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PARK STRIFE ‘Car meets at Carnival Pool pose a danger’ EXCLUSIVE By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today “VULNERABLE people are going to get hurt,” Wokingham residents have warned, as car meets continue to take place in Wokingham town centre.
Over the past year, motorists have allegedly been using Carnival Pool car park late at night, “speeding up and down the ramps” and disturbing households living nearby. Now, residents are urging Wokingham Borough Council to take action and block access to the site before somebody gets seriously injured. Rebecca Price, whose name has been changed, lives near the multistory car park. She said drivers began meeting at Carnival Pool in November 2019. “It’s been an ongoing and extremely distressing situation,” she said. “It’s become really, really unpleasant living close by.” According to Ms Price, motorists have been visiting the car park multiple times a week and blocking access to the upper levels. They then allegedly backfire their engines while speeding throughout the site. “When it first started it was quite fierce,” she said. “It was a real safety issue for families with children who used the car park for the bowling alley.” Fellow Wokingham resident Neil Carter, whose name has been changed, told Wokingham.Today that the car park is being treated as a “free for all”. “People are tooting their horns, racing about, and at some point, somebody vulnerable is going to get run over,” he added. � Continued on page 8
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2 | NEWS
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GROUPS and organisations interested in using the new Carnival Leisure Centre facilities for events can now have their say on its design and equipment.
Write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Jess Warren, Charlotte King, Laura Scardarella Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson
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Carnival Pool venue hire survey launched By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
The multi-million pound leisure and library complex has been designed so that organisations can hire the space for cultural and community events when not in use. To move the plan along, the council is now looking to speak to people who could use the hub, to better understand demand, fit-out requirements and consider what extra equipment might be needed. Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “While this is primarily a leisure centre and library the flexible fit-out of the sports hall and studio spaces will be key in supporting wider cultural use for events such as performances, lectures or exhibitions. “This is why we are already talking to several local organisations and will be emailing others who previously took part in our cultural engagements, with details of a survey for them to complete. “We’d encourage them to take part as this is their opportunity to help us better understand their needs as well as the level of demand for cultural spaces locally.” Work on site is progressing on the frame, roof decks, lift shafts and
foundations for the remaining structure. The Carnival Hub will have two swimming pools – a six-lane 25m pool and teaching pool with moveable depth floor and splash pad. There will be a fitness suite and spinning studio, rooms that can also be used for events, a four-court sports hall that can convert into a performance venue with tiered seating, a spa, gym, cafe and viewing areas. There will also be a library with space for events and exhibitions and a children’s zone. “It is great to see the progress being made at Carnival Hub and it is exciting to see the building starting to take shape,” added Cllr Batth. “With the steel frame going up, changes to the site will be really visible now.” He said the council has committed more than £50 million to sport and leisure facilities in the borough including Carnival Hub, Cantley and Bulmershe Leisure centre, which opened last year. “As a council we’re keen to create opportunities for people to be active and stay healthy as we know how important exercise is in improving wellbeing,” Cllr Batth added. The survey is open to any groups who might be interested in running large events or activities at the Carnival Hub. It closes on Sunday, June 13. � It can be found by searching for current consultations on: www.wokingham.gov.uk
Enjoy a date with nature this weekend at Dinton RSPB Wokingham and Bracknell Local Group, a group for members
Woosehill stage for EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WOOSEHILL performing arts and dance school returned to the stage at the weekend, to fundraise for its place at Edinburgh Fringe next year.
who share an interest in saving nature, are hosting a Date With
Nature walk on Saturday, June 5, at 9am. The event will be held at Dinton Pastures Country Park, in Hurst, where ramblers meet outside the cafe to begin their journey. Taking around three hours, the group plans to finish at The Wheelwrights Arms, on Davis Way, to enjoy refreshments. Everyone is welcome to join the walk and a voluntary donation of £2 to RSPB is suggested. � For more information, visit rspb.org.uk/groups/ wokinghamandbracknell
Students from Platform YP were back for their first performances in front of a live audience at The Whitty Theatre on Saturday. School founder, Tracey Eley, said it was the first time 20 of her students had performed since January last year. She said it was a manic but brilliant weekend for all involved. “They were so proud of themselves,” she said. “They were absolutely buzzing after they came off the stage. It was like magic watching the change in them after the show — even the parents were getting emotional.” With many of her young performers pursuing a career in the arts, Ms Eley said the last 16 months have been tough without a stage to perform on. “We usually do 15 shows a year, so to go this long without a performance was massive for them,” she explained. The next day, the staff team at Platform YP took to the stage to fundraise for their place at the Edinburgh fringe Festival next summer. They need to raise £6,500 to get the team to Scotland next summer, for seven days performing Madagascar JR, based on the DreamWorks film series. “We did a bit of a cabaret show,” Ms Eley said. “Lots of the students came to watch us too.” The event was supported by The Whitty Theatre which supplied the venue for free, to help boost the fundraising totals.
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Wokingham most prosperous place to live in the country
arts group return to Fringe festival cash “We wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without that,” Ms Eley said. “Especially with the theatre 50% full, the audience all spaced out with masks on. It was so lovely of them to support the community.” The team raised £700 on the night, which added to their previous fundraising events, made a total of £2,040 — just over a third of the target. Ms Eley is optimistic Platform YP is on track for Edinburgh Fringe 2022, and is looking forward to a “magical” week of performing arts.
THE BOROUGH has been named the most prosperous place to live in the UK, according to a new report from the Legatum Institute. It stated the area has the best living conditions in the UK, including health and conditions for business. Cllr John Halsall, leader of the borough council, said it was an excellent result, brought about by Conservative policies and commitment from the community. “It is fantastic that Wokingham borough has been ranked as the most prosperous authority area in the UK,” he said. “It’s a real testament to the many years of Conservative management of the council, and to the hard work that so many across our borough put in every day into making this the best place to live.” But the leader said this does not mean the borough can ignore “poorer pockets” in the community. “One of the Conservative administration’s key priorities is to make sure that people do not get left behind as we rebuild after covid – that we level up all parts of the borough,” he said. Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrats said he judges an area by the community’s compassion for others. “I am very proud of our area,” he said. “The local residents are one of the most friendly and helpful in the country. So many of you were prepared to help those less fortunate during the pandemic.”
He added: “While we may be the most affluent area of the UK, we judge an area on its compassion for others as well and here in Wokingham borough we have one of the most compassionate group of people in the country. “It is not just the level of income people have, but what they do to help their neighbours and less well off that makes this area really special." Cllr Rachel Burgess, leader of Wokingham Labour, said it was no surprise a borough in the south east of England was considered prosperous, and put it down to geography. “Wokingham’s easy access to London and the Thames Valley brings a host of benefits, access to jobs and wealth creation,” she said. “This wealth is then entrenched by high house prices that the majority cannot afford. And we know that living conditions, health outcomes, education and other social and wellbeing factors are linked to this wealth.” Cllr Burgess said the report “hides the wide difference within the borough between the haves and the have nots”. She said: “This rich-poor gap can be seen in the large differences in child poverty throughout the borough… some areas experience much higher child poverty and deprivation levels than their wealthier neighbours. “What’s more, the experience of a child living a life of poverty in Wokingham watching their wealthy peers live vastly different lives can
TOP SPOT: The borough is deemed most prosperous place in UK
also be uniquely harmful.” Cllr Burgess said the report uses broad measures including many not normally associated with prosperity. She added: “We score very low for travel times to schools and GPs, journey delay, low income primary school attainment and lack of tolerance for different classes — all areas where Wokingham borough needs to do better. “What’s also disturbing is our poor score for the natural environment which includes air pollution and emissions – the council’s lack of action in this area is holding us back, making us less healthy and stopping the area from being the best it can be.” She questioned why the cost of housing was not included. “Private renting, affordability for first time buyers and council house waiting lists are all excluded from a report which purports to measure prosperity,” she said. The borough ranked second for health, 13th for social cohesion, and 17th for education. Windsor and Maidenhead came in at number 18 in the leaderboard, followed by West Berkshire at 32, and Bracknell at 39. Slough and Reading ranked at 127 and 156 respectively.
LIVE: A group of 20 took to the stage last month for the first time since January last year Pictures: Simon Drake
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Town’s charity hub gets planning permission A NEW CHARITY hub has been granted planning permission for Wokingham town centre. Office space at Waterford House will now be reconfigured for the voluntary, charity and community organisations moving into the building. This work will start this month, with the hub opening in September. It is hoped the centre will build on from the partnership developed between Wokingham Borough Council and the voluntary sector during the pandemic. It will bring organisations under one roof, to provide support for residents. Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services at Wokingham Borough Council, said confirming planning permission for the hub was a key milestone in the project. “During the pandemic it has become clear that our residents have really benefited from the coordinated way the council and the voluntary, charity and community sector have worked together to ensure people get the help and support they need locally,” he said. “The hub will build on from this great partnership working and I’m delighted that the refurbishment work will start shortly.” The borough council hopes to open more hubs across the borough.
Drivers slapped with fines over illegal right turns DRIVERS making illegal right turns at the new Winnersh Relief Road junction have been hit with police fines. Wokingham North Neighbourhood Policing Team said it is “taking action” following concerns over the new changes to the traffic lights last week. “Those caught have been issued with a fixed penalty notice, and may face both a fine and points on their licence,” a spokesperson warned.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
Crash force with no belt can kill, warns sergeant EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today DRIVERS could hit their windscreen with a force up to 60 times their body weight when not wearing a seatbelt.
That’s the warning from Sergeant Scott Kerr during the National Police Chiefs' Council seatbelt campaign. For the next month, Sgt Kerr, road safety sergeant of the Joint Operations Roads (JOU) Policing Unit of Thames Valley Police, will be part of national action around education and enforcement. Over the last decade, 86 people in the Thames Valley and Hampshire regions died after not wearing a seatbelt in a crash – equating to more than one death every two months. Sgt Kerr said each crash without a seatbelt is a trauma people could do
without seeing. “Our message is clear: wear a seatbelt. It means you will be twice as likely to survive a serious collision as someone who doesn’t,” he said. “It surprises me because when people go on to a plane, they wear their belt without any issue at all. We know the vast majority of people do wear their seatbelts, but sadly we still come across people who decide to risk their lives and others by travelling in a vehicle without wearing a seatbelt.” The sergeant urged drivers to help themselves, and think about their families. He said if one person in the car does not wear a belt, in a crash they are more likely to be thrown around
and cause serious injury to the other passengers. “We do not want people to become complacent in the belief they’ll never be in a collision,” he added. “We see enough incidents on our roads to know this is not the case. “Even if you are just driving locally and at a low speed, that is no guarantee
that you will not be involved in a collision. “And aside from the risk to your life, not wearing a seatbelt is a motoring offence. It is not worth the risk.” Sgt Kerr said drivers must also “play their part” in protecting the NHS resources during a pandemic, as every crash without a belt increases the severity of injuries and is
more likely to lead to death. Drivers not wearing a seatbelt could hit their windscreen with a force anywhere between 30 and 60 times their own weight. Last year in Thames Valley and Hampshire, 1,267 people were prosecuted for related offences. Officers will be taking action against those that break the law and check child seats to ensure they’re compliant, fit for purpose and fitted correctly. Sgt Kerr added: “Children are very precious cargo – which is why it is so important we make sure car seats are keeping them safe. “Not having a properly fitted child car seat can increase the risk of children being injured or killed on our roads. Get yours checked by an approved fitter if you are in any doubt.” Sgt Kerr said the JOU unit is reinforcing the “fatal four” throughout its work. These are the biggest risks to crashes; speeding, being distracted by phones and sat navs, drinking or drug driving and not using a seatbelt. The month of action hopes to help reduce serious and fatal collisions.
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THE NEW entrance to Addington School has been completed, in a bid to reduce congestion. The Woodley place of learning now has its own dedicated entrance with gates and the car park improved for better drainage. The site used to share its entrance with Bulmershe School, Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Goals Reading five-a-side centre and Kingfisher Table Tennis Club, via Leisure Road, off Woodlands Avenue. But the new gates mean school buses and parents can go directly on to Woodlands Avenue. Sara Attra, headteacher at the school said she is delighted with the new carpark and entrance — which completes the school expansion. “Both will considerably ease the congestion that currently happens at the beginning and end of the school day when three large facilities share the same entrance and exit points,” she said. “We are very much looking forward to improved safety in our car park for pupils and parents, as well as improving the flow of
school transport.” Work carried out this spring, overseen by Wokingham Borough Council’s operational property team. Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services at the borough council, said: “Addington School provides an outstanding education to hundreds of young people in our borough. This follows a recent expansion with the new sixth form centre, enabling even more young people in our borough to access this. “Now their journeys in and out of the school will be easier, as well as reducing congestion for those accessing Bulmershe secondary school and the leisure centre at peak times.” Works also included an expansion of the car park to accommodate the extra staff and this will adjoin the new entrance on to Woodlands Avenue. The access road at Bulmershe now has a new turning circle for buses and pedestrian crossings. A safety barrier controlled by the school was also added a few years ago to control traffic flow.
Black boxes become tools for environmental projects WOKINGHAM residents are being encouraged to repurpose their black boxes following the delivery of the new, waterproof recycling sacks. Last month, Wokingham Borough Council completed the rollout of its new bags. Now, it is asking people to find other uses for their old containers and said, from hedgehog homes to vegetable planters, some residents are already turning them into something new. Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment, said: “Many of our residents have already taken it upon themselves to find a good way to reuse their black boxes at home. “I was delighted to see some hedgehogs in Twyford have already found a happy home inside a reused
black box, specially fitted out for their needs.” Other suggestions include using them as outdoor storage boxes and donating them to neighbours in need. Wokingham Borough Council will collect unwanted black boxes later this year, and said the containers should not be left out for removal if they are not currently being used. Residents in need of extra waterproof recycling bags can collect them from pick-up locations listed on: www.wokingham.gov.uk/ rubbish-and-recycling/recycling/ order-recycling-bags � Anybody who has repurposed their black box can email photos to CEM@wokingham.gov.uk and news@wokingham.today
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CHARITIES HONOURED WITH QUEEN’S AWARD
CLASP’s learning disability work wins EXCLUSIVE
VOLUNTEERS: The CLASP team have won a Queen’s Award
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM charity is celebrating after being named as a recipient of the Queen’s Award – the honours system for the voluntary sector.
CLASP – Listen To Us are a group of volunteers from across the borough who help adults with learning disabilities. It is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the award this year and has been picked from hundreds of entries. This, they say, shows that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them. The awards are given to groups that conduct work considered to be outstanding, as they seek to help local communities. Launched in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the recipients are announced each year on June 2, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953.
CLASP’s Listen To Us team offers learning disability awareness training across the borough and stems from its belief that everyone should be treated equally. Staff and self-advocates work to raise awareness of learning disabilities and important issues affecting the local learning disability community. This includes empowering people with learning disabilities to have the same opportunities and choices as everyone else. Self-advocates are involved in all areas of the charity’s delivery and our Board of Trustees and staff team includes people with learning disabilities. Representatives of CLASP – Listen To Us will receive the award from James Puxley, the
Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, later this summer. And, assuming covid restrictions allow, two volunteers from CLASP will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May next year to celebrate the award. Debs Morrison, CLASP manager, said: “I am so proud of the Listen To Us team and their positive approach sharing firsthand experiences to educate others and make the community a better place for those with a learning disability. “CLASP volunteers, members, staff and trustees all work hard to raise awareness of those with a learning disability, and I am so blessed to be part of this charity.” � Nominations are open for next year’s award, and close on September 15.
Amazon Prime films in Wokingham home PREPARATIONS have begun for a new thriller in Wokingham. Camera crews are setting up ready to start work on an Amazon Original six-part thriller series, The Devil’s Hour, in the borough later this month. The series will be produced by Hartswood Films, and produced by Steven Moffat, Tom Moran and Sue Vertue. Johnny Allan will be the director. Members of the crew were spotted on Starmead Drive, off Easthampstead Road, on Tuesday, June. Reported in Advanced Television, Georgia Brown, director of European Amazon Originals for Prime Video, said: “The Devil’s Hour is a gripping story from an exciting new voice, with a dream team behind and in front of the camera.” “We’re thrilled to be working with Tom, Steven and Sue on this new project, and we can’t wait to share news of the great British talent set to feature in this series.” As a result of the filming, the
ACTION: Parts of the Devil’s Hour will be filmed on Starmead Drive Pictures: Claire Worsfold
road will be closed between Monday, June 28, and Thursday, July 1, although this is subject to change. Starmead Drive will be blocked off between the Andrew Close and Easthampstead Road junctions. An alternative route for drivers will be via Easthampstead Road and Starmead Drive, or this route in reverse. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. The Devil's Hour tells the story of a mother living in a haunted house and waking each night at 3.33am. When she becomes linked to a string of brutal murders, the
answers that have avoided her over the years come into focus. The film is described as a creepy, philosophical thriller that seeks to explain the inexplicable. Sue Vertue, CEO of Hartswood Films, as reported in Advanced Television, said: “We are genuinely delighted to be one of the first UK Originals that Prime Video has commissioned and are thrilled that Tom Moran and his big brain have trusted Hartswood and Johnny Allan the director with the wonderful task of bringing his scripts to life.” The thriller will launch on Amazon Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.
Visiting scheme helping lonely takes award A WOKINGHAM charity is celebrating after receiving a royal award. Yesterday, The Link Visiting Scheme was honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). The charity supports Wokingham borough residents with its befriending service, which was created to combat loneliness and isolation. With the help of more than 400 volunteers, the charity offers online and in-person support — and its work has been more pronounced than
Children’s charity marks 15th year with accolade A BERKSHIRE charity has received a prestigious award for its work supporting the county’s community. The Link Foundation, which supports disadvantaged children across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, has been honoured with a Queens Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). The Maidenhead charity helps fund beds, clothes, food and more for children in need,
ever during the pandemic. Marjie Walker, CEO of The Link Visiting Scheme, said 2020 was a “challenging” year for the charity. “We have supported so many who felt isolated due to shielding and extra restrictions on our lifestyles [and] we are completely thrilled that our amazing volunteers have been
recognised for their kindness and dedication to so many residents of Wokingham borough,” she said. One borough resident has described the charity’s work as “a lifeline”, and said their regular Zoom calls are something to look forward to. “The past months have been overshadowed with isolation, so [my volunteer’s] friendship is really appreciated,” they said. Ms Walker said Link Visiting is honoured to pay tribute to its volunteers’ hard work. “Their commitment to providing social support has been so needed, and we are incredibly proud to work with each and every volunteer across the borough,” she said.
including those living with domestic violence, mental health issues, and disabilities. Una Loughrey, founder and chairman of The Link Foundation, said the team is “beyond thrilled” to be selected. “Over the years the charity has provided support for struggling parents, helped neglected children, and supported vulnerable families regain a foothold on life,” she said. “We are very proud that this effort has been recognised by
the most esteemed award in UK volunteering.” In September, The Link Foundation is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Ms Loughrey added: “The current world climate has caused even more social turmoil and struggles, but hopefully this award can bring more awareness to our cause and alert more families in difficult circumstances to the help available to them through The Link Foundation.”
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Revd Richard Lamey made honorary canon A WOKINGHAM rector is one of eight clergy to be made an honorary canon. Father Richard Lamey, from St Paul’s Church, will be installed at a special ceremony in Christ Church, Oxford later this month. The Canons have been selected for their work within the Diocese of Oxford and the wider church. Father Richard has been rector of the parish since 2012 and served as area dean of Sonning. Until September last year, he was acting association archdeacon of Berkshire. Brought up in south Manchester, the first decade of his ministry was spent in the Diocese of Chester, where he was Vicar of Newton with Flowery Field and Rural Dean of Mottram. He is a young vocations advisor for the archdeaconry and a member of Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod. The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford is looking forward to the installation service, which takes place on Tuesday, June 22. He said: “We are hugely blessed in this diocese to have so many people, lay and ordained, who do so much in their churches, their communities, and beyond. “I am delighted that this service allows us to say thank you to some of those people for the outstanding work they have done and are doing to make a difference, especially over the last year which has, for so many, been a difficult time.”
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
Families enjoy a buzzing half-term at Emmbrook trail CREEPY crawlies have taken over Emmbrook this half-term to help raise money for local pupils, writes Charlotte King. Since Friday, May 28, insects have been spotted across town as Emmbrook Schools PTA hosts its Great Bug Hunt. The trail takes youngsters out and about to find all manner of bugs, guided by a handy map. Organiser Catherine Stott said more than £1,000 has been raised for Emmbrook
Infants and Junior Schools PTA so far. She hopes the money will be used to help fund an outdoor reading library for students. “It’s been going really well and everyone is enjoying it,” she said. “Lots of families have been getting involved and it has been lovely to see. “We’ve also had steady interest from outside the Emmbrook community, so people are coming in to see what a lovely village we have.” The Great Bug Hunt
is taking place until Sunday. Tickets cost £3.72, and £3 from every purchase goes towards the school. Tickets can be redeemed for maps at Emmbrook Food and Wine,146 Clifton Road, and Emmbrook Post Office, 139 Reading Road. � For more information, visit: www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/the-emmbrooktrail-the-great-bughunt-tickets151349583679
CLASP launches healthy club A GRANT has been awarded by Wokingham Healthwatch to allow CLASP to launch a Happy and Healthy Club. The advocacy group for people with learning disabilities will now offer sessions promoting better wellbeing. This will include seated pilates and healthy eating exercises. Sessions will run on the last Wednesday of a month from 10.30am-11.30am. Pre-booking is essential. � For more details, visit: wokinghamclasp.org.uk
FLY TRAP: Charlotte, 5, and Claudia Goncalves, 8, with their fly-eating plant warn others of the danger ahead
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HUNGRY CATERPILLAR: Annabelle, 7, James ,9, Catherine, organiser of the bug trail and William Stott All pictures: Steve Smyth
Search and rescue team given £1,000 by Tesco THE COUNTY-WIDE search and rescue team has received £1,000 from Tesco to support its work. Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue will use the money for communications equipment so its teams can continue
improving their emergency response. The donation was part of the supermarket’s community grant scheme, which supports charities and organisations across the country. Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue is the oldest lowland search and rescue team in the UK. It works in partnership with Thames Valley Police to locate and rescue high-risk vulnerable missing persons such as children and those living with dementia. All members are volunteers, trained in search and rescue techniques. Fundraising officer Andrew Viney received the funds from Hayley Inwood, store manager at the Finchampstead Road superstore
in Wokingham. He said: “We’re very grateful to Tesco for this grant. It means a lot to us because it will go towards vital communications equipment that will undoubtedly lead to the saving of lives in Berkshire. “The Finchampstead Road Tesco store has always been so supportive of us, as has the community as a whole, and we really do appreciate this because we rely on donations to help us save lives – so every penny counts.” Louise Jedras, community champion at the store, praised the work of Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue. “We’re very pleased to support them,” she added. “They do an amazing job. Many people don’t realise
HELPING HAND: UK’s oldest Search and Rescue group is presented with £1,000 from Tesco on Finchampstead Road Picture: Tesco
they are a volunteer organisation and that donations are so important to them. “They train their volunteers to the highest standard to ensure their own safety and that of the person they are looking for. “It takes three months to train a volunteer to become operational, and I’m
always amazed by the level of commitment their members give.” Donations received each year provide on-foot searchers, search controllers and search managers, as well as equipment to manage a largescale search, including a control vehicle, computer mapping, radio technology and medical equipment.
