COVERING WOKINGHAM, FINCHAMPSTEAD, EARLEY, WINNERSH, SHINFIELD, WOODLEY, TWYFORD & SURROUNDING AREAS
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THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Thursday, August 26, 2021 No. 326
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REWIND: Fancy dress and sunshine filled the weekend with fun Picture: Dijana Capan
MYSTERY OVER GRAVE LOCATION P2
EVERY GRAND HELPS FOR ME2 P14
BACK TO THE 80s: Festival fever as pop stars of yesteryear sing again • p6-7
GROUPS PREPARE TO HELP AFGHANS EXCLUSIVE
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today COMMUNITY groups are preparing for the arrival of Afghan refugees in the borough.
It comes as the Government commits to resettling 20,000 vulnerable Afghans following the Taliban takeover earlier this month.
Cllr John Halsall, leader of the borough council said: “At this stage, it is not clear if, or how many, refugees from Afghanistan will be resettling in our borough.” He said the council is keen and willing to help these people and will be preparing contingency plans. This includes working with charities, organisations and the NHS to ensure refugees can live healthy and
fulfilling lives, the council leader said. He added: “The events we are witnessing in Afghanistan are truly terrifying, and our thoughts are with all those affected. “Like many other local authorities, we want to do everything we can to help individuals seeking refuge in the UK; ensuring they feel safe and supported to become valued members of our thriving community.”
Cllr Halsall said anyone wanting to help should donate to foodbanks and clothing charities, such as The Cowshed — which will be able to distribute goods to those in need. “There is also the option to give financial contributions to the Reading Refugee Support Group, which supports refugees and people seeking asylum,” the councillor added. n Continued on page 11
TREES TAKE OVER SHOPPING SPOT P16
CHOIRS ARE BACK IN ACTION P20
2 | NEWS NEWS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY July 22, WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, Thursday, August 26,2021 2021
St Paul’smeal hosts aevent mouse hunt Town marks WE COVER WOKINGHAM BOROUGH
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VISITORS to a Wokingham church were pleased to find mice everywhere. But these weren’t pests, they were woolly creations conjured up by the talented members a Mothers’ Union. FOOD lovers can of enjoy a Theofanimals were dotted feast entertainment ataround the churchyard building of St Paul’s this year’s and Reading Town Church Roadits fortenth families Meal asinitReading celebrates to find, before enjoying refreshments anniversary. in the parish rooms. Gardens Held at Forbury event on Saturday was, onThe Saturday, September 25, according to Austen, a joyous occasion. theTeri event is encouraging “We didn’ttoknow if the weather volunteers come forward would be ideal,but it was all okay,” she and help on the day. said.Running “We were verynoon pleased. It was just from until
really nice to do something with the community again. “People came along and said they really enjoyed it, and asked if we could do it every year. We said we are considering it.” The children were able to take their mouse home as a souvenir of their hard work. It wasn’t the only event at the church: on Sunday, the congregation gathered in the grounds to enjoy hymn singing with Pimm’s and other refreshments. “It’s been a good weekend,” Mrs Austen said, “and the weather was kind.”
10th anniversary next month
4pm, an afternoon of live music, workshops and free food will be enjoyed by the community. And Reading College students will be cooking up a storm with food from local farms and allotments. Previous meals include tagine, curry, hotpot and ragout, all served with salad, “The event is all about of different roles from helping and followed by a special celebrating our community collect the beautiful fruit and crumble. veg from our amazing growers and there is no better way After covid forced the event and taking it to Reading College to do that than sharing a to go online last autumn, it to be cooked into the meal to meal together outside, has already confirmed its first stewarding on the day.” especially after the last workshop will be the Fungi 18 months,” she said. n To register interest, or for Farmer, starting a week of more information, log on to: “As well as the three-course FIND THE MOUSE: St ahead Paul's Mothers Unionmeal, held the huntwill on Saturday FAMILY TIME: Harry, 3, on the Mouse Hunt with the help of mum, Sarah Holmes Pictures: Steve online workshops of readingtownmeal.org.uk there be tastyafternoon things Saturday’s main event. to buy from traders such as Taking place on Monday, The Grumpy Goat and Linda’s September 20, at 7pm, the Preserves. We’ll also be joined farmer will be giving a guide by local bands Dolly and the to mycology, which includes a Clothes Pegs and The Pickin But it's gotten worse struggling with regular walking or cycling routes to of the issues in the area,” Cllr lesson on growing your own walk]. LunchTimers.” EXCLUSIVE Jorgensen added. “They since the edible mushrooms. Mslockdown.” Fitton added that theyinconsiderate parking — also get them safely to school. Mr Rowland said some have worked closely with He urgingforparents to on the weekends. By JESS WARREN Sharon Fitton, chair of the areislooking volunteers back theirmake feet”itand jwarren@wokingham.today Town Meal steering group, said“getto helpon them a “year Parking on dropped curbs footpaths had been installed the council’s active travel My Journey in fields, to EXCLUSIVE help families on team, yellow linesis can school with their and double she is really excited to be back walkto to remember”. FOOD: The event at forbury Wokingham on their travel their journey. byPictures: the borough INCONSIDERATE parking at Forbury Gardens this year. children. She said: “There are lots be enforced gardens Alison Cross By JESS WARREN This includes a path plan, which contains 75 He believes it would help council, and Cllr Kerr said a has returned along jwarren@wokingham.today Field with initiatives to encourage Evendons Lane, prompting a resolve some of the number of fines have been linking Viking walking or cycling to Leslie Sears Playing Field. out in recent weeks. of and the handedto call for parents to get out of frustration memberresidents for housing suppose there’s anything. “There A is NINETEENTH-century a network of school.” are way too many lanefinance have. said pre-construction “There Cllr their cars. Kaiser said: “We illustrator has become a also won the parentsregard not considering it’s asfootpaths around Cllr Sarah Kerr, Liberal For the last four years, testing at Grovelands Park did mysteryEvendons, after his death,The dueschool to a missing grave. resident safety Modeshift Regional Award people could them place area,” she and said.every nuisance parking has been Democrat not showcouncillor any issues. for a residential very important, Theuse final resting of Arthur Frederics, the being the best incomic the more,” he said. answer is isn’t just saidadditional one person an issue raised by Evendons, He said tests “But the precaution being taken, illustrator of Jerome for K. Jerome’s Victorian encouraging Jorgensen, fines.” including securing the site Cllr Pauline an small appointment Wokingham Town and missed revealed levels of novel, Three Men inborough a Boat, is at St Paul’s Church, member for pupils to walk, cycle and She and is carrying concerned this inmonth, after Evendons Neighbourhood earlier asbestos soil samples. out that air testsexecutive Wokingham. scootistounknown, school. prompting highways at But theitsborough morehave restrictions blocked-in their adding which Action Group, said chair Ken being Cllr Prue Bray,onLiberal exact location confirmed there The councillor said they shefor is aaware of to be along the Rowland. Democrat councillor for calls memorial created. WORK on a Winnersh site has driveway. is noentire risk. lane will council said also installed a the issue andArtsympathises the problem Where Evendons Lane just “move With pandemic Winnersh, said the asbestos historian andhave member of the Jerome K. been suspended until next “Foundations may require temporary outside with nearby residents. Road, elsewhere”. restrictions easing, Mr meets wasFinchampstead inert. Jerome Society, Dr Mark Bryant chicane said there is no month. redesigning, and therefore school She said the of council Primary stopped. a short road of running Rowland said part Grovelands “Evendons record whereisthe the great artisttoiscontrol buriedspeeds, in the Buildingsaid workparents on the are there isShe work has temporarily controls to deter deter through traffic and School is at developing a dead driving to parallel, Park with was built onend. a former tip, churchyard. upgradedtheir homeschildren at Grovelands “Ourexcellent contractor hopes to be a better poor parking Frederics, at the endwhose of provide sustainable Also referred tocould as have a encouraging Evendons Primary and the asbestos real name wasexperience Frederick Park has been pausedSchool after able to resume works later forin London people inwalking and Lane Hipp, andwas inborn she said. “But it’s Evendons Arthur banjo, it from provides more andwas more. come there. a safe transport,” 1849. asbestos found in the in September.” Tanners we need This, he said, leads to cars turning“Itspace could for haveresidents come fromat the stage his life in the city, but his ground. Cllrwhere Bray said residents will Row.He spent most ofcycling. She livedsaid several borough council whose homes line its length. blocking driveways. anything,” Cllr Bray said. the uncle andhas threean of his aunts in Wokingham. Construction company be updated weekly via the “The school residentsTyndale took excellent record terms sister, of Evendons Cllr Kerr shesome would “You’re said always to “They aresaid doing more involved.” His ineldest Amelia, married Rollalong it hasgoing suspended noticeboard. in was a once walking encouraging good She Rollalong believes thanked some residents to see double get people rushing about in caseyellow there Heelas of thetravel famouspart family, who mayor work until September due in to like exploration their staff consultation, which will be on this else stretch, as familiesforare the car — they don’t give linesis anything Wokingham. unforeseen ground conditions. their“forced patienceinto and behaviour offrom unforeseen, to inform changes. and are aware to a lack of and students Frederics living here are cars” due themselves time [to residents died in used his last home,any Hensington, Cllr John enough Kaiser, executive cooperation. but there’s no reason
‘Get out of your car and walk’
The case o
Grovelands work halted as asbestos found in soil
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NEWS | 3
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Homeless housing scheme places focus on prevention HOMELESS people in the borough will be offered a temporary apartment by a borough council company, writes Jess Warren. Loddon Homes, owned by Wokingham Borough Council, is offering four one-bedroom flats in a new scheme funded by the Government. The accommodation will come with life skills and tenancy support from Two Saints, which already runs an outreach programme for rough sleepers in the borough. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
Government approved a grant of £500,000 to help Loddon Homes cover the purchase cost of the four apartments. The partnership between Wokingham Borough Council, Loddon Homes and Two Saints is designed to provide specialist support for residents to help them find a permanent home. Two Saints regional director Kate Gladders said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with Wokingham Borough Council to support people with a history of rough sleeping, to sustain safe,
quality accommodation”. David Hunter, chair of the Loddon Homes board, said prevention is the focus. “We are delighted to be taking our first steps towards homelessness prevention,” he said. “Working collaboratively with Wokingham Borough Council and Two Saints means we are able to not only offer much needed accommodation, but also essential access to long-term housing support.” Residents began to move into the properties from Monday.
Sir John welcomes new home store VISITOR: Sir John Redwood meets the team from Peacock House
COMIC DRAWINGS: Arthur Frederics illustrated Three men in a Boat and is buried in Wokingham Pictures: Frederick Arthur Hipp
of the missing grave on Edneys Hill in 1929. This was registered by his nephew Arthur Tyndale Heelas, the eldest child of Amelia and Tyndale. He was head of the family firm and was living in Fairview Road, Wokingham. Dr Bryant said being unable to locate Frederics’ grave was a double disappointment. He had recently found out the artist’s London home in Tooting is about to be demolished to make way for a hotel. Dr Bryant hopes there might be a chance to commemorate Frederics in Wokingham. He searched, with help from St Paul’s Church and the Berkshire Records Office, for a sign of his grave.
While the graves of his uncle, three aunts and three of his sisters have been found in St Paul’s cemetery, the illustrator’s resting place remains lost. Dr Bryant said all that has been confirmed is that Frederics was buried in the churchyard on December 31, 1929, three days after his death. Jeremy Nicholas, president of the Jerome K. Jerome Society, actor and writer, said he is sad to learn the grave of an important artist cannot be found. “It would be very fitting if a memorial plaque or headstone could be erected to his memory in the town in which he died,” he said. Father Richard Lamey, St Paul’s Rector, said his team was really excited to hear of the link between the churchyard and Three Men in a Boat. He added: “We are working hard to establish where Frederick Hipp is buried and look forward to supporting the Jerome K. Jerome Society in their campaign to have a new headstone placed on the grave as a fitting memorial to a talented artist who did so much to shape people’s enjoyment of the story, as well as all of the other things he achieved in his life as an illustrator.”
SIR JOHN REDWOOD’S home is now looking that bit more smarter after he visited a new Wokingham store. Peacock House opened earlier this year in Elms Road, one of the new shopping destinations created by Wokingham Borough Council.
The home decor specialists is independently run and Sir John said that its helpful staff can give shoppers ideas to furnish and brighten their home, drawing on their range and knowledge of what can look good in any room. “I am keen that more people
come to see shops like Peacock House in the new shopping areas of Wokingham,” the MP for Wokingham said. “Some locals still have not walked around to see what is on offer and we want the new shopping areas to be a success.”
Two charged after alleged stabbing TWO men have been charged with GBH following an alleged stabbing in Wokingham’s Longs Way earlier this month. Thames Valley Police said that the
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two men have also been charged with being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place following the incident, which took place on Saturday, August 14.
The two men are Billy Owens, 34 and of no fixed abode, and Alexander Morris, 31 and of Longs Way, Wokingham. Morris was charged on
Wednesday, August 18, and Owens a day later. The pair have been remanded on bail and will appear in Reading Crown Court on Monday, September 20.
4 | NEWS
Trust House awarded funds for male abuse support A READING charity has been awarded funding to support victims of domestic abuse. Trust House Reading has received £41,794 from the Ministry of Justice Male Rape Support Service fund to support male victims of sexual violence. Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, said he welcomed previous funding from the government but knew more was needed. He said: “I am pleased this additional funding aims to support those organisations in most need, and that I’ve been able to secure funding for four organisations in the Thames Valley; helping them to continue to provide core services for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.”
Hospital charity runs sponsored walk at Dinton WALKERS can raise money for the Royal Berkshire Hospital next month. The Royal Berks Charity is running a Walk For Wards fundraiser at Dinton Pastures Country Park. Residents can choose from a 5km (3 mile) or 10k (6 mile) route around the lakes, on Sunday, September 19. The event starts at 8.30am. Entry costs £7, or £10, depending on the length of the route. Residents can secure a free place, as long as they pledge to raise at least £50. Once the target has been hit, attendees will be given a Royal Berks Charity t-shirt to wear on the day. n For more information, visit: www. eventbrite.co.uk/e/walk-for-wards-2021tickets-159431444743
Cycle challenge offers £100 bike voucher prize in draw A MONTH-LONG competition is running throughout September to encourage more people to pedal. Organised by Love to Ride, Cycle September allows residents to log their rides, for a chance to win a £100 bike voucher. Last year, more than 56,000 people took part. Residents must sign up before Tuesday, August 31, to be entered into the draw. n For more information, visit: lovetoride.net/ wokingham
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
Fly-tippers fined after leaving addresses in dumped rubbish EXCLUSIVE
EXPENSIVE RUBBISH: A Reading man was fined for dumping 15 bags of builder’s rubbish in Kenton’s Lane, Wargrave, after his address was found on a cardboard box inside the rubbish bags Picture: WBC
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today THREE men have been fined after fly-tipping in the borough.
The borough council fined them £400 each, for dumping builders rubbish, vehicle parts, piles of rubbish bags and cardboard boxes. A Reading man was fined for dumping 15 bags of builder’s rubbish in Kenton’s Lane, Wargrave, after his address was found on a cardboard box inside the rubbish bags. A Wokingham man was caught after a Royal Mail parcel delivery note with his name and address was discovered among a pile of bags and boxes dumped on Wargrave Road, Twyford. Items with his company logo were also dumped. And a Woodley man was fined after piles of bags, cardboard boxes and vehicle parts were fly-tipped in Viscount Way, Woodley. His name and address were on an invoice among the rubbish. Had they not paid the fines, they could have been escalated to up to £50,000 if convicted in a magistrate’s court. Earlier this month, localities officers teamed up with Thames Valley Police to check vehicles carrying waste through the borough. Two drivers were fined £300 on the spot after failing to show a valid Waste Carrier’s Licence and a Waste Transfer Note while carrying builders’ waste. The first, a man from Highfield Park, Arborfield, was stopped along
Swallowfield Road. And the second man from Blackwater was stopped near New Acres near Nine Mile Ride, Finchampstead. One of them admitted to letting his Waste Carrier’s Licence expire. Cllr Bill Soane, executive member for neighbourhood and communities said the council has been ramping up its efforts against illegal activity in the borough. He said it has a zero-tolerance approach to fly-tippers and unauthorised waste carriers, and will not
More than 1,500 on cardiology wait list MORE THAN 1,500 people could be waiting for heart treatments by spring, the British Heart Foundation warned, writes Marie Williams. The charity said 1,657 people across the south east are forecasted to be on a cardiology waiting list by March. This is 85% higher than the waiting list before the pandemic began in the UK. In February last year, there were
around 32,000 people in the south east of England on the waiting list. This is estimated to be more than 51,000 in seven months time. The data is based on a worstcase, but possible scenario, the charity said. This would be due to underinvestment in the NHS and increased pressure from Covid-19 in the winter.
hesitate to take action against those responsible. “We have a duty to keep the borough clean and green, and are reminding residents to dispose of rubbish responsibly and legally, he said. Residents are responsible for ensuring their rubbish is disposed of legally. Not doing so could lead to a £400 fine. The borough council said that residents should ensure anyone who removes waste from their
property has a valid Waste Carrier’s Licence and is authorised to do so. There is also a council-run collection for large unwanted items, such as washing machines or carpets. People can get rid of up to five items for £56. Waste and recycling can also be taken to one of the re3 recycling centres on Longshot Lane, Bracknell, or Smallmead, Reading.
The charity has released a new report, The Untold Heartbreak, that warns it could take three to five years to recover to pre-pandemic levels on the wait list. Long waits for diagnosis and treatment of conditions can lead to more deaths. There were 5,800 excess deaths from heart and circulatory conditions in the first year of the pandemic in England. Even in a better case scenario, BHF estimates it would still take at least three years for heart care waiting lists to return to prepandemic levels. The charity said this could be
improved if significant action is taken now. This would include a plan for cardiovascular services and investment to increase capacity. Professor Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said the pandemic has pushed the NHS towards breaking point. “Delay in diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases is not just about improving symptoms, however important that is – it is about saving lives,” he said. “Getting this right would avoid preventable heartbreak for many families.”
Covid scam spreads A WARNING has been issued over a covid vaccine scam. Action Fraud says it has received more than 700 reports of fake emails, claiming to be from the NHS, about a digital passport that proves people have been vaccinated. The emails are fake, and link to websites that steal personal and financial information. Action Fraud says the NHS will never ask for bank account or card details, PINs or banking passwords. Nor will it ask for personal documents such as a driving
n For more information, visit: environment.data.gov.uk
licence, passport, bills or pay slips. Vaccination status can be obtained for free through the official NHS app, NHS website, or by calling the NHS on 119. And vaccines will only be available by the NHS and it, or a GP surgery, will contact patients to arrange doses, free of charge. Anyone receiving a fraudulent call is told to hang up. Suspicious emails can be forwarded to: report@phishing.gov.uk, while text messages can be reported by forwarding them to 7726. n Any victims of fraud are asked to call Action Fraud by visiting www. actionfraud.police.uk
Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
PARK AND RIDE: Building work dust clouds plague Keephatch families
‘Construction is causing me anxiety’ says resident EXCLUSIVE
By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today “MY MENTAL health is suffering,” a Wokingham resident says, as work is in motion for a new park and ride.
Emma Kirkum, who lives in Keephatch Gardens, said building work on the new transport hub at the Coppid Beech roundabout has caused her anxiety to go “through the roof”. She said dust, noise, and not enough warning from her housing association has left her and other residents unhappy. The land next to Keephatch Gardens has been earmarked for a park and ride ever since the estate was proposed in 2015. In May 2020, Wokingham Borough Council applied for planning permission to build the transport hub and construction is due to finish this December. But Ms Kirkum said the building work is now having a negative impact on her and other families’ lives.
“It isn’t fair on us,” she said. “We’ve had nothing but dust cloud after dust cloud. “I can’t have my kitchen windows open during the day because there’s so much noise. “There’s about 35 kids in these three blocks that have nowhere outside to play because of it.” The resident said the ongoing work has made her dread looking outside, pushing her to seek medication to handle her anxiety for the first time. According to Cllr Jorgensen, executive member for highways, the borough council is taking measures to protect residents from the work with daily checks. “We always work to minimise the effects on residents when construction work is happening,” she said. “The work is being carried out in accordance with the agreed Construction Environmental Management Plan for the site.” This includes limiting construction hours, keeping materials away from tenants’ homes and dampening materials to reduce dust.
