. Watson subsequently became a prisoner of war. “There is actually a strong local link with the plane,” Mike explains. “Many were built at the Hawker Langley factory in Slough and White Waltham Airfield was one of the places which the Air Transport Auxiliary distributed them from during the second world war.”
Nasty Nick is rather pleased his screen mum has a New Year honour THE Wokingham schoolboy who became “Nasty Nick” in EastEnders, says the actress playing his longsuffering mum deserved a much higher new year’s honour. June Brown, 94, who played Dot Cotton for over 30 years, has just been awarded the OBE for her drama and charity work. John Altman, 69, born in Hurst and still visiting friends there, said: “I’m thrilled to bits for June. We’ve spoken about it. It’s fantastic news. “But she should have been made a Dame for all she’s done. She’s still loved by the British public even though she’s not in EastEnders now.” Villainous Nasty Nick’s relationship with long-suffering Dot was the exact opposite of John’s enduring friendship with June. “We hit it off from the very first day we met on set. We had so many laughs together amidst the gloom and doom of the EastEnders stories. We had some good times,” he said. “We knew our characters so well that once the director didn’t shout ‘cut’ and we just kept going, improvising. We suddenly realised we weren’t on the script. We inhabited
the characters so well.” John’s screen and real-life mums met at a charity event. “My real mum said June looked more like me than she did,” he said. His father worked at the Bank of England, cycling from Hurst to Twyford station to catch the London train. Nasty Nick’s death in 2015 ended John’s EastEnders career but he is still acting. He has just finished playing an estate agent in Hammer Home, a new comedy thriller film. “Estate agents, including myself, get bumped off by a beautiful lady in a house in the country. It was quite a laugh. I think the writer had it in for estate agents,” he joked. This year John’s not in panto for the first time in 33 years due to the covid times. He starred at the Hexagon panto, in 2008 when he did a shout out to pupils in the audience from St Nicholas Primary, Hurst where he started in 1957. Contact established again, in 2009 he opened fundraiser for the school Hurst Show and in 2018 spoke at the school’s 200th birthday celebration. John, involved in music for many
NEWS | 29
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
t experience hite Waltham
Recycle festive chocolate tubs when you visit the pub
WPR_2022-01-10_TheWokinghamPaper_33x2 (1)_Just Go
WorcesterObserver
Reader travel ISLE OF WIGHT ‘Royals & Rails’
© English Heritage
IsleofWightRoyals&Rails_D.pdf
Departing Mon 2 May ‘22 On this fantastic break we enjoy the Isle of Wight’s peace, tranquillity and natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former holiday home ‑ a relaxing few days away.
Your break includes
Mike is a professional pilot who flies business jets as well as Hurricane Heritage’s planes. He has 20 years experience and will be piloting the craft when it takes to the skies with passengers in April. “It’s a real privilege to be able to fly them and share their importance with people,” he says. So far, the response to the twoseater flights has been better than
anticipated. It has also been emotional for some. “People have been getting in touch who have personal connections to the Hurricane,” Mike adds. “They have shared stories with us about their grandparents who flew them or worked on them. “The plane is a link to their family history.” n For more information, visit: hurricaneheritage.com
FRIENDS: John Altman and June Brown Picture: copyright John Altman
THE PERENNIAL problem of what to do with leftover tubs of festive chocolate has been solved. Millions of us have scoffed Quality Street, Celebrations and Roses over the Christmas period, and been left with plastic tubs that are hard to recycle … until now. Pub chain Greene King is welcoming clean, empty tubs which it will recycle to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The tubs are typically made from polypropylene; a hard plastic that is not always accepted by local authorities for recycling, resulting in it being incinerated or landfilled. All Greene King pubs, restaurants and hotels across the country are taking the empties, which will be sent to a specialist recycling facility and processed into granulated recycled plastic. The money is raised by selling the recycled plastics with the profits, approximately 8p per tub, goes to the charity. Greene King estimates that if every tub sold in the UK over the Christmas period was recycled this way, it would raise almost £400,000. Vance Fairman-Smith, Greene King’s supply chain director, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to
provide this recycling service to our local communities across the country. “This is a ‘win win’ situation as we look to save the plastic tubs going to landfill and at the same time being able to support our national charity partner, Macmillan.” Greene King is partnering with co-cre8; specialists in recycling hard-to-recycle materials and DCW Polymers, which will use its hightech plastic reprocessing plant to shred and granulate the tubs ready for sale to manufacturers, in place of virgin plastic. “This is a great way of not just helping charity but also the environment,” says Peter Goodwin, co-cre8’s Co-founder. “This year we really expect the campaign to take off with as many 1,700 Greene King pubs getting behind it. Clearly, last year’s campaign was greatly impacted due to covid restrictions, and yet, despite the fact that all pubs were closed, more than 5,000 tubs were collected.” Greene King will be accepting tubs during the whole of January.
n For details, log on to tub2pub.co.uk
POETRY CORNER Trying to write of winter trees
years as lead singer with his own band Resurrection, as well as fronting the Heavy Metal Kids, is still singing. Known as Johnny Altman in the music world, he recently released his debut album Never Too Late to Rock and Roll, through Thoroughbred Music. He wrote or co-wrote the 12 original numbers. Rock and Reel Magazine said the songs include Nick Cotton’s rebellious attitude along with tender moments and signs of
vulnerability. Three singles from the album have been released. All the music is available on major platforms. Not far from Wokingham, Johnny is singing with Charlie Chandler and Paul Dyson as The Dukes of Rock and Blues at the Nags Head, Sunninghill, on January 22 at 9pm. As John Altman, an extended version of his autobiography, In the Nick of Time, is available as an audio book from Audible. Picture © Nick Altman
I have tried to write of winter trees but each attempt slumps into cliche Skeletal, umbrellas, lace All been done before Their bone branches ubiquitous Sometimes we just do not have the words Just a memory of a painting A primary school art class Painting viscous horizontal slices of red, blue, yellow across the page Watercolours bruising to give form to the winter sky We left them to dry Next week, when the sky was crispy We took our chubby brushes And struck thick black trunks onto the sunsets and dropped generous globules of inky paint We blew with the sheer pleasure of watching
Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Wokingham 4 nights at the Medehamstede Hotel, Isle of Wight with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde Optional Island Highlights Tour (£12pp)
5 Days by Coach
only £269
Single Supplement £60
BLACKPOOL
& Cruising Lake Windermere BlackpoolBrightLights&CruisingLakeWindermere_D.pdf
Departing Mon 12 Sep ‘22 Vibrant, timeless and fun, Blackpool has remained one of the UK’s favourite seaside destinations thanks to its iconic tower, sandy beaches and old‑fashioned trams. From here we explore the Lake District with its natural beauty and stunning scenery.
Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham 4 nights at the Melville Hotel, Blackpool with dinner & breakfast Entertainment every evening Cruise on Lake Windermere Heritage train journey on the East Lancashire Railway Excursions to Kendal, Bowness‑on‑Windermere & Bury Market Optional excursion to Southport & Lytham St Annes (£12pp)
the liquid dance in thin lines The branches that have proved so elusive to my adult poetry Shape themselves in my child’s breath When I try and describe a winter tree words have failed But a thirty-year-old memory paints a thousand words and is the nearest justice I can do to the bleak forms
By Fiona Dignan
We love receiving your poetry. Send submissions to news@ rdg.today and we’ll print a verse every week
5 Days by Coach
only £259
Single Supplement £60
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
For more information, or to book, please call
03332 342 527 Quote WPR
or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
30 | VIEWPOINTS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Abuse training is a welcome step
WE APPLAUD the commitment from Wokingham Borough Council to give domestic abuse trauma training. Following on from the debacle last November over White Ribbon accreditation, to see swift action can only be welcomed. It will not solve the causes of domestic abuse, but it will at least make it easier for those receiving the training to spot it, and hopefully make it easier for those affected to get help. This has to be a first step. Councillors must continue to make it clear that abuse, be it at home, in the workplace, behind closed doors, is always wrong. They must lead by example, embrace the training and hold each other to account. We all have a role to play in ending domestic abuse in Wokingham borough.
Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today
Thank you for your support Through Wokingham Today, I should like to thank the individuals and organisations who supported us this last Christmas – including the Wokingham Lions who donated some, most welcome, Christmas goodies, and the Berkshire Community Foundation, who have made us the, most generous, grant of£5,000. We are always very grateful for all donations. All individuals and organisations who support us, are acknowledged for their generosity , under the title, ‘Benefactors’, in my book, ‘There’s A Place For Us‘ – the 30-year history of the Wokingham Crisis House, which was published in March 2021. Copies are available on Amazon, but if any benefactor would like to have a free, signed, copy, they are most welcome to drop in to the crisis house, and collect one. We are open from 10.30am to 4.30pm, on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.
Pam Jenkinson – The Wokingham Crisis House.
CHURCH NOTES
Where will the new year lead us?
A
S we welcome the New Year, and begin our journey in to 2022, where will it lead us? Uppermost in everyone’s mind must be Covid-19. Will it see an end to the Omicron variant? Will a new variant appear? Will we see a much less virulent form of covid become our travelling companion? For many of us, we regard a New Year as a new start, we make resolutions, we break them, we retry and often fail, and so our journey continues. I want to focus on another journey, made in very different times by three men from the East. These men who studied the night sky closely had seen a very bright star and they knew it heralded a major event. They took it as an indication that an extraordinary person had been born in the land of Judea. They set out to find him. They travelled from, probably Persia, modern day Iran, to Judea. The journey was long, and I would imagine very uncomfortable, no aircraft seats and bar service, but the uncomfortable ride on the back of a camel. On their arrival in Jerusalem, they asked where is the one born King of the Jews? They were pointed in the direction of Bethlehem. There they found the Christ child with his parents. They had been asked by King Herod to reveal the actual place where the baby was, he wanted to ‘worship him’, the Magi had been warned in a dream, and had faith a’plenty to ignore Herod’s request, and return home by another route. We have just celebrated a second ‘Covid Christmas’ a difficult time for many; without the real meaning of Christmas at the heart of our celebrations, the season is empty. The Wise men travelled far to see the Baby Jesus. Their journey was long and hard, as we travel this New year journey, who will your travelling companion be? The Revd Marina Brain is the community centre manager for the Wokingham Salvation Army Corps, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
A darn good read Wokingham’s Conservatives have just produced a leaflet saying Enough is Enough which is critical of 4,500+ houses at Hall Farm in Arborfield. I must admit it made a darn good read. Whether its a civil war between Conservatives in the North of the Borough (no houses here mate) and their compatriots in the South (all the houses here then) or the most audacious of cunning plans to get votes I cannot make my mind up. Baldrick may know the answer as he is the cunning plan expert. With an election in May all the seats in the North (no houses
I hope you will allow me to use your columns to express my gratitude to the numerous Good Samaritans who came to my assistance after I tripped and fell opposite the Broad Street Tavern at about 12.30 pm on Wednesday, January 5. First aiders advised I should I lie still until an ambulance arrived. Miss Mann and another helper made several phone calls, including 999. Help arrived from nearby businesses - hot drink from the Broad Street Tavern, hot and cold water from Cafe Rouge, a filled hot here mate) safe as houses (no pun intended) the danger is they will be crushed in the South of the Borough (all the houses here). They know they are safe in the Northern Parishes but are at serious risk in the South so it could be a brilliant political strategy to keep control in the South. Perhaps one for the sleuthing powers of others to get to the real answer. The leaflet has been produced by Wokingham’s Conservative Offices in Rose Street. It could be read as being critical of Wokingham Boroughs Housing Local Plan update. Interestingly they don’t mention if one is against a location (Hall Farm) they should nominate alternatives which of course could probably have to be in Barkham or in the North of the Borough. Very clever. What I find bizarre is, as I see it the Conservative Executive agree the Local Housing Plan consultation the Conservative Group would have to approve it by a majority in a previously secretly held Group meeting. The Conservatives use secret Group and Executive Briefing
Helena Badger
R
The charity has a number of roles available. These include; Collector box volunteer- going around local areas dropping off and collecting Collection boxes, Events ambassador - Assisting at our events throughout the year, assist on stalls or marshalling at challenge events and Charity ad hoc volunteers - that can help out in our office, assist with donations, ebay, foreign coins etc. We are looking for volunteers that can fit in with our small team and assist in anyway you can. n The Link Visiting Scheme aims to reduce isolation and promote
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 kindess of strangers
Volunteer corner
OYAL Berks Charity are based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital and are essential in supporting the work the NHS and the hospital does.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
friendship. We rely on our volunteer Befrienders to improve and enhance the lives of older people. We do this through quality time and focused attention; a chance to hear stories of days gone by and build a connection. With the covid situation over the last 18 months, we have not been able to provide our normal face to face service, however now restrictions are easing we have now resumed this, and we would like to recruit and train new volunteers to help as we also start to resume some of our additional activities. We ask you to give one or two hours per week or per fortnight to visit and offer friendship and support. Regular visits are our minimum requirement for at least six months. We provide training before you start visiting and on-going training
water bottle from the Wokingham Pharmacy, a sleeping bag from an office close by, two blankets from somewhere and no doubt other items I missed. Special mention should be made of Dave( ?), who was first to my aid and remained with me until the ambulance came about three hours later. He made himself a support for my back and worked to stem the blood seepage, as well as placing his own coat over me until the blankets arrived.
My wait to be seen in A&E was a short one and I have nothing but praise for the care and professionalism of the ambulance crew, including Victoria, and the nursing staff at the A&E of Royal Berks. Fortunately I was allowed home early that evening. To all of these kind people I express my most sincere thanks. May your God bless you.
Derek Coller, Wokingham
meetings to develop policy before it sees the light of day at public Council or Executive Meetings so where has this change of heart suddenly come from? Afraid of losing the election in May I wonder? My reading of the situation is that to come out and say now (May elections are less than three months away) they are opposed to Hall Farm is just a cynical political ploy to try and shore up their waning support in the South of the Borough. To also try and blame it on the Conservative Government is rich when one considers that are all Conservatives are in the same party and they all must contribute to that party to remain a Councillor. Trying to fool all of the people all of the time should be number one on a Conservative manifesto. May is really an opportunity to give Wokingham’s Conservatives a deserved electoral beating and any vote for anyone but a Conservative is a vote for Wokingham’ Borough’s residents. It also an election where I would love to see many more independent candidates stand as independents
usually live and care about their communities and they are not tied to the political doctrinaire baggage other parties carry.
if you need it. We have a support structure in place so you can always call on someone if you have any questions or concerns. We stay in touch regularly and put on events so you can meet other volunteers too.
emotional support. You will have an empathetic nature and understand the difficulties when someone faces cancer. You are asked to commit to a possible weekly session, but this may vary depending on individual arrangements. Volunteers receive full training and will be asked for references and be expected to agree to a DBS reference check.
n The Cancer Support Network has been established to support people living in and around the Wokingham, Bracknell, Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead boroughs that are affected by cancer. The aim of the network is to support people through their cancer journey offering, direct peer-to-peer voluntary support, monthly group meet-ups, an online chat facility, an information/signposting hub and health and wellbeing events. We aim to support people when they are feeling vulnerable or alone through a holistic programme of support. We bring people together to share experiences. It’s essential that you will have had your own cancer experience. You will either be a cancer survivor or have cared for a close loved one in the past. We are specifically looking for Cancer Champion Volunteers. Volunteers offer direct support and to lend a listening ear and offer
Cllr Gary Cowan, Independent Borough Councillor for Arborfield at Wokingham Borough Council
Give to ShelterBox The typhoon that hit the Philippines a few weeks ago has devastated a country that was already recovering and rebuilding from previous storms. At the disaster relief charity ShelterBox, we have team members on the ground there. With the help of the Rotary Club of Cebu, we have been distributing shelter kits and other essential items to people whose homes have been destroyed. We have already provided emergency aid, like tarpaulins and solar lights, to more than 1,000 households (5,000 people). We hope to help more than 8,000 more households whose homes have been destroyed. With more than half a million people still with nowhere to live, we have more aid on its way to
n These are just a few roles on our books. Please 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 . PLEASE NOTE: THE WOKINGHAM VOLUNTEER CENTRE WILL BE MOVING OFFICES FROM WEDNESDAY 12TH JANUARY 2022, OUR NEW ADDRESS WILL BE: CHARITY & COMMUNITY HUB, FIRST FLOOR, WATERFORD HOUSE, ERFSTADT COURT, DENMARK STREET, WOKINGHAM, RG40 2YF. In line with current government guidance, our staff will be remote working as much as possible, so please call ahead of visiting to make sure there will be someone there to help with your enquiry,
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Take time to do something new I was touched by Phil Creighton’s New Year resolution column in last week’s paper. I had just finished the activity encouraged by Creative Spirit (Zoom this week from Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street) which encouraged us to write, paint, be creative with colours or paper folding based on Psalm 15. It’s after my letter, for you to enjoy. My New Year resolution. Maybe not as effective as surely yours is but, as I enjoy the Poetry Corner feature (sad to see it missing this week), I thought I would share it with you. Continue your good work. So pleased to see a report on Wokingham Choral Society’ 70th year and recent concerts AND the exceptional Nativity scene produced by Crowthorne Methodist members. God Bless you in all your endeavours.
Nina Preston, Wokingham reach as many of them as we can. The Filipino people are resilient, but Typhoon Rai has caused widespread destruction, affecting almost seven million people – many who were already living below the poverty line. More than 800,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed since the typhoon made landfall last month. With the help of your readers, we hope to be able to help more families who haven’t been able to return to their homes. To find out more about the relief effort and how to support our Typhoon Rai Appeal, visit our website, shelterbox.org.
