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THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Thursday, June 30, 2022

No. 370 90p

Buses: Use them or lose them EXCLUSIVE

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today THE future of bus services Wokingham hangs in the balance.

CONCERT TO HELP UKRAINE P3

in

Rising costs and a lack of passenger numbers means further funding is required to keep services across the borough going.

From the end of September, funding supplied by central government to support buses in the pandemic will come to an end meaning investment is now needed.

Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “The covid pandemic has hit buses particularly hard.

“The government recognises this and has provided close to £1 million to support local bus services in Wokingham borough in the last couple of years.

“Unfortunately, that funding is coming to an end and no additional budget was allocated by the previous administration to keep these services running.”

Although bus use has recovered somewhat, the council estimates passenger numbers have only returned to around 77% of pre-pandemic numbers, as of June 2022.

Cllr Fishwick added: “Fuel and driver costs make up over 50% of the operational costs of running a bus service, which makes the industry very susceptible to inflation.

“With no clear future funding from central government, the challenge to fund and maintain a financially sustainable network now rests with the council, local bus operators and our partners.”

Reading Buses, who operate services across the borough, believe the council will need to increase funding or adjust the network to reflect usage. n Continued on page 3

HOLD YOUR HORSES: Record-breaking Hurst show • p8

GOVE AGREES TO MEET OVER HOUSING

Commitment will see minister come to Wokingham

EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today MICHAEL GOVE has told the new leader of Wokingham Borough Council that he will pay a visit to discuss housing numbers.

Cllr Clive Jones spoke with him on Tuesday at the Local Government Association meeting in Harrogate, and the minister for levelling up committed to the meeting at an unspecified date.

It came after he addressed the conference, in a wide-ranging speech looking at the potential future for local government, introducing a two-year financial settlement for the grant sent to councils, and how working together has helped reduce rough sleeping.

“No-one has a monopoly on all the necessary solutions or tools to achieve this,” Mr Gove told the conference.

WARGRAVE ENJOYS FESTIVAL DAY P10-11

JESSICA GETS A BUZZ OUT OF NAIL ART P12

SCHOOLS TAKE TO THE STAGE P12 ISSN 2634-8330 26

n Continued on page 2

EXCLUSIVE: Tories’ secret plan to disrupt council meetings • p7

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Michael Gove promises to visit Wokingham n From front page

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

Mr Gove continued: “We need to work together.

“That is why I want to see local government – whatever the political colour of its leadership – empowered and strengthened.”

Cllr Jones was pleased that Mr Gove has committed to coming to Wokingham.

“The first thing I did when I became leader of the council was to write to him to ask him to come and talk to us,” he explained.

“As soon as I had the opportunity to see him face-to-face, I asked him.

I’m very pleased he is going to come, as he has a very busy schedule.”

The meeting at the LGA conference was agreed to after Mr Gove’s speech.

“I bumped into him, and we sat down,” he said. “I said I was from Wokingham and Mr Gove knew I

had taken over from John Halsall.

“I asked him to meet with us, and he said yes, we will meet up.

I then asked if he would come to Wokingham or if we should meet him in London, and he said he would come to us.

“There is a lot to talk about on the subject of housing numbers.”

This includes explaining the borough’s need for one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes, plus bungalows, rather than four- or fivebedroom homes which Cllr Jones says developers favour.

Cllr Jones said that Mr Gove was then ‘whisked away’ but reiterated his commitment to visiting.

“Yes, yes, I’m coming to Wokingham,” Cllr Jones said Mr Gove told him, adding he would get his office to confirm the meeting.

“I looking forward to seeing him.

He is going to find time to come to

FIRST CONTACT: Cllr Clive Jones with Michael Gove at the Local Government Association in Harrogate Wokingham and I’m very grateful.

It’s something other parties have not been able to arrange.”

Cllr Jones was also appreciative of news that the settlement grant, sent from central government to local authorities to help run services, would return to a multiyear set-up from next year, and there would also be a simplification of the various grant funding pots that councils can apply for.

Mr Gove told the meeting: “We hope that this will allow you to

plan ahead with a greater degree of confidence and really focus on the delivery of great public services that represent value for money.”

“The government has been talking about this for the last four or five years and not doing it. Instead we’ve been getting one year at a time,” Cllr Jones said. “Next year will be a two-year settlement.

“They will also streamline funding for pots of money to make it simpler. It’s something that everyone agrees with.”

Prohibition Notice issued to Wokingham celebrates AWE Aldermaston Armed Forces Day THE Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has issued a Prohibition Notice to the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston.

The notice prohibits entry into a part of the Plutonium Technology Centre, classified as a “confined space” unless a safe system of work is in place.

It was issued to ensure the safety of staff at the West Berkshire based site by controlling entry to a particular area on the ground floor where reduced oxygen levels may be present.

ONR served the Notice on Thursday, May 26.

A spokesperson for ONR said: “The key purpose of the Prohibition Notice is to ensure the safety of staff at the facility who

carry out work in the confined space.

“It will apply until ONR is satisfied that AWE have resolved the issue regarding potentially depleted oxygen levels in the confined space and it remains safe for staff.”

The ONR confirmed there was no harm to staff as a result of the shortfalls identified, and no risk to the public.

The ONR also confirmed reduced oxygen levels are caused by AWE’s operational activities.

These are currently being investigated by AWE as part of ongoing work to ensure that the risks to staff and the public are reduced to “as low as is reasonably practicable’’.

A BRASS band performed in Wokingham on Saturday in support of Armed Forces Day. On June 25, St Sebastian Wokingham Band played a range of music from different eras in Peach Place.

Armed Forces Day, formerly known as Veterans’ Day, is an annual event to commemorate the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces.

On Friday, Wokingham Borough mayor Cllr Caroline Smith raised a flag outside the council’s Shute End offices to pay respect to servicemen and women, past and present.

Cllr Smith said: “I am delighted to take part in this national celebration by raising the flag to show our support for the admirable

people who make up our Armed Forces communities.

“We have a lot to be thankful for and by flying the flag, we are proudly showing our support and gratitude.

“On behalf of Wokingham Borough Council, I would like to thank you all for your outstanding service and dedication in protecting and defending our country and its interests.

“We salute you.”

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Musical support for Ukraine

Dvi Doli perform

FUNDRAISERS: The Ukrainian Music Festival on Saturday raised funds for the emergency appeal. Pictures: Steve Smyth

EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today “IT went blooming brilliantly!”

Said Roger, of Beyond The Download, when asked about the concert last weekend.

Peach Place in the town centre was treated to live music throughout the afternoon and evening of Saturday.

Ten bands played under a covered stage and hundreds gathered to listen.

The Festival For Ukraine was arranged by Beyond The Download manager, Ian Biles.

With support from The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

The event was to raise funds for The Reading Mayor’s Appeal, and the Association of Ukrainians.

Roger continued: “The Ukrainians set up a charity stall. They were selling T-shirts, badges, Ukrainian flags and traditional embroidered shirts.

“Antonio from the group made an impassioned speech about the plight of people in The Ukraine.

“It was brilliant.

“Antonio spoke with impact and levity.”

It poured with rain from around 6pm to 7.30pm, but that didn’t dampen the mood.

“The weather was mildly disappointing,” said Roger. “But it was a really nice day, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.”

Ian Biles, festival organiser, said: “Yes, apart from the hour of rain we had, it all went very well.

“The concert was well attended both before and also after the rain.

“People were having a good time and we’re very pleased.

“I’d particularly like to thank the local businesses of Wokingham for their support.

“They donated around 25 great prizes, including a £50 voucher for one of the shops.

“We haven’t yet calculated the amount the event raised, but we’ll know soon.”

Ross was one of the performers.

He plays with In Albion.

“The concert went down really well,” he said.

“I was actually pretty tired, having helped to set up the stage earlier, but I got a second wind on stage and was able to just let go.

“It was great to have people cheering, and supporting the Ukrainians.”

His band was lucky with the rain.

“Just as we finished our set, the heavens opened,” continued Ross.

“But the sun was soon back, and the atmosphere was really good.”

Borough’s buses n From front page

A spokesperson for Reading Buses said: “Where we provide some less heavily used services on behalf of the Council, or have been utilising funding from new housing developments to enhance services during the construction phase, the council will need to decide whether to increase their funding to fill the revenue gap, or to adjust the network to reflect lower usage.

“We are working with them on this to ensure best value for council tax payers, and are confident that we will find a reasonable solution to keeping everyone connected.”

The company has also been impacted by rising inflation and the cost of fuel.

The spokesperson added: “Cost inflation will have to be dealt with by reviewing fares at our annual fares review.”

Cllr Charles Margetts, Conservative councillor for Finchampstead North, expects operators to ask for support and there is a “significant risk” of the service being withdrawn.

He said: “Income is down for bus companies and costs are up. The consequence of this is that it is very likely that commercial bus operators will start approaching WBC in the near future for subsidy.

“The consequences of (routes being withdrawn) for the elderly and non-car owners in our community is significant. It would be also pushing the climate change agenda backwards locally in removing options to car use.”

Cllr Margetts is calling on the council to “act now” to protect bus routes across the borough.

He said: “The Liberal Democrat-led coalition needs show bold proactive leadership. It is lazy to blame the government and do nothing.

“If they act now and commit fully to saving local bus routes they can avert this problem.”

Cllr Fishwick recognises the importance of buses. He said: “We are working closely with local bus operators to find an effective solution.

“We have already committed council funding for the Tiger 7 to allow this service to run on its current timetable until September 2022.

“We will provide additional funding for other services in the short-term while we consider what levels of service can be provided in the longer term.”

Cllr Fishwick believes the future of the buses is reliant on people using them: “If we want to continue to have a good bus network, we need more people to use the buses.

“I urge residents to take the bus – the buses are safe to use and beneficial for the local environment.”

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

Pride plans after-party, with drag cabaret WOKINGHAM Pride has announced that it is hosting an after party following the Pride event on Saturday, July 9.

The event will feature drag, cabaret, and music.

After a photo opportunity at the town hall from 11.30am, and a family-friendly picnic in Elms Field, those celebrating Pride are invited to The Station Tap, which will be open all afternoon.

Children and families are welcome until 8pm, after which partygoers over 18 will be treated to an evening of performances by SemiColon, Dulce Kraving, and Tania LeCoq. SemiColon is a genderless drag artist who brings a vibrancy and a bodypositive message to their performances.

They will be joined by drag sensation Dulce Kraving, from the House of Kraving, and FunnyBoyz’s very own Tania LeCoq. SemiColon will also be running a stall offering ecofriendly glitter at the picnic during the day.

All events are free to enter.

Wokingham Pride will take place from 11.30am on Saturday, July 9, with the after party events taking place after 8pm at The Station Tap.

PEDAL POWER: Wokingham Bikeathon on Sunday saw cyclists get in the saddle for a day of fun Pictures: Steve Smyth

Hundreds show up for return of Wokingham Bikeathon HUNDREDS of people have participated in a cycling event across Wokingham.

On Sunday, June 26, more than 500 people took part in Wokingham bikeathon as it returned after a two year break.

The event invited participants to cycle a 15, 25 or 35 mile route at their own speed, or with friends and family.

Jean Alder, part of the organising team behind the Bikeathon, described the event as a roaring success.

She said: “It was a really, really good day and we are so pleased with how richly diverse the groups were.

“There were lots of families and so many young people taking part.”

All of the routes started and finished at Cantley Park with each of them providing a different challenge and a number of inclines.

This year, the organisers were keen to be “as green as can be” and run the event

in a sustainable way.

This included no single-use plastic water bottles, route signs put out by bike rather than car, and sustainable medals.

Ms Alder said: “The medals are fantastic.

“They are made of a sustainable fibre with native wildflower seeds in them so if people decide they don’t want them anymore, they can plant them.

“We are all trying to do our bit.”

New church service in care home

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A WOKINGHAM church and care home are collaborating to help residents pursue their faith.

Shinfield Baptist Church is set to bring afternoon services to Shinfield View residents and carers.

The initiative, entitled Flourish, will take place every other Sunday in one of the home’s communal lounges.

It comprises songs and prayers delivered by Joe Peacock, who was keen to design services accessible to the home’s residents.

“My interest is in inter-

generational activity,” Ms Peacock said. “I have experience working in care homes and with young people.

“We didn’t want to just replicate the Sunday morning services, but rather meet people where they are.

“We really want to connect with the community through this.”

Family, friends and carers of residents are welcome to attend.

The church encourages volunteers who wish to assist with Flourish to get in touch.

The first service is set to take place at 3pm on Sunday, July 3.

n For more information, search: Shinfield Baptist Church on www. facebook.com

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There’s common ground over housing, says MP

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today JAMES SUNDERLAND says he has found common ground with the new leader of Wokingham Borough Council in a bid to reduce housing numbers.

Cllr Clive Jones in the process of meeting with all four of the borough’s MPs as part of his campaign to protect Wokingham’s remaining green spaces from development.

The Bracknell MP, whose constituency includes parts of Crowthorne, Finchampstead and Wokingham Without, held the meeting shortly after a similar gathering with Sir John Redwood.

Cllr Jones will meet Theresa May and Matt Rodda in coming weeks.

And he is calling for a meeting with Michael Gove, the government minister for levelling up, to have his case heard (see page 2).

“We can explain the real problems that the Government’s policies are causing in places such as Wokingham borough,” he said.

"We do need some new homes, but these need to be genuinely affordable social housing. We also need a planning system that works in the interests of local communities, not the development industry."

Following the meeting, Mr Sunderland said: “‘I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the new Leader of Wokingham Borough Council and his team.

“We agreed on several issues and found that we have common ground in facing the challenges ahead.

“My overriding interest as the local MP lies in supporting my constituents and I am confident that the new administration in Wokingham will support me in doing exactly that.”

Mr Sunderland also met with opposition leader Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, to discuss the potential Rocks Nest development in Finchampstead. It was listed in the Local Plan Update prepared by the previous administration and is currently being reviewed.

He said: “I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Pauline, we had a productive meeting discussing the issues facing my constituents.”

And Cllr Jorgensen said: “In our discussion, we both agreed that it is vitally important to save Rooks Nest Farm from any development, as the Conservatives had always been clear we would.

“The Lib Dem-led coalition must commit to keeping Rooks Nest out of any Local Plan.”

NEW START: Hester Wooller with Richard Thomas from St Celicia’s School Picture: Phil Creighton

First open day for new school WOKINGHAM'S newest school welcomed prospective parents last week, but they will have to wait a while before their child turns up for lessons.

St Cecila's is a primary school that will open on the Matthewsgreen estate in September next year.

Built to accommodate families moving into the new homes surrounding it, the state-of-the-art premises will eventually house a full cohort of children.

To help parents visualise the plans for the new learning establishment, headteacher Richard Thomas opened the doors to the building, and showed examples of what the

uniform will be like, as well as learning materials.

The school is part of the Keys Academy Trust, and its executive headteacher, Hester Wooller was also on hand to answer parents' queries.

"It was a very, very exciting moment to have parents visit for the first time," he said.

"We've been able to share our vision of the school, give tours of the amazing facilities, and share resources that we want to use when we open the school.

"Hopefully the parental community will have a really good idea of what our school is going to be like when it opens."

He said that more open events are planned over the coming months.

Mr Thomas felt a particular sense of pride that he would be the first headteacher of the school.

"What's really important to me is that we grow as a community, and the school becomes part of it.

"I've got a really strong vision, and part of that is the community coming in, and supporting it, so we grow a school that we can be really proud of." n For more details, email admin@stcecilias.wokingham. sch.uk

Music recital at St Mary’s SHINFIELD residents will be treated to an afternoon of singing at St Mary’s Church.

Tania Pratt is set to dazzle with a programme featuring songs ‘from the shows’.

The performance is part of the church’s ‘Music at St Mary’s’ series of lunchtime concerts featuring musicians from the area.

The concert takes place at noon on Saturday, July 2.

Entry is free, although there will be an opportunity to contribute to a retiring collection. n For more information, call: 0118 988 5923 or visit: www.loddonreach.org.uk

Church Road to be closed for repairs WOKINGHAM motorists may be required to reroute their journeys next week due to planned works.

Church Road, Swallowfield, will be closed from Monday, July 4, to Wednesday, July 13, between Nutbean Lane and Part Lane.

The closure will allow Thames Water to carry out repairs on a damaged water main.

This section of the road crosses both Blackwater River and Long River. n For more information, visit: www.swallowfieldpc.gov.uk

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

Anger at cost of school uniforms EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today A PARENT has raised concerns over the cost of branded school uniforms.

They are particularly unhappy about the price of the Bohunt School’s polo shirts and girls’ skirts, both of which bear the school logo.

On social media, they wrote: “Bohunt branded polos are £12.50 each.I could buy at least two multi packs of plain white polos for that.”

They add that the shirts worn under jumpers for most of the school year.

“Girls branded black skirts are £22.50 each,” they added.

“Unbranded are half that price.

“Boys do not need to wear branded trousers so why should girls need to wear branded skirts?”

The parent asks the school to clarify how it will be helping families to reduce branded uniform costs, especially in the light of the government’s statutory guidance published last year.

This requires schools to make uniform affordable for all, with the main points being that: Schools in England must ensure that their uniform costs

are reasonable. And from this autumn, school are required to help keep costs down.

This means removing unnecessary branded items, and allowing more high-street options, such as supermarket own-brand uniform items.

A school’s uniform policy should be clearly visible on their website, accessible to parents and prospective parents.

Uniform supplier arrangements should prioritise cost and value for money, bearing in mind quality and durability.

And they should ensure that second-hand uniforms are available for parents to buy, with clear information on school websites about how to purchase them.

Emma Cantrell of children’s charity First Days is passionate about affordable school uniform.

In response to the parent’s complaint, she says: “It’s very disappointing when schools don’t respond to the government guidance.

“There are lots of different school uniforms in the area.

“Some are unnecessarily expensive, especially when every item of clothing is branded. Having school logos embroidered on items pushes up the price.”

First Days provides

thousands of pieces of uniform each year to struggling families in the borough.

“We have a school uniform ‘shop’ in our new Elevate centre,” explains Emma. “All the items are free of charge for the families we support.

“They can come in and choose what they want.”

The recently opened Elevate Centre is in The Courtyard, Denmark Street, Wokingham.

“There are a few good quality seconds, but nearly all the items are new,” she added. “We receive funding to purchase them and we make them available to the families that need them.

“It’s so important for youngsters to be properly kitted out for school.

“Especially for Year 7 pupils starting at secondary school.

“They want to fit in with their peers, and they need all the confidence they can get.”

And on Bohunt’s policy, Ms Cantrell said: “Bohunt’s uniform is the most expensive in the area.

“We want them to change their uniform policy.

“We would love to work with the school so that, together, we can support pupils and families in the area.

Bohunt School has been invited to comment, but had not responded as we went to press.

ON SHOW: Some of the bikes entered into the show, held in memory of its founder, Ben Spiller

GOLDEN OLDIE: Jason Bowen with his vintage Bantam bike

Triumphant return for Dr B’s Bike Show

For the best start in life

A POPULAR bike show returned to Wokingham last weekend after a two year absence.

On Sunday, June 26, Dr B’s Custom and Classic Bike Show took place at Highclose School on Wiltshire Road.

More than 300 motorcyclists attended with awards being given for the best bikes on display.

In total, 14 awards were distributed with prizes for best British bike, best custom, best engineering, best paintwork, best V-twin, best oddball and many more.

Denis Denmead, one of the organisers behind the show,

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REVVED UP: Maurice Dixon with his bike at the Dr B’s Bike Show on Sunday Pictures: Steve Smyth

25/05/2022 17:14

said: “The show went absolutely fantastic in my opinion.

“It was our first show in two years and, with some people still

concerned about covid, to get 300 to 400 motorcyclists turning out was great.”

The event, organised by Reading Christian Motorcyclists, took place in remembrance of Ben Spiller who died last year.

Mr Spiller was the founder of the Reading Toy Run. Mr Denmead said: “The show was in memory of Ben and it was nice to see his family on the day.

“It is definitely a good way to keep his memory going.

“It’s continuing his legacy.”

Proceeds from the show were donated to the Highclose School who hosted the event.

Get started

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Revealed: Conservatives’ secret plans to disrupt and exploit council meetings EXCLUSIVE

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today WOKINGHAM Conservatives have hatched a secret plan to disrupt council meetings as much as possible.

A briefing given to councillors lays out a number of tactics including interfering speeches, accusations of bias and taking credit for the policies of other parties.

The confidential document, obtained by Wokingham.Today, is titled Using Council for Effective Opposition and sets out a strategy for the party to get their “own way” during council meetings.

This includes challenging rulings made by the borough mayor, Cllr Caroline Smith, and disrupting the administration to keep them “constantly on their toes”.

In a section headed “Disruption and Getting Our Own Way” councillors are encouraged to use points of order and personal explanation to “raise points”.

A point of order is raised when someone draws attention to a rules violation, usually interrupting a speaker during debate.

A point of personal explanation is used to clarify something which has been misunderstood.

Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of the Wokingham Conservative Group, raised a point of order at the extraordinary council meeting on Wednesday, June 22, during Cllr Clive Jones’ speech on proposals to move Wokingham to elections once every four years.

When asked to name the point of order by the mayor Cllr Jorgensen was unable to, so it was ignored.

Later in the same meeting, Cllr Pauline Helliar-Symons, Conservative for Wokingham Without, raised a point of personal explanation during a speech by the deputy leader, Cllr Stephen Conway.

Cllr Conway said the point was “not a personal explanation”.

Conservative councillors are also being told to challenge rulings made by the mayor.

The mayor is a non-political position and the constitution states that rulings made are final.

Cllr Smith is a Liberal Democrat councillor and follows on from Conservative Cllr Keith Baker.

The position runs for a

BRIEFING: A page from the document given to Conservative councillors setting out how they should act in council meetings to gain an advantage municpal year, and sees the councillor act as the borough’s first citizen, as well as chairing meetings of all councillors.

In the document, Conservative councillors are being encouraged to dispute rulings “in order to make a point”, this includes making “accusations of bias”.

When setting out their position on policies, if they agree with the Liberal Democrat stance Conservative councillors

are being told to say so – “but take credit for it”.

Cllr Clive Jones, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, has heavily criticised the tactics, describing them as “shameful”.

He said: “To hear about these tactics is extremely disappointing and it is very, very bad for local democracy.

“It shows the Conservatives to be a bad loser as well as childish and immature.”

Cllr Jones is now calling for an apology.

He said: “We expected this behaviour was going on but now it is in black and white, I don’t expect it to continue.

“This is not grown-up politics.

“The leadership should apologise for thinking this is acceptable.”

A spokesperson for the Wokingham Conservative Group has said it is the

“democratic responsibility” of the opposition to “robustly challenge” the actions and comments of the administration”.

They added: “The administration may not like this, but it is an integral part of our political process.”