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Ms Kirkum is now demanding her landlord, Sovereign Housing, takes action to support its tenants, alleging the company failed to tell them about the future building work when they moved in. She is asking the company to build fencing around Keephatch Gardens to separate homes from the construction site. “All we’ve had is a ‘sorry’ that we weren’t treated well,” Ms Kirkum said. “But we should have had better. “They should have been aware of the plans, and we should have been told so we could decide if we wanted this or not.” Matthew Hensby, regional director of housing at Sovereign, said residents are being offered regular contact to reduce their anxieties about the building work. This includes community consultations to address their needs and how Sovereign could “enhance” their living space. But he said putting up high fencing in the area is out of Sovereign’s control. Mr Hensby added: “We’re
liaising with colleagues at Wokingham Borough Council to see how we can move this forward and, together with the ward councillor, we’re seeking air pollution guidance to allay concerns.” With construction due to finish in a few months, Ms Kirkum said the building work is also just the tip of the iceberg. “I’m worried about all of us when the park and ride is open”, she said. “I’m scared of pollution affecting the kids, people using our parking bays, and if it will be safe to cross the road.” Ms Kirkum said she expects eight buses to pass by her property each hour running for 12 hours a day, and is worried the fumes will be a hazard to health. “I don’t think our air filters protect us from diesel fumes at all,” she added. “So I’m worried about pollution getting inside the flat. “Buses will also go past green space where the children play, which is dangerous. It’s just not right.” But Cllr Pauline Jorgensen said the park and ride will be a boost for Wokingham.
Spencers Wood comittee launches Communi-Tea Room ALMOST £500 was raised for Spencers Wood Village Hall earlier this month. Jennifer King, from the hall’s committee, said they wanted to improve the sense of community in the village following the pandemic. “We know families and friends were in need of a place to gather, so the pop-up cafe seemed a good idea,” she said. Held on Saturday, August 14, the Communi-Tea Room opened for the first time. “The community and committee members had a busy week baking up a storm in the kitchen and we had a huge array of homemade cakes on offer,” explained Ms King. This included cream teas for national afternoon tea week, and raised £130. They also organised a tabletop sale, which raised £310. It had stalls selling everything from knitted baby clothes to eco-friendly toiletries,
and papercraft supplies to bird boxes. “We also had a stall run by the committee selling items kindly donated to raise more money for the hall,” Ms King added. “It was great to have so many stallholders come and support the event, as well as all the people who attended the event to browse, buy and get themselves a delicious slice of cake.” The hall is owned by the community and managed by a board of trustees
and a committee of volunteers. Ms Kind said they are on a mission to fill the gap in funds due to the pandemic, and improve facilities for those that hire it out. The 110-yearold building will have some general maintenance, along with an upgraded kitchen, new curtains, PA system and lights. The next CommuniTea Room events will be on Saturday, September 18, Saturday, October 30 and Saturday, November 20.
6 | NEWS
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
Police promise car meet action in town POLICE are teaming up with Wokingham Borough Council in a bid to clamp down on car meets that have plagued the town centre in recent weeks. We reported earlier this month that drivers had been revving their engines and speeding through the streets. And there was concern that police didn’t respond fast enough or initially send enough officers to disperse the meetings. Wokingham Borough Council was limited in its actions as the meet was said to be taking place in the Elms Road multi-storey car park, which was not owned by them. Now, Thames Valley Police is promising action. In a statement on social media, it said that it will be running a proactive operation targeting antisocial drivers within Wokingham. “You may notice an increased Police presence as a result of this. We will be looking to prosecute drivers and/or seize vehicles that have been found to be used in a anti-social manner,” the statement said. And the force told Wokingham. Today that they are aware of a number of anti-social driving reports and have responded to “disrupt” the issue. “The Neighbourhood Team is also aware of the recent reports and are looking into the possibility of the creation of a community speedwatch team,” they added. “We would encourage anyone who has information about incidents of this nature to please report it via 101 or online in order to help us to build a picture of what is taking place in the area.” Residents making a report are asked to include as much detail as possible, including car number plates. “We will deal with it robustly,” they promised.
Rewind returns in full colour Pictures: DIJANA CAPAN Words: PHIL CREIGHTON news@wokingham.today
IT WASN’T just back to the 80s at the weekend – it was back to festivals.
A crowd-pleasing tune from Soul II Soul
Rewind South returned to Temple Island Meadows for three days of music featuring some of the biggest names from the charts of 40 years ago. Among the acts were Billy Ocean, Roland Gift from Fine Young Cannibals, Nik Kershaw, Limahl from Kajagoogoo and Bananarama. Rewind fans came in fancy dress, including a gang of guys dressed as cast of 80s sitcom favourite The Golden Girls. The festival opened with a unique show that celebrated the 50th anniversary of rock band Queen. The Queen Symphonic show featured a full symphony orchestra,
Sri Lankan eatery opens tonight A SRI LANKAN street food restaurant is opening in Reading today. The Coconut Tree will open its doors for the first time at 5pm. And it’s serving up a 50% food discount for its first 10 days in business. The Kings Road restaurant is extending the 50% discount for all eat-in customers from Monday to Wednesday until the end of January. Brand director Anna Garrod said, “We are excited to introduce even more people to our unique dishes, stripped-back style and relaxed, island vibe. “Sri Lankan food hasn’t yet been taken to the heart of British culture in the same way Indian food has, and we really want to be the ones to change that.” The Coconut Tree was founded by five Sri Lankan friends living in Cheltenham. n For more information, visit: www.thecoconut-tree.com/reading
Nik Kershaw didn’t let the sun go down on him
The Flintstones enjoy a day out at Rewind
Marc Almond takes to the stage
a rock band and four soloists from the musical We Will Rock You. They performed some of the band’s greatest hits including Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Go Ga and A Kind of Magic. Adding to the fun was the Club Tropicana area featuring star DJs and the Electro Picture Lounge, which included a selection of classic 80s viewing. There was also a fun area, theme bars and a special section for children. And the event was particularly memorable for one couple: Carl proposed to his girlfriend Sarah on Rewind’s big screens. Thankfully, she said yes. One festivalgoer said: “The atmosphere was really good. People seemed super grateful to be out, and really appreciative.” n For more information, visit: www.rewindfestival.com
Queen Symphonic perform to the
Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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8 | NEWS
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Who is your cllr of the year? COUNCILLORS that go unrecognised can now be nominated for an award. Last week, the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA launched the 12th Cllr Awards. They aim to celebrate the work of individual councillors across England. This year’s award categories include Community Champion, Leader of the Year, and Young Councillor of the Year awards, alongside a new Resilience and Recovery category for 2021. Nominations are open until Friday, September 24. The shortlist will be unveiled at the end of October. Winners will be decided by a panel of senior councillors and officers as well as leading stakeholders from across the sector. Winners will be announced at this year’s ceremony, on Wednesday, December 1. Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGIU, said: “Local government supports all of us, each and every day. On every street, in every town, up and down the country, it is the vital work of councillors that keeps things moving. “Now is the time for us to support our heroes by nominating those councillors who have stepped up to the plate during extraordinary circumstances to deliver for their communities.” Anyone can nominate a councillor, including other councillors, officers and leaders. To nominate, log on to https://lgiu.org/ workstream/lgiu-ccla-cllr-awards-2021
Jazz night is a work of Art
AN EVENING of jazz from a maestro will help raise funds for good causes across the borough. Art Themen and his friends will be performing at The Whitty Theatre in Luckley House School from 7.30pm on Tuesday, October 5. A bar opens from 6.30pm, and the event is organised by Wokingham In Need. Tickets cost £19 and can be purchased by logging on to ticketsource.co.uk/ wokinghaminneed or calling 07867 530727.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
FROMTHECOURTS A WOODLEY man has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service and banned from driving for nine months for driving while disqualified. Scott Ward, 54 and from Wallis Close, was stopped on Wharfdale Road in Winnersh on March 8. He pleaded guilty at Reading Magistrates Court on June 17. In addition to the ban, he must pay £85 costs and £95 to victim services, at a rate of £40 per month. A TILEHURST man has been banned from driving for two years following a incident in Woodley. David Sutton, 48 and from Tilehurst Road, was stopped on Headley Road on February 8, 2020 and found to be driving without insurance. He was subsequently taken to Loddon Valley Police Station where he failed to provide a breath specimen for analysis. Sutton’s driving ban will be reduced by 24 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. He was fined £150, ordered to pay £100 costs and £90 to victim services. The case was heard by Reading Magistrates on June 23. AN EARLEY man has been banned from driving for 42 days for drink driving. Lukasz Fleks, 21 and from Copperdale Close, pleaded guilty to having 62 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He had
been stopped by police on Pepper Lane on May 28. In addition to the ban, he was fined £233, ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services. A WOODLEY man who was stopped by police and found to have a quantity pof drugs in his possession has been fined £287. Jon Mew, 19 and from Rowan Drive, pleaded guilty when Reading Magistrates heard his case on June 24. He had been stopped in Woodley on December 4 last year. Officers found five snap bags of the class A drug cocaine, and one ecstasy tablet. The drugs were forfeited and destroyed. Mew must also pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services, at a rate of £50 per month. A WOODLEY man who was stopped for drink driving has been banned from getting behind the wheel for 25 months. George Patrick John Steward, 23 and from Ravensbourne Drive, appeared before Reading Magistrates on June 24, where he pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place on May 28. Police had stopped him on Wargrave Road, and a test found
Cases heard in Reading and Slough Magistrates Courts in recent weeks 112 micogrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. His ban will be reduced by 25 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. Steward must also undertake 100 hours of community service within the next 12 months, and pay £85 costs and £95 to victim services at a rate of £20 per month.
drug MDMA has been fined £50. James Garth Gareth Nicola, 53 and from London Road, was stopped in Wokingham on December 7, 2019, where he was found with the drug. He pleaded guilty at a hearing at Reading Magistrates Court on June 28. In addition to his fine, Nicola must pay £32 to victim services.
A SHINFIELD pensioner has been fined £163 and banned from driving for three years after being stopped for drink driving. Brian Thomson, 73 and from Falcon Avenue, appeared before Reading Magistrates on June 24, where he pleaded guilty to having 51 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath when police stopped him on Arborfield Road on May 29. In addition to his ban, he was ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services.
AN ARBORFIELD man has been banned from driving for 18 months. Joshua Michael Heslehurst, 27 and from Mabett Close, was stopped by police on Eversley Road on June 1. A test found that he had 68 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, making him over the limit. The ban will be reduced by 18 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. He was fined £300, and pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services.
A WOKINGHAM man appeared at Slough Magistrates Court on June 24, where he pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and a licence. Joss Michael Russell, 25 and from Evendons Lane, was stopped by police in Milton Road, Wokingham on November 7 last year. His licence was endorsed with eight points, and he was ordered to pay £85 costs and £34 to victim services at a rate of £60 per month. A READING man who was found to be in possession of the class A
A YEAR-LONG ban was imposed on a drunk driver from Arborfield. Huizhi Li, 29 and from Mandarin Grove, pleaded guilty when he appeared before Reading Magistrates on June 28. He had been stopped by police on the M4 on June 2. A test found he had 42 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Li’s ban will be reduced by 12 weeks on completion of a safe driving course. He was fined £461, ordered to pay £85 costs and £46 to victim services.
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Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
BACK TO SCHOOL
Transport improvements promised A PETITION to improve school buses for Wokingham pupils has been successful, say Liberal Democrats.
Evendons and Wescott councillors said many students were being driven to school as the bus stops were “nowhere near” their homes. It comes as the borough council confirmed it has gone out to tender for a route along the Finchampstead Road corridor serving Emmbrook and Forest schools, with another serving the Holt. The former will have a minimum of 70 seats, and the latter 60. Cllr Ian Shenton, Liberal Democrat councillor for Evendons ward said that previously students living in Evendons East and Wescott West who attend Emmbrook Senior school had to get to a bus stop in Finchampstead on Barkham Ride to board the bus. Cllr Maria Gee, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Wescott Ward, said she is delighted.
SUCCESS: Cllrs Ian Shenton and Sarah Kerr are happy their petition on school transport has been backed “Following many hours of going door-to-door to get signatures, in addition to our online petition, the council has agreed with us,” she said. “This bus service will make a big difference and we would like to thank everyone
who took the time to sign the petition.” Cllr Sarah Kerr, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Evendons Ward, said the changes were a “vast improvement,” particularly towards the council’s climate emergency goals.
“Safe, green transport options need to be readily available for our children,” she said. “We will continue calling on the council to improve walking and cycling facilities in the area.”
Schools to shares buses in bid to be more efficient By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
PUPILS at different secondary schools will now use the same bus to travel to school, under new plans.
The borough council has changed some of the home-to-school transport ahead of term starting next month. Each day, roughly 900 children use the council-commissioned services. This year, there will be a change to most school coach routes to secondary schools. Wokingham Borough Council says that this switch is to better accommodate students and ensure the most efficient use of vehicles, a spokesperson said. The number of coaches will decrease, with students from different secondary schools sharing transport. It is hoped this will reduce the number of vehicles on the road, as well as reducing carbon emissions.
Primary school pupils will see many of the routes changing. For some, this may mean they are travelling with different children, a different operator or different staff. There will also be a pilot scheme for some pupils, who will be picked up by a minibus from nearby collection points, such as bus stops. This is instead of taxis offering a door-to-door service. SEND pupils may also have new staff taking them to school, be travelling with different pupils or in different vehicles. A council spokesperson said all transport has been arranged taking into account individual needs. Cllr Graham Howe, executive member for children’s services, said the borough council is committed to providing an accessible and appropriate hometo-school transport service that is sustainable.
“The review helped us evaluate the service we provide and make some adjustments to reduce the environmental impact of the service,” he said. “We are reducing the number of vehicles we are using, which is a key part of our journey to being carbon-net-zero by 2030, as well as being cost-effective for our residents.” He said the council continually looks at services to ensure they provide the best value for money. “Through My Journey Wokingham, we already work with schools to encourage parents and children to walk, scoot and cycle to school, which is also part of our work to reduce our carbon footprint,” the councillor added. The council has contacted all parents of pupils who receive home-to-school transport with more information.
‘Small changes’ to school run timetables READING Buses has made small changes to its services ahead of the new school year. The company normally makes alterations to its network at this time of year, but said they are keeping the changes small. Robert Williams, company CEO said: “We are looking forward to welcoming more people back to our services, which have been keeping people safe and connected throughout the pandemic. “The only timetable that wil have a formal change is the Lion 4/x4 which will have slightly amended departures early in
the morning and late in the evening.” He said Emerald 5 and 6 and Purple 17 services will return to their normal peak-time frequencies. Mr Williams said extra routes that run to schools will also return to normal, as coronavirus restrictions have been removed. “During the restrictions, a number of journeys were dedicated to schoolchildren for social distancing, but all services will now return to being full public services which anyone can use,” he said. n For more information, visit: readingbuses.co.uk/schools
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10 | BUSINESS
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Rams fan Chris mixes business with pleasure By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today A FAMILY-RUN insurance firm is mixing business with pleasure, thanks to a Sonning rugby club.
Young workers look for personal career growth PERSONAL growth is just as important as career progression, according to young people in the South East who have realigned their priorities post-pandemic. Research by Censuswide has revealed nearly nine in 10 (88%) university students and graduates in the region believe growing as a person is as important as being successful in work. More than three-quarters (76%) of the 2,000 students surveyed also said they had less “breakthrough moments” where they excelled in work, life or studies during the pandemic. The report was commissioned
as part of the Get into Teaching campaign, in a bid to encourage young people to consider education as a career path Roger Pope, spokesperson for Get Into Teaching, said: “Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, many students and graduates are reevaluating their future career plans and considering which industries, or parts of society, they want to work in. “Our research highlights how the newest entrants to the jobs market are looking for a career that offers opportunities for personal growth alongside traditional career progression opportunities.”
Popular property postcodes WOKINGHAM’S most popular postcodes have been revealed, thanks to a national estate agency. Keller Williams UK has released a rundown of the areas in Wokingham, Reading and Bracknell Forest which have seen the most homes sold this year. RG4, which also includes parts of Reading and South Oxfordshire, has proven the most sought after area of the borough with 148 transactions so far. This spot is tied with postcode RG40, which has also seen 148 houses sold. Other popular Wokingham borough postcodes include RG6 (126 sales), RG5 (110 sales), and RG2 (109 sales). Ben Taylor, CEO of Keller
Williams UK, said: “We’ve heard a lot in recent months about how the stamp duty holiday has led to a huge uplift in property sales and, while this is generally true, some areas will have seen a far greater number of homes sold than others.” The most popular postcode across Wokingham, Reading and Bracknell Forest boroughs is RG12 in Bracknell, which has seen 210 transactions. On a national scale, Croydon’s CR0 postcode has seen the most homes sold so far with 425. In total, there have been 197,000 sales across England and Wales between January and May this year. The information has been sourced from the Government’s Land Registry Price Paid dataset.
... But a drop in enquiries IT SEEMS people in Wokingham are staying put as it becomes the only area in Berkshire to see a drop in house-sale enquiries. According to data released by We Buy Any Home, the borough has seen interest fall by 31% over the past year while the five remaining local authorities saw it rise. The data covers enquiries made between January and May in 2020 and the same period this year.
It revealed Bracknell Forest saw the highest increase as enquiries rose by 86%, followed by Reading with a 64% rise. We Buy Any Home found that of those who are selling, nearly one quarter (22%) of people are looking to upsize. n To read the full report, visit: www. webuyanyhome.com/uk-propertymarket-trends-2018-2021/
Borough-based Stillman Insurance Brokers has lent its support to National League One club Rams Rugby this summer by sponsoring its new stand. It comes after Chris Stillman, managing director of the independent broker, has been involved with the club for a number of years. Previously lead coach of his son Aaron’s age group and minis manager looking after under sixes and under 12s, Mr Stillman is now fifth team player and club coaching coordinator. He said: “It’s been great to see the progress the club has made in recent years, and we’re very proud to be a sponsor of the new stand,
which is a great addition to the already excellent facilities.” According to Mr Stillman, Rams Rugby has a “family feel” which is what first inspired Stillman Insurance Brokers to lend its support. “The club is very supportive of parents getting involved,” he explained. “It’s symptomatic of the whole club ethos. “There’s a genuine family feel from top to bottom.” The managing director
said he used to play rugby in school but came relatively late to the Berkshire-based club. “When Aaron got to the age that he could start training, I was keen to help with coaching,” Mr Stillman said. “There are plenty of families who are involved at many levels and in lots of different ways.” His daughter, Maya, also plays for ladies team The Sirens.
Now, he hopes his insurance brokers will continue to support Rams Rugby over the coming years as his family also continues to take part in the club. “Aaron’s currently in the under 12s,” he added. “My plan is that I’ll get to play one match with him before I retire from the game.” Stillman Insurance Brokers offers tailored insurance advice and works with businesses throughout the Thames Valley.
Water goes green
Medical firm grows
SOUTH East Water is going green with its latest environmental pledge. The provider, which supplies drinking water to customers across Berkshire, has revealed its plans to achieve net carbon zero by 2030. The eco-friendly routemap revealed earlier this month has come after previous promises to reduce greenhouse emissions by 2025. David Hinton, CEO of South East Water, said: “Climate change is one of society’s greatest challenges, and it’s something that we’re acutely aware of.
A WOKINGHAM medical firm has grown in size after appointing a new Customer Experience Team. PRISYM ID, which offers labelling solutions to pharmaceutical companies, launched the two-person team last month. Richard Adams, chief executive of PRISYM ID, said the new duo will now help his company support its customers. “Whether it is a medical device company coming to terms with regulatory changes or a clinical trial organisation adapting to the new world of decentralised trials, we want our customer to feel that they can call
“Protecting the environment we work in and abstract water from is a value that is embedded into the heart of our day-to-day operations.” The water provider’s new pledge forms part of a 25-year environment strategy, that also includes switching to green energy and using electric vehicles. Mr Hinton said South East Water will now call on communities in its supply areas to help. n To find out more, or to read the 25-year strategy, visit: corporate.southeastwater. co.uk/routemap
upon our expertise at any time to help them get the most out of the products we offer,” he said. Andy McLaughlin, former project director at PRISYM ID, and Jamie Knoetchy, former senior label designer for DePuy, have been appointed in the company’s first customer experience roles. They will now work with the firm’s consulting, delivery and support teams. Mr Adams added: “It will mean we can learn, adapt and improve our offer in a way that flexes around their changing needs and hence makes the biggest possible contribution to their business.”
