Wokingham Today, July 8, 2021

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

UPDATED DAILY AT WWW.WOKINGHAM.TODAY

THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Thursday, July 8, 2021 No. 320

70p

Cross county runners PRIDE PICNIC THIS SATURDAY P8

FARLEY HILL PUTS P3 PEDAL TO THE METAL FOR SOAPBOX RACE The borough had a spring in its step as more than 400 runners completed the Sonning 10K on Sunday. Event organisers were thrilled to see participants travelled from nearby counties Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire to take part in the annual race, calling it a big success. Full story and a picture special P22-23. Picture: Steve Smyth

NIGHT MARSHALS TO PATROL STREETS

Plan aims to reduce covid rates in younger people

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today AS THE country prepares for the end of coronavirus restrictions later this month, the borough council is planning to use covid marshals during evenings and, in a separate development wants to launch a permanent vaccination centre.

The latter comes after the success of a pop-up surge vaccination centre in Bulmershe Leisure Centre last month, offering jabs to younger residents.

From Monday, July 19, all restrictions including mask wearing and social distancing requirements will be dropped and pubs, theatres and other venues will be allowed to reopen as normal.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said

the changes could come about because the majority of people who were being admitted to hospital were unvaccinated. The decision comes as case numbers continue to rise.

In neighbouring Reading on Monday, the Palmer Park area saw a high of 1,690 cases per 100,000 – while parts of Woodley had too few cases to register on the government’s data map. � Continued on page 12

STUDENTS ANALYSE GREENWAYS P19 TRIBUTES PAID TO RUSCOMBE MAN P7

HOME MARKS 35TH ANNIVERSARY P18

2 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

MOVING IN: First residents settle into homes to be completed in Arnett Avenue

WE COVER WOKINGHAM BOROUGH

‘We’re fortunate to be living in new Gorse Ride South homes’

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today ONE of the first residents to move into a new home on Gorse Ride has said that she is fortunate to be living there.

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Last month, Wokingham Borough Council handed over 10 of its new homes to its housing company, Loddon Homes, at the Finchampstead development.

Loddon Homes will eventually receive 46 new homes as part of the regeneration of Gorse Ride South, a mixture of two- and three-bedroom stock. Some will be bought by residents, while others will be available for social rental agreements.

And the council says it is designing the properties to be highquality and energy efficient as well as affordable.

Also in the first phase, there will be 16 one- and two-bed apartments for social rent, with a further 20 available under a shared ownership arrangement. These are due to be completed this summer.

Elizabeth Atkins is one of the new residents and has moved into Arnett Avenue.

“I feel so fortunate to be able to live here, the property is beautiful and designed so well, with spacious rooms and so much natural light from the large windows,” she said.

“It’s also amazing to look at from the outside.

“Lots of people have already complimented the use of different building materials. I am very much looking forward to a long, fulfilled life in this new home with my family.

Sign up to sunflower walk RESIDENTS can remember a loved one in Thames Hospice’s annual Sunflower Walk.

On Saturday, September 11, charity supporters can organise a walk in their preferred way, covering distances of 2.5km (1.5 miles), 5km or 10km.

Afterwards, walkers can visit the

MODERN LIVING: Ten homes have been completed at Arnett Avenue and handed over to Loddon Homes. Among the first to move in is Elizabeth Atkins (pictured below) Picture: Stewart Turkington

“I am so thankful to everyone who made it happen.”

Staff at Loddon Homes said the company is pleased to receive the keys to these first homes.

David Hunter, acting chair of the Loddon Homes Board, said: “We are extremely excited to be in receipt of the first new homes at Arnett Avenue.

“We have a total of 46 new homes being delivered as part of the Gorse Ride South regeneration programme and are delighted to see the outstanding quality and high specification of these homes and their outdoor areas become reality.

“More importantly we cannot wait for the residents to enjoy

homes they can be proud of – that’s really what is at the core of building communities to last in Wokingham Borough; the cornerstone to our growing portfolio of supported, social, affordable and shared ownership homes.”

The homes form part of Wokingham Borough Council’s overall housing strategy, and will see a total of 249 units built, of which 185 will be affordable. They replace Billing Avenue, Orbit Close, Dart Close, Firs Close and parts of Gorse Ride South and Whittle Close.

Cllr

John Kaiser, executive member for finance and housing at Wokingham Borough Council, said that the scheme future proofs both the homes and the communities that move in.

“Bright and spacious living areas combined with large bedrooms and impressive modern amenities such as solar panels and electric car charging points, emphasise our position at the forefront of providing the best local and affordable housing,” he added.

charity’s new hospice by Bray Lake to collect their medal in person.

There will also be an afternoon of celebration in the hospice gardens from 11am to 6pm, with a barbecue, refreshments, children’s entertainment and live music.

Alison Evans, head of events and community fundraising at the hospice, said: “We were thrilled with the amount of people that supported our Sunflower Walk last year despite lockdown restrictions,

with participants from all over the world.”

She hopes this year will be bigger and better.

“Please invite your friends, family and neighbours to join you,” Ms Evans added. “Every penny you raise will enable us to continue to give local people dignity, compassion and the best possible end-of-life care and support.”

Registration for the Sunflower Walk is free, but each walker is

expected to raise a minimum of £75 in sponsorship.

Those who do will receive a Thames Hospice T-shirt as well as their medal.

Everyone who visits the hospice after their walk can write a special message for their loved one on the memory tree in the gardens. � For more information, visit: www.thameshospice.org.uk/ sunflower-walk

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Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 3

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Under carters orders: sign up for soapbox race EXCLUSIVE

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today A WHEELY good day at the races is on the carts – sorry, cards – if residents sign up to take part in a family-friendly challenge this September.

The inaugural Farley Hill Soapbox Derby will see teams race each other from the top of Priest Hill, vying to be the fastest, the greatest and even the most creative.

The event, organised by Farley Hill resident Ben Teale, takes place in the afternoon on Sunday, September 19.

It’s open to homemade carts, no longer than 2 metres. The carts must also have a minimum of three wheels, brakes and a rigid steering system.

However, any wannabe Dick Dastardlies are warned that they can’t use any catapaults, pedals, or jet engines to give them an unfair advantage.

Each entrant in both the junior and adult categories will take part in timed heats, with the quickest receiving a trophy – and bragging rights – while the cart deemed to have the best design and construction will also be up for an honour.

Half of the funds raised from the event will go to The Victory Hall, on Church Road, and Mr Teale has been actively involved with its supporting society, helping at previous events such as quiz nights.

Mr Teale said it would be “amazing” to get around 20 carts racing in the soap box derby, which will run from 1pm on the day, and see a diversion for motorists in place to allow the derby to take place safely.

Everyone Mr Teale has spoken to has been “really enthusiastic” about the event.

“Although I’ve had a few challenges, the council have been brilliant and they have offered to do (the road closures) for free which has been great,” he said.

Mr Teale encouraged people to take part and said it is just a “bit of fun” for the day.

“We just want people to have lots of fun, have a cool day out, and the carts don’t need to be of a high level,” he said.

“You don’t have to have built the world’s best cart, as long as it has brakes and it’s safe that’s all that matters.”

Along with Malcolm Pridmore from Speedweld Engineering, on Parson’s Farm, Ben has offered to support to any participants needing help with the

IMAGES: CCTV stills showing thieves trying to break into Heathlands Road business units

Thieves point ‘shotgun’ during late night raid POLICE have released CCTV of three men following a burglary on Tuesday, June 29.

Officers would like to speak to them about the incident.

At around 11pm, three offenders were seen walking on Heathlands Road breaking into business units.

The victim, a man in his 50s approached the offenders, when one reached into his car and turned and pointed what is believed to be a shotgun at the victim.

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

The car is described as a silver Nissan X-Trail with no registration plates and a dent in the rear driver’s panel.

Investigating Officer, PC Philip Davies, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I am releasing these images as I believe the individuals may have information

CONSTRUCTION KINGS: Ben with his son, William (14) sitting in a very early mockup of a possible soapbox cartie ahead of the Farley Hill event on September 19 Picture: Steve Smyth

construction of their vehicle ahead to the event.

And to make the derby a big event, Bluebell Box, a vintage horsebox catering cafe and bar, will provide teas and coffees for spectators on the day.

In addition to the funds raised for The Victory Hall Trust, proceeds will be shared with a charity chosen by one of the event’s sponsors, Woodley-based

Healthy Start help PARENTS are being given a helping hand if they use Healthy Start vouchers – the Co-op is adding £1 on to their value.

At the moment, each voucher is worth £4.25, but the Southern Co-op, which has branches in Wokingham’s Market Place and in Binfield, is promising to top them up as part of its commitment to tackling food poverty.

The vouchers are for families on lower incomes with children aged four and under, or pregnant women, and can be used for fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables, fresh, dried or tinned pulses, cow’s milk and certain infant formula.

Holly Bramble, Southern Co-op's Community and Campaign Co-ordinator, said: “It breaks my

audio-visual production supplier SFL. Entry fees cost £30 for a cart entered in the adult category and £15 for juniors.

Spectator tickets cost £4 for adults, £2 for children and £10 for families.

Tickets will go on sale at the end of this month. � For more details, or to register visit farleyhillsoapbox.co.uk

heart to know that 4.28 million children in the UK were living in poverty last year, according to data published by the Department for Work and Pensions.

"Poverty and food inequality are issues that we have been working with our communities to tackle through food donations, our Feed a Family Fund, and other financial support. But while there are children still going hungry, then more needs to be done.”

Once families have received their vouchers, they simply need present them at the till when buying any eligible food items at a Southern Co-op store and the value will automatically be topped up to £5.25. � Locations of eligible Co-operative Food stores, can be found at stores. thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/ search.html.

about what happened.

“If you recognise these people or if you think one of them is you, please get in touch.”

PC Davies is also appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information about the events.

Residents can make a report online or by calling 101, and should quote reference 43210287313.

Anonymous reports can also be made via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

For advice and assistance on Family Law matters including:

• Divorce and separation

• Property/financial settlements

• Child arrangements

• Family disputes

• Cohabitation agreements

• Prenuptial agreements

Contact our Family Law team today for a free 1 hour consultation Evolution House, 53-59 Peach Street, Wokingham, RG40 1XP Tel: 0118 978 1017 Email: Michele.Jenno@star-legal.co.uk

www.star-legal.co.uk

4 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Green routes will help residents switch to cycling

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THREE new eco-friendly transport routes are set to get the go-ahead today, making it easier to cycle and walk between Woodley town centre and Reading’s Palmer Park.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for highways and transport, will chair an Individual Executive Member Decision meeting at 5.30pm. In it, she is expected to approve a recommendation that the council uses funding from the Department of Transport to build an initial section.

This will link Woodlands Avenue between Woodley’s town centre and Bulmershe Leisure Centre and is part of a £4 million project, for which £576,650 will come from the government’s

Active Travel Fund. The remaining funding will be found by the council.

When completed, it will continue to Palmer Park, on the border between Reading and Wokingham boroughs. It should be in use from spring next year.

A second scheme will run along the A4 London Road to either Sutton Seeds roundabout or Thames Valley Park.

The final scheme will go from Wokingham town centre, along London Road and then Seaford Road, Denton Road and Luckley Path.

Each project would be segregated cycle paths.

Research from the council showed that at the moment, between two-thirds and three-quarters of road users were motorists but would be more likely to switch to greener routes if available.

For the Wokingham scheme, 31% said they would be more likely to cycle, but 28% said it would not change their plans.

For the Earley A4 London Road scheme, 44% would cycle more and 18% said it wouldn’t change their behaviour.

And for the Woodley route, 45% said they would get on their bikes more frequently and 21% would drive less often.

Further consultation with residents on detailed plans for the Woodley to Reading route will come forward later this year.

“Feedback from our residents tells us they want to see segregated cycleways and these would lead to more of them feeling safe to travel around their area on their bikes,” said Cllr Jorgensen.

“We’re hoping to bring that to Woodley over the next year, with the first section of the Woodley to Reading route between Woodley town centre and Bulmershe Leisure Centre. We’re already looking at how to get funding in place to complete the rest of the route.”

The other routes will be progressed subject to further consultation and when funds allow.

The full engagement summary will be available on the MyJourney Wokingham website.

Cllr Jorgensen said that the council continues to invest in infrastructure across its road network to make it easier for residents to walk and cycle across the borough. This includes the greenways network and investment in cycle paths in other areas as better facilities will help cut the number of car journeys within the borough.

YES AND NO: re3 has produced an infographic showing what can and can’t be recycled

Hard plastics recycling trial

A NEW trial is being launched, aimed at reducing the amount of rigid plastic sent to landfill.

Re3, which runs recycling centres on behalf of Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham Borough councils, wants to cut back on the estimated 700 tonnes of waste produced each year.

The company says that for every 100 tonnes recycled, it can cut 250,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to the consumption of 180 cars.

Items that can be accepted include plastic buckets, crates, bins, storage boxes, garden furniture, pipes, toys or plastic plant pots.

However, items contaminated with paint will not be accepted, neither will polystyrene, fibreglass sheets, garden hoses, plastic film or car seats with textiles.

The new rigid plastic trial is expected to last up to six months and, if successful adopted on a permanent basis.

The plastic will be used in pipelines, the automotive industry, construction materials, furniture and household items.

In a joint statement, Cllr Dorothy Hayes (Bracknell Forest), Cllr Adele Barnett-Ward (Reading Borough) and Cllr Parry Batth (Wokingham), said:

“We are delighted with this trial and invite all residents to take notice of the full list of new rigid plastic materials that can now be recycled when visiting either the Bracknell or Reading recycling sites.

“This initiative represents an ideal opportunity to recycle even more plastic items that are no longer needed at our homes and plays an important part in the sustainable production of new plastic items.

“It is our aim to work towards a zero-landfill rate and adding rigid plastic to our recyclable waste stream is another step to achieve that.”

Evening be-gin

Mouse hunt

A GIN night will be held at Crowthorne’s British Legion club this Saturday.

Based on Wellington Road, the club is welcoming members and non-members to the event.

Premium gins will be available to try and entry is £10 for three gins and one tonic.

Numbers will be limited so booking is advised.

Social distancing will be followed in line with the current government guidelines.

To book a table call Jod on 07812 350281.

THERE’S a mouse loose in the house – and you’re invited to find him.

Several knitted creations have been made by members of the Mothers’ Union at St Paul’s Church.

They will be hidden in the Reading Road building and churchyard on Saturday, July 17.

Visitors are welcome between 2pm and 4pm to find the wee timorous beasties before enjoying refreshments in the Parish Rooms.

Entry is free, but donations to the Mothers’ Union are welcomed.

� For more details, log on to Crowthornerbl.co.uk

Watch your water use during hot weather THE RECENT hot weather has seen demand for water increase, and residents are being reminded to use water wisely.

On Sunday, June 13 – one of the hottest days of the year so far – South East Water said that it extracted, treated and pumped 666 million litres of water to 2.2 million customers – 100 million litres more than in an average June.

The company, which supplies Wokingham borough residents, said that while there is enough water in its reservoirs and underground aquifers, it had to push extra water through the treatment process to meet demand.

Douglas Whitfield, South East Water’s operations director, said: “When the temperature increases people use more water, it’s something we expect and plan for.

“As we’re still not commuting or travelling as normal, coupled with the recent hot weather, demand in our supply area is higher than we normally see.

“If a lot of people make a few simple changes it can add up to a big difference. An easy one is to cover paddling pools when not in use then re-using the water when emptying and not watering lawns when rain is on the way.”

He added: “Since the high demands experienced during the heatwave last year we have worked hard to make changes to improve the network, but with everyone at home this summer we are asking for everyone to help save water where they can”. � For water saving tips, log on to: www.southeastwater.co.uk/ savewaterinthesun

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

|5

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ADVERTISER'S ANNOUNCEMENT

Plenty of choice thanks to Bob’s Fish & Chips THE ARGUMENT over what to eat has been solved … head to Bob’s Fish and Chips and you can order the world on a plate.

The Finchampstead takeaway is more than just a chippy: you can order Thai, the tastiest Grilled Peri-Peri Chicken and pizzas, as well as kebabs, salads, burgers and Southern Fried Chicken – among many other culinary delights.

No more disagreements as to where to go for a treat, Bobs has it all and in one location.

Open six days a week, the popular takeaway is at the heart of the village and you’ll regularly see a steady stream of visitors coming in and out of its base at California Crossroads.

The menu includes set meals, favourites such as Thai fish cakes, dim sum and massaman curries.

Ordering online means you can choose collection time and customise your order. The team at Bobs can temper dishes to suit allergies – just fill in the form when placing your request.

Bob’s decided to get onboard with selling Thai food in Finchampstead due to requests from customers and owner Jazz Brar was pleased to be able to offer such an

extensive menu to his customers.

“We have something for everyone and it makes ordering easy for families who want a variety of dishes to be ready to collect together rather than having to dart around to different places,” he said.

“Customers enjoy coming to us because of the good quality of food and customer service and because they can order a huge variety of items.”

Jazz added that their online ordering system is straightforward to use, but walk-ins are welcome.

He said: “We've got a good website on which you can order everything, you can also put notes on any allergies you may have, what time you want to collect and anything else you want to let us know.

“I’d recommend pre-ordering any Thai dishes or pizzas so that customers aren’t waiting around for too long when they collect them.”

The shop is open 11.30am-2pm and 5pm-10pm every day except Sundays.

Pizzas and Thai food are only available to order in the evenings, with fish and chips available throughout the day. � For more details or to place an order, visit bobsfinchampstead.co.uk

Chinese meals are available

Bob’s Fish and Chips in Finchampstead naturally serves fish and chips

From the grill … peri peri chicken Chicken in a barbecue sauce

Chicken Pad Thai

Freshly made burgers

425 Finchampstead Road, Finchampstead RG40 3RL

Kebabs with fresh pitta and salad

bobsfinchampstead.co.uk

6 | NEWS

Mental health crisis centre to open in Reading A CRISIS support centre is opening in Reading to provide short-term help to people in distress.

The Breathing Space will open for each evening from Friday to Monday.

It will be run by national charity Together for Mental Wellbeing, providing a safe, supportive, inclusive and homely environment to talk about poor mental health.

Niki Cartwright, director of joint commissioning at Berkshire West CCG said she was pleased to announce the next step in opening up.

“We already commission Together For Mental Wellbeing to provide local services at Berkshire West Your Way, working alongside people with mental health issues to help them lead fulfilling and independent lives,” she said. “They consistently show they have a good knowledge and working relationship with our partner agencies in Berkshire West and this, coupled with experience at a national level, puts them in a strong position to fulfil our brief and provide an exceptional service for our people.”

Those visiting the centre will be signposted to resources such as recovery colleges or secondary care mental health services.

It is hoped it will provide better and timely support for people experiencing mental distress.

Last year, the CCG reviewed its Mental Health Crisis Service.

It flagged a need for a one-stop signposting service, with face-to-face support.

It will open later this year.

For the latest news visit

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

The Mill celebrates playwright with Ray Cooney Auditorium EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE MILL at Sonning is to celebrate one of the nation’s most-loved living playwrights by renaming its auditorium in his honour.

From September, plays will be performed in The Ray Cooney Auditorium. And the first show that will be performed will be his classic farce Two Into One. And among the cast is Carol Royle, the daughter of comedian Derek, who appeared in the very first production of the comedy in the West End. For The Mill’s owner, Sally Hughes, the association is a way of thanking Mr Cooney for his support not just over the pandemic, but going back many years.

“Around our second year that we were open we did a production of Run For You Wife,” she explained.

“I’d never met Ray but his manager suggested Dennis Ramsden as director, who became a great friend.

During the run, he became ill. He wasn’t just directing, he was playing one of the main parts.

“Ray sent his understudy down to us from the West End production.

That was his first act of generosity to The Mill. It meant we didn’t have to cancel the show, they were fantastic.

“We’ve done a Ray Cooney play every year since, some of them we’ve done three times and Ray has directed some of them.”

And when lockdown hit last March, Ray was one of the first to offer to help out.

“We were going from income coming in to nothing, absolutely nothing coming in to the box office, it just stopped. There was no furlough (for the industry), but there was all the staff and bills to pay.

What where we going to do? Ray stepped in and was just extraordinary in his generosity.

“I’ve seen him step in over the years and help people, very quietly.

He’s helped actors and productions.

I just thought how can I thank you?

I think it’s very fitting.”

And Ray, Ms Hughes says, was thrilled when she told him.

“He was delighted, he just adores the Mill,” she said. “And he will be there on the night, and he’s coming to our first rehearsal next Monday for a readthrough, which will be exciting.”

Two Into One opens on Thursday, August 5, and runs until Saturday, October 9. The unveiling will be at a special star-studded gala performance on Saturday, September 11. Tickets for this are £2,000 each and there are also opportunities to sponsor a seat, with all proceeds going to the Mill’s Angels fund which helps ensure the

NEW NAME: The Mill at Sonning has renamed its auditorium after Ray Cooney Picture: Rod Allday via geograph

dinner theatre can keep going.

It’s not the only way in which The Mill has been reaching out to supporters since it was able to reopen earlier in the summer. It has been hosting special celebrity events featuring supporters such as Upstairs Downstairs star Simon Williams, Strictly Come Dancing star Debbie McGee and an afternoon with Dame Judi Dench.

“Debbie did a wonderful show for us last weekend and Judi raised a huge amount of money for us. I emailed her way back towards the beginning of the year, asking if she would consider doing an afternoon for us. She came back immediately and said, ‘Darling, you know, whatever, whatever you want’. Just amazing.”

The theatre has benefited from

the cultural recovery fund, which is allowing the production of Two Into One to go ahead, and it will continue to offer appropriate covid-safe measures to keep everyone – actors, staff and visitors – safe.

“I think it’s so very important that people get behind us now,” Ms Hughes says.

“I feel that we will bounce back really well. I feel that because we’re a slightly smaller venue, people feel a little bit safer.

“Theatre is important, not just to people’s wellbeing, but to the economy, and The Mill is a huge boost to the local economy and we employ local people, so it’s very important.” � For more details on Two Into One, or to book, call 0118 969 8000 or log on to millatsonning.com

CINE VALLEY: A TV studio for chat and game shows is planned by the University of Reading as part of a film and creative hub in Shinfield Picture: Jess Warren

Game show TV studio plan to be heard PLANS FOR a new TV studio will be heard by the council next week.

The 4,591 sq m studio is part of the University of Reading’s Cine Valley project in Shinfield.

It will be heard by the borough council’s Development Control Committee on Wednesday, July 14.

Designed for audience-based chat and game shows, the studio could seat 600.

It will adjoin and match the look of the existing Gateway

building and sit beside the Rutherford Cancer Centre.

It is hoped the TV studio will be complementary to the Shinfield Studios proposal.

Darren Browne, commercial director of the University of Reading, said demand for filming space is increasing.

“This project is perfectly suited to help provide additional space for TV productions, alongside the separate Shinfield Studios film complex,” he said.

“This studio would support 150 full-time equivalent roles involved in the running of the studios, such as engineers, electricians and office staff, as well as production roles including camera operators, sound engineers and lighting specialists, and for audience handling, such as catering and security.”

The site would also offer opportunities to university students for hands-on experience, Mr Browne said.

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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THANK YOU: Twyford has paid tribute to community stalwart David Turner. He is pictured at his 70th birthday and in 1969 with David Sutch

Tributes paid to Twyford’s see-saw ace Dave Turner

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A MAN’S lifelong dedication to his community is being remembered by people in Twyford.

David Turner, who has died, aged 73, was well-known for his involvement in and enthusiasm for improving the village’s community.

Mr Turner, who moved to Ruscombe when he was six, was devoted to Twyford and its surrounding area.

Andrew Cardy, chairman of the Polehampton Charity where Mr Turner was a trustee for 27 years, said he will be sorely missed.

“He really is an unsung hero,” Mr Cardy said. “He was larger than life, always full of unusual and interesting ideas.

