OVER WARNING

CORONAVIRUS LATEST CORONAVIRUS LATEST How to get help in Wokingham borough: To access the ‘One Front Door’ service, call Citizen’s Advice on ‘Vaccine news is good, but keep to the rules’ New online dashboard for real-time data 0300 330 1189 Those calling from a mobile phone should enter if prompted: By PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today Virus cases dropped a little earlier this month, but the numbers are creeping up again. “I keep encouraging people to ensure they have the NHS Test and Trace app on their phone A CORONAVIRUS dashboard which allows Wokingham residents to see real time, local Covid-19 data is the first of its kind in 0118 978 7258 THE NEWS that a potential vaccine Yesterday (Wednesday), there and use it when they check in. the UK, writes Charlotte King. could be in use by Christmas has were 42 new confirmed cases. “The whole purpose of it is to The website, which launched last week, has Call for BAME been welcomed – but the warning remains that people still need to follow social distancing rules. However, there may have been a lag in reporting as on Tuesday, there were two cases, and 20 on tell you if you need to quarantine if you’re a risk to other people. been provided by Public Health Berkshire and allows residents to see the latest statistics and information on Covid-19. volunteers Council leader John Halsall said: “The vaccination is welcome news, but the current Monday. In all, there have been 1,635 and Wokingham has 18 cases “We’ve got to get everyone universally using the app and every time they go to a new According to the site, there have been 1,635 recorded cases in Wokingham borough since the start of the pandemic. way of life is likely to be in place per 100,000 of the population setting to check in and check It informs users on the number of new IN AN EFFORT to advance Reading’s coronavirus for another six months. based on a seven-day rolling out. It’s really really important cases, death rates, and offers data on potential vaccine, a call has been put out for Black and “The message is the same, if average. that everyone has the app on cases amongst those exhibiting Covid-19 minority ethnic (BME) volunteers. you want to enjoy Christmas This is up from 13 per 100,000 their phone and use it. symptoms.

People from all communities are being and normal life, we have to put last week, and nine per 100,000 “I’m sure that if everybody “We know that there is a real concern about asked to take part in vaccine studies into the attitudes (of social on October 10. plays the game, we can look rising infection rates across the Borough, and we Covid-19. distancing) into our normal way Cllr Halsall is encouraging forward to the new year where are working hard to communicate the latest

But figures from Reading show that of life, as that is what it will be residents to keep treating the we’re not going from lockdown updates in the most impactful way through our volunteers from BAME communities are for the foreseeable future. virus as a serious issue. after lockdown.” ‘In It Together’ campaign,” said Cllr Charles underrepresented. “Even if the vaccine “You can’t be complacent,” he And Cllr Halsall thanked Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing

“Covid-19 has taken the lives of many of our successfully passes the trials, warned. “We’ve all got to be those who were already doing and adult services at Wokingham Borough population. Many of us have lost loved ones,” said we won’t have enough supplies evangelists for the rules. this. Council. Dr Kajal Patel, a GP at Milman and Kennet Surgery immediately. It wont cover the “Irrespective of whether “People in Wokingham are “It is a fantastic one-stop-shop for relevant in neighbouring Reading. whole population. there’s a vaccine or not, we generally very, very compliant, statistics and makes it much easier for local

“I would like to make a request that all Black “So, at the moment, it’s can contain the virus and lead very sensible, very responsible,” people to search for important data in their area.” and minority ethnic Reading residents would a light at the end of the our normal lives if we stick to he said. “They shouldn’t need � www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk/covid-19strongly consider joining the vaccine registry and tunnel.” them. anything other than reminding.” dashboard to take part” Without a diverse input, there is no certainty that the vaccine will work within the BME population, according to Dr Kajal. £30,000 fines for Covid breach Abuse support

“Please register,” she added. “Your support is needed.” POLICE have issued £30,000 of didn’t want to issue any who may be in urgent need of LOCKDOWN is a difficult time for many, including

People from black communities are fines after more than fines. help.” those in abusive relationships – but help is at statistically more likely to be diagnosed with the 50 people were found at a “Cases of coronavirus are He added: “Our officers hand. coronavirus, according to Public Health England. house party on Wednesday, once again increasing and with will continue to engage, Kaleidoscopic UK, a Finchampstead-based

And death rates amongst black and Asian November 1 – the night before that, the risk to lives,” he said in encourage and explain domestic violence charity, has seen demand for ethnic groups are higher than others. lockdown started. a statement. the regulations to our its services skyrocket as England moved under

At present, 1.19% of Covid vaccine volunteers Thames Valley Police said “As such we all have our part communities however where new coronavirus restrictions. in the Reading area are black, African, black that officers attended an to play in following the we encounter people who we “Lockdown is an accelerant,” Vickie Robertson, British or Caribbean, while 6.7% of the area’s address in the Reading measures and the law in place feel are flagrantly ignoring founder of Kaleidoscopic UK, said. “It’s the worst population belong to this ethnic group. area, where loud music was to help stop the spread of this them we will look to enforce be time for most people because it gives abusers the

And 10.62% of registrations are comprised of playing and many of the indiscriminate virus. it through dispersal, fines or ultimate power and control at home. Asian and Asian British volunteers, whereas occupants appeared to be “We would rather not have even arrest.” “We’ve had an increase in demand, definitely. 13.6% of the population belongs to this ethnic ‘intoxicated’. to issue fines such as these, “It is clear to us that the vast It’s a busy time for everybody in the services, but group. Officers broke up the party, however in this case our majority of the people in the the support will always be there.”

“The only way to check how well a coronavirus and the three residents – who officers encountered a blatant Thames Valley are doing what However, despite the new lockdown vaccine works is to carry out large-scale clinical organised the event despite disregard for the rules that are they can to do the right thing restrictions, Kaleidoscopic UK is able to continue trials involving thousands of people,” said Kate coronavirus restrictions in force in place and this party posed a and we continue to be hugely some of its face-to-face work with survivors of Bingham, chair of the government’s Vaccine preventing more than six clear risk of transmission of the grateful to them for the domestic abuse, including running peer support Taskforce. people from gathering – were virus within the Reading sacrifices they are making to groups.

“We want to ensure the data we get actually each fined £10,000. community. protect us all. “We’re actually exempt from the rules because represents the different people from different The Gold Commander "Not only do breaches “We are committed to we work with victims of crime,” Ms Robertson backgrounds in the UK.” of the force’s response to the of this kind put people at risk working with our partners, explained.

To sign up to the NHS Covid-19 vaccine coronavirus, Chief from a health perspective, businesses and the public to “It means we’re able to continue providing research registry, visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/ Superintendent Rob France, but they put pressure on make our communities safer in-person support throughout lockdown which coronavirus-covid-19/research/coronavirus- said that everyone needed policing resources taking and help stop the spread of this is a huge relief.” vaccine-research to obey the rules and they them away from people deadly virus.” But the charity is concerned about the season ahead. NHS services draw up plans to cope with winter “Christmas is not always a nice time of year for those living with an abuser,” the charity’s founder added. “It can be a huge trigger for abusive behaviour, AS THE WINTER draws in, health “Our winter planning this Mr Hardy is encouraging counselling for young people aged when you look at the figures.” and social care teams across year looks very different because residents with life-threatening 11 to 19, and talking therapies In order to ensure Kaleidoscopic UK can Berkshire West are joining forces. of Covid-19,” said Dom Hardy, conditions to continue accessible by self-referral. continue offering support throughout the

In order to prepare for increased chief operating officer at Royal coming to the emergency room, “GP surgeries are all open for coronavirus pandemic and in the run-up to demand, hospital staff and local Berkshire NHS Foundation and is asking those with hospital business and it’s essential people Christmas, the charity is encouraging people to councils have drawn up a Trust. appointments to continue contact us,” Dr Abid Irfan, chair of get involved to spread awareness and raise funds. comprehensive plan to ensure NHS “However, we are fully prepared, attending. the Berkshire West Clinical “We’re running our Berkshire Christmas Helper services are prepared for winter, flu, building on the good work we’ve “The hospital is perfectly safe,” Commissioning Group added. Elves programme again this year, which people Covid-19 and other health demands. done over previous winters, and he adds, “and it’s important we “And of course there is can take part in on Facebook,” Ms Robertson said.

The NHS comes under more using all the information we’ve continue to manage patients’ a lot people can do to help “Last year, we managed to get 350 children strain every winter as cold weather learned during Covid. healthcare and treatment.” themselves stay well over presents and we’re going to try and do that again. and hazardous conditions lead to “We’re working hard to keep on As part of the RBH’s winter winter – stock up on painkillers, “And fundraising is also a great thing. People greater reliance on GP services and top of our planned and emergency strategy, a range of support eat healthily, restrict alcohol can head to our website, send us a message and hospitals. work and to do it safely whilst also services for those struggling to the recommended limits, we can help then find a way to get involved,” she

And due to the coronavirus caring for Covid patients, but we with their mental health are stop smoking, try and keep warm, added. pandemic, demand will be even need the cooperation of local people available too. have a flu jab and take some To find out more about Kaleidoscopic UK’s greater this year. here.” These include free online exercise.” support services, visit: www.kaleidoscopic.uk

CORONAVIRUS LATEST CORONAVIRUS LATEST One Front Door ‘Don’t stop hospital dates’helps 280 residents during first week warns lung cancer patient

THROUGHOUT the first week of lockdown, Citizens Advice Wokingham has supported nearly 280 residents through the One Front Door scheme, writes Charlotte King.

