CURRY KING NOMINEE GOES FOR GOLD

Will fusion dishes make Boishakhi a Curry King?

By Charlotte King cking@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM business hopes its “unique” fusion dishes will see it crowned the borough’s first Curry King.

At the start of the month, Wokingham.Today asked readers to help it find the tastiest curry house in the area for a new competition.

Boishakhi, which grew out of the Taj Mahal takeaway on Denmark Street, was one of the first eateries to be nominated.

The restaurant is run by Omar Bhuiya, whose family has been managing local businesses since 1976, and opened its doors on Peach Street in 2013. It offers a range of traditional and unique dishes.

“At Boishakhi, we are inspired by the fusion of Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine,” Mr Bhuiya explained.

“We bring it all together.

“We’ve been in the business for a long time, and have developed our own identity.”

According to the owner, the past 18 months have been a turbulent time for his restaurant, and he thanked diners for “keeping [Boishakhi] alive”.

“At the start of the pandemic, I realised the delivery sector was going to be huge, which we had never really focused on,” he said.

“It’s been a good thing in some ways, because we ended up expanding to cover a bigger area, including Wokingham, Binfield, Warfield and Reading.”

Now, he is hoping Boishakhi can become Wokingham’s first Curry King. he said that it’s all down to the restaurant’s unique mix of cuisines.

“We do food that’s not only street food but it’s something different – it’s what people like to come back to all the time,” Mr Bhuiya said. “We bring something totally new and combine it with something authentic that’s really good to eat.”

He added: “Our food also provides quality at a reasonable price. We keep it in a margin where everyone can afford it.”

And he thanked Wokingham.Today readers for nominating Boishakhi for the award.

“I really appreciate all the effort and loyalty [customers] have shown to me,” the owner said.

“They have inspired me and my kitchen staff that we will achieve something out of all the effort and hard work we’ve put in over the past nine years.

“I really thank them from the bottom of my heart, and hopefully we can carry on like this.” Wokingham.Today’s search is still ongoing and we are asking readers to continue nominating their favourite places for a curry.

Send us a message on Facebook or email news@ wokingham.today to tell us about your top curry house and why you think it deserves to become Wokingham’s Curry King.

The winner will be crowned at the end of the year following a series of knock-out votes on social media.

GRATEFUL: Omar Bhuiya thanked readers for nominating Boishakhi for the Curry King contest Picture: Steve Smyth PINT VISIT: Neil Mottershead, manager of The Pheasant, with Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood in the pub’s beer garden Sir John raises a glass to pub’s refurbishment

A RECENTLY refurbished Winnersh pub welcomed a VIP – Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood.

He popped in to The Pheasant on Reading Road to meet general manager Neil Mottershead and his team.

Sir John learnt that the bar and restaurant now offers East-meetsWest fusion cuisine for diners, with a wide range of wines, craft beers and cocktails to enjoy.

Part of the inn is a 12-bedroom hotel.

Sir John said: “I congratulated Neil on a successful refurbishment and improvement of The Pheasant, which now will provide a restaurant and some hotel rooms to add to local choices.

“I wish The Pheasant every success in creating a great atmosphere and attracting people to enjoy their food and hospitality.”

And Mr Mottershead welcomed the visit.

“Whether you’re out for drinks with friends, having a meal with the family, or looking for somewhere for a date night, The Pheasant Bar and Restaurant is the place for you,” he said.

“We are really enjoying welcoming guests. It was great to meet our local MP and show John the extensive work we have done both inside and with our large outside area.”

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A CELEBRATION of food returns to Reading town centre on Saturday, thanks to the Town Meal.

Around 1,000 people are expected to gather in Forbury Gardens to enjoy the food, which will be served from 12.30pm, while stocks last.

The meal will be prepared by students from Reading College, using fruit and vegetables donated by allotment holders and gardeners from the greater Reading area.

There will also be live music, workshops, community groups and family fun. Food will be available to buy from a produce market.

The event takes place in

A GROUP that aims to rekindle a love for performing music will be returning to Wokingham this weekend.

You Too Music is a workshop aimed at people who used to play an instrument to Grade Three or Four or above and want to get back into the musical habit.

People who want to take part are welcome to come along, as long as they have access to the instrument in question.

The sessions run from 9am to noon on Saturday, September 25, at Wokingham Baptist Church in Milton Road.

Enjoyed playing?

FUNDRAISING: The Walk for Wards event took place on Sunday morning at Dinton Pastures. Picture: Steve Smyth

Walking fundraiser supports Royal Berks Charity

WALKERS took part in the Walk For Wards charity event at Dinton Pastures Country Park on Sunday.

Residents chose to walk distances of 5km (3 miles) or 10k (6 miles) around the lakes.

Setting off at 8.30am, the group wore special t-shirts in support of the charity on the day.

