pledgeCouncilafterlosingHursthousingappeal
RESEARCH shows there is a shortfall between housing benefits payments and the actual cost of renting. Data released by homelessness charity Crisis and property website Zoopla shows low-income renters are facing a housing deficit due to soaring rents and the freeze on housing benefit. The research finds that, at the start of 2022, one in four private renters in England – 1.2 million households –were reliant on housing benefit to keep a roof over their heads. By contrast, analysis of Zoopla listings finds fewer than one in eight properties available for rent last year were affordable to those in receipt of housing benefit. In Wokingham, the findings suggest 29% of one-bed properties were affordable to those on the one-bed Local Housing Allowance rate, 15% of two-bed properties and 10% of threebedMattproperties.Downie, Crisis chief executive, said: “It is deeply troubling that the poorest households in England are being forced to fight over a meagre number of affordable homes or stump up thousands they simply don’t have in order to find somewhere to live.
WOKINGHAM will continue to fight unwanted developments despite a planning inspector recently declaring the council did not have a five-year land supply. The decision was revealed when they approved an appeal to build four homes in Hurst, leading to fears that it could give developers open season on the borough. Councils need to prove they have allocated enough housing to meet government targets for a five-year period as part of the local plan process. If they cannot, often the planning inspector will rule in favour of the Wokinghamdeveloper.Borough Council is in the process of updating its local plan, detailing where developments will go up to the yearHowever,2036. the plan has faced difficulties.
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
Renters face deficit benefitsover freeze
“We cannot sit idly by as people are left to battle against an increasingly turbulent and suffocating rental market while housing benefit – the only lifeline they have – is patently insufficient to meet their needs. “Enough is enough.” The problem is particularly acute for one-bed properties, with almost half of local authorities last year having fewer than 20 listings for one-bed homes on Zoopla that could be afforded using housing benefit. Data shows the average shortfall for one bed homes would be £648 a year –whereas for two and three bed homes, the averages are £1,052 and £1,655 respectively.Crisisand Zoopla are now calling on the government to invest in housing benefit in the autumn budget to prevent thousands from being pushed into homelessness.
n Continued on page 11 No. 380 90p Form Preparation Services Lasting Power of Attorney Will Writing & Probate Services Attendance Allowance grey-matters-consultancy.com/wokinghamClaims07740246492 Do you have responsibility for supporting older relatives and don’t know where to begin? We can help
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UPDATED DAILY AT WWW.WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS WOKINGHAM.TODAY SHOWHORTICULTURALRETURNSP2 THAT RINGS A BELL –NEW PUB PLAN P10 WHY THIS PIGEON SPEAKS POLISH P16 STUDENTS ENJOY GCSE SUCCESS P6 ISSN 97726348330192634-8330 35 VOW TO HOMEUNWANTEDFIGHTPLANS ROCK ON: Crowds flock to enjoy Wokingham Festival • p30
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today
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READING 2 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
A FORMER Bracknell project manager has been sentenced to 150 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £34,000 compensation for unfair trading. Jordan Guyett, of Target Hill, Bracknell, was convicted at Reading Magistrates’ Court on August 19, after pleading guilty to two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.Inaddition to the compensation, he must pay a £95 victims’ surcharge and prosecution costs of £1,357.The prosecution followed an investigation by officers from the Public Protection Partnership (PPP), and prosecuted by the PPP Case Management Unit on behalf of Bracknell Forest Council. In May last week, the trading standards team received a complaint from a resident about a building extension to their home being undertaken by Jordan Guyett trading as Rose Property Solutions Berkshire Limited. From the outset, work was intermittent and irregular. Workmen did not turn up some days and materials were not delivered when they were supposed to be.The homeowners had to pay some workmen directly but in the end the work was not completed despite the homeowners having paid Guyett £18,370.25. An expert surveyor described the work as having no value and the extension would need to be completely rebuilt at a likely cost of about £46,000, depending on what materials could be saved while stripping back and starting again.Following the investigation, Guyett was charged with one count of knowingly or recklessly engaging in an unfair commercial practice and one count of engaging in a misleading action contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.Prior to sentencing, the court were informed that in November 2020, Guyett had been convicted of three offences under the same regulations following a 2019 investigation.
Cllr John Harrison, Executive Member for Culture, Delivery and Public Protection at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “This sentence and compensation order clearly sends the message that trading unfairly is a serious matter.
Send your forms to: Family notices, Wokingham Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Please enclose payment by cheque, made out to The Wokingham Paper Ltd. Payments may also be made by card over the phone.
It’s showtime!
EXCLUSIVE HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US WOKINGHAM.TODAY Family Notices YOUR CONTACT DETAILS PhoneEmailPostcodeAddressNamenumber FACEBOOK & WOKINGHAM.TODAYTWITTER: Email news@wokingham.today Newsroom: 0118 327 2662 Advertising: 0118 327 2662 Write to: Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Publisher • David Riley Editor • Phil Creighton Reporters • Daniel Blackham, Jake Clothier, Ji-Min Lee, Emma Merchant Sports reporter • Andy Preston Graphic designer • Charlotte Simpson Classification (please tick) n Births n Birthdays n Engagements n Weddings n Anniversaries n Other n Death n In memory Advert sizes n 5cm by 1 column – 40 words £30 inc VAT n 3cm by 2 column – 50 words £36 inc VAT n 4cm by 2 column – 60 words £48 inc VAT n 5cm by 2 column – 80 words £60 inc VAT n 6cm by 2 column – 100 words £72 INC VAT n Photo – add £5 inc VAT (email only) DEADLINE IS TUESDAY AT 5PM FOR THAT WEEK’S PAPER WE InBOROUGHWOKINGHAMCOVERprint Order a copy from your newsagent every Thursday –some even deliver Online Our website is updated seven days a week –bookmark it in your browser: wokingham.today Due to the coronavirus, our offices are closed to the public. The best way to contact us is by email The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you have a complaint about a Wokingham Paper Ltd publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance email: editor@wokingham.today. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint. Your wording
n Bracknell, West Berkshire or Wokingham residents with concerns can contact the PPP’s trading standards service, by calling: 01635 519930, or sending an e-mail to: tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk orders rogue trader to pay £34k
“We are very pleased that the court has ordered £34,000 in compensation for this Bracknell resident.“Ifany resident of the Bracknell, West Berkshire or Wokingham feels that they have been treated unfairly by a trader we would invite them to contact“Likewise,us. we are always happy to advise traders should they seek our advice.”
Court
THE SWALLOWFIELD SHOW made a glorious return over the summer bank holiday weekend after a two year absence. Thousands of visitors were treated to two days of entertainment, food and horticultural competition on Sunday, August 28, and Monday, AugustSwallowfield29. Park played host to the event organised by the Swallowfield Horticultural Society. In a post shared on social media after Sunday’s show, organisers said: “Thank you to all of the visitors who attended today’s Swallowfield Show. “The weather was very kind to us, we can all celebrate the August
JUMP TO IT: The Swallowfield Show arena featured many popular events including a display By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today bank holiday with some traditional familySwallowfieldentertainment.”Parish Council was full of praise for one of the village’s landmark events. It said: “Congratulations to everyone involved on a hugely popular and successful event. “The show is organised and run entirely by volunteer members and supporters of the Swallowfield Horticultural Society and all surplus funds are donated to local charities.”Despite this summer’s dry conditions, gardeners from far and wide showcased their horticultural talents, with attendees amazed by some stunning submissions. Curtis Leach secured first prize with his outstanding pumpkin offering, while The Geoff Bullock
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
Crowds flocked to the main arena on both days, with Paws for Thought’s dog display team capturing the imagination of all pet-lovers, while Reading Scottish Pipe Band and the BMX show alsoTheimpressed.eventprovided an opportunity for young and old residents to come together and enjoy the best the community has to offer as summer comes to a close.
The BMX bikers conducted some amazing stunts Cup for tomatoes was fiercely contested.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, executive member for finance, said: “Although we are encouraging people towards self-service and online support, we would like to reassure residents that this will result in a more personalised and efficient experience when dealing with these important matters.
WOKINGHAM Borough Council is hoping to improve its services by introducing appointments for residents unable to resolve their benefits or council tax enquiry online. Currently, residents make the most of selfservice alternatives when they need help with issues such as benefits and council tax. To further help those unable to resolve their enquiry online, or by telephone, the council is now introducing an appointments system. This will allow residents to arrange a time that suits them and be pre-advised of all the information they will need to provide to ensure any financial support can be paid efficiently.
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Picture: Phil Creighton Classic cars were a popular attraction at the Swallowfield Show from some acrobatic hounds
“The new appointments system will help residents to get the right advice and guidance as quickly as possible and, by ensuring residents can bring all the appropriate information, we can make sure we give them the right support.”
Book in for benefit queries
NEWS |
n For benefits or council tax enquiries, call: 0118 974 6000.
Wokingham Borough Council’s Shute End offices
Horticultural event returns
Imogen (6) & Joshua Howe (3) with Mr MuddleAnnieThomaswhowon first prize in the sectionCrochet
From September, anyone who telephones the benefits and council tax team will have their needs assessed and be signposted to the best place for advice and support. This may result in a face-to-face appointment, but the council will look to use digital selfservice methods where it is better for the resident. They may also be referred to a more appropriate alternative.
Pictures: Steve Smyth Tommy Bamber-Holmes (1) with his dad, Larry Holmes in the Horticultural Tent John Attwood whose entry won Best Exhibit in the Horticultural Show Musical fun included a steel pan band
BEST FORWARD: Sue Ryder’s Starlight Hike will take place in Pangbourne College Picture: Andrew Higgins/Thousand Word Media
College scholars mark success at A-levels
Ukulele recital at Shinfield church Young actors invited to trial session
n For more information, call 0118 988 5923 or visit: www.loddonreach. org.uk
n For more details, log on to: bursaries/wellingtoncollege.org.uk/admissions/www.
Thierry White, from South London, played hooker for London Irish Academy, and joined the PAF programme in the Lower Sixth Form. He achieved A Level results of A* A* A for Biology, Economics and Maths and has secured a place at Bath University to read Accounting and Finance.
Sue Ryder calls on peopleto walk under the stars
| NEWS Helping the over 65s stay independent grey matters 0consultancy.com/wokingham 7869 694501
“The dream is to work hard at university and get good grades there. Then I hope to go on to a career in politics and create some sort of positive change in the world,” she said.
“The extra support you get on the PAF programme is something special,” he “Wellingtonsaid. has given me the best opportunity to achieve well in my academics as well as a balanced life outside the classroom.”
You can claim this benefit even if you haven’t paid National Insurance and it is not means tested, it doesn t matter where you live or if you have savings Attendance allowance is tax free
A STARLIGHT walk will take place next month to help raise funds for a charity that provides palliative care. Sue Ryder, which operates the Duchess of Kent House in Tilehurst, is holding a 5k starlight hike in the grounds of Pangbourne College.
Grey
A COMMUNITY group’s upcoming open day could see the birth of Wokingham’s newest star. Shinfield Players Theatre is inviting those aged between 14 and 18 to attend an open day The trial session at its Whitley Wood Road base will see prospective members experience a flavour of the group and learn what it has to Annualoffer.membership costs £70, with the option to pay in termly instalments.Ittakesplace between 7pm9.30pm on Friday, September 9. n For more information or to book a place, visit: www.shinfieldplayers.org. uk or email: gordon@shinfieldplayers. co.uk
Organisers hope hundreds of people will take part, be it individuals, families, or groups of friends, as a way of paying tribute to loved ones who have died, and, in the process, raise funds for Sue Ryder’s work. Doors open to the event from 6.30pm, on Saturday, October 22. There will be pre-walk entertainment and a fun warm-up. At 8pm walkers sporting fancy dress, flashing headwear and neon face paint will set out on a beautifully lit 5k route around the college grounds, enjoying live music along the way.Meghan Bentley, Sue Ryder’s community fundraiser, said: “We really hope everyone will be able to join us at Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Thames Valley, which is shaping up to be a fantastic evening of celebration and remembrance under the stars. “Our specialist teams make all the difference at the end of someone’s life or following a bereavement, and by taking part in Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Thames Valley you’ll be helping Sue Ryder to provide even more expert and compassionate care. “The Sue Ryder teams work tirelessly to ensure that our patient’s symptoms and pain are managed so that the end of people’s lives can instead be filled with friendship, family and love in those final moments together.”Entryis £15 for adults, and £6 for children aged six to 12. Children under six go Groupfree.and family ticket options are also available.
4 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
Do you wish to remain as independent as possible, for as long as possible and still have a say in your well being? Let me show you how you might be able to get regular financial assistance to help you remain independent in your own home and make your life easier
Are you or is someone you know eligible? 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. You may decide, after your initial consultation, that you’d like to continue as you are for now; that’s fine too We’re only a phone call away if you change your mind, or would like to talk things through again
n For more details, log on to: sueyder. org/thamesvalleystarlight, or call: 0118 955 0433.
SHINFIELD residents will be treated to an afternoon of feel-good tunes at St Mary’s Church. Ukulele group Only Ukes will be performing songs ‘through the decades’ ranging from the 1920s to the latest hits. The quartet play and sing a range of pop, rock, country and folk favourites.Theperformance is part of the church’s series of lunchtime concerts and takes place between noon-1pm on Saturday. Entry is free with no prebooking required. There will be an opportunity to contribute to a retiring collection which will go towards church funds.
Nigel Pearce AIPW Matters Consultancy Wokingahm
“The Prince Albert Foundation programme has been my gateway to university and I would not have got these grades without their support.” Now she is focused on her university adventure.
We 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
The College offers between 10 and 12 scholarships per academic year and is on target to have a combined total of 40 PAF scholars by September 2025.
FOOT
By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
Attendance Allowance is a government benefit for those in receipt of the State Pension who have health issues or needs that cause difficulties or challenges in your day to day living It is a benefit for those who need help with personal care
WhiteThierry(left), a Prince oneA*obtainedTiantovaAlexandrastudentwhilestraightachievedCollege,WellingtonscholarFoundationAlbertatAs,fellowtwogradesandA
TWO students who attended a Crowthorne school with a scholarship are celebrating A-level success. Alexandra Tiantova and Thierry White are both Prince Albert Foundation scholars at Wellington College, and achieved straight As in their recent, covid-disrupted, exams. Alexandra achieved A Level results A* A* A for Economics, Art History and Politics.Sheoutstripped the grades required to attend St Andrew’s University, where she will read International Relations. She is also awaiting the outcome of her application to Cambridge University to read HSPS (Human, Social and PoliticalWhenSciences).shewas in Year 11, Alexandra was competing for her then state school, Collingwood College, in a debating competition when she was spotted by Wellington College’s Head of Sixth Form, who encouraged her to apply for the PAFSheprogramme.securedher place and arrived as a day student but moved to boarding in February of her Lower Sixth year. The college said that foundation aims to widen access to independent education to families who would not normally consider, or be able to access it. It also offers a breadth of extracurricular opportunities, alongside additional pastoral support and access to further academic tuition. Alex played trumpet and euphonium for the Wellington College Concert orchestra and participated in interschoolDuringdebating.herUpper Sixth year, she engaged with academic support, including one-to-one tuition and the Easter Revision course, enabling her to achieve her Alexandragrades.said:“I have never seen a programme like it before. The support was“Whenunbelievable.Ineeded somebody to help there was always someone I could turn to academically or personally. They supported me in every way possible.
There are two levels weekly rates of Attendance Allowance. A lower rate of £61.85 per week is paid if you need help during the day to maintain your independence Should you have health issues that disturb your night, then the weekly benefit may increase to over £92 40 per week The level you receive is determined by your circumstances
“I look forward to seeing any of the political parties actually taking on the challenge of delivering a practical energy strategy that puts customers first and stems the greed taking across the market.”
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, leader of the Wokingham Conservative group, said the “unprecedented” rises are a direct result of the war in Ukraine and resulting increases in international gas prices.She said: “The government has recognised this and already paid grants to provide some help for people with the cost of fuel.“I understand that both Conservative leadership candidates have said that they will bring in further assistance in an emergency budget in September which would provide more relief before the impact of further price rises on bills which will start in October.”
Cllr Jorgensen believes there are a number of tactics at the government’s disposal to tackle theSheissue.said: “I would like to see the government do more and to remove VAT on domestic fuel completely, this would help everyone in the country facing
“There is no time to waste.”
Cllr Croy supports the national Labour party’s call for a freeze on the cap at its current levels.Hesaid: “Labour is proposing to freeze the price cap at its current levels – to protect every family and institution from this disaster.“Labour will also remove the standing charge on pay-as-yougo “Itmeters.really is an abomination PRESENTS Real racing, real drama. With world-class racing and true Italian style, the Peroni Italia racing weekend is the ultimate autumn occasion. Alongside the racing we host the CAMRA Ascot beer festival. Choose from over 160 beers, ciders and perries to enjoy on the day.
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Cllr Andy Croy, Labour councillor for Bulmershe and Whitegates, fears the October price cap will force families to choose between heating and eating, adding: “and probably not doing either adequately”. He said: “Businesses will be forced to stop trading. Schools and other public institutions will be forced to slash spending in other areas, just to keep the heating on. “This is a fully formed crisis. Cash will be sucked out of what is left of the high street as people struggle to pay heating bills.“It is a disaster.”
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 5
“Too many people here are already struggling to make ends meet and these frightening figures released today will simply be too much for many. “This is catastrophic and completely avoidable.
Cllr Jones is calling for a freeze on energy prices before the rises “wreak havoc” on people in Wokingham. He added: “I’ve been stunned at just how little Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have said on energy bills. It looks like the Conservative party is living on another planet. “If they won’t cancel the price rise, then we urgently need a new government that will save local people from this cost-of-living emergency.”
“MPs in the Wokingham borough council area, that includes Sir John Redwood and Theresa May need to get back to Westminster right away and cancel this price rise.
Tickets from £20 Fine Dining from £259+VAT Book now at ASCOT.COM October that people using these meters are forced to pay even when they use no fuel. Labour’s plan to freeze will save households thousands of pounds and remove a lot of stress from everyone.”CllrJim Frewin, independent councillor for Shinfield South, said the cap figure is extreme and will “undoubtedly” cause families significant financial stress.Cllr Frewin said: “Various governments have tried to influence – tampered with – the markets but with little success or conviction.“Theenergy market is driven by wholesale prices that could have been mitigated against with a proper energy strategy. “For example the closure of the Rough storage facility was mostly politically driven – how we could do with that facility right“Energynow. companies have been quick to raise prices to cover the wholesale rate and extremely slow to lower or indeed don’t lower at all.” Cllr Frewin doesn’t believe that government handouts “will do anything other than mask the issue in the short term”. He added: “We need a political will to collaborate with the industry to get a fair and equitable deal for customers.
Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the council and the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Wokingham, said: “This energy price rise is a catastrophe for families and pensioners in our area.
THE new energy price cap has been described as “catastrophic” after it was confirmed by Ofgem on Friday. The energy regulator announced that it will increase to £3,549 per year for dual fuel for an average household from October 1. This is the second rise in a year. At the start of 2022, the cap was set at £1,277 and rose £693 to £1,971 in April. This means that prices will have almost trebled in the space of six Councillorsmonths.from across the political spectrum in Wokingham borough are calling for immediate action.
Councillors call for action over ‘catastrophic’ price cap rise
CRISIS: The energy price cap changes from October 1. Picture: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay increasing energy costs. “In addition there should then be further targeted assistance for the least well off through increases to universal credit, this would give residents far more certainty than one off payments do.
Abbey School THE ABBEY’S Year 11 students received a splendid set of GCSE results on Thursday, August 25. Over 90% of all results were between grades 7-9, which are the equivalent of straight A and A*s in the former grading scheme.Justunder half, 47%, of all entries were the top grade 9, and over 75% were either 8s or 9s. In total, 22 students secured nine or more grade 9s and a quarter of the year group received 8s and 9s across the board.Head of The Abbey School, Will le Fleming, said: “We are so proud of the year group as a whole and for what they have achieved, given all that has happened over the last two years. “But above all we are proud of every single individual. Our goal is to support each student to achieve their own personal best and to live and study with joy.“We are so grateful to the wonderful staff, across every role in the school, who have supported and guided students and helped them achieve these results.
“We are very pleased that a large number of students have places in our Sixth Form and we look forward to working with them next year. Other students have also secured places at local colleges and on highly competitive apprenticeships. “We wish them every success for their future.”
THE first Bohunt students to sit GCSE exams collected their results on Thursday, August 25, making school history in the Headteacherprocess.BenGoodber said that there was so much happiness in the Arborfield school as students returned for a final time to collect their grades. “It’s great to see them do so incredibly well,” he said. In all, more than 80% of students received GCSE passes in English and maths “a really strong, secure set of results”, and around a third of the year achieved grade 7 and above. “There’s been some real star performances from students, we’re really pleased with the results.”
Ms Woodfin added: “We look forward to welcoming Year 11 into our sixth form and continuing to work with you. “For those that are leaving us, we thank you for your many contributions to school life here at Bulmershe. I wish you the best in all of your future endeavours.”
Emmbrook School STUDENTS in Year 11 are celebrating “once in a generation” results as they collect their GCSE grades at Emmbrook School this morning.Theschool reports that half of the cohort secured a 7 grade or above, equivalent to A and A* in the previous grading system. English, Maths, and Science, produced the best combined exam results The Emmbrook has seen in a generation.Emmbrook School said in a statement that it was “incredibly proud of the fantastic results achieved by our Year 11 students today.“These students have faced so much uncertainty and disruption as a result of Covid-19 and yet showed incredible resilience and maturity to produce results well ahead of 2019, when public exams were last sat.”
Lizzie Fisher, 16 said: “It feels good to actually have the results now.”“Yes,” agreed Sophie Oliver, 16: “It’s amazing, and there’s no more waiting!”“It’sfelt like a long time,” said Rachel Yoxall, also 16. The three friends are excited about what comes next. Lizzie is very pleased as she has exactly what she needs to go to Bracknell College, where she wants to study engineering, as part of a graduate scheme there. “I’m going to see Top Gun, to celebrate,” she said. Sophie also is delighted she has the grades she needs to study A level Sociology, Psychology and History at the Emmbrook School. “I’m aiming to become a primary school teacher, and celebrations for me mean spending time with friends, and then a meal with my family.”Rachel is happy, too, because her strong grades mean that she is able to stay on at the school. “I’m going to study Psychology, History and Economics A levels in the sixth form, and I’ll be having a meal with the family to celebrate,” she said. Forest School
Nick McSweeney, headteacher at The Emmbrook School, said: “after five years there are always mixed emotions when we say goodbye to our Year 11s; inevitable sadness but also pride at seeing our students do so “Thiswell. year, it was more important than ever that we kept our students focussed as there were so many who feared that the exams would be disrupted or even replaced entirely with teacher assessments like last year.“Their incredible focus has now paid off and they can be proud of their achievements. We wish them all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing what they can achieve next!”
STUDENTS at a Winnersh school are celebrating its best-ever GCSE results.Staff at the Forest said the results cap off an exceptional academic year, with a number of sporting firsts, including winning the National Elite Cup, as well as
As students collected their results on Thursday, August 25, the school reported that 87% of students attained levels 4 or higher grades in English and Maths, and two thirds attaining level 5 or higher. It says also 14 of its students achieved grades 7 or higher for all of theirEdgebarrowresults. School said in a statement: “we are very grateful to families for all their magnificent support.“Aspecial thanks goes to all our staff for their total commitment to the students throughout the year, as they have guided and supported students to secure strong results in a changing landscape.”
StudentsGCSES2022 return to school to collect their results
6 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
“We can’t wait to work alongside this brilliant cohort as they go on to Sixth Form and all that lies beyond.”
Bracknell & Wokingham College STUDENTS and staff at Bracknell and Wokingham College enjoyed a fantastic set of GCSE results. Over 96% of students sitting maths or English achieved a pass. Many of the Activate Learning college’s candidates are resitting their exams to continue in education or progress their career. This includes mature students requiring GCSEs for jobs and university. Around a quarter of pupils who have taken an exam for English or maths at Bracknell and Wokingham College have improved the grades they previously obtained.
Anne-Marie Benson, received a grade 7 in English and 4 in maths, having returned to education after a long battle with bowel cancer. Her fight inspired her to become a nurse as she studied an access to higher education nursing and midwifery diploma, achieving nine distinctions and oneOfmerit.herresults, he said: “I can’t believe it! I’m just in so much shock. I never thought that I’d be able to do this, but I have!“It was brilliant studying here at college, I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’ve encouraged my daughter to study a T Level in Health here in September instead of staying on at sixth form at school.“Itwas scary returning to education as an adult, but also very exciting. The college and teachers have all been really supportive.”BothAnne-Marie and her daughter Daisy are dyslexic, but pulled together to revised their GCSE subjects together. In September, she will go on to study adult nursing at the University of West London.Cheri Ashby, deputy chief executive of Activate Learning, said: “GCSE results day is such a special time for us at Activate Learning as often we see our students overcoming the barriers they have encountered in their studies previously, to improve their grades and succeed where perhaps they thought they would not. “Once again, this year I am delighted to see so many students improving on what they have previously achieved, and to do so in the first public exams for two years – and for many of them their first since they were in Year 6 – is a real achievement.“Iwould like to also express my thanks and appreciation to all our staff who have worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure our students achieve their qualifications.
Bohunt Wokingham
The school opened in September 2016, and the Year 7 intake were, at the time, the only pupils. Over the past six years, it has grown but because of the covid pandemic, this is the first time that students have sat exams. “It’s been an undiscovered territory, everything we’ve done has been a journey,” Mr Goodber said. “Reaching this point is a real measure of the progress they’ve made as young people that prepares them for the next stage of their lives: the skills, the qualities, the attributes they face. “It’s great to see them do so incredibly well.”He said that the whole school was celebrating the cohort’s achievements.
Edgbarrow School EDGBARROW School has congratulated its students, with around two in five grade entries being 7 or higher, equivalent to A Grades or higher.
“Your results are outstanding. You are all exceptional, inspiring and talented young people, and we couldn’t be prouder of you,” she said to them.“Enjoy the moment, savour your success. There are few times in life when you’ll put as much work into a single accomplishment as you have done for these results. “Be proud, you deserve it for all the effort and commitment you invested during incredibly challenging circumstances.”
“We would have loved to have been able to celebrate last year, the first year to finish GCSEs (but not sit exams), but the pandemic didn’t make that possible. “This is a platform for future years for us to build on, and we’re really looking forward to going from strength to strength.”Among those celebrating were head girl Anita, who achieved 9s across all her subjects.“I’mabsolutely delighted,” she said, admitting that she had been anxious the night before, especially as her GCSE years had been disrupted by the pandemic.“Ihadsome exams that I felt were an absolute disaster,” she confessed, adding, “All the hard work in the last few months has paid off.” She thanked friends, family and staff for their help along the way.
Bulmershe School STUDENTS of a Woodley school have been praised for “an impressive achievement” according to its Gradesheadteacher.atBulmershe School placed it within the top 25% of schools across the country, with a number of subjects offering results in this Theseband.include Art, Technology 3D Design, Technology 3D Graphics, Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, English Language, Geography, Italian, Portuguese, Religious Studies, Russian and Statistics.Amanda Woodfin said her pupils had shown resilience as they had coped with the disruption to their learning due to covid.
A spokesperson for the school said: “Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard and this year’s results are a testament to this.“[Head Teacher] Mr Gray thanks all the teaching and support staff for their continued dedication and professionalism.“Congratulations to all our students on their richly deserved success and thank you to all of their parents for their unstinting support.”
Maiden Erlegh School A DOWNPOUR could not stop Maiden Erlegh enjoying a fantastic set of GCSE results on Thursday, August 25. The school celebrated 87% of candidates passing both English and maths, by achieving at least a gradeMany4. students achieved highly, with 44% of all entries being between grades 7-9. This is the equivalent of As and A*s in the former grading scheme. Natalia H achieved 11 grade 9s and one grade 8, while Alessandro D, Freya M-T, Eva R, Malik R and Nina S received 10 grade 9s and a grade 8. Pupils also displayed the breadth of their knowledge, with an ‘attainment 8’ score of 59.55. The score means the average grade students achieved all subjects was a 6, the highest the school has ever had.A spokesperson for the school said: “This cohort, perhaps more than any other, have been impacted so much by the pandemic having started their qualifications in September 2019. “To achieve what they have is quite remarkable and I am so proud of them. Their results have exceeded expectations and there are so many individual success stories across the group.”“But it is not just about the top grades, the progress, resilience and dedication they have shown is to be commended. So many students have achieved more than they ever expected and they should be thrilled with their results. “I am delighted to have seen so many students celebrate this morning, and rightly so. Successes have been seen in GCSE’s, vocational courses and entry level qualifications.”