And according to the charity’s chief executive Jake Morrison, it’s prepared for an increase in demand.

Since Thursday, November 2, Citizens Advice has supported 279 people, with the bulk of requests asking for help with employment and debt.

“In lockdown one as we now call it, debt wasn’t even in the top five issues,” Mr Morrison said.

“Things have certainly developed over the year, with debt entering our top five from September onwards – it’s definitely something people are more worried about now.”

Residents have also requested help with benefits, food support and prescriptions.

And the borough council has been lending a helping hand.

“The council has been calling more than 5,000 of the clinically extremely vulnerable people that live in Wokingham to assess their welfare,” the Chief Executive said.

“We’ve got 49 referrals to One Front Door from that so far, with requests like getting food and prescriptions.

“Aside from that, we are also continuing to try and increase people’s wellbeing through helping with finances, housing and practical problems,” Mr Morrison added.

“We’re looking at everything we could possibly do just to make sure that people get the right support.”

Looking forward, the chief executive anticipates that demand will increase as we approach the end of the year and people begin to feel the pressure of the holiday season.

Despite this, he is encouraging people to reach out if they need help.

“We are not going to be overwhelmed, so please reach out because once we know what you need, we can try and find the right level of support for you.

“We need to know what’s going on so we can help people move forward with their problems,” he said.

For more information about the One Front Door scheme, head to: citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk/ coronavirus By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A WOMAN who has been battling lung cancer for the past four years is featuring in a campaign for the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH).

In a film released by the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Jackie Connor is encouraging people to visit the hospital for tests, treatments, scans and check-ups.

The video has been released in light of peoples’ reluctance to attend hospital appointments during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Connor has been visiting RBH throughout 2020 for various treatments, and is now encouraging others to do the same.

“At no stage have I had any concerns about coming into the hospital for my treatment,” Jackie says in the video.

“Being classed as vulnerable, I feel really reassured about my safety going in to get my chemotherapy treatment every week.”

In the video, Ms Connor also lists the various Covid-safety measures RBH has taken including one-way systems, enforced social distancing, and hand washing stations.

“I was quite shocked when staff told me that some people who really need to be seen to have their condition checked, or to have scans or tests, were not keeping their appointments,” Ms Connor added.

“If you’ve got something like cancer it’s such a worry and something that you really want to have checked and controlled as much as possible by coming to see the nurses and doctors looking after you.

“It just gives you that little bit of peace of mind. I’m really saddened to think some people are sitting at home, worrying about their illness, or symptoms like a lump, and are too scared to seek medical help.”

Jackie Connor in a still from the video she has made for the Royal Berkshire Hospital urging people to stick to their appointment dates

And staff are also encouraging people to turn up to appointments, saying that the only way people can stay healthy is by cooperating with RBH.

“Our staff are working incredibly hard to keep services running throughout Covid so we are able to treat all medical matters, not just Covid ones,” Nicky Lloyd, acting chief executive of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust said.

“As Jackie says, the hospital, along with our colleagues in local GP surgeries, are doing so much to make sure we meet the extremely strict safety regulations which have been introduced to keep our patients, and our staff, safe.”

To watch Jackie’s video, visit: https:// youtu.be/RytVTCSzte4

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT Roasted the way you like it

IT’S NEVER been easier for the people of Twyford to get their caffeine fix – and it can now be tailor made to order.

Lincoln Coffee House, a familyowned business, opened its doors in the village centre last month, bringing speciality roasts to the local community.

Seven years ago, coffee traders Jas and Simmi Sohal visited the London Coffee Festival and were inspired by what they saw.

“My parents realised that there is so much more to coffee than being commercial, so they decided to bring specialty coffee to Reading,” explained Yurtesh Sohal, coffee roaster at Lincoln Coffee House.

The independent coffee house already has two sites in neighbouring Reading, and they felt that the new Twyford branch was the perfect place for expansion.

The business specialises in tailormade coffees, offering customers a variety of beans with different grinds, roasts and types.

“The first thing we do is ask customers what kind of taste they like,” Yurtesh explained.

“Then, we can understand what people want and we work with them to make a recommendation.

“Then, we give them a brewing recipe so they can brew the coffee exactly how they like it.”

And Lincoln Coffee House goes the extra mile, roasting its own beans in a roastery just around the corner.

“We roast our own coffee beans for a couple of reasons,” Yurtesh explained.

“Firstly, before we launched, there wasn’t a speciality roaster in the area and we wanted to do something a little bit different.

“We also wanted to keep the focus local, putting Reading on the roasting map.”

And those looking for a quick caffeine fix will be pleased too, because Lincoln Coffee House also offers sit-down coffees and treats.

From espressos (£2.20) to smoothies (£3.50), customers are offered a variety of beverages to choose from.

And their speciality item – the bagel – is proving to be a big hit.

“My parents worked in food and specifically in making bagels for a long time before opening the coffee house, and wanted to combine the concept of coffee and bagels,” Yurtesh explained.

Customers can choose from sweet and savoury bagels, including peanut butter and banana (£2.95) and the English breakfast bagel (£4.45).

The Sohal family is reaching out to local bakers for a supply of homemade cakes, too.

In keeping with the local theme, Lincoln Coffee House sources a lot of its products from local suppliers.

With hot chocolate from Mortimer and tea from Reading, the family try to support nearby businesses wherever possible.

When it comes to their coffee however, it’s a different picture. Lincoln Coffee House works with producers across the globe, with three direct trade relationships in Brazil, Colombia and India.

This means that customers are not only getting some of the finest beans, but the farmers in these countries are getting direct support, too.

“It’s important people know where their coffee comes from, who grows it, and to share that story to give credit to the farmers,” Yurtesh explained.

And the Sohals are not letting the coronavirus get them down either, with their Twyford roastery staying open throughout lockdown.

Customers are able to continue ordering speciality coffees online, and there are discounts available.

“We recently launched our website and to celebrate that, we’re offering customers 15% of all online orders until Wednesday, December 2,” Yurtesh said.

Lincoln Coffee House’s newest site can be found on Station Road in Twyford, and will be open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am until 3pm during lockdown.

For more information or to browse and place an order, visit: www.lincolncoffeehouse.co.uk

8 | NEWS Warning after spate of catalytic converter thefts

MOTORISTS are being asked to stay alert as reports of catalytic converter thefts increase.

According to Thames Valley Police (TVP), a thief can steal a car’s catalytic converter in minutes.

Now, it is asking car owners to take a number of steps to reduce the risk of being targeted.

TVP is encouraging residents to check their vehicles regularly, especially during lockdown when they may be using their cars less.

It is also reminding people that the vehicle alarm is not triggered when the converter is removed, but residents can install tilt sensors to overcome this problem.

The force is also encouraging residents to take extra measures including installing a cage clamp for the converter and parking their cars in locked garages whenever possible.

“Be aware that offenders often wear high visibility vests to make you think they are legitimate,” said a spokesperson for TVP.

“If you see someone acting suspiciously near or under a vehicle, report it to the police straight away.”

The majority of vehicles being targeted are Japanese models from 2002 onwards.

For more information or to report a crime, visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk, call 101, or dial 999 in an emergency.

Alternative, residents can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, November 12, 2020 Vegan markets on hold, but organiser says they’re Covid safe

EXCLUSIVE By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

AS ENGLAND enters its second week of the new lockdown, some local businesses are beginning to feel the impact.

Wokingham’s market scene has been profoundly affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with local markets adapting to meet government guidelines.

And for one organiser, it has led to them cancelling this month’s events.

“We decided to cancel all of the upcoming vegan markets during the lockdown period,” said Sarah Zeneli, founder of Sparkle Vegan Events.

“After consulting with each of the town councils and looking into the government guidelines, we realised there just wasn’t enough leeway for all of our traders to set up stalls.

“Too many of them weren’t considered essential.”

Sparkle Vegan Events was planning to run a variety of vegan markets in Wokingham, Woodley and Bracknell as stall holders prepare for the festive season, but the new lockdown has put them on hold for now.

“It’s a shame”, Ms Zeneli continued, “because a lot of our stall holders have either made or bought in Christmas stock already and it’s now a financial burden.

“So many small businesses already lost so much money throughout the first lockdown, and to be put in that situation again for the second lockdown is particularly hard.”