Rail partnerships benefit community SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) is committing a further £265,000 to Community Rail Partnerships, with a new alliance on the Reading to Ashford and Windsor & Eton Riverside lines just launched. The Partnerships – known as CRPs – are not-forprofit organisations that help connect SWR with communities through schemes such as promoting sustainable and healthy travel, bringing communities together and supporting
social and economic development. It will work with schools and community groups, with a focus on supporting people who face barriers to travel. Seven stations in the area have already been “adopted” by local arts societies and organisations that support those in the community who have mental health needs and disabilities. The CRP will be partnering with these groups to provide further support.
Tim Barkley, chair of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership CIC, said: “We are very grateful for the support from South Western Railway in creating our new Community Rail Partnership. Communities and railways work hand-in-hand to promote social inclusion, support local businesses, involve local communities, and encourage travel by rail. “We are looking forward to welcoming passengers safely back on board to take them on a journey of
discovery to experience the best that our region has to offer – whether that be culture, countryside, water sports, leisure activities or outstanding food and drink.” Paula Aldridge, community rail manager at South Western Railway, said: “We are delighted to have supported so many vibrant Community Rail Partnerships, and we look forward to continuing our work with these organisations, and others, in 2021 and beyond.”
Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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Festival to Groups to help refugees Wokingham include cultural treats n Continued from front page
Cllr Halsall added: “This is a national effort, and the situation is complex and moving at pace. Further details on the coordination of the resettlement scheme and associated funding are yet to be published, and many councils efforts will be heavily reliant on these financial resources.” He said funds will help provide the best possible outcome for refugees making the borough their home. Vickie Robertson, who co-leads Gossip Girls in Action — Wokingham for Refugees, said her group is collecting items for care packages. These are being sent to Manchester, where many of those being resettled are arriving by aeroplane. The packs include playing cards, colouring books, pens, pencils and notebooks for families to use as they arrive at hotels in the city. She hopes the group, which is part of a council-led resettlement scheme, will be able to help prepare homes for the arrival of Afghan families. They did a similar thing for five Syrian families who were housed in the borough in recent years. “If we can be involved and help
with the resettlement in any way, that would be fantastic,” she said. Ms Robertson also encouraged anyone unsure of how to help to donate their time, money or write to their MP, calling for urgent action. Last week, the borough council committed to housing two or three families from the country, and said it is working with the South East Strategic Partnership for Migration to make arrangements. Cllr Lindsay Ferris, leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrat group, said he supports the plan to house Afghan refugees in the borough, but would like to see the number increased. Cllr Ferris said: “I call on our council to use all means at its disposal to try to expedite this matter. In their own hour of need we must not fail those to whom we all owe such a huge debt of honour.” Cllr Prue Bray, Liberal Democrat councillor for Winnersh, said she hopes refugee groups in the area will support any newly arriving Afghan families. She added: “The aim is always to create sustainable communities as soon as possible, in which new arrivals are able to thrive as full and equal members of our society. “This requires understanding and
resources – including the support networks provided by others nearby who have shared and overcome similar traumas.” One of those ready to help is the Reading Refugee Support Group. In a statement, Nick Harborne, CEO of the group said: “[We have] been supporting refugees and asylum seekers across Berkshire for 26 years. We know what we are doing. “The unfolding events in Afghanistan are tragic. RRSG is ready to support families, women and children as and when they arrive in Berkshire.” It is calling for residents to show their support with a monthly £5 donation. Mr Harborne said donations will also be used to hire rooms for dropin centres, put in place adequate mental health support, connect families to the internet, and help refugees process their experiences. Matt Rodda, Labour MP for Reading East, said the community should do everything it can to make things easier for refugees fleeing Afghanistan. “They must be traumatised by what’s happening,” he said. “They need support.”
n To help, visit: rrsg.org.uk
OPEN AIR theatre and yoga will be joining the extensive programme for Wokingham Festival this weekend. Alongside live music, family activities, music and food, there will be an outdoor production of Macbeth on Sunday. The Shakespeare play brings murder, mayhem, costume and sword fighting to the town. It is directed by Bart Lee with costumes by Patsy Frazer and movement by Ann Ogden. The cast stars Ben Dearden as Macbeth, Sophie Spencer as Lady Macbeth, Benji Gavan as Macduff and Michael Workman as Duncan. The Scottish play will be told in five acts, starting at 1pm, with the final act at 6.15pm. Yoga will span the three-day event, run by a collection of teachers from the area. The classes will be a broad range of yoga styles, with all abilities welcome.
For beginners, the teachers will be able to clarify the many different styles of yoga and give advice. There will also be breath awareness and meditation sessions to help festival-goers get into the zone. Stan Hetherington, who runs the festival, said: “I’ve always been keen to ensure that the festival should have something for everyone. Adding two new activities to our already extensive offering is very exciting. “We are hoping to expand further on the theatre ideas in future.” The festival will also feature two live music
stages with 40 acts performing from Saturday to Monday. Refreshments are available across three bars, also run by borough names. The Beer Festival Bar, run by the Twyford Beer Festival team will stock a wide selection of specialist craft beers, ciders and perries. The Redan Cocktail Bar will serve cocktails, prosecco and lagers. And the Wokingham Music Club Bar will be stationed inside one of the performance tents. For those that don’t want to step away from the action. There will also be food stands and children’s entertainment. The event promises covid-secure risk assessments, increased cleaning and PPE where necessary. n For more information and tickets, visit: www. wokinghamfestival.co.uk
12 | NEWS
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SONNING, RUSCOMBE, TWYFORD&HURST, NEWS REMENHAM & WARGRAVE
New date set for village fete
CHARVIL’S end of lockdown party has been postponed following changes to the coronavirus restrictions. Originally due to take place at the beginning of July, the annual Village Fete will take place next month. The decision was made following prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that lockdown restrictions would not be eased on Monday, June 21, but instead delayed until July. The Charvil Village Fete is now scheduled for Sunday, September 5 from 2pm until 6pm at East Park Farm Playing Fields.
n To find out more, visit: www.charvil-fete.co.uk
Walk Ruscombe with new maps
SEE THE sights of Ruscombe with some help from the village’s parish council. It has created a series of walking maps to help residents enjoy the area’s wildlife this summer. In total, there are two shorter and two longer nature walks. To access the maps, send an email to: clerk@ruscombepc.org.uk
Rec Ground to become a jungle
ENJOY a jungle adventure in Twyford this weekend. Thru Christ is hosting its annual Chattabox Church Day Out on Sunday, August 29 — and the afternoon will feature music, activities and jungle-themed fun. The event is aimed at five- to 11-year-olds, but younger children are welcome. It will take place in King George V’s Field from noon until 4pm. Families are urged to register for activity packs in advance. For more information, contact ele@thru-christ. org.uk n To register, visit: www.thru-christ.org.uk
New day for Age Concern lunches
A TWYFORD lunch club is switching things up by moving to a new day. Twyford Age Concern’s midday meetings will now take place on Mondays instead of Thursdays, starting next month. Sessions will launch on Mondays from September 6, and will take place between midday and 2pm. To book a space, contact 0118 9344 040.
Date set for village festive fair
TWYFORD’S Christmas street fayre, one of the largest events in the village’s calendar, is to return. It takes place on the first Friday in December, which this year is December 3. Last year’s event was cancelled due to covid restrictions, but Twyford Together is planning for a return. The fayre runs along London Road from the crossroads at Bell Corner through to Jubilee Corner. As the road is closed to traffic, it truly is a winter wonderland. Stalls will run by local businesses, residents and crafts people, giving visitors the chance to buy special Christmas presents. There will be seasonal entertainment and food stalls, including mulled wine. It will run from 6pm through to 9pm.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
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Prince Charles to judge contest that includes Hurst almhouses By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today THREE new almshouses in Wokingham borough have been shortlisted for an award scheme in which Prince Charles is the final judge.
The Richard Bigg Almshouses in Hinton Road, Hurst have been visited by the scheme’s inspectors. An awards committee will report back to Prince Charles, patron of the Almshouse Association which represents over 1600 independent almshouse charities across the UK. Hurst Consolidated Charity chairman John Edwards, said: “The inspection by the judges was last Thursday and it went well. We were the last of the 11 shortlisted to be visited.” Prince Charles did not go to Hurst to do the onsite judging but will make the final selection. The decision will be made known next summer. The winner’s prize is a bronze plaque and a certificate. Prince Charles introduced the Patron’s Award scheme in 2000 to encourage high standards in almshouse developments. Hurst Consolidated Charity built the Robert Bigg almshouses two years ago to help people who cannot afford the high cost of buying or renting locally. The residents pay a weekly maintenance contribution set at an affordable level, much lower than a market rent. Many almshouse residents are elderly, but the Hurst charity’s constitution allows it to house needy people living in Hurst or adjacent parishes.
UP FOR HONOUR: The William Barker Almshouses and, below, Hurst Charity chair John Edwards, pictured in 2019 This means key workers like teachers, police officers and ambulance staff can also be given homes. The Richard Bigg Almshouses, named after a 17th century benefactor of the charity, cost £600,000 to plan and build. They have 21st century facilities including solar panels, disabled access, wet-room bathrooms, stylish kitchen areas, and gardens, complete with bird feeders. The Hurst charity also runs other local almshouses: the Harrison Almshouses in London Road, Twyford, built in 1640, the
William Barker Almshouses built opposite St Nicholas Church, Hurst in 1664, and four almshouses next to the new ones in Hinton Road, originally built for retired nurses in the 1960s. This year The Almshouse Association is celebrating 75 years of supporting the almshouse movement and their members. The charities own and manage more than 30,000 almshouses, supporting approximately 36,000 residents, while providing affordable, ‘micro-community’ homes for local people in housing need.
Call to vote for favourite gardening project By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today HARE Hatch residents can now vote for their favourite community gardening project to be supported by Dobbies garden centre. Two projects have been shortlisted in the hope they will create enhanced green spaces that benefit the area. The contest part of the Helping Your Community Grow initiative, which was launched earlier this year nationwide. Frogmore Court Look Ahead and Rotary Club of Maidenhead are competing for the winning prize. Frogmore Court is a 24-hour supported housing project for vulnerable young adults aged 16-25. The centre provides accommodation and support including life skills building and independent living. Its garden needs revamping. The Rotary Club of Maidenhead has just established its first environment club. It would use the support from
Dobbies to help tend community parks, fill in empty plant containers on the roads, and plant trees to commemorate the loss of loved ones in the pandemic. Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said the is delighted to be supporting so many gardening projects in areas near stores. “It’s a landmark initiative for us and we are so proud to be helping so many community projects across the country to create a green space that benefits their area,” he said. The winning project will receive products, equipment and team support from the staff at the Hare Hatch Dobbies store. The project with the most votes from all areas across the UK, will be the national winner and receive additional support from Dobbies. The public vote closes on Sunday, August 29. The winners will be announced in September. For more information, visit: www.dobbies.com/helping-yourcommunity-grow
POTTY FOR PLANTS: Dobbies Garden Centre in Hare Hatch has a special contest
Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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advertise in this section, CROWTHORNE&FINCHAMPSTEADNEWS callTo Claire on 0118 327 2662 Teens arrested after First village family fun day alleged assault AN APPEAL has been made to trace a woman allegedly assaulted by two teenagers in Crowthorne last week. Thames Valley Police said that the victim was outside the Co-op store in the village’s High Street when two boys are said to have assaulted her, and then verbally abused her. A man who tried to stop the teenagers was then assaulted and had his wallet stolen – it was later recovered, and he did not require any medical treatment. Two 14-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and released on bail. However, Thames Valley Police are trying to identify the female victim. She left before officers attended
and the message from the force is for the woman to contact them. The alleged assault took place just before 4pm on Tuesday, August 17. A spokesperson said: “This incident occurred in a busy high street, in the middle of the afternoon, and is believed to have been witnessed by a large amount of members of the public. “If you have any information which you think could help us, please call Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101, quoting reference number: 43210368949. “Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make a report online.”
proves ‘amazing success’ EXCLUSIVE By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
A FAMILY fun day was an amazing success at the weekend.
On Sunday, roughly 300 people enjoyed an outdoor party at Crowthorne Rugby Club. There was live music, stalls and activities throughout the afternoon. Organiser Abi Powell said it was inspired by a lack of community events during the pandemic. “It was so good,” she said. “The sunshine came out of nowhere. All week it had been forecast to rain.” Ms Powell said she expected visitors to arrive throughout the day, and was surprised to see so many arriving for the 11am start. “Lots of families came for the whole day,” she said. With a barbecue, drinks, and stalls from businesses, there was plenty to do. The day also featured musical performances from Jack Daynes, Matthew Quilliam, Scampy and Ms Powell.
There was also a magic show, performed by Prat in the Hat. It was sponsored by Haart
Estate Agents Bracknell, as well as The Virtual Taylor, Dan The Gas Man, and JRSK9 Services.
Ms Powell said the rugby club’s committee is considering making it an annual event.
Craft event will return to Wellington College CRAFT makers will be heading to Crowthorne for a special event this autumn. Craft In Focus gives people an opportunity to view and purchase work from around 100 UK contemporary designer makers and artists. All the products are made independently by professional craft makers and no work is bought or imported. It will feature talented designer makers showing jewellery, glass, fashion, ceramics, textiles, artwork, interior accessories and furniture. Various food stands will be present including spices, preserves, alcoholic spirits, condiments and cheese. It will be hosted at Wellington College, on Duke’s Ride, from Friday, October 29 to Sunday, October 31. “We are delighted to be returning to Wellington College in Crowthorne,” organiser Rob Chapman said. “Our event is a high quality contemporary craft fair. Exhibitors and visitors appreciate the fact that we keep our standards high and have stuck with our principles of only allowing work made by the exhibitor to be presented.
COMMUNITY: The day was fillled with fun Pictures: Abi Powell and Kimberley Allsop
“We hope that people will come and enjoy the event and see and purchase work from some of the many talented designer-makers we have in the UK.” Opening times are from noon until 5pm on Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased via the website. n For more details, or to book, log on to craftinfocus.com
Helpers call for village’s carnival fun VOLUNTEERS are needed for next year’s Crowthorne Carnival, and its committee urges people to join the team. The annual celebration, which will take place from July 2 to July 9 next year, includes a procession
throughout the village followed by a fete on Morgan Recreation Ground. The 2020 event had been postponed due to covid, but would have had an Olympic theme. To make next year’s
event happen, individuals will be asked to help with administrative and organisational tasks to enable everyone else to run the event, stalls, float without worry. A carnival plan will be set out for volunteers on what they need to do, and when. Everyone is welcome to apply, and particular assistance is needed for the procession.
Other key roles will be to help at the fete and arena show at Morgan Recreation Ground, and co-ordinating events throughout the week. Next year’s event will mark 50 years since it was revived by the Crowthorne Business Association in 1972. n For more, visit the Crowthorne Carnival Facebook page, or log on to crowthornecarnival.org
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WOODLEY&EARLEYNEWS Elf on a stage A THEATRE company is on the hunt for children to audition for its upcoming Christmas show. Berzerk Productions will be looking for talented young individuals to be a part of its production, Elf. Auditions, for ages eight to 18, will be held at St Edward’s School on September 5 from 9.45am to 2pm. The workshop-style audition will teach students a short dance routine, a couple of musical numbers and a drama session looking at a selection of scenes from the show. Attendees are advised to read the script or watch the film and research the story beforehand. The successful applicant will be contacted by phone the afternoon of the audition, with recalls on Sunday, September 12. An audition fee of £4 should be paid on the day. Berzerk Productions is a training programme and a nonreturnable show fee of £175 will be payable for this project.
Show dates are on December 16 to 19 at The Oakwood Centre, Woodley. Rehearsals will take place on Sundays from 12.45pm to 4pm at St Edwards School, and 10am to 3pm in half-term, October 25 to 29. n For more details, visit berzerkproductions.com
Socially open to visitors THE Earley Home Guard Social Club is holding an open event this weekend. Visitors are invited down to the Pitts Lane venue on Sunday, August 29, to see the refurbished club. The doors will be open from noon until 3pm, with visitors welcome to see the club’s newly refurbished function room bar and find out about becoming a member. The bar will be open, with tea and coffee available. Visitors are encouraged to wear masks inside the building when moving about. The club was founded in 1944. New members are welcome.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
Join in sing sessions WOMEN interested in singing are invited to have a go with The Barberettes. The group is running a three-week learn to sing course next month at St Nicolas Church, in Earley. The a cappella chorus hopes anyone that loves to sing, is looking to meet new friends and wants to start a new hobby will join in. Sessions will run from 7.30pm, starting on Wednesday, September 8, and continuing each Wednesday. Classes are free. For more information or to sign up, visit: the-barberettes. co.uk
Church refurb
REFURBISHMENT will continue at St James Church Centre until the end of next week. Until Friday, August 6, Sunday worship is taking place on Zoom, and live-streamed on YouTube due to the works. The Kingfisher Drive site intends to reopen for Sunday, August 8.
BIG SUPPORT: Tesco Wokingham shoppers have donated £1,000 to Woodley’s Me2Club
Shoppers’ bags help Woodley charity By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today A WOODLEY charity has been given £1,000 to help children enjoy leisure time.
The Me2 Club was awarded the funds by Wokingham Tesco as part of its Community Grant Scheme. The group works with children with additional needs and disabilities to tackle social isolation and loneliness. It supports ages five to 19 by training volunteers to buddy with them so they can join sports clubs, uniformed groups and drama classes. Liz McDaniel, fundraising development officer at the Me2 Club, said she is really grateful to Tesco for the funding. “It will enable us to
continue to be there to support many children with wideranging additional needs and disabilities so they can return safely and confidently to the leisure activities they love,” she said. “This then gives them a chance to build independence, as well as vital life and social skills.” The Me2 Club is also a short breaks provider, running days and weekends away, teenage meet-ups, and family parties at Christmas, Easter and during the summer. It is a vetted by Wokingham Borough Council to ensure experience, adequate staff, skills and knowledge. Louise Jedras, community champion at the Finchampstead Road shop,
said: “Anyone who knows the work that the Me2 Club does can’t fail to be touched by it. “They make such a difference to the lives of children with additional needs and disabilities, opening up so many opportunities that many people take for granted. “I’m really pleased to support them in the work they do for the children and young people in our community.” Shoppers can nominate a cause they would like to see supported. Tesco will then contact the group and encourage them to apply for funds. Ms Jedras called on residents to nominate schools, charities and voluntary groups. n For more information, visit: tescocommunitygrants.org.uk
Royal recognition for brickwork firm
A WOODLEY business has been recognised by royalty.
Lee Marley Brickwork has received a Princess Royal Training Award for its development programme over the last year. It is among 45 other organisations to be commended by the Princess Royal, who is also the president of City and Guilds Group. In its sixth year, the awards recognise organisations across the country that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to training and development. Lee Marley Brickwork, is
Art group returns WOODLEY & EARLEY ART GROUP is returning to inperson demonstration events from this evening.
a specialist contractor for brickwork, stonework, and scaffolding services. In 2016, the company launched an apprenticeship programme to develop staff and attract the best new talent. As a former apprentice, the owner is passionate about creating a holistic programme going beyond construction skills by also developing the behaviour and confidence of its apprentices. Kirstie Donnelly MBE, chief executive of the City and Guilds Group said that despite the challenges of the pandemic,
it is fantastic to see strong programmes awarded. “We are really looking forward to bringing all of our award recipients together and celebrating at our annual ceremony later this year,” she added. Also celebrated was Allegis Group, based in Bracknell. Previous recipients of a Princess Royal Training Award have reported positive impacts on their business, with 82% saying it has improved recruitment and retention, and 62% reporting increased investments into training programmes.
Melissa Wishart will showcase how she creates seascapes in oils at the session, which will be held at The Oakwood Centre in Woodley from 7pm on August 26.
Entry is £6 for nonmembers, places should be booked in advance by emailing woodleyandearleyartsgroup@ gmail.com. Covid-safe measures will be in place.
Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
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The Peacock: A new show home inspired by nature at Berkeley’s Woodhurst Park
L
EADING housebuilder Berkeley has unveiled a brand-new show home at Woodhurst Park in Warfield, Berkshire, offering potential homebuyers a glimpse into the lifestyle available at the popular country park development. The Peacock is a three-bedroom house spanning over 1000 square feet, with the interior design scheme by award-winning DAPA Interiors. The luxurious home will be open for visitors looking to purchase a property in the latest phase, Bluebell Way at Woodhurst Park. Featuring a diverse mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and a three-bedroom coach house, the new homes are nestled between the Greenway and the Village Pond, at the heart of the development. Reflecting the high specification found throughout the development, the show home’s interior design takes inspiration from the surrounding 65-acre country park. The designers have employed a soft palette to reflect the tranquillity of the countryside location. Organic finishes have been juxtaposed with mixed
metals to give a calming, yet contemporary feel throughout. In the style of a classic Berkeley scheme, the homes are designed to appeal to families and downsizers, offering a countryside location with an affluent lifestyle. Working with sophisticated colour ways, the show home is accentuated by bespoke artwork inspired by the country park created by a leading artist. Every detail of the show home has been carefully considered, with velvet and silk-based fabrics offering a sumptuous luxury feel. Wallpapers and paints have been selected to provide fluidity throughout the home. A deep and rich blue geometric wallpaper features in the entrance hallway, setting the tone for the house. In the living area, bespoke artwork of a bird in flight captures the location of the home, while a bespoke corner sofa in ivory velvet offers handmade feather filled cushions in a blend of colours and patterns. Bespoke artwork also features in the dining area, with watercolour and gold leaf accents, while dining chairs are adorned with linen herringbone fabric and elegant piping. The master bedroom features a wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling bespoke headboard with a deep sunburst fan detail in ivory velvet to the centre, while stylish cushions feature throughout. Finally, the third bedroom, which is designed with a teenage boy in mind, offers navy blue paint to all walls, creating a strong contemporary look. Rebecca Harris of DAPA Interiors comments: “At Woodhurst Park the obvious place to look for inspiration is the stunning surrounding area. The locality’s natural beauty has fed into our design for the new show home throughout, with a scheme that is understated yet elegant. “The show house optimises the space available to perfectly suit the needs of a family or couple. The open plan living, dining and kitchen area is stylish yet practical, with integrated appliances and dining furniture. The master bedroom offers tranquillity, incorporating minimalist art pieces chosen to complement a striking bespoke headboard, while a large second bedroom is perfectly presented for guests. Adding a contemporary edge, the children’s room offers locker-style furniture and tan faux leather suedes.” Benjamin Ivey, Director of Sales and Marketing at Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern),
comments: “The new show home at Woodhurst Park perfectly captures the desirable lifestyle on offer. We are looking forward to welcoming potential homebuyers and encouraging them to explore the new community that has been formed.” Set in a beautiful country park setting with acres of landscaped open space, Woodhurst Park is a visionary development which offers a wide choice of high-quality homes, whilst promising a lifestyle steeped in nature. Typical elements of the English idyll have been recreated throughout the development, including a country park, traditional village green, duck pond, areas for children to play, orchard park, tree-lined riverside cut and nature trails. Prices at Bluebell Way start from £397,500 for the three-bedroom coach house, with two-, three-, and four-bedroom houses starting from £415,000, £530,000 and £645,000 respectively. � Buyers interested in finding out more about the homes at Woodhurst Park should contact Romans New Homes on 01344 753110 or email newhomes@romans.co.uk
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Lost, but now fou Anglo-Saxon
Spacephiller Phil Creighton
By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today
If the key fits...
T
HERE’S a scene in Doctor Who where the second Doctor has lost a trial and his penalty is death. Well regeneration. The all-powerful Time Lords decree that Patrick Troughton should become someone else altogether, but recognising that his Doctor had done some good in his travels, they allow him to choose a new body. The images are, in true 1960s lo-tech style, line drawings of an unlikely band of mugshots, none as likely to give you nightmares as my fizzog. Patrick Troughton is not terribly happy at the choices: “No, he’s too thin. That one’s too young. Oh now, that won’t do at all,” he complains. But tough, the decision is made for him and, before you know it, it’s Jon Pertwee lying face down in the woods having stumbled out of the police box. Now that’s another story altogether. It was on my mind after a frustrating fortnight trying to get a key cut. Well, it’s actually a longrunning saga that dates back to January. Our front door is great, it keeps the outside out, thanks to a natty letterbox. But its five identical keys are, shall we say, a little temperamental. There was one shopping trip where heavily laden bags caught on the key in the lock and snapped it. At least that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. It definitely wasn’t my miniature derriere wot dunnit, and woe betide anyone who dares suggest otherwise. Thank goodness, the bit left in the lock came out without too much complaint, as that would have been an expensive visit to Aldi. Then there’s the second key lost by one of the ankle biters, the third I bent (it was the shopping, and not my derriere, honest). And to cap it off, the one that was hanging up faithfully until it was needed. Somewhere between being placed on the hook and being needed, it decided to grab a oneway ticket to key paradise and it seems to be in no rush to come back. So, four keys down, one to go. Surely a quick and easy job to get a key cut? You’d think. First, try to a self-service machines at a big-box DIY store. Computer took one look at it, laughed (it was a weird electronic crackle that came with a sharp intake of digital breath) and then said no. Undeterred, took it to a locksmith, which reminds me of one of my favourite jokes of all-time and it’s from Leslie Nielsen’s fabulous 80s comedy Police Squad! (in color). He’s playing a detective who goes undercover as a locksmith and lets himself into a suspect’s house. She wants to know who he is and how he got in. Well, he deadpans, I’m a locksmith and I’m a locksmith. It’s the way he tells them. Anyway, this locksmith cut two Yale keys from my one key. Great stuff, but only problem is, they didn’t fit in the lock. They were too fat. What is it with this lock and things that are too fat? Sorry, what is it with this lock and bags of shopping? So we had another go with a different type of key. That fitted, but wouldn’t turn. One of the lost keys turned up, so that was taken to a different locksmith, who charged an arm and a leg for a laser-cut diamond-encrusted (well, it should have been for the price it was) key … which was too fat, so wouldn’t slip in. Finally, the original locksmith, who was sick of the sight of me, suggested taking the lock out and replacing it. He lent us his screwdriver and ruler so we could get the lock out and measure it (they have to be precise – too fat and … look, it was the shopping, honest…) The new lock cost us £27, and came with five keys. All of which fit, turn the lock and restored harmony to our corner of universe. And, like Patrick Troughton becoming Jon Pertwee, they look very different too. Still, it’s an open and shut case. Or door.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
A
65th celebrations A WOKINGHAM couple celebrated their 65th anniversary yesterday. Peter and Patricia Richards married at St Mary’s Church in Hayes, West London, in 1956. The couple have two children, Mark and Heather, three grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Heather Green said her parents marked the day with a meal with friends and will be having a family party on Sunday. Ms Green said her parents’ wedding reception was celebrated at the church hall with a homemade buffet, only two years after rationing had ended in the country. As the wedding party posed for photographs, neighbouring Hayes Town football club scored a goal. As the crowd cheered, the photographer snapped his picture. All of the men are looking towards
the football ground as the women smile at the camera. Hayes Town won that day. The Richards moved to Wokingham from West Drayton in 1970, Ms Green said. Before retiring, Patricia worked in the accounts department at Waitrose Head Office in Bracknell. And husband Peter worked for CIS Insurance in Tilehurst. Outside of work, Peter was a founding member of Sand Martins Golf Club, Ms Green said. Until May, he played twice a week, and continues as a social member. “Mum was a Keep Fit fan and regularly attended St Crispin’s Gym until recently,” Ms Green added. Reflecting on her parents’ marriage, Ms Green said the couple believe patience, understanding, humour, and working together through thick and thin is key to a long and happy life together.
Harvest time with Freely Fruity
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19
WOODLEY LUNCH BUNCH - 20.6KG Cucumbers, mixed berries, cherry tomatoes, plums and apples
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22
200kg of donated potatoes from CA Belcher & Son was distributed to Sadaka, Love My Neighbour, Reading and Camberley Night Cafe.
This week’s total – 220.6kg 2021 Total so far – 842.2kg
Shaun is for the high jump THE CHIEF executive of a Wooodley-based charity is jumping out of an aeroplane next month. Shaun Polley is doing a skydive on Friday, September 3. Having previously conducted an indoor skydive, Mr Polley is ready for a bigger challenge. He will be leaping out of the aeroplane at 15,000ft over the Salisbury Plains, with 60 seconds of freefall. With a target of £500, Mr Polley knows this will help a Me2 Club child to restart at the weekly mainstream leisure activity they love. The money will allow the charity to fund support for a year. Liz McDaniel, fundraising development officer at Me2 club said nine others are joining Shaun on the day.
n For more information, or to donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ shaun-polley
RCHAEOLOGISTS have discovered a lost AngloSaxon monastery on the bank of the Thames. The team from the University of Reading unearthed the eighth-century site in Cookham this month. They said it gives a unique insight into the life of Queen Cynethryth, widow of King Offa. The Queen of Mercia is understood to have been one of the most powerful women of the Early Middle Ages, with the site likely her final resting place. Dr Gabor Thomas, the University of Reading archaeologist who is leading the excavation, said: “The lost monastery of Cookham has puzzled historians, with a number of theories put forward for its location. We set out to solve this mystery once and for all.” The location of the monastery in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church was a mystery until now, despite being well-known from contemporary historical sources. This summer, the team uncovered the remains of timber buildings that would have housed the inhabitants of the monastery, alongside artefacts providing insights into their lives. Dr Thomas added: “The evidence we have found confirms beyond doubt that the Anglo-Saxon monastery was located on a gravel island beside the River Thames now occupied by the present parish church. “Despite its documented royal associations, barely anything is known about what life was like at this monastery, or others on this stretch of the Thames, due to a lack of archaeological evidence.” He said the uncovered items will
allow archaeologists to piece together a detailed impression of how the monks and nuns who lived there ate, worked and dressed. “This will shed new light on how Anglo-Saxon monasteries were organised and what life was like in them,” Dr Thomas added. During the eighth century, a network of monasteries was built along the Thames – one of the most important trading arteries in AngloSaxon England. The stretch of the Thames in which Cookham falls formed a contested boundary between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex, so the monastery here had particular strategic and political importance. The exact location was long debated, and the excavation focused on open spaces straddling the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church. The team found food remains, pottery vessels used for cooking and eating, a delicate bronze bracelet and a dress pin, probably worn by women. And clear evidence has emerged
Be quick if you want to see the big friendly giants THERE’S still time to enjoy a giant day out thanks to a summer holiday spectacular at The Lexicon. The Bracknell-based shopping centre has launched Bracknell Forest Giants – three ginormous interactive exhibits aimed at celebrating what gives our neighbour its name: trees. Running through to August Bank Holiday, Monday, August 30, there will be special events every day, including storytelling, theatres, street entertainment and roaming trees. The centrepiece is the three giant sculptures, offering different takes on the natural world, and interactive in their own way. Outside Bill’s restaurant is Wise Woodland, a 6.5m sculpture that is the guardian of the forest’s history. Close to Marks & Spencer is Lady Greenwood, The Lexicon’s Mother Earth, looking after the smallest insect to the largest tree. The third giant is Little Acorn, located above The Entertainer, a young sapling, who organisers say encourages forest adventures. While the giant trees roam through The Lexicon, it’s possible for visitors to turn themselves into virtual tree giants using QR codes.
And it’s possible to buy tickets for a storytelling show at The Forest Friends Den, hosted by Old Brack the Badger and Bright-Tail the Fox. Visitors can also follow a giant footsteps trail, created by the community. Entries could win a giant prize, in the form of a £1,000 Forest Holiday gift voucher. At the unveiling last week, Timothy Wheadon, chief executive at Bracknell Forest Council, said the team were feeling good about their achievement. “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work over many months by a lot of people,” he said. “There’s a sense of sense of pride in what we’ve achieved. There is also a sense of ambition for what we want to achieve in the future.” Mr Wheadon had enjoyed walking around The Lexicon and seeing visitors interact with the trees and the entertainers, praising the festival atmosphere. “That’s what we wanted with the performers, the giants and the storytellers.” This autumn sees the fourth anniversary of The Lexicon, but for much of the past 18 months it has
und – an ancient n settlement HISTORY IN THE MAKING: A team from the University of Reading have unearthed an eighth-century monastery in Cookham
for the layout of the monastery which was organised into a series of functional zones marked by ditched boundaries. One of these zones appears to have been used for housing and another for industrial activity, indicated by a cluster of hearths probably used for metalworking. Dr Thomas added: “Cynethryth is a fascinating figure, a female leader who clearly had genuine status and influence in her lifetime. “Not only were coins minted with her image, but it is known that when the powerful European leader
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Charlemagne wrote to his English counterparts, he wrote jointly to both King Offa and Queen Cynethryth, giving both equal status.” He said the team is thrilled to find physical evidence of the monastery. Cynethryth joined a religious order and became royal abbess of the monastery after the death of her husband, King Offa, in AD 796. Before his death he ruled Mercia, one of the main Anglo Saxon kingdoms in Britain, which spanned the English Midlands. King Offa is considered by many historians to have been the most powerful Anglo-Saxon king before Alfred the Great. He is known for ordering the creation of the earth barrier on the border between England and Wales, known as Offa’s Dyke, which can still be seen today. Cynethryth is the only Anglo-Saxon queen known to be depicted on a coin – a rarity anywhere in Western Europe during the period. She died sometime after 798AD.
POETRY CORNER
Technology in the Pandemic Life is a whole lot harder Now we’re stuck in this pandemic, And technology isn’t helping, Even although it is now endemic. We used to get a bill in the post, And write a cheque to pay, But now we have to go on-line, For there is no other way.
We go and switch the computer on Which requires a secret password, So we type the one we’ve used before Which is certainly not a buzz word. “Tis not the one you’ve used before” The indignant computer writes, “Do you want to set a new one?” At which point we lose the fight. If it wasn’t for this pandemic We’d go to the shop and pay, But Covid is still on the rampage, So we leave it for another day. But now the bill is getting old, And we HAVE to take some action, So back to the computer now we crawl, Worrying about its reaction. Will it accept the brand new password Or even perhaps the old? Will the Company’s website open? Doubtful; if truth be told. But finally we locate the invoice, Our details we then type in, This action causes a qualm or two, Lest a scammer finds our PIN. All this has taken an hour or two, Yet technology claims to be fast, A cheque would have taken just five minutes, And we’d not be feeling aghast. We next await acceptance That the money reached the firm. And hasn’t been re-directed By a human form of worm! When it comes to paying for our energy, The meter has to be read, So we had a “smart” one fitted Then the supplier could read it instead.
You can guess what might be coming next… The meter doesn’t work! So bang goes another techy thing, Along with this hoped for perk. There used to be a man at the door, A meter reader no less, But Covid has made him redundant, Which is why we are now in this mess. The chap is possibly still out of work And has probably gone on the dole, Adding to unemployment figures, With ourselves still stuck in a hole! Carparks now are another annoyance, Embracing new technology, We used to park and collect a ticket, But now you need horology! You have to know what time you need And add the car’s registration, Then when you leave you pay by card, Typing in details just adds frustration. But car parks have their different systems, Nothing standardised here! You have to read instructions each time, Else you’ll end up paying dear. Perhaps the answer is to use the bus? But the pandemic keeps us apart, Every other seat has to be vacant, At which point you surely lose heart. The pandemic and technology together Are not an ideal mix, Without them we got on much better, And rarely got into a fix, We bought in the shops instead of on-line, Usually paying for things in cash, But now even that comes from ATM’s Which causes our teeth to gnash.
Lorna Minton
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Crumbs! It’s a Royals history
not been the town centre that people had been used to. Mr Wheadon feels that the Bracknell Forest Giants is a chance to restate the vision for the centre, which is a mixture of shopping, dining and leisure activities. “2017 was a fantastic start, but it’s not the end of the project,” he said. “We’re no different from the challenges the world has faced in the
past 18 months, but this is our opportunity to reinvigorate the town, reenergise it, and welcome people with a real attraction, an attraction with scale and ambition that people will want to come from the surrounding areas to participate in. “People from everywhere, particularly Wokingham, will be welcome to come.”
A NEW booklet for Reading FC fanatics has been released charting the club’s post-war league history. Established in 1871, the Royals, or the Biscuitmen as they were known until the 1970s, are one of the oldest clubs in the English football league. Roger Holmes has used the booklet to explore the post-war history of the club, detailing league seasons since the 1946/47 campaign. “I am hoping it will appeal to Royals fans of all ages,” says Roger, “those who recall the fluctuating fortunes of the club and the younger generation who might enjoy learning a little bit about the team they support. “Anyone who purchases the booklet is also helping the charity FanShare which distributes food to the needy across the UK.” Reading played at their home at Elm Park for 102 years, from 1896 until 1998. The club then moved to the Madejski Stadium for the start of
the 1998/99 season, now renamed the Select Car Leasing Stadium after a new sponsorship deal was agreed at the start of the 2020/21 campaign. As one of the oldest clubs in the country, Reading has an illustrious history including some impressive records that can be read about in the booklet. The Royals currently hold the record for the most number of successive league wins at the start of a season (13) –this was in the 1985/86 season when they were in the Third Division. One of the crowning jewels in the club’s history was in the 2005/06 campaign when they won promotion to the top flight for the very first time. They broke a record that still stands as they recorded 106 points in the Championship, the most ever achieved in a professional league season in England.
n The booklet costs £3. For more details, visit thefootballtables.com
18 | VIEWPOINTS
WOKINGHAM.TODAY THE VOICE OF THE BOROUGH
Enjoy, but everything in moderation AT LAST, a bank holiday we can enjoy. It’s been 20 months since New Year’s Day 2020, the last time the nation was able to party freely. All bank holidays since then have been under lockdown conditions of one form or another. This weekend it’s a chance to get out and about and enjoy the events that have been able to take place. Wokingham Festival is an obvious choice – it’s on our doorstep after all. It’s going to be three days of great beer, food and music, all for a bargain entry price. And Reading Festival, which has sold out, will see music lovers back in the mosh pit. It is wonderful to be able to taste some normality, not least as these events are taking place outdoors. But covid is still among us. It will continue to be among us. Jabbed or not, we still need to take care and precautions. Wash those hands, keep wearing masks and keep your distance – after all, none of us want to end up back in lockdown this winter, do we?
CHURCH NOTES
The present moment
I
USED to go running during my lunch hour at work. Because I had limited time, I had to be efficient. At the end of the run I put my running shoes straight into my bag, rather than put them on the floor and then into my bag. I had a similar method for the rest of my kit to ensure that I handled my kit only once. As time was short, I had to save as much time as possible. I now try to apply this to many more things in life. I try to avoid anticipating future events, especially if I am not very keen on them. This means that I do not spend time thinking about events before they happen. If I have a work meeting that I would prefer not to go to or have to meet somebody for duty rather than because I want to do so, I do not spend time anticipating, or rather dreading, the event. This means that you only go through the pain of the encounter once, when it actually happens, rather than having to go through itmany times whenever you think about it beforehand or afterwards. Anticipating a negative event can mean that you go through the negative thoughts and emotions multiple times. Each time you think about this negative event, you will relive the stress of the event. Sometimes it can be much worse when you consider all the what ifs (how badly the event could turn out). Thinking about a future event in a very positive way could also raise expectations too high and lead to great disappointment. My faith helps me to consider only things that are important at this moment in time. Jesus never concerned himself with fears about the future, even though he knew what was going to happen to him. This inspires me to follow his example, especially as I am very unlikely to share his fate. Geoff Peck from Woosehill Church writing on behalf of Churches Together Wokingham
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WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
We love to hear from you! Send us your views on issues relating to the borough (in 250 words or less) to Wokingham.Today, Crown House, 231 Kings Road, Reading RG1 4LS or email: letters@wokingham.today We reserve the right to edit letters Views expressed in this section are not necessarily those of the paper
Stop big-business fishing vessels BIG-BUSINESS fishing vessels are killing our planet. They destroy the sea bed habitat, decimate everything in their wake, prevent normal regeneration, destroy local fishing industries and ignore pleas to leave ‘protected’ areas untouched for the good of us all. The oceans need to be effectively policed so that activity can be properly monitored and those who care only about profit can be prevented from stripping our oceans of life. No live, extensive biodiversity in our oceans means a dead planet for our children. Please do everything that you can to stop these madmen. God loves all life and we must fight with all our strength to stop evil people destroying life.
Pamela Barnard, Wokingham
Decline in the oceans IT has been easy to ignore the decline of our oceans. Having grown up by the sea in Wales, and previously the river Avon, and more recently the Thames in Reading, I’ve always had a connection to the rivers and oceans around the UK. Hearing the ongoing impact of supertrawlers it feels we have lost our connection to the seas, and the impact on fishing stocks. In 1497 reports from the crews of John Cabot where of ”the sea there is full of fish that can be taken not only with nets but with fishing-baskets”. Similar descriptions continued over the next hundred years from the Americas. The comparison with UK waters is stark, where, no doubt some centuries before these journeys to America, we would have seen
A welcome pledge – but we must be as generous as possible We applaud Wokingham Borough Council’s prompt action in beginning the process to re-settle locally some of the thousands of people fleeing from the horrific events in Afghanistan. We share the belief of so many in our community that we in Britain have a huge debt of honour to those Afghans who gave so much support to our British Forces to bring stability to Afghanistan and beyond. Their fearless and brave efforts have now placed them and their loved ones in grave danger. Our response locally and as a nation will literally be life-changing for thousands. We understand the reasons why our Council has said that it hopes to be able to settle two or three Afghan families. But we ask that this be treated as an initial commitment. Nationally, the numbers needing resettlement are enormous. The reality is that all of us will need to step up to the mark and be as generous as possible to those Afghans seeking sanctuary. similar expanses of wildlife. Looking to today, UK fishers today have to work 17 times as hard for the same size catches as 120 years ago; the UK has lost 90% of its seagrass meadows; and two thirds of the UK’s key fish stocks are overfished and severely depleted. Surely it is time for focus to be put on the environment and oceans (which hold 50 times more carbon than the atmosphere).