Alice Jefferson Head of Emergency Responses ShelterBox
Creative Spirit Psalm 15: New Year, New Start, new resolutions? To make? To decide on-.eventually to break??? What can I say? What can I do? . To make and to break !.? What a farce! Do something NEW! Where I stand is a new place! A place, where I have seen??… A perfect world! A world that embraces a rule, a law Of care and love without a flaw. Where I stand is with a visionOf perfection, Of Peace, of joy and beauty, Where one view is the view of loveRevealed through a baby born in poor circumstances, Grown to manhood in a skilled and hard profession His life ended Cruelly by people who did not recognise The perfection of his words, his life or his love. And now he has shared his vision with all-
Share your memories
There are some big financial holes to fill from the last couple of years, with car parking income significantly down, having to cover the costs for the closure and furlough of staff in the leisure centres, having to give rent breaks to tenants in the council’s managed properties and the extra support provided to those who were most in need. Covid has cost us millions. However, there are also several new and large financial problems coming our way and I don’t see our Conservative-led Council doing much to make themselves ready for it. One is the extra payments that we will need to cover the ‘Care cap’. Up till now, someone with assets over £23,250 has to pay for all of their nursing home and home care privately. In 2023, essential care costs will be
So I stand at the door of a New Year and wonder? And I cry to you for help! To you, Father of the child born in a stable! To you the God of creation. And wonder!? Will you chase away my enemies? The people who laugh at my faith, Who deride your existence, Who destroy you places of worship?
Will you give me the strengthto hold fast to my resolutions? My resolutions to accept my limitations But to fill my days with caring and loving actions Towards those I love most dearlyand to those I do not know but am aware of their need! My resolution to start each day with you My Lord, And to fulfil my promises to you and myself Each day, every day, With you as my helper Father , God, You have shown me joy In your hidden incidents! Those moments of joy Following unexpected developments with strangers, Who became friends! Help me now to trust in your guidance! Give me the physical strength to follow your way! And fill my heart with your love for everyone I meet And those who are dearest to me! AMEN
the Alexandra Nurses’ practices for the District Nursing Service when it was set up in 1948. SSAFA nurses are still at work today as part of our Community Health Care Team. These dedicated professionals provide first-class nursing and midwifery services to British Armed Forces personnel and their families posted overseas in Cyprus, SHAPE, Gibraltar, Brunei, Kenya, and BATUS in Canada. To mark the 130th anniversary of this service, I am inviting your readers to tell us about their family connection to our SSAFA nurses. It might be your mother or grandmother, an aunt or a sister, or a male relative.
It could even be you. Please get in touch to share your recollections and photographs of SSAFA nurses throughout the years, so we can celebrate these stories as part of the 130th anniversary .Please send your stories and photographs to ssafa.sisters@ssafa. org.uk or by post to the address below with the envelope marked SSAFA Nursing 130 by March 30, 2022.
capped at a lifetime limit of £86,000 and the local councils will have to pick up the rest of the bill. An admirable concept, at least in the short term. While there will be an increase in National Insurance to help fund this, it is very unlikely to cover the whole cost and we have yet to see how much of that money will come to Wokingham Borough Council. As we are considered to be an affluent area, I very much doubt the full costs of our care requirements will be covered. There is also a hidden cost with care homes which I don’t think has been thought through. Council funded residents are paid for in a ‘bulk buy’ lower rate than the privately funded residents. This means that the care home financial models have been put together assuming a higher level of income from privately funded residents. This level is, of course, about to change, as councils will not be
expecting to pay the full rate for their supported residents when they reach their £86,000 limit – and this cost difference will have to be covered somehow. This, on top of the loss of care staff due to Brexit, is a problem in waiting. In addition, Wokingham Borough Council has decided to cancel the contract for its Public Health obligations and do it all internally. The costs for this service were being shared with Bracknell Forest Borough Council and West Berkshire. While I agree that there were problems with our Public Health provision, it will be an extremely costly and time-consuming exercise to bring it all in house again and I don’t see that all of the consequences, never mind the financial ones, have been considered – at least not anywhere that anyone can find publicly. Another financial headache that has just landed is the delay of the Special Educational Needs and Disability School, due to be built in Winnersh. Currently, Wokingham Borough Council has to send many of their Special Needs children to schools outside of the area at a considerable cost. Building a new school locally is desperately needed, not only to reduce that cost but to lower the impact of long journeys on these children and their families.
However, the Department for Education has inexplicably and suddenly removed their share of the funding for this school, leaving Wokingham Borough Council to pick up the difference. Yet again, it seems to be a very ill-judged move by our Conservative Government. Unforeseen bills, like the school, will happen, but in the meantime our Conservative councillors continue to assume that borrowing money, with no clear plan on how to pay it all back is the answer. They also agree to spend public money on ill-thought out schemes, such as the Christmas Market and Skating Rink at Cantley Park without exploring a proper business plan. This should have included what local people could realistically afford to pay for the stalls as well as what people were willing to pay to be there. I can’t help feeling that a great opportunity to support businesses in the town has been missed by placing this at a remote location, over a mile out of the town centre. Whatever happens, it will be ultimately an extra cost to those of us who are taxpayers to cover the ill thought-out solutions of a Conservative Council combined with a Conservative government.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey
W
And yet again it is being rejectedDebunked! Destroyed by mere humans Who cannot see the wealth hidden between his words! The jewels of faith and hope and love Shared between humankind across the world! Ignoring the differences of colour of Language and personal gifts of music, and prose and Art and loving care, But insisting on rigid rules which turn most lives into an act of slaveryor a few into Midas rich owners of enough money to feed the world of starving people.
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity has had many memorable anniversaries since Major James Gildea founded the-then Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association in 1885. One anniversary that SSAFA is particularly proud to celebrate takes place in 2022. This year sees the 130th anniversary of the inauguration of SSAFA nurses – then called the Alexandra Nurses. Established in 1892, they provided professional care to the wives and families of soldiers and sailors in garrison and seaport towns across the world. Such was their success that the UK’s National Health Service adopted
From the chamber
E are at the point where Wokingham Borough Council is licking its financial wounds inflicted by Covid-19.
VIEWPOINTS | 31
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Sir Andrew Gregory, CEO of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity Queen Elizabeth House 4 St Dunstan’s Hill London EC3R 8AD
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for finance, and ward councillor for Winnersh
Another view Neil Coupe
The promise of the future
O
NCE the chaos of Christmas and excesses of the holiday season are out of the way, there is something cathartic about taking down the tree, packing away the decorations and decluttering the house.
We are firmly in the camp of starting the festivities early, and ending them promptly on New Year’s Day. The house becomes normal again, with the only remaining issue is what to do with all those cards that people have gone to the effort of sending. It almost feels ungrateful to throw them away, but what else can be done with them? Thoughts then move on to plans for 2022. This time last year people were saying 2021 cannot be as bad as 2020, but I am not hearing such similar sentiments being expressed this year. Maybe this is the classically British approach of not wishing to tempt fate, but surely (speaking as a non-scientist) we must be approaching a time when lives are no longer overshadowed by talk of the virus? We are not quite there yet. On my return to work, I received an email from a German supplier saying that it would be impossible for them to find a haulier to deliver goods to the UK, as the drivers would have to go into quarantine on their return to Germany. The apparent reason for this, using a tremendous German word, is that the UK was considered to be a ‘Virusvariantengebiet‘ (which admittedly sounds much better than simply describing the UK as ‘Virus Variant Area‘). It may be a little cynical of me to ponder as to whether this may also be related to the introduction of physical checks on goods coming into the UK as from January 1, 2022, and the probable delays. This development, together with the avalanche of paperwork brought in in 2021 could be one of the issues of the coming months. Our Customs Clearance Agents sent us details of the new processes in a diagram form, which reminded me of school textbooks showing how the human body works. Looking on the bright side, economically we seem to be in a stronger position than anybody could have reasonably expected. People had feared a return to mass unemployment when the furlough scheme ended in September, yet this did not happen. In fact, prior to the onset of Omicron, a fear of not having enough work for people to do has gone full circle into a fear of not having enough people to do the work. Maybe we can afford ourselves a little optimism as the new year dawns. People are starting the year full of good intentions, so gyms are packed, vows are made around Dry January, and earnest discussions around having a more ‘plant-based’ diet are heard throughout the country. This first week of the new year feels like we are gently coming out of hibernation. Normality slowly re-emerges, but the first week feels gentle, as the roads are still quieter than usual before the schools return. The days are noticeably longer as we move two weeks away from the equinox, and we can dare to think that Spring is not too far away. Talk even turns to plans for the year ahead (‘covid permitting’) and people dare to circle future dates in their calendars. Will this be the year when people actually have the opportunity to go on holiday again, with a host of checks being required beforehand? Let’s hope that 2022 will be a pleasant surprise to all of us.
32
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
New year, new education courses WOKINGHAM Adult Education have a range of courses beginning this month for those wishing to try something new this year. Classes available cover a number of subjects, including improving digital skills, parenting workshops, and learning more about wellbeing. The team also offers courses designed to help people improve their English and maths skills, and sessions aimed at those seeking employment or a career change. Examples of courses starting in January and February include IT skills for work, managing anxiety in children and yoga for wellbeing. Learners can also attend sessions on being a teaching assistant and working in schools, Microsoft Excel for beginners, and money management. Venues for courses include Woodley Hill House, Earley and the Bradbury Centre, Wokingham. Lessons will also be delivered online via Zoom. Fees vary. Many are free. Others are free to those in receipt of benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support and Universal Credit. n For more information, visit the course listing website: sites. google.com/view/wokinghamacl/courses
Fireworks trust gifts £500 to borough mayor’s charity By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised for charity following the Wokingham Fireworks display in November last year.
The Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust raised more than £30,000 for charity through its annual fireworks display and is donating £500 to Wokingham borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker’s charity for his mayoral year — Chance to Dance Stars CIC. Cllr Baker said: “I am delighted that Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust have chosen Chance to Dance Stars CIC as one of their good causes to support. “On behalf of Wokingham Borough Council, I would like to extend my thanks to the Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust for this donation and to praise them for all the good work they do.” Cllr Baker also thanked residents who attended the fireworks display and donated. Wokingham Fireworks Charitable Trust Chairman
PROTECT THE HOME: South East Water is advising its customers to protect pipes and outside taps
BANG: The returning event raised more than £30,000 in total Picture: Jess Warren David Gold thanked the town and borough councils as well as the community for their support of the event. He added: “The Trust is comprised of members from five Service Clubs, Rotary, Lions and Unicorn. “After 2020’s enforced absence due to Covid restrictions, every effort was made to reinstate this major
WPR_2022-01-10_TheWokinghamPaper_16x4 (1)_Just Go
WorcesterObserver
Reader travel
STRATFORD
F1 SPECTACULAR
& Cotswolds Weekend Special
The British Grand Prix
BritishGrandPrix4daysbyRail_F.pdf
Departing Sat 26 Mar ‘22
Departing Sat 2 Jul ‘22
Your break includes
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Wokingham 2 nights at a selected hotel in Coventry with dinner & breakfast 2 for 1 bar (6pm‑9pm) on selected drinks Excursion to the Cotswolds (Bourton‑on‑the‑Water, Stow‑on‑the‑Wold & Broadway) En‑route visit to Stratford‑upon‑Avon
Return coach travel from Wokingham Overnight stay at a selected 3‑star hotel with breakfast Admission to the F1 British Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday (General Admission ticket), with coach transfer Upgrade to the Luffield Grandstand for £195pp
3 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £30
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
99
349
2 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £35
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
For more information, or to book, please call
03332 342 527 Quote WPR
or visit us online at justgoholidays.com/WPR 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
justgohols JGTravelGroup
fundraiser, in its 32nd year, to its rightful position as one of the Town’s most popular community events with every penny raised being donated to deserving charities.” The Cantley Park event was held on Saturday, November 6, and started with a torchlight procession from Wokingham Town’s Market Place, led by St Sebastian’s band.
South East Water offers free kit to protect pipes DUE TO the current cold snap, South East Water is advising its customers to protect pipes and outside taps now to prevent a domestic disaster. The company warned that unprotected water pipes in homes and businesses are at risk of freezing and bursting — leading to extensive water damage throughout the property. When a pipe bursts inside the home or in the boundary of a property they are usually the
Have a say on borough’s climate emergency plan RESIDENTS have been invited to have their say on climate change. Wokingham Borough Council is recruiting members for Let’s Talk Climate, a project that aims to bring together a wide range of people interested in discussing environmental issues. Topics will include the council’s climate emergency action plan and new ways to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint. The borough council declared a climate emergency in 2019. Cllr Gregory Murray, executive member for resident services, communications and emissions, said that Let’s
Band puts focus on The Cowshed A LOWER EARLEY-based band is putting its focus away from music to raise awareness of its 2022 charity partner. This year, Trinity Concert Band will be raising funds to support the work of The Cowshed, which helps people of all backgrounds in a time of personal crisis. It provides good quality cleaned and ironed clothes and other essentials free to anyone in need.
Talk Climate is the next stage in developing the borough council’s climate plan. “We want to hear from lots of different voices, whether you are already engaged in climate issues or not yet sure,” he said. “It’s important for us to understand the thoughts and feelings of a cross-section of community members across the borough.” Peer group meetings will take place from February and be led by facilitators. Ideas will be put forward to a wider panel in May. Expressions of interest to join groups close on Thursday, January 20.
n For more information, visit: engage.wokingham.gov.uk
To help, Trinity is focusing on some of the other essentials and is asking for donations of a range of baby equipment. These must all be in good condition. The list includes highchairs with a five-point harness, double buggies, a pram suitable for use from birth, Moses baskets without mattress, baby baths, cot (not drop sided), a cot-bed, bouncy chairs (from birth), playgyms, stairgates and microwave sterilisers. n Anyone who can help can call The Cowshed on 0118 934 5120, or email info@thecowshed.org
home owner’s responsibility to repair. To prevent this, the company is offering free industry approved pipe lagging and outdoor tap protectors through its website. Steve Andrews, head of central operations at the company, said: “By insulating water pipes and outdoor taps now, this will help prevent them from freezing and bursting.” n For the winter lagging kit, visit: southeastwater.co.uk/winter
Deputy Mark given fire service role full-time
A TEMPORARY role is to become permanent, following a recruitment search. Last week, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service announced that Mark Arkwell is to be the new deputy chief fire officer. It’s a role he’s held on a temporary basis since January last year. His full-time appointment was ratified by the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority on Wednesday, 5 January. Wayne Bowcock, RBFRS’s chief fire officer, said: “I would like to congratulate Mark. He has an outstanding record and will be focused on continuing to provide the best possible service to the people of Royal Berkshire. “With more than 22 years’ of Service in Surrey and Royal Berkshire, Mark has a wealth of experience and skill and will be well placed to lead the Service on the next stage on its journey of continuous improvement.” And Mr Arkwell was proud and honoured with his new role. “It is a privilege to work alongside so many exceptional colleagues and Fire Authority Members and I am looking forward to continuing to improve our Service for the benefit of the people of Royal Berkshire,” he said.
NEWS | 33
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Wokingham Citizens Advice helps more than 7,000 residents in 2021 HELPING HAND: Jake Morrison, chief executive of citizens Advice Wokingham Picture: Stewart Turkington
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
A BOROUGH charity has helped more than 7,000 residents in the last year to work through problems facing their families.
The team at Citizens Advice Wokingham worked through 12,746 issues during 2021 to help people living across the borough. Chief executive, Jake Morrison, said that this year, his team were the 11th highest performing Citizens Advice service in England and Wales in terms of number of calls answered. They picked up 10,622 calls, helping a total of 5,275 clients and supporting 1,738 people living with these clients through the solutions provided. This has ranged from help with benefits, money management, letting issues, mental health and unfair dismissal at work. “We’re here to help unpick the situation and provide options to move forward,” Mr Morrison said. Claire Oughton, advice and operations manager at the charity, said that her proudest moment has been reaching so many clients. “I think our team are fantastic and we should all be very proud
of our achievements,” she said. One client, Daniella, whose name has been changed, was dismissed from work due to her health. “Our view was that Daniella had a case for unfair dismissal and had been subject to direct disability discrimination,” Mr Morrison explained. “With Daniella, we submitted an employment tribunal claim. “While this case took around a year to resolve, Daniella received a financial settlement offer above their expectations — resulting in a successful outcome.” Mr Morrison said that his team have also helped to get £906,895 of debts written off and more than £1.6million of
income gains for clients. “This year we continued to strive for excellence,” he said. “In our quarterly client experience survey, 88% of our clients suggest that they would recommend our services and 85% of clients have managed to find a way forward with their problem with our help at the time of contact.” One client, Rebecca, whose name has been changed, said that without the help of one of the team, she wouldn’t be in the position she is now. “I had an urgent issue with work and being six months pregnant at the time, it was incredibly stressful,” she said. “I called Citizens Advice and I can honestly say without
Plan for 33 homes in Hurst rejected A SCHEME for 33 homes has been refused planning permission – partly because of the risk of losing a a green field that may be nationally important, writes Sue Corcoran. Scores of Hurst villagers had objected to the plan for the site in narrow Broadcommon Road. On Tuesday Wokingham Borough Council revealed why they refused planning permission. “There is ... lack of detail [in the proposal about] the significance of the ridge and furrow field and the proposal has the potential for the loss of an irreplaceable landscape feature of national importance,” said the council’s letter. Objector Anne Hoskins had said the field was over 500 years old. “The field is of virgin soil which has never been ploughed and has been in agricultural use for only grazing and making hay or silage. “When the developers sent contractors to make their bore holes they were entering into soil and sub-soil that was only once previously disturbed by human beings when some land drains were put in in the 1970s. “The soil is ancient, rich in biodiversity and nutrients and with an unknown history. To my mind, virgin soil is heritage in itself. Given that it is virgin soil it is likely to be
FIELDS: A view of Broadwater Lane in Hurst
[grade] 3a, which, according to Government policy, should be protected from significant, inappropriate or unsustainable development.” The council said it was also concerned about great crested newts and bats which are protected species, reptiles and breeding birds being harmed. “Due to a lack of adequate and reliable information the council cannot be satisfied that the proposal will not have a harmful impact,” it said. Significant biodiversity loss was likely. The site was outside Hurst’s development boundaries and the buildings would harm the rural character of the area. The new residents would have too far to walk to services, public transport and schools, meaning more car use and
carbon emissions. More traffic would mean safety risks for walkers including school children. Not enough information had been provided to judge if the scheme would mean losing the best and most versatile farming land. And the proposal did not provide enough public open space, parks and gardens. In the absence of a satisfactory legal agreement, the proposal did not provide adequately for affordable housing and the proposed affordable housing did not suit the area and borough’s needs. Hurst Parish Council, and Hurst Village Society objected to the scheme. Dom Palmer-Tomkinson, of Leaper Land Promotion, which applied for the permission, declined to comment.
