Wokingham Today November 3, 2022

borough

By JI-MIN LEE news@wokingham.today

CITYFIBRE has said a full fibre network roll-out in Wokingham would be ‘a natural progression’ as it approaches the midway point of its project in Reading.

The telecommunications company is currently installing superfast broadband in Reading and parts of Wokingham and West Berkshire as part of a ‘once in a generation’ infrastructural overhaul.

The new superfast broadband is set to introduce significant economic and productivity benefits but has come under fire for recent disruption caused by roadworks.

Stacey King, regional partnership director, said: “We are looking at Wokingham. It is a ‘candidate city’, which means we’re currently doing our investigations, looking at the business case for expanding further.

“We’ll be announcing those things as and when they come.”

“We’re always looking to expand the network wherever we can.”

Although the southernmost boundary for the current Reading build is set in-line with the M4, Ms King said providing the whole of Wokingham with its own full-fibre network as a ‘natural progression’.

She stated the scope of this expansion was determined by the budget available to the privatelyfunded company and the local authority’s willingness to work with CityFibre.

The team currently meets with representatives from Reading and Wokingham Borough Councils fortnightly to discuss where building will take place to identify any sensitive areas.

CAMPAIGNERS TACKLE PITCH PLAN

not right place for

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

At full council on Thursday, October 20, and an executive meeting on Thursday, October 27, residents questioned Wokingham Borough Council on the proposals schemed for Maiden Erlegh School.

Issues raised included the

negative impacts of increased congestion and pollution on nearby residents, the environmental impact, cost implications and antisocial behaviour of users.

Earlier this year, the council unveiled the plans for the site, which is currently at the feasibility stage.

A consultation was launched and received more than 1,000 comments along with a petition against the plans which garnered more than 150 signatures.

FEARS over the potential implications of a 3G pitch in Earley have dominated council meetings in the last two weeks.

Do you have responsibility for supporting older relatives and don’t know where to begin?

can help

Be who you’ve always been... a star baker

At our Berkshire homes being a star baker doesn’t stop when you make the journey into care. Our dementia specialists support each resident to live life as independently as possible. Bring your life with you to a place you can call home.

Award winning, person-centred care for over 40 years.

If you’re considering care for yourself or a loved one call

Trusted to care.

House, Bracknell

The best dementia care, on your doorstep

At Care UK’s Bickerton House and Parsons Grange we deliver award-winning care to older people who are living with dementia. Everything we do is focused on supporting your loved one to enjoy a wonderful quality of life – an approach we call ‘Fulfilling lives’.

Our caring and experienced colleagues learn all they can about your loved one, tailoring every aspect of their care and lifestyle to their unique needs and interests. We’re trained in the latest dementia care approaches, thanks to our partnership with the Association for Dementia Studies at Worcester University, and a Dementia Coach in each home supports all colleagues to deliver high quality care.

Enjoy a fulfilling life

Our new-build care home has been designed to the latest dementia standards, and has its own hair salon, cinema room and garden. There are regular outings and live entertainment, plus activities with local groups and schools so your loved one feels part of the community. Signage, colour schemes,

soft furnishings and floor coverings are all designed to create a calming and accessible setting.

Living at Bickerton House and Parsons Grange is all about continuing to enjoy hobbies and interests, making new friends, and even trying new experiences – always with support from our caring team. Reminiscence-themed activities, from music sessions to baking, help to spark happy memories. Dancing, exercise classes, yoga and gardening enable your loved one to stay fit and active.

Discover the Care UK difference

Discover why over 8,000 families trust us to care. To find out more about dementia care at Bickerton House and Parsons Grange please call us on 0330 162 7159 or visit careuk.com/berkshire

HOPES KIND, Christina

Peacefully, after an illness borne with courage and dignity, at Highland Hospice, Inverness, Scotland on Monday, 24th October 2022

Christina Hopes Kind, aged 59 years, beloved wife of Paul, a much loved mother of Georgia and the late Jake and a sadly missed relative and friend to many

Points mean prizes when you walk or cycle in Wokingham

WOKINGHAM Borough Council is encouraging residents to make healthier, and more environmentally friendly travel choices.

Walking, cycling or using public transport can earn them points to win prizes.

Anyone over 13 living, working or studying in the Wokingham borough can enter the MyJourney challenge.

To take part, residents download a free app that uses the tracker in their phone to detect how far they’ve travelled, and by which mode.

The app then awards points called ValleyCoins, and virtual medals for using greener transport methods.

ValleyCoins can be redeemed for vouchers with high street retailers, including supermarkets, or donated to a preferred charity.

Users can also earn ValleyTickets when using public transport, to enter weekly and monthly prize draws worth anything from £2.50 to £100.

Promotions also mark special initiatives, like Car Free Day, which took place in September.

Wokingham Borough Council is encouraging the app’s use as part of

its efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, tackle the climate emergency and make it easier to live healthily.

The app logs the amount of time the user spends travelling actively, the number of calories they burn and the weight of carbon emissions saved.

It also offers them personalised suggestions on how to increase their sustainable travel.

Since the My Journey challenge

was launched in March, users have travelled 148,276 miles sustainably.

This includes 134,432 miles running, cycling or walking, equivalent to more than 76 return journeys from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

It has resulted in about 13.4 million calories burned, about 17,000 Cornish pasties’ worth, and up to 32,243 kg of carbon saved.

Previous challenge, Cycle September, was organised by Love

to Ride Wokingham, and saw a local resident win the top prize of a new electric bike worth £2,499.

The council hopes to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy cycling, and to discover other types of active and sustainable travel.

App users have responded positively.

Many say they drive less and enjoy more time outside with their families while getting fitter.

Some say they are losing weight by walking 10,000 or more steps a day.

Cllr Paul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “Residents can get started straight away on Innovation Valley Rewards, which is easy to set up and also recognises walking or taking the train or bus.

“Once it’s installed, you don’t have to remember to do anything except head out of the door and start earning points.

Innovation Valley Rewards app is available through both the Apple App and Google Play stores.

n For more information about the challenge visit: www. myjourneywokingham.com

Talks ‘speed up’ for safe crossing for Shinfield school

By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today

THERE has been a significant development in a Shinfield school’s hopes of getting a new safety measure installed.

Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for active travel, transport and highways, Paul Fishwick, has agreed to visit Crosfields School to scope and assess the need for a crossing at Shinfield Road.

The school currently has no dedicated crossing close to its main entrance.

The issue was raised in the council meeting on Thursday, October 20, by Shinfield North councillor Parry Batth, who brought the issue to Cllr Fishwick’s attention.

He cited worsening traffic conditions at peak times, which

have made the safe crossing for Crosfields students a ‘major issue’.

Cllr Batth said: “Some scoping work has already been done for [a crossing] near the school entrance. We are chasing up officers and the executive member to speed up the process.

“Cllr Fishwick has agreed to meet with the head teacher and me to assess the safety of children and parents crossing the road.”

Together with the school’s leadership team and parents of students, Cllr Batth has discussed the need for more robust safety measures around the school.

Craig Watson, head of Crosfields School, confirmed staff and parents had been in communication with the council regarding the potential installation of a pelican crossing close to the school for ‘some time’.

He explained: “We are

encouraging our pupils to think about how they travel to school and in particular promoting walking, scooting and cycling.

“We all know how busy the Shinfield Road is and crossing it takes some careful navigation at peak times. I think this is why so many parents are nervous about allowing their children to travel independently or leaving the car at home.

“We have Walk It Wednesdays once a month to demonstrate how easy and beneficial walking can be but we would love to see more children walking each and every day.”

In February 2020, the school received the green light for plans to expand its provision to students aged 14-16, having

previously only accepted children up to age 13.

The announcement saw the construction of Crosfields’ senior school building to accommodate an additional 300 students.

Both residents and Reading Borough Council raised concerns about traffic safety issues the introduction of new students would present. Mr Watson told Wokingham Borough Council’s planning committee a lot of the new intake would travel into school by bike, bus or foot.

He also explained around a quarter of students commuted with one or more siblings, reducing the number of cars on Shinfield Road.

FIT REWARD: Cycling will clock up points. Picture: Manfred Antranias Zimmer/Pixabay

Maleficent goes up in smoke for big night of the Round Table

Supermarket boosts charity with £10k gift

YOUNGSTERS in poverty across Berkshire will benefit from the generosity of shoppers, writes Emma Merchant

Children’s charity First Days was chosen to receive £10,000 from Tesco Wokingham as part of a celebratory Community Grant one-off funding campaign.

To raise money, customers took part in a lucky dip to find special gold versions of its blue voting token.

The total amount given away in gold tokens was worth £1 million.

First Days was selected in recognition of its aims to reduce the long-term effect of poverty on children by equipping them with the essential items they need to be safe at home and out and about, be confident in school and have fun.

poverty to feel more equal to their peers.

“We believe that all children deserve the same start in life, and our part of that is ensuring they have everything they need materially.”

The donation marks £100 million in Tesco Community Grants being given to more than 50,000 good causes since 2016.

Good causes that have benefited include breakfast clubs, food banks, Meals on Wheels, and playgrounds.

With many small, often volunteer-run groups facing rising costs, support from schemes like Tesco Community Grants are vital to help them keep going.

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

TWYFORD enjoyed a Saturday night at the movies, thanks to the Round Table.

The annual fireworks event was held in King George’s Field, and this year had a theme based on some of cinema’s greatest hits.

Those attending could enjoy a fun fair, a barbecue, and a beer tent before the bonfire was lit.

The Twyford and District Round Table invited people to nominate their baddest baddie to go on top of the blaze, with options including Captain Hook from Peter Pan, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmations, Scar from The Lion King and the Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, the winner was Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent.

Then, the display launched, which was set to music from the 1980s and Disney classics, to mark the 30th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. The event helps raise thousands for charity, and received many complementary comments from those attending.

In a post on social media, the group noted: “A massive thanks to all that attended our bonfire and fireworks display last night.”

Ellie Gosling, fundraising and events manager at First Days, said: “We are very grateful to Tesco for this grant. Since we began in 2013, we have helped more than 10,000 children and distributed over 250 tonnes of donated goods. The Tesco funds will help us to continue our work.

“As a small charity, we know we can’t change the root cause of the situations that families find themselves in, but we can help the children who are victims of a childhood in

Claire De Silva, head of communities and local media at Tesco, said: “These events were not only a really fun occasion in store, with our colleagues and customers really keen to get involved, but also an important opportunity for people to choose a local good cause to receive the £10,000 grant.

“Hopefully, this will help to make a difference to everyone they continue to support within our communities.”

n For more information about Tesco Community Grants and how to apply, visit: www.tesco. com/communitygrants n www.firstdays.net

Maleficent goes up in smoke as the guy

A barbecue was a busy attraction

Hundreds turned out for the Twyford Fireworks

Tian and Wei with Yiyi (3) watch the bonfire

James & Lizzie Kinsbrook with Bella (2)

Beech Hill bonfire and torchlit procession

A COMMUNITY GROUP is inviting residents to a familyfriendly event, which will surely warm up its visitors as the colder months approach.

Beech Hill Memorial Hall’s bonfire will see the community come together on Sunday, November 13.

Blazing torches will be lit at the village green on Beech Hill Road,

Twyford Youth Club to host AGM

THE Twyford Youth Club is set to host its annual general meeting next week.

The event will take place at the Twyford District Youth and Community Centre on Tuesday, November 8.

The centre provides a space for

before the procession walks up to the memorial hall.

Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and can be bought on the day.

The entry fee includes either soup, hotdogs and vegetarian options.

The event takes place at 5.30pm.

n For more information, search: Beech Hill Memorial Hall on www. facebook.com

young people to take part in a range of recreational activities.

There is also computer access, fitness, education and counselling and advice from trained professionals.

The charity’s AGM starts at 8pm and finish at 9.30pm, with residents invited to review a number of reports and contribute ideas.

n For more, visit: tdyc.co.uk

Sir John praises work of college during visit

ONE OF the borough’s four MP went back to education to show his support for Colleges Week.

Sir John Redwood met with students attending Bracknell and Wokingham College in Church Road, Bracknell.

He said the learning establishment does much to help equip youngsters with the skill they need to find jobs that they will

find interesting and worthwhile.

“I was shown the new care suite and facilities to train people for jobs in health and personal social services, looking after people and treating them when they face medical traumas,” Sir John said.

“I talked to a group of students about the role of an MP and what was happening

with the change of Prime Ministers. The students asked a range of questions about national politics, social care and matters relating to mental health.

“I am grateful to the College for the invitation and opportunity to see what they do. I wish them every success in helping more young people realise their dreams for the future.”

Hurst residents set to fight appeal over 200 homes plan

Taylor Wimpey is developing proposals for Land at Watmore Lane, Winnersh with a view to submitting a planning application. The land is currently a draft allocation in Wokingham Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan, and Taylor Wimpey is seeking to bring forward much-needed homes in the local area including affordable housing.

In order that the views of local people can be taken into consideration, Taylor Wimpey is hosting an in-person public consultation event and online webinar on their emerging proposals for new homes.

Come and meet us

Online

Monday, 7th November 7.00pm

Scan here to sign up to our webinar.

In person

Tuesday, 8th November 2pm – 6pm

Winnersh Community Centre, New Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham, RG41 5DU

Alternatively visit: www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/ winnersh/land-at-watmore-lane

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

HUNDREDS of residents are readying themselves for part two of their battle to stop 200 homes being built on a green field.

Tonight, protest groups are meeting to plan the next part of their campaign to stop the estate being built at Hurst between Tape Lane and Lodge Road, the B3030 Winnersh to Twyford Road.

In the summer, Wokingham Borough Council refused planning permission. They said the plan would create: “a new unplanned large housing estate on a greenfield site in

the countryside outside of settlement limits. It would be significantly out of scale with [the] neighbouring small village of Hurst.”

The applicants, Mactaggart & Mickel, are appealing.

Hurst Parish Council chairman Councillor Wayne Smith said the Say No! team, which includes people from Hurst Village Society, Protect Hurst Action Group and the parish council, is to discuss their approach and next steps.

“We will be calling on residents to support our campaign and bring to life our objections. Please contact me with any questions or

if you would like to join the “Say No” team,” he said.

Residents and others who made comments about the homes planning application should have heard by yesterday about the inquiry into the appeal. They will have been told those comments will be sent to the inquiry inspector.

“We have until November 30 to add any further information to strengthen our position,” added Cllr Smith.

Hurst Village Society says on its website: “All current information available can be viewed on the HVS website but WATCH THIS SPACE –YOUR VILLAGE NEEDS YOU!!”

Save the date for winter carnival

EXCLUSIVE

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

ONE of the highlights of the Wokingham calendar is set to return later this month.

The Winter Carnival will take over the town centre on Sunday, November 27.

For the first time, the Wokingham Lions will be organising the day after taking over the reins from Philip Mirfin and the previous committee.

The Lions already host a number of events in and around the town including the May Fayre, the recent Classic Car Show and the Wokingham Walks in the spring and autumn.

Tim Hanton, Winter Carnival chairman, said he was excited to be leading the team this year.

He added: “It is an excellent opportunity for Wokingham to celebrate the start of the lead up to Christmas and to support local charities.

“The event will be on similar

lines to previous years, but with one or two changes including a laser show in Market Place to end the event.”

This year, after the pandemic and regeneration works, the carnival can get back to normal, and onace again take place throughout the town centre, including Denmark Street, Erfstadt Court, Market Place, Peach Street, Broad Street, Rose Street and Peach Place.

Starting at 11am, many attractions will return including the fairground rides, free all-day entertainment and Santa will be there in his grotto. More than 120 stalls have booked to attend, including craft, food and charity stalls.

Wokingham Lions Club will distribute profits after the event expenses to this year’s major beneficiaries, Kaleidoscopic UK

The date set for the government planning inspector to start hear arguments from both sides has been set for January 31 next year at 10am. At the moment it is expected the inquiry will last eight days. A venue will be announced.

The appeal decision is expected on or before April 3 next year.

A free booklet, Guide to taking part in planning appeals proceeding by Inquiry, is available from the council or by visiting https:// www.gov.uk/government/ collections/taking-part-in-aplanning-listed-building-orenforcement-appeal

One for the mob

and Building for the Future, as well as other good causes.

The day will culminate at 4pm in the traditional Carol Concert and the lighting of the Christmas Tree, followed at 4.45pm by a laser show in Market Place.

The Wokingham Winter Carnival was started in 1994, by the town centre manager at the time, Keith Hoskins, together with local shop owners and has grown into a popular annual event.

It receives support from Wokingham Town Council and The Wokingham Society, as well as sponsorship this year from Trademark Windows and The Rose Inn.

n For more information on visit www.wintercarnival.co.uk or follow the Facebook page; Wokingham Winter Carnival 2022.

AN audience in wokingham will see a film about suits for gangsters.

Outfit is the story of English tailor (Mark Rylance) who has set up his business in Chicago making suits for the Mob.

Somebody is selling out the mob to rivals.

The suspense thriller stars Simon Russell Beale, Johnny Flynn and Zoey Deutch.

It will be shown by the Wokingham Film Society at the Whitty Theatre, at Luckley House School tonight. Doors open at 6.45pm, with the film starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £6.50 (£4 for members).

n For more information and to book, visit: www. wokinghamfilm society. com

SIR JOHN REDWOOD ENJOYED MEETING STUDENTS AND ANSWERING THEIR WIDERANGING QUESTIONS

Demand more than doubles for Woodley food drive

their finger on the pulse, but even they can’t sustain it for that long.”

Beautiful Brahms

A MUSICAL group will perform a piece in German as part of its autumn concert.

Wokingham Choral Society have put together what they say will be a beautiful programme.

for the choir, as most of them have performed the Brahms before.

“It’s not a fast piece, but neither is it sombre, it’s just truly beautiful.

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

A COMMUNITY stalwart who has organised support for hundreds of families in Woodley is concerned the deepening cost of living crisis is going to cost lives.

Ronnie Goodberry started the Woodley Volunteer for Covid-19 group to assist residents throughout the pandemic.

The scheme was to ensure that no Woodley resident would be left without essential food or medicine during the first lockdown.

It has since become the Woodley Food Drive, with an aim of helping vulnerable people and households across the town.

He said he has seen demand for food parcels more than double in recent months as families struggle with the cost of living.

He said: “Where I was previously doing one or two food parcels a week, I am doing five or six now. And that is just emergency parcels.

“What the food banks are doing is incredible and I would imagine their increase

is the same.”

A lot of people Mr Goodberry is talking to are struggling to afford the basic necessities to live day-to-day.

“They can’t afford the increases,” he said. “Their heating has gone up, their food bills have gone up, their rents or mortgages have gone up. Everything is getting out of control.”

Mr Goodberry is concerned that people won’t know where to go for help, or will feel embarrassed by asking for it, which he said shouldn’t be the case.

He added: “I don’t want to say this, but I worry that people will lose their lives because of it.”

Mr Goodberry praised the borough’s councils for doing what they can but has called on the government to intervene with further support.

“A lot of these people are falling through the cracks because the government doesn’t know how to deal with it,” he said.

“The local authorities are doing their best, and fair play to them. They seem to have

With inflation impacting all residents, Mr Goodberry thinks donations could reduce as people who had previously been unaffected begin to consider their own finances.

“We haven’t got an unlimited pocket and all our stuff comes from the kindness and goodness of residents,” he said.

“Before long we will see a decrease because they can’t carry on doing what they are doing on a long-term basis.

“They have had nearly three years of this and their generosity is going to weaken because they can’t afford it themselves.”

For anyone who would like to make a donation to the cause, the most requested food items include most tinned food products, pasta and other dried produce..

Mr Goodberry added: “Anything that can be used to make a sustainable meal, we will find a home for it.”

Donations can be dropped off at 117 Shackleton Way.

n For more information, search Woodley Volunteer’s For Our Community (Covid-19) on Facebook

It includes: Brahms’ A German Requiem (Sung in German); Brahms’ Schicksalsleid (Song of Fate); Purcell’s Funeral Sentences; and Mendelssohn’s Organ Sonata No.2 in C minor, with extracts Allegro maestoso e vivace & Fugue.

Soloists are Soprano, Hazel Neighbour, and Baritone, Jacob Phillips.

George de Voil performs on organ and continuo.

Alison Sears, chair of the society, says: “The requiem is a beautiful piece, especially when sung in the original German.

“It’s not too much of a challenge

“And the solo that George, our organist, will play is a gorgeous item too.

“Do come and listen, it’s going to be a wonderful concert.”

The event will take place at The University of Reading’s Great Hall on London Road, on Saturday, November 19. A pre-concert talk takes place at 6.30pm, with the music at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £17.50 for adults, and £5 for under 18s and students, and are available from Wokingham Town Hall Information Centre; Newbury Building Society, or Jay Design & Print.

n For more details, log on to: wokingham-choral-society.org.uk

Military antiques fair launches

THE first of a new series of fairs will take place, which should appeal to collectors of military antiques.

Visitors will be able to buy a wide range of historic items including medals, badges, swords, daggers, bayonets, helmets, and field equipment.

Organiser, Eugene Zaph, says: “It’s all about touching a piece of history.

“I’ve been interested in this sort of thing since I was a boy.

“I used to watch action films with my dad, like A Bridge Too Far (1977), and Bridge Over The River Kwai (1957) both of which fuelled my enthusiasm.

“And one of my friends had a

trophy that his grandfather had brought back from Second World War.”

Soldiers often brought home military memorabilia when they returned from the war, items that they had picked up while serving in Europe.

“Items can range from £10 or £20 to, sometimes, thousands of pounds,” he said.

The Royal Berkshire Militaria Fair will be held monthly in St. Sebastian’s Memorial Hall, Nine Mile Ride. The first one takes place on Sunday morning, November 27. Doors are open from 9am to 1pm. Entry costs £4.

n www.rb-militariafair.co.uk

SUPPORT: Last year, Chris Tarrant presented Ronnie Goodberry with a Pride of Reading award for his work on the Woodley Food Drive

cobwebsareputbackin thecupboardforanother year,therunuptoChristmastruly begins.Forus,thatmeanssome specialeventsatboththeSiren TapYard,andtheGeorge& Dragonpub-bothofwhichhave

TheGeorge&Dragon,Swallowfield Asyoumayknow,wehavebeenbusyinstallinga brandnewkitchenthroughoutOctoberandwe offerahugethankyoutothosewhovisitedandfor bearingwithusduringthedisruption.Weare extremelyexcitedtonowannouncethatwehave officiallycompletedourprojectandthenewkitchen isnowinoperation!

CityFibre: Borough a ‘candidate city’ for fibre network roll-out

n Continued from front page

CityFibre’s Ms King explained: “We want to build the best possible network, the UK is behind the curve with our digital infrastructure.

“There’s been a lot of underinvestment in this area.

