COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE NEW NAME FOR THEWOKINGHAMPAPER
THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Thursday, March 11, 2021 No. 304
TIME HAS I wanna hold COME FOR your hand … CENSUS
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By JESS WARREN news@wokingham.today
THE TIME has come for borough residents to complete the census. By tomorrow, all households should have received an information pack containing their unique 16-digit access code to complete the form online. Each decade, residents are asked to complete the survey, to help create a detailed picture of their local area. All kinds of organisations, from the council to charities, use the information to provide services, including transport, education and healthcare. "Census 2021 will be crucial in giving a snapshot of life in the borough during an unprecedented time,” said Jeremy May, census engagement manager for Wokingham borough. “It’s vital that everyone completes the census so that we can plan the services required to rebuild our local economy and services after Covid-19”. Anything recorded in the census response is kept anonymous for 100 years and does not affect benefits or immigration status. It can be completed as soon as the pack is received, as long as residents know where they will be on census day – Sunday, March 21. It will take around 10 minutes to complete for each person who lives there. Residents that can’t complete it online can order a paper version. There is a wide range of support available to help complete the census. This includes help for anyone over the phone, by calling 0800 141 2021, online information and web chat at www.census.gov.uk, online guidance and support in a range of languages or by calling the language helpline on 0800 587 2021. There are also a number of Census Support Centres. Currently they are only available to assist by telephone due to covid. Anyone can call or email to make an appointment and they will talk through the form as it is completed – whether online or in person.
MUM’S ANGER OVER SCHOOL PLACES P15 DOMESTIC ABUSE ON THE RISE WARNS CHARITY P10
It’s been a long year, but finally residents of Lord Harris Court residents were able to relax to its visiting restrictions. Edna Staines was one of the first residents in the home to be reunited with her daughter, Helen. For more see page 4
BEER FESTIVAL TO MARK END OF LOCKDOWN Raise your glasses! By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
Charity event one of first in country
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THIRSTY punters dreaming of beer have been snapping up tickets for one of the first festivals to be announced for 2021.
Vo l u n t e e r- r u n Twyford Beer Festival will take place in Stanlake Meadows on Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26, raising funds for male cancer charity Orchid. � Continued on page 11
LOCKDOWN3.0
TAKEOUTTO HELPOUT A THAI TREAT FROM EMMBROOK PUB P12
‘BUILDING WORK IS WRECKING MY GRADE II HOME’ P11
175 years of experience passed through the generations
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2 | NEWS
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FAMILY NOTICES
‘Families will struggle at end of £20 benefit uplift’ By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today FAMILIES managing without the foodbank may have to turn to us again when the £20 uplift in Universal Credit (UC) is scrapped, said the manager of Wokingham Foodbank.
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In common with most other news organisations, 2020 was a difficult year. We are committed to offering news for free online – no subscriptions, no registrations, just the news you need. For online readers, we invite you to make a contribution to support our journalism. You can make a one-off gift, or you commit to a regular subscription. Doing so will protect Wokingham borough’s access to local news not just through these difficult days, but for years to come. Thank you for your support. Phil Creighton, Editor, Wokingham.Today
BOWYER, Veronica Ann Cherished memories of Veronica Ann Bowyer. 15/03/2011 Loved and missed every single day. Sleep tight until we meet again. With love from all your family. xxxx
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
Once the additional funds are removed later this year, Annette Medhurst has concerns people will struggle to make ends meet without the support of charities. In last week’s budget, the chancellor extended the £20 increase to the autumn, when it will be removed. “While the extension to the UC uplift is great it feels like a bit of a sticking plaster,” Ms Medhurst said. “Lots of people will continue to struggle afterwards — Wokingham is an expensive place to live.” She said a large portion of residents visiting the foodbank are key workers. “We have care home staff, school staff, and people working in supermarkets come to us,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking. “There is this expectation that once we’ve come out of covid, everything will be rosy
— but removing that support will push more people to the foodbank.” It comes as Action for Children called for help and certainty for families, as Universal Credit entitlements are set to be cut at the same time as the furlough scheme ends in September “There’s no faster way to push more children into poverty than by snatching £20 a week out of the pockets of our country’s poorest families,” said Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns. “Many of them are in work and doing their best to hold their heads above water after a traumatic year that’s seen hours cut and wage packets slashed.” The group is calling for the Government to make the £20 uplift permanent. Cllr Andy Croy, leader of Wokingham Labour, said the cut, which was initially planned for April, will “suck cash out of local economies”. He told Wokingham.Today: “People who receive Universal Credit are spending this money in their local communities and in their local shops. “[It is] economically
Virtual curry night raises £2,000 AN EVENING of Indian cuisine raised almost £2,000 for Alexander Devine. The hospice hosted its Big Curry Night In event and raised the funds through its curry kits and raffle tickets. The charity, which provides specialist care and lifeline support to families across Berkshire and the surrounding counties, held the virtual event after it was unable to host its annual Scrummy
illiterate, whether it is done now or in September.” He said between November 2019 and November 2020, the number of people receiving Universal Credit tripled. He shared Ms Medhurt’s concern that scrapping the additional funding would push more families to the foodbank, and said it was “no way to treat people”. He added: “We have a Conservative chancellor who last year was happy to subsidise restaurant meals for the wealthy via Eat Out to Help Out but will be making it harder for families to put food on the table later this year. “This cut, whenever it happens, reeks of incompetence and cruelty. The Conservatives have not changed.” Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of Wokingham Liberal Democrats, said the group believes the £20 uplift should have been made permanent. “It has been clear that throughout the pandemic an increasing number of families
Mummy curry night due to lockdown. The funds will pay for more than 50 hours of respite care for local children. This year would have been the charity’s 12th annual curry night. It started in 2007 when Fiona Devine, mother of Alexander Devine and charity founder, held an event to remember her son, serving a homemade dish to supporters in Alexander’s school. “We were absolutely blown away by the support for this event,” Kate Wright, fundraiser at the hospice said. “From the generosity of local companies gifting us
have needed increased support,” he said. “In the end it will cost the country less to keep families afloat, than to let a number of them flounder, with all the problems, such as debt and potential homelessness. “Picking up the pieces of such families will cost so much more than the £20 per week. “It therefore makes sense all around to continue with this support.” David Edmonds, chairman of the Wokingham Conservative Association, said the national party has a duty to review support on a regular basis, “to make certain the help we are providing is reaching the members of our community who most need it.” He added that the Government has provided the community with “unprecedented levels of financial support” and the Conservative Party is “completely committed to supporting the most economically vulnerable members of society”.
items for the kits to the number of people that took part. “We loved seeing all the photos people shared throughout the night of their curry creations and Alexander’s Granny was so thrilled that so many people also made her trifle.” The event was supported by AB World Foods, Tesco and Marlow-based But First Cocktails. Chef Kuldeep Singh from Wokingham-based Indian restaurant, Sultan Balti Palace, filmed a short video with his top tips for cooking up the perfect Indian feast.
Housebuilder contributes £95 million to UK economy A BERKSHIRE housebuilder says it has contributed more than £95 million to the UK’s economic output over the past year. David Wilson Homes Southern, which has built 435 homes in the last year, measured its social and economic contribution in a new report. The figures revealed the housebuilder supported more than 1,500 jobs directly and indirectly, directly employed 10 new graduates, trainees and apprentices, and spent £22 million on improving infrastructure and building affordable homes. Paul Crispin (pictured), managing director at David
Wilson Homes Southern, said: “As a five-star housebuilder, we are very aware of the vital role we play in helping to boost the local economy. “We are committed to a strategy that includes leaving a positive and lasting legacy in the communities in which we build homes. “This can be through anything including job creation, strengthening surrounding businesses or enhancing and protecting the local environment. “We are very proud to be a major force in the growth and prosperity of the region, and look forward to continuing our work in 2021.”
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Putting their best foot forward
Police warning over sextortion scams THAMES VALLEY Police has seen 16 reports of sexual extortion in the Bracknell and Wokingham Local Policing Area since the start of this year. Sextortion involves criminals posing with a fake identity to contact people online and lure them in to performing sexual acts in front of their webcams. This is recorded or they encourage victims to send intimate images of themselves. Criminals then make demands of the victims, usually for money, and attempt to blackmail them by telling them they will share the images with friends, family and colleagues. Police said in the cases which have been reported, victims are being befriended on various social media platforms. A spokesperson for the force said: “If you are a victim please come forward so we can support you. Do not pay any money – this can lead to further demands for greater quantities of cash. “You should contact your internet service provider, deactivate – but do not delete – social media accounts. “Take screenshots of your contact with the criminal.” They also suggested residents watch the National Crime Agency's video on sextortion. Incidents can be reported to Thames Valley Police via its 24-hour non-emergency number 101 or you can be made online.
MEMBERS of a charity that helps Wokingham’s learning disabilities community put their best foot forward last month. Making the most of their daily exercise, the group – who are all part of CLASP – were raising funds for its work, which includes self-advocacy for people with learning disabilities. In normal times, they take part in a sponsored walk during February, but the pandemic meant the usual plan had to be slightly different this year. Participants were asked to walk, run, jog or cycle for two miles or 45 minutes during the week of February 15. And the event was a huge success. Debra Morrison, who helps run the charity, said: “Most of our members and some of our friends and family joined us for the walk. “We have so far raised £1,163 which is staggering and we are so pleased. “The Virgin Money giving page is still open for more donations.” The group is also holding an online quiz for Comic Relief from 11am on Friday, February 19. Places cost £5 and should be booked in advance. For more information, visit: wokinghamclasp.org.uk
Virtual Alpha to launch
Nuisance neighbours to be brought under council’s control EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today PLANS to bring some outsourced council services back in house will be debated next week.
An extraordinary meeting of Wokingham Borough Council’s executive has been convened for 5.30pm on Thursday, March 18. Coming ahead of a council meeting that evening, the two committees will be asked to approve a proposal to return public health services to Shute End. In 2012, the service, covering environmental health, licensing and trading standards, was moved into a partnership with West Berkshire. Bracknell Forest became a fellow member in 2016, with West Berkshire in the driving seat. The aim had been to save £50,000 per year and the process is known as the public protection partnership (PPP). Five years ago, Cllr Pauline
Jorgensen was executive member for resident services at Wokingham Borough Council, and said: “Partnership services benefit from economies of scale and efficiencies by combining to create larger operations. They have better resilience and flexibility to respond to market conditions, and what our residents want.” But now the aim is to bring some services back in house. Leader of the council, Cllr John Halsall, said: “I have a vision, which is very much about Wokingham Borough Council being the golden thread that runs through the borough. “It’s really the indispensable partner to any conversation you have in the borough.” He said that under that vision, he is not the person at the top – residents are. “We’re really only here to serve our residents,” he said. “The triangle is inverted with residents at the top, all 178,000 of them. The leader is the
chap at the bottom with all these requirements filtering through. “The vision is to have a service which wraps around our residents and provides them with more that the direct services.” Cllr Halsall said that for most residents, life is guided by their environment and issues that come from that, such as litter, traffic, waste, loneliness and mental health. “Historically, these sorts of things were provided by other people, but the health service has had to retrench, the police have had to retrench so the borough council really has to step in and fill that void. “My vision is we should do that, subcontracting out a huge range of services means we can’t. “We need to take control of these services back in house.” He felt that by taking the service back from the PPP, it would be easier for residents to have speedier resolutions to nuisances such as neighbours playing the piano loudly at 3am in the morning.
NEWS | 3
“My vision is that our localities team, which we’re building up, will be able to knock on the neighbour’s door and say, ‘Did you know you’re keeping your neighbours up all night?’ and 99% of people are jolly decent and admit that they had no idea and will stop doing it,” Cllr Halsall said. “Most of these situations just require some management at the front end. “It applies to travellers, bonfires, fly tipping, antisocial behaviour and domestic violence. “And that vision then means that we can better work with our partners in the police and in the health service.” This would also extend to an equalities policy which Cllr Halsall says will be a framework to address issues as they arise and adapt to the current situation. “If we correctly roll out the localities work, we should know where problems are in the borough,” he promised.
A CHANCE to discuss life’s big issues is coming to Sonning next month – but there’s no need to leave home to take part. St Andrew’s Church is to hold an online Alpha course on Thursday evenings from April 22. It explores questions such as ‘What happens when we die?’ from a Christian perspective, and includes the opportunity to engage in friendly discussions Sessions will be held using the Zoom platform, and start at 8pm each week. For more details, email office@sonningparish.org.uk
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
CORONAVIRUS LATEST
Ongoing cough could be lung cancer A TOP cancer doctor has warned a negative Covid-19 test and ongoing cough can be a sign of lung cancer. After almost a 30% drop in lung cancer referrals, the NHS is urging the public to come forward. A persistent cough is also a symptom of Covid, and the NHS is warning people that it is more important than ever to be aware of the early signs of lung cancer. New research from the NHS found half of people in South East England did not know a persistent cough for more than three weeks can be a lung cancer symptom. Six in 10 people said they would not book a GP appointment if they had a cough for that long, and had tested negative for Covid-19. Each year, roughly 5,700 people in the South East are diagnosed with lung
cancer, making it the third most common cancer in England. But found early, it becomes more treatable. Michael Baker, deputy director of healthcare at Public Health England South East warned people not to wait until it's too late. “It’s too easy to ignore important signs that your body is trying to tell you but it’s so important with cancer that it is treated as early as possible,” he said. “If you are in any doubt at all, please consult your GP.” People referred at stage one have a 57.7% chance of living for another five years, compared to 3.1% for those diagnosed at stage four. Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer for NHS
England and consultant at University Hospital Southampton, said: “It is understandable that people haven’t wanted to trouble the health service during the pandemic or have been worried about attending appointments because of the Covid risk. “However, the risk of a cancer that you don’t pay attention to is much greater than the risk of coronavirus. GP practices have introduced a series of measures to make them Covid-safe. “The NHS is open.” NHS England has improved cancer care during the pandemic by creating Covid-secure surgery hubs and investing £160 million in ‘Covid-friendly’ cancer drugs that treat patients without having such a big impact on their immune system.
Kidney federation calls for more home dialysis THE National Kidney Federation is campaigning for more home dialysis to keep patients safer from Covid-19. The charity is calling for support, after research from the UK Renal registry revealed that 637 patients who dialysed in a hospital or a unit died from Covid-19 compared to 56 patients who dialysed at home. Honorary president of the NKF, Kirit Modi, said the
charity is urgently requesting hospitals to review their provision for dialysing at home and to offer it to more kidney patients. He said: “We are most grateful to the amazing support NHS staff continue to provide to kidney patients in these exceptional circumstances. “We now know that kidney patients who dialyse at home are safer from Covid-19 compared
to patients who dialyse in a hospital or a dialysis unit. “There is significant unwarranted variation in the provision of home dialysis across the UK at present. We are urging Ministers of Health in the four nations and the whole kidney community to take action now and help save lives.” In September last year, the charity hosted a webinar highlighting lower rates of
Covid-19 in people that dialysed at home. The NKF believes that patients who dialyse in a hospital or a unit have a higher risk of infection due to travelling to and from their home for dialysis and spending several hours in a hospital or a unit each time they dialyse. It is calling for a minimum of 20% of dialysis patients doing so at home by the end of 2024.
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TOUCHING GESTURE: PPE might be in force, but after a year of distanced visits, residents of Lord
Contact has been made: FAMILIES have been reunited across care homes in the borough, as the visiting restrictions were eased this week. Residents at Lord Harris Court, in Sindlesham were delighted to be able to meet their loved ones in person for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The home opened its doors to family visits, following guidance from the government, which allows each care home resident to be visited by one family member or loved one. Edna Staines was one of the first residents in the home to be reunited
with her daughter, Helen. “It means so much to me to see my daughter in person once again and have her sit next to me,” she said. “Thankfully, we’ve been able to see each other in the home’s visitor pod during the pandemic, which has been great, but it means the world to me to be able to hold her hand again.” Helen said it was an emotional experience to be next to her Mother, and hold her hand. “Staff at the home have done a wonderful job in supporting Mum to stay happy and healthy but it is such a special feeling to be with her again,” she said.
‘Sports and leisure needs support’ THE CONSERVATIVE MP for Bracknell has called for the Government to “do better” and “find some money” to help sports and leisure activities reopen. James Sunderland, whose constituency includes Crowthorne, Finchampstead and Wokingham Without, told the House of Commons he'd like to see more support for the leisure sector last week. Speaking on Tuesday, March 2, he urged the Government to consider moving the date outdoor sports can restart forward. “Bracknell is blessed with some stunning golf courses of the highest quality, and it has been a real source of frustration to my constituents to see their sport lumped in with others,” he said.
“It is an outdoor sport and we can separate very easily, so let us get the courses open quickly, please. The same applies to grassroots sports, to tennis and to gymnasiums. “Let us get our leisure activities up and running.” Mr Sunderland also called for support for nonleague football. “A year down the line, clubs are still being asked to wait until May 17, before getting the fans back into their stadiums,” he said. “That is just too late. “These clubs also need grants, not loans. It is essential that these lifeblood clubs are properly supported right across the community.”
He said it was “imperative” that pubs and restaurants are opened quickly, as well as cinemas, theatres and the wedding industry. “The live music sector contributed £4.5 billion to the economy in 2019, supporting 210,000 jobs and providing £1.6 billion in VAT receipts,” he said. “The sector is too valuable to stay closed. Let us please get it open.” He suggested an extension of the 5% VAT rate for ticket sales, or a Government-backed insurance scheme, giving the industry confidence to book shows.
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
NEWS | 5
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CORONAVIRUS LATEST
Council pledges support will continue – including Easter meal vouchers By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today AS THE Covid Winter Grant comes to an end, the borough’s community response will continue to support residents in need.
The last date to inquire about the grant scheme is Monday, March 29, with applications closing on Wednesday, March 31. Final payments will be issued by Friday, April 16 when the grant period officially ends. It is open to individuals and families who are struggling to access food, fuel and other essentials because of the pandemic. Cllr John Kaiser, deputy leader of the council, said the grant is making sure no one does hungry or cold in winter. “We have supported 2,200 children and young people through food vouchers, 75 care leavers and 260 families and individuals so far through this difficult winter,” he said. “The government initially gave us about £208,000 to support our residents Harris Court can meet loved ones in person following new covid rules
residents safely with their loved ones in person. “It was a heartfelt moment and brought tears of joy and happiness to everyone present. We are privileged to be involved in sharing this moment with residents, their families and loved ones.” She said throughout the pandemic, staff have gone “above and beyond” to support residents and help them stay connected with loved ones. “We are so pleased to be moving in the right direction and are looking forward to opening our home up to more visitors and larger gatherings when it is safe to do so,” Ms Cranston added.
How to get covid support in Wokingham borough
To access the ‘One Front Door’ service, call Citizen’s Advice on 0808 278 7958 Those calling from a mobile phone should enter if prompted: 0118 978 7258
Coronavirus rates continue to decline WOKINGHAM’S coronavirus case rate per 100,000 has dropped below 50 – beating case right figures not seen since October. The latest information for the borough showed the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents is 41.5, down from 59 last week. There were six positive tests recorded on Tuesday, March 9, – the latest available as we went to press – bringing the total number of infections to 7,929. The figures in neighbouring Reading borough are now slightly lower than in Wokingham, with an infection rate of 40.2 per 100,000. This is down from 79.1 last week. On Tuesday, Reading reported six positive cases. Bracknell Forest has seen its
rate per 100,000 reduce substantially, too. It is now 34.3, down from 62.8 last week. On Tuesday there were nine new cases. Windsor and Maidenhead had 12 cases reported that day, and its rate per 100,000 is now 40.9, down from 61.4 last week. West Berkshire recorded nine positive cases, and its infection rate has fallen to 31.6, down from 64.4 last week. Slough remains the highest in Berkshire, but its rate per 100,000 fell drastically this week. It now sits at 87.6, down from last week’s 154.4. It also recorded 23 covid cases on Tuesday. Nationally, the UK reported 5,766 positive tests on Tuesday. The rate of infection per
It does not cover rent or mortgage payments. Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services, said: “Support for children who receive benefitsrelated free school meals will be available during school holidays for the rest of 2021, using a combination of the Holiday Activities and Food Scheme and food vouchers. “For the Easter holidays, we will be giving vouchers for two weeks to all families with children who receive free school meals.” To apply, residents should contact the Wokingham Borough Community Response’s One Front Door, run by Citizens Advice Wokingham by calling their new telephone number 0808 278 7958 and mentioning the Covid Winter Grant. It is also available via: citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk/ coronavirus
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reunited after a year Before visitors are reunited with their loved ones, they take a lateral flow Covid-19 test. They also wear gloves, an apron and mask as an additional precaution. Last year, Lord Harris Court closed its doors to all but essential visitors before the first national lockdown in March, to protect its residents and staff. Families were able to visit using the home’s Covid-secure visitor pod, which opened last summer. Home manager, Abigail Cranston, said: “We have been waiting for this moment for a long time and are overjoyed to be able to reunite our
through this grant scheme and we as a local authority made the decision to top it up. “We made a promise to our residents to help them this winter and we are honouring it.” In December the council received £208,000 from the Winter Grant Fund. Approximately £100,000 was allocated for food vouchers for children who receive free school meals during the Christmas holidays and February half term; £5,000 for food and utilities for young adults who recently left its care; and the remaining funds were allocated to support others struggling due to the pandemic. The council agreed to make additional funds available, if the government funds were to run out. All residents are eligible to apply, to help pay for food and utility bills, and other essentials such as sanitary products, warm clothing, blankets and boiler services or repair.
100,000 has now fallen to 62.2, down from 94.9 last week. Sadly, 231 people died on Tuesday, within 28 days of a positive covid test. This is 1,329 over the last seven days. By Monday, more than 22.5 million people in the UK received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. More than 1.1 million people have received their second dose. Council leader John Halsall warned that the figures had ‘plateaued’ around the 50 cases per 100,000, with some daily fluctuations. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said. “As the number of inoculations goes up, the temptation is there not to observe the rules. Please, please, please stick to them.”
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Gardeners urged to sign up to bin scheme GARDENERS across the borough can apply for a garden waste collection permit for 2021-22. Residents signed up for a collection last year will get an email or letter asking them to apply for use of a brown wheelie bin for the new financial year. Currently, there are more than 23,000 residents signed up for the service, which takes away garden clippings, grass cuttings, leaves and weeds fortnightly from the kerbside in a 240-litre brown wheeled bin. It means residents can have more than 6,000 tonnes of green material collected from outside their home each year. Residents can sign up via the council website from next week. The cost has risen by £5, making collection £65 for the year. It covers the period from May 1, 2021 until April 30, 2022. The renewal period is later this year due to an additional month given to all subscribers for 2020-21 due to the pandemic and disruption to collections. An individual brown garden waste sack, which has a 75-litre capacity, has also increased in price from £1 to £1.10. A graded price structure has also been introduced so residents will pay £50 if they join after July 1, or £35 if they join after October 1. “Our garden waste service continues to be popular across the borough with more than 23,000 residents now using it,” said Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure. “We have introduced a small price increase for the first time since the service started nine years ago and this is only to cover additional costs of running it. “Garden waste is a perfect example of closed loop recycling, where residents can turn what used to be in their gardens into compost, which can then be used to help grow new plants.” Once collected all the materials are turned into compost, which is sold at re3 recycling centres. It’s transformed at a composting facility in Oxfordshire, before being put into 40-litre bags and sold for £3.50 each. If residents sign up to the brown bin scheme, they will get a teal sticker delivered, to place on their bin to show they have paid. This should come within 10 working days of the order being completed. Anyone ordering a brown bin for the first time will have the teal sticker attached.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
Bring in your bags and help foodbank make up its parcels By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokingham.today AN APPEAL to shoppers to recycle their bags has been made in a bid to help the borough’s foodbank.