Richard Tredgett’s help and support, I would not have managed to be in the position I am now. “Richard helped me to understand my rights and also supported me emotionally during the whole process. He was on hand whenever I needed him and I felt as though he genuinely cared.” Mr Morrison thanked his team, and said that the 18 staff and 80 volunteers are the backbone of the charity. “We would not be able to provide such high-quality help if it was not for our team.” he said. Rob Barnard, lead employment adviser at the charity said that last year,
they successfully closed 89 of 97 employment cases, securing more than £318,000 at employment tribunals. “[These are] awards and settlements of which we are very proud,” he said. This year, the charity promises to hit the streets even more, now that it has a advice van. “More people will know that we are here to help, and [we will] be more accessible to those living in our communities across the borough,” Mr Morrison said. He also hopes to re-instate face-to-face drop-ins and appointments for some clients at the charity’s office in Wokingham town centre. It has been gradually repaired and renovated following a leaky roof. Mr Morrison thanked all of Citizens Advice Wokingham’s charity partners for their cooperation and support. In the last year, his team signposted residents to more than 110 support services in the area, including Wokingham United Charities, The Cowshed and Wokingham Foodbank. He also thanked all those who help to fund the charity.
n For more information, visit: www.citizensadvicewokingham. org.uk
Join Friends of Fox Hill for AGM A CONSERVATION group is inviting new members to join them for their annual general meeting. The Friends of Fox Hill will be holding its AGM on Sunday, January 23. It will be online and begin at 3pm. Richard Westwood of Wokingham Borough Council countryside services will be guest speaker. Fox Hill is an area of woodland in Woosehill, Wokingham. The group is made up from volunteers with in interest in helping to support conservation and access to the wood. n For more information, visit: friendsoffoxhill.org
Panto cancelled A SWALLOWFIELD theatre group has cancelled all performances of its panto. The Russell Players were due to take to the stage next month with their version of Goldilocks, Three Bears and the Detectives. But continued uncertainty and the complications of staging their production due to covid, the group’s committee decided to postpone. Details of the new performance dates for the pantomime will follow as soon as possible. n For more information, visit: russellplayers.co.uk
34 | NEWS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
News from your clubs & groups. Email news@wokingham.today
INTHECOMMUNITY
Go wassailing in Wokingham with OBJ this Sunday
WHAT A CARD: Sue Spiller, Age UK Berkhsire (back row, centre), with members of 2nd Lower Earley Brownies pose with their Christmas cards.
Earley Guides become penpals with Age UK Berkshire
COLOURS: Members of OBJ Morris Wassail in Wokingham town centre Picture: OBJ Morris A MORRIS group has invited people to join them in an ancient custom this Sunday.
OBJ Morris will be holding a wassail in Wokingham Market Square on Sunday, January 16. The ceremony will begin at 1.30pm. It will include Morris dancing, traditional songs and music, and the wassail ceremony. Wassailing is a custom of visiting orchards to encourage
fruit trees to produce a good harvest in the coming year. It traditionally took place around Twelfth Night or Plough Sunday. OBJ include parts of the custom which survived long enough to be documented, such as the wassail cake and hunting the wren. The ceremony begins when whoever gets the piece of the wassail cake containing a bean
becomes the King or Queen of the Bean, and presides over the ceremony. Traditional songs are sung, evil spirits are driven away by loud noises, and a toy wren is buried amongst the apple tree’s roots. Beer or cider is then poured into the tree and toast placed in its branches, to encourage the tree to produce a good harvest. n For more information, visit: obj. org.uk
Wokingham Lions plan bumper year including new classic car show A WOKINGHAM club is anticipating a bumper year ahead, with a mix of new and existing events for 2022. Wokingham Lions Club president Andy Goffin said old favourites will return this year, including the May Fayre on Monday, May 2. Also back are the Wokingham Walks. One will be held on Sunday, May 8, and another is planned for the autumn. The club will also host its quiz nights and comedy evenings. The team will be collaborating with other local groups to bring the Wokingham Fireworks to Cantley Park on Saturday, November 5. And for the first time, the Lions are now solely responsible for the Wokingham Winter Carnival,
NEW: Classic car and bike show Picture: Steady Hand Co. on Unsplash on Sunday, November 27. “We’ll be looking to put a new spin on an already popular family day out,” Mr Goffin said. “We’re also planning a brand-new event for the summer — the first Wokingham Classic Car and Motorbike Show.” It will be held on Saturday, July 2. He added: “With all these exciting plans to bring to fruition, we’re actively looking
for new members to join Wokingham Lions Club. “If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get involved in community events and help raise funds for local charities and individuals in need, then please contact us. “Don’t worry if you’re unable to commit to anything regular, as we’re also looking to build a bank of volunteers who would occasionally be willing to give a couple of hours of their time to help out at major events.” Mr Goffin said that the Wokingham Lions are dedicated to supporting the community and having fun. Event updates can be found on the Facebook page, @WokinghamLions.
n For more information on the Wokingham Lions Club, visit: www.wokinghamlions.org.uk or call 0345 833 7384.
GIRLGUIDING units in Earley and Lower Earley have launched a scheme to befriend older members of the community. Girls from 2nd Lower Earley Brownies and 1st Earley Guides decided to start a letter exchange with senior citizens after a receiving a visit from Age UK Berkshire before Christmas. Sue Spiller from the charity spoke to the groups about how some people face social isolation and loneliness which becomes
more apparent over the festive period. In response, the girls made a selection of Christmas cards which Age UK Berkshire delivered to many of their clients. The Brownies and Guides were keen to continue playing their part to tackle the issue and so started a letter exchange project. Julie Dennis, Bulmershe division commissioner for Girlguiding UK, is pleased to be leading the scheme.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our young members to make a difference to the lives of some of the elderly people in our communities,” she said. Ms Spiller added: “A project like this where our clients can connect with the younger generation and share their stories is of huge benefit to their wellbeing.” Both Ms Dennis and Ms Spiller hope that the project will bring pleasure to all taking part.
Austen House celebrates new year STAFF and residents at a Lower Earley care home brought the New Year in, in style when Big Ben struck midnight on New Year’s Eve. Austen House’s New Year’s Eve party was in full swing with festive foods, dancing, music and games. Residents enjoyed a choice of bubbly, bucks fizz and a festive feast prepared by head chef, Ainsworth Brown. General manager, Charles Sadler said: “Our residents love a party and New Year’s Eve has to be the best reason to stay up later than usual. We’re all really excited to see what 2022 has to offer us all.” Peter, resident at Austen House said: “I have to say 2021 has been challenging for all of us, so I almost wanted to stay up to make sure it was over. “I’m only joking — it was lots of fun to join in the party and count down to the start of 2022 – I love the excitement of Peter sees in the new year with a New Year.” smile All pictures: Austen House
Council recognised for commitment to ex-forces staff
WOKINGHAM Borough Council has gained national recognition of its commitment to the Armed Forces. The Council was awarded bronze in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which encourages employer organisations to support people who served in the military. The bronze award is awarded to employers who have pledged to support the armed forces, signed the Armed Forces Covenant, promoted being armed forces-friendly and are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans, including those who are wounded, injured or sick, cadet instructors and military spouses and partners. Armed Forces champion Cllr Angus Ross said that he is delighted the borough council has received the bronze award. “I hope the council will continue their efforts to move towards obtaining silver and gold award accreditation,” he added. The council’s commitment to the covenant include working with partners on the Royal Observer Corps memorial on the new Arborfield by-pass and delivering courses for army wives from Nepal that combined cultural and English language learning. Support for the armed forces community is also embedded in the council’s housing allocation policy. In spring 2021, leaders from Berkshire’s six unitary councils formed the Royal Berkshire Civilian Military Partnership Board. The aim is to foster closer working between the councils, plus the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, agencies and the military, in order to support the county’s armed forces community.
NEWS | 35
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
‘It’s a victory for residents’ as 5G mast plans dismissed EXCLUSIVE
5G: The mast would have been visible from the park, looking towards Gipsy Lane Picture: Jess Warren
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A 5G TELEPHONE mast planned for Wokingham town centre has been stopped, after an appeal from EE was dismissed.
The company, which is part of the BT group, had submitted an application to build a telecoms mast behind Gipsy Lane. This was rejected by the borough council, but EE appealed the decision. In a “victory for residents”, this appeal has been dismissed by the borough council. Cllr Maria Gee, Liberal Democrat councillor for Wescott, said that more than 70 residents stood up to defend the character and beauty of the area. She said that the appeal was dismissed on the mast’s effect on protected trees adjacent to the site, and the appearance of the area. “EE Ltd did not submit an arboricultural assessment which would have revealed the effect on tree roots near the site, with a
consequent effect on tree canopy,” she added. In the appeal dismissal, the planning inspector said that the mast would be visible as an “incongruous unnatural structure and out of scale” with the area. There were also concerns that it would detract from the woodland “which provides an attractive feature among the otherwise open common with wide vistas”. In Cllr Gee’s own comments on the application, she said that
the proposal was not suitable for Langborough Recreation Ground and the two adjacent conservation areas, and said it would be a “visual detriment” to residents, visitors to the park, and walkers. She was also concerned that its ecological impact on local wildlife had not been considered. Cllr Gee suggested upgrading existing telecoms equipment, and suggested alternative nearby spots that could be improved, including adding the equipment
to an existing electricity pylon. “Where new masts are required, equipment should be sympathetically designed, and camouflaged where appropriate,” she said. “I do not think that this requirement has been met. “It would have been very visible from Langborough Rec, looking towards Gipsy Lane,” she said. Cllr Gee thanked residents for actively opposing the mast, as well as the borough council’s planning department for their work.
36 | NEWS
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
INTHECLASSROOM
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Share news from your schools, nurseries and play groups. Send reports to news@wokingham.today
Dolphin pupils bring Hans Christian Andersen to life PUPILS at a Wokingham school reimagined the work of Hans Christian Andersen in their latest production.
SHOW TIME: Pupils reimagined classic tales in their recent production Picture: The Dolphin School
“In our original production Hans, we explored Andersen’s early life and several of his stories,” a spokesperson for the school said. This included The Nightingale, The Princess and the Pea and The Snow Queen. “Fairy tales are complex things to re-imagine onstage,”
said the school spokesperson. “Get them wrong and the moral disappears in a puff of smoke. Get them right and the stories resonate with your audience long after the final curtain has fallen.” Andersen’s stories are read across the world. “They have become collective cultural property,” said the school spokesperson. “I wonder what Hans Christian Andersen would make of his
www.st-cecilias.wokingham.sch.uk admissions@st-cecilias.wokingham.sch.uk
New School Opening in September 2022
stories being reinvented and reimagined on the screen, on the printed page, and now, on our Dolphin stage too. “He may have disapproved of some of the slightly saccharine modern versions with their endings re-written. But then again, he may not. After all, he wrote and rewrote many versions of his own life and many scholars question the authenticity of his autobiographical stories.” DONATED: The school has received a photo of the twinned tap Picture: Hawedon Primary School
Hurry, the window to apply for a September 2022 Reception Place for your child(ren) closes on 15 January. If you would like to apply for a place at this new school on the Matthewsgreen development, you will need to apply through your Local Authority by this date. This new school will have the capacity for up to 210 children aged between 4 and 11 with a 26 place Nursery. To apply for a Nursery place you will need to download an application form; which can be found on the school website .
To find out more about this new school please email admin@stcecilias.wokingham.sch.uk
www.st-cecilias.wokingham.sch.uk
Hawkedon Primary School donates tap A LOWER EARLEY primary school has made connections in Africa, after donating a tap. Hawkedon Primary School has twinned a tap with a community in Uganda, as an added benefit of updating its IT equiptment. The school bought more than £10,000 worth of new laptops Strider IT. In the last 18 months, Hawkedon has invested in more than £56,000 worth of new IT equipment for the school, which has included new laptops for all year groups and a new smart board in Year 1. As part of the purchase from Strider IT, the school was able to choose a country to donate a tap to. “Hawkedon are pleased that through the purchases of their new equipment, they were able to support a community project such as this, and urge more schools to look in to the initiative when making IT purchases,” said the school’s extended services manager, Nikki Gladwin-Stride. Across the globe, one in four people cannot access safe drinking water, with 122 million people drinking directly from sources such as rivers and ponds. The tap twinning was coordinated by TearFund, which runs water and sanitation programmes in around 25 countries. The charity works closely with communities to promote good hygiene including handwashing. n For more information, visit: taptwinning.org
37
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Classifieds
Get your business seen!
Email: advertising@wokingham.today
PUBLIC NOTICES
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application
Address
Reasons for Advert
Description
214140
12 Osborne Road, Wokingham
Conservation Area
Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension, including the insertion of 2no. roof lights, following demolition of existing conservatory, part garage conversion to create habitable accommodation, plus the replacement of existing flat garage roof with pitched roof.
214183
Major Application Land At 1040 And 1100 Series, Eskdale Road, Winnersh Triangle Business park
Full application for the proposed temporary erection of 2no. sound stage buildings for commercial filming and 8no. workshops, with associated access, parking, landscaping and infrastructure for a period of five years.
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 27th January 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: 13th January 2022
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (VARIOUS ROADS, WOKINGHAM BOROUGH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 6th 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: 1. Dunt Lane, Hurst between its junctions with Little Hill Road and Green Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Green Lane and Little Hill Road, or by this route in reverse. 2. Green Lane, Hurst between its junctions with Dunt Lane and Little Hill Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Dunt Lane and Little Hill Road, or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 17th January and 19th January 2022. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake installation work in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 17th January 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 13th January 2022 Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (SCARLETTS LANE, HARE HATCH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 6th 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: Scarletts Lane, Hare Hatch between its junctions with Milley Lane and A4 Bath Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Milley Lane and A4 Bath Road, or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 17th January 2022 and 18th January 2022. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake Sewer Cleaning works in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 17th January 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 13th January 2022 Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
For the latest news visit
For up to date news in the borough follow us on @wokingham.today
@WokinghamToday
@wokingham.today
38
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
ADVERT
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Adve r t i se r e g ul a r l y a nd save ££££s S pec i al rates f o r 4, 12, 26 an d 52 w eeks
R e ac h lo c al pe o ple We cove r t h e whole of the Wo k i n g h a m Bo r o u g h
Fr i e n d l y Service Email us t o d ay f o r a price
PET SITTING
More Eyes than a sack of potatoes!
ACROSS PRINT, WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA WE CAN HELP YOU REACH OVER 100,000 PAIRS OF EYES
ACCOUNTANCY
Our website (www.wokingham.today) has over 175,000 visits per month from over 100,000 unique visitors * Our Facebook posts reach over 150,000 people per month ** A range of other Social Media Channels and thousands of loyal readers of our weekly print edition combine to create an unrivalled local reach. Talk to us about how we can get these eyes on your business! Email: advertising@wokingham.today
*Google Analytics, 31 May - 29 June 2020 ** Facebook Analytics (based on 22-28 June 2020).
Phone: 0118 327 2662
PHOTOGRAPHER
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
TILING SPECIALISTS
39
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
HEALTH, FITNESS AND WELLBEING
PAINTING & DECORATING
TREE SURGEONS
KITCHEN DESIGN & INSTALLATION
GOODS WANTED WELL BEING
RECYCLING
REMOVALS
Please recycle me !
It’s good BUSINESS DIRECTORY news for everyone
TV AERIAL & SATELLITE
TECHNOLOGY
Modern retirement living, exclusively for the over 45’s If you’re looking for a convenient mix of town and country then our parks in Berkshire will allow you to enjoy the lifestyle you’ve always wanted in a place that you’ll love. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the countryside safe in the knowledge that you have all the amenities you need right on your doorstep. Take your pick from a range of plot sizes and design your own brand-new home or simply purchase a fully-furnished move in ready home and start enjoying your new lifestyle immediately. Range of plot sizes available I Part exchange and assisted move schemes Reserve your plot today NE RE W P LE H AS AS ED E
LA RE ST M PL AI O N TS IN G
O RE NE M P AI LO N T IN G
To find out more or to book your personal tour please call 01933 830054 or email info@tingdene.net
t: 01933 830054 e: info@tingdene.net www.tingdene-parks.net
Published byThe Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Trinity Mirror Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2022
LEISURETODAY LEISURE TODAY
Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
Sounds good
Wokingham Music Club is preparing for its 2022 gigs, including the return of Richard Digance and, later this month, Toyah. NATALIE BURTON finds out more
G
IGS at some of Wokingham’s live music venues are set to sound good this year.