“He had this ability of pulling people together.”

Mr Turner, who died on Sunday, June 27, was a family man. He had four children and 12 grandchildren.

He met his wife, Lynda, at Woodley Youth Club in 1968 and the pair got married in Ruscombe Church in 1971.

While Mr Turner was known for leading community initiatives across Twyford, he also ran his own plumbing business in the village.

After leaving Wargrave’s Piggott School at age 14, he served as an apprentice to a plumber in Henley.

In his spare time, he would enjoy days out on the boat, taking trips with family and friends, and even put Twyford on the map when he broke a Guinness World Record in 1969.

Together with David Sutch, he set a new record for the length of time on a seesaw, spending more than 80 hours seesawing and bouncing 57,810 times.

Then, in 2019, Dave set out to beat their previous score by building a gigantic seesaw for the occasion. They held the event to fundraise for the Twyford Library project. But this time, he didn’t bounce, leaving it to Richard March (38) from Sandhurst and Michael Jones (36) from Ruscombe to beat their efforts.

“It was just a typical, completely bonkers idea from Dave,” Mr Cardy said.

“It galvanised people and they loved it, and it put Twyford on the map for the weekend.

“It was crazy, funny and did a wonderful job of highlighting the project.”

Mr Turner was known for being the driving force behind the Twyford Library project, which has been campaigning for a new library for approximately 20 years.

Lindsay Ferris, ward councillor for Twyford, is heavily involved in the initiative and said Mr Turner was one of the most active residents he has ever known.

“He was very committed to Twyford and the surrounding community,” Cllr Ferris said. “He was the one who came up with the suggestion of putting the library in the old Polehampton Boys’ School to put back into community use.

“In the not so distant future, hopefully we’ll get a new library and I think we can say Dave was really instrumental in that.”

Mr Cardy added: “It’s a great shame that he won’t see it, but as trustees we’re all determined to make sure Dave is highly recognised for his contribution and ideas.”

He hopes a memorial can be created for Mr Turner within the library once the project is complete.

Mr Turner was also active in Twyford’s Cubs and Scouts groups, a regular helper at the annual Donkey Derby and Commodore at the Reading Offshore Sailing Club.

He was heavily involved in Twyford Youth Centre too as part of his dedication to supporting the village’s young people.

Kathy Peck, from the Youth Club, said it was a pleasure and a privilege to work with him.

“I have learnt so much from Dave,” she said. “He was an excellent people person and he knew how to get the best from people.”

Mr Turner was responsible for converting the Club’s changing room into a new kitchen area and refurbishing a craft room into a meeting space.

“The last time I spoke to Dave, he said that maybe his passing would inspire others to step up and get involved as he has done,” Ms Peck added.

“He truly is an inspiration and has shown how much one person can achieve when they put their mind to it.”

Cllr Roy Mantel, chairman of Twyford Parish Council, said Mr Turner was “a true Twyfordian” through and through. “[He] played a part in many village organisations,” he added.

“As a member of Polehampton Trustees, he worked tirelessly to further the project of creating the Twyford community hub which will shortly come to fruition.

“One rarely meets a person of this calibre and he will be missed by all. The parish council sends its condolences to his family and friends.”

NEWS | 7

8 | NEWS

Help us help you: Return unused medical equipment A CALL has gone out to return unused medical equipment due to high demand.

Councils across Berkshire have urged residents to check their homes for NRS Healthcare items.

The supplier loans more than 35,000 items of equipment each year on behalf of the council or NHS. It supports people in living full, active and independent lives.

During the pandemic, many people weren’t able to return the items while others have sold them on.

Because of this, there is a lack of hoists, perching stools, commodes, rollators, profiling beds and mattresses.

Returning this equipment not only helps those in need but helps save public money.

NRS Healthcare cleans the equipment and carries out safety checks for it to be reused.

Equipment can be ready for redistribution in just three days.

Paul Callaway, NRS Healthcare’s service manager for Berkshire, said: “There is an urgent need for medical equipment within the community and we are asking those who no longer need it to please return it.

“This is vital and helps people live the best independent life that they can.”

To arrange a free equipment collection, call 0344 8936 960 or email enquiries@berkshire.nrs-uk.net Or it can be returned to NRS Healthcare at Units 1 to 3 Ely Road, Theale Commercial Estate, Theale, Berkshire, RG7 4BQ.

On sale every Thursday in all good newsagents

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Wokingham Pride hosts picnic and parade this Saturday EXCLUSIVE

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today FLAGS will be flying across the borough for Wokingham’s Pride picnic in the park this weekend.

Taking place this Saturday, the celebrations will begin with a group photo outside Wokingham Town Hall at 11.30am.

Attendees will be joined by Wokingham town’s mayor, Cllr Tony Lack and borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker.

The group will then make their way down to Elms Field at noon where people can bring their own food or grab a takeaway from a business in the town.

Rachel Bishop-Firth (Lib Dem), Wokingham Borough Councillor and admin for the Wokingham LGBTQ+ Pride group, is looking forward to the event saying it’s going to be “absolutely fantastic”.

“It’ll be really nice that we’re able to celebrate pride on a local level and it’s great that we’re now able to do these things in person,” she said.

“We really do encourage everyone to come along, you are all welcome, and just come and enjoy the picnic with us in the town.”

Wokingham Library is also getting involved in the celebrations by providing information on charities and support groups and highlighting LGBTQ+ authors and subjects.

PRIDE: Saturday’s event will be at Elms Field

Attendees of the event will be able to pick up an LGBTQ+ themed book recommended by the Wokingham Library staff.

“We have some great food stalls in the marketplace,'' said Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey. “We hope that as many participants as possible will support these and our independent town centre businesses.”

Cllr Bishop-Firth explained they have also received “lots of support” from businesses, churches and schools in the area.

They have given out more than 100 flags to businesses so they can show their support on the day.

Displays of rainbow flags in windows will also be welcome and residents are encouraged to share empowering messages on social media.

Children, dogs and musicians are encouraged to come along to add to the friendly atmosphere.

Wokingham borough mayor, Cllr Keith Baker said the pride flag is an “important symbol” to which they are proud to promote.

“Whether you live, work or study in the Wokingham borough, we recognise, support and celebrate the diversity of our communities,” he said.

“Together we look forward to a

bright, colourful future where inclusivity is the foundation.”

And Wokingham Borough Council leader John Halsall has pledged to attend Pride on Saturday.

“I will be there,” he said. “It’s important for Wokingham to support anyone who wishes to do whatever they want to do as long as it doesn’t harm anyone else.

“We have one aim which is to support residents in whatever they want to do, I’m very happy to do that.”

Picnic goers will be reminded to put litter in the bin or take it home. � To find out more, visit the Wokingham Pride Facebook group.

BEAT THE STREET: Familes have been walking, scooting and cycling between Beat Boxes to track their journey.

In Go Explore week, there were bonus points for some new routes along Wokingham’s Blue Plaque Trail Pictures: Stewart Turkington

Explore heritage on the street FAMILIES taking part in the Beat the Street challenge can hunt out the area’s heritage and cultural gems for Go Explore week.

So far, 5,626 people have signed up, covering 65,122 miles across Wokingham, Woosehill and Finchampstead.

Teams could win vouchers for books or sports equipment by scoring points as they travel between beat boxes.

The further players travel, the more points they score for their community or school team, racking up 10 points for each beat box reached.

Players can also donate their points to help one of two charity teams; Home Start Wokingham District and First Days Children’s Charity.

Last weekend, some

randomly-selected boxes gave away 30 points.

There is also a double points trail around the Historic Wokingham Blue Plaque Trail.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport said: “It’s great to see how people have embraced the Beat the Street game and have clocked up an impressive number of miles.

“There are bonus points on offer on some Beat Boxes to help you get out and about and to find new routes to school or work, plus other local areas that you may not have known about.”

Last week’s Go Wild event saw hundreds head to the parks and green spaces in Wokingham.

Beat the Street coordinator, Alison Flawith was found in California Country Park by 49 players.

She said: “I wasn’t expecting so many of you to find me and it was lovely to meet children from Gorse Ride Infant School, Gorse Ride Junior School, Nine Mile Ride School and two students from Keep Hatch Primary School.

“One of the pupils said that he hated walking to school before Beat the Street and used to beg his mum to drive him but now he is really enjoying playing Beat the Street and loves walking to school with his friends.” � For more information, visit: www.beatthestreet.me/ wokingham

|9

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Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

New garden centre, The Berkshire Gardener welcomes Summer

C

ELEBRATE the summer with a visit to Wokingham borough’s newest garden centre.

The Berkshire Gardener, based on Bath Road, is continuing to expand its offerings after opening its doors earlier this year.

The new, family-run business relaunched from Ladds Garden Village in March 2020 — and it has now become a one stop shop for anybody heading on a family day out. Colin Bridgen, chairman of The Granary Group, took over the centre last year to support his granddaughter, Amy Siddall, who is now managing director of the new site. Mrs Siddall said she was inspired to take on the business after taking stock of what was important to her during the pandemic.

“I’m a young mum and it’s my first venture on my own,” she explained. “I started to think about what me and my kids were engaging with during covid, which was garden centres, and I wanted to create something new for people in Berkshire.”

The Berkshire Gardener offers a whole host of high-quality products and services to people in Wokingham and beyond.

From horticultural items and home goods to outdoor dining experiences, the family business does far more than just retail.

“We’ve got a really strong company — it’s resilient,” Mrs Siddall said. “We can cater to people’s needs 365 days of the year.”

Its offerings include The Terrace cafe for anybody looking for a quick bite to eat, an outdoor dining area so people can enjoy the restaurant and the grounds, and even a private dining experience for families celebrating a special occasion.

The Berkshire Gardener is gearing up to open a butchers and a fishmongers in October too, as well as partnering up

0118 338 8760

with Tesla to help residents repair and test drive vehicles on site. “We even have a hair salon which we are looking to launch in September,” Mrs Siddall added. “It’s one of the first, eco-friendly salons that will use environmentallyconscious products.”

When it comes to the environment, she said The Berkshire Gardener puts sustainability at the heart of everything it does.

“Our ethos is putting people, product and planet before profit,” she explained.

“It’s the way of the future.”

Alongside its new, eco-friendly salon, Mrs Siddall and her team are taking a number of steps to support the environment on site, including creating hedgehog pathways, installing solar panels and reclaiming rainwater for the plants.

She said the centre is also working towards becoming a certified B Corporation to cement its commitment to the planet. The certification is a gold standard award for socially- and environmentally-conscious businesses across the world.

“Ultimately, we’re not a large chain”, she explained. “We’re designed to be different, we’re designed to excite and engage.

“We offer something that is completely different to anything else that’s out there. That’s the beauty of a smaller business.”

The Hare Hatch centre has also pledged its commitment to the Wokingham borough community by regularly partnering with local and national charities to raise funds for a whole host of projects.

So, why not plan a visit to The Berkshire Gardener today and celebrate the summer in style? � To find out more about the garden centre and its offerings, visit: www.berkshiregardener.co.uk

Bath Road, Hare Hatch, Berkshire RG10 9SB

www.berkshiregardener.co.uk

10 | NEWS

Ollie Young Foundation scoops share of £1million fund THE OLLIE Young Foundation is one of 500 charities to have scooped a share of a £1 million fund.

The Wokingham charity was one of seven in Berkshire to win £1,000, alongside Berkshire Autistic Society and Launchpad Reading.

Awarded as part of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group’s Movement for Good awards, more than 3,500 county residents nominated their chosen charities.

The 500 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated.

Mark Hews, group chief executive at Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, said: “We have seen an overwhelming public response to our Movement for Good awards for a third year in a row and I would like to thank every single person who took the time to nominate a good cause.

“It’s clear that people care deeply about those in need in their region during what has been an incredibly testing time for many.

“We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”

He said Ecclesiastical is the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK. “As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of our business,” he added. � For more information, visit: www.movementforgood.com

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ENGLAND V UKRAINE

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

ENGLAND V UKRAINE

Pictures: Steve Smyth

4-0 to the Eng-er-land?

That’ll do very nicely

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today IT WAS one of the best performances England have made since 1966, and Wokingham turned out to celebrate – in a covid-safe way.

On Saturday, pubs across the borough were full of football fans ready to cheer on Gareth Southgate’s squad as they took on Ukraine in the Euro 2020 quarterfinals.

The game saw England score four goals, two from Harry Kane, plus one each for Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson.

The squad also kept a clean sheet.

Our photographer Steve Smyth visited pubs in Wokingham’s town centre to

capture fans enjoying the moment.

And for once, England didn’t put us through the wringer, earning their most comfortable win in decades and scoring the second-highest number of goals in a tournament.

Fans out in force included former Woodley player and Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth, families and friends in bubbles.

After the game, manager Southgate said: “It’s fabulous … we want to go two steps further.”

He added: “It’s fabulous for our country – a semi-final at Wembley,.

“Everyone can really look forward to that – it’s brilliant.

NEWS | 11

England have only twice reached the semi-finals in the Euros: 1968 and 1996.

And while pubs have been restricted in numbers due to coronavirus restrictions, fans have still been visiting to enjoy the games together.

England played in Rome last night, but their semi-final game will be back at Wembley, as will the final.

Their opponents last night were Denmark and you will know the result by now, as it was after we had gone to press.

We’re hoping we’ll be celebrating an England victory, setting them up for Sunday’s finale to the festival of football.

If they do, we’ll be out taking pictures again.

12 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

‘Finances are CORONAVIRUS LATEST in good health’ ‘Vast number of covid cases

THERE is no chance of Wokingham Borough Council following neighbouring Slough into halting all non-essential spending according to leader John Halsall.

On Friday, Slough Borough Council announced it had filed a Section 114 notice with the government, seeking financial support.

Chief executive Josie Wragg, who used to work for Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Slough’s financial problems result from a range of challenging financial issues that have grown in scale over a number of years”.

Cllr Halsall said that similar circumstances couldn’t happen here due to the council’s strong financial team.

“Our financial reporting system has got a clean bill of health from the auditors, our financial controls are very good,” he said.

“We’ve got an excellent finance director and an excellent executive member for finance and, if I may say so, the leader of the council with some experience.”

And the council ended the financial year with a “pretty solid” reserve level.

“The Liberal Democrats confidently stated that our borrowings were £750 million at the end of the year, actually, the outturn was £131 million, which is covered by our assets – about 10 times our revisable assets.

“The £131 million is almost, in its entirety, supported borrowing which will be repaid by income.”

He concluded: “I can reassure residents there is no chance of (Slough) happening here.

“The finance team is really very, very good.

“Our finances are in rude health.”

Don’t forget to place an order at your newsagent for

in unvaccinated young people’

� Continued from front page

On Tuesday, Wokingham borough’s rate per 100,000 people was 125.6, Reading’s was 270.1.

The figures come after the councils launched a surge testing programme in a number of wards and postcode areas in a bid to stem transmission of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Cllr Charles Margetts, the executive member for adult services at Wokingham Borough Council said: “Surge testing and surge vaccination had been a big success.

“There has been a nationwide trend of increasing cases, that trend accelerated in Wokingham first.

Now, it looks like the effect of surge testing is bringing us back in line with the national trend, rather than being ahead of it.

“The vast majority of our cases are in the younger age group – nobody over the age of 60 in Wokingham has tested positive for covid (recently). We’re dealing with rising case numbers, yes, but in

totally different age groups from last year.”

And as part of the council’s longterm response, he is hopeful that it can work with West Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to launch the vaccination centre.

“We all know that the only way out of this really, in the long run, is vaccinations,” he said. “We are working with our partners in the CCG to sort out a permanent vaccination centre in Wokingham.

“It’s an ongoing discussion at the moment, no commitment has been offered but we’re going to continue to push this case as we saw what a big success Bulmershe was.

“Even if we could get to the point where we’re doing half the number of vaccinations as we were doing in Bulmershe, that would still be a significant improvement.

“Vaccine take-up among 18 to 24year-olds in the surge testing wards was 17% before opening and 53% after.”

As the prime minister alluded to

in his press conference on Monday, covid is not going away.

“We’re seeing cases rise fairly rapidly – and there could be 50,000 cases detected per day by the 19th and we’re seeing rising hospital admissions and we must reconcile ourselves sadly to more deaths from covid,” Mr Johnson said.

Cllr Margetts is prepared for this.

“I can understand the logic of the government’s position and I’m supportive of it, but obviously I’m also mindful of rising case numbers. As a council, as a community we must do everything we can to drive that down,” he said.

“The advice we’ve received from Public Health England is numbers are going to keep rising till probably August but that not necessarily mean we’re in the same situation we were in last year because the number of people in hospital is minuscule in comparison, the number of people seriously ill is very small.

“I’m not trying to diminish this to

Common sense is needed says borough council leader AS COVID rates per 100,000 rise, council leader John Halsall is urging residents to do all they can to avoid spreading the virus, writes Phil Creighton.

While issuing a cautious welcome to the planned national ending of lockdown from Monday, July 19, he said common sense was still needed.

“It should be remembered why

we started the lockdowns and processes in the first place: we started them not because people had covid, people were going to hospital with covid and dying. Now deaths in Wokingham are zero and they have been for some time.”

He said that there had been a small spike in May, but have now fallen away.

“It means that cases of covid are

in an age group or cohort where, while they might get covid it’s not necessarily going to harm them,” he continued.

“That’s not universally true, obviously and I have to admit that it’s beyond my paygrade to make the decision whether we’ve got to the point that we have to live with covid or not, but so far statistics reflect that we started the restrictions to

that one or two people, it’s obviously a big problem, but we’re not dealing with the number of cases rising to the level nationally does not massively mean everything is going to grind to a halt round here.”

He said that as part of the council’s drive to keep covid under control, the marshal scheme will be extended to cover the evening economy.

“We’re also going to be putting in covid marshals around Wokingham at nighttime, going into pubs and restaurants, finding places where there could be problems and hopefully trying to stop that kind of thing going on. A bit of carrot, a bit of stick,” he said.

And he urged everyone to get vaccinated.

“There is an NHS website called grab a jab where you can, if you’re eligible for a vaccine, it will tell you the nearest place you can get vaccinated. If people want to get vaccinated, this website is very good,” he said. protect the NHS, protect hospitalisations and protect deaths and that has been fulfilled.”

He wanted residents to remember that they may not know if they or, if transmitting the virus to someone else, have underlying health conditions.

“Even if restrictions are lifted, please maintain the disciplines that you have had for the past 16 months in so far as you are able,” he said.

“We’ve got a very sophisticated, intelligent, compliant group of residents, they need to use common sense, ensuring that they keep safe.

The disciplines will go a long way to do that.”

Self-isolation to be eased for fully vaccinated adults FROM NEXT month, double-jabbed adults, and anyone under 18 will no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19.

As part of step four of the Government’s roadmap, double vaccinated people will no longer be legally required to self-isolate, confirmed health secretary Sajid Javid on Tuesday.

This will come into effect from Monday, August 16, if the Government moves to step four as planned.

Children and young people will also be exempt, in a bid to limit disruption to education.

The NHS Covid-19 app will update in August in line with the new guidance on selfisolation for close contacts.

Those identified as close contacts will continue to be advised to take a PCR test,

to detect the virus and variants of concern.

Anyone who tests positive following the PCR test will still be legally required to selfisolate, irrespective of their vaccination status. The exemption is only for those that test negative.

Mr Javid said: “Asking people with Covid-19 and their close contacts to self-isolate has played a critical role in helping us get this virus under control, and I’m so grateful to the millions of people across the UK who have made sacrifices to keep the virus at bay.

“Thanks to the UK’s phenomenal vaccine programme and the huge wall of defence, we can safely take steps to reduce self-isolation for people who are fully vaccinated, and those aged under 18, and instead advise people to take a PCR test.

Positive cases will still need to self-isolate.

“Step-by-step, and jab-by-jab, we’re replacing the temporary protection of the restrictions, with the long-term protection of a vaccine.”

Alongside PCR testing, everyone in England is encouraged to take up the government’s offer of free, twice weekly rapid testing.

Currently, more than 86% of adults have received their first doses of the jab. If someone gets their second dose just before, or after Monday, August 16, they need to wait two weeks after their second jab to benefit from the new freedoms.

The Government will make an announcement about step four on Thursday, July 12.

Children under five need only take a PCR test if there is a positive case in their home.

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 13

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CORONAVIRUS LATEST

Pandemic dubbed ‘fake’ in ‘inappropriate’ publication EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today RESIDENTS are being warned to check that they really are picking up their favourite newspaper after copies had been replaced with a different publication.

Every week, Wokingham.Today distributes copies to the borough’s leisure centres so that customers can enjoy a free read.

But we’ve been warned that someone has been removing the papers and replacing them with The Light, a publication which contains alternative views about the pandemic.

It has been spotted in both Bulmershe and Loddon Valley leisure centres.

The current issue has an article that argues the smallpox vaccine was “modern medical propaganda” and blames India’s recent spike in coronavirus cases on vaccines rather than the Delta variant.

It also features a column by former News of the World medical columnist Dr Vernon Coleman titled ‘Join my army to win this war’, in which he calls the

pandemic “fake” and “it was a hoax to claim that we are facing the greatest threat to human health since the Black Death”.

The views expressed have dismayed some people who have picked up a copy.

Cllr Shirley Boyt, councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates, said: “I’m utterly appalled this is anywhere in the borough.

“People are entitled to free speech, but they wouldn’t dare to knock on (the centres’) doors and ask if they would hand it out. They know it’s not welcome.

“I was shocked to learn from a resident that this was in our leisure centres.”

Wokingham resident Paul said he was left confused and “disgusted” when his wife brought home a copy from Bulmershe Leisure Centre on Tuesday.

“She usually gets Wokingham.Today and thought they didn’t have any copies, so she brought this home instead,” he said. “I looked at it and realised it is really inappropriate.”

He said the newspaper includes adverts likening the coronavirus vaccine to “an app that would screw up a £1,000 iPhone”.

REMOVED: The publication has been taken out of council-run leisure centres after residents flagged their concerns about its content

“It’s quite ironic it’s at Bulmershe, given they held a vaccine clinic there,” Paul added.

“It’s pretty horrendous.

“I’m not an expert but I know enough about it to know some of the stuff in there, while not lies, is a distortion of statistics.

“They shouldn’t be allowed to get away with it.”

Cllr Charles Margetts, executive

member for health, well-being and adult social care at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Permission was not given for The Light to be made available at the leisure centres and copies were removed as soon as we were aware of it.

“We support the vaccine programme and would very much encourage anybody eligible to get the vaccine.”

20,000 tested in surge action MORE THAN 20,000 tests were completed as part of the council’s surge testing programme at the end of last month.

Between Monday, June 7, and Sunday, June 20, 60 positive Covid-19 cases were found, which may have otherwise been missed.

Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health at the borough council said the response was nothing short of incredible.

“Nationally, the uptake among residents has been around 20 to 30%, but in Wokingham borough, well over 50% of people living, working or studying in the affected wards came forward for a test.

“This truly demonstrates everyone’s commitment to stopping the spread of the virus and keeping each other safe — we are very grateful for this.”

Following the fortnight of surge testing, case rates in the borough, particularly at the border with Reading borough have risen significantly.

In the week leading up to Thursday, July 1, there were 122 cases recorded near to Wokingham Road, in Earley.

The area has a case rate of 1,494.5 per 100,000 people, more than six times the national average.

Cllr Margetts said he is thankful for the hard work that went into coordinating surge testing.

On top of the programme, the council also worked with NHS partners to organise a surge vaccination site in Bulmershe Leisure Centre.

From Tuesday, June 15, to Sunday, June 27, 4,000 people over 18 were given a dose of the vaccine.

“Thank you to everyone who came forward for their first or second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at our walk-in site”, said Cllr Margetts.

“It was fantastic to see so many young adults stepping up and playing their part/ “Remember, you need two doses for maximum protection, and you can easily book and manage your appointments through the NHS website.”