The spokesperson also defended the motivation behind the document and the tactics employed as they are “within the rules”.

They said: “Faced with a biassed referee in Cllr Smith, Conservative councillors are perfectly entitled to operate within the rules to ensure that their voices are heard and that a real debate takes place.

“The council’s Code of Conduct includes the Nolan principles, requiring councillors to ‘act with honesty and integrity’.

“Where the administration just makes things up, as happened at the last council meeting, councillors on both sides can and do use the rules to challenge inaccuracies.

“The motivation behind the presentation was to ensure that people understood how to raise points of order in the correct way to avoid them being rejected out of hand by the mayor.”

8 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

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HUNDREDS of children and adults descended on a village to break the world record for the largest hobby horse parade, writes Sue Corcoran.

Hurst Show and Country Fayre organised the amazing effort as part of their two-day event last weekend.

The sun shone as 263 adults and children, some in fancy dress, were led around the village by Reading Scottish Pipe Band Youth Section to break the current record by 13 people.

Organisers are now waiting for Guinness World Records to confirm this as an official world record.

The show returned in splendid style after a lowerscale event last year due to

covid precautions.

Large crowds enjoyed a wide range of fun activities.

They included arena events, a fun dog show, a classic car and bicycle display, live music, craft stalls and children’s activities.

The village hall housed the ‘food court’ with a popular barbecue, bar and tea tent.

Visitors gave rave reviews, describing it as “the best show ever” and “a great event for all the family, well organised too.”

Show chair Suzy Turner said: “We are delighted with the show attendance and the positive feedback received from visitors, stallholders, and performers alike.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere over the whole weekend and thanks to

everyone’s generous support, we will be able to donate much-needed funds for local good causes.”

Hurst Parish Council chairman Wayne Smith said at the show: “It’s absolutely fantastic. The organisation is very good, they’re a great bunch of people on the committee.”

The popular country show has been running for over 40 years. It attracts visitors from a wide area and raises tens of thousands of pounds for local good causes including Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.

The final sum raised from this year’s show will be confirmed by show organisers in due course.

The huge crowd of hobby horse riders before their world record breaking attempt, at Martineau Green at Hurst. Picture: Duncan Kendall/ Hurst Show and Country Fayre

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Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

WARGRAVE FESTIVAL

The procession saw hundreds of villagers take part

With others, including Cllr Graham Howe, Theresa May MP led the procession The Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums perform en route

It’s not quite the Love Bug, but vintage vehicles took part in the parade

NEWS | 11

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Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

WARGRAVE FESTIVAL

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Theresa May MP joined the Sandhurst & District Corps of Drums at Wagrave Carnival Pictures: Steve Smyth

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Love is in the air at village carnival

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today A CELEBRATION of love came to Wargrave on Saturday as its biannual festival came to an end.

Crowds flocked to the streets, eager to watch the parade in the brilliant afternoon sunshine.

Afterwards, they were able to enjoy a fete, held in the recreation ground.

And heading the carnival procession was Maidenhead MP Theresa May. Organisers felt that the day had been a huge success.

Ally Holloway said:

“Hundreds of people from the various clubs and societies in Wargrave proudly marched in the traditional festival parade.

“They were led by Mrs Theresa May MP, who also officially opened the fete and awarded prizes for the best dressed parader.”

The festival theme this year was chosen in recognition of the way people have cared for each other during covid lock downs.

People dressed for the parade with Summer Of Love in mind.

Some went for a colourful 60’s vibe, others were inspired

by the summer sunshine.

“It was the perfect finale to what has been the most incredible few weeks in this amazing village,” Ms Holloway said.

“We’ve shown that the Wargrave community has a very natural sense of love, warmth, generosity and fun.

“As a committee, we have been bowled over by the overwhelming community spirit and we hope that everyone enjoyed it as much as we did.”

Now work is starting on the 2024 festival.

Nathan Barlow (12) and Dexter Rosier (9) try their luck on the spinning wheel as Samantha Rosier looks on.

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12 | NEWS

Another View Neil Coupe

The benefits I’ve found in yoga

I

FIRST became interested in yoga when I was 16 and bought the book Teach Yourself Yoga.

This was part of the Teach Yourself series of books with distinctive yellow and black covers and very well-known at the time.

There are several different books with the same name today, but my original one is out of print. I managed to get myself into every posture or asana in the book, including the lotus position, although it is well beyond me now. I marvelled at the ingenuity of the postures and the Sanskrit names.

Many asanas are named after animals, such as downward dog, eagle, locust, cat, cobra, butterfly and crow.

I also became interested in the philosophy behind yoga.

When I went to university, I received proper yoga teaching at classes held there, based on the work of the Indian yogi or guru, B K S Iyengar.

Iyengar yoga is named after his teaching. He died in 2014, aged 95. I always felt so relaxed and rejuvenated after each class.

Yoga is perhaps the greatest export from India and is an ancient system of physical, mental, and spiritual practices aimed at quietening the mind and improving the body.

Its origins date back over 3,000 years. There are many schools of yoga, some associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

The philosophy of yoga is about connecting the mind, body, and spirit. Indian monks spread their knowledge of yoga outside the country from about 1900 onwards.

About three to four times as many women as men practise yoga in the UK, as can be seen at most classes, and I admire their greater flexibility.

About one in seven Americans practise yoga compared with about one in 20 in the UK. According to the International Yoga Federation, about 300 million people practise yoga worldwide.

Cancer Research UK has launched a challenge to complete 30 days of yoga this month, which a friend of mine has taken up, to raise money for its research funding.

Pilates, Europe’s answer to yoga, does not have so long a pedigree. It was devised by a German gym instructor, Joseph Pilates, from Mönchengladbach.

In the 1920s he and his wife Clara opened the Body Conditioning Gym in New York. Pilates has become as popular as yoga in the UK and an estimated 12 million take classes worldwide. Many yoga and Pilates classes are now held virtually due to the Covid epidemic.

Both yoga and Pilates improve strength, balance and flexibility. I find that Pilates complements yoga very well, so do both on a regular basis, usually six times a week. My local health club offers 10 Pilates and six yoga lessons a week, given by eight different instructors who have contrasting and complementary approaches.

A recent survey by Health and Fitness Education, a leading UK training provider, found some 70% of “fitness enthusiasts” would rather participate in Pilates than yoga. The most common response was that Pilates “is more dynamic”, which would coincide with my younger daughter’s views!

As I get older, the yoga postures become harder and my flexibility declines. My enthusiasm for the corpse posture, Savasana, the relaxation pose practised at the end of a typical yoga lesson, has increased correspondingly.

After each class I still have that extra spring in my step and sleep much better. My older daughter tells me the secret to a long and healthy life is yoga and Pilates, so I will persevere with both. bhicks@wokingham.today

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Earley Panda cheered on as he pedals to Brighton THE finishing line at Brighton beach suddenly turned into a loud cheer at the sight of a mysterious bear on the bike.

Among the lycra-clad cyclists, it was unusual to see a panda cycling and everyone on the finish line started chanting “Go Panda, Go Panda”.

For Panda, the attention it was getting was not unusual, in fact it was precisely for this attention it started cycling during the first lockdown; to spread joy and cheer up the dreadful faces facing the dismal times.

Wokingham’s mysterious bear, fondly known as Earley Panda has been a regular sight on the streets since the first lockdown.

Nothing short of a local celebrity, the cuddly panda has been on BBC Radio Berkshire talking about various fundraising chairty rides and featured regularly in Wokingham Today, and was the headline image of Cycling UK COP26.

The local friendly neighbourhood panda last year joined paws with Paddington Bear, mascot of Action Medical research to raise vital funds for sick children and is training hard to cycle London to Paris in July.

Panda recently cycled 60 miles from London to Essex as part of RideLondon and was paw-mped to be part of BHF London to Brighton ride.

From London to Brighton, Panda was cheered all along the way from spectators and the fellow cyclists.

From awe to why on the earth, from madness to fair play, Panda was inundated with the support provided by everyone.

A point came where I couldn’t cycle anymore. Like others, Earley Panda started walking.

Yes, I am talking about the Ditchling Beacon where cyclists become pedestrians.

Because I carry overnight clothing, bike locks, food, medicines, a first-aid box, and a touring heavy bike, it wasn’t easy to pull it.

There came a point where I couldn’t even walk. That’s when Panda turned into a snail.

Scorching sun overhead, heavy sweating under the Panda head, I was barely walking when another cyclist

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

Across the se set s

Earley Panda en route from London to Brighton crossed me, almost dragging his right foot.

He had a terrible cramp.

I asked him if he had electrolytes tablets, but he didn’t have any. I had some spare ones, so I offered him some.

He was very thankful for the kind gesture. So we both stopped. I took off my mask as I only take it off when I am not moving.

I gave him the electrolyte tablet, and we chatted for 4-5 mins.

And that hiatus, that kind interaction, those few minutes of knowing each other were enough for us to finish the Ditchling Beacon climb.

I even cycled the last bit, for the photo opportunity.

Earley Panda has a sizeable following across facbook, instagram and twitter and his GPS doodles are followed by many world-renowned GPS artists. n Panda’s justgiving link in the aid of Action Medical Research is https:// www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ earley-panda-london-to-paris

EARLEY PANDA

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today PUPILS from across Wokingham borough celebrated their musical talents with a special concert earlier this month.

The Wokingham Area Schools Music Association returned to The Hexagon in Reading for the show, entitled WASMA Afloat!.

Organisers said the focus was on the fun of singing together in a large choir, but the performance will also feature drama, poetry and dance.

Now you can recycle the compost bag A NEW scheme aimed at reducing plastic waste will see compost bags recycled.

Dobbies has installed new bins in its Shinfield and Hare Hatch branches so customers can bring their empties for recycling.

The company says that very few local authorities collect the polythene sacks, so the new service will help meet demand.

The compost bag recycling scheme follows other initiatives from the firm, including plastic pot recycling bins.

Marcus Eyles, horticultural director at Dobbies, said the scheme was for all compost bags, regardless of brand or where it was purchased.

“We wanted to ensure gardeners had the opportunity to dispose of their compost packaging in a sustainable way,” he said.

The project will see

GET IN: Dobbies will take all empty compost bags at its branches in Shinfield and Hare Hatch Evergreen Garden Care take the bags and turn them into garden furniture which will be donated to Greenfingers, a charity that creates green spaces for terminally ill children.

Jane Hartley, sustainability marketing manager at Evergreen Garden Care, said

the company was delighted to be collaborating with Dobbies.

“We had a trial with 10 stores to develop a collection programme that will work across all stores. We hope residents will make the most of this scheme.”

The production provided an opportunity for 400 children from 17 Wokingham primary schools to experience performing in a professional theatre.

WASMA is now in its 75th year, started with a handful of schools in Wokingham town to an organisation working with primary schools across the whole of Wokingham Borough.

And judging from the success of this year’s show, it’s all shipshape and will continue to sail for years to come.

To infinity and the nai Jessica’s fine art on a JESSICA PROUT went down to the bottom of the garden at the start of lockdown, and underwent quite a transformation.

In her Wokingham shed, she painted works of art –while many artists paint on board or paper, Jessica has a different canvas.

“I don’t think I could produce big pieces of art for people’s walls,” she says.

Instead, she uses a very small canvas, painting nails, both as a profession, and for fun.

“During lockdown I couldn’t work,” she explains. “With two young children, I would sometimes escape for a bit of ‘me time.’

“I’d pop down to the shed where I run my nail business.

“And I started painting characters for fun.

Jessica has painted quite a few nail figures now, including Disney figures, and recently a Jurassic Park tyrannosaurus rex.

“I’m an ambassador for Gelish nail gel company, and they ask me to produce nail paintings to coincide with film releases.

“My latest one is Buzz Lightyear.”

Youn toy will making “He t adds.

Wha detail?

“It’s a “The to paint “But normal Surel polish a “No, I brushes “And mostly nails.

“It ju to sit th Jessi school w “I’ve “But

Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

NEWS | 29

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even seas to The Hexagon, schools sail for musical showcase

Pictures: Stewart Turkington

ail bar .. a tiny canvass

LARGER THAN LIFE: The amazing Buzz Lightyear nail painted by Jessica Prout

ng fans of the legendary space ranger l know that Lightyear is currently g an appearance at local cinemas. took about four hours to paint,” she

at is it like painting in such tiny

actually quite stressful,” she says. e Jurassic Park nail was really difficult t. it’s great fun, and different from the nail work I do.” ly she doesn’t use the standard nail applicators?

I use gel polish, and very fine nail art s,” she says. d with these miniature pieces, I paint on acrylic nails, rather than on real

ust takes too long to expect someone here for the length of time it takes.” ica is entirely self-taught, and left when she was 16. always been creative,” she adds. my love for art grew when I was at

the Holt School.

“I had some incredibly supportive teachers there.”

After school Jessica went into hairdressing.

“But I soon realised it wasn’t for me,” she explains.

“So I moved instead into nails, and found I loved that.”

Jessica has been running her own business, Jessica Prout Nails, for nine years.

She says the most unusual thing she has

painted was not Jurassic Park, but bananas.

“Yes, I painted a lot of bananas, and lots of fruit.

“This was on real nails for my best friend when she got engaged.

“It was for her surprise engagement party.

The unusual thing was that she didn’t know she was going to get engaged.”

Who comes to get their nails done at Jessica’s salon? “I’ll paint absolutely anyone’s nails over the age of 16,” she says.

“Everyone loves nails, don’t they?”

POETRY CORNER Forget-me-not

Do you remember Our holiday by the sea ?

When the rain tap-danced All day and All night On the tin roof of the blue caravan: When we slipped on slimy weeds Into the cold creek; And kept butter in a metal cage.

We caught two snapping crabs Who scuttled away like alien dancers; And we all went home As pale and tired as refugees.

Then Mum said she needed another holiday To get over the holiday And when we waved good bye To our drab prison We laughed and Laughed, Because its name was Forget-menot, And the seabirds were shrieking too In the suddenly Sunny sky.

Clare Bevan

We love printing your poetry, and share a selection every week. Email your verse to news@rdg.today

30 | VIEWPOINTS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Commitment to meet is good news COULD THIS be the ray of light we have been looking for for several years?

Michael Gove’s verbal commitment to come and see Wokingham’s housing problems for himself is something to be applauded.

He made the promise on Tuesday at the Local Government Association conference to the new leader of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Clive Jones.

It follows the dynamic campaigning of his predecessor, John Halsall.

Both Cllrs Halsall and Jones have been meeting with MPs, and banging the drum to anyone who will listen – the number of homes we need to build every year is far too high, and it needs changing.

There is cross-party consensus and grown-up politics going on here, as different opinions and views come together for the benefit of residents, and our green spaces.

This is to be applauded.

We hope that Mr Gove will set a date very soon, then have his eyes opened, and he can draw a line over this. It has gone on for far too long.

CHURCH NOTES

Capitalism v compassion

I

N these times of rising fuel, food, and energy prices we are still being bombarded with images and messages from advertisers and the media, designed to make us feel unhappy with what we already have or don’t have, in the hope that we will buy and consume more.

This hides the reality for many people, the harsh reality of the economic downturn.

There are increasing numbers for whom the scarcity of food is a daily concern.

Foodbanks are hard put to meet the escalating demand.

The heart-rending effects of poverty and homelessness increasingly affect our society.

Families previously comfortable, are struggling to live from day to day.

Parents are missing meals so that their children can eat.

We live with a heightened awareness of price increases, and conflicting messages and concerns that both distract us and divide our loyalties.

Wealth competes with God for the human heart.

Capitalism versus compassion, is one of the serious challenges for contemporary Christians.

To place effort in acquiring goods for oneself may distract from seeking righteousness and justice around us.

Let’s be clear, being a Christian does not mean that we will not (or should not) acquire possessions, wealth, or need food, clothing, and other necessities.

But Christians are called to balance our needs against the true values and behaviours that Jesus affirmed in the words, ‘love your neighbour.’

In these troubled days there has never been a greater need to take an honest look at what we are focussing on, to rethink our values and priorities and to look outwards rather than within.

John Boylan is an authorised lay preacher at All Saints Church, Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

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Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

Ignoring the democractic will The decision of the Council to ignore the consultation which resulted in a majority in favour of elections every four years is unsurprising.

The new council has not got off to a good start and will be complaining about lack of funding for essential services despite ignoring the savings to be made by holding local elections every four years.

The Leader of the Council thinks that “councillors should be accountable on an annual basis”.

How about MPs and Prime Ministers?

Howard Squires, via email

Coughs and sneezes

William Wilberforce (1759-1833) brought the hidden plight of slaves into public view and helped fix their release. ‘When America coughs, Britain sneezes’ so Roe v Wade reform shines a light on our atrocious abortion record.

The six-month UK time limit for abortion is barbaric beyond words and represents a grim human rights scandal.

General Practice colleagues encouraged me to reject ‘abortion on demand’-over 20 years ago.

Abortion can become a black and white issue if one views the NHS website’s three-month ‘Dating Scan’.

J T Hardy, via email

Food waste

WBC are now advising their residents not to use the food waste caddy liners that they have supplied for the purpose. These bags are now considered ‘hazardous to the environment’ by the Council.

When looking at bags of the same construction supplied from other sources, they state 100% compostable to be used in food waste caddies or your kitchen compost bin.

I can’t be the only resident confused with this about turn in policy.

David Arnold, Finchampstead

A F-grade for new council executive

​Upon review of the most recent Overview and Management Committee, I noted with disappointment not a single member of the new executive appeared to defend the council’s performance metrics.

This is incredibly disappointing as the role of the Executive is to defend the council’s performance, not officers. These meetings offer the chance for new executive members to step up and make their mark.

The first opportunity for them to do so is an F Grade.

An inauspicious start and I will continue to watch with little expectations of improvement.

Guy Grandison, via email

Strikes are Mick’s fault

The public should be up in arms about the train strikes and many

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Thank you THE cost of living is on everyone’s minds so it’s timely that Wokingham Borough Council’s Tackling Poverty strategy is going to the Executive on 30th June for approval.

Having led on its creation for the last year, I am thankful for the contributions and hard work of local charities, Council officers and councillors.

Special recognition must go to Wokingham United Charities, Citizens Advice, First Days and Age UK Berkshire for their commitment and influence they’ve had over the plan.

It’s been a pleasure to chair the Cross Party Working Group on Poverty where all political parties have worked well together to contribute to the strategy.

Its launch is a milestone and I know that charities, councillors and officers will be flexible to the changing needs of the most vulnerable in our Borough. This is an issue we all take seriously.

During a time when local politics often only makes the news when there’s conflict, it’s important people that are traveling during the days they are running the some of the staff are frustrated and are very rude to customers.

I blame Mr Mick Lynch he is selfish and does not care about the traviling public at all or the people that have to go to work and the youngsters exams and the sick and disablefd that has to go to hospitals.

This man Lynch is a Marxist and trying to put this government down with labour that does not care either.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

for residents to know how well councillors and charities have worked together to create the Tackling Poverty strategy.

There’s a huge amount of good that goes on behind the scenes. I hope this culture continues as the strategy’s aims are implemented and local residents face increased pressures. all hospitals to urgently review their guidelines and protocols. We’re asking the NHS to update the information about coeliac disease on their website as the current list of symptoms is misleading. And we want to see better training for healthcare professionals to improve their understanding of coeliac disease, and their management of patients who have the condition.

No one with coeliac disease should have to worry about being glutened in hospital.

Maureen Burnside, Chair, Coeliac UK, www.coeliac.org. uk

Patients with coeliac disease deserve Wills can help feed better With great sadness and frustration, hungry children I read recently about an inquest into the death of an 80-year-old with coeliac disease who was fed cereal containing gluten in hospital. The patient fell ill within hours and started to vomit. She died four days later from aspiration pneumonia.

As someone with coeliac disease myself, it is upsetting to realise that even among medical professionals there is such a lack of understanding of this serious autoimmune disease.

One in 100 people have coeliac disease, and there is no cure. The only treatment is a strict gluten free diet.

Even a crumb of gluten can cause a severe reaction.

My own mother, who is 86, has had difficult experiences in hospital. She was offered toast containing gluten, which would have made her very unwell. Another time she was told she was ‘too late’ at 4pm for gluten free food. The hospital clearly regarded a gluten free diet as a specialist request, rather than a medical necessity that should be offered as part of standard care provisions.

At Coeliac UK, we are calling on

Today, more than 64 million primary school-age children miss out on an education around the world because of poverty.

Leaving a gift in your will, no matter how small, is an incredibly generous way you can help us bring hope to those desperately hungry children who often need to work or beg for

Cllr Laura Blumenthal, Conservative ward member for South Lake at Wokingham Borough Council. Shadow Executive Member for Levelling Up, Equalities and Social Housing

food in order to survive.

With the promise of a daily meal in a place of education, Mary’s Meals is attracting hungry children into the classroom giving them the energy to learn how to read and write.

For children like 13-year-old Ballah from Liberia – who used to skip school – Mary’s Meals fills his empty stomach and is allowing him to gain a precious education so he can follow his dreams of becoming a doctor.

“Food is important,” he says. “Most days, I don’t eat breakfast and I feel so hungry I can barely study. After eating Mary’s Meals, I feel active.

“When I qualify as a doctor, I’d like to stay in Liberia and teach others how to do the same.”

With a gift in your will, you can help us keep our promise to more than 2.2 million children in some of the world’s poorest communities who rely on our nutritious meals and will be giving children like Ballah the chance of a brighter future.

If you would like more information about leaving a gift in your will, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/will

Lori Cobley, partnership manager at Mary’s Meals

Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

From the chamber

Cllr Charles Margetts

Now is the time for action on the buses

T

HE covid pandemic has impacted all walks of life over the last three years and we continue to feel the impacts.

One consequence of the pandemic was that demand for public transport completely collapsed and is only coming back slowly.

There is a nationwide problem with bus services which will shortly impact Wokingham. It is time for the Liberal Democrat-led coalition showed some leadership to avoid serious consequences for Wokingham Borough The are currently two types of bus service in Wokingham. They are commercial services (where the service is commercially viable and is run for profit) or supported services (where WBC pays a subsidy to the operator).

During the pandemic commercial operators were given grants by central government to

keep services running.

This set of grants expire in October. The idea was that the grant would run until bus use had returned to pre-pandemic levels.

However, two factors have combined to make this problematic.

Bus use in Wokingham has only returned to 77% of previous use.

Bus use among concessionary users has only reached 55% of prepandemic levels.

The other factor which is crippling this sector is the inflationary pressure felt across the economy.

To operate a bus seven days a week the driver and vehicle cost around £240,000 per annum. These costs look likely to be 10-15% higher this year.

Therefore income is down for bus companies and costs are up.

The consequence of this is that it is very likely that commercial bus operators will start approaching WBC in the near future for subsidy

From the chamber

Cllr Andy Croy

Elect your own Shirley

T

HIS week was a good week for Woodley.