Not all markets are set to close throughout the lockdown period, however, with Wokingham Town Council launching its own ‘Lockdown Market’.

In a post on Facebook, the organisers said: “We’re open but some of our traders aren’t allowed to trade due to Government guidelines.”

The Lockdown Market will continue to run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout November on Market Place in Wokingham town centre.

While Wokingham Market is still going ahead during lockdown, Ms Zeneli wants all markets to stay open.

Boba’s Plants is one retailer unable to

trade during lockdown Picture: Sarah Zeneli/Sparkle Vegan Markets

“Essential items should cover a wider range than just food,” she said.

“We’ve worked really hard to make our events Covid safe, including implementing lots of safety measures like hand sanitising stations and social distancing.

“Our traders have all made sure that they are Covid safe too, and we’re outside in the fresh air where there is a lower transmission rate of the virus.”

The events organiser is calling for markets to stay open under the same rules as supermarkets in cases where traders are following all of the safety guidelines.

“This is peoples’ livelihood, including our own. We can’t carry on like this forever,” Ms Zeneli added.

While the vegan markets in Wokingham, Woodley and Bracknell are pasued, people can still get involved and shop with Sparkle Vegan Events’ local stall holders.

Throughout November, the company is running a ‘trader spotlight’ campaign where it will be promoting a variety of small businesses and informing customers on how to support them during lockdown.

“All we can do is keep our fingers and toes crossed that this lockdown will only last for one month,” Ms Zeneli said.

“We hope we can still host the December markets in the run up to Christmas.” � For more on the vegan markets, log on to: www.facebook.com/ SparkleVeganEvents � For more information about Wokingham Town Council’s Lockdown Market, visit: www.facebook.com/ WokinghamMarket

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT Dolphin School pupils mark Black History Month

There’s more to Black history than just one month can discover. Pupils at Hurst-based Dolphin School spent time learning about unfamiliar faces and narratives, in part inspired by a former student, Kimberley McIntosh. Here, some of the children share what they have learnt and feel about Black History Month

DID YOU know the name of the Month, but we also listened to Dr Hakim Adi first African American women explain his misgivings over the in space? Or the historical “ghettoisation” of Black history. significance of John Blanke? Below, some of our Year 7 & 8 students Or that more people in Africa speak reflect on why, despite the success of the French than in Europe? initiative, we cannot afford to be

This year, the Dolphin School timetable complacent. went ‘off-script’ for a full week in its celebration of Black History. Although traditional topics such as the slave trade and blues music are already built into our curriculum, we were inspired by the M Y OPINION on Black History Month is that it is a lousy compromise. Black history shouldn’t be treated work of Old Delphinian, Kimberley differently to any other history that is McIntosh, to explore new avenues, taught in schools. unfamiliar faces and narratives. The content of Black History Month can

Thus arose our theme for the week – vary greatly, but usually simply covers the Black History: Untold Stories. slave trade and civil rights movement, both

Among a smorgasbord of other events in history which portray most black activities, Reception enjoyed a dramatic people as helpless. re-enactment of Anansi the Spider, This is grossly unfair, as many of the performed in traditional costumes; Years 2- world’s oldest and most amazing 5 studied Mae Jemison, making their own civilisations were African. astronaut figures and firing them into space; Mali, home of the richest man ever to Year 6 listened to Deanna Rodger’s live, and Ethiopia, one of the oldest evocative slam poem, ‘Being British’, before Christian civilisations, are just two African creating and performing their own; Years 7 countries which people may have never and 8 explored the history and geography of even known existed before European the Windrush generation alongside extracts colonisation. from Small Island. While Black History Month does educate

In our Upper School assembly that people about Black history, it can also week we watched Kimberley detail the perpetuate the problem, as it segments history and thinking behind Black History Black history away from any other history.

Role models: students in Years 3 to 8 at the Dolphin School put together a biography of someone they admired as part of its work marking Black History Month

Put simply, it just is not an effective way to deal with the situation; this requires a complete change in the school syllabus in order to tackle effectively. By Tristan (Y8)

BLACK History Month: at first it may seem like a brilliant idea, and I guess it is from one perspective.

It might seem like it solves all the problems related with Black history not being taught and recognised as it should be. In school, at work, basically in everyday life, Black history or any other history which is different to our ‘normal’ or ‘usual’ history is treated as inferior, even if people are doing it subconsciously.

However, as good as the intentions might be, with all the positives of us learning about different cultures and the astounding achievements of black communities, it also makes us realise how little Black history is taught to us through our lives.

Ultimately, it feels a bit like tokenism; the people in power have given one month for Black history as if to show they are doing something, almost as if they want a pat on the back for doing such a great thing for Black people in the UK. It is basically saying you can have October to celebrate your history and the rest of the year we can carry on as is.

So really, Black History Month can become an excuse to remove Black history from the mainstream, confining it to a single month rather than integrating it into our national curriculum.

As long as Black History Month is around it will be a sign that there is still a problem in our community; a problem that needs to be properly addressed. By Sofia (Y7)

BLACK History Month is, at its core, an initiative with good intentions and repercussions.

The idea of representing cultures that are not just predominantly European is very good and should be encouraged.

The problem stems from the month being entirely taken over by Black history, which normalises black history only being taught widely in October, ignoring the fact that many European and other cultures are closely intertwined with Black history.

Again, the history should be taught, but the idea of having a month does not really lend itself to the idea of teaching and adding Black history to the normal curriculum or mainstream educational material.

Black history should not be (mostly) confined to one month. However, having multiple months is not the solution, as that would just further the stigma of having a specific bit of time dedicated to Black history.

In my opinion, at least, Black History Month is a good thing on the surface, although the general history, not just slavery and colonisation by European powers, really should be integrated into widespread media and learning facilities to a greater extent. By Alexander (Y8)

Help against cyber attacks

NEARLY half of businesses feel more vulnerable to cyber attacks as the number of people working from home increases.

According to NFU Mutual, 47% reported feeling at greater risk of attacks.

However, 45% of businesses also reported not taking any action to protect themselves.

“It’s common for smaller businesses to assume their size makes them less of a target,” said Zoe Knight, commercial propositions manager at NFU Mutual.

“But no business, regardless of size, is safe from cyber attack.”

As more people return to home working, the company has introduced a free cyber helpline in an effort to help protect businesses against online crime.

And the service, which launched in June, will run until the end of the year.

“Throughout this pandemic, cyber criminals have been doing what they do best –exploiting individuals and businesses when they’re most vulnerable,” added Tom Spier from CyberScout, the company coordinating the helpline.

“Home working has altered the cybercrime landscape and through this service, NFU Mutual small business customers will be able to seek advice on adapting their security to meet the needs of the new normal.”

For more, log on to: www.nfumutual.co.uk/ news-and-stories/cyber-security-for-remoteworkers Got a business story? Email news@ wokinghampaper.co.uk. or write to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS Bluebird up for award for fifth year in a row

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

FIVE SEEMS to be the lucky number for a Wokingham home care provider.

This is because Bluebird Care Reading and Wokingham recently reached the regional finals of The Great British Care Awards for the fifth year running.

The Awards aim to recognise and celebrate excellence in the care sector, and last year, Bluebird Care won two of the 21 categories.

This year, the business’ Reading and Wokingham branch has been nominated for The Home Care Team Award, recognised for the team’s passion and dedication throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Alison Small, who has worked for Bluebird Care Reading and Wokingham for the past four years, has also been nominated for The

Bluebird Care Reading and Wokingham is up for the regional finals of the Great British Care Awards for the fifth year in a row

Dementia Care Award.

This award recognises an individual who has the skills to manage and deliver services to older people with dementia.

“For many people social care is more than a job, it’s a passion,” said Kerry Brooker, care manager at Bluebird Care Reading and Wokingham.

“Care staff and teams regularly go above and beyond, often putting the needs of others first to provide comfort and kindness to those who need support, and this is so true of our care home.”

Jo McCluskey, registered care manager, said: “Bluebird Care is truly proud to have been nominated in three categories for this year’s finals, and awards like this help recognise the tremendous efforts, hard work and dedication of individuals and teams within Bluebird Care.

“Our carers spend every working day providing compassionate care to our customers and their families.”

Winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony this Saturday

Fears economic gap is widening

BUSINESSES in the Thames Valley are worried the regional economic gap is widening.

According to BDO, 78% of mid-sized businesses in the area fear the coronavirus pandemic will widen the UK’s north-south economic gap.

And six out of 10 companies in the region anticipate that they will need financial support to survive the virus’ second wave.

BDO, a global business advisory firm, released these statistics after carrying out a recent survey of 500 medium-sized business leaders.

“UK companies have taken on record levels of debt and repayment may present a challenge for those whose revenue hasn’t returned to pre-crisis levels,” said David Brookes, managing partner at BDO in Thames Valley.

“Nearly 60% of businesses in the region believe they will need additional financial support to be able to survive a second wave of Covid-19 this winter.