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Male domestic violence reports rise 30% last year By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today MALE domestic abuse cases have risen since the pandemic began.
Police officers have seen an increase of 30% in male domestic abuse cases over the past year. During 2020, one in four men across the country reported they were victims to the police, with officers receiving 229,764 reports in that year. This is worse than the year before. In 2019, 176,294 men reported abuse to the police, and fewer in previous years. It marks a 117% increase in documented incidents since 2014. Thames Valley Police alone received 13,082 reports from male abuse victims. Since Clare’s Law came into force in 2014, just 1,551 men have used the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme nationally where police can disclose information to victims about their partner’s previous offences. Through the programme, figures confirmed that just 7% of enquiries have been made by a man.
Kaleidoscopic UK, a Finchampsteadbased domestic violence charity, has also offered its support for male abuse victims in the borough. Vickie Robertson, founder of Kaleidoscopic UK, said it’s “vital” that people speak out. She added: “There is a lot more awareness surrounding male abuse victims now and people need to realise that they have to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and that’s very important. “We have had a massive increase in reports in the last year, especially men, but the Wokingham borough is very good at supporting victims and we are always more than happy to support men here at Kaleidoscopic.” Men Reaching Out, run by BEAP Community Partnership, is a service open to victims of domestic abuse aged 16 or over. The service held a conference last month where experts and survivors from across the country spoke about providing better support for male victims of domestic abuse.
Delegates heard about the experiences of running a helpline, spotting the signs of abuse, the barriers to reporting and delivering support and a Peer Support Group. The conference was chaired by Ian McNicholl, a survivor of Domestic Abuse and ambassador for the Men Reaching Out Service. Mr McNicholl said: “This event has demonstrated the need for professionals, charities and survivors from across the country to come together with a shared desire to reach out to create and/or enhance existing service provision for male victims.” Humayun Islam, chief executive of Men Reaching Out, said: “Far too many men feel they are to blame, they’re weak and they’re alone often because they do not think there is any support for them. “This event aims to ensure that no man suffers in silence and men recognise that they can escape and rebuild their lives.” � The Men Reaching Out helpline is 01274 731020 from Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm
Enjoying tea and cake by the lake THAMES HOSPICE has launched a new menu as it welcomes customers back to its cafe. Café by the Lake is serving a range of hot and cold food and drink on its terrace overlooking Bray Lake. Hospice chief executive, Debbie Raven, said: “It’s so wonderful to welcome back our visitors to the café again. “We really have missed our community and it’s lovely to have the vibrant atmosphere back at the café once again. The food is excellent and it’s such a treat to dine in beautiful surroundings.” Ms Raven said every meal purchased helps support families receiving care at the hospice. “Whether you’re looking for energy to kickstart a local ramble or are returning from a gentle stroll around Bray Lake, Café by the Lake is a great place to enjoy a treat or two,” she added. Café by the Lake is open everyday from 8am to 7pm. There is free parking in the visitors TEA TIME: Visitors can now dine in or out at Café by the Lake Picture: Thames Hospice car park.
Reservist becomes chief nurse A NEW chief nurse has been appointed at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, writes Jess Warren. Eamonn Sullivan, who was previously chief nurse at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, replaces Caroline Ainslie who retired last week after nine years with the trust. RBH chief executive Steve McManus said: “Firstly I’d like to pay tribute to the fantastic work Caroline Ainslie has done with the trust. “She’ll be a very hard act to follow but I know the extensive experience,
expertise and knowledge Eamonn brings to the role will be invaluable to us as we continue and develop the work being done here.” Mr McManus said Mr Sullivan will play a key role in helping shape the future direction of the trust to ensure patients and staff have the best modern, cutting edge facilities and services. “There’s a real appetite for progress and development at the RBFT and this, coupled with the trust’s great work around staff inclusivity, wellbeing and achievement
makes it a really great place to be,” Mr Sullivan said. “I’m looking forward to working with the trust teams to further enhance and expand the healthcare services being provided
for the local community.” Mr Sullivan was at the Royal Marsden for four years and last year was seconded to be the director of nursing at the NHS Nightingale London and, later in the year, chief nurse for testing at NHS Test and Trace.
Mr Sullivan is also a reservist in the Army Medical Services and has served as a nursing officer in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the days before taking on his new role, he was awarded an MBE for his services to nursing.
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House demand rises 71% in two months By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today THE RACE for space is on as more people look for multi-bed homes in the borough.
According to Zoopla, demand for two- and three-bedroom houses in the area has skyrocketed by 68%, since pupils returned to in-person teaching. There has also been a 71% rise in demand for four- and five-
bedroom homes since March this year. A spokesperson for Zoopla said Wokingham’s location might have something to do with it. “Perfectly placed for commuting to Reading, London and other key cities in the UK, the town’s excellent schools make it a great choice for families experiencing a return to normality following the relaxation of
lockdown restrictions.” The property firm said Berkshire as a whole has also seen a “notable uplift” in interest, after demand for larger houses rose by 97% in neighbouring Reading and 41% in West Berkshire. Mark Wright, regional residential sales director at Romans, which has its headquarters in Crowthorne, said
families have been “grabbing the opportunity” to live in the borough. “Since the schools reopened, we’ve seen a surge in demand for family homes in Reading and nearby towns,” he said. “[This] is a fantastic place for families to live, with its proximity to cities like London and access to beautiful countryside, and we’re expecting demand to
keep rising as we head towards the end of the stamp duty holiday in September.” Gráinne Gilmore, head of research at Zoopla, added: “More families took the opportunity of the kids going back to school to look for a new home, and that has had a big impact on demand for homes. “As lockdown restrictions continue to ease and demand for outdoor space continues at pace, homeowners have a golden opportunity to move to a new property before the stamp duty holiday ends in September.”
‘I shouldn’t have to endure this noise’ � Continued from front page
Now, residents are concerned about the impact on their mental health, as anti-social behaviour continues at the site. Ms Price said it has left a lot of residents “very disgruntled, unhappy and dissatisfied”. “The car meets have affected me quite considerably, and at points I feel that I’m having a breakdown because I don’t enjoy living here,” she said. “It’s my right to live in my own home and not have to endure this noise every night of the week. “It’s a real imposition, and fundamentally wrong.” Mr Carter said he has reached out to Wokingham Borough Council more than 40 times to find a resolution, and made 24 formal complaints to police. “I have been told constantly by the borough council to phone the police, but the police don’t attend antisocial behaviour calls,”
Mr Carter said. “I feel like I’m wasting police time. “The council also gave me an app to record the sound levels, but why do I have to spend my evening doing that?” Ms Price, who has also been in touch with the council, said the response has been “woeful”. “They’re not interested, they don’t care, and they’re not proactive,” she said. “They have not taken responsibility and have not found practical ways of helping us. Nothing is being done to stop this.” Mr Carter and Ms Price are now urging the borough council to either install barriers to the car park, to stop people accessing the site 24 hours a day, or staff the area with security guards. Cllr Maria Gee, Lib Dem councillor for Wescott Ward, accused the borough council of failing to take “effective action”. “People are at their wits’ end,” she said. “They are
having their whole lives disturbed. “It’s a failure on behalf of anybody who is responsible for the car park, and the residents have been suffering. “If Wokingham Borough Council don’t tackle this, nobody will want to use the car park at all and revenue will go down the toilet.” Now, Cllr Gee is backing residents’ calls to reinstate barriers at the car park. “They should reinstall barriers on the way in and way out,” Cllr Gee said. “And don’t let anybody in after 6pm, when the leisure centre shuts, but let people leave. “I think that’s reasonable and I don’t see any other action that can be taken.” Council leader John Halsall said the borough council is working alongside the police to stamp out anti-social behaviour. He said the council plans to bring its public protection partnership services inhouse, and work has already begun
with the localities team patrolling the Carnival area. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We take all reports of antisocial behaviour seriously and we will always respond to incidents that affect our communities the most, particularly where threat, harm and risk is at its greatest. “We are aware of reports of such incidents occurring in Wokingham, and we would like to reassure the public that patrols are ongoing as part of our commitment to deal with anti-social behaviour and drug use in the community. “We would like to remind residents to report any such incidents to police so that they can be looked into and dealt with properly. “Anyone with information on such incidents is asked to make a report by either going online, or calling 101.” Wokingham Borough Council was contacted for comment.
Distributor road changes could cost an additional £2 million says councillor WOKINGHAM Liberal Democrats are “demanding better” from the borough council following last month’s planning meeting. But the borough council executive for roads said this could cost an additional £2 million. On Tuesday, May 18, the committee voted in favour of a range of proposals which will see 1,600 new homes built south of the railway line. The committee also voted to extend the South Wokingham Distributor Road (SWDR), which caused a debate about active travel to dominate the evening. The proposal for the new highway includes a three-metre wide, combined cycleway and footpath, which prompted a host of objections. Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-Dubey, ward councillor for Winnersh and shadow planning and enforcement executive, said: “Lib Dems tried to get the council
at the planning committee meeting to comply with the safer segregated two-metre cycle and two-metre pedestrian paths. “We asked Wokingham Borough Council to stretch to the new Government guidelines [rather] than settling for an old, worn standard which forces pedestrians to share space with cyclists.” In July last year, the Government revealed it wanted to see 50% of short journeys made on foot or by bike within the next 10 years. Cllr Shepherd-Dubey added: “We would like to encourage cycling and walking to meet the council’s climate emergency declaration. “Make it safer for both pedestrians and cyclists to be healthier and produce less climate change.” But Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport,
said the scheme will deliver “excellent infrastructure” to the town. “We have been working on this scheme since 2014, the designs met the latest standards at the time, and have been assessed for safety by independent organisations,” she said. According to the councillor, to separate the cycleway and walkway, 15% more land would be needed as well as an additional £2 million. “It’s very easy for a councillor to demand changes to schemes which are already far through the design phase without regard to the cost to our taxpayers, instead of looking into the scheme to see how much of a benefit it is to the local community,” Cllr Jorgensen added. “The council, led by the Conservatives, is getting on with delivering for our residents. I suggest the opposition work with us on this, rather than against us.”
Thursday, June 3, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Government puts ‘substantial’ pressure on borough building EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE pressure on local authorities to build homes is ‘substantial’ according to Wokingham borough council leader John Halsall.
He said the government determination to create 300,000 new homes meant that the new local plan, currently being prepared to release in draft form, had to include details of where roughly 14,000 would be built in Wokingham. While last month plans for the South Wokingham Strategic Development Location were approved by the planning committee, Cllr Halsall said that there was a need to produce its local plan ‘post haste’ as its five-year land supply – used by the council to justify development plans in legal actions against speculative developers – will soon expire. “Why are we not telling the Government to get stuffed on numbers? Wokingham has the disadvantage of being a very prosperous borough with a high level of education, and low levels of deprivation. It is very well managed by the borough council, and it’s a very desirable place to live,” Cllr Halsall said. “Almost every inch of the borough is an option to some developer.” He said that while the council felt that even 600-700 new homes a year was excessive, without a plan the borough would face two, three or four times that number. “The net effect is the local authority loses all control of its planning process, it gets passed to Whitehall,” he continued. “I’m sure Whitehall-controlled planned process will be considerably worse than our own in terms of local democracy and what people want. “We will not be able to resist. If we allow speculative development to take place we would have no infrastructure payments.”
Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of Wokingham Liberal Democrats said they have also pressed for lower housing numbers. He said the last local plan took the number of homes in the borough past 72,000. “It is now expected to grow to close to 85,000 to 90,000 by the end of this new local plan,” he said. The councillor said the Ministry of Defence objections to a garden village in Grazeley set back the draft local plan update. “This puts added pressure on Wokingham Borough Council to get things moving, otherwise developers will use a number of loop holes,” he said. The Lib Dem leader said his group would have taken a stand against the development numbers, if they were running the council. “We are now dependent on a Conservaitive administration to keep the level of homes to a more reasonable level, while their national masters are being financed by many of the developers wanting to build yet more homes,” he said. “Wokingham borough is a semirural area with all the green spaces we want to protect. “But with the addition of roughly 15,000 properties, our area will become increasingly more like inner and outer suburbia. We have to make a stand now to protect the overall nature of our area.” The council’s vision is to try and minimise housing numbers but “we should also try to configure it in such a way that it allows for a higher level of affordable housing than we currently have,” Cllr Halsall said. “It will fit in with our housing strategy to deliver council houses on an unprecedented scale for those on medium and low incomes. It will be skewed towards the first time buyer and those downsizing.” Cllr Ferris said he would like to see more bungalows built. “This would enable our older community to move out of their current homes and still be able to
Cowshed wants your gowns A HURST charity is appealing for Wokingham borough’s help to get Cinderella to the ball. The Cowshed, which runs a prom outfit scheme, has been busy making sure all Berkshire students can attend their leavers’ balls by renting out dresses and suits for a discounted price. It forms part of its programme Prom at The Cowshed, which launched in 2019. Now, the charity is appealing to the public for help to find a range of shoes, as well as smart menswear, to keep the project going. Sally Russell, CEO of The Cowshed, said: “The prom is proving to be an important part of the work we do in the local community. We have had many referrals and hire enquiries with over 50 appointments in the last six weeks. “We have seen some very happy
young people go out with their perfect outfits and it's amazing to see the students able to look forward to a prom again. “We are so blessed to be in a position to help and are grateful to all our supporters, staff and volunteers for making this project such a huge success.” The charity is currently in need of men’s and ladies’ smart, evening shoes in all sizes. There is particular demand for men’s shoes in a size 14. It is also looking for men’s black tie trousers in a size 46 in waist and 34 in leg. Anybody who can help donate these items should take them to the charity’s Winnersh donations centre, on King Street Lane. � For more information, visit: www.thecowshed.org
live in this area,” he said. “We all accept that additional homes are required, but they must meet real local need and not just fill developers' pockets.” Cllr Rachel Burgess, leader of Wokingham Labour called for more council homes. “Too often in the past we have seen the term affordable housing used to describe housing that is far from affordable,” she said. “We need to do much better in providing council houses. “The borough is building the first 11 council houses it has built in over 20 years — a shocking state of affairs.” The Labour leader said she was also concerned about the sustainability of the builds. “We have to move away from a culture where merely meeting guidelines is good enough,” she said. “We need to be aiming to set a standard which others aspire to follow.” This includes creating safe routes for cyclists and walkers, and having strong policies for the handover of developments to the council, she said. She added: “My fear is that whatever our local plan looks like, it will be ripped up by the new legislation that was provided for in the manifesto, which the local Conservatives campaigned for in the General Election.
“This legislation will allocate most of our borough as a “growth” area and the developers will be allowed to do what they want, where they want: a Conservative developers’ charter.” Cllr Ferris was also concerned about the planning reform. It proposes to switch future planning to a zonal system – where land in a borough would allocated as a growth, renewal or protection area. “Developers will by and large have greater freedom to build the homes that they want to build at the expense of local opinion and wishes,” he said. “This is shameful and something I do not believe many people are aware of, as our minds have been on other issues this past 15 to 18 months.” But Cllr Halsall felt that it was too early to take a view on the White Paper. He stressed that while he stood up to the government last year over housing numbers and would do so again, the White Paper was “an apple pie paper” that promised lots that, if delivered, would satisfy all — an impossible feat. “I tend to feel that some of those objectives are in tension with one another,” he said, adding: “It’s really, really hard to be against an aspiration and we won’t know how those aspirations will are to be met until the detail comes out.”
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PARISHNOTICEBOARD Meetings may also be online – contact councils for details
Thursday, June 3 Shinfield Parish Council. Planning and Highways. 7.30pm. Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish.gov.uk
Monday, June 7 Hurst Parish Council. Council meeting. 7.30pm. Hurst Village Halls, School Road RG10 0DR. www.hurstpc.org.uk Wokingham Town Council. Arts and Culture Committee. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk
Tuesday, June 8 Earley Town Council. Planning committee. 7.30pm. Earley Town Council offices,
Parish and borough council meetings
Radstock Lane, Earley RG6 5UL. www.earley-tc.gov.uk Sonning Parish Council. Council meeting. 7pm. Sports Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Pound Lane RG4 6XE. www.sonning-pc.gov.uk Winnersh Parish Council. Parish council meeting. 7.30pm. Community Centre, New Road, Sindlesham RG41 5DU. www.winnersh.gov.uk Wokingham Town Council. Finance and Personnel Committee. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk
Wednesday, June 9 Finchampstead Parish Council. Amenities committee. 7pm. FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. www.finchampstead-pc.gov.uk Shinfield Parish Council. Finance and General Purposes. 7.30pm. Shinfield
Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. Shinfieldparish.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Planning Committee. 7pm. Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN.
Thursday, June 10 Wokingham Borough Council. Wokingham Borough Wellbeing Board. 5pm. Shute End RG40 1BN.
Monday, June 14 Remenham Parish Council. Parish Hall, off Remenham Lane, Remenham. 8pm. www.remenhamparish.org.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Sacre meeting. 6.15pm. Health Overview and Scrutiny. 7pm. Shute End RG40 1BN. Wokingham Town Council. Finance and Personnel Committee. 7.30pm. Town Hall, Market Place, RG40 1AS. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
FROMTHECOURTS � A WINNERSH man who drove while over the limit has had his licence taken away for 19 months. Joseph Winter, 27 and from Maple Close, pleaded guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on April 29: On March 30, he was stopped in Davis Street, Hurst by police. A test found that he had 77 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit. His ban will be reduced by 19 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. He was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services. � A WOODLEY man who pleaded guilty to entering into an arrangement that would allow him to use or control criminal property on behalf of another person has been ordered to undertake 80 hours of community service. Joshua Dean Besant, 20 and from Crediton Close in Woodley, admitted the charge when he appeared at East Berkshire Magistrates Court in Slough on April 30. The incident took place on November 9, 20219 and involved the sum of £5,600. He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and £90 to victim services, at a rate of £50 per month. � DRIVING while over the limit has seen a Winnersh man banned from getting behind the wheel for 23 months. Philip Smith, 34 and from Sandstone Close, was stopped on Lower Earley Way on January 24. A test found that he had 90 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit. His ban will be reduced by 23 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. Smith was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services.
Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Court
� DRUG DRIVING has seen a Woodley man banned from getting behind the wheel for 12 months. Reiss Louis Smith, 20 and from Ravensbourne Drive, was stopped on Wroxham Road in Woodley on October 16. A test found that he had traces of Benzoylecgonine, a form of cocaine, in his bloodstream, exceeding the specified limit. Magistrates also found he was driving a vehicle without insurance. Smith pleaded guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on May 5. He was also fined £333, and ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services. � A WOODLEY man who was over the drink-drive limit has been banned from driving for 23 months. Piotr Jan Piekos, 31 and from Tipping Way, was stopped on Oxford Road in Reading on April 3. A test found that he had 91 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit. He pleaded guilty to the offence and was told his ban would be reduced by 23 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. Piekos was fined £200, ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services. � AN EARLEY man who drove while under the influence of drugs has been banned for 14 months. Imran Zaman, 32 and from Erleigh Court Gardens, pleaded guilty when he appeared
before Reading Magistrates Court on May 5. Zaman had been stopped on London Road on May 8, 2020. A test found traces of traces of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, a form of cannabis, in his bloodstream. He was also found guilty of using fraudulent number plates, displaying a different registration to the one that the car actually had. The offending number plates, F4T GS, was confiscated by police under Section 152 of the Sentencing Act 2000. In addition to the driving ban, Zaman was fined £300, ordered to pay £250 costs and £34 to victim services. � A WARGRAVE woman who assaulted a police officer on May 31 last year has been given a community order. Natasha Louise George, 34 and from Victoria Road, pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place in Wokingham. At a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on May 5, George was ordered to pay £95 to victim services and undertake rehabilitation activities. � A WINNERSH man who failed to attend appointments made by a court order has admitted the breach. Scott Pattemore, 36 and from Azalea Close, appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on May 6, where he admitted the breach on January 25 this year. He was ordered to comply with the original ruling, and ordered to pay costs of £75.
Sindlesham charity makes shortlist for £10,000 grant A SINDLESHAM charity has been shortlisted for a grant to support future fruit tree planting projects. Freely Fruity, which grows free produce for the community, has been chosen to receive a grant to help fund their work. The Grants For Good Fund, created by the Matthew Good Foundation, shares £10,000 between five shortlisted projects every three months. The chosen projects are ones that have positive impacts on communities, people and the environment. Having received more than 400 applications for the first
round of Grants for Good, Freely Fruity has been chosen as one of the five finalists. The charity will be sharing the grant with Harry’s Hydrocephalus Awareness Trust, Khushi Kantha, Mind Moves Mentoring and Yorkshire Rewilding Network. The project that receives the most votes will receive £3,500, second place £2,500, third place £2,000 and fourth and fifth place will receive £1,000. Matt Knight, one of the founders of Freely Fruity, said they are “really honoured” to have been shortlisted for Grants for Good.