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14 | BUSINESS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Got a business story? Email news@ wokingham.today. or write to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS

Hopes for Reading’s city status bid FUTURE HOPES: Reading UK is backing a bid to see the town granted city status to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

A BUSINESS development firm has welcomed the possibility of Reading being granted City Status.

Last month, Reading Borough Council put in a bid for the town to be made a city, to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Now, Reading UK, the businessled economic development group for the town, said it will support the council’s team preparing the bid.

Nigel Horton-Baker, executive director of Reading UK, said: “Reading UK has been promoting Reading as a ‘defacto city’ for several years, a status that is wellrecognised in the business world in which Reading competes with UK and international cities

as an economic powerhouse.

“Reading boasts all the hallmarks of a successful city, from a great quality of life to global companies, excellent transport infrastructure to a clear sense of identity powered by its people.

“It is now time for the UK political process to acknowledge that reality by designating Reading a city in 2022.”

Reading UK said one of the town’s key strengths is its economic performance.

“The future looks bright for Reading and we hope all of Reading will get behind the council in championing it for City Status,” Mr Horton-Baker added.

SWAPS is working THOUSANDS of jobseekers across the South East have been busy retraining with a helping hand from the Government.

Its Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), which helps people start new careers and fill vacancies in growing sectors, has seen more than 8,000 participants since March last year.

The project lasts six weeks and teaches jobseekers new skills, gives them hands-on experience and helps them build contacts in a new line of work.

There is also a guaranteed job interview at the end of the course for a live vacancy.

Minister for employment Mims Davies MP said the pandemic has given people a chance to explore new careers.

“SWAPS offer them a vital chance to get back into training for a job that’s linked to a real vacancy.”

Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the exchequer, added: “It’s fantastic to see the scheme is helping tens of thousands of people towards a bright new career as we emerge from the pandemic.”

The programme forms part of the Government’s multi-billion pound Plan for Jobs aimed at protecting, supporting and creating employment across the country.

New scheme to help farmers retire A NEW retirement scheme is coming to the South East to support the region’s farmers.

Last month, the Government announced new plans to encourage more environmentally-friendly farming.

Currently, farmers receive a flat rate per acre, but this will be phased out over the next six years.

The new retirement scheme could see participating farmers get a lump sum payment next year instead.

Simon Pallett, partner at Carter Jonas property consultancy, said it would encourage succession and support farmers who are thinking about retirement.

“The average age of farmers is around 60 and a major hurdle to succession planning is a lack of retirement provision and housing, particularly for

tenant farmers,” he said.

“This is an all-or-nothing scheme with a commitment to leave the industry, preventing partial or phased retirement.”

But Mr Pallett said the scheme will not suit everyone.

“The principle is right, providing the farmer receives an adequate net sum,” he explained. “Sole traders in the South East who are approaching retirement age should be considering their future and making succession plans, and they stand to benefit the most.

“But it probably won’t suit those businesses with complicated structures.”

He added: “As always, the devil will be in the detail and there are some significant questions still to be answered,” says Mr Pallett.

Further details are expected by November.

Over 45s face ‘triple assault’ of racism, sexism, and ageism

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today HENLEY Business School has revealed the UK’s most disadvantaged workers in a new report on equity.

The Equity Effect, which explores race in the workplace, has discovered ethnic minority women aged 45 years and over, who work in the public sector, are the most likely to be disadvantaged.

The research looked at who is treated fairly and with respect, who can bring their “true authentic selves” to work, and whether racial discrimination still exists in UK offices.

The report showed that three quarters (74%) of women in this category do not feel safe speaking up at

work or challenging the way things are done.

It also said three quarters (75%) are also “less respected” by their colleagues, compared to just under two thirds (63%) of younger, ethnic minority men.

Dr Naeema Pasha, director of equity, diversity and inclusion at Henley Business School, said The Equity Effect reads between the lines and shows how an entire sub-group of ethnic minority women are facing “a triple assault” of racism, sexism and ageism.

“Our report shows that racism is experienced much more in the public sector than the private sector, despite public sector organisations often having

the most strongly worded diversity campaigns,” she said.

“This means the messages in the strategy are not coming through the organisation as an experience.”

Henley Business School’s report also found that public sector employees are twice as likely to report discrimination (58%) compared to those in the private sector (25%).

“Business leaders need to keep in mind that talent, skills and engagement drives productivity – which in turn drives revenue,” Dr Pasha added.

“To innovate and deliver on equity, diversity and inclusion, we must look at the bigger picture and intersectionality, not view

diversity groups in silos.

“To make a difference that helps businesses build back better, senior leaders need to put their equity plans at the heart of the business strategy.”

Now, she is urging companies to take steps to tackle discrimination in the workplace, including creating race strategies and hosting training sessions.

According to the report, two in five employees in the UK would like to see workers from all ethnic backgrounds treated fairly, including by treating people differently.

It also said one-in-four employees and two-in-five business leaders believe their firms can achieve racial equity within the next two years.

Commuters are returning to the Big Smoke THE GREATER Reading area has seen more commuters return to London following the pandemic than nearly everywhere else in the UK, according to Huq Industries.

The data research firm revealed both Reading and Horsham West in Sussex have seen the number of travellers heading to the Big Smoke rise by more than 200%.

Reading has seen a 218% increase in London commuters, while West Horsham has seen a 234% rise.

Huq Industries measured trips into central London and Holborn covering more than 177,000 travellers.

Conrad Poulson, CEO, said: “Although many people are continuing to work from home, the siren call of the post-lockdown return to the office has been heard by employers and employees alike.

NATURE IS HEALING: Commuters are heading back to London Picture Tomas Anton Escobar from Unsplash

“Many are keen to get back to some level of normality, which includes commuting to work – even those companies that are moving towards ‘hybrid working’

models with some staff at home and some at the office.

“The Home Counties commuter belt is seeing some significant rises in outbound traffic, although

it’s still not back to prepandemic levels. But as more employers re-open their offices, we could well see the rush hour on road and rail start to re-emerge.”

Praise for Southern Co-op’s climate plans SOUTHERN Co-op has been praised for its “ambitious” climate plans by worldleading environmental organisations.

The regional firm has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, and to reduce emissions by 17% across its managed training businesses.

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which supports companies trying

to reduce their environmental impact, has since approved its targets.

According to Southern Co-op, its ambitions support the steps taken to limit global warming to 1.5°C — the maximum temperature scientists said the earth must stay within to limit the impacts of climate change.

Mark Smith, who chairs the firm’s Climate Action Group, said: “The SBTi

independently assesses companies’ targets, so it is a significant step forward having our latest emissions reduction goals approved.

“We all need to be bolder and accelerate action given the climate emergency.”

He said the targets provide a “vital step” for SouthernCoop on its pathway to net zero carbon.

“Our aim is to get emissions down as low as we

possibly can,” Mr Smith added. “Alongside exploring longer term reduction opportunities, we will also look at other ways to compensate for our emissions and impacts.”

The SBTi is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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16 | NEWS

PARISHNOTICEBOARD Parish and borough council meetings Meetings may also be online – contact councils for details

Thursday, July 8 Wokingham Borough Council. Individual Member Decisions: Wokingham Borough Council’s Active Travel Fund Tranche 2 Scheme Proposals. 5.30pm. Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN. www.wokingham.gov.uk

Monday, July 12 Remenham Parish Council. Parish Hall, off Remenham Lane, Remenham. 8pm. www.remenhamparish.org.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 7pm. Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN.www.wokingham.gov.uk

Tuesday, July 13 Shinfield Parish Council. Staffing committee – meeting closed to public. 7pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish.gov.uk Sonning Parish Council. Council meeting. 7pm. Sports Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Pound Lane RG4 6XE. www.sonning-pc.gov.uk Winnersh Parish Council. Parish council meeting. 7.30pm.

Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Sindlesham RG41 5DU. www.winnersh.gov.uk Wokingham Town Council. Finance and Personnel Committee.

7.30pm. Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk Woodley Town Council. Planning. 7.45pm. The Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley RG5 4JZ. www.woodley.gov.uk

Wednesday, July 14 Earley Town Council. Policy and Resources committee. 7pm.

Earley Town Council offices, Radstock Lane, Earley RG6 5UL. www.earley-tc.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Schools Forum. 10am. Planning Committee. 7pm. Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN. www.wokingham.gov.uk

Monday, July 19 Shinfield Parish Council. Full council meeting. 7.30pm.

Mitford Close, Three Mile Cross RG7 1AT. Shinfieldparish.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Standards Committee.

7pm. Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN. www.wokingham.gov.uk

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FROMTHECOURTS � A WOODLEY man who stole a bike from Reading has been ordered to pay his victim £150.

Ian Devereaux, 37 and from Hearn Road, pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates Court on May 7.

The theft took place on January 20 this year.

Magistrates ordered him to undertake rehabilitation activities, but no fines were imposed as priority was given on paying compensation, at a rate of £20 per month from August 7 this year. � A WOKINGHAM woman has been given a conditional discharge for possessing a Class A drug. Sahiba Kaur, 35 and from Ashridge Road, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on May 10, where she admitted having 11 wraps of cocaine.

The offence took place on January 12 last year, and was contrary to section 5(2) and Schedule 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Her discharge is 12 months, and she must pay £85 costs and £21 to victim services. The drugs were confiscated and destroyed. � A WOKINGHAM man who was found guilty of obstructing a police officer has been fined £160.

Matthew John Teal, 35 and from Ormonde Road, pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on May 11.

The offence took place on May 9 in Bracknell. Teal had been

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Court

preventing an officer who had the power to detain, search a person, a vehicle or vessel under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

In addition to the fine, Teal must pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services. � A CROWTHORNE man has been fined £2,304 for drink driving, and banned from getting behind the wheel for 20 months.

Robert John Patrick Westell, 36 and from New Wokingham Road, appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on May 11.

He had been stopped in the Riverside Car Park of The Oracle in Reading on April 16.

A test revealed that he had 87 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the limit.

Westell’s ban will be reduced by 20 weeks if he undertakes a safe driving course.

He was also ordered to pay £190 to victim services and £85 costs. � DANGEROUS driving has seen a Crowthorne woman sent to prison for 12 weeks.

Rebecca Jane Docherty, 38 and from Dial House Hotel, was stopped by police on London road in Bracknell on July 7 last year.

She was found to be driving without a licence and insurance, and driving dangerously.

Docherty was jailed for breaching terms of a conidtional discharge imposed on her on September 9, 2019, for stealing.

She also pleaded guilty to failing

to surrender to custody of the court on December 15 last year and April 22 this year.

Docherty must pay £122 to victim services and was banned from holding a driving licence for 25 months.

Due to the time she had already spent in custody, she was ordered to be detained in the courthouse. � A BRACKNELL man who was stopped for drug driving on a Wokingham road has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 12 months.

Aaron Paul Liversidge, 27 and from Ashbourne, was on London road on November 2 last year when police pulled him over.

A test found traces of benzoylecgonine, a form of cocaine, in his bloodstream.

Liversidge was also driving without insurance.

In addition to the ban, he was fined £120, ordered to pay costs of £85 and £34 to victim services.

� A MAN from Riseley who was found guilty of assault has been fined £100.

Harrison Bryson, from Basingstoke Road, committed the offence on November 15 last year.

Although initially pleading not guilty, the 23-year-old changed his plea when he appeared at Slough Magistrates Court on May 12.

In addition to the fine, he was ordered to pay £32 to victim services.

There was no order for compensation as it was felt that Bryson was of limited means. � DRIVING without insurance has seen a Sandhurst man given a three-month conditional discharge.

Rhys Richard Thomas, 38 and from College Road, was stopped on Easthampstead Road in Wokingham on April 23, 2019, where it was discovered that he was driving without appropriate insurance policies in place.

Although Thomas pleaded not guilty at an initial hearing on January 27, 2020, Reading Magistrates Court disagreed when they met on May 14.

No endorsement was made on his licence as magistrates agreed that Thomas had made efforts to obtain insurance via an online purchase before driving and that he had been reasonably misled by the purchase confirmation summary he saw on his computer screen.

He was ordered to pay £150 costs and £20 to victim services.

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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PROPERTY: Estate agents see frenzy as 0% holiday comes to an end

Demand for housing still strong despite changes to Stamp Duty STRONG: Demand for property in Wokingham borough is still high say two estate agents Picture: Shahid Abdullah from Pixabay

EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today THE WOKINGHAM property market has been “frenzied” as buyers rushed to make the most of the tax holiday, two of the town’s estate agents have said.

Last week, the Government’s stamp duty holiday entered its next phase — a move which both David Cliff Estate Agents and Hat and Home said should stabilise house prices in the area.

Introduced in June last year in a bid to boost the property market following the first lockdown, the stamp duty holiday stopped buyers paying tax on the first £500,000 of their purchase, saving up to £15,000 on the price of their new home.

But from Thursday, July 1, the Government started winding back its support to phase out the tax holiday from October.

“There was, without a doubt, this frenzy as far as the market’s concerned,” David Cliff, of David Cliff Estate Agents, said.

According to the agent, the tax holiday combined with people saving money from not going away created the ‘perfect storm’ for spending.

“All of a sudden, most people had more money in their pockets,” he said. “Wokingham is an affluent area, and I think people felt they wanted to do something and be proactive, so made the most of the savings.”

This has been echoed by Ben Gee, founder of new agency Hat and Home, who added: “The demand was absolutely exceptional.

“The extension of the stamp duty holiday from the end of March to June brought a bunch of fresh new customers to the market. People came out in droves.”

According to the two Wokingham agents, the tax holiday also prompted property prices to skyrocket in the area as supply

failed to keep up with demand.

“There weren’t enough properties available,” Mr Gee said. “There was so much competition among buyers and prices increased.”

Mr Cliff said this made it a great time for sellers. “Most properties had multiple people interested,” he added. “We saw between two and seven offers on most properties, so we could choose who to sell to.”

As the stamp duty holiday came to an end last month, the duo said their teams were working around the clock to sign off as many purchases as they could.

However, the support has not ended yet. From now until Thursday, September 30, buyers must start paying stamp duty above £250,000.

Police commissioner sets out vision THE NEW Police and Crime Commissioner has announced his four-year vision for the Thames Valley.

Matthew Barber said he will hold the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police to account, as he focuses on fighting serious organised crime.

Mr Barber’s priorities also include local policing, tackling cybercrime and fraud, improving the criminal justice system, and combating illegal encampments.

“I have not met a single police officer who does not understand the need for the

police to be scrutinised and held to high standards,” he said.

“In return, they expect strong leadership, both from their senior officers and the PCC, as well as a clear vision.

“Officers put themselves in harm’s way every day, in order to keep the public safe and uphold the law.

“They deserve the respect of politicians and the public for their work.”

Mr Barber said his priorities have victims at heart.

“Bringing criminals to justice is vital, but preventing people from becoming

victims of crime in the first place is even more important, both through proactive crime prevention and through reducing reoffending,” the PCC said.

“I am excited about delivering this plan, working with stakeholders from across our region, and look forward to getting out and meeting members of the public to discuss my priorities for the next four years.”

Mr Barber was elected in May and follows on from his predecessor, Anthony Stansfield.

For more information, visit: www.thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk

Meet-up helps men with breast cancer A CAMPAIGN is breaking the taboo of breast cancer in men, thanks to grant-making charity Walk the Walk.

Last month, the organisation arranged a special meet-up for men diagnosed with breast cancer.

It was part of Men’s Health Week, which ran from June 1420, and called Men Get Breast Cancer Too. The aim was to raise awareness of the illness.

Wokingham-based founder of Walk the Walk, Nina Barough CBE, met with the group of men to chat about their experiences of living with breast cancer.

Ms Barough said it was an “absolute honour” to meet the

men who supported the campaign.

She said: “At the start of our campaign, there was an understandable uncertainty about being so open and public about something so personal, but every time the group gets together you can see just how much their courage and confidence to speak out has grown.

“They are all incredibly passionate about raising awareness, but just not used to sharing their own experiences, and with new members of the group joining each time I’ve noticed how much they enjoy getting together and how

relaxed they’ve become in each others’ company.”

Those taking part were encouraged to share their stories and meet others in the same situation.

For some of the men it was the first time they’d spoken to others with the same diagnosis.

“There is still a stigma and ignorance around male breast cancer, but the growing bond between the men, as well as their trust in Walk the Walk and the collaborating charities, has formed a united determination which is set to change that,” Ms Barough said. � For more information, visit walkthewalk.org

And from Friday, October 1, the Government will end the tax holiday completely and bring rates back to normal, meaning only the first £125,000 of a property purchase is tax-free.

Both Mr Cliff and Mr Gee said they are not anticipating anywhere near as much demand in this next phase of the scheme.

“The fact that the saving in most cases will be £2,500, rather than £15,000, means it’s not enough to fuel a rise in demand like we saw before,” Mr Gee explained.

“However, demand in Wokingham is still huge and supply is still low, so I expect we’ll see prices remain strong for the rest of the year.”

Mr Cliff added: “There’s less property coming onto the market than we normally expect.

“There’s a lack of stock, but we are still selling and we don’t see any reason for prices to change.”

The Government has also introduced measures to support first-time buyers, including scrapping stamp duty on the first £300,000 of purchases and launching a 95% mortgage scheme.

The two agents said this prompted lots of younger people to get on the property ladder this year, too.

NEWS | 17

Four needed to step up to parish council WINNERSH Parish Council is looking for four new councillors on a volunteer basis.

Based at Winnersh Community Centre, at Bearwood Recreation Ground, the council maintains the open space, sports pitches, play areas, outdoor gym and community centre.

It also manages the allotment garden in Woodward Close.

Chairman of the council, Cllr Paul Fishwick, encouraged those that like to help their community to apply.

“There is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from helping run local services for local people,” he said.

From the applications, a shortlist will be created.

All those on the shortlist will be invited to a meeting of full council on Tuesday, September 14, in the evening.

It will be an opportunity to meet councillors and staff, and to present the application.

Applicants are welcome to attend and observe a full council meeting on Tuesday, July 20, to learn some background to how the council operates.

An application form is available from the parish clerk, Philip Stoneman, at: clerk@winnersh.gov.uk.

It can also be downloaded from the parish council website.

The deadline for applications is noon on Monday, August 30.

For more information, visit: www.winnersh.gov.uk or call 0118 989 3769.

18 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Council takes action over ‘late night’ building work EXCLUSIVE

AFTER HOURS DELIVERIES: Gillie York says her Spencers Wood house has suffered cracks since building work has started next door Picture: Steve Smyth

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today ACTION is being taken against a developer in Spencers Wood following a suspected breach of planning conditions.

Wokingham Borough Council is taking enforcement action against Taylor Wimpey after its team allegedly worked outside of its contracted hours on Basingstoke Road.

The housebuilder is currently building the new, 55-home Stanbury View estate.

The council decided to launch action following a complaint from Gillie York who lives in Lieutenants Cottage, a Grade II Listed property next to the build site.

She alleged Taylor Wimpey has been carrying out work early in the morning and late at night and said the levels of disruption have made her consider selling her home.

“There are deliveries after hours, they’re working outside of hours,” Ms York said.

“There are times where I think I’ll just sell the house because it breaks my spirit, but I love my neighbours and I love the community here.

“I could shut the door and go and say I can’t do it anymore, but I shouldn’t have to do that.”

In February, Wokingham.Today reported on Ms York’s worries that vibrations from the building work allegedly caused “illegal damage” to the walls of her house.

Wokingham Borough Council announced it will take action against Taylor Wimpey on Thursday, July 1 to ensure its team works within the agreed hours.

Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement, said the restrictions are in place to protect nearby residents.

“We are taking enforcement action as we believe that the developer breached this condition on a couple of occasions and that this unacceptably affected our residents,” he said.

“A Breach of Condition Notice is being issued and will require the developer to

observe permitted hours of work because they failed to heed our verbal and written warnings and the impact on our residents continues.

This notice can then be quickly enforced if any future breaches are witnessed, thus giving the council the power to prosecute for a failure to comply in court along with any financial penalty the courts might wish to impose at that time.”

Cllr Smith said planning enforcement is a “key tool” when protecting Wokingham borough’s towns, villages, countryside and open spaces.

It tackles unauthorised building work.

“This year we put more resources into fighting the battle and it’s paying off,” he added. “Each year around 700 suspected planning breaches are reported to us and investigated by a team of officers.”

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said the housebuilder is sorry for any disruption.

“We apologise to local residents for any inconvenience caused by our construction operations on Wednesday, June 30, due to a delivery issue from our concrete supplier,” they said.

“We recognise that we have a responsibility to keep within our permitted working hours and this is something we take very seriously.

“We would like to assure residents that we have reminded all of our subcontractors of the permitted working hours and we will continue to do all we can to keep any disruption to the local community to a minimum.”

As of Tuesday, July 6, the housing developer had not received formal notification of enforcement action.

Care home celebrates 35th anniversary A WOKINGHAM care home is celebrating 35 years of supporting the borough’s community.

Oakfield Court, which opened its doors on Barkham Road in July 1986, was the first supported living scheme for residents with learning disabilities in the UK. From its inception, part of its ethos has been helping Wokingham tenants to thrive — and many people who moved in 35 years ago are still living there today.

Vanessa Smith, operational lead at Oakfield Court, said when the home first opened, nobody believed people with learning disabilities could live independently.

“But Oakfield Court and its residents have continued to prove people wrong,” she said. “We’ve always focused on safety and giving people a safe environment to live in enables them to thrive.”

The care home encourages people to take responsibility for their own lives, including health, friendship and finances. It also offers tailored support for residents “We work to instil confidence, so that people can do this,” Ms Smith added.

“Some people just need a little [reassurance].”

HAPPY AT HOME: Jackie and Steve are helping Oakfield Court celebrate its 35th anniversary

One resident, Chris, said the supported living scheme has helped him grow as an individual.

“I wanted my independence before I moved to Oakfield Court in the 80s,” he said. “It’s great here.

“Vanessa is fantastic. She helped me sort my benefits, helps me with paperwork and gives me the support to lead my own life how I want to.”

Jackie and Steve, who also live on site and recently celebrated their wedding anniversary, said staff have also given them valuable support over the years.

They moved in on their wedding day.

“We were excited, but it was a bit scary for both of us,” Jackie said. “The staff listen to us and you can do what you want.

“They don’t tell you you have to do this or that, and encourage us to make decisions for ourselves.”

Ms Smith said although the home’s model is 35-years-old, the residents’ testaments prove it works “perfectly”.

“The stability and longevity of people’s lives here speaks for itself,” she said. “There is no doubt that this community will be here for many more years to come.”

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Help stay hydrated FREE advice about keeping healthy and hydrated is being served up by a Shinfield care home.

Parsons Grange, on Westall Street, is sharing its Nutrition and Hydration booklet, packed with recipes and advice.

Written by Care UK’s catering team, the booklet includes flavoured waters and mocktails.

Watermelon, lettuce and tomato are all listed as foods with high water content.

Care UK’s hotel services manager, James Clear helped design the booklet.

He said: “Every single person working in our homes has a role to play in ensuring that residents living there are properly hydrated.

“From a maintenance person sitting down with a resident for a mid-morning cuppa to a carer encouraging people to have a piece of fruit as a snack, every interaction helps.

“With this in mind, I wanted to make sure that our teams have accurate, easy to access information to brush up their knowledge and I think this booklet does just that.”

Anthony Browne, home manager at Parsons Grange, added: “As summer gets under way, staying hydrated is incredibly important for overall health and wellbeing, especially for older people. We are pleased to share our tips and advice for staying hydrated throughout the summer months and beyond.

“We can often forget how important it is to drink more when the weather warms up, but our guide is packed with recipes and practical tips to help all ages of the local community, including focusing on the presentation of the drinks for those all-important garden parties.