“The Government should place a firm focus on supporting the high-potential businesses that form the region’s economic engine - these businesses will help to drive recovery through innovation and growth.”

For the latest news visit

Berkshire resilient against virus

BERKSHIRE’S regional economy has been slightly less impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

This is according to Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

In its latest Skills Priority Statement, it reported that 15.5% of people in Berkshire work in the sectors most affected by lockdown. This is slightly lower than the national average of 16.9%.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has become the greatest challenge of our time,” said Thames Valley Berkshire LEP.

“As we try to recover from this, we understand businesses, educators and communities are understandably anxious.

“We are collaborating now on leading economic recovery in Berkshire and will play our part in securing a national recovery.”

According to the enterprise, Berkshire has a strong regional economy with nearly 50% of employees qualified to degree level or higher.

And the region is well placed for economic recovery with a resilient mix of skills and industries.

To encourage recovery, Thames Valley Berkshire LEP has created an action plan which includes working with education providers to help young people make informed career choices and supporting projects reducing gender gaps in the market.

TVLEP chief executive Alison Webster said: “Our action plan strategises how to prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

“This will ensure that Berkshire remains resilient in the face of current and forthcoming skills challenges and is well positioned to capitalise on future opportunities.”

Thames Valley Berkshire LEP has also launched the Berkshire Opportunities portal to aid Berkshire residents with finding employment and training.

For more information, visit: www.thamesvalley berkshire.co.uk

Construction down but will rise

THE SOUTH EAST’S construction workload has fallen – but it’s predicted to bounce back in the new year.

According to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), workloads have dropped for another quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In its latest Construction and Infrastructure Market Survey, it reported that across all sectors, workload rates fell by 8% between July and September.

However, this is far less than the previous drop of 37% between April and June.

Financial constraints, a shortage of materials, and a lack of demand for construction work are the main reasons for the decline, according to RICS.

“With a new lockdown underway, these are clearly very challenging times for the economy,” said Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at RICS.

But looking ahead, the RICS predicts infrastructure workloads will rise in the coming year as the construction sector recovers from the pandemic.

“The government’s commitment to delivering on its infrastructure programme provides a ray of light with the survey pointing towards a solid increase in workloads over the next 12 months.

“This could play an important role in helping to drive a wider recovery in business activity,” Mr Rubinsohn added.

To advertise call 0118 327 2662

MP joins call to end ‘war on motorists’

By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

Cllr Parry Batth (centre) inspects the new car park at Heath Lake New look for Heath Lake

AFTER A short closure, Heath Lake car park has reopened.

It was shut in mid-October to allow Wokingham Borough Council to carry out resurfacing works at the nature reserve.

The project, which cost £16,000, was funded by Wokingham Without Parish Council. This means no more potholes, and instead 12 clearly marked parking spaces, two disabled bays, and a place to securely park bicycles.

Situated in Crowthorne, Heath Lake is popular for its miles of woodland and heathland.

And it’s a Site of Special Scientific Interest, being home to the only acid lake in Berkshire.

“We know just how popular Heath Lake is with local dog walkers and cyclists alike,” said Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure at Wokingham Borough Council.

“It is fantastic to open a newly resurfaced car park for visitors.

“We are delighted to have worked in partnership on this project with Wokingham Without Parish Council and Friends of Heath Lake, and would like to thank them for funding the work.”

Cllr Angus Ross, a member of Friends of Heath Lake added: “It’s fantastic to have been able to collaborate on such an important project.

“Heath Lake is home to a wide variety of wildlife, so it’s great to see that this site has been invested in for the local community.” A GROUP Conservative MPs are campaigning to stop more cycle lanes being built in towns and cities across the country.

James Sunderland, the MP for Bracknell, is one of 14 that have signed a letter calling on Grant Schapps, secretary of state for transport, to stop ‘the uncalledfor war on the motorist’.

The letter is from FairFuelUK, a lobby group campaigning against charges and taxes on UK motorists.

And it calls on the government to “stop the roll out, and withdraw the plethora of new road narrowing, blockades and dedicated cycle lanes eating into our town and city roads”.

The letter suggests that while the coronavirus crisis has been busy dominating the government’s attention, motorists are left feeling victimised by road restrictions coordinated by local authorities and funded by the Department of Transport.

“The anger out there is palpable,” FairFuelUK says.

Commenting on the letter, James Sunderland said: “As a cyclist, I am pro-cycle lanes, but

ADVERTISER’S ANNOUNCEMENT Why Complete Childcare wants happy children – and parents

CHOOSING a nursery is one of the most important decisions that any parent will make.

For many children it will be the first time that they are apart from immediate family members, so it’s crucial that they are happy, feel safe and have plenty to do.

This is where Complete Childcare comes in. It runs 13 different nurseries, with their locations largely spread along the M4 corridor and in Wokingham, offering everything from more intimate settings to larger premises, where youngsters can grow and develop at their own pace.

And its mix of outdoor learning, French lessons (mais oui), and Boogie Mites – a form of music education with brain boosting benefits – is a hit with both children and adults.

“Each site has its own unique qualities and physical environment, so we can find something to suit all families,” Jacqui Szrejder, head of operations at Complete Childcare says. “We benefit from being part of a big group, but each are different in their own ways.

Each site is distinctive and set up in such a way that they can still give individual attention to each child that comes through the door.

“We get as much information as we can in advance of the child starting. If parents need any kind of help, such as with learning needs, our managers are always on hand.

“We want happy children and happy parents.”

Children have outdoor time every day, led by specially trained staff. Complete Childcare wants to encourage learning about the natural environment. Back inside, they can enjoy all the usual aspects of a nursery such as literacy and arts and crafts, all aimed at helping children to grow and develop.

It is making use of the ParentZone mobile phone application and social media to share updates with parents, as they are unable to enter the nurseries.

Complete Childcare aims to be flexible for parents, offering full days, morning or afternoon sessions. They also offer 15- and 30-hour funded places, and they are accepting new registrations. Due to the pandemic, settling in sessions and visits/tours of the nursery are being done a little differently.

The company has taken great strides to ensure that its settings are Covid-secure and feels it has risen to the challenge. They’ve stayed open throughout lockdown, caring for children of keyworkers initially but opening up the settings more widely as restrictions were relaxed.

“It’s been a difficult time for everyone, but our main priority was our staff and children’s wellbeing –that they felt safe, comfortable and cared for and that they were enjoying their day as much as possible, ” Jacqui explains, adding that they’ve carried on as near to normal as they can, with one eye on their young charges’ futures.

“We are there to help prepare them for school; they’re going to go and join the big wide world of primary schooling and our aim is for them to feel good about themselves and confident in their skills.

“We want children to explore, play, gain independence and confidence, but in a safe environment.” � For more details, or to register your child, log on to www.completechildcare.co.uk or call 0118 207 6600.

these need to be balanced against the requirements of other road users.

“Locally I support the policy in Wokingham which is for new cycle ways to be off-road and completely separate, which is ultimately safer for the cyclist.”

In the letter, FairFuelUK calls upon the transport secretary to support three measures.

First, it campaigns to stop an extra £250 million being spent on road narrowing, blockades and cycle lane projects, claiming these measures will increase congestion and pollution.

The letter also asks Mr Schapps to cancel extending London’s Congestion Charge Zone next year, saying it will destroy businesses and damage low income drivers and shift workers.

And there is also a call to the transport secretary to introduce a long-term transport strategy

A new cycle lane has been installed on Wokingham’s London Road

after consulting motorists themselves.

“It is vital all interested voices have input into creating policies,” FairFuelUK says.

Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK added: “Grant Schapps seems hypnotised by a small minority of ill-informed politically driven well-financed greens, who pathologically hate the motorist.

“Businesses and local communities are being devastated, not by a Chinese bug, but by myopic local authorities, without any consultation and funded by the Department of Transport.

“All this so that fit well-off young cyclists can enjoy their fair weather pastime at the expense of economic common sense.”

To read the letter visit: fairfueluk.com/MPs-to-Rt-HonGrant-Shapps-Final.pdf

NEWS | 11 Bus ticket changes

READING BUSES has made a change to its app to help season ticket holders who are now working from home as a result of the new lockdown.

The company said that it is pausing all active tickets for seven days or more, to ensure no customer loses out.

It comes days after the company said that there would be no reduction in service levels during the month-long lockdown.

Chief executive officer Robert Williams was delighted to be able to make the move.

“We are keen not to disadvantage our customers during this second national lockdown,” he said.

“We have been working closely with our app supplier Passenger Transport Group to pause all active tickets with seven days or more left on them.

These can then be reactivated whenever customers need to travel again – although they will not be able to be subsequently paused again.”

AN EVENT aimed at boosting the mental health of railway workers has been so successful it is to become an annual event.

More than 13,000 railway workers took part in last week’s Rail Wellbeing Live event, which featured speeches, question and answer sessions, panel discussions and workshops.