Reddam House
GCSES2022 organising a Shakespeare Festival and welcoming a number of authors to inspire pupils. They said the students’ success “deserves the highest accolade”. Many students obtained a grade 9, the highest, in their results across subjects.Shirley Austin, Headteacher at The Forest Academy, said: “We were delighted last week with the A-level results, and the year 11 boys have continued and broken ALL previous records.“Their results are the best ever, beating the last two years grades as well.“It consolidates the accurate and fair grading over the past two years by Forest Staff.” She said the school was incredibly proud of a fantastic year group. “The year group has continually impressed staff with their resilience and perseverance throughout the past five years and especially during the examination series,” she explained.“Theysimply live and breathe the ASPIRE motto through which, our students will continue to contribute to the local and wider community expanding the knowledge and skills developed at Forest. “We are delighted to be able to offer the boys the opportunity to continue to exceed their expectations by joining our prestigious co-educational sixth form where we have more than 30 A-level and Vocational courses on offer, in addition to the many girls joining us this year to complete their journey of academic and personal development.“Weare very proud of our students as they always strive to achieve their best. It has been inspirational to watch our Year 11 students flourish, develop their self-confidence, self-belief, and motivation. These exceptional achievements were also supported by the inspirational teaching, hard work and dedication shown by all of the Forest teaching community.”
“Reddam House continues to improve and excel academically
Happy faces at The Emmbrook School To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 7
“I pay tribute to their tremendous grit, character and resolve. They can now look forward to entering the Sixth Form with confidence.”
LVS Ascot YEAR 11 students at LVS Ascot have collected their GCSE results on Thursday, August 25.The independent day and boarding school saw an overall pass rate for GCSE students of 92%.It also reported a 100% pass rate in English, Maths, and Triple Science, and a 100% pass rate in BTECs.
WHAT’S BREWING IN FINCHAMPSTEAD? SIRENCRAFT BREW 18MarinoWay,HogwoodLaneIndustrial Estate,FinchampsteadRG404RF 01189730929 sirencraftbrew.com I thepedal.Butfirst,aquickcatchup!we’renottakingourcollectivefootoffbeforetheChristmasrushstarts,withplentyofsummerleftandmonthshereatSiren,andt’sbeenasuperbusyfewweeks Hopefullymanyofyouwillhave beenalongtotheamazingSwallowfield show,lastweekend.Weweredelightedtobeoneof theprincipalsponsorsoftheshowandtoserveour breweryfreshbeertothirstyattendees.Ourteamhad agreattimeandthoroughlyenjoyednotonlykeeping everyonewellrefreshed,butchattingtoyouallabout thebeers.Nottomentiontheamazingmusic,displays andofcourse…massivemarrows! Wehopetoseeyouatnextyear’sshow!Sidenote: ourreusablecupsarenowavailabletobuyonthewebshop! Wealsorecentlyattendedthepremierescreening of PowertoolCheerleadersvsBoybandoftheScreeching Dead,abrandnewcomedyhorrorfilmmadebylocal filmmakersandSirensupporters,CharlieBond& JamesHamer-Morton(amongstmanyothertalented people!).AsCharlieandJameshavebeensuchlong timesupportersofSiren(youmayhaveplayedtheir Cyphstress onlineescaperoomavailableonour website),wemadethemanexclusivelabelforournew “Blush”beer.Thebeerisavailableonourwebsite,and lookoutonoursocialsforalocalReadingscreeningof thefilmsoon-trustus,it’sgreat! Andfinally,forthosewhoeithercametoourTime Hopsfestival,joinedtheonlinetastingorevenjust triedthebeers,hopefullyyou’veseenthe documentarytheCraftBeerChannelputtogetherfor us.It’sanamazingpiece,detailingthehistorybehind thesehopsthatshapedanindustry.Checkitouthere: sirencraftbrew.com/timehops Asforwhat’scomingup,wehaveaveryspecial charityquizattheSirenTapYardonFriday19th September,raisingmoneyforMuscularDystrophyUK. It’sjust£2perpersonwithallfundsdonatedtothe cause.We’llhave£5cocktailsallevening,and5%of ALLsaleswillalsobedonated.It’llbeagreatevening, withplentyofgreatprizes.You’llbeabletofindtickets goingtolistURL: linktr.ee/sirencraftbrew ThisweekendattheTapYardwehaveDemaine Artisan,withtheirincredibleAsianFusionfood.We’re alsonowopenfrom10amduringtheweek,soyoucan comebuyearlyforacoffee.We’llseeyouthis weekendforsomefoodandbreweryfreshbeer!
School Principal, Christine Cunniffe, said “We are delighted with the GCSE results this year, it is a testament to the brilliant work of our staff and pupils at LVS Ascot”. Angelina, who achieved all 7s and above said “It was so nice to come into school to collect my results and share the moment with my teachers and classmates. I was thrilled with my results and I’m looking forward to starting sixth form at LVS Ascot.” Archie, from Windsor said “I worked so hard to make sure I did all the right preparation and I’m so happy that this paid off with my results. I wish everyone the best in their next steps.”
The Shinfield school showcased its excellence in science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) subjects. Cheersall!
Leighton Park LEIGHTON PARK students braved Thursday morning’s downpour to receive their GCSE results. The school’s Year 11 managed to secure an outstanding 55% of grades between 7-9, significantly above the national average of 26.3%. This was also a 5% increase from Leighton Park’s results from last year, when teachers assigned grades.Esther Bodkin achieved eight 9s, an 8 and an A*. She said: “I’m very happy. I had a little happy cry this morning and am so pleased. I’m interested in going to Oxbridge and this is a good first step.” Her mum, Justina, commented: “She’s worked really hard and we feel really proud of her. The school was really organised through the pandemic and teachers went out of their way with extra support in the lead up to the exams. “I’m really pleased they were able to do live exams as these are such important skills.”
Piggott School PIGGOTT School followed up their splendid A-level results last week with another outstanding set of GCSEs.InEnglish language, 94% of pupils passed, while mathematics boasted a 95% pass rate at Level 4 or above.Students enjoyed 100% pass rates in the following subjects: art and design, biology, chemistry, Chinese, dance, French, further maths, music, physics and statistics. Pass rates achieved in all other subjects were above 80%, with computer science (97%), media studies (96%), Spanish (95%), history (94%), German (92%) and English literature (92%) students enjoying particularly notable results.
Grades 7-9 were achieved by 89% in computer science, 88% in physics, 74% in chemistry, 65% in biology and 60% in maths. A splendid 95% of music candidates managed to achieve these same grades, which are the equivalent of As and A*s in the former grading scheme.
STUDENTS at Reddam House in Sindlesham have been praised by the school’s principal. More than half of the Year 10 students achieved 9-7 grades. Overall, 15% achieved level 9s, 34% were levels 9-8, and 52% were levelsRick9-7.Cross, the principal of the school, which used to be Bearwood College, said: “I congratulate the students and staff for the fantastic GCSE results this year, which once again far exceed national averages and are among the very best in the local“Thisarea.is especially impressive considering the disruption in recent years due to covid.
The school’s first cohort of budding filmmakers took the BTEC Creative Media Production and enjoyed strong results. Jack Mancey, who achieved a distinction, said: “I enjoyed the freedom and creativity of the course. It felt like I was gaining real life skills. I’m planning to take the Level 3 Digital Film and Video Production course in the Sixth Form.” Mr Matthew Judd, head of Leighton Park, said: “These students should be very pleased with their achievements. The absence of live external assessments over the last two years, disrupted learning due to national lockdowns and all the uncertainty that the pandemic brought has tested their metal.
Holt School THE HOLT SCHOOL students and staff celebrated a gleaming set of GCSEPupilsresults.and their families headed into the Wokingham school to collect their results, which proved to be stellar. Of the 200 GCSE candidates, 83% of students achieved a grade 5 or higher in English and maths.Results of grade 5 and above are classified as strong passes. A near-perfect 95.5% of students passed at least five subjects, including English and maths. This year’s cohort showcased their range of expertise, achieving an impressive attainment 8 grading of 66.8.Astatement jointly issued by coheadteachers Anne Kennedy and Katie Pearce read: “These results are a reflection of all the hard work and dedication of our students and staff and the support from parents and guardians, which cannot be underestimated“Congratulations again to our students on their achievements and we are grateful for all their contributions to our school community.“Welook forward to welcoming back our Year 11 students into the sixth form.”
The vast majority of students will be returning in September to continue their studies in Sixth Form. The Piggott School Sixth Form is a centre for academic, applied general and technical learning.
GCSES2022 and with these students now moving to A- levels, we can expect continued progress and success.”
Head of the school, Elaine Purves, said: “I am very proud of this year’s GCSE cohort, who have overcome challenging times to achieve an exceptional set of results that will propel them into their next step in education.“They have shown dedication, determination and enthusiasm throughout their GCSEs and I look forward to seeing them flourish in their A Levels and beyond.”
St Crispin’s School WITH more than 80% of its GCSE students passing core subjects English and Maths, (grades four to nine), St Crispins School in Wokingham, is over theHeadmoon.of year, Katy Travaga said: “I am thrilled with the results that Year 11 have achieved this year. “They have overcome so many obstacles over the last few years, worked tremendously hard and have some excellent results to show for it. “They can now think to the future and enjoy the next stage in their “Welleducation.doneyear 11. “You have done yourselves, your families and teachers proud!”Highlights include nine students with top grades across the board, achieving high grades (seven to nine) in10 subjects.Jessica Addy, James BarkerLopez, James Berry, Josephine Browning, Elsie Done, Timur Mirzaev, Katie Morrison, Charlotte Mudd, Victoria Mudd, Thomas Sims, Vuk Stojkovic, Harry Thacker, Freya Wise, Charlotte Yarrow and Charley Yates all achieved these 10 high grades.Harry Thacker did especially well, getting a level nine in all 10 of his exams. St Crispin’s School is a centre for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). With more than 80% of students achieving GCSEs in Maths, Computer Scence, and Science, the school is delighted with these Headteacherresults.Andy Hinchliff said:L “I am absolutely delighted for our students and their“Thesefamilies.arean exceptional set of results in a time of disruption and“Theuncertainty.students, staff and parents have worked enormously hard and have been rewarded with truly excellent results. “I could not be more proud of our young adults.” St Joseph’s College ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE students were rewarded for their endeavours, receiving a splendid set of GCSE results. Despite sitting externallyassessed exams for the first time since 2019, candidates improved the%age of top grades achieved. A quarter of all exams were awarded a grade 9, up by 8% from last year, when teachers awardedGradesgrades.8or9 were obtained in 46% of entries, in contrast to 27% in 2019, and 68% of results received were graded a 7 or higher.This year, 12% of students achieved 8s or higher across the board, with 21% achieving 7s and above in all subjects. This would be the equivalent of straight As in the old grading system.Candidates performed particularly well in computer science, with everyone achieving a grade 9. At least 80% of pupils achieved grades 7-9 in maths, further maths, geography, art and design, food tech and ICT, Head Laura Stotesbury said: “I am delighted by these GCSE results which are a testimony to all the hard work that students have put in over the past two years – both in school and when having to learn remotely during the various lockdowns. “I am thrilled by how many students have chosen to remain at St Joseph’s College to study for their A Levels and by how many new students are joining us in Year 12 this September. newly refurbished SixthRG40 3HG
WOKINGHAM FAMILY GOLF, FINCHAMPSTEAD ROAD, WOKINGHAM,
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Oakbank School OAKBANK SCHOOL students and staff revelled in a fantastic set of GCSE results on Thursday, August 25. This year’s cohort sat external GCSE exams for the first time since 2019 and have overcome substantial disruption to their learning due to the pandemic. An impressive 71% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or higher in English and 67% passed maths. Every Oakbank candidate in the separate science course secured at least a grade 4. Of note, Emily Edwards achieved 10 grade 9s, while Harry Chester obtained nine grade 9s and a grade 8. Headteacher, Steve Jump, said: “We are all incredibly proud of the achievements of our Year 11 students this year. They have had to overcome unprecedented challenges these last couple of years and their achievements are testament to their positive attitudes and determination to succeed.”Theschool said that this year’s results demonstrated a significant improvement for the school since the last externallyassessed exams in 2019.
Stacy Temple, Claire Vessey and Tamara Wolcough at Bracknell and Wokingham College A hug at Bulmershe School
Queen Anne’s School QUEEN Anne’s School have announced that nearly two thirds of students results were grades 7 or above, as Year 11s collect results on Thursday, AugustWith24.64% of grades being level 7 or better, equivalent to an A-grade or higher, the school has commended its students on “excellent” results. It also reported that its English department saw outstanding results, with 44% of English Language students and 43% of English Literature students achieving grade 9. Anna Spellman, head of English, said: “This year’s English Literature and English Language results are outstanding.“Iamso proud of the students who have shown such commitment to English throughout their five years with“Theirus. success today, despite the disruptions of the pandemic, is truly remarkable–I cannot thank our exceptional English teachers enough.”
8 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
“Over 20% of pupils scored at least nine grade 9s, and there are success stories throughout the subject range. There are also performances to be proud of that will not make overall headlines and we acknowledge and celebrate these pupils too. He commended the pupils’ resolve in negotiating two significant periods of lockdown, also crediting the school’s teaching staff and parents.
In a statement released by Waingels, the school said: “For all, these results are the accumulation of five years of study, learning and hard work. “We are grateful for everything that this year group have given to our school; we wish them well as they embark on the next chapter of their lives especially to those students who will be taking up college courses with our local providers.”
This is thanks to the hard work of our impressive staff who keep the young people at the centre of all that we do.”
Wellington College WELLINGTON COLLEGE students reaped the fruits of their labour on GCSE results, with many securing top grades. Just under half of all entries achieved 9s, with 47.7% of results scoring the top grade.
T HE theirteamof15staff.fromownersWesleyandVictoriaTunstead,aswellaseverythingitwantstoachieveandthatcomesstraightEmmbrookhasthecommunityattheheartofDog&DuckpubonMatthewsgreenRoadin
Inadditiontothebroadfoodoptions,thebaralsohasarangeof craftales,spiritsandsoftdrinks–usuallypouredbyVictoriaand Wesleythemselves. “Wearedefinitelynotabsentowners,”saidWesley. “Wearepitchinginatthefrontofhouse,pullingpints,opening thekitchen,servingfood,changingbarrelsandmovingkegs.”
AnewdawnforThe Dog&Duck ADVERTISER'S ANNOUNCEMENT Landlords,Wesley&VictoriaTunstead pictures SteveSmyth Students from The Forest School Leighton Park SchoolOakbank students To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 9
Master of Wellington Mr James Dahl said: “I am hugely proud of our GCSE cohort who have achieved a stellar set of results.“Well done to them all. What a year group they are. They have absolutely smashed it.” The vast majority of the 200-strong cohort took eleven subjects. Moving into Sixth Form, students will have the choice of sitting A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate.
WesleyandVictoriatookoverthepubinAprilthisyearand havealreadysetaboutputtingtheirstampontheplacewithan excitingnewmenu. “We’vegot100%freshproduce,”saidVictoria. “Everythingisfreshlymadeinthekitcheneveryday,insteadof beingboughtinandreheated.”
An impressive 74.3% of all grades were either 8s or 9s. Straight 9s across the board were obtained by 23 pupils, with a further 22 securing allbut-one straight 9s.
Form Centre and cafe, I am sure they will enjoy Sixth Form life and, in a few years, we will be celebrating their A Level results.She continued by praising the set of results achieved together with last week’s strong A Level performance, Ms Stotesbury thanked the school’s staff for their efforts and for ‘keeping the young people at the centre of all that we“Whendo’. considered alongside our strong set of A Level results last week, it is clear that St Joseph’s College is gaining a reputation for academic success as strong as its excellent pastoral care.
Thepreviousmenuwasinplaceforfouryearsbuttheplanisto updateitmorefrequentlywithseasonalproductssourcedfrom otherlocalbusinesses,whilstmaintainingacoreoffavourites. “Weliketodotraditionalpubclassicsbutdonereallywell whilstbuyingeverythingaslocalaspossible,”saidWesley. “Youcanguaranteethefavouritessuchasbangersandmash andfishandchips.Thethingsyouwouldexpectonagoodold fashionedpubmenu. “Butwedomorethanjustthataswehaveafewfancieritems onthereaswell.”
Waingels College WAINGELS has reported above average attainment of grades of 7+, as students collect GCSE results. It announced that it was “delighted” for all of its Year 11 students and their families after “wonderful” results. It says that 78% of students achieved grade 4 or higher, and just under 30% achieved grade 7+, which is above the national average.Head of School, Lindsey Humber said: “We are so very proud of all the work and achievements of our Year 11 students, especially after such a difficult and disrupted two years.“Iam thankful to all of our teachers and support staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure students have the grades they need for their next steps in their education. “I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our parents and the community for their ongoing support, recognising the strong partnership we have which supports students to reach their full potential.”
Mr Benjamin Evans, academic deputy head, was equally thrilled by this year’s results.Hesaid: “We are delighted with the performance of our Fifth Form Wellingtonians, with almost half of all grades achieved at the highest level.
“Wewantittobeacommunityhub,”explainedWesley. “Welovetheplace,welovethearea,welovethebuildingand welovethepeoplewhoarecomingtovisitus. “It'safamily-runbusiness,myselfandmywifeandourtwokids livehereandwewantpeopletosensethatwhentheycome throughthedoor.”
GCSES2022
Victoriaadded:“Wewantafamily-friendlyenvironmentwhere everyonegetstoknowusandwegettoknowthem.” � 9780544.visitthemonlineatdogandduckemmbrook.co.ukorcall0118Formoreinformation,ortogetintouchwiththeDog&Duck,
Thepubalsohasafullglutenfreeofferingalongsideanumber ofvegetarianandveganalternatives.
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A NEW pub has been confirmed as replacing the recentlyclosed Loch Fyne restaurant in Wokingham.TheFoundry Bell will replace the seafood restaurant on London Road after it shut its doors for the final on Sunday, August 28. The development is set to undergo a major renovation to return the building back to a pub, with new interiors, outdoor space and food Accordingoffering.tothe new owners, residents can expect “a reimagined contemporary pub vibe, with roaring fires, hand-picked design features such as a caramel lava top bar”.Ed Dugdill, new openings manager, said: “The Foundry Bell will be such a great addition to the Wokingham pub scene.
| NEWS www.organicposolutions.co.uk T:+441344441043 OrganicP&OSolutions E:contactus@organicposolutions.co.uk F OR all-timehighof1.3million.nearlyhalfacentury–whilenewvacanciesreachedanunemploymentfellto3.7%-thelowestratefortheUK.BetweenJanuaryandMarch,nowmorejobvacanciesthanunemployedpeopleinthefirsttimesincerecordsbegan,thereare Compoundingthisisthefactthatpost-pandemic,many peoplehavere-evaluatedtheirwork-lifebalanceideals, includinghow,whenandwheretheywanttowork. So,whatcanyoudoasanemployertocounteractthe impactofTheGreatResignation? 1.Considerlifestyleexpectations Today,employeesexpectanemployerwillallowthemto balancehowtheyworkandtheirincomeneedswiththeir desiredlifestyle. 2.Embracesidehustles Theconceptofmonetisingahobbyorinterestcomes naturallyformanyemployees.Businessesmustexercise flexibilityinjobdesign,accommodatingtheneedfor individualstoengageinsidehustles. 3.Instilasenseofpurpose Throughperformanceconversationsandongoing education,employersmustactivelypromoteandreinforcea
“It’s been a long time coming. “We had originally started the community back before Covid and had just been starting to think about a date for a summer fete. “I think it’s really needed in our community to get people together again.“So many people have come and shown an interest in becoming a part of the community. I’m really pleased that we’ve done it now and I want to do something like this fairly regularly.”Theevent boasted plenty for visitors young and old to get their teeth stuck into. The bouncy castle and inflatable slide offered children the chance to blow off some steam. Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service staff showed visitors around their fire engine, with many posing for pictures in the front seats. The hall hosted a plethora of entertainment and information stalls, which included a desk from organisers Charmaine Rene Bell and Ms Ames’ very own The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan business.
Arborfield unites for late, late fete
Ms Ames said the group’s endeavours were ‘a great team effort’ and described their enthusiasm as ‘infectious’. Cadets from the 11 Platoon Arborfield were also on-site to welcome visitors and conduct a raffle.Wokingham Borough Mayor, Cllr Caroline Smith, was in attendance. She said: “It’s been so lovely, I’ve had a great time meeting some wonderful people. I’d definitely love to come back next year.” The event had been postponed from its initial July date due to the nationwide heatwave which saw temperatures hit the 40ºCmark. Ms Ames explained, “It was a worry for me because I personally don’t like the heat and I know kids don’t like the heat.
“We also [previously] had it at a time where it was going to be right at the hottest part of the day, so to safeguard the stall holders and attendees, we decided to postpone it. “We also saw other events being moved so we thought it was the best thing to do in the circumstancesI’m certainly glad we did, it’s been a better day today.”
Left: An artist’s impression of the new outdoor seating area senseofpurposeinemployeesatalllevels. Employersneedtomakesurethatthecorevaluesof themareasontochooseabusinessoveritscompetitors.
COMMUNITY TOGETHER: Arborfield Green residents joined with Wokingham borough mayor, Cllr Caroline Smith, for a fun day and fete on Bank Holiday Monday Pictures: Ji-Min Lee Families enjoyed the bank holiday event, with bouncy castles and an inflatable slide
By JI-MIN LEE jlee@wokingham.today ARBORFIELD residents saw summer off with an afternoon of festivities on bank holiday Monday. Hundreds of visitors descended on Arborfield Green Community Centre to take in activities put on by the village’s events committee. Organiser Sophie Ames was delighted by the fete’s success. She said: “I’m really pleased everyone’s come and enjoyed it.
4.Makecorevaluesresonate
“We saw that [the centre] wasn’t being used very much. I think it’s really important, now that we have so many new developments being built around the area, that the residents come together and bring back community spirit by putting on events like this. “It’s clearly been needed, the feedback we’ve had has been hugely positive.”Theevent also provided the opportunity for children to meet up with friends and make new ones. Ms Ames believes young people can benefit from the interactions and experiences they have at community events. She said: “I’ve got two kids who are 11 and six. My 11-year-old really suffered mental health-wise [during the pandemic] because he was on his own a lot. “I think it’s seeing the kids who have come here today interacting with each other. There’s nothing better than a community spirit to get people used to their surroundings and make friends. “There used to be so much more of it. With Covid, so many things have shut down and not reopened.“Wewant to really bring the community together, especially for kids growing up in this area.
“The plans look incredible and alongside a menu that will take our guests from brunch to evening drinks with friends, it’s really exciting to start talking aboutTheit.”development will create more than 40 jobs, from managerial to front of house opportunities. Taking inspiration from the 13th century Wokingham Bell Foundry, the newly-named Foundry Bell will open in November.
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“My son has benefited from this type of thing and I know others will do the Movingsame.”forward, the committee hopes to put on more regular community-facing events. Ms Ames confirmed a Christmas celebration will be going ahead in December, but said a farmers market, craft market and food night with entertainment had all been discussed.
theirorganisationresonatewithemployeesandcustomers alike.Thinkemployeraswellasmarketbrand. 5.Addvaluetotheemployeeexperience Creatingclear,positivedifferentialswillengender loyaltyincurrentemployeesandattractnewpeople,giving
n For more information or to get involved, contact: arborfieldevents@ gmail.com
UP:THUMBS A young visitor activitiesofcrewsmeetingenjoyedfireasparttheday’s New pub to replace recently closed Loch Fyne
EXCLUSIVE
Almost 2,000 new homes have been built in Arborfield following the military’s move away from the Garrison.Thefete allowed both new and old communities to acquaint themselves with one another, a key motivator for Ms Ames, who moved to Arborfield in 2017 herself. She explained: “Lots of us moved in at the same time and got to know each other, but there’s still some areas which keep themselves quite separate.“It’sbeen important for me, as a new businessperson, to interact with the community. I came down here a few weeks after I moved to get my name out there.
The committee comprises other residents Mel from Mel’s Marvellous Crochet and Phil from Church on the Green.
n
Me2Club families enjoy summer party fun
“Unfortunately, much of this has been completed earlier than we wanted, so our supply of land with outstanding planning permission has been reduced.“Because national planning rules won't let us take this into account when calculating what’s likely to be built in the next five years, we’re effectively being penalised for delivering housing ahead of schedule."Thiscannot be right, which is why our main focus is on reforming the system so all communities are treated fairly. We're urging Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to visit us and discuss these issues in person after his predecessor Michael Gove promised to do so earlier this year."We know we must plan for some new housing in the borough to meet our communities’ needs and aren't opposing it “Residentsentirely.should be assured that we're doing all we can to make the planning system better and new development work in their favour."
Inside there is a sensory room, soft play and children’s toys.
From front page Originally, it had been hoped to build a garden town in Grazeley, on land that Sir John Redwood once planted an oak tree as a sign that the village would never be developed on. But the Ministry of Defence rejected the plan as the site would be too close to the AWE plant in Burghfield. A new plan was unveiled, including building homes on Hall Farm in Shinfield, and underwent its first round of consultation earlier this year. This plan was devised by the Conservatives and included many controversial sites, including Rooks Nest in Finchampstead, and mentioning Pinewood Leisure Centre in Wokingham Without, leading to speculation that it could be developed, something former council leader Cllr John Halsall denied at the time.
The new Lib Dem-led minority administration is now working on a revised local plan, with residents campaigning against Halls Farm calling for the land to be written out altogether.Cllr Lindsay Ferris, Wokingham Borough Council’s executive member for planning and local plan, said the absence of a five-year housing land supply doesn’t mean the council had no ability to resist inappropriate development.
"In this situation, if areas aren’t specially protected by national planning policy, national policy says that planning applications should be approved unless their adverse effects would 'significantly and demonstrably' outweigh the benefits,” he said.
Council vows to fight unwanted home plans
Awards were handed out in a number of categories, including Fundraiser of the year, Young Fundraiser of the year, the Progress Award, the Extra mile Award, and the Alexandra Briess Award.Theparty was funded by donations from the Co-op’s London Road store in east Reading, Boyes Turner, and Thermal Management Solutions. Me2Club Me2Club
In normal times, the charity holds three parties a year, but this was the first such gathering since the covid pandemic started.They chose the playground, in Taplow, because it has a large, accessible play space catering for both children and adults with all types of disability, they have a large outside area with accessible play equipment, toy cars and a splash pad area.
Train funds for charities CHARITIES and community groups are invited to apply for funding from a train operator. South Western Railway’s Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF) is for small- and medium-sized projects that address social need or benefit communities across its network, and take a year to complete. In previous rounds of funding, the firm supported more than 70 projects with a value of over £6 million. SWR says it would welcome bids from grassroots or neighbourhood groups, local authorities (i.e. parish or town councils, borough councils, county councils), elected representatives, civic societies, charities, sports teams, social clubs, or any other organisation who want to help the community.Applications for this new round of funding can be made for projects which will be started and completed between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.CCIF Manager, Veronika Krcalova, said: “We are delighted to invite community organisations to apply for funding for their projects from the Customer and Communities Improvement Fund. The closing date for bids is Friday, September 16. n For details, log on to: southwesternrailway.com/ccifwww.
BIG DAY OUT: Families from
"We’ve got to bear this in mind when deciding applications or defending appeals against our refusals, of course, but it doesn't mean we can never refuse development - nor that we’re certain to lose planning appeals from now on.”He added that the approval for the four homes in Hurst was “deeply disappointing”, but the council had won appeals in Shinfield and requirements,”acrossamounttohardlobbyingneedsshows"Nonetheless,Arborfield.thisscenariowhytheplanningsystemreform,whichwe'retheGovernmentveryfor.Farfromhavingfailedplanfornewhousing,theofhousingcompletedtheboroughhasmetallCllrFerrissaid.
enjoyed a summer party at the Thames Valley Adventure Playground Pictures:
MEMBERS of a charity that helps children with additional needs to attend mainstream clubs and groups enjoyed a special summer party last Me2Clubmonth.invited families to the Thames Valley Adventure Playground for an afternoon of fun and Volunteersgames.and supporters ensured that the event was safe and enjoyable despite the 32ºC heat.
PartyNightPackageat£54.95perperson Proseccoonarrival,threecoursefestive dinnerfollowedbydiscountilmidnight ChristmasMenuat£34.95perperson Threecoursefestivemealsarealso availablethroughoutDecember *TermsandConditionsApply Tobookyourplace,pleasecalluson 01189029960 oremail sales@sandmartins.com and quote XMASWT San d Martin s Gol f Clu b Ltd , Finchampstea d Road, Wokingham , Berkshire , RG4 0 3RQ Pleaseviewourwebsitewww.sandmartins.com foravailabledates.Privatepartiesarealso availableonrequest–minimumnumbersapply. Finduson c @eventssmgc AllThatGlitters ChristmasParty2022 To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 11
A spokesperson for the charity said: “As part of our party, we had a face painter there and also organised a variety of craft activities for the children to do including making light-up fireflies and sea life wands. “It was a very hot day. Luckily, we had some air-conned areas inside, water play outside and ice lollies to help keep everyone“Despitecool.the heat it was a really positive day, the children had lots of fun, with some of them making new friends. “And we’ve had feedback from families that it was a relaxing safe environment for the whole family.”And one parent said: “We had a lovely time, it is huge for us to be able to take our children somewhere and actually enjoy it and not feel stressed or anxious.”