“From a CityFibre perspective, we wanted to spark a bit of a change, really pushing us forward as an economy and underpinning that with the best digital infrastructure we possibly can.”

The company’s UK plan involves building in 60 towns and cities, with 280 locations announced in total.

Once completed, CityFibre will make up a third of the national roll-out, as per the government’s mandate for communications in 2025.

Ms King explained: “When people think about broadband, they think about sending an email, watching a film and streaming, things we don’t expect to go wrong, and that’s as it should be.

Pictured:TheGeorgeandDragon’sHeadChef,Chips, inthenewkitchen

Weworkedcloselywith Sprint,whohave suppliedandinstalledourkitchentoanamazing standard,offeringfantasticguidanceandadvice alongtheway.Theirexperiencedeliveringkitchen projectsforthelikesofTheIvyGroup,Hawksmoor andCoppaClubhasbroughtawealthofvaluable experiencetotheproject.

FollowTheGeorge&DragononInstagram @GeorgeDragonRG7 toseesomeupdatesfromthe newkitchen,anddon’tforgettobookyour ChristmasDinnerpartyinnow.We’reopenfor bookingsfromNovember25th,rightupto ChristmasEve.

TheTapYard

TheTapYardhasundergonesomemenuupdates ofitsown,withregulars(andstaff!)verymuch enjoyingthenewpizzamenu,loadedfriesand deliciousdessertoptions.Ifyou’rethinkingof visitingthisweekend,wehaveFunkyPickleserving uptheirincrediblePoutineandotherCanadian waresonSaturday,andourpizzamenuinfullswing onSunday.

We’llalsohaveourlatestrelease,SaltedCaramel Affogato,available.Thisisare-brewofanold favourite,thistimewithSaltedCaramelcoffee. Trustus…it’sdelicious!Aswealsohaveicecream available,whynotmakeyourownAffogatoIce Creamfloat?

“But there’s much more important, really fundamental things that this is going to enable.

“ Things like 5G, having a good fibre backbone is really important for the next generation of technology in moving forward.”

The company’s ‘build once’ strategy means that what is being built now will be so comprehensive CityFibre will not have to come back again.

The benefits residents will experience on a day-to-day basis range from enhanced healthcare provision to live updates of free spaces at car parks.

Live music returns to Crowthorne

A LIVE MUSIC night is to return to Crowthorne next month.

The Two Sisters Wine Bar, on the High Street, will host the event on Friday.

There will be performances from a number of artists and the bar is joining forces with a pizza company to provide food.

Admission costs £10 per person for the event which will take place between 7pm and 11pm.

n For more information, or to book tickets, visit: twosisters-cafe.com

Beech Hill Remembrance

A full fibre network has become even more essential since the Covid-19 pandemic, with a societal shift to remote working and pressure on public services encouraging people to self-serve.

In September, Reading experienced significant disruption to travel because of roadworks conducted by CityFibre.

Ms King said: “We met with Cllr (Tony) Page beforehand, we all knew it would be difficult. Caversham is quite traffic-sensitive at the best of times.

“Any work you do there is always

going to cause additional disruption to people.

“We talked about [scheduling] for a long time and it didn’t feel like there was any better time to do it.”

With the benefit of hindsight, Ms King speculated that taking advantage of reduced traffic during the pandemic could have minimised disruption. However, the unpredictability at the time made it difficult for any works to be planned with certainty.

When working on trafficsensitive areas, she stated the team’s desire to engage in dialogue with the

local authorities, putting forward their ideal working conditions and listening to feedback.

Of the Caversham Bridge works, Ms King explained: “[The council] said you’ve got to stay either side of the rush hour, you can’t work during rush hour, which is what we tried to do in that particular instance, but it’s a bottleneck.

“That’s when you then take the decision of, do you take it slower and cause disruption for longer, or try and condense it and try and get through that as fast as possible, and that’s what we ended up doing.”

Sing for free with inclusive choir

A CHOIR is offering free taster sessions.

Anyone thinking of joining a choral group can join Binfield Community Choir at one of their rehearsals.

It’s a new, friendly and inclusive choir, and they say that everyone is welcome.

No prior singing experience is necessary, there is no audition or need to read sheet music.

Modern-day Wombles giveBulmershe field a tidy-up

Picture:ThelastbrewofAffogato-thistimearoundit’sNitro, makingitsmootherthanever!

Lastly-don’tforgetwehaveaminiChristmas MarketattheTapYardonSaturday10thDecember, withplentyofstreetfood,stallsandasalwaysbreweryfreshbeautifulcraftbeer. Seeyouheresoon!

A COMMUNITY GROUP is inviting residents to pay their respects on Remembrance Sunday.

Beech Hill Memorial Hall’s service will feature a two-minute silence at 11am.

The tribute is conducted in the UK and other countries within the Commonwealth, coinciding with the time in 1918 at which the First World War came to an end.

The service starts at 10.30am on Sunday, November 13.

n For more information, search: Beech Hill Memorial Hall on www. facebook.com

A FIELD used by Woodley and Earley residents is now looking cleaner and greener thanks to some kind-hearted residents.

The latter-day Wombles from Earley Adopt-a-Street gathered in Bulmershe earlier this month for the community clean-up. They were helped by ward councillors.

Bulmershe Field is mostly in Woodley but partly in Earley and representatives and volunteers from both sides of the border pitched in.

Among those helping was Bulmershe and Whitegates

councillor Andy Croy.

“It was a great turn out to a wellorganised event,” he said.

“Adopt-a-Street is a scheme whereby local residents adopt a street, a part of a street or a walking route and, when they are able, collect litter on their route.

“The litter is left out on your normal bin collection day in specially provided bags.”

He added: “Adopt-a-Street volunteers all over the Borough do a great job and its fantastic to come together in a group to show a bit of extra love to an area.”

The choir’s leaders say they hope participants have fun singing together a repertoire that is likely to include Gospel, jazz, pop, show tunes and rock.

They meet on Monday evenings during term time, from 8pm to 9.30pm.

Rehearsals take place in The Foxes Den in the village’s Benetfeld Road.

Sessions cost £5 each, paid in half termly blocks.

The first taster session is free, with a bursary to help those unable to pay.

For information and to book a place, singers should visit the choir’s

ON ITS WAY: CityFibre has described a full fibre network roll-out in Wokingham as a ‘natural progression’ as the company approaches the halfway point of its project in Reading. Picture: Ji-Min Lee

Superheroes and villains descend on Crowthorne

THE WORLDS TOUGHEST OCEAN ROWING CHALLENGE

Proud sponsor of Two Inna Row

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

SUPERHEROES took over the streets of Crowthorne last week.

More than 50 residents and organisations created superhero and villain themed scarecrows for the Crowthorne Trails, which took place between Saturday, October 22, and Saturday, October 29.

Organised by the Hatch Ride Parent Teacher Organisation, the event has become a highlight on the calendar for the community.

Maps detailing the locations of the

Runners to helpstock food bank

A COMMUNITY group has organised an event to take items to its local food bank.

Members of Shinfield Running Club are set to purchase provisions to Helping Hand Shinfield and

displays were available to purchase for £3, with all proceeds from the event being donated to the Hatch Ride School and First Days.

Once added to the registration fees, the total raised so far is £1,400.

Becca Morison, part of the organising team, said: “There were some really good displays again this year.

“From our perspective, it was really successful and we got some really good engagement from people in the community.”

Donations can still be made by searching Crowthorne Trails on gofundme.com n For more information, visit: crowthornetrails.org

to bring items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, sanitary towels, toilet roll, snacks and biscuits.

Spencers Wood. Runners will convene at School Green, before jogging over to Shinfield Baptist Church with their items. Organisers are encouraging participants

In a post on social media, Helping Hand said: “Thank you so much for the support. We are always so blown away when local folks support what we do.

“[It’s] even more special

when it’s a wonderful initiative from our very own village.”

Shinfield Running Club is a free-to-join club for runners of all abilities.

The event takes place at 7.30pm on Wednesday, November 16.

n For more information, search Shinfield Running Club on www.facebook.com

InstaGroup are delighted to announce that we are a team sponsor for Two-Inna-row’s expedition across the Atlantic. We believe in helping the community as much as possible, so when local resident Darryl reached out, we had to listen!

On 12th December 2022, Darryl Thole and Sean Geiser will be entering the world’s toughest ocean rowing race - The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The pair will be rowing unassisted across 3000 miles of Atlantic Ocean between La Gomera, Canary Islands and English Harbour, Antigua. A journey which will see them being at sea for around 60 days in whatever conditions mother nature throws at them.

Completing this will not only be a huge accomplishment for the team, but it will help raise money and awareness for 3 chosen charities – Children with Cancer UK, The Cancer Society of The Bahamas and Kids Cancer Foundation

The Charities Two-Inna-row have chosen, will provide them with the ability to persist and remain motivated during the darker days at sea. Children’s lives should be filled with joy, with innocence, with happiness. They should not have to fight for their young lives. The work that these cancer charities perform will benefit children across the globe, not just the countries that they operate in.

With an inspiring motive, Darryl and Sean will be decorating their boat with the handprints of children currently undergoing cancer treatment. “These are our helping hands which will keep us strong when we are at our lowest”

When InstaGroup met with Darryl, who has a moving story of his own- we were instantly blown away at the dedication and passion he and his team have for this journey. Being out at sea, Two-Innarow will see first-hand the impact that pollution and waste is having on our world, and we knew we wanted to help.

Hearing that Darryl has no previous rowing experience, and their LB4 (Expedition Class) boat, will see the ocean crossing for only the second time.. ever! Our initial reaction was a state of shock! There is so much to be afraid of; but hearing Darryl’s positive outlook on life and towards this experience, impelled us to support his journey.

“We are just two ordinary people, trying to do something a little bit extraordinary so that in the future, children’s cancer may be a thing of the past” Rowers - Darryl Thole and Sean Geiser

We are proud to support such an inspirational cause, thanks to the team for letting us be a part of it. Everyone at InstaGroup wishes them the best of luck!

To find out more about the challenge Darryl and Sean face, visit their website: www.two-inna-row.com

info@instagroup.co.uk

0118 973 9560

www.instagroup.co.uk

Insta House, Ivanhoe Road, Hogwood Business Park, Finchampstead, Wokingham, RG40 4PZ

SCORE: The Lionesses were one of the superheroes on show at the Crowthorne Trails

Dopson Butchers teamed up with Hatch Ride Toddler Group

AJ Brooke Funeral Directors

Peter Pan fights Captain Hook

Hatch Ride primary school

Batman and (top) his Bathome

73-home development gets green light from council

A developer has received planning permission to build 73 new homes in a Wokingham village. National planning consultancy Boyer secured reserved matters approval from Wokingham Borough Council to develop a two hectare site at Arborfield Green on behalf of Crest Nicholson Chiltern.

The site, known as Parcel V2N, is part of Arborfield’s strategic development location (SDL) and sits on former Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) land.

Lucy Anderson, principal planner in Boyer’s Wokingham office, said: “We are pleased to have assisted Crest Nicholson and the project team in reaching this positive outcome which will support the continued delivery of critical residential development on this important strategic site for Wokingham Borough.”

New properties will include one bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses, as well as 15 affordable homes as per the S106 Agreement for the development.

When complete, Arborfield Green will provide a new sustainable garden village, with 2,000 new homes, a district centre, a neighbourhood centre, a primary and secondary school, community and sporting facilities, public open space, and other associated infrastructure.

In achieving planning success, Boyer worked alongside Pegasus (architects), i-transport (highways), AECOM (drainage, ecology and engineering), SJA Trees (trees) and Murdoch Wickham (landscape).

The company is part of Leaders Romans Group.

Carnival Hub scheme named as finalist in property awards

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

CARNIVAL Hub has been named a finalist for the Thames Valley Property Awards.

The multi-million pound hub, which opened in July, is in the running to win Development of the Year at the awards which take place on Wednesday, November 16.

The development is home to the town’s new leisure centre and library and was part of the regeneration of Wokingham town centre.

The hub received praise for the quality of the facilities, which include a state-of-the-art leisure centre, library, sports hall, café and swimming pools.

Cllr Clive Jones, leader of Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We are delighted to see the Carnival Hub recognised as a finalist for Development of the Year at the Thames Valley Property Awards.

“The success of the project has involved the hard work of a significant number of individuals and partners that we have worked with to deliver a flagship community building using a modern approach.”

The council’s ambition for Carnival Hub was to create one of the most energy efficient leisure centres in the UK.

Features of the new site include solar panels, air source heat pumps on the roof and improving the thermal fabric of the building.

All of these changes saw an 87% reduction of Co2/m2 in operation.

Actions that contributed to the reduction of the base energy rate included enhancing thermal performance, managing external glazing and reducing the area of external fabric and the building volume.

After the council declared a climate emergency in 2019, the Carnival Hub project was reviewed

to ensure it met the desire to do everything possible to reduce carbon emissions.

Cllr Jones said: “The project is an excellent example of how the council works with a wide range of partners to deliver remarkable results that benefit the local community and the environment.

“We are very proud to have a facility that offers such a variety of services to our residents and also of the hub’s green credentials.”

The council was nominated for the award by Roberts Limbrick, the sport, leisure and community architects.

It also worked with contractor Pelikaan Construction Ltd and project managers Faithful and Gould, while HLM were the master planning and landscape architects.

The Thames Valley Property Awards is a commercial property event, which recognises agents,developers, planners, consultants and more.

There are 18 categories, with the Carnival Hub up against four other projects for the Development of the Year prize. This includes the Shinfield Creative Media Hub.

OPEN FOR FITNESS: Carnival Hub opened in the summer Picture: Stewart Turkington

Poppy shop opens doors

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

IT’S TOP of the poppies ...

Wokingham town centre has a shop dedicated to all things related to the annual appeal and it’s open now.

The store’s ribbon was cut by Wokingham town mayor Cllr Maria Gee, who was joined by her husband Chris.

The event was also supported by Lucy Zeal, High Steward of Wokingham.

Cllr Gee said: “It is really important to me to be here.

“The Poppy Appeal raises money for current members of the armed services, veterans, and their families, providing financial, social and emotional help.”

She thanked Rock Choir members for contributing as collectors, Barkham Hookers for their crocheted poppies, and David Dunham, who has co-ordinated the town’s appeal for many years.

This is his last, and to raise extra funds, he is this month walking 121 miles.

His last mile will be completed at The Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, November 12, when he will take part in the muster at the televised Festival of Remembrance.

The poppy shop is full of interesting merchandise.

Shop volunteers Beth and Bethany were there at the

opening, selling items such as historic newspaper replicas, poppies for the garden, notebooks, water bottles, slap band bracelets, badges, key rings, and car poppies.

“It’s lovely to be part of a community venture like this, and there’s something for everyone,” said Bethany.

Inside the shop, the Barkham Hookers were busy crocheting poppies with military buttons at their centres.

Gaynor White, who leads the group, said: “We have around 600 members. We started 10 years ago with a class in my living room.

“We’ve raised around £60,000, of which £54,000 has been for the appeal.

“What started for me as a hobby, is now a full-time job.”

Wokingham’s 10 Platoon cadets also attended.

Staff Sergeant Turner said: “We’re an army cadet force youth organisation, affiliated with, and supported by the British army.”

“We’ll be here for the next two Saturdays, and we’ll take

part in the remembrance parade in the town on Sunday, November 13.”

Pete Gaine brought his military vehicle to Peach Place for the launch.

He was a soldier for 23 years until the mid 1980s, serving in Aden in Yemen, and on seven tours of Northern Ireland.

“The army really gave me purpose,” he said. “Afterwards, I fell into a job with the film industry, providing vintage automobiles for productions.”

Veteran John Patey was also there to celebrate the opening of the appeal.

Dressed in uniform and medals to commemorate his service in Cyprus, and 28 years in the Fire Brigade, he explained: “I was a corporal in the 6th Royal Tank Regiment.

“I served in the late 1950s and 1960s, and I wanted to be here at the launch today.

“It was good to see it done properly.

“It’s so important to support people who serve, or are injured, and to remember those who gave up everything so that we could have freedom.”

The poppy shop is open every day from now until Saturday, November 12, from 10am to 4pm daily.

It’s in Peach Place in Wokingham, where the Blue Orchid Café was located.

Woollen poppies spring up

RESIDENTS in Finchampstead and Wokingham woke up on Friday to garlands of poppies.

A group of crochet enthusiasts decorated the two towns overnight with poppies, gonks (yarn figures) and post box toppers.

It’s not the first time that the Barkham Hookers have decorated the borough with their yarn creations.

They have been in existence for a decade, and this year the group celebrates 10 years.

Gaynor White leads the Hookers, which is behind the enterprise.

“Yarn bombing has been taking place for years all over the world by crocheters, knitters and craftspeople,” she said.

“It’s simply a way to brighten up a public space either for charity or just for fun, to celebrate a local or a national event.

“We’ve been yarn bombing Wokingham with poppies for about eight years and recently decorated the town for the Jubilee.”

Another of the group’s ventures saw its members cover more than 40 bollards with bobble hats.

“We decorate post boxes at Easter and Christmas, and for other special

occasions.”

Gaynor has recently been asked to share her crochet skills as a craft teacher for justhands-on.tv.

“I have always wanted to be able to say, ‘here’s one I made earlier’, like a Blue Peter presenter, with the making of this programme came my opportunity,” she laughs.

Yarn bombing is quite a social occasion for The Barkham Hookers.

“It is always a fun evening when about 10 to 15 of us attach all the decorations after a meal and a couple of glasses of wine.”

The sessions run in term time:

On two Mondays each month the group meets at the Finchampstead Baptist Church (FBC) from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

On Thursdays, a class takes place in the FBC Library from 1pm to 3pm. And on Fridays, they gather in Sanpa Restaurant on Denmark Street, Wokingham from 10am to noon.

Lessons cost £4, which includes all tuition/help where needed.

All levels of skill are welcome, and there is no need to book.

For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page, Barkham Hookers.

POPPY IN: Among the visitors to the Poppy Shop was Sir John Redwood (left) Picture: Andrew Batt

LEST WE FORGET: Some of the crocheted poppies on display in Finchampstead

Reading FC

‘The Royals’

Back row (From left): Ollie Harrington, Ray Holland, Kelvin Abrefa, Dejan Tetek, John Clarke, Femi Azeez, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Jack Senga, Nelson Abbey, Nesta Guinness-Walker, Michael Craig, Amadou Mbengue, Callum Stratford, Chris Douglas.

Middle row (from left): Alex Forsey, Matt Ovie Ejaria, Naby Sarr, Mamadou Loum, Joe Lumley, Dean Bouzanis, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Baba Rahman, Liam Moore, Jeff Hendrick, Tom Baskerville, Dr Bhavesh Kumar.

FC 2022-23

Royals’

PICTURE: ©Jason Dawson

Matt Walker, Danny Flitter, Tyrese Fornah, Loum, Andy Carroll, Jokull Andresson, Boyce-Clarke, Lucas Joao, Scott Dann, Hendrick, Luke Bishop, James Hooper,

Front row (from left): Josh Bowen, Shane Long, Yakou Meite, Tom McIntyre, Andy Yiadom, Mark Bowen, Alex Rae, Paul Ince, James Oliver-Pearce, Tony Warner, Tom Holmes, Tom Ince, Sam Hutchinson, Junior Hoilett, Matt Hirons

WOKINGHAM.TODAY

VOICE OF THE BOROUGH

BBC’s local radio axe is madness

THE BBC should be in middle of celebrating 100 years of broadcasting. Instead it is dismantling the very institutions that make it special.

On Monday, it was revealed that from December BBC Radio Berkshire will be no more. Except on weekdays between 6am and 2pm.

The rest of the week, you simply don’t matter and can listen to any old nonsense they deem fit to air.

For an organisation that was set up to educate and inform, this is a massive own goal.

Local radio is a vital link across so many communities. Presenters, including Phil Kennedy, Sarah Walker, Bill Buckley, Kirsten O’Brien, and Andy Jones, among many others, are much admired.

In recent years, we have seen local media be whittled away and replaced with national content. It’s not the answer.

The decision the BBC has made this week is a madness. Local radio is only a small part of the licence fee, but its value is immeasurable.

If cuts need to be made, it should be to daytime television, not to this precious, local, resource.

CHURCH NOTES

Bishop of Oxford encourages behaviour changes on the path to net zero

An extract from a speech the Rt Revd Stephen Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, gave in the House of Lords on October 22.

WE face many challenging issues but none is more serious than climate change and the environmental crisis.

It is a privilege to be a member of the Lordships Select Committee on the Environment and Climate Change. Last week we published our first major report: In our hands: behaviour change for climate and environmental goals.

This government has given imaginative and committed leadership in the area of climate and the environment including at COP 26 through the COP President and in the recent Environment Bill. The government has acknowledged the need for behaviour change across the board: we all must play our part.

It is good to see government commitments to behaviour change summarised in the library briefing for this debate.

But the Committee found a very significant gap between what the government wants to do and the leadership which is being offered.

There is a very significant gap in understanding the challenge from department to department. There is too little joined up thinking and policy. There are quick wins which are not being adopted. There are massive areas for development and leadership – particularly domestic heating which is the subject of our next enquiry.

There is a lack of expertise and knowledge across government. There has been no real attempt at public information and engagement campaigns. The leadership debate over the summer has raised real questions around the new government’s commitment to net.

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today

Don’t carp on the sidelines

I remind those local Tory councillors clamouring to criticise the current administration’s thankless task of finding budget savings that they would be in precisely the same position had they not lost control of Wokingham Borough Council.

Instead of carping from the sidelines, they should not be throwing stones in this particular glass house for all manner of reasons.

Their last national party leader and chancellor created turmoil in the bond markets with their witless economic ideology and we are now all paying the heavy price for their ineptitude.

Furthermore, along with our almost-invisible MP, local Tories were completely incapable of securing decent funding settlements for the borough from government for years on end, despite being of the same party (what good political influence if you cannot exploit it effectively?).

Finally, they increased Council Tax every single year at levels always just below the threshold that would have triggered a local referendum on the matter, in order to cover their own dismal failure on the preceding point.

Turning to the current incumbents, I welcome Cllr Jones’s commitment

From the chamber Cllr Rachel Burgess

to helping the borough’s poor but suggest that merely signposting them to charitable organisations is not sufficient.

The Council must also act to ensure that it is not itself creating more financial misery in areas over which it has direct control, one being the rent levels it sets for social housing.

Most people do not realise that the cost of social housing provision in the borough is met entirely by its tenants; the service receives no cross-subsidy whatsoever from Council Tax payers or any other council budgets for that matter.

Similarly to the example above, the previous Tory administration increased rents every year to the maximum level permitted by the Government, even during lockdown, when mortgage payers were enjoying repayment holidays - this despite it having the legal ability to impose more modest increases each year or none at all.

