Wokingham Today May 27, 2021

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

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THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

Thursday, May 27, 2021 No. 314

70p

WOKINGHAM WALK: WET BUT WELL ATTENDED P16

Magic of the cup

Okay, it wasn’t the result we all wanted but Binfield can be proud of its football team. On Saturday morning, villagers took to the streets in force to see the team coach drive on their way to Wembley, before 1,500 fans watched the game at the stadium. For more pictures see page 2, match report in Sport Picture: Steve Smyth

JAMS TODAY...

BUT NOT TOMORROW EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today THE BOROUGH’S motorists can look forward to the future – as it should see them spending less time in traffic jams and more time driving.

Council to motor on with hi-tech solution to ease road congestion

Council leader John Halsall said in a speech to a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council last Thursday that he intended to implement a planned real-time information system: “(We will be) rolling out of our Congestion and Intelligent Traffic Schemes”. � Continued on page 6

CAT’S MAGIC FROM STREET ARTIST P20 TREES WILL BE FOR THE FUTURE P6

BANK HOLIDAY MARKET IS ON P10

COW PROTESTERS HOLD VIGIL P5

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2 | NEWS

How to get in touch with us

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

FA VASE FINAL

Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email Email news@wokingham.today

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Reuben Hira (10) with his poster

One of the impressive displays

Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Jess Warren, Charlotte King, Laura Scardarella Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson

FACEBOOK & TWITTER: WOKINGHAM.TODAY Shane Price shows his support for the Moles

VISITORS to our website – Wokingham.Today – will have noticed a banner inviting you to support us.

Over the past six years, we have committed ourselves to providing the borough of Wokingham with trusted, reliable and comprehensive local news and sport. We are proud to be your voice in the borough.

We publish online seven days a week, and in print every Thursday, bringing you stories from all walks of life.

We are local, not owned by an international company, and Wokingham is our community too.

In common with most other

news organisations, 2020 was a difficult year.

We are committed to offering news for free online – no subscriptions, no registrations, just the news you need.

For online readers, we invite you to make a contribution to support our journalism. You can make a one-off gift, or you commit to a regular subscription.

Doing so will protect Wokingham borough’s access to local news not just through these difficult days, but for years to come.

Thank you for your support.

Phil Creighton, Editor, Wokingham.Today

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Family Notices

Cheering the team on

Raising their glasses to the Moles

Time for a quick pose before getting on to the team bus – Binfield

The Binfield Club was as full as covid regulations would permit

Lorna Smith and Amanda McLean raise a glass to Binfield FC

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Fans gathered in The Victoria Arms to watch the big match from Wembley

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Cheers! The Moles are toasted at The Binfield Club Address

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Harry Green with pint

The village was decorated with bunting to celebrate the occasion

The coach snakes its way through Binfield

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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NEWS | 3

Binfield’s supporters were at Coppid Beech Hotel to see the side off safely

Wellwishers were asked to wear red and black, the team’s colours

Fans catch the action on big screens erected in The Binfield Club

The team from Crema were wearing our rosettes to show their support

Fans enjoyed watching the team as they weent through Binfield

Fans waved homemade flags to encourage the team on their village tour

There were loud cheers and applause for the Moles

FC then toured through the streets of the village to be waved off by wellwishers ahead of their FA Vase final Pictures: Steve Smyth

Village unites with one voice: ‘Up the Moles!’

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

AS BINFIELD FC prepared for their biggest game in their history, the village played their part.

The streets were full as residents came out in their hundreds to wish the squad good luck and bon voyage ahead of their FA Vase final at Wembley on Saturday.

It was the culmination of a fortnight of preparation for the Moles. Unfortunately, they lost out as Warrington Rylands scored three goals in a thrilling contest, one more than Binfield.

But the team can hold their heads up high as they gave a spirited account for themselves, something appreciated in the village.

And the support was welcomed by the team.

Club chairman Bob Bacon said: “It’s just been magnificent. It was a real fillip seeing the crowds. We didn’t expect to see so many people.

“Binfield was full of noise and colour, on the coach we could hear people shouting, ‘Come

on Binfield’ and ‘Up the Moles’.

“A lot of players commented on it, it gave us real energy knowing that people in the village were behind us – they wanted to see us succeed.”

In return, the team gave supporters – be they at home, at Wembley or in venues such as The Binfield Club and The Victoria Arms – an entertaining day.

“We obviously wanted to win the game,” Mr Bacon said. “We really went for it.

“From the first whistle, the players noticed the noise from the fans, which was really appreciated.”

Of his team, Mr Bacon said: “I’m proud as punch with them”.

And the response was something that Mr Bacon hopes will go on to the new season, which sees the club promoted to the next step of grassroots sport.

“We want Binfield to be more of a community club in the community, we want to give something back,” he said.

“It’s onwards and upwards as we continue to look to the future.” � Match reports and pictures in Sport

Even Ascot fans were happy to cheer Binfield on

Sam Colas Sanchis (8)

One-year-old Harry Rolfe enjoyed the parade

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175 years of experience passed through the generations

4 | NEWS

Drive-in sit-out cinema comes to Madejski

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Young people want more safe spaces to hang out says survey

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

VOICE: 40% of young people said they don’t feel listened to by their community Picture: LE Morgan via Flickr

YOUNG PEOPLE across the county are most concerned about mental health and wellbeing according to newly published data.

THE UK’s FIRST drive-in, sit-out cinema is coming to Reading.

From Tuesday, the Madejski Stadium will be host to some of the latest blockbusters including The Little Things, Godzilla Vs. Kong, Wonder Women 1984 and Golden Globe and Academy Award winner Judas and The Black Messiah.

There will also be family screenings of Tom & Jerry, Scoob! and Roald Dahl’s The Witches.

The ‘drive-in, sit-out’ cinema has sociallydistanced seating areas with every car, so guests can watch films in the open air and order street food and drinks to their seat, without taking a step.

Bringing a touch of theatre, there will also be screenings of West End’s Kinky Boots, The Greatest Showman and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. These showings will include on-screen lyrics for a sing-along and live theatre and circus performers.

The films will be shown on 50 metre HD LED screens until Sunday, June 6.

There will be three screenings a day at each venue, with tickets per car up to six people costing £35.

Guests can pre-order food and drink to be delivered straight to the car on the night. � Tickets must be pre-booked. For a full schedule of films or to book tickets visit: www.flixdrivein.co.uk

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

The annual survey from Berkshire Youth revealed the impact of the pandemic, identifying key areas for support.

These include mental health and education – both of which have been under pressure due to lockdown restrictions.

More than 750 young people across the county responded to the survey, which was created under the guidance of a young persons steering group.

It found an “overwhelming need” for young people to have safe and inclusive spaces with positive role models to talk to.

More than 75% of respondents reported that mental health and wellbeing was an important issue facing young people at the moment, and 56% said their own mental health had declined over the past year, with the same number struggling with loneliness and isolation. And 72% of young people said that education and exams are posing a challenge, due to the

impact of the pandemic.

Cameron, who sits on the steering group said he was sad to see selfharm rates were so high but said it didn’t surprise him.

Almost half of the young people said they knew someone who selfharmed.

Freya, who is also on the steering group said the survey is important so that people can learn from young people’s concerns.

The report highlighted that 51% of young people think “they are never listened to by their local council” with 40% feeling “never listened to” by their own community.

“We can see that there has been a trend in declining mental health but also young people are feeling more isolated and lonely,” she said. “Young

people are asking for safe places to have fun with their friends and I think we should listen to them.”

The charity said the data also emphasised the importance of investing in universal and targeted youth work.

It found evidence that young people need more places to spend time with friends, try new activities and access support.

Almost 70% of those surveyed said they wanted a place to have fun with friends, and 47% wanted somewhere “safe” to go.

Berkshire Youth’s charity ambassador, Reading FC Player Tom Holmes, said young people want to be heard.

“It is important that people listen and that’s what Berkshire Youth are

doing,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things with everything that is going on in the world right now, the sacrifices that the youth have had to make may not seem so major.

“However, young people have made huge sacrifices for the greater cause of saving lives during the course of this pandemic.

“As we come out of this pandemic, I think it is important that we listen to young people and I encourage people to read this report to see the good work taking place to look after the young people of Berkshire.”

David Seward, CEO of the charity encouraged people to use the survey data and find positive ways to support young people.

He said: “After a decade of cuts to youth services plus dealing with the global pandemic, it is important not just for Berkshire Youth but also for our partners and supporters to make every effort to listen to the young people in our communities.

“This report is a collation of the results which offers an insight into the concerns and worries that affect our communities.

“We are all very grateful to the young people who have shared their voice, to trust us with their voice is a privilege.”

Need for foodbank parcels doubles in Wokingham sparking new campaign CHILDREN across the borough are being encouraged to write a short poem about what hunger means to them.

It is for a national competition by foodbank charity, the Trussell Trust, following data that revealed 2,393 food parcels were given to borough children over the last year.

That is almost double than April 2019 to March 2020.

Youngsters aged nine and under can create and draw a hungry character and tell its story with a poem as part of its Bye Bye Hunger competition.

The top 20 entries will be published in a poetry book and the winner will have their character brought to life in the Trussell Trust campaign to end the need for food banks.

It is hoped that the poems will help to reduce the stigma surrounding people using food banks.

Between April 202 and March 2021, 5,500 food parcels were given to residents in the borough, more than double the year before. Adults received 3,107 of those.

The competition was inspired by a mother who sent a poem to the Trussell Trust earlier this year about how she was judged for needing a food bank to feed her child.

The charity turned the poem into a short film, which was backed by musician Liam Payne, comedian Dawn French and Simon King from The Hairy Bikers.

The poem explores whether the fifth richest country in the world should need food banks to feed children.

It includes the line: “I needed free food because I didn’t have enough money, I didn’t have enough food in my child’s tummy”.

Comedian Dom Joly, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell have been chosen to select the winning entries.

Mr Joly said: “The Bye Bye Hunger poetry competition is a brilliant opportunity for us adults to learn from the far wiser and brighter minds of kids aged nine and under.

“They see things we don’t and

PARCELS: 2,393 food packages were given to borough children over the last year Picture: Trussell Trust

I’m really looking forward to seeing their creativity in action – and the hunger-free future they draw for us.”

Former EastEnders star, Ms Outhwaite, said: “The mother’s poem was just so heart-breaking.

“We must stop and reflect on this

and create a hunger-free future.”

She said it would be a wonderful way for children to use their imagination.

The deadline for entries is this Sunday. � For more information, visit: www.trusselltrust.org/poems

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Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Vegan protesters call for investigation into cow death EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today PROTESTERS angry that Thames Valley Police (TVP) ran over a cow earlier this month gathered at the scene to voice their concerns last week.

Vegan Action for Animals (VAfA), which organises events and campaigns in Berkshire, arranged a candle lighting vigil for the animal that was knocked down on Loddon Bridge Road on Thursday, May 13.

The group said the incident, which ended with the cow being euthanised, links to a wider pattern of alleged violence ingrained in the UK’s policing system.

A spokesperson for VAfA said the tribute, held on Thursday, May 20, was a “powerful and passionate meeting” of people who believe the cow was “wrongfully murdered” by the officers.

They said a mix of animal rights activists and local residents were present.

The group, which also laid floral tributes at the spot where the cow died, said the vigil was only the beginning of its activism following the incident.

“We will fight to find out the truth behind her senseless murder,” the spokesperson said. “We will remember her always. Her only crime was being free.”

‘Violent and brutal’ Speaking to Wokingham.Today, VAfA accused TVP of taking an “unnecessarily violent and unnecessarily brutal” response to the cow’s escape.

They believed the force’s actions were not “lawful” and the campaigners were “outraged and appalled”.

“As a group, we believe very strongly in equality for all,” the spokesperson said. “Over the past couple of years, we have seen that there is a genuine issue with police brutality.

“Violence seems to be ingrained in our police system and we feel there needs to be an investigation and a restructure of the way that the police operate in this country.”

‘A lack of respect’ Last week’s vigil was the second campaign event held by VAfA. They also staged a protest outside Thames Valley Police Station in Castle Street, Reading on Saturday, May 15, where 27 activists called for an apology and explanation for what happened to the cow.

“We very calmly, politely and peacefully approached their reception desk and asked to

PROTEST: Members of Vegan Action for Animals held a vigil for a cow who was run over by police Picture: Steve Smyth

have a conversation with someone, and were flatly ignored,” the group’s spokesperson said.

Now, the campaigners are urging TVP to release an apology, conduct an investigation into the incident, and reveal who authorised the action.

“Just recently, it was announced in the Queen’s Speech that we will recognise animals as having sentience, as feeling beings,” the VAfA spokesperson said. “This cow was not treated with respect and she was not treated with any compassion.

“No reasonable human being can look at these actions as acceptable and the situation should have been handled very differently.”

Under investigation TVP has since made a voluntary referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) to investigate the incident on Thursday, May 13.

Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber said while it was “distressing”, he supports the officers’ actions.

In a statement, the police force said the cow was causing “a significant danger” to motorists.

“Officers attended the scene, closed the road and attempts were made over a period of time to contain the animal. The cow then moved to a residential area of Woodley,” it said.

“Despite efforts of both the police and the farmer to whom the animal belonged, the cow could not be safely brought under control. The cow became increasingly distressed and charged at a member of the public causing her minor injury, as well as causing injuries to a TVP officer and damage to vehicles.

“Officers subsequently used a police vehicle

Wokingham regeneration project nominated for award THE WOKINGHAM town centre regeneration project has been shortlisted for an award of excellence.

The Peach Place and Elms Field developments, designed by urban planners Benoy, have made it to the final of the ULI Europe Awards for Excellence.

With other nominated sites in Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Greece and Ukraine, the awards celebrate “outstanding urban development projects”.

Last year, it was awarded a Royal Town Planning Institute award.

A spokesperson for Benoy said: “Our work at Wokingham

saw us working across two sites ... in the face of a failing retail and leisure offer, lack of town centre living and competition from nearby competing centres such as Bracknell and Reading.

“Closely following Wokingham Borough Council’s vision, Benoy reimagined the town centre as a thriving destination for commerce and urban living; with modern retail formats, F&B, leisure and a significant quantum of residential across two mixed-use developments at Peach Place and Elms Field.”

Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development at the borough council said he is incredibly pleased to be nominated for the prestigious award.

“The Urban Land Institute are one of the leading global bodies looking at how good design and master planning can transform communities so, to be picked as a finalist for their 2021 ULI Europe Awards for Excellence is a real accolade to both Wokingham and its regeneration,” he said.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed for when the winner is announced.”

to stop the cow and prevent it from charging towards other members of the public.”

The statement said all other options, including tranquilisation, were not possible and the cow was “humanely euthanised” at the scene.

“This decision while not taken lightly, was necessary to limit the suffering of the animal, to prevent further injury and to ensure the safety of the public,” it said.

“We understand that there are some distressing videos circulating on social media relating to this incident, however we would like to reassure people that these measures were necessary and were only taken due to the need to protect the public, and were carried out in a way to minimise suffering to the animal.”

NEWS | 5

Thames Hospice given £1,000 by housebuilder THAMES HOSPICE has been given £1,000 to support grieving families.

The charity, which provides free care for people living with life-limiting illnesses, received the funding boost from Persimmon Homes North London through its Community Champions programme.

Emma Kennedy-Cox, trusts fundraiser at the hospice, said: “We are raising money to provide bereavement support for anyone in our community who has suffered a Covid impacted bereavement and needs our help.

“We have reached out to other trusts and foundations for support with this project and with further funding we can reach more people.”

She said the funding could pay for 50 more hours of bereavement support for borough families.

“Thank you so much Persimmon Homes for your support,” she added.

Rachel Faulkner, sales director at Persimmon Homes North London, said it was great to support the fundraising activities of Thames Hospice.

“The work they do helps thousands of people in the local communities during the most difficult period of their lives so they’re a deserving winner,” she said.

The Hospice offers a range of therapies to support patients’ physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs including counselling. � For more information, or details of how to apply for Community Champions funding visit: www.persimmonhomes.com/charity

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6 | NEWS

Smart traffic scheme to get borough motoring � Continued from front page

Cllr Halsall continued: “(These would be) coupled with a very high level of maintenance, which should keep the Borough moving while minimising environmental considerations.”

After the meeting, he told Wokingham.Today: “It’s taken two years to elaborate (from my initial idea).

“We can’t keep on building new roads, and because of the structure of the borough people will use their cars: We’re essentially 17 towns and parishes all loosely connected.”

He said that public transport would be a costly solution that wouldn’t make sense for Wokingham’s make-up, so the borough had to accept that residents would use their cars to get around.

“We have to try and move those cars more intelligently … and the technology exists to do that,” he said.

“I explained to officers I wanted a table like the Battle of Britain, but with cars.

“We now have something that’s electronic and picking up signals from sensors, lampposts, traffic signs and mobile phones.”

There is no suggestion that the borough is tapping people’s phones: the data is based on phone signal and is totally anonymised and similar to same system used for sat navs and motorising organisations to tell if a road is busy.

“With this we can identify in real time where there’s a blockage on the network, what the traffic sensitive roads are: it’s quite clever technology really.

“The idea is that the traffic signalling, coupled with the information, will react to traffic in real time.

“The signage will tell you where the congestion is, where the car parking spaces are etc.

“It will take two- to three-years to roll out, but it should increase the capacity of the network substantially and ease frustrations.”

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

Charity trio plant orchards in two borough school fields EXCLUSIVE

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today A CHARITY has dug deep for victory in its campaign to get fresh fruit to children.

Freely Fruity, which grows free produce for the community, has been planting apple trees in two schools.

With five apple trees making an orchard, the charity is placing them in the schools’ fields for future generations to enjoy.

Founders Ryan Simpson, James Whittingham and Matthew Knight installed 12 trees at Wheatfield Primary School, in Winnersh, on Sunday.

And Nine Mile Ride Primary School, in Finchampstead, will soon receive its bounty.

The University of Reading recently donated more than 300 apple trees to the charity, which will be given to even more schools around the area.

The trio’s charity was born out of a pub visit, where they discussed planting trees on public land so that free fruit could be available to the community.

The initiative aim to reduce carbon emissions, encourage healthy eating and educate the younger generations about local produce.

Currently, the Freely Fruity team wants to plant the trees at schools

across the county — but they hope to branch out soon.

Mr Simpson said that over time he would want to go “beyond the borough” to help out more schools outside the Wokingham community.

He added: “It’s great for children to be aware of where food is coming from and encourage them to have a healthier lifestyle.

“The aim of this is to show students that local produce is easily accessible to them while reducing waste and saving money, and the apples are more tasty.”

Ali Brown, headteacher at Nine Mile Ride Primary School, said: “We are excited about having a school orchard as it will give us access to a high-quality outdoor teaching resource that will get pupils excited about learning across the curriculum.

“A school orchard isn’t just for learning about science, an orchard can support learning across a wide range of curriculum areas, from stimulating creative writing to looking at fruit in legends, literature, and art; from developing enterprise and business skills to cooking and the technology of food processing.

Mrs Brown said it is important to teach students about home-grown food, and how it can help reduce waste.

She added: “What better way to help our pupils understand the

IN THE GROUND: From left: Joseph Whittingham, 6, Ryan Simpson, Matt Knight and James Whittingham Picture: Steve Smyth

range of issues around food production than getting them to grow their own.

“We are so grateful to have this opportunity and cannot wait to grow and nurture our new trees.”

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RUSSIAN philanthropists have made a second donation to the Wokingham community.

Ex-banker Andrey Borodin and his wife Tatiana Korsakova, who were granted political asylum in the UK, donated enough money for Wokingham Foodbank to buy a new van to help with deliveries.

Manager Annette Medhurst said the foodbank team were thrilled to receive the donation, which she said has already made a significant difference to their lives.

“We had talked on and off about the pros and cons of getting a van,” she said.

“A lot of our volunteers use their personal cars to move stock and make deliveries.”

Ms Medhurst said she consulted with the Trussell Trust before the van was purchased, due to the size of the donation.

“It’s certainly not an every day thing,” she said.

“We knew it would really help us, and

HOT WHEELS: The van will be used to deliver food parcels to residents Picture: Annette Medhurst

knew they had made significant donations to other organisations in the area.

“It’s amazing that they were in a position to be able to support us – although it’s a sorry state of affairs when charities rely on generous donations rather than the cause being dealt with higher up the tree by central government.”

She added: “It’s sad that donations are needed to meet the level of need in the borough. But the bottom line is, it’s made our lives easier, and it’s made supporting people who are struggling easier.”

Ms Medhurst said they chose a navy

blue van, and kept it unbranded so as not to draw attention to the foodbank as a source of help when making deliveries.

The couple previously gave £250,000 to Berkshire Community Foundation, to fund an 18-month pilot scheme with Mind, the mental health charity, to help people suffering from anxiety, isolation and stress in the borough.

They have also donated £1 million to The Royal Berkshire Hospital to help in the pandemic.

The couple live in a £140 million mansion in Remenham, previously dubbed Britain’s most expensive home.

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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NEWS | 7

GONE: One of the few remaining groups could disband due to fee hikes

Squash league priced out EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today ONE OF the borough’s few remaining squash leagues could soon be disbanded if court fees rise, players have warned.

From next month, members of St Crispin’s Leisure Centre will have to pay £5.50 for every off-peak court booking they make.

Until this point, the courts were free to Places Leisure members before 5.45pm, said Nick Dyer — who uses the facilities five times a week.

As a retiree, he told Wokingham.Today the new charges will set him back an additional £1,000 per year.

And this is on top of the rising monthly membership fee, which he said will increase from £35 to £40 from Tuesday.

“We feel like they don’t want us, they’re pushing us out,” he said.

The squash league at St Crispin’s is one of the last remaining contests in the borough, Mr Dyer said.

“There used to be three courts at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, but they were closed permanently when it was refurbished.

“The league there packed up completely. A few came to St Crispin’s, but most just stopped playing altogether.”

With just two courts left across the five open Places Leisure facilities in the borough, Mr Dyer said their 50-strong league is hanging in the balance.

“We’ve got some promising young players,” he said.

“They’re not all old folk like me.

“Gyms don’t like squash courts, they don’t create a good revenue per square foot.”

When the price increases, players will stop coming, which would eventually lead to the courts being closed, he believes.

To make matters more frustrating, the facilities have seen little investment over the years, Mr Dyer said.

“The front wall has chunks of plaster falling off it,” he said.

“Every so often they get someone in with polyfiller, but that just comes out. They need to replaster the whole wall.”

He said there are also “dead boards”, where the ball no longer bounces on the floor due to the alignment of the planks.

“I’ve been moaning

PLASTER: Chunks of the wall coating are missing

PRICED OUT: Nick Dyer says many of the league members will not be able to afford the new £5.50 off-peak court fee previously included in the membership price Pictures: Courtesy of Nick Dyer DEAD BOARDS: Nick Dyer said there are places where the ball does not bounce anymore

about those for at least three years,” he added.

“As a gym user, you don’t pay extra on top of your membership. As a swimmer, you don’t pay extra on top of your membership. So why are we — when they don’t provide

any other facilities apart from the room.”

Dhowal Dalal, who has been playing in the St Crispin’s league for five years, also fears many could give up on the sport when the new fees start next week.

He said: “There is rising anger among many members of this proposed change to our membership contracts and Places for Leisure is already receiving complaints.

“It is unacceptable that court users should bear this increase when members using the other facilities can make virtually unlimited use of facilities at no extra charge.”

The last time he visited for a match, Mr Dalal said he had to sweep the floor himself, as it was covered in dirt and debris.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure at the borough council, said the leisure operators have been in contact with members.

“We have asked them to carry out a consultation with those affected members by these changes during the next few weeks,” he added.

A spokesperson for Places Leisure was said price changes and membership benefits have been aligned.

“As a goodwill gesture to members the legacy pricing that was in place from the previous leisure operator was honoured while improvement works were carried out across the Wokingham contract,” they said.

“The price change relates to the removal of this legacy pricing as we aim to harmonise pricing and create a fair and transparent pricing structure for all.”

L

AST Week was “Dementia Action Week”, an annual week of fundraising events led by the Alzheimer’s Society – a leading UK dementia charity.

Alzheimer’s Society campaigns to increase awareness and improve the lives of those living with dementia, and funds research to find a cure. It is therefore a charity that is very close to our hearts, here at Right at Home.

However, despite all these efforts and there being an estimated 850,000 in the UK living with dementia, it is a topic that is still not widely understood, so please read on if you’d like to help change that in the Wokingham Area.

In this week’s column, I hope to dispel some of the common myths surrounding dementia. And talk about some of the ways that we can improve our understanding of the condition and be ready to better support friends, neighbours and loved ones facing the challenges it brings.