Caring colleagues at Wokingham’s Tesco Superstore are calling on customers to drop off unwanted but usable Bags for Life to a donation point at the store. More than 40 food parcels are delivered each week by Wokingham Foodbank, with an average large family receiving seven carrier bags’ worth. The foodbank is keen to cut down on the number of carrier bags it uses, while ensuring that the donated food still reaches those who need it most. Deliveries have become the only way of getting food parcels to people during lockdown restrictions, although the foodbank is hoping that people will again be able to collect food parcels themselves from next month. Annette Medhurst, manager at Wokingham Foodbank, said: “People have been telling us that they’ve accumulated a lot of Bags for Life during covid, and we’d love to have
RECYCLING: Louise Jedras is encouraging Tesco shoppers to share their bags for life, which are then donated to the foodbank for its parcels
those bags that people aren’t using. “The Finchampstead Road Tesco store has been so supportive of us and of the community as a whole. The store’s drop-off point will make a big difference to us. “We’re conscious that people shouldn’t be coming to us to donate Bags for Life because it wouldn’t be essential travel, but shopping is essential travel and people can put bags in the store’s collection point at
the same time. “Asking for bags seems quite basic, but we get through a lot each week and we’re very aware of using too many carrier bags. We’d love to cut right down on that.” Louise Jedras, community champion at the Finchampstead Road Tesco store, said the donation campaign came about because many people were struggling to get hold of Bags for Life.
She added: “With so many families being referred to the foodbank, they go through hundreds of them a week. “Initially, we couldn't help with the numbers they were looking for because Tesco's bid to Remove, Reuse, Recycle means we simply don't have that many bags available. “So I wondered if Bags for Life were something we could ask our customers to donate. “We want strong bags with strong handles, to carry large and heavy items. They can be from any brand or company, and can be cloth or hessian or plastic. “As long as they are durable and reusable, we don't mind where they have come from. “We’ve set up a basket in the store and have designed a poster to let customers know what we are looking for. These are both next to the foodbank drop-off point in the store. “We’ve already had a positive response from people, but the foodbank could always do with more, and we’re confident our generous customers will really get behind us to help those in need during this difficult time.”
Thames Water fined £2.3m for pollution By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokingham.today A WATER company has been fined £2.3 million for polluting a stream close to Remenham.
Poor management at the plant in Fawley Court was blamed for the release of sewage with high levels of ammonia. The incident took place in 2016, and killed 1,144 fish as well as other water life. Aylesbury Crown Court heard that failure to address equipment faults at a sewage-treatment plant
in Oxfordshire made the incident “entirely foreseeable”. There had been no adequate monitoring in place to manage the risk of pollution, and staff did not respond to alarms highlighting faults in the process. Judge Francis Sheridan said Thames Water should have reacted to the warnings “long before” they did. He added the pollution and the events leading up to it showed “high negligence” by the company. An Environment Agency officer who visited on April 23, 2016, reported smelling sewage in the
EVIDENCE: Some of the fish that died as a result of Thames Water’s pollution of Fawley Court Ditch
brown water. Another witness reported a number of dead fish and sanitary products in the stream, near to where the pollution occurred. And the ammonia levels in Fawley Court Ditch were, at worst, double the permitted limits. Fish from 13 species died, including chub, gudgeon, dace, roach, perch, tench and pike. The stream took almost a year to recover, having lost almost all its fish to the pollution. The court was told a number of faults at the plant had a significant effect on sewage treatment. Jackie Outhwaite, a land and water officer for the Environment Agency, led the investigation, and said: “Our investigation found the risk of pollution was increased by a lack of measures in place to prevent it. Thames Water’s failure to respond to warning alarms ultimately led to significant harm on water quality. “The Environment Agency’s enforcement action over several
years and the pressure it has put on water companies has led to £30 billion of investment by the industry in water quality. “The damage caused to the environment at Henley, however, shows water companies have a lot more to do to protect the environment.” Thames Water pleaded guilty to one count of causing a discharge of partially-treated effluent into Fawley Court Ditch and Fawley Court Stream without an environmental permit between 21 and 24 April 2016. It was charged under regulation 12 (1) (b) of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2010. In addition to the fine, the company must pay the Environment Agency’s costs of £87,944. This latest conviction brings the total amount of fines levied against Thames Water since 2017 to £24.4 million for nine cases of water pollution across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
£40,000 jewellery theft GOLD jewellery worth £40,000 was stolen from a Winnersh home on Saturday night. Now, police are appealing for witnesses to come forward in a bid to catch the thieves. The burglars entered via a bedroom window at the rear of the Reading Road home, before ransacking the house. Officers from Thames Valley Police said that the victims, a man and woman both aged in their thirties, were not injured. Investigating officer PC Victoria McNicholas, based at Loddon Valley police station, said: “I am appealing to anybody who was in the area of Reading Road in Winnersh on Saturday, March 6, between 7.15pm and 8.30pm and think that they have witnessed any suspicious activity to please get in touch with police. “I would appeal also to anybody who has dash-cam, CCTV or doorbell footage to contact the force if it has captured anything that may assist this investigation. “If you have been offered any gold jewellery in the last couple of days and are suspicious as to where this has come from, get in touch. “You can do so by calling 101, quoting reference number 43210094624, or make a report online. You can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Music plan for pub AS THE country prepares for the lockdowns to be lifted, a Riseley pub is making preparations for its first gig of the year. The B Side will perform an outdoor performance in the garden of The Bull. The band will appear on Sunday, May 30, with the music starting from 1pm and continuing through to 6pm. They will be joined by Jeff Thomas and Phil Spreadbury. If wet, the band will move indoors and all government guidelines at the time of the performance will be adhered to. For more details, or to book a table, call the pub on 0118 343 0565.
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Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Railway stations adopted in bid to keep community clean EXCLUSIVE
CLEAN-UP: Litter and graffiti is the target for the Winnersh campaigners Picture: Paul Fishwick
By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A GROUP of Winnersh residents are pitching in to help keep their community clean.
The Winnersh Sustainable Transport Group has become a member of the Community Rail Network, and has ‘adopted’ Winnersh and Winnersh Triangle Stations. The group, led by Paul Fishwick, leader of Winnersh Parish Council and borough ward councillor for Winnersh, has been working with Network Rail since April 2020 in a bid to keep the stations tidy. Now, thanks to the new partnership, the transport group will begin work on improving the look and feel of the stations and tracks. “These stations are important gateways to Winnersh,” Cllr Fishwick said. “We’re determined to help ensure they’re kept clean, safe and attractive for commuters, residents and visitors. “The Parish Council sees rail as a key mode of sustainable travel to and from the area, and it will be an important asset when tackling climate change.” As a member of the Community Rail Network, Cllr Fishwick hopes the group can “raise the profile” of Winnersh’s train stations to
encourage Network Rail to clear trackside litter and graffiti. “It cannot be cleared by anyone except Network Rail,” he explained. “They’ve scheduled to clear the litter and graffiti later this month which we really appreciate. “Moving forward, I hope that with these stations formally adopted, Winnersh can be classed as a higher priority location.” Chris Denham, a spokesperson for Network Rail, said graffiti and litter are a “real menace” for the railway. “Clearing them both up costs time and money we’d rather be spending on passengers,” he said. “But we know how important a clean and tidy railway is to people, so we’re always keen to know of hotspots and areas that need attention. “I’m pleased to say that we are working closely with those at Winnersh to get this sorted, with
permission to access the track booked soon.” The Winnersh Sustainable Transport Group is also working with local charity CLASP and Forest School to bring some artwork on board. “The shelters are in poor condition, so we’d love to upgrade them with some community artwork,” Cllr Fishwick said. CLASP and Forest School have since been asked to create designs for the station shelters. Debs Morrison, manager of CLASP, said the charity hopes its artwork will encourage the public to use the railways and illustrate their travels. “CLASP members love transport,” she explained. “It is a passion of theirs. “One of our members has visited more than 1,000 stations in the UK and wants to see them all.
“Another travels to railway and bus stations to take part in community engagement projects, so taking part seemed like a natural and inspiring fit.” Bernadette Mitra, Conservative prospective candidate for Winnersh in May’s local elections, said graffiti is “a blight on Winnersh” and she is happy to see the parish council adopt the two stations. “I’m looking forward to them engaging with the community to establish the priorities of what needs to be done,” she said. “The addition of artwork is a commendable gesture.” Ms Mitra said she wants to see Winnersh Parish Council prioritise “long-standing issues” of litter, graffiti and antisocial behaviour. “I’ll gladly work alongside [them] to achieve these objectives,” she added. “It affects our house prices, our mental wellbeing and it’s costly to remove.” Cllr Fishwick said the parish council is aware graffiti can attract more graffiti, and hopes that with the new partnership, it can be nipped in the bud. “It’s the same with litter too, and this is something we’ve been speaking to Network Rail about,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing the stations cleared up, and hopefully people will respect them even more in the future.
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Sangoma Tech: A world where you could work from the comfort of your own home
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MAGINE a world where you could work from wherever you want. Well, there’s no need to imagine anymore because local tech company Sangoma is here to help you find your perfect work set-up. The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new era of home-working, and according to the British Council for Offices (BCO), it has changed the nature of work forever. The BCO reported 46% of UK office workers plan to work from home for part of the week once lockdown has been and gone, with only 30% of employees gearing up for a full five days in the office. Now, Sangoma wants to make sure local residents have everything they need to work from wherever they are in the post-pandemic world. The telecoms company, whose European Headquarters are based in Wokingham, has been working with local businesses for more than 20 years. It operates in more than 150 countries across the globe and throughout lockdown, it has been helping local businesses run more efficiently. Sangoma offers a range of services to help companies unify their internal communications, and does everything from revolutionising your work phone system to enhancing your customer’s experience. What’s more, it can give you full control to work from wherever you want, whenever you want. “With our products you can work anywhere, be it your spare room or your local coffee shop,” said Simon Horton, VP sales. “Enabling flexible remote working is what we’re about here at Sangoma.” During lockdown, local businesses have relied on the company’s Switchvox Phone System to work from the
office without being in the office, but Shaan Sood, European marketing manager, said it’s essential businesses continue to offer that flexibility postpandemic. “A lot of people will continue to work at home, even when we come back to ‘the new normal’,” she explained. “So, it’s important businesses support remote working on every level.” This is where Sangoma is here to help. The company offers an on-premise or cloud-based phone system, from £8 per user per month, which allows employees to answer calls from home with ease by taking their office extension with them wherever they go. It gives them power to control what hold music customers listen to, transfer phone calls, and access in queue callback features - and everything comes under one price. It also allows employees to take control of where they work and when, allowing them to be the master of their work-life balance.
“With our Switchvox Phone System, I have everything I need to do my job at home and also have the power to split up my day,” Ms Sood explained. “Whether I take 10 minutes to put the washing on or need to pick the kids up from school, I’m no longer tied to restrictive hours.” Whether you’re sitting in a cafe, working from your bedroom or on a conference call in your car, location doesn’t matter. Sangoma can help you produce the same quality of work and customer service, regardless of where you are. So, why not give Sangoma a try and take control of your work set-up today? Any businesses within 20 miles of the company’s Wokingham office are eligible for 20% off the company’s Switchvox Phone System. � To claim your discount, contact uksales@sangoma.com or call 01344 269220.
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Campaigners petition aims to save vital green lung
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today CAMPAIGNERS are hoping to save a ‘green lung’ from being turned into a bus lane.
Members of SOAR – Save Our Ancient Riverside – have launched a petition aimed at showing Wokingham Borough Council the groundswell of support against converting the land by the historic Kennetmouth. In 2019, the campaigners twice convinced Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee to reject a proposal from Reading Borough Council to build a single-track bus lane bridge over the area that links the River Thames with the start of the Kennet and Avon Canal. The area has huge historical significance as the existing bridges at the site were designed by Brunel. The footpath is part of the Thames
Path and is a well-used route by recreational walkers as well as commuters to Sonning and Thames Valley Business Park. The campaigners are worried that the land will not be designed a protected local green space in Wokingham Borough Council’s new local plan. The council’s report says: “The site is not considered to be of particular local significance and holds no formal recreational or historical value. The area of land is safeguarded for strategic transport network improvements... notably a high quality express bus service or mass rapid transit.” But SOAR says that this is “a deliberate misrepresentation of the evidence in order to support the use of the land as a transport link” and that the “assessment fails to reflect the long term and widespread concern that local communities feel regarding
development on this land”. They point out that similar campaigns, in 1991 and 1996, saw the residents of neighbouring Newtown win the argument that that the area is a vital green lung and should be left as it is. More than 500 people have signed the petition in the two weeks it has been running. One, Richard Cocks, wrote: “How could the Thames Path not be of no formal recreational value?” Jackie Oversby wrote: “I frequently walk along this bit of the river. It is a beautiful stretch of water so near the frantic traffic of Cemetery Junction”. Lucy Lepp feels it is “such a calm place to go during the pandemic”, while David Inward said “wildlife areas must be protected”. Andrew Lewis pointed out, “That area is used for recreation by thousands of local people. It’s essential to preserve it as public green space”. At a January meeting of Wokingham Borough Council, Cllr Wayne Smith, the executive member for planning and enforcement, said: “Only a small number of green spaces were submitted to us for consideration as part of the local plan update process,” he said. “These were assessed and eight were proposed for allocation. “An area of land at Kennetmouth was promoted for Local Green Space designation but rejected as the area nominated was assessed not to meet the criteria.” Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement,
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
HISTORIC: The area around the Thames is much-loved recreational space
said that Local Green Space (LGS) is an optional designation under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that allows communities to identify and protect green areas which are of particular importance. Proposals should meet the criteria set out in national policy and guidance, and designation must be through a local plan or a neighbourhood plan. “Originally, only a small number of green spaces were nominated to us for consideration as part of the local plan update process,” he continued. The proposed designation of these areas wasm he said, broadly supported by people who responded to the consultation. “One area nominated for consideration as a Local Green Space was land near the Kennetmouth,” he continued. “This was not included in the Draft Local Plan. “The area was assessed and the
nominated area was not considered to meet national policy and guidance.” Cllr Smith said that Wokingham Borough Council had proactively invited nominations from parish and town councils and other groups and more than 100 places were put forward. “In the Kennetmouth area, a wider area to that originally considered has now been suggested as well as additional information provided,” he said. “The new wider area incorporates the open space and river frontage along the Thames, whereas the previous nomination covered only a narrow strip of land between the railway line and the river, primarily west of the Wokingham Waterside Centre. “The Draft Local Plan Update consultation provided an opportunity for everyone to express their views on what we got right, what we got wrong and where things could be improved. We are now carefully considering everyone’s comments as we decide how to move forward. “A summary of the responses to the consultation is available on the council website.” He pledged that all views submitted would be considered ahead of further consultation later in the year. “Where justified, our draft proposals will be amended to include revised or new Local Green Spaces,” he said. The petition can be seen at: www.change.org/p/wokinghamborough-council-designate-thethames-path-at-kennetmouth-as-localgreen-space
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Well, that’s taking the P … Binman’s leak in the street EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today LAST month, a Wokingham resident caught refuse collectors mixing recycling with blue bag waste. Now he’s caught a worker relieving himself in the street.
Wokingham Borough Council has said that the practice of spending a penny in public was ‘unacceptable’ and ‘not tolerated’ and promised action. Colin George, who filmed the contractor from Veolia, was surprised by what he saw. “He didn’t widdle in the road,” he explained, “it was in a bush. His modesty was protected by the bin but the footage doesn’t leave much to the imagination. “They’re up early in the mornings and they think they can get away with it.” And Mr George said that it wasn’t the first time he has seen such events take place. “I’ve known them to widdle in the road, up against the truck,” he said. “It’s not unusual in the 30 years I’ve lived here, but it’s not that often,
CAUGHT ON CAMERA: The bin man, standing behind a wheelie bin, answers a call of nature in a Wokingham close
usually just once or twice a year.” He called for the council to fit better cameras on to the refuse collection trucks. At the moment, they are installed to monitor what goes in to the machines to assure residents that recycling and waste are not mixed, but go into separate compartments. Mr George said: “They (the crews) know there is a camera at the back of the truck, they need more surround vision around it. “The cameras only look at the
High Sheriff looks for pandemic heroes MORE THAN 10 individuals and charities from the borough have been nominated for The Berkshire High Sheriff Awards. With a year dominated by the pandemic, award categories have been broadened to reflect the work of volunteers, charity leaders and organisations supporting people in need. A spokesperson for the High Sheriff said: “Award winners will include exceptional leaders and groups through to people working quietly and effectively in the background. All will have gone the extra mile. “The Awards are a way of giving recognition to people whose work might not otherwise have attracted appreciation from the normal sources — they are our unsung heroes.” Nominations include a host of faces from the borough. Eric and Linda Bowes, from Hurst Bowling Club were nominated for preserving the historic bowling green throughout the pandemic, and “providing hope for many vulnerable and elderly members of the community”. Isabel Bowman, of the Arborfield Military Wives Choir was nominated for being the “lynchpin” that held the choir together over the last year, as they “sing, share and support each other”.
Equality event to mark International Women’s Day THE READING and Wokingham branch of the Women’s Equality Party is hosting a free event to mark International Women’s Day. On Thursday, March 11, the group will host a free evening of
back of the truck. If you walk a few feet back, you can’t see anything. “The council had no conclusive evidence that the blue bags had been put in with the recycling waste until I presented them with my video footage.” Responding to Mr George’s video, Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “Urinating in public is unacceptable and is not tolerated across any of our services.
The team at Camp Mohawk, based in Wargrave, were nominated for continuing to provide “vital support to many special needs children, families and carers over the year”. Shinfield resident, Manu Dhaumya, of United Against Bullies, was nominated for “Relentlessly thinking about others and serving people unconditionally” in his work. Laura and Rod Eades, volunteers at the Earley Help Hub were nominated for the initiative, and helping others to create their own support hub. First Days Children’s Charity was called an “amazing charity” in its nomination. Over Christmas it delivered more than 1,300 stockings and in January delivered 100 winter coats. The nominator said: “Our families are fortunate to benefit from such commitment”. Freely Fruity, a Sindlesham-based charity that formed last year, was nominated for its work providing fresh produce to those in need. The nominator said: “Three volunteers have been so selfless in their acts of kindness, donating time and money, in all weathers”. The Revd Richard Lamey, Rector of St Paul’s, Wokingham was nominated for connecting the community. His nominator said: “He has made a significant difference to the community this year, building and strengthening relationships with the wider Wokingham community and ensuring support was available for those in need”. Wokingham’s Link Visiting Scheme was nominated for its work supporting elderly residents in the borough. It was described as a “small charity with a big heart” in its nomination. Woodley-based Me2Club was nominated for providing a “lifeline to families”.
discussion, which will include the challenges and discrimination experienced by women of colour. Louise Timlin, leader of the local group, said: “International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the achievements of women around the world. “We’re very fortunate to have these three fantastic women speakers at our Reading and Wokingham branch event this year.”
“We appreciate that refuse collectors spend a significant period of their day away from appropriate facilities but this doesn’t excuse this practice in any way.” He added: “There are a number of designated facilities across the borough that are available for use by the collectors throughout their day. “We will follow up with our contractors to ensure this does not happen again.”
Jake Morrison, chief executive of Citizens Advice Wokingham was nominated for his leadership throughout the pandemic. His nominator said: “Jake exemplifies what a great charity leader should do and has made a tangible difference to Wokingham residents lives.” Woodley resident Lynne Shipton was nominated for her “tireless” work with up Chemogiftbags, a charity that supports people diagnosed with cancer. Eight people and groups that operate across the wider Berkshire area, and support residents in the borough were also nominated. These include Reading-based ABC to Read, for its work to support “struggling readers and their families”. Nicola Bell, of the Thames Valley Partnership, was nominated for her work “championing vulnerable people” and victims of modern slavery. Berkshire Vision and Berkshire Youth were two charities nominated for supporting their communities in the pandemic. Also nominated for awards was Julie Kaesser, of Berkshire Women’s Aid, supporting “isolated women in the community”. Gerry Duggan of Victims First Emotional Support was nominated for being an “amazing, caring and capable case worker”. Launchpad Reading was nominated, as well as League of Friends at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service. The winners will be chosen by a nominations panel, and announced at 7pm on Thursday, March 18.
Speakers include Christine Dean, the deputy leader of the Women's Equality Party, lawyer and candidate for the London Assembly 2021; Karima Moustafa, sociology student, founder of Bracknell Against Racism Group and organiser of the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Wokingham last year, and Mata Durkin, democracy and campaigns coordinator at
Bournemouth University's Students' Union. A question and answer session will take place at the end of the talks. The event starts at 7.30pm and lasts an hour. To register for a free ticket, visit Eventbrite UK’s website and search for International Women’s Day, Reading and Wokingham
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
‘Abuse is always a choice, covid doesn’t excuse it’ EXCLUSIVE
By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A LOCAL charity is encouraging residents to look for patterns of domestic abuse – and it expects reports to rise over the coming months.
GIFT: McCarthy Stone has made a £500 donation to Crowthorne C of E Primary School
Quiet please! Gift will be used to create new space MONEY has been given to a local school to help fund their new wellbeing project, writes Laura Scardarella. Crowthorne CofE Primary has welcomed the £500 contribution from McCarthy Stone to help improve the school grounds. The school in Dukes Ride plans to turn an unusable area into a safe and quiet zone for the children. The parent-led fundraising committee will be organising the school’s new project.
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Headteacher Ruth Jackson said: “The planned quiet zone will help create a safe space for children so they can take some time for themselves when things are getting a little much for them, which is vital for their development. “We really can’t thank McCarthy Stone enough.” Nicki Beswarick, divisional marketing manager for McCarthy Stone, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to present this donation.”
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Vickie Robertson, founder of Finchampstead-based charity Kaleidoscopic UK, said the coronavirus pandemic has “accelerated” cases of abuse across the country. Now, she expects numbers to rise even higher as coronavirus restrictions ease as survivors who “waited out” lockdown begin to seek help. Kaleidoscopic UK raises awareness of and supports people dealing with domestic abuse. Ms Robertson launched the charity after surviving abuse, both as an adult and a child. And she is now urging residents to understand and spot the signs of abuse to make sure nobody continues to suffer in silence. There have been rising reports of domestic abuse The warning comes as Crimestoppers revealed a stark rise in reports during the pandemic. The national charity, which recently launched its #YouAreNotPowerless campaign, said there was a 70% increase in reports of domestic abuse between April and August last year, compared to 2019. “In the pandemic, you’re in a ‘snowglobe’ of restriction and isolation which is a perpetrator’s playground,” Ms Robertson explained. “Not only are we seeing rising reports of domestic abuse, we are also seeing it become so much more severe. “Perpetrators and victims are spending so much time at home together and abusive behaviour is upping.” The charity founder said that while the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated abuse, it is not a reason for abusive behaviour. “Abuse is always a choice, and covid doesn’t excuse it,” she said. “From a survivor’s perspective, we often excuse the behaviour but covid is not a reason to give people the benefit of the doubt.” According to Crimestoppers, in the first three weeks of March last year, 14 women and two children were killed following domestic abuse – the highest rate in the past 11 years. It said most victims of domestic abuse will experience on average 35 assaults before seeking help. Ms Robertson feared many victims would have not reached out for support during lockdown and expects reports to rise further as restrictions lift.
Views wanted for poverty survey IN A BID to stamp out poverty in the borough, the council is asking residents to share their experiences. The online survey will help inform its planned poverty strategy and encompass inequalities relating to wages,
“That’s something we are hearing from a lot of our clients, who waited out until restrictions eased and schools opened,” she said. “I truly think the number of reported cases will increase even further in the near future.”
How can people spot the signs? To help people spot the signs of domestic abuse, Crimestoppers has launched a six-week campaign to educate people in Wokingham borough on how to spot domestic abuse, and how to get help. It said domestic abuse can take different forms, including emotional, psychological, financial and physical abuse, and encouraged residents to be aware of what controlling and coercive behaviour could look like. Ms Robertson says that the pandemic has made it difficult to spot the signs. “We’ve all been affected mentally by covid, so it’s hard to spot abusive behaviour unless there are long, ongoing patterns,” she explained. “Physical signs are obvious, but there are so many nonphysical types of abuse and changes in behaviour can be very subtle.” She said some key signs include if somebody is contacting loved ones less than usual, if they are low in themselves, and if they are having more arguments with their partner. However, she also encouraged residents to “trust their gut”.