Spooks, scares and fun at pub

By Phil Creighton pcreighton@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM town centre pub is making preparations for a series of parties this autumn.

The Broad Street Tavern has resumed its weekly live music sessions and is now looking to hold special events in the runup to Christmas.

Landlady Lili Collier says that she has big plans for the events, not least her annual Hallowe’en party, which will take place on Friday, October 29.

In previous years, the pub has been spookily decorated and this time round Ms Collier is preparing to up the ante and make the macabre one to remember, and the improved beer garden will play its part.

“Between the first and second lockdown, we installed a marquee in the back garden, so it’s now all under cover. We’ve had really good feedback for this and people think it’s really amazing,” she said.

The covering is open on each side so it is covid-compliant, essentially covering the entire beer garden with a giant umbrella. She has more plans to improve the seating area.

Come Hallowe’en, Ms Collier said she has been teaming up with a special effects company.

“They will have a smoke machine and plenty of surprises,” she says. “On the night, the best fancy dress will win the chance to enjoy a Sunday roast meal for two with a bottle of wine.

“I think our Sunday roasts are the best in town, with the meat carved to order and the biggest Yorkshire puddings in Wokingham.”

Live music on the night will come from Majestix. The band is one of many as the bar hosts music every Friday night.

“Four weeks ago the bands were back and it was really good,” Miss Collier said. “People definitely missed the bands, we missed the bands as well.

“We know people are still wearing masks, and we’re doing what we can to make people feel safe. Our tables are still socially distanced, and we sanitise every table. We are doing all the right things, our pub is clean and safe. If someone books and has concerns, we can make adjustments for them.”

Also taking place in October is a special DJ set to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Henry Wadworth, who founded the brewery to which the Broad Street Tavern is attached.

The party starts at 4pm on Saturday, October 2, and there will be a special brew to commemorate.

“We have a new beer called

Henry 100th to celebrate Henry Wadworth’s birthday,” Ms Collier said. “It’s 4.7%, and it can’t be a bad beer, it’s Wadworth.” The pub has also recently been awarded a five-star cask marque for the way in which is looks after its beers.

“Every line is clean,” Ms Collier said.

Council promotes positive mental health

A PUBLIC consultation has been launched in a bid to promote positive mental health by Wokingham Borough Council.

The council wants the strategy to focus on prevention, early intervention, easy access to support, health promotion and joined up services.

It’s keen to provide care as well as encouraging people to be more independent through the support of their friends, families and the community.

The council also wants to understand the transition process into adult services for young people.

Pre-pandemic, approximately 9,000 people a week in Wokingham were struggling with a mental health problem such as anxiety or depression.

That could have doubled since covid.

A consultation document has been made including discussions with people with lived experience, carers, health and social care staff.

Cllr Phil Cunnington, deputy executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said mental health is not uncommon.

The closing date for comments is Thursday, September 30. It is available at: wokingham.gov.uk

Care home explores Japan

A SHINFIELD care home is keeping the Olympic flame alive.

Parsons Grange, on Westall Street has been running a range of activities to coincide with the Olympic and Paralympic games in Tokyo.

In a garden tournament, residents competed against each other in tennis and quoits.

Residents also explored Japanese culture including food, history, values and way of life.

One resident, Phylis, remembered her running successes fondly.

She ran the London marathon in 1994 and 1996 as well as regularly completing both Reading and Wokingham half marathons.

“I was always a fast runner,” Phylis said. “I started with short distances and worked my way up. When I was older, I joined a running club with some friends, which was unusual at the time for ladies to do so. My advice, don’t over think the distance.”

New drug for heart

AN ANTIOXIDANT drug could save lives after University of Reading researchers find its promising effects.

Funded by the British Heart Foundation, the research carried out saw that the new drug, cysteamine, could be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

When a type of fat called LDL cholesterol becomes oxidised and plaques are formed in the artery walls, blood clots are created.

These clots block vital arteries and stop blood flow, causing heart attacks.

Already known to be safe in humans, cysteamine works by accumulating in the lysosomes and stops the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Professor David Leake, BHFfunded researcher who led the study, said the potential in the drug to protect and save lives “superseded” his expectations.

“We hoped it would cause plaques to grow at a slower pace, but we were amazed to find it reversed the process,” he said.

“Cysteamine would offer an entirely new way of treating atherosclerosis.

“We now want to look at the most efficient way to give this drug to patients, and hope that it can be taken to clinical trials in the next few years.”

For more, visit: bhf.org.uk

Kimel Foundation to open autism training cafe soon

EXCLUSIVE

By JESS WARREN jwarren@wokingham.today

A NEW cafe training young people with autism will open in Wokingham this autumn.