Chris Ashworth, Wokingham
Helena Badger
www.volunteer wokinghamborough.org.uk
W
n Do you have few hours or more to spare each week? Maybe you are recently retired? Perhaps your children are at school? Maybe you are
We appreciate the utmost urgency of identifying places for resettlement. Safe homes and supports are needed now. We repeat again our support for the actions taken by our Council so far. But let this just be the beginning. Let’s see the offer to provide safe haven for two or three Afghan families as a starting point. We believe that our local community wishes our Council to
Contradictory trees IT is interesting to note the contradiction of recent planning approvals against Wokingham Borough Council’s policy on increasing the tree population. The approval to cut down 58 mature trees of which six groups will be completely removed at Sand Martins Golf Club together with the approval to remove hundreds of large mature trees at Bearwood Lakes are examples of the permitted It’s so much more than just driving, as you wait with the client and provide companionship for them. Time commitment is very flexible. If you live in Wokingham, Finchampstead, Winnersh or Barkham and you would like to help, please get in touch.
Wokingham Volunteering
ITH restrictions easing and the successful roll out of vaccination programme, we are able to hold our annual Volunteer Recruitment fair this year. It will take place at Wokingham Town Hall in Saturday, September 25 11am-2pm. It is a fantastic way to meet a variety of charities who do amazing work in the local area. Come and see what a difference you can make, and find out what volunteering can do for you.
A market place in Afghanistan Picture: David Mark/Pixabay
not in employment and would like to keep busy while you are looking for your next job? Maybe you work shifts and would like a voluntary role which can fit around them? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then the Wokingham Community Transport Scheme needs you. All you need is your own car – there is no cost to you as we reimburse all your expenses. The Scheme provides transport for older people to attend vital medical appointments (hospitals, local doctors, dentists, opticians, physiotherapists) and social trips (shopping, social and lunch clubs, visiting friends/family in hospital/care homes etc.), helping to relieve loneliness and social isolation.
n Feeling connected to people is vital to our wellbeing and happiness. As a Befriender with Sue Ryder, you’ll provide companionship to people during a difficult time in their lives and enable people to do the things that matter most to them. You’ll be helping Sue Ryder provide the best possible care to people with life-limiting conditions. The charity says it takes a completely person-centred approach to all our services and support, which means each befriending relationship will be different. The role commonly includes; providing regular one-to-one companionship and a supportive relationship, supporting the person to go out and access favourite activities and places, helping with small practical tasks – such as picking up groceries and offering respite by sitting with
be as generous as possible to those brave Afghans who have suffered unimaginably. Let our community rally to this challenge and show Wokingham Borough and all of our residents at our very best. We pledge to support the Council and local organisations, and to do everything within our power to help those Afghans fleeing to the UK in their time of dire need.
Wokingham Borough Liberal Democrat Councillor Group destruction of mature trees being permitted. We were told in March this year that the Council have received a grant from the Woodland Trust to plant 250,000 trees across the Borough, if not already done so when will these start to be planted and will they be in the same geographic area to where tree felling has been permitted, I think not. It will take decades for these new trees to reach the maturity the person, so their family can take a break. n Survivors of Bereavement (SoBS) is a registered charity founded in 1991 by Alice Middleton MBE. It has grown to become the only national charity providing dedicated support to adults who have been bereaved by suicide. The majority of volunteers have been bereaved by suicide themselves, and this experience helps them to empathise and connect with others. It is looking to recruit group volunteers to either join an existing group in Wokingham or those who would be interested in establishing a new peer-led support group, a minimum of three volunteers required. Full training and ongoing support is available. Call to discuss the role in more detail. n These are just a few of the opportunities on our books. Contact us: tel. 0118 977 0749, email volunteer@wok-vol.org. uk or visit our website www. volunteerwokinghamborough.org.uk to find out more and have a look at all the roles we have to offer.
Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
and pollution benefits of those now destroyed. It is all very well talking about the benefit of trees to our environment but all I am seeing is a net loss across the Borough.
Tony Delliston, Wokingham
Don’t ban peaceful protests NOT many people are talking about the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. But if it passes Parliament, it will have an impact on all our lives. The bill gives unprecedented powers to the Police to ban peaceful demonstrations outright and to ban ‘noisy’ protests. The definition of a noisy protest includes a protest involving noise made by just one person. It’s been revealed that the Police Federation was not consulted on this huge extension of police powers. Furthermore, a respected group of former Police Officers has expressed grave concerns. In a letter to the Home Secretary they said, “Echoing the concerns voiced by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and other professional bodies, we believe that this Bill has dangerous and harmful implications for the ability of police officers to enforce the law and for the health of our democracy as a whole.” If the next time a group of residents, or even a single resident, wants to protest against a housing development or a council decision, the Police could just say ‘No’. You might expect this from the Chinese Government in Hong Kong, but we shouldn’t put up with it in the UK. If any other of your readers are worried at the prospect of their right to protest being curtailed, I would encourage them to write to their MP and ask them to oppose this repressive legislation. Or they could support organisations like Unlock
Democracy which are campaigning against the Bill. Dennis Flanagan, Wokingham
Have a big voice THROUGHOUT September, for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity, Young Lives vs Cancer, will be helping children with cancer have their voices heard…they may be little, but they have BIG voices! Having cancer when you’re a child is scary, lonely, relentless and painful. Over the past year our children have missed out on so much. But for many children with cancer they are still swapping classrooms for chemotherapy, still waving at family members through windows and watching friends blow out birthday candles via phone screens. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month we want everyone to see children with cancer for who they are and who they want to be. Because they are more than their cancer. We would love to see the local community come together to help young people with cancer in Berkshire, and there are lots of ways to get involved… We’re looking for volunteers to represent Young Lives vs Cancer at our bucket collections in local Morrisons stores. We have various dates and times throughout September. All available dates and sign up details can be found here: younglivesvscancer.org.uk/join-ourfight/get-volunteering/volunteer-thisccam/. In return, volunteers will get a warm fuzzy feeling, a huge sense of pride and a big ‘thank you’ from the young people they will be helping. In the UK, children with cancer face an average 60-mile round trip to hospital to get life-saving treatment, with many travelling further.
Westminster Diary Sir John Redwood
The commuter rebellion
M
ANY former commuters seem to be singing “I don’t want to go to work on a train in the rain” to adapt on old pop -song parody. It seems increasingly clear that the Covid lockdowns have made something snap in many five-day-aweek train commuters minds. They have discovered they can do much of their job from home. They have saved serious money on not buying season tickets. Above all they have been spared the difficult local roads to the station, the fight for a car park place, and ticket, and the lottery of getting a seat on the train. All that strain and worry has gone out of life.
On that busy office day will the train come on time? On the morning when you need to meet the boss, will your train be delayed by leaves on the line or the late arrival of the train in front? Will you get drenched walking from the station to the office? Going home might you have one of those nightmare journeys when you are stuck in a stationary train for too long, ringing home to apologise and say you haven’t a clue when you will make it back. Many commuters with all too many memories of late and cancelled trains, an absence of seats and a dearth of reliable information about what has gone wrong suddenly see the chance to duck out of many of those journeys and opt for a different working life. It looks as if many offices will be adapted for hybrid working with many more people logging in remotely. Employers who may prefer more to come and work in the office will
VIEWPOINTS | 19
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662 We would love people in the local community to sign up to our Challenge60. They could run 60 miles throughout the month (two miles a day), complete a 60-mile bike ride, or even hop, we don’t mind! People can also support young people with cancer by purchasing their very own Young Lives vs Cancer gold ribbon pin badge, which are available at Morrisons stores, or you can order one online for a suggested £1 donation. Last year in Berkshire we supported 91 families and gave out 51 grants worth £9,550 to help families with the sudden costs that a cancer diagnosis brings. We’d like to thank the community for their ongoing support. Their efforts mean Young Lives vs Cancer can be there for the children and young people of Berkshire with cancer, keeping families together by providing Home from Homes near hospitals and financial grants for support. You can find more information about about all of the ways to get involved this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, make a donation or shop online at younglivesvscancer.org. uk #MoreThanMyCancer
Rose Bailey, Young Lives vs Cancer
Ending homelessness begins with mental health support
THERE is no question that the pandemic has had a real impact on people’s mental health right across the country. We’ve had the anxiety and uncertainty around the virus itself coupled with isolating, being separated from loved ones and missing out on the daily interactions we probably took for granted before. For people experiencing homelessness, all this has come on top
decide that to keep some of the best talent they need to be flexible. They will decide to downsize their floor space to get a property saving out of the change. All this will knock a big hole in railway revenues. I will look at what government should do with the trains in a later post. The commuter revolt is the result of poor and expensive services over many past years.
The long road to COP 26
This week the government announced its support for hydrogen as a transport fuel, and as a way of heating our homes. It said that it thought the hydrogen sector could create an additional 9,000 jobs by 2030. The UK economy has 31 million jobs, so the limited ambition for hydrogen this decade only sees an increase of 0.03% in employment, if these hydrogen jobs are all additional. It contrasts with the current 1,000,000 vacancies the job market sports. It implies pessimism about the speed of expansion and take up of this new wonder fuel. These jobs would add just 0.9% to the total available if they are extra jobs. Hydrogen has obvious
of having nowhere to call home. Working as part of a team of Clinical Psychologists at Crisis, I see at first-hand how disproportionately people facing homelessness are affected by mental health issues. Many of these issues are linked to previous and devastating trauma and are only made worse by the circumstances they are forced to live in. Part of our work at Crisis is to ensure our clients have the psychological support they need to establish a life away from homelessness. Keeping this going through the pandemic has been a real challenge and Crisis staff have been finding all sorts of creative solutions. In the early days of the pandemic, our coaches worked rapidly to provide phones, tablets, laptops and data to our clients who needed it and adapted our services, including our psychological support, so we could provide a continued lifeline over the phone and online. With lockdown and restrictions now eased, it is a relief for our clients to feel less of the added mental pressure that we’ve had from the circumstances of the last year and for face-to-face support to be more of an option again. Whether in person or online, all our work is only made possible by the fantastic people and organisations who support us, meaning we can continue to help people across the country leave homelessness behind for good. On behalf of Crisis and the thousands of people we support each year, we would particularly like to thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, in the South-East and elsewhere, who have helped fund the vital work of our Clinical Psychologists in such difficult times.
Peter Oakes, Lead Clinical Psychologist at Crisis advantages over some of the other proposed technologies. Heat pumps for homes would be much dearer and less effective than adapting our current gas boilers to run on 100% hydrogen instead of natural gas. Batteries cannot offer sufficient power relative to weight for heavy trucks and other large vehicles. The intermediate plan is to see if they can introduce 20% hydrogen into our current natural gas. That at least has the advantage that we can keep our current boilers. I never saw how it could be green to make us dump our gas boilers long before they have worn out, given the amount of energy it would take to replace them with Heat pumps. The energy policy priority I am urging is to secure the construction of some more electricity capacity before thinking of new ways to use more electrical power directly, or indirectly via hydrogen. Producing green hydrogen will take a lot of renewable power. I am also pressing to make COP 26 about China, Germany and other large producers of CO2 to catch up with the closures and changes the UK has already pushed through in the name of net zero. Sir John Redwood is the MP for Wokingham
The climate emergency Cllr Gregor Murray
Our approach to tackling climate change
T
WO years ago, our Council committed itself to playing as full of role as possible in achieving a carbon-neutral Wokingham Borough by 2030. While much of that time has been spent supporting the local fight against Covid-19, the vital work of reducing our carbon footprint has not fallen by the wayside. Reducing carbon takes time. Yes, this is an emergency. Yes, we need to take bold and swift action. But we can’t afford to create other issues further down the road at the same time. Our actions must, in themselves, be sustainable. We need to move quickly and decisively but we also can’t afford to knee jerk into ill-conceived initiatives, ideas, programmes, or targets. That means we must tackle the root cause of our emissions now, rather than simply trying to apply a temporary or short-term solution that could then prove to do greater damage later. We are, therefore, doing everything as quickly as we can, but taking as long as we need to ensure we do them properly. To reduce our 580,000-tonne carbon footprint we have focused our actions into eight key areas. Our eight priorities are: n Reducing the energy consumed by our business and domestic properties. n Utilising council assets to generate green energy n Setting the highest standards in green development as part of our new local planning process n Encouraging people to use alternative transport options by building green infrastructure and mitigating the reasons why residents chose to use cars n Reducing how much we throw away each year and increasing the amount that we recycle n Greening our Borough by planting 250,000 new trees and supporting increased biodiversity n Supporting our schools to teach sustainable living to future generations n Helping residents develop sustainable living behaviours. Within these eight priorities there are over one hundred different programmes and initiatives that will help reduce our carbon footprint. These range from building solar farms and cycle lanes, to making energy saving improvements to existing homes, and creating new areas for wildlife to flourish. We are developing local regulations that will require the highest standards in green house building and programmes that will encourage people of all ages to make small but significant changes to how they behave day-to-day. Encouraging a shift to different ways of travelling, particularly more walking and cycling where you can, means healthier bodies breathing in less potentially harmful emissions and particulate matter. Generating green energy locally will allow us to significantly reduce the carbon produced when creating the energy we currently use. It will also allow us to better react to future energy demands from electric vehicles and other technologies. Planting more trees will bring greater beauty and wildlife to our Borough while also improving our air quality. Changing our planning guidance means that, among other things, we can put an end to the ‘plant and forget’ approach to tree planting that we have seen in recent years. Reducing our carbon footprint also means cleaner air for us to breathe, and knowing we have done all we could to protect our community and our environment for future generations to enjoy. After all, as the native American proverb says, “we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
Cllr Gregor Murray is executive member for resident services, communications and emissions on Wokingham Borough Council
20 | SOCIETY
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Bracknell Together Walk
T
HE children enjoyed the rain, and the grown-ups endured the rain which graced this year’s Bracknell Together Walk on Sunday, August 8. First, the facts. 66 walkers braved the elements for the second Bracknell Together Walk through the beautiful South Hill Park and Swinley Forest. They represented more than a dozen local charities. The biggest team were walking for the Wokingham Foodbank, which has been supporting local families and individuals during the pandemic. Bracknell charities included The Wayz, Promise Inclusion, Home-Start Bracknell Forest, and Youthline. Youthline Bracknell Forest’s walkers were giant panda and koala bears, but other animals gathered there included tigers and badgers ... oh and our little
Devil of course ... all thanks to our facepainter Messy Jessy. Other charities benefitting from this year’s Bracknell Together Walk are the Parkinson’s Society, the Cowshed, the NSPCC, the PItuitary Foundation, Breast Cancer UK, the Friends of St Mary’s Winkfield, and Easthampstead Rotary Club. Easthampstead Rotarians and their families also ‘manned’ the registration desk, marshalled the routes, and awarded the certificates to the walkers. Thanks to generous donations from local Co-op and Aldi stores, all the walkers were given fruit and water for their walk. Walk organiser, Mike O’Donovan also thanks Avis Budget and Boehringer Ingelheim. “Their support means we are able to award cash prizes worth
Sing Healthy Choirs WHAT a summer it’s been for Sing Healthy Choirs. Our community choirs, based in Wokingham and Bracknell, came together at the end of July for our first live concert since December 2019. As the smiles on the faces of both choir and our audience of friends and family attested, it marked a truly joyous and enjoyable occasion for everyone. Despite a delay owing to the pinging covid app, the concert went ahead outside and socially distanced to ensure everyone stayed safe. The weather was kind, confounding those oftenmaligned weather apps which had promised all manner of storm and tempest, and our audience came prepared with their own picnics. In common with choirs everywhere, the past 18 months has brought many obstacles, but we have risen to the challenge as a group, sustaining each other and bringing choir members a much-needed
lift through lockdowns. We had months of Zoom rehearsals and combined, through newly-learned electronic wizardry, the self-conscious individual singing of our solo parts into phones to create a virtual performance. The easing of restrictions allowed us to come together in person and sing outdoors under a covered area at a local school with members standing 2m apart throughout the winter months, rehearsing as temperatures fell – even the keyboard froze. Bringing the choirs together in person to sing in harmony this summer was a triumph after all the trials and tribulations. Musical director Kieran Morris said: “To hold a concert in front
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
hundreds of pounds to the good causes making the most impact on this year’s Bracknell Together Walk,” he said. “The names of the winners will be announced shortly.” And, after the facts, the feelings. This message posted by Wokingham Foodbank’s Linda Miller is typical. “We had a great morning at the Bracknell Together Walk at South Hill Park. “A massive thank you to Easthampstead Rotary Club for hosting such a lovely event. We all had a fantastic time. “The sunshine even came out for us to have a cuppa at the end of the walk. “And thanks also to our volunteers, their friends and families for walking today, and everyone who has contributed towards our fundraising.”
PETER VON BERGEN of an audience was our dream scenario”. The repertoire included classical pieces from Tchaikovsky’s The Crown of Roses and Vivaldi’s Gloria to Amazing Grace and songs arranged specially for us by our musical director, Louise Drewett. We were delighted that CLASP choir joined in with our version of Wellerman, blasted out with rhythm and joy, giving it the energy and fun it deserves. During the summer break, we have sung in the bandstand of Alexandra Gardens, Windsor, and joined CLASP choir for the opening of the sensory garden at the Acorn Centre, Wokingham. We’re looking forward to our new term with new music and indoors. If you’d like to sing in a community choir, come and join us – no auditions and no requirement to read music, just a desire to sing a wide variety of music in harmony. n For details, log on to: www. singhealthy.co.uk
The Arts Society Wokingham ON July 19, members of The Arts Society Wokingham heard an excellent lecture on Stanley Spencer – that eccentric genius and outstanding 20th century artist. Val Woodgate is an accomplished and highly acclaimed lecturer, and she tackled this complex subject with enthusiasm and humour. She gave her audience a fascinating insight into the background and meaning of Spencer’s difficult religious paintings. Many of them are autobiographical, so to understand the paintings you need to understand his life. Born in Cookham in 1891, he was a devout Christian. He won a scholarship to the Slade School of Fine Art in 1908, and claimed to be influenced by JS Bach, Giotto and Jesus. His personal heaven was Cookham, and he used this as a backdrop for many of his religious paintings such as the Last Supper set in a local malt house. Sandham Memorial Chapel contains a series of vast canvases based on his military experiences during the First World War in various locations including Macedonia. The altar piece, inspired by Giotto and entitled The Resurrection of the Soldiers, seems cluttered and incomprehensible at first glance, but Val meticulously explained its detailed symbolism. Val did not shy away from Spencer’s complex relationship with his two wives; having married Hilda Carline in 1925 he then became obsessed with Patricia Preece. He divorced Hilda and married Patricia but she was cruel and manipulative leaving him bankrupt in 1940. Although Spencer may not be everyone’s favourite artist, this lecture helped us interpret his art against the background of his beliefs and life experiences. Non-members are welcome to our meetings and should register by emailing memsectheartssocietywham@gmail.com in advance. There is a guest fee of £5. n For more, www.theArtsSocietyWokingham.org.uk
SUE BRYANT
CLASP Wokingham EARLIER this month, we hosted two face-to-face sessions and used Zoom as well, successfully managing to marry the two. We hosted our first Dancing to Music session with Aby from Wokingham Sports and Leisure, funded by a grant from Get Berkshire Active. Then we had Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) come to discuss their mental health strategy with us to ensure they took into account the views of the learning disability community. We all expressed our opinions and offered our insight into the illness that impacts one in two people with a learning disability and one in four of the general population. Frightening statistics so very important we get it right and that WBC are investing in this for all our benefit. Both these sessions were well attended. Everyone who comes has to do a lateral flow test within 24 hours of our session, and complete a form on entry. This Friday (August 27), we host Glenn from WBC who will update us on the Health & Leisure Strategy. We also have our coffee shop drop-in on a Tuesday. All events are 10am to noon. n For details, call: 07780 749 453 or email: admin@ claspwokingham.org.uk
DEBS MORRISON
No. 5376
Your weekly puzzle challenge
LEISURE | 21
To advertise, call 0118 327 2662
Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
To advertise on this page, call Claire on: 0118 327 2662
Quiz Challenge
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Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid, then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters should go in the missing squares. As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of letters as you identify them.