The Planning Inspectorate threw out an appeal by a Telecoms company to build a massive base station in Vauxhall Park.

Wokingham Borough Council officers had rejected the original application last year.

That the park is saved in its entirety for the use of residents is down to the hard of my ward colleague, Councillor Shirley Boyt. Shirley has developed a reputation as a formidable campaigner in the interests of the residents of Woodley and Whitegates.

It was Shirley who spotted that Woodley Town Council had dropped the ball by waving through the first application for a base station in Vauxhall Park.

It was Shirley who recognised that Vauxhall Park is an irreplaceable green oasis in the heart of Woodley.

It was Shirley who organised the initial campaign to persuade officers that the site was too valuable to lose to development and that the developers could equally put their

development elsewhere.

And it was Shirley who organised the campaign to ensure that the Planning Inspectorate knew exactly how important the space was too local residents.

Shirley would be the first to say that it ‘was the residents wot won it’ and she would be right. But Shirley has provided the community leadership to ensure the will of residents carried the day.

Shirley’s year 16-month campaign to save Vauxhall Park straddled the period between the Conservatives running Wokingham Borough Council and the current period where they do not run the Council. And to be honest, the political control of the Council made not a blind bit of difference to what Shirley was able to achieve.

Being an effective Councillor is often about understanding the law and negotiating the bureaucracy rather than political control.

This week was also a good week for our Borough. The Extraordinary Council held on Wednesday was one of the most important Council

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To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 and there is a significant risk of services being withdrawn if WBC decide not to subsidise the route.

The consequences of this for the elderly and non car owners in our community is significant. It would be also pushing the climate change agenda backwards locally in removing options to car use This is a national problem which is impacting all areas of the UK The situation is not at this stage a certainty and there is a clear window of opportunity for action.

The leadership of WBC should be moving now to ensure this does not happen – however all that we have heard from Clive Jones on this issue is him blaming national government for not providing more money to Wokingham. He shows no understanding of the real problem and no wish to find a solution We ae calling for WBC to take the following steps now to save local bus services: 1 – A PR / communication campaign to encourage residents to use the bus and to boost bus use.

Any increase is bus use would help avert this problem. WBC have been silent on this matter – it is now time for them to act to save local bus services 2 – Every parish council in Wokingham Borough is sitting on large amounts of CIL (developer payments).

Many of them simply cannot spend the money they have.

It is my understanding that one parish council has over £1 million of unallocated CIL payments. This sum alone would pay for one bus route for four years.

This is money paid by developers as a levy when they build new houses.

The point of this money is to deliver key local infrastructure for the local community.

During the last few months of the last Conservative administration it had started a discussion with two parish councils to part fund the no 7 Tiger bus service and keep it running.

If a proactive plan was made to approach all the parish councils on any commercial bus route this could unlock missing money and make the route sustainable 3 – They should be lobbying all local mps to provide more funding for key bus services.

The Liberal Democrat-led coalition really need to wake up on this issue and show bold proactive leadership.

It is simply lazy to do blame the government in Westminster and do nothing. They need to represent and battle for Wokingham residents rather than seek excuses for doing nothing.

There is absolutely no point talking about the merits of active transport and the evils of car use when you allow public transport options to die.

If they act now and commit fully to saving local bus routes they can avert this problem Cllr Charles Margetts is a Conservative councillor for Finchampstead North on Wokingham Borough Council and shadow spokesperson for highways and transport

meetings for decades – the future of democracy in our Borough was settled for a generation.

Councillors of all parties joined to vote overwhelmingly to retain the system of voting by thirds. This decision meant that the new wards in the Borough (coming into effect from 2024) will all have three councillors and all residents get to have their say in three years out of four.

No longer will a single bad councillor be a resident’s only representative. No longer will political representatives emerge just for elections and then disappear for three-and-a-half years.

No longer will residents in some parts of the borough wonder why everyone else is having an election but they are not.

No longer will being elected be a cushy little number for people wearing the right coloured rosette.

In short, councillors will have to become much more like Shirley Boyt – standing up for and leading their communities all year round.

Last Thursday’s council meeting also saw the unusual spectacle of Labour, LibDem and former Conservative leaders, all agreeing with each other and disagreeing with the analysis and recommendation of officers to vote for all-out elections.

It is not the job of councillors to blindly do as we are told by officers – it is our job to scrutinise officer recommendations on behalf of residents.

There were some very weak Conservative attempts to support the move to all-out elections. One was centred on ‘savings’ even though the report made clear the ridiculous £4m being bandied about was not a saving

that could be spent – a good example of where reading the report would save a lot of embarrassment.

Another, bizarrely, implied we would be going against god’s will if we voted against the recommendation. At first I thought this was an over-excited rhetorical slip – we all make them – but it happened four times so I guess it must be deliberate.

Happily, that councillor has a rector in his ward who recently wrote to this paper demanding that Boris Johnson resign. They could perhaps have a chat about God. My money is on the councillor learning a thing or two.

Amid all the hullaballoo, Shirley also took the most effective course of action available to her. When the time came, she voted to protect accountability and democracy in our Borough. At the end of the evening, Shirley’s contribution was just as effective as every other councillor in the chamber – calling out her vote when asked to do. In doing this she helped secure Council accountability for a generation.

This week, in two very different ways, Shirley demonstrated how councillors make a difference to the future of our community. Shirley would, of course, downplay the importance of what she does while at the same time talking about half-adozen other projects she has on the go.

Shirley sets a high standard as a Councillor and it is right that residents should have the option to elect their own local Shirley every year.

Cllr Andy Croy is a Labour member for Bulmershe & Whitgates ward on Wokingham Borough Council

From the leader

Cllr Clive Jones

Looking forward to working with Mr Gove

T

HE Local Government Association has been having its annual conference this week in Harrogate.

The event is attended by many Council Leaders, Council Chief Executives, and senior politicians from all over the country.

Itis a good opportunity for councillors from all political parties to meet and share best practice with others and discuss the challenges that their respective authorities face in the months and years ahead.

Its been usual for the Council Leader and others to attend to represent Wokingham. I was particularly keen to attend on Tuesday because Michael Gove was going to be addressing the conference in his capacity as Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

I was hoping that I would get the opportunity to speak to him.

When I became the Leader of Wokingham Borough Council five weeks ago my first action was to write to Mr Gove asking to meet with him so we could discuss ideas to reduce the numbers of new houses that the government were forcing onto Wokingham, currently nearly 800 a year.

Before his speech, I and around 15-20 other council Leaders from around the country got the opportunity for an informal conversation with Mr Gove.

In my couple of minutes with him he committed to come to Wokingham. This is really good news because he will be able to gauge for himself the strength of feeling that there is against the governments excessive housing numbers for Wokingham. I realise that as Secretary of State (a cabinet minister) he has a particularly busy schedule so we will do our best to fit in with him.

An issue for councils in the last few years has been the one-year financial settlements from the government. Several years ago, financial settlements were for more than one year. This makes it very difficult for councils to plan their expenditure for the coming years.

Mr Gove announced that there would be a two-year settlement next year. This is of course a step in the right direction. Three years would have been better, we can hope that will follow in 2025.

He was keen to address geographic inequalities and support the most vulnerable in society. I am sure we can all agree with those words, there wern’t however any details of how he intends to do this.

I was encouraged when he said that no one has a monopoly of good ideas, meaning no political party has a monopoly of good ideas.

I certainly agree with that statement which is why we are happy to work with other political groups on the council.

We have created the Wokingham Borough Partnership with Labour and Independent councillors and it is working well.

Sadly, our offers to work with the Conservatives have been refused.

They were offered the Vice Chair of the powerful Overview and Scrutiny Management committee and the Chair of the Health Overview and Scrutiny committee. They refused to take either position.

I am looking forward to working with Mr Gove and his team to see what we can do to get housing numbers down for Wokingham.

Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of the council, and ward member for Hawkedon

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From the stump

Louise Timlin

Tackling the rising cost of living

A

S a child living in a single-parent family, I vividly remember doing the weekly food shop with my mum, adding up every item as we went around the shop to ensure we didn’t overspend our limited budget.

New shoes had to be bought from the catalogue so that they could be paid for weekly.

Despite this we managed.

How we would survive today is not something I want to think about. And yet 40 years on, this is still the reality for too many families, and an issue the government is completely failing to address.

Current political distractions in Westminster, such as the confidence vote in Prime Minister Boris Johnson, are detracting from the real role of politicians at a time when they should be focusing their attention on creating and implementing policies which will support those in need.

We are facing a cost-of-living crisis which is impacting local families hard, but especially women, who are already paid less than men and make up 90% of single parents.

Collaborative politics and focusing on solutions to issues can create positive change locally. It’s why I was so pleased to see that in the most recent local elections, the Liberal Democrats have formed a partnership with the Labour and independent Councillors to take control of Wokingham Borough Council – for the first time in 20 years.

I lead the Reading and Wokingham branch of the Women’s Equality Party, a national political party dedicated to working collaboratively to unite people of different genders, races, backgrounds, beliefs and experiences in order to see women achieve the same rights and opportunities as men.

I am, therefore, very much looking forward to a new collaborative working ethos, where residents and local groups’ views are consulted and used to inform policies which will benefit local people.

This is the kind of local action that generates positive change and engages our communities.

And here’s a tangible example: poor management from Wokingham Borough Council has resulted in fundamental gaps in

domestic abuse services, including provision of refuge space.

Berkshire Women’s Aid stepped in and continued to run the local refuge from its charitable funds.

It is unacceptable that Wokingham Borough Council decided to change providers for domestic abuse services in the middle of a pandemic when rates of domestic abuse were sky-rocketing and service providers were struggling to cope.

These types of specialist services cannot change hands at the drop of a hat.

But this is an issue where a collaborative approach was needed to push for change.

The Women’s Equality Party worked with Wokingham Liberal Democrats and Cllr Clive Jones (now Leader of the Wokingham Borough Council), advocated for the adoption of our Party policies and secured an agreement from the Lib Dems – and therefore, the Council – to review how specialist services are commissioned by the council.

We very much look forward to seeing the results of that review and hearing what changes will be implemented as a result.

An end to gender-based violence is one of the core objectives for the Women’s Equality party, and our policies will ensure local needs are identified and met, as well as providing stable funding of these types of services over time.

Putting party politics aside and collaborating on issues which will bring great benefits to local residents is the way I believe local government should operate.

We can only hope that those in Westminster take note of what can be achieved when politicians across the political spectrum collaborate with the purpose of improving the lives of real people.

Louise Timlin is the Leader of Women’s Equality Party, Reading and Wokingham

Cllr Gary Cown

Extraordinary goings on in the council chamber

L

From the Vicechancellor Prof Robert Van de Noort

Midsummer with stripes

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S an archaeologist, I always enjoy researching our past and, as somebody who has done a lot of work into the Bronze Age, there is no site that speaks to the imagination like Stonehenge.

The University of Reading marked midsummer not at Stonehenge – although we have carried out research there – but with Show Your Stripes day, a worldwide celebration to spread understanding about climate change.

Thousands of people showed their stripes using graphics created by Professor Ed Hawkins – including the front pages of both Wokingham Today and Reading Today.

The stripes show, in one simple image, the reality of our warming planet. I hope those fantastic front pages, and other uses of the climate stripes globally, helped you to start conversations with your friends and family about climate change.

Much of my own finds and discoveries have found their way into museums around the country, and because in June we also celebrate Museum Week, I considered it important to talk about our own museums.

Here at the University, we are lucky to have three museums, all of which are free to visit and open to everyone.

Oasis

From the Chamber

AST Wednesday’s Extraordinary Meeting of the Council was indeed extraordinary. The debate was whether we have local elections once every four years or continue with the current system.

The status quo won the day.

The former Conservative leader of the council, Cllr John Halsall talked of many reasons why people become councillors which included those who had scores to settle.

I wonder who he meant by that? He suggested that Wokingham Conservatives were not advocates of the National Party. Pull the other one, John.

Cllr Halsall did suggest Borough Councillors should be Council Champions not party representatives.

One must wonder had the Conservatives followed their own advice would they be in opposition now?

Why he never listened to Independent Cllr Jim Frewin who maintains that if we work as a team the beneficiaries would be Wokingham’s residents but sadly listening is not a Conservative trait.

Another ex-Conservative Executive Member said that the voice of god was the voice of the people and so we should move to elections every four years.

Was it their divine right to continue ruling Wokingham Borough I wonder?

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

It was obvious that divine right was not on their side last May. I saw no remorse on the Conservative benches just anger and bitterness that they no longer ruled the roost.

Personal attacks on myself by the Lower Earley resident and Councillor for Shinfield Cllr Jackie Rance was just a small part of the vindictiveness heaped upon me by her and others.

Another very bitter ex-executive Conservative Councillor had the cheek to put the boot into the new council leader Cllr Clive Jones two weeks ago and who then followed up with more attacks on myself and others.

What was very clear from the article is Cllr Margetts does not know his North from his South.

What is a fact is in the past 10 years only 3% of housing build was in the North of the Borough but 97% was in the South of the Borough which I assume Cllr Margetts is perfectly comfortable with so another few thousand in the South is also OK. Hall Farm, on the banks of a river and below a big dam, is in Arborfield not Shinfield and its for 4,500 Houses not 2,500.

The draft local plan extends well beyond the local plan date by over 20 years. For information, Hall Farm is in the South of the Borough.

With climate change who can predict what building on the banks of a river that regularly floods will bring in the next 30 years?

Cllr Margetts’ final comment residents in the South of the Borough should be very watchful. Casting the first stone comes to mind when it was his Conservative who are promoting Hall Farm and its 4,500 houses which is firmly set in the South of the Borough which he conveniently seems to have forgotten.

The utter disasters that have befallen the Conservatives at Tiverton, where a 24,000 majority became a 6,000 loss and Wakefield the Conservatives lost by 5,000 votes will not be lost on our residents.

In addition, last May the Conservatives lost 11 local authorities and 487 Councillors. Not results that can be proud of.

I would hate to think how many records have been broken by these results that would suggest there will not be one Conservative MP left after the next General Election.

It is clear from the complete lack of remorse seen in the Council Chamber that the Conservatives have not learned any lessons from all the recent drubbings they have suffered.

Some Conservatives might think it is their divine right to rule in Wokingham but sadly for them our residents do have a say also.

Perhaps next May it will be time to put them completely out of their misery.

Cllr Gary Cowan in an independent councillor for Arborfield on Wokingham Borough Council

With the summer holidays coming up, now is a good time to plan a visit.

On our London Road campus, the Museum of English Rural Life, known as ‘The MERL’, explores the history of countryside life along with its relevance to our modern lives. It is the largest of our museums, with a beautiful garden that I love to visit, a peaceful oasis in the middle of Reading.

The MERL currently hosts the exhibition of Reading’s 200-year history of biscuit-making.

On our Whiteknights campus, the Ure Museum of Greek Archaeology is home to many ancient artefacts and is closely aligned with our Department of Classics. From ancient Greek vases to Egyptian pottery tools and Roman statues, visitors are able to get up close to some wonderful objects, giving them a real sense of history.

The Cole Museum of Zoology recently moved to our new Health and Life Sciences building, also on the Whiteknights campus. It houses thousands of specimens, including fossils of ancient creatures, models of unusual dinosaurs and many skeleton models. Our resident skeleton of an Asian elephant from the 19th century, known as Norman, is hard to miss.

The University is also working closely with some of the UK’s national museums, and bringing world-famous artefacts and expertise to Reading and Wokingham.

The British Museum is close to completing a new storage and research facility at our Thames Valley Science Park in Shinfield. And earlier this year, the Natural History Museum announced its own plans to build a new science and research centre there too.

These are wonderful developments for the University, with the potential to bring many opportunities for our students and researchers.

There are also potential opportunities for our whole community.

School children will benefit from organised visits, and the development of this area as a hub for innovation with world-class institutions further puts us all on the museums map.

Professor Robert Van de Noort is the vicechancellor of the Univeristy of Reading

33

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Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Royal theme for Finchampstead’s big summer fete

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Willow (15 months) with mum, Sapphire FEAST OF FUN: Annabelle (14), Keith & Andrea Thomas enjoying food from the barbecue at the Finchampstead Village fete, held Kurylo. earlier this month Picture: Steve Smyth

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today RESIDENTS flocked to Finchampstead Village Summer Fete last weekend.

SUMMER TREAT: Carly Davies- Knight was selling fresh local strawberries

“A Right Royal Event” took place at the Memorial Ground on Saturday, June 18.

The afternoon fete featured a dog show, live music and plenty of stalls to browse.

There was also a magic show performed by Kye Harmsworth, as well as a bouncy castle, face painting and a fire engine to keep visitors entertained.

A spokesperson for the parish council said: “It was wonderful to see so many local residents enjoying the first Finchampstead Fete to be held since 2019.

“There was something for all ages, from candy floss and face painting to Pimms and the ever popular barbecue.

“There was lots of interest in the various stalls and games, and the dog show provided added entertainment.

“Overall it was a great event and we hope it raised lots of money.”

The event was sponsored by Avocado Property, with proceeds going to support Finchampstead Primary School.

Home refuge scheme for domestic abuse victims WOKINGHAM Borough Council is providing a free service to help victims of domestic abuse feel safer in their homes.

The Home Refuge Scheme is available to all residents in Wokingham borough where the perpetrator no longer lives in the home.

Security measures the council can install include self-adhesive door and window alarms, a flap lock letter box and video doorbell.

“No one should ever have to experience domestic abuse,” new council leader Cllr Clive Jones said.

“Domestic abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, economic, sexual and can include coercive and controlling behaviour, stalking and harassment.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure especially in the comfort of their own homes and it is our priority to ensure our borough and

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communities remain safe for all.”

Prospective users can apply by downloading and completing a referral form from the Home Refuge Scheme’s website.

Residents can self-refer themselves or be referred by a professional such as domestic abuse services or Citizens Advice.

The completed form must be emailed back to the council, who will arrange a security survey to gauge the most appropriate measures for the property.

Following approval, a second visit will be arranged to install the security adaptations.

The council’s executive member for climate emergency and resident services, Cllr Sarah Kerr, was full of praise for the provision, saying: “The Home Refuge Scheme is a

fantastic free service that allows domestic abuse victims and survivors to remain safely in their homes around their family, friends and support networks.

“There are many measures we can put in place to ensure all victims and survivors feel safer and supported.

“The scheme is easy to apply for and is available to all Wokingham Borough residents regardless of age, race, gender, sexual preference, faith, disability or financial status.”.

The council has produced a video highlighting key information about the service and how residents can apply, which can be found on its website.

n For more information or to apply for the scheme, visit: www.wokingham. gov.uk

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A business park that is changing

Dan and Neil team up to launch fresh new way to sell homes Woodley business club face-to-face networking A BUSINESS club is returning to face-to-face meetings next month, and is inviting people to join in, writes Libby Ashby.

The breakfast meeting will be held in Coffee #1 in Woodley’s shopping precinct.

It will see Kate Evans lead a 90-minute open session, offering support for people to help expand and grow their businesses.

Ms Evans will also invite business owners who register in advance to be share stories in a Business Highlight slot.

In this, she will discuss with a business owner their motivations, what they offer and what they would like from other club members in order to grow their business.

This includes motivations for launching businesses, and what they can offer.

There will also be the chance to talk in smaller groups.

The session is organised by Woodley Business Club and will take place on Tuesday, July 12, from 8am.

Places should be booked in advance.

n For more details, log on to: woodleybusinessclub. org.uk

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@rdg.today A READING estate agent duo are putting their own spin on the profession to help Shinfield arrivals find their perfect home.

Childhood friends Dan Salisbury and Neil Fenning operate a “no suits, no ties, no leaflets and no sales BS” policy.

The pair work for Avocado Property, a contemporary estate agency which they say looks to challenge the way the property industry operates.

“Neil and I are best friends and have known each other since we were six,” Dan explained.

“We both grew up in the Reading area, attending Whiteknights Primary and going on to Maiden Erlegh School together.”

“We used to cycle around the place when we were younger, which has actually really helped us understand the area.”

The pair share a strong connection with Shinfield, with

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both living there themselves.

“We both live in Shinfield. I’m currently selling and looking to buy a new place there so I don’t have any plans to go anywhere else,” Dan said.

“It’s a fantastic area and it’s one we’ve been brought up in, so between the two of us we have a lot of experience.”

Both Dan and Neil had spells at the same commercial estate agency before joining Avocado.

During that time, they identified aspects of the trade that did not sit well with them, particularly in terms of the client experience.

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TEAM: Dan Salisbury (left) and Neil Fenning (right) are putting their own, unique spin on the property industry to help new Shinfield residents find their next home Picture: Dan Salisbury

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“I realised that I wanted to do things differently,” Dan explained.

“Most corporate estate agents are geared up to look at figures and market shares.”

“The client experience is not really factored in, because the more they do as individuals the more they get paid, hence why estate agents in general get a bad name.”

“It didn’t fit in with how Neil and I wanted to work.”

The pair have utilised the expertise they gained at their previous job to provide a ‘best of both worlds’ approach.

They have seemingly struck the perfect balance between traditional knowhow and modern application.

“To be honest, we haven’t reinvented the wheel. We’re just using things like social media, oneto-one contact, being available on WhatsApp 24/7 and just building relationships,” Dan said.

“The way the model is set up is great because we were brought up here. We find that it’s easier to relate to the people we work with.”

“It means that they are more likely to stop and think ‘these guys know what they’re talking about.”

“Success will come if you love what you do and do the best that you possibly can. We thought we could do things a bit differently.”

The Shinfield Parish development will see about

3,000 homes built, with new schools, sports facilities and infrastructure included in the wider Wokingham Borough plans.

Dan expressed his delight at the growing sense of community the project has brought.

“We can absolutely see the diversity of the area growing and thriving,” he said.

“Neil and I always say this, but it really feels like Shinfield seems to have its own little bubble around it now.

“We have a whole pocket of community that everyone just wants to be a part of.”

The pair are excited to continue advising residents, helping to buy and sell their properties.

They were both keen to voice their gratitude for the manner in which the community has embraced them.

“From mine and Neil’s point of view, we have been overwhelmed by the local support,” Dan said.

“How they’ve jumped on to our Facebook comments and left messages just saying nice things.

It means so much to us.”

“We don’t go door-knocking or handing out fliers promoting our work. We just want to do a good job.”

“We are always open to feedback, either way, so if there’s anything they want us to change then just let us know.”

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DEMAND for locally produced products is helping reduce shoppers’ carbon footprints according to a supermarket chain.

The Southern Co-op says its customers are increasingly opting for regional produce, citing a 40% increase on five years ago.

The figures have been released as it marks the 15th anniversary of its Local Flavours initiative.

Introduced on the Isle of Wight, it aims to bring the best food and drink from the south to its convenience stores.