Wokingham Music Club is looking to bring the crowds back to venues with its line up acts, which has so far been announced up until June. Organiser Stan Hetherington says that there is something to suit everyone in the programme for the first six months of this year. “Live music is just the most exciting art form,” he says. The line up kicks off this Friday, January 14, with Pink Floyd tribute band, Crazy Diamond.
The group will be performing classic albums Animals and Dark Side of the Moon in their entirety, with a few tracks from other albums thrown in for good measure. It takes place at the Royal British Legion, Winnersh, beginning at 8pm. Toyah’s sell out gig takes place the following Friday at the Whitty Theatre, Wokingham. Folksinger Richard Digance closes January’s listings. He returns to the Wokingham Music Club stage at Emmbrook Sports and Social Club on Friday, January 28. The programme for the following months includes Eric Bell, lead guitarist
with Thin Lizzy, soul from Funkin’ Souled Out and the country music sounds of acclaimed duo My Darling Clementine. While ticket sales and attendance at the club’s shows has been impacted by covid, Stan says that he has always been an optimist. “Covid has had a drastic impact on sales, they’re down to around 55% whereas beforehand we were at 90%,” he explains. “People have got out of the habit of going out. “But I am confident that things will pick up and we’ll recover, we’ve got a great line-up.” Indeed, a waiting list is in operating for tickets for Toyah. Tickets for all shows are on sale now. Prices for shows vary between £15 and £27.50. n For more information, including a full listing of shows until June and tickets, visit: wokinghammusicclub.co.uk/gigs
13.01.22
14 | LEISURE
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Out for Blood
Lovely jubbly
A NEW production of the classic Willy Russell musical Blood Brothers will open in Windsor this weekend. The show tells the moving story of twins who were separated at birth. They grow up on the opposite side of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. It is one of three musicals every to surpass 10,000 performances in London’s West End, and includes songs such as Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and Tell Me It’s Not True. This new production runs from Friday, through to Saturday, January 29. n For more details, call the box office on 01753 853888 or log on to www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/ bloodbrothers
IT’S ONE of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and now it’s being paid tribute to in a new show coming to Henley next week. Phoney Fools and Horses is a knockoff that Hookey Street would be proud of. The show is a homage to the show featuring impressionist Drew Cameron, and recreating Del Boy, Uncle Albert, Rodney, Boycie and Trigger – all from a cast of three. Organisers say it’s bonnet de douche and a laughter-packed night out. The show is at the Kenton Theatre on Thursday, January 20, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £21 or £19 for concessions. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 01491 525050 or log on to: www.kentontheatre.co.uk
Catch the train
Jam today A CELEBRATION of music from The Jam will take place in The Hexagon on Friday. The night focuses on the band’s fifth studio album, Sound Affects. It will be performed in full, along with other hits from the group. The album reached number two in the charts, and features two of the group’s most famous songs, Start! and That’s Entertainment. Led by original bassist with The Jam, Bruce Foxton, and Russell Hastings, From the Jam formed in 2007 performing around the world. Now they’re in Reading. Joining them for the show is The Selecter, led by the Queen of Ska, Pauline Black, and Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson. The show starts at 7pm. Entry costs £32 for standing tickets, and £37 for seated. An NHS Covid Pass is required for the venue. Under 14s must be accompanied and seated in the balcony. n For details, or to book, call: 0118 960 6060 or log on to: whatsonreading.com
World premiere SOUTH HILL PARK’S first concert of 2022 takes place on Friday this week with a world premiere. The Conservatoire International series returns with a performance by Mikhail Shilyaev. The pianist will be performing a programme that includes Beethoven’s Op.90 Sonata, Mompou’s Variations on a theme of Chopin and Chopin’s 3rd Sonata.
A SPECIAL charity evening featuring two star names is coming to The Mill at Sonning later this month. Peter Egan and Rick Wakeman are once again teaming up to raise funds for Animals Asia, which seeks to promote compassion and respect for all animals and works to end the bear bile trade in China and Vietnam. In recent years, it has rescued more than 500 And there will be the first performance of Solitude, a piece dedicated to Mikhail by composer Timur Ismagilov. The show takes place from 7.30pm and tickets cost £16, or £14 for members and £5.50 for under 18s. n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call: 01344 484123.
Wilde time THERE’S more live music at South Hill Park this weekend, as Wilde Sundays also makes its 2022 debut. The afternoon of music features three acts performing for your aural pleasure. Anna Renae is a rising star on the folk and acoustic music scene, her debut album Skin has received rave reviews across the board. Rich Atkinson and the New Billionaires perform story songs with a jazz influence and a lyrical twist. And Vanessa Webb and Andy Mathewson give an interesting twist
AT THE THEATRE Every week, we bring you a round-up of all shows taking place in the region’s theatres. It covers this weekend and next, so you can plan ahead and book tickets to the shows that you want to go and see.
Camberley – Theatre
As ever, coronavirus means that shows could be cancelled, postponed or rearranged at short notice. Check with theatres to avoid disappointment.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Conservatorie International Concert Series: Mikhail Shilyaev. Fri. Wilde Sundays: Anna Renae, Rich Atkinson and the New Billionaires, Vanessa Webb and Andy Mathewson. Sun. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 21. Polcas E Boas: An Evening of Brazilian Music. Sat 22.
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Lorna Timms Theatre Arts show. Fri 21-Sun 23.
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Southern Pro Music: Songs From the Show. Fri. A Night of Comedy with Lou Sanders, Steve Bugeja and More. Sat. Magic Goes Wrong by Mischief and Penn & Teller. Tues-Jan 30.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Hellfire Comedy Club. Thurs. Live Wresting: Kombat. Sat. Etoile Dance Company: Moving Through the Movies. Sun 23.
to classic compositions from earlier decades. It runs from 2pm to 4pm and tickets cost £8.50. n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call: 01344 484123.
place in Reading’s town hall. n For details, log on to whatsonreading. com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Magical show
Father Willis date THE Lunchtime Organ Recitals are back from Monday. Reading’s famous Father Willis Organ will once again have all the stops pulled out for a short afternoon performance. Starting at 1pm, the event is organised in conjunction with the Berkshire Organists Association and lasts around 45 minutes. Ruth Evans will be the organist and her programme includes Stanley’s Suite For Organ, Bridge’s Allegretto grazioso & Allegro marziale e ben marcato, Lemare’s Chanson D’ete, and pieces from Saint Saens’ The Carnival of the Animals. Tickets cost £5 in advance or £6 on the door, and the show takes
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Phoney Fools and Horses. Thurs. The Elton John Show: A Tribute To Rocketman. Fri. Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. Sat. Flo and Joan: A Work In Progress. Sun. Jazz at the Kenton: The Max Wright Trio with Lilli Unwin. Wed. Off The Kerb at the Kenton: Andy Parsons and Angela Barnes. Thurs 27. Ghost Lights. Fri 28. The History of Rock. Sat 29.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
As such, The Mill’s menu for the evening will be a mixture of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Tickets for the fundraising event cost £70, and the meal is served from 5.45pm on Sunday, January 23, with the show at 7.45pm. n For more details, call the box office on: 0118 969 8000, or log on to: millatsonning.com
bears, caring for them at its awardwinning sanctuaries. While he is famous for his acting roles, including Chariots of Fire, Downtown Abbey and Ever Decreasing Circles, Peter is a passionate advocate for the rights of animals, and does not eat meat. He is also the UK ambassador for Animals Asia.
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Royal Opera House Live: Tosca. Fri, Wed. Burns Night Ceilidh. Fri. The Vinyl Frontier: Album Championship 2022. Fri. West Side Story (12a). Fri. Ed Gamble: Electric - SOLD OUT. Tues-Wed. Rose Plays Julie (15). Tues. The Sound of Springsteen. Fri 21. Wildfire
(15). Sat 22. The Power of Dog (12a). Sat 22. Art Themen Quartet. Sat 22.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Think Floyd: Through The Wall. Sat. Matilda The Musical Jr. Thurs 20-Sat 22. Bolshoi Live: Jewels. Sun 23.
Newbury – The Watermill
www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Spike. From Jan 27-Mar 5.
Reading – South Street
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Poets Cafe. Fri. Ed Gamble: Work in Progress. Thurs 20. Poets Cafe Online. Fri 21. Flo & Joan: Work in Progress. Fri 21. The Great Big Vent Event: The MKII, Dolly & The Clothespegs,
LAS VEGAS magicians Penn & Teller have helped create theatre magic, thanks to a new play coming to Guildford next week. Magic Goes Wrong is the latest production from the Goes Wrong Show company, and is a play based around a set of a hapless gang of magicians staging an evening of grand illusion for charity. But before you can magically levitate a woman, things start to go wrong. Can they pull a rabbit out of the hat to make it right? The show runs from Tuesday, January 18, through to Sunday, January 30, at the Yvonne Arnaud theatre. Tickets cost £30.50 and concessions are available. n For more details, call the box office on: 01483 440000, or log on to: www. yvonne-arnaud.co.uk
The Pink Diamond Revue, Damien A Passmore, Daughter of the Water, Captain Batgirl. Sat 22.
Reading – The Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 From The Jam: Sound Affects Tour. Fri 14. Queen Extravaganza – POSTPONED. Sat. Lost In Music. Sat 22. American Superslam Wrestling. Sun 23.
Reading – Concert Hall
www.whatsonreading.com
0118 960 6060 Lunchtime Organ Recital. Mon. Red Priest: Truly, Madly, Baroque. Tues 25.
Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Dark Sublime. Jan 17-22.
AN IMMERSIVE and unique theatre experience is coming to The Mill at Sonning next week – but for once the dinner theatre is not serving dinner, nor is the play being performed in its auditorium. Noel Coward’s Still Life will instead take place in its Watermill bar, and director Tam Williams is promising an exciting, immersive experience. The bar is the refreshment room of Milford Junction railway station in 1936, and Coward’s play is the inspiration behind the classic film Brief Encounter, telling the story of the secret affair between suburban housewife Laura Jesson and an idealistic doctor, Alex Harvey. It’s all aboard for the show, which runs from Thursday, January 20 through Saturday, January 29. Tickets cost £25. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 969 8000 or log on to: millatsonning.com
Have your oats HEAVY POP is presenting a breakfast treat in the evening, and it’s one you’ll want to tune in to. Porridge Radio will perform at The Face Bar on Friday, January 21. The group started out at open mic nights, come up through Brighton’s DIY music scene, built a cult following and have been nominated for a Mercury Prize for their debut studio album, Every Bad. The event starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £9. n For more details, log on to: heavypop.co.uk
Reading – Reading Rep Theatre
www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 NEXT SHOW: Jekyll & Hyde. Feb 9-Mar 6.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. Jan 14-16, 21-23.
Sonning – The Mill
www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Still Life. Thurs 20-Sat 29. The Freddie and Queen Experience. Sat 22. An Evening with Rick Wakeman and Peter Egan. Sun 23.
Windsor – Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Blood Brothers. Fri-Sat 29.
Wokingham – 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 The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Jan 17-18. Wokingham Music Club: Toyah Wilcox. Fri 21.
Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07488 337838 NEXT SHOW: Jazz Concert with the Martin Hart Trio. Sat Jan 22.
LEISURE | 15
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Hannah’s trip to Hurst’s wild west is a right laugh
The best of the Royal Opera House screened live
Assistant director Claire Lawrence (left) with Hannah Guile, 18, director of panto A Lad in the Wild West Picture: Hope Lawrence
Tosca is one of the shows performing by the Royal Opera House and screened at Norden Farm this spring
A
PANTO is deep into its final rehearsals – with one of the UK’s youngest panto directors in charge. Hannah Guile, just 18, is aware of her youth as she steers the cast of 12 adults and 19 children towards four performances of A Lad in the Wild West (Aladdin, set in cowboy land). But she is happy in the knowledge that the Hurst Panto Group cast and crew have confidence in her young but experienced hands. Hannah, a former drama scholar at the Abbey School, Reading and who lives in Hurst, has built her skills since she was very young – she had a part in a Hurst panto when she was just seven. She was a member of Wokingham Stagecoach and Starmaker arts schools.
Starmaker is now based at Southlake Primary, Woodley. Hannah directed performances at The Abbey and also at Farnborough College where she studied A level musical theatre. Amazingly, she juggles two roles for the Hurst panto – director and a leading part. She has high praise for all involved. “They’re so patient and kind, with me being so young,” she says. “It’s a lot of work. But assistant director Claire Lawrence has a lot of panto experience. And while I’m on stage performing she can ensure everything looks right. We also have a great team of producers, Claire, Sue Payne and Becky Vaughan.” Claire adds: “Hannah is amazing. She’s only 18, but she’s grown up doing pantos
from when she was a tiny kid to later being principal girl. She’ll be going on to bigger and better things.” A Lad in the Wild West is a traditional Aladdin, says Claire. “It’s the story of Aladdin and cowgirl Jasmine (played by Hannah) set in the wild west. ‘Flying Carpet’ is the name of Jasmine’s trusty steed. There’s still a dessert, a laundry, a dame and a panto horse.” The panto was written by the group’s script team. Covid has added hugely to the group’s challenges. Claire said: “There’s been a lot more to consider to keep everyone, the cast, the back stage crew and audience, safe. We’ve updated risk assessments and covid policies to keep up with government changes. “On Sunday, we had the first rehearsal with no one missing
because they had covid or were isolating. The cast and 46-strong backstage crew have been amazing – everyone at the hall at every rehearsal had to show a negative lateral flow test.” Covid rules also cover the 20 front of house volunteers. Audience members over five have to bring proof of a lateral flow test taken on the day. There are mask wearing rules for the audience. All staff will wear masks and will take lateral flow tests before each performance, and the performers will test every day so they can work without masks. There are still some tickets for Thursday, January 20, and Friday, January 21, both at 7.30pm. n For more details, log on to www.hurstpanto.org.uk
TRY JANUARY 2020 was a let down! 2021 didn't really happen! Don't punish yourself in 2022! TRY OUT DON'T DRY OUT!! Bar 56 is offering you discounted wine prices on select wines throughout January. 3 wines each week will be heavily discounted for you to try, and no not the cheepest! Fancy trying our Amarone but didnt want to pay the premium?? This is your lucky year!!!! YOUR PASSPORT TO A WORLD OF WINES @BAR 56 0118 375 3069 www.barfiftysix.co.uk 56-58, Rose Street, Wokingham, RG40 1XU
SUE CORCORAN
A
BIT of culture could be just the ticket for the new year, and a Maidenhead arts centre is aiming to make it as easy as possible to tune in. Norden Farm has teamed up with the Royal Opera Hou A BIT of culture could be just the ticket for the new year, and a Maidenhead arts centre is aiming to make it as easy as possible to tune i se for a special programme featuring shows streamed live from London. Tickets for all screenings are £15. Puccini’s operatic thriller Royal Opera House Live: Tosca features drama, passion and fabulous music. Encore screenings are on Friday, January 14, at 2pm, and Wednesday, January 19, at 7pm. Jonathan Kent’s production captures the dangerous political turbulence of Rome in 1800. Into the romantic world of an idealistic
painter Cavaradossi and his sensuous lover Tosca, comes the malevolence of Baron Scarpia, Chief of Police, with fatal results. Tosca is one of the most widely performed operas – with its gripping plot and glorious music. Royal Opera House Live: Rigoletto is screened live from the Royal Opera House on Thursday, March 10, at 7.15pm. An encore screening is shown the next day, at 2pm. Director of The Royal Opera Oliver Mears directs his first work for the Company. He brings Verdi’s masterpiece into the modern world, pitting power against innocence, beauty against ugliness. Rigoletto is court jester to the libertine Duke of Mantua. He is cursed by the father of one of the Duke’s victims for his irreverent laughter. When the Duke seduces Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda, it seems the curse is
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
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Aldworth plans three concerts in a day
SPACE ADVENTURE: Progress Theatre presents Dark Sublime next week Picture: Aidan Moran
I
T’S BEEN a long time coming, but live music is back.
Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its first concert for 2022. Taking place next month, it has been two years since it has hosted a regular concert featuring its members. Last year, it held a special performance aimed at supporting professional musicians who had seen their incomes hit by lockdowns closing concert venues. On Saturday, February 5, the orchestra will return to The Great Hall at the University of Reading for three performances of the same programme. The first, at 2pm, will be a relaxed performance lasting up to 45 minutes, with tickets costing £5. Then there are two performances, at 4.30pm and 8pm, both lasting an hour. Tickets for these performances cost £10, or £8 for under 18s and £5 for APO Young Members. And, true to form, the amateur orchestra will be premiering a brand-new piece of music. Derri Lewis composed JOY, which he describes as a celebration of community music making. “Coming together to create, rehearse and listen to great music is such a joyful activity – it
RETURNING TO PERFORMING: the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra is this feeling that I hope to have captured in my piece,” he said. The commission from the orchestra includes both a full orchestral version and a special chamber version designed for small groups to perform, without having to find specific combinations of instruments. The programme also features a special arrangement of Emile Mayer’s Faust Overture. This has been created by Samara Ginsberg, who went viral during lockdowns for her videos featuring her recreating famous children’s television programme theme tunes using her cello. She scored the overture so it could be played by a sextet, making it easier for musicians to
play in smaller groups. The final piece of the programme will be Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8. A series of covid-safe measures will be in place in the Great Hall to help protect both orchestra and the audiences. This includes opening windows for ventilation, so those attending are encouraged to wear warm clothing. Proof of negative lateral flow test will be required, and there will be reduced capacity meaning tickets are limited. https://www. aldworthphilharmonic.org.uk/ next-event/
Maximum power! Progress heads out to space for new show DID you know that Tom Baker, the fourth Doctor Who, had a season with the National Theatre? His predecessor, Jon Pertwee, released a comic album called Songs For Vulgar Boatmen. Colin Baker, Doctor Who number six, was a heartthrob villain in the 70s soap The Brothers, while his successor, Sylvester McCoy, had acclaimed West End roles in shows such as The Pied Piper. Doctor Who number two, Patrick Troughton, had a part to play in horror flick The Omen, while the original, William Hartnell, had a big role in This Sporting Life before playing army officers in a string of sitcoms, and helped launch the Carry On films. All of which is a roundabout way of helping explain the plot for the Progress Theatre’s new show, which opens on Monday. Dark Sublime tells the story of an actor who stars in a sci-fi show, while also having had a great career elsewhere.