MAGIC SQUARE
FOLK PREPARE KOALA
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.
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How many words of four letters or more can you make from this Nonagram? Each word must use the central letter, and each letter may be used only once. At least one word using all nine letters can be found. Guidelines: 26 Good; 31 Very Good; 36 Excellent.
Any word found in the Concise Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is eligible with the following exceptions: proper nouns; plural nouns, pronouns and possessives; third person singular verbs; hyphenated words; contractions and abbreviations; vulgar slang words; variant spellings of the same word (where another variant is also eligible).
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Here are two miniature fivesquare crosswords using the same grid – but the letters have been mixed up. You have to work out which letters belong to which crossword.
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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
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WORD PYRAMID: Indirect current. EQUALISER: Clockwise from top left – subtract; add; multiply; divide. Total: 4.
SOLUTIONS
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QUICK CROSSWORD
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.
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Place the four signs (add, subtract, multiply, divide) one in each circle so that the total of each across and down line is the same.
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DOWN 2. Raisin is lost in the wet (4) 3. Revolved about old losing energy (5) 6. Eye-catching captain? (4) 4. The most expensive, 8. Is returning but will miss the darling (7) mark by a mountain range (6) 5. Padre removed the 9. Joined, though nearly cover (5) everybody was dishonest (6) 6. The case of a sheriff 10. Simple substance by a perhaps (7) railway (10) 7. Disallow the argument 12. Against the Spanish surgeon concerning government (8) having silk fabric (6) 11. Back before six, we come 14. Man accepting alternative up for the mirror (4-4) spirit (6) 13. Brian moved during TV 15. Clergyman gets peer brandy broadcast that was cocktail (10) thrilling (7) 19. Unauthorised publication 14. Another name the about robbery at sea (6) German has for a winding course (7) 20. Young child twice returns for an antelope (3-3) 16. Poet of indecision? (5) 21. Hard worker pulls back (4) 17. Land in yonder territory (5) 22. Musical composition from 18. Just over 50 feet up and the Near East (8) down it goes (4)
U R
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EQUALISER 15 2 7 6 3 3 0 12 3 1 3 2
Hard
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Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
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FIVE ALIVE SD
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10. Which aid to navigation was invented by John Harrison in the 18th century?
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 I through openings in the walls. The D first letter may appear in any chamber. I N
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9. How does the opossum try to evade capture?
5. In football’s inaugural Premier League season, how many clubs competed?
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8. From 1978 to 2008, the International Birdman contest was held at which resort?
4. In 2019, EastEnders actor Danny Dyer began presenting which BBC game show?
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7. ‘When the rain is blowing in your face, And the whole world is on your case’ is the opening of which Adele song?
3. The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Black Tulip are novels by which French writer?
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6. In Greek and Roman mythology, what was said to be the food of the gods?
2. What happens to atmospheric pressure as a cold front approaches?
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CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
PZ1P5376
CROSS CODE 26
5376
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28. Viral disease (5) ACROSS 1. Spirit of the air (5) 29. Word opposite in meaning (7) 4. Clerical cap (7) 8. To the purpose (7) 30. Draw back (7) 9. Journal (5) 31. Animal track (5) 10. Parking place DOWN alongside road 1. Angry growl (5) (3-2) 2. Truck (5) 13. Of no value (7) 3. Content (5) 17. Encountered (3) 4. Shellfish soup (6) 18. Workroom (6) 5. Raised strip (5) 19. Beefeater (6) 6. Business (5) 20. Golf peg (3) 7. Chasm (5) 22. Flourish (7) 25. Body fluid (5) 11. On the move (5)
12. 14. 15. 16. 17. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.
Augurs (5) Eye infection (4) Silly (5) Incisive (5) Speck (4) Wandering (6) Writing material (5) Young night bird (5) Prostrate (5) Water lily (5) Tropical fruit (5) Greek poet (5)
QUICK CROSSWORD: Across – 1 Sylph; 4 Biretta; 8 Apropos; 9 Diary; 10 Lay-by; 13 Useless; 17 Met; 18 Studio; 19 Yeoman; 20 Tee; 22 Prosper; 25 Lymph; 28 Polio; 29 Antonym; 30 Retreat; 31 Spoor. Down – 1 Snarl; 2 Lorry; 3 Happy; 4 Bisque; 5 Ridge; 6 Trade; 7 Abyss; 11 Astir; 12 Bodes; 14 Stye; 15 Loopy; 16 Sharp; 17 Mote; 21 Errant; 22 Paper; 23 Owlet; 24 Prone; 25 Lotus; 26 Mango; 27 Homer.
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 Salmon; 2 It falls; 3 Alexandre Dumas; 4 The Wall; 5 22; 6 Ambrosia; 7 Make You Feel My Love; 8 Bognor Regis; 9 By FIVE ALIVE: playing dead; 10 Chronometer. (1) Across – Sepia; Eager; Nurse. Down – Stern; Pager; Agree. CRYPTIC CROSSWORD: CROSS CODE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Across – 1 Provided; 6 Hook; 8 Sierra; 9 Allied; 10 Elementary; (2) Across – Douse; Witch; Leans. R A J V Q I H W N L Z U Y 12 Velvet; 14 Morale; 15 Prebendary; 19 Piracy; 20 Dik-dik; 21 Down – Dowel; Ultra; Ethos. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Swot; 22 Serenata. M T B X D P F K S O C G E Down – 2 Rain; 3 Verve; 4 Dearest; 5 Drape; 6 Holster; 7 NONAGRAM: eerie; emir; emit; emitter; emote; Overrule; 11 Rear-view; 13 Vibrant; 14 Meander; 16 Noyes; 17 emoter; eremite; item; meet; mere; MAGIC SQUARE: EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU Yukon; 18 Lift. flop; lake; okra; merit; mete; meteor; METEORITE; pear. meter; métier; metre; metro; mire; mite; mitre; moire; more; mote; motet; motte; otter; remit; remote; rete; retie; rime; rite; rote; teem; teeter; terete; term; termite; tier; time; timer; tire; titre; tome; tore; torte; tote; totem; tree; tret; trite.
22 | LEISURE
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WOKINGHAMLEISURE
Our what’s on guide and the gig guide will return from September 9
Beer festival returns
A
CELEBRATION of real ale and cider is planned for the bank holiday weekend, thanks to the return of a popular oneday event. The Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival will take place on Sunday, August 29, and will be a 10th-anniversary celebration. Originally planned to take place last year, it had been postponed due to coronavirus. But the mix of good drink, good food and good music is now back on. A team of volunteers have come together to showcase some of the best brews in Berkshire – and this can be seen through its new craft beer bar. More than 20 businesses from Bracknell and surrounding areas are sponsoring the event, with the headline sponsor being Biltong Emporium, which is based at Moss End Garden Village. Other sponsors include Wokingham’s TradeMark Windows and Winnershbased Apex Financial Services. Festivals sponsorship co-ordinator Tom Canning said: “It’s been an incredible build-up to the event on the sponsorship side of things. I expected a really tough time, which of course I understand, but the area’s businesses have shown some severe resilience and faith in our event to come forward and support us. “It is certainly the biggest show of support we’ve had in all the time I’ve been doing this.”
PINT: The Bracknell Ale and Cider Festival marks its 10th anniversary this Sunday Bracknell Ale & Cider Festival has been running for 10 years, five now in its current location at Bracknell Rugby Club, and is an event that raises significant funds for the club’s activities within the community. It runs from noon to 10.30pm at Bracknell Rugby Club in Lily Hill Park. Thames Valley Buses will run shuttle buses from the bus station to the festival site and back again. A number of covid measures are in place – it’s an outdoor event, contactless
payments will be used, and ticket holders will be given a reusable stackable cup to drink from. Distanced queuing will be in operation, and hand sanitizer will be available. Advance tickets are cheaper and are £10 for adults, £5 for Camra or sports clubs members. On the day, all tickets are £15. Under 18s and well-behaved dogs are welcome with paying adults. n For more details, log on to www. bracknellalefestival.co.uk
Enjoy Fleetwood Mac tribute Magic night A MAGICAL show is heading to Camberley Theatre this September. James Phelan is set to host his mind-bending performance of The Greatest Magician for one night only. This show focuses on illusion, from making people forget their own names to transporting iPhones from the auditorium into blocks of ice. James was taught by Paul Daniels and friends with Penn and Teller, not he’s a magician to celebrities. The performance will take place on Wednesday, September 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £17 for adults, £16 for Theatre Club members, £40 for VIP and £39 for Theatre Club VIP. For more details, or to book, call the box office on 01276 707600, or log on to camberleytheatre.co.uk
Nabil is on his way A BRITAIN’S Got Talent finalist will be making his way to Camberley and Reading this autumn. Following his performance on the Saturday night TV show in 2020, Nabil Abdulrashid will be touring his new stand-up show across the UK this year. He’ll be heading to Camberley Theatre on Thursday, September 16, and Just The Tonic, in Reading on Sunday, September 19. From growing up under military rule in northern Nigeria to falling into legal trouble as a teenager in south London, join Nabil as he recollects the story of his life so far.
A TRIBUTE to one of Fleetwood Mac’s founder members will be paid, as Cinema Live is set to present two concert screenings next month. Performing music by the British-American rock band, Mick Fleetwood And Friends Celebrate The Music of Peter Green will be coming to big screens across the county on Tuesday, September 7 and Sunday, September 12. Recorded at the London Palladium last year, a cast of guest stars joined Mick Fleetwood to honour band member Peter Green, who passed away last year. The line-up includes Neil Finn, Noel Gallagher, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett, Jonny Lang, John Mayall, Christine McVie, Zak Starkey, Jeremy Spencer, Pete Townshend, Steven
Tyler, Rick Vito, and Bill Wyman. Along with band members Andy Fairweather Low, Dave Bronze, and Ricky Peterson, they perform tracks including Albatross, Green Manalashi, Need Your Love, and much more. Audiences will also see exclusive rehearsal footage and interviews. Peter was inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998. Rolling Stone magazine rated him as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. “I’m thrilled that our wonderful tribute concert to my friend and mentor Peter Green is headed to the big
As joint winner of the Which Religion Is Funniest? Competition, Nabil won the opportunity to perform at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, becoming the youngest ever black stand-up to do so. He has also commentated on Channel 4, ITV News, Al Jazeera English and British Muslim TV to discuss race, religion and social justice. Performance times start at 7.30pm in Camberley and 8pm in Reading. n For more details for the Camberley show, call the box office on 01276 707 600 or log on to camberleytheatre.co.uk n For information on the Reading performance, call the box office on 020 3740 3700 or visit justthetonic.com
screen,” Mick Fleetwood said. He said fans will get the opportunity to see the show as if they were sitting in the stalls that night. “The generous spirit of love and admiration from all of our wonderful guests that night highlight the legacy of those early years of Fleetwood Mac songs,” he added. “It’s immensely fulfilling to know that this show will live on forever, just like Peter’s amazing music, and I can’t think of a time when you get to see a line-up of rock and roll legends this great at the local cinema.” n For details, log on to: cinemalive.com
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
Wokingham Loves Music Chris Hillman
bit.ly/wokingham lovesmusic
I
T’S Wokingham Festival week. Exciting to have the festival back after last year’s cancellation, and the reputation of Wokingham Festival is clearly growing. Last week on the Walrus and the Carpenter Show on Rock Radio UK, DJ Roger D devoted a whole hour of his show to the festival. He picked tracks to play from his favourite original artists appearing there. He also chatted with me about the festival and each of the artists chosen. This week our playlist is devoted to the festival and has tracks from Roger’s choice of artists. Not necessarily the same tracks but all the same artists. See if you can spot the differences. You can ‘listen again’ to the radio show at www.mixcloud.com/rogerdudman/the-walrus-carpentershow-294/ and you can listen to our playlist in the usual place at bit.ly/ wokinghamlovesmusic Don’t forget to like our Facebook page, Wokingham Loves Music, and buy us a beer at the Festival.
The Paradox Twin – Wake Vortex
Nominated at the prestigious Progressive Music Awards two years running following the release of their debut album, this Reading-based band is back with a stunning new single featuring an incredible vocal duet from Danny Sorrelland Nicole Johnson – TradeMark Stage, Monday 30th August – www.theparadoxtwin. com
Wille and the Bandits – Four Million Days
What a perfect way to close the festival. This is a great headlining act that creates something unique with an exciting blend of rock and roll, funk, soul and roots. The band is a four-piece, led by talented singer / songwriter Wille Edwards – TradeMark Stage, Monday – www. willeandthebandits.com
Fred’s House – Shut Up and Dance
Silky smooth vocals, quality musicianship and a 70s West Coast inspired folk / rock sound, this bnd from Cambridge are a perfect band for a summer festival – TradeMark Stage, Saturday – fredshousemusic.co.uk
Edward Naysmith – Live Anymore
Edward is a talented singer songwriter who has played in the area previously and will be returning to appear again this year.
READY TO ROCK: The Paradox Twin are returning to Wokingham Festival Picture: Andrew Merritt Photography He is currently working on a new album being recording in a new recording studio that he built himself – Wokingham Music Club Stage, Monday – www.facebook.com/ EdwardNaysmithOfficial
Kyros – Rumour A very prolific international band with local connections that due to lockdown haven’t yet performed any of the tracks live that appeared on their critically acclaimed Celexa Dreams album. Looking forward to that changing on their summer tour which starts this week – TradeMark Stage, Monday – www.kyrosmusic. com
The 11 – This Life Here’s a late addition to the Wokingham Festival line-up and what a good addition it is. The 11 describe themselves as a straight up, no messing, proper honest rock-band with feels and melody aplenty – TradeMark Stage, Sunday – www.facebook.com/the11uk
The Room – The Golden Ones The Room are an excellent live band with local connections who have been invited back to the festival this year after a brilliant performance in 2019. The band’s bass player, Andy Rowe, will also be Host for the Day on the Sunday – TradeMark Stage, Monday – theroom.band
Flutatious – Glen Row Stomp A band with an exciting blend of folk, rock and prog who have been busy since restrictions eased with festival appearances at Kozfest, Wickham, Prog for Peart, A New Day and now Wokingham – TradeMark Stage, Sunday – www.flutatious.co.uk
Third Lung – What is a Life? Reading-based outfit Third Lung has released a number of quality singles during 2021, and this is one them. They will be playing at Wokingham Festival for the first time, so we look forward to those powerful vocals, guitar riffs and melodic choruses – Wokingham Music Club Stage, Saturday – www. thirdlungband.com
Warmrain – Fading Star A band that creates beautiful pieces of music with moving lyrics. They started playing live shows before lockdown in support of their debut album, Back Above the Clouds, and, despite having put plans on hold, they are back and getting very positive reactions – TradeMark Stage, Monday – warmrainband.com/
At the theatre
Blueberry & Vanilla Cheesecake From the kitchen Freely Fruity
OLD, YET NEW: Sir Ian McKellan in Hamlet
Bracknell – South Hill Park
www.southhillpark.org.uk 01344 484123 Food and drink festival. Sat and Sun. Dog Fight. WedSat 4. Bracknell Jazz: Simon Allen and Mark Nightingale. Fri 3. Live Music on the Terrace: The Mysteries. Sun 5. CINEMA: Fatima. Until Sun. Andre Rieu: Together Again. Sat-Sun. Jungle Cruise. Wed-Sun 5. Tove. Wed-Thurs. National Theatre Live: Follies. Thurs 2. Stillwater. Fri 3-Sun 5.
Camberley – Theatre
www.camberleytheatre.biz 01276 707600 Boys On Block. Sat. Pete Firman: A Bag of Tricks. Sun.Jonathan Pie: Fake News tour warm-up. Tues. 80s Mania. Thurs 2. Rock n Roll Paradise. Fri 3.
Guildford – Yvonne Arnaud www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 01483 440000 British Youth Theatre presents: Goblin Market. Thurs-Sat. NEXT SHOW: Crimes In Egypt. Sept 8-9.
High Wycombe – Wycombe Swan
www.wycombeswan.co.uk 01494 512000 Midnight Train To Georgia. Sat. Fireman Sam Live. Sun. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain. Tues. John Bishop: Warm Up. Wed. The George Michael Legacy. Thurs 2. Thank ABBA For The Music. Fri 3. Mammy’s Boys Comedy Dinner Show. Sat 4. ave On: Starring The Bluejays. Sat 4. King of Pop. Sun 5.
Maidenhead – Norden Farm
www.nordenfarm.org 01628 788997 Rob Castell. Sat 4. Kite Festival. Sun 5. FILMS: The Truffle Hunters. Wed. National Theatre Live: Follies. Thurs. Summer of Soul (Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised). Fri.
Newbury – The Corn Exchange
www.cornexchangenew.com 0845 5218 218 NEXT SHOW: Ed Byrne: If I’m Honest. Sat, Oct 16.
Newbury – The Watermill
www.watermill.org.uk 01635 46044 Just So. Until Sat, Sept 4.
Reading – South Street
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 NEXT SHOW: Kerry Godliman. Fri, Sept 3-Sat, Sept 4.
Reading – The Hexagon
www.whatsonreading.com 0118 960 6060 Adam Kay. This is going to hurt. Wed. Hello Again: A tribute to Neil Diamond. Sat, Sept 4. Ed Byrne: If I’m Honest. Sept 7.
Reading – Progress Theatre www.progresstheatre.co.uk 0118 384 2195 NEXT SHOW: The Secret Life of Humans. Oct 11-16.
Shinfield – Shinfield Players
www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk 0118 975 8880 NEXT SHOW: No Naughty Bits. Wed, Sept 22-Sat Sept 25.
Sonning – The Mill www.millatsonning.com 0118 969 8000 Two Into One. Until Oct 9. The Everly Brothers Dream. Sun 5.
Windsor – Theatre Royal
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk 01753 853888 Ian McKellen in Hamlet. Until Sat 25.
Wokingham – Theatre
www.wokingham-theatre.org.uk 0118 978 5363 NEXT SHOW: Abigail’s Party. Sept 8-18.
Wokingham – The Whitty Theatre
www.thewhittytheatre.org 0118 974 3247 Songs For A New World. Sat. NEXT SHOW: Wokingham Music Club presents Oye Santana. Fri 10.
Woodley – Theatre
www.woodleytheatre.org NEXT SHOW: Jazz concert with The Martin Hart Trio and Alan Barnes on Sax and Clarinet. Oct 30.
LIFE | 23
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Thursday, August 26, 2021 WOKINGHAM.TODAY
T
Serves 6-8 HE UK has been growing blueberries very successfully over the last decade after this little superfood has surged in popularity. Choose fresh British blueberries for they are at their best now and perfect to make this easy no bake cheesecake with blueberry coulis.
Ingredients For the base n 120g unsalted butter n 300g digestive biscuits For the cheesecake n 300ml double cream n 500g cream cheese n 2 tsp vanilla extract
n 100g icing sugar For the topping n 250g fresh blueberries n 50g sugar n 1 tbsp lemon juice n 1 tbsp cornflour
Method 1. Melt the butter 2. Line the bottom of a 20cm / 8inch springform cake tin with greaseproof paper and brush the sides with a little of the melted butter 3. Place the biscuits into a food processor or blender and blitz, add the remaining butter and pulse to combine 4. Press this mixture
into the bottom of the cake tin with the back of a spoon and refrigerate 5. In a large bowl beat the cream until thick 6. Add the cheese, vanilla and sift in the sugar then continue to beat until thick 7. Smooth this cheesecake mixture over the biscuit base and tap the cake tin down to remove any air, cover and refrigerate overnight 8. To make the coulis place the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice and 1 tbsp water into a small pan. Place over a medium heat and simmer gently for about 6 minutes, stirring regularly 9. Mix the cornflour with 2 tbsp water. Stir it into the blueberries and
remove from the heat. Cover and cool in the fridge overnight 10. Run a knife around the edge of the
cheesecake then release the cake tin and slide onto a plate 11. Mix the coulis and pour over the cheesecake to serve
Recipe by Charlotte Simpkins for Freely Fruity www.facebook.com/ freelyfruityuk/
Plastic Free Home
David Lamont
facebook.com/ PlasticFreeHomeUK
Climate change is turning up the heat
I
RECENTLY read a BBC News article with the headline: ‘Met Office Issues First UK Extreme Heat Warning’. For a moment, it felt a little like one of those turning points in a Hollywood disaster movie, shortly before everything hits the fan. Unfortunately, that is a feeling I’ve been having more and more often when listening to or reading the news in recent years. And like the typically aloof, widely discredited, most likely divorced, yet brilliant protagonist in such films, too often it feels like the powers that be aren’t listening or taking action. Launched only last month, at the time the Met Office said of its new warning system: “The impacts of extreme heat can be many and varied. It can have health consequences, especially for those who are particularly vulnerable, and it can impact infrastructure, including transport and energy, as well as the wider business community.” The press release went on to highlight how the UK State of the Climate report, published in 2019, showed that “warm spells” have more than doubled in length from 5.3 days in 1961-90 to over 13 days in 2008-2017.