“We’d like to encourage local people to download the guide and to reach out to us if they need any further support.” � To download a free copy of the guide, visit: www.careuk.com/care-homes/our-care-homes/ food-and-dining/nutrition-and-hydration

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NEWS | 19

Emmbrook pupils learn more about plans for new greenway

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today YOUNGSTERS in Emmbrook have been learning about Wokingham Borough Council’s greenways project, after they raised concerns with the programme last term.

In May, Year 5 pupils from Emmbrook Junior School wrote “persuasive letters” to the council over its plans to create a new walkway on Jubilee Avenue.

After highlighting their worries about noise pollution and the impact on local wildlife, the class received a visit from Andrew Fletcher, the council’s public rights of way manager, to hear more about the project.

“The children were really engaged and had a lively chat about what they thought about greenways,” Mr Fletcher said.

“I was able to talk to them about things that were important to them, such as wildlife, how long works will take and disruption.”

The Greenways Project, which launched in 2013, plans to connect traffic-free routes across Wokingham borough so people can travel between towns and villages sustainably.

It is funded by developer contributions from a range of developments in North and South Wokingham, Arborfield and Shinfield.

ROAD TEST: Emmbrook Junior School pupils learn more about the council’s greenways project Pictures: Stewart Turkington

Mr Fletcher also took samples of the surface material to show the pupils, which is made out of recycled rubber where possible.

“The children enjoyed testing [it],” he added. “[I showed] them how, unlike traditional roads and pathways, [greenways] are better for the trees, plants and environment.”

Jim Usher, headteacher at Emmbrook Junior School, said it was good to see the borough council consider the views of young people.

“The children engaged with the presentation and posed some challenging questions to our visitor,” he said.

According to Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure at Wokingham Borough Council, the greenways form part of the council’s climate emergency response.

“It is important for the council to move towards a more sustainable future for Wokingham borough residents,” he said.

“Engaging all ages including

children at an early stage in design, purpose and decision making is a really good way of empowering our residents to help create a greener Wokingham borough.”

Cllr Batth also echoed Mr Usher’s comments, and said it was “fantastic” children were showing an interest in local democracy.

“At Wokingham Borough Council, it is important for us to ensure that all our residents, whatever their age, are listened to, understood and that their views are taken into account,” he said.

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20 | NEWS

MP backs call for doggie DNA database BRACKNELL’S MP is calling for a dog DNA database to tackle rising pet theft across Berkshire.

James Sunderland is supporting plans for a new law, which was introduced in parliament on Monday.

He says that by creating a national database of DNA, it will make it easier to identify dogs who have been stolen. It is suggested as a long-term alternative to microchipping.

Introduced to the House by Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith, it is supported by the RSPCA and the National Police Chiefs Council.

The Government launched a Pet Theft Task Force this May after dog theft had increased by more than 250% in 2020.

Locally, the Public Protection Partnership (PPP) has warned residents about thieves marking houses thought to have a pedigree with coloured rubber bands.

It also said people should use short leads when walking their dog.

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We will welcome the measures that will streamline the process of registering dogs, making this easier for owners and authorities and vets to get the information they need.

“We would encourage anyone who supports this to get in touch with their MP to ask them to get involved.”

Mr Sunderland said the impact of dog theft on the families is “heartbreaking”. ‘’As the owner of a much-loved family dog I would want to do everything I can to identify him in the event that he was stolen,” he said.

“Given the known issues with microchipping this database is a unique record of the dog and their owners and may go some way to deter gangs involved in this crime.”

Mr Sunderland is encouraging people to show their support by using #DoggieDNABill on social media.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

The Pheasant Inn team set reopening date for August EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WINNERSH pub is reopening after an extensive refurbishment throughout the month.

The Pheasant Inn on Reading Road is welcoming back some familiar faces, and introducing a new landlord.

John Palmer, director of the pub said he and business partner Roberto Perini will be opening on Sunday, August 1.

The duo are introducing new landlord, Neil Mottershead to Winnersh punters.

Having formerly managed their other pub in Milton Keynes, Mr Mottershead will be a new addition to the Reading Road team.

Mr Palmer said they are “digging deep” into their resources to refurbish the pub before it opens next month.

“There will be a nice big garden out the back, with a play area for children,” he said.

Mr Palmer hopes the gastropub will have a very family-friendly atmosphere, and a place for parents to come down with their families.

They will also be building cabins for outdoor dining onsite, which will help the pub should more stringent covid restrictions return in the future.

The Pheasant Inn will be launching a new “fusion menu” alongside a full redesign of the interior and exterior.

“We have great plans,” said Mr Palmer.

In the lead up to opening day, the pub is also hiring new staff. � For more information about available roles, email: info@the-pheasant-hotel.co.uk

REVAMP: The Pheasant Inn is undergoing a full refurbishment before opening in August Picture: Jess Warren

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The new centre now boasts a beautiful new gift shop and a brand-new centre with all the family favourites including Barn Owls, Snowy Owl, Peregrine Falcons and Harris hawks.

To enjoy these awesome birds

close up Feathers and Fur Falconry is offering readers 10% off all their experiences by simply entering the code ‘Summer’ when purchasing a gift voucher via their website www.feathersandfur.co.uk Please see our website for opening times and follow on social media to keep up to date with all our news.

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Healthcare staff can now access wellbeing help FREE wellbeing support online is now available to healthcare workers across Berkshire.

Delivered by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, new website Wellbeing Matters is set to help anyone working in a health or social care job.

Staff can call the Wellbeing Line for a chat, find out what services are available, or get mental health support.

They can visit the website for free apps, selfhelp, financial support and advice.

The idea is to give workers free, fast, confidential access to physiological support.

Not only is it a helpline, but it also offers whole teams the opportunity to take part in wellbeing hubs.

Dr Claire Husbands, clinical psychologist for Wellbeing Matters, said: “A wellbeing hub is a meeting for a team, or a group of people, held either in their workplace or online.

“It gives them protected time, with a trained facilitator, who guides them through sharing their experiences,'' she said.

Dr Husbands added she is “very grateful” to the team of facilitators across Berkshire who are running the hubs.

She said the staff support service can arrange hub sessions for teams in social care and other NHS trusts in Berkshire.

The pandemic has had a huge impact on us all,” chief executive of Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Julian Emms, said.

“People who work in healthcare and social care take great pride in their work, but like everyone, sometimes need a little extra support.

He said: “This is why we’ve provided dedicated wellbeing and mental health support for staff throughout the pandemic and launched the new website, to increase the range of support available to them.” � For more details, log on to wellbeingmatters.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk

NEWS | 21

spaceforall from the spring EXCLUSIVE

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today THE TRANSFORMATION of a new community space is set to launch next spring.

All Saints Church, Wokingham, is making headway with funding towards its new community initiative.

The £1.1 million project – spaceforall – has already raised £797,000 so far, raising almost three-quarters of its target.

The aim of the project is to create a diverse and accessible space for people to use, appealing to a wide range of groups.

The Wiltshire Road church will welcome everyone from businesses and community groups to charities and music artists.

New cafe facilities will also be available for people to mingle over a cuppa or two.

All Saints rector, the Revd Canon David Hodgson, said the focus of the project is to “provide opportunities” for people to get together.

“We are a growing community, so it’s really important for people to meet and connect with each other through using this new space,” he said.

“After such a challenging year, the aim of this space is to reduce social isolation in the community and to provide a safe and comfortable space for everyone.”

The spaceforall project will also focus on actively supporting the

CONNECT: An impression of the new space in All Saints Church.

Left: a concert in the church and Right: A pre-covid event Picture: All Saints Church

groups who wish to use the space.

Members of the community wanting to put on concerts, art exhibitions and craft fairs will be offered guidance from the church on how to put the events on.

Mr Hodgson explained the church will actively help groups by discussing with them the best ways to host their event in the building.

The project will also give people the chance to explore spiritually within the new space.

Not only will there be a quiet space in the building for dedicated prayer, but there will also be opportunities for people to engage

with each other in more creative and physical ways.

Mr Hodgson said the spacious area will “encourage individuals” to express themselves through dance, drama and singing. To achieve this, the church sanctuary will be modified, removing pews and replacing them with chairs.

He added: “As the community and people’s experiences are changing, we really want people to enjoy using this big new space, which they can’t do at the moment because of the pews.

Mr Hodgson said: “As our town grows and we face new challenges

and needs, and as we come out of the pandemic, we want this wonderful building to benefit local residents in the best way it can.

“We have had an amazingly generous response from individual donors but we still have a major last lap of the appeal to go and we are looking to help raise those funds.”

He added that he is looking to have the building completely transformed by Spring next year.

To donate log on to j u s t g i v i n g . c o m /c a m p a i g n / spaceforall � For more details, visit: spaceforall.org.uk

22 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Runners return to lycra in Sonning 10k EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today MORE THAN 400 runners hit the streets of Sonning last weekend to take part in the village’s annual 10km (6.2 miles) run.

On Sunday, July 4, Ellie Barnes and her husband Ian Gosling hosted the Sonning 10k event, which also included a 5km (3.1 miles) jog and a children’s Fun Run. Ms Barnes said the weekend was a big success and saw people travel across counties to join in.

“We didn’t just have local runners,” she said. “People travelled from Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and further afield which was great.

“We also received very good feedback, so we’re very happy with that.”

Coming in first in the 10km run was Mark Worringham from Reading Roadrunners, who completed the course in 35.48.

Simon Bennison won the 5km race with a time of 19.08 and Sam Weeks was victorious in the Fun Run, running 2km (1.2 miles) in 07.03.

“The run is a real community event,” Ms Barnes said.

“So we would like to thank Blue Coats School for letting people run through their grounds, as well as Sonning Parish Council and the church who changed service times to accommodate us.”

The organisers also thanked Reading Rugby Club, Sonning Hockey Club and Sonning Cricket Club.

“We’re thankful to all those people for working with us to make this happen,” Ms Barnes added.

The races were sponsored by Eight Wealth Management, Greenacre Mortgage Specialists, Power of One Fitness, and Castle Royle.

All pictures: Steve Smyth

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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NEWS | 23

24 | NEWS

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

Time for a ce group marks fi

Another view Neil Coupe

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

The indecision headache

HUNDREDS of Twyford-based sax players took part in a celebratory music video last month, with the help of a celebrity musician.

A

few months ago, I recall receiving an email from the council inviting me to comment on plans to extend the cycling infrastructure in the Borough.

It was interesting to read the feedback that had already been given, although in many ways it was also depressingly predictable. Even something as seemingly benign as making cycling and walking safer and more enjoyable can rile the angry brigade.

It was not difficult to identify the general worldview of some of the most trenchant commentators, people we may refer to as the ‘anti-everythings’.

I was reflecting on this after a cycle trip around London last week. I had hitherto been totally oblivious to the ‘Cycle Superhighways’ that have been constructed in our capital city. There is a network of hundreds of miles of cycle paths, which encourage people to use their bikes.

We had a day cycling from Paddington through Hyde Park past Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the Embankment, the Tower of London and over as far as Cutty Sark. It felt so safe, easy and user-friendly.

It co-existed very comfortably with the other traffic either on the main roads, with very clear signalling or on tow paths.

At the end of the day, the underlying sentiments were two-fold- why had we never heard of this before? Of course, why don’t we have this everywhere?

Nobody is pretending that the monuments that we have in Wokingham are comparable with what London has to offer, but surely our residents have as much right to feel safe on their bicycles as any visitors to London have.

Feeling safe encourages more people to use their bikes on journeys that would perhaps otherwise be undertaken by car, reducing traffic pollution and congestion. There is also the benefit of having a more active and healthy community.

During our challenges around the pandemic, the positive impact that sport has on our mental and physical well-being has been much discussed.

It is now nine years since the London Olympics and the general view seems to be that although we had a few weeks of fun, and lots of medals, that there has been very little legacy. I would argue that the medal haul of the GB cycling team hugely raised the profile of the sport to levels it had never reached before.

I do not recall it being anywhere near as popular 20 years ago, when it was a novelty to spend a day strolling round Amsterdam seeing hordes of people merrily riding their bikes along dedicated cycle lanes.

It feels like we are gradually catching up.

One of the other indirect legacies of the Olympics that we are seeing today is that it gave a great boost to women’s football, both on and off the pitch.

Even 10 years ago it would have been inconceivable to see women as co-commentators or studio pundits at a Men’s football tournament, and now, particularly during Euro 2020, it is so much the norm, that it almost seems strange to comment on it.

Long gone are the days of Jimmy Hill in his blazer, slacks and flag of King George bow tie, joshing with Des Lynam and his luxuriant moustache, to be replaced by a far more diverse group of people.

Maybe the biggest indication of the success of the women pundits is that even in the parts of social media populated by what are euphemistically described as ‘traditional football fans’, 99% of the comments are based on what they say, how they explain things and not on their gender.

The 2012 Olympic Games may not have changed the world, but their legacy lives on in many ways.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

WALKERS: The team from Wokingham’s Costa Coffee

Walkers in the coffee: store’s magic million

A WOKINGHAM coffee shop team has walked more than one million metres for a retail competition.

Staff at Costa Coffee in Market Place have travelled approximately 620 miles since the start of June for the Wokingham Retail Challenge.

The competition, which was launched by the Million Metre Challenge, tasked the town’s shops with walking, running, rowing or cycling one million metres in just under two months.

The Costa Coffee team, who completed the challenge last weekend, said it’s been a fantastic journey.

Sandra Walczak, duty manager at the store, said they entered the competition to give themselves a challenge.

“Because of the pandemic with everything shut while we were still working, we wanted to be more active,” she said.

“We entered it with a positive mindset to support each other, and it’s been great fun.

She added: “One of the girls in the team has been preparing for

a marathon and has covered about 350,000 metres alone. This spurred the rest of us on.

“One colleague has [also] been walking home to Arborfield to get the metres in.”

Staff at the cafe have been going head to head with the team at Mountain Warehouse on Peach Street for the duration of the challenge, who have travelled nearly 350,000 metres themselves.

Now, looking back on the competition, Ms Walczak said it has made her team stronger and better connected.

“We’ve also used it to fundraise for charities in the countries where Costa Coffee gets its beans,” she said. “We’d love to do something like this again.”

Tony Eames, founder of the Million Metre Challenge, launched the competition to bring Wokingham’s retailers together.

He added: “It is fantastic to see people you don’t know becoming highly motivated with the challenge and supporting an increase in individual physical activity.”

Celebrate 85th with a wonderful garden display A WOKINGHAM garden centre is celebrating the company’s 85th anniversary this summer.

Squire’s Garden Centre, on Heathlands Road, is one of the business’s 16 centres in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire.

Originally launched in Twickenham by DJ Squire, the company is now led by his granddaughter, and chairman, Sarah Squire.

“Gardening is very much a family tradition, it is in our DNA, and we are very proud to be an independent family-owned garden centre group, firmly rooted in the communities we serve,” she said.

“Gardening is great because it gets you out in the fresh air, is good exercise, connects you with nature and gives you space to think and clear your mind.

“It is so therapeutic to nurture plants and see them grow.

“I defy anyone not to feel relaxed and let the cares of the day slide away in the garden.”

To mark the company’s anniversary, it is offering a special anniversary cream tea throughout this month and next.

“Look out for special flower beds our garden centre teams have designed to celebrate our 85 years in plants,” Ms Squire added.

“We are proud that 80% of our plants are grown in Britain, many very locally indeed — this supports local producers and means that customers can choose from the freshest possible stock which hasn’t travelled far from nursery to garden centre.”

Sax Bandits, a saxophone-only group with more than 100 members, released its own virtual rendition of Celebration by Kool & The Gang in June.

Rob Digweed, the leader of the group, has been working on the production since March — and he even managed to arrange some celebrity support from Scott Gilman.

The musical legend, who is wellknown for playing in actor Jeff Goldblum’s jazz band, joined the Twyford players in their biggest music video yet.

Rob, who is also known as the Sorcerer of Sax, says he is extremely proud of the latest production.

“It took three months’ of work and the end result completely speaks for itself,” he says. “I’m very happy and very relieved it made its way out into the world because we had quite a few technical challenges along the way.”

Vocalist, guitarist and DJ Laura Williams also lent a helping hand to the project. She has played guitar alongside Rod Stewart and sung with John Legend in the past.

Sax Bandits was also joined by Dave Ashworth, vocalist and performer in the band Ear Candy Oxford. He has played gigs across the UK and internationally.

Rob says it was an honour to work with some big names on the latest video.

“I love collaborating with some of these sax heroes,” he says. “It really

TEAMWORK: Sax Bandits have joined forces to c

adds the icing on the cake. Scott was amazing too — he knew exactly what to do.”

Other notable members include drummer Lewis Jenkins, DJ King Konga, and guitarist Rich Zbaraski.

41 Squadron flies in

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE last surviving Second World War pilot from 41 Squadron has received an early present as he prepares to celebrate his 99th birthday.

Members of the current 41 Squadron line-up wanted to honour Peter Hale, who was born in 1922.

In June 1941, when he was 18, he joined the RAF to help the war effort.

He qualified in September and then travelled the world, serving in Canada in 1942 and Belgium in 1944.

It’s not the only action that 41 Squadron saw in their efforts to ward off the Nazi menace.

They operated the Supermarine Spitfire which was a key defender in the Battle of Britain and the fighting at Dunkirk. From 1943 to 1944, the Squadron flew many missions, including flying defensive patrols against low level attacks and escorting essential weaponry to troops on the ground.

Peter now leads a more sedate lifestyle, and is a resident at Care UK’s Bickerton House, on Warfield Road, Bracknell.

And last month, he was presented with a signed print by Wing

Commander Lee Gordon and Warrant Officer Stevie Dryburgh.

Peter, who turns 99 on Wednesday, July 28, said: “I am delighted with this early birthday present and all of the signatures from those currently serving. I have had a very interesting life, and someone has definitely kept a very good eye on me.”

The gift has also been appreciated by his fellow Bickerton House residents.

Home manager Erika Smith said: “Peter is a much-loved resident here at Bickerton House. Peter’s gentlemanly nature and his history in the RAF have always made him a hero – and now he has the plaque to prove it.

“We were delighted to receive the call from RAF Coningsby and welcome serving members of the Squadron to meet with Peter and honour his courage during the War. “Here at Bickerton House, we strive to celebrate the great achievements and rich history residents have and recognise the importance of revisiting and honouring those moments of the past that are reflected on with pride.

“We look forward to celebrating Peter’s birthday soon and hearing more about his time spent in the RAF.”

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 25

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elebration as fifth birthday

Don’t worry, be happy with a worm

Honest motherhood Angela Garwood

The indecision headache

N

create a new video, Celebration, based on the famous Kool and the Gang song

In total, there were 126 saxophonists and 11 musicians who made up the backing band.

Rob says the group loved taking part in the video, and he has received nothing but positive feedback.

“We’ve had a lot of high praise and everyone seems really happy to be featured in it,” he says. “The song worked really well because it was easy for people to pick up on.

“It also worked well thematically, and helped us celebrate our band’s fifth birthday and the end of lockdown.”

Now, Sax Bandits is looking forward to regrouping this month for the first time since last year.

“We’ve been doing this virtually, but it’ll be nice to get back in the room together and make some noise,” he adds. � To watch the video visit: youtu.be/ hs2Tu1k5iGY � Find out more about the group here: www.saxbandits.co.uk

n with early present

CUDDLY FRIEND: Worry Worms are popping up in Lower Earley

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today HAND CRAFTED worms are appearing outside schools across the area, to support youngsters with their emotions.

Worry Worms are being left with a little note in packaging outside primary schools in the borough, for pupils to find.

The note says: “Keep me close, keep me near. When a worry pops into your head, whisper in my ear, I will take your worry and you have nothing left to fear.”

Kelly Morrissey, whose son Max, 6, found a worry worm near Radstock Primary School, said it was lovely to see people doing nice things without an ulterior motive.

“Max has been having some bad dreams and recently his dream catcher broke,” she says.

As a replacement, Kelly retrieved her wedding veil and draped it over his bed, to catch the nightmares.

“He has been taking his worm, which he called Silky, to bed with him now,” she explains.

This means the bridal veil can be safely returned to the wardrobe.

And to pay it forward, Kelly says her son is now painting some rocks for other children to find.

Patricia Barber, from Lower Earely, is behind the worry worms.

She told Wokingham.Today she stumbled across the idea on a forum called Random Acts of Crochet Kindness.

“I just thought they were so cute,” she said. “I looked into them further, and they’re used as therapy for children to deal with stress. Lots of emotional support counsellors use this kind of thing for children.”

They can also help elderly people with dementia.

“I roped in a friend, and once a week we are tying them to trees and bushes near primary schools in Earley and Lower Earley,” Patricia adds.

“There has been such a fabulous reaction online. I thought they were fun and might make people smile — it makes me giggle every time I make one.

“They’ve gone down really well, and I’m not stopping. We are going to keep going.”

Patricia says some parents have reached out to her to buy a worry work for their little one.

Because of this, she is now selling them on Etsy for £3.75. � For more information, to to buy a worry worm, visit: www.etsy.com/uk/ shop/isisdirect

POETRY CORNER Filling in Time I’ve just visited my dentist To have a filling done.

Whilst there she checked on all my teeth And tested all my gum.

“There’s nothing wrong, I’m pleased to say.

Your teeth are splendid. All’s OK”.

This news was music to my ear BIRTHDAY GIFT: Peter Hale with his print, signed by current members of the RAF’s 41 Squadron. It has been given in honour of his 99th celebrations later this month

As I really don’t like coming here.

Though dentist and assistant too Couldn’t be more nice to you.

I now have six months clear of this Giving me a sense of bliss.

“BUT should that tooth meanwhile cause pain I’ll be pleased to see you once again”!!

I do hope this will not be so But we’ll wait to see just how things go.

Jim Horsnell

We love receiving reader’s poetry. Email your submissions to letters@wokingham.today

OW that the world is slowly opening up again, we’ve found our weekends are chockablock with social arrangements till mid-August.

As an introvert, I find this mildly overwhelming but also quite lovely. We’ve gone from seeing no humans to all the humans, what feels like overnight. Mostly I love it but a part of me still wants to hide under my duvet. (Though mainly from the children).

This Saturday was different, a free afternoon meant we were going to try and be “productive”.

We spent the best part of our day in John Lewis deciding whether our baby’s new car seat really required the “360 spin” feature. (It absolutely does).

We picked the poor sales assistant’s brain asking all the questions you’re meant to ask, then of course I suddenly needed to know exactly how to operate this new bit of kit, requesting that she show me where all the magic buttons are. Recline, recline again, spin, spin more, loosen, tighten, click, un-click .. car seats aren’t what they used to be.

“It can’t be that easy. It’s never that easy. She’s making it look easy.” I thought to myself, ignoring the fact it came with instructions and I could probably Google the rest. But we had a real life human helping us and I wanted to embrace this. She was so much nicer than a YouTube video.

We even tested Leo in his new possible throne. He didn’t love it.

This is all after weeks of comparing and contrasting online.

Many minutes of head scratching later, we ended up picking the original one I’d opted for months ago, at the very beginning of our car seat indecision headache.

Which is a real thing.

From one case of indecision to another, I recently found myself sat in a baby music class debating whether to wake my sleeping baby up. You know, so he could participate in the pre-paid class carefully curated for his enjoyment and benefit, or let him get the rest he clearly needed.

The first time it happened, I thought it was just a one off.

I wasn’t sure what to do when we arrived. He’d only just fallen asleep and had been grumpy beforehand so I was reluctant to wake him. I brought him in, still in his car seat, hoping at any moment the music would wake him.

The thing about BABY classes is, they’re very much designed for parents and their babies.

Without an awake baby, you’re just a woman, on a mat, copying an array of movements for absolutely no one’s benefit. I quickly began to feel incredibly awkward.

I couldn’t decide what would look weirder, sitting there and just staring at my sleeping baby, or trying as best I could to stay involved/present in the class.

I went for a mix.

It felt almost wrong and highly unnatural without the little one crawling around next to me. There was a lot of bopping and patting of the thighs.