He said: “There are so many fantastic people doing fantastic things so for us to have been chosen as one of the top five charities is a real honour. “The team over at the Good Foundation have been brilliant and they really understand our charity’s ethos and are fully supportive of our work. Mr Knight said the money will cover fruit tree supplies. “With the grant we will be able to buy the initial fruit tree stock that will be used to propagate future trees from and these fruit trees will then be planted across the borough, into community areas.”
Thursday, June 3, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Hot wheels: Earley fire crew welcomes new Volvo engine By MARIE WILLIAMS
news@wokingham.today THREE fire stations in the county have welcomed new additions to their teams.
Bracknell, Ascot and Wokingham Road stations have each been given a new Volvo fire engine, as part of a project between Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service. It means that all wholetime fire stations in Berkshire now have a Volvo fire engine to serve their communities. The Earley fire station received its red machine on Friday, May 14. James Sunderland, MP for Bracknell was at the presentation for his town’s fire station on Friday, May 21. Cllr Angus Ross, Conservative councillor for Wokingham Without and
strategic asset lead member for Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said he was delighted to officially unveil the latest additions to the RBFRS fleet. “It gives me immense pride that following a successful joint procurement process with our Thames Valley partners, the entire wholetime fleet in Royal Berkshire has now been upgraded to the new vehicle,” he said. “These new fire engines offer a wide range of improvements and better equip our firefighters to serve the people of Royal Berkshire." Cllr Colin Dudley, chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, said one of the Fire Authority’s strategic commitments is to ensure a swift and effective response when called out. “As part of our Strategic Asset Investment Framework, we continue to invest in vital assets that benefit the community,” he
NEW WHEELS: From left: Andy McLenahan, head of facilities, fleet and equipment; Cllr Colin Dudley, chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority; Charlie Bell, watch manager; Cllr Angus Ross, lead member strategic assets at Royal Berkshire Fire Authority and Doug Buchanan, assistant chief fire officer
said. “The Fire Authority has prioritised investing in frontline fire appliances, recognising the importance of providing fit for purpose equipment to support the services provided by a modern fire
and rescue service.” The new fire engines have been built by Emergency One on Volvo FL 42R chassis. The machines have larger hose reels to spray more water and battery-powered
rescue equipment that are used at car crashes. This is easier to carry and removes generator noise from rescue situations. The equipment is also quicker to deploy, reducing the time to rescue people.
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Sofa shopping supports community charity A READING sofa store is giving children a fighting chance, with help from Berkshire Community Fund. Sofology is supporting the charity’s Give A Child A Chance (GACAC) fund until October, by asking customers to make a donation with their purchase. The fund supports disadvantaged children in Berkshire up to the age of 18, as well as young people with Special Education Needs until they are 25. Launched in 2003, GACAC has awarded more than £500,000 over the last 18 years. Jon Yates, CEO of Berkshire Community Foundation, said: “The value of a trusted, twoway relationship between communities and caring businesses is priceless. “As one of the leading retail companies in this county, we’re proud to have Sofology as our fundraising partner for the GACAC fund. “By enabling vital support for disadvantaged children, Sofology’s customers will be giving them a chance of a better future – being safe, happy and healthy, enjoying economic security, and ultimately making positive contributions to our society.” Money raised for the GACAC fund will go towards helping children in need, particularly people with physical or learning disabilities, psychological or behavioural disorders, and those suffering financial hardship. Previously, money has been invested in special equipment for children with disabilities and learning and activity sessions to help people develop their social, mental and physical abilities.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
CORONAVIRUS LATEST Infection rate climbs to 45.6 per 100,000 THE RATE of infections in Wokingham per 100,000 has risen significantly, remaining above the national average. The latest figures for the borough showed the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents is 45.6, up from 30.4 last week. This is higher than the national rate of infection, which is currently 30.3 per 100,000 people. There were 17 positive tests recorded on Tuesday, June 1, bringing the total number of infections to 8,455. In the last month, there have been 50 recorded cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 — formerly referred to as the Indian variant. The figures in neighbouring Reading borough are significantly higher than in Wokingham, with an infection rate of 70.5, almost double the rate last week of 41.4 per 100,000. On Tuesday, Reading reported 20 new positive cases. Bracknell Forest has seen its rate per 100,000 increase fivefold, from 6.5 per 100,000 to 33.5. There were 11 new cases on Tuesday. Windsor and Maidenhead also had two new cases reported that day, and its rate per 100,000 is now 13.2, slightly up from 11.9 last week. West Berkshire recorded five positive cases, and its infection rate is 30.3, down from 32.8 last week. Slough’s infection rate has more than doubled, and now has 62.2 cases per 100,000, up from 28.1 last week. It also recorded 13 covid cases yesterday. Nationally, 39,477,158 people have been given their first dose of a vaccine in the UK. And 25,734,719 people have had their second dose. In England, this is 33,009,444 first doses and 21,874,135 second doses. On Tuesday there were no recorded deaths in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test. And there 133 patients admitted to hospital with the virus. This is up by 23.2% over the last seven days.
John Redwood calls for restrictions to ease again THE MP for Wokingham has called for the Government to speed up the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. On Tuesday, Sir John Redwood posted on social media and said: “Just get on with relaxing the lockdown. “Vaccines have brought the serious cases and deaths right down which is what matters.” Cllr John Halsall, leader of the borough council told Wokingham.Today the infection rate has been “marching up”. It now sits at 45.6 per 100,000 people.
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Health leader threatens ‘strongest action’ over borough’s quarantine hotel EXCLUSIVE
QUARANTINE: Foreign travellers have been staying at the DoubleTree by Hilton after arriving in Heathrow from red list countries Picture: Steve Smyth
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THE COUNCIL has raised serious concerns over the Covid-19 quarantine hotel in Sindlesham.
Under government rules, people entering the UK from certain countries have to quarantine at their own expense in special hotels. There are several in Berkshire, including the DoubleTree at Sindlesham, formerly known as the Moat House. Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health at the borough council, said the Mill Lane site had a number of areas that needed improvement. He told Wokingham.Today after the quarantine hotel was established at the end of April, the council’s Covid-19 taskforce were deployed to inspect the set-up and check infection procedures were being followed. “The Department of Health and Social Care contacted us on Tuesday and promised to resolve all the issues,” Cllr Margetts said. “We are aware of the risk [this
hotel] poses to the community, and we will not hesitate to take the strongest action. “We remain committed to getting the correct standards and everything is on the table as an option to achieve this.” The councillor added: “We have been working to make sure the facility has robust covid safety protocols and practices in place,
Event organisers urged to contact council over plans AS COVID rates in Wokingham borough continue to rise, council leader John Halsall is warning residents to keep on being careful. In recent days, the number of people testing positive for coronavirus has increased, with 20 new cases reported on Saturday, May 29 – 22 were reported on May 26 and 21 on May 27. The rate per 100,000 is also increasing steadily, with 34.5 reported up to May 24 – there is a lag in reporting this figure. “We knew the rate would go up,” Cllr Halsall said, referring
to the changes brought in as lockdown measures eased. “We’re asking people to be very careful of their social contact and not to assume that the pandemic has gone away. Even if you've been vaccinated, you may be asymptomatic and passing on the virus to other people who are more vulnerable.” He said that the vaccination programme had been a “tremendous effort by central government” and was protecting a significant number of people, but there were still millions not protected. “If you're in any doubt about whether you should have the vaccine, the anecdotal data is that people being hospitalised with the virus are people who haven't had the vaccine, so please, please, please have the vaccine,” Cllr Halsall said. As to the increase
in confirmed virus cases, he said: “We did expect the numbers go up because of the increased social contact. “We just got to watch this space and see whether it's a problem.” However, he was hopeful that summer events would be able to go ahead and urged companies and groups to communicate their plans with the council. “We have told all the event holders that their events (going ahead) are contingent upon it being safe,” he said. “We can't predict where we will be as a country when those events take place. “Event holders should be capable and aware that the event might be closed at short notice. “We're asking anybody who is holding an event, to get in contact with the Borough Council, and tell us of your intentions.”
including through unannounced health and safety inspections.” He said the council has also written to the Government to seek reassurance that the Department of Health and Social Care and hotel will work closely with borough teams to protect the community. Last month, there were 50 cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19, formerly known as the Indian
variant, in the borough. Cllr Margetts said the cases were evenly spread across the borough, and predominantly in younger age groups. Children under 18 made up 35% of the Delta variant cases. “As of today, there are no covid cases in the quarantine hotel,” Cllr Margetts said. However this could change daily.
Surge testing may rollout for fornight
SURGE TESTING to identify asymptomatic residents may be rolled out across Wokingham borough for a fortnight. Earlier this week, an application was made to start surge testing in Wokingham and Reading boroughs. It comes as 50 cases of the Delta variant, previously referred to as the Indian variant, were identified in the borough over the last month. Residents over 12 living in the affected areas could be asked to get a Covid-19 test at pop-up centres or mobile testing units. Cllr John Halsall told Wokingham.Today “covid is not a thing of the past”. “We are now looking at surge testing for the first time in the borough,” he said. “The case rate has been marching up progressively for the last few days. It is above the national average.”
He said it was not the first time the borough council has “been on the starting line” to launch surge testing, but warned this was “rather more serious”. He said the latest infection data suggests the majority of people becoming infected with the virus have not had a vaccine. “It's not necessarily those who haven’t been invited yet,” he said. The council leader encouraged all those currently eligible for the jab to get one as soon as possible. “There is still a huge amount of the population fearful of getting the vaccine,” he added. “But all the stats show the unvaccinated are at risk. “Covid hasn’t gone away, it is still here. The only protection is the vaccine.” He also asked residents to encourage others to take up the offer.
BEEP! Helping hand for young jobseekers By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today A NEW education employer programme has launched in Berkshire this month.
Adviza, a careers charity supporting young people and adults to progress in learning and work, has announced the launch of the Berkshire Education Employer Partnership, BEEP. It is a fully-funded programme, taking place over the next two years, helping young people and employers in Berkshire. The aim of the programme is for businesses to create opportunities, nurture talent and develop employability skills in young people across the county. BEEP will assist partnerships
between education centres and employers, ensuring students can gain significant work experience and support alongside their study. This could be work placements, internships or mentoring and Zoom chats, specifically adapting for the pandemic to make it accessible for everyone. The programme will also help young people learn more about career options and develop their skills, exposing them to different opportunities. Delivered by Adviza, the programme’s partners include Activate Learning, AIM Group, Learning to Work, Newbury College and West Berkshire EBP. The programme is funded by the European Social Fund and the Department
of Work and Pensions. It is open to any young person aged between 15 and 24 and living in Berkshire. Intensive support will be available for young people with Special Educational Needs, low attainment rates and those not in education, employment or training. Sarah Jackson, project coordinator for BEEP within Adviza, said: “BEEP is a very exciting project and one of the most valuable Adviza has been involved in. “Its value stems from the fact that it’s a long-term project that will create opportunities for many young people in Berkshire, and I believe it will make a difference to many lives.” � For more information, email: Beep@adviza.org.uk
MP hunts for members bill idea ONE OF the borough’s MPs is calling on residents to tell him their ideas for a parliamentary bill. Matt Rodda, Labour MP for parts of Woodley and Earley, has been drawn 13th for a private members bill in Westminster. He said by “some incredible chance” his name was drawn from the ballot of 650 MPs, giving him a “fantastic platform” to change the law in some way. Mr Rodda said he has specific interests in education and environment, and is calling for residents to submit ideas to him. These will be considered before he settles on a bill later this month. “It’s quite exciting really,” he said. “I’ve had massive amounts of emails already, and I’d like more people to get in touch.”
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LAW: Matt Rodda is taking suggestio ns for a members bill
Mr Rodda is open to hearing from campaign groups, charities and residents that have a suggestion for a change in law. The only caveat is that it shouldn't cost the Government money to implement. This means the Reading Gaol campaign may not make it into a bill, Mr Rodda explained. He said Reading Hydro has already reached out to discuss the benefits of hydroelectric power stations in the River Thames. The Caversham Lock location aims to produce
enough electricity for approximately 100 homes, Mr Rodda explained. He is also considering a bill to encourage universities to take students after they have received their GCSE grades, as opposed to before. He said many students can be put off applying to more prestigious institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge, if they fear they may not make the grades. “This is often more disadvantaged students,” the MP said. He suggested by changing the admissions process, more students may “aim higher” and not underestimate their capabilities. Mr Rodda is open to receiving suggestions throughout the month. He is contactable at: matt.rodda.mp@parliament.uk
Rain scientists visited by UAE ambassador
SCIENTISTS at the University of Reading were treated to a special visit last week. Mansoor Abulhoul, UAE ambassador to the UK, visited the University of Reading’s weather scientists on Tuesday, May 25. The ambassador visited the meteorology department to learn about research on rain and cloud electricity, which is part of a UAE-funded project. The project explores new ways to understand and potentially increase
patterns of rainfall. Mr Abulhoul was welcomed by vice-chancellor Professor Robert Van de Noort and provice-chancellor Paul Inman, before visiting Professor Maarten Ambaum and Professor Andrew CharltonPerez in the weather department. Professor Ambaum and his colleagues gave an overview of the rainfall enhancement project, where drones are being tested to deliver electrical charge into clouds to influence the conditions that lead to rain. The ambassador also visited the university’s weather station, where he helped launch a weather balloon,
which is used to feed data into the Met Office network of weather observations. “My visit to the University of Reading was an inspiring example of the power of collaboration between the UK and UAE,” Ambassador Mansoor Abulhoul said. “I’m proud that the UAE is able to support projects at an institution globally recognised for its excellence in climate science.” Professor Robert Van de Noort, vice-chancellor, said it was a “great honour” to welcome the ambassador. He said the research has the potential to bring much-needed relief to arid regions.
14 | NEWS
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Grade II bridge to open by end of summer says Network Rail EXCLUSIVE By MARIE WILLIAMS
news@wokingham.today RESIDENTS are being urged to be patient as work on the railway bridge is ongoing despite nothing happening for months.
Network Rail said it hopes to have the bridge open by the end of summer. Last month, public consultation ended on some of the planning conditions for the bridge. This included details of proposed repairs and replacements of the metal elements of the footbridge and the mortar mix to be used in re-pointing the brickwork, said Peter Must, from The Wokingham Society. “Network Rail has not been able to proceed with its work meanwhile,” he said. “As I understand it, the steps and deck cannot be installed until final repairs to the metalwork have been completed.” Mr Must said The Wokingham Society supported the most recent application and was the only respondent during the consultation period. A spokesperson for Network Rail said the new hardwood deck, treads and minor strengthening works needed extra permission from the council. “We are waiting for these from the local planning authority,” they said. “We plan to have the works completed for the benefit of passengers and to ensure the longevity of this bridge by the end of the summer.”
HISTORIC REPAIRS: Steps at Wokingham Station collapsed in January last year. Network Rail hopes to open the bridge by summer Pictures: Phil Creighton
Council leader looks at ‘new solutions’ to anti-social behaviour in borough THE council’s plans to bring its public protection partnership services back inhouse will see it work alongside police in a bid to stamp out antisocial behaviour, writes Phil Creighton. Council leader John Halsall said that this partnership builds on its work with the voluntary and health sectors during the coronavirus pandemic. And the work has already begun with the localities team patrolling parks, including the
Carnival area. “I think we have an obligation to find a way of getting through to them, I don’t have all the answers but nobody in 10,000 years of history has had the answers. Youth is by definition youth: funny and rebellious.” “We need to find new solutions. My children were enveloped by sport. Nowadays, that means no smoking, no drugs, no regular drinking: it controls your behaviour. That’s the sort of activity we need to find. “We’re very blessed, we’ve got a huge number of football teams, wonderful leisure facilities and a lot of open space. “The task is to redirect energy into those positions.” At the last council meeting, teenager Rio Elms wanted to know what the council was doing to help younger people find safe places to meet. Cllr Parry Batth suggested restaurants and cafes. Cllr Halsall said: “The answer was that we’re looking at it. There’s some pressure to revive the youth centre which we own, whether that’s the right thing to do or not remains to be seen. “There’s no point in the borough council recreating a youth centre if it’s not an activity which people of that age would want to
Hunt for seedlings A HARE HATCH garden centre is on the hunt for new ambassadors as part of its relaunch. Dobbies Garden Centre has relaunched
its Little Seedlings Club, in celebration of National Children’s Gardening Week. Aimed at children aged between four to 10, and its new online format provides gardening and crafting projects. As part of the
participate in. “But the question is very timely because we do have a problem, particularly in the urban areas, of people hanging out non-productively.” He added: “The great thing about Wokingham Borough is these problems are not everywhere, they’re in pockets which should be solvable and that’s what we’re trying to do. “The borough council has to be active in areas where residents see there is an issue or a problem. It’s not true that the borough council can resolve all these problems, but in a sense it needs to draw the line.” And Cllr Halsall is excited at the possibility that the new inhouse PPP can bring. “I’ve said before that we’re the golden thread that runs through the borough, the indispensable partner. We need to make that work as well as we can,” he said. “It’s a big programme, it’s a big ambition.” How can Wokingham Borough Council afford it at a time when budgets are being stretched? “We do a very good job of managing our finances,” Cllr Halsall said. “We are in rude health. The combination of (executive member for finance) Cllr John Kaiser and (deputy chief executive) Graham Ebers is second to none.” relaunch, Dobbies is looking for child ambassadors across Berkshire. The faces of the club, who will have the opportunity to create their own blogs about gardening. They can also appear in Dobbies’
social media campaigns with photos of their gardening progress. On Saturday there will be virtual Little Seedlings Club event at 10.30am. � For more information, visit dobbies.com/littleseedlings
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Shinfield’s volunteer heroes given community awards By MARIE WILLIAMS
news@wokingham.today TWO SHINFIELD residents have been awarded local hero status in a competition.
Louise Behan, who has raised thousands of pounds for children with cancer, and Sarah O’Neil, who founded a group called Helping Hand, were awarded the top two prizes by the team at Care UK’s Parsons Grange, in Westall Street. First prize winner, Ms Behan won £300 after supporting Children with Cancer UK following her niece’s diagnosis as a baby. Ms Behan works as a counsellor and devotes most of her free time to organising race nights, running half and full marathons, and organising cake sales. Her young daughters have also supported her, by making craft items and cakes, and certificates for people who have
THANKS: From left: Louise and Sarah were celebrated for their work
taken part in fundraising. She said: “I was thrilled to be nominated, and being awarded first place is a wonderful surprise. I do what I can to help those in my community, striving to bring people together wherever I can, and it’s lovely to be recognised for my efforts.” Second prize, of £200 went to Sarah O’Neil, who established the Facebook group Helping Hand. It allows people to ask for help
anonymously and get support from their community. Ma O’Neil, a mother of two, helped people source food, clothes, furniture and necessities this year while running her own personal training business throughout the pandemic. She also volunteers for her children's school's PTA. She also produced more than 50 Christmas hampers for struggling families in the area with
the help of Shinfield Baptist Church. Anthony Browne, home manager at Parsons Grange, said: “We are thrilled to award first and second prizes to Louise and Sarah who are worthy winners of our Local Heroes competition. “The work they do is invaluable to the people of our community – particularly at a time when pandemic restrictions have meant that more people than ever can feel isolated and need additional support. “The way they have both brought communities together in particular stood out.” Mr Browne said providing help for sick and vulnerable people is important to the team at Parsons Grange. “We are pleased to be able to reward local heroes who go above and beyond for their community, friends and family, and have a positive impact on the local area – well done to both our winners,” he said.
New head for Queen Anne’s A NEW headteacher will be leading Queen Anne’s School, in Caversham. Last week, the School Council announced Elaine Purves will succeed Julia Harrington as the next head, starting in January. Ms Purves is currently head at St John’s International School in Belgium and was previously head HEAD: Elaine Purves of Rossall School and head of Ipswich High School, as well as five years as deputy head at the Royal High School, Bath. “I am very excited to have been appointed to this role and look forward to starting at Queen Anne's School and returning home to the UK,” she said. “Queen Anne’s is a well-known and respected school with a bright future. I will be delighted to lead it during the next phase of its development and look forward to getting to know the school community.” Ms Purves said she cares deeply about mental health and is a board member of CHS, a charity providing support and mental health services to the Brussels English-speaking community. She is also an experienced ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) team inspector and has recently become a CIS (Council of International Schools) evaluator. Fluent in German, Ms Purves began her career as a teacher of Modern Languages. She graduated from the University of Hull with a joint honours degree in English and German before completing a PGCE at the University of Durham. Jonnie Noakes, chair of Queen Anne’s School Council said the candidate pool was of an extremely high standard. “We are very fortunate to have appointed such an experienced head with a strong track record,” he said. “We are confident that Elaine will provide outstanding leadership and that she understands the values and ethos of our school. We look forward to welcoming Elaine to the Queen Anne’s community along with her husband and two children.”
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Make it the happiest day of your life
F
OR many would-be brides and grooms, the happiest day of their lives has been on hold for at least a year. The big lavish weddings that many have dreamed of have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. While nuptials have been allowed to take place, numbers have been limited and with venues closed, there’s been little chance to celebrate with friends and family. But this is all changing as the government’s road map out of lockdown is continuing. Now, weddings with up to 30 guests are allowed to take place, and these can be outdoors or any indoor covidsecure venue that is permitted to open. And it is anticipated that further restrictions will be lifted from June 21. With the vaccination programme in full swing, when it lifts, it should mean that there won’t be a need to lockdown again. That means the wedding can go ahead.