There are 2,000 products in its range from 200 suppliers.

Among the companies it works with is the West Berkshire Brewery.

Davina Clifton, sales director at the Yattendon-based real ale firm, said: “It was reassuring to know that Southern Co-op were stockists and for our loyal customers still looking to buy our beers, including Good Old

The Southern Co-op is celebrating 15 years of its Local Produce initiative.

Among those taking part is West Berkshire Brewery Picture: Southern Co-op

Boy Best Bitter, could still buy locally.

“As a regional brewer the pandemic was difficult to navigate through and having supportive businesses such as Southern Co-op to help us through was vital.”

She added: “We are now looking forward to the next 15 years working with them.”

In 2021, there were more than 3.5 million products sold

from its Local Flavours range, up from 2.5 million in 2017.

Matt Elliott, Southern Co-op’s retail buying and services manager, said: “As an independent, regional co-operative, we strive to be a sustainable and responsible business and our Local Flavours range is just one way in which we achieve this.”

n For more details, log on to: www.thesouthernco-operative. co.uk/food/local-flavours

35

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Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Campaigners win battle on phone mast installation in Woodley park

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today A WOODLEY park will not have a phone mast installed in it after the planning inspector agreed with campaigners that the site was not the right place.

n For more information, call: 0118 988 4432 or, visit: www. georgedragonpub.com

Fete on Saturday local representations received in connection with this appeal.”

The equipment would be “alien” and “juxtapose starkly with the rural character of the park”, he added, saying “less harmful” alternative sites for the mast had not been fully explored, and dismissed the appeal.

Cllr Boyt told Wokingham Today: “This is a really good result, I am chuffed to bits.

“Loads of people worked really hard for this, knocking on doors and delivering flyers to ensure people put in

objections to the plan.

“People were really galvanised to protect a wellloved park.”

She said that the telecoms equipment needed to go somewhere in the area, but felt other sites needed to be properly investigated.

“The report completely vindicated exactly the things I had put into my objections all the way down the line,” she continued. “They hadn’t adequately explored other sites, and they are supposed to, as per the code of practice.”

Yateley Choral Society to sing The Mikado

Male voice choir’s golden celebration

THE Yateley Choral Society will perform a concert version of a nineteenth century operetta.

The society will entertain an audience with a one-off showing of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado”.

Written in the 1880s, The Mikado is a comic opera set in Japan which satirises British politics and institutions from that period.

The community based choir will be joined by the Fleet Concert Orchestra for the performance.

The show starts at 7.45pm on Saturday, July 9, at Yateley Manor School on the Reading Road.

Tickets are available on the door, from Yateley Town Council, St Swithun’s parish office and Discoveries.

Admissions costs £15 for adults, £5 for students and under 16s are free.

A SPECIAL golden concert will take place in Reading’s Concert Hall early next month as a local group marks its big anniversary.

This is the 50th year for the Reading Male Voice Choir, after launching in November 1971.

Over the years, it has raised thousands for charity, and this concert will be no exception.

The performance will take place at Reading’s Concert Hall in Blagrave Street on Saturday, July 2.

The choir has invited a host of special guests including Mayor and James, and the Abbey School Junior Choir.

The music starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £10, or £5 for under 12s plus a booking fee.

n For more information, visit: yateley-choral.org.uk

Woodley Town Council also objected to the plans, sharing concerns that it would have a negative impact on the park, the Scout Hut and nearby Rivermead Primary School.

Part of the campaign was about the wider issue of protection Wokingham borough’s parks and green spaces from potential development of phone masts.

If 1,500 people sign it, it will force a debate at a Wokingham Borough Council meeting.

The aim would be to create a resolution that the council

REDDAM HOUSE school is holding its summer fair on Saturday, July 2.

The event starts with a gathering of classic cars between 8am and 10am, organised by Wokingham Lions Club. This is a precursor to an event in Elms Field.

The fair starts at 10.30am, and runs until 4pm. There will be displays from pupils including dancing, singing and cricket.

Wokingham Fire Station will visit, and there will be a raffle.

Proceeds from the fayre will go to First Days and CASK, entry is free.

would not sell or lease land in recreational spaces to telecoms operators.

“This is about the wider issues when it comes to protecting the parks,” Cllr Boyt said. “It means there will be something in place – we don’t want this issue to keep coming up.

“We need to be able to say no to this infrastructure in our parks and valuable green spaces.” n The petition can be signed at woodleylabour.org.uk/ protectourparks

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Theatre announce return to renovated venue SHINFIELD Players Theatre is set to make an eagerlyanticipated return to its renovated building.

The junior and middle youth groups are set to showcase their talents in a production of Treasure Island.

Phil Willmott’s interpretation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s iconic novel has been freely adapted for male and female pirates.

A SWALLOWFIELD pub has announced it will be open for business seven days a week.

The George & Dragon, Church Road, is set to welcome residents on Mondays, starting from July 11.

Visitors will be able to enjoy 25% off their bill every Monday thereafter, until August 29, subject to terms and conditions.

To redeem this offer, patrons are asked to book online or call in advance.

The pub had previously not operated on Mondays.

FLASHBACK: In May, Woodley residents came together in the pouring rain to protest against plans to build a 5G mast in Vauxhall Park Picture: Phil Creighton

EXCLUSIVE

Bulmershe and Whitegates councillor Shirley Boyt was delighted with the news that Vauxhall Park will remain a green space.

Telecoms operators wanted to install a 20m mast with four transmission dishes and eight cabinets within a fenced compound on the land, despite being metres away from the Headley Road industrial estate.

Wokingham Borough Council’s planning officers had turned down the plan, and the telecoms company appealed the decision. But following a site visit by the planning inspectorate earlier this month, this was dismissed.

The inspector noted the park was “widely used for a variety of recreational activities” and there was a “relative scarcity of other areas of public open space in the locality”.

He added: “Its value to the local community is also reflected in the multitude of

Pub gives reason to like Mondays

The performances will be the first shows held at the theatre since its roof was damaged in February’s Storm Eunice.

Significant efforts have been made by the committee and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to restore the venue.

The theatre was given a boost at the end of May when its chairman signed a 125-year lease of the land the building

sits on.

The performances will take place from 6.30pm on Saturday, July 16, and 2pm on Sunday, July 17, at Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane.

Tickets can be purchased online, costing £10 for adults, £8 for concessions and £5 for children. n For more information or to book tickets, visit: www. shinfieldplayers.org.uk

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Twyford Singers’ 60th anniversary celebratory concert features new music

THE TWYFORD SINGERS SUMMER CONCERT PICTURES: Twyford Singers

TWYFORD Singers’ 60th anniversary summer concert on Saturday featured the excitement of a competition to compose a song, which was judged at the concert.

The winner, living half a world away in Auckland, New Zealand was David Hamilton, with his setting of the poem Summer Streams by Canadian poet, Bliss William Carman.

Olivia Sparkhill, who judged the competition with two other widelyexperienced professional musicians, Gillian Dibden MBE and Scott Stroman, said it had been hard to choose between the three excellent short-listed pieces.

She praised musical aspects of all three, and complimented the choir on their performances. The concert at Loddon Hall last Saturday (25) was the first public performance of the songs.

Competition entrants had to send in a newly-composed piece that reflected one of the anniversary year themes of Hope, Joy and Celebration, with a further theme of Rivers, based on Twyford’s location on the River Loddon.

In David Hamilton’s piece the choir sang beautiful, smooth drifting melodies over the accompanist’s rapid rippling arpeggios – Judith Creighton is to be commended for her superbly-executed accompaniment.

In second place was Alison Willis with an uplifting paean to hope, A New Day Dawning. Martin Hindmarsh took third place with an exciting

setting of Psalm 150.

The audience/choir’s vote went to Alison Willis’s A New Day Dawning. The three pieces will now be included in Twyford Singers’ repertoire for future concerts.

Twyford Singers’ chairman, Ann Pearce, dedicated the concert to Russ Openshaw, a well-loved and longstanding member of the choir, who had died suddenly and unexpectedly just a few days before the concert.

Musical director, Helen Styles, said the rest of the concert showcased music the choir sings and enjoys, from sacred pieces such as Bruckner’s ‘Locus Iste’, and Mozart’s ‘Ave Verum’, through folk-inspired pieces such as Vaughan Williams’ ‘Linden Lea’, to opera, operetta and musicals, and Flanders and Swann’s comedic numbers, ‘The Gas Man Cometh’ and ‘Slow Train’.

She encouraged the audience

to appreciate how well the choir responded to the differing tones, from serious to rowdy, poignant to comic.

This was the third concert in the anniversary year – each included original music being given its premiere performance.

Twyford Singers welcomes new singers of any level of experience, and no audition is required. We rehearse in Twyford most Tuesday evenings

during term-time (September to June), and sing three concerts a year, at the end of each term.

The Christmas concert is on Saturday, December 19 at St Mary’s Church, Twyford, when we hope the congregation can once more join in Christmas carols and songs. For details visit www.twyford-singers. org.uk, or contact the secretary at twyfordsingers@outlook.com.

JANET MOSELEY

Panda joins the 3 Counties Cycle Ride

Dancing in the aisles

NOT for the first time, our Panda joined more than 350 bike riders on Sunday, June 12, for this year’s 3 Counties Cycle Ride organised by the Rotary Club of Easthampstead.

It was in support of three nominated charities, Berkshire-based Daisy’s Dream, the NHS Berkshire Healthcare Trust and our own Trust Fund.

The Daisy’s Dream team offers professional support for children and families affected by life-threatening illness or bereavement.

The NHS Berkshire Health Care Trust provides community and child healthcare services and mental health and wellbeing support. And the Rotary Club of Easthampstead Trust Fund strives to Make a Difference by supporting chosen local and global projects.

Heading up the 3CCR Steering Group, Dave Donaldson said: “With some riders also gaining their own sponsorship, total funds raised by this year’s Ride will certainly exceed £7,000 and may even reach £10,000.

“This has only been possible thanks to our main sponsor TREK Bicycle Bracknell, who also had a tent on-site for last-minute repairs, and had their own team on the Ride.”

The cyclists, many sporting this year’s red 3CCR T-shirt, were flagged off

by Cllr Lizzy Gibson, Deputy Mayor for Bracknell Forest, and Andrew Mercer, president of Easthampstead Rotary Club.

And among the riders was Bracknell Town Mayor, Cllr Dai Roberts, who was supporting his nominated Bracknell-

THE Walnuts with Bells On concert with a live band in a parish church had the audience dancing in the aisles and clapping along.

Churchwarden at St Nicholas Church Hurst Sue Payne said: “It was breath-taking, absolutely fantastic and so emotional. We’ve never seen so much fun in church for many years.

“People loved it, they were dancing in the aisles and clapping. It was quite loud but everyone, all ages, loved it.

“First of all, bellringers from Sonning Deanery rang a quarter peel at St Nicholas which has been entered into ringing records. The audience for the concert met The Walnuts band in the Castle Inn over the road from the church.”

Then Reading Scottish Pipe Band member Colleen Scott lead everyone to the church for the

PEDAL ON: Riders enjoyed the 3 Counties Cycle Ride organised by Easthampstead Rotary Club

based charity, Create Hope.

Dave thanked Tesco Warfield and Martins Heron for the gift of Mars bars, and Fraser’s Budgens at Three Mile Cross for providing bottled water for the riders.

Andrew echoed thanks also to all the other volunteers among Easthampstead Rotarians and friends, and local scout groups, who provided the marshals, manned the first-aid and drink stations on route, and helped with the start and finish at Garth Hill College in Bracknell.

And during the Ride, help was at hand for the participants, thanks to mobile cycle mechanic Chris from Berkshire Cycles Crowthorne, and Jon Rodella who drove the rescue vehicle with Easthampstead Rotarian James Strugnell alongside.

After the ride, all participants were

delighted to receive their certificate and medal. And with so many positive comments, riders were enthusiastically already booking the date of next year’s 3 Counties Cycle Ride which is planned for Sunday, June 4, 2023.

Easthampstead Rotarians - Making a difference in the Community New members are always welcome.

We currently get together every two weeks - normally at The Coppid Beech.

We have fun and host guest speakers.

For more information, call Brian on 07720 321 526. Check out our website: www.easthampsteadrotary.org Or follow us: www.facebook.com/ easthampsteadrotaryclub/ PETER VON BERGEN

concert on Saturday, June 18.

The Walnuts are a Twyford-based Celtic, folk and Americana band.

Sue added: “People put in a lot of hard work arranging the evening.

“We raised about £3,000 which will be shared among the DEC Ukraine appeal; Launchpad, Reading’s homeless support charity and St Nicholas Church.”

37

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Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

INTHECOMMUNITY

News from your clubs, groups and societies.

Email your news to: news@wokingham.today

WPR_2022-06-27_ReadingToday_33x2 (1)_Just Go

Reader travel DELIGHTFUL DEVON Weekend

DelightfulDevonWeekend_D.pdf

Departing Fri 7 Oct ‘22 Beloved for its mild climate and miles of golden sands, Exmouth in South Devon provides us with the perfect base for our short break away. From here we explore this picturesque corner of the West Country, including a visit to Exeter, the capital of Devon.

WINNER: Terry Miller with winning Sweet Peas Picture:

More than 100 entries delight visitors at flower show A MIX of perfumes and colours welcomed visitors to a flower show in Wokingham earlier this month.

On Saturday, June 18, Wokingham Horticultural Association (WHA) held its “Summer mini” show at their trading store on the Ormonde Road Allotments site.

It featured more than 100 entries of roses, sweet peas and other blooms with prizes awarded for the best in show.

WHA’s past president, Sue Davies, and current president, Jenny Gilbert, were on hand to present the prizes with Terry Miller winning cups for both roses and sweet peas, as well as the National Sweet Pea Society bronze medal.

Ann Blakeman won the Jubilee Cup, for her large flowered rose, and shared the Gerry Higson Memorial Trophy in the novice roses classes with Lynda Arnold.

The Staniland Goblet, for mixed flowers, was won

by Ruth Lambert, and she shared the Wilson Flower Trophy with Kevin Beautement for their exhibits in the 19 flower classes, excluding roses and sweet peas.

Lindsey Payne was congratulated for receiving the most votes in the Visitors’ Choice for her flower arrangement entitled “Summer Splendour”.

The afternoon was rounded off by drawing the raffle.

The WHA’s next show “Grow Your Own” is set to take place on Saturday, July 16. n For more information visit: w-h-a.org.uk

PAULINE MacBRAYNE

Genevie Lam with parents Chemmy and Pang inspect the exhibits

Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 3 nights at the Ashton Court Hotel, Exmouth with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Excursion to Exeter Optional excursion to Sidmouth (£9pp)

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HELP: Wokingham Volunteer Centre needs more volunteers to step up

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OKINGHAM Borough based charities rely on their amazing volunteers to help deliver this support and without them, they could not continue.

To help these organisations to find more volunteers, the Wokingham Volunteer Centre will be hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Wednesday 6th July at the hub from 11am-2pm.

The event will be free to the general public and no booking is required, please just drop in anytime. The hub is based in Waterford House at Erfstadt Court off Denmark Street in Wokingham Town Centre.

Helena Badger, Volunteer Services Manager at the Wokingham Volunteer Centre says: “Local charities are busy supporting those who desperately need help and volunteers are an essential part of what they all do.

“Volunteering really does change people’s lives; both those who volunteer and those who are helped by volunteers.

“It can help you gain new skills, gain confidence, meet new people, test the water for a career change, allow you to give something back and help a cause you really believe in.

“Volunteering can be very flexible and fit around other commitments. Some roles are regular, other

THE PEAK DISTRICT

Chatsworth & Crich Tramway Village ThePeakDistrictChatsworthHouse&CrichTramwayVillage_D.pdf

more ad hoc, there really is something for everyone.

I really can’t describe how good volunteering can be, come along and find out for yourself.”

The organisations attending include; the Link Visiting scheme (which provides befrienders for elderly people who have become isolated), Homestart (which provides friendly, non-judgmental support to families), ABC to Read (which provides trained volunteers to local schools to read with school children), CLASP (a user-led learning disability charity), the Citizens Advice Bureau (which provides independent support and advice to those who need it), Me2Club (which provides buddies for children and young people with disabilities and extra needs), Green ‘n’ Tidy gardening Scheme (which provides volunteer gardeners for those who are elderly and vulnerable), Cranstoun (which provides support to those living with domestic violence and drug and alcohol issues), and Wokingham Transport Scheme (which provides volunteer drivers to enable elderly people to attend medical appointment and social groups). n If you would like to find out more about the event or discuss volunteering in general, please get in touch: www.volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk, call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol. org.uk

Uni event to showcase work in Langley Mead THE UNIVERSITY of Reading is set to host an outdoor event to mark National Meadows Day on Saturday.

Visitors will be able to enjoy Langley Mead nature reserve, off Hyde End Road, through guided tours and self-exploration.

The family-friendly event will explore the reserve’s wildlife and restoration to a traditional floodplain meadow.

The university’s Pro-Vice

Chancellor Prof. Mark Fellowes, said: “Once again, we are inviting the local community to come and celebrate National Meadows Day with us at the beautiful Langley Mead nature reserve in Shinfield.

“The University is proud to offer this green space for everyone to enjoy throughout the year, giving people the opportunity to reconnect with nature.”

Langley Mead is 18 hectares of countryside along the River Loddon, owned and managed by the university.

Residents can enjoy its picturesque walking loops and wildlife throughout the year.

Working with ecological planning consultancy, EPR Ltd, the university has encouraged greater biodiversity and conservation through traditional management practices.

Single Supplement £45

The event is open between 10am4pm, with guided walks starting at 10am (Meet our Bovine Buddies), 1pm (Wild about Flora & Fauna) and 3pm (The Langley Mead Extension).

Information stalls will be on hand, providing wildlife spotter sheets for children.

Visitors are not required to make bookings. n For more information, visit: www. reading.ac.uk

Departing Mon 10 Oct ‘22 Travel through grand landscapes of moorland, rivers and dales, as we explore the towns and villages of the Peak District. We also step back in time at the Crich Tramway Village and visit the exquisite Chatsworth House for a fantastic break in the countryside.

Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Palace Hotel & Spa, Buxton with dinner & breakfast (all meals buffet style) Excursions to Bakewell, Chatsworth House, Matlock Bath & Crich Tramway Village Optional excursion to Eyam & the High Peaks (£10pp)

5 Days by Coach

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Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.

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Classifieds PUBLIC NOTICES

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (A321 FINCHAMPSTEAD ROAD, FINCHAMPSTEAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2022 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:

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 19th July and 20th July 2022.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow South East Water contractors to rectify a reinstatement in the carriageway in safety.

Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.

The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 19th July 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Email: advertising@wokingham.today PUBLIC NOTICES

The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application Address

Reasons for Advert

Description

221548

37 Rose Street, Wokingham

Conservation area

Householder application for the proposed erection of an outbuilding to form a detached garage / home office, following demolition of the existing garage.

221699

Conservation Bearwood Hall (formerly The Manse), area The Gate Sindlesham, 1 Bearwood Road, Sindlesham

Full application for the proposed change of use of part of the ground floor to a one-bedroom flat with associated parking, bin, and cycle storage.

221740

24 Murdoch Road, Wokingham

Conservation area

Full application for the proposed insertion of a rear dormer window to create habitable accommodation, and replacement of first-floor window to facilitate the provision of one additional residential unit, to include changes to rear outbuilding fenestration.

221897

Wescott Infant School, Wescott Road, Wokingham

Affects setting of listed building

Full planning application for the proposed erection of welded-mesh fence along with gates to the southern boundary along Goodchild Road. Fencing is to continue part way along the south-western boundary fencing and metal posts also to Eastern Boundary School Road to include fencing and vehicle gates, replacing the existing boundary fencing.

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 21st July 2022. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses.

Date: 30th June 2022

For the latest news visit

Dated: 30th June 2022 Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION

A321 Finchampstead Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with A321 Sandhurst Road and Russley Green.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Molly Millars Lane, B3349 Barkham Road, Langley Common Road, A327 Reading Road, B3348 Fleet Hill, B3348 The Village, B3016 Jubilee Road and B3016 Finchampstead Road or by this route in reverse.

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Having a clear out? Why not turn your treasure into cash with our free adverts? Sell your items without any fee with the aid of this coupon. Items* valued at up to £250 can be sold in these columns for free!Simply send us the details – maximum of 30 words – and post or email it and we’ll do the rest Write your advert in the box below, one word per box. Maximum 30 words.

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BETTY AMY BADCOCK Deceased Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925 anyone having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of the deceased, late of The Berkshire Care Home, 126 Barkham Road,Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 2RP;, who died on 14/05/2022, must send written particulars to the address below by 01/09/2022, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests notified.

Nicole Miller c/o Herrington Carmichael LLP, Building 2, Riverside Way, Watchmoor Park, Camberley, GU15 3YL. Ref: BAD 58.00

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VILLEROY Boch Octavie Glasses. Tumblers, Cocktails, Brandy, Whiskey. New boxed sets of 4 or 5. £50 for 6 or £40 for 4. Details: Mrs J Johnson, 0118 941 0941.

GOLF CLUB Left Handle set. Three Five Seven Drive 9 Criterion Nicklons 3 16°, 5 19° Mizuo, 9° Wilson Pitchen Wedge Putter. Plus Trolly, Shoes sized 9, Balls, etc. 14 Marchwood Avenue RG4 8UH, £60 ono. Details: Gordon Purdy, 0118 948 1074.

HOUSEHOLD / HOME WHITE COMPANY 11cm Candle with Plate Dish ‘Winter’, Cinnamon Clove Orange Fragrance diffuser ‘Winter’, 150ml Cinnamon Clove Orange Fragrance half price. £30 for both Items.

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LEISURETODAY

30.06.22

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Sophie’s lockdown musical

“Fifteen songs later we had a musical” JAKE CLOTHIER speaks to Sophie Hastings on her first theatrical production, Everything Between Us

A

SINGER-SONGWRITER from Reading has written a new musical, Everything Between Us.

Sophie Hastings, 27, has composed the music and lyrics, with her brother, James, a film-maker, working on the script.

The musical follows a British journalist in a love story set among the events of the building of the Berlin Wall.

Sophie says: “It’s a love story, but it’s also about friendship, and it’s strange how it has kind of related to the times at the moment.”

“When we wrote it, we were all in lockdown, and we could kind of relate in that respect of being away from our

friends, couldn’t see our family.

“But then as time went on, it also kind of related to the Ukraine war– it’s interesting how it’s come along and different things have popped up and it’s still relevant.”

Sophie and James are running a two-week-long workshop to rehearse and refine the piece before a workshop performance in London.

“I started gigging when I was about 18, so I never really sang in front of anyone before that sort of time.

“I’d always been interested in musical theatre– I’ve never actually been in any shows or anything like that, but I’d written a song.