But it’s her adventures in space that she’s most well-known for – typecast across the generations. The show explores the complications this causes, and looks at some of the complexities of connection, especially across the LGBTQ+ community. Progress Theatre says that this is a show that is a love-letter to British sci-fi television, those that make it and those that adore it. Maximum power! The show runs from Monday, January 17, through to Saturday, January 22, with curtain up at 7.45pm nightly. Tickets cost £12 or £10 for concessions, and all seats are socially distanced. Progress is continuing to run its come as you are nights, encouraging people to be themselves, be they straight, gay, trans, or non-binary. This will take place on Wednesday, January 19. n For more details, log on to progresstheatre.co.uk
South Street Arts Centre to host the Great Big Vent Event
WPR_2022-01-10_ReadingToday_16x4 (1)_Just Go
Reader travel
STRATFORD
THE BEATLES TRIBUTE
& Cotswolds Weekend Special
Live in Liverpool
TributetoTheBeatlesLiveinLiverpool_F.pdf
Departing Sat 26 Mar ‘22
Departing Sun 26 Jun ‘22
Your break includes
Your break includes
Return coach travel from Reading 2 nights at a selected hotel in Coventry with dinner & breakfast 2 for 1 bar (6pm‑9pm) on selected drinks Excursion to the Cotswolds (Bourton‑on‑the‑Water, Stow‑on‑the‑Wold & Broadway) En‑route visit to Stratford‑upon‑Avon
Return coach travel from Reading Overnight stay at the 2‑star Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool with dinner & breakfast (all meals buffet style) 2 for 1 bar (6pm‑9pm) on selected drinks The Beatles tribute act plus a live DJ at the hotel Free time in Liverpool
99
3 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £30
SOUTH Street Arts Centre will host the Great Big Vent Event on Saturday, January 22. The evening aims to raise £1,000 for the Rising Sun Arts Centre’s ventilation appeal. Following the ongoing pandemic, the centre believes changes are required to keep people safe when visiting. Staffed and run by volunteers, the Rising Sun Arts Centre supports many local artists, musicians and hosts a wide range
of events throughout the year. Funds will also go towards upgrading sound equipment and lighting as the venue looks to improve future events. Once the target is met, excess funds will be donated to the Berkshire Cancer Centre based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. The centre provides chemotherapy radiotherapy, palliative care and the Macmillan information centre for people across Berkshire
Sounds of the sixties ... of the non-musical type
99
2 Days by Coach only £ Single Supplement £35
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
For more information, or to book, please call
03332 342 527 Quote WPR
or visit us online at
justgoholidays.com/WPR
033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
justgohols JGTravelGroup
There will be two stages and a packed lineup of performers has already been announced. Confirmed acts include; Captain Batgirl, The Pink Diamond Revue, Daughter of the Water, Dolly and the Clothespegs, Damien A Passmore and The Mark II. Doors open at 6pm and tickets are available in advance for £12. n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: whatsonreading.com
Book online at www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk or call 0118 978 5363
A SHARP and perceptive look at life in the 1960s is the subject of the next play from Wokingham Theatre. Apologia explores families, their ideals, and their children. It focuses on Kristin Millerl, a successful art historian and a young mother. She follows her politics and vocation, storming Parisian barricades before moving to Florence to follow career ambitions. Decades later, her birthday should be a time for celebration; however, her now-grown sons deliver their versions of the past, forcing the family to confront the very real costs of Kristin’s commitment to her passions. Political and family drama merge in a play that offers a passionate defence of the crusading fervour of 1960s England. Curtain up is on Thursday, January 27, with the show running until Saturday, February 5. The theatre is located on Twyford Road, Wokingham RG40 5TU. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on: 0118 978 5373, or log on to: www. WokinghamTheatre.org.uk
LEISURE | 25
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
LIVEMUSIC
To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662
RaW Sounds Today
by their headlining performance at Wokingham Festival. This is from their new album, When the World Stood Still, which gets a full release this month – https://www.willeandthebandits.com/
Chris Hillman
Rachel Redman (ft. Damian C Carruthers) – Obvious
bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday
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
T
HERE’S something really special about bands around the Reading and Wokingham areas – they’re so talented.
Beans on Toast – Humans
Each week, the RaW Sounds Today playlist has the tough task of featuring 10 great tracks that you can listen, for free, thanks to our Spotify playlist. We could easily fill the playlist 10 times over, so you can be sure you’re getting the cream of the crop. The RaW Sounds playlist is a terrific way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and pump up the volume. 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.
The Room – Run
Beans has just released his new album Survival of the Friendliest and Humans is a single from the album. He’s on an extensive UK tour at the moment which included a recent visit to Reading’s Facebar – https://beansontoastmusic.com/
Ocean Ruins – Teen Drama Here’s a melodic alt-rock band from Reading who have released a string of singles including this one. If you missed it then, it’s well worth a listen, with its uplifting sing-along chorus – https://www.facebook. com/OceanRuins
RUN ON: The Room head up this week’s playlist and are pictured performing at the Wokingham Festival last year Picture: Andrew Merritt
They continue to build a reputation as one of the best live bands around and now The Room have been invited as special guests at the Hammersmith Club in London on Saturday, January 22 by a brandnew band, Little Finger, whose members are made up of Gary Numan’s backing band. In anticipation of what should be a great night, here’s a track from The Room’s Caught by the Machine album released on our Wokingham-based White Star Records. It’s an excellent uplifting melodic rock anthem – https://theroom.band/
groove and it’s taken from the duo’s latest album, Which Way to Happy. Penelope Isles are from Brighton and will be appearing at Reading’s Facebar on Friday, January 28, as part of their extensive UK tour before they head off to a North American tour in March. Well worth checking them at their Heavy Pop promoted Facebar show as this looks like an artist on the rise – https://www.penelopeisles.com/
Penelope Isles – Have You Heard
Toyah – Levitate
Another uplifting track but in a totally different style. It’s a wonderful indie dream pop with a cool
She’s an iconic performer who first came to fame with some classic 80’s hits and she will be heading to
Wokingham Music Club (WMC) at Whitty Theatre on Friday, January 28. Levitate is from Toyah’s latest album Posh Pop – https://toyahwillcox.com/
Sam Handy – Done 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/
Wille and the Bandits – Solid Ground What a great live band this is, as shown
Crooked Shapes – Appetite
This three-piece rock band with members from Reading and Wokingham have just released their debut self-titled album Crooked Shapes. This track is their latest single and is one of nine tracks on the album – https://www.crookedshapes.com/
Last Picture Show – The Joy and the Wonder Reading-based band, Last Picture Show, are interested in combining visual imagery with their music and that shows with the award-winning video they created for this single – http://www.lastpicture-show.com/
GIG GUIDE Covid means some gigs may be cancelled or postponed at short notice. If in doubt, check before heading out to avoid disappointment Thursday, January 13
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Bracknell Blues Club: Blues Torch and Moonlight Foxes. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Viaska Presents. Details: 0118 956 8188. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem Iyibardakci. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Friday, January 14
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Myopia and Replicants. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. These Certain People. Details: 01344 303333. EARLEY – Reading University Students’ Union, Whiteknights Campus, off Pepper Lane RG6 6EH. RUSU Rock Society presents Glitchers, Madquerader, As Loud As A Mouse. READING – The Butler, Chatham
Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. From The Jam: Sound Affects tour. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Smyths: The Queen Is Dead, 35th anniversary tour. Details: 0118 959 5395. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Crazy Diamond - A Tribute to the Music of Pink Floyd. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. 4G. Details: 0118 977 3706.
Saturday, January 15
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Rock Week final. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. LOWER EARLEY – Maiden Place Social Club, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 926 0850. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Jamma presents Jazz Mino. Motofest. From 3pm. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Made In Reading. Details: 0118 956 8188.
READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Undercovers. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Madison Heights Soul and Motown band. Details: 0118 968 1442. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Soul’d Out. Details: 0118 942 9606. WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Lainie Live. Details: 0118 977 0918.
Sunday, January 16
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Anna Renae, Rich Atkinson and the New Billionaires, Vanessa Webb and Andy Mathewson. Details: 01344 484123. EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon Karaoke. 2pm.. Details: 0118 966 7153. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Anna Tam. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Tuesday, January 18
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New
music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Rhino’s Revenge: John ‘Rhino’ Edwards. Details: 01491 681048. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Coach Party. Details: 0118 956 8188. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Thursday, January 20
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Graham Steel Music Company: Music awards night. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem Iyibardakci. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Friday, January 21
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG.Split the Dealer and Lyra. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul. Details: 01344 303333. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Porridge Radio. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Sub89, Friar Street
RG1 1EP. Small Fakers and Who’s Next. Details: 0118 959 5395. HENLEY – The Kenton Theatre, New Street RG9 2BS. The Elton John Show – A Tribute. Details: 01491 525050. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Junkyard Rocket. Details: 0118 977 3706. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Toyah Acoustica. 7.30pm. £25. Details:www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk
Saturday, January 22
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Double Bill Rock Bands: Black Tree Crow, The Whiskey Knights. Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Ultimate Party Band. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Polca E Boas: An Evening of Brazlian Music Details: 01344 484123. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. HENLEY – The Kenton Theatre, New Street RG9 2BS. Ronnie Scott’s All Stars. Details: 01491 525050. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Lost In Music. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Salisbury Conservative
HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Mythicals. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – South Street arts centre. The Great Big Vent Event: The MkII, Dolly and the Clothespegs, the Pink Diamond Revue, Damien A Passmore, Daughter of the Water, Captain Batgirl. Details: 0118 960 6060. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Freddie and Queen Experience. Details: 0118 969 8000. WOODLEY – Oakwood Centre, Headley Road RG6 4JZ. Woodley Theatre presents The Martin Hart Trio. Details: 0748 833 7838.
Sunday, January 23
HENLEY – The Kenton Theatre, New Street RG9 2BS. Flo & Joan: A Work In Progress. Details: 01491 525050. EARLEY – The Roebuck, Auckland Road RG6 1NY. Afternoon Karaoke. 2pm.. Details: 0118 966 7153. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Singers Night. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Monday, January 24
NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk
Club presents: Bully Wee Band. Details: www.nettlebedfolkclub. co.uk
Tuesday, January 25
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesdays. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. Burns Night Celebration: ceilidh, kippers and kilts. Details: 01491 681048. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan Kaya. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Wednesday, January 26
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The R ‘n’ Beatles. Details: 01344 484123. HENLEY – The Kenton Theatre, New Street RG9 2BS. Jazz: The Max Wright Trio with Lilli Unwin. Details: 01491 525050.
Thursday, January 27
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Ryewolf. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk CAMBERLEY – Theatre, Knoll Road GU15 3SY. A Midnight Train to Georgia. Details: 01276 707600. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. The Music of Prince. Details: 0118 960 6060. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Buzuki Serkan and Cem Iyibardakci. Details: 0118 969 2047.
No. 5396
Your weekly puzzle challenge
26 | LEISURE
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662
1
10
17 16
24
18
24
4
11
20 3
24
1
24
4
24
21
24
20
17
24 20
17
10 8
9
24
10
15
23
26
13
18
13
17
21
8
11
24 20
24
23
24
13
18
8
1
15
12
2
10
4
6
23 4
10
10
24
2.
23 18
17
24
14
25
17
24
13
21
17 2
24
24
13
24 18
18
12
19
1.
1
20 6
24
23
24
24
17
2
4
3
23 17
4.
2 24
5.
22
23 26
3.
11
20
24
S U M
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
T
U
L
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
SEE SHIELD IS WHOLE
O H T
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: 27 Good; 32 Very Good; 38 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.
IN
AE
LA
OL
AN
GE
3
ER
NA
EY
MO
6
5
3
9
8 7 4 6 4 7 1 8 8 7 1 3 6 2 5 9 3 2 2 9 4 1
6 2 9
4 2 3 4 5
2 9 8 7
4 8 2 9 5 7
O
I C
E
3 9 7
NY
4 6
26
20
23
24
1
DOWN 2. Fiery outcome of mixing gin for Ouse cocktail (7) 3. Ship’s company in railway town, say (4) 4. Eddie’s removed domesticated variety of feline (6) 5. Soonest rise late surprisingly (8) 6. In America Sam could be a family man (5) 7. Scheme fails when match has finished (3,4,2,2) 8. Deliver me a set of books from the batch (11) 13. Pluto comes overland to entertain (8) 16. Despite the indisposition I will go over the loch (7) 17. Serious problem with melons (6) 19. Messenger not left but right, feeling great annoyance (5) 21. Double enclosure (4)
2
2
3
4
5
6
6
7
8 9
10
11
11 13
12
15
16
17
13
14
15
18 22
This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.
23
To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
29
20
25
21
22 24
25
28
26
27
28
29 31
8 2 9 1 7 5 6 4 3
4 9 5 8 1 2 3 7 6
2 7 1 6 3 9 5 8 4
3 6 8 4 5 7 9 2 1
6 8 7 5 9 1 4 3 2
9 5 2 7 4 3 1 6 8
1 4 3 2 8 6 7 5 9
WORD PYRAMID: Once in a lifetime. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; add; divide; subtract. Total: 9.
SOLUTIONS
17
19
8
19
© Sirius Media Services Ltd
16
7
Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.
6 8 9
15
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.
3
2
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.
EQUALISER 5 10 4 2 1 3 8 11 2 1 6 2
Hard
14
ACROSS 1. Coshed quite badly at the club (11) 9. Pivotal point of an opendoor policy (5) 10. Hide in Africa (7) 11. Look angrily but not hesitantly at the light emitted (4) 12. Unravelling is seen as simplicity (8) 14. Type of law that’s laid down piece by piece (6) 15. Demanding silver-edged cover (6) 18. State of inertia exhibited in battle (8) 20. Left in a sticky substance looking gloomy (4) 22. At university Mark shows improvement (7) 23. Possible location of capsized canoe (5) 24. Author’s table? (7,4)
N N
OD
5 1 4 3 6 8 2 9 7
1 5
5
E
RN
BT
16
21
A
AO
IS
13
32
F
7
12
18
L I
6
10
22
MS
UR
5
8
22
10. Who did Pontius Pilate free in preference to Jesus to appease the crowds?
RT
4
11
9. What T is the title of a 2020 film and a word that means a principle or belief?
OA
3
10
FIVE ALIVE HI
2
9
8. The first modern Olympic Games was held in Athens, but where was the second?
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 I first letter may appear in any chamber. E M
1
7
7. A seismograph measures the power of what?
Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
5
1
6. Although the black rat is blamed for the Great Plague, which creature actually passed the disease to man?
SUDOKU Easy
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
WORD PYRAMID
C E A
15
1
The headquarters of the European Court of Human Rights is in which city? The fans of which football club have The Blaydon Races as their theme tune? Michaela Coel won a 2021 Emmy Award for writing which comedydrama series that she also starred in? The film Walk the Line is about the life and rise to fame of which music star? Which African country’s capital is named after American president James Monroe?
NONAGRAM
20 24
Quiz Challenge
7 3 6 9 2 4 8 1 5
2
11
24
13
4 5 6 3 2 9 1 8 7
4
6
3
11
1 2 9 5 8 7 3 6 4
17
23
2
7 3 8 6 1 4 2 9 5
23
13
20
2 6 4 1 3 8 7 5 9
10
11
3 8 7 4 9 5 6 1 2
7
24
4
9 1 5 2 7 6 8 4 3
14
17
6 9 1 7 5 3 4 2 8
2
5 7 2 8 4 1 9 3 6
24
8 4 3 9 6 2 5 7 1
18
PZ1P5396
CROSS CODE 5
5396
30 31
ACROSS 2. Buffer (7) 7. Indonesian island (4) 8. Slightly open (4) 9. Rider’s foot support (7) 10. Fuel (4) 12. Listening organs (4) 15. Lavish (5) 17. Gloomy (6) 18. Rush along (6) 19. To the other side (6)
21. 22. 23. 26. 28.
Round shape (6) Small mammal (5) Peer (4) Optical device (4) Form of mathematics (7) 29. Look at (4) 30. Nimble (4) 31. Steadfast (7) DOWN 1. Bundle of hay (4) 2. Actors (4) 3. Smother (6) 4. Influx (6) 5. Back of neck (4)
6. 10. 11. 13. 14. 15. 16. 20. 21. 24. 25. 26. 27.