With wedding fayres unable to take place over the past 15 months, it’s been hard for brides, grooms and families to gain inspiration for their big day. So we’re delighted to draw your attention to three businesses, each one offering bespoke packages designed around your wishes. The Roseate is a luxury hotel in Reading town centre, making it easy for people to get to. With a wedding planner on hand, you can create the perfect day. Or, if you want something more intimate, why not talk to Sonning River Charters? Experienced skippers can make a memorable excursion, with sunset cruises or pre-lunch excursions. It’s a great way to bring people together. And for the bridal party, finding the right floral decorations can be hard work. The experts at Beauty in Blooms, a Twyford-based florist, can provide everything you need from buttonholes to ceremonial displays. Their knowledge can turn your ideas into reality. As you prepare for a wedding to remember, have fun.
A bespoke, luxurious wedding at The Roseate Reading Perfectly located by Forbury Gardens, The Roseate Reading has long been a host to spectacular weddings and celebrations. Be it an elegant extravaganza, a beautiful, simple ceremony or vibrant engagement party, our events team is ready to plan the
intimate day you've always imagined. We would be delighted to be the venue for your special occasion. For more details, contact: 0118 952 7770, email: events.tflr@roseatehotels.com We are at: 26 The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EJ.
Recording studio amps up A RECORDING studio is calling for music artists to use its newly built space. Creation X Recording, a music production company, has built a new recording studio based at Birchin Inhams Farm, on Heathlands Road, Wokingham. In March last year, owner of Creation X Recording Nikki McGuinness started building the hybrid recording studio from scratch. With the help of VDC Trading, who supplied the custom-manufactured cabling for the build, Ms McGuinness learnt what materials to purchase and built to create her dream studio. Offering new gear and plug and play facilities, the barn studio can be used by bands and artists who are looking to create new material. She explained, being a recording artist herself, that she knew how “important the feel and position” of a studio is. She said: “Building it was a labour of love and passion and a lot of pain but I did a massive amount of research into the best leads on the market and was subsequently introduced to VDC by a well-known pro-audio engineer. “Once I had spoken to the team, I trusted them and it was obvious that I had to have Van Damme cables in my studio so I am thrilled with the sound and it has a sonic quality to it and I know the cabling will last well into the future.” � For more information, log on to creationxrecording.co.uk
18 | VIEWPOINTS
WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Covid is far from over this summer
This week marked the start of the summer months, and many will be looking at their calendars for the big reopen. Monday, June 21, is just around the corner, and the Government will soon set out its plan for the next phase in lifiting Covid-19 restrictions. Yet this weeek, the borough’s infection rate reached 45.6 per 100,000 people. This is now higher than the national average, which sits at 30.3, and significantly higher than the South East, which has a rate of 19.2. What has changed? Last month, 50 cases of the Delta variant, previously referred to as the Indian variant, were identified in the borough. And the council leader said many of those getting infected have not been vaccinated. This includes a vast proportion of the population that have been invited for a jab, and declined. The data reported in today’s paper reflects activites in the community from roughly a fortnight ago. It can take three or four days for someone to develop covid symptoms, and even more for their condition to worsen. And many people could be walking around the borugh asymptomatic. So what is the advice to residents from the council’s health executive? If you’re eligible, then get the vaccine, he said. That, and take twice weekly lateral flow tests — provided for free — to keep you and community safe.
CHURCH NOTES
Welcome again
I
’M sure that like me, you are enjoying being able to see friends and family again. When so much of the freedom that we usually take for granted had been taken away it’s been good to be able to share the simple pleasure of being with loved ones once more. If you have been enjoying time in Peach Place, you may have noticed the fish mosaic on the wall of the Methodist Church. This stunning artwork was commissioned in 2019 to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of our church community and it represents people being welcomed through the doors of our building. Our strapline at Wokingham Methodist Church is “Where Christian love meets community need” and we are keen to work with the other churches in our town to be proactive in sharing God’s love in open and inclusive ways. We were very pleased that our buildings in Peach Street – also known as the Bradbury Centre – were used as a vaccination centre for our local community. Like the shoal of fish on the wall, people were welcomed into our building to receive a vaccination and if they had to wait their 15 minutes after the Pfizer jab would have spent time in either our repurposed café or worship area. As life begins to return to normal, our buildings are being used for their more usual purpose one more. Why not come back to visit our café sometime or join us for worship on a Sunday? You’d be very welcome. The Revd Catherine Bowstead, is the minister of Wokingham Methodist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
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We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper
Thank you from our hearing impaired I AM a volunteer for Healthwatch Wokingham, an organisation set up to help make life a little bit easier for people who struggle. I recently saw a small sign in Waterstones bookshop in Wokingham, telling hearing impaired people to ask the cashier to lower their masks to allow them to lip read. As a wearer of two hearing aids myself I found this a wonderful thing for them to do. Inspired, I contacted my Healthwatch manager and we printed off some signs bearing the hearing impaired mark. We were bowled over by the number of businesses willing to display this sign on their clear screens. These include Morrisons in Woosehill, British Heart Foundation, Millets, Card Factory and Coast to Coast. I think these shops all deserve a pat on the back for helping our hearing impaired community. Thank you. Lynne Antink, Wokingham
Congestion plan is a flawed system IN LAST week’s Wokingham.Today our council leader describes his plan to ease congestion on our roads by increasing capacity, using a “real time information system”. This is a flawed plan. There is a large and growing body of evidence that increasing road capacity fails to reduce congestion in anything more than the short term. Congestion happens because people choose to travel by car. Adding capacity merely makes this choice easier and, over time, congestion returns to the level at which people will tolerate it before making different choices. Increased air pollution, CO2 emissions and lover levels of activity in people’s lives follow. The only sustainable way to reduce congestion is to make the alternatives more attractive, be they public transport or improved facilities for walking and cycling, for the two-thirds of car journeys which are less than five miles in length. The £18 million committed to this scheme is more than the total being invested in the alternatives. We need to address congestion with solutions which look to the future, not those which embed the mistakes of the past. Adrian Beמּeridge, Wokingham
Vaccination paranoia ALL our service users have now received their covid vaccinations – with the exception of a handful of paranoid schizophrenics – who believe the vaccine to be poison, or that it would be injected so that their thoughts could be monitored by external forces. My own local service was perfectly organised, and executed, so
CAPTURED quickly on my phone, I did think Wokingham had a
I have nothing but praise and gratitude for those delivering it. I am immensely relieved. As a result of our being here for people, throughout the pandemic, not only have we had no covid infections, but we have had no, actual, nor attempted, suicides, either – though the general rate for these, and all mental health problems, has increased enormously, as a result of the crisis. One cannot argue with paranoid schizophrenia, because it is not amenable to reason. It is no good asking sufferers why doctors would want to give them treatment that they don’t need – especially, judging by Wokingham.Today’s coverage of the situation at Wokingham’s Medical Centre, the doctors, here, are hardpressed enough, to give people the treatment that they do need, and are willing to have. Paranoid schizophrenics, have, what is known in psychiatric jargon, as ‘fixed, false, beliefs’, and nothing can shift them. This poses an interesting problem for the medico-legal experts. Contrary to popular mythology, mental patients do not have to be, either a danger to themselves, or to others, to be treated compulsorily, under the Mental Health Act. People can also qualify for compulsory treatment, on grounds of their own health. Presumably, therefore, a paranoid schizophrenic, who is also diabetic, and is refusing insulin, because he believes it to be poison, can be sectioned, and given the treatment, compulsorily.
particularly awesome sunset, on Wednesday evening last week.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, Wokingham Town Council leader
I am currently dealing with one such case. But covid vaccination presents a different problem, and is less straightforward, legally. Strictly speaking, vaccination is prevention, and not treatment. We are dealing, here, with semantics, and this is where the legal argument comes into play. Can one have ‘treatment’ , where there is, as yet, no illness? Pubs, restaurants, and holiday resorts, may, legitimately, refuse entry to people who will not have the vaccinations, but the Wokingham Mental Health Crisis House, can hardly refuse entry to people because they suffer from paranoid schizophrenia, and we will not do so. Nevertheless, I would greatly prefer, for everybody’s protection, that all our service users were vaccinated, and I would like the lawyers to look at this dilemma. Pam Jenkinson, The Wokingham Crisis House
serving with a political allegiance. Shinfield Parish encompasses the South of M4 Strategic Development Location and has seen in excess of 3,750 new houses consented with 500 - 700 expected to follow. Shinfield Parish Council is working with developers and the University of Reading to build the best possible community for existing and new residents that can be created with this massive house building programme. Members are concerned that political parties, who are not directly involved in these discussions, are giving inaccurate and sometimes misleading information. Members have been concerned by the inclusion of parish council achievements, such as opening the new Spencers Wood Pavilion, in newsletters and pamphlets from which the residents may infer that the council is aligned to one political party or another which, as I have stated, it is not. Members have been further concerned that newsletters and pamphlets have indicated that detailed work by the parish council to provide safe movement around the area is not happening at all. One of our councillors has recently submitted an update on finalising producing maps, notice boards and wayfinding signage for cycleways and footpaths which the parish council will implement over the next few months. The council has worked with developers and landowners to plan new routes, join up disparate sections of pathways, create alternatives to using busy roads and
Political pamphlets in Shinfield MEMBERS of Shinfield Parish Council have become concerned by the factual content of various pamphlets and newsletters published by local political parties during 2020 and 2021. Shinfield Parish Council is a non-political council formed by from a wide range of members of whom some may be affiliated to political parties outside the parish council. Members have been elected or co-opted on the basis of their independence with no members are
Thursday, June 3, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
improve existing routes. We are in the last four months of completing a new community centre at School Green and hope that this will provide the community with an excellent focal point. Members, who are unpaid, have made a tremendous effort to deliver this scheme for residents. I look forward to working with local parties and would simply ask that you are careful in your publications and indeed seek information from us to ensure accuracy of content and that they don’t imply points which in relation to the activities and achievements of Shinfield Parish Council, are incorrect. Andrew Grimes, chair, Shinfield Parish Council
loved ones together, every Cupcake Day held will fund Alzheimer’s Society’s vital services, which have been used over five million times since the pandemic began. You could organise a delivery ‘drop off’ of goodies to your neighbours, host a driveway bake sale in your area or have a virtual ‘bake-off’ with colleagues, friends, and family. Whether you’re a baking novice or a seasoned pro, please join me in whipping up a treat on Thursday, June 17, and let’s get baking — or buying in my case — to beat dementia together. Sign up for free at alzheimers.org.uk/cupcake-day. Jo Brand, comedian and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador
Unite against dementia with cake
Welcoming back volunteers
EVERY three minutes, someone will develop dementia – that’s arguably how long it will take for you to read my letter. And this past year, life has become much tougher for those living with the condition and their families. I know how crucial Alzheimer’s Society’s work is and have been an ambassador of the charity for many years. As we finally see a way through the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for us to make sure no-one faces dementia alone. So if you’re one of the many millions who have spent this past year perfecting your banana breads and practising your piping, why not put those efforts to good use to help Alzheimer’s Society reach even more people? Join me in dusting off your aprons for Cupcake Day on June 17. Whether it’s the last hurrah before you give baking a break, or you need the perfect excuse to bring
IT IS Volunteers Week. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on national healthcare charity, Sue Ryder, has been immense. Not only did it have a financial impact on the charity but it also meant that many of our incredible volunteers were unable to support us because of lockdown restrictions. We are extremely excited that plans are underway to welcome our much missed volunteers back into our hospices, and share a warm welcome back to our retail volunteers who’ve been able to return since the roadmap allowed non-essential shops to reopen. Sue Ryder has more than 7,100 dedicated volunteers across the country and every single one is an invaluable part of the Sue Ryder organisation; they enable us to continue providing the expert and compassionate palliative, neurological and bereavement support that
we are so well known for. This Volunteers’ Week we wanted to recognise their fantastic contribution over the past 15 months, through what has been such a difficult time for so many. During the pandemic many of our volunteers have had to stay at home shielding at a time they’ve wanted to continue to be there; many other volunteers have worked hard developing new skills to help us continue to provide virtual support via our befriending, family support and bereavement services; and many volunteers have leapt into action taking on amazing fundraising challenges from home to help raise vital funds so our care can continue. We want to share our thanks with all our volunteers for sticking with us and supporting us during such difficult times. Our hospices are only part funded by the government, with just 30% of their costs covered on average. The continued support of our volunteers - whether volunteering their time and skills in our hospices, organising their own fundraising activities or working tirelessly in our Sue Ryder shops across the UK — play a critical part in helping the charity continue to be there when it matters. Sue Ryder is committed to making volunteering with us a rewarding, inclusive and empowering experience for everybody. We’d like to appeal to any of your readers who would like to find out more about joining our team. However much time you have, we’d love you to hear from you. To make a difference as a Sue Ryder volunteer, visit: www.sueryder.org/Volunteer for more information. Maria Turnbull, hospice director, Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice
Colin v Cuthbert For thirty years Colin’s been king Now he’s worried about his buttercream There’s a new caterpillar on the block Cuthbert! A cheap, upstart, impersonator! He’s not as good as me, Colin cries His shiny chocolate may deceive your eyes But look beneath his curvy shell You’ll taste quality far inferior. M&S in their wisdom all culinary Worry shoppers may confuse their bakery Cuthbert is not Colin we insist he’s removed Our standards are higher and we’re gonna sue! Ha, ha, replied Aldi we don’t care There’s more than Cuthbert caterpillar out there. Cecil, Morris, Curly and Calli, need we go on Take us to court, your customers aren’t fooled. In steps Chris Packham to remind us all There’s a climate emergency, don’t be absurd Only first world could have cake caterpillar wars Send legal fees to butterfly conservation causes. I guess it’s been a little light relief From lockdown and the queen’s consort deceased But who cares where one gets their cake There’s enough to go round for goodness' sake! Let’s hope common sense prevails And caterpillar cakes can avoid a trial Customers can choose what to buy Enjoy whichever you decide to try. Juliet H, Wokingham
Another view Neil Coupe
T
HERE is nothing like warm weather over a bank holiday to raise the spirits (and remind us that without prior planning lying in the sun for the first time in the year leads to red blotchy painful skin). It was good to see the town centre so busy, and I am sure that for the retailers, coffee shops and restaurants it must have easily been the busiest weekend of the year to date. The previous weekend was the Wokingham Walk, when the weather was very different, but a popular local event, and another example of people coming together as is customary in our community-focused town. The improvement in general footfall in our town centre, allied to the return of traffic throughout the south east surely points in only one direction, namely the full opening up of the economy on Monday, June 21, as life finally returns to normal after the most challenging 15 months, certainly of my lifetime. Or does it? When certain of the restrictions were lifted in the middle of May, I was able to
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visit my mother who lives in the north west. One of the new variants was taking hold in her local town and driving through I saw several prominent road signs beseeching people to ‘Take Your Vaccination’, ‘Be Part Of The Solution’, etc. This is in the context of three year groups at my niece’s primary school being put in self-isolation due to another outbreak. As I understand it, there has subsequently been a stampede to take vaccinations and the level of infection is gradually receding, but will it really be fast enough for the Government to be able to stick to its original timetable? Even allowing for the historically complex relationship between the UK and France, the fact that UK nationals, with their credit cards, bundles of Euros and penchant for fine food and wine, are not permitted to travel there, except under the most exceptional of circumstances, is not a good sign. On the other hand, it appears that travel to the Republic of Ireland will be an option for fully vaccinated travellers
NEXT STEP: Later this month the Government will reveal plans for June 21 Picture: pxhere from July 19. It must be so difficult for the Government to know what to do next. The roadmap was set out several months ago, and things have very admirably gone to plan. The vaccination programme, over which they have had control, has been a great success, but there must be the nagging doubt about how to deal with the latest developments. People desperately want to be back to normal, see people they like to see where they want to see them, go on holiday etc. I am even hearing of people looking forward to having business meetings in person. There are interested parties in the travel and leisure sector determined to see their businesses operate properly again. There are siren voices in the
mainstream media, as well in social media demanding a return to ‘freedom’. There is information everywhere, there is news from other countries. Noise from all directions. As everyone knows, there will always be a panel of people with A-levels in hindsight waiting to pounce in a few months’ time, to say what should have happened. When asked what was the biggest difficulty in being prime minister, Harold MacMillan said ‘Events, Dear Boy, Events’. He led the country in the late 1950s. I wonder how our present incumbent would respond to the same question? ‘Events, Dear Boy, oh and Too Much Information, Data, Experts, Hindsight, Media.’ Fingers crossed that our leaders are able to navigate through the mass of data and come to the right decisions in the coming weeks.
Spacephiller
Phil Creighton
Big googly eyes
L
AST month, the author and artist Eric Carle passed away. The 91-year-old was famous for his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which told the story of a group of war veterans wrongly imprisoned … no, of course it doesn’t. It’s the story of a very hungry caterpillar, who eats a lot. Almost as much as me in fact (may be a lie). It’s a glorious book, not least as it’s a masterpiece of printing: holes in the right places and some short pages. As a strange child, I was fascinated by this origami-like arrangement. As a grown-up reading the same story to my ankle-biters, it was the beauty of the words. It opens with the lyrical phrase “In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf” and continues in the same vein until the very last words, “he was a beautiful butterfly”. It reads so well, each sentence so carefully constructed, that it was a pleasure to read. Certainly more so than a gigantic series of books about fairies that my daughter once insisted on. Each relied on slim coincidences where the heroes just happened to stumble on the baddie, who could have picked anywhere in the world to cause havoc. Don’t tell her, but I used to skip whole pages when reading them, just to reach the end. Some children’s books resonate long beyond they’ve been passed down to the next generation, such as The Tiger Who Came To Tea, the Mr Men series, Dear Zoo, among many, many others. Last week, we featured the street artist we dubbed Catsy, and our story has now reached national prominence, appearing on telly and even in some of the posher newspapers. For many of us, the sightings of Catsy’s work – pictures of cats painted on to walls and fences across Wokingham – have brought us much joy during this ongoing wretched time. Each picture is playful, unexpected and delightful. The artist told us last week that they were originally painted to delight his godchildren: “I made a few in their back garden and one night, I decided I would leave a few on their route home from school. “They loved it and their friends loved it, and it’s snowballed from there.” Although essentially just black paint, there is a clamour for this art. And it’s probably because of the finishing touch: a pair of big googly eyes. Nothing has delighted me more than this aspect of his work. After all, who doesn’t love a pair of big googly eyes? Here’s a little secret: when it comes to writing headlines, and trying to explain big concepts, it’s sometimes easier to break that cardinal rule of journalism and to write in cliche. I’m fluent in it. It makes me sick as a parrot when some people get their knickers in a twist overusing phrases as old as the hills. There’s a whole bumper book of words and phrases stored away in my noggin ready to be dressed for the occasion (bonus points if you get that reference). So Catsy and his big googly eyes? It comes from a book that the children loved about some critter who had, funnily enough, big googly eyes. Can’t even remember what it was called, but unsurprisingly it had big googly eyes stuck on to the creature in question. And who doesn’t love those big googly eyes? They are wonderful additions to any craft box, instantly giving creations a personality. But for a writer, even a hack one like moi, goodness that phrase trips off the tongue so deliciously that it’s a sheer pleasure to write. More Catsy please. If only to have fun with the English language.
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Vic is putting on the map w
Nellie knows
Nellie Williams nelliewilliams.co.uk Nellie knows
EXCLUSIVE
Summer is here
By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM artist has produced a fresh take on the town centre with a new illustrated map — and now plans to sell the prints for a good cause.
A
fter 18 years I can finally say I have no more school uniform to hunt down and the cries of “where’s my uniform?” won’t be coming from our house. It does feel strange that after half-term there’s no more school run, but that’s a nice feeling. It feels like the weather has finally made up its mind and is behaving in a summery way. While last year was hellish in many respects the weather was at least on our side and I certainly didn’t feel as cooped up as I did during winter and the latter lockdown. I’m really looking forward to getting back to the long dry walks I did last year. When asked how I could walk 12 miles it was either incredulity at the distance or being able to find somewhere to walk for that long. Yes it’s possible on both counts and once I start walking I keep walking. And yes I do surprise myself. Last summer I was plugged into audible so I was multi tasking and well read. I haven’t read as much this year but I have really really enjoyed Stonechild by Kevin Albin a retired Thames Valley Police Inspector. It’s a wonderful story about when the statues in London come alive. It’s a really interesting and thought-provoking read. I did think I had walked on to set when I was off to meet a friend at the lions in Trafalgar Square and saw it taped off shortly after I finished the book. You’ll see when you read it.
HANDS ON: JB and his daughter enjoying gardening together Picture: Save the Children
Getting muddy with Peppa A CHILDREN’S television character is supporting Save the Children for a national week of gardening. Peppa Pig has a new activity pack encouraging children to get outside and have fun, while raising vital funds for the charity. This week marks National Children’s Gardening Week, which promotes the health, wellbeing and educational benefits of gardening. Sponsored by Regatta, the themed activity pack is packed with creative ways for children to explore the world around them. The campaign is fronted by keen gardener, regular Countryfile and Springwatch contributor and children’s presenter JB Gill. The JLS singer is encouraging everyone to get down to a garden centre to collect a Peppa Pig activity booklet, help raise funds and start having fun with nature. The former pop star said: “I am
so excited to be supporting this year’s National Children’s Gardening Week with my family. We love farming and gardening, so we can’t wait to get outside with Peppa to have some muddy fun. “Playing outside and discovering wildlife is so important in helping children develop and grow. I am also really proud that this campaign is supporting Save the Children because all children around the world should have the chance to be healthy and happy, no matter where they’re from.” The activity packs will be available to collect from Squires Garden Centre, Heathlands Road; Winnersh Garden Centre; Henry Street Garden Centre, Arborfield; Dobbies Garden World, Shinfield; The Big Plant Nursery, Twyford; Hare Hatch Sheeplands and Dobbies Garden World, Hare Hatch. There is a £1 suggested donation.