The puny excuse given was that the Council’s ambitious stock improvement programme had to be paid for, disregarding the simple truth that most tenants would have been happy to accept a lower level of service in order to keep the roofs over their heads.

That is even more the case now.

So I truly hope that the current administration differentiates itself

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

We reserve the right to edit letters

Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

by adopting a more compassionate approach to one of the borough’s most economically disadvantaged groups. It may have no choice in the matter because the Department for Levelling Up recently consulted on this very topic, realising that it is not tenable for councils to set their 2023 rent increases at an eye-watering 11.1% (September CPI + 1%).

It is noteworthy that Scotland has already announced a freeze.

However, given that Michael Gove has returned with his penchant for back-peddling, I would remind Cllr Jones and his colleagues that the Council still retains the discretion to set increases below whatever level the Regulator decides and many of its tenants (aka voters) will be watching what happens closely.

If his team choose to turn a tin ear like their predecessors did, they will inevitably suffer a similar fate. Should any of them doubt this, virtually all wards have council tenants living in them and local election margins are always slim, so just do the maths.

For clarity, I am not a tenant but work with a lot of individuals who are and are struggling to put food on their tables. My caseload has rocketed in the last two years and concerns about rent always feature prominently in discussions.

Jack Carrington, Finchampstead

Conservatives to blame for budget woes

I notice this Letters section is heavily populated by local borough councillors, but I was surprised to see four (4) consecutive letters by Conservative councillors attacking the policy changes/proposals of the governing coalition.

Like everyone, I’m disappointed to see parking fees rise and waste/ other services being reduced. But the Conservative councillors protest too much, because I squarely put the blame on their inaction.

The Council isn’t in dire financial straits because of careless spending in the, checks notes, five months the coalition has been in power.

No - the shortfall was produced by Conservative inaction during the early days of inflation when the local elections put off tough decisions.

A shortfall in parking revenue was clear at the start of the year, but unaddressed. Inflationary pressures on running costs were clear then too, but unaddressed. Caddy liner supply costs were unbudgeted.

I fear what inflation will do to the payments on the significant debt the Conservatives built up over their decades - or what further funding cuts the central government will inflict on our borough.

I would invite any Conservative

The funding gap

because of the “damage they have done to our party”. Not the country. Not the people. But the damage done to the Conservative party was forefront in his mind. Party first, country second.

And now, without immediate additional funding for local authorities such as Wokingham, our Council faces increasingly difficult choices to make the budget balance.

of government-led austerity, with no new funding ever more changes will be needed to keep those vital services in place.

While a general election may be some way off, I look forward to a new government.

While the Conservatives appoint their seventh education secretary since 2018, I look forward to a government that would ensure that 90% of schools do not run out of money next year, as headteachers have warned.

ACROSS

the country, nine out of ten Councils have a budget gap, with the national shortfall in Council budgets currently estimated at a whopping £3.2bn.

Last week’s edition of Wokingham Today laid bare the stark reality facing Wokingham Council’s budgetary decision makers, who are desperately trying to fill their part of the record black hole in local government finances nationwide.

Even with tireless work of officers to find savings there is still currently a £4m shortfall in next year’s Council budget.

Last week a resident told me how, when he moved to Wokingham in the 1980s, the Council provided a variety of ‘value-added’ services for its residents. Now, not only are most of those ‘nice to have’ services gone due to years and years of austerity, but the Council is having to cut back much more drastically, and with worrying consequences.

While the economic implications of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are felt across the globe, it is clear that the chaotic Conservative Party in Westminster has added an extra

economic crisis in the UK.

Not only has the government failed to get a grip on inflation, but also their disastrous mini-budget for the rich trashed the economy – and people in Wokingham are feeling it.

Whether it’s increased parking charges for a shopping trip – or sharp rises in mortgage payments that put a serious dent in the family finances –this is Conservative-made chaos and ordinary people, like you and me, are footing the bill.

For months and months, the scandals and missteps have continued: from “partygate” all the way through to a massive Bank of England bailout and three Conservative leaders within a matter of months. The Conservatives have been too busy with their own affairs while the country’s economy flounders. And now, the economic damage is done.

Many will recall the astounding outburst of veteran Conservative MP Charles Walker on the BBC recently, who described his anger at his party’s shambolic leadership. But what was most striking about this tirade was the motivation behind his ire, revealed in passing at the end of his interview.

Mr Walker said he was livid

Understandably, the Lib Dem’s recent proposals with regard to car parking charges and changes to waste collections have come under ample scrutiny. If you are fortunate to have a healthy and stable family, you may be lucky enough not to have needed some of the vital services the Council provides.

And, quite reasonably, for you the Council may simply manifest itself in how much you pay to park, or how your waste is collected.

However, a large swathe of the Council’s budget exists to help those who are not so fortunate.

Children who need to escape abuse by being taken into local authority care. Older people who need help with washing, dressing and cooking. For me, the most worrying aspect of the economic chaos heaped upon the country is the human cost – if the Council cannot balance its budget those vital services are under threat.

So, we are left with unenviable decisions. Would you rather have cheaper car parking, or ensure that care visits to an elderly resident could continue? Would you rather be given plastic food caddy liners for no charge, or support an abused child going into care?

These are the stark choices the Council faces. After years and years

While the Prime Minister had originally planned to shun the COP 27 climate conference and banishes Alok Sharma, the COP26 president, from cabinet and King Charles from attending the conference, I look forward to a Labour government that will show proper leadership on the climate emergency.

A government that would invest in renewables and tax the excessive profits of the oil and gas companies in order to freeze energy bills. Climate action is not just for the benefit of the environment - but for Britain’s economy too.

While NHS waiting lists hit a record high, I look forward to a Labour government with a proper plan for the NHS, to radically expand its workforce and provide higher standards for patients.

And, as the UK’s reputation reels from the damage caused by the recent shambles at Westminster, I look forward to a Labour government that can restore integrity and respect in the United Kingdom, both at home and abroad.

Cllr Rachel Burgess is the leader of Wokingham Labour group and ward member for

councillors to address the poor state of the borough finances in their next letter.

I applaud the governing coalition for facing reality and making tough choices.

Tom Ross, via email Pot, meet kettle

Cllr Keith Baker’s letter (October 27) was interesting in that he gives detailed information on parking costs and the petition, which had more than 4,000 signatures. That is impressive.

However, his points on consultation and transparency are weak because when his Conservative group were in power, they didn’t consult on removing Woodley’s public toilets and refused to listen to residents who signed a petition on adequate provision of public toilets.

They should have increased parking charges over six years in small increments.

The Conservatives are now out of office and just want to attack the Lib Dem executive, and undermine them as much as possible so they can win seats to regain their majority and win back control of the council, instead of working constructively with all councillors to find solutions to poor funding by the Conservative government.

The phrase ‘pot calling the kettle black’ springs to mind.

Greg Bello, Woodley

A jewel in the gap

Cllr Charles Margetts is so spot on (as reported by Wokingham Today

From the chamber

Cllr David Hare

The NHS Integrated Care System

THENHS has changed again, a new governance is being worked out.

There are, on paper, some positive moves but whether what is expected occurs is another question.

In theory at least, all Councils will now have an important position within the new Integrated Care System (ICS). Integrated care systems (ICS) are partnerships of organisations that come together to plan and deliver joined-up health and care services and to improve the lives of people who live and work in their area.

Wokingham is in the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) ICS.

The structure of this is headed by the top-level (NHS-led) Integrated care board (ICB), which is responsible for developing a plan for arranging for the provision of health services in the ICS area.

Below that is the Integrated care partnership (ICP), this is where Local Authorities come in.

The ICP is jointly formed between the NHS integrated Care Board Chair and all upper-tier local authorities that fall within the ICS area. It is concerned with improving the care, health and wellbeing of the population.

online) - the Council shouldn’t be considering developing a new SEND school at Rooks Nest Wood when a the Council-owned redundant school in Farley Hill sits vacant.

As Rooks Nest Wood matures, it offers a jewel in the gap between Finchampstead and Barkham popular with residents and has proved to be an excellent development by Parish and Borough Councils.

Making use of a Council asset at a time like, this would demonstrate the Council showing prudence with ratepayers money.

The site has shown it is capable of hosting a school and would be more that adequate for the 100 or so pupils planned - approximately half the previous numbers making it easier than before on the local roads.

I would think that the residents of Farley Hill would welcome the school to be put back in use especially if the external profiles are maintained thus keeping it away from the developers’ clutches.

David Arnold, Finchampstead

Scrap car park price rises

Regarding the proposed increase in car parking charges in the town centre, rather than try to make up a shortfall and putting up the parking charges to bring them in line with other Councils’ charges, perhaps they should be scrapped altogether, with certain exceptions.

Some friends of ours who have moved from Wokingham to West Oxfordshire have found that parking in Witney town centre is, in most

cases, free and certainly is after 6pm.

The only enforcement used is to make sure that there are no abuses, such as not parking in a bay correctly or using a disabled person’s bay without a valid permit.

The result of this enlightened policy is that the town centre shops are well used during the day and evening trade in restaurants and cafés has increased considerably since it was introduced.

If Wokingham Council think that they will generate more revenue by charging more and also until 10pm, they are sadly mistaken. It will cost a great deal more to enforce the charges than the increase in revenue they hope to generate’.

Derek Porter, via email

Protect the state pension

We the pensioners, especially on state pension only, must have a triple lock in line with inflation.

Our pension is the lowest in Europe.

The triple lock was promised by Liz Truss, who said she would do this for pensioners.

The new PM said it last year when he was a chancellor that this year we will have it backm as he cut it out last year.

Pensioners must fight for it, for justice.

Victor Rones, Bracknell

Dangers of extreme weather

Extreme weather could destroy 167 million homes around the world by 2040. It’s the equivalent of all the

Wokingham Council in many areas.

In theory, this gives greater flexibility to deliver joined-up care to the increasing number of people who rely on multiple services. But it is not possible to legislate for collaboration and co-operation.

homes in the UK wiped out six times over.

The UK Government owes it to every generation to make courageous decisions and take urgent action to slow down the impact of climate change.

At ShelterBox, a charity specialising in emergency shelter after disaster, we see the impact human-driven global heating is having on the lives of people we’re helping across the world.

In the Horn of Africa, we’re responding to the worst drought to hit the region in more than 40 years. In Pakistan, we’re helping people affected by severe monsoon flooding that has washed away lives, homes, and livelihoods.

We must recognise the human crisis in front of us and provide emergency shelter to help millions of people facing climate disasters right now and support vulnerable communities against future disasters.

Extreme weather uproots people, only for them to be displaced again and again – like in the Philippines, or the Lake Chad Basin where people are caught between conflict and climate.

Instead of cutting spending to humanitarian aid, the UK has to work together with global leaders to share technology, knowledge, and funding, and prioritise climate resilience.

The UK has been a leader on these issues in the past and it can be again. This is not the time to delay – clear resolve, strong leadership, and bold action is needed.

Sanj Srikanthan, CEO ShelterBox

self-care, discharge pressures and admission avoidance.

From the leader Cllr Clive Jones

Tackling the challenges of the budget ALL

parties on the borough council agree that this year we face the most challenging environment anyone can remember for council finances.

Experienced Council Leaders, Chief Executives and chief finance officers across the country are talking of the current situation as unprecedented. Double-digit inflation – familiar to all the borough’s residents – is hitting the council hard. Material and labour costs are rising at an alarming rate, and we have very little control over those price rises.

Demand for our services, meanwhile, is growing – especially as a result of increasing homelessness and a growing bill for home to school transport.

The level of income anticipated in the budget set in February has fallen short of expectations, partly because of a fall in income from leisure centres which has declined as people tighten their belts and cut out what they see as non-essential spending.

There is also a significant shortfall in income from the car park charges budget which could be as much as £800,000 this year.

As now Local authorities in the ICS area are responsible for social care and public health functions, this should bring a continuum of care.

The lowest denominator are Place-based partnerships that will lead the detailed design and delivery of integrated services across their localities. These partnerships will involve the NHS, local councils, community and voluntary organisations, everyone with a role in supporting the health and wellbeing of the population, being practical outworking of strategy.

The problem we have in Wokingham is that Wokingham is joined with West Berkshire and Reading in Berkshire West Place.

We all know Wokingham is healthy and wealthy, but we still have real poverty and disability in our Borough, this needs support.

Because of our general healthy position Wokingham usually loses out in the allocation of funds, so people who deserve support lose out because of the postcode lottery. Additionally, the Place is meant to work with the Wellbeing boards of the Local Authorities, but in West Berkshire place there are three Wellbeing boards, with differing priorities and expectations.

The proposals for the ICS represent a marked shift away from the focus on competition of the last reorganisation.

They move towards a model of partnership; a model being forged at

This development of working together requires sometimes radicle changes to the behaviours, attitudes and relationships of staff and leaders right across the health system. In BOB ICS it did not appear that this changed mindset had been appreciated by senior management, but things seem to be changing and we can only hope for a strong voice at the NHS table.

The purpose of ICS’s is said to be to bring partner organisations together to:

n Improve outcomes in population health and healthcare

n Tackle inequalities in outcomes, experience and access

n Enhance productivity and value for money

n Help the NHS support broader social and economic development.

I believe is the most important thing the ICS brings is helping the NHS to recognise the very important place Local Authorities play in the health economy.

Wokingham Adult Care seeks to Prevent, Delay and Reduce the NHS need for input with all our residents.

In Wokingham, we already have a Wokingham Integrated Partnership (WIP) that I chair. This works jointly with the NHS and voluntary system to put in place local ideas that often have a large effect on people’s wellbeing, keeping them away from the need for NHS intervention. This includes things such as the MIND wellbeing service, a Mental Health primary service initiated by Wokingham and proving very successful.

We also look at things such as Winter pressures, with vaccination,

Another problem here is with discharge pressures as in the pandemic Wokingham was found extra money from the NHS to get people out of hospital as fast as possible. The expectation to get people out has not dropped, but there is now no specific funding to do this, it is expected to be found from a very tight Adult Care budget where there is no spare money available.

WIP covers at least 17 schemes that include the Friendship Alliance, Home from Hospital, Care Home support and the Intermediate Care Team (Health reablement), all services supporting and enabling the people of Wokingham, cutting NHS costs.

Wokingham is working as well as possible with the NHS, despite the fact that we believe significant additional investment is required for the funding of care that should have been provided by the NHS where Wokingham Adult Care has filled in.

The new Integrated Care System (ICS) promises potentially a better working relationship between Adult Care in all Local Authorities and the NHS. To get where it is intended to land first of all Care Workers pay must be increased substantially.

Equivalent NHS pay scales are about 30% higher than Care workers, something must be done. This whole scenario is about equality between Adult Care and the NHS.

Without doubt, it will require a fundamental change in the way Adult Care is viewed by the NHS if it is to be the success it could be, serving the population of Wokingham with cost effective, integrated care.

Cllr David Hare is the member for Hawkedon Ward, and executive member for Adult Services on Wokingham Borough Council

Now, as a result of the mismanagement of the economy at a national level, we also face the added challenge of steeply rising interest rates, which make any new borrowing for capital projects more expensive to service.

The council has begun the public scrutiny of its budget for the next three years.

This is very much a work-in-progress and will last for a few months before a new budget is presented to the council in February of next year.

Senior administration councillors and officers of the council have been going through every item of expenditure to question its necessity and see whether it can be delivered more cost effectively.

But no one has a monopoly on good ideas, and we are willing to seek the views of councillors of all parties.

I was pleased that the members of the Corporate and Community overview and scrutiny committee generally adopted a constructive approach, coming up with some suggestions for us to explore as we develop next year’s budget.

Most pleasingly of all, there seemed to be a general recognition of the magnitude of the challenge and an understanding that difficult and unpopular decisions would have to be made.

We have not shied away from those difficult decisions because we know the consequences of not rising to the challenge of setting a balanced budget in the most difficult circumstances anyone can remember.

The experience of Labour controlled Slough and Conservative Thurrock councils is a sobering reminder of the harsh reality we have to confront – both councils have effectively gone bankrupt and government inspectors have been sent in, imposing deep cuts to many services.

We are determined that will not be the fate of Wokingham Borough Council.

If we all pull together on the council, and focus resolutely on meeting the challenge, we can get through this crisis, accepted by many to be the worst economic crisis facing local government for 40 years.

Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and ward member for Hawkedon

Telecommunications firm teams up with Ferrovial to boost 5G

A READING-based telecommunications firm is teaming up with a construction firm to accelerate the 5G rollout across the construction industry.

Cellnex UK and Ferrovial said the cooperation agreement will help create infrastructure to turbocharge the creation of the high-speed mobile network.

There will be an initial focus on Open RAN projects in the UK before heading to Europe.

The firms say the EU recovery fund will be an important catalyst for the deployment of 5G networks to accelerate benefits to users, sectors and for the development of sustainable infrastructure.

It is the first time that Cellnex has helped provide connectivity for the construction sector, and the firm says it can help with integrating the Internet of Things devices, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and robotics.

David Crawford, managing director of Cellnex UK said the firm is delighted.

“Increasingly we are seeing that industry co-operation is essential to help the UK realise its vision of a connected society,” he said.

“Cellnex UK will always be open to

working with our customers to deploy innovative solutions using our infrastructure to create value, and this Open RAN deployment for Ferrovial is a great example of our ambition.”

This partnership follows a challenge launched last year by Ferrovial, together with 5PRING –a 5G application accelerator in the UK– and other companies such as Eurovia UK or Galliford Try, for start-ups and innovative small businesses to shape the future of the construction sector.

Karl Goose, Ferrovial Construction’s managing director, said the partnership helped reinforce the company’s position in the digital transformation of the infrastructure sector.

“This collaboration with Cellnex UK and the Open RAN flexibility provides unique benefits when looking to advance how we design, build and manage projects, therefore making them safer, more efficient, and more sustainable,” he said.

“I’m excited to see the results of this relationship with Cellnex in the UK and look forward to sharing the resulting learning and best practice with other areas of the business.”

n For more details, log on to: www.cellnex. co.uk

New rental task force launched by Romans

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

A NEW task force has been launched in Wokingham, and its mission is to build homes that can then be rented.

Leaders Romans Group (LRG) says that it is launching Three Sixty Space after its recent appointment of Andrew Jones as Group Director, Corporate Lettings and Build to Rent.

It will bring together wideranging expertise from the group to help the increasing number of investors, developers and property managers who are switching to build to rent.

The British Property Federation (BPF) figures show the sector grew 14% from 2021 to 2022, and last year it accounted for 6% of all housebuilding with investment topping £4bn.

LRG says that in the past 10 years, BTR has evolved from providing city centre apartment blocks for young professionals to

substantial suburban communities with shared services and facilities.

Mr Jones said: “Recent research among global institutional investors has found that 70% anticipated being active within BTR suburban communities in the next five years: a substantial increase from the 42% currently active.

“The sector’s potential is almost unlimited, as counter-urbanising maturing Millennials seek family homes in serviced communities and benefit from the opportunity to

move from one home to another at little cost as their family grows.

“This innovative, service-based product will compare favourably with most of the stock currently available for rent, and its popularity will enable BTR suburban communities to attract additional investment and grow at pace.”

Mr Jones said that his division will soon publish a white paper looking at the role suburban communities can play in build to rent marketplace.

Vogue editor helps raise £6,000for women’s employment charity

AN EVENT that saw a former editor of Vogue share insights into her 25-year stint editing the fashion magazine has raised £6,000 for charity.

Smart Works Reading organised An Evening with Alexandra Sulman at Ascot Racecourse, with more than 100 women attending.

The charity helps women with finding employment, by offering free job interview coaching and dressing service.

The event was hosted by Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey, a Smart Works Reading Ambassador.

During the event, Ms Shulman said he was starstruck when she met the late Diana, Princess of Wales and enjoyed Vogue’s centenary exhibition held at the National Portrait Gallery.

She also read extracts from her book, Clothes…and other things that matter, Shulman talked about how clothes can act as armour to get people through difficult times.

“I so believe that clothes are your superpower. You can project whatever you want to project through your clothes” she told the audience.

Ms Chadwyck-Healey said: “Smart Works Reading is a place that helps so many women pursue their goals. It allows women to relish a

newfound freedom and to enjoy an untapped autonomy that they gain as they set off on a new job path.

“It’s a volunteer-led service that rewards those that step out of their comfort zone and ask for help. Something that not many of us are good at.

“And in doing so they really do succeed and 72% of clients secure work two months after a Smart Works consultation.”

And Ms Shulman said: “I’ve always had a slight connection to Smart Works and it really appeals to me because I really understand what it aims to do and succeeds in doing. It’s wonderful to see such a simple idea that can make so much difference.

“It is a fantastic charity.”

Chair of Smart Works

Reading Helen Francis was delighted with the event and wanted to thank everyone for donating their time and services to help raise essential money for the charity.

“The evening was an enormous success, and we were thrilled to have such an influential name in fashion supporting us,” she said.

“The money we raised will go towards funding our centre in Reading from which we run our transformational job interview and coaching service, helping women land a job and gain financial independence.”

Guests at the event were also treated to cocktails and canapes, courtesy of the event sponsors Slingsby Gin and Sodexo Live.

SUPPORTER: Alexandra Shulman with Ginnie Chadwyck at the Smart Works Reading fundraising event at Ascot Racecourse Picture: Jon Bradley

PLAN AHEAD: Leaders Romans Group is launching Three Sixty Space to help develop build to rent Picture: Pixabay

Celebrate Black History Month in Woodley next weekend

Freemasons fund Roald Dahl nurse

A CHARITY grant will see specialist nursing care provided for more than 300 children and young people with complex and life-long medical conditions.

Berkshire Freemasons have donated £60,000 to Roald Dahl’s Marvelous Children’s Charity, which has been used to establish a Roald Dahl Nurse specialist at The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The grant means that Hannah Gerrard will take up the role, caring for children and young people by helping

them transition from children’s to adult care.

This process can often be a traumatic change, so Ms Gerrard will provide support by liaising with specialist teams, schools, and parents.

Beneficiaries will be provided with personalised health plans from the age of 14 to support their transition to adult services.

Ms Gerrard said: “I am delighted to become the first-ever Roald Dahl Nurse Specialist in Berkshire. It is a real privilege to be in the position, and I am

grateful to Berkshire Freemasons for helping to make this possible.”

Louise Griew, Chief Executive at Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, said: “We’re very grateful to Berkshire Freemasons for their generous grant which has helped to fund this vital new post.”

Peter Sands from Berkshire Freemasons, said: “I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help provide this nursing care for children with epilepsy.”

There are currently 82 Roald Dahl specialist nurses across the UK.

By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today

A CELEBRATION to mark Black History Month is taking place in Woodley next weekend.

The free community event will take place at Woodley Baptist Church on Saturday, November 12.