Skin filament (4) Gestapo (anag.) (7) Suitor (7) Item (7) Shaded (7) Squeeze (5) Custom (5) Mark of disgrace (6) Non-metallic element (6) Acerbic (4) Statutes (4) Whip (4) Roman emperor (4)
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Strasbourg; 2 Newcastle United; 3 I May Destroy You; 4 Johnny Cash; 5 Liberia (Monrovia); 6 The flea; 7 Earthquakes; FIVE ALIVE: 8 Paris in 1900; 9 Tenet; 10 Barabbas. (1) Across – Harem; Loser; Rayon. Down – Hilar; Rusty; Moron. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Discotheque; 9 Hinge; 10 Morocco; 11 Glow; 12 (2) Across – Iotas; Align; Enemy. C S W I Q F P B Y L O M R Easiness; 14 Mosaic; 15 Asking; 18 Inaction; 20 Glum; 22 Down – Inane; Tribe; Sandy. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Upgrade; 23 Ocean; 24 Writing desk. G D J T U X N V Z A E H K Down – 2 Igneous; 3 Crew; 4 Tomcat; 5 Earliest; 6 Uncle; 7 The NONAGRAM: acetous; acute; amuse; auto; cathouse; game is up; 8 Consignment; 13 Distract; 16 Illness; 17 Solemn; cause; chum; chute; costume; couth; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU 19 Anger; 21 Fold. wish; isle; sloe; cuesta; cushat; custom; cute; hocus; heed. house; mahout; meatus; moue; mouse; MOUSTACHE; mouth; much; mucosa; muscat; muse; mush; must; mutch; mute; ouch; oust; sauce; sauté; scout; scum; scut; scute; shout; shtum; shut; smut; soutache; south; stum; such; suet; sumac; sumo; thou; thus; touch; touché; tush. QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Cushion; 7 Java; 8 Ajar; 9 Stirrup; 10 Peat; 12 Ears; 15 Plush; 17 Sombre; 18 Hasten; 19 Across; 21 Circle; 22 Stoat; 23 Earl; 26 Lens; 28 Algebra; 29 View; 30 Spry; 31 Staunch. Down – 1 Bale; 2 Cast; 3 Stifle; 4 Inrush; 5 Nape; 6 Hair; 10 Postage; 11 Admirer; 13 Article; 14 Sunless; 15 Press; 16 Habit; 20 Stigma; 21 Carbon; 24 Acid; 25 Laws; 26 Lash; 27 Nero.
Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic means that some events will be postponed or cancelled at short notice. Please check before going out to avoid disappointment. Our guide is slightly depleted as a result. We welcome news of your community event – email news@rdg.today EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Over 50s group. 2.15pm4.15pm. Details: 0118 966 9080. READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, RG1 3BQ. Berkshire Family History Society presents: The Dunkirk Evacuation: Reading Railway’s pivotal role, a talk with Paul Joyce. 2pm-3.30pm. £5, £4 members. Details: 0118 950 9553. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Drone Photography with Paul Harmer. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Portrait of a Lady On Fire (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
Friday, January 14
BEECH HILL – St Mary the Virgin. Crafts and more. 2pm-4pm. Bring your own crafts, enjoy friendship. Details: www.loddonreach. org.uk EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Community coffee group. 10am-noon. SNAC. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 966 9080. READING – South Reading Community Centre, 252-260 Northumberland Avenue, RG2 7QA. Parenting Special Children community support group. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: charlie@ parentingspecialchildren. co.uk
SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players, Whitley Wood Lane, RG2 9DF. Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. 7.30pm. £14, £13 concessions, £7 children. Details: 0118 975 8880.
Saturday, January 15
READING – Kadampa Meditation Centre Reading, Bath Road, RG1 6HH.Learn to Meditate in Half a Day. £20. 10.30am1pm. Details: https:// learntomeditate.org/jan15-learn-to-meditate/ READING – Just The Tonic Comedy Club, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Comedy club: Carey Marx, Kate Martin, Michael Fabbri, Lou Conran. From 6.45pm. Details: www.justthetonic. com/reading-comedy SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players, Whitley Wood Lane, RG2 9DF. Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. 2pm, 6.30pm. £14, £13 concessions, £7 children. Details: 0118 975 8880. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Sunday, January 16
CAVERSHAM – Crown Plaza Hotel, Richfield Avenue RG1 8BD. Wedding fair. 11am3pm. Free entry. www. berkshireweddingfairs. co.uk SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players, Whitley Wood Lane, RG2 9DF. Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. 2pm. £14, £13 concessions, £7 children. Details: 0118 975 8880. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Vegan Market. 11am-3pm.
Details: 07861 654674 or www.woodleytowncentre. co.uk
Monday, January 17
ONLINE. University of Reading Chaplaincy lecture 2022: Spirituality and mental health, an interview with Professor John Swinton, professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, and Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen. 7pm. Details: reading.ac.uk READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Dark Sublime. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.
Tuesday, January 18
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Board games cafe: games, chat, coffee and cake. 10am-noon. Details: 0118 966 9080. READING – Milk Bar, Merchants Place. Comedy night. 7pm. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Dark Sublime. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.
Wednesday, January 19
DUNSDEN – Dunsden Green Village Hall RG4 9QG. Dunsden Green Country Dancing Club: country dancing with a caller. 8pm10pm. £4, first evening free. Details: 07714 226723. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Dark Sublime. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents
Artisan market. 9am-2pm. Details: 07861 654674 or www.woodleytowncentre. co.uk
Thursday, January 20
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Over 50s group. 2.15pm4.15pm. Details: 0118 966 9080. HURST – Village Hall, School Road RG10 0DR. Hurst Pantomime group presents A Lad In The Wild West. 7.30pm. From £7. Details: www.hurstpanto.org.uk LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Wellbeing cafe: coffe and chat in the church. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 931 3124. READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. Stand and Deliver comedy club. Over 18s only. £8. 7pm Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Dark Sublime. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. 15 Minutes of Fame. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.
Friday, January 21
HURST – Village Hall, School Road RG10 0DR. Hurst Pantomime group presents A Lad In The Wild West. 7.30pm. From £7. Details: www.hurstpanto.org.uk SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players, Whitley Wood Lane, RG2 9DF. Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. 7.30pm. £14, £13 concessions, £7 children. Details: 0118 975 8880. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Dark Sublime. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.
Saturday, January 22
HURST – Village Hall, School Road RG10 0DR. Hurst Pantomime group presents A Lad In The Wild West. 2pm and 7.30pm. From £7. Details: www.hurstpanto. org.uk SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players, Whitley Wood Lane, RG2 9DF. Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. 2pm and 6.30pm. £14, £13 concessions, £7 children. Details: 0118 975 8880. READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Come and Sing Little Masses workshop: Haydn’s Little Organ Mass, Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass. 1pm. Performance at end of workshop. £25. READING – RISC, London Street RG1 4PS. Nonvioolent action: A force for Chaneg. 9.30am-3.30pm. Free. Details: kirsty@risc. org.uk READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Dark Sublime. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. READING – Town Hall. Second Life fashion pop-up. 10am4pm. Details: hello@weare. shop WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Sunday, January 23
BEECH HILL – Trunkwell House Hotel, Beech Hill Road RG7 2AT. Wedding fair. 11am3pm. Details: www. berkshireweddingfairs. co.uk SHINFIELD – Shinfield Players, Whitley Wood Lane, RG2 9DF. Snow White and the Four Swedish Popstars. 2pm. £14, £13 concessions, £7 children. Details: 0118 975 8880. SOUTHCOTE – St Matthew’s Church, Southcote Lane RG30 3AX. Service for week of prayer for Christian Unity with the Revd Dr Andreas Andreopoulos (Reader
in Orthodox Christianity at the University of Winchester. 6.30pm. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Name Name
charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.
Address
Date of event: Venue of event: What will happen:
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. Quiz night. 7pm. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk
Wednesday, January 26
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am-2pm. Details: 07861 654674 or www.woodleytowncentre. co.uk
Thursday, January 27
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Over 50s group. 2.15pm4.15pm. Details: 0118 966 9080. LOWER EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Wellbeing cafe: coffe and chat in the church. 2pm-4pm. Details: 0118 931 3124. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Round three PDI competition, open, judged by Kelly Louise Jennings. 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: Sound of Metal (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
Saturday, January 29
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am-3pm. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Address
Postcode Email Postcode
Reader travel ISLE OF WIGHT ‘Royals & Rails’
IsleofWightRoyals&Rails_D.pdf
Departing Mon 2 May ‘22 On this fantastic break we enjoy the Isle of Wight’s peace, tranquillity and natural beauty as well as a nostalgic journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway and a visit to fascinating Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s former holiday home ‑ a relaxing few days away.
Your break includes Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Wokingham 4 nights at the Medehamstede Hotel, Isle of Wight with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Heritage train journey on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Excursions to Osborne House, Cowes & Ryde Optional Island Highlights Tour (£12pp)
5 Days by Coach
only £269
Single Supplement £60
BLACKPOOL
& Cruising Lake Windermere BlackpoolBrightLights&CruisingLakeWindermere_D.pdf
Departing Mon 12 Sep ‘22 Vibrant, timeless and fun, Blackpool has remained one of the UK’s favourite seaside destinations thanks to its iconic tower, sandy beaches and old‑fashioned trams. From here we explore the Lake District with its natural beauty and stunning scenery.
Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham 4 nights at the Melville Hotel, Blackpool with dinner & breakfast Entertainment every evening Cruise on Lake Windermere Heritage train journey on the East Lancashire Railway Excursions to Kendal, Bowness‑on‑Windermere & Bury Market Optional excursion to Southport & Lytham St Annes (£12pp)
5 Days by Coach
only £259
Single Supplement £60
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
For more information, or to book, please call
03332 342 527 Quote WPR
Time of event: Contact number for readers:
WorcesterObserver
Monday, January 24
What’s What’s on on event event submission submission form form Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokingham.today. Please note this service is for community groups,
WPR_2022-01-10_TheWokinghamPaper_33x2 (1)_Just Go
© English Heritage
WHAT’SON Thursday, January 13
LEISURE | 27
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Send Emailyour forms to: What’s On, Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS
or visit justgoholidays.com/WPR 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
28 | LIFE
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Cod Katsu Curry Ingredients
In the kitchen
W
HO doesn’t love a katsu curry? Here’s a delicious seafood take on it from Love Seafood.
This cod katsu is faff free and uses fresh or frozen breaded fish fillets so is a great meal for busy weeknights when you’re looking for something tasty without any fuss. Rice pouches also save cooking time but, of course, you can cook up a pot of your favourite long or short grain rice, allow 60g per person, dried weight.
Wellbeing expert’s tips on beating
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 country 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: 20 minutess
n 4 fresh or frozen breaded cod fillets n 2 x 250g packs of ready-to-heat rice (or your own favourite rice) n 200-300g ready-toheat Katsu sauce n 320g microwaveable greens e.g. Tenderstem broccoli n 2 spring onions, finely sliced
M
ANY of us will be greeting the new year exhausted and weary, and the January blues can be an additional challenge to maintaining our wellbeing.
Method 1. Cook the fish in the oven according to the pack instructions. 2. Heat the rice and Katsu sauce separately, according to the pack instructions. 3. Just before serving up, cook your vegetables according to the pack instructions. 4. Serve the crispy fish filet on a bed of Katsu sauce and rice and garnish with the spring onions.
Help available for anyone going through Divorce Day SEEKING HELP: January is one of the hardest times of year for relationships, and a charity wants to help those going through break-ups
A
CHARITY helping separating and divorced people has been standing by to offer support this week, following Monday’s Divorce Day.
Family law solicitors see a peak of inquiries about divorce on the first working Monday of the year, following the stresses and strains of Christmas and New Year. Charity Divorce Recovery Workshop’s Berkshire branch is inviting those going through the pain of relationship breakdown to contact them about their new course launching soon in the Reading area. Seamus, of Reading, who works with Reading children, is helping to run the sessions. Like all DRW’s volunteer leaders he went on a course himself. “Christmas and New Year can be tough for those going through relationship difficulties. Once they get back to work or restart working from home some feel they can take the plunge and contact a solicitor about divorce,” he said. “DRW’s courses, held in six sessions, over two weekends, are open to those whose relationship has broken down, whether they’ve been
married or not. We show videos which prompt confidential discussion in small groups. “To find out how DRW can help please email us, phone us or go to our website. After my course I felt better, helped and supported.” People who have been on the courses told DRW: “There is emphasis on your wellbeing so you can have a better life, so you don’t spend your future dogged by the unhappiness and disappointment of a previous relationship.” “Going to DRW made me feel
less isolated and helped me have a different perspective. I discovered I could be in charge of my own recovery.” “It can be a horrible, tough, awful time. DRW showed me a way through. I never imagined I could live life to the full again.” “The course gave me empathy for people who have left as well as those who have been left.” One man urged more men, who could be more embarrassed talking about emotions, to go to DRW. “Releasing those emotions can only be good for you,” he said.
DRW has been running courses in the UK since 1992. Contact: Seamus on 07887 800521, or email info@drw.org.uk or phone the national enquiries line on 0333 335 0489. A female DRW representative, Susan, is available via the national enquiries line. A modest charge covers course costs, including lunch and refreshments. The website at www.drw.org.uk gives tips for going through separation or divorce.
SUE CORCORAN
Rescue, a emotional wellbeing brand, has partnered with Rosie Millen, a qualified nutritional therapist specialising in fatigue and energy management, to reveal her top tips for fighting the winter blues and staying positive for the year ahead. 1. Get outdoors. The months between October and March are where the sunlight is at its lowest which means lower levels of Vitamin D. So, get outside when you can. At least once a day. Go for a walk in the park, a run or a bike ride with a friend. The key is to find something you enjoy. Exercise also releases serotonin, the “happy hormone”. 2. Try something new. This year I’m going to join a gymnastics team and visit my old roots. Diving into an old or new passion is a great way to interrupt the stress response and enhance your mood. What have you always wanted to do but never got round to doing? Getting distracted by something that fascinates you will take your mind and thoughts to a more positive place. 3. Book a trip and get some sunshine. A study over 6 years discovered that subjects reported less emotional distress on sunny days. This is because Vitamin D is vital for mental wellbeing. It is only found in a few foods. It is synthesised in the skin so sitting in the sun is your best option! 4. Have a social media break. We all know that social media can have a negative effect on our mood. Having a break might help to reduce feelings of anxiousness, decrease FOMO, avoid comparison, increase productivity and enjoy life more OFFLINE. 5. Reach out and connect. If you are feeling low or lonely reach out to a friend. Call them or facetime them just for a catch up. A problem shared is a problem halved! When we interact with friends, the feel-good hormone oxytocin is produced, helping level psychological stability. 6. Watch your diet. If you are following dry January it might be a good thing! Alcohol tends to make us feel sad because it lowers levels of serotonin in the body which is our happy hormone. Make sure you are eating adequate protein. Protein foods such as chicken, fish, quinoa lentils etc don’t affect blood glucose which mean your mood will be improved. Protein foods also contain an amino acid called tryptophan which gets converted into serotonin in the body. You need roughly a gram of protein per kilo of bodyweight. 7. Take supplements to boost your mood. Targeted nutrients can help support your mood and mental wellbeing. Saffron for example has the ability to balance levels of GABA (gammaaminobutyric acid), as well as serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are known as neurotransmitters. Evidence suggests that they work in the brain to regulate emotions, mood, concentration, alertness, energy, and other cognitive skills. I like the Rescue Balance & Positivity capsules as they contain Saffron and B vitamins together to promote a balanced mood. Bach RESCUE’s new Balance and Positivity capsules are specially formulated to support positivity and help you stay balanced throughout challenging days. Each capsule contains a unique active fusion of mood balancing botanical Saffron, L-Theanine (amino acid) and B Vitamins. The capsules also contain the RESCUE flower essences blend which has been used since the 1930s to support in times of emotional demand and is to this day still made using handpicked flowers from Dr Bach’s Garden in Oxfordshire, using traditional methods. The new capsules are vegan friendly and available now at Boots, Holland & Barrett, Sainsburys, Amazon, Superdrug and via independent pharmacies and health food stores.
NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US WOKINGHAM EDITION
13.01.22
CITYZENS STRIKE FIVE IN HOME WIN
MUD, MUD, GLORIOUS MUD
THAT’S HOW YOU DO IT!
D E T A I L I M U H
ROYALS THUMPED BY FULHAM
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today IT’S been a week to forget for Royals fan after they suffered their second humbling defeat in just four days.
After Saturday’s shock exit in the FA Cup third-round to Kidderminster Harriers, tensions were already high amid a troubling season at the club going into Tuesday night’s
game against high-flying Fulham. But even the most pessimistic of Reading fans surely weren’t prepared for the mauling that they suffered at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Reading shipped seven goals without reply in what was the club’s biggest ever home defeat since they joined the English Football League in 1920. The result leaves Veljko
Paunovic under an immense amount of pressure with large sections of the fanbase calling on the board to make a decision regarding his future. Meanwhile, the Royals, who have already been deducted six points this season, are now very much in the midst of a relegation battle. They sit just one place from safety after 24 matches. They have played one game more than
Peterborough United who have the chance to overtake the Royals if they win their game in hand. When questioned on his future at the club after the match, Paunovic said: “I think that’s a very cynical question. You have to ask someone else that question, I think about the team. “It’s not an easy task but we are going to keep going “I believe in the group and saw how difficult it was for them.”
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
ALL ACTION PICTURE POWER
BACON STEPS DOWN AS BINFIELD FC CHAIRMAN BINFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB has announced that Andy Cotton will be the new chairman after Bob Bacon decided to step down from his position.
