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BRILLIANTLEISURETODAY PAPERS IN ONE SPO
30.03.22
Your guide to what’s on
PACKED WITH NEWS, WHAT’S ON AND SPORT
SPORT NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US TODAY
across Reading and Wok ingham
READING
23.03.22
SOUTH BERKS 3S: CHAMPIONS
BOARS CELEBRATE FUN IN THE SUN
KESTRELS KEEP A CLEAN SHEET
ILS SHARED IN DERBY CLASH POINT EACH FOR SUMAS & CITY
ROCKETS
FIRE UP FOR COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
UPDATED DAILY AT WWW.WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Leaders clash over Laurel Park 3G pitch proposals
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
THE POINTS were shared after Wokingham & Emmbroo k and Reading City couldn’t be separated in a local clash.
The visitors, Reading City, came into the game with more points on the board and above Sumas in the table, however the it was
S
HE is a musical legend, one of the best songwriters around , and going to be bringing a touch she’s York to Reading this summe of New
r. Suzanne Vega needs little introduction, and is heading to The Hexagon for a special summer headline show.
has released An Evening Of New York Songs and Stories, a celebration of the city that never sleeps. “I recorded these songs at the Café Carlyle in New York City,” she says. “It’s a small, exclusive club that has hosted legends from Eartha Kitt to Judy Collins, and is
Viva la Vega! also known to be the place where Jackie Kennedy met Audrey Hepburn. “I love it for its bohemian old-world glamour.” She adds: “I included songs that were inspired by New York City or for which New York provided the backdrop, including Walk on the Wild Side by my late, great friend, Lou Reed — a song I rarely
heard him sing himself.” The album was recorded in those prelockdown days, and includes old favourites such as Luka, Tom’s Diner, Frank and Ava, and Ludlow Street. Suzanne is one of those artists that need little introduction.
Wokingham who claimed maximum points with a 3-2 victory when the teams met at the Rivermoo r Stadium. Simon Johnson’s team took a onegoal lead into half-time courtesy of Dan Davies’ volley. Jack Mullan ensured the game was levelled from the penalty but the Cityzens reclaimed spot, their lead when Davies went down in the box,
and the referee awarded the second spot-kick of the match. Josh Baines took responsib ility and scored to put Reading in front again. The scoring wasn’t done and the Sumas made sure that they added a point to their tally by finding second equaliser in the game a when Toby Raggett scored. The Sumas are still in the midst of
a relegation battle where they have a three point lead over Holyport and a four point advantage and a game in hand over bottom side CB Hounslow United. City sit comfortably in midtable in ninth with 37 points from 30 games, while both teams have four games left.
n Full football round-up on pages 20 & 21
ONE LAST TIME AT RIVERMEAD
READING ROCKETS earned victory in their final match at the Rivermead Leisure Centre by scoring 101 points against Team Newcastle University. The Sunday afternoon fixture was the Rockets’ final game at Rivermead after 25 years of playing there. With the Rockets already poised to face the first-seed Team Solent Kestrels in the playoffs, this matchup offered Reading a chance to continue their strong form and build momentum ahead of the postseason. It was a chance that they took with style, putting on a great in front of a lively Rivermea show d crowd and earning a command ing 101-82 victory. Yet another thrilling dunk Cartaino, assisted by Meshack,by continued the Rockets’ strong inside scoring. Jaz Bains and Meshack both scored inside through cuts to the basket and free throws and the Rockets went into the final three minutes with a 14-point advantage. The Rockets capped off a dominant display with a pair of Toluwase dunks in the dying minutes. Reis Pinnock got himself one last layup with the last play, earning himself a triple-dou ble and pushing the Rockets to triple-digi t scoring to give Rivermea d a memorable send-off.
She was a leading figure in the folk revival in the early 1980s, before going to perform at sellout concerts all over the world. More recently, she was in the cast of the Off-Broadway production of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Now she’s preparing for a Reading date, which will take place at The Hexagon on Friday, June 24. Tickets have just gone on sale, and cost £34.50 or £39.50. A maximum of six tickets per order, and they must not be resold. n For more details, or to book, log on to www. whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
Thursday, March 31, 2022
No. 357 90p
CITIZENS HONOURED WITH AWARDS P2
EXCLUSIVE By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE LEADER of Wokingham’s Liberal Democrats has been accused of misleading residents over his support for plans to build a 3G football pitch in Lower Earley – something he denies.
At last week’s council meeting, Wokingham Conservatives leader Cllr John Halsall revealed an email sent by his opposite member, Lib Dem Cllr Clive Jones, on December 8, 2020. It was sent to a council officer after plans for revamping Cantley Park were revealed. Cllr Jones wrote: “How are discussions going with them about Laurel Park? It would be great to have something similar there?” Following the meeting, Cllr Jones hit back. “This isn’t saying we want something similar (to a 3G pitch), it’s asking to have a conversation about what is being planned,” he said. “Our Focus leaflets said we would like improved sports facilities. It didn’t say at Laurel Park, it didn’t say a 3G pitch.” He also expressed concerns about how Cllr Halsall had brought up the email, which was his response to a councillor’s question. Due to the format of council meetings, Cllr Jones was unable to respond. “This isn’t Prime Minister’s Questions,” he said. But Cllr Halsall said: “It is quite clear Clive Jones was promoting Laurel Park as the site for a new 3G pitch. “The officers did a really good job getting interest from the Football Association’s Football Foundation for a 3G pitch in Earley, Cllr Jones was extremely excited about this, which is clear from the correspondence. “They were actively promoting Laurel Park.” Cllr Halsall said that their view changed when residents expressed their concern over the proposal. “Having discovered that it was unpopular, rather than say, ‘Oh, I’m terribly sorry we were promoting it’, they said it was the council. n Continued on page 2
CASH TO TREASURES AT CHARITY SALE P8
ROCK ON: Drumathon will help Ukrainian refugees • p10 SPECIAL REPORT
Cost of living crisis deepens
Inflation, tax rises, rising energy bills, & petrol costs hit consumers in the pocket
EXCLUSIVE By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today AS THE energy price cap rises tomorrow, the cost of living crisis is set to continue to deepen across Wokingham.
With national insurance rising from Wednesday and inflation hitting a 30-year high of 6.2% in February, residents are having to pay more. Shoppers have been warned the average annual food bill
could increase this year by £180, according to consultants Kantar Energy bills are also set to rise on Friday, April 1, when the change in energy price cap comes into force. Families on standard tariffs will see an increase of £694, from £1,277 to £1,971 per year. The bill for prepayment customers will go higher, rising from £1,309 to £2,017 – an increase of £708. Inside, we reveal how the council and charities are preparing to help.
How Wokingham is responding – see p4--5
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Residents recognised for their work
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
WORK by Earley residents to make their corner of the world a better place has been recogonised.
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Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Daniel Blackham, Natalie Burton, Jake Clothier Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
The Service to Earley Awards took place on Saturday, March 19, at the Radstock Lane Community Centre, hosted by Earley Town Council. The awards honour people who have made a significant contribution to the Earley community through their time, actions, talents and dedication. Those honoured are recognised as having demonstrated their commitment to helping others and serve as role models. Four awards were granted to community champions who had been nominated by their peers. Usually one person receives the award each year, but an exception was made on this occasion. Cllr Anne Bassett, Earley Town Mayor, said: “We came to the conclusion they were all four equally deserving of the award.”
Join the spring clean FINCHAMPSTEAD residents are invited to help spring clean the community this week. A litter pick is organised for Sunday, April 3. It is part of the Great British Spring Clean initiative, organised by Keep Britain Tidy. The last event, in 2019, saw more than 350 volunteers take part tidying up the parish. Large groups will set off from Finchampstead Baptist Church centre at 9.30am and from the Greyhound on Longwater Road at 10.30am. Refreshments will be provided in both locations at the end of the litter pick. Those interested in taking part or forming a small group with neighbours are asked to contact the parish council on: 0118 908 8175 or via email: deputyclerk@ finchampstead-pc.gov.uk
The first to receive their award for the past year was Mary Bather. She has revitalised the Association of Central Earley Residents (ACER), and helped to organise walks for residents which can be found on the town council website. She said: “I couldn’t have done it on my own, and I couldn’t have done it without my rambler colleagues. “I organised it, but they did all the legwork.” Julie Dennis was given an award for her volunteering in a leading Girl Guides for more than 20 years. She has been the main Guider for 2nd Earley Rainbows and a leader at 2nd Earley Brownies, as well as serving for a decade as the District Commissioner for Earley, “It means a lot to me and I think it means a lot to Girl Guiding as well because it does mean that we are recognised as doing a good job for the girls in Earley. “We’ve managed to keep the majority of our girls involved in things and I think parents appreciated that, and it’s so nice to be back to meeting in person.”
THANKED: Mary Bather, Jim Willis, Earley Town Mayor, Cllr Anne Bassett and Julie Dennis at the Service to Earley Awards Picture: Earley Town Council Two other residents were recognised but were unable to attend the event. Annette Russell received an award after volunteering at Girl Guides for more than 23 years and inspiring more than 150 girls and women through her work with 1st Earley St Peter’s Brownies. Charlotte Alchin should have received her award last year but couldn’t due to coronavirus restrictions. She was recognised for her dedication to raising the profile of environmental and climate change issues, along with her work running support groups for older people and young children.
Jim Willis was the third resident to be presented with an award, he was honoured for his involvement in the Earley Neighbourhood Action Group, which involved securing preservation orders for trees in Cutbush Lane. Mr Willis lived in the area for 47 years, but has recently moved to East Devon. He said: “I’ve spent almost all my life in Earley, I lived on a farm down in Cutbush Lane with my very first girlfriend, so I go back a long way with this area. “If anyone asked me ‘Why do you do it?’ It was because I cared. “I shall never forget Earley, because it’s in my DNA.”
Leaders clash over Laurel Park email n Continued from front page
“We were not promoting anything, officers were just doing the feasibility study because they believed the leader of Earley Town Council, and Earley borough councillors were promoting it, it had genuine popular appeal. Which it didn’t. “So they were surprised by this change of heart, not to say U-turn, by the leader of Earley Town Council and the leader of the Opposition. “What is really galling is the mischief of then trying to put it on somebody else.” This is something that Cllr Jones denies. He said that he did have a conversation with the Football Association, and the town council
made a decision against the plan after listening to residents. “We decided we just didn’t want (a 3G pitch) near a nature reserve. It is not an appropriate place. Residents agreed with us. “Over the last year, they asked us for details of the pitch and asked for a proper consultation over it. None of this ever happened. There were some letters and social media posts,
but that’s not a proper consultation. “We had conversations with officers, asking for details, which didn’t come. To suggest (calls for the pitch) were led by the Liberal Democrats and not Conservatives is really quite worrying.” Of the dropping of plans for Laurel Park, Cllr Halsall said: “I’m just listening to the residents who very clearly expressed the view that they don’t want a 3G pitch there. “They don’t want it there because it’s not a huge space. Cantley Park is, Laurel Park is not. It’s a space surrounded by housing. “I’m quite surprised anybody was supporting it in the first place, I wouldn’t have, and it certainly won’t get my support in future.”
n Council reports pages 32-33
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Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Twyford pie shop enjoys fresh batch of awards By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today
A TWYFORD pie shop is celebrating a fresh batch of awards.
Rural Pie Co won a silver medal and three bronzes at the annual British Pie Awards, held in Melton Mowbray earlier this month. Almost 1,000 handmade pies from producers all over the UK were entered in the event, which were judged in 23 classes. Piemaker and Rural Pie co-owner Amy Smith, who runs the London Road café with husband Phil, said that judging in this year’s event was tough. “Some of the big names who we’d usually expect to see win something didn’t,” Mrs Smith explains. “Even though we did not get a gold medal, we’re still really chuffed that three of our pies were recognised as being good enough.” Rural Pie’s chicken, pancetta, brie and cranberry pie came home with a bronze in the hot eating savoury pie class, and a silver in the
WINNER: Rural Pie Co’s Amy Smith Picture: Steve Smyth chicken category. Its steak and onion pie was awarded bronze in the beef and any flavour group, and its venison, red wine and plum combination took bronze in the speciality meat and game section. Mrs Smith said that for her chicken pie to be recognised in two classes means that it is a “very good pie”. “To get an award for our venison pie was great, because we don’t do many
game pies, and some makers who specialise in this area missed out.” she added. “And to get something in a large class like beef and any flavour means that the execution of our steak and onion pie was exceptional.” Pies are judged according to category criteria, but judges generally look for the appearance and texture of the pie. “Things like evenness of pastry thickness, evenness of
bake, balance of ingredients and whether the filling spills out are looked it. “They are literally pulled apart, but it all comes down to personal taste,” Mrs Smith explains. It is the third year in a row that Rural Pie has entered the awards, winning seven awards in 2020 and four last year. For Mrs Smith, the awards are a refection of the attention to detail the couple have for their pies. As well as classics, limited run specials are always being added to the menu. “Our meat is trimmed of as much fat as possible and we use a butter pastry which reduces saturated fats when compared with lard-based pastries,” she said. “We also do not add a lot of salt or use any preservatives. “The pastry it is not too thick, fillings are not wet and we make sure our pies are filled to the lid.”
n For more information, follow Rural Pie Co on social media, or visit: ruralpieco.co.uk
HELPING HAND: Nick Fellows from Wokingham Volunteer Centre with Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director for David Wilson Southern Counties
Gardening help thanks to housebuilder’s donation
Golden milestone for neighbourly Crowthorne scheme A NEIGHBOURLY volunteer scheme reaches a golden milestone this year. Crowthorne Good Neighbours is celebrating 50 years of helping people who cannot drive to attend medical appointments. Members of the organisation from the past five decades will gather at the Baptist Church on High Street on the afternoon of Saturday, April 2.
Sue Hester is the current coordinator for the scheme, a role she has held for the last 17 years. “We still operate using pen and paper and we are still true to our original brief of helping people to get to medical appointments,” Ms Hester said. “We take people to Frimley Park Hospital, the Royal Berks, even out to
Wexham Park in Slough. “For some of our passengers, even getting to our Crowthorne GP surgeries can be a problem. “And we’re not just for older residents — we will help anybody over 18 years old who needs a lift.” Crowthorne Good Neighbours operates out of an office in the Baptist Church, where a volunteer on duty
residents, by ensuring their gardens are maintained so they can still enjoy them. Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director for David Wilson Southern Counties, said: “We are excited to support the scheme. “With spring and summer approaching, the residents will greatly appreciate being able to enjoy their gardens in the nice weather, when it is crucial to have an outside space that is tidy and safe..” Nick Fellows, chief officer for The Wokingham Volunteer Centre, said: “Thanks to the donation from David Wilson Southern Counties, we are able to expand the reach of our help.”
EVERYTHING in the garden will be looking lovelier thanks to a donation from a housebuilder. The Wokingham Volunteer Centre, based in Erftstadt Court, has been given £1,000 to help its green and tidy gardening scheme. David Wilson Homes, currently building the Ashridge Grange development off Warren House Road, made the donation from its community fund. The money will go towards purchasing new equipment for the gardening team ahead of the planting season this spring. Green and Tidy helps around 160 older and disabled Wokingham
will collate requests for help and contact drivers to see if they are available. Drivers will collect their passenger, wait while they are at their appointment, and return them home again. Mileage is paid and those helped are asked to contribute a donation if they can. Ms Hester said that the “people of Crowthorne are very generous” and
combined with stalls at the village carnival and flower festival, the scheme is able to cover its costs. “But right now we need more drivers,” Ms Hester added. “Requests for help are going up to pre-covid levels and the more volunteers we have, the better neighbours we can be.”
n Those interested in becoming a volunteer driver can call: 01344 761 001. A message can be left outside of office hours: weekdays, 10am-noon.
Sunday 17th April
"Easter Sunday" - Lunch & Dinner The perfect Easter Sunday for all the family, we have a special Sunday lunch menu to make it an occasion to remember – new beginnings, full of the joys of spring! Join us for our delicious three courses Sunday Roast Lunch with all the trimmings. VISITING: The Rt Revd Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth is coming to Twyford and Wargrave
Bishop to visit this weekend
TWYFORD and Wargrave’s Roman Catholic parishioners are welcoming their bishop on a visit to them on April 2 and 3. The Rt Revd Philip Egan, Bishop of Portsmouth, will be celebrating the 6.30pm mass on Saturday April 2 at St Thomas More, Twyford. On Sunday April 3 he will celebrate the 9am mass at Our Lady of Peace, Wargrave and the 10.30am mass at St Thomas More. Parish priest Father Jude Mbonu said: “We’re pleased to welcome our bishop to the parish. He is looking forward to meeting with members of our community.”
Three-Course Sunday Menu - Tea, Coffee and Petit Fours Priced at £34.95 per person (Children Menu Available) Easter Sunday Menu is served from 12 pm - 8 pm Easter Afternoon Tea Weekend Easter’s just around the corner and it’s the perfect time to gather with friends and family for Easter-themed Afternoon Tea. Sipping cups of perfectly brewed tea, tucking into delectable sandwiches, freshly-baked scones and beautifully crafted patisserie - yummy! Easter Chocolate Afternoon Tea | Priced at £24.95 per person Afternoon Tea is served on the following dates Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of April.
To book please call us direct on 0118 979 8805 or email us at enquiries@chalkrestaurants.com www.chalkrestaurants.com Chalk Restaurant, 31 Broad Street, Wokingham, RG40 1AU
4 | NEWS
Cancer charity coffee morning THE Cancer Support Network is hosting a coffee and chat session in Wokingham this April. The event will give people affected by cancer the opportunity to share experiences and get to know others who have encountered a similar journey. It also provides the chance to ask questions and understand the complexities of treatment. The event will take place in the Chocolate Café at Holme Grange Craft Village, Heathlands Road, RG40 3AW. It will start at 11am on Tuesday, April 5.
Film Society left in Limbo A CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED title will feature in an April offering from Wokingham Film Society. The group will screen Limbo (PG) on Thursday, April 7, from 7.30pm. It is a touching and lighthearted story of a Syrian musician and his fellow refugees living on a Hebridean island, awaiting the results of their asylum applications. It is screened at The Whitty Theatre, and places must be pre-booked. n For details, visit: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
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One in three children worry about money
Rise in demand for food bank services FOOD banks across Wokingham continue to see rising demand for services. SHARE Wokingham, which operates several sites in the borough, is open to anyone with no need for a referral. It opened at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to support the community and provide help to those who need it as well as to tackle the environmental issue of food waste. Recently, the organisation has seen an increase in demand with the cost of living continuing to rise. Claire Revie, founder of SHARE Wokingham, said: “We have definitely seen a continuing rise in demand over the last couple of months. “It is not just people we have helped previously but a lot of new people from a range of age groups. “At the moment we are helping about 500 people a week across all of our sites.” The charity works with supermarkets and food suppliers to reduce food waste, often receiving large donations from wholesale food supplier, Brakes. Similar to SHARE Wokingham, the Wokingham Foodbank is also seeing more residents requiring its services. The Wokingham Foodbank
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today CHILDREN across the south east are concerned about family finances.
Wokingham residents are increasingly turning to foodbanks for help offers food and, where appropriate, helps with heating and lighting. A spokesperson for the charity said on social media: “As the cost of living crisis worsens we are talking to more and more local residents who are struggling to make ends meet. “Households who would normally donate items to the food bank are now coming to our charity for help and support.” In 2021, the charity provided assistance to 4,759 people, thanks to the help of 84 volunteers.
Families or individuals who need help from the charity must register with a care agency, such as Wokingham Citizens Advice, Transform Housing or numerous departments in Wokingham Borough Council. They can then request a voucher that can be exchanged at the food bank for a food parcel or help with fuel. n For more information on SHARE Wokingham visit: sharewokingham.co.uk n For more information on the Wokingham Foodbank visit: wokingham.foodbank.org.uk
According to data revealed by children’s charity, Action for Children, a third of all children in the region worry about their family having enough money to live comfortably as the cost of living crisis deepens. The charity polled more than 5,000 people, across three generations, to explore the biggest issues affecting childhood post pandemic in a revisit of its study from 2019. Nationally, amongst the children surveyed from lowincome backgrounds, 47% said they worry about their family’s finances. Only 14% of children from high income families experience the same concerns. Experts warn the UK could be facing the biggest income squeeze in nearly 50 years with rising fuel and food prices, with
the conflict in Ukraine likely to push up living costs even further. Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said: “It is the fundamental responsibility of any government to make sure every generation of children has a better childhood and a brighter future than the last. “Day in, day out our frontline staff support children in the south east grappling to see how they fit into our complex world navigating big issues including financial worries, climate change and the pandemic. Mr Hussain is calling on the government to implement a strategy to tackle the issue of child poverty. “The government needs a clear plan to reduce child poverty and it can take immediate action to support those on the lowest incomes by making sure benefits keep pace with the soaring cost of living in the tough months ahead,” he said.
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THE founder of a Wokingham charity says families are no longer turning on heating as the cost of living crisis continues to impact residents. Emma Cantrell, founder of First Days, said: “We have seen a huge increase in the number of new families reaching out to us for help. “These people don’t just need help with one or two things, they have a complexity of problems which are ongoing. “Most families we are speaking to have reached a point where they don’t even turn the heating on.” The charity aims to reduce the long term impact of poverty on children by equipping them with the essential items they need for their early years. Ms Cantrell (pictured) confirmed this past winter the charity handed out the most
Racecourse’s charity support ASCOT Racecourse has launched a new community and charity programme aimed at helping local groups. Last year, it helped seven good causes with more than £25,000 of grant funding, supported by the Berkshire
coats in its history and it is also seeing an increased need for nappies and toiletries because people simply can’t afford them. The coronavirus pandemic resulted in an increase in the demand for its services with the charity receiving more than 5,000 requests for support in 2021. Ms Cantrell expects this trend to continue and says many families are losing hope the cost of living will be improved. She said: “Some of the families are losing hope the situation will improve. “One person I spoke to said she used to believe things would get better, but now they don’t know how they will live the next day. “It’s become all about survival for so many families and it is heartbreaking.” Community Foundation. They include Berkshire Lowland Search & Rescue. The racecourse also gave £3,000 to homelessness charities working in Bracknell, Windsor and Slough, Now it is working on this year’s support, which includes offering complimentary tickets to emergency services workers and the armed forces.
It will also be fundraising for Thames Hospice and suporting horse racing charities. The Royal Ascot Schools Art competition will return in 2022 for the fifth consecutive year and focus on themes of the Platinum Jubilee while the Royal Ascot fashion design competition which was launched last year also returns.
Council commits £500,000 for anti-poverty project AN EXTRA £500,000 for the borough’s antipoverty strategy has been agreed by the council. Developed in partnership with the Hardship Alliance – a group of four local charities, First Days, Citizens Advice Wokingham, AgeUK Berkshire and Wokingham United Charitie – the strategy aims to tackle causes, while supporting those living in poverty. At a meeting of the ruling executive committee earlier this month, councillors agreed to provide the funding to support further development and delivery of the initiatives being developed. Amy Garstang, chair of the Hardship Alliance, said: “The Anti-Poverty Strategy will build on the work of the council and voluntary sector and look to implement new initiatives to provide further support. “The Hardship Alliance wants an Anti-Poverty Strategy that is co-produced and one we can champion and drive forward the action plan to make things happen and ultimately improve the lives of those living in the borough.” Throughout the last 12 months the council has used a number of initiatives to tackle poverty in the borough with many done by, or in partnership with, volunteers. Cllr Laura Blumenthal, deputy executive member for anti-poverty, said: “There is already lots of work underway from community engagement and supporting people into employment, to lessening financial burdens through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and providing affordable or social housing. “But there is so much more to be done. “We’re looking forward to launching our strategy so we can begin moving forward with the action plan and start delivering sustainable outcomes for our residents.” Further development will take place in the coming months and the revised strategy is due to be presented at the executive meeting for approval on Thursday, May 26.
Where you can get help
One Front Door: A service led by Citizens Advice Wokingham, supported by other voluntary and community groups, and funded by the council, which has been providing comprehensive support to residents throughout the pandemic Hardship Alliance: Bringing together four local charities; First Days, Citizens Advice Wokingham, AgeUK Berkshire and Wokingham United Charities, to co-create the strategy, lead on the delivery of the final approved strategy and form a link to the wider sector Household Support Grant: Helping the most vulnerable households cover essential costs – the majority of this was distributed to the Hardship Alliance to ensure it reaches the people who need it most, with the rest being used on food vouchers for families with children eligible for free school meals, to help during school holiday periods Charity and Community Hub: Opening in January to provide a home to ten local voluntary organisations where residents can drop-in for advice, help and support Local Support Hub (online): Providing a single source of information and advice on issues such as benefits, debt, housing, relationship problems, mental health, unemployment, and more.
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Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
‘Missed opportunity to tackle rising cost of living’ By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
MPS and councillors from across Wokingham have criticised the chancellor following his spring statement last week.
On Wednesday, March 23, Rishi Sunak cut 5p off a litre of fuel, and raised the National Insurance threshold to £12,750. While there was a move to zero rate VAT on some renewable energy products, there were no new announcements on helping people meet the soaring cost of gas and electricity. There was also no announcement of support for pensioners or those on universal credit, although local authorities will receive a share of a fund aimed at supporting those who need it. Delivering the statement, chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “This statement puts billions back into the pockets of people across the UK and delivers the biggest net cut to personal taxes in over a quarter of a century. “Cutting taxes means people have immediate help with the rising cost of living, businesses have better conditions to invest and grow tomorrow, and people keep more of what they earn for years to come.” But MPs and councillors from across the borough disagree. Sir John Redwood, Conservative MP for Wokingham, tweeted: “The Treasury found £105bn it was not expecting over the course of the year. “They should have given more of this back to taxpayers to tackle the cost of living crisis.” Reading East MP Matt Rodda, who is Labour’s shadow minister for pensions, was also disappointed with the statement. “Despite the Chancellor’s announcement, residents face a cost of living crisis and taxes are at their highest level for 70 years,” he said. “Labour would offer real help to our whole community by cutting VAT on energy bills with targeted financial support and insulation for those in greatest need, which would be worth £600.
FILLING THE GAP: The Chancellor Rishi Sunak visits a Sainsbury’s supermarket in south east London after delivering his Spring Statement to parliament last week Picture: SIMON WALKER HM TREASURY “Both working people and pensioners would benefit.” Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrats and the party’s candidate for the 2024 general election, labelled the statement as a “missed opportunity”. He said: “People across our community were looking to Rishi Sunak for a helping hand in facing this once in a generation cost of living crisis. “This was crunch time for the chancellor and the Conservatives, and they haven’t stepped up to the mark. “It’s families in Wokingham, who they have clobbered with unfair tax hikes, and who’ll pay the price for this massive missed opportunity.” With national insurance rising to 13.25% on Wednesday, April 6, and inflation hitting a 30-year high of 6.2% in February, the cost of living crisis is expected to continue. The rise in inflation is anticipated to impact shoppers who have been warned the average annual food bill could increase by £180, according to consultants Kantar.
Energy bills are also set to rise on Friday, April 1, when the change in energy price cap comes into force. Families on standard tariffs will see an increase of £694, from £1,277
to £1,971 per year. The bill for prepayment customers will go higher, rising from £1,309 to £2,017 - an increase of £708.
Tips from Citizens Advice to help as the energy price cap changes –page 31
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To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today STEM: Students at Dolphin Hurst in Hurst took part in a STEM week, including a science fair
Week of STEM sees students at Hurst school grow in confidence with science
A HURST school recently celebrated STEM subjects with a week of special events. The events at Dolphin School started with an interactive assembly featuring special guest, Boffin John. The school said that students were left amazed and the hall very messy. The Boffin then continued the fun by conducting polymerisation workshops - a great excuse to make some slime. The school said that the energy balls showed just how much our bodies rely on electricity. The day ended with an impressive rocket launch, the parachute landing in a nearby field. There were a whole host of activities throughout the week: going online with Geobus from UCL, who showed images of meteors viewed with 3D glasses. There was an Engineering Day where students were tasked with building structures that would withstand a natural
disaster - well .. water guns and fans Some Escape Rooms were set-up, to encourage students’ problem solving skills and put their maths brains to the test to find the code to escape. All Dolphin students took part in maths relay races, displaying teamwork, collaboration within their Houses and excellent mathematical skills. The week concluded with its very first Science Fair. Students from Years 1 – 8 had been asked to produce a display board showing either an investigation or an information project – topics covered a huge range, including “Whose mouth is cleaner, a human or an animal?” and “How can you calculate the number of atoms in your body?” Parents, staff and pupils were invited to drop in and quiz the exhibitors – it was a fantastic example of the creativity and passion of the school’s teachers, and an opportunity for children to express their own interests and ideas.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
Remembering Chris Pape MANY people in Wokingham will know Chris Pape, who died earlier this month. Most recently, she worked for Just Around The Corner (JAC), helping young people who, for whatever reason, needed some additional support. This included her long-held vision to open a shop in Wokingham town centre to allow the youngsters to get vital work experience. Here, her family pay tribute to her.