Myth one – “Dementia is a disease” The terms ‘dementia’ and ‘Alzheimer’s’ are often used interchangeably but dementia is not a disease. Dementia is the word used to describe a set of symptoms that are caused by different diseases that affect the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common of these.

Myth two – “Dementia only affects memory loss” Whilst it can often begin with short-term memory loss, dementia is actually the umbrella name for a wide range of symptoms, which can vary a lot from person to person, and also depend upon the underlying disease that is causing the dementia and the parts of the brain that are affected. These symptoms commonly include problems with memory, thinking, problemsolving, language and perception, and can be very disconcerting for the person experiencing them, leading to anxiety.

Myth three – “After a dementia diagnosis, the only option is to move into acare home” Many believe that the options for someone diagnosed with dementia are limited and inevitably involve moving to residential care. But the understanding of the condition has improved and the evidence is that with the right care and support, many people can continue living in the comfort of their own home. In-home dementia care from a trained and trusted CareGiver can help alleviate the progression of symptoms.

To learn more about our quality Dementia Care at home, check out the additional information on our website under “Our Services”.

Meantime, here are five tips that may help when caring for a loved one who is living with dementia.

1. Keep questions simple. For example, ask questions which only need a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Offer simple choices.

2. For someone struggling with day-to-day tasks, break these down into smaller, simpler steps. It can also help to write short instructions and place them in a visible spot.

3.Routine is particularly important as it provides familiarity and structure.

Try to stick to a daily routine wherever possible and avoid unnecessary change, as this can increase anxiety and confusion.

4. If your loved one is having difficulty understanding you, speak calmly, clearly and at a steady pace.

5. Become a Dementia Friend! Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer's Society initiative aimed to change the way the nation thinks, acts, and talks about dementia. If you (or the people you work with) would like to become a Dementia Friend, give us a call. As the UK homecare partner of Alzheimer’s Society, our trained Dementia Champions are available to help you to be a dementia-friendly organisation.

Kevin Lancaster Right at Home Reading & Wokingham District

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8 | NEWS

Back to work

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

Nigel Richards Wokingham Job Support Centre

The write stuff

W

HETHER you are fresh out of school, with neither experience nor a clue about the career path you wish to follow, or an old-hand who has worked in the same job for many years, the first place to start the jobsearch process is with a CV. They say never judge a book by its cover, but, when applying for a job, employers will judge you on your resumé and covering letter. So, it’s important to get them right.

This is your chance to show prospective employers who you are. But you have a short time span to catch their attention – about 30 seconds.

Lose them with your opening paragraph and it doesn’t matter how much experience you have, they will already have moved on to the next candidate.

So how do you go about constructing the perfect CV? Brian Stainton, an advisor at the Wokingham Job Support Centre, shares his top three tips (he has plenty more): • Focus on the job you are applying for: look at the skills they want and the words they use and try to make your CV match, within reason, what they want; • Use achievements: the interviewer is looking for how well you performed your latest role, with examples as evidence. Use the STAR (situation, task, action, result) approach, rather than a mundane job description; • Put together a five- to six-line profile: this should include what you are, the sectors you have worked in, what level of responsibility you have held, who you talked with inside and outside of the business, and demonstrate strong characteristics that support you application.

If you feel overwhelmed by the job-searching process or need help with a particular aspect of your job hunting, then WJSC offers free, confidential support, including one-to-one advice.

A first meeting with an advisor gives you the opportunity to set out your needs and wishes, such as the type of role you are looking for, the level of responsibility you would like and so on. Based on your requirements, the advisor will set out a personal action plan, identify what support you need – from reassurance that you are doing the right thing to hands-on help with IT skills, CV writing and practising interviews – and work with you.

Once you have settled on a path, the advisor will help research job requirements, discuss the ‘hot topics’ within a role and advise what you need for your CV and interview. The final decisions are yours; our role is to help you think it through.

Until next time, good luck with your job hunting.

Case study Mrs X was a PA, who had been made redundant.

She was in her last role for many years, so had been out of the job market for some time and was lacking in confidence in applying for jobs and felt she did not have the right experience for them.

She had two one-to-one sessions with a WJSC advisor, who helped to restructure her CV. Mrs X’s revised resumé showcased her skills and experience, increased her confidence when applying for roles.

“I was [seeking] an independent review of my CV and covering letter, so I could see where it was failing short,” she said. “I took the points on board and tailored my CV accordingly.”

As a result, Mrs X soon secured an interview, during which she “used the interview techniques [the advisor] had helpfully showed me”.

They offered her the job. � For more information, visit www.wjsc.org.uk, tel: 0118 977 0517 or email jobsearch@wjsc.org.uk.

Nigel Richards chairs Wokingham Job Support Centre

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

Nikki is one of the super seven You’re not alone A WOKINGHAM woman is one of the “super-seven” students who was recently awarded a national business grant.

Nikki Gladwin-Stride, who is studying for a business apprenticeship with the University of Chester, will now use the money to relaunch her own events business.

As a children’s entertainer, her firm NikNak Events caters to birthday parties and workshops, as well as festivals and corporate entertainment.

“This is something I am passionate about, as I have not been able to operate during the last year due to the pandemic,” Ms Gladwin-Stride said.

“It will also offer a nice treat for local pupils to enjoy some disco fun to boost morale after a year of restrictions.”

She received the £1,000 grant from Santander Universities UK, which launched its enterpriseboosting scheme to support freelance small and medium-sized businesses.

Kirsty Badrock, entrepreneurship coordinator at

the University of Chester, congratulated the seven students and thanked Santander for supporting small, freelance enterprises.

Robert Simmons, from Santander Universities UK, added: “[We are] committed to supporting entrepreneurship and we are delighted to be able to support freelancers who have been particularly affected by the pandemic.

“We hope that this support will help to kickstart some really important projects that will have been put on hold while businesses have adapted to the incredibly difficult circumstances of the past 12 months, and we hope to see those relationships between freelancers and businesses rekindled.”

“[The scheme] is uniquely positioned to drive the nation’s investment in creative, entrepreneurial talent of any age, thanks to our extensive network of delivery partners and support services.”

Alongside the loans, the scheme also supports residents to begin their own enterprise, from writing business plans to accounting and marketing.

“It is paramount that we do everything to empower the next generation of young working talent, who have an important part to play in unlocking the UK’s economic recovery, by giving them every chance to succeed, whatever their circumstances,” Mr Bearman added.

“Unemployment can have a catastrophic impact on an

individual’s financial security, self-confidence and ability to apply for finance from lenders, and the support provided

by Start Up Loans can be of particular use to younger, less experienced business owners.”

Paul Scully, small business minister, said the scheme has helped nearly 8,000 people in the South East “get off the ground”.

“I would encourage aspiring entrepreneurs in the South East, whether they’re young people just getting started, or experienced pros looking for a fresh start, to explore the fantastic support available from the British Business Bank,” he said.

To find out more about the Start Up Loans scheme, visit: www.british-businessbank.co.uk/ourpartners/startup-loans

STUDY: Nikki Gladwin-Stride

Be your own boss with a start-up loan

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A CAMPAIGN has launched to encourage Wokingham residents to become their own boss.

The British Business Bank is urging people across the South East to take control of their business destiny, with its Start Up Loans scheme.

Since 2012, the Bank has given loans to more than 2,250 jobseekers in the South East to help them launch their own creative businesses.

Now, it is asking Wokingham residents to sign up, after the pandemic turned the working world on its head and gave people time to reflect on their careers.

Set up in 2008 following the financial crash, the Start Up Loans scheme wanted to make business ownership a viable career for anybody who lost their job or wanted to make a change.

Richard Bearman, managing director of Start Up Loans, said:

IF YOU’RE thinking of getting a divorce, you do not have to embark on the process alone.

Brenda Long, partner in Thames Valley law firm Blandy & Blandy, is here to help guide residents through.

“Obtaining a divorce is usually quite straightforward,” she said, “particularly if parties agree that the marriage is over.”

She said anybody who has been married for over a year can seek a divorce, as long as they meet certain criteria, for example both spouses must live in England and Wales.

And the only ground for a divorce is proof that a marriage has “irretrievably broken down”.

“In order to prove this, the person seeking divorce needs to establish one of five facts,” Ms Long explained.

These include proof of adultery or evidence the two parties have lived separately for five years or more.

Ms Long said divorce proceedings officially start when a petition is prepared.

“All petitions must be issued in one of 11 divorces centres around the country,” she said.

“The divorce centre for Berkshire is at Bury St Edmunds.

She said the process may take up to six months.

“Blandy & Blandy’s specialist Family Law team can provide helpful and understanding advice for you and your family if you are considering separation or divorce,” Ms Long added. � Access legal advice at www.blandy.co.uk or contact law@blandy.co.uk.

Head to borough to be happy PEOPLE in the pursuit of happiness might be heading to Wokingham, after a survey revealed the region’s workers are the most content in the UK. A new report from insolvency practitioners Hudson Weir found that employees in the Reading area scored their happiness working from home at 7.1/10.

Most UK workers rated their comfort with remote working at 6.6/10, seeing the region score above the national average.

The report was published as part of Hudson Weir’s Working From Home Happiness Index, which found the South East was the ‘happiest’ place to work.

The region scored 7.1 overall, compared to neighbouring London which totalled 6.8.

The unhappiest regions in the UK were Northern Ireland and the North East, where employees rated their happiness at 6.2/10.

Huson Weir also discovered that two thirds (66%) of workers across the country report working more hours remotely, and more than half (54%) take fewer breaks. � For more, visit: www.hudsonweir.co.uk

Free mental health awareness courses FREE MENTAL health awareness courses are available to Wokingham residents, thanks to Activate Learning.

The education group has launched a scheme to help people get a better understanding of mental health in children and adults.

It was inspired to create the course after seeing the pandemic affect people’s wellbeing up and down the country.

The centre has produced two

programmes, one focusing on children and young people’s mental health, and the other on awareness of mental health problems.

Both courses offer Level 2 qualifications, and anybody aged 19 and over can enrol.

Pete Reynolds, director of career pathways at Activate Learning, said he hopes the courses help residents upskill and challenge their understanding of mental health.

“We know that more and more people, both younger and older, are

accessing mental health services for help and support as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and everything that’s happened over the past year,” he said.

“Mental ill health is something that can affect anyone, regardless of who you are, where you’re from, your ethnicity or how much money you have in the bank.

“Because of this, there will be a need for more people to be aware of the signs to look out for [and] there will be those who will need help to

understand what mental ill health is, and how to talk about it with people who might be experiencing it.”

A study released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) earlier this month reported that 21% one in five people were suffering from depression at the beginning of this year — twice the number reported in 2019. � To find out more about the courses on offer, visit: www.adult.activatelearning.ac.uk

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

Property developer has eyes on Ruscombe Park EXCLUSIVE

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A PROPERTY developer wants to build 30 new apartments in Ruscombe.

Last month, Bankfoot APAM applied for planning permission to construct a new, three storey apartment block on Ruscombe Park, to bring 20 flats to the village. It also wants to expand Interserve House with an extra 10 dwellings.

The proposed flats range from one-bedroom to threebedroom units.

They all come with balconies, and the development includes 67 car parking spaces and 72 cycle spaces. One fifth of the parking spots will have electric charging points.

The application comes after 41 flats were approved on the site in Ruscombe last year.

Bankfoot APAM said the total 71 apartments will help Ruscombe Park transition from a business to residential setting.

The planning application has received a number of objections from

local residents.

One, from Richard Bruton, raised concerns about increasing strain on local facilities, including schools.

Roy Townsend also objected to the proposal and said it will “greatly impact” parking on nearby roads by offering fewer allocated spaces than the overall number of flats.

He also questioned whether the building would be to scale with the rest of the village.

John Halsall, leader of Wokingham Borough Council and ward councillor for Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe, said it is an “interesting proposal”.

“I’ve listed it for the planning committee as a ward councillor because it’s completely at odds with what is around it,” he said. “That does not make it necessarily wrong because it offers oneand two-bedroom flats which we need in the borough.

“I’ve got an open mind and I’m not necessarily all against, nor am I all in favour of it.”

Graham Howe, fellow ward councillor said he has multiple concerns with the

FLATS: Bankfoot APAM wants to build a range of apartments in Ruscombe Park Picture: Des Blenkinsopp via geograph

planning application.

“Increasing the height of the building, increasing traffic in and out of the state, and sufficiency of parking are among the questions being asked,” he said.

“We need to build the right properties in the right places for the right people. It is not clear to me that the application fits those criteria.”

Cllr Howe is now asking residents to engage in the

consultation process and “make their voices heard”.

“I will support whatever the residents desire,” he added, “as it is they who live close by and are most affected.”

The public consultation ends on Saturday, May 29. � For more information, visit www.planning.wokingham.gov. uk/FastWebPL/welcome.asp and search for application number 211214

Former Woodley priest jailed for nine years after raping teen boy A FORMER CATHOLIC priest in Woodley has been jailed for nine years over sex offences against a boy, writes Jess Warren.

Brian Rutledge, 82, of St Georges Walk, Gosport, Hampshire, was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a boy under 16 and one count of buggery with a boy under 16 following a trial at Reading Crown Court which concluded on Friday, May 21.

The offences all happened in the 80s when Rutledge was a parish priest at St John Bosco Church in Western Avenue, Woodley.

Rutledge set up and ran a number of clubs for boys, and the victim, who was 15 at the time, was a member of one of these groups.

Police said during a stay at Rutledge’s home, the boy was sexually abused and raped.

Rutledge told the victim not to tell anyone about what had happened, saying that keeping it as a secret was good practice for when he became a priest.

The victim woke to find Rutledge sitting on his bed and he told the teen he had been “chosen” before climbing into bed with him.

The victim was so traumatised by the assault, he gave up entering priesthood.

Investigating officer detective constable Neil Callaway of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit based at Reading police station, said: “What Rutledge did was a complete abuse of his position within the Catholic church and the local community.

Self-build home project mooted

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today DEVELOPERS are circling the green fields of a village hoping to build homes in the high cost area.

But villagers are worried about losing wild birds, newts and animals in fields and leafy lanes, more traffic, loss of green views attracting walkers and cyclists and pressure on the school and other amenities.

Residents have fears for three fields just outside the centre of Hurst.

On Monday they turned out in force, worried about the latest proposal for 33 homes in Broadcommon Road.

Numbers of walkers and cyclists there have risen greatly since covid.

About 40 residents were at the online parish council meeting to see the developers’ presentation.

A member of Protect Hurst Action Group asked: “Bearing in mind this is outside the development limit (for Hurst) and is in a green field how confident are you that this application will be approved and why?”

Matt Ratcliffe said: “You have a field not been touched for many years, with no fertiliser or weed killer. It’s now full of newts, bees, flowers and butterflies. Why not build on a brownfield site?”

And he claimed: “The mice and voles won’t exist when it’s under concrete housing and car park.

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You’re not interested in enhancing it.”

Hurst Village Society chairman Jo Newbold said: “It’s a very small single track road. With two cars per dwelling there could be at least 66 cars plus visitors. That’s a mammoth amount of traffic going down a very lovely country lane,” she added.

Nicky Ewart said massively more walkers and cyclists now used the lane. Wayne Loader said schools and other amenities would be impacted by a bigger population.

Adam Towle, Leaper Land development director, said there would be 27 houses and six flats. At least 13 of the homes would be affordable.

The homes on the 11 acre site would be custom and self-build, for these the residents acted as their own developer and had a say in

their home’s design.

A buffer zone would protect existing habitats. There would be new trees, a new pond and substantial new hedgerow.

“There will still be places nesting birds and greater crested newts can use,” he said.

Scheme planner Natalie Fellows said building had been allowed on appeal in other areas where development controls were found to be out of date. The homes density was considerably lower than the village itself.

She said the new residents’ impact had been studied and shown not to have a bad effect on amenities. She would look into comments about danger for the lane’s users.

The developers were definitely interested in enhancing wildlife, and there were generous gardens

and wildlife corridors.

The affordable homes would ensure people could stay in the village.

And she hoped the planning application would be made at the end of June.

Residents can then send their comments to Wokingham Borough Council who will decide whether to give permission.

Also on Monday, the council agreed they would not support an application for permission for four homes on a field in Sawpit Road, Hurst.

This was because the land was outside the village [development] envelope, it was in an area of special character and on ecological grounds.

One of the councillors, Lady Suzy Watt, withdrew before the discussion because she had an interest in the application.

Hurst Village Society has been opposing the plan because it is outside the village envelope.

Chairman Jo Newbold said the decision reflected the views of the majority of the committee. She added that Lady Watt, a committee member, left the meeting building when that item came up.

Earlier this year residents feared there could be fresh attempts to build on land between Tape Lane and Lodge Road after they saw surveys being done on the field.

There is no current application for this.

“He had no concern for his victim, only for his own gratification.

“He is now in prison where he belongs.”

Detective constable Callaway said the victim showed incredible strength and bravery in speaking about what happened to him.

“This conviction shows that when victims come forward and report crimes such as these, they will be believed, and no matter what the passage of time, they will get justice,” he said.

This is the second time Rutledge has been found guilty of sexually assaulting teenage boys.

In 2008, Rutledge, then 69, was found guilty at Southampton Crown Court of a serious sexual assault on a 17-year-old boy.

The teenager had been invited to Rutledge’s bungalow in 1981 in Park Place Pastoral Centre in Wickham, Hampshire, where Rutledge climbed into his bed before assaulting him.

Rutledge officiated at several Hampshire and Berkshire churches and was a founder of the Woodley Saints’ Football Club.

In 2004, he was cleared of two charges involving indecent assault and indecency with a boy in the late 1970s while working at a church in Aldershot.

He was an assistant priest at English Martyrs Church in Liebenrood Road, West Reading, between 1970 and 1971 and parish priest at St John Bosco Church in Woodley, for seven years from 1983.

Drivers injured TWO BMW drivers are in hospital following a serious injury collision in Barkham on Saturday and police are appealing for witnesses.

The incident took place in Barkham Street around 5pm, and involved a blue convertible BMW M3 and a grey BMW 320D. Police closed the road for several hours to allow emergency crews to attend to the scene.

The driver of the M3, a man aged 25, was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading with a broken ankle.

The driver of the 320D, a man aged 28, was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with a broken leg, ankle and ribs. He also sustained a punctured lung.

Both are currently still in hospital.

Investigating officer PC Jamie Payne, of the Roads Policing Unit based at Three Mile Cross, said: “Both drivers in the incident were seriously hurt and an investigation is underway to find out exactly what happened.

“Our thoughts are with the two drivers injured and we wish them a quick and thorough recovery.”

He added that the incident happened during daylight and it was possible a number of people were in the area at the time.

“Anyone who saw anything of the collision or the moments before are asked to contact Thames Valley Police,” he said.

“We would also like to speak to anyone who saw either of these vehicles before the incident.

“Please check any CCTV in the area or dashcam footage and share that with us if you think it could be helpful to the investigation.

“To make a report you can call the nonemergency phone line 101 or make a report online using the reference 43210221570.”

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10 | NEWS

PARISHNOTICEBOARD Meetings may also be online – contact councils for details

Thursday, May 27 Shinfield Parish Council. Recreation and Amenities. 7.30pm. Shinfield Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish.gov.uk

Tuesday, June 1 Arborfield Parish Council. Arborfield Village Hall, Eversley Road, Arborfield RG2 9PQ. Planning Committee.

7.30pm. arborfield.org.uk Winnersh Parish Council. Recreation & Amenities Committee meeting.

7.30pm. Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Sindlesham RG41 5DU. www.winnersh.gov.uk Wokingham Town Council. Planning and Transport Committee. 7.30pm.

Parish and borough council meetings

Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk Wokingham Without Parish Council.

Council meeting. 7.30pm. Howard Palmer Room, St Sebastian’s Hall, Nine Mile Ride RG40 3BA. wokinghamwithout-pc.gov.uk

Wednesday, June 2 Earley Town Council. Policy and Resources committee. 7pm. Earley Town Council offices, Radstock Lane, Earley RG6 5UL. www.earley-tc.gov.uk Ruscombe Parish Council meeting.

7.30pm. William Penn Room, Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Rd, Twyford RG10 9JA www.ruscombeparishcouncil.co.uk Wokingham Borough Council. Individual Member Decisions: Response to Government Consultation on Changes to Permitted Development Rights for

Telecommunications Infrastructure.

9am. Local Validation List for Planning.

9.10am. Audit Committee. 7pm.

Wokingham Borough Council, Shute End RG40 1BN.

Thursday, June 3 Shinfield Parish Council. Planning and Highways. 7.30pm. Parish Hall, School Green, Shinfield RG2 9EH. shinfieldparish.gov.uk

Monday, June 7 Hurst Parish Council. Council meeting.

7.30pm. Committee Room, Hurst Village Halls, School Road RG10 0DR. www.hurstpc.org.uk Wokingham Town Council. Arts and Culture Committee. 7.30pm.

Wokingham Town Hall, Market Place, Wokingham RG40 1AS. www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

FROMTHECOURTS � A WOKINGHAM man who travelled without a train ticket has been fined £440.

Regan Bailey Senior, 21 and from Milton Road, was accused of travelling on a Great Western Railway service from Reading on November 10 last year.

The journey would have cost £6.80, and he was charged under the Regulation of the Railways Act 1889.

Senior was not present when the case was heard at Reading Magistrates Court on April 23, and it was proved in absence.

In addition to the fine, he must pay costs of £180, £44 to victim services and £6.80 compensation. � A BIRMINGHAM man who trespassed on the railway at Wokingham has been given a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Ion Remus Ontica, 47 and from Washwood Heath Road, appeared at Slough Magistrates Court on April 23 for a summary trial, having pleaded not guilty to the following offences: � On December 7, 2019, went on to the railway tracks via the Starlane Level Crossing at Easthampstead Road, Wokingham, causing an obstruction to an engine or carriage using the railway � Failing to provide a breath specimen for analysis following the incident.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Ontica must pay £620 costs, a £200 fine and £122 to victim services. He is also banned from driving for 12 months, which will be reduced by three months if a safe driving course is completed.

Ontica may repay at a rate of £30 per week. � A FINCHAMPSTEAD man who breached the terms of his suspended sentence has seen it extended.

Carl Whitman, 40 and from Acre Drive, appeared before

Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Court

Reading Magistrates Court on April 26, where he admitted failing to attend appointments on two occasions: August 7 and September 15 last year, as directed by the court on July 30 last year.

He had been given an eightweek jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, for a racially aggravated assault.

Magistrates felt that, due to Whitman’s personal circumstances, it was unjust to jail him and instead opted to extend the suspended sentence by six months.

Whitman was ordered to pay £75 costs at a rate of £5 per week from May 31. � A TWYFORD man who drove without insurance has had nine points added to his licence.

Neil Joseph Manning, 37 and from Crest Close, was stopped by police in Woodlands View, Newbury on February 9.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on April 27, and was fined £300.

Manning must also pay £34 to victim services and £85 costs, at a rate of £20 per month. � A WOODLEY man who drove while under the influence of drugs has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 18 months.

Liam Dean Sharp, 21 and from Kingsford Close, was stopped on Cedar Road on July 2019. He was driving a moped at the time.

A test found traces of traces of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, a form of cannabis, in his bloodstream.

He was in possession of a hatchet, which magistrates ordered should be forfeited.

Sharp, also known as Liem, had pleaded not guilty at a hearing on January 16 last year, but he was found guilty

by Reading Magistrates on April 27.

At this hearing he admitted committing a further offence while under a suspended sentence, made on March 26, 2018, for possession of a knife/ blade in a public place.

In addition to his ban, Sharp was ordered to undertake 200 hours of community service over the next 12 months.

He was ordered to pay £775 costs and £90 to victim services. � A MAIDENHEAD man who was stopped for drink driving at Shepherd’s Hill in Earley has been banned from driving for 19 months.

Adam D’Souza, 27 and from Derwent Drive, was riding a motorbike when he was stopped on March 27.

A test revealed that he had 73 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, exceeding the prescribed limit.

D’Souza pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates Court on April 27.

His ban will be reduced by 19 weeks on completion of a safe driving course.

He was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services.

Charity market on Monday A CHARITY market will be popping up in Wokingham town centre on Monday.

The Wokingham Lions Club has organised the event, which will take place next to the town hall.

It will raise funds for charities across the borough and wider county, after more than a year of traditional fundraising events on pause.

Organiser Ian Grange said: “This is a great opportunity for local charities to raise some much-needed funds for their good causes.

“It has been difficult to raise money during lockdown, so we appreciate this opportunity and the support from Wokingham Town Council.”

HELLO THERE: A charity may fayre will be held in Wokingham on Monday

Charities will have their own stall to drum up donations, open from 10am until 4pm.

Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, The Cowshed, Home-Start Wokingham District, Ollie Young Foundation, Oxfam Reading Area Group, WADE Day Centre, Wokingham Lions Club, and

Rotary Club of Wokingham will all be at the event.

However there are still places available for borough charities.

Those interested can email: wokyspringcharitymarket@ wokinghamlions.org.uk. � For more information, visit www.wokinghamlions.org.uk

Mayor opens new mural EXCLUSIVE

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today A NEW mural was unveiled to Wokingham shoppers on Friday, and it’s sure to be enjoyed for years to come.

Created on the wall between The Plaza and Denmark Street, it features a map of Wokingham Town, flowers and some icons such as schools, churches and even a dog.

It was the brainchild of Emma Merchant, who offered to paint the work after the area was attacked by graffiti vandals over the Christmas period.

Wokingham Town Mayor Tony Lack was on hand to declare the mural open, and told a small and socially distanced gathering: “We’ve been working on the design for quite a long time to brighten up this area.

“Emma has been working on this for eight days solid, with Fiona Webb helping her and her daughter Abby – it’s a wonderful piece of art and we’re really pleased to thank them.”

And Emma was pleased to offer her services to create the artwork.

“It’s lovely to actually see it without the barriers in front of it,” she said. “I’m enjoying the fact that people are enjoying it, it’s really nice.”

The idea came from a drawing she did, which was then scaled up for the wall. Along the way, she added local landlmarks and features that will put smiles on people’s faces.

“I just wanted it to be joyful and colourful and brighten up the space and really engage the community,” she said.

“I wanted to put some local wildlife in it, I wanted to put in the lovely church buildings, I’ve got a few animals of friends, I wanted to get as many of the schools as I possibly could.

“There’s quite a lot of history in there. There’s a bull, a few silkworms and a mulberry tree along with the mayor’s charity, the Scouts.

“We wanted to include the old bridge at the station, some of the lovely oaks and the greenery we have around here.”

She continued: “There’s lots of parkland, woodlands, copse, hollyhocks, and things that people have pointed out along the way.”

With the idea starting at Christmas, Emma said: “It’s been a long time, I’ve had five months to be thinking about all this and it just evolved.”

The unveiling ceremony was the first event that borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker attended, just hours after he had been installed (see below).

“It’s an absolutely brilliant initiative,” he said.

“I wish our other towns did similar where they can as it brightens up the whole area.

“It’s changed a drab wall into something very picturesque and informative: you’ve got the roads, the key features of Wokingham town, wildlife and a bit of fun in there as well.”

NEW VIEW: Wokingham Town Mayor Tony Lack declared open a new mural in the town centre Picture: Phil Creighton

S

O, WHERE have you been?

Wokingham has seen its lockdown restrictions eased, allowing indoor dining to take place again.

Covid-safe measures will be in place in venues, with testing and vaccination considered by the government to be essential to the continual easing of restrictions. The recommendation is that all adults take a Covid-19 test twice a week.

Wokingham borough has many great places for you to visit next week, whether you want a quick drink and a gossip, or a more leisurely, catch-up.

Crumbs café in Woodley is offering readers 10% discount, which is great.

The café is perfect for a cuppa or a bite to eat, and is perfect after a shopping visit to the town.

In Twyford, Lincoln Coffee House and Roasters is open for business in Station Road. Buy a takeaway and go and enjoy it with friends in one of the village’s picturesque parks. You can also sit in and enjoy a bagel or its freshly ground coffee.

Bar+Block at Winnersh is ready to welcome you again. With ample parking and the promise of Sunday roasts as well as hand-cut steaks, the restaurant is

New borough mayor enjoys first engagement “IT HAPPENED just over 10 hours ago,” says Cllr Keith Baker, on being installed as the borough’s mayor for the municipal year of 2021/22.

“I really haven’t had any time to think.

“It’s really great to get out here.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to a very, very busy year which I will share with the deputy mayor, Cllr Abdul Loyes.

“I think being mayor is something you earn, it’s not a tick box exercise and I’m pleased that my fellow councillors got to the stage where they thought it was the right thing to do (to appoint me).”

NEWS | 11

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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Emergency text alerts system AN EMERGENCY text alert system will be trialled in Reading next month.

Similar to systems in New Zealand, loud alerts with phone vibration could be sent out for terrorist attacks, natural disasters, floods, fires or any other emergency situation that requires the public to act quickly.

The first trial was held last week in East Suffolk, and on Tuesday, June 15, Reading residents will receive a text in the second test run.

If successful, the system will be rolled out across the UK with a National Welcome Message later this year.

The Cabinet Office said the alerts would issue a warning along with details of the affected area, advice and a link to more information.

Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt said it would be a “vital tool” to help speed-up the response to emergencies.

“This new system builds on existing capability and will allow us to more quickly and effectively get life-saving messages to people across the UK,” she said.

The free alerts will use 4G or 5G, with residents receiving them within 10 seconds.

Any phones that enter the area of the incident will also be alerted. It does not use phone numbers, but relies on location-based data from cell towers.

A similar text alert concept was used during the peak of the pandemic when people were reminded to stay at home.

popular with all ages.

The Hive in Crowthorne promises more than 250 craft beers which can be drunk on site, or taken home. If beer isn’t your thing, there’s gin, rum and English wine to try, or coffee and cake. It is taking bookings to meet demand.

And if you want to meet friends at home but not have to cook, Bears

gourmet burgers is the place to head: they deliver gourmet burgers to Wokingham using the best ingredients they can procure.

Whatever you choose to eat, wherever you choose to meet and whoever you choose to catch-up with, have a safe, happy reunion thanks to the big reopen.

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

12 | NEWS

COUNCILNEWS ‘Where can youngsters go when it’s wet?’

A PLEA to find more things to do for youngsters in Wokingham borough was made during the annual council meeting.

Resident Rio Elms said that during the pandemic, not enough had been done to help people aged 11-17 “in terms of places to go and things to do”.

The teenager said: “The council has not provided places for young people to commune independently”.

As such, the younger people were socialising in places such as the Woosehill underpass, attracting criticism from residents.

“In light of the things that I have stated, what will you do to make a place for our young people to gather in Wokingham?” they asked.

Responding, Cllr Parry Batth, the executive member for environment and leisure, said the pandemic had hit different people in different ways, with it being particularly difficult for younger people.

“It’s obviously been impossible for us to provide places for them to commune independently,” he said, adding that now lockdown was easing places such as skateparks were reopening.

“We also have recently elected youth Member of Parliament who will help us advise on what is needed for the young people in the borough … as to where as we as a caring authority, we provide a whole vast range of services for our younger and older children.”

Mr Elms said that the answer didn’t really refer to the average youngster and there were few places to go when there was adverse weather.

“What will Wokingham Council do to give our young, average, people, a place to go independently, without having to go to places like community centres and things like that?

Parks are a great start, but there’s nowhere you can really go when it starts raining,” he added.

Cllr Batth said: “There are cafes and restaurants which are available”.

He promised to listen to the youth MP to consider other ideas.

Greenway concerns CONCERNS over the planned greenway in Jubilee Avenue were raised by resident Kate Benson.

She said that the council’s information couldn’t demonstrate that the new path would “add convenience or enjoyment to a large section of the public or local residents' as per the Highways Act 1980.

THE MILL IS OPEN Tickets include a two-course meal Book online at millatsonning.com The Mill at Sonning Theatre Ltd Sonning Eye RG4 6TY Reading

“Please consider adjusting this section of the greenway, so as not to destroy the wildlife habitats within this wildlife corridor from Joel Park to Cantley Park,” she said.

“Please either widen the pavement on the northern side or adapt this section to be signage, like is planned for the Clifton Road section.”

Cllr Parry Batth, the executive member for environment and leisure, said that the consultation held last summer invited residents to comment, and followed on from a similar exercise held the previous year, which led to the council revising the route to run along Jubilee Avenue.

“We are currently in the process of considering all the comments that have been received during the recent statutory consultation,” he said.

“We are aware that many of the concerns that residents have raised have been about the impact of the proposed scheme on wildlife. The Council has already commissioned and received an independent Preliminary Ecological Appraisal of the area as part of the feasibility design, which did not highlight any concerns.”

He added: “To ensure safety of residents and users of the Greenway we will also be installing a formal crossing point at Milton Road as part of the scheme.”

Responding, Ms Benson wanted to know why the plan goes against the council’s own climate emergency plan.

Cllr Batth said no trees would be removed, and he begged to differ on her view, saying that greenway plan helped support it instead.

Voter ID tussle THE former leader of Wokingham Borough Labour was accused of ‘trying to rally people against something which you don’t actually know the detail of’.

Andy Croy asked the leader of the council, John Halsall, about the Government’s proposals to introduce photo ID for voting in elections.

“Depending on the forms of ID allowed, about 8% of electors do not have photo ID,” he said, adding that he was sure no councillor would want to support voter suppression.

He asked: “Will the Leader of the Council write to the Borough’s MPs to express Council’s opposition to voter suppression and to urge the MPs to speak out against these measures and to vote against the Bill when it comes before Parliament?”

Responding, Cllr Halsall said: “The government argues that every ballot matters and voter ID will protect voters from having their votes stolen”.

The proposal formed part of the Conservatives manifesto in 2019 and the Queen’s speech earlier this month confirmed the intent to introduce the bill in the next parliamentary session.

“Details of the bill will be published in due course, but we don’t (yet) know what they are,” Cllr Halsall said. “The government has said a broad range of documents already in use will be accepted.”

He promised that the council would look carefully at the details when the bill is published, “to ensure sure no Wokingham residents who are entitled to vote are disenfranchised. However, it would not be appropriate for the council to oppose these proposals, unless or until, we have had specific detailed concerns about them, which we have yet to get.”

Cllr Croy said the legislation was aimed at making voting harder, which would be “the theft of votes”, and called on Cllr Halsall to show leadership by standing up for the democratic process, “regardless of the party advantage that may accrue from gerrymandering it”.

That was a “very prejudicial question” according to Cllr Halsall. “Of course the council would be against gerrymandering, however we cannot comment on a bill we haven’t seen,” he said. “I have been very capable and willing to stand up to the central government on things that this council disagrees with, and which (are) not good for residents.”

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

PHIL CREIGHTON reports on the annual meeting of Wokingham Borough Council, held on Thursday, May 20 NEW BOY: Cllr Keith Baker, the new borough mayor of Wokingham Picture: Stewart Turkington

Mayor Malcolm retires as Mayor Keith steps up DUE TO Covid, the council chamber was socially distanced with councillors limited to numbers appropriate to their group.

Only people who were present were allowed to vote, although all councillors could tune in and speak via the Teams technology.

Malcolm Richards, the outgoing mayor, introduced the rules at the start of the meeting – the first of the municipal year.

His first task was to step down after nine years as councillor for Norreys ward and the past year as borough mayor.

“It was meant to be only eight years, but we were all kept in office for the extra year due to covid and having no elections last year. In my time here, I have served on I think every different committee they hold,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot about every one of those subjects and it has proved to be most interesting, showing me just how many services we as a council provide for our residents.”

He took time to thank council leaders for allowing him to serve on the executive committee, and officers for implementing policies.

“We all have a part to play in serving our residents,” he said, adding: “I should like to thank all the people who are elected or who worked within WBC, because collectively, we all provide a very broad and supportive system for our residents.”

Covid restrictions meant he was unable to make floral presentations, but would do so outside of the council meeting.

On his mayoral year, he was only able to attend around a third of the typical diary engagements, but highlights included “scrambling up a ladder to screw a tile on to the top of a roof, something I’ve

never had to do before”.

He concluded: “I will certainly miss my involvement with council. I will probably have withdrawn symptoms for a while. It is an experience I have thoroughly enjoyed.”

Appointing the new mayor, the Conservatives nominated Cllr Keith Baker as mayor, but Cllr Lindsay Ferris nominated Cllr Caroline Smith seconded by Cllr Clive Jones.

Cllr Halsall said he proposed Cllr Baker “he is a long serving councillor, he was the leader of the council and I think he will be a fine, fine mayor”.

Cllr Kaiser said that he echoed what Cllr Halsall said.

Nominating Cllr Smith, Cllr Ferris said “she would do an excellent job as mayor and would represent the whole borough”.

Cllr Jones said that it gave him great pleasure to nominate Cllr Smith, adding that “she is a local girl” and “she knows our community really well”.

The mayor should be someone who can remain calm, can demonstrate fairness and appreciation of the council’s rules and customs. “I believe Caroline has all the qualities to be a fantastic mayor of the borough”.

Following a vote, Keith Baker was appointed as mayor.

There was a short pause in the meeting for a handover of the cloak and chain of office.

Cllr Baker thanked the council for electing him to the prestigious office. “I am truly humbled to be elected,” he said.

His chosen charity is Chance To Dance, a dance school for children within the disabled community.

He thanked his wife for her support and praised Mr Richards for his mayoral year.

And he said he was quite old fashioned in many ways, including the way in which the mayor’s role was conducted.

“I will pledge to be evenhanded to all councillors. In return I expect all councillors to behave in an appropriate manner,” he said, pointing out that he wanted supplementary questions to be based on the answer given.

He called for individual meetings with the leaders of each parties to understand their views on council meetings.

The deputy mayor nomination was Cllr Abdul Loyes, something seconded by Cllr Kaiser. The Lib Dems proposed Cllr Smith as Cllr Baker’s deputy.

“I’ve known Cllr Loyes for 20 years. He is one of the most dedicated councillors I have met,” he said. “He is very caring and has a good rapport with his residents.

“He is a keen member of our Woodley team.”

Cllr Kaiser said Cllr Loyes worked extremely hard for his community.

Cllr Ferris said he felt the mayoral post was a ‘neutral post’ and said he was very happy to propose Cllr Smith, something that Cllr Prue Bray backed.

Following a vote, Cllr Loyes was appointed.

“I know my parents would be very proud to see me here,” he said, adding that he and his wife had brought up their family in the borough and had enjoyed “a great life”.

“I know it sounds like an advertising slogan, but Wokingham is really great place to live and work. I want everyone who lives here to benefit from the great things on offer,” he said.

“Rest assured I will do everything in my power to support the mayor to enable him to represent the borough in the best possible manner.”

His wife Nina will be his consort.

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

COUNCILNEWS

Electorate’s faith in Conservatives

Recovery is our priority says leader THE COUNCIL’S priority for the next year will be economic and social recovery. That’s the promise from the leader of the council, Cllr John Halsall.

He made the pledge as part of his leader’s speech made during the annual meeting of Wokingham Borough Council held on Thursday, May 20.

“A key part is the delivery of infrastructure and capital investment needed by our towns and villages,” he said.

As part of this, the council will bring forward the publication of the draft local plan, while trying to ensure housing targets are at a level “reasonable for our borough”.

“We were successful in convincing the Government to scrap the proposed substantial increase in our housing numbers, and we will go on making our case to get those figures down further. Rather than just complaining about it or digging our heels in, refusing to budge, we went to the Government with strong, constructive arguments that their plans did not work. They listened.

“Reasonable negotiation, delivering in the residents’ interest – what any good Conservative Council should do, avoiding the pitfalls experienced by Lib Dem South Oxfordshire.”

He also reiterated a pledge to help residents buy affordable housing: “Too many young people simply cannot afford to buy here. We can’t discard

their ambitions, driving out the bright and the talented because housing is out of their reach,” Cllr Halsall said.

“We will get the right housing in the right places, which means addressing the urgent need for more affordable and social housing in the Borough.”

The council will also develop its Employment Support Hub and looks to working with Shinfield Studios to attract new job opportunities.

Other priorities include building solar farms, reaching the 70% recycling figure and planting 300,000 trees.

In education, “securing the best for our younger generation is vital to ensuring that those from less affluent homes are not left behind as we emerge from the pandemic. We will continue to provide the best opportunities for children and young people, opening a new special educational needs school in Winnersh, and start laying the groundwork for new primary schools in Matthews Green and Arborfield.”

On anti-social behaviour, low-level crime and domestic violence, Cllr Halsall said: “We will work with Matthew Barber, our excellent and experienced new Police and Crime Commissioner, on creating a coordinated plan for how we can clamp down on these

issues – while looking to what more we can do to help families going through difficulties and provide activities for younger people.”

Drivers will be pleased to learn that this year, the council will, “rolling out of our Congestion and Intelligent traffic Schemes coupled with a very high level of maintenance, which should keep the Borough moving while minimising environmental considerations.”

He added: “This is just the start of what is to come. There is much work to be done, but I know that my team and I have the energy and resolve to do it.”

Referring to the pandemic, he said we were now starting to see the end, but also it had “dramatically altered our world and shattered so many people’s way of life”.

He pledged that the borough would continue to help those who are struggling.

“As a community, we will ingrain the spirit which saw us helping one another – delivering food parcels, volunteering with charities, checking up on an isolating neighbour. “ Cllr Halsall ended by calling on councillors to join him in a moment’s silence to remember all who had died or suffered from the virus and the problems that had accompanied it.

Call for culture to change WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL needs to change its culture over the coming year – that was the warning from opposition leader, Cllr Lindsay Ferris.

He made the comments during his speech at the annual council meeting.

“It is only now that we can start to look to the future and what we can expect from this Council. We on the Liberal Democrat side believe there is much to do,” the Lib Dem leader said.

“One area we would have liked to have addressed is the culture that still unfortunately exists in a number of areas within the Council.

“There are disappointingly still areas where there is a view taken that ‘they (the Council) can do no wrong’ and how some of our residents have been treated leaves me speechless.

“Throughout this year we will be pressing to change this viewpoint.”

Cllr Ferris also spoke of the impact that coronavirus had had: “This last year has been the most difficult many of us have ever encountered in our lives,” he said.

“I would not only like to remember our fellow citizens who have sadly lost their lives to Covid-19, but to those who have been impacted by and

remain so by the pandemic.

“In addition, many local people have had delayed or cancelled hospital appointments and have tragically passed away or are still struggling with their illness.

“They are the unseen casualties of this pandemic.”

He took time to praise council officers for their work on the frontline, and to the council giving support to many local businesses through grants.

“Hopefully, we are nearing the end of this pandemic, but we still have to be cautious, despite so many having had their vaccines,” he said.

Road audit pledge

Cllr Rachelle ShepherdDubey (Lib Dem, Winnersh) asked: “What is being done about visibility problems with Reading Road residents exiting their driveways near the new relief road roundabout?”

Responding, Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, the executive member for highways and transport, said: “We will undertake an independent road safety audit and carry out any remediation to address any identified problems.”

AN INDEPENDENT road safety audit will be carried out for residents living on a stretch of road affected by the ongoing works on Reading Road in Winnersh.

NEWS | 13

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THE LOCAL election results were “a demonstration of residents’ faith in this conservative administration”, according to council leader John Halsall.

This was down to its record of “delivering in the past, solid in the pandemic, great plan for the future, stability, experience, professionalism”.

“Our majority has stayed the same, despite the Opposition’s confident predictions of No Overall Control,” he continued during his speech.

“I imagine the flawed but persistent public criticism of our finances was to ensure that on gaining control the

opposition could disingenuously claim that magically the finances had instantaneously been fixed. Let me assure you all there is nothing to fix.

“We won a larger share of the vote than any other party and our vote share went up.”

He promised that the Conservatives would not let there be any grounds for complacency.

“Our position here as Community leaders is a gift from residents. It is given on the understanding that we deliver for them,” he said.

“While I am Leader of this Council, the Executive will strive every day to make this

Borough the greatest, safest and happiest place to live, work and bring up a family.

“I am delighted to see that we are now not only the healthiest local authority but also the most prosperous, having for a long time been one of the most desirable places to live. This is despite being the lowest funded. A huge testament to this administration.

“This is a wonderful Borough, and we have a great future. We are fortunate to have some of the finest officers and directors led by my energetic, highly professional and innovative chief executive.”

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

14 | NEWS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

Catch the bus to see the Reading Banksy

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today BANKSY will be paid a special visit by sightseers this half term. Well, kind of.

A free open top bus tour will take place over the next two weekends and the stops include a visit to the mural at Reading Gaol.

Launched to celebrate the town’s ongoing reopening, Reading Buses will operate the Banksy and Two Bridges open top tour on Saturday, and Saturday, June 5.

The circular tour will run every 30 minutes between 10am and 5.30pm starting on Friar Street at the bus stop outside the IBIS and Novotel Hotels.

All the fun of the fair A FUN FAIR is to visit a Reading park in time for the May halfterm holiday.

Beach’s Mega Value Fun Fair

The route will take sightseers past Blagrave Street, Jackson’s Corner, Huntley and Palmer’s, Reading Gaol, Hills Meadow, central Caversham and Caversham Bridge.

Passengers can get on and off at any of the stops to enjoy the various sites.

Reading Buses will be requesting donations for a mental health sports charity, Sport in Mind.

Robert Williams, CEO of Reading Buses, said: “We wanted to find a way to help encourage visitors back to Reading’s excellent town centre, and provide a new reason to visit.

“Having been forced to cancel our annual family open day this year due to Covid-19,

we wanted to organise a creative opportunity to raise money for our charity of the year Sport in Mind.”

Neil Harris, CEO at Sport in Mind, said: “The open top bus tour will provide a unique way to view the Banksy mural and perhaps inspire people to come outside and explore the local area.

“Any physical activity can really help improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems.”

People unable to attend the tours can still support the charity by texting SIM2 to 70085 to donate £2 to Sport in Mind.

will welcome visitors from Saturday.

It’s open from 1pm daily through to Sunday, June 6, and again on Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, and will be held in Palmer Park.

It offers a range of

attractions, games and refreshments.

Payment for the rides is using a token system, with different rides costing a different number of tokens.

Organisers promise the venue will be covid-safe.

� For more information, visit reading-buses.co.uk

PICTURE STORY: Outgoing borough mayor Malcolm Richards with winners of his photo contest Picture: Stewart Turkington

Mayor celebrates photo talents PHOTOGRAPHERS have been celebrated by the outgoing borough mayor, in a recent competition.

Launched in collaboration with Home-Start Wokingham District, winners were presented with prizes at Shinfield Grange on Tuesday, May 18.

“All photographs were nothing short of spectacular and shortlisting our winners was certainly not an easy task,” said Wokingham borough mayor, Malcolm Richards.

“My congratulations to our champions and a huge well done to all participants. The last year has

been particularly challenging, so I am very impressed with how you’ve approached this competition and all the imaginative, creative work that’s been submitted.”

Entries were split into young people (11 to 17) and adults (18+).

Prizes included a £100 voucher for a family photo shoot or a oneto-one photography tutorial and mounted prints, which were sponsored by professional photographers Marla White and Tina Panting.

Cllr Richards thanked both for supporting the initiative and donating the “fantastic prizes”.

In the junior category, first place was awarded to Rowan Thatcher, second to Lauren Malins and third to Maddie Behan.

In the adults category, first place was Aaron Hopkins, second place was Wayne Box and Greg Mitchell came third.

The competition marked Home-Start’s 25th anniversary supporting families with young children through life’s hardest times.

The theme focused on out of home-starts and called for an illustration of the outdoor environment.

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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16 | NEWS

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

Man bailed after shop assault A WOKINGHAM man has been arrested after an alleged assault in Reading on Friday evening.

The incident took place in the PMK Supermarket, on Northumberland Avenue in Whitley, between 10.30pm and 10.45pm on May 21.

Thames Valley Police said that there was an altercation between four people, which broke into a fight between two of them.

A man aged in his thirties tried to intervene but was assaulted. He was treated at hospital for a laceration to his neck.

A man, aged 27 and from Wokingham, was arrested on suspicion of assault and has been released on police bail until Friday, June 18.

Detective Constable Vanessa Bowen, who is based at Reading police station, is the investigating officer and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

“We would like anyone with information about this assault to contact police,” she said.

“It is believed there were people in the area and potentially in the shop when this incident took place and we would like to speak to you.

“If you saw anything of the altercation or the assault, please get in touch.”

She continued: “If you think you have any information, maybe even dashcam or CCTV footage from the area which could help with our enquiries, we would ask you to get in touch.

“You can do this by calling the non-emergency number 101 or by making a report online using the reference number 43210220661.

“If you would prefer to remain 100% anonymous, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

WET, BUT HAPPY: Participants of this year’s Wokingham Walk had plenty of smiles, despite downpours Pictures: Steve Smyth

Charities the winner of Wokingham Walk

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THE WOKINGHAM Walk saw a record number of ramblers for its sixth year.

Organiser Andy Slay, from Wokingham Lions said the 500 walkers raised more than £6,000 – which will be distributed to charities across the borough.

The event, held on Sunday, doesn’t ask for sponsorship and raises money through an entry fee instead.

But organisers encourage residents to pick a charity of their choice and collect additional funds for them.