This year the national event runs from Friday, September 9, to Sunday, September 18. Wokingham’s own Heritage Day will take place on Saturday September 10. The Town Hall will be open from 11am to 3pm, with artefacts from the Town Council’s collection on view, as well as fun activities and displays for all ages. Other venues will be open throughout the full Heritage Open DaysThetimeframe.TownCouncil will provide information in the weeks leading up to the event. n To access information log on to: www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk, or search Facebook for Wokingham Town Council.
“We want to uncover the borough’s hidden community and embrace them into our community,” continues Debs.
“We offer a buddying service to welcome anyone who wants to drop in and see whether they like it,” she said. “There’s no obligation, and no membership fee.” What many members of the group value most is finding friendship.Group member, Mandy, says: “I’ve been coming for two years, and CLASP has been very helpful.“Iwas made redundant just before the first lockdown. “It was a difficult time, but now I love coming to CLASP events and I’ve made friends here.”Members can enjoy activities that include healthy eating classes, dancing to music, a choir, archery, even zip wiring.
CLASP also runs training workshops for people with learning disabilities, and also forLouiseprofessionals.Jedras, Community Champion, from Tesco has seen the“Seeingfilm. the video helps me understand a lot more about what CLASP does,” she says.
n For more information, search Spencers Wood Village Hall on www.facebook.com
“I now understood a lot more about the different workshops, and what the group does for its members.“I’m going to share this information with my colleagues, and I’d really like my store manager to invite CLASP to come in and do a training session with our staff.”
Rehearsals start on Friday, September 30, at 3pm. And with just 24 hours to rehearse, the event takes place the following day at Pinewood Theatre, in Pinewood Leisure Centre, in Wokingham Without. Performances on Saturday, October 1, begin at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. n Tickets cost £15 and are available from Ticketsource at: www.ticketsource.co.uk. Log on to the site, and search for A Slice Of Saturday Night.
n
SUPPORTED: CLASP member Mandy is enthusiastic about beinga member of the group. Picture: Emma Merchant their experiences in shops or restaurants, or how they can’t get a dentist appointment, when others can. “They can be quite discriminated against.
The video is informative and engaging, and at just nine minutes long, CEO Debs Morrison hopes that local businesses and services will make time to see it.
| NEWS 1 2 3 4
A MUSICAL society will start rehearsing a show on a Friday afternoon, and will achieve the near impossible, by performing it the next afternoon and evening.ASlice
A SELF-ADVOCACY group for people with learning disabilities has produced a new video highlighting some of the issues they face. Representatives from local businesses, services and organisations have been invited to see the film, made by members of CLASP Wokingham, and discover how the charity is making a difference.
“We want organisations and businesses such as local shops, restaurants, doctors’ surgeries, and dentists, to signpost people to our “Peopledoors.who could benefit from our services are obviously going into these local spaces, and using these services.
Repair cafe to open on Sunday WOOD repair cafe returns on Sunday, September 4. Residents can bring broken household items to be fixed by the able team of volunteers at the Village Hall, Basingstoke Road. Visitors can watch and learn how their items are mended or, if they prefer, enjoy refreshments next door in the Communi-Tea Room.Abook swap will run concurrently.Therepair cafe takes place between 12.30pm-4.30pm.
THE doors to the Town Hall will be opened next Wokinghamweekend.TownCouncil will receive visitors as part of this year’s Heritage Open Days event. The scheme enables residents to celebrate England’s culture, architecture and history. The national event takes place over a period of 10 days, and encourages locations of historical importance to welcome people inside.Wokingham Town Council works with other local organisations to produce an annual Heritage Open Day on one of these days. It opens the Town’s Hall and often provides historical displays, activities and community
Self advocacy group’s new video aims to build bridges in community EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today
From start to finish – a musical show in 24 hours
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Of Saturday Night, by the Heather Brothers, is a swinging 60s story, and is to be performed by members of East Berkshire Operatic Society later this month. It follows seven teenagers as they negotiate moves, and relationships, on the dance floor.The dancing may go smoothly, but the romances are likely to stumble, with plenty of obstacles to young love for the teenagers.
Heritage Day opens doors
“We want to be able to help them and to give them opportunities, but we can’t if they don’t know about us.” The charity especially encourages GP surgeries and dentists to engage with them, and feels that their services would benefit too.
“We know that sometimes people who are struggling can make appointments because they are lonely or anxious, rather than ill. “If we know about them, we can support them with that, and help them to make appointments when they are necessary.”CLASP has a dedicated service with Citizens Advice, solely for people with learning disabilities, it runs money management courses, and it organises fun days and events. Debs knows that it can be daunting for people to make the first step through the door.
“So I am disappointed that we haven’t had a better response from local establishments to see the video. “We invited all the shops and restaurants and services, but not many have come.
“We really need people to be informed and to learn how to treat people with learning disabilities.“Some of our members tell us awful stories about
EXCLUSIVE By
12 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
CLASP wants people to learn more about its community through the video. “Often all you need to do is to make a few adjustments to accommodate people with learning disabilities, they’re not difficult characters,” she says. “At CLASP we’ve been working with our members, helping them to gain maturity and to mix well in the community.“Theyare a fabulous bunch, and they’re so enthusiastic about everything we do.”
Sue is going out with Gary, but he’s a serial flirter. Sharon and Rick like each other, but are too shy to say so. And Eddie has been challenged by his mates to get intimate with Bridget by closing time. The story covers the rituals of teenage fashion, music, sexual mores and relationships. This show, filled with songs and dances, will have to be perfected in 24 hours.
CLASP supports local adults with learning disabilities to lead independent lives. It helps them, for example, to manage their money well, understand benefits and sort out housing issues. It also provides group activites, and an important network of friends.
To contac CLASP, to learn more about the video, or training workshops, uk,admin@claspwokingham.org.email:telephone:01182281801 or Mobile: 07780 749 453, or www.wokinghamclasp.org.ukvisit:
“Wokingham Borough has one of the highest proportions of adults with learning disabilities in the south,” she explains.“AtCLASP, we know about 140 people, but there are over 700 on the council list. “That means there is a big hidden community of people who don’t know about us.
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The short film was premiered in Wokingham Town Hall last week, and the charity hopes local establishments will point people to them who might benefit from their free services.
WOKINGHAM’S cuisine has made national news, sadly not for the rightOnreasons.Sunday, The Daily Star has highlighted a mainstay of the town centre’s culinary offers. While they could have focused on some of the many great restaurants including Sanpa, Rossini’s, Chalk, and the Sultan, instead they’ve focused on fast food.The article highlights the Burger King in Carnival Hub. Specifically its reviews on TripAdvisor, including one that says it is the worst branch of the chain in the country. The article says: “burger-hungry locals have been filling the branch’s Tripadvisor review page with firsthand accounts of the under-siege location”.Reviews include one that says the restaurant, which is next to a building site, is dirty. Another highlighted the time it took to receive their food, while another said the branch can’t cope with the number of people driving through.Theycalled for the site to be knocked down as it was “too small to keep up with 2022”. The Daily Star says the restaurant has 55 reviews, of which 39 are one-star. There were four excellent ratings, the most recent beingBurger2019.King had not responded to the Star’s request for a comment.
Although they have been saved, there are amendments to the routes and Reading Buses have confirmed price rises from Monday. Tiger 7 will be replaced by an extension of the Mereoak park and ride 600 to Three Mile Cross, Spencers Wood, Swallowfield and Riseley. The service will run every hour throughout the day and an evening service will be reintroduced. Leopard 3 will run every 20 minutes to Arborfield and hourly to Wokingham with minor timetable changes, but without Leopard 8 providing additional capacity along Shinfield Road. One journey an hour will be diverted to serve Thames Valley Science Park.
SAFE FOR
Cllr Fishwick’s delight is shared by Cllr David Lamont, vice-chair of Swallowfield Parish Council, who feels the bus is an “important lifeline” for residents in his parish.
Cllr Charles Margetts, shadow executive member for active travel, transport and highways, welcomed the short-term extension but is worried price rises and a “lack of action” is a threat to the long-term future of services in the borough He said: “There is a nationwide issue with the sustainability of commercial bus services due to the slow recovery in passenger numbers following the covid pandemic.“InMarch this year, the then Conservative administration set aside a considerable sum of money in the council budget to provide financial support to key bus routes in the short run and it is good to see this money being used to support these key services.
“The current council position is to kick the can down the road for another six months - it should be acting proactively now.”
The group will also be carol singing in the Charvil area during December. It might seem like the wrong time of year to be dreaming of a white Christmas, but the big day comes round before we know it. Ms Newman is looking for a female alto singer to join the adult choir, and has spaces in the children’s section for four girl sopranos.
The women’s choir rehearses on Mondays from 8pm to 9.30pm, at Charvil Village Hall. The girls’ choir, for school years 5 through to 13, rehearses on Sundays at the same venue, from 6.15pm to 7.45pm.
A WOKINGHAM-based garden centre has announced that its charity of the year will be JAC (Just Around the Corner). Staff from Squires in Heathlands Road made the decision and will organise a number of fundraising events over the next 12 months.Thecharity equine-assistedprovideslearning and development programmes for children with challenges such as ADHD, anger, self-esteem, trauma and depression. It also runs a charity shop in Wokingham townSarahcentre.Squire, chairman of Squires’ Garden Centres, said: “We believe it is so important to work with and be part of the local communities in which we are“Inlocated.support of this, every year each of our garden centres choose to support a local charity which means something to the centre team.“Over the course of the coming year, our centres will help raise awareness of their chosen charity and importantly, help raise much-needed funds for them.“We are extremely grateful to our customers and colleagues for their support and generosity in helping these brilliant local causes and even more so during challenging times.”
Bus routes saved, but long-term future in doubt
Oncethisassessmenthasbeencompletedandyouarehappytoproceed,
Is Wokingham NOW: The Leopard route
THE musical director of an all-female choir is appealing for new voices to come forward. Suzanne Newman leads the Charvil-based Project Singers, and the group are about to start rehearsing for their winter project.
Choir seeks female voices for Christmas concert
it the worst Burger King in the country?
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He said: “Since the temporary removal of the number 7 earlier this year, Swallowfield Parish Council has played a very active role in relation to the future of our local bus service. “Ranging from surveying residents and reporting on the findings, to contacting Reading Buses and continuing to engage and work with Wokingham Borough Council, alongside Shinfield Parish Council, on the issue. “As a parish council we feel that the planned changes represent a successful outcome and are very pleased that everyone in our community will benefit from a regular and reliable bus service.”
The programme will include lots of seasonal songs, which will be performed on Saturday, December 17 at Queen Anne’s School in Caversham.Theproject, Home for Christmas, will include: Let it Snow, Walking In The Air, Pavane for a Silent Night, and In The Bleak Midwinter.
NEWS |
THE SAVING of four Wokingham bus services has been labelled as an “important” measure by Wokingham Borough Council. Last month, the council agreed to subsidise the Tiger 7 and Leopard 3, 8 and 9 services until March 31 next year. The £241,466 cost for the contract extension with Reading Buses will come from S106 payments, formerly known as developer contributions for housebuilding.CllrPaul Fishwick, executive member for active travel, transport and highways, said: “This is a shortterm measure, but an important one considering the significant number of residents who would have been affected by losing these services. “We’re delighted to have kept them going for now and would like to thank everyone who worked hard to investigate different options to make this possible – including our own officers, Reading Buses and Swallowfield and Shinfield parish councils, all of whom played a very active role. “Buses are a crucial part of the bigger picture when it comes to reducing car use - particularly in rural areas.”
“This lack of action makes it very likely we will face exactly the same problem in April.
“The council should stop sitting on the fence and act now on behalf of residents who rely on these services to provide a sustainable future for bus services in Wokingham borough.”
n For more information call Suzanne on: 0118 934 0589 or email: suzanneynewman@btinternet.com
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@wokingham.today
JAC is ofcentre’sgardencharitytheyear
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Eilidh McAllister, asset manager at Frasers Property UK who own Winnersh Triangle, is looking forward to The Berkshire Clinic making the most of the new provisions.Shesaid: “We are delighted to welcome The Berkshire Clinic to Winnersh Triangle and it’s great to attract another organisation from the science and healthcare“Winnershsector.Triangle is an ideal location for companies from many sectors, but we are seeing a real increase in interest from businesses with a science background.“Welookforward to seeing The Berkshire Clinic settling in at Winnersh Triangle and making the most of all the amenities that we have to offer.”
offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. GOWER PENINSULA Royal Mint & Brecon Railway FOLKESTONE & France Weekend Departing Thu 20 Oct ‘22 Your break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Mercure Swansea Hotel with dinner & breakfast Heritage train journey on the Brecon Mountain Railway Scenic drive through the Brecon Beacons National Park Excursions to the Royal Mint Experience, Cardiff, the Gower Peninsula & the Mumbles Departing Fri 28 Oct ‘22 Your break includes Return coach travel and ferry crossings from Slough 3 nights at the Grand Burstin Hotel, Folkestone with dinner & breakfast Entertainment every evening Excursion to Boulogne-sur-Mer & Canterbury WPR_2022-08-29_TheWokinghamPaper_16x4 (1)_Just Go WorcesterObserver 5 Days by Coach only £349 4 Days by Coach only £174.99 Folkestone&FranceWeekend_F.pdf Single Supplement £120 Single Supplement £45 or visit us online at justgoholidays.com/WPR 03332 342 527 Quote WPR
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“Some great examples of these include online booking payments and deposits to protect revenues in the event of no-shows; menu choice preselections for complex party bookings, and our interactive on-screen table plan, so floor layouts can be instantly maximised for occupancy.”
AN INDEPENDENT medical clinic has opened at Winnersh Triangle business Park. The Berkshire Clinic, set in a 2,400 sq ft space, provides access to cardiology consultants and diagnostic tests in one location. The state-of-the-art clinic has been founded by four local consultant cardiologists who have established NHS and private practices.DrNicos Spyrou performed the first coronary angioplasty in Reading at Battle Hospital in 2003 and professor Neil Ruparelia was appointed visiting professor at the University of Reading and fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians in 2020.
“In the face unprecedentedofhardship and uncertainty, UK business owners have demonstrated the upmost dedication and innovation in the ways that they have not only adapted but weathered the COVID-19 storm to ensure the survival of their
Medical clinic moves in to Winnersh Triangle
Favouritetable wins UK Enterprise Award
| BUSINESSBUSINESSTODAY Got a business story? Email news@wokingham.today In association with Winnersh Triangle A business park that is changing Elusive Brewing appoints new managing director
Favouritetable as a business which enables restaurant owners to solve complex problems.“We’ve always strived to offer a service that goes the extra mile to help restaurateurs through innovative webtechnology based using costefficient solutions.”softwareFavouritetable says that it also provides restaurant operators real-world features not found in other systems.
“Of course, the other perhaps most revolutionary aspect of Favouritetable is its price. We opted for a fixed, monthlysubscription model, rather than top-slicing restaurants’ hardearned cash like so many of our competitors do.”
An SME News representative said: “The UK Enterprise Awards are judged on merit to determine their winners.
Berkshire Clinic at Winnersh Triangle business park Picture: Winnersh Triangle
14 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
Dr James Stirrup is a consultant cardiologist with a special interest in cardiovascular imaging at Royal Berkshire Hospital and Dr Andrew Elkington became the clinical lead for the cardiology department at great location near to the M4, equidistance between Reading and Bracknell, not to mention Winnersh Triangle train station being a 1-minute walk and plenty of free parking, we are already receiving great feedback about the excellent location.”The87-acre site is seeing £6.8 million of investment in its facilities to provide a range of amenities to benefit the park and its Thisoccupiers.includes a state of the art gym, on-site cafes, a new co-working space, a nursery and recreational space.
WINNER: Jaipal Yadav, Favouritetable Managing Director, collects the UK Enterprise 2022 Award. Picture: Courtesy of Favouritetable Services
A FINCHAMPSTEAD brewery has announced a new managing director. Elusive Brewing, on Marino Way, confirmed the appointment of Ruth Mitchell to the position on Wednesday, AugustWith31.full responsibility for the leadership and development of the business, Ms Mitchell will play a key role in taking the company forward into its next phase. Andy Parker, founder of Elusive Brewing, will step down from the position and focus on product development and quality. Mr Parker said: “Since joining us last year, Ruth has delivered consistent sales growth and demonstrated strong leadership skills while increasing our operational efficiency across all areas of the business in her former role of operations director.“Itfeels like a natural progression to hand the day-to-day running of the
Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours the hospital in 2020. Dr Nicos Spyrou said: “We spent a long time trying to find the right location to open The Berkshire Clinic, when we found Winnersh Triangle it was the perfect fit. “With its business over to such an experienced individual. “I’m excited to give Ruth the freedom to execute her vision for the brewery’s next phase.”MsMitchell has more than 12 years’ industry experience with previous roles at Adnams, West Berkshire Brewery and Utopian appointment,FollowingBrewing.hershe said: “I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to shape the future of a business I care a huge amount about.“Iam incredibly proud of what our small team has achieved over the past few years – we are not afraid to do things our own way and will continue to do so. “Andy has always said that he doesn’t want Elusive to be big, he wants it to be good, a statement I wholeheartedly agree with and one that I will ensure will continue to be at the heart of our business as we develop.”
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
READING-BASED restaurant software FavouritetablebusinessServices has won a UK Enterpise Award. It took home the award for best restaurant listing and reservations systems provider in the 2022 winners announcement.Theawardswere hosted by SME News for the sixth time, and recognise businesses and industries from all over the UK. The company was commended for its innovation in restaurant booking technology and making clients lives easier through th Jaipal Yadav, Favouritetable managing director, said: “We’re thrilled to bring this National award home to Reading, where we have been headquartered since our launch in 2010–being based in such a vibrant business community has been vital to our andrecognitiongenuinely“Receivingsuccess.thisawardaddstoagrowingbyourlocalnationalclientsof
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Dapo Adeola is a multi-awardwinning author and illustrator, known for the Look Up picture book series, and winning book, Hey You. Holly Webb has written more than 100 books, which have been translated into more than 30 languages. Jane Elson, is an actress and comedy EXCLUSIVE
The Wokingham Children’s Book festival
The results will help the council understand people’s priorities when making choices about recycling, travel and energy and will help it shape future plans.
Sophy Henn is an author and illustrator who created the Bad Nana books, and the Pom Pom series. Steve Antony is the author and illustrator of many books, including best seller The Queen’s Hat, and Please Mr Panda. He recently illustrated an adaptation of Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, by Peter Bently. Sufiya Ahmed worked in advertising, and in the House of Commons before becoming a full-time author. Tim Tilley studied illustration and now teaches children’s book illustrating in London.RikinParekh studied art before designing monsters for the film industry. He writes and sells books for a national chain. His latest picture book, Yes You Can Cow, was published this year. Yijing LI, originally from China, is a London-based graphic designer and illustrator. Through The Forest is her debut picture book. In person events take place in Wokingham’s Town Hall, and at Wokingham Library. Tickets cost £3 per seat, or online stream. Books can be purchased at the event, or online, where links can be found on the authors page of the Festival website. The event is run by Wokingham Town Council, in conjunction with Wokingham Borough Council’s Library Service, Love Wokingham, and Wokingham MoreArts. n For more details, log on to: wokinghamtc.gov.uk/bookfest
n If residents need a paper copy, contact the council’s customer services on 0118 974 6000 or visit a local library. For more information, or to complete the survey, visit: engage. wokingham.gov.uk
improviser, who fell into writing stories and plays. Her debut novel was A Room Full Of LouieChocolate.Stowell started her career writing carefully researched books about space, ancient Egypt, politics and science but eventually lapsed into ‘just making stuff up’. Michael Catchpool is a former primary school headteacher who has authored several picture books, sketches and scripts for Nizranaschools.Farook was born and raised in Sri Lanka, so the landscapes of her home country find their way into the stories she writes. She now lives in Hertfordshire.RossWelford was a journalist and TV producer before becoming a full-time writer. He lives in London with his wife, children, a border collie and tropical fish. Sean Taylor has written more than 60 books. He’s best known for his picture books: Hoot Owl Master of Disguise; A Brave Bear, and How To Be Cooler Than Cool! fitted furniture Address: Unit 12, Metro Centre, Toutley Road, Wokingham, RG41 1QW. Telephone: 0118 989 3438 www.blueprintfittedfurniture.co.uk Email: Follow us at facebook.com/Blueprintfittedfurniture
Views wanted on climate plan Children’s Book Festival to return
By DANIEL BLACKHAM dblackham@rdg.today
Amanda Quartey, is an illustrator, who was born in London but moved to Ghana, before returning to the UK to study graphic Christopherdesign.Edgespent his childhood dreaming up stories in a Manchester library. He now dreams up stories in the library where he lives in Gloucestershire.
WOKINGHAM Borough Council has launched its Let’s Talk Climate survey. It is designed to help the council understand what would make residents opt for more sustainable choices.Earlier this year, nine focus groups made up of residents, businesses and children, were guided through three sessions looking at what can be done locally to reduce carbon impact. The participants started by thinking about if money and technology were no issue, what could they do and narrowed those down into tangible and practical ideas.“We commonly hear that climate change is everyone’s responsibility,” said Cllr Sarah Kerr, executive member for climate emergency and resident services.
There are 17 authors and illustrators heading the event this year: Manjeet Mann, an actress, playwright, screenwriter and director who, through her organisation Run The World, works with women and girls from marginalised backgrounds, empowering them through sport and storytelling.
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By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today
“The reason for that is that it absolutely is. “Not only is climate everyone’s responsibility, it is an issue that is affecting everyone, with increased severe weather over the past couple of years a sign of the impacts. “Every decision we make about how we live our lives impacts our carbon footprint, and we want to know how people come to these decisions so that we can support them to make the most sustainable ones.”The survey, available until Friday, September 30 on the council’s Engage platform, shares ideas from the focus groups and asks what would encourage residents to make sustainable choices and what the council should be doing to facilitate this.It also includes videos by council officers and expert partners explaining some of the key things to consider with carbon emissions.
WOKINGHAM Children’s Book Festival is to return next month, with some of the sessions also streamed as well as being in person. The two-day event will enable young readers to meet and listen to authors of children’s books, while learning about the process of creating literature.
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Ian Wisdom was visibly moved on learning that he had been put forward for fundraiser of the year, sponsored by Cream Design. He is the powerhouse behind the Twyford Beer Festival, a volunteerrun event held in Stanlake Meadows every year. It features a range of real ales, perries and ciders, from local brewers and further afield. Every year it raises thousands of pounds for Orchid, a charity that focuses on male cancers.
“They gave us a contact number for the Polish Racing Pigeon Association and, as I am Polish myself, I began trying to get in touch.”
Karolina Pionk, clinical director for the practice said: “It’s a lovely story, and quite unusual.
Moor Cottage kept Lech safely for two weeks, and eventually Karolina tracked down the right Polish society.
Don’t you knowwho I am?
Phil Creighton
A TWYFORD man’s fundraising efforts have seen him nominated for a Pride of Reading award.
A MAN who has travelled more than 1,000 miles in the polar region, and lived with Polar Eskimos for half a year, will share some of his extraordinary journeys with an audience at Luckley House School’s theatre.Alex Hibbert is a world recordholder, having skied further on an unsupported Arctic journey than anyone in history. In his talk, Cold Journeys, Thoughts & Visuals, the audience will hear how, in July 2008, he completed his long haul 1,374 mile trip.It took him 113 days to make the return journey, which took him across a new ice sheet route. He and his travelling team mate, George Bullard, received no resupplies nor physical support, and the pair completed the final week with almost nothing to eat. Journeys since then have seen him cross the ice cap at speed, travelling 330 miles in fewer than 12 days.And, in an on-going Dark Ice Project about the North Pole in winter, he has spent months with PolarAlexEskimos.isaregular speaker and has written four books; The Long Haul, Maybe, Kalaallit Nunaat and Polar Eskimo. He has appeared on national television has been a BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year finalist three times. Sir Ranulph Fiennes has described him as ground-breaking, and Wanderlust magazine said he is passionate and fascinating. People can hear him speak in Alex Hibbert: Cold Journeys, Thoughts & Visuals, on Thursday, September 8, from 7pm. This talk is given as part of the Luckley Lecture series at the Whitty Theatre, Wokingham. n For tickets and information log on to www.ticketsource.co.uk and search for Alex Hibbert.
“We were determined to find the pigeon’s owner so our veterinary nurses contacted the Royal Racing Pigeon Association in the UK for help.
“We couldn’t simply release the bird. It’s such a long way, and his navigational skills were obviously not that great, so we didn’t trust him to find his own way to Poland.
By EMMA MERCHANT emerchant@wokingham.today
Tales from the Arctic
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WHEN a racing pigeon was released in Poland, his owner expected him to make a short flight from one town to its neighbour. But, while the rest of the birds all returned safely, Lech did not. No-one really knows what happened to him, but somehow he ended up making a much longer journey than planned – to Binfield. A member of the public found him exhausted and weak, and handed him in to Moor Cottage Veterinary Practice on London Road.
“They couldn’t believe I was calling them from the UK,” laughed Karolina.
Picture: Box Bell Fit Fitness group punches high for charity
“I asked the nephew, ‘how will you get the pigeon home?’”
Don’t stop the pigeon from Binfield back
MANY, many, many moons ago, back when I had hair and could see my toes when looking down, I was rifling through the magazines in the Reading station WH Smith. A man tapped me on the shoulder, neatly missing the full head of hair ... oh, how I miss it. “Excuse me,” he said, a bit bashfully, “Are you PhilItCreighton?”turnedoutthat he was an avid Reading Evening Post reader and had somehow managed to match my face to the teeny tiny photo of me in the paper. And also not have nightmares, no mean feat. A couple of years after that, I was having a sojourn from local journalism and working instead for The Baptist Times, where duties included watching TV and then waffling about it. I was visiting a church while on holiday. There was a bit of a commotion from the pew in front of me. Eventually one of the people turned round and wanted to know if I was, indeed, their wordically challenged television critic. They felt they had a bit of a celebrity in their midst. Far from it, but it did the ego some good. These chance encounters came to mind when visiting Wokingham Festival over the weekend. It was the first time since we started Wokingham Today that I took the family with me. Before we’d even got into the arena in Cantley Park, we’d bumped into someone I know. Then there was the chap in the car park, the person behind the ticket desk, the beer festival volunteers, the radio presenter, the arts people … There were a good number of people that represent all corners of Wokingham’s life hanging out in the festival arena. And jolly good it was see them all again as well – pesky covid means encounters have been few and far between over recent months. But it’s also reminder that we’re all connected together. We all know someone who knows someone who knows someone. It’s quite remarkable when you think about it, essentially we’re all part of a global village with strands that connect us together in ways in which we can’t begin to imagine. It’s called the Kevin Bacon theory. Probably. The idea is that everyone is connected to the Hollywood actor in just six steps. You know the kind of thing – I know a man who knows a chap, who knows another chap, who has a friend, who worked with someone who happens to know Kevin Bacon.The star happens to be fronting a campaign extolling the virtues of a mobile phone company, and its internet services. It would be a jolly good thing if the person I know who knows who knows who knows who knows Kevin could put in a word on the mobile internet around Wokingham. This column is being written from Cantley Field, but I can’t put it on the newspaper page until my phone can log on. Still, we’ve come a long way with technology. Back in my Baptist Times days when we covered a festival, we had to lug our desktop computer, a modem, divining rod, and tin cans and string, to the field. Times have thankfully changed and the big troley has been shrunk down to one record bag. Who said things were better in the olden days? All that aside, fame is a fickle thing. While my ego was nicely stroked by those memories of encounters past, it’s not always that way. Once, I was the guest speaker at a church event. It seemed to go well – no one fell asleep – but when it came to coffee afterwards, I stood in the middle of the room and waited for someone to talk to me. Not a sausage. Or even a Bacon (Kevin). A face for radio, and a voice for print…
As participants limber up, they will no doubt be observed by the donkeys, shetland ponies, sheep and chickens that live in neighbouring fields. They will also be keenly followed by the gym’s resident dog, Rob. Located in a farm on the outskirts of Wokingham, the business is owned by friends Helen Clewer and Helen Fairman.
“They passed on my contact details to the owner, but he doesn’t speak English, and he didn’t realise that I speak Polish, so his nephew called me instead.”Thefamily were astonished to hear that the bird was in the UK. They had presumed he was either dead or stolen, since he’d been missing for over a year.
A FITNESS group is arranging a fun activities day for its members next weekend.Localindependent group training centre, Box Bell Fit, is holding its annual games event and its members will be exercising hard to raise funds for a local charity. Putting themselves through their paces, they will work out on the rowing box, lift weights and run round the track, for Wokingham Food Bank. To spur the participants on, they are promised cake afterwards as a reward for their efforts. Member Liz Johns said: “This year we’re supporting the very valuable Wokingham Foodbank.
ICE ICE BABY: The audience will hear about Alex’s adventures in Polar Lands. Picture: 358611 via Pixabay Ian gets people to drink beer (for charity, of course)
“Cats and dogs are microchipped,” continued Karolina, “ and it’s usually easy to find their owners when they are lost, but this was more difficult.