I followed most of the actions whilst intermittently staring at Leo and silently willing him to wake on his own.

He eventually did. The relief was palpable. “YES THANK YOU YES GOOD YOU ARE BACK NOW I CAN LOOK NORMAL AGAIN.” Leo slept through 90% of all three of his classes last week.

That would be Hartbeeps, Jolly Babies and Baby Sensory.

I should start some kind of Trip Advisor for baby classes, I spend my mornings running late for any one of these groups.

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26 | VIEWPOINTS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Why pride matters for all of us

ON SATURDAY, Wokingham borough will hold its first proper Pride gathering.

Yes, last year there was a bit of flag waving outside the town hall, but covid prevented it from being anything more substantial.

Still reasonably low-key, the picnic planned for lunchtime is a small acorn from which oaks will grow.

It’s an opportunity for all of us to wrap a metaphorical arm around those residents from the LGBTQ+ community, and those who aren’t sure, and let them know they are loved, they are valued and they are an important part of Wokingham’s community.

The first pride event in the UK was held in London in 1972 when attitudes were very different.

We have come a long way since then.

But for some being LGBTQ+ is something they feel they have to keep secret, for fear for reprisals.

For some, coming out and not having to hide who they are is difficult.

So, pride matters. It’s an opportunity for those who are out and proud to celebrate.

It’s a moment for those who need some help and guidance to come forward and get it.

And for those of us who aren’t LGBTQ+, it’s a moment for us to say to people, ‘We take you as you are, and that’s alright’.

So, yes, pride matters for all of us.

It might just be a picnic, but until all society accepts LGBTQ+ people for who they are, it’s important. And when they do, it will be just as important.

CHURCH NOTES

To have faith is to be sure

R

ECENT events have brought into question the importance of trust and faith. Many believe they are the same thing but there is a difference.

Trust is rational and logical. It is evidential, based on previous actions and behaviours. We often say that one earns trust.

Faith on the other hand is emotional and spiritual and is based on what we believe will happen in our hearts and minds.

In Hebrews 11:1, the author describes faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”.

If we have this faith in God, trust will develop as we learn to put our faith into actions. If we put our trust in God to influence our lives, faith will follow.

But one could argue that there is no proof that God exists, so how can we put our trust in him? Well, try this for starters.

Shut your eyes and think “If there is a God, where would he be working in our lives?” Now open them and appreciate what is going on around you; the incredible detail and beauty of wildflowers by the road, the laughter of a child, the love between two people holding hands, the smile of a stranger who catches your eye, the smell of cut grass, the birdsong in the garden, the dramatic sunsets.

God is love and love in many forms, is all around us.

We only need to look for the evidence.

With evidence comes trust, and with trust comes faith.

John Boylan is an authorised lay preacher for All Saints Church, Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

Your letters

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today If there’s money, why can the roads be repaired?

AFTER numerous calls to councillors John Halsall and Pauline Jorgensen about the state of roads in Woodley, I finally received a visit from Graham Wiseman from Asset Management the company that runs highways for Wokingham Borough Council (WBC).

He was the person who came three years ago with a can of white paint and marked potholes in Radcot Close. He told me that the work would be done and I asked him what would happen if the work was unsatisfactory?

He told me that he would personally check it when finished. That did not happen and after six months the tarmac had all come out.

We have waited over two years for the council to return to site. It has now been decided that the surface is not dangerous and doesn’t need repairing.

Does this council have any standards in their workmanship?

This also applies to other roads in Woodley and in particular Reading Road from Headley Road to Western Avenue.

I was told that there was a year’s wait for this to be looked at. I was told that there had been no reported deaths or injuries and that people should drive more carefully.

Perhaps he should have spoken to the person who knocked on my door after spending a month in RBH with a badly broken leg after falling on an uneven surface.

I rang our councillor, Michael Firmanger, to ask if he could attend the meeting with Mr Wiseman.

He told me that he had a full-time job and was working all day. He has no experience with roads and he was watching football (not the England match).

Will somebody explain to me what the duties of a councillor are?

We helped this man become a councillor in 2019 because his priority was ROADS, so we thought we could have confidence in him.

How wrong we were.

This is the attitude of the party under Cllr Halsall who just don’t care.

He has massive assets, so we are told,

Council leader insults councillors and officers I and many Earley Town councillors have been very disappointed with the unnecessary attack on Earley Town Council from the Borough Conservative Leader, Cllr John Halsall at a recent Executive meeting at Wokingham Borough Council and in last week’s Wokingham Today.

The suggestion that Earley and Wokingham Town Councils have been “asleep” during the pandemic betrays a surprising degree of ignorance of what Town and Parish Councils do and how they are organised.

Officers and councillors from Earley Town Council have worked extremely hard during the pandemic, keeping all of the services provided by the Town Council in operation.

This includes keeping our parks and our nature reserve at Maiden Erlegh Lake open in a Covid safe way, providing an important amenity for residents to use during lockdown to maintain their mental health and physical wellbeing and he refuses to lend against them. We are told by Asset Management that they only have £5.8m to spend on roads in Wokingham.

This is crazy and councillors are at fault for just allocating this sum of money. This could be spent in Woodley alone as we have some of the worst roads in the borough.

So when are the roads I mentioned to Gary Wiseman going to be done?

Reading Road in particular is a disgrace.

All this makes a mockery of what Cllr Jorgensen writes in this paper that residents should have a smooth even surface to walk, drive or cycle on. We cannot do any of these things on many roads in Woodley It is criminal to hear Cllr Halsall boasting about having so much money in assets. This should be spent on repairing the roads and dealing with the needs of the people instead of future plans to spend £15m on future traffic schemes.

I refer to the brilliant letters from Gary Cowan, Paul Bray and Jim Frewin

Standing up for residents

O

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

while observing Covid rules and guidance regarding exercising and/or working from home.

The help shop which helps to provide access to Borough Council and other services has also remained open through most of the pandemic.

Many councillors and officers have also, personally been putting a lot of time and energy into volunteering in addition to their normal roles as councillors and employment responsibilities rendering Cllr Halsall’s comments even more inappropriate, dding insult to injury.

The council have furloughed staff where this has been legal to do so, Cllr Halsall has shown by his suggestion that more people should have been furloughed that he clearly doesn't understand the furlough rules; although in his position he should.

You might ask why Cllr Halsall has singled out Earley and Wokingham Town Council and not included Woodley Town Council in his rant.

The answer is simple, Earley Town Council is run by the Liberal Democrats in Wokingham Today on July 1. They sum up what is really happening in our council, which is clearly the opposite view of Cllr Halsall who is out of touch and living in cloud cuckoo land.

The ideology of his party is crucifying and misleading residents. There is no such thing as working together with opposition parties or an alternative opinion. There is no community any more.

Wokingham is about to change with 400-600 houses being built each year all to be decided by a new Developer’s Charter.

We will lose more of our green fields.

Why hasn’t our council employed solicitors and barristers to oppose these numbers.

We are told that Wokingham is a wealthy borough which is why we don’t get a grant from Westminster. If the council is so short of money in Highways and other departments perhaps these supposedly wealthy people should be asked to help.

Cedric Lander, Woodley

Westminster That was the week Diary Tony Johnson Matt Rodda

NE of the issues which, rightly, most exercises parliament continues to be the inadequate response from Government to the tragedy that happened at Grenfell.

The solution to this is clear. We believe the cost of remedial work should be met by either the Government or the developer. It should not be the responsibility of resident who bought properties in good faith only to find them deficient.

Many residents have been living with unbelievable stress caused by concerns about fire safety while at the same time facing enormous bills for work to make flats safe.

I have been raising this issue in Parliament, together with other MPs and I am pleased that we have been successful in forcing the Local Government and Housing Secretary to take more actions but he has resisted doing so at every

opportunity and while some improvements have been made, there still remains too many people who face crippling bills and an uncertain future.

Sadly, the publication of the Building Safety Bill this week has made it harder for owners to deal with the problem they inherited from developers.

While the Bill introduces new rules which, in theory, will prevent buildings being constructed in a way which is unsafe, it offers little priority to the remediation of buildings already at risk.

The Bill also fails to address the challenges faced by residents [including many in Berkshire] in low-rise buildings, of less than four stories tall,

who have 21 of the 25 seats and Wokingham Town Council is in no overall control and has a Liberal Democrat leader so, unlike Woodley, these two councils are not Conservative-led.

This inappropriate rant from the Borough Council leader is no more than a political stunt.

In recent months officers at Wokingham Borough have been suggesting the Borough and the Town and Parish Councils try to work more closely together and we have been actively looking at ways that this could be achieved.

This political attack by Cllr Halsall potentially damages the relationship between the Councils which had been improving.

Cllr Halsall should withdraw his unfounded criticism of Earley and Wokingham Town councils and apologise to the officers and councillors of all parties on those councils for his remarks.

Cllr Clive Jones, Lib Dem Leader of Earley Town Council

What’s the road map?

JUST what are the plans for the junction between Easthampstead Road and the South Wokingham Distributor Road (SWDR)?

Back at the time of the so-called "consultation" over the route of the SWDR, I raised a concern about the location of the roundabout where the SWDR was to meet Easthampstead Road.

I pointed out that if the roundabout was too close to Star Lane level crossing, there would be a risk of Wokinghambound traffic tailing back and blocking the roundabout.

Now, about three years later, I’m starting to hear rumours that the planners have realised this, and now plan to close the section of Easthampstead Road from Star Lane crossing to Heathlands Road.

This section would be replaced by a Link Road from Heathlands Road to the SWDR and another short road from the SWDR to Star Lane Crossing.

who share similar risk and potential costs but are constantly overlooked by Ministers.

Grenfell and the ongoing challenges with cladding expose just one part of a growing problem that is reflected in my postbag – the quality of housing being built.

I am often contacted by constituents who have moved into a new build homes only to find that there are problems with the quality of the finish, or that there are longer term structural issues which have been overlooked.

Some developers then deny responsibility leaving those who should be enjoying a new home grappling with a system that seems to work against them at every opportunity.

I am confident that parliament will act, collectively, to ensure that the Government does the right thing in terms of supporting and helping residents in buildings which could be a fire risk.

However, there is still more to do to ensure that developers take seriously their responsibility when it comes to the safety of the flats and houses they build.

Matt Rodda is the MP for Reading East

This all seemed to make sense until the rumour mill told me that the short road from the SWDR to Star Lane Crossing would be one-way, taking traffic out of Wokingham but adding a huge detour via London Road for traffic entering the Easthampstead Road area of Wokingham.

I don't know if this rumour is true.

I tried to find clarification in the SWDR pages on the council's web site.

I tried writing to our Westcott Ward councillor. So far I've found nothing that confirms whether this link road will be one-way or not.

It would be really useful if the council and Wokingham.Today could publish the latest plans with sufficient detail to give South Wokingham residents a clear picture of future routes to the south.

Colin & Christine Charman, Wokingham

Planning ahead Wokingham Council have excelled themselves again with their usual lack of planning and incompetence.

After at least a decade of lack of maintenance and horrendous potholes. it was with great joy and relief that we learnt that Barkham Road and Barkham Street were to be resurfaced this Spring.

However, after only a couple of months both have now been closed to enable some utilities to be laid.

With Nile Mile Ride also closed this means that to drive towards Reading, Finchampstead residents have to travel up to and through the traffic in Wokingham or alternatively down to Eversley and along the A327. Both are considerable detours.

I understand that this will last for a month and we shall not have a bus service.

All essential work on these roads must have been known in advance of the resurfacing so why was it not rescheduled.

Many years ago, I understood that there was a legal requirement for all councils to schedule all imminent and future works before resurfacing.

This is a disgraceful waste of our money.

Christine Godin, Finchampstead

Traffic woes HOW ironic that the increase in traffic caused by the explosion of new houses that have been built, are being complained about by the people living in the new houses (Eldridge Park).

The noisy cars they are hearing at all hours is most likely from the A329M and not Bell Foundry Lane.

Juliet, via email

Busy doing nothing Well the silly season is well and truly upon us.

The story headlined ‘Town councils are asleep’ once again shows Cllr John Halsall has run off at the mouth without engaging his brain. Or perhaps he did engage his brain and this is what he truly thinks which is disturbing that someone with this mindset is Leader of WBC. His outburst demeans himself, the office he holds while demonstrating his lack of accuracy, integrity and judgment.

Cllrs Jones and Shepherd-DuBey provided reasonable and accurate replies demonstrating who the competent people are within our council system and where the problems lay.

Cllr Halsall‘s absurd claims have been shown to be totally inaccurate and he should make a full apology to the councillors, those who work at the councils and withdraw his comments without reservation.

It’s the very least he should do.

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Let’s see whether he has the decency and dignity to do the right thing.

I happened to be walking past a patch of St John’s Wort on Reading Road, near Woosehill Roundabout. The blossom attracts many pollinators.

The flower is a very attractive shade of Yellow with many thin Stamens.

It is invasive and can be used as a Ground covering plant but can coexist with other plants, as seen here.

R Owen, via email

Democracy? Que? What a terrific piece from John Redwood last week (Westminster Diary, July 1). It’s great to see that he feels comfortable talking about democracy after his government lied to the Queen about proroguing parliament, and had to be dragged through the courts so that our sovereign parliament could have a say on Brexit.

And what a Brexit.

As Redwood reminds us, “A government with no doubts about its policy is arrogant or foolish”.

Of course, anyone in his party who dared express any doubts in the extremist Brexit pursued was punished (apart from Boris’s brother, who is now Baron Johnson).

The country is losing billions from fishing, the arts, farming and financial services, and the promises to look after EU citizens have gone the same way as the £350m of NHS funding each week.

Redwood should spend less time in pretend outrage at the EU and BBC, and more time making the deal his party negotiated and claimed to the British public was a great deal actually deliver.

Maybe then they will start to rebuild the trust in this country that has been so badly damaged by his party’s unwillingness to respect international law.

Dr Peter Hornsby, Wokingham

Praise for Berkshire Women’s Aid I read, with interest Wokingham Today’s report, ‘Council ditches Berkshire’s Women’s Aid for new provider’, (June 24), and the letter from Louise Timlin, Reading and Wokingham Women’s Equality Party (July 1).

I have only ever, once, had occasion, to ask Berkshire’s Women’s Aid for help.

A mentally ill lady, staying in the crisis house, was under physical threat from a violent boyfriend, who knew that she was staying here.

What did I think of their service?

Brilliant.

They came out, immediately, and provided her with a safe refuge place, immediately. I am conservative to the soul. If something is working well, I leave it alone, and never change anything – unless it is, demonstrably, a change for the better – so our local, elected, Conservatives, with this decision for change, intrigue me.

Louise Timlin says, ‘Cranstoun has very limited experience of providing refuge support and, indeed, does not currently, have refuge places available locally.’

This is most concerning – since the women are in danger now, and need immediate intervention to ensure their safeguarding.

Furthermore, there is no substitute for experience.

As I tell young volunteers at the crisis house, ‘The reason that I know what will happen in a situation, is that having run my mental health charities for over 42 years, I have seen that situation before’.

I am also most sceptical about programmes aimed at changing behaviours. You never change behaviours. You can change people’s circumstances, for the better, yes, but changing the people, themselves, no.

I invite readers to look at the tragedy at Fishmongers’ Hall.

There, bright young lives were snuffed out, because the young people believed that their rehabilitation

Harry Atkinson, Wokingham

programme would change the behaviour of offenders.

Such offenders, and in the case of radicalised fanatics, particularly, will tell officialdom what they think officialdom wants to hear, and pretend to change – while their violent, and murderous, intent, remains unchanged.

So violent men will continue to be violent, and abused women will continue to need same-sex refuges.

Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House

Help our heroes The awarding of the George Cross by Her Majesty the Queen and the inspirational efforts of Captain Sir Tom have shown us how to recognise our NHS heroes.

The vast majority of us stood on our doorsteps to clap when we really needed them. We have been regularly told we must follow the rules to save our NHS. All of these are absolutely the right things to do.

So, what has happened locally to recognise our many NHS heroes?

Following closely on the Government 1% pay rise decision, the Royal Berks Hospital management and charity leaders have decided to spend some of Sir Tom’s wonderful allocation of funds on toys, water bottles and badges.

Professional medical heroes on the edge of exhaustion have been given a badge and a plastic water bottle and in some cases one of the toys below, as recognition of their efforts over the Pandemic period.

It is difficult to see how this is meant to lift morale at a time where the NHS continues to find itself under so much pressure.

A&E and ambulance staff have been at the forefront of the Pandemic battle and their welfare facilities at the RBH are at best in need of ‘significant care’.

Should we except NHS staff to use work place facilities that most of us would be appalled by?

The RBH leaders have chosen to spend on toys, water bottles and badges rather than something meaningful, such as improving staff facilities.

Why? On top of this staff are being told that staff parking is likely to be moving to Green Park and staff will need to use the park and ride to get to and from work, adding hours onto their weekly commute.

Can you imagine after an intensive and stressful 12-hour shift having to stand and wait at a bus stop, on a winters night just to get back to your car?

Imagine how you would feel if you had to drive pass the RBH to get to Green Park and then wait for the bus to take you back along the same route.

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said the George Cross award recognised the "skill and fortitude" of NHS staff, who had responded to "the worst pandemic in a century and the greatest challenge this country has faced since the Second World War.

Is this really how we should be recognising our local NHS heroes? Will these actions help stressed and exhausted staff? Will they lift morale?

Is this really the way to treat our local NHS heroes?

Name and address supplied

Bobbies on the beat, now IT is time that the police started walking the streets like before and keeping in touch with the community and stopping the killings going on with youngsters with knives.

Also ban all guns and do not give out any licence to anyone to shoot animals or people.

The elderly are living in fear and will not even go out night or day because the police have lost their way.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

Time to volunteer THE UK’s leading heart charity, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) wants to say thank you to all its fantastic shop volunteers, ahead of Thank You Day (4th July 2021).

Our shop volunteers play a vital role in raising funds for life saving research – without their passion and drive we wouldn’t have been able to fund scientific breakthroughs for 60 years.

The last year has been extremely difficult for the BHF, with the temporary shop closures and we have been truly humbled by the continued support of our volunteers. However, we have 20% less volunteering support than we did before the Covid-19 pandemic and are urging the local community to volunteer in their nearest BHF shop.

The charity has plenty of exciting volunteering roles available, which not only provide crucial support to the BHF retail operation, but it can also help boost CVs, increase wellbeing, and provide a social network within the local community.

Volunteers can get involved in a range of tasks, such as telephone and logistical administration, merchandising on the shop floor and answering customer queries. We also offer online roles for those keen to hone their tech skills, by helping to research, photographer and list items for the BHF’s online shops.

Each year, heart and circulatory diseases kill more than 1 in 4 people in the South East and currently 970,000 people in the region are living with them.

In the BHF’s 60th year, the support of volunteers in our local shops is more vital than ever – whether it is just a few hours a week or more.

As we approach our milestone birthday, help us fund the next 60 years of scientific breakthroughs by giving us the gift of time, to save and improve lives in the South East.

For more details on how you can volunteer at the BHF please visit www.bhf.org.uk/volunteer Sarah Boardman, Retail Volunteering Operations Manager at the British Heart Foundation

Towards the Local Plan

Cllr John Halsall

What is the local plan – and why does it matter?

Part one in a series on the Local Plan

L

AST week I set out the challenges facing our community around affordable housing, and how the Council was best placed to meet this challenge through the Local Plan.

This week I want to set out what the Local Plan is in more detail.

Put simply, the Local Plan is a comprehensive series of documents which explain where the Council will look for new homes, roads, green spaces and local services to go in Wokingham Borough over the coming years.

The Council takes the targets set by the Government for the number of homes we need to build each year, and we ask for landowners who are willing to allow building on their land to put forward useful sites.

From there, we produce different drafts of a plan, identifying the areas which we think would be most suitable for new homes of different types and sizes.

At the same, we work out what infrastructure is needed to ensure that new residents don’t overwhelm the local area.

We plan out new roads; identify the areas which should be used for commercial and industrial purposes (if any); work out where new doctors’ surgeries, libraries and play parks are needed; and incorporate new fields and open spaces to counter those that are being lost.

Through all this, we work with the Neighbourhood Plans produced by our local town and parish councils, to make sure that we are taking into account how different areas want to accommodate new homes.

Responsibilities Every council in the country with planning responsibilities (as Wokingham has) is obliged by the Government to regularly produce Local Plans.

At the moment, Wokingham Borough is operating under an older plan which is due to run out in 2026.

As a result, we must prepare a new Plan which we are ready to start working from as soon as the current one expires.

Some people have argued that this Government is obsessed with building new homes that we don’t need.

Some like to suggest that the Council should simply not make a new Local Plan, and tell the Government to go away.

On the first point, I hope that last week’s column clearly set out why we need more homes that are affordable – and I would emphasise that the current Conservative Government acknowledges that as much as when there was a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, and when Labour were in power.

Governments of all stripes have set housebuilding targets, which are very similar in number.

As to the second point – we have to plan for new homes, and there are serious consequences if we don’t.

In next week’s column, I’ll set out for you the dire situation Wokingham Borough would face if it opted not to produce a new Local Plan.

NEXT WEEK: The Pressures of the Local Plan.

Cllr John Halsall is the leader of the council and Conservative councillor for Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe ward at Wokingham Borough Council

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Lasting tribute to ‘Mr Twyford’

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A PORTRAIT has been unveiled to honour one man’s dedication to the Twyford community.

Gordon Storey, who died aged 72 in February, is being commemorated with a framed photograph in Age Concern Twyford and District’s day centre, on Polehampton Close.

The portrait, taken by village resident Asya Barskaya at a Twyford Fun Run event, was presented by Maidenhead MP Theresa May on Friday, June 25 – what would have been Mr Storey’s 73rd birthday.

Ms Barskaya said she felt “honoured” to have her photograph chosen, after being close to Mr Storey for many years.

“He basically got me involved with photographing a lot of local events,” she said. “He helped me create these memories.

“He was a lovely, lovely man and this made me very emotional, happy and proud.”

The photographer said when she captured the photo, she wanted to take a snapshot that represented Mr Storey in his element. She felt the image shows his personality and his spirit.

“I know that a lot of the time,

Views sought over lido proposal THE JOURNEY towards Wargrave Lido has taken another step after organisers launched a community survey about the project last month.

In preparation for a planning application, the team behind the

UNVEILING: Gordon Storey's daughter, Tilly, and his wife, Jo Jo, with Theresa May, Debbie Heffernan, and Asya Barskaya at the launch of a tribite portrait (left) of the great man who did so much to bring Twyford together Picture: ABL Photography

photographs will outlive us,” Ms Barskaya added. “To know this image in particular will be in a public place is a wonderful feeling.”

Mr Storey’s wife Jo Jo, and their daughter Tilly, were also given a framed portrait to take home.

Mrs May, who spoke at the unveiling, said she has many fond memories of Mr Storey who she deems a key figure in Twyford.

“My heartfelt condolences are with his family and friends,” she said. “The village owes a great deal to Gordon who did so much to bring

the whole community together and bring new life to Twyford.”

The MP said Mr Storey was always looking for new ideas to help the community and enhance the area.

“He was for so many simply Mr Twyford,” she added. “I know that his memory will live on and the community spirit that he inspired will also continue.”

Mr Storey lived in Twyford for 42 years and was heavily devoted to the village. He was the force behind Twyford Charities Together, which

Wargrave Lido project is canvassing residents’ views to hear if they would use a community swimming pool.

The group of villagers is campaigning for a 25-metre pool in the village and is set to submit an application in the near future.

On social media, the team said a village lido would help residents “embrace” Wargrave’s riverfront

setting and encourage safe and efficient swimming.

“Living by the river makes it even more essential we have safe and proficient swimmers,” it wrote.

“Our mission is to bring everyday swimming to everyone in Wargrave.”