Some of this year’s beneficiaries include Me2 Club, Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, CLASP, Sport in Mind, Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation and many others.

“It’s an oven-ready fundraising platform,” said Mr Slay. “It can help those charities that missed out on the May Fayre and Winter Carnival.

“We let people raise money for their own charities – we don’t get involved in that bit.”

Mr Slay said that means significantly more than £6,000 will have been generated through the event.

Building on its success, the

Lions will be launching the first autumn event this year.

On Sunday, October 24, the three-route event will run again – although walkers are advised to bring their raincoat.

“It is open to families, with many choosing the five-mile route, Mr Slay explained.

“We’ve had one group of ladies start with the five-mile route, then move on to the 10mile and then the 15-mile walk,” he said.

“We get walkers returning year after year, as they enjoy it as an annual event.” � For more information, visit: wokinghamlions.org.uk

Vaccine booster focus for new stage in virus fight EXCLUSIVE

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM’S World Health Organisation disease spread expert is working on a vital new stage in the battle against Covid-19.

Professor Ben Cowling, who went to Sonning Primary School, is studying strength and duration of immunity provided by two of the world’s leading vaccines. One of them is widely used in the UK. He wants to find out if or when booster doses of vaccines might be necessary.

When the UK had just two cases of Covid-19 early in

February 2020, Professor Cowling predicted the start of a UK epidemic in early March.

He also warned of a real risk to world health from covid.

He was proved right on both.

At the time he had just finished ground breaking work on China’s early cases.

Professor Cowling, based at Hong Kong University, explained his new work: “I’m studying strength and duration of immunity provided by the BioNTech vaccine and the Sinovac vaccine which is an inactivated virus vaccine produced in China”.

The BioNTech vaccine distributed by Pfizer in the UK is an important part of the covid fight here.

SEE ME SMILE: Mark Wieder, headteacher of Aldryngton Primary School

Earley school head masks up and smiles

DESPITE THE Government removing the requirement for face masks in schools and colleges, many teachers are continuing with PPE. Mark Wieder, headteacher of Aldryngton Primary School in Earley said he invested in masks with a clear panel to smile at students.

“Since joining the school in January, the school community has been unable to see my smile when I say hello to them each morning on the gate,” he said.

“The Smile Shield face mask has now enabled this to happen.

“At drop off and pick up it’s also key for staff who want to be friendly and approachable, at a safe distance of course, to parents, and it makes conversations easier to understand.”

He said the mask is friendlier and helps pupils that rely on lip-reading.

He is one of 30 headteachers in the UK to use the Smile Shields for staff.

Jennifer Soboslay, co-founder of the company said: “Working in the pharmaceutical industry, being a mum and having many teacher friends, I know how important visual facial expression is, but also you want to be safe and for the people around you to be safe too.

“I wanted to produce a mask that would aid communication not hinder it, especially as I believe a smile can change the sentiment of information or be encouraging without words.”

The masks are medical grade and would be suitable for healthcare workers.

NEWS | 17

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Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

He added: “Right now we are still aiming to get vaccine coverage up to a high level, but fairly soon our attention will turn to the possibility that booster doses might be needed – maybe not this year, but at some point.

“My research is aiming to determine if or when booster doses might be necessary, and how well different choices of booster doses might work.”

The Hong Kong government is backing his research.

On the May 17 covid rules easing he said last week: “I think when we look back it will turn out to be about the right time to start opening up.

Vaccination coverage is now high enough that a third wave

could not have as large a health impact as the first and second waves.

“Waiting for longer before easing would reduce the risk of a resurgence in infections that would be mainly mild, but I think a lot of people and a lot of businesses have been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to get going again.”

He was concerned there could be a resurgence in daily case numbers, although with such a high vaccine coverage in the most vulnerable groups it was likely that most infections would be mild.

There might not be rises in hospitalisations or deaths even if daily case numbers increased.

Make it the happiest day of your life

F

OR many would-be brides and grooms, the happiest day of their lives has been on hold for at least a year.

The big lavish weddings that many have dreamed of have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While nuptials have been allowed to take place, numbers have been limited and with venues closed, there’s been little chance to celebrate with friends and family.

But this is all changing as the government’s road map out of lockdown is continuing.

Now, weddings with up to 30 guests are allowed to take place, and these can be outdoors or any indoor covidsecure venue that is permitted to open.

And it is anticipated that further restrictions will be lifted from June 21.

With the vaccination programme in full swing, when it lifts, it should mean that there won’t be a need to lockdown again.

That means the wedding can go ahead.

With wedding fayres unable to take place over the past 15 months, it’s been hard for brides, grooms and families to gain inspiration for their big day.

So we’re delighted to draw your attention to three businesses, each one offering bespoke packages designed around your wishes.

The Roseate is a luxury hotel in Reading town centre, making it easy for people to get to. With a wedding planner on hand, you can create the perfect day.

Or, if you want something more intimate, why not talk to Sonning River Charters?

Experienced skippers can make a memorable excursion, with sunset cruises or pre-lunch excursions. It’s a great way to bring people together.

And for the bridal party, finding the right floral decorations can be hard work. The experts at Beauty in Blooms, a Twyford-based florist, can provide everything you need from buttonholes to ceremonial displays. Their knowledge can turn your ideas into reality.

As you prepare for a wedding to remember, have fun.

A bespoke, luxurious wedding at The Roseate Reading Perfectly located by Forbury Gardens, The Roseate Reading has long been a host to spectacular weddings and celebrations.

Be it an elegant extravaganza, a beautiful, simple ceremony or vibrant engagement party, our events team is ready to plan the

intimate day you've always imagined.

We would be delighted to be the venue for your special occasion.

For more details, contact: 0118 952 7770, email: events.tflr@roseatehotels.com We are at: 26 The Forbury, Reading RG1 3EJ.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Covid enquiry welcomed

THE LEADER of the Wokingham Liberal Democrat group has welcomed an inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.

On Wednesday, May 12, the prime minister confirmed a full inquiry will take place next spring.

He told MPs the delay was necessary to avoid putting too much stress on the NHS, advisers and government while there was the risk of a winter surge later this year.

The terms of reference for the inquiry will be worked out with the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland over the coming year.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the Wokingham group, said: “Now that hopefully we are coming to the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important that we all learn from what happened over the period from

March 2020 to now and until things get back to a new normal.

“At least we now have a timescale by when an inquiry should take place.

“It is important to learn lessons for the future and allow families of those impacted by the pandemic to grieve or to hear and understand what happened during the various stages of the outbreak.”

Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health at the borough council said: “The government has committed to a national inquiry into Covid-19 and the overall response.

“While we support an inquiry in principle we have some concern that the full resources of the government should be directed towards the vaccination programme and the economic recovery and we hope this does not become a distraction.”

He said the council is happy to play any part required in the inquiry and will support the process.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the inquiry was coming 13 months after the party first called for it in April last year.

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18 | VIEWPOINTS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

It’s time to rethink teenagers’ spaces

At the annual council meeting last week, youngster Rio Elms raised a perennial question: what is there for young people, like him, to do.

He highlighted the problems lockdown had caused, and mentioned there were no particular places to go.

We’re a long way from the days when youngsters would fall in for a busy week of Boys’ Brigade: drill, gym, camping and contests as well as the dreaded uniform cleaning.

But we’ve also seen youth clubs and centres fall out of favour.

The suggestion that teenagers could spend their spare time in restaurants and cafes is misleading – such a lifestyle is beyond the means of most teenagers, used to a bit of pocket money. They’re more likely to be behind the till.

The Berkshire Youth survey (see page 4) reported 51% of young people feel they are never listened to by their council – leaving us with much to chew on.

Maybe it’s time to listen to our youngsters, rather than letting them eat expensive cake in a restaurant.

CHURCH NOTES

An unwelcome gift

L

ONELINESS has been an unwelcome gift from the effects of lockdown and many of us feel we have been patient long enough.

Christians are not immune from loneliness and despair and a question we have been at Kings Church is ‘does God care about my loneliness?’

God cares for you. He knows about loneliness.

Jesus experienced the greatest loneliness of all when his Father left him on the cross. ... The response to loneliness may be to take up a new hobby, make more time for friends or get a pet but the last in year these things have been more difficult than ever to do.

What does the Bible say about isolation and loneliness?

A good Bible verse about loneliness is Deuteronomy 31:6. It lets you know that you should be courageous and know you are not alone, since the Lord God is always with you.

God ask us to turn to him and we ask him to be gracious to us, for we are lonely and afflicted. ‘Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish’.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

– Isaiah 40:28-31 In the context of the passage this is such an immensely powerful thought, it unlocks and explains why strength comes to us and the reason God will make us rise up and be unstoppable. Why? Because He sees into our circumstance and He understands the pain that we feel; He understands the hurt or the confusion and He knows how we found ourselves in whatever our situation is.

He doesn’t come to the rescue just because He can, but because of this deep understanding of our state and a loving desire to step in. It’s not all about being the biggest, it’s about being the most loving.

Carol Adkins is a member of Kings Church, Wokingham, writing on behalf of Churches Together in Wokingham

Your letters

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Time to take stock It saddens me to see, from your report of May 13 a continuation of the problems that some patients have in receiving due care at Modality’s Wokingham Medical Centre (WMC).

I have no doubt their experiences are genuine and heartfelt, as are those of the more limited number who applaud WMC’s efforts. Both should be respected.

The situation underlying many problems existed pre-covid, and needs to be taken into account in the postcovid reorganisations that will undoubtedly take place.

Over four years, official polls of patients’ experiences have marked WMC as the worst (or very close to it) of 13 practices in the Borough, and of 48 in the west Berkshire CCG area.

Assessments of WMC performance for the last six months, on the NHS Choices website, include four bad reports (1 star) and 4 good reports (5 stars). If you search ‘WMC Google reviews’, you find additional reports, 10 bad and three good.

These figures are at odds with the practice’s self-assessment, in Modality literature, as a noted provider of ‘high quality, first class primary care’. Very recently, more realistically, this has been re-stated as a target. Modality also states that they maintain patients’ dignity at all times. Try telling that to a chronically disabled 75+ year-old who struggled to stand up from waiting room seats which had no or poor arms and whose requests for something more robust go unheeded for years; and who is brusquely shooed, by a partner, backwards in his wheelchair out of a corridor while awaiting an appointment with a CQC inspector, even though it is plenty wide enough to enable those on foot – there were none – to pass by, and into a waiting room with no bays.

Several other shortcomings affecting the disabled were listed in a complaint via NHS Choices in November 2017 – I await a reply.

Problems recently reported on the external websites include rudeness, the website, difficulties of the elderly and

Fundraising with Pickle Our Pickle is sweet. She's a Bichon Frise rescue, and she has been helping me fundraise for #StrokePrevention.

Strange goal for a dog, I think!

A septuagenarian survivor of two minor Strokes myself, I took on my Community Challenge in the January lockdown to Cycle (mostly on my trusty exercise bike), Row (on my Pilates machine), and Walk (which is where Pickle steps in). My target was 500 miles.

Well, we're still alive. In fact somewhat slimmer and fitter following the festive excesses. And we've made new friends along the way among people (and dogs of course) walking in disabled, and the deaf ears of management. They are there for WMC, including the two GPs who have been given Directorships of Modality, to see.

For a comparable surgery, also taken over by Modality in 2017, in suburban Hull, there were, over the last six months, 19 bad reports, and one good; multiple, scathing comments were appended about degradations in service quality. We are not alone.

The preponderance of negative assessments about WMC is reflected in

G

ORDON Brown’s idea that offering devolution to Scotland would cement the Union and satisfy the demands of the separatists always seemed to me to be misconceived.

That was why I wrote The Death of Britain? and watched more in sorrow than anger as Labour’s reforms gave a great platform to the SNP and duly led to the need for a referendum to settle the issue by asking the Scottish voters.

Today the PM is right to say there is no need for a second referendum so soon after the first delivered a clear result, especially given SNP pledges that the referendum would be a once in a generation event.

Had the SNP won I doubt they would now be giving Scottish people a second vote to reconsider their decision to leave.

The SNP lost the referendum in part because they had not thought through some of the most basic points about leaving the UK. They seemed to think they could stay in the pound common currency supported by the Bank of England.

There is no way the Bank of England could continue to take Scottish needs into account or act as lender of last resort to Scottish banks.

our beautiful countryside. Some were exploring it for the first time, despite having lived in the area for years! And we've seen deer and most recently skylarks. It's good to be alive!

And today we passed the 550milestone, and our generous supporters have donated an amazing £1030. If you know people affected by Stroke, then please spur us on. Every penny goes to Stroke Association.

Stroke Association Head of Research Awards, Dr Richard Francis, said in December “There is growing evidence that people with more severe Coronavirus infection are at an increased risk of Stroke ... and ... that people who have Stroke and Coronavirus are likely to be younger the reports of six CQC inspections since 2015; four of them, including the latest, required improvements in the practice’s responsiveness, including communication with patients.

So, what happened to the Centre’s proposed remedial (quarterly) Newsletter? This would surely be the place to report on progress in setting up the promised localised networks of GPs with Special Interests (the so-called GPSIs). Is the fixed national footprint of Modality affecting WMC’s relationship

Westminster That was the week Diary Tony Johnson John Redwood

They did not set out well how Scottish members of our armed forces would adjust.

If the aim is to transfer their contracts to a Scottish army, navy and airforce there would need to be arrangements over equipment and it would make only a small force.

If we assume the idea is that we would honour their contracts, that would mean they would have to commit their loyalty and service to a country other than their own.

They would also be committed to an armed service with a nuclear deterrent that the SNP oppose.

They did not reveal how the large gap between Scottish tax revenue and current spending would be filled.

than expected."

Please check on our progress at https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/pa-vonbergen Our Community Challenge for #StrokePrevention ends on Saturday 12 June, so please help us overcome the last obstacles to reach our goal.

For further interesting reading, do check out the following links: https://www.stroke.org.uk/news/ does-coronavirus-cause-stroke-lookcurrent-research https://www.stroke.org.uk/findingsupport/staying-active-when-stayinghome Keep safe and stay healthy.

Peter von Bergen, Easthampstead Rotarian

with our independent neighbours in the Primary Care Network?

As well as such information, a Newsletter could have, eg, a diabetes corner, a disability corner, a description of the pros and cons of Push Doctor and eConsult, and an invitation to propose improvements to the webpages.

Obviously, digital technology underpins the most ambitious patientfacing targets.

However, the Kings Fund health think-tank emphasises that patients

They did stress the oil revenues which have now been slashed by a large fall in the oil price.

There was no clear pledge to take their share of the U.K. national debt on exit.

Quite often it seemed some of the SNP did not want independence, favouring a muddle of the pound and EU membership Instead.

It should now be quite clear that offering more and more devolved powers to the Scottish Parliament is not going to reconcile proponents of independence to the U.K. The SNP seeks to turn all debates in the U.K. Parliament into arguments about the relative powers of the Union Parliament and the devolved government.

They do not want devolution to work.

Mayor making It was a pleasure to be able to attend a civic service and ceremony in person after a year of lockdown.

On Sunday, I joined others at St Paul’s to wish the Mayor of Wokingham well in his second year in office.

Numbers were very limited, so it was a hybrid event with well wishers also following the service on Zoom.

Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingahm

Honest motherhood

need to be supported to use digital tools and to understand and act on the information they generate. The 10-year NHS plan calls for fundamental improvements to create genuine partnerships between the NHS and patients; indeed, such engagement was a pillar of the NHS Constitution. How is this engagement working out locally? An active Patients’ Participation Group (PPG) was dismissed, the partners’ representative volubly rejecting PPG’s role as a critical friend.

A replacement on-line group seems virtually non-existent, or dormant, its membership and role unspecified; I am not aware of any canvassing of patients’ opinions; I am advised that it has not bothered to take up its seat at the West Berkshire PPG for three years.

In recovering from Covid, and in developing super-practices, a factual baseline is needed, not just marketing material.

Angela Garwood

A perilous journey

I

Mike Nicholls, Wokingham

Thanks for your help I am a volunteer for Healthwatch Wokingham, an organisation set up to help make life a little bit easier for people who struggle.

I recently saw a small sign in Waterstones bookshop in Wokingham, telling hearing impaired people to ask the cashier to lower their masks to allow them to lip read.

As a wearer of two hearing aids myself I found this a wonderful thing for them to do. Inspired, I contacted my Healthwatch manager and we printed off some signs bearing the hearing impaired mark.

We were bowled over by the number of businesses willing to display this sign on their clear screens. These include Morrison’s (woosehill), British heart foundation, Millets, card factory and Coast to Coast.

I think these shops all deserve a pat on the back for helping our hearing impaired community!

THANK YOU. Lynne Antink, Wokingham

Offences ignored Our local Police Force is under strength and as such officers do not have time to deal with the more minor breaches of traffic law.

No Right Turns around the area are seldom enforced and have failed to be for many years. These include. From Market Place into Rose Street,

Back on track

Emmbrook Road onto Reading Road, Reading Road through the roundabout at Winnersh towards M4, Oxford Road onto Reading Road and now of course the new order at Hatch Farm junction (Wokingham Today, May 20) Other offences completely ignored are access only orders,. sometimes more difficult to prove the offence.

It seems that unless a camera is the witness no enforcement is taken so take as read these offences will continue and accidents will occur.

Ron Pearce, Hurst

Where are the flowers?

On Friday and Saturday I walked the paths on the east side of Cantley Park.

There has been a verge of growing wild flowers, planted by WBC which were really beautiful last year.

Alas, these were all strimmed/mowed down on Friday and Saturday by WBC employees. There didn’t seem to be any sensible reason for this as the path was clear and safe.

I would appreciate your help in finding out who is

Helena Badger

www.volunteer wokinghamborough.org.uk

B

hauled by steam locomotive 35028 Clan Line.

Here it is at the Starlane crossing on Easthampstead Road.

The first for quite some time.

A Bellmond British Pullman excursion from Waterloo to Bath and Bristol came through Wokingham on 19 May

Wokingham Volunteering

Y volunteering with Me2 Club, you can help these children make friends, increase their confidence and independence while learning valuable skills yourself.

Our children and young people want to attend weekly clubs, but their additional needs and disabilities can make it difficult for them to take part in activities that you may have taken for granted.

This includes events and activities such as swimming lessons, Beavers, football, Brownies and more.

The level of support our children need varies, due to the range of additional needs they have.

By becoming friends with one of our

VIEWPOINTS | 19

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Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

young people you can help them overcome their barriers to be included.

We have virtual training courses coming up, so please get in touch if you are interested. � Green 'n' Tidy' provides a basic gardening service for elderly and disabled residents of Wokingham Borough who cannot maintain their own properties, do not have local family support and/or lack the financial resources to employ commercial companies.

Paul Phillips, Wokingham

responsible and why it was done.

I am really dismayed at what’s happened. It’s definitely against any environmental concern/interest.

I’ve met other walkers who were also upset.

Sue Farrington, Wokingham

Knock it down The empty Prison in Reading should be knocked down and build only social housing for too many people on the waiting list with children – forget art, people need homes.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

Play away As we approach a summer which, hopefully, will allow us to enjoy our lives with fewer restrictions, we can start planning how we want to spend some time with our friends and families.

After everything we’ve been through during the pandemic, we could all do with a bit more play in our lives – play is a hugely important part of childhood, and has a whole host of benefits, not least of all improving our

physical and mental health and wellbeing.

To encourage people across the country to play, and raise money to support children and young people who have in many cases been the hidden victims of the pandemic, the NSPCC is launching its first national Childhood Day on June 11.

Whether you’re organising a sponsored kickabout in the park, a game of cards, a musical get-together or an online gaming tournament, we want your help to get the UK playing and raise money to help us keep children safe.

We are hugely looking forward to hearing how your readers plan to support the NSPCC and children across the UK this Childhood Day – to find out more, go to www.nspcc.org.uk or search online for NSPCC Childhood Day. After the year we’ve had, we could all do with a bit more play. It doesn’t matter how you play this Childhood Day, it just matters that you play your part.

NSPCC Community Fundraising Manager for Berkshire – Emma Alexandra

This project does not compete with established gardening businesses as we are a charity and the team of volunteers provides basic gardening, including lawn mowing, hedge trimming and weeding, to vulnerable people in need.

We are currently looking for more volunteers to join our teams so if you like being outdoors, part of team and helping people in need, please get in touch now. � Thames Hospice is the local charity providing expert care for people living with life-limiting illnesses in East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.

A vital part of our work is also supporting their families and carers.

It costs £8 million every year to keep your Hospice running.

Our shop in Wokingham provides vital fundraising help to what we do.

We are looking for volunteers to help in their newly refitted store, helping and serving customers, sorting through donations and keeping the shop

colourful. � These are just a few of the opportunities on our books. Call: 0118 977 0749, email volunteer@wokvol.org.uk or visit our website www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer.

am sat at my dining room table staring at a pile of dresses. They are new, pristine and gorgeous, with the tags still on.

Sadly, they will not be making a home here but will be returning to warehouse life.

This unfortunate buy-and-return headache has become the way in my wardrobe. For I am going through something astonishingly difficult, an experience I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. It’s been time-consuming, ego-bruising and downright faffy.

I am referring, of course, to the labyrinth that is wedding guest dress shopping.

I had no idea, when I casually started browsing ASOS for dresses months ago, the perilous journey I was embarking on.

Friends think I might be a little too choosy, but don’t you have to be?

Weddings are a day of celebration, and you can’t celebrate wholeheartedly if you’re quietly worrying about how hideous your dress looks.

So far, the process has gone like this: 1. Scroll online, always late at night, for “the dress”.

2. Find one I love, send a link to either my mother or Joel and sleep on it.

3. Ignore any responses, let the dress marinate in my shopping basket, allow five days to pass.

4. Return to the basket and either a. See it is now out of stock in my size and resume search or b. Order in a frenzy.

Then it arrives, there is a moment of exultation as I greet the delivery man (“THANK YOU!!”) and I go in for the great unveiling with the highest of hopes and expectations.

But then, before I’ve even got it on properly, disappointment sets in for any of a multitude of reasons: Bad fit, weird style, or simply not what I was expecting.

One dress was a completely different colour to that on the screen, another smelt like it had been kept away somewhere cold and damp for hundreds of years.

I’ve only ever attended one friend’s wedding as an adult and I spent most of it struggling to breathe because my dress was so tight.

It was the most beautiful piece of clothing I owned and I was adamant that, despite my restricted lung capacity, it was still “the dress”.

The rule used to be: if the zip does up, it is wearable. Now the rule is: if you can’t fully inhale, reevaluate your priorities and get the next size.

Of course, I haven’t been keeping this dress-search malarkey to myself. You can’t go through these things alone. Joel has been with me, watching as the packages come and go.

Me: “Can you come have a look at this?”

Supportive partner: “As long as it’s not a dress, sure.”

Me: “Never mind.”

Me ten seconds later: “Joel I need your opinion.”

Supportive partner: “Angie... I think I’m going mad darling... NO MORE DRESSES.” Men have it so much easier. Especially for a summer wedding. Chinos, nice shirt, smart jacket sorted. Joel will probably dig his ensemble out the day before. Meanwhile we have short/long, tight/loose, strapless, backless… the decisions are endless.

And that’s before considering initial footwear and spare comfy footwear.

So far Joel and I have six weddings over the next year, though given the rate at which my friends are getting engaged, there will be more in 2022.

Thankfully I am a bridesmaid for one, so no dress anxiety. Planning the hen do was far more straightforward than finding dresses for the other five.

I have a package arriving later that I feel hopeful for, then it’s off to the Post Office where I have befriended half the staff.

20 | NEWS

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Spacephiller

Aperitivo con la general Here is the winner of this month’s contest from Wokingham Writers Group, devised by Eva Donkor.

ARIA Conchita Lopez stood on her balcony every other Tuesday at 1.45pm. She watched him get into his car and waited for the usual gesture.

In his prime, he would have given her a

Phil Creighton

Tasting normal

I

S THERE a soul in the country who is not fed up with the coronavirus?

While the vaccines might rid ourselves of this troublesome pest, even with the lifting of lockdown restrictions we’re in a hokey cokey.

We can put our right arm in Spain, but the government’s mixed messaging means we’re in out, in out and shaking our heads all about as we’re not sure we can get our passports out or stick with the bottles of fake tan for another summer.

Travel within the UK is allowed again, thank goodness. It’s been so long since we’ve left Berkshire that even a day trip to Oxfordshire seems exotic.

Earlier this month, we managed to sit under umbrellas in the back garden of my parents. It was the first time in 15 months we’d been able to do so, and it also meant we came home with Christmas presents and beer bought for planned celebrations so long past that the bottles were out of date.

Still, stale beer was a small price to pay for an afternoon in torrential rain, mimicking our favourite spots like Margate and the Costa del Bognor Regis.