M
UM (Christine Rose Holland), was born in 1949 in Oxford. She went to teacher training college in Brighton, then moved to Wokingham in the early 70s as a teacher at High Close School, working for Barnardo’s. Mum became active within the Youth Service, taking on more responsibility and eventually running Wokingham Youth Centre in the 70s. This is where Mum and Dad (John) met, as Dad was running a Duke of Edinburgh scheme. They married in 1975. There are three of us children (Jo, Richard and Kirsty), however Mum and Dad fostered for many years, opening their home to hundreds of young people, so I find it difficult to put a number on the amount of children and grandchildren then have. They would also offer our sofa to those who were homeless, giving them the time and support needed to get themselves back on their feet. Mum taught English as a foreign language to students from Europe and ran church groups and DofE rallies with Dad. Over the years mum has been active in a number of churches, in particular St Mary’s & St
John’s California, Wokingham Baptist Church andNorreys Church (as well as the Salvation Army). She’s never been particularly bothered by the different denominations, believing that God is the same one however you choose to worship him. Mum continued to do youth work, spending evenings engaging with young people on the street, listening to their problems and handing out stickers telling people “God loves you” and such like… Mum has always been concerned about people & in particular the homeless which led her to co-found Caritas homeless charity, which raised funds for Seaford Court in Wokingham. This was in the early 90s. The youth work led her to affiliate herself with JAC and that evolved into the work that she did at the JAC Pad and JAC in a Box. Mum saw it as an opportunity to encourage young people to live life to their full potential & overcome anxieties. What Mum meant to us as a Mum: We couldn’t be prouder of Mum & the amazing role model that she has always been. The compassion that she has for people is inspiring & has been present throughout her life.
CHRIS PAPE Mum has always had a simple but clear philosophy & in a letter which she wrote to one of her grandchildren she offered the following advice: n Be kind n Love God and follow his guidance n Be honest n Don’t judge others (you have not walked in their shoes). Since Chris died, as a family, we have received many tributes. We’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support from people who knew Mum. We’ve always known that
Mum was special, but we’ve been surprised at the vast amount of people she has had a positive influence on. We’ve enjoyed reminiscing and the reminders of all mum has done and the people she cared about. We’ve been amazed by the volume of messages and cards, which show the impact of Mum’s life. If anyone does want to give on mum’s behalf, we would ask them to donate to JAC in a Box, via jacoutreach.org The Pape family
Pub plans jubilee event A WOKINGHAM pub is holding a right royal celebration this summer. The Queen’s Head pub will host a beer festival over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, from Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5. The team is looking
forward to running a festival again, with plans to do so being put on hold for the past two years. Real ales and ciders will be available to try, and there will be music and a barbecue on the Friday night and Sunday afternoon of the weekend. For more information, follow The Queen’s Head on The Terrace on Facebook
Volunteers needed for Twyford Beer Festival
ORGANISERS of a popular village event have asked for volunteers to help it to happen this year. Twyford Beer Festival, which takes place on Stanlake Meadow in June, is looking for people to fill a number of roles. These include building the site during the week commencing Monday, May 30 and take down once the festival is over on Sunday, June 12. A marquee will be used for a number of events in the village over the Platinum Jubilee weekend. It will also be fitted out with bar equipment and staging for beer barrels for the beer festival, which will happen on the following weekend. Other roles available for the event include working behind the bar and litter picking. n For more information, visit: twyfordbeerfest.co.uk
Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Disabled man’s Fundraising brew is personal for Siren ‘lack of empathy’ over parking fine EXCLUSIVE
By Natalie Burton nburton@wokingham.today
By Daniel Blackham dblackham@rdg.today A DISABLED man feels he has received “a lack of empathy” from Wokingham Borough Council.
The resident, who asked not be named, has primary progressive multiple sclerosis and was issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for parking outside the lines of a bay. Upon his arrival to the Cockpit Path car park in Sturges Road, all disabled bays were full so he parked across two standard bays. He said he needed the additional width, usually provided by a disabled bay, to be able to open the doors to his adapted vehicle and then gain access to his wheelchair. When he returned to his vehicle he noticed a PCN on his car. He said: “I got a ticket for parking in two spaces which is understandable from the perspective of the parking warden who just has a job to do. “However when I contacted Wokingham Borough Council to appeal the fine, I was sent a snotty letter basically saying ‘tough mate’. “A total lack of empathy for my situation from the council.” The man says, given the circumstances, his PCN should have been cancelled. He said: “It’s not the be all and end all but it’s the principle, and a real
life example of the issues disabled people have everyday. “This shows there needs to be more accessible and disabled parking in and around the town.” The council provides 43 disabled parking bays across Wokingham town centre, with an additional 16 spaces available at Shute End on evenings and weekends. Steve Moore, director of place and growth at the council, said: “We understand the difficulties that blue badge holders have when it comes to parking. “To try and make life easier for blue badge holders, the council provides disabled parking bays across Wokingham town centre, free of charge. We also waive parking charges for blue badge holders when using non-disabled bays.” The council insists that all cars must park entirely within the lines of the bay. “The reason for this is to ensure visitors have access to the full number of car parking spaces in each car park, to help our town centres remain vibrant with as many visitors as possible “Our policy requires us to apply the rules consistently to everyone,” said Mr Moore. The policy is available on the council’s website. To view it, visit: wokingham.gov.uk
A FINCHAMPSTEAD brewery has re-brewed a beer to raise money for Ukraine.
Siren is selling a batch of an imperial stout first produced in 2018, which it made alongside a team from Kyiv-based Varvar Brew. The 11.4% drink is named Mavka, after a type of female spirit in Ukrainian mythology. Managing director of Siren, Darron Anley, said that the decision to relaunch Mavka was made within days of the invasion. “What is happening is heartbreaking,” he said “Our friends at Varvar moved to Kyiv in 2014, when Donetsk was occupied by the Russians. “They had plans to work towards gaining an appellation of origin for a Ukrainian golden ale this year. “They have had to leave everything behind for a second time, and the brewery’s future is under threat.” The brew day for the 2022 batch of Mavka took place on Friday, March 11. Some 3,000 litres was made, enough for approximately 6,000 cans. Since it was announced in early March, pre-sales have sold half of the batch and have fetched around £15,000 for the appeal. The recipe includes the coffee flavour of Siren’s award-winning stout, Shattered Dream, and Varvar’s Caribbean Dream, a porter infused with coconut. The collaboration between the two
HELPING UKRAINE: Siren Craft Brew is preparing a batch of Mavka, an imperial stout which it first brewed in 2018, working alongside a team from Kyiv-based Varvar Brew breweries came about through meeting Lana Svitankova, Varvar’s international sales representative, at a number of events. “Lana came to visit in 2018 with Vasily Mikulin, who founded Varvar, and Igor, one of the brewers,” Mr Anley said. “Igor didn’t speak any English, so there was lots of pointing and gesticulating at times. “But we managed to smash together techniques and ingredients from both our breweries to create Mavka.” Mavka has since been brewed in both Finchampstead and Kyiv. This batch of the stout is part way through its four-week stay in
fermentation tanks. Next, it will be put though a “spin bot” to infuse the coffee and coconut. It will be canned and ready to go early next month. Mr Anley said that Ms Svitankova had moved to Switzerland prior to invasion, and that Mr Mikulin is also safe. He has yet to hear about Igor. All proceeds from direct sales will go to the #DrinkersforUkraine fundraising appeal for the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Fund. Proceeds from trade sales will be donated where possible.
n For more information, visit: sirencraftbrew.com
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Hospice’s urgent appeal By Daniel Blackham dblackham@rdg.today A BERKSHIRE hospice has launched an urgent appeal.
The Thames Hospice in Maidenhead is hoping to fund an additional five nursing assistants to support more patients on the Inpatient Unit. The Inpatient Unit is a 29bed specialist end-of-life and palliative care centre. Each month the nursing assistants will cost £10,365 and the hospice is hoping to raise enough money to fund six months of extra support, totalling £62,190. The hospice is continuing to face unprecedented demand for its services with an occupancy rate of 92%, the highest level in the UK. It regularly has more than 10 people who are in a great deal of pain and distress waiting for a bed on the unit. Sister Anne Jones, head of the Inpatient Unit at Thames Hospice, said: “Our Nurses have a relentless workload and are always stretched; over the past month alone we have cared for more than 60 patients on our Inpatient Unit.
SUPPORT: Sister Anne and IPU team Picture: Thames Hospice “The extra nursing support will relieve the extraordinary demands on nurses and enable us to help care for more local people who need and deserve the best hospice care.” Thames Hospice created the nursing assistant role last year to support the development of existing senior health care
assistants and to upskill them to help ease the pressure on nurses during busy shifts. This is the first role of its kind to be introduced in the hospice sector Additional nursing assistants will enable the hospice to help more people like Alix who received round-
the-clock care, counselling and complementary therapy. Her husband Andy said: “When we called the hospice it was full, but the specialist nurse put Alix as high priority and to my relief she was admitted the next day. “The nurses had such a kind way of speaking with Alix and we always felt Alix was a person to the nursing team, not another patient.” “I know from Anne that they need to fund more nursing care as the team is stretched, tired and has no time to recover from the pandemic, but they are dedicated to their patients. “Please donate so every patient can get the most loving personal care and kindness like Alix did.” Thames Hospice costs £12 million a year to run and it relies on charitable donations for more than 50% of its funding. Services are provided free of charge to anyone who needs them and the hospice is assisted by 700 volunteers who help support people on end of life care. n For more information on the appeal, or to make a donation, visit: thameshospice.org.uk
SALE AGAIN: From left: Sue Barrett, Debbie Brunt and Eve Wynn-Jones encourage visitors to buy at the SalGO Jumble Sale Picture: Steve Smyth
SalGo sale success BARGAIN hunters turned out for a charity table top sale in Winnersh last Saturday. The event held at St Mary’s Church was in aid of SalGo Assist, a charity set up by church members. Organiser Anne Warner said that the event raised £420 to support the rural poor in the
Andhra Pradesh region of India. “We are very pleased, and it was good to meet and talk to people from around the village about the charity,” she added. Big sellers on the day were children’s toys, games and puzzles. n For more information, visit: salgoassist.org
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Loopholes ended: Don’t use your phone while driving or face £200 fine By Phil Creighton news@wokingham.today LOOPHOLES around mobile phone use while driving have been closed and new rules are now in effect. The consequences of breaking them, Thames Valley Police say, can be catastrophic.
From last Friday, drivers touching their phone for any reason bar emergency use or making toll bridge payments will be fined £200, and face receiving penalty points of their licence. The rules forbid everything from checking the time, checking notifications, unlocking the device, and illuminating the screen. Making, receiving or rejecting a telephone or internet-based call is offlimits, as is using the camera to take photos, make video or sound recordings. Accessing any stored data, apps or the internet is not allowed, nor can you draft any text. There are just two exemptions: allowing for a call to be made in an emergency where is it not practical to stop, and for contactless payment provided that the vehicle has been stopped. The aim is to prevent drivers from getting distracted. Sergeant Dave Hazlett, of Thames Valley Police’s Road Safety Unit, said: “Data shows you are four times more likely to be involved in a collision if you use a mobile phone while driving. “The consequences of using a mobile phone at the wheel can be catastrophic,
and you are placing not only yourself but other road users at significant risk.” The rules, he said, needed to be changed because smartphones had changed. When the current laws were put together, phones were used mainly to make calls or send text messages. Now, Sgt Hazlett says, “the modern mobile phone is part of people’s everyday lives. “The first thing you would probably pick up in the morning when you wake up is your phone to check what’s going on, looking at notifications, reading the news. “They are a mobile office for some people.” This reliance means the temptation is there to keep checking while on the move, so Sgt Hazlett is grateful that the law has been, like phones, upgraded from their earlier iteration. “The law change, while strong welcomed, is frankly long overdue,” he says. “Mobile phones are a significant cause of distraction in vehicles.” He said he has dealt with, and been to, collisions involving unlawful, illegal mobile phone use, so he has
seen first hand the danger the mobile phone use can cause, adding that those making calls or checking messages would be “hard pressed to convince any family of someone who has been killed or seriously injured that it’s an incidental product of people using them behind the wheel”. “Even in slow moving or stationary traffic, the driver’s attention is diverted from things they need to be aware of, such as a pedestrian who has crossed the road in front of them, or the person walking behind the vehicle while reversing. “There’s this significant distraction that a phone provides, and it does lead, unfortunately, to unnecessary and devastating collisions. We want to do and reduce that.” Using a phone as a sat nav needs to follow the Highway Code – so phones need to be secured either by a windscreen mount or a permanent fixture. It should also be Bluetooth and voice command enabled, to prevent phones from being touched. If drivers need to change the destination, they need to pull over.
“If you’re in queueing in traffic, you’re still in the act of driving, and you do leave yourself open to potential prosecution if you are seen,” Sgt Hazlett said. “Some will say that’s harsh. However, the laws have been changed for a reason.” And he warned “simply having your phone in your hand would be good enough for a prosecution to take place”. Sgt Hazlett said: “When you kill someone if you’ve been driving while using your phone, then you’re the reason someone has been killed. “You’re placing yourself in a position where you could in a have a term of imprisonment for checking an email, is it really worth that?” He added: “It is incumbent on drivers to take the responsible decision. “Don’t take that call, wait and then phone that person back and have an undistracted conversation where you can be immersed in that call without putting myself and other people at risk.”
Walk with the Lions this May WOKINGHAM residents are invited to walk with lions in May. The 8th annual Walk Wokingham event, organised by Wokingham Lions, will take place on Sunday, May 8. Organisers have reversed the route and have added a new five mile accessible trail, which is suitable for wheelchairs. Andy Slay, one of the organisers, said that reversing the route will offer participants “a different perspective to the walk.” “The accessible trail has been added for those with mobility issues who can’t manage stiles, kissing gates and the footbridge over the railway line,” Mr Slay explained.
HIKERS: Some of the people taking part in last October’s Wokingham Walk “The ground may be uneven in places, but it should be manageable for those in wheelchairs.” It is also an opportunity for participants to raise money for charity. All proceeds raised will be donated to charities in the Wokingham area, and last year 15 causes received funds from the event. Walkers have a choice of four routes which are between
five and 15 miles. All routes start and finish at Elms Field. Registration on the day will be from 9am until 10.30am, but pre-registration is encouraged. Entry costs £15 adults, £5 for ages 12 to 17 and is free for children under 11. There will also be nature trail activity on offer to children to complete on their journey. n For more information, visit: wokinghamwalk.co.uk
Now taking registrations
NOT ALLOWED: The law on mobile phone use has changed, making it illegal to use phones while driving
EXCLUSIVE
Places open for summer ball SUE Ryder is planning a summer ball to raise much needed funds for the charity. The event will feature a drinks reception, a thre- course meal, a charity auction, and live music from the Vodka Martinis. It will also be hosted by local comedian Adger Brown, and will take place on Saturday, July 2, at the Hilton Hotel, Reading. Fern Haynes, Sue Ryder’s head of fundraising for Thames Valley, said: “The past couple of years have been challenging for our patients but also their loved ones. “By attending our Summer Ball you will be helping local people get the vital support they need at what is a really difficult time. “The funded post will support families who have experienced the loss of a loved one.” The family support coordinator oversees two family support teams, made up of professionals and trained volunteers who provide palliative care, social care, spiritual care, and bereavement support. The role is currently held by Ken
Blanton, who works across both the Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading and the Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire in Wallingford. Mr Blanton said: “Experiences of grief have been so difficult for so many people over the past two years amidst the pandemic, but here at Sue Ryder we have continued to reach out to local families offering our support. “It is so important we remind people that grief doesn’t have one face and although everyone handles loss and bereavement in different ways which are unique to them, everyone hurts and it is so important people have the opportunity to be able to talk about it.” The ball takes at the Hilton Hotel, Reading, on Saturday, July 2, from 7pm. Tickets including three course meals for a table of six are £420, for tables of 10 are £700, and for tables of 12 are £840. Individual tickets are also available at www.SueRyder.org n For more information, email special.events@sueryder.org or call 07976422792.
Youth Orchestra brings the sound of spring READING Youth Orchestra is hosting its spring concert, with special guests the Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra. Pieces from Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Vaugh Williams will feature, as well as arrangements of songs from the African-American Railroad. Founded in 1944, RYO is one of the oldest youth orchestras in the country. Currently led by Oliver Quinn nand
conducted by Mel Le Breuilly, it has played venues as prestigious as the Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall. The spring concert takes place at St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road, on Sunday, April 3, at 6pm. Tickets are £10 for adults, under 18s and concessions are £5, and family tickets are available for £20. n Tickets are available to buy from reading-youth-orchestra.square.site.
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
12-year-old’s drumathon will help Ukraine refugees EXCLUSIVE
READY TO ROCK: Lola Teague wil spend five hours drumming on Friday to help support work to create a safe space for refugees Picture: Steve Smyth
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today A CROWTHORNE-based pupil is preparing to pick up sticks in a bid to help Ukrainian refugees.
On Friday, Lola Teague is playing in a sponsored drumathon at Dolphin School in Hurst. Starting at 8am, she will play for five solid hours, through to 1pm – and luckily for her, it is a half-day so she can recover without worrying about double algebra on a Friday afternoon. Lola started drumming when she was four, but it was a bit of serendipity. “My dad is a drummer, and my brother got a drum kit for one of his birthdays,” she says. “He wasn’t really into drumming, but I remember just getting behind (the kit) and really enjoying being able to pick up the sticks and make a bunch of noises, just feeling the groove and stuff.” And from small acorns, comes some mighty drum solos. Lola enjoys playing rock beats, but is also branching out into reggae. “It’s really fun music to play,” she says. And she has a band, the Bow Bellas. With a school friend who plays guitar and sings, they have been gigging. The talented 12-year-old came third in the under 18s category of an international drumming contest last year, and it is this global connection that
has seen Lola want to help the people of Ukraine in their hour of need. “Through the contest, I got to meet a bunch of new drummers, whom I’m actually still in contact with now,” she says. “It was just so much fun to meet new people and watch how they drum.” She’s formed Instagram friendships with drummers from all over the world, including Russia and Ukraine. Lola’s mum Elli said: “She has a really good community of kids her age on Instagram, all messaging each other, supporting each other. They do collaborations together.” The money raised from Friday’s drumathon will go to help some Polish friends who have, off their own backs,
hired some space and converted into into a refuge for people fleeing Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. It’s a big deal, with the community rallying round to ensure it is fitted out, and the children have a school to attend. Lola set a target of £1,000, but this has already been smashed – so she’s now aiming for £5,000, with every penny going to help the refuges in Poland. And the drumming? Lola can’t wait, but it will be a step up for her. “I’m a little nervous, but I think I’ll be OK,” she says. “I’ve never gone straight out doing five hours before, so this will be my first time.” n Donations can be made at: www. justgiving.com/crowdfunding/marceldrabik
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HELPED: Wokingham In Need provides a number of services to Wokingham, including a sensory garden, as well as its work in helping the homeless Picture: WIN
Bedware donation will help Wokingham’s vulnerable WOKINGHAM’S vulnerable population will benefit from a charity donation made by a housebuilder. Taylor Wimpey West London has given more than £500 to Wokingham in Need, to help them provide duvets, pillows and bedding for clients moving into temporary accommodation. Wokingham in Need responds directly or acts as a catalyst in working with other organisations including support for the Salvation Army centre in Sturges Road. The charity is close to the company’s new The Evergreens development.
Sally Brown, volunteer grants coordinator at Wokingham in Need said: “We are extremely grateful to Taylor Wimpey for their kind donation, which will go a long way in providing support for the people who need it most in the community.” And Gemma Bibby, sales and marketing director at Taylor Wimpey West London said: “Wokingham in Need provides an invaluable service for people in and around Wokingham and we are delighted to be able to make this contribution to them.”
Woman forced into vehicle at crossroads
THAMES Valley Police is investigating an incident which took place in Twyford last Friday, March 18. A female pedestrian was forced into a small vehicle at the crossroads between 6.45pm and 8.30pm. Pictures of flyers which were handed out by police in the village have been circulated on social media. It asks for those who saw anything suspicious to come forward, and for residents to review CCTV, and doorbell and dash cam footage. A police spokesperson confirmed that the incident is being investigated. “Officers are continuing this investigation, and are working to establish the circumstances,” they said.
Easter market in Spencers Wood THERE will be plenty of treats on offer at April’s community farmers market in Spencers Wood. It pops up at the Village Hall on Sunday, April 10. Stalls offering a range of food, drink, and gift items will open at 10am.
INVESTIGATION: An incident took place at Twyford Crossroads “No arrests have yet been made.” Police have asked for those with any information which may be helpful to call 101, quoting reference number 43220122290. The officer in charge of the investigation is DC Ross Kowald. Among the traders will be Fernworth Farm and Butler’s Farm, selling a range of fresh produce and dairy, Longdog Brewery and Three Roasters Coffee. A variety of other goods will be on offer, including savoury and sweet baked goods, cosmetics, hand made gifts, books and plants. For more information, follow the market’s event page on Facebook.
Living lightly to help the planet HOW to live lightly is the theme for a lecture taking place in Binfield next month. Ruth Valerio will be the guest speaker for Binfield College’s Diversity Lecture. She is the global advocacy and influencing director for international aid agency Tearfund, and her work has seen her understand first hand the effects on poverty on people. Her goal is to build a movement that brings about lasting change on the environmentally rooted issues that impact the poorest and most vulnerable people. Binfield College says that she particularly longs to see the culture of churches change so that caring for God’s earth becomes an integral part of church life, rather than an optional extra. In her previous job at A Rocha, she spearheaded Eco Church, a movement aimed at caring for the planet in different areas of their life and work. She is also Canon Theologian at Rochester Cathedral. The lecture takes place in the Newbold Diversity Centre from 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 12. Entry is free, and the talk is also webcast on Zoom. n For more details, log on to newbold.ac.uk/diversity-centre
11
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Summer of love Twyford celebrates spring at Wargrave Festival EXCLUSIVE
By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today
SPRING was celebrated at a village show last weekend.
By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today ORGANISERS of the Wargrave Festival have promised something for everyone this summer.
The 19 day-long programme of events returns to take over the village for a summer of love, after a last year’s event was postponed due to covid. “The summer of love theme for the festival was held over from last year,” explains Ally Holloway, one of the festival organisers. “We wanted to give people something to look forward to and celebrate being able to get back together. “It’s been a long time coming — it’s a huge deal in Wargrave and everyone is very excited.” Wargrave Festival opens on Wednesday, June 8 with Shakespeare on the Green and concludes on Sunday, June 26, with the BBO Big Band Show. A committee of 18 volunteers from Wargrave and surrounding villages have 35 other events planned for the festival. They include an expanded literary offering, which has attracted renowned children’s author Nick Butterworth, Readingbased crime writer Will Carver and novelist Amanda Jennings, who is a Wargrave resident. She will be launching her new book at the festival. Ally says that the festival committee is always looking to add new events to the programme, so that there is something to suit everyone and keep people coming back. “We’re running a Bike Fest day this year for the first time, which has a whole range of activities on Mill Green for the family to enjoy, and some organised rides into the Chilterns,” she says.
“There is a Wargrave in Style event, about interior and garden design, the St Martins in the Field orchestra are playing again and we have talks by the Wargrave Local History Society.” Other sessions in the festival’s packed and varied schedule include an African drumming workshop, Pub on the Green, a gin tasting evening, a baby and toddler morning, open gardens, a festival parade and performances by jazz and brass bands. “All this doesn’t include Ticket Day (which takes place this Saturday), which is an occasion in it’s own right,” adds team member Ally Holloway. “It’s a tradition that people turn out to queue from the early hours of the morning, and big events such as the ball and Crazies Hill comedy night always sell out on the day. “It’s part of the whole festival experience.” Wargrave Festival is a not-forprofit organisation. Ally explains that it is important that it remains true to the festival’s community roots. “It is platform for societies in village — like Wargrave Theatre Workshop, the history society and schools — to run big stage events which they would not ordinarily have the opportunity to do. “It’s worth all the effort of planning.” Ticket Day is on Saturday, April 2. They will go on sale online on Sunday, April 3. Events will be held in a multiple indoor and outdoor locations across the village. Prices vary, with tickets to most events costing between £8 and £20. Some are free or £1 donation, and tickets to the all-inclusive ball cost £80. n For more information, visit: wargravefestival.org.uk
Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Society held its first spring show since the pandemic in the Loddon Hall on Saturday, March 26. Society secretary Jenny Wager said that there was a good turnout and almost £200 was raised, which will support the group’s running costs. “We had a fantastic day for the show, the weather was perfect,” she said. “It was lovely to see so many people enjoying themselves.” Raffle prizes were themed on spring and gardening. Items were donated by village businesses and included bulbs, books, wine and a voucher from Hare Hatch Sheeplands. Organisers said that the standard of entries to the eight classes being judged at the event was very high. Ms Wager added that: “It was particularly lovely to see lots of children come along to enter the pot of daffodils competition and sow sunflower seeds.” The Colleton Primary School and Bonnie Sellens were both awarded for their pots. Other winners in the children’s categories were siblings Elsie and Alfie Harding. Elsie made a wildlife poster and a bird scarer, while Alfie took a photo of spring in his garden. Elodie O’Keeffe (4) looking Adults who took home trophies at the cake entries from a public vote include Jo Lucas for her vases of flowers, Ann Harris who won in two of the art categories, and Diane Thirtle for her landscape art work and pot of mixed spring flowers. Judges awarded the Vice Presidents Cup for best exhibit in the flowers and vegetable sections to Mandy Beagent.
Thames Voyces Singers to hold spring in to action Lenten concert A BRACKNELL choir is set to host its spring concert. Thames Voyces will welcome audiences to a show featuring music such as Telemann’s Laudate Jehovam, Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir and Schubert’s Mass in G. The concert will conclude with Handel’s Dixit Dominus, and is accompanied by Keats Ensemble. The show will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 2, at St John the Baptist Parish Church, Waterloo Road, Crowthorne, RG45 7NT. Tickets are £15 for adults, £13 for concessions and accompanied under 16s will receive free entry. To purchase tickets in advance call: 0118 967 7319 or email: secretary@thamesvoyces.org.uk Tickets will also be available on the door. n For more information visit: thamesvoyces.org.uk
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AN EVENING of Lent and Easter themed music and readings will take place in Wokingham at the beginning of next month. South Berkshire Singers will be performing John Rutter’s Requiem on Sunday, April 3, at St Paul’s Church on Reading Road. It begins at 7pm. The choir will be lead by musical director Karen Phillips and accompanied by Simon Dinsdale on the organ. Admission to the concert is free. There will be a retiring collection for the St Paul’s Lent appeal, with proceeds being split between United Society for Partners in the Gospel, Soulscape and Home-Start Wokingham district. n For more information or to book tickets, visit: southberkshiresingers.org.uk
BLOOMING LOVELY: Bryony, Elsie (6) and Freddie Harding (5) with their entry in the “Vase of Mixed Spring Flowers” class at the Twyford and Ruscombe Horticultural Association Spring Show at Loddon Hall Picture: Steve Smyth
Jenny Wager with her prizewinning Rhubarb
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Looking down o see Wokingham
Cats, mice and pens put to paper
R
ECENTLY, members of Wokingham Writers Group were challenged to write ... and write they did.
The Ship Inn was the venue for the judging of the contest, on the theme It’s A Game Of Cat and Mouse. For the second year running, Tom Williams won the competition. His entry? The Contract. Guest judge Julie Cohen’s comment was “Atmosphere, setting, misdirection, and a huge amount of plot telescoped expertly into under 300 words — this is an impressive piece of flash fiction. The pacing is great and the dialogue is spot-on, and the Kaffee and Küchen line is just perfect.” Tom is a psychologist who has published in the past on a variety of subjects including Special Needs and Mental Health, and is now looking to become known as a writer of fiction. Highly commended were Liz Godwin with It Took a Fiver and David Maynard with A Game of Cat and Mouse - we’ll print their entries over the coming weeks. Wokingham Writers are a friendly group of individuals with a common interest in creative writing. Members range from keen hobbyists to aspiring novelists and published authors. The group supports and encourages members with their writing projects, large or small. Meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month. In happier days, meetings were in Wokingham Library but are currently being held via Zoom. Anyone interested should contact the chairman, Jenny Richardson (jenny.gpem@gmail.com) or ask in Wokingham Library. Julie Cohen is a well-known author who grew up in Maine and studied English at Brown University, Cambridge University and the University of Reading. Her award-winning novels have sold over a million copies worldwide, and she has twice been selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club in the UK. She is also a sessional lecturer at the University of Reading and a patron to ABC To Read. For more on her, visit: www.julie-cohen.com
The Contract Miller looked across Stephansplatz to the great doors of the cathedral. Twenty years ago Russians and Germans had been killing each other here, now there was Kaffee and Küchen. The target, a swarthy man in his fifties, crossed the square and entered the cathedral. Miller followed as he took the stairs to the basement. Apart from a nun praying in the Ducal crypt, it was deserted. The target walked through the crypts and deep into the catacombs. He walked briskly as if he had an appointment, and in a way he did. Finally he stepped into an ossuary room. Miller followed him. “More than 11,000 bodies down here.” The target stood looking at a neat wall of skulls, his back to Miller. “Indeed,” said Miller, feeling for the loop of parachute cord in his jacket sleeve. “Are you going to draw your garrotte? It’s your trademark, isn’t it? Don’t bother.” The target turned. In his hand was a Walther with silencer. “It was me who took out the contract. I set the time, the place, I stipulated the garrotte. “ “Why?” “So I could be sure you would be the one they sent. How else could I kill the hitman who killed my son?” “I run this city, the drugs, the prostitution, the gambling. Everything. You don’t fly into my city, kill my boy and fly out again. The scum who hired you are feeding the fish in the Danube.” His teeth were yellow and uneven. “Now it’s your turn.” Two muffled shots and the target fell like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Miller glanced down at him. “You didn’t kill him.” “The contract specified garrotte, you should finish the job,” said the ‘nun’ stepping through the doorway. “Of course,” said Miller, gripping the cord.