There will be a taste of the Caribbean with food tasting as well as a range of performances for guests to enjoy including dancing, singing, spoken word and poetry.

All performances will have a local connection and celebrate African and Asian heritage. The seated event will have an interval so guests can enjoy the food.

The event is being organised by Jeff Hinds, chairman of the African Caribbean Society, a member of the borough’s Residents Equality Forum, with support from Wokingham Borough Council.

Mr Hinds said: “It is great to be back with a Black History Month event like the performance and taster evening for the first time since the pandemic.

“We are looking forward to a great evening of entertainment.

“There will be lots for the patrons to enjoy.”

Black History Month has been celebrated regularly every October in Wokingham borough since the early 2000s.

This year the campaign focuses on “actions not words”, recognising that it’s not just a month to celebrate the continued achievements and contributions of black people to the UK and the world, but is also a time to tackle racism, reclaim black history, and ensure black history is represented and celebrated all year round.

Earlier this year the council created an executive position focussed on improving how the council deals with equalities and making sure every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, executive member for equalities, inclusion and fighting poverty, said: “I’d love to see a fantastic turnout for this event and celebration of the diversity of our borough.

“These events shine a spotlight on parts of our communities which are not so well-known and give everyone a chance to learn more about them.

“We’ve always supported a diverse programme of events to help support our diverse community. We’ll continue to champion them as we continue to implement our equality plans.”

The free event is scheduled to start at 7pm and finish at 9.30pm in the church on Hurricane Way. There is no need to book.

FLASHBACK: The Black History Month celebration in Woodley pictured in 2019

BLACKHAM reports from a meeting of WokinghamBorough Council’s executive on October 27

Residents raise further fears over 3G pitch plans

MORE concerns have been raised over proposals to build a 3G pitch in Earley.

Earlier this year, Wokingham Borough Council unveiled plans for the facility at Maiden Erlegh School, but some residents are worried about the impacts.

At an executive meeting on Thursday, October 27, multiple questions were asked on how the council would tackle potential issues such as cost, increased traffic and the environmental impact of the site.

This follows from last week’s full council meeting where several other questions were raised.

Sarah Evershed believes the pitch will compound the issue of “an already congested shopping parade”.

She asked: “Are the council accepting that this pitch will increase pollution, congestion and increase risk to the community’s safety?

Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, recognised the restricted access to the site but, due to the buildings either side of the road, there is no opportunity to improve it.

He said to avoid increasing congestion during pick up time, the pitch will only operate outside of school hours during the week.

Cllr Shenton added: “There

is ample parking on site for the use of the pitch during after school hours operation, as the parking standard for pitches is 20 spaces per pitch.

“However, there would need to be an agreement between the school and the Borough Council to ensure that there are no conflicts with large events such as parent teacher evenings.

“The key partner clubs will encourage players and parents to walk or cycle to the site to reduce the impact on residents and promotion to encourage parents to share lifts, particularly on midweek training nights will also be a key feature. Those actions are expected to more than offset any increase in pollution from visiting teams on match days.”

A petition, organised by residents concerned about the proposals, garnered more than 150 signatures.

Sarah Spencer asked how many would be needed for the council to “take us seriously”.

She said: “Does Wokingham Borough Council care about the impact on residents at all?”

Cllr Shenton said: “The purpose of the consultation was to establish the views of residents and I think that demonstrates that the council does care. It’s elicited almost 1,000 responses

and numerous other inputs highlighting several issues that do need careful consideration and will be taken very seriously.”

Cllr Shenton explained the council had already identified the need for noise and parking management plans and it will now assess what mitigation is required if it proceeds further.

He said: “In that event, it would still be required to go through the same process and be subjected to the same tests as all other planning applications.”

Elizabeth Newman called for clarity on how flooding will be managed at the site.

She is also worried that microplastics from the pitch will shed into the local environment, eventually making their way into water courses that feed into rivers.

Cllr Shenton clarified that a review of the drainage systems has identified a Thames Water service outlet which will be utilised.

If the pitch were to proceed beyond the feasibility stage, a full drainage survey would be carried out on the site prior to a planning application being made.

On the microplastics entering nearby water courses, Cllr Shenton said the design of the pitch would comply with the Football Foundation framework.

He added: “The standard

practice for modern 3G pitches is for a holding tank to be placed underneath the pitch to hold rainwater to then be slowly dispersed into the ground.

“The system also has filters to capture any potential rubber crumb penetrating the sublevels of the base.”

Three more residents, Michaela Thomas, Chris Thomas and Emily Thomas, all raised concerns over the sustainability of plastic pitches and rubber crumb.

Questions included what happens with the surface at the end of its lifecycle and whether the council has considered alternatives to a 3G pitch.

Cllr Shenton said: “Under no circumstances shall end of life synthetic turf surfacing be disposed of by repurposing or landfill.”

Cllr Shenton also said the Football Association works “closely” with football clubs and the local authority to ensure grass pitches are supported and enhanced where possible.

“However, a host of local clubs still train on substandard surfaces and in cramped school halls and expensive commercially run sites. The 3G pitch provision aims to reduce the impact on local clubs of having to use out of date or unsuitable training facilities,” he added.

Council leader calls for government support on cost of living crisis

THE leader of Wokingham Borough Council has called on the government to help the authority and its residents amid the cost of living crisis.

At an executive meeting on Thursday, October 27, Cllr Clive Jones (pictured) said more support was needed so the borough could tackle rising costs.

He said: “These are very difficult economic times. The council was left with a shortfall for the current financial year of just over £2.2 million.

“This was covered by the previous administration by raiding the general reserve to balance the budget. We can’t use general reserves to do this again.

“To do this would mean the general reserve would drop below £7 million which would then see the government taking over the running of the council as they have in Labour-controlled Slough and Conservative-controlled Thurrock.”

Cllr Jones said he has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for more funding as Wokingham is “the lowest funded unitary local authority”, receiving “£24 million less than the average unitary authority”.

He added: “The Conservatives have put us in this position of the lowest funded authority, probably for the last eight years.

“In recent days, the government has once again shuffled the ministers around the cabinet table.

“Some have suggested that there might be cuts in services and it’s been suggested this could mean less money for local councils.

“If there is less funding from the government, Wokingham Borough Council will be in serious trouble

The cost-of-living crisis means that it’s more important than ever to make sure you are receiving all the government benefits that you are entitled to. Let me show you how you might be able to get regular financial assistance to help you remain independent in your own home for as long as you wish.

Attendance Allowance is paid to people who have reached state pension age if they have a disability or health condition. Exactly how much someone receives depends on how their condition affects them, and there are two weekly rates. A lower rate of £61.85/week is paid if you need help during the day, and you may receive up to £92.40/week if you have health issues that disrupt your sleep. That’s up to £370/month tax-free. It’s not means-tested, and it doesn’t matter where you live, or if you have savings.

Attendance Allowance - Who can claim it?

I offer an initial free 30-minute confidential consultation to allow us to assess whether we can help and for you to decide if you’d like help. If we both agree that claiming Attendance Allowance is right for you, then we will look after you every step of the way.

Attendance Allowance is also known as a ‘gateway benefit’ as other benefits and opportunities are opened once you start to receive it.

We complete all the necessary forms and explain the process of claiming in straightforward, plain English so that you understand everything and are in complete control.

and it will be the fault of the Conservative government.”

Record levels of inflation, increasing energy costs and rising mortgage rates are just some of the issues raised by residents to Cllr Jones.

He said: “Many residents have told me about their concerns about increases in their mortgages following Liz Truss’s disastrous budget.

“Many will have to find an extra £500 a month in interest charges. That’s a massive £6,000 a year that could have been spent in the local economy, especially our shops.

“Increases in energy costs are also hurting our residents and local businesses, energy costs have doubled since last year.

“Increases in mortgages, increases in energy costs and inflation are doing far more to hurt local retailers than any increases in car park charges.”

Cllr Jones remains concerned and is hoping for action from politicians at Westminster.

He said: “I am really concerned about the local economy so I hope the government will keep energy costs low, will keep interest rates low and I hope they will continue to support local councils and find more money for local authorities like Wokingham that has been underfunded for so long.”

Budget inherited by council described as ‘woefully inadequate’

A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT councillor has described the budget they inherited as “woefully inadequate”.

Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, executive member for finance at Wokingham Borough Council, made the comments at an executive meeting on Thursday, October 27.

She said: “We have, this year, inherited a budget that was woefully inadequate for the needs of this Council.

“As examples, there was insufficient funding for rebuilding Winnersh Park in Ride, despite its problems being known about, last October. There was no funding in the budget for food caddy liners.

“There is woefully inadequate provision for getting children to school and supporting children with special educational needs.”

Cllr Shepherd-DuBey said these issues, combined with rising inflation, has forced the council to

make decisions on some services such as cutting the provision of blue bags or providing additional funding for bus services.

Despite the “adversity” she believes this provides the opportunity to “look more closely at how our services are run”.

She added: “No councillor becomes a councillor with the expectation of having to cut services and increase prices.

“We are having to make those difficult decisions on behalf of our residents otherwise this council will cease to be able to carry out its basic functions including being able to support the most vulnerable in our society.

“With a significant shortfall in income and reduced support from central government funds, we are finding we are left with very few choices.”

Are you missing out on a benefit worth £370/month?

Nigel Pearce AIPW

“We contacted Nigel and received wonderful service. He filled in the extensive forms for us and did so in a very caring way.”

Cedric Lander, Woodley

Wokingham Society rejects plans for town centre flats

By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today

PLANS TO knock down parts of Wokingham town centre to create 60 flats have been condemned by a society aimed at protecting the area’s heritage.

Last month, it was revealed that property developers Devonshire Metro Limited are looking to build four commercial units and 60 new homes by knocking down 19-20 Market Place, as well as partdemolishing number 21.

The units house Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Robert Dyas and Lloyds Bank. It is not yet clear whether these businesses will be lost on a temporary or permanent basis while the work is completed.

There would be 20 onebedroom homes suitable for two people, 22 two-bedroom homes for three people, 14 twobedroom homes for four people, four three-bedroom homes for five people, and one threebedroom home for six people.

And there would be just 37 car parking spaces.

Commenting on the plans, the Wokingham Society’s executive committee said they could see nothing wrong with the area as it currently stands.

“We find the proposal superfluous and contrary to the principles of the conservation area status which seeks to protect the town centre from unnecessary development such as this proposal to demolish usable buildings and to impose an unacceptably large mass

of residential buildings,” they noted.

They welcomed the proposal to keep the current façade of Market House, but did not approve of the plans for the middle section, housing Lloyds Bank, saying it was not in keeping with the local grain of buildings in this area.

Calling for the design to be reworked, they said: “It might be argued that there are one or two whitewashed buildings nearby, but these are pleasantly plastered and rough-surfaced. The frontage proposed is largely flat and smooth, with

little variety, and topped by an incongruous flat roof, which has no nearby equivalent.”

The Society also had concerns over plans to create four-storey blocks for the apartments.

“Reducing the provision by lowering the height or lessening the number of blocks in order to deliver half this amount of accommodation would seem to be a more reasonable objective,” they said.

Other concerns included access for residents from Horward Road.

“This is a narrow and, in

practice (by virtue of parking), often a single- lane route and ill-equipped to deal with the volume of traffic implicit in the proposed development, from construction traffic to residents’ and visitors’ cars and to delivery and emergency vehicles,” they noted.

“There is a particular concern about the narrowness of the proposed Howard Place, which would mean that vehicles entering it would need to reverse out of it since there would be no turning room. “This would pose a danger to other vehicles approaching the entrance and be an unnecessarily risky manoeuvre in any case.

“We note that emergency vehicles may need to access Denmark Square by passing over retractable bollards We wonder whether this could pose difficulties when the Square is also being used for active purposes such as alfresco dining, exhibitions or live events.”

They called for a clear management plan “to ensure that the Square and associated passageway does not become neglected and thus prone

Flamenco demonstration for

AN ART group in Wokingham is inviting members of the public to attend its next meeting.

Sera Knight will give a demonstration to the members of Wokingham Art Society, and will paint a flamenco dancer in mixed media.

The event will take place at the Bradbury Centre, next to Wokingham Methodist Church on Rose Street.

The exhibition is on Tuesday, November 15, and is open to all.

The group will meet from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

Entrance fee is £3 for members, and £5 for nonmembers.

Tea or coffee at the interval is included.

n For more information visit: www.wokinghamartsociety. org.uk

Rail strike warning

SOUTH Western Railway has urged customers to travel by rail “only if absolutely necessary,” ahead of strikes set for early November.

With three days of industrial action planned by Network Rail and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers between Saturday and Thursday, November 5-10, SWR is warning passengers of severe disruption.

Strikes are due to take place on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, with the days between and after also impacted.

During the planned strikes, a severely reduced service will run across the SWR network, with only limited routes running and much of the network closed entirely.

On all three days of Network Rail strike action, services will only run on certain routes between 7.15am and 6.30pm.

Four trains an hour will run in each direction between London Waterloo and Windsor and Eton Riverside.

Two semi-fast trains will run per hour in each direction between London Waterloo and Basingstoke, and four trains per hour will run in each direction between London Waterloo and Woking.

Two fast trains per hour will run in each direction

between London Waterloo and Southampton Central.

Passengers are advised that services will not stop at all stations along these routes, and the rest of the network will not be operating.

Strikes by members of the RMT on London overground and London Underground on Thursday, November 10, mean that connections to SWR services could be disrupted or cancelled.

As a result of the strike action, members of the public are encouraged to travel only if absolutely necessary and to seek other means of travel than rail wherever possible.

South Western Railway’s performance and planning director, Steve Tyler, said: “I’m sorry that due to strike action we must urge our customers to only travel by rail if absolutely necessary from Saturday 5 to Thursday 10 November.

“Those who must travel are urged to carefully check the times of first and last trains and avoid them if possible.

“We appreciate that customers will be eager to enjoy the fireworks for Guy Fawkes Night, but last trains for the day will depart early at around 1700 and will be very busy.

“Please check train times carefully.”

A LOWER EARLEY care home has appointed a new general manager.

Seva Hashimova will oversee the 80 staff members who help run the 78-bed Austen House.

It is one of 200 homes owned by Barchester Healthcare.

Ms Hashimova said she was delighted to join the team.

“I am enjoying meeting and getting to know our residents. I’m looking

forward to managing this home and continuing to provide high-quality care,” she said.

And the appointment has been welcomed by Jo Fitzgerald, regional operations director for Austen House.

“I am pleased to welcome this addition to the team here at Austen House,” she said. “I really think Seva will be a big hit with our residents.”

GOING?: 19-21 Market Place - a proposal has been made to demolish the existing buildings and rebuild to create four commercial units and 60 homes

Picture: Google Maps

SETTLING IN: Seva Hashimova is the new manager of Austen House in Lower Earley

INTHECOMMUNITY

New club for teenagers with additional needs

EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

YOUNG people and their families have highlighted the need for a club specially for teenagers with learning difficulties and disabilities.

They wanted a club in the borough where teenagers can meet together, have fun and develop confidence and independence.

Charity, Me2 Club, has responded by organising a new monthly club for teenagers with additional needs.

Members should be aged 13 to 19, and live in Wokingham or Reading.

The group will be able to choose and plan activities with the help of the charity’s experienced staff.

Me2 Club is an inclusion charity for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities in the Reading and Wokingham boroughs.

With the help of buddies, it enables children to access mainstream activities.

Participation officer at Me2 Club, Ramona Bridgeman says: “Once young people with additional needs get to around 13, there are fewer mainstream activities available for them.

“I experienced this with my own daughter – it just becomes more difficult to find suitable things to do.

“And by that age, young people want to start spending more time with other youngsters with additional needs, anyway, rather than with mainstream groups.”

Earlier this year, Me2 Club invited three teens to come into their office to

talk with the team.

The teenagers told the CEO and the staff that they would like more activities for their age group.

They also said that they would be happy to plan, and fund-raise, and that they were keen to lead.

“It’s exciting because this new club will enable us to meet young people that wouldn’t have come to Me2 Club previously,” explains Ramona.

“A number of teenagers with additional needs have almost no activities to go to.

“Some of them are not in schooling either.

“We hope that this new club will make a real difference.”

The first session will take place in Woodley, when the club will meet for a

The Corkscrew Comet Case

MEMBERS of the Wokingham Writers group have been busy penning more stories.

The group’s latest contest saw many entries, including this one, by David Maynard. It was commended by the Slough Writers group who judged the annual competition.

Wokingham Writers meet on the third Saturday of each month from 10am to noon at Wokingham Library.

EVER since its inception, now shrouded by the mists of Whitehall obscurantism and cigar-smoke, the Literary Intelligence Bureau – or Lib – has striven to protect the British people from the pernicious influence of writers and their writings.

Like other, less secretive institutions, it plays a crucial role in safeguarding Britain from the relentless march of liberalism and modernity. And yet, despite the ironic humour of its nomenclature, both Lib and its Reading, Analysis & Response Intelligence Agents – or Librarians – have eluded the glossy scrutiny of film and fiction. At least until now…

The Librarian role comprises three parts. The reading of seditious literature to assay potential harm, the analysis of statistical trends in national book consumption, and ultimately, the investigation, apprehension,

or in extremis, liquidation of the perpetrators. The first aforementioned of these duties takes place within The Reading Room, named, to confuse the uninitiated, after Lib’s founder, the Earl of Reading. But it was in the Analysis Suite that alarm bells sounded when a strange statistical kink was observed in the tail of the previous month’s fiction bestseller graph.

Thus Perspicacia Singh’s debut novel The Corkscrew Comet was first identified as a threat to national security. Improbably, it combined the rabble-rousing polemic of Roddy Mobb-Tantrumm’s dystopian political thrillers and the sci-fi erotica of Rigella Kupidova’s Venus Envy trilogy, all couched as gentle pastiche of Austen or Dickens. Furthermore, it was a tale so twisty that – to paraphrase a great comedian of the last century – one could stick a ring in its nose and call it a piggy.

Soon thereafter, Librarians Smith and Jones found themselves following Miss Singh through the leafy squares of Bloomsbury. Librarian Smith struggled under the weight of the heavy service Barchester, replete with scope and silencer, while Jones tracked the target.

“We need to get closer,” Jones hissed. “We could lose ‘er in this crowd.”

“Roger that,” Smith agreed, confident they hadn’t been spotted. But the target

Share news from your groups, clubs and societies.

reports to

Singers celebrate success

takeaway, and to plan their first activity together.

Me2 Club staff, Ramona and Louise, will be supporting the group.

They will be joined by volunteers from Reading business, KPMG, based at Forbury Road.

“We really appreciate our volunteers, and we couldn’t do this without them,” Ramona says.

Possible acitivities on the wish list include a Christmas disco, a boating trip, and some conservation work.

“Whatever they choose, it will come from them.

“This is their decision, and their activity,” says Ramona. n To find out more about Me2 Club and the new group for teens, visit: me2club.org.uk or email: ramona@me2club.org.uk

TWYFORD choir High Voltage Singers’ performances last month have resulted in a great total of £750 for good causes.

At St Mark’s Methodist Church, Maidenhead, they raised £250 for the church’s 20/20 Vision Fund.

Choir director Jacky Crossman said: “It’s a great little venue, lovely folks and one of our long time regulars on the concert scene. We’ll see you again, St Marks.

“At our October Rendezvous Concert at St Peter’s Church, Furze Platt we had an amazing time and raised £500 for charity Re:Charge who help people in Maidenhead who need assistance in hard times.

“A big thank you to St Peter’s for hosting us. What a great venue and refreshments team.

“Also massive thanks to our very own High Voltage Band, drummer, bass and electro acoustic guitarists.”

Their guest performers at St Peter’s were The Young Ones guitar group, and Sarah and Dave duetting with the flute and keyboard.

The singers’ next performance is singing on Reading station concourse, near Starbucks, on Monday December 5, from 6.30-7.30pm. The mix of their concert songs and Christmas music will raise money for the Royal Berkshire Hospital Charity Fund.

Arts Society Wokingham lends support to The Arc

turned and headed towards them, reaching into her raincoat pocket.

“She’s got a gun,” Jones exclaimed. “Trollope ‘er one.”

“I’ll come quietly.” Perspicacia Singh shouted over the panicking crowd, holding up not a gun, but a harmless spy novel. “I knew the game was up when I spotted the tail.”

***

“Even this, the first page of The Corkscrew Comet, is a brazen exposé of Lib.” Herbert Symington QC’s voice reverted to its usual plummy timbre as he addressed the court, the book from which he had just read discarded beside him. After a pause, he crossexamined the defendant. “Miss Singh, did you write this book?”

“Yes.”

“Were you once a Librarian?”

“Yes.”

“As such, did you sign the Official Secrets Act?”

“Yes.”

“My Lord,” Symington appealed. “The defendant has confessed to the substantive charges. I cannot conceive what possible defence might now be advanced.”

“Breach of copyright.” Perspicacia Singh smiled at her persecutors. “Turn to page two and you’ll find every word that’s just been spoken written there in black and white.”

Members of The Arts Society Wokingham have given their backing to The Arc, which is to be created by international artist Nicola Anthony, who has also worked with Stephen Spielberg on previous projects.

To see the project become a reality, Arts4Wokingham is seeking £200,000 in donations. Not a penny is coming from Wokingham Borough Council, meaning every gift, no matter how small, is welcomed by the charity.

And the Arts Society is one of the backers.

Alison Sanders, the group’s chair, said its support stems from its desire to see arts be part of the borough’s fabric.

“Although The Arts Society Wokingham is renowned in Wokingham for its monthly lectures, visits, and study days, it also is very keen to see the arts being practised and celebrated in Wokingham through activities like its Young Arts

programme,” she explained.

“We are therefore delighted to be supporting Arts4Wokingham in commissioning The Arc, a landmark statement about Wokingham and its people, by the international artist Nicola Anthony.

“This major piece of public art will be a starting point for children and visitors to let them know what Wokingham is about.

“The Arts Society is proud to be associated with Arts4Wokingham’s ambitions to bring more public art to Wokingham as shown in this, their first commission.”

The support is welcomed by Robin Cops, the vice chair of Arts4Wokingham.

“We thanked Alison for the Society’s generous contribution.

“We are pleased The Arts Society was excited to have their name associated with this first major piece of public art being established in Wokingham by Arts4Wokingham.” n For more details, or to make a donation, log on to: arts4wokingham. com

OPPORTUNITIES: Young people at the new club will lead the way. Picture: Gerd Altmann via Pixabay

A CAMPAIGN to raise funding for a new landmark sculpture for Wokingham gives the definitive answer to the question, but is it art?

SINGING: Twyford’s High Voltage Singers at their recent concert

SUPPORT: Alison Sanders, chair of The Arts Society Wokingham, congratulates Robin Cops, vice chair Arts4 Wokingham, for the vision for The Arc

Campaigners oppose plans to build 40 homes on Edneys Hill

EXCLUSIVE

By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today

CAMPAIGNERS are asking people to object to plans for house building in South West Wokingham.