“I showed it to my mum and my brother, and they said it would be quite

a good song for a musical.

“Fifteen songs later, we had a musical.”

The entire project is self-funded, with a number of actors attached having recently graduated.

“We have an actor from Reading too, but the rest are in London, which means most will be travelling.

“But some are even staying at my parents place, just to make it work, really.

“I’m not a West End producer, and I haven’t got endless flowing money, so we have to try and make it work to make people as comfortable as they can be, and it takes a lot of convincing.”

She says however that “everyone on the project has been absolutely wonderful.”

The production currently has a cast of 10, who will begin workshops in Aldermaston on Monday, July 4, ahead of a workshop performance at the new Marylebone Theatre on Saturday, July 16.

“This means it’s stripped back,”

Sophie explains. “There’s not any kind of backdrops or big lights, it’s simple – just the songs, chairs and tables, l ittle props, anything that anyone touches.”

The stripped back nature of the show also means that Sophie can continue work on the production while working with other commitments.

“I work for a radiology company– we used to be in Theale, but now I’m a client administrator here in Reading.

“So it’s totally different to the day job, but the dream is obviously music and theatre.”

She says that the project has required some juggling with her work.

“Creators have always got to have that money coming in, of course, and it’s been really great to me, with my confidence especially.

“It’s brought out a lot in me, and I’m really thankful for that, of course, but putting the musical together has been really great.”

Sophie says that she and her brother have been working with musical

director Archie Combe, who has helped bring the elements of the production together.

“We got him on board probably about a year into it, and he would work on orchestration, and that side of things, and we’re thankful for having him.”

With this being her first full production, Sophie is less anxious than might be expected.

“We’ve got some really talented people in the cast, and I have my little moments, like we all do, “It’s a really nice venue, 220-seater, but hopefully we’ll secure some funds for a full production, “It’d be great to see it with a full ensemble and backdrops – but that will be further down the line.”

While the final workshop production is not currently open to members of the public, Sophie says that she hopes she will be able to offer tickets closer to opening night. n For more information, visit www.infinitystaged.com

14 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

Music night to raise funds for charity

WEST Forest Sinfonia plays the music of Bridge and other British composers.

The programme begins with short pieces for violin, cello and piano.

Then follows Beethoven’s Septet op.20 for wind and strings.

This is performed on violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, bassoon and french horn.

The concert takes place in the Recital Room, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell.

The event begins at 7.30pm on Sunday, July 3.

Tickets cost £10.50. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123

A MAIDENHEAD charity music night will take place on Friday.

A Quiet Night In sees two local bands perform: Bad Neighbours, and Small Town Heroes.

Both groups play a mix of original music and catchy covers.

The fund raising night for Ovarian Cancer Action promises to be ‘electric and energetic’.

The event takes place in the Courtyard Theatre at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead.

The bands perform on Friday, July 1.

The event starts at 7pm and tickets cost £15. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Finding love in a wedding reception

Trio’s distinctive sound

A TRIO of musicians will be bringing a unique sound to Norden Farm on Saturday.

Loshn is an established UK trio of fiddle, accordion and clarinet.

The three musicians will perform music from the Ashkenazi Jewish culture.

The group’s intimate chamber music style includes dance, singing and the spoken word.

They will be singing in the tradition’s Yiddish accent and vocabulary.

The music night takes place in the Studio at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Saturday, July 2.

It starts at 8pm and tickets cost £15. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977

Comics to make Norden Farm visit

TWO UP-and-coming comedians entertain next Wednesday.

First on is Sue Barron, who has been making appearances on BBC, Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You, and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order.

She brings a ‘blistering’ hour of standup, covering sex, wine, and kids.

Next up is Kiwi comedy award-winner, comedian, actor and writer Nic Sampson.

Fresh from BBC’s Starstruck he promises to unravel the ‘incredible true story of one of the dumbest sporting events of all time’.

The comedy night takes place in the Studio at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead, on Wednesday, July 6.

WEDDED bliss doesn’t come easy in Neil Simon’s play Barefoot In The Park.

The show opens at The Mill at Sonning this week, and will continue across the summer.

Jonny Labey and Chloe McClay star as struggling Manhattan newly weds.

He is a conservative young lawyer, while she is a free-spirited romantic.

A wild night ensues where they must learn to embrace their differences.

Add to the evening a meddling The event stars at 8pm and tickets cost £12. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977

So Horrible, it will be loved by the family

THERE’S a chance for the whole family to meet the Terrible Tudors this weekend.

The Horrible Histories team comes to Newbury, bringing the past to life on stage.

Prepare for a show filled with antics, torture, punch-ups with the pope, headless wives, and attacks at sea.

Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors, takes place on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3.

mother, an eccentric upstairs neighbour and a sequence of misunderstandings, and the play has all the ingredients for laughter.

Rachel Fielding, James Simmons and Oliver Stanley also star.

Barefoot In The Park first opened in Broadway in 1963, and has delighted audiences ever since.

It runs from Thursday, June 30 until Saturday, August 20.

Evening performances start at Performances at The Corn Exchange, Newbury, begin on both days at 2pm and 6pm Tickets cost £16 adults, concessions £14, family tickets £56 (2 adults, 2 children). n For tickets and information log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 0845 521 8218.

Reggae celebration at South Hill Park

MUSIC that filled the airwaves during the 80s and 90s is brought to life again by Johnny2Bad. The band used to back Sting in the 80s and 90s, and now performs songs of the Reggae era.

AT THE THEATRE

Bracknell – South Hill Park

www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Absolute Reggae. Thurs.

Edinburgh Previews. Fri. Live Music on the Terrace. Sat. Berkshire Theatre Company presents The Wedding Singer. Sat-Sun. West Forest Sinfonia. Sun. The Many Lives of Nellie Bly. Mon-Tues. The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars present: The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Thurs 7.

Karen Street’s L’Espirit Du Jazz. Fri 8. Edinburgh previews. Fri 8. Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow: Wishes. Sat 9-Sun 10.

Live Music on the Terrace.

Sun 10. Songs of Dissent.

Sun 10.

Camberley – Theatre

www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Women In Rock. Thurs. Shape of You. Fri. Camberley Comedy Festival 2022. Sat 9.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Boeing Boeing, a new translation.

Until Sat. In PurSUEt. Fri-Sat. The Plat What I Wrote. TuesSat 9.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan

www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 What’s Love Got to Do With It? Thurs. The Ultimate 80s Party Night. Sat. Rhodes Academy of

Dance. Sun. Beaconsfield HIgh School Movie Night dance show. Mon. Walk Right Back.

Thurs 7. Hellfire Comedy Club.

Thurs 7. Pat Steel and Bucks School of Dance. Sat 9-Sun 10.

Henley – Kenton

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 The Scummy Mummies Show.

Thurs-Fri. NEXT SHOW: Legally Blonde: The Musical.

Thurs 14-Sat 17.

Maidenhead – Norden Farm

www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Sam Kelly’s Station House.

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com

8.15pm, there are no evening shows on Sunday, Monday or Tuesdays.

Afternoon matinée performances start at 2.15pm. These take place on Thursdays, Saturdays and some Sundays.

Tickets cost £76 and include a two course meal at the theatre restaurant before the show. n For tickets and information log on to: www.millatsonnng.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000.

Their show, Absolute Reggae, comes to Bracknell this week.

There will be classics by UB40, Aswad, Bob Marley, Big Mountain and more.

It’s described a ‘high energy show’ with a three piece horn section and four vocalists.

The group plays at The Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell.

The event takes place on Thursday, June 30, and starts at 7.45pm.

Tickets cost £24. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123

Concert features best of British

0845 5218 218 One Night in Dublin. Thurs. The Comedy Network. Fri. Horrible Histories: The Terrible Tudors.

Sat-Sun. Legends of Swing.

Wed. Treasure Island. Thurs 7-Sat 9.

Reading – The Hexagon

Newbury – The Watermill

Reading – Concert Hall

www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Bleak Expectations. Until Sat. Camp Albion. Wed-Sat 16.

Reading – South Street

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 The Grumpy Goat presents Craft Theory 2022. Fri-Sat. Shaparak Khorsandi: IT WAS THE 90s.

Fri 8.

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Sarah Millican: Bobby Dazzler.

Thurs 7-Sat 9.

www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Lunchtime organ recital. Mon.

BASED on the hit movie, it’s the story of a lonely performer who finds love where he least expects it.

Set in a time when hair was big and collars were up, The Wedding Singer does for the 80s what Hairspray did for the 60s.

Berkshire Theatre School brings this musical to Bracknell.

Performances are at the Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell on Saturday at 3.30pm and 7.45pm, and on Sunday at 1.30pm and 6pm.

Tickets cost £17, or £14 for schools. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123

Investigative journalism comes to stage

THE Many Lives of Nellie Bly tells a true story of investigative journalism.

Bly blazed a trail for ambitious women around the world and pushed boundaries nobody knew could be pushed.

With a mix of intimate storytelling, performance and cinematic score, the play explores themes of ambition, fearlessness and identity.

The event takes place at the Studio Theatre, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell.

Performances are on Monday, July 4 and Tuesday, July 5.

They start at 7.30.

Tickets cost £15 adults, £12, under 16s, members, and over 65s. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123

NEXT SHOW: Jekyll and Hyde.

Oct 10-29.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players

www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Junior and Middle Youth Group show. Sat-Sun. Senior Youth Group Show. Sat 9-Sun 10.

NEXT SHOW: Windsor on Air presents A Touch of Danger.

Jul 12-16.

Wokingham – Theatre

www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Daisy Pulls It Off. July 13-23.

Sonning – The Mill

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Angels In America Parts 1 and 2.

Until Sat.

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Barefoot in the Park. Until Aug 20. The Definitive Rat Pack.

Sun 10.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre

Windsor – Theatre Royal

Woodley – Theatre

Reading – Progress Theatre

www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888

www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 NEXT SHOW: EBOS presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Aug 9-13.

www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOW: Teechers. Sept 27-Oct 1.

Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

15

16 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

Choral concert at Douai Abbey NEWBURY Choral Society will be performing at Douai Abbey on Saturday, July 2.

The summer concert is called Vive la Renaissance!, and features a selection of sacred music from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. The choir says that the music from this era has shown the same curiosity and sense of individual exploration and adventure seen in other art forms.

Pieces have been written by Palestrina, Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and others.

The performance starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £15, or £5 for under 16s, plus booking fee. n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.newburychoral. org.uk

Art show at Tidmarsh will help Sue Ryder hospice AN ART exhibition featuring works created by local artists will be on show at Tidmarsh Village Hall.

Pieces will be on sale in aid of the Duchess of Kent House Hospice in Tilehurst. The event will also include refreshments including tea and homemade cakes.

The event takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, July 10, with free parking available. The hall is wheelchair friendly.

Entry is free.

Cast announced for Whistle’s return

A

REVIVAL of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is coming to Newbury next month, and casting has just been announced.

The Watermill will welcome audiences to a new take on Whistle Down The Wind from Friday, July 22.

The summer show is the first time that the 1996 rock musical, written with Jim Steinman, has been performed in the UK since 2010.

Set in America of 1959, the show is about change as the postwar boom thrives, the civil rights movement grows and the golden age of television has begun.

But, on a farm in rural Louisiana three children are hoping for a miracle.

When Swallow, a teenager struggling to come to terms with the death of her mother, discovers a man hiding out in the family barn she becomes convinced he is Jesus.

In a town where the community will do anything to defend their way of life, the children unite to protect their saviour.

As fantasy and reality collide, Swallow begins to discover who she is and what it means to grow up.

Running until Saturday, September 10, the show will be

BACK: Mike and The Mechanics are all fired up with their brand new tour, Refueled! Picture: Courtesy of The Hexagon RETURNING: The WatERmill is producing a revival of Whistle Down The Wind directed by Tom Jackson Greaves, who has helped create previous Watermill shows including The Jungle Book, Amélie, Sweet Charity, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Borrowers.

The cast includes Chrissie Bhima as Candy, Lewis Cornay and Amos, Lloyd Gorman as Boone, Charlotte Grayson as Ed, Elliot Mackenzie as Snake preacher, and Emma Jane Morton as Ensemble.

Other cast members are Alfie Richards, Robert Tripolino, Toby Webster, Lydia White, Stephanie Elstob.

Other parts will be played by members of the community.

Director Tom says: “The

WPR_2022-06-27_ReadingToday_16x4 (1)_Just Go

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Departing Sat 3 Sep ‘22

Your break includes

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Return coach travel from Reading 2 nights at a selected hotel, Llandudno with dinner & breakfast Entertainment every evening Train journey on the Snowdon Mountain Railway Free time in Llandudno Excursion to Betws-y-Coed

Return coach travel from Reading Overnight stay at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with dinner & breakfast Admission to Chatsworth Country Fair En-route visit to Buxton

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opportunity to bring this incredible story back to the stage after its long absence feels extremely special.

“We have been given the chance to introduce it to audiences anew whilst also creating a brave and fresh interpretation for those who may have seen it before. It’s a real gift.

“Stories of dreams, grief, family and community have universal power and I hope our actormusician-led revival will engage and surprise our audiences at the most beautiful theatre in the country - The Watermill.” n Tickets are now on sale, and can be ordered by calling the box office on 01635 46044, or logging on to www.watermill.org.uk

Mike and The Mechanics bring their Refueled! tour to The Hexagon ROCK supergroup Mike and The Mechanics is all fired up with their latest tour, Refueled!, coming to the Hexagon in 2023.

Mike Rutherford, of Genesis, prolific R&B vocalist Andrew Roachford, and Van Tramp’s Tim Howar will be performing the band’s hits, including from their latest album, Out of the Blue.

The band will also be performing some of Genesis’ tracks, as well as their reworkings of previous hits such

as their Ivor Novello Awardwinning The Living Years and Over My Shoulder The 2019 album Out of the Blue debuted at number seven on the UK albums chart, making it their fifth album to make it into the top 10.

Mike and The Mechanics’ Refueled! will come to the Hexagon on Friday, May 26, 2023. n Tickets begin at £44.50, available from www. whatsonreading.com or by calling the box office on 0118 960 6060.

Festival of literary debate prepares for its fifth year OCTOBER will bring an international line-up of current writers and thinkers to an historic Berkshire stately home.

Seated within 400 acres of greenery, Beautiful Cliveden House has inspired writers and thinkers for centuries.

18th Century English poet Alexander Pope described it as ‘the bower of wanton Shrewsbury and love’.

He was referring to the fact that the Duke of Buckingham had built the house as a love monument to his mistress, the Countess of Shrewsbury.

The house is no stranger to drama and debate.

This year the return of Cliveden Literary Festival will bring plenty of opportunities for lively discussion, nnovative ideas, and political debate.

Run by a committee of four award-winning writers: Andrew Roberts, Natalie Livingstone, Catherine Ostler and Simon Sebag Montefiore, the event enters its fifth year.

It has proved to be very popular, with an impressive lineup of speakers, and sell-out talks.

Previous contributors include: Niall Ferguson, Alain de Botton, Sir Simon Schama, Lady Antonia Fraser, David Baddiel, Michael Gove, Priti Patel, Emily Maitlis, Ben Okri, Professor Brian Cox and Hanif Kureishi.

Ian McEwan has described it as: “Probably the world’s best small literary festival.”

For Alain de Botton it is, “The most dignified and beautiful literary festival on the planet.”

Natalie Livingstone, Chairman of the Cliveden Literary Festival, said: “We are thrilled to be

welcoming book lovers to the Cliveden Literary Festival.

“Cliveden House has been a sanctuary for lovers of literature and lively discussion for more than 350 years.

“The Cliveden Literary Festival 2022 will continue that stellar cultural history.”

The event will run on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.

This year’s speakers are yet to be confirmed. n For festival updates follow @ ClivedenLitFest on Twitter and #ClivedenLitFest on Twitter and Instagram. n For information about the festival visit: www. clivedenliteraryfestival.org n For information about Cliveden house, log onto: www. clivedenhouse.co.uk

EMMA MERCHANT

Belle Canto Trio to bring some sunshine THE BELLE CANTO trio will be performing a summer celebration in Silchester next month.

The music group say they will Bring You Sunshine, and Put On The Ritz with their fun showtune selection.

The concert takes place at St Mary The Virgin in Church Lane from 7.30pm on Sunday, July 9.

There will be two halves with

an interval where guests can enjoy a glass of wine or a soft drink.

Tickets cost £10, and are available on the door, while school-age children get in free.

Money raised will be shared between Farm Africa and the church’s funds. n For more details, or to book, email: concerts@ silchesterchurch.co.uk, or log on to: www.facebook.com/ bellecantotrio

LEISURE | 25

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

LIVEMUSIC

To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662

RaW Sounds Today

This song is taken from the Simpler Times EP that Char releases last year.

Check out those cool grooves – https://linktr.ee/ CHARmusic

Chris Hillman

Yaoki – Brand New Life

bit.ly/raw soundstoday

I

NDIE with melody – that’s how we describe Phantom Booth’s latest single.

It’s heading up this week’s RaW Sounds Today playlist: our mission is to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name).

We’ve got 10 fantastic tracks for you to enjoy as part of this, an eclectic mix of stuff that will help you discover something new. And best of all, you can tune in for free.

To hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music.

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.

Phantom Booth – Blind Emotion We included this Reading-based band in the playlist earlier in the year with their excellent debut

TOP TUNE: Phantom Booth’s second single is well worth listening to single and they’ve just released their second.

It’s another good one so we had to include them again. The band describe it as ‘a cheerful bittersweet bop’ which it certainly is, sounding a bit like a cross between Crowded House and The Strokes.

No bad thing – indie with melody. They are playing in Reading in September 29, at Heavy Pop’s Roseate Sessions – https://linktr.ee/phantombooth

Char – Control There’s certainly going to be some talented artists playing on the Wokingham Music Club Stage at Wokingham Festival with a variety of musical genres and here’s a great example.

Char’s pop/R&B style has already got her noticed

by Kiss FM & BBC Introducing so we’ll look forward to seeing her at the festival on Saturday, August 27.

They played their first-ever gig, opening the night, at Split the Dealer’s amazing Sub89 show recently and what a great gig it was.

Here’s their first-ever single which combines melody and power – https://www.facebook.com/ YaokiBand

The Paradox Twin – Prism Descent They topped our Best of 2021 list and with an appearance on Friday, July 1 at the impressive Prog For Peart Charity event in Abingdon it’s worth a reminder of The Paradox Twin – https://www. theparadoxtwin.com/

The Lovely Eggs – You Can Go Now Recently The Lovely Eggs, a duo from Lancaster, visited to play at Reading’s Facebar and showed what an exciting and energetic act they are! Here’s something from their latest album I Am Moron – https://www.thelovelyeggs.co.uk/

Hoopy Frood – Atoms & Molecules It’s not long until Readipop (July 8-10) and one of the local artists playing there is Hoopy Frood.

The band will also be at Wokingham Festival, opening the main stage on Sunday, August 28 – https://linktr.ee/Hoopyfroodmusic

Deva St.John – DIE! Another artist playing at both Readipop and Wokingham Festival and here’s her latest single.

With a positive message and with her melodic indie rock sound, Deva St. John has created another good one – https://www.devastjohn.com/

The Room – It’s Not My Home Here’s a powerful epic from The Room’s Caught by the Machin’ album. They will be at Alfold Rock & Blues Festival on July 3 and Wokingham Festival on August 29 – https://theroom.band/

Mordecai Smyth – In Your Dark Place Here’s the opener from Things Are Getting Stranger On The Shore by local musician, Mordecai Smyth.

A great album of psych moods and melody on Wokingham’s Mega Dodo Records – https://www. facebook.com/stickytapeandrust

Third Lung – Ghosts It’s another quality single from one of our playlist favourites, Third Lung, who will be at Readipop in July, Wokingham Festival in August and their own Loddfest in September – http://thirdlungband.com/

GIG GUIDE

Thursday, June 30

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Tabula Rasa and DJ Creamy. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Absolute Reggae.

Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mr Sango presents: Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing: Malarkey, DJ:SSRI, SCAEFA. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Roseate, The Forbury RG1 3EJ. Heavy Pop presents The Roseate Sessions: Colours and Fires, Ellis Ballard. Details: 0118 952 7770.

READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Anything Goes open mic night Details: 0118 958 6048.

Friday, July 1

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. CLOSED for private party.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Newtown Pippin, Ralphs Ride RG12 9LR. Arachna. Details: 03144 426298.

CAVERSHAM – Fox and House, Gosbrook Road.

Reggae Vinyl from 7pm.

PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. The Mike Ross band.

Details: 0118 969 98978.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open Mic Night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Breaking Bass. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Friday Night Live requests.

Details: playlistlive.co.uk

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Shane Owens. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Craft Theory 2022: DJs, beers and street food.

11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm.

Details: whatsonreading. com READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Motley Cruide and Poizon. Details: 0118 959 5395.

YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions: The Station. Details: 01635 767090.

Saturday, July 2

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. First Rule: Alt Rock Covers Band. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Bon Giovi: Bon Jovi tribute.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 3pm. Details: 01344 484123.

CAVERSHAM – The Last Crumb, Prospect Street RG4 8JN. Beer, Beats and BBQ: family fun times, retro DJs and more.

Details: dodopubs.com/ locations/the-last-crumb CHARVIL – The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco.

PINGEWOOD – Lagoona Beach Park, Pingewood Road South RG30 3UH. AfroPop music festival.

Ticket only. Details: www. afropopmusicfest.com READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Jasonfest: Country Moans, 45RPM, New Puritans.

From 6pm. In aid of Cancer Resarch UK. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. NHS Fundraiser with The Egg, Burning House and Kill Committee. Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside. Oana Radu.

READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. American Dream Independence Day bottomless brunch with Marky Dawson.

3pm-5.30pm. Saturday night live requests. Details: playlistlive.co.uk READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. SoundJam. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Hugh Turner Trio. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Bohman Brothers. Details: 0118 986 6788.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Jazz night: Peter Bingham Quartet. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Stoney Lane. Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Craft Theory 2022: DJs, beers and street food.

11am-4pm, 6pm-11pm.

Details: whatsonreading. com READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Robert White. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Junction. Details: 0118 957 6930.

WOKINGHAM – Mulberry

Business Centre, Fishponds Lane RG41 2GY. Live Lounge with Michael Cassidy. 7pm.

Details: Search Eventbirte for Michael Cassidy Live Lounge.

Sunday, July 3

EVERSLEY – The Golden Pot, Reading Road RG27 0NB. Paul Tino. 3pm. Details: 0118 973 2104.

PANGBOURNE – WMC Rosewood Hall, Whitchurch Road RG8 7BS. Pangbourne Jazz Club John Thirkell Trumpet with Terry Hutchins Quartet. £10. Details: https://briangreene.co.uk/ pangbournejazzclub READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Theme night – Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Sailor.