“We could see that the bird was de-hydrated when he came in, but nothing was broken.
WOOF FIT: Rob, the gym’s resident dog will be overseeing the annual games day.
Mr Wisdom also organises the bar at Wokingham Festival, which took place over the August bank holiday weekend, again selling real ale and ciders for the charity. And he has also organised other events over the years to boost the coffers of the charity.
In the next few weeks, he will be taking a sizeable donation from this year’s events to the charity’s London HQ. Last year it was more than £10,000. And he has already set the date for next year’s festival, which will again be held in Stanlake Meadows on Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. Well-known in Twyford, he is often seen walking his pet dog Fly, who loves sticks that are several times bigger than him. His nominator said: “He organises the Twyford Beer Festival every year, all the profits from the festival and other fundraising events such as the Marvellous Festival, Wokingham Festival are donated to Orchid“Theircharity.work is vital in raising awareness of male cancer, encouraging men to check for symptoms and providing support to the men affected by male cancer.
“A few of the telephone digits were rubbed off, so that wasn’t much help.
The nephew, it turns out, had been living in the UK but had recently relocated to Poland. “But he still has friends in London, and one of them who is also a pigeon
Box Bell Fit Games takes place at the gym off Binfield Road, on Sunday, September 11.
“We felt that with the current cost of living crisis, thecharity is really worthwhile supporting. “It will be a fun day, with all the members of the group working out together.“It’smore of a community than a fitness group, really. “Everyone ends up making friends, and people tend to meet up to chat before sessions.”
Spacephiller
“We gave him some pain relief and made sure he was hydrated, and we could see that he belonged to someone because he had identification rings on his leg, with a telephone number.” Moor Cottage usually sees small animals: hamsters, guinea pigs, cats and dogs, and pigeons aren’t usually on their radar.
ParkCantleywill be the venue for a day of fitness thissessionstasterlatermonth Picture, posed by model not at Cantley PixabayPark,
Departing Mon 24 Oct ‘22 With its palm trees and golden beaches, Torquay is the perfect location to enjoy a seaside getaway in the heart of the English Riviera. We explore this lovely landscape with a cruise on the picturesque River Dart and a scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park. break includes Return coach travel from Reading 4 nights at the Tor Park Hotel, Torquay with dinner & breakfast Entertainment some evenings Scenic drive through Dartmoor National Park Cruise on the River Dart Excursions to Buckfast Abbey, Princetown, Tavistock, Dartmouth & Totnes Days by Coach only £279 Days by Coach only 299 £100
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Visitors are asked to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for each activity and to bring a waterBoxingbottle.gloves will be provided for the BXGFit taster session and poles are provided for Nordic walking, but anyone attending the yoga session is asked to bring their own mat if possible. Staff will be available to answer any questions and there will be healthy food offers available at Cantley Park Café. Although drop-ins will be accepted on the day, it is advised that anyone wanting to attend checks class capacity beforehand. n For more information, or to book a spot, visit: news.wokingham.gov.uk
THE WELSH MARCHES & Severn Valley Railway TORQUAY, SOUTH DEVON & Dartmoor National Park Departing Thu 20 Oct ‘22 Join us as we explore the Welsh Marches, a region characterised by beautiful unspoilt countryside dotted with picturesque market towns and sleepy villages. We also enjoy a scenic cruise on the River Severn and a nostalgic trip on a wonderful heritage railway. Your break includes Return coach travel from Crawley 4 nights at the Holiday Inn Birmingham - Bromsgrove with dinner & breakfast Heritage train journey on the Severn Valley Railway Cruise on the River Severn with light refreshments Excursions to Shrewsbury, Llandrindod Wells, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford & Worcester
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“This year Ian also organised the Jubilee celebrations for the community of Twyford.” Ian said he was humbled to be nominated.“It’stotally unexpected, it’s smashing. (Being nominated) is not what we do it for – it’s not just me, it’s my wife and the whole crew (of volunteers),” he explained.
pigeon ... Lech goes back to Poland
This poem is based on a photo of sunrise taken at Dinton Pastures Far beyond the obvious doubts Doubts reflect from inside out Out in perfections of twirling lakes Lakes that paint the world in wake Wake your tranquil soul to fight Fight the darkness in your light Light the illusions of your trait Trait that makes you deflate Deflate the waves of your soul Soul that makes you extol Extol the silhouette in the sight Sight where skies reunite Reunite with a self ever so true True to the core is what I want from you You are the perfection about to sprout Sprout your way from inside out Ritesh Nigam
FLY HOME: Lech, a BracknellPractice,VeterinaryofPictureMooronanpigeon,madePolishimpressiontheteamatCottage.courtesyMoorCottage
POETRY CORNER
“The benefits of staying active are something that have become familiar to us all in recent times due to the pandemic and we want to see all our residents lead happy and healthy lives, no matter what age.
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“This is the first time the council has celebrated National Fitness Day on this scale and I would encourage residents to sign up for as many slots as they can and take full advantage of this free open day.”
The multi-sport Power-Up taster activities at the end of the day are for children aged five to 12, which is the same age range for the council’s activity camps that run during the school holidays.
UP FOR AWARD:AN Ian ReadinginyearfundraiserforbeenFestival,TwyfordorganiserWisdom,oftheBeerhasnominatedtheofthecategorythePrideofawards Inside out “He said, ‘a Polish pigeon needs a Polish name. We’ll call him Lech, after the legendary Polish hero who first established Poland.’” Lech, the legendary Polish pigeon is now re-united with his owner Adam Jakubas, who was thrilled to have his bird back in his home country.Hewas full of praise for Moor Cottage, which is owned by Linnaeus.Hesaid: “I was overwhelmed with the dedication of Karolina and the team at Moor Cottage who showed such concern and love for Lech. “I am extremely impressed with the amount of effort they went through in order to find me and the real dedication shown by the whole team to make this happen.”
We love receiving your verse, and print a selection every week. Email your poem to news@rdg.today fancier, and came to Moor Cottage to collect the bird,” continued Karolina. “He had a big, posh, pigeon container, perfect for transporting him safely. It was very impressive, and clearly, he knew what he was doing, so we were very happy to let him take Lech.”
The friend’s wife and children were shortly going to Poland and agreed to take the pigeon with them and return him to his “Animalsowner.don’t travel very well, particularly birds, but we could see that Lech would be well cared for and comfortable for the trip. “It was a very happy outcome,” said Karolina.Andwhy did she call the bird Lech? It was my son who named him,” she explained.
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“Despite needing a hip replacement Ian had continued the massive task organising the Twyford beer festival. “The event has the added benefit of supporting local Independent breweries selling their products.
All other classes are open to everyone and there will be information provided on the day about other sport and leisure opportunities.Theseinclude the SHINE over 55s exercise programme, Power-Up Kids Activity Camps, the BXGFit boxing studio and long-term health programmes, as well as signposting residents to other health and sport activities across the borough.
033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply. For more information, or to book, please call Operated by Just Go Holidays Ltd. Coach package holidays and short breaks are subject to Just Go! Holidays terms and conditions. Your booking is protected by Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) and the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT); this is a government approved consumer protection scheme. Tours offered subject to availability and government guidelines. Errors and omissions excepted. Prices per person, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. Calls to 033 numbers are free within inclusive minutes packages otherwise standard rates apply.
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The open day kicks off with an outdoor bootcamp at 7.45am and will run until 6pm when the PowerUp activities for children finish.
“I am passionate about Orchid. They are a lovely little charity and the work they do is outstanding, it really is. “The improvements in both the surgical techniques and, over the last 15 years, the overall knowledge of how cancers affect the human body has been astonishing. The work Orchid does is tireless and ongoing. “They have the biggest tissue sample of cancer-specific cells in the world and that’s used by quite a lot of other charities, as are their studies – that’s why we support this tiny little charity called Orchid.”
Reader travel
A SERIES of free activities will take place at a park in Wokingham next month to celebrate National Fitness Day.Wokingham Borough Council’s sport and leisure team will host a variety of sport and leisure sessions for all ages and abilities at the Cantley Park event on Wednesday, SeptemberNational21.Fitness Day aims to highlight the role physical activity plays across the UK and the council is encouraging residents to get involved.CllrIan Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, said: “There truly is something for everyone and this is a great opportunity to find something new, or rekindle your passion for a sport you haven’t done in a while.
Free fitness fun at Cantley
Your letters
Cllr Paul Fishwick, Executive Member for Active travel, transport and highways Pond clearance Thank you to the Dinton Wednesday Conservation Volunteers for doing a brilliant job in clearing the pond at South Lake.
We would like to give a massive thank you to everyone that did so much to make our three-day Wokingham Festival such a huge success.Itwas just wonderful to see so many people getting together to have a fun enjoyable time in a friendly community atmosphere. If you aren’t aware, the festival isn’t a big corporate organisation, it is run by the community for the community. All of our volunteers give their time for free and we are so grateful to everyone that does that and we would therefore like to say a big thank you to all our volunteers over the weekend and before. Without you we couldn’t make it happen.Running a festival isn’t cheap and there are big costs involved so we’d also like to thank all of our sponsors and supporters. These include TradeMark Windows Doors & Conservatories, Wokingham Music Club, Volker Highways, Rapid Hire, BAM Construction & Training, Coppard Plant Hire Limited, The Wokingham Word, White Star Records, Love Wokingham, CAMRA, ACP All Clean Plus, SBM Productions, Generation Studio, Spriggan Productions & Wokingham. TodayWe’dnewspapers.alsoliketo thank Wokingham Borough Council, all of our suppliers, stall holders, children’s entertainers, security andfirst aid teams and, of course, all of the musicians that gave us so many incredible performances. We were blown away by all of the amazing talent!Abig thank you to to our Hosts for the Day who were all excellent - Andy Jones from BBC Radio Berkshire, Andy Rowe from The Room and Darren Redick from Planet Rock. A big shout out also to the Twyford Beer Festival team toowhat an incredible selection of beers and ciders they provided! Finally of course, a huge massive thank you to everyone that came along and bought tickets. Without you coming along there would be no festival.Sowith Wokingham Festival 2022 over, here’s looking forward to Wokingham Festival 2023. For the committee, the work starts now and if you’d like to volunteer to be part of the festival in the future, please go on to the web site at www. wokinghamfestival.co.uk where there is a form that you can complete if you are interested. See you all next year Stan Hetherington, Chris Hillman, Helen Taylor, AndrewMerritt Wokingham Festival Organising Committee
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I am sure that the present Executive member as well as the officers who worked for her will welcome her contribution to the consultation process. Unlike the rest of us, she gets two chances to get it right. It would be more to the point if Councillor Jorgenson had written in your pages saying say that this is a document for which the Conservative Group take the all the credit and of which they are proud. She might have explained that it is a consultative document, parts of which might not survive public scrutiny and may well be amended or even dropped, whilst other parts of it could well be developed further in the light of public comment. It was prepared by the administration of which she was a part not because they liked it all but because of an obligation placed on all local authorities by central government to develop cycling and walking as an alternative to car driving. Not having some form of future policy is not an option. As it is, the suspicion must be that Councillor Jorgensen is opposing for opposition’s sake. We hope for more than this. Richard Hoyle, Spencers Wood Active travel I read last week’s From the Chamber article from Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, the previous Executive for Highways and transport, with interest. Throughout 2021 Cllr Jorgensen was extolling the virtues of direct and continuous walking and cycling routes to enable a massive increase in journeys of walking and cycling Wokingham Borough. The plan I inherited as her successor in May this year, which is being consulted on now, aims to do just that. I am therefore puzzled at her and her Conservative colleagues’ opposition to the proposals. Did she not know or understand what her staff were doing when they developed them? Or is there some other reason for this change of heart? Now in opposition, and free from the need to make difficult decisions, Conservatives have an alternative proposal with magical new routes ‘away from the roads’. If these routes existed presumably Cllr Jorgensen would have ensured they were included in the plan her team consulted and developed during 2021.The reality is, of course, that there are few if any such routes which will be sufficiently direct and continuous to be useable, meet the strict LTN 1/20 criteria and thus attract government funding. With the Department for Transport traffic forecasting traffic levels to grow by more than 50% over the next 30 years the status quo is not a solution. Neither is consigning those who cannot or choose not to drive to imaginary or inadequate alternatives. The Liberal Democrats will address the major issues we have inherited in our transport network and develop solutions that work for all for a better future.
In her column in the paper of last week (25 August), Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, currently the leader of the Conservative Group on Wokingham Borough Council, complains about the Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.The consultation, she tells us, is anti-car. And whilst she claims credit for the parts of the consultation of which she approves, overall ‘the consultation is a huge, missed opportunity’.Howmany of the consultation’s faults, either the anti-car measures or its general inadequacy, were baked into it when she was the Executive Member for Highways and Transport? As the local elections were held on 5 May and the consultation launched on 11 July, there was hardly time for the incoming administration to strip out of the consultation all that was good and insert anti-car measures on, it would seem, every page.
Indeed, there is a parallel universe in which Councillor Jorgensen – and perhaps the one she would rather be inhabiting – is writing in your columns as executive member for Highways commending the proposals contained in the plan as being necessary innovations which need to be considered seriously. As it is, she is disowning the plan produced in her department under herIfmanagement.thereare‘missed opportunities’, then they are her missed opportunities. (I would note here that the proposals for Shinfield and Spencers Wood are extremely poor. Missed opportunities indeed.)
Councillors from the administration have endorsed these figures, along with a recognition that prudent planning brings a net benefit of £22.25 to every household.Thecurrent leadership should apologise for misleading residents, and agree that the Conservative administration was acting in the very best interests of all residents with these decisions. I hope that, going forward, the coalition will not simply try to take credit for the great financial position the Council has been left in and acknowledge that not only does the town centre provide and excellent return, but the overall contribution when measured is several percentage points of Council Tax contribution for the whole Borough. Cllr Stuart Munro, Shadow Executive Member for Finance, Business and Regeneration and Conservative ward member for Swallowfield
To all Wokingham Festival supporters
CHURCH NOTES
n To find out more, log on to the website at oxford. anglican.org/exploring-your-vocation
Bishop Gavin was consecrated Bishop of Dorchester in April last year, and says he is delighted to take on this diocesan-wide role: “Having started in ministry as a lay minister myself it is my privilege to take on the role of Diocesan Warden of Readers. I’m ready to offer prayer, help and support, so do get in touch. And please pray for me as I take up this role.” The Warden of Readers role is wide and varied. Alongside Area Advisers, Bishop Gavin will provide pastoral and practical support for those who are already licensed and, together with our vocations team, walk alongside those who are exploring a vocation to licensed lay ministry. He will license new LLMs and oversee the renewal of vows at an annual service.
From Chamberthe Cllr Stuart Munro It’s time apologiseto
AREPORT by Wokingham Borough Council’s Audit Committee on the Audit committee meeting of July 127, 2022, found that investments by the previous Conservative administration delivered a strong financial return for taxpayers. The report, approved by councillors including those from the Liberal Democrat-led coalition administration, found that Conservative investments had brought a net financial benefit of £22.25 per household. The Conservative opposition is now calling on the administration to apologise for telling residents that the Council’s finances had been badly managed.
It should be noted that investments in commercial assets like the Wokingham Town Centre regeneration were valued at £249million from only £72million of debt. This is in addition to the significant benefit such superb amenities bring to the local area, as well as the income that they generate on an ongoing basis.The social benefits of the town centre being enjoyed by thousands of residents from across the borough especially now with the opening of the new leisure hub and library, with the rents not only providing an income going forward it all has been at no cost to the residents as the interest paid on the loans is more than being covered by the income generated by the project.We,the Conservatives, argue that this proves that, despite the claims of financial mismanagement in the past, sound and long-term thinking has helped to secure the Council’s financial future.The Audit Committee report proves that the Lib Dem-led coalition’s claims of financial mismanagement, repeated at the most recent Executive meeting, are totally baseless.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH Send your thoughts to letters@wokingham.today We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper
THE LOCAL PLAN is a vital document and like much of our council business at the moment, it straddles the old and new administrations.Weallfeelthat Wokingham has been overdeveloped, especially those who live in Shinfeld areas. Too many homes and not enough GPs, and community facilities means we are creaking at the seams. So to lose a housing appeal over a lack of a five-year land supply, when we are in the middle of devising the new one and also without a functional government, is a tough pill to swallow. The council now has to tread carefully with all its planning decisions. While it has won some cases, it has lost others, and the planning inspectors decision could see us lose more. The local plan is bigger than party politics, and we hope there can be a sense of unity over its way forward. The over development of the borough should not be a political football. We need a united front to tackle this worrying development.
Bishop Dorchesterof to be new Warden of Readers
A developmentworrying
THE Diocese of Oxford has announced that the Rt Revd Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester, will take on additional responsibility as Warden of Readers for 12 months from this month. Following the retirement of the Revd Canon Dr Phillip Tovey earlier this year, the diocese has announced that the role of Warden of Readers will be held by the Bishop of Dorchester. In addition to his current episcopal duties Bishop Gavin will take on the leadership and advocacy for Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs) in the diocese.LLMs wear a distinctive blue preaching scarf and are lay people who have been formally trained to teach, preach and minister in our parishes. There are over 250 LLMs in our diocese who are variously involved in evangelism, mission enabling, teaching, preaching, leading of worship, taking funerals, leading a Fresh Expression and community outreach.
‘rubbishing’ her own plan and making it out to be anti-car? Like the great majority of residents, I drive a car. I also ride a bike and I recognise the urgency with which we need a plan that makes cycling much easier and thereby makes driving less fraught as well. Achieving this will be difficult and of course there should be sensible and informed debate about the options we face and the choices we need to make. But there is a difference between a constructive exchange of ideas on how best to help people walk and cycle more, as against wholly destructive political game-playing. It may be that we local politicians need to focus less on maps and more on our moral compasses, but if we’re going to restore the public’s faith in local government, we have to do better than this.
Adrian Betteridge, Wokingham Active Travel Community(WATCH)Hub Let’s work together As a local councillor, one of the most frequent comments I hear is ‘I wish you people would just learn to work together and stop behaving like you were in the playground’.
Cllr Shirley Boyt is a Labour
Small businesses are the life blood our communities; without them are lives would be much the poorer. They offer a personal service and build up good relations with their local customers, and they employ local people. We should cherish and support them all we can. Unfortunately, central government is yet to act to help them (or any of the rest of us).
Help our businessessmall WE are all concerned about the impact of inflation on our household budgets - the looming threat of the rise in the energy cap is going to affect us all and the cost of food shopping seems to be rising every week and has been rising for some time. But as we all wonder how to make ends meet, spare a thought for our hard-pressed local small businesses. For them, there is no energy price cap. They are facing astronomical bills for gas and electricity and seeing the costs of raw materials and imported products rise alarmingly.Theyhave to pass these increased costs onto us where they can. They have been absorbing price rises where they can, but this is getting harder as each week goes by.
I‘ve been working with Wokingham Borough Council on planning further improvement works around the lake and I’d like to thank the Countryside Team for their hard work. In the next few months they’ll dredge the lake again at ‘the smelly end’ and cut back encroaching bushes and the canopy where it is low. They will also look into how deep the sludge is at the duck feeding end is to see if it is worth removing. Thank you to all the volunteers who litter pick and the anglers who work hard to keep the lake healthy. I’m starting a ‘Friends of South Lake’ group for local people to be better informed about planned Council work and to get involved in working to improve the lake. If you’d be interested in joining, please email me at gov.uklaura.blumenthal@wokingham.
We’ve looked hard for them, and WATCH proposed the alternative route being consulted on from Finchampstead to Wokingham Town which is away from roads in places. In other cases, alternatives away from roads generally involve significant extensions to distance, additional hazardous road junctions and/or have privately owned land in theEvenway. if we could persuade people of their merits, government funding is dependent on strict criteria for the quality of a route and there is little prospect of such routes being funded, leaving Wokingham with an unresolvable funding gap. There are no simple or consequence-free solutions to the requirement for more sustainable local travel. It is important that our local politicians work together to progress realistic solutions to these challenges and not allow this to become a political football.
In its first two years WATCH has campaigned for recognition of the urgent need to improve facilities for walking and cycling, and in our column last month talked about why this matters.We’re pleased that all major political parties locally are supporting this need, and we stand by the statement in our column that this is not a (party) political issue. The conversation has now moved on to how we do this, and from last week’s paper, it appears that there are now different political views on the nextPeoplesteps.travelling on foot or by bike need routes which are separate from each other and from cars, for safety and comfort. The routes need to be direct and continuous if we expect people to choose them over driving. It would be ideal if they could also be altogether away from roads, but in most cases there are no such alternatives.
VIEWPOINTS | The three Ps of being a councillor To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 27
Cllr Laura Blumenthal, South Lake ward,BoroughWokinghamCouncil Campaigning on cycling
Let’s hope that will change when the government once again has some leadership. What, then, can we, as individuals and families, do to help? Well, we can use local shops and small business for as many of our needs as we can. Shop local was the mantra in the pandemic; we need to rekindle that spirit of locality now to support our local small businesses.
From Leaderthe Cllr Clive Jones
Everyone, it seems wants a great phone signal and apparently 5G is the way forward. The snag is that nobody wants a huge 5G mast and a bunch of cabinets outside their house. Unfortunately, the Government has given statutory powers to the telecoms operators and it is difficult for the council to refuse permission and even when it does so, the applicant is likely to lodge an appeal. On Highways land - pavements, verges, roundabouts etc, it is almost impossible for the council to refuse. Similarly, for smaller masts, up to 15m the operators do not even have to ask the Council for permission. So how does a humble councillor balance the views of her residents against the 5G needs of the entire nation?Bytalking to the applicants, suggesting alternative locations which would be less contentious, changing the colour of the mast and cabinets to minimise the impact, reminding them that their code of practice states they should share sites with other operators where possible. In other words, entering into a dialogue with them, getting them to understand the impact of their plans on residents. Life would be more pleasant for us all if the three P’s were replaced by the three C’s – Conversation, Consideration, Compromise.
From Chamberthe Cllr Shirley Boyt
Alan, Twyford On the buses I write to our excellent Editor and all my friends in Wokingham, following my return to Wokingham after a year’s trial retirement to the south coast. To a village where my parents moved in 1950 and really loved, but has changed so much over the years, I felt I did not really belong, in this day and age, even though participating in Council Meetings, etc. One of the activities I wanted to undertake, was to help residents fight Frauds and Scams. Supported by a Police expert, it looked like a good idea! However, Covid fears and a reluctance to take an interest – as the Clerk to the Council told me, as noone thought it would happen to them - was a disappointment. At this point, I can state quite categorically, that if we had a local Paper like our Wokingham Today, we could have really helped society. A great disappointment on my return is to find our Reading Buses have reduced services. That is exactly what has happened to the coastal Bus service in West Sussex. It appears in both cases that pay rates are too low and drivers are finding other jobs. I have been a fan of Reading Buses for many years, for providing such a good and reliable service, and I still believe Bus is a service we all should use as much as possible. Also, I still insist the Road Traffic Act should ensure Buses have right of way on our roads. Many Readers may now realise who I Mayam.Ijust add one political comment? Boris Johnson’s very recent declaration undertaking our continued support for Ukraine, reminded me of 1938/9, when this great Empire of ours undertook to support Poland against the Nazi regime. Then we were never ready for such a task – now, happily, we have that capability provided the Government does not allow the sale of all our companies on which we depend! I’d love to write more on this subjecy. Reg Clifton, Wokingham
Cllr Clive Jones is the leader of Wokingham Borough Council and Lib Dem ward member for HawkedonIHAVE been a borough councillor for three years now and it has been a steep learning curve. People often ask me what is involved and I usually say that I attend a lot of meetings – committees, working groups, steering groups on topics ranging from arts and culture to waste and Fortunately,recycling.since the pandemic many of those meetings are held remotely, but there are others where physical attendance is mandatory otherwise you are not allowed to vote.With regard to the work in the ward I tell people it generally comes down to three P’s – Planning, Parking and Phone Masts. And issues arise from all of these because of a failure to consider the impact of actions on others.Take parking for example – I could fill this column with examples of terrible parking but I will just ask these questions – to those who park on the pavement, why is it okay to force wheelchair users or parents with buggies into the road? Van owners – I realise you have to park the van somewhere but does it have to be so close to a driveway that it makes it dangerous for the resident to pull out? To all those whose parked carelessly along a bus route – is it okay that the bus driver on more than one occasion had to reverse almost the entire length of the road and skip a section of the route entirely, causing major inconvenience to the driver and bus users alike? In planning terms my ward has none of the big developments that are going on elsewhere in the borough; most are simply extensions to existing dwellings.Theproblem is that once upon a time the planning department held all the power - but not anymore. During the last 12 years the Government has relaxed planning laws to such a degree that huge extensions can be built under ‘Permitted Development’ rights and there are many residents who choose to build to the absolute limit without any consideration for their neighbours. There is no requirement to display a notice in these situations so often the first a neighbour knows about an extension is the arrival of a portaloo! Even when an extension requires planning consent it isn’t always plain sailing and often near neighbours are not notified; an elderly lady once told me that she can not bear to open her curtains in the mornings anymore because of the ‘monstrosity across the road’. To anyone reading this who is planning to extend their property please talk to your neighbours, listen to their views and try to make adjustments, so future hostilities can be avoided. Phone masts give councillors and residents a whole new level of stress.
Last week’s ‘From the Chamber’ article from Cllr Pauline Jorgensen is a case in Peoplepoint.inFinchampstead are desperate for a safe cycle route into Wokingham. I’ve been pushing for it, so have the Parish Council and the other local Borough Councillors. It just isn’t a ‘political’ issue. We’ve been waiting for two years for the Local Cycling and Walking Plan to emerge and although it was Councillor Jorgensen who oversaw getting the plan to where it is, I don’t care what her political ‘colour’ may be, I’d be happy to support what she has done so far and move it on from there. So why on earth is she now
Cllr David G Cornish, Finchampstead South ward on Wokingham Borough Council It’s Putin’s fault, not Johnson’s In his letter to your paper Councillor Clive Jones wrote about the cost of living etc this is not the Governments fault but PUTIN & Russia going to attack the PEOPLE of theWeUkraine.arenot the only COUNTRY affected by this but most of EUROPE are all in the same boat. We are always asking the Government to help us out but this Country is already in debt due to the COVID – money doesn’t grow on Ourtrees.local Liberal Councillor has over the years said that we shouldn’t build on GREEN BELT LAND and in fact he and most people in TWYFORD are doing just that and when told he didn’t like it, and Labour are of the sameFingersmind.crossed that the Energy Companies can help us all.
The borough council lacks the resources to make up for the government’s neglect. The council’s budget is already overstretched by massive rises in inflation, rising demand for services and the council failing to reach income targets set only at the beginning of this year by the previous administration.Thecouncilwill do all in its power to assist our local small businesses in these tough times. But ultimately only central government can provide the financial support that small businesses need. Recent polling shows that a majority of people see the current cost-of-living crisis as comparable to or worse than the pandemic in its impact on their lives. Yet central government seems reluctant to provide a response proportionate to the challenge.
28 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
Pride giveaway from Broad St TO HELP people get ready for this weekend’s Reading Pride parade and party, Broad St Mall is giving away some rainbowthemed goodies. On Saturday, between 9am and 2pm, the Reading town centre shopping centre will be offering free face painting and glitterTopsy,art.the mall’s mascot, will be posing for selfies and giving away rainbowthemed flags, face paints and sweets between 9am and 10.30am.AndTopsy will be taking part in the parade, from 11am at Reading’s railway station. Last weekend, jelly ran a free workshop to create a community art piece for their window, and MyUmbrella had a stall to raise awareness about the lesser-known identities of LGBT+.Steven Connolly, the mall’s manager, said: “Broad St. Mall has long been at the heart of the Reading community, so we are thrilled to be celebrating Reading Pride. “It’s sure to be a fantastic celebration that the whole community can enjoy and we encourage everyone to come to the mall to get parade ready and join in the fun.”