Bacon had led the Moles for more than a decade and oversaw a very successful period in the club’s history. Among the achievements during his time at Binfield, the club played at Wembley Stadium in the FA Vase Final in March 2020 after going on an incredible run in the competition. They also achieved promotion to step four football after a league restructure from the FA, which is the highest level the club has ever competed. A statement on Binfield’s website reads: “Following the most successful season in the clubs 129-year existence our Chariman, Bob Bacon, announced at the AGM that 2021/22 would be his last season. “His tenure has seen the youth teams grow and grow; he has had a significant impact on the development of the soccer school and right throughout the club structure up to overseeing the first team’s incredible journey to Wembley and promotion up to step four. “Bob has unfortunately had some recent health issues and had stated that if we could find his successor, then he was happy to handover. “We believe that we have now found the right person and thus we give our thanks to Bob for all his contributions and impact, wish him good health.”
18 | SPORT
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
Rebecca Niblett scores Eversley’s Second and her first of the afternoon
Reading City FC Rebecca Niblett Celebrates with Joey Harfield-Brown Pictures: Richard Milam
COMBINED COUNTIES
GRANT HITS HAT-TRICK IN CITY SUCCESS
Harfield-Brown
FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
FIVE STARS: EVERSLEY AND S4K STRIKE BIG WINS
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Southern Region Division One South
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA picked up their first win of the season with victory over Woking. The 5-3 victory takes them off the bottom of the table.
Charles Twelftrees Trophy FINCHAMPSTEAD made a recovery to progress in the cup with a penalty shootout win over Slough Heating Laurencians. Finch found themselves two goals behind to their visitors, but they replied to level the tie with goals from Callum Vallance and Alex Woodhead. The hosts then ensured
that they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a 6-5 shootout win.
Thames Valley Division One FC IMAAN LIONS stay rooted to the bottom of the table after they suffered a 5-0 defeat on the road against Maidenhead Town Reserves.
Thames Valley Division Two BERKS COUNTY were on the end of a 7-2 home loss to Slough Heating Laurencians Reserves. The defeat keeps them in 10th position in the table after 15 matches.
Thames Valley
Eversley & California Ladies v Woking
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Division Four
of the table.
FINCHAMPSTEAD DEVELOPMENT moved up to third in the table with success in a high scoring match against Henley Town Development. Finch raced into a 4-2 lead at half-time with goals from Nathan Rogers, Alfie Young and a double from Richard Dow. They added two more in the second half to secure a 6-4 triumph with another Rogers and a goal from Cameron Benham.
Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S
Thames Valley Women’s Division One WARGRAVE were on the end of a 4-0 home loss to Mortimer Ladies. The result leaves them a place off the bottom
S4K BERKS COUNTY remain at the top of the league after a home win over EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA RESERVES. Megan Cox enjoyed a superb afternoon in front of goal as she notched four goals, while Sammy Sadler added a fifth in a 5-2 win for the Fawkes. WARGRAVE DEVELOPMENT smashed 12 past Yateley United in an emphatic win. Tina Leahy scored four, Ruth Payne and Daisy Mifflin both netted braces and Ayo Okunuga, Alison Richardson, Beth Williams and Neve Edwards added to the 12-2 win.
Rebekah Pantony scores Eversley’s fourth
Combined Counties Premier North READING CITY put on a five-star performance which included a hattrick from Harry Grant. The Cityzens were two goals to the good at the break and they added three more goals to cap off a remarkable display. Club captain Jemel Johnson and Ezio Touray added to the score to seal a 5-1 victory over St Panteleimon FC. The win lifts City up a place in the Combined Counties Premier North table to 11th. Reading City manager Simon Johnson said: “Go as far to say, that’s the best all round
Reading City FC
performance in my three years in charge. 1-16 phenomenal.” Reading & District Sunday League Senior: FC Sporty 8-0 Englefield Eagles, Twyford Comets 0-14 FC BAPCO, Twyford Comets 0-1 Maiden Place, Woodley Wanderers 6-4 Burghfield One: Berkshire Dons 4-4 Rose & Thistle, GC United 14-2 Reading Kites, Wayback Wanderers 4-3 Woodley Saints Hobnob Two: Calcot Royals 3-1 AFC Pangbourne, Goring United 8-0 Romania United Three: Berkshire Royals 3-2 Thames Valley Railway, Racing Club de Woko 5-3 Royal Albion, Sanctuary Strikers 3-5 116 Exiles Reserves Four: Whitley Wood 5-5 Brothers United, MAC 0-9 Reading United, NFFT 1-4 RG6 Bracknell & District Sunday League Premier: Raglan 6-3 Finchampstead Athletic One: Finchampstead Athletic Reserves 4-1 Bracknell Corinthians, Panthers FC 2-7 Bigshot Blacks,
SPORT | 19
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
RUGBY UNION
NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE
REYNOLDS HAILS ‘BRILLIANT’ WIN By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds hailed a ‘brilliant, brilliant win’ as his side snatched a nerve-wracking 22-19 at Tonbridge Juddians.
“When you’ve lost two on the bounce and you’ve not had rugby, and especially in these kind of conditions, it can be the kind of game which doesn’t go your way,” he said. “To dig that out and get the win was important, and I think we deserved it. “Tonbridge played with a lot of heart and you can see what they’re trying to achieve, trying to get themselves out of a position they don’t want to be in. “When you come across that you have a side who are very dangerous, and on top of that you have the fact this isn’t an easy place to play. “And on top of that, the rain came in and the pitch is torn up to the point you
Tonbridge v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield probably couldn’t have played much longer – it was one of those days where it was arguably better not to have the ball – and I thought it was a brilliant, brilliant win.” He continued: “We scored some good tries. When we got into their 22, with our pick-and-goes
we created some really good opportunities, and there was some really good stuff in general.” “The pack were outstanding. The scrum really got going with James Baker, Ant Marris and Max Hayman in the front row very, very good, Colin Thomson in the engine room
and the maul – something we worked on in the week knowing conditions might not be good – also went really well. The back row grabbed his 45th first-team try with some deft footballing skills in the right-hand corner. Reynolds joked: “I watched him do a kick at Exmouth once which was one of the worst I’ve ever seen, so he can have that one back now.” “Even in those kind of conditions, he had the game sense to realise with a penalty advantage ‘I’m going to put a little nudge into the corner here’ because when you get those chances you can try and break out and create something, and that’s probably the reason we won – we were just able occasionally to put a couple of plays together and get the scores.” n Rams return to Old Bath Road for the first time in 2022 when they host Plymouth Albion on Saturday (3pm).
HUMBERSTONE’S LAST GAP TRY SNATCHES AWAY VICTORY DREW Humberstone’s late try helped Rams snatch a dramatic 22-19 victory in atrocious conditions at Tonbridge Juddians.
The home side who made the initial breakthrough as fly-half Tom White slotted a 30-metre penalty after Rams were penalised for not releasing. The hosts then hit the front in somewhat fortuitous fashion, a bouncing ball hacked on a couple of times before Tom Nicol collected and touched down to the left of the posts. White converted for a six-point advantage, only for Humberstone to halve it with a penalty before the interval. Rams made a disastrous start to the second period as White immediately landed his third penalty, but they hit back with a fortunate score of their own as another unclaimed high ball eventually fell to Ellis Jones. White landed another long-range penalty to push his side four points ahead again, but Rams then took command in the final quarter. With time running out, a magical cross-field kick by young fly-half
Tonbridge v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield Rowan Grundy was collected by Jak Rossiter, and after it went through the hands from Jones to Humberstone, the full-back dotted down in the left-hand corner. His stunning touchline conversion made it 22-19, and Rams held their nerve in the closing stages, they closed the game out to halt a two-game losing streak and begin 2022 in a positive fashion.
National League One Rugby returns to Old Bath Road on Saturday 15th January 2022 K.O. 3.00pm 1st XV v Plymouth Albion RFC A range of great food and drink is available for you to savour. Great Beer, Great Food and Great Rugby! E tickets can be pre-purchased via our Ticket Office at: Entry is £15 for over 18s for non-season ticket holders, FREE for under 18s.
FREE Park and Ride available for this fixture.
Rams Rugby, Old Bath Road, Sonning, Berkshire RG4 6TQ © RAMSRUGBY 2022
160mmx8 columns (265mm) Plymouth Home 15th January - Wokingham and Reading Paper 12.13.22 copy.indd 1
07/01/2022 11:24:51
20 | SPORT
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
DOWIE NETS WINNER AS R WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
How they rated
READING 1 LEICESTER CITY 0 GRACE MOLONEY
Had a very quiet afternoon thanks to the competent work of her defence in front of her but made a couple of routine saves.
NATASHA HARDING
The skipper led from the back and made some important clearances when Reading were under pressure in the second half.
GEMMA EVANS
A commanding display at the back from the central defender who has become a vital part of Reading’s side since arriving this season.
DEANNA COOPER
Put her body on the line on a couple of occasions to prevent Lecieter having a route towards goal. Substituted at half-time.
LILY WOODHAM
Managed to get forward on a few occasions in the first-half but was needed to do plenty of defensive work in the second-half.
JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET A dominant display in the middle of the park. Showed her passing range with a superbly played ball that played Dowie in for her goal.
SANNE TROELSGAARD
A classy debut from the Danish international who will add some extra quality in the middle if her first display is anything to go by.
AMALIE EIKELAND
Worked tirelessly for the team in both defence and attack and had a few bright moments going forward that led to chances.
EMMA HARRIES
A lively display on the right-hand side. Her driving run and cut back led to Dowie winning a penalty, while she also hit the crossbar.
DEANNE ROSE
Used her pace to make some penetrating runs but tired as the game wore on and struggled to make an impact.
NATASHA DOWIE
Showed her clinical edge once again with a brilliantly taken goal to put Reading in front. Had a penalty saved with a well hit strike.
SUBS Bethan Roberts 7, Tia Primmer 5,
6 7 7 6 7 9 8 7 8 6 8
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today NATASHA Dowie netted the only goal of the game to help Reading Women maintain their excellent form in the Women’s Super League.
The Royals enjoyed a magnificent end to 2021 and continued their form into the new calendar year thanks to Dowie’s splendid finish in the 11th minute that proved to be the winner. Dowie had the chance to add to her and her team’s tally before the break but was denied from the penalty spot. But Reading held out to see off their relegation threatened opponents and climbed up to sixth in the table. New signing Sanne Troeslgaard was brought straight into the starting line-up by Kelly Chambers to play in midfield alongside Justine Vanhaevermaet The first chance of the game came inside the opening two minutes with Natasha Dowie bearing down on goal, but Leicester goalkeeper Demi Lambourne did just about enough to race off her line and clear the danger. Reading’s tactics to get in behind the Foxes were apparent which saw forward Deanne Rose make several darting runs behind the Leicester backline. The visitors won a couple of freekicks within a promising range in quick succession but the Royals stayed compact and organised to clear their lines after Molly Pike’s inswinging delivery. With 11 minutes on the clock, Reading got off the mark with their first goal of 2022. Justine Vanhaevermaet picked out the run of Dowie who spotted
Emma Harries’ shot hits the crossbar
Dowie has her penalty saved
Harries fights for the ball
Match stats Reading: Moloney, Harding (c), Evans, Cooper, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Troelsgaard, Harries, Eikeland, Rose, Dowie Subs: Poulter, MacDonald, Primmer, Roberts, Lister, Stewart Leicester: Lambourne, Howard, McManus, Tierney, Plumptre, de Graaf, Pike, Barker (c), O’Brien, Purfield, Grant Subs: Gregory, Robinson, Harris, Brougham, Goodwin Goals: Dowie 11’
Reading players and staff celebrate after the match the keeper slightly off her line and she delicately lifted the ball over the head of Lambourne with a delightful lob that dropped into the net. The Foxes tried to reply when Esmee de Graaf made a surging run into the box and cut the ball back, but there was no teammate in the middle to profit from what would have been a tap in. The Royals had the chance to go further in front, this time from the penalty spot when Dowie was tripped in the box by Abbie McManus after Emma Harries
Reading made it six games unbea
had led the charge for Reading and found her fellow attacker in the box. Dowie stepped up to the spot hoping to bag her second goal of the game, but Lambourne guessed the correct way to make a fine stop. The hosts came within a whisker of doubling their advantage when Harries burst down the right, into the box, dinked the ball over Lambourne but was denied by the frame of the goal before Amalie Eikeland fired just wide with the follow up.
REACTION
CHAMBERS: ‘WE HAVE GREAT TOGETHERNESS’ READING FC Women’s manager Kelly Chambers gave an honest reflection after her team’s win over Leicester City.
Despite making it six games unbeaten in the Women’s Super League, Chambers admitted that it wasn’t their best performance. “I think overall and being fair on ourselves, it wasn’t a great performance today,” said Chambers. “We had a change of shape during the week and you can tell how long the girls have had off matches just down to match fitness. “We were on a great run before Christmas and we wanted to continue that.
“So for us we know we didn’t play great, we’ve all admitted that but we got the three points and that’s what it’s all about.” The win lifts the Royals up to sixth in the WSL table and Chambers praised the togetherness of her side who have turned their season around after a disastrous start. “There is definitely a great deal of togetherness in this squad right now,” she continued. “Everybody is in it together and fighting for one another, and you saw that again with our defensive display.
“The table is looking good right now, but moving forward in the season, we’ll just keep focusing on one game at a time. “We knew it was a crucial one that we really wanted to pick up points and we knew it wouldn’t be easy. “We managed to achieve that despite not putting in our best performance. “We knew the spaces we may be
able to exploit, taking on different finishing scenarios and Tash (Dowie) has been doing a lot of work on that in the week so credit to her. “If I’m being critical on us a team, we should have had the game buried by half-time and I think the players know that with the chances we had with a penalty and other attacking moves, we didn’t execute which on another day could have been costly.”
SPORT | 21
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
ROYALS FEND OFF FOXES
Reading line up for a corner
From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith
VAR or not to VAR, that is the question
W
Gemma Evans heads away Dowie
aten in the league Pictures: Neil Graham
Teams fight from a corner
Chambers made a change going into the second-half as Bethan Roberts replaced Deanna Cooper. Dowie latched onto a through ball and slotted the ball into the bottom corner with a tidy finish only for her goal to be chalked off by the offside flag, but with promising signs with the Royals looking to add more goals to their tally. Leicester started to enjoy more of the ball and threaten in attack. Freya Gregory had a golden chance to level the game but opted to go for goal herself instead Natasha Dowie scores with a lob
Vanhaevermaet picks a pass
Amalie Eikeland chases he ball
of picking out a teammate in the middle and struck the side netting. Five minutes after the hour mark, Dowie had another opportunity to add to the score when Harries set her through on goal, but she elected to hit the shot first time that was held comfortably by Lambourne. Sam Tierney could count herself fortunate to escape with just a yellow card when she upended Dowie who looked to have been racing through on Leicester’s goal. Despite having more of the ball
than they did in the first-half, the Foxes lacked any cutting edge to pose a real threat to Reading who stayed resilient. Tia Primmer entered the match for the final 10 minutes in place of Rose. The hosts limited Leicester’s chances by holding onto possession smartly in the final minutes and remained compact at the back which was enough to see them extend their unbeaten run to six matches in the league. Reading face an away trip to top of the table Arsenal next weekend.
PREVIEW
ROYALS READY FOR VISIT TO LEAGUE LEADERS ARSENAL READING FC WOMEN will be seeking to pull off another shock when they travel to play top of the table Arsenal on Sunday.
The Royals have already made their mark on the title race felt this season after they handed champions Chelsea a 1-0 defeat at the Select Car Leasing Stadium thanks to Deanne Rose’s superb goal. Kelly Chambers’ team have been in scintillating form sees them unbeaten in their last six Women’s Super League matches with five wins and a draw. Although Sunday’s opponent’s
Arsenal sit at the top of the table, they were on the end of a surprise result last weekend against relegation battling Birmingham City. Birmingham went into the match at the bottom of the league with just one point to their name from 10 matches. However, it was the Blues who came out on top with a magnificent performance to put a dent in Arsenal’s title hopes. Libby Smith put Birmingham ahead after just three minutes and Veatriki Sarri fouled the lead just before the break.
The north London side still have a four-point buffer at the summit, but have played one more game than second-placed Chelsea. The Royals and the Gunners have already met once this season, at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in September. Arsenal took all three points with a resounding 4-0 victory in what was a miserable start to the 2021/22 campaign for Reading. However, the Royals have turned their fortunes around since that September meeting and go into the game full of confidence. Reading manager Chambers
said: “Now we look ahead to our next game, Arsenal, and having a week to properly build up certainly helps. “Many managers may say it won’t be a great time to play them, but we’ve proved what we can do out on the pitch. “Just like Chelsea, not many expect us to get anything out of the game, but the run that we’re on and I know how hungry the girls are to get points on the board. “We know it’s going to be a tough game for us, but I know the team I put out there will fight in every moment and be right up for it.”
HEN asked in an interview with an Italian newspaper ‘Wouldn’t it be better to do away with VAR,’ Pierluigi Collina, often said to have been the world’s best ever referee, said he was bemused by the suggestion. “If I could go back and officiate I would love to do it with VAR. “Many referees miss important opportunities to correct errors that would only take few seconds to sort out. “Why give up such an important safety net?” That might seem that he would be agreeing with Arsenal fans after their game with Manchester City, but let me remind you of what happened at the game. If you watched even just the highlights on television, you would remember that Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, brought down City’s Bernado Silva for a penalty that eventually led to City’s late victory. It was obvious that referee Stuart Attwell, could not see the full challenge. There had been a slight push by Xhaka, but not enough to cause a fall. It was only when prompted by the VAR, he looked at the monitor and could see that from another angle, it was clear that Xhaka had pulled Silva down by holding on to his shirt front. The Arsenal argument was that Stuart Attwell hadn’t looked at the monitor for an earlier incident, when Martin Odegaard appeared to be brought down by City goalkeeper, Ederson. So why didn’t the VAR ‘recommend a review’ as they call it in America’s MLS?, When you see the replay from another angle, it is clear that Ederson played the ball before Odegaard fell over his outstretched leg. Presumably the same view that the VAR would have had. So no foul, which Attwell had already decided, so why would they ask him to have a look. He had not made a likely error, which is the only reason that the VAR would interfere. The sad thing about this, is that it is the referee who got both decisions correct, with help from VAR for the second one, who is vilified by the Arsenal players, club officials and fans as the villain of the piece. Why did they not blame Xhaka whose offence had caused the penalty, that had cost them the match?