Extreme summer temperatures, as witnessed in 2018, are now thirty times more likely than during preindustrial times. The report’s suggestion that such temperatures could become normal by the 2050s feels optimistic given what we have seen in the two summers since the report’s release. It’s lead author, The Met Office’s Mike Kendon, explained: “A lot of people think climate change is in the future – but this proves the climate is already changing here in the UK. As it continues to warm we are going to see more and more extreme weather such as heatwaves and floods.” BBC Newsreader Sophie Raworth recently sprinkled some more bad news on top, as I was sipping my customary 10 o’clock cup of tea, announcing that this July had been the third warmest, fifth wettest and eighth sunniest on record and that no other year appeared in the top 10 for all three measures. It is therefore desperately frustrating when you see our own Prime Minister flying from London to Cornwall for a G7 summit, or learn that our country’s climate minister, Alok Sharma, has travelled to more than 30 countries in just seven months.
WORLD AT RISK: 2021 is hot, wet and sunny Picture: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay I’ve achieved perhaps one third of that in four decades. Worldwide, the picture is no better. In fact, it’s often worse – as evidenced by the growing devastation caused by extreme weather events in countries ranging from Australia and China to Bangladesh and the US, not to mention across Europe. Globally, 2020 concluded the Earth’s warmest decade on record, while the 10 hottest years have all occurred since 2005. This year is predicted to take one of those top ten positions. Two weeks ago, representatives of 195 governments met to review and discuss The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) most significant study and report since 2013. Many experts in the field have expressed a hope that the report will serve as a “wake-up call” to world leaders.
Back in 2013, the IPCC stated that humans had been the “dominant cause” of global warming dating back to the 1950s. The IPCC’s research played a pivotal role in countries signing the Paris Agreement in 2015 and has informed us all of the importance of limiting global warming to under 1.5°C versus pre-industrial levels. This time around, the IPCC’s report will no doubt shape the agenda at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, set to take place in Glasgow this November. Let us hope that it is not an event, and more so an unmissable opportunity, that humanity looks back on and asks “what if?” in years to come. Cross your fingers. In fact, cross everything you can.
Created in 2018 by blogger and voluntary hack David Lamont, Plastic Free Home is an online community with over 32,000 followers that aims to seek and share ideas on how we can all live more sustainably. Visit www.theplasticfreehome.com or www.facebook.com/plasticfreehomeuk
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PUBLIC NOTICES ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (GIPSY LANE, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along:
RECRUITMENT WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 AND/OR Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Regulations 1990 The following application(s) have been submitted and are advertised for the reasons below: Application Address
Reasons for Advert
Description
212486
New Mill Restaurant, New Mill Lane, Eversley
(Affect setting of) Listed Building
Full application for the proposed change of use from restaurant and ancillary staff accommodation (Use Class E) to 1 no. dwelling (Use Class C3) with addition of 3 no. dormers to facilitate conversion of loft to additional first floor habitable accommodation, alterations including demolition of a single storey rear element, insertion of 8 no. rooflights and changes to fenestration, plus installation of an internal swimming pool and associated works. (Part Retrospective)
203544
Land To The West Of St Annes Drive, And South Of London Road, Wokingham
Major Application
Full application for the proposed erection of 55 units (including 19 affordable homes) with associated access road from St Anne’s Drive, landscaping, and open space.
Gipsy Lane, Wokingham between its junctions with Fairview Road and Langborough Road. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via Langborough Road and Fairview Road or by this route in reverse. Works requiring this restriction will take place between 16th September and 20th September 2021. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake investigation, excavation and repair of highway flooding work in safety. Access for residents and businesses within the boundaries of these restrictions will be maintained at all times. The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 16th September 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 26th August 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 WOKINGHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL (A329 BROAD STREET, WOKINGHAM) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF DRIVING) ORDER 2021 NOTICE IS HEREBY given that Wokingham Borough Council as Traffic Authority proposes to make an Order under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 the effect of which is prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along: A329 Broad Street, Wokingham between its junctions with A329 Peach Street and Rose Street. The alternative route for all vehicles affected by this restriction shall be via A321 Market Place, A321 Denmark Street, A321 Wellington Street, A321 Station Approach, A329 Reading Road and A329 Shute End.
The application is available to view online at wokingham.gov.uk � Planning � Search planning applications and typing in the application number above. Comments on the application can be made online from this web page. Any comments must arrive on or before the 9th September 2021. Any comments made are not confidential and can be seen by anyone as they form part of the public record. The comments, unless offensive, discriminatory and/or racist, will appear on the Council’s website within 24 hours and include the submitted name and address. Due to the high volume of comments received we do not provide individual responses. Date: 26th August 2021
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The restriction imposed by the Order shall only apply during those periods when traffic signs complying with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 are lawfully displayed. The restrictions contained in the Order shall come into operation on the 13th September 2021 and shall continue in force for a period not exceeding 18 months or until the works have been completed, whichever is the earlier. Dated: 26th August 2021 Mark Cupit Assistant Director – Delivery and Infrastructure Wokingham Borough Council Civic Offices Shute End Wokingham Berkshire RG40 1WL
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GOODS VEHICLE OPERATOR’S LICENCE Mark Lillywhite trading as M W Lillywhite of 2 Cavendish Gardens, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 5TG is applying for a licence to use Ladd Ltd, A4 Bath Road, Hare Hatch, Reading, Berkshire, RG10 9SB as an operating centre for 2 goods vehicle and 1 trailers. Owners or occupiers of land (including buildings near the operating centre(s) who believe that their use or enjoyment of that land would be affected, should make written representations to the Traffic Commissioner at Hillcrest House, 386 Harehills Lane, Leeds, LS9 6NF, stating their reasons, within 21 days of this notice. Representors must at the same time send a copy of their representations to the applicant at the address given at the top of this notice. A Guide to Making Representations is available from the Traffic Commissioner’s office.
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Works requiring this restriction will take place between 13th September and 14th September 2021 between 20:00 and 06:00. The reason for these prohibitions is to allow Wokingham Borough Council contractors to undertake installation of parking bay studs in safety.
WOKINGHAM.TODAY Thursday, August 26, 2021
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PARLYMPICS
RESULTS
Sophie sets sights on 2024 Games n Continued from front page
“It says a lot about the team that I have created that I am instantly looking on to Paris 2024; whereas, in 2016, I was so miserable even with my success that I was contemplating retiring,” she wrote on social media. She told Wokingham Today on Tuesday that her misery after the 2016 Rio games, despite her three gold medals there, related to the team around her at home at the time. Sophie is a battler on many fronts. She wants more awareness of athletes’ mental health – a cause at the Olympic Games. “It’s still rather a taboo subject. In an elite sport [mental health] is still seen as a weakness. “People see me as a very smiley person…[But] you put your heart and soul into this sport. It’s really tough [though] we do have psychologists and other help,” she said.
Sophie says her sport needs more funding and other support. She hopes Tokyo will show the standard of horses and coaching needed and that the British equestrian community and others will support para-dressage riders more, like they do for able-bodied teams. Finding the right horse for Tokyo was incredibly tough. “If you have my Paris horse sitting in your field, or would like to join the journey as an owner, or would like to help the other talented young para-riders
BASKETBALL
BOWLS
I mentor, hit me up,” she asked. “I’m relying on finding the right horse I can afford [for Paris]. It might not happen.” The horse needs to be a stunner. A suitable one would cost at least £50,000, much more expensive than ten to 20 years ago. Keeping her horses cost £3,000 a month. “If only I was a swimmer,” she joked. She has launched Sophie’s Gold Club with membership at £25 a year, giving: “A unique experience into the world of para-sport via personal updates, yard visits, behind the scenes access on competition days, discounts with associated sponsors” and other benefits. Visit www.sophiechristiansen. co.uk/goldclub to join. Sophie believes athletes benefit mentally from having jobs as well as doing their training.
Saturday, August 21
She is a software developer at investment bank Goldman Sachs for two days a week. On BBC Radio 4 on Sunday, she pleaded for fairness for disabled people, saying she couldn’t get into her local corner shop because it had a step. She hoped the Paralympics would inspire people to accept other challenges. And she complained that there was no British Sign Language interpreter when Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave Covid announcements: “If the government doesn’t comply with the Equality Act, we have no hope,” she said. After Sophie’s earlier Paralympic success, All Saints School created the Sophie Christiansen award for sporting endeavour which she presented for the first time. Sophie has been awarded the CBE for services to paraequestrianism and she won a Women of the Future Award for her “ferocious determination to succeed”.
Two new faces Captains’ teams triumph in 90th celebrations for Rockets READING Rockets have announced two new signings for the new season. After a four-year spell at Chaminade University in Honolulu, 23-year-old Tyler Cartaino will begin his professional basketball career with the Berkshire side. Coach Dan Pearson sees the 6ft 6in swingman as having the size, versatility and capacity to score at a high rate. He noted that Tyler’s college career ended with a full trophy cabinet, thanks to a range of awards capped with a place on the All-PacWest First Team. Pearson added that his success has given him the confidence to be a leading force for the Rockets, and expects to adapt his winning culture to bring a championship to Reading. Also joining the Rockets is 28-year-old Meshack Lufile. Following stints in his native Canada, Romania and the Netherlands, Meshack will use his size to control the paint at centre for the Rockets. Four years at Cape Breton University (CBU) in Canada earned him a Defensive Player of the Year award in the AUS conference. He also led the Canadian leagues in field goal. His previous clubs include Dutch side Aris Leeuwarden, The Island Storm, and Halifax Hurricanes in Canada. Coach Pearson praised Meshack as a “bruiser with touch and incredible feel for the game” who could contribute “on the court, and for the community of Reading”.
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Coventry City 2-1 Reading FA Cup preliminary round Harefield United 2-1 Binfield Combined Counties Division One Berks County 2-5 Rayners Lane Eversley & California 1-1 British Airways Woodley United1-5 Hilltop
CRICKET BCL Championship Shinfield (241-8) beat Ley Hill (158 all-out) BCL Premier Division Mortimer West End (140-6) beat Farley Hill (137/9) Sandhurst (139/8) lost to Twyford and Ruscombe (167/7) Stratfield Turgis/Hartley Wespall (161/3) beat Woodley (160/9) Welford Park v Crowthorne & Crown Wood CANCELLED BCL Division One Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s (69 all-out) lost to Waltham St Lawrence (158 all-out) Earley (108 all-out) lost to Peppard Stoke Row 2s (109-6) Farley Hill 2s(201-7) lost to West Reading 2s (204-8) Reading Lions (116 all-out) lost to Shinfield (187 all-out) Woodley 2s (152-7) beat Warfield (151-8) Chilterns Division One Emmbrook and Bearwood (126-6) beat Little Marlow (127 all-out)
WOKINGHAM Bowling Club celebrated its belated 90th birthday with the Captains’ and President’s Day on Sunday. Despite a gloomy weather forecast, more than 100 club members enjoyed a memorable day of bowling on what turned
out to be a bright and sunny afternoon. Although this is an annual, internal competition, each team fought through 18 ends of bowling. While many results went down to the wire, the overall competition was won by
the Captains’ teams by a very slim margin. The clubhouse terrace was packed with spectators – a very welcome sight after the covid lockdown. A barbecue was attended by members and guests after the bowling, and birthday cakes were cut
to celebrate 90 years of Wokingham Bowling Club. This should have been celebrated last year but had to be postponed. It was the perfect end to a great day’s bowling.
PAT RUTHERFORD
INDOOR BOWLS
‘Book early’ warns club ahead of taster day
WHITEKNIGHTS Indoor Bowls Club is arranging an Open Day for anyone interested in taking up the sport. Earlier this year, Bowls England ran a very successful campaign to encourage more people to take up bowls, something that the club is now hoping to capitalise on. The club, in Beech Lane, Earley, provides its members with a range of activities from simple roll-up sessions, as well as a variety of
leagues offering different divisions and levels of competition. With the outdoor season operating from April until September, many clubs take advantage of the indoor facilities at Whiteknights. The club is open seven days a week, from 8am until 11pm, and offers inter-club matches alongside county and national competitions. It has a record of developing
national and international players, and caters to all ages and abilities. The Open Day Taster Sessions will take place on Sunday, September 26, between 9am and 5pm. To ensure social distancing, the club is asking for participants to book ahead with one of its highly experienced coaches.
n Email Andy Knapper, the club manager, at clubmanager@ whiteknightsibc.co.uk to learn more and to book your slot.
Tusesday, August 24
Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Reading City 1-3 Broadfield United
FIXTURES Saturday, August 28
FOOTBALL Sky Bet Championship Huddersfield v Reading Isthmian South Central Northwood v Binfield Combined Counties Premier North Ascot United v Reading City St Panteleimon v Sumas Combined Counties Division One Berks County v Enfield Borough Hilltop v Eversley & California Rayners Lane v Woodley United CRICKET BCM Championship Shinfield v Downley BCL Premier Division Farley Hill v Crowthorne & Crown Wood Twyford and Ruscombe v Welford Park Woodley v Sandhurst BCL Division One Crowthorne & Crown Wood 2s v Reading Lions Shinfield 2s v Farley Hill 2s Waltham St Lawrence v Peppard Stoke Row 2s Warefield v Earley West Reading 2s v Woodley 2s Chilterns Division One Emmbrook and Bearwood v Little Marlow Chilterns Division Two Hurley 2s v Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s
Chilterns Division Two Hurley 2s (87-3) beat Emmbrook and Bearwood 2s (86 all-out)
Home Counties Division One Finchampstead v Datchet
Home Counties Division One Banbury v Finchampstead. Match abandoned
Home Counties Division Two Slough v Wargrave Wokingham v Chesham
Home Counties Division Two Burnham (107 all-out) lost to Wokingham (109-5) Wargrave (180 all-out) lost to Great Brickhill (184-3)
Thames Valley Division 2B Eversley v Hurst Binfield v Fleet Reading v Finchampstead 2s Bagshot v Wokingham 2s
Thames Valley Division 3A Sonning (192-8) lost to Taplow (206-9) Royal Ascot (155-4) beat Finchampstead 3s (154 all-out) White Waltham (163 all-out) lost to Aldershot (169-9) Thames Valley Division 4A Purley-on-Thames (136 allout) lost to Wargrave 2s (214-8) Eversley 2s (108 all-out) lost to Theale & Tilehurst (109-2) Wokingham 3s (126 all-out) lost to Maidenhead & Bray (129-3)
Thames Valley Division 3A Sulhamstead & Ufton v Sonning Finchampstead 3s v Windsor White Waltham v Royal Ascot Thames Valley Division 4A Wargrave 2s v Reading 2s Newbury v Eversley 2s Wokingham 3s v Falkland 2s
28 | SPORT
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CHAMPIONS – CRICKET
Jamie Goodwin bowled out for Emmbrook by Little Marlow – but the team went on to win By ANDREW BATT sport@wokingham.today
RUGBY UNION
Seb satisified with Saturday success By RICHARD ASHTON sport@wokingham.today
RAMS Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds was left satisfied with a productive Saturday afternoon as both of his sides secured victory against National Two South rivals.
His Blues side overcame Henley Hawks 19-12 at Old Bath Road, while the Whites – marshalled by forwards and backs coaches Owen Root and Danny Batty – triumphed 33-7 at Dings Crusaders. Reflecting on his side’s work, Reynolds said: “In pre-season you don’t want to get over-excited by winning, and you don’t want to get too down if you lose. “The important thing is to focus on what we want to improve as we go into the season and hone in on those areas. “The guys are pushing hard for places and are getting better each week which is important.” In a contest played with 35-minute halves, there was little to choose between Rams and their neighbours in the opening half-hour. It was the away side who broke the deadlock, though, the ball squirting out of the back of a Rams’ defensive scrum before George Amphlett ultimately dotted down for a converted score. The hosts’ reply was immediate, however, as scrum-half Ollie Monye took a quick tap penalty midway inside
the Henley half before off-loading to Vince Everitt for a try. Sam Nicholls’ conversion made it 7-7 at the break. Rams came out firing at the start of the second period and moved into the lead when a delightful inside ball was collected by Carl Morgan to cross, Nicholls again adding the extras. Both sides continued to battle away as the game went on, but it was a moment of quick-thinking by young hooker Max Hayman which proved the difference. His short line-out throw five metres from the Henley line was collected by Joe Booth, who darted over to extend the lead to 12 points. And while Henley had the final word courtesy of a George Wood try in the right-hand corner, it proved to be too little, too late. The Whites, meanwhile, overcame plenty of travel disruption to secure victory in Bristol. With the journey already lengthened by closures on the M4, their bus then broke down en route, resulting in kick-off being pushed back by halfan-hour. However, Rams still made the early running and went into half-time with a 12-0 lead courtesy of tries out wide by wing Adam Porter and outstanding scrum-half Ollie Cole, perhaps the manof-the-match for the energy and intensity he injected into the contest.
Louis Ellis landed a fine conversion to the second score to make it 12-0, and despite some concerted pressure from the hosts towards the end of the opening period, Rams were able to repel their efforts and went into the break in control. Dings struck back early in the third quarter, however, and got on the scoresheet when skipper Marcus Brooker went over before Ben Bolster added the extras from in front of the uprights. That was as good as it got for the home side, though, with Rams’ excellent strength and conditioning coming into play in the closing stages. The excellent Ollie Moffitt grabbed the visitors’ third try from the back of a trademark rolling maul, Jack Gapper’s conversion extending the advantage to 19-7. It was then the backs’ turn to construct a flowing move which was finished off by Joe Bridger for his second try in as many weeks, Gapper was again on target from the tee, before Dings again tried to hit back. A fabulous defensive effort eventually forced the hosts into forcing the game and Sam Boyland made a fine interception before racing in from 65 metres. Gapper’s conversion proved to be the last action of an encouraging afternoon. n Rams travel to Cinderford for their final pre-season game on Saturday (3pm).
EMMBROOK & BEARWOOD are champions of Division One of the Berkshire, Chiltern and Mid Bucks league.
And, they did it with two games to spare. Saturday’s opponents Little Marlow, batting first, hit 127 all-out from 36 overs. In reply, the home side recorded 128 for 6 in 39.5 overs. Opener Alex Cobb top-scored for the home side with 34 runs. Elsewhere in the Berkshire, Chilterns and Mid-Bucks League Championship, SHINFIELD defeated Liy Hill by 83 runs. After winning the toss and deciding to bat, the home side hit 241 for 8 from 45 overs. The visitors were dismissed for 158 from 41 overs. Anuraag Shukla hit 77 runs from Shinfield. In the BCL Premier Division, TWYFORD & RUSCOMBE beat Sandhurst by 28 runs. After being put into bat, Twyford & Ruscombe made 167 for the loss of seven wickets. The home side responded with 139 for 8. FARLEY HILL lost at Mortimer West End. Batting first they made 137 for 9 from their 40 overs. The home side hit 140 for 6 from 37 overs to take the win. WOODLEY also suffered a defeat. Batting first and hitting 160 for 9 in their 40 overs, opponents Stratfield Turgis/Hartley Wespall responded with161 for the loss of only 3 wickets in 34 overs. In the BCL Division One, CROWTHORNE & CROWN WOOD 2s were skittled out for 69 from 29.1 overs, replying to 158 all -ut from WALTHAM ST LAWRENCE.