A planning application has been lodged for a development of 40 homes. Bewley Homes has applied for permission to build behind existing properties on Barkham Road.

Access to the new estate would be obtained via number 368, near the Edneys Hill roundabout.

People opposed to the plan say it will destroy an area of countryside that provides an important corridor for wildlife.

The proposal follows a planning application by Berkeley Homes, for 350 homes to be built on nearby Blagrove Lane.

Locals argue that Barkham Road is already busy, and that further development will increase traffic on local highways.

They are also concerned that existing local infrastructure will not adequately support extra homes.

A spokesperson for Bewley Homes said: “It should be pointed out that Berkeley Homes’ scheme for 350 homes on Blagrove Lane has not been granted consent yet.

“Our scheme has a number of positives for locals.

“It will provide 40% affordable homes, deliver much needed quality new homes to the area for locals, it will incorporate public walk and cycle ways through the site, and we would be subject to a Section 106 agreement which supports public infrastructure projects.”

Residents are unhappy about

the impact of building on the pasture land that is home to wildlife.

They say deer, badgers, foxes, bats, and red kites all rely on the area. They also say starlings flock there, and the field is home to red-legged partridges.

The area is also home to an animal charity.

A representative of this group says that while the charity doesn’t want to lose the land, it remains impartial.

The organisation can see that development affects wildlife, but views the situation from all sides.

A spokesperson from Bewley Homes said: “Currently there are horses grazing on the land which keeps the grass short and the wildlife away.

“We have conducted a reptile survey and nothing was found by our ecologist. We are undertaking bat surveys at different times of the year.

“We believe there are opportunities to enhance the

biodiversity on the site.”

Resident Tony Harrison says: “This is a hot spot for wildlife.

“Taking away natural habitat is criminal.”

Trees were felled on the site prior to the planning application being made.

Mr Harrison said the first people knew about the felling was when they saw cutters in the field

“Big, mature trees were being pulled down,” he said. “Why permission was given for this, I don’t know.

“We immediately did what we could to save the remaining trees, by getting Tree Preservation Orders placed on them.”

A spokesperson for Bewley Homes said: “Ash dieback disease was identified within ash trees on the land. These were removed after an assessment from the tree surgeon.

“No trees with a TPO or other protection were removed.

“The oak trees remain and

Sing Faure’s requiem for charity

A 11th CENTURY village church is the location for a choral event.

Waltham St Lawrence Parish Church is welcoming singers for a performance of Faure’s Requiem.

An afternoon rehearsal will be led by Simon Shaw, with

organist Peter Spencer, with the performance at 6pm.

The rehearsal and concert both take place at Waltham St Lawrence Church.

The event takes place on Saturday, November 12, from 1pm, with tea at 5pm.

Tickets cost £12 for singers,

or £6 for students, and this includes sheet music and a snack tea.

Entry to the concert is free, with a retiring collection in aid of The Royal British Legion.

n For tickets and information visit: www.wsl.link

Two new names for Lexicon

TWO new names are coming to a Bracknell shopping centre.

Eco-friendly retailer FourState is moving into the unit previously occupied by Sea Salt, offering ethically sourced items. Stock includes toiletries, clothes, jewellery, home furnishings, and plants.

The company already has branched in Henley, Windsor and Marlow, and says it will make donations to sustainability campaigns and

communities in need.

The second signing is the Californian-inspired Mexican restaurant Tortilla.

It will arrive on the High Street next spring.

Rob Morris, general manager at The Lexicon said: “We are delighted to be offering our visitors yet more shopping and eating choices with the arrival of these two new signings.

“Both offer something very different and we look forward

to welcoming them.

“Independent retailer, FourState, has a huge range of products for eco-conscious shoppers, while Tortilla is our first taqueria and adds a very different genre to our dining mix.”

Cllr Marc Brunel-Walker, executive member of economic development and regeneration for Bracknell Forest Council, said: “Another two great additions to The Lexicon.”

these will be incorporated into the proposed scheme.”

Water levels and traffic levels were assessed prior to the planning application.

Mr Harrison believes the testing was carried out in a way that does not give an accurate picture.

“I’ve lived here for 20 years, and all the gardens here get flooded,” he said, “yet, testing for local water levels was carried out during the extreme drought we had this summer.”

This year saw the borough’s driest July since records began more than 100 years ago.

A spokesperson for Bewley Homes said: “If planning is granted, a drainage strategy will be put in place which will more than cope with the surface water that appears during the worst of the weather.

“We believe this will actually improve the drainage situation on the land.”

When traffic levels were assessed, the testing was done during the school holidays.

“Roads are very busy during term time, so why wasn’t the testing carried out then?” continued Mr Harrison.

A spokesperson for Bewley Homes said: “Our proposed scheme of 40 homes will make little difference to the traffic levels on Barkham Road even in

the peak periods.

“We have good visibility and safe access.

“Our highways consultants have factored these requirements into our proposals.”

Flyers were dropped to local households prior to the application.

“We all received these flyers, which offered an opportunity to respond,” says Mr Harrison.

“I put in my objections, along with others, but the response we got appeared to counter every objection with the answer, ‘we’re right, and you’re wrong’.

“It wasn’t about engaging with the local community.

“It felt very much like a boxticking exercise.”

Residents have set up a Facebook page to protest against the Bewley Homes application, called Save Our Edneys Hill.

They are urging as many people as possible to comment on the application and to make their objections known to Wokingham Borough Council.

The Planning Application can be found on the council’s website, number 223037, with a deadline for comments is Thursday, November 10. n For more information and for links to the plans visit: www. saveedneyshill.com

Aborfield Christmas market

A CHRISTMAS market will help Arborfield residents get into the festive spirit.

The village’s events committee, Engage, will host the community event on Saturday, November 19.

Open to all, visitors can enjoy an array of stalls showcasing local food, product and services. It serves as an ideal opportunity to pick up an early Christmas present.

The event takes place from noon-5pm at the Arborfield Community Centre, Sheerlands Road, RG2 9ND.

n For more information, search: Arborfield Green Events Committee – Engage on www.facebook.com

Roadworks will cause delays

WOKINGHAM motorists may experience delays to their journeys in the coming weeks due to roadworks.

Two-way lights are in operation on Whitley Wood Lane heading south towards Junction 11.

The restrictions will allow UK Power Distribution to carry out works to install duct and HV cables.

The works are due to finish on Tuesday, November 29.

n For more information, visit: www.wokingham.gov.uk

FIELD: The area is a corridor for wildlife. Picture courtesy of Save Our Edneys Hill group

LEISURETODAY

Punky fun at The Face Bar

band by running over by nearly half an hour.

Headliners Totally Blondie closed the event with a stellar range of Blondie’s best hits, lovingly and faithfully performed.

a tribute to Debbie Harry.

“I knew somebody who did it already and I didn’t want to step on her toes, but more and more people were saying it, and then I saw an advert.”

take from it until covid, because then obviously we couldn’t and I missed it.

“The first time I performed as Harry was actually the first time I performed with them on their livestream gig, but I love interacting with the crowd.

READING’S

Face Bar was rocked by not one but three punk tributes for its Hallowe’en celebrations on Saturday.

Three acts celebrating some of the biggest bands in punk and rock music took to the stage, with Reading’s answer to The Ramones, The Remones, kicking things off.

They burst onto the stage, the lead vocalist donning a wig, and barrelled

through the American punk band’s classic setlist at breakneck speed.

They played iconic staples such as Pet Semetary, Blitzkrieg Bop, and Sheena Is a Punk Rocker, as well as songs like Beat on the Brat, for which the singer brandished a baseball bat.

They were joined by Sex Pistols Exposé, who performed in tribute to the fathers of punk rock with due misanthropy and disregard.

They paid particular homage to the

As well as stratospheric hits such as Call Me and Heart of Glass, the set included no fewer than three separate costumes and a screaming, virtuoso guitar solo during the closing minute of their final song, and accomplished rendition of Atomic.

Chloe Buswell, lead vocalist from Totally Blondie, said that she didn’t see herself performing in the style of Debbie Harry.

“I’ve been a singer for many years, but before I joined the band people said that I should do

Despite this, she said: “It’s been a really easy transition, I don’t really try to be her, I’m just me, but it’s her at the same time.”

Ms Buswell has always enjoyed music, saying: “It’s been my life; I get an absolute thrill from it.

“I wasn’t really into punk beforehand – I was an actress and a singer, so what I love about it is that you can you can act in this, really.”

She said also that the act of performance is a particularly important part of her life.

“I didn’t realise how much I do

“I love that shared experience.”

She said also that while the crowd is dynamic, audiences are still adjusting to gigs after a number of lockdowns.

“It’s been a slow process, and venues that were so busy just aren’t any more, but I think they are getting there.

“Obviously now they’re struggling financially, though, but I think it made people realise how important it all is.

“Going to venues, socialising, supporting musicians, I think people realise it’s important to everybody.”

Your guide to what’s on across Reading and Wokingham

Violinist joins Royal Philharmonic

VIOLINIST Jennifer Pike, praised for dazzling interpretative flair and technique, is joining the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of music coming to Reading next week.

The programme includes: Smetana’s Má Vlast: Vltava (The Moldau); Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor; and Dvorak’s Symphony No.7.

The conductor is Chloé van Soeterstède.

A free pre-concert talk will be given by Chris de Souza, the BBC’s first Proms producer, opera director at the English National Opera, and radio presenter.

The event takes place at The Hexagon on Tuesday, November 8. The preconcert talk is 6.30pm, with the show at 7.30pm. Tickets are £17.50, or £10 for under 25s and students. Under 18s can enjoy the music for £6.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com or call the box office: 0118 960 6060.

A little Light music for your aural pleasure

ELO Again, a tribute band, now in its 10th year, will take its audience straight to the symphonic sounds of the 1970s and 1980s British glam rock band.

Fans of ELO can experience a taste of the band back in their heyday, at a show that is professionally re-enacted, with a light show and visual effects.

Hits will include: Mr Blue Sky; Livin’ Thing; Sweet Talkin’ Woman; Shine a Little Love; Roll Over Beethoven; Don’t Bring Me Down; Turn to Stone and many more.

ELO Again will perform at Maidenhead’s Norden Farm Arts Centre, in The Courtyard Theatre.

The event takes place on Saturday, November 5, from 8pm. Tickets cost £18.

Doors open at 8pm.

Tickets cost £18.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

Pantaloons will be clowning around

THE PANTALOONS is a vibrant and anarchic theatre company.

It draws on a wide variety of popular theatre traditions, from commedia

THE THEATRE

Good Luck, Studio has pleased the critics. In it, a children’s drama is given an adult twist.

It’s the final night recording Wibble the Dragon.

The show is massively over budget and under written. With one hour left to film 16 pages, and an audience of children getting more and more

dell’arte and clowning to stand-up comedy and silent movies.

Audiences should expect the unexpected when it comes to their latest production, an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations.

In this affectionate adaptation of the coming-of-age chronicle, Pip the orphan takes a journey through his eventful life via hilarious turns and tragic twists.

It’s a tale filled with escaped convicts, eccentric spinsters, mysterious benefactors and gut-wrenching heartbreak.

The Pantaloons perform at Maidenhead’s Norden Farm Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 8, from 8pm.

Tickets cost £16.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977.

Working a bit later than 9 to 5 for Dolly

A UNIQUE show tells the story

impatient, the cast and crew know big cuddly heads are going to roll.

The last thing anyone needs is a failed actor showing up with a sinister vendetta and his own dragon costume.

Recommended for 14 yrs and over, the production has strong language, emotive themes of an adult nature, a hostage situation, loud bangs and gunshots.

Good Luck, Studio features the

of country music through detailed impersonations of some of the biggest country superstars.

The show is hosted by Sarah Jayne, a Dolly Parton performer for 28 years.

It features impersonations of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Billie Jo Spears, Kenny Rogers, and many other country stars.

The concert is at The Theatre Royal, Windsor. on Wednesday, November 9, from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost from £18.50.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk or call the box office on: 01753 853888

Rocking around the Christmas tree

THAT’LL Be The Day is a show that combines favourite pop Christmas classics and traditional Christmas songs with comedy sketches and impersonations.

Described as three hours of music and

Comedy Club. Thurs 10. Elvis: The King Is Back. Wycombe Swan 30th Birthday Festival of Performance. Sun 13.

Henley – Kenton www.kentontheatre.co.uk 01491 525050

Sat 5. ELO Again. Sat 5. The Pantaloons present Great Expectations. Tues 8. Justin Moorhouse: Stretch and Think. Thurs 10. Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (U). Fri 11-Sat 12. RSVP Bhangra. Fri 11. The Dave O’Higgins Quartet. Fri 11.

It runs from Tuesday, November 8 through to Saturday, November 12. Performances each evening start at 7.30pm. Matinées on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday are at 2.30pm. n For more details, or to book, log on to: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 01483 440000.

mayhem, the show promises to take the audience on a seasonal, nostalgic sleigh ride through the golden age of rock and pop.

For an early rock and roll start to the Christmas season, audiences should get to Reading’s Hexagon Theatre.

The show is on Saturday, November 12, from 7.30pm.

Tickets are £27, and £25 depending on seat location.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com or call the box office: 0118 960 6060.

Be still, my beating heart

A SUPERNATURAL murder mystery based on Edgar Allan Poe’s classic Victorian chiller is coming to Bracknell.

A murder is committed. Someone hears the scream and calls the police.

Will the murderer’s conscience betray them?

Reading –South Street www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

And what of the ever louder noise of their beating guilty heart? Or is it the heart of the man they’ve just killed?

The play, for ages 15 upwards, can be seen at South Hill Park Art Centre’s Wilde Theatre on Thursday, November 10. Doors open at 7.45pm.

Tickets cost £21.50 for members, £18.50 for non members, schools tickets cost £9 each for groups of 10+.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 01344 484123

Stones tribute won’t fade away

BONFIRE night is also the night for a tribute to one of Britain’s greatest rock bands.

The Rolling Stones Story is a high energy concert.

Alive tribute show, it includes many of the group’s greatest hits, such as Satisfaction, Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Not Fade Away, Honky Tonk Woman, Brown Sugar, and Start Me Up.

To see the show, and enjoy noise of a different kind on bonfire night, people should head to The Corn Exchange in Newbury.

The event takes place on Saturday, November 5, from 7.45pm. Tickets cost £28.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 08455 218218

It takes Sue

In perSUEt tells the true story of a woman with a drinking problem who prefers to stalk Sue Perkins rather than deal with her demons.

She doesn’t believe she has a problem, and she doesn’t need help.

She just needs Sue Perkins (who does not appear in the show).

Writer and actor Eleanor Higgins battled substance misuse in her twenties and noticed the parallels between addiction and fantasy.

Now sober, and with a diploma in advanced psychology, she shares this intriguing story.

The show can be seen at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, in the Mill Studio on Friday, November 4, from 7.45pm.

Tickets cost £18 for adults, with concessions costing £12.

n For more details, or to book, log on to: yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or call the box office on: 01483 440000.

Lunchtime organ recital. Mon 7.

Tues

Miller. Sun

High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000

Tales From Acorn Wood. Thurs 3-Fri 4. Thinking Drinkers. Fri 4.

Elite Pro/Am World Championships. Sat 5. Fanny’s Buns

Bubbles. Sat 5. 30th

Afternoon

Tour. Sat 5. Hellfire

HAODS presents First Love Is the Revolution. Thurs 27-Sat 29. The History of Soul. Fri 4. Celebrating George Michael. Sat 5. Buddy Holly and the Cricketers. Sun 6. Post Office Scandal: The Inside Story. Thurs 10. Tom Webber and Special Guests. Fri 11.

Maidenhead –Norden Farm www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997

Mig and the Beanstalk. Thurs 3. Harry Baker is Unashamed. Thurs 3. National Theatre Live: The Seagull. Fri 4. Dyspraxia and Politics: The Two Sides of Don Biswas. Fri 4. Moonage Daydream (15). Fri 4, Wed 9. Norden Farm Market.

Newbury –The Corn Exchange www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218

The Comedy Network. Fri 4. The Rolling Stones Story. Sat 5.

Dementia Friendly Screening: The Wizard of Oz. Mon 7. The Nutcracker. Wed 9. Circus of Horrors: The Witch. Thurs 10. The Carpenters: The Voice of the Heart. Fri 11. Nick Cope. Sat 12. Lost In Music. Sat 12.

Newbury –The Watermill www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044

The Sleeping Sword. Until Sat 5. A Monster Calls. Thurs 10-Sat 12.

Rob Auton: The Crowd Show. Thurs 3. The Privileged by Jamal Harewood. Fri 4. PeutEtre Theatre presents The Dark. Sat 5. Where Do We Go From Here? Wed 9. Glenn Moore. Fri 11. Howling Wind. Sat 12.

Reading –The Hexagon www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. Thurs 3. The Big Comedy Bash 2022. Mon 7. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Jennifer Pike. Tues 8. That’ll Be The Day Christmas Show. Sat 12. Russell Kane: The Essex Variant. Sun 13.

Reading – Concert Hall www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060

Reading –Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 16th Annual Write Fest. Until Sat 5.

Reading – Reading Rep Theatre www.readingrep.com 0118 370 2620

NEXT SHOW: A Christmas Carol. Nov 30-New Year’s Eve.

Shinfield –Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880

NEXT SHOW: Inspector Drake and the Black Widow. Wed 16-Sat 19.

Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Funny Money. Until Sat 5.

Windsor –Theatre Royal www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888

The Grass Is Greener. Until Sat 12.

Wokingham –Theatre www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 Murder Ballad. Thurs 10-Sat 12.

Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247

Wokingham Film Society: The Outfit (15). Thurs 3. Avartan 2022. Sun 6. Luckley Lectures: Leila Lingner. Tues 8. Wokingham Music Club: Cloudbusting: The Music of Kate Bush SOLD OUT. Fri 11.

Woodley – Theatre www.woodleytheatre.org 07488337838

NEXT SHOW: Ladies Down Under. Nov 29-Dec 3.

THE team behind The Play That Goes Wrong, Mischief, presents a dark comedy.

BBC television cast of Play That Goes Wrong, and can be seen at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Classic pub grub with a modern feel thanks to The Lord Raglan

LOCATED in the heart of Wokingham, The Lord Raglan Pub is a modern British pub.

We are privileged to have an array of exotic restaurants to choose from, but sometimes all you need is great British food done well.

After undergoing extensive refurbishment in 2020, the decor is warm and friendly with a mixture of booths, tables, sofas, nooks and crannies to settle into.

The focal point of the pub is a fantastic glass garden room with a retractable roof in the summer, and lovely heaters in the winter months.

With my family, I recently visited on a Saturday to try their new autumn/winter menu.

After being greeted by the very friendly staff we were shown to our table in the garden room which was warm, with cosy lighting.

The menu has everything you would want from a trusted pub, with a good variety of main meals, centring around a strong range of gourmet burgers for both meat lovers and vegetarians alike.

We decided to share some starters.

First was the Honey Buffalo Hot Chicken Wings, with pickled shallots and a blue cheese dip (£7.45). This is for those who like a bit of spice in their life. It was packed with enough spice to keep me turning to my drink.

The next starter was Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Basil Mayo (£6.95).

This was a plentiful plate of delicious chicken strips covered in a fried crunchy buttermilk coating, with a basil mayo dip. This was very filling and definitely enough for two to share.

Our final starter sample was the Roasted Cauliflower, which came with a lemon and thyme dressing, crispy Kale, Pomegranate and dukkah (£5.95). This is, unsurprisingly, a veganfriendly dish.

The cauliflower was perfectly al dente, the dressing perfectly lemonly, the kale perfectly crisp complemented by the nutty and spicy dukkah, this dish packs in a lot of flavour.

Moving on to the main courses.

Our waitress Harriet said that for the specials, there was not only pie of the day, but there were three choices of pies.

I opted for the Vegetarian Brie and Mushroom Pie with seasonal greens, mashed potato and proper gravy (£15.95).

I never would have thought about putting Brie and mushrooms into a pie, but this was really something special. The hot melted brie with chestnut mushrooms were encased with a crispy buttery pastry, just perfection.

Accompanied but smooth mashed potato, al dente tenderstem broccoli with green beans and a rich gravy. This dish

will definitely get me returning to The Lord Raglan.

My husband chose the FlatIron Chicken, with skin-on fries, chimichurri, rocket and pickled shallot salad (£15.95).

The chicken was succulent and tender, the colourful and flavoursome chimichurri was drizzled across the chicken. Finally, the sweet and tangy shallot salad was a perfect accompaniment.

Our son, a meat lover, chose the 225g (8oz) Fillet steak (medium to well-done), with chunky chips, portobello mushroom, grilled plum tomato and green peppercorn sauce (£26.95).

“Best steak ever, so tender and juicy,” he told us. That is high praise indeed from our food loving son.

Surprisingly, he had enough space left for a dessert.

As a massive cheesecake lover, and even after being told that the Vegan cheesecake was made with lentils, he still decided to give it a try.

Priced at £5.95, you get your money’s worth with the generous portion size, large enough that he allowed me to have a spoonful.

I’m not sure what we were expecting but we were both amazed at how utterly delicious this was.

Light, with just the right level of sweetness and vanilla on a

crunchy biscuit base, finished off with a sharp berry compote to balance the sweetness.

We both agreed we preferred this over the classic American cheesecake.

Throughout the whole of our meal, the staff were friendly and attentive, in particular our fantastic server, Harriet.

The food was served in a timely manner, it was piping hot and perfectly presented.

Not forgetting the impressive selection of beer and wine on the menu.

The atmosphere was perfect with a relaxed but buzzy vibe. Well done Team Raglan, and thank you for a perfect evening.

CLAIRE WORSFOLD

Comic operetta in Woodley

SINGING

group, Mostly G&S (Gilbert and Sullivan), are currently performing a comic opera by the quirky musical duo who’s name they bear.

Directors Matt and Rachel Meyer have produced the show, which will be performed in concert version.

This is a performance without a full set, but with some movement and narration added to support the story.

Iolanthe, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W.S. Gilbert, was first performed in November 1882, and ran for 398 performances.

Mostly G&S was created in 2009 to bring together people who enjoyed singing operetta.

As the name suggests, they concentrate predominantly on the works of the Victorian maestros.

Iolanthe takes great delight in

lambasting the politics and people of the time, in particular the institutions of the era.

The House of Lords is blasted as ineffective, housed by the over privileged and the dim-witted.

And the political party system and other institutions come in for a dose of satire too.

Yet Gilbert and Sullivan couch their criticism among bouncy, amiable absurdity, that is received as good fun, and as full of fairies as it is of politicians.

The story follows Strephon, a shepherd, who wants to marry Phyllis, as do half the House of Lords.