In a non-emergency, people can: � Call 101 or make a report on the Thames Valley Police website � Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 � Contact Women’s Aid via: www.womensaid.org.uk � Call the Men’s Advice Line: 0808 8010327
employment, health, gender, ethnicity, education and social isolation. Wokingham Borough Council says it is seeing an increase in people facing employment and financial insecurity for the first time, either due to job losses or furlough. In addition to responses from the council, there will be responses from partners in the voluntary sector to define poverty in the
“If you’re unsure, report it,” Ms Robertson said. “If there’s nothing going on then it doesn’t matter, but if someone is suffering abuse then you could make a difference. “We all have that ability to gauge if something feels out of place.” Annabelle Goodenough, regional manager at Crimestoppers, said the charity receives anonymous reports of domestic abuse every day. “We all need to realise that victims may be too scared and traumatised to seek help,” she added. “By working together, being aware and reporting what we know, we can help put a stop to domestic abuse and we can save lives.” Kaleidoscopic UK currently offers free services to anybody experiencing domestic abuse, including legal advice and survivor-led support groups. Wokingham Borough Council also offers domestic abuse support through its Home Refuge Scheme. For more information on Kaleidoscopic UK, visit: www.kaleidoscopic.uk For information on Wokingham Borough Council’s Home Refuge Scheme, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk/care-andsupport-for-adults/safety-and-abuse/ domestic-abuse Find out more about Crimestoppers’ #YouAreNotPowerless campaign here: crimestoppers-uk.org/campaigns-media/ campaigns/domestic-abuse-you-are-notpowerless � Call Mankind, a helpline for male victims: 01823 334244 � Call Galop, for members of the LGBT+ community: 0800 999 5428 � Contact Victims First via: www.victims-first.org.uk � Call Flag DV for free legal advice for Domestic Abuse: 0800 731 0055 � Call SAFE! For victims of crime aged 5-18: 0800 1337938
borough and create a plan to tackle the issues and bring about sustainable long-term change. Leader of the council, Cllr John Halsall, said: “We know that Covid-19 has hit people financially. We want to understand this impact in more detail and are asking anybody affected to share their experiences. “We have a very short online survey on our consultations page and those
taking part will have the choice to be contacted to give more details if they wish.” He added that the information provided would be kept confidential and anonymised, and help it plan services accordingly. “Together, we will tackle poverty in Wokingham borough,” he added. Responses can also be emailed to: strategyandplanning@wokin gham.gov.uk
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Tickets on sale for village beer festival
‘Building work is damaging my home’
� Continued from front page
DAMAGED: Gillie York says that work on a new housing development has caused cracks to appear over her Grade II listed cottage Picture: Steve Smyth
EXCLUSIVE
By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A SPENCERS WOOD resident said she feels “heartbroken” after nearby construction work allegedly caused cracks in her Grade II Listed home.
Gillie York lives in Lieutenants Cottage, a protected building on Basingstoke Road. The road is set to become the site of Taylor Wimpey’s new Stanbury View housing estate, which was approved in October last year. Shortly after construction began in January, Ms York said vibrations from the building work left cracks up and down the walls of her house – and she is worried there could be longterm structural damage. “I was sitting there, minding my own business, and I heard a huge cracking noise,” she explained. “Then, I watched a crack run from one end of my bedroom ceiling to the other. “There are also long cracks running all the way down my chimney outside. “I’m absolutely distraught.” Now, Ms York is questioning why measures were not taken to protect her property before construction began, and fears the damage will only get worse as the work goes on. “You would think the housebuilders would be mindful of your home, especially when you’re in a
Listed building,” she said. “But nothing can be done to protect my house.” After consulting with the resident, Taylor Wimpey organised a structural survey of the property and installed a vibration meter on the site last month. According to Ms York, it agreed to stop construction if the meter readings went too high but is now refusing to show her the data. A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: “We would like to sincerely apologise to Ms York for any distress caused as a result of the ongoing works at our Stanbury View development. “We are aware of the issues raised and we have been working closely with [her] to resolve the concerns raised with us. “We can confirm that a full structural survey of Lieutenants Cottage has been completed and the results have since been shared with Ms York. “We have also installed vibration monitors to the property boundary, which will monitor the vibration levels adjacent to the house.” Now, Ms York said she is also furious with Wokingham Borough Council for not instructing the housebuilder to protect the Grade II Listed property before construction began. “If you’re developing on a
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site, you should have a duty of care for any damage to nearby properties,” she said. “That’s not an unreasonable expectation. I am so distraught, because I also believe the council has a duty of care to protect homeowners. “My house is Listed for a reason, so why hasn’t anybody helped protect it?” The resident said unless she pays to fix the cracks herself, her only option is to take Taylor Wimpey to court. “It’s just wrong,” Ms York added. “If I had known that the council wasn’t going to protect my property in the planning documents, I’d have paid for a full structural survey. “It’s distressing enough to have developers at your backdoor, and now I might have to figure out how to prove cracks were caused by the development too.” Cllr Wayne Smith, executive member for planning and enforcement, said Wokingham
Borough Council does not have the power to intervene. “In these cases, the issue is a private matter between the two property owners,” he explained. “However, we are aware of the issue and have been working with the developer to try to mitigate any impacts of their work on this property.” Cllr Smith said the council encouraged Taylor Wimpey to carry out the full structural survey and monitor the vibration levels earlier this year. He said the developer has also agreed to move the haul road for the site further away from Lieutenants Cottage in a bid to prevent further damage.
Twyford Beer Festival will be held in its regular venue of Stanlake Meadow Recreation Ground, but due to coronavirus, it will be a ticket only event. The £10 entry fee includes two vouchers which can be swapped for two half pints. This will be the 11th festival, and will include live music, food and a range of real ales, ciders, spirits and entertainment. Organisers are hoping to have 100 different beers to choose from, coming from a range of independent and local breweries. In previous years, this has included Loddon Brewery, Bingham’s and Stardust. Tickets went on sale last week, and by Monday, more than 1,000 had been sold. Only 4,000 – 2,000 for each day – are available in order to ensure the event remains covid-safe. The last event raised £10,000 for Orchid, and organiser Ian Wisdom is hoping customers will be generous again this year. Ian Wisdom, who organisers the event, is delighted. “At the rate the tickets are going, we should sell out before the festival,” he said. “The early bird tickets for Saturday sold out in just 12 hours. “If we can sell out for both days, then we will be in a position to send a really big sum
to Orchid. They are planning to come this year so visitors can learn more about their work.” The event is more than just beer. There will also be live music, something that many have missed during lockdown. “We’ve got bands booked, and there will be a second tent for an acoustic stage this year,” Mr Wisdom said. He also promised a good mixture of food vendors and to ensure the festival meets all the covid requirements necessary. Measures include a contactfree beer ticket system and restricting numbers to the whole festival. Customers can bring their own drinking vessels, or use eco-friendly corn starch disposable glasses. Drinks will be decanted into these minimising the risk of contact between customer and server. Mr Wisdom has carried out extensive safety planning. “We will hopefully be in a good place come June with vaccine take-up rate and the downturn in infections, I am confident we will have a very covid-safe festival.” � Tickets are available by logging on to twyfordbeerfest.co.uk � The event is volunteer-led and more people are needed. Details are available on the festival’s website.
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TAKE OUT TO HELP OUT
Blue Lotus makes Thai a tasty treat
LOCKDOWN 3.0
Blue Lotus at The Emmbrook Inn Emmbrook Road, Wokingham RG41 1HG 0118 978 2552 emmbrookinn.co.uk
T
AKING over a pub is never easy, but to do so during a pandemic requires something special – and that’s exactly what The Emmbrook Inn has.
Mike Cobb is the new landlord and if the name sounds familiar, it’s because he was previously at The Bull at Barkham. There, he organised several beer festivals and special events, and built up a reputation for fine pub grub. The menu included Thai options, which people would come from miles around for. It’s no surprise that this has come to The Emmbrook, in the form of Blue Lotus. I was keen to see if it lived to the expectations from the rave reports. The Emmbrook is a hotel as well as a pub, offering Sunday roasts, as well as the Thai. While it may have had to close its doors due to covid, it is keeping its customers happy by offering a takeaway service. And for Thai food lovers in the Finchampstead area, Mike is offering a selection of dishes from Bobs Fish ‘n’ Chips on Finchampstead Road. The ordering process was flawless: email your requests and pay online. For collection, there’s parking available on site and there’s an easy-to-follow one-way system. All you have to do is turn up at the allocated time. Our traditional starters were delicious and demolished very quickly by my family of four: crispy prawn crackers (£2.50), four prawn toasts
AUTHENTIC: An array of starters from the Blue Lotus at The Emmbrook Inn
(£4.90), four chicken satay (£6.95) and Duck spring rolls with hoisin sauce (£6). My main course was the Chicken Cashew Nut (£14.95) – stir-fried chicken with mixed peppers, onions, cashew nuts served with jasmine rice. A light tasty and rich sauce meant it had a real kick, but not too much for those that can't handle the heat. My husband’s Beef Garlic (£13.95) sure packed a punch. Succulent pieces of beef are stir-fried with chillies and onions in a delicious sauce and served with Jasmine rice. I was impressed by the amount of meat, and it’s possible to temper the chilli if you want something less spicy. My teenage son’s choice was a generous portion of Pad Thai Noodles with Beef (£13.95), it came with crunchy bean sprouts, carrots and spring onion. He was very happy with it. My daughter chose the Pad Thai Noodles, but served with chicken (£12.95). This is her usual Thai dish and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The generous portion meant leftovers for lunch. The food from Blue Lotus at The Emmbrook Inn was outstanding and I’m dreaming about my next meal already. It is open Mondays to Saturdays from 5pm, with last orders at 9pm. Sunday roasts are served noon to 3pm. To order, log on to the website and make a note of the dishes you want to order, then email contact@emmbrookinn.co.uk or call 0118 978 2552. CLAIRE WORSFOLD
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SCHOOL PLACES
Parents warned of shortage By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today PARENTS warned years ago that there would be a shortage of places at The Piggott School, Wargrave.
LOCKED OUT: Clare Bryant with Hanna (3) say they will not be able to attend the new school in Arborfield even though they live next to it Picture: Steve Smyth
‘My daughter can’t go to the primary school 100m from my home’ EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today FAMILIES living in Arborfield Green have been shocked to discover their children may not get a place at the new primary school, due to open in September.
It is the new home for Farley Hill Primary School, on Church Road. The replacement was created to build a larger facility that would accommodate more students — but concern is spreading that capacity will be limited to 30 places this year. “The original plan was to start with a two form intake, and increase it to three,” she said. “We were expecting a two form intake, but have now been told it’ll only be one form.” The cohort will also be selected based on the Church Road catchment area, meaning Ms Bryant and many other families could miss out on a place. Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services, said the number of places available at Arborfield Green is under consideration, as the primary school admissions process is still active. Last month, 102 families declared a preference for the school — this includes applications where Farley Hill is a second or lower priority. Clare Bryant, who hoped her three-year-old daughter would attend the new school, said she feels misled. Her family lives in Arborfield Garrison, with their house “100
metres” away from the school. She said a number of residents have grouped together, over growing concern their children will not be eligible for a place at the school, if places are limited to 30 pupils. Many of them moved into the development, built by Crest Nicholson, under the impression the garden village would include a school their children could attend. In some cases, Ms Bryant said families were told their child would get a place. “I asked the admissions team why the cohort had dropped, and they said it was due to demand,” Ms Bryant said. Now, she is preparing to drive her daughter to a different school, outside the borough. “I work full-time and my partner is in the military,” Ms Bryant explained. “I need an easy drop-off.” Instead of walking her daughter to school, she is now planning on driving to a location near her workplace, outside the area. “Walking to school is really important for a lot of people that moved into the area, and were sold the idea of living in a garden village,” she added. “Most people who live close to the school aren’t going to get a place there.” Cllr Clark said the council will continue to work with schools on how places will be allocated ahead of the offer day on Friday, April 16. “The council has to balance the understandable desire of Arborfield residents to see
places at the new school available for their use, while ensuring long-standing schools in the area remain viable for the community,” she said. “Allowing the rolls at other schools to fall significantly by opening another form at the wrong time, could damage the education of children attending these other schools. It could lead to the loss of capacity, as schools re-organise, that will be required in the long term for the borough.” Cllr Clark said residents from homes around Arborfield Green walk to The Coombes and “are seeing the benefits of less traffic on their route following the opening of Observer Way”. She said Finchampstead schools have also been used by residents in the area, some of which can be reached using a new greenway. “This is a lit, surfaced offroad walking and cycling route, created by the council to encourage walking and cycling,” she added. “When we cannot offer places to a school which is preferred on an application, we will always offer them a place at another Wokingham borough school. The council does not send children out of the borough for school. Parents may have many reasons for preferring schools in other areas, and there is a longstanding exchange of pupils between Wokingham and surrounding boroughs, as a consequence.” Crest Nicholson declined to comment.
Last week there was fury when many children failed to get secondary places there. Of nearly 120 children on the rolls of Polehampton Juniors and The Colleton School, 25 children living in Wokingham borough were turned down for The Piggott School, a Wokingham Borough Council spokesperson said last week. Most of them were offered Waingels College, the next nearest school instead, he added. Colleton School parents told Wokingham.Today they felt their children had been particularly hard hit. The council spokesperson said Polehampton was closer to the Piggott site than the Colleton. This meant Polehampton pupils also tended to live closer to the Piggott site. This explained why a higher proportion of Polehampton pupils were offered places compared with Colleton pupils. Mother of two former Colleton pupils, Louise Yeadon of Twyford, warned parents in 2016 that there would be shortage of places by 2020.
Last week she said: “The Colleton had their extension built (increasing pupil numbers). We asked what was going to happen when those children became secondary age. “In 2014 there were plans for 20 new houses (off Hurst Road) which would exacerbate the situation. A lot of people complained” The houses were built despite objections. Her oldest daughter had attended the Piggott and her second daughter was there now thanks to having a sibling there. Twyford parents who didn’t get a place at Piggott for their children this year have complained that pupils at Charvil Primary, who lived further away than they did, had been accepted. The council spokesperson said that Charvil Primary was the same school as Piggott senior. The primary school pupils weren’t being admitted to the Piggott seniors. They were already on the school roll. Cllr UllaKarin Clark, executive member for children’s services at Wokingham Borough Cuncil, said: “We have worked with, and invested in, schools so that the overwhelming majority of children are allocated a high preference school. “This year more than 85% of 2,300 applicants were offered a
place at one of their two top preferences. “Most children from the two Twyford primary schools were offered a place at Piggott. Of those who were not, most were offered places at Waingels College, the next nearest school. “There were a considerable number of designated area children with siblings requesting places, which also had an impact on the allocation. “Any student having to travel more than three miles on a safe walking route to the closest suitable school will have transport through a ticket for a scheduled service, a dedicated coach or some other means. “I understand that this is a very stressful time for many parents, particularly if they cannot secure a place at their top preference school. “Parents have rights of appeal. Normally we expect, that there will be a level of change as many children across the borough will be allocated to higher preference schools, later in the year, as families move out of the area or decide to educate their children in independent schools. “While this cannot be guaranteed, it is our experience from previous years that this does have some impact in meeting preferences that were not achieved on national offer day.”
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School to collect hard-to-recycle items
COLLECTION: Alder Grove headteacher Philip Theobald with parent Sarah O’Neill
A NEW scheme has been launched by a Shinfield school to make it easier to reuse hard-to-recycle plastic packaging. The collection point for coffee pods, biscuit wrappers and crisp packets has been installed at the school gates of Alder Grove Primary School, which opened in September last year. The scheme is co-ordinated by Three Mile Cross resident Ali Chaney, who runs a terracycle scheme aimed at recycling items that are usually harder to repurpose, in turn reducing the amount of items that go to landfill. There are already a number of drop-off points across Wokingham borough, and the scheme generates funds which are divided between good causes including pres-schools and schools. A spokesperson for the school said: “We are pleased to launch our new TerraCycle scheme that sits within our school’s ethos of Proactive Citizenship and being community centred”.
Fly-tipping up as council gets tough on offenders EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today FLY-TIPPING has increased across the borough, but the council said it is committed to “cracking down” on the issue.
Data released from Defra latemonth revealed 1,155 incidents of fly-tipping for 2019/20 – 38 more than the year before. Wokingham was third in Berkshire for worst fly-tipping, after Reading and Slough which recorded 1,835 and 1,567 incidents respectively. Across the county, Berkshire saw a 21% increase. Cllr Clive Jones, Lib Dem lead for the environment, said in April and May of last year, there was an increase in flytipping, particularly around Shinfield. He said this could be due to the nearby Smallmead waste and recycling centre being closed due to Covid-19. “Lib Dem councillors were pushing the council's leadership to refuse tips as soon as practicable,” he said. “They were slow to do this, but we got there in the end when a booking system was introduced.” Cllr Jones said the Lib Dems fully support the efforts to reduce fly-tipping and issue fines to offenders. He said: “There is no doubt that Wokingham Borough Council is upping its game as far as combating fly-tipping is concerned. “We also support the extra funding recently provided by the council of about £150,000 to improve signage in hotspots and install extra CCTV." He suggested some of the increase in fly-tipping could be due to the continued
charges, created in 2017 for DIY waste. Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for leisure and environment at the council, said they operate a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tipping. “Unfortunately we, like many other councils, have recorded an increase in fly-tipping incidents since the Covid-19 pandemic started,” he said. “This issue is not unique to our borough with this trend reflected across the country. Most recently, we have secured additional funding to tackle this head on.” He said the data showed the borough was below the national and regional average. “We had 6.7 incidents per 1,000 population, compared to 9.9 for the South East and 17.3 for all of England,” Cllr Batth said. “We issue fines every time we find any evidence of who is responsible for the waste. “So far during 2020/21 we’ve issued 47 fines and received roughly £11,500 in income, which we are investing back into our enforcement activities. “Households can be fined from £80 to £400 if a fly-tip is traced back to their address. If residents don’t comply they could be fined £50,000 if convicted in magistrate’s court.” Cllr Batth said the council also investigates reports of vehicles used in fly-tipping incidents and aims to trace and prosecute the registered owner. “The police and our environmental enforcement officers have the power to seize, impound and crush any vehicle used for fly-tipping,” he added. “We regularly monitor hot spots including the A329 and the A33 towards Basingstoke. “We have portable CCTV cameras
which we regularly rotate around the borough to catch perpetrators in the act. The council has recently purchased four more cameras to crack-down on criminals.” Cllr Batth urged all residents to dispose of their waste responsibly, and use the re3 tips in Bracknell and Reading. The borough data did not include flytipping incidents on privately-owned land, which are thought to be ‘significantly more’ than public areas. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) believes the figures do not fully reflect the severity of the situation. Mark Bridgeman, CLA president called them “the tip of the iceberg”. “Cases of fly-tipping on privately owned land are significantly more than on public land so these government figures do not reflect the true scale of this type of organised crime, which blights our rural communities,” he said. “Part of the problem is that it’s currently too simple to gain a waste carrying licence that enables firms to transport and dispose of waste – and this needs urgent reform with correct checks put in place. “A revamped system would act as a deterrent.” Mr Bridgeman said although the maximum fine for anyone caught flytipping is £50,000 or 12 months in prison — this is seldom enforced. “Unless tougher action is taken to combat this kind of rural crime, it will continue to increase,” he warned. The most common size category for fly-tipping incidents in 2019/20 was equivalent to a small van load, followed by the equivalent of a car boot or less.
MP chairs Armed Forces committee BRACKNELL MP James Sunderland last week chaired the first meeting of the a new parliamentary committee looking at the role of the armed forces. It will consider evidence on range of topics, including the state of Armed Forces pay, the role of the courtmartial boards and whether the proposed Armed Forces Bill will affecting address concerns about the handling
of serious crimes committed by service personnel in the UK. The Committee will not consider individual cases, but will accept evidence submission until noon on Sunday, March 21, with earlier submissions are likely to be referenced during the Committee’s oral evidence proceedings. Mr Sunderland, said: “I am delighted to be chairing the
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill, which will undertake the important job of scrutinising the Armed Forces Bill, as well as providing an opportunity for Parliament to take a broader look at the some of the issues our Armed Forces face. “The Committee will work intensively, within the space of a couple of months, to explore not only the Bill
itself, but also the current imperatives facing our Armed Forces, such as the efficacy of support available for service personnel, veterans and families as well as the structures in place that both safeguard and ensure accountability. “I look forward to working with colleagues, in Parliament and Government, on this unique select committee.”
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18 | ADVERTISING FEATURE
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
The Athena Network: The number one referral network for women
I
F YOU’RE looking for ways to get ahead and be more successful in business, look no further than The Athena Network: the number one referral network for women. Athena is the leading networking, training and development business club, designed to support women in work. It has been working with female executives and entrepreneurs across the UK for the past 16 years, and it now has around 1,300 members. Now, the Network is looking to partner with even more inspirational local businesswomen across the East Berkshire region. Karen Fowler, regional director of The Athena Network, has been supporting Berkshire’s business community since 2008. With a Marketing and Management Sciences degree under her belt, her career has seen her work with companies across the globe before turning her attention to the local networking scene. “I came from a corporate logistics background, which was quite a male dominated sector,” Karen explained. “But when it’s all women in one room, the dynamic is definitely different. “Here at Athena, we are extremely business focused and offer a safe space for any women, whether they are networking novices
or seasoned networkers. The Athena Network has three main aims when it comes to supporting local businesswomen. First, it wants to help its members make Strategic Connections with fellow businesswomen for mutual growth. Second, the Network works to offer opportunities for Training & Development. Finally, it wants to Inspire and Support its members and teach them to channel that positive energy within their work. “We meet once a month online where women can take part in network strategy and business development training,” Karen explained. “We train members on a range of topics, including finance, marketing, confidence building, presentation skills and social media.” But that’s not all. The Athena Network also offers informal virtual networking coffee mornings called Cappuccino Connections, alongside a range of business masterclasses. And many local businesswomen have
praised The Athena Network for helping their business dreams become a reality. Camila Redcalfe, co-owner of Winnershbased Reccobiz, said: “As a new Athena member I cannot praise it highly enough. “The support both professionally and personally is invaluable.” This has been echoed by Charlie Lock, from local business coaching firm ActionCOACH, who added: “Joining Athena has been a great decision for our business. “It’s not only widened our network and generated business for us, but is also a great support system for us and other local businesses.” Earlier this week, The Athena Network held an online networking event to celebrate International Women’s Day. Organised within virtual ‘tents', NetFest® offered members an array of networking opportunities and business
workshops where festival gear was the order of the day. Simone Ray, Co-Founder of Bracknell based Fabulous Drinks Company, who was one of the 40 or so NetFest tent hosts said: "It was a wonderfully entertaining, uplifting and empowering day. I'm thoroughly looking forward to the next NetFest event." The Athena Network is constantly on the lookout for new members, so why not take control of your own business destiny and join today? You can attend your first meeting as a visitor for £30, which is then deducted from the annual membership fee. � For more information about The Athena Network, visit: theathenanetwork.com/ KarenFowle
Karen Fowler Regional Director – East Berkshire & Basingstoke T: 01189 762404 M: 07790 909971 karen.fowler@theathenanetwork.com www.theathenanetwork.com/karenfowler @karenjfowler f: @TheAthenaNetworkKaren
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THE ATHENA NETWORK
INDUSTRY LEADER: Reanna Lupton is a construction graduate working for David Wilson Homes
Busting builders’ myths A BERKSHIRE property developer is calling for more women to get involved in construction work, writes Laura Scardarella. Following Monday’s International Women’s Day, David Wilson Homes is reminding women they can apply for a variety of different roles. Over the past 12 years, there has been a slow rise in female construction workers but the ratio of women to men in the industry is lower than the developer is aiming for. Reanna Lupton, started at the company on the ASPIRE Graduate Programme, said: “I believe that women are capable of having a very successful career in the construction industry. “I initially wanted to be a teacher, however I wanted to
work for a large company with excellent opportunities for progressions. “I saw what David Wilson Homes were offering and I haven’t looked back since.” Paul Crispin, managing Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “We want to quash the age-old stereotype that the construction industry is a male dominated field as we have many women who work out on site as well as in office based roles. “With a range of departments within the company, we want to remind women that there are a variety of different roles that can be offered within the business that have great benefits and excellent opportunities for career progression.” � For more details, log on to barrattcareers.co.uk
Make friends with help of the library
By MARIE WILLIAMS news@wokingham.today
BRACKNELL Forest Libraries have launched a befriending programme, after securing more than £10,000 in funding from the Reading Agency.
The libraries have launched a Read, Talk, Share campaign to start conversations and connect people who are lonely and isolated. This includes a Chatterbox reading club, for children aged 7-11. Children can talk about the books they have been reading, get new reading ideas and take part in activities inspired by the books, including crafts, quizzes and games. Sessions run each Thursday this month, at 4pm. There will also be a special storytime for the book, Guess How Much I Love You on Saturday, March 27, at 10.30am.