Scrap the single-use plastic and bring your boxes
Talking of friends I recently saw Vicar Father John Connell at his new home in Abergavenny which was a real treat and I’m looking forward to seeing them more when I’m in Wales. The Priory is fascinating and I’m looking forward to going to the top of the tower.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
MORRISONS has reintroduced its refill containers for fresh meat and fish counters. In a bid to reduce single-use plastics, the supermarket chain will now ask customers if they have brought their own container, rather than automatically putting products into single use packaging. Initially launched in 2018, the scheme was paused during the pandemic. Once boxed, each purchase is then given a sticky label to be scanned at the tills. Natasha Cook, packaging manager at Morrisons, said: “Reducing plastic in our REUSABLE: Morrisons has reintroduced refill containers for stores is an important the fresh meat and fish counters Picture: Morrisons part of our sustainability agenda and it really matters to our every Morrisons customer used a customers too. refillable container for their counter “The service was very popular purchase, it would save 2,000 with our customers when it was tonnes of plastic a year. first introduced before lockdown, Morrisons was also the first and we’re pleased to see it return supermarket to ditch plastic carrier with some great value deals on our bags in favour of paper bags and fresh, British quality products.” using traditional paper bags for The grocer calculated that if loose fruit and vegetables.
Vic Delaney recently produced a detailed drawing of Wokingham town centre after rediscovering her love for art during the pandemic. “During the first lockdown, I started watching Grayson’s Art Club with Grayson Perry, and it inspired me to pick up my pens again,” she says. “He created his Map of Days and it gave me this idea of doing an illustrated map of Wokingham.” The drawing, which took Vic roughly 30 hours to complete, takes viewers across the town centre and includes detailed sketches of key sites, such as Montague House and Tudor House. “I wanted to include iconic, old and beautiful buildings,” Vic says. “But drawing things that small is really hard on your eyes so it took a really long time. “I’m so proud of the amount of detail in it.” After sharing her map on social media, the Wokingham resident says she was taken aback by the community’s response. “It’s been the best ever,” she says. “It’s amazing that people I don’t know think it’s so good.” Now, Vic is selling copies of the map to residents and plans to donate 10% of her takings to Walter Infant School and Nursery, which is fundraising to revamp its ICT suite. Vic, who is a member of the parentteacher association at the school, said
TOWN ART: Vic Delaney is selling her hand-drawn
the pandemic has made it difficult to fundraise over the past year. Judy Wheeler, the school’s headteacher, said the school was delighted when Vic suggested supporting its latest project. The school is currently raising money to upgrade 15 desktops and 15 monitors in its Computing Suite. It also plans to install a new interactive
Whiteknights mark A NEARBY ARTS trail is celebrating its 21st anniversary this month. To mark the occasion, Whiteknights Studio Trail (WST) has a number of recently published books about the diverse culture and history of Reading at the event. Running over the weekend of Saturday, June 26, the two-day event is run by a group of Readingbased artists who open up their studios and venues each year. The free event allows visitors to wander around the trail route, admiring the art between 11am and 6pm. The first book was published last year, to mark the 20th anniversary. Titled The Art and History of Whiteknights, it showcases 26 artists who interpreted the area in any style or medium, along with chapters on the history of the University campus — once the Whiteknights Park estate — and an insight into the buildings and people who have lived in the area. It was edited by Jenny Halsted who will be at venue five, 85 Christchurch Road, Reading. This will be sold at a reduced price of £10, to mark the occasion. Venue three, 24 New Road, Reading, will have two recent publications by Two Rivers Press; Islamic Art Meets British Flowers and Coley Talking. The former, by Hadil Tamim and Adrian Lawson explores Islamic art techniques applied to the nearby wild flowers and forms of Reading buildings. The latter, by Margaret Ounsley, looks at how the
Coley area developed in th harshness of their everyda It includes personal mem 1950. Sally Castle, pictured ab venue three as well. She is a designer and illu original hand lettering, wit linocut printmaking, enviro mixed media artwork. “I have designed covers books for Two Rivers Press and illustrated a map of th
Thursday, June 3, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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g Wokingham with her art
Joyce’s elephants will never forget their origin A WOODLEY resident has taken “elephants never forget” to heart with her big craft project. Joyce McKendrick, owner of Joyce’s Craft, has been busy making memory elephants to help youngsters remember their time at school. She has been recycling old school uniforms into teddies to give children a keepsake while stopping the clothes from heading to landfill. “I started making them three years ago when my daughter’s school changed their uniform,” Joyce explains. “I didn’t quite know what to do with [the clothes] and the school had made a uniform teddy bear. “The bear was quite big, and my youngest really wanted an elephant toy of her own, so I made one.” As news of the elephant teddy travelled around the school, Joyce says more and more youngsters
started asking for keepsakes of their own. “I now mainly sell them in Woodley through word of mouth,” Joyce says. “I’ve made nearly 200 so far, and each one takes me around one-and-a-half hours.” Before the pandemic, the Woodley resident also made a range of teddies out of second hand uniforms, which she then raffled at parentteacher association events. “It’s all about reusing old uniforms that would otherwise be thrown away,” she says. Alongside the elephants, Joyce also makes memory penguins, owls and pandas, as well as a range of handmade cards. Most of the teddies are custom creations, made out of uniforms provided by parents. � To find out more about Joyce’s Craft and to enquire about a teddy, visit www.facebook.com/joyces.craft.9 or contact joycemckcraft@gmail.com
n map of the town to fundraise for Walter Infant School and Nursery Picture: Vic Delaney
whiteboard and buy 32 new stools. In total, Judy estimates it will cost £20,000. “The map is so beautiful [and] we are sure she will be able to sell hundreds of copies to present and past members of the Wokingham community,” the headteacher says. “We have already bought a copy to display in our reception for all our
visitors to see. I hope lots and lots of people will buy the map as it is not only exquisite, but it will also become a treasured keepsake for families.” Prints are produced by The Art Company on Molly Millars Lane. Vic also takes commissions featuring residents’ homes. � For more information, email: v_delaney@outlook.com
ks 21st studio trail
he 19th century and the ay life. mories of life from 1900 to
bove, will be exhibiting at
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and or illustrated over 30 s and recently designed he Abbey Quarter for
Reading Museum,” Ms Castle said. “I continually experiment with colour and develop sketchbook ideas.” A concertina book will be on show at venue one, 15 Denmark Road.. Created by Thérèse Lawlor, the books unfold and offer a new way to appreciate art. Her new books featuring boats and harbours, Christmas markets, and allotments in lockdown will be on show. “Concertina books are a fantastic way of exploring a theme and developing it over 35 pages,” Ms Lawlor said. “Come and visit us in Denmark Road and give me some ideas for new books.” Jenny Halstead, WST co-ordinator, said she felt it was important to hold the Whiteknights Studio Trail event this year. “The date has been moved to the end of June, the weekend after lockdown restrictions are potentially lifted,” she explained. “We are hoping all will be well and no further Covid surges force us to cancel.” She is looking forward to welcoming back visitors. “We hope they once again enjoy walking the Whiteknights Studio Trail, meeting the artists, seeing their work and perhaps buying something special and bring back a little normality and joy to our lives,” she said. All visitors must wear a face covering, observe social distancing requirements and follow any oneway systems in place. � For more information, visit: www.studiotrail.co.uk
COMPLETED: Vicki Jepson crosses the finish line for the 100km walk
Nurse takes on 100km walk A WOKINGHAM nurse tackled 100km (62 miles) of Jurassic Coast last month to raise money for the hospice where she works. Vicki Jepson has worked for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice for the last two years, providing specialist care and support for children with lifelimiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families. Inspired by her walks over lockdown, Vicki decided to sign up for the route. “I see first-hand how much of a positive impact our children’s hospice service has on the lives of the children and families we support,” she says. “But none of what we do would be possible without donations and fundraising, so I wanted to do my bit and take on a challenge that would help raise some vital funds. “I knew taking on 100km would be a massive challenge but I was not quite prepared for how hard it would be.
“Over the weekend I seemed to experience every terrain and weather condition possible – mud, sand, lots of hills, wind and of course rain. “It was really tough going but I was so blown away by people’s messages of support and generosity. They definitely kept me going and made me determined to finish.” Vicki raised more than £1,900 — which will fund more than 43 hours of specialist care. Helen Bennett, director of care at the hospice, said staff were so proud of her charity fundraiser. “A big thank you to everyone that supported her with this enormous challenge, both on the day and throughout her training,” she adds. “Vicki’s fundraising is such a wonderful example of how we all work together at Alexander Devine to make sure we can continue to provide the specialist care and support that children need.”
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
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‘Higher education sector can help post-pandemic recovery’ By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today BILLIONS of pounds worth of support will become available for business and charities in the South East, according to the University of Reading.
New research from the University suggests the higher education sector can help the UK economy recover postpandemic, by making £2.4 billion worth of help available. It said its ‘Cine Valley’ scheme with Shinfield Studios, which will bring Hollywood film productions and TV shows to Wokingham borough, is one example of support offered by the higher education sector. The University of Reading estimates the project will create £500 million of investment while supporting 3,000 jobs for local residents. Its research also suggests other higher education institutions in the South East will support businesses to create new jobs and train key workers, too. According to the university, over the next five years, centres in the region will give 8,000 years’ worth of upskilling and training to businesses and charities, help nearly 2,000 new organisations form, and train 50,000 key workers. Professor Robert van de Noort, vice-chancellor of the University of
SUPPORT: The University of Reading expects it Shinfield Studios plan to crate £500 million of investment and create 3,000 jobs
Reading, said: “I am proud of how our region’s universities and businesses are helping to bring new jobs and opportunities to our communities. “Universities played a key role in responding to the threat of Covid19, and now we are directly contributing to the recovery, helping to build back a better economy and society that benefits us all.” He said the research suggests
universities will be important as the country “gets back on its feet” postpandemic. The new report, published with Universities UK (UUK), forms part of #GettingResults, a new campaign launched to promote how education may support economic recovery. Professor Julia Buckingham CBE, president of UUK, added: “By working closely with their partners, including local government and
employers, universities will play a vital role in the UK's post-Covid recovery. “Together, they can contribute significantly to future economic success and improve lives. “Moving forward it is important that employers fully take advantage of universities’ support and develop productive relationships so the nation can bounce back stronger from the pandemic.”
Youngsters can get on their bikes CYCLE mechanics can now train closer to home, after a new centre was launched by Bracknell and Wokingham College. Run by Activate Learning, the centre has created a new training workshop following the uptick in cycling during the coronavirus pandemic. Built in partnership with Cytech, a training provider, it hopes the Activate Cycle Academic
(ACA) will help guide aspiring bicycle mechanics across Berkshire. This is the fourth workshop launched in England, and the second centre Activate Learning has opened since the pandemic began. Matt Grant, from ACA, said: “Our team has worked exceptionally hard to get this fantastic workshop open in these challenging times.
“We had to navigate the latest lockdown at the start of the year, when all our worships were closed. “It’s been a remarkable achievement and one we’re all immensely proud of.” The workshop offers a range of cycle maintenance training opportunities. Konrad Dadej, who recently completed a course at the
college, said it was very approachable. “It firmed up a lot of the knowledge that I already had, and I learnt a lot of new tricks to help me do some of the jobs quicker,” he said. � To find out more about courses available at ACA, contact cycles@activatelearning.ac.uk or visit activatecycleacademy.com/cytechcourses
Six new systems plan
Borough’s savvy savers
A WOKINGHAM firm said signs of recovery are beginning to show following the coronavirus pandemic. PRISYM ID, which provides packaging and labelling solutions to pharmaceutical companies across the globe, has spearheaded six new labelling systems this year. Now, it said demand across the medical device and life science sectors is increasing, demonstrating signs of economic recovery. Richard Adams, chief executive
WOKINGHAM is savvy with its savings, according to a new report from Wealthify. The online investment service reported that residents in the South East are the most likely to have long-term savings goals (38%), compared to the national average (31%). But it found that nearly three quarters (73%) of people are “not confident enough” to invest, citing ‘confusing language’ and ‘feeling left out’ as reasons why. Andy Russell, CEO of Wealthify,
of PRISYM ID, said: “We are incredibly pleased to have delivered PRISYM 360 solutions across both our medical device and clinical trial supply sectors. “The first few months [of 2021] have been extremely busy for us as it is clear that the legacy of Covid-19 has focused people’s minds. “The projects we have successfully executed in recent months show we can deliver the best of all worlds: high quality solutions, delivered at speed, by genuine experts in the field.”
said: “The past year has been tough on everyone, both personally and financially for some. “But it is important we don’t let that have a lasting effect on our future plans.” He said the pandemic has taught residents to be prepared for the unexpected. “Investing offers great opportunities to grow your money over the longer term, so it’s worth taking small steps now to consider your future goals and how you can achieve them,” Mr Russell added.
Skills centre to be opened A SKILLS training centre is coming to Bracknell and Wokingham College, funded by Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The College, which is run by Activate Learning, was awarded £600,000 by the LEP to help students upskill and prepare for life in the workplace. The new Care Skills Training Centre will support health and social care pupils with an “immersive learning environment” to mimic hospital and care settings. This includes a simulated hospital ward with mannequins so students can practice first aid, emergency care, wound dressing and more. It will also feature a flat so pupils can practice working in a care environment. Peter Reynolds, director of career pathways at Activate Learning, said it will help the College increase the number of students training for healthcare roles in Wokingham borough. “The new state-of-the-art Care Skills Training Centre will enable our students at Bracknell and Wokingham College to take what they are learning within real-life care settings and develop their skills further,” he said. Katharine Horler, chair of the Thames Valley Berkshire Skills Advisory Panel, led by the LEP, said the Care Skills Training Centre will boost skills in the area. “The importance of key workers in the health and social care sectors has never been more apparent than during Covid-19 pandemic and with increasing numbers of people wanting to study healthcare related courses, this Centre will provide state-of-the-art training facilities both for the existing and next generation of key workers,” she said. “It should transform the training of professionals in Berkshire and enable us to meet the increasing local demand within the health and social care workforce.” The funding grant was awarded through the Government’s Getting Building Fund, and the facility will open its doors in the autumn. It has been designed in partnership with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Health Education England, and Skills for Care.
Brexit impact comes clearer THE IMPACT of Brexit is becoming clearer for Berkshire’s small businesses, according to Close Brothers Asset Finance. The banking group reported that four in 10 small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have increased their costs following the country’s exit from the EU. It also found more than half (56%) are concerned about how Brexit will affect usual trading patterns. Neil Davies, from Close Brothers, said: “What we’ve found is access to goods and services from, and to, the EU is causing the biggest headaches. “That being said, many firms don’t have much of a reliance on the EU and have subsequently not felt the same impact as others, meaning it’s a very mixed picture out there, dependent primarily on which sector you’re in.” Close Brothers also found that 39% of businesses did not make special arrangements to prepare for Brexit.
Thursday, June 3, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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SONNING, RUSCOMBE, To advertise in this section, TWYFORD&HURST, NEWS REMENHAM & WARGRAVE call Claire on 0118 327 2662 Mystery mice Teacher’s new project for spotted in walls Charvil welcomes singers A CHARVIL musician is embarking on a new musical adventure — and it’s got a Hollywood theme.
MYSTERY GUESTS: Six mice have been spotted in walls around Springfield Park Picture: Nikki Terry
A FAMILY of mice has left people puzzled in Twyford. Villagers recently discovered the six furry friends which have been sculpted with mortar into a wall at the end of Springfield Park. Now, they have been working
hard to spot them all, but resident Nikki Terry said it’s been a bit of a challenge. “They are really lovely, and hopefully [they] become a focus point for families when walking around Twyford,” she said.
Wargrave Sprint Triathlon to run at end of month ONE OF Wargrave’s biggest fitness challenges is making a return this month. The Wargrave Sprint Triathlon, which sees budding athletes swim, cycle and jog to the finish line, is due to take place on Sunday, June 27. It will be the fourth to take place in the village. “More than 100 competitors have taken part previously in this exciting, fund and challenge event which will take you over some of Berkshire’s finest countryside,” organisers said. “The Thameside village of Wargrave is a picturesque setting for demonstrating your athletic excellence.”
To complete the triathlon, residents must swim 750 metres, cycle 12.5 miles (20km), and finish with a 3.1 mile (5km) run. The event will take place at Mill Lane, covid-permitting. It is open to adults over the age of 18, who can participate as individuals and in teams. Individual entry costs £55 in March and £60 in June. Team tickets cost £70 and £75 respectively. Registration opens at 6am and the race is due to start at 7am.
Music teacher and choir director Suzanne Newman is launching her latest group, The Project Singers, in September, and is currently on the lookout for new members. Ms Newman has been running choirs for more than 30 years and currently leads Sapphire Ladies Choir and girls’ group Jewel Tones. Now, she is starting a three-part chorus to give singers a “fresh start” after lockdown. “Music is the one thing that makes me happy,” she said. “It’s always been a part of my life. “I hope that everybody will be ready to get back to singing [after the pandemic].”
Cowshed given £3,000 grant WOKINGHAM Town Council has donated £3,000 to a
Ms Newman said from the get go, The Project Singers will work on a series of productions starting with A Night At The Movies. “Over the past year of not being able to do live music, I’ve been listening to a lot more songs and some from the movies are absolutely fantastic,” she said. “We will be working on some great songs from films, including Hopelessly Devoted To You and The Shadow Of Your Smile.” The first project will then finish with a concert at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in March 2022, to celebrate the singers’ hard work. Now, Ms Newman said she is itching to get going. “I’ve been running choirs mostly on Zoom so it will be nice to have
Hurst charity. The Cowshed, which supports those in need with clothes plans to use its latest donation to hire a supervisor.
a fresh start,” she said. The Project Singers, which will be split into two groups, is currently holding auditions for eight more members. There are four spaces available in the junior chorus for girls aged between 10 and 18, and for four more ladies in the senior chorus. “Most of the ladies in my current choir are staying on,” Ms Newman explained. “But we’ve got spaces for a few more members, so we can have around 25 people in each choir.” Rehearsals will be held at Charvil Village Hall on Sunday evenings. Auditions are being held over the coming month. � For more details, contact Ms Newman on 0118 934 589 or email suzanneynewman@btinternet.com
Sally Russell, charity CEO, said they were delighted to be given the grant. “Since the beginning of last year the need for our
service has increased over 400% and this has required more donations to fulfil our increasing demand for our referrals,” she said.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
CROWTHORNE&FINCHAMPSTEADNEWS Coffee for all at village British Legion A CLUB is putting the kettle on ready for it’s next coffee morning this month, The Crowthorne Royal British Legion, on Wellington Road, is hosting its next coffee morning on Tuesday, June 8, at 10am. Entry is £3.50 which includes one tea of coffee and one cliche of cake, further purchases can be made for a donation. Donations of cakes are encouraged if people contact the secretary before the event. Everyone is welcome, but due to covid restrictions indoor spaces will be limited so some may be asked to sit outside. On entry, the club will be asking everyone to wear a mask until they are seated. � For more information, visit crowthornerbl.co.uk
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Debate team wins English competition By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today SCHOOL pupils from Crowthorne won a national debating competition this month.
Wellington College, a school based in Crowthorne, celebrated after its debating team won the English-Speaking Union’s Schools’ Mace, the largest debating competition for schools in England. The team including Arthur Grigg, Anjali Darling, Atticus ChristieMiller and Charlotte Grigg, took on The Bishop’s Stortford High School for Boys to argue the motion – this house regrets the romanticisation of motherhood. The lower sixth pupils argued in opposition of the motion at the final, which was live screened on YouTube on March, 22. Despite having screens up and masks on, the teams worked to ensure they engaged with the online audience discussing the barriers that mothers and parents face in society. The judging panel, including Baroness Hale of Richmond, selected Wellington College as the overall winner, stating that the team were creative and were careful in their questioning about
motherhood. Although the pandemic impacted a lot of extra-curricular activities for the students, the debating team was able to carry on virtually, which allowed the students to learn new skills. The team also received specialist guidance from Issy Fidderman, a long-standing coach for Wellington College and for the England Schools Debating Team at Debate England. The team said: “The glory of being national champions feels amazing as well as being described as the clear winners at such a prestigious event. “Preparing and debating online was a challenge and It was also difficult when we’d have disagreements about how to interpret a motion, but we dealt with this as a healthy argument and that is what debating is all about.” Dr Ramsey, head of Wellington College Debating, said it’s been “wonderful” to see the students' dedication and hard work pay off. She added: “They have grown in confidence and have become such articulate young men and women. “I hope that the skills they have learned will become invaluable in university interviews and in any profession they choose.”