Phyllis does not know that Strephon is half fairy and when she sees him kissing a seemingly young woman, she assumes the worst.

But her rival turns out to be none other than his own mother, Iolanthe, a fairy.

And as everyone knows, fairies never grow old.

Meanwhile, the Lord Chancellor, and most of the peers, are sighing after Phyllis.

With tensions raised, soon humans and fairies are poised for war.

But, of course, all is happily sorted out in the end in true fairytale style.

Iolanthe will be performed at The Oakwood Theatre, Woodley.

It can be seen on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 3, 4, and 5.

It starts at 7.30pm each night.

Tickets cost £13.

For tickets visit: www.ticketsource. co.uk or telephone the Box Office on: 07514 423894.

n For more information about Mostly Gilbert and Sullivan, visit: www.

The Vegetarian Brie and Mushroom Pie with seasonal greens, mashed potato and proper gravy at The Lord Raglan Picture: Claire Worsfold

Flat-Iron Chicken, with skinon fries, chimichurri, rocket and pickled shallot salad

The vegan cheesecake is made with lentils

Mostly G&S will be performing Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe at The Oakwood Theatre Woodley this weekend

A FAREWELL tour is coming to Nettlebed Folk Club next week.

Peter Knight’s Gigspanner is the latest act to announce it is pausing playing, but this tour is not necessarily the final curtain.

Called Farewell For Now, the show on Monday, November 7, sees the group perform a mixture of self-penned material along with music rooted in the British Isles and beyond.

The trio was formed after the fiddler left Steeleye Span.

The show takes place in the Village Club in Nettlebed High Street from 7.45pm.

n For more details, call the box office on: 01628 636620 between 10am and 8pm, or log on to: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

Gigspanner’s farewell for now Choirs collaborate

A CHORAL concert is set to take place on Remembrance Saturday in support of Reading Minster’s work in Reading.

Where All Souls Meet will see Reading Phoenix Choir and Berkshire Youth Choir both perform at the church.

The Minster is currently developing its music outreach programme, to offer opportunities to Reading’s younger people, and plans to reveal more next year.

The concert will take place the church in St Mary’s Gate, from 7pm on Saturday, November 12.

n For more information, visit: www.whatsonreading.com

Young Frankenstein is monstrous fun

FOLLOWERS

of East Berkshire Operatic Society (EBOS) will be pleased to hear that their next production is a gloriously silly, and toetappingly joyous night out.

Young Frankenstein was originally created by director and filmmaker Mel Brooks, and was a smash hit film in 1974.

A stage version premiered in the West End in 2017, and EBOS is delighted to be presenting this quirky all-singing, all-dancing Mel Brooks monster show which is being performed in Bracknell this week.

Director and choreographer, Nick Brannam, says: “I am thrilled to be working with EBOS, and with Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.

“We have a stellar set of performers, and a nine-piece electric band ensemble, who spark life into a fabulous script and score.

“Rehearsals have been a lot of fun.”

An unashamedly politically incorrect evening of escapism, Young Frankenstein tells a very tall tale.

It follows the ambitions of the infamous Victor Frankenstein’s grandson, young Frederick.

Junior inherits the family’s Transylvanian estate and, with the help of side-kick Igor and lab

assistant Inga, attempts to bring a dead corpse back to life.

What could possibly go wrong?

Musical numbers lend the show zany silliness with upbeat titles such as Transylvania Mania, Deep Love, and Puttin’ on the Ritz.

“There are 19 songs in the show,” says Nick. “It’s even sillier and naughtier than The Producers, Mel Brooks’ other musical hit.

“Everyone enjoyed rehearsing it so much, it’s great fun.

“We’ve been working since the end of June, and we’re in good

shape.

“Our cast of 30 has multiple characters to play.”

The monster show will be performed at Bracknell’s South Hill Park Arts Centre, in the Wilde Theatre.

The production runs until Saturday, November 5.

It starts at 7.45pm each night with a matinée on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost from £16 to £21. n For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 01344 484123

The prince is a patron

THE Earl of Wessex, has been announced as the new Royal patron of a Reading theatre.

As it celebrates its 10th anniversary season, Reading Rep Theatre was visited by Prince Edward.

And it has launched a Corporate Partnership Scheme, which will see it working more closely with businesses across the region

The prince said: “Reading Rep is rapidly becoming an essential part of the arts scene in Reading for three really good reasons.

“It is creating pathways to the performing arts for young people, regardless of background; it is introducing new audiences to the performing arts through its outreach and access activities.”

“And it is a space providing an alternative venue for creative and production talents to hone their skills.

“I look forward to helping with reinforcing this theatre’s inspiring work in the local community and to supporting its future endeavours.”

Paul Stacey, Founding Artistic Director of Reading Rep said it was a huge privilege to welcome the prince as patron.

“He has shown incredible support for arts and culture,” he said.

“His recognition and support of Reading Rep and the work we do both on stage and in the community, is humbling.

“We are excited to work with him in forwarding our shared goals and aspirations for art and culture in Reading.”

The prince has always been keenly interested in the arts and is Patron to a number of related charities, including The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

Drag Race’s The Vivienne set to host Haters Roast UK tour

DRAG RACE royalty The Vivienne is set to host the Haters Roast, coming to the UK for the first time next year.

The winner of Drag Race UK’s first season will be taking the show on a nationwide tour, which will see fellow Drag Race alumni from across the UK, the US, and Canada.

From Tuesday, March 28, to Sunday, April 9, nine queens will take part in shade-throwing and unapologetic comedy in the now long standing roast show.

The Vivienne will be joined by

Lawrence Cheney and Baga Chipz from the UK, Kandy Muse, Trinity The Tuck, Miz Cracker, Willam, and Heidi N Closet from the US, and Canada’s Jimbo.

The Vivienne says: “I am beyond excited to be hosting Haters Roast UK– I’m overjoyed Murray and Peter Present are coming to the UK, as touring the states with them this past summer was one of the best experiences of my life.

“You’re in for one hell of a show, but remember it’s a roast– so if you’re too woke to

joke, please don’t come.”

Murray of Murray & Peter Present said: “We are thrilled to finally bring our drag shows to the UK but if comedy roasts offend you, we strongly suggest you don’t buy a ticket.”

The Haters Roast: The Shady Tour kicks off on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, including Oxford’s New Theatre on Wednesday, April 5, and at the Eventim Apollo, London, on Friday, April 7.

The event is billed as 16+, and under 18s must be accompanied.

n www.dragfans.com

Sara Pascoe plans Reading date

MULTI award-winning comedian Sara Pascoe is planning to come to Reading next year, with her latest show, Success Story.

She says she decided she wanted to be famous when she was 14.

To prove it, she went on to audition for Michael Barrymore, scares Pete Burns, and manage to ruin Hugh Grant’s birthday.

But it was worth it.

In the show, she will examine what it is to be successful, how we define it and how it feels when what we want eludes us. Expect jokes about status, celebrities – plus

Sara’s new fancy lifestyle versus infertility, her multiple therapists and career failures. Ms Pascoe has written and starred in her own sitcome, Out Of Her Mind, as well as hosting The Great British Sewing bee. Her first book, Animal, was inspired by a BBC Two show Sara Pascoe vs Monogamy.

Tickets for her Reading date, on Thursday, January 26, have gone on sale, costing £26, £22, or £17.

n For more details, log on to whatsonreading.com, or call the box office on: 0118 960 6060.

MONSTER MASH: EBOS in rehearsal earlier this year. Picture courtesy of EBOS

SUPPORT: His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex, visitng Reading Rep Theatre. Picture: Harry Elletson, Reading Rep Theatre

LIVEMUSIC

RaW Sounds Today Chris Hillman

bit.ly/raw soundstoday

ATIMELESS

classic is in our playlist this week, ahead of a new performance taking place in Wokingham later this month.

And there’s also some great new music too.

So, in with the old: Glenn Miller’s Moonlight Serenade, one of his most famous pieces.

It’s part of a day of music taking place in Carnival Hub to raise money for WADE, a Wokingham charity for the elderly.

Do also enjoy the new single from Katie Ellwood, and also a piece from Doops. They will be supporting Third Lung at their Sub89 album launch.

There’s quite a range of music but that’s what the RaW Sounds Today playlist is for. To hear this week’s selection, simply head to bit.ly/rawsoundstoday

There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into.

Friday, November 4

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Guns 2 Roses tribute. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Solid Groove Foundation: Soul, Motown and RnB tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. Brakcnell Jazz: Malcolm Earle-Smith. Details: 01344 484123.

CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moody Blues Bros.

CROWTHORNE – Two Sisters Cafe, High Street RG45 7BD. Music night. Booking essential. Details: 01344 772807.

EMMBROOK – Emmbrook Sports & Social, Lowther Road RG41 1JB. Wokingham Music Club presents Totally Blondie. £19. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub. co.uk

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Day Of The Dead with La Mort Subite and friends. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Scorpion birthday bash Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Goldeneye. Details: 0118 935 4095.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. The Total Stone Roses and Oaysis. Details: 0118 959 5395.

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Skandal. Details: 0118 957 6930

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Good Times Five. Details: 0118 977 3706.

Saturday, November 5

BRACKNELL – The Keller, HOLDING A

Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Sound intentions. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Broken Bones. Details: 01344 457318.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Rigsby. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - The Jolly Anglers, Kennetside RG1 3EA. Don’t Compromise The Vibe with Mr Marvellous, Eagle Bliss.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Elton John tribute. Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING – The Queen’s Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. P’Jam. Details: 0118 931 0232.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Sound Jam. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. The Sidepiece Function. Details: 0118 376 9159.

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Abba Chique. Details: 0118 926 5804.

WOKINGHAM – Hope and Anchor, Station Road RG40 2AD. Regrade. Details: 0118 977 0918.

WOODLEY – The Good Companions, Loddon Bridge Road RG5 4AG. Lack of Faith. Details: 0118 969 3325.

YATELEY - The Dog and Partridge, Reading Road GU46 7LR. Tequila Chase. Details: 01252 870648.

Sunday, November 6

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: theme night All At Sea. Details: www.readifolk. org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle,

Katie released her album Interference, earlier this year and it continues to be one of our fave albums of the last 12 months.

She performed a wonderful set at Wokingham Festival in August backed by a band of very good musicians and anyone that saw that will have been lucky to get a preview to listen of this new song, Twice, which Katie has just released as a single.

With its chilled feel and subtle melody, this single is another worthy addition to Katie’s growing catalogue of releases – www.katieellwood.com/

Doops – Pull Back the Shades

Doops will be on the bill at Third Lung’s album launch show at Sub 89 on November 10. This band from the local area create moody atmospheric songs based around cool riffs and this song is taken from their 2021 released, Deflections EP.

The band have also just released a video of a new

Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232.

SONNING - Coppa Club, The Great House, Thames Street. Live lounge. 3pm5pm.

TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Bullfrogs Sunday Session. Details: 07889 226309.

Monday, Nov 7

NETTLEBED – Village Club, High Street RG9 5DD. Nettlebed Folk Club. Details: www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Club Reckless: Rock, pubk, emo and metal clubnight. Details: 0118 959 7196.

Tuesday, Nov 8

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New music Tuesday. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. New music night: Connor Lee, Kito and Friends, Holly Shillito and more. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Warmduscher and Opus Kink. Details: 0118 959 5395.

STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. David Graham and the Eskimo Brothers. Details: 01491 681048.

Wednesday, November 9

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Open mic night. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The R’n’Beatles. Details: 01344 484123.

READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. Monthly Shanty Session. Details: 0118 958 0473.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Francis Foster Online Probocateur. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WHISTLEY GREEN - The Elephant and Castle, Lodge Road RG10 0EH. Open mic night. Details: 0118 934 0886.

Thursday, November 10

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. Chloe Levaillant. Details: www.theacousticcouch. co.uk

BURGHFIELD – The Hatch Gate, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Clem Johnson. Details: 0118 983 2059.

READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746.

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. The Hugh Turner Quartet. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - Pentahotel, Oxford Road. The Sugars live.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Music for MINDS: The Arboretum and Swallow. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Third Lung. Details: 0118 959 5395.

Friday, November 11

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Wow 80s tribute. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – South Hill Park, Ringmead RG12 7PA. The Supersonic 70s Show. Details: 01344 484123.

GORING - Goring Community Centre, The Old School,

song, Fever Tree filmed at Pyramid Studios which you can see on the band and studio’s social media –https://www.facebook.com/doopsband/

Glenn Miller Orchestra – Moonlight Serenade

What is this legendary bandleader from the 1930s and 1940s doing in a playlist celebrating new and/or locally connected music? It’s because the excellent Glenn Miller Orchestra directed by Ray McVay will be in Wokingham on Saturday, November 19, to play a special afternoon concert at the new Carnival Hub to raise money for a great cause, the WADE (Day Care for the Elderly) centre. Moonlight Serenade shows how timeless great music is – https://www.glennmillerorchestra.co.uk/

Let’s Eat Grandma – Levitation

Photographer Andrew Merritt and myself saw this duo at a packed Koko in Camden a few weeks ago. They were excellent – http://letseatgrandma. co.uk/

OSP – Call Me

It’s one of our fave artists of the year, a rap quartet from Reading OSP, with a new single and it’s another good one – https://www.facebook.com/ ospmusicuk

Station Road RG8 9HB. Goring Community Jazz Club presents Trish Elphinstone saxophonist, Martin Pickett piano, Howard King bass, Mike Goff drums. Details www. ticketsource.co.uk/goringcommunity-jazz-club

READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic night. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Heavy Pop: TV Priest. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING - Hope and Bear, London Road RG1 5DE. Midnight Rebel Band. Details: 0118 935 4095.

READING - O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. The Strats. Details: 0118 960 6580.

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Mellor album launch party. Details: 0118 959 7196.

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Cryptix X Dance Amplify B2B SOTA. Details: 0118 959 5395.

WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. 4G. Details: 0118 977 3706.

WOKINGHAM - The White Horse, Easthampstead Road RG40 3AF. The Cherries. Details: 0118 979 7402.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Music Club presents Cloud Busting: The Music of Kate Bush. £22. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk

Saturday, November 12

BINFIELD – The Binfield Club, Terrace Road RG42 4HP. Paul Tino. Details: 01344 420690.

BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. The Gangsters: The Ultimate Ska Tribute Band. Details: www. theacousticcouch.co.uk

BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Hubba Bubba. Details: 01344 303333.

BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Wardour Street. Details: 01344 457318.

CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Moon Hill presents karaoke and disco.

CROWTHORNE – Royal British Legion, Wellington Road RG45 7LJ. Freddy B. Details: 01344 772161.

READING – The Face bar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Church of Madness V VGN. Details: 0118 959 5500.

READING – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane

Indigo Child – Lies

This is the debut single from Reading-based duo, Lou and Matt. It’s a good start for the pair with its melodic indie sound – www.facebook.com/ indigochildoffical

Blancmange – Reduced Voltage

This is from the new album, Private View by synth-pop icons, Blancmange, who had big 80s hits such as Living on the Ceiling. – blancmange.co.uk/

Third Lung – No Names

Lest single from the forthcoming debut album, Gameplay. Don’t miss the launch show at Sub89 on Thursday, November 10 – http://thirdlungband.com

Lonely Robot – Digital God Machine

Created by the multi-talented John Mitchell in his own Outhouse Studio, Lonely Robot is now on its fifth album, A Model Life, from which this single is taken. – https://johnmitchellhq.com

Louis and the Shakes – TRAILBLAZR

This band from London played a great set at Third Lung’s Loddfest event in Reading last month and we hear they may be playing a Wokingham gig later this year. – www. louisandtheshakes.com

RG2 0SN. Eye Candy Ladies Night Details: 0118 402 7800.

READING - Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street. Talk In Code. From

READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Undercovers. Details: 0118 926 5804

READING – The Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. The Junction. Details: 0118 957 6930

READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. UKG Brunch. Details: 0118 959 5395..

TILEHURST – The Royal British Legion Club, Downing Road RG31 5BB. Horizon. Details: 0118

942 9606.

WOKINGHAM – Beyond The Download, Rose Street. Third Lung from 5pm.

Sunday, Nov 13

READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk presents: The Lost Trades. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk

READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays.

READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm.

READING – The Moderation, Caversham Road RG1 8BB. The Soul Retreat, from 12.30pm.

Katie Ellwood on the Wokingham Music Club Stage at Wokingham Festival Picture: Andrew Merritt

Katie Ellwood – Twice

LEISURE

WHAT’SON

Thursday, November 3

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: location, location, location. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street. Comedy on Tap. 7pm. £17. Details: 0118 978 0389.

WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham Film Society presents: The Outfit (15). £6.50, £4 members. 7.30pm. Details: wokinghamfilmsociety.com

Friday, November 4

EARLEY – Sol Joel Park, Church Road. Earley St Peter’s School Association firework dispaly. Gates 6pm, fireworks 7pm. Advance tickets £20 family, £7.50 adults, £4.50 child, under fours free. On the gate £9 adults, £6 child. Details: http://www.ptaevents.co.uk/espsa

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday,

November 5

CROWTHORNE – COATS Centre, Pinewood Avenue. Crowthorne & Wokingham District RNLI autumn fair, featuring: COATS for Crowthorne Seniors, Therapy Dogs Nationwide, Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, Cats Protection and Sebastian’s Action Trust. Christmas Cards, home made cakes and preserves, toys and gifts, and items of woodwork. Light refreshments. 10am1pm.

COLEY PARK – Coley Park Community Centre, Wensley Road RG1 6DW. Mama & Kids Fun Day And Market. 2pm-5pm. 50p.

PADWORTH - Village Hall, Padworth Lane. Jumble sale. 2pm-3pm. Donations 10am-11.30am. In aid of village hall.

READING - Battle Library, Oxford Road. Board games club for teenagers upwards. Noon-2pm. Free. Details: 0118 937 5103.

READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15am-noon. Details: www.thamesvalle yfarmersmarket.co.uk

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam. 7.30pm. Free entry. Details: www.risingsunartscentre. org

SILCHESTER - Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Village market: local produce and businesses. 10am-12.30pm. Details: 0118 970 0999 or www. silchestervillagemarket. org.uk.

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents

Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

Sunday, November 6

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Monday, November 7

ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org

READING - Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Berkshire Organists’ Association Lunchtime organ recital with an organ student from Eton College. 1pm. £6, £5 advance. Details: 0118 960 6060.

READING - Milk, Merchants Place RG1 1DT. Jelly’s The Creative book club meeting. 7pm-8.30pm. £2. Places limited, pre-booking essential. Details: jelly. org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Holme Grange School, Heathlands Road RG40 3AL. Wokingham Rock Choir free taster session. 7.30pm. Booking essential. Details: https://www. rockchoir.com/join/ Wokingham_Late_Session

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane

Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

Tuesday, November 8

EARLEY – Earley CResCent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. Friendship table. 2pm-3pm. Details: linkvisiting.org.

FINCHAMPSTEAD – FBC Centre Cafe, Gorse Ride North RG40 4ES. Friendship table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Finches social club for people with or without autism. 7pm-9pm. Drinks and snacks available to buy. Music, and friendship. Details: kingwood.org.uk

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. CLASP Wokingham cafe with Friendship table. 10am-noon. Every third and fourth Tuesday of the month. Details: linkvisiting. org

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Coronation Hall, Headley Road RG5 4JB. ‘WISE Over-50s Forum: Guest speaker will be Sarathi who will be giving a talk on Save our Soil, plus topical discussion. £3. Raffle tickets 50p. 2pm-4pm. Details: Woodleywise@gmail.com or: 0118 969 6206.

Wednesday, November 9

BARKHAM – Village Hall, Church Road RG40 4PL. Berkshire Bonsai Society meeting. 7.30pm. Details: www.berkshirebonsai. co.uk

EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe

Mosiac with Friendship table. 11am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Wokingham Rock Choir taster sessions. 12.15pm. Booking essential. Free. Details: www.rockchoir. com/join/Wokingham_

Morning_Session

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Thursday, November 10

EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church, Rose Street RG40 1XS. Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Wokingham and East Berkshire Camera Club meeting: talk by Richard Young. 7.30pm. Details: www.webcc.org.uk.

Friday, November 11

EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org

READING – South Street Arts Centre. Poets Cafe. 8.30pm. Details: 0118 960 6060.

WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table.

Holding a community event?

listings to events@wokinghampaper.co.uk

10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. 12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church Parish Rooms, Reading Road RG41 1EH. Coffee and Chat: a warm welcome, a listening ear and refreshments. 2pm4pm. Details: 0118 979 2122 or church.office@ spauls.co.uk.

WOOSEHILL – Acorn Community Centre, Fernlea Drive RG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. 10.30am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org

Saturday, November 12

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Free entry. Details: jean@alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928.

CROWTHORNE – St John the Baptist Parish Church, Waterloo Road, RG45 7NT. Thames Voyces Concert: Reflections & Praise. £15, under 16s free. Details: 0118 967 7319.

READING – Phantom Brewing, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. Brewery tour and tasting. Noon. Booking essential. Details: www. phantombrew.com

READING – Greyfriars Church, Friar Street RG1 1EH. Reading Male Voice Choir at Greyfriars Church with Belle Canto. 7.30pm. https://rmvc.net/

READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street

RG1 2HX. Reading Phoenix Choire and Berkshire Youth Choir presents Where All Souls Meet A Concert Supporting the Reading Minster Music Outreach Project. 7pm. £15, under 16s £3. Details: readingminster.org.uk

SINDLESHAM – Sindlesham Court, Mole Road RG41 5EA. Sindlesham Court’s West End Showstoppers! Featuring Woodley Light Operatic Society. 7.45pm. £20, seniors £15. Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ sindlesham-court

SOUTHCOTE – Grange United Reformed Church, Circuit Lane RG30 3HD. Christmas Fayre with stalls including Homemade Crafts, Preserves, Cakes, Surprise Tombola, Gifts, Raffle, Books, CDs & DVDs, Jigsaw Puzzles, Toys, Name The Panda, plus seasonal refreshments and charity stalls. 2.30pm-4pm. 50p, children 20p. Details: 0118 956 0380.

WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE – Church, Hall Lane RG10 0JJ. Come and Sing - Faure Requiem. From 1pm, performance 6pm. £12, student £6. Concert free, retiring collection. Details: wsl.link/whats-on

WOKINGHAM – Baptist Church, Milton Road RG40 1DE. Sing Healthy Wokingham Choir & Berkshire Maestros Camerata: Camerata Concert, with music for choir & string orchestra. In aid of First Days Children’s Charity & Berkshire Maestros. 7.30pm. £12, £8 under 16s in advance only (no on-the-door).