Tom Williams
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
By NATALIE BURTON nburton@wokingham.today HUNDREDS of photos of Berkshire in the early 20th century have been made available online for the first time.
READY TO GO: Debbie Martin with the 529 shoeboxes of smiles donated by Twyford residents Picture: Debbie Martin
Debbie has put plenty of smiles in these shoeboxes
A TWYFORD resident is feeling “humbled” by coordinating the village response to the Ukraine crisis. Last week, 529 “shoeboxes of smiles” began a journey to Lviv and Riven, in the west of the war-torn nation. Debbie Martin and her friend Mike Pearson drove the boxes to Bigjigs Toys in Folkstone on Monday, March 21. The owners of the family-run wooden toy company have turned their premises into a drop-off centre for donations. “Mike has taken all my collections so far to drop-off points, and Caversham Vehicle Hire kindly lent us the van for this trip for free,” Ms Martin said. “Twyford’s boxes were on the eighth lorry of 10 to leave Bigjigs for Ukraine last week.” Ms Martin’s focus changed from collecting kit such as sleeping bags soon after speaking to Wokingham. Today in early March. During her original appeal, two shoeboxes filled with items including colouring pencils and toiletries were delivered to her doorstep.
“The idea to collect shoeboxes of smiles, filled with essentials and treats for both children and adults who have lost everything, grew from those two boxes,” Ms Martin explained. “The response in the area has been fantastic, schools and youth groups have got involved too. “I’ve been gobsmacked and humbled by how generous people have been, and all the kindness of the people I have met while doing this.” Her day at Bigjigs sorting the donations was “overwhelming.” She said: “It’s been a very emotional journey, thinking about what people who have had to leave their homes with nothing are going through.” “But I believe that you should treat other how you want to be treated.” Ms Martin is coordinating with two groups in Kent to send another lorry of shoeboxes to Ukraine. The deadline for donations is Friday, April 15. Details can be found on the Twyford, Hurst and Charvil Facebook community groups.
Teacher’s treasure hunt A PRIMARY school teacher from Woodley has brought new meaning to finding a good book with the Big Book Hunt. Emma Ballard, who teaches in Earley, hid more than 500 books to be hunted out by children during the recent half-term. Ms Ballard encouraged children in the area to seek out the books. She said: “I love to develop children’s reading skills. “Its been very popular, and everybody seems to want more books.” The books were sponsored by numerous small businesses, packed into book bags with information about the event, and hidden away, with photographs as hints to guide book-seekers. “I have to thank all of our sponsors, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible,” Ms Ballard said. Young readers are encouraged to send pictures of their finds to the event’s Facebook page, and re-hide their finds once they’ve read them so that others may also enjoy them. Ms Ballard admits that making
The new Historic England aerial photograph explorer tool allows users to search more than 400,000 images taken from the sky, with some from as early as 1919. It means that the public can get a bird’s eye view of the changing urban and rural landscape of the county over the past 100 years. Many of the photographs show military defences and 20th century industrial sites, both before and after the second world war. Some of these have since been developed for housing or shopping centres as the population of Reading and Wokingham boroughs grew. An RAF photo taken in 1946 shows Arborfield Garrison as it was shortly after the end of the second world war, and four years after the training base of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers was established there. The area is now being developed for a new community of 4,000 homes. Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said that he is “delighted” with the online tool. “It will allow people to access easily our wonderful collection of aerial images and enjoy using historic photography to unlock the mysteries of England’s past,” he adds. It is hoped that the aerial photograph explorer tool will encourage people to make their own discoveries about their local areas, and provide a resource for planning applications, heritage projects and archaeological investigation. Other photos available as part of the collection show Reading Aerodrome in Woodley as it was in 1932, shortly after Douglas Badar lost both of his legs in an accident
AS YOU WERE: An Aerial image of Arborfield G flying aerobatics there. Also online are images taken by the RAF in 1946, of the Suttons Seeds beds and gas towers of Reading east. An image taken over Reading in 1932 shows Messrs H G Simonds brewery on the river Kennet, where the Oracle shopping centre now stands. Also visible are the station, St Mary’s the Minster Church and the town square around St Laurence’s Church — which was destroyed by bombing in February 1943.
Wokingham church gives thanks for restoration
PICTURE: StockSnap via Pixabay the trips by bicycle is “lots of work, but it makes the children who get the books very happy”. “There are areas in the community that are in need, and I’ll keep trying to get books to them,” she added. “My mission is to get more books into more schools and nurseries, and we’re always looking for new sponsors.” Ms Ballard started the project as part of Once Upon A Story, a fledgling book shop that she has started, working in partnership with publisher Usborne.
THE CONGREGATION of a Wokingham church has given thanks for the completion of a year-long restoration project. St Paul’s Church on Wokingham Road was attacked by an arsonist last March. The altar, pulpit and a 17th century painting of St John the Baptist were significantly damaged. A Victorian banner and a wax maquette were destroyed. A service to mark the completion of repairs was held on Wednesday, March 23. Members of the regular congregation were joined by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Olivia Graham, supporters from other churches, civic leaders and those who had worked to restore the objects. In his opening address to the service, St Paul’s Rector, the Revd Canon Richard Lamey, said that the arson attack “was not down to anything evil.”
“We very much recognise that the 28 year old homeless man who did this was suffering with his mental health,” he said. “We were visited by sadness that day.” The Rector also thanked many of the people who had been part of the process following the incident. They included PC Jonathon Greenlaw of Thames Valley Police who supported the congregation in the days after, and the specialists from Richfords Fire and Flood, who repaired the damage. Painting conservator Susan Moore said that she had discovered in the course of her work the painting was older than was previously thought. She added: “I enjoy working on projects for churches, because I can see the meaning to the community.” The service also saw the blessing of an icon – a symbolic religious painting – by artist Julia Stankova,
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on a new way to m’s historic past
From pulling pints to push-ups CHARITY: Ian Wisdom aims to complete 3,000 push ups in April for Shelter Picture: Natalie Burton
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Garrison, 1946 Picture: Source Historic England Archive (RAF photography) For those interested in areas further afield, some pictures show second world war bomb damage over Southampton and Liverpool, and there are views of St James’ Park in Newcastle as it stood in 1927. Archaeological features such as a Neolithic long barrows, Iron Age forts and medieval villages can also be seen. Historic England aims to expand the platform in the future with a project to digitise 6,000,000 aerial images held in its archive.
The aerial photography explorer joins the recently launched aerial archaeology mapping explorer.
n For more information, or to view the archive, visit: historicengland.org.uk/ aerialphotos n More of Berkshire’s past from above can be explored at Berkshire Record Office on Coley Avenue, Reading. It holds eight series of aerial photographs taken by Berkshire County Council between 1964 and 1996. For more information, visit: berkshirerecordoffice.org.uk
NEW ICON: Canon Richard Lamey (left) and Bishop Olivia with the church’s new icon Picture: Natalie Burton
commissioned to remember the pandemic and arson attack. “It represents the outpouring of community and love during that difficult time,” the rector explained. Bishop Olivia closed the service with prayers on the theme of trauma and restoration.
Her final prayer focused on supporting the work of mental healthcare professionals and healing for those suffering with mental illness, including the man who attacked St Paul’s. n For more information, visit: spauls. co.uk/st-pauls-restoration
THE ORGANISER of Twyford Beer Festival is taking part in a monthlong fitness challenge. Ian Wisdom aims to complete 100 press-ups each day in April as part of a fundraiser for housing charity Shelter. He says that he noticed the 3,000 push-ups in April challenge while scrolling his Facebook feed. “I thought, you know what, I’m having that,” Ian says. “Getting involved is a great thing, I am in a Facebook group of around 500 people of different ages and abilities taking part. “The oldest person we know of is 90 years old. Ian’s build up to reach the daily target of 100 press-ups has been supported by his wife Sue. “She’s been checking I’ve been completing each rep properly,” he adds. Charitable fundraising is second
POETRY CORNER Blue and Yellow In twenty twenty-two the world changed colour, Adopting both yellow and blue; These are the colours of Ukraine’s flag, So no other colours will do. Russia invaded that country With no provocation at all, They wreaked devastation widely, Causing hundreds of buildings to fall. The result of this terrible onslaught Has put much of the world against Russia; Multinationals have severed connections, And countries have imposed more sanctions; Individuals are supporting Ukraine By displaying that Nation’s hues, With badges and ribbons or clothes Which are mostly in yellows and blues. Some countries are highlighting buildings, Two colours being projected in beams; Many sportsmen have the flag on their Tshirts In support of Ukrainian teams. Politicians are also conforming With promotion of Ukraine’s plight, Wearing lapel badges showing the colours, Which is preferable to joining the fight.
nature to Ian. Twyford Beer Festival donates proceeds to male cancer charity Orchid, and earlier on this year he made £600 for St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester. The hospice had cared for friend Meredith Gaultier in the final stages of terminal illness. Ian is already on the way to meeting his fundraising target for Shelter. And he is encouraging more people to join him on the challenge. “It’s something different,” he says. “It’s free to join and really easy to set up,” “And it’s not going to be a problem if a person doesn’t reach 3,000 because we’re raising awareness of the work Shelter do, as well as raising money.”
n For more information, search for 3,000 push-ups in April for Shelter on Facebook or visit: england.shelter. org.uk
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In the glittering world of the cinema There were BAFTA awards last week, The actors all dressed up in D.J’s Wearing two colour badges to complete. Now Russia has spectacularly succeeded In uniting the whole world against it, Putin’s managed this all on his own, And it’s well past the time he should quit. He controls all the news on TV With a bias which is blatantly wrong, Thus the truth is kept from the people Who believe the wars end won’t be long. But an ever-growing number of Russians Get the facts from outside their State, This makes them aghast at their country Killing innocents with weapons and hate. But a protest in Russia is illegal, With long prison sentences imposed, So they daren’t wave the flag of Ukraine As there’s a risk of being deposed. Instead they stay stoically silent, Unaware of what lies in store, For this invasion has lasted 4 weeks now, But no-one must call it a war!
Lorna Minton
We love receiving your poetry, printing a selection every week. Send your verse to news@rdg.today
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
TOMORROW, is not a day for fooling around: energy bills are set to skyrocket for us all. The current energy price cap is ending – the advice is to take metre readings today in readiness. Many people will see their home energy bills soar to around £3,000 a year, and a second rise is due in the autumn. Add in the rising cost of fuel – that 5p per litre cut didn’t do much to help, given prices have shot up again – inflation, the national insurance rise, and council tax increases, April is going to be a very hard fiscal year. Food prices will also be affected, not just by inflation, but the world instability. But there is hope. Wokingham Borough Council should be applauded for its anti-poverty strategy which aims to help residents struggling. Citizens Advice is on hand, while groups like SHARE Wokingham offer nonjudgmental support. Don’t suffer in silence if you can’t cope. Help is available, use it.
CHURCH NOTES
Does God understand our suffering?
H
E was despised and rejected, a man of suffering, and familiar with grief.’ Isaiah chapter 53 verse 3
Does God know what it’s like to suffer? Does He know how we feel when we see dreadful suffering around us and feel helpless to stop it? Does He know how we feel when we’re grieving? Maybe you have asked those questions as you have seen the news in recent weeks. Maybe you have asked for personal reasons too? It’s not long now until Easter, and Good Friday two days earlier when Christians remember the death of Jesus on the cross, a dreadful event nonetheless full of positive meaning. Part of that positive meaning is that in Jesus’ cruel torture and crucifixion Christians believe we see God himself experiencing the full depths of the violence and suffering of the world we humans experience. The idea of God suffering can be a hard one to grasp. Surely a real God couldn’t suffer! But Christians say that actually in Jesus we see a God who feels pain, just as we all do. And that’s so important when we see so much suffering around us, including in Ukraine, and for many much closer to home than that. But there’s more: as Jesus was suffering, God the Father was suffering too. While the Son chose to die for us, the Father had to stand by and see it happen. So God also understands what it’s like to watch a loved one experience terrible pain and death, and to feel deep grief and loss. This is a God worth believing in: a God ‘familiar with grief’. To this God we can turn in our own pain and our own grieving and give it to Him, knowing He understands. You may want to do that right now.
The Revd Nick Hudson is Minister of Wokingham Baptist Church, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham
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Your letters Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper
The numbers game
READER Ian Hydon has sent us a photo to brighten the letters page. He says: “My photo was taken overlooking the Emmbrook Stream, from the Kingfisher Bridge, Wokingham on this beautiful spring-Like Sunday afternoon, with the Sunlight dancing on the water and also hearing the water flowing past. “The songbirds were in good voice as well in the trees.” We welcome your pictures for our pages. Email letters@ wokingham.today and we’ll do the rest
As we receive our leaflets for the local elections in May, remember: Conservatives in Whitehall set the housing numbers Conservatives in the Borough loudly complain our numbers are too high Our Conservative-led Borough routinely builds more houses than mandated Our area desperately needs houses, but we also need honest debate.
Name and address withheld
Ride up for this challenge The UK Wide Cycle Ride challenge runs throughout April – and it is the perfect opportunity for people to take their fitness up a gear, while raising money for Diabetes UK along the way. Challengers can pick from one of four virtual ‘coast-to-coast’ distances, ranging from 150 miles through to 950 miles for more experienced cyclists, or they can select their own target. You will have the entire month of April to reach your chosen target. Cycling is a fantastic way to help you get fit and healthy, to have fun and set yourself a goal. And with spring on the way, bringing lighter evenings and warmer weather, this challenge comes at the perfect time for anyone looking to saddle up and give it a try. You can cycle the miles however you wish over the 30 days of April, by embracing the outdoors or staying at home and using an exercise bike. Or you can do a bit of both. There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship. So please sign up to the UK Wide Cycle Ride at cycle.diabetes.org.uk and get pedalling to make every mile count. Your support can change lives. Thank you,
Jill Steaton Diabetes UK
Join in Autism Acceptance Week
We want as many of your readers,
local schools and businesses to get involved in World Autism Acceptance Week (28 March - 3 April). There’s been a huge increase in awareness of autism over the past 20 years. But not enough people understand the different perspectives, passions and skills autistic people can have and also what it’s like to be autistic, including how hard life can be if you don’t have the right support. This is why World Autism Acceptance Week is so important. It’s a chance to get society talking about autism and finding out from autistic people what it’s like to be autistic. Anyone can get involved by visiting autism.org.uk/waaw where we’ve got information and free resources like assembly plans for schools, quizzes and posters for the workplace. Better understanding of autism across society and appropriate Government funding for support and services would transform hundreds of thousands of lives.
Westminster diary Sir John Redwood
T
HE government is offering us a new energy policy. It wants a new long-term plan for its aim of getting to net zero by 2050, and a shorter term plan for the current decade to keep the lights on and to provide affordable energy as we await the technologies and investments in a greener future. The government is likely to back substantial increases in nuclear provision for after 2030. By 2030, nuclear output will be well down following the closure of most of the existing fleet of
stations, with only one major new opening. It will need a big rate of build to turn this round for the 2030s. The government will also favour more wind generation. This can only work if at the same time the government and the market invest in storage and usage technologies that overcomes the intermittent nature of wind power. This week wind has been as low as 1% of our electricity generated, leaving us very reliant on gas and coal. Even if we had doubled current
Amanda Makoka Principal of the National Autistic Society Academies Trust’s Thames Valley School Tilehurst, Reading
There’s a star in every child In 2019, Action for Children launched a landmark report which explored childhood across three generations. Now, two years on from the first national lockdown, we have revisited this research to understand the worries children face growing up in the shadow of the pandemic amid a growing cost of living crisis. As children grapple with how they fit into our increasingly complex world – navigating big issues including financial worries, climate change and the pandemic – our research shows that most South East parents (54%) and grandparents (71%) fear childhood is getting worse and almost a third (32%) of children agree. Many children, particularly those
wind capacity it would have left us mainly dependent on fossil fuels to keep the lights on. Some combination of large scale battery storage, pump storage schemes, the production of green hydrogen and the location of energy using businesses close to wind arrays which can handle intermittency will all be needed if the country is to rely on more wind power. It is unlikely investment in batteries and hydrogen will be sufficiently advanced this decade to avoid the need for reliance on gas and other fossil fuels as transition fuels. The short term plan is easier to work through. There is an overwhelming case to produce more of our own fossil fuels at home. It cuts carbon dioxide output substantially to do so. It generates a big windfall in tax receipts instead of sending huge sums in tax to foreign countries and in cash to companies who
from low-income families, worry about their family’s finances. As the UK is set to face the biggest income squeeze in nearly fifty years1, these worries look set to get worse. Meanwhile, mental health is now a much bigger worry for the region’s children with over a third (36%) of children seeing their own mental health as an issue in 2019, compared to 45% in 2022. We believe there’s a star in every child. When a child is safe and happy, their star shines brightly. However, poverty, abuse and neglect, and poor mental health are robbing too many children of the bright futures they deserve. We’re asking your readers to help us break down the barriers that stop children shining – before it’s too late. Visit actionforchildren.org.uk/star to find out how you can help.
Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns, Action for Children export to us. It generates jobs here at home. It cuts down transmission losses. The government needs to work closely with the domestic industry to grant the permits and tackle obstacles to the necessary investment in more output. There can be more help to encourage people and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their homes , offices and factories. The public sector could undertake substantial investment in energy savings measures to cut its footprint. If the country is to succeed with the electrical revolution the government wishes, it will take a new generation of affordable and attractive home heating and vehicle products to wean the public off their current reliance on gas to heat homes and petrol and diesel for their transport and deliveries. Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingham
Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
What can I do to save money on energy bills? Citizens Advice and Energy Saving Trust offer tips amid the cost of living crisis
A
HEAD of the rise in the energy price cap, Citizens Advice and Energy Saving Trust have teamed up to explain why bills are increasing, what steps people can take to save money and what support is available to anyone who is struggling. While these steps won’t be enough to cover the widely anticipated steep rise in bills that many people will face, they could make a small difference.
Why are my energy bills going up?
The main reason why energy bills are rising is because global gas prices are at record levels - this means it’s more expensive for energy suppliers (the people we pay our bills with) to buy the gas and electricity we use every day. Inevitably, these costs get passed on to us - the consumers - in the form of higher bills. These increased costs haven’t been passed through to us straight away because of the price cap. This puts a limit on how much suppliers can charge us for our gas and electricity. The price cap is controlled by Ofgem, the energy regulator, and it’s reviewed every six months. This will be on top of the increases consumers faced last year which took the price cap to its highest ever level of £1,277 for the average household. Your bills will only be affected by
the price cap increase if you’re on a Standard Variable Tariff. If you’re on a Fixed Rate Tariff, your bills will stay the same until your contract ends. If you’re unsure what type of contract you’re on, check your bill or call your supplier to find out. In the past, it would have been a good idea to switch to a new energy supplier or ask your current supplier for a better deal. But at the moment, many people are sticking with Standard Variable Tariffs because there aren’t a lot of better deals to switch to. This may change once the new price cap comes into effect.
My energy supplier collapsed last year - has this made a difference to my bills? The rise in wholesale prices also led to a lot of suppliers going bust. If you’re one of the millions of customers affected, Ofgem will have moved your account to a new supplier. It’s likely you were put on a Standard Variable Tariff, which could be more expensive than the tariff you were on with your previous provider.
Is there anything I can do to save money on energy?
There are some simple things you can do to save some money on your energy bills. They won’t cover all the extra costs, but they can make a difference: n Check your thermostat: Turning your thermostat down by just one degree can save you around £65 a year. Only lower it to a temperature you feel comfortable at - as a guide, many people find this is between 18-
From the chamber Cllr Rachel Burgess
An affront to democracy
I
F YOU live in Wokingham Borough you will be receiving a leaflet from our Conservative Council on changes to our local electoral system.
This includes a consultation on whether to move from local elections every three years out of four, to once every four years. I have serious concerns about the changes favoured by the Conservatives and their Council, serious concerns about their leaflet, and serious concerns about the way the consultation is being run. The Conservatives wish to move to “all-out” elections every four years, a move that would represent an erosion of our local democracy. I can only assume that Wokingham Borough Conservatives are in favour of elections every four years because they cannot tolerate regularly being held accountable at the ballot box. However, they appear to believe they are above scrutiny - this week in
Council, in response to my scrutiny of the Conservatives’ strategy, I was literally told, by two separate councillors, to leave Wokingham if I did not like what the Council is doing. I am up for re-election in May, and I expect to be held accountable on my record as a councillor. Like any councillor I should rightly be judged on my support for residents, my record of standing up for them, acting on their behalf and speaking up for their interests and concerns. Elections every four years inevitably makes councillors, and in particular the ruling party, more out of touch. It allows them to do what they wish for three-and-a-half years before finally talking to residents in the run up to an election. Councillors should be talking and listening to their residents all year round – not once every four years. Four-year cycles allow the ruling party, in this case the Conservatives, to make unpopular decisions without any electoral accountability for years to come.
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21 degrees. n Keep the heat in: Check your home for any gaps in the doors, windows and floors. Blocking any holes where you could get a draught could save you around £30 a year. If you’re renting, ask your landlord to ensure your home has good insulation. n Turn off anything you’re not using: Turning your appliances, like TVs and washing machines, off instead of leaving them on standby could save around £40 a year. Turning off lights when you’re not using them – even if it’s just off for a few seconds - could save £14 a year. Consider using LED light bulbs, which cost less to run. n Watch your water usage: Cutting your shower time by just one minute can make a difference. If everyone in a four-person household with a water meter did this, you could save £45 a year. For more tips on saving energy, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
What support can I get? If you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, you might be able to get support from the government or your energy supplier. The first step is to call your supplier and ask them if they offer any grants to help with your energy bills. You may be eligible for these benefits: n Warm Home Discount: This gives you £140 off your electricity bill if you’re on a low income. If you get the guaranteed element of pension credit, you should get the discount automatically. Check with your supplier to see if they offer the Warm Home Discount because not all of Under this system, if residents feel their councillors are not doing a good job, there is nothing they can do about it for four long years. By contrast, elections three out of every four years keeps political groups regularly accountable to the electorate. So it is obvious – we should retain elections in three years out of four. The wording of the taxpayerfunded leaflet is itself concerning. It suggests the electoral cycle is the main issue of the independent local government boundary commission review – but this is not the case. In reality the real crux of the review lies in the redrawing of ward boundaries, which is the next phase of the commission’s work. Wokingham Borough has a mixture of one-, two- and three-councillor wards. The current ward boundaries have been in place since 2004 yet, with all the recent house building, the populations of some wards has rocketed. For example, Maiden Erlegh ward has 6,700 voters and three councillors. My ward of Norreys has 8,300 voters and also three councillors, amounting to almost 25% more voters per councillor. So, the boundaries have to be redrawn. Falling out of this process is the opportunity to re-visit the how often we have elections. And finally we come to the consultation itself, the wording of which is biased in favour of elections every four years. The question posed is: “Would you prefer to vote for your local councillor once every four years or every three years out of four?” An alternative
them do. n Winter Fuel Payment: This is an annual one-off payment to help you pay for heating during the winter. You can usually get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 26 September 1955. If you’re eligible, you should get this automatically. However, if you think you’re eligible and have not been receiving it you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre (Telephone: 0800 731 0160 / Textphone: 0800 731 0176) Even if you’re not eligible for grants, suppliers still need to support you to manage your payments based on what you can afford. Depending on your circumstances, they may also offer you a referral for independent debt support or energy efficiency advice. They may also be able to offer you temporary credit for your prepay meter that you’ll need to repay. Ian Young, Energy Team Leader for Citizens Advice Consumer Service, said: “We know this is a stressful and worrying time. “We’re encouraging people to consider small ways they can make savings at home wherever possible and make sure they’re getting all the support they’re entitled to. “If you’re struggling, worried you might not be able to afford to top up your meter, or having any issues with your energy supplier, don’t hesitate to contact our Consumer Service so that we can help you find a way forward.” n If you need support, call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133, or visit citizensadvice.org.uk way to put this would be: “Would you prefer the Council listened to you all the time or once every four years?” The leaflet uses different language to describe the two options, with the Conservatives’ favoured outcome being described directly, while the alternative option includes caveats such as the benefits “have been stated as” – this bias leads the reader to believe the arguments are not factual but merely speculation. There is no security on the online survey – you can complete it as many times as you like. While people with access to the internet can vote as many times as they want, people without access to the internet will not be able to take part at all. It is as absurd as it is unfair. This, combined with the bias of the descriptions, render it utterly meaningless as a measure of opinion. The leaflet also refers to some savings. Clearly, having fewer elections will be cheaper. However the leaflet quotes a substantial figure described as “less tangible savings” – the description alone tells you this figure is highly questionable. It is vital we retain elections three years out of four to keep our politicians accountable – and we cannot allow this sham of a consultation to support a lack of property scrutiny of Wokingham’s Conservatives. So please, choose option B – No to an unaccountable Council.
Rachel Burgess is the Wokingham Labour group leader, and ward councillor for Norreys. She is standing for reelection on May 5
From the vicechancellor
Professor Robert Van de Noort
Reading ready for the final
H
ERE’S a starter for ten: which longrunning university TV quiz show has been set alight by the exploits of four fabulous Reading students? Buzz! Reading, Van De Noort! University Challenge, of course! I am sure many of you have been closely following the progress of Reading’s University Challenge team over the last few months. After storming through the first, second and third rounds, the Reading team gave us a thrilling semi-final match on Monday night, which saw them defeat the University of Edinburgh 145-115 to reach the final. This achievement marks the furthest a Reading team has ever gone in the show. Of course, we hope the team manage to go one step further, and we can’t wait to see their appearance in the final, to be broadcast this coming Monday (4 April). Whether they bring the trophy back to Reading or not, the team’s achievement has been about more than just winning. They have impressed the world with how they have played the game. These students represent the great talent and diversity that we have here at Reading. Our people are our University. We are an international community, with staff and students from more than 140 countries. This mix of people helps to make Reading so special, in a community that celebrates excellence, inclusivity and engagement with the outside world. Each of our University Challenge team members helps to embody this spirit. Team captain, Michael Hutchinson, who has impressed with his encyclopaedic knowledge and inclusive leadership, is now a teacher at Highdown School in Emmer Green, after completing his PGCE post-graduate certificate in education. You may recognise Margaret Ounsley, who has lived in Reading for 45 years and is a former Reading Borough councillor, now studying for a doctorate in history. Sylvian Jesudoss, a PhD student from Henley Business School, has been joined by second year undergraduate Kira Bishop, who is studying maths and psychology and replaced English literature master’s student Alex Skopic, who appeared in earlier matches before returning home to the US. The team includes people from the local area who are making the most of the university on their doorstep. Many people think of universities as places for people in their late teens and twenties, continuing their studies straight after finishing school. While that is true for some students, many people come to university later in life, for a variety of reasons: to further their existing careers, to train themselves for a new career, or simply for the love of learning. Study can be undertaken either full-time or part-time, to work around existing jobs or family commitments. We all have our fingers crossed for our quiz show heroes. Whatever happens in the final, they have done Reading proud. They have shown the world a snapshot sample of our amazing students, for whom each and every day is an achievement in their own personal university challenge.
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COUNCILNEWS
PHIL CREIGHTON reports on a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council held on Thursday, March 24
Concerns raised over Wokingham’s potential future flood risk TWYFORD councillor Stephen Conway (Lib Dem) wanted reassurance that the council’s draft local plan “includes robust measures to project as accurately as possible future flood risk”. “I ask because both run-off from current development and the increased incidence of heavy rainfall events associated with climate change suggest that there will be a significant expansion of the areas at risk of flooding over the local plan period,” he said. He made the comments at a meeting of Wokingham
Borough Council held on Thursday, March 24. Responding, Cllr John Halsall said that the council’s work applied the Environment Agency climate change allowances, and site specific flood risk assessments.
Cllr Conway said the response didn’t fill him with confidence, saying the EA’s submission to the Draft Local Plan highlighted “quite serious concern” for some of the sites identified, and the council had not built in proper safeguards. “Their overall comment is they disagree with the viability of the plan,” he said. Cllr Halsall said there was no point in having a consultation “unless you expect people to give you a reaction to what you propose”, promising that the concerns would be taken into account.