MOTHERHOOD: Arthur Grigg, Anjali Darling, Atticus Christie-Miller and Charlotte Grigg won the debate
Nine Mile Ride to host virtual fundraising fair A SCHOOL summer fundraiser will be taking place virtually this year. Nine Mile Ride Primary School, in Finchampstead, will be holding its virtual summer fair from Friday, July 2 to Friday July 9. The school decided to keep the event online due to the Covid restrictions for the second year running. Local businesses are being asked to support the school by sponsoring them for £5 or donating a prize to its auction. In return, the business will receive an advertising opportunity through the fair’s Facebook page and social media channels. In previous years, companies have taken part in Facebook live events hosting face painting, music, dance
lessons and martial arts. Ali Brown, headteacher at Nine Mile Ride Primary, expressed her thanks to the Friends of Nine Mile Ride for organising the event. She said: “Our summer fair has come round again, and we still find ourselves in covid times however, a big thank you to Friends of Nine Mile Ride for once again coming up with imaginative and creative ways to raise money during the pandemic. “This success is only possible because of the enthusiasm, drive, and determination from the team to make NMR the best place possible for our school community.” Jenni Brunton, PTA vice chair of Friends of Nine Mile Ride, said: “While it’s not been
COATS welcomes back 50 visitors A CHARITY has welcomed back its visitors with open arms as lockdown slowly eases. The COATS Centre, a Crowthorne-based charity promoting the welfare of senior citizens, has reopened its doors to visitors for the first time this year. The centre welcomed its visitors on Monday, May 17 where 50 senior residents walked through its doors. Having opened for the first time since spring 2020, visitors entered the premises with a
mix of both apprehension and excitement. Visitors enjoyed food while speaking to the centre’s staff and volunteers throughout the day.
possible to run our usual summer and Christmas fairs, we have been really pleased to have been able to continue fundraising with our virtual events. “It’s great to be able to provide the school and wider community with some fun online while supporting our incredible businesses and we have been overwhelmed by the generous donations for our online auctions. She added: “We’re looking forward to sharing more wonderful lots for people to bid on in the auction in this year's summer fair.” Companies can email jennibrunton@live.co.uk to register their interest. � For more information visit: NMR Virtual Summer Fair 2021 Facebook group
David Wilson, COATS trustee, said everything went “smoothly” for the reopening week. He said: “We kept everyone safe and at the same time brought some fun and laughter back. “A lot of weary bodies by the end of each day from both staff and visitors but everyone was happy as they made their way home.” Visitors are currently limited to 15 with existing visitors only. � For more information, visit coatscrowthorne.org.uk
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Beekeeper says urban hives help environment EXCLUSIVE
Plan to build 43 homes and Lidl raises concerns for council THERE is “overwhelming public concern” about the application for a new housing estate and food store in Lower Earley, according to the leader of Earley Town Council, writes Charlotte King. Cllr Clive Jones said the proposal from Lower Earley Properties for 43 new homes and a Lidl supermarket off Meldreth Way is “not needed” and the area should remain as green space. Last year, Lower Earley Properties cleared a woodland site, previously known as Swallows Meadow, to prepare it for the future development.
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today AS SWARM season continues, one of the borough’s beekeepers is encouraging residents to enjoy the natural phenomena if they spot it.
Matt McTernan, an urban beekeeper said he started his Facebook page, Earley Garden Bees, to share more information about the insects. With a love for all things environmental, Mr McTernan said he discovered beekeeping through the Reading Beekeepers Association, at an open day for Berkshire College of Agriculture. Already growing his own vegetables, Mr McTernan said it naturally followed on from his eco pursuits. “We love the environment,” he said. “We’re big on recycling and very conscious about our carbon footprint. “We keep chickens and litter pick every Thursday on the way to school. Keeping bees was about doing something else.” With the pollinators in decline due to habitat loss, climate change, toxic pesticides and disease, Mr McTernan said he started urban beekeeping as a way to
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What’s in the plans?
TO THE RESCUE: Matt picks up some swarming bees and cycles them back to his hives in Earley Picture: Earley Garden Bees
support them. Last Thursday marked World Bee Day, and he shared an information video to residents to mark the occasion. With a growing following, Mr McTernan said he often has residents reaching for help. “I’ll have people message me saying ‘Matt, there’s a bee emergency’,” he said. This could include rehoming a bumble bee nest, as he did earlier this month after it was discovered during an excavation. With swarming peaking between May to mid-June, residents may spot bees collecting on a bush or tree as a way to increase colony size.
On Sunday, May 9, Mr McTernan helped move his first swarm of the season. After helping the honey bees into a cardboard box, he cycled them home to his apiary. “I was cycling in my full suit,” he said. “I did get some funny looks, although I didn’t have my hood up.” “Every year I post [on social media] about swarming. My top three tips would be stay calm, find a beekeeper, and enjoy it. “People don’t get an opportunity to see it usually.” With three hives, Mr McTernan said his bees don’t yield enough honey to sell on. “The bees need around 20lbs to 30lbs of honey to
GETTING INVOLVED: Izzy McTernan, 11, and Frankie, 7, join in the fun with Dad the beekeeper
survive over winter when there are no flowers,” he explained. “But I’m looking to put together a beekeepers directory so that people can find local keepers selling honey.” � For more information, or to get in touch with Mr McTernan, search for Earley Garden Bees
Thank you for the music says home
ABBA HITS: Ruth and Rachel performed a selection of ABBA songs on guitar and violin to mark a return of live music Picture: Austen House Care Home
RESIDENTS at a Lower Earley care home said thank you for the music, after live entertainers visited last month. Ruth and Rachel, who live near the Austen House Care Home performed a selection of ABBA songs on guitar and violin – putting on a show for all. The duo performed in the home’s garden so residents could enjoy the show safely. June, a resident at Austen House said it felt like a step on the road back to normality. “Staff here have been brilliant throughout lockdown putting on all kinds of different
events to keep us entertained,” she said. “We have been very well looked after but it is lovely to have some live entertainment again.” Natsayi Dunira, general manager at Austen House said it was great to open up the gardens again to musicians. “We have really missed being able to welcome performers into our home during lockdown, although we’ve had lots of virtual concerts, quizzes and talks,” she said. “It’s lovely to be able to host events in the garden again now that lockdown is easing and the weather is getting warmer.”
The developer is now seeking planning permission to build a range of one- to four-bedroom homes, comprising 40% affordable housing. This includes 12 social rent homes, and five shared ownership dwellings, and it has joined forces with housing association Sovereign Housing on the multi-million pound project. The estate would include pedestrian and cycle links to connect the homes with the existing community. Lower Earley Properties has also proposed a new Lidl store and car park with 115 spaces, including parent and child spots, dedicated disabled parking bays, and electric vehicle charging spaces. It said the proposal would improve retail choice for local shoppers, as well as create 40 new jobs.
Thousands against According to Cllr Jones, thousands of Earley residents are concerned with the proposal following two Wokingham Liberal Democrats petitions earlier this year. “We have petitioned to oppose building on our valued green space and got 1,500 signatures,” Cllr Jones said. “There is a strong view from a lot of people that they really don’t want any development here. They want it to remain as countryside.” Now, Wokingham Liberal Democrats has applied to the borough council to have a footpath through the former meadow made permanent. Cllr Jones said this would make development on the site more difficult. “Lower Earley Properties wants to build new pedestrian and cycle links but there is already a footpath here that has been used for 40 years,” he said. “If it becomes a permanent path, they wouldn’t be able to build the way they want to without needing permission to alter the direction of the walkway.”
Protecting the site
This comes after the borough council recently made temporary Tree Protection Orders (TPOs) at the site permanent to protect the remaining trees from being felled. Cllr Jones said the orders were initially made last year when the new landowners began work. “They started to tidy up the area,” he said. “Which was really cutting back an awful lot of vegetation.” He said at a meeting last month, borough council officers confirmed the trees would have permanent TPOs. “It stops them taking down any more trees to try and squeeze more houses or put bigger gardens in,” he said. “It will make the developers be more careful if they succeed in getting permission.” Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure at the borough council, said they felt there was a risk to the remaining trees after the clearance works removed hawthorn and blackthorn. “Fortunately, the landowner didn’t fell any trees of significant value and the remaining trees are now protected,” he said. “I am pleased that the TPO has been served and confirmed. It will protect the trees on the land and in turn the wider landscape.”
‘We won’t give up’ Now, Cllr Jones has said Earley residents will not stop opposing the planning proposal. “We’re in it for the long term,” he said. “We don’t see a need to have 43 houses here and the number of long-term jobs created would be very few. “This might be a great opportunity for Lower Earley Properties, it might be a great opportunity for them to make a lot of money, but it’s not a great opportunity for people who live in Lower Earley. “We don’t want somebody to take the green space away.” In July 2020, Earley Town Council also applied to have Swallows Meadow designated as a Local Green Space to offer further protection against planning proposals. “We were ahead of the curve because we did this before Reading University sold the land,” Cllr Jones added. “Now we’re waiting.” A public consultation on the planning application is ongoing until Friday, June 18. � For more information, and to comment on the plans, search for application 211686 on the Wokingham Borough Council website
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Rotary is helping fight covid and polio Easthampstead Rotary WITH the latest local infection rates down again, despite worrying headlines about India and the Indian variant, there is light on the horizon. The vaccination roll-out continues apace, helped locally by Easthampstead Rotary volunteers. Across the UK 36 million have received their first vaccination, and 20 million their second. And locally the rolling Covid-19 case rates in Wokingham and Bracknell are below the UK average. Rotarians locally and globally are at the forefront in supporting WHO vaccination programmes worldwide. Perhaps the most recent is the End Polio Now campaign. Polio was a global plague. One day you had a headache and an hour later you were paralysed. How far the virus crept up your spine determined whether you could walk afterwards ... or even breathe. For up to one in 100 people infected, the polio virus causes temporary or permanent paralysis,
which can be life threatening. Up to one in 10 die, when their breathing muscles become immobilised. A machine to assist breathing, the ‘iron lung’, was developed and used extensively in the 1930s, and in the further Polio outbreaks in the 40s and 50s. Polio remains a serious viral infection that used to be common in the UK and worldwide. While it is rare nowadays, there is no cure for polio, but it is completely vaccine-preventable. Last year there were just 140 cases worldwide in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan, and so far this year just one case in each of those countries. The secret of this success is systematic vaccination. How many of us have heard of GAVI? It’s the global partnership between the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International and many national governments, research institutes, the
pharmaceutical industry and others. It stands for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations. See www.gavi.org/covid19 for details of GAVI's role in the global fight against the Coronavirus. As Easthampstead Rotarians, we are local men, women and young people living mainly in the Bracknell Forest and Wokingham boroughs. During the pandemic we have been meeting via Zoom and supporting our Foodbanks and vaccination centres, as well as othercharities helping the homeless and our young people needing tablet computers for home-schooling. We weclome new members: We have fun together with projects to help our young people, the vulnerable in our communities, and our local environment. We also support international projects fighting disease and promoting peace. For more, visit www.easthampsteadrotary.org, or www.facebook.com/easthampsteadrotaryclub/ Alternatively, call one of our members, Brian Sutterby on 07720 321526.
Lions’ fundraising fayre proves a hit THE FIRST Wokingham Spring Charity Market proved sizzling hot. On Monday, the warmest day of the year, so far, residents visited the 10 charity stalls in town. Also at the event was Wokingham town mayor, Tony Lack and his wife Claire. He said: “It is wonderful to see the opportunities that this event gives to local charities to raise funds in a much-needed time.” Organiser Ian Grange said: “This was a great opportunity for local charities to raise some muchneeded funds for their good causes. “We appreciate the support from the Wokingham Town Council.” � For more information visit www.wokinghamlions.org.uk
CHOSEN: 3rd Wokingham Scout Group, the chosen charity of town mayor, Tony Lack and his wife Claire Picture: Courtesy of Hester Grafham
FROM LEFT: Ian Grange, organiser; Nigel Page, president of Wokingham Lions Club, and town mayor Tony Lack and his wife Claire Picture: Wokingham Lions Club
CHARITY: The fundraising market was busy with guests Pictures above and below: Dave Durnham
PIECE OF CAKE: Paul and Lyn Baily, Wokingham Lions Club, getting ready to serve Picture: Wokingham Lions Club
Crossroads looks for trustee Crossroads Care Wokingham is looking for a new trustee to join its board. The charity is a network partner of the Carers Trust and has been a provider of home-based respite breaks for unpaid carers, and the people they care for since 1994. The time commitment is seven two-hour meetings per year, plus a small amount of work to be undertaken outside meetings. The meetings are held bi-monthly via Zoom at the present time and take place on Wednesday evenings. To help achieve a good balance of skills within the board’s membership, the charity is looking for someone with a background in marketing. � For more information, visit: www.wokingham crossroads.org or call 07740 406869
SOCIETY | 27
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
WOKINGHAMLEISURE
Literary festival to return
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REPARATIONS are under way for a special book event this autumn. Henley Literary Festival, set to run in person and online, will return from Sunday, October 2. Venues will include Christ Church, Henley Town Hall and a 500-seater venue, the Ballie Gifford Marquee in Phyllis Court Harriet Reed Ryan, festival events and programme director, said: “We are all very excited about the festival coming back. We have been very fortunate that our headline sponsors Baillie Gifford have stayed with us. “They have supported the Festival since 2011 and their loyalty has been invaluable, and we simply couldn’t do it without them – especially over the past 12 months.” The 2020 festival held nearly 50 online events including well-
PACKED HOUSES: The Henley Literary Festival hopes to welcome audiences this autumn – and they might even be as close together as they are in this photo from the 2019 event
known guests John Grisham Nadiya Hussain, Graham Norton, Clare Balding and Tim Peake. Michelle McLeod, sponsorship manager at Baillie Gifford, said last year was “challenging” for the festival team. “We embraced the digital
environment and are using the experience to enhance this year's programme and our new venue will bring a different aspect to the festival and provide flexibility, with many events being filmed and live streamed. “This is fantastic for both inperson and online audiences who
At the theatre Due to coronavirus, performances may change at short notice. Check with box offices before heading out Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Alice in Wonderland. Until Sun. Crazy Diamond. Fri 11. Circus of Horrors: Addams Family Friendly Matinee. Sat 12. The Circus of Horrors. Sat 12. FILMS: Peter Rabbit 2. Until Sun. Six Minutes to Midnight. Until Sun. Dear Comrades. WedThurs 10. Judas and the Black Messiah. Fri 11-Sun 13. The Three Tenors: Voices for Eternity. Sat 12.
Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Tom Brace: Eat, Sleep, Amaze, Repeat. Thurs. Robert White. Fri. Comedy Club 4 Kids. Sat. Women in Rock. Fri.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 Sara Crowe’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. Until Sat 12.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 REOPENS JULY 4: The Bowie Collective. Sun Jul 4.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Ahir Shah. Thurs. Daliso Chapnda: Apocalypse Not Now. Fri. Concertini With Papa Track. Sat. Norden Farm Market. Sat, Sat 19. Oysland. Sat. Harry Baker: I am 10,000. Fri 11. Lucy Porter: Be Prepared. Sat 12.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Phil Wang and Friends. Thurs. Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians. Fri-Sun. Comedy Club. Fri 11.
Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Hound of the Baskervilles. Until Sat 19.
Reading – Abbey Ruins, The Forbury www.rabbletheatre.com 07917 673370 Rabble Theatre presents The Last Abbot. Fri 11-July 3.
Reading – South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: Kerry Godliman. Fri, Sept 3-Sat, Sept 4.
Reading – The Hexagon www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Stewart Lee: Snowflake/Tornado. Sat. Ivo Graham: The Game of Life. Thurs 10. Noisy Kids: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra concert: Heroes and Villains. Sun 13.
Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Rotterdam. Jun 23-25.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: No Naughty Bits. Wed, Sept 22Sat Sept 25.
Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Relatively Speaking. Until July 30. Dear Lupin … Letters to a Wayward Son. Fri. West End Meets Broadway. Sat. Honky Tonk Angels. Sun. Friday Night Is Fright Night. Fri 11. Voice of the Heart: Karen Carpenter. Sat 12.
Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 NEXT SHOW: Ian McKellen in Hamlet. Jun 21-Sept 4.
Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: September in the Rain. Jul 7-17
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Luckley House School presents Teechers. Wed.
will have the opportunity to hear from the brilliant and varied lineup that Henley Literary Festival always delivers.” Chris Hogan, CEO and club secretary at Phyllis Court, said they are “looking forward” to hosting the literary festival. He said: “It is a highlight of the social calendar which we are proud to be a part of, especially as the festival embarks on its new venture in 2021. “The live festival returns with a full range of events for all ages and interests. After the success of the online festival, we are delighted to have a streaming element from at least one of our venues making this the biggest festival we’ve ever had.” Other venues will also be announced nearer the time of the programme being released. � For more information, log on to henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk LAURA SCARDARELLA
ONLINE: Progress Theatre is to stream its latest production, Rotterdam, later this month
Rotterdam is anywhere A DIGITAL play will be making its way to the screens later this month. Progress Theatre, a Reading-based theatre company, are holding the performance of Jon Brittain’s Rotterdam from Wednesday, June 23 to Friday, June 25. The performance will be held on Zoom starting at 7.45pm. It’s New Year in Rotterdam, and Alice had finally plucked up the courage to email her parents and tell them she’s gay.
Wokingham Loves Music
But before she can hit send, her girlfriend reveals that he has always identified as a man, and now wants to start living as one. Alice must face a question she never thought she would ask “does this mean she’s straight?” The comedy play includes themes about gender, sexuality and being a long way from home. � Tickets cost £5, for more details visit progresstheatre.co.uk
RAIN DANCE: You’ll enjoy listening to the sounds of Warmrain as part of this week’s Wokingham Loves Music playlist
Chris Hillman
bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic
F
INALLY, some good weather and with it some great music. Every week, our Wokingham Loves Music playlist highlights some of the best music around, all of it with a local connection. You can listen for FREE, via Spotify and our selection this week is another winner. At the top of the hit parade is warmrain (yes, that’s right, no space) with their song Absent Friends. It’s a chance to hear their ahead of their Wokingham Festival show in August. And Rachel Redman is making a welcome return too. Make sure you give it a listen – you’re bound to discover something new. There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic
Warmrain – Absent Friends This band will be visiting the area for the first time when they perform at Wokingham Festival. If you like music that moves you emotionally with a Floydian feel, this is for you. Beautiful melodic rock with personal emotive lyrics that builds from a mellow start to a wonderful and powerful guitar break. It’s taken from the band’s debut album Back Above the Clouds. Just imagine being out in Cantley Park on August Bank Holiday Monday hearing tracks like this being played. We can’t wait – warmrainband.com
Rachel Redman – Ready, Waiting for Me It’s been great to see how, Berkshire based, Rachel’s following has been growing since we featured her Against the Tide single in the playlist in February. That’s not surprising as she is a talented singer songwriter and her country pop style is clearly going down well with radio shows and music listeners in the US as well as the UK.
Have a listen to Rachel’s new single which is likely to increase her reputation even further – www.facebook.com/ rachelredmanmusic
Aaron Cilia – Infinitum Aaron will be one of the team working on the sound and more on Wokingham Festival’s Wokingham Music Club (WMC) Stage and he is also a talented musician and producer as his new single shows – www.facebook.com/ AaronCiliaArtist/
Spriggan Mist – Arborfield Witch Here’s a song about a local ghost recorded live at the band’s Ghostly Tales Show at The Acoustic Couch. There’s a link to Aaron above too, as his parents are in the band and Aaron mixed the sound – www.sprigganmist.com/
Frost - Day and Age (edit) Frost* was formed by songwriter and musician Jem Godfrey and the band features Reading-based musician and producer John Mitchell on vocals and guitar who co wrote many of the songs on the their new album including this one – frost.life
It Bites – Cartoon Graveyard It’s John Mitchell again, this time fronting the legendary band that have just re-released two classic albums, The Tall Ships and Map of the Past.
Both were re-mastered by John at his Outhouse Studio in Reading johnmitchellhq.com/it-bites
Fred’s House – Steal the Night Here’s a band that will be appearing at Wokingham Festival in August so while we look forward to that, here’s a great track from their Walls and Ceilings EP fredshousemusic.co.uk
Mississippi Voss – Stranger in Paradise They describe themselves as an indie-funk duo from Berkshire and they will be appearing on the WMC Stage at Wokingham Festival in August – www.facebook.com/ mississippi.voss
John Coughlan’s Quo – Lockdown (Stir-Crazy Mix) This band featuring the ex-Status Quo drummer visited the town to play a great show at WMC in 2019. If you ‘lost your mind in lockdown’ put this track on, turn it up, singalong and rock out – www.johncoghlan.com/
The 286 – One Way Love The 286 are a rock ‘n’ roll orchestra who perform their unique interpretations of classical pieces and more as well as their own self-penned songs. They will be at Wokingham Festival in August – www.the286.co.uk
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Thursday, June 3, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
In the garden
LIFE | 29
Inthekitchen Freely Fruity facebook.com/freelyfruityUK
Roasted Radishes June Summer in the Garden A
J
UNE is a lovely month to be in the garden. With the evenings getting longer and brighter you can use your garden or patio as a great extension to your home, and just sit back and relax. It’s at this time of year that lawns need to be mowed more frequently so here are some key pointers on getting that perfect cared for look. Mow at least once a week and raise the mower blades when it’s very hot weather. Don’t mow when grass is wet or during a drought and don’t collect your clippings during dry spells as this helps conserve moisture. Keep watering throughout the summer unless there is a water shortage and repair bare patches with turf or re-seeding. This is also the month to ensure that all your plants are adequately fed, particularly those in baskets and tubs. Plants benefit from a regular feeding programme as they are growing vigorously and need their nutrition levels to be kept up. Slow-release granules are a good idea for pots and baskets because they last for about six months and release food as it is required into the compost. Not often thought of as a container plant, but an excellent option for small gardens, is a rose. A simple solution for June is to create an instant rose garden that you can enjoy throughout the summer. Just buy a selection of different sized pots, plant them with a varieties of roses and then place them together in a group. There is a rose for every garden situation. From hybrid teas to miniatures, climbers to floribundas, the choice is endless. Roses are easy to grow and will thrive in most soil types providing there is good drainage. They prefer a position that is sunny and not too exposed and need regular feeding which will improve their resistance to pests and disease, although some roses will require spraying to combat aphids and mildew. Pruning is also important to remove dead heads and improve flowering over a longer period of time. If you are replacing old roses with new ones, ensure that the old soil is removed and replaced with fresh soil. As the temperature rises and mid-summer’s day arrives, here are few ‘must do’ jobs for the garden this month from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) … � Lawn mowing and management � Plant out summer bedding plants � Trim hedges � Look after your tomato plants � Pick first of the salad leaves and herbs � Keep on top of weeding � Ensure all plants are fed and watered � Pest control � Sow French and runner beans � Feed local wildlife particularly in dry weather
Serves 4 as a side LTHOUGH radishes are typically eaten raw, roasting them makes a welcome change and this is a great side dish. To turn it into a more substantial meal you could add skin-on boneless chicken thighs at the beginning and ensure the chicken is cooked through or as a vegetarian meal you could serve this with crumbled feta cheese alongside a nice bread.