EARLEY were defeated by 4 wickets in their match against Peppard Stoke Row. The home side, batting first, recorded 108 all-out in 38.1 overs. Their opponents replied with 109 for 6 in 31.2 overs. FARLEY HILL 2nds also succumbed to defeat. Batting first they hit 201 for 7 in their 40 overs. Opponents West Reading recorded a 2-wicket victory, hitting 204 for 8. WOODLEY 2nds won by 3 wickets in their match against Warfield. The visitors, batting first, hit 151 for 8 in their 40 overs, with Woodley recording 152 for 7 in 38.2 overs. SHINFIELD 2nds recorded a 74run victory versus Reading Lions. After hitting 187 all out, their hosts made 116 all out. In Chilterns Division Two, Hurley 2s defeated EMMBROOK & BEARWOOD 2s by 7 wickets. Batting first, the visitors managed 86 all-out in 35.4 overs, with the home side taking the win with 87 for 3 from 23 overs. FINCHAMPSTEAD collected six points in the Home Counties Premier League after their match at Banbury was abandoned. The home side had made 164 for 6 from 37 overs. In Division One, there was a 5-wicket victory for WOKINGHAM against Burnham. Battling first, Burnham recorded 107 all-out from 39.2 overs. In reply, Wokingham hit 109 for five in 30.5 overs, with Andy Rishton hitting an unbeaten 50. WARGRAVE lost by seven wickets against Great Brickhill. The home side were 180 all-out, with the visitors surpassing that total, recording 184 for 3 in 37 overs. In Division 2B,
SPORT | 29
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WITH TWO GAMES IN HAND
From the middle
Dick Sawdon-Smith
DROPPED BALL: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT HITS THE REFEREE? Waltham St Lawrence take the shot in their game against Crowthorne
Alex Cobb at the crease
Pictures: Steve Smyth FINCHAMPSTEAD 2s recorded a five-wicket win over BINFIELD. Finches hit 172 for 5, with Binfield managing 171 all out. WOKNGHAM 2s went down by 40 runs against Reading, who recorded 196 for 6. In reply, Wokingham could only muster 156 all-out. EVERSLEY recorded an emphatic 122 run victory over Bagshot. They scored a massive 313 for 9, with Bagshot only able to hit 191 all-out in reply. In Division 3A, SONNING suffered a narrow 11-run defeat against Taplow. They hit 192 for 8 in reply to their opponents’ 206 for 9. FINCHAMPSTEAD 3s went down by six wickets at Royal Ascot. Finches hit 154 all-out, with their opponents managing 155 for the loss of four wickets in reply. WHITE WALTHAM suffered an agonising six-run loss against Aldershot, who hit 169 for 9. In reply, White Waltham were dismissed for 163 runs.
Alex Cobb takes a shot
Wargrave in bat in a fesity encountyer against Great Brickhill
James Gibbs in bat
CRICKET
No county championship final for Berkshire for the first time since 2015 By DAVE WRIGHT sport@wokingham.today BERKSHIRE, the four-time champions, have failed to reach the national county championship final for the first time since the 2015 season, when they finished runners-up to Oxfordshire in the Western Division.
And it is a similar story this week. Despite a comprehensive 158-run win over Cheshire at Falkland CC on Tuesday, they were unable to overhaul Oxfordshire in an exciting title
race that went right to the second session on the final day. Oxon, the only side to defeat Berkshire in a championship game in seven years, beat Dorset by seven wickets at Wimborne to finish with 73 points, 14 more than Berkshire, who were 12 ahead of third-placed Cheshire. The game did not get underway until 4pm on Sunday after the previous day’s heavy rain had left parts of the ground flooded. The Falkland ground staff deserve a lot of praise for getting the wicket playable.
It was a full day’s work for them on what is normally their day off. Berkshire, put in to bat, were dismissed for 190, but on a turning wicket the visitors could only muster 92 in reply. The hosts took further control of the game by scoring 252-9dec in the second innings to set Cheshire a target of 351, but they could only make 192 with Will Evans contributing 71 of them. All 20 Cheshire wickets in the match fell to spinners, with Euan Wood and Luke Beaven both taking
seven, and Chris Peploe the other six. Woods was man of the match, hitting a brilliant 122 not out in the second innings on top of his bowling returns of 5-17 and 2-47. The 22-year-old Henley allrounder also top-scored in Berkshire’s first innings with 35. Whilst this was their last championship match, the season is not over for Berkshire, as they will be bidding to retain the 50/50 Trophy when they take on Cumbria at Wormsley in Buckinghamshire on Thursday, September 2.
A
READING FC supporter asked me about a rather curious decision by the referee during the match against Preston North End. It was for one of the minor laws, but one that has been affected by three changes in the last three seasons. The Law about the ball hitting the referee was changed in 2019. Previously, the game carried on even if this meant the ball went into the goal. Now, it depends on what happens. If the ball rebounds to a teammate of the player who last touched the ball, play continues unless it leads to a promising attack or a goal. However, if the ball rebounds to an opponent, the referee stops play and restarts with a dropped ball. The referee did this, but not in accordance with other dropped ball Law changes, also in 2019. Originally, players from both teams could contest the dropped ball, but in later years they often opted to kick it back to the goalkeeper. The Law now says that if the game is stopped with the ball in the penalty area or last played in the penalty area, the ball is dropped for the defending goalkeeper. If that’s not the case, the ball should be dropped to a player of the team that last touched the ball where it was last played. Instead, Reading’s referee took the ball back some 20-yards from where a Reading player last played it, and dropped it at the feet of a Preston player. Only he knows why, but I was out with three referees last season who didn’t even know the Law had changed. The third Law change (2020) affecting a dropped ball is for the rarity of the ball bursting. I heard one referee explain to his colleagues that the law change was simply a reminder to restart with a dropped ball. In fact, previously the ball was dropped where the old ball burst. Now, it follows the new dropped ball laws and is dropped where it was last played – which could be very different. Perhaps referee training for Law changes needs some improvement?
30 | SPORT
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www.trademarkwindows.co.uk WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
From the Tilehurst End
Season tickets on sale for new season
Adam Jones
Why I’m feeling optimistic about transfers
A
S I write this piece on Tuesday night, I’m fully aware this article could completely backfire in seven days time. At this stage, Reading have made two signings during the transfer window so far – and you know what? I don’t have any complaints about either. Tom Dele-Bashiru looks like an exciting young player who could become a real asset for the Royals over the next nine months or so. After suffering an ACL injury with parent club Watford last season, he will be hoping to stake his claim for a starting spot and show the Hornets why they should have retained him for the 2021/22 campaign. The signs have been good from the 21-year-old thus far, now is the time for him to put in consistent performances and make a difference to a side that needs someone to reignite their season. And the addition of Junior Hoilett is just as impressive. The Royals have been crying out for an orthodox winger for ages and in the Canadian, they have someone who can run at defenders, hug the touchline and make a real difference out wide. The 31-year-old brings a wealth of Championship experience to the Select Car Leasing Stadium and in a relatively young side, this can only pay dividends. These types of signings are likely to provide value for money, something we haven’t managed to get from enough players in the Dai era. With EFL restrictions still in place, free transfers and further loans are likely to be on the agenda in Berkshire and to be honest, I’m half-relieved we aren’t able to splash out on players. There’s nothing like freedom in the transfer market and we have found out this summer, but we seem to be able to make more signings now and the restrictions that are still in place mean we won’t be spending wildly between now and the end of the window. As a club that has never been good with money, this is a good thing. Just take a look at some of our record signings. Emerse Fae proved to be a disaster, Tiago Ilori is probably the best of this bunch but didn’t do anything to write home about, Sone Aluko’s move didn’t work out and as things stand, George Puscas is not living up to his price tag. We might not be in the best state right now, but I just back the club to make a few really good signings between now and the transfer deadline. Josh Laurent and Michael Morrison have proved to be vital additions on free transfers in the past couple of years, showing we can recruit wisely when we want to. A left-back, another winger and a striker are needed before the window shuts, no question about that. It’s simply a non-negotiable if we want to compete in the Championship. But we could also benefit from a right-back to compete with Andy Yiadom in the absence of Felipe Araruna and potentially add another forward with Lucas Joao possibly out until January. Our injury record in recent years means we need as many players as we can get over the line before the end of the month, so the three essentials may not even be sufficient in a tough 46-game campaign. This makes the next week crucial to the destiny of our 2021/22 season, but I’m strangely excited for what could be about to come.
READING FC
‘Fans give us courage and make all the difference’ n From back page
Dele-Bashiru, who has joined the team on a season-long deal from Watford, hoped that fans would make the trek up to the John Smith’s Stadium to cheer them on. “The fans make a huge difference to the squad, they help lift us when we’re down and struggling in the game,” he said. “They give us the courage to keep going and keep fighting. “We need them to support us and back us and just be on our side and try and push us to the victory.” Some fans have been vocal on social media expressing their concerns after the Royals ended up the losers following a last gasp goal from Coventry. They argued that the team sat back and let the home side keep attacking them. And there have been calls for Paunović to be sacked. But the team needs bit more time, Dele-Bashiru says: “(With) some new faces coming in, obviously it’s going to take time to gel and understand the
way each other plays, and the way the manager wants us to play. “It’s difficult for the fans, because they just want us to win, they want to enjoy it. “I do understand if they are agitated or upset about the result, but I’m sure we’ll be able to change the results and the victories will be coming soon.” The team won’t be taking the Terriers for granted. “They’ll definitely make the game difficult,” Dele-Bashiru says. “They’ll compete, they’ll be physical and we’ll need to match them, definitely, with the physical and competitive aspect of the game. “Hopefully we can try and play our football, create chances and hopefully winthe game. “The boys know what the goal is: three points. We know what we have to do.” Junior Hoilett, who says he is happy to have signed for Reading, says the Royals need to ensure they’ve done their homework and really studied their opponents.
“We’ve still got to treat everybody with respect because anybody could turn up on the day. You’ve got to really tune in to your task and be prepared. We wouldn’t take any game for granted,” he said. “In the Championship every game is a battle.” He added: “Our spirit is up and we have to carry on working hard, and training, and progress as a team and a unit.” Since arriving, he has spent time at Bearwood, getting to know his fellow Royals and the set-up: “It’s one of the best facilities I’ve seen,” he says. “Everything here is great. “The team welcomed me in with open arms and we’re gaining chemistry each day in training.” He also praised Paunović: “He’s good, he’s positive. He’s let me know how he wants the game to the played, where he sees me fit. “It’s been good to see how passionate he is for this club and for football.” n Huddersfield Town v Reading kicks off at 3pm on Saturday
PREVIEW
Terriers test awaits Royals
By ANDY PRESTON apreston@wokingham.today
READING will be looking to pick up points on the road when they travel to the John Smith’s Stadium to face Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers have had a difficult time adjusting to life in the Championship since being relegated from the Premier League three seasons back. It has been a case of fighting to maintain for Championship survival rather than looking to
secure a place back in the top flight. They finished in 20th position last campaign on 49 points, just six points above the drop zone. The teams last met on the final day of last season, where they played out a 2-2 draw at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Josh Koroma put Huddersfield ahead only for
a penalty from Michael Olise and a goal from Yakou Meite put Reading in front. However, the Terriers rescued a point late in the game as Rarmani Edmonds-Green notched a 93rd minute equaliser. However, on their last visit to Huddersfield, Veljko Paunovic’s side took the points. Lucas Joao netted twice as the Royals came from behind to cancel out Fraizer Campbell’s early opener.
THE TICKET office has opened for the Royals first four fixtures in the new WSL season. The women’s team kick off by welcoming Arsenal to the Select Car Leasing Stadium. This match takes place from 2pm on Sunday, September 12. Everton are the visitors on Sunday, October 3, with Aston Villa coming on Sunday, October 10. The Royals then have six weeks without a home tie, before seeing Brighton and Hove Albion make the trip to Berkshire on Sunday, November 21. This is the second season that Kelly Chambers’ squad will play their home games at the newly-renamed SCL stadium. When Reading played Arsenal last time, it was a 1-1 draw. Tickets cost £10 in advance or £12 on the gate, season tickets cost £60 and concessions available. On-site parking is £5 when pre-booked or £10 on the day. For more details, log on to: www.readingfc. co.uk
UNDER 23S
Wolves away from the door: Royals take the points THE ROYALS under 23s squad enjoyed an impressive home win against Wolverhampton Wandered on Monday. They knocked in three goals during their Premier League Division 2 fixture – while preventing the visitors from scoring. Playing at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, goals came from Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Jahmari Clarke and Claudio Osorio. Senior Professional Development Coach, Mehmet Ali said: “I thought the boys put in a very good, solid performance, and they were very brave also in the way they played – so there’s lots of positives to take from the game and the result.” Fans were allowed in to watch the team, something that Ali said was a benefit. “It’s great to have the fans in, it’s very pleasing to see people there supporting the under-23s, it means a lot. “It’s really good for our boys to have that experience, it helps them on their journey to getting into the first-team to play in front of a crowd.” The team travel to Stoke City on Sunday.
TICKETS
Seats for next four home games now available READING have made tickets available for their home games against Middlesbrough and Barnsley. They next play at home on Saturday, September 11, when QPR will be visiting the Select Car Leasing Stadium, followed by Peterborough on Tuesday, September 14. Then there’s a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday, September 25 for the visit from Boro. This match will be screened on Sky Sports. The game against Barnsley is from 3pm on Saturday, October 16. Reading said that they intend to have the next four home fixtures on sale at any point in the season, to help fans bring friends and family together for the games.
SPORT | 31
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www.trademarkwindows.co.uk WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
Sumas fold their women’s team due to player drought EXCLUSIVE By ANDREW BATT sport@wokingham.today
S4K Ladies were beaten by Slough Pictures: Andrew Batt
Berks County let five goals into the back of their net Pictures: Andrew Batt / Football In Berkshire
It wasn’t Binfield’s day in their FA Cup game Pictures: Neil Graham
MOLES OUT OF THE CUP FOOTBALL ROUND-UP
By ANDREW BATT sport@wokingham.today
BINFIELD’S dreams of glory in this season’s Emirates FA Cup were ended by an injury time winner at Harefield United.
The Moles went down 2-1 following a 73rd minute equalizer from Josh Helmore. READING CITY’s interest in the competition ended on Tuesday night. Their hopes were still alive following a goalless draw at South Midlands League side Broadfield United on Saturday however, the Cityzens bowed out of the competition with a 3-1 defeat in the replay at Scours Lane. EVERSLEY & CALIFORNIA drew 1-1 with British Airways in the Combined Counties League Division One.
Ross McKernan was on target for the Boars in the 40th minute. In the same division, WOODLEY UNITED suffered a 5-1 defeat at home to early pacesetters Hilltop. Gray was the scorer for the Berkshire side. Also conceding five goals at home were BERKS COUNTY, who lost 5-2 at Hill Farm Lane against Rayners Lane. Hayden and Money hit the net for County. Reigning Thames Valley Premier League champions FINCHAMPSTEAD beat MORTIMER 2-1 in a pre-season friendly. S4K LADIES completed their pre-season schedule with a 4-2 reverse against Slough Town Ladies at Bracknell Sports Centre.
Football followers are in for a feast of local derby action over the Bank Holiday weekend. On Monday, SANDHURST TOWN will take on BERKS COUNTY at Bottom Meadow in the Combined Counties Division One. Kick-off is 11.30am. At 3pm BINFIELD take on near neighbours Bracknell Town in an Isthmian League encounter. Tuesday will see WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK welcome ASCOT UNITED to Lowther Road for the Sumas’ first home match of the new campaign. Kick-off for this Combined Counties League Premier Division North match is at 7.45pm.
The Boars were held by British Airways Pictures: Richard Milam
to apply pressure that saw Stuart Birkett block a shot for a corner and Ethan Green save well from man of the match Kamall Nur, also for a corner. United responded with two corners of their own and Josh Raw shooting wide but the response was short lived as first Green collected a header from a corner kick before a low cross into the host’s penalty was met by the on-coming Anis Assoweh to double the in the 37th minute. Four minutes later Nur met
a cross to head pass Green into the far top corner for a 3-0 half-time lead. Woodley made three changes at the break which saw an even open 20 minutes. The best chance for United was debutant substituted Jack PageSmith firing over the cross bar on the hour. However, Woodley’s improved play was undone in the 63rd minute when Assoweh broke free to score one on one with Green. Further changes were made by Woodley, Ben Anderson shot wide
n Anyone who is interested to learn more about football at Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies is urged to email WEFC_Ladies@hotmail.com.
New logo for Sunday contest
VISITORS QUICK OFF THE MARK AS WOODLEY ROUTED Woodley 1 Hilltop 5
Despite strenuous efforts, the Sumas lost more than a dozen players during the summer and had just seven players confirmed for the forthcoming season. The club had held a successful Open Day event, but took the tough decision to resign from the Thames Valley Women’s Football League. It is adamant that its senior female team will return next season. The Sumas’ Ladies had been competing in Division One of the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League. Last season they finished seventh in the 10-team division, with four wins and a total of 15 points from their 18 games. Steve Williams, Chairman of Wokingham & Emmbrook FC, said: “It’s a real shame for the club, but currently the plan is to look forward to the 2022/23 season and try to appoint a new manager.” Abi Ticehurst, editor of Women’s Football in Berkshire, said: “It’s immensely sad to see Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies folding this season. “Unfortunately, a number of clubs in the area appear to be struggling with recruitment alongside the Sumas, so they’re not a lone case. “In fact, nationwide it appears that despite the growth of women’s football, boosted by the success of the 2019 World Cup, there are many teams finding it a challenge to increase their squad numbers. “It’s likely that the pandemic has stifled the development somewhat.” Sumas’ new first team boss Eliot Whitehouse, who has previously coached women at the Reading FC Academy, also indicated his willingness to help the squad.
NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL
COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
HILLTOP, league leaders and the division’s highest goal scorers, visited The Rivermoor on Saturday – and it took them only two minutes to open the scoring. A mis-hit pass in midfield was intercepted and despite the challenge of Leo Richardson, Michael Panford slotted home from close range. Woodley weathered this set back with the next 15 minutes being a predominately midfield affair but gradually Hilltop wrestled the advantage and started
WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook Football Club’s ladies team has folded.
and a minute late substitute Nick Gray scored from close range with his first touch in the 71st minute. With two minutes of normal time remaining centre back Leo Richardson received a second yellow card and while the home team re-grouped Ali Mohamed completed the scoring from close range in the 89th minute. WOODLEY: Giles, Whight, Carmichael, Raw (Gray), Richardson, Williams, Smith (Reid), Goddard (Monteiro), Anderson, Birkett (Page-Smith), Elmore (Probert)
THE Bracknell & District Sunday Football League has revealed a new badge to aid with its branding and promotion. The league, which features more than 40 teams from Bracknell, Wokingham and the surrounding areas, started with just a single division in 1963. It expanded to two divisions for the following season. Tony Hardy, General Secretary for the league, explained: “The badge includes a deer and trees, symbols that are representative of Bracknell.” The design was created by Justin Horton, a player with Division Three side Finchampstead Athletic.
WOKINGHAM
RAMS FLYING ONCE AGAIN
SPORT
ALL-ACTION PICTURE POWER
SOPHIE MISSES GAMES CHAMPIONS!
SUCCESS FOR EMMBROOK AND BEARWOOD
‘BE A BIT MORE PATIENT’ ROYALS fans should be “a bit more patient” after the club’s mixed start to the new Championship season, according to Tom Dele-Bashiru. So far, the club have won one and lost three and are sitting in 18th position. Saturday’s away game against Huddersfield will see Veljko Paunović’s squad attempt to climb back up the table. n Continued on page 30
HEARTBREAK FOR PARALYMPIAN
LOOKING AHEAD: Sophie Christiansen and her horse Louie. The duo are unable to take part in the Paralympics
EXCLUSIVE By SUE CORCORAN news@wokingham.today WOKINGHAM’S eight gold medal winning Paralympian has had to withdraw from the Tokyo games.
Sophie Christiansen, 33, as a child went to All Saints Primary School, Wokingham, said that she was “absolutely heartbroken” to announce that she and her horse ISSN 2634-8330 ISSN 2634-8330
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Louie would not take part. She said: “There’s always that risk with equestrian sport, and unfortunately it was decided Louie wouldn’t have been able to give his best due to a minor veterinary issue.” And she added: “I am truly gutted also for my team that worked tirelessly to get me selected and everyone who helped me fundraise and donated.” While at All Saints, then Whitelocke Infants and Palmer Juniors, visiting physiotherapists took Sophie, who has cerebral palsy, to Riding for the Disabled at Warfield. She says riding gave her new freedom. Sophie also loved playing football with the boys at break time. The school let her get on
with her love of sport. As she hasn’t gone to Tokyo, she’s free to appear on Channel 4 television’s Paralympics coverage today (Thursday) – available by visiting https:// paralympics.channel4.com. Sophie is on the breakfast show this morning and on the light hearted The Last Leg show this evening. The British Paralympics team leader Penny Briscoe said Sophie was an “incredible athlete, ambassador and advocate for the Paralympic movement.” Despite the Tokyo setback, Sophie, who lives with her boyfriend Peter at Farnborough, already has her mind set on the next games. They would be her fifth.
n Continued on page 27
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