Call for support for residents as energy bills rise “THE energy crisis is really going to bite for a lot of people … they are going to be looking for support and guidance at this challenging time. What is this council going to do to facilitate this?” That was a question from Cllr Sarah Kerr (Lib Dem, Evendons) to Cllr Gregor Murray, the executive member for communications, residents services and emissions during a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council held on Thursday, March 24. She pointed that schemes to help residents insulate homes are focused on low income and vulnerable homes and the vast majority of homes don’t qualify. Cllr Murray said that for those homes that had taken part in the council schemes had benefitted from the measures, and the schemes remain open to new applicants. He said that the council is partnering with the Southeast
Energy Hub to deliver a new scheme that offers energy saving home improvements, like insulation, renewable heating systems and double glazing not only to low-income households, but also to homes where the Energy Performance Certificate rating is either D, E, F or G. Around 1,300 residents had been contacted by mail inviting them to take part. He added: “Fuel poverty is an area of increasing concern and for this reason has a dedicated workstream of our Tackling Poverty Strategy. Working with the Hardship Alliance, WBC is developing a range of activity to support people facing this and other types of poverty.” After listing measures mentioned by the chancellor in his spring statement, including five-year 0% VAT rating on energy-saving materials such as solar panels, he said: “We can’t control fuel
costs, but it is plain to see that we are acting to support our residents using the means at our disposal.” Cllr Kerr wanted to know if Cllr Murray agreed with her that the government focus should be on increasing renewable energy generation. “We are doing all we can to increase the amount of renewable energy generated within our community,” Cllr Murray said. “If you have any additional ideas of things that we could be doing in order to generate more renewable energy in our community. I welcome them. “If you have any suggestions of more things that we could be doing to help our rent, reduce their energy bills, or reduce the amount of energy that they’re using at the same time. I welcome them as well.” An angry Cllr Kerr said: “Could you answer my question please?” but the mayor moved on to the next question.
Council to call for action over GP provision in Wokingham town THE lack of GP provision at the Burma Hills surgery was raised by Wokingham town council Conservative group leader Daniel Hinton during a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council, held on Thursday, March 24. He said that when the doctor retired, local residents had been redirected to Wokingham Medical Centre. “I understand there is talk and promises but at the moment no firm plans to restore GP services at this practice,” he told the chamber, adding that an update from the CCG had not been provided, and there was still no GP in the surgery. “What is the truth in regards to Burma Hills and is
there any update?” Cllr Charles Margetts, the executive member for adult services, health and wellbeing, said the CCG’s decision to remove the GP service was “simply not acceptable”, and that the council had been told that Burma Hills’ role as a covid vaccination centre ended, face-to-face GP services would resume. “We went back to the CCG last week and have received a commitment that the full range of primary care medical services will restart in April. It is the responsibility of the practice to communicate to local residents the reopening date.” Cllr Margetts promised that the council would watch the
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
situation and apply pressure to ensure the service was restored. In response, Mr Hinton said there were problems with general GP provision in central Wokingham. Cllr Margetts promised action: “We have been calling on CCG for many months to do something about it, we will not rest on this until we get a response.“ He added that Wokingham had very good GPs “delivering great services”, but Wokingham Medical Centre was ranked in the bottom 5% in England. He had raised this issue with MPs, and has a meeting planned with the CCG to try and move the issue forward.
Laurel Park 3G pitch row THE controversial proposal to create a 3G football pitch in Laurel Park – since abandoned – continued to provoke questions.
At the start of the meeting, residents has their say, while councillors chipped in as the evening wore on. Al Neal, who is a Lib Dem councillor on Earley Town Council, pointed out that a letter from council leader John Halsall to residents said no formal decision had been made as to the location of the pitch but the executive meeting on June 24 last year approved expenditure of £300,000; this has increased to £600,000 in the financial plan approved by the council in February. “How can this be reconciled?” he asked. Council leader John Halsall said: “In order for any project to be considered it needs to be included in the medium-term financial plan. This an essential and necessary precondition. “Thereafter, it will need elaboration into a business plan, a planning application and consultations with residents and other interested parties. “Only when all these steps have been concluded satisfactorily authorisation will be given to proceed.” Mr Neal said he was at the meeting as “just an Earley resident, no other capacity”, and wanted to know if there had been any formal decision on this, rather than a letter circulated on social media. Cllr Halsall said the public had a right to be angry over the way the Laurel Park proposal had been made, and the Lib Dem opposition had promoted the scheme, accusing the party’s leader Cllr Clive Jones of “ploughing on clandestinely”, and wasting officers time. Judith Clark wanted to know more about a proposal to use Maiden Erlegh school. Cllr Halsall said that Ms Clark was an Earley town councillor, to which Ms Clark said he was mistaking her for another Judith Clark. He added no formal decision had been made. “A possibility is upgrading current facilities at Maiden Erlegh school or using facilities in Bearwood. If these are not feasible, maybe there is no suitable site in Lower Earley.” Ms Clark then asked how, if Maiden Erlegh School was selected, would the site be managed as it was an academy. “This discussion is premature, because there’s no such plan existing,” Cllr Halsall said. Anne Morris, who lives in Avalon Road, near to Maiden Erlegh School, said the suggested site “would have serious implications for residents”. Cllr Halsall promised that any site would be chosen after a
business case and consultation had taken place. A petition was presented by Cllr Andrew Mickelburgh, signed by 380 residents who supported improved sports facilities, but didn’t feel Laurel Park was suitable for a 3G pitch. They wanted the council to evaluate all possible sites and undertake a full public consultation. “The number and variety of questions at this and the previous council meeting have clearly identified significant problems in the way the proposals have been handed, and a strong wish of many residents that lessons have been learnt and mistakes will not be repeated,” he said. Later, Cllr Mickleburgh wanted to know if it was “good practice” for mass circulation letters or emails, such as the letter from Cllr Halsall, to be sent to ward councillors as well as affected residents, or posted on social media. Cllr Halsall said: “This administration is here for one purpose alone and that is to serve the residents by being open and transparent ... The recent debate over Laurel Park has regrettably shown us wanting. There is ample evidence that the proposal to site a 3G pitch at Laurel Park was in the public domain in and before March 2021, when it was advertised in the Executive Forward Plan. “The proposal was first promoted by Cllr Jones in December 2020, followed up by many other discussions. There were no member or public questions on this proposal until February 2022.” He added: “There is ample evidence that Earley Town Council enthusiastically supported the decision until very recently, when they found the local residents were against it.” Cllr Mickelburgh said this was not the way the council should be communicating, and the answer was not for the question that was asked. “How many times have councillors deliberately not been forwarded important correspondence from yourself?” Cllr Halsall said: “The requirement for honesty and integrity means the false flag initiatives designed to put the administration in disrepute does nothing to enhance the reputation of this council. “On December 8th 2020, the day after Cantley Park 3G pitch was announced, Cllr Clive Jones wrote to Borough Council,” he continued, saying funding to revamp Cantley Park was “very good news” and added: “How are discussions going with them about Laurel Park? It would be great to have something similar there. Can we have an update chat?” Cllr Halsall said that Cllr Jones’ discussions with the
borough council went on throughout last year. “The fact you didn’t know about it is really not a matter for me,” he said. As this was a councillor question, Cllr Jones had no right of reply. Cllr David Hare asked a question to Cllr Parry Batth, the executive member for environment and leisure. However, Cllr Halsall responded, to the anger of Cllr Hare. Cllr Halsall said saying that he was “intimately involved” in the decision, and as leader of the council he took responsibility for what happened in the council. “As President Truman said, the buck stops here.” Cllr Hare said that the answer did not answer his question, and wanted to know when the council would consult with residents before applying for planning permission. Cllr Halsall said that this question was “absolute nonsense” as no planning application had been prepared. “All the Earley (Lib Dem councillors) have done is manage to sink the proposal (to build a 3G pitch in Earley) and … virtue signal. The petition was absolute nonsense.” Cllr Jones did ask a question during the evening, wanting a copy of the review of the Laurel Park decision to be published, including “details of the process”. Cllr Halsall responded by saying “This must be your darkest hour. You clearly promoted the project to build a 3G pitch in Laurel Park. But you must have done so clandestinely without discussing it with your colleagues in Earley town council nor in Wokingham Borough Council. “Why you should do this I cannot fathom. It appears, that you certainly did not take the residents into your confidence whose views are not opaque. They are very clear that they value Laurel Park as the amenity it is now.” He then accused Cllr Jones of “trying to mislead the public”. Cllr Jones said: “I would just like an answer to my question”, and again called for a copy of the review to be made public. Cllr Halsall responded by asking Cllr Jones for a copy of his review, for details of who he discussed the 3G pitch with: Earley town councillors or Wokingham Borough councillors, and when. Cllr Ferris made a point of order saying that it was not appropriate for the leader to ask a question to a member who had asked a question, but due to the time of the meeting coming to an end, he withdrew his challenge, to allow Cllr Halsall to continue his response. Because it was an answer to a member’s question, Cllr Jones had no right of reply.
Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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COUNCILNEWS
PHIL CREIGHTON reports on a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council held on Thursday, March 24
Cllrs unite to condemn Ukraine invasion UKRAINE was very much on the minds of the council meeting, with the chamber decorated with Ukrainian flags ahead of a motion condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Putin’s Russian troops.
The mayor, Cllr Keith Baker, introduced a minute’s silence for people who had died “unnecessarily” during the conflict. It was held at the beginning of the Wokingham Borough Council meeting. The minute’s silence was introduced by Father Stan Gibzinski, the parish priest from Our Lady of Peace and Blessed Dominic Barberi churches in Earley, and of Polish descent. Afterwards, Cllr Baker thanked Father Stan and said: “Poland is doing a massive amount to help refugees… their charity to the people coming from Ukraine knows no limits.” During the declaration of interest, Cllr Maria Gee said that she had registered to house a refuges, something that was echoed by Cllr Rachel BishopFirth, Cllr Paul Fishwick, Cllr Phil Cunnington. The council agreed to pass a motion to condemn the invasion of Ukraine, to pledge solidarity with the country’s people, and to welcome those seeking sanctuary in Wokingham borough. It was proposed by the mayor and his deputy, Cllr Adbul Loyes, as it was felt that the issue was not a party political one. Cllr Loyes thanked Father Stan and Mick Pollek, a member of the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, who introduced the debate with a moving speech which earned him a standing ovation from the chamber. In it, he highlighted the co-operation between Reading and Wokingham borough councils, and looked forward to the day when the war was over. “Friends, councillors … I can presume to call you friends,” he said. “Because in times of need, friends help each other, and, by goodness, we have had a lot of help from Wokingham Borough Council.” This included council leader John Halsall making arrangements for the centre to store some of the humanitarian donations made by residents to go to Poland and Ukraine to help fleeing refugees. “On the 24th of February, at four o’clock in the morning, the war started,” he continued. “The illegal invasion and subsequent murder of our people began. We had a referendum 1991 That gave us our independence. Russia via Putin has said that in that referendum was not valid. We as a people do not have a right to exist, we as a country do not have a right to exist, and
therefore we will not exist.” Mr Pollek said that the country has “our eternal gratitude” for the support, including the co-operation between Cllr Halsall and his counterpart in Reading, Cllr Jason Brock. “That’s going to bode well for us in future,” he said. He also shared details of a family coming to Reading, a woman with two children, one aged six, the other four. The youngest “is so heavily traumatised, whenever he hears a plane, he cries and falls down. “We’ve got to somehow pick that child up. “You will see, when you have people come into your homes, they will obviously be very grateful, but they have got to lead their own lives. “That’s important, because we are a proud people, we’re a humble people, but we can be arrogant at times too. “It gladdens my heart to see blue and yellow (in the council chamber), but I’m sad about the circumstances. “ He concluded: “When this war is over, when all this is finished, and we’re free, if you come to Western Ukraine, to Lviv, I’ll see you there, and I’ll give you all a good time.” Lib Dem leader Cllr Clive Jones spoke in the debate first, saying he was sure there would be “universal condemnation of Vladimir Putin’s uncalled-for war against Ukraine”. He added: “We have no comprehension of what it’s like to see family members, friends, neighbours and loved ones murdered by Putin’s military.” For those fleeing, “They need to know that there is a safe space for them and a safe place for their children. A safe place away from a war that they don’t want or deserve.” Conservative leader Cllr John Halsall said: “Ukraine is sovereign and democratic nation pursuing self-determination. Ukrainians must be able to live their lives as they chose.” He said the Ukrainian flag will continue to be flown from the Shute End council offices, underlining the council’s support for the Ukrainian people “in this, their hour of need”. As with covid, regular briefings for group leaders will be resumed to keep them updated on the response to welcoming refugees, and he had also written to the prime minister to show his support for the government’s approach. “I know that there is a frustration to do something and to do it now. Rest assured that massive demands will be placed on us. We are only at the beginning of a very long process.
“We must meet them organised and planned. We will work with our voluntary sector partners, our health partners, our schools and our community safety partners. And we will do this while not neglecting our current residents’ needs,” he added. Labour group leader Cllr Rachel Burgess criticised the government’s slow approach to welcoming refugees, and said that Afghan refugees are still waiting for proper homes, six months after arriving in the UK. “The response has not been good enough. They failed to properly prepare for the war, and the ensuing refugee crisis. As a consequence … people (are) left in limbo, waiting for the right paperwork. Contrast that to much of Europe, where they are waiving restrictions.” Independent councillor Jim Frewin said he was proud of the council, its leadership, its members, its officers and the community who have stood up for Ukraine. “I salute you for your bravery,” he said of the Ukrainian forces trying to stop Putin’s invasion. Cllr Maria Gee said that her family hosted many nonEnglish speaking children from eastern Europe, saying they loved seeing the seaside, visiting London and sitting in a fire engine. She highlighted some of the traumas facing children fleeing the invasion. “Refugees will need trauma support. Host families will need support and guidance because they will inevitably be helping refugees through their trauma. This isn’t simply a case of having a lodger or two in the house,” she said, calling on financial support from the government to help facilitate this. “The people of this country have shown that they want to support refugees, with more than 150,000 applying to be hosts. The government needs to make that happen; the need is both important and urgent, action cannot wait.” Cllr Laura Blumenthal (Con, South Lake) said she was a descendent of refugees, and was “proud of the generosity and kindness that residents of Wokingham Borough have shown to the people of Ukraine”. She said that the council would do everything it could to ensure that the refugees don’t fall into the cycle of poverty. At the same time existing residents struggling “will remain a top priority”. Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey (Lib Dem, Emmbrook) wanted to know where the refugees were, criticising the government’s immigration policies. “Many were arriving with little more than just the clothes they are wearing or maybe a
few belongings hastily grabbed at the last minute. They do not have documentation, money, contacts or any kind of plan of where to go.” She wanted the government to speed up its processes. Cllr John Kaiser (Con, Barkham) said that Ukraine was country and its infrastructure was “bring destroyed by a deluded politician”. He added: “We will be getting a grant to help settle people into to their new surroundings and, although it will go some way to helping keep any costs to the council low, there will no doubt be unseen costs which will need to be paid for. “These costs will in part fall on the council and happily, we are in a better position than most councils to bear some of these short-term cost with no additional burden falling on residents of the borough. “In particular, we will be ensuring that, as a starting point, each family receives £200 in cash.” He promised that support will be provided for existing residents. Those who live on their own and receive discount on their council tax, and will be taking in refugees, will still benefit from the reduction. “With so many people opening their door to these people it make you proud to live in Wokingham and we will as a council certainly do our bit.” Cllr Prue Bray (Lib Dem, Winnersh) said that while the council could not do anything about the war, “we can at least show solidarity with the people of Ukraine”. She called on the council to make it clear how people can contact for help if the refugees they welcome need school places or help with trauma. “I know I’m not alone in feeling close to despair (at) Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and what has been done to its people, their country, and the implications to the world as a whole.” She felt the debate was a chance to show that despite political differences, the parties in the chamber can “stand united against the horrors of this invasion”. And she also appealed for councillors to join the refugee steering group. Cllr Rebeca Margetts (Con, Finchampstead South) pointed out that refugees had had to leave their husbands, dads and brothers behind in a bid to flee, while the devastation was comparable with the Second World War. “I cannot believe this is happening in my lifetime,” she said, adding that to the war, “there was no obvious end in sight”. She said that there were at least 150 people from Ukraine
who already live in the borough, and they would need support. Cllr Stephen Conway (Lib Dem, Twyford) said the Ukrainians’ heroic sacrifices had received international acclaim. “These are our values as well as theirs,” he said of the precious democracy that Ukraine was fighting for, and he urged Wokingham to play its part in welcoming Ukrainian refugees, saying that those who welcomed people into their homes were showing “the greatest of humanity”. Cllr Gregor Murray (Con, Norreys) said a communication plan would be put in place, including a welcome sheet in Ukrainian for those arriving in Wokingham. “There will be direct access information for charities, religious support and for local Ukrainian community groups, along with details on how to access the support offered by the likes of Oxfordshire Mind and the Traumatic Stress Service, to help or new neighbours deal with the impact of the last few months of their lives,” he said. There would also be support if the accommodation arrangements were unsuitable. “For the families who welcome refugees into their homes, there will be communication relating to how they can best support their Ukrainian guests,” he continued, adding that translation services would be available. And, mimicking the set-up of the One Front Door support scheme during the lockdown stages of the covid pandemic, Wokingham Borough Council would work with voluntary sector to “coordinating support and donations, and directing help and resources where they will add the most benefit”. Cllr Phil Cunnington (Con, Norreys) said “every person who experiences a traumatic event will react differently”, with some needing support for years after. He praised the council’s set-up of a support service run by Oxfordshire Mind, with specialists available, but Wokingham couldn’t be complacent. However, he had confidence that the right packages would be set up. He added that the council would provide a welcome “whether for a short time or a long time”. Cllr Charles Margetts (Con, Finchampstead North) said the council was working with health partners to ensure GPs were ready to help, and with primary care services so they can plan to meet demand, while advice and support would be available in Ukrainian. “However long they need to stay” refugees would be supported, he added.
Cllr Graham Howe (Con, Remenham, Ruscombe and Wargrave) pointed out that some children would be separated from families including siblings, while we didn’t know what dialect or language will be spoken by them, or the standard of education they had received. “We know they start school at six,” he said, while at the age of 10, they speak some English, which might affect the way they settle into secondary school. Cllr Angus Ross (Con, Wokingham Without) praised the Ukrainian forces for “making life unexpectedly difficult for the Russian invaders, performing way above what many expected”. He is Wokingham borough’s representative on the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and pointed out that fire engines from the fleet had been sent to Ukraine to help. “They’re becoming surplus to needs here, all perfectly serviceable,” he said. “All of us working together can make a difference,” he said of the refugees coming here. Cllr Pauline Heliar-Symons (Con, Wokingham Without) spoke of a six-year-old who lost his Mum during an attack, saying she couldn’t get his tears out of her mind. She condemned Putin’s “propaganda machine” for prolonging the wall, and said that the borough would do its best to help those “at rock bottom” – “we must make sure we look after them”. That marked the end of the debate, and Cllr Baker thanked councillors for their contributions, urging them to take home the flags in the chamber to display in their windows. “I’d rather see them in the windows than in the wastepaper baskets,” he said. The motion was passed unanimously. At the end of the meeting, Cllr Prue Bray (Lib Dem, Winnersh) wanted to know the process for helping refugee children into schools, as the scheme was different to previous ones in that the onus was on the host to help their guest access services. Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, said the council was preparing for the imminent arrival of families from the Ukraine, and he didn’t know the exact numbers at this time. “The admissions teams for school-aged pupils are working with the pupil placement planning officers and schools to review capacity,” he said, adding that guidance and advice would be signposted in the information centre. “Everybody will be assigned a support officer as and when we know about them.”
34 | BUSINESS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
BUSINESSTODAY A business park that is changing
Construction firm marks its highest-ever operating profit A FAMILY-owned construction group with offices in Newbury has reported record profits. The Wates Group, which specialises in residential development, and property services companies, says the operating profit of £40m comes on the back of securing £2.3bn of new work during 2021. Its forward order book is £7.1bn, up 7% from the previous year, and another record figure. The group is entering its 125th anniversary year, and says that its total tax contribution to the Exchequer rise from £107m in 2020 to £233m in 2021. And the firm says that it has strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability, cutting carbon emissions by 53% since 2019. It also continued to give back to the communities where it operates, generating £116m in social value over the course of the year. The Group will shortly be announcing details of a significant new sustainability-linked loan facility. David Allen, chief executive, the Wates Group, said: “I feel enormous gratitude for and pride in what the team here at Wates achieved in 2021. It is incredible that
in a year that was frequently - and for extended periods - very challenging, we continued to work safely and produced the highest operating profit in Wates’ 125-year history. “What we’ve accomplished shows that our strategy – of focusing on the performance priorities that will help us achieve our goals of being more trusted, sustainable and progressive - is working. “This strategy is supported by significant new investments in our residential and developments businesses, and by the investments we’re making in data and modern methods of construction to enable us to offer marketleading services to all our customers and partners.” He added: “Despite the economic and political pressures that are affecting everyone right now, the strength of our performance in 2021; the size of our order book; our proven ability to help customers and partners meet their sustainability goals; the clarity of our strategy; and the quality of our amazing team mean we’re looking forward to the future with confidence and excitement.”
Pandemic property boom sees first-time buyer prices soar By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE PANDEMIC property boom has moved the goalposts again for first-time buyers, with the average cost of a starter home increasing by £33,000.
Research by online platform Stipendium has revealed that in December 2019, the average firsttime buyer paid £195,267. Today this has climbed to £228,627, a 17% increase. And it is even bigger in the South East region - the price of getting on the property ladder has increased, on average, by £42,344. Only the South West has seen a bigger increase, at £43,291. London has seen the smallest increase in the average price paid by a first-time buyer at 8%. However, this increase does amount to £31,759,
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even further out of grasp for the nation’s first-time buyers.” She added: “While prepandemic life may seem a long time ago, the financial commitment for the average firsttime buyer is now £30,000 higher than it was just two years ago. “Unfortunately, until the government addresses the current housing crisis by actually building more homes, we can expect to see more of the same over the coming years. “All we can do in the meantime, is best educate those looking to buy their first home on how they can save money during the overall process and what to expect when looking to buy.”
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making it the sixth largest monetary increase. Christina Melling is the CEO of Stipendium, a platform focused around simplifying complex life events such as moving home. She said: “The pandemic property market boom has been widely regarded as a positive to be taken from an otherwise tough period and in some cases, this is certainly true. “However, the introduction of yet another demand focused government initiative in the form of the stamp duty holiday has only caused greater imbalance within the market, pushing the affordability of homeownership
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SMALL businesses will benefit from some changes announced by the Chancellor last week, but more needed to be done to address the cost of living. In last week’s Spring Statement, the chancellor announced that National Insurance will kick in from £12,570, an increase of £3,000. David Hedges, Partner and Head of Employment Taxes at Azets, a regional accountancy and business advisors to SMEs and Top 10 accountancy firm, said that it will help employees. And the Employment Allowance for employers will rise by £1,000 to £5,000. “The eligibility for Employment Allowance is where an employer’s NIC liability is less than £100,000 in the previous tax year.
“This will be a helpful easement for small employers which goes some way to mitigate the fact that there is no change in the Employer National Insurance threshold and which the Chancellor estimated will benefit around half a million SMEs.” He said that Azets welcomed planned discussions on reliefs such as training, qualifications and R&D tax credits, but for SMEs, these measures would be unlikely to fully mitigate the inflationary impact of the Health and Social Care levy from April. “This means there will be more pressure on SMEs from their employees to increase wages to offset the effects of increased inflation – which is predicted to rise to 8% this year – in order to
Housebuilder makes £50k donation to Red Cross A HOUSEBUILDER is doing its bit to help Ukrainians caught up in Putin’s invasion of the European country. The Barratt Foundation has given £50,000 to the Red Cross, via The Sun newspaper’s appeal. The donation from Barratt Developments – parent company of Barratt and David Wilson Homes - will help efforts inside the country, and also at its borders, in a bid to ease the suffering of those caught in the conflict. David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments and a trustee of the Barratt
retain valued staff,” he said. “The tax cuts outlined for 2024 are welcome, but SME employees are struggling with steeply rising living costs now. “We would urge the Chancellor to go further in his support particularly for the SME community.” He said that this could include help with working from home arrangements. “This is proving attractive to many employees who would like to combine their personal and business lives more effectively, while employers may be able to reduce overhead costs,” Mr Hedges said. “Some encouragement to accelerate this would have sent a positive message to employer and employee alike.”
Foundation, said: “We’ve all been affected by the distressing news from Ukraine. “We are happy to donate to support the vital work the Red Cross is doing to ease suffering and helping families.” The donation has been welcomed by Mike Adamson, the chief executive of British Red Cross, who said: “It will help us reach people with food, water, medicine, medical equipment and other essentials. We thank you for your kind support.” Last year, the foundation gave £4.5 million in grants, and it has been set up to build strong community relationships and ensuring it creates a positive legacy that helps local communities to thrive. n For more, visit: barrattfoundation.org.uk
Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Classifieds PUBLIC NOTICES
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (B478 THAMES STREET, SONNING) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2022 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 24th March 2022 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: B478 Thames Street, Sonning between its junctions with B478 Charvil Lane and Wokingham Borough Boundary. The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by the restriction shall be via B478 Playhatch Road, A4155 Henley Road, A4155 Prospect Street, A4155 Church Street, A4155 Caversham Road, A329 Caversham Road, A329 Queens Road, A329 Kings Road, A4 London Road, A4 Shepherds Hill, A4 Bath Road and Pound Lane. The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by the restriction shall be via Pound Lane, A4 Bath Road, A4 London Road, A4 Crown Street, A327 Southampton Street, A329 Queens Road, A329 Caversham Road, A4155 Caversham Road, A4155 Church Street, A4155 Prospect Street, A4155 Henley Road and B478 Playhatch Road. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 6th April and 8th April 2022.
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (A321 FINCHAMPSTEAD ROAD AND MOLLY MILLARS LANE, WOKINGHAM (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2022 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. A321 Finchampstead Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Landen Court and Tangley Drive. The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Wellington Road, A321 Station Approach, A329 Reading Road, A321 Station Road, B3349 Barkham Road, Langley Common Road, Biggs Lane, Park Lane, Nine Mile Ride and B3016 Finchampstead Road. The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3016 Finchampstead Road, Nine Mile Ride, Park Lane, Biggs Lane, Langley Common Road, B3349 Barkham Road, A321 Station Approach, A329 Reading Road, A321 Station Road, A321 Wellington Road 2. Molly Millars Lane, Wokingham between its junctions with A321 Finchampstead Road and The Business Centre.
The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake bridge parapet inspection and routine maintenance work in safety.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Finchampstead Road, B3016 Finchampstead Road, Nine Mile Ride, Park Lane, Biggs Lane, Langley Common Road and B3349 Barkham Road or by this route in reverse.
Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 19th April and 31st May 2022.
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 6th April 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 31st March 2022 Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
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The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Southern Gas Networks contractors to undertake diversion of steel pressure main and replace with PE main in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (BELL FOUNDRY LANE, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2022
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (BELL FOUNDRY LANE, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2022
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
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:
Bell Foundry Lane, Wokingham between its junctions with Wiltshire Road and A321 Twyford Road.
Bell Foundry Lane, Wokingham between its junctions with Wiltshire Road and A321 Twyford Road.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Twyford Road, A321 Wokingham Road, Broadwater Lane, A321 Hurst Road, B3018 Waltham Road, The Straight Mile, Maidenhead Road and Warren House Road or by this route in reverse.
The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Twyford Road, A321 Wokingham Road, Broadwater Lane, A321 Hurst Road, B3018 Waltham Road, The Straight Mile, Maidenhead Road and Warren House Road or by this route in reverse.
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 18th April and 26th April 2022.
Works requiring this restriction will take place between 18th April and 26th April 2022.
The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to reprofile the carriageway and adjust the kerbs in safety.
The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to reprofile the carriageway and adjust the kerbs in safety.
Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times.
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 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 April 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.
The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 18th April 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.
Dated: 31st March 2022
Dated: 31st March 2022
Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application
Address
Reasons for Advert
Description
193353
"Fleet Hill Farm", Fleet Lane, Finchampstead, Wokingham
Environmental Impact Assessment
Section 73 planning application to vary condition 2 of planning permission VAR/2013/2552 in order to make minor amendments to the approved Restoration Masterplan to reconfiguration reed beds and pools in south western lake to reflect the final excavation profiles and depths; in summary. Configuration of pond and new woodland in area to the south of Fleethill Copse. Amendments to the alignment of footpaths and Bridleway. Retention of Colebrooke Cut on its original alignment and amendments to south eastern lakes to account for retention of mineral due to archaeological sterilisation.
220243
41 Brook Street, Twyford
Conservation Area
Householder application for the proposed erection of a two-storey rear extension following demolition of existing single storey extension, plus modification to the existing two storey rear roof to form a new hipped roof and changes to fenestration.
220762
1-2, Bush Walk, Wokingham
Works to a listed building
Application for advertisement consent for the installation of 1no. shop front non-illuminated fascia sign, 2no. internally illuminated roundel signs.
220763
1-2, Bush Walk, Wokingham
Works to a listed building
Application for Listed Building consent for the proposed Internal alterations to the ground/first floor and alterations to the fenestration.