Day centre prepares for reopening date AGE CONCERN Twyford is reopening next month.
And on Wednesdays, there are weekly songs and stories for children under 5, at 11am. The libraries run two book groups for adults, one for fiction, the other for thrillers specifically. All the books discussed are available on BorrowBox on an unlimited basis. There are also a range of talks organised with authors including Anthony J Quinn and Julie Corbin. Residents in Crowthorne can call their library on 01344 776431 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, to discuss book renewals, digital access, lockdown delivery, membership and reading suggestions. For more information, visit: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/ libraries/library-events/ virtual-library-events The Polehampton Close centre will open on Tuesday, April 6, with covid-safe measures. For more information about the day care facility, visit: ageconcerntwyford. org.uk
20 | NEWS
Think local
Rachel Bradley
A new start
T
HIS time last year I hosted an event that would be the last I would go to before the first lockdown.
Gosh, I had no clue of what was around the corner as I introduced my International Women’s Day panellists to an audience of more than 50 incredible women. I’m so glad it was a great night because once it was over, everything stopped. The theme of International Women’s Day 2021, which was on Monday, was Choose to Challenge. If there’s one takeaway from the last year, it’s that from challenge comes change and sometimes change is a good thing. I think it’s fair to say that we’ve all changed over the last 12 months and we’ve all had our challenges. Some of this has been damaging – the mental health of the younger generation is one that will need much care and attention. The cost of the pandemic another. And yes, some of it has been irreparable. I know that. So what I’m going to say isn’t said from a place of ignorance. But some of the changes that have unfolded and some of the challenges we’ve faced have been a leveller. They’ve given us a chance to recalibrate in a world that seemed to be spiralling out of control. Whether it’s climate change and the amount of unnecessary car and plane journeys people were taking pre-covid. Whether it was being given the chance to reconnect with our kids. Or maybe it was finding pleasure in the smaller things. I’ve found pleasure in finding time over the last 12 months. Time has always all eluded me. My life was too busy. Too full. Dare I say it, too chaotic. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a freelance PR who has had to work through this time (no corporate life for me) so time at my desk has ramped up. But with no other distractions – nights out, places to go, people to see – I’ve spent more time in nature, running through my local woods on a daily basis. I’ve slept better. I’ve enjoyed walks into town and allowed myself to take those walks rather than just jumping in the car. And I’ve spent time with my teenagers. That’s been an absolute joy and a change I’ve thoroughly embraced. They’ve been around and I know that wouldn’t have been the case if life had carried on as ‘normal’. We’ve spent more time around the dining room table chatting about everything and anything. We’ve had more family movie nights, and actually AGREED on films we all want to watch (unheard of before). We’ve had lovely walks around Dinton Pastures where we’ve just walked and talked. All because there’s been nothing else to do. And now the schools are back and things will start to return to normal. I’m so delighted that my boys are back learning, back with their friends, playing football again. But if I’m honest, I do want to hold on to some of the changes we made as a family. And that’s going to be the real challenge.
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Tina is brought to book OVER THE past year, we have created space for readers’ poetry. It’s been hugely popular with poets, presenting a space for them to explore their voice. So we’re thrilled to learn that one of our regular contributors is preparing to publish. Crowthorne-based Tina MacNaughton is an acupuncturist by day and gets the point of poetry. Now, they are being collected together for On The Shoulders of Lions and it will be released later this month. Published by the Choir Press, it is, Tina tells us, an eclectic mix of life experiences, everyday observations and the product of a vivid imagination. As regular readers will know, her poems can be funny and frivolous, touching and mystical and convey her passion for writing, language, rhythm and rhyme. “I have a lot of fun with my poetry and I like to keep it accessible,” she says.
Bandits and m are planning a By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A TWYFORD-BASED group is making musical dreams come true with its latest lockdown venture.
And Tina wants to ensure her work falls into as many laps as possible, offering an early bird discount for readers. You can order a copy for £7 plus postage and packing if applicable. For more details, or to see more of her work, visit www.writerhymespoetry.com, or email write.rhymes@outlook.com
Why James Corden is perfect bedtime reading IN THE US, he hosts the Late Late Show, but over here, he’s most likely to be perfect bedtime reading. Ahead of Tuesday’s National Nap Day (who knew there was such a thing?), experts at TheKnowledge Academy wanted to find out which celebrities’ autobiography is the most boring and makes us fall asleep the quickest. In the top five is James Corden, who put Berkshire on the map with his 2013 comedy thriller The Wrong Mans, partly set on the Nine Mile Ride and Bracknell. Top of the list was former US president Barack Obama, readers could get through eight pages of his autobiography A Promised Land before hitting the hay. Cliff Richard fans are also keen to turn out the light, reading just 10 pages of The Dreamer before the sandman calls. And James Corden is third: his book, May I Have Your Attention Please, sees just 11 pages digested ahead of lights out. We’re not completely fickle readers. Topping the table of 300 readers, with an average of 62 pages read before going to sleep, is Malala Yosafzai.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
Her memoir titled I Am Malala (The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban) was co-written by Christian Lamb and tells the extraordinary story of a young girl’s extreme bravery to fight for her educational rights. In second place is Kamala Harris: The Truths We Hold. On average readers get to page 57 before putting down this memoir which tells the story of the life of our first female, African American and first South Asian American to become vice-president of the United States, clearly an interesting pre-bedtime read. And Michelle Obama beat her husband, with people managing to read an impressive 55 pages before putting the book down. Finishing off the top 10 are Louis Theroux, Gotta Get Theroux This (51 pages), former Spencers Wood resident Dawn French, Dear Fatty (49), Captain Tom, Tomorrow Will Be A Good Day (48), Harry Redknapp: Always Managing (45), David Attenborough: A Life on our Planet (45), Jessica Simpson: Open Book (44), and David Jason: My Life (43). � www.theknowledgeacademy.com
Sax Bandits, a saxophone-only group of around 100 musicians strong, is busy producing its third and final virtual music video with the help of a celebrity saxophonist. Musical legend Scott Gilman, who is well known for playing in actor Jeff Goldblum’s jazz band, is getting ready to join the Twyford players in a virtual rendition of Celebration by Kool & The Gang. Last year, Sax Bandits’ leader Rob Digweed put together a virtual music video to keep the band’s creativity flowing during the first lockdown. Now, two productions on, the group is returning with its biggest music video ever. “I was initially a little hesitant to create another production,” says Rob, who calls himself the Sorceror of Sax. “There’s so much work involved, and I knew this video had to be pretty big to top the first two.” However, with the band’s fifth anniversary coming up in April and the end of lockdown in sight, he says it’s only right to mark the occasion. “We’re currently putting together our version of Celebration,” Rob explains. “We chose it because we’ve got a lot of reasons to celebrate. “It’s also a great track with a solid rhythm and it has some great parts the saxophones can jump on.” For its first lockdown video, Sax Bandits worked with legendary saxophonist Snake Davis, who has
performed with the likes of Take That, Paul McCartney and Ray Charles but Rob says collaborating with Scott Gilman might be their most exciting work yet. “In the saxophone world, it’s huge to be performing with Scott,” Rob says. “Funnily enough, it all came about after I bumped into him at Glastonbury Festival back in 2019. “We kept in touch and I told him about our new video, and he was really up for being involved.” And it seems it really is a case of ‘go hard, go home’ for the band’s next film, because the group will also be accompanied by a number of professional musicians. Unlike those which came before it, the latest lockdown production is also open to any and all saxophone players, including non-members.
Art coexisting in a ga STUDENTS at the University of Reading are showcasing their work connecting people and nature in an interactive virtual exhibition. Artwork from five students has been selected for display in the 15th Nature Created by Design exhibition, hosted by Seoul Institute of the Arts in South Korea. It includes a digital recreation of an art gallery, allowing visitors to move around and view the art on display as if they were in a physical building, even while art galleries remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s exhibition theme is Coexistence, exploring how animals and plants can live in harmony. Professor Susanne Clausen, who directs international partnerships at Reading School of Art, said: “This was an opportunity for our students to respond to a pressing global issue and take their work to an international stage. “Climate Change and the effects of the Anthropocene, the period of time during which human activities have had an environmental impact on the Earth, are of great interest and concern to artists and students at the moment, and even though it is becoming a distinct area of research
MODERN ART: Dalga Hasmetoglu’s Glacier is one of the pieces in the university’s virtual art showcase
in art, it is in fact a historical condition that informs and impacts on all of contemporary art. “In art we are fortunate to be part of this network of universities who have been working on the topic continuously over the last few years.
musical legend a Celebration READY TO PLAY: The Sax Bandits lined up pre-covid. The group are making their third lockdown video, this time with help from Scott Gilman
“We want to pull in a wider part of the saxophone community because it’s clear how much some people need outlets like this,” Rob explains. “Hopefully it can be a little March challenge for people. “We want to get as many people involved as we can and make this a really celebratory event.” During lockdown, Sax Bandits has also been busy working on a series of Youtube videos aimed at saxophonists, including yoga sessions and a fitness class. “Saxophones can be a heavy weight around players’ necks,” Rob explains. “The idea behind this little series is to help prevent injury and raise some awareness around the impact of playing sax, because
it’s all about posture.” Looking to the future, Rob says he can’t wait for the band to be able to play in the same room again. “Lockdown has been challenging in a number of ways, but I think we’ve done really well to overcome the challenges,” he says. “I’m really proud of the band and think we’ve used the pandemic as a positive tool. “However, we’re gagging to get back in the same room and play together, because you can’t beat the sound of saxophones all around you and the energy it creates.” The deadline to submit an entry for Sax Bandits’ latest music video is Sunday, March 29. � For more information on how to get involved, visit: www.saxbandits.co.uk/ lockdown-video-3
allery, in a pandemic “This is an annual exhibition that normally takes place on site, in one of our partner universities across the world, and it is a major opportunity for our students to collaborate with international peers and to reflect on the future of the natural environment.” Fine Art student Eli Finn Taryn created a series of paintings combining scientific objects in imagined environments, such as a submarine and drone in the deep ocean, surrounded by unfamiliar creatures and natural formations. Eli, who is in his final year at Reading, said he wanted the paintings to highlight how little we actually know about our natural surroundings, to build curiosity around the mystery with the aim to inspire people to protect the planet. He said: “I find that art can be a way for the artist themselves and the viewers to contemplate their current ideas on the climate crisis. Sometimes the anger and frustration that arises from climate discussions can hinder any possible progress. “However, if you instead can take a moment just to look at a picture, sculpture or video to see a different interpretation and allowing for silent
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reflection, maybe some minds could change. “Studying Art at Reading, students and staff are all able to present their unique experiences through their medium of choice. We are then able to have a calm discussion afterwards. This has helped sculpt me into the person I am today. We all have something to say and we are all heard in this art community.” Glacier, a photography piece by undergraduate Dalga Hasmetoglu, was inspired by a haircut at their home, something millions around the UK and worldwide will have experienced during the pandemic lockdowns. Dalga said: “At the end of the hair cutting, when I stepped back and looked at the stool under the spotlight, it looked more than a stool with all the aspects around it. It seemed like a structure that should have been beyond the circumference of a household.” The Nature Created by Design exhibition started in 2006. Reading joined in 2014 and has worked with the network since then to organise an annual joint exhibition, hosted by one of the partner universities in turn. � To view the online exhibition, visit: www.seoularts.ac.kr
Honest motherhood Angela Garwood
PRESSED INTO ACTION: Clifford Smith is raising funds for charity with exercise
Clifford’s 90 press-ups will mark his 90th birthday AN 89-YEAR-OLD Winnersh resident is getting fit for charity by doing 90 press ups before his 90th birthday. The Revd Clifford Smith, co-founder of SalGO Assist, is embarking on a Press Ups for the Poo’ fundraiser in a bid to support young people on the opposite side of the globe. Clifford launched the charity with his late wife Patricia in 2001, and has spent the last 20 years helping vulnerable children and young people in southern India. Now, he has embarked on his latest fundraising campaign to support 30 students through their education. “These students have all won a place in college or other training through their hard work,” Clifford explained. “But their parents, some who are day labourers, have not been able to get work since the pandemic began.” He said sadly, many potential students in India will drop out of
POETRY CORNER A Spine Made of Bricks Sometimes I feel like my mind is playing tricks. Heavy chest dazed eyes and a spine made out of bricks And there’s this person behind me who kicks and kicks The bricks Don’t fall They just jut out of place And it wobbles and I wobble and I feel like a disgrace Slowed my pace lost the race tears streaming down my face I try to breathe but my throat bleeds as negativity continues to feed into my head All positive thoughts are forced to shed Someone said “Tanvi... are you okay?” Even though I may feel grey i say “I’m fine” with my... wobbly spine One day I’ll be the person who can kick it back to line And when that day comes I’ll finally shine Tanvi Virmani
college before they can even enrol. “The pandemic has, if anything, put further pressure on these students,” the co-founder added. “Last year, SaIGO donated more than £7,000 to students on polytechnic, industrial and professional courses and this year, the need is no different.” With just over a week left to complete all 90 press ups, Clifford is banking on readers’ support. He has already raised more than £1,000 for the cause. “I am well aware how lucky I am to still be fit and active,” Clifford added. “I just want to say thank you to anyone and everyone. “I thought I might only be able to raise a few hundred pounds from family and friends, but I’m delighted to have topped the £1,000 mark.” � To find out more about SaIGO Assist, visit: www.salgoassist.org � To support Clifford fundraising efforts, log on to: cafdonate.cafonline.org/15977
Stay at Home I think that COVID's got me down. I've felt no need to comb my hair. I haven't worried what to wear or taken off my dressing-gown, for days. I haven't been to town. Instead of chasing here and there, I've idled in an easy-chair or underneath my eiderdown. For weeks I've needed no alarm or needed to get out of bed for anything except a cup of tea. On balance, causing harm is overstating it, instead it simply hasn't woke me up. Ronald Doon
Forty Days The alto-sax ad-libs in C and masters the ecology of tone. Its tempo's held in place by hi-hat rudiments. The bass plucks through an ostinato, keys, and horns fill in the harmonies. A stutter from the drums and suddenly the rhythm section takes the melody. The alto hunkers down and simplifies as if unsure of where to place its feet. Its sudden static pulse intensifies in contrast to an unfamiliar beat. She plays a tune we know but cannot name, familiar but somehow not the same. Fred Sardo
We love receiving reader’s poetry. Email your submissions to letters@wokingham.today
A world away from the kitchen table
W
ELL the time has come. The moment every weary-eyed parent has been waiting for: the long-awaited return to school. Hallelujah. I had mixed feelings when they announced March 8. Was it too soon? Will it really be that much safer by then? On the one hand, I couldn’t wait. But I also worried about the consequences of millions of children returning to schools across the country. The concern didn’t last long. Maia soon got into a state about her English work and I quickly remembered why this whole thing was such a nightmare. Cries of “I CAN’T DO IT MUMMY”, a spot of bargaining: “If I brush my teeth can we do this lesson later?” and my favourite, the old, “That’s not how we do it in school”. Well no, of course it’s not, in case you’d forgotten, YOU’RE NOT IN SCHOOL MY DEAR. I would yell to myself in silence. It hasn’t all been hideous. For the most part, I count myself incredibly lucky my daughter would actually sit down and simply get on with her work. She rarely kicked up a fuss, and in-between lessons would often play with her baby brother, which was always helpful. Maia has been brilliant, to say the least. Back to school means no more school-work related guilt. I can finally let go of this weird obsession with her handwriting. (Her teacher set “try to write in cursive” as one of her targets and it sent us both up the wall.) I can stop getting so frustrated at both myself and her every time she doesn’t understand something. Now, there will most likely be a handful of other children that don’t understand that thing, and she won’t feel so alone. There is a feeling of melancholy hanging over Monday morning. I’ll miss her. And not just because she often watches Leo while I’m in the shower. She’s my buddy. We developed little traditions, like walking to the supermarket and each choosing treats from the bakery, then eating them on the walk home. Every weekend I’d buy her a Cadbury’chocolate treasure chest as a well done for all her hard work that week. (This will likely continue all year). And then there’s lunchtime, where the four of us would sit together and Joel would give Maia one of his crisps. (She’s not really allowed crisps, hence the single-crisp allowance. That and we can be stingy when sharing). All of these traditions are food-based. Lockdown has seen me lean more towards instant-gratification. When asked if she was worried about going back to school Maia replied quietly: “I’m just really used to homeschooling now..”. We all are. We’re used to the pace of things and not having to rush around. This is nothing when you look at what she gains: Her education, her friendships and a life and world away from the kitchen table. “I hate the Coronavirus, I miss going out, I miss my friends,” she said, in tears one afternoon. “I know, me too, but you’ll be back to school soon and you’ll see all your friends and everything will slowly go back to normal,” I replied, as much for my own reassurance as hers. “You’re doing amazing, it’s not easy being at home all the time.” We’ve gotten so used to homeschooling that we fail to recognise what a triumph it actually is. Completely exhausted with the monotony of the whole routine, frazzled by the intensity, we forget to commend ourselves for our ridiculously hard work in an uncertain time. For Maia, going back to school marks the first step on a road toward normality. I’m happy for her. And me.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
This school report needs refreshing
THERE can be fewer more emotive issues than where to send your child to school. The days of grammar schools and selective education, with its dreaded 11+, may be a distant memory for many, but the modern system doesn’t seem quite right either. Parents expect to be able to place their child in the secondary school of their choice, be it local or for the ethos on offer. But that doesn’t seem to be happening. And for some parents not being able to send their child to a school within walking distance is a frustration. Again this week, our pages feature upset parents who are missing out of their first choice simply by not going to the ‘right’ school or living metres away from the boundary. While the natural inclination might be to blame the borough council, this is a case of not shooting the messenger. In these days of academies, able to create their own admission criteria, it is not the borough’s fault that it is unable to offer places to where they are wanted. It is ultimately a flawed system and when it creaks, as it has done this year, it breaks. The government needs to rethink this urgently, or else we’ll have this problem again next year.
CHURCH NOTES
Perfectly imperfect
H
OW well do you cope with your imperfections? Does your body shape get you down? Are you forever dissatisfied with the work you produce? Do you beat yourself up because your home is not perfectly tidy, or your car not as big as your neighbour’s? Perfectionism is a tough way to live. Learning to live with our imperfections is a key to being more content with ourselves and our lives. Let’s take a lesson from fruit and vegetables. Our consumer obsession with buying perfectly shaped apples or carrots is a real problem. It’s the reason why vast amounts of perfectly fresh, tasty and nutritious veg is simply thrown away by producers every day without even reaching the shops. I love how some supermarkets have now introduced ranges of these slightly misshapen fruit and veg under great names like ‘Perfectly Imperfect’. They’re a bit wonky here and there, but if you chop them up and cook them, they're fresh, they're tasty, they’re nutritious. They are more than good enough. In the same way, you and I need to learn to live with our own imperfections. Yes, we all have flaws and scars and blemishes. But here's the thing: that doesn't make us worthless. So many people have internal messaging that tells them so, but it’s not true. The Christian faith declares that you are deeply precious to God. He has filled your life with gifts and character and likes and loves that reflect God's nature and his heart. And when you work together with him there’s so much that He and you can do with all that, that can make a positive difference in the world. You are not worthless or useless. You are perfectly imperfect. And that’s enough. Want to know more? Find Wokingham Baptist Church on Facebook and YouTube The Revd Nick Hudson is Minister of Wokingham Baptist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
Your letters
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
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
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We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper
A big thank you to the vaccination hub team I would like myself, to give a big thank you to all those who are staffing the Wokingham Covid19 vaccination hub at the Bradbury Centre in Wokingham, the hub for both Wokingham Medical Centre and Woosehill Surgery patients. I had my first vaccine on Friday, March 5, and was immediately put at ease and as someone in addition to my chronic respiratory and other medical conditions including fibromyalgia, I have anxiety as well. But I felt completely comfortable by the care of the nurses and volunteers there. At all stages it was explained what would happen and where I needed to go as well. So thank you, your care and dedication to the herculean task of vaccinating so many people in the community is noted and appreciated. Am albeit a very gradual cautious step, now one step closer to being able to see my Dad in person, all being well, later in the year, I've not seen him since December 2019 and we are both looking forward to the day we can hug again. This last 12 months have been extremely tough for so many people myself included, physically and emotionally, but the vaccinations are a further light at the end of the long tunnel. Ian Hydon, Wokingham
Keep your distance I have to write in disgust at our general population of Wokingham. Why, oh why are people still being allowed to mix freely, and in particular, in Peach Place? I understood this was going to be monitored and warnings, along with reprimands being issued by police. People are drinking coffee, meeting up for long chats etc, all without masks and certainly no social distancing. These people, by the way, are not just young folk who seem to believe they are totally immune, but people in the 40s upwards, who really should know better. Just because some of us have had the
B
Supporting Sandmartins The planning application submitted by Sandmartins Golf Club would have a positive impact on our local area and we are very much in support of it. Extending the range of functions that the business can offer to include a restaurant and wedding venue not only ensures the viability of this local business, but it also provides new employment opportunities in our community. Sandmartins Golf Club is very much a part of our local community, and demonstrated this when working with the community to stop the threat of the nearby Gladmans development.
first dose of the vaccine does not mean we are now all safe. These meetings should be stopped, otherwise we will be back to square one. No one is above being attacked by Covid-19, and us innocent folk who are abiding by the rules should not have to be subjected to these inconsiderate bodies breathing germs over us. Come on, this isn’t over yet. Katie James, Wokingham
A load of manure I read with interest in the March 4 edition of Wokingham Today that compost is back on sale at re3. I decided to book a slot to take the rubbish we had been accumulating to the tip and to purchase some compost at the same time. Going online there was only one slot available for booking and that was at 8.30am on a Friday. This is a difficult time for anyone who is working. I decided not to bother with the rubbish and to go to a garden centre to buy my compost. I continued to read the newspaper and saw another article about a car battery causing a fire in a bin lorry. While I think it is dreadful that someone should put a car battery into their general rubbish, can you please tell me how they are supposed
UDGET day is always an important day in the political calendar. We learn what the Government’s priorities will be for the year ahead.