As the nation gradually reopens, so does the transport network. Earlier this month National Express put its coaches back into gear, ferrying passengers from Mereoak to all over the country.

Once, a long time ago, in far happier days, I took the National Express from London Victoria to Bonnie Scotland. The overnight journey meant we hit the highlands as dawn arrived. The view of misty glens was nothing short of magical.

So it’s with similar anticipation that a tin of travel sweets dropped into my lap.

National Express has released a limited-edition collection featuring flavours inspired by the nation’s favourite dishes: Curry in honour of Birmingham, Wensleydale cheese and cranberry in a nod to Yorkshire, a Cornish pasty in honour of Skegness … not really, it’s in honour of Cornwall, of course.

The ones that were sent to our offices were fish n chip flavoured, inspired, say the marketing gurus, by day trips to the seaside or coastal holiday such as Devon, Brighton, Margate, and Blackpool.

Each is a boiled sweet. A proper one that you’d suck on and enjoy the sensations as first it glides around the tongue and then after as the insides of your mouth are puckered with the sugar.

But these are different.

On carefully prising open the tin, the unmistakable scent of fish n chips, with lashings of vinegar and plenty of salt, assault the nostrils. They look like sweets, but they smell like savoury. If you’ve ever made a coffee and thought you were about to drink a cup of tea, and your tastes buds struggle to make the mental switch, you’ll know what it’s like.

Chris Hardy, managing director of National Express UK Coach, said: “We’ve always been part of seeing friends and family, going to events, on day trips and holidays. We wanted to mark helping make this happen again in a fun way.

“Fish and chips and pork pies might not be the kind of flavours anyone would expect to taste in boiled sweet form, but each confectionery celebrates the wonderful diversity of the UK. “We hope the tastes will take people to a place they’ve missed and can now happily and safely return to with National Express.”

Brave words Chris. No one who have sampled one of the delights from our tin has managed to suck it and see the end. One brave soul crunched their way through it and then needed several glasses of water.

It’s a lovely idea and the people who enjoyed these tins, winning them from YouTwitFace, will no doubt think the sweets are a pale imitation of the real thing.

Yes, it’s a taste of normal: the bitter disappointment of a wet and miserable day at the seaside. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now, where did my Kiss Me Quick hat go? � For more, visit www.nationalexpress.com/ tastesofnormal

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

GOOD ART: Gabriella Hillier with her entry to the iArt competition

Teen is so good at art, she does it with her eyes closed A 13-YEAR-OLD student from Wokingham has been named runner up in an international school art competition.

Gabriella Hillier from Holme Grange School came close to the winner’s spot in the iArt 2021 competition.

With more than 160 entries to compete among, Gabriella was awarded an Amazon voucher, and will be recognised in the iArt 2021 brochure alongside the 27 other finalists.

“This drawing is part of a project that we were doing about dreams,” she said.

“We learned how to do a selfportrait and then I did this one with my eyes closed.”

Christopher King, chief executive officer of the Independent Association

of Prep Schools, judged the awards.

He said: “Each year we are blown away by the quality of entries we receive, and this year was no exception.

“The artwork received opened our eyes to the student’s experiences over the past year and it was truly inspirational.

“The competition is a brilliant way to recognise the creativity and innovation our students have, and to emphasise the value that we place on these skills. My warmest congratulations and huge thanks to every student that participated.”

The competition launched in 2013 and had its highest number of entities this year.

It is run by the Independent Association of Prep Schools and aims to showcase the artwork pupils in member schools produce.

Enjoy the wild, wild west (or east for that matter) A NATURE challenge is encouraging people to wake up the wild way next month.

Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust is welcoming participants to get involved in this year’s 30 Days Wild challenge.

The aim of the challenge is to pledge to do a random act of wildness every NATURE TIME: The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust day in the month of June. has a wild challenge Picture: Paul Harris/2020 Vision These could include listening to birdsong, taking inspirational reminder to explore wildlife photographs, planting nature and to value the amazing seeds or anything that relates wildlife we have in our three to wildlife. counties – so why not get out To kick off 30 Days Wild on there and go wild with us this Tuesday, June 1, the trust is holding June? an outdoor breakfast, named the “Our research has shown that Big Wild Breakfast, where if you get closer to nature every day participants will see how much for a whole month, you really do wildlife they can spot in 30 minutes feel happier and healthier but while enjoying a bowl of cereal.

30 Days Wild is also great fun for Last year, more than 6,000 people of all ages, it’s easy and people across the three counties it’s totally free.” took part in the challenge and the Participants registered will trust is hoping more people will receive a free pack of activities get involved this year. and ideas to support them in the Estelle Bailey, chief executive challenge. of Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife � To register for the event, visit Trust, said: “30 Days Wild is an wildlifetrusts.org/30dayswild

full military salute, before being ushered into the car by his bodyguards. These days, he would tip his hat and give her a wink. She would nod and give him a little wave in return, as she flicked the ashes from her cigarette.

He had aged a lot but was still a handsome man. Some forty years had passed, since he had rescued her and the other women from her village. The rebels had burnt down her house and slit her husband’s throat and separated her from her children.

M Meet the art cat magic in

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

IF YOU’VE seen a trail of cats crop up around Woosehill, you’re not going mad — it’s the work of Catsy.

In recent weeks, a mysterious artist has been spray painting a whole host of feline friends on walls around town.

Now, he has created a social media page to bring the community together with his work.

Catsy – quite clearly not their real name – told Wokingham.Today that he started creating the paintings as “a little joke” for his godchildren.

“I made a few in their back garden and one night, I decided I would leave a few on their route home from school,” he explains.

“They loved it and their friends loved it, and it’s snowballed from there.”

Catsy says he was inspired to take his painting project further after seeing the joy it brought to the children across Woosehill.

He decided to pursue the paintings in a bid to brighten residents’ days.

“People need something to smile about at the moment,” he says. “You can’t see one of these cats and not smile.”

Thanks to the mystery artist, the paintings have now appeared across town on various walls and pavements for children and adults to spot and enjoy.

He says he chose cats simply because he’s a fan of the creatures.

“It’s a nice, simple shape that works really well,” Catsy says.

“They’re also not too in your face, and don't damage property.”

According to the artist, the feline friends are also easy to remove with a jet washer, and he makes sure to

SMILES: Some of the cats painted by Catsy – how

avoid people’s houses and historic walls on his painting adventures.

Catsy says it seems like the people of Woosehill are loving his work.

“I haven’t seen a signal negative comment,” he explains. “Every

Amber knows that fr A STUDENT has celebrated her mental health recovery through art.

Amber, who studies Art and Design Level 2 Diploma at Bracknell and Wokingham College created a 3D word for a recent project.

“I did the word free because, while I was doing the project, I was a patient in a mental health unit of a hospital,” she says.

“I was coming into college as a step into the community and when I finished the project, I got discharged so I chose to give my project a hospital theme and made it as a recovery piece.

“I added things like medicine bottles, sheets to look like hospital sheets, I used tic-tacs to look like pills and butterflies, because butterflies were something that I related to while I was recovering.

“It was a chance for me thinking about without ha Amber says the project her experience.

“Since then, a lot more o reflective,” she says.

Jan Allen, visual arts an at Activate Learning says t

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

The General and some of his men had tracked them through the jungle and fought and killed the rebels, but little Sofía and Mateo and many of the other children from her village were never found.

She thought of them every day and wondered what had become of them.

Had they died, had they escaped, were they married, could she possibly be an abuela?

“Stop it, Maria,” she admonished herself.

She knew she could not allow herself to think like that.

POETRY CORNER Fourteen Long Months

At least these days, she was able to babysit for the girls who rented out the rooms downstairs in her house. Girls like Paula, Martina and especially Julieta, whom she was fond of. There was something about her eyes, but she never asked questions.

Questions about where they had come from, where they went or how they made their money. She had been there. She knew.

Strong men like the General, important men with their big cars, at all times of the day and night, all wanting a little pick-me-up.

Covid nineteen keeps us all guessing, It starts to recede; Oh what a blessing!

But then it mutates and starts a new wave Of deadly infections; what a way to behave!

Thus we must stick to our locked down homes, Get out the jigsaws or a few learned tomes.

Must strive to be positive, no room for depression, But it’s hard to adapt or banish all tension.

Instead be resigned to life as it is, Consider our blessings, give grumbling a miss, For now we have vaccines protecting so many, Which came free of charge, not costing a penny.

Be grateful we live here instead of abroad Where many are helpless or simply ignored.

Vaccines are scarce, so people miss out, Their leaders inept and lacking in clout.

tist creating n Woosehill

In India for instance they have a huge crisis, (Nothing to do with that wretched lot Isis) But covid has hit them in a way unbelievable, Thousands of deaths which seem inconceivable, Their hospitals crowded; their staff overwhelmed.

People on stretchers, wheelchairs and shelves!

They’ve appealed to the world to help with their plight, We all must respond whether brown, black or white.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: Jim Edwards is putting his best foot forward – and two pairs of socks – this weekend to raise funds for The Link Visiting Scheme

Why Jim’s shoes are two sizes too big for him

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

w many have you seen?

WEAR TWO pairs of socks and shoes that are two sizes too big — that’s the advice from Jim Edwards, who is walking 62 miles this weekend for a Wokingham charity.

comment has been positive with people saying the cats brighten up their day.

“I’ve even had people request me to paint in different areas for children to hunt out.”

Now, Catsy has no plans to stop

decorating the town with furry friends and is even encouraging residents to look him up on Facebook and tag any future cats they spot when out and about. � To find out more about Catsy, visit: www.facebook.com/catsywokingham

ree is a great feeling

to express what I was aving to talk about it.” helped her open up about

of my art has been more

nd design lecturer the project has

NEWS | 21

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

allowed students to explore their own creativity.

“They had lots of fun with it and used lots of different methods and techniques to create their models,” she says.

“They also used elements of English as they learnt about meanings and interpretations of different words, and also maths, as they scaled up their maquettes to different sizes.”

This is the first time students from the Church Road campus have completed the project, as part of creative pathways awarded by University of Arts London.

Other students drew on nature, real-life situations, personal interests, literature and popular culture as inspiration for their chosen word,.

The finished pieces of art are currently on display in the college’s refectory.

Jim, who has lived in the town since 1995, is embarking on a mammoth trek to raise money for The Link Visiting Scheme this Saturday.

He will be walking from Richmond Park in London all the way down to Brighton, to support the charity and its befriending service.

“I’m doing the walk through this organisation called Action Challenge,” Jim explains.

“I’ve done this walk before, in 2019, but I was unwell so it took me more than 30 hours.

“I said I wanted to do it again and I’m hoping to complete it in under 24 hours this time.”

Jim, who has taken on his fair share of charity challenges, says he is looking forward to walking in aid of The Link Visiting Scheme this weekend.

After taking on the Three Peaks Challenge a few years ago to raise money for Home-Start Bracknell Forest, he was hooked and has since tackled a range of charity challenges including 15- and 30mile treks.

He chose to raise money for Link Visiting this time around after

watching his wife volunteer for the charity.

“Since retirement, she’s been doing a few bits and bobs for Link Visiting,” he says. “They’re a great group.”

So far, Jim has raised more than £700 for the charity, overshooting his initial £500 target.

Now, he is looking for a local company to match his sponsorship to double his donation.

“Because I’m retired, I don’t have a business that can help me so I’m looking for someone to step forward,” he says. “I’ve not really got a target, I just want to raise as much as I possibly can.”

And he says he is feeling both physically and mentally prepared for the walk, after completing his final training run last weekend.

“I joined the Army at 15 as a boy soldier where we basically walked forever,” Jim says. “Mentally I know I can do it, and I think I’m physically prepared.

“I’m just hoping the weather is good because that will make such a difference.”

The 62-mile walk starts in Richmond Park, London, on Saturday.

To track Jim as he takes on the epic challenge, visit london2brighton.livetrail.run and search for ‘Jim Edwards’ or bib number 2214. � To donate to his fundraiser, visit: localgiving.org/fundraising/ JimLondon2Brighton

The UK has sent them a plane load of stuff, To alleviate symptoms like shortage of puff, Other countries too are sending in aid While everyone prays this virus will fade.

But until every country can banish the threat, The pandemic will rage, increasing our debt.

Nowhere is safe while the disease is still thriving, It’s got to be banished and then we’ll be jiving!

But now we have reached the Spring month of May, It’s fourteen long months since the first lockdown day.

We still cannot entertain people indoors, And other ways of meeting have serious flaws.

Theatres and cinemas remain tightly shut, But shops have re-opened so in we now strut, Facemasks donned and following the arrows, Our shopping list likely to fill two wheelbarrows.

So the next thing we await concerns lockdown stage three, Some rules could be banished, but we must wait and see.

Seventeenth of May was the first such date, For rules to be changed; we really can’t wait.

Will visitors be allowed? can we dine in a pub Eating indoors perhaps; now that is the nub.

Had quite enough sitting outside in the cold, Returning to old ways will feel like pure gold!

Lorna Minton

One shoe Why leave at midnight?

You can mend a dress that’s torn.

Why leave one shoe For your prince to pick up When you can kick off two And dance until dawn?

Tina Cathleen MacNaughton From On the Shoulders of Lions (The Choir Press, July 2021)

We love receiving your poetry. Email your submissions to letters@ wokinghampaper.co.uk

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22 | NEWS

WOODLEY&EARLEYNEWS

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

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Talented ballerina Holly hopes for sponsorship EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today EVERY DAY Holly Smith puts on her dancing shoes as she moves one step closer to pursuing her dream of starting her own ballet school.

The Woodley teenager was recently awarded a place at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, near Aylesbury, where she had hoped to study classical dance.

Beating 300 other dances to a spot at the coveted school, the Bulmershe pupil was thrilled to be offered a place. But at £8,000 per term, her hopes were dashed when she lost out on the one funded place.

“It was quite devastating really,” said Mum, Laura. “But as one door shuts, another one opens.”

The family applied to 20 different organisations, charities and foundations for support, but with dance usually seen as an art, not a sport, grants were almost impossible, Laura said.

Not one to be beaten, Holly is still hopeful of finding a sponsor — but if that falls through, it won’t keep her off the stage.

Earlier this month, she was

KEEN DANCER: Holly Smith has won a place at Tring Park School, but was unable to take it as she couldn’t afford the termly fees Picture: Jess Warren

awarded £100 funding from Woodley Town Council, to purchase her first pair of pointe shoes.

Visiting the Bloch store in Covent Garden before one of

her Friday classes at The Academy of Balletic Arts, Holly was fitted with her satin pink pair, she said.

Carefully built to support the feet, Holly said the toe

pads — or ouch pads as she calls them — provide extra cushioning when en pointe.

Their purchase marks the next step in her dance career, as she prepares to take her Grade 5 International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) exam on Saturday.

Also Grade 6 in bbodance and Grade 5 in Cecchetti — an Italian style of ballet — Holly hopes to perform in many shows, and later train to become a ballet teacher and own her own dance school.

“I think I’d be good at teaching, because I follow my own teachers, and I have my own tips and tricks,” she said.

With lessons every day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday, Laura said she, along with husband Neil, “do a cracking taxi service”.

“She has lots of rehearsal for shows,” Laura said. “But when it comes together, it’s very impressive.

“I think dancing on a stage has given her the confidence to pursue this as a career — it’s every girl’s dream to be a dancer.”

Holly hopes to dance in shows and festivals around the county as soon as they restart. � Anyone interested in supporting Holly’s dancing career can contact Wokingham.Today

Barclays in Woodley to close BARCLAYS will be closing its Woodley branch this summer due to the national rise in online banking.

It will shut its town centre shop front on Friday, August 27 and will be the second bank to close.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: “The decision to close a branch is never an easy one. However, customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking. As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK. “This is reflected at the Woodley branch where there has been a 26% reduction counter transactions respectively in the two years to March 2020. In addition, more than eight in 10 customers at the branches are also using different ways to bank.

“We will work with our customers and provide alternative options to

Green event for Earley GREEN FINGERED residents in Earley have been invited to a repeat gardening event.

St Nicolas Church,

ensure they can continue to manage their money and receive financial expertise when required.”

Brian Fennelly, town centre manager said he was very disappointed to see the bank close its doors and believes there is ample demand.

“It’s not good,” he said. “They don’t appear to be considering customers at all.

“When the banks opened after the first lockdown the Woodley branches were very busy.

“I suspect the decision was made some time ago.”

The company confirmed 47 regular customers use the Woodley branch exclusively for their banking.

off Sutcliffe Avenue is launching a free gardening day on the last Saturday of alternating months.

Its first event will be this Saturday, from 10.30 until 1pm.

The next event will run on Saturday, July

31, at the same time.

The church said the event is suitable for all ages, and will include a range of light gardening activities.

Places must be booked in advance by emailing: b.harrisjones@tcv.org.uk

It said everyday transactions can be completed at the Post Office on Crockhamwell Road.

Other options include the Barclays app, telephone banking, online banking and video banking.

In the lead up to its closure, the bank will be offering virtual ‘tea and teach’ sessions for customers wanting to explore digital banking.

Once closed, the nearest Barclays branches will be on Broad Street, Reading and Market Place, Wokingham.

Nobody will be made redundant in the closure.

HSBC is closing on Friday, June 18.

It leaves Nationwide and NatWest remaining.

Call to transfer wood owners

AS IS: The play area at Woodford Park is due for a revamp Picture: Phil Creighton

Have your say on play park proposals A NEW play area is coming to Woodford Park, after the town council secured £200,000 for the equipment.

The current play area to the back of Oakwood Centre will be removed, with the new apparatus being installed towards the end of the year.

Funded through developer contributions paid to the borough council, seven design tenders were received, which have been shortlisted to a top three.

At the heart of the plans is inclusivity, said a spokesperson for Woodley Town Council.

“We are consulting with stakeholders and specialists such as the team at Addington School to make sure we deliver the best possible play space for Woodford Park,” they said.

It is hoped playground equipment will be exciting and

stimulating for children with a wide range of abilities and ages.

There will be new features to allow wheelchairs to reach some of the higher levels, as well as sensory equipment and musical apparatus.

“This exciting project gives us an opportunity to deliver a fantastic new play space for residents and visitors and we want your views and comments on the designs we have received,” the spokesperson added.

“We’d like as many local residents to take part in our consultation and let us know which items of equipment you really like, which overall design you prefer and any other comments on the project.”

A contractor will be chosen in August. � For more information, and to view the three play area proposals, visit: www.woodley.gov.uk/playground

Councillor goes independent A WOODLEY town councillor has resigned the party whip and moved from the Liberal Democrat group to become independent.

Cllr Martin Doyle, who represents Loddon West alongside Cllr Michael Forrer, made the decision last month.

Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrats said he was sorry that Martin had resigned from the Liberal Democrat group on Woodley Town Council.

“I wish him well in his role as an independent councillor,” he said.

Cllr Keith Baker, leader of Woodley Town Council, said Cllr Doyle has “interesting views and ideas”.

EARLEY Town Council is calling for the borough council to transfer its ownership of Chalfont Wood.

Cllr Clive Jones, town council leader said he will raise the topic at next week’s Policy and Resources Committee Meeting, on Wednesday, June 2.

Cllr Jones said the town council would look after the woods and “keep it as it is”.

“We don’t want loads of pathways running

Speaking more generally, he said some councillors struggle to understand how town, parish and borough councils work, when first entering local politics.

“They’re run by a set of rules, standing orders and constitutions,” he said.

“If you’re a free flowing, free thinker, you may not adapt to the constraints of the rules.

“There has to be discipline and order to work through council business.

“Decisions are made in a democratic way and we need to move on.”

Cllr Doyle was contacted for a comment.

through it, which could destroy some wildlife habitats,” he said.

He said he is concerned Wokingham Borough Council may still have ambitions to develop the site.

“This is an attempt to stop them,” he said.

“If they are serious about not developing it, they will give it to us.”

The item has been included in the meeting agenda, posted out today to councillors.

NEWS | 23

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Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

SONNING, RUSCOMBE, To advertise in this section, TWYFORD&HURST, NEWS REMENHAM & WARGRAVE call Claire on 0118 327 2662 ‘Help us overturn Village gets digging for covid singing ban’ its big tree planting plan

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

A MUSICAL director of amateur choirs is fighting for them to be allowed to sing.

Helen Styles who conducts Twyford Singers, Tuesday Singers at Maidenhead and a Surrey choir is urging everyone to petition the government.

She believes the latest government Covid edict on amateur choirs is well out of tune. A maximum of only six amateur singers are allowed to meet to sing indoors. In Wales and Scotland larger groups are allowed.

Objectors say the “six only” ruling is unfair when 10,000 football fans are allowed to sing their teams to victory.

Helen’s choirs which have about 25-55 members each haven’t sung together since last year.

Helen, who originally trained as a vet, says there’s no scientific logic behind the latest edict. The government’s own Safer Singer guidance, in November last year, said singing and speaking produce similar amounts of aerosol [droplets in breath].

Helen has told Twyford’s MP Theresa May: “If I so wished I could go out to an exercise class (indoors), exert myself and breathe heavily over all my fellow exercisers.

“Then for my post-workout relaxation I can head to the pub to meet my choir friends where we would have to talk loudly over the music in the pub and, as it's cold, the doors and windows are not open, but this is allowed.

“In the morning I could get up to go and teach singing in my local secondary school where students no longer have to be masked.

“In contrast I am not allowed to rehearse my adult amateur choirs indoors despite having a rigorous risk assessment in place. Singers would be two metres distanced and masked throughout the rehearsal and all doors and windows open.”

Many members had had two vaccines and she thought almost everyone had had one. Those doing regular lateral flow tests would do them on rehearsal days. � The petition can be signed at petition.parliament.uk/petitions/ 586559

Visitors want wine tours PEOPLE are flocking back to a popular Twyford vineyard, after its wine tastings proved more popular than ever before.

Stanlake Park Wine Estate, on Waltham Road, relaunched its Wine and Tasting Tour on Friday last week — but the team has already added extra slots, after all of its bookings sold out.

The two hour tours take people through vineyards, before a visit to the winery to see how the beverage is made.

Customers also have the chance to taste a range of wines.

Stanlake Park is currently taking bookings for tours across the summer months. � To find out more, visit: www.stanlakepark.com/pages/tours

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today TWYFORD Parish Council wants to make the village even more green — but it needs residents’ help.

To honour National Tree Week, which is taking place at the end of the year, it wants to plant 25 more trees on Stanlake Meadow as part of The Big Twyford Tree Planting Project.

The programme, which was launched last year by the Howard family, aims to plant a forest in the village.

So far, 75 trees have been planted on Stanlake Meadow — but the team wants to hit triple figures in 2021.

A spokesperson for The Big Twyford Tree Planting Project said: “The idea for this project started after feeling disillusioned by all the negative news about our environment.

“Our idea is to re-wild the area of Stanlake Meadow which borders the copse at the far end of the playing fields.

“We would like to involve as many members of our community as possible as it’s the Twyford residents who will benefit from the project.”

They said they hope to build on the programme each year and create a space to be enjoyed by future generations.

In a bid to make this year’s project a reality, Twyford Parish Council is now encouraging residents to donate to the cause.

So far, it has raised nearly £1,500 of its £2,000 target, and each resident gets to purchase a tree of their choice from the list when donating.

Twyford parish councillor Malcolm Bray said: “This idea proved very popular and an uplifting event was enjoyed last autumn. [It was] something special to set against the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

“It was so popular that sponsorship soon outstripped available trees.”

He thanked the Howard family for the original idea.

“We look forward to further success in 2021,” Cllr Bray added.

Abandoned trailer was a bed VILLAGERS were stumped when they spotted an ‘abandoned’ trailer in Twyford last week — before realising there was somebody inside.

Residents came across the miniature trailer opposite The Piggott School on Thursday, May 16.

After heading to social media for answers, they discovered the cart belongs to Rosie SwalePope MBE, who passed through the village before embarking on a 6,000 mile charity run.

She was also spotted

in Henley-on-Thames, Wargrave and on the outskirts of Bracknell.

The 74-year-old adventurer and author is running solo from Brighton to Kathmandu,

Nepal to raise money for PHASE Worldwide, which supports Nepali communities.

After starting the journey in July 2018, Ms Swale-Pope ran all the

way to Turkey but had to put the challenge on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She carries supplies in the trailer which she drags behind her when running, and then sets up camp in the cart at night.

So far, she has raised more than £10,000 for the charity and hopes to restart her journey soon as lockdown restrictions continue to lift.

To find out more about Ms Swale-Pope’s epic journey, visit: phaseworldwide.org/getinvolved/rosieruns

Alongside donating to the cause, villagers are also invited to plant their own trees to mark National Tree Week.