Ingredients � 500g radishes, halved � 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges � 1-2 tbsp mild olive oil � 1 good pinch salt � 5g fresh thyme, plus some to garnish
� 1 x 400g tin cooked lentils, drained
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/ gas mark 6 2. Into a large ovenproof dish toss the radishes and onion, with 1 tbsp oil, salt and thyme springs and roast uncovered for 25-30 minutes 3. Remove from the oven and mix in the lentils and more oil if needed and return to the oven uncovered for 10 more minutes 4. Serve with a few sprigs of thyme
Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/ freelyfruityuk/
Wokingham Volunteering Helena Badger
www.volunteer wokinghamborough.org.uk
Now’s the time to volunteer
T
HE first week of June marks National Volunteer’s Week. It is a chance to celebrate volunteering and highlight the amazing work that volunteers do. The past year has been very different for so many reasons. Those who normally volunteer have had to react and change what they normally do and those who have never volunteered before have stepped forward due to having more time on their hands. Delivering emergency food parcels and prescriptions, telephone befriending, marshalling at vaccination clinics are just some of the many roles in which volunteers have proved vital to people’s health and well-being during this pandemic. We want to take this opportunity to say thank you everyone who helped. We know what a huge difference to made to people’s lives. One client who received prescriptions during the first lockdown said: “Your volunteers have been amazing. I am shielding and without them, I don’t know what I would have done. Thank you doesn’t seem enough.” The organisations were so grateful to those volunteers who stepped up. The staff at the Lower Earley vaccination clinic were one of these, “We literally couldn’t have done this without you. “The volunteers are all amazing people who have given their time to help us, they aren’t just another pair of hands but throw themselves in the roles with willingness and a positivity which
makes each clinic run smoothly. They make each person feel welcomed as they show kindness to those passing through our clinics, help keep us all safe and they bring a lot of smiles with them. “THANK YOU.” So how about volunteering moving forward? How can you get involved? As restrictions ease and life begins to return to some sort of normality, charities are also getting back to normal, whether it is Scouts and Guide groups meeting, volunteer reading mentors going into schools, lunch clubs for the elderly and charity shops reopening. These local charities and many more need your support. Volunteering is so flexible and can fit around life, work and family commitments. Helena Badger, Volunteer Services Manager at the Wokingham Volunteer Centre says: “We really want people to keep the feeling of community going and continue to help people in need. “It really does change people’s lives; both those who volunteer and those who are helped by volunteers. “Volunteering can help you gain new skills, meet new people, test the water for a career change, allow you to give something back and help a cause you really believe in.” If you can give a couple of hours per week (or more) and are keen to make a difference in your local community, visit www.volunteerwokinghamborough. org.uk , call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk
Two great opportunities
I
T’S National Volunteers Week. It is amazing opportunity to says thanks to all those out there who have been fundamental is helping the community make it through the pandemic. If you would like to find out how you can help your local community now, please get in touch. Below are just a couple of the opportunities on our books. � The Friendship Alliance is a project brought together by The Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK Berkshire, Involve Community Services and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre to tackle loneliness, promote friendship and improve the mental and physical wellbeing of residents in Wokingham borough. We are looking to establish a network of Friendship Champions whose role it would be to promote the Friendship Alliance’s services, actively encourage friendships and develop community spirit. We are currently running an online Friendship Café through Zoom for people to come together weekly for an informal chat and to make some friends. We would also like to encourage local places such as cafés to reach out to us about setting up a Friendship Table where people can take a seat, feel free to chat and connect with others. If you organise a group or activity, run your street’s WhatsApp group chat, work in your local café, library, or even if you’re just a friendly person who wants to spend more time in their community, we’d love a few hours of your time.
� Sport in Mind is an independent multi-award winning mental health charity (unaffiliated to Mind and not part of the local Mind network) that was formed in Reading, Berkshire in 2010 with a simple mission. This is: “To improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity”. We are the UK’s leading mental health sports charity and deliver physical activity (sport, walking, dance and movement, gardening and exercise sessions) projects in partnership with the amazing NHS in order to aid recovery, promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health, combat social isolation and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction. Sport in Mind are looking for kind, understanding, enthusiastic and engaged volunteers to assist at a number of sport sessions across Wokingham Borough, Bracknell, Slough and Maidenhead. We are currently operating on a reduced timetable with limited sessions across Berkshire, but are hoping that once things start to return to normal we can begin to offer our full range of sessions again. This is a fun and rewarding opportunity to support vulnerable people in your local community whilst also keeping yourself fit and active. If you are interested in assisting at a Sport in Mind session now, or in the future —get in touch as we would love to hear from you. � To find out more, visit www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk , call 0118 977 0749 or email volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk
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30 | SCHOOLS
INTHECLASSROOM Police help teach drug risks ALL SECONDARY schools across the borough have been given new resources to teach about the dangers of drugs. The Thames Valley Police Violence Reduction Unit commissioned the national PHSE Association to create brand new materials and lesson plans, ensuring teaching approaches are up-to-date. They are aimed at Year 9 students and can be taught across three lessons. The first and last lesson is delivered by the teacher. But the second lesson will be led by a specially-trained police schools office. Lessons focus on the potential physical and mental harm of substance misuse, as well as the wider damage to friendships and family relationships. They explore the legal consequences and encourage young people to consider what impact a drug conviction could have on their future. Sgt Russ Massie, the tactical lead for child centred policing for Thames Valley Police and the Violence Reduction Unit, led the development of the resources. He said: “While the force rightly ensures we continue to take firm action against those involved in drug dealing and the violence it fuels, we equally know the importance of early education and prevention work with young people. “These new teaching resources are modern and reflect the world today and sadly some of the risks young people face. They seek to minimise the harm posed by drugs and to tackle the risk of exploitation and criminalisation.” A further package focused on the risk of violence and knife crime is being finalised and will be offered to schools for use later in the year for use by Years 7, 8 and 9. All 16 of TVP’s schools officers will be trained this summer in the safe delivery of the lesson content, receiving a PHSE Society and National Police Chief’s Council certification. The lessons can then be taught from September.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, June 3, 2021
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College to open care training centre By MARIE WILLIAMS news@wokingham.today BRACKNELL and Wokingham College will be building a Care Skills Training Centre after securing funding for the project.
Activate Learning, which runs the college, was awarded £600,000 by Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership last month. The centre will have a simulated hospital ward and a flat for practising care in the home. It has been designed in partnership with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Health Education England and Skills for Care. The industry-standard facilities will be used by students studying health and social care. Nursing professionals from Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust will also use the facilities as part of their training. Peter Reynolds, director of career pathways within Activate Learning’s Academic and Professional Studies faculty said: “We are really excited that we are able to work with our employer partners to create this new learning environment which will provide enhanced learning experiences for students and nurses. “This facility will also enable us to increase to number of students
training for roles in the health sector locally. “The new state-of-the-art Care Skills Training Centre will enable our students at Bracknell and Wokingham College to take what they are learning within real-life care settings and develop their skills further.” It is hoped the centre will open this autumn. Katharine Horler, chair of the Thames Valley Berkshire Skills Advisory Panel led by the Thames Valley Berkshire LEP said it would boost skills in the area. “The importance of key workers in the health and social care sectors has never been more apparent than during the pandemic. “With increasing numbers of people wanting to study healthcare related courses, this centre will provide state-of-the-art training facilities both for the existing and next generation of key workers,” she said. “It should ... transform the training of professionals in Berkshire and enable us to meet the increasing local demand within the health and social care workforce.” Nicola Morgan, learning and development manager at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust said they are looking forward to using the site. And Pearly Thomas, head of clinical education at Berkshire Healthcare said they were pleased to be part of the “exciting project”.
HANDS ON: The new facility with have mock hospital wards Picture: B&W College
Four schools secure share of £6,000 funding for arts projects SCHOOLS across the borough have been awarded a share of £6,000 towards their arts and cultural projects. Established in 2018, the Wellington College Arts Fund aims to cultivate creativity in the community. Evendons Primary School in Wokingham was given a share of the sum for its Creative Arts Week, Oaklands Junior School in Crowthorne was also given some funds for purchasing its outdoor PA system. Bulmershe School in Woodley was given funds for its outdoor stage in the playground, and Emmbrook School will be buying a Samba kit with some of the grant. The fund is generated through ticket sales from Wellington College performances, live streamed over the last few months. Director of the Arts at the college, Simon Williamson, said they are excited to support creative talent in the community. “Cultivating grass-roots arts projects has never been so important,” he said. “The global pandemic has hit this sector harder than
Hawkedon raises £6,000 for India Nikki Gladwin-Stride Hawkedon Primary School
most and to ensure its future we must work together to help the arts thrive at every level, whether this be funding music lessons to those who could normally not afford them, the construction of an outdoor stage or equipment for an arts festival, that the whole community can enjoy. Kate Whitmarsh from Bulmershe School said they
were grateful for the helping hand. “‘This is amazing news,” she said. “We look forward to sharing some wonderful photographs and updates in the near future.” Applications for grants are ongoing. � To find out more information on how to apply for a grant, visit: wellingtoncollege.org.uk/WCAF
During the week of May 17, Hawkedon Primary School and many of the 15 nearby schools within their Schools Learning Alliance, teamed together to put on a combined fundraising effort, raising money for the Disasters Emergency Committee who were directing all their funds to India's covid relief. With many pupils and staff within our alliance of schools having relatives and friends who live in India, it was felt necessary to act on our school values and support
in any way we can. India’s pandemic peaked in May, with 414,188 new cases and deaths recorded on a single day. With England moving in a better direction, with our vaccinations and being able to return to more normal life, it feels a humanitarian response to be able to support a country that is suffering. Hawkedon so far have raised £940 by running a sponsored cricket runs event, while the combined total of all the schools that took part have so far raised £6,087, plus £1,127.63 in gift aid.
If our community would like to support us in our fundraising attempts, you can find us on Just Giving by searching for Hawkedon Primary School. The Schools Learning Alliance is a group of 15 Primary Schools who have collaborated over the last three years to develop effective school led improvement. � To find out more about the SLA, visit: schoolslearningalliance.org
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PUBLIC NOTICES WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (COMMONFIELD LANE, BARKHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021
The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 27th May 2021 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application Address
Reasons for Advert Description
211568
Salvation Army Hall, Sturges Road, Wokingham
Conservation Area
Full application for the retention of 2 no. portable office/storage units, plus erection of screen fencing and gates. (Retrospective)
211634
Hatch Gate Farm, Lines Road, Hurst
Major Application
Full application for the proposed erection of an agricultural building.
211686
Land off Meldreth Way, Lower Earley, Reading
Major Application
Full application for the proposed erection of a food store (Use Class E), 43 no. dwellings (Use Class C3) and associated access, servicing, parking and landscaping.
211694
Girdlers, Basingstoke Road, Swallowfield
(Affect setting of) Listed Building
Householder application for the proposed erection of new oak detached garage following demolition of existing C20th brick garage.
211695
Girdlers, Basingstoke Road, Swallowfield
(Affect setting of) Listed Building
Application for Listed Building consent the proposed erection of new oak detached garage following demolition of existing C20th brick garage.
Commonfield Lane, Barkham between its junctions with Biggs Lane and Barkham Street. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Biggs Lane, Langley Common Road, B3349 Barkham Road and Barkham Street or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 7th June and 14th June 2021. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake laying of a new main 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 7th June 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 3rd June 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A PREMISES LICENCE UNDER SECTION 17 OF THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Please recycle me ! It’s good news for everyone
The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. All libraries in the Borough have internet access in order to view this page. Comments on the application can be made online from this web page. Any comments must arrive on or before the 17th June 2021. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses. Date: 3rd June 2021
More Eyes than a sack of potatoes!
Timothy Griffith on behalf of the Hurst Show & Country Fair of Martineau Lane Green at Martineau Lane, Hurst, RG10 0SF proposes to carry on the following licensable activities at the above premises: Each activity will be licensable during the final Saturday and Sunday of June each year. 1. The sale by retail of alcohol on and off the premises 11am to 5pm. 2. The playing of live music 10am to 6pm 3. The playing of recorded music 10am to 6pm 4. The performance of dance 10am to 6pm 5. Displays of interest from varying contributors 10am to 6pm Full details of the application can be inspected on the licensing register during normal business hours at the address given below. Responsible authorities and interested parties (people living or working in the vicinity of the premises named above) wishing to make a representation about the application should do so in writing, stating licensing objectives upon which the representation is based. All representations made are open to public inspection. Any representation must be received within 28 days of the date of the application (29.5.21) at: Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WW. It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a false statement in connection with an application. The maximum fine for which a person is liable on summary conviction for the offence is £5,000. Dated: 3rd June 2021
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RACING
RESULTS
TEAM BRIT TO COMPETE AGAINST RACING LEGEND
WOKINGHAM racing driver Bobby Trundley will compete for Team BRIT in a charity karting event against racing legend Damon Hill.
Team BRIT will take part in this year’s Halow Project charity kart race which will take place at Sandown Park in Esher on Tuesday, July 13. The community-based charity in Surrey supports young people over 16 with learning disabilities on their journey into adult life, and the event in support of the charity will feature a host of teams. This will include Hill, who is a patron for the charity and supporter of Team BRIT. It was at this event back in 2018 that Bobby was discovered by former Team BRIT driver Warren McKinlay who spotted his talent on the track and subsequently introduced him to the team. Bobby will return to the event
this year to race alongside his teammates Aaron Morgan, Luke Pound, Andrew Tucker and Matty Street. “We’re really looking forward to supporting this fantastic project, which is all about giving young people with disabilities the support and opportunities they deserve,” said Team BRIT founder Dave Player. “Damon Hill is a long term supporter of our team, and has followed Bobby’s journey for some time through their shared work around raising awareness of autism and similar conditions. “For Bobby to return to race with his teammates as a race winning GT4 driver will be incredible. “I hope we can share our story with other young people there to help inspire them to go after Team BRIT’s Bobby Trundley Picture: Paul Cook Scruffy Bear pictures their dreams.”
CRICKET
BOWLS
BERKSHIRE MAKE WINNING START IN NCCA TROPHY
WOKINGHAM TO HOST BOWLS OPEN DAY
By DAVE WRIGHT sport@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM Bowling Club are inviting people of all ages and experience to come along to their open day on Sunday, July 11.
BERKSHIRE made a winning start to their defence of the NCCA Trophy, defeating Bedfordshire by four runs in a tense finish at Dunstable CC on Sunday.
The holders made a solid beginning and with opener Archie Carter making 83 and Dan Lincoln 85 not out, they posted a useful total of 265-5 from their 50 overs. Bedfordshire had 103 runs on the board before losing their second wicket, but were some way behind the required run-rate and it was beginning to look as if Berkshire would go on to win comfortably. However, the hosts then came alight with Matt Coles, the former Kent, Essex and Hampshire all-rounder, pummelling 42 from 17 balls, while Henry Warren crashed 20 off nine and Matt Taylor 34 from as many balls. The batsmen were particularly severe on spinner Max Uttley, smashing him for 21 runs (6,6,4,1,2,2) in one over. Battling Bedfordshire, with their last pair at the crease, needed 10 runs off the final over and a six off the last ball to pull off an unlikely victory, but paceman Andy Rishton, who took over from Uttley, bowled very tightly and conceded only five singles, leaving Beds on 261-9. Euan Woods was the pick of the Berkshire bowlers with 4-40, while Luke Beaven claimed 2-59, Chris Peploe 1-39, Uttley 1-78 and Tom Nugent 1-23. Berkshire's next group game in the Trophy is against Oxfordshire at Falkland CC on Sunday, June 13.
The open day takes place at Wokingham Bowling Club and all you need to go along and take part is a pair of flat soled shoes or trainers. The session will be lead by qualified coaches from 10am-2pm. “Whatever you have been told, bowls is not an old man’s game,” said a representative from Wokingham Bowling Club. “Of course, some older men and women do play – after all they’ve got the time. “But it’s also played by men, women and youngsters of all ages and from all walks of life. “Whether you are competitive or just want a friendly bit of exercise, bowls offers you something you can enjoy. “There’s nothing better than playing bowls outdoors on a lovely summer’s day. “We are a friendly bunch and would love to see you so come along and give it a go.”
Members at Wokingham Bowls Club open day in 2019 Picture: Steve Smyth � For more information contact Arleen McFarland on 07875960764 or email at wbcmanagement2@gmail.com
GOLF
SENIORS TEE OFF AT THEALE THEALE Golf Club Seniors Section has not been slow in getting their friendly club matches underway since the ease of corvid restrictions.
Their third match played against neighbours Bradfield last week finished in an honourable draw. Theale’s best pair of the day was Dave Coulson and George
Austin Freeman, winning by six and five but as usual, the day was enjoyed by all. Previous matches so far have had mixed results with
a loss against Bishopswood at Tadley and a win against Worldham. This weekend sees a return match against for Theale against Bishopswood.
Saturday, May 29 FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield 1-3 Berks County Cookham Dean A-W Finchampstead Thames Valley Division One Hurst A-W Wargrave FC Imaan Lions 2-0 Rotherfield United Thames Valley Division Two Goring United 1-0 Berks County Reserves Maidenhead Town Reserves H-W Twyford & Ruscombe Thames Valley Division Four Berks County Rovers 2-1 AFC Corinthians CRICKET BCL Championship Shinfield (86-2) beat Littlewick Green (82 all out)
Bearwood 1s (204-6) Chilterns Division 2 Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s (140 all out) beat Holyport 2s (126 all out)
Sunday, May 30 FOOTBALL Thames Valley Women’s Division One Tilehurst Panthers Women Development 2-1 Wargrave Women Wargrave Women 0-5 Tilehurst Panthers Women Development Badshot Lea Ladies 3-1 Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies 1-2 Badshot Lea Ladies Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Taplow United Ladies 5-1 Wargrave Women Development
Monday, May 31
Home Counties Division 1 Thame Town (244-7) lost to Finchampstead 1s (245-3)
FOOTBALL Supplementary Cup final Sumas 1-2 Abingdon United
Home Counties Division 2 Slough (135 all out) lost to Wokingham 1s (139-3) Wargrave 1s (196 all out) beat Horspath (174 all out)
Thames Valley Premier League Mortimer 1-1 Berks County
BCL Premier Division Goring on Thames (70 all out) lost to Woodley 1s (222-9) Mortimer West End (209-3) lost to Twyford & Ruscombe 1s (198 all out) Sandhurst (141-9) beat Farley Hill 1s (93 all out) Woodcote (129-5) beat Crowthorne & Crown Wood 1s (125 all out) BCL Division One Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (197 all out) lost to Warfield 1s (204-6) Farley Hill 2s (189 all out) tied Earley 1s (189-8) Shinfield 2s (124-8) beat West Reading 2s (123 all out) Woodley 2s (251 all out) lost to Waltham St Lawrence 1s (292-9) Thames Valley Division 2B Wokingham 2s (119-8) beat Hurst (115 all out) Finchampstead 2s (220 all out) beat Kidmore End (133 all out) Fleet (131 all out) lost to Eversley (219 all out) Reading (203-9) beat Binfield (158 all out) Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham (181-8) beat Sulhamstead & Ufton (148 all out) Windsor (227-5) beat Sonning (114 all out) Finchampstead 3s (116 all out) lost to Boyne Hill 2s (117-4) Thames Valley Division 4A Wokingham 3s (121-9) lost to Wargrave 2s (207 all out) Eversley 2s (204 all out) lost to Reading 2s (205-6) Chilterns Division 1 Ruislip Victoria (66 all out) lost to Emmbrook and
FIXTURES Saturday, June 5 Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead v Richings Park Maidenhead Town v Berks County Thames Valley Division One Cookham Dean Reserves v Hurst Eldon Celtic v FC Imaan Lions Wargrave v Holyport Reserves Thames Valley Division Two Hurst Reserves v Henley Town Twyford & Ruscombe v Phoenix Old Boys Berks County Reserves v Windlesham & Chobham Reserves Thames Valley Division Four Harchester Hawks v Berks County Rovers CRICKET BCL Championship Ballinger Waggoners v Shinfield 1s Home Counties Division 1 Finchampstead 1s v High Wycombe 1s Home Counties Division 2 Wokingham 1s v Wargrave 1s BCL Premier Division Woodley 1s v Mortimer West End Twyford & Ruscombe 1s v Woodcote 1s Farley Hill 1s v Goring on Thames 1s Crowthorne & Crown Wood 1s v Stratfield Turgis/ Hartley Wespall BCL Division One Peppard Stoke Row 2s v Farley Hill 2s Waltham St Lawrence 1s v Shinfield 2s
34 | SPORT
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RUGBY UNION
REYNOLDS PRAISES RAMS’ WORK By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
RAMS RFC put on another scintillating display with a flawless win over Maidenhead as they head into the summer break
In this most bizarre of seasons, training has been continually disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning team sessions were halted in both November and from the start of January until the end of March. However, Rams have rallied superbly and followed up last week’s 45-7 home triumph against Chinnor with a 38-0 success at Maidenhead, in a hastily-arranged friendly on Saturday. And Reynolds said: “It’s been great and we’ve got exactly what we wanted out of this period, which was to welcome the guys back into the group environment, get them training which they haven’t been able to do for much of the last 12 to 14 months, and finally have some fixtures at the end of it. “We’ll now have a month off and then the serious stuff starts in July.” Reynolds was effusive in his praise for Maidenhead, who stepped up to offer a fixture after Rams’ originally scheduled game at Chinnor was cancelled due to a positive Covid test in the opposition camp. He continued: “It was brilliant – the sun finally decided to come out for the first time this summer and along with it the good will of Maidenhead in inviting us along at the last minute. “We’re genuinely so thankful to them because if they hadn’t – and you have to remember they did two stints against Oxford University and then ourselves – we’d have had 25 boys without rugby, so we really are grateful. “They were maybe a little bit tired,
Rams burst through as they hit 38 points past Maidenhead without reply Pictures: Paul Clark
but they were very good early on and very gutsy so you can’t take anything away from them. “Our guys did really well because we had a lot of young boys out there and they all wanted to show what they can do, and I was really pleased with how they went.” Omar Ellaboudy, Sam Boyland and Michael Dykes dotted down for the visitors, but one star of the show for Rams was new outside back Will Janes, who grabbed a brilliant hat-trick and who shares a close connection with one of their recently departed stars.