Normally the chamber of the House of Commons would be full of jostling MPs all seeking to put on record the needs of their constituents and constituencies. This week was very different. With covid restrictions preventing the usual workings of the House of Commons and almost all of the budget details pre-released to the Sunday papers, there was few real surprises in this budget and even less to be jubilant about. The continuation of furlough schemes until the end of September is a reminder that while we may have a roadmap to restarting the economy, it will take time once we leave lockdown for businesses to recover. The additional support is, of course, to be welcomed but the support that remains missing is that for the self-employed and those running their own limited companies or those who still
We are once again asking that Sandmartins work with the community and the Council to help widen the public rights of way around the golf course making them more accessible, including to cyclists. We have a climate emergency that requires us to reduce the number of car journeys we take which means more walking, cycling and public transport. Finchampstead Road is not safe for cyclists, so opening up the opportunity for more sustainable forms of travel by widening the existing public rights of way around
to dispose of it when they cannot get a slot to go to the tip? June Taplin, Wokingham
Once Moore, the council I was interested to read the letter by WBC Independent Councillor Gary Cowan in the March 4 edition of Wokingham Today and would totally concur with the views expressed. Over the past few weeks several serious mistakes have been identified relating to the conduct of Wokingham Borough Council and the Leader of the Council, John Hallsall. Questions have been raised by a number of residents of the Council and Councillors themselves at the meeting of the Standards Committee, the Audit Committee, the Overview & Scrutiny and the Council itself. The recent Council Meeting was shambolic and my personal Supplementary question was simply ignored. It is clear that the Leader of the Council, who claims that the ‘buck stops with him’ is simply not prepared to take any serious action to ascertain why problems have occurred and to take appropriate remedial action accordingly. Clearly with the majority numbers his party have on most committees he believes any mistakes can simply be
Westminster That was the week Diary Tony Johnson Matt Rodda
don’t have the required number of years trading history to access help. It was a huge oversight that offers little help for those who are already struggling and have little recourse to other support. Equally disappointing was the small print detail which emerged in the days after the budget. It exposed that the ballooning cost of the Test and Trace system which will now have cost taxpayers an eye-watering £37billion and despite the cost is still plagued with problems. But most worrying of all was that the budget
the golf course would have a huge benefit to our community. We very much hope that Sandmartins Golf Club will commit to meet with us in the near future to explore a constructive way this can be achieved. Cllr Sarah Kerr - Liberal Democrat Member for Evendons Cllr Charles Margeמּs Conservative Member for Finchampstead North Cllr Adrian Mather - Liberal Democrat Member for Evendons Cllr Daniel Sargeant Conservative Member for Finchampstead North ignored. He claims he genuinely believes they have not broken any of the rules of the WBC Constitution. This was clearly shown to be the case as he contacted me to try and talk me out of continuing to take them to task as he said he had stood down from the Standards Committee, but subsequently found he did not have to, and no other infringements had been made. He even started the conversation by saying he never wanted to be a councillor, so I therefore suggested he might like to stand down. If these are the views and actions of the Leader of our Council then perhaps it is time for a change and with the elections looming, and he is up for reelection, you can express your vote in the ballot box. Frank Moore, A concerned WBC resident
Appalled and outraged at council decisions I am appalled at the outrageous decision of Cllr Halsall to refuse an inquiry into the standards and audit committees. This is unconstitutional as it convenes the rules laid down by Wokingham Borough Council and is a serious breach of the constitution.It infringes the law of natural justice. Is he afraid of being found guilty of
seeks to renege on a multi-year pay deal for NHS staff offering instead just 1% increase – which is about £3.50 a week for a qualified nurse. Covid19 has had an impact on every aspect of our life and it has had a massive toll on our public finances. Yet, had it not been for NHS staff going above and beyond to keep us safe and care for those most in need, the death toll would be greater and more families would have experienced heartache and tragedy. To choose now, while we are still in the pandemic, to half the pay award to these staff which essentially is a real-terms pay cut, is a kick in the teeth to those who served tirelessly on the front line during this dreadful crisis. The Government still has time to do the right thing. The Chancellor still has time to go back to the previously agreed pay settlement and deliver on the promises he and the Prime Minister made. There is still time to give our NHS staff the pay-rise they have undoubtedly earned. He can make sure this budget prioritises our NHS. Honestly, it’s the least we can do. Matt Rodda is the MP for Reading East
the failure of all aspects of the last 21 months? By this refusal it makes all decisions made by the council nul and void.This must now be questioned and not just swept under the carpet. Is there such a thing as democracy any more? Political party representatives are not for the people any more as their first loyalty is to the party and not to the people that voted them in. People of Wokingham, if you want democracy back- vote for an independent candidate not a political party. Cedric Lander, Wooodley
Better provision for walking and cycling On March 24, Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee is expected to review the application for the South Wokingham Distributor Road and the connecting Western Gateway roundabout. At the committee, Liberal Democrats councillors will be making the case for better provision for walking and cycling in both these schemes and asking the council to make improvements, representing more than 200 people who have signed our petition calling for this. Wokingham Liberal Democrats are committed to develop a network of high-quality walking and safe cycling routes to link residential areas, local businesses, shops and transport hubs. We are pleased that there are signs of the current administration waking up to this issue. We understand that the
Council is shortly to adopt the government’s 2020 infrastructure guidance, which requires segregated routes for walking and cycling in busy areas. We see no reason why this should not be the case on these major new developments. Cllr Paul Fishwick, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Highways and Transport and Winnersh ward councillor
Slow in the plan Last autumn I wrote an open letter to senior councillors, senior WBC staff and Wokingham Today highlighting my concern regarding the slowness in the progression of the local plan for Wokingham Borough, following the demise of the Grazeley proposal. Not only did I raise concerns about how developers could use this delay to gain potential advantages, but now we discover that the next consultation phase of this revised local plan has been pushed back until the summer, at the earliest, surprise, surprise to after the local elections. I am particularly concerned that sites that were either excluded in the previous draft plan, may now be joined by new sites that were not even considered previously. In Charvil for example, the current development site off Park Lane only obtained planning approval on appeal, because at that time, WBC did not have a FIVE YEAR LAND SUPPLY. In last week’s paper there was mention of a site in Hurst (Tape Lane/ Lodge Road area) where a surveyor was seen working on this site. Any delay could put further sites in
jeopardy and one has to ask why? There are other sites across the Borough that will no doubt come into play and these potentially include Hall's Farm (in the Shinfield/Arborfield/ Sindlesham area) and a part of the Southern Wokingham SDL not previouisly considered (in the Wokingham Without/South Wokingham area) where the Council has asked for Master Planning to take place. Master Planning is where a greater in depth study is done to assess the viability of such land. I should add that the Council would not be performing Master Planning unless there was to be a serious consideration taken as to whether such a site could take housing. Remember WBC has already performed Master Planning on three other sites! While our area has successfully managed to avoid the disasterous increase in housing numbers up to 1,635 properties a year, the council's current figure of 789 homes a year, still means that Wokingham Borough will need to take nearly 16,000 homes during this period (although some have already been built). This is extremely concerning. We in the Liberal Democrats believe that this near 800 homes per annum is still far too high for our area. Back in 2017 I suggested that a figure nearer to 600 homes a year should be the maximum we could take. I was, at that time, severely chastised by a previous Leader of the Council for suggesting such a low figure. The Council has declared a Climate Emergency. I would like to know how we are to
Election Ear ring That was
I
T PERHAPS won’t have escaped your notice that Local Elections last year got canned and will be taking place on May 7 this year instead.
And given that lockdown has already stretched political nerves beyond concert pitch, it probably isn’t a surprise to learn that ‘the politicals’ have got going a bit earlier than normal this year, with party political matters erupting all over social media like a rash of acne across a stricken face. So you might like some countermeasures to combat the blues, yellows, oranges, reds, greens, and greys as well.
The Cunning Plan A friend asked my opinion last week on a non(party)-political basis: “March 8 … someone comes to your house to canvass your vote. You don’t know them they don’t know you. What do you say? Are you annoyed?” To which the response was: “Non-partisan answer: Knee jerk reaction – I’d rather send my kids back to school. “Slightly more considered response, I’d find out who they are and who they are canvassing for. “I’d ask if they were willing to answer a few questions. If yes – first of which would be ‘where’s your face mask’? If no – take a photograph of them and then try to choose between ‘send them in to the monitoring officer or send them up in this column.” Then a few minutes later: “PS – my kids are all in their thirties, And I’m not in favour of sending any of them back under the current vax-strategy” Which as you’ll probably agree, isn’t exactly non-partisan – but it isn’t party political either – and if a canvasser does come to the door …
The Surprise Plan If you’ve time, you might like to ask any
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the week
Tony Johnson
person who comes a-canvassing – what’s your party’s stance on the Local Plan? This is the document setting out the council’s building policy to 2036. Because the lack of publication of a new Local Plan followed by a proper public consultation on the ‘wisdom’ of keeping development out of the Northern Parishes, (Con, LibDem and Con respectively) looks positively conspiratorial from other parts of the borough. Much as the last effort for the new Local Plan would have been, if you’d been told about the expansion of the emergency zone round Burghfield that is. It wasn’t just the matter of a High Court judgment in 2021 based on a 2019 change in law. The Local Plan had already been rendered moot by the revised emergency zone published back in 2018 – well before the expensive public consultation and MHCLG’s subsequent refusal of Wokingham’s application for a £250 million grant.
Audace – toujours L’Audace If everyone keeps voting the way they’ve always been voting, they’ll keep getting the politics they’ve always been getting. To some this is the tried and trusted political process and it works much better than political unrest or civil war, while to others this feels like being treated as a mushroom – kept in the dark with fertiliser sprayed on from time to time. In my opinion, both these views have
achieve our ambitions of Carbon neutrality, or even more, with such a number of homes being proposed for our area? Yes we do need homes, but ones that are needed by and affordable to our community. The process at the moment is too much stacked in favour of the developers. At some point something will have to give. My biggest concern is that the nature and character of our area will be destroyed and the very reason why so many of us moved here will have been lost for ever. Cllr Lindsay Ferris Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Wokingham Borough Council and member for Twyford.
What next? I feel the pay offer to nurses comes top as the greatest political misjudgment of all time! Pay them 10%. The very people who have done all that was asked of them, and risked their health and life. I know precisely where the money should come from – I don’t believe what ‘Tony Hancock’ says. That matter leads directly to the second concern – that of Boris’s girlfriend. Since when has anyone allowed such a person to act as if she is the Queen? As to his begging money for the expensive redecoration of the flat, all that will lead to is corruption – the money sources will require something in return. Given other recent awards to mates etc. how many more Lords can the Upper House hold? Reg Cliﬞon, Wokingham
elements of truth about them, but the matter’s neither simple nor clear. What is clear is that, as ever, there’s a need for new blood – though the ‘cling-ons’ across the political spectrum will probably dispute that. Purdah starts on Monday, March 29 – the councillors up for election become candidates – and local elections get formally announced for Thursday, May 7. So if you’ve an answer for what ails the Borough and you want to make a difference, there’s time to get your supporters together and apply to be a candidate. Nominations close on Thursday ,April 8, and the candidates’ names for the 18 Borough wards, four Parish Councils and two by-elections will be announced the following day. Details are on WBC’s website.
The last word (for now) As of the time of writing, and as mentioned above, local elections are on their way. It’s when earrings will turn into prawn sandwiches and the old guard will (I hope) be rejuvenated – with fresh blood set on fixing at least some of the political tangle that the “old boys club” (apologies, but it’s still a thing) from the 1960s and 70s has got us into. What ever the outcome, what gives hope for the future is that good people stand for election, willing to turn their efforts to modernising our Borough’s politics and making the changes that residents want and are willing to pay for. So if there’s mixed or misleading messaging, whether via leaflets, canvassers or social media I’d be interested to learn about them – no matter what the party, source or message. So please send them in and we’ll endeavour to send them on to the right person, bring them up in the right place(s) or as a last resort, just send them up – showing them for what they are. caveat.lector@icloud.com
From the executive Cllr Pauline Jorgensen
Potholes: we’re looking into it
P
OTHOLES. It’s a real frustration for so many residents in the Borough, myself included.
Not only can they cause damage to cars and vans, but they can lead to uncomfortable journeys, and for those riding bicycles and motorcycles, can potentially be dangerous. In normal times, trying to fix potholes means disruption for motorists, as roads are closed for the time it takes to fill in a pothole, or sometimes even to completely resurface a road. However, the pandemic has meant quieter roads caused by less traffic, so that Wokingham Borough Council has been able to accelerate its road repair programme. Over the last 12 months, we have carried out 1,231 reactive repair jobs on roads across the Borough, where residents and councillors have informed us about potholes – that’s an average of 105 repair jobs per month. We also have large-scale programme of road resurfacing. We have committed £8million to repairing our roads for 2020-21, and by the end of the spring, we aim to resurfaced 15 roads in Woodley, Earley, Finchampstead and Barkham. Over the next three years, we aim to invest more than £160million in delivering road repairs and new roads across the Borough and this budget we again doubled our maintenance budget to help keep the pothole at bay. We are always innovative in how we can fix our roads quickly while ensuring value for money. Just this week, I joined a team from the Council for an outdoors, socially-distanced test of a JCB patching machine in Winnersh, and had the opportunity to talk to the guys who work rain or shine to look after our roads and are at the sharp end of any repairs. I learned quite a bit about the technique used for permanent repairs and the importance of the tar temperature to the whole process, I was surprised to find its actually at 180ºC when they shovel it into the hole and tamp and roll it down. The new machine can carry out all the different stages of preparing a pothole to receive the tar including gutting a stepped straight edge to prevent water ingress and collecting the debris, removing the need to bring along multiple pieces of equipment to a repair job. We will carry out another trial of the machine, but these sort of innovations have the potential to dramatically speed up our repair programme while cutting the cost. Your Conservative Council is committed to ensuring that you have the best travel experience possible – whether by car, bus or bike. No part of our Borough gets left behind. You can report a pothole to us on our website, if you use the map to report holes the requests go straight to the contractor who does the work speeding up the response time, or by calling 0118 974 6000 and selecting “Highways”. Cllr Pauline Jorgensen is the Executive Member for Highways and Transport and Conservative councillor for Hillside Ward at Wokingham Borough Council
24 | NEWS/BUSINESS
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FROMTHECOURTS
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Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Court in recent weeks
� A WOKINGHAM pensioner has been banned from driving for 17 months after being found guilty of being over the limit. James Gillard, 73 and from Essame Close, appeared before Reading Magistrates Court on February 4, where he pleaded guilty. Police had stopped him in Essame Close on July 20 last year. A test revealed he had 62 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Gillard’s ban will be reduced by 17 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. He was also fined £100, ordered to pay £50 costs and £34 to victim services. � AN ARBORFIELD dog owner has been ordered to fit a muzzle to her pet. Reading Magistrates Court heard that on September 4, 2020, Donna Maria King, 52 and from Biggs Lane, had pleaded not guilty to a charge made on November 4, 2019, that she was the owner of a dangerous dog, known as Tiny, that was not kept under proper control, and that it needed to be or it faced being destroyed. On February 4, Magistrates ordered that the dog must be kept on a secure lead by someone older than 16, and fitted with a muzzle that would prevent it from biting anyone. The lead must be under two metres in length. The dog must also be microchipped, and third party insurance held for it for the rest of its life. � A 21-YEAR-OLD from Woodley has been remanded on unconditional bail after being found guilty of drug driving. Liem Dean Sharp, from Kingsford Close, was stopped in Cedar Close on July 2, 2019. A test found traces of drug Delta-9Tetrahydrocannabinol, a form of
cannabis, in his bloodstream. He was also in possession of a hatchet blade. Sharp had pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on January 16, 2020, and elected for a summary trial. This took place at the same court on February 8. Sharp has been given five penalty points and will be sentenced on April 27. � DRIVING while over the limit has seen a Spencers Wood man receive a four-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months. Dharmesh Rashikant Patel, 38 and from Hyde End Road, was stopped by police on Chestnut Crescent in Shinfield on August 13, 2019. A breath test found that he had 128 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Although he had pleaded not guilty on September 12, 2019, Reading Magistrates Court found him guilty at a hearing on February 9. Patel did plead guilty of failing to surrender to the custody of the court on July 6 last year. In addition to the jail sentence, he must pay £122 to victim services and was banned from driving for 24 months. � DRIVING while over the limit has seen a Wokingham man banned from getting behind the wheel for 40 months – three years and four months. David Gavin, 39 and from Comfrey Close, was stopped by police on the M4 near Maidenhead on August 10 last year. A test found that he had 70 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. In addition to the ban, Gavin must carry our 120 hours of community service, pay £95 to victim services and £85 costs. His case was heard at Reading Magistrates Court on February 11.
PARISHNOTICEBOARD Parish and borough council meetings
Meetings online – contact councils for details
Thursday, February 11 Wokingham Borough Council. Wokingham Borough wellbeing board. 7pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk
Monday, March 15 Shinfield Parish Council. Full council meeting. 7.30pm. shinfieldparish.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Individual Member Decisions: New National Cycle Design Guidance - July 2020. 5pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk Wokingham Town Council. Civic meeting. 7.30pm. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk Wokingham Without Parish Council. Annual council meeting. 7.30pm. wokinghamwithout-pc.gov.uk
Tuesday, March 16 Arborfield Parish Council. Full council. 7.30pm. Arborfield.org.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Executive meeting question deadline. 10am. Individual Member Decisions: Write off of NonCollectable Business Rates Debt. 4pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk
Wednesday, March 17 Earley Town Council. Policy and resources committee. 7pm. www.earley-tc.gov.uk Finchampstead Parish Council. Full council. 7pm. www.finchampstead-pc.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Schools forum 10am. Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 7pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk
Thursday, March 18 Wokingham Borough Council. Extraordinary executive. 5.30pm. Council. 7pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk
Monday, March 22 Wokingham Borough Council. Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 7pm. Extraordinary Audit Committee. 7pm. www.wokingham.gov.uk
Tuesday, March 23 Winnersh Parish Council. Planning committee meeting. 7.30pm. www.winnersh.gov.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Individual Member Decisions: National Planning Policy Framework. 4pm. Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 7pm. Personnel Board. 7.30pm. Woodley Town Council. Planning and community. 8pm. www.woodley.gov.uk
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
Firms see budget benefits By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today BUSINESSES have welcomed the government’s spring budget, and said it will help boost the local economy.
Boyes Turner, based in neighbouring Reading, said the latest economic measures are positive news for science and technology businesses, and will help the Thames Valley cement its reputation as a global tech hub. Last week, Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the exchequer announced the spring budget, designed to revive the country’s economy following the coronavirus pandemic. Mr Sunak revealed the furlough scheme will be extended until the end of September, however employers must begin contributing towards the cost from July. Sue Dowling, partner at Thames Valley law firm Blandy & Blandy, said this will be “a welcome boost” for employers in sectors impacted by the pandemic, such as hospitality. “However, the continued uncertainty and further extension of the Scheme will unfortunately come too late to
protect some jobs, with many difficult decisions already have been made,” she added. Mr Sunak also announced new measures to make it easier for selfemployed workers to receive government support grants. The budget will also bring about the first rise in corporation tax in nearly 50 years. From April 2023, the rate will increase to 25%, but small businesses with yearly profits lower than £50,000 will not be affected. Chris Harber, head of immigration at Boyes Turner, said the latest announcement will help more local tech companies attract global talent. “It was encouraging to see some key immigration announcements in the Chancellor’s budget statement, which will be good news for technology firms and the life sciences sector,” he said. “To remain competitive globally, many businesses need to attract the best talent from around the world, and it is encouraging to see the government taking steps to make that easier.” The spring budget also included a points-based visa for academia,
science, research and technology jobs, as well as measures to make it easier for workers to get business visas. Malcolm Hyde, South East director for the Centre for British Industry (CBI), said the budget should kickstart economic growth, but questions how it will impact the region in the long-term. Over the past year, the UK has borrowed more than £350 billion – the highest amount since the Second World War “Firms across the South East will be relieved to receive support to finish the job and get through the coming months,” Mr Hyde said. “The Budget also has a clear eye to the future; to ensure finances are sustainable, while building confidence and investment in a lasting recovery.” But he said the rise in corporation tax will cause “a sharp intake of breath” for many local businesses. “It sends a worrying signal to those planning to invest in the UK,” he added. “The UK must remain attractive for every type of business, from the innovation, high-growth UK homegrown firm to the global firms investing in the UK.”
MP praises chancellor
Stamp duty extension may create uncertainty
LAST WEEK’S budget has been welcomed by Bracknell MP James Sunderland, who says it provides support and reassurance as the nation navigates through the pandemic. Among the measures announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak was an extension of the coronavirus job retention scheme. It will now end in September, and there will also be two further grants for self-employed people. The £20 uplift to Universal Credit will be extended for six months, while there will be a new scheme to support young people to learn new skills. This includes doubling the incentive payment to SMEs to take on apprentices of any age to £3,000, and £126 million to triple the number of traineeships next year. Other measures included freezing alcohol and fuel duties, and announcing a plan to increase corporation tax on larger companies the chancellor estimates that 70% of businesses will be unaffected. Mr Sunderland said: “The budget provides businesses and families in Bracknell, Crowthorne, Finchampstead, Sandhurst and Wokingham Without with the support and reassurance they need to get through the pandemic. “With £407 billion of support for families, jobs and businesses, it is right that the Chancellor is honest with the British people about our public finances. “At the same time, I was elected on a commitment to level up communities like ours, and I am thrilled that this Conservative Government is now making good on that promise – by building our future economy and investing in every corner of the United Kingdom.” And the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said: “As we look ahead, this Budget lays the foundations of our future economy – driving up productivity, creating green jobs, supporting small businesses, and levelling up across the entire United Kingdom”.
A WOKINGHAM estate agency has welcomed the new stamp duty extension, but is worried it will create uncertainty later this year. Daniel Lawry, director of Property Assistant, said the government’s spring budget has introduced new measures which will “ease the lack of housing supply” in the borough. However, he is worried it will create a “cliff-edge” in September if people rush to sell their properties before the tax holiday ends. In last week’s budget announcement, the government revealed plans to extend the stamp duty holiday. Originally set to end on Wednesday, March 31, it has now been extended until the end of September. Rishi Sunak, chancellor of the exchequer, said this will save house sales from falling through. “The stamp duty cut has helped hundreds of thousands of people buy a home and supported the economy at a critical time,” he said. “But due to the sheer volume of transactions we’re now seeing, many purchases won’t be complete in time for the end of March.” And Mr Lawry said that despite concerns, the extension is welcome. “Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen homeowners put their moving plans on hold,” he explained.
“Some buyers are finding getting a mortgage difficult at the moment. “The extension will help buyers to use their savings as greater deposits, instead of paying for the tax. He hopes the announcement will now put some “much-needed stock” on Wokingham’s property market. Last week, the government also announced the launch of a mortgage guarantee scheme, to support first-time buyers stepping onto the property ladder. This will see more lenders offer government-backed 95% mortgages on properties worth up to £600,000. Lucy Ludlow, regional sales director at Bloor Homes Southern, said this announcement brings “certainty” to new buyers in need of a boost. “It will help many people take a step on or up the property ladder,” she said. The stamp duty holiday was introduced in July 2020, to kickstart the housing market after the first lockdown. Currently, homebuyers in England and Northern Ireland are not taxed on the first £500,000 of their property price. The threshold is normally £125,000. Under the latest extension, the tax-free threshold will fall to £250,000 from July through until September 2021, before returning to £125,000.
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
BUSINESS | 25
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Kasia’s flexible friends help during pandemic
By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A WOKINGHAM fitness instructor has proven that there’s always a way to overcome an obstacle.
Kasia Clinton-Carter is the owner and head-instructor of KCC Aerial Fitness, running aerial sports classes out of her studio on Molly Millars Lane. This includes pole fitness, aerial hoop and aerial sling. After launching her business nearly three years ago, she and five other instructors now teach fitness and flexibility classes to hundreds of pupils, ranging from seven to 70. Recently, Ms Clinton-Carter has been busy proving that everybody can stay fit, even if it means using a can of beans as a dumbbell. When the coronavirus pandemic hit UK shores, the instructor said it was a struggle to shift her classes online. “I’m so used to teaching in the studio, working my way around each student and training them in person,” she explained. “It definitely took us a few months to get used to it.” When the first lockdown came in, she said she took it “quite personally” and was worried about what was going to happen to the studio and her fellow instructors. “The stress began to kick in, but a lot of my students reassured me that they would be coming back,” she said. “That kept me going.” Ms Clinton-Carter said she didn’t
want to stop teaching pupils over lockdown, so had to find new ways to keep them engaged with virtual fitness sessions. “The borough council has given myself and my other instructors permission to use the studio to film online classes, but a lot of pupils don’t have this kind of equipment at home,” she explained. Since a lot of the work KCC Aerial Fitness teaches uses poles, hoops and other specialist equipment, the instructor had her work cut out to make sure all students could still participate in lessons. But from using dressing gown ties
as resistance bands and books as yoga blocks, Ms Clinton-Carter found ways to work around the obstacles. “We want to make sure people keep up their fitness and their flexibility, even if we can’t teach them new moves,” she said. During the current lockdown, the fitness instructor believes it is more important than ever to keep KCC Aerial Fitness running in a bid to support her pupils’ mental wellbeing. “Some students listen to every single class as a way to stay sane, so it’s important we keep providing classes,” Ms Clinton-Carter explained. “I see a lot of them are struggling without their mental health escape. “Fitness really helps some people keep those dark demons away, so I can’t wait until we can properly open up again.” Looking back on the past year, the instructor said the pandemic has taught her a lot of lessons when it comes to teaching fitness. She said the biggest lesson has been how to alter her teaching style. “Before all of these restrictions, I used to spot students and easily show people how to do moves in different ways,” Ms Clinton-Carter said. “Now, spotting has gone out of the window so I’ve learnt how to explain moves in even more depth. “I need to make sure people are confident hanging upside down and things, because safety must always come first.”