220789
Brentwode, Wargrave Road, Remenham
Works to a listed building
Full application for the demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings, proposed erection of 1no. 4-bedroom dwelling and garage, alterations to existing vehicular access, plus the erection of new entrance gate and fence.
220800
94 Rose Street, Wokingham
Works to a listed building
Application for Listed building consent for the proposed replacement windows, new lantern light & enlarged kitchen window.
The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 19th April 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 31st March 2022 Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
Reach local people We cover the whole of the Wokingham Borough Fr i e n d l y Se r v i ce Ema i l us t od ay f or a p ri c e
The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. Comments on the application can be made online from this web page. Any comments must arrive on or before the 21st April 2022. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses. Date: 31st March 2022
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Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
PUBLIC NOTICES WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL LICENSING ACT 2003 S34 APPLICATION TO VARY PREMISES LICENCE NEWSPAPER NOTICE
For up to date news in the borough follow us on
Variation of Premises licence to allow for consumption of Alcohol on site in our Cafe/Pizzeria
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Representations to be made by: 29th April 2022 This application has been made to the Licensing Team at Wokingham Borough Council where a register of applications is kept and a record of the application may be inspected. www.wokingham.gov.uk Under S158 of the above act, a person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes a false statement in connection with an application. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a unlimited fine.
JOB VACANCY ARE LOOKING FOR A COMMUNITY REPORTER FOR SOUTH READING/SHINFIELD
Graham Colin Adams of Lockey Farm, Sindlesham Road, Arborfield ,Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9JH proposes to vary the Premises Licence for the above premises as follows
Representations may be made in writing by any responsible authority or other persons in the vicinity of the premises to the licensing authority - Licensing Team, Wokingham Borough Council, POB 155, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1WW or by email to licensinq@wokingham.gov.uk All representations made are open to public inspection
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Dated: 31st March 2022
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We are particularly keen to increase diversity in our newsroom and offer opportunities to those who may not have felt able to break into the media industry. We are open-minded about whether we take on an apprentice or trainee; what is more important to us is finding somebody who recognises how local news can help inform and improve lives and who wants to get involved and support the communities we serve.
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All reporters will work towards an NCTJ qualification either as a standalone qualification or as part of an apprenticeship. Recruits will either study towards the Diploma in Journalism, or the National Qualification in Journalism for those who already have the diploma. Reporters will also attend digital skills training from Meta and receive regular, additional training support from the NCTJ.
HOW TO APPLY To apply, email David Riley at driley@wokingham.today by Friday, April 1. Include a CV and a brief outline of why you would like the role and why we should choose you for it.
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To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (VARIOUS ROADS, WOKINGHAM BOROUGH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2022
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 24th March 2022 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. B3030 Mole Road, Arborfield between its junctions with Cops e Barnhill Lane and Ellis 's Hill. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Mole Road, Bearwood Road, B3349 Barkham Road, Langley Common Road, Eversley Road and B3030 Sindlesham Road or by this route in reverse. 2. Chequers Way, Woodley from its junction with Howth Drive. 3. Shepherds Hous e Lane, Earley from its junction with A4 London Road. 4. Palmers tone Road, Earley between its junctions with Culver Lane and B3350 Church Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Culver Lane and B3350 Church Road or by this route in reverse. 5. Charvil Hous e Road, Charvil between its junctions with St Patrick's Avenue and Park View Drive North. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via St Patricks Avenue, Kingsley Close and Park View Drive North or by this route in reverse. 6. As htrees Road, Woodley between its junctions with Rowan Drive and Wilmington Clos e. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Wilmington Close and Rowan Drive or by this route in reverse. 7. Rochester Avenue, Woodley from its junction with Ravensbourne Drive. 8. Astley Close, Wokingham from its junction with Old Woosehill Lane. 9. Emmbrook Gate, Wokingham from its junction with Emmbrook Road. 10. Walter Road, Wokingham between its junctions Ches tnut Avenue and Simon's Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Simons Lane, A329 Reading Road, Old Woosehill Lane and Chestnut Avenue or by this route in reverse. 11. Commons Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Old Fores t Road and Emmbrook Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Emmbrook Road, A329 Reading Road and Old Forest Road or by this route in reverse. 12. Lowther Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Emmbrook Road and Old Fores t Road The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Emmbrook Road, A329 Reading Road and Old Forest Road or by this route in reverse. 13. Oxford Road, Wokingham between its junctions with B3349 Barkham Road and A329 Reading Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Reading Road, B3030 King Street Lane, Bearwood Road and B3349 Barkham Road or by this route in reverse. 14. Petrel Close, Wokingham from its junction with Swallow Way. 15. B3348 Fleet Hill, Finchamps tead between its junctions with A327 Reading Road and The Village. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3348 The Village, B3016 Jubilee Road, B3016 Finchampstead Road, Nine Mile Ride, Park Lane, Biggs Lane, Langley Common Road and A327 Reading Road or by this route in reverse. 16. Jerrymoor Hill, Finchampstead from its junction with Mornington Avenue. 17. B3016 Finchampstead Road Finchampstead between its junctions with B3430 Nine Mile Ride and A321 Sandhurst Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Sandhurst Road and B3430 Nine Mile Ride or by this route in reverse. 18. Kitwood Drive, Lower Earley from its junction with Kilnsea Drive 19. Hambledon Close, Lower from its junction with Kitwood Drive. 20. Yoreham Close, Lower Earley from its junction with Kitwood Drive. 21. Cannock Way, Lower Earley from its junction with Carshalton Way. 22. Elford Close, Lower Earley from its junction with Cannock Way. 23. Lichfield Close, Lower Earley from its junction with Cannock Way. 24. Sturbridge Close, Lower Earley from its junction with Cannock Way. 25. Tamworth Close, Lower Earley from its junction with Cannock Way. 26. Reeds Avenue, Earley from its junction with Harts bourne Road. 27. Fowler Clos e, Earley from its junction with Reeds Avenue. 28. A321 Wokingham Road, Hurs t between its junctions with Lines Road and Fores t Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Broadwater Lane, A321 Hurst Road, B3018 Waltham Road, The Straight Mile, Maidenhead Road, Warren House Road, Bell Foundry Lane and A321 Twyford Road or by this route in reverse. 29. A321 Twyford Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Fores t Road and Bell Foundry Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Wokingham Road, Broadwater Lane, Hurst Road, B3018 Waltham Road, The Straight Mile, Maidenhead Road, Warren House Road and Bell Foundry Lane or by this route in reverse. 30. Huds on Road, Woodley between its junctions with Aus tin Road and Colemans Moor Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by the restriction shall be via Austin Road, Colemans Moor Road and Colemans Moor Lane or by this route in revers e. 31. B3350 Wildernes s Road, Earley between its junctions with B3350 Elm Road and A329 Wokingham Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by the restriction shall be via A329 Wokingham Road, B3270 Lower Earley Way North, B3270 Lower Earley Way, B3270 Lower Earley Way West, A327 Black Boy Roundabout, A327 Shinfield Road and B3350 Elm Road or by this route in reverse. 32. B3350 Elm Road, Earley between its junctions with A327 Shinfield Road and B3350 Wildernes s Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by the restriction shall be via B3350 Wilderness Road, A329 Wokingham Road, B3270 Lower Earley Way North, B3270 Lower Earley Way, B3270 Lower Earley Way West, A327 Black Boy Roundabout and A327 Shinfield Road or by this route in reverse. 33. Stanton Close, Earley from its junction with A329 Wokingham Road. 34. Courts Road, Earley from its junction with May's Lane. 35. Gladridge Clos e, Earley from its junction with Courts Road. 36. Nuthatch Drive, Earley from its junction with Courts Road. 37. Finch Road, Earley between its junctions with Kenton Road and Silverdale Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Silverdale Road and Kentons Road or by this route in reverse. 38. Wokingham Road (South Side Service Road), Earley from its junctions with A329 Wokingham Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via A329 Wokingham Road or by this route in reverse. 39. Dunholme Close, Lower Earley from its junction with Saleby Close. 40. Byeways Clos e, Knowl Hill from its junction with Wokingham Borough Boundary. 41. A4 Bath Road, Kiln Green between its junctions with Blakes Lane and Scarletts Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4130 Henley Road, A4130 White Hill, A321 Wargrave Road, A321 High Street and A321 Wargrave Road or by this route in reverse. 42. Pennfields (cul-de-sac and loop only), from its junction with Pennfields. 43. Fidlers Walk, Wargrave from its junction with Purfield Drive. 44. Ridgeway, Wargrave between its junctions with Purfield Drive and Langhams Way. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Langhams Way and Purfield Drive or by this route in reverse. 45. Clements Clos e, Spencers Wood from its junction with Beech Hill Road. 46. Grazeley Road, Three Mile Cros s between its junctions with Woodcock Court and Kingfis her Grove. 47. Kingfisher Grove, Three Mile Cross from its junction with Grazeley Road. 48. As kew Drive, Spencers Wood from its junction with Clares Green Road. 49. Halfacre Close, Spencers Wood from its junction with Askew Drive. 50. Clares Green Road, Spencers Wood between its junctions with Bas ings toke Road and Croft Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Grovelands Road, Hyde End Road and
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
Basingstoke Road or by this route in reverse. 51. Lane End Close, from its junction with Cutbush Lane West. 52. B4446 Pears on Road, Sonning between its junctions with Sonning Lane and B478 Thames Street. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B478 Charvil Lane, A4 Bath Road and B4446 Sonning Lane or by this route in reverse. 53. B4446 Sonning Lane, Sonning between its junctions with B4446 Pears on Road and A4 Bath Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B4446 Pearson Road, B478 Charvil Lane and A4 Bath Road or by this route in reverse. 54. High Street, Sonning between its junctions with B4446 Pears on Road and B478 Thames Street. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via B478 Thames Street, B478 Charvil Lane, A4 Bath Road, B4446 Sonning Lane and B4446 Pearson Road or by this route in reverse. 55. Hanwood Close, Woodley from its junction with A329 Reading Road. 56. Wyndham Cres cent, Woodley from its junctions with Wroxham Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Wroxham Road or by this route in reverse. 57. Nightingale Road, Woodley between its junctions with Hazel Drive and Linden Road. 58. Ros lyn Road, Woodley between its junctions with Woodlands Avenue and Crockhamwell Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Woodlands Avenue and Crockhamwell Road or by this route in reverse. 59. Nightingale Road, Woodley. from its junction with Hazel Drive (westbound). 60. Troutbeck Close, Twyford from its junction with Amberley Drive. 61. Goodings Green, Wokingham from its junction with Bean Oak Road. 62. Wilts hire Road, Wokingham between its junctions with A329 Rectory Road and Bell Foundry Lane. The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Bell Foundry Lane, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road and A329 Rectory Road. The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road and Bell Foundry Lane. 63. Seaford Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Wes cott Road and A329 London Road. The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Wescott Road, Easthampstead Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road and A329 London Road. The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 London Road, A329 Peach Street, Easthampstead Road and Wescott Road. 64. Norreys Avenue, Wokingham between its junctions with A329 Wiltshire Road and Stephanie Chase Close. The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by this restriction contained in Article 65 hereof shall be via A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 London Road and Barrett Crescent. The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Barrett Crescent, A329 London Road, A329 Peach Street, A329 Broad Street, A329 Rectory Road and A329 Wiltshire Road. 65. Pigott Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Keephatch Road and Budges Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Keephatch Road and Budges Road or by this route in reverse. 66. Blake Close, Wokingham from its junction with Pigott Road. 67. Hutsons Close, Wokingham from its junction with Pigott Road. 68. Moores Green, Wokingham between its junctions with Keephatch Road and Pigott Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Pigott Road, Budges Road and Keephatch Road or by this route in reverse. 69. Whaley Road, Wokingham from its junction with Pigott Road. 70. Salamanca, Crowthorne from its junction with Wellesley Drive. 71. B3430 Nine Mile Ride, Crowthorne between its junctions with A321 Lower Wokingham Road and Old Wokingham Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via New Wokingham Road, B3348 Bracknell Road, B3348 Dukes Ride and A321 Lower Wokingham Road or by this route in revers e. 72. Ellis Road, Crowthorne between its junctions with Old Wokingham Road and The Avenue The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Old Wokingham Road, B3348 Bracknell Road, B3348 Dukes Ride and New Wokingham Road or by this route in revers e. 73. Frensham Road, Crowthorne between its junctions with Farm Close and Everest Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Rowan Drive and Belmont Road or by this route in reverse. 74. New Wokingham Road, Crowthorne between its junctions with Nine Mile Ride and The Brackens . The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via B3348 Dukes Ride, Old Wokingham Road and B3430 Nine Mile Ride or by this route in reverse. 75. Parkcorner Lane, Sindlesham from its junction with B3030 Mole Road. 76. Edneys Hill, Barkham between its junctions with Evendons Lane and B3349 Barkham Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Evendons Lane, B3016 Finchampstead Road, Barkham Ride, Barkham Street and B3349 Barkham Road or by this route in reverse. 77. Church Road, Woodley between its junctions with Tippings Lane and Butts Hill Road The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Tippings Lane, Headley Road Eas t and Butts Hill Road or by this route in reverse. 78. Evendons Lane, Wokingham between its junctions with Edney's Hill and B3016 Finchamps tead Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3016 Finchampstead Road, Barkham Ride, Barkham Street, B3349 Barkham Road and Edneys Hill or by this route in revers e. 79. Broadcommon Lane, Hurs t between its junctions with Broadcommon Road and The Straight Mile The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Broadcommmon Road, A321 Wokingham Road, Hinton Road, B3018 Waltham Road and The Straight Mile or by this route in reverse. 80. Broadcommon Road, Hurs t between its junctions with Wokingham Road and Pound Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Wokingham Road and Pound Lane or by this route in reverse. 81. Broadwater Lane, Hurst between its junctions with Lodge Road and Whistley Green. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Hurst Road, B3018 Waltham Road, The Straight Mile, Maidenhead Road, B3034 Forest Road and A321 Wokingham Road or by this route in reverse. 82. Forest Road (Westbound), Wokingham from its junction with A321 Twyford Road 83. B3030 Davis Street, Hurs t between its junctions with Robin Hood Lane and Sandford Lane. The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Lodge Road, A321 Hurst Road, A321 Waltham Road, A3032 High Street, A3032 Old Bath Road, A4 Bath Road, A4 London Road, A3290 Alpha, The Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, A329 Reading Road and B3030 Robin Hood Lane. The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Robin Hood Lane, A329 Reading Road, The Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, Wharfedale Road, B3290 Bravo, A4 London Road, A4 Shepherds Hill, A4 Bath Road, A3032 Old Bath Road, A3032 High Street, A321 Waltham Road, A321 Hurst Road and B3030 Lodge Road. 84. A329 Reading Road, Winners h from its junctions with Robin Hood Lane and Shute End The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Wokingham Road, Broadwater Lane, Lodge Road, Davis Street, Robin Hood Lane . The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Robin Hood Lane, Davis Street, Lodge Road, Broadwater Lane, A321 Wokingham Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach St, A329 Broad Street. 85. A321 Wokingham Road, Hurs t between its junctions with School Road and Pound Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Broadwater Lane, A321 Hurst Road, B3018 Waltham Road, The Straight Mile, Maidenhead Road and B3034 Forest Road or by this route in reverse. 86. Highfield Road, Wargrave between its junctions with Crazies Hill and Wokingham Borough Boundary. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Hatch Gate Lane and Crazies Hill or by this route in reverse. 87. Blakes Road, Wargrave between its junctions with Wargrave Hill and Victoria Road The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this res triction s hall be via Victoria Road and Dark Lane or by this route in reverse.
Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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88. Dark Lane, Wargrave between its junctions with B477 School Lane and Wargrave Hill. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B477 School Lane, A321 High Street and Wargrave Hill or by this route in reverse. 89. Bear Lane, Kiln Green from its junction with Blakes Lane. 90. Kentons Lane, Wargrave between its junctions with Culham Lane and Wargrave Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Wargrave Road, A4130 White Hill, Upper Culham Lane and Culham Lane or by this route in reverse. 91. Goring Lane, Grazeley between its junctions with Grazeley Green Road and Wokingham Borough Boundary The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Goring Lane, Palmers Lane, Riders Lane and Fullers Lane or by this route in reverse. 92. Pump Lane, Grazeley between its junctions with Grazeley Green Road and Lambwood Hill. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Lambwood Hill, Bloomfield Hatch Lane, Mereoak Lane and Grazeley Green Road or by this route in reverse. 93. Bunglers Hill, Farley Hill between its junctions with Priest Hill and Sandpit Lane The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Swallowfield Road, A327 Observer Way, A327 Reading Road and Church Road or by this route in reverse. 94. Nutbean Lane, Farley Hill between its junctions with Sandpit Lane and Church Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Sandpit Lane, Bunglers Hill and Church Road or by this route in reverse. 95. Eversley Road, Arborfield between its junctions with B3349 School Road and Langley Common Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A327 Reading Road, A327 Observer Way and A327 Reading Road or by this route in reverse. 96. B3349 Barkham Road, Arborfield between its junctions with Langley Common Road and Bearwood Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Bearwood Road, B3030 King Street Lane, B3030 Mole Road, B3030 Sindlesham Road, Eversley Road and Langley Common Road or by this route in reverse. 97. Bearwood Road, Barkham between its junctions with B3349 Barkham Road and Coombes Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 King Street Lane, B3030 Mole Road, B3030 Sindlesham Road, Eversley Road, Langley Common Road and B3349 Barkham Road or by this route in reverse. 98. Oxford Road, Wokingham between its junctions with B3349 Barkham Road and A329 Reading Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Reading Road, B3030 King Street Lane, Bearwood Road and B3349 Barkham Road or by this route in reverse. 99. Woosehill, Wokingham between its junctions with A329 Reading Road and Northway. 100. B3350 Elm Road, Earley between its junctions with A327 Shinfield Road and B3350 Wilderness Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3350 Wilderness Road, A329 Wokingham Road, B3270 Lower Earley Way North, B3270 Lower Earley Way, B3270 Lower Earley Way West, A327 Black Boy Roundabout and A327 Shinfield Road or by this route in reverse. 101. Broadcommon Road, Hurst between its junctions with A321 Wokingham Road and Pound Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Pound Lane and A321 Wokingham Road or by this route in reverse. 102. Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley between its junctions with A329 Wokingham Road and Meadow Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Wokingham Road and Meadow Road or by this route in reverse. 103. Stanlake Lane, Ruscombe between its junctions with Ruscombe Road and B3018 Waltham Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Ruscombe Lane, Ruscombe Road, A3032 London Road, A321 Waltham Road and B3018 Waltham Road or by this route in reverse. 104. Silverdale Road, Earley between its junctions with Gipsy Lane and Hillside Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Betchworth Avenue, B3350 Wilderness Road, A329 Wokingham Road, Meadow Road and Gipsy Lane or by this route in reverse. 105. Gipsy Lane, Earley between its junctions with Rushey Way and Mill Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Mill Lane, Toseland Way and Rushey Way or by this route in reverse. 106. A4 Bath Road, Hare Hatch between its junctions with Tag Lane and Blakes Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4130 Henley Road, A4130 White Hill, A321 Wargrave Road, A321 High Street and A321 Wargrave Road or by this route in reverse. 107. A327 Hollow Lane, Shinfield between its junctions with A327 Shinfield Road and Wychelm Road The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A327 Shinfield Road, Shinfield Eastern Relief Road and A327 Arborfield Road or by this route in reverse. 108. A4 Bath Road, Sonning between its junctions with A3032 Old Bath Road Roundabout and Pound Lane Roundabout. The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A3032 Old Bath Road, A321 Hurst Road, Broadwater Lane, B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 Davis Street, A329 Reading Road, A329 Wokingham Road, B3350 Church Road, B3350 Pitts Lane, A4 London Road and A4 Shepherds Hill. The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by the restriction contained in Article 109 hereof shall be via A4 London Road, B3350 Pitts Lane, B3350 Church Road, A329 Wokingham Road, A329 Reading Road, B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Lodge Road, Broadwater Lane, A321 Hurst Road and A3032 Old Bath Road. 109. Holme Park Farm Lane, Sonning between its junctions with Sonning Lane and Sonning Meadows. 110. Sonning Meadows, Sonning from its junction with Holme Park Farm Lane. 111. A321 Finchampstead Road, Wokingham between its junctions with Wellington Road and Molly Millars Lane. The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Molly Millars Lane, B3349 Barkham Road, A321 Station Approach, A329 Reading Road, A321 Station Road and A321 Wellington Road. The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be A321 Wellington Road, Station Approach, A329 Reading Road, A321 Station Road, B3349 Barkham Road and Molly Millars Lane. 112. Nine Mile Ride, Crowthorne between its junctions with New Wokingham Road and Old Wokingham Road The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Old Wokingham Road, B3348 Bracknell Road, B3348 Dukes Ride and New Wokingham Road or by this route in reverse. 113. Church Road, Farley Hill between its junctions with Church Lane and Bungler's Hill. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Bunglers Hill, Swallowfield Road, A327 Observer Way and A327 Reading Road or by this route in reverse. 114. Beechwood Avenue, Woodley between its junctions with Headley Road and Howth Drive. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Howth Drive and A329 Reading Road or by this route in reverse. 115. B3016 Jubilee Road, Finchampstead between its junctions with B3348 The Ridges and B3348 The Village. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3348 The Village, B3348 Fleet Hill, A327 Reading Road, Langley Common Road, Biggs Lane, Park Lane, Nine Mile Ride and B3016 Finchampstead Road or by this route in reverse. 116. A4 Bath Road, Hare Hatch between its junctions with B477 Mumbery Hill and Blakes Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4130 Henley Road, A4130 White Hill, A321 Wargrave Road, A321 High Street and A321 Wargrave Road or by this route in reverse. 117. Old Forest Road, Wokingham from its junction with Ashton Road in a northerly direction. 118. Goddard Court, Winnersh from its junction with Churchill Drive. 119. Targett Court, Winnersh from its junction with Churchill Drive. 120. Wilson Court, Winnersh from its junction with Churchill Drive. 121. Bayley Court, Winnersh from its junction with Churchill Drive. 122. Rainbow Park, Winnersh from its junctions with Churchill Drive and Azalea Close. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by the restriction contained in Article 123 hereof shall be via Churchill Drive and Azalea Close or by this route in reverse. 123. Willow Drive, Twyford from its junction with Amberley Drive. 124. Culham Lane, Remenham Hill between its junctions with Worleys Lane and Hatch Gate Lane. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4130 Henley Road, Henley Road, Burchetts Green Road, A4 Bath Road and Warren Row Road or by this route in reverse. 125. A4 London Road, Earley (Roundabout Closures) between its junctions with Wokingham Borough Boundary and A4 Shepherds Hill. The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by the restriction contained in Article 126 hereof shall be via A4 Shepherds Hill, A4 London Road, B3350 Pitts Lane, B3350 Church Road, B3350 Wilderness Road, B3350 Elm Road, A327
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Shinfield Road, A327 Christchurch Road, A327 Southhampton Street, A329 Mill Lane, A329 Queens Road, Watlington Street and A329 Kings Road. The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by the restriction contained in Article 126 hereof shall be via A327 Silver Street, A327 Mount Pleasant, A327 Whitley Street, A327 Christchurch Road, A327 Shinfield Road, B3350 Elm Road, B3350 Wilderness Road, B3350 Church Road, B3350 Pitts Lane. 126. A3290 Alpha off to Suttons Park, Earley from its junction with A4 London Road. 127. A3290 Alpha on to Suttons Park, Earley from its junction with A4 London Road. 128. A3290 Bravo off from Suttons Park, Earley from its junction with A4 London Road. 129. A3290 Bravo on from Suttons Park, Earley from its junction with A4 London Road. 130. A4 Bath Road, Sonning (Roundabout Closure) between its junctions with A3032 New Bath Road and Parkway. The alternative route for all southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Wargrave Road, Church Road, A321 Waltham Road, A321 Hurst Road, Broadwater Lane, B3030 B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 B3030 Davis Street, A329 Reading Road, A329 Wokingham Road, A4 London Road, A327 Southhampton Street, A329 Mill Lane, A329 Queens Road, Watlington Street, A329 Kings Road, A4 London Road and A4 Shepherds Hill. The alternative route for all northbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4 London Road, A329 Wokingham Road, A329 Reading Road, B3030 B3030 Davis Street, B3030 B3030 Lodge Road, Broadwater Lane, A321 Hurst Road, A321 Waltham Road, Church Road and A321 Wargrave Road. The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A3032 Old Bath Road, Church Road, A321 Waltham Road, A321 Hurst Road, Broadwater Lane, B3030 B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 B3030 Davis Street, A329 Reading Road, A329 Wokingham Road, A4 London Road, A327 Southhampton Street, A329 Mill Lane, A329 Queens Road, Watlington Street, A329 Kings Road, A4 London Road, A4 Shepherds Hill, A4 Bath Road, B4446 Sonning Lane, B4446 Pearson Road and B478 Charvil Lane. The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B478 Charvil Lane, B4446 Pearson Road, B4446 Sonning Lane, A4 London Road, A329 Wokingham Road, A329 Reading Road, B3030 B3030 Davis Street, B3030 B3030 Lodge Road, Broadwater Lane, A321 Hurst Road, A321 Waltham Road, Church Road and A321 Wargrave Road. 131. Charvil Lane, Sonning from its junction with A4 Bath Road. 132. Milestone Avenue, Charvil from its junction with A4 Bath Road. 133. A4 New Bath Road, Charvil from its junction with A4 Bath Road. 134. A3032 Old Bath Road, Charvil from its junction with A4 Bath Road. 135. Lower Earley Way, Earley (Roundabout Closures) between its junctions with Beeston Way and Meldreth Way. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Beeston Way, Rushey Way, Carshalton Way, Meldreth Way, Chatteris Way, Cutbush Lane or by this route in reverse. 136. Beeston Way, Earley from its junction with Lower Earley Way. 137. Lower Earley Way West from its junction with Lower Earley Way. 138. Cutbush Lane, Earley from its junction with Lower Earley Way. 139. Black Boy Roundabout, Shinfield for its full extent. The alternative route for all northbound and southbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A327 Shinfield Eastern Relief Road, A327 Arborfield Road, A327 Reading Road, B3030 Sindlesham Road, B3030 Mole Road, B3030 King Street Lane, A329 Wokingham Road, B3350 Wilderness Road, B3350 Elm Road and A327 Shinfield Road or by this route in reverse. The alternative route for all eastbound and westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3270 Lower Earley Way West, Lower, Lower Earley Way, Lower Earley Way North, A329 Wokingham Road, B3340 Wilderness Road, B3350 Elm Road, A327 Shinfield Road, A327 Christchurch Road, B3031 Basingstoke Road, A33 Basingstoke Road and B3270 Whitley Wood Lane or by this route in reverse. 140. Shinfield Eastern Relief Road, Shinfield from its junction with Black Boy Roundabout. 141. B3270 Black Boy Eastern off Ramp from its junction with Black Boy Roundabout. 142. B3270 Black Boy Eastern on Ramp from its junction with Black Boy Roundabout. 143. A327 Black Boy Northern on Ramp from its junction with Black Boy Roundabout. 144. A327 Black Boy Northern off Ramp from its junction with Black Boy Roundabout. 145. A327 Black Boy Western off Ramp its junction with Black Boy Roundabout. 146. A327 Black Boy Western on Ramp its junction with Black Boy Roundabout. 147. A4 Shepherds Hill, Woodley (Roundabout Closure) from its junctions with A4 London Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4 Bath Road, A3032 Old Bath Road, B3030 Hurst Road, B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robin Hood Lane, A329 Reading Road, The Loddon Bridge and Bader Way Interchange, Wharfedale Road, A3290 Bravo on from Winnersh Triangle, A3290 Bravo and A4 London Road. 148. A4 London Road, Woodley (Roundabout Closure) from its junctions with A4 Shepherds Hill. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4 London Road, A3290 Alpha, The Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, A329 Reading Road, B3030 Robin Hood Lane, B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 Hurst Road, A3032 Old Bath Road and A4 Bath Road. 149. A4 London Road, Earley from its junctions with A4 Shepherds Hill. 150. B3350 Pitts Lane, Earley from its junction with A4 London Road. 151. A4 Bath Road, Woodley from its junction with A4 Shepherds Hill. 152. A4 Bath Road, Woodley from its junction with A4 London Road. 153. Reading Road, Woodley from its junction with A4 London Road. 154. A329 Reading Road, Winnersh from its junction with A329 Shute End and B3030 Robin Hood Lane. 155. The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A329 Shute End, A329 Rectory Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Wokingham Road, Broadwater Lane, B3030 Lodge Road, B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robin Hood Lane. 156. The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by the restriction contained in Article 155 hereof shall be via B3030 Robin Hood Lane, B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Lodge Road, Broadwater Lane, A321 Wokingham Road, A321 Twyford Road, A321 Milton Road, A321 Glebelands Road, A329 Rectory Road, A329 Wiltshire Road, A329 Peach St, A329 Broad Street and A329 Shute End. 157. A329 Reading Road, Winnersh between its junctions with B3030 Robin Hood Lane and The Loddon Bridge and Bader Way Interchange. The alternative route for all eastbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3270 Lower Earley Way North, Hatch Farm Way and B3030 King Street Lane. The alternative route for all westbound vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 King Street Lane, B3030 Mole Road, B3030 Sindlesham Road, A327 Reading Road, A327 Arborfield Road, A327 Shinfield Eastern Relief Road, A327 Black Boy Roundabout, B3270 Lower Earley Way West, B3270 Lower Early Way and B3270 Lower Earley Way North. Works requiring these restrictions will take place from 7th April 2022. Further communications will be sent when individual locations have been planned. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake Structural Maintenance including Plane Inlay Resurfacing, Microasphalt Resurfacing, Surface Dressing and Rejuvenator work in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times, however access may be restricted at times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 7th April 2022 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated this 31st March 2022 Trevor Saunders Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
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LEISURETODAY LEISURE TODAY
31.03.22
Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham
S
HE is a musical legend, one of the best songwriters around, and she’s going to be bringing a touch of New York to Reading this summer.