It was the largest-ever event in the rail industry and to help staff, the event will be online until Friday, November 20.

Out of more than 140 sessions the most attended was comedian and metal advocate Ruby Wax’s, with 2,503 people tuned in to hear how to ‘unfrazzle’ your brain. Second most attended was BBC Breakfast’s Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s talk, with 2,027 finding out his ‘five steps to feeling better’.

Other highlights included retiring RMT General Secretary A TASTE of the Mediterranean is coming to neighbouring Bracknell.

The Real Greek is to open its doors in The Lexicon next month.

Taking over from Carluccio’s, the restaurant will be launching on Eagle Lane, bringing a Mediterranean menu to the shopping centre.

“The Real Greek is delighted to be opening a brand new restaurant in The Lexicon – our 18th site,” said Nabil Mankarious, managing director at The Real Greek.

“It has been designed with the health and safety of our staff and customers as our number one priority and will provide new jobs.” Mick Cash giving a deeply personal interview about his mental health.

John Halsall, chair of the Rail Wellbeing Alliance and managing director of Network Rail’s Southern region, said: “I’m delighted the firstever Rail Wellbeing Live has been such a huge success.

“This is about much more than the event, it’s about us as an industry saying our personal physical and mental wellbeing is important, we value it and we must protect it.

“Putting wellbeing at the top of the agenda is good for all of us, not least the passengers and freight users we serve, because a happier, healthier workforce is a more efficient, successful workforce.”

All the content is available to

Council to convert M&S into gym, shops and offices

New names for Lexicon

view at www.railwellbeinglive.co.uk

It’s not the only new arrival at the shopping centre. British lifestyle brand Crew Clothing will also be opening to the public on Braccan Walk.

“We are delighted to welcome these two fantastic and renowned brands to the town centre,” said Rob Morris, general manager at The Lexicon.

“Both offer something different from our existing proposition and I’m sure will be popular with our shoppers and diners.”

It is anticipated that the openings will create 25 jobs in the area.

The stores are due to open next month.

An artist’s impression of what the former Marks & Spencer store will look like following a makeover

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokingham.today

PLANS to convert Wokingham’s former Marks & Spencer store into two shops, a gym and office space have been announced by the borough council.

If the project is approved, the unit on Peach Street would have its ground floor space split up so that the gym opens on Rose Street, while the new retail units would be on Peach Street.

The new offices would have a terraced garden.

The 45-space car park would be unaffected by the plans and will continue to offer short-stay parking.

“I’m really pleased to be submitting plans for the refurbishment of this town centre building and the council continues to invest in our borough,” said Cllr Charlotte Haitham Taylor, executive member for regeneration.

“This building is an important part of Wokingham town centre and it has been crying out for improvement for many years.

“This is a real opportunity to not only enhance the look of the town centre by replacing the 1960s shop front, but also help reinforce footfall by introducing new shops, offices and a gym.”

If approved, the plans would see the original Dutch gable on Peach Street retained and improved, while the adjacent 1960s glazed section would be replaced with a new gabled façade, designed to be a better fit with surrounding properties and to create improved entrances for the new shops.

The remaining frontages facing on to the car park and the new square would also be refreshed, replacing the existing cluttered façade with a simpler tile and brick approach. These proposals have been designed to work better with the Peach Place square, Bradbury Centre, and Wokingham Medical centre, as well as to take into account public feedback during consultation on the main regeneration designs.

Cllr Haitham Taylor continued: “When we bought the site in 2017, we decided to separate it out from the other regeneration projects to focus our efforts on delivering Peach Place and Elms Field.

“We also wanted time to work up the right designs for this site as it was important that the plans would work well with Peach Street, where we want the focus to remain on retail and business, and with Peach Place where the focus is more on leisure and entertainment around the new square.”

She added: “Over the past few decades the demand for giant retail boxes like this existing building this has changed, with many across the country lying empty for years.

“By breaking it down into more useable units and bringing in new uses, we aim to give the site a new lease of life for years to come.”

Since Marks & Spencer moved out in 2017, the site has been used by a military charity, Forces Support, as a charity shop.

“We’ve been pleased to work with Forces Support as a temporary tenant for the past couple of years,” Cllr Haitham Taylor said.

“It was a great opportunity for them to take on a short term let in the town and raise money for a good cause.

“We were keen that the unit didn’t remain empty while we looked at options for the site, especially as it was the only through access to the Rose Street car park until we reopened the Peach Place square.”

Public consultation on the planning application remains open until Thursday, November 26, with the plans expected to be considered early next year.

Designs can be viewed on the council website by searching for planning application 202757.

Police to stream service of remembrance

A SPECIAL church service of remembrance for those who have lost their lives in road traffic collisions will be been made available to view online from this weekend.

Thames Valley Police usually holds the commemoration so that anyone can attend, but coronavirus restrictions has seen it go virtual.

It aims to support family and friends of those affected.

It was recorded at St Mary The Virgin Church in Thame and led by the force’s chaplain, the Revd Helen Arnold and her assistant, Graham Choldcroft.

A virtual remembrance service has been recorded and will be available to view online to commemorate the lives

Chief Constable John Campbell attended the service alongside police officers and representatives from the ambulance service and the NHS.

In the service, there is an act of commemoration to remember the names of those who have lost their lives in road traffic collisions.

Superintendent Colin Hudson, head of the Roads Policing Unit for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Sadly, in 2019, 56 people lost their lives on the roads in Thames Valley and another 43 people in Hampshire.

“During the ongoing pandemic it hasn’t been possible to hold our services as we usually would, however, it is important that we remember those who have lost their lives, provide support to their family and friends, and recognise the professionalism and courage of the emergency services.

“Therefore we will have two services available to watch online from Sunday, November 15, and I would encourage the public to take a few moments to join a service.”

Any families who wish to receive an invite to attend future Road Death Memorial Services may contact RDMS@thamesvalley.pnn. police.uk.

ONE TWYFORD resident is making sure everybody can celebrate the holiday season in style this year, writes Charlotte King.

Rebecca Meuuwissen, the brains behind Twyford’s recent Hallowe’en Hunt, is planning a free community Christmas Light Trail in the village next month.

“After organising the Hallowe’en Hunt, I got a lot of messages asking if there would be something similar at Christmas.

“It felt like a no-brainer to me,” she said.

While plans are still currently being made, Ms Meuuwiseen hopes to create a virtual map which families can download from the internet.

On the map, houses which are lit up with all manner of festive decorations will be pinpointed, creating a trail for people to follow around the village.

The organiser hopes that the event will act as a ‘one stop shop’ where people can easily enjoy and appreciate the Christmas lights displays in the area.

And it will run across Twyford, Ruscombe, Hurst and Charvil.

“It hadn’t even crossed my mind originally to do an event like this,” Ms Meeuwissen explained.

“But after receiving six or seven messages, I thought I’d take a look into it.

“I put the feelers out with a couple of my friends and they told me to go for it,” she said..

There is no set date for the trail yet, but it will likely launch in early

Twyford’s Christmas tree last year – a call has gone for villagers to join in a festival of lights this December

December to give people plenty of time to enjoy the festivities.

All houses in the four villages are invited to take part in the event.

For more information and to register your interest, visit: www.facebook.com/groups/ 395247758340397

To advertise call 0118 327 2662 NEWS | 13 Country show organisers forced to find new home

By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today

A FUNDRAISING group which attracts thousands of visitors to its annual country show is looking for a new home for its event.

Hurst Show and Country Fayre, 41 years old, has been using a field between School and Orchard Roads, in the middle of the village, for at least the majority of that time.

The owners have told them that the land will not be available for them to use in future.

The show committee’s statement says: “We have been informed that Willowmead Field is no longer available for use by the show and we are looking for other suitable locations.”

Wokingham Borough councillor for Hurst Wayne Smith said: “The field owners have been very generous providing the site over the last 40 years.”

“I will do everything I can to work with the show organisers to find a new site.”

The weekend show in June raises thousands of pounds for local good causes including St Nicholas Primary School, Hurst.

This year, due to Covid-19, there was a virtual show online, with some socially distanced real events not involving the field.

The future of the field which might be worth £5m for housing, if planning permission was granted, is being questioned.

This week on Hurst Residents Community Group Facebook page Roybean Martineau asked: “Is it true that the field next to the school playground is subject to a planning application to build houses? Anybody know?”

Mark Usher, who would not confirm if he was involved with the field’s ownership or if he was speaking on behalf of the field’s owners, told Wokingham.Today: “I believe a link was added to the thread that lists any planning applications in the borough. Hopefully that should answer Roy’s question on Facebook.

“The land is private land and although previously has been used for one weekend a year by the village it remains grazing land for horses.

“The use of the land by the village will not continue and [this has been] communicated to the event organisers.

“We prefer not to comment on speculation on social media sites as planning applications are public record and absolutely the right place for any change in circumstance to be communicated.”

A Wokingham Borough Council spokesperson on Monday gave details of the field’s public record, saying: “There is no current planning application on this site.”