Reading gears up for Pride parade and Love Unites Festival 2022
By JAKE CLOTHIER jclothier@rdg.,today ON SATURDAY, Reading’s LGBTQ+ community will celebrate with the annual Pride parade and Love Unites Festival 2022. With non-stop music across three stages and a number of performance spaces, the event is full of exciting acts and attractions.Thebiggest change from previous years is the extended parade route, which now runs down to the Riverside, by The Oracle.This year’s parade will begin at Reading Station, opposite The Oakford Social Club, and will proceed through Blagrave street, Friar Street, and down West Street past Broad Street Mall.It will follow along past the mall, then down to the Oracle and along the riverside, up Duke Street, back along Broad Street, up to and through Forbury Gardens, and on to the festival ground in King’s Meadow.Pride has also teamed up with B Radio, who will be stationed at the Love Unites Festival in Kings Meadow for the duration of the event. From there, B Radio will be broadcasting its Parade Bangers, with DJ Matthew Hemmaty sending the sounds of the parade over the airwaves from the main stage. Organisers invite those joining the parade to bring portable speakers or radios and tune in on-route. It is believed to be the first time a UK Pride parade will transmit its music over a commercial radio network as it happens.Reading Pride Trustee, Mikey Russell, said: “As well as the parade, we have three amazing stages, with our headline act Nadine Coyle – which is big – we also have the Pride Xtra Stage with Sum Ting Wong from Drag RaceThisUK,”year’s Main Stage will see event founder Jamie Wake leading proceedings as a host alongside Wilma Fingadoo, Drag Idol winner Son of a Tutu, and Dr. Bev, and music from Carter the Bandit, Natalie Gray, Ring the Alarm, and Bentley Jones. Sum Ting Wong will host the Pride Xtra stage, joined by Reading’s Got Drag host Big Jay.Marking only the first anniversary of their drag performance in September, Big Jay will also host the Trans Pride after-party at the Rising Sun Arts Centre. Grace Anatomy, Amber Rose Turner, and DJ Enbee will also make appearances on the Pride XtraThestage.Pride aLive stage,
n For more information on what’s on at Broad St. Mall visit: www. broadstreetmall.com and to find out more about Reading Pride visit: www.readingpride.co.uk
READY TO UNITE: This year’s Pride Parade and Love Unites Festival will take place at Kings Meadow on Saturday, September 3. Picture: Courtesy of Reading Pride partnered with Readipop, will see performances from Elucidate, tipped as one of Spotify’s Hot New Bands in 2019, rap collective OSP, and indie-folk outfit Colours & Fires.“Reading is the home of artists,” Mr Russell said, “and our Pride aLive stage really shows off all of our local artists who are LGBTQ+ or allies, and from all sorts of genres.” He said also that the festival is a safe space for families: “We have a stage for under 15s, with activites designed for the littleuns.“We have our story hour going on too, with two of our dragHequeens.”saysalso that accessibility is extremely important: “We’ve had BSL interpreters for a while now, but this year we have a raised platform for disabled users, with limited onsite parking reserved for blue badgeThisholders.”year’s Pride parade and Love Unites 2022 festival will take place on Saturday, September 3, and is sponsored by TheUnison.parade begins at Reading train station at 10.45am, arriving at the festival site for noon, when it opens. n To book a place on the parade, visit www.readingpride.co.uk.
Queenz show at Hexagon will star X Factor’s Jaymi Hensley
THE ESSENCE of Reading Pride will continue next month with a drag extravaganza at The Hexagon.Thesix-sided arts centre is to host Queenz, an evening of music performed by a quintet of drag artistes with impressive voices. Organisers say it will be a dance party night that will bring some pride and joy as the divas perform songs with sass, and have plenty to say. The show will see the Queenz perform an eclectic party
NIGHT OUT OUT: Queenz is coming to The Hexagon next month playlist, featuring remixed and reimagined pop anthems from The Spice Girls, Shakira, GaGa, Britney, Whitney and everything in between.Noneofthe songs are lip synced, and there will be some stunning costumes, packed with sparkle and sequins. These five Queenz represent all, from backstreet bars to West End stars and living out their childhood fantasies with this wonderfully whacky show. The Queenz have appeared on the ITV show Walk The Line, and are now taking part in a UK tour.Among the line-up is X Factor & Union J pop star Jaymi Hensley. The show takes place at The Hexagon on Wednesday, September 28, from 8pm. n Tickets cost £26, and can be ordered from whatsonreading. com, or calling the box office on 0118 960 6060. n For more on the tour, or to see preview videos, log on to: www. queenztheshow.com
| NEWS
| LEISURE
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 29
GOLDEN OLDIES will be at the cinema in Reading from next week, in the seats, as well as on the screen. A new over 60s film series is being launched at Reading Biscuit Factory, in conjunction with Wokingham-based The Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK Reading, and Age UK Berkshire. The aim of the Silver Screenings is to help combat loneliness and provide a welcoming environment for olderTheviewers.eventstarts with a tea and breakfast in the cafe of the Broad St Mall venue, before showing a movie.
Dave sets Reading date
And Carmen Balanza-Davis, from Age UK Reading which is also based in Broad St Mall, was just as pleased with the project launching.“SilverScreenings offer a great opportunity for older people to get out and about, reminiscence, start conversations and enjoy a classic movie in a brand new venue,” she said. “Why not call a friend and join the fun? It’s free.” Reading Biscuit Factory will then run the Silver Screenings on a weekly basis, showcasing new releases and timeless classics. The manager of the Reading Biscuit Factory, Matt Ferguson, said he was excited to be launching the Silver Screening series.“We know this demographic has had a particularly hard time throughout the pandemic, unable to socialise with friends and family,” he said. “The Silver Screening series allows them to come down and interact with friends, as well as experience everything our cinema has to offer.” Tickets cost £4.50, and include a free hot drink and biscuits. Really keen moviebuffs can become members for £28, for overMembership65s. includes five free cinema tickets, along with 20% off all food and drink in the venue, 20% off future tickets and invites to free member events.
WHAT does an ageing American movie star do when his career is flagging and it takes a handful of pills to get him through every day? If the opportunity to play King Lear at Stratford arises, he grabs it with both hands, of course. In Wokingham Theatre’s latest farce, movie star has-been Jefferson Steel is about to take on a new challenge. It will change not only his CV, but also his character, and quite possibly his life. As he is nudged, scolded and loved into playing Shakespeare’s foolish monarch by his very English fellow players, he learns what, and who, is really important to him.Hisfairly patient cast and long suffering director cope admirably with the tantrums, demands and silliness of stardom. And by the end of the play, everybody’s CVs are looking very different.Director Martin Kempton is looking forward to Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s play, A Bunch Of Amateurs.“Thesetwo have huge experience of writing comedy for television, and created this script just a few years ago,” he said. “It’s very funny, and hugely enjoyable, but it’s not a broad farce: much of the comedy comes from the clash of cultures. “The play also has some depth to it, which I like, and the characters are recogniseable as real“Ipersonalities.don’tlikethe expression ‘going on a journey’ but in a way, this is what happens to them all. “They make mistakes and they misjudge one another, but they learn from those mistakes and they’re better people at the end of the play.”
“Our actual rehearsals are going really well,” says Martin. “I’m so lucky to have a cracking cast.“They are all really experienced actors and are absolutely making the most of all the opportunities in the script. “It’s a real pleasure to direct.” “There’s music in the show, too, and we’re very fortunate that our production manager’s wife is a composer, and has created original works specially forEveryus.” production comes with its own unique challenges.
In the play, the cast attempt to Shakespeare’srehearseKingLear as best they can, in between squabbles, injuries and intrigues, some of which make it into the papers.
COMING SOON: Dave Gorman’s PowerPoint to the People
THIS is no April fool, even though it will take place on the day of mischief - Dave Gorman is returning to The Hexagon. The comedian with a mastery of PowerPoint has come a long way since he launched a quest to find 54 Dave Gormans across the world.Inthat time, he’s been on a Googlewhack Adventure, explored America without visiting a single chain store, and discovered that modern life is ... well,Nowgoodish.he’spreparing for a new UK tour, called PowerPoint to the People.Theshow has been previewed at Norden Farm in Maidenhead this summer, and Dave will make a visit to Reading on Saturday, April 1. He says the show is, as much as anything, to demonstrate that a PowerPoint presentation doesn’t have to involve a man in a grey suit standing behind a lectern and saying ‘next slide please’. He says there are far more important things to analyse. Well... they’re more important in his head, Ticketsanyway.forthe show cost £29.50, and a maximum of six can be booked for any one customer. They cannot be resold, and they are only available via whatsonreading.com, or Ticketmaster. n For more details, or to book, log on to: whatsonreading.com or call the box office on 0118 960 6060. environment makes all the difference to our health and wellbeing and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Reading Biscuit Factory.”
n Those wishing to attend can book by emailing: reallylocalgroup.co.ukmarketing@
“Oh yes, there are certainly one or two in A Bunch Of Amateurs,” says Martin. “The play requires some rather special effects, very fast scene changes, and even a big song and dance number at the end.“We hope that the audience will leave the theatre smiling.” n A Bunch Of Amateurs can be seen at Wokingham Theatre. It runs from Thursday, September 8 through to Saturday, September 17, with the exception of Sunday. Performances start at 7.45.T ickets cost £15. For tickets and information wokinghamtheatre.org.ukvisit:or call the box office on: 0118 978 5363 EMMA MERCHANT PowerPoint comedian
Get my agent on the phone right now...
The first event takes place from 10.30am, on Wednesday, September 7, with the film being one with a Reading connection: Kenneth Brannagan’s Belfast. The actor moved from Northern Ireland to Berkshire, where he grewMarjieup. Walker, CEO of The Link Visiting Scheme, said that the charity knew of the importance of keeping older people active and connected, and hoped the screenings helped with that. “We know first-hand how important it is to enable older people to keep active and feel connected,” she said. “Having a relaxed time with friends in a warm and welcoming Biscuit Factory to launch new filmevent for over 60s
| LEISURE WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL
In a letter in this week’s Wokingham Today, the organising committee said: “It was just wonderful to see so many people getting together to have a fun enjoyable time in a friendly community atmosphere. If you aren’t aware, the festival isn’t a big corporate organisation, it is run by the community for the community.”
Cantley Park was the venue for the 2022 Wokingham Festival Pictures: Steve Smyth andAudiences lapped up the perfomances
It was just a ‘very, very good weekend’ 2022
The festival was family friendly Dancing the night away Crazy Diamond entertain
As the sun went down, the party carried on THIS YEAR’S Wokingham Festival was a ‘very, very good weekend’ according to organisers. Thousands flocked to Cantley Park from Saturday through to bank holiday Monday to enjoy three days of music, food and drink. Acts on the main stage included Dutch progressive rock band Focus, Pink Floyd tribute act Crazy Diamond, and local bands such as Third Lung and Selina and the Howlin’ Dogs.Asecond music area, the Wokingham Music Club stage, provided an opportunity for up-andcoming bands to showcase their talent, including Deva St John, Katie Ellwood, and That Joe Payne. Of the main stage, Mr Hetherington said the festival managed to provide audiences with a good variety of music, with something for everyone. Mr Hetherington said the Wokingham Music Club stage had grown in stature in recent years, starting off as an acoustic stage to this year’s showcase.
PHIL CREIGHTON 30 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
The beer festival went well, with a team from Twyford Beer Festival organising the event. “They’re just a pleasure to work with,” Mr Hetherington said. “Nothing is too difficult, taxing, or too much trouble for them. Ian (Wisdom) and his team are just a joy to deal with and such good humoured.”MrWisdom, who was raising funds for male cancer charity Orchid, felt the weekend had gone well. “What a lovely weekend for everybody,” he said. “What can I say about the team behind the bar? Absolutely brilliant - every one of them pulled their weight, working solidly right the way through.” He said the festival was a chance to showcase local breweries, who have a passion for brewing.
“The standout beer for me was one from (Wokingham-based brewery) Bonds Brews. The Stars and Stripes is a really nice beer. Well done Dean for brewing that.”
Spriggan Mist were hugely popular The 4G band perform
“Every single act had people stood outside the tent. It has never happened before and it was quite amazing,” he said. “Some of the youngsters performing are just incredibly talented. It really does bode well for the future of live music.”
Members of Arts4Wokingham with Nicola Anthony Bopping to Sweet Caroline
The Station perform on the Music Club stage
He’s hopeful that the team will be returning for next year’s event. Before then, there’s the return of Wokingham Music Club, another of Mr Hetherington’s activities. “I’m passionate about bringing music to Wokingham,” he said. His first planned gig of the season, Curved Air at the Winnersh Royal British Legion on Friday, September 9, has been cancelled, but Steely Dan, playing music from Steely Dan, will be taking place at the same venue on Saturday, September 10. For more details, log on to: www.wokinghammusicclub.co.uk/http://
“He said that it was just an amazing event that punches above its weight,” he explained. “He was very, very complimentary, and it was encouraging.”
And Stan Hetherington, who is the mastermind behind the event, was thrilled with how the festival had gone.“We were expecting attendance to be down on last year, as it was one of the first events taking place after the covid lockdowns, but Sunday and Monday were busier and numbers were similar to last year, more than meeting our expectations,” he said. And among the audience was one of the organisers of another festival, who called Mr Hetherington on Monday to praise the organisation of the event.
LEISURE | WOKINGHAM FESTIVAL 2022 Phil Creighton Local talent were invited to play the Music Club syage The Honey Pot inHelpingentertainservingtheBeerTent A happy hat for a happy occasion The 4G band perform Festive headgear was all the rage The Ollie Young Foundation Families enjoyed food from a number of stalls Circus Scene provided circus skills Circus Scene Deva St John The festival was packed Wokingham Festoval Simon Williams performs Milo Deverell (3) Thumns up for a good To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 31
Black Is The Colour Of My Voice features many of the American singer/ songwriter Nina Simone’s most wellknown songs, performed live. Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play follows the life of successful singer and civil rights activist, Simone, as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement This extensive national tour follows a UK sell-out, and seasons in Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh, and the West End. It can be seen at Newbury’s Corn Exchange on Wednesday, September 7. The event begins at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £20 for adults, or £17 for concessions. n For tickets and information log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 0845 521 8218. A comedy of errors and mistaken identity
Whistle Down The Wind. Until Sat 10. Reading –South Street 0118www.whatsonreading.com9606060
n For tickets and information log on to: www.progresstheatre.co.uk or email: boxoffice@progresstheatre.co.uk Telling the story of Nina Simone
Evening performances from Wednesday to Saturday each week start at 8.15pm, preceded by dinner fromSaturday6.15pm.matinees start at 2.15pm, with lunch from 12.15pm. n Tickets cost £76 and include a two course meal at the theatre restaurant before the show. For tickets and information log on to: www. millatsonnng.com or call the box office on: 0118 969 8000.
Performances, which take place every night except Sunday, start at 7.45pm, with matinees on both Saturdays at 2.30pm.Tickets cost £14, with concessions costing £11.
Lunchtime Organ Recital. Mon 5. Brindley Sherratt. Sat 10. Reading – Progress Theatre 0118www.progresstheatre.co.uk3842195
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Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. Fri 2-Sat 10. Reading – Reading Rep Theatre 0118www.readingrep.com3702620
NEXT SHOW: Jekyll and Hyde. Oct 10-29. Shinfield –Shinfield Players www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: Our House. Fri Sept 30-Sat Oct 1, Thurs Oct 6-Sat Oct 8. Sonning –The Mill 0118www.millatsonning.com9698000 Funny Money. Thurs Sept 8-Nov 5. Mad About Movies. Sun 11. Windsor – Royal 01753www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk853888
Reingans: Dispatches on the Red Dress. Thurs 8. Air Circus, Phantom Booth, Worm Immortality Team. Sat 10. Reading –The Hexagon 0118www.whatsonreading.com9606060
Opera Boys. Thurs 8. Rock For Heroes. Sat 10. Top Secret: The Magic of Science. Sun 11. Guildford –Yvonne Arnaud 01483www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk440000 Jenny Eclair: Sixty (FFS). Sat 3. An Evening With Lucy Worsley on Agatha Christie. Tues 7. Heritage Open Day. Sun 10. High Wycombe –Wycombe Swan 01494www.wycombeswan.co.uk512000 Whitney Queen of the night. Fri 2. Islands In The Stream. Sat 3. Afternoon tea and Tour. Sun 4. UK Pink Floyd Experience. Sun 4. Dave Gorman: Powerpoint To The People. Sat 10. Dinner With The Jersey Boys. Sat 10. Henley – Kenton 01491www.kentontheatre.co.uk525050 Greatest Songs from the Movies. Fri 9. The Beach Boyz Tribute Show. Sat 10. Maidenhead –Norden Farm 01628www.nordenfarm.org788997 Kite Festival. Sun 4. Where Is Anne Frank (PG). Tues 6, Sat 10. Paris, Texas (12a). Tues 6. Summer Recital Series: Significantly Beethoven. Wed 7. Jessica Fostekew: Wench. Thurs 8. Andre Rieu’s Happy Days Are Here Again. Fri 9, Wed 14. Bullet Train (15). Fri 9, Sat 10. Norden Farm Night Market. Sat 10. Joyride (15). Sat 10, Wed 14. The Vinyl Frontier: Track 1, Side 1, Debut LP. Sat 10. Newbury –The Corn Exchange 0845www.cornexchangenew.com5218218
BERTIE Wooster is staging a one-man show about his recent experiences at the country house, Totleigh Towers. He soon discovers he needs help to tell the story and calls on the services of his valet, Jeeves, and Aunt Dahlia’s butler, Seppings. Who will end up with the silver cow creamer? Will Madeline and Gussie call off the wedding?DoesConstable Oates find his Policeman’s helmet? Find out these, and more, in Jeeves and Wooster, In Perfect Nonsense, at the Progress Theatre, Reading. The show runs from Friday, through to Saturday, September 10.
Carrie: The Musical. Until Sat 3. Dominic Ashworth. Fri 2. As you Like It. Tues 6-Wed 7. Heritage Week. Fri 9-Sun 18. The Pirates of Penzance. Sun 11. FILMS: The Bad Guys. Thurs 1Sat 3. Downton Abbey: A New Era. Fri 2-Mon 5, Wed 7. Notre Dame on Fire. Mon 5-Tues 6. Much Ado About Nothing. Thurs 8. Operation Mincemeat. Fri 9-Sat 10, Tues 13. The Gray Man. Fri 9-Sun 11. La Boheme. Sun 11. Camberley – Theatre 01276www.camberleytheatre.biz707600
LONDON’S National Theatre shares a live performance of Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s rom com of sun, sea and mistaken identity. It tells the story of the legendary family-run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riviera, which has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love. A string of scandalous deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice andTheBenedick.playislive-screened at Newbury’s Corn Exchange. It takes place on Thursday, September 8, atTIckets8pm. cost £16.15, with concessions costing £14.15. n For tickets and information log on to: www.cornexchangenew.com or call the box office on: 0845 521 8218. But is it Art? Yes it is!
NEXT SHOW: Teechers. Sept 27-Oct 1.
| LEISURE Bracknell –South Hill Park 01344www.southhillpark.org.uk484123
Black Is The Colour Of My Voice, a show inspired by Nina Simone. Wed Sept 7. NT Live: Much Ado About nothing. Thurs 8. An Evening and a Little Bit of A Morning with Mark Steel. Sat 10. Newbury –The Watermill 01635www.watermill.org.uk46044
A Bunch of Amateurs. Thurs 8-Sat 17. Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre 0118www.thewhittytheatre.org9743247
n For tickets and information visit: whatsonreading.com or call the box office: 0118 960 6060. This load of nonsense is perfect
Luckley Lectures: Alex Hibbert. Thurs 8. Art Themen and Friends. Fri 9. Woodley – Theatre 07488337838www.woodleytheatre.org
32 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
BRITISH jazz saxophonist (and formerly orthopaedic surgeon) Art Themen is accompanied by singer Fleur Stevenson. Together they will bring an evening of jazz music in a concert titled, Art Themen And Friends. All proceeds from the event will go to local charity, Wokingham In Need, for distribution to worthy causes. Jazz lovers can catch the concert at Wokingham’s Whitty Theatre, located in Luckley School. The performance starts at 7.30pm, but the bar is open from 6.30pm. All tickets cost £20. n For tickets and information log on to: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghaminneed or call: 07867 530727. n For information about Wokingham In Need log on to: www.wokinghaminneed. com
The Magic of Motown. Sat 3. Imagine: The John Lennon Songbook. Tues 6. Arrival: The Hits of Abba. Thurs 8. Al Murray: Gig For Victory. Fri 9. Reading – Concert Hall 0118www.whatsonreading.com9606060
withShakespeare,afolk-rock score SONGS, swordfights and slapstick are the order of the day, along with an original folk-rock score. As You Like It is coming to Bracknell. Jupiter Theatre Company’s actormusicians invite the audience to join them in the Forest of Arden for a raucous and joyful re-imagining of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy in which ‘all the world’s a stage’.Theevent takes place in South Hill Park’s Studio Theatre on Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7, atTickets7.30pm..cost £14, members cost £12, under 18s cost £10.
Mmebers Night and Season Launch. Wed 7. Rowan
For tickets and information log on to: www.southhillpark.org.uk or call the box office on: 0134 448 4123 Things you didn’t know you need to COMEDIAN Jessica Fostekew is bringing her show, Wench, to Norden Farm.Having appeared on Live At The Apollo, and QI, she is a regular co-host of The Guilty Feminist Podcast. She can also be heard regularly on Radio 4’s News Quiz, and the Now Show. Jessica talks here about sexy things (awkward) and private things (oh no), supported by Helen Bauer. The show says it is suitable for ages 16 and upwards. The event takes place on Thursday, September 8 at 8pm. Tickets cost £16.
The Shawshank Redemption. Until Sat 10. Wokingham – Theatre 0118www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk9785363
FUNNY Money is one of English playwright Ray Cooney’s funniest plays. On the way home one night, mildmannered accountant Henry Perkins picks up the wrong briefcase on the Tube.Inside he finds, in the place of his usual cheese and pickle sandwich, £1.5 million in used notes. Deciding to escape to sunny Spain with his wife and best friends, he encounters two police officers. One arrests him for erratic behaviour in the local pub. The other asks him to identify the corpse of a murdered man. A spiralling confusion of fibs, false names and frantic deceptions means the show is packed with fun and laughs.Funny money can be seen at The Mill At Sonning. It runs from Thursday, September 8 to Saturday, November 5.
AT THE THEATRE
n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977. A musical spectacular from Europe STREAMED to locations all over Europec, a musical spectacle will be performed on the Netherlands’ iconic VrijthofAndresquare.Rieu’s show features popular feel-good classics, show-tunes, and waltzes.Joined by the Johann Strauss Orchestra, and special guests, André promises to bring an uplifting and romantic party to local cinemas. Happy Days Are Here Again will be shown at Norden Farm, in Maidenhead on Friday, September 9. It starts at 2pm, and tickets cost £16. n For tickets and information log on to: norden.farm or call the box office on: 01628 788977. Mamma Mia! Abba (kind of) on show TRIBUTE band, Arrival, play ABBA’s hits, in an award winning show. Following sold-out shows in over 30 countries worldwide, they recreate the group’s energy and music to the stage across the UK. The show features much loved hits, including Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Voulez Vous, and Waterloo. With rich harmonies and authentic costumes, Arrival brings to life the songwriting talents of Benny and Bjorn, with the feel and thrill of a live ABBA show. The event takes place at the Hexagon Theatre, on Thursday, September 8. It starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £26.50, concessions cost £24.50.
Quiz Challenge
6. What O is a gold-coloured alloy of copper, zinc and tin used in decorative arts?
EASYSUDOKUHARDSUDOKU CROSSCODE
2.
5.
7. The first F1 world championship race was held at which British motor-racing circuit? The character Mr Sowerberry appears in which Charles Dickens novel? Which wealthy art collector purchased many of Damien Hirst’s early works? In the 2021 biographical film King Richard, who played the father of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams?
FIVE
8.
4.
1. Which English travel writer wrote the books In Patagonia, The Songlines and On the Black Hill? What is the capital city of Cameroon? What name is given to the tongue, lips and palate in forming words? Which edible brassica occurs naturally on shingle banks? Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has been a Member of Parliament since 2015 for which seat?
Your weekly puzzle challenge CROSS CODE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD SUDOKU ACROSS 1. survivorShipwreck(8) 5. Johann Sebastian ----, composerGerman(4) 9. Rouses (7) 10. Greek letter (5) 11. Court (3) 12. Interfere (6) 15. Move stealthily (5) 17. Spoken (4) 19. Dessert (inf.) (6) 22. Whalebone (6) 24. Part of foot (4) 26. Type cabbageof (5) 27. Lowly, servile (6) 30. Foot digit (3) 32. Soil (5) 33. Beaming (7) 34. Streetcar (4) 35. Recover (8) DOWN 1. Clothed (4) 2. Lines for music (5) 3. Rectify (5) 4. Respond (6) 6. plantWoodland(7) 7. Promontory (8) 8. gameFairground(4-2) 13. Expected (3) 14. Mislay (4) 16. Most severe (8) 18. Competent (4) 20. restaurantGreek (7) 21. Regular beat (6) 23. Garland (3) 25. Come out (6) 28. Low point (5) 29. Rapidly (5) 31. Eye infection (4) This puzzle page is supplied by Sirius Media Services Ltd. To try our new puzzle, Zygolex, go to www.zygolex.com © Sirius Media Services Ltd PZ1P5429 TO ADVERTISE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CLAIRE ON: 0118 327 2662 5429 To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 33
9.
3.
10.
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). 3. Did not join the chorus with little Edward (9) 7. Came to wonder about agreement (5) 8. Referred to unpleasantly,soldiersInoted (9) 9. One metre past, it is as far as a moth will go (5) 10. Symbolic mathematics (7) 13. Sweetheart finishes a tiny bit pale (5) 14. One who rises up in pure belligerence (5) 16. To wander or to make a mistake (5) 17. In Ryde surprisingly unusual to be shaky (7) 21. Eccentric cat, it is silent (5) 22. Colourful old-fashioned part of Moscow? (3,6) 23. Went on a cycle carrying nothing to the cowboy show (5) 24. Central part of the business? (9) 16 7 9 13 17 21 22 24 24 2 18 2 3 19 3 8 14 18 13 20 10 4 14 20 15 16 21 23 5 11 15 12 1. Staff that can work wonders if handled with charm (5,4) 2. Limited to a place, a pub on the side perhaps (9) 3. Redhead finds spinning meteor is more distant (7) 4. Unusually alert animal (5) 5. The best score of course is 1-0 (2,3) 6. Chieftain always going round the Middle East (5) 10. Sailor and governor at church (5) 11. Graduate carried off obstacle in road (9) 12. Worship present-day speech (9) 15. Bible gets support here in church (7) 18. Daggers to be licensed inside (5) 19. Given ill-treatment? (5) 20. Where in France Reg could go round with cosmetic (5) ACROSS DOWN 1 9 10 16 19 26 32 34 12 2 20 13 23 3 14 21 24 30 31 14 17 22 35 4 11 25 27 33 12 18 22 5 8 10 15 28 5 10 23 24 6 29 7 31 QUICK CROSSWORD 1 4 57 8 69 5 8 7 5 4 6 9 21 9 2 3 1 2 69 5 6 26 5 81 15 72 3 5 79 6 4 9 1 67 5 58 93 7 2 6 68 1 1 59 2 18141621118244 25 26 26 14 14 24151613249 1192425 231922 2 12 24 11 25 2421016129 161521925161925 14 4 10211421165 314715912 26 2 15 4 16 16 1011415810 259105249 19 9 5424102192510 151417142019 23 14 14 22 21 251623 15958 259159119 9 6 16 10 15 10192521142349 Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them. How many words of four letters or more can you make from Nonagram?thisEach 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: NONAGRAM 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. Perform the first calculation in each line first and ignore the mathematical law which says you should always perform division and multiplication before addition and subtraction. 4 4 1 1 2 4 2 10 7 1 13 2 EQUALISER Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.Easy Hard 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 F N G O I O R T W D O T I A 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. BRILL! MET EERIE VET! WORD PYRAMID MAGIC SQUARE Here are crossword.tolettersworkYoubeenlettersgridusingcrosswordssquareminiaturetwofive-thesame–butthehavemixedup.havetooutwhichbelongwhichPY AO LR IN OS OR IE UI AU RN GB AE NL NW EH EN GN OU TL LE YD FIVE ALIVE No. 5429 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 123456789 S 10111213 14 N 15 I 1617181920212223242526 L E G I V I T A N 26 Good; 31 Very Good; 36 Excellent. H 1 P 2 Y 3 L 4 C 5 Z 6 W 7 K 8 E 9 S 10 G 11 D 12 Q 13 A 14 N 15 I 16 V 17 F 18 O 19 J 20 T 21 X 22 B 23 U 24 R 25 M 26 QUIZCHALLENGE:1BruceChatwin;2Yaoundé;3Thearticulators;4Seakale;5HolbornandStPancras;6Ormolu;7Silverstone;8Oliver Twist;9CharlesSaatchi;10WillSmith. alevin;alive;anvil;evil;gave;gavel; genitival;give;given;glaive;invite; lave;laving;leaving;levant;levin; live;liven;living;naive;native;nave; navel;nival;vail;vailing;vain;vale; valet;valeting;valine;vane;vang; veal;vegan;veil;veiling;vein;venal; venial;vent;ventil;vial;vigil;vigilant; VIGILANTE;vile;vina;vine;vintage; vital. EQUALISER: Clockwisefromtop left–multiply;add; divide;subtract. Total:3. 819453726 637241895 793824651 891754632 258679413 461937582 456127398 176385249 324596178 574362198 326198745 842913657 645782139 931574286 213487569 514873296 695231874 789625431 WORDPYRAMID: WaitingForGodot. MAGICSQUARE: belt;emir;live;tree. CRYPTICCROSSWORD: QUICKCROSSWORD: Across–1Castaway;5Bach;9Awakens;10Omega;11Woo;12 Meddle;15Prowl;17Oral;19Afters;22Baleen;24Heel;26Savoy; 27Menial;30Toe;32Earth;33Radiant;34Tram;35Retrieve. Down–1Clad;2Stave;3Amend;4Answer;6Anemone;7 Headland;8Hoop-la;13Due;14Lose;16Harshest;18Able; 20Taverna;21Rhythm;23Lei;25Emerge;28Nadir;29Apace; 31Stye. Across–3Refrained;7Awoke;8Mentioned;9Imago;10 Algebra;13White;14Rebel;16Error;17Doddery;21Tacit;22 RedSquare;23Rodeo;24Middleman. Down–1Magicwand;2Localised;3Remoter;4Ratel;5Inone; 6Emeer;10Abbey;11Barricade;12Adoration;15Lectern;18 Obeli;19Dosed;20Rouge. (2)(1)Across–Polio;Angel;Noted. Down–Prawn;Light;Oiled. Across–Yarns;Urban;Gully. Down–Young;Rebel;Sunny.