22 | SPORT
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
How they rated
ROYALS THUMPED BY FULHAM IN READING 0 FULHAM 7
LUKE SOUTHWOOD
In all honesty it could have been more without him. He let in seven but made a fair few decent stops.
DEJAN TETEK
Flew into some tackles in the first-half but won them fairly. Was withdrawn with a suspected injury five minutes after the restart.
MAMADI CAMARA
Replaced Scott Dann after just four minutes. Looked very bright in the first-half and almost scored with a backheel.
TOM HOLMES
Dived in with a naive tackle to give away the penalty. Lost his head in the second-half which showed for the seventh and final goal.
ETHAN BRISTOW
Another tricky night for the inexperienced full-back who looked out of his depth against a very strong Fulham attack.
JOSH LAURENT
A dreadful error to hand Fulham their first goal and got caught out of position a few times having to cover at centre back.
DANNY DRINKWATER
Played some uncharacteristically sloppy passes in his own half and looked very frustrated in the secondhalf.
JOHN SWIFT
Hasn’t looked himself for a while after carrying the team early in the season. Didn’t manage to get into the game at all.
TOM DELE-BASHIRU
Completely overrun in midfield by a classy Fulham outfit and couldn’t help to create much in the first-half.
JUNIOR HOILETT
Created a couple of bright moments in the first-half with some dangerous crosses but was run ragged by Fulham in the second-half.
ANDY CARROLL
Scored two absolute stunners within a minute only for both to be ruled out for offside. Unlucky not to have been given a penalty.
SUBS George Puscas 3, Andy Rinomhota 3
3 4 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 5
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING were dealt more affliction in a dreadful week for the club as they were thumped by promotion pushing Fulham.
The result capped off a nightmare week for the Royals in what was their heaviest ever defeat at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. The result leaves the Royals in deep trouble, just three points above the relegation zone having played one game more than 22nd placed Peterborough United. Harry Wilson put the Whites ahead after 13 minutes by capitalising on a Josh Laurent mistake at the back. Championship top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic netted a brace, Wilson added a second to his tally, while Kenny Tete, Neeskens Kebano and Tosin Adarabioyo capped off the scoring to complete the thrashing. After Saturday’s disaster away at Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Cup, Veljko Paunovic made six changes to the team which saw John Swift and Andy Carroll return to the starting line-up. Among continued injury problems for the Royals, there were just six out of a possible seven players named on the substitutes bench. Meanwhile, Marco Silva lined up with a full strength team that included Championship top scorer Aleksander Mitrovic, who had 22 goals to his name in 22 matches prior to kick-off. Just five minutes into the match, there was yet another injury woe for Reading when Scott Dann went down injured to receive treatment. That forced an early change as Mamadi Camara entered the action, with Josh Laurent dropping back
A humiliating night for the Royals into central defence to fill the void left by Dann. Fulham’s high press caused the hosts all sorts of problems in their own half, but it was a mistake of Reading’s own doing that led to the first goal of the game. With comfortable possession in their own half, Laurent played a blind pass across the face of his own goal unaware of the presence of Harry Wilson who was given a gift to tap the ball into a half empty net. The Royals created their first chance of the match when John Swift flighted a cross into the box that was nodded down by Andy Carroll into the path of Camara, but he couldn’t get it under control. Camara was then denied a terrific equaliser by a sublime save from Marek Rodak. Camara adapted brilliantly with a quick piece of thinking to backheel the ball towards the corner, but the Fulham keeper clawed the ball away. Reading were unfortunate not to have been awarded a spot kick when Carroll appeared to have been tripped by the lunge of Tosin Adarabioyo, but the referee waved play on. In an extraordinary minute of play, Carroll had the ball in the back of the net twice in quick succession but both were denied by the offside flag. The first of which was a tremendous bicycle kick, before he
Holmes reacts after another Fulham goal
Match stats Reading: Southwood, Bristow, Holmes, Dann, Tetek, Laurent (c), Drinkwater, Hoilett, DeleBashiru, Swift, Carroll Subs: Rafael, Stickland, Rinomohta, Camara, Puscas, Clarke Fulham: Rodak, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Reed, Cairney (c), Wilson, Carvalho, Kebano, Mitrovic Subs: Gazzaniga, Odoi, Hector, Chalobah, Francais, De Cordova-Reid, Muniz Goals: Wilson 13’, 60’, Mitrovic 45+3’, 89’, Tete 68’, Kebano 70’, Tosin 75’
Reading suffered volleyed a thunderbolt in from 25 yards only to be called offside. Reading were dealt a hammer blow on the brink of the half-time whistle when Tom Holmes dove in with a naive challenge that tripped Wilson in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Top scorer Mitrovic stepped up to the spot and drilled the ball into the bottom left corner out of the reach of Luke Southwood. Fulham came out firing looking to add to their work from the firsthalf when goalscorers Mitrovic and Wilson combined, but the latter smacked the ball into the side netting. Paunovic opted for an early change in the second-half as Andy
REACTION
‘I want to encourage everyone to keep believing and calm down’ READING FC manager Veljko Paunovic admitted that he felt ‘embarrassed’ after the Royals’ crushing defeat at home to Fulham.
“It was a horrible and disappointing night,” said Paunovic after Reading shipped seven goals without reply to Fulham. “The word that describes how I feel and how everyone feels is embarrassment. “It’s a very difficult time. The way we handle ourselves and deal with this is a huge test and determines the shape and mentality moving forward. “I want to encourage everyone to keep believing and calm down.
“We can accept all the blame but have to remind ourselves we’ve been given a very difficult task to deal with so many things that are a consequence of today.” The Serian boss reiterated his belief that he is the right person for the job and believes his team is capable of surviving relegation. He continued: “If you want to look up, you have to win points. “People are concerned and I don’t want to raise that, but we are where we are right now but I believe the team is capable of getting out of this situation. “January will be hard because we
have what we have, players who are returning but not in shape and important players who are injured. “Everything today was wrong. That mentality won’t help. We have to fix this immediately and we are fighting the best we can in this situation.” The Royals boss commented on the injury suffered to ScottDann that forced him off the pitch after just five minutes.
“It was unrelated to Saturday. “At this point, I know how people think. We all look for excuses or reasons to blame. “He has his own programme and works with our fitness coach. Everyone has a right for their opinion but it’s something that cannot be seen from that perspective. “It’s so superficial and I won’t comment anymore on that. I don’t think it’s the reason why he got injured today.”
SPORT | 23
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, January 13, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
N HEAVIEST EVER HOME DEFEAT
From the Tilehurst End Olly Allen
Is Pauno’s time almost up?
F Andy Carroll is tripped in the box
d their biggest ever home defeat against Fulham on Tuesday evening Pictures: Steve Smyth
Luke Southwood
Rinomhota entered the action in place of Dejan Tetek. On the hour mark, the Whites put the points beyond doubt with a swiftly worked team move that was finished off from close range by Wilson who claimed his second goal of the evening. Paunovic made his third and final change of the night by bringing on George Puscas for Drinkwater. Things went from bad to worse, to disastrous for the Royals as Fulham added three more in a dominant display. Mitrovic was allowed a free header to nod the ball in from close range for the fourth. Kebano made a run to the back post to profit from a cross to tap in
John Swift shields the ball Danny Drinkwater puts in a tackle
at the back post and Adarabioyo headed in from a corner for the sixth. A miserable night for the hosts was finally ended with a seventh when Mitrovic tapped in a rebound. The Royals are back in action on Saturday away at Middlesbrough.
PREVIEW
STURGGLING ROYALS TRAVEL TO IN FORM BORO PRESSURE continues to grow on Reading in their fight for Championship survival when they travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Royals sit just one place above the relegation zone prior to after they were thrashed by Fulham. Middlesbrough are hovering around the play-off places in what has been a fantastic run of form for the team over the Christmas period. They have collected 39 points from 25 matches with 11 wins, six draws and eight defeats.
After a steady start to the season, the club opted for change when they dismissed of former manager Neil Warnock and brought in Chris Wilder, who achieved promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United in the 2018/19 campaign. Boro boast one of the sturdiest defences in the league and have conceded just under a goal per game on average this season with 24 goals conceded, giving them the fourth best record in the division. Boro have lost just once since the
appointment of Wilder, with defeat to Preston in November. But other than that one slip,they have been in fine form and have picked up five wins, two draws and a loss from his eight games in charge. They have also had extra time to recover since their FA Cup victory away at Mansfield at the weekend having not been involved in league action this midweek while the Royals are catching up on postponed games throughout December. Boro’s top scorer so far this
season is Andraz Sporar with six goals from 20 matches. Reading picked up three points earlier in the season when Boro visited the Select Car Leasing Stadium in September. Alen Halilovic netted the only goal of the game to beat Warnock’s men. On their last trip to the Riverside, Reading earned a point in October 2020 after a goalless stalemate that saw just one shot recorded on target in the entire match, that was for the away side.
OR a while, I’ve held off discussing the future of Veljko Paunovic in this column. Largely because I believe he’s been dealt a pretty rough hand as Reading manager and I do still hold that viewpoint. But Saturday’s FA Cup third round exit to non-league Kidderminster Harriers means it is impossible to talk about anything to do with the club without bringing up the precarious nature of Paunovic’s position. The result is perhaps the most humiliating suffered by Reading in recent memory. There have been heavier defeats and there have been worse performances, but very few come close to the feeling of being knocked out of the cup by a team 78 places below you in the football pyramid. I should probably point out a couple of caveats here. Firstly, the blame for this result is not solely on Paunovic. The two goals Reading conceded were extremely soft: Rafael let Sam Austin’s shot for the first squirm underneath him, while the defending for the second as a corner was whipped was shambolic. The whole afternoon at Aggborough was very sour for a number of reasons and it all made this the low-point of what has been a pretty miserable season. It was certainly an afternoon where I confirmed my place in the #PaunoOut camp. As I say, I do think there are mitigating circumstances at play and a transfer embargo, unprecedented injury crisis and six-point deduction have made life extremely hard for the Serbian this season. But they cannot be used as an explanation for Saturday’s defeat and Paunovic’s refusal to admit any blame after the game and instead try to justify the result only served to alienate the fanbase even further. The manager also admitted his priority was the Championship, which is fair enough given Reading are in a relegation battle but again doesn’t really wash with fans when you’ve just been knocked out of the cup by sixth tier opposition. But the Royals have had one-off good results in the last few months, at Birmingham and Swansea for example. What they need is a consistent run of good form. Perhaps more pressingly that’s what Paunovic needs. A lot of faith has been lost in him after last weekend and he needs to prove he is still the right man for the job.
24 | SPORT
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, January 13, 2022
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
0800 30 50 30
www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
How they rated
RAFAEL CABRAL
Made a terrific first-half save but a howler to let in Kidderminster’s equaliser and wasn’t commanding enough to stop the winner.
DEJAN TETEK
Has been used to fill in at rightback on a few occasions but in fairness it’s not his natural position which was telling in his performance.
TOM HOLMES
Had a solid half in which he put in some important tackles at the back. Picked up a silly booking and was substituted at the break.
LOUIE HOLZMAN
Rewarded with his senior debut. Not a start to remember but through no fault of his own as part of a makeshift back four.
ETHAN BRISTOW
A real chance to impress with Baba Rahman away at AFCON, but didn’t do enough to show he’s ready to make the step up just yet.
DANNY DRINKWATER
Should have been able to shine with his vast experience up against much lower opposition but struggled massively to find any kind of control.
CLAUDIO OSORIO
Gave away possession cheaply at times and struggled against the physicality of Kidderminster but wasn’t helped by his teammates.
MAMADI CAMARA
The best of a bad bunch. A bright afternoon from the youngster who worked tirelessly and had a good opportunity to score in the first half.
ALEN HALILOVIC
Another experienced talent that should be stepping up but didn’t show enough before being subbed at half-time through injury.
TOM DELE-BASHIRU
Got an assist to his name but in truth it was a miscontrolled touch that fortuitously fell into Puscas’ path.
GEORGE PUSCAS
Bagged a goal after a longrunning drought. Other than that, offered almost nothing in the way of hold up play or attacking threat.
SUBS Josh Laurent 4, Andy Rinomhota 4, Michael Stickland 4, Felipe Araruna n/a
3 3 5 4
Rafael is booked after Kidderminster’s winner
Mamadi Camara goes close but the Royals are beaten by Harriers Pictures: Steve Smyth
FA CUP THIRD ROUND
ROYALS, STUNNED BY NON -LEAGUE 4 HARRIERS, CRASHOUT OF CUP 3 4 6 3 4 4
KIDDERMINSTER 2 READING 1
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING became victims of a huge FA Cup upset as Kidderminster Harriers came from behind to progress from the third-round.
George Puscas put the Royals in front just before the break against the run of play to put pay to his goal drought. Kidderminster skipper Sam Austin levelled the game before Amari Morgan-Smith netted a scrappy winner in the 81st minute for the National League North outfit. In what turned out to be a dreadful afternoon for Reading, it was a game marred not only by a horrific result, but also to a nasty looking injury to Felipe Araruna who had only made his return from a 16 month injury last week. There were plenty of changes, eight in total, made by Royals boss Veljko Paunovic which included a debut for academy defender Louie Holzman, while Tom Holmes adorned the captain’s armband. Andy Rinomhota was named among the substitutes, the first time he has made the matchday squad since August due to injury. Club record signing George Puscas would be relishing the chance to end his 277 day goal drought as he was handed a rare start to lead the line. A packed out crowd turned out in force at Aggborough Stadium for the third-round tie, with both
teams selling out their allocations to create a lively atmosphere and the 5,000 home fans hoping for a cup upset. Despite the gap in divisions between the teams, it was an even start to the contest. That was until Kidderminster goalkeeper Luke Simpson made a mess of his clearance in the 10th minute that gifted a chance to Mamadi Camara, but Simpson made amends to spare his blushes. A scrappy half ensured with neither side able to create any clear cut chances, other than an important clearance from Holmes in the box and an optimistic outswinging cross from Dejan Tetek. The non-league outfit grew into the tie and had a promising spell towards the end of the half. The run of Ashley Hemmings allowed him to chest the ball into his path and run through towards goal but Ethan Bristow got back to make a challenge. Omari Sterling-James cut infield and unleashed a powerful dipping effort from 35 yards out that forced an athletic stop from Rafael Cabaral who launched himself to his left to tip the ball over the bar. Captain for the day Holmes, picked up the first booking of the match when Amari Morgan-Smith beat the defender to the ball and fell down under a mistimed tackle. Paunovic had to use his first of five available subs five minutes before the break to replace the injured Alen Halilovic with Femi Azeez. The half came towards a close with the hosts the happier of the
sides in a first 45 that saw Reading unable to stamp any quality on the game. That was until the final minute of the half when the Royals snatched the lead against the run of play. A clipped ball through the middle to Tom Dele-Bashiru fell into the path of Puscas who struck the ball emphatically on the bounce past the keeper from eight yards to break his long runing goal drought. Paunovic made a second switch at half-time as Holmes was replaced by Josh Laurent who plugged the gap in central defence. With renewed confidence in his game, Puscas had another sight of goal but blazed his shot over the bar from outside the area early in the second-half. Camara went into the book and allowed Harriers to have a pop at
Match stats Kidderminster: Simpson, Penny, Cameron, Bajrami, Richards, Martin, Carrington, Hemmings, Austin (c), Sterling-James, Morgan-Smith Subs: Tolley, Fremantle, White, Bastable, Lowe, Emery, Montrose, Foulkes Reading: Rafael, Tetek, Holmes (c), Holzman, Bristow, Drinkwater, Osorio, Camara, DeleBashiru, Halilovic, Puscas Subs: Azeez, Laurent, Rinomhota, Southwood, Clarke, Stickland, Araruna, Senga-Ngoyi Goals: Puscas 45’, Austin 69’, Morgan-Smith 81’
goal from a free-kick. Sterling took on the shot that fizzed harmlessly wide of Rafael’s post. Kidderminster skipper Sam Austin went on a forceful run down the right wing, jinked onto his left foot and sent a curling effort inches wide of the far post. The home side maintained their momentum and stole possession inside the Reading box, but Rafael was out quickly to smother the attacker. That lacklustre spell from the Royals prompted a double change just before the hour mark, which saw Rinomhota take the place of Danny Drinkwater and Felipe Araruna replace Tetek. But just a minute after coming on, Arauna, who made his return after 16 months last Monday against Derby, had to be stretchered off and replaced by Michael Stickland. Reading’s afternoon went from bad to worse when Austin’s strike squirmed through Rafael at the near post to give the National League North side a leveller with 20 minutes of normal time remaining. Kidderminster applied all the pressure and looked the more likely to snatch the tie. Rafael had to claw the ball away from the far post to push the ball away for a corner and from the resulting set-piece, the Harriers got in front as Morgan-Smith scrambled the ball over the line. Despite 12 minutes of added time at the end of the 90, Reading were unable to find an equaliser and were eliminated in what was an historic afternoon for Kidderminster.