The spokesperson for The Big Twyford Tree Project said: “If you are a nature lover or just want to be more involved with your community, do pledge to plant your own tree and get involved with the project this year.

“We now all know the importance of these communal spaces, whether it's a chance to get exercise, a place to meet friends or to enjoy the simple pleasures that the natural environment offers, taking care of these areas has become even more important than ever.”

Twyford Parish Council hopes to plant the trees during National Tree Week, which will take place from Saturday, November 27 until Sunday, December 5.

It is the UK’s largest tree celebration, launched in 1973 after Dutch elm disease spread across the country.

To find out more about Twyford’s Tree Planting Project, and to support the cause, visit: www. crowdfunder.co.uk/the-big-twyford-treeplanting-project-2021 Any residents who would like to volunteer to help sowing wildflower seeds and watering trees should contact clerk@twyfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

Paint for joy CHARVIL residents are invited to pick up their paint brushes for a village art competition.

On Sunday, July 4, the community is hosting a Charvil Village Party to celebrate the end of lockdown.

Organised by Charvil Village Fete, the team is asking people to paint, draw, print or photograph a piece of artwork for a competition on the day.

The theme is “joy”, and the art will be exhibited at the Village Party with prizes for the judges’ top picks.

To take part, postcard-sized artwork must be delivered to 35 Wenlock Edge, Charvil, RG10 9QJ by Monday, June 14.

It can also be scanned and emailed to charvilartcompetition@yahoo.com.

Residents must put their names and contact details on the back. n To find out more about the event, visit: www.facebook.com/CharvilVillageFete

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

CROWTHORNE&FINCHAMPSTEADNEWS

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CHEERS: The team at The Chequers celebrate their parent company’s successes in a recent award ceremony

CHEERS AGAIN: Jac Pluves (on the left) and Belinda Dobson at the FBC Centre enjoy a cuppa and a catchup as part of the Friendship Alliance’s Friendship Table initiative

Pub celebrates PINTS were poured at an Eversley pub in celebration of its success.

Peach, which runs The Chequers, has been named one of best companies to work for in the country.

It was recognised as a top employer at the Best Companies to Work for awards, held virtually on Friday, May 21.

The business came away with four wins.

As well as being one of the UK's 100 Best Large Companies to Work For, Peach came sixth in the UK's Top 20 Leisure and Hospitality Companies to Work For, named ninth best employer in the East of England, 13th in the Midlands and the 20th in the South East for hospitality.

Hamish Stoddart, Peach managing director, said the business “put their people first”.

He said: "We’ve always believed they are the heart of a pub and utterly central to our success and shared ownership and

the longevity of our team prove this.

“This last year, during the pandemic, we knew it was more important than ever to take good care of the team especially when the pubs were closed and the team furloughed so it was the perfect opportunity to prove it, and we did.”

Mr Stoddart explained the team work “incredibly hard” to look after the wellbeing of their people.

He added: “We took the opportunity to reaffirm our support to our team, both financially and through keeping in close contact and volunteering together to support the towns we’re proud to be at the heart of.

“We are delighted to be recognised as a Three Star, worldclass employer.”

The Chequers’ general manager Mike Tennant celebrated the success with his team and guests in the pub by raising a glass after the results were revealed.

Tee up for golf day GOLFERS are gearing up for a teerific charity event this autumn.

Sebastian’s Action Trust, a Crowthorne-based charity supporting families of seriously-ill children, is holding a charity golf day on Friday, September 10.

The event will take place at Royal Ascot Golf Club, on Winkfield Road, Ascot, starting at 12.30pm.

Alongside the 18-hole golf course, participants will be provided with brunch and dinner with the opportunity to take part in competitions throughout the day.

Louise Callow, fundraising supervisor for Sebastian’s Action Trust, said: “Last year, having so many events cancelled was not only a huge disappointment but also a big blow to our income opportunities and, as a charity, we do not receive any government

Quiz night at British Legion

funding, so we rely heavily on our fundraising events, to bring in vital income.

“The golf day will be fantastic, not only to generate much needed income, but also to see old and new faces.”

Mrs Callow explained how the charity’s supporters are very important to them.

She added: “At Sebastian’s Action Trust, our supporters mean so much to us, so to be able to hold a day where they can have fun, enjoy a game of golf, while supporting the Trust, it’s perfect.”

The charity is also currently looking for sponsors for the event goody bags, which will be handed out on the day. � For more information, visit sebastiansactiontrust.org

QUIZ lovers are brushing up on their general knowledge for a special evening event.

The Royal British Legion Club, on Wellington Road, Crowthorne, will host a quiz night on Saturday at 8pm.

Entries cost £2 per person with a £30 prize for the winning team.

There will be a maximum of six members in a team and social distancing will be in place following the government guidelines.

To reserve a space, email jo.finnis@live.co.uk or phone 07754 595580.

Make friends over a cuppa with new Friendship Table

By LAURA SCARDARELLA lscardarella@wokingham.today FRIENDLY chats over coffee are taking place at a Finchampstead cafe.

The FBC centre in Gorse Ride North launched its new friendship table on Monday, last week – the day lockdown restrictions eased.

The table comes as part of the Friendship Alliance initiative, run by The Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK Berkshire, Involve Community Services and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre.

It aims to tackle loneliness and improve the mental wellbeing of residents.

Due to restrictions, the Friendship Cafe has been running online but it is now encouraging local venues to provide a friendship table to help people make new connections.

It follows on from similar tables already running at the Pinewood Leisure Centre cafe.

Jac Pluves, leader of the community team at Finchampstead Baptist Church, said their cafe is a place where people can “navigate the messy ups and downs of life” together.

She added: “The pandemic has made one thing abundantly clear, that isolation and loneliness are a very real problem and launching a friendship table, in partnership with the Friendship Alliance, has created a new opportunity for people in the community who would otherwise find it difficult to make new connections in a safe and friendly environment.

“The FBC team knows that if someone sits at this table, they are open to having a conversation and will actively approach people sitting there and we

hope that our customers will join us and be part of building a community that celebrates the value and potential in everyone.”

Friendship Alliance project lead Jayne Streak explained the table will also be attended by a member of staff every Tuesday between 10am and noon.

She said: “During the pandemic, people have become more community focused and have volunteered, so the aim of the Friendship Table is about keeping that community spirit going.

“It’s lovely to see that such a small thing can make a massive difference and it’s great to see a nice range of people already using the table and chatting to each other.” � To host a table or volunteer, contact jayne@linkvisiting.org. � For more information, log on to linkvisiting.org

Water firm gives back with defib gift LIFE saving equipment has been donated to a Finchampstead country park.

A defibrillator has been installed at California Country Park as a gift from South East Water.

The device, used to restore a normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse to the heart, was purchased after a £2,000 donation.

The water company laid new pipe in Finchampstead Road, Billing Avenue, Gorse Ride South and Nine Mile Ride between July 2019 and last summer.

Once the 12-month project completed in July, South East Water donated money to Wokingham Borough Council to purchase a defibrillator for the park.

Outgoing borough mayor, Malcolm Richards, said: “I’m delighted with this vital

HANDOVER: South East Water has donated a defibrilator to California Country Park Picture: Stewart Turkington

equipment which could potentially save a life.

“I’m very grateful to South East Water for such a generous contribution to our community.”

Jeremy Dufour, project manager, said: “We know this work caused some disruption to the local community and

motorists through our road closure.

“Road closures can be frustrating but they are essential in order for us to ensure the safety of the public and our workforce when laying new pipework.”

Mr Dufour said South East Water wanted to make sure

they “gave something back” once the project finished.

He added: “Although I hope it never has to be used, the defibrillator has been installed and is ready to use if needed.”

The defibrillator is based at the cafe within California Country Park.

SOCIETY | 25

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WorcesterObserver

Readertravel

Flower festival for anniversary

St Catherine’s Bearwood WHILE plans have, of necessity, been changed, 2021 is a year of celebration in the life of St Catherine’s church, Sindlesham.

The story of the church is interesting. John Walter II, son of the founder of The Times newspaper, bought the Bearwood estate in 1816 and, on it, he built a modest house in the regency style, to accommodate his family. Sadly, his beloved daughter, Catherine, died there of enteritis in 1844, at the age of 24 and it is in her memory that the church was built and dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria.

Because of lockdown, all original plans had to be changed – except for a Flower Festival, which is taking place over the weekend of June 12-13.

We are excited, because it is a first for the church – and we hope many people will come, not only to see the beautiful flower arrangements but also to see the inside of a charming Victorian interior, dedicated to the Walter family.

Different floral arrangements will plot the history of the church, since its inception to the present day – and the ingenuity of the arrangers will be called upon in full.

Apart from the family connection to The Times newspaper, John Walter III pulled down the original house and built not only what is now Reddam House school but also the model village of Sindlesham – a ‘model’ village because it contained a church, a school, a pub – and a shop.

Walter cottages are visible all around The Green and are much sought after, not remaining on the property market for long.

The Walter Arms is a well-established watering hole, not only for the local community but also a meeting place for people travelling from afar.

Sadly, the shop was beaten by the advent of Sainsbury’s to the area so Sindlesham may not, now, qualify for the ‘model’ epithet but, for this year, the church is the star – and we hope as many people as possible are able to come and enjoy its peace and tranquillity.

Because of the age of the church, there are ongoing costs for its upkeep and we are currently trying to raise at least £10,000 in order to re-do the nave light, one of which hasn’t worked for some considerable time, as well as the public address system.

To this end, in connection with the flower festival, we are also holding a raffle, and first prize is a painting by Stephen Walter, the great grandson of John Walter II, who was given the RHS Grenfell award in 1950, in recognition of the beauty and accuracy of his watercolours of flowers, 30 of which have been donated by his great-granddaughters, specifically to raise money for the church.

All, except one, are being sold for £50 each – the remaining painting can be obtained by purchasing a raffle ticket over the weekend.

The festival will be open from 10am to 4pm over the weekend of June 12-13, and on Friday, June 25, Oliver Bing will give a talk entitled The Lost History of St Catherine’s Church.

Roberta Tweedy

Care home’s pop-up jazz cafe Who will grow the tallest sunflower?

A BRACKNELL care home has converted its own pub into a jazz café to mark Jazz Appreciation Month.

Care UK’s Bickerton House, on Warfield Road, welcomed professional singer Asli Koptur for a virtual performance.

This was part of a programme of events and installations, including a music-themed quiz and the creation of a jazz legends wall of fame.

Many residents at Bickerton House have fond memories of listening to jazz music in their younger years and the activities gave them the perfect opportunity to reminisce.

Resident Susan Spiers said: “I visited lots of jazz clubs during trips to Memphis, New York and New Orleans. I loved watching jazz performers in the streets there, too.”

Another resident, Peter Hale added: “I’ve been to some jazz concerts in my time and used to keep all the programmes.”

Erika Smith, Home Manager at Bickerton House, said: “As part of our activity-based care approach, we are always looking to plan exciting

PARTY TIME: Susan Spiers and Peter Hale

activities for residents.

Previous music events have been a real success, and proved that many residents had a keen interest in jazz, so we were delighted to mark Jazz Appreciation Month with a special celebration.

“Listening to music has many therapeutic benefits for older people, especially those living with dementia, as it can help to unlock long-forgotten happy memories, as well as

encouraging social interaction, and reducing anxiety and agitation.

“We all enjoyed Asli’s brilliant performance, and it was wonderful to see the emotion on the residents’ faces.

Seeing the pub transformed into a Jazz Café for the occasion has helped many residents to reminisce through the music – a wonderful day was had by all.”

Quiz helps Brain Tumour Research PROCEEDS totalling £500 from the Wokingham Lions Club virtual pub quiz in April have been donated to Brain Tumour Research, a national UK charity dedicated to raising funds for scientific research into brain tumours.

Brain tumours kill more people under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

Sandra Manktelow, Lions/Brain Tumour Research Appeal Officer, said: “The Lions/Brain Tumour Research Appeal is £500 better off, due to the sterling efforts of the Wokingham Lions Club.

“The Lions Club of the British Isles has pledged to raise £1 million over four years, to support research and equipment for the Brain Tumour Research Charity.

“To find out more about this partnership, visit the Lions/ Brain Tumour Research Facebook page at fb.com/ LionsBTR.” Ian Grange, organiser of the pub quizzes, said: “The April Great #Woky Pub Quiz is the last one that is scheduled.

“With pubs opening for indoor dining on May, 17 we

have decided not to compete with their pub quizzes.

“We appreciate all of the donations that have been made from the pub quiz participants.

“These have raised more than £9,500 to support local and national charities.”

He added: “We may return in the autumn.” � For more information on Brain Tumour Research, please visit www.braintumourresearch.org. � For more information on the Wokingham Lions Club, visit www.wokinghamlions.org.uk.

BLUEBIRD Care West Berkshire and North Hampshire are welcoming the summer months by running a sunflower growing competition for their customers.

The winner will be the customer who grows the tallest sunflower.

The winner’s prizes include two afternoon teas for two people, donated by YumYums, a local food supply service.

Hannah Buckthorpe, Care Assistant at Bluebird Care North Hampshire, said: “It’s been lovely to surprise all our customers with this competition and the vast majority have just got stuck in – they all have different techniques.

“Many are like professionals who've done this before.

“One customer, Angela, in Odiham was the most excited. It was her husband Richard’s 90th birthday recently and she said he used to grow sunflowers every year and was even kind enough to show me some pictures of him with some he had grown almost 70 years ago.

“Angela said she couldn’t wait to go and see him today and have an extra little gift to share with him.”

She continued: “Ernest, who loves to grow geraniums, said he’s never grown a sunflower but if the competition was to grow geraniums he’d be in with a chance.”

And Sharon Lovelock, Care Assistant at Bluebird Care West Berkshire, said: “I loved helping distribute sunflowers to some of our customers for the competition, straight away I got stuck in, I love doing these kinds of things.

“I spent two days delivering pre-made bags and I also brought some compost; pots and sunflower seeds and I then made my way round to deliver them. It was lovely seeing the smiles on their faces from something so small and simple, a lot of them thought I was there for their care call.

“It was nice to spend a few minutes with my customers outside of their call, something which they clearly really appreciated, they said the extra face and someone else to talk to was lovely and it made their day.

“One of my customers said: ‘All I have to do is look at a plant and it dies so don’t expect a sunflower from me’ – we both laughed and I assured her we would all help her with it...she wasn’t convinced but as she said: ‘I’ll give it a go’.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how they all grow and what the tallest will be”.

THE LOV ELY

English Lake District

Departing Mon 21Jun ‘21 The Lake District boasts some of England’s finest scenery, from navy blue lakes and jagged fells to the lush valleys they loom over.

Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham 4 nights at the Seacote Hotel, St Bees with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Heritage train journey on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Lake Windermere cruise Excursionsto Bowness-on-Windermere, the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Hawkshead (via the Kirkstone Pass) & Grasmere Optional excursion to Keswick & Cockermouth (£12pp)

5 Days by Coach

only £ 349

Single Supplement £60

THE LA KES & DA LES

Narrowboat, Steam & Sail TheLakes&DalesNarrowboatSteam&Sail_D.pdf

Departing Fri 15 Oct ‘21 From a journey on the heritage Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway to relaxing cruises on Lake Windermere and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, this is the perfect chance to step back in time and enjoy the enduring appeal of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Your break includes Return coach travel from Wokingham 2 nights at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel in the North West area with dinner & breakfast Heritage train journey on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Cruise on Lake Windermere Narrow boat cruise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

3 Days by Coach

only £189

Single Supplement £70 Operated by Just GoHolidays Ltd. Coachpackage holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go!Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by BondedCoach Holidays (BCH)and the Association of BondedTravel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme.Tours offered subject to availabilty andgovernment guidelines. Errorsandomissionsexcepted. Pricesper person, basedon two people sharing a double/twin room. Cals to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwisestandardratesapply.

For more information, or to book, please call

03332 342 527 Quote WPR or visit

justgoholidays.com/WPR

033numbersarefreewithininclusiveminutespackagesotherwisestandard ratesapply.

26 | LEISURE

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WOKINGHAMLEISURE

Ready to build its Rep

R

EADING Rep Theatre has announced its opening season in its new permanent home this autumn.

The season, Reading Rep: Reborn, will begin with DORIAN, an adaption of The Picture of Dorian Gray, on October 13, followed by A Christmas Carol, Jekyll and Hyde, Alby The Penguin Saves The World and finishing with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The five productions will be performed in Reading Rep’s newly built cultural arts hub, on Kings Road.

The venue will open its doors on September 15 with a gala, to celebrate the company’s new premises.

Paul Stacey, artistic director of Reading Rep Theatre, said: “Announcing this brilliant five-show season in our new venue with locally, regionally and nationally leading artists is the culmination of eight years of work for Reading Rep, beginning when I founded the company with a £500 overdraft in 2012.

“As we return to live performance, bringing our community together to share

ON THE BILL: Jekyll and Hyde is one of the shows at Reading Rep this autumn stories and experiences, and to laugh and celebrate is more important than ever. We are so excited to welcome audiences into our new home.”

Each production will be accompanied by an innovative, as part of Reading Rep’s ENGAGE programme, which provides educational workshops for young children.

As part of the programme, 10% of tickets

for all productions will be offered for free with all productions having accompanying access performances.

The company’s new cultural hub includes a 180-seat theatre, a learning centre, backstage areas, new front of house facilities, and a café/bar. � For more mvisit readingrep.com.

LAURA SCARDARELLA

Wokingham Loves Music

BERKSHIRE BEAT: Aaron Cilia is a real talent and his latest song is part of the Wokingham Loves Music Picture: Andrew Merritt

Chris Hillman

bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic

W

E’RE KEEPING it in the family with this week’s playlist.

Heading it up is a track from Aaron Cilia – and his parents’ band, Spriggan Mist, is at number two in our charts.

The acts are just a couple of the great bands and musicians from Berkshire and beyond that you can enjoy listening to.

Our Wokingham Loves Music playlist highlights some of the best music around, all of it with a local connection.

You can listen for FREE, via Spotify and our selection this week is sure to be a winter – well, spring, warmer.

Make sure you give it a listen – you’re bound to discover something new.

There’s a special page set-up at bit.ly/wokinghamlovesmusic

Aaron Cilia – Infinitum There’s talent behind the scenes as well on stage at Wokingham Festival and here’s a prime example. Aaron will be one of the team working on the sound and more on the festival’s Wokingham Music Club (WMC) Stage so see if you can spot him behind the mixing desk during the festival weekend.

Aaron is also a talented musician and producer and has just released a new single which has a wonderful chilled feel and showcases those musical skills – www.facebook.com/AaronCiliaArtist

Spriggan Mist – Arborfield Witch Here’s a song about a local ghost recorded live at the band’s Ghostly Tales Show at The Acoustic Couch.

Due to lockdown it was played to an empty room which must have been a haunting experience.

However a large online audience witnessed the spooky event and the music from the night has been released as the Ghostly Tales Live album.

There’s a link to Aaron above too, as his parents, Maxine and Baz Cilia are in the band and Aaron did the sound at the show and mixed the album. A talented family – www.sprigganmist.com

Frost* – Day and Age (edit) Frost* was formed by songwriter and musician Jem Godfrey and the band features Reading based musician and producer John Mitchell on vocals and guitar who co wrote many of the songs on the their new album including this one – frost.life

It Bites – Cartoon Graveyard It’s John Mitchell again, this time fronting the legendary band that have just re-released two classic albums, The Tall Ships and Map of the Past. Both were re-mastered by John at his Outhouse Studio in Reading – johnmitchellhq.com/it-bites

Fred’s House – Steal the Night Here’s a band that will be appearing at Wokingham Festival in August so while we look forward to that, here’s a great track from their Walls and Ceilings EP – fredshousemusic.co.uk

Mississippi Voss – Stranger in Paradise They describe themselves as an indie-funk duo from Berkshire and they will be appearing on the WMC Stage at Wokingham

Festival in August – www.facebook.com/ mississippi.voss

John Coughlan’s Quo Lockdown (Stir-Crazy Mix) – This band featuring the ex-Status Quo drummer visited the town to play a great show at WMC in 2019. If you ‘lost your mind in lockdown’ put this track on, turn it up, singalong and rock out – www.johncoghlan.com

The 286 – One Way Love The 286 are a rock ‘n’ roll orchestra who perform their unique interpretations of classical pieces and more as well as their own self-penned songs. They will be at Wokingham Festival in August – www.the286.co.uk

The Salts – Drunken Sailor (A Cappella) It’s a brand new ‘a cappella’ version of the sea shanty classic released on Wokingham based Braccan Records. The band will be live at Norden Farm in Maidenhead on June 25 – www.thesalts.co.uk

One Eyed Man – Ode to the Beast A Berkshire-based singer songwriter who will be appearing on the WMC Stage at this year’s Wokingham Festival. This track is taken from his wonderful Autumn Winds EP – www.facebook.com/OneEyedManOfficial

LEISURE | 27

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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, May 27, 2021

Dining out? That rings a Belle Oakingham Belle Oak Avenue, Wokingham RG 40 1LH 0118 324 9894 www.oakinghambellepub wokingham.co.uk

Camberley – Theatre www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 La Voix. Fri. Jay Foreman’s Disgusting Songs For Revolting Children. Sat. Andrew Lawrence. Sat. Morgan and West. Tues.

Daniel Sloss: Hubris. Tues. Tom Brace: Eat, Sleep, Amaze, Repeat. Thurs 3. Robert White. Fri 4. Comedy Club 4 Kids. Sat 5. Women in Rock. Fri 5.

Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 REOPENS JUNE 3: Sara Crowe’s The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Jun 3-12.

High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 REOPENS JULY 4: The Bowie Collective. Sun Jul 4.

NEW MENU: There’s a fresh look to the food on offer at the Oakingham Belle pub Pictures: Claire Nash were necessary, but it did make the dish look pretty when it came out.

Mark really liked the accompanying chutney and mint dressing with his Terrine, he said it left him wanting more, always a good thing.

Our main meals we ordered very quickly followed the starters, Mark had chosen the Chicken and Portobello Mushroom pie £13.25 served in creamy white wine and mustard sauce normally with chips and seasonal veg but Mark loves mash potato with a pie and this was switched for him.

I’m not really eating meat at the moment, but I saw that they offered a Wagyu burger and couldn’t resist. If you like a burger then this is a must to try. The beef is specially bred for its unique texture. It’s cooked sous vide then finished on the grill. It was served slightly pink for an intense and rich flavour.

I added cheese £1 and bacon £1.50 to mine.

It comes with a burger sauce in a separate pot and slaw and chips, I switched for sweet potato fries.

My burger was amazing, full of flavour and in fact I said to my husband I wish I hadn’t had the cheese or bacon because the burger alone was tasty enough.

I don’t know about you but when I’m out for a meal, especially when I haven’t been for what feels like forever, I go a little overboard, and I did again.

On the dessert menu there was an option to order a selection of mini desserts, a Pudding Tasting Board 3 (£9.45) or 6 (£12.45), these are designed to be shared by two or more.

The six desserts comprised old fashioned Jam Roly Poly with warm custard, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry Clotted cream cheesecake, Lemon Panna Cotta, Eton Mess and St Clements Cake.

I love being able to have a little taste of lots of dishes so this was perfect – I did only manage a spoonful from each and then was full to burst. This would be great if you’re out with all the family or a group of friends.

Mark had a Chocolate Brownie Sundae (£5.75) Belgian Chocolate and vanilla pod ice creams with chocolate

Maidenhead – Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 The Heath String Quartet. Thurs. Craigievar Ceilidh Band. Sat. Flo and Joan: Before the Screaming Starts. Fri, Sat. Mountain Goat Mountain. Mon. Ahir Shah. Thurs 3. Daliso Chapnda: Apocalypse Not Now. Fri 4. Concertini With Papa Track. Sat 5.

Norden Farm Market. Sat 5, Sat 19. Oysland. Sat 5.

brownie, whipped cream, chocolate sauce and a Cadbury Flake.

The Oakingham Belle had some really soft music playing in the background which gave a really nice ambiance to the place, we could talk without raising voices and the chairs were so comfortable I think Mark ended up Googling where he could buy one.

The service was really good, we had checks to make sure we didn’t need anything regularly and Abi was a real delight, helping us with different questions I had and just a pleasure to deal with.

We both really enjoyed the food, company and restaurant, you should book yourself a table and let us know what you think.

CLAIRE NASH

A night to SHOUT! about Barbara’s

Newbury – The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 Michael Spicer: The Room Next Door. Sat. Phil Wang and Friends. Thurs 3. Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians.

Fri 4-Sun 6.

Newbury – The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 The Hound of the Baskervilles. Until Sat, Jun 19.

Reading – South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: Kerry Godliman. Fri, Sept 3-Sat, Sept 4.