Suzanne Vega needs little introduction, and is heading to The Hexagon for a special summer headline show. has released An Evening Of New York Songs and Stories, a celebration of the city that never sleeps. “I recorded these songs at the Café Carlyle in New York City,” she says. “It’s a small, exclusive club that has hosted legends from Eartha Kitt to Judy Collins, and is
Viva la Vega! also known to be the place where Jackie Kennedy met Audrey Hepburn. “I love it for its bohemian old-world glamour.” She adds: “I included songs that were inspired by New York City or for which New York provided the backdrop, including Walk on the Wild Side by my late, great friend, Lou Reed — a song I rarely
heard him sing himself.” The album was recorded in those prelockdown days, and includes old favourites such as Luka, Tom’s Diner, Frank and Ava, and Ludlow Street. Suzanne is one of those artists that need little introduction.
She was a leading figure in the folk revival in the early 1980s, before going to perform at sellout concerts all over the world. More recently, she was in the cast of the Off-Broadway production of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. Now she’s preparing for a Reading date, which will take place at The Hexagon on Friday, June 24. Tickets have just gone on sale, and cost £34.50 or £39.50. A maximum of six tickets per order, and they must not be resold. n For more details, or to book, log on to www. whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060.
14 | LEISURE
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Suzi will Ruffell some feathers THE LAST few tickets remain to see a Chortle Award winning comedian in Maidenhead. Suzi Ruffell and Friends take over Norden Farm on Thursday, April 7. Described as a “stand up gem” by critics at the Guardian, her many television and radio appearances include Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and The News Quiz for the BBC, and Roast Battle and Stand Up Central for Comedy Central. Tickets are £15 and the show starts at 8pm. n For more details or to book, visit: norden.farm or call: 01628 788997.
Family-friendly fools
THE HEXAGON will host a tribute to two comedy greats from 7.30pm on Friday, April 1. Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens hit all the right notes as they recreate some of the sketches of Eric Morecombe and Ernie Wise. The show is crammed full of classics including Grieg’s Piano concerto, Mr Memory…Arsenal, and the paper bag trick. Ian and Jonty earned an Olivier Award nomination for their nostalgic show, which also features musical guest star. Tickets cost £24.50. n For more details or to book, visit: whatsonreading.com or call: 0118 960 6060.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
Theatre in this production. Run time 75 minutes, suitable for an audience aged 10 and up. Tickets cost £12. n For more details or to book, visit: whatsonreading.com or call: 0118 960 6060.
SINGER James Morrison is on the road for the first time in two-and-a-half years. And next week, he brings his greatest hits tour to Reading. James will be performing chart hits from his 15-year career, including You Give Me Something, Wonderful World, You Make It Real, Broken Strings and I Won’t Let You Go. He says that he is excited to be back on tour again. “Playing live is something I’ve really missed,” he explains. “And many of my songs have taken on new emotions and new meanings in the way my band plays them. “I can’t wait to be back on stage and sharing my songs with fans, it’s going to be amazing.” The show takes place at the Hexagon on Tuesday, April 5. Doors open at 7pm. Tickets are priced from £24.50 and under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. n For more details or to book, visit: whatsonreading.com or call: 0118 960 6060.
Classic Reading
CLASSICAL music returns to the Concert Hall in Reading on Tuesday, April 5. The European Union Chamber Orchestra, directed by Darragh Morgan, will play the venue at 7.30pm. The orchestra are a firm favourite with Classical Music Alive audiences and bring an energetic and refreshing performance style with them. Oboist Alex Harmon joins the orchestra to play a programme which includes Bach’s concerto for oboe and violin in D minor, A Moorside Suite by Holst and Bartok’s Romanian Dances. A free pre-concert talk by the orchestra will take place at 6.30pm. Prices start from £15.50, with tickets for under 18s priced at £6. Other concessions are available. n For more details or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.
Radio romance in Windsor
Adults-only fools
COMEDY comes to Henley this Friday, April 1. Three comedians are on the line up for The Comedy Network at the Kenton Theatre. Garrett Millerick has performed on the late-night US talk show Conan. He is one of the hosts of the podcast Laughable, picked by the Guardian as one of the funniest podcasts to listen to during the pandemic. Ahir Shah is a double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee for Best Show. His sharp, intellectual brand of standup features a blend of philosophical inquiry, political vigour, and sweet gags. Irish comic Marise Gaughan has a
dark and honest comedy style. She has supported Rob Delaney, Ari Shaffir and Jim Norton on tour. The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £17. n For more details or to book, call: 01491 525050 or visit: kentontheatre.co.uk
Totally Wilde
THE WILDE Sundays season at Bracknell’s South Hill Park continues this weekend. Live music from three bands will begin at 2pm on Sunday, April 3. Dragonfly Sky is an award-winning acoustic harmony duo from Surrey. Amy Whiter and Chris Lee-Delisle write and perform their own
AT THE THEATRE
Bracknell – South Hill Park
www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 An Evening with Pam Ayres. Fri. The Comedy Cellar. Fri. Wilde Sundays: Dragonfly Sky, Union Blue, Grand Old Uke of Dork. Sun. Bracknell Jazz: Trish Clowes - My Iris. Fri 8. The Comedy Cellar. Fri 8. FILMS: Ali & Ava. Thurs. Death on the Nile. Fri-Sun, Wed-Thurs. Coppelia. Sat, Wed-Thurs. Ailey. Mon. Exhibition on Screen: Easter In Art. Tues. Nightmare Alley. Fri 8-Sun 10. Sing 2. Sat 9-Sun 10.
Camberley – Theatre
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Herman’s Hermits. Thurs. Terri Jayne Theatre Arts. Fri-Sun. Sandi Toksvig. Tues. Dinosaur Adventure Live. Wed. Revenge. Thurs 7. Lou Sanders: One Word - Wow. Fri
8. Spontaneous Potter Kidz. Sat 9. The Wind in the Willows. Sun 10.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 An Hour and a Half Late. Until Sat. Luke Wright: An Evening of Poetry and Spoken Word. Sat. Dracula. Sun. Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em. Tues-Sat 9.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 The Drifters. Thurs. Lost In Music. Fri. Big Girls Don’t Cry. Sat. John Bishop: Right Here, Right Now. Mon. Seven Drunken Nights. Tues. Lesley Garrett: A Diva and a Piano. Thurs 7. Live/ Wire - The AC/DC Show. Fri 8. Showwaddywaddy. Fri 8. DJ Luck and MC Neat Live! The UK Garage Showcase. Sat 9. Gyles Brandreth. Sun 10.
atmospheric songs. Bracknell-based duo Union Blue will play a wide range of music from Blue through to Country to light Rock. Completing the line up is The Grand Old Uke of Dork. The musician invites audiences to join him on a journey through musical madness, with irreverent original songs, a side of covers and just a dash of stupidity. Tickets cost £8.50. n For more details or to book, visit: southhillpark.org.uk or call: 01344 484123.
Life from a different perspective
Henley – Kenton
www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050 Concert For Ukraine SOLD OUT, digital tickets available. Thurs. The Comedy Network. Fri 1. The Searchers and Hollies Experience. Sat 2. Bryn Ballet Academy: Scenes from famous ballets, musicals and more. Sun. Mary Blandy: A Retrial. Tues. Jazz at the Kenton: Max Wright Trio with Rob Luft. Wed. Gary In Punderland. Thurs 7. Beatles Ballet. Fri 8. The Wind In the Willows. Sat 9.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Disraeli: Queen Victoria’s Favourite Prime Minister. Thurs. The Beatles: Get Back, the Rooftop Concert (12a). Fri. Flee (15). Fri. Norden Farm Market. Sat. Soul Kinda Wonderful. Sun. Tits, Gits and Little Shits. Tues-Wed. Suzi
Ruffell and Friends. Thurs 7. The Real Charlie Chaplin (12a). Fri 8. Ma Bessie and her Pig Foot Band. Fri 8. Cyrano (12a). Fri 8-Sat 9. St John’s Chamber Orchestra. Sat 9.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Oh, and another thing: An evening with Su Pollard. Thurs. The Comedy Network. Fri. Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners. Sat. West Side Story (12a). Fri-Tues. Flee (15). Sat-Wed. A Tale of Two Cities. Tues-Wed. Ali and Ava (15). FriThurs 7. The Power of the Dog (12a). Fri-Thurs 7. The Sound of Springsteen. Sat 9. An Evening with Pam Ayres. Sun 10.
Newbury – The Watermill
www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Girl of Ink and Stars. Until Sat. Our Man in Havana. Thurs 7-Sat May 21.
A COMPANY of young actors present an anthology of their life stories on Tuesday, April 5. Make/Sense Theatre will perform When This Is Over at 11am and 7pm at South Street, Reading. The play began on Zoom in February last year, when the company was chosen to work with North London-based community theatre, Company Three. The play is based on the cast’s own experiences of being neurodivergent people navigating a neurotypical world. Some are hilarious, some extraordinary, and some are almost too uncomfortable to hear. Make/Sense are aged between 16 and 24, and were supported by Reading Rep
Reading – South Street
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Heidi Talbot. Thurs. Heavy Pop presents Melt-Banana. Fri. Chris McCausland. Sat. When This Is Over. Tues. Lou Sanders: One Word - Wow SOLD OUT. Wed. Bas Jan and support. Thurs 7. Morgan and West: Unbelievable Science. Fri 8-Sat 9. Poets Cafe. Fri 8.
Reading – Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens as Eric and Ern. Fri. Omid Djalili: The Good Times Tour. Sat. James Morrison. Tues. Nish Kumar. Wed. The Sensational 60s Experience. Fri 8. An Audience with Harry Redknapp. Sat 10.
Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 South Chiltern Choral Society, Parenthesis and the Reading Symphony Orchestra in
A CLASSIC romance gets an adaptation for radio in Windsor next week. The Windsor on Air season continues with Pygmalion by Geroge Bernard Shaw, which runs from Tuesday, April 5 until Saturday, April 9. The 1964 musical My Fair Lady, starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, was based on the play. When phonetician Henry Higgins takes on a bet to transform the voice of a cockney flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, to become passable for that of a Lady in just six months, little does he know that it’s not only Eliza’s life that will be changed by their encounters. The story of love, comedy and class stars Sue Holderness as Mrs Higgins. Evening performances are at 7.30pm, with matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets from £24. n For more details or to book, call the box office on 01753 853888 or log on to: theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
concert. Sat. European Union Chamber Orchestra 2022. Tues. Gwyn Arch: A Celebration. Sat 9.
Sat 9. Dire Straits: Money For Nothing. Sun 10.
Windsor – Royal
Reading – Progress
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Windsor On Air: A Thousand Clowns. Until Sat. Pygmalion: Windsor on Air. Tues-Sat 9.
Reading – Reading Rep Theatre
Wokingham – Theatre
www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620 Alby The Penguin Saves The World. Wed-Mon 18.
www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 John Pilkington: The Silk Road. Tues. NEXT SHOW: The Father. April 28-May 7.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre
www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 Yous Two. Until Sat.
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 Theatre closed, due to Storm Eunice damage. NEXT SHOW: The Beauty Queen of Leenane. June 15-18.
Sonning – The Mill
www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Still Life. Until April 8. Glenn Miller Orchestra. Sat. Simon and Garfunkel. Sun. Beyond Faith.
www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Wokingham Film Society presents: Limbo (PG). Thurs.
Woodley – Theatre
www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838 NEXT SHOWS: Things We Do For Live. May 17-21. Jazz concert with the Martin Hart Trio. Sat May 28.
LEISURE | 15
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Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
He saved Christmas, now Alby will save the world
A
LBY the Penguin is waddling back to Reading Repertory Theatre.
After saving Christmas back in 2017, he returns in Alby the Penguin Saves the World. Written and directed by Helen Eastman, the show tackles climate change and its effects on wildlife. It will take place at the Reading Rep Theatre on Kings Road this Easter. The loveable penguin puppet finds himself in Reading after finding a stray Huntley and Palmers tin, kick-starting an adventure to save his friends and the world. Ms Eastman says: “The show is a joyful, riotous musical for a family audience.” The show is aimed at children aged three to six, but children of all ages are welcome, said Ms Eastman. Performances of the show can also cater to families with specific needs, with touch tours of the set and the characters available for those with visual impairment. Relaxed performances are also available, where lighting, sound, and story elements are reduced, and any provisions for those with specific needs can be made. Ms Eastman said that inclusion and acceptance was a key part of the show. “Even parts of the show have been created by children, such as some of the set pieces which were dressed and drawn by kids from schools in Reading. “There are also multi-lingual sections which have also been contributed by children, too.” The show is the second to have been created in partnership with the Reading Repertory Theatre. “Reading Rep has a real energy for working with families and bringing children into the theatre. “They’re a positive force in Reading, they’re engaged with the community, and they support local artists.”
The Quartet at the Queens THE QUEENS Head once again welcomes the sound of jazz. The Claire Jones Quartet will
Star power from Clare Grogan at the Altered Images gig Pictures: Dijana Capan
Some of the many fans who packed Sub89 out for the Altered Images gig
READY TO DROP IN: Alby The Penguin is flying into Reading for Easter Ms Eastman said that the pandemic has caused many young children to have missed out on their first theatre experiences early on. “Everyone remembers their first show, the first time they saw that spark of magic come alive in front of them. “The show is designed to be an opportunity for young families to come together for that experience, and to give them the opportunity for theatre to be a part of their lives.” The show’s set design reflects its climatic themes, too, with recycled and up-
be the latest musical act to be featured at the pub’s semiregular jazz evenings. The group is headed by Claire Jones, who trained as a classical pianist and singer at the Guildhall school of music, who also takes part
cycled materials being used to make the production more sustainable. “Theatre is often ephemeral,” Ms Eastman said, “and can therefore often be disposable. “We, and theatres more broadly, have to think beyond that so that our work can incorporate sustainability.” n Alby the Penguin Saves the World is showing numerous times daily at the Reading Repertory Theatre, Kings Road, from Wednesday, April 6, to Monday, April 18. For more details, or to book tickets, log on to www.readingrep.com
in an all-female close harmony jazz group. The outfit also features Phil Craddock on piano, Brian Throup on bass, and Jim Wade on drums. The Queens Head has previously featured acts such
WITH PRATTS PODS STARTING ON THE 5TH APRIL PROBLEMS WITH YOUR IPAD, PHONE OR LAPTOP? EMAILS NOT SENDING OR SENDING? OR SIMPLY NEED SOME TECH GUIDANCE? CLASSES 2PM EVERY TUESDAY AT WOKINGHAM LIBRARY
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A PREVIEW of an artist’s new album came to Reading last week. Altered Images visited Sub89 to perform tracks from Mascara Streakz. And Clare Grogan, who fronts the popular 80s group, also sang a lot of hits from yesteryear, including their
smash-hit Happy Birthday. The audience included fans from the group’s early days, right up to the present. Support came from The Metatrons, who describe themselves as a noisy riot-pop group.
as the Gareth Chelley quartet, with another jazz evening set for June. The Claire Jones Quartet will play the Queen’s Head, Christchurch Road, on Saturday, April 2, from 8pm. Entry is free.
GET TECH SAVVY
0118 304 7777
Clare Grogan showcases her Mascara Streakz
Mates Rates Comedy Club is bringing Live Stand-Up Comedy to Reading W h e t h e r i t i s TV n a m e s o r n u rt u ri n g n ew ta l e n t a t t h e g ra s s ro o t s , i f yo u l ove s ta n d-u p co m e d y, M a te s Ra te s Co m e d y h a s a s h ow fo r yo u ! Fo r m o re i n fo r m a ti o n c h e c k o u t t h e l i n ks be l ow a n d s ca n t h e Q R co d e to bo o k yo u r ti c ke t s .
Fo l l ow u s o n : f: / M a te s Ra te s C o m e d y c: @ M a te s ra te s co m e d y www. m a te s ra te s co m e d y. co . u k
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Funk, soul and Wishbone Ash thanks to Wokingham Music Club
Young actors look to the Stars for new
TWO nights of great music are coming up thanks to Wokingham Music Club. On Friday, April 1, the club will welcome back Martin Turner, formerly of Wishbone Ash. He will be bringing his band to Emmbrook Sports and Social Club in Lowther Road. The evening will see him perform two of Wishbone Ash’s greatest albums in their entirety. And on Friday, April 8, the Club will be at the Winnersh Royal British Legion for the return of City Funk Orchestra Organisers from the club say that they went down a storm in January 2020, leading to many people asking for a return. Expect top class musicians playing some of the greatest soul and funk songs ever written. Tickets should be booked in advance - many of the gigs sell out. n For more details, or to see what’s around the corner, log on to www.wokinghammusicclub. co.uk
The Girl of Ink and Stars is based on Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s novel and adapted by Becca Chadder. It will be performed by The Watermill’s Youth Ensemble, comprising youngsters aged 11 upwards, and includes actors with additional needs, including autism and hearing impairments. The cast also includes children who are home-schooled. The play tells the story of Isabella. Inspired by her cartographer father, she longs to follow in his footsteps and explore her island home of Joya. But when her best friend goes missing, her dreams of adventure come true sooner than she thinks. She must lead the search party into the dangerous Forgotten Territories before it’s too late... The Girl of Ink and Stars is directed by The Watermill Theatre’s Outreach Director, Heidi Bird. “We are thrilled to introduce our newly formed Youth Ensemble who have come together to tell this gripping and unique tale,” she says. “Our brilliant cast is made up of young people aged 11+ who take part in one of The Watermill’s regular weekly
A
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
Cast members rehearse The Girl of Ink and Stars at The Watermill Picture: Phillip Tull
NEW play featuring a young cast will be performed in Newbury this week.
Will Young stars in A Thousand Clowns groups. I am incredibly touched and proud to see how these young people have rehearsed with such energy, humour and kindness to create this magical tale - we can’t wait to share the adventure with audiences.” There will be audio described and British Sign Language integrated performances during the run. Heidi says: “We run a drama group specifically for deaf young people and it’s important that our deaf young people have the option to act in our Youth Ensemble productions. Additionally, two deaf young actors have chosen to take on the challenge of also performing sections in BSL for the sign integrated show.” “We’ve had the very good fortune of working with a fantastic associate director on this production, Mary-Jayne
Russell de Clifford. “Mary-Jayne is Deaf herself and has a wealth of experience in directing and performance BSL. Our young sign performers have been able to work with MaryJayne throughout rehearsals, giving them loads of time to develop and learn.” And it means so much for the cast. One of the children says: “It’s really exciting to know that my deaf friends will come and watch me and know exactly what’s going on because of me.” The Girl of Ink and Stars runs from Thursday, March 31, through to Saturday, April 2, with a BSL integrated performance for the Saturday matinee at 2.30pm and an audio described performance in the evening at 7.30pm. n For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01635 46044, or log on to www.watermill.org.uk
Will is clowning around A WOKINGHAM-born musician and actor is preparing to tread the boards for a slightly different play this week. Former Pop Idol Will Young is taking one of the lead roles at the Theatre Royal Windsor’s recreation of the old radio days. A Thousand Clowns is part of the 2022 Windsor On Air season, and also stars Harry Potter‘s Luna Lovegood Evanna Lynch, The Bill‘s Andrew Lancel and CBBC legend Dave Benson Phillips. Set in 1962m Uncle Murray Burns is endeavouring to rear his precocious nephew in New York City. When social services arrive on the scene to ensure that the nephew is receiving a proper upbringing, he finds himself solving their problems and
mayhem ensues in this comedy drama. A radio play is a slightly different way of presenting a performance and is based on the old adage that the best pictures are on the wireless. Instead of staging, costumes and bangs and flashes, this is a play for voices. It depends on dialogue, music and sound effects to tell its story. The season is directed by veteran actor Roy Marsden and celebrates this remarkable and ground-breaking medium by staging it for a live audience. A Thousand Clowns starring Will Young is on until Saturday. n For more details, call the box office on 01753 853 888, or log on to theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
Bracknell’s day of music A SPRING celebration is coming to The Lexicon early next month, with a day of music and dance. A special stage is being set up in Bond Square to host the entertainment, as part of the Forest Springs events. Acts will include dancers, singers and an up-and-coming boyband and takes place at the specially named Riverbank Stage. The fun starts at 1pm on Saturday, April 3, with The North Ascot Academy of Performing Arts At 2pm, community choir, Vocalese will take to the stage, singing a wide range of favourite pop songs.
Jen Merchant, will perform a retro twist on some vintage jazz and swing classics at 3pm, while at 4pm, singer and songwriter James Grant will perform a series of rock and pop anthems. Next on the line-up at 5pm, is songwriter Abi Powell performing a mix of her own songs alongside some well-known classics. At 6pm, the Riverbank Stage will be filled with The Originals, a five-piece band performing a collection of reggae, blues, and more. And at 7pm, TikTok sensation, Here At Last, will take the stage for the celebration finale.
Rob Morris, general manager at The Lexicon says: “Due to covid, we haven’t been able to bring all the community together for a while and are absolutely delighted that we can do this again.” The event is organised in conjunction between The Lexicon and Bracknell Forest Council. The council’s executive member for economic development and regeneration, Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, says: “The Riverbank Saturday Celebration is just one of the many exciting activities that we have planned for visitors to the town centre.”
Lindisfarne to celebrate 50 years SCURRILOUS gossip will be mixed with folk classics on Monday, April 4, and it’s all thanks to Nettlebed Folk Club. The group will be welcoming Lindisfarne for a belated 50th anniversary celebration. Back in 1971, the group released their first album, setting them on the road to success It was their second album, Fog On The Tyne, that topped the UK charts for six weeks this time in 1972. To celebrate, frontman Billy Mitchell and founder member Ray Laidlaw are back on the road, to tell the group’s story, perform classic hits, tell tall tales and share some of the magic from the past five decades. The set list will include acoustic performances of Lady Eleanor, Meet Me On The Corner, Fog On The Tyne,
Run For Home One reviewer noted: “A fantastic night with The Lindisfarne Story. There are so many words to describe the show and you will feel many emotions with it. “It is a real insight into the history of the band and the talented individuals that have forged many fantastic songs over five decades. It really is very special. “Catch it before it’s gone.” The club is running at 80% capacity due to covid. It takes place in the village club on Nettlebed’s High Street. n Doors open at 7.50pm on Monday, and tickets should be booked in advance by calling 01628 636620 between 10am and 8pm, or from: www.nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk
LEISURE | 25
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
LIVEMUSIC RaW Sounds Today Chris Hillman
bit.ly/ rawsoundstoday
T
HERE’S nothing finer than discovering an amazing singer with a talent that knocks your socks off.
And that’s what we’ve got this week with That Joe Payne. He’s heading up our playlist with a track from his debut album, and if this doesn’t whet your appetite for Wokingham Festival, what else will? The RaW Sounds playlist is a terrific way to explore a wide range of brilliant artists, discover some new music and keep dancing – make sure you bookmark the Spotify page. To hear this week’s set, simply head to https://bit. ly/rawsoundstoday and pump up the volume. There’s also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will ome up.
GIG GUIDE
Friday, April 1
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Daybreakers and Dr Satso.. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. 21st Century Abba. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Lewis and the Sound of the Suburbs. Details: 01344 457318 EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Martin Turner, ex-Wishbone Ash Vintage Albums: Back To Back Tour.. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Bass Kingz: Back With A Bang. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Motley Cruide and Poizon. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – South Street Arts Centre. Heavy Pop presents Melt-Banana. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – The Weather Station, Eldon Terrace RG1 4DX. The MK II’s: 60s, soul and Motown. Details: 0118 958 6048. WINNERSH – The Pheasant, Reading Road. Fleece Lined.
Saturday, April 2
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Scarlet Vixens. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Vintage Sound Collective. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak,
London Road RG12 2NN. Ear Candy. Details: 01344 422622 CAVERSHAM – The Travellers’ Rest, Henley Road RG4 5DL. Groovin’ with DJ Jim The Syrip Day, Everything Soulful and Ray Goodridge. Details: 0118 947 9441. CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Karaoke and disco. CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. The Cherries. Details: 01344 530615. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North. Baby and Children’s market: new and nearly new goods. 2pm-3.30pm. Details: babyandchildrensmarket. co.uk READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Hard Times. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Noasis. Somewhat Damaged. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Jewels and the Jacuzzis. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Jazz at the Queen’s Head: Claire Jones Quintet. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Arachana. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Bootlegs Band. Details: 0118 957 6930. READING – Up The Junction, London Road RG1 3NY. Bounce and Step. Details: 0118 926 0544. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Glenn Miller Orchestra. Details: 0118 969 8000. THEALE – Social Club RG7 5AS. Audiotonic. Details: audiotonic.co.uk
To advertise in this section, call Claire on 0118 327 2662 That Joe Payne – End of the Tunnel In 2019, Joe performed a wonderful set at Wokingham Festival and since then he has gone from strength to strength with the release of his debut album, By Name.By Nature. This year he will be returning to headline the Wokingham Music Club Stage at the festival on August Bank Holiday Monday with his solo set. Joe is a brilliant live performer with one of the best voices around at the moment and his star is on the rise so this is one not to be missed – https:// www.thatjoepayne.com/
A Better Life – A Moment of Nothing This chill-out collective based around local music producer, musician and songwriter, Phil Daniels featured in our Top 10 of 2021, and they have recently released a brand new video to this track. It’s taken from their acclaimed debut album, Take A Deep Breath which was released last year and it features guest vocals from Pete Rawcliffe. It’s a crazy world out there at the moment so take a pause, sit back, press play and chill out TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. The Salty Dogs. Details: 0118 942 9606. WOKINGHAM – Unit 3 & 4 South Barns, Gardeners Green Farm, Heathlands Road RG40 3AS. Bond Brews Tap Yard event. Noon-6pm. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. David Julien. Details: 01252 870648.
Sunday, April 3
BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Wilde Sundays: Dragonfly Sky, Union Blue, Grand Old Uke of Dork.. Details: 01344 484123. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Theme Night: But Is It Folk?. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Smon and Garfunkel. Details: 0118 969 8000. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Sunday Session with the Bullfrog Band. Details: 07889 226309. WOODLEY – La’De Kitchen, Crockhamwell Road RG5 3JP. Ayce Abana and Yunuscan. Details: 0118 969 2047.
Monday, April 4
NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club presents: The Lindisfarne Story. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. The Skids, Richard Jobson unplugged. Details: 01491 681048.
Tuesday, April 5
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Quirky Corner Unplugged. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. James Morrison. Details: 0118 960 6060. SHERFIELD-ON-LODDON – The Four Horseshoes. Equinox jazz night with Pro-Am Challenge with Simon Allen. Details: 01256 882296 SINDLESHAM - The Half Moon, Church Road GU20 6BN. Gavin Thomas. Details: 01276 473329. STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. The Skids, Richard Jobson unplugged. Details: 01491 681048. THEALE – Village Hall, RG7 5AS. Graeme Hewitt’s High Society Jazz Band. Noon2.30pm.
Thursday, April 7
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Bracknell Blues Club: Selina and the Howlin Dogs. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk READING - Bar 77, Kings Road RG1 3BJ. Singer Soup Kitchen: Music mixed to perfection. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. BBC Introducing. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – South Street arts centre. Bas Jan and support. Details: 0118 960 6060.