Details: www.readifolk. org.uk READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Sunday Session.

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Brother Strut Live. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

Tuesday, July 5

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Quirky Corner open mic. Details: 0118 969 98978.

THEALE – Village Hall, Englefield Road RG7 5AS. Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band. Noon2.30pm. £10, bring own

drinks and nibbles. Details: 01256 780065.

WOKINGHAM – Baranda, Peach Street. Beatles tribute night. 8pm. Details: baranda.co.uk

Thursday, July 7

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Bracknell Blues Club: Steve Summers Band. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars present: The Ronnie Scott’s Story. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – Mojito Beach Bar, The Oracle RG1 2AG. Solo acoustic gig. 6pm. Details: www.theoracle.com

Friday, July 8

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Soul Reggae, UKG, Bashment, Funky House.

Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Karen Street’s L’Espirit Du Jazz. Details: 01344 484123.

CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Morcheeba, Jesus Jones Sunscreem, King Kuda, Amya-Ray, The Skandal, Air Circus, Forje, Lilac, Mike Wagner, Skills C. 6pm-11pm. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Wicked Jackals.

Details: 0118 956 8188.

READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Friday Night Live requests with Marky Dawson. Details: playlistlive.co.uk READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Alban Claet and Evan Clegg: The

HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Collection. Details: www. jazzinreading.com WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Neon Daze. Details: 0118 977 3706.

YATTENDON – West Berkshire Brewery Tap Room, The Old Dairy, Frisham Farm RG18 0XT. Friday night sessions.

Details: 01635 767090.

Saturday, July 9

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Strats. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. The Lord John Band.

Details: 01344 422622.

BURGHFIELD – The Six Bells, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Frankie The Fish. Details: 0118 983 2220.

CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Sugarhill Gang + Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio (Furious 5), Stealing Sheep, Romeo & Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers), DJ Format, In Conversation: Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division) & Richard Jobson (The Skids), The Drop, Hatty Taylor, Readipop AAA Takeover w/ K.Kayne & more, Alive

By Night, Deva St John, Imogen Halsey, Jess Tuthill, Shard Project. 1pm-11pm.

Details: www.readipop. co.uk/readipopfestival READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Real Magic, a tribute to Queen. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. Don’t Compromise The Vibe with Mr Marvellous, Eagle Bliss.

READING – Playlist Live, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Summer of Love Garage Brunch.

3pm. Saturday Night Live requests. Details: playlistlive.co.uk READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Relics.

Details: 0118 926 5804.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Glenn Wool. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Big Black Boots. Details: 0118 957 6930.

WOKINGHAM – The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. Charity Festival- featuring DriveIN-Saturday, Old Park Road, Hancocks Half Hour, Nicole Allen and Dezzie. £5 per adult. From 3pm.

Details: 0118 979 7402.

YATTENDON – Village Hall RG18 0UR. Brewhouse Music presents The Daisy Chains and Liza Marshall. £16. Details: 01635 201236.

Sunday, July 10

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Live music on the terrace. 2pm.

Songs of Dissent. Details: 01344 484123.

CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Badly Drawn Boy Transglobal Underground, Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Brother Zulu, OSP, Jnr Watson + Reading Reggae Collective, 4Fingaz, Beatroots, Corvid, Darcey Hope, Danny Lampo, doops, Du’val, Elucidate, Hoopy Frood, No Feathers, Split The Dealer, Surya, Tea & Jam, Third Lung, Wynona. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Elizabeth and Jameson. www.readifolk.org.uk READING – The Jazz Cafe, Select Car leasing Stadium RG2 0FL. Stefan J Doyle.

Details: 0118 968 1442.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Brother Strut Live. Details: 0118 959 7196.

SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. The Rat Pack. Details: 0118 969 8000.

CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL

featuring a live Steel band and lots of enticing Caribbean food to taste

SATURDAY, 20 AUGUST 2022 AT 15:00 Tickets £8 wegottickets.com THE WHITE HORSE

Easthampstead Road Wokingham, RG40 3AF

0118 979 7402

26 | LEISURE

To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today

WHAT’SON Films at Reading Biscuit Factory

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Elvis (12a). Third. Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (15). Thurs. Lightyear (PG).

Thurs. Top Gun: Maverick (12a). Thurs. Minions: The Rise of Gru (U). Fri-Thurs 7. Reading Film Theatre presents Happening (15). Wed. Thor: Love and Thunder (12a). From Thurs 7. Keep It Cult: Jumanji (PG). Fri 8. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

Friday, July 1

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.uk.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, July 2

ARBORFIELD – The Coombes CE School RG2 9NX .

School fete. 11am-2pm.

BINFIELD – St Mark’s Church, Popeswood Road RG41 4AH. Thames Voyces in concert: America In Song. 7.30pm. £15, £13 concessions, under 16s free. Details: www. thamesvoyces.org.uk CAVERSHAM – Clayfield Copse RG4 6AA. Meadow Day: an annual celebration of the beautiful wildflower meadows. 11am-3pm.

EMMER GREEN – Reading Abbey Rugby Club, Peppard Road RG4 9AL. Fifi’s Vision CIC information and fun day.

Noon. Details: fifisvision@ gmail.com FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North.

Wokingham Baby and Children’s Market: new and nearly new clothes, toys, car seats, pushchairs and more. £1.50, free parking.

2pm-3.30pm.

HARE HATCH – Yeldall Manor, Blakes Lane RG10 9TA. Yeldall Manor open day.

Stalls, games, celebration and more. Hog roast, £5, from 12.30pm. Celebration service 3pm. Strawberry tea afterwards. Details: www.yeldall.org.uk

LOWER EARLEY – Salvation Army, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Ca boot sale. 10amnoon. Cars £10, table top £8. Refreshments: bacon sandwiches, tea, coffee.

Details: lower.earley@ salvationarmy.org.uk or 0118 931 0760.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: www. thamesvalleyfarmers market.co.uk READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Male Voice Choir 50th anniversary concert, with special guests Mayor & James, Lori Tingey Weber and Abbey Junior School Choir. £10, £5 under 12s, booking fee applies. 7.30pm. Details: www.RMVC.net READING – IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park, Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172.

READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Angels in America Parts 1 and 2. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk.

SINDLESHAM – Reddam House, Bearwood Road RG41 5BG. Reddam House summer fair. Classic cars 8am-10am. Fair 10.30am4pm. Free entry.

UPPER WOOLHAMPTON – Douai Abbey RG7 5TQ. Newbury Choral Society summer concert: Vive la Renaissance! A selection of sacred music from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, featuring music

by Palestrina, Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and others.

7.30pm. £15, under 16s £5, plus booking fee. Details: www.newburychoral. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Elms Field.

Wokingham Lions Club presents classic car show.

From 10am.

WOKINGHAM – The Duke’s Head, Denmark Street RG40 2BQ. Evening of Clairvoyance with Jenny Docherty. £8. Booking essential.

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3LA. Reading Haydn Choir summer concert: Favourites. 7.30pm. £14, £12 concessions, under 18s £5. Programme includes Haydn’s Te Deum, Faure’s

Cantique de Jean Racine and 20th century popular songs. Details: www. haydnchoir.org.uk WOODLEY – Rivermead Primary School, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4BS. Summer fair: barbecue, games, music, ice cream van, sweet stalls. Live music and more. 1pm-4pm.

Free entry.

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, July 3

CHARVIL – Milestone Avenue RG10 9RL. Charvil Matters litter pick in lay-by opposite Texaco. 10am-11am.

GRAZELEY – Village Hall, Church Lane. Bright Hope Church presents a family fun day with bouncy castle, face painting, glitter tattoos, crafts, garden games, planting with Freely Fruity. Noon-4pm. Free.

Details: brighthope.church READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road RG30 2ND. Berkshire Motor Show 2022 in aid of Flint House Police Rehab Centre. Car park £2 donation. 10.15am5pm. Details: www. berkshiremotorshow.co.uk READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam.

7.30pm. Free entry. Details: risingsunartscentre.org READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Laugh or Lemon open mic comedy event. 5pm.

Free entry. 0118 958 6048.

SONNING – Berkshire County Sports Club, Sonning lane.

Sonning 10k races: 5km, 10km routes plus a 2km route for children. From 8.30am. Details: www. barnesfitness.co.uk SWALLOWFIELD – Across village. Open gardens for NGS: at least 10 to explore by foot, bike and car. 2pm5.30pm. £8, children free.

Home made teas available at The Brambles. Details: ngs.org.uk TILEHURST – Berkshire Maestros, Cockney Hill.

Dog show: 12 classes to enter, plus stalls, sideshows, refreshments and a barbecue. £2 per dog, per class. 11am-3pm.

Details: 0118 901 2370.

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, July 4

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table.

9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org LOWER EARLEY – Maiden Place Community Centre, Maiden Place. Freely Fruity information evening: Early Environment Group.

7.30pm.

READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Berkshire Organists’ Association Lunchtime organ recital with an organ student from Eton College. 1pm. £6, £5 advance. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING – The Outlook, Kings Road. Mates Rates Comedy Raw – open mic night. 7.30pm.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, July 5

ANYWHERE. NHS Big Tea in aid of Royal Berkshire Hospital: hold a tea party with family, friends and work colleagues.

Details: http://www. royalberkscharity.co.uk/ CAVERSHAM – Library, Church Street RG4 8AU. Rhymetime for under fives. 10.15-10.45am, or 11.15am-11.45m. Booking essential, free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org READING – Starbucks, The Oracle Riverside. Reading Readers book club.

6.30pm-7.30pm.

WOKINGHAM – Sedero Lounge, Bailey’s House, Central Walk RG40 1AZ. Women’s Equality Party presents Feminist Book Club. 7.30pm. The Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead.

Booking essential, search Facebook for “WEP Reading and Wokingham Feminist Book Club”.

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Wednesday, July 6

CROWTHORNE – Parish Hall, Heath Hill Road South. Sandhurst & Crowthorne Flower Club July workshop: bring a flower from your garden.

Diamond anniversary celebration. 7pm. Details: hsandhurstandcrowthorne flowerclub.wordpress.com/ EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. linkvisiting.org TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road RG10 9NT. Twyford Over 60s club. 2pm-4pm.

TWYFORD – St Mary’s Church, Station Road RG10 9NT. Twyford Folk Music Workshop. £4. 8pm. Details: www. twyfordmusic.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, July 7

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Line dancing. £5, non-members £6. 6.30pm8.30pm. Details: 01344 772161.

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org KNOWL HILL – Lower Lovetts Farm RG10 9YE. Open garden for NGS: talk and awalk of fruit and vegetable farm. 10.30am4pm. £15, children free, pre-booking essential.

Two-hour time slots 10.30am, 2pm. Details: https://ngs.org.uk PANGBOURNE – St James The Less, Pangbourne Hill RG8 7AS. Berkshire Chamber Music Festival: Music and Hope. 7.30pm. £20.

SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table.

10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table.

Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Wokingham Baptist Church, Milton Road RG40 1DE. Wokingham Literary Society meeting: SJ Perelman: humorous writer for The New Yorker and Marx Brother films, a talk by Douglar Irvine. 7.30pm. £2 non-members. Details: wokinghamliterarysociety. org.uk WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street. Comedy on Tap. 7pm. £17. Details: 0118 978 0389.

Friday, July 8

CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Morcheeba, Jesus Jones Sunscreem, King Kuda, Amya-Ray, The Skandal, Air Circus, Forje, Lilac, Mike Wagner, Skills C. 6pm-11pm. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe: Mary Ford Neal, host AF Harrold.

8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM – Cricket Club, Sadlers End RG41 5AW. Bear in the Air Productions presents Much Ado About Nothing. 6pm. Outdoor show, bring picnic blanket or chairs. No allocated seating. Tickets from £8.68.

Details: https://www. bearintheairproductions. com/ WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon.

Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, July 9

BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Lane.

Teddy Bears picnic, from noon. Includes games and activities.

CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Sugarhill Gang + Grandmaster Melle Mel & Scorpio (Furious 5), Stealing Sheep, Romeo & Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers), DJ Format, In Conversation: Stephen Morris (New Order/Joy Division) & Richard Jobson (The Skids), The Drop, Hatty Taylor, Readipop AAA Takeover w/ K.Kayne & more, Alive

By Night, Deva St John, Imogen Halsey, Jess Tuthill, Shard Project. 1pm-11pm.

Details: www.readipop. co.uk/readipopfestival CAVERSHAM – Queen Anne’s School, Henley Road RG4 6DX. South Chiltern Choral Society presents Cinema Classics including The Wizard of Oz, Rodgers & Hammerstein on Broadway, The Best of Bond and Mamma Mia!.

7.30pm, grounds open 5.30pm for picnic. £15 includes refreshments, Under 16s £7.50.

Details: http://www. southchilternchoralsociety. org.uk/ CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist, Waterloo Road RG45 7NT. Flower Festival: The Platinum Years 1952-2022: Monarchy, Music and Mayhem.

In aid of Sebastian’s Action Trust. 10am-6pm.

Details: facebook.com/ crowthorneflowerfestival READING – Forbury Gardens RG1 3BB. Bastille Day 2022: A celebration of everything French, including singers, food and activities. 11am5pm. Details: http:// bastilledayreading.co.uk/ READING – IKEA, Pincents Kiln Industrial Park,

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022 Pincent Lane RG31 7SD. Balloon artist and face painter for children. 11am5pm. Free. Details: www. ikea.com READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Sacred Nature: How we can recover our bond with the natural world, by Karen Armstrong. 6pm-7.30pm.

Refreshments and book signing after Q&A. Details and to register: Events@ readingminster.org.uk READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. SOS Out of the This World Drag ight. 7pm. Details: www. risingsunartscentre.org SILCHESTER – St Mary The Virgin, Church Lane RG7 2HH. Belle Canto Trio in concert: Celebrate. 7.30pm. £10, includes interval refreshments. In aid of church funds and Farm Africa. Tickets available on door. Details: concerts@ silchesterchurch.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road. Sing Healthy Choirs in concert with Ascot Brass, in aid of COATS Crowthrone.

7.30pm. Details: singhealthy.co.uk/tickets WOKINGHAM – Caudwell Hall Theatre, Holme Grange School, RG40 3AL. South Berkshire Singers summer concert: Thank You For The Music. 7.30pm. £10. In aid of Sport In Mind.

Details: 0118 989 2092.

WOKINGHAM – Evendons Primary School, Finchampstead Road.

Evendons Summer garden party. 1pm-3p. £5 for unlimited inflatable use for children aged 4-11.

Tombola, bar, cakes and more.

WOKINGHAM – Town Hall and Elms Field.

Wokingham Pride 2022: meet for photos by town hall at 11.30am, then parade to Elms Field for picnic at noon. Bring flags and friends. Afterparty at The Station Tap. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOODLEY – ONLINE. Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society talk: The Burials of the 25th Dynasty and Napatan Kings, by Dr Peter Lacovara. Takes place on Zoom. 4pm. Details and booking: www.tvaes.org.uk WOODLEY – Waingles College, Waingels Road RG5 4RF. Waingels College 50th anniversary celebrations. 2pm-8pm.

Bar, barbecue, band, plaque unveiling, guided tours, games, stalls, photos, and more. Details: 50thanniversary@ waingels.wokingham. sch.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship

table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org YATELEY – Fyson Blum Hall, Yateley Manor School, Reading Road GU46 7UQ. Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, performed by Yateley Choral Society. £15, students £5, under 16s free. Details: www. yateley-choral.org.uk

Sunday, July 10

CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows RG4 8BY. Readipop Festival: Badly Drawn Boy, Transglobal Underground, Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Brother Zulu, OSP, Jnr Watson + Reading Reggae Collective, 4Fingaz, Beatroots, Corvid, Darcey Hope, Danny Lampo, doops, Du’val, Elucidate, Hoopy Frood, No Feathers, Split The Dealer, Surya, Tea & Jam, Third Lung, Wynona. Details: www.readipop.co.uk/ readipopfestival CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Free entry. Details: jean@ alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928.

CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist, Waterloo Road RG45 7NT. Flower Festival: The Platinum Years 1952-2022: Monarchy, Music and Mayhem. In aid of Sebastian’s Action Trust. Noon-5.30pm.

Songs of Praise 6pm.

Details: facebook.com/ crowthorneflowerfestival, PADWORTH – Village Hall, Padworth Lane. Padworth & Aldermaston Wharf Craft & Produce Show: dog show, craft stalls, refreshments and a main arena with Falconry display, Arborfield Military Wives Choir. Noon-5pm.

Details: padworthshow. simdif.com READING – Forbury Gardens RG1 3BB. Bastille Day 2022: A celebration of everything French, including singers, food and activities. 11am-5pm.

Details: bastilledayreading. co.uk READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172.

READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. Laugh or Lemon open mic comedy event – five minutes on a lemon clock.

5pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 958 6048.

TIDMARSH – Village Hall RG8 8ES. Art exhibition and sale in aid of Duchess of Kent Hospice. Free entry, refreshments available.

10.30am-4.30pm. Free parking, wheelchair accessible.

WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Wokingham vegan market. 9am-1pm. Details: www.sparkleveganevents. com WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct.

Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale.

8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

No. 5420

Your weekly puzzle challenge

27

To advertise, call 0118 327 2662

Thursday, June 30, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662

Quiz Challenge

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R

Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares.

As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.

MAGIC SQUARE

PENELOPE AND A SEAL

C

R A M

B

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines: 21 Good; 25 Very Good; 29 Excellent.

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed O through openings in the walls. The T first letter may appear in any chamber.

I N

TH

AR

LA

OU

IV

KM

IA

IE

AR

DN

EO

Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.

3

2 1 6 9 4 1 5 8 7 8 2 4 2 1 8 7 3 8 5 1 7 2 4 9 6 7 1 8 2 7 9 5

TE

7 9

5 5 1

1 4

4 2

6

7 3 1 2

8 9

3

13

12

14

7

13

15 15

18

16

17

19

20

17 23

24

22

23

D N

K Y

M

C B

A

Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up.

You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.

DOWN 1. A pound in money for the carriage (6) 2. Criticised for being divided (3,2) 3. Modified carbon element in fruit (10) 4. United will take on Everton’s leader (3) 6. One with a large bill in the chapel I cannot abide (7) 7. Ron awkwardly involved in your old sort of problem (6) 10. Jack was the first native of Australia (10) 12. Number at church taking fish (5) 15. It’s smooth up on part of the ship (7) 16. Overturns medicine on board (6) 17. Cricketer let off a fight (6) 20. Following exercise (5) 23. Sound sheepish (3)

QUICK CROSSWORD 1

1

2

2

3

4

5

7

6

6

7

8

8

9

10

11

11 13

12

15

16

17

13

14

15

18 22

Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.

19

This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.

23

To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com

29

© Sirius Media Services Ltd

25

ACROSS 1. Dawn has two birds (4-4) 5. Recognise the dog perhaps (4) 8. Machine for turning Marxist into a froth! (8) 9. Fiery saint? (4) 11. Fancy panties it is wise to have (7) 13. Old boy can cook meat (5) 14. How a slippery road could be described as a place of entertainment (7,4) 18. Writer twice interrupted by a hymn (5) 19. Meal taken up in afternoon? (4,3) 21. Is breaking the record, so to speak (4) 22. Rich band aunt represented (8) 24. Despatch to southern terminal (4) 25. Manner of speaking of father, say, making clean break (8)

20

25

21

22 24

25

28

26

27

28

29 31

1 7 3 6 5 4 9 8 2

6 8 9 2 1 7 4 3 5

7 9 8 5 3 6 1 2 4

3 5 6 1 4 2 8 9 7

2 1 4 7 8 9 6 5 3

8 6 7 4 2 5 3 1 9

9 2 1 3 7 8 5 4 6

4 3 5 9 6 1 2 7 8

WORD PYRAMID: Not in my backyard.

EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – multiply; subtract; add; divide. Total: 9.

SOLUTIONS

6

10

16

Y

AD

3 9

5

13

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

8

11

11

EQUALISER 6 12 6 2 3 3 5 6 3 7 2 2

Hard

6 7 3 2 8

R

ME

SL

5

9 10

A

KO

AS

4

21

RA

YC

3

21

AN

BO

2

8

FIVE ALIVE

SUDOKU Easy

1

WORD PYRAMID

O H A

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 1

I

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

6. Guam is a territory of which country?

7. What L is the title of a 2018 Billie Eilish song and a word for something pleasing or beautiful?

8. The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals are included in which regiment?

9. Which French Impressionist artist painted the Water Lilies series of artworks?

10. Who has presented the TV series Antiques Roadshow since 2008?

2. Which West Indian island was invaded by US troops in 1983?

24

14 15

3 3

10

14 14

13

14

6

20 18

9

19

14

5 4 2 8 9 3 7 6 1

23

7

3

11

18

7 5 4 8 9 3 6 2 1

2

23

7

10

9 2 6 1 4 5 3 8 7

8

23

23

8 1 3 7 6 2 5 9 4

19

23

15

6 4 8 2 5 9 7 1 3

15

10

1 3 5 6 8 7 9 4 2

2

14

5

2 9 7 4 3 1 8 6 5

22

15

4 7 9 3 2 6 1 5 8

13

3 6 2 5 1 8 4 7 9

19

5 8 1 9 7 4 2 3 6

23

PZ1P5420

CROSS CODE 13

5420

30 31

22. Fried lightly (5) ACROSS 23. Tolerable (2-2) 2. Passage (7) 26. Flowerless 7. Blocking vote (4) plant (4) 8. Burden (4) 28. Stir up (7) 9. Metallic 29. Piquancy (4) element (7) 30. Limit (4) 10. Military force (4) 12. Prayer (archaic) (4) 31. Hinders (7) DOWN 15. Valleys (5) 1. Period of time (4) 17. Béla ------, 2. Conservative (4) Hungarian composer (6) 3. Windcheater (6) 18. Strain (6) 4. Strikes (6) 19. Dissertation (6) 5. Burial vault (4) 6. Rotate (4) 21. Caress (6)

10. Evergreen shrub (7) 11. Unlawful killings (7) 13. Blot on landscape (7) 14. Oriental (7) 15. ----- Day, film star (5) 16. Condition (5) 20. Cruelty (6) 21. Faster (anag.) (6) 24. Comply (4) 25. Vow (4) 26. Rates (4) 27. Anger (4)

QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 2 Transit; 7 Veto; 8 Onus; 9 Rhodium; 10 Army; 12 Bene; 15 Dales; 17 Bartók; 18 Stress; 19 Thesis; 21 Stroke; 22 Sauté; 23 So-so; 26 Fern; 28 Agitate; 29 Zest; 30 Edge; 31 Hampers.