Reading – The Hexagon www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Seven Drunken Nights. Thurs. Sitelines presents: On Track. FriSat. Circus of Horrors 2021. Tues. Stewart Lee: Snowflake/ Tornado. Sat 5.

Reading – Progress Theatre

Anvil date

S

OUTH Hill Park is inviting NHS staff to attend a one-off performance of SHOUT! The Mod Musical for free on Wednesday, July 21 at 7.45pm.

The aim of the event is for South Hill Park to say thank you to all the NHS workers who have worked throughout the pandemic.

The production is a comedy jukebox musical filled with dance, laughter and songs performed by an all-female cast.

Following the story of five women as they come of age during the 1960s era, the show includes arrangements of the classic songs To Sir With Love, Downtown, Son of a Preacher Man and Goldfinger.

Craig Titley, chief executive of South Hill Park, said: “We have all been inspired and humbled over the past year by the dedication and care shown by the NHS. “As cases in the UK continue to fall and we look forward to the end of the current lockdown, South Hill Park Arts Centre would like to thank the Bracknell Forest NHS workers and give them a night at the theatre.”

Due to coronavirus, performances may change at short notice. Check with box offices before heading out Bracknell – South Hill Park www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Tulips. Online until May 31. Alice in Wonderland. Wed-Sun Jun 6.

FILMS: Peter Rabbit 2. Wed-Sun 6. Six Minutes to Midnight.

Wed- Sun 6.

I

T’S Monday morning on May 17, 2021. Tonight I get to go out and eat inside a restaurant with my husband, something we’ve not been able to do for what feels like forever. I am so looking forward to it, I will never again take this for granted.

The day was one of huge anticipation.

The table was booked at Oakingham Belle on Oak Avenue in Wokingham for 6pm.

We arrive and there’s a station where we are asked to wait for assistance, scan the QR code on our covid app.

We are still required to wear masks when moving around the restaurant but otherwise we are free to sit and relax – what a difference.

Danielle seated us and took our drinks order, I had a cheeky virgin mocktail (Pornstar martini style) while hubby had a Coke.

It was early and so quite quiet, Abi our waitress came over to ask if we’d decided on what we wanted to eat, I’d already looked at the just launched menu on my phone in the car and had decided.

There are lots of different options and you’d be really hard pushed to not find something on there.

I love mushrooms and so started with the Creamy Garlic Mushroom (£6, and vegan) topped with pea shoots and served with toasted mini loaf.

Husband Mark opted for the Chicken and Chorizo Terrine (£6.75). This came with toast, tomato and red pepper chutney and a fresh pea shoot salad with a chilli, coriander and mint dressing.

We both were really pleased with the portion size. Sometimes the starters are so big that you have no room for the main, but this wasn’t the case.

My mushroom dish was packed with creamy fungi, and the mini toast was a lovely touch, I don’t think the pea shoots

At the theatre

www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: Rotterdam. Jun 23-25.

Shinfield – Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: No Naughty Bits. Wed, Sept 22-Sat Sept 25.

Sonning – The Mill

NHS staff can request to bring along a guest, who doesn’t need to be working for the NHS, and all applicants will need a proof of ID .

The show is recommended for ages 14+, to apply, NHS workers who live in Bracknell Forest are advised to email sales@southhillpark.org.uk using SHOUT! For the NHS as the subject line.

The deadline to email the theatre is noon on Wednesday, June 30.

Names will go into a ballot and all successful ticket holders will be contacted by Wednesday, July 7. � For more information, visit southhillpark.org.uk LAURA SCARDARELLA

A FAMOUS singer will entertain audiences with a special evening concert next year.

Scottish singer and Olivier Award winning actress, Barbara Dickson OBE, will be making her way to Basingstokes’ The Anvil on Saturday, March 19 next year.

Performing classic and folk music, Barbara became the biggest selling Scottish female album artist of all time earning six platinum, 11 gold and seven silver albums.

She will perform songs from her new album Time Is Going Faster, which was released in October 2020.

Barbara’s concert will include songs such as Goodnight, I’m Going Home, Where Shadows Meet The Light and Blood Brothers’ Tell Me It’s Not True.

Barbara is known to a wider audience in the 70s and 80s enjoying 10 years of chart success as a pop star, and was a regular guest on shows such as The Two Ronnies.

Barbara will perform a range of material drawing on her folk roots as well as performing globally known hits.

It’s an evening packed with songs � For more details, call 01256 844244 or log on to anvilarts.org.uk

www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Relatively Speaking. Until July 30. Posting Letters To The Moon. Fri. An Afternoon With the Phantom. Sat. Some Enchanted Evening - Matinee. Sun. Dear Lupin … Letters to a Wayward Son. Fri Jun 4.

West End Meets Broadway. Sat 5. Honky Tonk Angels.

Sun 6.

Windsor – Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 NEXT SHOW: Ian McKellen in Hamlet. Jun 21-Sept 4.

Wokingham – Theatre www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: September in the Rain. Jul 7-17

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Luckley House School presents Teechers. Jun 9.

Inthekitchen Freely Fruity facebook.com/freelyfruityUK

PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (SANDFORD LANE, HURST) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

Strawberry Shortcake

N Makes 9

OTHING beats a bowl of British strawberries but if you are entertaining or fancy a change try this take on strawberry shortcakes.

It’s easy to make and baked like a giant tear & share scone and not too dissimilar to an American biscuit. Best eaten once cool on the day they are made.

Ingredients � 500g strawberries, hulled and quartered � 60g caster sugar � 400g self raising flour

� 75g cold butter, cut into small cubes � 350g Greek style natural yoghurt � 150ml sparkling water

Method 1. Place the strawberries into a large bowl and sprinkle with 1 tbsp sugar. Set them aside at room temperature to macerate 2. Preheat the oven and a baking tray to 200°C/gas mark 6 3. In a large bowl mix the remaining sugar with the flour 4. Add the cubes of butter and using your hands rub the butter

thoroughly into the dry mixture until it resembles sand 5. With a large spoon mix 200g of yogurt into the flour then gently mix in the sparkling water until it just comes together, don’t over mix 6. Tip the very sticky dough onto a sheet of baking paper and with a spoon press down to form a even square of about 20cm; again don’t overwork the mixture 7. With a large knife make firm cuts like a naughts and crosses grid into 9 but don’t try to separate; keep the dough stuck together to bake as one large square

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: Sandford Lane, Hurst between its junctions with B3030 Davis Street and Mohawk Way. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Mohawk Way, The Bader Way, A3290 Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, A329 Reading Road, B3030 Robinhood Lane and B3030 Davis Street or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 14th June and 28th June 2021.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake main assessment and excavation work in safety.

8. Slide the baking paper onto the hot oven tray and bake for 18 to 20 minutes 9. Remove from the oven and slide the big shortcake off the paper

onto a wire rack to cool completely 10. Once cool gently separate the shortcakes and split each one and fill with the remaining yogurt and macerated

strawberries Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/ freelyfruityuk/

plasticfreehome Dave Lamont facebook.com/PlasticFreeHomeUK

T

recycling bags been received? I surveyed more than 1,000 residents across the Borough to gauge their views.

Three quarters of residents said that their recycling bags (along with their annual allocation of food waste and general waste bags) had been delivered on time, while 19% had received theirs later than expected and 6% were yet to receive theirs.

I am aware of a particular issue in the Shinfield area but any affected residents can report the issue via www.wokingham.gov.uk and receive a voucher to collect their full allocation locally.

Other than questions around the need for this change and the cost implications of it, the biggest talking point on social media has been how practical and usable the new bags would be, with particular concerns mentioned around them blowing away during windy conditions.

In all, 37% of residents felt that the new bags are a better option than the boxes they replaced, while 39% felt that it had been a step backwards. 24% did not feel strongly either way. Comparing their views on the change, before the arrival of the new bags and since, 36% of residents said that their opinion of them had improved, while 22% said that their impression had worsened. 42% said that their views, positive or negative, had remained unchanged.

Mixed views appear to remain on how the bags perform in windier

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

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

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 14th June 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated: 27th May 2021

So, what do you think of the bags?

HE past couple of months have seen our black kerbside recycling boxes, first introduced over a decade ago, replaced

by Wokingham Borough Council with new bags.

As discussed in this column and Wokingham.Today more widely throughout the past year, the Council’s rationale for this change is that it will deliver an overall cost saving and help to boost the Borough’s recycling rate by ensuring that our recycling (particularly cardboard) remains dry.

Alternatives, for example wheelie bins, were not considered to be viable or cost-effective at this time.

The topic has been much debated on social media, with somewhat polarised views being expressed by residents. Some have openly criticised the Council more widely when it comes to how our waste and recycling is handled, but as I shared in an article back in March, Wokingham Borough’s current recycling rate (the proportion of recyclable waste that is collected and recycled) is 52%, well above the average rate in England of 42%.

Nationally, Wokingham also saw the second largest year-on-year increase in its recycling rate in 2020 – not bad given that there are 343 local authority areas in England.

Some people remain frustrated that items such as glass cannot be recycled at the kerbside but we are ahead of many areas when it comes to what we can recycle. Around half of households in England do not have a separate food waste collection.

Nearby Fleet (Hart District Council) is one such example – as well as no food waste collection, recycling is only collected fortnightly and items such as wrapping paper and plastic pots, tubs and trays are not accepted.

So, how has the roll out of the new

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Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

weather. One resident told me: “My biggest issue is that they are not weighted enough – the second week we had them there were high winds and several bags blew away, creating litter and a hazard for wildlife. Some have never been retrieved.”

Others expressed views that two bags were not enough, that they are not waterproof or easy to close and raised frustrations at having to take large cardboard to “the tip” given Wokingham’s “high council tax rates”.

Many disagreed however, saying: “it seems like a good new policy”, “Contrary to many opinions, I think the recycling sacks are a good size, keep things dry and are so much nicer and easier to look after than wheelie bins,” and “I had experience of similar bags elsewhere so my expectations were realistic. They work, are light to carry and easy to store.

I’ve not had a problem with wind yet.

Maybe if people do they could put them out standing in the old boxes.”

Pleasingly, 96% of residents considered recycling effectively to be important (why wouldn’t you?) 78% said that they were confident in knowing everything they can recycle using the new bags. Only 9% were unsure, suggesting that the Council has done a good job when it comes to getting this message across. Of course, to an extent, what someone thinks they know and what they do know may differ.

When it comes to knowing what can be recycled more widely, for example at

RE3 sites, in supermarkets, and through local TerraCycle schemes, there is clearly much more work to be done.

It’s a topic I’ve discussed at a number of recent talks I’ve given and written about elsewhere. Only just over half of residents felt that they were clued up on what is possible.

The RE3 app, www.re3.fccenvironment.co.uk/recylo and the website, www.recyclenow.com allow you to search and find out how you can recycle and dispose of any item locally and I’d encourage everyone to use them.

Reflecting my earlier point, one resident said: “We've recently moved from Basingstoke – compared to there, refuse collection and recycling is so much better”. In contrast, several people held up Windsor and Maidenhead as an example of “a much better system”.

In summary, is this a perfect solution?

Perhaps not. But they don’t really exist.

Are we doing badly in Wokingham?

Compared to much of the country, no.

Can we achieve far more?

Undoubtedly, and we must. The Council is targeting a recycling rate of at least 70% by 2030 and we need to reach a point nationally where we are landfilling or incinerating very little waste.

Let’s try to put the bag issue aside – they are here to stay for at least the next five years – and focus our collective energies on recycling everything that we can and reducing our overall consumption and waste.

Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with over 32,000 followers, that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably.

Visit www.theplasticfreehome.com or www.facebook.com/plasticfreehomeuk

Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

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@wokingham.today

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PUBLIC NOTICES 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 211495

211530

211581

211691

The Gatehouse, Sonning Lane, Sonning

Land at Shinfield West, North of Beke Avenue, Shinfield

22 Langborough Road, Wokingham

Lawnwood, Station Road, Wargrave

Reasons for Advert Conservation Area

Major Application

Conservation Area

Conservation Area

Description Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey side extension following demolition of existing utility room and the conversion of existing loft to create habitable accommodation with the insertion of 3 no. dormer windows.

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (HURST AND FARLEY HILL, WOKINGHAM BOROUGH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: 1. Little Hill Road, Hurst between its junctions with Dunt Lane and Green Lane.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Dunt Lane and Green Lane or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 18th June 2021.

2. Nelson’s Lane, Hurst between its junctions with Islandstone Lane and Pound Lane.

Reserved Matters application pursuant to Outline planning permission VAR/2014/0624 (a variation of O/2010/1432) for the erection of 33 dwellings and 134.5 sqm of Use Classes A1-A5 floorspace. Details to include access roads, parking spaces, open space and landscape treatment. (Access, Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale to be considered.)

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Islandstone Lane, A321 Wokingham Road and Pound Lane or by this route in reverse.

Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension with the insertion of 3 no. rooflights, following demolition of existing single storey rear kitchen of No. 22.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 14th June and 16th June 2021.

Householder application for the proposed erection of a single storey front extension, a single storey side extension with roof light following demolition of existing conservatory, a single storey rear extension with roof light, the insertion of 2 no. rooflights plus changes to fenestration to main dwelling. The erection of a detached carport following demolition of existing garage. Alterations to external elevations of existing studio with the insertion of 3 no. rooflights plus changes to fenestration. The erection of a 1m and 2m boundary fence and the removal of an existing entrance gate.

The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. All libraries in the Borough have internet access in order to view this page.

Comments on the application can be made online from this web page.

Any comments must arrive on or before the 10th June 2021. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses.

Date: 27th May 2021

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 21st June 2021.

3. Broadcommon Road, Hurst between its junctions with A321 Wokingham Road and Islandstone Lane.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Wokingham Road and Islandstone Lane or by this route in reverse.

4. Bunces Shaw Road, Farley Hill between its junctions with Church Lane and Castle Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Priest Hill, Bunglers Hill, Church Road, Castle Road and Church Lane or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 15th June 2021.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Gigaclear contractors to undertake duct blockage clearance work in safety.

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

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

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 14th June 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated: 27th May 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (BEARWOOD ROAD, BARKHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (SANDFORD LANE, HURST) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (STARMEAD DRIVE, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (BLAKES LANE, WARGRAVE) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:

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:

Starmead Drive, Wokingham between its junctions with Andrew Close and Easthampstead Road.

Blakes Lane, Wargrave between its junctions with A4 Bath Road and Tag Lane.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Easthampstead Road and Starmead Drive, or by this route in reverse.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A4 Bath Road and Tag Lane or by this route in reverse.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Mole Road, B3030 Sindlesham Road, Eversley Road, Langley Common Road and B3349 Barkham Road or by this route in reverse.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 28th June 2021 and 1st July 2021.

Works requiring this restriction will take place on 14th June 2021.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 5th June and 6th June 2021.

Works requiring this restriction will take place between 3rd June and 7th June 2021 between 09:30 and 15:30.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow The Devil Hours Ltd contractors to undertake filming work in safety.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Gigaclear contractors to undertake customer build work in safety.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Thames Water contractors to undertake trial holes and carriageway excavation work in safety.

The reason for these prohibitions is to allow BT contractors to cut back trees to access overhead cables to renew and replace damaged telegraph pole 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.

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 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 14th June 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 14th June 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 31st May 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 3rd June 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier.

Dated: 27th May 2021

Dated: 27th May 2021

Dated: 27th May 2021

Dated: 27th May 2021

Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 20th May 2021 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: Bearwood Road, Barkham between its junctions with Highlands Avenue and Hermes Close.

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that on the 20th May 2021 Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority made an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: Sandford Lane, Hurst between its junctions with B3030 Davis Street and Colemansmoor Road.

The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via B3030 Davis Street, B3030 Robinhood Lane, A329 Reading Road, A3290 Loddon Bridge and The Bader Way Interchange, The Bader Way and Mohawk Way, or by this route in reverse.

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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www.trademarkwindows.co.uk RESULTS

Monday, May 24

FOOTBALL FA Vase final Binfield 2-3 Warrington Rylands

FOOTBALL Thames Valley Premier League Berks County 2-0 Windlesham & Chobham

Saturday, May 22

Thames Valley Premier League Finchampstead 2-1 Westwood Wanderers Windlesham & Chobham 1-1 Berks County Thames Valley Division One Hurst 1-1 Slough Heating Laurencians Wargrave H-W Cookham Dean Reserves Thames Valley Division Two Goring United 8-1 Twyford & Ruscombe Hurst Reserves 2-4 Berks County Reserves Thames Valley Division Four Berks County Rovers 2-5 Reading YMCA Rapids CRICKET Home Counties Division 1 Finchampstead 1s (117 all out) lost to Oxford 1s (139 all out)

RUGBY UNION

RAMS PUT ON SEVEN TRY SHOW FOR RETURNING FANS

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

RAMS’ DIRECTOR of Rugby Seb Reynolds hailed a ‘very encouraging start’ as his new-look side ran in seven tries to conquer Chinnor 45-7 on Saturday.

Remarkably five of their 16 debutants crossed the whitewash, with the outstanding Paul Schroter going over twice, as the hosts secured a highly impressive victory.

Fergus Taylor, Will James, Ollie Monye and Steffan James also dotted down on their maiden appearances, while Josh Collis also got on the scoresheet.

“It was very encouraging,” said Reynolds.

“In the inclement weather with showers coming in, I thought some of our continuity was excellent and it’s how we like to play the game.

“Some of the new guys coming in really bought into that and there was a real hunger to keep the ball alive.

“By doing so we managed to run in a couple of scores against a very good Chinnor side.

“I thought a highlight was Paul’s second try midway through the first half with Fergus, Paul and Ross Crame, who was excellent, combining.”

Rams played with a controlled frenzy for the majority of the 70 minutes, due to the adapted laws of no scrums or mauls it was agreed to play 35 minutes each half, having not seen any action for the best

part of 14 months.

And Reynolds continued: “Early on we gave away a few penalties and we were very, very eager at the breakdown which is something (defence coach) Danny (Batty) wants to work on, introducing a couple more jackalers into the side, and because everyone’s been working on it they wanted to try and do it.

“But we found a happy medium with it moving towards the end of the first half and in the second we took that on – our decision-making got better during the game.”

With five debutants grabbing their first Rams’ tries, Reynolds believes it was a due reward for the effort they have put in.

He said: “They’ve all been great in training and it’s nice to see them run out in the shirt and have the added bonus of scoring some tries.

“It’s important not to get carried away and Saturday was about returning to the game we all love, but the early signs point towards some very healthy competition in the squad and that’s what we want to achieve.

“Everyone in the group should want to be better come the start of pre-season.

“This club is about promoting healthy competition, giving guys opportunities when they really want to work for the shirt and hopefully we’ve got the makings of a decent squad.

“It’s just the first run-out, but I’m quite happy.”

BCL Premier Division Farley Hill 1s(218-2) beat Woodley 1s (125 all out) Twyford & Ruscombe 1s (143-8) lost to Goring on Thames 1s (145-4) BCL Division 2 East Shinfield 3s (74 all out) lost to Twyford & Ruscombe 2s (75-5) Thames Valley Division 2B Fleet 1s (162 all out) lost to Finchampstead 2s (236-6) Thames Valley Division 4A Bagshot 2s (95 all out) lost to Wokingham 3s (181-4) Purley on Thames 1s (199-6) beat Eversley 2s (94 all out) Wargrave 2s (223-6) beat Newbury 1s (91 all out) Chilterns Division 1 Emmbrook and Bearwood (308-1) beat Littlewick Green 2s (45 all out)

Sunday, May 23 FOOTBALL Subsidiary Cup semi-final Sumas 4-1 Tuffley Rovers Thames Valley Women’s Division One Caversham AFC Ladies 0-5 Tilehurst Panthers Women Development Eversley & California Ladies 1-0 Wargrave Women Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S Wargrave Women Development 1-6 Mortimer Ladies

Rams in action against Chinnor Pictures: Paul Clark

And with a crowd approaching the 50 per cent capacity permitted

by Government guidance on the latest easing of lockdown restrictions, Reynolds paid tribute to the supporters, concluding: “It was absolutely

brilliant to have the Ramily back.

“There was a real buzz around the place – when we got a line break you could hear the cheers and energy they give the players and it was just great to welcome people back.”

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S S4K Ladies 2-0 Newbury Ladies Development Newbury Ladies Development 0-1 S4K Ladies Thatcham & Newbury 11-2 Wargrave Women Development

Thames Valley Division One Eldon Celtic 0-2 Hurst

FIXTURES Saturday, May 29 Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield v Berks County Cookham Dean v Finchampstead Thames Valley Division One Hurst v Wargrave Thames Valley Division Two Goring United v Berks County Reserves Maidenhead Town Reserves v Twyford & Ruscombe Thames Valley Division Four Berks County Rovers v AFC Corinthians CRICKET BCL Championship Shinfield v Littlewick Green Home Counties Division 1 Thame Town v Finchampstead 1s Home Counties Division 2 Slough v Wokingham 1s Wargrave 1s v Horspath BCL Premier Division Goring on Thames v Woodley 1s Mortimer West End v Twyford & Ruscombe 1s Sandhurst v Farley Hill 1s Woodcote v Crowthorne & Crown Wood 1s BCL Division One Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Warfield 1s Farley Hill 2s v Earley 1s Shinfield 2s v West Reading 2s Woodley 2s v Waltham St Lawrence 1s Thames Valley Division 2B Wokingham 2s v Hurst Finchampstead 2s v Kidmore End Fleet v Eversley Reading v Binfield Thames Valley Division 3A White Waltham v Sulhamstead & Ufton Windsor v Sonning Finchampstead 3s v Boyne Hill 2s Thames Valley Division 4A Wokingham 3s v Wargrave 2s Eversley 2s v Reading 2s Chilterns Division 1 Ruislip Victoria v Emmbrook and Bearwood 1s Chilterns Division 2 Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Holyport 2s

Monday, May 31 FOOTBALL Supplementary Cup final Sumas v Abingdon United

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FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

BERKS KEEP PRESSURE ON LEAGUE LEADERS FINCH

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Thames Valley Premier League FINCHAMPSTEAD remain at the top of the division after they beat Westwood Wanderers in a close contest.

Finch earned their 14th win of the campaign with goals from James Payne and Joel Day. BERKS COUNTY slipped down to third as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Windlesham & Chobham.

The Swords recovered from their draw at the weekend to take three points on Monday evening against Windlesham & Chobham.

John Swift netted for Berks but they had to settle for just a point on the road against 11th placed Windlesham.

Berks County beat Windlesham & Chobham

Thames Valley Women’s Division One EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA LADIES used the momentum of their cup success to complete a remarkable weekend as they earned a double header win over WARGRAVE WOMEN. Chantelle Lawrence put the Boars ahead after three minutes but Wargrave pounced with two quickfire goals to go ahead as Hannah Sheehan and Millie Bilcliff scored.

Francesca Boekbinder put Eversley level just five minutes later and goals from Rebecca Nibblett and Katie Hougham sealed three points in a 4-2 victory for the Boars.

The reverse fixture resulted in another Eversley win as Hougham scored the only goal of the game to take maximum points from the weekend.

The two wins lift Eversley up to fifth in the table after 15 games, with three left to play. Wargrave are in ninth having played 16 matches with just two to play to conclude the season.

Bracknell Rangers against Crowthorne Inn

Eldon Celtic against Hurst FC

Finchampstead against Athletico Ascot

Finchampstead beat Westwood Wanderers Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

Thames Valley Women’s Division 3S WARGRAVE WOMEN DEVELOPMENT suffered a heavy defeat as title challengers Mortimer Ladies took three points with a 6-1 victory.

Hannah Brooks netted for Wargrave but they were beaten as Mortimer close the gap on S4K LADIES to just one point with one game left to play.

Thames Valley Division One HURST are in fourth after they drew for just the second time this season with a 1-1 stalemate against Slough Heating Laurencians. Sam Weston scored for Hurst.

Hurst then beat Eldon Celtic 2-0 away from home on Monday with a brace from Joseph Bonney.

Thames Valley Division Two HURST RESERVES were defeated by BERKS COUNTY RESERVES in a six-goal contest.

Lloyd Jacques, Ano Mucherahowa, Jackson Gratton and Callum Allen notched for Berks, while the hosts were reduced to 10 players after a first-half red card.

TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE conceded eight as they fell to a big defeat against title challengers Goring United.

Thames Valley Division Four FINCHAMPSTEAD DEVELOPMENT are seventh in the table after they played out a 1-1 draw on Friday evening against Burghfield Reserves. Matthew Hudson equalised in the 75th minute to earn a point for Finch.