The questionnaire asks residents about their swimming habits and experiences, including how often and why they swim, where they go

helped raise money for a range of organisations over the years including Age Concern, Camp Mohawk and Building for the Future.

Robin Yeadon, trustee of the Age Concern and chairman of Twyford Together, said Mr Storey was a key driver behind positive changes at the Day Centre.

“Gordon Storey was a great supporter of the Centre, and the Trustees and Day Centre Manager, Debs Heffernan, felt it was right to honour him,” he said. “We found a wonderful picture taken by Asya Barskaya, had it enlarged and framed by David Meadowcroft at The Picture Framer.”

Mr Yeadon said it was lovely to see Mrs May unveil the portrait and say a few words.

“It was especially poignant that this took place on June 25 which would have been Gordon’s Birthday, and wonderful that his wife Jo Jo and daughter Tilly could be there too,” he added.

“We were lucky to have so many people at the unveiling. The only person missing sadly was Gordon.”

The picture will now be displayed in the conservatory at the site on Polehampton Close, to honour Mr Storey’s involvement in Age Concern over the years. for a dip, and whether they would use a lido.

The Wargrave Lido team added a pool would help people “young and old” develop their swimming skills and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of the sport. � To take part in the survey, visit: www.tinyurl.com/4ecw3usc � Find out more about the Wargrave Lido project here: www.facebook.com/ WargraveLido

Mermaids prepare for Bristol Channel swim WARGRAVE residents might have caught a glimpse of this local swim team, who will soon be the first allfemale group to swim the Bristol Channel.

Henley Mermaids, who train in Wokingham borough and can often be spotted swimming past Wargrave, are gearing up for their longest relay yet later this month.

The swim team formed a few years ago as nothing more than a WhatsApp group so the ladies could find regular swimming buddies.

Now, the group of five middle-aged women will be tackling the tidal and jelly fish-filled waters of Bristol Channel on Thursday, July 22 — one year on since they swam the English Channel.

They said they’re feeling “mentally and physically ready” for the 40km (25 mile) challenge, but Fiona Print, Mermaid and neurological nurse at the

Royal Berkshire Hospital, said it will still be “a real challenge”.

“There are specific channel swimming rules we have to stick to,” she explained. These include swimming on rotation with one hour in the water each and not being allowed to wear wetsuits.

“It’s quite strict,” she said.

The Bristol Channel, which has the secondhighest tidal reach in the world, is littered with sea creatures, sand bars and islands.

Joan Fennelly, spokesperson for Henley Mermaids, said she believes the group is strong enough to go the distance.

“We won’t let each other down,” she explained.

“Our X factor is that as a team, we’re very tight.

“We may not look the best in our swimming costumes but it’s about what we can do, not what

we can’t do.”

Fellow swimmer Laura Reineke added: “You have to think about how you will feel when you’ve done it.

“There’s no consideration that you won’t do it: you have to have that mindset.”

The ladies plan to complete the swim within 15 to 20 hours — and hope to raise more than £40,000 for charity along the way.

They are currently fundraising for four Irish and four British charities, which support people living with a range of neurological conditions.

Organisations include Multiple Sclerosis

International Federation, Cure Parkinson’s and The Dublin Neurological Institute.

So far, they have raised £5,000 for the British charities and €3,500 (£3,000) for the Irish groups.

Ms Print said her years of experience looking after people with neurological conditions has shown her “what they can do to people and their families”.

“We are self-funding so the money raised does not pay for our expenses,” she said. “Everything is going to the charities to make people’s lives a little bit easier.”

Ms Reineke added every member of the Mermaids team has a connection with the illnesses.

Last year, the group also raised £32,000 for Henley Music School when it swam the English Channel.

In 2022, they plan to swim the 34km (21-mile) North Channel from Northern Ireland to Scotland and become the only all-female team to ever complete all three channels — also known as the Triple Crown.

But for now, they are gearing up to set off on their next big swim.

They will start in Ilfracombe, in north Devon, weather-permitting. � To find out more about the team, visit: www. henleymermaids.com � Support their fundraising efforts and keep up-to-date with their big swim here: www.bit.ly/2UXNOpL and www.bit.ly/365Z45D

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Council’s no to Lidl and homes plan EARLEY Town Council has formally opposed the plan for a Lidl and 43 houses off Meldreth Way. Its planning committee met on Tuesday, June 22, to discuss the proposal.

It has recommended the borough council refuse the application.

Concerns include development on land designated as “countryside”.

The committee said building there would fail to maintain or enhance the high quality of the environment, describing it as an “inappropriate scale of activity”.

They were also concerned it would lose the “continuous green

wooded corridor” along Lower Earley Way. In a statement, the committee said: “The proposed food store would destroy the green corridor.”

They were concerned the shop was more targeted at passing trade than serving the immediate community.

They added: “The town council is concerned that the assumptions derived from pre-pandemic retail spending patterns may no longer apply due to people switching to online purchasing.”

They were also worried about the impact on traffic, road safety and noise pollution from delivery vans.

DAY AT THE RACES: Pupils at Hawkedon enjoyed a range of activities for its sports day

CELEBRATION: From left: Father Bill Wilson, Jayden Salve, head boy, Lucy Teixeira, Chloe Zambon, head girl and Patrick Mullens, assistant head teacher

ON TRACK: Pupils test their new running track

Captain Tom’s daughter opens school race track

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THE DAUGHTER of Captain Sir Tom Moore opened a running track at a Woodley school last week.

Pupils’ sporting chance PUPILS at Hawkedon were thrilled to be able to take part in the Youth Sports Trust’s National School Sports Week.

Organiser Nikki Gladwin-Stride, said: “After a year of missed opportunities, these sporting events really created a buzz around the school as children have loved taking part in a school sports day again.”

After a year without a sports day and other active events, pupils spent a week learning about the Olympics.

They also had an Archery workshop, led by Reading Football Community Trust, and learnt the art of fencing, courtesy of teachers Mr Smaje and Miss Gladwin-Stride.

Teacher Mr Maker ran tennis workshops.

And sports day made its return for each year group, due to covid restrictions.

The school also ran a sponsored dance-fit-athon, raising money for the Youth Sports Trust.

Miss Gladwin-Stride added: “Although parents were not able to be on site to watch this year, we have been able to post Twitter photo updates and will shortly be uploading a sports week video, highlighting some of the sports day races on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages as a creative way to give the parents an insight into the events.

“Roll on next year's sports week, which we hope can be bigger and better than ever.”

Youth worker wanted A SENIOR youth worker is needed

by Earley Town Council.

The role would be for 16 hours each week supervising, mentoring and guiding the Youth Service Team.

A spokesperson for the town council said: “We are looking for someone who will work on improving our existing youth work provision and actively work with youth workers and volunteers in

driving towards a positive direction.”

Applicants must be experienced in youth work. And the position is subject to a DBS check.

The salary will range from £22,627 to £24,419 depending on experience. A local government pension scheme is included.

Closing date for applications is noon on Monday, July 19.

For more information or to apply, visit: www.earley-tc.gov.uk

PRESENTATION: From left: Gabriella Kemp, Year 3, Lucy Teixeira, Gil Charles, Year 5, Zahra Kazmi, Year 5, and Ella Rowland-Allen, Year 3.

Pupils and teachers at St Dominic Savio Catholic Primary School on Western Avenue welcomed Lucy Teixeira, the eldest of Sir Tom’s daughters, on Thursday, July 1, for the official opening.

Named after Sir Tom, the track was installed for all years to use for both sport and playtimes.

Mrs Teixeira was invited to the school, after pupils raised more than £4,000 completing sponsored runs for The Woodland Trust.

Until the end of the year, the organisation is running a Trees for Tom campaign led by Mrs Teixeira,to create a woodland in Keighley, where her father grew up.

Year 5 pupils Gil Charles and Zahra Kazmi presented Mrs Teixeira with a cheque to mark their fundraising.

Mrs Teixeira said the running track and fundraiser were perfectly aligned with her father’s passions.

“It’s about keeping fit, and building that resilience into your life,” she said. “And also being in nature, and freeing the mind from troubled and anxiety — it builds it into the children’s psyche.”

She said the amount raised was incredible, and praised pupils for their hard work.

Addressing the students, she said her Father, aged 99, bought a treadmill to help him recover from an injury.

“He knew the importance of moving to recover,” she said.

“I am so happy you’ve managed to build a track, my Father would have been thrilled.”

Mrs Teixeira said although it was painful not being able to see her Father in his last year, he left a beautiful legacy.

“I’m very proud of what he achieved,” she said. “I’ve just received a copy of an NHS magazine and he’s in there, and it says how many departments are benefiting from his work.”

Assistant head teacher, Patrick Mullens, said Sir Tom had inspired the schoolchildren, “He captured the hearts of the

children and the nation,” he said. “I was flabbergasted with how much they raised — it’s one of our best fundraisers.”

At the event, Mrs Teixeira announced that some of the trees pupils raised money for would be planted on site.

Father Bill Wilson, who is also a governor at the school, gave a blessing at the event.

He said the track was a great way to bring all aspects of school life together.

“It celebrates mind, body and spirit,” he told Wokingham.Today.

After Mrs Teixeira cut the ribbon to open the new track, Mr Mullens’ Year 4 class ran an honorary lap.

There was also a Year 6 performance of Consider Yourself, from Oliver! And some pupils performed the Haka.

The event was finished with a celebratory slice of cake, created by teaching assistant, Brenda D’Mello, and depicting the new track.

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Builder’s big donation SPONSORED swims, walks and runs has helped a housebuilder raise nearly £20,000 for a Crowthorne-based charity that supports seriously ill children and their families.

Sebastian’s Action Trust was chosen

by Barratt Southern Counties for a yearlong fundraiser.

And their support has also seen the charity’s site, which includes a woodland outreach centre, receive a makeover for its signs.

The money – £19,527.42 – will support the trust’s services it provides for seriously ill children and their families. This includes respite breaks and day visits, bereavement support and events, activities and workshops.

In all, it currently offers support to 584 individuals and 148 families in Berkshire, so every donation is gratefully received by the charity.

Simon Lillywhite, fundraising and communications manager of Sebastian’s Action Trust, said he is thrilled by Barratt’s backing.

“We are extremely grateful to have

received this wonderful amount raised by the company and its employees which will enable us to continue providing vital care to our families through covid and beyond,” he said.

“The support of Barratt Southern Counties is making this possible and will help ensure the Trust is here for families of seriously ill children – always.’’

And the housebuilder is just as thrilled that it could be of help.

Lynnette St-Quintin, sales and marketing director of Barratt Southern Counties, said she is proud to be supporting the charity.

“We know that donations have been vital to keep the services accessible and mobile during the pandemic for the families the Sebastian’s Action Trust looks after,” she said.

“Everyone at Barratt is committed to continuing our fundraising this year, and we hope to raise even more for the charity.” � For more details of the charity’s work, log on to: sebastiansactiontrust.org

RUNNING WITH A PURPOSE: Key Stage 2 students at Waverley raced nine laps of their playing field to raise funds for Ataxia UK after Emily Adams, the teenage daughter of teacher Elaine, died suddenly last year

Waverley pupils get running for Emily SCHOOL pupils ran the extra mile in memory of their teacher’s daughter last month.

The Key Stage 2 students from Waverley Preparatory School, in Finchampstead, raced for nine laps around the playing field in an effort to raise money for Ataxia UK. The event was held in memory of Emily Adams, the daughter of Waverley teacher Elaine Adams.

Emily died suddenly last year from ataxia, a disorder that affects coordination, balance and speech. She was just 19.

The school raised more than £1,440 for

the charity which will go towards funding for those who are affected by ataxia.

Guy Shore, Waverley’s headteacher, said the loss of Emily was “felt deeply” by the staff, pupils and parents.

He said: “I was immensely proud of the way our pupils demonstrated fantastic determination and stamina to run so far to raise money in memory of Emily.

“The community spirit shown by everyone has been extremely touching and made me feel very humbled to be a head of such incredible, caring young people.”

Emily’s mother, Elaine Adams, who has taught at the School for 15 years, said: “It was a truly heart-warming occasion, and one that my husband Tony and I will never forget.

“Our beautiful daughter, Emily, was passionate about raising awareness of her little-known condition and raising the funds to ensure that research can continue, to eventually find a cure.” � To donate, visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/emilyovertherainbow � For more details, log on to waverleyschool.co.uk

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today

have to get to a bus stop in Finchampstead on Barkham Ride to board but this is nowhere near where they live.

“There is no bus route along Finchampstead Road for them.”

In a bid to change the situation, the party has launched a petition calling for improvements.

It says: “There is a bus to St Crispin’s but it may be oversubscribed, and children attending Emmbrook have to get to a bus stop in Finchampstead on Barkham Ride to board which is nowhere near where they live”.

But Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways, said the council is already aware of the residents’ concerns.

“We are currently working on a Local

Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), due out later this year, which will consider local bus services and accessibility to schools.

“We are also working on a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) that includes recommendations for improvements along key corridors in the borough and Finchampstead has been identified as one of these important routes.”

CllrJorgensen stated that it will “take time” to put the plans in place.

She said: “We appreciate residents’ input into these processes which will help provide significantly improved conditions for walking and cycling in the borough.”

Petition calls for action over school travel routes

CONCERNS have been raised on the current travel routes for school children in Finchampstead.

Ladies day celebration A DAY AT THE RACES was enjoyed

by Crowthorne elderly residents last month.

Retirees at McCarthy Stone’s Birch Place, on Duke’s Road, Crowthorne, were treated to a special afternoon tea to celebrate a socially-distanced Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day event.

Dressed in their finest outfits, they donned hats and fascinators whilst enjoying an afternoon watching the races.

The afternoon tea was held in the communal lounge for retirees to chat and enjoy the celebrations.

Nicki Beswarick, divisional

marketing manager at McCarthy Stone Southern, said: “We were delighted we were able to bring our thriving community together once again at our Royal Ascot Ladies Day event, in a safe and controlled way.

“It was truly wonderful to see so many homeowners enjoying themselves as we served each of them an afternoon tea at their own individual table in the lounge, whilst they were entertained by the races. We look forward to hosting many more events like this in the future.” � For more details, visit mccarthystone.co.uk/birch-place.

Ian Shenton, Liberal Democrat councillor for Evendons Ward, said he has identified children are having difficulties getting to school via Finchampstead Road.

He has pointed out that the roads are narrow and there are no cycle lanes.

Cllr Shenton also said the road has “poor bus provision” for school pupils.

And fellow Lib Dem, Cllr Peter Dennis, said that he has concerns.

He said: “For children living in Evendons East and Wescott West who attend Emmbrook Senior school, they

� To sign the petition, log on to bit.ly/ 3dhKRH1

Virtual open gardens helps Sue Ryder SPRING gardens were displayed virtually in a special video to raise money for a Reading hospice.

The Finchampstead Support Group of Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent has invited people to watch its open gardens online to raise money for the hospice.

It has supported the hospice for more than 25 years, and members created the video of photos to unveil its floral arrangements.

People can enjoy watching from their own home.

The presentation of images were accompanied by Benedict K, a music scholar at Crowthorne’s Wellington College.

Having raised £750 for the hospice last year, the group have now brought in donations of more than £1,000 from this years’ event.

Group member Karen Steward said: “Following on from the success of sharing

photos last year, we are showcasing pictures of our spring gardens in the hope that people will enjoy seeing them and make a donation to the hospice in place of an entrance fee.”

The Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice provides care and support for people and their families living with lifelimiting conditions.

Laura Kell, head of fundraising at the hospice, said the pandemic has had a

“huge impact” on funding.

“We are so grateful to our Finchampstead Support Group for embracing technology to bring the beauty of local gardens into people’s homes,” she said.

“Every pound raised from this virtual experience will help us continue to be there when it matters for local people and their families.” � To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/ finchampsteadsupportgroup

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Send your reports to INTHECOMMUNITYnews@wokinghampaper.co.uk Wokingham Job Support Centre DO YOU have a background in marketing or IT? If so, the Wokingham Job Support Centre (WJSC) needs your help.

The important support service which helps jobseekers across the borough find work is looking for two new volunteer trustees, ideally with backgrounds in marketing/ publicity or IT/systems.

The appeal was made during WJSC’s 29th annual general meeting, which for the second year running was held virtually due to Covid restrictions.

Despite this, both parish councillors and senior members of Wokingham Borough Council, which provide grants to keep the centre running, attended.

Nigel Richards, WJSC chair, said: “The charity has a team of volunteer Trustees, who manage the day to day operations and are currently looking to add up to two new Trustees to support their work.

“Ideally such candidates would have some marketing/ publicity background or basic IT/ systems knowledge.”

WJSC aims to help both those looking for a better job and also unemployed residents of the Wokingham and Bracknell Forest areas, to gain employment through the supervised provision of services and facilities not otherwise provided by the employment service.

Job seekers are offered a blend of support, including: assessment, coaching, advice, support on internet applications, IT skills and skills workshops covering interviewing, writing CVs, use of social media and a

specific workshop for the over 50 age group.

Mr Richards said: “The Charity was set up because there is no Job Centre in Wokingham Borough, a Unitary Authority with some 168,000 inhabitants.

“An important element of the Charity’s activities is to give job seekers time to talk about their issues, to build their selfconfidence and to boost their morale.”

WJSC is a free service provided to the community,

which has its office at the Cornerstone building in Norrys Avenue.

The office is open to the public between 10am-2pm Monday to Friday so if you are looking for some support and help with your job search, please do call by and meet us. We are here to help.

If you are interested in becoming a trustee, email Jobsearch@wjsc.org.uk.

For more information about the centre visit www.wjsc.org.uk, call 0118 977 0517.

Sir John Madejski Scholarship AN appeal has been launched to find a new local charity who can help identify underprivileged children to benefit from the Sir John Madejski Scholarship.

Marie Redmond Tuition, which has a centre in Winnersh, is looking for young people to receive the free 11+ tuition offered by the scholarship, which was launched earlier this year.

The company, which has centres across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, is also offering financial support to the charity as well.

Sir John, the former owner and chairman of Reading Football Club, was inspired to launch the scholarship by what he describes as his own “unstructured childhood” during which he spent time in a Berkshire children’s home.

Marie Redmond, owner of Marie Redmond Tuition, who has more than 20 years of education experience, said: “This scholarship has the real potential to change the lives of

SEARCH FOR HELP: Sir John Madejski with Marie Redmond disadvantaged children.

“Together with Sir John, we are offering this unique opportunity to children in the area who may otherwise fall behind with their studies.

“We would like to team up with a local charity in the Wokingham, Reading or Berkshire area who can help us allocate places to underprivileged children.

“Every child has potential but what many need is extra help

Dingley’s Promise Dingley Bear Picnic A WOKINGHAM-based charity says it needs fundraising now more than ever, as it comes through the pandemic.

Dingley’s Promise, which supports under fives with special educational needs and disabilities, is asking the community to back its latest event, Dingley Bear Picnic.

Last March, the organisation’s work was put on pause and it adapted to providing remote support for the children.

Although it received emergency funds, Dingley’s Promise is urging people to get involved in its fundraiser

with their core skills. If we can boost their knowledge and skills for the 11 Plus exams, this will usually remain with them for life.”

Launching the scholarship, Sir John said: “Every child has a right to equal education opportunities and it’s very important that we do what is needed to ensure that those from disadvantaged backgrounds can overcome the substantial barriers they face.

“I am a great admirer of Marie

to continue supporting its work.

This year, the charity is aiming to raise £180,000 from the picnic.

The aim is to raise money to help families affected by the pandemic and to encourage groups to reconnect in a safe outside space.

Ideas for the picnic include naming the bear, bake sales, bear themed activities, challenge events, sports day races or making a simple donation.

Helen, whose daughter Lily attends one of the charity centres, said: “Lily has been most affected by the disruption of routine and lack of social interaction and learning opportunities.

“I feel worried about the long-term

Redmond’s work and her personal passion for academic success in young people.”

Marie and her team of highly qualified primary teachers bring a unique recipe to 11 Plus exams based on small class sizes and personalised tuition taking place on Saturdays and during school holidays.

For more information about the scholarship visit www.marieredmond.co.uk/ sirjohn or call 01494 956809.

impacts on Lily, but we have faith in the support she receives at Dingley's Promise to help her to continue to grow and develop and with additional support, eventually recover from this challenging time,” she said.

A recovery video was also created to show how the pandemic has affected the children and the challenges they have faced.

To watch the recovery video, log on to youtu.be/ulMa5BFBZOs To donate, visit justgiving.com/ campaign/dingleyrecoveryappeal For more details on the picnic fundraiser, log on to dingley.org.uk/ dingleybearpicnic

SOCIETY | 33

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34 | LEISURE

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

WOKINGHAMLEISURE

Workshops plan for rep

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DIVERSE range of theatre workshops is in the works over the next couple of years thanks to a theatre company.

Reading Rep Theatre’s ENGAGE programme will provide a variety of theatrical-based activities for vulnerable communities.

It has received support from both The National Lottery Community Fund and Arts Council England’s Cultural Recovery Fund.

The company has been given £200,000 for funding the ENGAGE programme for the next 24 months.

It will provide a summer programme and full participation programme ensuring everyone has the opportunity to access Reading Rep’s work.

Delivering 1,000 hours of free workshops per year and collaborating with 50 local organisations, the scheme will aim to reach 10,000 people.

Paul Stacey, founding artistic director of Reading Rep, said: “We think of our productions as much more than what the audience eventually gets to see, we think of them as a participation project; an opportunity to engage with communities that otherwise might not be heard.

“It is these communities that have been most impacted by the pandemic

Pedal power and we can’t wait to welcome them to our new venue to collaborate and make and experience art together.”

Each project will be in collaboration with one of Reading Rep’s productions.

Participation projects will include Made in Reading, accompanying DORIAN, Dear Mr Scrooge,to go with A Christmas Carol, Stranger than Fiction, with Jekyll and Hyde, Alby The Penguin goes to the Library, with Alby The Penguin Saves the World, and Dare to Dream, accompanying A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Reading Rep will deliver this project in partnership with Reading Borough Council, Reading Libraries, Reading College, Activate Learning, University of Reading and the NHS. Helen Bushell, senior head of regional funding for London, South East and East at The National Lottery Community Fund, said she is “delighted” the funding is being used by the ENGAGE programme.

She added: “Thanks to National Lottery players, projects such as this across the country are playing a vital role at the heart of their local communities and will continue to do so as we rebuild and reconnect with one another throughout this year.” � For more details, visit readingrep.com LAURA SCARDARELLA

Bosh! Kerry’s on her way The charmingly straight-talking, quickwitted and acclaimed stand-up and actor, Kerry Godliman, is back on tour after a 'break' (otherwise known as 'Lockdown') and her first stop will be Reading.

She says her bosh-like nature will never let her rest. Between a needy cat, a constantly disappointing campervan, ever-raging feelings of mum guilt and bewilderment at the phasing-out of

thimbles and doilies, Kerry needs to offload.

Her set is a thinly disguised therapy session.

She will be at South Street on Friday, September 3, Saturday, September 4.

Tickets cost £18 or £16 for South Street members. � For more details, or to book call 0118 960 6060 or log on to www.whatsonreading.com

From Reading to Rotterdam, online Rotterdam Progress Theatre June 23-25

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TRUTHFUL story on coming out as transgender was authentically told by Reading’s Progress Theatre last month.

They performed an online adaption of Jon Brittain’s Rotterdam from June 23 to June 25.

It’s New Year in Rotterdam and Alice had finally plucked up the courage to email her parents and tell them she’s gay.

Before she can hit send, her girlfriend Fiona reveals that he has always identified as a man, and now wants to start living as one.

So Alice is now faced with a difficult question, does this now make her straight?

This bittersweet comedy centres

around gender, sexuality and living far away from home.

Jon Brittains’ play pinpoints the complications LGBTQ+ people face when coming out to family and friends.

The cast of four included Esther Arzola, Faith Mansfield, Katie Moreton, Charles West, all of whom have previously acted in Progress productions.