WOKINGHAM – From Elms Field. Kidical Mass family

bike ride. 2pm. Details: Search Facebook for Watch Wokingham

WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Sunday, November 13

BEECH HILL – Memorial Hall, Beech Hill Road. Beech Hill Bonfire and torchlit procession. 5.30pm. £5, £2.50 children.

CAVERSHAM – St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road RG4 7PL. Reading Bach Choir presents I believe: Life after death. 5pm. £15, under 18s £5. Details: www.readingbachchoir. org.uk

READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. The Sunday Alternative: a secular community of words and music. Coffee and catchup. 10.45am-1pm. Details: www.sundayalternative. org.uk

WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or www. woodleytowncentre.co.uk

Quiz Challenge

1. What is the capital city of Taiwan?

2. The 19th century novelist Mary Shelley created which fictional ‘monster’?

3. Prince Andrew flew helicopters during the Falklands War in which of the armed services?

4. Which US president is portrayed on one dollar bills?

5. In the 2022 biographical film Elvis, Tom Hanks plays which character?

NONAGRAM

6. What is the name given to an auction when buyers make a single, secret offer?

7. What is a balalaika?

8. A bisque is a handicap used in which lawn sport?

9. Which annual event involving animals was first held at Islington in 1886 and is now at Birmingham NEC?

10. Which animal ultimately caused the plague epidemics of the Middle Ages?

WORD PYRAMID

number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the

then use

You have

you get the letters, fill in other

in the

as you identify them.

out

with the same

Check off the

ABHORS WHEELS

Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form four words each of four letters which will fit in the grid to form a magic square in which the words can be read both horizontally and vertically.

start

list of

How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found.

Guidelines:

Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).

Spell out a 15-letter word or phrase by moving from one chamber to another within the pyramid. You may only enter each of the chambers once and may only proceed through openings in the walls. The first letter may appear in any chamber.

G C N H I N E I R O N K C P S

1. Bowler often found in the van? (8-3)

7. Man perhaps follows another in Cumbria (8)

8. Irishman imports English solid fuel (4)

9. Eddy strangely changed colour (4)

11. There’s masculine pride in having raincoat belonging to him for a little while (8)

13. Fat microbes eventually trapped inside (5)

14. Polite form of defence (5)

16. Careless writing somehow riles BBC (8)

18. Star gets river backing (4)

21. Language of our Dutch pals? No (4)

22. Passed along the way (8)

23. Used when going back to wear clothes inside out? (7,4)

1. Leaves off at intervals (9)

2. Copious generosity after the ship leaves (5)

3. I am in the leading position to be conceited (4)

4. Charge a gun for at least the second time (6)

5. A parliamentarian, a footballer, Scotsman and frog (9)

6. Handy source of dates? (4)

10. Strangely reconstituted without corn – or means of support (9)

12. Rail token ordered for another form of transport (3,6)

15. A little publicity about love bird (6)

17. Traction engine started to bring up another vehicle (4)

19. Love a region with bracing air (5)

20. Time to be sorry? Correct (4)

tolu;tule.

Collapse;8Fence;12Tumid;13Egret;14Dementia;16Ran;18 Excrete;21Messy;22Rotter;25Scrap;26Cafe;27Exit.

Down–1Lyre;2Gulch;3Laptop;4Skew;6Larceny;7

Etched;24Toast;28Tress;29Anthrax;30Aged;31Decrepit.

Eczema;15Purge;17Epée;19Mar;20Dyes;21Miner;23

QUICKCROSSWORD: Across–1Legalism;5Bloc;9Relapse;10Enrol;11Shoot;13

Down–1Deciduous;2Large;3Vain;4Reload;5Amphibian;6 Palm;10Destitute;12Oiltanker;15Plover;17Cart;19Ozone; 20True.

EQUALISER: Clockwisefromtop left–multiply;add; divide;subtract. Total:2.

WORDPYRAMID: Nospringchicken.

MAGICSQUARE: rash;able;slow; hewn.

742658391 594217683

Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.

the

NONAGRAM:

Down–Qualm;Arrow;Tiled.

Across–Quart;Aural;Mewed.

Down–Flier;Debut;Daddy.

Across–Faded;Imbed;Ratty.

(1) (2)

Across–1Delivery-man;7Carlisle;8Peat;9Dyed;11 Machismo;13Obese;14Civil;16Scribble;18Nova;21Urdu;22 Overtook;23Reversegear.

CRYPTICCROSSWORD:

EASYSUDOKUHARDSUDOKU

Brief encounters in the Big Smoke

Time for kindness

Sarah Browning

ON a half-term visit to the Victoria and Albert museum with my teenage daughter, I was admiring a statue when another visitor asked me to take a photo.

I accepted the proffered camera phone and took a picture of her and her friend in front of the artwork.

Then we went our separate ways to see more beautiful things.

Two things struck me about this encounter: How easy it can be to fit small gestures of kindness into your day.

It took me less than

60 seconds to help out, but now they have a photo to remind them of their trip and show their friends when they get home.

A selfie simply wouldn’t have worked, due to the size of the sculpture.

How easy it can be to be friendly and welcoming without much-shared language.

I’m not sure which country the ladies were visiting from, so we used just a few gestures (pointing and holding out the phone), a few words (“sculpture very good”) and lots of smiles.

In that short space of time, we connected with

each other in the shared experience of enjoying a museum exhibit.

London (and the South East more generally) has a reputation for being unfriendly, but I don’t think that’s always fair.

I regularly spot examples of kindness when I visit ‘the big smoke’, such as someone giving directions in the street or picking up a dropped jumper in the park.

And I think there are very few people who would have said no when asked to take that photo.

Kindness on the move

Maybe it’s because I often travel on public transport myself, but I love all the stories of kindness on buses and trains that are sent to me for my Time for Kindness website.

Recent examples include:

PlasticFreeHome

n A young person helping an older lady to ‘mind the gap’ and step up from the platform into a train carriage.

n A local station manager who bought special stickers to give to children under five who are too young to get an actual train ticket.

n A man on a bus who caught some dropped shopping bags before they actually hit the floor.

n Many years ago my husband and I were travelling by train to visit family.

At Birmingham New

Street station he helped a fellow passenger to lift her extremely heavy case off the train.

We realised afterwards that the suitcase owner was none other than Camilla Dallerup, then star of Strictly Come Dancing. Perhaps the case was so heavy because it was full of dancing shoes.

Celebrating kindness

World Kindness Day is coming up – it takes place on November 13 each year.

It is a chance to

Cop Out? One year on from COP26, what has changed?

celebrate all the kindness that exists in the world, to recognise what’s happening and inspire even more.

I’ll be attending KindFest, the online festival of kindness, and there are plenty of other ways to celebrate. If you’re going to mark the day in some way, I’d love to hear how you get on.

Sarah Browning is a kindness cheerleader, communicator and strategist. For more, log on to: www. timeforkindness. co.uk

Healthy heart tip

Tackling cholesterol

CHOLESTEROL

is a fatty substance found in our blood.

There are two main types, LDL, sometimes termed ‘bad cholesterol’, and HDL, sometimes termed ‘good cholesterol’. We need some of both types to be healthy, but an incorrect balance can be harmful.

Being told we have high cholesterol can be scary and leave us worried.

We encourage you to become informed and take positive action to restore a healthy cholesterol balance, and to reduce the fear that goes hand-in-hand with a diagnosis.

Increase fibre intake

CLIMATE

change is the defining issue of today’s world”, asserted United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres ahead of this year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP27.

“There has been a tendency to put climate change on the back burner,” he said. “If we are not able to reverse the present trend, we will be doomed.”

He wasn’t holding back then.

Despite the stark message, it was oddly reassuring to hear a leading figure on the world stage reaffirm that we are faced with a climate emergency we can ill afford to ignore.

His words were an essential footnote to the pantomime politics that have, along with the war in Ukraine and profound economic challenges, dominated the news agenda of late.

Of course, the UK played host to last year’s UN Conference of the Parties, COP26, which promised much. But, a year on, are things moving in the right direction?

In short, no.

According to the UN, we need to halve global emissions by 2030, yet we are actually on course to see them increase by around 14%.

The political turmoil that continues to grip the UK can only be hindering our own progress.

Thérèse Coffey was recently installed as the country’s third environment secretary of the year, the government’s ban on fracking has

been imposed, lifted and reimposed and Reading West MP Alok Sharma, who was the president of COP26, is no longer a cabinet minister following Rishi Sunak’s latest reshuffle.

Will banning King Charles from attending COP27 go down as another of Liz Truss’ many faux pas?

While Mr Guterres described His Majesty as a “constant voice” and encouraged him to attend, the former prime minister’s government argued that the King now has “other priorities” and suggested that Prince William might attend instead.

But, perhaps the outspoken voice of someone who is above and

beyond politics is exactly what we need.

After all, as the name suggests, this year’s Conference is the politicians’ 27th annual meeting on the subject, with their countries signing up to the UN climate agreement in 1992.

During that time, humanity has failed miserably to tackle the growing climate emergency. Global temperatures have risen by 1.1ºC and are expected to reach 1.5ºC according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Since last year’s Conference alone we have witnessed record-breaking temperatures, worsening wildfires,

drought and famine, devastating flooding and stronger-than-usual storms around the world.

The IPCC has warned that a further increase, to between 1.7ºC and 1.8ºC above pre-industrial levels, could put half of the planet’s population at risk and lead to the breakdown of the natural world we know and love.

Mr Guterres recently reiterated that “We need to tell the truth” when it comes to the climate emergency and the threats posed by unchecked climate change.

Let’s see if our world leaders can manage that.

COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from Sunday, November 6, through to Friday, November 18.

Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that comes from plants, and research tells us that those people who have more fibre in their diet have lower cholesterol.

Aim to eat fibre from a variety of different sources such as fruits, vegetables, wholegrain, nuts, seeds and pulses (lentils and beans).

Exercise more

We should be aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.

Aerobic exercise such as running or cycling can help increase the levels of ‘good cholesterol’ in our blood.

Aiming for 30 minutes moderate physical activity, five times per week will help restore a healthy cholesterol balance, among many other health benefits.

Limit alcohol consumption

Alcohol can raise the levels of cholesterol in our blood.

Cutting back on how much we consume can improve the health of our liver, meaning we can better remove bad cholesterol from our blood.

The good news is there are many alcoholfree alternatives available in supermarkets and in pubs. It is recommended that we limit our alcohol consumption to 14 units per week (about six pints of average-strength beer or about five 250ml glasses of wine).

n For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch. org.uk/healthy-tips

n To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heartresearch-uk-recipes-2

n Visit www.theplasticfreehome. com or www.facebook.com/ plasticfreehomeuk

n Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers: https:// heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-ukcookbook

David Lamont

AS YOU WERE: The COP26 Globe at the Hydro. Photograph: Karwai Tang/ UK Government

n Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with more than 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably.

ROBINS READY FOR HUGE CUP TIE

BRACKNELL TOWN are just days away from facing the biggest tie in their history when they host Ipswich Town in the FA Cup firstround.

The Robins, under the management duo of Jamie McClurg and Carl Withers, formerly of Binfield FC, are preparing to face the League One side on Monday evening.

RU BEAUTY!

By ANDY PRESTON

ROWE’S BRACE GIVES THE WIN

The tie which will be played at Bottom Meadow Sandhurst in front of almost 2,000 fans will also be broadcast live on ITV4 (7.45pm kick-off).

Bracknell, who play at Step 3 in the Southern League Premier South, earned the right to host the Tractor Boys after they defeated Banbury United in the fourth qualifying round.

After 12 matches in the league, Bracknell are in 11th place with 20 points with five wins, five draws and two defeats.

Ipswich are looking to win promotion to the Championship are currently in second place in League One on 37 points from 17 games with 11 wins, four draws and two losses.

Ipswich’s impressive past boasts a Football League First division title (1961/62) and a UEFA Cup (1981).

They also won the FA Cup in 1978, but have not progressed past the third round since 2009/10.

Bracknell’s management duo have previous success in cup competitions after they led Binfield to the FA Vase final in 2021 where they were narrowly beaten in a thrilling final at Wembley Stadium by Warrington Rylands.

RAMS RACK UP HALF CENTURY AS WINNING RUN CONTINUES

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

RAMS racked up a half century as they recorded an eighth straight National One win with a 50-25 home success against Birmingham Moseley.

For the second week in a row, the hosts started poorly as they fell behind to an early Sam McNulty try, the hooker touching down at the back of a rolling maul.

Rams replied almost immediately with a beautifully dinked kick from skipper Drew Humberstone collected by Henry Bird to dive over on the left.

A fine Alex Seers conversion nudged his side in front, but the helter-skelter nature of the early stages continued as Moseley hit back with an Elliott Creed try started with an interception in midfield.

Ollie Allsopp knocked

over the conversion for 12-7, but the hosts rallied again as their rolling maul got to work before Ben Henderson off-loaded to Jak Rossiter for his 10th of the season.

Seers landed another cracking conversion, but Allsopp replied with a penalty as the lead swapped hands again.

Rams took control, though, as the maul contributed two more tries finished by Ollie Taylor and Ross Crame, Seers adding the extras to the second for 26-15.

A second Allsopp penalty cut the deficit to eight points at the interval, but RAMS roared out of the blocks at the start of the second period, the maul this time halted only for Ant Marris to cut a fine line to touch down to the left off the posts.

Seers made no mistake, and the home side moved further in front shortly after as some terrifically patient

play near the goal line ended with a long pass to Bird to double his tally.

Ellis Jones then scythed through in midfield for his side’s seventh try of the afternoon, and the halfcentury was brought up when replacement Michael Dykes raced through before chipping ahead.

And, while the London Irish loanee was unable to touch down, Rossiter was as he restored his name to the top of the division’s scoring charts.

Moseley continued to battle gamely, and struck the final blow as Jide Ajayi burrowed over from close range, Allsopp drop-kicking the conversion as the clock wound down.

Rams’ director of rugby Seb Reynolds said: “It was a very tricky game to manage because we’d had a very emotional couple of weeks with big

fixtures, and as I said during the week, every match is tough.

“Something clicked and everyone just focused in, and we didn’t really let a good Birmingham side into the game.

“If you’re being critical, our line-out didn’t function as we’d want it to, and we maybe lacked a bit of discipline in the middle of the pitch which gave them opportunities, but arguably it’s our performance of the season so far.”

He continued: “When we executed what we do well in the first half we scored, but we let them back in with a few errors.

“Credit to them, they fired some shots early and scored some tries – it’s what you get at this level – but we extended away in the second half and it ended up being a very good performance.”

REYNOLDS LAUDS SQUAD’S PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON

By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today

SEB REYNOLDS lauded ‘arguably the performance of the season’ following RAMS’ 50-25 National One home victory against Birmingham Moseley, a result which extended their perfect start to the campaign to eight matches.

Having made five changes to the side which beat Rosslyn Park the week before, the incoming Crame and Bird contributed three tries between them, while Josh Collis was man-of-the-match with an all-action display on the blind-side flank.

Reynolds said: “I thought Josh was simply outstanding.

“He was a late replacement for James but he came out and did that, it really gives us a big

headache for next week’s selection.

“The lads coming in have points to prove and it shows where we’re at as a squad. The guys in the side have to continue performing because they know there are others nipping at their heels.”

Rossiter’s double nudged him one clear at the top of the division’s try-scoring charts, the wing now with 11 in seven games, but the DoR said it is not just his deadly finishing which stands out.

He said: “Jak’s playing brilliantly, but he’s also defending so well.

“That’s great to see because we all know of his attacking prowess, but there is a real completeness to his game at the moment.” n Rams travel to Leeds Tykes on Saturday (2.30pm).

Ant Marris on the charge Pictures: Paul Clark

Ollie Cole with ball in hand

Jak Rossiter grabs the first of his two tries Captain Drew Humberstone with ball in hand

Henry Bird dives over for his side’s first try

Ellis Jones off-loads to Ollie Cole

Michael Dykes made his first appearance of the season

WOODLEY STRIKE TWICE TO BEAT BOARS KINGS JUNIORS RETURN TO COURT IN LEAGUE ACTION

By MARK ROZZIER sport@wokingham.today

In front of decent size crowd, lightning struck twice as Tull scored with a freekick in each half to see the Kestrels to a 2-0 win.

The opening quarter of the match was a cagey affair with the best chance falling in the11th minute with an Eversley & California low cross that went across the length of the home team’s six yard box and evaded the oncoming forwards.

Tull’s first goal came in the 23rd minute when his kick went round the wall and inside visiting keeper Henry Pidgeon’s left post.

Five minutes later it was the Boars’ Paras Gill turn to try his hand at a free kick from a similar position which he scored two in last season’s corresponding fixture, however Jono O’Sullivan in

the home goal comfortably made a save.

Eversley goalkeeper Pidgeon was cautioned for a foul outside his penalty area. United finished the half the stronger with Sid Gbla shooting over the cross bar and Pidgeon produced a fine save onto the cross bar from Ciaron Carolan following a

multi-player attack that was started by Gbla and included Connor Suckling.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half saw the home team in the ascendancy with Pidgeon saving from Suckling followed by Suckling seeing another effort go over the cross bar and Carolan tackled

as he was preparing to shoot from inside the penalty area.

Tull’s second goal was midway through the half when he put his shot to Pidgeon’s right.

The goal was followed by a sustained period of pressure by the visitors that resulted in a series of corners which Woodley defended resolutely typified by centre backs Mark Williams and Rafa Brandao while O’Sullivan twice needed treatment following clashes with players as he attempted to clear the ball.

The first minute of second half stoppage time saw O’Sullivan deny Ross McKernan in a one on one situation which was to be the Boars’ skippers last action of the match as shortly afterwards he was sent to the sin bin.

In between while Pidgeon produced an excellent save to deny Brad Stevens and then moments before the final whistle he reacted quickest to beat Suckling to a through ball.

THE Thames Valley Kings Juniors returned to the court this past Saturday in what was an actionpacked day of Junior League action.

Aces hosted three huge games in the first fixture round of games in the Elite 8s qualifying pool B at the Tring School in Hertfordshire that showcases the best of what the future has to offer in the sport.

With a large number of players from Kings ageing out of the competition this year, including some of the more experienced players who successfully steered the Kings to the runner-up spot in the competition last season, it was always going to be tough and the first game against a moreexperienced London Titans showed that.

Titans ran into a comfortable lead in the first quarter and never looked back, taking the win, 51-22.

Conal O’Donovan was the top scorer for the Kings with 10 points.The second game was a much more even affair against Aces with the lead flipping between the teams throughout the game.

But it was Kings who took a late five-point lead deep in the fourth quarter and held on for the final few minutes to win 30-25. The top scorer for the Kings was Zach Geary with 14 points.

Kings first and second National League teams return to action against Plymouth Fusion first and second teams respectively next Saturday in Plymouth.

Thames Valley Kings in actionWoodley United v Eversley & California Pictures: Richard Milam

WOODLEY UNITED FC took the points in their league clash with Eversley & California thanks to two free kicks from Zach Tull.

ROYALS KEEP IT CLEAN

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC were involved in their first goalless draw of the season as they took a point away at Luton Town.

Picking themselves up after a heartbreaking last gasp defeat to league leaders Burnley on Saturday (see page 24), the Royals dug deep to collect a point at Kenilworth Road.

There was little to separate the sides and the contest ended without the deadlock being broken.

Paul Ince made two changes from Reading’s last gasp defeat at Burnley which saw Andy Carroll and Junior Hoilett come

into the starting line-up.

The Hatters created the first big chance of the half with five minutes on the clock when James Bree got down the byline and cut the ball back for Harry Cornick who dragged his shot wide.

The Royals’ first venture forward was built by Tom Ince who tried to shift the ball through to Andy Carroll, but overhit his pass.

Reading used the aerial prowess of Carroll throughout the half and his superb knockdown fell into the path of Ince who swiped at an effort that was charged down.

Cornick caused problems for Reading on several occasions and skipped past two

challenges on the right before he swung a cross into the middle that was headed out by Tom Holmes.

Joe Lumley was called into action twice in quick succession when he first got down to save Elijah Adebayo’s drive from an acute angle before he stopped Alfie Doughty’s low shot.

Reading had a chance to cause chaos in the box after Ince was fouled just outside the box, but they failed to capitalise as the ball couldn’t quite fall for Yakou Meite.

There was a pause in play after Luton captain Sonny Bradley landed badly after an aerial duel and had to be stretchered off.

Reading’s best chance of the half fell for Meite after the Royals pinched possession deep in Luton’s half but goalkeeper Ethan Horvath got his glove to the low drive.

The Royals had to survive some late scares at the end of the half after Lumley spilled a corner and his defence had to come to his rescue to scramble the ball away.

The final chance of the half saw Junior Hoilett hang a cross up to the back post which Carroll nodded down but off target as the team’s went in deadlocked at the break.

Reading created the first opening of the second-half when a cross was floated into the box, Carroll launched

himself at the aerial ball but headed wide.

Ince made his first switch just before the hour mark which saw Ovie Ejaria replaced by Tyrese Fornah.

Reading pressed to find an opener when they worked the ball neatly and Jeff Hendrick skidded a fierce shot inches wide of the far post.

Shane Long entered the contest for the final 20 minutes to join Carroll up top, taking the place of Meite.

With the game still level, Ince tried his luck from 25 yards after he chested the ball and smacked a ferocious effort that was palmed away by the keeper.

The Hatters’ top scorer,

Morris, was thrown on by Nathan Jones with just over 10 minutes to play.

Luton missed a golden chance to snatch the points in the 87th minute when the ball sat up for Dan Potts on the volley but his side footed effort missed the top corner.

Reading then had their own opportunity to steal the points when a cross was put to the back post but Long’s header missed the target.

Substitute Fornah then went close when he hammered a shot at goal that missed the target by a whisker.

After five minutes of added time, the game ended without the scoreline being breached as the teams shared the points.

Luton Town welcomed Reading on Tuesday evening, but the fixture ended goalless as both sides failed to get their chances in the back of the net Pictures: Steve Smyth

S4K GET THROUGH, ASCOT UNITED STAY TOP

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

TVCWFL Cup

S4K BERKS COUNTY made progress in a seven goal contest against Tower Hill.

Braces from Megan Cox and Kiah Owen ensured that the Fawkes got through with a 4-3 success.

The Fawkes are back in league action on Sunday when they have a home fixture against Denham United Reserves.

BURGHFIELD were knocked out after an 11-1 defeat to Beaconsfield Town.

Burghfield turn their attentions back to the league this weekend when they host Thatcham & Newbury.

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division

ASCOT UNITED remain top of the table despite their goalless draw with Bournemouth Sports.

The Yellas are up against Wycombe Wanderers this Sunday.

Southern Region Women’s

BRACKNELL MAKE PROGRESS, SUMAS SETTLE FOR POINT

FA Trophy first-round

BRACKNELL TOWN ensured their place in the next round with a comeback win over North Leigh.