Friday, April 8
BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Clay Soldiers, Chashing Violet. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Odyssey Live. Plus:
to A Better Life – https://abetterlifemusic.com/
Focus – Sylvia Exciting news that legendary rock band, Focus, will be headlining Wokingham Festival this year on August Bank Holiday Monday, August 29. This song is from their Focus 3 album and No. 4 in the UK singles chart – https://focustheband.co.uk/
The Go Go Cult – Town Called Sorrow Club Velocity celebrated an impressive 19 years of putting on events with a Birthday Party Gig at the Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading last week, featuring these psychobilly punks – http://www.thegogocult. com/
Wishbone Ash – Sometime World It’s from the band’s classic album, Argus, and Martin Turner Ex-Wishbone Ash are returning to Wokingham Music Club on April 1, to perform the album in full, as well as their Wishbone Four album – https://www.martinturnermusic.com/
Rachel Redman – You Set Me Free Rachel is a singer songwriter from the local area and she’s recently released this wonderful new single. It’s another well-crafted song with Rachel’s distinctive country pop feel – https://www.facebook. com/rachelredmanmusic/ All About You. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Bracknell Jazz: Trish Clowes - My Iris Details: 01344 484123. GORING – Community Centre, The Old School, Station Road RG8 9HB. Jazz night with Mike Wilkins, Nick Hall, Howard King and Mike Goff. 7.30pm. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk/goringcommunity-jazz-club READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Swamp featuring Morass of Molasses. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennetside RG1. Dolly and the Clothespegs. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. The Sensational 60s Experience: Mike Pender from The Searchers, The Trems, Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich, The Fortunes and The Dakotas. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Jazz at Progress presents Wakey Blakey and the Ingham-Davison Sextet. Details: www. jazzinreading.com READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Nothing Will Change Events, a collective of the alternative of alternative music: Pej and Dr Satso, Viaska, FFO, Masquerader. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Kokoroko. Details: 0118 959 5395. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Mythicals. Details: 0118 942 9606. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Funkin
HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
Soul’d Out. £18. Details: wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Chestnuts. Details: 0118 977 3706. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Logicaltramp: The Spirit of Supertramp. 7.30pm. £20. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk
Saturday, April 9
BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Paul Tino. Details: 01344 420690. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The lee Aaron Band. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Tequila Chase. Details: 01344 422622 CROWTHORNE – The Crowthorne Inn, High Street RG45 7AD. Live music. Details: 01344 530615. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. De Satso. Details: 0118 958 0473.
Third Lung – Laura This is the band’s first release of 2022, and they are certainly showing that they can maintain the quality of their previous excellent single releases. It’s from their forthcoming album, Gameplay. We’ll look forward to that – http://thirdlungband.com/
OSP – Breathe Here’s the debut single from Reading-based rap collective OSP. They were live at Readipop Festival’s Launch Party at Purple Turtle on March 19, along with Brother Zulu and Hatty Taylor – https://www. facebook.com/ospmusicuk
Grandad – About Him Here’s a new band from Bracknell with a single taken from their debut EP, Walk Around me. The alt-rock four-piece have a grungy shoegaze style overlaid with melodies – https://www.facebook. com/wearegrandad
Reliant – Pain of It All They made our Top 10 of our best of 2020 list and now they are back with a new single. It’s another uplifting powerful indie rock anthem and it was recorded at Generation Studio in Maidenhead – https://www.facebook.com/ WeAreReliant READING – The Face Bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Viaska and special guests. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Abba tribute.. Details: 0118 402 7800. READING – The Pond House, Oxford Road RG30 1EH. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 958 3664. READING – Q-Club, Friar St. We Are Saturdays/Jay1. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. The Echo. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Syn City Rockers. Details: 0118 957 6930. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Beyond Faith. Details: 0118 969 8000. TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. The Mythicals. Details: 0118 942 9606. WHITLEY – Whitley GrowAllot, Meavy Gardens RG2 7RD. Food4Families fundraiser: pond dipping, planting seeds, Easter egg hunt, and more. Noon-2pm. £5. Details: https://www. ticketsource.co.uk/ food4families
WOKINGHAM – The Rifle Volunteer, Reading Road. The Midnight Rebel Band. WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. The DoubleShots. Details: 0118 979 7402. YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Steve Brookes. Details: 01252 870648.
Sunday, April 10
READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: Steve Turner. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Primitai. Details: 0118 959 5395. RISELEY – The Bull at Riseley, Basingstoke Road RG7 1QL. B Side at the Bull.. Details: 0118 343 0565. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Fire Straits: Money For Nothing. Details: 0118 969 8000.
THE CHRISTIANS By Arrangement with Selective Agency and Club Velocity presents
Friday April 15th 2022 - Doors 7:00pm Advance tickets £25.00
www.wegottickets.com / www.seetickets.com / www.eventbrite.com
Sub89 110-117 Friar Street Reading RG1 1EP 0118 959 5395
26 | LEISURE
To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today
WHAT’SON Exhibitions
READING – Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road RG1 5EX. Community Voices. A series of displays showcasing responses to The MERL’s collections. Open daily except Monday. Details: 0118 378 8660. READING – Edith Morley building, University of Reading Whiteknights Campus RG6 6AA. The Ure Museum: Discover the beauty of Etruscan pottery. Tuesdays to Thursdays. 9am-4.30pm. Free. Details: 0118 378 6990. READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. People of Oxford Road, an exhibition by Caroline Streatfield. Until March 31. Free entry. Mon 10am-5pm, Tues 10am7pm, Wed Closed, Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Details: 0118 937 5950 READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Reading Museum presents Collected: 150 Years of Reading FC. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (Sat 5pm). Free, suggested donation of £5. Details: 0118 937 3400.
Films at Reading Biscuit Factory
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include The Batman (15). Thurs. The Worst Person In the World (15). Thurs. Morbius (15). Thurs. X (18). Thurs. Ambulance (15). Thurs. Keep It Cult: Fight Club (18). Fri. Keep It Cult: Risky Business (18). Mon, Fri Apr 8. Easter In Art: Exhibition on Screen. Sun 10. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk
Thursday, March 31
READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. Stand and Deliver comedy club. Over 18s only. £8. 7pm Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. International Women’s Day beer, Multiplayer, launch party featuring Siren Craft Brew, The Malt Miller and more. 7pm. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL.
Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Berkshire Family History Society presents: one-to-one family history advice session on Merchant Navy. 1pm-3pm. Online, booking essential. Details: berksfhs.org READING – Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Berkshire Family History Society Reading branch presents:T rade and occupation sources: where and how to find them. 7.45pm-9pm. Online, booking essential. Details: berksfhs.org SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Friday, April 1
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. linkvisiting.org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. TILEHURST – British Legion, Downing Road Rg31 5BB. Reading Lions presents a quiz night for Ukraine, includings fish n chip supper. £15. 7pm. Details: www.readinglions.org.uk WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk. WOOSEHILL – Acorn
Holding a community event? Send your listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Saturday, April 2
CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist parish church, Waterloo Road RG45 7NT. Thames Voyces in concert: Dixit Dominus. 7.30pm. Details: www. thamesvoyces.org.uk. READING –All Saints Church, Downshire Square. Coffee hour in aid of the DEC’s Ukraine appeal. 11amnoon. Details: 0118 958 4131. READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15am-noon. Details: www. thamesvall eyfarmersmarket.co.uk READING – From Palmer Park. Kidical Mass family bike ride. Meet by Tutu’s, enjoy short, slow ride to Forbury Gardens, with other families, followed by a picnic. 11.30am. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Yous Two. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: www.progresstheatre. co.uk. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Abbey Quarter tours: explore the heart of medieval Reading led by trained volunteer guides. Ninety-minute tour from 11am. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk READING - St Joseph’s College, Upper Redlands Road RG1 5JT. Reading Youth Orchestra spring concert with Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra. 6pm. Details: www. readingyouthorchestra. co.uk/future-concerts READING – The Warehouse, Cumberland Road. Charity art sale and pre-loved sale in aid of Ukraine. 10am-2pm. SHINFIELD – St Mary’s Church. Lunchtime concert with Belle Canto. Free entry, followed by light lunch. Retiring collection in aid of church funds. Details: www.loddonreach. org.uk SHINFIELD – The Michael Malnick Centre, Leighton
Park School, Shinfield Road RG2 7DE. Trinity Concert Band spring concert: Song and Dance. 7pm. £14, students £7, under 16s free. Details: 0118 449 2099. TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting. Over 18s only. Booking essential. 1pm. £13.50. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk TILEHURST – Birch Copse School, Wittenham Avenue RG31 5LN. Baby and children’s pre-loved sale and craft market. 1pm-4pm. £2. Stalls available for hire. Details: bcptafundraising@gmail. com WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk YATELEY – St Swithun’s Church, Firgrove Road GU46 6NH. Yateley Choral Society present’s Haydn’s Nelson Mass. 7.45pm. £15, students £5, under 16s free. Details: www.yateleychoral.org.uk
Wednesday, April 6
EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Interview presentation skills. 9.30am12.30pm. Free, booking essential. Details: 0118 921 0555. EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. MS weekly drop-in. 10.30am-1.30pm Details: 0118 921 0555. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
Saturday, April 9
charities and not-for-profit activities. We cannot guarantee inclusion.
Address
Thursday, April 7 EARLEY – Trinity Church,
Address
Postcode
Time of event: Contact number for readers:
Friday, April 8
Postcode
ACROSS READING – Reading Half Marathon. Road closures will be in place. BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church.Crafty church Easter fun. 10.30amnoon. Free. Details: craftyeasterfun.eventbrite. co.uk READING – Prospect Park, Bath Road. Prospect Park Railway public running organised by the reading Society of Model Engineers. From 1pm-3pm. 60p a ride, 10 tickets £4. Traines will run until 3.45pm. Details: prospectparkrailway. wordpress.com READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam. 7.30pm. Free entry. Details: risingsunartscentre.org TILEHURST – Double Barelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Reading’s Indie
Name Name
What will happen:
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org CAVERSHAM – Art Jam Studio, Prospect Street. Pottery and Prosecco evening. 7.30pm. Booking essential. Details: 0118 945 4417. CHARVIL – Village Hall, Park Lane. The Project Singers, a choir for female voices, open evening. 8pm-9.30pm. Details: 0118 934 5089. EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Interview skills presentation workshop. Free, booking essential. 9.30am. Details: 0118 921 0555. WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting. Dave Tollow Creative Challenge. 7.30pm. Details: www. webcc.org.uk. WOKINGHAM – WADE, Reading Road. Ladies Fashion Show in aid of WADE. £10, includes a glass of wine/soft drink. Details: www.wadecentre. org.uk WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents:Limbo (PG). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com
Sunday, April 3
Holding a community event? Running a fun day? Organising a concert? Planning a friendship group? Get it listed in our what’s on guide by sending information to us. Use this form or email events@wokingham.today. Please note this service is for community groups,
Venue of event:
Monday, April 4
EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org. FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting. org WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. The Old Silk Road to Afghanistan, a talk by adventurer John Pilkington. 7.30pm. Details: www.wokinghamtheatre. org.uk WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon.: linkvisiting.org WINNERSH – Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Funlkin Souled Out. £18. Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturge Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk. WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Patti Boulaye’s one-woman show Aretha and Me. £20. Details: www. ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghammusicclub WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
What’s What’s on on event event submission submission form form Date of event:
Market. From noon-5pm. Crafts, food, and more. Oh, and beer. Details: doublebarrelled.co.uk TWYFORD – Stanlake Park, Waltham Road RG10 0BN. Wedding fair. 11am-3pm. Details: 07990 711444. WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road RG41 1EH. An evening of music and meditation with the South Berkshire Singers. Free. 7pm. Details: 01344 779979. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOODLEY – St John The Evangelist Church, Church Road. Woodley Wild Church: meet Dotty the Donkey, learn about Lent and Easter. Details: Facebook WoodleyWildChurch
Tuesday, April 5
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
Send Emailyour forms to: What’s On, Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS
EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Village Hall, Emmbrook Road RG41 1JN. SAFE (Saving Abandoned FlyGrazing Equines) Easter Fair: Tombolas, raffle,
Easter crafts and local small business stalls. £1, children free. Noon4.30pm. READING – New Hope Community Church, York Road RG1 8DU. Easter Fete plus family-freindly events, games, and more. 10am-3pm. READING – Reading Museum, Blagrave Street RG1 1QH. Abbey Quarter tours: explore the heart of medieval Reading led by trained volunteer guides. Ninety-minute tour from 11am. £10. Booking essential. Details: www. readingmuseum.org.uk SOUTHCOTE – Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane RG30 3HD. Easter market. 11.30am-1.30pm. Free entry. Details: 0118 956 0380. TILEHURST – Double Barrelled Brewery, Stadium Way RG30 6BX. Brewery Tours and Tasting. Over 18s only. Booking essential. 1pm. £13.50. Details: doublebarrelled. co.uk WOKINGHAM – WH Smith, Market Place RG40 1AN. Booking signing by Justin Newland: The Genes of Isis. From 10.30am. WOKINGHAM WITHOUT – Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
Sunday, April 10
PLAYHATCH – The Flowing Spring, Henley Road RG4 9RB. Classic car and bike meet. From 9.30am. Details: 0118 969 98978. READING – Global Cafe, RISC, London Street. Reading Repair Cafe: “if it’s broken, bring it along and we are sure to have a go or at least provide some advice about what your best course of action might be”. 12.30pm4pm. Free, donations welcome. READING – From Broad Street/St Mary’s Butts Junction. Churches Together in Reading Palm Sunday procession. 12.30pm. Palm Sunday celebration until 1.15pm, outside Marks & Spencer. Details: 01491 671357. SPENCERS WOOD – Village Hall, Basingstoke Road RG7 1AP. Spencers Wood Village Hall Easter Community Farmers Market. 10am. Details: www.spencerswoodhall. co.uk WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Wokingham vegan market. 9am-1pm. Details: www.sparkleveganevents. com WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk
No. 5407
Your weekly puzzle challenge
27
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Thursday, March 31, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662
Quiz Challenge
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1. The port of Haifa is in which Middle Eastern country?
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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
MAGIC SQUARE
AHA, I AM MASTER HERE
Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.
A M O L U E
How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 18 Good; 22 Very Good; 25 Excellent.
Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
10. Which battle in 1704 resulted in the first English victory on the European mainland since Agincourt?
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EQUALISER 3 12 10 6 2 1 1 3 5 7 2 4
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DOWN 2. Bird is taking about half a bite (4) 3. A worn-out species of 6. Record strip (4) tree (5) 8. Obscure humour of a stupid 4. Taught you in France to person (6) read missing article (7) 9. Making domestic flyover to 5. Irishman on church plot (5) include motorway (6) 6. Circular frame used by a 10. Travelling up on a map? (10) doctor during the trip (7) 12. Satisfied that it had 7. Piece of cutlery writer first occupied the whole area (6) used as a pocket utensil (8) 14. Off course raft I’d 11. Left one with bitter recovered (6) exchange in the words used on stage (8) 15. We trek with Arab to find 13 & 14. The first thing one tidal barrier (10) looks for in a newspaper? 19. Way to encircle with a (7,7) narrow cord (6) 16. Bet a facetious person 20. Background for painting takes with the cockney sail? (6) lady (5) 21. Many in Greek capital from 17. In Iran get up into the Chinese dynasty (4) mountains (5) 18. Report on sausage 22. Appear for the second or hesitantly left (4) third time? (2-6)
Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
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ACROSS 1. Pen an encouragement to eat more roughage (5,3)
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This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd.
© Sirius Media Services Ltd
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Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction.
To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com
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Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.
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WORD PYRAMID: Anyone for tennis? EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – add; divide; subtract; multiply. Total: 8.
SOLUTIONS
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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
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WORD PYRAMID Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed N through openings in the walls. The N first letter may appear in any chamber. S I
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9. Who composed the ‘Moonlight’ Sonata?
5. Actress Brenda Blethyn plays a detective in which TV crime series?
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8. What is the literal meaning taken from the Latin of the word hippopotamus?
4. Which dish is made from offal and oatmeal stuffed into the stomach lining of a sheep?
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7. Who directed the 2021 film version of West Side Story?
3. A red fallow deer appears on the badge of which Premier League football club?
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6. What H is a pleasant emotional state and the title of a 2013 Pharrell Williams song?
2. The Hoover Dam was built on which American river?
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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
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CROSS CODE
5407
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ACROSS 1. Knave (6) 4. Chesty (anag.) (6) 8. Human being (6) 10. Pious (6) 11. Watered silk (5) 12. Soviet leader (6) 14. Correctly (6) 16. Chop finely (4) 17. Legend (4) 19. Type of lily (4) 22. Door frame (4) 26. Photographic device (6) 27. Bearlike (6)
28. Author of fairy tales (5) 29. Topics (6) 30. Surface sheen (6) 31. Wellbeing (6) 32. Grammatical case (6) DOWN 1. Rest (6) 2. Disperse (6) 3. Nuclear (6) 5. Bright (6) 6. Gutter (6) 7. Landed property (6)
9. Not any (4) 10. Small measure (4) 13. Liquid measure (5) 15. Articles (5) 18. Whisky (6) 19. Primitive organism (6) 20. Pressing (6) 21. Planet (4) 22. Leap (4) 23. Fleet of ships (6) 24. Two-piece swimsuit (6) 25. Disfigure (6)
QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Rascal; 4 Scythe; 8 Person; 10 Devout; 11 Moire; 12 Stalin; 14 Aright; 16 Dice; 17 Myth; 19 Arum; 22 Jamb; 26 Camera; 27 Ursine; 28 Grimm; 29 Themes; 30 Patina; 31 Health; 32 Dative. Down – 1 Repose; 2 Spread; 3 Atomic; 5 Cheery; 6 Trough; 7 Estate; 9 None; 10 Dram; 13 Litre; 15 Items; 18 Scotch; 19 Amoeba; 20 Urgent; 21 Mars; 22 Jump; 23 Armada; 24 Bikini; 25 Deface.
FIVE ALIVE: QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Israel; 2 The Colorado; 3 Watford; 4 Haggis; 5 Vera; 6 Happy; 7 Steven Spielberg; 8 River horse; 9 Ludwig van Beethoven; 10 Blenheim. (1) Across – Amuse; Depot; Derma. Down – Aided; Upper; Extra. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Fibre tip; 6 Tape; 8 Dimwit; 9 Taming; 10 Northbound; (2) Across – Coach; Liege; Codas. N H I R T O V C L J Q P Y 12 Filled; 14 Adrift; 15 Breakwater; 19 String; 20 Canvas; 21 Down – Colic; Ahead; Heels. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Ming; 22 Re-emerge. S K D A E M B U W Z G X F Down – 2 Ibis; 3 Rowan; 4 Tutored; 5 Patch; 6 Tambour; 7 NONAGRAM: alum; ammo; amuse; emulous; lame; Penknife; 11 Libretti; 13 & 14 Leading article; 16 Wager; 17 lemma; loam; luma; lumme; male; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU Range; 18 Bang. sham; hire; area; malm; maul; MAUSOLEUM; meal; meat. mela; memo; mesa; mola; mole; moue; mouse; mule; muse; museum; oleum; omasum; same; seam; slam; slum; soma; some; summa; sumo; ulema; umma.
28 | LIFE
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
Pesto Coronation Chicken In the kitchen
chopped n 50g mange tout n 15g toasted pine nuts n Parmesan shavings n Balsamic glaze n Basil to garnish Dressing: n 130g Sacla’ Classic Basil Pesto n 130g mayonnaise n 130g crème fraiche n Black Pepper
Sacla
T
HE original recipe was created by renowned florist Constance Spry and Cordon Bleu chef Rosemary Hume for a royal banquet to celebrate the coronation of Elizabeth II.
It’s believed Coronation Chicken may actually have been inspired by Jubilee Chicken, the dish prepared for the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935. Chicken with mayonnaise and curry has been a firm favourite ever since. The team at Italian Pesto Pioneers Sacla have adapted the original recipe to create a street party celebration dish – Platinum Pesto Chicken.
Meningitis now urges young people to take up lifesaving vaccine
For more party platter inspiration and a range of delicious authentic cakes and treats prfect for this unique and special weekend, log on to: www.sacla.co.uk
Platinum Jubilee Pesto Coronation Chicken Serves 4-6 Cooking Time: 20 minutes + 20 minutes cooling
Ingredients n 3 chicken breasts n 6 slices Parma ham n Olive oil n 250g cherry tomatoes n 120g cucumber, sliced n 400g cooked Risotto rice, cooled n 120g celery, sliced n Small bunch of chives,
A
Method Preheat the oven to 200°C fan setting. Wrap each chicken breast with 2 slices of Parma ham then place on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil and roast in the oven for 20 minutes until the ham is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Take the chicken out of the oven and leave to cool before slicing. While the chicken is cooling prepare the cherry tomatoes by slicing around the middles in a zig-zag pattern to make little flower shapes then use a flower shaped cutter to make
cucumber flower slices. Make the dressing in a large bowl by mixing the Pesto, mayonnaise and crème fraiche together with some freshly ground black pepper. Stir the rice through the dressing along with
the celery, chives and cooled chicken. Then gently mix through the tomato and cucumber flowers and spoon onto a serving platter. Use a smaller flower cutter to cut out little mange tout flowers and sprinkle these over the platter
along with the pine nuts and parmesan shavings. Drizzle over some balsamic glaze and a few basil leaves and enjoy! n Sacla’ Classic Basil Pesto is available in retailers nationwide and www.sacla.co.uk with an RRP of £2.80.
National Trust vows to ‘bring blossom back’ as new research reveals massive
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SIGNS OF SPRING: Cherry blossom at Greys Court Picture: Hugh Mothersole
HE area of orchards in England and Wales has halved since the early 1900s, according to new research by the National Trust.
This has resulted in huge losses in habitats for nature, and meaning far fewer people can enjoy one of nature’s spectacular, yet fleeting, moments – spring blossom. The charity has launched the first comprehensive review of both traditional and modern orchards in England and Wales using data from the National Library of Scotland’s historic map collection, data from People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and Natural England, and analyzed using artificial intelligence (AI) mapping technologies from ArchAI Ltd. The results, announced earlier this week as part of its #BlossomWatch campaign, show that an area the size of the Isle of Wight has been lost over 100 years. And, even worse, there has been an 81% decline in traditional orchards, roughly an area the size of the West Midlands. London and the south-east had the smallest overall orchard losses of 24%, largely due to the number of significant modern orchards which have been planted. However, the region has seen a reduction of 84% in the area of traditional orchards. In the early 1900s in the Bucks, Berks and Oxon region, Berkshire had the least area of orchards with 492 hectares, followed by Oxfordshire with 803Ha and Buckinghamshire
with a generous 1446Ha. Berkshire has seen a 74% loss in traditional orchards, Oxfordshire a 68% loss and Buckinghamshire a 75% loss in traditional orchards. Since 1900, the Reading area has lost 93% of its 34Ha and Oxford has lost 82% of its traditional orchards. Emma McNamara, gardens consultant for the South East: “It’s a tragedy that over 80% of the South East’s heritage orchards have been
lost, but we’re working hard to bring back some of that lost blossom, in our gardens and parks too, with mixes of fruit and ornamental blossom trees, sometimes in creative layouts for visual impact. “Trees like cherry plum Prunus cerasifera and sweet cherry Prunus avium; their nectar and fruit provide a terrific food source for birds, and insects like butterflies and bees. “And of course they’re a beautiful
spectacle in spring; in autumn too, when they are laden with fruit.” The National Trust’s estates do have orchards. At Greys Court, there is a traditional orchard in its walled garden and, this year, seven new pear and cherry trees were planted to create the Jubilee Tree Circle in support of the Queens Green Canopy. Greys Court’s cherry garden is also undergoing restoration at the moment with many new cherry trees being planted to create a blossom tunnel in spring. And Cliveden’s Round Garden orchard has been under restoration for more than 10 years. It was originally laid out in the mid-19th century and is possibly the only surviving example in the UK of a circular fruit orchard form this period. It was highly ornamental, with apple, plum, cherry and pear trees growing up and over seven-foot tall iron hoops arranged around and across the 250 foot diameter. It continues to be a haven for wildlife, with rare bats, birds, fungi and insects taking up residence. In a bid to bring blossom back to landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the National Trust has now vowed to plant four million blossoming trees as part of its commitment to plant and establish 20 million trees across England, Wales and Northern Ireland by 2030. n For more information or to make a donation towards the charity’s tree planting ambitions visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk/blossom-watch
CHARITY that tackles meningitis is urging young adults to take a potentially lifesaving vaccine. Meningitis Now says the latest Government figures on the uptake of the routine schoolbased MenACWY teenage vaccination show an increase from 58.3% of those eligible to receive it in 2019-20 to 76.5% last year. But it wants to see the figure return to the pre-covid level of 88%, with concerns that under 25s are putting themselves at risk. One of the areas that has the highest take up is West Berkshire, where 98.2% of people have had the vaccine. Meningitis Now chief executive Dr Tom Nutt said: “It’s good to see these figures moving in the right direction and more of our young people getting protected against MenACWY through the programme. “I would urge everybody to take advantage of the MenACWY vaccination when it is offered – as we know vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against the devastation that meningitis can bring. “Of course, school attendance rates were lower than normal last year due to the pandemic, which will have had an impact on these figures. “As we hopefully start to emerge from this pandemic I’m hopeful we can see further improvement in these rates and in the protection of our young people.” Dr Nutt said that research shows that up to a quarter of 15- to 24-year-olds carry the bacteria that cause meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia in the back of their throats compared to one in 10 of the general population. The early signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia can be similar to ‘flu, tummy bug or a hangover and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, stomach cramps and fever with cold hands and feet. More specific signs and symptoms include fever with cold hands and feet, drowsiness, confusion, pale blotchy skin, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and a rash which doesn’t fade under pressure. If meningitis is suspected, people are urged to seek urgent medical attention. Meningitis Now has free information for parents and young people and lifesaving Signs and Symptoms cards. n Find out more at www.MeningitisNow.org
SPORT TODAY
WOKINGHAM
NO ONE CHRONICLES THE ACTION BETTER THAN US
31.03.22
SOUTH BERKS 3S: CHAMPIONS
BOARS CELEBRATE FUN IN THE SUN
KESTRELS KEEP A CLEAN SHEET
SPOILS SHARED IN DERBY CLASH POINT EACH FOR SUMAS & CITY
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
THE POINTS were shared after Wokingham & Emmbrook and Reading City couldn’t be separated in a local clash.
The visitors, Reading City, came into the game with more points on the board and above the Sumas in the table, however it was
Wokingham who claimed maximum points with a 3-2 victory when the teams met at the Rivermoor Stadium. Simon Johnson’s team took a onegoal lead into half-time courtesy of Dan Davies’ volley. Jack Mullan ensured the game was levelled from the penalty spot, but the Cityzens reclaimed their lead when Davies went down in the box,
and the referee awarded the second spot-kick of the match. Josh Baines took responsibility and scored to put Reading in front again. The scoring wasn’t done and the Sumas made sure that they added a point to their tally by finding a second equaliser in the game when Toby Raggett scored. The Sumas are still in the midst of
a relegation battle where they have a three point lead over Holyport and a four point advantage and a game in hand over bottom side CB Hounslow United. City sit comfortably in midtable in ninth with 37 points from 30 games, while both teams have four games left. n Full football round-up on pages 20 & 21
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0800 30 50 30
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ROCKETS FIRE UP FOR ONE LAST TIME AT RIVERMEAD READING ROCKETS earned victory in their final match at the Rivermead Leisure Centre by scoring 101 points against Team Newcastle University. The Sunday afternoon fixture was the Rockets’ final game at Rivermead after 25 years of playing there. With the Rockets already poised to face the first-seed Team Solent Kestrels in the playoffs, this matchup offered Reading a chance to continue their strong form and build momentum ahead of the postseason. It was a chance that they took with style, putting on a great show in front of a lively Rivermead crowd and earning a commanding 101-82 victory. Yet another thrilling dunk by Cartaino, assisted by Meshack, continued the Rockets’ strong inside scoring. Jaz Bains and Meshack both scored inside through cuts to the basket and free throws and the Rockets went into the final three minutes with a 14-point advantage. The Rockets capped off a dominant display with a pair of Toluwase dunks in the dying minutes. Reis Pinnock got himself one last layup with the last play, earning himself a triple-double and pushing the Rockets to triple-digit scoring to give Rivermead a memorable send-off.
18 | SPORT
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, March 31, 2022
Our Woodley showroom is open 7 days a week
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www.trademarkwindows.co.uk HOCKEY
SOUTH BERKS LADIES 3S ARE CHAMPIONS
South Berkshire Ladies 3s celebrate title success
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
South Central Women’s Thames 1 SOUTH BERKSHIRE 3s are in celebration mode after they wrapped up the league title on the weekend. They hit three past Newbury & Thatcham without reply to give them three points that was enough to secure the league title. It has been an exceptional campaign for South Berks who now have an unassailable lead at the top over Wallingford 3s. They have won 14 of their 20 matches so far this season to put them on 45 points.
South Central Men’s Premier 2
South Berkshire Ladies 3s with the trophy
SOUTH BERKSHIRE strolled
to victory with an impressive win over Havant. They smashed in seven goals and kept a clean sheet. The win puts them in seventh on 26 points with two league games left.
South Central Women’s Division 1
SOUTH BERKSHIRE remain in seventh after they were defeated at home by
Wallingford. One goal from the visitors was enough to take the points away from South Berks.
South Central Men’s Division 1
SONNING hit READING 3s for six as they wrapped up a comfortable home success. The 6-1 win puts Sonning in third, while Reading are one place off the bottom.
HOCKEY
READING CLOSE IN ON LEAGUE TITLE WITH VITAL VICTORY
By RONAN DAFFEY sport@wokingham.today
Reading Men 3 Canterbury 1 IN what may turn out to be a “winner takes all” promotion decider, Reading were worthy and comfortable winners against Canterbury.
With only one game left to play, they are now three points clear of Canterbury with a much better goal difference so it would take quite a turnaround for their fortunes to be reversed. Despite still missing some key players through injury and unavailability, Reading always seemed to be in control of the game – even when it was being played mainly in midfield. Both teams sought out weaknesses in their opponents that could be exploited to create an opening.