Performed on Zoom, the play ran smoothly from start to finish with no technical hitches.

It was impressive to see such seamless transitions between the scenes, to which there were lots to get through.

The accurate eyeline and positioning on screen was greatly helped by the company’s in-person rehearsals that were held outside.

Director Steph Dewar explained at the post-production question and answer session that the face-to-face rehearsals gave the actors a

chance to get a sense of their surroundings and positioning on screen.

There were occasions where the actors’ heads were angled side on, so much so that you lost some of the emotion.

This could have been slightly improved by moving their faces towards the camera, whilst keeping the eyeline looking accurate.

Non-binary actor Katie Moreton’s take on Fiona/Adrian was very real and it made you sympathise with the character the whole way through.

Esther Arzola, who took on the role of Alice, goes through a whirlwind of a journey throughout the play and she portrayed the character’s emotions with great conviction.

Her relationship with each character is completely contrasted, showing her sweet side when she meets Lelani, played by Faith Mansfield.

Much to her frustration and shock,

Alice tries her best to help Fiona by researching about becoming transgender.

Charles West, who played Fiona’s brother Josh, did a good job in showing his bitterness towards his sibling after Alice left him for Fiona.

Although there were quite a few different locations, with the support of Jon Brittain’s writing Ms Dewar’s direction made it easy for the audience to follow.

It’s exciting to see Progress Theatre’s upcoming production of Shakespeare’s love classic, Romeo and Juliet, at the Reading Abbey Ruins starting next week.

With more than 25 years of open air plays at the Ruins, the theatre company will be bringing this much-loved story to life for its’ first in-person production this year. � For more details, or to book, visit progresstheatre.co.uk LAURA SCARDARELLA

A FAMILY show will be heading to Norden Farm for some wheelie-good fun this summer.

Written by poet and theatre-maker Simon Mole, the 45-minute production of I Love My Bike will soon be taking to the stage.

Showing on Saturday, July 24 and Saturday, August 14, this outdoor production will present the excitement of riding a bike for the first time.

Simon will lead audience members into some fun games as he spins the word wheel to unlock their creativity.

For little word wizards who don’t need stabilisers, Simon will shift gears to introduce some mega metaphors and super similes.

Simon has worked on two lockdown projects with Norden Farm, All Write Together in and Lockdown Town.

Suitable for ages 4+, performances will start at 11.30am.

Tickets are available for £12 for adults, £10 under 16s, and £40 for Family and Friends: four people in total. � For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01628 788997 or log on to nordenfarm.org

Strictly stars dancing on A BALLROOM show will be shimmying its way to The Hexagon later this month.

Strictly Come Dancing professionals Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice have joined forces for their first ever show together, Him & Me. Directed by Alan Burkitt, the pair will be joined by a cast of dancers and singers for this one-night only performance.

The show will take place on Thursday, July 22 at 7.30pm.

Tickets will be available to purchase for £40 and £48. � For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 960 6060 or log on to whatsonreading.com

Enjoy these 80s sounds A TRIBUTE concert show is heading to Camberley Theatre this September.

Classic artists from the 80s will be recreated as they entertain audiences for a special one-off performance.

With more than 150 costumes, audiences will be whisked back 40 years thanks to a band, dancers and big video projection.

The performance will take place on Thursday, September 2.

Tickets will be available to purchase at £23, and £22 for Theatre Club members. � For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01276 707600 or log on to camberleytheatre.co.uk

Thursday, July 8, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Hit the trail to discover great art Artists will be showcasing their creations this weekend and next as the Henley Arts Trail returns. PHIL CREIGHTON offers a preview

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REATIVIITY will be celebrated this weekend and next thanks to the return of the Henley Arts Trail.

It aims to showcase the vibrant visual arts and crafts scene from Berkshire and Oxfordshire and usually attracts around 10,000 visitors.

There are 40 venues across Henley and Wokingham’s northern parishes open for art this weekend and next. This includes Charvil, Hurst, Twyford and Wargrave, with a clutch in Twyford all within walking distance of each other.

The trail sees the doors of artists’ studios, garden sheds, garages and village halls flung open to reveal the wealth of artistic talent.

From skilled amateurs to award -inning professionals, the trail covers the full gamut of arts and crafts. Larger than life sculptures, sit alongside delicate jewels; abstracts are juxtaposed against detailed botanical art.

And on show will be paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and glass all from around 200 local artists.

They include Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year runner-up Shelagh Casebourne, who will be exhibiting in Victoria Road in Wargrave.

SHOWCASE: Sky Landscape Artist of the Year runner-up Shelagh Casebourne will exhibit her work on the arts trail

Organisers say this year will be the biggest ever, and due to covid has been moved from its usual date of the May Day bank holiday weekend.

All venues are free, with no obligation to buy and artists will welcome guests to talk about their work.

Many venues offer refreshments; some have demonstrations or workshops for visitors who want to have a go themselves, and all provide a stimulating and thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Highlights include The Henley School of Art which is providing an open studios exhibition in Hart Street in the Oxfordshire town.

There will be local artists, live art demonstrations and creative entertainment.

Organisers promise affordable art for sale, including oil paintings, handmade jewellery, original ceramics, prints, linocuts, screenprints and ‘weird and wonderful delights’.

Artist Harriet Riddell is offering sittings for her unique stitched portraits using her sewing machine.

“The creative crew taking part are putting their best artistic foots forward and putting on an exhibition to really engage and delight its visitors,” a spokesperson said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to buy affordable art and talk to working artists for inspiration, commission or just to pass the time of day. The Henley School of Art studio artists are all looking forward to meeting local art loves face-to-face.” � For more details, or to see the venues and artists, log on to www.henleyartstrail.com

Wokingham Loves Music Chris Hillman

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Gemma Dorsett – Hunger Gemma has visited the area to play on many occasions and we hope it’s not too long before we see her here again as we’d love to see her perform this single live – www.gemmadorsett.com

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Amit Yahav piano recital.

Fri. Imogen Ryall and Julian Nicholas. Sat. Beauty and the Beast.

Fri 16-Sun 18.

FILMS: Exhibition on Screen: Sunflowers. Thurs 8.

Ammonite. Fri-Sun.

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Silly Squirrel. Sat. Boudica. Sat 17.

The Fizz. Sat 17.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Absurd Person Singular.

Until Sat. Guildford Arts’ Summer Exhibition. From Sat until Thurs 22. The Woman In Black. Tues-Sat 17.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

FAVOURITES: Never The Bride’s Worth It Work It heads up our hit parade this week Picture: Andrew Merritt Ben Portsmouth – Today, Tomorrow & Always A song from local artist Ben’s recent Remember Me EP. Many will know Ben in his Elvis guise where he has received worldwide recognition – www.takingcareofelvis.co.uk

Dennis Siggery & Neil Sadler – Gypsy Woman Dennis’s voice, combined with Neil’s guitar playing, go together perfectly on their new album, ‘Higher Ground’ recorded at Neil’s, Wokingham-based, No Machine Studios – ericstreetband.com

Modesty Blue – Time of Your Life Go back in time to the 80s with Ascot based Modesty Blue who have just released this Stock Aitken and Waterman inspired track with a retro feel and a hooky chorus – www.heavytrafficmusic.co.uk/artists/ modesty-blue

The Wave Machine – Slow Right Down The Wave Machine is the creative name for singer-

songwriter Angus Trott who grew up in Wokingham before moving to Brighton. He will be returning in August to perform at Wokingham Festival – www.thewavemachine.co.uk

Josh Okeefe – We’re All the Same Josh, who currently resides in Nashvile, Tennessee, has led a nomadic lifestyle and in August his journey brings him to Wokingham to appear at the festival – www.joshokeefe.com

Reliant – When She Goes They have members from Wokingham & Reading and appeared in our Top 10 of 2020 as well as being runners up for best band in Radio Wigwam’s Awards 2020 – www.facebook.com/WeAreReliant

Third Lung – Hold the Line It’s Third Lung with their latest single and it’s another uplifting sing-along anthem. The band, who has local links, is releasing a series of singles of which this is the latest – /thirdlungband.com

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 As You Like It. Until Jul 24.

Reading – South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: Kerry Godliman. Fri, Sept 3-Sat, Sept 4.

Reading – The Hexagon www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals. Fri.

Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Romeo and Juliet – Outdoor Shakespeare in the Abbey Ruins. July 1424.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: No Naughty Bits. Wed, Sept 22-Sat Sept 25.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Relatively Speaking.

Until July 30. Sounds of the 60s Show with the Zoots. Sat. The Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand Show. Sun. The Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly Show.

Sun 18.

Windsor – Theatre Royal

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 The Handlebards present Macbeth. Fri. Notflix. Sat 17.

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Ian McKellen in Hamlet. Until Sept 4.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange

Wokingham – Theatre

www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 NEXT SHOW: Forever In Blue Jeans. Sat 17.

Never The Bride – Worth it Work it

As well as putting on individual live shows, Wokingham Music Club has a stage at the Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday to Monday).

Here’s an artist that will be appearing on that stage.

Stuart Hutton aka One Eyed Man is clearly a talented artist as he writes, records, and produces his music himself and also created the video for this new single.

We’re looking forward to seeing him at the festival – www.facebook.com/OneEyedManOfficial

Due to coronavirus, performances may change at short notice.

Check with box offices before heading out Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 NEXT SHOW: Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler.

Wed, Aug 25.

E’RE counting down the days until live music makes its proper return.

If you can’t wait, The Hope & Anchor will be welcoming music fans this Saturday night, as Bottlekids play.

And Marvellous is next weekend.

At the end of the month, Wokingham Music Club returns with Never The Bride – find out why it’s a great choice when you read our playlist for this week.

The group are just one of 10 great acts for you to listen to for FREE on Spotify.

Make sure you have a listen at bit.ly/ wokinghamlovesmusic and search for our group on Facebook to join in the music chat.

One Eyed Man – Cornish Shores

At the theatre

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

The first band to ever play at Wokingham Music Club (WMC) was Never The Bride so it’s very fitting that they will be playing the first WMC gig after lockdown.

Here’s their latest single and anyone that has seen the band before will know what an exciting live band they are.

Based around the dynamic duo of Nikki Lamborn and Catherine Feeney, the band never disappoint so it’s well worth getting along to the show on Friday, July 23 to celebrate the return of live music – www.neverthebride.com

LEISURE | 35

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 September in the Rain.

Until Sat 17

36 | LIFE

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Get baking for your dog

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ITH Summer in the air and the weekend almost upon us, many of us find ourselves spending extra time in the kitchen preparing some delicious baked goods for our families and there’s no reason your dog should miss out on enjoying the fun, either.

With this in mind, the recipe team from tails.com have shared some tasty recipes that are quick and easy to make and totally dog-friendly. Purrfect for spoiling your furry friend.

Fore more recipes, log on to tails.com/blog/category/ recipes/

Roll each ball in the remaining carob powder until lightly coated They can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 6 months. (As if they’ll last that long).

Dog-friendly Jammie Dodger recipe

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, July 8, 2021

Inthekitchen Freely Fruity facebook.com/freelyfruityUK

Strawberry Milkshake

Cracking carrot cake recipe

Deliciously crunchy, packed with nutrients, and dogfriendly – we’re talking about everyone’s favourite orange vegetable, the humble carrot. Carrots are the perfect springtime treat for your dog because they’re low calorie and full of fibre.

Top tip: if your dog is teething, pop one in the fridge or freezer for an hour to help soothe their gums.

And if you fancy taking things to the next level, we’ve got you covered with our carrot cake recipe for dogs.

Full of super simple ingredients (just oat flour, egg and carrot), it’s a quick and easy recipe that you can make in the microwave in just a few minutes.

We topped ours with xylitol-free peanut butter and one of our Duck Biscuits – you could also use dairy-free yoghurt and some grated coconut.

Servings: 1 cake What you’ll need � 200g oat flour (or whizz up whole oats in a blender until finely ground) � 1 egg � 20ml water � 1 small carrot � Pinch of cinnamon � Coconut oil for greasing � Xylitol-free peanut butter (optional) � Grated coconut (optional) � tails.com Duck Biscuits (optional) Method Grate your carrot into a bowl, then mix in your egg, oat flour, water, and cinnamon Once it’s mixed together, use the coconut oil to grease a microwave safe mug or small bowl Add your mixture and microwave for around 2.5 minutes on a medium heat, or until firm Allow to cool, then add your dog’s favourite toppings.

Carob Kisses recipe As chocolate is a big no-no for our dogs – it’s toxic – we’ve come up with the perfect recipe to try instead.

These Carob Kisses might look and taste like chocolate – but they’re actually made with carob powder, a cocoa alternative that’s 100% dog-friendly.

This super-simple recipe is one both you and your dog can enjoy together, and we think they look pretty cute as a change to truffles this Easter. Just mix together carob powder and peanut butter with some oats and you’re good to go.

Servings: 8 – 10 truffles What you’ll need � 60g xylitol-free peanut butter � 25g carob powder, plus some for dusting � 2tbsp rolled oats, or oat flour Method Using a food processor, blend the oats until finely ground In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, carob powder and the oats until combined Mould the mixture into small balls

There’s nothing more welcoming (and nostalgic) than a Jammie Dodger in our minds. Gooey red jam sandwiched between two perfect biscuit rounds, a sprinkling of sugar and they’re the perfect treat to have with a cuppa.

Now with this recipe your dog can enjoy their own dog-friendly version.

We’ve used fresh strawberries here instead of the jam – the high sugar content in jam isn’t good for dogs – and a pinch of cinnamon for a little spice. This recipe is super simple and pretty much the perfect treat for your dog this weekend.

Servings: 4 – 5 biscuits What you’ll need � 90g rolled oats � 1 egg � 1 – 2 strawberries � Pinch of cinnamon � A little water if needed Method Preheat your oven to 160°C or gas mark 3 Combine the oats, egg, and cinnamon into a mixing bowl and mix well The mixture is ready once it’s at a sticky consistency – add a little water if the mixture is too dry Cut the strawberries into slices (so that they look like little hearts) Line a baking tray with baking paper Mould the mixture into round biscuit shaped and flatten them onto the baking paper Place a strawberry slice in the centre of each biscuit Bake for 20 minutes Once the biscuits have cooled, store them in an airtight container for up to seven days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

Spinach and bacon biscuits recipe We’re keeping this recipe simple for a totally dogfriendly spin on the classic green eggs and ham. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s sure to get tails wagging.

First up: spinach. It’s Popeye’s favourite – and one of ours – so we’ve made this superfood the star of the show. A great source of vitamins A, B, C, and K, spinach also contains minerals like calcium, iron and magnesium.

Adding some lean bacon to the mix means these biscuits feel like a real treat. Great for training (we call these types of treats ‘high-value rewards’ as dogs will work extra hard to get them!) and perfect for popping in the freezer.

Serving: 8 – 10 biscuits What you’ll need � 50g cooked spinach (frozen is fine) � 50g lean bacon, diced � 135g rice flour (coconut or wholemeal flour also work well) � 1 egg � Mixing bowl � Baking tray Method Get your oven preheated to 170°C/gas mark 3 Add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix well Line a baking tray with baking paper With damp hands, roll the dough into balls and flatten into biscuit shapes Place the biscuits onto the baking tray and bake for around 20 minutes Once cool, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days, or in the freezer for up to three months.

F Serves 4

REELY Fruity’s cofounder, Ryan Simpson, came home from the Freely Fruity orchard one evening with an abundance of very ripe strawberries and they needed eating; fast.

His idea was so simple but inspired so if you have a few punnets of less than perfect strawberries have a go at Ryan’s strawberry milkshake!

Ingredients � 800g strawberries, hulled � 1 litre vanilla ice-cream � 125ml whole milk

Method 1. Place all of the ingredients into a large blender and blend until smooth, or work in batches if you need to 2. Serve immediately with straws Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/ freelyfruityuk/

JOB VACCANCY

CLERK TO THE COUNCIL • NALC SCPLC2 - 24-28 £28,672 - £32,234 pa (pro-rata) depending on skillsand experience) • Circa 28 hours per week • Flexible working pattern to be agreed

COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT PARISH CLERK? Arborfield & Newland ParishCouncil is advertisingthe position of Clerk to the Council / Responsible FinancialOfficer (RFO)and is currently inviting applications for this role based in the ParishCouncil Office in Arborfield VillageHall.

The Clerk’srole includes: Advisingthe ParishCouncil to ensure that it acts within its powers and in accordance with local government legislationand to make sure that correct procedures are followed in all the Council’sdecision-making processes.

Preparingagendasand producing minutes in respect of Council and Committee meetings, acting out approved decisions, liaisingwith contractors, WokinghamBorough Council and residents on various matters relating to the Council’sactivities.

Overseeing the maintenance of the Parish Council’s assets including Arborfield Park which includes a playground,pavilionbuilding,commemorative trees and a football pitch, Pound Copse (a WildlifeWoodland site), the maintenance of the old churchyard at Hall Farm, bus shelters, streetlights, notice boards, benches and a phone kiosk used as a book lending library.

Line manager for the PavilionCaretaker What we are looking for: Someone who is a confident communicator, self-motivated and able to multitask with close attention to detail in alltheir work. Previousadministrative experience is essential.• Applicants must demonstrate good organization,communication and ITskillstogether with administering,keeping and reporting adequate financial records for the Council.• Previous local government knowledge along with CiLCAqualification, however training will be provided. A commitment to achievingCiLCAtogether with knowledge of Arborfield will be a definite advantage.

For further information on this role, please download a recruitment pack from www.arborfield.org.uk or contact the Clerk at parishclerk@arborfield.org.uk Closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4pm on Friday 30th July 2021.

Interviews are planned for week commencing Monday 9th August 2021 Arborfield & Newland ParishCouncil The ParishOffice, Arborfield VillageHall,EversleyRoad,Arborfield, Berkshire, RG2 9PQ Tel:0118 976 1489 email:parishclerk@arborfield.org.ukwww.arborfield.org.u

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PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (EASTHAMPSTEAD ROAD, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (B3349 BARKHAM ROAD, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 1st July 2021 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:

B3349 Barkham Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Oxford Road and A321 Wellington Road 1. The alternative route for all cars and light vehicles (Southbound) affected by the restriction shall be via B3349 Barkham Road, Molly Millars Lane, A321 Finchampstead Road and A321 Wellington Road.

Easthampstead Road, Wokingham and for a distance of 20m on either side of the level crossing.

2. The alternative route for all cars and light vehicles (Northbound) affected by the restriction shall be via Station Approach, Reading Road, Station Road, A321 Wellington Road, A321 Finchampstead Road, Molly Millars Lane and B3349 Barkham Road.

The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Easthampstead Road, Old Wokingham Road, Peacock Lane, Vigar Way, A329 Berkshire Way, A329 London Road and A329 Peach Street.

3. The alternative route for all HGV’s (Southbound) affected by the restriction shall be via B3349 Barkham Road, Bearwood Road, B3030 King Street Lane, A329 Reading Road and Station Road.

The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Peach Street, A329 Market Place, A329 Broad Street, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 London Road, A329 Berkshire Way, Vigar Way, Peacock Lane, Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road.

4. The alternative route for all HGV’s (Northbound) affected by the restriction shall be via Station Approach, A329 Reading Road, B3030 King Street Lane, Bearwood Road and B3349 Barkham Road.

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 13th July 2021 between 00:01 and 04:30.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 26th July and 30th July between 23:00-05:00 and 4th August and 5th August 2021 between 00:0105:00.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Network Rail contractors to undertake railway inspection work in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Network Rail contractors to undertake barrier maintenance and lifting/inspecting work throughout the level crossing in safety.

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.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 13th July 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

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.

Dated: 8th July 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 26th July 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated: 8th July 2021

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

211940

Wiltshire Cottage, Monks Alley, Binfield

(Affect setting of) Householder application for the proposed erection Listed Building of a detached outbuilding.

211941

Wiltshire Cottage, Monks Alley, Binfield

(Affect setting of) Application for Listed Building consent for the Listed Building proposed erection of a detached outbuilding.

211578

Woodside And Wayside House, Shinfield Road, Reading

Major Application

For up to date news in the borough follow us on

Description

Outline application with some matters reserved for the proposed erection of a care home (C2 use class) comprising 77 bed spaces, with associated parking following demolition of existing dwellings. (Access, Appearance, Layout and Scale to be considered)

@wokingham.today

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 22nd July 2021. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses.

Date: 8th July 2021

Please recycle me !

It’s good news for everyone

Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

@WokinghamToday

For the latest news visit @wokingham.today

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0800 30 50 30 RESULTS Saturday, July 3 FOOTBALL Pre-season friendlies Binfield 1-2 Berks County Hythe & Dibden A-W Eversley & California CRICKET BCM Championship Shinfield (80 all out) lost to Peppard Stoke Row (206-7) BCL Premier Division Farley Hill (133 all out) lost to Woodcote (150-9) Twyford and Ruscombe (115 all out) lost to Crowthorne & Crown Wood (171-9) Woodley (119-2) beat Welford Park (117 all out) BCL Division One Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (186-5) beat Farley Hill 2s (100 all out) Shinfield 2s (195-8) beat Woodley 2s (139-9) Waltham St Lawrence (184-4) beat Reading Lions (181-8) West Reading 2s (127-4) beat Earley (126 all out) BCL Division 2 East Earley 2s (112-8) lost to Reading United 2s (272-9) Knowl Hill (102-4) beat Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s (100 all out) Sandhurst 2s (69 all out) lost to Shinfield 3s (152 Stratfield Turgis/Hartley Wespall 2s (237-8) beat Twyford and Ruscombe 2s (25 all out) Chilterns Division 1 Winchmore Hill (167 all out) beat Emmbrook and Bearwood (94-8) Chilterns Division 2 Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s (185-9) lost to Denham 2s (188-6)

Home Counties Division 1 Finchampstead (144-6) beat Henley (142 all out) Home Counties Division 2 Harefield (167 all out) beat Wargrave (68 all out) Wokingham (107-4) beat Horspath (103 all out) Thames Valley Division 2B Thatcham Town (186 all out) drew Hurst (87-7) Binfield (182-5) beat Kidmore End (176-8) Bagshot (170 all out) lost to Finchampstead 2s (172-6) Eversley (171-3) beat Wokingham 2s (170 all out) Thames Valley Division 3A Boyne Hill 2s (155 all out) lost to Sonning (160 all out) Finchampstead 3s (120-3) beat Cove 2s (119-9) White Waltham (83 all out) lost to Windsor (175 all out)

Thames Valley Division 4A Wargrave 2s (78-1) beat Bagshot 2s (75 all out) Wokingham 3s (119-2) beat Eversley 2s (116 all out)

FIXTURES Saturday, July 10 FOOTBALL Pre-season friendlies Binfield v Slough Town Sumas v Wallingford Town CRICKET BCM Championship Shinfield v West Reading BCL Premier Division Farley Hill v Twyford and Ruscombe Woodley v Crowthorne & Crown Wood BCL Division 1 Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Woodley 2s Reading Lions v Farley Hill 2s Shinfield 2s v Earley Waltham St Lawrence v Warfield Chilterns Division 1 Braywood 2s v Emmbrook and Bearwood Chilterns Division 2 Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Phoenix Old Boys Thames Valley Division 2B Eversley v Thatcham Town Binfield v Hurst Wokingham 2s v Finchampstead 2s

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RUGBY UNION

RAMS PROMISED TOUGH RETURN

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today RAMS Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds has promised some intense sessions after the Senior Squad returned to training last week.

Following the successful twomonth block which ended with victories against Chinnor and Maidenhead at the end of May, the players were back at Old Bath Road as attentions turn to the National One season in September.

And Reynolds revealed: “We’ll start with a bang – we’ve asked the players to get themselves ready for some quite intense sessions from the word go – and while we try and put an emphasis on having fun, we also have an emphasis on working hard and being positive around the group which they’re incredibly good at.

“We’ll be straight into it although will build up the contact over time in August, but July will be quite hard work.”