NONAGRAM:ALIVE: SOLUTIONS
aid
Thursday,bit.ly/rawsoundstodaySeptember
Details: www.theacousticcouch.co.uk READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. Harry Jones, Alfie Griffin, Michael Alexander. Details: readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk SHERFIELD-ON-LODDON – The Four Horseshoes. Equinox jazz night with Antoily Vyacheslovov (Tolly). Details: 01256 882296 Wednesday, September 7 STOKE ROW – Crooked Billet RG9 5PU. John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett. Details: 01491 681048. Thursday, September 8 BURGHFIELD – Burghfield Spices, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Eclipse Sings. Details: 0118 983 4040. READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746. READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. Arrival: The hits of Abba. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196 READING – South Street arts centre. Rowan Rheingans: Dispatches on the Red Dress. Details: 0118 960 6060. SeptemberFriday, 9 BRACKNELL – The Silver Birch, Liscombe RG12 7DE. Anna Nightingale. Details: 01344 457318. BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. Blues Brothers Tribute. Details: 01344 303333. GORING - Goring Community Centre, The Old School, Station Road RG8 9HB. Goring Community Jazz Club presents Sarah Bolter. Details jazz-clubticketsource.co.uk/goring-community-www.
TRIM is a Reading-based band led by singersongwriter Chris Trim who performs original pop rock songs with a blues and folk feel. They made a welcome return to the festival at the weekend –https://www.facebook.com/christrimmusic Split the Dealer – Hard to Take (Live Lounge Acoustic Session) It’s Reading-based Split the Dealer with an acoustic version of his 2022 single performed by Split and guitarist Rory Evans at Northbrook Met Studios in Brighton – https://www.splitthedealer. com/
Here’s another legendary band who had UK hits such as this one and they were headliners on the Main Trademark Stage at Wokingham Festival on August Bank Holiday Monday – https:// focustheband.co.uk/ Kepler Ten – A New Kind of Sideways It’s the title track from Kepler Ten’s acclaimed album on our White Star Records label. They have only played songs from the album once before so it was great to see them at Wokingham Festival –https://www.keplerten.com/ TRIM – Still Waters (Live)
READING – The Fisherman’s Cottage, Kennetside RG1 3DW. Open mic night. Details: 07925336269 READING - O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music Fridays. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – Zerodegrees, Bridge Street RG1 2LR. Friday night live, from 6pm. Details: 0118 959 7959. Saturday, September 3 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The Lee Aaron Band. Details: 01344 303333.
Dan. Details: www.wokinghammusicclub. co.uk WOKINGHAM –
and
WINNERSH
RG41
Aaron has a connection to Spriggan Mist. He’s the son of Baz and Maxine Cilia from the band. He’s also sound engineer on the WMC Stage at Wokingham Festival and played his own set there – https://www. facebook.com/AaronCiliaArtist Focus – Hocus Pocus
Teakzy, DJ Shunz, Way Out DJs. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Spoilers, Second In Line, Missing The Scene, Tape It Shut. Details: 0118 986 6788. READING – Zerodegrees, Bridge Street RG1 2LR. Friday night live, from 6pm. Details: 0118 959 7959. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. UK Foo Fighters. Details: 0118 959 5395. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Flightpath. Details: 0118 926 5804. WINNERSH – The Royal British Legion Club, Woodward Close RG41 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Curved Air. Details: www. wokinghammusicclub.co.uk WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. Plato and the Bees. Details: 0118 977 3706. WOKINGHAM – Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Wokingham In Need presents Art Themen and Friends. wokinghaminneedhttp://www.ticketsource.co.uk/Details: SeptemberSaturday, 10 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. The New Ambassadors. Details: 01344 303333. BRACKNELL – The Royal Oak, London Road RG12 2NN. Asylum Affair. Details: 01344 422622. BURGHFIELD – The Six Bells, Reading Road RG30 3TH. Now and Then. Details: 0118 983 2220. CAVERSHAM – Our Lady & St Anne’s School Playing Fields, Washington Road/Southview
We have included it this week in tribute to the brilliant guitarist from the band, Eric Bouillette, who sadly passed away recently. The Room released the album on our Wokingham-based White Star Records label so we got to know Eric well. He was a wonderful man as well as a great musician and he will be sadly missed. We are lucky to have great examples of his guitar playing like this to remember him by – https:// theroom.band/ Flutatious – Wendel the Witch (Mitchell Mix) They are a favourite at Wokingham Music Club and Wokingham Festival and this weekend they returned to the festival. It was a good reason to remind ourselves of this crowd pleaser – https://www.flutatious.co.uk/ That Joe Payne – Live the Dream Here’s the latest single from That Joe Payne who headlined the Wokingham Music Club Stage at the festival this weekend. What an incredible voice and brilliant performer he is – https://www. thatjoepayne.com/ James Hollingsworth – Faster than Light James is a singer-songwriter from South West England and came to the festival for the time on Monday. This is from his Thirteen Moons album –https://www.jameshollingsworth.com/ Spriggan Mist – Lair of Isambard This Bracknell-based band are a local favourite and this year their fame has been spreading as they have wowed crowds at festivals around the country including Wokingham – https://www.sprigganmist. com/ Aaron Cilia – The Illusion
READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Friday Night live Details: 0118 959 5746. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING - O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Live music Fridays. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Propa Ammo presents: DJ Hype, DJ Rap, Dope Ammo and more. Way Out Fest: Pablmari, OSP, Kat, Avenue Festival 2022: Audio The In of Motor Association. Details: – Grosvenor Casino Reading, Rose Kiln Lane RG2 0SN. Chic To Chic. Details: 0118 402 7800. Street 960 6580. 926 South Street The 957 6930 - The Elephant Castle, Road 0EH. Trick. 0118 934 0886. – The Royal British Legion Club, Close 5LP. Wokingham Music Club presents Simply Dan: the music of Steely Hope and Road RG40 2AD. 977 0918. Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. presents: Shoots and Leaves. Details: www.readifolk.org.uk READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. The Straights. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. SONNING – The Mill at Sonning, Sonning Eye RG4 6TY. Mad About Movies. Details: 0118 969 8000. HOLDING A GIG, QUIZ OR GAMES NIGHT? SEND DETAILS TO EVENTS@WOKINGHAM.TODAY
LIVEMUSIC To advertise in this section,call Claire on 0118 327 2662 Raw TodaySounds Chris
Twynamite,
34 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
READING - O’Neill’s, Friar
RG4 5AA. Caversham Rock ‘n’ Ale
Neurone Disease
arts centre. Air Circus, Phantom Booth, Worm Immortality Team. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING –
6.30pm. £11, under 16s £5.50, under fives free.
Eric Bouillette Picture: Andrew Merritt Hillman
Lodge
RG1 1DB. Al Fresco Music. Details: 0118
Friday, September 2 BRACKNELL – The Keller, Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way RG12 8TF. I Got Soul: Barry White tribute. Details: 01344 303333. CHARVIL - The Wee Waif, Old Bath Road RG10 9RJ. Tina Turner on Vinyl. EARLEY – The Seven Red Roses, Maiden Place RG6 3HA. Gary Roman as Elvis. Details: 0118 935 4103.
WHISTLEY GREEN
Skavengers.
5804. READING –
Lampo, Bentley Jones, Natalie Gray, Lolly, Nicolette Street, Carter the Bandit, Ring the Alarm. From noon. Details: readingpride.co.uk READING – The Hexagon, Queens Walk. The Magic of Motown. Details: 0118 960 6060. READING - Oakford Social Club, Blagrave Street. Jinkies! Sum Ting Won’s Cabaret. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Sound Jam. Details: 0118 959 7196 READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Peter Bingham Quartet. Details: 0118 931 0232. READING – The Retreat, St John’s Street RG1 4EH. Cool Hand Luke and the Coolness.. Details: 0118 376 9159. READING - Revolution, Station Road. Revolution Saturdays: music, cocktails and more. READING – Revolución de Cuba, Friar Street RG1 1EX. Club night with live music and DJ. Details: 0118 207 7016. READING – The Rising Sun, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Reading Pride Trans Pride after party. Details: 0118
LEISURE |
Turks, London Road RG1 5BJ. Hard Times Details: 0118
READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Friday Night live Details: 0118 959 5746. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Open mic. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING – The Castle Tap, Castle Street RG1 7RJ. TwoManTing. Details: 0118 958 0473. READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Gramma Vedetta, Desert Clouds. Details: 0118 956 8188.
RG10
Jamie
Details:
Woodward
1
READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Audiotonic. Details: 0118
Far Away Trains. Details: 0118
Anchor, Station
com/event/541534https://www.wegottickets. READING
SeptemberSunday, 11 READING –
Readifolk
GIG
TGUIDEHISweek’s
playlist is an opportunity to say thank you for the music to a talented musician who died recently. The Room’s guitarist Eric Bouillette was a terrific guy and will be missed. His bandmates paid tribute to him with a performance at Monday’s Wokingham Festival, and what a performance it was. The RaW Sounds Today playlist is on a mission to champion and showcase great music from acts that have a connection to Reading and Wokingham (that’s the RaW in our Sounds Today name). It’s an eclectic mix of stuff that will help you discover something new. All you have to do is find it on ToSpotify.hear this week’s selection, simply head to https://bit.ly/rawsoundstoday and enjoy the music. There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up. The Room – Vanished This is taken from The Room’s 2019 Caught by the Machine album.
CAVERSHAM - The Last Crumb, Prospect Street RG4 8JN. Beer, Beats and BBQ: family fun times, retro DJs and more. Details: last-crumbdodopubs.com/locations/theEMMBROOK – The Dog and Duck, Matthewsgreen Road RG41 1JT. Graham and Andrea. Details: 0118 978 0544. READING – The Butler, Chatham Street RG1 7DS. Hard times. Details: 0118 959 5500. READING - Kings Meadow. Reading Pride 2022, includes Nadine Coyle, Jamie Wake, Dr Bev, Son of a Tutu, Wilma Fingadoo, B Radio, Rock Choir, Leadley, Sam Solace, Janethan Danny 986 6788. READING - O’Neill’s, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Al Fresco Music. Details: 0118 960 6580. READING – Up The Junction, London Road RG1 3NY. Don’t Compromise The Vibe. Details: 0118 926 0544. READING – Salisbury Conservative Club, Kings Road RG1 4HX. Wardour Street. Details: 0118 926 5804. READING – The Wishing Well, Oxford Road. Sugar and Sax. SWALLOWFIELD - The Crown, The Street. The WTBs, Phantom Booth. WINNERSH – The Pheasant, Reading Road RG41 4LR. Karaoke. Details: 0118 978 4529. WOKINGHAM – Broad Street Tavern, Broad Street RG40 1AU. The Chesnuts. Details: 0118 977 3706. Sunday, September 4 READING – Community Hall, Watlington House, Watlington Street RG1 4RJ. Readifolk club closed. Details: www. readifolk.org.uk READING – The Facebar, Ambrose Place RG1 7JE. Arcaeon, This Dying Hour, Fallen at Dawn and support. Details: 0118 956 8188. READING – HIckies, Friar Street. Hickies Music - Live Showcase with Dan Powell. Details: www.hickies.co.uk/ live-lounge READING – The Moderation, Caversham Road RG1 8BB. The Soul Retreat, from 12.30pm. Details: 0118 959 5577. READING – The Pond House, Oxford Road RG30 1EH. The Junction. Details: 0118 958 3664. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Reggae Sundays. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – Queens Head, Christchurch Road RG2 7AZ. Northern Soul Social Sunday. 2pm-5pm. Details: 0118 931 0232. SONNING - Coppa Club, The Great House, Thames Street. Live lounge. 3pm-5pm. TWYFORD – The Golden Cross, Waltham Road. The Bullfrogs Sunday Session. Details: 07889 226309. Monday, September 5 READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Club reckless: Monday Night Turtle Alternative. Details: 0118 959 7196 READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Tayce: The Assassination Tour. Details: 0118 959 5395. Tuesday, September 6 BRACKNELL – The Acoustic Couch, The Ring RG12 1JG. New Music Tuesday.
Dino’s, Big
READING - The Botanist, Kings Road RG1 2HB. Request night. Details: 0118 959 5746. READING - Lola Lo, Friar Street. Skint Thursdays: Skint Rock, pop punk and classic rock, plus house and techo. Details: Twitter @skintmondays READING - Wild Lime, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic: spoken word, music and vibes. From 6.30pm. READING – The Purple Turtle, Gun Street RG1 2JR. Found Native. Details: 0118 959 7196. READING – South Street arts centre. American Idiot. Details: 0118 960 6060.
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Jeeves and Wooster. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.ukwww.
READING – All Saints’ Church, Downshire Square RG1 6NN. Reading Sinfonietta late summer concert: Mozart, Richard Strauss, and Grieg. £12, concessions £6. 7.30pm. Details: www.rso.org.uk
SILCHESTER - Village Hall, Little London Road RG7 2ND. Village market: local produce and org.uk.silchestervillagemarket.011810am-12.30pm.businesses.Details:9700999orwww.
PADWORTH - Village Hall, Padworth Lane. Jumble sale. 2pm-3pm. village10am-11.30am.DonationsInaidofhall.
Monday, September 5
WOODLEY – Woodley Baptist Church, Hurricane Way RG5 4UX. Four Seasons cafe Friendship Table. Details:1.30pm-3.30pm.linkvisiting.org
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
READING – The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square RG1 3BQ. Suttons Seeds Talk by Richard Marks - for those interested in Berkshire’s rich history. Organised by the Berkshire Family History Society. 2pm3.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 950 9553. SPENCERS WOOD –Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org
WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road. Heritage Open Day event: learn more about the church, its bells and its history. 11am-3pm. Free. WOKINGHAM – Town Hall, Market Place RG40 1AS. Heritage Open Day 2022: Astounding inventions, a celebration of Brickworks, Bellfoundries and Breweries. 11am-3pm, market open www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk9am-3pm.
PURLEY – Purley Barn, Goosecroft Lane RG8 8DR. Motor Neurone Disease Association Reading and West Berkshire Branch 35th anniversary fun day. 1pm-4pm. andteddybric-a-brac,Refreshments,facepainting,bearhunt,livemusic,more.
SeptemberSaturday, 10 CAVERSHAM – Caversham Methodist Church Hall, Gosbrook Road RG4 8EB. Artists and Makers Fair. 10am. Free entry. Details: jean@alljazzedup.com or 07808 966928. CAVERSHAM – Our Lady & St Anne’s School Playing Fields, Washington Road/ Southview Avenue RG4 5AA. Caversham Rock ‘n’ Ale Festival 2022: Dino’s, Big Audio Twynamite, The Skavengers. In aid of Motor Neurone Disease Association. 6.30pm. £11, under 16s £5.50, under fives free. Details: https:// event/541534www.wegottickets.com/
WINNERSH – The Pheasant, Reading Road RG41 4LR. Quiz night. Details: 0118 978 4529. To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
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. Welcome evening. 7.30pm. www.webcc.org.uk.Details: WOKINGHAM – The Whitty Theatre, Luckley House School, Luckley Road RG40 3EU. Alex Hibbert: Cold Journeys, Thoughts and Visuals, an evening with the polar traveller. 7pm. £10. thewhittytheatreticketsource.co.uk/Details: Friday, September 9 EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Jeeves and Wooster. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.ukwww.
WOOSEHILL – Woosehill Church, Chestnut Avenue RG41 3RS. Sip and Share with friendship table. 11am-noon, every second Saturday. Details: linkvisiting.org
READING – Prospect Park, Liebenrood Road. Car boot sale. Sellers from 6am. Buyers from 7.30am. £10 car, £12 van. Details: 07773 539172. READING – Sub89, Friar Street RG1 1EP. Just The Tonic comedy club, including Tim Clark and Joseph Enslie. Details: 0118 959 5395.
READING – Rowberry Morris & CO, 17 Castle Street RG1 7SB. Heritage Open Days: discover the history of this 16th century house. 9.30am-4.30pm. Free entry.
WHAT’SON Films at Reading Biscuit Factory READING – The Biscuit Factory, Queens Walk RG1 7QE. They include Minions: The Rise of Gru (U). Thurs 1, Sat 3. Top Gun: Maverick (12a). Thurs 1. Fisherman’s Friends: One and All (12a). Thurs 1, Sat 3. DC Super League of Pets (PG). Thurs 1, Sat 3. Nope (15). Thurs 1, Sat 3. Elvis (12a). Thurs 1, Sat 3. Where The Crawdads Sing (15). Thurs 1, Sat 3. Bullet Train (15). Thurs 1, Sat 3. When The Birds Stopped Singing with Q&A. Thurs 1. NT Live: Prima Facie (15). Thurs 1. Three Thousand Years of Longing (15). Sat 3. Beast (15). Sat 3. NT Live: Much Ado About nothing. Thurs 8. RFT Presents: The Bicycle Thives (U). Wed 14. Flux Gourmet & Q&A with director Peter Stickland. Thurs 15. readingbiscuitfactory.co.ukDetails: SeptemberThursday, 1 BRACKNELL - The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
READING – South Street Arts Centre. Members night and new season launch. 6pm. Details: 0118 960 6060. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, StreetMethodistWokinghamChurch,RoseRG401XS. 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 WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Artisan market. 9am2pm. Details: woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww. SeptemberThursday, 8 EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org KNOWL HILL – The Royal Oak. Classic Mini meet. 8pm. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Jeeves and Wooster. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.ukwww.
WOKINGHAM WITHOUT –Pinewood Bar and Cafe, Pinewood Leisure Centre, Old Wokingham Road RG40 3AQ. Friendship table available. 9am-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Market. 9am-3pm. Details: woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
WHITLEY – Whitley Wood Fire Station, Whitley Wood Road. Whitley Wood Fire Station open day: come along and meet the crew. Live otheroppositeCampusbeParkingfromdemonstrationscrewsandguests.fortheeventwillavailableatReadingBuilding,locatedtheStationonthesideoftheA33.
READING – Concert Hall, Blagrave Street. Lunchtime organ recital. 1pm. whatsonreading.comDetails:
READING - Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50
READING – St. Marys Church, Castle Street, RG1 7RD. Heritage open days: discover historic pots, and learn about the invention of the printing press and its role in sharing the Bible. 9.30am-5.30pm.
READING – Reading Minster Of St Mary The Virgin C Of E Church, Chain Street RG1 2HX. Craft at the Minster: a craft session for all. 11am-12.30pm. readingminster.org.ukDetails: 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
SOUTHCOTE – Grange URC, Circuit Lane. Macmillan Coffee Morning: tombola, raffle, bric-a-brac, charity stalls and more. 10.30am12.30pm. Free. Details: 0118 958 4131.
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 –FernleaCommunityAcornCentre,DriveRG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. Details:10.30am-noon.linkvisiting.org
YATELEY - Sean Devereux Park, Chandlers Lane, GU46 7SZ. Yateley Sports Community Interest Company (YSCIC) presents Blackwater Valley Cask & Cork Festival. £10, under 18s £3 (daytime only). 11am-4pm or 6pm11pm. Details: caskandcork.co.uk/https://
WOKINGHAM – Salvation Army, Sturges Road RG40 2HD. Cafe Refresh Friendship table. 10am-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org
LEISURE |
SWALLOWFIELD –Swallowfield Street. Swallowfield Parish Council presents a bulb planting session, from Davies Room of Parish Hall. 11am. TWYFORD – Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road RG10 9JA. Twyford & Ruscombe Horticulture Association autumn show. 2pm-4pm. Details: trha.org.uk WHITE WALTHAM – St Mary’s Church, Church Hill SL6 3JH. Heritage open day event. 1pm4.30pm: self-guided tour leaflets, refreshments available. Free. WINKFIELD – St Mary’s Church, Church Road SL4 4SF. Heritage open day - guided tours and trips up the church tower. Hand bell ringing demonstration, children’s quiz, refreshments and more. 10am-4pm. WOKINGHAM – The Cornerstone, All Saints Church, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE. Quiz night to help Rachael Brown attend 2023 Scout jamboree in South Korea. Teams of up to six, £5 per person. Details: 2023ScoutEventbrite.oc.ukSearchforWorldJamboree,Korea-RachaelBrown’s Fundraising Quiz
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. Details:12.30pm-2.30pm.linkvisiting.org
READING - Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk
READING - Bar 77, Kings Road RG1 3BJ. Mates Rates Comedy RAW: new acts, open mic, new material. 7.30pm. £1.50 early bird, £2 advance, £5 on door. Details: rates-comedyfatsoma.com/p/mates-www.
EARLEY – St Nicolas Church, Sutcliffe Avenue RG6 7JN. Re:Fresh cafe with Friendship Table. 10amnoon. Details: linkvisiting. org READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Jeeves and Wooster. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.ukwww.
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 SeptemberWednesday,7
EARLEY – Brookside Church, Brookside Close RG6 7HG. Open Door cafe with Friendship Table. 2pm4pm. Details: linkvisiting. org EARLEY – Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive RG6 4HB. MS weekly drop-in. 10.30am1.30pm Details: 0118 921 0555. READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Jeeves and Wooster. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.ukwww.
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. Details: 07861 654674 or woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Jeeves and Wooster. 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. Details: progresstheatre.co.ukwww.
READING - The Grumpy Goat, Smelly Alley (Union Street). Pride Beer Launch. 8pm. Details: thegrumpygoat.co.ukwww.
FINCHAMPSTEAD - FBC Centre, Gorse Ride North. Wokingham Baby and Children’s Market: new and nearly new clothes, toys, car seats, pushchairs and more. £1.50, free parking. 2pm-3.30pm.
READING – Progress Theatre, The Mount RG1 5HL. Progress Theatre presents Jeeves and Wooster. 2.30pm, 7.45pm. £12, concessions £10. co.ukwww.progresstheatre.Details:
READING – Rising Sun Arts Centre, Silver Street RG1 2ST. Dreading Poetry Slam. 7.30pm. Free entry. orgwww.risingsunartscentre.Details:
WOKINGHAM - Cantley Park Pavilion, Twyford Road RG40 5TU. Wokingham Borough Council presents Dementia Friendly Tea Dance: tea and friendship. 12.30pm-2pm. Free. Details: 0118 974 3728. 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. Details:12.30pm-2.30pm.linkvisiting.org
READING – Abu Bakr Islamic Centre, Oxford Road. Visit My Mosque event. Noon-4pm. Guided tours, speeches, performances and more. All welcome, modest dress requested. Details: abmreading.org READING – Cattle Market, Great Knollys Street RG1 7HU. Reading Farmers Market. 8.15amnoon. Details: market.co.ukthamesvalleyfarmerswww.
Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 35
EARLEY – Trinity Church, Chalfont Close RG6 5HZ. Re:Fresh with Friendship Table. 2pm-4pm. Details: linkvisiting.org READING - Wild Lime, Friar Street RG1 1DB. Open mic: spoken word, music and vibes. From 6.30pm. SPENCERS WOOD – Spencers Wood Pavilion, Clares Green Road RG7 1DY. Social Seniors Tea and Coffee with Friendship Table. 10am-noon. Details: linkvisiting.org WOKINGHAM – The Ship Inn, Peach Street. Comedy on Tap. 7pm. £17. Details: 0118 978 0389. WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, RoseMethodistWokinghamChurch,StreetRG401XS.
HURST - The Wheelwright Arms, Davis Street RG10 0TR. Beer festival: meet Sam the Shire Horse noon3pm, bouncy castle, live music and more.
READING – Reading Old Cemetary, Cemetery Junction. HeritageperambulationsVictorianforOpenDay. Wear your best Victorian attire and marvel at the natural beauty & wildlife wonders of this Victorian garden cemetery. Prize for the best costume. 2pm-4pm. No parking, no toilets. heritageopendays.org.ukDetails: READING – RISC, 35-39 London Street RG1 4PS. RISC Edible Roof Garden open day. Noon-4pm. READING - Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details: matilda.katrust. org.uk
WOKINGHAMEasthampstead– Park, Peacock Lane RG40 3DF. Wedding fair. 11am-3pm. Free entry. Details: co.ukberkshireweddingfairs.www.
WOKINGHAM – Market Place. Vegan market. 9am-1pm. Details: sparkleveganevents.comwww. WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Car boot sale. 8am-1pm. Cars £10, vans £15. woodleytowncentre.co.ukDetails: children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk
STREATLEY - St Mary’s Church, Church Lane RG8 9HU. Piano Recital by Russell Thompson. Includes pieces by Mozart and Liszt. 7.30pm. £10, £9 concessions. Cash only. Details: stmarysconcerts@ hotmail.co.uk
Sunday, September 4 CAVERSHAM - Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Caversham Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am3pm. READING - Phantom Brewery, The Haunt, Units 2-3, Meadow Road RG1 8LB. RBGS presents Sunday Gaming. 1.30pm-6pm. Details: phantombrew.com/https://www.
Cafe Mosiac lunch club with Friendship table. Noon-1.30pm. Details: linkvisiting.org Friday, September 2
WOKINGHAM – Bradbury Centre, RoseMethodistWokinghamChurch,StreetRG401XS.
READING – All Saints Church, Downshire Square RG1 6NN. Reading Sinfonietta Autumn chamber music concert. 7.30pm. £12, under 18s and students £6. Details: com/event/551963www.wegottickets.
READING - Star Lane Wharf, behind Queen’s Road Car Park. Kennet and Avon trust 45-minute boat trips on Matilda Too. Noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. £9.50, £5.50 children, under threes free. Details and advance booking: matilda.katrust. org.uk
SeptemberSunday, 11 CAVERSHAM - Waitrose Car Park, off Gosbrook Road. Artisan & Farmers Market. 10am-3pm. READING – 300 South Oak Way, Green Park RG2 6AD. Green Park Wind Turbine open day. 2pm. Just turn up. READING – Christ Church, Christchurch Road RG2 7AR. Festival Evensong for Heritage Open Day. 6pm. Details: christchurchreading.org.ukwww.
WOKINGHAM – Norreys Church, Norreys Avenue RG40 1UU. T&C at SHARE Wokingham Friendship table. Details:12.30pm-2.30pm.linkvisiting.org
READING - Market House, Market Place RG1 2EQ. Rooftop Cinema Club: Operation Mincemeat. 8.30pm. £5. Details: 0118 216 1750.
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 – St. Marys Church, Castle Street, RG1 7RD. Heritage open days: discover historic pots, and learn about the invention of the printing press and its role in sharing the Bible. 10am-2pm. READING – South Street arts centre. Poets Cafe. 8pm. Details: 0118 960 6060. THEALE - Library, Church Street RG7 5BZ. Play bridge. Suitable for beginners and experienced players. 10.45am-12.45pm. No booking required. Free. Details: 0118 930 3207, or: thealelibrary@westberks. gov.uk
SeptemberTuesday, 6
BRACKNELL - The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
YATELEY - Sean Devereux Park, Chandlers Lane, GU46 7SZ. Yateley Sports Community Interest Company (YSCIC) presents Blackwater Valley Cask & Cork Festival. £10. 6pm-11pm. Details: https:// caskandcork.co.uk/ SeptemberSaturday, 3 BRACKNELL - The Lexicon RG12 1AP. Bracknell Forest Festival: Birthday Proms, Bracknell Giants, the Night Forest Theatre Show, Seedling Sprite Trail and more. Details: bracknellforestfestival.comwww.
WOODLEY – Crockhamwell Road precinct. Woodley Town Centre presents Saturday market. 9am3pm. Details: woodleytowncentre.co.ukwww.
CHARVIL - Village Hall, Park Lane RG10 9TR. Love Is All You Need, a Beatlesthemed singing afternoon for female voices. 2pm4pm. £10, includes music and light refreshments. Details: 0118 934 0589.
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 –FernleaCommunityAcornCentre,DriveRG41 3DR. Acorn Cafe with Friendship table. Details:10.30am-noon.linkvisiting.org
ARBORFIELD – Royal British Legion, Eversley Road RG2 9PR. Friendship table. 9.30am-11.30am. Details: linkvisiting.org
They add: “There are some exemptions to hosepipe bans. For example, if your lawn has been laid in the past 28 days. You can also water plants in outdoor pots, or ones under a covered structure such as a greenhouse. “Most water companies also make an exception for disabled people.”
WATERING CAN: “Using a watering can to water your garden is much slower but there are some benefits too. Why not mix in some plant food and take the opportunity to give your garden a boost of nutrients?”