Auto tech company coming Sing for victory A NEW automotive technology company is coming to Woodley. It is to take advantage of the global growth in electrified vehicles and provides customers with new technologies and systems, which facilitate the transition of engine development from internal combustion to hybrid, full battery electric and fuel-cell vehicles. Thermal Management Solutions Group is a consolidation of the Dauphinoise Thomson, Magal and Wahler brands under one company, and has been formed by Cartesian Capital Group and the Arlington Industries Thermal Management Solutions’ management team. Mark Franckel, Thermal Management Solutions CEO: “The newly formed group brings together an unparalleled pool of technical experience and delivers exceptional global market position and depth to provide customers and suppliers with numerous advantages in navigating these exciting times in the automotive sector.” The new group will have more than £150 million in revenues and employ
more than 800 people across its six global locations. Paddy Lange, VP global engineering and sales, said: “Forged with rigour, diligence and industry foresight, with manufacturing locations in Brazil, China, France, Germany, the UK and the US, Thermal Management Solutions is uniquely positioned as a global technology company. “In a rapidly changing market, we are poised to deliver proven and innovative technology to meet customers’ existing and future needs. “We have the people, expertise, skillset and global footprint to provide thermal management solutions to enable our automotive customers to transform their engine offerings and meet the demand for lighter, more fuel-efficient and environmentallyfriendly vehicles.” Along with providing automotive OEMs, Tier 1s and Tier 2s with thermal management solutions, the company says it will continue to grow its product and customer portfolio in the Automotive Independent Aftermarket, Heating and Sanitary sectors.
A WOKINGHAM business has been awarded for its family-friendly nature. BilinguaSing Wokingham, which organises music and sensory play classes to teach young children French or Spanish, was recently recognised at a national awards ceremony. The company was judged Family Business of the Year at ClubHub UK’s awards, which seek to highlight the best of the children’s activity sector. Kate Sleeman, owner of BilinguaSing, said: “[We place] families at the heart of everything we do so we're delighted to have our small local business recognised in this way. “During the coronavirus lockdowns, I’ve had to juggle the demands of my own family all being at home with also keeping our business running.” BilinguaSing provided free online classes, and hopes to return to face-toface classes next month. “It’s amazing to be judged finalists for this award and know that all our hard work has been appreciated,” Ms Sleeman added. “We can’t wait to get back to our classes and work in local primary schools and nurseries too as soon as it’s safe to do so."
McKay’s steady trading A READING-based real estate investment trust (REIT) company says that it has seen steady trading despite the pandemic. McKay Securities Plc, which says it is the only UK REIT specialising entirely in the South East and London office, industrial and logistics markets. For the trading period running from October 1 through to March 5, it completed eight new lettings, which will deliver a combined contracted rent of £432,900 per annum, at or above ERV. It also renewed six leases, securing a 9.5% increase in contracted rent prior to renewal to £1.99 million per annum, and a 1.0% surplus over ERV. It also ensured that the quarterly rent payments were at 92% in December, with a further 2.0% due from agreed monthly payments. It said that discussions continue in relation to the remaining 6.0%. Rent collection for the financial year to date increased to 93.0% of all contracted rent and is expected to reach 96.0% on receipt of outstanding
monthly and deferred payments. Of the outstanding 4.0%, collection of up to a further 2.0% is anticipated The company has launched a share buy-back programme for £10 million – around 5% of the company’s issued share capital. Simon Perkins, CEO of McKay, said: “Despite a period dominated by Covid-19, and two further national lockdowns, McKay has made good progress since October. “We are pleased to have completed a range of lettings and lease renewals at or above ERV, invested selectively in our portfolio to enhance postCovid-19 prospects as well as increasing our rent collection for the financial year to date to 93.0% of contracted rent. “The close relationships we have built up with our occupiers through our in-house management team, together with our focus entirely on the more resilient office, warehouse and logistics markets of the South East and London have been instrumental in these achievements.”
Hub teams up with LEP A LEADING local advice hub will soon team up with Thames Valley Berkshire. The Berkshire Growth Hub, which offers free support and advice to local businesses, will join the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) from Thursday, April 1. Since 2017, the service has been delivered by Oxford Innovation and has worked with more than 4,000 small- and medium-sized businesses across the Thames Valley region. Now, Berkshire Growth Hub and Thames Valley Berkshire LEP will spend the coming months integrating their teams. Alison Webster, CEO of the LEP, said: “We are going through extraordinary times and the focus of the Berkshire Growth Hub is on helping local businesses, giving them the help and support they need. “There has never been a more important time to help businesses get
back on their feet again and the new normal, whatever that may turn out to be, will be very different for us all.” She said supporting local businesses is at the heart of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP’s Recovery and Renewal plan. Jane Galsworthy, managing director of Oxford Innovation, added: “We are proud to leave the Growth Hub in such a strong position. “The relationship with Thames Valley Berkshire LEP has been wholly positive and we look forward to working with them in the future as we continue to provide excellent business support services to the SME business community.” The majority of growth hubs across England are now directly delivered by LEPs. Only five of the 38 advice services are still outsourced. For more information on the Berkshire Growth Hub, visit: www.berkshirebusinesshub.co.uk
Unscathed by pandemic THE TECHNOLOGY and life sciences sectors remain unscathed by the pandemic, according to the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). It reported nearly one in every five vacancies in the South East last year was in the technology and life sciences industry. The Association said hiring in the region has fallen by 31% year-on-year due to the pandemic, while technology and life sciences firms bucked the trend by posting just under 1,300 vacancies last year. Across the South East, hiring fell by nearly 50% in the retail and consumer goods sector.
Moya Rylands, membership director at APSCo, said: “To see vacancies drop year-on-year and the decline in hiring across sectors such as retail and consumer goods, that effectively had to shut down during the early days of the pandemic, comes as no surprise. “However, we can see pockets of activity that have bolstered hiring across the region.” Vacancies in January of this year were higher than in both 2019 and 2020, climbing by 12.6%. Ms Rylands said this figure is “positive” for the region and hopes the government's roadmap out of lockdown will pave the way for economic regrowth.
26 | SOCIETY
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Wokingham Volunteering Helena Badger
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2
ND Woodley Scouts are looking for helpers for their groups that meet on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The Cubs group is ages eight to 11, and meets on Mondays from 6.30pm8pm, the Beavers is for those aged five and eight and meet on Tuesdays 6pm7pm and the Scouts is for ages 10-14 and meets on Tuesdays from 7pm-9pm. The Scout troop says it is a very inclusive group and support children of all kinds of abilities and needs. Members take part in all kinds of activities and like to be fun. The group would welcome help from volunteers aged 14 years plus, who may be completing their Duke of Edinburgh, adult volunteers who can support our groups and general volunteers who could support the groups with building maintenance and/or gardening. The groups continues to meet virtually with the aim of being back to meeting in person in June. If you would like to find out what the Scouts do, get in touch. � First Days Children’s Charity was started in 2013 in response to needs in the local community in Berkshire. Quite simply: there were people with stuff they didn't need and people who desperately needed it. The charity grew very quickly and now, nearly eight years later we have staff and volunteers and have helped more than 10,000 children and distributed more than 250 tonnes of donated goods. To help as many families as quickly as possible, First Days needs volunteer delivery drivers to help deliver essential items such as pushchairs, toys, books and hygiene products from its warehouse in Molly Millars Lane to locations in Reading, Wokingham and the surrounding area.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
It can work around whatever time you have available to offer to help deliver items. You will need your own vehicle and confirmation from your insurance that you are covered for such volunteering roles. � 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. It is 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. Currently it is running an online Friendship Café through online meeting software 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, the group would love a few hours of your time. � These are just a few of the latest opportunities on our books. Contact us by calling: 0118 977 0749, send an email to: volunteer@wok-vol.org.uk or log on to www.volunteer wokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer.
Autism Berkshire A SCHEME launched by Autism Berkshire 11 years ago has a new look, as it links up with the police. Berkshire Autism Alert Cards, which provide a way for residents to explain their condition quickly, aims to give cardholders more confidence when out and about. Since its launch, almost 1,900 cards have been issued to autistic children, young people and adults in the county. To mark its 10th anniversary last year, the card was given a fresh look, and now has the support of Thames Valley Police. It secured a £5,000 grant from the Thames Valley Police & Crime Commissioner’s Police Property Act Fund. The new look for the card was created by Eden Sinclair, a graphic designer who graduated from the University of Reading last year and is herself autistic. Another change means that cardholders – or the person applying their behalf, such as parents and support workers – can now choose to share information about their autism and any individual support needs with the police, to help officers. Details are held in a secure police database. Police officers in Berkshire are being trained about the card in a rolling programme, starting in the Reading and Bracknell & Wokingham policing areas. Autism Berkshire’s chief executive officer, Jane Stanford-Beale said: “We have already had a really positive reaction from cardholders and their families to the new design and the opportunity to provide some extra information that can help police provide appropriate support. “We are delighted to have been able
BLUEBIRD Care Wokingham has encouraged children to express themselves for the recent Children’s Mental Health Week. The home care provider encouraged local children to explore the different ways we can share our thoughts, feelings and ideas, through an art competition. Karen Anderson, who has been training Bluebird Care staff for more than 12 years, judged the competition and was blown away by the quality of entries submitted. She said: “We would like to personally thank all the children that entered into our competition. The amazing designs will be turned into one big bluebird and displayed in our office.” The winning design was created by William, 10, from Woodley. “The reason I picked William’s design was the bird has all the colours of Bluebird Care and looks extremely proud,” Ms Anderson said. “The bird on the design also has its eyes closed, which means the bird is listening, and this is a
very important aspect of care.” Jade, William’s mum, said: “William was over the moon, it was the lift he needed and his teacher was very proud of him when he showed it to
to work with Thames Valley Police to make these improvements to the scheme.” Detective Chief Inspector Simon Steel, of the Policing Strategy Unit at Thames Valley Police, said: “We recognise that some people who are autistic may find it more challenging to communicate with our officers or staff when they have a reason to contact us. “When someone who is autistic chooses to share their information about how they may act in a certain situation when they sign up to a Berkshire Autism Alert Card, it is a positive step towards ensuring we can have the most meaningful interaction. “This helps to break down barriers to communication and assists us in being able to provide the best possible service. “We are delighted to be working with Autism Berkshire and thank them for their support in helping us to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve.” � For more information, visit: www.autismberkshire.org.uk/ berkshire-autism-alert-card/
ABC TO Read A reading charity is supporting more than 120 children with virtual sessions throughout the pandemic. ABC to Read supports primary school children identified by their schools as struggling with their reading. Before the pandemic, it trained volunteer mentors to work with children one-to-one, making reading fun again.
his class at school”. William won a WHSmith voucher and his design turned into a pin badge for the team at Bluebird Care Reading, Wokingham, Windsor, Maidenhead and Bracknell.
Now, volunteer mentors are still being recruited, and parents in all schools ABC to Read work with, can connect and receive additional reading support. All sessions are still one-to-one, customised and tailored to each child’s levels and interests. Marcia Rowlinson, ABC to Read CEO, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support so many children with our online reading sessions, continuing our commitment to schools and the children we support, thanks to our great team of volunteers and small but excellent staff team. “We know that one-to-one, face-toface teaching is the best method to support children, particularly if they have barriers to their learning, but are delighted to be able to reach more local children online even as we prepare to return to our provision of face-to-face mentoring when schools reopen.” There are still spaces available for new volunteers to take part in training and for schools to sign up to the scheme. � For more information, email: abctoread@btconnect.com
Wokingham Art Journaling Group WOKINGHAM residents can join a new art journaling group to support their wellbeing. Designed to help people manage stress, anxiety and build resilience and focus, sessions cost £3.50 per week. The group currently meets during the day, but is looking to provide an evening session if there is enough interest. � For more information, email Rachel Freegard at artjournallingforwellbeing@gmail.com
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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LEISURE | 27
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28 | LIFE
In the cellar James D O’Leary Chapel Down, Bacchus, 2019 Tasting Notes: elderflower/ lime/green apple
W
HAT do you get if you cross the cool, bold tropicality of a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with the lippuckering limeladen citrus bomb of a Clare Valley Riesling?
At the very least, a style of wine that might divide opinion, but one that is continuing to make a name for itself. Bacchus is a grape that shares its name with the Roman God of agriculture and wine, and originates from Pfalz, Germany. In the greater context of wine, it’s fairly new to the party. Created by the viticulturist Peter Morio in 1933, it’s a crossing of Silvaner x Riesling and Müller-Thurgau (genetic engineering of the wine-world, if you will) and became commercially available nearly four decades later, in 1972. To put that into context, some studies suggest that Sauvignon Blanc, the UK’s favourite grape, can be traced back hundreds of years earlier, to 16th Century France. Although still used as a blending grape across some parts of Germany, namely Rheinhessen and Franken, to find world-class single-varietal Bacchus, the South of England ought to be your first port of call. The cool English climate means that yields are low, and acidity within the grape is high, resulting in a high quality, ultra-refreshing final product. Chapel Down’s Bacchus 2019 vintage is an award-winning wine, hailing from vineyards in Kent, Essex and East Sussex. It’s bursting with aromas of elderflower, lime and green apple, that leave you wanting to crunch through the first sip, of the almost crystal-clear wine. Initially on the palate, vibrant citrus notes of lime and grapefruit are dominant, with some tropical kiwi, pineapple and melon close behind and a good minerality. After letting the wine breathe and open up for an hour or so, subtle stone-fruit characteristics start to come through and the flavours of peach and apricot, with the fragrance of elderflower start to round off the barrage of citrus whilst maintaining its robust spine of acidity. It’s a wine that encapsulates the cool, challenging climate that Josh Donaghay-Spire and his Chapel Down team are navigating to produce world-class wine year-on-year in their humble estates across the South of England. Have an evening celebrating the Best of British, with a chilled glass of Bacchus, paired with battered cod, chips and mushy peas. Chapel Down’s Bacchus 2019 is available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Majestic and online. James D O’Leary is the sommelier at L’Ortolan, Shinfield
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
Inthekitchen Freely Fruity facebook.com/freelyfruityUK
Spiced Rhubarb & Apple Crumble
T
AKE advantage of this season’s forced rhubarb and pair with apples to make this easy crumble for Mothers Day. As well as fruity it is gently spiced with ginger and fennel but vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom and star anise would all work well here too - perfect with lashings of hot custard or cold double cream Serves 4
Ingredients � 500g cooking apples, peeled and chopped � 250g rhubarb, cut into 1cm chunks � 75g + 2 tbsp soft brown sugar � 2 balls stem ginger in syrup, grated � 100g wholemeal flour � 75g oats � 1 pinch salt � ½ tsp fennel seeds, ground with a pestle and mortar � 75g unsalted butter, cold Serve with: vanilla custard, double cream, creme fraiche, ice- cream or natural yoghurt
Method Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Place the apples and rhubarb into a large bowl and toss with 2 tbsp sugar and 2 tbsp syrup from the stem ginger. Tip into a oven proof dish about 1.5 litre capacity
Into another large bowl place the remaining sugar, flour, oats, salt, grated stem ginger, fennel, then grate in the cold butter and rub together with your finger tips and finish by stirring in 1-2 tbsp cold water
Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the fruit and bake on a tray for about 40 minutes Serve with custard, cream or whatever mum loves best. Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/freelyfruityuk/
plasticfreehome Dave Lamont facebook.com/PlasticFreeHomeUK
Comic Relief merchandise — it’s just not funny...
B
ACK in the early 2000s, we volunteered with Comic Relief twice, as a telephone pledge taker. It was a rewarding and worthwhile experience. Since 1988, over £1 billion has been raised to support those in need and noone can argue with that incredible achievement. But, after three decades we were dismayed to see the recently launched range of merchandise available to buy this year. It’s a huge turn-off. It would perhaps be naive to think that people will always donate without receiving something in return. If only, eh? While fundraising to support good causes in the immediacy, we hope that sooner rather than later Comic Relief can also address another looming crisis, climate change and the need to reduce consumption and waste. Two years ago, the World Bank forecast that Latin America, subSaharan Africa, and Southeast Asia will generate 143 million more climate migrants by 2050. In 2017, close to 70 million people globally were forcibly displaced. We certainly aren’t opposed to charities boosting their income by selling gifts and experiences. In the past six years, we’ve supported causes including the RSPB, Marine Conservation Society,
National Trust, Woodland Trust, National Forest, the RSPCA and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust in this way. We believe strongly that anything sold should be purposeful, sustainably made and ideally long-lasting. Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to the majority of Comic Relief’s merchandise this year. Credit where it’s due (ish). Having sold an estimated 100 million plastic red noses, Comic Relief’s new noses are made from bagasse, a by-product of sugar cane. Better, but not brilliant. That’s still five million-ish noses (in a good year), that are worn for just minutes before being discarded. Wasteful, no? Then we move on to the novelty wristbands, head boppers, lanyards, pin badges, soft toys and so on. Sustainably made, easy to recycle (and likely to be)? Generally no. We appreciate that it's a difficult subject so please don't think badly if you have a different viewpoint. Ours is just that things are going to get much worse for all of us, including those that Comic Relief is desperately trying to help, if we don't change our ways. And soon. As Sir David Attenborough said during a BBC Breakfast interview in September last year: “Don't waste anything”.
For more tips and advice, join the online group at www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk Got a comment or question? Email plasticfreehome@gmail.com
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Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
WOKINGHAMLEISURE Rock on for a weekend of fun
SING ALONG: Tina May will perform next weekend
ON LINE SHOW: Ke Ma will give a virtual piano recital Picture: Gary Lawson
A SINGER hopes to transform living rooms into an intimate jazz club with an online concert next Friday, writes Laura Scardarella. Jazz vocalist Tina May will perform the gig for Norden Farm following the release of her new album 52nd Street and Other Tales. Starting at 8pm on March 19, Tina will sing songs from her album and other well-known jazz artists she admires. She will be joined by musicians Robin Aspland on piano, Andrew Cleyndert on double bass and Winston Clifford on drums. Tina has won music awards and toured around the world and her concert aims to entertain and brighten up people’s lockdown. � Tickets are £15 per household and can be bought by logging on to norden.farm/events/tina-may
A PIANIST is set to perform an online recital this Saturday, writes Laura Scardarella. After appearing at Norden Farm six years ago, international competition winner, Ke Ma, is to be returning for another concert with much-loved pieces composed by Chopin, Debussy and Ravel. Chinese-born Ke Ma studied at the Royal Academy of Music going on to play concerts across the world with a variety of orchestras. Norden Farm’s classical programmer Nigel Wilkinson
Jazz up your home Ke Ma’s return date said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Ke Ma back. “She is treating us to a wonderful programme too, with Chopin set of 24 Preludes – one of the defining works in the Romantic piano repertoire, and Ravel’s astonishing Gaspard de la Nuit, a display of keyboard wizardry almost without parallel.” The arts centre will stream the recital online for home viewing. � Tickets cost £15 per household and can be bought by logging on to norden.farm/ events.ke-ma-piano
Wokingham Loves Music
recorded, produced, played and sung by this talented young musician at her home in Wokingham during lockdown – www.katieellwood.com
Chris Hillman
The Lost Trades – Hummingbird
bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic
Recommended by photographer Andrew Merritt who saw this trio when they visited the area to play at The Acoustic Couch before lockdown – thelosttrades.com
E
VERYONE loves the king of rock n roll, and he makes an appearance at the top of this week’s soundtrack. Kind of. Elvis impersonator Ben Portsmouth isn’t wedded to the music of one of the greatest musicians of all time. He also writes his own material and it is this that appeared in the Wokingham Loves Music soundtrack this week. You can listen for FREE, via Spotify. There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic
Red Tape Resistance – Hollow This Bracknell-based band will be releasing new material very soon and while we wait for that, here’s their single from early last year – www.facebook.com/redtaperesistance
Rachel Redman – Against the Tide Rachel has played at Wokingham Festival and here’s her new single which she describes as ‘a reflective tale of dealing with life in lockdown and all the chaos and frustration that comes with it.’ www.facebook.com/ rachelredmanmusic
Ben Portsmouth – The Only One If you are an Elvis fan you’ll know local artist Ben as one of the best Elvis tribute artists around. He proved this by being the first nonAmerican to win the Official Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest. He also writes and records in his own name and here’s a track from his latest EP, Worth Fighting For, recorded at John Mitchell’s Outhouse Studio in Reading. It’s an uplifting slice of sing-along pop rock so, if Ben’s original music is new to you, that’s all right, just take the mystery train and surrender to this guitar man – www.facebook.com/ benportsmouthmusic
Kindred Spirit Band – No Smoke Without Fire Here’s a band that has graced the
SINGERS will be rocking out during a three-day virtual festival this weekend, writes Laura Scardarella. Taking place from Friday, CBeebies Katy Ashworth and TV Personality Gary Wilmot MBE will support the event, organised by Rock Choir, by leading performance workshops. Additional activities include vocal workshops, live performances, cook-alongs, baking and cocktail making. The weekend concludes with a performance of Queen’s new single You’re My Best Friend which will be sung by 80 professional vocalists and choir leaders. The event aims to entertain people and brighten up lockdown with all money raised going to Comic Relief. With more than 250 Rock Choirs across the UK, including one in Wokingham, the groups bring people who love to sing together and help form new friendships. Wokingham choir leader, Glen Harvey, said: “I am so excited to be involved in the Rock Choir weekend, we have so many fun activities planned, there is going to be something for all age groups. “My choir in the Wokingham area have been absolutely amazing and the support they have given each other and to me have been a constant inspiration.” � Tickets cost £15 per household and can be bought by logging on to rockchoir.com
READY TO ROCK: Ben Portsmouth stage at Wokingham Festival. Their inventive folk prog sound includes electric violin, flute and rhythms based around the haunting emotional melodies created by singer, songwriter and guitarist, Elaine Samuels. The band has built up a solid reputation with their album releases and live performances and late last year they released a series of digital singles taken from their albums. This track is from their latest album, Elemental – kindredspiritband.co.uk
Hoopy Frood – Round Shaped Hole
This Wokingham-based band have just released their third album called Affirmations. Have a listen to their ‘psy groove electro rock’ on this track from the album – www.hoopyfrood.co.uk
Alfie Griffin – Fi-Lo Some mellow grooves here from a Reading-based musician who has previously appeared live at Wokingham Festival – www.facebook.com/ alfiegriffinmusic
Katie Ellwood – The Only Thing A wonderful debut single written,
Third Lung – Falling Stone The band describe themselves as ‘emotive, evocative and enchanting’ and they recently streamed a live online performance from Generation Studio – www.facebook.com/ThirdLung
Milan Webb – It Never Snows in Spain The new solo single, mixed by Dean Nelson, from the man you’ll have seen as Carlos at Oye Santana shows at Wokingham Music Club – www.oyesantana.com
LEISURE | 29
30 | PROPERTY
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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PROPERTY | 31
The Flatman Partnership Multi-Award Winning Estate Agency he Flatman Partnership first opened its doors for trade in January 2006 with founding Partner Jamie Flatman at the helm. Shortly afterwards Jamie teamed up with Nick Barker who brought his inspiration and talent to bear, the rest as they say, is history. With a joint wealth of local contacts garnered from the previous 30 years in the property industry, the business rapidly blossomed and thrived. Today the Flatman Partnership is a progressive modern and diverse business with offices in Reading, Wokingham and Langley, an enviable client base and huge customer focus. The commitment to a high standard of ethics and core values remains at the heart of the firm.
Properties Available to Rent Cornwall Close £950 PCM – To Let
Ellison Way £900 PCM – To Let
� Semi Detached Pproperty � Woosehill Development � Two Bedrooms � Cul De Sac Location � Allocated Parking
� Split Level Maisonette � Wokingham Town Centre � Recently Refurbished � Refitted Kitchen & Bathroom � Communal Gardens
Recently Let Properties Chatsworth £1300 PCM – Recently Let
King Street £995 PCM – Recently Let
� Spacious Detached House � Three Double Bedooms � 29ft Lounge � Downstairs Cloakroom � Garage and Driveway Parking
� Newly Renovated � Delightful Terraced Cottage � Walking To Local Amenities � Easy Access To Winnersh Railway Station � Large Rear Garden
Woodhouse £1050 PCM – Recently Let
Elizabeth Court £900 PCM – Recently Let
� Temple Park Development � Mid Terrace House � Two Double Bedrooms � Gardens � Driveway Parking
� Two Double Bedroom Apartment � Walking To Wokingham Town Centre � Close by to Wokingham Mainline Station � Communal Gardens
More properties needed for registered tenants, call us now to discuss THE FLATMAN PARTNERSHIP WOKINGHAM: 0118 978 5478 READING: 0118 966 0055 LANGLEY: 0175 359 3888 www. flatmans.com t: @Flatmans
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32 | CLASSIFIEDS
Classifieds
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
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PUBLIC NOTICES
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (LOWER SANDHURST ROAD, FINCHAMPSTEAD) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (UPPER CULHAM LANE, REMENHAM HILL ) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 4th March 2021 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 4th March 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:
Lower Sandhurst Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with Dell Road and Wokingham Borough Boundary.