He continued: “The past month went really quickly and it almost feels like we haven’t had any time

away, but the initial testing phases have gone really well this week and the players have fully committed to that.

“They all seem really excited about training so that’s great.

“One of the main things to look forward to now is we should be resuming league rugby in September, and that’s incredibly exciting, albeit you do have to stay flexible because you just never know at the moment what might happen.

“But I think we’ve done a really good job at that in the past year and doing what we can do to try and kick forward, and now hopefully we have two months to build into the National One season.”

And while a number of the side who helped finish as runners-up in the club’s inaugural National One campaign back in 2019/20 did not feature in the earlier friendlies, Reynolds concluded that will add further competition for places.

He ended: “The challenge is on them to really kick on for the start of the new season.

“But it’s great to have a full squad back training together.”

Rams director of rugby Seb Reynolds Picture: Paul Clark

BODYBUILDING

WOKINGHAM TRAINERS ACHIEVE MEDAL SUCCESS

Thames Valley Division 3A Finchampstead 3s v Sonning White Waltham v Cove 2s

TWO Wokingham female personal trainers cleaned up at a body building competition.

Thames Valley Division 4A Maidenhead & Bray 2s v Wargrave 2s Wokingham 3s v Purley on Thames Falkland 2s v Eversley 2s

Jacquie Gee and Denise Read, both Wokingham-based personal trainers, competed in the Pure Elite on Saturday, June 26 at the Winter Gardens, in Margate.

Both Jacquie and Denise featured in the amateur show and, after claiming first place in their respective categories, they gained pro statuses meaning that they could compete at a professional level.

They were both invited to compete in the pro show later that evening where Denise won third place in the Bikini Diva category, meanwhile Jacquie won second place in the Overall Open Fitness category.

Denise and Jacquie brought home a total of eight trophies between them.

Both ladies have spent the last 12 weeks preparing for the competition which involves a strict nutrition and training regime.

The two personal trainers are passionate about empowering women to be body confident and following their fitness goals.

Thames Valley Division 5B Henley 3s v Binfield 2s Thames Valley Division 6A Wargrave 3s v Chesham 3s Thames Valley Division 6B Fleet 2s v White Waltham 2s Sonning 2s v Finchampstead 4s Hurst 2s v Theale & Tilehurst 2s Thames Valley Division 7A Reading 3s v Wokingham 4s Eversley 3s v Royal Ascot 3s Maidenhead & Bray 3s v Binfield 3s Thames Valley Division 8A Bagshot 3s v Finchampstead 5s Wokingham 5s v Eversley 4s Thames Valley Division 9 NPL 3s v Wargrave 4s Fleet v Wokingham 6s Yateley 2s v Sonning 3s

Denise Read (above) and Jacquie Gee (below) Pictures: Matt Marsh Photography

RUGBY UNION

BROTHERS PLAY CRUCIAL ROLE IN VARSITY VICTORY

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today THE Humberstone brothers, Tom and Drew, played a crucial role in helping Oxford University to a 34-7 victory against Cambridge in Sunday’s Varsity match at Leicester Tigers.

Having fallen behind to a converted try on 52 seconds, fly-half Tom kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears.

With the Dark Blues scoring two tries and Tom another penalty, Oxford led 16-7 at the break, and the stand-off took his personal points tally to 11 with a conversion and penalty as they moved 26-7 in front.

Drew then landed a long-range penalty of his own before Henry Hackett’s second try added a further gloss to the scoreline.

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From the middle Dick SawdonSmith

South American ref swap at EURO 2020

Eddie Niedzwiecki (pictured left) alongside former Reading FC manager Mark Bowen and John O’Shea (pictured right) have both left the club Pictures: Steve Smyth

READING FC

ROYALS COACHES DEPART CLUB

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING FC first-team coaches John O’Shea and Eddie Niedzwiecki have both left their roles at the club.

The former Manchester United defender O’Shea has left as a first-team coach to complete his pro-license and embark on UEFA’s

Executive Master for International Players course.

O’Shea first joined Reading as a player having left Sunderland as a free agent and made nine Championship appearances for the club in the 2018/19 season.

O’Shea then retired having won multiple trophies, including five

Premier League titles and a Champions League title to his name at Manchester United and took his first steps into coaching at the Madejski Stadium as part of the first-team coaching staff.

“I am very sorry to leave a fantastic club with whom I ended my playing days and was fortunate enough to begin my coaching

READING FC

career,” said O’Shea.

“I have enjoyed my time with Reading immensely and have loved working with the manager, his coaching team, the staff and a great group of players at Reading.

“But now is the right time for my family to move back to Manchester and for me to take on a new challenge.”

Assistant manager Niedzwiecki has also departed after his contract at the Madejski Stadium expired.

He joined as part of the Royals coaching staff under Mark Bowen in 2019 and stayed on under Paunović’s coaching team during the Serbian’s first season with the club.

READING FC

READING FORWARD FACES ROYALS WOMEN BOLSTER LENGTHY SIDELINE SPELL DEFENSIVE RANKS WITH WELSH INTERNATIONAL READING Women FC have bolstered their defensive ranks as Gemma Evans has joined from Bristol City.

READING forward Yakou Méïté will be out of action for several months having undergone surgery on a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Ivorian has been a crucial part of Veljko Paunović’s team but has been frustrated by injury, which also caused him to miss a large portion of the 2020/21 season.

Despite his injury troubles, Méïté boasted an impressive scoring record in the league last season where he scored 12 goals in 25 Championship matches.

He came close to equalling his best scoring season in the league for the Royals, which was 13 in 2019/20 despite playing 15 fewerr matches.

The Reading player wrote on his social media page: “The operation went well. The result fell a few days ago… rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.

“Which will take me away from the ground for several months.

“Absolutely devastated but I am sure I will come back stronger and I’m ready to redouble my efforts.”

The Welsh international has signed up to the Royals until the summer of 2023 after her contract expired having played three years with the Vixens.

She made her professional debut with Cardiff City in 2015 and then made the move to Yeovil Town, before then moving to Bristol City.

She will be in familiar company in her new home at the Madejski Stadium, joining a side with several other Welsh internationals including Rachel Rowe and Tash Harding.

“I’m delighted to bring Gemma

to Reading,” said manager Kelly Chambers.

“She is a player that I feel will really suit our style of play.

“She has shown great development over the last couple of seasons and more importantly she is a consistent performer.

“Gemma will boost our backline with the attributes she will bring.

“She is a hard working player that has so much hunger and desire to want to learn and get better and I have no doubt that in this environment we will see an even better player.”

F

RANCE and Switzerland players were perhaps surprised to find that the referee for their knock out match at EURO 2020, was Argentine referee, Fernando Rapallini, along with two countrymen as his assistant referees.

They had earlier been in charge of the Croatia v Scotland game. The laws of the game are, of course, the same throughout the world and this was a deliberate swap of referees by UEFA with Commebol, the South American Football Confederation.

A Spanish referee, Jesus Gril Manzano, and two assistant referees are taking part in the Copa America 2021, their equivalent competition.

They have already officiated at Chile against Bolivia, Ecuador v Peru and a quarter final, Uruguay v Colombia.

Fernando Rapallini was excellent at the most exciting game in the tournament so far.

France comfortably led by three goals to one, but were shaken by two late goals from Switzerland.

And after a goalless extra time, there was more drama with the kicks from the penalty mark.

Switzerland already had scored five goals and France had four. It all depended on one of France’s younger player to level the score.

Unfortunately for France, many people’s favourite to win the competition, his kick was saved and they were out of it.

The Swiss players hesitated before finally celebrating their win, waiting to see if their goalkeeper’s movement in making the save, would be cleared by VAR. There have been a number of changes in the laws for these kicks in recent years.

I have complained in my columns for many years, that television and radio commentators don’t keep up with the changes in the laws.

This was the case locally for Ady Williams, former Reading FC captain, now with BBC Radio Berkshire, who was asked what the laws were.

He said that the goalkeeper must keep one foot on the goal line. That is not accurate.

The law, changed in 2019, now says, on, or level, with the goal line, which means it can be in the air providing it is above the line.

Only a small point but enough to get a team into the quarter finals.

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CRICKET

OAKS ON THE RISE AFTER HORSPATH WIN

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Home Counties Division Two

Spectators watch on as Wokingham bowl against Horspath

WOKINGHAM climbed up the table after they earned a six-wicket triumph against Horspath.

A five wicket haul from Jacob Clark and three wickets from Matthew McDonald helped to remove their opponents for 103.

Danny Housego (31) and Sukhmeet Kang (24) got the Oaks over the line after 46.3 overs.

WARGRAVE fell to a 99-run loss against Harefield.

BCM Championship SHINFIELD are just one point off the bottom of the table after they were beaten by league leaders Peppard Stoke Row. Davesh Gauchwal and Arun Pothapragada took two wickets each for Shinfield, but Peppard recorded a big total of 206.

Shinfield were then all-out for 80 runs as they fell to a heavy 126-run loss.

BCL Premier Division

Salman Khalid bowling for Wokingham

A Wokingham player attempts an acrobatic piece of fielding

FARLEY HILL were edged out in a top of the table clash against Woodcote.

Lewis Hart and Richard Pilkington collected three wickets each for Farley as their opponents finished with 150.

David Drury scored 48 as Farley tried to chase down the total to win, but they lost the match just 17 runs short.

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD condemned bottom of the tale TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE to another defeat as Crows were victorious by 56 runs.

Opening batsman James Whitehurst hit 42 runs for Crows, while Andrew Miller ended with three wickets to his name for Twyford.

Three wickets from Anthony Cluett helped Crows to seal the win as they bowled Twyford all out on 115.

WOODLEY earned an impressive eight-wicket win over Welford Park.

Zaakir Asghar was most clinical with the ball for Woodley with three wickets.

Mohamed Rimzan hit a brilliant innings of 76 as Woodley dropped just two wickets on their way to confirming their win.

BCL Division One WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE boosted themselves up to second after they got the better of Reading Lions.

Reading ended with 181 as Sree Ventkata took four wickets.

Ankusj Gandhi amassed a century to help take Waltham to victory as they won the match by six wickets, surpassing the total after 35.5 overs.

SHINFIELD remain in the top three after they beat WOODLEY 2s by 56 runs.

A disappointing start for Shinfield was rescued by Noel Joseph (85) and Om Solanki (42) as they ended with 195.

Solanki then followed that up by

Jacob Clark bowling for Wokingham against Horspath Pictures: Steve Smyth

taking four wickets as Woodley finished short of the chase.

EARLEY were beaten by six wickets in an away defeat to West Reading 2s.

Vish Shende top scored for Earley with 37, but they finished with 126, which Reading reached within 26.4 overs.

CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 2s finished 86 runs ahead of FARLEY HILL 2s to claim 34 points.

Chris Winch smashed a century for Crows as they posted 186 runs.

Luke Taylor and Dan Finucane took three wickets each as Farley were bowled all out on 100.

Chilterns Division One EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD lost top spot after they drew against Winchmore Hill, earning five points.

Charles Sawyer took three wickets for the Bears as Winchmore finished on 167.

TJ Wells totalled 39 as he finished as top scorer by a considerable distance, with Emmbrook ending their innings on 94.

Chilterns Division Two EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 2s lost out by a wicket in a defeat to Denham 2s.

Ravi Balakrishnan amassed 90 runs from just 72 balls as the Bears posted a score of 185.

But their opponents went past their score after 35.5 overs.

Thames Valley Division 2B FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s are up to second after they defeated Bagshot by

four wickets.

Sam Daniel bowled superbly (5-32), while Stuart Parsons hit 87 runs to see Finch to victory.

BINFIELD moved up to sixth after they overcame bottom of the table Kidmore End. Lee scored 79 runs as Binfield sealed the win after 35.2 overs.

HURST lost ground in the table after they were held to a draw by Thatcham Town.

Thames Valley Division 3A SONNING earned a narrow three-run triumph over Boyne Hill as they ascended to second in the table.

FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s are just behind Sonning in third after they put Cove 2s away by seven wickets.

WHITE WALTHAM dropped a place after they were beaten by Windsor by 92 runs.

Thames Valley Division 4A WARGRAVE 2s remain at the summit after they beat Bagshot 2s by nine wickets.

A magnificent bowling display from Mandip Sohi saw him collect an astonishing seven wickets, which he followed up scoring 46 runs in a comfortable victory.

WOKINGHAM 3s got the better of EVERSLEY 2s to maintain their third place standing.

Christopher Ruane was in scintillating form with the ball for the Oaks as he decimated the Eversley order to take 7-18.

Rahul Patel and David Bishop both hit 40 runs for Wokingham as they collected 25 points.

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Hunter Greyling (left) batting for Wokingham 2s against Eversley, Jack Fisher bowled out by Ayush Verma (middle) Pictures: Steve Smyth

CRICKET

EVERSLEY EDGE PAST OAKS

By ARTHUR STRAND sport@wokingham.today

EVERSLEY overcame Wokingham 2s with a seven-wicket triumph to move up to third in the table.

Wokingham were put into bat but lost Ben Green very early in the second over, caught by James Magowan bowled Ben Salter for nought.

In over six, George Horsley was caught behind by Tom Howorth bowled Salter for 14.

With both openers dismissed, captain Stuart Hayter joined Mac Desouza and for the following 28 overs they piled on runs and established a

partnership each hitting boundaries and one six each.

This batting session came to the end of its era when Hayter was Run Out, courtesy of Tom Magowan. His captain’s contribution was 53 and Desouza was on 25.

The latter managed to add six more runs until he was caught James Magowan, bowled Ayush Verma with the score totalling 105-4 in over 35.

Craig Beales had settled in and found Jayden Barson a temporary partner when he was run out, assisted

by Oli Parsons, for 11 with the total at 137-5.

Beales was then partnering with Jack Fisher and the partnership had

reached 17 when Beales was bowled

by Verma with the scoreboard showing 154-66 and Fisher was joined

by Jarrett Bobb who was caught behind by Tom Howorth bowled Salter for two in over 47 and 159-7. Fisher was bowled by Verma for eight when 163-8 was posted.

Batsman number 10 was caught and bowled by Ben Salter on 170 for two and Charlie Carter was bowled by Salter for nine.

This showed the end of the innings total was 170 off 50.1 overs.

Eversley openers batted briskly and scored 10 from Singh’s first over.

Jack Ford hardly got a strike though and was stumped by Green,

bowled Bobb for five out of total 54.

Parsons reached 50 out of 59 with a boundary in the 12th over while building a stand with James Magowan until Parsons had accumulated 79 and was out LBW bowled Charlie Carter.

He had scored nine boundaries and three massive sixes.

Tom Nicholls came to the crease with James Magowan until over 24 when his 24, including three boundaries made no further progress when he was caught behind by Ben Green, bowled Carter.

Tom Howorth scored nine and the number three batsman, James Magowan, 52, both were not out so

CRICKET

HENLEY BOWLED OVER BY FANTASTIC FINCH FINCHAMPSTEAD put 25 more points on the board in Home Counties Division One after they bowled their way to a four-wicket victory over Henley.

Finch elected to field first having won the toss and made a promising start as they removed opening batsman Matthew Rowe out for a golden duck.

Lewis Sharp was in astonishing form with the ball for Finch as he took an incredible five-wicket haul.

Liam Bulteel also bowled an exceptional spell for Finch as he matched Sharp’s four maiden overs and also added four more wickets, while Guy Ashby took the remaining one.

After 47.1 overs, Finch gained the final wicket to remove their opponents all out with 142 on the scoreboard.

Finch made a stubborn start as the opening pair of Gregory Smith and Matt Elridge build a solid foundation for them to build on.

Eldrige lost his wicket for 12, while Smith lasted 106 balls, and totalled 48 runs.

Finch had conceded six wickets with 92 runs on the board, but Ashby proved to be a safe pair of hands at the middle as he batted his team over the line.

He hit 29 runs as Finch surpassed the chase set by Henley in the first innings after 65.3 overs.

FINCHAMPSTEAD BOWLING: Sharp 5-53, Bulteel 4-32, Fernando 0-28, Ashby 1-24, Woodford 0-5 FINCHAMPSTEAD BATTING: Smith 48, Elridge 12, Crerar 19, Legg 26, Fernando 0, Leonard 2, O’Donahue 2, Ashby 29

Finchampstead CC earned victory over Henley Pictures: Steve Smyth

they polished off the runs required to beat Wokingham 2s by three wickets, in 28.4 overs and add 25 points to the League Division 2b table. The visitors claimed seven points.

WOKINGHAM BATTING: Horsley 14, Green 0, Dsouza 31, Hayter 53, Beales 33, Barson 11, Fisher 8, Bobb 2, Carter 9, Greyling 2, Singh 0no EVERSLEY BOWLING: Verma 3-45, Salter 5-34, Barnard 0-11, Magowan 0-24, Campion 0-19, Last 0-35 EVERSLEY BATTING: Parsons 79, Ford 5, Magowan 52no, Nichols 24, Howorth 9no WOKINGHAM BOWLING: Singh 0-28, Fisher 0-22, Bobb 1-66, Greyling 0-23, Carter 2-31

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FOOTBALL

SUMAS WELCOME NEW COACH AS PRE-SEASON BEGINS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK FC have returned to pre-season training ahead of a new challenge in the Combined Counties Division next season.

The Sumas were awarded promotion to step five after the FA league restructure and will be playing in the Combined Counties Premier Division North from the 2021/22 campaign.

Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston’s side have begun their preparations where they will look to continue their momentum from the previous two seasons in the Hellenic League Division One East, where the team were on course to win promotion before campaigns were curtailed early.

The Sumas have welcomed a new coach into their set-up as Sam

Wilson joins from Berks County FC. The club said: “Wokingham & Emmbrook FC are delighted to announce that Sam Wilson has joined the club as head coach within the first-team set up.

“Sam works as a full time coach for Elite Preparation Centre and Reading FC Academy and has left his current role with Berks County to join the Sumas.

“All at Wokingham & Emmbrook FC would like to thank Berks County FC for their handling of the move.”

Berks County FC manager Ellis Woods said: “First at Eversley, then at County, Sam has never been too proud or big time to get his hands dirty.

“He’s reaping the rewards of that graft with a great opportunity at a great club who I’m sure will continue to give him the opportunity to flourish.”

Wokingham & Emmbrook FC returned to pre-season training Pictures: Andrew Batt - FootballinBerkshire

FOOTBALL

TRIBUTES PAID TO MR WOKINGHAM TOWN FC

GLOWING tributes have been paid to the man who put Wokingham on the footballing map.

Roy Merryweather, who was involved with Wokingham Town Football Club for many decades, died last week at the age of 81.

As manager, he guided the club into the Premier Division of the Isthmian League, to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy, and into the First Round of the FA Cup for the first and only time in its history.

Roy’s association with the club began during the 1960s as a goalkeeper after spending time at Chelsea. He became the club’s manager in 1975 and continued in the role for more than 20 years, making him one of the longest-serving managers in English football.

He also took on the role of full-time General Manager in September 1977.

At the time he said: “The club has been a part of my life for several years now, and I want to see it grow and become a great success.”

Mark Ashwell, President of Wokingham & Emmbrook FC said: “In a week when football is providing so much joy, we remember the life of ‘Big Roy’ who gave so much to local football, and especially to Wokingham Town FC.” Many former players and supporters took to social media to express their

Wokingham Town FC legend Roy Merrweather

sadness, and share their memories.

Phil Alexander played for Wokingham Town under Roy in the 1980s, and is now Chief Executive at Premier League Crystal Palace.

He said: “Roy was a larger-than-life character who made football his life’s work.

“He was a hugely social man who included all his family in the running of Wokingham Town – his real passion.”

Darren Barnard played for Wokingham Town as a youngster, and went on to play more than 100 professional games in the Premier League for Chelsea and Barnsley, and 24 times for Wales.

He said: “Roy gave me my first opportunity of men’s football, learning my trade at Wokingham Town FC. “He was a huge figure in local football and will be sadly missed.”

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KESTRELS MAKE FLYING START TWO first-half goals from Liam Wilson ensured that the Kestrels got their pre-season friendlies off to a flying start against Easington Sports.

Binfield faced Berks County FC Pictures: Andrew Batt - FootballinBerkshire

FOOTBALL

BINFIELD FACE BERKS AS ACTION RETURNS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

BINFIELD, Berks County FC and Eversley & California all made a return to the pitch for their first action of preseason.

The Moles and the Swords did battle at Ryeish Green Sports Hub as the FA Vase finalists played their first match since their outing at Wembley Stadium in May. Berks County, who will be playing at step five next season alongside the Sumas in the Combined Counties Premier Division North, came out as victors with a 21 win.

John Swift and Ebby Opoku-Ware netted for Berks.

Binfield co-manager

Jamie McClurg said: “Good to be back yesterday and some positives to take.

“A proper pre-season game with good people at Berks County FC, thank you Lee Simpson and Ellis Woods, some real good young talent in a good side.”

Meanwhile, Eversley & California began their preseason with a win over Hythe & Dibden FC. Boars manager Matty Angell said: “A great start to the pre-season campaign and valuable minutes in the bank for the whole squad.

“Have to thank Hythe & Dibden FC for their hospitality which was second-to-none and look forward to having them over for next preseason.”

Ex-Hellenic Premier Division Easington Sports, who will be playing Step five in the United Counties Football League this coming season, were United's opening pre-season opponents in a match played at River Club.

The match was Woodley's first outing since Saturday, December 12 last year.

However, it did not take long for the hosts to open the scoring when a quick counter attack saw Liam Wilson finish coolly in the third minute.

Although Sports enjoyed good possession in the early stages, they did little to trouble Woodley's keeper due to a combination of poor shooting and strong defending by the Kestrels’ back four.

Wilson extended the lead in the 25th minute when the visitors failed to clear a corner which allowed Woodley to keep pressure in the penalty area and Wilson shot home from close range.

The second half saw Sports start positively but again Woodley's back four ,helped by the midfield, stood firm in breaking up play and allowed its forwards to attack on the counter.

Easington's goal came from an unmarked header from a corner on the hour mark.

Heads did not drop and the half continued as before with good defensive work when out of possession and dangerous breaks on the counter attack.

With neither team able to score further, Woodley recorded the win their performance warranted.

FOOTBALL

WOODLEY UNITED YOUTH WIN AWARDS

FOOTBALL

TEAMS DO BATTLE AT BURGHFIELD

ALMOST 250 teams battled it out in the Burghfield FC summer tournament over the weekend as the popular event returned following a year’s hiatus.

Players aged from U7’s to adults competed across 37 individual competitions across 10 pitches in the two-day event at Burghfield CSA. As usual, the Burghfield tournament attracted clubs from across the county and surrounding

areas, demonstrating that youth and grassroots football remains alive and thriving despite the restrictions in place over the past 18 months.

The action got underway on Saturday morning, including a ladies tournament for the first time, with the host's new women’s side going on to win the B event on their competitive debut.

There was some fantastic football on show across all the age groups throughout the weekend, with each tournament streamed to allow a level playing field and give every side the opportunity to stake a claim for some silverware.

All players competing in the U7 and U8 age groups took home participation trophies as a

memento from the tournament.

Despite some spells of rain on Sunday afternoon, it was not enough to dampen the spirits of the many attendees, as the U14’s and men’s competitions closed the tournament.

The event proved to be a huge success and several players, coaches and clubs have taken to social media to provide positive feedback after a weekend filled with superb football action.

SEVERAL of Woodley United FC’s youth teams were handed awards at the end of the football season.

The U9’s Cyclones team were presented with the BYDL ‘most improved team award’.

The U9’s team also celebrated success at Burghfield FC’s tournament at the weekend where they finished as runners-up in their competition.

The U12 Cyclones enjoyed a brilliant season where they finished as runners-up in BYDL Division Four.

Meanwhile, the U14 Mohawks were recognised for their sportsmanship throughout the season and were awarded with the fair play award by EBFA.

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