Reading Rascals v South Berks 5s
Reading’s determination was rewarded when a slick passing move ended with Toby Heywood Bourne sliding in to connect with a fast and accurate cross from the left. Sensing their moment of domination, Reading continued to press forward and there were a series of goalmouth scrambles where the final touch eluded the forwards before their star midfielder Nick Parkes showed them how to finish with a deft shot past the diving goalkeeper. Halfway through the second quarter, Canterbury’s sporadic efforts were rewarded with a scrappy goal. Reading keeper Chris Wyver later described it as soft. It halved the deficit, and nerves started to jangle in the Reading camp, more because it had seemed unlikely than that their
opponents were taking more control, which they weren’t. Those nerves were emphatically put back in their box when, on the stroke of half time, their penalty corner specialist Connor Beauchamp rammed home his first and Reading’s third goal to restore their two goal advantage. The remainder of the game was controlled by Reading, now in management mode, with the exciting and energetic Ryan Crowe causing the Canterbury defence multiple problems as he constantly surged up the pitch to take the ball well out of the way of any danger. Freddie Newbold, too, showed maturity and composure to keep Reading in control, and Nick Parkes was always on hand to snuff out any embryonic attacks, and regain possession for his team. There was a minor scare
when captain Olly Deasy, returning after injury, was sent to the sin bin for five minutes after breaking down play to stop a Canterbury breakaway, but this was soon followed by a Canterbury player joining him for a dangerous intervention in a desperate attempt to score. As the final whistle blew, the Reading players embraced each other to celebrate their victory which should assure them of promotion back to the top flight of English hockey. At the end of a weekend in which Reading Ladies had assured themselves of promotion back to the top level with a draw against Surbiton, it will be one that lives long in the memory of all members of the club who are so proud of what their stars have achieved over a long season.
Reading Rascals v South Berks 5s
Connor Beauchamp for Reading Pictures: Helen Ritchie Also in action at the weekend were Reading Rascals, who played against South Berks 5s Pictures: Steve Smyth
SPORT | 19
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RAMS MAULED ON THE ROAD BY CINDERFORD By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
Cinderford v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield
Cinderford v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield
Cinderford v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield
Cinderford v Rams Pictures: Tim Pitfield
Rams touch down
THERE was no fun in the sun for Rams as they were made to pay for a slow start at Cinderford with the hosts mauling their way to a 38-17 victory at Dockham Road.
The home side came flying out of the traps and took an early lead when hooker Nathan Taylor grabbed the first of his four tries, touching down at the back of a powerful rolling maul. Reece Boughton landed an excellent conversion from the left, and the fly-half repeated the trick from the other side of the field after Taylor doubled his tally with a carbon-copy of his first score. With the wind at their backs, the Foresters extended their advantage even further when they grabbed another score from close range. On this occasion Rams were able to halt the maul, but Cindy hammered away with a series of pick-and-goes before prop Tim Brockett burrowed over. Another Boughton conversion made it 21-0 at the end of the first quarter, but the visitors got themselves on the scoreboard when scrum-half Ollie Cole darted over from five metres out after skipper Robbie Stapley had controlled the ball superbly from the base of an attacking scrum.
Drew Humberstone added the extras and Rams had a couple of chances to further cut the deficit before the break, but it was the home side who landed a sucker punch on the brink of half-time when Taylor completed his hattrick, again from the maul after Paul Englezos had been yellow carded. Boughton’s kick made it 28-7, but the visitors landed the first blow of the second half when a remarkable through-the-legs pass from hooker Ben Henderson enabled Ollie Taylor to cross on the right. Yet Cinderford went back to the set-piece, and after Connor Stapley became the second Ram to be sinbinned, the hosts’ Taylor chalked up his fourth before Boughton converted for 35-12. However, Rams remained in contention when they got their own maul going, Henderson crossing at the back of a maul to reduce the gap to 18 points. A Boughton penalty pushed the lead back to 38-17, but the away side kept coming and were given further encouragement when replacement Aaron Ryan was sent to the sin-bin after accidentally making contact with the head of Vince Everitt at a ruck. Despite Connor Hayhow touching down on the left with the final play the centre put his foot in touch en route to the line.
REACTION
‘WE GAVE AWAY A 21-0 LEAD, ALWAYS A BIT TRICKY’ DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds saw positives in defeat, but rued a slow start as Rams went down 38-17 to an impressive Cinderford side. The visitors fell 21-0 inside the first quarter as Reece Boughton converted two Nathan Taylor tries direct from the maul, while a third from prop Tim Brockett came following a series of pick-and-goes near the line. Ollie Cole converted for a score added to by Drew Humberstone as the away side rallied, but they were dealt a sucker-punch when a third Taylor try, again converted by Boughton, with the last play of the first period. Ollie Taylor gave Rams hope, but Taylor’s fourth, Boughton slotting the kick, made it 35-12. Again the visitors hit back, this time through hooker Ben Henderson, but Boughton’s penalty proved the last points of the day despite Rams having a number of opportunities to snatch a bonus-point.
Reynolds said: “In these kind of games you want a bit of a feeling out period where even against the wind you can be 0-0 after or even 5-0 to them, but unfortunately we gave them a 21-0 lead which was always going to be a bit tricky. “You’ve got to give credit to Cinderford – they’re a very good side and they managed to get their platform going. “They had strength at the scrum and maul and had good field position with the wind behind their backs (in the first half). “But just before half-time I thought we were coming back nicely, and it was unfortunate we conceded again. “And I thought if we could have nicked another score at the start of the second half, we could have got back into it, but they deserved it.” He continued: “Obviously, you want to win, but I don’t think it was a poor performance and I thought our guys
RAMS’ Seb Reynolds
Rams aim to get the ball down
stuck at it really well. “I credit our lads for the way they went to the end, we were knocking on the door, and we almost got two or three more scores which would have brought us back into it. “The way Henry Bird chased down their line break at the end – the game is done, it’s 38-17 and yet he still went the length of the pitch to stop the try and that’s so important in teams. “If you don’t have that, you’re done.” Despite defeat, which leaves Rams sixth in the table with five games remaining, Reynolds was not too downbeat. “The positives were we got into
good attacking positions and looked to off-load – some of those didn’t go to hand and went to ground instead, but that’s the risk you take when you play a continuity game,” he said. “I don’t mind that, we’ll just look at it and try and improve the decisionmaking. “Paul Englezos did really well – he had an interesting experience against Cinderford in pre-season when up against George Porter, but he got better and has definitely improved through the season. He’ll be better again for the experience. “Alex Sparkes when he came on did a really good job. He’s been injured
for a long time but had a really good tempo.” Reynolds thanked the Cinderford supporters applauded Bird after he was down for a couple of minutes, concluding: “This is a great club – they play rugby the way it should be played which is hard, tough, hit you hard, try and dominate you at the scrum and maul.“But if you get an injury and get back on your feet, they’ll clap you warmly and it’s why there’s a great respect for this team. “I really like coming here, they’re good people and it’s a big challenge, and we’ll get back to the drawing board for when we do next time.”
20 | SPORT
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SUMAS HIT BACK TO CLAIM POINT FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
Wokingham & Emmbrook v Reading City Pictures: Andrew Batt By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Combined Counties Premier North WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK and READING CITY gained a point each after an entertaining affair at Lowther Road. The Cityzens took a one-goal lead into the break after Dan Davies looped a volley into the net just prior to half-time. The Sumas clapped back to
level the game four minutes after the restart when Jack Mullan slotted from the penalty spot. But City restored their lead just five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty of their own that was converted by Josh Baines. On the hour mark, the Sumas netted the fourth goal of the game which proved to be the final strike of the afternoon when Toby Raggett ensured the points were shared.
Sumas (orange) and Reading City (blue) fight for the ball
Wokingham are in 6th while Reading are in ninth after 30 games each.
Isthmian South Central BINFIELD climbed up to eighth after they earned three points away at Tooting & Mitcham United. Goals from Ollie Harris and Sean Moore ensured maximum points on the road for the Moles.
Cup
FINCHAMPSTEAD flew into the next round of the cup with a stunning ten-goal show against FC IMAAN LIONS. Dylan Chaffin netted four times, Joel Day scored a brace and goals from Nick Payne, Alex Woodhead, Daniel Pawson and Nathan Rodgers totted up a spectacular 10-0 victory. BURGHFIELD RESERVES booked their place in the next round with Lewis Buthcer’s goal in extra-time giving them
victory over Windlesham & Chobham Development. WARGRAVE were knocked out in an entertaining eightgoal spectacle away at Windlesham & Chobham. BERKS COUNTY ROVERS stormed through with a 6-1 triumph over Henley Town Development. Matthew Dickson scored a hat-trick, Nathan Oliver-James notched a brace and Charlie Nicholls netted to consolidate a 6-1 win.
HARCHESTER HAWKS went through with a 2-0 success against Farnham Royal Maericks. One goal was enough to see READING YMCA RAPIDS get past Mortimer Development. TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE went out to Goring United Reserves after they lost 5-4 on penalties HURST were also eliminated after they lost out in a one-goal contest at Yateley United.
SPORT | 21
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T AGAINST READING CITY
From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith
What’s the rule on where thrown-ins are
K
Southern Region Women’s Premier Division WOODLEY UNITED remain at the bottom of the table after they lost out to relegation rivals Oxford City. Ellen Surtees scored a free-kick for the Kestrels but they fell to a 4-1 loss.
Southern Region Women’s Division 1 South EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Bournemouth Sports. An 8-1 defeat leaves the Boars in last place on 10 points,
three adrift of ninth placed Milton United.
Thames Valley Women’s Division One CAVERSHAM UNITED earned three points in style by hitting six past Stonesfield Strikers. Freya Jenkins bagged a hat-trick, while goals from Sophie Ali and Caitlin Levy helped the Billygoats to a 6-1 triumph. TILEHURST PANTHERS got the better of WARGRAVE in a tightly contested battle. Goals from Lydia Vettese, Leah Why and Celia Spanu helped them to a 3-2 win.
READING FC
ROYALS BOLSTER DEFENSIVE OPTIONS FOR REMAINING GAMES READING FC have bolstered their defence for the remaining eight games of the season with the singing of Terell Thomas.
26-year-old centre back Thomas has signed a short term deal that sees him join the first-team squad for the remainder of the 2021/22 season. The Royals face eight crucial matches in the Championship to try and secure their status in the league in what is the club’s 150th anniversary year. Paul Ince’s men bolstered their
chances of survival with a point away at AFC Bournemouth before they earned a crucial win at home to Blackburn Rovers prior to the international break to put them five points above the relegation zone. They now head into what is arguably the biggest game of the season this Saturday away at relegation rivals Barnsley, with potential victory giving them a sizeable gap from the drop zone. Thomas had been training with the Royals under 23’s team for a number of weeks and twice
featured in matches for them whilst on trial, with his impressive performances winning him a contract with the first-team. Thomas started his youth career at Arsenal before joining Charlton Athletic. The 6ft 3in defender has also featured for Wigan Athletic and made close to 100 appearances for AFC Wimbledon before he spent the first half of the current campaign with Crewe Alexandra in League One. Chief executive Dayong Pang
said, “We have eight games remaining this season and we want to give ourselves the very best chance of winning our fight for second tier survival in the last six weeks of the campaign. “Terell has been training well with our first team and has been professional and patient in his attitude and application on the training pitch and adding him to our first team group will bring competition, helping to push our players to be at their best in search of the points we need to stay up.”
EEN eyed Reading supporters may have noticed in recent games, that referees have been pointing out to players where throw-ins should take place. For some time, players have happily taken them anywhere up to 10 or even 20 yards from where the ball has crossed the touchline to go out of play, which is where Law 15 says they should be returned into play. This is a key hate of supporters, making their feelings known when it is done by the opposition. Of course, it is not just at Reading where this change is taking place. If you watch the games on television you will see that it is happening throughout the Football League. It would therefore seem an edict has been issued. Years ago, there was no penalty for throwing the ball in at the wrong place, except that the throw-in had to be taken again. In fact, in general, it was taken roughly where it went out (no one worried about a yard or two). However, if a team was winning by one goal and time was running out, they used this part of the Law as a little time waster. They would throw the ball in at a great distance forward from the correct position, knowing that the referee would just make them throw it again at the correct place, to which they would walk slowly. This would knock a few more seconds off the clock. The law makers at the IFAB spotted this scam and in 1987 made stealing ground to be treated the same as any other foul throws, which is that the throw reverts to the opposing team. This stopped that particular practice. In recent years however, players have taken to throwing the ball in where they wanted, which has been ignored by referees, at least in the senior leagues. No doubt in the demand of speeding up the game, or being told it’s not what the game expects. There are I feel, two aspects to be looked at. First, can taking throw-ins from the wrong area (usually too far forward) be stopped? The answer is certainly yes. We have the tools. We just award the throw-in to the opposing team when the Law is breached. I have done this many times, admittedly after a first warning as local footballers tend to copy what they see happening on television. The other point is, is it worth it? It’s such a minor part of the game, does it matter if players get the game under way with a throw-in from the wrong place, even if it is further up field. My argument is why do we have Laws of the Game, if we are just going to ignore them?
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www.trademarkwindows.co.uk Eversley & California v Hillingdon Pictures: Richard Milam
BADMINTON
FOOTBALL
EVERSLEY CONTINUE HUNT FOR PLAY-OFF PLACES WITH HOME WIN
Eversley & California v Hillingdon Pictures: Richard Milam
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.todayv
Combined Counties Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA stay in the race for the play-offs after they defeated Hillingdon Borough. Jamie Griggs added to his hattrick from the previous week by opening the scoring for the Boars in the 35th minute. Ben Anderson doubled the lead to give Eversley a 2-0 half-time lead after he fired into the bottom corner from Paras Gill’s pass. Gill then got on the scoresheet himself to wrap up the points early in the second-half. It was a satisfactory win for Eversley who stayed resolute to keep another clean sheet and consolidated their chances of finishing inside the top four. Matty Angell’s team are in an excellent position with 63 points from 33 games, which gives them a four point lead over the two teams below them in the table, Wallingford Town and Sandhurst Town. Wallingford however, do have three games in hand to catch up on. The Boars are on the road this weekend when they travel to face Kensington & Ealing Boro, who are currently eighth in the standings.
Reading & District Sunday League
Senior: AFC Bradfield 4-1 Woodley Wanderers, Burghfield 5-0 Arborfield, Mortimer 2-4 Maiden Place Division One: Reading Kits 0-7 Caversham United, Rose & Thistle 1-2 Woodley Saints Hobnob, Give Back 3-0 Burghfield Reserves Cup: Loxwood Park Rangers 3-4 116 Exiles, Westwood Wanderers 1-3 Emmer Green
TEAMS DO BATTLE IN BADMINTON TOURNAMENT By ANKUSH KAPOOR sport@wokingham.today
BADMINTON players played hard and fair in the spring version of the 2022 Rangers Sports Badminton Tournament which returned last weekend.
The Badminton tournament was played in the Loddon Valley Leisure centre on Sunday, March 27 following a successful version in autumn last year. The tournament attracted a lot of badminton enthusiasts from the area with 45 teams participating and many members of the public turned up to witness it. The teams were divided in nine groups of five teams each and the top teams were to qualify for the next round playing for two separate Trophies – Champions Cup and Rangers Cup. While most Shuttlers were pleased with their performance in their four group games, only the remaining 16 went on to play in the pre-quarterfinals which produced eight quarterfinalists which were then down to the four semi-finalists for the two cups.
Champions Cup Final Arguably the two most consistent teams made it to the finals and there was not a dull moment in the two set game. Arijit / Bharat took an early lead in the first set but Jack / Jazz filled the deficient before the magic 21st point. The second set was equally interesting with some critical rallies ending on unforced errors on either side. In the end Jack / Jazz held their ground and emerged winner with a 2-0 victory taking them on top on the podium.
Rangers Cup Final
Jamie Griggs celebrates his goal
Eversley & California v Hillingdon Pictures: Richard Milam
Division Two: Barton Rovers 3-2 Calcot Royals, Southbank 1-3 Romania United Division Three: Berkshire Royals 2-0 New England, Burghfield B 1-2 Thames Valley Railway, FC Woodley 3-2 Sanctuary Strikers, RE United 3-1 Royal Albion Division Four: Core FC 4-1 Brothers United, RG6 1-3 FC Whitley Wood,
Bracknell & District Sunday League Premier: Crowthorne Inn 1-2 Bracknell Rangers, Raglan 2-2 Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW Division One: Winnersh Rangers 1-2 FC Showcase Division Two: Bracknell Athletic 2-6 Harts
of Bracknell, Woodley Saints Tigers 0-9 Braybrooke Athletic Cup: Bracknell Spartan Vets 7-2 Ashridge Park, Division Three: Bracknell Bisons 1-2 SF7 Division Four: Bracknell Spartan 1-0 Bracknell Athletic Reserves, Harts of Bracknell Stags 2-1 Wokingham Wanderers
Rangers Cup final was a battle of techniques and power which was equally divided between the two finalists. The first set was balanced and proved to be closer than initially anticipated. Shuja / Zaid took an early lead in the game with a very close 21-19 finish. In the second set Yogi / Keerthi came back stronger with some serious muscle power in their armoury but in the end it was Yogi / Keerthi who took away the glory with a 2-0 win getting their hands on the Rangers cup trophy.
SPORT | 23
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The win sees Kestrels move eight points clear of the relegation zone
CAROLAN STRIKES FAST TO HELP WOODLEY WIN By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today WOODLEY UNITED earned another crucial win after Ciaron Carolan’s wonder goal hit the ball of the net just 14 seconds after kick-off.
Woodley stayed in command during the game against Enfield
Woodley celebrate Picture: Peter Toft
It was a hard-fought victory
Woodley’s defence held out against an Enfield onslaught
United recorded back-to-back wins for the first time this season and moved a further place up the league table and in doing so opened up an eight-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. This league victory was Woodley’s tenth of the season and all have been by a single goal. From Woodley’s kick off, Kai Stubbs-Alleyne’s headed Tahir Carmichael’s forward ball into the path of Ciaron Carolan who with one touch calmly lobbed the advancing Dragos Stefanoaica for his ninth goal of the season. Stefanoaica denied Bevan Van Wyk from extending the score two minutes later, parrying the midfielder’s shot from Monay MillsChandlers’ pass. This was followed by United’s Ashley East using his legs to block an Enfield shot while Dominic Simpson-Last saw his corner kick float in the wind before being cleared at Woodley’s far post in the ninth minute. After this explosive start the half subsided into one of a few half chances and fouls being conceded.
From a Carmichael free kick in the 25th minute Stubbs-Alleyne header over the cross bar. This was shortly followed by Simpson-Last seeing his cross from Enfield’s right hand side going through the hosts’ penalty area and out of play for a throw in. The second half saw the visitors twice denied. Carl Adiku shot took a deflection of Stuart Birkett, hit the post before being cleared for a corner by the recovering defender and Birkett was again called on to clear in the 67th minute when Adam Pollock’ header came back into play having hit the post. During this period of time Woodley had done little to trouble the away goal but Stefanoaica was required in the 70th minute to save Kaylum Barlow’s shot. As the half progressed the game became stretched and defences saved by off-side decisions. The 86th minute saw Barlow flagged off-side from a Deshawn Denny pass, while Enfield’s Kevin Mussunda was similarly penalised a minute into second-half stoppage time. The last action of the game came in the third stoppage time minute when following a foul on Woodley’s Joe Salter on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area, MillsChandler put the resultant free kick over the cross bar.
READING FC WOMEN
WINLESS ROYALS RUN CONTINUES WITH DRAW AT VILLA Reading Women 1 Aston Villa 1
READING FC WOMEN dropped down to eighth in the Women’s Super League after they were pegged back by Aston Villa.
Justine Vanheaevermaet put the Royals in front but they conceded to Ramona Petzelberger to leave them with just a point from their trip to the Midlands. Reading have now gone six games in the WSL without a win. Reading had their chances in the first-half to go in front, one of which came when they stole possession high up the pitch from a loose Villa pass but Natasha Dowie shot harmlessly at Hannah Hampton in the Villa goal.
The hosts tried their luck from a couple of occasions with strikes outside the box only to be denied by Royals keeper Grace Moloney. Kelly Chambers’ team were given the chance to break the deadlock when the referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 69th minute after former Royals defender Maz Pacheco fouled Amalie Eikeland. Vanhaevermaet stepped up to take responsibility from 12 yards out and confidently dispatched the spot-kick which sent Hampton the wrong way to put the Royals ahead. But Villa weren’t down for long and levelled the game up just seven minutes later. Laura Blindkidle got down the right byline and delivered an excellent cross
to find Petzelberger at the back post who towered above to plant a header into the net. Villa had a chance to snatch all three points at the end when another former Royal, Remi Allen, squeezed through the defence, but Moloney got enough of a hand to the ball to prevent it going in before it was cleared. Moloney then did well to keep her cool and tip the ball over the bar following a late Villa corner that was almost diverted into the net by one of her own teammates as the game ended all square. Next up for the Royals is a tricky away test against title pushing Chelsea. The Blues are now in pole
position for their push to be crowned champions for the second consecutive season after they overtook Arsenal into first place after their exceptional nine goal show at Leicester City at the weekend. Emma Hayes’ team were in a ruthless mood as they smashed nine past Leicester without conceding. They raced into a six goal lead by half-time and added three more in the second-half to confirm the thrashing. There were braces for Guro Reiten, Sam Kerr and Beth England, while Aniek Nouwen, Lauren James and Jessie Fleming completed the rout. Despite their contrasting positions
in the table, Reading already have the bragging rights over Chelsea this season after shocking them at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.. The Royals got their first ever WSL win over the Blues in December in what was arguably Reading’s best moment of the season so far. Up against a Chelsea side full of world class talent, including former Royal Fran Kirby, Reading marshalled the Chelsea attack to keep a shut out after forward Deanne Rose stole the show and put Reading in front after four minutes. The Canadian international’s goal proved to be the only goal of the contest as Reading defended resolutely to earn three crucial points.
24 | SPORT
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HOCKEY
SCHOOLS COMPETE IN ANNUAL CONTEST
Shinfield St Mary’s won gold for their efforts in the annual Wokingham Schools hockey tournament
By CHRIS MANNING sport@wokingham.today
THE annual Wokingham School Games In2Hockey final was held on Thursday, March 17 at Sonning Hockey Club for children in years five and six.
The four teams who made it through via a qualifying round to get to the competition, played in mixed 6-a-side matches. Shinfield St Mary’s CE Junior School won Gold, Hawkedon Primary School, Silver, Radstock Primary School, Bronze with Emmbrook Junior School in fourth place. Chris Manning, from Sonning Hockey club was responsible for engaging club players to umpire the matches. In addition to goals from open play, this year, for the first time, the 4v2 power play was introduced instead of penalty corners. It resulted in lots of exciting goals being scored. Gold medal winners Shinfield St Mary’s CE scored 14 goals and conceded only two. One player, Felix (Year 6) said: “We were incredibly proud of where we got to. We improved game after game and are looking forward to Bisham Abbey, representing not only Shinfield St. Mary’s CE Junior School, but Wokingham, too.” Shinfield St Mary’s and Hawkedon now go through to
Saturday, March 26
FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Aston Villa 1-1 Reading Isthmian South Central Tooting & Mitcham United 0-2 Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Sumas 2-2 Reading City Combined Counties Division One Berks County 8-0 Cove Eversley & California 3-1 Hillingdon Borough Woodley United 1-0 Enfield Borough Thames Valley Premier League Reading City U23’s 0-0 Woodley United Royals
represent Wokingham in the Berkshire School Games Final at Bisham Abbey on Tuesday, March 29 where they will compete against winning schools from all over Berkshire. Gwenda Lappin, Wokingham School Games Organiser, said: “We were delighted to host this tournament once again, after a year’s hiatus due to the Covid pandemic. It was wonderful to see so many children enjoying playing hockey, with all matches played in a great spirit.”
Cup FC Imaan Lions 0-10 Finchampstead Windlesham & Chobham 5-3 Wargrave Yateley United 1-0 Hurst Reading YMCA Rapids 1-0 Mortimer Development Berks County Rovers 6-1 Henley Town Development Harchester Hawks 2-0 Farnham Royal Mavericks RUGBY UNION National League One Cinderford 38-17 Rams South West 1 East Bracknell 30-22 Marlborough
Hawkedon Primary will go through to the Berkshire School Games Final
READING FC
ROYALS DEALT FRESH INJURY BLOW WITH DUO SET TO MISS REMAINDER OF SEASON
Flashback: The Royals were the better side in their home fixture against Barnsley last October Picture: Steve Smyth
By Andy Preston apreston@wokingham.today READING FC manager Paul Ince confirmed that both Andy Rinomohta and Yakou Meite are likely to miss the remainder of the Championship season.
With just eight games to go, Reading’s task of trying to stay in the Championship just got that bit tougher with the news that they will be without two key players. Ince confirmed that Rinomhota is set to be out for around two months that will see him out of action for the season after he suffered a knee injury which forced him off in the first half against Blackburn Rovers. “We’ve lost two people long term so we’ve got to be careful what we’re doing with these players so we don’t overwork them,” said Ince. “It’s about finding the right balance. “Andy (Rinomhota) is out
RESULTS
and Yakou (Meite) is out, that’s a blow. “Losing Andy is massive. In midfield we looked strong with him in there. “It’s unlike him, he’s such a warrior and doesn’t come off unless he’s hurt. “The fact he carried on a bit longer might have made the injury worse. “He’s ripped a muscle off his bone so it will be seven or eight weeks. “His season is done which is a massive blow for us and a massive blow for him, but he
will be back next season.” Ince also confirmed the news that Meite will face another spell on sidelines since only returning from a lengthy acl injury a couple of months back. Ince continued: “Yakou has done his ankle and will be out for four, five or six weeks. “He went up for a header on Saturday against Blackburn and went over on his ankle. “Knowing Yakou, he will want to come back in two weeks, but it’s about the here and now.”
RUGBY UNION
BERKSHIRE BRIGANDS TO HOST RUGBY FESTIVAL BERKSHIRE Brigands are set to host an exciting mixed ability rugby festival at Windsor Rugby Club.
Taking place on Saturday, April 9, the community rugby team that welcomes players with learning disabilities, autism and other barriers, and those without, from ages 17 and above will host a day filled with rugby action. Berkshire Brigands was formed in September 2020 in the first year of the Covid pandemic. Despite that, the club grew and thrived quickly, surviving lockdowns and restrictions to have a regular core of 20-25 players who train twice weekly and have played several matches and tournaments against other mixed ability sides, and also touch games with mainstream rugby teams. The players come from a wide range of backgrounds and ability levels are truly mixed, which is the essence of the Mixed Ability Sport ethos. Players support and encourage each other and skill levels are improving all the time. They will now host their inaugural mixed ability rugby festival that will take place at Windsor Rugby Club. 12 mixed ability rugby teams from across the country will play a mixture of contact and tag rugby matches between 12pm – 3pm, with presentations and awards at 4pm. To make the day more special and inclusive to all there will also be a DJ, food outlets and the Windsor RFC clubhouse and bar.
HOCKEY Women’s National Division 1 South Surbiton 2s v Reading South Central Men’s Division 1 Sonning 6-1 Reading 3s South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning 2-5 Marlow South Central Men’s Premier 2 South Berkshire 7-0 Havant 2s South Central Women’s Division 3 South Berkshire 0-1 Wallingford
Sunday, March 27
Tuesday, March 29 FOOTBALL Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Kensington & Ealing Boro Woodley United v Chalvey Sports FC Deportivo Galicia v Eversley & California
FIXTURES
Saturday, April 2
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Barnsley v Reading Isthmian South Central Binfield v Uxbridge Combined Counties Premier North Reading City v Windsor Sumas v Burnham Combined Counties Division One British Airways v Berks County Kensington & Ealing v Eversley & California Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Wraysbury Finchampstead v Reading City U23’s Reading YMCA v Maidenhead Town Westwood Wanderers v Wargrave RUGBY UNION National League One Rams v Birmingham Moseley South West1 East Oxford Harlequins v Bracknell HOCKEY Women’s National Division 1 South Reading v Wimbledon 2s South Central Men’s Division 1 Oxford 2s v Sonning South Central Women’s Premier 1 Oxford v Sonning South Central Men’s Premier 2 Oxford Hawks 2s v South Berkshire South Central Women’s Division 1 Oxford Hawks 3s v South Berkshire
FOOTBALL Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Oxford City 4-1 Woodley United
Sunday, April 3
Southern Region Women’s Division 1 South Bournemouth Sports 8-1 Eversley & California
Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Winchester City Flyers v Woodley United
Thames Valley Women’s Division One Caversham United 6-1 Stonesfield Strikers Wargrave 2-3 Tilehurst Panthers
Southern Region Women’s Division One South Eversley & California v AFC Stoneham
HOCKEY Men’s National Division 1 South Reading 3-1 Canterbury
FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Chelsea v Reading
Thames Valley Women’s Division One Caversham United v Wargrave Cup Tilehurst Panthers v Mortimer