Upper Culham Lane, Remenham Hill between its junctions with A4130 White Hill and Kenton’s Lane.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Ambarrow Lane, A321 Wokingham Road, B3348 Wellingtonia Avenue, B3348 The Ridges, B3348 Jubilee Road, B3016 Longwater Road and Cricket Hill or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place on 18th March 2021. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Instalcom contractors to undertake the upgrade, exchange and removal of overhead lines and pole mounted transformers 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 18th March 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: 11th March 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4130 White Hill, A321 Wargrave Road and Kenton’s Lane, or by this route in reverse.
The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake new water connection work in safety.
The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application Address
Reasons for Advert
Description
210269
3 Walled Garden, Wargrave
Conservation Area
Householder application for proposed erection of a single storey rear extension to form habitable accommodation with the insertion of 5 no. rooflights, the erection of a new roof over existing porch, plus changes to fenestration.
210554
Site Of Former Sorbus House, Fishponds Road, Wokingham
Major Application
Application for the approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning consent 192852 for the erection of 38 dwellings to include one and two bedroom dwellings, landscaping, bike store and bin store. Details of Layout, Appearance, Landscaping and Scale to be determined.
210674
Tallis, Backsideans, Wargrave
Conservation Area
Householder application for the proposed erection of a first-floor side extension to enclose existing roof terrace, the proposed removal of 2 no. oriel windows and porch canopy roof, the erection of an external storage unit, the insertion of 6 no. rooflights, alterations to external elevations plus changes to fenestration.
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 15th March 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: 11th March 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 4th March 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: Sandford Lane, Woodley between its junctions with Mohawk Way and Colemansmoor Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robinhood Lane, A329 Reading Road, A3290 Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, The Bader Way and Mohawk Way, or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 15th March and 16th March 2021 between 19:00 and 06:00. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow T-Mobile contractors to accept delivery and install new telecommunications equipment 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 15th March 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 15th March and 19th March 2021.
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (SANDFORD LANE, WOODLEY) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021
Dated: 11th March 2021
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION
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 1st April 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: 11th March 2021
Please recycle me ! It’s good news for everyone
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (A329 LONDON ROAD, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. A329 London Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Seaford Road and A329 Peach Street. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Berkshire Way, Vigar Way, Peacock Lane, Old Wokingham Road, Easthampstead Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Rectory Road and A329 Wiltshire Road. 2. A329 London Road, Wokingham between its junctions with A329 Wiltshire Road and Seaford Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Peach Street, Easthampstead Road, Old Wokingham Road, Peacock Lane, Vigar Way and A329 Berkshire Way. Works requiring this restriction will take place on 29th March 2021 between 20:00 and 06:00. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow South East Water contractors to rectify consequential damage 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 29th March 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: 11th March 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
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CLASSIFIEDS | 33
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PUBLIC NOTICES WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 HEARING TO BE HELD AS A VIRTUAL EVENT OPENING ON WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH 2021 AT 10:00AM REASON FOR HEARING Appeal by Sheldon Seal relating to the application to Wokingham Borough Council for the material change of use of the land for storage of vehicles without planning permission at Model Farm, Barkham Ride, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4EX. An Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will hold a Hearing opening on the date shown above to decide the appeal. The Hearing will be held as a virtual event run by an Inspector in the normal way, but with the parties invited to join via Microsoft Teams or telephone. Documents relating to the appeal can be viewed on the Council website (201114). Anyone wishing to attend the Hearing must make that interest known to the Planning Inspectorate Case Officer as soon as possible prior to the Hearing, either by email or telephone after reading the Hearing Attendance Information set out below. When contacting the Case Officer, it would be helpful if you could confirm whether you want to take an active part in the proceedings or attend only as an observer (see below). Hearing Attendance Information Before deciding whether to take an active part in the Hearing, you need to think carefully about the points you wish to make. All written submissions from application and appeal stage will be taken into account by the Inspector. Re-stating the same points won’t add any additional weight to them. If you feel that taking part in the Hearing is right for you in whatever capacity, you can participate in a number of ways: To take part using video, participants will need to have access to Microsoft Teams (via an app or web browser). This link gives further information: https:// support.office.com/en-gb/teams. Alternatively you can take part by telephone. Calls would be to an 020 number which will incur charges: https://www.gov.uk/call-charges If you just wish to observe the event, you should make that clear in your response to the Case Officer. If you wish to take an active part in the proceedings, please make clear in your response whether you wish only to appear at the Hearing and make a statement or whether you would also wish to ask questions on particular topics. If you want to take an active part but feel unable to for any reason, and/or the points you want to make are not covered in the evidence of others, consider whether someone else could raise them on your behalf. Registered participants, in whatever capacity, will receive individual joining instructions, providing details of any requirements, guidance and support, whether joining by Teams or telephone. You should note that the event may be recorded by the Planning Inspectorate for training and quality assurance purposes.
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL NOTICE OF VARIATION – OFF-STREET PARKING CHARGES CALIFORNIA COUNTRY PARK CAR PARK & DINTON PASTURES CAR PARK. WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (VARIOUS OFF-STREET BOROUGH CAR PARKS) (CIVIL PARKING ENFORCEMENT) CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2017
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1. Wokingham Borough Council hereby gives NOTICE in exercise of its powers under section 35C of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Regulation 25 of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 that it is to vary the current car parking tariff for ‘Pay and Display’ off–street parking in to the Wokingham Borough Council (Various Off-Street Borough Car Parks) (Civil Parking Enforcement) Consolidation Order 2017, as amended and as set out in the attached table below.
Existing Charge
New Charge 1 hour
£1.50
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£1.65 Over 4 hours
£6.00
£6.60 Coach parking per day
£16.00 £17.60 Annual season ticket 6 month concessionary £56.00 £61.50 Annual season ticket 6 month standard £80.00 £88.00 Annual season ticket 12 month concessionary £112.00 £123.50 Annual season ticket 12 month standard £150.00 £165.50
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2. The above variation to charges will take effect on 1 April 2021. In all other respects, the provisions of the current (Off-Street Parking Places) Order 2017 will remain in force. 3. A copy of this notice may be viewed online at ‘https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/ roadworks-and-outdoor-maintenance/traffic-management-road-signs-and-markings/ traffic-regulation-order-consultations/’. Dated: 11th March 2021 Christine Traill, Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL.
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Planning Inspectorate Reference(s): APP/X0360/C/19/3223247, APP/X0360/C/19/3223248 & APP/X0360/C/ 19/3223249. Case Officer contact at the Planning Inspectorate: Opirim Agala Tel: 0303 444 5209. Email: TeamE3@planninginspectorate.gov.uk Dated: 11th March 2021
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Younger People with Dementia (Berkshire) CIO Trustee Opportunity as a Treasurer YPWD (Berkshire) CIO is a vibrant and successful local charity, operating across Berkshire. We were established in 2012 to fill a much-needed gap in provision for those with young onset dementia and their families and carers. We provide workshops and 1:1 support to those diagnosed with young onset dementia. In addition, we deliver an education course for those diagnosed, their families and carers. We also provide access to an Admiral Nurse and carer support groups, specifically aimed at the well-being of the carer. We would like to strengthen our Board of Trustees by recruiting a new Treasurer. We are looking to recruit a professional with bookkeeping or accountancy expertise, and someone who shares our vision to help make a significant difference to the lives of people living with young onset dementia. The role of Treasurer is an extremely important one and as a member of our Board you will have responsibility for overseeing the financial management of the organisation to ensure that it is legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice. This role is on a voluntary basis and you will be expected to attend six meetings each year, as well as our Annual Meeting, with an overall time commitment equivalent to approximately one day per month.
– all applications needed by 5pm on Friday 12 March 2021 – � For further information about the role please have a look at the role description on our website: http://ypwd.info/newsletter � To apply, please send an up-to-date CV with a covering letter to Mark Hainy via e-mail: mark.hainy@ypwd.info YPWD (Berkshire) CIO, First Floor, Unit 9 Indigo House, Fishponds Road, Wokingham, RG41 2GY W: www.ypwd.info T: 0118 207 2880 E: contact@ypwd.info Charity Number: 1171720
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34 | CLASSIFIEDS
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 11, 2021
PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT A. E001-21 – EXPERIMENTAL WIDTH RESTRICTION NO. 15 ARBORFIELD AND BYWAY 28 SWALLOWFIELD. WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (EXPERIMENTAL ORDER NO. 1) 2021
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT A. E002-21 – EXPERIMENTAL FORMALISATION OF MARKET PLACE AREA. B. E003-21 – EXPERIMENTAL AMENDMENT OF ‘THE ORDER OF 2017. WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL EXPERIMENTAL ORDER NO. 2, 2021 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL EXPERIMENTAL ORDER NO. 3, 2021
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority on 10 March 2021 made the above mentioned Order under Section 9 and Parts III and IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and of all other enabling powers.
1. Notice is hereby given that on 10 February 2021 Wokingham Borough Council, made the above named Orders pursuant to sections 9, 10 and Parts III and IV of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and all other enabling powers the Orders shall come into operation on 18 February 2021.
2. The effect of the experimental Order, which comes into operation on 18 March 2021, will be to prevent any vehicle with a maximum permissible width which exceeds 1.52 metres to proceed in those lengths of road specified in the Schedule of the Notice. Exemptions are provided in the Order for; access to land & properties, vehicles engaged agricultural activities, emergency services, authorities in pursuance of statutory powers and vehicles engaged in such building operations as maintenance, improvement or demolition. Full details of the exemptions are provided in the articles of the Order.
2. The effect of the Wokingham Borough Council Experimental Order No. 2, 2021: (a) revoked and re-enacted the Wokingham Borough Council (Market Place, Wokingham) (Prohibition of Driving, No Waiting At Any Time, No Loading or Unloading, Disabled Parking Place and One-Way Traffic) Order 2018; (b) added to the existing no entry on Market Place, exemptions for: emergency vehicles; vehicles displaying its vehicle registration mark, and by that mark appearing on a list of vehicles authorised by the Council; ridden cycles; vehicles displaying a TCP1 parking permit; or a WBMT parking permit; (c) formalised the operation of the: (i) ‘TCP1’ parking permit (without charge) [non-transferable to any registration without charge, and is subject to conditions imposed by the ‘Town Council’] for use within the parking place (mentioned below); (ii) ‘WBMT’ Market Trader parking permit [transferable to any registration without charge, and is subject to conditions imposed by ‘the Council’] for use by licenced traders within Market Place; (iii) provisions and restrictions as listed the Schedule to this Notice; (d) converted the part-time no loading restrictions on lengths of Broad Street and Peach Street to no loading at any time.
3. A copy of the experimental Order, plans and statement of reasons for making the Order may be viewed online at ‘https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/roadworks-andoutdoor-maintenance/traffic-management-road-signs-and-markings/trafficregulation-order-consultations/’. Documents will be available for viewing until the end of eighteen months from the date on which this Notice is published reference ‘E00121’.
3. The effect of the Wokingham Borough Council Experimental Order No. 3, 2021: amended the Wokingham Borough Council (Various Roads, Wokingham Borough) (Stopping, Waiting, Loading and Unloading Prohibitions and Restrictions, Parking Places and Resident Permit Parking Places) (Civil Parking Enforcement) (Consolidation) Order 2017, ‘the Order of 2017’ by: (a) converted the taxi ranks opposite No. 31 Broad Street to limited waiting parking places operating 8am – 6pm Mondays – Saturdays, 30 minutes maximum stay and with no return within 30 minutes; (b) converted a length of permit holders only parking on The Terrace, Wokingham, Zone W8, to shared use ‘permit holders only Monday to Friday 8a.m. to 6p.m or limited waiting 1 hour maximum stay and no return within 2 hours (for non-permit holders) Zone W8.
4. The Order provides that the Director of Place & Growth or a person authorised by that person, may, if it appears to Director of Place & Growth or that person essential in the interests of the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic or for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which any road affected by the Order runs, modify or suspend the Order or any provision thereof.
4. Both Orders converted lengths of part-time no loading restrictions on lengths of Rose Street to no loading at any time.
5. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Order or of any of its provisions on the grounds that it or they are not within the powers conferred by the 1984 Act, or that any requirement of the Act or of any instrument made under the Act has not been complied with, that person may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the Order is made, apply for the purpose to the High Court. 6. Within a period of 6 months beginning with the day on which the experimental Order came into force, or if that Order is varied by another order or modified pursuant to Section 10(2) of the Act, beginning with the day on which the variation or modification or the latest variation or modification came into force, any person may object to the making of an order for the purpose of such indefinite continuation. 7. Any objections to the experimental Order, together with the grounds on which they are made, should be sent in writing to the Traffic Management Team, Localities & Customers, PO Box 153, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WL or via email to ‘tm.consultations@wokingham.gov.uk’ quoting the relevant ‘E001-21’ reference above, by no later than 11 September 2021. Dated: 11th March 2021 Christine Traill, Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL.
5. A copy of the above named Orders, plans and statement of reasons for making the experimental Orders may be viewed online at ‘https:// www.wokingham.gov.uk/roadworks-and-outdoor-maintenance/traffic-management-road-signs-and-markings/traffic-regulation-orderconsultations/’. 6. The Orders provides that the Director of Place & Growth or a person authorised by that person, may, if it appears to Director of Place & Growth or that person essential in the interests of the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic or for preserving or improving the amenities of the area through which any road affected by the Orders runs, modify or suspend the Orders or any provision thereof. 7. If any person wishes to question the validity of the Order or of any of its provisions on the grounds that it or they are not within the powers conferred by the 1984 Act, or that any requirement of the Act or of any instrument made under the Act has not been complied with, that person may, within 6 weeks from the date on which the Order is made, apply for the purpose to the High Court. 8. Within a period of 6 months beginning with the day on which the experimental Orders came into force, or if that Order is varied by another order or modified pursuant to Section 10(2) of the Act, beginning with the day on which the variation or modification or the latest variation or modification came into force, any person may object to the making of an orders for the purpose of such indefinite continuation. 9. Any objections to the experimental Order, together with the grounds on which they are made, should be sent in writing to the Traffic Management Team, Localities & Customers, PO Box 153, Shute End, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1WL or via email to ‘tm.consultations@wokingham.gov.uk’ quoting the relevant ‘E002-21’ or ‘E003-21’ reference above, by no later than 11 September 2021. Dated: 11th March 2021 Christine Traill, Director Place & Growth, Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WL
Schedule Schedule
Byway No. 15 Arborfield between Castle Hill, Arborfield (Point A) and Poperinghe Way, Arborfield (Point B) or along Byway No. 28 Swallowfield between a point 21m north of the northern boundary line of Old Parsons Cottage, Church Lane, Farley Hill, Wokingham, RG7 1UY and its intersection with Byway No.15 Arborfield.
Local Services
Restricted Parking Zone Disabled persons’ parking places
No loading ‘at any time’ except in signed bays which includes Market Place on the: (a) north-westbound carriageway section; (b) south-westbound carriageway section; (c) southbound section. Operating ‘at any time’ on lengths of Market Place
Loading places
For goods carrying vehicles only operating ‘7am – 7pm on lengths of Market Place.
Taxi ranks
Operating ‘7pm – 7am’ on lengths of Market Place.
Permit holders only parking place
Operating ‘at any time’ opposite Nos. 3 - 5 Market Place, for a vehicle displaying a TCP1 parking place permit.
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CRICKET
BASKETBALL
CRICKET SIDES PREPARE FOR UPCOMING SEASON
ROCKETS RECOVER AFTER MIXED FORTUNES IN DOUBLE HEADER
CRICKET teams around the borough are planning their return to action for the start of the new season.
Last season was heavily impacted by the pandemic, resulting in a shortened campaign. Teams across the borough are now preparing for what they hope will be an uninterrupted season. Organisers from Thames Valley Cricket League are planning on a full fixture list for the upcoming season. Each division will comprise a maximum of 10 teams, with each side playing against each other twice, once at home and once away. Each team will play 18 league matches in their respective divisions, however the lowest division may have more or less than 10 teams. Several teams have organised friendly fixtures ahead of their respective league campaigns. Wokingham CC will take two teams to face Bashley’s 1st and 2nd XIs in a pair of friendly matches on Saturday, April 10. There is a local derby to kick-off the Thames Valley Cricket League Division 2B campaign when Finchampstead 2s host Wokingham 2s on the opening weekend of the season on Saturday, May 8. Emmbrook & Bearwood have been drawn to play against White
Waltham on April 25, before a second-round tie on May 9 in the Voneus Village Cup. Eversley’s first team will play their first friendly fixture on Saturday, April 10 when they take on Burbage & Easton Royal CC. The Bears’ season in the Chilterns Cricket League is then due to commence on Saturday, May 1 when they host Winchmore Hill CC in their first league match. � Finchampstead CC will also be paying tribute to club stalwart Valerie McDougall who sadly passed away at the age of 85 after being involved with the cricket club for several decades. As well as being the club’s senior scorer in the 1980’s and 1990’s, she was also secretary in 1987-88 and a vice-president.
Emmbrook & Bearwood CC Picture: Steve Smyth
HOCKEY
HOCKEY EXPECTED TO RETURN NEXT MONTH HOCKEY clubs are still waiting for official guidance upon the expected return to action in line with the Government’s latest roadmap update.
Organised outdoor sports will be permitted from March 29, however, clubs are still waiting to hear the details for outdoor team sport and facilities and expect that hockey action will not commence until April 12 at the earliest. A statement released by England Hockey reads: “The detailed guidance that will come from DCMS will outline what is permitted for outdoor team sports and facilities. “It is this information we require in order to create our hockey specific guidelines. “We do not expect to have sight of all the guidance for at least two more weeks. We recognise this makes it difficult to plan in detail for clubs and hockey organisers and therefore this update is aimed to give the best steer we can at this stage.” The statement released by England Hockey recognises that they do not expect hockey to
commence until after Easter. “At England Hockey we are very keen that hockey returns but in a way that recognises the gap there has been since we were last able to play,” it adds. “On this basis, we expect hockey to only be held within clubs or locally in the first instance and until at least April 12 in line with the wider government guidance.” However, it is expected that clubs will be able to return to club activity including training on March 29. “All the indications are that from March 29, club activity will be able to resume. “We absolutely do not recommend competitive matches in competitions or selection processes to take place in this early period of returning to ensure that things are fair for all involved.”
READING Rockets came out with a win and a loss after a demanding doubleheader weekend with games against Newcastle University and Solent Kestrels.
Just four weeks after playing them away was another challenge for Rockets against unbeaten Solent who stuck to the task to record another victory. The talented and deep Solent squad had shot out of the blocks taking the opening quarter by 35-16 as Rockets turned the ball over seven times to Solent’s two and were more successful in conversion rates of both field goals and treble shots. Sam Grant opened Rockets scoring with a spin move and O’Showen Williams drove to score early but an 11-0 Solent run dented Rockets’ hopes. Grant hit the first treble of the game from a great assist from Williams but Solent responded with three of their own. A Reis Pinnock treble coupled to a Williams finger roll and a Ben Dixon drive in a Rockets 7-0 run reduced the arrears but Solent’s sharpshooters and excellent inside guys took the period 35-16. A Williams assist to Grant enabled the 6ft 8in teenager to launch another treble but a Solent tip in and a treble were their responses as the gap widened. A Pinnock length of the court pass to Sam Toluwase was Rockets final score before the interval where Solent held a 55-28 advantage having dominated the paint by 28 points to Rockets ten and capitalising on Rockets turnovers with 24 points to just 5 from Rockets. Coach Keane was under no illusions as to the task for the remainder of the game and a 9-4 run at the start of the third period encouraged the hosts before a buzzer beater finish from Solent stopped Rockets advances. Rockets’ youngest player Ronnie Oguekwe was introduced to the game and made an immediate impression as he hit six points, took down six rebounds and made an assist. Another Academy youngster Jacob Stanuel-Taitte hit a treble to show the impressive resources at the John Madejski Academy for a source of talent for the future.
An Oguekwe offensive rebound and score lit up the youngster before a Dixon steal and assist to Oguekwe saw Rockets take the final quarter 18-12 and draw the second half 40 points each lifting the team before Sunday’s home game. Rockets shot out of the blocks with a 19-9 early run as Pinnock lit up the opening exchanges with a pair of assists to Williams and Dixon respectively as well as tipping a Newcastle offense pass out of play. Grant and Dixon gave dishes to Williams who hit a brace of trebles extending Rockets advantage before a 21-8 Newcastle run saw the teams tied on 30 at the first break. Newcastle capitalised on their first possession of the second quarter to take the lead for the first time which they extended to 39- 34 as Rockets missed with a few chances. The 15-minute break was very welcome to the hosts having played unbeaten Solent just 19 hours before.
Rebounding was key to their defensive strategy coupled to matching the sharp shooters in the Newcastle team as Rockets drained three trebles whilst reducing Newcastle to none. Toluwase hit a treble before taking down an offensive rebound to add to his personal tally as Rockets most improved teenager this season, Sam Grant, scored inside, rebounded exceptionally and caused Newcastle problems. Bains was quick thinking with an inbound to Pinnock who drove into the paint hard to finish moments before dishing a pass to Dixon to stroke another treble. Grant took down an offensive rebound to score but with both teams in foul trouble, Newcastle reduced Rockets advantage to just two at 88-86. Grant played a key part i as he gave an assist to Williams, took down a pair of defensive rebounds and hit three from four from the free-throw line as Rockets great team performance took them to a deserved victory.
RUGBY UNION
RAMS OFFER COACHING TO ASPIRING PLAYERS By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today ASPIRING young rugby players are being offered the chance to gain specialist coaching as Rams RFC look to further progress their Academy at Forest School.
Any current Under 16s who are due to move into Sixth Form in September will be given an opportunity to have a rugby lifestyle with professional coaches
alongside outstanding academic and pastoral tutors, thanks to the partnership. Rams’ Director of Coaching, Mike Tewkesbury, explained it is a mutually beneficial relationship for both the school and the club. He said: “We had a great first year with the Under 18s at Forest being Berkshire Cup champions and we were very much looking forward to carrying on before everything
happened with the pandemic. “One thing we identified with the school was at the moment we are very reliant on the students coming through the school and the talent will be stronger in some years than others. “If there are talented players looking to progress their rugby alongside their studies this could work for them and would make things more consistent. “We’re looking for anyone
across Berkshire and the Thames Valley and even further afield and you never know, there might be the next Johnny Williams out there. He added: “We have had considerable success by building links with Reading University and Berkshire Under 20s – a high number of senior players have come from his pathway and we want to expand this further.”
36 | SPORT
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FOOTBALL
HUNT FOR NEW COACHES
WOKINGHAM District Primary Schools FA are on the lookout for new coaches to help continue the development of the best football hopefuls throughout across the borough.