The borough’s map of live planning applications is at: wokingham.maps. a r c g i s . c o m /a p p s / w e b a p p v i e w e r / index.html

Some time ago the council asked landowners and others to suggest areas in the borough for development up to 2036.

The show field was suggested for housing, but the council did not include it in the draft plan which was put out for public consultation earlier this year.

Details on this are via these links: w w w.wo k i n g h a m .gov.u k /p l a n n i n gpolicy/planning-policy-information/ local-plan-update/

Sites for more than 7,000 homes were suggested for Hurst but the borough council picked out sites for a total of just 15 homes – in Whistley Green and near Hogmoor Lane.

However the draft plan will probably have to be changed greatly due to Covid-19, the Grazeley 15,000 homes plan being stopped by the Atomic Weapons Establishment evacuation zone extension and the council failing to get their bid for £252m for infrastructure.

Speaking about the School/Orchard Roads site, Cllr Smith said: “If there was a planning application for that field I would represent the views of Hurst and do what our residents wanted me to do.”

Last year, First Days Children’s Charity and The Link Visiting Scheme benefitted from the 12 Days of Giving campaign

Give a little over 12 days

CHARITIES up and down the country will be celebrating the 12 days of Christmas early this year.

Ecclesiastical, a global financial services organisation, is running its annual 12 days of giving campaign.

Throughout December, it will be awarding £120,000 to 120 charitable causes across the country.

And Berkshire residents are being called upon to nominate local causes close to their hearts to be considered for the initiative.

Last year, First Days Children’s Charity and Link Visiting Scheme were awarded £1,000 grants, following overwhelming public support.

“As a commercial company with a charitable purpose, giving back is at the heart of our business,” said Mark Hews, Ecclesiastical’s CEO..

“Our annual 12 days of giving Christmas campaign will help charities change lives for the better and we know that for many charities, £1,000 can make a real difference.”

From Monday, December 7 until Tuesday, December 22, 10 winners will be announced each weekday.

Winners will be drawn at random, and the more nominations each charity gets increases its chance of being selected.

Last year’s campaign was supported by 140,000 people, with 7,100 charitable causes receiving votes up and down the country. � For more information, visit: www.movementforgood.com/12days

To advertise call 0118 327 2662 NEWS | 15 Pastor writes book about divorce to help others

By JOHN WAKEFIELD news@wokingham.today

A NEW book has been written to help people through the process and pains of divorce and it’s from the pen of someone who has been there and come out of the other side.

Nothing unusual in that until you discover that it is a church leader who has used his own experiences as a starting point for the tome.

Keith Saynor, who is now pastor of Grace Church in Caversham, but was leader of Wokingham’s Kings Church a few years ago, said that the idea behind the book came after discovering a lack of written resources on the subject in a Christian bookshop.

“There were books about marriage and marriage preparation,” he said. “But nothing giving a Christian perspective. As I searched more widely I found very little written to help people move on following divorce.”

The result is Life Beyond Divorce: My Journey. A Christian book, it describes his personal journey, which he says includes “recovery and restoration following the

shock of a painful separation and divorce”.

Mr Saynor, who is now remarried with a young daughter, writes that he faced “a tough, five-year challenge”, which started when his exwife left him.

“As a pastor and as a former sergeant in the Thames Valley Police I have helped many people learn how to forgive and move on, so I knew that it was important that I faced and dealt with this area early on,” he explained.

But even biblical theology and conventional prayers seemed unable to fix his problems.

Keith Saynor, the pastor of Grace Church in Caversham, has written a book aimed at helping people undergoing divorce

He said that he went back to the source of his Christian faith and was surprised by the variety of ways in which he felt that God showed him how to shed his bitterness and anger and show forgiveness instead.

Mr Saynor said through his journey, he found that he received love, guidance, reassurance and ultimately restoration.

The book weaves together stories from the Bible, lyrics from popular music, passages from literature and scenes from Hollywood films.

Mr Saynor hopes to bring hope in the midst of uncertainty for people going through a marriage breakdown – or any profound loss – and pointers for churches offering them support. � Life Beyond Divorce: My Journey is published by Ronyas Publishing, ISBN 978-1-52727469-3, price £7.99. It can be obtained by emailing lifebeyonddivorce@gmail.com . It is also being stocked by Quench Wokingham, based in Holme Grange Craft Village. Email admin@quenchshops.com or call the shop on 0118 9776715 and leave a message. A member of the team will be in the shop between 1pm3pm Monday to Friday to take calls.

Make it a happy Christmas by helping The Giving Tree

� From front page

The appeal was launched at Wokingham’s Tesco superstore on Finchampstead Road on Tuesday, with the request this year for gift vouchers for children rather than physical presents.

They will be distributed by local charities who work closely to ensure that the presents fall into the right stockings on Christmas Day.

Last year, more than 2,500 children across Wokingham borough were helped in this way.

Gill McKernan, who works for Barnardo’s High Close School in Wokingham, announced the appeal with Louise Jedras, Wokingham Tesco’s Community Champion.

“We are living in unprecedented times, with even more families struggling for money because of the pandemic. There are many safety-first restrictions in place, with limitations on the handling of toys and boxes, but that doesn’t mean that the Giving Tree appeal won’t go ahead,” Mrs McKernan said.

“We will simply ask for gift vouchers instead of the usual presents, and we hope that the public will understand Gillian McKernan at the launch of The Giving Tree in Tesco Wokingham on Tuesday this.

“This change is simple, but it hopeful that this year’s appeal will be sparkles with the true spirit of the as successful as in previous years, season.” despite the pandemic.

She continued: “People can just She added: “It’s my hope that no choose a tag from one of the Giving child who has asked for a gift through Trees across the borough, buy the gift the Giving Tree will go without this voucher on the tag and return it to the Christmas. tree. I hope the generous people of “Of course, supporting the appeal Wokingham and the surrounding area doesn’t mean people need to spend a will get behind this, dig deep if they are fortune. Any gift voucher amount will able, and make sure less-fortunate put a smile on the face of a child at youngsters stay on Santa’s list. Christmas. I’d urge people to buy a gift

“I would like to say a huge thank you voucher today and send it with love.” to PricewaterhouseCoopers, who have The Giving Tree has been running Charities benefiting from the Giving printed the tags and posters again this for two decades and the popular event Tree 2020 are: Barnardo’s, Sebastian’s year. They are one of many generous has collected thousands of gifts for Action Trust, Look Ahead Care, businesses that are supporting the youngsters in and around Wokingham. Berkshire Women’s Aid, Kaleidoscopic Giving Tree this year.” Last year, the tags flew off the trees, UK, Transform Housing, Home Start,

The Giving Trees are at Tesco ensuring that children who asked for a Berkshire Young Carers, Dingley’s Wokingham, Tesco Warfield, Tesco gift didn’t miss out at Christmas, as Promise, The Cowshed, Building For Martin Heron, Morrisons at Woosehill residents rushed to help. The Future, and First Days Children’s and Newbury Building Society. Tesco’s Louise Jedras said she was Charity. Find a Giving Tree at Tesco Wokingham, Tesco Warfield, Tesco Martin

Heron, Morrisons at Woosehill and Newbury Building Society

Sunday is special for radio

Hope, of course

BBC Radio Berkshire is to continue broadcasting church services on Sundays for listeners unable to visit their place of worship as a result of lockdown.

Over coming weeks, they will be led by a wide range of denominations, including the former Bishop of Reading and now Archbishop of York, the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell.

There will also be reflections from Methodist minister the Revd Jenny Pathmarajah, and hymn-writers Keith and Kristyn Getty.

These services are broadcast at 8am on Sundays, and are usually followed by a local reflection.

There are also reflections for Muslim, Sikh and Hindu believers – Islamic: Fridays 5.50am. Hindu: 5.50am Saturdays. Sikh: Sundays 5.50am.

The BBC said that its listeners have described the services as “uplifting”, “comforting” and a “lifeline”.

Chris Burns, head of BBC local radio, said: “We know from personal testament just how important these broadcasts have proved to be.

“They have played an important role in bringing communities together virtually so no one need feel they are on their own.

“We expanded our religious programming on the first weekend of lockdown in March and will continue to broadcast services and reflections until life returns to normal.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our teams have carried out since the pandemic began.”

This Sunday, the 8am service is led by Keith and Kristyn Getty. A WOKINGHAM church is to run an Advent course to help residents end the year well.

Called The Joy of Hope, there are four sessions which will run online on Wednesdays from November 25.

Starting at 8pm, the sessions will aim to offer an uplifting and practical insight into the joy of living now from a Christian perspective.

It is run by Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturges Road.

Places are free but should be registered in advance.

For more details, log on to cchristicafegroup.wordpress.com

For the latest news visit

18 | VIEWPOINTS WOKINGHAM.TODAY T H E V O I C E O F T H E B O R O U G H Playing the regeneration game NEWS that the former Marks & Spencer store is to be redeveloped will dismay some readers.