Reynolds explained: “He’s been a great recommendation from Conor Corrigan “Will’s been fantastic, he popped up at the club and asked if he could come down, but he’s really mucked in, he’sa bundle of energy in training. And while Reynolds was keen to emphasise it was a fine team performance from the whole squad, 18-year-old Spencer Hayhow showcased his talents again. Reynolds continued: “Considering it was only his second game of senior rugby, the boy can certainly play.”
RUGBY LEAGUE
RAIDERS RACE PAST SWINDON IN CLINICAL DISPLAY
IN their first home match of the season, a much-changed Reading Raiders side continued their progress in the West of England League and enjoyed a convincing win.
Swindon St George, whose senior team compete in the Southern Conference, had no answer to the attacking power of a determined Raiders squad. Bradley Walters, who started the game at left centre and Alex French, both of whom were to put in blistering performances as proof that they have fully recovered from their longterm ACL injuries. As the game's stand-out player, centre turned second row Brad Thomas continues to impress with every match, through his distribution, defence-splitting charges,
vigorous tackling and positional kicking. John Boucher's captain's pass to an eager Brad Walters, set the scene, with second-row Ed Whelan in support, indicating that his recovery from a leg strain was now complete. Ben Radford kicked the first of his 14 conversions of the afternoon. A series of handling errors started to spoil the pattern of Swindon's response as Ed Whelan's offload to stand-off Radford, brought Raiders a six-point reward, adding the conversion to his try. Raiders began to monopolise possession and right-winger Max Boucher's touched down for a debut try. Hooker Sol Robinson's break found a gap for Brad Thomas to exploit and he set the defence reeling on his
unstoppable race for the line. Thomas, again in action, threw out a well-timed pass for Max Boucher to race in unchallenged. Substitute Alex French was a revelation in his power play and stormed in for a try. Luke Schofield, so far contained by the Swindon defence, from full-back, to link in on the left wing and touch down in the corner. Schofield managed to squeeze in, despite the attention of three defenders. A typical Brad Thomas charge down the middle brought him his second try as Swindon, tired by their heavy tackling load. French celebrated in style, with a devastating solo run to the try line. A brilliantly-timed John Boucher high kick put Brad Thomas in under the posts,
converted easily by Radford. Boucher's play-making skills were further rewarded when his long pass, to the try-hungry Brad Walters, put the centre in for another score, under the sticks. Ed Whelan was the next to take the initiative, in a high-powered undefended charge to the line. Max Boucher then enabled French to finish off a long solo break, under the sticks. Reading continued to apply pressure for the final 10 minutes as Robinson, impressive in open play, was able to claim a loose ball and score in the left corner. The game finished with a final flourish for the Raiders as Brad Thomas touched down another try to set the seal on a Reading masterclass in attacking play in a convincing win.
Reading Raiders in action against Swindon St George Picture: John Taplow
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Jack Surrall (above left) and Joe Howarth (above right) bowling for Eversley
Eversley 2s against Reading 2s Pictures: Steve Smyth
Finchampstead 2s against Kidmore End
CRICKET ROUND-UP
EVERSLEY AT THE SUMMIT AFTER FLEET TRIUMPH By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
BCL Championship SHINFIELD 1s took the points with a bowling masterclass against Littlewick Green. Shinfield were ruthless in the field and in their bowling attack as they managed to bowl Littlewick all out with just 82 runs on the board. Ashiq Khan and Anuraag Sjukla both collected four wickets each to dismantle Littlewick’s batting order. Shinfield then dropped just two wickets as they wrapped up a convincing victory with eight wickets to spare.
Home Counties Division 1 FINCHAMPSTEAD 1s earned their victory of the league season with a seven-wicket triumph away at Thame Town. Thame set Finch a target of 245 to win the match, and they did so after a superb batting display. Gregory Smith added 132 to the scoreboard with 21 boundaries, while Wlliam Legg contributed a half century to help Finch to a comfortable win.
Home Counties Division 2 WOKINGHAM 1s put their first win of the league campaign on the board with a seven-wicket success away at Slough. The Oaks bowled first and removed Slough all out for 135 as Chris Peploe, Max Uttley and Jarrett Bobb each took three wickets. Danny Housego top scored with 62 to help secure victory. WARGRAVE 1s are up to fourth in the table after they defeated Horspath. Mishan Silva top scored for Wargrave with 63 as they finished with a score of 196. But Wargrave bowled Horspath all out just 22 runs short of the target as Rhys Lewis and Toby Greatwood took three wickets each.
BCL Premier Division WOODLEY 1s were in form with the bat as they beat Goring on Thames by 152 runs. Rizmy Nilamdeen top scored with 72, while Woodley bowler Naveed Raja collected five wickets. FARLEY HILL 1s fell to their second loss of the season as 48 runs separated them and Sandhurst. CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 1s
Wargrave (batting) v Horspath Toby Greatwood batting
were beaten by five wickets at Woodcote. Nick Outram top scored for Crows with 39, while Anthony Cluett added three wickets to his tally in the defeat. TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE 1s are bottom of the table after a narrow 11-run defeat to Mortimer West End. Mike Longson scored 80 runs for Twyford but couldn’t guide them to victory.
BCL Division One SHINFIELD 2s are top of the table after a two-wicket triumph over West Reading 2s. WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE 1s took the points over WOODLEY 2s with a 41-run win. Abhishek Garg totalled 95 for Waltham, while Sriharsha Cherukuri and Atul Rana both took three wickets for Woodley. Rajiv Dhallam top scored with the bat for Woodley with 70, while three wickets from Siva Kumar helped Waltham to win. FARLEY HILL 2s and EARLEY 1s tied after both sides hit 189 runs. Earley batted first and collected 189 from 40 overs as Gary Shacklady hit 51. Farley were just one run away from
Wargrave (batting) v Horspath Misham Silva batting
victory but Earley snatched a last-gasp draw as the final wicket fell with the hosts on 189 to tie the game.
Thames Valley Division 2B EVERSLEY sit at the summit after they beat Fleet by 88 runs. Eddie Campion and Tom Magowan each took four wickets to help Eversley to a big win. WOKINGHAM 2s moved up to third place with a two-wicket victory over HURST. Matthew McDonald took a stunning five-wicket haul for the Oaks to help them to their triumph. FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s stay in fourth after an 87-run win over Kidmore End. Matthew Elridge starred at the crease as he amassed 87 runs. BINFIELD dropped down to fifth after they were beaten by Reading by 45 runs.
after a 113-run defeat to Windsor. FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s are bottom of the league after their third defeat of the campaign saw them lose out by six wickets to Boyne Hill 2s.
Thames Valley Division 4A WARGRAVE 2s remain as the pace setters at the top after their fourth consecutive win. They beat second placed WOKINGHAM 3s by 53 runs. EVERSLEY 2s fell to their fourth defeat in a row after they lost out by four wickets to Reading 2s.
Chilterns Division 1 EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 1s sit at the top of the table after they earned a huge 138-run victory over Ruislip Victoria. Greg Davis top scored with 55 and Richard Cole took four wickets to seal a big win to take them to the top.
Thames Valley Division 3A
Chilterns Division 2
WHITE WALTHAM are top after they defeated Sulhamstead & Ufton by 33 runs. Cloudesley Long stole the show after he took five wickets for Waltham. SONNING dropped down to ninth
EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 2s took the points with a 14-run win o ver Holyport. Ravi Balakrishnan top scored with 63 and Alec McNab removed three wickets to seal the win.
Wokingham 2s v Hurst (batting) Ruki Soza batting
Wokingham 2s v Hurst (batting) Aman Singh bowling
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FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
FOOTBALL
BOARS RELEASE PRESEASON FIXTURE DATES
SUMAS SHOT DOWN
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Thames Valley Women’s Division One
Eversley & California FC Picture: Richard Milam EVERSLEY & California FC firstteam has announced their fixtures for pre-season ahead of the 2021/22 league season.
The Boars will continue playing their football in the Combined Counites League where they will be contesting alongside fellow local teams Berks County FC and Woodley United in the Combined Counties Division One. Matty Angell’s team begin their course of pre-season friendly fixtures on Saturday, July 3 when
they travel away to face Hythe & Dibden FC. They then have six more fixtures throughout July with home games against Knaphill FC, Met Police FC, Alton FC. The Boars will also face Farnham Town with a ground still to be confirmed and an away game against Camberley Town in their final pre-season match. There is also a local clash on the cards on Saturday, July 27 as Eversley host Wokingham & Emmbrook.
FOOTBALL
KESTRELS QUALIFY FOR CUP FINAL WOODLEY UNITED SUNDAY have a cup forward to look forward to after they defeated Bracknell Spartans Vets in the semi-final of the Bracknell Sunday League Sultan Cup.
The Kestrels flew out of the blocks and were two goals ahead within the opening 10 minutes of the match after a quickfire double saw Josh Beasleigh headed home from a corner before Matt Croft extended the lead. Woodley showed their set-piece superiority as they struck again from a corner midway through the
second-half as Craig Hunter got on the scoresheet. Craig Masterson then sealed the fourth and a place in the cup final as he finished off a flowing Woodley attack. A chance to capture silverware will be up for grabs when Woodley take on FC Showcase in the final of the competition. Both clubs are expected to release details confirming the date of the final in due course which is expected to kick off the 2021/22 season.
WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK LADIES concluded their season with a double defeat at the hands of Badshot Lea Ladies. The first match saw Badshot take the points as they scored a vital second-half winner to cancel out Sarah Leonard’s goal to snatch the win. The Sumas went ahead in the second match through Leonard as she netted her second of the day and they managed to preserve their lead at the break. However, Badshot hit back with a second-half comeback and scored three as they ensured that they took maximum points from the two games. The Sumas end the league season in seventh position out of the 10 competing teams. TILEHURST PANTHERS WOMEN DEVELOPMENT made it a weekend to remember as they claimed two victories over WARGRAVE WOMEN FC. The first match up was a one sided affair as Tilehurst ran out as 5-0 winners, scoring twice in the first-half and they followed it up with three more in the second with a clinical display. However, the second encounter was a much closer contest and Wargrave had the lead at the break after Millie Bilcliff put them ahead in the 16th minute. Tilehurst fought back and managed to claw back a victory to take six points from six as they scored twice to win 2-1. Wargrave ended their season in ninth position but may move down to tenth if City Belles manage to take at least four points from their remaining two fixtures. Meanwhile, Tilehurst boosted themselves up to third in the table and still have on fixture left to play. A win
Wokingham & Emmbrook were beaten on the final day of the league season Pictures: Andrew Batt Footbal
would see Tilehurst finish the season as runners-up and just a point behind league leaders Woking Ladies.
Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S The final day of the league season saw S4K LADIES fall from first position and finish as runners-up in an impressive season as they had an agonising wait to see where they would end the season having concluded their season the previous week. The Fawkes started the weekend as league leaders but had the potential
of finishing in first, second or third with two sides below them, Mortimer Ladies and Thatcham & Newbury Ladies having games in hand. Mortimer stormed to a sensational 10-0 victory over Newbury Ladies Development to be crowned as league champions. Meanwhile, Thatcham & Newbury suffered a 2-1 defeat at Slough Town Rebels which meant that the Fawkes finished as runners-up. WARGRAVE WOMEN DEVELOPMENT finished their campaign with a 5-1 away defeat at Taplow United Ladies. Wargrave end the season in seventh
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N AS S4K FINISH RUNNERS-UP
llinBerkshire
AFC Dukes defeated Crowthorne in the Bracknell Sunday League Junior Cup final
position out of nine teams.
Thames Valley Premier League BERKS COUNTY remain in second place after they won their 14th game of the season with an away triumph at Burghfield which saw the Swords run out as 3-1 victors. The Swords were then held to a stalemate at Mortimer on Monday evening in a 1-1 draw. Berks are three points behind league leaders FINCHAMPSTEAD having played one game more
than their title rivals.
Thames Valley Division One WARGRAVE are up to second after they were awarded an away win at HURST. They are now just two points off league leaders Reading YMCA having both played 15 matches. FC IMAAN LIONS are up to fourth after they earned a 2-0 home win over Rotherfield United. George Dallarda and Aaron James Perrin netted to earn three points for the Lions. They face Eldon Celtic away from home this weekend.
Thames Valley Division Two BERKS COUNTY RESERVES were narrowly beaten by title challengers Goring United who took the points, with a solitary goal enough to separate the sides.
Niven added to the score to seal a 4-2 win for Finch. BERKS COUNTY ROVERS won their seventh game of the campaign with a 2-1 victory over bottom side AFC Corinthians.
Thames Valley Division Four
Bracknell Sunday League Sultan Cup
FINCHAMPSTEAD DEVELOPMENT are in seventh after the defeated Harchester Hawks on Friday evening. Benjamin Martire netted a brace, while Liam Bulteel and Callum
Finchampstead Athletic Sunday 3-1 Crowthorne Inn, Crowthorne Inn 5-1 Crowthorne FC, Crowthorne FC A 3-4 AFC Dukes, Bracknell Spartan Vets 0-4 Woodley United Sunday , FC Showcase 3-0 Harts of Bracknell
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HELLENIC LEAGUE SUPPLEMENTARY CUP FINAL
CUP FINAL HEARTBRE SUMAS 1
ABINGDON UNITED 2 By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK fell at the final hurdle as they were defeated in a tense battle in the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup final.
After the Hellenic League Division One East season was postponed for a second consecutive season, the Sumas had a chance to get their hands on some silverware but were denied after a close contest. Abingdon had the first shot on target of the game but Sumas goalkeeper Samuel Dabinett was able to make a simple save to get his first touch of the ball. After a cagey start, the Sumas had their first attempt when Nick Bateman fired a fierce shot just wide. An Abingdon free-kick was well cleared by an organised defence, the Sumas almost profited on the counter attack as Brandon Curtis broke forward into the opposition half and Luke Scope tried to find Josh Harris in the middle but his cross just alluded his teammate. Wokingham began to take control of the contest at Oxford City’s Velocity Stadium as they enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the first-half. Sumas were then forced into a substitution as Bateman had to come off with an injury and was replaced by Dan Carter. Abingdon began to pose some threat going forward but Joe Cummuskey made a vital clearance from a dangerous cross before the Sumas backline again proved too resilient to break down another attack. That was until Abingdon broke into the box in the 32nd minute and were awarded a penalty as their forward was brought down. Luke McCormack stepped up to the spot and beat Dabinett to put Abingdon in front in the final. Wokingham fought back to try and find a leveller before the break as Abingdon looked to scramble the ball clear from a corner, the ball fell to Jack Mullan but he could only send his effort inches wide of the post. The game took a twist just before the break as Abingdon were reduced to 10 players as goalscorer McCormack was shown a straight red card for a tough tackle on Harris. But Abingdon managed to hold out until half-time to go in a goal to the good. Bateman and Eggleston made another switch as Ellis Day replaced
Wokingham & Emmbrook were beatenin the final of the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup by
Curtis for the second-half. Despite having one less player, Abingdon stunned the Sumas to extend their lead soon after the break as Jack Gaul got through oneon-one with Dabinett and converted to put them 2-0 up. With plenty to do to try and turn their fortunes around, the Sumas displayed their fighting spirit as they clawed a goal back and swung the game back into the balance. Captain Liam Eagle latched on to the end of a goal kick and lobbed the ball over the Abingdon goalkeeper to make it 2-1. Dabinett then made a crucial save to prevent Abingdon from snatching a third goal as Wokingham then got on the front foot in search of an equaliser. Alex Badshaw replaced Chris Byrne as the Sumas began to ramp up the pressure on their opponents to try and take the game the distance. The chances fell in return for their positive attacking play, but the
luck didn’t fall the way of the Sumas as they came agonisingly close on a few occasions, including a chance which smacked the frame of the goal. But Abingdon managed to stay resolute and frustrate the Sumas as they held on to their lead and
Match stats WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK: Dabinett, O’Connell, Cummuskey, L Eagle (c), C Eagle, Bateman, Bryne, Harris, Mullan, Curtis, Scope SUBS: Day, Badshaw, Guest, Rushforth, Carter ABINGDON UNITED: Benjamin, Cooper, Curtis, Gaul, Griffiths, McCormack, Moss, Sampford, White, Wright SUBS: Field, Powell GOALS: McCormack (pen) 31’, Gaul 46’, L Eagle
were crowned as Hellenic League Supplementary Cup champions. Despite tasting defeat in their final Hellenic game, the Sumas do have reason to celebrate after they were promoted up to step five as part of the FA league restructure. The Sumas had been on course for promotion for the past two seasons only to be denied by the suspension of the league and sat at the top of the Hellenic Division One East having made a flying start to the 2020/21 season with an unbeaten record. Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston’s team will be competing in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North from the 2021/22 campaign. Wokingham & Emmbrook comanager Bateman said: “We didn’t quite do enough to get a result, but a tough old slog on 4G in that heat. Can’t fault the work rate but the execution not there. A month to put the feet up and then we go again in the Combined Counties League.”
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EAK FOR SUMAS
From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith
Unusual illegal goakeeper handling
A
y Abingdon United Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire
READING FC
ROYALS TO HOST HAMMERS IN FRIENDLY READING FC will face Premier League side West Ham United in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday July 21 in preparation for the 2021/22 campaign.
The club will are yet to confirm whether the game will be played behind closed doors or will be ticketed and played in front of fans at the Madejski Stadium, but are expected to make an announcement closer to the game. David Moyes’ side will present a tough test for Veljko Paunović’s Royals as they look ahead to the new season with the Serbian boss in charge of his first pre-season campaign at Reading. West Ham were the surprise package of the Premier League season in 2020/21, fighting among the top-six places to earn European football for the next campaign.
They eventually finished in sixth position under the former Manchester United and Everton manager who guided the Hammers to a sublime season as they can now look forward to playing Europa League football at the London Stadium when the new season starts. Reading last met West Ham in 2012/13 at Upton Park as an already relegated Royals side were defeated 4-2. Earlier that season, the Royals got the better of the East London side at the Madejski Stadium as a Pavel Pogrebnyak goal gifted all three points for Brian
McDermott’s men. West Ham were promoted to the top flight the same season as Reading, in 2011/12 as the Royals were crowned Championship winners and the Hammers went up as winners of the play-offs that season. However, West Ham have remained in the top flight ever since while Reading were relegated in their first season back in the top division. Former Royal, Michail Antonio, will be likely to line up against his former club having become a pivotal part of Moyes’ transformed
side, as well as England international Declan Rice and several other international stars who are likely to feature in this summer’s European Championship. The Royals also enjoyed one of the most famous days in the club’s history against West Ham back in 2006/07 when Reading were in their debut season in the Premier League. Steve Coppell’s side welcomed Alan Curbishley’s West Ham to the Madejski on New Year’s Day in 2007 as the Berkshire side had arguably their finest hour in top-flight football as they smashed six goals past their opponents in an astounding win. Among the goalscorers on that day were Brynjar Gunnarsson, Stephen Hunt, Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle in a fondly remembered team that finished in eighth.
N incident in the Arsenal v Chelsea match, played just before the FA Cup final, showed how even experienced referees can sometimes get confused with the laws of the game. Chelsea’s Jorginho, was facing his own goal just outside the penalty area and with opponents bearing down, he kicked the ball back to his goalkeeper. However, his kick was too hard and too wide of the keeper, who had to dive full length to stop it going in the goal. That is an ‘illegal’ handling, as the goalkeeper cannot touch the ball with his hands, when kicked to him by a team mate. Some referees watching the video with me, thought the goalkeeper should have been sent off for denying a goal, which he had certainly done. The answer is no. The law punishing goalkeepers for handling the ball from deliberate kicks to them by a teammate, says that an indirect free kick is awarded but there is no disciplinary sanction, which means no red or yellow card. Now let’s take this season’s change in the law, about goal kicks. Most people are aware that at a goal kick, the ball no longer has to come outside the penalty area to be in play. It is now in play, once it is kicked and clearly moves. However, the kicker mustn’t touch the ball a second time before it is played by another player. If the goalkeeper has taken the kick and then plays it again, it is an indirect free kick, whether the goalkeeper handles the ball or not. If an outfield player takes the kick and plays the ball again, it would also be an indirect kick, unless he handles it, then it becomes a penalty. But, and here comes the new law, if the kicker, by playing the ball a second time, stops a promising attack or denies a goal or goal scoring opportunity, they will receive either a yellow or a red card. So in this instance, a goalkeeper could be sent off for handling in his own penalty area. Two illegal handlings by goalkeepers, but different outcomes to bear in mind.
RAIDERS RAMPAGE SWINDON IN BIG WIN
RAMS RECORD ANOTHER VICTORY PAGE 34
PAGE 34
WOKINGHAM 1 ABINGDON 2 TIGHT AT THE TOP
Wokingham & Emmbrook against Abingdon United Picture:Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire
EVERSLEY 1s stormed to the top of Thames Valley Division 2B as their perfect start continued.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK were denied a chance to end their season with silverware after defeat to Abingdon United.
The Sumas made it all the way to the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup final having made a flying start in their league campaign before the season was suspended.
They maintained their superb form in the cup competition but were kept out by a resilient Abingdon side who lifted the trophy in Oxford on Monday afternoon. Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston’s side can now look ahead to preparations for the next campaign as the Sumas make the move up to step five having been promoted to play in the Combined Counties Premier Division North from the 2021/22 season.
Eversley 1s have made a stunning start to their league campaign and are level on points with both Wokingham 2s and Finchampstead 2s at the top having won all four ISSN 2634-8330
� Match report on page 38
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of their matches. However, the club’s second side have been less fortunate and have been beaten in all four league matches so far this season after defeat against Reading maintained their tricky start in Thames Valley Division 4A. � Match reports on page 35
22 Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Reach Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2021