Down – 1 Year; 2 Tory; 3 Anorak; 4 Smites; 5 Tomb; 6 Turn; 10 Arbutus; 11 Murders; 13 Eyesore; 14 Eastern; 15 Doris; 16 State; 20 Sadism; 21 Strafe; 24 Obey; 25 Oath; 26 Fees; 27 Rage.

QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Forty-six; 2 Grenada; 3 Fluid pressure; 4 Squash; 5 The Power of the Dog; 6 USA; 7 Lovely; 8 The Household Cavalry; FIVE ALIVE: 9 Claude Monet; 10 Fiona Bruce.

(1) Across – Train; Kayak; Nosed.

Down – Token; Abyss; Naked.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Cock-crow; 5 Spot; 8 Lathered; 9 Elmo; 11 Sapient; (2) Across – Halva; Micro; Delta.

Y S N Q C M I V W U D H B 13 Bacon; 14 Skating rink; 18 Paean; 19 High tea; 21 Lisp; 22 Down – Humid; Local; Aroma.

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Abundant; 24 Send; 25 Parlance.

O E L J T R X K P A F G Z Down – 1 Calash; 2 Cut up; 3 Clementine; 4 One; 6 Pelican; 7 NONAGRAM: amah; anarch; anchor; arch; archon; Thorny; 10 Aboriginal; 12 Tench; 15 Keelson; 16 Spills; 17 Battle; chai; chain; chair; chairman; char; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU 20 Train; 23 Baa. span; pale; aloe; charm; chin; china; chino; choir; need. chroma; haar; hair; haram; harm; harmonic; HARMONICA; hoar; hora; horn; ichor; inarch; inch; machair; macho; mahonia; march; mocha; mohair; monarch; nacho; ohmic; orach; ranch; rhino; rich; roach.

28 | LIFE

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Ball game ideas for young Healthy heart tip

B

ALL games are fun at any age, and a great way to get our hearts pumping.

Here we explore some games you can enjoy with the little ones in your life, whether they are babies, toddlers or pre-schoolers.

Don’t forget to praise their efforts and show them that you enjoy the games you play together, too.

Babies Even babies can enjoy playing with a ball. When a baby can hold up their head while lying on their tummy, encourage them to reach for the ball,

by placing it just out of reach.

This will encourage them to explore their surroundings, reach and grab.

Toddlers Encourage your child to throw, kick and roll the ball to you. Make this easier at first by sitting or standing close to each other.

Practice makes perfect – don’t expect your little one to catch straight away.

You could even use a cardboard box or washing basket as a goal.

Pre-schoolers Show your child how

to use their hand as a bat.

Bowl the ball to them and encourage them to hit it.

As your little one improves; change the rules so that they must run from one base to another after a hit.

The next step is rounders or cricket. n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www. heartresearch.org.uk/ healthy-tips. n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukrecipes-2/ n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/ heart-research-ukcookbook/.

Helena Badger

A

Green ‘n’ Tidy’ provides a basic gardening service for elderly and disabled residents of Wokingham Borough who cannot maintain their own properties, do not have local family support and/or lack the financial resources to employ commercial companies.

Our charity and the team of volunteers provides basic gardening, including lawn mowing, hedge trimming and weeding, to vulnerable people in need.

Our teams go out six days a week (Mondays to Saturdays) and you can sign up to a regular day.

We are currently looking for more volunteers to join our teams, so if you are physically able, like being outdoors, part of team and helping people in need, please get in touch now.

Volunteers must be over 18. Own transport preferred. Training will be provided.

David Lamont

What every party needs to get it started…

I

F you have children then you will relate to two things I am about to briefly mention.

the last six months.”

She adds: “We have repeat customers who use a party kit for birthdays, family barbeques, baby showers, christenings and other celebrations.”

Looking ahead, Lianne is also turning her thoughts to how Eco Party Kit can support larger events but points out that there are a few practical issues, including items disappearing, to be overcome. She also feels that there is a gap for ecofriendly party bags (we agree) and adds: “Watch this space.”

Eco Party Kit welcomes bookings from anywhere, although most orders come from Wokingham, Reading, Bracknell, and the surrounding areas. n For further information, visit www.facebook.com/ ecopartykitswallowfield

Eco party kits can save plastic from going to landfill “costume library”, with fancy dress items for hire for just a £1 donation.

“The concept behind this is the same - I am trying to discourage people from buying a new costume when it may only be worn once or twice and then disposed of,” she enthuses.

Eco Party Kit was born in 2020 when Lianne came across the Party Kit Network on Facebook and realised that there wasn’t a provider in the area.

“I also have a background in event planning and in particular an interest in sustainable events so this fitted my interests perfectly,” she continues.

Describing the challenges, other

Volunteer Corner

RE you a student back from University for the summer? Or do you just have some time to spare over the next few months? Do you want to give some time back to the local community? If the answer is yes, then Green ‘n’ Tidy needs you!

PlasticFreeHome

Firstly, losing many of your long-awaited weekends to attending what seems like an infinite number of their friend’s (lovely, of course) birthday parties. And, secondly, the challenge of avoiding unnecessary excess and waste, not to mention cost, when their own birthdays come around.

One brilliant local business, Eco Party Kit, based in Swallowfield, is here to help with at least one part of that puzzle.

We have all hosted or attended parties where rubbish sacks seem to be filling with ‘single-use’ plates, cups, cutlery, platters, table cloths, decorations and similar – and it is of course frightfully wasteful. That waste will either find its way into landfill or an incinerator, or if you are unlucky, the environment. None of them are great destinations.

As Eco Party Kit’s founder, Lianne, explains: “We provide a simple tableware hire service for parties. Instead of buying disposable tableware for a party, you can hire a kit which contains everything you need.

“We include in all our kits plates, bowls, cutlery, jugs, sharing platters, serving bowls, tablecloths and bunting.

“We offer backdrops for hire, preloved foil balloons, paper decorations, cake toppers and fabric pass the parcel bags too, so that you can hire and return items without anything going to waste.”

Lianne also runs what she calls a

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 30, 2022

than, of course, a certain pandemic, Lianne says: “The main one is getting the message out there and getting people to understand how easy it is to hire a kit.

“People are still programmed to head to the supermarket and buy a load of disposable items, hoping they can be recycled, or because it’s the most convenient option.

“I have been pleasantly surprised about how much people love the concept. Now that parties are back on the agenda, things have really taken off.

“I am getting lots of bookings and together we have saved over 2,000 single use items from landfill just in

n Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with more than 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably.

Visit www.theplasticfreehome. com or www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk

n Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse) is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to calling time on the harm, abuse and exploitation of older people.

We are dedicated to promoting safer ageing and a fairer society for all older people; delivering a range of support services from prevention and early intervention, right through to direct support and recovery.

We at Hourglass are enhancing our community-led services to provide a range of support to help those who have experienced abuse or exploitation, as well as any older person who may be at risk. We are therefore recruiting a team of volunteers to help us deliver frontline support to older people and others – can you help?

The role of a Safer ageing volunteer is key to the development and delivery of Hourglass Safer Ageing work. Safer Ageing Volunteers will perform various functions, such as advocates, caseworkers, providing a listening ear, Helpline, or awareness raising, to name a few.

The role can reflect the skills and interests of the volunteer, while fitting within the aims of the work. n 1st Woodley Scout Group, based at the Scout Hut, The Close, Southlake Crescent, Woodley RG5 3QL need your help to create every day adventure.

We are looking for enthusiastic, fun seeking adult volunteers who enjoy getting out and about and learning new skills.

The group runs activities for young people aged 10 to 14 on Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 9pm during term-time.

Scouts develops young people through fun, challenge and adventure. The position is voluntary and primarily involve helping to run the exciting activities with the children, as well as go on fun trips and outings. From abseiling to zorbing, camping to coding - we do it all.

We can offer you training, career skills, and a great chance to improve your CV. There’s also plenty of support from fellow volunteers and the chance to meet new people.

The most important part is that it’s fun and incredibly rewarding. n We are running a Volunteer Recruitment Fair at the new Charity and Community Hub, Waterford House, Erfstadt Court, Denmark Street in Wokingham Town Centre on Wednesday, July 6, from 11am-2pm. Please drop in and come and meet local charities and discover what you can do for volunteering and what volunteering can do for you.

SPORT TODAY

WOKINGHAM

NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US

30.06.22

KESTRELS COACH PLAN TAKES SHAPE

FINCH HIT FIELDERS FOR 4

BEARS HOLD FOURTH

WASH OUT

HONOURS EVEN IN DRAW

NEW SEASON COUNTDOWN

ROYALS BOOST GOALKEEPING OPTIONS WITH NEW ADDITION READING FC have bolstered their goalkeeping options by signing Dean Bouzanis on a three-year contract.

RAIN STOPS PLAY

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today SONNING 2s and Bracknell took a share of the points after their Thames Valley Division 5B clash had to be abandoned in the second innings.

Sonning elected to bat first having won the toss and got through their 52 over innings with four wickets still intact.

Opening batsman Dan Anderson was the highest scorer for the hosts as he hit 87 runs from 140 balls in a stint that saw him find the boundary eight times.

Wicket keeper W Hibberdine added 32 runs which helped Sonning to finish on 209, while Bracknell bowler N Cannon took three wickets.

There were just 7.2 overs bowled in the second innings when the

match had to be abanonded due to a downpour of rain.

Bracknell were on 20-0 after H Afzal had hit 17 of those runs.

Sonning were awarded 11 points which keeps them in seventh, while Bracknell added seven points to their total as they remain third in the division after eight matches. n Full cricket round-up and pictures on page 22 & 23

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The Australian shot stopper becomes the third player to join the Royals this summer after fellow goalkeeper Joe Lumley joined on a season-loan from Middlesbrough, while Tom Ince joined on a permanent deal after last season’s loan deal.

“I’m delighted we have been able to acquire the services of a goalkeeper with Dean’s ability and add him to a group who will benefit from his additional experience between the posts,” said Head of Football Operations, Mark Bowen.

“We now have great strength in depth in a position in the team which will be so important to get right this season.

“I’m pleased to welcome Dean to the club.”

Paul Ince said: “Dean is a goalkeeper who I know will put his body on the line and throw everything into keeping the ball out of the net for this football club.

“He becomes part of what is now a solid looking goalkeeping department, led by the hugely experienced Tony Warner, and I am confident he will be a real asset to the club this season and beyond.”

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WOKINGHAM TODAY READING TODAY 0800 30 50 30 www.trademarkwindows.co.uk Young defender Michael Stickland

Woodley United manager Jordan Blake

Woodley United FC v Eversley & California Pictures: Richard Milam

The Kestrels in action away at Eversley & California

WOODLEY UNITED FC

KESTRELS FINALISE COACHING TEAM AHEAD OF NEW SEASON

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

NEW Woodley United FC firstteam manager Jordan Blake has finalised his coaching team for the upcoming 2022/23 season.

The Kestrels will have a fresh approach to look forward to heading into the new Combined Counties Division One campaign after appointing a new management team.

Blake said: “Since taking the job, I have spoke to a number of individuals that have been interested in joining the management team and I believe I have managed to bring together some fantastic people that will ensure we are right both from a tactical point of view heading into the season but also making sure we build the right environment and culture to allow players to enjoy their football.

“Firstly, I would like to announce Pete Chingoma as my Assistant Manager for next season. I was recommended to reach out to Pete by a good friend of mine, Deano Jones. They worked together for Reading City under 23’s “Prior to this, Pete was involved in non-league club coaching and is also an academy coach at Reading FC. “From my first conversation with Pete, I could tell he has great knowledge and understanding of the game at non-league level and our values and ethos are very much aligned.

“Sheldon Baptiste will be taking on the role of first team coach/ head of recruitment.

“Sheldon is someone I have known for the last few seasons from working very closely with him in running

Woodley United FC Pictures: Peter Toft

a successful Sunday team that achieved the treble last season in the top division in Reading.

“His cool, calm, and collected approach and knowledge of players around the local area will help us to bring in the right players but more importantly the right characters.

“Shawn Dabreo will also be joining my coaching staff as a specialist forward coach working closely with the forward players in both training and on match days to pass on his expertise and knowledge to our forward line.

“Shawn is someone I have known for the last few years from Sunday football and I value his opinion immensely.

I look forward to working with Shawn to refine and develop aspects of our attacking play.

“Kaser Chowdhary has joined my staff as first team

coach. Kaser has played at step four, five and six in his career and unfortunately is due to have an operation very soon on his knee after an ACL injury.

“After Kaser told me he would miss most of the season I was keen to get him on my management team and have always thought very highly of him having known him from when he played for Marlow FC. “Bilal Malik will be joining my staff as S&C/fitness coach. Billy has been a PT for a number of years and worked with both semi professional players and professional players.”

Woodley began their pre-season preparations on Tuesday, June 28 and are inviting new players to come down and tryout for their sessions that take place from 7-9pm at Goals, Woodley.

Woodley United FC Pictures: Peter Toft

READING FC

ACADEMY PROSPECTS SIGNED UP TO NEW CONTRACTS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

SEVERAL of Reading FC’s academy players have been signed to new contracts with the club.

Noel Hunt’s team have been busy planning their squad for next season after they announced the arrival of John Clarke and Michael Craig, which was followed by several new contracts.

Mamadi Camara, Rashawn Scott, Nelson Abbey, Matt Rowley, Sam Paul, Benjamin Purcell, Cluadio Osorio, Louie Holzman and Michael Stickland have all extended their stays with the Royals.

Midfielder Camara showed plenty of promise when he featured for the first-team last season.

The midfielder made his firstteam debut in 2021 as a substitute in an FA Cup defeat to Luton Town.

Camara made six Championship appearances for the club last season and will be keen to force his way into Paul Ince’s plans for the upcoming 2022/23 campaign.

Rashawn Scott made his firstteam debut on the final day of last season as a substitute away at Luton and helped Hunt’s team to lift the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup later that day.

18-year-old Nelson Abbey made his first start for the senior team in last season’s Carabao Cup loss to Swansea City,while Claudio Osorio played in both domestic cup competitions in the 2021/22 season.

Claudio Osorio for the Royals against Swansea City Pictures: Steve Smyth

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READING FC

ROYALS TO OPEN NEW SEASON WITH TRIP TO SEASIDERS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

The Royals will be looking to push on in their first full season under manager Paul Ince after he helped guide the team away from the relegation zone in the 2021/22 campaign to a 21st placed finish.

Reading survived a close shave with relegation in a turbulent season on and off the pitch as they were hit by a transfer embargo, deducted six points for breaching profit and sustainability rules and changed managers more than halfway through the season after Veljko Paunovic was sacked.

ALL THE ROYALS CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES FOR THE 2022-23 SEASON JULY

Tue 18 - Swansea (a) Sat 22 - Bristol City (h) Sat 29 - Burnley (a)

Sat 30 - Blackpool (a)

AUGUST

Sat 6 - Cardiff City (h) Sat 13 - Rotherham (a) Tue 16 - Blackburn (h) Sat 20 - Middlesbrough (h) Sat 27 - Millwall (a) Wed 31 - Sheff Utd (a)

SEPTEMBER

Sat 3 - Stoke (h) Sat 10 - Watford (a) Wed 14 - Sunderland (h) Sat 17 - Wigan (a)

NOVEMBER

Tue 1 - Luton (a) Sat 5 - Preston (h) Sat 12 - Hull (a)

OCTOBER

Sat 1 Huddersfield (h) Tue 4 - Norwich (h) Sat 8 - QPR (a) Sat 15 - West Brom (h)

DECEMBER

Sat 10 - Coventry (h) Sat 17 Birmingham (a) Mon 26 Swansea (h) Thu 29 - Norwich (a)

JANUARY

Sun 1 - West Brom (a) Sat 14 - QPR (h) Sat 21 - Stoke (a) Sat 28 - Sheff Utd (h)

Sat 11 - Millwall (h) Wed 15 - Blackburn (a) Sat 18 - Hull (h)

APRIL

Sat 4 - Watford (h) Sat 11 - Sunderland (a) Tue 14 - Rotherham (h) Sat 18 - Cardiff (a) Sat 25 - Blackpool (h)

Sat 1 - Bristol City (a) Fri 7 - Birmingham (h) Mon 10 - Preston (a) Sat 15 - Burnley (h) Wed 19 - Luton (h) Sat 22 - Coventry (a) Sat 29 - Wigan (h)

MARCH

MAY

FEBRUARY

Sat 4 Middlesbrough (a)

Sat 6 Huddersfield (a)

READING FC

RINOMHOTA DEPARTS TO JOIN BLUEBIRDS ANDY Rinomohta has finalised a move away from Reading FC to join Cardiff City on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old’s contract with the Royals is due to expire at the end of the month, while he has signed a deal with fellow Championship rivals Cardiff.

Rinomhota has been a target this transfer window for QPR, Bristol City and Stoke City but the Bluebirds won the race for his signature It has already been a difficult start to the summer for Reading who have lost John Swift to West Bromwich Albion and Josh Laurent to Stoke City, both on free transfers after their contracts were up this month.

Nottingham Forest v Reading - Andy Rinomhota Picture: Steve Smyth After joining the Reading academy from AFC Portchester in 2015, Rinomhota made his firstteam debut in August 2017 against Gillingham in the EFL Cup.

Niedzwiecki makes Royals return to assist development

Happy days: Andy Yiadom and Tom McIntyre Picture: Steve Smyth

However, it will be another testing time for the Berkshire club who are once again under a transfer embargo which will limit them to signing free agents and loan players.

So far this transfer window, Reading have signed Andy Yiadom and Tom Holmes to contract extensions while several more senior players are out of contract at the end of the month.

Reading have lost three key players as John Swift, Andy Rinomhota and Josh Laurent have all departed on free transfers.

Tom Ince has re-joined the Royals on a three-year contract, while Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley has also been added to the squad on a season-long loan deal.

READING FC will open their 2022/23 Championship campaign away at Blackpool on Saturday, July 30.

READING FC

He has become the heartbeat of the team in central midfield after breaking into the teamand has made a total of 125 Championship appearances for the club.

He was named as the club’s player of the season at the end of the 2018/19 season after making 26 league appearances and scoring once in his breakthrough year.

Rinomhota missed a large period of last season with injury but did play a crucial part in helping the team survive relegation under Paul Ince as he totted up 20 league games last year.

Rinomhota said: “It’s never easy saying goodbye, especially to a club which has been so close to my heart for the last seven years.

“I came here as a boy and I leave as a man and I have loved every minute of it.

“I would be here all day if I tried to thank every individual person who has had a positive impact on me during my time here but from the roots of my heart, I’d like to thank every player I ever shared the pitch in the blue and white with, every manager who gave me the opportunity to wear the shirt from the under 23’s to the firstteam, every coach who ever worked with me and every member of staff who was ever involved in the club whilst I was here.

“My gratitude to you all can not be put in to words. Thank you Reading. Until we meet again.”

Eddie Niedzwiecki (pictured left) and Mark Bowen (pictured right) Picture: Steve Smyth

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

EDDIE Niedzwiecki has returned to Reading FC in the role as Director of Player Development.

Niedzwiecki was the assistant manager of the Royals under Mark Bowen and has now returned to the club just a few weeks after Bowen was appointed as Head of Football Operations.

The club says: “This broad new role will offer Eddie oversight of both the first-team and academy playing personnel – monitoring, racking, assisting and enhancing their development to help maximise their individual potential while at Reading Football Club and beyond.”

Niedzwiecki becomes the latest recruitment in what has been a summer of change at the club.

Paul Ince was given a contract to be the club’s permanent manager, assisted by Alex Rae. As well as Bowen returning to the club, Reading welcomed two new coaches this week as James Oliver-Pearce joined as first-team coach, while Tony Warner joined as goalkeeper coach.

Brian Carey was also brought to the club this month as Head of Recruitment.

Niedzwiecki has plenty of experience of his CV having taken caretaker charge of the Royals in 1991.

He has also been in caretaker charge of Queens Park Rangers in 2012 and Stoke City in 2018.

The Welshman has been reserve team coach at Arsenal and has coached at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, and Southampton.

He remained in the coaching staff under Veljko Paunovic, continuing to make an important impact at first team level while on the coaching staff as the club challenged for a playoff place in 2020-21.

20 | SPORT

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INCE SIGNS THREE-YEAR DEAL

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today Nottingham Forest v Reading - Tom Ince

Ince in action against Barnsley Pictures: Steve Smyth

Reading v Blackburn Rovers

Reading v Blackburn Rovers - Tom Ince

Nottingham Forest v Reading

READING FC have confirmed the signing of Tom Ince on a three-year deal.

Ince spent the second-half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with the Royals after joining on a loan swap deal with Liam Moore going the other way.

Having signed just a few weeks prior, his dad Paul Ince then joined on an interim basis as the club’s new manager to replace Veljko Paunovic.

The father and son duo helped to guide Reading towards Championship safety and both are now signed up on a permanent basis at the club.

Ince played 15 Championship games for Reading last season and scored two goals, one of which was a stunning strike which earned the Royals a crucial point away at promotion bound AFC Bournemouth.

He then netted in Reading’s magnificent comeback at home to Swansea City as they came back from 4-1 down to take a point.

Head of football operations Mark Bowen said: “An honest, mature and vastly experienced

professional, Tom’s drive and determination combined with his undoubted class and ability played an essential part in helping to steer this club away from danger in the final third of 2021-22.

“Working at the same club as his dad, a manager he has played under before, Tom knows precisely what will be expected of him and I am confident he will play an important part in 2022-23 and beyond as a Royal.

“I’m very pleased he has made a firm commitment to this fantastic club.”

Reading manager Paul Ince added: “Thomas is my son.

But, importantly, he is a Reading player the moment he arrives at the training ground every morning.

“His talent has always spoken for itself and he is a very good character to have in your dressing room.

“He still wants to improve, he still wants to succeed and he proved his worth here at Reading in the latter stages of last season.

“So I am very pleased he has now committed the next three years of his career to this club.”

READING FC

HOLMES CONFESSES ‘LOVE’ FOR READING AFTER NEW DEAL

By DANIEL BLACKHAM sport@wokingham.today TOM Holmes has admitted Mark Bowen was a key reason behind extending his contract at Reading FC.

Earlier this month, the 22-year-old centre-back put pen to paper on a three-year deal which will see him stay at the club until 2025.

Mark Bowen rejoined the Royals as head of football operations in May this year, after leaving the club in August 2020.

“I really like Mark (Bowen) coming back in, he was a big influence with the decision (to sign),” said Holmes.

“I felt like maybe it was something that was missing since he left that role at the club.

“I feel there is a bit more structure which is settling for players that are coming in and those out of contract when decisions need to be made.

“It is good that he has come back.”

Another factor in the contract extension was his connection to the club and the town.

He added: “I love Reading and this is where I’ve grown up so I’ve got a lot of ties here.

“I’m delighted with the outcome.”

With the new contract under his belt, attention turns to the pre-season schedule which gets underway on Saturday, July 2, behind closed doors at Bearwood Park against Colchester United.