Bracknell Sunday League Sultan Balti Cup Finchampstead Athletic Sunday 8-1 Athletico Ascot Raglan First 3-3 Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW (Sumas win 3-2 on pens) Woodley Saints Kites 3-1 Loveman United Winnersh Rangers 1-1 Woodley United Sunday (Woodley win 5-4 on pens)

EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD FLY PAST LITTLEWICK Chilterns Division 1 EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD 1s are up to second in the table after a colossal batting display earned them a 263-run win over Littlewick Green 2s.

Emmbrook batted first and were in fine form as they only dropped one wicket.

Alex Cobb hit a stunning 21 boundaries on his way to collecting 157 runs. Tom Stevenson hit 43 and Greg David joined Cobb at the middle and hit an impressive century from just 71 balls to put Emmbrook on 308.

The hosts then decimated through Littlewick’s batting order with a clinical performance.

Andrew Robertson took three wickets in his seven overs, while Richard Cole, James Gibbs and Charles Sawyer each collected two wickets to seal a comfortable victory to bowl their opponents out after 27.4 overs.

Home Counties Division 1 FINCHAMPSTEAD fell to their first defeat of the season as they were 22 runs short.

Lewis Sharp was the outstanding performer with the ball as he took three wickets and bowled four maiden overs.

Jay Parmar and Alex Crawford took two wickets each as Oxford were bowled all out after 38.4 overs for 139.

Gregory Smith joint top scored with William Legg as they both hit 21, but Finch lost their final wicket with 117 runs on the board.

Thames Valley Division 2B FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s are in third after they beat Fleet by 66 runs.

Usman Ijaz stole the show with the bat for Finch as he hit 16 boundaries on the way to totalling 124.

Adam Kite and Adil Mohammed took three wickets each.

Thames Valley Division 4A BCL Premier Division FARLEY HILL 1s leapfrogged WOODLEY 1s in the table with a 93-run victory.

Michael Sheridan was most impressive with the bat for Farley as he hit 83 from 11 balls, while Ali Jalil boosted the total with 67 as they finished on 218.

Woodley managed just 124 as Lewis Hart was most potent with the ball for Farley as he took four wickets to help confirm the win.

TWYFORD AND RUSCOMBE 1s sit at the bottom of the table after they lost out by six wickets to Goring on Thames.

WARGRAVE 2s stay top of the table with three wins from three after they beat Newbury by 132 runs.

Kieran Lall top scored with 67, while Oliver Newton showed incredible bowling form to Emmbrook and Bearwood earned a big win Pictures: Steve Smyth collect seven wickets.

WOKINGHAM 3s are up to second after they beat Bagshot by 86 runs.

Craig Rintoul top scored with 72 not out, while Alex Pearce and Hunter Greyling both took three wickets.

EVERSLEY 2s are one place from the bottom of the table after they were beaten by 105 runs by Purley-on-Thames.

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Eversley & California Ladies ensured that they lifted the Hampshire Cup after the beat Bournemouth Sports Ladies on penalties Pictures: Richard Milam

HAMPSHIRE WOMEN’S TROPHY FINAL

BOARS LIFT SILVERWARE AFTER SHOOTOUT Eversley & California 1 Bournemouth Sports Ladies 1 (Eversley win 3-2 on pens)

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA LADIES took home silverware as they overcame Bournemouth Sports Ladies on penalties.

The Boars showed promising early signs in the game and struck the frame of the goal just 15 minutes into the contest as they came inches away from taking the lead.

Just five minutes later, Eversley capitalised on their strong start and went ahead. Rebekah Pantony drove down the wing before finding space for a shot and Rebecca Nibblett latched on to the rebound as the

keeper parried the ball into her path and she finished to score the first goal of the game.

Eversley were the dominant team throughout the first 45 minutes and had a one-goal lead to show for it as the first-half ended with them in front.

However, Bournemouth fired back in the contest and made sure that the final would go to the distance as they hit the Boars on the break and levelled with just over 10 minutes to play.

A shootout was needed to decide which side would take the trophy and it was Eversley who held their nerve as they won 3-2 to be crowned as cup champions.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA: Gray-Piazza, May, Averill, Jones (c), Elcox, R Nibblett, Pantony, Lovell, Lawrence, Boekbinder SUBS: Hougham, Pointon, Lunn, L Nibblett, Proctor

FOOTBALL

EVERSLEY SEARCH FOR COACHES AHEAD OF NEW SEASON EVERSLEY & California FC are searching for new coaches as their Ladies team and reserve team prepare for the 2021/22 season.

On the back of success in the Hampshire Cup, Eversley & California Ladies are looking to fill the vacancy of a first-team assistant manager and coaches.

The Boars will be moving from Thames Valley Women’s Division One to the Southern Region Women’s League, subject to FA approval, as they

seek to play a higher standard of football.

A statement on the club’s website reads: “We are looking for enthusiastic, dynamic coaches to join the management team and support the Ladies squad with the demands of higher level competition.

“In addition, we are planning to start a Ladies Reserve side for the upcoming season, so we are looking for potential team manager and coaches to help establish the team.

“Ideally, the candidates would have FA Level 2 coaching badges and experience of working within the ladies game, but this is not essential.”

The Boars will also be running a new reserve side to support player pathway to push for first team football to provide a route from youth football to the senior game.

The club are looking for individuals to work as part of the management set-up of the reserve team.

The statement continues: “We are

seeking individuals who have a passion to manage and coach our next generation of players, work in a professional manner and work closely with the first team management.

“The side will be playing in the Combined Counties Reserve League, which will give the players great exposure to other local sides and be a good test for them to prepare themselves for first team football.

“In turn, the successful management team will be provided with full support, kit, and access to our video analysis technology.

“Candidates should have, or be working towards, their UEFA 'B' Licence and have the relevant experience at Step six reserve side or step seven first team or higher.” � Anyone interested should contact secretary@eversleycaliforniafc.net with a summary of their exisitingexperience and qualifications

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HELLENIC LEAGUE SUPPLEMENTARY CUP

SUMAS STORM PAST ROVERS INTO CUP FINAL Sumas 4 Tuffley Rovers 1

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook booked their place in the Supplementary Cup after a 4-1 semi-final triumph over Tuffley Rovers.

The Sumas stormed into the lead in the 16th minute when Luke Mullen directed an excellent through ball to Brandon Curtis who applied the finishing touch to break the deadlock.

The visitors looked to respond and posed a threat on the break, but Sumas goalkeeper Samuel Dabinett was quick to respond to make a vital low save to keep his team in front.

Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston’s Sumas side continued to create chances throughout the half as Luke Scope and Curtis caused problems for the opposition, but Rovers’ keeper stayed alert to shut them out on a few occasions.

Rovers were awarded with an equaliser when Rudi McKinnon slotted the ball past the keeper with just over half an hour played at Lowther Road.

But the Sumas hit back quickly to restore their advantage before half-time.

Mullan and Curtis combined again to hurt Tuffley as they broke through the defence and Curtis slotted successfully to seal his brace.

After an impressive first-half display, Curtis didn’t get the chance to try and bag a hat-trick as he was forced off with an injury and replaced by Kell.

The Sumas began to take control of the cup contest and extended their lead when Joe Cummuskey scrambled the ball over the line through a crowd of bodies to put the hosts 3-1 up.

The chances kept falling for the Sumas who were relentless in attack as

Wokingham & Emmbrook defeated Tuffley Rovers Pictures: Andrew Batt FootballinBerkshire

Josh Harris and O’Connell were thwarted by the Tuffley goalkeeper.

Mullan was the provider once again, with his third assist of the afternoon, as the Sumas scored their fourth to put them within touching distance of the final. Scope fired a low shot past the keeper as Wokingham boosted the score to take a three-goal lead.

Sumas co-manager Matt Eggleston said: “Great result against a side from the league above. We as a club know what is required next season and look forward to the challenge. Credit to our

players and thank you for our spectators who have stuck with us.”

The Sumas can now look forward to a cup final where they will face Abingdon United FC on Monday, May 31 (1pm kick-off).

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK: Dabinett, O’Connell, Cummuskey, L Eagle, C Eagle, Bateman, Bryne, Collier, Mullan, Curtis, Scope SUBS: Harris, Guest, Rushforth, Kell, Pritchard GOALS: Curtis x2, Cummuskey, Scope

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

SPORT | 37

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From the middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

How Binfield FC taught me a refereeing lesson

W

Binfield co-managers Carl Withers (left) and Jamie McClurg (right) Pictures: Neil Graham

FA VASE

BINFIELD BOSSES FULL OF PRIDE

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today BINFIELD FC joint managers Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg praised the support for the Moles after an historic event for the club in the FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium.

Moles striker Liam Ferdinand struck twice but Elliott Nevitt took the match ball with a hat-trick as Binfield were edged out 3-2 by their opponents.

“There is a lot of disappointment right now but I can't give the lads any more credit,” said Withers.

“The desire to not give up. They kept going until the bitter end.

“Sadly it wasn’t our day.

“We congratulate Rylands.

They’re a lovely group and fully deserved it.

“Our boys have done it the hard way. The seven weeks we have had have been testing for us, but sadly it wasn't our day.”

McClurg added: “We got ourselves back in it at 1-1 but to quote an old football saying, you are always at your most vulnerable when you've just scored.

“Liam stretched out a leg, something that we haven’t seen him do in the last season it's a big difference going in 2-1 down but sometimes people make decision with a rush of blood.

“It didn’t change our team talk at half-time too much, we knew we could have tidied it up. We showed character and got ourselves back in the game.

“Their keeper made a great save

when Ollie snuck in at the back post.

“I’m absolutely gutted for the lads, they deserved something."

The Moles fought their way back into the contest as both bosses praised their team's resilience to keep fighting.

“I said it to the boys the way they reacted to situations, the resilience they’ve got is incredible,” Withers continued.

“You saw in the second half we tried to tweak things.

“We didn’t play our best football in the first half but second half we dominated and the last 10 they were hanging on.

“We were looking for a break but their third goal came at a crucial time. I can’t speak highly enough of our lads.

“We will build from this. We'll regroup, these boys deserve everything, to see their family and friends meant everything.”

Despite the disappointment of Wembley defeat, the Moles can now look ahead to next season in step four after being promoted to the Isthmian League as part of the FA league restructure.

McClurg said: “These lads and the club deserve it. We have worked towards it.

“The league is a priority for any management. The vase and cup runs are for the players.

“We're really proud of what we have done.

“It will hurt but we can jump straight into planning for next season.

“The lads and the staff at Binfield, they know it's a lovely place to play.

“We are buzzing to get going again after a few days off to see the family. We are really looking forward to it.

“These past two weeks, it’s meant so much to the lads to have family and friends with them.

“We’ve travelled away and done it as a group. You saw at the end the love and passion and togetherness as a group.”

The Binfield bosses are determined to push on after their FA Vase final defeat as they look ahead to a new venture in the Isthmian League next season.

Binfield were awarded promotion to step four after the FA league restructure and will play in the Isthmian League from the

2021/22 season.

McClurg added: “We are buzzing to get going after a few days off to see the family.

“We've barely seen them over the past two weeks.

“They have given us everything.

“I hope they can take the positives of playing on the biggest stage because there were some unbelievable performances.

“It will hurt them but we regroup and our focus now turns to plans for next year.

“I wouldn’t be involved if I didn’t enjoy spending so much time with these guys that all care so much about each other.

“They are a great set of lads on and off the pitch, they always help each other out.

“That’s why it's so emotional for me and Karl because we know what they are like as people.

“I’m so proud to be able to put my name to this group.”

Withers concluded: “What this has done for the village and community, it has brought us together.

“All the messages of support has brought everyone together.

“The first game we have back at home, we are longing for as it’s been such a long time, and we hope to see that support.

“It’s been a tough two years but now we look forward to next season.

“It’s a new challenge for us and one we deserve, hopefully the village gets behind us for years to come."

HEN I started refereeing, I kept a record of all the clubs I visited in a little note book.

I recorded how to get there, time it took me, my traveling expenses. In those days we claimed a fee and travelling expenses.

Mostly these days it is just a fixed fee in local football. On receiving an appointment, I could simply check the information if I had been there before. That is what happened when I received an appointment to referee at Binfield.

I arrived there an hour or so before kick-off.

However, there was no one there and no goal posts, I hung about thinking perhaps someone would turn up.

Then I wandered around the village to see if anyone could help. It’s funny how you hardly ever find anyone walking around a village.

I eventually came across a man who told me they had moved but he didn’t know where they now played.

I couldn’t start knocking on doors, so finally I went into the pub where thankfully, someone gave me directions to the new ground. By the time I got there, the game was well under way, being refereed by one of the club officials. I got changed in a hurry, and somewhat flustered took over refereeing the game.

But I was awful and no doubt the players wished I had never turned up, That eventful trip to Binfield, taught me that to give your best when refereeing, you need to be in the right frame of mind.

It makes me check everything. These days, clubs contact their referee in most competitions and so I make sure I cover everything with them.

I have a special checking routine of my kit before leaving. On arrival I try and meet the club officials and of course inspect the pitch.

Then I follow the same ritual as I do every other week, until I walk out on to the pitch, calm, relaxed, and ready for the game.

In a book I read recently by Stuart Carrington, on the psychology of refereeing, he called it ‘preperformance’. I call it ‘learning from experience’.

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FA VASE FINAL

How they rated STAR PLAYER Liam Ferdinand

BINFIELD BEATEN IN W BINFIELD 2

WARRINGTON RYLANDS 3

CHRIS GRACE Was always quick off his line to play as a sweeper keeper. Made crucial saves, including a one-on-one stop at the end

DAVID HANCOCK Showed some excellent defensive positioning to prevent Rylands from breaking on a couple of occasions.

ELLIOT LEGG Dealt brilliantly with Rylands’ tricky rightwinger and battled hard to win back possession on several occasions.

TOM WILLMENT Was very strong in the air, played out from the back confidently and tried to get Binfield on the front foot.

LIAM GAVIN Put in some superb tackles and blocks. Was unfortunate to give away a penalty but very solid other than that.

JAMES MCCLURG Composed on the ball to help the Moles control the majority of the possession throughout the second-half.

KENSEY MALONEY Provided much needed energy in the centre of the park, covered plenty of ground on the big Wembley pitch.

GEORGE SHORT Worked tenaciously in the final third to try and create openings for his teammates.

OLLIE HARRIS Was unlucky not to score at the back post when he met Howell’s cross but Rylands keeper made a pivotal save from close range.

SEAN MOORE Showed some bright moments on the wing and got an assist with a pinpoint cross to find Ferdinand in the middle.

LIAM FERDINAND Caused problems all game for Rylands.

Brilliantly positioned to equalise and bagged a brace with a low drive from outside the box.

SUBSTITUTES Josh Howell 8 Jack Thomson-Wheeler 7 Asa Povey 7

8 7 8 8 7 7 7 7 8 8 9

By ANDY PRESTON at Wembley Stadium apreston@wokingham.today BINFIELD FC were beaten in a thrilling FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium as a brace from Moles striker Liam Ferdinand was topped by a hat-trick from Warrington Rylands' Elliott Nevitt.

Rylands took the lead in the 26th minute through Nevitt. Binfield levelled from Ferdinand but Nevitt struck from the penalty spot just a minute later.

Nevitt sealed his treble in the second-half but Binfield fought back as Ferdinand scored from outside the box.

The Moles applied immense pressure but couldn't find an equaliser as they fell at the final hurdle in a valiant display at Wembley.

The Moles started brightly as Elliot Legg gave the ball away with a loose pass but instantly won back possession and got Binfield on the front foot.

Sean Moore worked the ball out wide to Ollie Harris who looked to find Liam Ferdinand and Moore in the middle but his cross evaded the forwards and went behind for a goal kick.

Rylands came forward with their first attack but Moles' goalkeeper Chris Grace was alert and quick off his line to collect the long ball.

A long diagonal pass had Binfield on the attack again as Rylands had to head behind for the first corner of the match.

Warrington burst away as they countered from Binfield's corner, but the Moles stayed organised at the back as David Hancock was well positioned to break up the attack.

Binfield looked more potent in attacking areas in the early stages as Moore showed a quick burst of pace to beat his man before his cross was blocked behind for another corner.

Tenacious work from Ferdinand wide on the right won Binfield another set-piece as he chased down what looked like a lost cause to knock the ball off a defender and behind.

Grace was playing the role of a sweeper keeper as he again rushed off his line to clear the ball away from danger to help his defence out.

Legg stayed switched on defensively as he prevented another promising attack for Rylands as they looked to break into the box, with both sides shutting each other down in the opening 20 minutes of the game.

Rylands had the ball in the net when Stephen Milne broke away from the defence but the linesman

Binfield players and staff show their appreciation to the Moles fans who attended Wembley Stadium Pictures: Neil Graham

Liam Ferdinand struck twice for the Moles

raised his flag for offside well before the ball reached the striker.

The game began to open up and it was Rylands who took advantage as they drew first blood and took the lead in the 26th minute.

A cross into the box was met

by Coveney who nodded the ball to Elliott Nevitt and the Rylands striker volleyed the ball into the ground and found the bottom corner to open the scoring at Wembley.

Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg’s side looked to hit back having gone behind and there was a nervy moment for Rylands’ keeper Graeme McCall as he spilled the ball behind for a corner from what looked like a routine catch.

Binfield had more defending to do to prevent Rylands from doubling their lead as Tom Willment stayed strong at the back to beat the striker to the ball and divert the ball away from his goal before Grace came out with a strong punch to clear.

Binfield show their togetherness after the final whistle

The Moles were enjoying more possession but were struggling to create any clear cut chances despite the tough tackling of Jamie McClurg to break up play and win possession in the middle.

Rylands broke into the box again but Gavin put in a vital block as he

Match stats BINFIELD: Grace, Hancock, Legg, Willment, Gavin, McClurg, Moore (c), Short, Harris, Ferdinand, Maloney SUBS: Broome, Howell, Thomson-Wheeler, Helmore, Veal, Johnson, Povey MANAGERS: Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg WARRINGTON RYLANDS: McCall, Gerrard, Tinning, Kenny (c), Smith, Coveney, Doyle, Scarisbrick, Nevitt, Milne, Drummond SUBS: Emery, Denman, Freeman, Lees, Sheen, Shanley, Potter MANAGERS: David McNabb GOALS: Nevitt 26’, 43’ (pen), 59’, Ferdinand 42’, 67’

put his body in the way of the shot.

The Moles looked to seize the opportunity as they began to find some territory in the Rylands half and they were rewarded when Ferdinand headed in the equaliser in the 42nd minute.

Binfield skipper Moore delivered a superb cross into the middle as he found Ferdinand unmarked in the six-yard box and the striker guided the ball into the bottom corner to level the game.

But Binfield were level for just a matter of moments as Rylands broke down the other end and were awarded a penalty as Charlie Doyle nicked the ball away from Gavin and was brought down by the defender in the box.

Nevitt stepped up to the spot, and despite Grace guessing the right way, the Rylands striker dispatched the ball neatly into the bottom corner to regain the lead in a frantic end to the half.

Legg picked up a caution early in the second-half as Rylands won

Thursday, May 27, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY

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WEMBLEY THRILLER

By Tom Canning Football in Berkshire

The beauty of non-league football

M

Binfield squad and staff gather on the pitch before the game

Kensley Maloney challenges to win the ball

a free-kick wide on the right but the organised back-line of Binfield held firm to keep out a threatening set-piece position.

Binfield searched hard for a leveller but were put further behind in the 59th minute when Nevitt sealed his hat-trick as he found some space in the six-yard box from a corner and nodded the ball past Grace from close range.

Withers made his first switch of the game in the 63rd minute as

Chris Grace punches the ball from danger

Josh Howell replaced George Short.

Howell made an instant impact as he picked up the ball and delivered a delicious inswinging cross to find Harris at the back post but Rylands keeper McCall made a heroic save to smother the volley from close range.

The thrilling contest took another twist in the 67th minute as Ferdinand fired in his second of the game to get the Moles back within a goal.

Ferdinand was found outside the box, took a glance at goal, and struck a fierce low drive into the bottom corner.

Withers made two more changes as the Moles looked to fight back as Legg and Harris were replaced

by Jack Thomson-Wheeler and Asa Povey.

Binfield continued to apply the pressure on Rylands as Moore provided another inviting cross that just eluded Ferdinand after the

defender missed his header.

Grace then made a crucial save at the other end as Kane Drummond was found free at the back post but the Moles keeper flew across to his right to keep his shot out.

The Berkshire side continued to win a succession of corners as they pushed to take the game to the distance.

But Binfield couldn't salvage a late equaliser as Warrington won. � Match reaction on page 37

EETING new people, that thing we all used to do from time to time, conversation would often turn to football with the obvious line of questioning starting with ‘who do you support’?

For me, that was always a difficult one to answer, I’d go with a genre rather than a particular team and attempt to describe my lifelong love for non-league and grassroots football.

The look of incredulity would quickly be followed by ‘but you must support a pro club?’

If pressed enough, often the word ‘Spurs’ might creep out, but as the years have gone on I’ve felt more and more at ease with sticking hard and fast to my first response of non-league football.

And I think, after the last three weeks and the range of emotions Binfield have put us through, from last gasp goals and penalty shoot out angst in the semi-final to the basic pride of seeing them walk out at Wembley, people will now get it when they ask me.

The way that the village and the wider area, including this publication, got behind the team was simply incredible. Seeing the videos of the streets lined with people as the bus carrying the players to Wembley will never be forgotten either side of the coach window.

The kids at the local school’s will, I hope, be Moles for life and in the wider area I think people will be looking forward to the new season, perhaps thinking about visiting their local club a couple of times instead of trekking to Stamford Bridge or The Emirates.

It’s not a case at all of tearing up your Premier League season ticket, this isn’t an anti-professional football rant, it’s perfectly possible to do both obviously one requires significantly less expense and will generally mean you’ll be home in time for tea - but I think the one thing we can all say coming out of a pandemic is how important a sense of community is going to be to us going forward. It’s something I guarantee that, if you give local sport a chance, will come to you.

What Binfield achieved has put their club firmly on the map, but it’s done more than that, it’s put grassroots football on the map and I hope that means, when it comes to that first Saturday in August, you’ll think about heading down to the Moles, or Wokingham, or Bracknell, or Ascot, or wherever the nearest ground to you is.

WOKINGHAMSPORT BERKS RETAIN CUP BERKSHIRE retained the Marlborough Cup with a 91-run win over Wiltshire by way of the D/L method in a rain-affected game at Thatcham last Sunday, writes Dave Wright.

There was a delayed start and the match reduced to 40 overs a side.

Put into bat, Berkshire posted a useful total of 216-8, with Wokingham's Archie Carter and Savin Perera making 33 and 25 respectively in an opening stand of 64 before Tom Scriven and skipper Richard Morris added 100 from 96 balls. Morris made 58 from 53 balls, which included two sixes in the same over bowled by his Wiltshire counterpart Ed Young, while Scriven scored 54 from 58.

In reply, Wiltshire were never in the hunt, slumping from 32-1 to 87-8 before finishing on 98-8 after 28 overs with seven wickets falling to spinners and the other to a run out. Wokingham's Chris Peploe claimed 3-20, Euan Woods 2-27, Luke Beaven 1-25 and Max Uttley 1-0.

FA VASE SPECIAL

RAMS GIVE FANS PLENTY TO CHEER

READING FC has confirmed that season tickets for the upcoming 2021/22 season are now on sale as they look forward to the return of fans.

Ticket prices for renewals have been frozen, meaning anyone with a season ticket for the previous campaign will be able to secure their place at the same price.

The deadline for renewal ends on Friday, June 25.

The Madejski Stadium has not been used at full capacity since the Royals’ FA Cup tie against Sheffield United in March 2020, but the government are hoping to lift all restrictions on football stadiums next month.

Furthermore, the club has confirmed that supporters group ‘Club 1871’ will be moving to the other side of the South Stand from next season.

The club and fans hope to unite with the vocal support from the East Stand to create a unified atmosphere at the Madejski.

Season ticket holders will also be sent a limited edition gift pack to celebrate Reading’s 150th anniversary which will include commemorative gifts including an image-led timeline book of the club’s history.

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today BINFIELD FC left it all on the field in a historic FA Vase final at Wembley Stadium.

Despite suffering defeat, the Moles can be proud of their efforts as they rose to the occasion on one of the most

iconic stages in world football.

Warrington Rylands took home the trophy after an entertaining 3-2 bout.

Binfield co-managers Carl Withers and Jamie McClurg were left beaming with pride after their players put on a valiant display and showcased their ‘never say die’ attitude that helped them get all the way to the final.

Binfield applaud the fans at Wembley Stadium Picture: Neil Graham

The 1,500 Moles fans in attendance at Wembley gave the team and staff a rapturous ovation both before and after the match to show their appreciation in what was a momentous occasion for the club and everyone connected with local grassroots football.

ISSN 2634-8330

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