Many of us miss the chance to get our smalls and coats from the Peach Street store, which left for the bright lights of Bracknell in 2017.

Some had hoped it could have been converted into a Marks & Spencer Food Hall, while others had expressed a desire for an indoor market.

We now know what Wokingham Borough Council – who own the site – are intending to do.

It is to become a gym at the back, with two retail units at the front, with office space above.

Like much of Wokingham town centre’s regeneration, it’s a case of watch this space. The pandemic has put much of our lives on hold this year, and the retail scene has been part of that.

For example, many of us will not have visited our new Starbucks yet, not because they don’t want to, but to avoid unnecessary journeys.

The council has to balance all of this and ensure it is getting a return for its – our –investment. For example, the new gym is a pre-let – the council has a preferred operator – that is good news.

At first glance, the plan might seem disappointing, but for now we need to hold tight and see what develops. The regeneration will be worth it.

CHURCH NOTES Celebrating Inter Faith Week

An open leמּer from the Revd Richard Teal, President of the Methodist Conference and Carolyn Lawrence, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, to mark Inter Faith Week 2020.

Dear Brothers and Sisters of all Faiths,

We greet you all at the beginning of this Inter-Faith Week 2020 with good wishes of peace. This is an occasion when we celebrate our friendships and also when we consider what we share in common.

The Methodist people are known to be friends of all and enemies of none. That friendship we would like to extend to you again this year, with respect, and indeed love.

John Wesley, the father of Methodism, taught us to acknowledge the work of God in all peoples of faith.

To recognise the finger of God, to rejoice in God's work, and praise God with thanksgiving for God's presence and work amongst people of all faiths.

We share with you a life of dedication to our traditions and faith.

This year in particular Methodist People have been reflecting on the fact that in spite of all the suffering and struggles we have faced collectively as a Kingdom and worldwide that the best of all is that God is still with us.

This we choose to affirm in faith and hope of a better future.

With renewed friendship and every blessing,

The Revd Richard Teal, President of the Methodist Conference, 2020 - 2021 Carolyn Lawrence, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, 2020 - 2021

To advertise email advertising@wokingham.today

Your letters

Send your thoughts to letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk

We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to The Wokingham Paper, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokinghampaper.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper

Fly-tipping is tempting unless the price is right

On October 29 you reported that the council decreed that fly-tipping is irresponsible and they queried whether it was more prevalent lately because people were at home more or because they had limited access to the tip.

On November 5, you reported that the council would crackdown on fly tipping, "we are watching" and "zero tolerance".

Perhaps if they paused to reflect on the amount they charge for removing items (I have recently paid £56 for 2 large items to be removed and was given a five-week wait initially, a large lump out of my pension), also that not everyone has access to large vehicles to move unwanted items or the physical strength to move the items to the front of the house – they will not enter your home to help with this – they might realise how tempting an offer is from unlicensed "removers" who may merely fly-tip the unwanted goods.

Many councils remove items free of charge especially for those on benefit...

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Fares fair? Since November 2019 I have been pleading with WBC Taxi licensing dept to use some common sense regarding the age Private Hire Taxis are allowed to operate, especially those that are in a very good condition inside and out. But as usual the only response I got was "computer says no".

Due to this intransigence, I had no choice but to cancel my Taxi insurance

mattrodda Westminster diary

renewal, stop trading and insure on a normal car insurance policy.

The next day WBC Licensing Dept changed their rules and extended the operating age. At least other vehicle operators will gain from this new-found common sense.

Four years ago, WBC Licensing Dept decided to force all Taxi Operators to pay five years operators costs in one go. I phoned the licensing department on October 3, 2016 at 15.13 to question this decision and also their refund policy. They assured me that any refund would be paid in full, there would be no charges.

Four weeks ago I applied for two refunds, so two minor calculations that would take a 13-year-old no more than 15 minutes to work out. The council actually got one of the calculations wrong.

For the two refunds WBC Taxi Licensing have charged me £114 total. This is an absolute disgrace.

To ignore their promise to me is disgraceful behaviour, and then to compound their bad behaviour by this Price Gouging is disgraceful.

Compare this to Hays Travel Ltd who had to claim money back from an airline and a hotel for a covid cancelled £740 holiday and they are charging me just £13.

P Smith, Wokingham

Citizens assemble I am flattered that two Conservative activists have been assigned the role of responding to Wokingham Labour’s campaign for a Citizens’ Assembly but both letters are misleading.

I did not voice disapproval at Cllr Murray’s new-found support for a Citizens’ Assembly – it was incredulity at what he was saying.

Cllr Murray gave the impression that one could simply trot out a few Citizens' Assemblies, each covering an area of the Climate Emergency and each consisting of people in part chosen by him.

In doing so, he demonstrated that he does not understand how a Citizens’ Assembly works and he does not understand they cost money.

In effect he was talking about a series of mini-Conservative Council consultations on the cheap – and we all know how those end.

A Citizens’ Assembly must be free from the control of the Council and local political parties.

I think I have been in 17 Council meetings where the Climate Emergency has been the sole topic or a major item on the agenda and in addition, I have reviewed the minutes of a further three officer steering group meeting and a Citizens’ Assembly has never, ever been promoted as a credible part of the Borough’s response to the Climate Emergency.

Never.

In the meeting to which Cllr Hinton refers, the full text of the minutes is “Officers were considering the potential for a Citizens Assembly in order to increase awareness and engage with residents” once again demonstrating either a lack of understanding of the purpose of a Citizens’ Assembly or a deliberate fudging of the issue.

I suspect it is the latter.

The purpose of Citizens’ Assembly must be to shape and drive policy.

If Cllr Hinton thinks officers use words like “considering” and “potential” when they mean “plan” then I have an oven-ready deal I would like to sell him.

I think Cllr Hinton was referring to Extinction Rebellion (ER) when he wrote about “Extension Rebellion” and he is right, it has been one of ER's demands. Wokingham Labour does not claim to have invented Citizens’ Assemblies, indeed our website references a number of organisations, including the UK Parliament and the Local Government Association, which explain how Citizens’ Assemblies work.

A full list of resources can be found here: www.wokinghamlabourparty.org/ green-vision/why-we-need-a-citizensassembly-on-the-climate-emergency/

What Wokingham Labour is doing is campaigning for (1) a Citizens’ Assembly to address the issue of how to make the Borough Carbon neutral by 2030; (2) that the Citizens’ Assembly is free from political inference and control; (3) that WBC commit to adopting the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly.

I hope this helps clarify Conservative confusion on this issue.

Cllr Andy Croy, Labour group leader, Wokingham Borough Council

Ray of hope in a dark winter

THIS week’s news that a vaccine has been shown to be 90% effective against Coronavirus is significant and offers a ray of hope in a dark winter.

Our community has been through so much and I hope that this news offers the prospect of a much brighter future.

I also believe it is important to thank our NHS and care staff, key workers, volunteers and indeed the community as a whole, for their bravery and determination at this difficult time.

However, it is important to remember that while the news is very encouraging, there are still a series of hurdles to overcome.

While some of these are likely to be difficult, I believe they are not insurmountable.

We need to continue to focus on making steady progress in a difficult situation.

The first hurdle relate to the effectiveness of the vaccine, and other vaccines.

While trials show it works in individual people, we will not know how effective the first vaccine is at stopping transmission until there has been a major programme of vaccination.

There is also a huge logistical challenge in delivering a vaccination programme for the whole of the UK population in just a few months.

I am pleased that the Government has started to plan this programme and I hope they will learn from the failures of their track and trace programme and manage the vaccination more effectively.

Ministers need to use the full resources of local councils, which understand their areas, and also the skills of the NHS and other parts of the public sector, including the forces, rather than trying to build a new organisation by relying on an outsourcing company.

The Government must also send out a clear message at this time.

While the vaccine is very good news, we still need to maintain social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus and it is important that people continue to follow the current lock down to reduce transmission. This is difficult, but it is very important.

It is also important to remember the economic and social consequences of the pandemic and I am calling for more support for groups like

vulnerable people and families who are struggling after losing their jobs.

I was pleased to be able to help deliver food to families during the recent half term and the Government’s decision to help families on free school meals during the Christmas Holiday is a step forward.

However, this has not solved the problem of parents and other adults struggling to make ends meet and much more help is needed.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of NHS and care staff and key workers and volunteers, and by working together I believe local communities in Berkshire can get through this difficult time.

We can see light at the end of the tunnel. However, better leadership and further help and encouragement from the Government would make a significant difference.

Maמּ Rodda is the MP for Reading East

Despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic and the difficult world we are living in today, it is important to celebrate the truly outstanding contribution of some of our young people who continue to do extraordinary things in extraordinary times. This is particularly the case when thinking about some of our children in care and care leavers who never cease to impress and amaze me with their brilliant achievements, awesome resilience and critical insights.