WATER BUTTS: “Water butts are an affordable way to store rainwater for use in drier parts of the year. Even in dry areas of the UK, RHS estimate 150 water butts full of perfectly clean rainwater could be collected from each roof every year! If you’re looking to save time, a water butt pump is a great idea - they can be easily installed inside a water butt and connected to your existing hose.”
PERFECT TIME TO PLANT: Tthe soil is warm and the autumn rains will get plants established before the winter sets in LIFE |
Kindness is powerful
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A couple of good varieties are … Albion, disease-resistant producing long smooth white-skinned roots with a sweet flavour that store well; and Gladiator, a great flavour and especially suited to heavy soils. You should also be harvesting late raspberries on a daily basis. They will have started fruiting in August and will carry on until early autumn. The later it gets, the colder the nights are and the chance of rotting increases, so pick them as they ripen. Late summer is progressing into autumn and as the RHS says … September is generally a cooler, gustier month than August and the days are noticeably shorter. While there’s not as much to do in the ornamental garden at this time of the year, if you have a fruit or vegetable patch, you’ll be busy reaping the rewards of harvest. It’s also time to get out and start planting spring-flowering bulbs for next year and you can collect seeds for next summer’s colour too. Make the most of the remaining warmth while youTopcan!.three jobs this month: divide herbaceous perennials; pick autumn raspberries; and collect and sow seed from perennials and hardy annuals.
SUMMER is drawing to a close and autumn is just around the corner. What a perfect time to think about planting – the soil is warm and the autumn rains will get plants established before the winter sets in – which is why September is traditionally a great month for planting bulbs.
The easiest way to work out how deep to plant your bulb is to dig down approximately three times the depth of the bulb – but be warned, if you plant daffodils too close to the surface they often won’t flower. You can plant daffodils, and crocuses, from September to October – as many as you can get into the ground or in containers. Once planted you need do nothing else to them other than wait for a stunning show in the spring. If you’re planting in lawns, cut out inthegarden three sides of a square and lift back the turf, put in a few bulbs and then firm the turf back down again.As it’s bulb season, you could also plant hyacinth bulbs in pots, by midSeptember, so that you have a glorious Christmas display or gift for gardening friends and family. Once the hyacinths are planted in a pot, put in a dark cool place (a garage or shed) for 10-12 weeks and then bring out into the light so flowering canIfstart.youare growing your own fruit and veg then now is the time to pull up your first parsnips. Use a garden fork to carefully ease out parsnip roots from the ground. Pick every other one in the row to allow the remaining roots to get bigger before harvesting them much later in the winter, when they will be sweeter (after the first frost).
Autumn bulbs for spring flowers
My belief in that power means that I see it in all sorts of settings. One of those settings is communities.withinDictionariesusually define a community as a group of people with something in common. This could be the place where they live, the characteristics they have or a hobby they take part
Help with hobbies In shared interest groups, individuals show each other kindness too. A friend recently told me about the support
Time kindnessfor Sarah Browning she and her children get at their karate lessons, with more experienced students taking time to give them tips. Busy parents help each other out by giving children lifts to football fixtures and lessons.swimmingFriendshost card games when the church hall venue falls through, squeezing extra chairs round the dining table so that no-one misses out.And if you search on the internet for ‘how to crochet’, you will be inundated with video
During the early stages of the covid pandemic, a WhatsApp group was set up to connect people on the road where I acrossacrossourwassupportalone.neighbourswithoutshoppingelderly.prescriptionsVolunteerslive.collectedfortheTheydeliveredtopeopletransport.TheysaidhellotowhowereThisapproachtoincommunitiesreplicatedacrosstownsandboroughs,thenationandtheworld.
Would you flout the hospipe ban?
WATER PUMP: “In many instances, as a property owner, you’re legally allowed to draw water from a nearby river, lake or stream to water your garden. This means you can connect your existing hosepipe to a water pump and water your garden that way. You can check the rules online via the Environment Agency.”
AFTER weeks of unusually warm, dry weather, many water companies including Thames Water, Welsh Water and South West Water have announced hosepipe bans. To understand how UK homeowners feel about hosepipe bans, Toolstation conducted a survey of 500 UK adults. The results revealed that 44% of the UK would consider breaking a hosepipe ban – with 16% saying they’d be ‘highly likely’ to ignore the rules. Only 25% of the UK were aware the maximum fine for breaking a hosepipe ban is £1,000, with 67% guessing the fine was £500 or less. And 25% of the UK say they’d be likely to tell on their neighbour if they saw them break the ban. The garden watering experts at Toolstation say they do not condone breaking the rules: “We’d never suggest ignoring a hosepipe ban. Water is a precious resource and at times like this, we all have a part to play in using water economically to protect the environment. Plus, it’s worth remembering that fines can be up to £1,000.”
GREY WATER: “Domestic wastewater from things like baths, showers and washing machines can be used to water your garden too. Household soaps and detergents won’t harm your plants, but you’ll want to avoid water containing stronger cleaning products like bleach and dishwasher salt.”
But we shouldn’t panic about keeping our gardens watered, say Toolstation’s gardening pros: “Don’t be overly concerned about watering your garden. Plants do need water to survive but healthy soil can hold moisture for long periods.
“Plants are most vulnerable to water shortages when they’re first planted. Once they have established their roots, keeping your soil healthy by adding organic matter like compost and manure should minimise the need for watering.
tutorials of people wanting to share their crafting skills. Giving back I’m sure you also know amazing, kind people who volunteeringaretheir time and knowledge for their community.Theyare running community cafes, summer activities for children, food collection points, to name just a few.In my experience they often describe what they are doing as giving something back and they find that it makes them feel good too. The future With the increasing pressures of our postpandemic ‘normality’ and the cost of living crisis, it is easy to worry that our sense of community will disappear again. But it seems to me that the evidence suggests donatingneighbours.collectinghelpingPeopleotherwise.arestilleachotherout.PeoplearestillshoppingforPeoplearestilltheirskills, time and unwanted items.The kindness of communities is still very much going on all around us. It has evolved, often because people are now fitting more activities into their lives again. But it is Holdingthere.on to our shared connections as humans gives us kindness to see us through darker days as well as light. Sarah Browning is a websiteCheerleader.KindnessHeris:timeforkindness.co.uk
Toolstation’s experts want to share some alternative methods of watering your garden during a ban:
“When it comes to lawns, remember they like to be dramatic. Often, a dry, brown lawn that looks completely dead is actually just dormant. Most established grasses can survive drought induced dormancy for three to four weeks.”
36 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
At this time of year nurseries and garden retailers have great offers on big bags of mixed Daffodil bulbs, in all shapes and sizes. There are also organic options along with heritage varieties and new season colours to throw into the mix. Daffodils can grow pretty much anywhere, even through the lawn.
And I have found that I don’t need to look very far to see examples of community kindness. neighboursSupporting
2.BasingstokeRoad,ThreeMileCrossbetweenitsjunctionswithA33 SwallowfieldBypassandB3349HydeEndRoad. ThealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbeviaB3349 HydeEndRoad,A327HollowLane,A327ShinfieldRoad,B3270WhitleyWoodLane, A33BasingstokeRoadandA33SwallowfieldBypassorbythisrouteinreverse. andWallaceGrove
PUBLICNOTICES Classifieds Getyourbusinessseen! Email: advertising@wokingham.today Foruptodatenewsintheboroughfollowuson @wokingham.today@WokinghamToday@wokingham.todayWOKINGHAM TODAY Forthelatestnewsvisit regularlyAdvertisean d save ££££s Special rate s for 4 , 12,26 an d 52 weeks ROADTRAFFICREGULATIONACT1984WOKINGHAMBOROUGHCOUNCIL(MANORROAD,WOKINGHAM)(TEMPORARYPROHIBITIONOFDRIVING)ORDER2022 NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatonthe25thAugust 2022WokinghamBoroughCouncilasTrafficAuthority madeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoad TrafficRegulationAct1984theeffectofwhichisto prohibitanyvehiclefromproceedingalong: ManorRoad,Wokinghambetweenitsjunctionswith PineCroftRoadandHolmewoodClose. Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplaceon5th September2022. ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowScottish andSouthernPowerDistributioncontractorsto undertakecraneoperation,substationreplacement andassociatedworkinsafety. Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithinthe boundariesoftheserestrictionswillbemaintainedat alltimes. TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapply duringthoseperiodswhentrafficsignscomplyingwith theTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections 2016arelawfullydisplayed. TherestrictionscontainedintheOrdershallcomeinto operationonthe5thSeptember2022andshall continueinforceforaperiodnotexceeding18months oruntiltheworkshavebeencompleted,whicheveris theearlier. Dated:1stSeptember2022 TrevorSaunders AssistantDirector–DeliveryandInfrastructure WokinghamBoroughCouncil CivicOffices ShuteEnd Wokingham BerkshireRG401WL ROADTRAFFICREGULATIONACT1984WOKINGHAMBOROUGHCOUNCIL(CHURCHROAD,SWALLOWFIELD)(TEMPORARYPROHIBITIONOFDRIVING)ORDER2022 NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatonthe25thAugust 2022WokinghamBoroughCouncilasTrafficAuthority madeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoad TrafficRegulationAct1984theeffectofwhichisto prohibitanyvehiclefromproceedingalong: ChurchLane,Swallowfieldbetweenitsjunctionswith SwallowfieldRoadandSwallowfieldStreet. Thealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythis restrictionshallbeviaSwallowfieldStreet,B3349 BasingstokeRoad,B3349HydeEndRoad,A327 ArborfieldRoad,A327ReadingRoad,A327Observer WayandSwallowfieldRoadorbythisrouteinreverse. Worksrequiringthisrestrictionwilltakeplace between5thSeptemberand16thSeptember2022 ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowThames Watercontractorstoundertakemainsconnectionand associatedworkinsafety. Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithinthe boundariesoftheserestrictionswillbemaintainedat alltimes. TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapply duringthoseperiodswhentrafficsignscomplyingwith theTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections 2016arelawfullydisplayed. TherestrictionscontainedintheOrdershallcomeinto operationonthe5thSeptember2022andshall continueinforceforaperiodnotexceeding18months oruntiltheworkshavebeencompleted,whicheveris theearlier. Dated:1stSeptember2022 TrevorSaunders AssistantDirector–DeliveryandInfrastructure WokinghamBoroughCouncil CivicOffices ShuteEnd Wokingham BerkshireRG401WL (TEMPORARYPROHIBITIONOFDRIVING)ORDER2022(CHURCHLANE,BASINGSTOKEROADANDROADTRAFFICREGULATIONACT1984WOKINGHAMBOROUGHCOUNCILGRAZELEYROAD,THREEMILECROSS) NOTICEISHEREBYgiventhatWokinghamBoroughCouncilasTrafficAuthority proposestomakeanOrderunderSection14(1)(a)oftheRoadTrafficRegulationAct 1984theeffectofwhichistoprohibitanyvehiclefromproceedingalong:
1.ChurchLane,ThreeMileCrossbetweenitsjunctionswithBasingstokeRoadand HayesDrive.
Thealternativerouteallwestboundvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbevia BasingstokeRoadandTabbyDrive.
Thealternativerouteforalleastboundvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbevia TabbyDrive,BasingstokeRoad,A33SwallowfieldBypass,MereoakLane,A33 SwallowfieldBypassandBasingstokeRoad. Worksrequiringtheserestrictionsareexpectedtotakeplacebetween19th September2022and1stJanuary2023. ThereasonfortheseprohibitionsistoallowWillsBrotherstoundertakejunction improvementworksinsafety. Accessforresidentsandbusinesseswithintheboundariesoftheserestrictionswillbe maintainedatalltimes. TherestrictionimposedbytheOrdershallonlyapplyduringthoseperiodswhen trafficsignscomplyingwiththeTrafficSignsRegulationsandGeneralDirections2016 arelawfullydisplayed. TherestrictionscontainedintheOrdershallcomeintooperationonthe19th September2022andshallcontinueinforceforaperiodnotexceeding18monthsor untiltheworkshavebeencompleted,whicheveristheearlier. Dated:1stSeptember2022 ChrisEaston AssistantDirector–HighwaysandTransport WokinghamBoroughCouncil CivicOffices ShuteEnd Wokingham BerkshireRG401WL FORSALE MULTICOOKER,HEALTHANDWELLBEINGHOMEELECTRICALHOMEWARETECHNOLOGYELECTRICALDREWANDCOLECLEVERCHEF(HighStTV) 14in1,5 litrepot.Plus1brand newspareinnerpot. Allinnewcondition, Disabilityprompts sale.Instructionsand Recipebook-Steam, Stew,Soup,Roast, Bake,Poach,and more.Cost80selling for£10ono.Details: MsS.Drayton,0118 9344926. VILLEROYBOCHOCTAVIEGLASSES. Brandy,Whiskey, Cotail.Boxedsets, Unused.Cost£10per boxset.Details:J. Johnson,0118941 0941 CARMENBODYHEATMASSAGER.6Heads. Boxed.Cost£10. Details:J.Johnson, 01189410941 NIKONCOOLPIX5200CAMERA. Boxed. Cost£15.Details:J. Johnson,0118941 0941 PORTABLEDVDPLAYER.Boxed.Cost £10.Details:J. Johnson,0118941 0941 FLYREPELLENT. Small ElectricBlueLight. Boxed.Cost£8. Details:J.Johnson, 01189410941TheTownandCountryPlanning(DevelopmentManagementProcedure)(England)OrderWOKINGHAMBOROUGHCOUNCILPLANNINGAPPLICATION2015 AND/OR Planning(ListedBuildingsandConservationAreas)Regulations1990 Thefollowingapplication(s)havebeensubmittedandareadvertisedforthereasonsbelow: Theapplicationisavailabletoview onlineatwokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Searchplanningapplicationsand typingintheapplicationnumberabove. Commentsontheapplicationcanbemade onlinefromthiswebpage. Anycommentsmustarriveonorbeforethe 22ndSeptember2022 Anycommentsmadearenotconfidentialandcan beseenbyanyoneastheyformpartofthepublicrecord.Thecomments,unlessoffensive,discriminatoryand/orracist, willappearontheCouncil’swebsitewithin24hoursand includethesubmittednameandaddress. Duetothehigh volumeofcommentsreceivedwedonotprovideindividualresponses. Date:1stSeptember2022 Application Address Reasonsfor Advert Description 222476 BalcombeNurseries, BasingstokeRoad, Swallowfield Major Application Applicationtovaryconditions4,6,8,11,12and14of planningconsent213380fortheerectionof5no. detacheddwellings,twowithdetachedgaragesandthree withinternalgaragesandassociatedlandscapingworks includingonebalancingpond,2no.accesseswith entrancegatesand1.2mpostandrailfencing.Condition4 relatestolandscaping;condition6toanEcological EnhancementArea;condition8tosweptpaths;condition 11toaccesssurfacing;condition12tocycleparkingand condition14toparkingandturningspace,andthe variationistoalterthewordingoftheseconditionsto allowplot1tobeoccupiedatthisstageofthe development. Reachpeoplelocal W e coverth e wholeo f the Wokingham Borough FriendlyService Emailustoday foraprice To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 37
3.GrazeleyRoad,ThreeMileCrossbetweenitsjunctionswithBasingstokeRoad
Thealternativerouteforallvehiclesaffectedbythisrestrictionshallbevia BasingstokeRoad,B3349HydeEndRoad,A327HollowLane,BrookersHilland ChurchLane(easternsection)orbythisrouteinreverse.
Getyourbusinessseen! advertising@wokingham.today THE ROLES HAVE A SALARY, COMMISSION, BONUSES & PENSION). M E D I A S A L E S P E O P L E For an informal discussion, call David Riley on 07860 462 882 or email at driley@wokingham.today > I wish I could choose what days I work. (You can!) > I wish I could choose my hours (You can!) > I wish I could choose if/when to go to the office (You can!) > I wish I could choose the home/office/patch split. (You can!) > I wish I could have a job where I’m in control. (You can!) > I wish I could have a job where I’m paid properly for my results (You can!) WE ARE GROWING THE TEAM IN READING Maybe you have caring responsibilities and need to fit the job around them or maybe you have simply had enough of the 5 day week If you have some media sales experience and want CHOICE & FLEXIBILITY in your working life, call, WhatsApp or email me for a discreet discussion T h e W o k i n g h a m P a p e r L t d C r o w n H o u s e , 2 3 1 K i n g s R o a d , R e a d i n g R G 1 4 L S | 0 1 1 8 3 2 7 2 6 6 2 w w w w o k i n g h a m t o d a y | w w w r d g t o d a y PASSIONATE ABOUT FOOD & DRINK? LOOKING FOR A PERMANENT PART TIME OPPORTUNITY IN A UNIQUE ROLE? RESPONSIBILITIES: • Working indiv dually and within a team to evaluate food drink & personal care products rang ng such as chocolate alcohol meat shampoo skin care or electrical toothbrush products • You will be taught how to describe accurately any products as a group (relating to taste, appearance texture and smell) and then individually assess them REQUIREMENTS: • You must not have any dietary restrictions ( e g vegetarian) and be happy to evaluate alcohol products when required You must not have any food intolerances/allerg es • You should have the ab lity to follow detailed instructions and complete routine tasks quickly and accurately You have the abil ty to articulate yourselves in fluent English in front of others If you are interested in applying, please email j.mccall@mmrresearch.com. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview/screening session which will take place in our facilities. Havingaclearout?Whynotturnyourtreasureintocashwithourfreeadverts?Sellyouritemswithout anyfeewiththeaidofthiscoupon.Items* valuedatupto£250canbesoldinthesecolumnsforfree! Simplysendusthe details–maximumof30words–andpostoremailitandwe’lldotherest Category: Writeyouradvertintheboxbelow,onewordperbox.Maximum30words. SendyourformtoFreeads,ReadingToday,231KingsRoad,ReadingRG14LS advertforitemsunder£250Sellyourgoodswithafree YourName: PhoneNumber: Sellyouritemsforfree It’sgoodnewsfor everyone Please recycleme! RECRUITMENT 38 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
REMOVALSHEALTH,FITNESGOODSWANTEDSANDWELLBEINGKITCHENDESIGN&INSTALLATIONMOTORINGPHOTOGRAPHERTREESURGEONSPAINTING&DECORATING ROOFING NEWROOFS•ROOFREPAIRS•FLATROOFSREPOINTING FACIASSOFFITSANDGUTTERINGEXPAINTING Email: goldstarroofingandbuilding@gmail.com www.goldstarroofingandbuilding.co.uk • NOJOBTOSMALL • Freeestimatesandadvice • allworkguaranteed Tel: 01183216558 Mob: 07459815365 RECYCLING For the latest news visit To advertise, call 0118 327 2662Thursday, September 1, 2022 WOKINGHAM.TODAY 39
CONSERVATORIES&ORANGERIES &EXTENSIONSSOLIDROOFSWINDOWS&DOORS TradeMark have been proudly providing local homeowners with quality home improvements for over 25 years. SHOWROOM OPEN FOR PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS –ALLOWING YOU TO ‘TALK TO AN EXPERT’. TEL: 0800 30 50 WWW.TRADEMARKWINDOWS.CO.UK30 Summer SALE ‘TALK TO AN SHOWROOMEXPERT’OPENFORPRIVATEAPPOINTMENTS plus... RECEIVE £1,000 CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS YOUR NEW LIVING SPACE OR £500 FOR WINDOWS & DOORS Published by The Wokingham Paper Ltd, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS. Printed at Reach Watford © The Wokingham Paper Ltd, 2022
ROYALS KNOCKED OFF TOP SPOT
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
Cumbria,expense–successionthirdTrophythehaveBERKSHIREwonNCCAforthetimeinallattheof writes WrightDave . They completed the hat-trick with a five-wicket win at Wormsley last Sunday, scoring 231-5 after restricting their opponents to 227-8 in their 50 overs. Their march to more cricket glory was built on the back of a third-wicket stand of 135 in 20 overs by Jack Davies and Euan Woods.Itcame to an end when Davies was bowled by Michael Slack for a 64 which came off 50 balls and included a six and six fours, while Woods went on to score an equally brilliant 84 off 95 balls before being trapped lbw by Nico Watt. Rhodri Lewis fell for 23 before skipper Dan Lincoln made 20 to steer his side home in the 39th over.The opening pair of Sam Dutton and Ben Walkden put on 108 in 25 overs for the first wicket which should have given them a solid platform for a total in the high 200s.But Dutton’s departure for 67, caught in the deep by Woods off the bowling of Tom Nugent, led to the momentum changing. Woods finished with 2-44, Jafer Chohan 2-57, Rishton 2-40, Nugent 1-35 and Beaven 1-35. Berkshire did not make the best of starts to their innings, losing Archie Carter for two and Johnny Connell for 17, leaving the total on 29-2 after seven overs. In the end, it was a comfortable win for Berkshire, who will be looking to complete a quick double when they play Lincolnshire in the Championship final at West Bromwich Dartmouth CC starting on next Sunday and scheduled for four days.
READING FC manager Paul Ince said his team were ‘brought back down to earth’ after a heavy defeat against Sheffield United. “We looked tired and out on our feet and couldn’t get to grips with the game,” said Ince after Tuesday’s game. “They’re a very good side and will be up there. “I’m not too disappointed. In a perverse type of way I’m quite happy because the fact of the matter is all the talk about the top of the table rubbish, we need to get our heads out our arses and start to deliver. “Our levels have to be constantly right to stay in this league and we didn’t do that tonight. “The intensity and energy wasn’t there. When you’ve got a threadbare squad that can happen.” Despite the defeat, Ince was keen to reflect on a positive start to the season for his team which sees them in fifth after seven matches on 12 points.Hecontinued: “We’ve had a very good four games and need to keep picking up points. “It’s brought us down to realisation where we are as a club. “Sometimes games like this bring you back down to earth.”
TODOWNBACKEARTHWOMEN’SVILLAVICTORY
CHAMPIONSHIPROUND-UPSPECIALACTIONCRICKETFAVASE WOKINGHAM 01.09.22 claimBerkshireNCCATrophy PIC GRASSROOTSSPECIAL
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CRICKET
WINDOWS DOORS CONSERVATORIES WOKINGHAMTODAY READINGTODAY Rams Rugby, Old Bath Road, Sonning, Berkshire RG4 6TQ © RAMSRUGBY 2022 1st XV v ESHER RFC 160mmx8 columns (265mm) Esher Home -3rd Sept - Wokingham and Reading Paper 31.08-1.09.22.indd 1 24/08/2022 14:32:41 18 To advertise, email advertising@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, September 1, 2022
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CROWTHORNE & Crown Wood Crocodiles clinched the U11’s T16 Pairs Berkshire Youth League Championship after their win over Finchampstead Falcons.
Crowthorne & Crown Wood CC Rams RFC forwards coach Owen Root RAMS’ forwards coach Owen Root cannot wait for the National One season to get underway with Saturday’s home game against newlypromoted Esher (3pm ko). The National Two South champions head to Old Bath Road for the first time in a league game, and Root is hopeful his side’s pre-season work – which included a two-match tour to Dublin – can pay dividends at Old BathHeRoad.said: “The mood in the camp is really positive. “There was so much gained from the tour to Ireland not just with the rugby, but also the guys coming back with new friendships and bonds being formed which will hopefully be “Aslifelong.Iget older and stand on the side I appreciate that more, watching the team environment and see things come“There’stogether.been some great work done and I’ve been impressed with the intensity.”Hecontinued: “We’ve all got our own areas we’re trying to improve as coaches, but we’ve had some positive conversations so far, especially on the defensive side.“Things are moving forward – we’ve always got more to achieve and while you’d love to add a couple more days in each week for training, we’ll all bound by the same challenges and pressures in this league and you work around it.
| RUGBYSPORTUNION
“We’re excited and ready to transition hopefully into some really positive league performances.”Ramshavekept the bulk of the squad which finished sixth last time out together, adding in a few new faces among the pack including former Taunton lock Dan Swain, young prop Terrel Harry, Wasps loanee Alfie Bell and back row Michael Hoyt.And Root said: “We’ve got a responsibility to identify young talents and Gary (Reynolds, CEO) has spoken at length about how a lot of good players slip through the“Asnet.a club we passionately believe about giving those kind of guys the very best opportunity we can to thrive.“When I was starting out there were some really great, dogged old players who gave me some powerful little nuggets of advice, and it’s really important you get that mix of experience and new talent.”
‘THE MOOD IN THE CAMP IS REALLY POSITIVE’ Crows U11’s Crocodiles clinch league title
By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today OurWoodleyshowroomisopen7daysaweek 0800305030
Crows Crocodiles coach Vijay Bhatti said: “I’m truly proud of the way in which everyone supported and encouraged each other throughout the game. “Well done champions, you have truly earned the title with your hard work, determination and commitment this season.”
Supporters are asked to pre-book tickets via the club website to ensure smooth entry to the ground for Saturday’s game www.trademarkwindows.co.uk
Trish (5-4) remained on fire and maintained her consistent line and length to take four wickets. Jackson (0-1) continued his speed demon pace without a run being hit off his bowling with the bat. Albert (2-0) continued to improve with his control and pace, finishing with a superb maiden over. Jacob (7-1) bowled a beautiful line and reminded everyone of the importance of being controlled. Tav (3-1) maintained his recent increase and acceleration in form with only three runs coming off theOlliebat. (11-1) continued to thrive with his determination and increased pace. Chloe (4-0) opened her spell with an impressive maiden over and Charlotte (7-2) continues to baffle batters with her incredible spin. Annabelle (1-1) also opened her spell with an impressive maidens as Finch were restricted to 201. Jackson and Ollie (43), Annabelle and Jacob (36), Tav and Will (24), Charlotte and Albert (22), Chloe and Trish (51). An exceptional team effort saw the Crocodiles record their highest collective total of 366 which ensured that they sealed their status as league champions.
FA VASE Longlevens 2 Reading City 4 READING CITY put their name in the draw for the next round with an impressive away display at Longlevens. City fell behind five minutes into the contest, but hit back with a quick equaliser from EllisJustCowd.afew minutes later the Cityzens were in front courtesy of Dan Davies’ header. City had a 3-1 lead at the break when Davies found his second goal of the game.
AFC Bitton 4 Sumas 1
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CITYZENS AND ASCOT PROGRESS, SUMAS, WOODLEY AND SANDHURST EXIT
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today AFC Bitton v Wokingham & Emmbrook (pictured above), Sandhurst Town v Sheerwater (pictured below)
WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK’S journey in the Vase came to an early end with an away exit to AFC Bitton. An even first-half ended goalless, but it was the hosts who went in front two minutes after the restart. The Sumas were level when Nathan Mindomba found the bottom corner after Mabukwa’s assist.Alate flurry of goals from the home side saw them comfortably booked their place in the next round with three goals in the final 15 minutes.
Reading City: York, Smith, Lazarczuk, Valentin, Veal, Cowd, Pilling, Davies, D’Cruz, Baines (c), Lee Subs: Weight, Tanner, Basterfield, Young, Baker, Butcher Woodley United 2 Cadbury Heath 3 WOODLEY UNITED were edged out in a five goal contest against Cadbury Heath. The Kestrels were put ahead thanks to a brilliant opener from Sid, only for Cadbury to hit back with two goals to take a 2-1 half-time lead. The visitors added a third and despite a late goal from Connor N, they exited with a 3-2Woodleyloss. manager Jordan Blake said: “Disappointed not to be in the next round of the cup. “We weren’t ruthless enough in both boxes and ultimately we paid the price for it.”
Long Crendon 1 Ascot United 5 ASCOT UNITED stormed through with a thumping 5-1 win at Long Crendon. Crendon took the advantage in the 28th minute and Ascot levelled up just three minutes later with Mealing’s goal. Josh Harris gave Ascot a half-time lead before Mealing netted his second of the game on the hour mark. Harris found his brace to add an Ascot fourth and then sealed his hat-trick to see them safely through.
Ascot United: Ashdown, AjanlekokoBailey (c), Harris, Masters, McCormack, Mealing, Merrick, Tucker, Walters, Welch
Pictures: Andrew Batt The hosts got back into the game with a 52nd minute goal, but Reading ensured their place in the next round late in the day with Phil Veal’s header.
Wokingham & Emmbrook: Woodward, Shaw, Cummuskey, White, Tuttle, Mullan (c), Badshah, Noyes, Mindomba, Clark, Ojong Subs: Harrison. Linturn, Harris, Mabukwa, Goodwin Sandhurst Town 1 Sheerwater 2 SANDHURST TOWN crashed out of the competition after a 2-1 defeat to Sheerwater.Milofoundthe net for the Fizzers in their 2-1 loss.
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Connor Allston clears under pressure from the Berks county forwards
Berks County: Hill, Tanner, Akem-Che, Honey, Powell, Howes. Hayden, Brighton, Oakley, Day, Sackey Subs: Lee, Laverty, Day, Edwards, Wyllie
Finchampstead FC Pictures: Andrew Batt
Bradley Brown’s first half strike brings out another acrobatic stop Henry Pigeon clear the danger from a corner
The Sumas took the lead after 15 minutes when Nathan Mindomba followed up a goal mouth scramble to put the ball over the line. After a strong opening half from the Sumas, the hosts hit back and equalised in the 55th minute. With 15 minutes to go, Ayelsbury took the lead when they powered a header in from a corner and quickly added a third.