Created by the Kimel Foundation, the Kimel Cafe will support neurodivergent people in the area to learn new skills for both work and home.

Founder Nic Lander said it will be a “super cool cafe” with a twist.

With three neurodivergent daughters, he created the Kimel Foundation last year over concerns about the number of people with autism in employment.

In 2016, the National Autistic Society found that only 16% of autistic adults are in full-time paid employment.

But he said around 70% do want a job.

He hopes the Kimel Cafe will be a place young people can learn new skills and grow.

It is based in the former Premier Express on Evendons Lane, with room for 15 seats inside.

“We don’t need a big space,” Mr Lander said. “First and foremost, we’re here to help people with their social anxiety and increase their skills.”

The cafe will serve hot drinks and freshly baked cakes, created by Mr Lander’s oldest daughter.

Young people will take on paid frontof-house and barista roles.

The team is currently in the process of creating their own house blend of coffee, which they also hope to sell for customers to brew at home.

There will be bike racks out the front, and Mr Lander is hoping to attract some of the borough’s cycling groups for weekend refreshments.

In the evenings, he wants to open the space up for community groups.

“I hope people will support a project like this,” he said. “There has been an incredible amount of interest from young people already.”

This, he said, is both good and bad.

“It’s great that they’re reaching out to us,” Mr Lander said. “But it shows we’re one of the only projects around doing this.”

He hopes to open the cafe in November, although there will not be a song and dance.

“One day we will just open our doors,” he said. “We don’t want to cause any more stress for our young people.”

He hopes it will operate from 8.30am until 4.30pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on the weekends, but this could change later down the line.

In the meantime, all efforts are going into setting up the venue.

He is welcoming any donated items to set up the cafe, including tables, chairs, fridges, freezers and display cabinets.

And in the back of the shop, there will be a private training area for young people.

Mr Lander said it will include a dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board.

“Behind closed doors, people will be able to learn some life skills for their home,” he explained. “It will teach young neurodivergent people how to look after themselves and survive on their own.”

Aware he needs to prove the success of the project, Mr Lander said the Kimel Cafe will use specialised software to track each employees’ outcomes.

“Data brings the money in,” he said. “And we want to prove the positive impact we have. It also helps flag up problems too.”

Mr Lander said it also helps deliver more tailored support for each individual.

“We’re not one size fits all,” he said. n For more information, search for @kimelcafe on Facebook.

INSPIRATTION: Nic Lander and one of his daughters, who helped inspire the Kimel Foundation

Forest School celebrates improved Ofsted rating

A WINNERSH school is celebrating its latest Ofsted report.

The Forest School, on Robin Hood Lane, has been rated good in all areas, following an inspection in July.

It comes after a number of years marked as requiring improvement.

Headteacher, Shirley Austin, said she is proud of the school’s journey over the past four years since she began leading the institution.

“Our families have engaged with my vision and been fantastic,” she said.

“Those families deserve this recognition alongside the staff who have worked with me.

“I firmly believe that we have been an excellent school for some time; with exceptional teaching and learning options, superb student facilities, and a committed, professional body of staff who engage and challenge students.

“I am delighted that Ofsted visited us to validate what we believed.”

The inspectors congratulated staff ambitions for pupils and said lessons are routinely calm and purposeful.

“Pupils at The Forest School understand that learning is important,” they said.

“They apply themselves to their work, showing great tenacity.”

School governor, Cllr Prue Bray, said it was great for the school to be recognised as good.

“After a really difficult time during the pandemic, the head, staff, students and governors have really got something to celebrate,” she said.

“A lot of hard work has gone into improving the school, and we are determined not to rest on our laurels.

“We all want the school to be the best it can possibly be — delivering excellent education for every pupil and making sure they are happy.”

Earley school to host hospital fundraiser

AN EARLEY school is supporting Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) with an upcoming charity event.

Next month, Leighton Park School will host the 2021 Reading Charity Art Fair in a bid to fundraise for RBH’s Staff Wellness Centre.

The Fair, which is coordinated by the school, Reading Guild of Artists and the Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Reading Maiden Erlegh, will include an Art Cafe and Preview Evening.

All donations and purchases made on the day will help fund new facilities for NHS staff, including holistic therapies, exercise classes and psychological support.

A spokesperson for the Art Fair said: “The wellbeing and welfare of NHS staff is essential to the care of all patients.

“To ensure that they get the support they all deserve, a permanent wellbeing centre is being established near to the hospital [and] will be a place for them to rest, relax and access services.”

The Art Fair will take place on the weekend of Saturday, October 30, running between 10am and 5pm on Saturday and 10am and 4pm on Sunday.

Artwork will also be displayed in the corridors of RBH’s Maternity Block on Tuesday, October 26.

Tickets for the Fair cost £10 and can be reserved by emailing readingcharityartfair@ gmail.com