At a recent full council meeting of Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council, I presented a critical paper regarding the council’s role as corporate parents: protecting and supporting our children in care and care leavers.

As Lead Member for Children’s Services, I have the honour and privilege to chair the Corporate Parenting Forum, which includes youth ambassadors and some of our children in care as representatives.

These are critical meetings that allow our young people to speak, articulate their experiences and contribute to how we can improve the service and offering. Since becoming chair last May, I have fundamentally changed the format of the meetings to allow for a more informal and relaxed approach removing much of the formality that surrounds council meetings and encouraging our young people to set agendas, speak openly and to control the meeting set up.

We have had live workshops and exercises run by our young people including a live simulation of what it is like to be taken into care; a truly profound and moving experience that provoked me to request policy changes to parts of our service.

I can comfortably say these sessions are easily the most interesting and rewarding meetings I chair and attend. I thank all our young people for all the insights they bring.

The report highlighted the excellent progress we have made combined with our recent Good rating by Ofstad which specifically accentuated areas of outstanding practice in this area. Protecting vulnerable people is at the heart of this administration’s values and agenda and there is nothing more important than vulnerable children.

Our young people, particularly those in care, continue to inspire me with their enthusiasm, humility, worldly perspective and sense of fun. Every single one them are deeply valued and we will continue to do our very best to give each and every person, the very best life chances and opportunities possible across the Royal Borough.

Cllr Stuart Carroll Boyn Hill Ward, Maidenhead Deputy Chair of Cabinet

Lead Member Adult Social Care, Children Services, Health and Mental Health

Remember these key workers Key workers in Britain are rightly receiving the recognition and appreciation they deserve, with NHS staff, care workers and delivery drivers among the professions that have been praised for their heroic efforts this year.

But, some of the most essential workers in developing countries worldwide are continually overlooked and neglected. Working animals play a key role in the world’s poorest

communities and help provide a livelihood for more than half a billion people.

An estimated 200 million working horses, donkeys, camels and elephants are relied upon to transport goods, food, water and firewood.

By doing the jobs of trucks, tractors and taxis, this invisible workforce ensures the survival of povertystricken families.

However, these animals often endure appalling conditions, with poor nutrition and no access to veterinary treatment when they are sick or injured.

At the animal charity SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), we believe that working animals overseas should receive the respect, compassion and vital veterinary care they desperately need. On International Working Animal Day (19 November), please find out how you can show your support for these hardworking animals by visiting www.spana.org/ iwad.

Geoffrey Dennis Chief Executive, SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)

tonyjohnson That was the week

The good, the bad and the ugly

THIS was a pivotal week in British and American politics.

Over here in the House of Commons, England voted for lockdown where the numbers were questioned and the result isn’t clear yet.

Over there in the Presidential Election, Americans voted for Biden, but the numbers were challenged and the result isn’t clear either. “Fake” News

If Donald Trump could be said to have done anything for the United States, it’s to drag American politics into the 21st century.

He’s famous for using his Twitter account to get his point of view out to the public.

He’s well-known for his criticism of the media, especially digital media, under the banner of “fake news”.

He’s not so well-known though for introducing prison reform via the First Step Act; extending the US military-industrial complex into space via the Space Force; tax reform via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and judicial reform by appointing three supreme court and more than 200 other federal judges during his term in office.

But he’s not at all well-known for conceding the 2020 presidential election, instead making accusations of illegal ballots, denial of access to observe the count, eventually claiming that the election was stolen. As the AP (Associated Press) fact check showed, that was a load of … well, dare one whisper it … fake news. Debatable Lockdown

In the UK, Monday saw Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving the house a Covid-19 briefing then answering questions. What Hansard didn’t show was the ‘short statement’ made by the Speaker beforehand.

Referring to the way in which the Prime Minister’s announcement on Saturday had been forced by leaks to the media, the Speaker said that he’d been reassured by Johnson that the “the leaks were NOT from Downing Street” before he went on to talk about “unacceptable and discourteous behaviour”, which of course had nothing to do with the Prime Minister whatsoever.

In the ensuing three-hour debate on Wednesday, some 25 Tory MPs spoke of their misgivings or outright opposition to the new regulations for ‘Lockdown 2’.

On her way to an unrecorded vote, borough MP Theresa May observed that “the prediction was wrong before it was even used. This leads to a problem for the Government, because for many people it looks as though the figures are being chosen to support the policy, rather than the policy being based on the figures”.

And while sympathetic with the dilemma the government faced, Mrs May went on to talk about the costs: of non-Covid deaths; of domestic abuse; of mental health issues; as well as the economy.

She spoke out clearly about public worship, saying “My concern is that the Government today making it illegal to conduct an act of public worship, for the best of intentions, sets a precedent that could be misused by a Government in future with the worst of intentions”.

A telling point was then made by Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP) speaking immediately after Mrs May, when he observed that, “We in the SNP are not unused to the Prime Minister scuttling out before our spokesperson gets to their feet, but the fact that he could not wait four minutes to listen to his predecessor was, I think, extremely unfortunate”.

The words “extremely unfortunate” deserve explanation, but this is a family newspaper.

Meanwhile, on his way to voting for the new law, Borough MP Matt Rodda observed that “it would have been so much better had the Government acted sooner”.

And while the actual vote was vastly in favour, 516 to 38 (of which 32 were Conservatives), if this were a conventional partisan vote, calculations show that the outcome could well have gone the other way (318 to 324).

Lockdown is not the only answer. Gruel Britannia

Marcus Rashford.

Just about says it all.

The government might just as well have been saying “let them eat cake”.

Because the U-turn over child food poverty should be taken as a salutary reminder that tuning-in to public feelings might be in the interest of all elected representatives (local as well as national). In Memoriam

Thursday, November 11, 1920 saw the burial of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey among the monarchs, the great and the good of British history.

It marked a turning point in the formation of modern Britain - a transition from grief about the war dead (over 758,736 young men and 655 women killed in action in World War One) as the country was turning towards remembrance and respect.

A century later we pay tribute to the many, then and since, who gave all their tomorrows –giving us all our todays. caveat.lector@icloud.com

VIEWPOINTS | 19 angelagarwood Honest motherhood Nailing it

LEO is three months old now and I am slowly getting used to thinking of myself as the mother of two children.

Maia turned seven last month, and has begun sticking Little Mix posters up on her bedroom wall.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this yet, as I still think of her as my baby girl, not someone who sticks posters of their favourite bands on walls.

That seems far too grown up.

Every day is a balancing act of taking care of the tiny human (he’s actually in the 91st percentile in both weight and height, so he really isn’t that tiny), while making sure the slightly bigger but still tiny human gets enough of my love and attention.

I rarely get it completely right, but most of time she seems quite happy playing and watching me take care of her brother.

I made the mistake of attempting to cut his nails the other night. This is every parent’s nightmare, and can make even the most well accomplished, high-achieving individual feel inadequate.

There’s nothing quite as delicate, and with such small margin for error.

The wise parent waits until their child is asleep, you’ve really got no chance otherwise. Though even then there’s no guarantee they’ll keep entirely still.

And even when they do, you can still royally mess the whole thing up, as I discovered one disastrous night.

It was around 1.20am. I hadn’t yet gone to sleep so, in hindsight, was not in the best state to be embarking on something so painstaking. Razor clawed

I ploughed ahead anyway, determined to cut back the nails I had begun describing as “lethal”.

They were a threat to not only his own beautiful face, but to others too. I was getting tired of being razor clawed.

The first few fingers were a piece of cake. I was quite proud of myself, I’d taken just the right amount of nail and shaped them quite nicely.

Then I moved on to his other hand and found the angle wasn’t quite as good. A woman in her right mind would have called it a day, or perhaps tried to move her baby into a better position.

I did neither.

I could barely see what I was doing, but thinking I had his teeny weeny index finger nail in the teeny weeny clippers, I pressed down to discover it was not nail, but most definitely skin. Nail makes a certain sound when cut and so does skin.

I had just clipped down on my sleeping baby’s skin. I gasped.

In a split second he stopped making those cute little breathing sounds babies make. Then came the face, contorted in distress. It felt like an eternity passed before he finally let out the heartbreaking cry I’d been waiting for.

“I’M SORRY!!OH MY GOODNESS, I’M SO SORRY!”.

I got up and cradled the injured baby in my arms, gently rocking him, kissing him and repeating “I’m sorry” over and over like a mad woman.

I felt truly incompetent.

He didn’t take long to calm but the bleeding stuck around for a while. Tiny little red specks quickly appeared on the front of his onesie, still there the following morning to remind me of the ordeal and bring back the guilt.

I checked the clippers to see how much damage I’d done. The actual skin I’d cut off was barely visible to the naked eye. But the sounds of his cries will haunt me forever.

I rang my Mum to ask if she’d ever done the same thing.

“Oh yeah,” she said, completely unfazed.

It turns out it’s a common occurrence.