Holmes is hopeful there will be a few more signings through the door before the season gets fully underway.

“At the moment there’s not as many numbers as we hope so maybe training is not quite where it should be but the pre-season games will give us

Tom Holmes celebrates against Hull Pictures: Steve Smyth the intensity needed ahead of July 30. ”I’m hoping that in this transfer window we can get bodies in to be competitive this year,” he said.

“Tom Ince and Yids (Andy Yiadom) signed which I was delighted with as they are big characters and were big

Tom McIntyre (left) and Tom Holmes (right)

players for us last year.”

Holmes did admit he was disappointed that some of his former teammates have left the club.

“With Swifty (John Swift) it felt inevitable but I was gutted with Josh (Laurent) going and everyone

was gutted as he was a massive character for the team.

“When I came into the team he also signed so he played a big part in my first team experience so it was sad to see him go, but all the best to him and I look forward to playing him.”

21

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Dan Anderson batting for Sonning 2s against Bracknell Pictures: Steve Smyth

THAMES VALLEY CRICKET

SONNING 2S AND BRACKNELL SHARE POINTS AFTER WEATHER FORCES GAMES TO BE ABANDONED

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Thames Valley Division 1

EVERSLEY’s match against Boyne Hill was abandoned in the second innings.

Eversley declared on 289 after 49 overs after a superb batting performance from J Ford who smashed 131 runs, while Tom Nichols added a half century.

The match was stopped when Boyne were on 79-2 from 21.1 overs.

Eversley are in sixth position in the table after eight matches.

Thames Valley Division 2B WOKINGHAM 2s stay as

league leaders after their victory over Sulhamstead & Ufton.

J McDonald finished with 3-28 as Sulhamstead’s innings was ended after 48.4 overs with 141 runs on the scoreboard.

The Oaks batted efficiently to take the win with five wickets to spare after a half century from M Cowdell.

HURST’s match with Slough was abandoned, as was READING’s tie against Fleet.

A Cupido totalled 78 runs for Hurst against Slough 2s, while N Reynolds took 4-55.

Thames Valley Division 3A

WARGRAVE 2s home match with WHITE WALTHAM had to be halted for rain.

A 54 from Thompson helped White Waltham to 169 before they were bowled all out, while Wargrave were on 96-4 when the match was abandoned.

SONNING got the better of Kidmore End by 37 runs.

Sonning amassed 174 before they were bowled out, but a magnificent bowling display from Zahid Mohammed (5-27) saw Sonning bowl Kidmore all out on 137.

46.2 overs.

The Oaks then strolled to victory and lost just three wickets in the process, wrapping up the win after 25.2 overs as G Horsley hit 64.

FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s’ game against Purley on Thames was abandoned.

Finch put 236 runs on the board after W Roberts totalled (87*), while G Fearon contributed with a half century.

WOKINGHAM 3s are the new team at the top of the division as they recorded their sixth win in eight matches.

Jamie Cable (3-21) and R Pogson (3-28) saw Maidenhead & Bray 2s all out for 156 after

WARGRAVE 3s were on 101-2 from 20.4 overs when their game against Ickenham 3s was abandoned.

The result means that Woodley are in fourth after eight matches.

Thames Valley Division 4A Thames Valley Division 5A

Thames Valley Division 5B

the match was stopped.

SONNING 2s and BRACKNELL’s contest had to be abandoned.

Sonning posted a score of 209 from 52 overs after 87 from D Anderson, while Cannon took 3-39 for Bracknell.

Bracknell were on 20-0 when the rain began and disrupted the game.

EVERSLEY 2s hosted FINCHAMPSTEAD 4s but the game was also abandoned in the second innings.

Finch collected 204 runs from 52 overs, while A Sharp was in excellent form with the ball for Eversley (4-58).

Eversley were on 75-1 when

HURST 2s took a huge victory over Falkland 3s by 266 runs.

Several impressive batting displays from Hurst saw them post a massive total of 381 from 45 overs.

Falkland were then bowled all out for 115 as Hurst climbed up to fourth.

WHITE WALTHAM 2s got the better of WOKINGHAM 5s by 164 runs.

Nikhil Jathavedan top scored with 71 for White Waltham which saw them total 299.

The Oaks ended on 135-6, while Jez Ellis took 3-47.

Thames Valley Division 7A

22 | SPORT

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BEARS HIT BIG TOTAL BEFORE RAIN CRICKET

Jake White batting for the Bears Pictures: Steve Smyth

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Home Counties Premier Division 1 FINCHAMPSTEAD were defeated comprehensively at home by High Wycombe.

In the first innings Finch were skittled all out with just 88 on the board after 37.3 overs after a clinical bowling and fielding display from the visitors.

White at the crease for Emmbrook

The 11th man in for Finch, Liam Bulteel, top scored with 22 not out.

Lewis Sharp took two wickets, but Wycombe got over the line to take the win after 13.3 overs to confirm an eightwicket victory.

WOKINGHAM collected 12 points after they drew away at Henley.

The hosts posted 324 runs after 64 overs, while Oaks bowler Max Uttley was again in stunning form with the ball as he took a five-wicket haul.

Wokingham had 93 runs on the scoreboard with three wickets down after 30.4 overs when the match ended in a draw.

Home Counties Division 2 WARGRAVE sit just four points off the top of the table after their away success at Amersham.

Wargrave put Amersham into bat and had them all out for 136 after 52.2 overs after Rhodri Lewis and Joe Priestly

both had three wickets to their name.

Wargave lost six wickets before they surpassed the target set by the hosts, while Euan Woods was top scorer with 56 to help them to a fourwicket win.

BCM Championship CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD’s home fixture against Great Kingshill was abandoned for rain.

Great Kingshill posted 235,

while Crows were on 119-2 when the match was stopped.

SHINFIELD worked their way to a seven-wicket win over WEST READING. West Reading were bowled all out after 32.1 overs for 105 as Shashank Garg collected 4-26 and Anuraag Shukla added three wickets.

The Bears had managed to total 268 after another impressive innings from opening batsman Alex Cobb (86).

Littlewick were on 55-5 when the game was abandoned.

CMB Premiership

SHINFIELD 2s moved up to third in the table after a convincing performance against WEST READING 2s.

EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD’s match at Lowther Road was called off for rain.

BCL Premier Division

SPORT | 23

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Honours Board

STOPS PLAY

Bowling

Zahid Mohammed – Sonning v Kidmore End – 5-27 Toby Fitton – Sonning 4s v Sulhamstead & Ufton 4s – 5-31 K Doherty – Binfield 2s v Purley on Thames 2s – 5-57 Max Uttley – Wokingham v Henley – 5-82 Zach Hodges – Sandhurst v Farley Hill – 4-24 Shashank Garg – Shinfield v West Reading – 4-26 A Singh – Woodley v Rangers – 4-28 Arun Kumar – Shinfield 2s v West Reading 2s – 4-29 Saksham Tyagi – Shinfield 2s v West Reading – 4-29 A Sharp – Eversley 2s v Finchampstead 4s – 4-58 Layla Judge – Binfield v Berkhamsted – 3-5 Amelia Humphrey – Binfield v Berkhamsted – 3-5 Mriganka Nawale – Finchampstead v Knebworth Park – 3-6 Joe Priestley – Wargrave v Amersham – 3-18 S Ansari – Rangers v Woodley – 3-21 Jamie Cable – Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 3-21 Rhodri Lewis – Wargrave v Amersham – 3-22 Adam Mansfield – Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Stallions – 3-24 I Hodgson – Wokingham Oaks & Acorns v Bradfield 3s – 3-25 A Shukla – Shinfield v West Reading – 3-26 Paul Hunsdon – Emmbrook and Bearwood 3s v Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s – 3-26 J McDonald – Wokingham 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton – 3-28 R Pogson – Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 3-28 R Warren – Binfield 3s v Aldershot 3s – 3-32 S Narayanasamy – Reading 2s v Newbury – 3-36 Cannon – Bracknell v Sonning 2s – 3-39 Zak Raja – Wokingham 5s v White Waltham 2s – 3-45 Azmath Atham – Berkshire Royals v Silchester – 3-46 Jez Ellis – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 3-47 Fayaz Mohamed – Berkshire Royals v Silchester – 3-48

Munir Khan hit 31* for West Reading, but they fell victim to a brilliant bowling display from Arun Kumar (4-29) and Saksham Tyagi (4-29) Shinfield got the job done and lost just two wickets in the process which saw Michael Page top score with 39*.

SANDHURST and FARLEY HILL added 22 points each after they tied.

Farley managed to score 150 from 40 overs in the first innings as Zach Hodges had four wickets to his name for Sandhurst.

With a revised target of 86 from 26.5 overs to catch, Sandhurst ended on 85-2 as the game was tied.

BCL Division 1A

READING UNITED came out on top against READING LIONS by 111 runs.

A quick century from Sumanth Ganguly, who smashed 103 runs from 71 balls, helped United place 306 as their final total after 40 overs.

Shiva Aruna performed fantastically to hit 103 runs from 71 balls for the Lions who finished on 195-4.

BERKSHIRE ROYALS added 35 points to their total with an away success at Silchester.

BCL Division 1B READING UNITED 2s got the

Batting better of FARLEY HILL 2s to collect 37 points.

Reading posted 242 from 40 overs, while Farley fell short of reaching the revised target of 167 from 25 overs as they finished on 118-6.

BCL Division 3 CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD stormed to a big 160-run victory over EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 3s.

Nikunj Mahta achieved a half century, while Ventaka Abapa smacked 109 runs before he was

bowled out which saw Crows finish with 265 runs.

The Bears finished on 105-5 after Harry Sweetnam top scored with 32.

SHINFIELD 4s climbed up the table by winning away at TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE 2s.

Twyford batted first and a magnificent knock from Marc Teal (115*) contributed heavily as they posted 201-8 from 40 overs.

With a revised total to catch, Shinfield finished on 100-2 from 21 overs as the points went their way.

WOMEN’S CRICKET

FINCHAMPSTEAD FLY TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE AS BINFIELD FOLLOW CLOSE BEHIND

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today FINCHAMPSTEAD made it two wins from two to soar to the top of the table in the Home Counties Women’s Cricket League.

The hosts, Knebworth Park, put Finch into bat first in the contest.

The opening batting pair for Finch, Frankie Nicklin and Millie Allerton put 20 runs on the board before the first wicket fell when Alleton fell for five.

Nicklin was next to go when she was removed for 13, with

the score on 46-2.

But Finch got back on track and surpassed the century mark before their next wicket came.

A strong middle order of the innings saw Ashleigh Muttitt hit 44 runs from 37 balls as she top scored in the match, while Freya Johnson added 21 before she was trapped LBW and Sophie Armstrong-Wood contributed with 2r runs.

The final Finch wicket came in the 35th over after the visitors had put 190 runs on the board to set a challenging test for the home side.

With a decent total to defend,

Finch made an early breakthrough when Molly Bulteel took the wicket of Elizabeth Ruxton for one run, with 8-1 on the scoreboard.

Knebworth recovered well and put up a fight as they managed to move onto 111-4 to give themselves a shot at victory.

But Finch ended the match brilliantly as they took the final five wickets for a return of just four runs.

Mriganka Nawale ended the day with three wickets which helped Finch to seal a 70-run success.

BINFIELD are level on points

with Finch after they also made it two wins from two.

An exceptional opening to the first innings saw Binfield out 90 on the board before the first wicket fell when Poppy Evans went for 30.

Opening batter Isobel Carson’s magnificent display saw her survive the entire inning as she amassed 88 runs which helped Binfield to finish on 217-5.

The superb bowling of Layla Judge (3-5) and Amelia Humphrey (3-5) saw Binfield skittle Berkhamsted all out on 85 to secure a convincing 132-run win.

Jihan Mishra – Theale & Tilehurst 4s v Eversley 5s – 144* Bendall – Wokingham 6s v Binfield 4s – 133* Jack Ford – Eversley v Boyne Hill – 131 Marc Teal – Twyford and Ruscombe 2s v Shinfield 4s – 115* Venkata Adapa – Crowthorne & Crown Wood 3s v Emmbrook and Bearwood 3 – 109 S Arshad – Theale & Tilehurst 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 4s – 108* Shiva Aruna – Reading Lions v Reading United – 103 Sumanth Ganguly – Reading United v Reading Lions – 103 P Nargund – Rangers v Woodley – 95 Sanjay Gurung – Earley v Falkland – 90 Isobel Carson – Binfield v Berkhamsted – 88* W Roberts – Finchampstead 3s v Purley on Thames – 87* D Anderson – Sonning 2s v Bracknell – 87 Rob Dimmack – Theale & Tilehurst 2s v Slough 4s – 87 Alex Cobb – Emmbrook and Bearwood v Littlewick Green – 86 Shiv – Wokingham 6s v Binfield 4s – 83 A Cupido – Hurst v Slough 2s – 78 N Reynolds – Hurst v Slough 2s – 78 Dan Aston – Eversley 5s v Theale & Tilehurst 4s – 76* Binny Zutshi – Earley v Warfield – 76 C White – Hurst 2s v Falkland 3s – 76 Nikhil Jathavedan – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 71 I Hodgson – Wokingham Oaks & Acorns v Bradfield 3s – 70* S Smith – Wokingham Oaks & Acorns v Bradfield 3s – 69 James Stoker – Knowl Hill v Stratfield Turgis – 68 Jonny Mahoney – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 65 G Horsley – Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead & Bray 2s – 64 Richards – Wargrave 3s v Ickenham 3s – 60 Aahaan Sharma – Sonning 4s v Sulhamstead & Ufton 4s – 59 T Walker – Hurst 2s v Falkland 3s – 58 Tom Nichols – Eversley v Boyne Hill – 57 Salman Idrees – White Waltham 2s v Wokingham 5s – 57 S Hawkes – Hurst 2s v Falkland 3s – 55* Gaurang Patel – Waltham St Lawrence v Stratfield Turgis – 54 Thompson – White Waltham v Wargrave 2s – 54 M Cowdell – Wokingham 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton – 52 G Fearon – Finchampstead 3s v Purley on Thames – 52 Jonny Abbott – Sonning 3s v Kidmore End – 51

24 | SPORT

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GOLF

RESULTS

MEMBERS BATTLE AT CLUB EVENT

Saturday, June 25 Hennerton Golf, L-R Liz Deaney (Lady Captain), Wayne Richards, Nuala Priest, Paul Deaney, Eileen Holmes, Keith Griffiths (Men’s Captain)

CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division 1 Finchampstead (88 all out) lost to High Wycombe (89-2) Henley (324-9) drew Wokingham (93-3) Home Counties Division 2 Amersham (236 all out) lost to Wargrave (137-6) BCM Championship Crowthorne & Crown Wood (119-2) abandoned Great Kingshill (235-7) West Reading (105 all out) lost to Shinfield (106-3) CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood (268-9) abandoned Littlewick Green (55-5) Chilterns Division Two Holyport (138-8) drew Emmbrook and Bearwood (211-9 dec)

By EILEEN HOLMES sport@wokingham.today MEMBERS at Hennerton Golf Club battled it out on the green in the club’s two day club championship event.

Hosted on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, the competition took the gross scores over the weekend to crown the winners of both the ladies and men’s sections.

The first group began at 8am

and play continued throughout the morning.

At the end of day one, the teams were re-jigged ready for action on day two. Some excellent golf was played and the competition was tight.

The results in the men’s section saw Steve Clark win with 144, second place was Rob Cob with 148 and third Tom Oliver on 149.

Katherin Leigh won the ladies section with 147, second was Liz

Deaney with 167 and third Evie Napier on 168.

Patrick Surgue (122) was first in the Men’s Nett results, while James Hinsley was second (125).

The ladies Nett results saw Barbara Langdale come out on top (131), while Anne Hooper finished in second (133).

Mixed teams will competed at the club in the Texas Scramble format.

The final scores were very close, with the second placed team (Roger

BOWLS

PROSPECT PARK GET THE BETTER OF ISLAND BOHEMIAN TO TAKE VICTORY

By STAFF WRITER sport@wokingham.today

Prospect Park Bowls Club In the KL League, Prospect lost to Tilehurst 49-74, while the KLV A team got the better of Island Bohemian with a score of 68-46.

They drew on two rinks and thanks to B Dibley’s triple, they took the game.

Meanwhile the B side lost at Pangbourne 37-55.

Wokingham Bowls Club In the ladies TVLL against Great Hollands on Thursday, Wokingham achieved a win of 46-44, a very closely fought match.

At the two-wood County game on Saturday, two of Wokingham Ladies, Margaret Argent and Joy Deeves won through to the last 16 with the next round being held at the Island on Sunday, July 10.

Caroline Mabley and Anne Marie Murray are through to the pairs at the County quarter finals this coming weekend and Anee Marie is through to the champion of champions.

The National Top Club saw Wokingham beaten by Three Mile Cross with a total of 3-1 on Sunday, June 26.

On Thursday, Wokingham Oakapples played away to Island Bohemian but came away winning just two points on one rink.

The final score was 43 to Oakapples and 51 to Island Bohemian.

Wokingham secured a win in a mixed friendly match against Maiden Erlegh on Saturday with a final score of 85-80 in another closely contested battle.

Maiden Erlegh Bowls Club In the KL, MEBC travelled away to play Suttons B and earned an impressive win against their nearest

challengers to finish the first half of the season at the top of the League.

The score was10-4 on points and 82-61 shots. Rinks 16-23, 2610, 24-9, 16-19. Skips were Mark Hiley, Mike Lewis, Mike Fraser and Keith Hawkins.

In KLV-A, MEBC hosted Suttons B and came out with an excellent result after winning on all three rinks, for an overall win 10-0 on points and by 72-25 shots. Individual rink score 1613, 21-6, 35-6. Skips were Guy O’Connor, Mike Fraser and Mike Lewis.

MEBC TVLL A Team travelled to TMX this week and found it heavy going losing on two rinks but won overall 54-48 and 6-4 on points.

In KLV-B, MEBC travelled away to Great Hollands and in a close match, MEBC lost on two rinks but won overall 4946 on shots, and -4 on points.

Individual rink scores 13-14, 16-20, 20-12. Skips were Keith Boulter, Frank Parkinson, Peter Heyes respectively.

Stapley, Marion Armson, Lucille Richards and John Duffy) and third placed team (Chris Thompson, Ann Ellis, Val Doyle and Nick Duncan) both coming in with just over 49 points.

The winning team of Paul Deaney, Nuala Priest, Eileen Holmes and Wayne Richards finished with a decisive score of 46.1 points. n For further details,contact the club on 0118 940 1000 or email admin@ hennertongolfclub.co.uk

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

SUMAS SEEK PLAYERS FOR NEW LADIES TEAM WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK FC are seeking new players to join their new ladies development squad next season.

The club plans to enter their team to play in the Thames Valley Counties Women’s from next season.

The Sumas will be arranging taster sessions for keen players to come along and tryout playing ladies football with anyone over the age of 16 invited to tryout.

The sessions will take place on Wednesday, July 13, Wednesday, July 20 and Wednesday July 27 at Emmbrook School 3G from 7pm-8pm.

The Sumas were forced to fold their Ladies first-team for the 2020/21 campaign, however they are also making a return for the 2022/23 season where they will compete in the Thames Valley Women’s Counties Football League.

Wokingham played their league matches in TVCWFL Division 1 where they finished in seventh in the 2021/22 season.

They picked up four wins, three draws and 11 losses which gave them 15 points from 18 matches where they competed alongside fellow local sides such as Tilehurst Panthers, Eversley & California, Caversham AFC and Wargrave.

Manager Stuart Greig is also keen to recruit and additional coaches and assistants to help out with training the ladies team ahead of the 2022/23 campaign. n For more information, email ladies@wefc.club or call 07982 236193

BCL Premier Division Sandhurst (85-2) tied Farley Hill (150-8) Shinfield 2s (93-2) beat West Reading 2s (91 all out) Stratfield Turgis (164-0) beat Waltham St Lawrence (163 all out) BCL Division 1A Reading Lions (195-4) lost to Reading United (306-6) Silchester (245 all out) lost to Berkshire Royals (306-6) BCL Division 1B Farley Hill 2s (118-6) lost to Reading United 2s (242-8) Rangers (229-7) abandoned Woodley (42-7) Shinfield 3s (80-4) drew Twyford and Ruscombe (220 all out) Warfield (134-4) beat Earley 2s (155 all out) Stallions (78-5) lost to Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (240-7) Thames Valley Division 1 Boyne Hill (79-2) abandoned Eversley (289-6 dec) Thames Valley Division 2B Binfield (99-4) abandoned Finchampstead 2s (221-6) Hurst (188 all out) abandoned Slough 2s (122-5) Fleet (253-7) abandoned Reading (43-1) Wokingham 2s (142-5) beat Sulhamstead & Ufton (141 all out) Thames Valley Division 3A Wargrave 2s (96-4) abandoned White Waltham (169 all out) Kidmore End (137 all out) lost to Sonning (174 all out)

Sunday, June 26

CRICKET Home Counties Women’s Division 1 Berkhamsted (85 all out) lost to Binfield (217-5) Knebworth Park (120 all out) lost to Finchampstead (190 all out)

Home Counties Berkshire Women’s Softball Crowthorne & Crown Wood (69-4) beat Binfield (44-5)

FIXTURES

Saturday, July 2 FOOTBALL Pre-season friendly Reading v Colchester

CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division 1 Banbury v Finchampstead Wokingham v Slough BCM Championship Ballinger Waggoners v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Great Kingshill v West Reading CBM Premiership Knotty Green v Emmbrook and Bearwood Chilterns Division Two Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Little Marlow 2s BCL Premier Division Farley Hill v Mortimer West End Waltham St Lawrence v Shinfield 2s West Reading 2s v Sandhurst BCL Division 1A Peppard Stoke Row 2s v Earley Reading United v Checkendon Stallions v Berkshire Royals West Reading 3s v Silchester BCL Division 1B Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Farley Hill 2s Earley 2s v Stallions 2s Reading United 2s v Shinfield 3s Twyford and Ruscombe v Rangers Woodley v Warfield Thames Valley Division 1 Eversley v Beaconsfield Thames Valley Division 2B Slough 2s v Binfield Cove v Wokingham 2s Reading v Hurst Finchampstead 2s v Royal Ascot Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham v Harpsden Sonning v Theale & Tilehurst Windsor v Wargrave 2s Thames Valley Division 4A Wokingham 3s v Finchampstead 3s Thames Valley Division 5B Royal Ascot 2s v Sonning 2s Binfield 2s v Eversley 2s Finchampstead 4s v Bagshot 2s Newbury v Sonning 2s Bracknell v Royal Ascot 2s

Sunday, July 3

CRICKET Home Counties Women’s Division 1 Finchampstead v Charlbury Binfield v Stony Stratford Home Counties Women’s Softball Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Binfield