The Robins found themselves 2-0 down, but Jordan Esprit netted either side of the break to put Bracknell back on terms before English scored the winner to send his side through with an impressive turnaround.

BINFIELD were knocked out of the cup after an away defeat at Tavistock. James Beauchamp clawed back a goal to set up a tense finish, but the Moles lost out 2-1 to the hosts.

Combined Counties Premier North

ASCOT UNITED collected three points with strikes from Brendan Matthew and Ollie Harris.

Up against Holyport, the Yellaman

had to be patient to find an opening which came from the penalty spot when Matthew converted.

Ascot wrapped up the points late in the day in the 11th minute of stoppage time when Harris rounded the keeper and scored.

Ascot are second in the table, level on points with league leaders Burnham but with two games in hand.

WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK added a point to their tally after a goalless draw with London Lions.

The Sumas are in 19th position with eight points from 15 matches.

Combined Counties Division One

SANDHURST stormed to a stunning away success at AFC Aldermaston to stay top of the table.

The Fizzers hit five past their opponents which gives them a two point lead in first place.

BERKS COUNTY captured three points with an away win at Langley. Goals from Ben Hall and a brace from Les Sackey helped them to a 3-1 triumph.

Thames Valley Premier League

BURGHFIELD smashed seven past Chalvey to earn a huge win.

Doubles from Ollie Brown and Jack Bowyer were added to with goals from Josh Howell, Jordan Cox and James McClellan to seal a spectacular 7-1 win. The win puts the Fielders up to

third in the table with five wins from six games.

READING YMCA moved into eighth after their success against READING CITY U23’s Archie Denton netted the only goal of the game to give YMCA three points.

WARGRAVE are in fourth after their 1-0 away win at Maidenhead Town.

Bracknell & District Sunday League

Premier: Bracknell Rangers 5-0 William Twigg, Crowthorne Inn 2-3 Finchampstead

Division One North

WOODLEY UNITED took a point with a draw away at Long Crendon.

Rebecca Gooch scored twice from the penalty spot to ensure the Kestrels earned a 2-2 draw.

The Kestrels face a trip to Caversham United on the weekend.

EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA lost out 3-0 away at Penn & Tylers Green.

The Boars host Long Crendon in their next league fixture

Thames Valley Women’s Division One

TILEHURST PANTHERS earned a sublime win by striking 11 past Banbury United.

WARGRAVE climbed up to third with a 5-2 win at Oxford Athletic.

Wargrave and Tilehurst come up against each other this weekend.

Wargrave are in thid with 10 points from their opening five games with three wins, a draw and a loss.

Tilehurst are in fifth with three wins and one defeat from their first four games.

Athletic, Freeman Royals 0-1 AFC Dukes, Raglan 2-1 FC Showcase County Cup: Nameless 2-7 FC Harmanswater, Windsor Royals 5-0 Ashridge Park, Winnersh Rangers 2-3 Calcot, BAS FC 15-2 Berkshire Wanderers, Elm Park 1-7 Bracknell Cavaliers, Woodley Saints Lowfield 1-3 Hope & Anchor, Wokingham Wanderers 3-5 Allied Community Elite

Two: Braybrooke Athletic 1-5 Bracknell Athletic

Three: Ashridge Park 1-7 Harts of Bracknell, AFC Dukes Reserves 2-6 Berks United, Bracknell Saint Germain 4-1 FC Bracknell Saints, Harts of Bracknell Stags 1-1 Bracknell Cavaliers Reserves

Four: Bracknell Athletic Reserves 1-0 Finchampstead A, Braybrooke Reserves 4-1 Bracknell Elite, FC Bracknell 1-9 BH Dons

Joao Jardim in possession for the Sumas

S4K Berks County Ladies v Tower Hill Pictures: Andrew Batt

Wokingham & Emmbrook v London Lions Pictures: Andrew Batt

The Fawkes were in cup action at the weekend

S4K take control in midfield

S4K Berks County Ladies v Tower Hill

S4K made it through in the TVWCL Cup

How they rated

ROWE RESCUES ROYALS

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

Couldn’t have done anything with the goal with was a superb strike into the corner. Dealt comfortably when called upon.

EMMA MUKANDI

Not the finest display but got forward well in the closing minutes and produced a pinpoint cross which Wellings almost converted.

GEMMA EVANS

Put in some strong blocks when tested at the back, but will be disappointed with the manner in which Reading conceded.

DIANE CALDWELL

Slow to react to Leicester’s goal as they charged through the middle but had a relatively good performance overall.

Put in some nice crosses, but struggled with Leicester quick counters. Picked up a booking and was subbed off after 65 minutes.

JUSTINE VANHAEVERMAET

Showed her strength in the middle to win the ball back on numerous occasions. Went close with a looping effort in the first-half.

LILY WOODHAM

Got forward well and provided an outlet down the wing. Had a chance to score when she was played in by Eikeland but hesitated in the box.

RACHEL ROWE

The hero of the hour. Scored directly from a corner in the 90th minute and scored a sublime winner in stoppage time for the win.

CHARLIE WELLINGS

Spurned a golden chance to level the score late in the game when she couldn’t direct her header on target from Mukandi’s cross.

AMALIE EIKELAND

Plenty of running and positive on the ball. Unselfish in front of goal on a few occasions but may have looked to pull the trigger in hindsight.

NATASHA DOWIE

Popped up in some nice positions in the box but couldn’t apply a finishing touch as the ball didn’t quite drop for her. Subbed late on.

SUBS

The Royals looked to be destined to be bottom of the table heading into the 90th minute a goal down, but Rowe came up with the goods to seal a last-gasp brace.

Her corner kick evaded everyone to equalise, before she thumped in a spectacular winner from range to net all three points – their first of the season.

It moves them three points clear of Leicester at the bottom and ends a run of 14 league games without a win.

Both teams came into the contest seeking their first points of the season in a clash between the bottom two sides in the Women’s Super League.

The Royals had suffered four successive league defeats prior to the match, while the Foxes had lost five.

Looking comfortable on home turf, Reading enjoyed plenty of possession throughout the firsthalf in a match that was bound to be cagey.

Reading goalkeeper Jackie Burns had to rush quickly off her line to intercept a long through ball to stop Leicester getting through with an alert piece of sweeping.

The hosts’ first chance came for Justine Vanhaevermaet when she cut in on her left foot and took a swipe at goal that looped just inches over the bar as she looked to

REACTION

pick out the top corner.

Reading continued to dominate and a quick piece of interplay from Natasha Dowie and Amalie Eikeland saw the forwards combine before a heavy touch from the Norwegian saw the ball run through to the keeper.

Eikeland drove forward with purpose and shifted the ball out wide to Lily Woodham who hesitated to take a shot and missed her opportunity as Leicester recovered.

Reading asserted pressure when Bryson’s cross was flapped at by goalkeeper Kirstie Levell, but Erin Simons was well placed to clear up before the Royals could pounce.

Having had the better of the play, the Royals were suckerpunched in the 36th minute and found themselves a goal down as the Foxes struck on the counter attack.

Reading were too slow to react to O’Brien’s drive upfield and she fed the ball to Natasha Flint who finished clinically with an arrowed

CHAMBERS: ‘WE HAD TO WIN AND I COULDN’T BE PROUDER’

READING FC Women’s manager was left ‘proud’ of her team’s performance after Rachel Rowe’s stoppage time brace gave them victory over Leicester City.

The Royals earned their first win of the Women’s Super League campaign in the most dramatic of circumstances as Rowe hit a late double to see them down the Foxes.

The win puts Reading up to ninth in the table as they ended a run of 14 games without a win in the league.

“I said to the girls after the match, you love giving me a heart attack.

“But I think when you look back across the whole game, that was nothing short of what we deserved, in terms of the win.

“I think we were the better team across the 90 minutes, and I said to the girls at half-time, look where we are, be patient, and when the moments come, take them.

“And to be fair to them, straight from the whistle in the second half they were right at it, they kept going, fighting for everything.

“Regardless of the performance, we knew we had to win, we had to find a way to win, and they did that, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Despite the close encounter, Chambers believes that her side were fully deserving of the points.

She continued: “In tight affairs, you often need a moment of inspiration from someone, and Rachel Rowe has the ability to do just that.

“The delivery from the corner was literally spot on, and the finish, wow. But that’s not a one off, she has produced moments like that for us time and time again.

“She’s full of confidence, the performance level has been of such a high standard, and what a way to win a game.

“We certainly made the game hard on ourselves, but today was all about just getting those three points, no matter how we did it. That’s all we wanted out of the game.

“This win will give a big boost to the girls, they were finally rewarded for their fight, hunger and performance, as we’ve had a couple of performances now where they weren’t rewarded, and Sunday paid off.

“We don’t go into an easy game next with Manchester City, but I think getting the win on the weekend, it’s something we can build on and take into the game.

“Finally, I just want to touch on the fans, they were exceptional today, the noise they made throughout, we cannot thank them enough.”

Reading celebrate the winning goal

Troelsgaard holds off a challenge

Rowe strikes a stunning winner

The Royals celebrate the stoppage time winner Rachel Rowe’s last gasp double gave

Match stats

JACKIE BURNS

FAYE BRYSON

Deanna Cooper 6, Sanne Troelsgaard 6,

READING FC’s torrid Super League form came to an end thanks to Rachel Rowe’s dramatic late double to gift them victory against Leicester City.

READING: Burns, Mukandi (c), Evans, Caldwell, Bryson, Woodham, Vanhaevermaet, Rowe,

WITH DRAMATIC DOUBLE

shot into the far corner from 20 yards out.

Both teams traded chances in the opening exchanges of the second-half.

The ball dropped invitingly for Lily Woodham to take aim, but she smashed her shot over the top.

Just moments later, the combination of O’Brien and Flint nearly caused damage again, but Flint could only hit the side netting after Burns closed the angle.

Reading continued to fight and were left frustrated as Rowe picked up a yellow on the hour mark.

With 25 minutes to play, Chambers made two changes as

The Royals couldn’t find a way past to penetrate the Foxes defence as Sanne Troeslgaard was added to the mix in the 83rd minute to try and salvage a result.

A big chance came the way in the 87th minute when a whipped cross from Mukandi landed for Wellings who couldn’t direct her header on target.

Heading into the 90th minute, Reading were given a chance with a set-piece on the right. Woodham swung in a cross that was punched away confidently by the keeper.

ROYALS LOOK TO UPSET ODDS IN CITY CLASH

READING FC Women will be hoping to upset the odds when they host Manchester City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday.

The Royals can breathe a sigh of relief after Rachel Rowe’s last gasp brace earned them their first win of the Women’s Super League season against Leicester City.

Man City, who were expected to be title challengers prior to the start of the season, have had a mixed start to their campaign.

They have won three and lost two of their opening five fixtures which sees them in fourth heading into the contest.

City lost three key players over the summer as Georgia Stanway departed to join Bayern Munich and Kiera Walsh and Lucy Bronze both joined Barcelona.

Despite losing three world class players, City still boast a squad full of talent.

City lost their opening two games of the season, losing out in a seven-goal thriller on the opening weekend away at Aston Villa after a brace from Rachel Daly saw the hosts complete an impressive turnaround to win 4-3.

Gareth Taylor’s team then lost out to WSL champions Chelsea

after goals from Fran Kirby and Maren Mjelde.

The Cityzens have recovered their form by earning maximum points in their last three matches.

They struck four past Leicester City with a brace from Khadija Shaw and strikes from Lauren Hemp and Yui Hasegawa guiding them to a 4-0 success.

Another brace from Shaw and a third from Hemp saw them win 3-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur.

After thumping Championship side Blackburn 6-0 in the WSL Cup, City made it three WSL wins on the bounce at the

With time running out, Rowe produced an equaliser when her inswinging corner wasn’t dealt with and evaded everyone to find the net.

Reading weren’t done yet as they showed immense fighting spirit to break Leicester hearts in stoppage time.

Rowe skipped forward with purpose, moved past three Leicester players before she hit a thunderous strike that flew past the keeper to secure the win in the most dramatic of circumstances.

It was a win that lifted the squad, not just away from the bottom, but in morale too.

From the Middle Dick Sawdon-Smith

Clashes between goalie and player

IFyou are a BBC Match of the Day 2 watcher, a couple of Sundays ago you will have seen an unusual clash between Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson.

If not, let me describe it for you.

Lloris had charged outside his penalty area and chested the ball but in doing so, crashed into Wilson coming the other way. Lloris fell flat on his back. Not only did Wilson stay on his feet, but he retrieved the ball and, from 25 yards out, kicked it into the Tottenham goal.

Perhaps only to be expected, the whole of the Tottenham team and management were demanding a free kick.

However, Australia’s favourite referee, Jarred Gillett, who came to England so he could referee in the Premier League, stood firm in allowing the goal. He was quite correct.

Clashes between a goalkeeper and an outfield opponent often result in a free kick to the goalkeeper’s team, but the Laws of the Game are quite clear on this particular issue.

‘All players have a right to their position on the field of play, being in the way of an opponent is not the same as moving into the way of an opponent’.

This all comes under the heading ‘Impeding the progress of an opponent’ what we used to call obstruction.

It means ‘moving into the opponents path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction, when the ball is not within playing distance of either player’.

It was obvious that Wilson did not do any of these things, he only held his ground.

That’s not impeding. Just because one player comes off worse, doesn’t always mean a foul has been committed.

Impeding is an offence that’s not well known as it seldom happens, or is not spotted too often, as it can happen away from the play with the referees concentrating on the ball.

Incidentally, as a matter of reference, in 2016 this Law was changed slightly to say that if there was no contact when impeding, it would be penalised with an indirect free kick, which had always been the case.

If however, when impeding, contact was made with the opponent, it would be a direct free kick or penalty if it happened in defending penalty area.

weekend at home to Liverpool.

Shaw was once again on the scoresheet and put City ahead before Katie Stengel levelled up for the Reds.

Hayley Raso hit the winning goal in the 75th minute to give City three points to push them up the table.

City were victorious on their last visit to Berkshire, which came in May.

Goals from Hemp, Shaw, Ellen White and Alex Greenwood saw the visitors take a 4-0 win which ensured them a place in the Champions League.

Let us not forget that shielding the ball is permitted, providing it is within playing distance.

Football referee Picture: Pixabay

gave Reading their first win of the season Pictures: Steve Smyth

Caldwell strikes a volley

Diane Caldwell Deanna Cooper puts in a tackle

Rowe makes a pass

Faye Bryson swings in a cross

Reading defend a corner

Rowe’s corner finds the net to equalise

Tia Primmer and Deanna Cooper replaced Vanhaevermaet and Bryson.

ROYALS HURT BY LATE GOAL AT BURNLEY

By JI-MIN LEE sport@wokingham.today

READING FC conceded a 94th minute decider to fall 2-1 to league leaders Burnley on Saturday afternoon.

The Royals found themselves ahead early in the second half after Tom Ince’s delightful chip found the back of the net. Vincent Kompany’s side levelled the score through a Manuel Benson effort.

The visitors looked to have held out for a valuable point, but Anass Zaroury’s header deep into stoppage time ensured the spoils went to the home side who retained their position atop the Championship.

Reading made a measured start to the game, adopting their customary 5-3-2 formation, not afraid to let Burnley keep the ball.

The home side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession, with the visitors starved not only of the ball, but of chances. Paul Ince’s men were reduced to a solitary Yakou Meite sighter from the halfway line, but could not find the net.

A firmly stuck shot to the head forced Tom McIntyre off the field of play, with the centre-back seemingly experiencing issues with his vision.

The best chance of the first 45 minutes came right at the end of the half. Tella found himself bearing down on goal after beating

Mbengue to a loose ball. Rather than take the shot, he found Rodriguez who blazed over the bar with a left footed effort from 10 yards out.

The second period started much the same way the first had ended, with Burnley seemingly camped in the Reading half. A loose pass by Mbengue seven minutes after the interval saw Tella driving into the right side of Reading’s box.

The Royals did the seemingly unthinkable in the 56th minute and

put themselves ahead thanks to the simplest of moves. Meite flicked a routine ball around the corner into the path of an on-rushing Ince. The forward beat the keeper to the ball, executing a delicate chip into the back of the net.

Burnley restored parity through substitute Benson. Zaroury did well to wrong-foot Hoilett and Benson struck a falling ball with enough venom to beat Lumley.

Reading had a late shout for a penalty in stoppage time as

Ince was felled in the box by Ian Maatsen, but the referee was quick to dismiss the appeal. Replays showed the decision to be extremely harsh on the visitors, with the defender making contact with the man and not the ball.

The Clarets had the last laugh as a fantastic performance from Zaroury was finally rewarded.

The winger stole into the far post, beating Hoilett to a cross from the right, to head home the winner in the 94th minute.

REACTION ATHLETICS

‘IT’S A DISGRACE’: INCE FUMING AFTER ROYALS DENIED PENALTY AT BURNLEY

By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today

READING FC manager Paul Ince was left angered after his team were denied a late penalty moments before Burnley’s stoppage time winner.

The Royals took the lead through Tom Ince but were pegged back by Manuel Benson in the 66th minute.

Ince was brought down in the area only to have his appeals waved away and just minutes later, Anass Zaroury snatched a 94th minute winner for the Clarets.

“I’m gutted for the lads, I really am because that was a very good performance,” said Ince.

“At times we made them look ordinary. We got our tactics right and were spot on today.

“Everyone had to be nine out of 10.

“We were brave, we were strong.”

Ince was understandably left fuming at the decision that saw the referee not award Reading a penalty in the 92nd minute when Ince was tripped in the box.

He continued: “I’ve looked at it so many times, why has he not given a penalty?

“The linesman is there, he can see it.

“If the referee says he can’t see it then the linesman has to see it. It’s a disgrace.

“And a minute later they go and score. I can’t have it. He’s got to make the right decision that’s what they got paid for.

“They’re not all bad (referees), some of them are good, but they need to be made accountable. It’s not good enough.

“I hate being blindsided by the referees who haven’t got the balls to make the decision for us to go and win the game. I’m angry.”

Despite the late controversy, Ince was proud of his players for their performance against

the league leaders.

“I said to the boys ‘I’m proud of you and the way you performed.’

“It’s tough going back down the motorway without something.

“We’ve got to get over it quickly because we’re at Luton on Tuesday.”

Ince is expecting Tom McIntyre to be able to make a quick recovery after being withdrawn with an injury in the first-half.

“He’s fine. He had a chronic migraine. So hopefully he will be okay.

“It was a loss to lose him to be fair because we were comfortable at the back and he’s a wonderful player.

“I’ll speak to him and hopefully he’ll be OK for Tuesday (last night).”

Reading drew against Luton on Tuesday night (see page 20) and host Preston North End on Friday night at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. The game is live on Sky Sports.

READING RETURN FOR FIRST WINTER RACE

By Debbie Taylor sport@wokingham.today

READING Athletics Ladies competed in their first cross country race of the winter calendar at Wormwood Scrubs.

Taking on the 3k course in sunny conditions, Reading had two teams competing.

The A Team finished 15th and B team 17th out of 47 teams.

Laurie Marlow started the relay and ran strong with a time of 11.41 with a position of 14th, followed by Lydia Blythe who picked up a position to 13th in a time of 12.04.

On the anchor leg was Hayleigh Wood who ran strong with a time of 11.59 to give a 15th place finish.

The B Team ran equally well with Shirley Ann Dix, coming back after having a baby, started fast and was rewarded with a solid time of 12.14 followed by Leanne James in a time of 12.00 with V50 Sue Francis on anchor leg with a time of 12.34 giving us the finishing position of 17th place.

The women all ran within a minute of each other which enabled the team to finish with good team placings.

The U20 team unfortunately only had one athlete competing, Simran Dhillan.

Simran is new to the club and put in a good first leg but unfortunately no one to take over.

RESULTS

Saturday, October 29

FOOTBALL Championship Burnley 2-1 Reading

FA Trophy first-round Tavistock 2-1 Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North Ascot United 2-0 Holyport Harefield United 0-4 Reading City Sumas 0-0 London Lions

Combined Counties Division One AFC Aldermaston 1-5 Sandhurst Town Langley 1-3 Berks County Woodley United 2-0 Eversley & California

Thames Valley Premier League Burghfield 7-1 Chalvey Sports Maidenhead Town 0-1 Wargrave Reading YMCA 1-0 Reading City U23’s

RUGBY UNION National League One Rams 50-25 Birmingham Moseley

Regional 1 South Central Bracknell 40-21 Royal Wootton Bassett

South West Regional 2 South Central Reading 61-3 Grove

Sunday, October 30

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading 2-1 Leicester City

FA Trophy first-round Bracknell Town 3-2 North Leigh

Southern Region Women’s Premier Division Ascot United 0-0 Bournemouth Sports

Southern Region Women’s Division One Caversham United 1-0 Kidlington Youth Long Crendon 2-2 Woodley United Penn & Tylers Green 3-0 Eversley & California

Thames Valley Women’s Division One Oxford Athletic 2-5 Wargrave Tilehurst Panthers 11-0 Banbury United

Cup Beaconsfield Town 11-1 Burghfield S4K Berks County 4-3 Tower Hill

BASKETBALL Reading Rockets 79-103 Hemel Storm

Tuesday, November 1 FOOTBALL Championship Luton Town 0-0 Reading

FIXTURES

Friday, November 4

FOOTBALL Championship Reading v Preston (8pm, Sky Sports Football)

Saturday, November 5

Isthmian South Central Hanworth Villa v Binfield

Combined Counties Premier North Ascot United v Burnham Virginia Water v Reading City Sumas v Egham Town

Combined Counties Division One

Berks County v Bagshot Brook House v Sandhurst town Eversley & California v Langley Spartans Youth v Woodley United

RUGBY UNION National Division One Leeds Tykes v Rams

South West Regional 2 Swindon v Reading HOCKEY Women’s National Premier Division Uni of Nottingham v Reading South Central Men’s Division 1 Milton Keynes 2s v Sonning

South Central Women’s Premier 1 Sonning v Henley

Sunday, November 6

FOOTBALL Women’s Super League Reading v Manchester City

Southern Region Women’s Division North Caversham United v Woodley United Eversley & California v Long Crendon

Thames Valley Women’s Division One Slough Town v Ascot United Reserves Wargrave v Tilehurst Panthers

Thames Valley Women’s Division Two S4K Berks County v Denham United Reserves

HOCKEY Men’s National Premier Division Oxted v Reading

Monday, November 7

FA Cup Bracknell Town v Ipswich Town (7.45pm, ITV4)

Tuesday, November 8

FOOTBALL Championship Watford v Reading

Tom McIntyre had to be subbed off in the first-half after taking a knock

Mamadou Loum started in midfield

Tom Ince put the Royals in front Stock image: Luke Adams

Jeff Hendrick completed the entire 90 minutes at Turf Moore