FOOTBALL BERKS BEAT BOARS TO GO TOP THAMES VALLEY PREMIER LEAGUE FINCHAMPSTEAD CONTINUE WINNING START, READING YMCA CLAIM FIRST WIN
Combined Counties Division One BERKS COUNTY made it four wins from six with victory away at CB Hounslow United.Despite falling behind, the Swords made a valiant comeback with goals from Hayden and a debut goal from Charlie Oakley to take the points.
EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA lost out at home to Rayners Lane in just their second defeat of the season. Ross Mckernan’s strike gave the Boars an early lead, but two goals from the away team in the first-half settled the games they scored in the 13th minute and 44th minute.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
FINCHAMPSTEAD made it two wins from two after their away triumph at Windlesham United. Ethan Simons came off the bench to score twice to help Finch take a 2-1 win. The defending champions are top of the table with six points from two games. WARGRAVE suffered their first defeat of the season after they lost out 4-2 to Slough Heating Laurencians. READING YMCA got off the mark with their first win of the season. Ed Gadd made it a debut to remember with a brace, while Pele Haggler added the other Reading goal in a 3-2 away triumph.
The Swords then followed up their weekend win by beating Eversley & California on BerksMonday.scored the opening goal of the game when Hayden slotted in. Charlie Oakley doubled County’s advantage to take them into half-time in front.Just before the hour mark, Berks took further control of the contest when Oakley netted his brace. The Boars were reduced to 10 players when Joe Moriarty was sent off was stopping a goal scoring opportunity.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
| SPORT
Finchampstead FC Picture: Andrew Batt
Ross McKernan shoots through the keeper Matt Hill only for the ball to stop short
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Reading City U23’s host Marlow United, who are currenttly on one point after one draw and one defeat.Reading YMCA play host to Wargrave. YMCA are on three points, while Wargrave are in seventh on the same points.
The Suams didn;t let up and got themsevles back into the cup contest when MannehWokinghamnetted.worked a chance to find a dramatic late equaliser but weren’t able to sieze their opportunity and were beaten 3-2.
Berks & Bucks Cup WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK lost out to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and exited the cup.
WOODLEY UNITED suffered a narrow defeat on Monday away at AFC Aldermaston.TheKestrels had a two-goal lead, but the hosts came roaring back to claim three points with a 3-2 win. Pre-season friendlies
Charlie Oakley celebrates with Luke Hayden Pictures: Richard Milam
READING CITY U23’s were defeated on the road at Yateley United as the hosts took a 3-1 win. This coming weekend, BURGHFIELD are away at Chalvey Sports, who have started their season with one win and one loss.
Eversley & California: Kerrison, Baker, Moriarty, Catt, Boylan, Velinor, Crocker, Liddar, Mckernan, Pantony, Brown Subs: Faruggia, Emanuel, Frewin, Mulipola
WOODLEY UNITED LADIES ended their preseason campaign with an impressive 4-1 success at Hilltop.Rebecca Gooch hit a brace, Amie Benton and May Hamblin netted to guide the Kestrels to an away win.The result means that Woodley went through their entire pre-season campaign undefeated as they head into the league season in high spirits.
READING: Lumley, Yiadom, Hutchinson, Sarr, Holmes, McIntyre, Hoilett, Loum, Hendrick, Ince, Joao SUBS: Bouzanis, Long, Guinness-Walker, Fornah, Abrefa, Ehibhatiomhan, Craig GOALS: McBurnie 11’, Ahmedhodzic 46’, 81’, Ndiaye 62’
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SHEFFIELD UNITED 4 READING 0 READING FC’s reign at the top of the Championship was short lived after they were overtaken by Sheffield United. After an excellent start to the season under Paul Ince, the Royals were humbled with any heavy defeat in Yorkshire. The Blades went in front after 11 minutes through Oli McBurnie and scored their second moments after the restart when Anel Ahmedhodzic scored from a corner.They ensured the points with Iliman Ndiaye’s 62nd minute strike before Ahmedhodzic claimed his second of the evening. Reading are third place in the league after suffering their third defeat of the season. Ince made just one switch from Reading’s weekend win at Millwall which saw Junior Hoilett take the place of Tyrese Fornah. With a slightly different approach, Tom McIntyre slotted into central midfield after he put in an accomplished display in that position in Reading’s win at Sheffield United last season. After an early spell of possession the hosts almost created an opening for Tommy Doyle when Royals skipper Andy Yiadom got across to make a timely interception.FormerReading midfielder Oliver Norwood had a sight at goal for the Blades when they were awarded a free-kick within striking range. The set piece specialist took aim and got the ball over the wall, but also over theAfterbar. collecting three consecutive clean sheets, Reading’s resilient run came to an end 11 minutes in at Bramall Lane. Yiadom’s loose pass was collected and Max Lowe found Oliver McBurnie in the middle who powered a header past Joe Lumley to open the scoring. Reading struggled to deal with the high tempo start from the Blades and found themselves defending deep in their half for much of the opening 20 minutes. Mamadou Loum came racing forward and found Lucas Joao in the box who tried to get a shot away but hesitated for a moment and was crowded out. Reading settled into the game and managed to stop the constant flow of United attacks. However, Iliman Ndiaye did have an excellent chance to extend United’s lead when he met a flick on, raced through on goal but couldn’t only guide the ball the wrong side of the post. Reading went into the break trailing by a goal but could count themselves slightly fortunate after their slow start saw the hosts miss some big chances.
JOE SubsMAMADOUSAMTOMJUNIORANDYLUCASTOMTOMJEFFNABYLUMLEYSARRHENDRICKHOLMESMCINTYREJOAOYIADOMHOILETTINCEHUTCHINSONLOUM
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
n Reading are back in action on Sunday when they host Stoke City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Couldn’t have done a whole lot with the goals conceded. Made a string of strong saves when his team were under pressure. Only managed 45 minutes. Struggled after his brilliant debut and was withdrawn at half-time after suffering a calf injury. Hasn’t quite got to grips with his new teammates yet. Overrun for most of the night against a dominant Blades
Outjumpedteam. by McBurnie for the first goal and wasn’t able to deal with his physical threat comfortably, which gave the striker plenty of joy. Deployed in midfield in the firsthalf but struggled with the pace of the game. Moved to defence, unable to prevent Reading conceding again. One of his frustrating nights where nothing fell for him in attacking areas, barely had a sight at goal.Made a crucial early interception but did the ball away cheaply which led to the Blades taking the lead. Had a difficult job to do to track the Blades’ lively forwards and fullbacks. Did well but wasn’t able to get forward as often asn ormal. As usual put in plenty of work having to track back when United had the majority of the ball. Wasn’t able to provide a cutting edge. A off night for the entire team where Hutchinson wasn’t able to provide structure in defence in a poor collective display. Had some bright moments going forward in the first-half bursting out of midfield. Surrendered possession too easily in the second-half.
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45565333455
Shane Long 5, Tyrese Fornah 5
Ince made a switch at the break as Naby Sarr was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Fornah, who took McIntyre’s spot in central midfield and McIntyre moved back into centreReadingback.made the worst start possible, conceding one minute into the half, when Anel Ahmedhodzic was given too much room from a corner and slammed the ball into the net on the volley. Trying to reignite his side’s fortunes, Ince brought Shane Long on for Joao for the final 30 Theminutes.Blades found a third goal when they picked off Loum’s pass, got forward in numbers and Ndiaye was given space to steer the ball into the corner past the helpless Lumley.Sander Berge looked to add to the scoreline for the home team, but Lumley was able to claim his effort to keep the deficit down. Lumley had to come to his team’s rescue again to keep the score down when he clawed the ball away from goal after Chris Basham’s header from close range. But it wasn’t long before the Blades did add a fourth when Ahmedhodzic nodded the ball in from eight yards out. Reflecting after the match, Reading boss Paul Ince said: “It was tough, they’re a good side. “As I said to the players, after the Rotherham game you have Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Millwall and Sheffield United, if I were to give you nine points would you have taken it? “I think we all would’ve said yes so that’s how you’ve got to look at it. It’s been a positive four games, a little run, but disappointing the way it ended.“I’mstill very proud of my players, picking up nine points out of 12 is not a bad return. “We have to go again Sunday against“InternallyStoke.we have to understand that our remit is to stay in this “Maybeleague.some got a little bit too carried away and we looked that way.“We looked quiet before the game like it was a big game, but it wasn’t, it was just another game.“They’re mentally draining. Blackburn, we pressed really high, Middlesbrough we had to dig in and then you’re going away to Millwall.“Andit’s the same personnel. We didn’t have that spark. We could’ve got back into the game, but we never deserved to win the game. We’ve got to move on.”
SPORT | Jeff Hendrick Library pictures: Luke Adams The Royals dropped down the table after they shipped four goals at Bramall Lane (library picture) CHAMPIONSHIP ROYALS KNOCKED OFF CHAMPIONSHIP TOP SPOT AFTER HEAVY BLADES DEFEAT How they rated Match stats
SUBS: Amissah, Basham, Arblaster, Khadra, McAtee, Brewster, Jebbison
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Ahmedhodzic,Foderingham, Doyle,Baldock,Norringhton-Davies,Egan,Berge,Norwood,Lowe,Ndiaye,McBurnie
By JI-MIN LEE sport@wokingham.today
| SPORT
Anotherstages.quality set piece. An energetic performance from the front man in what was a quiet outing by his lofty standards. His debut was well worth the wait. It was his defensive prowess which will excite Ince the most. Was dominant in the air. A quiet day at the office for the Porto loanee, but marshalled the midfield well. Used his height effectively to dominate in the air. He will be frustrated he was not able to convert a golden opportunity to put the game to bed.
Mamadou Loum Shane Long
READING: Lumley, Holmes, Hutchinson, Sarr, McIntyre, Yiadom (c), Loum, Fornah, Hendrick, Ince, Joao SUBS: Long, Guiness-Walker, Bouzanis, Hoilett, Abrefa, Ehibhationmhan, Craig : Sarr 14’
‘That’s something for them’ Paul Ince lauds Royals away support
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How they rated Match stats
GOALS
Mamadou Loum controls in midfield Reading players thank the away fans
A competent display between the sticks. The Rotherham performance is appearing to be an anomaly rather than the norm. Was deployed at left-wing back to offer more solidity to Reading’s back line. Clearly not a natural wing-back, but got forward when he could. Another decent display. Broke up the play well, using good feet to get out of tight spaces. Ejaria will have his money cut out to regain his place. Has yet to have a poor performance in a Reading shirt. Snuffed out any opening Millwall had, using awareness and desire. Probably his best performance since the season started in earnest. His calmness in midfield shouldn’t be underestimated.Tookaknockmidway through the first half, which seemed to throw him off. Was not given a lot of breathing space by Millwall’s defenders. Solid. Largely nullified the threat offered by Afobe. A miscontrol could have led to a Millwall equaliser, but Hutchinson covered well. A typically tenacious performance from the captain. Struggled to get into the game in the early
MILLWALL: Hutchinson,Bialkowski,Cooper, M Wallace, McNamara, Saville, Bradshaw,Malone,Shackleton,Honeyman,Afobe SUBS: Long, Evans, Mitchell, Flemming, Burey, Cresswell, Voglsammer
Naby Sarr aplluads the Reading away support Royals fans in excellent voice at the Den Naby Sarr marked his Royals
CHAMPIONSHIPREACTION
SARR NETS DEBUT GOAL TO
Joe JeffSamTyreseTomLumleyMcIntyreFornahHutchinsonHendrick
morning after George Puscas completed his loan move to Italian outfit“We’veGenoa.all been waiting to get this deal done and he’s been frustrated.really“Tobefair to Naby, he’s been patient so when I got the news that it was all done, I was over the moon as I had earmarked the game for him with the way Millwall “Match fitness is different to training fitness. This is his first game for us, and he was exceptional.”
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READING FC claimed victory in a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Millwall on Saturday afternoon. Naby Sarr’s debut goal was enough to decide a stop-start encounter against Millwall. Paul Ince made three changes to the side who defeated Middlesbrough, with Joe Lumley, Lucas Joao and Sarr entering the fray. With neither Junior Hoilett nor Nesta Guinness-Walker starting, Tom McIntyre took up the mantle at left-wing back. The week of training didn’t seem to benefit either side in the opening exchanges, but debutant Sarr set the tone, making a handful of defensive interventions.TheFrenchman stopped an early cross from making it into the box then cleared a dangerous Benik AfobeNevertheless,cross. it was the home side who had the first sight at goal, with George Saville’s inviting cross from the left glanced towards the near post by Tom Bradshaw, but Lumley was able to gather.Both teams struggled to find rhythm with meaningful chances few and far between. With just under a quarter of an hour gone, Hutchinson sprayed a cross-field ball out to McIntyre on the left, who was brought down, winning a free-kick in a promising position.Reading fans have become accustomed to quality deliveries from Tom Ince, and were not to be disappointed on this occasion.
The winger’s left footed outswinger found the head of Hutchinson, who flicked on for Sarr to head Millwallhome.were determined to respondGeorgequickly.Honeyman had the chance to deliver a set piece from the right, but Bradshaw could only head over from 12 yards out. The remainder of the first half was largely played in the middle third. The few times the ball entered threatening areas, both sides’ defence were able to snuff out the danger.Onthe 38th minute mark, a commotion in the Dockers Stand helped bring attention to a fan who needed medical attention.Thematch paused for a few minutes as medical staff attended to the individual, before the referee deemed it safe to restart.
Lucas Joao Tom NabyTomAndyHomesYiadomInceSarr
PAUL Ince praised his players after Reading defeated Millwall in a hard-fought victory at The Den. A Naby Sarr debut goal was enough to separate the sides, and also take the Royals to top-spot in theOfChampionship.theposition,he said: “It’s great that the fans can say that. “We struggled to stay in the league last year and I think the fans, who came in their droves to support us, never envisaged that after six games we would be top of the table so give them that and let them enjoy the moment.“Hopefully it lasts a long time but that’s something for them for the support that they have given us over the last six months. “It’s a tough place to come to and we thoroughly deserved to win the game.The away side spurned two golden chances to put the game to bed with Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long missing second-half one-onones.“Isaid to the lads after that I was disappointed, we didn’t put the game to bed – that was a lesson learnt,” he continued. “As well as I’m happy with the performance, I’m disappointed we didn’t put the game to bed. “You win 2-0/3-0 win, you all sit back.“What happens is the last five to 10 minutes they throw balls into our box, which could go anywhere, and it’s a lottery then.“You could come away 1-1 which would be devastating as we deserved to win the game.“They’re cleancut chances, you can’t miss them. “Jeff’s one is at a time where you think we’re a bit under the cosh, not because Millwall are cutting through us but because of the way Millwall play.”Naby Sarr’s long-awaited signing was only confirmed on Friday
Reading this summer after the expiry of his contract in which he played two seasons in Berkshire. However, Laurent will not be able to return with his new club on their Sunday visit to the SCL as he is out on the sidelines with injury. Despite their summer activity, which saw Aden Flint and Dwight Gayle join on frees, the Potters made a slow start to the season which resulted in O’Neill becoming the first Championship casualty. They opened with an away defeat at Millwall which was followed with a home victory over Blackpool. Millwall finished the half the stronger of the two sides, with Bradshaw carving out chances, albeit with little end product. Coming out from the break, Reading fashioned arguably the best chance of the match. Picking up a loose ball, Paul Ince’s men wasted no time getting forward. Good interplay between Lucas Joao and Ince saw the ball break to Jeff Hendrick, who found himself one-on-one with Bialkowski, but the Irishman’s effort was straight at the keeper. Millwall thought they had equalised moments later, only for Cooper’s headed effort to get chalked off by the linesman. The Lions’ new signing Andreas Voglsammer created an opening after wriggling past Sarr, but Hutchinson made a last ditch tackle to deny the German from six yards out.As the game entered the final knockings, a miscontrol by Holmes saw Afobe bear down on goal, with Hutchinson forced to cover both ball carrier and runner. The Millwall forward finally got a shot away but Sarr was on hand to block. The Royals had a second chance to seal victory when Hendrick released Long, who only had the keeper to beat, but his shot trickled past the wrong side of the post. It was all hands on deck for the remainder of the match, with Millwall hitting the post off a deflected McNamara cross. A despairing Lumley could only watch as the ball sailed over his head, breathing a sigh of relief as the ball eventually came off the woodwork.Reading were able to negotiate the seven minutes of stoppage time to claim their first win at The Den sinceThe2014.1,392-strong travelling support headed back down the M4 ecstatic as their team sat atop the Championship table.
“If something happened to me, I have to take that on the chin. “I cramped up after 65 minutes which was expected.“Ialways want to play 90 minutes, but it couldn’t have gone much better.”
FornahTyrese tries his a cross
“I had literally only done half an hour the day before and joked to the gaffer saying I don’t mind starting. “And then it was needs must. I’ve done it before but because it was a muscular injury it was more of a risk.
SPORT |
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“It’s good to be back. It was a bit of a risk but I’ve done that before and I’m more than happy to do Hutchinsonit.” only discovered that he would be starting against Boro the morning of the game after only completing a very small amount of training since his injury. He continued :”The case was pretty much to see how long I could play.
“It’s hard because you have all different emotions after doing a hard pre-season. “You feel embarrassed, you feel guilty because of the lack of numbers and you come to a new club and want to make an impression.
Hutchinson believes that the current squad have a good mix to try and help the Royals improve on last year’s difficult campaign.
PREVIEW SEND ROYALS TOP ROYALS
HutchinsonSam Royals defender Tom McIntyre takes a Tom Ince on the attack Joe Lumley claimed another clean sheet
“Doing pre-season everything was good and I felt good in myself and then woke up the next day after Brighton and felt something,” said Hutchinson.“Iplayedthe 90 minutes and thought I just had cramp but it was worse than I thought with the pain in my calf which has been the story of my career.
deliversInceluck
READING FC are seeking to keep their perfect home record intact when they face Stoke City on Sunday in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Reading are currently fifth in the Championship after Sheffield United beat them on Tuesday, bringing their short stay at the summit to an end. Paul Ince’s team have won four of their six Championship matches before their match at Bramall Lane which pits the top two in the league against each other. In contrast to Reading’s impressive early form, it has been a turbulent week for Stoke City. They parted company with manager Michael O’Neill last Friday after beginning their season with two wins, a draw and three defeats to put them in 17th prior to their Wednesday night match at home to Swansea City. It has been a busy summer transfer window for the Potters despite not spending any money. They have acquired 11 new players in their squad, including three free transfers and five loan signings.Among their new signings was midfielder Josh Laurent who left They picked up a point at home to Middlesbrough but lost out to both Huddersfield Town and Sunderland.FormerRoyal Lewis Baker netted the only goal of the game in their weekend win against Blackburn Rovers.They now have a new boss in charge after Alex Neill departed newly promoted Sunderland to join Stoke.Reading earned three crucial points in their successful bid for Championship survival last season when they hosted Stoke at the SCL in April. SEEK TO MAINTAIN PERFECT HOME STREAK
“I’m here to play games, not to train.
‘I’m here to play, not train’
“The talent is there, the hard work is there and it’s about having the nous to put everything we’re taught into a gameday.”
Sam Hutchinson Picture: Luke Adams debut by scoring the winning goal at Millwall Pictures: Steve Smyth McIntyre rises to win a header
READING FC defender Sam Hutchinson is eager to make an impact on the pitch for the Royals this season. The 33-year-old centre-back made his competitive debut in Reading’s 1-0 win over Middlesbrough last weekend. Hutchinson has been plagued with injuries throughout his career, which originally forced him into retirement at 21, but he has since reversed his decision to forge a successful career in England. After picking up an injury against Brighton in pre-season, he made his Reading debut by playing 65 minutes against Boro.
BCL Division 1A Reading United (174-9) beat Reading Lions (111 all out) West Reading 3s (163 all out) lost to Berkshire Royals (166-2) Thames Valley Division 1 Eversley (249-8) beat Boyne Hill (184 all out) Thames Valley Division 2B Slough 2s (152 all out) lost to Hurst Sulhamstead(155-4)&Ufton (223-8) lost to Wokingham 2s Reading(224-7)(356-4) beat Fleet (144 all Finchampsteadout) 2s (248-5) lost
FINCHAMPSTEAD are in eighth after they were skittled all out for 80 by High Wycombe.Afterbeing bowled all out after 31.1 overs, the hosts took the game after 18.3 overs, dropping just three wickets. Home Counties Division 2 An exceptional batting display saw WARGRAVE climb up to second in the table. Rhys Lewis smashed 125 runs which helped Wargrave to a hugeRhodri392.Lewis then collected By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today five wickets to bowl Amersham all out to claim a huge 281-run win.
BERKSHIRE ROYALS are up to fourth in the table after their eight wicket win at WEST READING 3s. Berks had West Reading all out for 163 and cruised to victory when they dropped just two wickets on their way to hitting 166 after a century from Rimzan Mohamed.
BCM Championship Great Kingshill (83 all out) lost to Crowthorne & Crown Wood (85-1) Shinfield (189 all out) lost to West Reading (244 all out)
WOKINGHAM lost ground in the title race and dropped to fifth after they lost to Henley. Trying to chase 231 to win the match, the Oaks were all out on 205 despite a half century from Conrad Louth.
Thames Valley Division 4A WOKINGHAM 3s are third after they beat Maidenhead & Bray by sixBishopruns. knocked 94 not out for the Oaks before they bowled Maidenhead all out on 209. FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s lost out by six wickets to Purley on Thames.
READING fell down a place despite their huge win over FLEET Akram and Ahmed both totalled centuries for Reading to see them onto 356 before they removed Fleet all out for 144.
BOWLING Vinoth Palanisamy - Reading Lions v Reading United - 5-22 Michael Sheridan - Farley Hill v Sandhurst - 5-29 Rhodri Lewis - Wargrave v Amersham - 5-31 Kyle Bienefeld - Eversley v Boyne Hill - 5-44 Tommy Alborough - Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s v Holyport 2s - 4-10 Nisarg - Bracknell v Sonning 2s - 4-13 Sanjay - Bracknell v Sonning - 4-21 Muhammad Zameer - West Reading v Shinfield - 4-34 Santhosh Kundar - Earley v Stallions - 4-35 Saqib Gulfraz - Shinfield v West Reading - 4-36 Shashank Garg - Shinfield v West Reading - 4-40 M Khowaja - Reading v Fleet - 4-44
BCL Premier Division Farley Hill (110-4) beat Sandhurst (105 all out) Waltham St Lawrence (165-6) beat Stratfield Turgis (164 all out)
Thames Valley Division 1 EVERSLEY climbed up to sixth with a game to go after they defeated Boyne Hill. Jack Ford scored 54 to help Eversley to 249 before five wicket from Kyle Bienefeld saw Boyne all out for 184.
Thames Valley Division 2B WOKINGHAM 2s lead the way after they won by three wickets against Sulhamstead & Ufton. A century from Horsley contributed to see the Oaks chase down 224 to win the match. They are just one point ahead of second placed Reading with one game left.
Raheel Farooq batting for Sonning Ganapathy Balasubramaniam bowled out Sonning 2s CC (batting) v Reading 2s CC Pictures: Steve Smyth
READING UNITED CLOSE IN ON BCL DIVISION 1A TITLE Home Counties Premier Division
Thames Valley Division 3A SONNING maintained their lead at the top of the division with a tense win over Kidmore End. After scoring 179 in the first innings, Sonning managed to defend their total after taking the final wicket with the visitors just two runs short of equalling their score. WARGRAVE 2s are sixth after they got the better of WHITE WALTHAM by five wickets. Sohi top scored with 80 to see his team amass 258 runs to win the game.
BCM Championship CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD picked up 38 points from their travels to Great Kingshill.Afterremoving Kingshill all out for 83, Crows surpassed the chase after 16.5 overs to complete a convincing victory. WEST READING got the better of SHINFIELD by 54 runs to take a win. After scoring 244 in the first innings, West Reading had Shinfield all out on 190. CMB Premiership EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD are in second with a game to go after they beat Littlewick Green. The Bears chased down 126 to win the match after 22.2 overs with six wickets to spare after Matt Booth hit 45 runs.
BATTING Rhys Lewis - Wargrave v Amersham - 125 R Akram - Reading v Fleet - 123 W Ahmed - Reading v Fleet - 108* Sam Negus - Binfield v Finchampstead 2s - 107* Taylor - Finchampstead 4s v Eversley 2s - 105 G Horsley - Wokingham 2s v Sulhamstead & Ufton - 105 Rimzan Mohamed - Berkshire Royals v West Reading 3s - 100* Amit Puri - Rangers v Woodley - 98 James Eaglesham - Finchampstead 3s v Purley on Thames - 97* Bishop - Wokingham 3s v Maidenhead & Bray - 94* Santhosh Kundar - Earley v Stallions - 81 Sohi - Wargrave 2s v White Waltham - 80 Ben Simmons - Finchampstead 2s v Binfield - 77* Rose - Finchampstead 4s v Eversley 2s - 73 Saqib Gulfraz - West Reading v Shinfield - 71 Rhodri Lewis - Wargrave v Amersham - 74 Sana Khan - Waltham St Lawrence v Stratfield Turgis - 73
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BCL Premier Division FARLEY HILL took a sixwicket win over SANDHURST Michael Sherdian collected five wickets to see Sandhurst all out for 105, before Farley hit 110 from 24.4 overs to complete the win.
HURST are in third after they beat Slough 2s by six wickets. They chased down 155 to surpass Slough’s first innings total.
FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s stay in fifth after they lose to BINFIELD, who moved into sixth. Sam Negus smacked a century to see Binfield hit 249 runs from 45 overs.
WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE added 35 points to their total after they managed to chase down 165 to beat Stratfield Turgis. BCL Division 1A READING UNITED are on the brink of winning the title after they defeated READING LIONS by 63 Unitedruns.totalled 174, before they removed Lions all out for 111.
to Binfield (249-4) Monday, August 29 IsthmianFOOTBALLSouth Central Basingstoke Town 0-2 Binfield Combined Counties Division One AFC Aldermaston 3-2 Woodley United Berks County 3-0 Eversley & California AugustTuesday,30 ChampionshipFOOTBALL Sheffield United 4-0 Reading FIXTURES SeptemberSaturday, 3 FOOTBALL Combined Counties Premier North Harefield v Ascot United Combined Counties Division One Bedfont v EversleyCountyBerks&California v Penn & Tylers SandhurstGreenTown v FC Deportivo Galicia Woodley United v London Samurai Rovers Thames Valley Premier League Chalvey Sports v Burghfield Reading City U23s v Marlow ReadingUnitedYMCA v Wargrave CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division Finchampstead v Banbury Slough v Wokingham Home Counties Division 2 Cumnor v Wargrave BCM Championship Crowthorne & Crown Wood v Ballinger Waggoners CMB Premiership Emmbrook and Bearwood v Knotty Green BCL Premier Division Mortimer West End v Farley SandhurstHill v West Reading 2s Shinfield 2s v Waltham St Lawrence BCL Division 1A Checkendon v Reading United Earley v Peppard Stoke Row Reading Lions v Berkshire SilchesterRoyalsv West Reading 3s Thames Valley Division 1 Beaconsfield v Eversley ThamesDivisionValley2B Binfield v Slough 2s Hurst v WokinghamReading2sv Cove Royal Ascot v Finchampstead 2s ThamesDivisionValley3A Harpsden v WargraveWalthamWhite2svWindsor Theale & Tilehurst v Sonning SeptemberSunday, 4 ChampionshipFOOTBALL Reading v Stoke City (noon) CRICKETCRICKET HONOURS BOARD SONNING STAY IN FRONT WITH TENSE WIN
takingcelebrateReadingawicket
L Smith - Hurst v Slough 2s - 3-10 Andy Lazenbury - Emmbrook and Bearwood v Littlewick Green - 3-15
| SPORT RESULTS AugustSaturday,27 ChampionshipFOOTBALL Millwall 0-1 Reading Isthmian South Central Binfield 4-0 Merstham Combined Counties Division One CB Hounslow United 1-2 Berks EversleyCounty&California 1-2 Rayners Lane FA Vase first qualifying round Long Crendon 1-5 Ascot LonglevensUnited 2-4 Reading City Bitton 4-1 Sumas Thames Valley Premier League Slough Heating Laurencians 4-2 WindleshamWargraveUnited 1-2 WraysburyFinchampsteadVillage2-3 Reading YateleyYMCAUnited 3-1 Reading City U23’s
CMB Premiership Littlewick Green (122 all out) lost to Emmbrook and Bearwood (126-4)
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CRICKET Home Counties Premier Division High Wycombe (81-3) beat Finchampstead (80 all out) Wokingham (205 all out) lost to Henley (230-7) Home Counties Division 2 Wargrave (392-6) beat Amersham (111 all out)
Thames Valley Division 5B READING 2s lost ground in the title race after losing to league leaders Newbury by four wickets. EVERSLEY 2s are third after they got the better of FINCHAMPSTEAD 4s by two wickets. BRACKNELL are in fourth after they beat SONNING 2s by two wickets.
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