Wokingham District is a representative team made of all the schools in Wokingham Borough, with 12 boys and 12 girls selected to play for respective teams. There are 40 schools in the Wokingham Schools FA, and they are invited to send their best players to trials each year before a squad is selected to represent Wokingham District. The team has enjoyed great success since being reestablished just seven years ago. “This is our seventh season since re-establishing the district side and during that time we have won the national championship,” said Wokingham District manager Stuart Bevan. “The team has been very successful and we are keen to make sure we can continue this provision for children going forward. “District football is reliant
of volunteers giving up their time. “A lot of the boys we are coaching are in academies and some of them through playing for the district is a platform for them to be seen by scouts and a number of them have been invited to trials and signed as a result. “The season this year has obviously been hit by the pandemic. It will restart on the first weekend of April, we’re also in the national cup and the southern counties league cup so there is a lot for us to play for. “There is a lot of talent in Wokingham we just need to provide them with the opportunity to play against the best players across the whole of England and that’s what District does.” Both the boys and girls teams have had brilliant success in recent seasons with the boys side winning the ESFA Premier League National District Cup in the 2017/18, while the girls team reached the National District
Cup Final in 2018/19, in their first ever season. “In our short time we have won nearly everything there is to win,” continued Stuart. “We’ve won the Southern Counties Cup, the Shires Cup, National Cup, Southern Counties League and the Surrey League. “In the last couple of years we have also started a girls team and in their first year
they reached the national final. “There’s a full programme every Saturday of league and cup fixtures and we train once a week. “We want people to jump on board, it’s an exciting opportunity to coach the best players in Wokingham at that age group. “Personally for me it has been a pathway into professional football as I now work for Chelsea as professional scout so from working in district football it can open doors for both the coaches and the kids. “We are after enthusiastic coaches ideally with some qualifications but we are willing to help them with that.” � For more details, email sibevan@gmail.com or log on to www.wokinghamdistrict. weebly.com
PREVIEW
ROYALS LOOK TO CEMENT PLAY-OFF POSITION
THE Royals are looking to make it four wins on the bounce when they travel away to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Reading made it three wins in a row with a comprehensive win over Sheffield Wednesday to keep them in fifth place in the Championship table. The race for the play-off places is hotting up with several sides competing for a place in the top-six, including sixth-placed Barnsley who can move level on points with Reading if they win their game in hand on Wednesday night against Derby County. Bournemouth, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough all follow closely behind with just 11 matches left in the 2020/21 campaign. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have been involved in a battle at the other end of the table as they look to steer themselves further clear of the relegation places. After a disastrous start to the season, Forest dismissed Sabri Lamouchi from his position as manager after their form had continued to slip after a disappointing end to the previous campaign saw them miss out on the play-off places. Chris Hughton entered the Forest hotseat in October and has helped to
push Forest up the table and away from the danger of the relegation places. Hughton’s team are currently in 17th position, eight points clear of the drop zone but will still be wary due to 22nd Rotherham United still having three games in hand to play. The Royals picked up all three points when the teams met at the Madejski Stadium in December. The fixture was also a momentous occasion as it saw the return of 2,000 fans who were able to attend the Madejski Stadium for the first time in nine months. Forest played the majority of the match with 10 players after Ryan Yates received an early red card for handling the ball on the line, which led to Lucas João giving Reading the lead from the penalty spot. Michael Morrison then added a second to ensure Reading would take the victory. Reading boss Veljko Paunović is hoping to have some of his absentees back in contention for the match on Saturday. “Ovie Ejaria had discomfort in his hamstring after the Blackburn win,” said Paunović. “A scan showed a minor soft tissue injury so we are expecting him back in
training this week and available for Forest. “Yakou Méïté and Lewis Gibson are in their final stages so they will join the team this week and we will see if they are available for Saturday. “We also expect Andy Rinomhota to recover well so we will see. He’s at the same stage as Ejaria - he is recovering very well.”
FOOTBALL
AFC READING PLAYERS LOOK FORWARD TO RETURN TO ACTION PLAYERS at AFC Reading Miami Belles have been giving their thoughts on the impact of lockdown for local football players as they look ahead to a return to action.
The under 14 girls team, based in Woodley, compete in Division One of the Berkshire County Girls Football League. AFC Reading managed to play four fixtures before the league season was halted due to lockdown. They have had a superb start to the 2020/21 season which has seen them win three and draw one of their four games to put them joint top of the table. Captain of the team, Isabella Jones, said: “At first it seemed quite nice to have a little break, but little did we know it would turn into months of being stuck inside. “Its been quite different and hard to get used to the fact that there isn't any upcoming training sessions and matches, not seeing the coaches and teammates with all the jokes and laughter we have. “It's something that I don’t want to have to get used to.Now all we can do is wait for the go ahead which is hopefully not too far from now.” Teammate Izzy Jeffries said: “During lockdown I have found it hard not being able to play football and train, especially when we were doing so well in the league.
FOOTBALL
THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE VOTE TO EXTEND SEASON THE Thames Valley Football League confirmed on Tuesday evening that their league season will resume on Saturday, April 10.
Alfa Semedo against Nottingham Forest in December Picture: Steve Smyth
“Not seeing my friends has been difficult as I like to socialise rather than be stuck indoors. “When football finally returns, I am looking forward to playing matches again with a team full of my friends and seeing them at training and school. “Lockdown has shown me that if people work together, things can get better. Another teammate, Abigail Mann added: “Over lockdown I have found it hard not being able to train and play matches with the team. “The only way of communicating with them was on our players Whatsapp group. In my opinion, during this lockdown I have found it harder to motivate myself to get out and exercise mainly due to the weather. “Going back, I am really looking forward to starting training with my team and playing matches against other teams seeing as we were doing very well this season.” The team, like many others of clubs across the borough, are waiting to hear news of when they will be able to return to competitive action after the latest government roadmap confirmed that team sports and training would permitted from March 29. Any players that are interested in joining AFC Reading Miami Belles can contact alan@afcreading.com and ethan@afcreading.com
The decision was made after a vote at a special general meeting that confirmed the decision to extend the season and try to complete the 2020/21 campaign. If the league season can not be completed, it is understood the the table will be decided the ‘points per game’ system. Finchampstead FC currently lead the way in the Thames Valley Premier Division after seven games, while Berks County are unbeaten with a 100% winning record from the four league games they have played this season. Wargrave also lead Thames
Valley Division One with three wins from their opening three fixtures. The Bracknell & District Sunday Football League postponed the remainder of the season across their five divisions. There are plans in place to continue both senior and junior cup competitions once football can commence at the end of the month. It is not expected that the Combined Counties League, where Eversley & California compete, will continue their season however a decision is yet to be confirmed. The Boars’ season may not be over as there may be plans to run a cup style competition. The Hellenic League clubs are set to vote after the league proposed the idea of a cup competition.
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
SPORT | 37
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WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
ROYALS ROCKED BY ROBINS IN FIVE-GOAL THRILLER BRISTOL CITY WOMEN 3 READING WOMEN 2
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING Women fell to a disappointing defeat at Ashton Gate as Bristol City took the points in a five-goal thriller to lift them off the bottom of the Women’s Super League.
Ebony Salmon scored the all-important winner as she raced through the Royals defence on the counter to guide Bristol to just their second league win of the season. Emma Harries opened the scoring with her first senior goal, before Bristol levelled before the break through Charlie Wellings. The home side went in front from Jemma Purfield’s looping shot but a sensational strike from Rachel Rowe levelled the game in the 73rd minute. But just five minutes later, Salmon struck the winner just five minutes later to gift Bristol the win in front of the BT Sport cameras on International Women’s Day. The Royals stay in sixth position in the table after their fifth defeat of the campaign. It was a lively start to the match as the pacey Ebony Salmon looked to break in behind the Reading defence, but Royals’ goalkeeper Grace Moloney was quick to race off her line and smother the ball as she clattered into the Bristol striker. Reading created their first chance of the game when the skipper Tash Harding got down the right-wing and found Emma Harries in the middle. She took the ball down neatly with her chest and swiveled but blasted her shot over the target. There was danger for Reading when Yana Daniels was allowed far too much room to stride into the box, and there were appeals for a penalty after she threw herself to the ground
under a challenge from Rachel Rowe, but the referee took no interest and allowed the game to continue. A defensive calamity resulted in the first goal of the game in the 13th minute as a mix-up at the back cost Bristol. Baggeley came out of her goal to collect, while two Bristol defenders both challenged for the same ball which led to a ricochet that fell to Harding. She put the ball into the path of Emma Harries who poked the ball in from close range to score her first goal in the Women’s Super League. Reading grew in confidence after taking the lead as two chances came the way of Danielle Carter in quick succession. Just over 10 minutes after going behind, Bristol levelled the game a Wellings netted her first goal of the season. Salmon sliced open the Royals defence with a through ball that Wellings raced onto and slotted the ball through the legs of Moloney and into the net to equalise. Rowe continued to burst forward and help out in attack and her cross set up Harding at the back post, but she couldn’t control the bouncing ball as she lifted her shot over the top. Rowe was then at the heart of another promising move as she moved forward with purpose and found Harries in the middle, but Aimee Palmer threw her body in the way of the Reading striker’s shot to make a crucial block. Carter thought she had restored Reading’s lead in the 37th minute only to be denied by the offside flag. Reading dominated the ball for the opening 10 minutes of the second-half but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Bristol then forced Moloney into action as Daniels cut onto her toot foot and lashed a shot towards goal just inside the box which was tipped behind for a corner by the Royals
shot-stopper. After a frantic start to the second-half, it was Bristol who took the lead just before the hour mark. The ball fell for Purfield out wide on the right in the box and she looped an effort which caught out Moloney and sailed over her head to put the hosts in front. Just moments after going behind, substitute Eikeland had a superb opportunity to put Reading level when Cooper lofted the ball to the Norwegian forward who scuffed her shot into the side netting from just six yards out. After applying the pressure, Reading found an equaliser in the 73rd minute of the match. Williams spotted the run of Rowe and played a brilliant through ball that found the Welsh international who took a perfect first touch before smashing the ball high into the roof of the net to give the Bristol keeper no chance of making a save. But the scoring wasn’t done there as Salmon gave the hosts the lead for the second time. Abi Harrison played a delightful long through ball to find the run of Salmon who took an exquisite first-touch to take the ball into the box before she dispatched the ball into the far corner. There was more disappointment for Reading when Rowe was given her marching orders in stoppage time as she was sent off for picking up her second yellow of the game. Reading searched desperately to rescue a result as they attacked in numbers in the closing stages of the game but to no avail as they fell to defeat. BRISTOL CITY WOMEN: Baggaley, Bryson, Evans (c), Rafferty, Pike, Humphrey, Salmon, Daniels, Wellings, Palmer, Purfield SUBS: Haaland, Bissell, Collis, Cook, Harrison, Mastrantonio, Jones READING WOMEN: Moloney, Mitchell, Cooper, Bartrip, Harding (c), James, Williams, Rowe, Harries, Bruton, Carter SUBS: Nayler, Leine, Roberts, Woodham, Childerhouse, Flores, Fishlock, Jeon, Eikeland GOALS: Harries 13′, Wellings 24′, Purfield 58′, Rowe 73′, Salmon 78′
WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE
PREVIEW: CHAMBERS DEMANDS CONSISTENCY FROM READING By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING Women manager Kelly Chambers called for consistency after the Royals were beaten by Bristol City who were bottom of the Women’s Super League prior to kick-off.
“The performance simply wasn’t there,” said a disappointed Chambers after Reading’s run of three games without defeat in the league was put to an end. “It’s the performance that I’m not happy with. “We knew Bristol’s threats going into the game and for some reason, we just didn’t do what
we were supposed to and it cost us the game.” Despite the negatives, Chambers was full of praise for Reading striker Emma Harries, who bagged her first senior goal for the club at just 18. “Credit to Emma. We’ve had her since the age of eight and to see her come into the first-team set up, perform, get those chances and ultimately score her first senior goal is fantastic. Chambers now has her sights set firmly on the next match when Reading host Tottenham Hotspur Women at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday. “We have Tottenham on Sunday, which is quite
a quick turnaround for us. “I know I get a reaction from the team following a loss. I always do. “But we can’t keep doing this and having a reaction, we have to have consistency with these games. “We performed against Arsenal and Man City and we beat Man United. “To do what we did against teams like that, you also have to be beating teams that are sat at the bottom of the table.” Meanwhile, Sunday’s opponents at the Madejski Stadium, have also endured a difficult season and are currently in eight place in the division after 14 games. Spurs have managed to collect
just three wins from their 14 matches this campaign, with just a four-point gap separating them from the relegation zone. The game ended in a stalemate when the teams met earlier in the season in November. Brooke Chaplen put the Royals in front but had to share the points after Ashleigh Neville’s equaliser. Tottenham are on a poor run of form which has seen them lose four consecutive league matches to put them in the midst of a relegation battle. They suffered a costly defeat in their last league game against Brighton & Hove Albion Women on Sunday in a 2-0 defeat.
From the middle Dick SawdonSmith
INTERNATIONAL FA BOARD – IS IT THE SAME AS FIFA?
L
AST Thursday saw the 135th annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board, held this year in Wales. What is the IFAB and what does it do? These are other questions I get asked, so let me indulge in a little history. Most people know that in 1863, a number of expublic schoolboys met in a tavern in London. They played for different football clubs, who all had their own rules. The day ended with the formation of the FA. It took another six meetings before agreement of a set of rules to which all the clubs would play. The word spread with all clubs in the country wanting to play competitive football, joined the FA, This covered only England whilst football was also played in Scotland, Ireland and Wales to differing rules. So in 1883 the International Football Association Board was formed with the sole purpose of agreeing the rules to be played by the clubs in the four home nations. Each country was to have one vote in any proposed changes. This meant it was now possible for international matches to take place. But football spread worldwide, greatly due to expublic schoolboys who went to work or live overseas. Their clubs too formed national, even continental associations or federations which in turn became members of FIFA, the Federation of International Football Associations, established in 1904. When FIFA joined IFAB in 1913 this meant that clubs all over the world, from the local village rec to the World Cup, would play to the same rules now called laws. The home nations still retained their one vote each but FIFA has four. All changes to the Laws have to have at least six to two votes in favour, so FIFA could block any changes if it wished. The IFAB has two committees to help its work, the technical committee, which is manned by ex-referees from across the world. David Elleray, former Premier League referee is the director. Alongside is the football committee consisting of world-wide ex-footballer or officials. For example, representing Trinidad and Tobago was Shaka Hislop, one of Reading FC’s most popular former goalkeepers.
38 | SPORT
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SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
How they rated STAR PLAYER Michael Olise
ROYALS PUNISH READING 3
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0
RAFAEL CABRAL Didn’t have much to do as Wednesday’s attacking threat was nullified after going down to 10. Now has 16 Championship clean sheets this season.
ANDY YIADOM Provided an important attacking threat on the right and got the assist for the second goal. Scored his first goal of the season with a nice low drive for the third goal.
LIAM MOORE Covered well defensively to help earn another clean sheet. Picked up a booking in the first-half for a rash tackle on the edge of the box that could have led to a goal.
TOM HOLMES Defended well and came close to scoring his first Reading goal. Made a vital interception in the first-half to prevent Bannan from having a free header.
OMAR RICHARDS As usual contributed going forward and helped Reading to dominate the game in the second half.
TOM MCINTYRE Deployed in a different role in front of the back four. Adapted well, was neat and tidy on the ball and played some progressive passes to get Reading forward in attack.
JOSH LAURENT Another accomplished display in the middle. He’s been one of the most consistent performers all season and has proved to be a shrewd signing.
ALFA SEMEDO Worked really hard on and off the ball. Won plenty of tackles and got forward when he could. An impressive shift.
MICHAEL OLISE Tucked away the penalty confidently to net his fifth league goal of the season. Showed his creative influence throughout and played a pivotal role in the second goal. A man of the match display, certainly not for the first time and probably not the last, from the young Frenchman.
GEORGE PUSCAS Has made a big impact since coming back into the team. Linked up nicely with Joao throughout and his alert play led to the red card and penalty.
LUCAS JOAO Found his goal to wrap up the game in the 65th minute with his 18th Championship goal of the season.
6 9 7 7 7 7 7 8 9 8 7
By ANDY PRESTON at the Madejski Stadium apreston@wokingham.today READING kept their hunt to finish in the top-six on track after goals from Michael Olise, Lucas João and Andy Yiadom saw them cruise past Sheffield Wednesday.
George Puscas’ tenacious work won Reading a penalty when he was bundled to the ground which led to a red card for Julian Borner. Olise converted from the spot and Reading deservedly extended their lead in the 65th minute through former Wednesday player João. Yiadom wrapped up the three points with a third late in the game. The win keeps Reading in fifth in the Championship and opens up a four-point gap on seventh-placed AFC Bournemouth. “The most important thing is the team did well,” said Veljko Paunović. “We started well and controlled the game. We were good in our repress when we lost the ball. We had a turnover and a run in the box from Puscas with the penalty and red card. “From that moment, we kept playing our football. It’s not easy to play against a team with 10 players who know how to sit back and defend and build for the counter attack. “We had to do our job and be patient. We didn’t allow them to counter quickly. We defended our half very good and that helped us to build momentum in the second half.” Paunović was forced to make two changes from the side that beat Blackburn Rovers in midweek as both Michael Morrison and Ovie Ejaria missed out through injury. Neither Andy Rinomhota nor Yakou Méïté were made available as they both recover from injury, while Tom Holmes and Tom McIntyre came into the side as the Royals lined up with a formation change with five at the back. There was no early momentum for the sides after a stoppage in play which saw Wednesday’s Sam Hutchinson treated for an injury. The Royals showed some attacking intent when George Puscas flicked the ball delicately to his strike partner Lucas João, who played the ball back for Alfa Semedo to strike a powerful shot but was thwarted by a block which brought the first corner of the game. Tom Holmes had to make a vital interception to head behind for a corner after Osaze Urhoghide’s cross looked ideal for Barry Bannan to meet at the back post had it not
Andy Yiadom netted the third goal of the game as Reading cruised to a comfortable three points against Sheffield Wednesay at the Madejski
George Puscas takes a strike at goal under pressure
been for the alert defending of Holmes. Wednesday then rattled the crossbar from a corner when Tom Lees’ header grazed the top of the bar much to Reading’s relief. The host began to gain control in the contest when Andy Yiadom found João who superbly dummied the ball to run through to Pușcaș who hit a first-timed effort that was comfortably saved by Joe Wildsmith. The game took a dramatic twist in the 29th minute to swing in favour of the Royals when the Owls gave away a penalty and were reduced to 10 men. Pușcaș anticipated a loose pass in the Wednesday half and latched onto the ball, he made his way into the box one-on-one with the keeper, but was cynically taken down by Julian Borner, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot and send the defender off after preventing a goal scoring opportunity. Michael Olise was trusted with penalty duty after top scorer João had already missed three spot-kicks this season. The young Frenchman sent the
keeper the wrong way and tucked the ball neatly into the left corner to score his fifth Championship goal of the season. Reading continued to look dangerous and tried to make advantage of the situation after Wednesday’s red card. Puscas looked to link up with his strike partner but slightly overhit his pass to Joao as the keeper collected. A rash tackle from Liam Moore saw the Reading skipper pick up a
Match stats READING: Rafael, Richards, Moore (c), McIntyre, Yiadom, Holmes, Laurent, Semedo, Olise, Puscas, Joao SUBS: Southwood, Esteves, Dorsett, Tetek, East, Aluko, Camara, Azeez, Baldock SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Wildsmith, Palmer, Lees, Borner, Urhodhide, Harris, Hutchinson, Bannan, Shaw, Windass, Paterson SUBS: Jackson, Dunkley, Penney, Pelupessy, Brown, Reach, Kachunga, Marriott, Rhodes GOALS: Olise 30′ (pen), Lucas João 65’, Yiadom 88’
Yiadom celebrates after scoring h
yellow card and give away a freekick on the edge of the box. But the Owls squandered a big chance to test Rafael Cabral as Josh Windass smacked his free-kick into his teammate Callum Paterson. Another strong piece of hold-up play from Pușcaș brought Olise into the play as he found his run but the Frenchman blasted an effort over the top. The Royals applied early pressure in the second-half and it almost got worse for Wednesday when Urhoghide nearly diverted a cross into his own net. The resulting corner then saw João try a brilliant flick at the near post that clipped the frame of the goal. Another chance fell the way of João after Olise found him with a cross but he volleyed wide of the target. Holmes came inches away from bagging his first goal for the Royals when he found himself free in the box but dragged his shot just wide of the far post. Reading kept searching for a second and again came close when Olise put an inviting ball into the box which was diverted over the
Thursday, March 11, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
SPORT | 39
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10-MAN OWLS
From The Tilehurst End Adam Jones
Moore steps up for Royals
C
i Stadium Pictures: Steve Smyth
his first goal of the season
the top by a Wednesday defender for a corner. The Royals were finally rewarded with a second goal in the 65th minute when João converted against his former club. Olise did brilliantly to work some space and find Yiadom wide right in
the box and the full-back pulled the ball back for João who placed the ball into the corner to notch his 18th Championship goal of the season. After finding the net, João was immediately taken off and replaced by Sone Aluko.
Lucas João is beaten to the ball by the keeper
The Royals then added a third goal late in the game as Yiadom drove forward and drove the ball into the bottom corner to score his first goal of the campaign. Reading cruised to a comfortable victory with their 16th clean sheet of the season to move four points
Michael Olise slides in to win the ball
clear of Bournemouth in seventh and stay three clear of sixth-placed Barnsley, who have a game in hand to play. The Royals have two consecutive away games on the horizon, starting with an away trip to Nottingham Forest next Saturday.
LUB CAPTAIN Liam Moore seems like a completely different man in this campaign. After a magnificent first season at the club when the Royals were just a few spot kicks away from the Premier League, the former Leicester City centre-half became part of a side who loomed dangerously close to the relegation zone for three consecutive campaigns. Although everyone had to take their fair share of the responsibility for this decline, Moore would have been especially disappointed after putting in such a good shift during the play-off season. But there are two things we could never doubt about him. Firstly, the guy is a leader. Even before he became captain, you could tell he had all the qualities needed to be a great skipper. One of my friends who was lucky enough to go to the home game against Nottingham Forest, earlier on in the season, even pointed out how vocal Moore was throughout that match. Secondly, those of us who have listened to his interviews in the past and his podcast with Ady Williams not so long ago know how impressive he is when he speaks. Right from the start until the very end of the BBC Sounds podcast, his passion for football and Reading Football Club specifically was blindingly obvious. Even when he was asked a difficult question about submitting a transfer request back in August 2018, the captain spoke candidly and provided an impressive amount of transparency about the situation. So, the following is clear: Moore can talk the talk – but could he walk the walk? In his first season at the club, he certainly did. But in the second half of last season, something was clearly bothering him behind the scenes. It has now emerged the club were ready to sell him around that time and he was therefore preparing himself for a move. Under Veljko Paunović, the 28-year-old has been given a new lease of life and helped the Royals concede just one goal in their first seven league games of this season. Despite picking up a couple of frustrating injuries after that, Moore has had a similar impact recently. However, he still started the following three games and in that time, the Royals have managed to turn things around. In those four games, just one goal has been conceded in over 360 minutes of Championship football, the team has kept three clean sheets and despite the absence of Morrison, Reading have been solid. Let us not underestimate the task Moore had in rallying his troops after that defeat at Adams Park to Wycombe. There were even reports players were crying in the changing room after the game – but Moore has seemingly been able to overcome that adversity and lead by example. The Berkshire side have won three games on the bounce since that awful defeat and it just shows the mental strength this side has in this campaign. To be fair to him, the captain has inevitably played a huge role in that and overcome many challenges during his time at the club to step it up massively this season. Long may it continue, because he could play a key part for the remainder of the 2020/21 campaign.
WOKINGHAMSPORTYOUR GUIDE TO ALL THE ACTION
RED FOR ROWE AS CITY STUN WOMEN
ROCKETS WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
CLUBS HOPE FOR CUP ACTION
READING ROCKETS had a hectic double-header weekend with mixed results.
FOOTBALL teams across the borough are waiting to hear whether they will be able compete in matches again before the end of the season.
Despite a return to league action being unlikely for football steps 3-6, teams may be able to compete in their respective leagues in a cup style competition. � Full report on page 36
Rockets suffered a defeat on Saturday against the long unbeaten Solent Kestrels who continued their dominance on
the division. However, the Rockets recovered from that setback a day later as they recorded victory at the John Madejski Academy over Newcastle University. The busy fixture scheudle continues for
Alan Kean’s team as they prepare for another upcoming double header weekend away at Barking Abbey Lions before they host Loughborough Riders at the John Madejski Academy. � Match reports on page 35
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING WOMEN had a night to forget on International Women’s Day as they were beaten at Bristol City.
To add to the team’s woes, Rachel Rowe was sent off towards the end for a second yellow card. It was the Royals’ first red in all senior competitions this season. Showcased live on BT Sport, the Royals were involved in a high scoring game with plenty of drama – but came out on the losing side to continue what has been an inconsistent season.
PLAY-OFF PUSH CONTINUES
� Match report on page 37
SLING FOR THE ROYALS By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today READING manager Veljko Paunović was seen sporting a sling on the touchline on Saturday, but there were no signs of hurt for Reading who continued their surge to finish in the Championship top-six.
The Royals boss suffered damage to his ligaments after falling on his shoulder during training, but was delighted to see his die continue their momentum after they cruised to victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. “The most important thing is the team did well,” said Paunović.
“In one of our sessions, I got involved and fell awkwardly and injured my left shoulder. It’s starting to settle now, these things happen. “It’s not easy to play against a team with 10 players who know how to sit back and defend and build for the counter attack. “We had to do our job and be patient.” The Serbian boss is hoping his team to continue their winning run when they face an away trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. “We have a team that is hungry to win and hungry to prove themselves to the world,” he continued. “We keep that group on the same path. There is still room for improvement.” � Match report on page 38
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INJURED PAUNOVIĆ SEES SQUAD CRUISE TO VICTORY OVER OWLS